cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell-mediated defense against Yersinia pestis infection.

Yersinia pestis (Yp) - one of the world's most deadly human pathogens - is the gram-negative bacterium that causes pneumonic plague. Virulent antibiotic-resistant Yp strains exist and Cold War scientists devised means to effectively aerosolize Yp. These facts raise grave concern that Yp will be exploited as a bioweapon. To counter that possibility, it is essential that we develop a safe and effective pneumonic plague vaccine. Recent studies suggest that the leading vaccine candidate, which primarily stimulates antibody-mediated humoral immunity, may not suffice. T cell-dependent cellular immunity comprises a second means by which vaccines prime long-lived protection against virulent bacterial pathogens. However, a plasmid carried by virulent Yp encodes factors that dampen inflammation and debilitate phagocytes, thereby compromising cellular defense mechanisms. As such, plague vaccine researchers have devoted relatively little attention to cellular immunity. Here we review our recent work demonstrating that the passive transfer of primed T cells can suffice to protect mice against lethal intranasal Yp infection, a model of pneumonic plague. We also demonstrate that key elements of cellular immunity even play critical roles during antibody-mediated defense against plague. We conclude that next-generation plague vaccines should strive to prime both cellular and humoral immunity.
Identification of transcripts associated with renal damage due to ureteral obstruction as candidate urinary biomarkers

Renal obstruction is a common cause of renal failure in adults and children and is suspected when hydronephrosis is detected on imaging. Because not all cases of hydronephrosis are associated with ...
The influence of lifestyle and swimming behavior on metabolic rate and thermal tolerance of twelve Amazon forest stream fish species

The metabolism of fishes is profoundly affected by environmental factors such as temperature, oxygen concentration, and pH levels. Also, biotic elements, for instance, activity levels of species, have been suggested to affect the energy demand, driving their capacity to support environmental challenges. The present work aims to investigate the effects of the lifestyle and swimming activities levels of fishes living in Amazon forest stream on the aerobic metabolism and thermal tolerance. Intermittent flow respirometry was used to measure routine metabolic rate and thermal maximum metabolic rate with a thermal ramp methodology. Critical thermal tolerance, thermal aerobic scope, and thermal factorial aerobic scope were calculated for twelve species belonging to different families. Our findings showed a correlation between routine and thermal maximum metabolic rate and, between metabolic rate and activity levels. Species belonging to Characidae and Crenuchidae families have high resting metabolic rates, which decrease their factorial aerobic scope and reduce their abilities to cope with warming events. Therefore, these species have low thermal tolerance. Instead, species from families Rivulidae and Cichlidae showed opposite metabolic results and larger thermal windows. We hypothesize that these responses are related to an evolutionary trade-off between lifestyle and energetic requirements and warming will favor species with low activity performance.
The Effects of Massive Trauma on Cambodian Parents and Children

The goal of this chapter is to describe the effects of the Pol Pot trauma on two generations of Cambodians and their families. The time since the end of the Pol Pot era (1979) is still too short to document a second-generation effect, but we now have some data on the psychiatric effects this trauma has inflicted on young and old Cambodians, and the impact refugee status has had on Cambodian family life.
Common Endoscopic Complications: Recognition and Management

Diagnostic and therapeutic upper and lower endoscopy, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), represents relatively non-invasive modalities as a diagnostic tool and to deliver therapy. Some complications are the result of endoscopy irrespective of the procedure while many complications are unique to upper endoscopy, lower endoscopy, and ERCP. As a general rule, complication rates increase with endoscopic therapeutic interventions. We describe general complications of endoscopy and outline those complications and management unique to each specific modality.
Using Postfeedback Delays to Improve Retention of Computer-Based Instruction

Self-pacing, although often seen as one of the primary benefits of computer-based instruction (CBI), can also result in an important problem, namely, computer-based racing. Computer-based racing is when learners respond so quickly within CBI that mistakes are made, even on well-known material. This study compared traditional CBI with two forms of CBI designed to reduce computer-based racing: incentives/disincentives and postfeedback delays. All three formats were evaluated in terms of both performance and satisfaction using a between-group repeated measures design with pretest and posttest. Dependent measures included posttest scores and satisfaction questionnaire ratings. Posttest scores favored the use of postfeedback delays to improve learning over incentives/disincentives and control conditions. Postfeedback delays negatively affected satisfaction in comparison to the control condition, although no satisfaction differences were found between incentives/disincentives and postfeedback delays.
Abstract TP380: Improving Outcomes for Stroke Patients at Risk for Cognitive and Mood Impairments

Background: Improved survival rates of stroke patients have resulted in a rise in disability within this population. Research demonstrates that stroke patients are at high risk for cognitive declin...
Replicating novices' struggles with coding style

Good style makes code easier for others to read and modify. Control flow is one element of style where experts expect particular structure, such as conjoining conditions rather than nesting if statements. Empirical work is necessary to understand why novices use poor style, so they can be taught to use good style. Previous work shows that many students know what control flows experts prefer, but may say that novice-styled code is more readable. Yet, these same students showed similarly high comprehension across both expert- and novice-styled code. We propose a replication of that work that more fully assesses students' code comprehension and code writing. Our replication focuses on students who are earlier in their computer science courses and are less likely to be majors, to determine whether the pattern of results is particular to students who are relatively attuned to style concerns. Our pilot of the proposed replication finds that: students in this new population are less able to identify expert code; expert style may reduce comprehension for some control flows; and writing with good style does not always predict a preference for reading code with good style.
The Microeconomics of Chapter 11

Several recent studies have put the level of professional fees in large chapter 11 cases at about 2.5 percent of assets or less. This compares favorably with other significant corporate transactions. But little attention has been given to the issue of how professional fees are allocated within chapter 11 cases. Examining this issue is important because a significant strain of bankruptcy scholarship is premised on the notion that chapter 11 is excessively expensive, notwithstanding the existing evidence that suggests otherwise. In particular, these theorists employ the long-recognized principle that lenders will recoup anticipated losses through higher ex ante interest rates to support the argument that altering or even replacing chapter 11 will reduce the costs of debt financing and thus promote efficiency. But if most of the supposed costs of chapter 11 are in fact exogenous to the Bankruptcy Code, reductions in the cost of chapter 11 may have only a modest correlation with reductions in the cost of financial distress. This paper thus offers the first look at the intra-debtor distribution of professional fees. I analyze a new sample of almost 4,000 attorney time entries, from more than 30 law firms, in 27 very large chapter 11 cases filed between 2001 and 2003 to look at several basic questions regarding the allocation of attorney's fees within chapter 11 cases. I find that up to 60% of the professionals fees in a bankruptcy case may be exogenous to chapter 11. I then develop the broader argument that ex ante costs are virtually irrelevant to current discussions of chapter 11.
Government political structure and violent death rates: A longitudinal analysis of forty-three countries, 1960-2008.

Abstract Objectives Currently, little is known regarding the effect of regime type on mortality on a global level. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of regime type on the rates of violent deaths (homicide, suicide, and combined rates). Methods Three measures of democracy were used to quantify regime type, the independent variable. Homicide and suicide rates were obtained from the World Health Organization. Multivariate conditional fixed-effects models were run to examine associations between regime characteristics and logged rates of homicide, suicide, and violent deaths. Models were adjusted for unemployment and economic inequality. Results Nations that scored higher on democracy indices, especially emerging democracies, experienced increased mortality due to violence. Homicide and suicide were divergent, showing a different time course and decreasing statistical power as a combined variable. Unemployment and inequality were associated with higher violence-related mortality. Conclusions Homicide and suicide appear to be more prevalent in democracies. Future analyses should examine which aspects of democracies lead to higher rates of violent death and should seek to use independently collected mortality data.
Online Diversity Communication at Microsoft

This chapter provides the implications of an analysis performed on Microsoft’s online community and diversity communication. Among others, the results revealed that user interactivity entailed a predominantly positive valence and was influenced by the company’s use of dialogic communication.
Introducing First-Year Medical Students to Product Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Medical education is changing and evolving, and it is evident there is a need for emerging technologies that will improve patient outcomes and healthcare (Brazile et al. Med Teach. 40(12):1264–74, 2018). The Carle Illinois College of Medicine is creating an innovative model for medical education that integrates engineering principles into an active learning curriculum.
Disordered Aggression and Violence in the United States.

Objective To determine the prevalence and correlates of DSM-5 intermittent explosive disorder and related aggressive disorders in the United States. Methods Community survey data (collected between 2001-2004) from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R) and Adolescent Supplement (NCS-AS) involving 10,148 adolescents and 9,282 adults, respectively, were reanalyzed with recurrent aggressive behavior defined as 3 serious aggressive outbursts in any given year. In addition to prevalence, assessments of aggression severity, property damage, injury to others, intimate partner assault, utilization of guns and weapons to threaten, and treatment utilization for recurrent aggressive behavior were also assessed. Results About 17% of adolescents and 8% of adults report a pattern of recurrent aggressive outbursts within at least 1 year. Such individuals are much more aggressive and impulsive than nonaggressive controls and are more likely to engage in intimate partner assault, carry and use guns and other weapons to threaten others, and be arrested by law enforcement. Few aggressive individuals speak with health care providers about this behavior, and fewer receive treatment for aggression. Conclusion Recurrent aggressive behavior is common in both adolescents and adults, with clinically significant consequences to those with this pattern and to others in their environment (ie, using guns and other weapons to threaten others). While this type of behavior can be reduced though pharmacologic/psychosocial treatment intervention, the vast majority of aggressive individuals do not engage in treatment for their aggressive behavior. Screening individuals for such behavior in one's practice may do much toward identifying this problem and bringing such individuals into treatment.
Analytical model and parametric study for externally post-tensioned reinforced concrete-steel composite beams

Abstract An active strengthening technique by external post-tensioning (PT) can be effectively used to improve the flexural performance of reinforced concrete (RC)-steel composite beams (CB) under static loads. In this research, an analytical model is proposed, where the nonlinear material behaviors of steel and concrete are adopted. The proposed analytical model is carried out by the computer software MATLAB to run the iterations to satisfy the equilibrium of the internal forces in the post-tensioned composite sections. Static tests on two full-scaled RC-steel CB are also presented to calibrate the proposed model. The testing measurements included deflections, strains in the extreme fibers of the composite sections, and the incremental PT force in the tendons. Finally, the most significant parameters that affect the bending capacity and stiffness of the post-tensioned CB are assessed by conducting an extensive parametric study. These parameters include the influence of steel beam grade, axial forces, and concrete deck width and strength. The contribution of the external PT force to improve the CB behavior is enhanced by using stainless steel for steel beams. However, the post-tensioned CB with conventional carbon steel shows higher stiffness and capacity over that one with stainless steel and more ductility over the other one with high-strength steel (HSS). At a low level of axial compressive force, the un-strengthened CB show a double improvement in the flexural strength over the strengthened ones. Whereas, the difference between the two behaviors diminishes as the axial compressive force increases.
Honey bees and wild pollinators differ in their preference for and use of introduced floral resources

Introduced plants may be important foraging resources for honey bees and wild pollinators, but how often and why pollinators visit introduced plants across an entire plant community is not well understood. Understanding the importance of introduced plants for pollinators could help guide management of these plants and conservation of pollinator habitat. We assessed how floral abundance and pollinator preference influence pollinator visitation rate and diversity on 30 introduced versus 24 native plants in central New York. Honey bees visited introduced and native plants at similar rates regardless of floral abundance. In contrast, as floral abundance increased, wild pollinator visitation rate decreased more strongly for introduced plants than native plants. Introduced plants as a group and native plants as a group did not differ in bee diversity or preference, but honey bees and wild pollinators preferred different plant species. As a case study, we then focused on knapweed (Centaurea spp.), an introduced plant that was the most preferred plant by honey bees, and that beekeepers value as a late-summer foraging resource. We compared the extent to which honey bees versus wild pollinators visited knapweed relative to coflowering plants, and we quantified knapweed pollen and nectar collection by honey bees across 22 New York apiaries. Honey bees visited knapweed more frequently than coflowering plants and at a similar rate as all wild pollinators combined. All apiaries contained knapweed pollen in nectar, 86% of apiaries contained knapweed pollen in bee bread, and knapweed was sometimes a main pollen or nectar source for honey bees in late summer. Our results suggest that because of diverging responses to floral abundance and preferences for different plants, honey bees and wild pollinators differ in their use of introduced plants. Depending on the plant and its abundance, removing an introduced plant may impact honey bees more than wild pollinators.
A Framework for Customizable Multi-User Teleoperated Control

Traditional teleoperation (leader/follower) systems primarily focus on one operator controlling one remote robot, but as robots become ubiquitous, there is an increasing need for multiple operators, including autonomous agents, to collaboratively control multiple robots. However, existing teleoperation frameworks do not inherently support the variety of possible collaborations, such as multiple operators, each with an input device (leader), controlling a robot and camera or different degrees of freedom of a single robot (follower). The same concept applies to teleoperating robots in a simulation environment through physical input devices. In this letter, we extend our novel simulation framework that is capable of incorporating multiple input devices asynchronously with a real-time dynamic simulation to incorporate a customizable shared control. For this purpose, we have identified and implemented a sufficient set of coordinate frames to encapsulate the pairing of multiple leaders, followers and cameras in a shared asynchronous manner with force feedback. We demonstrate the utility of this framework in accelerating user training, ease of learning, and enhanced task completion times through shared control by a supervisor.
Prefrontal cortex PACAP signaling: organization and role in stress regulation.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is an excitatory neuromodulatory peptide strongly implicated in nervous stress processing. Human polymorphism of the primary PACAP recepto...
Dysregulated APOBEC3G causes DNA damage and promotes genomic instability in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by significant genomic instability. Recently, a causal role for the AID/APOBEC deaminases in inducing somatic mutations in myeloma has been reported. We have identified APOBEC/AID as a prominent mutational signature at diagnosis with further increase at relapse in MM. In this study, we identified upregulation of several members of APOBEC3 family (A3A, A3B, A3C, and A3G) with A3G, as one of the most expressed APOBECs. We investigated the role of APOBEC3G in MM and observed that A3G expression and APOBEC deaminase activity is elevated in myeloma cell lines and patient samples. Loss-of and gain-of function studies demonstrated that APOBEC3G significantly contributes to increase in DNA damage (abasic sites and DNA breaks) in MM cells. Evaluation of the impact on genome stability, using SNP arrays and whole genome sequencing, indicated that elevated APOBEC3G contributes to ongoing acquisition of both the copy number and mutational changes in MM cells over time. Elevated APOBEC3G also contributed to increased homologous recombination activity, a mechanism that can utilize increased DNA breaks to mediate genomic rearrangements in cancer cells. These data identify APOBEC3G as a novel gene impacting genomic evolution and underlying mechanisms in MM.
Shape analysis for the automated identification of plants from images of leaves.

Species identification is a necessary component of most studies of biological diversity, and computational approaches are beginning to automate it. In particular, leaves of plants provide taxon-specific information that has successfully been applied to plant identification. Prior studies have not investigated the number of leaves or the resolution of the digitized leaf image required to represent a species' shape. Moreover, the relationship between accuracy and the size of the leaf shape database, and methods to integrate automated approaches with more traditional dichotomous keys have yet to be explored. Here, I use a database of 2,420 leaves from 151 species to address these issues. Using distance metrics derived from Fourier and Procrustes analyses, it is found that a minimum of 10 leaves of each species, 100 margin points, and 10 Fourier harmonics are required to accurately represent leaf shape of a species. These results are used to assess the success of species identification from images of leaves: 72% for all 151 species. The tight relationship between database size and accuracy is then used in conjunction with results from probability theory to predict accuracy of species identification when dichotomous multiple-entry keys and combined Fourier and Procrustes analysis are used together. Combining these two approaches to identification can greatly improve identification accuracy. Open-source software is available to implement the automated distance-based approach.
Endocrinologic Emergencies After Neurosurgery

Severe and potentially life-threatening endocrine conditions in neurosurgical patients most often are secondary to dysfunction of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis. The pituitary gland, frequently called the “master endocrine gland,” is confined within a bony space – the sella turcica – and is subdivided, both anatomically and functionally, into anterior (anterior pituitary) and posterior (neurohypophysis) components. The anterior pituitary has a vulnerable portal blood supply. The posterior portion connects to the hypothalamus via long sensitive nerve endings. This arrangement makes the pituitary especially susceptible to traumatic brain injury, brain edema, space-occupying intracranial lesions, and surgery.
Core formation by giant impacts

Abstract The timing and mechanisms of core formation remain unresolved questions in our knowledge of the Solar System's early state. Because no known nebular processes separate iron from silicates during planetesimals formation, it is believed that the terrestrial planets formed from planetesimals containing approximately solar abundances of iron and silicates. At some stage of planetary growth, iron separated from the silicates to form cores. We propose that once a planet reaches a certain minimum mass, large impacts characteristic of late accretion can trigger core formation. Our model overcomes two major difficulties of core formation: large-scale segregation of molten iron into diapirs and displacement of the cold, elastic interior of the planet by the iron. Large, high-speed impacts on relatively large planets (>∼1023 kg) result in melting beyond the transient crater's dimensions, forming a large, intact melt region with a radius up to a few times the projectile's radius. Both the iron and silicates melt. Iron rapidly settles to the melt region's base because of its high density. The accumulated iron forms a large, negatively buoyant mass that stresses the underlying material. If the generated stress is larger than the maximum long term stress that the cold interior can support, the iron rapidly flows to the planet's center, displacing the cold interior and forming (or adding to) a core. To investigate, we developed an analytical melting model based on the Hugoniot equations, the empirical relationship for the decline of particle velocity with distance, and the linear shock-particle velocity relationship. Using this melting model coupled with a Monte Carlo simulation of accretion, we examined the ability of giant impacts to trigger core formation. The melt forms an intact region only if the melt fraction that is not excavated from the crater is >∼0.5–0.6. This does not occur until a planet is of approximately lunar mass or greater and is struck by a planetesimal of about one-tenth its mass. If the maximum long-term stress that the planet's cold interior can withstand is 2 kbar, consistent with conditions at the Earth's surface, planets must be approximately the mass of Ceres before impacts induce core formation. However, core formation occurs only if an intact melt region forms at this stage and if planetesimals with impact speeds greater than about 7.25 km sec−1 exist during this stage of accretion, both of which are unlikely. If the approach velocity of the planetesimals is small, the planet must grow to ∼1024 kg ( ∼ 1 6 − 1 4 the Earth's mass) before a giant impact will induce core formation. If a small fraction of the planetesimals have approach velocities greater than a few kilometers per second, impact-induced core formation occurs in planets with masses between 1 and 6 × 1023 kg. By the time a planet grows to Mars size, it has a nearly 100% probability that a giant impact triggered core formation. A Mercury-mass planet has about a 75% probability. Giant impacts do not explain whole-body differentiation of asteroid-sized planets.
I/O characterization on a parallel file system

In this paper we present a study of I/O access patterns of scientific and general applications on a parallel file system. Understanding I/O access patterns is an essential condition to effectively designing a file system. Supercomputing applications running on these parallel systems make extensive use of parallel file systems taking advantage of faster data access by requesting information from multiple nodes simultaneously. However, parallel file systems can become a bottleneck if the file distribution parameters do not fit the access scheme of the applications. In our work, we examine a variety of such applications, providing measurement of inter-arrival times, I/O request size and burstiness demanded from a parallel file system. Our tests were conducted on the open source PVFS parallel file system with different configurations of metadata servers and I/O nodes. Among the findings are that the standard assumption of Poisson or random interarrival times is not justified and that access sizes are smaller than would be expected for a parallel application.
Syncope: Therapeutic Approaches

Syncope is a common clinical problem characterized by transient, spontaneously self-terminating loss of consciousness with complete and prompt recovery; the cause is insufficiency of cerebral oxygen/nutrient supply most often due to a transient fall of systemic arterial pressure to levels below those tolerated by cerebrovascular autoregulation. Careful and thorough evaluation of the cause of syncope is warranted in all patients. Determining that certain individuals are at "low mortality risk" is inadequate; syncope, although often benign from a mortality perspective, tends to recur, is associated with risk of physical injury, diminishes quality-of-life, and might lead to restriction from employment or avocation. However, the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of syncope is challenging for many reasons. First, syncope is only 1 of many causes of transient loss of consciousness. Second, the patient's symptoms are fleeting, and the patient is generally fully recovered when seen in the clinic; only infrequently are there helpful physical findings. Third, spontaneous events are often unwitnessed by medical professionals; consequently, the medical history of symptom events is usually a "second-hand" or "third-hand" story. Finally, there is often an excessive sense of diagnostic "urgency" that tends to result in a rush to undertake multiple poorly considered "diagnostic" testing procedures; a deliberate approach based on initial risk stratification is more likely to reap the dual rewards of a correct diagnosis and initiation of effective treatment in a cost-effective manner.
On mixed H/sub 2//H/sub /spl infin// control

Uses the Nash game approach to solve a mixed H/sub 2//H/sub /spl infin// feedback control problem. The basic idea is: using Nash type index as the H/sub 2/ and H/sub /spl infin// performance functional, the authors then are able to obtain, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of linear memoryless feedback gain. By solving a set of coupled algebraic matrix equations, the authors can get the required feedback-control. Both continuous and discrete time system are considered.
Do Participation Strategy and Experience Impact the Likelihood of Winning in Unblind Innovation Contests

Innovation contests are being widely used by firms to generate creative ideas and identify solutions to complex problems. Using a large panel dataset on real world innovation contests, we explore the effects of participation strategies and prior experience on the likelihood of winning in unblind innovation contest settings. Our results indicate that contestants differ widely in their strategies and such differences play a significant, but non-obvious, role in their success. In particular, we find that contestants whose entry pattern mimics the traditional new product development funnel process have a higher likelihood of winning. We also find evidence that prior experience enhances the likelihood of winning, and winning experience is significantly more important than participation experience. Taken together, the study’s findings generate novel insights on the nature of problem solving in unblind innovation contests and have important implications for the theory and practice of innovation contests.
Remarks on nonlinear evolution equations and ordinary differential equations of Painlevé type

Abstract Recent work on (i) Painleve equations and their relationship to nonlinear evolution equations solvable by inverse scattering and (ii) new results on an evolution equation describing long waves in a stratified fluid are discussed.
Perceptions of Physical Punishment: The Relation to Childhood and Adolescent Experiences

The present study investigated the impact of diverse childhood and adolescent experiences on adults' perceptions of physical punishment. Subjects judged the appropriateness of scenarios in which the degree to which a child was physically punished and the degree of provocation by the child were systematically varied. The results indicated that appropriateness ratings decreased as the severity of punishment increased, and increased as the degree of child provocation increased. Subjects who reported being more severely disciplined as children rated punishment as more appropriate than those who reported being less severely disciplined, although this was not true of subjects who reported experiencing the most extreme forms of discipline. Subjects were particularly likely to rate punishment as more appropriate if they perceived their harsh disciplinary experiences as deserved. Males perceived punishment as more appropriate than females. Subjects who reported initiating more physical fights at home as children w...
Therapeutic potential of melatonin in traumatic central nervous system injury

Abstract: A vast literature extolling the benefits of melatonin has accumulated during the past four decades. Melatonin was previously considered of importance to seasonal reproduction and circadian rhythmicity. Currently, it appears to be a versatile anti-oxidative and anti-nitrosative agent, a molecule with immunomodulatory actions and profound oncostatic activity, and also to play a role as a potent neuroprotectant. Nowadays, melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement with differential availability as an over-the-counter aid in different countries. There is a widespread agreement that melatonin is nontoxic and safe considering its frequent, long-term usage by humans at both physiological and pharmacological doses with no reported side effects. Endeavors toward a designated drug status for melatonin may be enormously rewarding in clinics for treatment of several forms of neurotrauma where effective pharmacological intervention has not yet been attained. This mini review consolidates the data regarding the efficacy of melatonin as an unique neuroprotective agent in traumatic central nervous system (CNS) injuries. Well-documented actions of melatonin in combating traumatic CNS damage are compiled from various clinical and experimental studies. Research on traumatic brain injury and ischemia/reperfusion are briefly outlined here as they have been recently reviewed elsewhere, whereas the studies on different animal models of the experimental spinal cord injury have been extensively covered in this mini review for the first time.
Foundation on layered soil with geogrid reinforcement — effect of a void

Abstract Results of laboratory model tests to determine the ultimate bearing capacity variation of a strip foundation on a stronger sand layer underlain by a near-saturated weaker clay layer, with and without geogrid reinforcement at the sand-clay interface, are presented. Also included in this study is the effect of the presence of a void with a rectangular cross-section in the weaker clay layer immediately below and parallel to the central axis of the foundation. Based on the model test results, the variations of the ultimate bearing capacity and the bearing capacity ratio with the depth of the void below the foundation are presented.
Bacterial motility and chemotaxis: Light-induced tumbling response and visualization of individual flagella

Abstract High intensity visible light induces tumbling in Salmonella typhimurium , the effect being reversible provided short pulses are used. Fully aerated cultures are more sensitive to light than cultures with a lower oxygen tension. Bacteria which have been subjected to a sufficient positive chemotactic stimulus (concentration increase of attractant) are immune to the light stimulus. Light with a wavelength of 510 nm or shorter is effective, suggesting that absorption by a flavin may be involved. The light source used, with a yellow filter inserted to prevent light-induced tumbling, is bright enough to allow visualization of individual flagella as well as flagellar bundles. This has provided information on flagellar aggregation, rigidity, and behavior during tumbling. Since the occurrence of tumbles is modified as a result of chemical gradient sensing, these techniques are valuable in the study of bacterial chemotaxis.
Dispersion measurements of single-mode fibers in the blue-green spectral region by an interferometric method.

The chromatic dispersion of a single-mode, polarization-preserving fiber in the blue–green spectral region was measured by using an interferometric method.
Protein derivatives with new sulfhydryl groups.

Abstract The introduction of covalently bound —SH groups into three proteins, i.e. bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin and tropomyosin, is described. A high proportion of the amino groups of these proteins was substituted by N -acetylhomocysteine residues. Some of the physical and chemical properties of the modified proteins are described.
Comparative recovery of 50-Hz and 100-Hz posttetanic twitch following profound neuromuscular block

Study Objective To determine if posttetanic twitch following 100-Hz tetanic stimulation enables titration of a nondepolarizing relaxant infusion to a greater depth of block than that achieved with posttetanic twitch following 50 Hz. Study Design Prospective, observational study. Setting Operating rooms of a university tertiary care center. Patients 10 ASA physical status II and III patients free of known neuromuscular disease and undergoing general endotracheal anesthesia for routine elective surgery. Interventions Following induction of general anesthesia, neuromuscular block was maintained with a continuous intravenous vecuronium infusion. Depth of neuromuscular block was assessed by tactile evaluation of the evoked responses of the adductor pollicis muscle following supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve via surface electrodes. The vecuronium infusion was titrated to loss of posttetanic twitch following 100-Hz tetanic stimulation, at which point the infusion was discontinued. Measurements and Main Results 100-Hz tetanic stimulation was repeated every two minutes until recovery of the first posttetanic twitch, at which point 50-Hz tetanic stimulation was repeated every two minutes until recovery of the first posttetanic twitch. The median time (interquartile range) from discontinuation of the vecuronium infusion to recovery of the first posttetanic twitch following 100-Hz tetanic stimulation was 27% faster than the corresponding time to recovery of the first posttetanic twitch following 50-Hz tetanic stimulation [19 (10 to 24) min and 26 (20 to 30) min respectively, p Conclusions Posttetanic twitch following 100-Hz tetanic stimulation enables titration of a vecuronium infusion to a greater depth of block than posttetanic twitch following 50-Hz tetanic stimulation. The present findings should enable more effective titration of this relaxant, thereby reducing the likelihood of unwanted patient movement or unduly prolonged recovery due to relaxant overdosing.
The effect of reproduction and lactation on the onset of latent chronic beryllium disease.

Abstract This investigation was undertaken to assess the effect of the adrenal stimulation which results from repeated pregnancies and lactation on the onset of beryllium disease. Male and female rats received radioactive beryllium in the form of BeO via the intratracheal route. The rats were then bred repeatedly and serially killed after one, two, and four pregnancies. In the first experiment, the rats were killed 12 or 15 mo after the intratracheal injection of Be. In the second experiment, all animals were bred repeatedly and sacrificed 12 mo after the intratracheal injection of Be. At sacrifice tissues were counted for Be distribution and examined histologically for evidence of Be disease. In addition, serum alkaline phosphatase, isocitric dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities as well as calcium, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations were determined. Reproductive performance was also evaluated by determining the number of litters per female, number of live pups, and lactation index. No difference in the time of onset of Be disease, as indicated by lung granuloma, was noted between the bred and unbred Be-treated animals, suggesting that this type of adrenal stress (stimulation) is not an inducer of latent chronic beryllium disease. Beryllium appears to have no detrimental effect on reproduction; in fact, the beryllium-injected animals had a higher number of live pups and number of litters per female than the saline controls at the 15-mo sacrifice.
Fetal dose estimates for electron-beam treatment to the chest wall of a pregnant patient

The purpose of this report is to discuss dosimetry and shielding for electron-beam radiotherapy of pregnant patients. Specifically, we have determined fetal dose for a pregnant patient considering electron radiotherapy for a chest wall recurrence of breast cancer. The treatment was simulated using an anthropomorphic phantom, and the measured dose to the unshielded fetus for this plan was 5.3 cGy, a level at which risk to the fetus is uncertain. Therefore abdominal shielding, consisting of 6.6 cm of lead, was used to reduce the dose to the fetus to less than 1.5 cGy, a level considered to be of little risk. We further found that using the lower (instead of upper) variable trimmer bars to define the field edge closest to the fetus resulted in approximately 30% lower dose to the fetus. These results show that it is possible to reduce fetal dose to acceptable limits in electron-beam radiotherapy of the chest wall using the general principles recommended for photon-beam radiotherapy.
A novel nonpeptidic caspase-3/7 inhibitor, (S)-(+)-5-[1-(2-methoxymethylpyrrolidinyl)sulfonyl]isatin reduces myocardial ischemic injury.

Abstract The efficacy of a novel, nonpeptidic, caspase 3/7-selective inhibitor, ( S )-(+)-5-[1-(2-methoxymethylpyrrolidinyl)sulfonyl]isatin (MMPSI) for reducing ischemic injury in isolated rabbit hearts or cardiomyocytes was evaluated. MMPSI (0.1–10 μM) evoked a concentration-dependent reduction in infarct size (up to 56% vs. control; IC 50 =0.2 μM). Furthermore, apoptosis (DNA laddering, soluble nucleosomes) was reduced in the ischemic area-at-risk. MMPSI inhibited recombinant human caspase-3 with an IC 50 =1.7 μM. Apoptosis in H9c2 cells after 16-h simulated ischemia and 2-h simulated reperfusion was significantly reduced by MMPSI in a concentration-dependent manner (IC 50 =0.5 μM); similar effects were observed in isolated adult rabbit cardiomyocytes (IC 50 =1.5 μM). These data support an important role for caspase-3/7 in mediating myocardial ischemic injury. Furthermore, these data indicate that cardioprotection via caspase-3/7 inhibition is attainable via a small molecule (nonpeptidic) inhibitor, a necessary step in making this approach therapeutically viable.
NHE3 mobility in brush borders increases upon NHERF2-dependent stimulation by lyophosphatidic acid.

The epithelial brush border (BB) Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 is associated with the actin cytoskeleton by binding both directly and indirectly to ezrin; indirect binding is via attachment to NHERF family proteins. NHE3 mobility in polarized epithelial cell BBs is restricted by the actin cytoskeleton and NHERF binding such that only ~30% of NHE3 in the apical domain of an OK cell line stably expressing NHERF2 is mobile, as judged by FRAP analysis. Given that levels of NHE3 are partially regulated by changes in trafficking, we investigated whether the cytoskeleton association of NHE3 was dynamic and changed as part of acute regulation to allow NHE3 trafficking. The agonist studied was lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an inflammatory mediator, which acutely stimulates NHE3 activity by increasing the amount of NHE3 on the BBs by stimulated exocytosis. LPA acutely stimulated NHE3 activity in OK cells stably expressing NHERF2. Two conditions that totally prevented LPA stimulation of NHE3 activity only partially prevented stimulation of NHE3 mobility: the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, and the NHE3F1 double mutant which has minimal direct binding of NHE3 to ezrin. These results show that LPA stimulation of NHE3 mobility occurs in two parts: (1) PI3K-dependent exocytic trafficking to the BB and (2) an increase in surface mobility of NHE3 in BBs under basal conditions. Moreover, the LPA stimulatory effect on NHE3 mobility required NHERF2. Although NHE3 and NHERF2 co-precipitated under basal conditions, they failed to co-precipitate 30 minutes after addition of LPA, whereas the physical association was re-established by 50-60 minutes. This dynamic interaction between NHERF2 and NHE3 was confirmed by acceptor photobleaching Forster Resonance energy Transfer (FRET). The restricted mobility of NHE3 in BBs under basal conditions as a result of cytoskeleton association is therefore dynamic and is reversed as part of acute LPA stimulation of NHE3. We suggest that this acute but transient increase in NHE3 mobility induced by LPA occurs via two processes: addition of NHE3 to the BB by exocytosis, a process which precedes binding of NHE3 to the actin cytoskeleton via NHERF2-ezrin, and by release of NHERF2 from the NHE3 already localized in the apical membrane, enabling NHE3 to distribute throughout the microvilli. These fractions of NHE3 make up a newly identified pool of NHE3 called the ‘transit pool’. Moreover, our results show that there are two aspects of LPA signaling involved in stimulation of NHE3 activity: PI3K-dependent stimulated NHE3 exocytosis and the newly described, PI3K-independent dissociation of microvillar NHE3 from NHERF2.
Prenatal Assessment of Gestational Age

Despite extensive technological advances in the assessment of fetal well-being and maturity, iatrogenic prematurity and associated respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) remains the primary causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Much variation exists regarding selection criteria, administration, precision, and interpretation of individual and combined gestational age determinants. Although obstetrical physical examination and menstrual history remain the mo9st consistently used fetal dating methods, reliability and validity of these procedures have not been systematically examined on a large scale. Laboratory studies (ultrasound measures, amniotic fluid determinants, maternal serum and urine component values) have been more appropriately standardized for specific populations, although lack of agreement persists among authors with regard to test methods and interpretation of test results. The distinction between tests of fetal well-being versus fetal maturity emphasizes the importance of reviewing the p...
Adaptive psychotherapy: An approach toward greater precision in the treatment of the chronically disturbed

Summary Problems encountered in the psychotherapeutic management of severely disturbed patients are examined. Although “human interest” has its role to play in the care of chronic psychotic patients, this paper attempts to delineate and reaffirm the necessity for specific diagnosis and treatment techniques which rely on the concepts of patient and therapist adaptations. “Adaptive psychotherapy” is defined, its theoretical basis outlined, its goals and principles described and clinical vignettes of its techniques are presented.
Peer-to-peer multimedia applications

In both academia and industry, peer-to-peer (P2P) applications have attracted great attention. Peer-to-peer file sharing applications, such as Napster, Gnutella, Kazaa, BitTorrent, Skype and PPLive, have witnessed tremendous success among end users. And the uses of peer-to-peer network for multimedia streaming, conferencing, gaming, file backup, information retrieval is on the rise. Recent statistics suggests that P2P traffic accounts for as much as 70% of Internet traffic. Unlike a client-server based system, peers bring with them serving capacity. Therefore, as the demand of a peer-to-peer system grows, the capacity of the network grows, too. This enables a peer-to-peer multimedia application to be cheap to build and superb in scalability.The purpose of the tutorial is to examine issues associated with the successful building and deployment of a P2P multimedia application. The technologies discussed can be applied to P2P file sharing, P2P conference, P2P media streaming, P2P VoIP, and P2P storage applications. We start by examining two popular P2P applications, BitTorrent and Skype. The study of the two P2P applications helps us to understand the design principles of P2P applications in general. We then investigate a number of tools for building P2P multimedia applications, such as the overlay network, the scheduling algorithm, the erasure resilient coding, and NAT/firewall traversal. Finally, we move on to critical deployment decisions that make or break the P2P applications, such as P2P economy, security issues in P2P application, peer selection, monitoring and debugging utilities in P2P application.
ACCESSIBILITY AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE IN NORTHERN INDIA

ABSTRACT Although empirical evidence has been scarce, technological change in agriculture can be expected to be influenced by the geometry of networks of personal communication. Data from a small sample of villages in India indicate a consistent association between accessibility to transportation facilities and the rate of technological change. Personal communication networks tend to correspond with transportation networks, but correlates of road transportation accessibility suggest that innovation is more clearly related to information-flow variables than strictly economic factors.
Mechanisms for Increased Arrhythmia Risk in Aged Hearts

BackgroundCompared to young adult rat hearts, aged rat hearts exhibit marked fibrosis and increased susceptibility to ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF) when exposed to oxidative and ionic stress.ObjectiveTo evaluate the contributions of aging-related structural tissue changes (fibrosis) vs. cellular electrophysiological properties in the increased arrhythmia risk of aged ventricles, we exposed intact hearts and single myocytes from aged and young adult rats to oxidative stress with angiotensin II (ATII) or ionic stress with hypokalemia and assessed for occurrences of VT/VF and their triggers.Methods & ResultsTrichrome staining revealed markedly more fibrosis in ventricular tissue from aged than from young adult rats (38 ± 12% vs. 2.0 ± 0.6%, P 4s), but only in aged myocytes at more rapid pacing cycle lengths (1-3 s)ConclusionFibrosis plays a central role in the increased vulnerability of aged hearts to VT/VF during ATII or hypokalemia exposure, although aging-related cellular electrophysiological changes may contribute modestly.