cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lysosomal Stability during Phagocytosis of Aspergillus flavus Spores by Alveolar Macrophages of Cortisone-Treated Mice

Control mice and those treated with cortisone were exposed to aerosols of viable spores of Aspergillus flavus. Fifteen to 20 minutes later, animals were killed, and alveolar macrophages were obtained by tracheobronchial lavage. Electron-microscopic examination of these cells revealed that, whereas the lysosomes of control macrophages showed extensive attraction and fusion with the phagocytic membranes surrounding spores, the lysosomes of macrophages from animals treated with cortisone revealed little, if any, interaction. This diminished lysosomal response in forming phagocytic vacuoles may be important in the subsequent development of hyphal bronchopneumonia which frequently, occurs in cortisonetreated mice exposed to spores of A. flavus.
Creep of Sand-Rubber Mixtures

This technical note documents an experimental study conducted to examine the time-dependent mechanical response of specimens composed of sand and granulated tire rubber, loaded in one-dimensional compression. The results indicate that sand–rubber creep is significant and may be reasonably estimated with the use of an available soil creep model. The swelling of granulated tire rubber due to oil absorption reveals the potential for its use as a stabilizing engineering material.
Role of interleukin-6 in chronic muscle hyperalgesic priming.

After recovery from acute muscle pain even minor subsequent muscle use can initiate recurrence of the same mechanical hyperalgesia months or years after the initial injury. We have recently developed a model of this chronic latent hyperalgesia in the rat. In this study, we have examined the possibility that interleukin-6 (IL-6), an inflammatory mediator produced during acute muscle inflammation, can mediate the production of this chronic latent hyperalgesic state in which subsequent exposure to inflammatory mediators produces a markedly prolonged mechanical hyperalgesia. We now report that i.m. injection of IL-6 produced mechanical hyperalgesia, lasting several hours, that was prevented by intrathecal injection of antisense to glycoprotein 130 (gp130), an IL-6 receptor subunit. Furthermore, following complete recovery from i.m. IL-6-induced hyperalgesia, i.m. prostaglandin E(2) produced a mechanical hyperalgesia that was remarkably prolonged compared with naive controls, indicating the presence of chronic latent hyperalgesia. This ability of IL-6 to produce chronic latent hyperalgesia was prevented by intrathecal administration of antisense for gp130. Furthermore, gp130 antisense also prevented chronic latent hyperalgesia produced by i.m. injection of the inflammogen, carrageenan. These results identify a role for IL-6 in acute inflammatory muscle pain and as a potential target against which therapies might be directed to treat chronic muscle pain.
Quark content of neutral mesons

Radiative transitions involving neutral mesons with J/sup P/ = 0/sup -/ (eta,eta',iota(1440)) and 2/sup +/ (f,f',theta(1640)) are used to provide information on the light-quark content of these mesons, and to test predictions of models in which these states are quarkonium-gluonium mixtures. Some suggested observations include (l) phi..-->..eta'..gamma.., predicted to have a branching ratio of 7 x 10/sup -5/ in the standard quarkonium picture of eta', (2) f'..--> gamma gamma.., predicted to have a partial width > or approx. =200 eV if f' = ss-bar but very sensitive to possible destructive interference from small nonstrange-quark admixtures, and (3) iota(1440)..--> gamma gamma.. and theta(1640)..--> gamma gamma.., which will be easily detectable unless these states are almost totally free of quarkonium admixtures.
The Bulging of Bolted Guideways

As bolted joints affect the overall accuracy and stiffness of machine tool, their behaviors have always been important to consider in a machine design process. The bulging phenomenon of a bolted guideway needs to be investigated under different loading conditions. A considerable amount of research has been reported on bolted joints; however, none is focused on the bulging ofa bolted guideway. In this article, the bulging of three types of guideways is studied using the finite element method and the results are verified by the experiments using capacitance sensors. It turns out that the bulging occurs in such a way that the lower portion of guideway expands while the top portion around the bolt sinks in the order of micrometers. The results would help the machine tool builders to reduce or eliminate the errors induced by the bulging effect from their products. The results are also useful to other applications of bolted joints where three-dimensional deformation occurs.
Trends in Incidence and Mortality Rates of Ventricular Septal Rupture During Acute Myocardial Infarction

Since the introduction of reperfusion in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), rates of ventricular septal rupture (VSR) and associated mortality have decreased, but it is not known if incidence and mortality have continued to decrease. We describe trends in incidence and mortality rates of patients with postinfarction VSR during the previous 2 decades and identify risk factors that predict the development and mortality of this rare but catastrophic complication. We analyzed occurrence and mortality rates in patients with first AMI with (n = 408) and without VSR (n = 148,473) who were hospitalized from 1990 to 2007 using the New Jersey Myocardial Infarction Data Acquisition System (MIDAS) database. The annual rate of VSR in AMI was 0.25% to 0.31%. Compared to patients with AMI without VSR, patients with VSR were older, more likely to be women, had increased rate of chronic renal disease, congestive heart failure, and cardiogenic shock, and were less likely to be hypertensive or diabetic (all p values
Seeing ghosts: the effect of unsampled populations on migration rates estimated for sampled populations.

In 2004, the term ‘ghost population’ was introduced to summarize the effect of unsampled subpopulations that exchange migrants with other subpopulations that have been sampled. Estimated long-term migration rates among populations sampled will be affected by ghost populations. Although it would be convenient to be able to define an apparent migration matrix among sampled populations that incorporate the exchange of migrants with ghost populations, no such matrix can be defined in a way that predicts all features of the coalescent process for the true migration matrix. This paper shows that if the underlying migration matrix is symmetric, it is possible to define an apparent migration matrix among sampled subpopulations that predicts the same within-population and between-population homozygosities among sampled populations as is predicted by the true migration matrix. Application of this method shows that there is no simple relationship between true and apparent migration rates, nor is there a way to place an upper bound on the effect of ghost populations. In general, ghost populations can create the appearance of migration between subpopulations that do not actually exchange migrants. Comparison with published results from the application of the program, migrate , shows that the apparent migration rates inferred with that program in a three-subpopulation model differ from those based on pairwise homozygosities. The apparent migration matrix determined by the method described in this paper probably represents the upper bound on the effect of ghost populations.
Evidence for Vertical Partitioning of Strike-Slip and Compressional Tectonics from Seismicity, Focal Mechanisms, and Stress Drops in the East Los Angeles Basin Area, California

We have synthesized the characteristics of the seismogenic zone in the east Los Angeles basin by analyzing earthquake data recorded during the past 30 years (1981–2010). The seismicity is distributed along the Whittier fault, with the majority of earthquakes located adjacent to the south side, in the depth range from 0 to 9 km, with b value of 1.1±0.05 and mostly normal and strike-slip faulting. Within the depth range of 9–12 km, the seismicity is scattered uniformly across the region, the b value is 1.0±0.05, and all three faulting styles are present. At the deepest depths (12–18 km), seismicity is sparse and primarily limited to a few clusters striking north; these deeper earthquakes primarily have reverse fault motion, and the b value is 0.78±0.04. Inversion of high-quality focal-mechanism data for the orientation of the regional stress field showed that the direction of maximum compressional stress rotates from N12°W at shallow depth to due north at the bottom of the seismogenic zone. Similarly, a depth dependence is observed in stress drops calculated from P-wave source spectra, which indicate stress drop generally increases from ~7 MPa at shallow depth (3 km) to ~53 MPa at the base of the seismogenic zone (17 km). Overall, our results provide new evidence for the vertical partitioning of styles of deformation and state of stress within this complex fault system in the east Los Angeles basin.
Relationship between Resident Workload and Self- Perceived Learning on Inpatient Medicine Wards: a Longitudinal Study

Despite recent residency workload and hour limitations, little research on the relationship between workload and learning has been done. We sought to define residents' perceptions of the optimal patient workload for learning, and to determine how certain variables contribute to those perceptions. Our hypothesis was that the relationship between perceived workload and learning has a maximum point (forming a parabolic curve): that either too many or too few patients results in sub-optimal learning. Residents on inpatient services at two academic teaching hospitals reported their team and individual patient censuses, and rated their perception of their learning; the patient acuity; case variety; and how challenged they felt. To estimate maximum learning scores, linear regression models with quadratic terms were fit on learning score. Resident self-perceived learning correlated with higher acuity and greater heterogeneity of case variety. The equation of census versus learning score, adjusted for perception of acuity and case mix scores, showed a parabolic curve in some cases but not in others. These data suggest that perceived resident workload is complex, and impacted by additional variables including patient acuity and heterogeneity of case variety. Parabolic curves exist for interns with regard to overall census and for senior residents with regard to new admissions on long call days.
Plant Community Changes Following Closure of Artesian Wells in Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Abstract. Artificial artesian wells have existed in the San Luis Valley of south central Colorado for over 100 years, and they are an important source of water for livestock and wildlife. When Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA) expanded its boundaries in 2000, ten of these wells were within the new park boundary. Because the habitat surrounding the wells was so severely disturbed by cattle and wildlife trampling, the National Park Service capped the wells in 2010 to promote restoration of the areas to a more natural state. To study changes after well-capping, we compared the plant communities in 2011 and 2012. We measured and compared plant cover, species frequency, and species diversity at recently capped wells on GRSA, at flowing wells (i.e., with water) on adjacent private lands of The Nature Conservancy, and at reference sites. In general, there was little difference in percentage of plant cover and species diversity between well types. For percent cover, annual variation and distance ...
Microbial Biofilm Voltammetry: Direct Electrochemical Characterization of Catalytic Electrode-Attached Biofilms

While electrochemical characterization of enzymes immobilized on electrodes has become common, there is still a need for reliable quantitative methods for study of electron transfer between living cells and conductive surfaces. This work describes growth of thin (<20 microm) Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms on polished glassy carbon electrodes, using stirred three-electrode anaerobic bioreactors controlled by potentiostats and nondestructive voltammetry techniques for characterization of viable biofilms. Routine in vivo analysis of electron transfer between bacterial cells and electrodes was performed, providing insight into the main redox-active species participating in electron transfer to electrodes. At low scan rates, cyclic voltammetry revealed catalytic electron transfer between cells and the electrode, similar to what has been observed for pure enzymes attached to electrodes under continuous turnover conditions. Differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy also revealed features that were consistent with electron transfer being mediated by an adsorbed catalyst. Multiple redox-active species were detected, revealing complexity at the outer surfaces of this bacterium. These techniques provide the basis for cataloging quantifiable, defined electron transfer phenotypes as a function of potential, electrode material, growth phase, and culture conditions and provide a framework for comparisons with other species or communities.
The effects of noise on speech recognition in cochlear implant subjects: predictions and analysis using acoustic models

Cochlear implants can provide partial restoration of hearing, even with limited spectral resolution and loss of fine temporal structure, to severely deafened individuals. Studies have indicated that background noise has significant deleterious effects on the speech recognition performance of cochlear implant patients. This study investigates the effects of noise on speech recognition using acoustic models of two cochlear implant speech processors and several predictive signal-processing-based analyses. The results of a listening test for vowel and consonant recognition in noise are presented and analyzed using the rate of phonemic feature transmission for each acoustic model. Three methods for predicting patterns of consonant and vowel confusion that are based on signal processing techniques calculating a quantitative difference between speech tokens are developed and tested using the listening test results. Results of the listening test and confusion predictions are discussed in terms of comparisons between acoustic models and confusion prediction performance.
Factional rivals and electoral competition in a dominant party: Inside Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, 1958–19901

Formally organized factions in dominant parties face an electoral dilemma - namely, they need to cooperate sufficiently to ensure party control of government while competing with each other for members. This article examines the efforts of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) factions to reconcile these conflicting interests during the period 1958-1990. In particular, we are interested in how institutional constraints imposed both by the electoral system and the party affected the ability of the various factions to increase membership. Following the literature, which identifies incumbency, the party endorsement and mainstream faction status as important determinants of electoral success, we investigate the relative ability of individual factions to increase membership by refocusing analysis on the party's non-incumbent candidates. Consistent with earlier research, we confirm the importance of the party endorsement and mainstream faction status for the electoral success of these candidates. Contrary to current belief, however, we establish empirically that the electoral advantage enjoyed by the non-incumbent candidates of mainstream factions is not due to a disproportionate number of party endorsements, but rather is heavily influenced by their disproportionate assignment to run in districts with attributes that enhance their electability.
Oxytocin deficiency mediates hyperphagic obesity of Sim1 haploinsufficient mice

Single-minded 1 (Sim1) encodes a transcription factor essential for formation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Sim1 haploinsufficiency is associated with hyperphagic obesity and increased linear growth in humans and mice, similar to the phenotype of melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r) mutations. PVN neurons in Sim1+/− mice are hyporesponsive to the melanocortin agonist melanotan II. PVN neuropeptides oxytocin (Oxt), TRH and CRH inhibit feeding when administered centrally. Consequently, we hypothesized that altered PVN neuropeptide expression mediates the hyperphagia of Sim1+/− mice. To test this hypothesis, we measured hypothalamic expression of PVN neuropeptides in Sim1+/− and wild-type mice. Oxt mRNA and peptide were decreased by 80% in Sim1+/− mice, whereas TRH, CRH, arginine vasopressin (Avp), and somatostatin mRNAs were decreased by 20–40%. Sim1+/− mice also showed abnormal regulation of Oxt but not CRH mRNA in response to feeding state. A selective Mc4r agonist activated PVN Oxt neurons...
Non‐linear stability for convection with quadratic temperature dependent viscosity

In this paper, we study the non-linear stability of convection for a Newtonian fluid heated from below, where the viscosity of the fluid depends upon temperature. We are able to show that for Rayleigh numbers below a certain critical value, Rac, the rest state of the fluid and the steady temperature distribution remains non-linearly stable, using the calculations of Diaz and Straughan (Continuum Mech. Thermodyn. 2004; 16:347–352). The central contribution of this paper lies in a simpler proof of non-linear stability, than the ones in the current literature, by use of a suitable maximum principle argument. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, Fabrication, and In Vivo Behavior of Chronic Recording Intracortical Microelectrodes

A platinum-glass microelectrode has been developed that permits chronic recording from single cortical neurons in unrestrained animals and without benefit of external manipulation. Details of fabrication and the surgical technique involved are presented. A discussion of the relevant mechanical considerations is also included. A prime advantage of the method is the ease with which it may be realized in the standard neurophysiologic laboratory.
Population Density Estimates and Growth Rates of Eleutherodactylus coqui in Hawaii

The Puerto Rican terrestrial frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui) has received considerable attention in Hawaii because of its rapid spread, loud mating calls, and its potential threat to native species. Thus far, its invasion potential on the Island of Hawaii remains poorly understood. Critical components for determining this potential are robust estimates of abundance and vital rates across habitat types. To address this lack of information, we used mark-recapture methods to estimate E. coqui survival and abundance, determine growth rates of adult male and female frogs, and relate densities to elevation, snout-vent length (SVL), habitat structure, and invertebrate abundance. Mean adult E. coqui density across eight sites was 62 6 12 adults/100 m 2 and ranged from 6-138 adults/100 m 2 . Our three-year mean adult density estimates were three times greater at three of our study sites (100 adults/100 m 2 ) than the highest long-term estimates from Puerto Rico (33 adults/100 m 2 ). Mean individual growth rates were 0.0078 mm/day (6 0.007 SD, N = 87) for males and 0.0097 mm/day (6 0.009 SD, N = 11) for females. Frogs of similar size were found to be growing slower in Hawaii than Puerto Rico. We found no relationship between elevation and E. coqui density or elevation and SVL or between invertebrate abundance and E. coqui density. However, there was a positive relationship between understory structure and E. coqui density. This relationship suggests that removing understory structure could reduce E. coqui densities, although other potential implications of this management treatment should be considered.
Large granular lymphocyte neoplasia in an aged mare.

5In the present report, we describe a case of disseminated large granular lymphocyte neoplasia in an aged mare. An 18-year-old quarterhorse mare was admitted to the Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Georgia for evaluation of weight loss over a 4-week period and anorexia of 5 days duration. A fever of 103-104 F was present for 48 hours prior to admission. No response had been observed following administration of procaine penicillin G for 5 days (22,000 IU/kg intramuscularly every 12 hours). The onset of anorexia and concurrent weakness prompted referral. At admission, the mare was weak, recumbent, and in poor body condition. Heart rate and respiratory rate were elevated (76 beats/minute and 20 breaths/minut e), and rectal temperature was subnormal (97.3 F). Oral mucous membranes were pink and moist; capillary refill time was 2 seconds. Gastrointestinal sounds were absent, and examination per rectum was unremarkable except for the presence of watery feces in the rectum. Thoracic auscultation revealed musical tones at the end of inspiration and pleural friction rubs bilaterally. A mild, bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge was present. A complete blood count revealed 5.2 x 10 3 leucocytes/µl,
Non-verbal communication of compassion: measuring psychophysiologic effects

Calm, compassionate clinicians comfort others. To evaluate the direct psychophysiologic benefits of non-verbal communication of compassion (NVCC), it is important to minimize the effect of subjects' expectation. This preliminary study was designed to a) test the feasibility of two strategies for maintaining subject blinding to non-verbal communication of compassion (NVCC), and b) determine whether blinded subjects would experience psychophysiologic effects from NVCC. Subjects were healthy volunteers who were told the study was evaluating the effect of time and touch on the autonomic nervous system. The practitioner had more than 10 years' experience with loving-kindness meditation (LKM), a form of NVCC. Subjects completed 10-point visual analog scales (VAS) for stress, relaxation, and peacefulness before and after LKM. To assess physiologic effects, practitioners and subjects wore cardiorespiratory monitors to assess respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) throughout the 4 10-minute study periods: Baseline (both practitioner and subjects read neutral material); non-tactile-LKM (subjects read while the practitioner practiced LKM while pretending to read); tactile-LKM (subjects rested while the practitioner practiced LKM while lightly touching the subject on arms, shoulders, hands, feet, and legs); Post-Intervention Rest (subjects rested; the practitioner read). To assess blinding, subjects were asked after the interventions what the practitioner was doing during each period (reading, touch, or something else). Subjects' mean age was 43.6 years; all were women. Blinding was maintained and the practitioner was able to maintain meditation for both tactile and non-tactile LKM interventions as reflected in significantly reduced RR. Despite blinding, subjects' VAS scores improved from baseline to post-intervention for stress (5.5 vs. 2.2), relaxation (3.8 vs. 8.8) and peacefulness (3.8 vs. 9.0, P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Subjects also had significant reductions in RR (P < 0.0001) and improved HRV (P < 0.05) with both tactile and non-tactile LKM. It is possible to test the effects of LKM with tactile and non-tactile blinding strategies; even with blinding in this small preliminary study, subjects reported significant improvements in well-being which were reflected in objective physiologic measures of autonomic activity. Extending compassion is not only good care; it may also be good medicine. US National ClinicalTrials.gov registration number, NCT01428674
Laminar specific attachment and neurite outgrowth of thalamic neurons on cultured slices of developing cerebral neocortex

In nervous system development, the growth cones of advancing axons are thought to navigate to their targets by recognizing cell-surface and extracellular matrix molecules that act as specific guidance cues. To identify and map cues that guide the growth of a particular axonal system, the thalamocortical afferents, an assay was devised to examine short-term interactions of dissociated embryonic thalamic cells with living, approximately 150 microns slices of developing mouse forebrain. Thalamic cells rapidly (< 3 hours) and efficiently attached to and extended neurites on pre- and postnatal slices, but a broad zone throughout the neocortex was generally non-permissive for both thalamic cell attachment and the ingrowth of neurites. This zone coincided with the cortical plate at early stages (embryonic day 15), but later became restricted, in rostral-to-caudal fashion, to cortical laminae 2/3. Thus, at each stage, thalamic cells in vitro avoided just that area that thalamic axons confront, but generally do not enter, in vivo. In addition, neurites that extended on some layers were found to be significantly oriented in directions that coincide with the pathways that thalamic axons follow in vivo. These results imply that local adhesive cues and signals that affect process outgrowth are distributed among developing cortical laminae in a manner that could underlie much of the temporal and spatial patterning of thalamocortical innervation.
RF breakdown studies in copper electron linac structures

The authors present a summary of RF breakdown-limited electric fields observed in experimental linac structures at SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center) and a discussion of how these experiments can be interpreted against the background of existing, yet incomplete, theories. The motivation of these studies, begun in 1984, is to determine the maximum accelerating field gradients that can be used safely in future e/sup +or-/ colliders, to contribute to the basic understanding of the RF breakdown mechanism, and to discover whether a special surface treatment can make it possible to supersede the field limits presently attainable room-temperature copper structures. >
Importance of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors on intestinal afferents in the regulation of visceral sensitivity.

Abstract Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role as a signalling molecule in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The regulation of GI sensitivity via 5-HT is mediated by specific 5-HT receptor subytypes on intrinsic and extrinsic afferents. This review discusses visceral afferent hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the importance of 5HT3, 5HT4, and 5HT2B receptor-mediated mechanisms in the regulation of visceral sensitivity.
Effect of glycerol and cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin on freezing-induced water loss in bovine spermatozoa

Recent experimental data show that incubating bovine sperm with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) before cryopreservation increases the percentages of motile and viable cells recovered after freezing and thawing, compared with control sperm. In the present study, we report the effect of incubating bovine sperm with CLC on the subzero water transport response and the membrane permeability parameters (reference membrane permeability (L(pg)) and activation energy (E(Lp))). Water transport data during freezing of bovine sperm cell suspensions were obtained at a cooling rate of 20 degrees C/min under three different conditions: 1. in the absence of cryoprotective agents (CPAs); 2. in the presence of 0.7 M glycerol; and 3. in the presence of 1.5 mg/ml CLC and 0.7 M glycerol. With previously published values, the bovine sperm cell was modeled as a cylinder of length 39.8 microm and radius 0.4 microm, with osmotically inactive cell volume (V(b)) of 0.61 V(o), where V(o) is the isotonic cell volume. By fitting a model of water transport to the experimentally obtained data, the best-fit water transport parameters (L(pg) and E(Lp)) were determined. The predicted best-fit permeability parameters ranged from L(pg) = 0.02 to 0.036 microm/min-atm and E(Lp) = 26.4 to 42.1 kcal/mol. These subzero water transport parameters are significantly different from the suprazero membrane permeability values (obtained in the absence of extracellular ice) reported in the literature. Calculations made of the theoretical response of bovine spermatozoa at subzero temperatures suggest that the optimal cooling rate to cryopreserve bovine spermatozoa is 45-60 degrees C/min, agreeing quite closely with experimentally determined rates of freezing bovine spermatozoa.
Impact of axial diffusion on nitric oxide exchange in the lungs

Nitric oxide (NO) appears in the exhaled breath and is a potentially important clinical marker. The accepted model of NO gas exchange includes two compartments, representing the airway and alveolar region of the lungs, but neglects axial diffusion. We incorporated axial diffusion into a one-dimensional trumpet model of the lungs to assess the impact on NO exchange dynamics, particularly the impact on the estimation of flow-independent NO exchange parameters such as the airway diffusing capacity and the maximum flux of NO in the airways. Axial diffusion reduces exhaled NO concentrations because of diffusion of NO from the airways to the alveolar region of the lungs. The magnitude is inversely related to exhalation flow rate. To simulate experimental data from two different breathing maneuvers, NO airway diffusing capacity and maximum flux of NO in the airways needed to be increased approximately fourfold. These results depend strongly on the assumption of a significant production of NO in the small airways. We conclude that axial diffusion may decrease exhaled NO levels; however, more advanced knowledge of the longitudinal distribution of NO production and diffusion is needed to develop a complete understanding of the impact of axial diffusion.
Preclinical Pharmacodynamics of Antihypertensives

The objective of research in the antihypertensive area, and therefore the objective of preclinical studies with potential antihypertensive drugs, is to identify therapeutic entities with: increased efficacy, decreased toxicity, increased ease and convenience of administration, an improved profile on metabolic, hemodynamic and cellular parameters, and defined and unique mechanisms of action.
Racial Differences in Depression Trajectories among Older Women: Socioeconomic, Family, and Health Influences

Despite recent increases in life course research on mental illness, important questions remain about the social patterning of, and explanations for, depression trajectories among women in later lif...
Collagen degradation in human lung fibroblasts: extent of degradation, role of lysosomal proteases, and evaluation of an alternate hypothesis.

Experiments were conducted to determine the extent and variability of collagen degradation in human fetal lung fibroblasts. Cells were incubated with [14C]proline, and degradation was measured by determining the hydroxy[14C]proline in a low molecular weight fraction relative to total hydroxy[14C]proline. Average (basal) degradation in stationary phase HFL-1 cells incubated for 8 h was 16 +/- 3%, and substantial alterations in the composition of the labeling medium, e.g., omitting serum and varying pH between 6.8 and 7.8, had no effect. Organic buffers slightly lowered degradation in a manner that was independent of pH. Collagen degradation in two other lung cell lines, Wl-38 and lMR-90, did not differ from the level in HFL-1. Degradation was significantly higher (23 +/- 5%) in HFL-1 cultures labeled for 24 h rather than 8 h, and pulse-washout experiments showed that the rate of degradation was not uniform: after an 8-h pulse, 11% of the hydroxy [14C]proline in the medium was in the low molecular weight fraction, but 31% was in this fraction after a 16-h washout. The lack of effect of either serum deprivation or elevated pH suggests that lysosomal proteases have no direct role in basal degradation; however, NH4Cl decreased the enhanced degradation observed in ascorbate deficiency to basal level, indicating that abnormal molecules synthesized under those conditions are degraded by lysosomal proteases. The appearance of small hydroxy[14C]proline-containing molecules was inhibited by alpha alpha'dipyridyl and cycloheximide in a dose-dependent and reversible manner, demonstrating that their production depends on enzymatic hydroxylation of proline and protein synthesis.
Industry’s colonization of psychiatry: Ethical and practical implications of financial conflicts of interest in the DSM-5:

The revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), scheduled for publication in May 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), has created a firestorm of controversy because of questions about undue industry influence. Specifically, concerns have been raised about financial conflicts of interest between DSM-5 panel members and the pharmaceutical industry. The authors argue that current approaches to the management of these relationships, particularly transparency of them, are insufficient solutions to the problem of industry’s capture of organized psychiatry. The conceptual framework of institutional corruption is used to understand psychiatry’s dependence on the pharmaceutical industry and to identify the epistemic assumptions that ground the DSM’s biopsychiatric discourse. APA’s rationale for including premenstrual dysphoric disorder in the DSM-5 as a Mood Disorder is reviewed and discussed.
Cure and Mechanical Behavior of Rubber Compounds Containing Ground Vulcanizates: Part III. Tensile and Tear Strength

Abstract A black-filled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) vulcanizate was ambiently ground, then used as an additive to the original, uncured compound. Sheets of the resulting composite (matrix/ground rubber particulate) were cured, and tensile and trouser tear strength determined. The composite had reduced tensile strength, but enhanced tear strength relative to the original vulcanizate. The contrasting behavior is attributed to the effects of sulfur migration into the particulate rubber and differences in the responses of a tensile and a tear testpiece to discontinuities. In brief, ground rubber acts as a stress-raising flaw in tensile testing, while promoting crack tip blunting and stick-slip behavior in trouser tearing.
The Filtration and Particulate Matter Oxidation Characteristics of a Catalyzed Wall-Flow Diesel Particulate Filter: Experimental and 1-D 2-Layer Model Results

A 1-D 2-layer model developed previously at MTU was used in this research to predict the pressure drop, filtration characteristics and various properties of the particulate filter and the particulate deposit layer. The model was calibrated and validated for this CPF with data obtained from steady state experiments conducted using a 1995 Cummins M11-330E heavy-duty diesel engine with manual EGR and using ULSF. The CPF used is a NGK filter having a cordierite substrate with NEX catalyst type formulation (54% porosity, 15.0 μm mean pore diameter and 50 gms/ft 3 Pt). The filter was catalyzed using a wash coat process. The model was used to predict the pressure drop, particulate mass retained inside the CPF, particulate mass filtration efficiency and concentration downstream of the CPF with agreement between the experimental and simulated data. The model was also used to predict the clean substrate permeability, packing density of the particulate deposited inside the substrate, permeability and packing density of the particulate layer deposited on the substrate, activation energies and frequency factors for the thermal and catalytic oxidation path and the thickness of the particulate layer I, which is in contact with the catalyst. In addition, the model also predicted the velocities in the inlet channel, outlet channel and through the wall, variation of particulate layer thickness with axial distance and time along with the particle number distribution downstream of the CPF.
Abstract T MP116: Coated-Platelets Predict Stroke at 30 days in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack

Background: Coated-platelets, a subset of procoagulant platelets observed upon dual agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin, support a robust prothrombinase activity and provide a unique measure of platelet thrombotic potential. Coated-platelet levels are increased both in non-lacunar stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) compared to controls free of stroke or TIA. In addition, higher levels in non-lacunar stroke are associated with stroke recurrence. We now examine whether coated-platelet levels predict stroke at 30 days in TIA patients. Methods: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of TIA established by a board certified neurologist were enrolled in this pilot study. The diagnosis was consistent with the tissue-based definition of TIA: a transient episode of neurological dysfunction without acute infarction. The absence of infarction was demonstrated by normal brain imaging studies. Those taking anticoagulants or with dementia were excluded. Coated-platelets were determined at baseline and reported as percent of cells converted to coated-platelets. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was conducted to compare the ability of coated-platelets versus chance alone to predict incident stroke at 30 days. Results: We enrolled 171 patients. Ten strokes were observed at 30 days. ROC analysis showed significant improvement in the predictive ability of the coated-platelets model compared to chance (AUC: 0.78 ± 0.07 versus 0.50 ± 0, respectively; p < 0.0001). A cut-off of 51.1% for coated-platelet levels yielded a sensitivity of 0.80 (0.55-1.0; 95% CI), specificity of 0.73 (0.66-0.80), positive predictive value of 0.16 (0.06-0.26), and a negative predictive value of 0.98 (0.96-1.0). Conclusions: Among these subjects with TIA, coated platelet levels <51.1% at time of presentation had a negative predictive value of 98% for stroke at 30 days. These findings suggest a role for coated-platelets in stroke risk stratification following TIA.
Reconceptualizing Policy Class as a Practice Class: Increasing the Political Efficacy of Millennial Students

Most policy instructors know too well the challenge of teaching social welfare policy to social work students who do not list policy among their favorite courses. Social work programs have historically taught social policy courses using a theoretical or didactic approach, and as a result, students are inadequately prepared for doing work in the legislative and political arena. One recent study of 396 randomly selected licensed social workers from across the United States found that almost half did not feel adequately prepared to engage with the political system. Recent research supports the idea of teaching policy using an experiential approach and providing students with opportunities for real-life application. Social work programs should strongly consider reconceptualizing their policy courses as a practice course. This article describes one approach that can be used to provide millennial students with a rich and rewarding experience in their required policy courses.
A Two-Phased Control Program Designed for Maximum Suppression of the Boll Weevil in the High and Rolling Plains of Texas

A hypothetical model of a 2-phase or reproductive-diapause control program for Anthonomus grandis Boheman is presented. The proposed program is designed for maximum suppression of the boll weevil population in the High and Rolling Plains area of Texas. The proposed program represents a modification of current 2-phase programs by employing an earlier starling date, based upon the ecology of the weevil in the Texas High and Rolling Plains. It is suggested that this type program will he the necessary 1st phase of any future boll weevil eradication effort.
Real-Time Vision-Based Relative Navigation

This paper describes two vision-based techniques for the navigation of an aircraft relative to an airborne target using only information from a single camera fixed to the aircraft. By applying an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for relative state estimation, both the velocity and position of the aircraft relative to the target can be estimated. While relative states such as bearing can be estimated fairly easily, estimating the range to the target is more difficult because it requires achieving valid depth perception with a single camera. The two techniques presented here offer distinct solutions to this problem. The first technique, Center Only Relative State Estimation (CORSE), uses optimal control to generate an optimal (sinusoidal) trajectory to a desired location relative to the target that results in accurate range-to-target estimates while making minimal demands on the image processing system. The second technique, Subtended Angle Relative State Estimation (SARSE), uses more rigorous image processing to arrive at a valid range estimate without requiring the aircraft to follow a prescribed path. Simulation results indicate that both methods yield range estimates of comparable accuracy while placing different demands on the aircraft and its systems.
COMPRESSION STOCKINGS USE TO PREVENT POST THROMBOTIC SYNDROME IN DVT PATIENTS: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROL STUDIES

A frequent complication of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is the development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). This study sought to determine the efficacy of compression stockings to prevent PTS in patients with DVT. We used MEDLINE, PubMed (through October 2014) to conduct a comprehensive search
Small-Molecule Activation Driven by Confinement Effects

Electron-rich environments may arise from interactions between nanostructures at subnanometer separations and have been shown able to facilitate molecular dissociation of simple diatomic molecules. Electrons in these regions have energies close to the Fermi energy of the structures contributing to the electron-rich environment. These energies can be tuned to achieve specific interactions with the LUMO of molecules of interest. In this work, we focus on electron-rich regions generated between platinum nanoclusters and carbon nanotubes in the confined space defined by a nanopillared graphene (NPG) structure decorated with Pt22 nanoparticles. First, the reactivity of these regions is evaluated using density functional theory by comparing the bond strengths of O2, CO, and N2 adsorbed on Pt22 with that of the molecules adsorbed on similar surfaces in absence of surrounding electron-rich regions. Results show larger charge transfer to the adsorbed molecules in the presence of the electron-rich environments. The...
Access of protective antiviral antibody to neuronal tissues requires CD4 T-cell help

Circulating antibodies can access most tissues to mediate surveillance and elimination of invading pathogens. Immunoprivileged tissues such as the brain and the peripheral nervous system are shielded from plasma proteins by the blood-brain barrier and blood-nerve barrier, respectively. Yet, circulating antibodies must somehow gain access to these tissues to mediate their antimicrobial functions. Here we examine the mechanism by which antibodies gain access to neuronal tissues to control infection. Using a mouse model of genital herpes infection, we demonstrate that both antibodies and CD4 T cells are required to protect the host after immunization at a distal site. We show that memory CD4 T cells migrate to the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord in response to infection with herpes simplex virus type 2. Once inside these neuronal tissues, CD4 T cells secrete interferon-γ and mediate local increase in vascular permeability, enabling antibody access for viral control. A similar requirement for CD4 T cells for antibody access to the brain is observed after intranasal challenge with vesicular stomatitis virus. Our results reveal a previously unappreciated role of CD4 T cells in mobilizing antibodies to the peripheral sites of infection where they help to limit viral spread.
Therapeutic hypothermia and ischemic stroke: A literature review.

Background: Ischemic stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US. Clinical techniques aimed at helping to reduce the morbidity associated with stroke have been studied extensively, including therapeutic hypothermia. In this study, the authors review the literature regarding the role of therapeutic hypothermia in ischemic stroke to appreciate the evolution of hypothermia technology over several decades and to critically analyze several early clinical studies to validate its use in ischemic stroke.
The źDestabilizingź Effect of Cannibalism in a Spatially Explicit Three-Species Age Structured Predator-Prey Model

Cannibalism, the act of killing and consumption of conspecifics, is generally considered to be a stabilising process in ODE models of predator-prey systems. On the other hand, Sun et al. were the first to show that cannibalism can cause Turing instability, in the classical Rosenzweig-McArthur two-species PDE model, which is an impossibility without cannibalism. Magnussonźs classic work is the first to show that cannibalism in a structured three-species predator-prey ODE model can actually be destabilising. In the current manuscript we consider the PDE form of the three-species model proposed in Magnussonźs classic work. We prove that, in the absence of cannibalism, Turing instability is an impossibility in this model, for any range of parameters. However, the inclusion of cannibalism can cause Turing instability. Thus, to the best of our knowledge, we report the first cannibalism induced Turing instability result, in spatially explicit three-species age structured predator-prey systems. We also show that, in the classical ODE model proposed by Magnusson, cannibalism can act as a life boat mechanism, for the prey.
Creep Performance of Advanced 9Cr–1Mo Steels in Steam Environment

A new test rig was developed to conduct creep evaluation in steam. The isothermal creep performance for ferritic 9Cr and ferritic/martensitic Gr.91 steels was superior at 650 °C in steam than in air. Microstructure characterization revealed the presence of an adherent and continuous (Fe,Cr)-rich inner oxide layer because of crack healing by re-oxidation. Stress calculation based on a composite structure showed that the longer lifetimes in steam were likely due a transfer of load from the alloy to the inner scale. However, a significant decrease of the Gr91 creep lifetime was observed in steam at 650 °C when the specimens were thermally cycled every 10 h. This could be explained by localized cracking of the load-bearing inner layer.
A combined system for 3D printing cybersecurity

Previous work has discussed the impact of cybersecurity breaches on 3D printed objects. Multiple attack types that could weaken objects, make them unsuitable for certain applications and even create safety hazards have been presented. This paper considers a visible light sensing-based verification system’s efficacy as a means of thwarting cybersecurity threats to 3D printing. This system detects discrepancies between expected and actual printed objects (based on an independent pristine CAD model). Whether reliance on an independent CAD model is appropriate is also considered. The future of 3D printing is projected and the importance of cybersecurity in this future is discussed.