cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperelastic models for the swelling of soft material plugs in confined spaces

Abstract By incorporating local volume change as a parametric constraint into the conventional theory of hyperelasticity it is possible to model a variety of swelling affects. Here we examine the finite strain swelling of a soft solid plug within a rigid tube of circular cross section. The eventual channel wall contact as the swelling proceeds generates a confinement pressure that increases as the plug expands. The contact problem for a solid cylinder plug is one of homogeneous deformation, allowing the pressure-swelling response of classical hyperelastic models to be contrasted with hyperelastic models that display limited chain extensibility. We then examine a cylindrical plug that itself contains an internal channel. Wall contact now gives a deformation in which swelling combines axial lengthening with internal channel narrowing. Of particular interest is the closing behavior as the swelling proceeds. Treating the associated boundary value problem provides asymptotic expressions for the channel radius closing and the contact pressure in the large swelling regime.
Computational Delays

Decision-making processes usually involve time-consuming and costly operations of observation and communication of the state of the environment and generation and implementation of appropriate actions. Collectively these activities may be called computational and the procedure required to carry them out may be called an algorithm. If the environment is changing stochastically the fixed computational delay involved in operating the algorithm yields obsolete actions resulting in reduced expected return. The loss as a function of delay is a measure of efficiency of the algorithm which depends upon the stochastic properties of the environment. If it is possible to reduce the loss by employing a faster algorithm at a higher cost, the algorithm may be optimally designed and selected from a given family.
Engineering in vivo instability of firefly luciferase and Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase in higher plants using recognition elements from the ubiquitin pathway.

The ubiquitin pathway targets proteins for degradation through the post-translational covalent attachment of the 76 amino acid protein ubiquitin to ∈-amino lysyl groups on substrate proteins. Two instability determinants recognized by the ubiquitin pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been identified. One is described by the N-end rule and requires specific destabilizing residues at the substrate protein N-termini along with a proximal lysyl residue for ubiquitin conjugation. The second is a linear uncleavable N-terminal ubiquitin moiety. The ability of these two determinants to function in higher plants was investigated in tobacco protoplast transient transfection assays using DNA encoding variants of well characterized reporter enzymes as substrates: firefly luciferase that is localized to peroxisomes (pxLUC), a cytosolic version of LUC (cLUC), and Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase (GUS). cLUC with phenylalanine encoded at its mature N-terminus was 10-fold less abundant than cLUC with methionine at its mature N-terminus. GUS with phenylalanine encoded at its mature N-terminus was 3-fold less abundant than GUS with methionine at its mature N-terminus. The presence of a uncleavable N-terminal ubiquitin fusion resulted in 50-fold lower protein accumulation of cLUC, but had no effect on GUS. Both instability determinants had a much larger effect on cLUC than on pxLUC, suggesting that these degradation signals are either unrecognized or poorly recognized in the peroxisomes.
Roadblocks to Housing after Disaster: Homeless Veterans’ Experiences after Hurricane Sandy

AbstractIndividuals who are homeless are disproportionately likely to experience negative outcomes during disasters. Setbacks to their efforts to access needed services, such as transitional housin...
The Role of Fault in § 1983 Municipal Liability

Under Monell v. Department of Social Services, local governments are not vicariously liable for constitutional violations committed by their employees. Those governments, however, are liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations committed by "policymaking" officials. In the face of these two principles, courts have struggled with cases in which an underling commits a constitutional violation and the claim of municipal liability is based on a policymaker's failure to prevent it. The government can be liable in these "indirect-effect" cases for a policymaker's "deliberate indifference" to safeguarding constitutional rights, a standard that demands an even greater showing of culpability than gross negligence. Critics argue that this approach is misguided and that the Court should instead impose a rule of vicarious liability for all § 1983 claims made against municipalities. The goal of constitutional tort law, however, should not be either to remedy every constitutional violation or to limit liability to only the most egregious cases. Rather, the law should be structured in a way that better accommodates the competing policies that are at play in this context. These include the pro-liability values of vindication of constitutional rights and deterrence of violations, but also due regard for depletion of municipal resources and for the risk that officials will exercise too much caution. With accommodation as its guideline, the Court or Congress should abandon the deliberate-indifference test, because it is too lenient. General vicarious liability, however, is too expansive. A better approach is to adopt an objective negligence standard of liability, under which local governments would face liability in indirect-effect litigation for unreasonable failures to prevent subordinates' constitutional violations.
Use of a Synthetic Collagen to Monitor Platelet Function in Patients Receiving Dual Antiplatelet Therapy

Introduction: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are treated with aspirin and a P2Y12 antagonist to prevent myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis. Variable clinical response to both types of agents has been reported. Existing assays to identify sub-optimal response to anti-platelet therapy do not meet reported medical needs. Aim: To characterize the utility of a synthetic collagen (SynC) to monitor platelet function in patients on dual-antiplatelet therapy. Methods: Blood samples from healthy individuals (n=5) and CAD patients treated with clopidogrel (75-600 mg) with or without aspirin (75-325 mg) (n=51) were centrifuged to produce plasmas for aggregometry studies (PAP 8E, Bio/Data Corp. Horsham, PA). The aggregation response to 20 µM ADP, 500 µg/ml arachidonic acid and 190 µg/ml Type 1 biologic collagen was compared to that induced by SynC (2-200 ng/ml; JNC Corp., Yokohama, Japan). The aggregation response was characterized in terms of % aggregation, slope and AUC. Results: The average age of the enrolled patients was 65.8 years (range: 48-83 years); 35 were male and 16 were female. CAD patients exhibited the common co-morbidities of hypertension (65%), hypercholesterolemia (55%), diabetes (37.3%) and obesity (10%) and as such received concomitant treatment with β-blockers (73%), ACE inhibitors (25%), calcium channel blockers (22%), statins (84%) and anti-diabetics (47%). Using plasmas from healthy individuals and CAD patients, two lots of SynC produced a concentration-dependent aggregation response over a concentration range of 16 to 128 ng/ml. Patients treated with 81 mg aspirin and 75 mg clopidogrel (33 of 51 patients) were stratified into two groups based on their % aggregation response to SynC, using the median % aggregation as the cut point. While the two groups had a distinct response to SynC, the median responses to ADP, arachidonic acid and biologic collagen were nearly the same and there was a strong overlap between the responses to these agonists in the two sub-groups. This is most evident at the lower concentrations of SynC. Conclusions: SynC-induced platelet aggregation may identify sub-groups of patients with sub-optimal response to dual antiplatelet therapy that go undetected with traditional platelet agonists. Studies to clarify why biologic and synthetic collagens have different sensitivities to aspirin and clopidogrel are warranted. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Rationality and Ethics of Promotional Drug Literature in Medical Journals

Introduction: Currently irrational prescribing is a major concern to community physicians. The promotional drug literature of pharmaceutical companies in medical journal is an important mode to get the information about new drug being introduced and marketed in the country. Most of the community physician depends completely on these published dug literatures. That’s why it is important to maintain high standards of quality of drug advertisement published in medical journals and thus help physician prescribe drugs in a rational manner. Aims and Objective: To evaluate and compare the quality of drug promotional advertisement published in an Indian and international medical journal and highlight the measures to improve the quality of drug advertisement. Materials and Methods: It was an observational cross sectional study of promotional drug advertisements published in two medical journals i.e. one Indian and one international journal over a period of one year [June-2014 to June-2015]. Advertisements pertaining to parenteral fluids, milk foods, medical devices, laboratory equipment and the educational advertisements were excluded. The identified published drug advertisements were evaluated for adherence to the ethical guidelines of World Health Organization (WHO) or the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI). Results: A total of 76 and 35 medicinal drug advertisements were published in an Indian and an international medical journal respectively. There was a significant difference in compliance to WHO criteria among Indian (43.5±35.2) and international (70.6±23.8) journal [p< 0.05]. Only brand name and manufacturer details were provided in all the promotional drug literature i.e. 100% compliance. There was significant difference in the compliance to WHO criteria for active ingredient causing adverse reaction, pregnancy category, precaution and contraindication, drug interaction, dosage regimen and date of production in the two journals. Conclusion: The compliance criteria are frequently overlooked by the medical journal publishers. It is expected that the promotional drug literature may be thoroughly checked for compliance more so by the reputed Indian than an international medical journal.
Simplified simulation of unresolved objects in hyperspectral remote sensing for space situational awareness

This paper presents a simple approach to simulate the temporal variations of the spectral signature for a non-resolved object in hyperspectral remote sensing for space situational awareness. The simulation consist of an object with a simple geometry made of multiple materials rotating at a constant angular speed. The non-resolved object produces a time varying spectral signature that is measured by the imaging spectrometer. Signatures from representative materials in space crafts are used in the simulation. The simulation results are used as input to a hyperspectral unmixing approach to evaluate its capacity to extract spacecraft spectral endmember signatures from the spectro-temporal signature. The expectations is that the results from unmixing can be used to characterize, catalogue or identify the space object. Extracted spectral endmember signatures can be used to augment existing spectral libraries.
Postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) impact on clinical outcomes of resected atypical meningioma: A meta-analysis.

2570Background: Although meningiomas are among the most prevalent types of brain tumors, atypical meningiomas (AM) account for around 4% of all meningiomas. AMs tend to be more aggressive with rela...
Return to Activities After Simultaneous Bilateral Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release

BackgroundApproximately 56% of patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome present with bilateral symptoms; however, few studies have investigated bilateral simultaneous endoscopic carpal tunnel...
Predictors of disease severity and outcome of hospitalized renal transplant recipients with COVID-19 infection: A systematic review of a globally representative sample

Introduction. COVID-19 presents a special challenge to the kidney transplant population.Methods. A systematic review of articles that examined COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients was performed. Patients' demographics, clinical, laboratory and radiological presentations, immunosuppression modification, and COVID-19 specific management were abstracted and analyzed. COVID-19 severity was classified into mild, moderate, and severe. Disease outcome was classified by whether the patient was discharged, still hospitalized, or died.Results. 44 articles reporting individual data and 13 articles reporting aggregated data on 149 and 561 kidney transplant recipients respectively with COVID-19 from Asia, Europe and America fulfilled all inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among studies reporting case specific data, 76% of cases had severe disease. Compared to patients with mild/moderate disease, patients with severe disease had higher CRP, LDH, Ferritin, D-dimer and were more likely to have bilateral lung involvement at presentation and longer time since transplantation (P < 0.05 for all). Recipients' age, gender and comorbidities did not impact disease severity. Patients with severe disease had a more aggressive CNI reduction and more antiviral medications utilization. Outcome was reported on 145 cases, of those 34 (23%) died all with severe disease. Longer duration from transplant to disease diagnosis, hypoxia and higher LDH were associated with mortality (P < 0.05). Different immunosuppression reduction strategies, high dose parenteral corticosteroids use and various antiviral combinations did not demonstrate survival advantage. Similar finding was observed for studies reporting aggregated data.Conclusion. COVID-19 in kidney transplant patients is associated with high rate of disease severity and fatality. Higher LDH and longer time since transplantation predicted both disease severity and mortality. None of the COVID-19 specific treatment correlated with, or improved disease outcome in kidney transplant recipients.
Prevention of vision-threatening complications in diabetic retinopathy: two perspectives based on results from the DRCR Retina Network Protocol W and the Regeneron-sponsored PANORAMA.

Purpose of review The use of intravitreous antivascular endothelial growth factor to prevent center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) with vision loss and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) has been investigated and recently reported in two randomized clinical trials. Although both trials showed substantial superiority of aflibercept at preventing the development of vision-threatening complications (VTCs) of CI-DME or PDR compared with sham at 1 or 2 years, without a concomitant benefit in visual acuity outcomes, the interpretation of the results and its application to clinical practice resulted in two disparate opinions. In this review, we discuss these two trials including their similarities and differences, other relevant studies, and considerations regarding the interpretation and the application of these results into clinical practice. Recent findings The Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Retina Network Protocol W and the PANORAMA study demonstrated significantly lower probabilities of developing CI-DME or PDR at 2 years with intravitreous aflibercept compared with sham in eyes with moderate (Protocol W) or moderately severe (PANORAMA) to severe non-PDR (NPDR). However, visual acuity outcomes were not different. Summary Although intravitreous aflibercept injections reduce the risk of VTCs in eyes with moderate-to-severe NPDR, the absence of visual acuity benefits supports the need for four-year results.
“We Can’t Wait Anymore”: Young Professionals Engaging in Education for Sustainability:

Sustainability-minded young professionals are needed to facilitate movement toward a sustainable planet. Their development has largely been left to Higher Education Institutions charged with equipp...
A Guide to Basic Statistics for Educational Research.

Introduction Clinician-educators often need to produce scholarship for academic promotion. While some programs exist to help with faculty development skills, few provide adequate statistical traini...
Administration of epinephrine by advanced emergency medical technicians for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a rural emergency medical services system.

Objective Epinephrine in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains controversial and understudied in rural emergency medical services (EMS) systems. We evaluated the effects of allowing advanced emergency medical technicians (AEMTs) to administer epinephrine during OHCA in a rural EMS system. Methods An interrupted time series study was conducted using statewide EMS electronic records. Patients with OHCA before (phase I) and after (phase II) a protocol change expanding the AEMT scope of practice to include epinephrine for OHCA were identified. Number and timing of initial epinephrine administration, return of spontaneous circulation, and 30-day survival rates were compared using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, regression discontinuity, and propensity score matching. Results A total of 1037 OHCAs met the inclusion criteria. In phase 1 compared with phase 2, 275 (56.12%) patients received epinephrine versus 624 (83.53%; P < 0.001). The mean time to first administration of epinephrine for unwitnessed and bystander-witnessed OHCA were 11.73 minutes versus 8.17 minutes (P < 0.001) and 11.59 minutes versus 8.85 minutes (P < 0.01), respectively. Unadjusted analysis showed a decrease in 30-day survival rates among patients receiving epinephrine from 18.01% to 12.66% (P < 0.05). Adjusted analysis showed an increase in 30-day survival with decreased time to first epinephrine dose(OR 0.960, 1.005; 95% confidence interval, 0.929, 0.992). Conclusion Adding epinephrine for OHCA to the AEMT scope of practice was associated with an increased percentage of patients receiving epinephrine and decreased time to first administration of epinephrine for patients with unwitnessed OHCA. Unadjusted analysis showed a decrease in 30-day survival rates among patients receiving epinephrine. Adjusted analysis found that earlier administrationof epinephrine was associated with increased ROSC and 30-day survival.
Hyperfine Interactions and Associated Properties of Alkali Metals

The current situation with respect to theory as compared to experiment for the Knight-shifts and relaxation times in alkali metals is reviewed. The roles of the direct spin-density at the nucleus from the conduction electrons, of the exchange core-polarization effect, of the relativistic corrections to the spin-density for the heavier metals, and of the exchange enhancement of suscep- tibility due to electron—electron interactions are discussed in detail. It is shown that through a consideration of all these effects, one is able to obtain good overall agreement with the experimental Knight-shift and relaxation times. However, quantitative agreement with experiment is still lacking, and several additional contributing mechanisms that need to be included, especially core—conduction correlation effects, are briefly discussed. The need for better treatments of exchange enhancement effects on the susceptibility for Bloch electrons and more accurate wave-functions, particularly for the lighter metals lithium, sodium and potassium, is pointed out.
Measuring SADP features of the 22nm technology node with old generation CD SEMs

With traditional photolithography technique reaching its limit at around 40nm half pitch, Applied Materials' SADP (Self Aligned Double Patterning) scheme has emerged as a new approach for the 32/22nm technology node. One of the biggest challenges to the SADP program development is the CD (Critical Dimension) measurement capability and control with our current Applied Material's VeritySEM1 (which is designed for the 45nm technology node and up). To meet the more aggressive CD and true LER (Line Edge Roughness) measurement requirements of the SADP features at ∼20nm, we have successfully developed a series of new measurement recipes to measure CDs at different process steps (litho DICD, APF1, APF2, HMO, and STI FICD), including a robust algorithm capable of measuring the ∼20nm SADP features, LER and identifying the look-alike core and gap spaces.
The importance of representing surface geometry and electrode resistance of transvenous electrodes in defibrillation models

The potential gradient fields created by transvenous defibrillation (TVD) electrodes during internal defibrillation are often calculated using volume conductor models. Most defibrillation models represent the TVD electrode as an equipotential cylindrical rod and do not account for electrode features like electrode resistance, surface geometry, and electrode-electrolyte impedance. This study looks into the effects of the first two features. Results from tank studies and finite element models indicate that defibrillation models that do not consider the effects of surface geometry and electrode resistance can underestimate the total defibrillation impedance by about 10%. >
Antibody Response and Protection Induced by Immunization with Smooth and Rough Strains in Experimental Salmonellosis

The antibody response of mice to a smooth strain of Salmonella typhimurium was shown previously to be extremely rapid and potent. As measured by the complement-mediated bactericidal reaction, it was also found to be highly specific as well as reproducible. Experiments which studied the effects of antigen type (live or heat-killed), antigen dose, and the route of immunization indicated that the most rapid and highest antibody response was achieved with live, smooth organisms injected by the intraperitoneal route. Living vaccines of rough strains of either S. typhimurium or S. enteritidis induced antibodies directed against the corresponding smooth organisms. The response to the rough strains was apparently due to antibody production rather than to the simple release of preformed natural antibody. The duration of protection conferred by the rough strain vaccines was closely correlated with the endotoxic content of the immunizing strain. Smooth heat-killed vaccines and a rough live vaccine protected against homologous but not heterologous challenge. In contrast, immunization with a smooth live vaccine protected mice against both homologous and heterologous challenge infections. Protection was not due to a local effect in the peritoneal cavity, since mice were also protected against subcutaneous challenge. The secondary antibody response, induced in immunized animals by the virulent challenge infection, was demonstrated to be rapid and potent, and hence a factor to be considered in protection.
Ultraluminous x-ray sources: an observational review

Resumen es: Las fuentes ultraluminosas en rayos X (ULXs) son, como su propio nombre indica, emisores extremadamente luminosos en rayos X, ademas de objetos relativ...
Patulin Degradation in a Model Apple Juice System and in Apple Juice during Ultraviolet Processing

Factors affecting ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced degradation of patulin in a malic acid model system, apple cider and apple juice were studied. First-order rate constants (cm 2 /J) in the model system were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by pH (3.0‐3.6), initial patulin concentration (0‐1000 mg/L), glucose (0‐10%), sucrose (0‐10%) and ascorbic acid (0‐100 mg/L). Tannic acid (0‐1 g/L) reduced patulin degradation while fructose (0‐10%) accelerated it. Although suspended particles yielding nephelometric turbidity units values between 0 and 100 did not affect patulin degradation, higher turbidity levels in unfiltered apple cider reduced degradation rates. Even in clarified apple juice, the UV dose required for 50% patulin reduction in apple juice (4.62 J/cm 2 ) was higher than that required for a 5-log reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Therefore, achieving efficient UV reduction of patulin in apple juice products, without quality losses, may require particulate filtration, phenolic adsorption treatments, and addition of compounds that accelerate patulin degradation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study demonstrates that apple juice constituents affect patulin degradation during ultraviolet (UV) processing. High turbidity levels in apple cider suggest that this technology may be impractical for this product. UV irradiation can be used to decrease patulin levels in clarified apple juice, although the required dose levels remain higher than that required for 5-log reduction of human pathogens. Filtration, adsorption treatments that lower levels of UV scattering and absorbing suspended particles and polyphenols can result in substantially greater patulin degradation during UV processing. Because fructose had an accelerating effect on patulin reduction in the model system studied, addition of high-fructose sweeteners to apple beverages prior to UV processing may result in further patulin reductions.
Bernard S. Schweigert (1921-1989).

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the biography of Bernard S. Schweigert. Bernard S. Schweigert, professor of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis, and Editor Emeritus of the Food Science and Technology Series, passed away on October 7, 1989 at the age of 68. Dr. Schweigert joined the Davis faculty as Department Chair in 1970, a position that he held until 1988. As chairman for over 17 years, he provided leadership to one of the largest food science departments in the world. He was instrumental in establishing the Peter J. Shields endowed chair in dairy foods research and a Ph.D. program in Food Science. A native of Alpha, North Dakota, Dr. Schweigert received a doctoral degree in biochemistry and physiology in 1946 from the University of Wisconsin where he also earned bachelor's and master's degrees. Dr. Schweigert served on a number of important scientific advisory committees, being a member of the Board of Agriculture and Renewable Resources, National Academy of Sciences from 1979 to 1982, as a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the Agency for International Development from 1971 to 1974, as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Nutrition Foundation from 1965 to 1970 and again from 1973 to 1987, and as Chairman of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1983 to 1985
Learning Tree Conditional Random Fields

We examine maximum spanning tree-based methods for learning the structure of tree Conditional Random Fields (CRFs) P(Y|Χ). We use edge weights which take advantage of local inputs Χ and thus scale to large problems. For a general class of edge weights, we give a negative learnability result. However, we demonstrate that two members of the class–local Conditional Mutual Information and Decomposable Conditional Influence– have reasonable theoretical bases and perform very well in practice. On synthetic data and a large-scale fMRI application, our methods outperform existing techniques.
Antral gastrin concentration in gastric ulcer disease - The finding of high concentrations in a few patients

Antral gastrin concentration (AGC) was measured in forceps biopsy specimens of prepyloric mucosa obtained at endoscopy in 65 patients with various kinds of gastric ulcer and in 31 nonulcer control patients. AGC in 32 patients with a lesser curvature gastric ulcer, 10.0±2.0 (mean ±1se) ng gastrin/mg tissue was significantly less (P<0.01) than AGC in 31 nonulcer control patients, 14.4±1.4. AGC was similar to the control values in 23 patients with a pyloric channel ulcer, 15.2±1.7; 5 patients with a greater curvature ulcer, 15.0±4.8; and 3 patients with both duodenal and gastric ulcers, 15.8±0.7. AGC was significantly greater (P<0.01) than the control values in 3 patients with a vagotomy and pyloroplasty and a gastric ulcer, 29.8±5.0. In contrast with most lesser curvature gastric ulcer patients who had low AGC, 3 gastric ulcer patients had antral gastrin values which were about three times the mean AGC of the controls. Two of these patients had fasting serum gastrin values which were more than twice the mean control fasting serum gastrin. Meal-stimulated integrated gastrin responses in these 3 patients ranged from three to nine times the mean control response. These findings suggest that a high AGC may account for a few instances of increased serum gastrin concentrations in gastric ulcer patients.
Biochemical correlates of phenotypic reversion in interferon-treated mouse cells transformed by a human oncogene

Mouse interferon (IFN) induced a phenotypic reversion in RS 485, a clonal line of NIH 3T3 oncogenically transformed by a human c-Ha-rasl gene activated by Ha-MuSV long terminal repeats (LTRs). Transfected c-Ha-ras DNA, unchanged in quantity and distribution, as compared to the parental RS 485 transformed cells, was still present in these revertants; however, there was a significant reduction in the amount of c-Ha-ras specific mRNA and of c-Ha-ras specified p21 protein.
Isolated cecal varices as the source of massive lower GI bleeding in a patient with cirrhosis.

Isolated Cecal Varices as the Source of Massive Lower GI Bleeding in a Patient With Cirrhosis
Development of Precision Optical Traps for Single Molecule and Motor Protein Research

Optical traps have become an important instrument for investigating systems and processes at the micro- and nanoscale, particularly within biology where manipulation of biological systems from DNA to cells has offered new insights to cellular processes. Using the inherent momentum of light, particles are trapped in the high intensity field of a focused laser beam thus allowing for the manipulation of microscopic particles. This paper discusses the current development of a state-of-the-art optical trap with increased sensitivity for the measurement of single molecule and motor protein mechanics. A common position sensing technique uses quadrant photodiodes to detect motion on the order of tens of nanometers. However, the measurement of positions and forces on a smaller level than previously attempted requires increased precision. Interferometric techniques provide one method to improve the spatial resolution to the order of nanometers or less. Furthermore, the use of feedback control offers the ability to easily adapt the optical trap to the particular experiment being conducted. In addition, optical traps can apply torque to trapped objects for the study of rotary mechanics when the trapping laser has orbital angular momentum. Methods for generating a laser beam with orbital angular momentum will be discussed.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Maintaining system homeostasis: the third law of Newtonian immunology

Because of the potent effector mechanisms of the immune system, the potential for self-destructive immune responses is especially high and many negative regulatory modalities exist to prevent excessive tissue damage. This Commentary places such regulatory mechanisms in the larger context of system organization on many scales. The sometimes counterintuitive nature of feedback control is discussed and a case is made for greater attention to quantitative spatiotemporal aspects of regulation, rather than limiting the discussion to the qualitative descriptions of pathways that dominate at present.
Goal-directed behaviors in marketing: Cognitive and emotional perspectives

Buying and selling are often goal-directed activities, but until recently little effort has been devoted to the specification of how decision makers select and strive for goals. The articles in this issue explore a number of specific ways that goals enter market behavior. One way concerns how goals are formed and decisions made. In the first article, Gutman shows how the laddering technique can be used to generate a means–end chain of goals comprised of action goals concerning the self, outcome goals linked to actions, and consequences stemming from outcomes. Peterman then examines the effects of goals on information acquisition, encoding, and evaluation. The third article, by Park, Sohi, and Marquardt, develops a theory of how goals influence the choice of vendor by organizational buyers. Next, Lynn and Harris propose a scale that measures the extent to which consumers hold as personal goals the acquisition and possession of unique products or services. Finally, Verbeke tests a theory of emotional contagion and finds that the achievement of performance goals by salespeople depends on their ability to infect customers with their own emotions, as well as their ability to be receptive to the emotions given off by the customers.
The light microscopical structure of the mesencephalic nucleus of the fifth nerve in the selachian brain

A description is provided of the mesencephalic nucleus of the fifth nerve (mes. V) and its axonal projections in the brains of dogfish (Scyliorhinus, Mustelus) and rays (Raja), based upon light microscopic observations. The mes. V nucleus contains 800-1100 cells distributed about the midline at the ventral surface of the optic tectum. Each cell gives rise to a stout axon which courses laterally, then posteriorly on the ipsilateral side; the collected axons divide at the caudal extreme of the tectum into a medial bundle which enters the ventral granular eminence of the anterior cerebellar lobe, and a lateral bundle which enters the medulla and leaves the brain via the fifth nerve root. The medial bundle arises from a cluster of mes. V neurons at the posterior limit of the nucleus which comprise about 15% of the nuclear population. The cerebellar projection ascends the anterior lobe and appears to end in close proximity to Purkinje cell perikarya. A typical mes. V perikaryon is oval, flattened dorsoventrally with average dimensions of 41 $\mu $m $\times $ 56 $\mu $m. It emits a few stout dendrites from its dorsal surface which extend no more than 75 $\mu $m from the cell body. Processes from deep tectal cells and collaterals from commissural fibres appear to make synapses upon mes. V perikarya. In addition, neighbouring mes. V neurons often form clusters and also contact each other via short dendrites. A small subpopulation of mes V. neurons gives rise to stout, ventrally directed processes which enter the ependymal layer and ramify within it. These may have a neurosecretory function.
A back-trajectory and air mass climatology for the Northern Shenandoah Valley, USA

Synoptic-scale air quality climatologies can often be categorized into trajectory methods based on air parcel movement or air mass approaches that are primarily dictated by thermal and moisture conditions. Here, we examine the relationship between these two essentially independent methods of synoptic-scale climate classification: 72-h Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model back-trajectories and the Spatial Synoptic Classification (SSC) of air masses for Martinsburg, West Virginia, located at the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, from 1997 to 2006. Statistically significant differences exist between trajectory groups across the six SSC air mass types within each season and between seasons within each air mass type. Further examination of the trajectory distributions reveals a high degree of overlap between trajectories associated with different air mass types. In some cases, up to 50% of one air mass's trajectories are statistically closer to the trajectories of a different air mass type. Accordingly, air mass alone cannot be used to identify specific source regions of pollutants. This suggests that, while an air mass classification system can be used to identify general flow patterns, the integration of both thermodynamic and air-flow variables in a synoptic classification should provide information that is not discernible from either method independently. The inclusion of both back-trajectory and air mass information represents the suite of environmental conditions that may enhance or suppress pollutant concentrations in the Shenandoah Valley better than using either measure independently. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
HIV and antiretroviral therapy: Impact on the central nervous system

The HIV pandemic represents a major source of neurological morbidity worldwide. Emerging data from diverse populations indicate that HIV leads to significant neurocognitive impairments that reduce individuals' ability to contribute to the well being of their families and society. HIV affects vulnerable populations with many comorbidities, but the virus contributes to neurocognitive impairment independent of these conditions. The neuropathological substrate of HIV neurocognitive disorders is damage to synapses and dendrites, without major neuronal loss. This suggests the potential for substantial reversibility if synaptodendritic function can be restored. In the developed world, combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) leads to improved neurocognitive function as well as morbidity and mortality in HIV. CART is being used in increasing numbers of individuals in resource limited settings. New cases of severe dementia are now rare in populations where effective CART has been deployed. While some degree of neurocognitive improvement with CART is almost universal, many individuals do not achieve full restoration of their premorbid neurocognitive status, and milder degrees of impairment remain quite prevalent. Optimizing neurocognitive recovery is likely to require the development of better CNS penetrating antiretroviral regimens and the use of neuroprotective agents.
Mesoscale Convective Vortices Observed during BAMEX. Part II: Influences on Secondary Deep Convection

Abstract Observations from the Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) Experiment are used to examine the role of the five mesoscale convective vortices described in Part I on heavy precipitation during the daytime heating cycle. Persistent widespread stratiform rain without deep convection occurs for two strong MCVs in conditionally stable environments with strong vertical shear. Two other MCVs in moderate-to-strong vertical shear have localized redevelopment of deep convection (termed secondary convection) on their downshear side, where conditional instability exists. The strongest of the five MCVs occurs in weak vertical shear and has widespread secondary convection, which is most intense on its conditionally unstable southeast periphery. The two MCVs with only localized secondary convection have well-defined mesoscale vertical motion couplets with downshear ascent and upshear descent above the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Although the amplitude is significantly greater, the kinematically der...
Adsorption and Decomposition of Dimethyl Methylphosphonate on Y2O3 Nanoparticles

Experimental studies explore the adsorption and decomposition pathways of the nerve agent simulant, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), on Y2O3 nanoparticles with mean diameters of 6 and 2 nm. DMMP adsorption on Y2O3 was studied in an ultrahigh vacuum surface science instrument with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy. Uptake probability measurements reveal an initial sticking probability near unity, while vibrational spectroscopy indicates that adsorbed DMMP dissociates via cleavage of a P−OCH3 bond to form a bridging O−P−O surface species. The extent of DMMP decomposition is found to increase as the particle size decreases, suggesting that edge, corner, and defect sites play a major role in the outcome of the gas−surface interaction.
Backscattering by nonspherical particles : a review of methods and suggested new approaches

Scattering of electromagnetic radiation near the backward direction is more sensitive to particle shape than scattering near the forward direction. Mie theory is therefore of dubious applicability to predicting backscattering by atmospheric particles known to be irregular or to inverting measurements on such particles. An irregular particle is one with an uncertain shape. In the face of uncertainty one must adopt a statistical approach in which scattering properties of ensembles are determined. To obtain ensemble averages, a basis is needed for averaging over a set of electromagnetic microstates. Ensemble averages based on the Rayleigh theory for small ellipsoids and on the T matrix method for spheroids agree better with measurements than Mie theory does. The coupled-dipole method also provides a basis for ensemble averaging. This method also leads to a simple physical interpretation of why backscattering is so sensitive to particle shape and can be used to calculate scattering by one- and two-dimensional analogs to three-dimensional irregular particles.
Role of Changes in Accommodation and Convergence in the Perception of Size

The effect on perceived size of changes in accommodation and convergence was determined at various observation distances. Accommodation and convergence were varied by lenses and prisms chosen so as to preserve the normal relationship between these two functions for all conditions of observation. For observation distances up to about one meter, perceived size is proportional to the distance at which the accommodation and convergence in force would normally obtain. At greater distances, this relationship becomes progressively less marked. It is concluded that accommodation and convergence could mediate size constancy only at observation distances of one meter or less, and that other mechanisms must be operative at greater distances of observation.
Functional Evidence for Indirect Recognition of G·U in tRNAAla by Alanyl-tRNA Synthetase

The structural features of the G.U wobble pair in Escherichia coli alanine transfer RNA (tRNA(Ala)) that are associated with aminoacylation by alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AlaRS) were investigated in vivo for wild-type tRNA(Ala) and mutant tRNAs with G.U substitutions. tRNA(Ala) with G.U, C.A, or G.A gave similar amounts of charged tRNA(Ala) and supported viability of E. coli lacking chromosomal tRNA(Ala) genes. tRNA(Ala) with G.C was inactive. Recognition of G.U by AlaRS thus requires more than the functional groups on G.U in a regular helix and may involve detection of a helical distortion.
FORAGING STRATEGY OF A GENERALIST PREDATOR TOWARD A SPECIAL PREY: COYOTE PREDATION ON SHEEP

How predators select domestic relative to wild prey is of relevance to dep- redation management and presents opportunities to investigate foraging theory as applied to mammalian carnivores. Domestic prey have numerous qualities that should increase their energy value to predators relative to wild prey. However, whether a predator specializes on domestic prey should also depend on the relative importance of energy efficiency and nonfood-related activities to the predator's fitness, as well as the composition of the alter- native prey base. We used radiotelemetry, carcass surveys, and fecal analysis to investigate (1) whether breeding coyotes killed sheep disproportionately to sheep abundance, (2) wheth- er coyotes consumed wild prey disproportionately to wild prey abundances, and (3) the effects of sheep abundance on consumption of five principal wild prey. Coyote pairs killed sheep in proportion to sheep abundance within territories, suggesting that coyotes did not specialize on sheep. Occurrences in scats of four small wild mammalian prey were not significantly correlated with abundance of sheep in territories, but occurrence of deer in scats was negatively correlated with abundance of sheep in territories. Small prey generally comprised a minor portion of the coyote diet. During the lambing period, consumption of deer was lower where sheep were available than where they were not and was inversely correlated over time with sheep predation rate. During the non-lambing period, when only larger sheep were present, consumption of deer was similar where sheep were available and where they were not, and there was no significant relationship between monthly con- sumption of deer and sheep predation rate. Because coyotes did not specialize on sheep, lambs, or any other prey, these results suggest that their foraging strategy emphasized minimizing time spent with food acquisition over maximizing net energy gain.
Evaluating blunt pancreatic trauma at whole body CT: current practices and future directions

Blunt pancreatic trauma almost always occurs in the setting of multiple severe injuries, and is usually diagnosed within the context of whole-body trauma CT. Associated injuries may flag the pancreas for greater scrutiny. Main duct laceration is the primary determinant of the need for surgical intervention. Characterization is improved with advanced post-processing techniques. We present useful diagnostic pearls, describe key pitfalls, and review advancements in the evaluation of pancreatic trauma at whole-body MDCT.
From Drama to Science: Margaret Cavendish as Vanishing Mediator

This paper introduces a Literature Compass cluster on Margaret Cavendish. The full cluster is made up of the following articles: ‘Recent Developments in the Study of Seventeenth-Century Literature and Three Papers from the 2007 Margaret Cavendish Conference’, James Fitzmaurice, Literature Compass 5 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2008.00523.x. ‘Filling in the Picture: Contexts and Contacts of Jane Cavendish’, Alexandra G. Bennett, Literature Compass 5 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2008.00524.x. ‘Mrs. Dalloway and the Duchess: Virginia Woolf Reads and Writes Margaret Cavendish’, Lise Mae Schlosser, Literature Compass 5 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2008.00525.x. ‘From Drama to Science: Margaret Cavendish as Vanishing Mediator’, John Shanahan, Literature Compass 5 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2008.00526.x. *** This essay examines Margaret Cavendish's dramatic and scientific works together in order to find shared features among them. What is common in all of her work is a commitment to a form of knowledge I term ‘forensic’. I argue that Cavendish contributed to the conceptual formation of the new science of the seventeenth century in two ways: first, in the imagination of highly forensic spaces (that is, spaces for the examination of rival hypotheses), and second, by focusing on the inherent theatricality of empirical experimentation. But this two-fold contribution was muted and increasingly rendered invisible as the new Royal Society pioneered ways to exploit such forensic spaces in ways Cavendish did not imagine, and developed rhetorical strategies to disavow or manage the theatricality of experimentation. Cavendish's work as a fellow-traveler of the new science, once notable in its time, became – with the triumph of the Royal Society program – a vanishing mediator in the development of experimental science.
Expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) in Wilms' tumors

Human Wilms' tumor (WT) expresses insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II and its cognate receptor, type 1 IGF receptor, forming a self-stimulating "autocrine loop." The biological activity of IGF-II is modulated by a class of soluble receptors called IGF binding proteins (IGFBP). To determine if IGFBP play a role in the biology of WT, extracts of nude mouse heterotransplants of three blastemal WT were examined for the ability to bind radiolabeled IGF-II by ligand blot analysis. [125I]IGF-II bound to a protein of M(r) 35 kDa. To confirm that this binding protein was being expressed by the tumor itself and not background from the host, tumor explants were prepared in cell culture. Conditioned culture media from blastemal WT cell cultures were found to contain the 35-kDa IGFBP. This secreted binding protein was identified as IGFBP-2 by screening for reactivity to characterized IGFBP antisera. Total RNA from primary WT or WT cells in culture was examined for expression of IGFBP-2 mRNA using an RNase protection assay. All three WT expressed IGFBP-2 mRNA. These data suggest a role for IGFBP-2 in the IGF-II-dependent growth of Wilms' tumor and in the developing kidney.