cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Ethics of Artificially Providing Food and Water

In the short time since the late Pope John Paul II, now designated John Paul the Great, delivered his controversial March 2004 address on the morals of providing, withholding, declining, and discontinuing tube-feeding of persons in the condition often called “persistent vegetative state,” a number of cases have arisen and interpretations offered of the papal statement, some of them seriously affecting patient care (John Paul II, 2004).2 I wish here to offer a reading of the papal address that is more permissive than some in the options it preserves but, I think, faithful to the text and the wider tradition of Catholic moral reasoning in medical ethics. Much of my discussion will focus on the more general topic of assisted food and drink, rather than on the special issues raised by the condition misleadingly called “persistent vegetative state.” I hasten to state that I am not a moral theologian, nor a theologian of any sort. Rather, I wish to offer reasons why the recent statement might, when construed within the larger context of Christian thought on ethical issues in medical practice, reasonably be judged consistent with that thought and with a position on responsible discretionary interventions with such patients that I find sensible and attractive. My proposed interpretation is offered as provisional, contingent on further exploration of these issues in the light of religious and secular moral inquiry. Moreover, we need to be sensitive to the fact that Pope John Paul II’s March 2004 allocution is part of a tradition periodically developed and refined. Future doctrinal statements may clarify the tradition’s implications, rendering obsolete some of today’s judgments about what Catholic medical ethics requires, recommends, and permits. I will proceed by first focusing on several key phrases in the papal statement, indicating for each how it might reasonably be seen to cohere with traditional Catholic ethical inquiry and moral common sense. In later sections, I relate the recent allocution to a number of recent, chiefly secular bioethical discussions of related issues, especially those of euthanasia and care of the incompetent.
Ammonium Photoproduction from Aquatic Humic and Colloidal Matter

It has recently been shown thatnitrogen contained in humic substances can be releasedas low molecular weight species through photochemicalprocesses or reactions. Nitrogen released in thismanner may then become available for biological useand chemical reactivity. This report providesadditional kinetic data for nitrogen photochemistry oforganic matter in natural waters from Louisiana andfor Suwannee River humic and fulvic acids. Naturalwater samples were fractionated into colloidal(>0.2 μm, 1000Dalton) fractions and the kinetics of these fractionsas well as 0.2 μm filtered water samples weremeasured. For irradiations of less than 10 hours ofsimulated noon-time sun, samples showed linearproduction of ammonium and first-order fading at350 nm. Ammonium photoproduction was enhanced asmuch as three-fold by lowering pH, but linear kineticswere maintained. Light-dark cycling showed continuedrelease of ammonium immediately after irradiation,followed by uptake at longer post irradiation times.A two step mechanism was proposed to explain theobserved kinetics. Calculated net daytime release ofammonium from natural surface waters ranged from 0.33to 1.9 μM h-1 in the samples studied,corresponding to a photic zone conversion rate of9–20% of the total organic nitrogen per day intoammonium.
Reflectance measurement of heart muscle oxygenation.

Energy production in heart muscle requires adequate nutrient supply and oxygen delivery. The bioenergetic processes of the mitochondria utilize reduced equivalents from nutrients in the form of reduced NADH and FADH2, and oxidizing equivalents from oxygen to produce proton gradients for the formation of ATP during oxidative phosphorylation. Oxygen supply to red mammalian muscle includes the involvement of two heme-containing transport/buffer proteins. Hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells binds and transports oxygen from lungs to tissue, while myoglobin (Mb) provides temporary oxygen storage and buffering within muscle cells. When both Hb and Mb are present, they combine to increase the apparent oxygen concentration in solution by about 50-fold. Mitochondrial cytochromes aa 3 b and c play important roles as electron carriers in the mitochondrial electron-transport chain.
Applied Human Genetic Epidemiology.

This chapter covers the study of human epidemiology, including family studies in genetic epidemiology, linkage analysis, genetic Mapping in human diseases, human genetic influences on diseases, genetic relationships in familial aggregation, and derivation of familial risk.
Disposition of Tricyclic Nucleoside 5’-Phosphate (TCN-P, NSC 280594) in Man and Rat

TCN-P is the monophosphate ester of an unusual tricyclic nucleoside (TCN). TCN-P and TCN were assayed by reverse phase HPLC (Basseches et al, J. Chromatogr. 233: 227, 1982). TCN-P is converted to TCN by human plasma in vitro at 37° with a t1/2 of 23min. TCN-P was administered to patients in phase I trial as a daily 10min infusion of 5 to 44mg/m2, for 5 days. TCN-P is rapidly accumulated by rbc and could not be consistently detected in plasma at doses 10µg/ml at a dose of 44mg/m2. TCN-P was slowly eliminated from blood with an initial t1/2 of 6hr and a slower second phase of elimination which was not accurately defined. Blood concentrations of TCN-P 24hr later were 4µg/ml. These concentrations were maintained over 5 day administration with no accumulation of the drug. TCN in plasma was aroumd 0.2 g/ml at a dose of 44mg/m2 and was maintained over 5 days. No other metabolites were detected in blood or plasma. TCN is metabolised by rat liver microsomes with loss of in vitro cytotoxicity, to the bicyclic open ring metabolite. The metabolite was detected in rat bile as 13% of a dose of TCN 6.9mg/kg, in 12hr. Over the same time 46% of dose was excreted as unchanged TCN in bile. The metabolite could not be detected in rat blood. (Supported by NCI Contract CM27548 and ACS CH143).
Foliar litter chemistry mediates susceptibility to UV degradation in two dominant species from a semi-arid ecosystem

Abiotic processes such as photodegradation play important roles in litter decomposition in semi-arid ecosystems. However, little is known about whether UV degradation responds similarly to factors controlling biotic decomposition rates, such as soil moisture and plant litter chemistry. Here, we evaluated the relative importance of UV degradation versus biotic decomposition in contrasting precipitation regimes for two species. We manipulated ultraviolet (UV) radiation under two rainfall treatments (ambient and added precipitation) and measured decomposition rates of leaf litter from two abundant species in a southern California coastal sage scrub ecosystem: a native shrub (Salvia mellifera) and an exotic annual grass (Avena fatua). The influence of UV radiation exposure on decomposition did not vary with rainfall treatment, and UV radiation exposure only increased litter mass loss of the A. fatua litter, not S. mellifera. This pattern was driven by accelerated loss of hemicellulose and cellulose litter fractions when the exotic grass litter was exposed to UV radiation. The greatest influence of UV radiation was observed after 18 months. The sensitivity of hemicellulose and cellulose litter fractions to UV radiation suggests that shifting plant species composition which results in altered litter chemistry could change ecosystem sensitivity to UV photodegradation.
Synergy: A Smart and Scalable Energy Measurement Platform for Electricity Consumers

The key to becoming a more sustainable society is first learning to take responsibility for the role we play in energy consumption. Real-time energy usage gives energy consumers a sense of responsibility over what they can do to accomplish a much larger goal for the planet, and practically speaking, what they can do to lower the cost to their wallets. Synergy is an energy monitoring and visualization system that enables users to gather information about the energy consumption in a building – small or large – and display that data for the user in real-time. The gathered energy usage data is processed on the edge before being stored in the cloud. The two main benefits of edge processing are issuing electricity hazard warnings immediately and preserving user privacy. In addition to being a scalable solution that intended for use in individual households, commercial offices and city power grids, Synergy is open-source so that it can be implemented more widely. We present the design and implementation of Synergy as well as initial finding based on the data collected by this platform.
Telehealth Approaches to Care Coordination in Autism Spectrum Disorder

This chapter examines the current literature regarding the use of telehealth, and its potential benefits and limitations for diagnosis, treatment, and coordination of care for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Barriers to access drive the need to have telehealth as a modality for delivering evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic processes, which can be impactful in improving developmental trajectories and functional outcomes. The chapter concludes with guidance for clinicians interested in leveraging telehealth, with directions elucidated to further advance the use of telehealth to support families with ASD. More recently, in light of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and social distancing guidelines and restrictions, this chapter highlights changes in telehealth policy and the use of telehealth for diagnosis and treatment of ASD as well as thoughts about future directions.
Impact of government subsidies on a cellulosic biofuel sector with diverse risk preferences toward feedstock uncertainty

Abstract Investment risk and uncertainty about the availability of biomass feedstock hinders the development of a mature cellulosic biofuel sector. The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) is a federal program designed to subsidize farmers to establish, produce and deliver biomass feedstock to biorefineries. This study evaluated the impacts of BCAP on the optimal biofuel supply chain decisions considering feedstock yield uncertainty and associated investment risk given diverse risk preferences of the biofuel sector. The expected cost for a risk-neutral biofuel sector was minimized using a two-stage stochastic mixed integer linear program, whereas the Conditional Value-at-Risk of the supply chain was optimized for a risk-averse sector. Ex-ante analysis of a switchgrass-based biofuel sector in west Tennessee indicates BCAP payments could lower expected cost and investment risk for both risk-averse and risk-neutral biofuel sectors. However, the cost saving and risk reduction resulting from BCAP incentives for the risk-averse biofuel sector were higher than the risk-neutral biofuel sector. In addition, BCAP payments may drive more cropland to be converted for switchgrass, which potentially mitigates water-induced soil erosion and reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with net carbon sequestration, but may also create unintended consequence of competition for land between food and fuel use.
Parental Structuring in Response to Toddler Negative Emotion Predicts Children's Later Use of Distraction as a Self-Regulation Strategy for Waiting.

Structuring is a parental response to young children's behavior that may foster children's attempts to use cognitive skills to engage in self-regulation. Using a rural, economically strained sample, parental structuring in response to 127 eighteen-month-olds' negative emotion was observed during a home visit. Children's distraction, a useful cognitive strategy when waiting for a reward, was assessed during a laboratory wait task at 18, 24, 36, and 48 months. More frequent parental structuring at child age 18 months predicted more developmental growth in children's use of distraction between 18 and 48 months, in contrast with parental directives. Consistent with Kopp's (1989) framework, parental structuring may capitalize on children's cognitive development to play a unique role in fostering children's self-regulation of negative emotion.
Serum enzymes in bovine practice

The measurement of many serum enzymes can aid the veterinary clinician in making accurate diagnoses and predicting the outcome of disease. However, to use these aids properly, the clinician must know what units and how the enzyme values are reported and some basic pathophysiology so that enzyme values can be correctly interpreted. The determinations of enzymes are here to stay; in fact, new, low cost, simplified kits are beingcommercially prepared at a rapid rate.
Remote Fiber-Based Velocimeter for Interface-Strength Measurements

Understanding the performance of nuclear reactor plate fuels is essential to the development of new fuel systems. The condition of pre- and post-irradiation plates must be characterized effectively and efficiently before and after irradiation within a high rad environment. Characterization work after irradiation must be performed remotely, in an environment hostile to instrumentation. Laser-based characterization methods provide a capability to be robust within a hot-cell environment. Laser-based characterization can provide high spatial resolution appropriate for scanning and imaging large areas. Idaho National Laboratory is developing a laser-shock system for use in the post-irradiation examination station of the Hot Fuel Examination Facility. This laser-shock system is used to characterize the strength of bonds between fuel and cladding and between cladding and cladding. The technique induces large-amplitude shockwaves to mechanically characterize interfaces between the materials. As the shockwave propagates as a compressional wave through the fuel plate to the free (unconfined) backside surface, it is reflected back through the test plate as a rarefaction (tensile) wave. This wave is the physical mechanism that induces internal delamination failure. However, accurate measurement of surface velocity to quantify the energy traveling through the interfaces to the back surface of the fuel plate was complicated by the original fiber-based velocimeter design, which was biased by parasitic back reflections. This paper discusses the discovery of the back-reflection issue and the design changes to resolve the issue. Supporting data will be presented.
Cognitive and Imaging Differences After Proton and Photon Whole Brain Irradiation in a Preclinical Model

PURPOSE Compared with photon cranial radiation therapy (X-CRT), proton cranial radiation therapy (P-CRT) offers potential advantages in limiting radiation-induced sequalae in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors. This study aims to identify cognitive, functional magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography imaging markers and molecular differences between the radiation modalities. METHODS AND MATERIALS Juvenile rats received a single faction of 10 Gy (relative biological effectiveness-weighted dose) delivered with 6 MV X-CRT or at the midspread out Bragg peak of a 100 MeV P-CRT beam. At 3, 6, and 12 months post-CRT, executive function was measured using 5-choice serial reaction time task. At ∼12 months post-CRT, animals were imaged with 18F-Flurodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography imaging followed by functional ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging and stained for markers of neuroinflammation. RESULTS Irradiated animals had cognitive impairment with a higher number of omissions and lower incorrect and premature responses compared with sham (P ≤ .05). The accuracy of the animals' X-CRT was less than that of sham (P ≤ .001). No significant difference in rates of cognitive change were found between the radiation modalities. At 12 months post-CRT, glucose metabolism was significantly higher than sham in X-CRT (P = .04) but not P-CRT. Using diffusion tensor imaging, P-CRT brains were found to have higher white matter volume and fiber lengths compared with sham (P < .03). Only X-CRT animals had higher apparent diffusion coefficient values compared with sham (P = .04). P-CRT animals had more connectomic changes compared with X-CRT. Correlative analysis identified several imaging features with cognitive performance. Furthermore, microgliosis (P < .05), astrogliosis (P < .01), and myelin thinning (P <.05) were observed in both radiation modalities, with X-CRT showing slightly more inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Both P-CRT and X-CRT lead to neurocognitive changes compared with sham. Although no significant difference was observed in neuroinflammation between the irradiated groups, differences were found in late-term glucose metabolism and brain connectome. Our results indicate that despite relative biological effectiveness weighting of the proton dose there are still differential effects which warrants further investigation.
Can Global Capitalism Endure

The period from 2008 into the third decade of the twenty-first century has been one long protracted crisis for global capitalism, as much structural as political, that has been aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic. The era of globalization has involved an ongoing radical transformation in the modalities of producing and appropriating sur­plus value. There is an extreme and still increasing concentration and centralization of capital on a global scale in the financial conglomerates that in turn act to interlock the entire mass of global capital. Now the system is undergoing a new round of restructuring and transformation based on a much more advanced digitalization of the entire global economy and society. The agents of global capitalism are attempting to purchase for the system a new lease on life through this digital restructuring and through reform that some among the global elite are advocating in the face of mass pressures from below. Beyond transnational policy coordination among states, the structural power that the transnational capitalist class is able to exercise from above over states will undermine reform unless there is a mass counter-mobilization of power from below. If some regu­latory or redistributive reform actually comes to pass, restructuring may, depending on the play of social and class forces, unleash a new round of productive expansion that at­tenuates the crisis. In the long run, however, it is difficult to see how global capitalism can continue to reproduce itself without a much more profound overhaul than is cu­rrently on the horizon, if not the outright overthrow of the system.
Asparagine-mediated self-association of a model transmembrane helix

In membrane proteins, the extent to which polarity, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals packing interactions of the buried, internal residues direct protein folding and association of transmembrane segments is poorly understood. The energetics associated with these various interactions should differ substantially between membrane versus water-soluble proteins. To help evaluate these energetics, we have altered a water-soluble, two-stranded coiled-coil peptide to render its sequence soluble in membranes. The membrane-soluble peptide associates in a monomer-dimer-trimer equilibrium, in which the trimer predominates at the highest peptide/detergent ratios. The oligomers are stabilized by a buried Asn side chain. Mutation of this Asn to Val essentially eliminates oligomerization of the membrane-soluble peptide. Thus, within a membrane-like environment, interactions involving a polar Asn side chain provide a strong thermodynamic driving force for membrane helix association.
The dependability problem: Introduction and verification of fault tolerance for a very complex system

The Advanced Automation System must meet availability requirements that pose new and severe challenges to designers and analysts of fault-tolerant systems. The problems of introducing sufficient fault tolerance and verifying its effectiveness are discussed in the context of AAS requirements.
Stationary phase effects in reversed-phase chromatography

Abstract A large number of retention data on various hydrocarbonaceous bonded phases was examined in order to shed light on the energetics of retention in reversedphase chromatography. Plots of logarithmic retention factors measured on column pairs with different eluites but with the same eluent were used in the analysis that was extended also to retention data obtained at different temperatures. Linear correlation with unit slope indicates identical intrinsic thermodynamic behavior for the two columns, i.e., homoenergetic retention, as predicted by the solvophobic theory. Linear correlation with slope different fromunity suggests similar physico-chemical basis for retention on the two columns that is termed homeonergetic. No correlation is taken as proof that, besides solvophobic interactions with the stationary phase ligates, the eluites interact with residual silanol groups. Such heteroenergetic behavior implies the use of experimental conditions outside of solvophobic chromatography. Most bonded phases with medium - or long-chain alkly ligates showed homoenergetic retention when water-rich eluents and relatively non-polar eluites without amino functions were employed, whereas those packed with stationary phases containing short alkyl chain or adamantyl ligates revealed homeonergetic behavior. In contradistinction, only with eluents rich in organic solvent and/or with basic eluites was heteroenergetic behavior observed. It is concluded therefore that under conditions of solvophobic chromatography the main source of the differences between columns packed with hydrocarbonaceous bonded phases is a difference in phase ratio and possibly pore size distribution. In fact, if several columns exhibit homoenergetic retention behaviour it may indicate that the experimental conditions are those for solvophobic chromatography. Nevertheless the analysis clearly demonstrates that when eluites having polar groups are chromatographed in water-lean eluents the interaction with surface silanols can be significant. The approach presented can serve not only as a diagnostic tool for column and chromatographic conditions but also as a means to obtain information on the relative magnitude of column phaase ratios and to predict retention data in solvophobic chromatography.
The effective intensity of Coriolis, cross-coupling stimulation is gravitoinertial force dependent: implications for space motion sickness.

The effect of gravity on the severity of the Coriolis-induced motion sickness was investigated in ten individuals subjected to high and low G-force phases of parabolic flight maneuvers using constant level Coriolis, cross-coupled angular acceleration stimulation. Using seven levels of severity in the diagnosis of motion sickness, it was found that the subjects were less susceptible at 0 G than at +2 Gz, and that the perceived intensity and provocativeness of Coriolis stimulation decreased in 0 G and increased in +2 Gz relative to the +1 Gz baseline values. The changes in the apparent intensity of Coriolis stimulation occur virtually immediately when the background gravitatioinertial force level is varied. These findings explain why the Skylab astronauts were refractory to motion sickness during Coriolis stimulation in-flight.
Bound Equation for Multivariable Quantitative Feedback Theory

Equations for the loop transmission bound for the multivariable Quantitative Feedback Theory are presented nere. These equations are useful in the computer - aided design of multivariable control systems.
Multiecho acquisition of O-space data.

Purpose Nonlinear gradient encoding methods, such as O-Space imaging, have been shown to provide good images from very few echoes. Acquiring data in a train of spin or gradient echoes is a very flexible way to further speed acquisition time. However, combining these strategies presents significant challenges, both in terms of the contrast and artifacts. We present strategies in both pulse sequence design and image processing to mitigate these effects. Theory and Methods The three strategies include a new echo ordering that takes into account the unique way that O-Space samples the k-space of the image; a new postprocessing filter that allows tuning of T2-weighting by emphasizing the contribution of low frequency spatial information at selectable points in space and time; and an offset between linear and nonlinear gradients that makes the central point of each echo unique. Results Simulations indicate that these strategies mitigate artifacts introduced by T2 (or T2*) decay and produce contrast that reflects relaxation at a given echo time. Conclusion Turbo spin echo O-Space is theoretically feasible, and the greater undersampling should make it possible to use shorter echo trains for a given scan time. Magn Reson Med 72:1648–1657, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Navajo Elderly People in a Reservation Nursing Home: Admission Predictors and Culture Care Practices

Unlike the general U.S. population, which has more than 19,000 nursing facilities available, American Indian communities on reservations have few skilled- and intermediate-care facilities. Also, little research has been done with this population. This article describes qualitative research conducted at a Navajo Nation nursing home in Chinle, Arizona. Events and circumstances resulting in nursing home placement are discussed and illustrated with case vignettes. An overview of Navajo history and traditions provides a context to identify culturally sensitive care principles and practices. Discussion stresses the importance of acknowledging and acting on the significance of culture in all aspects of social work practice.
EGF receptor variant III as a target antigen for tumor immunotherapy

The EGF receptor (EGFR) is the first tyrosine kinase receptor ever cloned and remains at the forefront of targeted therapies against cancer. Currently, there are four US FDA-approved drugs and several more in Phase III studies that target the EGFR. These drugs, while resulting in some dramatic remissions, have not resulted in strong nor consistent improvements in survival. EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII) is the most common variant of the EGFR and is present in many different cancer types but not in normal tissue. It results from the fusion of exon 1 to exon 8 of the EGFR gene, which results in a novel glycine at the junction. This mutant receptor is constitutively active in these tumors and can lead directly to cancer phenotypes due to its oncogenic properties. EGFRvIII is an attractive target antigen for cancer immunotherapy because it is not expressed in normal tissue and because cells producing EGFRvIII have an enhanced capacity for dysregulated growth, survival, invasion and angiogenesis. In this review, ...
Compressional angles of isallo stress theory for a circular-cylindrical, spherical and elliptic-cylindrical elastic inhomogeneity in an elastic medium

The compressional angle of isallo stress theory for the case of a cylindrical (circular and elliptic) and spherical subsurface inhomogeneity, assuming that the conjugate fracture surfaces are inclined at a Mohr angle of 30° toward the largest compression, has been calculated. The solution for a spherical and cylindrical inclusion in an infinite medium subject to a uniform stress field (at infinity) were taken as the basis for the stress analysis. The stress angle was then calculated for the mentioned types of inclusions.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ECOTONE BETWEEN JEFFREY PINE SAVANNAS AND DARLINGTONIA FENS IN SOUTHWESTERN OREGON

In southwestern Oregon and northern California, Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) savannas and Darlingtonia fens are part of a mosaic of serpentine soil-related plant communities separated by distinct ecotones. I characterized and quantified the biological and physical aspects of these transition zones. Changes in vegetation were distinguished across communities and across three sites, each a different time since fire, and water discontinuities appeared important for preserving these uniquely-adapted systems, while vegetation undergoes postfire succession from fen to shrub to savanna after approximately 100 years since fire. While many factors play a role in determining the composition and location of community boundaries, the role of water appears to be the most critical factor determining the structure and species composition of the fen and shrub communities in southwestern Oregon.
Teachers' Beliefs About Mathematical Problem Solving in the Elementary School

This study focused on 5th-grade teachers' and students' beliefs about mathematical problem solving; attributions for the causes of performance in problem solving; and beliefs about the teaching and learning of problem solving in mathematics. Ten 5th-grade teachers from four different schools in a large rural school district volunteered to participate in the study. Each teacher identified two students from her classroom to participate in the study, one student perceived by the teacher as successful and one perceived as unsuccessful in mathematical problem solving. Parallel interviews with teacher and students were conducted. During the interviews, a set of nine word problems was presented, and teachers predicted the likelihood that the participating students would get correct answers on each of the problems. Students were asked to solve each of the problems orally. Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were analyzed and a correlation of teachers' predictions of students' performance and the students' actual performance was considered. Four general conclusions resulted from the research. First, 5th-grade teachers believe that problem solving in mathematics in primarily an application of computational skills. Students' beliefs about mathematical problem solving are, for the most part, consistent with the beliefs held by the teachers. Second, 5th-grade teachers in the study basically attributed success and failure in problem solving to differences in students' ability, while students attributed success and failure to a combination of ability and effort. Third, the activities in problem solving in the 5th-grade classrooms, if anything, enhance computational ability. The teachers' focus was primarily on right answers, and the use of calculators for problem solving was strongly discouraged. Finally, teachers tend to overestimate the students' ability to do problems involving computation and underestimate students' ability to do reasoning problems.
Characterization of synergistic anti-cancer effects of docosahexaenoic acid and curcumin on DMBA-induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice.

Background The major obstacles to the successful use of individual nutritional compounds as preventive or therapeutic agents are their efficacy and bioavailability. One approach to overcoming this problem is to use combinations of nutrients to induce synergistic effects. The objective of this research was to investigate the synergistic effects of two dietary components: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid present in cold-water fish, and curcumin (CCM), an herbal nutrient present in turmeric, in an in vivo model of DMBA-induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice.
Occurrence of C25 highly branched isoprenoids (HBIs) in Florida Bay : Paleoenvironmental indicators of diatom-derived organic matter inputs

Abstract C25 highly branched isoprenoids (HBIs) are potentially valuable indicators of diatom-derived organic matter (OM) inputs to sediments and the C25 alkane has been used previously as a biomarker in paleoenvironmental studies. In this work, a suite of C25 HBI monoenes and dienes was detected in a sediment core from Russell Key, central Florida Bay, USA. Hydrogenation proved all these compounds to be acyclic alkenes with the parent structure of the C25 HBI alkane 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl-7-(3′-methylpentyl)pentadecane. The tentative double bond positions and geometry of three monoenes and one diene were also established on the basis of comparison of retention indices (RI) and mass spectra with those published for synthetic or isolated compounds. The abundance of individual alkenes showed significantly different depth profiles. The concentrations of dienes decreased rapidly with increasing depth, but this trend was not observed for the monoenes. The highest concentration of total C25 HBIs was observed at mid depth in the core, suggesting strong historical inputs of diatom-derived sedimentary OM during that period. In fact, the depth profile of C25 HBIs reflected quite well historical variations in diatom abundance and variations in diatom species composition in central Florida Bay, based on the results of fossil diatom species analysis using microscopy. This study provides further evidence that, with care, some C25 HBIs can be applied as biomarkers for diatom inputs in paleoenvironmental studies although our data did not allow the identification of one specific diatom group as the main HBI contributor.
Substrate effects on the formation of flat Ag films on (110) surfaces of III-V compound semiconductors

Ag films grown at 135 K on (110) surfaces of III-V compound semiconductors and annealed at room temperature are investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and low-energy electron diffraction. Ag films on Ga-V semiconductors are well ordered, atomically flat, and exhibit a specific critical thickness, which is a function of the substrate material. Films grown on In-V semiconductors are still rather flat, but significantly more disordered. The (111) oriented Ag films on III-arsenides and III-phosphides exhibit a clear twofold superstructure. Films on III-antimonides exhibit threefold low-energy electron diffraction images. The morphology of the Ag films can be explained on the basis of the electronic growth mechanism. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis associated with sinonasal polyposis.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was is to investigate the outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) when performed for chronic rhinosinusitis associated with sinonasal polyps.MethodsForty-three patients with polyps were compared with 76 patients without polyps before and after ESS. Mean follow-up was 1.5 years. Patients were analyzed prospectively based on computed tomography (CT), endoscopy, quality-of-life (QOL) assessment, and visual analog scales (VASs). Univariate analyses were performed to evaluate whether the presence of polyps was predictive of outcome.ResultsPatients with polyps had worse CT and endoscopy scores both pre- and postoperatively when compared with patients without polyps (p < 0.0001 for each). All patients, regardless of polyps, improved on endoscopic exam; however, patients with polyps showed a greater degree of improvement (p = 0.002). Despite this, postoperative endoscopic scores in patients with polyps were worse than those without polyps (p < 0.0001). Patients with polyps had b...
Methodological and ethical challenges of researching a computer-mediated group

People are increasingly using e-mail technology to join computer-mediated groups, and these groups are gaining the attention of researchers from diverse fields. Researchers are adapting techniques used to study "traditional" contexts, such as face-to-face groups, and devising strategies for meeting the methodological and ethical challenges of studying online interactions. Because studying computer-mediated groups is still a relatively new endeavor, research standards have not yet been codified. Some researchers of computer-mediated groups seem to be unreflexive about the fact that there are real people behind the computer screens who can be affected by the research process-positively or negatively. This paper closely examines one study of a computer-mediated group that used multiple methods, discusses the rationale for decisions made about the research design and procedures, and provides suggestions for scholars interested in studying computer-mediated groups.
Biochemical and Pharmacological Characterization of Ganglionic Dopamine Receptors

The presence and the subtype of dopamine receptors in sympathetic ganglia were investigated. Using dopamine as well as preferential agonists and antagonists for the DA-1 and DA-2 receptor subtypes, we have studied dopamine receptors in both dog and rat sympathetic ganglia. Dopamine, fenoldopam, a DA-1 receptor agonist, and quinpirole, a DA-2 receptor agonist, caused significant inhibition of ganglionic transmission. The inhibitory action of quinpirole was selectively antagonized by the DA-2 receptor antagonist S-sulpiride but not by the DA-1 receptor antagonist R-sulpiride. In contrast, the inhibition of ganglionic transmission produced by fenoldopam was antagonized by R-sulpiride but not S-sulpiride. The selective DA-1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 did not alter the inhibitory effect of fenoldopam at the ganglia. Dopamine and fenoldopam increased vascular but not ganglionic cyclic AMP. The increase in vascular cyclic AMP was antagonized by the DA-1 receptor antagonists SCH 23390 and R-sulpiride. Quinpir...
What effect does inpatient physician specialty and experience have on clinical outcomes and resource utilization on a general medical service

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of internal medicine specialty and physician experience on inpatient resource use and clinical outcomes on an academic general medicine service.
Dynamic Analysis of a Gearless Wind Turbine Coupled to a DFIG

Most modern wind turbines use power electronic converters to maintain voltage phase, frequency, and magnitude at the grid-dictated values. However, such converters have often been reported to have high failure rates and cost. Further, failure of conventional wind turbine gearboxes adds to the overall cost and downtime. One remedy to limit the size of these converters is to implement a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which has fewer moving parts, e.g. a belt/chain CVT. Further, a CVT may completely eliminate the conventional gearbox architecture used in current wind turbine drivetrains. However, several dynamical issues related to CVTs prevent their widespread use. Current dynamical understanding of the most common CVTs (i.e. a belt/chain CVT) is limited by formulations of shift speed, belt-pulley friction torques, as well as belt-pulley slip. This paper aims to redress the shift speed formulation which has been widely based on quasi-static equilibrium analyses and, surprisingly, on slip definitions that provide minimal detail on the inertial interactions between the belt and the pulleys. Consequently, the paper proposes a new definition of slip to capture such interactions and uses it to develop more accurate representations of belt-pulley friction torques. Using MATLAB/Simulink, the CVT model is incorporated into a wind turbine model with a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG). Further, the entire turbine/rotor-CVT-generator model is coupled to the grid through the conventional grid- and rotor-side converters (i.e. GSC and RSC respectively). The results for the overall integrated powertrain are presented and discussed in detail with the CVT operated in open-loop and the DFIG in closed-loop. The intent is to study how control inputs of a CVT affect power flow through the entire drivetrain to meet the objectives of a) maximal power extraction from the wind and b) tracking the grid demands without degrading the CVT performance (with regard to slip, torque capacity, etc.). Further, the results presented herein examine the ability of a CVT to provide speed control (which traditionally is achieved via RSC), thereby, offering the potential to downsize RSC and thus the overall converter.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Minocycline inhibits microglial activation and protects nigral cells after 6-hydroxydopamine injection into mouse striatum

To determine the role of immune/inflammatory factors in dopaminergic cell degeneration in parkinsonian substantia nigra, we assayed tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive immunoreactive neuronal numbers with stereologic techniques and CD11b-positive immunoreactive microglial profiles following 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injection into ipsilateral striatum of mice. We further investigated the effect of minocycline on the inhibition of microglial activation and subsequent protection of nigral cells. The relative number of microglial profiles in the substantia nigra (SN) ipsilateral to the injection increased from 31 to 32% 1-3 days after injection, and increased further to 55% by 7 days and 59% by 14 days, compared with the contralateral SN. These changes started prior to the decrease of TH immunoreactivity of 34% on day 7 and of 42% by day 14. In animals treated with minocycline, microglial activation was inhibited by 47%, and TH positive cells were protected by 21% at day 14 after 6-OHDA injection, compared with those parkinsonian animals without minocycline treatment. All these results suggest that microglial activation may be involved in the nigral cell degeneration in 6-OHDA induced parkinsonian mice.
Multisensor integration for underwater scene classification

We describe a new approach for the classification of a seafloor that is imaged with high frequency sonar and optical sensors. Information from these sensors is combined to evaluate the material properties of the seafloor. Estimation of material properties is based on the phenomenological relationship between the acoustical image intensity, surface roughness, and intrinsic object properties in the underwater scene. The sonar image yields backscatter estimates, while the optical stereo imagery yields surface roughness parameters. These two pieces of information are combined by a composite roughness model of high-frequency bottom backscattering phenomenon. The model is based on the conservation of acoustic energy travelling across a fluid-fluid interface. The model provides estimates of material density ratio and sound velocity ratio for the seafloor. These parameters serve as physically meaningful features for classification of the seafloor. Experimental results using real data illustrate the usefulness of this approach for autonomous and/or remotely operated undersea activity.
Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia: Molecular Pathogenesis Informs Current Approaches to Therapy and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare childhood leukemia that has historically been very difficult to confidently diagnose and treat. The majority of patients ultimately require allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for cure. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease now permit over 90% of patients to be molecularly characterized. Pre-HCT management of patients with JMML is currently symptom-driven. However, evaluation of potential high-risk clinical and molecular features will determine which patients could benefit from pre-HCT chemotherapy and/or local control of splenic disease. Furthermore, new techniques to quantify minimal residual disease burden will determine whether pre-HCT response to chemotherapy is beneficial for long-term disease-free survival. The optimal approach to HCT for JMML is unclear, with high relapse rates regardless of conditioning intensity. An ongoing clinical trial in the Children’s Oncology Group will test if less toxic approaches can be equally effective, thereby shifting the focus to post-HCT immunomanipulation strategies to achieve long-term disease control. Finally, our unraveling of the molecular basis of JMML is beginning to identify possible targets for selective therapeutic interventions, either pre- or post-HCT, an approach which may ultimately provide the best opportunity to improve outcomes for this aggressive disease.
Relationship Between Freezing Point Depression and Solute Composition of Fruit Juice Systems

Freezing points of orange juices and model sugar-acid-water systems at various solute concentrations were investigated using models of solution theory. The observed freezing point depression values of citrus juice were less than those of the model system of comparable average molecular weight. The differences were characterized by a parameter which accounted for the solute-solvent interactions. Models with generalized values were presented which allowed the prediction of equilibrium freezing curves of fruit juices based on proximate sugar-acid composition.
Human Perioral Muscle Activation Patterns

Task-dependent human motor organization in the perioral region was examined in eight normal adults who performed oral tasks including lip protrusion, chewing, and speech. Zero phase-lag correlation...
The Listeria monocytogenes ChiA Chitinase Enhances Virulence through Suppression of Host Innate Immunity

ABSTRACT Environmental pathogens survive and replicate within the outside environment while maintaining the capacity to infect mammalian hosts. For some microorganisms, mammalian infection may be a relatively rare event. Understanding how environmental pathogens retain their ability to cause disease may provide insight into environmental reservoirs of disease and emerging infections. Listeria monocytogenes survives as a saprophyte in soil but is capable of causing serious invasive disease in susceptible individuals. The bacterium secretes virulence factors that promote cell invasion, bacterial replication, and cell-to-cell spread. Recently, an L. monocytogenes chitinase (ChiA) was shown to enhance bacterial infection in mice. Given that mammals do not synthesize chitin, the function of ChiA within infected animals was not clear. Here we have demonstrated that ChiA enhances L. monocytogenes survival in vivo through the suppression of host innate immunity. L. monocytogenes Δ chiA mutants were fully capable of establishing bacterial replication within target organs during the first 48 h of infection. By 72 to 96 h postinfection, however, numbers of Δ chiA bacteria diminished, indicative of an effective immune response to contain infection. The Δ chiA -associated virulence defect could be complemented in trans by wild-type L. monocytogenes, suggesting that secreted ChiA altered a target that resulted in a more permissive host environment for bacterial replication. ChiA secretion resulted in a dramatic decrease in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and Δ chiA mutant virulence was restored in NOS2 − / − mice lacking iNOS. This work is the first to demonstrate modulation of a specific host innate immune response by a bacterial chitinase. IMPORTANCE Bacterial chitinases have traditionally been viewed as enzymes that either hydrolyze chitin as a food source or serve as a defense mechanism against organisms containing structural chitin (such as fungi). Recent evidence indicates that bacterial chitinases and chitin-binding proteins contribute to pathogenesis, primarily via bacterial adherence to chitin-like molecules present on the surface of mammalian cells. In contrast, mammalian chitinases have been linked to immunity via inflammatory immune responses that occur outside the context of infection, and since mammals do not produce chitin, the targets of these mammalian chitinases have remained elusive. This work demonstrates that a Listeria monocytogenes-secreted chitinase has distinct functional roles that include chitin hydrolysis and suppression of host innate immunity. The established link between chitinase and the inhibition of host inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression may help clarify the thus far elusive relationship observed between mammalian chitinase enzymes and host inflammatory responses occurring in the absence of infection.