cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of end-expiratory level and tidal volume on gravitational ventilation distribution during tidal breathing in healthy adults

Our understanding of regional filling of the lung and regional ventilation distribution is based on studies using stepwise inhalation of radiolabelled tracer gases, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. We aimed to investigate whether these differences in ventilation distribution at different end-expiratory levels (EELs) and tidal volumes (V Ts) held also true during tidal breathing. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) measurements were performed in ten healthy adults in the right lateral position. Five different EELs with four different V Ts at each EEL were tested in random order, resulting in 19 combinations. There were no measurements for the combination of the highest EEL/highest V T. EEL and V T were controlled by visual feedback based on airflow. The fraction of ventilation directed to different slices of the lung (VENTRL1−VENTRL8) and the rate of the regional filling of each slice versus the total lung were analysed. With increasing EEL but normal tidal volume, ventilation was preferentially distributed to the dependent lung and the filling of the right and left lung was more homogeneous. With increasing V T and maintained normal EEL (FRC), ventilation was preferentially distributed to the dependent lung and regional filling became more inhomogeneous (p < 0.05). We could demonstrate that regional and temporal ventilation distribution during tidal breathing was highly influenced by EEL and V T.
The Psychology and Law of Voluntary Manslaughter: What Can Psychology Research Teach Us About the 'Heat of Passion' Defense?

The doctrine of voluntary manslaughter mitigates a defendant's crime and punishment when the defendant kills in the “heat of passion” generated by an extremely provoking event, such as witnessing a spouse's adultery. The doctrine relies on empirical assumptions about the effects of emotion, especially anger, on decision-making, and about the time course of emotion. Modern psychology research questions at least some of these assumptions, but the law adheres to its traditional approach. The law's resistance to change may stem partly from its dependency on language and analogic reasoning; the words we use to describe emotions like anger, revenge, and fear may shape people's perceptions concerning these emotions and thus may constrain the law's ability to respond to new psychological insights about emotion. At the same time, the law must serve normative goals that transcend the quest for empirical knowledge. For this reason and others, psychology can only inform the law, but cannot force changes in the law. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Motives and circumstances: Occupational-change experiences of prospective late-entry teachers

Abstract Faced with a shrinking teacher work force, some nations are increasingly turning to adults who enter teaching from other fields. Using a variant of the life history method, this study examines employment patterns and career motives of a sample of 40 prospective late-entry teachers. As in prior research, subjects report being drawn primarily by teaching's intrinsic rewards. Wider variation was found, however, in the circumstances under which they left their previous occupations, with socioeconomic concerns and self-fulfillment accounting for most such decisions. Implications are considered for teacher recruitment and other policy issues.
Adaptive actuator failure compensation control for MIMO systems

Two adaptive failure compensation control schemes based on MRAC are developed for a class of MIMO LTI systems with unknown actuator failures. An effective controller structure is proposed to achieve the desired plant-model output matching when implemented with matching parameters. Design conditions are specified for such nominal plant-model output matching. Two adaptive versions of the nominal controller are proposed and stable adaptive laws are derived for updating the controller parameters when plant parameters and failure parameters are unknown. All closed-loop signals are bounded and the plant outputs track the given reference outputs asymptotically, despite the uncertainties in actuator failures and plant parameters. Simulation results for an aircraft lateral dynamic model verify the desired adaptive control system performance in the presence of unknown rudder and aileron failures.
DEVELOPMENT OF ALCOHOL PREFERENCE IN BALB/C MICE.

McClearn and Rodgers1 have reported differences in alcohol preference of various strains of mice tested on a two-bottle choice between water and a 10 per cent ethanol solution. The BALB/c strain is one of several identified as having low alcohol preference. Adult mice of this strain were found to avoid the ingestion of ethanol solutions in concentrations as low as 2.5 per cent2.
Histochemical phospholipid reaction in ischemic neurons as an indication of exposure to postmortem trauma.

Abstract Affinity for acid hematein is assumed by neurons displaying the ischemic neuronal disease of Spielmeyer in 1- to 8-hr old embolic lesions elicited by intracardial injections of oil in cynomolgus monkeys fixed by perfusion. Dark neurons situated in normal tissue surrounding the lesions exhibit a similar affinity. In their morphological and tinctorial qualities, ischemic neurons are, in the acute stages, prior to manifest loss or dispersal of Nissl substance, indistinguishable from dark neurons. Since both types of neurons occur in tissues which have been inadequately fixed by perfusion, a common factor, postmortem traumatization, affecting the structure of pathologically altered and normal neurons is proposed, and the affinity for acid hematein is regarded as artifactitious for both cell types. Besides shrunken ischemic neurons, which may be either blue or yellow, another pathological neuronal type is manifested by severe distintegration of the cytoplasm and lack of affinity for acid hematein. The process of postmortem autolysis, as evidenced in an immersed-fixed monkey brain with myriad embolic lesions, does not alter the histological characteristics of ischemic or dark neurons until after a lapse of several hr and does not reproduce the pathological neuronal changes of embolic lesions. In the compressed cerebral cortex of cats fixed by perfusion, scattered neurons with inflated, pale, nonvacuolated perikarya and nuclei are regarded as prototype of the anoxic neuron. No affinity for acid hematein is demonstrable in these neurons.
Strategyand Transaction Costs: The Organizationofdistributioninthecarbonatedsoftdrinkindustry

This paper analyzes the ongoing transformation of the soft drink distribution of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola from systems of independent bottlers to captive bottling subsidiaries, A transaction cost-based theory is developed to explain this restructuring. It is postulated that changes in the external environment and the resulting changes in the strategies of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola raised the costs of transacting between them and their independent bottlers. Two types of empirical tests are presented. One exploits the difference in the distribution of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola in the fountain channel. The other consists of statistical analyses of the competitive effects of the move toward captive distribution. Both types of tests support the basic hypothesis.
Disseminated histoplasmosis and childhood leukemia.

The course of histoplasmosis in patients with childhood leukemia is poorly understood. Past attempts to characterize the disease have relied on single case reports, without benefit of a series of patients with similar types of leukemia and chemotherapy. Described here are the clinical course of infection, laboratory findings, and therapy in six children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and disseminated histoplasmosis. A diagnosis of histoplasmosis was most commonly encountered during remission of the leukemia in patients presenting with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, variable chest roentgenogram findings, leukopenia, and/or neutropenia. Bone marrow cultures revealed the presence of Histoplasma capsulatum in each. All six children were treated with amphotericin B and recovered from the infection.
Clinical variables as prognostic tools in pediatric-onset ulcerative colitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Clinical variables may identify a subset of patients with pediatric-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) (≤18 years at diagnosis) at risk for adverse outcomes. We postulated that routinely measured clinical variables measured at diagnosis would predict colectomy in patients with pediatric-onset UC. Methods: We conducted a chart review of patients with pediatric-onset UC at a single center over a 10-year period. We compared patients with and without colectomy across several variables, used proportional hazards regression to adjust for potential confounders, and assessed the ability of a UC risk score to predict colectomy. Results: Among 470 patients with inflammatory bowel disease ICD9-coded encounters, 155 patients had UC and 135 were eligible for analysis. The 1- and 3-year colectomy rates were 16.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.0%–24.8%) and 35.6% (26.7%–45.4%). White blood cell (WBC) count and hematocrit measured at diagnosis were associated with colectomy at 3 years, even after correcting for potential confounding variables. A UC Risk Score derived from the WBC count and hematocrit was strongly associated with colectomy risk, with a high negative predictive value (NPV) for colectomy at 1 and 3 years (NPV = 0.95 and 0.89, respectively), but low positive predictive value (PPV = 0.22 and 0.38, respectively). Conclusions: A risk score calculated from WBC and hematocrit measured at diagnosis was associated with, but incompletely predictive of, colectomy in pediatric-onset UC. These data suggest 1) routinely measured clinical variables may have a prognostic role in risk stratification, and 2) multicenter prospective studies are needed to optimize risk stratification in pediatric UC. Our findings have impact on the design of such studies. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
Summary and Future Directions of Therapeutic Brain Stimulation: Neurostimulation and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Abstract Technologies that use electromagnetism applied to nervous tissue for the purpose of neurostimulation have made rapid advancements in recent years. This leap forward in brain treatment challenges the traditional categorical divisions between neurologists, psychiatrists, and neurosurgeons. The therapy itself invites a rethinking of terminology as physicians debate its place within standard therapeutic models. Several areas of concern have manifested themselves in regard to this therapy. Physicians must proceed cautiously and work to overcome understandable suspicions about these new developments owing to past abuses involving invasive brain therapies. More information is needed about how the brain works at a systemic level. A better model of how brain stimulation tools function as ablates or augments must be created. Data involving the various techniques of neurostimulation should be meta-analyzed to find commonalities in their mechanisms of action. These technologies are only in their infancy, and the debates and discoveries promise to continue for years to come.
Gender as a Moderator for the Relationship Between BAS-Drive and Disordered Eating Behaviors

Individuals with highly active behavioral activation (BAS) motivational systems are at increased risk for disordered eating behaviors (Bijttebier et al. 2009). The current study examined gender differences in the relationship between motivational tendencies and disordered eating behaviors by administering self-report measures to a sample of 352 college undergraduate students from a Midwestern university in the United States. The goal-driven facet of BAS (BAS-Drive) was a stronger predictor of muscle development behaviors for men than for women. In addition, higher levels of BAS-Drive were associated with greater dietary restraint among males, but not among females. Findings from the current study suggest that gender plays an important role in the relationship between BAS-Drive tendencies and eating disorder behaviors.
Distinguishing urban soils with physical, chemical, and biological properties

Summary Modifications associated with urban infrastructure directly impact soil properties. In particular, soil bulk density, microbial biomass and activity, and organic matter are impacted by anthropogenic activities. We proposed that urban soil properties are not only distinguishable from other systems, but also variable within types of landscapes in urban environments. We found soils from older urban landscapes (mean landscape age of 64 years) to be distinct from newer urban landscapes (mean landscape age of 9 years). Soil bulk densities were significantly greater in newer (1.73 g cm −3 ) compared to older urban soils (1.41 g cm −3 ). Older urban soils had significantly greater extractable phosphorous, weak Bray P (24%), strong Bray P (51%), and K (45%) than newer urban soils. Soil biological measures of nitrogen availability were significantly greater in old compared to new urban soils, microbial biomass N (71%), potential C mineralization (20%), and potential N mineralization (83%). We found exponentially decreasing metabolic quotient values, qCO 2 , suggesting the impact of site disturbance decreases rapidly with time, and older urban landscapes are closer to steady-state conditions relative to younger urban landscapes. Total soil organic matter was significantly greater (35%) in old urban soils. Fine POM was a larger contributor to total SOM in old compared to new urban soils. Particulate organic matter C/N ratios from older urban soils were less (coarse POM 14% less and fine POM 13% less) than newer urban soils. Of the soil forming factors, time played the most significant role in soil physical, chemical, and biological differences. We believe that as time since initial disturbance increases, the impacts of urbanization are reduced by processes improving physical, biological, and chemical soil properties.
Unique proximal tibial morphology in strepsirrhine primates

Although the morphology of the tibial plateau in primates has received very little attention in the literature, it does exhibit features of phylogenetic and functional interest. This paper describes the morphology of the tibial plateau (particularly the intercondylar region) in extant and fossil primates, and in three mammalian outgroups: the pen-tailed tree shrew (Ptilocercus), tree shrew (Tupaia), and flying lemur or dermopteran (Cynocephalus). Extant and fossil strepsirrhine primates exhibit an eminence with a single spine, which contrasts with the intercondylar morphology of haplorhine primates. Most extant platyrrhines, all catarrhine primates (including humans), and some fossil haplorhines possess an eminence with two spines (medial and lateral) connected by a ridge of bone that intersects the intercondylar groove. Tarsius and callitrichines possess an eminence with a reduced medial spine that superficially resembles that of strepsirrhine primates. Dermopterans also exhibit a morphology similar to that of strepsirrhines. In Scandentia, the intercondylar morphology of Tupaia is similar to that of rodents, whereas Ptilocercus resembles tarsiers and callitrichines. We hypothesize that proximal tibiae with either a single spine or reduced medial spine morphology facilitate a greater degree of knee rotation about the eminence relative to the double-spine condition, and are likely associated with more frequent adoption of vertical body positions. In contrast, a double-spine eminence limits knee rotation and is probably associated with greater use of horizontal supports. Although the polarity is complicated by the unknown phylogenetic status of likely sister taxa, it seems most probable that the single-spine morphology is a derived feature of strepsirrhines.
Numerical advection of correlated tracers: preserving particle size/composition moment sequences during transport of aerosol mixtures

Nonlinear transport algorithms designed to reduce numerical diffusion fail to preserve correlations between moments, isotope abundances, etc. when these scalar densities are transported in models as separate tracers. In case of the particle size/composition coordinates of an aerosol, such loss can give rise to unphysical moment sets. New statistical approaches to aerosol dynamics, which involve tracking moments directly, offer highly efficient alternatives to sectional and modal methods for representing aerosols in climate models, but it is essential that moment set integrity be preserved throughout a simulation. In this paper we review the problem and weaknesses of previous attempts at solution, including vector transport – a scheme in which the moments, as internal aerosol coordinates, are transported together with a single lead tracer such as number or mass. A non-negative least squares (NNLS) solution that finally eliminates the problem without requiring modification of the transport algorithm itself is presented. Following each transport step, new moment sets are resolved into sums of previously validated sets with non-negative coefficients using NNLS Transport errors are removed and the now guaranteed-to-be-valid moment sets are ready for passage to the aerosol dynamics module. In addition to moment set validation, the new scheme reduces numerical diffusion during transport and provides greater accuracy for the source apportionment of aerosol mixtures. The method is not limited to moment transport – similar improvements in accuracy are expected using NNLS in conjunction with modal and sectional methods.
A New Product Analysis and Decision Model

The decision to add, or to reject, or to investigate more fully a new product proposal is one of the most important problems faced by businessmen. The factors surrounding the decision can be mathematically considered by four sub-models in the areas of demand, cost, profit, and uncertainty. The demand model is structured to consider life cycle, industry, competitive and product interdependency effects, and will admit non-linear and discontinuous functions. A cost minimization model is joined to the demand model to formulate a constrained profit maximization problem. The optimization is accomplished by the use of dynamic programming. The final decision is based on the businessman's criterion in combining uncertainty and the rate of return on investment. A practical application of the model is presented to demonstrate the usefulness and problems of a quantitative approach to new product decisions.
Corporate Governance and External and Internal Controls: The Case of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Circa 1831

The massive amount of external investor capital that U.S. railroads raised in the 1800s, capital levels far beyond those of other business enterprises of the era and concentrated in the hands of the corporate officers, gave rise to “agency” and corporate governance problems that are surprisingly modern. These issues were solved in modern ways. This case focuses on the early problems of corporate governance, external controls, internal controls, and the separation of capital ownership from corporate management in a high‐tech, developmental stage, start‐up company. Given the struggles of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) corporate venture during its early years, the governance control issues became paramount and allowed the corporation not only to survive, but also ultimately to achieve its objective as well as long‐term success. From this look at an earlier time, the essence of modern corporate issues is distilled. Hence, the case is relevant to today's accounting students.
Models for high cell density bioreactors must consider biomass volume fraction: Cell recycle example

Intrinsic models, which take into account biomass volume fraction, must be formulated for adequate simulation of high-biomass-density fermentations with cell recycle. Through comparison of corresponding intrinsic and non-intrinsic models in dimensionless form, constraints for non-intrinsic model usage in terms of biokinetic and fermenter operating parameters can be identified a priori. Analysis of a simple product-inhibition model indicates that the non-intrinsic approach is suitable only when the attainable biomass volume fraction in the fermentation broth is less than about 0.10. Inappropriate application of a non-intrinsic model can lead to gross errors in calculated substrate and product concentrations, substrate conversion, and volumetric productivity.
A model selection criterion for classification: application to HMM topology optimization

This paper proposes a model selection criterion for classification problems. The criterion focuses on selecting models that are discriminant instead of models based on the Occam's razor principle of parsimony between accurate modeling and complexity. The criterion, dubbed discriminative information criterion (DIC), is applied to the optimization of hidden Markov model topology aimed at the recognition of cursively-handwritten digits. The results show that DIC-generated models achieve 18% relative improvement in performance from a baseline system generated by the Bayesian information criterion (BIC).
NITRATE REDUCTASE (NR1) SEQUENCE AND EXPRESSION IN THE HARMFUL ALGA HETEROSIGMA AKASHIWO (RAPHIDOPHYCEAE)

Heterosigma akashiwo (Hada) Hada ex Y. Hara et Chihara is a bloom-forming alga that has been associated with fish kills in coastal regions worldwide. Dense blooms of this species occur annually in Delaware’s inland bays, USA. Under static laboratory conditions, however, H. akashiwo is a poor competitor compared to other algal species. Instead, Heterosigma may proliferate under dynamic conditions due to its ability to respond quickly to nutrient input. The objectives of this investigation were to examine changes in transcriptional expression of nitrate reductase (NR) as a proxy for nitrate assimilation in Heterosigma. Here, the gene sequence for H. akashiwo nitrate reductase (NR1) was amplified by PCR, and the full-length gene sequence was obtained and characterized. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (QRT-PCR), changes in NR1 expression were evaluated in relation to temperature and nitrogen status. Expression of NR1 was not significantly different for cultures acclimated to temperatures ranging from 18°C to 28°C. Results also demonstrated that NR1 was expressed constitutively, even in the absence of nitrate and in the presence of ammonium. An apparent biphasic expression of NR1 was observed upon addition of nitrate to N-starved cultures, with significant increases at 15 and 60 min after addition. In contrast, addition of nitrate to nitrate-replete cultures resulted in a significant decrease in NR1 transcript abundance, likely due to repression by downstream products of nitrate assimilation. These results suggest that Heterosigma responds rapidly to changes in the environment by up- or down-regulating the NR transcript pool in relation to the nitrogen status of the cell.
Protein composition of wheat gluten polymer fractions determined by quantitative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry

Certain wheat gluten proteins form large protein polymers that are extractable in 0.5% SDS only after sonication. Although there is a strong relationship between the amounts of these polymers in the flour and bread-making quality, the protein components of these polymers have not been thoroughly investigated. Flour proteins from the US bread wheat Butte 86 were extracted in 0.5% SDS using a two-step procedure with and without sonication. Proteins were further separated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) into monomeric and polymeric fractions and analyzed by quantitative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). When proteins in select 2-DE spots were identified by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), overlapping spots from the different protein fractions often yielded different identifications. Most high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) and low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) partitioned into the polymer fractions, while most gliadins were found in the monomer fractions. The exceptions were alpha, gamma and omega gliadins containing odd numbers of cysteine residues. These proteins were detected in all fractions, but comprised the largest proportion of the SDS-extractable polymer fraction. Several types of non-gluten proteins also were found in the polymer fractions, including serpins, triticins and globulins. All three types were found in the largest proportions in the SDS-extractable polymer fraction. This is the first study to report the accumulation of gliadins containing odd numbers of cysteine residues in the SDS-extractable glutenin polymer fraction, supporting the hypothesis that these gliadins serve as chain terminators of the polymer chains. These data make it possible to formulate hypotheses about how protein composition influences polymer size and structure and provide a foundation for future experiments aimed at determining how environment affects glutenin polymer distribution. In addition, the analysis revealed additional layers of complexity to the wheat flour proteome that should be considered when evaluating quantitative 2-DE data.
In Vitro Susceptibility of Oral Spirochetes to Metronidazole

In vitro susceptibility of Borrelia buccalis, Borrelia vincentii, Treponema microdentium, Treponema pallidum, and Treponema reiterii to metronidazole, was ascertained by a tube susceptibility technique. The data obtained confirm and extend the conclusion of previous investigators that under in vitro conditions metronidazole will immobilize spirochetes. It appears that metronidazole will probably be an efficacious agent for the treatment of fusospirochetal infections.
Mechanism of uptake and incorporation of the non-human sialic acid N-glycolylneuraminic acid into human cells

N-Glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a widely expressed sialic acid in mammalian cells. Although humans are genetically deficient in producing Neu5Gc, small amounts are present in human cells in vivo. A dietary origin was suggested by human volunteer studies and by observing that free Neu5Gc is metabolically incorporated into cultured human carcinoma cells by unknown mechanisms. We now show that free Neu5Gc uptake also occurs in other human and mammalian cells. Inhibitors of certain non-clathrin-mediated endocytic pathways reduce Neu5Gc accumulation. Studies with human mutant cells show that the lysosomal sialic acid transporter is required for metabolic incorporation of free Neu5Gc. Incorporation of glycosidically bound Neu5Gc from exogenous glycoconjugates (relevant to human gut epithelial exposure to dietary Neu5Gc) requires the transporter as well as the lysosomal sialidase, which presumably acts to release free Neu5Gc. Thus, exogenous Neu5Gc reaches lysosomes via pinocytic/endocytic pathways and is exported in free form into the cytosol, becoming available for activation and transfer to glycoconjugates. In contrast, N-glycolylmannosamine (ManNGc) apparently traverses the plasma membrane by passive diffusion and becomes available for conversion to Neu5Gc in the cytosol. This mechanism can also explain the metabolic incorporation of chemically synthesized unnatural sialic acids, as reported by others. Finally, to our knowledge, this is the first example of delivery to the cytosol of an extracellular small molecule that cannot cross the plasma membrane, utilizing fluid pinocytosis and a specific lysosomal transporter. The approach could, thus, potentially be generalized to any small molecule that has a specific lysosomal transporter but not a plasma membrane transporter.
Effect of shunt type on echocardiographic indices after initial palliations for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: Blalock-Taussig shunt versus right ventricle-pulmonary artery conduit.

Objectives The study objective was to compare echocardiographic indices in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) randomized to different surgical pathways. Background Initial surgical palliation for HLHS has evolved to two strategies that vary by source of pulmonary blood flow: a modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt or a right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit. Methods Seventeen patients were randomized to either a BT shunt or RV-PA as their first-stage palliation, and 15 survived through bidirectional Glenn (BDG) (seven BT shunts/eight RV-PAs). Echocardiography was performed pre-stage 1 palliation (S1P), early post-S1P, pre-BDG, and post-BDG. Echocardiographic measurements included indices of right ventricle function and shape, right ventricle myocardial performance index, neoaortic Doppler flow patterns and cardiac output, Doppler inflow and tissue imaging, and conduit/neoaortic regurgitant fraction. Results There were no significant differences in right ventricle size, shape, or estimates of systolic and diastolic function between groups. Patterns of changes in neoaortic Doppler flow in the RV-PA conduit group showed a decrease in all indices of systemic flow early after initial palliation, but these measures consistently increase later post-S1P and post-BDG. In contrast, the BT shunt group increases these same indices post-S1P and pre-BDG with a decrease after shunt removal. Conclusions Right ventricle size and function do not appear significantly affected by surgical type of initial palliation for HLHS, and this correlates with early outcome. Echocardiographic Doppler findings correlate well with the expected physiologies of the different shunts as these infants progress through initial palliative strategies.
Etiology, symptomatology, and diagnosis of uterine myomas.

Objective To review the currently available literature regarding the biology, etiology, symptoms, and diagnosis of uterine myomas. Design Literature review of 220 articles pertaining to uterine myomas. Result(s) Although uterine myomas presently are not well understood, many advances have been made in the understanding of the hormonal factors, genetic factors, growth factors, and molecular biology of these benign tumors. Prospective, longitudinal studies are underway to characterize the risk factors for their development. When needed, the position of myomas can be best imaged by sonohysterography or magnetic resonance imaging. Evidence suggests that only submucous myomas appear to interfere with fertility, and only very rarely do myomas effect pregnancy outcome. Conclusion(s) A summary of the available literature regarding the biology, etiology, symptomatology, and diagnosis of myomas shows that, although they are still not well understood, much has been learned about uterine myomas.
High Vacuum Flame Sterilization of Canned Diced Tuna: Preliminary Process Development and Quality Evaluation

A preliminary study of the potential of high vacuum flame sterilizing canned diced tuna was carried out. The investigation included inoculated experimental sighting packs study at five process levels, and comparative assessment of the physical, chemical and nutritional property of the raw, precooked, high vacuum flame sterilized (HVFS) and still-retorted canned tuna. The vacuum achieved in the HVFS packs was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control packs. Fatty acid and amino acid composition, in-vitro protein digestibility, and the Computed Protein Efficiency Ratio (C-PER) were similar for the raw, precooked and canned tuna. Available lysine was marginally decreased by precooking, and HVFS processing caused no measurable change. However, available lysine, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and mineral concentrations were generally lower in the retort process control canned tuna.
Quantitative assessment and characterization of visceral nociception and hyperalgesia in mice

Colorectal distension (CRD) is a well-characterized model of visceral nociception, which we adapted to the mouse. CRD reproducibly evoked contractions of the abdominal musculature [visceromotor res...
Hypertension Update and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Physically Active Individuals and Athletes

Hypertension is a prevalent disease worldwide. Its inadequate treatment leads to major cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. These conditions decrease life expectancy and are a substantial cost burden to health care systems. Physically active individuals and professional athletes are not risk free for developing this condition. Although the percentage of persons affected is substantially lower than the general population, these individuals still need to be thoroughly evaluated and blood pressure targets monitored to allow safe competitive sports participation. Regarding treatment, lifestyle modification measures should be routinely emphasized to athletes and active individuals with the same importance as for the general population. Medication treatment can be complicated because of restrictions by athletic organizations and possible limitations on maximal exercise performance. In addition, the choice of an antihypertensive drug should be made with consideration for salt and water losses that routinely occur in athletes, as well as preservation of exercise performance and endothelial function. First-line therapies for athletes and physically active individuals may be different from the general population. Some authorities believe that blocking the renin-angiotensin system with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is more beneficial compared with diuretics because of ACE inhibitors and ARBs being able to avoid salt and water losses. Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are another reasonable choice. Despite effects on heart rate, nondihydropyridine CCBs do not appear to impair exercise performance. beta-Blockers are not used as a first-line therapy in athletes because of effects on exercise and prohibition by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and World Anti-Doping Agency in certain sports. In this article, we address the evidence on hypertension and its related treatments in active individuals to provide recommendations that allow the best competitive sports results and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Synaptic learning in VLSI-based artificial nerve cells

A VLSI method for analog synaptic learning in an electronic neuronal model is presented. This method reduces the size and complexity involved in implementing adaptive neuronally based controllers for robotic motion. It also provides for a continuous range of synaptic weights at both excitatory and inhibitory inputs while anticipating the need to interface to a pulse-driven system. The system is described, and test results indicate that it is able to alter the synaptic coupling on an inhibitory or an excitory input over a wide range. >
Materialism, Personal Food Projects, and Satisfaction: A Phenomenological Study of Urban Gardening in Portland, Oregon

Materialism, Food, and Satisfaction i Abstract Nonmarket activities such as gardening and cooking are often correlated with increased well-being and happiness. Additionally, nonmarket, casual activities such as gardening and food preparation are often internally motivated, and provide observable examples of self-concordant experiences. Self-concordance, i.e., internalized motivation, has been shown to increase satisfaction and increase efficacy of goal attainment. Further, experiential hobbies such as gardening may help individuals feel more satisfied, adopt more intrinsic life aspirations, and be less materialistic. This study explored satisfaction, materialism, and food activities by focusing on first-person, lived experiences of eight urban gardeners in Portland Oregon who grow, prepare, and eat their own food. Little is known about what specific food experiences lead to increased feelings of well-being and satisfaction. Whereas previous research focused on defining and assessing materialism based on life aspiration measures, this study explored how intrinsic life aspirations translate into concrete, lived experiences expressed through food activities. The goal of the current study was to gain a deeper understanding of how food experiences satisfied the psychological needs of urban gardeners. Qualitative analysis of interviews and other data revealed that food experiences: 1) were motivated by intrinsic reasons, such as competency, creativity, and curiosity, and also sometimes for extrinsic reasons such as status and security, 2) were affected by enabling factors such as social relationships, and disabling factors such as time, energy,
Conjectural Variation-Based Bidding Strategies with Q-Learning in Electricity Markets

A novel conjectural variation-based bidding strategy combined with a Q-learning algorithm is presented in this paper. Generation companies are modeled as adaptive agents in the electricity markets. Conjectural variation is introduced to model rivals’ reaction to one generation company’s bidding strategy. Q-learning is used to model the bidding behavior of generation companies that can learn and adjust their strategies over time. SA-Q-learning algorithm with Metropolis criterion is applied to balance exploitation and exploration in the reinforcement learning process. A series of stage games represented by short-term market clearings form a repeated game for generation companies. Interactions among market participants can be studied accordingly by the proposed agent-based simulation approach. Case studies demonstrate the learning process and corresponding equilibriums.
Testing for inbreeding and outbreeding depression in the endangered Gila topminnow

The extent of inbreeding and outbreeding depression is thought to be a fundamental factor influencing the long term persistence of an endangered species. However, there have been no comprehensive examinations of either factor in an endangered species, except for a mouse species. Here we examined both the extent of inbreeding and outbreeding depression for five traits related to fitness in populations from the four watersheds in which the endangered Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis o. occidentalis) still exists in the USA by making experimental matings with replicate samples and simultaneous controls. There was generally high survival, similar body size, and little bilateral asymmetry for all the inbred and outbred matings for all populations, i.e. there was no evidence of either inbreeding or outbreeding depression for these traits. Similarly there was no evidence of inbreeding or outbreeding effects for fecundity or sex ratio except for the sample from Monkey Spring, which had highly skewed (female-biased) sex ratios after one generation of inbreeding. In addition, brood sizes for Sharp Spring declined over time in inbred lines maintained by full-sib mating. These results further support the suggestion, based on molecular genetic analysis and considerations of habitat differences, that Monkey Spring be considered an evolutionarily significant unit, distinct from the remainder of existing populations. Potential explanations for the results and their implications for conservation are discussed.
Impedance analysis of long term aged thermoplastic elastomeric insulators

The universal phenomena of aging were investigated for a third generation, environmentally-friendly, thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE), 28 kV polymeric insulators using impedance analyzer, Autolab/PGSTAT30. Impedance analyzer is a versatile, non-invasive tool that aids in exploring the characteristics of a variety of materials including biological tissues, kiwifruit, semiconductor materials and high voltage, outdoor polymeric insulating materials. The insulators were aged for 6000+ hours under slightly modified IEC 61109 multistress conditions. Both vertical and horizontal insulators as required by IEC 61109 were analyzed from 50 Hz to 5000 Hz. Only low frequency range was used since the samples in real world are used at either 50 or 60 Hz. The aged samples showed relatively lower values for both Z' and Z" parameters (real Z and img Z respectively, where Z is the total impedance). This variation is different for various frequency ranges indicating the effect of frequency on the molecular structure of the aged samples. Knowing these changes enables to suitably modify the processing variables and chemical composition of the polymers for future manufacturing.
Prevalence and Characterization of Salmonella Isolated from Feral Pigs Throughout Texas

Feral pigs are one of the most abundant free-roaming ungulates in the United States, yet their role in the ecology and transmission of foodborne pathogens is poorly understood. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella shedding among feral pigs throughout Texas, to identify risk factors for infection, and to characterize the isolates. Faecal samples were collected from feral pigs in Texas from June 2013 through May 2015. Standard bacteriologic culture methods were used to isolate Salmonella from samples, and isolates were characterized via serotyping and anti-microbial susceptibility testing. The prevalence of faecal Salmonella shedding among sampled pigs was 43.9% (194/442), with positive pigs originating from 50 counties. Pigs sampled during fall and summer were significantly more likely to be shedding Salmonella than pigs sampled during winter. High serovar diversity was evident among the isolates, and many of the detected serovars are leading causes of human salmonellosis. The most common serovars were Montevideo (10.0%), Newport (9.1%), and Give (8.2%). Resistance to anti-microbial agents was rare. The burgeoning feral pig population in the United States may represent an emerging threat to food safety.
Surprise! Dopamine signals mix action, value and error.

Two studies invite us to reconsider the nature of striatal dopamine signals. Accumbens dopamine appears to signal the value of overt action and prediction errors arise from deviations in these signals.
Ethical Issues in Perinatal HIV

Perinatal HIV raises difficult ethical issues and value conflicts for practitioners, patients, and the public. Part I gives an overview of US infant HIV realities and the devastating worldwide HIV and tuberculosis pandemics. In part II, the major ethical issues regarding perinatal HIV including confidentiality, advance directives, US rights, and right to medical care where HlV exists. Also reviewed are quality of life and death, consideration of selective and more general problems associated with prenatal and neonatal screening, and pregnancy termination and postponement where perinatal HIV is likely.
Alterations in Hepatic Pyrimidine and Nucleic Acid Metabolism in Magnesium-Deficient Rats

SummaryChronic administration of magnesium-deficient diet to rats results in an increased hepatic aspartate transcarbamylase and acid ribonuclease activity. The liver content of RNA and DNA was also significantly increased. These findings suggest an adaptive biochemical response to activate protein synthesis.
Wind Tunnel Measurements of Parafoil Geometry and Aerodynamics

Video-based photogrammetry combined with a laser sheet is used to measure the section profiles of a parafoil model of aspect ratio 2.5 during tethered testing in a low-speed tunnel. Surface contours of parafoils during operation in a wind tunnel are obtained. Leading-edge collapse, high angle of attack flight, and oscillatory yaw are studied. Force measurements, including CL and CD for the parafoil, are also obtained for the conditions studied.
Hardness of Vulcanized Rubber at Low Temperatures

Abstract 1. By means of a new apparatus which is described, it is possible to estimate the hardness of vulcanized rubber at low temperatures. 2. The hardness of rubber-sulfur vulcanizates increases hyperbolically with lowering of temperature and they become “frozen” and hard at −50° C. 3. Since ordinary softening agents having high viscosities solidify at −30° to −40° C., these are unsuitable for softening rubber to be exposed to temperatures below this range. 4. Softening agents which do not solidify at −50° C. are among those ordinarily used as solvents, and they have very low viscosities. Though their effect on the hardness of rubber at −50° C. is small when they are used in small percentages, they prevent the freezing of rubber at −50° C. when large proportions are used. They are, however, of no practical value, since they decrease the tensile strength of rubber. 5. Vulcanized rubber containing 30 per cent of reclaimed rubber also froze to a hard product at −50° C. 6. The relation between temperature ...
Consumption Structure and Sanitary Condition of Drinking Water among Households in Minhang District of Shanghai

[Objective] To analyze drinking water consumption structure and sanitary condition in Minhang District of Shanghai, and to provide reference for hygiene surveillance and supervision. [Methods] Households(n=270) from Minhang District of Shanghai were recruited by stratified random sampling technique for a questionnaire survey on drinking water consumption structure, and drinking water samples were collected from 53 households and analyzed for hygienic quality. [Results] In the households utilizing single sourced drinking water, the municipal water supply accounted for the largest proportion of drinking water consumption structure(70%), followed by in-house purifier treated water(18.1%), bottled or barreled water(7.4%), water from instant purified water vending stations(3.3%), and beverage(1.1%), respectively, and there was a significant difference in drinking water consumption structure among households categorized by type of town neighborhood(χ2=35.073, P 0.001). In the households utilizing mixed sourced drinking water, the leading compositions of drinking water consumption structure were municipal water supply(34.4%), municipal water supply and beverage(31.8%), in-house purifier treated water and beverage(9.3%), as well as inhouse purifier treated water(8.5%). Moreover, all water hygiene indices met the corresponding national drinking water safety limits in samples of municipal water supply and reverse osmosis in-house purifier treated water, while at least one hygiene index was found unqualified in other types of drinking water. The unqualified rates of standard plate-count bacteria were 50.0% and 75.0% for bottled/barreled drinking water and bottled/barreled purified water, respectively; the unqualified rates of standard plate-count bacteria, total coliforms, and zinc were 25.0%, 10.0%, and 15.0% respectively for in-house purifier treated water; the unqualified rate of standard plate-count bacteria was 25.0% for the water samples from instant purified water vending stations. [Conclusion] Municipal water supply is most widely used, and significant differences in drinking water consumption structure exist among households categorized by type of town neighborhood. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the hygiene surveillance and supervision of bottled/barreled water, in-house purifier treated water, and water products of instant purified water vending stations.
Improved outcomes found after implementing a systematic evaluation and program improvement process for tuberculosis.

b ABSTRACT California's state and local tuberculosis (TB) programs collaborated to develop the Tuberculosis Indicators Project (TIP), a program evaluation and improve- ment process. In TIP, local and state staff review data, identify program gaps, implement plans to improve local TB program performance, and evaluate outcomes. After 10 years of project implementation, indicator performance changes and patient outcomes were measured. Eighty-seven percent of participating programs showed a performance increase in targeted indicators after three years compared with 57% of comparison groups. Statistically signifi - cant performance change was more common in the intervention local health departments (LHDs) than in comparison groups. The most notable performance changes were in the contact investigation and case management indicators. These results indicate that this systematic evaluation and program improve- ment project was associated with improved LHD TB control performance and may be useful to inform improvement projects in other public health programs.