cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Value dates for concurrency control and transaction management in interoperable systems

Value dates appear, at present to be the most flexible concurrency control paradigm for autonomous heterogeneous interoperable systems. The protocols are deadlock free, and can be livelock free in the situation when the two-phase locking protocol (2PL) creates a deadlock in practice. Value dates accommodate the autonomy better. The commit protocols possible with value dates can be also more efficient than the two-phase commitment protocol (2PC). The advantages of the value dates make it worth the replacement of 2PL as the standard. Further research should concern the implementation issues. Another important issue is the use of unsafe values. Applications often use unsafe values with value dates for better efficiency, e.g. reservation systems. >
Border Length Minimization in DNA Array Design

Optimal design of DNA arrays for very large-scale immobilized polymer synthesis (VLSIPS) [3] seeks to minimize effects of unintended illumination during mask exposure steps. Hannenhalli et al. [6] formulate this requirement as the Border Minimization Problem and give an algorithm for placement of probes at array sites under the assumption that the array synthesis is synchronous, i.e., nucleotides are synthesized in a periodic sequence (ACGT)k and every probe grows by exactly one nucleotide with every group of four masks. Their method reduces the number of conflicts, i.e., total mask border length, by 20-30% versus the previous standard method for array design. In this paper, we propose a probe placement algorithm for synchronous array synthesis which reduces the number of conflicts by up to 10% versus the method of Hannenhalli et al [6]. We also consider the case of asynchronous array synthesis, and present new heuristics that reduce the number of conflicts by up to a further 15.5-21.8%. Finally, we give lower bounds that offer insights into the amount of available further improvements. The paper concludes with several directions for future research.
Anthrax: a continuing concern in the era of bioterrorism

Anthrax, a potentially fatal infection, is a virulent and highly contagious disease. It is caused by a gram-positive, toxigenic, spore-forming bacillus: Bacillus anthracis. For centuries, anthrax has caused disease in animals and, although uncommonly, in humans throughout the world. Descriptions of this naturally occurring disease begin in antiquity. Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivores, which are infected by ingestion of spores from the soil. With the advent of modern microbiology, Pasteur developed the first successful anthrax vaccine in 1881. The incidence of the disease has continually decreased since the late 19th century, and animal vaccination programs drastically reduced the animal mortality from the disease. However, anthrax spores continue to be documented in soil samples from throughout the world. Research on anthrax as a biological weapon began more than 80 years ago, and today at least 17 nations are believed to have offensive biological weapons programs that include anthrax. Recent events in the USA have shown how society is affected by both hoax and real threats of anthrax bioweapons. This fourth article in the series on weapons of biowarfare/bioterrorism summarizes the historical background of anthrax as well as clinical and laboratory information useful for bioterrorism preparedness.
Mucosal CD8alpha+ DC, with a plasmacytoid phenotype, induce differentiation and support function of T cells with regulatory properties.

Repetitive stimulation of naive T cells by immature splenic dendritic cells (DC) can result in the differentiation of T-cell lines with regulatory properties. In the present study we identified a population of DC in the mucosae that exhibit the plasmacytoid phenotype, secrete interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) following stimulation with oligodeoxynucleotides containing certain cytosine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG) motifs and can differentiate naive T cells into cells that exhibit regulatory properties. Although these DC appear to be present in both spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), only CpG-matured DC from the MLN (but not the spleen) were able to differentiate naive T cells into T regulatory 1-like cells with regulatory properties. The activity of these DC failed to sustain robust T-cell proliferation and thereby enhanced the suppressive efficacy of CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells. These DC are the major CD8alpha+ DC population in the Peyer's patches (PP). Given their significant presence in mucosal tissue, we propose that these DC may provide a mechanistic basis for the homeostatic regulation in the gut by eliciting regulatory cell suppressor function and poorly supporting T helper cell proliferation at a site of high antigenic stimulation like the intestine.
Effects of implicit sharing in collaborative analysis

When crime analysts collaborate to solve crime cases, they need to share insights in order to connect the clues, identify a pattern, and attribute the crime to the right culprit. We designed a collaborative analysis tool to explore the value of implicitly sharing insights and notes, without requiring analysts to explicitly push information or request it from each other. In an experiment, pairs of remote individuals played the role of crime analysts solving a set of serial killer crimes with both partners having some, but not all, relevant clues. When implicit sharing of notes was available, participants remembered more clues related to detecting the serial killer, and they perceived the tool as more useful compared to when implicit sharing was not available.
Development of a comprehensive surgical site infection communication plan to enhance infection control interventions

ISSUE: While implementing interventions to lower rates of surgical site infection (SSI) for coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABGs), we realized we needed a more timely way of delivering data to those that could impact these outcome measures. PROJECT: A strategy was designed to enhance communication with the cardiac surgery division. A four-pronged approach was developed to provide real time communication regarding SSIs: 1) Weekly surveillance reports to the cardiac surgery division chief (CSDC) stating the number of infections noted for the week and which SSIs will be in their calculated CABG surveillance rates. (SSIs in all types of cardiac surgery procedures are reported to the CSDC, even those that will not be used for calculating rates for CABGs.) The dean and administrative leaders of the hospital also receive weekly infection data. 2) Quarterly retrospective data of CABGs is presented along with 2 years of quarterly past data at the hospital epidemiology and infection control meeting. This information is also distributed to the nurse manager of cardiac surgery to post on the bulletin board outside the cardiac surgical rooms. Data is also sent to each surgeon and presented at performance improvement meetings. 3) Regular communication by e-mail and during regular weekly rounds between the infection control practitioner (ICP) assigned to cardiac surgery and the nurse manager(s) of units that “support” cardiac surgery patients occurs regarding SSIs. 4) Weekly communication between the ICP and the nurse practitioner(s) in the cardiac clinic following up all cardiac surgery patients occurs regarding SSIs. RESULTS: Over the past 18 months, CABG SSI rates have fallen from a high of 12.16 SSIs/100 CABGs in quarter 1 of 2003, to a low of 5.15 SSIs/100 CABGs in quarter 3 of 2004 (58% decrease). LESSONS LEARNED: Communication is a vital element of any infection control intervention. SSI rates will not change if the appropriate personnel are not provided timely data in a consistent way. This plan utilizes surveillance data in a retrospective way for trending and in a prospective way for more timely intervention. The interchange of information between surgical division chief and ICP is encouraged and produces an ongoing relationship that contributes to the success of the intervention.
Establishing and generalizing audience control of new language repertoires

Abstract In each of two experiments, two teachers, Teachers 1 and 2, taught subjects to respond to requests for the opposites of several different spoken words with answers from one of two different response repertoires, Repertoires 1 and 2. In the main experiment, two retarded adolescents and one normal 4-year-old served as subjects. Teachers 1 and 2 were puppets. Two other puppets, prober-puppets, never taught the subject to respond to those questions about opposites. Through visual-visual matching-to-sample, auditory-visual matching-to-sample, and oral-naming teaching, two classes of puppets were established. One of the classes contained Teacher 1 and one prober-puppet, Prober A. The other contained Teacher 2 and the other prober-puppet, Prober B. The formation of those classes was demonstrated on unreinforced probe trials in which the two prober-puppets asked the subjects the questions about opposites previously taught by the Teachers 1 and 2. On those trials, Prober A was responded to with Repertoire-1 responses (taught by Teacher 1) and Prober B was responded to with Repertoire-2 responses (taught by Teacher 2). Subsequent replications (two with the adolescents and one with the 4-year-old) reversed the teacher-prober classes through matching-to-sample and oral-naming teaching and found similar results. In a second experiment, normal adults served as Teachers 1 and 2. A retarded adolescent was the subject. Matching relations were not established in this study. Instead, generalization of Repertoire 1 or 2 to a third person, the Teacher-Prober, was produced by having the Teacher-Prober teach only portions of Repertoires 1 or 2, respectively. Apparently, the Teacher-Prober could form a stimulus class with a particular teacher by teaching only some of the same responses as that teacher. These experiments show the kinds of reinforcement contingencies that can establish stimulus classes of listeners and thereby enable language repertoires to generalize across those listeners.
Involvement of oxidative stress in methyl parathion and parathion-induced toxicity and genotoxicity to human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells

Methyl parathion (C8H10NO5PS) and parathion (C10H14NO5PS) are both organophosphate insecticides (OPI) widely used for household and agricultural applications. They are known for their ability to irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase which often leads to a profound effect on the nervous system of exposed organisms. Many recently published studies have indicated that human exposure to OPI may be associated with neurologic, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, and reproductive adverse effects. Studies have also linked OPI exposure to a number of degenerative diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also, oxidative stress (OS) has been reported as a possible mechanism of OPI toxicity in humans. Hence, the aim of the present investigation was to use human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells as a test model to evaluate the role of OS in methyl parathion- and parathion-induced toxicity. To achieve this goal, we performed the MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay for cell viability, lipid peroxidation assay for malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and Comet assay for DNA damage, respectively. Results from MTT assay indicated that methyl parathion and parathion gradually reduce the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, showing 48 h-LD50 values of 26.20 mM and 23.58 mM, respectively. Lipid peroxidation assay resulted in a significant increase (p<0.05) of MDA level in methyl parathion- and parathion-treated HepG2 cells compared to controls, suggesting that OS plays a key role in OPI-induced toxicity. Comet assay indicated a significant increase in genotoxicity at higher concentrations of OPI exposure. Overall, we found that methyl-parathion is slightly less toxic than parathion to HepG2 cells. The cytotoxic effect of these OPI was found to be associated, at least in part, with oxidative cell/tissue damage.
Microscale and nanoscale compartments for biotechnology

Compartmentalization is essential in the organization of biological systems, playing a fundamental role in modulating biochemical activity. An appreciation of the impact that biological compartments have on chemical reactions and an understanding of the physical and chemical phenomena that affect their assembly and function have inspired the development of synthetic compartments. Organic compartments assembled from amphiphilic molecules or derived from biological materials, have formed the basis of initial work in the field. However, inorganic and hybrid organic–inorganic compartments that capitalize on the optical and catalytic properties of metal and semiconductor materials are emerging. Methods for arraying these microcompartment and nanocompartment materials in higher order systems promise to enable the scaling and integration of these technologies for industrial and commercial applications.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation Over Directed Acyclic Gaussian Graphs

Estimation of multiple directed graphs becomes challenging in the presence of inhomogeneous data, where directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) are used to represent causal relations among random variables. To infer causal relations among variables, we estimate multiple DAGs given a known ordering in Gaussian graphical models. In particular, we propose a constrained maximum likelihood method with nonconvex constraints over elements and element-wise differences of adjacency matrices, for identifying the sparseness structure as well as detecting structural changes over adjacency matrices of the graphs. Computationally, we develop an efficient algorithm based on augmented Lagrange multipliers, the difference convex method, and a novel fast algorithm for solving convex relaxation subproblems. Numerical results suggest that the proposed method performs well against its alternatives for simulated and real data. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 2011 DOI: 10.1002/sam.11168 © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regulation and drug insensitivity of F-actin association with adhesion areas of transformed cells.

F-actin aggregates have been found near the substrate attachments in a variety of transformed cells (Carley et al., 1981). Interference reflection microscopy shows that these aggregates are present in central close adhesion areas in Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-transformed rat kidney cells. If these transformed cells are incubated with N6, O2-dibutyryl 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphoric acid (db-cAMP), adenosine (5′-monophosphoric acid (5′-cAMP) or adenosine, the F-actin aggregates and their associated close adhesion areas disappear, and the cells flatten out. Treatment of untransformed cells with db-cAMP spreads their local adhesion plaques and thickens microfilament bundles. Furthermore, f-action aggregates are substantially more resistant to cytochalasin B and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 than microfilament bundles in untrasformed cells. These differences between F-acttin complexes in untransformed and in RSV-transformed cells, with respect to morphology and sensitivities to db-cAMP and cytoskeleton-disrupting drugs, define properties of the change in F-actin regulation and association with the plasma membrane due to transformation.
Spectroscopic insights into the decreased efficiency of chlorosomes containing bacteriochlorophyll f.

abstract Article history:Received 22 October 2012Received in revised form 8 January 2013Accepted 15 January 2013Available online 24 January 2013Keywords:Green sulfur bacteriaBacteriochlorophyllChlorobaculum limnaeumChlorosomesPhotosynthesisForster Resonance Energy Transfer Chlorosomes are light-harvesting antenna complexes that occur in green photosynthetic bacteria which haveonly been shown naturally to contain bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c, d,ore as the principal light-harvestingpigments. BChl f has long been thought to be an obvious fourth member of the so-called Chlorobium chloro-phylls, because it possesses a C-7 formyl group like BChl e and lacks a methyl group at C-20 like BChl d.Inorganisms that synthesize BChl c or e, the bchU gene product encodes the enzyme that methylates theC-20 position of these molecules. A bchU null mutant of the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobaculum limnaeumstrain 1677 T , which normally synthesizes BChl e, has recently been generated via insertional inactivation, andit produces chlorosomes containing BChl f [Vogl et al., 2012]. In this study, chlorosomes containing BChl f andmonomeric BChl f in pyridine were characterized using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including ﬂuo-rescence emission and excitation spectroscopy, ﬂuorescence lifetime and quantum yield determinations, andcircular dichroism. These spectroscopic measurements, as well as Gaussian simulation of the data, show thatchlorosomes containing BChl f are less efﬁcient in energy transfer than those with BChl e. This can primarilybe attributed to the decreased spectral overlap between the oligomeric BChl f (energy donor) ﬂuorescenceemission and the BChl a (energy acceptor) absorption in the chlorosome baseplate. This study allows us tohypothesize that, ifthey exist in nature, BChl f-containing organisms most likely live in rare high-light, anoxicconditions devoid of Chl a, d, or BChl e ﬁltering.Abstract reference: K. Vogl, M. Tank, G.S. Orf, R.E. Blankenship, D.A. Bryant, Bacteriochlorophyll f: propertiesof chlorosomes containing the “forbidden chlorophyll,” Front. Microbiol. 3 (2012) 298.© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Effect of Orogastric Tubes on Aspiration Status and Recommendations for Oral Feeding

Objective. To investigate the effects, if any, of the presence of an orogastric tube on incidence of aspiration and oral diet recommendations.Study Design. Case series with planned data collection.Setting. Large, urban, tertiary care teaching hospital.Subjects and Methods. Referred sample of 10 consecutively enrolled inpatients (2 pediatric, aged 17 days and 3 months, respectively; and 8 adults, mean age 63 years). An orogastric tube was present for the first videofluoroscopic swallowing study or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and then removed for the second swallow study.Results. There were no significant differences (P = 1.0) for both overall incidence of aspiration and aspiration by food consistency (liquid or puree) dependent on orogastric tube presence. All 9 participants recommended for an oral diet ate successfully.Conclusions. An orogastric tube did not affect incidence of aspiration. A videofluoroscopic or endoscopic evaluation of swallowing can be performed with an orogastric tub...
Cadaveric Evaluation of Knee Joint Kinematics Using the Kansas Knee Simulator

Computational models of the knee are useful for evaluating changes in kinematics, soft tissue loadings, new prosthetic geometries, and surgical techniques [1, 2]. These models are advantageous in their ability to quickly and efficiently evaluate the effect of changes in these parameters on knee joint function. The limitation of modeling is that the results are greatly influenced by the constraints and parameters used to create the model.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Mothers' intention for their daughters and themselves to receive the human papillomavirus vaccine: a national study of nurses.

OBJECTIVES. The aims of this study were to examine mothers9 intention to vaccinate their daughters and themselves against human papillomavirus and to determine which demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal factors were associated with intention to vaccinate daughters. METHODS. We surveyed 10 521 US mothers, all nurses, between June 2006 and February 2007. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine which of the following factors were associated with a mother9s intention to vaccinate a 9- to 12-year-old daughter: demographic factors, gynecologic history, belief that one9s daughter should have regular Papanicolaou testing, beliefs about Papanicolaou testing outcomes (3-item scale), and beliefs about human papillomavirus vaccines (7-item scale measuring beliefs about human papillomavirus vaccine efficacy, impact of vaccination on sexual and Papanicolaou screening behaviors, severity of and susceptibility to human papillomavirus, and anticipated clinician recommendations). RESULTS. Of the 8832 mothers who completed a survey (84% response rate), 7207 had a daughter. Among mothers with a daughter, 48% intended to vaccinate a daughter if she were 9 to 12 years of age, 68% if she were 13 to 15 years of age, and 86% if she were 16 to 18 years of age. Forty-eight percent intended to receive the vaccine themselves if recommended. In multivariable regression models, variables significantly associated with intention to vaccinate a 9- to 12-year-old daughter included belief that one9s daughter should have regular Papanicolaou testing and beliefs about human papillomavirus vaccines. CONCLUSIONS. In this first national study of mothers9 attitudes about human papillomavirus vaccines, mothers9 intention to vaccinate a daughter
Pressure drop due to viscous flow through cylinders

A general formula is developed which permits a calculation of the pressure drop arising from the slow steady flow of a viscous fluid through a circular cylinder for arbitrarily assigned conditions of velocity on the bounding surfaces of the cylinder. In particular, the diminution in pressure can be calculated directly from the prescribed boundary velocities without requiring a detailed solution of the equations of motion. Hence it is possible to compute, in comparatively simple fashion, the magnitude of this macroscopic parameter for a large variety of complex motions which would normally present great analytical difficulties. By way of illustration the additional pressure drop arising from the presence of a point force situated along the axis of a cylinder is calculated. The additional force required to maintain the motion in the presence of the obstacle is exactly twice the magnitude of the point force itself.
Using the Planning and Environment Linkages Umbrella Approach to Streamline Transportation Decision Making

The planning and environment linkages (PEL) umbrella approach is designed to streamline the process of project development and environmental review by encouraging agencies to take an integrated, systems perspective to support transportation, environmental, and community goals. The PEL approach provides strategies, practices, processes, and analytical tools that encompass related federal activities including linking planning and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), ecological and context-sensitive solutions, corridor planning, and integrated planning. When successfully implemented, the PEL approach makes the entire life cycle of a project a more seamless process, from planning to NEPA and on to design, construction, and maintenance. The PEL approach is described, federal legislation and related activities are discussed, examples of effective practices are provided, lessons learned are shared, and the reader is directed to additional resources for implementation.
Morphology of the region of the ejaculatory duct producing the male accessory gland material in the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae)☆

Abstract A study of the synthesis of male accessory gland material in the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), revealed that the structure of these cells and therefore the mode of release of their product is unlike that previously reported for male accessory glands of insects, including other calypterate flies. The product of these cells is released into urn-shaped, villar-lined canaliculi that extend the length of each cell, instead of being secreted directly into the intimal-lined lumen of the accessory duct.
Coronary artery stenosis detection with holographic display of 3D angiograms

The objective of this study was to establish the accuracy of an holographic display approach for detection of stenoses in coronary arteries. The rationale for using an holographic display approach is that multiple angles of view of the coronary arteriogram are provided by a single 'x-ray'-like film, backlit by a special light box. This should be more convenient in that the viewer does not have to page back and forth through a cine angiogram to obtain the multiple angles of view. The method used to test this technique involved viewing 100 3D coronary angiograms. These images were generated from the 3D angiographic images of nine normal coronary arterial trees generated with the Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor (DSR) fast CT scanner. Using our image processing programs, the image of the coronary artery lumen was locally 'narrowed' by an amount and length and at a location determined by a random look-up table. Two independent, blinded, experienced angiographers viewed the holographic displays of these angiograms and recorded their confidence about the presence, location, and severity of the stenoses. This procedure evaluates the sensitivity and specificity of the detection of coronary artery stenoses as a function of the severity, size, and location along the arteries.
Preparing preservice English teachers and school counselor interns for future collaboration

The authors believe that by working together, teachers and school counselors can better support students and more effectively work for their success. In this article, we present our efforts in creating a collaborative class for preservice English teachers and school counselor interns. While offering an overview of English teachers and school counselors in their daily interactions with adolescents, we focus on the university preparation of both groups, specifically the preparation at our university, a large research institution in the Midwestern United States. We provide a look at the collaborative class created for the preservice English teachers and school counselor interns, offering examples of their interaction and feedback from the students. Lastly, we close with a consideration of the meaning of such collaboration at the university level for both English teachers and school counselors.
The commemoration of the Meckel bicentennial: Bozeman 1982

Under close scrutiny the perogative of self-intelligibility thus attributed to present time is found to be based upon a set of strange postulates. In the first place, it supposes that, within a generation or two, human affairs have undergone a change which is not merely rapid, but total, so that no institution of long standing, no traditional form of conduct, could have escaped the revolutions of the laboratory and the factory. It overlooks the force of inertia peculiar to so many social creations.
G1 kinases and transforming growth factor-β; signaling are associated with a growth pattern switch in diabetes-induced renal growth

G 1 kinases and transforming growth factor-β; signaling are associated with a growth pattern switch in diabetes-induced renal growth. Background Diabetes mellitus-induced nephromegaly is thought to involve both hyperplastic and hypertrophic proximal tubule cell growth. The temporal relationship between these growth patterns and the mechanisms that mediate them are unknown. Methods Renal growth was assayed in isolated renal proximal tubules harvested from diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin. Results Following the induction of a diabetic state, there was a progressive increase in the kidney:body weight ratio. This was associated with an increase in 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation (marker for hyperplastic cell growth) at day 2, which returned to baselines levels by day 4, and an increase in the protein:DNA ratio (marker for hypertrophic cell growth), which was clearly evident by day 10. Thus, diabetes-induced proximal tubule growth involved an initial hyperplastic, followed by a hypertrophic, growth period. During the hyperplastic growth period, both cdk4/cyclin D (cyclin D) and cdk2/cyclin E (cyclin E) kinase activities were increased. The switch between the growth periods was associated with continued activation of cyclin D, but inhibition of cyclin E kinase. The reduction in cyclin E kinase activity correlated with a reduction in cdk2/cyclin E complex abundance and an increased abundance of cyclin kinase inhibitors in cdk2/cyclin E complexes that did form. Also associated with the switch in growth patterns was a change in transforming growth factor-β; (TGF-β;) receptor expression. During the hyperplastic growth period, TGF-β; receptor II expression was decreased, while during the hypertrophic growth period, there was both a return of receptor II expression to baseline levels and increased expression of receptor I. Consistent with an increase in TGF-β; signaling during hypertrophy, there was an increase in Smad 2/3 protein expression and an increase in the abundance of Smad 2/4 complexes. Conclusions Diabetes-induced proximal tubule growth involves an initial hyperplastic growth period that switches to a hypertrophic growth period within a couple of days. The pattern of G 1 kinase activity associated with the growth pattern switch demonstrates that the hypertrophy is mediated by a cell cycle-dependent mechanism. Regulation of TGF-β; receptor expression and signaling activity through the Smad protein cascade possibly plays a role in the growth pattern switch.
Passive and Active Rehabilitation for Partial Lacerations of the Canine Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon in Zone II

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of unrestricted active versus passive mobilization on the gliding function and structural properties (ultimate load and stiffness) of repaired and nonrepaired canine flexor digitorum profundus tendons following partial laceration at 1 week. Using a radiographic method, normalized tendon gliding of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon adjacent to the metacarpal bone and total joint rotation were shown to be significantly greater in passive than in active tendons. Each group differed from their control group, however, by an average of only 5%. Both rehabilitation (active vs passive) and treatment (repair vs nonrepaired) of the partial tendon laceration significantly affected gap formation. Both active rehabilitation and repair of the laceration significantly increased gap formation compared with passive rehabilitation and nonrepair of the partial laceration. Rehabilitation did not significantly affect the normalized ultimate loads and stiffness in the passive and active groups but the nonrepair groups displayed significantly higher ultimate loads and stiffness than the repair groups.
Comparison of Techniques for Measurement of in Vitro Antibiotic Synergism

The methods and criteria for testing for synergy were compared with use of 22 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and a combination of cephalothin and gentamicin. With the checkerboard technique, the frequency of synergy varied depending on the criterion employed. When the rate of killing of bacteria by antibiotics was measured, results varied depending on the size of inoculum. When the checkerboard and killing-curve techniques were compared, there was poor correlation in terms of the frequency of strains showing synergy. Because clinical observations suggest that treatment of serious infections with combinations of antibiotics found to be synergistic in vitro may enhance survival, standardization of the methods and criteria used to test for synergy should be undertaken.
Protease Activity of 1,10-Phenanthroline−Copper(I). Targeted Scission of the Catalytic Site of Carbonic Anhydrase†

To investigate the mechanism of scission of proteins by the chemical cleaving agent 1,10-phenanthroline-copper, the active sites of human carbonic anydrase I and bovine carbonic anhydrase II have been targeted for cleavage by a tight binding sulfonamide inhibitor tethered to the metal complex. The inhibitor-phenanthroline-copper conjugate binds to the carbonic anhydrases with sub-micromolar Kd's and, upon addition of a reducing agent, causes scission specifically within the active site of the enzymes to yield a discrete set of cleavage fragments. N- and C-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometric analysis of several fragments indicate that the C-terminal cleavage fragments have free amino groups at their N termini, thereby allowing facile location of the cut sites through standard Edman degradation. The N-terminal cleavage fragments do not have a free carboxyl group at their C termini. It is proposed that scission occurs by abstraction of H at Calpha, followed by oxidation at Calpha by the neighboring cupric ion and cleavage of the Calpha-C(O) bond to give an N-terminal fragment containing a C-terminal acyl amide, and an unstable C-terminal fragment containing an N-terminal isocyanate group which undergoes hydrolysis to a free amino terminus. Modeling of the inhibitor-phenanthroline-copper conjugate within the active site of human carbonic anhydrase I shows that the sites of cleavage that have been identified are fully consistent with the available structural data.
Use of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to measure cytokine transcription and viral load in murine cytomegalovirus infection

A quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was developed to measure cytokine transcription profiles and viral load during sub-clinical and clinical infection with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Primers/fluorogenic probes specific for mouse cytokines and for the immediate early gene 1 (IE1) of MCMV were used to quantitate cytokine responses and viral load in various organs of MCMV infected mice. Increased mRNA levels of TNF-alpha, INF-gamma and IL-10 were detected in the spleens, lungs and livers of clinically infected mice at 5 days post-infection. Transcription of these cytokines was 2-5-fold lower (p=0.07 for each cytokine) in the spleens and 10-100-fold lower in the lungs (p=0.03 for INFgamma, not significant for IL-10 and TNFalpha) and livers (p<0.05 for each cytokine) of sub-clinically infected mice. Clinical MCMV infection induced high levels of IL-6 in the lungs and spleens of infected animals, while no significant transcription of IL-6 was detected in any organ during sub-clinical infection (p<0.05). The timing of peak amounts of INF-gamma, IL-10 and IL-6 observed in the spleens of clinically infected mice correlated with high viral loads in these organs. Cytokine expression rose in the salivary glands later, at day 15, corresponding to the increase in salivary gland viral load. The qRT-PCR demonstrates that infection with MCMV induces an organ-specific cytokine response characterized by the production of TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, IL-6 and IL-10 which correlates with severity of the disease (sub-clinical versus clinical) and with viral load. In summary, qRT-PCR is a sensitive and accurate method to study MCMV infection and host responses to the virus.
An experimental study in bio-ballistics: Femoral fractures produced by projectiles—II Shaft impacts

Abstract To determine the response of human cortical bone to projectile impact, 364 projectile impact tests were conducted on the shafts of embalmed human femurs. Chrome steel spherical projectiles in two diameters, 0·250 and 0·406 in., were employed to differentiate the effects of projectiles of varied sizes and masses in impacts at the same velocity. It was found that the larger projectiles expended significantly more energy in fracturing a femur than the smaller projectiles did at an identical impact velocity. Also, when impacts in which larger and smaller spheres possessed identical kinetic energies were compared, it was found that the larger spheres still expended more energy in fracturing the femur. Finally, it was clearly demonstrated by these experiments that impacts to cortical bone of the femoral shaft by either size projectile caused greater energy expenditure than impacts to the distal end of the femur, which is composed almost entirely of cancellous bone.
Racking focus and tracking focus on live video streams: a stereo solution

The ability to produce dynamic Depth of Field effects in live video streams was until recently a quality unique to movie cameras. In this paper, we present a computational camera solution coupled with real-time GPU processing to produce runtime dynamic Depth of Field effects. We first construct a hybrid-resolution stereo camera with a high-res/low-res camera pair. We recover a low-res disparity map of the scene using GPU-based Belief Propagation, and subsequently upsample it via fast Cross/Joint Bilateral Upsampling. With the recovered high-resolution disparity map, we warp the high-resolution video stream to nearby viewpoints to synthesize a light field toward the scene. We exploit parallel processing and atomic operations on the GPU to resolve visibility when multiple pixels warp to the same image location. Finally, we generate racking focus and tracking focus effects from the synthesized light field rendering. All processing stages are mapped onto NVIDIA's CUDA architecture. Our system can produce racking and tracking focus effects for the resolution of 640×480 at 15 fps.
H atom mobilies in xenon matrices. Dependence on matrix morphology

Abstract The concentration of H atoms in xenon matrices, produced by 193 nm photolysis of HBr, has been monitored by laser-induced emission from xenon—hydrogen exciplexes. At 10 K the H-atom concentration remains unchanged over the course of five days. At 40 K the majority of atom loss occurs on a timescale of minutes and is sensitive to matrix preparation. At 40 K diffusion coefficients for the major H atom loss processes have been estimated as 5.0×10 −14 cm 2 /s and 2.6×10 −13 cm 2 /s for xenon matrices deposited at 28 and 10 K respectively. An upper limit of ≈ 10 −17 cm 2 /s can be obtained for the diffusion coefficient at 10 K. The effect of matrix morphology on atom mobilities is discussed.
Underwater UXO discrimination studies: adapting EMI forward models to marine environments

Recently, several sensor technologies, such as magnetometers (total-field and gradiometers) and various types of timedomain and frequency-domain electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors have been developed and applied successfully to land-based subsurface unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection and mapping. Current researchers of underwater UXO detection commonly apply land-based UXO detection technologies directly to underwater scenarios. Since the electric conductivity of water is much higher than that of soil, an object's EMI response underwater should be different than in a dry environment because inside the conducting water low-frequency electromagnetic signals change both in magnitude and phase, particularly at high frequencies where induction numbers (i.e., wavenumbers) are significantly high. In order to fully explore the capabilities and limitations of land-based EMI sensors for underwater UXO detection and discrimination, in this paper we assess the applicability of current EMI forward models by investigating how the electromagnetic parameters of seawater affect the performance of state-of-the-art EMI sensors. The studies are conducted using the Generalized Standardized Excitation Approach. Objects' locations are inverted for using a reduced version of the HAP technique that combines the magnetic field and its gradient. Particular attention is given to understanding how seawater EM parameters or a multilayer conductive background change objects' EMI responses and affect the UXO discrimination process.
Parkinson's disease and the U.S. health care system.

Parkinson's disease is an expanding healthcare problem in our society. With the burgeoning elderly population in this country, it is important for community health nurses to understand the management of these patients. Although the cause of idiopathic Parkinson's disease is still unknown, there is much new research developing in this area. Local and national foundations are available to assist the patient and caregiver in education, referrals, and support groups. The effects of this disease process on the patient and family are profound. New government legislation may offer a promising link to researchers and practitioners nationwide. Healthcare implications are varied, and nurses need to keep abreast of changes in Medicare and managed care systems to ensure that homebound clients receive needed services. Community health nurses provide a vital link in the healthcare system for the Parkinson's patient.
Hematology, Plasma Biochemistry, and Tissue Enzyme Activities of Invasive Red Lionfish Captured off North Carolina, USA

Abstract The red lionfish Pterois volitans is important not only in the aquarium trade but also as an invasive species in the western Atlantic. Introduced to waters off the southeastern coast of the United States, red lionfish have rapidly spread along much of the East Coast and throughout Bermuda, the Bahamas, and much of the Caribbean. Hematology and plasma biochemistry were evaluated in red lionfish captured from the offshore waters of North Carolina to establish baseline parameters for individual and population health assessment. Blood smears were evaluated for total and differential white blood cell counts, and routine clinical biochemical profiles were performed on plasma samples. To improve the interpretive value of routine plasma biochemistry profiles, tissue enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase [ALP], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], γ glutamyl transferase [GGT], lactate dehydrogenase [LD], and creatine kinase [CK]) were analyzed from liver, kidney, skeletal mu...
A quadratic network optimization model for equilibrium single commodity trade flows

When supply and demand curves for a single commodity are approximately linear in each ofN regions and interregional transportation costs are linear, then equilibrium trade flows can be computed by solving a quadratic program of special structure. An equilibrium trade flow exists in which the routes carrying positive flow form a forest, and this solution can be efficiently computed by a tree growing algorithm.
Combined Ion Exchange—Solvent Extraction of Metal Ions on Ion-Exchange Papers

Abstract The chromatographic behavior of 14 metal ions with aqueous-organic wash liquids on ion-exchange papers is compared with results in columns and thin layers of the same resin. It is shown that many column separations can be obtained on paper, and that paper chromatography can often be used to preevaluate systems for separations on columns. The mechanism for the chromatographic processes and differences between techniques employed with columns and papers are discussed.
An evaluation of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway for elective pediatric anesthesia.

Abstract Study Objective: To evaluate the usefulness in pediatric patients of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA), an airway device with an inflatable cuff around its distal portion, and which provides airway patency in the majority of anesthetized adult patients. Design: Prospective evaluation. Setting: Pediatric operating room of a tertiary-care medical center. Patients: 50 anesthetized ASA physical status I pediatric patients, under 6 yr of age undergoing elective surgery. Interventions: Patients were fitted with a size 7 COPA placed following anesthetic induction. If an adequate airway was not obtained, a size 8 COPA was placed. If an adequate airway was not obtained despite repositioning the size 8, the COPA was considered failed. Measurements and Main Results: The ease of insertion and ability to manage the airways were evaluated. Complications were evaluated on insertion, during maintenance, and upon awakening. The ability to positive pressure ventilate via the COPA was assessed. The size 7 COPA obtained an initial fit in 38 (76%) of the patients. Nine patients were managed with a size 8 COPA. The COPA was unsuccessful in 3 (6%) patients. Laryngospasm occurred in three patients. Blood was not visible on any of the COPAs. Positive pressure ventilation was achieved with 30 ± 7 cm H 2 O pressure. Conclusions: The results using the COPA in pediatric patients seem to parallel the experience of using larger sizes in adult patients.
Detecting Attacks in Routers Using Sketches

Designing routers against different attacks is imperative in today's Internet. We propose accurate, memory efficient, and scalable techniques to detect attacks such as worms, viruses, superspreaders, and denials-of-service (DoS) in routers. Our schemes enable detection in the routers by looking only at the IP headers. We propose a general methodology to use sketches, in particular count-min sketch, FM sketch, and counting and multi-counting Bloom filters, to recognize attacks in the routing architecture. Our techniques are based on change detection, for which we propose an algorithm that can work on data-streams and leverage the accurate and efficient estimation provided by sketches. We evaluate the performance of different schemes on real traces to show their accuracy.
Evaluation of a clinical aberrometer for lower-order accuracy and repeatability, higher-order repeatability, and instrument myopia

Background Refractive surgery has stimulated the development of aberrometers, which are instruments that measure higher-order aberrations. The purpose of this study was to test one clinical aberrometer, the Complete Ophthalmic Analysis System (COAS), for its accuracy, repeatability, and instrument myopia for measuring sphere and astigmatism and its repeatability for measuring higher-order aberrations. Methods Aberrations of 56 normal eyes (28 subjects) were measured with and without cycloplegia using a COAS, a conventional autorefractor and by subjective refraction. We evaluated lower-order accuracy (sphere and astigmatism) of the COAS and autorefractor by comparing that data with that of subjective refraction. We also tested COAS lower- and higher-order repeatability for 5 measurements taken in less than 1 minute. We evaluated instrument myopia by comparing cycloplegic and noncycloplegic measurements of the same eye. Data were analyzed for a 5.0-mm-diameter pupil. Results Mean COAS spherical error was between –0.1 and +0.4 diopters (D), depending on cycloplegia and the kind of sphere power computation selected. Cylinder power errors were less than 0.1 D. COAS repeatability coefficients were better than 0.25 D, and instrument myopia was less than 0.4 D. These were comparable with those of autorefraction. Higher-order repeatability was sufficient to allow reliable measurement of normal third-order aberrations and spherical aberration. Conclusions Accuracy, repeatability, and instrument myopia of the COAS are similar to those of a conventional autorefractor. Accuracy and repeatability are also similar to those of subjective refraction. Like an autorefractor, the COAS provides instantaneous, objective measurements of sphere and astigmatism, but it also measures higher-order aberrations. We found that it is capable of reliably measuring problematic higher-order aberrations and is therefore a valuable asset for modern clinical eye care.
Evoked and spontaneous corticofugal multiple unit activity during different phases of metrazol infusion in cats

Abstract Multiple unit activity (MUA) was recorded from the cerebral peduncle during preictal, ictal and postictal phases of Metrazol infusion in cats. During preictal EEG paroxysmal activity MUA activity increased, sustained MUA discharge preceded the onset of tonic EEG seizure activity and bursts of MUA activity coincided with positive transients during late tonic and clonic periods. No MUA discharge was observed during postictal depression. During preictal periods, Metrazol increased the amplitude and duration of the initial MUA burst to stimulation of the ventralis posterolateralis nucleus. The duration and intensity of the MUA suppression following the response was also increased. The burst-suppression pattern of MUA activity during repetitive stimulation was replaced by a burst-sustained discharge pattern. The changes observed in EEG and MUA are correlated with previously described intracellular changes and provide a consistent picture of EEG, neuronal and axonal behaviour during Metrazol administration. Axonal activity provides a more relevant indication of effective corticofugal activity than does intracellular recording. The level of axonal discharge correlates better with the degree of soma-dendritic depolarization than it does to somatic spike generation.