cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A physiologically explicit morphospace for tracheid-based water transport in modern and extinct seed plants

We present a morphometric analysis of water transport cells within a physiologically explicit three-dimensional space. Previous work has shown that cell length, diameter, and pit resistance govern the hydraulic resistance of individual conducting cells; thus, we use these three parameters as axes for our morphospace. We compare living and extinct plants within this space to investigate how patterns of plant conductivity have changed over evolutionary time. Extinct coniferophytes fall within the range of living conifers, despite differences in tracheid-level anatomy. Living cycads, Ginkgo biloba, the Miocene fossil Ginkgo beckii, and extinct cycadeoids overlap with both conifers and vesselless angiosperms. Three Paleozoic seed plants, however, occur in a portion of the morphospace that no living seed plant occupies. Lyginopteris, Callistophyton, and, especially, Medullosa evolved tracheids with high conductivities similar to those of some vessel-bearing angiosperms. Such fossils indicate that extinct seed plants evolved a structural and functional diversity of xylem architectures broader, in some ways, than the range observable in living seed plants.
Calculation of the fast ion tail distribution for a spherically symmetric hot spot

The fast ion tail for a spherically symmetric hot spot is computed via the solution of a simplified Fokker-Planck collision operator. Emphasis is placed on describing the energy scaling of the fast ion distribution function in the hot spot as well as the surrounding cold plasma throughout a broad range of collisionalities and temperatures. It is found that while the fast ion tail inside the hot spot is significantly depleted, leading to a reduction of the fusion yield in this region, a surplus of fast ions is observed in the neighboring cold plasma region. The presence of this surplus of fast ions in the neighboring cold region is shown to result in a partial recovery of the fusion yield lost in the hot spot.
Ethics, The Heart Of Leadership

The article reviews the book “Ethics, the Heart of Leadership,” 2nd ed., by Joanne B. Ciulla.
Versatile yet lightweight record-and-replay for Android

Recording and replaying the execution of smartphone apps is useful in a variety of contexts, from reproducing bugs to profiling and testing. Achieving effective record-and-replay is a balancing act between accuracy and overhead. On smartphones, the act is particularly complicated, because smartphone apps receive a high-bandwidth stream of input (e.g., network, GPS, camera, microphone, touchscreen) and concurrency events, but the stream has to be recorded and replayed with minimal overhead, to avoid interfering with app execution. Prior record-and-replay approaches have focused on replaying machine instructions or system calls, which is not a good fit on smartphones. We propose a novel, stream-oriented record-and-replay approach which achieves high-accuracy and low-overhead by aiming at a sweet spot: recording and replaying sensor and network input, event schedules, and inter-app communication via intents. To demonstrate the versatility of our approach, we have constructed a tool named VALERA that supports record-and-replay on the Android platform. VALERA works with apps running directly on the phone, and does not require access to the app source code. Through an evaluation on 50 popular Android apps, we show that: VALERA's replay fidelity far exceeds current record-and-replay approaches for Android; VALERA's precise timing control and low overhead (about 1% for either record or replay) allows it to replay high-throughput, timing-sensitive apps such as video/audio capture and recognition; and VALERA's support for event schedule replay enables the construction of useful analyses, such as reproducing event-driven race bugs.
Impact of Zooplankton Grazing on the Excystation, Viability, and Infectivity of the Protozoan Pathogens Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia

ABSTRACT Very little is known about the ability of the zooplankton grazer Daphnia pulicaria to reduce populations of Giardia lamblia cysts and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in surface waters. The potential for D. pulicaria to act as a biological filter of C. parvum and G. lamblia was tested under three grazing pressures (one, two, or four D. pulicaria grazers per 66 ml). (Oo)cysts (1 × 104 per 66 ml) were added to each grazing bottle along with the algal food Selenastrum capricornutum (6.6 × 104 cells per 66 ml) to stimulate normal grazing. Bottles were rotated (2 rpm) to prevent settling of (oo)cysts and algae for 24 h (a light:dark cycle of 16 h:8 h) at 20°C. The impact of D. pulicaria grazing on (oo)cysts was assessed by (i) (oo)cyst clearance rates, (ii) (oo)cyst viability, (iii) (oo)cyst excystation, and (iv) oocyst infectivity in cell culture. Two D. pulicaria grazers significantly decreased the total number of C. parvum oocysts by 52% and G. lamblia cysts by 44%. Furthermore, two D. pulicaria grazers significantly decreased C. parvum excystation and infectivity by 5% and 87%, respectively. Two D. pulicaria grazers significantly decreased the viability of G. lamblia cysts by 52%, but analysis of G. lamblia excystation was confounded by observed mechanical disruption of the cysts after grazing. No mechanical disruption of the C. parvum oocysts was observed, presumably due to their smaller size. The data provide strong evidence that zooplankton grazers have the potential to substantially decrease the population of infectious C. parvum and G. lamblia in freshwater ecosystems.
A disparity between physician attitudes and practice regarding hyperglycemia in pediatric intensive care units in the United States: a survey on actual practice habits

Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Strict glycemic control improves outcomes in some adult populations and may have similar effects in children. While glycemic control has become standard care in adults, little is known regarding hyperglycemia management strategies used by pediatric critical care practitioners. We sought to assess both the beliefs and practice habits regarding glycemic control in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) in the United States (US). We surveyed 30 US pediatric ICUs from January to May 2009. Surveys were conducted by phone between the investigators and participating centers and consisted of a 22-point questionnaire devised to assess physician perceptions and center-specific management strategies regarding glycemic control. ICUs included a cross section of centers throughout the US. Fourteen out of 30 centers believe all critically ill hyperglycemic adults should be treated, while 3/30 believe all critically ill children should be treated. Twenty-nine of 30 believe some subsets of adults with hyperglycemia should be treated, while 20/30 believe some subsets of children should receive glycemic control. A total of 70%, 73%, 80%, 27%, and 40% of centers believe hyperglycemia adversely affects outcomes in cardiac, trauma, traumatic brain injury, general medical, and general surgical pediatric patients, respectively. However, only six centers use a standard, uniform approach to treat hyperglycemia at their institution. Sixty percent of centers believe hypoglycemia is more dangerous than hyperglycemia. Seventy percent listed fear of management-induced hypoglycemia as a barrier to glycemic control at their center. Considerable disparity exists between physician beliefs and actual practice habits regarding glycemic control among pediatric practitioners, with few centers reporting the use of any consistent standard approach to screening and management. Physicians wishing to practice glycemic control in their critically ill pediatric patients may want to consider adopting center-wide uniform approaches to improve safety and efficacy of treatment.
MTS-Etomidate Selectively Reacts Within the GABAA Receptor Etomidate Binding Site

The general anesthetic etomidate exerts its major clinical actions through potentiation of GABAA receptor activation. GABAA receptors are pentameric, usually consisting of combinations of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. A photoreactive structural analog of etomdiate ([3H]azietomidate) labels amino acids on transmembrane domains in both alpha (M236) and beta (M286) subunits. This suggests the presence of two interfacial anesthetic binding sites per GABAA receptor, consistent with receptor structural homology models based on Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. To further characterize the etomidate binding site, we have created a number of Cys substitutions within the α/β intersubunit region and have synthesized a novel etomidate derivative, 2-(methylsulfonyl) thio-etomidate (MTS-etomidate), designed to covalently modify cysteines. Human GABAA receptors (α1, β2, γ2L) were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and current responses were measured using two-electrode voltage clamp. Using pCMBS and MTSEA, we found that cysteine substitutions at both α1M236 and β2M286, were accessible to modification. Cysteine modification was also evident with pCMBS at α1L232C, one helical turn above α1M236 in TM1. In contrast, modification by MTS-etomidate was evident only at α1M236C, but not at β2M286C or, α1L232C. These results suggest that MTS-etomidate orients itself in a precise conformation within its binding pocket and acts as a highly selective structural probe, yielding information not only about the residues with which it interacts but also about the orientation of etomidate within the biding pocket consistent with its mechanism of action.
Nuclear Spin-Lattice Relaxation in Ca F 2 via Paramagnetic Centers for Short Correlation Time when Spin Diffusion is Inhibited

Nuclear spin-lattice relaxation, in the presence of an intense rf field ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{H}}_{1}$ at frequency \ensuremath{\omega} shifted from exact resonance ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}=\ensuremath{\gamma} {H}_{0}$ so that first-order spin diffusion is inhibited, has been studied in the short-correlation-time limit ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}\ensuremath{\ll}1$. The experiments satisfy the magic-angle condition [${cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\varphi}=\frac{1}{3}$, where tan $\ensuremath{\varphi}=\frac{{H}_{1}}{({H}_{0}\ensuremath{-}\frac{\ensuremath{\omega}}{\ensuremath{\varphi}})}$], which eliminates the first-order spin-flip term ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{I}}_{i}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{I}}_{j}$ from the effective Hamiltonian. When ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$ is not so short that higher-order spin diffusion is unimportant, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation has the long-term behavior $S(t)\ensuremath{\sim}B\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}{(\frac{t}{\ensuremath{\tau}})}^{\frac{1}{2}}]$. When ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$ is short enough that the higher-order spin diffusion cannot be neglected, the magnetization relaxes toward an equilibrium value according to $S(t)=\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}\frac{t}{{T}_{1\ensuremath{\rho}}})$. Experiments show ${T}_{1\ensuremath{\rho}}\ensuremath{\sim}A{H}_{e}^{\frac{3}{4}}$, where ${H}_{e}$ is the effective field. Theoretical consideration shows that, to the lowest order in ${H}_{e}$, the higher-order spin-diffusion constant has the form ${D}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}=\frac{K}{{H}_{e}}$, where $K$ is a constant. With this form of diffusion constant, the spin-lattice relaxation time will have the form ${T}_{1\ensuremath{\rho}}\ensuremath{\simeq}{({\overline{C}}_{\ensuremath{\rho}})}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{4}}{({D}_{\ensuremath{\rho}})}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{3}{4}}\ensuremath{\simeq}A{H}_{e}^{\frac{3}{4}}$ in the diffusion limited region, as is obtained in the experiments.
Listeria monocytogenes traffics from maternal organs to the placenta and back.

Infection with Listeria monocytogenes is a significant health problem during pregnancy. This study evaluates the role of trafficking between maternal organs and placenta in a pregnant guinea pig model of listeriosis. After intravenous inoculation of guinea pigs, the initial ratio of bacteria in maternal organs to placenta was 103–104:1. Rapid increase of bacteria in the placenta changed the ratio to 1:1 after 24 h. Utilizing two wild-type strains, differentially marked by their susceptibility to erythromycin, we found that only a single bacterium was necessary to cause placental infection, and that L. monocytogenes trafficked from maternal organs to the placenta in small numbers. Surprisingly, bacteria trafficked in large numbers from the placenta to maternal organs. Bacterial growth, clearance, and transport between organs were simulated with a mathematical model showing that the rate of bacterial clearance relative to the rate of bacterial replication in the placenta was sufficient to explain the difference in the course of listeriosis in pregnant versus nonpregnant animals. These results provide the basis for a new model where the placenta is relatively protected from infection. Once colonized, the placenta becomes a nidus of infection resulting in massive reseeding of maternal organs, where L. monocytogenes cannot be cleared until trafficking is interrupted by expulsion of the infected placental tissues.
Patterns of DNA Synthesis and Cell Division in Marine Dinoflagellates1

Changes in mean cell size, DNA and cell density were monitored at 6-h intervals for 72 h in populations of six species (eight clones) of marine dinoflagellates to determine the temporal relationships between the cell cycle events of DNA replication and cytokinesis. Batch cultures were maintained at 15 or 20°C on a 12-h light: 12-h dark photoperiod. Cell densities and size frequency distributions were determined conductimetrically and the amount of DNA within populations was measured fluorometrically. A variety of intra- and interspecific relationships were observed, ranging from parallel phasing of cell cycle processes to variations which involved the temporal uncoupling of DNA synthesis from the phased pattern of cell division which is characteristic of dinoflagellate cell cycles. Daily growth rates of individual populations varied from 0.05 (Gymnodinium nelsoni) to 2.08 (Amphidinium carteri) cell divisions day-1 and DNA doubling rates ranged from 0 to 1.14 day-1. Mean doubling rates for DNA were usually 30–40% lower than those for cells. The degree of difference in these rates and the amount of variability evident in cell cycle sequences may be major factors in determining the rate and extent of development of dinoflagellate populations in nature.
Serum globulin polymorphism in pellagra.

IN recent work on the serum iron and total iron-binding capacity of groups of healthy and diseased Africans, we found the total iron-binding capacity of pellagra patients to be approximately 60 per cent of healthy controls1. Zone electrophoresis on filter paper in an earlier work2 did not show that the concentration of the β-globulins in pellagra was any lower than healthy controls and this suggested that there may be a relationship between transferrin polymorphism and incidence of this disease, in view of the findings of Gibbett et al.3 that the faster-migrating transferrins take up more iron.
Curare can reverse the failure in muscle contraction caused by an AChE inhibitor.

Abstract Diisopropyl fluorophosphate, which is an organophosphate inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, caused an irreversible block of neuromuscular transmission in the rat diaphragm preparation. This block could be reversed by the addition of a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine such as d -tubocurarine.
Growth model for laser-induced damage on the exit surface of fused silica under UV, ns laser irradiation

We present a comprehensive statistical model which includes both the probability of growth and growth rate to describe the evolution of exit surface damage sites on fused silica optics over multiple laser shots spanning a wide range of fluences. We focus primarily on the parameterization of growth rate distributions versus site size and laser fluence using Weibull statistics and show how this model is consistent with established fracture mechanics concepts describing brittle materials. Key growth behaviors and prediction errors associated with the present model are also discussed.
On construction of consistent mixing distributions for compound decisions

Abstract Deely and Kruse [Deely, J.J., Kruse, R.L., 1968. Construction of sequences estimating the mixing distribution. The Annals of Mathematical Statistics 39 (1), 286–288] proposed a minimum distance method of estimating the prior distribution of an empirical Bayes decision problem and showed their constructed distributions converge weakly to the prior distribution, on a set of probability 1, when the component distribution function is continuous. The advantage of their method is that the proposed estimates can be easily computed by linear programming software. In this paper we extend the range of applications of their method to compound decision theory by establishing a desirable L 1 -consistency of the constructed estimators. The extension that we obtain does not require continuity of the component distribution functions.
Determination of dextrose equivalent value and number average molecular weight of maltodextrin by osmometry.

ABSTRACT: Dextrose equivalent (DE) value is the most common parameter used to characterize the molecular weight of maltodextrins. Its theoretical value is inversely proportional to number average molecular weight (Mn), providing a theoretical basis for correlations with physical properties important to food manufacturing, such as: hygroscopicity, the glass transition temperature, and colligative properties. The use of freezing point osmometry to measure DE and Mn was assessed. Measurements were made on a homologous series of malto-oligomers as well as a variety of commercially available maltodextrin products with DE values ranging from 5 to 18. Results on malto-oligomer samples confirmed that freezing point osmometry provided a linear response with number average molecular weight. However, noncarbohydrate species in some commercial maltodextrin products were found to be in high enough concentration to interfere appreciably with DE measurement. Energy dispersive spectroscopy showed that sodium and chloride were the major ions present in most commercial samples. Osmolality was successfully corrected using conductivity measurements to estimate ion concentrations. The conductivity correction factor appeared to be dependent on the concentration of maltodextrin. Equations were developed to calculate corrected values of DE and Mn based on measurements of osmolality, conductivity, and maltodextrin concentration. This study builds upon previously reported results through the identification of the major interfering ions and provides an osmolality correction factor that successfully accounts for the influence of maltodextrin concentration on the conductivity measurement. The resulting technique was found to be rapid, robust, and required no reagents.
Abstract 5008: Epidermal growth factor downregulates expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) through E-cadherin in pancreatic cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a member of the lipocalin family, is a secreted protein that is upregulated in multiple cancer types. Our group previously reported that NGAL overexpression significantly blocked invasion and angiogenesis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We and others have also demonstrated loss NGAL expression in advanced stages of PDAC. However, little is known about mechanisms that regulate NGAL expression in PDAC. As EGF-EGFR axis is significantly upregulated in PDAC, we examined EGF-mediated NGAL regulation in these cells. Methods: NGAL-positive AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells were used as model system. Quantitative RT-PCR, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence studies were used to investigate EGF-mediated effects on NGAL expression. E-cadherin expression was manipulated using lentiviral overexpression or shRNA constructs. NGAL promoter activity was assessed by luciferase-reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results: NGAL expression was positively associated with tumor differentiation and was significantly downregulated after EGF treatment along with a concomitant reduction of E-cadherin expression in PDAC cells. E-cadherin downregulation was partly through the EGF receptor (EGFR)-dependent MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway, which was demonstrated using pharmacologic inhibitors of EGFR (AG1478) and MEK1/2 (U0126 and PD98059). In addition, E-cadherin downregulation reduced NGAL expression in PDAC cells, whereas overexpression of E-cadherin led to increased NGAL expression and partly rescued inhibition of NGAL expression by EGF. Furthermore, EGF in part through E-cadherin reduced NGAL promoter activity by blocking NF-κB activation. Conclusion: We demonstrated for the first time that EGF potently blocked NGAL expression in PDAC cells. This effect is partly mediated through activation of the EGFR-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway, which in turn downregulated E-cadherin with a subsequent reduction in NF-κB activation. Our findings illustrate a novel mechanism by which EGF regulates NGAL expression in PDAC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5008. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5008
A Bayesian Method for Predicting Future Customer Need Distributions

This article presents a Bayesian method to predict future customer need distributions based on forecasts of external factors and forecast accuracies. It is critically important to accurately predict future customer needs when strategically deciding what product to develop. However, prediction is challenging because customer preference changes as external factors that influence customer preference change over time. Consequently, customer needs at the time of product design decisions and at the time of new product market introductions may be significantly different. While external factors can be forecasted, forecasts are not necessarily accurate. This paper outlines a Bayesian approach to incorporate accuracies of forecasts in predicting future customer need distributions. An illustrative example demonstrates impacts of forecast accuracies on customer need distributions and on a strategic design decision. In this example, the customer need is 'fuel-efficient vehicle', the external factor is the gasoline price index (defined as gasoline price divided by consumer price index), and the strategic design decision is the selection of the next vehicle from gasoline-powered, hybrid, and electric. Sensitivity analysis is performed in order to study how a strategic design decision changes with forecasts and forecast accuracies.
Local and distant recurrence rates in skin-sparing mastectomies compared with non-skin-sparing mastectomies.

BACKGROUND Skin-sparing mastectomies (SSMs) are being used more frequently to treat many cases of breast cancer. This type of surgery maximizes breast skin preservation and facilitates immediate reconstruction, resulting in a superior cosmetic appearance after mastectomy and a more satisfied patient. Although SSMs are becoming more common, there are few data regarding the local and distant recurrence rates. METHODS A total of 231 patients treated with mastectomies from 1990 to 1998 were studied, including 77 SSM and 154 non-skin-sparing (NSSM) mastectomy patients. RESULTS The local recurrence rates for SSM and NSSM were 3.90% (3 of 77 patients) and 3.25% (5 of 154 patients), respectively. The local recurrence-free survival at 5 years was 95.3% for SSM patients and 95.2% for NSSM patients (P = .28). The distant recurrence rates of SSM and NSSM were 3.9% (3 of 77 patients) and 3.9% (6 of 154 patients), respectively. The distant recurrence-free actuarial survival at 5 years was 90.2% for SSM patients and 92% for NSSM patients (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS Mastectomies using the skin-sparing technique do not appear to result in any increase in local or distant recurrence and improve aesthetic results of the immediate reconstruction.
Radiation from TE 10 mode slots on circular and elliptical cylinders

Wedge diffraction analyses of TE sub 10 mode slot radiation characteristics on circular and elliptical cylinder, considering boundary value solutions existence
Giant cell formation in cells exposed to 740 nm and 760 nm optical traps

Background and Objective: Optical trapping is becoming a useful and widespread technique for the micromanipulation of cells and organelles. Giant cell formation following optical trapping was studied to detect the potential adverse effects. Study Design/Materials and Methods: The nuclei of preselected single CHO cells were exposed to 740 nm and 760 nm laser microbeam generated by a titanium-sapphire tunable laser at 88 and 176 mW and different time exposures. The irradiated single cells were recorded and observed morphologically following exposure. Giant cells were tabulated and photographed. Results: The irradiated cells either failed to divide, or they underwent nuclear proliferation to form giant cells through endo-reduplication. Conclusion: Giant cells were induced by both 740 nm and 760 nm. The frequency of giant cell formation was higher for the longer time exposures and at the higher power densities. The use of an optical etalon to remove intracavity mode beating and high peak powers of the titanium-sapphire laser caused a significant reduction in the formation of giant cells.
Edge coloring a k-tree into two smaller trees

The problem of the edge coloring partial k-tree into two partial p- and q-trees with p, q < k is considered. An algorithm is provided to construct such a coloring with p + q = k. Usefulness of this result in a Lagrangian decomposition framework to solve certain combinatorial optimization problems is discussed.
Diagnosis and Management of Low Lumbar Burst Fractures

Fractures of the low lumbar spine are relatively uncommon and have various injury patterns. Treatment must be individualized and should take into account the fracture type, ligamentous injury pattern, neurological injury, the limitations of surgical implants, and the anatomical approaches available. Nonoperative management of burst fractures for patients without neurological deficits has generally been reported to have acceptable outcomes. For low lumbar burst fractures or fracture dislocations of the lumbosacral segment where neurological injury has occurred, surgery is indicated. This surgery should include decompression (posterior or anterior), spinal realignment with maintenance of lumbar lordosis, and instrumentation over minimal segments. Conservatively managed patients require continued follow-up to manage symptoms and check for possible development of deformity.
The dynamic diffusion constant within fluid flow in an open straight tube with an elliptical cross-section

Abstract The concept of the dynamic diffusion constant within fluid flow in an open tube with a circular cross-section, elaborated by Westhaver and Taylor, is extended to the case of an open tube with an elliptical cross-section.
Isotope-Exchange Dynamics in Isostructural Decametalates with Profound Differences in Reactivity

Rates of oxygen-isotope exchange at all structural sites in two isostructural polyoxometalates, [HxNb10O28](6−x)− and [HxTi2Nb8O28](8−x)−, show that small changes in structure have surprising and profound effects: a single-site substitution of Ti(IV) for Nb(V) inverts the pH dependencies for rates throughout the structures. Within a given structure, all oxygens exhibit similar pH dependencies although they react over a range greater than ∼104, indicating that pathways involve concerted motions of the entire lattices. Profound sensitivity to changes in structure and composition suggests reaction pathways in polyoxometalate ions will be highly variable even within structural classes. The results also require new thinking about how ab initio simulations are used to understand reaction pathways involving extended structures, like the mineral−water interface. Our data indicate that reactions proceed via metastable intermediates and that the simulations must be structurally faithful or will miss the essential c...
Collating and Curating Neuroanatomical Nomenclatures: Principles and Use of the Brain Architecture Knowledge Management System (BAMS).

Terms used to describe nervous system parts and their interconnections are rife with synonyms, partial correspondences, and even homonyms, making effective scientific communication unnecessarily difficult. To address this problem a new Topological Relations schema for the Relations module of BAMS (Brain Architecture Knowledge Management System) was created. It includes a representation of the qualitative spatial relations between nervous system parts defined in different neuroanatomical nomenclatures or atlases and is general enough to record data and metadata from the literature, regardless of description level or species. Based on this foundation a Projections Translations inference engine was developed for the BAMS interface that automatically translates neuroanatomical projection (axonal inputs and outputs) reports across nomenclatures from translated information. To make BAMS more useful to the neuroscience community three things were done. First, we implemented a simple schema for validation of the translated neuroanatomical projections. Second, more than 1000 topological relations between brain gray matter regions for the rat were inserted, along with associated details. Finally, a case study was performed to enter all historical or legacy published information about terminology related to one relatively complex gray matter region of the rat. The bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) were chosen and 21 different nomenclatures from 1923 to present were collated, along with 284 terms for parts (gray matter differentiations), 360 qualitative topological relations between parts, and more than 7,000 details about spatial relations between parts, all of which was annotated with appropriate metadata. This information was used to construct a graphical “knowledge map” of relations used in the literature to describe subdivisions of the rat BST.
Brain acetylcholinesterase inhibition in fish as a diagnosis of environmental poisoning by malathion, O,O-dimethyl S-(1,2-dicarbethoxyethyl) phosphorodithioate☆

Abstract Brain acetylcholinestrase (EC 3.1.1.7) activities were compared in groups of an estuarine fish Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) exposed in seawater to sublethal and lethal concentrations of malathion ( O,O -dimethyl S -(1,2-dicarbethoxyethyl) phosphorodithioate) to determine enzyme inhibition values for diagnosis of poisoning. Lethal exposures caused greater enzyme inhibition than sublethal exposures through 72 h. Consistent levels of enzyme inhibition (72–79% inhibition) occurred when 40–60% of replicate exposed groups were killed at 3.5, 24, 48 and 72 h at mean concentrations of 575, 142, 92 and 58 μg/liter, respectively. A mean concentration of 31 μg/liter was sublethal through 72 h exposure and caused a maximum enzyme inhibition of only 34%. The correlation of brain acetylcholinesterase inhibition with exposure and deaths is of value in diagnosing poisoning in fish populations and has been applied to actual environmental situations. Enzyme inhibition in fishes is positively correlated with spraying of an estuary with malathion.
Prospective association of anxiety, depressive, and addictive disorders with high utilization of primary, specialty and emergency medical care

The empirical evidence concerning the relationship of psychiatric disorders to health care utilization and costs is mixed and primarily retrospective. Therefore, a case-control study was conducted to prospectively examine the association of psychiatric disorders with health care utilization in an adult primary care internal medicine patient population, controlling for the effects of medical morbidity, adverse events, age, race, gender, employment status, and health insurance coverage. Samples of primary care high utilizer (HU; 125 men, 125 women with primary care visits in 1998 above the 95th percentile) vs. mid-range utilizer (MU; 125 men, 125 women; two primary care visits in 1998) patients were compared using archival automated medical record data from the index year (1998), and from the following year (1999) for prospective analyses. HU (compared to MU) participants were younger, had higher medical and psychiatric morbidity, and had higher levels of outpatient specialty medical care utilization. In multivariate analyses, (a) anxiety disorder diagnoses uniquely contributed to identifying HU patients, and (b) after controlling for initial primary care utilization status, anxiety, depressive and addictive disorders were prospectively associated with medical illness complexity and primary, specialty, and emergency medical care utilization. Although behavioral health disorders (including addictive as well as depressive and anxiety diagnoses) and high utilization of primary health care services are related, these prospective findings suggest that behavioral health disorders make an independent contribution to non-psychiatric health care utilization.
Induction of runt disease in adult mice by pre-sensitized homologous lymphoid cells.

SummaryThe passive transfer of large numbers of homologous lymphoid cells presensitized to recipient tissues into normal adult mice was capable of inducing runt disease. The recipient mice showed the characteristic clinical and pathologic sequelae described in this condition when induced in immunologically incompetent hosts. Severity of the disease was influenced by number and strain of transferred cells. A strain cells elicited a more intense clinical and pathological reaction against their CBA hosts than was seen in the A host transfused with CBA cells. During the period of runting, homologous skin grafts of the opposite strain were tolerated far beyond the usual rejection time of untreated homografted A and CBA mice.
Effect of electron irradiation on mechanical properties of aluminum single crystals at 80°K

Abstract Aluminum single crystals of 99.999% initial purity were irradiated at 80°K with 1 MeV electrons to total dose of 1.2 ~ 8 × 1017 el/cm2. The flow stress was measured at 77°K over the strain rate range 5 × 10−4 to 4 × 10−3 and increased with irradiation. A larger increase for the higher strain rate was observed. The increase is interpreted to be due to interstitials which have migrated to dislocations and have been absorbed heterogeneously by making superjogs or kinks, which produce resistance to motion of the dislocations. An interruption of tensile test for a short time resulted in a yield drop which was found only in the irradiated crystals. This yield drop may be due to the Cottrell locking of the interstitials which were freed from impurity trapping sites by glide dislocations. Annealing at room temperature resulted in recovery of the hardening caused by the irradiation. Migration of vacancies or divacancies to the dislocation having interstitial jogs may produce the recovery.
Modification of EGF-Like Module 1 of Thrombospondin-1, an Animal Extracellular Protein, by O-Linked N-Acetylglucosamine

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is known to be subject to three unusual carbohydrate modifications: C-mannosylation, O-fucosylation, and O-glucosylation. We now describe a fourth: O-β-N-acetylglucosaminylation. Previously, O-β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-β-GlcNAc) was found on a threonine in the loop between the fifth and sixth cysteines of the 20th epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like module of Drosophila Notch. A BLAST search based on the Drosophila Notch loop sequence identified a number of human EGF-like modules that contain a similar sequence, including EGF-like module 1 of TSP-1 and its homolog, TSP-2. TSP-1, which has a potentially modifiable serine in the loop, reacted in immuno-blots with the CTD110.6 anti-O-GlcNAc antibody. Antibody reactivity was diminished by treatment of TSP-1 with β-N-acetylhexosaminidase. TSP-2, which lacks a potentially modifiable serine/threonine in the loop, did not react with CTD110.6. Analysis of tandem modules of TSP-1 localized reactivity of CTD110.6 to EGF-like module 1. Top-down mass spectrometric analysis of EGF-like module 1 demonstrated the expected modifications with glucose (+162 Da) and xylose (+132 Da) separately from modification with N-acetyl hexosamine (+203 Da). Mass spectrometric sequence analysis localized the +203-Da modification to Ser580 in the sequence 575CPPGYSGNGIQC586. These results demonstrate that O-β-N-acetylglucosaminylation can occur on secreted extracellular matrix proteins as well as on cell surface proteins.
Agents with shared mental models for enhancing team decision makings

Proactive information sharing is a challenging issue faced by intelligence agencies in effectively making critical decisions under time pressure in areas related to homeland security. Motivated by psychological studies on human teams, a team-oriented agent architecture, Collaborative Agents for Simulating Teamwork (CAST), was implemented to allow agents in a team to anticipate the information needs of teammates and help them with their information needs proactively and effectively. In this paper, we extend CAST with a decision-making module. Through two sets of experiments in a simulated battlefield, we evaluate the effectiveness of the decision-theoretic proactive communication strategy in improving team performance, and the effectiveness of information fusion as an approach to alleviating the information overload problem faced by distributed decision makers.
Applying the STIRPAT model in a post-Fordist landscape: Can a traditional econometric model work at the local level?

Recent empirical investigations have illustrated the stochastic validity of the IPAT model. The preponderance of these studies shows that theoretical relationships of IPAT hold at large units of analysis. This research applies the stochastic transformation of the IPAT—STIRPAT—model in the southeastern US. Using county-level data, this research illustrates that population is a unit-elastic determinant of total carbon emissions. At the same time, various metrics of affluence present statistically mixed results for wealth as a determinant of environmental degradation. Other “sunbelt” technology variables designed to capture the effects of economic restructuring are significant, suggesting that post-Fordist geographies complicate the nature of the relationships in the identity model.
Sympathetic activity enhances glucose-related ischemic injury in the rat.

BACKGROUND Studies have shown that increased sympathetic activity or increased blood and brain glucose concentration worsen postischemic brain damage. The authors evaluated the interaction of plasma glucose with epinephrine and norepinephrine during incomplete cerebral ischemia in the rat using ganglionic blockade. METHODS Rats were anesthetized with 25 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 fentanyl and 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Ganglionic blockade was produced in 30 rats using 8 mg/kg hexamethonium intravenously. Three plasma glucose ranges, low 300 mg/dl, were produced in each group. Ischemia was induced by unilateral carotid ligation and hemorrhagic hypotension to 30 mmHg for 30 min. Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine were measured by radioimmunoassay. Neurologic outcome was evaluated daily for 3 days after ischemia. RESULTS Ganglionic blockade decreased blood pressure before the start of ischemia and plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine during ischemia (P < 0.05). Neurologic outcome was significantly worse in rats with high glucose compared with low glucose concentrations with and without ganglionic blockade (P < 0.05). Neurologic outcome and stroke-related mortality were worse in rats with increased plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine compared with rats with ganglionic blockade when plasma glucose was less than 300 mg/dl (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that increased concentration of catecholamines enhance glucose-related injury during incomplete ischemia in rats.
Infectivity, growth, distribution and fecundity of a six versus twenty-five metacercarial cyst inoculum of Echinostoma caproni in ICR mice

Female ICR mice, 6-8 weeks old, were exposed to 6 (group A) or 25 (group B) metacercarial cysts/host of Echinostoma caproni to determine the effects of these cyst dosages on infectivity, growth, distribution and fecundity of worms in the small intestines. All 30 mice exposed (15 in group A and 15 in group B) were infected and there was no significant difference in the percentage of worm recovery between group A and B at 2, 4 and 8 weeks postinfection (PI). Growth was rapid in both groups with worm body areas increasing from about 3mm2 at 2 weeks PI to about 7 mm2 at 8 weeks PI. More worms from group B were in the anterior sections of the small intestines at 2 and 4 weeks PI than those from group A. However, at 8 weeks PI more worms from Group A were in the anterior sections of the small intestines than those from group B. There were marked differences in our findings on infectivity, growth and distribution of E. caproni in ICR mice using 6 and 25 cyst inocula compared to a previous study using the same echinostome and cyst inocula in NMRI mice, presumably related to the mouse strain. Fecundity studies were somewhat comparable in both studies showing an approximate three to four times increase in the average number of eggs/gram of faeces in mice receiving 25 versus 6 cyst inocula.
Correlation of glomerular basement membrane alterations with clinical data in progressive hereditary nephritis (Alport's syndrome).

Electron microscopic examination of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) was performed in 19 patients whose morphological changes as well as clinical features indicated the diagnosis of progressive hereditary nephritis (Alport's syndrome). The percentage of characteristically thickened and split and of thin GBM portions was determined in all the cases. The clinical course was more severe in males, which corresponded to higher rate of GBM alterations. In males, 58% of GBM was thickened and split and 24% was thin, while in females, the reverse was true, 28% was split and 48% of GBM was thin. There was a positive correlation of the split lesions and age in males, but not in females. The degree of splitting was directly proportional to the grade of proteinuria, while GBM thinning did nbt significantly correlate with proteinuria.
Diseases of the Spine in South American Mummies

OBJECTIVE: The skulls and spinal columns of people from ancient civilizations, which frequently are found in a preserved state at archeological sites, can provide a large amount of information about these individuals' physical condition through paleopathological investigation. METHODS: This study represents the examination of more than 700 human remains dating back more than 8000 years that were recovered from archaeological excavations in the Andean region of southern Peru and northern Chile. RESULTS: Examples of congenital malformations, degenerative processes, infectious diseases, neoplasias, and traumatic diseases were discovered. Congenital anomalies such as spina bifida occulta were relatively common in these populations. No cases of meningomyelocele were discovered. The most common pathological findings were degenerative changes of the vertebral bodies. Large cervical and lumbar osteophytes were identified in some remains. Several cases of cervical spondylosis were determined to be the result of an occupational disease resulting from carrying heavy loads on the back. These heavy loads were supported by wearing around the forehead a tumpline, known as a capacho. The most common infectious disease process in the spine was due to tuberculosis. The diagnosis was made by radiological and histopathological studies, and in several cases the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in the soft tissues. Metastatic lesions on the vertebral bodies were identified in a single case. Examples of traumatic spinal injury were rare. Compression fractures were noted infrequently. CONCLUSION: Diseases of the spinal column in the ancient inhabitants of the Andean region of South America were similar to those that affect the present-day population of that area. Language: en
High-rate flame synthesis of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes using electric field control

Abstract The electric field controlled synthesis of carbon nanomaterials on a Ni-based catalytic support positioned at the fuel side of the opposed flow oxy-flame is studied experimentally. Carbon nanomaterials formed on the probe surface are comparatively analyzed for two characteristic operational modes: a grounded probe mode and a floating probe mode. In a grounded mode a number of various carbon nanostructures are formed depending on the probe location in flame. Observed nanoforms include multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), MWNT bundles, helically coiled tubular nanofibers, and ribbon-like coiled nanofibers with rectangular cross-section. The presence of various carbon nanoforms is attributed to the space variation of flame parameters, namely flame temperature and concentration of chemical species. It is found that the presence of an electric potential (floating mode operation) provides the ability to control the nanostructure morphology and synthesis rate. A thick layer (35–40 μm) of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) is found to be formed on the probe surface in the floating potential mode. This layer is characterized by high uniformity and narrow distribution of nanotube diameters. Overall, the electric field control method demonstrates stabilization of the structure in a wide flame region while growth rate remains dependent on flame location.
Best error bounds for quartic spline interpolation

Etude des meilleures bornes d'erreur d'interpolation par des fonctions splines du quatrieme degre. Theoreme d'existence et d'unicite
Does community-based conservation shape favorable attitudes among locals? an empirical study from nepal.

Like many developing countries, Nepal has adopted a community-based conservation (CBC) approach in recent years to manage its protected areas mainly in response to poor park–people relations. Among other things, under this approach the government has created new “people-oriented” conservation areas, formed and devolved legal authority to grassroots-level institutions to manage local resources, fostered infrastructure development, promoted tourism, and provided income-generating trainings to local people. Of interest to policy-makers and resource managers in Nepal and worldwide is whether this approach to conservation leads to improved attitudes on the part of local people. It is also important to know if personal costs and benefits associated with various intervention programs, and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics influence these attitudes. We explore these questions by looking at the experiences in Annapurna and Makalu-Barun Conservation Areas, Nepal, which have largely adopted a CBC approach in policy formulation, planning, and management. The research was conducted during 1996 and 1997; the data collection methods included random household questionnaire surveys, informal interviews, and review of official records and published literature. The results indicated that the majority of local people held favorable attitudes toward these conservation areas. Logistic regression results revealed that participation in training, benefit from tourism, wildlife depredation issue, ethnicity, gender, and education level were the significant predictors of local attitudes in one or the other conservation area. We conclude that the CBC approach has potential to shape favorable local attitudes and that these attitudes will be mediated by some personal attributes.