cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spinal dynorphin and bradykinin receptors maintain inflammatory hyperalgesia.

Abstract An upregulation of the endogenous opioid, dynorphin A, in the spinal cord is seen in multiple experimental models of chronic pain. Recent findings implicate a direct excitatory action of dynorphin A at bradykinin receptors to promote hyperalgesia in nerve injured rats, and its upregulation may promote, rather than counteract, enhanced nociceptive input due to injury. Here we examined a model of inflammatory pain by unilateral injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the rat hind paw. Rats exhibited tactile hypersensitivity and thermal hyperalgesia in the inflamed paw by 6 hours after CFA injection, whereas a significant elevation of prodynorphin transcripts in the lumbar spinal cord was seen at day 3 but not at 6 hours. Thermal hyperalgesia at day 3, but not at 6 hours, after CFA injection was blocked by intrathecal administration of anti-dynorphin antiserum or by bradykinin receptor antagonists. The antihyperalgesic effect of the latter was not due to de novo production of bradykinin or upregulation of spinal bradykinin receptors. These data suggest that elevated spinal dynorphin on peripheral inflammation mediates chronic inflammatory hyperalgesia. The antihyperalgesic effect of bradykinin receptor antagonists requires the presence of upregulated spinal dynorphin but not of de novo production of bradykinin, supporting our hypothesis that pathological levels of dynorphin may activate spinal bradykinin receptors to mediate inflammatory hyperalgesia. Perspective This study shows that chronic peripheral inflammation induces a significant upregulation of the endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin. Elevated levels of spinal dynorphin and activation of spinal bradykinin receptors are essential to maintain inflammatory hyperalgesia. The results suggest that blockade of spinal bradykinin receptors may have therapeutic potential in chronic inflammatory pain.
Structural and nonstructural proteins of strain Colburn cytomegalovi

Abstract Studies to investigate the involvement of cytomegalovirus (CMV, strain Colburn) proteins in the infection process have led to the following observations. First, four types of virus particles can be recovered from infected cells. These particles are distinguished on the basis of their intracellular compartmentalization, sedimentation properties in rate-velocity sucrose gradients, protein composition, and infectivity. By analogy with their apparent counterparts in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells, these particles have been designated as A-, B-, C-capsids and virions. A-capsids, composed of three protein species (i.e., 145K, 34K, and 28K daltons), have the simplest structure; virions, containing at least 20 protein species ranging in molecular weight from approximately 200K to 20K, are structurally the most complex. Among the protein constituents of these virus particles, the 145K was found to be the major structural element of the capsid; a 45K and a 37K B-capsid-specific protein were shown to be closely related and, like their HSV counterparts, absent from the mature virion; and a 66K protein is suggested to serve as a matrix, interfacing the nucleocapsid with the outer envelope. Second, evidence based on peptide analyses, pulse—chase radiolabeling experiments, and comparisons of intracellular viral proteins with those present in virus particles, indicates that several strain Colburn proteins undergo post-translational modifications. And third, these studies have established that, in addition to the proteins identified as structural elements of virus particles, strain Colburn-infected cells contain at least five nonstructural proteins. Most of the structural as well as these nonstructural proteins partitioned strongly with the NP-40 nuclear fraction, but were found to enter that fraction at markedly different rates.
CONFOUNDING SOLIDARITY singular, universal and particular subjects in the artworks of tehching hsieh and the politics of the new left

AbstractThis essay takes the performance artworks of Tehching Hsieh as instructive allegories for a global ethics as theorized by a variety of left academics (including Slavoj Žižek, Alain Badiou, Etienne Balibar, Jacques Ranciere, Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri) who ground universalism in a singularity that escapes the predicates of identity. Hsieh's projects, I argue, also place universal estrangement in the service of liberation for particular marginalized groups whose lives confound our fantasies of recognition. At the same time, they illustrate some of the challenges facing attempts to treat particular struggles as embodiments of universal conflicts.
Achalasia: A to Z

For reasons that only partially escape me, many of the world’s experts in the surgical care of achalasia hail from Italy. We have the good fortune to have many of them contributing to this symposium, from Allaix to Zaninotto. To assure the true international flavor of this symposium additional experts from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and the US have been assembled to create an ‘‘all-star cast’’, under the direction of guest editor and guru, Marco Patti. The resulting ten piece symposium should serve as the guide for any surgeon managing achalasia today. The summary points of this symposium, if I might be so bold, are as follows:
Osseous sarcoidosis: Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes-Experience from a large, academic hospital

Abstract Objective Osseous sarcoidosis has been infrequently reported. We aimed to characterize the distribution of lesions, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes for osseous sarcoidosis. Methods Cases of osseous sarcoidosis were identified by directed inquiry to clinicians and electronic query. Cases were defined as having pathologic evidence of non-caseating granulomas on bone biopsy or evidence of osseous lesions on imaging attributable to sarcoidosis in patients with known sarcoidosis. Detailed characteristics were obtained by medical record review. Results We identified a total of 20 cases of osseous sarcoidosis. Osseous lesions were detected by imaging during the initial sarcoidosis presentation in 60% of cases. In those who had a prior diagnosis of sarcoidosis, the median duration of sarcoidosis before detection of osseous involvement was 4.3 years. Symptoms were present in 50% of cases. All cases had more than one bone involved. The axial skeleton was involved in the majority of cases (90%), primarily the pelvis and the lumbar spine. Most cases required no treatment (55%); a minority of cases (45%) were treated, most often with prednisone, methotrexate, or hydroxychloroquine. Two cases required multiple immunosuppressants, including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, for refractory symptomatic osseous sarcoidosis. Treated cases were younger than those who were untreated. At last follow-up, most cases (85%) were asymptomatic from osseous lesions. Conclusions In this case series of osseous sarcoidosis from a single center, most patients had multiple bones affected and had other systemic manifestations of sarcoidosis. A minority required treatment for relief of symptoms, and most cases were asymptomatic at last follow-up.
Hard prey, soft jaws and the ontogeny of feeding mechanics in the spotted ratfish Hydrolagus colliei

The spotted ratfish Hydrolagus colliei is a holocephalan fish that consumes hard prey (durophagy) but lacks many morphological characters associated with durophagy in other cartilaginous fishes. We investigated its feeding biomechanics and biting performance to determine whether it can generate bite forces comparable with other durophagous elasmobranchs, how biting performance changes over ontogeny (21–44 cm SL) and whether biomechanical modelling can accurately predict feeding performance in holocephalans. Hydrolagus colliei can generate absolute and mass-specific bite forces comparable with other durophagous elasmobranchs (anteriorZ104 N, posteriorZ191 N) and has the highest jaw leverage of any cartilaginous fish studied. Modelling indicated that cranial geometry stabilizes the jaw joint by equitably distributing forces throughout the feeding mechanism and that positive allometry of bite force is due to hyperallometric mechanical advantage. However, bite forces measured through tetanic stimulation of the adductor musculature increased isometrically. The jaw adductors of H. colliei fatigued more rapidly than those of the piscivorous spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias as well. The feeding mechanism of H. colliei is a volume-constrained system in which negative allometry of cranial dimensions leaves relatively less room for musculature. Jaw adductor force, however, is maintained through ontogenetic changes in muscle architecture.
Scale-Dependent Associations of Band-Tailed Pigeon Counts at Mineral Sites

The abundance of Band-tailed Pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis) has declined substantially from historic numbers along the Pacific Coast. Identification of patterns and causative factors of this decline are hampered because habitat use data are limited, and temporal and spatial variability patterns associated with population indices are not known. Furthermore, counts are influenced not only by pigeon abundance but also by rate of visitation to mineral sites, which may not be consistent. To address these issues, we conducted mineral site counts during 2001 and 2002 at 20 locations from 4 regions in the Pacific Northwest, including central Oregon and western Washington, USA, and British Columbia, Canada. We developed inference models that consisted of environmental factors and spatial characteristics at multiple spatial scales. Based on information theory, we compared models within a final set that included variables measured at 3 spatial scales (0.03 ha, 3.14 ha, and 7850 ha). Pigeon counts increased from central Oregon through northern Oregon and decreased into British Columbia. After accounting for this spatial pattern, we found that pigeon counts increased 12% ± 2.7 with a 10% increase in the amount of deciduous forested area within 100 m from a mineral site. Also, distance from the mineral site of interest to the nearest known mineral site was positively related to pigeon counts. These findings provide direction for future research focusing on understanding the relationships between indices of relative abundance and complete counts (censuses) of pigeon populations by identifying habitat characteristics that might influence visitation rates. Furthermore, our results suggest that spatial arrangement of mineral sites influences Band-tailed Pigeon counts and the populations which those counts represent.
Molecular biology of the voltage-gated potassium channels of the cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular K+ Channel Molecular Biology. K+ channels represent the most diverse class of voltage-gated ion channels in terms of function and structure. Voltage-gated K+ channels in the heart establish the resting membrane K permeability, modulate the frequency and duration of action potentials, and are targets of several antiarrhythmic drugs. Consequently, an understanding of K+ channel structure-function relationships and pharmacology is of great practical interest. However, the presence of multiple overlapping currents in native cardiac myocytes complicates the study of basic K+ channel function and drug-channel interactions in these cells. The application of molecular cloning technology to cardiovascular K+ channels has identified the primary structure of these proteins, and heterologous expression systems have allowed a detailed analysis of channel function and pharmacology without contaminating currents. To date six different K+ channels have been cloned from rat and human heart, and all have been functionally characterized in either Xenopus oocytes or mammalian tissue culture systems. This initial research is an important step toward understanding the molecular basis of the action potential in the heart. An important challenge for the future is to determine the cell-specific expression and relative contribution of these cloned channels to cardiac excitability.
Mechanical Design and Control System of a Miniature Autonomous Surveillance Robot

Secret surveillance in tightly constrained spaces is demanded in many military and civilian activities, such as cave-in enemy raids and indoor hostage rescue missions. These special applications require a kind of miniature mobile robot to function covertly in highly confined environments. However, the crucial problem resulted from the small volume of miniature robots is the difficulty of packing locomotion, sensing, computing and power subsystems into constrained space. This paper presents the mechanical design and the control system of a miniature autonomous surveillance robot ("BMS-1") for indoor reconnaissance tasks. Several experiments showed that BMS-1 was useful for covert surveillance in confined spaces and can carry out reconnaissance missions on its own or by teleoperation.
An application of Wazewski's method to a non-linear boundary value problem which arises in population genetics

A non-linear boundary value problem is treated using the principle of T. Wazewski. The equation is d 2/d, x 2 p (x)+s (x) p (1−p)=0 where s (x) is non zero near ±∞. The boundary condition on p at ±∞ is 0 and 1 according as sgn s (±∞) is −1 or +1. Two essentially different cases are treated, namely sgn s (+ ∞)= ±sgn s (-∞). A radially symmetric problem with x e R 2 is also discussed. The Wazewski principle allows one to describe the sets of initial data which satisfy the boundary conditions at + ∞ and at -∞ and to show how they intersect. The problem arises in the study of clines in population genetics theory.
Depth profiling methods that provide information complementary to neutron reflectivity

Abstract Neutron reflectometry (NR) has the potential to revolutionize our knowledge of the structure of polymers and other organic materials near surfaces and interfaces. The hydrogens of a polymeric species can be selectively replaced by deuterium so that the concentration versus depth profile of the deuterated species will result in a profile of neutron scattering length density of high contrast which, in turn, will strongly change the neutron reflectivity. Despite the excellent sensitivity of NR to rapid changes in the profile with depth, more gradual gradients in the depth profile can be almost invisible, and thus it is advantageous to pair NR with other experimental methods for depth profiling deuterium. Such methods allow one to place severe constraints on possible models of the scattering length density that can be refined to fit the reflectivity data. This paper reviews three such methods which recently have been developed for depth profiling hydrogen and deuterium in polymers, namely, forward recoil spectrometry, nuclear reaction analysis and dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry. These methods have depth resolutions which range from 10 to 800 nm and can provide details of the profile not readily “visible” in reflectometry.
Control of Vorticity Generation in an Acoustically Excited Jet in Crossflow

*† ‡ § ** , This paper provides an overview of recent research activities pertaining to the control of penetration, spread, and mixing associated with the forced jet in crossflow or transverse jet. Experimental research at UCLA has in the past focused on acoustical forcing via feedforward control of the transverse jet at relatively low jet-to-crossflow velocity ratios R, and the optimization of jet penetration and spread via square wave forcing at specific frequencies and temporal pulse widths. Yet recent experimental as well as theoretical studies of the nearfield shear layer instabilities associated with the transverse jet suggest that the nature of the jet instability is different for lower values of R (below 5) than higher values of R (6 and above). These studies indicate that the transverse jet at higher R values is convectively unstable, while the transverse jet at lower R values demonstrates the presence of self-excited global oscillations, a behavior related to an absolute instability of the jet shear layer. The implications of these findings explain differences observed in forced transverse jet behavior and suggest strategies for the application of forcing in its control.
Nonlinear air-to-fuel ratio and engine speed control for hybrid vehicles

Internal combustion spark ignition engine management systems regulate the fuel, spark, and idle air subsystems to achieve sufficient engine performance at acceptable fuel economy and tailpipe emission levels. Engine control units also monitor other engine processes, using a suite of sensors, and periodically check the system actuators' operation to satisfy legislated onboard diagnostics. The majority of production engines regulate the air-to-fuel ratio using a speed-density, or air-flow, control strategy. In this approach, the mass of air drawn into a given cylinder is calculated using the engine speed, manifold absolute pressure, and inlet air temperature. Based on the air mass, appropriate fuel amounts are injected to achieve stoichiometric operation. However, the wide range of operating conditions, inherent induction process nonlinearities, and gradual component degradations due to aging have prompted research into model-based algorithms. In this paper, a nonlinear model-based control strategy will be proposed for simultaneous air-to-fuel ratio control and speed tracking in hybrid electric vehicles. The motivation for engine speed management resides in the integrated control of the engine and a continuously variable transmission for increased efficiency. The proposed backstepping controller uses an observer to reduce the inputs to manifold air mass (e.g., manifold absolute pressure and inlet air temperature) and engine speed. The underlying engine model describes the air intake, fuel injection, and rotational dynamics. For comparison purposes, an existing multisurface sliding mode controller and an integrated speed-density air-to-fuel controller with attached engine speed regulation have been implemented. The performance of each controller is studied using an analytical engine model with representative numerical results presented and discussed to provide insight into the overall performances.
The Interactive Effects of Extraversion and Conscientiousness on Performance

The abridged big five dimensional circumplex (AB5C; Hofstee, de Raad & Goldberg, 199 2; Johnson & Ostendorf, 199 3) integrates the Big Five model of phenotypic personality attributes and circumplex models of personality. The present study of one sample of job applicants and three samples of workers in jobs requiring interpersonal interaction considered two dimensions within the AB5C—extraversion and conscientiousness—and examined the relationships of their interaction with job interview performance and supervisor ratings of job performance. Results of moderated multiple regression analyses supported the hypothesis. Additional units of extraversion led to increments in performance among high-conscientious workers but to decrements in performance among low-conscientious workers.
AQ10 Biofungicide Combined with Chemical Fungicides or AddQ Spray Adjuvant for Control of Cucurbit Powdery Mildew in Detached Leaf Culture

The biofungicide AQ10, a pelleted formulation of conidia of Ampelomyces quisqualis, did not significantly reduce the size of colonies of the cucurbit powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) in detached squash leaf culture but did reduce the amount of inoculum produced by each colony. No significant reduction in colonization of powdery mildew colonies by AQ10 was observed when it was sprayed in conjunction with the fungicides myclobutanil at 10 μg/ml or triadimefon at 100 μg/ml, suggesting that it is not sensitive to the fungicides at these concentrations. The spray adjuvant AddQ did not increase percent colonization by A. quisqualis but reduced the size of mildew colonies when used alone or with AQ10.
A novel recursive partitioning criterion

Summary form only given, as follows. A data-driven algorithm for partitioning many-class classification problems has been developed. The algorithm generates tree-structured hybrid networks with controller nets at tree branches and local expert nets at the leaves. The controller nets recursively partition the feature space according to a novel misclassification minimization rule designed to create groupings of the classes which simplify the classification task. Each local expert is trained only dn a subset of the training data corresponding to one of the partitions. The advantage of this approach is that the classification task that each local expert performs is greatly simplified. This simplification helps to avoid the curse of dimensionality and scaling problems by allowing the local expert nets to focus their search for structure in a small portion of the input space. >
Consequences of Driving Reduction or Cessation for Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to understand the adverse consequences of driving reduction or cessation among elderly adults. A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies that (a) included information on driving by an elderly population, (b) included results from a qualitative or quantitative (or both) study of the elderly and driving cessation, and (c) provided information to evaluate consequences surrounding driving reduction or cessation. The selected subjects of the studies included men and women over the age of 55 years. Driving reduction or cessation is associated with a number of adverse consequences, including reduced activity out of the home and decreased life satisfaction. However, determining causality of the associations is difficult because of unidentified third variables (such as health). Understanding the adverse consequences will aid researchers and policy makers to develop better strategies to help people anticipate and prepare for reduced driving and to develop and improve transportation alternatives.
Genes, Language, and the Nature of Scientific Explanations: the Case of Williams Syndrome

In this article, we discuss two experiments of nature and their implications for the sciences of the mind. The first, Williams syndrome, bears on one of cognitive science's holy grails: the possibility of unravelling the causal chain between genes and cognition. We sketch the outline of a general framework to study the relationship between genes and cognition, focusing as our case study on the development of language in individuals with Williams syndrome. Our approach emphasizes the role of three key ingredients: the need to specify a clear level of analysis, the need to provide a theoretical account of the relevant cognitive structure at that level, and the importance of the (typical) developmental process itself. The promise offered by the case of Williams syndrome has also given rise to two strongly conflicting theoretical approaches—modularity and neuroconstructivism—themselves offshoots of a perennial debate between nativism and empiricism. We apply our framework to explore the tension created by the...
T cells regulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase in human osteoblasts via a dual mitogen-activated protein kinase mechanism.

Objective To investigate the role of T cell induction of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) production by human osteoblasts in order to better understand the process of bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Activated T cell–conditioned medium (ACTTCM) was used to mimic the physiologic conditions of inflammation. MMP-13 production by human osteoblasts was assessed using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific inhibitors of the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and the extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK-1/2) MAP kinase signaling pathways were used to assess their roles in T cell–mediated MMP-13 production. Finally, recombinant cytokines representative of the major components in ACTTCM were assessed for their ability to induce MMP-13. Results ACTTCM powerfully induced MMP-13 in human osteoblasts. Inhibition of p38 activity abolished, while inhibition of ERK-1/2 activity enhanced, MMP-13 production. We next investigated physiologic levels of the T cell cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), interferon-γ (IFNγ), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) for their roles in MMP-13 induction. Although individual cytokines had no significant effect, the combination of TNFα, TGFβ, IFNγ, and IL-17 resulted in a dramatic p38-dependent induction of MMP-13 identical to that produced by ACTTCM. Conclusion These studies demonstrate for the first time that human osteoblasts produce MMP-13. The results also show that under conditions of chronic inflammation, multiple T cell cytokines synergize to induce high levels of MMP-13 via a mechanism that is dependent on activated p38 MAP kinase and is suppressed by activated ERK-1/2. Selective inhibition of p38 activity may offer a target for pharmacologic inhibition of bone loss in RA.
Nationalism Versus Animal Rights A Semantic Network Analysis of Value Advocacy in Corporate Crisis

This case study provides an illustrative example of how nationalism can be exploited to shift media attention in a crisis involving international organizations. Semantic network analysis is used to explore the relationships among different meanings packaged in a corporation’s value advocacy messages. The semantic network analysis shows the semantic structure of the value advocacy messages and maps the structure of media coverage before and after the advocacy messages were released. The findings indicate that the value advocacy campaign effectively diversified the focus of media coverage. Implications for business communication research and practice are provided.
The Emergence of Managerial Capitalism

In this article, Professor Chandler compares and contrasts the emergence of managerial capitalism in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, and Japan. Though he observes that large firms tended to evolve according to a common pattern, he is equally impressed by international differences in the pace, timing, and character of change.
Validation of the 6-Minute Walk in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Trying to Fit a Square Peg Into a Round Hole?

OK – I know what you are thinking. How could the editors have chosen someone with my well-known views on the 6-minute walk (6MW) to write an editorial on the subject? Well, remember that data should always trump bias, and I can hopefully assess the existent data and the manuscript by Gabler et al1 (although it does, at least in part, uphold my views) in an unbiased fashion. For the purpose of this discussion, I will examine several points related to the use of the 6MW in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and in the clinical trials examining the effect of treatment in this disease entity. Article see p 349 1. Baseline 6MW and prognosis in patients with PAH. 2. Change in 6MW with treatment and prognosis in patients with PAH. 3. Absolute value of the 6MW and prognosis in patients with PAH. 4. Clinically (not statistically) significant improvement in 6MW with treatment in patients with PAH. 5. Value of the 6MW alone as a prognostic indicator in patients with PAH. Although the 6MW is considered a potential surrogate for survival in patients with PAH, it has never been thoroughly tested for its predictive value. Moreover, it is often used for critical decisions about the efficacy of currently available therapies, despite the fact that none of the clinical trials using it as an end point were really designed to test this premise. In this issue of Circulation , Gabler et al1 have examined the correlation between change in 6MW during 12 weeks of treatment from the 10 randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCT) submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration and the probability of a clinical event. In addition, the authors attempted to determine a threshold effect for the change in 6MW that would indicate a significant reduction in such clinical events. After …
Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease with antimicrobials: current status and future directions.

Over the past several decades, coronary artery disease (CAD) has become the major health problem in the Western world with more than 50% of deaths attributed to its complications. The exact causes of atherosclerosis are not clearly known, although multiple risk factors (e. g. hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, family history, and smoking) have been well described. However, these risk factors account for only about 50% of the total risk of CAD. Consequently, an ongoing search is under way to discover new risk factors for atherosclerosis as well as the basic underlying causes of progression. Although the evidence is not yet definitive, recent studies have shown that chronic infection by such bacterial organisms as Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and a variety of dental pathogens may play a causative role in atherosclerosis. If this is true, then antimicrobial therapy may be helpful in the secondary prevention of CAD. Indeed, several small studies have already been completed testing this hypothesis. This article reviews the evidence associating these bacterial pathogens to CAD and presently available information regarding the use of antibiotics in the setting. At present, most studies evaluating the potential efficacy antimicrobials in the secondary prevention of CAD have tested the use of macrolide antibodies. Although several small preliminary studies have reported promising results favoring a clinical benefit from even short (<3 months) courses of antimicrobial therapy, the first large clinical trial, the Weekly Intervention with Zithromax for Atherosclerosis and its Related Disorders (WIZARD) study, did not show a statistically significant beneficial effect of a 3 month course of azithromycin over placebo by the end of up to 4 years follow-up. However, a statistically significant (p = 0.03) 33% reduction in death and myocardial infarction was found at 6 months, 3 months after the discontinuation of antibiotics. This robust clinical benefit, however, was not sustained over the ensuing 3.5 years of follow-up. These disappointing long-term outcomes of short-term therapy with antimicrobials may be explained by the recently discovered difficulty found in eradicating chronic vascular infections such as C. pneumoniae. It remains possible that longer term antimicrobial therapy or short-term use of more potent single agents or combinations, capable ofeffectively eradicating the offending organisms might provide added clinical benefit in the fight against CAD. Further studies are ongoing or planned to evaluate this potential. In the meantime, it is not presently recommended that antimicrobials be routinely prescribed for the secondary prevention of CAD.
Quantifying the Benefits of Using an Interactive Decision Support Tool for Creating Musical Accompaniment in a Particular Style

We present a human-centered experiment designed to measure the degree of support for creating musical accompaniment provided by an interactive composition decision-support system. We create an interactive system with visual and audio cues to assist users in the choosing of chords to craft an accompaniment in a desired style. We propose general measures for objectively evaluating the effectiveness and usability of such systems. We use melodies of existing songs by Radiohead as tests. Quantitative measures of musical distance ‐ percentage correct and closely related chords, and average neo-Riemannian distance ‐ compare the user-created accompaniment with the original, with and without decision support. Numbers of backward edits, unique chords explored, and repeated chord choices during composition help quantify composition behavior. We present experimental data from musicians and non-musicians. We observe that decision support reduces the time spent in composition, the number of revisions of earlier choices, redundant behavior such as repeated chord choices, and the gap between musicians’ and non-musicians’ work, without significantly limiting the range of users’ choices.
M-MODEL: Design and Implementation of an On-line Homework System for Engineering Mechanics

Students solve problems by developing mental models of the problem. Although these models are many and diverse, a common one used in engineering mechanics education consists of identifying the known and unknown variables, construction of a graphical problem representation, and developing a mathematical model derived from the preceding steps. This is also the case for courses in physics, mechanics, science and electrical circuits. M-MODEL is a computer-based implementation of this approach to problem-solving. It utilizes the visual graphic, variables identification and listing, and mathematical equation mental models as a construct for students to developing STEM problem solving skills. This paper describes how students use M-MODEL to solve problems and its coaching tools. This paper discusses the design objectives, intelligent tutor, and features of M-MODEL as applied to an engineering mechanics course. It also discusses how M-MODEL may be used to encourage students to develop mental model approaches to problem solving. An assessment of M-MODEL is also presented.
Determinants of Investment and Policy Implications – With a Comparative Study of Investment Functions in the LINK Models

This paper is intended to study the following questions: What are the important determinants of investment? How would these determinants affect investment? What are the policy implications for government to have impact on investment? What are the major different issues on investment between developed economies and developing economies? What are the gaps between the investment theories and the empirical evidences? After a literature view, the paper makes a comparative study of several econometric models from the LINK system, in terms of specification of investment and the impact of policies on investment.
Evaluation of Cytomegelisa immunoglobulin M assay and comparison with indirect fluorescent antibody testing of QAE-Sephadex A50-treated sera.

The Cytomegelisa™ IgM assay (M. A. Bioproducts, Walkersville, MD) was evaluated as an alternative to indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) testing of QAE-Sephadex® A50-treated sera for detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific IgM. The Cytomegelisa assay was consistently more sensitive than IFA testing for detection of CMV-specific IgM. Of 101 rheumatoid factornegative sera that were IFA positive before column separation, only 47 (46%) remained positive after column separation, while 72 (71%) were positive using Cytomegelisa. Nine transplant patients who had primary CMV infection develop were also evaluated. Two of the nine did not form sufficient IgM to remain IFA positive after column separation, however, all had IgM detected by Cytomegelisa. In all cases, Cytomegelisa provided laboratory evidence of CMV infection earlier or at the same time as IgG seroconversion or IgM testing by column/IFA. Comparison of both methods with 100 consecutive sera received for CMV testing yielded five sera positive for CMV-IgM with the column/IFA method and 20 using Cytomegelisa. The specificity of Cytomegelisa was evaluated with 56 RF-positive/CMV IgG-positive sera. Four of 56 (7%) appeared positive after column separation; however, of concern, 22 of 56 (39%) remained positive in the Cytomegelisa.
Desformylflustrabromine (dFBr) and [3H]dFBr-Labeled Binding Sites in a Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Desformylflustrabromine (dFBr) is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of α4β2 and α2β2 nAChRs that, at concentrations >1 µM, also inhibits these receptors and α7 nAChRs. However, its interactions with muscle-type nAChRs have not been characterized, and the locations of its binding site(s) in any nAChR are not known. We report here that dFBr inhibits human muscle (αβeδ) and Torpedo (αβγδ) nAChR expressed in Xenopus oocytes with IC50 values of ∼1 μM. dFBr also inhibited the equilibrium binding of ion channel blockers to Torpedo nAChRs with higher affinity in the nAChR desensitized state ([3H]phencyclidine; IC50 = 4 μM) than in the resting state ([3H]tetracaine; IC50 = 60 μM), whereas it bound with only very low affinity to the ACh binding sites ([3H]ACh, IC50 = 1 mM). Upon irradiation at 312 nm, [3H]dFBr photoincorporated into amino acids within the Torpedo nAChR ion channel with the efficiency of photoincorporation enhanced in the presence of agonist and the agonist-enhanced photolabeling inhibitable by phencyclidine. In the presence of agonist, [3H]dFBr also photolabeled amino acids in the nAChR extracellular domain within binding pockets identified previously for the nonselective nAChR PAMs galantamine and physostigmine at the canonical α-γ interface containing the transmitter binding sites and at the noncanonical δ-β subunit interface. These results establish that dFBr inhibits muscle-type nAChR by binding in the ion channel and that [3H]dFBr is a photoaffinity probe with broad amino acid side chain reactivity.
Abstract 219: The Formin mDia1 Is A Novel Mediator Of Injury In Ischemia/Reperfusion

mDia1, a member of the formin family and an effector of Rho GTPases, has emerged as a downstream effector of RAGE signaling. RAGE has been shown to stimulate the deleterious effects of ischemia/reperfusion injury. The goal of this study was to elucidate the role of mDia1 in the heart after ischemia/reperfusion injury. In mouse hearts subjected to left anterior coronary artery occlusion (LAD) for 30 minutes followed by 48 hours of reperfusion, there is a ten-fold increase in mDia1 protein expression compared to sham. We thus tested the effects of deletion of mDia1; adult male mDia1-/- mice and wild type littermates (WT) were subjected to LAD or sham surgery. Infarct size in mDia1-/- mice was significantly reduced by 15% compared to WT after LAD (32.6 vs. 27.6% infarct area, respectively; p=0.008). LV function after LAD was improved in mDia-/- mice, as evidenced by a significant increase in fractional shortening compared to WT (34.6 vs. 27.1%; p=0.005). ChIP studies of cardiac tissue post-LAD revealed that there was an interaction between mDia1 protein and Egr1, Serca2a, and SRF genes in WT mice subjected to LAD but not in sham mice. Furthermore, EGR1 protein levels were reduced in the nuclear fraction of mDia1-/- mouse hearts after LAD compared to WT and SERCA2A protein levels were elevated in mDia1-/- mice after LAD compared to WT. These effects were confirmed in mDia1-expressing AC16 human ventricular myocytes subjected to hypoxia for 30 minutes followed by reoxygenation for 60 minutes (H/R). Compared to normoxia, mDia1 protein was increased in H/R cells by three-fold, and there was an interaction between mDia1 protein and genes for Egr1 and Serca2a in the H/R cells but not in normoxic cells. mDia1-/- and WT hearts were also isolated and subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. In mDia1-/- hearts, there was improved LVDP recovery compared to WT (63.3 vs. 33.7%, respectively). Taken together, these data suggest that mDia1 deletion mediates cardioprotection in ischemia/reperfusion injury through downstream interactions with SRF, SERCA2A, and EGR1.
Micro-break activities at work to recover from daily work demands

Summary Recovery literature has focused predominantly on recovery processes outside the workplace during nonwork times. Considering a lack of research on momentary recovery at work, we examined four categories of micro-break activities—relaxation, nutrition-intake, social, and cognitive activities—as possible recovery mechanisms in the workplace. Using effort recovery and conservation of resources theories, we hypothesized that micro-break activities attenuate the common stressor–strain relationship between work demands and negative affect. For 10 consecutive workdays, 86 South Korean office workers (842 data points) reported their specific daily work demands right after their lunch hour (Time 1) and then reported their engagement in micro-break activities during the afternoon and negative affective state at the end of the workday (Time 2). As expected, relaxation and social activities reduced the effects of work demands on end-of-workday negative affect. Nutrition intake of beverages and snacks did not have a significant moderating effect. Post hoc analyses, however, revealed that only caffeinated beverages reduced work demands effects on negative affect. Unexpectedly, cognitive activities aggravated the effects of work demands on negative affect. The findings indicate not only the importance of taking micro-breaks but also which types of break activities are beneficial for recovery. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Effectiveness Evaluation Method Based on Information Fusion

Nowadays,there exist different data sources in combat effectiveness evaluation,such as simulation data,expert evaluation data,and measured data. The various data may contain different evaluation criteria,and even sometimes contain contradictory information. How to effectively fuse the different data sources to build up a robust effectiveness evaluation method has become one of the key problems in effectiveness evaluation. In this paper,different evaluation methods are used for different information sources and decision fusion is made based on DS reasoning. Considering that contradictory decisions may exist among different data sources,a revised DS evidence theoretical formula is established by revision of both the combination rule and evidence source. Thus a modified DS evidence reasoning is established.
Nonoperative Management of Post-Transplantation Bladder Leak: Serendipitous Salutary Effect of Temporary Cyclosporine Nephrotoxicity and Oligoanuria

AbstractPost-transplantation bladder leak, a potentially serious complication, is traditionally managed by reexploration and closure, and may require percutaneous placement of a nephrostomy tube. We report intractable bladder leakage that persisted following reclosure in a patient who also had cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. The attendant oligoanuria obviated the need for nephrostomy drainage and allowed healing of the bladder leak. The patient subsequently recovered from cyclosporine injury and regained renal function.
Enhancing the Performance of the DCA When Forming and Solving the Equations of Motion for Multibody Systems

This chapter provides an initial investigation into using the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) (or similar hardware) to execute the Divide-and-Conquer Algorithm (DCA), which forms and solves the equations-of-motion for articulated multibody systems. The computational time required to form and solve the equations-of-motion of a simple n-length pendulum using the GPU is compared with a standard serial CPU implementation, a rudimentary parallelization on the CPU using OpenMP, and some combinations of the CPU and the GPU. The hybrid version uses the GPU for a select number of levels in the recursive sweeps and uses an OpenMP parallelization on a multi-core CPU for the remaining levels of recursion. The results demonstrate a significant performance increase when the GPU is used despite recursive algorithms being ill-suited to hardware designed for Single Instruction Multi-Data (SIMD). This is largely due to the tree-type structure of recursive processes, with half of the required operations being contained in the first level of recursion for a binary tree.
Microvascular volume contribution to hemorrhage compensation

Regulation of systemic blood pressure during small changes in blood volume is partially achieved by blood volume shifts from microcirculation to macrocirculation that cause a decrease in systemic hematocrit [LaForte, A., L. Lee, G. Rich, T. Skalak, and J. Lee. Am. J. Physiol. 262 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 31): H190-H199, 1992]. Diameters of 4-100 microns arterioles and 5-80 microns venules in spinotrapezius muscles of anesthetized rats were measured during control conditions and immediately after a 13% (of total blood volume) hemorrhage to determine the role of the microvasculature in hemorrhage compensation. The Strahler orders, mean control diameters (microns), and posthemorrhage diameters (% of control) were as follows: TA2, 5.7 (91.2%); TA3, 8.7 (90.4%); TA4, 12.5 (85.4%); TA5, 31.4 (95.8%); AA, 39.6 (94.6%); CV2, 8.0 (94.7%); CV3, 14.8 (93.7%); CV4, 24.6 (95.2%); CV5, 41.5 (98.8%); and AV, 47.8 (97.8%), where TA, AA, CV, and AV designate transverse arteriole, arcade arteriole, collecting venule, and arcade venule, respectively. The diameter reductions were heterogeneous for arterioles and venules, with significant variation in small arterioles (< 25 microns), which exhibited dimensions ranging from 61 to 100% of control, whereas larger arterioles ranged from 81 to 100% of control. The data were used with an anatomic model to estimate the systemic hematocrit decrease (0.73%) and the blood volume shifted from the microcirculation to the macrocirculation (3.74% of total control blood volume). These results agree well with direct measurements of the systemic hematocrit decrease and thus provide the microvascular basis for the rapid blood volume shift during moderate hemorrhage.
Evaluation on the effect of implementation regarding the measles surveillance system in Hainan province

Objective To evaluate the development and operation on measles surveillance system.Methods To formulate surveillance program,and then establish surveillance system on measles in Hainan province before the case surveillance was conducted.Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the measles cases reported through the notifiable diseases epidemic situation report system and measles surveillance system during 2004-2008 in Hainan province.Results From 2004 to 2008,through surveillance system,3040 suspected measles cases were reported which was 96.00% higher than that from the notifiable diseases epidemic situation report system.When the measles surveillance system was first established in 2004,the number of cases reported by the surveillance system was less than that from the epidemic report system,however,the sensitivity of the surveillance system had been increasing since 2005.In 2008,the number of suspected cases reported by surveillance system was 19.12 times more than from the epidemic report system.The proportion of confirmed cases in the total suspected cases was decreasing annually,from 90.34% to 4.48%,along with the increase of the sample collection rate,from 22.73% to 99.12%.The proportion of laboratory confirmed cases in the total confirmed cases increased from 7.55% to 86.97%.With suspected cases,the IgM antibody positive rate on measles and rubella were 31.57% and 34.52%,respectively.In Hainan,the epidemic pattern of measles had been sporadic,except for 2006 as there occurred several outbreaks in that year.The of disease incidence had an obvious seasonal peaks,from March to June.Measles mainly attacked children under 15 years of age,accounted for 86.68% of the age group.Children with no immunity or unknown immune history accounted for 85.67%.Conclusion The sensitivity of surveillance system had been increasing annually since it was developed and the incidence had been dropping to its lowest level.These achievements had built a solid foundation for the eventual elimination of measles. Key words: Measles; Surveillance system; Implementing effect; Sensitivity
Coronary collateral blood flow in acute myocardial infarction.

The evolution and transmural distribution of coronary collateral blood flow in acute myocardial infarction was determined in 24 trained, unanesthetized dogs by injection of radioactive microspheres into the coronary circulation. Acute coronary artery occlusion resulted in a greater decrease in subendocardial flow than subepicardial flow in both the central and marginal zones of the infarct. Coronary collateral blood flow was distributed primarily to the marginal zone and to the subepicardium of the central zone of the infarct. The greatest increase in collateral flow occurred between 12 and 18 hours after coronary artery occlusion. By 24 hours after coronary occlusion, blood flow to all areas of the infarct except the subendocardium of the central zone had returned to near control levels. This disproportionate distribution of coronary collateral blood flow during the early stages of myocardial ischemic injury helps to explain the apparent lack of protection of the subendocardium by collateral flow.