cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo cellular repopulation of tubular elastin scaffolds mediated by basic fibroblast growth factor

In vivo tissue engineering has been explored as a method to repopulate scaffolds with autologous cells to create a functional, living, and non-immunogenic tissue substitute. In this study, we describe an approach to in vivo cellular repopulation of a tissue-derived tubular elastin scaffold. Pure elastin scaffolds were prepared from porcine carotid arteries (elastin tubes). Elastin tubes were filled with agarose gel containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to allow sustained release of growth factor. These tubes were implanted in subdermal pouches in adult rats. The elastin tubes with growth factor had significantly more cell infiltration at 28 days than those without growth factor. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that most of these cells were fibroblasts, of which a few were activated fibroblasts (myofibroblasts). Microvasculature was also observed within the scaffolds. Macrophage infiltration was seen at 7 days, which diminished by 28 days of implantation. None of the elastin tubes with bFGF calcified. These results demonstrated that the sustained release of bFGF brings about repopulation of elastin scaffolds in vivo while inhibiting calcification. Results showing myofibroblast infiltration and vascularization are encouraging since such an in vivo implantation technique could be used for autologous cell repopulation of elastin scaffolds for vascular graft applications.
Emerging infections and newly-recognised pathogens

Clinicians and microbiologists have for many years relied on growth and characterisation of micro-organisms in the laboratory as the major method for their detection and identification, but reliance upon microbial growth in the laboratory has probably significantly limited our ability to recognise important pathogenic micro-organisms. The traditional methods are often slow, non-specific and insensitive, and sometimes discriminate poorly among microbial species and strains. It is now known that the evolutionary ancestry and interrelationships of all living organisms can be reliably inferred from sequences in their genetic material. Highly conserved sequences characterise broad phylogenetic groups and variable sequences allow specific identification. Sequence-based methods combined with DNA amplification methods, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have led to powerful molecular identification techniques such as consensus nucleic acid amplification and representational difference analysis. These methods allow one to detect and isolate informative gene sequences from occult microbial pathogens in human tissues. Sequence-based methods are often quicker, more sensitive and more specific than traditional methods not only in detecting known microbial pathogens, but also in identifying previously-uncharacterised micro-organisms. Widespread, organised use of these methods will reveal new emerging microbial pathogens, implicate microbes in the aetiology of poorly-understood chronic inflammatory diseases and significantly expand our understanding of microbial diversity.
Does the Literature Support an Indication for Hepatic Metastasectomy Other Than for Colorectal Primary

Hepatic resection for colorectal hepatic metastatic disease has been demonstrated to have a significant outcome benefit for selected patients. Advances in anesthetic and surgical technique have resulted in a significantly reduced morbidity and mortality for this procedure, and this management approach has become widely practiced. This hepatic resection paradigm is also being applied to hepatic metastatic disease of noncolorectal origin. The purpose of this report is to review and summarize the reported literature in order to define if the current data support an indication for hepatic metastasectomy. The specific cancer primaries that this analysis evaluated include breast, melanoma, gynecologic, neuroendocrine, sarcoma, and gastric cancer. Based on the data examined, we propose that although hepatic metastasectomy for noncolorectal cancer may be a promising component of overall oncologic treatment, the role of surgical resection cannot be generalized and at present should be individualized based on the patient's clinical course and by the biologic behaviors of specific malignancies.
A taxonomy of problem-based learning methods

The increasingly popular term 'problem-based learning' does not refer to a specific educational method. It can have many different meanings depending on the design of the educational method employed and the skills of the teacher. The many variables possible can produce wide variations in quality and in the educational objectives that can be achieved. A taxonomy is proposed to facilitate an awareness of these differences and to help teachers choose a problem-based learning method most appropriate for their students.
Neurotrophic factor protection against ethanol toxicity in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures requires phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation.

Abstract Neonatal rat cerebellar granule cells were used to assess the possible role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) signaling pathway in the neuroprotective effects of neurotrophic factors against ethanol toxicity. Culture conditions included medium with ethanol (400 and 600 mg/dl), nerve growth factor (NGF) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ethanol+NGF or BDNF, the PI3-K inhibitor wortmannin (10 or 100 μM), and wortmannin+ethanol+NGF or BDNF. Neuronal survival was determined via the MTT assay. The results indicated that both NGF and BDNF ameliorate ethanol neurotoxicity, and wortmannin abolished this effect, except at the higher ethanol concentration combined with the lower wortmannin level. These data strongly implicate the PI3-K pathway in growth factor protection against ethanol neurotoxicity.
Characterization of the nonvolatile compounds formed during the thermal oxidation of triolein

Triolein was subjected to thermal oxidation at 200 C for 24 hr with an air flow of 0.15 ml/min/gm. The oxidized material was saponified and converted to its corresponding methyl ester. Nonoxidized materials were separated from nonvolatile oxidation products using preparative thin layer chromatography. Further separation of these fractions was achieved using gas chromatography, gel filtration chromatography and solvent-solvent extraction. Several compounds were isolated in this manner and their structures determined with the aid of nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, as well as by supplementary chemical methods and by comparison with known compounds. These compounds were: (1) 2-cyclohexyldodec-5-enoic acid and isomers; (2) a mixture of 2-, 8-, 9-, and 10-monohydroxystearic acid; (3) 9,10-dihydroxystearic acid; (4) 1-decyl-2-(dec-6-enyl)-cyclohexane; (5) a mixture of isomers corresponding to a cyclic monomer of oleic acid containing both exocyclic and endocyclic unsaturation.
Millimeterwave Imaging Sensor Nets: A Scalable 60-GHz Wireless Sensor Network

We report first experimental results on the prototype for a novel wireless sensor network that offers both data collection and localization capability. The proposed architecture assumes minimal sensor functionality in analogy to optical imaging, and suits very large-scale sensor networks. The use of millimeterwave beacon, wide in frequency and narrow in space, enables accurate flight-time (and thus distance) and angular location measurement with the employment of noncoherent 2-D matched filtering. Design and characterization of a 60-GHz prototype system, including low-cost passive sensor, is presented.
Supporting Early Childhood Social-Emotional Well Being: The Building Blocks for Early Learning and School Success

The period of early childhood sets the stage for how well children view themselves, each other, and their world. Shared positive emotional experiences between caregivers and children serve as building blocks for the development of social and emotional well-being in infants and toddlers. Incorporating the three principles of promotion, prevention, and intervention within a systems framework (child–parent–environment) will enable early childhood practitioners to foster the emotional health and well-being of all children and families, especially those individual children who are more vulnerable due to the presence of multiple risk factors. The primary intent of the authors of this paper is to discuss the importance of attending to the social and emotional well being of very young children as a primary focus of early learning and school success.
Electron-beam lithography method for sub-50-nm isolated trench with high aspect ratio

An electron beam lithography method for printing and plating sub-50 nm isolated trenches with a high aspect ratio has been developed for the nanofabrication of magnetic thin film heads. To eliminate the issues of resist footing and resist residue in the narrow trench process, we put a thin dissolution layer of polymethylglutarimide (PMGI) as an undercoat layer between a seed layer and a resist layer. The undercoat dissolution layer competely cleared off the seed layer by the developer solution such that the sides of the narrow trench are vertical, particularly at the bottom of the narrow trench, thus facilitating plating the narrow trench with a high magnetic moment material. In this work, the narrow trenches were electroplated with both 1.0T NiFe and 1.8T CoNiFe. Three key issues in our trench process will be discussed here, including: 1) critieria for the selection of the undercoat dissolution layer materials; 2) processing conditions control , e.g. the thickness and the bake temperature of the dissolution layer to achieve vertical and smooth sidewalls; and 3) PEB delay on the narrow trench CD control, pattern degeneration, and the results from the resist top coat (RTC) experiments. With our new narrow trench process, we demonstrated the capability of fabricating narrow electrodeposited magnetic write structures with a CD of 35 nm in 0.35 μm resist (AR=10:1) and a CD of 30 nm in 0.25 μm resist (AR=8:1).
Refractory metal gate processes for VLSI applications

The conventional n-channel silicon-gate MOS technology faces limitations due to poly-sheet resistance, patterning, and overall process compatibility as feature dimensions shrink and circuit sizes increase. This work describes an investigation of refractory metals as alternate gate material due to their potential advantages in terms of patternability, film sheet resistance that is 50 to 100 times lower comparable to polysilicon, and circuit layout options with improved performance and cost effectiveness. A process was developed for fabrication of NMOS devices using electron-beam direct writing, refractory metal gates and interconnects. Evaporated as well as sputtered molybdenum and tungsten show columnar crystalline structure allowing reproducible patterning of 1-µm lines with the conventional plasma etch techniques. Sheet resistivities of 0.25 Ω/□ and 0.4 Ω/□ were achieved for 3500-A Mo and W films, respectively. Basic parameters such as electronic work function, interface, and surface state charge densities and MOS transistor threshold voltages were determined from metal gate devices with 200-800-A oxides. Flat-band voltages of -0.2 V with mid 1010cm-2interface charges were achieved. Mo-Al-Si double-level metal structure with contacts as small as 2 µm2were fabricated. Considerable improvement in the speed of the LSI circuits fabricated with these high-conductivity gates was demonstrated through computer simulation. Improved circuit layouts of static and dynamic memory cells for speed, power, and density optimization can be achieved. A four-mask process with the simplicity of aluminum gate technology and the performance of current n-channel silicon gate MOS process is proposed.
Rhinitis and asthma: evidence for respiratory system integration

The vast majority of patients with asthma have rhinitis, and rhinitis is a major independent risk factor for asthma in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. The relationships between rhinitis and asthma can be viewed under the concept that the 2 conditions are manifestations of one syndrome, the chronic allergic respiratory syndrome, in 2 parts of the respiratory tract. At the low end of the syndrome's severity spectrum, rhinitis appears to be the sole manifestation, although pathologic abnormalities in the lower airways are already present. At the higher end, rhinitis is worse, and the lower airways disease becomes clinically evident. Once manifested, the 2 conditions track in parallel in terms of severity. This parallel relationship is influenced by many interactions between the nasal and the lower airways: some interactions stem from the fact that the nasal passages play a major homeostatic role by conditioning inhaled air, but perhaps even more important is the bidirectional interaction that results from the systemic inflammation that is produced after local allergic reactions. Successful management of the chronic allergic respiratory syndrome requires an integrated view of the airways and an understanding of their interactions.
Hopewell Archaeology: A View from the Northern Woodlands

A tremendous amount of research on Hopewellian societies in the Northern Woodlands of the United States has been conducted within the last decade. This article summarizes the main themes and directions of that current research and presents a general model of Hopewellian societies. Local communities appear to have been small in size and relatively sedentary; sets of these communities shared a greater sense of cultural identity within a lineage and possibly clan organization, with each riverine drainage system occupied by a mosaic of lineages. Each in turn was spatially centered on specific clusters of religious, nonresidential public architecture. Alliances were based on a number of historically shifting variables, including religion, kinship, politics, and economics. It is suggested that future research continue existing methodologies and analyses and consider new ecological, genetic, and ideological research as a means of adding greater local historic nuance to this general model of Hopewellian societies.
Green's function Monte Carlo calculations of light nuclei

Abstract Recently, Green's Function Monte Carlo methods have been developed which enable one to perform exact calculations for the ground states of three and four body nuclei. These methods allow the alpha particle to be used as a testing ground for a variety of two- and three-nucleon interaction models, both in terms of their ground state energies and a variety of other ground state expectation values. We present a brief review of GFMC methods as applied to light nuclei, including recent improvements of the algorithm and a discussion of the prospects for the inclusion of momentum-dependent terms. We then discuss results for the ground state energy, one- and two-body density distributions, D-state probability, coulomb sum rule, and momentum distributions. The GFMC results are compared to experimental results and to variational Monte Carlo calculations.
The Resistance of Bismuth in Alternating Magnetic Fields

Apparatus for producing a field of 100 gauss r.m.s. at ${10}^{6}$ cycles with a 50 watt tube is described. Also a method of measuring the behavior of bismuth wire in such a field at liquid air temperature. For this purpose a potentiometer has been developed for the measurement of the amplitude and phase of voltages at frequencies up to at least ${10}^{6}$ cycles per second. It was found that the resistance of the bismuth follows the instantaneous values of the field, having a magnitude at any instant equal to what it would have if the field at that instant were maintained constant. The precision of the magnitude calculated from the various factors involved is \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5 percent and the experimental value is normal within this precision. At 55 kilocyles and room temperature the resistance of the bismuth was also found to be normal in magnitude and phase.
Modeling the impact of shrinkage on the pyrolysis of dry biomass

A new method for modeling shrinkage of a biomass particle is presented and validated in a detailed wood pyrolysis model. This model is applied to particle half-thicknesses ranging from to , temperatures from 800 to , and shrinkage factors of 1.0–0.4. Internal temperatures, pyrolysis rates, and yields of tar, light hydrocarbons and char are presented. Based on the results of the model, it is found that shrinkage has a negligible affect on pyrolysis in the thermally thin (Bi 10) shrinkage affects both the pyrolysis time and the pyrolysis products. Char shrinkage impacts the pyrolysis process in several ways. These include thinning the pyrolysis reaction region and increasing the pyrolysis temperatures, reducing the residence time of the gases within the particle, and cooling the char layer due to the higher mass flux rates of pyrolysis products. Within the thermal wave pyrolysis regime these effects significantly reduce the light hydrocarbon yield, increase the tar yield, and reduce the pyrolysis time. In the case of a large 2-cm half-thickness poplar particle, with a background temperature of and a shrinkage factor of 0.4, inclusion of shrinkage reduces the pyrolysis time by 43%, increases the tar yield from 7% to 13%, decreases the light hydrocarbon yield from 66% to 60%, and decreases the char yield slightly.
Inflammation a potential target for therapeutic intervention in heart failure.

Introduction The concept of chronic heart failure (CHF) has evolved over time from just a simple “pump-failure” to a more complex syndrome involving the activation of different compensatory mechanisms. Activation of the immune system, for example, can result in the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines, production of antibodies, and activation of the complement system. Several conditions contribute to the development of CHF. Initially, the heart is exposed to a primary insult such as myocardial infarction (MI), hypertension, viral infection or toxins (e.g., ethanol). The subsequent loss of myocardium, due to all compensatory mechanisms, creates a localized or generalized muscle dysfunction. Finally, the myocardium becomes more defective and weaker, producing symptoms typical of CHF. The immune activation is part of the pathophysiology of heart failure. It can be divided into two broad categories: 1) immune activation secondary to cardiac injury, and 2) immune activation by direct antigenic s...
Survival of patients with primary pedal melanoma

Malignant melanoma is increasing at a rate faster than any other cancer in the United States. Location of the primary tumor on the foot is associated with poorer prognosis. This study evaluates a cohort of 148 patients with melanoma of the lower extremity (37 foot or ankle and 111 leg, knee, or thigh) diagnosed at a university medical center during a 32-year period. The mean follow-up for the foot/ankle patients was 44 months. The overall 5-year survival rate was 52% for patients with a primary melanoma of the foot/ankle compared with 84% for patients with a primary melanoma elsewhere on the lower extremity. Although the study period extended over 32 years, nearly 65% of the foot/ankle patients were diagnosed in the last decade. This increase is most likely because of the documented increase in incidence of melanoma in the United States and an increasing referral pattern at our institution.
Urinary cell mRNA profiles predictive of human kidney allograft status

Summary Kidney allograft status is currently characterized using the invasive percutaneous needle core biopsy procedure. The procedure has become safer over the years, but challenges and complications still exist including sampling error, interobserver variability, bleeding, arteriovenous fistula, graft loss, and even death. Because the most common type of acute rejection is distinguished by inflammatory cells exiting the intravascular compartment and gaining access to the renal tubular space, we reasoned that a kidney allograft may function as an in vivo flow cytometer and sort cells involved in rejection into urine. To test this idea, we developed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for absolute quantification of mRNA and pre-amplification protocols to overcome the low RNA yield from urine. Here, we review our single center urinary cell mRNA profiling studies that led to the multicenter Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation (CTOT-04) study and the discovery and validation of a 3-gene signature of 18S rRNA-normalized measures of CD3e mRNA and IP-10 mRNA and 18S rRNA that is diagnostic and predictive of acute cellular rejection in the kidney allograft. We also review our development of a 4-gene signature of mRNAs for vimentin, NKCC2, E-cadherin, and 18S rRNA diagnostic of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA).
Proton microprobe with windowless-exit port☆

Abstract Construction and use of a windowless-exit port with a proton microprobe apparatus is described. The use of a differential-pumping system permits bombardment of samples at atmospheric pressure without the problems caused by passing the beam through thin foils. Methods used for fabrication of beam collimators and for measurement of the beam diameter are discussed. The sensitivity for trace element determination by observation of K X-rays is given. Sample spectra obtained are presented and contrasted with results obtained with a scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray detection. The localization of Zn in a rat incisor is given to demonstrate the type of data uniquely obtainable with the proton microprobe.
Role of Hyaluronan and Reactive Oxygen Species in Tissue Kallikrein-mediated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Activation in Human Airways

In human airways, oxidative stress-induced submucosal gland cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia, histological features of chronic bronchitis, have been linked to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation. To explore mechanisms of oxidative stress-induced EGFR activation and signaling, primary cultures of human tracheal submucosal gland (SMG) cells were used to assess EGFR ligand release, EGFR phosphorylation, p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation, and mucin 5AC synthesis in response to reactive oxygen species generated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO). Exposure to X/XO increased release of epidermal growth factor (EGF) from these cells, thereby activating EGFR, phosphorylating MAPK, and increasing mucin 5AC production. The importance of EGF was confirmed by transfection of small interfering RNA inhibiting pro-EGF production, which resulted in inhibition of EGFR and MAPK phosphorylation despite X/XO exposure. Blocking signaling by using specific protease inhibitors showed that tissue kallikrein (TK) processed pro-EGF in response to X/XO. Airway TK is bound and inactivated by luminal hyaluronan (HA), and treatment of submucosal gland cells with X/XO induced HA depolymerization and TK activation. These events were blocked by reactive oxygen species scavengers and addition of exogenous excess HA and TK inhibitors. Thus, HA plays a crucial role in regulating airway TK activity and thereby TK-mediated release of active EGF from human SMG cells. Sustained HA depolymerization is expected to cause TK activation, EGF release, and EGFR signaling and to lead to SMG cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia as well as mucus hypersecretion with subsequent airflow obstruction.
The stress tensor in a two-dimensional granular shear flow

A computer simulation is used to make a detailed study of the stress tensor in a simple shear flow of two-dimensional disks. The stresses are shown to arise from two momentum-transfer mechanisms : the ‘streaming ’ or kinetic mode, by which momentum is carried by particles as they move through the bulk material; and the collisional mode, by which momentum is transferred from one point to another in the material by interparticle collisions. As might be expected, the results show that the streaming mode dominates at disperse packings and the collisional mode dominates at dense packings. The friction coefficient, the ratio of shear to normal forces, is shown to decrease at high particle packing for both the collisional and streaming modes of transport. Normal-stress differences are observed within the shear plane and are evident in both the streaming and collisional parts.
Oral Verbalization as Interference in Running Memory

When Ss performing a running memory task had to speak aloud the name of a viewed symbol that was to be matched with a previously seen symbol, a significant increase in errors was produced. The control condition was the same task performed without oral naming of the viewed symbol. Since both running memory conditions required exact identification of the viewed symbol, the error increase was attributed to the requirement of speaking aloud rather than to any cognitive difficulty in symbol naming. Comparison of the above 2 conditions with 3 other interference conditions showed that the error increase from oral symbol naming was about as large as the error increase from conditions that required Ss to perform activities irrelevant to the memory task or from a condition which decreased the time to perform each memory match by 1 sec.
An efficient integral equation solver for the electromagnetic modeling of highly-integrated planar RF/microwave circuits

An efficient methodology for the accurate calculation of closed-form Green's function in multilayered planar media is combined with the adaptive integral method (AIM) to provide a fast, iterative, full-wave solver for the analysis of complex planar integrated circuits. The computational complexity per iteration and memory requirements for the AIM-based electromagnetic solver scale as O(N log N) and O(N), respectively, where N is the number of unknowns in the discrete model. The accuracy and efficiency of the solver is demonstrated through its application to the modeling of an integrated, planar circuit component.
Image-based re-rendering of faces for continuous pose and illumination directions

A scheme for photorealistic re-rendering of faces at arbitrary illumination and pose directions is presented. Our approach relies entirely on image-based rendering techniques. We utilize a scheme for re-illumination of objects based on lineal combination of low-dimensional image representations and incorporate image morphing into the image synthesis process. Important properties of our solution are simplicity and robustness. We provide experimental results to demonstrate the performance of the proposed re-rendering method on synthetic and real-world images.
Regular and chaotic particle motion near a helical vortex filament

Abstract In this paper we analyze the flow induced by a helical vortex filament in an axisymmetric, time-dependent strain field. We first discuss bifurcations and the structure of particle paths in the unperturbed velocity field of the helical filament (no strain). There are three qualitatively different phase portraits arising, depending on the thickness and the pitch angle of the filament. Particles close to the axis of the cylinder on which the filament moves are bound to stay near the axis for small thicknesses and pitch angle smaller than a critical value. These particles travel in the axial direction. The underlying geometrical structures in the unperturbed problem are cylinders and two-dimensional separatrices. We also analyze the motion of passive particles when a perturbation by a time-periodic, three-dimensional strain field is imposed. The lateral confinement of particles is lost upon perturbation. There is an exchange of fluid between the “inside” and “outside” of the helix. The degree to which this happens is dependent on the stream function features for the case when there is no strain present. For small perturbations, most of the particles “inside” the filament are still transported mainly in the axial direction. To show this, away from separatrices we transform the system into coordinates that enable us to use KAM theory to show the persistence of infinite cylinders in the perturbed flow. Finally, we discuss the consequences of our analysis for the particle motion in flows that possess helical vortical structures of finite length.
Divergent Pathways? Racial/Ethnic Differences in Older Women's Labor Force Withdrawal

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate how women’s labor force withdrawal behavior varies across race/ethnicity and to identify life course factors that generate these differences. Methods. Using a sample of 7,235 women from the 1992–2004 Health and Retirement Study, we estimated crosssectional multinomial logit models to explore racial/ethnic differences in labor force status at first interview. We then examined the prospective risk of exiting the labor force via retirement, work disability, or death using discrete-time hazard models. Results. Black and Hispanic women had twice the odds of Whites of being work-disabled at first interview. Whereas younger minorities had lower odds of being retired at first interview, older minorities had higher odds. The prospective results showed that both Blacks and Hispanics had higher risks of work disability but not of retirement or of dying in the labor force. Overall, racial/ethnic differences in mid- and later life work behavior stemmed primarily from disparities in life course capital. Discussion. This study shows that substantial racial/ethnic disparities in labor force exit behavior have already emerged by midlife. It is important to note that distinguishing between alternative pathways out of the labor force demonstrates that work disability is a more common experience for Black and Hispanic women than for Whites.
Lifestyle Intervention for Pre-Diabetic Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE —The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) as a sensitive measure of neuropathy change in patients with neuropathy associated with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) receiving lifestyle intervention based on that used in the Diabetes Prevention Program. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —We performed 3-mm skin biopsies with measurement of IENFD at the distal leg and proximal thigh at baseline and after 1 year in 32 subjects with IGT. Each received individualized diet and exercise counseling as a standard of care. Nerve conduction studies, quantitative sensory testing, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing, and the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy score were performed, and a visual analog pain scale was completed. Two-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) following the American Diabetes Association guidelines were performed, and serum lipid levels were measured at baseline and 1 year later. RESULTS —Baseline distal IENFD was 0.9 ± 1.2 fibers/mm and proximal IENFD was 4.8 ± 2.3 fibers/mm. Baseline distal IENFD correlated with fasting glucose ( P P P P P CONCLUSIONS —These findings indicate that diet and exercise counseling for IGT results in cutaneous reinnervation and improved pain. Skin biopsy was the most sensitive measure of neuropathy change over 1 year. IENFD should be included as an end point in future neuropathy trials.
A spatio-temporal analysis of fire recurrence and extent for semi-arid savanna ecosystems in southern Africa using moderate-resolution satellite imagery

Savanna ecosystems are semi-arid and fire-prone. Increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation in Southern Africa will probably have a series of strong impacts on the various components of fire regimes in these ecosystems that will, in turn, affect their ecology, structure, and function. This paper presents a geospatial analysis to quantify changes in fire frequency, seasonality and spatial distribution during the last decade and creates a fire return interval map for the core area of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which spans five Southern African countries and is the largest cooperative multistate conservation region in the world. To disentangle the relative contribution of environmental variability from country-specific land management decisions in driving changes in fire regimes, we use two different products from the MODIS Terra platform (Active Fire and Burned Area products), TRMM precipitation data and the Multivariate ENSO Index data to analyze change in fire regimes among the five countries, differentiating between different land uses such as protected areas, forest reserves, and communal lands and accounting for specific changes in fire management policies. There are significant differences in fire frequencies between countries with more effective fire management (Botswana and Zimbabwe) and countries where anthropogenic, mainly early-dry season, burning is largely uncontrolled (Namibia, Angola, and Zambia), both within and outside protected areas, while all countries and land-use units show an overall increasing trend in fire occurrences. Large fire occurrences increased up to 200% in the period before the beginning of the natural fire season in Namibia, where a new prescribed burn policy was introduced in 2006, while the other countries show a slightly different shift in seasonality of increasing fire occurrences mainly during the dry season. The mean size of fires also increases significantly across all land uses despite increasing fire prevention efforts in most protected areas in the five countries. These findings can contribute to more effective transboundary natural resource and wildlife habitat management by providing a baseline assessment of fire return intervals across five countries with different fire management policies and have implications in the climate change arena.
Statolith Sedimentation Kinetics and Force Transduction to the Cortical Endoplasmic Reticulum in Gravity-Sensing Arabidopsis Columella Cells

The starch statolith hypothesis of gravity sensing in plants postulates that the sedimentation of statoliths in specialized statocytes (columella cells) provides the means for converting the gravitational potential energy into a biochemical signal. We have analyzed the sedimentation kinetics of statoliths in the central S2 columella cells of Arabidopsis thaliana. The statoliths can form compact aggregates with gap sizes between statoliths approaching <30 nm. Significant intra-aggregate sliding motions of individual statoliths suggest a contribution of hydrodynamic forces to the motion of statoliths. The reorientation of the columella cells accelerates the statoliths toward the central cytoplasm within <1 s of reorientation. During the subsequent sedimentation phase, the statoliths tend to move at a distance to the cortical endoplasmic reticulum (ER) boundary and interact only transiently with the ER. Statoliths moved by laser tweezers against the ER boundary experience an elastic lift force upon release from the optical trap. High-resolution electron tomography analysis of statolith-to-ER contact sites indicate that the weight of statoliths is sufficient to locally deform the ER membranes that can potentially activate mechanosensitive ion channels. We suggest that in root columella cells, the transduction of the kinetic energy of sedimenting statoliths into a biochemical signal involves a combination of statolith-driven motion of the cytosol, statolith-induced deformation of the ER membranes, and a rapid release of kinetic energy from the ER during reorientation to activate mechanosensitive sites within the central columella cells.
Imaging mouse lung allograft rejection with 1H MRI

Purpose To demonstrate that longitudinal, noninvasive monitoring via MRI can characterize acute cellular rejection in mouse orthotopic lung allografts. Methods Nineteen Balb/c donor to C57BL/6 recipient orthotopic left lung transplants were performed, further divided into control-Ig versus anti-CD4/anti-CD8 treated groups. A two-dimensional multislice gradient-echo pulse sequence synchronized with ventilation was used on a small-animal MR scanner to acquire proton images of lung at postoperative days 3, 7, and 14, just before sacrifice. Lung volume and parenchymal signal were measured, and lung compliance was calculated as volume change per pressure difference between high and low pressures. Results Normalized parenchymal signal in the control-Ig allograft increased over time, with statistical significance between day 14 and day 3 posttransplantation (0.0460.789; P < 0.05), despite large intermouse variations; this was consistent with histopathologic evidence of rejection. Compliance of the control-Ig allograft decreased significantly over time (0.0130.003; P < 0.05), but remained constant in mice treated with anti-CD4/anti-CD8 antibodies. Conclusion Lung allograft rejection in individual mice can be monitored by lung parenchymal signal changes and by lung compliance through MRI. Longitudinal imaging can help us better understand the time course of individual lung allograft rejection and response to treatment. Magn Reson Med 73:1970–1978, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced thermal contact conductance using carbon nanotube arrays

Novel heat-conduction interfaces that employ carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays have been fabricated and studied experimentally. A reference calorimeter testing rig in a high vacuum environment with infrared temperature measurement has been established. Arrays of mat-type carbon nanotube layers have been grown directly on silicon substrates with microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Iron and nickel are used as carbon nanotube catalysts. The thermal contact resistance of carbon nanotubes with a copper interface shows promising results with a minimum resistance of 23 mm/sup 2/K/W at a pressure of 0.445 MPa. Carbon nanotube arrays grown under different synthesis parameters exhibit different pressure-contact conductance characteristics. CNT-copper interface thermal contact conductance could be improved by optimization of carbon nanotube array parameters. Combinations of thermal gels and phase change materials with CNT array composites are proposed for further thermal contact conductance reduction.
MEN’S BODY MASS INDEX IN RELATION TO EMBRYO QUALITY AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN COUPLES UNDERGOING IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

Objective To evaluate the association between men's body mass index (BMI), early embryo quality, and clinical outcomes in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Fertility clinic in an academic medical center. Patient(s) 114 couples who underwent 172 assisted reproduction cycles. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Fertilization rate, embryo quality, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate. Result(s) The fertilization rate was higher among obese men than among normal weight men in conventional IVF cycles. No statistically significant associations were found between men's BMI and the proportion of poor-quality embryos on day 3, slow embryo cleavage rate, or accelerated embryo cleavage rate. Men's BMI was unrelated to positive β-human chorionic gonadotropin rate, clinical pregnancy rate, or live-birth rate per embryo transfer. Among couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the odds of live birth in couples with obese male partners was 84% lower than the odds in couples with men with normal BMI. Conclusion(s) Our data suggest a possible deleterious effect of male obesity on the odds of having a live birth among couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Granulated lysozyme as an alternative to antibiotics improves growth performance and small intestinal morphology of 10-day-old pigs.

Lysozyme is a 1,4-β-N-acetylmuramid- ase that has antimicrobial prop erties. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of a puri- fied granulated lysozyme, compared with antibiotics, on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and Campylobacter shedding in 10-d-old pigs. Forty- eight pigs (n = 16 per treatment), with an initial BW of 4.0 ± 0.1 kg (P > 0.40), were weaned at 10 d of age, blocked by litter and sex, and assigned to pens (8 pigs/ pen). Each block was randomly assigned to consume 1 of 3 liquid dietary treatments for 14 d: a control diet, the control diet + lysozyme (100 mg/kg of diet), or the control diet + antibiotics (neomycin and oxytetracy- cline, 16 mg/kg of diet). Pigs were weighed and blood was sampled on d 0, 7, and 14. Blood was analyzed for plasma urea N and IgA. After 14 d of treatment, pigs were killed and samples of the jejunum and ileum were collected and fixed to measure villus height and crypt depth. Rectal swabs were taken on d 0, 7, and 14 of treatment, and samples of ileal and cecal contents were taken at d 14 of treatment to determine the presence of Campylobacter. Pigs consuming lysozyme and antibiot- ics gained BW at a faster rate than did control pigs over the course of the study (402 ± 12 and 422 ± 14 g/d, respectively, vs. 364 ± 14 g/d; P 0.6). Crypt depth was increased in pigs fed lysozyme- and antibiotic-treated diets, compared with pigs fed the control diet, in both the jejunum (60.0 ± 2.8 and 62.2 ± 3.0 μm, respectively, vs. 50.7 ± 3.1 μm; P 0.2) but was increased in the ileum of pigs consuming the lysozyme- and antibiotic- treated diets, compared with pigs fed the control diet (312 ± 20 and 314 ± 10 μm, resp ectively, vs. 263 ± 15 μm; P 0.05). Campylobacter was detected in 27% of control samples but in only 5% of samples from pigs fed antibiotics and 8% of samples from pigs fed lysozyme (P < 0.01). Thus, granulated lysozyme is a suitable alternative to antibiotics for 10-d-old pigs consuming manufactured liquid diets.
Student Evaluations and Gendered Expectations: What We Can't Count Can Hurt Us

Does teacher's gender impact students' evaluations? We critically evaluated the research literature and concluded that the form gender bias takes may not be easily detectible by quantitative scales. To explore this possibility, we did a qualitative analysis of the words that 288 college students at two campuses used to describe their best- and worst-ever teachers. Although we found considerable overlap in the ways that students talked about their male and female teachers, we also saw indications that students hold teachers accountable to certain gendered expectations. These expectations place burdens on all teachers, but the burdens on women are more labor-intensive. We also saw signs of much greater hostility toward women than toward men who do not meet students' gendered expectations.
Driver Steering Reaction Time to Abrupt-Onset Crosswinds, as Measured In a Moving-Base Driving Simulator:

A moving-base driving simulator was used in three experiments involving driver reaction time (RT) to simulated crosswind disturbances. Analyses were conducted on driver steering reaction time (RT) to the disturbances. Experiment 1 revealed that RT was significantly shorter when physical-motion cues were present. A second variable, vehicle yaw rate rise time, showed no effect. In Experiment 2, design parameters influencing aerodynamic behavior of a vehicle were adjusted. RT increased as the vehicle center of pressure (point of crosswind application) moved rearward from the front axle. However, rearward movement of the center of pressure also produced less disturbance of the vehicle itself. Changes in understeer and steering sensitivity yielded no significant effect. In Experiment 3, both uninitiated drivers and drivers with time on task were examined. Neither the first exposure to a step gust nor driving time up to 150 min caused significant changes in RT when performance was compared with that of practiced, fresh drivers. Interexperiment comparisons using crosswind amplitude and shape as independent variables demonstrated that the amplitude and rise time of the crosswinds were critical determinants of steering RT.
MIMO NLMS-ZF Data Detection approach for WCDMA based HSDPA systems

This paper proposes several new approaches (NLMS-ZF Weighting, NLMS-ZF Iterations, NLMS-ZF Joint, and Kalman Data Detection Methods) to compare with the existing Normalized Least Mean Square (NLMS) Data Detection method for the Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) High Speed Data Packet Access (HSDPA) enabled Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system. The NLMS Data Detection Method has the lowest and Kalman (in general) the highest complexity of the methods. It is found that the Kalman method has the best performance and that the NLMS-ZF methods have some improvement over the NLMS Data Detection method for fast-varying channels.
Astronomy and Astrology in the Works of Abraham ibn Ezra

Abraham ibn Ezra the Spaniard (d. 1167) was one of the foremost transmitters of Arabic science to the West. His astrological and astronomical works, written in Hebrew and later translated into Latin, were considered authoritative by many medieval Jewish and Christian scholars. Some of the works he translated from Arabic are no longer extant in their original form, and on occasion his treatises provide information about earlier sources that is otherwise poorly preserved, if at all. Ibn Ezra seems to be the earliest scholar to record one of the seven methods for setting up the astrological houses, and this method was subsequently used by Levi ben Gerson (d. 1344) in southern France.
Patterns of Substance Involvement and Criminal Behavior: A Gender-Based Cluster Analysis of Pennsylvania Arrestees

Recent drug-crime scholarship has underscored the importance of conducting disaggregated research that focuses on the consistencies and variations between subcategories of drug misuse and criminal activity and, further, how these associations may vary across sociodemographic and cultural boundaries. The research presented in this article used cluster analysis to independently classify male and female arrestees based on their arrest charges and substance-specific indicators of initiation, use, dependence, and treatment need. The data come from Pennsylvania's Substance Abuse and Need for Treatment Among Arrestees study conducted as part of the State Treatment Needs Assessment Program. Five groups were identified in both the male and female cluster analyses. The results reveal both important differences and strong similarities in the drug-crime typologies of male and female arrestees. Given these findings, implications are discussed for developing and targeting responsive treatment services that match the pa...
The Krüppel-like factor 2 and Krüppel-like factor 4 genes interact to maintain endothelial integrity in mouse embryonic vasculogenesis

Kruppel-like Factor 2 (KLF2) plays an important role in vessel maturation during embryonic development. In adult mice, KLF2 regulates expression of the tight junction protein occludin, which may allow KLF2 to maintain vascular integrity. Adult tamoxifen-inducible Kruppel-like Factor 4 (KLF4) knockout mice have thickened arterial intima following vascular injury. The role of KLF4, and the possible overlapping functions of KLF2 and KLF4, in the developing vasculature are not well-studied. Endothelial breaks are observed in a major vessel, the primary head vein (PHV), in KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos at E9.5. KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos die by E10.5, which is earlier than either single knockout. Gross hemorrhaging of multiple vessels may be the cause of death. E9.5 KLF2-/-KLF4+/- embryos do not exhibit gross hemorrhaging, but cross-sections display disruptions of the endothelial cell layer of the PHV, and these embryos generally also die by E10.5. Electron micrographs confirm that there are gaps in the PHV endothelial layer in E9.5 KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos, and show that the endothelial cells are abnormally bulbous compared to KLF2-/- and wild-type (WT). The amount of endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) mRNA, which encodes an endothelial regulator, is reduced by 10-fold in E9.5 KLF2-/-KLF4-/- compared to KLF2-/- and WT embryos. VEGFR2, an eNOS inducer, and occludin, a tight junction protein, gene expression are also reduced in E9.5 KLF2-/-KLF4-/- compared to KLF2-/- and WT embryos. This study begins to define the roles of KLF2 and KLF4 in the embryonic development of blood vessels. It indicates that the two genes interact to maintain an intact endothelial layer. KLF2 and KLF4 positively regulate the eNOS, VEGFR2 and occludin genes. Down-regulation of these genes in KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos may result in the observed loss of vascular integrity.