cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early induction of a prechondrogenic population allows efficient generation of stable chondrocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells

Regeneration of human cartilage is inherently inefficient; an abundant autologous source, such as human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), is therefore attractive for engineering cartilage. We report a growth factor-based protocol for differentiating hiPSCs into articular-like chondrocytes (hiChondrocytes) within 2 weeks, with an overall efficiency >90%. The hiChondrocytes are stable and comparable to adult articular chondrocytes in global gene expression, extracellular matrix production, and ability to generate cartilage tissue in vitro and in immune-deficient mice. Molecular characterization identified an early SRY (sex-determining region Y) box (Sox)9(low) cluster of differentiation (CD)44(low)CD140(low) prechondrogenic population during hiPSC differentiation. In addition, 2 distinct Sox9-regulated gene networks were identified in the Sox9(low) and Sox9(high) populations providing novel molecular insights into chondrogenic fate commitment and differentiation. Our findings present a favorable method for generating hiPSC-derived articular-like chondrocytes. The hiChondrocytes are an attractive cell source for cartilage engineering because of their abundance, autologous nature, and potential to generate articular-like cartilage rather than fibrocartilage. In addition, hiChondrocytes can be excellent tools for modeling human musculoskeletal diseases in a dish and for rapid drug screening.
Preparation of carbon molecular sieves by carbon deposition from methane.

Abstract To prepare carbon molecular sieves (CMSs), methane was pyrolyzed in an attempt to deposit fine carbon particles on the micropore mouths of the carbon substrates being heated; the carbon substrates included grain-based activated carbons and commercial activated carbons. To explore the effects of heat treatment alone, blank experiments were conducted by heating the samples in N 2 . The resultant products were characterized by N 2 -adsorption at 77 K. Methane failed to deposit carbon at 800 °C. The porosity of activated carbons, however, was substantially influenced by heat treatment alone. The surface areas and micropore volumes of the activated carbons from grain sorghum decreased by 39.32% and 36.84%, respectively, upon heat treatment alone; this is attributable to the destruction of pore structure by sintering. In contrast, the corresponding values of the commercial activated carbons increased by 59.86% and 62.16%, respectively, upon heat treatment alone; this can be attributable to the development of microporosity.
Electrochemical measurement of the free energy of almandine (Fe3Al2Si3O12) garnet

Abstract The free energy of the reaction (GISQ): 2 Fe + 2 3 Al 2 SiO 5 + 4 3 SiO 2 + O 2 = 2 3 Fe 3 Al 2 Si 3 O 12 metal sillimanite quartz almandine has been measured electrochemically between 1073 and 1173 K at 1 atmosphere pressure. Relative to quartz-fayalite-iron (QFI) equilibrium we obtain: log ƒ O 2 GISQ − log ƒ O 2 QFI (± 0.1) = −2.23 + 2400 T (1073–1173 K). In the experimental temperature range this result is in excellent agreement with data obtained from studies of garnet-rutile-sillimanite-ilmenite-quartz (GRAIL) equilibrium and for Fe-Mg partitioning between garnet and olivine. It is also in good agreement with recently published estimates based on other phase equilibrium data (Berman, 1988; Anovitz and Essene, 1987). The measured ƒ O 2 for GISQ equilibrium was found to increase with increasing cell edge of the synthetic almandine. The above value is for almandine with a o = 11.527 (±0.001) A . Almandine with a cell edge of 11.534 A gave ƒ o 2 values about 0.3 log units more oxidized. This increase in ƒ O 2 correlates with increasing Fe +3 of the synthetic garnet. 57 Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy indicates that between 3 and 6 percent of the iron is Fe +3 in the high cell-edge material, whereas almandine with a o = 11.527 A is essentially ferric-free
Can complexed prostate specific antigen and prostatic volume enhance prostate cancer detection in men with total prostate specific antigen between 2.5 and 4.0 ng./ml.

Purpose: We assessed whether complexed prostate specific antigen (PSA) and complexed PSA referenced variables would enhance prostate cancer detection in men with serum total PSA between 2.5 and 4.0 ng./ml.Materials and Methods: Transition zone and total prostate gland volumes were determined in 151 men who underwent prostate biopsy using an 11 core biopsy strategy. In addition to measuring the Bayer § §Bayer Corp., Tarrytown, New York. complexed PSA assay, we also calculated 2 computed complexed PSA values (Hybritech ¶ ¶Beckman Coulter, Brea, California. total PSA − Hybritech free PSA and Bayer total PSA − Hybritech free PSA). We calculated 8 volume referenced variables using total and complexed PSA, and 2 computed complexed PSA values by dividing each value by the total prostate and transition zone volumes.Results: Of the 151 patients 37 (24.5%) had cancer. In 10 of the 37 men with cancer (27%) a positive core was present in only 1 or more of the 5 alternate regions not sampled by conventional sextant bi...
Decelerating Environmentally Destructive Lawn-Walking:

Three general strategies (response difficulty, chaining, and prompting) were used to generate six interventions to decrease lawn walking in a park. Interventions were evaluated in separate ABA desi...
Investigation of Applied Forces in Alphanumeric Keyboard Work

This paper considers one way that occupational health professionals can assess the force exerted by keyboard users and the possible relationship between that force and the key force-displacement relationship. First, three personal-computer keyboards with the standard QWERTY layouts were tested as described by the American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Visual Display workstations (ANSI/HFS 100-1988) to determine the peak forces, 0.47–0.89N; displacements prior to the “breakaway” force that acknowledges key registration, 2.0–2.5 mm; and total key travel, 3.3–4.3 mm. Second, keyboard reaction forces were recorded while 10 subjects typed 4 alphanumeric sentences on the keyboards. It was found that the peak forces corresponding to each keystroke were 2.5 to 3.9 times the required activation forces, indicating that the subjects consistently displaced the keys to their limits. The average of the peak forces for all keystrokes was lowest for the keyboard with the lowest required activation fo...
Many-electron effects in EXAFS

Abstract Many-electron effects in EXAFS (extended x-ray absorption fine structure) are studied using an extension of the semiclassical model of dynamical screening of a core hole and a photoelectron. Dynamical interference effects neglected in previous theories are included and shown to be important in calculations of EXAFS amplitudes. An application is made to the EXAFS amplitude of the diatomic molecule Br 2 .
A mentored experience (KO1) in maternal-infant research

Funding mechanisms that require a mentor provide a unique opportunity to implement the research mentoring that is recognized as increasingly important in nursing. Little has been written about how to create and sustain the roles of mentor and principal investigator within a funded arrangement. This article analyzes one research mentoring relationship focused on maternal-infant interaction research and implemented through the Federal KO1 (Mentored Research Scientist Development Award) grant mechanism. Methods used are personal reflections on the 4-year mentorship experience and literature review using the National Library of Medicine database from 1990 to 2001. The mentoring relationship within the National Institutes of Health KO1 award is characterized by the personal commitment, common interests, and long-term professional development that are essential qualities of traditional mentoring but differs in that it is structured by the aims, activities, and length of each award. Effective participation requires organization, focus, and self-direction on the part of the mentored principal investigator and expertise, altruism, and generativity on the part of the mentor. A grant-based mentoring relationship can provide mutual benefits to the researcher and mentor but both must attend to sustaining and enriching the relationship.
Minimizing distortion and internal forces in truss structures via simulated annealing

Inaccuracies in the length of members and the diameters of joints of large space structures may produce unacceptable levels of surface distortion and internal forces. We formulate two discrete optimization problems, one to minimize surface distortion (DRMS) and the other to minimize internal forces (FRMS). Both of these problems are based on the influence matrices generated by a small deformation linear analysis. Good solutions are obtained for DRMS and FRMS through the use of a simulated annealing heuristic. Results based on two biobjective (DRMS and FRMS) optimization models are discussed
The visual field in monocularly deprived cats and its permanence

Abstract The present study had two primary aims. The first was to determine the extent of the visual field of the deprived eye of a monocularly deprived cat using visual perimetry techniques, since recent reports have been contrary to previous research. The second aim was to determine whether enucleation of the experienced eye of a monocularly deprived cat was associated with any increase in the extent of the visual field of the deprived eye compared to forced usage (reversesuture). The results indicate that the extent of the visual field using the deprived eye is limited to the ipsilateral monocular visual field. Further, enucleation of the experienced eye leads to a rapid expansion of the visual field of the deprived eye to include the entire ipsilateral hemifield which does not occur following reversesuture. Possible reasons for the conflicting reports in the literature are discussed.
Factors influencing database planning: An empirical study

Abstract There is little disagreement that Data Resource Management (DRM) is becoming a priority with organizations as we move into the 1990s. The need to integrate disparate data and effectively plan for the data resource is beginning to have significant competitive implications. This study examines database planning, an integral component of DRM. Specifically, certain generic desirable attributes of database planning are defined. The study then investigates the impact of the integration of IS planning with corporate planning, the managerial role of the DBA and database planning practices on these attributes. Results of a survey of 171 organizations find support that relates the integration of corporate planning with IS planning, the use of subject databases and a managerially oriented DBA with attributes of database planning. Implications for practice and research are then discussed.
Preliminary investigation of possible low-temperature fusion

Preliminary tests have been made with electrolytic cells utilizing 0.2N LiOD in D2O as the electrolyte and a palladium cathode surrounded by a wire-wound platinum anode operating at cathode current densities of 100–400 mA/cm2. The cathodes were swaged to diameters of 2.8 or 5.5 mm with 8.5 cm of active length. The electrolyte temperature was controlled, heat was removed by flowing water in a cooling jacket, and the cell was insulated. Cooling water and electrolyte temperatures were measured by thermocouples, and neutron and gamma-ray spectra were recorded. The electrolyte level was periodically monitored and replenished with D2O. Tests up to 2 weeks in duration were made with no sustained release of energy in excess of the electrical power input, although there was one period of 12 h when an unaccountable heat excess was observed. In another test, an anomalous neutron flux was measured during the first few hours that was 3.5 standard deviations above the background.
THE IMPACT OF EXIT INSTRUCTIONS AND NUMBER OF EXITS IN FIRE EMERGENCIES: A COMPUTER SIMULATION INVESTIGATION

Research on emergency evacuation in situations threatened by fire suggests that an authoritative announcement of the need to evacuate and clear identification of available exits affect survival rates. Clear instructions remove much of the ambiguity that often leads actors to delay exiting, thereby reducing crowding at the exits with which those involved are most familiar. Additional exits should also speed evacuation of all those seeking to leave. Using a computer simulation model of social behavior in response to a fire alarm (fire bell), we conducted an exercise in which we varied ambiguity (presence or absence of exit instructions) and number of available exits from a simulated room in which a fire alarm had sounded. The Monte Carlo model emphasizes how the changing responses of those surrounding an individual or bonded pair influence probabilistically changes in the behavior of that individual or pair. Both absence of ambiguity (evacuation instructions) and number of exits available have a positive effect on how many exit safely as time passes.
The AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale: A Psychometric Review.

Abstract This article presents and discusses a variety of psychometric information pertaining to the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale. Reliability, validity, and some more general concerns are examined.
Temperature derivatives of the average energy gaps of simple and complex binary crystals

Abstract The temperature derivatives of the electronic dielectric constant and average energy gaps of the ionic solids are computed using an ion dependent quantum dielectric theory. These temperature derivatives are related by two independent parameters. One is family dependent and the other cation dependent. Some of the available experimental and theoretical values were used as calibrations. The experimental work on the reflectance spectra of alkali halides by Rubloff have been studied to this effect. The results are compared with our own predicted values of the temperature derivatives of average energy gaps and are found to be in excellent agreement. The calculated results have been analysed critically and a number of technological applications of the derivatives obtained are mentioned.
Zooplankton abundance and community structure in a mesohaline North Carolina estuary

The lower Neuse River Estuary is a temperate mesohaline system which forms the major southern tributary of Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. The crustacean zooplankton of this well-mixed system were sampled for a 20-month period from May 1988 through December 1989. A submersible pump was used to sample both the entire water column and the sediment surface. Seasonal dominants included the calanoid copepodsAcartia tonsa andParacalanus crassirostris in summer, the cyclopoid copepodOithona colcarva in fall, the cladoceranPodon polyphemoides in winter, and harpacticoid copepods in spring. Non-naupliar biomass over the study period consisted of 38.8%A. tonsa, 7.7%P. crassirostris, 21.2%O. colcarva 23.6% harpacticoid copepods, and 6.0% cladocerans. The remainder of the biomass consisted ofPseudodiaptomus coronatus and barnacle nauplii. Mean total copepod densities ranged from 600 m−3 in May 1988 to 180,000 m−3 in August 1988. Mean copepod densities for 1989 were 25,000 m−3. Maximum densities during both years occurred during summer, with subsequent descreases throughtout the year until early spring. Abundances of total copepods, and ofAcartia tonsa in particular, were significantly correlated with water temperature, but with neither chlorophylla, phytoplankton productivity, nor any of an array of other physical or chemical variables. Regression analyses using data from this investigation, and supported by results from other regional studies, indicate that water temperature is likely the single most important variable predicting zooplankton temporal abundance in North Carolina estuaries.
Collective action and the traditional village

This article considers the dispute between “moral economy” and “rational peasant” theories of agrarian societies in application to problems of collective action. The moral-economy theory holds that traditional peasant society is organized cooperatively through shared moral values and communal institutions; while the rational-peasant theory maintains that peasant society shows the mark of rational individual calculation, leading to free-rider problems that undermine successful collective action. This article offers an abstract model of a traditional village and assesses the applicability of recent qualifications of the collective action argument to this model. It will emerge that the social characteristics of the traditional village embody features that facilitate collective action by rational peasants.
Appearance of Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid Copolymer Implants on Computerized Tomography After Endoscopic Treatment of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children

Purpose: With the increasing popularity of endoscopic treatment for vesicoureteral reflux in children, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants are more frequently detected on computerized tomography, which may lead to misinterpretation and unnecessary intervention. The objective of this study was to characterize the long-term appearance of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants on computerized tomography.Materials and Methods: We evaluated the hospital charts of 893 patients who had undergone dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection for vesicoureteral reflux between July 2001 and November 2007 to identify those who underwent subsequent computerized tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. A total of 30 patients with ureterovesical junction stones served as the control group. Seven patients who proceeded to extravesical reimplantation after failed endoscopic treatment had dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants explanted and microscopically evaluated.Results: Of 893 patients who h...
Application of IBM TEXT‐PAC to the ASIS file management exercise

TEXT-PAC is used to support the activities of the IBM Technical Information Retrieval Center. The data for the exercise was already part of the data base at the Center. The differences in processing such material in an operating environment and that called for in the exercise are discussed, along with capabilities of TEXT-PAC demonstrated by the exercise.
A system model of work flow in the patient room of hospital emergency department

Modeling and analysis of patient flow in hospital emergency department (ED) is of significant importance. In a hospital ED, the patients spend most of their time in the patient room and most of the care delivery services are carried out during this time period. In this paper, we propose a system model to study patient (or work) flow in the patient room of an ED when the resources are partially available. A closed and re-entrant process model is developed to characterize the care service activities in the patient room with limited resources of doctors, nurses, and diagnosis tests. Analytical calculation of patient’s length of stay in the patient room is derived, and monotonic properties with respect to care service parameters are investigated.
Matching when the number of response alternatives is large

Pigeons could choose between five concurrently available response keys, each associated with a different variable-interval schedule of reinforcement. A 2-sec changeover delay was also in effect on each key. In almost all cases, the relative number of responses to a key and the relative time spent at it were nearly equivalent to the relative number of reinforcements it produced. In addition, matching was observed between the relative number of reinforcements at a key and the relative number of changeovers to it.
Enhanced nephrogenesis in offspring of water-restricted rat dams.

Objective Maternal water restriction (WR) may induce offspring plasma hypertonicity and enhanced vasopressin secretory responses. We determined effects of pregnancy WR on offspring body composition, renal morphology, and blood pressure. Study Design Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats (n = 21) were randomized to WR, pair-fed (PF), and control from embryo day (e) 10 to e21. Offspring body and organ weights and glomerular number and size were measured at birth and at 21 days of age. At 6 and 9 weeks, offspring blood pressure was determined. Results At 21 days of age, WR offspring glomerular number was increased (17%; P Conclusions Pregnancy WR stimulates offspring nephrogenesis, suggesting an adaptive response to future dehydration. Programmed hypertension in WR and PF groups likely occurs via different mechanisms.
Quantifying the information content of surface plasmon resonance reflection spectra

Abstract Thin-film sensors based on the principle of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) are often used for real-time refractometry of dielectric and metal thin films. We present mathematical methods based on linear estimation which allow quantitative investigation of the capabilities of the SPR technique relative to an ideal thin-film sensor. These methods use a linear model of the sensor response to determine the best possible uncertainty of film parameters extracted from a given set of measurements. These methods are general in that they may be easily applied to any well-modeled system. We show how these methods may be used to quantify the limitations of the basic SPR technique (in particular, the difficulty of determining the thickness and refractive index of a thin film independently) and also to evaluate the capabilities of more elaborate SPR-based techniques designed to overcome these limitations. As an example, we analyze a two-color SPR technique proposed by Peterlinz and Georgiadis and find that the uncertainty of the thickness and refractive index estimates yielded by this technique have a complex dependence on the dispersion of the thin film and its surrounding solvent.
Integrated transcriptome analysis of mouse spermatogenesis

Differentiation of primordial germ cells into mature spermatozoa proceeds through multiple stages, one of the most important of which is meiosis. Meiotic recombination is in turn a key part of meiosis. To achieve the highly specialized and diverse functions necessary for the successful completion of meiosis and the generation of spermatozoa thousands of genes are coordinately regulated through spermatogenesis. A complete and unbiased characterization of the transcriptome dynamics of spermatogenesis is, however, still lacking. In order to characterize gene expression during spermatogenesis we sequenced eight mRNA samples from testes of juvenile mice from 6 to 38 days post partum. Using gene expression clustering we defined over 1,000 novel meiotically-expressed genes. We also developed a computational de-convolution approach and used it to estimate cell type-specific gene expression in pre-meiotic, meiotic and post-meiotic cells. In addition, we detected 13,000 novel alternative splicing events around 40% of which preserve an open reading frame, and found experimental support for 159 computational gene predictions. A comparison of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) ChIP-Seq signals with RNA-Seq coverage shows that gene expression correlates well with Pol II signals, both at promoters and along the gene body. However, we observe numerous instances of non-canonical promoter usage, as well as intergenic Pol II peaks that potentially delineate unannotated promoters, enhancers or small RNA clusters. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of gene expression throughout mouse meiosis and spermatogenesis. Importantly, we find over a thousand of novel meiotic genes and over 5,000 novel potentially coding isoforms. These data should be a valuable resource for future studies of meiosis and spermatogenesis in mammals.
Issues Related to the Validation of the Iowa Self-Assessment Inventory

This paper reports on a study which examined psychometric properties of the Iowa Self-Assessment Inventory (ISAI), an instrument designed to assess functional characteristics of the elderly across six dimensions: social resources, economic resources, mental health, physical health, activities of daily living, and cognitive status. The ISAI differs from some other multidimensional functional assessment instrument like the Duke Older Americans Resources and Services Methodology in that it is a self-report type of instrument and is convenient to complete and efficient to score. The results include acceptable reliabilities for each of the six scales and correlations between the scales and certain demographic variables which are generally consistent with expectations.
An Effect of Chlortetracycline on Chicks Inoculated with Pleuropneumonia-Like Organisms Isolated from Turkeys

ABSTRACT LIBBY and Schaible (1955) observed a decrease in the growth response of chicks to antibiotics and arsenicals over a four year period. They found, however, that the control chicks grew at a superior rate in their latter work as compared to that of their earlier work. In addition, numerous workers have reported no effect from several antibiotics upon egg production, particularly where production was superior. At this station (Carlson et al., 1955), in cases where egg production was improved most by high levels of antibiotics, the birds had gone through at least a mild respiratory infection. Symptoms of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) were evident although the disease was not diagnosed as such. Numerous workers have reported on the effectiveness of antibiotics in the treatment of CRD and infectious turkey sinusitis (ITS). White-Stevens and Zeibel (1954) reported that chlortetracycline at 50 to 100 gm. per ton of feed allowed broilers that . . .
Vascular frontiers without borders: Multifaceted roles of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in supporting postnatal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family of growth factors, which primarily serves the function of stabilizing vascular networks, has now been shown to play a role in promoting tumor lymphangiogenesis. PDGF-BB, independent of VEGFR-3 signaling, induces tumor growth and metastasis in part through supporting lymphangiogenesis. These data suggest that targeting the PDGF/PDGF-receptor signaling pathway will provide a novel strategy to block tumor neoangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis.
On differentiating shame and shyness.

To differentiate shame from shyness on the Differential Emotions Scale, the shame adjectives—ashamed, disgraced, humiliated—were distinguished from the shyness adjectives—shy, sheepish, bashful. The Differential Emotions Scale was completed by 127 males and 130 females for six randomly ordered emotions in life situations: shame, shyness, embarrassment, guilt, anxiety, and depression. In life situations, the situation of shame in comparison to shyness was more unpleasantly experienced with significantly higher elevations on shame, guilt, distress, anger, disgust, surprise, and contempt factors, and significantly lower levels on shyness, interest, embarrassment, and enjoyment factors. The rank-order correlation between the emotional profiles in the shame and shyness situations was inverse and nonsignificant. The experiences of shame and shyness occurred at significantly different intensities within life situations epitomizing shame, shyness, embarrassment, guilt, and depression. Some sex differences in emotional experience emerged. The results strongly supported the empirical proposition that shame and shyness can be differentiated on the Differential Emotions Scale and weakly supported the proposition that shame and shyness are different theoretical constructs within differential emotions theory.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Allele of Caenorhabditis elegans bbs-7

Primary cilia play a role in the sensation of and response to the surrounding environment. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have primary cilia only on the distal tips of some dendrites. In order to better understand the relationship between receptor localization to cilia, cilia structure and cilia function, we have characterized a mutation originally identified in a forward genetic screen for mutants with defective PKD-2 ciliary localization. Through behavioral assays and examination of the structure of cilia in the cil-5 (my13) mutant animals, we have found that my13 disrupts not only receptor localization, but also some cilia-mediated sensory behaviors and cilia structural integrity. We have identified the my13 lesion and found that it is a missense mutation in bbs-7, an ortholog of human BBS-7, a gene known to affect human cilia and to be involved in Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Finally, we show that bbs-7(my13) also affects the glia cells which support the cilia.
Effects of a Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate on Growing Turkey Poults During Aflatoxicosis

Abstract Effects of adding .5% of a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) to diets containing 1 or .5 mg aflatoxin (AF)/kg were determined in male turkey poults from 1 day to 3 wk of age. Body weight gains were significantly reduced by 51 and 19% in turkey poults fed 1 and .5 mg AF/kg, respectively; efficiency of feed utilization was not affected. There were no deaths in poults fed .5 mg AF/kg; however, the mortality rate was 88% in poults fed 1 mg AF/kg. The addition of .5% dietary HSCAS resulted in a 68% decrease in mortality to 28% for the 3-wk experimental period. Treatment-related changes in relative organ weights, hematological values, serum biochemical values, and enzyme activities were observed. The HSCAS in the absence of AF did not alter any of the parameters measured. The HSCAS diminished the adverse effects of AF on body weight gains, most relative organ weights, hematological values, serum biochemical values, and enzyme activities associated with .5 mg AF/kg, but not 1 mg AF/kg. These findings indicate that HSCAS may diminish many of the adverse effects of AF in an AF-sensitive species, the turkey.
Induction of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms by Nalorphine in Chronic Alcoholic Patients

The effect of nalorphine on eliciting symptoms of either alcohol or narcotic withdrawal was studied. Five male alcoholics were challenged with nalorphine and saline, both while sober and during alc...
Experimental dissociation of behavioral and cardiovascular outcome in the borderline hypertensive rat.

Abstract F1 Offspring of hypertensive and normotensive rats (BHR) were reared with either hypertensive (SHR) or normotensive (WKY) cagemates, and observations were conducted at two developmental periods to assess the effects of rearing condition on the social environment and the behavior of BHR subjects. SHR displayed significantly more agonistic behavior during development than WKY, and BHR subjects reared with SHR were the targets of significantly more agonistic behavior than BHR subjects reared with WKY cagemates. BHR reared with SHR initiated twice as much agonistic behavior as BHR reared with WKY. When heart rate and blood pressure were assessed at 75–80 days of age, however, neither the alterations in developmental social environment nor the alterations in the behavioral characteristics of BHR were associated with differences in cardiovascular variables. The results do not support a causal connection between behavioral characteristics and cardiovascular outcome.
Properties of ternary blends of starch and maleated polymers of styrene and ethylene propylene rubber

Abstract The properties of starch/styrene maleic anhydride (SMA)/ethylene propylene maleic anhydride (EPMA) were studied at a constant starch composition of 60% by weight. The synthetic polymer content was 40% of total weight and contained 30, 20 and 10% SMA by weight, the rest being EPMA. Blends were made in a batch mixer as well as continuously in an extruder. The water absorption data showed that samples made by extrusion have less water resistance than samples made in a batch mixer. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated three distinct glass transitions, corresponding to the glass transitions of EPMA, starch and SMA. Tests showed injection moulding gave higher tensile strength compared to compression moulding, and tensile strength increased with SMA content. Gel permeation chromatography data indicated there was degradation during mixing. Blending using an extruder caused more degradation of starch in the blends than when a batch mixer was used. Both scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy showed that some starch was not melted during blending though the number and average size of unmelted starch granules decreased with decreasing SMA content. Scanning electron microscopy indicated the different morphologies of injection moulded samples at different locations in the mould.
Hemoglobin redox reactions and oxidative stress

The role of hemoglobin in transporting oxygen is dependent on the reversible binding of oxygen to Fe(II) hemoglobin with molecular oxygen released at reduced oxygen pressures. The partially oxygenated hemoglobin formed with the release of oxygen from hemoglobin is susceptible to redox reactions where the functional Fe(II) heme is oxidized to Fe(III) and the substrate is reduced. In this article, we review two important redox reactions of hemoglobin and discuss the ramifications of these reactions. The reduction of oxygen to superoxide starts a cascade of oxidative reactions, which are a source for red cell-induced oxidative stress. The reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide produces a labile form of nitric oxide that can be a source for oxidative stress, but can also have important physiological functions.
Cohesive forces prevent the rotational breakup of rubble-pile asteroid (29075) 1950 DA

Modelling and observations of the kilometre-sized asteroid (29075) 1950 DA reveal it to be a ‘rubble pile’ that is rotating faster than is allowed by gravity and friction; cohesive forces such as those in lunar regolith are required to prevent it breaking up. Some asteroids are solid bodies but others, known as 'rubble-pile' asteroids, are loose aggregates of sand- to boulder-sized components. The conventional view, that rubble piles are held together by gravitational and frictional forces alone, has recently been questioned. It has been suggested that small van der Waals forces between constituent grains may be an important factor. Here, Ben Rozitis et al. report that the kilometre-sized rubble-pile asteroid (29075) 1950 DA is rotating faster than the breakup limit for its density calculated assuming the action of gravity and friction alone. They conclude that inter-particle cohesive forces must be holding the asteroid together and that the forces are comparable to, though somewhat less than, those found between the grains of lunar regolith. Space missions1 and ground-based observations2 have shown that some asteroids are loose collections of rubble rather than solid bodies. The physical behaviour of such ‘rubble-pile’ asteroids has been traditionally described using only gravitational and frictional forces within a granular material3. Cohesive forces in the form of small van der Waals forces between constituent grains have recently been predicted to be important for small rubble piles (ten kilometres across or less), and could potentially explain fast rotation rates in the small-asteroid population4,5,6. The strongest evidence so far has come from an analysis of the rotational breakup of the main-belt comet P/2013 R3 (ref. 7), although that was indirect and poorly constrained by observations. Here we report that the kilometre-sized asteroid (29075) 1950 DA (ref. 8) is a rubble pile that is rotating faster than is allowed by gravity and friction. We find that cohesive forces are required to prevent surface mass shedding and structural failure, and that the strengths of the forces are comparable to, though somewhat less than, the forces found between the grains of lunar regolith.
A Sobolev gradient method for construction of elastic curves in regular surfaces

Abstract Given a sequence of control points and tangent vectors in a regular surface, we treat the problem of constructing a curve that lies in the surface and has minimum total curvature subject to the constraint that it interpolates the control points and tangent vectors. Geodesics and parametric planar curves (nonlinear splines) are included as special cases. The surface is defined implicitly by a smooth function, and the curve is approximated by a discrete set of vertices along with first and second derivative vectors. The nonlinear optimization problem of minimizing curvature subject to the constraints is solved by a variable metric gradient descent method based on Neuberger's Sobolev gradient theory. We compare different methods for treating the nonlinear constraints.
VARQ: virtual advance reservations for queues

In high-performance computing (HPC) settings, in which multiprocessor machines are shared among users with potentially competing resource demands, processors are allocated to user workload using space sharing. Typically, users interact with a given machine by submitting their jobs to a centralized batch scheduler that implements a site-specific policy designed to maximize machine utilization while providing tolerable turn-around times. To these users, the functioning of the batch scheduler and the policies it implements are both critical operating system components since they control how each job is serviced. In practice, while most HPC systems experience good utilization levels, the amount of time experienced by individual jobs waiting to begin execution has been shown to be highly variable and difficult to predict, leading to user confusion and/or frustration.One method for dealing with this uncertainty that has been proposed is to allow users who are willing to plan ahead to make "advanced reservations" for processor resources. To date, however, few HPC centers provide an advanced reservation capability to their general user populations since previous research indicates that diminished machine utilization will occur if and when advanced reservations are introduced.In this work, we describe VARQ, a new method for job scheduling that provides users with probabilistic "virtual" advanced reservations using only existing best effort batch schedulers. VARQ functions as an overlay, submitting jobs that are indistinguishable from the normal workload serviced by a scheduler. We describe the statistical methods we use to implement VARQ, detail an empirical evaluation of its effectiveness in a number of HPC settings, and explore the potential future impact of VARQ should it become widely used. Without requiring HPC sites to support advanced reservations, we find that VARQ can implement a reservation capability probabilistically and that the effects of this probabilistic approach are unlikely to negatively affect resource utilization.
High-speed sliding indentation of ceramics: thermal effects

A diamond indentor is attached to the periphery of an aluminium wheel and slid against ferrite and sapphire surfaces at high speed. A high-frequency response infrared sensor is used to measure the average diamond tip temperature and a piezoelectric dynamometer is used to measure the normal and tangential forces acting on the indentor. The analytical procedure estimates the heat flux at the contact as the product of the shear traction and the tangential velocity. The heat flux is used in conjunction with a Green's function to calculate the interface temperature and the tangential surface stress. The calculated and measured grain tip temperatures are compared and the relative magnitudes of the mechanical and thermal surface stresses are calculated. Finally, the importance of thermal effects on the wear and surface finishing of ceramics is discussed.
Lessons from Cryptococcal Laccase: From Environmental Saprophyte to Pathogen

Cryptococcus is an opportunistic pathogen that lives in the environment as a free-living yeast and inflicts disease in humans, primarily in immunocompromised patients such as organ-transplant recipients and people with HIV/AIDS. A key factor allowing emergence of this fungal pathogen is a copper-containing laccase enzyme that facilitates nutrient foraging as a saprophyte and offers protection against environmental dangers such as free-living amoebae and mammalian macrophages during infection. The promiscuous substrate specificity of laccase facilitates the degradation of hard plant lignin polymers as well as the synthesis of lignin-like pigments from plant flavonoids and melanin pigments from dopamine. The enzyme also possesses an iron oxidase activity that prevents Fenton product formation in macrophages and another activity that allows synthesis of immune-modulatory prostaglandins that fool the host, shutting off an effective immune response. This review provides a brief overview of key points in laccase function and its role in virulence, as well as regulation and trafficking of the enzyme during the interconversion between saprophyte and pathogen, yielding insights into pathogenesis from this adaptable pathogen.
Contributions of gopher mound and casting disturbances to plant community structure in a Cascade Range meadow complex

Pocket gophers (Geomyidae) are major agents of disturbance in North American grasslands. Gopher mounds bury existing plants and influence community structure through various mechanisms. However, in mountain meadows that experi- ence winter snowpack, gophers also create winter castings, smaller tube-shaped deposits, previously ignored in studies of plant-gopher disturbance relationships. We studied the influences of the Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama Merriam, 1897) in montane meadows of the Oregon Cascades, quantifying community patterns at larger spatial scales than previously studied in this system and considering, for the first time, effects of both mounds and castings. We measured cover of disturbance and individual plant species along twenty 5 m transects in each of four plots with differing species composition. Total plant cover was negatively correlated with mounds and castings. However, only mounds influenced growth-form dominance, reducing graminoid cover and increasing the forb-graminoid ratio — effects attributable to the greater volume and longevity of mounds. Forb-disturbance relationships were variable among plots, likely due to differences in species' tolerance of burial. Transect-scale richness and heterogeneity (variation in composition within transects) increased with disturbance. We conclude that frequent, small-scale disturbances create a shifting mosaic of vegetation states, reducing graminoid dominance and enhancing species richness and heterogeneity at larger spatial scales.
When the Compass Stopped Reversing Its Poles

Earth9s geomagnetic field normally reverses a few times every million years, but during "superchron" periods, this switching process may stop for 30 to 50 million years. In his Perspective, Banerjee highlights the study by Tarduno et al., who have deduced the paleomagnetic field strength during the Cretaceous superchron from magnetite inclusions in lavas found in India. The results may provide clues to what causes the superchron periods.
Photopumped antiguide blue lasers fabricated from molecular beam epitaxial ZnSe on GaAs

Room temperature photopumped laser oscillation at 469 nm has been achieved in ZnSe thin film leaky waveguide (antiguide) resonators with threshold pump intensities of about 350 kW/cm/sup 2/. The 1 mu m thick ZnSe was grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a
Intra-molecular dynamics probed using high-harmonic generation

High harmonic generation is used to probe vibrational and electronic dynamics in small molecules. We impulsively excite vibrations in CF3C1 and observe oscillations in the harmonic emission. We electronically excite CF3I and observe changes in the yield.
Risk of cerebral angiography in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral aneurysm, and arteriovenous malformation: a meta-analysis.

Background and Purpose—A well-defined complication rate of cerebral angiography in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), cerebral aneurysm, and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) would be useful to physicians making decisions regarding the imaging of these patients. We sought to define a statistically significant complication rate through meta-analysis of prospective studies in the literature. Methods—Meta-analysis of 3 published prospective studies of complications in cerebral angiography was performed to specifically define the risk of cerebral angiography in patients presenting with SAH, cerebral aneurysm, and AVM. The complication rates for cerebral angiography in patients with SAH and AVM/aneurysm without SAH were compared with the complication rates in patients who underwent cerebral angiography for transient ischemic attack (TIA)/ischemic stroke with use of the Fisher exact test. Results—The combined risk of permanent and transient neurological complication was significantly lower in patients ...
Estimation of relative risks from individual and ecological correlation studies

The problem discussed in the present paper is that of estimating relative risks from ecological correlation studies, where the variables concerned are averages measured on groups of people. Some biases encountered in such estimation procedures are discussed when analyzing aggregated and non-aggregated data with a particular reference to the shape of the dose-response relationship. In order to place the problem in its proper perspective, some relevant literature is summarized and some empirical observations are made by means of four examples concerning the relative risks between cigarette consumption and lung, bladder, oesophagus cancer and coronary heart disease mortality. In the present paper, the accent is placed on the distribution of exposure to a carcinogen. We consider a population or group of subjects, who are free of a disease and who are exposed to a risk factor to a level X, which is suspected to cause the disease in the population. The level X of the risk factor is a random variable having some...
Ramsey's theorem for computably enumerable colorings

It is shown that for each computably enumerable set of n -element subsets of ω there is an infinite set A ⊆ ω such that either all n -element subsets of A are in or no n -element subsets of A are in . An analogous result is obtained with the requirement that A be replaced by the requirement that the jump of A be computable from 0 ( n ) . These results are best possible in various senses.
Serological Diagnosis of Human Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2 Infections by Luciferase Immunoprecipitation System Assay

Highly quantitative and high-throughput serological tests for evaluation of humoral responses to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 are not available. The efficacy of luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assays for antibody profiling and serologic diagnosis of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection was investigated using a panel of five recombinant HSV antigens. Plasma samples from subjects seropositive for HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 or seronegative for HSV-1 and HSV-2 that had previously been analyzed by Western blotting and the Focus Plexus immunoassay were evaluated. The LIPS test measuring anti-gG1 antibody titers was 96% sensitive and 96% specific for detecting HSV-1 infection, compared with the Focus immunoassay, and was 92% sensitive and 96% specific, compared with Western blotting. The results for the anti-gG2 LIPS test for HSV-2 precisely matched those for Western blotting, with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and showed robust antibody titers in all the HSV-2-infected samples that were over 1,000 times higher than those in HSV-2-negative or HSV-1-positive samples. Antibodies to three additional HSV-2 proteins, gB, gD, and ICP8, were detected in many of the HSV-1- and/or HSV-2-infected plasma samples and showed preferentially higher immunoreactivity in HSV-2-infected plasma. The titers of antibodies to these three HSV-2 antigens also significantly correlated with each other (R=0.75 to 0.81; P<0.0001). These studies indicate that the robust anti-gG1 and anti-gG2 antibody responses detected by LIPS assays are useful for HSV-1 and HSV-2 detection and suggest that profiling of antibody responses to a panel of HSV proteins may be useful for characterizing individual humoral responses to infection and for monitoring responses to vaccines.