cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reassessment of Fungicide Synergism for Control of Dollar Spot

Experiments were designed to assess reports of synergism between propiconazole and other fungicides to control dollar spot in creeping bentgrass. In 2004 and 2006, two field experiments were conducted near Griffin, GA, and repeated near West Lafayette, IN. A third experiment was conducted at the Griffin site in 2007. In each experiment, replicated treatments of commercial formulations of propiconazole, triadimefon, iprodione, vinclozolin, and chlorothalonil were applied to plots of creeping bentgrass at the sublabel rates of 0.12, 0.38, 0.57, 0.38, and 2.29 kg a.i. ha-1, respectively. In addition, each of the latter four fungicides was tank mixed with propiconazole at the rates given, and applied as treatments. Plots were treated once in experiments 1 and 3, and three times at a 21-day interval in experiment 2. Nontreated plots served as controls. Disease intensity was assessed visually by estimating the area of each plot that exhibited dollar spot symptoms. Synergism between tank-mixed fungicides was determined by comparing actual and expected values of the duration of disease control (experiment 1) or the percentage of disease control (experiments 2 and 3) in treated plots. No synergistic interactions were detected at Griffin or West Lafayette in experiments 1 or 2. In the first trial of experiment 3, synergism was observed between propiconazole and iprodione on one of five ratings dates and between propiconazole and vinclozolin on two of five rating dates. However, no synergistic interactions were detected in the second trial. Results suggest that there is a low probability for turfgrass managers to take advantage of fungicide synergism to control dollar spot with the products and rates tested.
Experimentation and change in contemporary strategies for ethnography

Kirk, Jerome, and Marc L. Miller. Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. Beverly Hills: Sage University Paper series on Qualitative Research Methods, Volume 1, 1986. (No front matter) 87 pp. including references. $10.95 cloth, $6.00 paper. Agar, Michael H. Speaking of Ethnography. Beverly Hills: Sage University Paper series on Qualitative Research Methods, Volume 2, 1986. (No front matter) 79 pp. including references. $10.95 cloth, $6.00 paper. Marcus, George E., and Michael M. J. Fischer. Anthropology as Cultural Critique: An Experimental Moment in the Human Sciences. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1986. xiii + 204 pp. including notes, references, and index. $22.00 cloth, $9.95 paper. Clifford, James, and George E. Marcus, eds. Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1986. ix + 305 pp. including bibliography and index. $29.95 cloth, $9.95 paper. Das, Veena, ed. The Word and the World: Fantasy, Symbol and Record. Beverly Hills: ...
Scoring methods and application of the activity record (ACTRE) for patients with musculoskeletal disorders

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Activity Record (ACTRE) has been used to document daily activities in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Quantification of the amount of time spent resting and physically active, the intensity of pain and fatigue associated with patterns of activities, and motivational considerations are possible with the ACTRE. Scoring has been streamlined to permit identification of the amount of pain, fatigue, and motivational factors as they relate to activity patterns (e.g., rest and physical activity). The ACTRE provides a performance-based, quantifiable measure of daily activity.
Ocean Drilling Program investigates hydrate ridge

There are several ways to get onboard the JOIDES Resolution, a 143-meter long converted oil tanker that is a floating laboratory, and the pride of the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). You can meet up with it at a port of call, or set down on its helicopter pad. Or you can hitch a ride by overnight supply boat, and then get lifted by crane to the Resolution by clinging to the outside of a rope transfer basket as this reporter did.
Some new consequences of the order parameter description of glassy states

Abstract By extending the classical order parameter theory of glassy states to the case of inhomogeneous glassy states, some new consequences of the theory are derived. It is shown that the phase boundaries, critical points, and the kinetics of phase transition differ in the annealed and the quenched states. For example, the critical point of phase separation is always suppressed in the quenched states. Cahn's analysis of elastic energy effects is shown to be a special case of the present formalism.
On the continuous quadratic knapsack problem

We introduce a new algorithm for the continuous bounded quadratic knapsack problem. This algorithm is motivated by the geometry of the problem, is based on the iterative solution of a series of simple projection problems, and is easy to understand and implement. In practice, the method compares favorably to other well-known algorithms (some of which have superior worst-case complexity) on problem sizes up ton = 4000.
Incidence and Impact of Risk Factors in Critically Ill Trauma Patients

There is a paucity of data describing the incidence of pre-existing diseases or risk factors and their effects in trauma patients. We conducted a prospective study to determine the incidence of such factors in critically ill trauma patients and to evaluate their impact on outcome. The study, performed over a 2-year period, examined the hospital course of all trauma patients admitted to the ICU. Multiple risk factors were evaluated and analyzed via multivariate regression analysis. Outcome was evaluated by infection rate, hospital length of stay, ventilator days, and mortality matched for age and Injury Severity Score (ISS). A total of 1172 patients (73% blunt injury) were enrolled over the study period. Of these, 873 (74.5%) were male. The mean age was 42.5 years with an ISS of 19.8. Tobacco use (24%) was the most common risk factor identified, followed by hypertension (HTN, 17%), coronary artery disease (9%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/reactive airway disease (4%), non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) (4%), insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) (3.2%), cancer (3%), liver disease (2%), and HIV/AIDS (1.4%). Of these risk factors, IDDM was found to be an independent risk factor for infection (0.004) and ventilator days (0.047), increasing age was found to be an independent risk factor for hospital length of stay (0.023) and mortality (<0.001), and HTN was found to be an independent risk factor for increased ventilator days (0.04). In addition, COPD/reactive airway disease was found to be an independent predictor of ventilator days, infection, and ICU days (P < 0.05). Thus, increased age, IDDM, COPD, and HTN are most predictive of outcome in critically ill trauma patients. With our aging population it is becoming increasingly important to identify pre-existing risk factors on admission in order to minimize their effects on outcome.
Nonlinear Heat Conduction in Isotropic and Orthotropic Materials with Laser Heat Source

Although the convective cooling of simple materials undergoing laser irradiation has been well documented, the effects of radiative cooling for composite materials undergoing laser heating are not as well documented and are of increasing importance to the manufacturing and aerospace industries. The temperature distributions within one-dimensional homogeneous and two-dimensional orthotropic radiating plates subjected to a spatially decaying laser source are presented. The incident energy at the exposed external surface is partially absorbed and transferred through the plate by conduction. The temperature results are presented as a function of a wide variety of thermal and geometric dimensionless parameters. The effects of surface radiation and material conductivity are examined in detail. Results from this study are compared to data in the open literature to gain a better understanding of the effects that the fourth power law for radiation, local temperature gradient in conduction, and first power of the temperature difference in convection have on the resultant temperature profiles.
Probabilistic number theory in additive arithmetic semigroups II

We prove two quantitative mean-value theorems of completely multiplicative functions on additive arithmetic semigroups. On the basis of the two theorems, a central limit theorem of additive functions on additive arithmetic semigroups is proved with a best possible error estimate. This generalizes the vital results of Halasz and Elliott in classical probabilistic number theory to function fields.
Thermodynamic equivalence of steady-state shocks and smooth waves in general media; Applications to elastic-plastic shocks and dynamic fracture

Abstract By comparing the First Law of thermodynamics in its shock wave form to its smooth wave form, and applying standard continuum mechanical conservation laws and geometrical compatibility, we prove for arbitrary media that a shock wave which propagates without rotating under steady-state conditions is thermodynamically identical to a suitably-chosen steadily propagating smooth wave (and that this is not so in general for nonsteady shocks). This legitimizes the derivation of restrictions on steady-state shock waves by the analysis of suitably-chosen steady smooth waves in purely mechanical material models. Doing so for a broad class of rate-independent elastic-plastic materials rigorously corroborates several recentlypublished shock restrictions whose derivations involved some (now validated) heuristic arguments, and substantially generalizes the material class for which these restrictions apply. Thus, e.g. within smalldisplacement-gradient theory, stress jumps are ruled out across steadily propagating shock waves in quasistatic deformations of any nonsoftening material satisfying plastic normality and positive-definiteness of the elastic modulus tensor (removing the previous limitation of this result to materials that satisfy the global maximum plastic work inequality and whose current yield locus always incorporates all prior yield loci). We also confirm that steady-state shock waves in dynamic anti-plane strain or plane strain deformations cannot exist except at elastic wave speeds for nonhardening materials in the same broad constitutive class unless the yield surface contains a linear segment. Application of these results to steady-state dynamic subsonic plane strain crack growth in elastic-ideally plastic Prandtl-Reuss-Mises material proves that this problem's solution must be shock-free. This implies that certain solutions containing strong discontinuity surfaces, obtained in a recently-published numerical finite element study of this dynamic crack growth problem, are not physically realizable. The conclusion is that either a more robust numerical procedure is necessary which incorporates the thermodynamics-mandated shock restrictions derived here, or that steadystate subsonic dynamic plane-strain elastic-plastic crack growth is not possible in this material model (and potentially not in nature for materials exhibiting plastic normality, purely nonlinear yield surfaces and no hardening).
Religious Diversity in America: The Emergence of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Others

America has always been a religiously diverse nation, but this has increased in recent decades. Changes in the non–Judeo–Christian population in the United States in general and the market share held by Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus in particular are examined. While the share of the population following these faiths has increased appreciably in recent decades, both the size of these groups and their growth has often been exaggerated.
The 3 Untranslated Region of the Lipoprotein Lipase Gene: Haplotype Structure and Association with Post-Heparin Plasma Lipase Activity

Context: Haplotypes comprising six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (intron 7 to intron 9) of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene appear to influence risk for atherosclerosis and insulin resistance in Mexican-Americans. Objective: Based on rodent studies, we hypothesized that these haplotypes are in linkage disequilibrium with functional variants in the 3′ untranslated region of LPL, which is encoded by exon 10, and that these variants influence phenotype by altering LPL expression. Design: We sequenced exon 10 in subjects with divergent insulin sensitivity and divergent haplotypes. We also sequenced the other common LPL haplotypes. Variants identified by sequencing were genotyped in a large, family-based population along with the six SNPs spanning intron 7 to intron 9. We tested the potential functional significance of variation in exon 10 by evaluating association of haplotypes with post-heparin plasma LPL activity. Setting: The study took place within the general community, with the Mexican-America...
Collaborative tool for collecting reference data on the density of constructed surfaces worldwide

We have developed a web-based interface for the collection of surface cover type data using gridded point counts on displays of high spatial resolution color satellite imagery available in Google Earth. The system is designed to permit a distributed set of analysts to contribute gridded point counts to a common database. Our application of the system is to develop a calibration for estimating the density of constructed surface areas worldwide at 1 km 2 resolution based on the brightness of satellite observed lights and population count. The system has been used to collect a test data set and a preliminary calibration for estimating the density of constructed surfaces. We believe the web-based system could have applications for research projects and analyses that require the collection of surface cover type data from diverse locations.
Afferents to the cerebellar flocculus in cat with special reference to pathways conveying vestibular, visual (optokinetic) and oculomotor signals

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the cerebellar flocculus of 20 cats to determine: (a) the proportions of afferents from the various brain stem nuclei; (b) possible projections from the basilar pontine nuclei; and (c) sources of saccadic eye movement signals recorded from flocculus Purkinje cells. Results confirm earlier findings that the flocculus receives large numbers of mossy fibre afferents from the vestibular and perihypoglossal nuclei, bilaterally, and climbing fibres from the contralateral inferior olive (dorsal cap, ventrolateral outgrowth, medial accessory olive, ventral bend of principal olive). In addition, large numbers of HRP-labeled neurons have been identified within: (i) the basilar pontine nuclei, bilaterally, where they are distributed in columns in the dorsolateral, lateral, ventral medial and dorsomedial nuclei; (ii) the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis; (iii) several of the cranial motor nuclei, VI, VII, X (retrofacial n.), XI (n. ambiguus), and XII; (iv) the raphe magnus, pontis and obscurus; (v) the lateral reticular nucleus, pars subtrigeminalis.
A syndrome of bizarre vertebral anomalies

Four of seven siblings, the offspring of a consanguineous marriage, have been affected bya newly recognized syndrome. The clinical pattern is characteristic and consists of markedly shortened posterior thorax and neck, increased anteroposterior chest diameter, protuberant abdomen, and bizarre roentgenograms of the chest and spine. The mode of inheritance appears to be autosomal recessive.
INDUCTION OF CD95 (FAS) AND APOPTOSIS IN RESPIRATORY EPITHELIAL CELL CULTURES FOLLOWING RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTION

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is associated with epithelial cell death and vigorous inflammation. In mouse models, and in immunosuppressed patients, CD8 + T cells are necessary for RSV clearance. In vitro, RSV has been shown to induce expression of several proteins on the respiratory epithelial cell, including RSV proteins, ICAM-1, and MHC class I, that can potentially interact with CD8 + T cells in initiating apoptosis of the target cell. One mechanism of T-cell-directed cell death is the interaction of FasL on the CD8 + T lymphocytes and Fas expressed on the target cell. In order to determine the ability of RSV to induce Fas on the respiratory epithelium, we studied the RSV infection of a human respiratory epithelial cell line (A549) in vitro. Fas mRNA and protein levels are increased two-to-fourfold following RSV infection, and transcriptional upregulation of Fas was demonstrated using promoter/reporter gene constructs. RSV infection directly resulted in cellular apoptosis, and the frequency of apoptotic cells was further increased by cross-linking with antibodies to Fas. These data demonstrate that RSV infection induces cellular apoptosis and suggest that interactions of surface Fas with T cells may further augment this process in vivo.
Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Transplantation

Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) have become increasingly popular over the last 15 years as the source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. In the early 1990s, PBPCs replaced bone marrow (BM) as the preferred source of autologous stem cells, and recently the same phenomenon is seen in the allogeneic setting. Under steady-state conditions, the concentration of PBPCs (as defined by CFU-GM and/or CD34+ cells) is very low, and techniques were developed to increase markedly this concentration. Such mobilization techniques include daily injections of filgrastim (G-CSF) or a combination of chemotherapy and growth factors. Leukapheresis procedures allow the collection of large numbers of circulating white blood cells (and PBPCs). One or two leukapheresis procedures are often sufficient to obtain the minimum number of CD34+ cells considered necessary for prompt and consistent engraftment (i.e., 2.5-5.0 x 10(6)/kg). As compared to BM, autologous transplants with PBPCs lead to faster hematologic recovery and have few, if any, disadvantages. In the allogeneic arena, PBPCs also result in faster engraftment, but at a somewhat higher cost of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). This may be a double-edged sword leading to both increased graft-versus-tumor effects and increased morbidity. The rapid advances in the study of hematopoietic, and even earlier, stem cells will continue to shape the future of PBPC transplantation.
The Surgical Anatomy of the Cerebral Sulci

Intraventricular and intra-axial lesions can be reached through a transsulcal approach, avoiding the more extensive cerebral tissue damage that may result from a conventional cortical incision. The sulci of five cadaver brains fixed in formalin solution were dissected using the operating microscope. The brains were photographed for surface mapping and x-rays to demonstrate underlying ventricular relationships were taken. The brains were then coronally sectioned to characterize anatomical relationships between sulci and deep brain structures. Three important sulci were identified and thoroughly characterized with respect to surface relationships, average depth, and underlying structures that can be readily approached. Surgical application of these findings is discussed.
Oscillating bubbles on a hot surface

This presentation describes a nonlinear dynamics of bubbles forming on a hot surface. In particular, we compare the behavior of bubbles in three regimes — evaporative, nucleate boiling, and film boiling regimes. A bubble appears on a hot surface when the heat flux from the surface is high enough to overcome the Laplace pressure across the surface of the bubble. Once a bubble nucleates on a surface, one might expect that the subsequent evaporation of the liquid phase would make the bubble expand monotonically until it leaves the surface. In real, nucleating bubbles expand monotonically only in evaporative regime. In the other two regimes, the size of the bubbles oscillates with varying frequency and amplitude depending on the heat flux and the convection patterns in the bulk liquid. We suspect that such a behavior suggests that the bubbling dynamics in these three regimes are fundamentally different: while the growth of a bubble in evaporative regime is determined essentially by the evaporation rate on the hot surface, the much more dynamic behavior of a bubble in nucleate and film boiling regime is the result of the interplay between two driving forces — evaporation near the solid surface and condensation near the top of a bubble. Such a competition becomes unsteady when the heat flux is high; therefore, boiling pattern switches from a quasi-static evaporative one to periodic nucleate boiling, and eventually to chaotic film boiling.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Cervical spinal cord therapeutics delivery: preclinical safety validation of a stabilized microinjection platform.

Objective The current series represents a preclinical safety validation study for direct parenchymal microinjection of cellular grafts into the ventral horn of the porcine cervical spinal cord. Methods Twenty-four 30- to 40-kg female Yorkshire farm pigs immunosuppressed with cyclosporine underwent a cervical laminectomy and ventral horn human neural progenitor cell injection. Cell transplantation in groups 1 to 3 (n = 6 pigs each) was undertaken with the intent of assessing the safety of varied injection volumes: 10, 25, and 50 microL injected at 1, 2.5, and 5 microL/min, respectively. Groups 4 and 5 (n = 3 pigs each) received prolonged immunosuppressant pretreatment in an attempt to demonstrate graft viability. The latter was undertaken in an alternate species (mini-pig versus Yorkshire pig). Results Neurological morbidity was observed in 1 animal and was attributable to the presence of a resolving epidural hematoma noted at necropsy. Although instances of ventral horn targeting were achieved in all injection groups with a coordinate-based approach, opportunities exist for improvement in accuracy and precision. A relationship between injection volume and graft site cross-sectional area suggested limited reflux. Only animals from group 5 achieved graft survival at a survival end point (t = 1 week). Conclusion This series demonstrated the functional safety of targeted ventral horn microinjection despite evidence for graft site immune rejection. Improvements in graft delivery may be augmented with an adapter to improve control of the cannula entry angle, intraoperative imaging, or larger graft volumes. Finally, demonstration of long-term graft viability in future preclinical toxicity studies may require tailored immunosuppressive therapies, an allograft construct, or tailored choice of host species.
Membrane potential of juxtaglomerular cells.

THE juxtaglomerular granular cell of the kidney is the site of renin storage and release, and is located most commonly within the media of the afferent arteriole, often in close apposition to the distal tubule and to sympathetic nerve endings. Morphologically, it seems to be a smooth muscle cell that has been modified for secretory activity, and contains both myo-fibrils and membrane-limited renin granules1–3. Evidence has accumulated to suggest that the juxtaglomerular cell, either directly or by way of its neighbouring cells, is stimulated to release renin by catecholamines, by changes in intravascular or interstitial pressures, and by variation in local ionic concentrations4. But, even though the juxtaglomerular cell is central to all theories of renin secretion, little effort has been made to investigate its physiology at the cellular level. In this paper, a new method is described for visualising living juxtaglomerular cells, and for recording their electrical activity using intracellular microelectrodes. The results suggest that changes in the membrane potential of the juxtaglomerular cell occur with changes in renin secretion.
Hazard tracking with integrity for surveillance applications

This paper presents a new aircraft traffic tracking algorithm for surveillance applications that integrates sensory information from multiple avionics sensors in an efficient manner and assesses the sensor consistency for integrity purposes. Measurements from various avionics sensors and ownship information are used to form a relative baseline vector. Once these relative baseline vectors are formed, they are integrated and estimated using an Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) filter, which has multiple Kalman filters with different dynamics models running in parallel and interacting with each other through an underlying Markov chain. Once the estimated baseline vector is obtained from the IMM filter, a series of integrity checks are performed. These include 1) the evaluation of the normalized residuals, and 2) the evaluation of the Autonomous Integrity Monitored Extrapolation (AIME) test statistic. Four sets of flight data are used to demonstrate the functionality of the algorithm, which include one set of simulated flight data based on several possible aircraft trajectories, and three sets of simulated data and real flight data from the RTCA DO-317 document.
Quantized Density Response in Three Dimensions

Niu's notion of particle density response,1 which provides a unifying framework for a number of interesting physical results including the quantum Hall effect and quantum adiabatic charge transport, is applied to a three-dimensional noninteracting electron system. It is shown that the average particle density response to a dilation of a periodic potential in an insulator, with or without an additional background potential, is quantized. This quantum number is a high order topological invariant.
Does the BSRI inventory sex roles

Two studies were done to see whether self-descriptions on the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) are stable across various social roles, or whether adopting familiar gender-segregated social roles produces more traditionally sex-typed BSRI self-descriptions. Parents of 41 infants completed the BSRI under standard instructions, and thinking of themselves in their parental roles. And 76 undergraduates completed it under standard instructions, and thinking of themselves as students, and as boyfriends or girlfriends. Both scales of the BSRI changed significantly across roles for both genders in each study. Traditionally sex-typed self-descriptions did not increase in the parent roles or the boyfriend role. The student and boy- or girlfriend roles produced the same changes in men and women. Results appear inconsistent with Bem's interpretation of the BSRI in terms of masculinity, femininity, and sex roles, and support Spence and Helmreich's emphasis on instrumentality and expressiveness.
Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dyslipidemia

The advent of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) has dramatically improved our ability to prevent vascular disease, because of the drugs’ unrivaled LDL-lowering ability. In practice, however, statin monotherapy leaves many patients short of their goals. This issue will probably intensify as new trials support reducing LDL-C goals even further. Furthermore, statin therapy only reduces cardiovascular risk by about a third over five years. Recent studies suggest a benefit from manipulating the HDL–triglyceride (TG) axis, which is largely beyond the reach of the statins, in reducing coronary events. Even now there are studies to suggest, but not prove that combination therapy could outperform statin monotherapy in preventing vascular disease. This article proposes a rationale for using combination therapy for dyslipidemia, emphasizing the results of recent clinical trials.
Optimized isotropic diffusion weighting

The authors introduce several sets of time-efficient gradient waveforms for applying isotropic diffusion weighting in NMR experiments. This creates signal attenuation that depends on the trace of the diffusion tensor and is therefore rotationally invariant. Numerical methods for the calculation of such gradient sets are outlined, and results are shown for isotropic and anisotropic gradient hardware and first order flow moment nulled diffusion weighting gradients. Preliminary experimental results from the human brain validate this new technique.
How safe is the storage of liquid hydrogen

Abstract Hydrogen as a fuel or as an industrial commodity is being used presently. Its storage and transportation is handled in various ways. Liquid hydrogen is usually stored in standard storage tanks at many industrial sites. A storage tank, otherwise safe, can explode due to a fast process of vaporizing the liquid hydrogen and thus over-pressurizing the storage tank to the point of rupture. The vaporization of liquid hydrogen faster than desired can be caused by a good thermal link between the inner container and the outer jacket of the storage tank. The amount of heat and the heat flux needed to vaporize the amount of liquid hydrogen to produce the required amount of rupture pressure of the inner container and outer jacket can be predicted from the specifications of the storage tank. A theoretical model for these predictions will be presented with appropriate assumptions made and detailed calculations. A case study of liquid hydrogen explosion will be discussed for illustration. The probable cause of liquid hydrogen explosion is obtained by applying this theoretical model.
Large-Scale and Parallel Matrix Computations in Linear Control: A Tutorial

In this paper, because of space limitation, we limit ourselves to the brief discussions of only a few algorithms for large-scale and parallel computations for linear control problems, mostly from the recent work of the author and the other collaborating colleagues. The other existing algorithms will be referenced ill this bibliography as much as possible.
Cytokine Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Apoptosis Is Opposed by alpha-4 Targeting of Protein Phosphatase 2A for Site-Specific Dephosphorylation of MEK3

alpha-4 is an essential gene and is a dominant antiapoptotic factor in various tissues that is a regulatory subunit for type 2A protein phosphatases. A multiplexed phosphorylation site screen revealed that knockdown of alpha-4 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) increased p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun phosphorylation without changes in JNK or ERK. FLAG-alpha-4 coprecipitated hemagglutinin-MEK3 plus endogenous protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and selectively enhanced dephosphorylation of Thr193, but not Ser189, in the activation loop of MEK3. Overexpression of alpha-4 suppressed p38 MAPK activation in response to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The alpha-4 dominant-negative domain (DND) (residues 220 to 340) associated with MEK3, but not PP2A, and its overexpression sensitized cells to activation of p38 MAPK by TNF-alpha and interleukin-1beta, but not by ansiomycin or sorbitol. The response was diminished by nocodazole or by siRNA knockdown of the Opitz syndrome protein Mid1 that binds alpha-4 to microtubules. Interference by alpha-4 DND or alpha-4 siRNA increased caspase 3/7 activation in response to TNF-alpha. Growth of transformed cells in soft agar was enhanced by alpha-4 and suppressed by alpha-4 DND. The results show that alpha-4 targets PP2A activity to MEK3 to suppress p38 MAPK activation by cytokines, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and anoikis.
Pole-zero approximations for head-related transfer functions using a logarithmic error criterion

Pole-zero approximations of human free-field-to-eardrum transfer functions-i.e., head-related transfer functions (HRTFs)-can be used to synthesize binaural acoustic fields over headphones with fewer parameters, and therefore, lower computational complexity than is typically achieved by all-zero approximations. While standard pole-zero designs minimize the squared difference between the desired and designed frequency responses, the synthesis of binaural acoustic fields is more likely to be sensitive to relative, rather than absolute, differences in the HRTF approximations. The paper proposes a new design algorithm that minimizes an error criterion based on complex logarithms. As a result, both log-magnitude and phase errors are minimized. Slight modifications to the proposed algorithm result in one for which the phase error can be ignored. A comparison of this modified algorithm to others that have been developed to minimize the log-magnitude error shows implementation advantages without sacrificing performance. In achieving comparable errors, application of the proposed algorithm to the HRTF approximation results in pole-zero model orders smaller than those required for approximating the HRTFs using a least-squares error criterion.
A Large Skull Mass in a 67-Year-Old Woman

1. What is (are) this patient’s most striking initial clinical and laboratory findings? 2. How do you explain these findings? 3. What is this patient’s most likely diagnosis? 4. What is the stage of this patient’s disorder? 5. What are the typical serum and/or urine electrophoretic findings in individuals with this patient’s disorder? 6. Are measurements of free light chains (FLCs) in serum and/or urine useful in the diagnosis of individuals with this patient’s disorder? 7. Based on her subsequent electrophoretic findings, one year after initial diagnosis, why was there no discrete band of restricted mobility observed in the gamma-region of the patient’s SPEP (Figure 2A), while the patient’s UPEP (Figure 2B) and serum and urine immunofixation electrophoresis patterns (IFEPs) all demonstrated easily visible discrete bands in the gamma-region of the UPEP and in the lambda light chain antiserum lanes of the serum (Figure 2A) and urine (Figure 2B) IFEPs? 8. How should this patient’s disorder be treated? 9. How should this patient’s response to therapy be monitored? 10. Is this patient a candidate for a peripheral blood stem cell transplant?
Edoxaban, a Novel Oral Factor Xa Inhibitor

Objective: To evaluate the current literature and potential clinical role of edoxaban (Savaysa) for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and treatment of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Data Sources: A PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials search was conducted in February2015 using the search terms edoxaban (ordu-176b) and atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or venous thromboembolism. Bibliographies of all retrieved articles were reviewed. All references included were published between 1998 and 2015. Study Selection/Data Extraction: All studies that included humans and contained data describing the use of edoxaban for either stroke prevention in patients with NVAF or the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) were reviewed. Data Synthesis: Edoxaban is a target-specific oral anticoagulant, specifically a factor Xa inhibitor. It has been studied in 4 major randomized controlled trials for the prevention of stroke and syste...
Characteristics of primary care providers who adopted the hospitalist model from 2001 to 2009.

Background The characteristics of primary care providers (PCPs) who use hospitalists are unknown.
Regulation of Dendritic Morphogenesis by Ras–PI3K–Akt–mTOR and Ras–MAPK Signaling Pathways

Dendritic arborization and spine formation are critical for the functioning of neurons. Although many proteins have been identified recently as regulators of dendritic morphogenesis, the intracellular signaling pathways that control these processes are not well understood. Here we report that the Ras–phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)–Akt–mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway plays pivotal roles in the regulation of many aspects of dendrite formation. Whereas the PI3K–Akt–mTOR pathway alone controlled soma and dendrite size, a coordinated activation together with the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway was required for increasing dendritic complexity. Chronic inhibition of PI3K or mTOR reduced soma and dendrite size and dendritic complexity, as well as density of dendritic filopodia and spines, whereas a short-term inhibition promoted the formation of mushroom-shaped spines on cells expressing constitutively active mutants of Ras, PI3K, or Akt, or treated with the upstream activator BDNF. Together, our data underscore the central role of a spatiotemporally regulated key cell survival and growth pathway on trophic regulation of the coordinated development of dendrite size and shape.
The Mechanism of Action of Novel Antipsychotic Drugs

It is no longer tenable to attribute all the antipsychotic action of antipsychotic drugs to dopamine (DA) D2 receptor blockade and subsequent development of depolarization inactivation of the mesolimbic or mesocortical DA neurons. The chief evidence for this position is that clozapine (CLOZ) does not differ from typical antipsychotic drugs in these regards but is more effective than typical neuroleptic drugs. The mechanism of action of atypical antipsychotic drugs related to CLOZ may involve reduction of dopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic system by a variety of mechanisms, including D1 and D2 receptor blockade. Relatively higher affinity for the serotonin (5HT)2 receptor than for the D2 receptor may also be important to the action of CLOZ-like compounds. Enhanced DA release in the mesocortical system may be relevant to the effectiveness of these agents in treating negative symptoms. Several other classes of new agents alter the dopaminergic system by means of alternative mechanisms. Partial DA agonists may modulate DA neurotransmission more adequately than pure antagonists by producing a mix of direct agonist and antagonistic effects. DA autoreceptor agonists and 5HT3 antagonists appear to act by diminishing the release of DA from some, but not all, DA neurons. Substituted benzamides are "pure" D2 antagonists with some in vivo selectivity for limbic D2 over striatal D2 receptors. Highly selective D1 antagonists have been proposed to produce equivalent antipsychotic activity and fewer extrapyramidal symptoms than D2 antagonists. Antagonists of the recently identified D3 receptors are being sought. Excessive stimulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of the glutamate receptor, leading to neurotoxicity or diminished activation of this receptor, is the target of novel approaches to treating schizophrenia. Phencyclidine (PCP) antagonists that would activate the NMDA receptor and sigma receptor antagonists are of interest as antipsychotic agents. Therapeutic strategies for treating schizophrenia, schizophrenia-related disorders, and other psychoses will likely be genuinely diverse in the next decade.
Cohesive properties of nickel-alumina interfaces determined via simulation of ductile bridging experiments

Abstract A combined experimental and computational study is carried out to characterize a nickel-alumina interface in terms of the two parameter (σ, Γ 0 ) computational cohesive zone (CCZ) model of Tvergaard and Hutchinson. Experiments were performed using a sandwich specimen consisting of a thin nickel foil bonded between two pre-cracked alumina plates. The specimen was loaded in tension with the nickel foil bridging the cracks in the ceramic. Numerical simulations of the experiments were used to extract the parameters for the CCZ model. Effects of various parameters of the CCZ model are investigated and it is found that the most dominant parameter is the interface strength, σ . Effects of the residual thermal stresses are also investigated and it is shown that these stresses can enhance the specimen fracture toughness by almost 16%. The parameters for the nickel-alumina interface are found to be σ = 148 MPa and Γ 0 = 11 J m −2 . It is observed that for the foil thicknesses tested, the work of rupture does not vary linearly with the thickness as predicted by many theoretical models. We found that interfaces which are neither too strong nor too weak contribute most to the overall fracture toughness of such a composite. Although the macroscopic loading at the nickel-alumina interface is shear, the failure is primarily tensile due to the thinning that occurs in the metal as it is stretched.
Cannabinoids and Their Receptors

Exogenous cannabinoids are ∼60 molecules with a similar structural motif found in marijuana and hashish. Some of these are psychoactive – the chief being Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) – and have been found to exert their psychoactive effects via receptors in the body. The human body makes endogenous cannabinoids that are structurally distinct from exogenous cannabinoids. This combination of endocannabinoids (eCBs) and receptors form an important endogenous signalling system with roles in numerous aspects of brain function including memory, motor control, appetite, nausea and pain. Keywords: cannabinoid; CB1; CB2; anandamide; 2-AG; marijuana
A Cyclic Model of Foredune Blowout Evolution for a Leeward Coast: Island Beach, New Jersey

Abstract The formation and development of three foredune blowouts at Island Beach State Park, New Jersey during the period 1981 to 1991 demonstrate the cyclic evolution of these landforms. The evolution is documented with: 1) a long-term study of topographic changes in blowout form documented with systematic surveys carried out at three- to five-year intervals; and 2) a four-week field study involving the collection of wind-speed profiles and wind direction at several locations in two of the blowouts and the measurement of elevation changes resulting from significant wind events. Results show that blowouts on leeward coasts favor onshore sand movement from the beach despite the dominance of offshore winds because vegetation on the landward side of the blowouts traps sand moved onshore and stabilizes the surface against deflation by offshore winds. Feedback between dune morphology, wind flow, and vegetation produces a sequence of landform changes that are conceptualized in a model of foredune blowout devel...
A review of Campath in autoimmune disease: biologic therapy in the gray zone between immunosuppression and immunoablation.

AbstractCampath, the subject of this review, is an example of a broadly targeted biologic agent, approved for patients with B-CLL, which may combine immunosuppressive as well as immunoablative properties. For many years Campath has been in clinical use as an immunosuppressive agent for various autoimmune diseases and as part of the preparative regimes for allogeneic HSCT, successfully preventing graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). This review summarizes the experience of 24 studies including a total of 323 patients treated with Campath for various autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, MS, vasculitis, autoimmune cytopenias and others. The results demonstrate that Campath is fairly safe and 75% of the patients experienced clinical improvement and 15% of the patients were reported in clinical remission even though improvements were often transient. While other biologic drugs may have to narrow targets, Campath, is able to bridge the gap between immunosuppression and immunoablation and may offer an alternative...
Effect of 4-aminopyridine in acute spinal cord injury.

Abstract BACKGROUND The demyelination process has been proven to be an important factor contributing to long-term sensory and motor impairments after spinal cord injury (SCI). The loss of myelin promotes exposure of K + channels in internodal region of the damaged myelinated axons leading to K + efflux into the neurons with subsequent blockage of action potentials. The potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) has been effective in restoring some sensory and motor impairment in incomplete SCI patients. The effect of this compound given immediately after an acute injury is not known. The objective of this study was to determine if blockage of K + ions efflux immediately after an acute SCI would improve neuronal conduction in this model of injury. METHODS Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded before and after a weight-induced compression injury of 120 grams, and were monitored up to 5 hours postinjury. A randomized treatment was initiated with administration of either vehicle or 4-AP. All 4-AP treatments were given as intravenous bolus injections of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.3 mg/kg at 1, 2, and 3 hours after the trauma. RESULTS The SSEPs were abolished immediately after the injury in all control and treated animals. Both groups showed spontaneous recovery of the SSEPs at the rate of 44.5% for the 4-AP treated and nontreated groups at the second hour postinjury. This recovery rate remained the same for both groups at the end of the experiments. CONCLUSIONS Based on the recovery of the SSEPs, our data indicate that early administration of 4-AP lacks any beneficial effect on axonal function during acute stage of spinal cord injury.
On the reported magnetic precursor of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

Among the most frequently cited reports in the science of earthquake prediction is that by Fraser-Smith et al. (1990) and Bernardi et al. (1991). They found anomalous enhancement of magnetic-field noise levels prior to the 18 October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in the ultra-low-frequency range (0.0110–10.001 Hz) from a ground-based sensor at Corralitos, CA, just 7 km from the earthquake epicenter. In this analysis, we re-examine all of the available Corralitos data (21 months from January 1989 to October 1990) and the logbook kept during this extended operational period. We also examine 1.0-Hz (1-s) data collected from Japan, 0.0167-Hz (1-min) data collected from the Fresno, CA magnetic observatory, and the global Kp magnetic-activity index. The Japanese data are of particular importance since their acquisition rate is sufficient to allow direct comparison with the lower-frequency bands of the Corralitos data. We identify numerous problems in the Corralitos data, evident from both straightforward examination of the Corralitos data on their own and by comparison with the Japanese and Fresno data sets. The most notable problems are changes in the baseline noise levels occurring during both the reported precursory period and at other times long before and after the earthquake. We conclude that the reported anomalous magnetic noise identified by Fraser-Smith et al. and Bernardi et al. is not related to the Loma Prieta earthquake but is an artifact of sensor-system malfunction. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Receptor binding site-deleted foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus protects cattle from FMD.

Binding of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) to cells requires an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequenceinthecapsidproteinVP1.WehavegeneticallyengineeredanFMDVinwhichthesethreeaminoacids have been deleted, producing a virus particle which is unable to bind to cells. Cattle vaccinated with these receptor binding site-deleted virions were protected from disease when challenged with a virulent virus, demonstrating that these RGD-deleted viruses could serve as the basis for foot-and-mouth disease vaccines safer than those currently in use. This strategy may prove useful in the development of vaccines for other viral diseases.
The sick sinus syndrome.

A review of the sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is presented stressing its multifaceted expressions, with slow and fast heart rates, syncopal and dizzy attacks, and rather vague nature early in its course. All ages are affected and the diagnosis must be considered if there is a modest degree of sinus bradycardia (SB), even if asymptomatic, as SB is less benign than was heretofore thought. Inappropriate or relatively slow sinus rates (RSSR) under stressful conditions are equally as important as SB. Inadequacy of the sinoatrial node (SAN) may be manifested by one or more of the following: (1) persistent severe and unexpected sinus bradycardia; (2) cessation of sinus rhythm (sinus arrest) for short intervals during which no other (escape) rhythm arises, or for somewhat longer periods with replacement of sinus rhythm by an atrial or junctional rhythm; (3) long periods of sinus arrest without the appearance of a new pacemaker and resulting in total cardiac arrest (ventricular arrhythmias may then follow); (4) chroni...