cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell cycle blockers mimosine, ciclopirox, and deferoxamine prevent the death of PC12 cells and postmitotic sympathetic neurons after removal of trophic support

In the present study, we tested whether apoptotic neuronal death caused by withdrawal of trophic support might be prevented by agents that block cell cycle progression. We used three complementary model systems that exhibit apoptotic death: dividing PC12 cells deprived of nerve growth factor (NGF); and primary cultures of postmitotic sympathetic neurons deprived of NGF. We show that cell death in each case can be suppressed by treatment with the G1/S blockers mimosine, ciclopirox, and deferoxamine at concentrations that correlate with their abilities to block PC12 cell proliferation. In contrast, agents that block cell cycle progression in the S-, G2-, or M-phase do not prevent cell death. These observations support the hypothesis that removal of trophic support from dividing or postmitotic neuronal cells provokes their apoptotic death by causing them either to proceed through or to attempt to re-enter an uncoordinated and consequently fatal cell cycle. Moreover, the data suggest that simply blocking the cycle at any point is not protective but, rather, that it is necessary to block at specific “safe” points. This study defines a safe point in the cell cycle before the G1/S transition that is demarcated by the action of these three agents.
Insights on a Museum’s Distance Learning Program

AbstractIn 1995 the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Education Department embarked on an experiment to see how videoconferencing technology could benefit educational programming. Since then it has blossomed into a robust full-time program that has become an important asset to both the Education Department and the museum as a whole. This article describes the Distance Learning program from its beginnings to where it is currently, and discusses the changes, challenges, and learning experiences that the staff encountered along the way.
Chemical energy and metamorphism

Abstract Data on heats of reaction indicate that metamorphic chemical changes may in certain cases develop temperature rises of several hundred degrees centigrade. From this evidence and from geological reasoning, it appears that metamorphiam may be fundamentally a spontaneous exothermic chemical process, the initiation and general character of which depend upon kinetic factors. A consistent terrestrial energy economy can be built around this theme, on the basis that the chemical energy of metamorphism is solar energy which has been stored during rock weathering.
Mechanical Strain Increases Expression of the Brain Natriuretic Peptide Gene in Rat Cardiac Myocytes

Abstract Using a device that applies cyclical strain (1 Hz) to ventricular cardiocytes cultured on collagen-coated silicone elastomer surfaces, we have demonstrated strain-dependent increases in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) secretion, BNP mRNA levels, and expression of a transiently transfected −1595 human BNP-luciferase reporter. When actinomycin D (10 μm) was introduced concomitantly with the strain stimulus, the strain-induced increase in BNP mRNA was eliminated, and the decay of transcripts was identical in the control and strained cells, indicating the lack of independent effects on transcript stability. Strain-dependent −1595 human BNP-luciferase activity was completely inhibited by chelerythrine, 2-aminopurine, genistein, and W-7 and only partially or not at all by KN-62, wortmannin, and H-89. The effects of these individual agents paralleled their effects on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity, in the cells. Overexpression of wild-type MAPK and, to a lesser extent, JNK increased strain-dependent BNP promoter activity, whereas dominant-negative mutants of MAPK kinase, JNK kinase, or Ras completely blocked strain-dependent reporter activity. These findings provide the first demonstration that mechanical strain can increase myocardial gene expression through a transcriptional mechanism and suggest important roles for MAPK and JNK in mediating this effect.
Hopf-Wess-Zumino term in the effective action of the 6d, (2, 0) field theory revisted

We discuss the Hopf-Wess-Zumino term in the effective action of the 6d (2, 0) theory of the type AN−1 in a generic Coulomb branch. For such terms, the supergravity calculation could be trusted. We calculate the WZ term on supergravity side and show that it could compensate the anomaly deficit, as is required by the anomaly matching condition. In contrast with the SYM theory, in which each WZ term involves one root ei − ej, here, the typical WZ term involves two roots ei − ej and ek − ej. Such kind of triple interaction may come from the integrating out of the massive states carrying three indices. A natural candidate is the recently proposed 1/4 BPS objects in the Coulomb phase of the 6d (2, 0) theories. The WZ term could be derived from the field theory by the integration out of massive degrees of freedom. Without the 6d (2, 0) theory at hand, we take the supersymmetric equations for the 3-algebra valued (2, 0) tensor multiplet as the prototype to see how far we can go. The H3 ∧ A3 part of the WZ term is obtained, while the A3 ∧ F4 part, which is the term accounting for the anomaly matching, cannot be produced by the standard fermion loop integration.
Principal bundles over tori and maps which induce the identity on homotopy

Abstract The rank of the image of the Gottlieb group under the Hurewicz map is called the h-rank of a space. We give an upper bound on the h-rank of principal bundles over tori; in particular, we use this bound to show that certain families of these bundles consist of nonsimply connected simple manifolds with trivial Gottlieb group (thus answering a question of Gottlieb in the negative). We then show that this implies the existence, for each of the examples, of self-homeomorphisms which induce the identity on homotopy groups, but which are not based isotopic to the identity map.
Why History Matters: Fetal Dex and Intersex

Our comments about the current fetal dexamethasone (dex) controversy are historical, highlighting the long, painful history of physicians’ approaches to people with intersex conditions. The ways in...
Improving Rogers' Upper Bound for the Density of Unit Ball Packings via Estimating the Surface Area of Voronoi Cells from Below in Euclidean \sl d -Space for All \sl d ≥ \bf 8

The sphere packing problem asks for the densest packing of unit balls in E d . This problem has its roots in geometry, number theory and information theory and it is part of Hilbert's 18th problem. One of the most attractive results on the sphere packing problem was proved by Rogers in 1958. It can be phrased as follows. Take a regular d-dimensional simplex of edge length 2 in E d and then draw a d-dimensional unit ball around each vertex of the simplex. Let ? d denote the ratio of the volume of the portion of the simplex covered by balls to the volume of the simplex. Then the volume of any Voronoi cell in a packing of unit balls in E d is at least ? d /? d , where ? d denotes the volume of a d-dimensional unit ball. This has the immediate corollary that the density of any unit ball packing in E d is at most ? d . In 1978 Kabatjanskii and Levenstein improved this bound for large d. In fact, Rogers' bound is the presently known best bound for 4 ≤ d ≤ 42, and above that the Kabatjanskii--Levenstein bound takes over. In this paper we improve Rogers' upper bound for the density of unit ball packings in Euclidean d-space for all d ? 8 and improve the Kabatjanskii--Levenstein upper bound in small dimensions. Namely, we show that the volume of any Voronoi cell in a packing of unit balls in E d , d ? 8, is at least $$\omega _d /\hat \sigma _d$$ and so the density of any unit ball packing in E d , d ? 8, is at most $$\hat \sigma _d$$ , where $$\hat \sigma _d$$ is a geometrically well-defined quantity satisfying the inequality $$\hat \sigma _d < \sigma _d$$ for all d? 8. We prove this by showing that the surface area of any Voronoi cell in a packing of unit balls in E d , d ? 8, is at least $$(d \cdot \omega _d )/\hat \sigma _d$$ .
Determining intraocular lens power within the eye

Abstract A method is described for determining the power of an intraocular lens (IOL) within the eye by measuring the horizontal dimension of the corneal reflected image (Purkinje-Sanson I) and the anterior IOL reflected image (Purkinje-Sanson III) as seen through a standard slitlamp with a target positioned 68 mm anterior to the focal plane of the biomicroscope. The horizontal K-reading (at 180°) and the anterior chamber depth are the two other parameters necessary to calculate the exact power of the IOL. Seven tables that use these four measurements have been provided, eliminating the need for complex calculations. To determine the accuracy of this technique, ten implanted IOLs ranging from 9 diopters (D) to 27 D were chosen and their powers calculated; these calculated values were then compared to the actual IOL powers. The largest error was 0.5 D and the average error was 0.17 D.
Why some cities have abandoned manager charters. II. Extraneous circumstances and political conditions

The concluding installment of series on reasons for the abandonment of manager charters by seventeen cities.
Are the molten globule and the unfolded states of apo-α-lactalbumin enthalpically equivalent?

Abstract Recently, the absence of a thermally induced transition has been offered as proof that the unfolded and the molten globule states of apo-α-lactalbumin are enthalpically equivalent. In this paper we demonstrate that that argument is thermodynamically incorrect. In addition, it is shown that the absence of a thermally induced transition at extremely low salt concentrations can be accounted for in terms of the known ionic strength dependence of the transition temperature and the thermodynamic parameters associated with the unfolding of apo-α-lactalbumin.
What women think and what men think women think: perceptions of abuse and kindness in dating relationships.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how college women and their boyfriends viewed their relationships in terms of both abuse and kindness. The women filled out the Psychological Abuse-Kindness Relationship Inventory for themselves and their boyfriends responded to the questionnaire as they thought their girlfriends would. Several intriguing findings resulted. (1) Men thought their girlfriends would respond more negatively about the relationship than the women actually did. (2) Certain aspects of the relationship resulted in more discrepancies between the men's and women's perceptions. (3) Women distinguished present from past relationships by describing the former as more positive and the latter as more negative; men made no such distinction. Alternative explanations were offered to account for these results including projection, denial, projective identification, lack of psychological separation within couples, men's emotional upbringing and deeply rooted feelings towards women.
Stability relationships between gyrostats with free, constant-speed,and speed-controlled rotors

The stability properties of a class of gyrostat systems with rotor spin rates regulated by feedback control are discussed. The concepts of proportional and rate feedback are generalized to the multiple rotor case, with the spin rate feedback gain matrix assumed to be positive definite, and that of position feedback positive semidefinite. In the past, gyrostat stability analyses have emphasized the idealized limiting case of inifinite feedback gains corresponding to a constant-speed rotor, or, in a few cases, studies of the idealized frictionless free-rotor case. The aim of this work is to study the relationship between stability results using these idealized models and the stability results obtained using the more realistic feedback controlled rotor model for the full range of feedback gains. The state space is divided into two subspaces, one of which is free of damping due to feedback (perhaps zero-dimensional), and this subspace exhibits certain appealing mathematical properties. It is shown that for the controlled systems to be asymptotically stable, a necessary and sufficient condition is that the corresponding restrained system be in the Lagrange region (stable according to Liapunov's direct method) and that the damping-free subspace be zero-dimensional (pervasive damping). Two sufficient conditions for instability are also proved. As a special case, the stability of gravity gradient gyrostat satellites with one symmetric rotor spinning around an axis fixed in the main rigid body are analyzed in detail, and numerical examples are given.
Site-specific atomic scale analysis of solute segregation to a coincidence site lattice grain boundary

Abstract A site-specific method for measuring solute segregation at grain boundaries in an Aluminum alloy is presented. A Σ7(Σ7=38°〈1 1 1〉) grain boundary (GB) in an aluminum alloy (Zr, Cu as main alloying elements) was evaluated using site-specific Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP). A sample containing a Σ7 GB was prepared by combining electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and focused ion beam (FIB) milling to locate the GB of interest and extract a specimen. Its composition was determined by LEAP, and compared to a general high angle GB (HAGB). Zr was the only alloying element present in the Σ7 GB, whereas the general HAGB contained both Cu and Zr. This site-specific LEAP method was found to be an accurate method for measuring GB segregation at specific GB misorientations. The method has advantages over other methods of measuring chemistry at GBs, such as spectroscopy, in that GB structure can be assessed in three dimensions.
Effects of surface roughness on the photometric properties of mars

Starting with a macroscopically flat surface which at each point scatters according to the Minnaert law with exponent k, we investigate the photometric effects of increasing the large scale roughness of the surface. It is found that the photometric properties of macroscopically rough surfaces can still be described by the Minnaert law, but with an exponent k1, in general not equal to k. In fact, examples are given where k1 differs considerably from k. Therefore observed values of the Minnaert exponent cannot be used to infer the small scale surface properties of Mars (or of any planet) unless proper allowance is made for the photometric effects of large scale roughness. The azimuthal dependence of k1 provides a sensitive test for the importance of these effects.
Distribution of enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the rat main olfactory bulb.

Enkephalin-like immunoreactivity was localized within the main olfactory bulb of the rat using immunohistochemical techniques. These studies utilized well characterized antisera directed to either leu5- or met5-enkephalin. Specificity was established by absorption of the antisera with either 10 μM synthetic leu5- or met5-enkephalin. Specific enkephalin-like immunoreactivity was observed within several different cell populations including (1) periglomerular cells, (2) granule cells and their processes within the external plexiform layer and (3) occasional short-axon (horizontal) cells within the granule and external plaxiform layers. The granule cell layer contained the greatest number of immunoreactive cells. Only a limited number of immunoreactive cells were found in both the periglomerular and granule cell layers, suggesting the enkephalin-containing neurons represent a sub-population within each layer. The absence of immunoreactive processes in the periventribular white matter, as well as the morphologies of immunoreactive bulbar neurons, indicates that enkephalin is found exclusively within intrinsic olfactory bulb neurons.
SUICIDE AND RURALITY IN ALABAMA COMMUNITIES

Empirical research findings suggest that suicide increases with rurality, but research on rural suicide leaves many questions unanswered. This study specifies problems of community organization as a reason for expecting a positive effect of rurality on the suicide rate. A multiple regression analysis of county data shows that rurality has a substantial positive effect and is, in fact, the best predictor of the suicide rate among several variables selected from the previous literature. Additional research is needed to test the interpretation that rurality contributes to an incomplete, fragmented form of community organization which influences the suicide rate by disrupting primary relationships.
Modulation of peripheral inflammation in sensory ganglia by nuclear factor κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide: involvement of SRC kinase pathway

Abstract Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) transcription factor plays a key role in the expression of many genes involved in the inflammatory process. We used the Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA)-induced model of peripheral inflammation to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of double stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) with consensus NFκB sequence as transcription factor decoys to inhibit NFκB activation in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Local administration of the wild-type-, but not mutant-ODN decoy, dose-dependently inhibited edema formation and paw withdrawal latency as a measure of hyperalgesic response induced by FCA in rat paw. Biochemical assays performed in ipsilateral L4/L5 dorsal root ganglia obtained following FCA/wild-type ODN treatment showed: (1) an inhibition of the activity of c-Src kinase, a member of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase super family, (2) a decreased level of p65 NFκB subunit, and (3) an inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression, a major pro-inflammatory enzyme transcriptionally controlled by NFκB. The present results indicate that the wild-type ODN decoy may act as a competitor for NFκB binding to its cognate recognition sequence as well as a modulator of c-Src activity in the DRG. The NFκB/c-Src interaction may represent a novel pathway for further exploring the molecular mechanism of inflammatory pain.
Textual Cohesion in Modern Standard Chinese.

Abstract Textual cohesion in Modern Standard Chinese (MSC) refers to a combination of discourse features and text features which cause a text to become connected in a non-random manner. Discourse features, the basis for relations of coreference and relations of structure, involve correspondence between the discourse world and the experiential world. Text features, the basis for relations of similarity, involve one of the structural characteristics of a text. Both of these features function to create a cohesive text. Relations of coreference maintain topic continuity, create dependencies of interpretation and portray participant interaction. Relations of structure reveal characteristics of referents, help in the relative interpretation of states-of-affairs, processes and events, mark semantic relations and provide interpretive, connective information. Relations of similarity create a stylistic “likeness” among successive parts of the text at grammatical, phonological and lexical levels. Though the cohesive function of these three types of relations is not language specific, the actual combination of discourse and text features tends to be realized through language specific characteristics of MSC.
Comparison of fluoxetine, olanzapine, and combined fluoxetine plus olanzapine initial therapy of bipolar type I and type II major depression—lack of manic induction

Abstract Objective Current guidelines for the initial treatment of bipolar type I (BP I) and bipolar type II (BP II) major depressive episode (MDE) recommend avoiding the use of antidepressant drugs due to concerns over drug-induced manic switch episodes. However, recent evidence suggests that the manic switch rate during SSRI therapy of BP MDE may be lower than previously thought. This preliminary, placebo-controlled study examines the relative rates of treatment-emergent manic symptoms during fluoxetine monotherapy, olanzapine monotherapy, and combined fluoxetine plus olanzapine therapy of BP I and BP II MDE. Methods 32 BP I and 2 BP II MDE patients were randomized to receive double-blind therapy with fluoxetine monotherapy 10–30 mg daily, olanzapine monotherapy 5–20 mg daily, combined therapy with fluoxetine 10–40 mg plus olanzapine 5–15 mg daily, or placebo for up to 8 weeks. Outcome measures included the 17-item HAM-D, 17-item HAM-D “atypical” symptom profile (HAM-D 17-R), 28 item HAM-D, Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Young Mania Rating (YMR) scale. Results There were significant reductions over time in mean HAM-D 28 and MADRS ratings for all treatment groups ( p p = ns). There was no significant increase in YMR scores over time in any treatment group. In contrast, there was a significant reduction in the mean YMR score in the fluoxetine-treated patients over time ( p = 0.008). No patient met DSM IV criteria for a manic episode. Limitations Cohort sizes were limited and the study was not powered to detect statistical differences in efficacy or mania symptoms among treatment conditions. The dose of fluoxetine was modest and the treatment duration was limited to 8 weeks. Conclusion These observations support earlier findings of a low manic switch rate during fluoxetine monotherapy of BP I and BP II MDE, and suggest that fluoxetine may be a safe initial treatment of BP MDE alone or in combination with olanzapine.
Ranking Web-Based Partial Orders by Significance Using a Markov Reference Model

Mining web traffic data has been addressed in literature mostly using sequential pattern mining techniques. Recently, a more powerful pattern called partial order was introduced, with the hope of providing a more compact result set. A further approach towards this goal, valid for both sequential patterns and partial orders, consists in building a statistical significance test for frequent patterns. Our method is based on probabilistic generative models and provides a direct way to rank the extracted patterns. It leaves open the number of patterns of interest, which depends on the application, but provides an alternative criterion to frequency of occurrence: statistical significance. In this paper, we focus on the construction of an algorithm which calculates the probability of partial orders under a first-order Markov reference model, and we show how to use those probabilities to assess the statistical significance of a set of mined partial orders.
Small‐scale disturbance and regeneration dynamics in a neotropical mangrove forest

Summary 1 Mangrove forests are affected by a variety of natural disturbances that differ in scale, intensity and frequency. Small canopy gaps, although common, have not been well studied. We examined the role of lightning-created canopy gaps in the dynamics of a 47-km2 intertidal mangrove community in the Dominican Republic, by quantifying the spatial patterns of overstorey tree distributions, spatial and temporal patterns of gap formation, and tree regeneration in gaps and beneath the closed forest. We hypothesized that regeneration in these gaps would maintain and reinforce species’ distribution patterns across the intertidal gradient in this mangrove ecosystem. 2 All 52 gaps surveyed in the field were nearly circular canopy openings created by lightning. Expanded gap size indicated an average diameter of 30.4 m. The total area of forest in the gap-phase is currently 1.9%, with an annual formation rate of 0.23% year−1. Canopy turnover was calculated to range from 421 to 842 years; however, gaps were not randomly distributed across the mangrove forest and canopy turnover in the most gap-prone areas ranged from 194 to 386 years. 3 Seedling density was not different under gaps and under the forest canopy, but sapling density and sapling growth rates of three species were significantly greater in canopy gaps. The annual mortality rate of Rhizophora mangle (9%) in canopy gaps was significantly lower than either Laguncularia racemosa (32%) or Avicennia germinans (56%). Gap regeneration was dominated by R. mangle throughout the forest. 4 The results of this study do not support our initial hypothesis but suggest that the distribution and abundance of R. mangle will increase throughout the forest over time, given the present disturbance regime. Field observations indicated that the peat mat collapses in lightning-created gaps following their formation, resulting in increased levels of standing water. We suggest the successful regeneration of R. mangle is favoured in these gaps because of its greater tolerance to flooding conditions.
Experimental issues related to frequency response function measurements for frequency-based substructuring

Abstract Frequency-based substructuring is a very popular approach for the generation of system models from component measured data. Analytically the approach has been shown to produce accurate results. However, implementation with actual test data can cause difficulties and cause problems with the system response prediction. In order to produce good results, extreme care is needed in the measurement of the drive point and transfer impedances of the structure as well as observe all the conditions for a linear time invariant system. Several studies have been conducted to show the sensitivity of the technique to small variations that often occur during typical testing of structures. These variations have been observed in actual tested configurations and have been substantiated with analytical models to replicate the problems typically encountered. The use of analytically simulated issues helps to clearly see the effects of typical measurement difficulties often observed in test data. This paper presents some of these common problems observed and provides guidance and recommendations for data to be used for this modeling approach.
Burden of proof: the evidence clinicians require before implementing an intervention

Background Greater implementation of evidence-based practice for children and adolescents is a current emphasis in the mental health field; however, there is a need to understand how best to disseminate these interventions and convince community clinicians to use them. Method A sample of 255 clinicians reported on the likelihood that they would use an intervention given various types of evidence. Results Case studies and clinical trials with an active or placebo control group scored as the most preferred types of evidence; however, more positive attitudes toward evidence-based practice predicted preferences for clinical trials, but were not related to case studies. Conclusion Implementation of evidence-based practice may be improved by greater dissemination of case studies demonstrating the use of these interventions in ‘real world’ settings. In addition, fostering a greater appreciation of research-derived interventions among clinicians appears necessary.
3D x-ray microprobe investigation of local dislocation densities and elastic strain gradients in a NiAl-Mo composite and exposed Mo micropillars as a function of prestrain*

3D spatially-resolved polychromatic microdiffraction was used to nondestructively obtain depth-dependent elastic strain gradients and dislocation densities in the constituent phases of a directionally solidified NiAl–Mo eutectic composite consisting of ~500–800 nm Mo fibers in a NiAl matrix. Measurements were made before and after the composite was compressed by 5% and 11%. The Mo fibers were analyzed both in their embedded state and after the matrix was etched to expose them as pillars. In the as-grown composite, due to differential thermal contraction during cooldown, the Mo phase is under compression and the NiAl phase is in tension. After the prestrains, the situation is reversed with the Mo phase in tension and NiAl matrix in compression. This result can be explained by taking into account the mismatch in yield strains of the constituent phases and the elastic constraints during unloading. The dislocation density in both the Mo and NiAl phases is found to increase after prestraining. Within experimental uncertainty there is little discernible difference in the total dislocation densities in the Mo phase of the 5% and 11% prestrained specimens. However, the density of the geometrically necessary dislocations and the deviatoric strain gradients increase with increasing prestrain in both the Mo and NiAl phases.
Adding modeled speech-generating device use to a naturalistic language intervention facilitates generalized communicative spoken utterances immediately after treatment and generalized gains on declarative use 12 weeks after treatment ends in children with ASD who began treatment in the “word combination” stage

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Kasari, C., Kaiser, A., Goods, K., Nietfeld, J., Mathy, P., Landa, R., Murphy, S., & Almirall, D. (2014). Communication interventions for minimally-verbal children with autism: A sequential multiple assignment randomization trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53, 635–646.Funding: This study was funded by Autism Speaks. Authors reported receiving support from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Institutes of Health, Autism Speaks, the Institute of Education Sciences, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, and Ride On for Autism. Drs. Kasari and Kaiser are authors of the blended JASPER-EMT model.
A new and promising tool to evaluate mass and structural changes of skeletal muscle in trauma patients.

Loss of mass and function of skeletal muscle during critical illness is associated with poor clinical outcome, reduced ventilator-free days, increased length of ICU stay, increased mortality, high costs of health care, and delay of rehabilitation [1]. The magnitude of muscle impairment correlates with the severity of the illness, the entity of the inflammation, and the appropriateness of nutritional support [2, 3]. Recent papers have advocated the use of ultrasound evaluation of skeletal muscle [2, 4, 5] to get information about its thickness and structural changes, which can be related to the degree of myopathy and to the final functional outcome [5]. We are investigating the morphological changes of skeletal muscle in trauma patients during their stay in our ICU, by ultrasound evaluation of the rectus femuris (RF) and anterior tibialis (AT) muscles (transverse scan 15 cm above the patella and 5 cm below the fibular head, respectively), on day 0 (within 24 h after admission to ICU) and on day 21. We adopted a 5–7 MHz linear transducer and a well-defined setting for all patients (overall gain 67 %; time gain compensation in neutral position; focal zone set in the middle of the muscle). Muscle echogenicity is rated according to Heckmatt’s scale [6], which is a semiquantitative, four-rank score, the higher rank (D) corresponding to reduced visualization of bone surface and thus to a more severe degree of muscle fibrosis. In this preliminary study, we evaluated six severe trauma patients: three women/three men; age range 44–61 years; body mass index ranging from 23.1 to 28.2; injury severity score 29–52; all but one had brain injury, with Glasgow Coma Scale at admission ranging from 3 to 11; ICU stay was 25–52 days and survival was 100 %. In all patients, we found a progressive decrease in the muscle mass and a progressive increase of echogenicity, suggesting not only protein depletion but degenerative changes: during the ICU stay, the
A 10-year review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Heads Up initiatives: bringing concussion awareness to the forefront.

Children and adolescents are at increased risk for concussions, a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that can change the way the brain normally works. While most children and adolescents no longer experience symptoms within two weeks of the injury, some—especially those who have a history of concussions—may have symptoms that last for months or even longer (Eisenberg, Andrea, Meehan, & Mannix, 2013). Concussions need to be addressed correctly to help reduce the risk for short- or long-term health problems that can affect a child’s or adolescent’s thinking, learning, behavior, and/or emotions (Brosseau-Lachaine, Gagnon, Forget, & Faubert, 2008; McClincy, Lovell, Pardini, Collins, & Spore, 2006; Moser, Schatz, & Jordan, 2005; Schatz, Moser, Covassin, & Karpf, 2011). To help address this public health concern, the Children’s Health Act of 2000 (H.R. 4365) (Library of Congress, 1999–2000) charged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control to implement a public information campaign to broaden public awareness of the health consequences of TBI. In response, CDC developed and launched the Heads Up concussion education campaign. Over the last 10 years, CDC’s Heads Up campaign has grown into a cohesive suite of educational initiatives that share a common goal: to help protect children and adolescents from concussions and other serious brain injuries by raising awareness, enhancing knowledge, and informing action to improve prevention, recognition, and response to concussions. Each CDC Heads Up initiative fulfills these goals by (1) translating the latest concussion science into educational products tailored specifically for the target audiences, and (2) working with partner organizations to disseminate and integrate concussion educational materials and messages into their existing systems and programs. This report describes the process CDC employed to develop and carry out the Heads Up campaign.
Convective inertia effects in wall-bounded thin film flows

We apply the boundary layer equations to inertial flow in wall bounded films that might be char- acterized as 'thin', say e ≤ 0.1 where e is the ratio of the characteristic lengths, yet to which the lubrica- tion approximation of Reynolds no longer applies. Two particular flow geometries are investigated, nominally parallel plates and nominally inclined plates, both with and without spatially periodic perturbation of the sta- tionary plate. A Galerkin-B spline formulation of the governing equations is employed, and we rely on para- metric continuation to obtain solutions at higher values of the Reynolds number. In particular, we are able to demonstrate that the boundary layer equations yield accurate results for a wide range of Reynolds numbers when the aspect ratio is less than 1/10. We also find that in both nominally parallel and nominally inclined geometries the sign of the inertial force correction is determined by the film contour in the neighborhood of the exit, this result might have implications in the design of MEMS devices.
Computer analysis of mammography phantom images (CAMPI): An application to the measurement of microcalcification image quality of directly acquired digital images

The purpose of this investigation was to apply the recently developed CAMPI (computer analysis of mammography phantom images) method to a Fischer Mammotest Stereotactic Digital Biopsy machine. Another aim was to further elucidate the nature of the empirically introduced CAMPI measures. Images of an American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation phantom centered on the largest two speck groups were obtained on this machine under a variety of x-ray conditions. An additional measure, alternative SNR (ASNR) is introduced which is complementary to the SNR measure. Analyses of the Mammotest images revealed that the mAs and kVp dependencies of the CAMPI measures could be understood from basic imaging physics principles. It is shown that: (1) the measures reflect the expected linearity of the digital detector and Poisson photon statistics; (2) under automatic exposure control (AEC) conditions the signal (SIG) measure is proportional to subject contrast; and (3) under AEC conditions the noise (NOI) measure is proportional to the square root of the average absorbed photon energy. Correspondence with basic imaging physics principles shows that the measures are significantly free of artifacts. Precision of the CAMPI measures exceeds that of human observers by orders of magnitude. CAMPI measures are expected to be more relevant to clinical mammography than Fourier metrics as the measurements are done on objects of arbitrary shape and size that were designed by the manufacturer to resemble various detection tasks in mammography. It is concluded that CAMPI can perform objective and highly precise evaluations of phantom image quality in mammography. It could be used as a sophisticated quality control tool, as a replacement for the current ACR/MQSA phantom evaluation program, and to evaluate the rapidly evolving digital mammography technology.
The New York State Employee Program.

This article reviews New York State's experience with its employee alcoholism program, which was started about three years ago. Methods of training, referral, and success rates are outlined. The ar...
Role of electrolytes in the contractile machinery of vascular smooth muscle.

LTHOUGH THE investigator who undertakes an inquiry into the cause of the elevated arterial pressure in experimental hypertension should not ignore the possibility of an elevated cardiac output, his most promising avenue of research will be in the possible causes of an increase in total peripheral resistance. In organizing his approach to this problem he must recognize that total peripheral resistance may be elevated by any one of the following, reasonably well separable mechanisms (Fig. 1): (1) an increase in neurogenic constrictor traffic to the resistance vessels; (2) an increase in circulating humoral constrictor substances; (3) an increase in vascular smooth muscle responsiveness to the normal determinants of vascular smooth muscle tone ; and (4) a change in structure of the vessel wall, increasing peripheral resistance. Of these four possible causes of increased total peripheral resistance, the one that is probably most difficult to evaluate is the increase in vascular smooth muscle responsiveness. Yet a primary basis for the current seminar on the role of salt in cardiovascular hypertension is the possibility that an altered functional electrolyte composition in vascular smooth muscle is responsible for an exaggeration in the response of the muscle to normal vasoconstrictor stimuli.
Comparison of Effects of Overload on Parameters and Performance of Samarium-Cobalt and Strontium-Ferrite Radially Oriented Permanent Magnet Brushless DC Motors

Effects of high momentary overloads on the samarium-cobalt and strontium-ferrite permanent magnets and the magnetic field in electronically commutated brushless dc machines, as well as their impact on the associated machine parameters were studied. The effect of overload on the machine parameters, and subsequently on the machine system performance was also investigated. This was accomplished through the combined use of finite element analysis of the magnetic field in such machines, perturbation of the magnetic energies to determine machine inductances, and dynamic simulation of the performance of brushless dc machines, when energized from voltage source inverters. These effects were investigated through application of the above methods to two equivalent 15 hp brushless dc motors, one of which was built with samarium-cobalt magnets, while the other was built with strontium-ferrite magnets. For momentary overloads as high as 4.5 p.u. magnet flux reductions of 29% and 42% of the no load flux were obtained in the samarium-cobalt and strontium-ferrite machines, respectively. Corresponding reductions in the line to line armature inductances of 52% and 46% of the no load values were reported for the samarium-cobalt and strontium-ferrite cases, respectively. The overload affected the profiles and magnitudes of armature induced back emfs. Subsequently, the effects of overload on machine parameters were found to have significant impact on the performance of the machine systems, where findings indicate that the samarium-cobalt unit is more suited for higher overload duties than the strontium-ferrite machine.
Analysis of Norrish type II reactions by molecular mechanics methodology

Abstract Force field parameters have been developed that reproduce the triplet state ab initio geometries of two ketones. Transition state energies and geometries have been computed for a variety of Norrish Type II reactions. A correlation has been found between overall reaction and transition state strain energy.
Small-bowel enema. An underutilized method of small-bowel examination

The results of 88 consecutive small-bowel enemas were compared retrospectively with the results of 52 routine small-bowel series and 50 barium enemas done in the same patients. Ninety-six percent of the diagnoses made by small-bowel enema were correct, as compared to only 65% made by routine small-bowel series. The incorrect studies were mostly false negatives and the abnormalities missed included regional enteritis, small-bowel obstruction, and intestinal lymphoma. The barium enema failed to achieve ileal reflux in 26% of patients and had a 23% false negative rate when reflux was achieved. Because small-bowel series as done by conventional methods was significantly less accurate, we believe small-bowel enema should be considered in patients with suspected small-bowel disease when other studies are negative.
An improved method for detecting foreign DNA in plasmids of Escherichia coli.

Abstract A new procedure has been developed for lysing bacterial colonies on nitrocellulose filters and immobilizing the released DNA on the filters. The procedure involves the use of lysozyme and Triton X-100. When used in conjunction with in situ hybridization, this method has proven effective in detecting DNA recombinants, while eliminating the problems of false positives and variation between duplicate filters that are seen with other methods.
Defining the frequency of near‐shore tropical cyclone activity in the eastern North Pacific from historical surface observations (1921–2005)

[1] Due in part to limited historical observations, the long-term variability of tropical cyclone (TC) activity in the eastern North Pacific has received little research attention. This paper outlines features of a long-term (1921–2005) data set of TC frequency defined in a manner consistent with the quality and availability of historical surface observations. Simple analyses of the data set point to nonrandom behavior in the TC series and suggest that long period variability is an important component of TC activity.
Structure-based design of a dimeric RNA-peptide complex.

The arginine-rich RNA-binding domain of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) Tat adopts a β-hairpin conformation upon binding to the major groove of BIV TAR. Based on its NMR structure, we modeled dimeric arrangements in which two adjacent TAR sites might be recognized with high affinity by a dimeric peptide. Some dimeric RNAs efficiently bound two unlinked BIV Tat peptides in vitro, but could not bind even one monomeric peptide in vivo, as monitored by transcriptional activation of human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat reporters. Results with additional reporters suggest that extending the RNA helix in the dimeric arrangements inhibits peptide binding by decreasing major groove accessibility. In contrast, a dimeric peptide efficiently bound an optimally arranged dimeric TAR in vivo, and bound with an affinity at least 10-fold higher than the monomeric peptide in vitro. Mutating specific nucleotides in each RNA ‘half-site’ or specific amino acids in each β-hairpin of the dimeric peptide substantially decreased binding affinity, providing evidence for the modeled dimer–dimer interaction. These studies provide a starting point for identifying dimeric RNA–protein interactions with even higher binding affinities and specificities.
The worst symptom visual analogue scale: a prospective ancillary study from the renal optimization strategies evaluation in acute heart failure (rose-AHF) trial

Most acute heart failure (AHF) patients have dyspnea but their most bothersome (worst) symptom (WS) may vary. We hypothesized that improvement in a patient's WS over time would be associated with decongestion efficacy and outcomes in AHF. Patients with AHF enrolled (< 24 hr from admission) in ROSE-
Evaluating multivariate visualizations on time-varying data

Multivariate visualization techniques have been applied to a wide variety of visual analysis tasks and a broad range of data types and sources. Their utility has been evaluated in a modest range of simple analysis tasks. In this work, we extend our previous task to a case of time-varying data. We implemented ve visualizations of our synthetic test data: three previously evaluated techniques (Data-driven Spots, Oriented Slivers, and Attribute Blocks), one hybrid of the rst two that we call Oriented Data-driven Spots, and an implementation of Attribute Blocks that merges the temporal slices. We conducted a user study of these ve techniques. Our previous nding (with static data) was that users performed best when the density of the target (as encoded in the visualization) was either highest or had the highest ratio to non-target features. The time-varying presentations gave us a wider range of density and density gains from which to draw conclusions; we now see evidence for the density gain as the perceptual measure, rather than the absolute density.
Generalized beta invariants

A wave equation covariant under conformal transformations is proposed. Generalized beta invariants are constructed from the eight rowed wave functions which satisfy this equation, and some of their formal properties are derived.
Deletion of Glutamate Delta-1 Receptor in Mouse Leads to Enhanced Working Memory and Deficit in Fear Conditioning

Glutamate delta-1 (GluD1) receptors are expressed throughout the forebrain during development with high levels in the hippocampus during adulthood. We have recently shown that deletion of GluD1 receptor results in aberrant emotional and social behaviors such as hyperaggression and depression-like behaviors and social interaction deficits. Additionally, abnormal expression of synaptic proteins was observed in amygdala and prefrontal cortex of GluD1 knockout mice (GluD1 KO). However the role of GluD1 in learning and memory paradigms remains unknown. In the present study we evaluated GluD1 KO in learning and memory tests. In the eight-arm radial maze GluD1 KO mice committed fewer working memory errors compared to wildtype mice but had normal reference memory. Enhanced working memory in GluD1 KO was also evident by greater percent alternation in the spontaneous Y-maze test. No difference was observed in object recognition memory in the GluD1 KO mice. In the Morris water maze test GluD1 KO mice showed no difference in acquisition but had longer latency to find the platform in the reversal learning task. GluD1 KO mice showed a deficit in contextual and cue fear conditioning but had normal latent inhibition. The deficit in contextual fear conditioning was reversed by D-Cycloserine (DCS) treatment. GluD1 KO mice were also found to be more sensitive to foot-shock compared to wildtype. We further studied molecular changes in the hippocampus, where we found lower levels of GluA1, GluA2 and GluK2 subunits while a contrasting higher level of GluN2B in GluD1 KO. Additionally, we found higher postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and lower glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) expression in GluD1 KO. We propose that GluD1 is crucial for normal functioning of synapses and absence of GluD1 leads to specific abnormalities in learning and memory. These findings provide novel insights into the role of GluD1 receptors in the central nervous system.