cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of Eimeria alabamensis from cattle in mammalian cell cultures.

SYNOPSIS. Monolayer primary cultures of cells from bovine embryonic intestine (BEInt), kidney (BEK), spleen (BES), and thyroid (BETy) and cell line cultures of embryonic bovine trachea (EBTr) and synovium (BESy) as well as established cell line cultures of bovine kidney (Madin-Darby, MDBK), human intestine (Int 407) and Syrian hamster kidney (BHK) were inoculated with freshly excysted sporozoites of Eimeria alabamensis and observed for 4–5 days. Sporozoites penetrated all cell types; during the 1st 24 hr, intracellular sporozoites, trophozoites and binucleate schizonts were seen in all cell cultures. Mature schizonts were more numerous in BES and MDBK cells than in the others. Large schizonts, 14.2 (11–18.5) by 10.2 μ (8.5–11), with 6–14 short, stubby merozoites (each with 2 refractile bodies) occurred at 2 and 3 days in all cells except BESy, Int 407, and BHK. Small schizonts, 9.7 (5.5–13) by 6 μ (5–8.5), with 6–10 long, slender merozoites (each with 2 refractile bodies) were found 3 days after inoculation in all cell types. At 4 days, some intracytoplasmic merozoites and a few intranuclear 2nd generation trophozoites were found. After 4 days post-inoculation, intracellular parasites were rarely seen and these were apparently degenerate. Development within the host cell nucleus, the normal site of development in the host animal, was observed infrequently in cell cultures. Intranuclear sporozoites, found no earlier than 2 days after inoculation, developed similarly to those in the cytoplasm, and small intranuclear schizonts with 6–10 merozoites (each with 2 refractile bodies) occurred after 3 days in culture.
Photocathode rf gun emittance measurements using variable-length laser pulses

The Gun Test Facility (GTF) at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) was created to develop an appropriate injector for the proposed Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC. The LCLS design requires the injector to produce a beam with at least 1 nC of charge in a 10 ps or shorter pulse with no greater than 1 (pi) mm-mrad normalized rms emittance. The first photoinjector under study at the GTF is a 1.6 cell S-band symmetrized gun with an emittance compensation solenoid. Emittance measurements, reported here, were made as function of the transverse laser pulse shape and the Gaussian longitudinal laser pulse length. The lowest achieved emittance to data with 1 nC of charge is 5.6 (pi) mm-mrad and was obtained with both a Gaussian longitudinal and transverse pulse shape with 5 ps FWHM and 2.4 mm FWHM respectively. The measurement is in agreement with a PARMELA simulation using measured beam parameters. There are indications that the accelerator settings used in the results presented here were not optimal. Simulations indicate that a normalized emittance meeting the LCLS requirement can be obtained using appropriately shaped transverse and temporal laser/electron beam pulses. Work has begun on producing temporal flat top laser pulses which combined with transverse clipping of the laser is expected to lower the emittance to approximately 1 (pi) mm-mrad for 1 nC beams with optimal accelerator settings.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A comparison of internal model validation methods for multifactor dimensionality reduction in the case of genetic heterogeneity

Determining the genes responsible for certain human traits can be challenging when the underlying genetic model takes a complicated form such as heterogeneity (in which different genetic models can result in the same trait) or epistasis (in which genes interact with other genes and the environment). Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) is a widely used method that effectively detects epistasis; however, it does not perform well in the presence of heterogeneity partly due to its reliance on cross-validation for internal model validation. Cross-validation allows for only one “best” model and is therefore inadequate when more than one model could cause the same trait. We hypothesize that another internal model validation method known as a three-way split will be better at detecting heterogeneity models. In this study, we test this hypothesis by performing a simulation study to compare the performance of MDR to detect models of heterogeneity with the two different internal model validation techniques. We simulated a range of disease models with both main effects and gene-gene interactions with a range of effect sizes. We assessed the performance of each method using a range of definitions of power. Overall, the power of MDR to detect heterogeneity models was relatively poor, especially under more conservative (strict) definitions of power. While the overall power was low, our results show that the cross-validation approach greatly outperformed the three-way split approach in detecting heterogeneity. This would motivate using cross-validation with MDR in studies where heterogeneity might be present. These results also emphasize the challenge of detecting heterogeneity models and the need for further methods development.
Enabling Fast, Noncontiguous GPU Data Movement in Hybrid MPI+GPU Environments

Lack of efficient and transparent interaction with GPU data in hybrid MPI+GPU environments challenges GPU acceleration of large-scale scientific computations. A particular challenge is the transfer of noncontiguous data to and from GPU memory. MPI implementations currently do not provide an efficient means of utilizing data types for noncontiguous communication of data in GPU memory. To address this gap, we present an MPI data type-processing system capable of efficiently processing arbitrary data types directly on the GPU. We present a means for converting conventional data type representations into a GPU-amenable format. Fine-grained, element-level parallelism is then utilized by a GPU kernel to perform in-device packing and unpacking of noncontiguous elements. We demonstrate a several-fold performance improvement for noncontiguous column vectors, 3D array slices, and 4D array sub volumes over CUDA-based alternatives. Compared with optimized, layout-specific implementations, our approach incurs low overhead, while enabling the packing of data types that do not have a direct CUDA equivalent. These improvements are demonstrated to translate to significant improvements in end-to-end, GPU-to-GPU communication time. In addition, we identify and evaluate communication patterns that may cause resource contention with packing operations, providing a baseline for adaptively selecting data-processing strategies.
Cross-Resistance Among 3 Tetracyclines.∗

ConclusionsOrganisms made resistant in vitro to either tetracycline or oxytetracycline by repeated subcultures in these antibiotics developed essentially complete cross-resistance to each other and to chlortetracycline. No cross-resistance or increases in sensitivity to penicillin, streptomycin, bacitracin, polymyxin, neomycin or erythromycin developed as a result of the increases in resistance to the tetracyclines. Three strains of coliform-resistance to chloramphenicol following subcultures in either tetracycline ro oxytetracycline, but similar cross-resistance was not observed in 5gram-positive coccal strains.
An efficient and simple method of DNA extraction from whole blood and cell lines to identify infectious agents

Routine methods of extraction of DNA from blood involve the enrichment of cells by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation followed by lysis of the cells with extraction buffer, proteinase K digestion of the lysate, and phenol:chloroform-isoamyl alcohol extraction. These methods generally require large amounts of blood, which poses a problem with pediatric patients. To overcome this, we developed a new method of extracting DNA directly from whole blood. This method involves the treatment of whole blood with an equal volume of NaI (3 M final concentration) followed by chloroform:isoamyl alcohol extraction to clear hemoglobin and cell debris. The clear aqueous layer is then mixed with isopropanol to obtain DNA. A large number of samples can easily be handled by this extraction procedure, as it can be carried out in 30 min and requires only a microcentrifuge.
Impact of Mechanical Support on Quality of Life Measures over Time

Purpose Quality of life (QoL) is being increasingly recognized as an important outcome measure in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF LVAD), particularly with implantation in less sick patient populations. However, to date there is little detailed data on the impact of CF LVAD on QoL over time with a general instrument like the SF-36. Methods and Materials All CF LVAD from 1/08 to 2/12 at a single institution, who consented to serial assessments of QoL were studied. The SF-36 and MLHF questionnaires were administered at 1, 3, and 6 months post implant. Results There were 75 CF VADs: 46 HeartMateII, 17 HeartWare, 11 VentrAssist, 1 Jarvik. Patient demographics: age 55 years, male 81%, white 81%, ischemic 52%, DT 47%, mean duration of support 370 days. Overall there were significant improvements from month 1 through month 6 in all the domains of the SF-36 with the exception of General Health and Role: Emotional. Similar degrees of improvement in QoL were seen whether the patient was implanted as BTT or DT. [ figure 1 ] There were also significant improvements in the MLHF questionnaires for overall score (65 v. 43.1 v. 32.5), Physical (27.9 v. 19 v. 14.9), and Emotional (11 v. 7.3 v. 6) at months 1, 3, and 6 respectively (p Conclusions During the first six months of support with CF LVAD there is an overall increase in QoL as assessed by the SF-36 and MLHF questionnaires. Nearly all the domains of the SF-36 demonstrate improvement, with the exception of general health and role:emotional. Larger and longer-term studies are needed to better document QoL outcomes after CF LVAD.
Measuring the extent of earnings discrimination: an update

Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and data from the March 1990 Current Population Survey are used to estimate yearly earnings averages for white males, white females, black males and black females. In order to test for the possible existence or gender and/or race discrimination, earnings estimates are decomposed, using the tradional Oaxaca (1973) and Blinder (1973) methodology. In comparing these results with those from Carlson and Swartz (1988, using 1979 data), we find that overall and unexplained residual differences have declined quite substantially, but that they still favour white males. We then incorporate an extension of the traditional methodology (Jackson and Lindley, 1989) which allows for testing for the significance of enexplained residuals, and for jointly testing for the significance of residual effect components, the constant and coefficient effects. These results call into question the unambiguous conclusion that earnings differentials uniformly favour white males. Strong support is...
Elastographic dynamic range expansion using variable applied strains.

In elastography, we want to image the entire range of stiffnesses of the elastic components found in inhomogeneous tissues. In order to achieve this, the elastographic dynamic range should equal the entire stiffness dynamic range in the target. Various sources of noise limit the dynamic range of elastography. The recently-defined strain filter concept offers an analytical and graphical way of observing these limitations. In this paper, we describe a method that achieves the expansion of the elastographic dynamic range. It involves the application of variable strains in combination with selective storage of strain data that have optimal elastographic signal-to-noise ratios. This expands the current dynamic range of elastography by orders of magnitude when compared to single compression elastography. The process is explained theoretically using the strain filter framework, and 1D as well as 2D tissue simulations are used to corroborate the theory.
Mechanisms of progression of renal damage in lupus nephritis:Pathogenesis of renal scarring:

Lupus nephritis results from an acute inflammatory and immunological response to renal immune complex deposition. The acute response is characterized by activation of circulating leukocytes and renal parenchymal cells, triggering the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. In all too many cases, this response is followed by a chronic response, which is characterized by excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix macromolecules and the development of end-stage renal disease. Mechanisms underlying this chronic response in progressive renal disease are not adequately defined. In this overview, potential roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) production in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis are considered. ROS and TGF-β may be key elements of a pathway leading to persistent and excessive matrix deposition in progressive lupus nephritis. Further studies to define the role of this pathway in lupus nephritis may lead to...
Managing the information revolution: Remembering old lessons

Abstract These days it is becoming an axiom to consult “customers” (faculty and students) about how well we are meeting their information needs. Moreover, we spend time testing peer institutions through formal and informal means—benchmarking has become the rage; so too has the effort to apply new technologies to the information retrieval role of libraries and deal with the crises of the “price revolution” in published materials. Our thinking is too often influenced by the ever present here and now--the latest hot new organizational trend, information technology (IT) product or system. Reasonable people might argue that we should look deeper when we ask questions of our users or benchmark the market. What we may be missing in our efforts is a clear picture of what we are really about, that is our true mission. It is not to preserve libraries and librarianship as we have known them, but to preserve the ends to which they were built. This distinction between means and ends is forcefully brought home by Edward Stricker—CBL, Carnegie Mellon University
A computer program for the interpretation of blood-gas analysis.

Abstract A computer program is presented which interprets acid-base parameters to within the 95% confidence limits. It defines the primary single or mixed disturbance and estimates the degree of compensation. As a subroutine, this program can be readily adapted to existing programs which read the raw data and compute the acid-base parameters, thus automating blood-gas analysis from laboratory machine through complete interpretation.
Carbon isotope exchange in the system CO2-CH4 at elevated temperatures

Abstract Carbon isotope exchange was investigated for the system CO 2 -CH 4 at 150 to 600°C in the presence of several potential catalysts by use of isotopically normal or 13 C-enriched gases. Silica gel, graphite, molecular sieve Linde 4A, magnetite, and hematite oxidized small amounts of CH 4 in starting CO 2 -CH 4 mixtures to CO and CO 2 but failed to enhance the net rate of carbon isotope exchange between CO 2 and CH 4 , even after 169 to 1833 h at 400 to 500°C. In contrast, several commercial transition-metal catalysts (Ni, Pd, Rh, and Pt) promoted reactions significantly toward chemical and isotopic equilibrium. With the Ni catalyst, the attainment of carbon isotopic equilibrium between CO 2 and CH 4 was demonstrated for the first time at temperatures from 200 to 600°C by complete isotopic reversal from opposite directions. The experimentally determined carbon isotope fractionation factors between CO 2 and CH 4 (10 3 lnα) were similar to, but slightly greater than (0.7–1.1‰, 0.89‰ on average), those of statistical-mechanical calculations by Richet et al. (1977) . The experimental results can be described by the following equation between 200 and 600°C only: 10 3 lnα(CO 2 -CH 4 ) = 26.70 − 49.137(10 3 /T) + 40.828(10 6 /T 2 ) − 7.512(10 9 /T 3 ) (T = 473.15–873.15 K, 1σ = ±0.14‰, n = 44). Alternatively, an equation generated by fitting Richet et al. (1977) data in the temperature range from 0 to 1300°C can be modified by adding +0.89‰ to its constant; 10 3 lnα(CO 2 -CH 4 ) = 0.16 + 11.754(10 6 /T 2 ) − 2.3655(10 9 /T 3 ) + 0.2054(10 12 /T 4 ) (T = 273–1573 K, 1σ = ±0.21‰, n = 44). This and other recent experimental studies in the literature demonstrate that transition metals, which are widespread in many natural materials, can catalyze reactions among natural gases at relatively low temperatures (≤200°C). The role of natural catalysts, “geocatalysts,” in the abiogenic formation of methane, hydrocarbons, and simple organic compounds has important implications, ranging from the exploration of hydrocarbon resources to prebiotic organic synthesis.
Effectiveness of Various Aquifer Restoration Schemes Under Variable Hydrogeologic Conditions

The USGS MOC Model is a useful tool for evaluating different well patterns in an aquifer restoration scheme under variable hydrogeologic conditions. The best well pattern for a ground-water cleanup is highly site-specific and depends upon the objectives and constraints for each problem. In this study, seven different well patterns were investigated to determine the one(s) most efficient in achieving a range of desired levels of contaminant reduction. The well patterns were evaluated on the basis of cleanup time, volume of water circulated, and volume of water requiring treatment. Eight generic hydrogeologic conditions were modeled using different combinations of drawdown, hydraulic gradient, and dispersivity. The key hydrogeologic variables which control the rate of cleanup are well locations, pumping rates, transmissivity, dispersivity, and hydraulic gradient. For a given set of well locations, by varying transmissivity and maintaining drawdown, dispersivity, and hydraulic gradient constant, the cleanup time was found to be inversely related to the pumping rate.
The KP4 killer protein gene family.

Killer protein 4 (KP4) is a well studied viral toxin secreted by the maize smut fungus Ustilago maydis that kills sensitive Ustilago strains as well as inhibits Fusarium and plant root growth by inhibiting calcium uptake. Numerous small, cysteine-rich proteins have been shown to play a critical role in fungal–plant–bacterial associations. The discovery of six KP4-like genes in F. verticillioides precipitated efforts to understand their function and evolutionary origin. Analysis of publicly available genomic sequence identified 31 additional KP4-like genes from a range of Ascomycota, a Basidiomycota, and the moss Physcomitrella patens. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicate that the viral KP4 and the moss and fungal KP4-like genes evolved from a common ancestor providing evidence for lateral gene transfer between kingdoms. Six genes of the 37 total genes are predicted to encode a protein with two, non-identical KP4-like domains in tandem separated by 29–56 amino acids. The results suggest that two independent events led to the dual-domain KP4 genes present in different lineages of the Ascomycota. Understanding the nature and function of KP4-like proteins in mycotoxin-producing species like Fusarium may help to limit plant diseases and increase food safety and food production.
On nonholonomic mobile robots and optimal maneuvering

The authors consider the robot path planning problem in the presence of nonintegrable kinematic constraints, known as nonholonomic constraints. Such constraints are generally caused by one or several rolling contacts between rigid bodies and express that the relative velocity of two points in contact is zero. They make the dimension of the space of achievable velocities smaller than the dimension of the robot's configuration space. Using standard results in differential geometry (Frobenius integrability theorem) and nonlinear control theory, the authors first give a formal characterization of holonomy (and nonholonomy) for robot systems subject to linear differential constraints and state some related results about their controllability. They then apply these results to 'car-like' and 'trailer-like' robots. Finally, they present an implemented planner, which generates collision-free paths with a minimal number of maneuvers for car-like and trailer-like robots among obstacles. >
Identification of a Specific Vimentin Isoform That Induces an Antibody Response in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, in part due to lack of early detection. The identification of circulating tumor antigens or their related autoantibodies provides a means for early cancer diagnosis. We have used a proteomic approach to identify proteins that commonly induce a humoral response in pancreatic cancer. Proteins from a pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line (Panc-1) were subjected to two-dimensional PAGE, followed by Western blot analysis in which individual sera were tested for autoantibodies. Sera from 36 newly diagnosed patients with pancreatic cancer, 18 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 15 healthy subjects were analyzed. Autoantibodies were detected against a protein identified by mass spectrometry as vimentin, in sera from 16/36 patients with pancreatic cancer (44.4%). Only one of 18 chronic pancreatitis patients and none of the healthy controls exhibited reactivity against this vimentin isoform. Interestingly, none of several other isoforms of vimentin detectable in 2-D gels exhibited reactivity with patient sera. Vimentin protein expression levels were investigated by comparing the integrated intensity of spots visualized in 2-D PAGE gels of various cancers. Pancreatic tumor tissues showed greater than a 3-fold higher expression of total vimentin protein than did the lung, colon, and ovarian tumors that were analyzed. The specific antigenic isoform was found at 5–10 fold higher levels. The detection of autoantibodies to this specific isoform of vimentin may have utility for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Correlation between connexin 32 gene mutations and clinical phenotype in X‐linked dominant Charcot‐Marie‐tooth neuropathy

We studied the relationship between the genotype and clinical phenotype in 27 families with dominant X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMTX1) neuropathy. Twenty-two families showed mutations in the coding region of the connexin32 (cx32) gene. The mutations include four nonsense mutations, eight missense mutations, two medium size deletions, and one insertion. Most missense mutations showed a mild clinical phenotype (five out of eight), whereas all nonsense mutations, the larger of the two deletions, and the insertion that produced frameshifts showed severe phenotypes. Five CMTX1 families with mild clinical phenotype showed no point mutations of the cx32 gene coding region. Three of these families showed positive genetic linkage with the markers of the Xq13.1 region. The genetic linkage of the remaining two families could not be evaluated because of their small size.
Knowledge of Orthographic Features in Spanish Among Bilingual Children

Abstract Orthographic features of English spelling can be ordered according to a developmental progression (Viise, 1994). Such features, when scored dichotomously and arranged according to difficulty, form a scale that is unidimensional and cumulative. The purpose of the present study is to determine if similar graphophonemic features exist in Spanish orthography and develop an instrument to assess them. A Test of Spanish Word Features (TSWF) was devised and pilot tested on 129 elementary school children. After revision, the instrument assessed 12 Spanish word features through the spellings of 50 exemplar words clustered into groups of five. The TSWF and its English counterpart were administered to 196 first, second, third, fourth, and fifth graders. Individual spelling features in Spanish proved to be internally consistent (reliable), but, when arranged according to difficulty, formed a scale that was only marginally cumulative. Compared to those of English, the Spanish word features varied little in com...
Ad-hoc association of pre-determined ZigBee devices

In pervasive sensor networks with high densities, similar networks might overlap, resulting in different coordinators for end devices to associate with. This can result in several problems, especially for home monitoring and hospital scenarios, where easy, fast, and accurate association of pre-determined devices is needed. Due to the rapidly changing environments in these scenarios, however, association schemes are required that allow ad-hoc associations of pre-determined devices in this context. In this paper, we describe the problems for this particular scenario with respect to the current standard methods of association and present multiple solutions to alleviate the problems encountered. We additionally present a generalized process flow for combining the different solutions into a single solution that can be implemented for future sensing and coordinating nodes.
Domestic Political Vulnerability and International Disputes

The proposition that domestic political vulnerability provides an incentive for leaders to engage in international conflict has been widely accepted because of appealing logic and anecdotal support. Although empirical studies of U.S. behavior during the cold war era have demonstrated some support for a relationship between domestic political vulnerability and aggressive international behavior, the generalizability of these tests should not be assumed. In fact, there is little empirical evidence in support of this relationship as a general pattern. This study assesses theories linking domestic political vulnerability to international disputes on a cross-national basis by examining the relationships between economic decline, the electroal cycle, and measures of aggressive international action for 18 advanced industrialized democracies during the period from 1952 to 1988. The authors find no consistent support for a relationship between constraining domestic political conditions and international behavior. I...
An unusual echocardiographic appearance of complications related to infective endocarditis.

Received August 21, 2006, from the Department of Internal Medicine and Heart and Vascular Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan USA. Revision requested September 14, 2006. Revised manuscript accepted for publication September 20, 2006. Address correspondence to Karthik Ananthasubramaniam, MD, Heart and Vascular Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W Grand Blvd, K-14, Detroit, MI 48202 USA. E-mail:kananth1@hfhs.org 38-year-old woman with history of intravenous heroin use had fever and chills. Chest radiography revealed bibasilar air space disease, and the patient received intravenous antibiotics for pneumonia. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was done after Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the bloodstream. A highly mobile tricuspid vegetation with moderate-severe tricuspid regurgitation was noted. Subsequently, transesophageal echocardiography was done, which revealed an unusual-appearing circumscribed anechoic structure attached to the tricuspid leaflet that was extremely mobile (Figure 1). The tricuspid regurgitation jet was seen to go through the valve and this structure (Figure 2). The flow seen was similar to that of a pseudoaneurysm with leaflet prolapse and did not actually perforate the leaflet. The possibility of a tricuspid valve aneurysm versus an abscess was considered as the main differential diagnosis. The team treating the patient was contemplating surgery for a possible abscess, but because the patient improved clinically, and subsequent blood culture results were negative, she was discharged to complete a 4-week course of intravenous antibiotics and continued to be asymptomatic and afebrile. The patient’s clinical course, the motion of this structure during the cardiac cycle, its attachment to the leaflet, and communication via the base of the leaflets with the ventricle (as illustrated by blood flow in systole) serve to establish that this most likely represents a tricuspid valve aneurysm rather than an abscess. Valve aneurysms, especially of the tricuspid valve, are unusual complications of
Urban and rural humidity distributions: Relationships to surface materials and land use

Most weather elements are modified by urban areas. Humidity is among the least studied of the modified elements. Quantitative associations of urban and rural humidity variations with surface materials and land use in Lawrence, Kansas, a relatively small eastern Great Plains city are examined. Results are based on 45 dew point temperature distributions obtained in summer and autumn. Man-made surface materials are consistently negatively correlated with humidity, whereas most natural surfaces are positively related. Residential and educational-institutional land uses and undeveloped land are related positively to morning and afternoon humidity values; fewer significant relationships exist between evening humidity distributions and land use.
Planet discovered outside solar system

Astronomers have reported the discovery of a planet orbiting a star outside our solar system, which, if verified, would be the first time that a direct observation has been made. Using a relatively new technique called speckle interferometry, astronomers from the University of Arizona and the National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO) have identified what they believe to be a planet similar to Jupiter, but with a much larger mass, orbiting the star Van Biesbroeck 8 (VB 8), which is located some 21 light-years from earth in the Milky Way constellation Ophiuchus. Confirmation of this discovery, says the National Science Foundation, “would climax a centuries-old quest to find such a body.” Another group of astronomers from the U.S. Naval Observatory, however, says the object orbiting VB 8 cannot be classified as a planet but fits the definition of a Brown Dwarf. According to the Naval Observatory, “Brown Dwarfs are loosely defined as objects too low in mass to be undergoing thermonuclear fusion, and hence cannot be called stars, and yet massive enough to be generating energy on their own.”
Historical geography and the cartographic illusion

The cartographic representation of historical sources, epitomised in H. C. Darby's Domesday Geography and becoming a classic hallmark of British historical geography, remains a largely unexamined aspect of our discourse. This essay links the emphasis on maps to a perception of their objectivity shared by academic cartography. It proposes that we treat such maps as a text rather than as a mirror of reality so that we can understand how their rhetoric has narrowed the practice of historical geography. Such a deconstruction opens the way to reintegrate cartography more fully as part of a humanistic historical geography.
Neurotrophic effects of vascular endothelial growth factor on organotypic cortical explants and primary cortical neurons

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known to play an important regulatory role in vascular growth and development. Because gene knock-outs of VEGF and its receptors flk-1 and flt-1 result in early embryonic lethality, determining roles for VEGF in CNS development has been particularly difficult. Recent studies have shown that VEGF is upregulated after various injuries to the adult brain and that the cytokine affords protection to cultured neurons affected by oxidative or excitotoxic stress. The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that VEGF is directly neurotrophic to CNS neurons in culture. We applied VEGF to normoxic fetal organotypic cortical explants as a model of CNS neuropil, in addition to primary cortical neurons, to assess direct growth effects absent vascular or astroglial activity. We found that VEGF provided a significant dose-responsive increase in the neuronal microtubule markers TUJ1 and MAP-2, as well as mRNA for MAP-2 and flk-1. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to flk-1, but not flt-1, inhibited neuritic outgrowth, whereas inhibitors of the signaling pathways MEK1 and P13-AKT both abrogated VEGF-induced growth. VEGF applied to primary cortical neurons produced significant increases in neuronal cell body diameter and the number of emerging neurites mediated by flk-1. Possibly, VEGF achieves its effects by acting on the neuronal microtubular content, which is involved with growth, stability and maturation. Several studies have now shown that VEGF is neurotrophic and neuroprotective independent of a vascular component; we suggest that VEGF plays seminal pleiotrophic roles in CNS development and repair.
Gene location and DNA density determine transcription factor distributions in Escherichia coli

The diffusion coefficient of the transcription factor LacI within living Escherichia coli has been measured directly by in vivo tracking to be D=0.4 μm2/s. At this rate, simple models of diffusion lead to the expectation that LacI and other proteins will rapidly homogenize throughout the cell. Here, we test this expectation of spatial homogeneity by single-molecule visualization of LacI molecules non-specifically bound to DNA in fixed cells. Contrary to expectation, we find that the distribution depends on the spatial location of its encoding gene. We demonstrate that the spatial distribution of LacI is also determined by the local state of DNA compaction, and that E. coli can dynamically redistribute proteins by modifying the state of its nucleoid. Finally, we show that LacI inhomogeneity increases the strength with which targets located proximally to the LacI gene are regulated. We propose a model for intranucleoid diffusion that can reconcile these results with previous measurements of LacI diffusion, and we discuss the implications of these findings for gene regulation in bacteria and eukaryotes.
Using Google Calendar as an Email Alert System for Electronic Resource Renewals

T his article describes an innovative and simple way for libraries to generate email reminders for the renewal and payment of electronic resources using Google Calendar. The advantages of using Google Calendar include cost (itâs free) and ease of use. Setting up an email alert system using Google Calendar enables librarians to track and manage their electronic resources more effectively.
MODELING CHRONIC DISEASE PATIENT FLOWS DIVERTED FROM EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS TO PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOMES.

Chronic disease is defined as a long lasting health condition, which can develop and/or worsen over an extended time, but which can also be controlled. The monetary and budgetary toll due to its persistent nature has become unsustainable and requires pressing actions to limit their incidence and burden. This paper demonstrates the utility of the System Dynamics approach to simulate the behavior of key factors involved in the implementation of chronic disease management. We model the patient flow diversion from emergency departments (ED) to patient-centered medical homes (PCMH), with emphasis on the visit rates, as well as the effect of insurance coverage, in an effort to assure continuity of quality care for Asthma patients at lower costs. The model is used as an evaluative method to identify conditions of a maintained health status through adequate policy planning, in terms of resources and capacity. This approach gives decision makers the ability to track the level of implementation of the intervention ...
Hydrocellular Foam is a Cost-Effective Dressing for Preventing Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Study

METHODS: A mouse model of splinted excisional wound healing was used for all experiments to better approximate human wound healing. Macrophages were derived from the bone marrow of leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice, seeded onto pullulan-collagen hydrogels, and transplanted into 6-mm splinted excisional dorsal wounds in db/db mice. Histologic and microfluidic single-cell gene expression analysis allowed for assessment of survival, localization, and phenotype of transplanted cells.
History, place, and racial self-representation in 21st century America

How is a person's racial self-representation related to the race history of the place in which he or she lives? We use Census Bureau data about race and ancestry to address this research question for two groups of people with mixed racial heritage: those reporting white and American Indian heritages, or reporting black and American Indian heritages. Links between history, place, and self-representation can be seen in geographic clustering for each race/ancestry response combination. We use multinomial logistic regression models to predict individuals' race/ancestry responses (e.g., white with American Indian ancestry versus white and American Indian races) using measures of local race history and the area's contemporary racial composition. Multivariate results highlight the relationship between a person's identity claims and the history of the area, net of contemporary area composition. Future research should attend to the history of the place as a potential contributor to contemporary patterns.
Do Specialist Fund Managers Possess Superior Project (Stock) Picking Ability

This paper finds that industry specialization within a fund is associated with superior project picking ability in the venture capital market. We find that ex-ante judgments of superior project quality are associated with positive abnormal performance for specialist funds, while they are associated with negative abnormal performance for the average fund. During cold IPO markets, abnormal performance associated with project-picking ability is greater than abnormal performance associated with specialization (portfolio risk) independent of project picking ability. During hot IPO markets, however, project picking ability is not rewarded, while specialization is associated with positive abnormal performance independent of project picking ability. Our findings indicate that the ability to shift investments into sectors that are 'hot' is associated with superior performance independent of project picking ability. Consistent with this conclusion, ex-ante judgments of low quality are associated with positive abnormal performance for the average fund during hot IPO markets but not during cold IPO markets.
Self-Assembly and Critical Aggregation Concentration Measurements of ABA Triblock Copolymers with Varying B Block Types: Model Development, Prediction, and Validation

The dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation technique is a coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics-based approach that can effectively capture the hydrodynamics of complex systems while retaining essential information about the structural properties of the molecular species. An advantageous feature of DPD is that it utilizes soft repulsive interactions between the beads, which are CG representation of groups of atoms or molecules. In this study, we used the DPD simulation technique to study the aggregation characteristics of ABA triblock copolymers in aqueous medium. Pluronic polymers (PEG-PPO-PEG) were modeled as two segments of hydrophilic beads and one segment of hydrophobic beads. Tyrosine-derived PEG5K-b-oligo(desaminotyrosyl tyrosine octyl ester-suberate)-b-PEG5K (PEG5K-oligo(DTO-SA)-PEG5K) block copolymers possess alternate rigid and flexible components along the hydrophobic oligo(DTO-SA) chain, and were modeled as two segments of hydrophilic beads and one segment of hydrophobic, alternate so...
Unsteady Aerodynamic Loads Effected by Flow Control on a Moving Axisymmetric Bluff Body

The coupling between a moving axisymmetric bluff body and its wake is modified in wind tunnel experiments using controlled interactions between an azimuthal array of fluidic actuators and the cross flow over its aft end. Enhancement or suppression of the flow coupling has profound effects on the global unsteady aerodynamic loads on the moving body and the evolution of its near wake. The model moves in six degrees of freedom along a prescribed trajectory using eight servocontrolled support wires with inline force transducers that are operated in closed-loop with feedback from a motion analysis system. Actuation is effected by an integrated azimuthal array of four aft-facing synthetic jet actuators around the perimeter of the tail end such that each actuator effects a time-dependent segment of local flow attachment over the aft surface. The present investigation focuses attention on the reciprocal relation between the response of the nearand farwake to the actuation and the associated changes in the induced aerodynamic loads when the body executes nearly time-harmonic pitch over a range of reduced oscillation frequencies (up to k = 0.26). The response of the wake to stabilizing and destabilizing actuation programs that effect reduction or enhancement of the aerodynamic loads are investigated using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and hot wire anemometry in the near and far wake, respectively. It is shown that this flow control approach induces aerodynamic loads that are comparable to the loads on the baseline configuration, and therefore may be suitable for in-flight stabilization.
Separation of human growth hormone into two components--GHA and GHB.

ConclusionHuman growth hormone has been shown to be composed of two components as indicated by tibia assay. One of the components at neutral pH will pass through cellulose dialyzing tubing in the presence of ammonium ion, urea or glycine.
Intraprostatic injections for lower urinary tract symptoms treatment.

Purpose of review The purpose of this study is to review and discuss recently published (2013-2014) experimental and clinical studies of intraprostatic injection therapy as an alternative treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Recent findings Recent focus has been on intraprostatic injection of botulinum toxin both with regard to mechanism of action and efficacy. In contrast to the promising findings in several previous studies, a recent large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial found no differences between onabotulinumtoxin A treatment and placebo. There is little new information on the use of anhydrous ethanol and agents such as NX-1207 and PRX302, which previously have been reported to have promising effects. Summary Intraprostatic injection of different agents as a minimally invasive surgical therapy for LUTS associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia seems attractive and may have a potential as a treatment alternative, but so far, available results are not convincing. Further studies on the mechanisms of action of novel agents, and controlled clinical trials documenting their efficacy and side-effects when injected into the prostate are needed before their place in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia/LUTS can be properly assessed.
Studies in Embryonic Mortality in the Fowl IV: Comparative Mortality Rates in Eggs Laid at Different Periods of the Day and their Bearing on Theories of the Origin of Monsters

Abstract Various studies upon the development of eggs of fowls and of pigeons have shown that the processes of formation of the egg and of development of the embryo during the passage of the egg down the oviduct are continuous throughout the twenty-four hours of the day. They are involuntary reactions. On the other hand the actual laying of the egg is a reflex for which the necessary sensory stimulus usually does not occur while the hen is on the roost at night. This means that if an egg be fully formed and ready to lay at 2 a. m ., it is retained in the uterus till the following morning. The embryo of such an egg (when fertile) would presumably have undergone some six hours further development than if the egg had been fully formed at 2 p. m . and had been laid at 2:30 p. m . Such a view is . . .
Primary adrenal insufficiency misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism in a patient with polyglandular syndrome

Context: Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome is a rare condition that causes a variety of clinical symptoms due to autoimmune processes involving multiple endocrine organs. Its vague presentation can cause missed or delayed treatment for adrenal insufficiency, resulting in a life-threatening adrenal crisis. Case Report: A 21-yr-old man presented with lethargy, hypotension, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, and an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone level. He was binge drinking the day before presentation. No significant response to initial treatment with levothyroxine and dextrose occurred. Diagnostic workup later revealed primary adrenal insufficiency. All initial symptoms completely resolved following treatment with hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone, and levothyroxine. Conclusion: Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome causes dysfunction of multiple endocrine organs such as the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and pancreas. Initial diagnosis of APS is crucial and difficult because of its vague, acute presentation, which often involves hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. Delayed treatment of adrenal insufficiency can result in a life-threatening adrenal crisis. A diagnostic workup for adrenal insufficiency should be performed in patients who do not respond to hypothyroidism treatment.
Ascending spinal pathways for the somatosympathetic A and C reflexes

Sympathetic unit nerve activity was recorded from the cervical sympathetic trunk of anesthetized, vagotomized, and carotid sinus-denervated cats. Single pulses or short trains of pulses with suprat...
The Life of Schubert: Late Schubert: “Who shall stand beside Beethoven?”

He was an artist … Who shall stand beside him? Franz Grillparzer, Funeral oration for Beethoven, 1827 During his final two years Schubert created his supreme music, enjoyed his broadest public recognition, and could realistically look toward growing professional success. That this period also spans Beethoven's last illness and the twenty months separating their deaths is, I think, more than just a coincidence. After the passing of his artistic father figure, Schubert produced a sustained series of masterpieces unprecedented in his career; at the same time, he sought public exposure with increasing urgency. Redoubling efforts begun some years earlier, Schubert contacted publishers himself, performed in public, and planned highly visible concerts. Beethoven's death left a gaping void in the musical world, and we patronize Schubert if we imagine he would not have considered himself worthy of assuming his great predecessor's mantle. He was now prepared. When in March 1827 Schubert participated as a torchbearer in Beethoven's funeral, he heard a question – a challenge, in fact – posed in Franz Grillparzer's celebrated oration: “He was an artist … Who shall stand beside him?” What must Schubert, recently turned thirty and himself in precarious health, have thought hearing the words of his literary friend read in tribute to his musical hero? Grillparzer invoked the names in the pantheon of German musical genius as he welcomed Beethoven to their company. What did Schubert make of the question of who would be the next immortal composer? And yet, as the question was being posed, the answer incarnate stood there among the mourners and himself was soon to die. Although it is almost inconceivable that Beethoven and Schubert did not meet on various occasions, the exact nature of their personal relations remains unclear. Geographical, social, and professional circumstances in Vienna provided ample opportunity for encounters, and yet the evidence is both sparse and contradictory.