cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Motion analysis of right ventricular dysfunction under mild or moderate pressure overload caused by acute pulmonary embolism.

Abstract Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is the third most common cause of death in the United States. Appearing as a sudden blockage in a major pulmonary artery, APE may cause mild, moderate or severe right ventricular (RV) overload. Although severe RV overload produces diagnostically obvious RV mechanical failure, little progress has been made in gaining a clinical and biophysical understanding of moderate and mild acute RV overload and its impact on RV functionality. In the research described here, we conducted a pilot study in pigs using echocardiography and observed the following abnormalities in RV functionality under acute mild or moderate RV overload: (i) occurrence of paradoxical septal motion with “waving” dynamics; (ii) decrease in local curvature of the septum (p
Multifunctional fiberglass-reinforced PMMA-BaTiO3 structural/dielectric composites

Abstract Fiberglass-reinforced polymer composites were investigated for potential use as structural dielectrics in multifunctional capacitors that require simultaneous excellent mechanical properties and good energy storage characteristics. Composites were fabricated employing poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, as the structural matrix. While barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanopowder was added to the composites for its high room temperature dielectric constant, fiberglass was employed to confer high stiffness. A conductive polymer blend of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) was used to coat the BaTiO3 nanoparticles with the purpose of further elevating the dielectric constant of the resultant PMMA-composites. FTIR spectroscopy, TGA and SEM measurements were conducted to prove the successful coating of BaTiO3 nanoparticles with the PEDOT:PSS blend. TEM measurements revealed a good dispersion of coated nanoparticles throughout the PMMA matrix. The fiberglass-reinforced-PMMA composites containing neat and coated BaTiO3 were found to exhibit excellent stiffness. In addition, the use of PEDOT:PSS in conjunction with BaTiO3 was observed to improve the dielectric constant of the composites. Finally, the dielectric constant of the structural composites was found to vary only slightly with temperature.
De Kruif's Boast: Vaccine Trials and the Construction of a Virus

This article describes the sustained effort by American researchers between the mid-1930s and the mid-1950s to develop an effective influenza vaccine. From almost the beginning of this project, researchers succeeded in protecting laboratory animals from lethal influenza infection, and they believed that success with humans would follow quickly. Yet although they succeeded in producing a vaccine that proved effective in field trials in 1943 and 1945, that same vaccine failed to offer any protection in 1947. This vaccine failure forced researchers to reconsider the growing evidence of antigenic variation and challenged the model of the virus that had been taken for granted.
Covariance and entropy in Markov random fields

We consider families of Markov random fields (MRFs) on an undirected graph using the exponential family representation. In earlier work [13] we proved that if the statistic that defines a family of MRFs is positively correlated, then the entropy is monotone decreasing in the exponential parameters. In this paper we address the converse, specifically within the context of the Ising model. The statistic for an edge is viewed as positive or negative as it favors similar or dissimilar values at the endpoints of the edge. We show that for an acyclic Ising model with no self statistics, the statistic is positively correlated regardless of the polarity of the edges. We further show that for a cyclic Ising model, the statistic is positively correlated if and only if the statistic is not frustrated; and that the entropy is monotone decreasing in the exponential parameters, if and only if the statistic is not frustrated.
Immigrant and Refugee ESL Students’ Challenges to Accessing Four-Year College Education: From Language Policy to Educational Policy

Research on English as a second language (ESL) students in higher education has traditionally focused on their academic writing, leaving larger issues of their college access and success unexplored. This article examines the challenges that first-generation immigrant and refugee ESL students face in accessing four-year college education through a qualitative interview study at a U.S. public university. Drawing on Bourdieu's cultural reproduction theory, we argue that what inhibits ESL students' access to and participation in four-year college education is not simply their limited English proficiency but also the structural constraints unique to this population, their limited financial resources, and the students' own tendency to self-eliminate. Based on our results, we call for a shift in higher education policy from one focusing narrowly on remediating ESL students' limited English proficiency to a more comprehensive set of policies that address the structural and economic, as well as linguistic, factors...
Advanced materials and components for lithium-ion cells for NASA missions

Human missions to Near Earth Objects, such as asteroids, planets, moons, libration points, and orbiting structures, will require safe, high specific energy, high energy density batteries to provide new or extended capabilities than are possible with today's state-of-the-art aerospace batteries. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is developing advanced High Energy and Ultra High Energy lithium-ion cells to address these needs. In order to meet the performance goals, advanced, high-performing materials are required to provide improved performance at the component-level that contributes to performance at the integrated cell level. This paper will provide an update on the performance of experimental materials through the completion of two years of development. The progress of materials development, remaining challenges, and an outlook for the future of these materials in near term cell products will be discussed.
Oxymetazoline and hypertensive crisis in a child: can we prevent it?

Summary Background Oxymetazoline nasal spray is not FDA approved for use in children less than 6 years; however, its safety and efficacy are widely accepted, and it is in widespread use in children prior to procedures that may lead to epistaxis. We report a case of intraoperative oxymetazoline toxicity in a 4-year-old boy that led to a hypertensive crisis. While examining the possible causes for this problem, we became aware that the method of drug delivery led to an unanticipated overdose. The position in which the bottle is held causes pronounced variation in the quantity of oxymetazoline dispensed. Methods To examine the impact that bottle position has on the volume delivered, we measured the volume of oxymetazoline dispensed with the bottle in the upright and inverted position. We also measured the volume of a drop of oxymetazoline dispensed from the bottle. Because an additional source of oxymetazoline exposure is from packing the nares with surgical pledgets, we analyzed the volume of oxymetazoline absorbed by each pledget. Results Squeezing the bottle in the upright position results in a fine spray of fluid that averaged 28.9 ± 6.8 μl and was largely independent of effort. This volume is nearly identical to the measured volume of a drop of oxymetazoline, which was 30 μl. However, squeezing the bottle in the inverted position resulted in a steady stream of fluid, and the volume administered was completely effort dependent. Multiple tests in the inverted position demonstrated an average volume of 1037 ± 527 μl, with a range of 473–2196 μl. Lastly, the volume of oxymetazoline absorbed by each surgical pledget was 1511 ± 184 μl. Discussion Our testing indicates that bottle position during oxymetazoline administration can cause up to a 75-fold increase in intended drug administration.
What makes a population atypical–priorities or constraints?

Priorities for movement reflect constraints deriving from the motor system, task goals, and physical environment. Atypical and typical populations alike set and reset priorities in response to constraints, and they do so at many processing loci and time scales. Efforts to understand what is atypical about a population should focus first on the constraints it encounters.
Bergson-Samuelson Social Welfare Functions and the Theory of Social Choice

I. Introduction, 73.—II. A difficulty in the single profile social preference ordering approach, 75.—III. Pareto-extension rules, 81.—IV. A set of necessary and sufficient conditions for simple majority decision, 83.—V. Conclusion, 85.
Evidence against a role for alkaline phosphatase in the dephosphorylation of plasma membrane proteins : hypophosphatasia fibroblast study

A major impasse to understanding the physiologic role(s) of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is uncertainty as to its natural substrates. Various in vitro studies have led other investigators to suggest that ALP functions as a plasma membrane phosphoprotein phosphatase, consistent with our demonstration of ecto-topography of ALP in a variety of cell types. Thus, we compared the phosphorylation of plasma membrane proteins from control fibroblasts to those from profoundly ALP-deficient fibroblasts of hypophosphatasia patients. Fibroblasts from 3 controls and 3 hypophosphatasia patients (ALP activity < 4% of control) were biosynthetically labeled with 32Pi for 2 h. 32P incorporation into total trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable material was not significantly different in control and patient cells. Plasma membranes were prepared from these cells by hypotonic shock, solubilized, and subjected to two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoretic separation. Video densitometric analysis of silver-stained 2-D gels failed to reveal any consistent difference in the protein profile between patient vs. control fibroblasts (i.e., unique species, altered pls, or increased abundance). Autoradiography of individual 2-D gels demonstrated 63 plasma membrane phosphoproteins with molecular weights ranging from 15 to 152 kDa and predominantly acidic pls. Although several of these phosphoproteins appeared to have had donor-specific labeling, none was unique or especially abundant in the hypophosphatasia group. Thus, in ALP-deficient fibroblasts, normal incorporation of 32P into total cellular protein and into all identifiable plasma membrane phosphoproteins indicates that ALP does not modulate the phosphorylation of plasma membrane proteins.
Phosphorylation of cytosolic group IV phospholipase A(2) is necessary but not sufficient for Arachidonic acid release in P388D(1) macrophages.

Activation of the cytosolic Group IV phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) by agonists has been correlated with the direct phosphorylation of the enzyme by members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Phosphorylation of the cPLA(2) increases the specific activity of the enzyme, thereby stimulating the arachidonic acid release. We show here, however, that conditions that lead to full phosphorylation of the cPLA(2) do not lead to enhanced AA release. As the above observations were made under both Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent conditions, they emphasize that the current paradigm for activation of the cPLA(2) in cells involving both phosphorylation and Ca(2+) is incomplete and that other factors should be taken into account.
Ultrasonic Detection of Nonlinear Mechanical Behavior of Adhesive Bonds

The failure mechanisms of an adhesive layer are generally separated into adhesive failure and cohesive failure. A failure is considered to be adhesive when it takes place in a thin boundary layer at the interface of the adhesive and the adherend, and cohesive when it is in the interior of the adhesive layer. To analyze failure of an adhesive bond, the adhesive layer may, therefore, be divided into three layers, namely, two boundary layers and an interior layer. For a typical adhesive bond of the thickness, say, 100 μm, the boundary layers may be of the order of 5–10 μm each.
Calpain and synaptic function

Proteolysis by calpain is a unique posttranslational modification that can change integrity, localization, and activity of endogenous proteins. Two ubiquitous calpains, mu-calpain and m-calpain, are highly expressed in the central nervous system, and calpain substrates such as membrane receptors, postsynaptic density proteins, kinases, and phosphatases are localized to the synaptic compartments of neurons. By selective cleavage of synaptically localized molecules, calpains may play pivotal roles in the regulation of synaptic processes not only in physiological states but also during various pathological conditions. Activation of calpains during sustained synaptic activity is crucial for Ca2+-dependent neuronal functions, such as neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, vesicular trafficking, and structural stabilization. Overactivation of calpain following dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis can lead to neuronal damage in response to events such as epilepsy, stroke, and brain trauma. Calpain may also provide a neuroprotective effect from axotomy and some forms of glutamate receptor overactivation. This article focuses on recent findings on the role of calpain-mediated proteolytic processes in potentially regulating synaptic substrates in physiological and pathophysiological events in the nervous system.
Serum and urinary lipoproteins in the human nephrotic syndrome: evidence for renal catabolism of lipoproteins.

Abstract The urinary excretion of lipoproteins and the possibility of catabolic alterations on glomerular filtration were investigated in four nephrotic subjects differing in etiology, serum lipoprotein profile, and 24 hr urinary output of protein and lipids. The apolipoproteins and lipoproteins of urine were compared with those of serum with respect to distribution profile, physical properties, and composition. Lipoprotein particles resembling the serum very low, intermediate, low, and high density lipoproteins (VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL, respectively) in density, particle size, and morphology were isolated from the urine. As expected from molecular sieving effects during glomerular filtration, the urinary HDL were more abundant than the lower density lipoproteins even when the plasma LDL was elevated markedly. However, little sieving effect was seen within the urinary HDL, which comprised a broad spectrum of particle sizes including the larger HDL 2 , whose average diameter was similar to that of the plasma HDL. A sieving effect was not seen in the urinary LDL, except for a greatly increased proportion, about 20% of total particles, of HDL-like species. Intact apolipoproteins were not found in the concentrated urinary fraction isolated by ultrafiltration between the limits of 10 4 and 5 × 10 4 daltons. On the basis of immunoreactivity, gel electrophoresis, and amino acid composition, apolipoproteins B and AI are the major and minor proteins, respectively, of urinary LDL, and apo B is the major protein of the urinary IDL and VLDL. Apolipoproteins AI, AII, CI, CIII, and possibly AIV were isolated from the urinary HDL. As much as 20% of the protein moiety of the urinary HDL appeared to be large apolipoprotein fragments with molecular weights and isoelectric points similar to those of apo CII and apo CIII. The fragments were derived in part from apo AI, the least acidic form of which was lost preferentially. The lower density classes of urinary lipoproteins also appeared to have lost apo E and apo C's and to have undergone partial proteolysis. Apparently, the surface-exposed, readily exchangeable apolipoproteins are subject to proteolytic degradation upon glomerular filtration.
Complications of Gastrointestinal Fiberoptic Endoscopy

Flexible fiberoptic endoscopes are being increasingly used for direct visualization and biopsy of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. The spectrum of gastrointestinal complications associated with fiberoptic esophagoscopy, gastroscopy, and colonoscopy is reviewed. Radiologic recognition and evaluation of these iatrogenic incidents is of critical importance.
Monitoring resuscitation of primates from hemorrhagic and septic shock

Monitoring data in 16 primates subjected to septic or hemorrhagic shock and resuscitated with various solutions is presented. From a practical standpoint, central venous pressure and urine output appear to be the best indices to use in the emergency department for resuscitation of the shock victim. The sophisticated measurements such as cardiac output, thermodye volumes, pulmonary artery wedge pressure and oxygen consumption should be reserved for the individual with depressed cardiovascular reserves and who needs “fine tuning” of his volume status.
Coping with the complexities of multiple-solution problems: a case study

A model is proposed to account for the expertise of a skilled immunohematologist in solving multiple-solution problems. These problems, which he must deal with daily, are concerned with ensuring the safe transfusion of blood into patients. This model suggests that he copes with this difficult class of problems by: (1) Using patterns in the data to simplify the problem, hypothesizing the number of primitive solutions necessary to account for the test results and, when possibles, decomposing the problem into a set of less complex, single-solution problems. Such decompositions then enable more powerful reasoning processes; (2) making use of a mixture of data-driven and hypothesis-driven processes in order to reduce the chances that heuristic (and therefore error-prone) methods and cognitive biases will lead away from critical data; (3) Relying on a mixture of confirmatory and rule-out processes to provide converging evidence, thus reducing the changes of error; (4) uncovering his own errors through the use of “error models” that identify the conditions where one of his processes is likely to make an error (similar to the use of student models by expert tutors to diagnose mistakes made by students).
A Critical Examination of the Observed First Aerosol Indirect Effect

Abstract The relative change in cloud droplet number concentration with respect to the relative change in aerosol number concentration, α, is an indicator of the strength of the aerosol indirect effect and is commonly used in models to parameterize this effect. Based on Twomey’s analytical expression, the values of α derived from measurements of an individual cloud (i.e., αT) can be as large as 0.60–0.90. In contrast, the values of α derived from direct measurements of polluted and clean clouds (i.e., αΔ) typically range from 0.25 to 0.85, corresponding to a weaker but more uncertain cooling effect. Clearly, reconciling αΔ with αT is necessary to properly calculate the indirect aerosol forcing. In this study, the terms that are involved in determining αT and αΔ are first analytically examined. Then, by analyzing satellite data over subtropical oceans, the satellite-observed αΔ can be successfully related to Twomey’s analytical solution. It is found that except for the dust-influenced region of the northea...
KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS REGARDING THE HEALTH AND NUTRITION OF OLDER ADULTS

This study evaluated knowledge and attitudes of undergraduates regarding nutrition and health of the aged and students' intentions of pursuing career involvement with older adults. The participants evaluated were undergraduates from three mid-western universities (n=1,755). The majority of those surveyed were uninformed and unlikely to pursue career involvement with older adults. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
Natural Gas for High Load Dual-Fuel Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) in Heavy-Duty Engines

Reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) has been shown to be capable of providing improved engine efficiencies coupled with the benefit of low emissions via in-cylinder fuel blending. Much of the previous body of work has studied the use of gasoline as the premixed low-reactivity fuel. However, there is interest in exploring the use of alternative fuels in advanced combustion strategies. Due to the strong market growth of natural gas as a fuel in both mobile and stationary applications, a study on the use of methane for RCCI combustion was performed. Single cylinder heavy-duty engine experiments were undertaken to examine the operating range of the RCCI combustion strategy with methane/diesel fueling, and was compared against gasoline/diesel RCCI operation. The experimental results show a significant load extension of RCCI engine operation with methane/diesel fueling compared to gasoline/diesel fueling. For gasoline/diesel fueling, a maximum load of 6.9 bar IMEPg at CA50 = 0° aTDC and 7.0 bar IMEPg at CA50 = 4° aTDC was obtained without use of EGR. For methane/diesel fueling a maximum load of 15.4 bar IMEPg at CA50 = 0° aTDC and 17.3 bar IMEPg at CA50 = 4° aTDC was achieved, showing the effectiveness of the use of methane in extending the load limit for RCCI engine operation.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN CLINICAL OUTCOMES, INFLAMMATION AND HYPERMETABOLISM BETWEEN SCALD AND FLAME BURN?

OBJECTIVE:: Severe thermal injury induces inflammatory and hypermetabolic responses that are associated with morbidity and mortality. However, it is not known whether the causes of burns affect inflammation, hypermetabolism, and morbidity. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is a difference in degree of inflammation, hypermetabolism, endocrine and acute-phase response, and clinical outcome between pediatric patients with scald and flame burns. INTERVENTIONS:: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:: Children with burns requiring surgical intervention were enrolled in this epidemiologic study and divided into two groups, scald or flame burn. In a second assignment, we analyzed the study populations in representative subgroups containing individuals with third-degree burns of 40% to 60% total body surface area. We determined clinical outcomes, resting energy expenditures, cytokine profiles, acute-phase proteins, constitutive proteins, and hormone panels. Statistical analysis was evaluated by analysis of variance, Student's t test corrected with the Bonferroni post hoc test, and the propensity score. Statistical significance was set at p Language: en
Magnetic polarizability of hadrons from lattice QCD in the background field method

We present a calculation of hadron magnetic polarizability using the techniques of lattice QCD. This is carried out by introducing a uniform external magnetic field on the lattice and measuring the quadratic part of a hadron's mass shift. The calculation is performed on a 24{sup 4} lattice with standard Wilson actions at beta=6.0 (spacing a=0.1 fm) and pion mass down to about 500 MeV. Results are obtained for 30 particles covering the entire baryon octet (n, p, {sigma}{sup 0}, {sigma}{sup -}, {sigma}{sup +}, {xi}{sup -}, {xi}{sup 0}, {lambda}) and decuplet ({delta}{sup 0}, {delta}{sup -}, {delta}{sup +}, {delta}{sup ++}, {sigma}*{sup 0}, {sigma}*{sup -}, {sigma}*{sup +}, {xi}*{sup 0}, {xi}*{sup -}, {omega}{sup -}), plus selected mesons ({pi}{sup 0}, {pi}{sup +}, {pi}{sup -}, K{sup 0}, K{sup +}, K{sup -}, {rho}{sup 0}, {rho}{sup +}, {rho}{sup -}, K*{sup 0}, K*{sup +}, K*{sup -}). The results are compared with available values from experiments and other theoretical calculations.
Seat Belt Use on Alabama School Buses: Preliminary Results of Pilot Study

The Alabama State Department of Education commissioned a study of school bus seat belt use on the basis of 12 buses (less than 1% of the fleet) equipped with seat belts and digital camera systems. The initial year of the study established baseline rates for normal situations. About 64,000 pupil observations were gathered from 11 buses on Tuesday through Thursday afternoon routes and from one control bus on Monday through Friday morning and afternoon routes. Afternoon route seat belt use was estimated to be 65.9% on the basis of 44,000 of the observations made. Given the small sample size, this value should be considered representative of the fleet but not exact. Belt use varied widely from bus to bus (94.5% to 4.8%). The degree of scatter was confirmed by large values of the coefficient of variation. Trends were documented for variation by day of week, morning versus afternoon, time on route, effects of bus aides, and changes in use over the school year. The findings confirmed the opinions of national exp...
A TNNI2 mutation in a family with distal arthrogryposis type 2B.

Abstract Linkage mapping in a three-generation family with a distal arthrogryposis (DA) phenotype intermediate between DA2A and DA1 indicated linkage to 11p15.5 but not 9p13. Follow up DNA sequencing of the TNNI2 gene detected a three base pair deletion that would be predicted to result in the deletion of a glutamic acid at codon position 167 (ΔE167). This mutation, like the two previously described TNNI2 mutations, is located in the carboxy-terminal domain and thus supports the existence of a TNNI2 critical region sensitive to alteration that will give rise to DA. Physical examination of family members confirms the high degree of variability in expression amongst mutation carriers.
Iron(III)/NaBH4-Mediated Additions to Unactivated Alkenes: Synthesis of Novel 20′-Vinblastine Analogues

An Fe(III)/NaBH4-mediated reaction for the functionalization of unactivated alkenes is described defining the alkene substrate scope, establishing the exclusive Markovnikov addition, exploring a range of free radical traps, examining the Fe(III) salt and initiating hydride source, introducing H2O–cosolvent mixtures, and exploring catalytic variants. Its use led to the preparation of a novel, potent, and previously inaccessible C20′-vinblastine analogue.
Structural and Functional Responses of a Sewage Microbial Community to Dilution-Induced Reductions in Diversity

The relationship between functional redundancy and microbial community structure–diversity was examined using laboratory incubations to ensure constant environmental conditions. Serial dilutions of a sewage microbial community were prepared, used to inoculate sterile sewage, and maintained in batch culture. Probability suggests that dilution of the initial community should remove rare organism types, creating mixtures of cells differing in diversity. Regrowth of the diluted mixtures generated communities similar in abundance but differing in community structure and relative diversity (as determined using two DNA fingerprinting techniques and dilution-to-extinction analysis of community-level physiological profiles). The in situ function of each regrown community was examined by monitoring the short-term uptake of five different 14C-labeled compounds (glucose, acetate, citrate, palmitic acid, and an amino acid mixture). No significant differences were detected between treatments in either the rate of uptake of a substrate or the efficiency with which each community assimilated each compound. The fact that the activity of the original community was the same as that of a community regrown from an inoculum containing fewer that 100 cells (10−6 dilution) indicates that functional redundancy was quite high in this system. For each organism type eliminated during the dilution process, at least one of the remaining types was able to provide the same function at the same level as the lost one. Further research is necessary to determine what impact this functional redundancy may have on overall ecosystem function and stability.
Cold Flow Behavior of Biodiesels Derived from Biomass Sources

Biodiesel is produced in the United States to D 6751, an ASTM standard. The source material in this fledgling industry in the U.S. is primarily soy oil, though other sources such as canola oil, waste oils, and greases from food and other sources are beginning to be exploited. At present, the referenced ASTM standard does not specify cloud and pour points values that are much higher for biodiesel than diesel derived from petroleum but allows them to be specified by the customer. There can be significant variation in these values, depending on the nature of the source material used to produce biodiesel, all of which meet the ASTM standards. This has the potential to create problems in applications as the quality of the biodiesel produced could vary widely. This study focused on quantitative measurements of cloud points of blends of biodiesel made from different sources. A correlation of these measurements with the saturated components was developed and was shown to correlate data reported in the literature ...
Effects of light and cGMP on membrane fluidity of frog rod outer segments.

—We have used a spin-labeled fatty acid to detect changes induced by light and by cGMP in isolated rod outer segment membranes. We chose a spin probe (5-doxylstearic acid) which has the nitroxide group placed on the hydrocarbon chain, so the probe should reside somewhat inside the hydrophobic region of the membrane. We found that light exposures which bleached the rhodopsin also produced a small change in the EPR spectra. The spectral changes are consistent with a small increase in membrane fluidity. Light exposures which bleach rhodopsin are known to activate a phosphodiesterase that markedly decreases the cGMP level in rod outer segment. Therefore, we attempted to vary cGMP levels directly by adding Bu2-cGMP, or indirectly, by adding IBMX, CDTA or ATP to try to inhibit the phosphodiesterase. In each case where the cGMP level is expected to increase, we observed spectral changes in the dark which suggested a small decrease in membrane fluidity. Thus, all of our results with this probe are consistent with the idea that changing the level of cGMP produces changes in membrane fluidity. The light-induced spectral changes we observed required the presence of ATP, and were inhibited by 2mM Ca2+, or by the chelator of divalent cations, CDTA.
Notions of Validity in Qualitative Research Methodology

This essay has two objectives. The first is to argue, from both philosophical and empirical perspectives, that all approaches to inquiry are inherently qualitative in nature. The second is to demonstrate that the evolution of inquiry systems has progressed through five distinct stages, each of which can be distinguished by a particular set of assumptions and procedures that inform the inquiry process. Each evolutionary stage also possesses its own characteristic guarantor of validity, that is, a key rule or set of rules meant to insure that the given approach to inquiry indeed measures that which it purports to measure. Implications for knowledge creation and utilization are discussed in some detail.
Fabrication of Transfer-Enhanced Semiconductor Substrates by Wafer Bonding and Hydrogen Exfoliation Techniques

A transfer-enhanced semiconductor substrate has been demonstrated, integrating a thin InP layer on a Si handle substrate with an imbedded porous silicon layer. A Si wafer was anodized to create a low-density porous surface layer. A thin layer of InP was transferred to the Si handle substrate through wafer bonding and hydrogen-induced exfoliation. High-resolution X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy characterization showed the structure to have high surface and crystalline quality for epitaxial deposition after undergoing chemical mechanical polishing. Layer transfer capability was demonstrated with a similar structure by mechanical fracture through the porous Si layer.
USING LARGE-SCALE DATABASES TO MEASURE OUTCOMES IN CRITICAL CARE

For a long time, critical care research has focused on mechanism of action studies in the laboratory and on efficacy studies in small groups of patients to explore the effects of specific therapies. With the reorganization in health care financing and delivery, there is a need to understand what works in medicine, and researchers are now asking such questions as does the way intensive care is delivered affect outcome (open versus closed), does a full-time intensivist versus a generalist improve outcome, do different populations access intensive care services differently, does insurance status affect access to critical care services, and are the organizational characteristics of ICUs associated with outcomes. 1,21,34 To explore these types of questions, it is usually inappropriate to conduct a prospective study. Rather, we need to conduct observational outcome studies on existing databases that describe the real world. Although the major intent of this article is to describe the availability and potential use of large-scale databases, we believe it is essential to first understand the basic principles involved in the conduct and interpretation of observational outcomes studies. Therefore, in this article we briefly overview the design of observational outcomes studies as applied to critical care medicine and then suggest criteria for evaluating data sources and for in-depth reviewing of the available data sources from which these observational studies can be conducted. For further discussion of the role of observational outcomes research in critical care, we refer the reader to the report of the recent American Thoracic Society (ATS) Workshop on Outcomes Research in Critical Care. 37
Inverse force and motion control of constrained elastic robots

We treat the question of position and force control of a three-axis elastic robotic system on a constraint surface based on nonlinear inversion of an input-output map and linear feedback stabilization. Unlike the rigid robots, the feedback linearizing control of end point motion gives rise to unstable zero dynamics. Instability of zero dynamics is avoided by controlling a parameterized output vector corresponding to a point close to the end point of the arm. Zero dynamics are stable or almost stable as long as the parameter in the output vector does not exceed a critical value. Using the inverse controller, the control of the force and the position of the end point is possible while the end effector moves on the constraint surface. However, this excites the elastic modes. For the final capture of the terminal state and vibration suppression, a linear stabilizer is designed. Simulation results are presented to show that in the closed-loop system trajectory and force control on the constraint surface is accomplished.
An Adaptive Algorithm Selection Framework

Irregular and dynamic memory reference patterns can cause performance variations for low level algorithms in general and for parallel algorithms in particular. We present an adaptive algorithm selection framework which can collect and interpret the inputs of a particular instance of a parallel algorithm and select the best performing one from a an existing library. In this paper present the dynamic selection of parallel reduction algorithms. First we introduce a set of high-level parameters that can characterize different parallel reduction algorithms. Then we describe an off-line, systematic process to generate predictive models which can be used for run-time algorithm selection. Our experiments show that our framework: (a) selects the most appropriate algorithms in 85% of the cases studied, (b) overall delievers 98% of the optimal performance, (c) adaptively selects the best algorithms for dynamic phases of a running program (resulting in performance improvements otherwise not possible), and (d) adapts to the underlying machine architecture (tested on IBM Regatta and HP V-Class systems).
Angiotensin Receptor Agonistic Autoantibody–Mediated Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Induction Contributes to Increased Soluble Endoglin Production in Preeclampsia

Background— Preeclampsia is a prevalent life-threatening hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. The circulating antiangiogenic factor, soluble endoglin (sEng), is elevated in the blood circulation of women with preeclampsia and contributes to disease pathology; however, the underlying mechanisms responsible for its induction in preeclampsia are unknown. Methods and Results— Here, we discovered that a circulating autoantibody, the angiotensin receptor agonistic autoantibody (AT1-AA), stimulates sEng production via AT1 angiotensin receptor activation in pregnant mice but not in nonpregnant mice. We subsequently demonstrated that the placenta is a major source contributing to sEng induction in vivo and that AT1-AA–injected pregnant mice display impaired placental angiogenesis. Using drug screening, we identified tumor necrosis factor-α as a circulating factor increased in the serum of autoantibody-injected pregnant mice contributing to AT1-AA–mediated sEng induction in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells...
A new densitometric procedure to measure protein levels in tissue slices used in quantitative autoradiography.

Abstract A new quantitative staining technique for the assay of protein in tissue sections using the dye Coomassie brilliant blue G 250 is discussed. This densitometric procedure uses commercially available hardware and software employed in the quantitation of receptor autoradiographs. Rather than assuming a homogeneous distribution of protein in the tissue section, regional levels of protein are measured in the same tissue slice used to produce the autoradiograph. Additionally, the process of staining tissue Coomassie blue for protein is reversible; the tissue can be destained after the measurement protein is complete and then restained with a standard histological stain such as Cresyl violet. This technique is more reliable method for normalizing receptor densities by tissue protein levels and allows for a more accurate comparison between QAR and membrane binding techniques.
Effects of disorder in the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition

Abstract A ferromagnetic planar model with random exchange is introduced. The model is solved using the replica method, at low temperatures and for small disorder. It is found that the vortex pair density decreases when adding disorder and the critical temperature T KT = π/2 + x − 1 2 x 2 + 0(x3) , with x a parameter that measures the amount of disorder. The exponent η remains equal to 0.25 to the lowest orders in x. Comparison with experiments in inhomogeneous Helium films and granular superconductors are also mentioned.
Physiological responses to self-statements: The effects of statement valence and discrepancy

Thirty-two female subjects cognitively rehearsed previously rated, important self-referent statements while psychophysiological measures of arousal (heart rate, skin conductance, and finger pulse volume)were recorded. The self-statements, based on academic, social, and family-parental problem areas, were either positively or negatively valenced. Additionally, the self-statements varied on the degree of discrepancy (distance from the the subject's belief about herself)and were presented along with neutral statements. No difference between the valenced self-statements and the neutral statements was shown by any physiological measure. For skin conductance, a significant valence by discrepancy interaction indicated that the negative, moderately discrepant statements induced greater arousal than the positive, moderately discrepant self-statements. The skin conductance results are interpreted via cognitive-behavioral and social judgment theory, and the therapeutic implications are discussed.
Safety of 70-150 μm drug eluting beads in transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

eTACE procedure. Results: 128 patients underwent eTACE over the defined 3 year period. Of these, 39 patients did not have subsequent imaging. The remaining 89 patients included in the study received 1-3 eTACE treatments. 7 of the 89 patients (8%) had findings consistent with arteritis on subsequent angiography. From a practical standpoint the side effect of arteritis can markedly limit the ability of superselective access on subsequent TACE procedures. In this study 5 of the 7 positive cases (71%) involved lobar or segmental vasculature proximal to the previously treated tumor site, potentially limiting the options for repeat TACE to that location. Conclusion: Given the paucity of data available on arteritis complications from TACE using a particular chemotherapeutic agent, assessing statistical significance on this finding is difficult. A comparison with the limited available data suggests that an 8% incidence of arteritis is quite high, with other studies providing incidences as low as 2%(1). Further studies comparing the incidence of arteritis complications from eTACE vs TACE with other agents is warranted and currently underway at this institution.
Phase transitions in ferro–antiferromagnetic bilayers with a stepped interface

Abstract We have studied magnetic ordering in ferro/antiferromagnetic (F/AF) bilayers using Monte Carlo simulations of classical Heisenberg spins. For both flat and stepped interfaces we observed order in the AF above the Neel temperature, with the AF spins aligning collinearly with the F moments. In the case of the stepped interface there is a transition from collinear to perpendicular alignment of the F and AF spins at a lower temperature.
Down-regulation of BdBRI1, a putative brassinosteroid receptor gene produces a dwarf phenotype with enhanced drought tolerance in Brachypodium distachyon

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play important roles in plant growth, development and responses to a range of environmental cues. Although the mechanism of how BRs regulate growth and development is well-understood in Arabidopsis, the effect of BRs on stress tolerance, particularly drought tolerance remains unknown. We isolated a BRI1 (BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1) homologous gene, BdBRI1 from Brachypodium distachyon, a model for temperate grasses and cereals, created and characterized RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown mutants for BdBRI1 in Brachypodium. The loss-of-function BdBRI1-RNAi mutants exhibited reduced plant height, shortened internodes, narrow and short leaf, and reduced expression of BR signaling genes, BdBES1, BdBZR1, BdBLE2, and enhanced expression of BR biosynthesis genes BdD2, BdCPD and BdDWF4. More importantly, BdBRI1 RNAi mutants exhibited enhanced drought tolerance, accompanied by highly elevated expression of drought-responsive genes, BdP5CS, BdCOR47/BdRD17, together with BdERD1 and BdRD26, two putative targets of the transcription factors BES1 and BZR1 that are key components of the BR signaling pathway. Our results suggest that BR signaling and biosynthesis are largely conserved among Arabidopsis, rice and Brachypodium, and that BR signaling plays an important role in drought tolerance by directly regulating expression of key drought-responsive genes. The effect of BR biosynthesis or crosstalks between BR and other hormones or components of stress signaling pathways on drought tolerance is discussed.
Influence of the RF Excitation of the Catalyst System on the Morphology of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition using two different methods of heating. By one method, an external resistive tube furnace was used, whereas the other method involved heating with radio frequency excitation by induction coil. A comprehensive comparison was made between these two methods with regards to feed gas utilization, nanotube growth efficiency, nanotube product characterization and morphology, and the formation of amorphous carbon and gaseous byproducts. The carbon nanotubes synthesized using radio frequency excitation exhibited smaller outer diameters, fewer carbon layers, less amorphous carbon, and superior crystalline properties than those produced by external tube furnace. The radio frequency process resulted in more rapid and sustained growth rates of the nanotubes and more efficient use of the carbon source. The reason for these enhanced effects by inductive heating may be due not only to the internally produced thermodynamic heat flow characteristics but perhaps also to induced electron currents generated within the magnetic and metallic catalytic clusters due to RF.
Evidence for female heterogametic sex determination in paddlefish Polyodon spathula based on gynogenesis

article i nfo A cohort of gynogenote paddlefish was stocked in a 26-ha lake and harvested nine years later. The sex ratio of these mature fish based on gonadal examination indicated that paddlefish female sex determination is het- erogametic rather than the previously reported homogamety. Both sexually mature males and females were present (n=177). The observed sex ratio of 19.8% male: 80.2% female is consistent with the female het- erogamety model and strengthens the emerging pattern in Acipenseriform fishes.
MMuFLR: missense mutation and frameshift location reporter.

Motivation: Cancer researchers seeking immunotherapy targets in cancer cells need tools to locate highly expressed proteins unique to cancer cells. Missense mutation and frameshift location reporter (MMuFLR), a Galaxy-based workflow, analyzes next-generation sequencing paired read RNA-seq output to reliably identify small frameshift mutations and missense mutations in highly expressed protein-coding genes. MMuFLR ignores known SNPs, low quality reads and poly-A/T sequences. For each frameshift and missense mutation identified, MMuFLR provides the location and sequence of the amino acid substitutions in the novel protein candidates for direct input into epitope evaluation tools. Availability: http://toolshed.g2.bx.psu.edu/ Contact: ude.nmu@6900htar or ude.nmu@891snhoj Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A 2-path bandpass sigma-delta modulator utilizing a 3-path structure

We present a two-path bandpass sigma-delta (/spl Sigma//spl Delta/) modulator design that improves upon current designs by completely suppressing the mirror image in the input signal band. The proposed structure introduces a modulator consisting of three paths utilized in a periodic manner, which serves to relocate the mirror image caused from path mismatch far from the signal band of interest. A specific example of a pseudo-two-path modulator utilizing a modulator based on a pseudo-three-path structure is described. This design is shown to improve the SFDR by 25dB from previous two-path techniques.
General Notation for Polarized Raman Scattering from Gases, Liquids, and Single Crystals

A completely general notation for polarized Raman scattering from gases, solutions, liquids, and single crystals is presented. This notation can be used to describe scattering from single crystals where more general crystallographic directions are employed. Scattering experiments where nonpolarized incident light is used, or where both polarization components of scattered light are observed, can also be labeled. Single crystal scattering efficiencies are discussed in terms of the generalized notation.
Delirium in a Patient with Toxic Flecainide Plasma Concentrations: The Role of a Pharmacokinetic Drug Interaction with Paroxetine

Objective:To describe a case of flecainide-induced delirium associated with a pharmacokinetic drug interaction with paroxetine.Case Summary:A 69-year-old white female presented to the emergency department with a history of confusion and paranoia over the past several days. On admission the patient was taking carvedilol 12 mg twice daily, warfarin 2 mg/day, folic acid 1 mg/day, levothyroxine 100 μg/day, pantoprazole 40 mg/day, paroxetine 40 mg/day, and flecainide 100 mg twice daily. Flecainide had been started 2 weeks prior for atrial fibrillation. Laboratory test findings on admission were notable only for a flecainide plasma concentration of 1360 μg/L (reference range 200–1000). A metabolic drug interaction between flecainide and paroxetine, which the patient had been taking for more than 5 years, was considered. Paroxetine was discontinued and the dose of flecainide was reduced to 50 mg twice daily. Her delirium resolved 3 days later.Discussion:Flecainide and pharmacologically similar agents that intera...