cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling, simulating and optimizing the anaerobic digestion of swine manure

Abstract A detailed dynamic model of the anaerobic digestion process is validated using recently acquired data for steady state and dynamic digester operation with swine manure. The validated model is used to investigate the effects of loading frequency, differences in digester design when liters of methane per liter of digester or liters of methane per gram of Volatile Solids added is maximized, and the sensitivity of gas production to changes in digester inputs. The results indicate that changes in the frequency of loading do not significantly affect digester performance. It is also found that total gas production is insensitive to whether liters of methane per liter of digester or measure digester performance. Finally, it is found that gas production is sensitive to changes in the influent Volatile Solids concentration and the retention time, but is relatively insensitive to changes in the digester temperature.
Time-stepping schemes for moving grid finite elements applied to reaction-diffusion systems on fixed and growing domains

In this paper, we illustrate the application of time-stepping schemes to reaction-diffusion systems on fixed and continuously growing domains by use of finite element and moving grid finite element methods. We present two schemes for our studies, namely a first-order backward Euler finite differentiation formula coupled with a special form of linearisation of the nonlinear reaction terms (1-SBEM) and a second-order semi-implicit backward finite differentiation formula (2-SBDF) with no linearisation of the reaction terms. Our results conclude that for the type of reaction-diffusion systems considered in this paper, the 1-SBEM is more stable than the 2-SBDF scheme and that the 1-SBEM scheme has a larger region of stability (at least by a factor of 10) than that of the 2-SBDF scheme. As a result, the 1-SBEM scheme becomes a natural choice when solving reaction-diffusion problems on continuously deforming domains.
Cellular stability in experimental hemorrhagic shock.

SummaryHemorrhagic shock of varying severity caused liver and kidney cells to become resistant to standard homogenization. This change, readily detected by phase-contrast microscopy, was in part due to the metabolic acidosis of shock.
Closed Loop Thermochemical Energy Transport Based on CO2 Reforming of Methane: Balancing the Reaction Systems

The objective of the Closed Loop Efficiency Analysis (CLEA) Project at Sandia National Laboratories is to develop the data base, the calculational tools, and the operational experience necessary for the design of cost-effective energy transport systems based on reversible chemical reactions. The primary application of interest is the transport of solar energy either from the collectors of a distributed system to a central site or from a solar energy plant of any type located in an area of high solar insolation to a population or industrial center a few to several hundred kilometers away. A series of experiments and analysis have been carried out to explore the effect of catalyst selection, starting composition, reactor temperatures, system pressure, and water recycle on the operation and the efficiency of an energy transport-system based on the reversible carbon dioxide reforming of methane. Both the experiments in the CLEA laboratory facility and the analyses indicate that the carbon dioxide/methane thermochemical energy transport system can be operated in a stable, closed-loop mode and that the system can be started up and shut down, as it must be daily in a solar application, without triggering either catastrophic instabilities or carbon deposition. Based on the success ofmore » the CLEA project, two new hardware projects have been initiated to address scale-up and direct solar interfacing.« less
Boundary conditions and spin waves in spin-polarized quantum gases

Abstract Macroscopic boundary conditions are studied for spin dynamics in spin-polarized quantum gases. The constants in the boundary conditions are related to all possible microscopic processes (scattering, depolarization, sticking, etc.). Important changes start with the formation of an absorbed boundary layer at low temperatures.
A clinician's guide to salvage therapy for persistent Helicobacter pylori infection.

AbstractSince its discovery in 1982, Helicobacter pylori has been established as a common cause of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. H pylori infection is also closely associated with several gastric malignancies and has consequently been designated a human carcinogen. As these associations have become increasingly recognized and pursued, a growing challenge facing today's clinicians is the management of patients with persistent H pylori despite previous attempts to treat the infection. In developed countries, the most popular treatment regimen remains traditional triple therapy consisting of a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin for 7 to 14 days. Unfortunately, eradication rates with traditional triple therapy are disappointing, with infection persisting in as many as 25% of those treated. This article addresses the management of patients with persistent H pylori infection, including indications for confirmatory testing, reasons for treatment failure, and established and emerging sal...
Carcinogenicity of the environmental pollutants cyclopenteno-(cd)pyrene and cyclopentano(cd)pyrene in mouse skin

Cyclopenteno(cd)pyrene (CPEP) is a widespread environmental pollutant. This hydrocarbon and its 3,4-dihydro derivative, cyclopentano(cd)pyrene (CPAP), were tested on skin in a two-stage initiation-promotion experiment in CD-1 mice and by repeated application in Swiss mice. The biological effect of CPEP and CPAP was compared to that of benzo(a)-pyrene (BP). Nine-week-old female CD-1 mice in groups of 30 were treated every other day over a 20-day period at mini-dose levels of 0.18, 0.06 and 0.02 mumol of CPEP or CPAP in acetone. One group was treated with BP at the low mini-dose level. Initiation was followed by twice weekly application of tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate for 40 weeks. In the second experiments, nine-week-old female Swiss mice in groups of 30 were treated at dose levels of 1.8, 0.6 and 0.2 mumol CPEP or CPAP in acetone twice weekly for 30 weeks. One group was treated with BP at the low dose. CPAP was virtually inactive in both studies. In the initiation-promotion experiment CPEP was inactive at the low dose level, whereas BP exhibited significant tumorigenicity. At the medium and high doses CPEP showed weak, but statistically insignificant, tumorigenic activity. Repeated application of CPEP at the high, medium and low doses resulted in tumormore » incidences of 23, 37 and 57%, respectively. This reverse dose-response may be due to the relatively high cytotoxicity of CPEP, BP, which was compared to CPEP at the low dose, elicited tumors in 100% of the mice. Most of the CPEP-induced neoplasms were malignant and some metastasized to lungs and lymph nodes. The inactivity of CPAP suggests the carcinogenicity of CPEP is probably due to formation of the ultimate metabolite CPEP 3,4-oxide. In view of the abundance of CPEP in environmental and occupational pollutants, its moderately potent carcinogenicity may represent a potential health hazard.« less
Asymptotic Elasticity in Atomic Monoids

Let M be a commutative atomic monoid (i.e. every nonzero nonunit of M can be factored as a product of irreducible elements). Let ρ(x) denote the elasticity of x ∈ M, R(M) = {ρ(x) | x ∈ M} the set of elasticities of elements in M, and ρ(M) = sup R(M) the elasticity of M. Define \overline{ρ}(x) = limn→∞ ρ(xn) to be the asymptotic elasticity of x. We determine some basic properties of the function \overline{ρ} and determine its image for certain block monoids.
1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 induced growth inhibition of PC‐3 prostate cancer cells requires an active transforming growth factor beta signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer growth inhibition by 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) is best characterized in the androgen dependent LNCaP cell line, where treatment with this hormone causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. 1,25(OH)2D3 also inhibits the growth of PC-3 prostate cancer cells, but not through the induction of G1 arrest or apoptosis. In this study, we have sought to elucidate the mechanism/s involved in PC-3 cell growth inhibition by 1,25(OH)2D3. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS We determined the effect of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) blocking antibodies on 1,25(OH)2D3 mediated growth inhibition of PC-3 cells. In addition, we also studied the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on TGFβ signaling and receptor expression. Finally, we assessed the role of TGFβ signaling in the induction of the growth inhibitory protein, insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), by 1,25(OH)2D3. RESULTS We find that 1,25(OH)2D3 action in PC-3 cells is mediated through at least two distinct pathways, the TGFβ pathway and the IGFBP-3 pathway. We show that 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment elevates TGFβ production and signaling, as well as receptor levels, in PC-3 cells. Further, using a blocking antibody against TGFβ substantially reduces 1,25(OH)2D3 mediated growth inhibition without affecting IGFBP-3 induction, suggesting that IGFBP-3, alone, is insufficient to inhibit the growth of PC-3 cells. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Empirical versus ab initio atomic radii for melting theory of disordered alloys

Abstract It has been suggested that the failure of Lindemann theory to predict the melting temperature of alkali metal alloys results from the neglect of size disorder. When the effects of size disorder are added to the theory in a similar way to vibrational (thermal) disorder and atomic radii derived from experiment are used as input, one can accurately predict alloy melting temperatures. In contrast, when this approach is used with atomic radii derived from ab initio pseudopotentials, it fails to recreate the experimental melting curves. Although the added size disorder term is itself explicitly independent of temperature, a functional temperature dependence of the radii is necessary to reproduce accurately the melting data.
A tradeoff method to assess housing location preferences

Abstract In public decision making, tradeoffs between competing goods must be made by someone other than the user. A tradeoff technique provides a means both to allow users to participate in the decision making process and to educate users about the constraints involved in making such decisions. Seventy-two female public housing tenants were asked to describe their ideal housing location in terms of 20 attributes, including preferred distance to 16 facilities and preferred quality of four features of the environment. In the tradeoff situation, they were given constrained budgets and asked to ‘buy’ the most satisfactory location based on these 20 attributes. The ideal and tradeoff approaches show a general agreement about attributes that should be most heavily weighted in making decisions about public housing location. The rank order of the importance of the attributes differs, however, indicating that the tradeoff method should be used to weight the importance of each attribute. Residents' responses were influenced by the availability of an automobile but were relatively little affected by the personal characteristics of race, age of children and employment status.
Fragment production and recruitment ecology of the red alga Laurencia poiteaui in Florida Bay, USA

In 2000 and 2001, Laurencia poiteaui (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales) was the dominant organism in the patchy seagrass beds off Long Key in Florida Bay. Earlier research established that asexual fragmentation is the predominant mode of reproduction in this benthic drift macroalga, yet no studies documenting post-fragment success have been published to date. To better understand fragmentation, and ultimately recruitment of L. poiteaui, we examined fragment: 1) accumulation rates, 2) variability, 3) dispersal distances, and 4) attachment rates. In July 2000 and July 2001, the majority (> 50%) of the algal fragment pool near Long Key was comprised of L. poiteaui. The length of these fragments ranged from 0.7 to 15.7 cm, but > 75% of the collected fragments were < 6 cm. Short dispersal distances (< 7 cm within beds of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum and < 30 cm over sand after 7 days) and fast attachment rates (< 48 h) suggest that most fragments (3–4 fragments/day/m2) recruit locally. Attachment success of L. poiteaui fragments was high in both laboratory and field (95.5% and 88.2%, respectively). Sand and silt decreased the attachment rate of L. poiteaui, but the presence of a terminal apical tip had no influence. The combination of high fragment production, slow dispersal rates, and rapid attachment rates of L. poiteaui ultimately suggests that vegetative fragmentation plays an important role in the abundance of this macroalga in the calm, shallow areas of southeastern Florida Bay.
Quantifying the size-dependent effect of the residual surface stress on the resonant frequencies of silicon nanowires if finite deformation kinematics are considered

There are two major objectives to the present work. The first objective is to demonstrate that, in contrast to predictions from linear surface elastic theory, when nonlinear, finite deformation kinematics are considered, the residual surface stress does impact the resonant frequencies of silicon nanowires. The second objective of this work is to delineate, as a function of nanowire size, the relative contributions of both the residual (strain-independent) and the surface elastic (strain-dependent) parts of the surface stress to the nanowire resonant frequencies. Both goals are accomplished by using the recently developed surface Cauchy-Born model, which accounts for nanoscale surface stresses through a nonlinear, finite deformation continuum mechanics model that leads to the solution of a standard finite element eigenvalue problem for the nanowire resonant frequencies. In addition to demonstrating that the residual surface stress does impact the resonant frequencies of silicon nanowires, we further show that there is a strong size dependence to its effect; in particular, we find that consideration of the residual surface stress alone leads to significant errors in predictions of the nanowire resonant frequency, with an increase in error with decreasing nanowire size. Correspondingly, the strain-dependent part of the surface stress is found to have an increasingly important effect on the resonant frequencies of the nanowires with decreasing nanowire size.
HIV-related alterations in CD8 cell subsets defined by in Vitro survival characteristics

Abstract Previously we showed that over 50% of CD8 cells from HIV-infected persons do not survive in 3-day cultures of mononuclear cells; this loss occurred preferentially in subsets with phenotypes indicative of in vivo activation. In the studies reported here, we asked if cytokines enhanced CD8 cell survival. Of ILI, IL2, IL4, IL6, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon-γ only IL2 specifically enhanced CD8 survival in the HIV group, compared to the control group. Further studies thus focused on characterizing CD8 cell survival in the presence of IL2. In both study groups, three subsets of CD8 cells were identified based on in vitro survival: (a) those surviving in culture medium alone (survivors), (b) those surviving only when IL2 was included in the culture medium (IL2-dependent survivors), and (c) those failing to survive even in the presence of IL2 (nonsurvivors). By dual-color cytofluorometry, the CD8 survivor subset was similar in the two study groups, and expressed nonactivated phenotypes (Leu8 + , CD45RA + , HLA-DR − ). The IL2-dependent survivor subset was also similar in the two study groups and expressed the phenotypes (Leu8 + , CD45RA + , CD57 + , HLA-DR + , and CD38 + , suggesting prior activation. The CD8 nonsurvivor subset, in contrast, was markedly different in the study groups; compared to the control group, the HIV group contained significantly higher proportions of CD8 cells expressing the phenotypes (Leu8 + , CD57 + , and HLA-DR + , also suggesting activation. These findings indicate that, in HIV infection, the activated CD8 cell subsets that do not survive in medium alone consist of a “normal” component that requires IL2 for survival and an “abnormal” component that does not survive even in IL2.
Representation and sampling of Hardy functions

We prove a new sampling formula and disprove the existence of a Shannon sampling formula for functions in the Hardy space ℋ2(ℝ). As a consequence, a new series representation of the Riemann zeta function in the half plane is obtained. We also provide various estimates for the truncations error. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can highly sensitive antimüllerian hormone testing predict failed response to ovarian stimulation

Objective To determine whether a newer commercially available antimullerian hormone (AMH) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (picoAMH ELISA, AnshLabs) with a lower threshold of detection is predictive of successful ovarian stimulation in a population of women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Design Retrospective case-control study. Setting University-based IVF program. Patient(s) Cases were patients whose first IVF cycle was cancelled for lack of ovarian response ( Intervention(s) Frozen serum samples collected during routine clinical care between 2008 and 2012 before starting IVF were analyzed for AMH using the picoAMH ELISA. Main Outcome Measure(s) Serum AMH levels in patients who successfully reached oocyte retrieval compared with patients with a failed controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle. Receiver operator curve analysis was used to identify a predictive threshold AMH value. Result(s) No demographic differences were found between groups. The successful group had a higher antral follicle count (8.5 vs. 6) and higher AMH levels (847 vs. 406 pg/mL). The AMH level correlated with the antral follicle count ( R = 0.61). The AMH level of >500 pg/mL had 83.3% sensitivity and 70.8% specificity to detect patients who proceeded to successful oocyte retrieval. Below AMH levels of 100 pg/mL, no patients achieved oocyte retrieval. Conclusion(s) Due to a lower threshold of detection, picoAMH may be able to predict successful ovarian stimulation among women with DOR using a threshold of 500 pg/mL, with good sensitivity and specificity.
Cryogenic far-infrared Fabry-Perot étalon.

A small cryogenic Fabry-Perot etalon was fabricated for the far-infrared region. The design used freestanding metal meshes for the reflecting elements. Using a combination of gold-coated copper mesh on stainless steel. The spacing is reproduced to 1 part in 10 exp 6 with repeated cooling. The properties and methods used for alignment and calibration are presented.
New insights into the effects of high temperature, drought and post-anthesis fertilizer on wheat grain development

Abstract Temperature, water and fertilizer have complex and interacting effects on wheat grain development, yield and flour quality. Transcript and protein profiling studies have provided insight into molecular processes in the grain and are now being used in conjunction with controlled growth experiments to decipher the effects of specific environmental variables on grain development. These studies are complicated because environmental treatments such as high temperature and drought shorten the duration of grain development and because effects of high temperature and drought on gene expression and protein accumulation are superimposed upon those of post-anthesis fertilizer. The integration of data from recent proteomic and transcriptomic studies is an important step in identifying genes and proteins that respond to environment and affect yield and flour quality. Such information is needed to develop wheat better able to adapt to global climate change.
Rapid catalyst-free flame synthesis of α-Nb2O5 micro/nanorods

Abstract We report the ultra-rapid synthesis of Nb oxide nano/micron sized rods using a flame method; the single-step process is achieved in less than a few minutes. The synthesis is performed using 1-mm diameter Nb probes (metal source) inserted in the oxygen-rich part of an counter-flow methane/acetylene oxy-flame. The niobium oxide structures can grow nearly instantaneously in a white layer of material surrounding the surface of the Nb probe. The Nb oxide layer is composed of individual and coalesced micro/nanorods that are rapidly formed on the surface of the Nb wire. The grown crystals forming the metal oxide layer grow through a basal growth mechanism due to the constant flow of oxygen and oxygen radicals from the flame onto the surface of the niobium probe. The morphology of the grown Nb oxide structures strongly depends on the flame position (temperature and chemical species). X-Ray Diffraction analysis reveals that the micro/nanorods forming the layer are composed of monoclinic α-Nb 2 O 5 .
Transformation of the fungal maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus using the Aspergillus nidulans amdS gene

Cochliobolus heterostrophus protoplasts transformed with a plasmid carrying the Aspergillus nidulans amdS gene (Hynes et al. 1983) gave rise to colonies on a selective medium that did not support significant growth of wild type cells. The plasmid integrated at a single chromosomal locus in each transformant analyzed and the site of integration differed among transformants. Some transformants had one copy of the plasmid, others had multiple copies tandemly arranged and oriented head-to-tail. Both single and multiple copies segregated meiotically as single genes and were mitotically stable on either selective or nonselective medium. The andS gene is advantageous for transformation of genetically undeveloped fungi because it is selectable in wild type cells in organisms that lack a functional amdS gene, thus eliminating the need for induced mutations in recipient strains. Moreover, there is no background due to reversion of a counter-selected mutant allele.
COGNITIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR OLDER DIABETICS

Diabetes is an insidiously dangerous disease, often resulting in many negative effects including heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness. Both the probability of contracting diabetes and the probability of developing complications associated with the disease increase with age. Poor compliance contributes to older adults’ increased risk of developing complications associated with diabetes. Because poor medical compliance among older adults is frequently due to age‐related changes in cognitive processes, this article discusses how memory training and other cognitive interventions may help older diabetics better manage this disease.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Filipino-Americans: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract Aim The aims of this study are a) to examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Filipino-Americans, b) to compare the rate of metabolic syndrome between Filipino men and women, and c) to examine the prevalence of central adiposity. Background Filipino-Americans are the second largest Asian subgroup in the United States and their leading cause of death is coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods This study utilized a descriptive correlational, cross-sectional design that included a convenience sample of 300 Filipino-Americans residing in Southern Nevada. Survey questionnaires were used to collect the sample's demographic data and presence of CHD risk factors. Waist circumference measurements were used to examine central adiposity. Results Metabolic syndrome and central adiposity are highly prevalent among Filipino-Americans residing in Southern Nevada. More men than women had the syndrome, but the rate of central adiposity was significantly higher in women than in men. Conclusions Intensive lifestyle modifications and treatment are indicated to decrease the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the risk of heart disease in this group.
Foreign exchange reserves and import demand in a developing economy: the case of Pakistan

Conventional specifications of import demand in LDCs have commonly been plagued by implausible and unstable parameter estimates. This paper shows the importance of imposing long‐run income homogeneity and of including foreign exchange reserves when estimating import demand function for an LDC. Using several cointegration techniques, it is shown that there is one linear relationship among real imports, real income, relative import prices and real foreign exchange reserves. In addition, by employing stability tests for cointegrated systems by Hansen (1992a), the paper shows that only when foreign exchange reserves and long‐run unit‐income homogeneity are accounted for does a constant parameter, long‐run equilibrium relation emerge for Pakistan. Also, the ensuing short‐run dynamic model is constant and data‐coherent. Finally, the study provides information on the speed of adjustment to equilibrium and the median and mean time lags of adjustments of real imports to changes in their determinants. The results i...
Caspases and Kinases in a Death Grip

The complex process of apoptosis is orchestrated by caspases, a family of cysteine proteases with unique substrate specificities. Accumulating evidence suggests that cell death pathways are finely tuned by multiple signaling events, including direct phosphorylation of caspases, whereas kinases are often substrates of active caspases. Importantly, caspase-mediated cleavage of kinases can terminate prosurvival signaling or generate proapoptotic peptide fragments that help to execute the death program and facilitate packaging of the dying cells. Here, we review caspases as kinase substrates and kinases as caspase substrates and discuss how the balance between cell survival and cell death can be shifted through crosstalk between these two enzyme families.
Automatic abstractions of real-time specifications

This paper explores the automatic generation of abstractions of real-time specifications. Abstractions of formal specifications hide certain details while preserving other essential aspects of system behavior. Abstractions are useful in the context of model-checking because the state-space explosion problem often prohibits model-checking of the full specification. Abstractions are commonly used to develop reduced models, but the abstractions are often generated in ad hoc, informal and not automated ways. As a consequence, the reduced models may be incorrect-that as, they may not accurately capture the behavior of the original specification. The approach described here uses dependency information to automatically generate mathematically sound abstractions for real-time specifications. In addition, timing information is incorporated to further reduce the model. The technique is illustrated by an example which yields a 26% reduction in the time required to generate the state-space representing equivalent behavior to the original specification.
Technical Note: On the Composition of Anodic Corrosion Films on Nickel in the Region of Secondary Passivity

Laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS) was used to identify the film formed during the anodic corrosion of Ni in 0.15 N borate and 0.15 N Na/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ solutions (pH8.4). At formation potentials in the region of secondary passivity, the film composition was found to correspond most closely to that of hydrated Ni/sub 2/O/sub 3/. The surface film formed in 0.05 M H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ solution (pH 1.2) yielded a vibrational spectrum, which indicates a material of different structure and composition. Structural dissimilarity is further suggested by the observed difference in the electrochemical properties measured by cyclic potentiodynamic scans. The film formed in near-neutral solution is reversible reducible, while that in acid is not. The technique of LRS has been shown to provide useful information on the composition of corrosion films. The ability to examine surface layers in situ using this method is particularly valuable and of great advantage over other conventional surface analytical methods, which require that samples be examined under high-vacuum conditions. The Raman technique was used to determine the composition of anodically formed corrosion films and the structure of adsorbates on electrode surfaces. The interest of the present authors has been the correlation of the molecular structure ofmore » the surface films and their electrochemical (charge and mass transport) properties. In a recent publication, the present authors described the results of spectro-electrochemical studies on the corrosion film on nickel produced by anodization in basic solution. Here, the results of further investigations in near-neutral and acid solutions are reported.« less
Effects of Caregiving on the Families of Children and Adults with Disabilities

Parents of children with disabilities encounter stresses unlike those of families with typically developing children. Medical professionals must appreciate that they are not only treating the child but also the family. A state-of-the-art understanding of their patient's disability is implied, but they must also understand the dynamics of raising a child with a disability, appreciate the different models of health care delivery, and provide guidance in transition to adulthood in healthcare as well as life (education, living arrangements, conservancy, etc). An awareness of the physical and mental health impacts on the parents of a child with a chronic disability should also be appreciated.
CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE (CGRP) IN THE DEVELOPING MOUSE LIMB

The mitogenic effects of neuropeptides and their localization to developing tissues suggest an important role for these peptides during gestation. We examined the expression and action of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the developing mouse limb bud, an excellent model system for studying musculoskeletal development. CGRP immunoreactivity (CGRP-ir) was first detected in the developing limb at day 16.5 of gestation (E 16.5) and was limited to nerve fibers surrounding blood vessels, within the developing muscle or in close proximity to the developing cartilaginous skeleton. Although CGRP-ir was not observed until E 16.5, limb buds were responsive to CGRP as early as E 11.5. Within 5 min of exposure to CGRP (10−8to 10−7M) a 2–3-fold increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels was observed. This CGRP-induced increase in cAMP was abolished by the addition of human CGRP8–37, a CGRP receptor antagonist. This result suggests that the effect on cAMP was mediated by the interaction of CGRP with ...
Vesicular glutamate transporter 2 is required for the respiratory and parasympathetic activation produced by optogenetic stimulation of catecholaminergic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of mice in vivo

Catecholaminergic neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM-CA neurons; C1 neurons) contribute to the sympathetic, parasympathetic and neuroendocrine responses elicited by physical stressors such as hypotension, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and infection. Most RVLM-CA neurons express vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT)2, and may use glutamate as a ionotropic transmitter, but the importance of this mode of transmission in vivo is uncertain. To address this question, we genetically deleted VGLUT2 from dopamine-β-hydroxylase-expressing neurons in mice [DβH(Cre/0) ;VGLUT2(flox/flox) mice (cKO mice)]. We compared the in vivo effects of selectively stimulating RVLM-CA neurons in cKO vs. control mice (DβH(Cre/0) ), using channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2-mCherry) optogenetics. ChR2-mCherry was expressed by similar numbers of rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neurons in each strain (~400 neurons), with identical selectivity for catecholaminergic neurons (90-99% colocalisation with tyrosine hydroxylase). RVLM-CA neurons had similar morphology and axonal projections in DβH(Cre/0) and cKO mice. Under urethane anesthesia, photostimulation produced a similar pattern of activation of presumptive ChR2-positive RVLM-CA neurons in DβH(Cre/0) and cKO mice. Photostimulation in conscious mice produced frequency-dependent respiratory activation in DβH(Cre/0) mice but no effect in cKO mice. Similarly, photostimulation under urethane anesthesia strongly activated efferent vagal nerve activity in DβH(Cre/0) mice only. Vagal responses were unaffected by α1 -adrenoreceptor blockade. In conclusion, two responses evoked by RVLM-CA neuron stimulation in vivo require the expression of VGLUT2 by these neurons, suggesting that the acute autonomic responses driven by RVLM-CA neurons are mediated by glutamate.
Process simulation in the complex domain

The asymptotic behavior of fixed-point methods in the complex domain is studied. Both direct substitution and Newton’s method exhibit stable periodic and aperiodic behavior from real- or complex-valued starting points. Moreover, multiple stable periodic orbits can exist for direct substitution. Traditional trust region (or dogleg) methods, on the other hand, often terminate at singular points, which correspond to nonzero-valued saddlepoints in the least-squares function that can be arbitrarily far from a solution. Furthermore, the basins of attraction of these singular points are usually dispersed throughout the basin boundaries in the complex domain, clearly illustrating that singular points (via the dogleg strategy) also attract either real- or complex-valued starting points. In light of this, an extension of the dogleg strategy to the complex domain, based on a simple norm-reducing, singular point perturbation, is proposed. This extended trust region method removes all forms of nonconvergent behavior and always terminates at a j’iied point, even from critical point (worst-case) initial values. Many numerical results and geometric illustrations using chemical process simulation examples are presented.
Mental Status Change, Myoclonus, Electrocardiographic Changes, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Induced by Quetiapine Overdose

A 41-year-old man with bipolar disorder came to the emergency department with mental status changes, prolonged rate-corrected QT interval, and myoclonus after ingesting 4500 mg of quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug. Within 24 hours, respiratory failure ensued, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Chest radiograph demonstrated bilateral infiltrates consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). To our knowledge, this is the first report of ARDS resulting from quetiapine overdose. Clinicians should be aware that in cases of large overdoses of quetiapine, patients should be closely monitored if mental status changes, electrocardiographic changes, or hypoxia occur, preferably in an intensive care unit.
Two forms of ribosomal protein L2 of Escherichia coli that inhibit DnaA in DNA replication

We purified an inhibitor of oriC plasmid replication and determined that it is a truncated form of ribosomal protein L2 evidently lacking 59 amino acid residues from the C-terminal region encoded by rplB. We show that this truncated form of L2 or mature L2 physically interacts with the N-terminal region of DnaA to inhibit initiation from oriC by apparently interfering with DnaA oligomer formation, and the subsequent assembly of the prepriming complex on an oriC plasmid. Both forms of L2 also inhibit the unwinding of oriC by DnaA. These in vitro results raise the possibility that one or both forms of L2 modulate DnaA function in vivo to regulate the frequency of initiation.
Robust Kalman filter design for predictive wind shear detection

Severe low-altitude wind shear is a threat to aviation safety. Newly developed airborne sensors measure the radial component of wind along a line directly in front of an aircraft. The authors use optimal estimation theory to define a detection algorithm to warn of hazardous wind shear from these sensors. To achieve robustness, a wind shear detection algorithm must distinguish threatening wind shear from less hazardous gustiness, despite variations in wind shear structure. Statistical analysis methods to refine wind shear detection algorithm robustness are presented. Computational methods predict the ability to warn of severe wind shear and avoid false warning. Comparative capability of the detection algorithm as a function of its design parameters is determined, identifying designs that provide robust detection of severe wind shear. >
Crustal structure of north-central Nevada: Results from COCORP deep seismic profiling

Deep seismic-reflection data which were collected by COCORP in central Nevada at ∼40°N latitude reveal a horizontally laminated, reflective lower crust and an upper crust containing prominent moderately dipping reflections from Cenozoic lava flows, basin fill, normal faults, older thrust: faults, and Paleozoic sediments. Prominent Moho reflections are seen at depths of 31–35 km, in agreement with refraction-based Moho depths for this area. The strongly layered character of the lower crust is best developed near the mid-Miocene Northern Nevada rift, suggesting that Cenozoic magmatism and ductile extension have played an important role in the development of this fabric. East-dipping reflections beneath southern Grass Valley in Lander County may locally disrupt an otherwise continuous “reflection Moho.”
A New Late Cretaceous Marine Vertebrate Assemblage from the Lincoln Limestone Member of the Greenhorn Limestone in Southeastern Colorado

The Lincoln Limestone Member of the Greenhorn Limestone is a mid-Cenomanian (94.7–95 Ma) deposit of the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway in North America. Fossiliferous rock samples from the Lincoln Limestone were collected at a new locality (‘Table Mesa locality’) in southeastern Colorado. Acid treatment of the rock samples yielded at least 29 vertebrate taxa, including 13 chondiichthyan and 14 osteichthyan fishes as well as two reptilian (squamate) taxa. The taxonomic composition of the fauna broadly resembles previously described mid-Cenomanian localities in North America that further demonstrates the high taxonomic homogeneity of vertebrates in the Western Interior Seaway. Although the occurence of a terrestrial lizaid is noteworthy, proportions of common taxa at the Table Mesa locality are particularity similar to another Lincoln Limestone locality situated about 100 km to the west where remains of bony fishes also dominate.
Hormonal modulation of connective tissue homeostasis and sex differences in risk for osteoarthritis of the knee

Young female athletes experience a higher incidence of ligament injuries than their male counterparts, females experience a higher incidence of joint hypermobility syndrome (a risk factor for osteoarthritis development), and post-menopausal females experience a higher prevalence of osteoarthritis than age-matched males. These observations indicate that fluctuating sex hormone levels in young females and loss of ovarian sex hormone production due to menopause likely contribute to observed sex differences in knee joint function and risk for loss of function. In studies of osteoarthritis, however, there is a general lack of appreciation for the heterogeneity of hormonal control in both women and men. Progress in this field is limited by the relatively few preclinical osteoarthritis models, and that most of the work with established models uses only male animals. To elucidate sex differences in osteoarthritis, it is important to examine sex hormone mechanisms in cells from knee tissues and the sexual dimorphism in the role of inflammation at the cell, tissue, and organ levels. There is a need to determine if the risk for loss of knee function and integrity in females is restricted to only the knee or if sex-specific changes in other tissues play a role. This paper discusses these gaps in knowledge and suggests remedies.
Muon phase rotation using an induction linac

The proposed neutrino factory requires that the muons produced by the decay of pions and kaons produced by a target be phase-rotated before they can be cooled and then accelerated. This report describes a muon phase-rotation system that employs an induction acceleration system. The phase-rotation system consists of a 100-meter long induction accelerator, a mini-cooling system with magnetic flux reversal, and two 80-meter long induction linacs with a drift space between them. The induction linac phase-rotation system uses a 620-mm warm bore 1.25 T superconducting solenoid to guide the muons in the beam channel. The phase-rotation linac is divided into 1-meter long components each with its superconducting solenoid. This report describes the induction cells, the induction cell power system, and the superconducting solenoid contained within those cells.
TRAIL Dependent Fratricidal Killing of gp120 Primed Hepatocytes by HCV Core Expressing Hepatocytes

The mechanism by which HIV and HCV cooperatively accelerate hepatocyte damage is not clearly understood; however, each virus affects the TRAIL: TRAIL- receptor system. We, therefore, questioned whether the independent effects of HCV and HIV combine to synergistically result in TRAIL dependent hepatocyte killing. We describe that Huh7 hepatocytes treated with HIV gp120 results in both increase TRAIL-R2 expression and an acquired sensitivity to TRAIL mediated killing. Moreover HCV infection and HCV core expression alone in Huh7 cells upregulates TRAIL. Co-incubation of HIV gp120 primed hepatocytes with HCV core expressing hepatocytes results in the selective death of the HIV gp120 primed hepatocytes that is selectively blocked by TRAIL–R2-Fc fusion protein. Liver biopsies from HIV mono-infected patients have increased TRAIL-R2; biopsies from HCV infected patients have increased TRAIL, while co-infected liver biopsies have increased PARP cleavage within hepatocytes indicating enhanced apoptosis. These findings suggest a pathogenic model to understand why HIV/HCV co-infection accelerates liver injury.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome associated with the use of prochlorperazine in a patient with a recent history of antipsychotic-induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Objective To describe a case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) associated with the use of prochlorperazine in a patient recently hospitalized for NMS secondary to olanzapine. Case summary A 28-year-old African American male with a history of schizophrenia was hospitalized 22 days prior to the current admission for an episode of olanzapine-induced NMS. The patient was discharged from our hospital to an outside psychiatric facility. At this facility, the patient developed nausea and was given 2 doses (unknown amount and route) of prochlorperazine. Over the next 24 hours, the patient exhibited signs and symptoms of NMS including fever, agitation, and muscle rigidity. He was transported to the emergency department and became increasingly agitated. Upon admission, the patient was hyperthermic (rectal temperature 39 °C) and tachycardic (heart rate 138 beats/min), with an elevated white blood cell count of 13.5 × 10(3)/μL, creatine kinase 431 units/L, serum sodium 150 mEq/L, blood urea nitrogen 25 mg/dL, and creatinine 1.1 mg/dL. A diagnosis of NMS was speculated and infectious causes were excluded. The patient was treated with aggressive fluid resuscitation and rapid cooling measures, as well as bromocriptine and lorazepam. Cooling measures were used for 48 hours, during which time the creatine kinase, white blood cell count, sodium, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine gradually normalized. The patient was discharged to a psychiatry facility with a treatment regimen of oxcarbazepine 600 mg twice daily, lorazepam 2 mg 3 times daily, and clozapine 25 mg at bedtime, which was titrated over 2 months to 200 mg twice daily. There have been no further occurrences of NMS. Discussion The patient had all of the major characteristics of NMS with no other likely causative factors that may have contributed to his illness. Use of the Naranjo probability scale suggested that NMS was probably related to prochlorperazine. This case highlights the potential increased risk with the use of prochlorperazine in a patient with a history of olanzapine-induced NMS. Conclusions NMS should be considered as a rare complication of therapy with antipsychotics and agents that alter dopamine activity, especially in patients with a history of the syndrome. Careful consideration should be given regarding the risks and benefits of using non-antipsychotic dopamine antagonists in patients with a history of antipsychotic-induced NMS.
Robust 3D Action Recognition with Random Occupancy Patterns

We study the problem of action recognition from depth sequences captured by depth cameras, where noise and occlusion are common problems because they are captured with a single commodity camera. In order to deal with these issues, we extract semi-local features called random occupancy pattern ROP features, which employ a novel sampling scheme that effectively explores an extremely large sampling space. We also utilize a sparse coding approach to robustly encode these features. The proposed approach does not require careful parameter tuning. Its training is very fast due to the use of the high-dimensional integral image, and it is robust to the occlusions. Our technique is evaluated on two datasets captured by commodity depth cameras: an action dataset and a hand gesture dataset. Our classification results are superior to those obtained by the state of the art approaches on both datasets.
Changepoint Inference for Erdős–Rényi Random Graphs

We formulate a model for the off-line estimation of a changepoint in a network setting. The framework naturally allows the parameter space (network size) to grow with the number of observations. We compute the signal-to-noise ratio detectability threshold, and establish the dependence of the rate of convergence and asymptotic distribution on the network size and parameters. In addition, we show that inference can be adaptive, i.e. asymptotically correct confidence intervals can be computed based on the data. We apply the method to the question of whether US Congress has abruptly become more polarized at some point in recent history.
Effects of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Host Immune Response

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the largest interface between an animal’s internal milieu and its exterior environment. As such, it forms a physical barrier between the two environments. However, the function of the GI tract in the well-being of an animal is more complex than this passive role. The GI tract not only regulates the selective entry of nutrients while keeping vigilant against pathogens, it is largely responsible for shaping the immune response. Through specialized receptors and other general mechanisms, the GI tract senses changes in its environment and actively responds to the changes. These responses allow the intestine to contribute to the defense against microbes as well as control and regulate the local immune response. In addition, the luminal microbial ecosystem is a highly complex community of primarily bacterial microbes that communicates extensively with itself and the host. The microbial community has major influences on the host, including effects on nutrient absorption, cancer, inflammation, host metabolism, barrier function, and gut function (neuromotor, immunological, vascular) among others. Regulation of the immune response is the basis for the use of probiotics and prebiotics reviewed in this chapter.
Semantic Resources for Managing Legislative Information

The new frontier of the Semantic Web is moving more and more away from information searching of the substantial aspects of documents requiring the availability of advanced editing tools able to handle and manage not only the text but also the semantics of documents. The structuring of legal text in XML offers the opportunity to render legislation not only machine-processable but also machine-understandable, enabling legislative text and its contents to be semantically annotated and conceptually identified by means of semantic mark-up. Starting from this assumption, this chapter is devoted to the analysis of the state of the art of the semantic resources that can be used by information technology as tools for overcoming issues linked with the semantic management of legislative texts.