cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ROCK inhibition prevents fetal serum-induced alteration in structure and function of organ-cultured mesenteric artery.

Chronic treatment with fetal bovine serum (FBS) causes contractility reduction, morphological alteration and DNA synthesis in organ-cultured vascular tissues. Here, we tested the hypothesis that chronic inhibition of ROCK has a protective effect on FBS-induced alterations in small arteries. Rabbit mesenteric arterial rings were cultured in FBS-supplemented culture medium with or without Y-27632, a reversible ROCK inhibitor. Chronic Y-27632 treatment prevented FBS-induced gradual arterial constriction, wall thickening, reduced contractility, and increased ROCK-specific MYPT1 Thr853 phosphorylation. Treatment with Y-27632 also prevented decreased eNOS mRNA expression, and reduced acetylcholine-induced relaxation. Sudden application of Y-27632 to pre-cultured rings reduced MYPT1 phosphorylation and re-widened the constricted rings. Chronic treatment with Y-27632, however, rather augmented than reduced the FBS-induced RhoA over-expression, also increased ROCK1 and MYPT1 expression and averted the FBS-induced reduction of MLC expression, suggesting a compensation of inhibited RhoA/ROCK activity. Sudden removal of Y-27632 caused a rebound in MYPT1 phosphorylation and vasoconstriction in rabbit mesenteric artery. To test which ROCK isoform has greater involvement in FBS-induced contraction, haploinsufficient Rock1 +/− and Rock2 +/− mouse mesenteric arterial rings were subjected to organ-culture. FBS-induced contraction and RhoA over-expression in either heterozygous animal was not different from wild-type animals. These results suggest that FBS-induced contraction is mediated by up-regulation of RhoA and subsequent activation of ROCK. In conclusion, chronic ROCK inhibition produces some effects that protect against FBS-stimulated vasoconstriction and remodeling. There are also negative effects that a sudden withdrawal of ROCK inhibitor might cause a stronger vasoconstriction than before it was used.
Topological considerations for autoregressive systems with fixed Kronecker indices

In this paper we will study topological properties of the class of proper and improperp×m transfer functions of a fixed McMillan degreen. A natural generalization of this class is all autoregressive systems of degreen under external system equivalence. The subset of irreducible systems has in a natural way the structure of a manifold and we show how to extend this topology to the set of all autoregressive systems of degree at mostn. We will describe the subset of systems with fixed Kronecker indicesv=(v1,...,v p ) as an orbit space, which will enable us to calculate the topological dimension for each collection of indicesv. Finally, we will describe the topological closure of those sets in the space of all autoregressive systems.
Photoreceptor protection after photodynamic therapy using dexamethasone in a rat model of choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE To study whether corticosteroids protect photoreceptors when combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in a laser-induced model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS PDT was performed in 36 Brown-Norway rats 2 weeks after laser induction of CNV. The expressional change of several cytokines and chemokines in the CNV lesions after PDT was measured by real-time PCR in combination with laser-capture microdissection. Immunostaining for monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, C-C chemokine receptor 2(CCR2), interleukin (IL)-1beta, and myeloperoxidase(MPO) were performed. To study the effect of corticosteroids in combination with PDT, either dexamethasone (100 mg/kg) or control was injected intraperitoneally 1 hour before PDT. Animals were killed 24 hours or 1 week after PDT. CNV was examined by fluorescein angiography and choroidal flatmount. Photoreceptor degeneration was evaluated by TUNEL assay. RESULTS MCP-1 and IL-1beta was increased in CNV lesions 24 hours after PDT. CCR2 was also expressed in laser-induced CNV but did not increase after PDT. Twenty-four hours after PDT, MPO-positive cells were noted in the CNV lesions. Dexamethasone-treated animals had significantly fewer TUNEL-positive cells in the photoreceptor layer than did the control animals (P < 0.05) after PDT. Fluorescein angiographic grading of CNV closure 6 days after PDT showed a closure rate in the dexamethasone-treated group of 31% (15/48 lesions) compared to 10% (4/42 lesions) in the control group (P < 0.05). CNV size was significantly smaller in the dexamethasone-treated group 1 week after PDT compared with the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Systemic administration of dexamethasone combined with PDT reduces photoreceptor apoptosis, increases angiographic closure, and reduces CNV size compared with PDT alone in a rat model.
Structure-based functional design of chemical ligands for AMPA-subtype glutamate receptors.

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs) function as an excitatory transmitter system in human brain, particularly in learning and memory. Development of small-molecule chemical ligands that selectively potentiate the ion channel activity of AMPA-subtype GluRs would hold promise for treating an exceptionally wide range of disorders including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Toward this goal, we have obtained nearly complete main-chain NMR resonance assignments of the extracellular ligand-binding domain of GluR2, which enables us to investigate receptor-ligand interactions in physiological conditions at atomic detail. With our NMR structure-based methods, we have discovered several chemical compounds that bind specifically to the GluR2 protein. Notably, our initial lead compounds interact with GluR2 at sites near the interface of receptor dimerization, which plays a pivotal role in controlling receptor gating and desensitization. Our NMR structural analysis further reveals that the regions of GluR2 at the dimer interface exhibit distinct conformational dynamics as compared to the rest of the protein, which we hypothesize to be linked to the mechanisms by which the protein interacts with its ligand, either an agonist or antagonist. This newly discovered relationship of possibly coupling of ligand binding to receptor dimerization, gating and desensitization, which is being further validated, could serve as an excellent in vitro biophysical parameter to evaluate the potential biological effects of the chemical ligands being developed and optimized in our study.
Collision matrix for low earth orbit satellites

The low Earth orbit (LEO) is becoming cluttered with thousands of satellites, rocket bodies, and a variety of space garbage. This collection of objects crossing paths at speeds on the order of 10 km/s is creating an increasing collision hazard to many operational systems. The effect that the destruction of LEO satellites will have on other users of the near-Earth environment is of great concern. A model is examined that quantifies the effect of one satellite's fragmentation on neighboring satellites. This model is used to evaluate the interdependent hazard to a series of satellite systems. A number of space system fragmentation events are numerically simulated and the collision hazard to each is tabulated. Once all satellites in the matrix have been fragmented separately, a complete collision hazard representation can be depicted. This model has potential for developing an enhanced understanding of a number of aspects of the growing debris hazard in LEO.
Signal reconstruction from multiple correlations: frequency- and time-domain approaches

One-dimensional (1-D) ultrashort laser signals cannot be recorded directly, although it is possible to detect their multiple correlations. The reconstruction of 1-D deterministic sampled signals from their multiple correlations is studied. A computationally efficient, fast-Fourier-transform-based, frequency-domain algorithm is described for simultaneously reconstructing the amplitude and the phase of a finite-duration signal. It is shown that, by modeling the Fourier transform of a discrete sequence as a pole-zero rational function, unique (modulo time shifts) signal recovery is possible from any multiple correlation of order greater than 2. The resulting time-domain algorithm uses all the nonredundant 1-D slices of a multiple-correlation sequence and applies to one- or two-sided, finite- or infinite-duration signals. The signal parameters are obtained in closed form by using a set of linear equations. Noise effects are studied theoretically and experimentally through simulated data. Both frequency-and time-domain algorithms are applicable to modeling and interpolation of raster-scanned images.
Hyperspectral image analysis using ENVI (environment for visualizing images)

Hyperspectral imaging is a relatively new technology which draws much attention from the scientists now. With information provided on hundreds of narrow and continuous bands, it finds applications in many areas such as mineral identification, environmental monitoring, agricultural survey, medical examination. However, it is not an easy task to utilize the hyperspectral images, due to the large data volume. Certain tools are needed to analyze the hyperspectral image. As an example, the ENvironment for Visualizing Images (ENVI) software is used for the study of a sample hyperspectral image.
Imaging genome abnormalities in cancer research

Increasing attention is focusing on chromosomal and genome structure in cancer research due to the fact that genomic instability plays a principal role in cancer initiation, progression and response to chemotherapeutic agents. The integrity of the genome (including structural, behavioral and functional aspects) of normal and cancer cells can be monitored with direct visualization by using a variety of cutting edge molecular cytogenetic technologies that are now available in the field of cancer research. Examples are presented in this review by grouping these methodologies into four categories visualizing different yet closely related major levels of genome structures. An integrated discussion is also presented on several ongoing projects involving the illustration of mitotic and meiotic chromatin loops; the identification of defective mitotic figures (DMF), a new type of chromosomal aberration capable of monitoring condensation defects in cancer; the establishment of a method that uses Non-Clonal Chromosomal Aberrations (NCCAs) as an index to monitor genomic instability; and the characterization of apoptosis related chromosomal fragmentations caused by drug treatments.
High Levels of Genetic Variation Exist in Aspergillus niger Populations Infecting Welwitschia mirabilis Hook

Aspergillus niger is an asexual, haploid fungus which infects the seeds of Namibia's national plant, Welwitschia mirabilis, severely affecting plant viability. We used 31 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers to assess genetic variation among 89 A. niger isolates collected from three W. mirabilis populations in the Namib Desert. While all isolates belonged to the same vegetative compatibility group, 84% were unique genotypes, and estimates of genotypic evenness and Simpson's index of diversity approached 1.0 in the three populations. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 78% of the total variation sampled was among isolates from individual W. mirabilis plants. Lower, but significant, amounts of variation detected among isolates from different plants (12%) and different sites (10%) also indicated some site- and plant-level genetic differentiation. Total gene diversity (H(T) = 0.264) was mostly attributable to diversity within populations (H(S) = 0.217); the relatively low level of genetic differentiation among the sites (G(ST) = 0.141) suggests that gene flow is occurring among the three distant sites. Although sexual reproduction has never been observed in this fungus, parasexuality is a well-known phenomenon in laboratory strains. We thus attribute the high levels of genetic variation to parasexuality and/or wind-facilitated gene flow from an as of yet undocumented broader host range of the fungus on other desert vegetation. Given the apparent ease of transmission, high levels of genetic diversity, and potentially broad host range, A. niger infections of W. mirabilis may be extremely difficult to control or prevent.
Tension gastrothorax complicating acute traumatic diaphragmatic rupture

Herniation of abdominal viscera into the thorax following traumatic diaphragmatic hernia can simulate acute tension pneumothorax. A case is presented of a blunt trauma victim with apparent acute diaphragmatic rupture, tension hemothorax, or tension hemopneumothorax. Nasogastric tube insertion demonstrated tension gastrothorax, but was followed by acute clinical decompensation. Percutaneous needle thoracostomy decompressed the stomach without causing spillage of gastric contents. Autopsy experimentation was performed to demonstrate that needle decompression of the distended stomach is well tolerated. Tension gastrothorax is a rare, life-threatening complication of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. Although nasogastric tube placement should be attempted first, it may exacerbate the condition. Percutaneous needle decompression of the stomach through the chest wall can stabilize the situation and is safer and more rapid than chest tube placement, which might be either ineffective or dangerous. Paralyzing the patient with acute diaphragmatic rupture before tracheal and gastric intubation might prevent progression to tension gastrothorax.
Serial Recovery of Language during the Intracarotid Amobarbital Procedure

There is considerable variability among epilepsy centers in the methods and interpretations of the intracarotid amobarbital procedure. Prominent among these differences is the determination of language representation and assessment of language functions. Some centers rely on speech arrest following amobarbital injection as a marker for language representation, whereas other centers examine verbal output for the presence of aphasic errors. The present study assessed the pattern of language recovery following amobarbital injection in epilepsy patients who were candidates for temporal lobectomy. Language recovery from dominant hemisphere injection (left or right) followed a stereotypical progression, with 71.8% of patients showing return of vocalization followed by return of naming and comprehension. Repetition deficits with paraphasic errors persisted the longest (mean = 12'30"), with a conduction aphasia persisting after the acute global aphasia resolved. Although two patients interpreted as left hemisphere language dominant were mute following right hemisphere injection, all language functions were intact immediately upon resumption of vocalization and they showed no other signs of aphasia such as paraphasias or anomia. Possible explanations for serial language recovery and persistent conduction aphasia are discussed. These findings have significant implications for the determination of cerebral language dominance.
Theoretical Jovian Atmospheric Absorption Profiles of the v3 Fundamental of GeH4

Abstract The recent detection of such trace constituents as germane, the tetrahydride of germanium GeH4, in the atmosphere of Jupiter has generated considerable interest in both the chemistry and structure of the Jovian atmosphere. With this in mind, the detection of GeH4 in the Jovian atmosphere is discussed, and computer simulated absorption profiles of the J-multiplets R(0)-R(10) under Jovian atmospheric conditions are shown.
The effect of surface/ground water interactions on wetland sites with different characteristics

Wetlands have gained greater attention in the last two decades, since they have an important impact on water supply and water quality control. Treatment wetlands have recently been used as a best management practice to decrease the storm water runoff peaks and to improve storm water runoff water quality. Therefore, efforts have been made toward a better understanding of both wetland hydrology and wetland water quality. Wetlands are located between uplands and downstream flooded systems and surface/ground water interactions are usually observed in these critical transitional zones. Surface and ground water are mixed and the quality of both sources is affected by each other due to this interaction. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of surface/ground water interactions on wetland sites to develop accurate wetland models. In this study, the effect of surface/ground water interactions on wetland hydrology is investigated for different wetland conditions, such as vegetation, slope of the land site, and lateral and vertical hydraulic conductivities by using the wetland model WETland Solute TrANsport Dynamics (WETSAND). This wetland model has both surface flow and solute transport components, incorporates surface/ground water interactions and accounts for upstream contributions from urbanized areas. Simulations are conducted for the Duke University restored wetland site in the Sandy Creek watershed. It is observed that the effect of surface/ground water interaction on surface water depths becomes more dominant on wetland sites with high slopes and low vegetation.
Short-term outcome of psychiatric inpatients with anorexia nervosa in the current care environment.

Objective The current study describes the short-term outcome of 61 inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN), utilizing a standardized protocol that could be completed by most patients within the typical length of stay (LOS) in an academic medical center in our geographic area. Method Patients were placed on disorder-specific and medication clinical pathways and completed questionnaires at admission and discharge. Diagnostic, historical, demographic, and treatment-related information was obtained. Results Treatment was sufficient to resolve acute medical problems, initiate refeeding, and interrupt compensatory behaviors, but continued intensive treatment will be critical to full recovery. Patients were discharged at an average of 85% of ideal body weight (IBW). Twenty patients were discharged against medical advice (AMA). Clinical and demographic variables poorly predicted AMA status. Discussion Attainable inpatient treatment goals in our care environment appear to be ≥80% IBW at discharge, resolution of acute medical problems, and interruption of compensatory behaviors. Future research should examine whether shorter LOS increases readmission rates or long-term costs. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aliskiren: Renin inhibitor for hypertension management

Abstract Background: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has long been recognized to play a significant role in hypertension pathophysiology. Certain agents that modify the RAAS can control blood pressure and improve cardiovascular outcomes. Aliskiren is the first of a new class of antihypertensive agents known as renin inhibitors. Objective: The goal of this article was to discuss the clinical pharmacology of aliskiren and its use in the management of hypertension, as well as potential uses in other cardiovascular disorders. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles and abstracts were identified from the MEDLINE and Current Contents databases (both 1966–October 1, 2007) using the search terms aliskiren, drug interaction, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacology. Citations from available articles were reviewed for additional references. Abstracts presented at recent professional meetings were also examined. Results: Nine published clinical studies have evaluated the effect of aliskiren in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients, either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. This review summarizes those studies. Patients treated with alis-kiren had significantly lower blood pressure compared with patients with mild to moderate hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] 140-180 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] 95-110 mm Hg) who received placebo. Aliskiren in doses of 75 to 300 mg daily produced reductions of SBP (-5.3 to -15.8 mm Hg) and DBP (-5.8 to -12.3 mm Hg); placebo produced reductions of SBP that ranged from -2.85 to -10.0 mm Hg and DBP reductions from -3.26 to -8.6 mm Hg ( P Conclusions: Aliskiren is an effective alternative agent for blood pressure management. Before aliskiren can be recommended as a routine first-line agent, however, clinical studies must explore if the blood pressure-lowering effect will translate into improvement in cardiovascular outcomes.
A plasma display window?—The shifting baseline problem in a technologically mediated natural world

Abstract Humans will continue to adapt to an increasingly technological world. But are there costs to such adaptations in terms of human well being? Toward broaching this question, we investigated physiological effects of experiencing a HDTV quality real-time view of nature through a plasma display “window.” In an office setting, 90 participants (30 per group) were exposed either to (a) a glass window that afforded a view of a nature scene, (b) a plasma window that afforded a real-time HDTV view of essentially the same scene, or (c) a blank wall. Results showed that in terms of heart rate recovery from low-level stress the glass window was more restorative than a blank wall; in turn, a plasma window was no more restorative than a blank wall. Moreover, when participants spent more time looking at the glass window, their heart rate tended to decrease more rapidly; that was not the case with the plasma window. Discussion focuses on how the purported benefits of viewing nature may be attenuated by a digital medium.
A Decrease in Cysteine Levels Causes the Glutathione Deficiency of Aging in the Mosquito

Our previous results indicated that a glutathione (GSH) deficiency is a determinant of the aging process in many tissues and organisms. Correction of this deficiency in the aging mosquito by feeding the cysteine (Cys) precursor magnesium thiazolidine carboxylic acid (MgTc) suggested that the cause could be a lack of Cys. Adult mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with MgTC and then were analyzed for their Cys, cystine, GSH, and glutathione disulfide contents with our HPLC method. The life span profile of Cys levels paralleled that of GSH in the control group with high levels in the young that decreased during maturity and aging. Cystine and glutathione disulfide were undetectable. The causal relationship between the Cys and the GSH deficiencies was shown in the MgTC-supplemented group with an 83% increase in Cys and a 39% increase in GSH relative to control values. Further the conversion steps of MgTC to Cys and then to GSH were verified by use of buthionine sulfoximine. These results demonstrate that a Cys deficiency occurs in the aging mosquito and is the cause of the GSH deficiency.
Spatially Resolved Raman Spectroscopy Study of Transformed Zones in Magnesia‐Partially‐Stabilized Zirconia

Raman vibrational spectroscopy provides an effective phase characterization technique in materials systems containing particle dispersions of the tetragonal and monoclinic polymorphs of zirconia, each of which yields a unique Raman spectrum. An investigation is reported to assess a novel, spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy system in the study of transformed zones surrounding cracks in partially stabilized MgO–ZrO2 (PSZ). The experimental arrangement uses an imaging (two-dimensional) photomultiplier tube to produce a one-dimensional Raman profile of phase compositions along a slitlike laser beam without translation of either the sample or the laser beam and without scanning the spectrometer. For the present optical configuration, the spatial resolution is estimated to be equivalent to the detector resolution of 28 pm and does not appear to be reduced because of secondary scattering events in the PSZ. Results from phase characterization studies of the size, frontal morphology, and extent of transformation of transformation zones surrounding cracks produced under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions are presented. Particularly large zones are observed in the peak-toughened material, extending 1300 μm ahead of the crack tip with widths of up to 3000 μm. Good agreement is found with similar results determined using optical interference microscopy.
Pyroprinting sensitivity analysis on the GPU

Microbial Source Tracking (MST) is a field in which microbial strains are identified and associated with a specific host source [1], [2], [3] (e.g., human, canine, avian, etc). Identifying the hosts of microbial strains lies at the heart of many studies of bacterial contamination in the environment. Being able to determine which host species is responsible, e.g., for fecal contamination of a creek, allows the parties involved to develop specific measures for addressing the contamination.
Carboplatin Substitution for Cisplatin in the Treatment of Ovarian Carcinoma— A Word of Caution

After cisplatin was identified as the first of an important new class of compounds (organoplatinum compounds) with a broad spectrum of antitumor efficacy, a large number of analogs were developed with the hope that one or more would have equivalent antitumor activity without the two adverse effects that made dose escalation and long-term dosing with cisplatin a problem, i.e., renal tubular damage and peripheral neurotoxicity
Neonatal respiratory distress secondary to nasal fibrous histiocytoma

Abstract A full term one-day-old neonate developed respiratory distress secondary to a right intranasal mass. After exploratory craniotomy revealed no intracranial lesions, the child was observed for 6 months. At that time he experienced severe apnea with cyanosis necessitating removal of the mass, which was histologically as a fibrous histiocytoma. Seven year follow-up reveals no further problems. A discussion of fibrous histiocytoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses is briefly given.
Good quality virtual realization of unit ball graphs

The quality of an embedding Φ : V → R2 of a graph G = (V,E) into the Euclidean plane is the ratio of max{u,v}∈E ∥Φ(u)-Φ(v)∥2 to min{u,v}∉E ∥Φ(u)-Φ(v)∥2. Given a unit disk graph G = (V,E), we seek algorithms to compute an embedding Φ : V → R2 of best (smallest) quality. This paper presents a simple, combinatorial algorithm for computing a O(log2.5 n)-quality 2-dimensional embedding of a given unit disk graph. Note that G comes with no associated geometric information. If the embedding is allowed to reside in higher dimensional space, we obtain improved results: a quality-2 embedding in RO(1). Our results extend to unit ball graphs (UBGs) in fixed dimensional Euclidean space. Constructing a "growth-restricted approximation" of the given unit disk graph lies at the core of our algorithm. This approach allows us to bypass the standard and costly technique of solving a linear program with exponentially many "spreading constraints". As a side effect of our construction, we get a constant-factor approximation to the minimum clique cover problem on UBGs, described without geometry. Our problem is a version of the well known localization problem in wireless networks.
The emerging role of the pediatric emergency department in intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) can have profound effects on the physical and mental well-being of children, making it an important pediatric health problem. Mothers who are abused are much more likely to seek care for their children than for themselves, therefore, child health settings are an ideal place to screen for IPV. Pediatric emergency care providers have a unique opportunity to identify and intervene in IPV. This article discusses the challenges inherent in dealing with IPV in the pediatric emergency department, elements of a successful program and offers some roles for providers.
Upgrades for TwinSol facility

Abstract TwinSol , a pair of coupled, superconducting solenoids, was one of the first devices capable of producing beams of radioactive nuclei at energies near the Coulomb barrier. A primary beam from University of Notre Dame (UND) tandem accelerator is used to bombard a primary target producing a secondary beam in flight. TwinSol is used to gather, separate, and focus the recoils. Since it was commissioned at the UND in 1997, at least 58 publications have reported data from its use and there have been hundreds of collaborators from many different countries that use this device. Currently, plans are in place at the UND to provide several upgrades to TwinSol , including a multi-cell gas production target and the possible addition of a third solenoid. Upgrades currently in progress will be discussed along with future plans.
Seizures After TBI

Representing approximately 5% of epilepsy in the civilian population and up to 50% in certain military populations, post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE)warrants both increased clinical attention and research considerations. In this chapter, we discuss the important definitions when considering post-traumatic epilepsy including the timing of post-traumatic seizures and the severity of head injuries. We also review the epidemiology and risk factors for in both the civilian population and the military, as these groups vary significantly. In addition, we elucidate potential pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying PTE and consider its role as a model for epileptogenesis in current and future research. Our clinical discussion focuses on the timing of post-traumatic seizures, the utility of diagnostic testing, the evidence for treatment of PTE and ultimately outcomes. We highlight the relevant studies in each section and underscore the theme that more research is certainly needed.
Studies of Food Intake: Lessons from Nontraditionally Studied Species

The examples given above across a wide range of species indicate that “experiments of nature” afford scientists of ingestive behavior opportunities to obtain a different, and frequently telling insight into the diversity of this behavior. We selected examples of species that naturally exhibit features of ingestive behavior that are often studied in the laboratory through significant and often highly invasive physiological manipulations performed on more traditional species (rats and mice) or via genetic engineering or selective breeding of these species. We hope that the reader of this trek through the control of food intake across diverse regions of the animal kingdom might more fully appreciate the wide range of feeding strategies and physiological responses of these nontraditionally studied species. Although it is often the view that the ingestive behavior responses of laboratory rats and mice are the “gold standard” by which all others should be compared, it could be just as easily argued that these domesticated and inbred animals are the oddities because of the lack of evolutionary pressures shaping their ingestive and other behaviors/physiology during the last ∼100 years of captive breeding. As always, perspective is in the eye of the beholder.
SQR: Successive QCQP refinement for MIMO radar waveform design under practical constraints

We address the problem of designing a waveform for Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar under important practical constraints, namely the constant modulus and the waveform similarity constraints. Incorporating these constraints in an analytically tractable manner continues to be longstanding open challenge. This is because the optimization problem that results from Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) maximization subject to these constraints is a hard non-convex problem. We develop a new analytical approach that involves solving a sequence of convex Quadratic Constrained Quadratic Programing (QCQP) problems, which we prove converges to a sub-optimal solution. We call the method Successive QCQP Refinement (SQR). We evaluate SQR against state of the art in its SINR performance for a practical scenario and show that it outperforms existing methods without incurring a significant computational burden.
Philadelphia's Mechanics in the First Decade of Revolution 1765-1775

OOR reptiles!" Gouverneur Morris declared after surveying a large congregation of mechanics at a public meeting in 1774. "It is with them a vernal morning; they are struggling to cast off their winter's slough, they bask in the sunshine, and ere noon they will bite, depend upon it.", The idea expressed in Morris' metaphor captured the scholarly imaginations of historians in the Progressive era, who believed radical politics during the American Revolution embodied an attempt by the disfranchised and deprived-mechanics in the cities and yeomen in the countryside-to take possession of the body politic.2 The progressive formulation of the "internal revolution" thesis was refuted after World War II by historians who saw more consensus than conflict in the revolutionary movement, yet more recent analysis "from the bottom up" has begun to uncover variegated and often conflicting patterns of aspirations and ambitions in American society., Close attention to the motives and purposes of some of the "middling" and "meaner" peoples has revealed tensions whose denouement required fundamental rearrangements in the society, economy, and politics of the new nation.
Variability of arterial pressure in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

SummaryDaily indirect systolic pressure was measured, without anesthesia, for 3 months to determine the relationship between variability and height of pressure in individual normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. Average systolic pressure correlated with its standard deviation indicating the higher the pressure the greater its variability. The empiric dividing line for hypertension in the rat of 150 mm Hg was reexamined and found appropriate. No SHR rat had an average weekly pressure less than 150 mm Hg and 28% of the controls had at least 1 weekly average above 150 mm Hg; we have termed these rats as “borderline hypertensives.” Daily variability of pressure of borderline hypertensives was greater than the remaining controls. Therefore, borderline hypertensives have greater lability of arterial pressure.The authors gratefully acknowledge the statistical advice of Drs. John McCoy (of the Veterans Administration Southern Research Support Center, Little Rock, AR) and Donald Parker (of the Un...
A Method to Detect Specific Causes of Consumer Complaints

This article shows how a statistical chart offers management a simple and economic tool for feeding back consumer complaint information. The method replaces haphazard trial-and-error procedures wit...
XRFS Analysis of Aluminum Alloys with Sample Preparation by Fusion

Nine elements,i.e.,Mg,Si,Ti,Mn,Fe,Ni,Cu,Zn and Pb in aluminum alloys of different denominations or of different conditions of heat treatment(i.c..either casting or forging)were determined by XRFS.0.2000 g of the alloy was dissolved in 5 mL of 200 g·L~(-1)NaOH solution in a PTFE beaker and acidified with 10 mL of cone.HNO_3.The solution was mixed with 4.000 g of a flux containing lithium tetraborate,lithium metaborate and lithium fluoride(mixed in the ratio of 4.5 to 1 to 0.4 by mass)in a Pt-Au-crucible.The mixture was evaporated to dryness and finally fused on a Meker Burner to form a glassy melt of 2.5 mm in thickness,which was used for XRFS analysis.Four standard samples of aluminum alloy were analyzed by the proposed method, giving results in consistency with the standard values.Precision was tested with a standard sample for 10 separate determinations,values of RSD's found for the 9 elements were ranged from 0.62%to 2.7%.
Comparison of Time to Therapeutic aPTT in Patients Who Received Continuous Unfractionated Heparin After Implementation of Pharmacy-wide Intervention Alerts.

ABSTRACT Background: For patients on continuous IV unfractionated heparin (UFH), failing to achieve a therapeutic aPTT by 24 hours can be associated with increased morbidity. A pharmacy clinical surveillance system (PCSS) subtherapeutic aPTT alert was implemented at our institution to improve achievement of therapeutic aPTT goals by 24 hours. Objective: The primary objective was the time to achieve the minimum goal aPTT before and after the alert implementation. The secondary objectives were to examine the percentage of patients who achieved the minimum goal aPTT by 24 hours and the number of dose changes to achieve the minimum goal aPTT. Methods: A single-center retrospective study was conducted to include all adult inpatients receiving a continuous UFH infusion during a 3-month period prior to the implementation of a subtherapeutic aPTT alert and a 3-month period after implementation. Results: 317 patients were included in the analysis. The average time to achieve the minimum goal aPTT was 21.8 hours pr...
Network coding-based protection of wireless mesh networks

Survivability of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) is a crucial issue that has not received enough attention in the literature. In this paper, we present a network coding-based protection scheme that overcomes the deficiencies in traditional proactive and reactive protection mechanisms. Proactive schemes ((1+1) protection) provide instantaneous recovery, but are resource-hungry. While reactive schemes ((1:N) protection) are efficient (in terms of used resources), but impose a delay and interrupt the network operation. Our approach provides protection to many-to-one flows at the speed of proactive protection, but at the cost of reactive protection. We derive the necessary and sufficient conditions for our solution on a restricted network topology, and then we adapt our solution to take into account general topologies. We also show how to perform deterministic network coding with {0,1} coefficients to achieve independence between linear combinations. Moreover, we discuss some practical considerations related to our network performance. Finally, we consider the implementation of our approach when all network nodes have single transceivers, where we solve the problem through a greedy algorithm that constructs a sub-optimal feasible schedule for the sources transmissions.
Utilization of conventional neuroimaging following youth concussion.

ABSTRACTBackground/objective: Conventional neuroimaging is not recommended for the routine diagnosis of concussion, but some patients with concussion undergo computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this study was to explore the clinical factors that predict neuroimaging utilization in concussion.Methods: Concussion-related CT and MRI data were analysed from 1953 patients, aged 10–19 years, who presented to a sports concussion clinic within 30 days of injury.Results: The majority of CT scans (n = 193) were obtained during the acute concussion period (mean = 2.7 days post-concussion), whereas MRI scans (n = 134) were ordered later during recovery (mean = 39.4 days post-concussion). Predictors of CT utilization included loss of consciousness, amnesia and vomiting (all p < 0.001). Prior concussion (p = 0.002) and continued participation in activity after injury (p = 0.03) predicted greater MRI utilization. Neuroimaging with either CT (p = 0.024, hazard ratio = 1.2) or MR...
3,4,5-Trinitro-1-(nitromethyl)-1H-pyrazole (TNNMP): a perchlorate free high energy density oxidizer with high thermal stability

A superior oxidizer, a derivative of trinitropyrazole, 3,4,5-trinitro-1-(nitromethyl)-1H-pyrazole (TNNMP), was obtained in good yield by the reaction of ammonium 4-amino-3,5-dinitropyrazolate with bromonitromethane followed by oxidation with a mixture of H2O2/H2SO4. Characterization of TNNMP shows that in addition to having good oxygen balance (+18.3%) and detonation performance (Dv = 8858 m s−1; P = 35.1 GPa), it concomitantly has high thermal stability (Td = 202 °C) and acceptable sensitivities (IS = 14 J; FS = 120 N). These attractive properties suggest TNNMP as a promising perchlorate free high energy density oxidizer and a potential replacement for ammonium perchlorate.
Exploring the Research Practices and Needs of Agricultural Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

As part of the Ithaka S+R Agriculture Research Support Services study, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign research team interviewed 12 faculty members in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). The semistructured interviews explored the faculty members' research methods and practices and their research support needs. Our transcript coding and code analysis revealed several noteworthy themes, but for this initial report, we focused on major themes that each had significant subelements and that were more likely to have a connection to libraries and library services—research data, information sources and management, and communication.
Radiation Exposure Among Scrub Technologists and Nurse Circulators During Cardiac Catheterization: The Impact of Accessory Lead Shields.

Abstract Objectives This study was performed to determine if the use of an accessory lead shield is associated with a reduction in radiation exposure among staff members during cardiac catheterization. Background Accessory lead shields that protect physicians from scatter radiation are standard in many catheterization laboratories, yet similar shielding for staff members is not commonplace. Methods Real-time radiation exposure data were prospectively collected among nurses and technologists during 764 consecutive catheterizations. The study had 2 phases: in phase I (n = 401), standard radiation protection measures were used, and in phase II (n = 363), standard radiation protection measures were combined with an accessory lead shield placed between the staff member and patient. Radiation exposure was reported as the effective dose normalized to dose-area product (EDAP). Results Use of an accessory lead shield in phase II was associated with a 62.5% lower EDAP per case among technologists (phase I: 2.4 [4.3] μSv/[mGy × cm2] × 10−5; phase II: 0.9 [2.8] μSv/[mGy × cm2] × 10−5; p Conclusions The relatively simple approach of using accessory lead shields to protect staff members during cardiac catheterization was associated with a nearly two-thirds reduction in radiation exposure among nurses and technologists.
Interactions with the healthcare system influence advance care planning activities: results from a representative survey in 11 developed countries.

Aim To identify factors associated with completion of Advance Care Planning (ACP) by patients seen in primary care in developed countries. We hypothesized that the quality of primary care is associated. Method We analysed respondent reported individual and healthcare utilization factors associated with the completion of ACP activities from the 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults in 11 Countries. The primary outcome is the combined number of ACP activities completed. ACP activities included discussion of treatment preferences, documentation of healthcare wishes, or documentation of a surrogate decision maker. A quality of primary care index was calculated. Results Respondents averaged 69 years old. Most were women, graduated high school, rated their income as average or higher, and rated their health as good or better. A minority reported multimorbidity, accessed the emergency department or hospital, or were informal caregivers. Out of 25530 survey respondents, 13409 (53%) reported completion of any ACP activity; 11579 (45%) had discussed treatment preferences. Generalized linear mixed model results suggest that hospitalization (rate ratio [RR] 1.18), multimorbidity (RR 1.16), informal caregiving (RR 1.13), higher education level (RR 1.14), income (RR 1.05), access to higher quality primary care (RR 1.04) and ED visits (RR 1.04) were associated with higher rates of ACP activities. Male gender (RR 0.85) and higher perceived health status (RR 0.96) were associated with lower rates. Conclusions In this international study, individuals with greater interaction with the healthcare system through hospitalization, multimorbidity, access to quality primary care and informal caregiving reported more ACP activities.
Breaking Down Walls, Building Bridges: Professional Stigma Management in Mental Health Care:

Though most mental health care today occurs in community settings, including primary care, research on mental illness stigma tends to focus on hospitalization or severe mental illness. While stigma...
Media with Onsite Forces: The Newton’s Cradle and Beyond

In this section, we finally return to the Newton’s cradle shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 28a. When the chain of balls is struck at one end, the ball on the opposite end is ejected from the chain, providing a nice illustration of the principle of conservation of momentum. In reality, not all of the energy is transferred to the ejected particle (Hutzler S, Delaney G, Weaire D, MacLeod F (2004) Rocking Newton’s cradle. Am J Phys 72:1508–1516 [1]). While dissipation will account for some energy loss, it is also important to account for forces between the particles due to their elastic deformation. In other words, the Hertzian contact between the particles plays an important role in the dynamics of the Newton’s cradle. As we have seen throughout this volume, the dynamics of a chain of particles interacting through Hertzian contact is extremely rich and complex. We already have a model accounting for the Hertzian contact in Eq. (3).
Reducing Door-to-Reperfusion Time for Mechanical Thrombectomy With a Multitiered Notification System for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract Objective To reduce door-to-angiographic reperfusion (DTR) time to 120 minutes for patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke attributed to anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion amenable to endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. Patients and Methods Patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy before (April 10, 2015, through April 11, 2016) and after (April 12, 2016, through May 10, 2017) implementation of a multitiered notification system were studied. Lean process mapping was used to assess inefficiencies with multidisciplinary triage. A 3-tiered paging platform, which rapidly alerts essential personnel of the acute ischemic stroke team at advancing decision points, was introduced. Results Sixty-two patients were analyzed before and after implementation (34 vs 28, respectively). Following intervention, DTR time was reduced by 43 minutes (mean DTR, 170 minutes vs 127 minutes; P=.02). At 90-day follow up, 5 of the 28 patients in the postintervention cohort (19%) had excellent neurologic outcomes, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0, compared to 0 of 34 (0%) in the preintervention cohort (P=.89). Reductions were also seen in the length of stay on the neurocritical care service (mean, 6 vs 3 days; P=.006), and total hospital charges for combined groups (mean, $100,083 vs $161,458; P Conclusion The multitiered notification system was a feasible solution for improving DTR within our institution, resulting in reductions of overall DTR time, neurocritical care service length of stay, and total hospital charges.
Alanine Scanning of YbdZ, an MbtH-like Protein, Reveals Essential Residues for Functional Interactions with Its Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase Partner EntF.

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are megasynthetases that require complex and specific interactions between multiple domains and proteins to functionally produce a metabolite. MbtH-like proteins (MLPs) are integral components of many NRPSs and interact directly with the adenylation domain of the megasynthetases to stimulate functional enzymology. All of the MLP residues that are essential for functional interactions between the MLP and NRPS have yet to be defined. Here we probe the interactions between YbdZ, an MLP, and EntF, an NRPS, from Escherichia coli by performing a complete alanine scan of YbdZ. A phenotypic screen identified 11 YbdZ variants that are unable to replace the wild-type MLP, and these YbdZ variants were characterized using a series of in vivo and in vitro assays in an effort to explain why functional interactions with EntF were disrupted. All of the YbdZ variants enhanced the solubility of overproduced EntF, suggesting they were still capable of direct interactions with the meg...