cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-cardiac surgery in patients on long-term left ventricular assist device support

Background An increasing number of patients on left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support are requiring non-cardiac surgical (NCS) procedures. We reviewed our experience with the management of patients on continuous flow (CF) LVAD support undergoing NCS. Methods From March 2006 through March 2011, 86 patients with chronic heart failure underwent implantation of a HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) LVAD. Clinical records of these patients were reviewed to identify patients who underwent NCS while on LVAD support, with a focus on peri-operative death, bleeding, thrombosis, and device malfunction, as well as management of pre-operative anti-coagulation. Results While on CF-LVAD support, 20 patients underwent 25 NCSs, comprising 13 major and 12 minor procedures. Operations were performed electively in 22 and as emergencies in 3. No peri-operative deaths, thromboembolic complications, or device malfunctions occurred. The incidence of bleeding requiring transfusion of packed red blood cells was 36.0%, including 25% of patients undergoing minor NCSs and 46.2% undergoing major NCSs ( p = 0.004). All bleeding complications occurred in patients on both warfarin and aspirin pre-operatively. The only significant differences between patients who did and did not require transfusion were pre-operative warfarin use and significantly higher pre-operative international normalized ratio in the transfused group (1.9 ± 0.4 vs 1.4 ± 0.3; p = 0.008). Conclusions Non-cardiac operations can be performed safely in patients with CF-LVADs. It may possible to reduce peri-operative bleeding by lowering pre-operative anti-coagulation goals, especially before major surgery. However, additional analysis is required to determine if this can be performed safely.
Age changes in the weight of the hypophysis in the beagle and other breeds

Summary Analyses of weight changes of the hypophysis with age and body weight increase were studied in 136 Beagle dogs ranging in age from birth to 13·6 yr. Analysis of absolute hypophysis weight on body weight was also studied in a mixed sample of sixteen different purebreds consisting of 19 males and 33 females. Absolute hypophysis weight increased with age and with increase in body weight. Relative hypophysis weight decreased with age. No significant sex differences were observed in the beagle in the means of absolute hypophysis weight or relative weight in any age interval. In breeds other than the Beagle, the absolute hypophysis weight, independent of age, was significantly larger in the female than in the male and this difference between the sexes increased with increase in body weight. Regression equations and curves for absolute hypophysis weight, relative weight and body weight changes with age are given for the individual observations in three age groups: birth to 8 weeks, 2 to 11 months and 1 to 13·6 yr. Regression analysis for absolute weight changes of the hypophysis with changes in body weight, independent of age, is also presented.
Experimental studies of radiative base heating of a Jovian entry model

To verify the validity of the theoretical predictions of Park on radiative base heating rates, two types of models are tested in the absence of ablation in shock tube flows which simulate the Jovian entry environments. The radiative fluxes are measured by pyroelectric radiometers imbedded in the models in a stream consisting of 10% hydrogen in a bath of either neon or argon. In addition, time-resolved photographs are taken to obtain information on the structure of base flows needed in Park's theory. The experimental data show that the radiative base heat fluxes are significant fractions of the radiative fluxes at the front stagnation point, the ratio being dependent upon Mach number and the configuration of the models. When the effects of the model geometry and Mach number are accounted for, the present experimental results agree with the theoretical predictions of Park.
Time-Varying Initialization and Corrected Laplace Transform of the Caputo Derivative

Abstract This paper derives the time-varying initialization function for the Caputo derivative of any order u >0 where m –1 u m , m = 1,2,…. The derivative is redefined to include this initialization function. Then, the Laplace transform for the redefined Caputo derivative is determined which corrects (supplants) that given for the derivative in the literature and properly accounts for time-varying initialization effects. The paper generalizes previous results for order 0 u
A Möbius identity arising from modularity in a matroid bilinear form

Abstract The matrix for the bilinear form of the flag space of a matroid has (with respect to an appropriate basis) a tensor product structure when the matroid has a modular flat K . When determinants are taken, an identity is obtained for the rho function (a certain product of the Mobius and beta functions) summed over flats with a fixed intersection with K . When the identity is interpreted for Dowling lattices and finite projective spaces, identities with similar combinatorial proofs are obtained for binomial and Gaussian coefficients, respectively.
Embryonic Abnormalities from Misexpression of cNSCL1

cNSCL1 encodes a bHLH transcription factor and is specifically expressed in the developing nervous system. We used a replication-competent retrovirus to drive misexpression of cNSCL1 in chick embryos. We found that cNSCL1 misexpression was embryonic lethal and the embryos exhibited gross abnormalities. Many skeletal bones were abnormal and some were completely absent. Expression of BMP4 was reduced. The abnormalities were due to cNSCL1 misexpression in the systemic region, since microinjection of cNSCL1 retrovirus at one hindlimb primordium severely retarded its development, while other limbs on the same animal appeared normal. Similar misexpression of cNSCL2, a closely related bHLH gene, did not produce these phenotypes. Thus, the detrimental effects on embryonic development were specific to cNSCL1. These data indicate that cNSCL1 expression must be tightly regulated during development.
Modeling a diverse and democratic America: The Michigan Community Scholars program

Student, faculty, community, and staff participants in a scholarly program at the University of Michigan are attempting to create a microcosmic representation of a country built on shared work and celebration of diverse perspectives. The program's director describes the community's vision in action.
Stagnation equilibrium layer in nonequilibrium blunt-body flows

wave velocity relative to the gas, and the duct is assumed to behave as a half-wave resonator. Therefore, the product of the measured frequency and twice the duct length does not yield the average wave velocity, but rather this latter quantity multiplied by a factor of (1 — M). For a resonant frequency of 730 cps, a duct length of 2 ft, and an average wave velocity of 3360 fps, the Mach number as determined from the previous equations is 0.367. Since the nozzle entrance Mach number on the motors used in these tests is 0.45, and the duct length includes the convergent portion of the nozzle, the average Mach number as determined from the resonant frequency appears to be reasonable. It is obvious that for low Mach numbers and large contraction ratios the effect on the resonant frequency is small, but as the Mach number increases, the reduction in natural or resonant frequency increases. If one has a beforehand knowledge of the wave velocity relative to the gas, say 3360 fps, and uses simple acoustic theory (M = 0), the resonant frequency for a 2-ft chamber would be 840 cps. As the Mach number is increased to 0.367, a 13% decrease in resonant frequency is noted. An important conclusion to be derived from the foregoing discussion is that acoustic theories will not give accurate quantitative results of the analysis of wave oscillations in rocket motors, especially those having small contraction ratios with resultant high Mach number profiles.
Automatic detection of minelike targets in severely cluttered images including other man-made objects

A fully automatic algorithm was developed for single-frame detection of minelike objects in realistic shallow water, beach, and nearby land environments. Detection was accomplished in gray scale images, containing representative targets and backgrounds, which had been collected by a down-looking coherent active sensor. The problem was made challenging by low contrast, partly covered targets, and highly cluttered images including beach vegetation and rocks, complicated natural backgrounds, obscuration (replacement noise) by glint from the surface of the water and distortion within it, and 15 kinds of manmade objects. To deal with these challenges, innovations have been made in automatic background cancellation, in the final thresholding to binary, and in shape and veracity clues for the feature vector used in the final classification step. Performance is reported for a representative set of 1024 frames. For the majority of background types, including low conventional signal-to-noise ratio and pervasive instances of clutter and replacement noise patches, the algorithm performed correctly in 92% of the frames. This applies individually to frames identified as 'target' where one or more targets existed, and frames identified as 'notarget' where no targets existed. Target-field detection over multiple frames depends upon reliable single-frame target detection. Despite challenging images, performance of our single-frame algorithm appears sufficient for multiframe target-field detection to proceed with acceptable error rates for the majority of background types encountered in the tests conducted.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Results of bronchoscopically obtained lower airway cultures from adult sickle cell disease patients with the acute chest syndrome

Abstract purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of bacterial pneumonia as a cause of the acute chest syndrome in adult patients with sickle cell disease based on bronchoscopically obtained lower airway cultures and to describe the clinical, laboratory, and roentgenographic features of the acute chest syndrome in a series composed entirely of adult patients with sickle cell disease. patients and methods: We reviewed the hospital records from 19 episodes (18 patients) of acute chest syndrome in adult patients with sickle cell disease (greater than or equal to 19 years of age) who had undergone flexible bronchoscopy to obtain lower airway cultures between January 1979 and July 1987. We also recorded patients' clinical, laboratory, and roentgenographic characteristics. results: Pneumonia was diagnosed in four of 19 episodes (21%) of acute chest syndrome based on quantitative cultures obtained at bronchoscopy. The pneumonia was caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in two patients and mixed aerobic and anaerobic organisms in the other two patients. Forty-four of 45 blood cultures were negative, and one grew Staphylococcus epidermidis , which was considered a contaminant. Chest roentgenograms revealed lower lobe involvement in 17 episodes (90%) and bilateral infiltrates in six (32%). Pleural effusions occurred in seven episodes (37%), and pleural fluid samples obtained from five of these revealed sterile exudates. conclusion: The results of this retrospective study suggest that bacterial pneumonia is an uncommon cause of acute chest syndrome in adult patients with sickle cell disease. These results are consistent with previous retrospective studies using noninvasive techniques to diagnose pneumonia. Nevertheless, there appeared to be no reliable noninvasive variables that could accurately differentiate between patients with and without pneumonia and, consequently, we recommend empiric antibiotic therapy in addition to usual supportive care of these patients.
Stencil lithography of gold-black IR absorption coatings

Gold black coatings are deposited through a stencil shadow mask to produce infrared-absorbing patterns with sub-mm lateral dimensions. Such dimensions match the characteristic pitch of Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) array bolometers. Infrared spectral imaging with sub-micron spatial resolution reveals the spatial distribution of absorption across the pattern.
Polarization modulation for optical-microwave applications in phased array antennas

Polarization modulation is proposed as an advantageous technique for optical-microwave applications in phased array antennas. This technique provides an inherent simplicity in producing continuously variable phase shifts in the RF signal. Experimental investigations with the polarization self-modulated laser demonstrated potential for performing this task. >
Modeling Electrostatic and Quantum Detection of Molecules

We describe two different modes for electronically detecting an adsorbed molecule using a nanoscale transistor. The attachment of an ionic molecular target shifts the threshold voltage through modulation of the depletion layer electrostatics. A stronger bonding between the molecule and the channel, involving actual overlap of their quantum mechanical wavefunctions, leads to scattering by the molecular traps that creates characteristic fingerprints when scanned with a backgate. We describe a theoretical approach to model these transport characteristics.
Sleep is of the brain, by the brain and for the brain

Sleep is a widespread biological phenomenon, and its scientific study is proceeding at multiple levels at the same time. Marked progress is being made in answering three fundamental questions: what is sleep, what are its mechanisms and what are its functions? The most salient answers to these questions have resulted from applying new techniques from basic and applied neuroscience research. The study of sleep is also shedding light on our understanding of consciousness, which undergoes alteration in parallel with sleep-induced changes in the brain.
Helium Effects on Neutron-Irradiated Cr-Mo Ferritic Steels: A Review of Recent Results

Large amounts of transmutation helium will be produced in the first wall of a fusion reactor by the high-energy neutrons from the fusion reaction. Since no fusion reactor is available, the effect of simultaneous helium production and displacement damage from neutron irradiation must be simulated. One method that has been used in ferritic steels is to add nickel to the steels and irradiate them in a mixed-spectrum reactor. In such reactors, the fast neutrons produce displacement damage, while helium is produced by a two-step reaction of /sup 58/Ni with thermal neutrons. This technique has been used to investigate the effect of helium on swelling, tensile properties, impact properties, and elevated-temperature embrittlement. Results indicate that helium accelerates swelling and affects tensile and impact properties of Cr-Mo ferritic steels below /approximately/450/degree/C. However, these steels are highly resistant to elevated-temperature helium embrittlement. 44 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.
Modulation of TTX-R INa by PKC and PKA and Their Role in PGE2-Induced Sensitization of Rat Sensory Neurons In Vitro

A tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated Na+ current (TTX-R INa) appears to be the current primarily responsible for action potential generation in the cell body and terminals of nociceptive afferents. Although other voltage-gated Na+ currents are modulated by the activation of protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase A (PKA), or both, the second messenger pathways involved in the modulation of TTX-R INa are still being defined. We have examined the modulation of TTX-R INa in isolated sensory neurons with whole-cell voltage-clamp recording. Activation of either PKC or PKA increased TTX-R INa. PKA activation also produced a leftward shift in the conductance-voltage relationship of TTX-R INa and an increase in the rates of current activation, deactivation, and inactivation. Inhibitors of PKC decreased TTX-R INa, whereas inhibitors of PKA had no effect on the current. Investigating the interaction between PKC and PKA revealed that although inhibitors of PKA had little effect on PKC-induced modulation of TTX-R INa, inhibitors of PKC significantly attenuated PKA-induced modulation of the current. Finally, although PGE2-induced modulation of TTX-R INa was more similar to PKA-induced modulation of the current than to PKC-induced modulation, PGE2-induced effects were inhibited by inhibitors of both PKC and PKA. Thus, although TTX-R INa is a common target for cellular processes involving the activation of either PKA or PKC, PKC activity is necessary to enable subsequent PKA-mediated modulation of TTX-R INa.
Molecular Line Absorption in a Scattering Atmosphere. Part II: Application to Remote Sensing in the O 2 A band

This paper explores the feasibility of using O 2 A-band reflectance spectra in the retrieval of cloud optical and physical properties. Analyses demonstrate that these reflection spectra are sensitive to optical properties of clouds such as optical depth t c and phase function, vertical profile information including cloud-top pressure, pressure thickness, and the surface albedo. An estimation method is developed to demonstrate how well this information might be retrieved from synthetic spectra calculated by a line-by-line spectral multiple scattering model assuming realistic instrument parameters (spectral resolution, calibration accuracy, and signal-to-noise properties). The quality of the retrievals is expressed in terms of two indices, one relating to total error and another that quantifies the extent of reliance of the retrieval on the measurement, or conversely on other a priori information. Sources of total error include instrument-related errors, forward model errors including phase function errors, and errors in a priori data. The retrievals presented show the following: (i) The optical depth, surface albedo, cloud-top pressure, and cloud layer pressure thickness can be retrieved with an accuracy of approximately 5% for most cases of low cloud except when these clouds are optically thin and over bright surfaces. The spectra also contain information about the pressure thickness of the low-level cloud and this information also can be retrieved with an expected accuracy of less than 10% and with little reliance on any a priori data. (ii) Significantly larger errors result for retrievals for high clouds when no attempt is made to constrain the uncertainties associated with the unknown character of the scattering phase function. (iii) Retrieval of a limited amount of information about the phase function is possible under certain circumstances. It is possible to retrieve the asymmetry parameter sufficiently well to improve the accuracy of the forward model. This results in a shrinking of the errors in t c to less than 10% for t c . 0.1. (iv) The pressure information about scattering layers inherent in the A-band spectra is shown to provide a limited amount of vertical profiling capability (four to five layers of information at the most) provided the measurements are obtained with a spectral resolution of about 0.5 cm21 and obtained with an accuracy of 2% or better. A specific example demonstrates the capability of not only detecting the presence of thin high cloud above lower brighter cloud but also the capability of estimating the optical depths of both clouds. (v) The advantage of additional information such as provided by active profilers (radar and lidar) is explored. The advantages of this additional profile information are quantitatively shown to improve not only the retrieval of vertical profiles of extinction but also the optical properties of individual cloud layers.
Yeast Rpi1 Is a Putative Transcriptional Regulator That Contributes to Preparation for Stationary Phase

The RPI1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified initially as a dosage suppressor of the heat shock sensitivity associated with overexpression of RAS2 (J. Kim and S. Powers, Mol. Cell. Biol. 11:3894–3904, 1991). Based on its failure to suppress mutationally activated RAS2, RPI1 was proposed to be a negative regulator of the Ras/cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway that functions at a point upstream of Ras. We isolated RPI1 as a high-copy-number suppressor of the cell lysis defect associated with a null mutation in the MPK1 gene, which encodes the mitogen-activated protein kinase of the cell wall integrity-signaling pathway. Although the sequence of Rpi1 is not informative about its function, we present evidence that this protein resides in the nucleus, possesses a transcriptional activation domain, and affects the mRNA levels of several cell wall metabolism genes. In contrast to the previous report, we found that RPI1 overexpression suppresses defects associated with mutational hyperactivation of the Ras/cAMP pathway at all points including constitutive mutations in the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. We present additional genetic and biochemical evidence that Rpi1 functions independently of and in opposition to the Ras/cAMP pathway to promote preparations for the stationary phase. Among these preparations is a fortification of the cell wall that is antagonized by Ras pathway activity. This observation reveals a novel link between the Ras/cAMP pathway and cell wall integrity. Finally, we propose that inappropriate expression of RPI1 during log phase growth drives fortification of the cell wall and that this behavior is responsible for suppression of the mpk1 cell lysis defect.
Choosing the Vice President

How—and how well—does the modern process of vice presidential selection work? What can be learned by considering the nominations of Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen by the Democrats and Sen. Dan Quayle of Indiana by the Republicans in 1988?Most students and practitioners of American politics agree as a matter of principle that vice presidents should be chosen with their constitutional role as presidential successor uppermost in mind. Nine vice presidents, more than a fifth of those who have held the office, have succeeded to the presidency. (They served as president for forty-two years, twenty-nine of them in this century). During one recent period from 1945 to 1977, vice presidents who became president by succession occupied the Oval Office fully half the time. Illnesses, impeachment proceedings, and assassination attempts have made succession an active possibility during twenty of the nation's forty presidencies (Goldstein 1982, 207-08). Every postwar vice president except Walter F. Mondale has become the subject of unusual public concern because of some event or condition that raised the possibility that he would succeed to the presidency.To the extent that the concern for presidential succession is taken seriously, it implies two governance criteria for evaluating the vice presidential selection process. The most important governance criterion is the competence of nominees for vice president to be president. Historically, six of the nine successions have occurred during the vice president's first year in office, suggesting that even the best on-the-job training is no substitute for a wise initial choice.
Axial mixing in modern packings, gas, and liquid phases : II. Two-phase flow

An experimental study was conducted in a 0.43-m-ID packed column to determine the axial mixing properties of air and water under single-phase flow conditions. The packings used were 25.4-mm ceramic Raschig rings, one modern random packing, 25.4-mm metal Pall rings; two structured packings, Sulzer BX and Flexipac 2. The column was operated at ambient conditions with flow rates varying from 0.4 to 4 kg/m2·s for the gas and from 3.25 to 8.5 kg/m2·s for the liquid. Axial mixing was experimentally determined via dynamic response studies based on the pulse injection technique. The diffusion-type model served to reproduce the experimental response curves satisfactorily and proved to be a suitable means of describing axial mixing in both phases. The results confirm previous observations for first-generation packings. Axial mixing is much greater in the liquid than in the gas; axial mixing in the gas increases with gas rate, whereas axial mixing in the liquid decreases with liquid rate. It was also found that the two structured packings produce the lowest levels of axial mixing in the gas. Surprisingly, the greatest mixing effects in the liquid were obtained for Flexipac 2 structured packing. Correlations were developed to represent the experimental mixing and liquid holdup data, yielding an average ±16% difference between experimental and correlated data. Mixing measurements in gas or liquid under two-phase flow conditions will be discussed in Part II.
Learning Through Case Comparisons: A Meta-Analytic Review

Over the past 20 years, there has been much research on how people learn from case comparisons. This work has implemented comparison activities in a variety of different ways across a wide range of laboratory and classroom contexts. In an effort to assess the overall effectiveness of case comparisons across this diversity of implementation and contexts and to explore what variables might moderate learning outcomes, we conducted a meta-analysis of 57 experiments with 336 tests. Random effects analyses of the 336 tests revealed that case comparison activities commonly led to greater learning outcomes than other forms of case study including sequential, single case, and nonanalogous, as well as traditional instruction and control (d = .50), 95% CI [.44, .56]. Of 15 potential moderators, four variables were found to reliably moderate the effectiveness of case comparisons: the objective of the comparison, the presentation of a principle, the content, and the lag between the comparison and testing. Asking learn...
Faculty Development in a National Sample of Community Colleges

The author defines the activities that distinguish successful development programs and describes a survey administered in 1998 to faculty development officers at 250 randomly selected community colleges. Based on responses from 130 colleges, the author profiles those responsible for faculty development, summarizes the extent that each development activity is used, and articulates the need for concerted faculty development efforts at community colleges.
Towards Desynchronization of Multi-hop Topologies

In this paper we study desynchronization, a closely related primitive to graph coloring. A valid graph coloring is an assignment of colors to nodes such that no node's color is the same as a neighborpsilas. A desynchronized configuration is an assignment of real values in S1 to nodes such that each nodepsilas value is exactly at the midpoint of two of its closest neighborspsila values. Recent work has shown that a simple, self-organizing algorithm, DESYNC,can solve desynchronization in single-hop networks, with applications to collision-free wireless broadcast and duty-cycling. Here we generalize this work by defining and analyzing desynchronization for multi-hop networks and experimentally analyzing the DESYNC algorithm's behavior for multi-hop networks. We describe desynchronized configurations for several classes of graphs (lines, rings, two-colorable, and Hamiltonian cycles) and discuss the relationship with other variants of graph coloring. We extend the DESYNC algorithm and DESYNC-based resource allocation to multi-hop networks and study the performance and efficiency of resource allocation in simulation. While many applications for graph coloring require synchronization and an agreement on a schedule to be effective, we show that the self-organizing algorithm, DESYNC, does not require either of these to achieve desynchronization and to define a resource-allocation schedule. Although applications to wireless sensor networks pose some unique problems, the results suggest that DESYNC has significant potential as a lightweight method for providing non-overlapping variable-sized slots in ad-hoc multi-hop settings.
Acceptability of Queso Fresco Cheese by Traditional and Nontraditional Consumers

Four replicate batches of high- and low-salt queso fresco cheeses were made to comnpare consumer preferences. Seven trained panelists judged specific attributes of the eight cheeses. Untrained consumers (395) at three Washington state locations noted how much they liked or disliked the same cheeses. Thirty-three percent of the surveyed population was Hispanic, and 45% were familiar with queso fresco. All cheeses, except the one containing the highest percent salt and the highest pH, were liked slightly to moderately. Traditional consumers (either Hispanic or those familiar with queso fresco) preferred high-saltlhigh-pH cheeses to a greater extent than nontraditional consumers. Nontraditional consumers preferred low-salt/low-pH cheeses. The same preference trends were noted for all ages and at all three geographical locations. Queso fresco with 1.4-2.4% salt and a pH between 5.4-6.1 was most acceptable to the widest range of consumers.
An iterative Prony method for ARMA signal modeling

A new iterative version of the Prony method is presented and shown to be exceptionally effective in finding ARMA models for acoustic data in the time domain. The method is based on a quadratic type of gradient algorithm, where it is shown that the gradient and Hessian are easily computed from the data. The new algorithm is found experimentally to have excellent convergence behavior. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated and compared with that of the original Prony method and with that of the Steiglitz and McBride (1965) iterative prefiltering algorithm on some recorded acoustic data. >
THE EFFECT OF ADRENALECTOMY AND THYROIDECTOMY ON KETONURIA AND LIVER FAT CONTENT OF THE ALBINO RAT FOLLOWING INJECTIONS OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY EXTRACT1

It has been demonstrated that injections of neutralized alkaline extracts of the anterior pituitary produce marked acetonuria in albino rats maintained on diets high in butter fat (Burn and Ling, 1), or fed sodium acetoacetate by stomach tube (Butts, Cutler and Deuel, 2). The latter group as well as Black, Collip and Thomson (3) also observed that anterior pituitary extract greatly augmented the slight ketonuria of the normal fasted rat. The adrenal gland was suggested as a mediating factor in the effects of the ketogenic principle of the anterior hypophysis by Steppuhn (4), but no experimental data were given. Recently, Long (5) found hypophysectomized-depancreatized cats, treated with Squibb's APE produced large amounts of urinary acetone bodies, although before injection they had excreted negligible amounts (6). When the same extract was given to adrenalectomized-depancreatized cats, acetonuria was either absent or very slight (5). The presence of the adrenal gland seemed essential for the ketogenic ef...
Floral stages, ovule development, and ovule and fruit success in Iris tenax, focusing on var. gormanii, a taxon with low seed set

Ovule development and ovule and fruit success were investigated in Iris tenax var. tenax and I. tenax var. gormanii. Ovule development, including megasporogenesis and initial stages of megagametogenesis, occurred while flowers were still in bud. Final maturation of the seven-celled embryo sac occurred during the male phase of flowering. An earlier report that synergids persist after fertilization, and that nucellar nuclei migrate into the developing megagametophyte in I. tenax var. tenax, was not supported in the present study. Reproductive studies used two pollination treatments: outcrossing and selfing. Treatment results were compared with results from open pollination. Both varieties of I. tenax are self-compatible. Results showed that <5% of I. tenax var. gormanii ovules develop into seeds with open pollination, supporting earlier reports of low seed set. Hand pollinations improved reproductive success, suggesting that pollen may be limiting in nature.
The Reliability and Factor Structure of the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale-SF with African Americans.

The present study, based on a sample of 220 African American college students, sought to examine the utility of the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSE) for African Americans. Values of coeff...
Septicemia Associated with Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia in a West African Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus Tetraspis Subsp. Tetraspis)

A 17-year-old male captive West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis subsp. tetraspis) died 1 month after fighting with a penmate. Abrasions were present on the head and mandible. Necropsy revealed a vegetative valvular lesion of the left atrioventricular valve, miliary foci of necrosis in the endocardium and myocardium, multiple duodenal and rectal ulcers, and serous atrophy of body fat. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was isolated in pure culture from lung, liver, and kidney. Gram-negative bacilli were seen histologically in the valvular lesion and in foci of necrosis in the myocardium, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney, and intestine. Septic thrombi in multiple tissues, arteritis, and pneumonia were additional histologic lesions. Findings indicated that the crocodile died from acute S. maltophilia septicemia, although the primary site of infection was not determined. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is ubiquitous in the environment and is recognized as an important nosocomial pathogen in humans.
DNA Methylation Microarrays

Assessing the methylation status of CpG sites in the human genome is critical to understanding the influence of epigenetics in normal biology and disease. Various technologies, such as microarrays and next-generation sequencing, have been used to assess large fractions of the methylome at a single-base-pair resolution. Even though DNA methylation microarrays analyze a small fraction of 28 million CpG sites present in the human genome, they offer cost-effective and consistent analysis of many biologically relevant genomic regions. This chapter describes an accurate, scalable, and flexible microarray technology for DNA methylation profiling. We discuss the concept of the BeadArray technology, the Infinium assay scheme, HumanMethylation450 array performance, and its use in large-scale epigenetic studies.
Effects of volatile anesthetics on cerebrocortical laser Doppler flow: hyperemia, autoregulation, carbon dioxide response, flow oscillations, and role of nitric oxide.

Publisher Summary This chapter compares the direct effects of halothane and isoflurane on laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), flow autoregulation, response to carbon dioxide, and spontaneous flow oscillations as measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in the parietal cerebral cortex of the rat. LDF is a novel and increasingly popular technique that can be used to monitor, in a localized manner, microvascular perfusion of various tissues, in particular, that of the brain. LDF monitors nondirectional flow of red blood cells in the microcirculation. Halothane and isoflurane produce dose-dependent increases in red blood cell flow in the rat cerebral cortex with isoflurane having a huge effect. Halothane but not isoflurane potentiates hypercapnic hyperemia of red cell flow. Neither anesthetic agent abolishes autoregulation as assessed by LDF. The present results obtained with LDF appear to be at variance with earlier studies that suggested that halothane causes greater vasodilatation in cerebral cortex than does isoflurane. An explanation of this apparent contradiction may be that LDF measures red blood cell flow in a small area of cortical tissue. Microvessel dilatation to isoflurane may result in increased capillary hematocrit and, consequently, a larger increase in red blood cell flow as measured by LDF than whole blood flow. In the presence of volatile anesthetic, phenylephrine infused to increase mean arterial blood pressure does not result in cerebral vasoconstriction. The chapter demonstrates that the known CO 2 response of cerebral blood flow is closely reflected by the similar response of LDF. However, Nitric oxide does not appear to be an obligatory mediator of halothane-induced hyperemia but may act in concert with other endothelium-derived relaxing factors.
Taxonomically Useful Parts of the Insemination Apparatus in Females of Dendrolaelaps (Mesostigmata: Digmasellidae)

Some internal structures of the female insemination apparatus are useful for separating nine species of Dendrolaelaps Halbert, 1915, associated with bark beetles attacking pines in southeastern United States. Depending on the species, the insemination foramina open through the coxa, trochanter, or femur of leg III, or coxa of leg IV. The insemination apparatus of Dendrolaelaps appears similar to the type in females in Macrochelidae, one of two types recognized in the superfamily Parasitoidea. It is partially discernible in many but not all species of Dendrolaelaps.
Influence of calcination temperature on the surface area of submicron-sized Al 2 O 3 electrospun fibers

Submicron-sized Al2O3 fibers were formed by calcination of electrospun aluminum acetate/PVP composite fibers. At 650 °C, the fibers were amorphous. As the calcination temperature increased to 750 °C, the fibers transitioned from amorphous to 49 % crystalline gamma phase Al2O3. The crystallinity further increased with calcination temperature to 80 % gamma Al2O3 at 950 °C, but decreased above 950 °C as the crystal structure began to change to alpha phase. The fiber diameters tended to decrease as calcination temperature increased to 950 °C but increased as the alpha phase was formed at temperatures above 950 °C. Surface areas as measured by BET decreased as gamma phase crystallinity increased. Further decrease in surface area as the gamma phase crystal structure transitioned to alpha phase indicated changing internal pore structures of the fibers.
A Review of Uer Experience

Based on a review of classical documents in the field of UX in the recent years,this paper systematically analyzes the definition,framework,measurement,and evaluation of user experience,as well as some applications.Then it reviews the measurement and evaluation of UX in detail.The results show that UX is a critical factor in decision-making of product design;the research paradigms have some controversies about definition,constructs of UX,which lead to discrepancy in the evaluation and measurement of UX.The evaluation and measuring methods need to be improved.At last blind spots of UX are summarized and further research directions are pointed out.
The Deep-hole Drilling Technology on the Small Diameter and Superfine Titanium Alloy

The paper designs machining technology,cutting tool and cutting parameter and does experimentation research for superfine deep-hole drilling with diameterφ20mm.The test result indicates that mending the structure of deep-hole drill,optimizing cutting technology and parameter can produce superfine deep holes of titanium alloy with the length to diameter ratio165.
Algorithms in the diagnosis and management of exotic diseases. XXVII. Shigellosis.

is prevalent in places where sanitary standards and levels of personal hygiene are low. In the United States, as well as in developing countries, shigellosis persists as a leading cause of diarrheal outbreaks in communities. Man is the major reservoir of shigellae in nature, and the infection is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, often by way of infected hands or fomites, and sometimes by way of contaminated food or water. Clinically, the disease is characterized by abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, and stools containing blood and mucus. Although the illness is selflimited with almost negligible mortality, antibiotics can shorten the duration of symptoms and hasten elimination of shigellae from stools.
Nicotinic Receptors from Different Peripheral Organs and from Brain are Highly Homologous, Complex Proteins

The acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from Torpedo electroplax can be isolated in a pure form either in its native membrane-bound state or by affinity chromatography after solubilization. Due to the ease with which this receptor can be purified, both its structure and its function have been investigated to a remarkable degree of sophistication.
Comparative Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of a Multitarget Stool DNA Test to Screen for Colorectal Neoplasia

Background & Aims We developed a model to determine whether a multitarget stool DNA (MT-sDNA) test that detects colorectal cancer (CRC) and polyps with higher sensitivity and lower specificity, but at a higher cost, than the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) can be used in screening. Methods We used a Markov model of average-risk CRC screening to compare the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of screening with the MT-sDNA test vs FIT or colonoscopy. We accounted for the complex longitudinal participation patterns observed in organized programs vs opportunistic screening, as well as organized programs' patient support costs and differential payment rates by commercial insurers vs Medicare. Results With optimal adherence, yearly FIT and colonoscopy every 10 years were dominant (more effective and less costly) than MT-sDNA every 3 years. Compared with successful organized FIT programs (50% consistent and 27% intermittent participation; patient support costs, $153/cycle), the patient support program for the MT-sDNA test would need 68% of subjects to participate consistently and 32% to participate intermittently every 3 years, or the MT-sDNA test would need to cost 60% less than in the base case ($260 commercial payment and $197 Medicare payment), for the MT-sDNA test to be preferred over FIT at a threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Compared with opportunistic yearly FIT screening (15% consistent and 30% intermittent participation), performing the MT-sDNA test every 3 years would cost less than $100,000 per QALY gained if the MT-sDNA test achieved a participation rate more than 1.7-fold that of FIT. The results were robust in sensitivity analyses. Assuming equal participation across strategies and a threshold of $100,000 per QALY gained, FIT was preferred in 99.3% of iterations in Monte Carlo simulation. Conclusions In a Markov model, we found FIT and colonoscopy to be more effective and less costly than the MT-sDNA test when participation rates were equal for all strategies. For the MT-sDNA test to be cost effective, the patient support program included in its cost would need to achieve substantially higher participation rates than those of FIT, whether in organized programs or under the opportunistic screening setting that is more common in the United States than in the rest of the world.
What is an Information System? Another Small Step Toward The Philosophy of Information Systems

The term “Information System” is so common that one can use the term in ordinary conversation without anyone ever asking for a definition or a clarification. Sadly, in research settings, where there should be a more rigorous examination of the meaning of the terms we use, the term is used indiscriminately as well. However, if the field of Information Systems is, indeed, about Information Systems, one would hope that there is a clear definition otherwise critics could rightly claim that we don’t even know what our field is about. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of an “Information System” in an attempt to clarify what we are studying, so that we can advance our knowledge of information systems and advance the intellectual content of the field.
Considerations for Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer is a rare malignancy of the female genital tract. Among other prognostic factors, numerous studies have highlighted that inguinofemoral lymph node status is the most important determinant of survival. Therefore, evaluation of the groins for possible metastases is an integral part of the surgical staging for these patients. Clinicopathologic studies have demonstrated which patients may have the highest risk for inguinofemoral node spread.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme kinetics in an endothelial cell column.

The kinetics of saturable endothelial metabolic functions have been assessed in vivo by transient (indicator-dilution) measurements and in culture by steady-state measurements, but comparisons between the two are difficult. Therefore, we used indicator-dilution methods to assess the kinetics of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in cultured endothelium. Bovine fetal aortic endothelial cells were grown to confluence on microcarrier beads. Cell-covered beads were poured into polypropylene columns and perfused with serum-free culture medium. Six injections, containing [3H]benzol-Phe-Ala-Pro [( 3H]BPAP, an ACE substrate) and varying amounts of unlabeled BPAP, were applied to each column and effluent was collected in serial samples. The apparent kinetics of BPAP metabolism were determined by four models used previously to determine pulmonary endothelial ACE kinetics in vivo, the most useful model incorporating transit time heterogeneity. The Km averaged 5 microM, which is close to values determined previously in vivo and in vitro. The Amax (Vmax.reaction volume) and Amax/Km averaged 6 nmol/min and 1.5 ml/min, respectively, which are lower than estimates in vivo. In conclusion, we have developed a new method for investigating saturable metabolic activity in cultured endothelium, which after further exploration should also enable better comparisons of endothelial metabolic functions in vivo and in culture.
Models for the Autocatalytic Replication of RNA

It is generally believed that the earliest progenitor of modern life was a set of chemical shapes or reactions that could reproduce itself. Although it is convenient to hypothesize that life began with a nucleic acid such as RNA, there is no a priori reason to believe that the earliest replicators were composed of compounds identical to those found in contemporary organisms. The difficulties inherent in forming nucleotide and oligonucleotide precursors under prebiotic conditions (Pace, 1991) have led many authors to propose that the earliest replicators may have been ‘unnatural’ nucleic acids that contained modified backbones or internucleotide linkages and replicated via complementary chemical shapes such as Watson-Crick base pairings (reviewed in Joyce, 1989; Ellington, 1993). However, while Watson-Crick style complementarity is clearly well-suited to copying chemical information, it is not necessary to envisage life. Wachtershauser (1988) has proposed a scenario in which the earliest replicators were chemical cycles, and Cairns-Smith (1982) has suggested that the first living systems were crystalline matrices, such as clays, that could grow and diversify. These non-Watson-Crick replicators were gradually replaced by nucleic acids in a ‘genetic takeover’ that led to modern life.
New Frontiers in Nucleolar Research: Nucleostemin and Related Proteins

Nucleostemin, guanine nucleotide binding protein-like 3-like (GNL3L), and Ngp-1 (also known as GNL-2) constitute a novel family of nucleolar GTP-binding proteins that are uniquely defined by the combination of five circularly permuted GTP-binding (G) motifs and nucleolar localization. These proteins elegantly reveal the versatility of the nucleolus. The most well-known member of this family is nucleostemin, which was first identified as a neural stem cell-enriched gene product and has later become a focus of attention in multiple research areas, including cell cycle regulation, telomere maintenance, stem cell biology, tumorigenesis, and tissue regeneration. It has also been used to illustrate the molecular mechanism that controls the dynamic shuttling behavior of nucleolar proteins between the nucleolar and nucleoplasmic compartments. New reports have come out that describe not only the biological importance of nucleostemin in mammals but also the functions of its vertebrate paralog, GNL3L, and their common invertebrate ortholog, GNL3. Current data indicate that nucleostemin and GNL3L may have diverged at the inception of vertebrate evolution, and that nucleostemin may have adopted new biological roles while GNL3L inherited the evolutionarily conserved function of GNL3. In vertebrates, nucleostemin, GNL3L, and Ngp-1 display distinct expression profiles and biological activities. They cogently illustrate the complexity of nucleolar biology by showing how this classic organelle integrates a variety of extra- and intra-cellular signals to control key biological events in a dynamic and cell type-specific manner.