cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Vent Aspect Ratio on Unsteady Laminar Buoyant Flow Through Rectangular Vents in Large Enclosures

The effects of vent aspect ratio on oscillatory flow regime through a horizontal opening were studied numerically. The physical model consisted of a vertical rectangular enclosure divided into two chambers by a horizontal partition. The partitions contained a slot that connected the two chambers. The upper chamber contains cold air and the lower chamber contains hot air. A density differential due to the different temperatures drives the interaction between the two chambers. The opposing forces at the interface between the two chambers create a gravitationally unstable system, and an oscillating exchange of fluid develops. Results were obtained for cases with L/D=1, 0.5, and 2.0, where L represents the thickness of the partition and D represents the slot width of the opening in the partition. Results indicate that the flow exchange increases with partition thickness L/D=0.5 and decreases for L/D=2. The frequency of the oscillatory flow pattern is also examined for the different cases. Sudden bursts of upflow with a corresponding downflow have been documented and compared with experimental observations in the literature. The time traces of velocity and temperature fields for this flow regime reveal interesting mechanisms, which have been explained.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
RGD-xyloside conjugates prime glycosaminoglycans.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) play decisive roles in various cardio-vascular & cancer-associated processes. Changes in the expression of GAG fine structures, attributed to deregulation of their biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes, are hallmarks of vascular dysfunction and tumor progression. The wide spread role of GAG chains in blood clotting, wound healing and tumor biology has led to the development of modified GAG chains, GAG binding peptides and GAG based enzyme inhibitors as therapeutic agents. Xylosides, carrying hydrophobic aglycone, are known to induce GAG biosynthesis in various systems. Given the important roles of GAG chains in vascular and tumor biology, we envision that RGD-conjugated xylosides could be targeted to activated endothelial and cancer cells, which are known to express αvβ3 integrin, and thereby modulate the pathological processes. To accomplish this vision, xylose residue was conjugated to linear and cyclic RGD containing peptides using click chemistry. Our results demonstrate that RGD-conjugated xylosides are able to prime GAG chains in various cell types, and future studies are aimed toward evaluating potential utility of such xylosides in treating myocardial infarction as well as cancer-associated thrombotic complications.
A direct dual method for the mixed plant location problem with some side constraints

The mixed plant location problem (mixed in the sense of allowing capacitated as well as uncapacitated plants) is a difficult and important mixed integer problem. We give a direct dual method, consisting of several phases (each of which appears essential for some data), to resolve a strong relaxed form of the problem with additional constraints over the integer variables (user specified, or derived from the data themselves). When all features of the algorithm are employed, there appears to be no difficulty with problems of 100 plants, even in an inefficient computer implementation. The primal solutions which we derive from the orthogonality conditions and a simple greedy heuristic are almost always much better than those we obtain from a standard relaxed problem in the Lagrangean sense. With an enumeration code in an efficient implementation we would expect to be capable of resolving very large problems (of perhaps up to 500 or 1000 plants) to within practically well acceptable tolerances.
Using simulations to investigate management decision making

Management researchers are always in search for new controlled environments from which they can gather data. This article proposes the use of total enterprise simulations as a research setting for ...
Sex and androgenic steroid receptor expression in hepatic adenomas

Sex hormones and anabolic-androgenic steroids are implicated in the development and progression of hepatic adenomas (HA). We studied the expression of their receptors in HA and adjacent liver. Archival tissue sections of 27 HA (16 resections, four needle biopsies, seven aspirations) from 18 patients, and the adjacent liver, were immunostained with monoclonal antibody to estrogen receptor (ER, 1/80) (Dako, Carpinteria, CA), progesterone receptor (PR, 1/50) (BioGenex, San Ramon, CA), and androgen receptor (AR, 1/80) (BioGenex). An avidin-biotin complex technique was used with microwave antigen retrieval. Nuclear expression was assessed as 1+ to 3+ intensity, with semiquantitation of the percentage of nuclei immunopositive. Five percent or more nuclei immunopositive was regarded as positive. The 18 patients included 16 females of 34 years mean age (range, 16 to 49) with an available history of oral contraceptives in five; the two men were 24 and 30 years, with no history of androgenic steroids. ER, PR, and AR were present in seven (26%) (1+/-2+ intensity, 5% to 10% of nuclei) of HA, seven (26%) (1+/-2+ intensity, 5% to 30% of nuclei) and nine (33%) (1+/-3+ intensity, 5% to 80% of nuclei), respectively. In the adjacent liver in 11 cases, there were one (9%) ER, (2+ intensity, 5% of nuclei), four (36%) PR (1+/-2+ intensity, 5% to 20% of nuclei), and two (18%) AR (2+/-3+ intensity, 10% of nuclei). Receptors are present and may mediate the action of sex hormones or androgenic steroids on HA and adjacent liver, but in less than one third of patients. This may have therapeutic implications.
Cucurbit[8]uril recognition of rapidly interconverting diastereomers

The diastereoselectivity of Cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) binding was probed towards a series of rapidly interconverting diastereomers containing a Caryl–Caryl chiral axis and at least one other stereocenter. Relative binding affinities of up to 4.9 were determined when CB[8] interacted with ortho, meta, ortho′-substituted biphenyls bearing a chiral dialkylsulfonium substituent at their meta-position. Diastereoselectivities of up to 2.4-fold were obtained for ortho′-substituted 2-phenylpyridinium derivatives that bear a chiral myrtenyl N-substituent prone to CB[8] binding.
The January 1998 Earthquake swarm at Axial Volcano, Juan de Fuca Ridge: Hydroacoustic evidence of seafloor volcanic activity

On January 25, 1998 at 11:33Z, an intense swarm of earthquakes began within the summit caldera of Axial Volcano, central Juan de Fuca Ridge (JdFR). The earthquake swarm was detected using the U.S. Navy hydrophones in the northeast Pacific Ocean. The earthquake swarm lasted 11 days and produced 8247 detected (1037 located) earthquakes. During the first two days of the swarm, earthquake activity migrated from the summit caldera ∼50 km along the south rift zone of Axial Volcano at rates of 0.92±0.13 and 0.23±0.09 m s−1. Earthquake epicenter migration is characteristic of a lateral magma dike injection. The largest three swarm earthquakes occurred within the caldera. Their timing and mechanisms are consistent with adjustment of the caldera floor as magma is removed from beneath the summit. Earthquakes with short T-wave rise times (shallow focal depths) cluster at two spots along the summit and south rift zone, and are considered possible seafloor eruption sites. In situ ground deformation and hydrothermal plume monitors, and later shipboard observations, confirmed the occurrence of a seafloor volcanic eruption at the volcano's summit.
Caffeine, nicotine and mecamylamine share stimulus properties in the preexposure conditioned taste aversion procedure.

Rationale: The present study examined whether nicotine and caffeine, two of the most widely used psychoactive drugs, share stimulus properties in the preexposure conditioned taste aversion (CTA) procedure. Objectives: To determine whether nicotine would attenuate the formation of a caffeine-induced CTA and further assess whether pretreatment with mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, would reverse nicotine's attenuating effect of a caffeine-induced CTA. Methods: Male Wistar rats were preexposed with one of three doses of nicotine (0.6, 1.2 and 2.0 mg/kg, s.c.) for three consecutive days, then 24 h following the final preexposure injection were conditioned with caffeine (20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg, i.p.) in a standard two-bottle test. There were four conditioning trials and four drug-free test days. In a follow-up study, rats were pretreated with mecamylamine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) prior to preexposure injections with nicotine (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.), then subsequently conditioned with caffeine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) as described above. Results: The lowest nicotine dose (0.6 mg/kg) attenuated the caffeine induced CTAs (20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) but the higher nicotine doses showed no such attenuating effect. In addition, mecamylamine reversed the nicotine-induced attenuation of the caffeine-induced CTA and also directly attenuated it. Conclusions: These results suggested that caffeine, nicotine and mecamylamine share overlapping stimulus properties and that the nature of this relationship may involve action at the nicotinic-cholinergic receptor.
Regulation of transcription-factor activity during growth and differentiation: Involvement of the nuclear matrix in concentration and localization of promoter binding proteins

Several lines of evidence are presented which support involvement of the nuclear matrix in regulating the transcription of two genes, histone and osteocalcin, that are reciprocally expressed during development of the osteoblast phenotype. In the 5′ regulatory region of an H4 histone gene, which is expressed in proliferating osteoblasts early during the developmental/differentiation sequence, a dual role is proposed for the nuclear matrix binding domain designated NMP-1 (−589 to −730 upstream from the transcription start site). In addition to functioning as a nuclear matrix attachment site, the sequences contribute to the upregulation of histone gene transcription, potentially facilitated by concentration and localization of an 84kD ATF DNA binding protein. A homologous nuclear matrix binding domain was identified in the promoter of the osteocalcin gene, which is expressed in mature osteoblasts in an extracellular matrix undergoing mineralization. The NMP binding domain in the osteocalcin gene promoter resides contiguous to the vitamin D responsive element. Together with gene and transcription factor localization, a model is proposed whereby nuclear matrix-associated structural constraints on conformation of the osteocalcin gene promoter facilitates vitamin D responsiveness mediated by cooperativity at multiple regulatory elements.
Mitochondrial aconitase and citrate metabolism in malignant and nonmalignant human prostate tissues

Background: In prostate cancer, normal citrate-producing glandular secretory epithelial cells undergo a metabolic transformation to malignant citrate-oxidizing cells. m-Aconitase is the critical step involved in this altered citrate metabolism that is essential to prostate malignancy. The limiting m-aconitase activity in prostate epithelial cells could be the result of a decreased level of m-aconitase enzyme and/or the inhibition of existing maconitase. Earlier studies identified zinc as an inhibitor of m-aconitase activity in prostate cells; and that the depletion of zinc in malignant cells is an important factor in this metabolic transformation. However, a possibility remains that an altered expression and level of m-aconitase enzyme might also be involved in this metabolic transformation. To address this issue, the in situ level of m-aconitase enzyme was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of prostate cancer tissue sections and malignant prostate cell lines. Results: The immunocytochemical procedure successfully identified the presence of m-aconitase localized in the mitochondrial compartment in PC-3, LNCaP, and DU-145 malignant prostate cell lines. The examination of prostate tissue sections from prostate cancer subjects demonstrated that m-aconitase enzyme is present in the glandular epithelium of normal glands, hyperplastic glands, adenocrcinomatous glands, and prostatic intraepithelial neoplastic foci. Quantitative analysis of the relative level of m-aconitase in the glandular epithelium of citrateproducing adenomatous glands versus the citrate-oxidizing adenocarcinomatous glands revealed no significant difference in m-aconitase enzyme levels. This is in contrast to the down-regulation of ZIP1 zinc transporter in the malignant glands versus hyperplastic glands that exists in the same tissue samples. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the existence of m-aconitase enzyme in the citrate-producing glandular epithelial cells; so that deficient m-aconitase enzyme is not associated with the limiting m-aconitase activity that prevents citrate oxidation in these cells. The level of m-aconitase is maintained in the malignant cells; so that an altered enzyme level is not associated with the increased m-aconitase activity. Consequently, the elevated zinc level that inhibits m-aconitase enzyme is responsible for the impaired citrate oxidation in normal and hyperplastic prostate glandular epithelial cells. Moreover, the down-regulation of ZIP1 zinc transporter and corresponding depletion of zinc results in the increase in the activity of the existing m-aconitase activity in the malignant prostate cells. The studies now define the mechanism for the metabolic transformation that characterizes the essential transition of normal citrate-producing epithelial cells to malignant citrate-oxidizing cells.
The Immirzi parameter in quantum general relativity

Barbero has generalized the Ashtekar canonical transformation to a one-parameter scale transformation U({gamma}) on the phase space of general relativity. Immirzi has noticed that in loop quantum gravity this transformation alters the spectra of geometrical quantities. We show that U({gamma}) is a canonical transformation that cannot be implemented unitarily in quantum theory. This implies that there exists a one-parameter quantization ambiguity in quantum gravity, namely, a free parameter that enters the construction of the quantum theory. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the origin and the role of this free parameter. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Personal health information management system and its application in referral management

We developed a web-based personal health record (PHR) that can be used by patients to collect and manage their health information (e.g., medical history, past surgeries, medications, and allergies), to request self-referrals, and to store a record of their consultations. The PHR also includes a messaging system that can be structured into the workflow of referral management as well as allowing more general communications. A preliminary study was conducted with 61 patients. Thirty-two patients completed a survey in which 85% of respondents were satisfied with the usability and 94% were satisfied with the overall online referral process. The consulting physicians were satisfied with the content of subjects' personal health information and referral problem descriptions and found the information detailed enough to triage all requested referrals. Patients, physicians, and patient care coordinators reported that their communications were enhanced by the system and found the messaging component convenient to use.
Projecting uncertainty onto marine megafauna trajectories

Abstract In this study, a method is proposed for estimating the uncertainty of a Lagrangian pathway calculated from an undersampled ocean surface velocity field. The primary motivation and application for this method is the differentiation between active and passive movements for sea turtles whose trajectories are observed with satellite telemetry. Synthetic trajectories are launched within a reconstructed surface velocity field and integrated forward in time to produce likely trajectories of an actual turtle or drifter. Uncertainties in both the initial conditions at launch and the velocity field along the trajectory are used to yield an envelope of possible synthetic trajectories for each actual trajectory. The juxtaposition of the actual trajectory with the resulting cloud of synthetic trajectories provides a means to distinguish between active and passive movements of the turtle. The uncertainty estimates provided by this model may lead to improvements in our understanding of where and when turtles are engaged in specific behaviors (i.e. migration vs. foraging)—for which potential management efforts may vary accordingly.
Teacher Ratings of Behavior Problems of Hawaiian-American Adolescents:

Teachers in rural Hawaii completed the Behavior Problem Checklist for 196 Hawaiian and part-Hawaiian students. Two factors were extracted, reflecting disruptiveness and passive withdrawal. Similar studies in the United States have typically reported three factors; the two obtained in the Hawaii study, and an immaturityinadequacy factor. Failure to find the latter factor was attributed to the cross-cultural nature of the situation. The results were interpreted to indicate that behavior problems reported by teachers vary little from situation to situation and culture to culture, due to the stimulus conditions inherent in the typical school situation.
Statistical partitioning of wavelet subbands for texture classification

In wavelet packet based image processing and classification, the proper selection of a subset of subbands is crucial for efficient representation of the image with a small number of subbands. Various algorithms have been proposed to address the subband selection problem. However, these algorithms evaluate the representation power of each subband separately based on a pre-defined cost function and subsequently choose a set of subbands based on these representation powers. This process implicitly assumes the independence between different subbands, which seldom holds and thus, degrades the classification performance. Past experience shows that the subbands with high energy play an important role in classifying texture. To incorporate both the dependence between subbands and the individual power of each subband into the subband selection process, we propose a subband grouping and selection (SGS) algorithm for selecting subbands for texture classification. Our experiments show that the proposed subband selection algorithm effectively outperforms the traditional algorithms by achieving higher classification accuracy with a fewer number of subbands.
Multi-agent system that attains longevity via death

We propose a novel approach to self-regenerating systems which require continuous operation, such as security surveillance. For that aim we introduce HADES, a self-regenerating cooperative multi-agent system with local monitoring. When agents of HADES find local failures they repair them. However, in extreme cases repair may not be possible and irregular aggressive agents will multiply. These irregular agents may use all of the system's resources and thus take over the system. To optimize system longevity, we identify protocols for killing these irregular agents. Our primary contribution is a double communication protocol of alert and death signals among the agents, making the multi-agent system robust to failures and attacks.
Determination of minimal sampling time points for reliable pharmacokinetic evaluation of recombinant factor VIII – an exploratory population pharmacokinetic analysis in paediatric patients suffering from severe haemophilia

Summary. Data obtained from 19 paediatric patients (mean age, range: 12.8, 4.3–12 years) with haemophilia A from one clinical trial (see Barnes et al in these proceedings) were used to develop a population model of the pharmacokinetics (PK) of intravenous recombinant Factor VIII (rFVIII) given as a single bolus infusion of 50 IU kg−1 body weight. Eleven plasma samples per patient were drawn and assayed using the one stage coagulation assay. These data and the patient covariables were modelled by iterative two step analysis, thus generating PK parameter values for both individuals and the overall study population. The partial derivatives method of analysis (from WinNonlin®) was used to identify the optimal sampling times (OST). Minimization of the sampling schedule was validated by comparison of parameter estimates obtained by OST with data calculated from the full (11 samples/patient) data set using compartmental and non-compartmental PK approaches and sensitivity analysis with respect to patients’ covariables. The PK parameters were best described by a two compartment model with an IV input-function to the central compartment. Base line FVIII levels were built into the model as a continuous constant rate delivery function. Lean body mass (LBM) had a moderate influence on clearance and central volume of distribution (∼2.5% per kg LBM). Inter-subject variability on both parameters was moderate (Cl: 27.2%, V: 15.5%) residual error was low (5.7%). Base line estimates were generally below 1% for all subjects in accordance with their severe state of disease. Five OST (end of infusion, 2.5–3.5, 8–10, 22–26 and 46–50 h) provided maximum information and allowed PK parameter values to be estimated by both compartmental and non-compartmental methods with comparable accuracy as that obtained using the full sampling schedule. Additionally, a predose sample may be added to get an improved base line estimate. Our results indicate that even after substantial reduction of the number of samples (from 11 to 5) adequate rFVIII PK data can be obtained using OST schedules in severe haemophiliacs. PK studies conducting using the much fewer sampling time points are less burdensome to patients, particularly very young patients, and thus may be easier to implement into routine haemophilia care.
Naloxone Activation of μ-Opioid Receptors Mutated at a Histidine Residue Lining the Opioid Binding Cavity

The mu-opioid receptor is the principal site of action in the brain by which morphine, other opiate drugs of abuse, and endogenous opioid peptides effect analgesia and alter mood. A member of the seven-transmembrane domain (TM) G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, the mu-opioid receptor modulates ion channels and second messenger effectors in an opioid agonist-dependent fashion that is reversible by the classic opiate antagonist naloxone. Mutation of a histidine residue (His297) in TM 6 afforded agonist-like G protein-coupled signal transduction mediated by naloxone and other alkaloid antagonists and enhanced the intrinsic activity of documented alkaloid partial agonists, including buprenorphine. The intrinsic activities of all opioid peptide agonists and antagonists tested were not altered at the His297 mutant receptors. Consistent with a role for the TM 6 histidine in maintaining high affinity binding sites for opioid agonists and antagonists, opioid ligand-dependent protection of this residue from a histidine-specific alkylating agent indicated that the His297 side chain is positioned in or very near the binding cavity. The TM 6 His297 mutants identify a discrete region of the receptor critical for determining whether a specific drug pharmacophore triggers receptor activation. Because many GPCRs possess a similarly positioned TM histidine residue, our findings with the mu-opioid receptor may extend to these receptors and potentially serve as a model for rational design of therapeutic GPCR partial agonists and antagonists.
A unified framework for individualized avatar-based interactions

This paper presents a framework to interactively control avatars in remote environments. The system, called AMITIES, serves as the central component that connects people controlling avatars (inhabiters), various manifestations of these avatars (surrogates), and people interacting with these avatars (participants). A multiserver—client architecture, based on a low-demand network protocol, connects the participant environment(s), the inhabiter station(s), and the avatars. A human-in-the-loop metaphor provides an interface for remote operation, with support for multiple inhabiters, multiple avatars, and multiple participants. Custom animation blending routines and a gesture-based interface provide inhabiters with an intuitive avatar control paradigm. This gesture control is enhanced by genres of program-controlled behaviors that can be triggered by events or inhabiter choices for individual or groups of avatars. This mixed (agency and gesture-based) control paradigm reduces the cognitive and physical loads on the inhabiter while supporting natural bidirectional conversation between participants and the virtual characters or avatar counterparts, including ones with physical manifestations, for example, robotic surrogates. The associated system affords the delivery of personalized experiences that adapt to the actions and interactions of individual users, while staying true to each virtual character's personality and backstory. In addition to its avatar control paradigm, AMITIES provides processes for character and scenario development, testing, and refinement. It also has integrated capabilities for session recording and event tagging, along with automated tools for reflection and after-action review. We demonstrate effectiveness by describing an instantiation of AMITIES, called TeachLivE, that is widely used by colleges of education to prepare new teachers and provide continuing professional development to existing teachers. Finally, we show the system's flexibility by describing a number of other diverse applications, and presenting plans to enhance capabilities and application areas.
Inflammatory and immune responses are impaired in mice deficient in intercellular adhesion molecule 1

Abstract Gene targeting was used to produce mice deficient in intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) or CD54, an immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule that binds beta 2 integrins. Homozygous deficient animals develop normally, are fertile, and have a moderate granulocytosis. The nature of the mutation, RNA analysis, and immunostaining are consistent with complete loss of surface expression of ICAM-1. Deficient mice exhibit prominent abnormalities of inflammatory responses including impaired neutrophil emigration in response to chemical peritonitis and decreased contact hypersensitivity to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene. Mutant cells provided negligible stimulation in the mixed lymphocyte reaction, although they proliferated normally as responder cells. These mutant animals will be extremely valuable for examining the role of ICAM-1 and its counterreceptors in inflammatory disease processes and atherosclerosis.
Automated external defibrillators in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Athletics.

BackgroundSudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death in athletes. Evidence on current sudden cardiac death prevention through preparticipation history, physicals, and noninvasive cardiovascular diagnostics has demonstrated a low sensitivity for detection of athletes at high risk of sudden cardiac death. Data are lacking on automated external defibrillator programs specifically initiated to respond to rare dysrhythmia in younger, relatively low-risk populations.MethodsSurveys were mailed to the head athletic trainers of all National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletics programs listed in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association directory. In all, 303 surveys were mailed; 186 departments (61%) responded.ResultsSeventy-two percent (133) of responding National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletics programs have access to automated external defibrillator units; 54% (101) own their units. Proven medical benefit (55%), concern for liability (51%), and affordability (29%)...
Approximations for the cylindrical wire kernel

The authors introduce several new approximations to the cylindrical wire kernel. These approximations are derived from a recently found exact series solution for the cylindrical wire kernel. It is also demonstrated that the well-known reduced kernel and far-zone approximations may be obtained as special limiting cases of this series.
Historical biogeography and the origin of stomatal distributions in Banksia and Dryandra (Proteaceae) based on their cpDNA phylogeny

Banksia and Dryandra have undergone extensive speciation and adaptive radiation, especially in Australia's isolated Southwest Botanical Province. We derive a phylogeny for these groups based on cpDNA sequences and use it to reconstruct their historical biogeography and evolution of leaf traits thought to be adapted to drought and/or nutrient poverty. Slowly evolving regions (trnL intron, trnL/trnF spacer) are used to resolve large-scale relationships; faster evolving regions (rp116 intron, psbA/trnH and trnT/trnL spacers) are used to resolve relationships among closely related species. Banksia is paraphyletic with respect to Dryandra. The lineage underwent a basal split into two clades (here named /Cryptostomata and /Phanerostomata), and four infrageneric taxa supported by morphological cladistic analyses (series Spicigerae, Abietinae, Tetragonae, and Banksia) are not monophyletic. Dispersal-vicariance analysis resolves a southwestern Australian origin for the lineage, with two later expansions to the east followed by vicariance events. Stomatal crypts arose with the /Cryptostomata, which is characterized by tough, long-lived leaves and common in southwestern Australia. Sequestering of stomata also arose multiple times in /Phanerostomata, which is characterized by softer, short-lived leaves and common in moister coastal areas, via inrolling of the margins of narrow leaves and restricting stomata to shallow pits. The hypothesis that sclerophylly preadapted the plants to xeromorphy is supported in the case of shallow stomatal pits and deep stomatal crypts, but not narrow, needle-like leaves.
The BTBR Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders Has Learning and Attentional Impairments and Alterations in Acetylcholine and Kynurenic Acid in Prefrontal Cortex

Autism is a complex spectrum of disorders characterized by core behavioral deficits in social interaction, communication, repetitive stereotyped behaviors and restricted interests. Autism frequently presents with additional cognitive symptoms, including attentional deficits and intellectual disability. Preclinical models are important tools for studying the behavioral domains and biological underpinnings of autism, and potential treatment targets. The inbred BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain has been used as an animal model of core behavioral deficits in autism. BTBR mice exhibit repetitive behaviors and deficits in sociability and communication, but other aspects of their cognitive phenotype, including attentional performance, are not well characterized. We examined the attentional abilities of BTBR mice in the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) using an automated touchscreen testing apparatus. The 5-CSRTT is an analogue of the human continuous performance task of attention, and so both the task and apparatus have translational relevance to human touchscreen cognitive testing. We also measured basal extracellular levels of a panel of neurotransmitters within the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain region critically important for performing the 5-CSRTT. We found that BTBR mice have increased impulsivity, defined as an inability to withhold responding, and decreased motivation, as compared to C57Bl/6J mice. Both of these features characterize attentional deficit disorders in humans. BTBR mice also display decreased accuracy in detecting short stimuli, lower basal levels of extracellular acetylcholine and higher levels of kynurenic acid within the prefrontal cortex. Intact cholinergic transmission in prefrontal cortex is required for accurate performance of the 5-CSRTT, consequently this cholinergic deficit may underlie less accurate performance in BTBR mice. Based on our findings that BTBR mice have attentional impairments and alterations in a key neural substrate of attention, we propose that they may be valuable for studying mechanisms for treatment of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with attention deficits and autism.
The transverse‐axial tubular system (tats) of mouse myocardium: Its morphology in the developing and adult animal

Invaginations of the sarcolemma that generate the transverse-axial tubular system (TATS) of the ventricular myocardial cells have begun to develop in the mouse by the time of birth. The formation of the TATS appears to be derived from the repetitive generation of caveolae, which forms "beaded tubules". Beaded tubules are retained in the adult, in which they frequently present a spiraled topography. Development of the TATS progresses so rapidly that complex systems are already present in the cardiac muscle cells of young mice; by 10-14 days of age, the ultrastructure is essentially identical to that of the adult. The mouse myocardial TATS is composed of anastomosed elements that are directed transversely and axially (longitudinally). Many tubules have an oblique orientation, however, and most elements of the TATS are highly pleiomorphic. In this respect the TATS of the mouse heart is relatively primitive in appearance in comparison with the more ordered TATS latticeworks typical of the ventricular cells of other mammals. Stereological analysis of the mouse TATS indicates that the volume fraction (VV) and surface density (SV) are considerably greater than previously reported (3.24% and 0.5028 micron-1, respectively). The most complex ramifications of the TATS are embodied in the subsarcolemmal caveolar system and the deeper tubulovesicular "labyrinths", both of which can be found in early postnatal and adult ventricular cells. In atrial cells, TATS development is initiated several days later than in the ventricular cells. The TATS of adult atrial myocardial cells is less prominent than the ventricular TATS and consists largely of axial elements; the incidence of the TATS, furthermore, is more pronounced in the left than in the right atrium.
PpATG9 Encodes a Novel Membrane Protein That Traffics to Vacuolar Membranes, Which Sequester Peroxisomes during Pexophagy in Pichia pastoris

When Pichia pastoris adapts from methanol to glucose growth, peroxisomes are rapidly sequestered and degraded within the vacuole by micropexophagy. During micropexophagy, sequestering membranes arise from the vacuole to engulf the peroxisomes. Fusion of the sequestering membranes and incorporation of the peroxisomes into the vacuole is mediated by the micropexophagy-specific membrane apparatus (MIPA). In this study, we show the P. pastoris ortholog of Atg9, a novel membrane protein is essential for the formation of the sequestering membranes and assembly of MIPA. During methanol growth, GFP-PpAtg9 localizes to multiple structures situated near the plasma membrane referred as the peripheral compartment (Atg9-PC). On glucose-induced micropexophagy, PpAtg9 traffics from the Atg9-PC to unique perivacuolar structures (PVS) that contain PpAtg11, but lack PpAtg2 and PpAtg8. Afterward, PpAtg9 distributes to the vacuole surface and sequestering membranes. Movement of the PpAtg9 from the Atg9-PC to the PVS requires PpAtg11 and PpVps15. PpAtg2 and PpAtg7 are essential for PpAtg9 trafficking from the PVS to the vacuole and sequestering membranes, whereas trafficking of PpAtg9 proceeds independent of PpAtg1, PpAtg18, and PpVac8. In summary, our data suggest that PpAtg9 transits from the Atg9-PC to the PVS and then to the sequestering membranes that engulf the peroxisomes for degradation.
Increasing Opportunities for the Productive Engagement of Older Adults: A Response to Population Aging

"Productive aging" puts forward the fundamental view that the capacity of older adults must be better developed and utilized in activities that make economic contributions to society-working, caregiving, volunteering. It is suggested that productive engagement can lead to multiple positive ends: offsetting fiscal strains of a larger older population, contributing to the betterment of families and civil society, and maintaining the health and economic security of older adults. Advocates claim that outdated social structures and discriminatory behaviors limit participation of older adults in these important social roles as well as prevent the optimization of outcomes for older adults, families, and society. We ask two important questions: (a) How can we shape policies and programs to optimally engage the growing resources of an aging population for the sake of society and older adults themselves? and (b) How can policies pertaining to productive engagement reduce health and economic disparities? We answer these questions by first describing the current state of engagement in each of the three productive activities and summarize some current policies and programs that affect engagement. Next we highlight challenges that cross-cut productive engagement. Finally, we provide policy recommendations to address these challenges.
Complex Geometric Models of Diffusion and Relaxation in Healthy and Damaged White Matter

Which aspects of tissue microstructure affect diffusion weighted MRI signals? Prior models, many of which use Monte-Carlo simulations, have focused on relatively simple models of the cellular microenvironment and have not considered important anatomic details. With the advent of higher-order analysis models for diffusion imaging, such as high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI), more realistic models are necessary. This paper presents and evaluates the reproducibility of simulations of diffusion in complex geometries. Our framework is quantitative, does not require specialized hardware, is easily implemented with little programming experience, and is freely available as open-source software. Models may include compartments with different diffusivities, permeabilities, and T2 time constants using both parametric (e.g. spheres and cylinders) and arbitrary (e.g. mesh-based) geometries. Three-dimensional diffusion displacement probability functions are mapped with high reproducibility, and thus can be readily used to assess reproducibility of diffusion-derived contrasts.
Metallization schemes for dielectric thin film capacitors

A detailed analysis of Pt/Ti, Pt/TiO2, and Pt/ZrO2 electrodes was carried out to develop a bottom electrode stack for sol-gel derived thin film capacitors. For the Pt/Ti stack, the choice of layer thickness and deposition temperature is found to affect adhesion to the SiO2/Si substrate as well as the extent of hillock formation and Pt–Ti interaction. By using elevated temperature deposition, Pt films close to 1 μm in thickness can be produced with relatively good adhesion and morphological stability using Ti adhesion layers. In addition, Pt films grown on ZrO2 and TiO2 adhesion layers exhibit little morphological change and no degradation in sheet resistance after annealing at 650 °C. However, neither ZrO2 nor TiO2 are as effective as Ti metal in promoting Pt adhesion. Experiments aimed at establishing a correlation between hillock formation and capacitor yield revealed two important results. First, the behavior of Pt/Ti stacks during annealing in air is markedly different from their behavior during PZT film crystallization. Second, preannealing of the Pt/Ti in air prior to PZT film growth actually improves capacitor yield, even though hillock formation occurs during the preannealing treatment. Implications of these results regarding the role of hillocks in controlling capacitor yield are discussed.
Vitamin A Deficiency Results in Meiotic Failure and Accumulation of Undifferentiated Spermatogonia in Prepubertal Mouse Testis

Vitamin A (retinol) is required for maintenance of adult mammalian spermatogenesis. In adult rodents, vitamin A withdrawal is followed by a loss of differentiated germ cells within the seminiferous epithelium and disrupted spermatogenesis that can be restored by vitamin A replacement. However, whether vitamin A plays a role in the differentiation and meiotic initiation of germ cells during the first round of mouse spermatogenesis is unknown. In the present study, we found that vitamin A depletion markedly decreased testicular expression of the all-trans retinoic acid-responsive gene, Stra8, and caused meiotic failure in prepubertal male mice lacking lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (Lrat), encoding for the major enzyme in liver responsible for the formation of retinyl esters. Rather than undergoing normal differentiation, germ cells accumulated in the testes of Lrat(-/-) mice maintained on a vitamin A-deficient diet. These results, together with our previous observations that germ cells fail to enter meiosis and remain undifferentiated in embryonic vitamin A-deficient ovaries, support the hypothesis that vitamin A regulates the initiation of meiosis I of both oogenesis and spermatogenesis in mammals.
Financial Crisis Of A Health Clinic: A Case Study

The Northern Indiana Health Clinic (NIHC) is a small community, non-profit health organization located in northern Indiana. Over the last 18 months, local factories have downsized or closed their doors, residents have left the community, and the number of uninsured individuals has continued to escalate. NIHC is not immune to the economic misfortune and closed out last year with its first operating loss in the last three years. The outlook for the coming year looks even more dismal and places NIHC in financial jeopardy. The CEO has presented a number of recommendations to the board of directors for consideration. The board hired a consulting company to analyze the CEO’s proposal and provide long-term solutions that will turn around the current financial direction without sacrificing patient care.
Release by ethanol of vitamins into rat liver perfusates.

In vitro perfusion of rat liverwith ethanol (EtOH) causes a release of all vitamins from the liver stores, except biotin, vitamins A, E, C, and a-carotene. The concentration of vitamins released from the liver by EtOH in decreasing order was 1 2 > B6 > pantothenate > thiamin> riboflavin> nicotinate> folate. The B1 2 concentration in the EtOH perfusate was high when compared with the perfusate without EtOH, implying that B1 2 can be rapidly released from a liver exposed to EtOH. Results also suggest that when a liver exposed to EtOH releases a vitamin from its stores, it cannot rebind the released vitamin while EtOH is
Asynchrony of quantal events in evoked multiquantal responses indicates presynaptic quantal interaction.

Asynchrony of quantal events in evoked multiquantal responses indicates presynaptic quantal interaction. We have analyzed the possibility of quantal interactions by inspecting action potential-evoked postsynaptic multiquantal responses recorded extracellularly from the lobster neuromuscular junction. These recorded responses were compared with simulated multiquantal responses constructed from statistically independent quantal events. The simulated multiquantal responses were generated by random superposition of single quantal responses aligned according to the timing of the action potential. The methods of analysis consisted of 1 ) the comparison of quantal contents obtained from direct counting or by measuring of the size of the responses and 2 ) the analysis of distributions of quantal latencies. This analysis revealed a large error in the detection of quantal events for responses simulated with no quantal interaction. In contrast, very few errors in quantal detection were made in the analysis of experimental recordings. Latency histograms of recorded responses demonstrate that the proportion of late quantal events (those with latencies of ≥5 ms) increased as a function of quantal content. This shift in latency histograms was not observed for simulated responses. Our interpretation is that quanta interact presynaptically to cause asynchrony of quantal events in evoked responses.
Response of Bird Populations to Long-term Changes in Local Vegetation and Regional Forest Cover

ABSTRACT We analyzed data from a woodland site for a 59-year period to determine whether changes in bird populations are related to changes in the diversity and relative abundance of woody plant species even when vegetation structure, degree of forest fragmentation in the surrounding landscape, and regional changes in bird populations are taken into account. Principal component analyses generated vegetation factors encompassing variables such as total basal area, shrub density, basal area of common tree species, and measures of tree and shrub species diversity. We also calculated a forest edge/forest area index based on GIS analysis of the landscape within 2 km of the study site. Poisson regression models revealed relationships between these covariates and population changes for 19 bird species and for seven groups of species characterized by similar migration strategies or habitat requirements. All groups of habitat specialists showed a positive relationship with the first vegetation factor, which indica...
The Phentolamine Test in Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction

AbstractIn an attempt to improve the selection of patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction likely to benefit from phenoxybenzamine therapy, the effect of intravenous phentolamine (Regitine) on the urinary flow rate was determined in normal and abnormal subjects. A nomogram relating mean flow rate to volume voided was constructed to aid in the interpretation of results. In 16 patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction it was found that a response of more than 0.8 nomogram units indicates a likelihood of clinical improvement with phenoxybenzamine therapy. The clinical applications of this test are discussed
Advances in starshade technology readiness for an exoplanet characterizing science mission in the 2020's

The discovery of thousands of exoplanets is generating increasing interest in the direct imaging and characterization of these planets. Starshade, an external occulter, could fly in formation between a telescope and distant star, blocking out the light from the star, and enabling us to focus on the light of any orbiting planets. Recent technology developments in coordination with system level design, has added much needed detail to define the technology requirements for a science mission that could launch in the 2020’s. This paper addresses the mechanical architecture, the successful efforts to date, the current state of design for the mechanical system, and upcoming technology efforts.
Hormone receptor expression in patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Background Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous sarcoma for which the exact etiology is unknown. Case reports exist of DFSP appearing and growing rapidly during pregnancy, suggesting a hormonal role. Objective Our goal was to determine the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) in patients with DFSP. Methods Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from patients with DFSP in the past 20 years at a single institution were analyzed for ER and PR using immunohistochemistry. A semiquantitative scoring method was used to evaluate the expression as positive or negative. Analysis was used to determine whether there was an association between receptor positivity and tumor site, age at diagnosis, sex, race, or disease recurrence. Results Forty-four patients with DFSP were included in the study. Tumors were 22.7% ER + /PR + , 34.1% ER + /PR − , 9.1% ER − /PR + , and 34.1% ER − /PR − . There was no significant association between expression of ER and PR and sex, age at diagnosis, race, or tumor location. Loss of receptor expression was observed in all recurrent tumors. Limitations This study is limited by a lack of follow-up and a new scoring system. Conclusions The data presented warrant additional study to determine hormone receptor function and the potential efficacy of antihormone therapies for the treatment of patients with DFSP.