cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the mechanism of drug-induced gingival hyperplasia

Proposed mechanisms of the side effect of drug-induced gingival hyperplasia are reviewed. Hypotheses with regard to inflammation from bacterial plaque, increased sulfated glycosaminoglycans, immunoglobulins, gingival fibroblast phenotype population differences, epithelial growth factor, pharmacokinetics and tissuebinding, collagenase activation, disruption of fibroblast cellular sodium/calcium flux, folic acid and a combination hypothesis are evaluated.
Thermotropic Hydrocarbon Liquid Crystalline Monomers and Model Compounds

Abstract A versatile synthesis of hydrocarbon liquid crystalline monomers and model compounds has been developed. The general formula of the monomers is . Some of these compounds are 1iquid crystal1ine at room temperature and generally exhibit smectic B phases. A synthetic modification allows the preparation of model compounds with the general formula Several of these latter compounds are liquid crystalline and exhibit well defined smectic mesophases. Data obtained from differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction are discussed.
Faster and simpler width-independent parallel algorithms for positive semidefinite programming

This paper studies the problem of finding a (1+e)-approximate solution to positive semidefinite programs. These are semidefinite programs in which all matrices in the constraints and objective are positive semidefinite and all scalars are non-negative. At FOCS'11, Jain and Yao gave an NC algorithm that requires O(t 1/e13 log13 m log n) iterations on input n constraint matrices of dimension m-by-m, where each iteration performs at least Ω(mω) work since it involves computing the spectral decomposition. We present a simpler NC parallel algorithm that on input with n constraint matrices, requires O(1/e4 log4 n log(1/e)) iterations, each of which involves only simple matrix operations and computing the trace of the product of a matrix exponential and a positive semidefinite matrix. Further, given a positive SDP in a factorized form, the total work of our algorithm is nearly-linear in the number of non-zero entries in the factorization. Our algorithm can be viewed as a generalization of Young's algorithm and analysis techniques for positive linear programs (Young, FOCS'01) to the semidefinite programming setting.
Solar eruptive events

It’s long been known that the Sun plays host to the most energetic explosions in the solar system. But key insights into how they work have only recently become available.
Fracture-associated hospitalizations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Maintenance of bone health is an important concern in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They may frequently have impaired bone density resulting in greater incidence of fractures. To examine fracture-associated hospitalization costs in IBD patients from a nationwide representative sample, and to compare the risk factors for such fractures in IBD and non-IBD patients. We identified discharges with IBD and coexisting codes for hip, vertebral or wrist fractures (IBD-Fr) from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and compared them with IBD hospitalizations without codes for these fractures. A second analysis was performed using 2008 inpatient data from the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) comparing characteristics of patients with IBD-Fr and non-IBD controls hospitalized for similar fractures. There were 1,653 discharges in the IBD-Fr group accounting for 10,461 days of hospital stay and US $46 million in total hospitalization charges. On multivariate analysis, age >65 years [odds ratio (OR) 28.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3–67.6] and female sex (OR 1.3, 95%CI 1.0–1.6) were associated with higher odds of hospitalization associated with fractures. We found no differences in age, gender, or race among IBD-Fr and non-IBD fracture controls. However, IBD-fractures were twice as likely to be associated with osteoporosis as non-IBD fractures (OR 2.19, 95%CI 1.10–4.33). Older age, female sex, and osteoporosis were more commonly associated with hospitalization for fractures in IBD patients. Osteoporosis appears to be more common among IBD-Fr patients than non-IBD fracture controls.
Membrane potential-controlled inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase by zinc.

Abstract Like many voltage-sensitive ion pumps, cytochromec oxidase is inhibited by zinc. Binding of zinc to the outside surface of Rhodobacter sphaeroides cytochromec oxidase inhibits the enzyme with a K Iof ≤ 5 μm when the enzyme is reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles in the presence of a membrane potential. In the absence of a membrane potential and a pH gradient, millimolar concentrations of zinc are required to inhibit. This differential inhibition causes a dramatic increase in the respiratory control ratio from 6 to 40 for wild-type oxidase. The external zinc inhibition is removed by EDTA and is not competitive with cytochrome cbinding but is competitive with protons. Only Cd2+ of the many metals tested (Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Li2+, Cs2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+Tb3+, Tm3+) showed inhibitory effects similar to Zn2+. Proton pumping is slower and less efficient with zinc. The results suggest that zinc inhibits proton movement through a proton exit path, which can allow proton back-leak at high membrane potentials. The physiological and mechanistic significance of proton movement in the exit pathway and its blockage by zinc is discussed in terms of regulation of the efficiency of energy transduction.
Implementing an automatic control system for dynamic radiography.

The basic detection system used for dynamic radiography is reviewed. Some practical factors are discussed in the application of dynamic radiography to the mapping of epicardial motion in canines. A fluoroscopic aiming technique is described for hitting specific points on the cardiac silhouette. The development and design of an automatic control system for dynamic radiography is covered. This system accomplishes automatic detector scanning to the proper depth, as well as calibration of the output signal. This output displays the surface position in millimetres. Some results from canine studies are discussed.
Erythrocytic nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate levels and the genetic regulation of erythrocytic glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the inbred mouse.

NADP measurements in erythrocytes of eight inbred strains of mice showed a correlation between low NADP and low erythrocytic G6PD levels. In vitro heat inactivation tests indicated that the NADP differences found could explain the previously demonstrated lability of G6PD in the erythrocytes of the low G6PD activity strain, C57L/J. Breeding experiments suggested a common genetic control of erythrocytic NADP levels and G6PD activity in crosses between intermediate and low strains, but an effect of sex and other variables, as yet unidentified, precluded a strong demonstration of unitary genetic control.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulates a cAMP-mediated Cl- current in avian salt gland cells.

Abstract VIP plays an integral role in both protein and fluid secretion in many exocrine glands. By employing the perforated patch-clamp whole-cell recording technique we investigated the effects of VIP on membrane potential and transmembrane currents in avian exocrine salt gland cells. Prior to application of VIP, salt gland cells had a resting membrane potential close to −45 mV. When challenged with VIP (1–100 nM) a sustained depolarization to E Cl − was induced which was mimicked by the application of cell-permeable cAMP analogues or forskolin (1 μM). By employing the voltage-clamp recording configuration a sustained increase in current was observed with a reversal potential which approximated E Cl − . Ionic substitution experiments confirmed that the current was a Cl− conductance which was inhibited by the Cl− channel blockers flufenamic acid and niflumic acid and by the inhibitory cAMP isomer, adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphothioate, Rp-isomer. Based on this, and the fact that the kinetic properties of the Cl− current activated by VIP are similar to those activated by cAMP, we propose that VIP-receptor interaction results in the activation of a cAMP-dependent Cl− current.
Modular artificial neural networks for solving the inverse transportation planning problem

Because major capacity-expansion projects are very unlikely in the coming years, transportation planners need to view the existing infrastructure as fixed and to start thinking about how much development the current system can sustain. This line of thinking, which involves deriving land use limits from infrastructure capacity, requires solving the inverse of the typical transportation planning problem. Modular artificial neural networks (ANNs) were developed for solving the inverse transportation planning problem. ANNs were designed to predict zonal trip ends, given the traffic volumes on the links of the transportation network. Computational experiments were performed to study the effect on ANN accuracy of three factors: transportation network size, variability in training data, and ANN topology. ANNs were shown to be quite capable of capturing the relationship between link volumes and zonal trip ends for both small and medium-sized transportation networks and for degrees of variability in the training data. Modular ANNs with one or two hidden layers appeared to outperform other ANN topologies.
Testing the role of apoA-I, HDL, and cholesterol efflux in the atheroprotective action of low-level apoE expression.

Low levels of transgenic mouse apolipoprotein E (apoE) suppress atherosclerosis in apoE knockout (apoE−/−) mice without normalizing plasma cholesterol. To test whether this is due to facilitation of cholesterol efflux from the vessel wall, we produced apoA-I−/−/apoE−/− mice with or without the transgene. Even without apoA-I and HDL, apoA-I−/−/apoE−/− mice had the same amount of aorta cholesteryl ester as apoE−/− mice. Low apoE in the apoA-I−/−/apoE−/− transgenic mice reduced aortic lesions by 70% versus their apoA-I−/−/apoE−/− siblings. To define the free cholesterol (FC) efflux capacity of lipoproteins from the various genotypes, sera were assayed on macrophages expressing ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). Surprisingly, ABCA1 FC efflux was twice as high to sera from the apoA-I−/−/apoE−/− or apoE−/− mice compared with wild-type mice, and this activity correlated with serum apoA-IV. Immunodepletion of apoA-IV from apoA-I−/−/apoE−/− serum abolished ABCA1 FC efflux, indicating that apoAI-V serves as a potent acceptor for FC efflux via ABCA1. With increasing apoE expression, apoA-IV and FC acceptor capacity decreased, indicating a reciprocal relationship between plasma apoE and apoA-IV. Low plasma apoE (1–3 × 10−8 M) suppresses atherosclerosis by as yet undefined mechanisms, not dependent on the presence of apoA-I or HDL or an increased capacity of serum acceptors for FC efflux.
Generating microbial survival curves during thermal processing in real time

Aims: To develop a method to calculate and record theoretical microbial survival curves during thermal processing of foods and pharmaceutical products simultaneously with the changing temperature. Moreover, to demonstrate that the method can be used to calculate nonisothermal survival curves, with widely available software such as Microsoft Excel®. Methods and Results: It has been assumed that the targeted organism's isothermal survival curves are not log linear and hence, the inactivation rate in nonisothermal processes is a function of the momentary temperature and the corresponding survival ratio. This could be expressed by a difference equation, which is an approximation to the continuous rate model. The concept was tested with the isothermal survival parameters of Clostridium botulinum and Bacillus sporothermodurans spores, and Salmonella enteritidis cells, using different kinds of survival models and under temperature profiles resembling those of commercial processes. As expected, there was an excellent agreement between the curves produced by solving the differential equation of the continuous model and by the incremental method, which has been posted on the web as freeware. Conclusions: It is possible to calculate nonisothermal survival curves, in real time, with an algorithm that can be written in the language of general purpose software, to follow the inactivation of one or more targeted organisms simultaneously and to simulate microbial survival patterns under existing or planned industrial thermal processes. Significance and Impact of the Study: Replacement of the traditional ‘F0-value’, which requires the log linearity of the organism's isothermal survival curves, by the more realistic theoretical survival ratio estimate as a measure of the thermal process efficacy.
Using root cause analysis to improve survival in a liver transplant program.

Background With the advent of programs such as the American College of Surgeons–National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, surgical services will be compared with their peers across the United States. At times, many programs will experience lower-than-expected outcomes. During July 1, 1998, to June 30, 2000 our 1-year graft (76.86%, P = 0.23) and patient (80.61%, P = 0.016) survivals after liver transplantation were lower than our expected rates (graft 81.89% and patient 88.3%), according to the U.S. Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). Methods We used aggregate root cause analysis to determine underlying reasons for our patient deaths. Two of our surgeons performed a systematic review of all our center’s liver transplant patient deaths from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2000. Each phase of the transplant process was reviewed. Results Of 355 patients receiving their first transplant, there were 90 deaths, with 188 root causes identified. The apportionment according to phase of the transplant process was patient selection, 50%; transplant procedure, 17%; donor selection, 15%; post-transplant care, 8%, and psychosocial issues, 10%. Risk reduction action plans were developed, and several important changes made in our care protocol. In April 2004, SRTR data revealed that for patients transplanted between January 1, 2001 and June 30, 2003, our 1-year liver graft survival of 90.73% ( P = 0.018) was significantly higher than the national expected rate of 84.48%. Our 1-year patient survival rate of 92.66% ( P = 0.285) was higher than the expected rate of 89.29%. Conclusions Lower-than-expected outcomes can provide an impetus for improving patient care and raising the quality of a surgical service. Aggregate root cause analysis of adverse events is a valuable method for program improvement.
Moods as sources of stimulation: Relationships between personality and desired mood states

Abstract Theories of optimal arousal and stimulation seeking propose that individuals differ in the amount of stimulation they typically prefer. In the current study we propose that individuals differ in the moods they find desirable, due to the level of arousal inherent in different mood states. Are there meaningful individual differences in the types of moods people desire and, if so, are these predictable from various personality theories? To examine the structure and personality correlates of desired moods, subjects rated a list of 48 mood adjectives twice (the actual frequency of experience, and the desirability of experiencing each item), and completed a series of personality scales known from previous research to correlate with self-rated affect. Results indicate that, on average, desired moods conform primarily to the presence of pleasant and the absence of unpleasant affect, the hedonic dimension of mood. The activation or arousal dimension of desired moods showed strong correlations with personality. For example, extraversion correlated with the desire for activated affect, and neuroticism correlated with the desire for low activation emotions. Factor analyses indicate that the underlying structure of desired moods is similar, but simpler, than that of actual moods.
Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Reduction of Cr(VI) in UV-Irradiated Titania Suspensions: Effect of Protons, Ammonium Ions, and Other Interfacial Aspects

Heterogeneous photocatalytic reactions in UV-irradiated TiO2 suspensions are comprised of two conjugate reaction pathways involving the photogenerated electrons and holes, respectively. The role of the hole reaction pathway in the dynamics of the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) is a major focus of this study. It is shown that proton supply plays a crucial role in this reduction reaction. Thus, the Cr(VI) photoreduction kinetics switch from first order to zero order as the proton concentration is systematically increased in the aqueous suspensions. Ammonium ions are also shown to exert a dramatic accelerating influence on Cr(VI) reduction in media of initial pH 6. This new observation is rationalized by considering that these species act as hole scavengers. The consequent improvement in quantum yield combines with the facile proton generation upon NH4+ photooxidation, to result in the observed rate enhancement. Other interfacial aspects (i.e., adsorption) are also discussed.
The Separation of Hypericin's Enantiomers and Their Photophysics in Chiral Environments¶

We report the first separation of the enantiomers of hypericin. Their steady-state optical spectra and ultrafast primary photoprocesses are investigated in chiral environments. Within experimental error, there is no difference between the two enantiomers in any of the systems considered. This is consistent with the emerging picture that the rich and extended absorption spectrum of hypericin is not a result of ground-state heterogeneity. It is also consistent with the observation that the spectra and photophysics of hypericin are generally insensitive to environments in which it does not aggregate.
Presidential Approval and the Mixed Blessing of Divided Government

Divided government provides ambiguous and conflicting information about which branch of government to hold accountable for government performance. The implication for presidents, who are easy targets of blame, is that they are less likely to be held accountable for government's failures during periods of divided government because the public has a plausible alternative for affixing responsibility: the U.S. Congress. Because presidents are punished more heavily for negative outcomes than they are rewarded for favorable ones, we argue that a divided government context has the effect of increasing presidential approval relative to periods of unified government. At the individual level, using data from the 1972-1994 National Election Studies we show that divided government increases the probability that respondents approve of a president's job performance. This effect is even stronger among citizens who are knowledgeable about control of government. Examining approval at the aggregate level from 1949 to 1996,...
A hierarchical fuzzy classification approach for high-resolution multispectral data over urban areas

In this paper, we investigate the usefulness of high-resolution multispectral satellite imagery for classification of urban and suburban areas and present a fuzzy logic methodology to improve classification accuracy. Panchromatic and multispectral IKONOS image datasets are analyzed for two urban locations in this study. Both multispectral and pan-sharpened multispectral images are first classified using a traditional maximum-likelihood approach. Maximum-likelihood classification accuracies between 79% to 87% were achieved with significant misclassification error between the spectrally similar Road and Building urban land cover types. A number of different texture measures were investigated, and a length-width contextual measure is developed. These spatial measures were used to increase the discrimination between spectrally similar classes, thereby yielding higher accuracy urban land cover maps. Finally, a hierarchical fuzzy classification approach that makes use of both spectral and spatial information is presented. This technique is shown to increase the discrimination between spectrally similar urban land cover classes and results in classification accuracies that are 8% to 11% larger than those from the traditional maximum-likelihood approach.
A modified soil diffusion chamber for gas profile analysis

Gas concentration gradients in soil profiles can provide important information on the timing and location of gas production and consumption. High spatial variation complicates both determination of soil gas profile concentration or gradient and calculation of the gaseous flux from soil. A modified diffusion chamber is introduced in this paper with advantages of gas sampling at multiple depths at a single location, easy installation and less maintenance. Field measurement using both original chamber (requiring multiple installations at various depths) and the modified chamber techniques showed comparable soil CO2 and CH4 profile gradients. S OIL GAS fluxes to the atmosphere represent an integration of heterogeneous biological activities in the vertical column of the soil, but they may not represent actual gas production in the soil. Some of the gases produced can be consumed in movement through the soil profile, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction to methane (CH4), CH4 oxidation to CO2, and nitrous oxide (N2O) reduction to nitrogen gas (N2). Determining the gas concentration in soil profiles helps to identify the location of sources and sinks in soils. Accurately sampling soil gases is essential for understanding soil microbial activities, vertical distribution of gases and their movement in the soils, and estimating the gas effluxes according to their concentration gradients. Techniques for obtaining soil gas samples vary according to what is being studied and field conditions. A soil gas-sampling probe can be used to withdraw gases from soil pore spaces (Burton and Beauchamp, 1994; Mosier and Hutchinson, 1981). This device cannot be used in flooded soils. Also the gases that are collected may not represent the point sampled because of gas mixing from other soil depths and/or even from the atmosphere. A diffusion technique, however, can be used in any soil conditions once gases reach equilibrium between inside a diffusion chamber and surrounding soils of the same depth (Fang and Moncrieff, 1998; Kammann et al., 2001). This procedure has a particular advantage under flooded conditions where little soil atmosphere is available for sampling. A typical soil diffusion chamber developed in this Institute consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cap (5 cm in diam., approximately 70 mL in volume) connected to a three-way stopcock valve that is above soil/water surface for sampling (Faulkner et al., 1989). The opening of the cap is located at a designated depth of the soil (e.g., 20 cm). The cap and valve are
Antigen Retrieval Technique

Development of the antigen retrieval (AR) technique, a simple method of boiling archival paraffin-embedded tissue sections in water to enhance the signal of immunohistochemistry (IHC), was the fruit of pioneering efforts guided by the philosophy of rendering IHC applicable to routine formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues for wide application of IHC in research and clinical pathology. On the basis of thousands of articles and many reviews, a book has recently been published that summarizes basic principles for practice and further development of the AR technique. Major topics with respect to several critical issues, such as the definition, application, technical principles, and further studies of the AR technique, are highlighted in this article. In particular, a further application of the heat-induced retrieval approach for sufficient extraction of nucleic acids in addition to proteins, and standardization of routine IHC based on the AR technique in terms of a test battery approach, are also addressed. Furthermore, understanding the mechanism of the AR technique may shed light on facilitating the development of molecular morphology.
Analyzing biodiesel for contaminants and moisture retention

This article reviews the contaminants that affect biodiesel fuel quality and the analytical procedures used for their determination. These contaminants include those causing cold flow problems and filter plugging, acid number and moisture. The significance and determination of the levels of the contaminants that affect low-temperature operability and cause filter-plugging problems, including mono-acylglycerides and sterol glucosides, are reviewed and discussed. Additionally, the significance and measurement of acid number and moisture content are reviewed in regard to their effects on fuel quality.
Commentary on “The Effects of Peripheral Vascular Disease on Gait”

those with AAI=0.9-0.4 walked at 0.98 m/sec, and those with AAI<O.4 walked at 0.83 m/sec (10). Studies of patients using a 6-minute walk test have shown similar reductions in gait speed. For example, the gait speed of PAD patients (11) calculated from the total distance walked in 6 minutes in 64 patients (61 men) with PAD was 0.97 rn/sec. Thus it appears that a gait speed ~1.0 m/sec is typical for PAD patients. The PAD group in this study had a baseline gait speed that was a little faster than these other studies perhaps due to the exercise program in which all had participated. It may be that exercise training not only improves walking time to claudication (12), but also may improve habit­
Antidotes for toxicological emergencies: A practical review

Purpose Appropriate therapies for commonly encountered poisonings, medication overdoses, and other toxicological emergencies are reviewed, with discussion of pharmacists’ role in ensuring their ready availability and proper use. Summary Poisoning is the second leading cause of injury-related morbidity and mortality in the United States, with more than 2.4 million toxic exposures reported each year. Recently published national consensus guidelines recommend that hospitals providing emergency care routinely stock 24 antidotes for a wide range of toxicities, including toxic-alcohol poisoning, exposure to cyanide and other industrial agents, and intentional or unintentional overdoses of prescription medications (e.g., calcium-channel blockers, β-blockers, digoxin, isoniazid). Pharmacists can help reduce morbidity and mortality due to poisonings and overdoses by (1) recognizing the signs and symptoms of various types of toxic exposure, (2) guiding emergency room staff on the appropriate use of antidotes and supportive therapies, (3) helping to ensure appropriate monitoring of patients for antidote response and adverse effects, and (4) managing the procurement and stocking of antidotes to ensure their timely availability. Conclusion Pharmacists can play a key role in reducing poisoning and overdose injuries and deaths by assisting in the early recognition of toxic exposures and guiding emergency personnel on the proper storage, selection, and use of antidotal therapies.
W-ChIPMotifs

Summary: W-ChIPMotifs is a web application tool that provides a user friendly interface for de novo motif discovery. The web tool is based on our previous ChIPMotifs program which is a de novo motif finding tool developed for ChIP-based high-throughput data and incorporated various ab initio motif discovery tools such as MEME, MaMF, Weeder and optimized the significance of the detected motifs by using a bootstrap resampling statistic method and a Fisher test. Use of a randomized statistical model like bootstrap resampling can significantly increase the accuracy of the detected motifs. In our web tool, we have modified the program in two aspects: (i) we have refined the P-value with a Bonferroni correction; (ii) we have incorporated the STAMP tool to infer phylogenetic information and to determine the detected motifs if they are novel and known using the TRANSFAC and JASPAR databases. A comprehensive result file is mailed to users. Availability: http://motif.bmi.ohio-state.edu/ChIPMotifs. Data used in the article may be downloaded from http://motif.bmi.ohio-state.edu/ChIPMotifs/examples.shtml. Contact: victor.jin@osumc.edu
Journal Club: estimating risk for developing epilepsy: a population-based study in Rochester, Minnesota.

This initial Journal Club article looks at a study from Hesdorffer and colleagues1 who have calculated the lifetime risk of developing epilepsy. The study provides an elegant example of proper epidemiologic methods and results in data that have important implications for public health. When addressing public health aspects of epilepsy, it is essential to obtain an unbiased estimate of the lifetime risk of epilepsy. With this assessment, the economic burden of epilepsy, including health care expenditures, productivity loss, intangible costs such as those associated with stigma, and additional costs from medical comorbidities of epilepsy can be extrapolated.2,3 Similarly, the patient-perceived burden of epilepsy, including associations between epilepsy and poor health, unemployment, lower annual incomes, lower health-related quality of life, smoking, and obesity, can be better evaluated.4 Given this information and the proportion of the aging population that is at risk for epilepsy, the limited number of specialists able to care for epilepsy patients is a growing concern. Nearly 35% of adults with self-reported active epilepsy reported not having seen a neurologist or epileptologist in the previous year4 and the Workforce Task Force of the American Academy of Neurology predicts a shortfall of neurologists in the years to come.5 With these broad consequences of epilepsy, the questions that Hesdorffer and colleagues pose in their study are relevant to neurologic practice. What is the risk of developing epilepsy over the course of a lifetime? How much does this risk increase with age? How does the incidence of epilepsy differ among age groups? To answer these critical epidemiologic questions, Hesdorffer and colleagues performed a population-based retrospective cohort study using medical records from Southeastern Minnesota. The study population was limited to those who developed epilepsy between January 1, 1960, and December 31, 1979, as documented through the …
Monte Carlo-based musculoskeletal modeling suggests passive tissue afferents have optimal role in promoting knee stability

A stochastic neuro-musculoskeletal patello/femoral model was developed to examine the mechanics of reflex action elicited by valgus positional stimuli at the knee. This reflex action was shown to originate from periarticular tissue afferents. Model simulations suggest that the activation patterns mediated by these afferents resulted in an optimal muscle combination to resist the externally applied abduction load at the knee. These findings provide further evidence on the neurosensory role of the joint's passive tissue in maintaining joint stability.
Categorizing Asthma Severity: An Overview of National Guidelines

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways associated with intermittent episodes of bronchospasm. Corticosteroids are the most effective anti-inflammatory class of medication currently available for the treatment of asthma. However, as higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids are used the risks of systemic exposure and side effects will correspondingly increase. Justification of the benefits from higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids can only be made if patients with more severe asthma can be identified. Methods to categorize asthma severity have been introduced in various national asthma management guidelines. Unfortunately, there are substantial conceptual and practical differences among these recommended approaches to asthma severity categorization. Furthermore, these recommended approaches suffer from a focus on features of asthma control, such as symptoms, short-acting beta-agonist use, and lung function rather than actual measures of asthma severity that would encompass markers of airway inflammation. Without the endpoints necessary to assess airway inflammation, current recommendations for asthma severity categorization may lead to systematic under dosing of appropriate anti-inflammatory therapy with subsequent perpetuation of the asthma exacerbation cycle.
The Effect of Photonic Crystals on Dipole Antennas

ABSTRACT We study the radiation patterns of antennas placed on top and inside three dimensional photonic band-gap (PBG) materials. The Finite Difference Time Domain method has been used for the calculation of the radiation patterns. Measurements are in good agreement with theoretical results. The different factors influencing the patterns (position, height, and frequency) have been studied.
Biology and life tables of Galendromus helveolus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Florida citrus

The biology of Galendromus helveolus (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was, studied using Eotetranychus sexmaculatus (Riley) (Acari: Tetranychidae) as the food source. Larvae developed to protonymphs without feeding. The total developmental times of G. helveolus were 12.36, 9.66, 5.63, 4.61, and 4.84 d at 18, 20, 25, 30, and 32°C, respectively, at 76% RH. A higher percentage of eggs (32%) did not hatch and higher larval mortality (37%) occurred at 32°C. The intrinsic rates of natural increase ( r m) at 16, 20, 25, 30, and 32°C were 0.100, 0.153, 0.286, 0.327, and 0.144, respectively. The optimal temperature range for G. helveolus was considered to be between 25 and 3O°C. The sex ratio of G. helveolus was strongly female biased (females/total = 0.82). G. helveolus was able to survive and reproduce on Panonychus citri (McGregor), Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor), and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) with a daily rate of oviposition of 2.21, 1.96, and 2.25, respectively, compared with 2.37 when fed only Eotetranychus sexmaculatus . Females of G. helveolus were observed to feed and survive for 10 d on Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Acari: Eriophyidae), but no eggs were laid. In addition, G. helvelous protonymphs and deutonymphs were observed feeding on P. oleivora . A low percentage of the predator eggs (8%)was able to develop to the adult stage on P. oleivora compared with 82% when provided Eotetranychus sexmaculatus and 70–80% when provided Panonychus citri, Eutetranychus banksi , or T. urticae .
Formation of new synapses in the cat motor cortex following lesions of the deep cerebellar nuclei

The effects of unilateral lesions of the deep cerebellar nuclei on the corticocortical (CC) projection from the somatosensory to the motor cortex were studied in adult cats, utilizing electrophysiological and electron microscopical methods. Axon terminals in the motor cortex belonging to CC afferents were labeled by degeneration induced by lesions of the somatosensory cortex; neurons in the motor cortex were labeled by the Golgi/EM method. In each cat, data from the motor cortex (MCx) contralateral (experimental) and ipsilateral (control) to the cerebellar lesion were compared. Cerebellar lesions produced marked motor deficits, which receded gradually and disappeared after 30 to 40 days. Subsequent lesions of the somatosensory cortex (area 2) contralateral to the cerebellar lesions resulted in the reappearance of the cerebellar symptoms. The number of CC synapses per unit area in experimental MCx was significantly higher than in control MCx. The increase in the number of CC synapses was apparent throughout layers II–V of the MCx, but was most prominent in layers II/III. The increase in the number of CC synapses in experimental MCx was due mainly to an increase of axon terminals synapsing with dendritic spines belonging to pyramidal neurons. In comparison, the numbers and spatial distribution of CC synapses with aspinous, nonpyramidal neurons from both experimental and control MCx were similar. Field potentials in the experimental MCx, evoked by stimulation of area 2, were altered following cerebellar lesions. In experimental MCx, the polarity of the early component of the field potentials reversed at cortical depths corresponding to layers II–III, whereas this reversal was not observed in control MCx. These findings suggest that lesions of the cerebellar nuclei induced sprouting of axon terminals in the MCx to establish a new function. The results provide the first anatomical evidence for the generation of new synapses in the adult CNS which is not induced by elimination of existing synapses.
Distributed Minimal Time Convergecast Scheduling in Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider applications of sensor networks wherein data packets generated by every node have to reach the base station. This results in a many-to-one communication paradigm referred to as convergecast. We are interested in determining a TDMA schedule that minimizes the total time required to complete the convergecast. We consider a simple version of the problem wherein every node generates exactly one packet. We propose a distributed convergecast scheduling algorithm that requires at most 3N timeslots, where N represents the number of nodes in the network. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that actual number of timeslots needed is around 1.5N. In addition to time efficiency, we prove that our convergecast scheduling algorithm requires the nodes to buffer no more than two packets at any instance. We propose a sleep schedule that conserves more than 50% of the energy. We present simulation results for a real application scenario to show that our convergecast scheduling algorithm performs significantly better than existing convergecast algorithms.
Academic Incivility and Bullying as a Gendered and Racialized Phenomena

The continuum of bad behavior within the academy, from incivility to aggressive bullying, is analyzed using examples that occurred over a two-decade career. The author posits that the cases, which ...
Pop-Rock Musical Style as Defined by Two-Chord Patterns at Segmentation Points in the Melody and Lyrics

I describe a method for analyzing pop-rock musical styles by extracting chord patterns based on their structural roles in relation to melody and lyrics. Previous work applied models such as n-grams, treating chords as equally chopped fragments without considering their functions with respect to musical structures like phrases. In this paper I focus on chord patterns at the end of segments as suggested in lyrics and melody. I study punctuation marks in lyrics and apply established melodic segmentation methods to retrieve segmental structure of songs, and extract two-chord patterns at the end of retrieved segments. I also examine the manner in which lyric punctuation coincides with melodic boundaries. In the experiment consisting of 101 pop-rock songs, it is observed that 68% of extracted patterns differed from those defined as standard cadences in Western classical music. Focusing on those non-standard patterns seems beneficial for differentiating composition styles among pop-rock bands.
An evaluation of stress symptoms associated with academic sexual harassment

It is clear that sexual assault can precipitate posttraumatic stress disorder. Some theorists have suggested that less severe sexually harassing behaviors may also have trauma-like sequelae. In a study evaluating this hypothesis, 69 female participants completed self-report measures of instances of sexual harassment, basic beliefs, psychological distress/symptoms, and PTSD symptoms. Participants watched videotapes depicting sexual harassment, emotional arousal (not sexual in nature), and a neutral interaction while their heart rate was monitored, and they were interviewed using the SCID for PTSD. Results revealed that those who had been sexually harassed reported more negative basic beliefs, more general distress, and more negative state mood after watching the sexual harassment video, relative to those who had not been harassed. The severity of sexual harassing behaviors experienced was positively correlated with PTSD symptoms. Heart rate reactivity to the videotapes did not differ across groups defined by sexual harassment status.
Patterns of Land Cover Change in and Around Madidi National Park, Bolivia

This study examines how human land uses and biophysical factors serve as predictors of land cover change in and around Madidi National Park in Bolivia. The Greater Madidi Landscape ranges over an elevational gradient from < 200 m in the Amazon basin to 6000 m in the high Andes, contains more than ten major ecosystem types, and several protected areas and sustainable use zones. In this study, Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite images collected over the study area at the beginning of the 1990s and then the 2000s were classified according to broad land cover types. Below elevations of 3000 m, the landscape experienced equal rates of deforestation and secondary forest increases of approximately 0.63 percent annually, resulting in no significant net change. Below elevations of 1000 m, however, we found an annual net loss in forest cover of 0.11 percent. Across the landscape, land cover change was most likely to occur near areas previously deforested, near roads and population centers, and at low elevations. We found net deforestation rates to be inversely related to strength of natural resource protection laws in protected areas and other jurisdictions. Results suggest little net change for the landscape as a whole, but that local scale changes may be significant, particularly near roads. Management policies favorable for biodiversity conservation in this landscape should limit the building of new roads and immigration to biologically sensitive areas and continue to support protected areas, which are achieving a positive result for forest conservation.
TP53 Molecular Genetics

The TP53 tumor suppressor normally functions as a transcription factor within a stress response signaling pathway to activate genes that block cell proliferation, repair DNA, inhibit angiogenesis, and induce apoptotic cell death. Collectively, TP53 limits the growth and survival of abnormal cells. It is therefore not surprising that TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene detected in human cancer. Pediatric adrenocortical tumors (ACC) are rare, usually aggressive malignancies that are often associated with inherited or de novo mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene. Recent molecular and biochemical analyses of childhood ACC have revealed new insight into TP53 genotype–phenotype relationships and the factors that cooperate with the loss of TP53 functions to promote tumorigenesis. This chapter will review the TP53 signaling pathway and its clinical implications to pediatric and adult ACC and cancer in general.
National Courts and International Arbitration: Exhaustion of Remedies and Res Judicata Under NAFTA Chapter Eleven

In Part I of this article, I review the customary international law relating to the exhaustion of local remedies and the res judicata effect of domestic decisions on international tribunals. Customary international law requires the exhaustion of local remedies before a foreign investor's claim may be brought before an international tribunal (a requirement frequently referred to as the “local remedies rule”), but holds that a domestic court's decision is not res judicata for a subsequent international tribunal. It gives the foreign investor two “bites at the apple” but requires it to take the domestic bite first. Against this background, I turn in Part II to look at Chapter Eleven of NAFTA and at Article 1121 in particular. I argue that Article 1121, which (with certain exceptions) requires a foreign investor to waive its “right to initiate or continue [proceedings] before any administrative tribunal or court under the law of any Party” as a precondition to bringing a Chapter Eleven claim, is best read as waiving the local remedies rule as a procedural requirement. With respect to the effect of domestic court decisions, however, I argue that Chapter Eleven tribunals should adhere to the traditional rule that such decisions are not res judicata, though for reasons quite different from those that support the customary international law rule.
Foraging segregation of Australian warblers (Acanthizidae) in open forest near Sydney, New South Wales

Nine species of Australian warblers (Acanthizidae) occur together in open eucalypt forests near Sydney, New South Wales. The ecological segregation of six of these species, which foraged primarily in shrub and tree vegetation and are similar sized (5-8 g), was studied during 1984. Seasonal data were obtained for five species; Weebill Smicromis brevirostris, White-throated Warbler or Gerygone Gerygone olivacea, Striated Thornbill Acanthiza lineata, Little Thornbill A. nana and Buff-rumped Thornbill A. reguloides. The sixth species, Brown Thornbill A. pusilla, was uncommon and seasonal comparisons were not possible. As has been reported for similar species associations in the northern hemisphere, the species studied differed in prey attack behaviour, foraging heights, use of plant species and selection of foraging substrates. There were significant seasonal differences in the use of foraging resources. For example, bark was more important as a foraging substrate in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. A. reguloides foraged more on the ground outside the breeding season than when nesting. The increased abundance of flying insects during summer correlated with an increased use of hawking and snatching as prey attack behaviours by all species. Despite their differences, species broadly overlapped in their use of resources and had similar niche breadths. Overlaps in the use of resources were greatest during spring, when prey resources were probably most abundant, and least in autumn when prey decreased in abundance. The forest in which the study was conducted was dominated by two species of eucalypts. Birds selected between these species but used the same foraging behaviours in each. Despite the selection between eucalypt species, the limited array of plant species had little effect on species richness. Comparison of niche breadths for the same species at other sites where there were different numbers of co-existing species suggests that niche breadth and overlap may be primarily determined by the availability of resources (e.g. substrates, plant species) and not by competitive interactions between the species themselves.
A Vortex Sheet/Point Vortex Dynamical Model For Unsteady Separated Flows

This paper presents a hybrid vortex sheet/point vortex method for modeling unsteady separated flows. We use vortex sheets to capture the dynamics of the shear layers immediately behind a wing in motion. The sheets provide a natural way of capturing vortex shedding, a feature missing from many point vortex models. We overcome the high computational cost traditionally associated with vortex sheet methods by approximating the spiraling cores of the sheets using point vortices with time-varying circulation. Circulation is continuously truncated from the tips of the vortex sheets and fed into their associated point vortices. To compensate for the discontinuous force response that results from this redistribution of vorticity, we adjust the velocity of the variable strength point vortices. We demonstrate the viability of the method by modeling the impulsive translation of a wing at a fixed angle of attack. We show that the proposed model correctly predicts the dynamics of large-scale vortical structures in the flow by comparing the distribution of vorticity from results of high-fidelity simulation, a model using only vortex sheets, and the proposed model. For the test cases attempted, the hybrid model predicts similar force responses to those of the sheet-only model, while being orders of magnitude faster.
On Dürer's Knight, Death, and Devil

In analyzing Durer's engraving Knight, Death, and Devil (Fig. 1) emphasis has been laid by many scholars upon the particular style of the knight's horse. It has been pointed out that during Durer's visit to Venice he must have had ample opportunity to study the bronze horse of Verrocchio's Colleoni statue. With regard to the horses' gait, however, observers generally are agreed that the influence of Leonardo must have been decisive. Wolfflin says, e.g., “There is only one horse of this stance in Italy at that time, the most modern of all, Leonardo's model for the equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza.”1 Such statement sounds persuasive. The best-known horses of the Renaissance (the painted or the modeled ones) which are still in existence all show a different, i.e. an ambling, pace.2