cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using surface plasmon resonance imaging to study bacterial biofilms.

This paper describes the use of Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging (SPRi) as an emerging technique to study bacterial physiology in real-time without labels. The overwhelming majority of bacteria on earth exist in large multicellular communities known as biofilms. Biofilms are especially problematic because they facilitate the survival of pathogens, leading to chronic and recurring infections as well as costly industrial complications. Monitoring biofilm accumulation and removal is therefore critical in these and other applications. SPRi uniquely provides label-free, high-resolution images of biomass coverage on large channel surfaces up to 1 cm2 in real time, which allow quantitative assessment of biofilm dynamics. The rapid imaging capabilities of this technique are particularly relevant for multicellular bacterial studies, as these cells can swim several body lengths per second and divide multiple times per hour. We present here the first application of SPRi to image Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells moving, attaching, and forming biofilms across a large surface. This is also the first time that biofilm removal has been visualized with SPRi, which has important implications for monitoring the biofouling and regeneration of fluidic systems. Initial images of the removal process show that the biofilm releases from the surface as a wave along the direction of the fluid flow.
Estimation of Mercury Vapor Flux from Natural Substrate in Nevada

The contribution of mercury to the atmosphere from natural sources is not well-quantified, particularly at the regional scale. This modeling study employed a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) ap...
Three-parameter vs. two-parameter Weibull distribution for pultruded composite material properties

The three-parameter and two-parameter Weibull distributions are compared using 26 mechanical property data sets of fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) composite materials manufactured by the pultrusion process. Both strength and stiffness properties were examined. The probability distributions were compared on the basis of goodness of fit, nominal design values, and allowable load to achieve uniform reliability. It is recommended that the two-parameter Weibull distribution be used to characterize FRP composite material properties. The primary basis for this recommendation is small differences in nominal design values and small differences in allowable loads between the two-parameter and three-parameter Weibull distributions. Other supporting reasons for the recommendation are similar observed significance levels in distribution fitting, computational efficiency, and the fact that the location parameter of the three-parameter Weibull distribution is near the first order statistic.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Increased Costs for Patients and Their Families

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the direct (medical and prescription drug) and indirect (work loss) costs of children treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their family members. Method The data source was an administrative database from a national, Fortune 100 manufacturer that included all medical, pharmaceutical, and disability claims for beneficiaries (n > 100,000). The analysis involved four samples. The ADHD patient sample included individuals age 18 or younger with at least one ADHD claim during the study period (1996–1998). Resource utilization of ADHD patients was contrasted with a matched control sample of patients who did not have claims for ADHD. The ADHD and non-ADHD family samples included non-ADHD family members of ADHD patients and their matched controls. Results The annual average expenditure (direct cost) per ADHD patient was $1,574, compared to $541 among matched controls. The annual average payment (direct plus indirect cost) per family member was $2,728 for non-ADHD family members of ADHD patients versus $1,440 for family members of matched controls. Both patient and family cost differences were significant at the 95% confidence level. Conclusions ADHD imposes a significant financial burden regarding the cost of medical care and work loss for patients and family members.
Analysis of Branched Interface Cracks

A solution is presented for the problem of a finite length crack branching off the interface between two bonded dissimilar isotropic materials. Results are presented in terms of the ratio of the energy release rate of a branched interface crack to the energy release rate of a straight interface crack with the same total length. It is found that this ratio reaches a maximum when the interface crack branches into the softer material. Longer branches tend to have smaller maximum energy release rate ratio angles indicating that all else being equal, a branch crack will tend to turn back parallel to the interface as it grows.
Classical counterexamples to Bell's inequalities

This paper shows that a classical system containing a conventional yes/no decision-making component can behave like a quantum system of spin measurements in many ways (although it lacks a wave function) when, in principle, there are no deterministic decision procedures to govern the decision making, and when probabilistic decision procedures consistent with the system are introduced. Most notably, the system violates Bell's inequalities. Moreover, since the system is simple and macroscopic, its similarities to quantum systems arguably provide an insight into quantum mechanics and, in particular, EPR experiments. Thus, from the qualitative correspondences, $\mathrm{decisions}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}\mathrm{quantum}$ measurements and the impossibility of deterministic decision $\mathrm{procedures}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}\mathrm{quantum}$ noncommutativity, we conclude that the violation of Bell's inequalities in quantum mechanics does not require the existence of an unknown nonclassical nonlocality. It can merely be a result of local noncommutativity combined with nonlocalities of the classical type. The proposed classical decision-making system is a nonquantum theoretical construct possessing complementarity features in Bohr's sense.
An information retrieval system to manage program maintenance reports in a data processing shop

Programming maintenance is a routine process in a data processing shop. Programming maintenance in most cases is performed as either a routine task or to fix a problem. In either case, care must be taken when applying programming maintenance. This is because programming maintenance has the possibility of undoing earlier programming maintenance changes. A programmer should examine earlier programming maintenance before applying new maintenance. The programmer can also gain valuable knowledge of the overall structure of the programming by examining past programming maintenance. Many data processing shops recognize the importance of documenting programming maintenance descriptions. In fact, some data processing shops require that any programming maintenance that is applied must be documented in the program before it is installed into production. Although this is a convenient place to store the programming maintenance descriptions, there are no efficient and/or effective procedures to facilitate searching. This paper discusses an information retrieval system to assist in managing programming maintenance descriptions in a data processing shop that manages student records.
In vitro synthesis of RNA by Xenopus spermatogenic cells. I. Evidence for polyadenylated and non‐polyadenylated RNA synthesis in different cell populations

Premeiotic and postmeiotic (haploid) gene expression during spermatogenesis in the anuran, Xenopus laevis, was studied by analyzing the accumulation of radioactively labelled cytoplasmic polyadenylated [poly (A +) ] and non-polyadenylated [poly (A -) ] RNAs. Dissociated spermatogenic cells were labelled and maintained in an in vitro system capable of supporting cell differentiation. Labelled cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation into subpopulations enriched for individual spermatogenic stages. RNA was extracted and purified from each cell fraction, and separated into poly (A +) and poly (A -) species. Comparison of poly (A +) to non-poly (A) radioactivity in cells labelled with tritiated uridine or adenosine demonstrated that (1) all cell fractions produced significant quantities of polyadenylated RNA relative to total RNA synthesis; and (2) that a cell fraction enriched for pachytene spermatocyte RNA contained up to 15% of total cytoplasmic and 35% of total polysomal RNA labelled as poly (A +) containing species. RNA was also characterized by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All cell types showed typical poly (A -) peaks of 4S, 18S and 28S, corresponding to tRNA (4S) and rRNAs (18, 28S) respectively. Spermatids and spermatozoa had additional absorbance peaks at 13 and 21S which cosedimented with Xenopus oocyte mitochondrial rRNA. Patterns of incorporation of uridine and adenosine into poly (A +) RNA in all germ cell fractions tested were complex. In all cases, major areas of radioactivity were found in a broad band sedimenting between 6–17S. Spermatid fractions showed a prominent peak of incorporation at 6–8S, while pachytene cells also showed heavier poly (A +) peaks in the 17–25S region. A non-polyadenylated RNA species sedimenting at 6–8S with a relatively rapid rate of turnover was also observed in spermatids. From these results it is concluded that synthesis of transfer, ribosomal, and putative messenger RNA species continues in spermatogenic cells throughout all but the very last stages of spermatogenesis in Xenopus.
A dominant allele of PDR1 alters transition metal resistance in yeast

Abstract A yeast mutant was found to have defective growth on low iron medium despite a normal high affinity iron transport system. The phenotype results from a gain of function mutation inPDR1, which encodes a transcription factor that acts as a regulator of pleiotropic drug resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The mutant allele, PDR1(R821H), was found to result in increased expression of at least 19 genes, three of which are ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Expression of at least six genes was required to show the low iron growth defect. Wild type cells transformed with the PDR1(R821H) allele or a PDR1 dominant allele (PDR1–3) showed the low iron growth defect as well as increased resistance to drugs such as cycloheximide and oligomycin. Transformation of PDR1(R821H) into Δccc1 cells, which were previously shown to have increased sensitivity to high iron medium because of defective vacuolar iron storage (Li, L., Chen, O. S., Ward, D. M., and Kaplan, J. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 29515–29519), conferred resistance to high iron medium. Cells expressingPDR1(R821H) also showed increased resistance to copper and manganese because of increased metal export. These results suggest that expression of PDR1-regulated genes affects both efflux and storage of transition metals.
Stimulation of p42 and p44 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases by Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide in Hippocampus

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been suggested to act as cellular messengers that mediate signal transduction cascades in various cell types. However, little is known about their role in this capacity in the nervous system. We have begun to investigate the role of ROS, and that of nitric oxide (NO), in mediating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in rat hippocampal slices. Our studies have revealed that direct exposure of hippocampal slices to hydrogen peroxide, xanthine/xanthine oxidase (a superoxide-generating system), sodium nitroprusside (an NO donor compound), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (an NO donor compound), or 3-morpholinosydnonimine (a compound that produces NO and superoxide) results in an enhancement in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including proteins with apparent molecular masses of 42 and 44 kDa. We investigated the possibility that these proteins correspond to the active forms of p42 MAPK and p44 MAPK. Hippocampal slices exposed to various ROS and NO donors resulted in increases in levels of the active forms of both p42 MAPK and p44 MAPK. The ROS- and NO-enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of p42 MAPK and p44 MAPK were inhibited by pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Our observations indicate that ROS and NO can mediate protein tyrosine phosphorylation and MAPK signaling in the hippocampus via a redox-sensitive mechanism and suggest a potential cellular mechanism for their effects in the nervous system.
Room reverberation effects in hearing aid feedback cancellation

Room reverberation can affect feedback cancellation in hearing aids, with the strength of the effects depending on the acoustical conditions. These effects were studied using a behind the ear (BTE) hearing aid mounted on a dummy head and coupled to the ear canal via an open fitting. The hearing aid impulse response was measured for the dummy head placed at eight closely spaced locations in a typical office. The feedback cancellation in the hearing aid used a set of filter coefficients that were initialized for one location within the room, and then allowed to adapt to the feedback path measured at the same or to a different location. The maximum stable gain for the hearing aid was then estimated without feedback cancellation, for the initial set of feedback cancellation filter coefficients prior to adaptation, and for the feedback cancellation filter after adaptation. A low-order ARMA model combining a fixed set of poles with an adaptive FIR filter is shown to be effective in representing the feedback path exclusive of reverberation. Increasing the adaptive filter length has only a small benefit in improving the feedback cancellation performance due to the inability of the system to model the room reverberation. The mismatch between the modeled and actual feedback paths limits the headroom increase that can be achieved when using feedback cancellation, and varies with the location within the room.
Carbon-hydrogen bond activation with a cyclometalated zirconocene hydride: Mechanistic differences between arene and alkane reductive elimination

Thermolysis of the cyclometalated zirconocene hydride (η5-C5H3-1,3-(SiMe3)2)(η5-C5H3-3-SiMe3-1-η1-SiMe2CH2)ZrH, at 45 °C in benzene-d6 or toluene-d8, resulted in H/D exchange arising from reversibl...
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and the blood–brain barrier

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic structure that maintains the homeostasis of the brain and thus proper neurological functions. BBB compromise has been found in many pathological conditions, including neuroinflammation. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), a chemokine that is transiently and significantly up-regulated during inflammation, is able to disrupt the integrity of BBB and modulate the progression of various diseases, including excitotoxic injury and hemorrhage. In this review, we first introduce the biochemistry and biology of MCP1, and then summarize the effects of MCP1 on BBB integrity as well as individual BBB components.
Fine structural localization of acid phosphatase in senile plaques in Alzheimer's presenile dementia

Submicroscopic localization of acid phosphatase activity within the senile plaques was studied in two cases of Alzheimer's presenile dementia. The enzymatic activity seen in the plaque seems to be largely localized within the dense bodies in the distended axons and dendrites. The lysosomal nature of these bodies is, therefore, suggested. On the basis of striking morphological and histochemical resemblance of the changes seen in axons and dendrites in senile plaques to those seen in early Wallerian degeneration, formation of the plaque is hypothesized as secondary to a proximal degeneration in the neuronal perikaryon, possibly related to the neurofibrillary tangle of Alzheimer.
CITIZEN REACTIONS TO URBAN GROWTH: ATITUDES TOWARD QUALITY OF LIFE AND LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICES IN AN EXPANDING SUNBELT COMMUNITY

This paper reports the results of a survey of citizen attitudes toward growth, and the quality of life in an expanding Sunbelt community. We find considerable continuity in our results with those of earlier research on “community satisfaction” in more stable metropolitan areas. A t the same time there are unusual findings here—in particular regarding how evaluations of certain kinds of local public services and of public sector efforts to control growth—influence perceptions of quality of life. These and other results in the paper suggest directions for future research on Sunbelt communities. They point, as well, to the importance of both population and community dynamics and local political reactions to such changes for a general understanding of perceptions of quality of life.
Differentiation in Graduate Education.

This study investigates differentiation in graduate education at a large public research university, and all 114 academic units are categorized by Biglan's dimensions and by size, which is operationally defined as the number of students in the academic units. This paper represents the first effort to study the opinions of departmental managers regarding an integrating device before its implementation. Departmental and graduate studies committee chairpersons were surveyed regarding their opinions on the need for and potential use of a database system which would provide the departments with easier access to data regarding graduate education and would provide the graduate school with an easier means of monitoring departmental activities pertaining to graduate education. The results show overwhelming support for the system, and the size of the academic unit is the best predictor of support, with the larger units voicing more support.
Methodological issues in behavioral immunology research with humans

This paper summarizes important methodological issues that are particularly relevant for behavioral immunology research with humans. The assessment of such salient parameters as nutrition, drug/alcohol use, physical activity, and health are discussed. In addition, a number of logistical issues are addressed.
Creating, tailoring and using one-dimensional interfaces in two-dimensional films

We discuss how structural domain boundaries, liquid drop boundaries and other topologically one-dimensional features can be used to focus or to define the spatial extent of deposition or chemical reaction. We also show how reactants can be delivered specifically to such boundaries using novel deposition strategies. Such strategies potentially provide a simple route to create tailored, stable nanometre-scale structures.
Synthetic phased array image formation and restoration

A coherent array imaging method is described that uses small groups of adjacent array elements called subarrays. For each firing event, only one subarray is used for transmit and receive, and all elements of the subarray transmit and receive in parallel. Phased array processing is used to focus and steer the subarray beam in transmit and receive. A sufficient number of beams are acquired such that the Nyquist sampling criteria is met for the subarray. The beams acquired from each subarray are upsampled, filtered, and combined with beams from all the other subarrays to form the final high-resolution image. A subarray-dependent reconstruction and restoration filter is applied to the subarray beams. The method significantly reduces the front-end hardware complexity compared to full phased array imaging. Experimental results demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Surgical management of radiation injury of the small and large intestine

The following principles should be observed during operations for radiation injuries of the small and large intestine: 1) The objective of operation is modest: to relieve symptoms. 2) Only healthy bowel, which was outside the radiation field, should be anastomosed. 3) Isolated small intestinal injuries should be resected or bypassed, and extensive dissection should be avoided. 4) Colorectal injuries should be treated by diverting descending colostomy, with or without resection of the diseased bowel.
Relapse in opiate addicts: A behavioral analysis

Behavioral interviewing was used to study the relapse antecedents and concomitants of 38 opiate addicts on methadone maintenance. Relapse situations were categorized with regard to intra- or interpersonal determinants and implications for behavioral treatment interventions were discussed. Situations were also analyzed within an opponent process theory of motivation framework. Practical and theoretical difficulties with the study of relapse situations in substance abusing populations were highlighted.
Automated measurement system for nitrate in lake water by personal computer.

An automated chromatographic system for the determination of nitrate in lake water has been prepared in conjunction with a personal computer. The calibration curve in the concentration range of 0-200ppb nitrate-nitrogen was linear. The percent of standard deviation was 0.45% for 20 measurements of 40ppb nitrate-nitrogen solutions. The correlation coefficient between the results obtained by the proposed method and the Autoanalyzer method for 16 samples was 0.990. Nitrate at parts per billion level could be determined within 10min. Moreover, a quantitative range of nitrate measurement can be selected by changing the enrichment period of the sample solution. The results of continuous measurement of nitrate at Lake Biwa are reported in this paper.
Reaction of alkoxyuridines with ammonia

2-Alkoxy- and 4-alkoxyuridines were converted into isocytidine and cytidine by reaction with ammonia at room temperature. Reaction with hydrogen sulfide produced 2-thio- and 4-thiouridine but the reaction was incomplete. The reaction may be helpful in the identification of alkylated pyrimidine nucleosides in DNA.
Cdc7 protein kinase for DNA metabolism comes of age.

Summary The Cdc7 protein kinase is the product of an essential cell cycle gene, and Is involved in three aspects of DNA metabolism: mitotic DNA replication, meiotic DNA recombination, and replication-dependent DNA repair. The mechanism by which Cdc7 regulates each of its cellular functions is an issue of considerable interest. Recently, much of the research regarding the regulation of cell cycle progression has focused on the regulatory action of cyclins on their catalytic counterparts. We propose that the function of Cdc7 in ceil cycle progression is mediated in a similar manner, in that Dbf4, a protein whose transcript level is known to fluctuate in the cell cycle, is essential for Cdc7 kinase activity. The periodic association of Dbf4 with Cdc7 may account for the regulation of Cdc7 kinase function and progression through the cell cycle.
Dihydrotestosterone inhibits fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor-mediated synthesis of saturated phosphatidylcholine by fetal rat lung cells

Dihydrotestosterone has previously been found to inhibit pulmonary surfactant production in vivo. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of this androgen on the fetal lung fibroblast and type II cell in culture. Addition of 1 X 10(-8) M cortisol to organotype cultures stimulates the synthesis of radiolabelled saturated phosphatidylcholine; however, preincubation of such cultures with 1 X 10(-8) M dihydrotestosterone completely blocks cortisol stimulation of saturated phosphatidylcholine synthesis without affecting basal activity. Cortisol treatment of fetal lung fibroblasts stimulates the production of fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor; pre-treatment with dihydrotestosterone blocks this stimulation. Fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor stimulates the synthesis of saturated phosphatidylcholine by type II pneumonocytes; this effect is also blocked by dihydrotestosterone pre-treatment. I conclude that dihydrotestosterone blocks cortisol-inducible saturated phosphatidylcholine synthesis by inhibiting the production and activity of fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor in vitro.
Effect of α1-adrenergic receptor antagonists on susceptibility to malignant arrhythmias : protection from ventricular fibrillation

alpha-Adrenergic receptor responsiveness has been reported to increase during myocardial ischemia, correlating with onset of malignant arrhythmias. If alpha-adrenoceptor mechanisms play a significant role in induction of life-threatening arrhythmias, inhibition of these receptors with specific alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists should protect against disturbances in cardiac rhythm. To test this hypothesis, we induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) in 21 mongrel dogs with healed myocardial infarctions (MI) by 2-min coronary artery occlusion during exercise. On a subsequent day, the exercise plus ischemia test was repeated after the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin HCl (0.5 mg/kg intravenously, i.v.; n = 14) or the alpha 1A-adrenergic receptor subtype antagonist WB4101 (2.0 mg/kg i.v., n = 9). Prazosin elicited a significant reduction in left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP, control 157.0 +/- 6.5 vs. prazosin 118.5 +/- 2.7 mm Hg) and prevented arrhythmias in 13 of 14 animals (chi square p < 0.001). No other hemodynamic parameters, either before or during the coronary occlusion, were altered by prazosin. WB4101 did not alter any hemodynamic parameters either before or during coronary artery occlusion, yet prevented VF in 7 of 9 animals (chi square p < 0.025), delaying onset of malignant arrhythmias in the remaining animals. A second control exercise plus ischemia test reproducibly induced VF in all animals. Together these data demonstrate that alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists can prevent VF independent of hemodynamic changes. In particular, the data suggest that activation of the alpha 1A-adrenergic receptor subtype may contribute importantly to development of malignant arrhythmias.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Large neostriatal neurons in the rat: An electron microscopic study of gold-toned Golgi-stained cells

Abstract CHANG, H. T. AND S. T. KITAI. Large neostriatal neurons in the rat: An electron microscopic study of gold-toned Golgi-stained cells . BRAIN RES. BULL. 8 (6) 631–643, 1982.—The large neurons in the rat neostriatum consist of at least two morphologically distinct types in Golgi preparations: Type I large cells had smooth somata whereas type II large cells had somatic spines. In the present study, the ultrastructural morphology of the Golgi-stained large neostriatal neurons in the rat was analyzed by the gold-toning technique. In addition, the ultrastructural morphology of type I medium (spiny) neurons was also studied for comparison. The results revealed that the type I medium neurons had unindented nucleus with small amount of organelles whereas both types of large neostriatal neurons had deeply indented nucleus and large amount of cytoplasmic organelles. The type I large neurons had much fewer synaptic contacts on the somata than the type II large neurons, the latter also had synapses on their somatic spines. Our data also support the possibility that some large neostriatal neurons may have long axons by the fact that some of these cells had myelinated axons. Our result should be very useful in interpreting morphological data obtained with techniques such as immunocytochemistry or retrograde labeling which enables only partial labeling of somata and dendrites.
A torso rash and anogenital lesions

From H Dr K Th Fund Conf A 36-year-old man has a mildly pruritic rash on his torso (Fig 1) and penile and perianal lesions of 6 weeks’ duration (Figs 2 and 3). He complains of fevers and malaise that have lasted for 2 weeks. His sex partners are men. An HIV test was negative 3 months ago. He has no allergies to medications. Generalized lymphadenopathy was present. A neurologic examination is normal, and he is afebrile.
Effect of Surfactant Composition on Aeration Characteristics and Stability of Foams in Aerated Food Products

: We studied the synergistic effect of surfactants on aeration characteristics and long-term stability of aerated mesophase. It was observed that bubble size and volume of air incorporated (overrun) depend to a small extent on the dynamic film tension and to a greater extent on the viscosity of the mesophase, both properties being functions of surfactant chemistry and concentration. The overrun of the aerated product decreased over time due to the diffusive transport of air to the atmosphere, leading to its destabilization. The relative rate of destabilization of the aerated mesophase (as function of surfactant composition) has been correlated with the diffusion rate of air from the bulk to the surface.
Event-related fMRI technique for auditory processing with hemodynamics unrelated to acoustic gradient noise

Acoustic noise from the imaging gradients presents a major difficulty in functional MRI (fMRI) studies of auditory cortical function. For studies involving hearing-impaired pediatric subjects, the auditory stimuli should be presented during completely silent gradient intervals. In addition, the scan time is limited by constraints involving subject motion and subject compliance. A novel event-related method for conducting fMRI studies of auditory function is proposed. Auditory stimuli are presented during completely silent gradient intervals, but using a variable TR. A general nonlinear model (GNLM) is proposed as a postprocessing methodology for the data. The technique increases the flexibility of the experimental design, with minimal loss of sensitivity compared to standard fMRI acquisition techniques, and may therefore be useful for fMRI studies of auditory function in hearing-impaired pediatric subjects.
Spreading cortical depression blockage of seizures produced by electroconvulsive shock

Eight rat Ss were given ECS when normal, following surgical preparation for spreading cortical depression (SCD), under Sham SCD or under SCD. All Ss showed full tonic-clonic seizures except when ECS was administered while S was under SCD.
Hemodynamic influences on abdominal aortic aneurysm disease: Application of biomechanics to aneurysm pathophysiology.

Abstract “Atherosclerotic” abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) occur with the greatest frequency in the distal aorta. The unique hemodynamic environment of this area predisposes it to site-specific degenerative changes. In this review, we summarize the differential hemodynamic influences present along the length of the abdominal aorta, and demonstrate how alterations in aortic flow and wall shear stress modify AAA progression in experimental models. Improved understanding of aortic hemodynamic risk profiles provides an opportunity to modify patient activity patterns to minimize the risk of aneurysmal degeneration.
7,7-Disubstituted Derivatives of 4,4–10β-Trimethyl-trans-Decal-3β-ol(TMD)

Abstract Three 7,7-disubstituted derivatives (2,3, and 4) of the oxido-squalene cyclase inhibitor TMD (1) have been synthesized.
Influence of transverse shear and rotatory inertia on nonlinear vibrations of circular plates

This paper is concerned with the nonlinear vibrations of circular plates undergoing moderately large amplitudes of vibration. The governing equations are developed using the cylindrical polar coordinates and they include the effects of transverse shear deformation and rotatory inertia by means of appropriate tracing constants. By employing a single-mode approach, solutions to the nonlinear governing equations are obtained by means of Galerkin's procedure and the Runge-Kutta numerical integration technique. Numerical results are reported for frequency ratios at various amplitudes of vibration considering isotropic circular plates of various aspect ratios and radius-to-thickness ratios. Current results are in good agreement with those available in the literature.
Effectiveness of the counterconditioning procedure in eliminating avoidance behavior

Abstract Data were obtained on the effectiveness of three forms of counterconditioning—each differing in the degree to which competing responses were introduced. Counterconditioning was also compared with an extinction procedure in eliminating an instrumental avoidance response. Only the counterconditioning procedure which evoked and reinforced another conditioned response during extinction of the avoidance response, was significantly more effective than a traditional extinction procedure in achieving a decrement in avoidance responding and this was only on the first session on which such procedures were in effect. When the opportunity to perform the competing response was removed, only Ss in this group evidenced a significant increase in avoidance responding. All procedures were equally effective over sessions in eliminating avoidance behavior. A delay in effectiveness occurred to the degree to which a procedure introduced a competing response. It was in terms of the immediacy of response reduction and achievement of a very low rate of responding with very few responses being performed, that the counterconditioning procedure was superior to the extinction procedure. The implication of these results for behavior theory and therapy were elaborated.
C2 myelitis presenting with neuralgiform occipital pain.

Neuralgiform occipital pain can be secondary to occipital neuralgia or great auricular neuralgia. Occipital neuralgia is characterized by jabbing pain in the distribution of the greater or lesser occipital nerves or of the third occipital nerve, sometimes associated with diminished sensation in the affected area.1 The affected nerve is often tender, and the pain is eased temporarily by local anesthetic blockade.1 Occipital neuralgia can be caused by injury, inflammation, or compression of the greater occipital nerve.2 C1 to C2 arthrosis can mimic occipital neuralgia.3 Patients with occipital neuralgia secondary to an upper cervical cord cavernous angioma2 and neurosyphilis4 have been reported. We report another unusual cause of neuralgiform occipital pain. A 55-year-old left-handed man received tetanus/diphtheria toxoid, hepatitis A, and typhoid vaccinations in preparation for a trip from America to Ecuador. Seven days later, he noted episodes of shooting pain in the right occipital region, superior and posterior to the right ear and rarely in the right anterior …
Vegetative reproduction in the octocoral Briareum asbestinum (Pallas)

Abstract Briareum asbestinum (Pallas), a common octocoral of Caribbean reefs, produces runner-like branches which are capable of attaching to the substratum and establishing new colonies. The subsequent death of the intervening runner leaves groups of genetically identical but physiologically distinct colonies. The origin of these colonies can be deduced by the presence or absence of runners. Analysis of colonies at Marsarkantupo in the San Blas Islands, Panama and at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize indicate that 23–56% and 18–67%, respectively, of the colonies at these sites originate from vegetative runners. In both areas the distribution of colonies of larval origin is not uniform. Colonies originating from larvae are patchily distributed within habitats and are over-represented in shallow habitats. The ability of B. asbestinum to reproduce vegetatively results in the spread and development of large populations of this species in many habitats where it might otherwise be rare.
Information system design for a pediatric clinic

Abstract Although the “Information System” has pervaded nearly every aspect of modern industrial life, the pediatric clinic—replete with an overdose of information—lags behind in management and control. Although there are instances of the use of information technology in the medical system, these are usually limited to isolated processes, rather than to an integrated information system. This paper presents a conceptual framework and the application of the framework when applied to the information system within a pediatric clinic. The design of the information system is discussed in terms of information processing, human factors and scheduling (patient) considerations. A prototype system for a pediatric clinic is presented.
Quantifying the effects of freezing on tree sway frequencies

Abstract Wind induced sway was measured for 18 conifers in an even aged, naturally regenerated evergreen forest in Howland, ME between August 23, 2009 and January 29, 2010. Tree sway was measured using biaxial clinometers and wind speed, wind direction and temperature were measured using sonic anemometers, with all measurements at 10 Hz. This study quantifies changes in wind-loaded tree-sway frequencies for frozen and unfrozen stems. A tree's sway frequency significantly changes as freezing conditions change its material properties by increasing flexural stiffness. This study found that sway frequencies of frozen trees are increased by 27.9%, but frozen trees loaded with snow only exhibit an increase of 9.4%. The effects of atmospheric stability were also considered and were found to have no statistically significant effect on tree sway frequency. Datasets (30 min in duration) were chosen when the hourly average of wind speed was >2 m/s above the canopy. Three conditions were considered in the analysis of the data, one with temperatures well above freezing (>5 °C) one with freezing temperatures (
Rare Homologous Gene Targeting in Histoplasma capsulatum: Disruption of the URA5Hc Gene by Allelic Replacement

URA5 genes encode orotidine-5'-monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (OMPpase), an enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. We cloned the Histoplasma capsulatum URA5 gene (URA5Hc) by using a probe generated by PCR with inosine-rich primers based on relatively conserved sequences in OMPpases from other organisms. Transformation with this gene restored uracil prototrophy and OMPpase activity to UV-mutagenized ura5 strains of H. capsulatum. We attempted to target the genomic URA5 locus in this haploid organism to demonstrate homologous allelic replacement with transforming DNA, which has not been previously done in H. capsulatum and has been challenging in some other pathogenic fungi. Several strategies commonly used in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other eukaryotes were unsuccessful, due to the frequent occurrence of ectopic integration, linear plasmid formation, and spontaneous resistance to 5-fluoroorotic acid, which is a selective agent for URA5 gene inactivation. Recent development of an efficient electrotransformation system and of a second selectable marker (hph, conferring hygromycin B resistance) for this fungus enabled us to achieve allelic replacement by using transformation with an insertionally inactivated Deltaura5Hc::hph plasmid, followed by dual selection with hygromycin B and 5-fluoroorotic acid, or by screening hygromycin B-resistant transformants for uracil auxotrophy. The relative frequency of homologous gene targeting was approximately one allelic replacement event per thousand transformants. This work demonstrates the feasibility but also the potential challenge of gene disruption in this organism. To our knowledge, it represents the first example of experimentally directed allelic replacement in H. capsulatum, or in any dimorphic systemic fungal pathogen of humans.
Stabilized low-order finite elements for frictional contact with the extended finite element method

Abstract Contact problem suffers from a numerical instability similar to that encountered in incompressible elasticity, in which the normal contact pressure exhibits spurious oscillation. This oscillation does not go away with mesh refinement, and in some cases it even gets worse as the mesh is refined. Using a Lagrange multipliers formulation we trace this problem to non-satisfaction of the LBB condition associated with equal-order interpolation of slip and normal component of traction. In this paper, we employ a stabilized finite element formulation based on the polynomial pressure projection (PPP) technique, which was used successfully for Stokes equation and for coupled solid-deformation–fluid-diffusion using low-order mixed finite elements. For the frictional contact problem the polynomial pressure projection approach is applied to the normal contact pressure in the framework of the extended finite element method. We use low-order linear triangular elements (tetrahedral elements for 3D) for both slip and normal pressure degrees of freedom, and show the efficacy of the stabilized formulation on a variety of plane strain, plane stress, and three-dimensional problems.
Occupational and environmental aerosol exposure assessment: a scientific journey from the past, through the present and into the future.

This paper reviews how aerosol exposure assessment, for people in both working and living environments, has evolved over the years. It charts the main scientific developments that led to progressively improved ways of thinking and methods to assess exposure to airborne particulate matter in a manner more relevant to human health. It has been a long scientific journey as one generation of pioneering contributors has handed off to the next. In the process a consistent rationale has emerged, producing aerosol sampling criteria – and in turn exposure standards – which have been increasingly relevant to actual human exposures. The journey continues as a new generation of scientists steps up to deal with the new challenges that are emerging. An appreciation of the history of what went before is essential to charting the most effective path looking forward.
The Illinois-Columbia System in the CoNLL-2014 Shared Task

The CoNLL-2014 shared task is an extension of last year’s shared task and focuses on correcting grammatical errors in essays written by non-native learners of English. In this paper, we describe the Illinois-Columbia system that participated in the shared task. Our system ranked second on the original annotations and first on the revised annotations. The core of the system is based on the University of Illinois model that placed first in the CoNLL-2013 shared task. This baseline model has been improved and expanded for this year’s competition in several respects. We describe our underlying approach, which relates to our previous work, and describe the novel aspects of the system in more detail.
A Decade after Invasion: Evaluating the Continuing Effects of Rusty Crayfish on a Michigan River

In 2004, we revisited a Michigan stream invaded by rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) to determine if this species continued to expand its downstream range and negatively impact the stream food web. Compared to a 1992 study, we predicted that rusty crayfish would increase in density and downstream distribution from a small lake, resulting in further reduction of in-stream resources such as organic matter, benthic invertebrates, and periphyton. To determine current crayfish distributions and impacts, we conducted a longitudinal survey of crayfish abundance, ran a 28-d leaf breakdown experiment, and sampled benthic substrates. Leaf packs of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) leaves were placed at three sites with differing crayfish densities (high, intermediate, and none). Breakdown rates were compared across the three sites and for two treatments (closed leaf bags excluding crayfish and open bags allowing crayfish access). Benthic invertebrates were sampled from leaf bags and invertebrates and periphyton were sampled from cobbles. In contrast to 1992, we found that the maximum downstream distance of rusty crayfish declined from 4 km to less than 3 km downstream from the lake. Leaves in open bags decayed significantly faster (k = 0.143) than did leaves in closed bags at all sites (k = 0.079) (p = 0.0005). The site lacking crayfish had significantly higher densities of invertebrates compared to both high and intermediate crayfish density sites (p = 0.005). Although we found that rusty crayfish reduced standing stocks of leaves and invertebrates, we did not detect measurable changes in periphyton biomass. Therefore, rusty crayfish have not dispersed further downstream since 1992, but where present, these omnivores significantly reduce resource availability via the consumption of leaf material and benthic invertebrates.
The Contribution of Perceived Labor Transparency and Perceived Corporate Giving to Brand Equity in the Footwear Industry

While interest in the footwear industry in strengthening brand relationships with customers using corporate social responsibility (CSR) has increased, the effects of CSR on brand equity are undeter...
Iterative greedy algorithm for solving the FIR paraunitary approximation problem

In this paper, a method for approximating a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transfer function by a causal finite-impulse response (FIR) paraunitary (PU) system in a weighted least-squares sense is presented. Using a complete parameterization of FIR PU systems in terms of Householder-like building blocks, an iterative algorithm is proposed that is greedy in the sense that the observed mean-squared error at each iteration is guaranteed to not increase. For certain design problems in which there is a phase-type ambiguity in the desired response, which is formally defined in the paper, a phase feedback modification is proposed in which the phase of the FIR approximant is fed back to the desired response. With this modification in effect, it is shown that the resulting iterative algorithm not only still remains greedy, but also offers a better magnitude-type fit to the desired response. Simulation results show the usefulness and versatility of the proposed algorithm with respect to the design of principal component filter bank (PCFB)-like filter banks and the FIR PU interpolation problem. Concerning the PCFB design problem, it is shown that as the McMillan degree of the FIR PU approximant increases, the resulting filter bank behaves more and more like the infinite-order PCFB, consistent with intuition. In particular, this PCFB-like behavior is shown in terms of filter response shape, multiresolution, coding gain, noise reduction with zeroth-order Wiener filtering in the subbands, and power minimization for discrete multitone (DMT)-type transmultiplexers.
Augmented Endothelin Vasoconstriction in Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Hypertension

We reported previously that simulating sleep apnea in rats by exposing them 7 hours per day to intermittent hypoxia/hypercapnia (IH) elevates plasma endothelin-1 and causes hypertension, which is reversed by an endothelin-1 antagonist. We hypothesized that in this model of sleep apnea–induced hypertension, vascular sensitivity to endothelin-1 is increased in combination with the elevated plasma endothelin-1 to cause the endothelin-1–dependent hypertension. In small mesenteric arteries with endothelial function disabled by passing air through the lumen, diameter and vessel wall [Ca 2+ ] were recorded simultaneously. IH arteries demonstrated increased constrictor sensitivity to endothelin-1 (percentage max constriction 100±0% IH versus 80±10% Sham; P 2+ ] to KCl and phenylephrine were not different between IH and Sham arteries. We have shown previously that endothelin-1 constriction in mesenteric arteries is mediated by endothelin A receptors. In the current study, the selective increase in endothelin-1 constriction in IH resistance arteries was accompanied by increased expression of endothelin A receptor expression (densitometry units 271±23 IH versus 158±25 Sham; P