cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Descartes on the Identity of Passion and Action

According to the standard Aristotelian doctrine of the identity of passion and action (Ipa), a passion and the action with which it is identified are distinguished through a distinction of reason, and both passion and action are located in the patient. Descartes has recently been interpreted by some scholars to be rejecting Ipa in favor of a view that throws into contention a dualistic interpretation of his philosophy of mind. This article contends that Descartes did hold Ipa, albeit expressed in his own metaphysical vocabulary of substance and mode. On this interpretation, (1) a passion and the action with which it is identified are distinguished through a conceptual distinction or distinction of reason and (2) the passion and the action constitute one and the same mode which is locatedin the patient. This result is significant first, because it shows Descartes's retention of a fundamentally Aristotelian understanding of the metaphysical categories of passion and action and second, because it removes som...
Impaired Thymic Selection and Abnormal Antigen-Specific T Cell Responses in Foxn1Δ/Δ Mutant Mice

Background: Foxn1 D/D mutant mice have a specific defect in thymic development, characterized by a block in TEC differentiation at an intermediate progenitor stage, and blocks in thymocyte development at both the DN1 and DP cell stages, resulting in the production of abnormally functioning T cells that develop from an atypical progenitor population. In the current study, we tested the effects of these defects on thymic selection. Methodology/Principal Findings: We used Foxn1 D/D ; DO11 Tg and Foxn1 D/D ; OT1 Tg mice as positive selection and Foxn1 D/ D ; MHCII I-E mice as negative selection models. We also used an in vivo system of antigen-specific reactivity to test the function of peripheral T cells. Our data show that the capacity for positive and negative selection of both CD4 and CD8 SP thymocytes was reduced in Foxn1 D/D mutants compared to Foxn1 +/D control mice. These defects were associated with reduction of both MHC Class I and Class II expression, although the resulting peripheral T cells have a broad TCR Vb repertoire. In this deficient thymic environment, immature CD4 and CD8 SP thymocytes emigrate from the thymus into the periphery. These T cells had an incompletely activated profile under stimulation of the TCR signal in vitro, and were either hypersensitive or hyporesponsive to antigen-specific stimulation in vivo. These cell-autonomous defects were compounded by the hypocellular peripheral environment caused by low thymic output. Conclusions/Significance: These data show that a primary defect in the thymic microenvironment can cause both direct defects in selection which can in turn cause indirect effects on the periphery, exacerbating functional defects in T cells.
IN VITRO STUDIES OF BEATING HEART CELLS IN CULTURE. XVI. THE EFFECT OF A HEAT STABLE SERUM FRACTION ON THE LEVEL OF MYOSIN ADENOSINETRIPHOSPHATASE.

A heat stable serum factor of low molecular weight maintains the myosin ATPase activity of cultured rat heart cells. Its action is directly on the heart cells and it does not act by selection of heart muscle cells. It has no effect on heart muscle creatine phosphokinase or lactic dehydrogenase nor on myosin in skeletal muscle cultures.
Factors affecting recovery from work-related, low back disorders in autoworkers

Abstract Oleske DM, Neelakantan J, Andersson GB, Hinrichs BG, Lavender SA, Morrissey MJ, Zold-Kilbourn P, Taylor E. Factors affecting recovery from work-related, low back disorders in autoworkers. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1362–4. Objective To simultaneously evaluate personal, medical, and job factors that could affect recovery from work-related, low back disorders, specifically focusing on an active working sample. Design Observational, longitudinal study. Setting Two US automotive plants. Participants Employees (N=352; 289 men, 63 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 45.1±7.5y) who were active hourly autoworkers, diagnosed with work-related, low back disorder by the plant's medical department. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measure Oswestry Disability Questionnaire for back pain was used to evaluate recovery. Results Factors associated with better recovery were lower stress levels ( P P P P Conclusions Personal modifiable factors are major influences in the recovery from work-related, low back disorders, even in active working populations. Interventions aimed at increasing exercise and decreasing stress should also be considered as a part of rehabilitation in employed persons with low levels of disability.
On steady motions of an elastic rod with application to contact problems

Based on the directed theory of an elastic rod developed by Green, Naghdi and several of their co-workers, this paper presents a formulation which is convenient to use when considering steady motions of elastic rods. A properly invariant linear theory of this formulation is also developed and used to analyze several systems. These systems involve surface constraints and find application in various technologies where elastic rod-like bodies are present.
A biomimetic mass-flow transducer utilizing all-optofluidic generation of self-digitized, pulse code-modulated optical pulse trains.

We present a new mass-flow transducer producing responses in the form of optical pulse trains that are encoded with information on the strength and position of the stimulus. We implemented the self-digitization and encoding capabilities all-optofluidically, without involving external electronics, by integrating one optical fiber cantilever with multiple polymer optical waveguides on a microfluidic platform. The transducer can also be configured to respond only to transitional stimuli. These features closely mimic the rate-coding, action potential labeling, and rapid adaptation processes observed in biological mechanoreceptors and allow multiple transducers to transmit signals over a single, shared channel. We fabricated the transducer using polymer-based soft-lithography techniques. Its characterization confirmed the stimulus strength-dependent generation of optical pulses and the feasibility of multiplexing 2n−1 to 2n transducers using n waveguides.
Energy-Reversible Complementary NEM Logic Gates

In this paper, we introduced for the first time the energy-reversible complementary nanoelectromechanical (ER CNEM) logic gates and demonstrated their superiority over the conventional relays in terms of voltage, energy, and reliability. The ER CNEM logic a promising candidate for low standby and low operating power applications.
Models for low resolution slit scan measurements based on high resolution laser scanning image analysis: DNA and nuclear dimensions

Abstract A laser scanning microscope has been developed and employed to make high precision measurements of cells from clinical cervical samples. These specimens have been stained with the DNA specific fluorochrome mithramycin and the fluorescent images analyzed to give information on nuclear size, DNA content and nuclear shape. This information has been used to develop low resolution parameters as measured with flow cytometers, thus permitting some comparisons between high resolution and low resolution features as measured from the same cells. The results indicate that both low resolution flow slit scan and high resolution pattern recognition techniques yield the same average cellular information. However, low resolution methods are insensitive to shape and the influence of shape on the broadening of low resolution features is now under investigation.
Cytotoxic effect of myelin basic protein-reactive T cells on cultured oligodendrocytes

Abstract To help clarify effector mechanisms in experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE), the cytotoxic effects of myelin basic protein (MBP)-reactive lymphocytes on oligodendrocytes were studied using a 51 Cr release assay. MBP-reactive encephalitogenic T cell lines were cytotoxic to 51 Cr-labeled oligodendrocyte target cells derived from Lewis rat fetal brain-dissociated culture, when incubated for 6 h in the presence of antigen-presenting cells (APC) and MBP ( percent 51 Cr release = 65±3% vs. spontaneous release = 22±3% vs. normal lymph node cells + APC and MBP = 20 ± 3%). This reaction is time dependent, likely MHC restricted, and is not just a nonspecific toxic effect against any Lewis target cells since neither fibroblasts nor astrocytes were affected. Other (tetanus toxoid-reactive) lymphoblasts stimulated by specific antigen were not cytotoxic to the oligodendrocytes. These findings suggest that oligodendrocytes might be target cells for MBP-reactive lymphocytes in EAE if antigen presentation is appropriate.
Displacement for Development? The Impact of Changing State–Society Relations

Abstract The involuntary movement of people by the state for development purposes has been repeated across the world, often with disastrous results. This article examines two factors frequently cited by analysts for project failures: the role of prevailing development paradigms and the extent of community involvement in project planning and implementation. Using two tourism-related projects from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the analysis focuses on the effects of changing state–society relations on such projects and, in particular, on the ways a political liberalization process may allow for a greater, if differential, impact of civil society organizations.
Miconia indicoviolacea (Melastomataceae: Miconieae): a new Colombian species from the western flanks of the cordillera Occidental

Miconia indicoviolacea is described from the western slopes of the western cordillera in the Choco biogeographic region of Colombia, illustrated, and compared with superficially similar species that are also endemic to the country. It is readily recognized by its prevailingly purple to dark blue inflorescence branches, peduncles, and internodes, minute glandular-puberulent vegetative and hypanthial indumentum, caudate foliar apex, dorsally inclined anther pores, glabrous rounded to truncate dorso-basal staminal appendages, and seeds with a conspicuous appendage at the chalazal end and a raphal zone that is approximately double the size of the seed corpus.
Survival of the Jovian planets with the Sun a Red Giant

The survival of the Jovian planets and their satellites as the Sun becomes a Red Giant is considered. It is found that the Jovian planets would not lose any matter - not even hydrogen. The satellites would lose their gaseous or volatile envelopes. Their rocky cores would resist melting and survive. Both the planets and the satellites would be unsuited to support human life.
Adaptor protein complexes and intracellular transport

The AP (adaptor protein) complexes are heterotetrameric protein complexes that mediate intracellular membrane trafficking along endocytic and secretory transport pathways. There are five different AP complexes: AP-1, AP-2 and AP-3 are clathrin-associated complexes; whereas AP-4 and AP-5 are not. These five AP complexes localize to different intracellular compartments and mediate membrane trafficking in distinct pathways. They recognize and concentrate cargo proteins into vesicular carriers that mediate transport from a donor membrane to a target organellar membrane. AP complexes play important roles in maintaining the normal physiological function of eukaryotic cells. Dysfunction of AP complexes has been implicated in a variety of inherited disorders, including: MEDNIK (mental retardation, enteropathy, deafness, peripheral neuropathy, ichthyosis and keratodermia) syndrome, Fried syndrome, HPS (Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome) and HSP (hereditary spastic paraplegia).
PipeRench: a reconfigurable architecture and compiler

With the proliferation of highly specialized embedded computer systems has come a diversification of workloads for computing devices. General-purpose processors are struggling to efficiently meet these applications' disparate needs, and custom hardware is rarely feasible. According to the authors, reconfigurable computing, which combines the flexibility of general-purpose processors with the efficiency of custom hardware, can provide the alternative. PipeRench and its associated compiler comprise the authors' new architecture for reconfigurable computing. Combined with a traditional digital signal processor, microcontroller or general-purpose processor, PipeRench can support a system's various computing needs without requiring custom hardware. The authors describe the PipeRench architecture and how it solves some of the pre-existing problems with FPGA architectures, such as logic granularity, configuration time, forward compatibility, hard constraints and compilation time.
ADVERSE PULMONARY EFFECTS OF INVOLUNTARY SMOKING ON ADOLESCENT ATHLETES

In a previous study we showed a relationship between involuntary smoking and increased frequency of cough and decreased pulmonary function in teenage athletes. In order to further examine this relationship we performed a second study using a larger group (314 12-17 year old high school athletes) and an interviewing instrument developed by the American Thoracic Society (ATS-DLD). A structured interview assessed pulmonary symptoms, personal smoking habits and passive cigarette smoke exposure. All subjects performed forced expiratory maneuvers on a computer assisted portable spirometer. We measured forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and maximal mid-expiratory flow rate [FEF(25-75)]. The best of three acceptable measures was utilized. Of the 314 subjects, 3.2% were active smokers and were excluded. Of the remaining 304 athletes, 65% were currently exposed to involuntary smoking. We found, in multiple regression analyses, that exposure was significantly associated with lower FEV1 and lower FVC (p 0.05), independent of cough. The prevalence of cough was found to be five times as frequent in the exposed subjects. The two studies, taken together, establish the association of involuntary smoking with compromised airways function and cough in adolescent athletes. Pediatricians need to consider involuntary smoking in the differential diagnosis of chronic cough and decreased pulmonary function.
Toward intuitive teleoperation of micro/nano-manipulators with piezoelectric stick-slip actuators

Commercial micro/nano-manipulators, which utilize piezoelectric stick-slip actuators to achieve high precision over a large workspace, are currently controlled by a human operator at the joint level, leading to unintuitive and time-consuming teleoperation. Prior work has considered the use of computer-vision-feedback to close a control loop for improved performance, but computer-vision-feedback is not a viable option for many end users. In this paper, we discuss how open-loop models of the micro/nano-manipulator can be used to achieve desired end-effector movements, and we explain the process of obtaining open-loop models. We propose a rate-control teleoperation method that utilizes the obtained model, and we experimentally quantify the effectiveness of the method using a common commercial manipulator (the Kleindiek MM3A).
A Comparison of Item Fit Statistics for Mixed IRT Models

In this study we examined procedures for assessing model-data fit of item response theory (IRT) models for mixed format data. The model fit indices used in this study include PARSCALE's G2, Orlando and Thissen's S − X2 and S − G2, and Stone's χ2* and G2*. To investigate the relative performance of the fit statistics at the item level, we conducted two simulation studies: Type I error and power studies. We evaluated the performance of the item fit indices for various conditions of test length, sample size, and IRT models. Among the competing measures, the summed score-based indices S − X2 and S − G2 were found to be the sensible and efficient choice for assessing model fit for mixed format data. These indices performed well, particularly with short tests. The pseudo-observed score indices, χ2* and G2*, showed inflated Type I error rates in some simulation conditions. Consistent with the findings of current literature, the PARSCALE's G2 index was rarely useful, although it provided reasonable results for long tests.
High basal STAT4 balanced by STAT1 induction to control type 1 interferon effects in natural killer cells

The best-characterized type 1 interferon (IFN) signaling pathway depends on signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT2. The cytokines can, however, conditionally activate all STATs. Regulation of their access to particular signaling pathways is poorly understood. STAT4 is important for IFN-γ induction, and NK cells are major producers of this cytokine. We report that NK cells have high basal STAT4 levels and sensitivity to type 1 IFN–mediated STAT4 activation for IFN-γ production. Increases in STAT1, driven during viral infection by either type 1 IFN or IFN-γ, are associated with decreased STAT4 access. Both STAT1 and STAT2 are important for antiviral defense, but STAT1 has a unique role in protecting against sustained NK cell IFN-γ production and resulting disease. The regulation occurs with an NK cell type 1 IFN receptor switch from a STAT4 to a STAT1 association. Thus, a fundamental characteristic of NK cells is high STAT4 bound to the type 1 IFN receptor. The conditions of infection result in STAT1 induction with displacement of STAT4. These studies elucidate the critical role of STAT4 levels in predisposing selection of specific signaling pathways, define the biological importance of regulation within particular cell lineages, and provide mechanistic insights for how this is accomplished in vivo.
The Influence of Christianity upon the Roman Empire

It has commonly been taken for granted that Christianity must have had a great and beneficent influence upon the Roman Empire, within which it had its origin and whose official religion it finally became. This not unnatural assumption is, however, very difficult to substantiate. One may recognize that the religion of Christ was a great advance upon the paganism of antiquity, and that its final victory was a blessing to the world, and yet find it far from easy to show how and to what extent the Roman world was benefited by it. It is simple enough to point to individual lives within the Christian church that were purified and helped. But to prove that the common level of life within the Empire was raised, that society at large was bettered, that the general moral standard was elevated, that political principles and civil institutions and economic ideals were improved by its influence, is altogether another matter. It is not enough to content ourselves with the assumption that Christianity being in itself a good thing must have been good for the Roman world; it is incumbent upon us to show that it actually proved so.
Public education regarding resuscitation: effects of a multimedia intervention.

Study objective: Previous studies have demonstrated inaccuracies in knowledge and perceptions regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among the general public. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of a multimedia educational intervention on knowledge base and resuscitation preferences among the lay public. Methods: In this prospective interventional study with preintervention and postintervention measurements, a validated multisite survey was administered to 310 volunteer lay participants in community-based settings during 2001 and 2002. The survey was piloted and validated (percentage of agreement index 98.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9810 to 0.9900). An original 8-minute multimedia educational video was written and produced by physicians to provide educational information about cardiac resuscitation to the lay public. Results: Among 310 participants, the mean age was 40 years (range 17 to 92 years), 67% were female, and 57% reported household incomes of more than $30,000. Participants’ median estimates of predicted postcardiac arrest survival rate before and after the educational intervention were 50% and 16%, respectively (median change 30%; 95% CI 25% to 35%). Median estimated durations of resuscitative efforts in the emergency department before and after the educational intervention were 30 minutes and 19 minutes, respectively (median change 10 minutes; 95% CI 5 to 15 minutes). For a series of hypothetical scenarios, significantly more participants indicated that they would refuse resuscitative efforts in scenarios involving terminally ill patients after the educational intervention. Conclusion: Inaccurate perceptions regarding cardiac resuscitation and postarrest survival exist among the lay public. A novel educational intervention demonstrated effective improvements in knowledge base regarding resuscitation, resulting in significant effects on resuscitation preferences among the lay public. Improved public education regarding resuscitation is needed to improve knowledge regarding CPR among the lay public.
Evaluating the competency of gynecology residents in the operating room: validation of a new assessment tool

Objective The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a brief, reliable rating scale to measure resident surgical competency. Study Design For 12 months, the gynecology faculty at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center completed a prototype global rating scale after each surgery. Concurrently, each resident completed the same assessment form as a self-evaluation. Factor analysis, Cronbach's α, Pearson correlations, and one-way analysis of variance were used to evaluate internal consistency and validity. Results Using factor analysis, the assessment form was modified to create the Hopkins Assessment of Surgical Competency (HASC). This contained 2 scales, General Surgical Skills and Case Specific Surgical Skills. The Cronbach's α ranged from 0.86 to 0.89. The item-scale Pearson correlations ranged from 0.74 to 0.87. Senior residents scored significantly higher than junior residents and last rotation scores were significantly higher than the first. Conclusion The HASC is a concise, valid, and reliable tool for assessing surgical competency in the clinical setting.
Anomalies associated with gastroschisis and omphalocele: Analysis of 2825 cases from the Texas Birth Defects Registry

Abstract Background/Purpose The increasing prevalence of abdominal wall defects prompted analysis of anomalies associated with gastroschisis and omphalocele in the Texas Birth Defects Registry (TDBR). Methods Cases of gastroschisis (ICD9 code 756.71), omphalocele (756.70), and/or unspecified anomalies of the abdominal wall (756.79) were obtained from the TDBR after IRB approval and analyzed using Microsoft Access© and Excel© databases. Results Analysis began with 2825 cases including 1831 of gastroschisis, 814 of omphalocele, and 180 of unspecified abdominal wall defects plus 9680 associated anomalies that were classified according to system. The overall prevalence of abdominal wall defects among 3,806,299 Texas births from 1999 to 2008 was 7.4 per 10,000 with 4.8 per 10,000 for gastroschisis and 2.1 for omphalocele. After excluding ambiguous cases (8.5% possibly misclassified), anomaly spectra were similar for the two AWD with musculoskeletal (limb contractures or defects), cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and central nervous system defects being most common. Of 1831 cases with gastroschisis, 594 (32%) had associated anomalies compared to 654 (80%) of 814 omphalocele cases. Conclusions Gastroschisis as well as omphalocele has significant associated anomalies that are important to appreciate during pre- and postnatal management.
Trans-splicing with the group I intron ribozyme from Azoarcus

Group I introns are ribozymes (catalytic RNAs) that excise themselves from RNA primary transcripts by catalyzing two successive transesterification reactions. These cis-splicing ribozymes can be converted into trans-splicing ribozymes, which can modify the sequence of a separate substrate RNA, both in vitro and in vivo. Previous work on trans-splicing ribozymes has mostly focused on the 16S rRNA group I intron ribozyme from Tetrahymena thermophila. Here, we test the trans-splicing potential of the tRNA(Ile) group I intron ribozyme from the bacterium Azoarcus. This ribozyme is only half the size of the Tetrahymena ribozyme and folds faster into its active conformation in vitro. Our results showed that in vitro, the Azoarcus and Tetrahymena ribozymes favored the same set of splice sites on a substrate RNA. Both ribozymes showed the same trans-splicing efficiency when containing their individually optimized 5' terminus. In contrast to the previously optimized 5'-terminal design of the Tetrahymena ribozyme, the Azoarcus ribozyme was most efficient with a trans-splicing design that resembled the secondary structure context of the natural cis-splicing Azoarcus ribozyme, which includes base-pairing between the substrate 5' portion and the ribozyme 3' exon. These results suggested preferred trans-splicing interactions for the Azoarcus ribozyme under near-physiological in vitro conditions. Despite the high activity in vitro, however, the splicing efficiency of the Azoarcus ribozyme in Escherichia coli cells was significantly below that of the Tetrahymena ribozyme.
Constrictive pericarditis in the modern era: novel criteria for diagnosis in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Objectives This study sought to determine the clinical utility of a new catheterization criterion for the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis (CP). Background The finding of early rapid filling and equalization of end-diastolic pressures obtained by cardiac catheterization are necessary for the diagnosis of CP, but these findings are also present in patients with restrictive myocardial disease (RMD). Enhanced ventricular interaction is unique to CP. Methods High-fidelity intracardiac pressure waveforms from 100 consecutive patients undergoing hemodynamic catheterization for diagnosis of CP versus RMD were examined. Fifty-nine patients had surgically documented CP and comprised group 1; the remaining 41 patients with RMD comprised group 2. The ratio of the right ventricular to left ventricular systolic pressure-time area during inspiration versus expiration (systolic area index) was used as a measurement of enhanced ventricular interaction. Results There were statistically significant differences in the conventional catheterization criteria between CP and RMD, but the predictive accuracy of any of the criteria was Conclusions The ratio of right ventricular to left ventricular systolic area during inspiration and expiration is a reliable catheterization criterion for differentiating CP from RMD, which incorporates the concept of enhanced ventricular interdependence.
Impact of Gestational Bisphenol A on Oxidative Stress and Free Fatty Acids: Human Association and Interspecies Animal Testing Studies

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume chemical and an endocrine disruptor. Developmental exposures to BPA have been linked to adult metabolic pathologies, but the pathways through which these disruptions occur remain unknown. This is a comprehensive interspecies association vs causal study to evaluate risks posed by prenatal BPA exposure and to facilitate discovery of biomarkers of relevance to BPA toxicity. Samples from human pregnancies during the first trimester and at term, as well as fetal and/or adult samples from prenatally BPA-treated sheep, rats, and mice, were collected to assess the impact of BPA on free fatty acid and oxidative stress dynamics. Mothers exposed to higher BPA during early to midpregnancy and their matching term cord samples displayed increased 3-nitrotyrosine (NY), a marker of nitrosative stress. Maternal samples had increased palmitic acid, which was positively correlated with NY. Sheep fetuses and adult sheep and rats prenatally exposed to a human-relevant exposure dose of BPA showed increased systemic nitrosative stress. The strongest effect of BPA on circulating free fatty acids was observed in adult mice in the absence of increased oxidative stress. This is the first multispecies study that combines human association and animal causal studies assessing the risk posed by prenatal BPA exposure to metabolic health. This study provides evidence of the induction of nitrosative stress by prenatal BPA in both the mother and fetus at time of birth and is thus supportive of the use of maternal NY as a biomarker for offspring health.
Rapid Response Team in an Academic Institution: Does It Make a Difference?

Background Although data remain contradictory, rapid response systems are implemented across US hospitals. We aimed to determine whether implementation of a rapid response team (RRT) in a tertiary academic hospital improved outcomes. Methods Our hospital is a tertiary academic medical center with 24-h in-house resident coverage. We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing 27 months after implementation of the RRT (April 1, 2006, to June 31, 2008) and 9 months before (January 1, 2005, to September 31, 2005). Outcomes included incidence of codes (cardiac and/or respiratory arrests), outcome of the codes, and overall hospital mortality. Results We analyzed 16,244 nonobstetrics hospital admissions and 70,208 patient days in the control period and 45,145 nonobstetrics hospital admissions and 161,097 patient days after the RRT was implemented. The RRT was activated 1,206 times (7.7 calls per 1,000 patient days). There was no difference in the code rate (0.83 vs 0.98 per 1,000 patient days, P = .3). There was a modest but nonsustained improvement in nonobstetrics hospital mortality during the study period (2.40% vs 2.15%; P = .05), which could not be explained by the RRT effect on code rates. The mortality was 2.40% in the control group and 2.06%, 1.94%, and 2.46%, respectively, during the next three consecutive 9-month intervals. Conclusions In our single-institution study involving an academic hospital with 24-h in-house coverage, we found that RRT implementation did not reduce code rates in the 27 months after intervention. Although there was a decrease in overall hospital mortality, this decrease was small, nonsustained, and not explained by the RRT effect on code rates.
Intermittent hypoxia increases insulin resistance in genetically obese mice.

Obstructive sleep apnoea, a syndrome that leads to recurrent intermittent hypoxia, is associated with insulin resistance in obese individuals, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain unknown. We utilized a mouse model to examine the effects of intermittent hypoxia on insulin resistance in lean C57BL/6J mice and leptin-deficient obese (C57BL/6J−Lepob) mice. In lean mice, exposure to intermittent hypoxia for 5 days (short term) resulted in a decrease in fasting blood glucose levels (from 173 ± 11 mg dl−1 on day 0 to 138 ± 10 mg dl−1 on day 5, P < 0.01), improvement in glucose tolerance without a change in serum insulin levels and an increase in serum leptin levels in comparison with control (2.6 ± 0.3 vs. 1.7 ± 0.2 ng ml−1, P < 0.05). Microarray mRNA analysis of adipose tissue revealed that leptin was the only upregulated gene affecting glucose uptake. In obese mice, short-term intermittent hypoxia led to a decrease in blood glucose levels accompanied by a 607 ± 136 % (P < 0.01) increase in serum insulin levels. This increase in insulin secretion after 5 days of intermittent hypoxia was completely abolished by prior leptin infusion. Obese mice exposed to intermittent hypoxia for 12 weeks (long term) developed a time-dependent increase in fasting serum insulin levels (from 3.6 ± 1.1 ng ml−1 at baseline to 9.8 ± 1.8 ng ml−1 at week 12, P < 0.001) and worsening glucose tolerance, consistent with an increase in insulin resistance. We conclude that the increase in insulin resistance in response to intermittent hypoxia is dependent on the disruption of leptin pathways.
Mechanical thrombectomy: a comparison of two rotational devices and balloon angioplasty in subacute canine femoral thrombosis.

Abstract In this study, two prototype rotational devices were compared to balloon angioplasty in a canine model of subacute arterial thrombosis. Radiographic 2- to 8-day-old total thrombotic occlusions were produced in 30 canine femoral arteries. A high-speed rotating device with a cutting tip was used in 18 arteries. Successful opening occurred in every case, with a residual percent diameter stenosis at 45 ± 25%. Vessel perforation was seen in 6 of the 18 arteries. A noncutting rotational thrombectomy catheter was used in six arteries. Radiographic patency was established in two of six (residual stenosis 86 ± 28%), with one perforation with the use of the noncutting thrombectomy catheter. Balloon angioplasty reestablished radiographic patency in three of six arteries (residual stenosis 77 ± 2%). No perforations were seen with balloon dilation, but radiographic distal emboli were always observed. No radiographic emboli were observed with either of the rotational devices. We conclude that subacute arterial thromboses are easily opened with an abrasive-tipped rotating angioplasty device. Although perforations are relatively common with this prototype equipment, design changes may produce a clinically useful angioplasty device.
Self-Assessment at Work: Outcomes of Adult Learners' Reflections on Practice

This qualitative study examined the outcomes of engaging in self-assessment as perceived by students in an experience-based graduate program. Self-assessment is one of the elements of experiential learning that provided the framework for this study. Fifty students in three groups participated in an iterative process of focus group interviews and follow-up surveys over 12 months. An additional 30 students generated data upon graduation. Fifteen themes representing specific out-comes of self-assessment emerged from an inductive analysis of the data within and across groups. The findings indicated that self-assessment serves as a powerful instrument for experiential learning, strengthens commitment to competent performance in the workplace, enhances higher order skills for functioning in the workplace, and fosters self-agency and authority. The findings were interpreted within frameworks concerning experiential learning, workplace performance, and personal development. Self-assessment was found to offer prof...
Inter-Relationships Between Organizational Commitment and Job Characteristics, Job Satisfaction, Professional Behavior, and Organizational Climate

Commitment to the organization is an important behavioral dimension which can be utilized to evaluate employees' strength of attachment. Keeping employees highly committed is important, especially in not-forprofit firms whose salary scales may not be as competitive as industrial firms. Management is concerned with identifying those variables that are related to organizational commitment in order that they may design organizational strategies to maximize commitment levels. Results in a healthcare institution indicate that role conflict and role ambiguity are detrimental to commitment, while a participative climate, power, teamwork, reading professional journals, satisfaction with work and promotion opportunities, age, GS level, tenure, and length of professional employment are positively related to organizational commitment.
Automated design of flexible linkers

This paper presents a method for the systematic and automated design of flexible organic linkers for construction of metal organic-frameworks (MOFs) in which flexibility, compliance, or other mechanically exotic properties originate at the linker level rather than from the framework kinematics. Our method couples a graph grammar method for systematically generating linker like molecules with molecular dynamics modeling of linkers' mechanical response. Using this approach we have generated a candidate pool of >59,000 hypothetical linkers. We screen linker candidates according to their mechanical behaviors under large deformation, and extract fragments common to the most performant candidate materials. To demonstrate the general approach to MOF design we apply our system to designing linkers for pressure switching MOFs-MOFs that undergo reversible structural collapse after a stress threshold is exceeded.
Aquaporin-1 in plasma membrane and caveolae provides mercury-sensitive water channels across lung endothelium

Classically, water transport across endothelium of the continuous type found in the microvessels of many organs such as lung was thought to occur almost completely via the paracellular pathway through intercellular junctions. Direct transmembrane and transcellular transport was considered to be minimal. In this study, we focused on the critical transport interface in direct contact with the circulating blood by purifying luminal endothelial cell plasma membranes directly from rat lungs and then isolating the noncoated plasmalemmal vesicles or caveolae from these membranes. Immunoblotting of these fractions showed that the transmembrane water channel protein aquaporin-1 was amply expressed on the endothelial cell surface at levels comparable to rat erythrocyte plasma membranes. It was found concentrated, but not exclusively, in caveolae. The functional role of these water channels in transport was examined in rat lungs perfused in situ with tritiated water by testing known inhibitors of aquaporin-1-mediated transmembrane water transport. Mercurial sulfhydryl reagents such as HgCl2 reversibly reduced tritiated water uptake without affecting small solute transport. Just like certain epithelia, endothelia might express physiologically relevant amounts of aquaporin-1 on their cell surface to permit direct, mercurial-sensitive, transcellular transport of water.
THE NEW PULMONARY ARTERIAL CATHETERS: Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Continuous Cardiac Output

The flow-directed pulmonary artery catheter is the mainstay of hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill and injured patients. During its 25-year history, the catheter has been modified to measure mixed venous oxygen saturation, right ventricular ejection fraction, and recently, continual thermodilution cardiac output. The clinical application of the new generations of pulmonary artery catheters is reviewed in this article.
Postharvest storage temperature and film wrap effects on quality of chayote, Sechium edule Sw

SummaryChayote fruit quality deteriorates with storage. At 25°C postharvest storage, fruit lost 1.3% of its fresh weight per day compared with 0.5% day–1 at 15°C or 0.02% day–1 at 10°C. The rate of weight loss was 2–5 fold greater at 25°C than at 15°C or 10°C. During the five weeks of storage, unwrapped fruit lost over 40% of their fresh weight at 25°C, 18.9% at 15°C and 13.0% at 10°C. The shrivelled appearance due to weight loss detracts from the utility, appeal and salability of the fruits. Wrapping the fruit in a commercial grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film significantly reduced weight loss. The weight loss for the five-week storage period of PVC wrapped fruit was 8.3% at 25°C, 4.0% at 15°C and 1.3% at 10°C. The best storage of fruits was obtained with PVC film wrap at 10°C. Firmness of the skin (exocarp) and flesh (mesocarp) of the fruit remained relatively unaffected by storage at 10°C–25°C. An average skin firmness of an edible chayote fruit measured 22.1 ± 2.7 N and the flesh 14.3 ± 0.8 N. The fi...
Effects of alfalfa and fructooligosaccharide on molting parameters and bone qualities using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and conventional bone assays.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of alfalfa and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on molting performance and bone parameters compared with the conventional feed withdrawal molting procedure. A total of 36 Single Comb White Leghorn hens (84 wk of age) were used for this experiment. The hens were divided into 6 treatment groups with 6 birds per treatment: pretrial control (PC), full fed (FF), feed withdrawal (FW), 100% alfalfa (A100), A100 + 0.375% FOS (A100L), and A100 + 0.75% FOS (A100H). At the end of the 9-d molt period, hens were euthanized, and tibia and femurs were collected to evaluate bone qualities using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), Instron (Model 1011 Instron Universal Testing Machine, Instron Corp., Canton. MA), and conventional bone assays. Egg production was recorded during the molting period to evaluate first day out of production, and ovary was also collected to measure ovary weight. Alfalfa molting diets had comparable molting parameters, such as percentage of BW loss, ovary weight, and first day out of egg production, to the conventional feed withdrawal molting procedure, and FOS supplementation did not have any detrimental effects on molting performance. Conventional bone assay and DXA results suggest that hens lose a considerable amount of bone minerals during a molting period. The tibia and femur bone strengths of the FF, FW, A100, and A100L hens were significantly lower than the PC hens, whereas hens fed A100H had similar tibia bone breaking strength to that of the PC hens. The bone parameters measured by conventional assays, bone breaking strength measured by Instron, and bone density and mineral content measured by DXA were highly correlated to each other.
Bevacizumab and risk of hand-foot syndrome associated with chemotherapy.

e13591 Background: Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a dose-limiting cutaneous side effect of many chemotherapeutic agents. Its pathogenesis and risk factors have not been well understood. In this study,...
Sequence domain transfer matrix model of three-phase voltage source converters

Interactions between three-phase grid-connected voltage source converter (VSC) and ac network have been analyzed using the VSC ac-side impedance models in the dq-domain, and more recently, in the sequence domain. Both dq and sequence domain approaches ignore the effects of a network at the VSC dc-side terminals. Interactions between VSC and dc network have been similarly analyzed by ignoring the effects of the ac network. This paper presents a sequence domain transfer matrix model of a grid-connected VSC, which accurately captures coupling between the ac and dc sides of the VSC and also between the positive and negative sequence components of the three-phase VSC variables. The proposed model is used to analyze stability of a VSC-based HVDC terminal in an offshore wind farm. It is shown that the analysis of resonance and stability problems, at low frequencies on the dc-side and/or around the fundamental frequency on the ac-side, has to consider the complete matrix model of the VSC and the coupling terms cannot be neglected. The transfer matrix model and stability analysis predictions are validated using simulations of an offshore wind farm with the HVDC transmission to grid.
Tropical Cyclone Outflow and Warm Core Structure as Revealed by HS3 Dropsonde Data

AbstractDropsonde data collected during the NASA Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) field campaign from 16 research missions spanning 6 tropical cyclones (TCs) are investigated, with an emphasis on TC outflow and the warm core. The Global Hawk (GH) AV-6 aircraft provided a unique opportunity to investigate the outflow characteristics due to a combination of 18+-h flight durations and the ability to release dropsondes from high altitudes above 100 hPa. Intensifying TCs are found to be associated with stronger upper-level divergence and radial outflow relative to nonintensifying TCs in the sample, regardless of current intensity. A layer of 2–4 m s−1 inflow 20–50 hPa deep is also observed 50–100 hPa above the maximum outflow layer, which appears to be associated with lower-stratospheric descent above the eye. The potential temperature of the outflow is found to be more strongly correlated with the equivalent potential temperature of the boundary layer inflow than to the present storm intensity, consi...
Dioxygen activation by nonheme iron enzymes with the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad that generate high-valent oxoiron oxidants

The 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad is a widely used scaffold to bind the iron center in mononuclear nonheme iron enzymes for activating dioxygen in a variety of oxidative transformations of metabolic significance. Since the 1990s, over a hundred different iron enzymes have been identified to use this platform. This structural motif consists of two histidines and the side chain carboxylate of an aspartate or a glutamate arranged in a facial array that binds iron(II) at the active site. This triad occupies one face of an iron-centered octahedron and makes the opposite face available for the coordination of O2 and, in many cases, substrate, allowing the tailoring of the iron-dioxygen chemistry to carry out a plethora of diverse reactions. Activated dioxygen-derived species involved in the enzyme mechanisms include iron(III)-superoxo, iron(III)-peroxo, and high-valent iron(IV)-oxo intermediates. In this article, we highlight the major crystallographic, spectroscopic, and mechanistic advances of the past 20 years that have significantly enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms of O2 activation and the key roles played by iron-based oxidants.
Design of intention-based assistive robot for upper limb

Robotic assistive devices for rehabilitation have proven to be beneficial for many individuals with impaired limbs by providing accessible, consistent and cost-effective therapy. However, it is imp...
The Unit Circle as a Grounded Conceptual Structure in Precalculus Trigonometry

Learning trigonometry poses a challenge to many high school students, impeding their access to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We argue that a particular visuospatial model called the unit circle acts as an integrated conceptual structure that supports solving problems encountered during learning and transfers to a broader range of problems in the same domain. We have found that individuals who reported visualizing trigonometric expressions on the unit circle framework performed better than those who did not report using this visualization. Further, a brief lesson in use of the unit circle produced postlesson benefits relative to no lesson or a rule-based lesson, but only for participants who exhibited some partial understanding of the relevant concepts in a pretest. The difficulties encountered by students without sufficient prior knowledge of the unit circle underscores the challenge we face in helping them build grounded conceptual structures that support acquiring mathematical abilities.
Servant or Service? The Problem and a Conceptual Solution

The present article addresses issues within U.S. collegiate sport as it pertains to the physical preparation and health and well-being of intercollegiate athletes. Specifically, the sport coach is often perceived as “all knowing” about every facet of their sport when, in fact, they typically are not formally educated or well-trained in current methods of enhancing sport performance. Often strength and conditioning coaches, who may also be poorly trained, are tied directly (financially and administratively) to the sport coach—a situation which has led to a subservient role heavily influenced by the wishes of the sport coach. This has unfortunately resulted in the multidimensional well-being of the athlete clearly not being a primary objective in many programs.
Reduced oxygen tension culturing conditionally alters toxicogenic response of differentiated H9c2 cardiomyoblasts to acrolein.

Acrolein is a reactive electrophilic aldehyde known to cause mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and dysregulation of signaling transduction in vitro. Most in vitro systems employ standard...