cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptation to chronic hypoosmolality in rats

A method for maintaining chronic severe hypoosmolality in rats is described utilizing subcutaneous infusions of the antidiuretic vasopressin analogue 1-deamino-[8-D-arginine] vasopressin (DDAVP) at rates of 1 or 5 ng/hr via osmotic minipumps in combination with self-ingestion of a concentrated, nutritionally-balanced liquid diet. Using these methods, 97.3% of all rats studied achieved stable levels of severe hyponatremia (plasma [Na+] = 111.6 +/- 0.5 mEq/liter, N = 213), which was sustained for periods of time ranging from two to five weeks. Mortality was low (1.8%) and observable morbidity was not noted over a series of studies encompassing 4,628 rat days of sustained hypoosmolality. Analysis of food intake and body weight revealed no evidence of tissue catabolism at any time with the lower (1 ng/hr) DDAVP infusion rate, and only during the first week with the higher (5 ng/hr) rate. Metabolic balance studies during 13 days of sustained hypoosmolality demonstrated the dilutional nature of the hypoosmolality, and only a limited degree of renal escape from the antidiuretic effects of DDAVP (urine osmolalities 800 to 1200 mOsm/kg H2O). Studies of brain water and electrolyte contents demonstrated complete normalization of brain volume after 14 to 28 days of sustained hypoosmolality, the major part of which (70%) could be accounted for by loss of brain electrolytes. Both natriuresis and kaliuresis occurred during the first five days of hypoosmolality, and were of sufficient magnitude to suggest some degree of adaptation of other body fluid compartments via electrolyte losses as well. These results indicate that rats have substantial capacity to tolerate prolonged severe hypoosmolality with little morbidity and mortality as long as proper attention is paid to their nutritional requirements, and provide further evidence that brain volume regulation likely represents the major adaptive mechanism that allows survival despite sustained hypoosmolality.
Systemic hypothermia to decrease morbidity of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Despite advancements in neonatal intensive care, the prognosis for infants with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury remains poor. Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is a subset of neonatal encephalopathy that manifests following the disruption of cerebral blood flow and oxygen in the term or near-term infant. The degree of cerebral blood flow impairment caused by this insult dictates the timing and mode of cell death (necrosis or apoptosis) and the ensuing degree and type of brain injury. Modest systemic or selective hypothermia of the brain by as little as 2–4°C has been shown to reduce the extent of tissue injury in experimental as well as human studies after events such as stroke, trauma or cardiac arrest. Two large randomized clinical trials in neonates have recently been published. Both have demonstrated a reduction in the combined outcome of death or neurological disability. Other randomized clinical trials are in progress. Given the potential risks of cooling and rewarming, it is important for centers that wish to make it standard of care to have their physicians trained in the use of total body or selective head cooling. All cooled infants should be entered into a registry and it is the responsibility of each center to provide long-term follow-up.
Grapefruit juice alters terfenadine pharmacokinetics, resulting in prolongation of repolarization on the electrocardiogram

Objectives To establish whether the pharmacokinetics and electrocardiographic pharmacodynamics of terfenadine are affected by concomitant administration of grapefruit juice and to determine whether any effect of grapefruit juice is dependent on the timing of administration in relation to the dose of terfenadine. Methods Twelve healthy volunteers were studied in a prospective randomized trial. The primary end points were QT prolongation on the surface electrocardiogram and the pharmacokinetic parameters: area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), maximum concentration, and time to maximum concentration of terfenadine and its acid metabolite terfenadine carboxylate. All subjects received 60 mg terfenadine twice a day with 240 ml water for 7 days. They were then randomized to drink 240 ml of double-strength grapefruit juice simultaneously with terfenadine (simultaneous group) for an additional 7 days or to drink the same dose of grapefruit juice 2 hours after terfenadine for 7 days (delayed group). Twelve timed electrocardiograms and plasma terfenadine and metabolite levels were measured on days 7 and 14. Results None of the 12 subjects had quantifiable levels of terfenadine when the drug was administered with water. All six subjects who took terfenadine and drank grapefruit juice simultaneously had quantifiable terfenadine levels. Only two of six who drank grapefruit juice 2 hours after terfenadine had quantifiable levels. The AUC of the acid metabolite increased 55% (p < 0.05) in the simultaneous group and 22% (p = NS) in the delaye dgroup. The mean QT interval increased from 420 to 434 msec (p < 0.05) in the simultaneous group and decreased from 408 to 407 msec (p = NS) in the delayed group. Conclusions Administration of grapefruit juice concomitantly with terfenadine may lead to an increase in systemic terfenadine bioavailability and result in increases in QT interval. The clinical significance of an increase in QT interval of this magnitude is unclear. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 59, 383–388; doi:
OPERATIVE FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF PANCREATIC TUMOURS

Thirty-one patients undergoing laparotomy for tumours in the region of the pancreas had both fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and histological biopsy specimens taken to assess the accuracy of the FNAC technique. There were no false positive results but there were six false negative results following FNAC with only one false negative result of histological biopsy. However, there was sampling bias in favour of histology in each of the five patients with negative FNAC and positive histology; two had metastatic disease and three had histology repeated because the initial frozen section was negative. Two major complications may have resulted from the histological biopsy procedure. It is concluded that fine needle aspiration cytology is the ideal method of biopsying pancreatic lesions because of the inherent risk of complications following histological biopsy.
Theory-Based Evaluation of an Online Cancer Fatigue Class

Fatigue is a common problem faced by cancer patients and survivors, yet is often overlooked. An online fatigue class is evaluated using measures based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). A sample of 26 survivors and seven caregivers completed pre-class and post-class surveys and a facilitated discussion. Statistically significant improvements were detected in both the fatigue knowledge (p < 0.001) and belief (p < 0.001) scores. Participants reported that the content was accessible and useful. The class had a positive impact on their knowledge and beliefs about cancer fatigue. This suggests that HBM may be an appropriate framework for the evaluation of Internet-based educational interventions.
Laser-induced predissociative fluorescence: dynamics and polarization and the effect of lower-state rotational energy transfer on quantitative diagnostics.

Laser-induced predissociative fluorescence is often used for diagnostics because its short-lived upper states are minimally disturbed by collisions. We discuss the effects of lower-state collisions with parameters relevant to our atmospheric H2–O2 flame. A pulse of tunable KrF excimer-laser light induces the A←X,Q1(11), 3←0 transition in OH. We measure the intensity and the polarization of the resulting A ←X, Q1(11), 3 → 2 fluorescence as a function of laser brightness. A simple model that uses no adjustable parameters produces a reasonable fit to the data. It predicts that, even at very modest laser energies, the fluorescence intensity is almost directly proportional to the rate constant for rotational energy transfer (RET) within the lower vibrational state. That rate constant can be a strong function of local conditions. Furthermore, under typical operating conditions the excimer will pump an amount of OH out of the lower state that is many times as large as that originally present. This occurs because RET within the X-state continuously replenishes the lower state during the laser pulse. Even when this occurs, the signal may still vary linearly with laser intensity, and the polarization may be nearly that expected for weak pumping. At the higher laser intensities, a significant fraction of the measured OH arises from two-photon photodissociation of the water from the flame reaction.
The design of reverse flow reactors for catalytic combustion systems

Abstract Periodic reversal of the gas feed to a catalytic plug flow reactor can be used for the autothermal combustion of very dilute volatile organic compounds. This paper examines the system through a series of progressively simplified models. A full dynamic model, a high switching frequency model, and a complete combustion model are presented and discussed. A design procedure for the reverse flow reactor is given. It uses the various simplified models to generate a base design, which is then extended to the full transient model. The design procedure is able to predict the maximum temperature and inert end section sizing.
The three critical flaws of critical geopolitics: : towards a neo-classical geopolitics

Critical geopolitics is the dominant school of geopolitics in contemporary geography. Critical geopolitics is a body of radical scholarship that emerged in the 1980s that attempts to move beyond classic geopolitics. In order to resuscitate geopolitics, critical geopoliticians had to distance themselves from the imperialist, racist, and environmentally determinist geopolitics of the 1940s. In doing so, however, critical geopoliticians created a body of scholarship that omits important explanatory variables necessary to understand post–Cold War geopolitics. We argue that critical geopolitics unnecessarily limits the wider application of geopolitics because it is: 1) anti-geopolitics; 2) anti-cartographic; and 3) anti-environmental.
Donor Bone Marrow Infusion in Deceased and Living Donor Renal Transplantation

The infusion and persistence in a transplant recipient of donor-derived bone marrow cells (DBMC) of multi-lineage can lead to a state of permanent chimerism. In solid vascular organ transplantation, the donor bone marrow lineage cells can even be derived from the transplant organ, and these cells can be detected in very small numbers in the recipient. This has been called microchimerism. Much controversy has developed with respect to the function of chimeric cells in organ transplantation. One idea is that the occurrence of these donor cells found in microchimerism in the recipient are coincidental and have no long-term beneficial effect on engraftment. A second and opposing view, is that these donor cells have immunoregulatory function that affect both the acute and chronic phases of the recipient anti-donor responses. It follows that detecting quantitative changes in chimerism might serve as an indication of the donor-specific alloimmune or regulatory response that could occur in concert with or independent of other adaptive immune responses. The latter, including autoimmune native disease, need to be controlled in the transplant organ. The safety and immune tolerance potential of DBMC infusion with deceased and living donor renal transplants was evaluated in a non-randomized trial at this center and compared with non-infused controls given identical immunosuppression. Overall DBMC infusions were well tolerated by the recipients. There were no complications from the infusion(s), no episodes of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) and no increase infections or other complications. In the deceased DBMC-kidney trial, actuarial graft survival at 5 years was superior especially when graft survival was censored for recipient death. Acute rejections were significant reduced in patients given two DBMC infusions, and chronic rejection was dramatically reduced in all DBMC treated patients. The most interesting finding was that the degree of microchimerism slowly increased over the years the DBMC group that had exhibited no rejection episodes. In the DBMC-living related trial, the incidence of acute rejection did not differ between groups. However, DBMC chimerism in recipient iliac crest marrow had increased more rapidly than might be predicted from results previously seen in the cadaver group, despite four times fewer DBMC infused, with the generation of T- regulartory cells in-vitro assays.
Abstract 2173: Survival time in pancreatic cancer patients with metabolic syndrome varies by use of insulin and statins

Background: Insulin-sensitizing drugs (i.e. metformin) and lipid-lowering agents (i.e. statins) demonstrate pleiotropic effects against cancer cell lines and show potential as therapeutic adjuvants for cancer patients. Our objective was to examine the association of specific classes of diabetes drugs and statins on survival time among pancreatic cancer patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry and Medicare claims data were used identify pancreatic cancer patients diagnosed in 2008-2009 with the following: resection of the pancreas, metabolic syndrome prior to cancer diagnosis, continual enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, and D. Metabolic syndrome was defined as having 3 out of the 4 conditions: hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, obesity, or hypertension. Exposure to diabetes drugs and statins 12 months prior to resection of cancer was assessed in the prescription drug event database and categorized as insulin/sulfonylureas vs. metformin/thiazolidinediones (TZD) vs. none; and as no statin vs. lipophilic statin vs. hydrophilic statin. We employed Cox regression adjusting for age, sex, race, stage at diagnosis and chemotherapy, to estimate the impact of individual drug classes on survival with pancreatic cancer. Results: We analyzed data on 263 pancreatic cancer cases with metabolic syndrome. Users of insulin/sulfonylureas demonstrated shorter survival by 6 months and had higher hazard of death (HR=1.43, 95%CI (1.05, 1.95)) compared to non-users. In contrast, users of hydrophilic statins experienced longer survival by 9 months and showed lower hazard of death compared to those who did not use statin (HR = 0.67, 95%CI (0.46, 0.96)) (Table). Conclusion : Insulin/sulfonylureas use is associated with shorter survival, while hydrophilic statin use was associated with longer survival in pancreatic patients with metabolic syndrome. Table. Relative hazard of death in pancreatic cancer patients by diabetes drugs and statin Citation Format: Christie Y. Jeon, Stephen J. Pandol, Marc T. Goodman. Survival time in pancreatic cancer patients with metabolic syndrome varies by use of insulin and statins. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2173. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2173
Framework for Performance-Based Contractor Prequalification

Performance-based contractor prequalification goes beyond the financial prequalification provided by the surety industry when it issues a bond for a public transportation project to include a contractor's performance record in the prequalification process. This paper reports the results of a survey of the status of performance-based contractor prequalification from 41 U.S. state departments of transportation (DOTs) and seven Canadian provincial ministries of transportation. These results were correlated with a content analysis of 43 DOT administrative prequalification documents and 62 sets of project-specific, performance-based prequalification documents. The findings were validated through structured interviews with contractors. The study found that performance-based contractor prequalification can be portrayed as a three-tiered system. The first tier mirrors the current administrative prequalification systems. The second tier is performance-based and includes postproject contractor evaluations, and the ...
Impact of the Desert dust on the summer monsoon system over Southwestern North America

Abstract. The radiative forcing of dust emitted from the Southwest United States (US) deserts and its impact on monsoon circulation and precipitation over the North America monsoon (NAM) region are simulated using a coupled meteorology and aerosol/chemistry model (WRF-Chem) for 15 years (1995–2009). During the monsoon season, dust has a cooling effect (−0.90 W m−2) at the surface, a warming effect (0.40 W m−2) in the atmosphere, and a negative top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) forcing (−0.50 W m−2) over the deserts on 24-h average. Most of the dust emitted from the deserts concentrates below 800 hPa and accumulates over the western slope of the Rocky Mountains and Mexican Plateau. The absorption of shortwave radiation by dust heats the lower atmosphere by up to 0.5 K day−1 over the western slope of the Mountains. Model sensitivity simulations with and without dust for 15 summers (June-July-August) show that dust heating of the lower atmosphere over the deserts strengthens the low-level southerly moisture fluxes on both sides of the Sierra Madre Occidental. It also results in an eastward migration of NAM-driven moisture convergence over the western slope of the Mountains. These monsoonal circulation changes lead to a statistically significant increase of precipitation by up to ~40 % over the eastern slope of the Mountains (Arizona-New~Mexico-Texas regions). This study highlights the interaction between dust and the NAM system and motivates further investigation of possible dust feedback on monsoon precipitation under climate change and the mega-drought conditions projected for the future.
Sustainability of wastewater treatment technologies

A set of indicators that incorporate environmental, societal, and economic sustainability were developed and used to investigate the sustainability of different wastewater treatment technologies, for plant capacities of <5 million gallons per day (MGD) or 18.9 x 10(3) cubic meters (m(3)/day). The technologies evaluated were mechanical (i.e., activated sludge with secondary treatment), lagoon (facultative, anaerobic, and aerobic), and land treatment systems (e.g., slow rate irrigation, rapid infiltration, and overland flow). The economic indicators selected were capital, operation and management, and user costs because they determine the economic affordability of a particular technology to a community. Environmental indicators include energy use, because it indirectly measures resource utilization, and performance of the technology in removing conventional wastewater constituents such as biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia nitrogen, phosphorus, and pathogens. These indicators also determine the reuse potential of the treated wastewater. Societal indicators capture cultural acceptance of the technology through public participation and also measure whether there is improvement in the community from the specific technology through increased job opportunities, better education, or an improved local environment. While selection of a set of indicators is dependent on the geographic and demographic context of a particular community, the overall results of this study show that there are varying degrees of sustainability with each treatment technology.
Preparation, properties, and uses of two fluorogenic substrates for the detection of 5'-(venom) and 3'-(spleen) nucleotide phosphodiesterases.

Abstract The synthesis of two new substances useful for the detection of phosphodiesterases by the zymogram method is described. The compounds are 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate esters of thymidine, made by condensation of the appropriate phosphomonoester and alcohol in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. It is shown that 4-methylumbelliferyl thymidine 5′-phosphate is preferentially cleaved by phosphodiesterase I and the equivalent 3′-phosphate by phosphodiesterase II. Zymograms which have been stained with these compounds reveal only the appropriate enzyme; phosphomonoesterase does not appear on the gels.
Communications and Trade: The Atlantic in the Seventeenth Century

In The first half of the seventeenth century the northern mercan-Itile nations of Europe followed Spain and Portugal in flinging their Ncommercial frontiers westward to the New World. By the end of the century they had surpassed the Iberian nations in western trade and made of the Atlantic basin a single great trading area. Their economic enterprises created not only a crisscrossing web of transoceanic traffic but also a cultural community diat came to form die western periphery of European civilization. The members of this community were widely separated, scattered across three thousand miles of ocean and up and down the coasts of two continents. But the structure of commerce furnished a communication system mat brought these far-flung settlements together. The same structure proved to be a framework upon which certain important elements in colonial society took form. My purpose is to sketch certain characteristics of the Atlantic colonies in die seventeenth century which relate to these social consequences of commercial growth.
Effects of retinoic acid on Dominant hemimelia expression in mice

BACKGROUND:Dominant hemimelia (Dh) is an autosomal dominant mutation that arose spontaneously in mice. Dh animals are asplenic and they exhibit asymmetric hindlimb defects in association with reduced numbers of lumbar vertebrae. These defects suggest that Dh acts early in embryonic development to affect patterning of the anterior-posterior (A-P) and left-right axes. This study was undertaken to determine whether retinoic acid (RA), which is involved in A-P patterning and coordination of bilaterally synchronized somitogenesis, affects phenotypic expression of the Dh gene. METHODS: Thirty-four pregnant females were given, by oral intubation, a single dose of 50 or 75 mg all-trans RA per kilogram body weight at GD 9, 10, or 11. The pregnant females were then euthanized at GD 18 and fetuses removed by cesarean section. A total of 326 fetuses were identified by phenotype and linked DNA and their skeletons were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a differential effect of RA on the axial skeleton and hindlimb of Dh/+ mice as compared to their wild-type littermates. Dose- and stage-specific effects on sternebrae and vertebrae were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of RA dosing on numbers of sternebrae and vertebrae suggest that Dh embryos have a primary defect in retinoid-mediated A-P patterning. Dosing with RA may produce the observed effects on phenotypic expression of Dh/+ by indirectly or directly modifying an already existing altered Hox expression pattern. As the relationship between axial patterning and the asymmetric limb is unknown, Dh is an important model for studying this relationship. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On common tools for databases - The case for a client-based index advisor

Modern enterprises often deploy multiple databases from different vendors. Managing a heterogeneous mix of databases is a very challenging exercise. To help the DBA tackle this complex administrative task, major database vendors have provided many autonomic tools. The tools help automate common management tasks and even help in performance tuning. However, the DBA now has to face the complexity of dealing with a variety of different tools for different tasks, each with different interfaces and capabilities. The application developer also suffers from a similar problem when trying to use different tools that help him develop applications for different databases. Clearly, there is a need for a common interface to manage heterogeneous databases and develop enterprise class applications for them. To address this need, we argue for a client-based approach to developing database tools. In particular, we take the case of an index advisor (a tool provided by all the three big database vendors) and show that a client-based approach can a) provide a uniform interface for the DBA or the application developer to use across all the database deployments, b) provide flexibility in the number and kinds of scenarios it can be used, and finally c) reduce the total cost of ownership for the enterprise.
Give your heart a chance: match the muscle to the vessel.

This editorial refers to ‘Serum-free differentiation of functional human coronary-like vascular smooth muscle cells from embryonic stem cells’ by El-Mounayri et al ., pp. 125–135, this issue. Trace lineage studies have provided strong evidence that vascular smooth muscle is a mosaic tissue deriving from multiple independent developmental origins including the neuro-ectoderm-derived neural crest, lateral plate mesoderm, and paraxial mesoderm.1 However, the differences between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of different origins remain largely unexplored, especially for human cells. In addition, the relationship between pericytes surrounding the vessel wall and VSMC is not well understood. It is also widely recognized that blood vessels in certain anatomic locations are more likely to develop vascular disease despite the systemic nature of risk factors such as hypercholesterolaemia or diabetes.2 The different origin of VSMCs is thought to be a possible contributor to this site-specific pre-disposition to vascular disease, suggesting that development of site-specific treatment(s) might provide more effective therapeutic options. Finally, donor ageing and culture senescence were shown to impair both the proliferation and contractile function of VSMCs,3 necessitating the development of novel approaches to restore their regenerative potential.4 These reasons led several investigators to explore ways to derive …
HUMAN SYNTHETIC PEPTIDE VACCINE FOR CONTRACEPTION TARGETING SPERM

A vaccine targeting sperm is an interesting approach to contraception. The acceptability of a sperm antigen for contraceptive vaccine development is contingent upon its sperm-specificity, surface expression for antibody binding, and involvement in fertilization. Sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding is a pivotal step and constitutes an attractive site for immunointerception. Using phage display technology, we have identified a novel dodecamer peptide sequence, designated as YLP(12), that is present on sperm, and is involved in ZP binding and sperm capacitation/acrosome reaction in man/mouse. Extensive search in the human and mouse genome sequence databases did not indicate a complete identity with the YLP(12) nucleotide sequence. It is peptide mimetic with sperm receptor carbohydrate mimicking action that is involved in oocyte binding. The sperm-specific YLP(12) sequence is also involved in involuntary immunoinfertility in men, indicating its autoantigenicity, sperm-specificity, and involvement in fertility/infertility in humans. Vaccination of female animals with synthetic YLP(12) peptide causes a long-term reversible contraception by raising a sperm-specific immune response. The contraceptive effect could also be completely reversed voluntarily at any time by immunoneutralization of antibodies using intravaginal administration of the peptide. Thus, the novel synthetic YLP(12) peptide is an attractive candidate for contraceptive vaccine development, and diagnosis and treatment of immunoinfertility in humans.
The gene encoding the palmitoylated erythrocyte membrane protein, p55, originates at the CpG island 3′ to the factor VIII gene

A CpG island 30 kb 3' to the human factor VIII gene in Xq28 is associated with a 2-kb transcript. This gene encodes a previously described palmitoylated membrane protein, p55, containing a src homology motif, SH3. Although originally described in reticulocytes, the transcript is expressed in a wide variety of human tissues. The gene is also present in the mouse and expressed in all mouse tissues examined. No known factor VIII gene deletions extend into the p55 gene. Since the function of the p55 protein is not known, the p55 gene is formally a candidate for any of the 19 or more disease genes that have not been isolated but are closely linked genetically to the factor VIII gene.
High-Order Semi-Implicit Simulation of Hypersonic Boundary Layer Stability and Transition

This paper presents and evaluates a semi-implicit method for efficient and high-order accurate computations for the stability and transition of hypersonic boundary layers. For this problem, if explicit schemes are used to advance the equations in time, the small grid sizes in wall-normal direction in the boundary layers imposed severe restriction on time steps. But global implicit methods are seldom used because they will take a prohibitively large amount of CPU time and large memory to convert full implicit equations. In the current method, the spatial discretization of the governing equations is separated into stiff terms involving derivatives along the wall-normal direction and nonstiff terms of the rest. The split equations are then advanced in time using second or third-order semi-implicit schemes so that implicit methods are used to treat the stiff terms while more efficient explicit methods can still be used for the nonstiff terms. The strict limitation on time steps due to fine grids in the wall-normal direction is removed by semi-implicit method so that the time steps only depend on the grid spacing in the streamwise direction and accuracy requirement: The efficiency and accuracy of the new semi-implicit algorithm have been tested in computing the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations for several cases.
The Effects of Age and Preoral Sensorimotor Cues on Anticipatory Mouth Movement During Swallowing.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preoral sensorimotor cues on anticipatory swallowing/eating-related mouth movements in older and younger adults. It was hypothesized ...
PROTEIN BINDING OF THREE TRITIATED MUSCLE RELAXANTS

SUMMARY A method of studying protein binding of muscle relaxants, using an electrophoretic technique to separate protein fractions, is described. Results are presented for three tritium labelled muscle relaxants: dimethyltubocurarine, gallamine and decamethonium. Differences were shown in both the binding patterns of the drugs and in the absolute amounts bound. Dimethyltubocurarine was bound most by gamma globulin whereas the other relaxants were attached mainly to the beta globulin fraction.
Effect of Volatiles on Soot Based Deposit Layers

The implementation of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers has recently been a widespread methodology for engine in-cylinder NOX reduction. A common problem with the use of EGR coolers is the tendency for a deposit, or fouling layer to form through thermophoresis. These deposit layers consist of soot and volatiles and reduce the effectiveness of heat exchangers at decreasing exhaust gas outlet temperatures, subsequently increasing engine out NOX emission.This paper presents results from a novel visualization rig that allows for the development of a deposit layer while providing optical and infrared access. A 24-hour, 379 micron thick deposit layer was developed and characterized with an optical microscope, an infrared camera, and a thermogravimetric analyzer. The in-situ thermal conductivity of the deposit layer was calculated to be 0.047 W/mK. Volatiles from the layer were then evaporated off and the layer reanalyzed. Results suggest that volatile bake-out can significantly alter the thermo-physical properties of the deposit layer and hypotheses are presented as to how.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Super Star: a new optimally fault tolerant network architecture

An interconnection topology that can be used to design communication architecture for distributed systems with an arbitrary number of computing nodes is proposed. The design is based on a novel generalization of the concept of star graphs. The proposed topology is shown to be incrementally extensible in steps of 1, optimally fault tolerant, and its diameter is sublogarithmic in the number of nodes. >
New SRAM Cell Design for Low Power and High Reliability Using 32nm Independent Gate FinFET Technology

This paper proposes new methods for SRAM cell design in FinFET technology. One of the most important features of FinFET is that the independent front and back gates can be biased differently to control the current and the device threshold voltage. By controlling the back gate voltage of a FinFET, a SRAM cell can be designed for low power consumption. This paper proposes a new 8T (8 transistors) SRAM structure that reduces dynamic power for the write operation and achieves a wider SNM (static noise margin). Using the new FinFET based 8T SRAM cell, dynamic power consumption is reduced by nearly 48% and the SNM is widened up to 56% compared to the conventional 6T SRAM at the expense of 2% leakage power and 3% write delay increase.
Cortically coupled computer vision for rapid image search

We describe a real-time electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface system for triaging imagery presented using rapid serial visual presentation. A target image in a sequence of nontarget distractor images elicits in the EEG a stereotypical spatiotemporal response, which can be detected. A pattern classifier uses this response to reprioritize the image sequence, placing detected targets in the front of an image stack. We use single-trial analysis based on linear discrimination to recover spatial components that reflect differences in EEG activity evoked by target versus nontarget images. We find an optimal set of spatial weights for 59 EEG sensors within a sliding 50-ms time window. Using this simple classifier allows us to process EEG in real time. The detection accuracy across five subjects is on average 92%, i.e., in a sequence of 2500 images, resorting images based on detector output results in 92% of target images being moved from a random position in the sequence to one of the first 250 images (first 10% of the sequence). The approach leverages the highly robust and invariant object recognition capabilities of the human visual system, using single-trial EEG analysis to efficiently detect neural signatures correlated with the recognition event.
Records of Horsehair Worms Paragordius varius, Chordodes morgani and Gordius robustus (Nematomorpha) from Indiana

ABSTRACT Horsehair worms Paragordius varius, Chordodes morgani and Gordius robustus are reported for the first time from Indiana. These observations increase the known distribution of these species.
Phase I trial of everolimus plus sorafenib for patients with advanced renal cell cancer.

Abstract Background Everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, and sorafenib, a RAF kinase inhibitor, has shown efficacy in renal cell cancer (RCC) as single agents. We conducted a phase I study to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of combining these agents for potential additive or synergistic effects when treating progressive metastatic RCC (mRCC). Patients and Methods The 15 patients enrolled in the study had predominantly clear cell RCC (cRCC) and progressive measurable disease with previous treatment that included immunotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and/or everolimus. Patients received daily everolimus and twice-daily sorafenib at escalating dose levels of 2.5 mg/400 mg (cohort 1), 5 mg/400 mg (cohort 2), and 10 mg/400 mg (cohort 3), and they were evaluated weekly for toxicity and every 8 weeks for response, using computed tomography/positron emission tomography (CT/PET) and CT at baseline and at first staging. Results In cohort 1, 2 of 6 patients experienced dose-limited toxicity (DLT) of thrombocytopenia/leukopenia and pneumonitis. In cohort 2, 1 of 6 patients experienced a DLT of pulmonary embolism, and the 3 patients in cohort 3 experienced no DLTs. The MTD was 10 mg/400 mg. Common adverse events included grade 1/2 hand-foot syndrome. Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), 1 patient achieved a pathologic complete response (CR), 1 patient achieved a radiographic CR, and 1 patient achieved a surgical CR. Seven patients achieved stable disease; 10 patients had decreased fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. Median progressive-free survival was 5.6 months; overall survival was 7.9 months. Conclusion The MTD of daily everolimus 10 mg and twice-daily sorafenib 400 mg is safe and effective for progressive mRCC.
Visualization of the Oropharynx With Transcervical Ultrasound

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this article are to illustrate the sonographic appearance of the oropharynx and to discuss the potential role of ultrasound in evaluation of the oropharynx. CONCLUSION. Ultrasound is not currently used in the standard clinical evaluation of the oropharynx, but it is a promising imaging modality for evaluating the base of the tongue and the palatine tonsils. Ultrasound is comparable and complementary to CT and MRI, which have recognized limitations.
Ausrüstung und Methoden

In diesem Kapitel beschreibe ich die wichtigsten Ausrustungs-gegenstande und Versuchstechniken, die man benotigt, um den Prozes der Nahrungsbeschaffung bei Honigbienenvolkern zu analysieren. Sie werden hier vorgestellt, damit der Leser eine grundlegende Vorstellung von den Methoden bekommt, die zur Untersuchung der Physiologie von Honigbienenvolkern benutzt werden, bevor er sich in den folgenden Kapiteln mit den speziellen Versuchen beschaftigt.
A multiparameter live cell imaging approach to monitor cyclic AMP and protein kinase A dynamics in parallel.

Parallel detection of signaling activities allows us to correlate activity dynamics between signaling molecules. In this review, we detail a multiparameter live cell imaging method to monitor 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and protein kinase A (PKA) activities in parallel.
Computational Approaches to Design and Analysis of Small-Scale Flapping Wings

Micro air vehicles promise to play an important part in public, private, and military arenas in the coming years. Small, lightweight, agile, and inexpensive, these flying machines are of interest in domestic search-and-rescue operations, law enforcement, reconnaissance, mapping, and urban combat operations. Nature demonstrates that flapping wings are an extremely effective solution to the problem of hovering flight with good agility in close quarters. However, the highly unsteady, largely separated character of the flow complicates aerodynamic analysis of these vehicles, and these challenges are magnified in a design setting when the sensitivities to many geometric and kinematic parameters must be assessed. In this paper, computational fluid dynamics simulation is applied as a means to evaluate kinematic parameters of flapping wings for a four-wing, dragonfly-like micro air vehicle. It is shown that high-frequency, moderate-amplitude flapping is preferred for wings flapping in a vertical stroke plane, and...
A Comparison of High and Low Dosages of a Component of Milieu Teaching Strategies for Two Preschool-Age Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose The intersection of treatment intensity and communication intervention is an emerging area of investigation. Milieu teaching (MT) approaches for teaching communication skills to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a substantial evidence base (see Goldstein, 2002). However, a relatively small percentage (37.8%) of MT studies have fully detailed the parameters that are required to determine treatment intensity (Parker-McGowan et al., 2014). This study compared the effect of two dosages of the modeling component of milieu teaching on acquisition and maintenance of new vocabulary for two preschoolers with ASD. Method Low- and high-dosage conditions were compared within an adapted alternating treatments design. Participants were two preschool-age children with ASD. Results Results suggested a functional relationship between dose of MT models and acquisition of vocabulary items. For 1 participant, a high-dose application yielded more efficient acquisition. For the second participant, a low...
Pediatric and adolescent sports and exercise

The unique aspects of children and adolescents as they undertake sports and exercise are examined. Considerations include the physiologic features of the growth, development, and maturation processes, as well as the responses of the young body to aerobic, anaerobic, and strength training. Medical conditions and musculoskeletal injuries unique to this population will be presented. The emotional and psychologic ramifications of sports and exercise on young people will be discussed.
Probability learning of rats in continuous-time experiments

Probability matching behavior in time was shown by rats under two non-contingent reinforcement schedules (.50 and.625) with correction plus shock procedure but not with non-correction. Sequential data indicated that the maximum effect of reinforcement occurred about 6 sec. later and that only two preceding reinforcements were effective in determining response probability.
Application of TEM on Detecting Goaf of Coal Mine without Water in Complex Terrains

In view of the fact that while detect the coal mine goaf without water,high density direct current resistivity method has strict requirements for the terrain,for the coal area that surface condition is relatively complex and terrain undulating is large,the research and application of the TEM use special parameters which reflect the electrical characteristics of coal mine goaf without water have practical significance.Thus,starting from the basic principle of transient electromagnetic method,this paper introduces the basic formula of the transient electromagnetic method and modeling method at first.Then combining with the geophysical characteristics of the goaf without water,we designed the forward model.And then based on the results of calculation,we presented that in the area with complex terrain conditions and are not suitable for the construction the high density resistivity method,we can adopt the transient electromagnetic method,which with flyer frame,high firing frequency and large emission current,to detect the electrical characteristics of high resistance target of underground,so that we can inference the distribution of the goaf without water.Finally,combined with practical engineering to practice the transient electromagnetic method for detecting the coal mine goaf without water,and the conclusion is consistent with actual drilling results.The results of application show that the transient electromagnetic method can finish the detection for the coal mine goaf without water in a certain degree,and it plays a reference role for coal mine safety.
Characterization of internal geometry / covered surface defects with a visible light sensing system

Previous work has used visible light scanning to detect and characterize defects in 3D printed objects. This paper focuses on assessing the internal structures and external surfaces (that will be later hidden) of complex objects. These features make in-process defect detection far more important than it would be with an object that can be fully assessed with a post-completion scan, as it is required both for in-process correction and end-product quality assurance. This paper presents work on the use of a multi-camera visible light 3D scanning system to identify defects with printed objects’ interior and covered / obscured exterior surfaces.
The “Theology” of Bach’s Cöthen Cantatas: Rethinking the Dichotomy of Sacred versus Secular

ABSTRACTThe court in Kothen, where Johann Sebastian Bach worked between 1717 and 1723, is frequently viewed as an “almost exclusively secular environment” (John Elliot Gardiner). Even though Bach did not compose religious works for the liturgy at Kothen, it would be wrong to view the Calvinist court as secular, since the rejection of liturgical music does not automatically constitute a secular environment. Indeed, the court in Kothen was not more or less religious than the Lutheran court in Weimar, where Bach had served previously. Although Calvin had not permitted concerted music in the liturgy, musical activities outside the service were not only encouraged but were part of a proper Christian life. This is demonstrated by the cantata texts Bach set for the Kothen court: While Bach’s secular cantatas for Leipzig rarely mention the Christian God, the Kothen cantatas frequently invoke both God and Christ, conforming to the Calvinist ideal of proper music for the domestic sphere.
Einstein's revolutionary paper

Einstein's annus mirabilis of 1905 is rightly a cause for celebration. In less than seven months, Einstein wrote five history-making papers. He proposed the particle theory of light, developed a method to measure molecular dimensions, explained the long-puzzling Brownian motion, developed the theory of special relativity, and he finished his intellectual sprint by producing the world's most famous equation,E=mc2.
DNN-based Causal Voice Activity Detector

Voice Activity Detectors (VAD) are important components in audio processing algorithms. In general, VADs are two way classifiers, flagging the audio frames where we have voice activity. Most of them are based on the signal energy and build statistical models of the noise background and the speech signal. In the process of derivation, we are limited to simplified statistical models and this limits the accuracy of the classification. Using more precise, but also more complex, statistical models makes the analytical derivation of the solution practically impossible. In this paper, we propose using deep neural network (DNN) to learn the relationship between the noisy speech features and the correct VAD decision. In most of the cases we need a causal algorithm, i.e. working in real time and using only current and past audio samples. This is why we use audio segments that consist only of current and previous audio frames, thus making possible real-time implementations. The proposed algorithm and DNN structure exceeds the classic, statistical model based VAD for both seen and unseen noises.
Illness Representations of Pertussis and Predictors of Child Vaccination Among Mothers in a Strict Vaccination Exemption State

Background Vaccine preventable diseases are making a comeback in the US. However, research is lacking on illness representations of vaccine preventable diseases and their application in improving childhood immunization. Objective We utilized the common sense model of self-regulation to examine illness representations of pertussis and their associations with child’s receipt of any vaccine, up-to-date vaccination status, and mothers’ intentions to follow the recommended vaccination schedule in the future. Methods We developed vaccine worry and vaccine hassles scales to assess mothers’ worries and hassles for child vaccination, and used an open ended question to assess mother’s illness representations of pertussis. We surveyed mothers with children <3 years old (N = 160) in the Appalachian state of West Virginia, which only allows medical vaccine exemptions. Results Some children (5.0%) had received no vaccination, 15.0% were not up-to-date with the recommended vaccination schedule, and 13.8% mothers reported no intention to follow the recommended schedule in future (future intention). Illness representations included identity (17.8%), timeline (61.8%), consequences (58.6%), cause (35.0%), and cure/control (56.7%). Higher vaccine worry was associated with child receiving no vaccine. Not using daycare, higher vaccine worry, and difficulty breathing (identity) were associated with child not being up-to-date. Higher vaccine worry, cough (identity), and belief that vaccines are ineffective (cure/control) were associated with no future intention. Conclusions Vaccination interventions need to address mothers’ worry regarding vaccine safety. ‘Common Sense’ beliefs regarding vaccines need to be reconciled with scientific data about vaccine safety and effectiveness, even among those with high socio-economic status in a strict vaccination state.