cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Central dopaminergic circuitry controlling food intake and reward: implications for the regulation of obesity

Prevalence of obesity in the general population has increased in the past 15 years from 15% to 35%. With increasing obesity, the coincident medical and social consequences are becoming more alarming. Control over food intake is crucial for the maintenance of body weight and represents an important target for the treatment of obesity. Central nervous system mechanisms responsible for control of food intake have evolved to sense the nutrient and energy levels in the organism and to coordinate appropriate responses to adjust energy intake and expenditure. This homeostatic system is crucial for maintenance of stable body weight over long periods of time of uneven energy availability. However, not only the caloric and nutritional value of food but also hedonic and emotional aspects of feeding affect food intake. In modern society, the increased availability of highly palatable and rewarding (fat, sweet) food can significantly affect homeostatic balance, resulting in dysregulated food intake. This review will focus on the role of hypothalamic and mesolimbic/mesocortical dopaminergic (DA) circuitry in coding homeostatic and hedonic signals for the regulation of food intake and maintenance of caloric balance. The interaction of dopamine with peripheral and central indices of nutritional status (e.g., leptin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y), and the susceptibility of the dopamine system to prenatal insults will be discussed. Additionally, the importance of alterations in dopamine signaling that occur coincidently with obesity will be addressed.
Novel Peritonsillar Abscess Task Simulator

The management of peritonsillar abscesses is a skill developed early in residency training. Although drainage is not technically complicated, the procedure is intimidating to the neophyte. Task simulators have become increasingly common to provide training opportunities in a controlled environment. The authors designed a peritonsillar abscess simulator using a latex moulage of the oral cavity and other common materials. Twelve medical professionals of various levels of experience were instructed to expose, anesthetize, aspirate, and drain the simulated abscess. After completion, a questionnaire was completed by each volunteer. Initial impressions were positive that the model adequately replicated the tasks requisite for abscess drainage and was suitable as an instructional device. The initial construct cost was approximately 10 dollars, with disposables costing roughly 25 cents. Further research is under way to formally assess the simulator for face, content, and construct validity.
A COMPARISON OF VARIOUS METHODS FOR RECOVERY OF SALMONELLA DERBY FROM EGG SHELL SURFACES.

Abstract THE examination of food and food products for the presence of salmonellae has been receiving considerable attention. Methods for examination of foods for salmonellae were reviewed by Galton and Boring (1964). When food samples are analyzed, changes in media have been made to compensate for the addition of the large amount of organic matter, and, generally, a lower number of salmonellae (Montford and Thatcher, 1961; Silliker and Taylor, 1958; Taylor et al., 1958). In the lactose preenrichment method of North (1961) for the enumeration of salmonellae in dried egg albumen, for example, the suspect food is incubated in the non-inhibitory lactose broth at 37°C., a temperature favorable to many bacteria. A minute amount of the lactose broth, with organisms that have grown in it, is then transferred to the selective medium. This assures the smallest interference of the food materials with the balance of the medium and also that any…
Characterization of a polyclonal anti-peptide antibody to the angiotensin II type-1 (AT1) receptor.

Abstract A polyclonal antibody has been prepared against a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 14–23 of the angiotensin II type-1 (AT 1 ) receptor. The antibody is of high titer and mono-specific. Western blot analysis of membranes from rat liver, kidney, and adrenal gland showed that the antibody specifically recognizes a protein band of MW 70,000 whose amounts are highest in the liver, followed by kidney and adrenals. In addition, a relatively less prominent band of MW 95,000 was also detected. The relative distribution of this protein correlates well with the values obtained for [ 3 H]-DuP753 binding and AT 1 receptor mRNA.
The H3PO4 Acid Ionization Reactions: A Capstone Multiconcept Thermodynamics General Chemistry Laboratory Exercise

The thermodynamic properties of weak acid ionization reactions are determined. The thermodynamic properties are corresponding values of the absolute temperature (T), the weak acid equilibrium constant (Ka), the enthalpy of ionization (ΔiH°), and the entropy of ionization (ΔiS°). The enthalpy of ionization (ΔiH°) is determined from the enthalpy of neutralization of HCl(aq) and the enthalpy of neutralization of the weak acid by application of Hess’s law; NaOH(aq) is the base. A datalogger and a temperature sensor (±0.01 °C sensitivity) are used to measure and plot the thermograms of the reactions. The calorimeter constant (CCal) is determined by electrical heating of the post-reaction solution; procedure takes 10–20 s for each CCal determination. With NaOH(aq) as the limiting reagent, the post-reaction solutions consist of a weak acid and corresponding conjugate base allowing Ka to be determined from the measured pH of these solutions. The values of T, Ka, and ΔiH° are used to calculate ΔiS° according to the equation: ΔiG° = −RT ln Ka = ΔiH° – TΔiS°. The choice of H3PO4(aq), a triprotic weak acid, provides an opportunity for students to predict and explain expected trends in Ka, ΔiH°, and ΔiS° prior to their determination. The multiconcept nature of this lab exercise makes it an ideal capstone laboratory exercise in general chemistry.
Texture description and segmentation through fractal geometry

Abstract Fractal geometry is receiving increased attention as a model for natural phenomena. In this paper we first present a new method for estimating the fractal dimension from image surfaces and show that it performs better at describing and segmenting generated fractal sets. Since the fractal dimension alone is not sufficient to characterize natural textures, we define a new class of texture measures based on the concept of lacunarity and use them, together with the fractal dimension, to describe and segment natural texture images.
StabilimaxNZ ® versus simulated fusion: evaluation of adjacent-level effects

Rationale behind motion preservation devices is to eliminate the accelerated adjacent-level effects (ALE) associated with spinal fusion. We evaluated multidirectional flexibilities and ALEs of StabilimaxNZ® and simulated fusion applied to a decompressed spine. StabilimaxNZ® was applied at L4–L5 after creating a decompression (laminectomy of L4 plus bilateral medial facetectomy at L4–L5). Multidirectional Flexibility and Hybrid tests were performed on six fresh cadaveric human specimens (T12–S1). Decompression increased average flexion–extension rotation to 124.0% of the intact. StabilimaxNZ® and simulated fusion decreased the motion to 62.4 and 23.8% of intact, respectively. In lateral bending, corresponding increase was 121.6% and decreases were 57.5 and 11.9%. In torsion, corresponding increase was 132.7%, and decreases were 36.3% for fusion, and none for StabilimaxNZ® ALE was defined as percentage increase over the intact. The ALE at L3–4 was 15.3% for StabilimaxNZ® versus 33.4% for fusion, while at L5–S1 the ALE were 5.0% vs. 11.3%, respectively. In lateral bending, the corresponding ALE values were 3.0% vs. 19.1%, and 11.3% vs. 35.8%, respectively. In torsion, the corresponding values were 3.7% vs. 20.6%, and 4.0% vs. 33.5%, respectively. In conclusion, this in vitro study using Flexibility and Hybrid test methods showed that StabilimaxNZ® stabilized the decompressed spinal level effectively in sagittal and frontal planes, while allowing a good portion of the normal rotation, and concurrently it did not produce significant ALEs as compared to the fusion. However, it did not stabilize the decompressed specimen in torsion.
Effects of protein type and concentration on development and reproduction of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica

Nymphal development and adult female reproduction were examined in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, using a defined artificial diet in which the type of protein was varied. Milk proteins, including casein, supported development poorly compared to meat and plant proteins. Soybean protein supported development better than all other highly purified proteins including vitamin-free casein which is commonly used in artificial diets. Last instar females fed the soybean-based diet eclosed earlier at higher eclosion weights, developed their oocytes at a faster rate and experienced higher fecundity than females fed a vitamin-free casein-based diet. Last instar females exhibited different dose-response patterns on diets containing soybean isolate or vitamin-free casein. However, at all concentrations soybean protein was superior to casein in supporting development. The results of a food utilization study during the last instar revealed that consumption rates varied between females fed the soybean and casein based diets. However, approximate digestibility, efficiency of conversion of digested food and the efficiency of conversion of ingested food did not vary significantly between the two dietary treatments. Differential development of females fed the two diets was attributed to differences in stage-specific consumption rates and the poorer quality of casein as a source of protein for development in this species.
Mitochondrial involvement in lipid vacuole formation in cultured aortic cells from white carneau pigeons

Summary Lipid vacuoles in cells cultured from aortic intimal tissue of atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau pigeons appear to originate from mitochondria which are enlarged, misshapen, and lack ATP-ase activity. Analyses of the fatty acid compo-sition of the mitochondrial fraction of White Carneau cells revealed only traces of arachidonate. Significantly larger amounts of arachidonate were detected in the mitochondrial fraction of cells cultured from aortic intimal tissue of atherosclerosis-resistant Show Racer pigeons, and lipid vacuoles were not apparent in these cells. The formation of lipid vacuoles from mitochondria in White Carneau cells in vitro is postulated to result from a genetically defective mitochondrial structure which becomes manifest as the intimal cells proliferate rapidly in tissue culture.
Parameters Influencing Dynamic Stability Characteristics of Viking-Type Entry Configurations at Mach 1.76

Free-oscillation tests of three Viking-type blunt conical configurations were conducted in a wind tunnel to determine the important variables influencing their dynamic stability characteristics at Mach 1.76. The effects of sting geometry are shown to be significant at low angles of attack, while the effects of cross plane motions and tunnel vibration characteristics appear to be negligible. Variation of the reduced-frequency parameter and model base geometry caused significant effects in the data. An approximate technique was developed for converting effective data from either forced-oscillation or free-oscillation tests to values based on the instantaneous angle of attack.
Internal Medicine Clerkship Directors' opinion regarding clinical input in the preclinical years: the 2002 CDIM basic science survey results.

Background: Input from both basic science and clinical faculty members is needed to promote further integration of medical curricula. Purpose: To assess current views of clerkship directors about the role and relationship of the basic sciences to clinical years in medical education. Methods: As part of the 2002 Annual CDIM Survey, questions regarding basic science curriculum were included; 89 of 123 CDIM members responded (72%). Results: Overall, respondents felt participation from both basic science and clinical faculty members is necessary to define basic science course content. Nearly 89% of clerkship directors indicated curricular review should be collaborative and interdepartmental; 93% felt that this review effort should occur frequently. Supporting the growing philosophy that the structure of the preclinical years should involve increased clinically relevant integration, 58% favored an integrated organ system approach rather than the traditional departmental structure (18%). In addition, in order o...
Crystallographic studies of the conformational changes that drive directional transmembrane ion movement in bacteriorhodopsin.

Abstract Recent advances in the determination of the X-ray crystallographic structures of bacteriorhodopsin, and some of its photointermediates, reveal the nature of the linkage between the relaxation of electrostatic and steric conflicts at the retinal and events elsewhere in the protein. The transport cycle can be now understood in terms of specific and well-described displacements of hydrogen-bonded water, and main-chain and side-chain atoms, that lower the p K a s of the proton release group in the extracellular region and Asp-96 in the cytoplasmic region. Thus, local electrostatic conflict of the photoisomerized retinal with Asp-85 and Asp-212 causes deprotonation of the Schiff base, and results in a cascade of events culminating in proton release to the extracellular surface. Local steric conflict of the 13-methyl group with Trp-182 causes, in turn, a cascade of movements in the cytoplasmic region, and results in reprotonation of the Schiff base. Although numerous questions concerning the mechanism of each of these proton (or perhaps hydroxyl ion) transfers remain, the structural results provide a detailed molecular explanation for how the directionality of the ion transfers is determined by the configurational relaxation of the retinal.
Better Together: Collaborating with Students on Library Social Media

Many academic libraries use social media to connect with their campus communities, to promote library resources and services, and to seek feedback from patrons. It is easy enough to register a new ...
The effect of ipsapirone and S(-)-pindolol on dopamine release in rat striatum and nucleus accumbens.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)(1A) receptor agonism and 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonism are components in the action of some of the recently developed antipsychotic drugs, e.g., clozapine and ziprasidone. However, studies of the role of 5-HT(1A) receptor agonism in the ability of these drugs to modulate dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAC), which may be relevant to antipsychotic action, are lacking. Thus, we examined the effect of clinically available agents, ipsapirone, a 5-HT(1A) receptor partial agonist, and the mixed 5-HT(1A/1B)/beta receptor antagonist S(-)-pindolol, on DA release in the NAC compared to the striatum (STR). Ipsapirone produced a biphasic effect; low dose (0.1 mg/kg) decreased, high dose (3 mg/kg) increased and intermediate doses (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) did not change DA release in the NAC, respectively. However, ipsapirone, at all doses (0.3, 1, 3, but not 0.1 mg/kg) increased striatal DA release. S(-)-pindolol (3, 10, but not 1 mg/kg) produced a comparable increase in DA release in the NAC and STR. These results suggest that the ability of lower dose of ipsapirone to decrease DA release in the NAC is more likely to be due to 5-HT(1A) receptor agonism. On the other hand, the effect of higher dose of ipsapirone on striatal DA release may be due to 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonism, as is the case with S(-)-pindolol. The mechanism and clinical significance of these results for developing antipsychotic drugs is discussed.
Boundary/Finite Edge Element Modeling of 3-D Microwave Thermal Food Processing

An integrated numerical model is developed for the modeling of microwave thermal processing of food packages in industrial MW applicators for the purpose of food sterilization. The model employs a hybrid boundary/finite element method for the solution of 3-D Maxwell equations and the finite element method for thermal calculations. The coupling of the electromagnetic and thermal models is made by the use of an iterative procedure. The integrated model is applied to study the microwave distribution in industrial scale microwave applicators and the absorbed power and the temperature field within the packaged foods. Calculated results are compared with experimental measurements. Results show that the temperature distribution in food packages immersed in water differs significantly from that in air.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Increase in circulating bone marrow progenitor cells after myocardial infarction.

Background Most circulating blood cells expressing the marker CD34 are bone marrow progenitor cells. These cells differentiate into cardiomyocytes, endothelial and smooth muscle cells after myocardial infarction in vivo. Mobilization of bone marrow progenitor cells into the peripheral blood after myocardial infarction may supply these cells to the heart. Rise in CD34+ cell concentrations following myocardial infarction would support the existence of myocardial-initiated mobilization. Methods Serial measurements of circulating CD34+ cells were made in 42 consecutive patients presenting with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Measurement of serum concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, stromal derived factor-1, hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin-17 and thrombopoietin was also performed. Samples were drawn on day 1 after myocardial infarction, and on days 4, 8 and 12. Levels of CD34+ cells and cytokines were also measured in 15 controls. Results By day 8, the mean concentration of CD34+ cells rose by 74% above mean control level of 2527 cells/ml, and 41% above day 1 mean (P=0.02). This rise was sustained on day 12 (P=0.05). On day 1, there was a 9.3-fold rise in hepatocyte growth factor above the control level of 589 pg/ml (P=0.002). Hepatocyte growth factor levels declined from the day 1 mean of 6061 to 1485 pg/ml on day 12 (P=0.002). No significant change in stromal derived factor-1, interleukin-17, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and thrombopoietin was observed. Elevations in CD34+ cells and hepatocyte growth factor were not related to infarction size as estimated on echocardiography. Conclusions Elevation in the concentration of circulating CD34+ cells after myocardial infarction suggests that myocardial initiated bone marrow progenitor cell mobilization exists in humans. The cytokines studied in our protocol are not likely to play a direct role in bone marrow progenitor cell mobilization.
Preliminary Results of Bedaquiline as Salvage Therapy for Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease

BACKGROUND Bedaquiline is an oral antimycobacterial agent belonging to a new class of drugs called diarylquinolines. It has low equivalent minimal inhibitory concentrations for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, especially Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab). Bedaquiline appears to be effective for the treatment of multidrug-resistant TB but has not been tested clinically for NTM disease. METHODS We describe a case series of off-label use of bedaquiline for treatment failure lung disease caused by MAC or Mab. Only patients whose insurance would pay for the drug were included. Fifteen adult patients were selected, but only 10 (six MAC, four Mab) could obtain bedaquiline. The 10 patients had been treated for 1 to 8 years, and all were on treatment at the start of bedaquiline therapy. Eighty percent had macrolide-resistant isolates (eight of 10). The patients were treated with the same bedaquiline dosage as that used in TB trials and received the best available companion drugs (mean, 5. 0 drugs). All patients completed 6 months of therapy and remain on bedaquiline. RESULTS Common side effects included nausea (60%), arthralgias (40%), and anorexia and subjective fever (30%). No abnormal ECG findings were observed with a mean corrected QT interval lengthening of 2. 4 milliseconds at 6 months. After 6 months of therapy, 60% of patients (six of 10) had a microbiologic response, with 50% (five of 10) having one or more negative cultures. CONCLUSIONS This small preliminary report demonstrates potential clinical and microbiologic activity of bedaquiline in patients with advanced MAC or Mab lung disease but the findings require confirmation with larger studies.
Selective Arterial Embolization of Giant Renal Tuberous Sclerosis

Different minimally invasive methods have been proposed to treat renal manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), in order to preserve kidney parenchyma and avoid nephrectomy. The case of a boy with bleeding giant angiomyolipoma treated by selective arterial embolization is discussed. The extensive renal lesions resulted significantly decreased, with resolution of arterial hypertension and abdominal symptoms. Differential renal function increased from 26.6% to 32.6%. Renal involvement in TSC requires careful parenchymal-sparing procedures. Selective embolization of the main renal lesions should be considered as first line therapy.
Improving Genetic Testing for Gitelman's Syndrome

Gitelman’s syndrome (GS) is a rare, autosomal recessive, salt-losing tubulopathy caused by mutations in the SLC12A3 gene, which encodes the thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC). Because 18 to 40% of suspected GS patients carry only one SLC12A3 mutant allele, large genomic rearrangements may account for unidentified mutations. Here, we directly sequenced genomic DNA from a large cohort of 448 unrelated patients suspected of having GS. We found 172 distinct mutations, of which 100 were unreported previously. In 315 patients (70%), we identified two mutations; in 81 patients (18%), we identified one; and in 52 patients (12%), we did not detect a mutation. In 88 patients, we performed a search for large rearrangements by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and found nine deletions and two duplications in 24 of the 51 heterozygous patients. A second technique confirmed each rearrangement. Based on the breakpoints of seven deletions, nonallelic homologous recombination by Alu sequences and nonhomologous end-joining probably favor these intragenic deletions. In summary, missense mutations account for approximately 59% of the mutations in Gitelman’s syndrome, and there is a predisposition to large rearrangements (6% of our cases) caused by the presence of repeated sequences within the SLC12A3 gene.
Widening the applicability of reactive distillation technology by using concurrent design

In this paper the concurrent design method based on partial control, which was developed by Shinnar and co-workers [(Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1995, 34, 1228; 1995, 34, 3014; 1996, 35, 2215; 1997, 36, 747; 2000, 39, 103) (AIChE J. 2000, 46, 2456)] is applied to reactive distillation systems. It is shown that this approach provides important insights on the design and control of such processes. One main advantage of the method is that the design and scale-up of complex processes are based on the identification of the process dominant variables using learning models such as literature, pilot plants, and simulation models. While we use the methyl acetate production system as our prime example, the results could be of general interest. Our results also explain what are the limitations in the current application of reactive distillation and what could be done to increase its applicability to a wider set of problems.
Leishmania donovani: surface membrane acid phosphatase activity of promastigotes.

Abstract Subcellular fractionation of Leishmania donovani promastigotes yielded plasma membranes, which were enriched in acid phosphatase (E.C.3.1.3.2.) activity. Cytochemically, the enzyme displayed a uniform distribution over the surface of intact protozoa. The enzyme was also visualized on the external face of the isolated plasma membranes, as indicated by the distribution of subpellicular microtubules. Various parameters of the membrane-bound enzyme were also determined including pH and temperature optima and substrate specificity. The results suggest that these organisms are adapted for existence in a hydrolytic environment.
Mapping surface roughness and soil moisture using multi-angle radar imagery without ancillary data

Abstract The Integral Equation Model (IEM) is the most widely-used, physically based radar backscatter model for sparsely vegetated landscapes. In general, IEM quantifies the magnitude of backscattering as a function of moisture content and surface roughness, which are unknown, and the known radar configurations. Estimating surface roughness or soil moisture by solving the IEM with two unknowns is a classic example of under-determination and is at the core of the problems associated with the use of radar imagery coupled with IEM-like models. This study offers a solution strategy to this problem by the use of multi-angle radar images, and thus provides estimates of roughness and soil moisture without the use of ancillary field data. Results showed that radar images can provide estimates of surface soil moisture at the watershed scale with good accuracy. Results at the field scale were less accurate, likely due to the influence of image speckle. Results also showed that subsurface roughness caused by rock fragments in the study sites caused error in conventional applications of IEM based on field measurements, but was minimized by using the multi-angle approach.
Linear Model Predictions of Time Averages

Abstract Linear prediction models applicable to a basic nonlinear two-level quasi-geostrophic model and extended range forecasting are described. One prediction model is linearized around the nonlinear model baroclinic climatological state and solved via an expansion in normal modes. The skill of these predictions are superior to persistence forecasts of daily events for at least 20 days and time averages for at least 90 days. As might be expected, initial states that project strongly onto the linear baroclinic model slow modes provide skillful forecasts at long forecast lags (seasons), which thus provides a prediction of the quality of the prediction and a possible explanation as to why persistence and forecast skill have been found to be correlated at long lags. An equivalent method for partitioning extended range forecast quality is provided via an EOF expansion. Initial states strongly projecting onto the first and dominant EOF mode are predicted best by the linear baroclinic model. This dominant EOF ...
NOTE ON A CAMPAIGN SIMULATOR

The theorist who attempts to explain human behavior in abstract terms and the empirical researcher who seeks to determine in actual situations just how people are behaving or what they believe usually have trouble finding common ground. Here is an abbreviated statement of some exciting attempts to link up theory expressed in mathematical form with an actual primary campaign. William N. McPhee is a member of the staff of the Bureau of Applied Social Research at Columbia University and of the Editorial Board of POQ.
Cognitive processing for image registration in formation flying

This paper explores the cognitive domains of information, knowledge and intelligence for signal processing. Since the initial cognitive efforts into the field of multi-agent cooperation, research has begun to polarize in several different types of cooperation. The nature of image registration implies information processing that is cognitive in classifying sensory image data. Key functionality presented in this image registration flight control concept development technology roadmap include: image applications of neighborhood and formation algorithms; adaptive wavelet techniques for optimizing imagery transmission and processing; and application of emerging wavelet transformations for adaptive multiscale and multiresolution image applications.
Edge‐Plane‐Rich Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanoneedles and Efficient Metal‐Free Electrocatalysts

CNN news: N-doped carbon nanoneedles (CNNs) are synthesized by self-assembling core-shell nanostructures and nanoreactors around cellulose nanoneedles, and subsequent graphitization. The resulting graphitic nanoneedles (see picture) have well-organized graphitic multi-layers and large proportions of N-doped edge planes. The materials serve as efficient metal-free electrocatalysts for hydrazine oxidation.
Many-Body Effects in Angle-Resolved Photoemission: Quasiparticle Energy and Lifetime of a Mo(110) Surface State

Recent investigations of strongly correlated electron systems have questioned the validity of one of the most fundamental paradigms in solid state physics— Fermi liquid theory. The latter picture is based on the existence of “quasiparticles,” or single-particle-like low energy excitations which obey the exclusion principle and have lifetimes long enough to be considered as particles. Strictly speaking, the quasiparticle concept is restricted to zero temperature and a narrow region around the Fermi level [1], but its usefulness often continues to finite temperatures, and energies away from the Fermi level [2]. Indications for possible non-Fermi-liquid behavior have been found in some organic one-dimensional conductors [3] and in the normal state of high temperature superconductors [4]. A whole variety of experimental techniques have been employed in the search for such behavior, including resistivity measurements [5], infrared spectroscopy [6], scanning tunneling spectroscopy [7], and time-resolved two-photon photoemission [8]. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) has an advantage, in that the energy and lifetime of the photohole are directly observable in the experiment. ARPES in principle measures the quasiparticle spectral function [9]:
Efficient simulation of component-based hybrid models represented as hybrid bond graphs

Modern engineering systems consist of a large number of interacting components with nonlinear, hybrid behaviors. Building accurate and computationally efficient simulation models for these systems is a challenging task. Researchers have adopted component- [1] and actor-oriented [2] frameworks for modeling large hybrid systems. Mathematical models specify individual component behaviors and formal models of computation define component interactions in these frameworks, and they provide the basis for developing efficient schemes for simulating the hybrid system behavior.
Redefining the role of public health in disability.

▪ Abstract The stated mission of current public health activities is to prevent mortality, morbidity, and disability. Though this mission is a noble challenge, attention is now being drawn to that group of the public who are not prevented from living with a disability. This chapter seeks to redefine the functions of public health in the field of disability. It describes the changing demographics of disability and provides a framework for addressing the complex issues associated with defining disability. Finally, we outline a strategy for stronger and clearer public health presence to improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities.
Age influences inflammatory responses, hemodynamics, and cardiac proteasome activation during acute lung injury

ABSTRACTBackground: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Age is a major determinant of clinical outcome in ALI. The increased ALI-associated mortality in the older population suggests that there are age-dependent alterations in the responses to pulmonary challenge. The objective of this observational study was to evaluate age-dependent differences in the acute (within 6 hours) immunological and physiological responses of the heart and lung, to pulmonary challenge, that could result in increased severity. Methods: Male C57Bl/6 mice (young: 2–3 months, old: 18–20 months) were challenged intratracheally with cell wall components from Gram-positive bacteria (lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan). After 6 hours, both biochemical and physiological consequences of the challenge were assessed. Alveolar infiltration of inflammatory cells and protein, airspace and blood cytokines, cardiac function and myocardial proteasome activity were determined. Re...
Guilt by Association: The 13 Micron Dust Emission Feature and Its Correlation to Other Gas and Dust Features*

A study of all full-scan spectra of optically thin oxygen-rich circumstellar dust shells in the database produced by the Short Wavelength Spectrometer on ISO reveals that the strength of several infrared spectral features correlates with the strength of the 13 ?m dust feature. These correlated features include dust features at 19.8 and 28.1 ?m and the bands produced by warm carbon dioxide molecules (the strongest of which are at 13.9, 15.0, and 16.2 ?m). The database does not provide any evidence for a correlation of the 13 ?m feature with a dust feature at 32 ?m, and it is more likely that a weak emission feature at 16.8 ?m arises from carbon dioxide gas rather than dust. The correlated dust features at 13, 20, and 28 ?m tend to be stronger with respect to the total dust emission in semiregular and irregular variables associated with the asymptotic giant branch than in Mira variables or supergiants. This family of dust features also tends to be stronger in systems with lower infrared excesses and thus lower mass-loss rates. We hypothesize that the dust features arise from crystalline forms of alumina (13 ?m) and silicates (20 and 28 ?m).
Vasopressin and Animal Behavior

Even without foreknowledge of the behavioral literature from the past two decades, one would predict that (arginine-) vasopressin (VP), by virtue of its potent endocrine and neural properties, should exert pronounced effects on whole-organism behavior in mammals. Circulating VP modulates somatic fluid and electrolyte levels through well-defined actions on the kidney and cardiovascular system (see Chapters 9 and 10, this volume). In addition, VP potentiates the release of ACTH and significantly influences glucose metabolism (Spruce et al, 1985; also see Chapter 11, this volume). Significant quantities of VP or VP-like substances have been detected in the ovaries (Fuller et al, 1985; Wathes et al., 1983; Wathes and Swann, 1982; Schaeffer et al, 1984) and adrenal medulla (Ang and Jenkins, 1984; Nussey et al, 1984), even though the physiological roles of VP in these sites are not clear. Added to these endocrine properties is the recent evidence that VP also serves as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the central nervous system (CNS) and perhaps in the peripheral nervous system as well (see Chapter 2, this volume).
Integrated Inductor Actively Engaging Metal Filling Rules

This paper reports a new strip-patterned integrated inductor that actively engages metal filling rules leading to reduced manufacturing cost and process-induced uncertainties while simultaneously maintaining state-of-the-art performance. The strip-patterned inductor consists of parallel horse shoe-shape metal lines in the foot print of a single-line inductor. It observes back-end-of-line (BEOL) metal density rules by design, and it is not subject to a post-layout patterning to enforce metal density on a large piece of metal. As a result, better model-to-hardware correlation (MHC) is expected. The new inductor structure is backed by experimental and simulated results that demonstrate the design methodology in the presence of process uncertainties typically not known to the circuit designer.
Dynamic configuration steering for a reconfigurable superscalar processor

A new dynamic vector approach for the selection and management of the configuration of a reconfigurable superscalar processor is proposed. This new method improves on previous work that used steering vectors to guide the selection of functional units to be loaded into the processor. Dependencies among instructions in the instruction buffer are analyzed to enable a new scoring method. The dynamic vector technique is shown to reduce the amount of reconfiguration required while preserving execution resources. Simulation results reveal that, given enough configurable space, the configuration of the processor approaches a stable state.
Oil field brines as ore-forming solutions

Analyses of oil field brines from the Pleasant Bayou in the upper Texas Gulf Coast and the Rayleigh Field in central Mississippi were used to calculate the pH of the brines under reservoir conditions by assuming equilibrium with the reservoir mineral assemblages. The calculated pH values are less than 5.7 for the Pleasant Bayou brines at 138 degrees C and 787 bars and 4.3 (+ or -0.3) for the Rayleigh Field brines at 130 degrees C and 390 bars. Typical water-rock interactions have been investigated by theoretical evaluation of the thermodynamic consequences of the reactions of a hypothetical low-pH oilfield brine with quartz sandstone and dolostone aquifers that contain about 3 percent K-feldspar, 0.2 percent muscovite, and 0.01 percent pyrite by volume. The correlation of lead-rich (Southeast Missouri and Laisvall, Sweden) and zinc-rich (upper Mississippi Valley and East Tennessee) deposits with sandstone and dolostone aquifers, respectively, suggests that the reaction capacity of sandstone is more efficiently exhausted than that of dolostone. Importance in explaining geochemical characteristics of base-metal sulfide ore deposits. --Modified journal abstract.
Evaluations of temperature measurements in powder-based electron beam additive manufacturing by near-infrared thermography

Powder-based electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) has received an increased attention from different industries for various applications. Process metrology such as part temperature measurements is essential to process model validations as well as process monitoring. However, temperature measurements in EBAM are challenging because of high temperature ranges, extreme gradients and fast transient response, etc. In this study, temperature measurements during the EBAM process were attempted using a near-infrared (NIR) thermal camera. The thermal camera was able to capture the pre-heating, contour melting, and hatch melting events. The best obtained spatial resolution is around 12 μm. Moreover, temperature data were processes and analysed to illustrate the process phenomenon, analogy to a moving heat source event. Moreover, from the extracted temperature profiles, a melting range can be identified and utilised for melt pool geometry estimates. It is shown that a typical melt pool in hatch melting from this test is about 1.91 mm long and 0.63 mm wide.
A visual discrimination task for symbols in air traffic management

The present study explored the effectiveness of different symbol features in facilitating participants' ability to extract important information in visually-cluttered displays. Participants were presented with arrays of visual symbols consisting of a number of visual targets amidst distractor symbols. The participants had to decide as quickly and accurately as possible whether there were more targets or more distractors present in the array. Symbol features (color, fill, letter, and shape) were varied on a block-to-block basis, while set size and ratio of targets to distractors (easy/20:80 or difficult/40:60) were varied on a trial-by-trial basis. The results of this experiment revealed that search based on color gave rise to the best performance, while search based on shape gave rise to the worst performance. When selecting features that might aid in the rapid extraction of important air traffic information, the results of the present study suggest that the use of color coding may be most effective.
Fast Computation of Angular Responses of Large-Scale Three-Dimensional Electromagnetic Wave Scattering

Many applications in electromagnetic engineering require predicting the currents induced by a wide range of incident plane waves on a given object. This paper proposes a way to efficiently and accurately compute the angular responses for electrically large targets. Since the targets of concern are electrically large, we have employed the newly developed non-conformal domain decomposition method (DDM) as the direct Maxwell equation solver. The proposed fast angular sweep algorithm is then applied in conjunction with the DDM solver to produce wide range of angular responses. There are basically three main ingredients in the proposed fast angular sweep algorithm: the use of Fourier harmonics to interpolate the right-hand-sides (RHSs) over a given angular range; the number of independent coefficient vectors in the Fourier harmonics can be further reduced through the application of singular-value-decomposition (SVD); and, finally, the matrix solution of multiple RHSs can be solved efficiently using a recently proposed Krylov recycling method, GCRO-DR. Three numerical results are presented and compared to measurements and direct computations to validate the numerical solutions and to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The Emergency of Climate Change: Why Are We Failing to Take Action?

Latane and Darley developed a five-stage model to understand why people do and do not help other people in emergency situations. We extend their five-stage model to explore why people do and do not take action against climate change. We identify the factors that make climate change difficult to notice and ambiguous as an emergency; we explore barriers to taking responsibility for action; and we discuss the issues of efficacy and costs versus benefits that make action unlikely. The resulting analysis is useful on two levels. For educators and policy makers, the model suggests the most efficacious approaches to galvanizing action among U.S. citizens. For social scientists, the model provides a valuable framework for integrating research from diverse areas of psychology and suggests fruitful avenues for future empirical research.
Maintenance of Goal Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and A1C Levels in Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes After Discharge From a Pharmacist-Managed Ambulatory Care Clinic

Objective. This study evaluated the ability of patients with type 2 diabetes to maintain systolic blood pressure (SBP), LDL cholesterol, and A1C at goal levels after being discharged from a pharmacist-managed ambulatory care clinic. The goals of this study were to 1) document the length of time to failure of maintenance of each goal and 2) characterize risk factors that may be associated with a shorter time to failure. Methods. Researchers reviewed the medical records of veterans with diabetes who were discharged from the clinical pharmacy ambulatory care clinic between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2009 after attaining their goal SBP, LDL cholesterol, or A1C. The time to goal failure, medical history, laboratory data, medications, demographic information, and clinic appointment attendance were documented. Results. A total of 69 patients who were discharged from the clinic after meeting their SBP, LDL cholesterol, or A1C goal subsequently failed to maintain that goal. The mean time to failure was 9.4 months (SD 8.75 months) for SBP, 25.8 months (27.45 months) for LDL cholesterol, and 20.4 months (15.1 months) for A1C. Multiple risk factors were associated with a shorter time to failure of maintenance of SBP and A1C goals. Conclusion. Veterans with type 2 diabetes in this study demonstrated durable maintenance of their goal LDL cholesterol and A1C levels after being discharged from a pharmacist-managed ambulatory care clinic. However, maintenance of xSBP goals did not demonstrate the same durability. Patients who meet their SBP goal may benefit from receiving continued disease state management services from a pharmacist-managed ambulatory care clinic instead of being discharged to receive their usual care.
2, 8-dihydroxyadenine urolithiasis: Report of a case first diagnosed after renal transplant

We report a case of homozygous adenine phosphoribosyl transferase (APRT) deficiency associated with 2,8-dihydroxyadenine stones recurrent in a patient with a renal transplant. The disease was diagnosed 23 years after the initial episode of renal colic. At that time the disease was unknown. Our patient is only the second case of this disorder reported from the United States. Correct diagnosis is important because long-term maintenance with allopurinol and a low purine diet can effectively prevent stone formation and renal failure.
Visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP): A comparison of three right angle laser delivery fibres in 77 patients with an analysis of cost and outcome

A visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) was carried out using three commercially available quartz fibres capable of directing the laser energy at approximately 90°, with a neodymium: YAG las...
Σ1 and Π1 Transfinite Induction

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses some technical questions related to the formal system ATR 0 of arithmetical transfinite recursion with quantifier free induction on the natural numbers. This system and all of the formal systems considered in this chapter are subsystems of second order arithmetic and use classical logic. A formula is said to be arithmetical if it contains no set quantifiers.
Some Methods for Strengthening the Common χ 2 Tests

Since the x2 tests of goodness of fit and of association in contingency tables are presented in many courses on statistical methods for beginners in the subject, it is not surprising that x2 has become one of the most commonly-used techniques, even by scientists who profess only a smattering of knowledge of statistics. It is also not surprising that the technique is sometimes misused, e.g. by calculating x2 from data that are not frequencies or by errors in counting the number of degrees of freedom. A good catalogue of mistakes of this kind has been given by Lewis and Burke (1). In this paper I want to discuss two kinds of failure to make the best use of x2 tests which I have observed from time to time in reading reports of biological research. The first arises because x2 tests, as has often been pointed out, are not directed against any specific alternative to the null hypothesis. In the computation of x2, the deviations (fi mi) between observed and expected frequencies are squared, divided by mi in order to equalize the variances (approximately), and added. No attempt is made to detect any particular pattern of deviations (fi mi) that may hold if the null hypothesis is false. One consequence is that the usual x2 tests are often insensitive, and do not indicate significant results when the null hypothesis is actually false. Some forethought about the kind of alternative hypothesis that is likely to hold may lead to alternative tests that are more powerful and appropriate. Further, when the ordinary x2 test does give a significant result, it does not direct attention to the way in which the null hypothesis disagrees with the data, although the pattern of deviations may be informative and suggestive for future research. The remedy here is to supplement the ordinary test by additional tests that help to reveal the significant type of deviation. In this paper a number of methods for strengthening or supplementing the most common uses of the ordinary x2 test will be presented and illustrated by numerical examples. The principal devices are as follows: