cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of flexible cystoscopy on serum prostate-specific antigen values.

Objectives To determine the effect of flexible cystoscopy on the total, free, and percent-free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values in male volunteers. Flexible cystoscopy is the standard method of evaluation of the bladder and urethra. PSA measurement is currently used in conjunction with the digital rectal examination to detect and guide management of prostate cancer. Thus, we must understand the effect of flexible cystoscopy on serum PSA levels. Methods Healthy men who were undergoing flexible cystoscopy and provided informed consent were enrolled in the study. The volunteers had blood taken for PSA measurement before cystoscopy and 1 and 24 hours after. The mean PSA values were compared using the paired t test. Results A total of 40 volunteers (age 22-82 years) enrolled in the study. Statistically significant increases in the total, free, and percent-free PSA values were noted at 1 and 24 hours after cystoscopy. The differences of 0.113 and 0.112 ng/mL ( P Conclusions Statistically significant differences were noted in the total, free, and percent-free PSA levels before and after cystoscopy. Although these small differences achieved statistical significance, none were clinically significant. We have concluded that the serum PSA values are not affected by diagnostic flexible cystoscopy.
Functional Reorganization of a Prefrontal Cortical Network Mediating Consolidation of Trace Eyeblink Conditioning

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been studied for its role in various cognitive functions, but the roles of its subregions remain unclear. We performed tetrode recordings simultaneously from prelimbic (PL) and rostral (rACC) and caudal (cACC) anterior cingulate subregions of the rabbit mPFC to understand their interactions during learning and tests of remote memory retention for whisker-signaled trace eyeblink conditioning. cACC neurons exhibited an innate response to the conditioning stimulus (CS) that rapidly decreased across sessions, suggesting an attentional role for facilitating CS–US associations. rACC neurons from conditioned rabbits exhibited robust responses to the CS that decreased within each session, possibly evaluating its emotional salience. PL neurons exhibited robust persistent activity during the trace interval during tests of remote memory retention, suggesting its involvement in retrieval and execution of a consolidated response. Mechanistically, conditioning was associated with a greater percentage of persistently responsive neurons than neurons from pseudoconditioned control rabbits, and responses differed significantly between trials with and without conditioned responses. Collectively, these responses reflect a functional reorganization of neural activity within the prefrontal network from an attentional mode to one that orchestrates the retrieval and execution of the learned response.
An Improved Method to Assay Folates in Milk by a Turbidimetric Microbiological Assay

Abstract Folates in milk are heat labile and methods used to protect these folates during sample preparation for microbiological estimation of this vitamin result in opaque solutions unsuitable for turbidimetric assays. This has necessitated the use of titrimetric assay for milk folates which are long and cumbersome. By the use of rennin precipitation of casein under conditions which preserve the folate activity, an optically clear solution is obtained which can then be used for turbidimetric assay. This method is described in this paper.
Effect of porous coating on boundary-layer instability

The stabilization effect of porous coating on hypersonic boundary layers over flat plates and cones has been successfully demonstrated by theoretical analyses, experiments, and numerical simulations. It has been found that porous coating slightly destabilizes the Mack first mode whereas it significantly stabilizes the Mack second mode. In previous studies, porous coating covers either the entire flat plate or the surface around half the cone circumference. The effect of porous coating locations on boundary layer stabilizations has not been considered. Furthermore, the destabilization effect of porous coating on the Mack first mode has not been studied in detail. In this paper, the stabilization of a Mach 5.92 flat-plate boundary layer using felt-metal porous coating is studied, focusing on the effect of porous coating locations and the destabilization of the Mack first mode. Stability simulations are carried out by introducing disturbances corresponding to mode S at a cross-section of the boundary layer near the leading edge. In a series of simulations, porous coatings are put both upstream and downstream of the synchronization point. It is found that porous coating location has an important effect on the stabilization of mode S. Disturbances are destabilized when porous coating is located upstream of the synchronization point whereas they are stabilized when porous coating is downstream of the synchronization point. For felt-metal porous coating, destabilization of the Mack first mode is significant so that disturbances are slightly destabilized when porous coating are put on the whole flat plate. The results indicate that an efficient way to s hypersonic boundary layers is to put porous coating downstream of the synchronization point.
Experiential structuring of psychological traits

Abstract The major object of this article is to examine the part that the organization of our experiences may play in the structuring of our psychological traits. How does an individual's learning history influence the formation of his or her psychological traits? This question is approached by considering the traits identified in diverse contexts that provide substantially different experiential histories for the developing individual. Examples of such contexts are taken from research on (1) affective and cognitive domains, (2) academic and practical intelligence, (3) trait development in different species, (4) trait structure across the life span, and (5) cross-cultural trait comparisons. Special attention is given to the role of formal schooling in the formation of cognitive traits and to the contribution of such technological developments as phonetic writing, counting and numerical systems, and Computers.
A mixed-methods investigation of early childhood professional development for providers and recipients in the United States

This multi-phase mixed-methods study explores provider and recipient perceptions of the current state of early childhood professional development in a southeastern area of the United States. Professional development for the early childhood workforce has been shown to positively influence the quality of early childhood classrooms. This study examines 320 providers and 1022 recipients (including childcare teachers, Head Start teachers and 4k teachers in public school districts) who completed surveys examining the types of professional development opportunities they experienced over the previous year. Findings from these surveys were used to determine a subsample of providers (n = 20) and recipients (n = 27) who were interviewed to gain a deeper understanding of these experiences. Findings from this study indicate overall dissatisfaction with the quality and purpose of current professional development opportunities. Participants describe a lack of access to high-quality experiences and suggest that professio...
The caudal neurosecretory system of Poecilia sphenops (Poeciliidae)

The caudal neurosecretory system of the molly, Poecilia sphenops (Poeciliidae) was studied by light and electron microscopy. In this species the cell bodies form a focal nuclear group in the caudal spinal cord. The neurosecretory cells are in contact with glial elements, axon terminals, and the lumen of the central canal. The axons of the neurosecretory cells form a definitive tract, which leaves the spinal cord proper to penetrate a well defined neurohemal organ, the urophysis. The urophysis contains an abundance of neurosecretory granules within the neurosecretory axonal processes. This study is the first ultrastructural study of the caudal neurosecretory system in this family of fishes, which has been used as a neuroendocrine model. This species acclimates easily to the laboratory aquarium and may be most suitable for further studies on the effects of changes in external salinity on the caudal neurosecretory system.
The effect of core displacement on the high order resonance modes of a nanoegg in the quasistatic regime

In this paper we study the high order resonance modes in a nanoegg and how the core displacement affects the properties of such modes. We use the quasistatic approximation, which is valid because nanoeggs typically resonate at wavelengths much larger than their size.
Whisker formation and the mechanism of superplastic deformation

The morphology and formation process of the whiskers which developed during the superplastic deformation of 7475 Al were studied as a function of temperature, strain rate and externally applied electric field. The whiskers were as fine as 0.1 μm and as long as 100 μm. Their density and length increased with test temperature and with decrease in strain rate, and with an applied electric field. The formation of the whiskers could not be explained by a dislocation or vacancy diffusion mechanism. Rather, their morphology and the high strain rates involved suggested that the mechanism is more likely viscous flow of a liquid-like substance originally at the grain boundaries. SEM observations revealed that the whiskers formed from flow lines which developed from grain boundary sliding. This strongly suggests that the mechanism of grain boundary sliding could also be viscous flow of a liquid-like, grain boundary material.
Alkylation resistance of E. coli cells expressing different isoforms of human alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (hAAG).

Abstract The alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (AAG) has been cloned from mouse and humans. AAG knock out mouse cells are sensitized to a variety of alkylating and cross-linking agents suggesting AAG is active on a variety of substrates. In humans, two isoforms have been characterized that are generated by alternative splicing and contain either exon 1a or 1b (hAAG1 or hAAG2). In this study, we examine the ability of the both known isoforms of human AAG (hAAG) to contribute to survival of Escherichia coli from treatments with simple alkylating agents and cross-linking alkylating agents. Our results show that hAAG is effective at repairing methyl lesions when expressed in E. coli, but is unable to afford increased resistance to alkylating agents producing larger alkyl lesions such as ethyl lesions or lesions produced by the cross-linking alkylating agents N,N′-bis-chloroethyl-N-nitrosourea (BCNU), N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (CNU) or mitomycin C. In the case of CNU, expression of hAAG causes increased sensitivity rather than resistance, suggesting deleterious effects of hAAG activity. We also demonstrate that there are no apparent differences between the two isoforms of hAAG when recovery from damage produced by all alkylating agents is tested.
Rates of nitrogen mineralization across an elevation and vegetation gradient in the Southern Appalachians

We measured nitrogen (N) transformation rates for six years to examine temporal variation across the vegetation and elevation gradient that exists within the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory. Net N mineralization and nitrification rates were measured using 28-day in situ closed core incubations. Incubations were conducted at various intervals, ranging from monthly during the growing season, to seasonally based on vegetation phenology. Vegetation types included oak-pine, cove hardwoods, low elevation mixed oak, high elevation mixed oak, and northern hardwoods. Elevations ranged from 782 to 1347 m. Nitrogen transformation rates varied with vegetation type. Mineralization rates were lowest in the oak-pine and mixed oak sites averaging <1.2 mg N kg soil-1 28 day-1. Rates in the cove hardwood site were greater than all other low elevation sites with an annual average of 3.8 mg N kg soil-1 28 day-1. Nitrogen mineralization was greatest in the northern hardwood site averaging 13 mg N kg soil-1 28 day-1. Nitrification rates were typically low on four sites with rates <0.5 mg N kg soil-1 28 day-1. However, the annual average nitrification rate of the northern hardwood site was 6 mg N kg soil-1 28 days-1. Strong seasonal trends in N mineralization were observed. Highest rates occurred in spring and summer with negligible activity in winter. Seasonal trends in nitrification were statistically significant only in the northern hardwood site. Nitrogen mineralization was significantly different among sites on the vegetation and elevation gradient. While N mineralization rates were greatest at the high elevation site, vegetation type appears to be the controlling factor.
Effects of Solvent Polarity on the Acid Dissociation Constants of Benzoic Acids

The pKa values of benzoic acid, p-methylbenzoic, and p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) were determined by potentiometric titration in mixtures of 0–0.5 volume fractions of various cosolvents and water. The differences between the aqueous and semiaqueous pKa values were similar for the three solutes at a particular cosolvent-water mixture for most of the cosolvents studied. The largest differences occurred in the dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO)-water system, where the pKa changes were larger for PABA than the other two solutes. The data are analyzed by a consideration of both electrostatic and nonelectrostatic medium effects. The electrostatic medium effect was calculated from the Born Equation while any residual pKa change was attributed to nonelectrostatic medium effects. The residual effects were found to correlate well with indexes of solvent hydrogen bond acceptor ability such as HBA and β-values. These results provide a rationale for the use of two solvent polarity indexes for more accurate estimates of pKa values of weak electrolytes in semiaqueous solvent systems. Analysis of solubility data of the salt and acid forms of PABA and benzoic acid in ethanol-water and Me2SO-water mixtures suggests that the higher activity of the anionic form of PABA in Me2SO-water mixtures is primarily responsible for the large pKa changes observed for that solute.
On resonance and shielding of printed traces on a circuit board

A rigorous formulation in the spectral domain is used to investigate the radiation from unterminated traces printed on a circuit board in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 1 GHz. The effect of coupling among adjacent traces on the resonant frequencies and the shielding effectiveness of metallic coating on the plastic cover are analyzed. It is found that the radiation around resonant frequencies is critical to comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) specifications and that an appropriate coating can resolve the problem. >
Considering ecological formulations for estimating deposition velocity in air quality models

A dry deposition modelling approach that includes surface feedback through photosynthesis relationships was recently developed. A canopy photosynthesis model is dynamically coupled to an atmospheric model with prognostic soil hydrology and surface energy balance. The effective surface resistance is calculated for a realistic and fully interactive estimation of gaseous deposition velocity (Vd). The model was able to correctly estimate observed ozone Vd over agricultural fields. The same model was tested for its ability to simulate ammonia Vd near an animal agricultural facility. The scheme did not reproduce the bi-directional exchange and had a much smaller range as compared to observations. The model was modified to include a simple ammonia compensation point formulation and the results were much closer to the observations. Study concludes that ecological approaches with default parameterisation and biophysical constants are convenient and effective in estimating Vd for air quality models.
The Pediatric Early Elementary Examination: Sensitivity and Specificity

Evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the Pediatric Early Elementary Examination (PEEX), a test designed to identify children at risk for learning problems. Using a sample of 299 seven- to nine-year-old "disadvantaged" children, the number of "areas of concern" identified by the PEEX and a school record indicating whether a child was receiving special educational services were used to compute test sensitivity and specificity. For two areas of concern, the sensitivity was 76.9% and specificity was 59.9%. The findings indicate that the PEEX correctly identified only 64.3% of children receiving special educational services. The test has a high rate of false positives while still failing to identify 6-7.5% of the children receiving special education services. Other issues relating to the utility of the PEEX are discussed.
Notch filter feedback control of a chaotic system

A recent method for suppressing chaos uses time-varying perturbations in accessible system parameters. A new method is presented using a notch filter output feedback, with fixed controller parameters and without affecting the original system parameters. The motivation for using a notch filter in the feedback is to disturb the balance of power dynamically at the lower end of the participating frequencies in the power spectrum. To select the controller parameters, both a harmonic balance method and a numerical optimal parameter selection scheme are presented to choose the notch filter parameters to achieve desired k-period motions. The procedures are tested on Duffing's oscillator with a notch filter feedback. It is shown that not only can chaotic motion be transformed into k-period motion, but also that the resulting controller is robust with respect to changes in the forcing amplitude.
Estimation and application of discrete spectrum of relaxations for electromagnetic induction responses

The EMI response of a target can be accurately modeled by a sum of real exponentials. However, it is difficult to obtain the model parameters from measurements when the number of exponentials in the sum is unknown. In this paper, a constrained linear method for estimating the parameters is formulated by enumerating the relaxation parameter space and imposing a nonnegative constraint on the parameters. Using tests on synthetic data and laboratory measurement of known targets the proposed method is shown to provide accurate and stable estimates of the model parameters. The estimated parameters are then used to cluster different targets types for classification.
A collaborative approach to offering summer engineering camps for middle school students

Engineering educators utilize K-12 outreach to encourage students to pursue careers in engineering. Engineering faculty choosing to undertake K-12 outreach often face time consuming administrative duties associated with such activities. Collaboration with outside organizations provides ways to become more involved in K-12 outreach. Non-profit tutoring organizations, arts and community centers, or science museums are possible collaboration partners. These organizations can prepare grant applications geared toward K-12 activities to get curriculum and equipment, promote and advertise to their audience with their other activities, and use their media contacts to publicize the program. This allows the engineering faculty to focus on the curriculum and students. This paper discusses the collaboration used to offer several week long summer engineering camps for middle school students, the activities included in each camp, and feedback received from camp participants, parents, and instructors. By partnering with an outside educational organization, the faculty increased their outreach activities with little additional cost or effort. The curriculum materials provided by the partnership, combined with the extra hands-on engineering activities incorporated by the instructors, created a unique engineering camp experience for the students. This resulted in improved student interest and instructor motivation for the outreach activity.
A biomechanical study of plate versus intramedullary devices for midshaft clavicle fixation

Non-operative management of midshaft clavicle fractures is standard; however, surgical management is increasing. The purpose of this study is to compare the biomechanical performance of plate versus intramedullary fixation in cyclic bending for matched pairs of cadaveric clavicles. We hypothesized that the biomechanical properties are similar. Eight sets of matched clavicles with vertical, midshaft osteotomies were prepared from fresh, frozen cadavers. A 3.5 mm dynamic compression plate or a 3.8 or 4.5 mm intramedullary device were used for fixation. Clavicles were loaded in a four-point bend at 6 different loads for 3000 cycles at 1 Hz starting with 180 N and increasing by 180 N with sampling at 2 Hz. Failure was defined as 10 mm of displacement or catastrophic construct failure prior to 10 mm of displacement. Between constructs, there was a significant difference with large effect size in displacement at fixed loads of 180 N (P = 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.85), 360 N (P = 0.033; Cohen's d = 1.39), 540 N (P = 0.003; Cohen's d = 0.73) and 720 N (P = 0.018; Cohen's d = 0.72). There was a significant difference with large effect size in load at fixed displacements of 5 mm (P = 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.49), 7.5 mm (P = 0.011; Cohen's d = 1.06), and 10 mm (P = 0.026; Cohen's d = 0.84). Plate constructs are superior in showing less displacement at fixed loads and greater loads at fixed displacements over a broad range of loads and displacements with cyclic four-point bending. The clinical relevance is that plate fixation may provide a stronger construct for early rehabilitation protocols that focus on repetitive movements in the early pre-operative period.
Crisis decision theory: Decisions in the face of negative events.

How do people respond to negative life events? Crisis decision theory combines the strengths of coping theories with research on decision making to predict the responses people choose under negative circumstances. The theory integrates literatures on coping, health behavior, and decision making, among others, into 3 stages that describe the process of responding to negative events: (a) assessing the severity of the negative event, (b) determining response options, and (c) evaluating response options. The author reviews and organizes the relevant research on factors that shape information processing at each stage and that ultimately predict decisions in the face of negative events. Finally, the author presents a critique of crisis decision theory and discusses areas for future research.
Semantic Matching to Achieve Web Service Discovery and Composition

In this paper, we present a novel algorithm to discover and compose Web services in the presence of semantic ambiguity by combining semantic matching and AI planning algorithms. Specifically, we use cues from domain-independent and domain-specific ontologies to compute an overall semantic similarity score between ambiguous terms. This semantic similarity score is used by AI planning algorithms to guide the searching process when composing services. In addition, we integrate semantic and ontological matching with an indexing method, which we call attribute hashing, to enable fast lookup of semantic ally related concepts
The Jingle Jangle of Employee Engagement: Further Exploration of the Emerging Construct and Implications for Workplace Learning and Performance

While research is emerging around the employee engagement construct, evolution is in early stages of development. Presently, some questions remain about how employee engagement differs from other w...
Testable sequential circuit design: partitioning for pseudoexhaustive test

In this study, we present an automated algorithm that partitions large sequential VLSI circuits for pseudoexhaustive testing. The partitioning algorithm is based on the primary input cone and fanout value of each node in the circuit. We have developed an optimization process that can be used to find the optimal size of primary input cone and fanout values, to be used for partitioning a given circuit. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our work.
Variation in annual and lifetime reproductive success of lance-tailed manakins: alpha experience mitigates effects of senescence on siring success

The causes of variation in individual reproductive success over a lifetime are not well understood. In long-lived vertebrates, reproductive output usually increases during early adulthood, but it is difficult to disentangle the roles of development and learning on this gain of reproductive success. Lekking lance-tailed manakins provide an opportunity to separate these processes, as the vast majority of male reproduction occurs after a bird obtains alpha status and maintains a display area in the lek, but the age at which males achieve alpha status varies widely. Using 11 years of longitudinal data on age, social status and genetic siring success, I assessed the factors influencing variation in siring success by individuals over their lifetimes. The data show increases in annual reproductive success with both age and alpha experience. At advanced ages, these gains were offset by senescence in fecundity. Individual ontogeny, rather than compositional change of the population, generated a nonlinear relationship of breeding tenure with lifetime success; age of assuming alpha status was unrelated to tenure as a breeder, or success in the alpha role. Importantly, these findings suggest that social experience can mitigate the negative effects of senescence in older breeders.
Understanding and Informing Permitting Decisions for Tidal Energy Development Using an Adaptive Management Framework

Marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy offers a promising new source of renewable ocean energy. However, the young industry is faced with significant challenges. Most notable is the challenge of regulatory uncertainty that is thought to hamper the successful deployment of new tidal energy technologies. Adaptive management may be one approach to deal with uncertainty and inform permitting decisions for hydrokinetic projects. In this study, we apply the concept of adaptive management to the Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project in Maine to better understand and inform permitting decisions. Using a social science approach of observation, interviews, and document analysis, we examine (1) agency roles and authority, (2) agency interactions, (3) regulatory change, and (4) challenges faced in the regulatory and permitting process for MHK development at the federal and state level. We found four institutional factors favorable to an adaptive approach. These include experimentation and learning, institutionalized choice to correct avoidable error, a strong commitment to interagency coordination, and an emphasis on early proactive engagement with project developers. We also identified institutional challenges or vulnerabilities. These include conflicting agency cultures, high financial costs, and long timeframes associated with baseline data collection. Lessons learned from this study can assist regulators, policymakers, and project developers design and implement an actively adaptive management approach that can move new renewable ocean energy development forward in a way that is socially acceptable and environmentally responsible.
On the buoyancy-driven motion of a drop towards a rigid surface or a deformable interface

The deformation of a viscous drop, driven by buoyancy toward a solid surface or a deformable interface, is analyzed in the asymptotic limit of small Bond number, for which the deformation becomes important only when the drop is close to the solid surface or interface. Lubrication theory is used to describe the flow in the thin gap between the drop and the solid surface or interface, and boundary-integral theory is used in the fluid phases on either side of the gap. The evolution of the drop shape is traced from a relatively undeformed state until a dimple is formed and a long-time quasi-steady-state pattern is established. A wide range of drop to suspending phase viscosity ratios is examined. It is shown that a dimple is always formed, independently of the viscosity ratio, and that the long-time thinning rates take simple forms as inverse fractional powers of time.
Sleep staging automaton based on the theory of evidence

The authors address sleep staging as a medical decision problem. They develop a model for automated sleep staging by combining signal information, human heuristic knowledge in the form of rules, and a mathematical framework. The EEG/EOG/EMG (electroencephalogram/electroculogram/electromyogram) events relevant for sleep staging are detected in real time by an existing front-end system and are summarized per minute. These token data are translated, normalized and constitute the input alphabet to a finite-state machine (automaton). The processed token events are used as partial belief in a set of anthropomimetic rules, which encode human knowledge about the occurrence of a particular sleep stage. The Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence weighs the partial beliefs and attributes the minute sleep stage to the machine state transition that displays the highest final belief. Results are briefly presented. >
Sonographische Beeinflussung der Frakturheilung

Sowohl in der Literatur als auch durch eigene Studien lasst sich belegen, dass niedrig intensiver gepulster Ultraschall geeignet ist, den Frakturheilungsprozess zu stimulieren. Dies gilt sowohl im Tierexperiment als auch bei der frischen klinischen Frakturheilung. Auch zur Behandlung von Pseudarthrosen ist die Methode unter Einhaltung der Einschlusskriterien geeignet. Es steht genugend Studienmaterial in ausreichender Qualitat zur Verfugung, das den Einsatz von niedrig intensivem gepulstem Ultraschall in begrundeten Fallen rechtfertigt.
Secure Mutual Authentication Protocols for Mobile Multi-Hop Relay WiMAX Networks against Rogue Base/Relay Stations

Mobile multi-hop relay (MMR) WiMAX networks have attracted lots of interest in the wireless communication industry recently because of its scalable coverage, improved data rates and relatively low cost. However, security of MMR WiMAX networks is the main challenge. In this paper, we first identify a possible attack on MMR WiMAX networks in which a rogue base station (BS) or relay station (RS) can get authenticated and gain control over the connections. We also show that the current standard does not address this problem well. We then propose a set of new authentication protocols for protecting MMR WiMAX networks from rogue BS and rogue RS attacks. Our protocols provide centralized authentication by using a trusted authentication server to support mutual authentication between RS and BS, between RS and RS, and between MS and RS. Our protocols can also provide distributed authentication with a license issued by the trusted server.
Clinical Evaluation of Intravenous Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole for Serious Infections

The efficacy and safety of intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) were evaluated in 22 adults with serious infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. These infections included pneumonia, meningitis, pyelonephritis, deep-seated abscesses, and endocarditis. Of the 19 patients who could be evaluated, 12 (63%) were cured, and four (21%) showed definite improvement; three patients (16%) failed to respond to treatment. The only serious side effect occurred in a patient who had an acute reaction after his first dose. Mild adverse reactions were relatively common: three patients (13.6%) developed skin rashes, in one case with bronchospasm and eosinophilia. Mild transient decline of renal function was observed in five patients (22.7%) and decline of hepatic function in seven patients (31.8%); these abnormalities were not necessarily attributable to the drug. Although side effects were more common than previous reports indicate, intravenous TMP-SMZ was effective in the treatment of life-threatening infections unresponsive to other antibiotics.
Protein accumulation in leaves and roots associated with improved drought tolerance in creeping bentgrass expressing an ipt gene for cytokinin synthesis

Cytokinins (CKs) may be involved in the regulation of plant adaptation to drought stress. The objectives of the study were to identify proteomic changes in leaves and roots in relation to improved drought tolerance in transgenic creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) containing a senescence-activated promoter (SAG12) and the isopentyl transferase (ipt) transgene that increases endogenous CK content. Leaves of SAG12-ipt bentgrass exhibited less severe senescence under water stress, as demonstrated by maintaining lower electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation, and higher photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), compared with the null transformant (NT) plants. SAG12-ipt plants had higher root/shoot ratios and lower lipid peroxidation in leaves under water stress than the NT plants. The suppression of drought-induced leaf senescence and root dieback in the transgenic plants was associated with the maintenance of greater antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase). The SAG12-ipt and NT plants exhibited differential protein expression patterns under well-watered and drought conditions in both leaves and roots. Under equivalent leaf water deficit (47% relative water content), SAG12-ipt plants maintained higher abundance of proteins involved in (i) energy production within both photosynthesis and respiration [ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO) and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)]; (ii) amino acid synthesis (methionine and glutamine); (iii) protein synthesis and destination [chloroplastic elongation factor (EF-Tu) and protein disulphide isomerases (PDIs)]; and (iv) antioxidant defence system (catalase and peroxidase) than the NT plants. These results suggest that increased endogenous CKs under drought stress may directly or indirectly regulate protein abundance and enzymatic activities involved in the above-mentioned metabolic processes, thereby enhancing plant drought tolerance.
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA)

Great advances have been made during the last 20 years in the development of structured and semi-structured interviews for use with psychiatric patients. However, in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry there have been weaknesses in the specification and definition of both symptoms and the psychosocial impairments resulting from psychiatric disorder. Furthermore, most of the available interviews for use with children have been tied to a single diagnostic system (DSM-III, DSM-III-R, or ICD-9). This has meant that symptom coverage has been limited and nosological comparisons have been inhibited. The Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA) represents an attempt to remedy some of these shortcomings. This paper outlines the principles adopted in the CAPA to improve the standardization, reliability and meaningfulness of symptom and diagnostic ratings. The CAPA is an interviewer-based diagnostic interview with versions for use with children and their parents, focused on symptoms occurring during the preceding 3 month period, adapted for assessments in both clinical and epidemiological research.
Nitric oxide synthase inhibition reduces caudate injury following transient focal ischemia in cats.

We tested the hypothesis that inhibiting nitric oxide production either before or during transient focal ischemia affects early postischemic brain injury. Halothane-anesthetized cats underwent 1 hour of left middle cerebral artery occlusion plus 3 hours of reperfusion. Pretreatment groups received either intravenous N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg, n = 10) or an equal volume of diluent (10 mL saline, n = 10) over 30 minutes before ischemia. Posttreatment groups received intravenous L-NAME (10 mg/kg) over 30 minutes from 45 minutes of ischemia to 15 minutes of reperfusion (n = 10) or intravenous L-NAME (10 mg/kg) plus L-arginine (200 mg/kg) over the same period followed by continuous L-arginine infusion (200 mg/kg per hour) for the remainder of reperfusion (n = 10). Microsphere-determined blood flow to ipsilateral caudate nucleus and inferior temporal cortex decreased to the same extent during ischemia and recovered to the same extent during reperfusion in the four groups. Triphenyltetrazolium-determined injury volume of ipsilateral caudate nucleus in cats treated with L-NAME before or during ischemia (42 +/- 7% and 42 +/- 3% of caudate nucleus, respectively; mean +/- SE) was less (P < .05) compared with that in cats pretreated with saline (72 +/- 5%) or cats treated with L-NAME plus L-arginine (68 +/- 5%). Ipsilateral cerebral hemispheric injury volume was similar among the four groups (23 +/- 5%, 13 +/- 3%, 18 +/- 5%, and 29 +/- 5% of hemisphere in groups treated with L-NAME before ischemia and during ischemia, the saline-treated group, and the group treated with L-NAME plus L-arginine, respectively). Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase decreases caudate injury volume from transient focal cerebral ischemia in cats. The beneficial effect is reversed by L-arginine and is not caused by favorable redistribution of blood flow during ischemia and reperfusion. Because L-NAME was efficacious when administered at reperfusion, nitric oxide generated during reperfusion appears to contribute to caudate injury.
Technology Entrepreneurship: Progress of a Clinical Approach Through Time

The management of technology program at the University of New Mexico started with a 1980 National Science Foundation grant to commercialize technology when the concept was not fully understood except by a few. In a targeted open innovation fashion, the program went through multiple changes to satisfy the needs of large and small companies (the industry); the government’s many levels at the local, state, and federal levels; academic programs’ research; and teaching needs. It blended the cultural aspects of the field and the disciplines contributing to these programs as well as the environment in which they operated in true quintuple helix fashion. The article describes the last 35 years of these activities and explains the significance of these accomplishments where the program’s faculty and students used real-life projects with technology firms to learn by doing rather than from theories or cases only.
Excited state chemistry of capsular assemblies in aqueous solution and on silica surfaces.

Synthesis and encapsulation properties of two new water-soluble resorcinol-capped organic cavitands (tetra acid and octa acid; RTA and ROA) are reported in this Letter. Organic guest molecules template the formation of capsular assembly of the above cavitands in water. Depending upon the guest, either 1:2 (guest to host) or 2:2 capsular assemblies were formed. The excited state properties of guests such as anthracene, camphorthione, and 4,4′-dimethyl benzil were distinctly different within a capsular assembly from those when they were free in a solution. Importantly, the host–guest complexes of the above two hosts (RTA and ROA) as well as octa acid (OA) could be transferred to a silica surface. The excited state behavior of host–guest assemblies on silica surface resembled that in solution. The high cage effect in the decarbonylation products and high yield of rearrangement product obtained upon photolysis of 1-phenyl-3-tolyl-2-propanone included within RTA, ROA, and OA both in solution and on silica surf...
Service Challenges and Governance Issues Confronting American Counties in the 21st Century: An Overview:

The American county?long consid ered to be the bedrock of local gov ernment in the United States?has grown in importance since the middle of the 20th century. Between 1962 and 2002, the county government share of county and municipal revenues grew from 39.3 to 47.3 percent, and expenditures grew from 33.7 to 46.5 percent. As a consequence of this substantial growth in county financial activity, there has been a con comitant and stunning increase in the types and level of county government services. Re latedly, the county workforce has increased dramatically, more than tripling in size from around 700,000 full-time equivalent employ ees in 1962 to 2.3 million in 2002. In 2002, county employees accounted for 48.6 per cent of the county and municipal workforce compared with 35.7 percent in 1962. Today, counties employ almost as many people as do municipalities. Coincident with this growth, American counties face a number of challenges as ser vice-delivery agents and instruments of gov ernance in the early 21st century. Viewed from a global perspective, perhaps the most daunting challenge is whether or not coun ties can meet the myriad and far-flung expec tations that accompany the service roles coun ties are expected to play. A growing number of county governments must simultaneously function as traditional, local, and regional governments (see Benton 2002a). As tradi tional governments, counties serve as ad ministrative or political arms of their state governments and thus perform a number of state functions (many of them mandated) and services to all county residents.1 When counties function as local governments, they provide municipal-type services to residents of unincorporated areas.2 In addition, densely populated counties often serve as regional governments when they provide urban-type services to residents of both unincorporated and incorporated areas.3 This enlargement of the service role and prominence of counties and the wholly new approach to daily operations that is required means that county governments must deal with several governance issues. Indeed, these issues are part and parcel of the very essence of counties as they strive to provide tradi tional as well as municipaland urban-type services and meet the heightened expecta tions of democratic governance. As function ing full-service governments, three questions in particular are salient. First, what is the most suitable form of county government in terms of responsiveness to escalating service expectations and ability to negotiate with
Net Shape after Sintering by Consistent Powder Mixes

In the production of PM components the dimensional scatter must be kept to a minimum. Due to the demand for narrow tolerances the components may need sizing or other secondary operations which increase production costs. New high strength material cannot however be sized due to the high hardness which means that the tolerances after sintering must be very close. This makes it important to consider the scatter in dimensional change when selecting material for PM components.A model to calculate the scatter in dimensional change is suggested. The dimensional scatter on produced components can be estimated by using a mathematical model. This model includes the variations in mix composition, important compacting and sintering variables. It also take into account the Influence from these variables on the dimensional change.With this model different base powders, alloys and manufacturing processes can be compared to find the most efficient alternative for achieving the best dimensional precision of PM parts.The need for lowest total cost coupled with demands for high strength make it necessary to improve the dimensional tolerances for the parts after sintering.
A novel application of the terminal sequencing and spacing system to converging runway operations in a simulated NextGen environment

In 2013, the Airspace Operations Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center conducted a humanin-the-loop simulation that examined the feasibility of applying a number of Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) solutions to complex arrival operations in and around the New York metroplex. The delivery of arrivals to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) was the focus of this simulation, which involved extending the Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSS) scheduling capability to precisely schedule arrivals to intersecting runways 22 Left and 11. An important enabler for the concept was the availability of a dependent runway scheduler that was able to coordinate arrival times between aircraft landing on intersecting runways. At the time of the study, there was no functionality within the TSS scheduler to automatically create the dependent runway schedules. Instead, a Traffic Management Coordinator (TMC) manually created a de-conflicted schedule, which allowed for the concept to be tested as well as provided valuable insight into the tool requirements for a dependent runway scheduler. Throughout the course of preparations for the simulation, the individual serving as the TMC developed a number of strategies and procedures for manually adjusting the Scheduled Time of Arrival (STA) of the EWR arrivals in order to ensure that adequate spacing was provided between runway 22L and 11 arrival pairs. This paper describes the strategies and procedures that were developed and details how they were successfully applied during the simulation. Results will also be presented that shed additional light on exactly how the schedules were manipulated and their impact on delivery performance and safety. Ideas for additional TSS enhancements and next steps, based on participant feedback, will also be presented.
Thermal Analysis of Mixed Electroosmotic and Pressure Driven Flows in Two-Dimensional Straight Microchannels

Analytical solution for the temperature distributions, heat transfer coefficients, and Nusselt numbers of steady electroosmotic flows with an arbitrary pressure gradient are obtained for two-dimensional straight micro-channels. The thermal analysis considers interaction among inertial, diffusive and Joule heating terms in order to obtain the thermally developing behavior of mixed electroosmotic and pressure driven flows. In mixed flow cases, the governing equation for energy is not separable in general. Therefore, we introduced a new method that considers the extended Graetz problem. Heat transfer characteristics are presented for low Reynolds number micro-flows where the viscous and electric field terms are very dominant. Analytical results show that the heat transfer coefficient of mixed-electroosmotic and pressure driven flow is smaller than that of pure electroosmotic flow. For the parameter range studied here (Re<0.7), the fully developed Nusselt number is independent of the thermal Peclet number and pressure gradient. Moreover, in mixed electroosmotic and pressure driven flows, the thermal entrance length increases with the imposed pressure gradient.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Development of Gas Turbine Engine Embedded Instrumentation

A renewed interest in improved gas turbine engine performance and environmental emissions has clarified the need for more robust flow-field diagnostics. Previous development efforts have resulted in engine exit plane probes capable of continuous exposure to hightemperature augmentor flow streams and nonintrusive optical systems for in-situ measurement of various flow-field properties, including chemical species and temperature. However, applications of these measurement techniques to engine internal flows will require significant advancements in probe miniaturization, sensor integration, and optical access techniques. Personnel at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) located at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, have recently pursued these advancements in development efforts designed to expand the measurement capabilities for internal flow fields of gas turbine engines. This paper discusses recent accomplishments and future plans for miniature probe development, embedded sensor progress, and optical measurement technology.
Rockefeller University's Role in the Development of the First Vaccines Against Meningococcal Meningitis

Shortly after laboratories opened at the newly founded Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York City, meningococcal meningitis spread through the city. About 4,000 cases of this disease, which frequently killed or severely disabled its victims, were documented in 1904 and 1905. At the time, these grim numbers were nothing extraordinary, as periodic outbreaks of diphtheria, smallpox, and other infectious diseases rippled through New York and elsewhere around the world.