cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory of flux cutting and flux transport at the critical current of a type-II superconducting cylindrical wire

I introduce a critical-state theory incorporating both flux cutting and flux transport to calculate the magnetic-field and current-density distributions inside a type-II superconducting cylinder at its critical current in a longitudinal applied magnetic field. The theory is an extension of the elliptic critical-state model introduced by Romero-Salazar and P\'erez-Rodr\'{\i}guez. The vortex dynamics depend in detail on two nonlinear effective resistivities for flux cutting (${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}$) and flux flow (${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$), and their ratio $r={\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}/{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$. When $rl1$, the low relative efficiency of flux cutting in reducing the magnitude of the internal magnetic-flux density leads to a paramagnetic longitudinal magnetic moment. As a model for understanding the experimentally observed interrelationship between the critical currents for flux cutting and depinning, I calculate the forces on a helical vortex arc stretched between two pinning centers when the vortex is subjected to a current density of arbitrary angle $\ensuremath{\phi}$. Simultaneous initiation of flux cutting and flux transport occurs at the critical current density ${J}_{c}(\ensuremath{\phi})$ that makes the vortex arc unstable.
The Cainozoic Trigoniidae of Australia

A systematic revision of the Cainozoic Trigoniidae (Mollusca:Bivalvia) reveals that the family is represented by two genera: Eotrigonia (Paleocene-Late Miocene), known only from southern Australia with species E. paleocenica sp. nov., E. eocenica sp. nov., E. tubulifera (Tate), E. intersitans (Tate) and E. subundulata (Jenkins) (= semiundulata Jenkins, = granosa Pritchard = lutosa Pritchard); and Neotrigonia (Middle Miocene-Recent) with fossil species N. acuticostata (McCoy) (= trua Cotton), N. howitti (McCoy), N. medipontea sp. nov., N. strangei (A. Adams), N. margaritacea (Lamarck) and N. uniophora (Gray), of which the latter three are found living. N. novaguineana Skwarko occurs in the Neogene of New Guinea. Both genera are placed in the Trigoniinae. Eotrigonia evolved from Trigonia s.s. in the latest Cretaceous or earliest Tertiary and Neotrigonia from Eotrigonia in the Oligocene or early Miocene. A neotype is designated for E. subundulata Jenkins. Trigonia miriana Skwarko, a possible ancestor of the ...
Cybersign and new proximities: Impacts of new communication technologies on space and language

New communication technologies have created new contexts for social interaction and new challenges for understanding the role of technology in human activity, particularly in altering spatial relationships of interaction. In this article we discuss ways a new communication technology is influencing social interaction and language use among a visual language community, the Deaf community, in the U.S. We show some examples of ways signers are inventing new communication behaviors and adapting others as a result of the technological mediation of their visual space. Signers exploit new properties of the technologically mediated visual field, such as the way the size of manual signs is affected by proximity to the webcamera lens, and they respond to how other properties of the visual field require the adaptation of sign language production.
Evolutionary morphology of the caecilian urogenital system. I. The gonads and the fat bodies

The comparative morphology of the gonads and fat bodies of members of 17 genera and 46 species of caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) is described and analyzed. Comparison is made with the morphology of salamanders and frogs in order to elucidate evolutionary trends and relationships within the order Gymnophiona and within the class Amphibia. The structure of the testis lobes and transverse and longitudinal ducts is described based on gross dissection and histological investigation. The pattern of spermatogenesis and interstitial tissue changes are described and compared with those of other amphibians. A trend toward fusion of testis lobes is analyzed. The characteristics of the seasonal reproductive cycle of male Gymnopis m. proxima are described, and evidence for cyclic reproductive activity in other forms is presented. The morphology of the ovaries and ova is described. Size of ovary and size and number of ova is dependent on the state of maturation of the ova. Some evidence for seasonal ovum production and breeding is presented. Fat body morphology is found to be correlated with size, nutrition, and gonad condition, as in other amphibians.
Inversion-asymmetry-induced magnetooptical transitions in HgTe/CdTe superlattices

A new far-infrared magnetooptical transition, much weaker than the cyclotron resonance of the conduction electrons is observed for the first time in an n-type HgTe/CdTe superlattice. The photon energy for the new transition is about twice the energy of the cyclotron resonance at a given magnetic field. A theoretical calculation of the transition intensities points out that this new weak transition is induced by the inversion asymmetry of the bulk HgTe and CdTe materials. Other aspects of the theoretical results also agree well with the experiment. The results lead to the conclusion that the valence-band offset at a HgTe/CdTe heterojunction is less than 70 meV.
Identification of glandular and poroidal idionotal systems inMacrocheles perglaber F. & P. (Acari: Macrochelidae)

Based on a silver nitrate reduction treatment of adult and immatureMacrocheles perglaber, certain of the dorsal cuticular openings were found to be sites of glandular secretion and were designated as crobylophores. Reactivity tests showed an ontogenetic progression of dorsal gland activity, with those of tested larvae being non-reactive at all pore sites. Six pairs of glands were identified on the adult dorsum on the basis of reduction reactions.
Change in heart period: A function of sensorimotor event timing within the cardiac cycle

In a fixed-foreperiod reaction time experiment with 66 male college students, the heart rate for the same cardiac cycle within which the imperative stimulus occurred was slowed. The slowing was greater for imperative stimuli presented early in the cardiac cycle than late. The “monotonic” (linear) trend was highly significant, p< 10-8. There was also a significant “bitonic” (quadratic) trend, p <.01. Three subgroups of subjects, split on the basis of heart rate level, each showed significant trends with significant differences in the trend-components among groups. Analyses of ready signal presentations and of a control point in the intertrial interval revealed no comparable effects. The results were replicated in a second experiment in which 20 male college students self-initiated tachistoscopic exposures. In this experiment, the next cardiac cycle, subsequent to the cardiac cycle in which the self-initiated response occurred, was also shown to exhibit systematic modification with changes in the temporal placement of the response within the preceding cycle. The phenomena described are strikingly parallel with results obtained in animals upon direct stimulation of the vagus and carotid sinus nerves, and in man upon stimulation of the carotid sinus with neck suction. The results constitute the first demonstration in intact man of differential modification of heart period with temporal variations of the placement of “significant” sensorimotor events within the cardiac cycle.
Promoting efficiency in shipping

Technological change in freight transportation has become pervasive and irreversible. The rate of technological obsolescence has more than doubled in the last 20 years, and there is little evidence of a slowdown in this trend. At the same time, the world has become increasingly dependent on international trade. Developing countries are no exception to this trend, but their trade is mainly with developed countries, whose transport technology is usually more advanced. The effective management of technological change involves the choice, timing, scale of introduction, and rate of utilization of new technology. Few in maritime transport know how effectively to deal with these problems. As a result, we often experience ineffective management of technological change; with technology sometimes introduced on the verge of obsolescence, inappropriate technology chosen, or use of new technology made difficult because of lack of training or other manpower resources. Effective technological change usually requires changes in organization, management, and control of port and shipping systems. Today we are faced with large changes in trading patterns, as well as in the physical form in which commodities are traded. Ports and shipping therefore often find themselves with the wrong capacity or technology for their trade. Efficiency in ports and shipping, in addition to the use of appropriate technology, requires effective management, operations, and maintenance. This in turn can only be achieved by an effective match of technology, user requirements, operational procedures, maintenance, etc. Ports operate in an increasingly competitive environment and can no longer rely on their traditional ‘monopoly of service’, nor can shipping rely on protectionism for cargo. Efficiency improvements in ports and shipping are the result of changes in technology, institutional structure, work rules, human relations, training, and incentives. Technological change in shipping has been a gradual process induced in the past by profit incentives and exogenous factors such as ship safety and environmental regulations. Nowadays such changes are more often forced by interand intra-modal competitive pressures, changes in user demand, and in interface technology. Technological changes are now much more frequent and in the future will be more radical. Management of technological change will be the most important function of port and shipping management in the future.
Reduced oxygenation in a rat mammary carcinoma after chemo- or radiation therapy and reoxygenation with perflubron emulsion/carbogen breathing

Rat 13672 mammary carcinoma tumors were grown subcutaneously in the hind legs of female Fischer 344 rats to a volume of about 1 cm3. Tumor oxygenation was measured using an Eppendorf PO2 histograph. Tumor oxygen measurements were made under four conditions: (a) normal air breathing, (b) carbogen breathing, (c) after intravenous administration of a perflubron emulsion (8 ml/kg) with air breathing and (d) after intravenous administration of a perflubron emulsion (8 ml/kg) with carbogen breathing. Tumor oxygenation was examined without treatment or 24 h and 48 h after treatment with cyclophosphamide (300 mg/kg, i.p.) or cisplatin (8 mg/kg, i.p.] or after the fifth dose of a daily regimen of 3-Gy irradiation (5 x 3 Gy). Under normal air-breathing conditions 49% of the tumor had a PO2 < or = 670 Pa (5 mm Hg). The degree of hypoxia in the tumors increased after each treatment such that 24 h after treatment 65%-85% of the oxygen readings were < or = 670 Pa and 48 h after treatment 60%-74% of the oxygen readings were < or = 670 Pa. Administration of the perflubron emulsion/carbogen atmosphere increased the oxygen content of the tumors both without treatment and after each of the treatments. A knowledge of tumor oxygen content over the course of treatment and the ability to increase tumor oxygen should allow for the development of more rational treatment combinations and better treatment outcomes.
Consumer Evaluations of Cable Network Brand Extensions: A Case Study of the Discovery Channels

AbstractThis case study examines the factors affecting the evaluation of brand extensions of the Discovery network. The results of correlation and multiple regression analysis showed that, among all the variables, perceived fit, evaluation of the original Discovery Channel, and perceived quality variance were significant predictors of the success of the Discovery network’s brand extensions.
Modulation of synaptic delay during synaptic plasticity

At most synapses, information about the processes underlying transmitter release evoked by a presynaptic action potential has been gathered indirectly, based on characterization of the postsynaptic response. Traditionally, the two electrophysiological parameters used for this indirect investigation are the amplitude and latency of the response. The amplitude measures amount of transmitter released; the latency (synaptic delay) reflects the kinetics of a sequence of events that culminates in release. The latency distribution of quantal events, or the time course of composite evoked responses, can be used to infer the time course of the elevated release probability following a stimulus. Recent studies have demonstrated that synaptic delay is not invariant, but is modifiable during several forms of short-term synaptic plasticity. This suggests that the step of transmitter secretion can be modulated directly. Several models for short-term synaptic plasticity are evaluated in the context of the observed changes in synaptic delay.
The Use of Blue-Splashed White Down in Color Sexing Crosses

Since the blue-splashed white (BSW) phenotype represents an alternative type of near-white down, a study was undertaken to see if it could be used in color sexing crosses as a background for the expression of sex-linked alleles at the silver (S, s+) and barring (B, b+) loci. The BSW is produced by homozygosity for the autosomal mutation, Bl, which results in blue plumage when heterozygous (Bl/bl+). The Bl/bl genotype reduces eumelanin in the down to a light grayish color. Also, like dominant white (I), it is relatively ineffective against pheomelanin. Silver (S) and gold (s+) were readily identifiable on BSW down in the presence of e+/e+ (wild type) and to a lesser degree with eb/eb (brown). Sexing was not possible using S and s+ with either E/-(extended black) or eWh/eWh (dominant wheaten). The addition of Co (columbian) enhanced the visual differentiation of silver and gold on all but the E/-background. As it does in the presence of dominant white, Co resulted in a marked increase in red pigmentation in subsequent plumages. The use of barring (B) was also an effective method for sexing chicks on a Bl/Bl E/-background. The presence of E was necessary to provide the even grayish down coloration in the head region for the expression of the B-induced head spot. the amount of red pigment in the broiler and adult plumage of the sex-linked offspring from this cross was further reduced by incorporating silver (S).
A multi-mutualist simulation: Applying biological market models to diverse mycorrhizal communities

Abstract We present a cellular automaton that simulates the interaction between a host tree and multiple potential mycorrhizal symbionts and generates testable hypotheses of how processes at the scale of individual root tips may explain mycorrhizal community composition. Existing theoretical biological market models imply that a single host is able to interact with and select from multiple symbionts to organize an optimal symbiont community. When evaluating the tree–symbiont interaction, two scales must be considered simultaneously: the scale of the entire host plant at which carbon utilization and nutrient demands operate, and the scale of the individual root tip, at which colonization and carbon-nutrient trade occurs. Three strategies that may be employed by the host tree for optimizing carbon use and nutrient acquisition through mycorrhizal symbiont communities are simulated: (1) carbon pool adjustment, in which the plant controls only the total amount of carbon to be distributed uniformly throughout the root system, (2) symbiont selection, wherein the plant opts either for or against the interaction at each fine root tip, and (3) selective carbon allocation, wherein the plant adjusts the amount of carbon allocated to each root tip based on the cost of nutrients. Strategies were tested over various nutrient availabilities (the amount of inorganically and organically bound nutrients). Success was defined on the basis of minimizing carbon expended for nutrient acquisition because this would allow more carbon to be utilized for growth and reproduction. In all cases, the symbiont selection and selective carbon allocation strategies were able to meet the nutritional requirements of the plant, but did not necessarily optimize carbon use. The carbon pool adjustment strategy is the only strategy that does not operate at the individual root tip scale, and the strategy was not successful when inorganic nutrients were scarce since there is no mechanism to exclude suboptimal symbionts. The combination of the symbiont selection strategy and the carbon pool adjustment resulted in optimal carbon use and nutrient acquisition under all environmental conditions but result in monospecific symbiont assemblages. On the other hand, the selective carbon allocation strategy is the only strategy that maintained successful, multi-symbiont communities. The simulations presented here thus imply clear hypotheses about the effect of nutrient availability on symbiont selection and mycorrhizal community richness and composition.
Computational analysis of dynamically propagating cracks in axisymmetric solids

Dynamic crack propagation behavior in axisymmetric solids is investigated using an effective computational procedure. First, an accurate method to extract energy release rate of a dynamically propagating crack from finite element solutions is formulated for axisymmetric geometries. The method is applied to an analysis of a radially growing circular crack under remote tension in an infinite medium. The computed dynamic energy release rate shows an excellent agreement with the exact solution. Next, we have developed an iterative technique to propagate a crack whose velocity history is initially unknown. With the iterative procedure, the crack propagates according to a condition specified by a dynamic fracture criterion. At each increment of crack growth, an optimum velocity at which the crack growth condition satisfies is obtained by the iterative scheme. This procedure requires no artificial input or no preset crack tip speed in a simulation study. The iterative scheme is employed in a dynamic fracture analysis of ceramics. The computational analysis is carried out for simulation of fracture experiments using circumferentially notched round bars. In the test, a ceramic specimen is subjected to tensile stress wave loading and after crack growth initiation, the external crack propagates to tear the specimen. The computational simulation is carried out for the entire fracture process including the crack growth initiation and the dynamic propagation. The iterative procedure enables us to predict the crack tip velocity which is unmeasurable in the experiment. Suitabilities of proposed fracture toughness criteria for the ceramics are investigated by comparing measured and computed transmitted pulses through the uncracked ligament. This study proves the usefulness of the computational procedures for dynamic fracture analysis. It is most effective in characterizing dynamic fracture toughness where determination of every relevant parameter is difficult in the experiments.
SU‐E‐T‐173: Evaluation of the MicroSTAR Reader for the OSLD System for Remote Dosimetry Audits at the IROC HQAC

Purpose: Analysis of the performance of the microSTARii reader for optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLD) used by the IROC Houston Quality Assurance Center (IROC HQAC) for external audits compare to the characteristics of the Microstar reader. Methods: The IROC HQAC uses the Microstar reader for the OSLD program for verification of output of photon, electron and proton beams. The calculation of dose from the OSLD system is based on a group of factors defined at time of the commissioning of a batch of detectors. Factors like system sensitivity (SS), depletion (KD), element correction factor (ECF), linearity (KL), energy correction (KE). The new microSTARii unit presents many hardware and software upgrades that were considered useful for this program. Based on these changes many factors, that were considered reader dependent, were revised in order to analyze the effect of the new reading process. The SS, KD, ECF and KL were evaluated and compared with data defined based on reading done on Microstar reader. Results: The SS is reader specific and specified at 100 cGy dose level. This value is define per reading session and monitored over time. The KD factor was found to be different because of reading procedure are different. Themore » ECF values changed for a group of nano dots compare to values defined based on reading done on the Microstar reader. The KL was defined for the reader. Conclusion: The new microSTARii reader presents new features that improve the efficiency of the OSLD program at the IROC HQAC. New characterization is needed before final implementation is done to match the requirements of the existing OSLD system defined for the Microstar reader. Changes in uncertainty of the results has not been analized.« less
Progeny Screening of Sorghum Plants Regenerated from Sodium chloride-selected Callus for Salt Tolerance

Summary Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench plants regenerated from callus cultures grown with and without salt (NaCl) were grown to maturity in a greenhouse. Seeds collected from these populations after self-pollination were germinated, and seedlings were screened in a hydroponics system for NaCl tolerance. Seedlings from the parent plants also were included in the screening. Progeny from the salt-selected plant had slightly longer roots than the parents when grown in normal nutrient solution. In nutrient solution containing NaCl, the salt-selected progeny had higher shoot dry matter than did the parent line. However, progenies from both the parent and salt-selected lines had decreased root weights and root lengths in the presence of NaCl. This suggests that seedlings from the salt-selected plant obtained adequate nutrients to allow higher shoot dry matter accumulation than that of the parent population.
Role of NF-kappaB signaling pathway in increased apoptosis of lymphocytes in aged humans

Abstract Rationale Following ligation with its receptors, TNF-α induces both apoptotic (via FADD) and survival (via NF-κB) signals. TNF- activates the IκB kinase (IKK) complex, which phosphorylates IκB leading to its degradation; the release of NF-κB then translocate to the nucleus resulting in the activation of anti-apoptotic genes. T cells from aged humans display increased sensitivity to TNF-α-induced apoptosis. We hypothesized that decreased activation of NF-κB pathway play a role in increased apoptosis of lymphocytes from aged humans. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) from healthy aged (66-89 years) and healthy young (18-30 years) subjects were stimulated with TNF-α for various time intervals and examined for the expression of IKKβ and phosphorylation of IκB by Western blotting using specific antibodies and activation of NF-κB by gel mobility shift and ELISA assays. Transfection of MNCs with IKKβ was preformed with IKKβ expression plasmid. Apoptosis was measured by TUNEL Assay. Results Lymphocytes from aged subjects had lower expression of IKKβ and decreased phopshorylation of IκB. In addition, TNF-α-induced activation of NF-κB was significantly less in aged lymphocytes as compared to lymphocytes from young subjects. Furthermore, overexpression of IKKβ resulted in reduced TNF-α-induced apoptosis in aged lymphocytes to a level comparable to that of lymphocytes from young subjects. Control expression plasmid had no effect on apoptosis. Conclusion A decreased activation of NF-κB plays an important role in increased sensitivity of aged lymphocytes to TNF-α-induced apoptosis.
The influence of DNA size on the binding of antibodies to DNA in the sera of normal human subjects and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

To elucidate antibody recognition of DNA in normal and aberrant immunity, the binding of sera of normal human subjects (NHS) and patients with SLE was tested with mammalian and bacterial DNA varying in size. Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) and calf thymus (CT) single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) were investigated as model antigens using the restriction enzyme HinfI to generate fragments with the size range of 800–5000 base pairs. The influence of size on activity was assessed by ELISA by both titration of serum as well as coating antigen concentration. In both assay formats, SLE sera bound equivalently to intact CT and KP DNA, but had dramatically reduced reactivity to fragments of both antigens. In contrast, NHS bound similarly to intact KP DNA and its fragments but had low reactivity to CT DNA. These results suggest that SLE and NHS anti-DNA react with different antigenic determinants on DNA, as shown by cross-reactivity as well as size dependency in solid-phase assays.
The effect of olestra on the absorption, excretion and storage of 2,2',5,5' tetrachlorobiphenyl; 3,3',4,4' tetrachlorobiphenyl; and perfluorooctanoic acid.

Abstract Mice were gavaged with either 14 C-labeled 2,2′5,5′ tetrachlorobiphenyl; 3,3′,4,4′ tetrachlorobiphenyl; or perfluorooctanoic acid. Absorption of these compounds was determined by assay of feces collected for 48 h after the gavage. Part of the animals received test diets containing olestra during this 48-hour period to determine its effect on absorption of the compounds. Mice that received the diet without olestra during this period were divided into groups that either continued the diet without olestra or changed to a diet containing olestra. These diets were continued for 7 days, and a second 48-hour fecal collection was made to measure the effect of olestra on enterohepatic circulation of the compounds and their metabolites. The animals were sacrificed, and blood, fat, and liver concentrations of 14 C were measured. Olestra decreased the absorption of 2,2′,5,5′ tetrachlorobiphenyl. It also reduced tissue and blood concentrations of this compound. Olestra also decreased the absorption of 3,3′,4,4′ tetrachlorobiphenyl, but it did not alter enterohepatic circulation or tissue concentrations. Olestra significantly increased the excretion of perfluorooctanoic acid in the second 48-hour collection, suggesting an effect on enterohepatic circulation. It did not, however, alter tissue concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid. These data are consistent with previously observed effects of olestra on the absorption and storage of lipophilic compounds.
Chiropractic Students and Research: Assessing the Research Culture at a North American Chiropractic College

Purpose: To continue positive professional growth and boost research endeavors, chiropractic institutions need to develop a research-oriented foundation and produce a larger body of researchers. Th...
Can initial and additional compensatory steps be predicted in young, older, and balance-impaired older females in response to anterior and posterior waist pulls while standing?

Abstract The initiation of a single compensatory step in response to balance perturbations has been predicted with accuracies of up to 71%. We sought to determine whether similar methods also could be used to predict the onset of additional compensatory steps in both healthy and balance-impaired older females. Anterior and posterior waist pulls of five different magnitudes were applied to 13 unimpaired young (mean age 23 years), 12 unimpaired older (mean age 71 years), and 15 balance-impaired older (mean age 76 years) women. Body segment kinematic data were recorded at 100 Hz. A step was predicted when the time for the center-of-mass to reach the vertical projection of the boundary of the base-of-support fell below a certain threshold. The results show that 83% of all steps and non-steps were correctly predicted at an optimal time-to-boundary threshold ( τ opt ) of 0.78 s. Step prediction accuracy did not differ significantly by group: 86% of steps and non-steps by young, 84% by unimpaired old, and 82% by balance-impaired old women were correctly predicted at τ opt of 0.58, 0.67, and 0.78 s, respectively. Anterior steps and non-steps were predicted more accurately than posterior ones (94% vs. 79% correct at τ opt of 0.52 and 0.84 s, respectively) and initial steps were better predicted than additional ones (87% vs. 81% correct at τ opt of 0.77 and 0.34 s, respectively). We conclude that this step prediction method reasonably predicts initial and additional steps in the anterior and posterior direction by all three subject cohorts.
Methodology reporting in three acute care journals: Replication and reliability

As the sciences of emergency medicine and acute care medicine develop, it becomes imperative for researchers in these fields to accurately and completely report the methodology of their investigations. It is only through complete reporting that other investigators can critically examine, replicate, or expand on the results of an investigation. The purpose of our study was to compare the completeness of methodology reporting in three acute care journals, Annals of Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine , and Journal of Trauma . Thirty-eight criteria characteristics necessary for the replication of a clinical trial were identified and grouped into ten categories. The categories were experimental design, recruitment and exclusion of subjects, selection of study sample, subject allocation, therapeutic regimen, blindness, outcome criteria, analysis of confounders, withdrawal of subjects, and statistical analysis. All prospective, interventional, controlled trials appearing in these journals from January 1980 to June 1983 were identified. A total of 45 trials were found. Each trial was read independently by two reviewers to determine whether each of the 38 criteria was clearly reported, not clearly reported, or not applicable. Disagreements were resolved by a third reader (adjudicator). The results are reported as the mean proportion of items clearly reported ± standard deviation: Annals of Emergency Medicine (n = 16), 0.39 ± 0.10; Journal of Trauma (n = 18), 0.33 ± 0.14; and Critical Care Medicine (n = 11), 0.32 ± 0.09. A one-way analysis of variance found no statistically significant difference between journals with respect to these proportions (P = .25). The results of our study indicate that prospective, interventional, controlled trials are not being reported in these journals with sufficient information on methods to allow replication of the investigation. One solution to this problem would be for journal editors to develop and publish standards for methodology reporting.
The Lectin-Like Domain of Complement Receptor 3 Protects Endothelial Barrier Function from Activated Neutrophils

The adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells is a central event leading to diapedesis and involves the binding of the I-domain of beta(2) integrins (CD11/CD18) to endothelial ICAMs. In addition to the I-domain, the beta(2) integrin complement receptor 3 (CR3) (CD11b/CD18) contains a lectin-like domain (LLD) that can alter leukocyte functions such as chemotaxis and cytotoxicity. The present study demonstrates that, in contrast to the CR3 I-domain, Ab blockade of the CR3 LLD has no role in mediating neutrophil-induced loss of endothelial barrier function. However, activation of CR3 with the LLD agonist beta-glucan protects the barrier function of endothelial cells in the presence of activated neutrophils and reduces transendothelial migration without affecting adhesion of the neutrophils to the endothelium. The LLD site-specific mAb VIM12 obviates beta-glucan protection while activation of the LLD by VIM12 cross-linking mimics the beta-glucan response by both preserving endothelial barrier function and reducing neutrophil transendothelial migration. beta-glucan has no direct effect on endothelial cell function in the absence of activated neutrophils. These findings demonstrate that signaling through the CR3 LLD prevents neutrophil-induced loss of endothelial barrier function and reduces diapedesis. This suggests that the LLD may be a suitable target for oligosaccharide-based anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
Hyperinsulinemia Inhibits Myocardial Protein Degradation in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease and Insulin Resistance

Background Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and myocardial hypertrophy frequently coexist in patients. Whether hyperinsulinemia directly affects myocardial protein metabolism in humans has not been examined, however. To test the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia is anabolic for human heart protein, we examined the effects of insulin infusion on myocardial protein synthesis, degradation, and net balance in patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods and Results Eleven men (aged 57±3 years) with coronary artery disease who had fasted for 12 to 16 hours received a constant infusion of insulin (50 mU · m−2 · min−1) while plasma concentrations of glucose and amino acids were kept constant. Rates of myocardial protein synthesis, degradation, and net balance were estimated from steady state extraction and isotopic dilution of L-[ ring -2,6-3H]phenylalanine across the heart basally and 90 minutes into infusion. Subjects had elevated fasting plasma insulin concentrations (173±21 pmol/L) and used little exogenous glucose during insulin infusion, suggesting resistance to the effects of insulin on whole-body carbohydrate metabolism. Basally, myocardial protein degradation, as estimated by phenylalanine release (133±28 nmol/min), exceeded protein synthesis, estimated by phenylalanine uptake (31±15 nmol/min), resulting in net negative phenylalanine balance (−102±17 nmol/min). Insulin infusion reduced myocardial protein degradation by 80% but did not affect protein synthesis, returning net phenylalanine balance to neutral. Conclusions Acute hyperinsulinemia markedly suppresses myocardial protein degradation in patients with cardiovascular disease who are resistant to its effects on whole-body glucose metabolism. This antiproteolytic action represents a potential mechanism by which hyperinsulinemia could contribute to the development of myocardial hypertrophy in patients with cardiovascular disease.
In vivo and in vitro interaction of DnaK and a chloroplasttransit peptide

Chloroplast transit peptides have been proposed to function as substrates for Hsp70 molecular chaperones. Many models of chloroplast protein import depict Hsp70s as the translocation motors that drive protein import into the organelle, but to our knowledge, no direct evidence has demonstrated that transit peptides function either in vivo or in vitro as substrates for the chaperone. In this report, we demonstrate that DnaK binds SStp (the full-length transit peptide for the precursor to the small subunit of Rubisco) in vivo when fused to either glutathione-S-transferase (GST) or to an His6-S-peptide tag (His-S) via an ATP-dependent mechanism. Three independent biophysical and biochemical assays confirm the ability of DnaK and SStp to interact in vitro. The cochaperones, DnaJ and GrpE, were also associated with the DnaK/SStp complex. Therefore, both GST-SStp and His-S-SStp can be used as affinity-tagged substrates to study prokaryotic chaperone/transit peptide interactions as well as to provide a novel functional probe to study the dynamics of DnaK/DnaJ/GrpE interactions in vivo. The combination of these results provides the first experimental support for a transit peptide-dependent interaction between a chloroplast precursor and Hsp70. These results are discussed in light of a general mechanism for protein translocation into chloroplasts and mitochondria.
Circuit modeling of transient emitter crowding and dynamic resistance effects for advanced bipolar transistors

Abstract Advanced bipolar transistors operating in fast switching transient have been modeled taking into account time-dependent series resistances and nonuniform transient current and charge distribution effects. A two-dimensional device simulator—PISCES is used to justify the underlying physics. SPICE simulations employing the present model show good agreement with measurements and device simulations.
Maggot Therapy for Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers Unresponsive to Conventional Therapy

OBJECTIVE —To assess the efficacy of maggot therapy for treating foot and leg ulcers in diabetic patients failing conventional therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Retrospective comparison of changes in necrotic and total surface area of chronic wounds treated with either maggot therapy or standard (control) surgical or nonsurgical therapy. RESULTS —In this cohort of 18 patients with 20 nonhealing ulcers, six wounds were treated with conventional therapy, six with maggot therapy, and eight with conventional therapy first, then maggot therapy. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated no significant change in necrotic tissue, except when factoring for treatment ( F [1.7, 34] = 5.27, P = 0.013). During the first 14 days of conventional therapy, there was no significant debridement of necrotic tissue; during the same period with maggot therapy, necrotic tissue decreased by an average of 4.1 cm2 ( P = 0.02). After 5 weeks of therapy, conventionally treated wounds were still covered with necrotic tissue over 33% of their surface, whereas after only 4 weeks of therapy maggot-treated wounds were completely debrided ( P = 0.001). Maggot therapy was also associated with hastened growth of granulation tissue and greater wound healing rates. CONCLUSIONS —Maggot therapy was more effective and efficient in debriding nonhealing foot and leg ulcers in male diabetic veterans than was continued conventional care.
Consultation to the medically ill: a survey of addiction psychiatry fellowship programs.

A national consensus of addiction experts recommended that addiction psychiatry fellows be given “opportunities to develop skills in providing consultation and in communicating with colleagues and referring physicians.”1 The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has also required that addiction psychiatry fellows gain experience in consultation to “medically ill patients with substance use disorders (SUD) on emergency, intensive care, medical and/or surgical services of a general hospital.”2 In this preliminary survey, we aimed to obtain data to characterize the consultation-liaison (C/L) rotation offered by Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship programs.
Navigating Two Worlds: The Role of Religious Communities in Preserving the Identity of Hungarians in Vojvodina (Serbia)

This article explores the current and probable future challenges faced by the Hungarian-speaking religious communities in northern Serbia as they try to navigate two worlds: the past and the present; cultural identification with Hungary and with Serbia. The mostly Roman Catholic and in smaller number Protestant Hungarians living in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina differ in both language and religious affiliation from the majority Serbian (by and large Orthodox Christian) population. The use of the Hungarian language and the strengthening of a sense of Hungarian identity is an important aspect of the activities their churches perform. By analyzing the socio-political and demographic situation of the Hungarians in Vojvodina, I will explore whether there is a middle road between complete assimilation and hermetical isolation in the religious-cultural-linguistic sense, which is of critical importance regarding the survival of these religious communities.
Hepatitis B Virus HBx Protein Activation of Cyclin A–Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 Complexes and G1 Transit via a Src Kinase Pathway

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the hepatitis B virus HBx protein stimulates signal transduction pathways and may bind to certain transcription factors, particularly the cyclic AMP response element binding protein, CREB. HBx has also been shown to promote early cell cycle progression, possibly by functionally replacing the TATA-binding protein-associated factor 250 (TAFII250), a transcriptional coactivator, and/or by stimulating cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways. To understand the basis for early cell cycle progression mediated by HBx, we characterized the molecular mechanism by which HBx promotes deregulation of the G0 and G1 cell cycle checkpoints in growth-arrested cells. We demonstrate that TAFII250 is absolutely required for HBx activation of the cyclin A promoter and for promotion of early cell cycle transit from G0 through G1. Thus, HBx does not functionally replace TAFII250 for transcriptional activity or for cell cycle progression, in contrast to a previous report. Instead, HBx is shown to activate the cyclin A promoter, induce cyclin A–cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complexes, and promote cycling of growth-arrested cells into G1 through a pathway involving activation of Src tyrosine kinases. HBx stimulation of Src kinases and cyclin gene expression was found to force growth-arrested cells to transit through G1 but to stall at the junction with S phase, which may be important for viral replication.
Measuring affective reactions on information objects: Quantitative vs. qualitative analysis

Two measures of affective reactions on information objects were tested in an experiment. Participants were given a question and a set of nine websites to find the answer. Participants were asked to evaluate the websites they reviewed by assigning Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Experienced Utility (EU) values to each website. WTP measure was solicited by asking participants to assign dollar amounts to their experiences with the given websites. EU measure was solicited by asking participants to rate their experience with the website using a slider scale from “negative” to “positive”. Participants were also asked to write short statements explaining their rationale for assigning the two values. Statistical analysis of the WTP and EU values showed statistically significant correlation of the two measures with the availability of answer on a website. The content analysis of participants' explanations of the rationale for assigning the values revealed that WTP reflects rational value of an object for completing the task while EU reflects emotional, task-neutral value of an object.
Nonlinear analysis for performance‐based earthquake engineering

Earthquake engineering design of buildings increasingly is using nonlinear dynamic analysis procedures to demonstrate building performance. These procedures require: an understanding of the relation between performance and nonlinear modeling; selection and manipulation of ground motions appropriate to design hazard levels; selection of appropriate nonlinear models and analysis procedures; and interpretation of results to determine design quantities based on nonlinear dynamic analysis procedures. These topics are discussed with an emphasis on tall buildings. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship of Monocyte Count and Peripheral Arterial Disease Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002

Background— Although white blood cell (WBC) count has been consistently associated with cardiovascular end points, little information is available on the independent contribution of specific white blood cell types. The objective of this study is to assess the independent association of WBC types and other inflammatory markers with the presence of reduced ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI), a marker of subclinical peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Methods & Results— Cross-sectional study in 3949 individuals ≥40 years of age without known cardiovascular disease who participated in the 1999 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). PAD was defined as an ABI <0.9 in at least 1 leg. After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the odds ratios of PAD comparing the highest to the lowest quartiles were 2.24 (95% confidence interval 1.24 to 4.04) for monocytes, 1.74 (0.87 to 3.45) for neutrophils, 2.53 (1.62 to 3.96) for C-reactive protein, and 2.68 (1.03 to 6.94) ...
Dilated multistage interconnection networks for fast packet switching

Dilated multistage interconnection network (MIN) architectures are examined, which are characterized by multiple physical links for every logical link within the network. Their performance in a packet-switching environment is studied. The multitude of links in a dilated MIN increase throughput and capacity, offer versatility in switch configuration, and provide a ready foundation for fault-tolerant switch design. Two new configurations are introduced: a dilated extra-stage cube and a cross-connected replicated-dilated network. The latter architecture is a convenient one for single-board, modular design of larger packet switches. >
Felix Schwarzenberg, Military Diplomat

At nine o'clock in the evening of March 13, 1848, Prince Clemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar von Metternich resigned as imperial chancellor. With the “coachman” in absentia, Central Europe's peoples struggled to gain more freedom in that remarkable revolutionary movement of 1848. The Habsburg monarchy, although teetering on the verge of dissolution, survived the mid-century's most tumultuous year. Despite weakness at the helm of government, improvement of dynastic fortunes had gathered momentum by mid-summer as the imperial army under Prince Alfred Ferdinand zu Windischgratz, Count Joseph Wenzel Radetzky, and Count Josip Jelacic od Bužima advanced irregularly but steadily on the peripheries of the realm. By autumn provision of a coherent Habsburg policy to be applied throughout the far-flung empire became mandatory. To provide a strong man to enforce the policies, Field Marshal Windischgratz recommended for minister-president his forty-eight-year-old brother-in-law, Prince Felix Ludwig zu Schwarzenberg, an individual who possessed both the confidence of the army and considerable diplomatic experience.
Probability-based pattern recognition and statistical framework for randomization

Motivation: In proteomics, reverse database searching is used to control the false match frequency for tandem mass spectrum/peptide sequence matches, but reversal creates sequences devoid of patterns that usually challenge database-search software. Results: We designed an unsupervised pattern recognition algorithm for detecting patterns with various lengths from large sequence datasets. The patterns found in a protein sequence database were used to create decoy databases using a Monte Carlo sampling algorithm. Searching these decoy databases led to the prediction of false positive rates for spectrum/peptide sequence matches. We show examples where this method, independent of instrumentation, database-search software and samples, provides better estimation of false positive identification rates than a prevailing reverse database searching method. The pattern detection algorithm can also be used to analyze sequences for other purposes in biology or cryptology. Availability: On request from the authors. Contact: Bret.Cooper@ars.usda.gov Supplementary information: http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/