cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Hg2+ on cytosolic Ca2+ in isolated skate hepatocytes

Hg2+ is an environmental pollutant that adversely affects a range of cellular functions, including those that regulate free cytosolic Cal 2+ (Ca2+). To investigate the mechanism of Hg2+-induced Ca2+ signaling, we examined the effects of Hg2+ on Cal 2+ in isolated skate hepatocytes, and developed a method to assess cytosolic Hg2+ (Hg2+) in these cells as well. At lower concentrations (1–5 μM), Hg2+ induced little detectable change in Ca2+. At higher concentrations (10 μM-1 mM), Hg2+ induced a dose-dependent, progressive increase in Ca2+ which occurred even in Ca 2+-free medium. Pretreatment of hepatocytes with the membrane-impermeant Hg2+ chelator glutathione (GSH) blocked the Hg2+-induced Cal 2+ increase, whereas addition of GSH after exposure to Hg2+ slowed but did not prevent further increases in Cai2+. Pretreatment with the membrane-permeant H g2+ chelator dithiothreitol (DTT) also blocked Hg2+-induced increases in Ca2+. Unlike GSH, however, addition of DTT after Hg2+ significantly decreased Ca2+, returning it to near-baseline levels. Thapsigargin induced a sustained increase in Ca2+, but subsequent addition of Hg2+ resulted in a further, progressive Ca2+ increase. We also describe the use of the fluorescent dye BTC-5N to measure Hg2+, and with it found that Hg2+ reaches nanomolar levels within minutes of extracellular application, but that these measurable levels of Hg; 2+ do not precede elevations in Ca2+. Hg2+ did not irreversibly damage the hepatocytes over this time period (< 5 min), as determined both by propidium iodide permeability and light microscopic appearance. Together, these findings suggest: (i) Hg2+ increases Cai2+ in skate hepatocytes; (ii) Hg2+ must enter the hepatocytes for this Cal` increase to occur; (iii) this increase is mediated by release of Cat+ from endogenous stores that are distinct from the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores; and (iv) this increase occurs in association with measureable levels of Hg2+ in the cytosol. Adverse cellular effects of Hg2+ may be mediated by changes in Ca2+ that result from intracellular accumulation of this toxic metal.
Spectrum Database Poisoning for Operational Security in Policy-Based Spectrum Operations

We consider two games played between a spectrum manager and an adversary. The manager attempts to allocate spectrum to primary DoD wireless users and secondary non-DoD users by means of a dynamically updated database. The adversary attempts to detect the presence of DoD users within a cell by querying the database. To prevent this, the manager may add false allocation entries into the database at the cost of possibly excluding legitimate secondary users. We calculate the Nash equilibria of these games and show that they can be surprisingly favorable to the DoD and the secondary network. The manager can ensure that the enemy derives no utility from the database without excluding many secondary users on average.
Localization of filaggrin in human middle ear cholesteatoma

Filaggrin, a histidine-rich protein, was located immunohistochemically in human middle ear cholesteatoma by specific antibody. It was found to be localized in the cytoplasm of the granular layer cells and cornified layer. The pattern of distribution is similar to that of epidermis. Filaggrin is a major component of keratohyalin which is a distinct component of the differentiating epidermal cells. Thus the presence of filaggrin in cholesteatoma suggests epidermal characteristics of the cholesteatoma.
Viral expression in experimental canine distemper demyelinating encephalitis.

Summary We have characterized the relationship between the expression of canine distemper virus (CDV) and demyelinating lesions in the white matter of the cerebellum of experimentally infected dogs. In animals which had demyelinating lesions, CDV proteins (N, P, F and H) were expressed and infectious virus could be recovered from brain tissue. Viral proteins (N, P, F and H) were detected by monoclonal antibodies and immunocytochemistry within demyelinating lesions as well as in scattered glial cells in areas of the white matter which lacked detectable lesions. Many cell types, including astrocytes, neurons, ependymal cells, choroid plexus cells, meningeal ceils and perivascular inflammatory cells were labelled for viral antigen. We conclude from our results that the mechanism of demyelination in canine distemper virus-induced encephalitis involves expression of viral gene products at the lesion site.
Photobehavior of the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus californicus and the fine structure of its nauplius eye

. Members of Tigriopus californicus, an harpacticoid copepod, live in small, shallow tidepools in the upper spray zone where they cannot avoid the full effect of visible and ultra- violet (UV) radiation. Field experiments using ambient light show that individuals of T. californicus aggregate in areas of lower radiation at midday, yet have no preference at dawn and dusk. In lab experiments, individuals of T. californicus show no preference between areas exposed only to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) or shade, but aggregate in the shaded portion of a tank when exposed to UV-B. Light detection in T. californicus is presumably by the nauplius eye, which is described at the histological and ultrastructural levels. Microvilli of the photosensitive rhabdomere are regularly packed at noon, dusk, and midnight. Processes suggesting rhabdomere synthesis, including vesicles and tubules binding to the base of microvilli, are observed at these times. At dawn, the rhabdomere shows areas of degeneration and coated pits and multivesicular bodies are common at the base of the microvilli. Comparison with previous studies show a wide variety of nauplius eye complexity in copepods.
Predictors of Organizational Commitment for Faculty and Administrators of a Private Christian University

Faculty and administrators of a private Christian university responded to measures of overall, intrinsic, and extrinsic job satisfaction as well as organizational and religious commitment. The survey measured responses on a five-point Likert-type scale. Data were statistically analyzed by using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Results revealed a six-predictor model that explained 55.6% of the variance of organizational commitment for faculty. Significant predictors included organizational policy and administration, work itself, religious commitment, salary, working conditions, and achievement. A five-predictor model explained 70.8% of the variance of organizational commitment for administrators with the following predictors included: growth, religious commitment, responsibility, job security, and relations with students.
What Turns on Hinges

Being unable - when we surrender ourselves to philosophical thought - to help saying such-and-such; being irresistibly inclined to say it - does not mean being forced into an assumption …
Segmentation and recognition of motion streams by similarity search

Fast and accurate recognition of motion data streams from gesture sensing and motion capture devices has many applications and is the focus of this article. Based on the analysis of the geometric structures revealed by singular value decompositions (SVD) of motion data, a similarity measure is proposed for simultaneously segmenting and recognizing motion streams. A direction identification approach is explored to further differentiate motions with similar data geometric structures. Experiments show that the proposed similarity measure can segment and recognize motion streams of variable lengths with high accuracy, without knowing beforehand the number of motions in a stream.
Epigenetic Regulation by Dietary Phytochemicals in Photocarcinogenesis

Epigenetic mechanisms are of interest as therapeutic targets in photocarcinogenesis as they are reversible. Evidence derived from mouse models of ultraviolet radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis and other photocarcinogenesis models suggests that these changes can be controlled or prevented by phytochemicals derived from dietary plants. Thus, improved knowledge of the potential effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) and proanthocyanidins from grape seeds (GSPs) on epigenetic processes may be useful for the chemoprevention of skin cancers which are a major public health concern. In the present article, we provide a short review of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in mammals and examine the impact of two natural substances, GTPs, and GSPs, on these epigenetic processes.
Peroxisomal Targeting, Import, and Assembly of Alcohol Oxidase in Pichia pastoris

Alcohol oxidase (AOX), the first enzyme in the yeast methanol utilization pathway is a homooctameric peroxisomal matrix protein. In peroxisome biogenesis-defective (pex) mutants of the yeast Pichia pastoris, AOX fails to assemble into active octamers and instead forms inactive cytoplasmic aggregates. The apparent inability of AOX to assemble in the cytoplasm contrasts with other peroxisomal proteins that are able to oligomerize before import. To further investigate the import of AOX, we first identified its peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS). We found that sequences essential for targeting AOX are primarily located within the four COOH-terminal amino acids of the protein leucine-alanine-arginine-phenylalanine COOH (LARF). To examine whether AOX can oligomerize before import, we coexpressed AOX without its PTS along with wild-type AOX and determined whether the mutant AOX could be coimported into peroxisomes. To identify the mutant form of AOX, the COOH-terminal LARF sequence of the protein was replaced with a hemagglutinin epitope tag (AOX-HA). Coexpression of AOX-HA with wild-type AOX (AOX-WT) did not result in an increase in the proportion of AOX-HA present in octameric active AOX, suggesting that newly synthesized AOX-HA cannot oligomerize with AOX-WT in the cytoplasm. Thus, AOX cannot initiate oligomerization in the cytoplasm, but must first be targeted to the organelle before assembly begins.
Patterns of protease production during prostate cancer progression: proteomic evidence for cascades in a transgenic model

Extracellular proteases are recognized as critical factors in the progression of a number of carcinomas, including prostate cancer. Matrix metalloproteases (MMP) are important in processes of tumor growth, invasion and dissemination, but other classes of proteases, such as serine and cysteine proteases, also contribute. We utilized the TRAMP model for prostate cancer to elucidate proteases involved in prostate cancer progression. General proteomic analysis was performed on normal murine prostate, early TRAMP tumors and advanced TRAMP tumors, as well as normal and involved lymph nodes. Zymography and antigenic analyses revealed increased expression of mainly pro-MMP in early TRAMP tumors but substantial elaboration of activated MMP only in late TRAMP tumors. Progressive increase in cysteine, serine and certain membrane-bound proteases from normal to early to advanced prostate tumors, was also seen. Our results implicate pericellular proteases as initiators of major proteolytic cascades during tumor progression and suggest targets for maximal therapeutic effect.
Dissociations between faces and words: comment on Behrmann and Plaut

Behrmann and Plaut recently proposed a ‘many-to-many’ model of visual recognition [1]. According to the model, visual recognition is carried out by a distributed network of cortical mechanisms that are not specialized for particular categories, but rather are involved to some extent in processing many categories. As primary support for the model, Behrmann and Plaut claim that, whereas face recognition is predominantly right-lateralized and word recognition left-lateralized, faces and words are processed by non-independent, overlapping mechanisms.
Effects of cardiac configuration, paddle placement and paddle size on defibrillation current distribution: a finite-element model

The present rationale for clinical defibrillation is empirically based, and the technique is the same for different paddle locations and anatomical configurations. Using a two-dimensional finite element model, we studied the effects of such variations on the distribution of myocardial current during defibrillation, and developed a method to quantitatively assess the potential for a defibrillating shock to cause myocardial damage. We used this method to compare five paddle placements, two paddle sizes and three variations of thoracic anatomy. Anatomical variations did not affect current distributions during electrical defibrillation, whereas paddle position had a marked effect. Paddle positions close to the heart with interposed bony structures between the heart and electrode produced focal regions of much higher than average myocardial current magnitudes. Myocytes in the highest current intensity regions dissipated 49 times the energy dissipated by cells exposed to threshold current magnitudes, potentially causing focal myocardial damage. An alternative paddle position was identified which significantly improved the myocardial current distribution. Maximum energy dissipation was only 4·8 times threshold energy, while defibrillation efficiency was reduced by <7 per cent, minimising the risk of myocardial damage. These results suggest that paddle position plays a dominant role in determining myocardial current distributions and defibrillation-induced damage.
Retrograde transneuronal transport of wheat-germ agglutinin to the retina from visual cortex in the cat.

Injections of peroxidase-conjugated wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA-HRP) were made into areas 17 or 18 of cats. After survivals of 3–7 days, foci of HRP-labeled ganglion cells were found at the appropriate topographic locations in the retinas. The labeling was interpreted as resulting from retrograde transneuronal transport through the lateral geniculate nucleus. This phenomenon offers a new and simple technique for the study of retinotopic maps in visual cortex.
The social environment and walking behavior among low-income housing residents

Walking, both for leisure and for travel/errands, counts toward meeting physical activity recommendations. Both social and physical neighborhood environmental features may encourage or inhibit walking. This study examined social capital, perceived safety, and disorder in relation to walking behavior among a population of low-income housing residents. Social and physical disorder were assessed by systematic social observation in the area surrounding 20 low-income housing sites in greater Boston. A cross-sectional survey of 828 residents of these housing sites provided data on walking behavior, socio-demographics, and individual-level social capital and perceived safety of the areas in and around the housing site. Community social capital and safety were calculated by aggregating individual scores to the level of the housing site. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate prevalence rate ratios for walking less than 10 min per day for a) travel/errands, b) leisure and c) both travel/errands and leisure. 21.8% of participants walked for travel/errands less than 10 min per day, 34.8% for leisure, and 16.8% for both kinds of walking. In fully adjusted models, those who reported low individual-level social capital and safety also reported less overall walking and less walking for travel/errands. Unexpectedly, those who reported low social disorder also reported less walking for leisure, and those who reported high community social capital also walked less for all outcomes. Physical disorder and community safety were not associated with walking behavior. For low-income housing residents, neighborhood social environmental variables are unlikely the most important factors in determining walking behavior. Researchers should carefully weigh the respective limitations of subjective and objective measures of the social environment when linking them to health outcomes.
Recognition Memory: The Relationship of Accuracy and Latency of Response Under Different Memory Loads in Retardates.

Abstract Ten moderately retarded, well-practiced children served as Ss in a repeated measures design. The task was the recognition of pictures using a probe procedure. Accuracy decreased as a function of number of pictures (1, 5, 9, or 15) that were present and latency of response increased. Correlational analyses showed high reliabilities and high intercorrelations among the accuracy scores and among latency scores but low intercorrelations of accuracy and latency. A varimax factor rotation yielded two factors associated, respectively, with latency and accuracy.
Discrimination between solid and liquid velocities in slurry flow using laser Doppler velocimeter

Abstract A method to discriminate between solid and liquid velocities in a refractive index matched solid-liquid slurry flow has been developed. The matching of the refractive index of the solid and liquid allows the use of non-intrusive two color backscatter mode laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) to measure the local solid and liquid velocities. A horizontal pipe flow configuration is used. Silica gel particles of mean diameter 40 μm and 50% sodium iodide solution are used as the refractive index matched solid and liquid, respectively. A signal processing technique which utilizes histograms of velocity along with signal amplitude discrimination is developed for differentiating between the solid and liquid velocities in the refractive index matched slurry. The technique utilizes the peaks in the velocity histogram that are associated with the local solid and liquid velocity data. Signal amplitude discrimination is used for identifying the histogram peaks associated with the solid and liquid velocities respectively and obtain the velocity distributions for the solid and the liquid in the histogram. This technique has been successfully applied to the slurry flows of low turbulence intensity (≤10%) with volumetric concentration as high as 25% in the heterogeneous and saltatin flow regimes.
Visualizing co-retweeting behavior for recommending relevant real-time content

Twitter is a popular medium for discussing unfolding events in real-time. Due to the large volume of user generated data during these events, it's important to be able recommend the best content while it's fresh. Current recommendation algorithms for Twitter take into account the user's tweets and her social network, but since real-time events might be unique or unexpected, the history of a user may not be sufficient for finding the most relevant content. Additionally, for users who want to join the conversation at that specific moment (or follow it without having to create an account), the system will be faced with the cold-start problem. We propose a simple visualization technique that considers the activity of the whole community participating in the real-time discussion, by capturing their co-retweeting behavior. Such a technique depicts the big picture, allowing a user to choose content from parts of the community that share her opinions or beliefs.
Taste heterogeneity and urban spatial structure: The logit model and monocentric theory reconciled

Abstract A model of urban spatial structure for a linear and closed monocentric city is formulated by allowing the presence of randomly distributed idiosyncratic tastes for location in an otherwise uniform household population. Land use equilibrium conditions are shown to have a stochastic representation which depends on the distribution of the idiosyncratic tastes over the population of households. A special case in which the multinomial logit model gives the representative household's locational choice probability is derived and examined for a logarithmic utility function. It is shown that the stochastic equilibrium can also be obtained as the solution of a welfare optimum problem, either by maximizing total social welfare (primal) or by minimizing total opportunity cost (dual). Either formulation gives the equilibrium allocations and associated decentralizing land prices. Some comparative statics analysis is undertaken to show that while most results are like those of the Alonso-Mills-Muth model, increasing taste heterogeneity decentralizes the linear urban form, “flattening” the rent and population density gradients. The Alonso-Mills-Muth solution is obtained as an asymptotically limiting case which provides an upper bound on the “steepness” of the rent and population density gradients and a lower bound on the length of the linear city and the welfare level of the representative consumer.
Degradation of polymer-based light-emitting diodes during operation

Abstract Segmented block copolymers consisting of conjugated-nonconjugated sequences are useful chromophores in polymer LEDs and can lead to efficient devices of high luminance. The lifetime of such diodes depends on numerous chemical and physical interactions. Some of these pertaining to the chromophore/electrode interface can be usefully studied by optical and various electron microscopies. In typical diodes studied here, failure is associated inter alia with irregularities in the spin-coated polymer films. Atomic force microscopy provides a more detailed examination of the morphology of the polymer films.
On numerical methods for Hamiltonian PDEs and a collocation method for the Vlasov-Maxwell equations

Abstract Hamiltonian partial differential equations often have implicit conservation laws—constants of the motion—embedded within them. It is not, in general, possible to preserve these conservation laws simply by discretization in conservative form because there is frequently only one explicit conservation law. However, by using weighted residual methods and exploiting the Hamiltonian structure of the equations it is shown that at least some of the conservation laws are preserved in a method of lines (continuous in time). In particular, the Hamiltonian can always be exactly preserved as a constant of the motion. Other conservation laws, in particular linear and quadratic Casimirs and momenta, can sometimes be conserved too, depending on the details of the equations under consideration and the form of discretization employed. Collocation methods also offer automatic conservation of linear and quadratic Casimirs. Some standard discretization methods, when applied to Hamiltonian problems are shown to be derived from a numerical approximation to the exact Poisson bracket of the system. A method for the Vlasov–Maxwell equations based on Legendre–Gauss–Lobatto collocation is presented as an example of these ideas.
On business activity modeling using grammars

Web based applications offer a mainstream channel for businesses to manage their activities. We model such business activity in a grammar-based framework. The Backus Naur form notation is used to represent the syntax of a regular grammar corresponding to Web log patterns of interest. Then, a deterministic finite state machine is used to parse Web logs against the grammar. Detected tasks are associated with metadata such as time taken to perform the activity, and aggregated along relevant corporate dimensions.
The instability of an annular thread of fluid

The instability of an annular coating of liquid on a wire or on the inside of a small tube subject to capillary forces at its free surface is discussed. It was found that for given values of s/a, the ratio of the two radii of the annulus, and S ≡ρTa/μ2, the reciprocal of the square of the Ohnesorge number, there is a disturbance of a certain wavelength (2πa/λ)*, which grows more rapidly than disturbances of any other wavelength. One would therefore expect the liquid to break up into a regular pattern of drops with spacing given by this wavelength. The dependence of (2πa/λ)* on s/a and S has been calculated and is presented graphically. Experimental observations on drop formation on wires and in tubes which agree with the calculations are given.
Stability of Furosemide in Human Albumin Solution

OBJECTIVE:To determine the chemical stability of furosemide in human albumin solution over a 28-day period and to assess admixtures for microbiologic contamination.METHODS:Samples were prepared by mixing furosemide injectable solution and 25% human albumin solution in a 1:1 molar ratio. Six bulk containers were prepared and stored in the dark: 3 under refrigeration (∼4 °C) and 3 at room temperature (∼25 °C). Study samples were withdrawn from each bulk solution immediately after preparation and at predetermined intervals over the subsequent 28 days. Containers were observed for color change and precipitation against a light and dark background at each sampling interval. Total furosemide concentration was determined using HPLC. Additional vials were prepared and assessed for microbiologic growth at time points corresponding with chemical stability results.RESULTS:A mean of 94.5% ± 1.33% of the initial furosemide concentration remained after 48 hours at room temperature. Under refrigeration, 100.6% ± 1.02% o...
FRESHWATER DINOFLAGELLATES OF BELIZE, C.A.

Freshwater dinoflagellates have not previously been reported from Belize, although there has been extensive work with marine dinoflagellates and some work with other freshwater groups. Freshwater dinoflagellates are more frequently observed in standing water and none have been observed in the several streams and rivers sampled since 1990. The goal in 1998 was to examine water samples from small ponds within hours of collection to improve the chance of observing swimming dinoflagellates. A plankton net was used and whole water samples also were collected. A small brown water pond on a peninsula and 30m from the Caribbean yielded a bloom of Thompsodinium intermedium. Dinoflagellates, including Peridinium centenniale, Katodinium sp., and Peridinium sp. in the Umbonatum Group, were observed within “Crocodile pond” and “Lily pond” on the mainland.
Modeling of direct detection Doppler wind lidar. I. The edge technique

Analytic models, based on a convolution of a Fabry-Perot etalon transfer function with a Gaussian spectral source, are developed for the shot-noise-limited measurement precision of Doppler wind lidars based on the edge filter technique by use of either molecular or aerosol atmospheric backscatter. The Rayleigh backscatter formulation yields a map of theoretical sensitivity versus etalon parameters, permitting design optimization and showing that the optimal system will have a Doppler measurement uncertainty no better than approximately 2.4 times that of a perfect, lossless receiver. An extension of the models to include the effect of limited etalon aperture leads to a condition for the minimum aperture required to match light collection optics. It is shown that, depending on the choice of operating point, the etalon aperture finesse must be 4-15 to avoid degradation of measurement precision. A convenient, closed-form expression for the measurement precision is obtained for spectrally narrow backscatter and is shown to be useful for backscatter that is spectrally broad as well. The models are extended to include extrinsic noise, such as solar background or the Rayleigh background on an aerosol Doppler lidar. A comparison of the model predictions with experiment has not yet been possible, but a comparison with detailed instrument modeling by McGill and Spinhirne shows satisfactory agreement. The models derived here will be more conveniently implemented than McGill and Spinhirne's and more readily permit physical insights to the optimization and limitations of the double-edge technique.
INTERACTION OF HORSE HEART CYTOCHROME C WITH LIPID BILAYER MEMBRANES : EFFECTS ON REDOX POTENTIALS

Cyclic voltammetry has been used to study the effects of interactions between horse cytochrome c and solid-supported planar lipid membranes, comprised of either egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) or PC plus 20 mol.% cardiolipin (CL), on the redox potential and the electrochemical electron transfer rate between the protein and a semiconductor electrode. Experiments were performed over a wide range of cytochrome c concentrations (0–440 μM) at low (20 mM) and medium (160 mM) ionic strengths. Three types of electrochemical behavior were observed, which varied as a function of the experimental conditions. At very low cytochrome c concentration (≍0.1 μM), and under conditions where electrostatic forces dominated the protein–lipid membrane interaction (i.e., low ionic strength with membranes containing CL), a redox potential (≍265 mV) and an electrochemical electron transfer rate constant (0.09s −1)were obtained which compare well with those measured in other laboratories using a variety of different chemical modifications of the working electrode. Two other electrochemical signals (not reported with chemically modified electrodes) were also observed to occur at higher cytochrome c concentrations with this membrane system, as well as with two other systems (membranes containing CL under medium ionic strength conditions, and PC only at low ionic strength). These involved positive shifts of the cytochrome c redox potential (by 40 and 60 mV) and large decreases in the electron transfer rate (to 0.03 and 0.003 s−1). The observations can be rationalized in terms of a structural model of the cytochrome c–membrane interaction, in which association involves both electrostatic and hydrophobic forces and results in varying degrees of insertion of the protein into the hydrophobic interior of the membrane.
Dynamic linking of software components

Traditionally, dynamic linkers merely combined previously compiled pieces of code. Faster processors are now making outright code generation at load time practical, leading to cross-platform portability at very little extra cost. While the central idea behind dynamic linking is quite straightforward, it can be implemented through a surprising variety of strategies. The author contrasts three simple dynamic linking schemes with two much more elaborate strategies. The latter represent a workload shift from the compiler to the dynamic linker, just as dynamic linking itself represents a shift that moves the functions of a separate linker into the loader. Because the new techniques promise the profound additional benefit of cross-platform portability, they will most likely displace the currently popular linking-loader approach.
The role of avian reoviruses in turkey tenosynovitis/arthritis

Turkey arthritis reovirus (TARV) has been isolated from the gastrocnemius tendons and tibiotarsal joint fluid of lame male turkeys >12 weeks old in the Midwest. Two experiments were conducted to compare the pathogenicity in turkeys of three TARVs (TARV-MN2, TARV-MN4 and TARV-O'Neil), one turkey enteric reovirus (TERV strain MN1) and one chicken arthritis reovirus (CARV strain MN1). Two hundred microlitres of virus were inoculated by the oral, intratracheal, or footpad route into 6-day-old poults placed in isolator units. Poults were necropsied at 1 and 4 weeks post infection in Experiment 1, and at 2 and 4 weeks post infection in Experiment 2. Reovirus was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and virus isolation in tendons of TARV-inoculated poults at 1, 2 and 4 weeks post infection. TARV-O'Neil and TARV-MN2 were detected in tendons of sentinal birds at 1 and 4 weeks and 1 week p.i., respectively. In general, TARVs produced lymphocytic tenosynovitis of the gastrocnemius and digital flexor tendon sheaths without inflammation of the tendons proper. In Experiment 1, poults inoculated with TARV-MN2 and TARV-O'Neil had significantly higher gastrocnemius tendon inflammation scores, as determined by histology, than those inoculated with TERV-MN1 or CARV-MN1. In Experiment 2, poults inoculated with TARV-MN2 and TARV-O'Neil had significantly higher gastrocnemius tendon inflammation scores than those inoculated with TARV-MN4 and virus-free medium (negative control group). Koch's postulates was fulfilled when TARV-MN2 and TARV-O'Neil were re-isolated from tendons of poults that had originally been challenged with either of these viruses. Results of these experiments indicate that TARVs have a unique ability to induce gastrocnemius tenosynovitis in turkeys and that administration of TARV-O'Neil through the oral or intratracheal route is a reproducible model to study pathogenesis of TARV infection.
An Anchor-Board-Based Flexible Optoelectronic Harness for Off-Chip Optical Interconnects

A flexible optical interconnect prototype at board/card-level using a novel anchor-board-based optoelectronic (OE) harness is experimentally demonstrated at 2 Gb/s. The flexible OE harness comprises a thin polyimide film laminated on two narrow anchor boards where edge-emitting lasers (EELs) and p-i-n photodetectors (PDs) are positioned and integrated with polymer waveguides. High-speed electronics are surface-mounted on two separate printed-circuit boards, making the OE harness detachable and field-reparable. A large EEL-PD lateral alignment tolerance of >1.5 mm for a 15-cm interconnect distance is achieved without any microlens. One or multiple channels can be simultaneously aligned and formed during one single ultraviolet exposure. A cost-effective field repair strategy is thus envisioned.
Requirements for the Physical Layer of the NOTICE System for Vehicular Communications

In this paper we investigate physical layer require- ments for the NOTICE system proposed for notification of traffic incidents. The system uses short-range wireless communication between vehicles and sensor belts embedded in the roadway which impose constraints on time available for connection and data exchange, and we study the probabilities of establishing the wireless link and of successfully exchanging information between a sensor belt and a vehicle passing over it. We derive analytical expressions for these probabilities as functions of several pa- rameters such as the time available for handshaking/information exchange, average speed of the vehicle, data rate and amount of information to be exchanged between vehicle and belt, and we evaluate their values for specific parameters corresponding to practical scenarios. Our numerical results indicate that inex- pensive short-range wireless systems such as ZigBee radios are good candidates for the physical layer of the NOTICE system.
MUSCLE VOLUME AS A PREDICTOR OF MAXIMUM FORCE GENERATING ABILITY IN THE PLANTAR FLEXORS POST-STROKE

Introduction: Post-stroke muscle weakness is commonly thought to be the result of a combination of decreased voluntary activation and decreased maximum force generating ability (MFGA). We assessed the ability of muscle volumes obtained using MRI to estimate the MFGA of the plantar flexor muscle group in individuals post-stroke. Methods: MRI was used to measure muscle volume of the plantar flexor muscle group in 17 individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis. A modified burst superimposition test was used to measure force of volitional contraction and predict the MFGA of the plantar flexors. Results: While muscle volume obtained by means of MRI provided information on the overall size of muscle, it overestimated the force generating ability of the paretic plantar flexors. Conclusions: Results suggest that MRI-derived muscle volume underestimates the functional impairment in individuals post-stroke. Interestingly, the central activation ratio had a strong relationship with the maximum volitional force of contraction. Muscle Nerve 48: 971–976, 2013
Chromatic Dispersion Characteristics Of Single-Mode Fluoride Fibers Having A-Profiles,

In this paper we report, for the first time, on the chromatic dispersion, in the 1.9 - 5.2 μm region, of single-mode, mid-IR, heavy metal fluoride (HMF) fibers with a-profiles. Excellent dispersion-flattened characteristics are obtained with a range of a-profiles, core diameters and relative index differences. Small variations in these three parameters are not critical.
Pharmacokinetics of cefoxitin in patients at term gestation: Lavage versus intravenous administration

Despite the increasing popularity of antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce febrile morbidity in patients who undergo cesarean delivery, little is known of the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics in the patient at term gestation. This study was designed to elucidate the pharmacokinetics of cefoxitin when administered intravenously or by uterine and peritoneal lavage at cesarean section. Significant differences were found in the values for total body clearance area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC), and K21 of cefoxitin administered intravenously to pregnant patients at term gestation compared to values for these parameters observed in nonpregnant patients. The concentration of cefoxitin in decidual tissue after uterine and peritoneal lavage with the antibiotic was 92.5 +/- 10.1 micrograms/gm (mean +/- SEM), whereas the concentration of cefoxitin in decidual tissue after intravenous administration of the antibiotic was 36.9 +/- 10.5 micrograms/gm (mean +/- SEM). This difference is statistically significant (p less than 0.05). We conclude that the pharmacokinetics of cefoxitin are altered in the pregnant patient as evidenced by the increased rapidity of clearance of the antibiotic (total body clearance for cefoxitin in pregnant patients, 20.41 L/hr). Moreover, uterine and peritoneal lavage results in significant tissue concentrations of antibiotic, which is of potential importance since the decidua is a presumed site of initiation of bacterial infection after cesarean section.
Characterization of a primary cell culture model of the avian renal proximal tubule

Methods have been developed for producing functional, transporting monolayers of avian proximal tubule (PT) cells. A highly homogenous fraction of PT fragments was prepared by enzymatic digestion (...
The Anti-Ulcer Drug Ranitidine Hydrochloride and its Synthetic Intermediates are Inactivators of Monoamine Oxidase-B

AbstractRanitidine hydrochloride (1) and two of its synthetic precursors (2 and 3) were found to be time-dependent, irreversible inactivators of monoamine oxidase-B from beef liver.
Efficacy of chlorine dioxide disinfection to non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli and non-tuberculous mycobacteria in a hospital water system.

Summary Background Chlorinated tap water in hospitals often contains low levels of non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Measures are needed to ensure a safe water supply in hospitals to prevent nosocomial infections from these waterborne pathogens. Aim To evaluate the efficacy of ClO 2 treatment of a hospital water system on the levels of NFGNB and NTM in the water. Methods Our institution is a 1000-bed medical centre with two main buildings (B1 and B2). B1 has three intensive care units (ICUs) and transplant wards and polyethylene water pipes. B2 (control) has no ICUs and galvanized water pipes. A ClO 2 generating unit was installed in the water system of B1 in April 2012 and water samples were collected in B1 and B2 before and eight times after installation. All samples were cultured for NFGNB and NTM. Findings The ClO 2 concentration was significantly lower in the hot water than in the cold water ( P 2 use, the overall NFGNB colonies decreased significantly (hot water: 160±143 vs 2±4cfu/mL, P P Pseudomonas spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp., were undetected three months after ClO 2 disinfection; Sphingomonas spp. persisted but had lower colony counts. NTM was present in 25% (three out of 12) of sampling locations initially, but was not detected at two weeks after ClO 2 disinfection. The ICUs had no overall change in the number of NFGNB nosocomial infections after the intervention. Conclusion Addition of a ClO 2 disinfection unit to our hospital water system reduced the numbers of NTM and NFGNB in the hot and cold water systems.
Risk of cancer-specific, cardiovascular, and all-cause mortality among Asian and Pacific Islander breast cancer survivors in the United States, 1991–2011

Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women in the United States (U.S.) are a heterogeneous group reported to have better prognosis after breast cancer (BC) compared to their Non-Hispanic White (NHW) counterparts. Few studies have examined differences in BC survival between individual API ethnic groups. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 462,005 NHW and 44,531 API women diagnosed with incident, stage I–III BC between 1991 and 2011 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 18 registries. SEER-reported API ethnicity was grouped as Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Korean, Vietnamese, Asian Indian and Pakistani, and Pacific Islander. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for risk of BC-specific, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality comparing API to NHW women. We also estimated mortality risk comparing U.S.-born to non-U.S.-born women. Compared to NHW women, API women overall had lower BC-specific, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. BC-specific mortality risk was lowest among Japanese women (HR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.63–0.77). Other women had similar (Filipino, HR 0.93, 0.86–1.00; Hawaiian, HR 1.01, 0.89–1.17) or greater (Pacific Islander, HR 1.44, 1.17–1.78) risk of BC-specific death. Compared to non-U.S. born API women, findings were suggestive of increased cardiovascular (HR 1.12, 1.03–1.20) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.29, 1.08–1.54) among U.S.-born API women. Mortality risk varies greatly between BC survivors from different API backgrounds. Further research is warranted to understand these disparities in BC survivorship and the social and cultural factors that possibly contribute to greater mortality among later-generation API women born in the United States.
Reflections on Fifty Years of Skin Friction Measurement

*The purpose of this paper is to review early skin friction measurements in view of t heir relevance to current methods in prac tical use, both well -established older ones and those based on new technologies that have become recently available. In particular, the floating element measurements at Caltech in the 1950:s on flat surfaces up to hypersonic velocities, and the pressure g radient correction technique developed by Thomann’s group in Switzerland are di scussed in detail . The concluding remarks emphasize the importance of thorough understanding of the physical phenomena governing both the operation of the sensor instrument and the characteristics of the flow field where the measurements are made.
Using Video-Stimulated Recall to Enhance Preservice-Teacher Reflection

ABSTRACTTeacher-education programs are under increasing pressure to demonstrate the effectiveness of their graduates at a time in which many states have adopted a new generation of formal teacher-evaluation systems. Despite the current emphasis on the evaluation of teacher proficiency, the opportunity to reflect upon practice remains a vital aspect of teacher education. This exploratory study investigates the potential that video-stimulated recall (VSR) holds for promoting preservice-teacher reflection in conjunction with a state-mandated evaluation instrument. Results indicate that VSR holds promise for improving specific and growth-oriented reflection though there is potential for more.
Baroreflex-induced vasoconstriction in active skeletal muscle of conscious dogs

We investigated the magnitude of baroreflex-mediated vasoconstriction in the hindlimbs of six conscious dogs at rest and during four levels of treadmill exercise ranging in intensity from mild (2 mph, 0% grade) to heavy (6 mph, 10% grade). Dogs were instrumented with vascular occluders on both common carotid arteries, an electromagnetic flow probe and vascular occluder on the terminal aorta, and a catheter in a branch of the femoral artery; aortic baroreceptors were intact. The responses to a 2-min carotid occlusion were observed at rest and after 3-5 min of exercise at each work rate. The increases in mean arterial pressure during carotid occlusion were similar at rest and at each level of exercise (26 +/- 4 to 35 +/- 3 mmHg; no significant difference). At rest, carotid occlusion caused only a small but significant decrease in terminal aortic vascular conductance (TAC) (-0.89 +/- 0.21 ml.min-1.mmHg-1, P less than 0.05). During mild exercise, baseline terminal aortic blood flow (TAQ) and TAC increased, and the reduction in TAC during carotid occlusion exceeded that observed at rest (-1.85 +/- 0.42 ml.min-1.mmHg-1, P less than 0.05). As exercise intensity increased, the magnitude of the reduction in TAC during carotid occlusion increased linearly with the baseline TAQ. At the highest work rate, approximately 59% of the increase in mean arterial pressure during carotid occlusion was due to the large decrease in TAC (-6.35 +/- 0.50 ml.min-1.mmHg-1). We conclude that the vasoconstriction of active skeletal muscle during the pressor response to bilateral carotid occlusion increased with exercise intensity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Clinical research of upstream tirofiban versus downstream tirofiban on coronary artery patency and myocardial perfusion in high-risk acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions

Objective:To evaluate the effects of upstream tirofiban versus downstream tirofiban on target artery patency and myocardial perfusion in high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome(NSTE-ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Method:From July 2006 to July 2007,160 high-risk NSTE-ACS undergoing PCI were randomized to receive upstream(within 4-6 h before coronary angiography) tirofiban and downstream(prior to PCI) tirofiban.Based on pretreatment with aspirin and clopidogrel,to observe the TIMI(Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) flow grade and the TIMI myocardial perfusion grade(TMPG) of target artery before and after PCI as well as platelet aggregation inhibition.To record the incidence of bleeding complications and thrombocytopenia during administrating tirofiban.Result:The extent of platelet aggregation inhibition before coronary angiography was significantly better with upstream tirofiban(8.5% vs 42.0%,P0.05).The TIMI flow grade 2-3 and TMPG 2-3 perfusion were significantly more frequent with upstream tirofiban compared with downstream tirofiban before PCI(81% vs 62% and 62% vs 33%,respectively;P0.05).The TIMI flow grade 3 was similar between the two groups after PCI(99% vs 98%,P0.05),but upstream tirofiban was also associated with a significantly better TMPG 2-3 perfusion(89% vs 64%,P0.05).The incidences of major and minor bleeding complications as well as mild thrombocytopenia during administrating tirofiban were similar between the two groups(2.5% vs 1.25%,1.25% vs 1.25% and 1.25% vs 1.25%,respectively;P0.05).Conclusion:Based on pretreatment with aspirin and clopidogrel,upstream tirofiban are associated with early reinforced anti-platelet treatment as well as improved target artery patency and myocardial perfusion among high-risk NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI.
Research: Inside a trader in global trading

As defined by the APM^1, a trader provides a 'rendezvous mechanism for dynamic binding of clients to some well-known or published services'. Information becomes more involved and inaccessible between clients and servers when the environment grows into a very large-scale networked community. The functions to manage the dynamics of trading become so sophisticated and complicated compared to the simple client/ server concept that they require some special system module to provide such services to both the clients and servers. Standard trading policy also must be established to enable diverse clients and servers to participate in this general trading facility. This paper discusses the increasing prominence of traders and the different stages of growth of the environment in which the traders perform. It examines various standards related to trading. It provides a practicable technical approach, and suggests an implementable architecture leading to the development of a standard-compliant trader that can perform at various stages as the environment matures.