cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of a triple parser to enable visual searching with a biomedical search engine

We describe a new biomedical search engine that enables visual searching and utilises predicates instead of phrases. We report on the development and evaluation of the triple parser, the most essential component of the search engine, which extracts the necessary predicates from the biomedical text. Using texts from three biomedical related sites (N = 180), we compared the parser’s output with a gold standard independently created by a medical expert. The parser achieved more than 91% precision and recall. Its individual components showed different strengths with Finite State Automata being excellent for achieving high recall, while Support Vector Machines improved the precision.
Metastatic thyroid carcinoma presenting as an expansile intraluminal esophageal mass

We report a patient with metastatic thyroid carcinoma invading the esophagus in whom barium and MR examinations revealed an expansile intraluminal mass indistinguishable from that of a primary esophageal malignancy. Metastatic thyroid carcinoma should therefore be included in the differential diagnosis of an expansile esophageal mass. As in our patient, MR imaging may be useful for showing that the mass originates in the thyroid gland.
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atypical Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

Ablation of Atypical Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia. Introduction: Published reports of radiofrequency ablation of atypical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tacbycardia (AVNRT) have been limited. We present our experience in 10 consecutive patients with atypical AVNRT wbo underwent radiofrequency ablation of tbe "slow" AV nodal patbway. Methods and Resttlts: Tbere were 9 females and 1 male; tbeir mean age was 44 ± 19 years (± SD). Tbe mean A\ NRT cycle length and ventriculoatrial (VA) interval at tbe His position durin}^ AVNRT were 340 ± 50 msec and 200 ± 70 msec, respectively. Tbe slow putbway was successfully ablated in all patients with a mean of 10 ± 7 radiofrequency energy applications in the postLTO.septal rigbt atritim near the coronary sinus os. Tbe mean procedure duration was 100 ± 35 minutes. Tbere were no complications. In 4 patients, target sites were identified during sinus rbytbm by mapping for possible slow patbway potentials. In tbe other 6 patients, target sites were identified by mapping retrograde atrial activation during AVNRT or ventricular pacing. Tbe VA times at successful target sites were a mean of 45 ± 30 msec less tban tbe VA time at tbe His catbetcr during AVNRT. There were no differences in success rate, number of radiofrequency energy applications, or procedure duration between patients in wbom mapping was guided by possible slow patbway potentials or by retrograde atrial activation. During 6 ± 3 months of follow-up, I patient bad a recurrence of atypical AVNRT and underwent a second ablation procedure, wbich was successful. Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation of atypical AVNRT can be safely and effectively accomplisbed when target sites are identified based eitber on possible slow patbway potentials during sinus rbytbm or retrograde atrial activation times during tachycardia, f./ Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 4, pp. 526-532, October 1993) ia. (.i
Association between antibiotic prescribing and visit duration in adults with upper respiratory tract infections.

Abstract Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are the most common reason for individuals to seek health care in the United States. Inappropriate antibiotic use exposes patients unnecessarily to potential adverse events and increases the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One of the reasons physicians may prescribe an antibiotic inappropriately is to save time. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between antibiotic use and a shorter visit duration in adults with URTIs. Methods: Visits to office-based primary care physicians made by adults aged 18 to 60 years from 1995 through 2000 were extracted from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Visits that resulted in a primary diagnosis of acute URTI; acute nasopharyngitis; acute bronchitis; sinusitis; streptococcal sore throat, acute pharyngitis, or acute tonsillitis; or otitis media were included in the study. Visits associated with >1 diagnosis were included in a separate category Visit duration was defined as the face-to-face time between the patient and physician. Results: There were 3764 visits that met the criteria for inclusion in this study, representing an estimated 27 million annual visits to office-based primary care physicians by adults with URTIs. Antibiotics were prescribed in 67% of visits. The mean visit duration associated with prescription of an antibiotic was 14.2 minutes, compared with 15.2 minutes without prescription of an antibiotic ( P = 0.007). In multivariable modeling, independent predictors of visit duration were calendar year (additional 0.3 minute per year; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.6), internal medicine specialty (additional 2.2 minutes vs family practice; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.1), covisit with a nurse-practitioner or physician assistant (6.6 minutes shorter; 95% CI, −2.7 to −10.6), and Midwestern location of practice (1.1 minutes shorter vs Northeast; 95% CI, −0.1 to −2.2). Antibiotic use was marginally associated with a shorter visit duration (0.7 minute shorter; 95% CI, 0.0 to −1.3; P = NS). Conclusions: In the present study, antibiotic use was marginally associated with a shorter visit duration for adults with URTIs. Any potential efficiencies gained by physicians through prescribing antibiotics for adults with URTIs are likely to be outweighed by increases in antimicrobial resistance and exposure of patients to unneeded medication.
Preparation of a cell-free translation system from PC12 cells

The postmitochondrial fraction (S10) contains the cellular components essential for translation, and a high-salt wash (HSW) of the ribosomes is enriched in eukaryotic initiation factors. This report describes the preparation of a cell-free translation system utilizing an S10 extract from PC12 cells. The products synthesized from either firefly luciferase mRNA or PC12 cell poly(A) RNAs in the PC12-S10 extract were increased by the addition of the HSW from PC12 cells. Increases in the translation of luciferase mRNA by the addition of PC12-HSW were dose-dependent and also dependent on the time of incubation. The translation of human epidermal growth factor receptor (hEGFR) mRNA could also be detected in the PC12-S10 extract translation system by immuno-precipitation. N-linked glycosylation of the translation products also was observed. The efficiency of translation was altered by the addition of Mg2- or K+, and optimization of the concentrations of these ions was necessary for each mRNA. The translation system made from PC12 cells, then, is capable of the synthesis of proteins of relatively high molecular weight and should be useful for analyzing mechanisms of translational control during proliferation and differentiation of cells from a neuronal lineage.
The modeling of open mass continuum mixtures

Abstract The main objective of the work reported here was to derive the equations which govern the static and dynamic behavior of an open mass continuum mixture subjected to varying conditions of deformation, mass diffusion, heat transfer, and chemical reaction. The body of the mixture was taken to correspond with the body of one of the constituents. This constituent, referred to as the reference constituent, in essence defines the mixture. A general integral balance equation is postulated, valid over the region in space occupied by the reference constituent, and then used to derive local integral and differential balance laws for mass, linear momentum, moment of momentum, energy, and entropy. Jump conditions for discontinuous field values are also derived. General solutions to the entropy inequality are then used to obtain phenomenological constitutive equations that are consistent with the continuum laws of physics and the Second Law of Thermodynamics. And finally, some of the additional steps required for constitutive modeling are discussed.
A numerical study of the release and dispersion of a buoyant gas in partially confined spaces

Abstract Development of the hydrogen economy will require a better understanding of the potential for fires and explosions associated with the unintended release of hydrogen within a structure. The ability to predict the mixing and dispersion behavior of hydrogen, when accidentally released in a partially confined space (e.g. hydrogen leak from automobiles parked in a residential garage) is critical to the safe use of hydrogen products. Hydrogen release and dispersion in a garage can be simulated using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools. However, CFD software needs to be validated with experimental data before it can be used reliably for development of codes and standards appropriate for hydrogen fire safety. This paper assesses the capability of a CFD software package to simulate a set of experiments on the mixing and dispersion behavior of highly buoyant gases in a partially confined geometry. Simulation results accurately captured the overall trend measured in experiments conducted in a reduced scale enclosure with idealized leaks. The difference between experimentally measured peak concentrations and numerical simulation results, averaged over various heights was 2.3%. Sensitivity of the computed results on various model parameters was determined. Results indicate that the size of the leak has a small effect on the predicted concentrations, but the location of the leaks in the garage has a very significant effect on the computed results. This result has important implications on future modeling efforts as well as codes and standards related to hydrogen fire safety.
Effects of Periodic Unsteadiness on Secondary Flows in High Pressure Turbine Passages

Secondary flow losses were investigated experimentally in a linear cascade of high pressure turbine blades in a low speed wind tunnel. Periodic wakes were generated with moving rods upstream of the cascade to simulate the effect of wakes from upstream vanes in an engine. Velocities, turbulence levels and turbulence spectra were documented downstream of the wakes generated by the upstream rods and downstream of the cascade airfoils. Pressure distributions were documented on the airfoils at the midspan and near the tip. Total pressure loss through the passage was measured at the midspan and in the endwall boundary layer. Cases were documented with and without upstream wakes at a Reynolds number of 30,000 based on inlet velocity and axial chord. An additional case was acquired at Re = 60,000 without wakes. The effects of wakes and Reynolds number on the pressure distribution on the airfoils were small. In the cases without wakes, total pressure losses were 27% higher at the lower Reynolds number due to thicker boundary layers. Upstream wakes cause an increase of about 80% in total pressure losses at the midspan and a 36% increase near the endwall. Much of this is due to the loss associated with the upstream wakes themselves, but with this direct effect subtracted the losses are still 20% higher in the case with wakes at the midspan with local increases comparable near the endwall.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
On the relationships between the stoichiometry of oxidative phosphorylation and the phosphorylation potential of rat liver mitochondria as functions of respiratory state.

The characteristics of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide exchange carrier have been studied in detail (see e.g. ref. [ 11). Exchange of ADP and ATP across the mitochondrial inner membrane, mediated by this carrier, appears to be the rate-limiting step for oxidative phosphorylation under conditions which obtain in vivo [l-3] .The asymmetry in the specificity of the transport of adenine nucleotide results in an asymmetric distribution of ADP and ATP on the two sides of the membrane, the ATP/ADP ratio being greater outside the mitochondria than inside [ 1,4, 51. As predicted by Klingenberg and co-workers [4] the formation and maintenance of this gradient of phosphorylation potential (ATP/ADP X Pi) would be expected, on thermodynamic grounds, to consume metabolic energy. The present communication reports the results of experiments carried out with liver mitochondria under conditions in which respiration is controlled by a constant and limiting supply of ADP, in such a manner that in vivo conditions are closely simulated: i.e., (a) a high extramitochondrial phosphorylation potential is maintained, and is constant throughout an incubation; and (b) the concentrations of inorganic phosphate and of extramitochondrial adenine nucleotides are held constant and within the physiological range of concentration. The data are interpreted as being a direct estimation of energy requirement for maintenance of a high cytosolic phosphorylation potential.
Icon semantics—a formal approach to icon system design

A generalized icon is an object with the dual representation of a logical part (the meaning) and a physical part (the image). We describe a formal approach to specify icon systems. Iconic operators are presented, which constitute an icon algebra to construct complex icons and define icon semantics. The Chinese character formation rules can then be explained in a unified way. Applications of this methodology are discussed.
Estimated rates of retinal ganglion cell loss in glaucomatous eyes with and without optic disc hemorrhages.

Author(s): Gracitelli, Carolina PB; Tatham, Andrew J; Zangwill, Linda M; Weinreb, Robert N; Liu, Ting; Medeiros, Felipe A | Abstract: PurposeTo evaluate whether optic disc hemorrhages are associated with faster rates of estimated retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss in glaucoma.MethodsA longitudinal observational cohort study of 222 eyes of 122 patients with glaucoma recruited from the Diagnostic Innovations Glaucoma Study (DIGS) followed for an average of 3.74±0.85 years. All subjects had optical coherence tomography and standard automated perimetry during follow up. Optic disc hemorrhages were detected by masked evaluation of stereophotographs. Rates of change in estimated numbers of RGCs were determined using a previously described method. A random coefficients model was used to investigate the relationship between disc hemorrhages and rates of change in estimated RGC counts over time.Results19 eyes of 18 subjects had at least one disc hemorrhage during follow up. At baseline, average estimated RGC counts in eyes with and without disc hemorrhages were 677,994 cells and 682,021 cells, respectively (P = 0.929). Eyes with optic disc hemorrhages during follow-up had significantly faster rates of estimated RGC loss than eyes without disc hemorrhages (22,233 cells/year versus 10,704 cells/year, P = 0.020). The effect of disc hemorrhages on the rates of estimated RGC loss remained significant after adjusting for confounding variables.ConclusionEyes with disc hemorrhages showed faster rates of RGC loss compared to eyes without disc hemorrhages. These results provide further evidence that disc hemorrhages should be considered as an indicator of increased risk for faster neural loss in glaucoma.
Species interactions and a chain of indirect effects driven by reduced precipitation.

Climate change can affect species directly and indirectly by altering interactions between species within communities. These indirect effects can ramify through a community and affect many species, including some that may not have been directly affected by the perturbation. Identifying these chains of indirect effects is difficult, and most studies only follow indirect effects across two or three species. Here, we use a factorial field experiment to demonstrate that precipitation affects spotted aphids through a complex chain of indirect interactions that are mediated by other herbivores and a generalist predator. We experimentally simulated drought, which reduced water content in alfalfa plants. While water stress in alfalfa had no direct effect on spotted aphids, it lowered the population growth rate of pea aphids, another common alfalfa pest. Because ladybeetle predators were attracted to high pea aphid densities, predator densities were lower in drought treatments. Consequently, spotted aphid densitie...
Understanding affordances and challenges of three types of video for teacher professional development

Abstract Although researchers have reported positive effects on teacher learning from observing published video, teachers’ own video, and their colleagues’ video, very few professional development programs have integrated all three types of video to improve teacher learning. In this study, we examined the affordances and challenges of the three types of video when they were used in a Problem-Based Learning professional development program, drawing upon multiple data sources from 26 K–12 science teachers. We present a case study to illustrate how one teacher might learn from each type of video, and conclude with recommendations for using video in professional development.
Effect of strain on ferroelectric field effect in strongly correlated oxide Sm0.5Nd0.5NiO3

We report the effect of epitaxial strain on the magnitude and retention of the ferroelectric field effect in high quality PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3 (PZT)/3.8–4.3 nm Sm0.5Nd0.5NiO3 (SNNO) heterostructures grown on (001) LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) substrates. For SNNO on LAO, which exhibits a first-order metal-insulator transition (MIT), switching the polarization of PZT induces a 10 K shift in the transition temperature TMI, with a maximum resistance change between the on and off states of ΔR/Ron ∼75%. In sharp contrast, only up to 5% resistance change has been induced in SNNO on STO, where the MIT is second-order, with the modulation of TMI negligibly small. We also observe thermally activated retention of the off state resistance Roff in both systems, with the activation energy of 22 meV (28 meV) for devices on LAO (STO). The time dynamics and thermal response of the field effect instability points to phonon-assisted interfacial trapping of charged mobile defects, which are attributed to strain induced oxygen va...
A comparative 90-day toxicity study of allyl acetate, allyl alcohol and acrolein

Allyl acetate (AAC), allyl alcohol (AAL), and acrolein (ACR) are used in the manufacture of detergents, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals and as agricultural agents. A metabolic relationship exists between these chemicals in which allyl acetate is metabolized to allyl alcohol and subsequently to the highly reactive, alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein. Due to the weaker reactivity of the protoxicants, allyl acetate and allyl alcohol, relative to acrolien we hypothesized the protoxicants would attain greater systemic exposure and therefore deliver higher doses of acrolein to the internal organs. By extension, the higher systemic exposure to acrolein we hypothesized should lead to more internal organ toxicity in the allyl acetate and allyl alcohol treated animals relative to those treated with acrolein. To address our hypothesis we compared the range of toxicities produced by all three chemicals in male and female Fischer 344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice exposed 5 days a week for 3 months by gavage in 0.5% methylcellulose. Rats (10/group) were dosed with 0-100mg/kg allyl acetate, 0-25mg/kg allyl alcohol, or 0-10mg/kg acrolein. Mice (10/group) were dosed with 0-125mg/kg allyl acetate, 0-50mg/kg allyl alcohol, or 0-20mg/kg acrolein. The highest dose of allyl acetate and acrolein decreased survival in both mice and rats. The primary target organ for the toxicity of all three chemicals in both species and sexes was the forestomach; squamous epithelial hyperplasia was observed following exposure to each chemical. In both species the highest allyl acetate dose group exhibited forestomach epithelium necrosis and hemorrhage and the highest dose of acrolein led to glandular stomach hemorrhage. Liver histopathology was the most apparent with allyl acetate, was also observed with allyl alcohol, but was not observed with acrolein. All chemicals had effects on the hematopoietic system with allyl acetate having the most pronounced effect. When dosed at quantities limited by toxicity, allyl acetate and allyl alcohol produce higher levels of urinary mercapturic acids than the minimally toxic dose of acrolein. This observation is likely due to biotransformation of allyl acetate and ally alcohol to acrolein that occurs after absorption and suggests that these chemicals are protoxicants that increase systemic exposure of acrolein. Increased systemic exposure to acrolein is likely responsible for the differences in hepatic toxicological profile observed with these chemicals.
Pharmacologic treatment of the adult hospitalized asthma patient.

Acute severe asthma calls for aggressive and early therapy of a multifaceted and all-inclusive approach (Fig. 2). Therapy merely begins in the ED and manifold distinct issues need to find consideration during ongoing hospital care. Currently, β-agonists, anti-cholinergic agents, and corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy. Methylxanthines and magnesium may find consideration in carefully selected patients. Multiple new therapeutic avenues, such as the anti-leukotriene drugs, seem promising and future studies will hopefully extend our armamentarium against life threatening complication of a common disease. Asthma education begun in the hospital may provide the platform for preventing severe acute exacerbations and hospitalization.
Clipped correlation functions of aperture integrated laser speckle.

The doubly and singly clipped correlation functions of aperture integrated laser speckle are evaluated and compared.
Whom to Believe: Recruiting Information Source Credibility and Organizational Attractiveness

This study uses a policy-capturing methodology to investigate how job seekers faced with conflicting recruiting information make organizational attractiveness judgments. It proposes that when considering recruiting information, the credibility of the information source, in terms of trustworthiness, expertise, integrity, and liking, will be positively related to the extent to which information from each source is used when judging the attractiveness of organizations. The results indicated that some sources are seen as more credible than others, and that this credibility is related to the use of information from that source. In addition, the dimensions of credibility most highly related to information use are different for interpersonal and institutional sources. The implications for employee recruiting research and practice are discussed.
Western and Oriental Worlds of Literature and Modern Greek Literature

In her article "Western and Oriental Worlds of Literature and Modern Greek Literature" Maro Kalantzopoulou explores the extent to which modern Greek literature can be seen as linked to Western and Oriental literary cultures. She discusses examples of literary phenomena featuring Western influences, as well as works which are linked in different ways to Southeastern Europe in general, the Ottoman world, and Oriental literary cultures. Kalantzopoulou's claim is that scholarship tends to associate modern Greek literature with Western literary cultures and dismisses non-Western contributions and influences. Kalantzopoulou suggests that by acknowledging the historical situatedness of such assumptions and by examining modern Greek literature on different time- and space scales, the relation of modern Greek with Western and Oriental literary cultures could be assessed more productively.
Inter-observer reliability of a functional status assessment instrument

Using both a concordance and intra-class correlation coefficient approach to assessing inter-observer reliability, the Pilot Geriatric Arthritis Project (PGAP) functional assessment form demonstrates a respectable degree of reliability. The greatest degree of reliability occurs in the dependence dimension, the lowest degree occurs in the difficulty dimension while the degree of reliability for pain ratings falls in between the two. The PGAP functional assessment instrument has greater reliability when used to rate clients who perform at a relatively high level of functional status as was the case for the general population of PGAP. However, reliability decreases as functional status decreases, at least until total dependence is reached. In other words, the instrument is less reliable when used to score clients with greater degrees of dependence, difficulty. and pain. In the latter case. the lack of concordance may be due to the way in which questions are asked. the way the client responds. the way an interviewer interprets an answer or some combination of these causes, Further work on training and standardizing interviewers is indicated for future studies using this assess- ment instrument. The Pilot Geriatric Arthritis Project (PGAP)*, was developed to test the hypothesis that a multidisciplinary health team could improve the 'quality of life' of older adults with arthritis. The project attempted to achieve this aim utilizing current technology of arthritis management through the coordinated delivery of optimum levels of services to clients in the least intensive care setting. Project objectives included prevention of disability, physical restoration, relief of pain, and personal and emotional adjustment. During the PGAP's 3 years of existence, 1089 clients were served. The details of that program have been described elsewhere ( 1). Two types of evaluation were planned-measures of 'process' and of 'outcome'. This paper describes the 'outcome' measures developed for the PGAP; that is, the extent to which project objectives were achieved, and the results of pilot efforts to study their reliability. Subsequent reports will discuss validity of these measures and attempts to assess process.
One large-insert plant-transformation-competent BIBAC library and three BAC libraries of Japonica rice for genome research in rice and other grasses.

We report one large-insert BIBAC library and three BAC libraries for japonica rice cv Nipponbare. The BIBAC library was constructed in the HindIII site of a plant-transformation-competent binary vector (pCLD04541) and the three BAC libraries were constructed in the BamHI, HindIII and EcoRI sites of a BAC vector (pECBAC1), respectively. Each library contains 23,040 clones, has an average insert size of 130 kb, 170 kb, 150 kb and 156 kb, and covers 6.7×, 8.7×, 7.7× and 8.0 × rice haploid genomes, respectively. The combined libraries contain 92,160 clones in total, covering 31.1 × rice haploid genomes. To demonstrate their utility, we screened the libraries with 55 DNA markers mapped to chromosome 8 of the rice genetic maps and analyzed a number of clones by the restriction fingerprinting and contig assembly method. The results indicate that the libraries completely cover the rice genome and, thus, are well-suited for genome research in rice and other gramineous crops. The BIBAC library represents the first plant-transformation-competent large-insert DNA library for rice, which will streamline map-based cloning, functional analysis of the rice genome sequence and molecular breeding in rice and other grass species. These libraries are being used in the development of a whole-genome, BAC/BIBAC-based, integrated physical, genetic and sequence map of rice and in the research of genome-wide comparative genomics of grass species.
Mechanism of differential efficacy of garlic organosulfides in preventing benzo(a)pyrene-induced cancer in mice

The mechanism of differential efficacies of diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), dipropyl sulfide (DPS) and dipropyl disulfide (DPDS) in preventing benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced cancer in mice has been investigated by determining their effects on the enzymes of BP activation/inactivation pathways. With the exception of DATS, treatment of mice with other organosulfides (OSCs) caused a small but significant increase (37-44%) in hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity. However, the forestomach EROD activity did not differ significantly between control and treated groups. Only DAS treatment caused a modest but statistically significant reduction (about 25%) in pulmonary EROD activity. These results suggest that while reduction of EROD activity may, at least in part, contribute to the DAS-mediated inhibition of BP-induced lung cancer, anticarcinogenic effects of OSCs against BP-induced forestomach carcinogenesis seems to be independent of this mechanism. Treatment of mice with DAS, DADS and DATS resulted in a significant increase, as compared with control, in both hepatic (3.0-, 3.2- and 4.4-fold, respectively) and forestomach (1.5-, 2.7- and 2.7-fold, respectively) glutathione transferase (GST) activity toward anti-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (anti-BPDE), which is the ultimate carcinogen of BP. The pulmonary GST activity was not increased by any of the OSCs. Even though epoxide hydrolase (EH) activity was differentially altered by these OSCs, a correlation between chemopreventive efficacy of OSCs and their effects on EH activity was not apparent. The results of the present study suggest that differences in the ability of OSCs to modulate GST activity toward anti-BPDE may, at least in part, account for their differential chemopreventive efficacy against BP-induced cancer in mice.
A Communal Bacterial Adhesin Anchors Biofilm and Bystander Cells to Surfaces

While the exopolysaccharide component of the biofilm matrix has been intensively studied, much less is known about matrix-associated proteins. To better understand the role of these proteins, we undertook a proteomic analysis of the V. cholerae biofilm matrix. Here we show that the two matrix-associated proteins, Bap1 and RbmA, perform distinct roles in the biofilm matrix. RbmA strengthens intercellular attachments. In contrast, Bap1 is concentrated on surfaces where it serves to anchor the biofilm and recruit cells not yet committed to the sessile lifestyle. This is the first example of a biofilm-derived, communally synthesized conditioning film that stabilizes the association of multilayer biofilms with a surface and facilitates recruitment of planktonic bystanders to the substratum. These studies define a novel paradigm for spatial and functional differentiation of proteins in the biofilm matrix and provide evidence for bacterial cooperation in maintenance and expansion of the multilayer biofilm.
The role of prey detection in the selection of prey by pinfish Lagodon rhomboides (Linnaeus)

Abstract Selective feeding by fishes may be due in part to the conspicuousness of particular prey types; certain prey may be disproportionately detected by fish and thus could be subject to a greater risk of predation. In laboratory experiments designed to test the relative importance of chemoreception, vision, and prey activity in the process of prey detection, I allowed pinfish Lagodon rhomboides (Linnaeus) to choose among various seagrass-meadow-associated infaunal and epifaunal prey [Melita, Cerapus, Caprella (amphipods); Hippolyte (shrimp); Americonuphis, Nereis (polychaetes); and Clytia, Sertularia (hydroids)]. In laboratory trials, pinfish approached individual prey enclosed in clear glass tubes with an open end (covered with 50-μm mesh Nitex screen to allow water exchange) that were provided with sand and seagrass blade substrata. Within each trial, one prey species was offered in an array consisting of an unaltered tube and tubes that had been manipulated to prevent detection of the enclosed prey using vision (opaque sides), olfaction (sealed tops), or both senses (opaque sides and sealed top). Pinfish most frequently approached prey in the clear-sided, screen-topped tubes and least frequently approached tubes with opaque sides and sealed tops; the tubes with sealed tops and clear sides or screened tops and opaque sides were approached with intermediate frequency. Approach frequencies were similar for all prey types tested. It appears that vision and chemoreception were used jointly by pinfish to locate the enclosed prey. In a second series of prey choice experiments, pinfish were offered four prey types (amphipods, shrimp, polychaetes, and hydroids), either live or freshly killed, in clear glass tubes with screen tops to determine if inactive, but otherwise similar prey, were approached as frequently as active prey. All prey types tested were approached with similar frequency; however, live prey were approached more frequently than dead prey (although not significantly more frequently). Small, mobile epifaunal prey (i.e., amphipods and other microcrustaceans) should be disproportionately detected on the seagrass blades by pinfish in the field and thus may be subject to a greater risk of predation than sessile prey.
A Critique of Pure Need: An Analysis of Norman Daniels' Concept of Health Care Need

Norman Daniels has presented a concept of health care need which he proposes as the basis for the distribution of health care resources, plausibly to define and provide a philosophical justification for a decent minimum of health care. Daniels′ construction is reconsidered and criticisms both from the literature and those new to this discussion are investigated.
Facilitators and Inhibitors of Computer-Aided Instructions: Faculty Perceptions in Singapore

The primary purpose of this investigation was to identify the facilitators and inhibitors for the use of computer-assisted instruction (CAI), and to prioritize their relative importance as they were perceived by university faculty. The secondary purpose was to examine differences between the perceptions of education and business faculties and to detect possible interactions among a set of independent variables. For these purposes a survey questionnaire was designed and administered to the faculty of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. The results obtained from sixty-two responding faculty indicated that the two most important facilitators were teachers' knowledge and skills in CAI technology, and the availability of hardware and software. The lack of teachers' time, and the lack of technical support were the two most important inhibitors. Some significant differences were detected between the perceptions of education and business faculties.
A new look at cardiac exercise testing.

Since the introduction of treadmill exercise testing by Robert Bruce five decades ago, graded exercise testing has been a cornerstone of diagnostic procedures for coronary artery disease. An article in this issue of the Journal from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (pages 781–790), along with a previous Journal article from the same group,1 takes a new look at this frequently used test, focusing attention on the recovery period after the completion of exercise. Together, these studies show that careful observations during the period immediately after exercise provide important diagnostic and prognostic information; in so doing, they bring a new dimension to . . .
Studies of base pair sequence effects on DNA solvation based on all-atom molecular dynamics simulations

Detailed analyses of the sequence-dependent solvation and ion atmosphere of DNA are presented based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on all the 136 unique tetranucleotide steps obtained by the ABC consortium using the AMBER suite of programs. Significant sequence effects on solvation and ion localization were observed in these simulations. The results were compared to essentially all known experimental data on the subject. Proximity analysis was employed to highlight the sequence dependent differences in solvation and ion localization properties in the grooves of DNA. Comparison of the MD-calculated DNA structure with canonical A- and B-forms supports the idea that the G/C-rich sequences are closer to canonical A- than B-form structures, while the reverse is true for the poly A sequences, with the exception of the alternating ATAT sequence. Analysis of hydration density maps reveals that the flexibility of solute molecule has a significant effect on the nature of observed hydration. Energetic analysis of solute–solvent interactions based on proximity analysis of solvent reveals that the GC or CG base pairs interact more strongly with water molecules in the minor groove of DNA that the AT or TA base pairs, while the interactions of the AT or TA pairs in the major groove are stronger than those of the GC or CG pairs. Computation of solvent-accessible surface area of the nucleotide units in the simulated trajectories reveals that the similarity with results derived from analysis of a database of crystallographic structures is excellent. The MD trajectories tend to follow Manning’s counterion condensation theory, presenting a region of condensed counterions within a radius of about 17 A from the DNA surface independent of sequence. The GC and CG pairs tend to associate with cations in the major groove of the DNA structure to a greater extent than the AT and TA pairs. Cation association is more frequent in the minor groove of AT than the GC pairs. In general, the observed water and ion atmosphere around the DNA sequences is the MD simulation is in good agreement with experimental observations.
Inferring convective and radiative heating loads from transient surface temperature measurements in the half-space

The classical, one-dimensional, transient half-space heat conduction problem in an opaque material is revisited in order to highlight several important observations that can impact a variety of ill-posed problems. First, the differential statement is recast into an equivalent Abel integral equation that describes the penetrating (conductive) heat flux in terms of the surface temperature. In many aerospace studies, the surface temperature is measured and the surface heat flux is calculated. Though intuitively simple, using unfiltered, noisy temperature data leads to unstable heat flux predictions as the sample density increases. This article presents a clear mathematical proof using the Discrete Fourier Transform Method verifying that the root-mean square error of the surface heat flux grows as the square root of the sample size (i.e., it is ill-posed when based on surface temperature measurements containing white noise). Second, a digital filtering method is proposed to reduce the instability problem whil...
Steady and pulsating propagation and extinction of rich hydrogen/air flames at elevated pressures

Abstract In near-rich limit hydrogen/air flames, for which the Lewis number is greater than unity and the Zeldovich number is large, pulsating modes of propagation were observed in a recent study through computational simulation with detailed chemistry and transport descriptions, with and without radiative heat loss. The study further showed that the stability boundary is minimally affected by radiative heat loss, while the concentration limit at which the pulsating flame extinguishes due to radiative heat loss is reduced from that of the steady-state limit. The present study extends this previous investigation to include the effect of elevated ambient pressure, for pressures ranging from 1 to 20 atmospheres, with emphasis on the influence of chain mechanisms in H 2 /O 2 oxidation. Results showed that the critical equivalence ratio separating steady from pulsating propagation decreases monotonically with increasing pressure throughout this pressure range, that this onset of instability corresponds to the transition from the state dominated by H-O 2 branching to that of H-O 2 termination, and that a second stable regime was observed at high pressures and equivalence ratios where the weak HO 2 chain-branching pathway is dominant. Furthermore, the extinction limits as determined for both the steady and unsteady propagation exhibit nonmonotonic behavior: decreasing with increasing pressure from 1 to 5 atm, and then increasing from 5 to 20 atm. This translates to a broader flammable range with increasing pressure for pressures in the range of 5 to 20 atm.
The Development and Implementation of a Remedial Investigation Work Plan and Data Management System

The Pompton Lakes Works is a 580-acre industrial facility in northern New Jersey that has manufactured explosives for more than 100 years. Waste from these operations was disposed of on-site and a remedial investigation (RI) was initiated to determine the extent of contamination. A history of waste disposal, completed in 1989, identified 119 potential waste sites that vary in size from point sources to entire manufacturing operations of more than 40 acres. Before RI operations began, three issues had to be addressed. First is the length of the investigation and the need for consistency between the first and the last site investigated, second is the need to eliminate the investigative “stop and go” effects (delays for analysis, drillers, etc.) on the RI operations, and third is to report, in a useful manner, the massive amounts of RI data. The solution to these issues involved the use of a sophisticated database management system developed concurrently with the RI work plan (RIWP) and designed around the RI goals. The RIWP addresses the first issue of consistency with two components, sample rules, and phased sampling. The sample rules dictate the analytes and the sample location (depending on previous results and on the phase). Phased sampling allows for incremental increases in work (depending on previous results) and is divided into two phases, exploratory that confirms the presence of contamination and characterization, with a variable number of rounds, that defines contaminant extent. These components are simple, easily applied, yet infinitely flexible to address changing conditions, and readily adapted to database management. The database management system is the key to controlling a large RI; it eliminates the investigative “stop and go” and the problems associated with massive amounts of data. The system incorporates all investigative information (including digitized maps) into sample plans, chain-of-custodies, and reports. The reports may be either concurrent with RI work (i.e., a specific phase or round) or a summary report of the completed investigation at a waste site. The system allows a number of waste sites to be investigated simultaneously so that one person can manage a complex RI with a minimum of personnel, a maximum number of sites (in different phases or rounds), and issue timely reports that are crisp, concise, and informative. Combining development of the RIWP with the database management system not only addressed the investigative aspects but also the operational and the reporting aspects too.
Silicic acid supplied to coastal diatom communities influences cellular silicification and the potential export of carbon

Microcosm experiments were conducted along the Washington and Oregon coasts in May 2009, May 2010, and July 2010 to determine whether variation in the supply of silicic acid from the Columbia River could influence the silicification and sinking potential of coastal diatom blooms. The chlorophyll a concentration increased similarly in communities incubated with added nitrate or both nitrate and silicic acid, indicating that growth was limited by nitrate availability. Communities that grew in the treatment with added silicic acid and nitrate were more silicified than communities in the treatment with only nitrate added. No difference in community composition was detected between these treatments in three out of four experiments. Isolates of Minutocellus, Cylindrotheca, Thalassiosira, and Odontella were obtained from the microcosm experiment conducted in May 2010 and were maintained in the laboratory in 20 µmol L−1 silicic acid. All four diatom isolates contained ∼ 2.5 times more silica per cell when silicic acid concentration in the media was increased to 80 µmol L−1. The intensity of a fluorescent cellular stain of newly precipitated silica (2-(4-pyridyl)-5{[4-dimethylaminoethyl-aminocarbamoyl)-methoxy]phenyl}oxazole) strongly correlated with silica content among species, but was a less sensitive indicator of changing silicification within a single species. Changes in silicification were not correlated with changes in the transcript abundance of silicic acid transporters. Sinking rates increased roughly 2-fold for cells that contained ∼ 2.5 times more silica. Variation in silicic acid supply alters the silicification of nitrate-fueled coastal diatom blooms and the potential sink of carbon from coastal zones.
Segmental mobility of polymers in starch granules at low moisture contents

The objective of this study was to determine the moisture content at which the segmental mobility of polymers within a starch granule is restricted. Common corn, waxy corn and high amylose corn starch samples were equilibrated to a final water activity of 0.15, 0.33, 0.75 or 0.97. The samples were then exposed to iodine vapor for 24 h and the color, absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns were measured. Stained and unstained granules were also viewed under a bright field and polarized light microscope. The results demonstrate that successive local transitions occur within a granule with increasing moisture contents. Furthermore, the data shows that at moisture contents of about 13%, iodine is able to penetrate the granule and the resulting complex disrupts the crystalline arrangement within the granules. The differences in extent of mobility of polymers between different starch types can potentially illuminate differences in starch structure and architecture.
Efficient assessment of the most important symptoms in advanced prostate cancer: the NCCN/FACT-P Symptom Index.

Background: Owing to the spectrum of symptoms, side effects, and concerns in clinically advanced prostate cancer (PC), effective symptom assessment is imperative. In line with recent regulatory guidance on the development of patient-reported outcomes, we undertook a multistep/multistudy approach to develop and test a new symptom index (NCCN FACT-Prostate Symptom Index-17 that can be used to examine the effectiveness of noncurative treatments in advanced PC. Methods: This included significant input from two waves of expert medical providers (n=66 and 11, respectively) and two waves of patient engagement and testing (n=50 and 24, respectively). The resulting 17-item symptom index for advanced PC was then divided into sets or categories based on whether the symptoms are predominantly disease or treatment related. Results: Preliminary reliability estimates suggest good internal consistency (α=0.86) and relationships with expected outside validity criteria are moderate to strong. Conclusions: This new tool may help clinicians and researchers quickly target and measure important symptoms and concerns in advanced PC, leading to increased knowledge of treatment effectiveness of noncurative therapies and improvements in the quality of patient care. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.