cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information effects on cautious and risky-shift items

Mere exchange of information about others’ initial judgments on choice dilemma items was predicted to yield shifts to risk or caution. In an information-exchange condition, 14 four-or five-man groups made choice dilemma judgments, displayed them, then remade their judgments. In a test-retest condition, 10 four- or five-man groups made choice dilemma judgments then remade them. Contrary to prediction, no significant shifts were found in the information-exchange condition, but significant shifts were found in the test-retest condition.
Use of a microtitre plate reader in soil phosphorus analysis

Abstract A technique is described for using microtitre plates and plate reader in soil phosphorus analysis. The molybdate‐vanadate method of phosphorus analysis was modified to use a reduced volume of reagents and each sample was read at 405 nm instead of 420 nm. Using standard microtitre plates instead of test tubes, the volume of reagent was reduced 20 X and as many as 96 samples could be read in a total of two minutes.
High-throughput microcoil NMR of compound libraries using zero-dispersion segmented flow analysis.

An automated system for loading samples into a microcoil NMR probe has been developed using segmented flow analysis. This approach enhanced 2-fold the throughput of the published direct injection and flow injection methods, improved sample utilization 3-fold, and was applicable to high-field NMR facilities with long transfer lines between the sample handler and NMR magnet. Sample volumes of 2 μL (10−30 mM, ∼10 μg) were drawn from a 96-well microtiter plate by a sample handler, then pumped to a 0.5-μL microcoil NMR probe as a queue of closely spaced “plugs” separated by an immiscible fluorocarbon fluid. Individual sample plugs were detected by their NMR signal and automatically positioned for stopped-flow data acquisition. The sample in the NMR coil could be changed within 35 s by advancing the queue. The fluorocarbon liquid wetted the wall of the Teflon transfer line, preventing the DMSO samples from contacting the capillary wall and thus reducing sample losses to below 5% after passage through the 3-m tr...
Signaling control of SOS1 mRNA stability

Regulation of mRNA decay rates appears to be an important control point in determining the abundance of gene transcripts. Rapid change in decay rates of mRNAs could provide prompt responses of the plants to environmental fluctuations. SOS1 is a plasma-membrane Na+/H+ antiporter crucial for salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. In our recent paper in The Plant Journal, we have shown that SOS1 mRNA is inherently instable at normal growth conditions, but its stability is substantially elevated by salt and oxidative stress treatments. Salt stress-induced SOS1 mRNA stability is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced, at least in part, through NADPH oxidases. We proposed a hypothetical model for the signaling pathway controlling SOS1 mRNA stability. In this addendum, we discuss the possible involvement of other components in conferring inherent instability and stress-induced stability of SOS1 mRNA.
Technical flaws in the coherence theory

We have argued that Lehrer's definitions of coherence and justification have serious technical defects. As a result, the definition of justification is both too weak and too strong. We have suggested solutions for some of the problems, but others seem irremediable. We would also argue more generally that if coherence is anything like what Lehrer's theory says it is, then coherence is neither necessary nor sufficient for justification. While our current objections are directed at the ‘letter’ of Lehrer's theory, other criticisms can be aimed at its very ‘spirit’. We would argue that coherence is unnecessary for justification because of the existence of ‘basic beliefs’, those about self-presenting states (‘I have a tingling sensation in my leg’) or self-evident truths (‘All men are men’). Such beliefs may be justified even though there are no other propositions in the subject's acceptance system that makes them more probable than competitors. Coherence is, moreover, insufficient for justification, because it ignores the inferential structure of the subject's acceptance system, and requires no justification of any kind for the subject's acceptance system itself. But we must develop these more fundamental objections on another occasion.
Biomass Yield and Composition of Perennial Bioenergy Grasses at Harvests following a Freeze Event

Published in Agron. J. 106:2255–2262 (2014) doi:10.2134/agronj14.0324 Copyright © 2014 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ABSTRACT
Surface response of exchange- and dipolar-coupled ferromagnets: Application to light scattering from magnetic surfaces

We present the theory of the surface response of a semi-infinite ferromagnet in the presence of both exchange and dipolar coupling, within a continuum theory. The results are applied to a detailed study of the spectral density of surface spin fluctuations. From this we analyze the influence of exchange coupling and surface spin pinning on the frequency, linewidth, and line shape of the Damon-Eshbach surface spin wave, for a number of propagation angles, and for wavelengths sufficiently short that the exchange contribution to the energy of the wave is comparable to the Zeeman and dipolar energies. We also develop the theory of Brillouin scattering from spin waves near magnetic surfaces, and calculate the spectum of scattered light for experimentally interesting geometries, with recent light scattering studies of ferromagnetic surfaces in mind.
Pulmonary cement emboli after kyphoplasty

CaseA 37-year-old woman with estrogen/progesterone receptorpositive breast cancer with metastases to the lungs, liver,and lumbar spine, being treated with vinorelbine, initiallypresented to this hospital with severe lower back pain. Atthe time of presentation, multiplanar magnetic resonanceimaging of the spine after the administration of intravenousgadolinium demonstrated anterior wedge compressiondeformities of the L1 and L2 vertebral bodies (Fig. 1). Thepatient underwent bilateral transpedicular kyphoplasty,without evidence of cement extravasation (Fig. 2). Onemonth later, after an uneventful recovery, the patientreturned to this hospital with pleuritic chest pain, shortnessof breath, and generalized weakness for 4 days. On phys-ical examination, the patient was tachycardic with a heartrate of 115 beats per min, with diffuse chest wall tender-ness and diminished breath sounds at the bilateral lungbases. Laboratory testing demonstrated an elevatedD-dimer of 1,700 ng/mL (normal reference range less than250 ng/mL). A portable chest radiograph demonstrated apossible serpiginous linear density within the left lung,without evidence of pneumonia, pleural effusions, orpneumothorax (Fig. 3). Given the patient’s pleuritic chestpain, shortness of breath, and tachycardia, history of met-astatic disease, and elevated D-dimer, computed tomogra-phy of the chest with pulmonary angiography protocol wascompleted to evaluate for pulmonary emboli. Analysis ofthe study demonstrated numerous linear hyperdensitiesthroughout the arterial tree, consistent with pulmonarycement emboli from the prior kyphoplasty as well asmultiple hypodense ﬁlling defects representing associatedthrombi (Fig. 4). The patient was admitted to the MedicalOncology Service, where she was started on enoxaparin,and eventually discharged with plans to continue vinorel-bine treatments. On return clinic visits 1 month later, thepatient reported complete resolution of chest pain, short-ness of breath, and weakness, with mild improvement inback pain.DiscussionVertebral body compression fractures are common,occurring at a rate of 500 per 100,000 in patients aged50–54 and 2,960 per 100,000 in patients older than 85, andprompting numerous emergency department visits per year[1]. Initial treatment consists of conservative measuresincluding analgesia, bed rest, and bracing. Further man-agement of intractable pain from vertebral compressionfractures may be undertaken with vertebroplasty and kyp-hoplasty, although these procedures remain somewhatcontroversial. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are associ-ated with a variety of complications including infection,
Self control through the use of a token economy

Abstract The effects of a token economy, developed and administered by an individual for his own problem behaviors, were examined through a reversal (ABAB) design. The target behaviors, relating to the subject's academic pursuits, part-time job and personal and domestic habits, were self-evaluated as being desirable. During the initial baseline period the frequency with which the subject engaged in “reinforcing” activities as well as the subject's emittance of the “target” behaviors was self-monitored. On the basis of the baseline data, point values for behavioral achievement (earnings) and for reinforcer usage (expenditures) were established and used rather than concrete tokens to set up the economy. During the initial token application period, a shaping procedure was used for developing many of the target responses. The results indicated that the token procedure effected extensive behavioral change and suggested that individuals wishing to undergo change need not be bound to a “therapist” but can be taught how to control and change their own behavior.
Plastic hinge approach to vehicle crash simulation

Abstract This paper presents a computer-based method for formulation and efficient solution of nonlinear, constrained differential equations of motion for spatial dynamic analysis of mechanical systems and its application to vehicle crash simulations. The program can be used to analyze plastic deformations of structures by employing a plastic hinge concept. A structure is divided into several components connected by plastic hinges. A plastic hinge is modeled by a joint-spring combination to represent the structural characteristics. The spring characteristics, which are obtained from experimental results, need to be modified to account for the elastic effects and to compensate for the element length difference between experiment and simulation. Dynamic correction factors are incorporated into the spring characteristics to account for the strain rate effects in the simulation. The plastic hinge technique is applied to a torque box crash event. It is found that the program, with the plastic hinge concept, provides relatively accurate results for the crash simulation, subject to availability of the elasto-plastic response characteristics and the dynamic correction factors for structural components.
Size effects due to Cosserat elasticity and surface damage in closed-cell polymethacrylimide foam

This article describes the experimental investigation of Cosserat (or micropolar) elasticity and surface damage effects in closed-cell polymethacrylimide foams of different densities. The method of size effects was used to find the degree of Cosserat behaviour for both cylindrical and square cross-section specimens in bending and torsion. The foams were found to behave as Cosserat materials in which slender specimens appear less stiff than thick ones, provided sufficient care is taken when machining the specimens. Surface damage caused by the machining process may cause the apparent stiffness to decrease with decreasing specimen size, giving an opposite softening size effect.
Communication slips and their sociocultural implications

Abstract Communication slips (slips of the tongue, pen, hand and mind) have been studied mostly in search of support for linguistic and psychological theories. These slips, however, also have their practical implications apart from their theoretical contributions. This is in part because the speaker's sociocultural background and the communication environment inevitably affect the way people talk and behave. The complicated social relations and diverse cultural values, and even one's political viewpoints can all be reflected in slips. Therefore, slips of various types can be analyzed from both linguistic and psychological aspects, as well as from the sociocultural perspectives.
Replicate This! Creating Individual-Level Data From Summary Statistics Using R

Incorporating realistic data and research examples into quantitative (e.g., statistics and research methods) courses has been widely recommended for enhancing student engagement and comprehension. One way to achieve these ends is to use a data generator to emulate the data in published research articles. MorseGen is a free data generator that creates realistic, individual-level data based on user-specified summary statistics (e.g., N, mean, standard deviation, and r). These values can be used in course exercises that allow students to replicate the published results for any between-subjects design or correlation study. Using realistic data generated by MorseGen addresses multiple learning goals proposed for undergraduate psychology students as well as the initiative to increase the realism of exercises and examples in quantitative courses.
Resolution of Apnea of Prematurity (AOP) in 24-28 Week Gestational Age (GA) Infants Is No Different from Preterms 31-34 Weeks GA

Resolution of Apnea of Prematurity (AOP) in 24-28 Week Gestational Age (GA) Infants Is No Different from Preterms 31-34 Weeks GA
Temperature–Time Texture Transition of Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3 Thin Films: II, Heat Treatment and Compositional Effects

Texture transition of Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3 thin films grown from a metallo–organic solution onto Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates has been studied. The orientation obtained depends on the crystallization temperature and time and can be drastically altered by modifying the heat treatment schedule. A [100] texture requires an initial seeding treatment in the intermediate temperature range. This is attributed to a nucieation advantage associated with the formation of an intermediate PbO[001] texture that tends to form at intermediate temperature over time. A [111] texture develops at higher temperature during rapid heating and can be rationalized by the formation of an epitaxial intermetallic phase Pt5–7Pb, at the PZT/Pt interface that provides lattice matching between PZT(lll), Pt5–7Pb(lll), and Pt(lll). Temperature–time transformation texture (TTT) diagrams of PZT texture have been constructed for seeding various orientations. The effect of composition (Pb excess and Zr/Ti ratio) and the possible manipulation of these texture selection relations by combining compositional tailoring and heat treatment schedules are illustrated.
Infeasibility analysis for systems of quadratic convex inequalities

In this paper we address the problem of the infeasibility of systems defined by quadratic convex inequality constraints. In particular, we investigate properties of irreducible infeasible sets and provide an algorithm that identifies a set of all constraints (K) that may affect the feasibility status of the system after some perturbation of the right-hand sides. We show that all irreducible sets, as well as infeasibility sets, are subsets of the set K, and that every infeasible system contains an inconsistent subsystem of cardinality not greater than the number of variables plus one. The results presented in this paper are also applicable to linear systems.
Endocrine Actions of Myostatin: Systemic Regulation of the IGF and IGF Binding Protein Axis

Myostatin’s inhibitory actions on striated muscle growth are believed to be directly mediated by locally produced myostatin and possibly by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). We therefore measured skeletal muscle, heart, and liver expression, in neonates and adults, and circulating levels of various IGF axis components (IGF-I, IGFBP-1 to IGFBP-3, and acid labile subunit) in wild-type and mstn−/− mice. Compared with wild type, differences in muscle expression were tissue specific, although IGF-I receptor expression was higher in all mstn−/− neonatal tissues and in adult gastrocnemius. Liver expression of several components also differed between genotype as IGF-I receptor, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 expression was higher in mstn−/− neonates and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in adults. Circulating IGF-I levels were also higher in mstn−/− adults, whereas IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 levels were lower. Comparing IGF-I:IGFBP molar ratios suggested that the relative IGF-binding capacity was potentially lower in mstn−/− mice, and thus, total and “free” IGF-I levels may be elevated. This in turn may increase negative feedback control on GH, because mstn−/− liver weights were lower. Bone growth was similar in both genotypes, suggesting that changes in circulating IGF-I may be more important to muscle, whose mass is enhanced in mstn−/− mice, than to bone. Myostatin receptors, but not myostatin itself, are expressed in the liver. Changes in hepatic production of circulating IGF axis components could therefore result from the loss of endocrine myostatin. Thus, myostatin may inhibit striated muscle growth directly at the cellular level and indirectly through systemic effects on the IGF axis.
Analysis of Soot Nanoparticles in a Laminar Premixed Ethylene Flame by Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer

Mobility size distributions of soot particles produced from a fuelrich, laminar premixed ethylene flat flame were obtained by in situ probe sampling and online analysis using a nano scanning mobility particle sizer. The emphasis of the work was the development of an in situ sampling technique to follow the evolution of nanoparticles formed in flames. Particle size distribution functions were obtained along the centerline of the flame in a spatially resolved manner. Considerable efforts were made to eliminate particle losses in the sample probe. To this end, the effect of dilution on particle losses in the sample probe was systematically studied. It is demonstrated that particle losses due to coagulation and diffusive wall deposition were negligible using a dilution ratio greater than ∼10 4 . The sampling technique is shown to be capable of closely following the evolution of particle size distribution from the nucleation mode to mass growth mode dominated by particle coagulation and gas-surface reactions. ...
African Americans and participation in clinical trials: Differences in beliefs and attitudes by gender

Abstract Objectives To explore gender differences in perceptions of 1) barriers and motivators to participation in clinical trials and perceived need of clinical trials and 2) perceptions of risks and benefits of participation in clinical trials in African American men and women. Methods Focus groups were conducted among African American participants by gender. A total of 67 African American participated in the focus groups. All focus groups were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was performed by combining the key elements of grounded theory and content analysis with the assistance of the qualitative software ATLAS.ti 5.0. Results Different themes emerged for men versus women. The business and economic of research were important to male participants. The researcher–participant relationship emerged as one of the strongest themes related to potential female participation in research. Discussion Focus group results indicate that African American men and women present different preferences, beliefs and barriers to participation. Men expressed the desire to know information on funding issues, financial benefit and impact of the research. Women expressed the desire to be treated respectfully and as an individual as opposed to just a study subject. Integrating gender preferences into researcher–participant interactions, advertisement, informed consent delivery and advertisement of research studies may lead to increased participation rates. Discussing and presenting relevant information on clinical research funding mechanisms, and the business of clinical research with potential participants may be helpful in building trust with the researcher and the research team. Creating a process for information exchange and methods to minimize the power imbalance between the researcher and participant may also build trust and help participants feel more comfortable to participate in research.
Cerebral ventricular empyema associated with severe adult pyogenic meningitis: computed tomography findings

Cerebral ventricular empyema (CVE), also known as pyocephalus, is a rare form of pyogenic ventriculitis. We present cranial computed tomography (CT) in an adult who developed a bilateral CVE associated with acute pyogenic meningitis. CT showed an obstructive ventriculomegaly and fluid-fluid levels layering in the lateral ventricles and the third ventricle. Frank neutrophilic pus was taken from the subarachnoid space. After antibiotic treatment, the pyocephalus resolved. CVE may be visualized on CT with pus layering in the ventricular CSF, creating a fluid level of intermediate hypodensity.
2014 Jack Kenney Award for Outstanding Service

On April 30, 2010, Jack Kenney retired from the ASM Journals Department after 25 years of service. He served as the production editor for the Journal of Bacteriology for the last 13 of those years. I worked with Jack for almost 10 years. He was an especially gifted production editor; he solved
GDNF improves cerebellar Purkinje neuron function in aged F344 rats.

Aging is associated with a decline in the function of β-adrenergic receptor responses in the cerebellum. This decline in noradrenergic receptor sensitivity may underlie some of the accompanying age-related declines in motoric learning behaviors. Glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been reported to prevent the degeneration of noradrenergic neurons following neurotoxic lesions. Thus, it was of interest to examine if GDNF would have a beneficial effect on age-related declines in noradrenergic function. Eighteen-month-old F344 rats were injected with 500 μg GDNF in 20 μl into the cisterna magna. Three weeks following GDNF or vehicle treatment, rats were tested on a motor coordination task and then examined electrophysiologically under urethane anesthesia. GDNF did not produce an improvement in performance on an inclined balance beam or an accelerating rotorod. In young (3-month-old) F344 rats isoproterenol (ISO) will increase GABAergic inhibitions in the majority of cells examined; however, in aged rats only about 30% of neurons demonstrate this phenotype. In the aged rats treated with GDNF, ISO was able to increase GABAergic inhibitions in greater than 75% of the neurons tested, thus returning the neurons to a young phenotype. We examined the brains for expression of bcl-2, which has been shown to be increased in the aged cerebellum. GDNF was able to down-regulate this neuronal signal. Thus, intra-cisterna magna delivery of GDNF to aged rats improved β-adrenergic receptor function and reduced stress related signaling of bcl-2 in the aged F344 rats to a level similar to that observed in young rats. Microsc. Res. Tech. 54:309–316, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The use of laser surface melting to homogenize Fe-Al bronzes

Laser surface melting has been used to homogenize the near-surface region of several Fe-Al bronzes. A continuous CO2 laser beam was focussed onto the sample surface while the samples moved at high velocities in order to produce melt stripes. The quenched regions were approximately 10μm deep. In the case of the aluminium bronzes C-61 400 and C-62 400 iron-rich precipitates have been eliminated from the surface region. For C62 400 the pre-irradiation matrix isα +γ 2, following laser processing, a single phase, presumably metastableβ, is formed in the quenched region. The aluminium bronze C-62 500 is not homogenized to the same degree as the C-61 400 or C-62 400. Sample analysis was carried out utilizing optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and scanning Auger microscopy.
A New Non-Acidic Mixed Solvent System for Nylon Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: Cis Amide Quantitation in Nylons and Model Amides

Abstract Use of binary fluorinated alcohol-chloroalkane solvents is demonstrated for solution nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) analysis of nylons. These solvents, through a combination of low viscosity and low acidity, promote decreased linewidths and allow observation of features masked by traditional acidic solvents. Peaks for cis amide linkages have been identified for selected nylons and model compounds by 1H, 13C and 15N observation. Surprisingly, the cis content increases with increase in the number of methylene linkages between amide groups for both A-B and AA-BB nylons. The temperature dependencies of the cis amide contents of nylon 6,6 and a model amide were followed by 1H and 13C n.m.r. over the useful temperature range of the binary solvent (−10 to 75°C); both showed an increase in cis content up to the onset of desolvation and/or line-broadening caused by amide hydrogen exchange.
‘A Better War?’ – The View from the Nixon White House

Abstract This article examines the relationship between the White House and the US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) during President Richard M. Nixon's administration. It argues that dysfunctional civil-military relations between 1969 and 1972 undermined the implementation of a sound military strategy during the United States' withdrawal from South Vietnam as Nixon attempted to achieve ‘peace with honor’ during the Vietnam War's final campaigns. By 1972, the relationship between the White House and MACV headquarters had reached the nadir of civil-military relations during the Southeast Asian conflict and had served to undercut the United States' ability to effectively disengage from a long and bitterly contested war.
Axon segmentation in microscopy images — A graphical model based approach

Image segmentation of very large and complex microscopy images are challenging due to variability in the images and the need for algorithms to be robust, fast and able to incorporate various types of information and constraints in the segmentation model. In this paper we propose a graphical model based image segmentation framework that combines the information in images regions with the information in their boundary in a unified probabilistic formulation.
Tax subsidization of personal assistance services

Abstract Background Personal assistance services (PAS) is the term used to describe the range of assistance, services, and supports many people with disabilities and older Americans need to remain in their homes and communities. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that people with disabilities receive essential services in the communities of their choice rather than in institutional settings. PAS availability often determines whether persons with disabilities become institutionalized or remain in their communities. PAS, however, are not inexpensive or broadly available. Strategies are needed to improve their availability to people with disabilities and the elderly. We sought to analyze 8 provisions of the Internal Revenue Code for their utility to make PAS more affordable and available. Methods The authors conducted a legal analysis of 8 statutory provisions, as interpreted by regulations, court decisions, and other authoritative sources. Results Each of the tax provisions analyzed covers some PAS expenses incurred by an individual or family. Favorable tax treatment is impacted by the nature and amount of expenses and by the location and conditions of services. The current limitations and complexities of legal interpretations and the fact that many individuals with disabilities are uninformed about these tax provisions present challenges and opportunities. Conclusions As the need for PAS grows, reform of tax policy is an important complement to health care and long-term services and supports for people with disabilities. To increase utilization of current beneficial tax provisions that subsidize the cost of PAS, individuals with disabilities and tax preparers must become better informed about using these provisions.
Oxygen Vacancies in Barium Oxide

It has been shown by Dash that an optical absorption band at 2.0 ev occurs in BaO crystals when these are treated in barium or other metal vapors, giving the crystals a blue color. In order to determine the way the stoichiometric excess of metal is present in the lattice, the diffusion of the blue coloration into BaO has been measured over the range 800\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C to 1300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The diffusion constant has been found to obey the empirical relation, $D=2500\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}\frac{32500}{T})$. Comparison of this with Redington's results for the diffusion of ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{140}$ into BaO indicates that the diffusion process giving the coloration does not transport barium. It is concluded that the principal lattice defects in BaO with excess metal are oxygen vacancies, and the absorption band is like the ${F}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ band in alkali halides. Chemical determinations of the barium excess are compared with optical determinations.
American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for interstitial brachytherapy for vaginal cancer

Abstract Purpose To present recommendations for the use of interstitial brachytherapy in patients with vaginal cancer or recurrent endometrial cancer in the vagina. Methods A panel of members of the American Brachytherapy Society reviewed the literature, supplemented that with their clinical experience, and formulated recommendations for interstitial brachytherapy for primary or recurrent cancers in the vagina. Results Patients with bulky disease (approximately >0.5 cm thick) should be considered for treatment with interstitial brachytherapy. The American Brachytherapy Society reports specific recommendations for techniques, target volume definition, and dose–fractionation schemes. Three-dimensional treatment planning is recommended with CT scan and/or MRI. The treatment plan should be optimized to conform to the clinical target volume and should reduce the dose to critical organs, including the rectum, bladder, urethra, and sigmoid colon. Suggested doses in combination with external beam radiation therapy and summated equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions are tabulated. Conclusion Recommendations are made for interstitial brachytherapy for vaginal cancer and recurrent disease in the vagina. Practitioners and cooperative groups are encouraged to use these recommendations to formulate treatment and dose-reporting policies. Such a process will result in meaningful outcome comparisons, promote technical advances, and lead to appropriate utilization of these techniques.
Chemical waves in inhomogeneous excitable media

Abstract Propagating chemical waves are typically studied in homogeneous, excitable reaction mixtures. Chemical waves in an inhomogeneous excitable medium are examined in this paper. Cation exchange beads, loaded with ferroin, are bathed in Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction mixtures containing no catalyst. Spiral waves are spontaneously initiated above a critical bromate concentration, which is dependent on the size of the ferroin-loaded beads. At high bromate concentrations, irregular patterns are formed due to an overcrowding of spirals. An upper limit in the number of individual waves is exhibited, which is independent on the bead size. Regular and irregular patterns are analyzed by calculating spatial correlation functions from digital images.
Regulation of sterol regulatory element binding proteins in livers of fasted and refed mice

Hepatic lipid synthesis is known to be regulated by food consumption. In rodents fasting decreases the synthesis of cholesterol as well as fatty acids. Refeeding a high carbohydrate/low fat diet enhances fatty acid synthesis by 5- to 20-fold above the fed state, whereas cholesterol synthesis returns only to the prefasted level. Sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are transcription factors that regulate genes involved in cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis. Here, we show that fasting markedly reduces the amounts of SREBP-1 and -2 in mouse liver nuclei, with corresponding decreases in the mRNAs for SREBP-activated target genes. Refeeding a high carbohydrate/low fat diet resulted in a 4- to 5-fold increase of nuclear SREBP-1 above nonfasted levels, whereas nuclear SREBP-2 protein returned only to the nonfasted level. The hepatic mRNAs for fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes increased 5- to 10-fold above nonfasted levels, a pattern that paralleled the changes in nuclear SREBP-1. The hepatic mRNAs for enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis returned to the nonfasted level, closely following the pattern of nuclear SREBP-2 regulation. Transgenic mice that overproduce nuclear SREBP-1c failed to show the normal decrease in hepatic mRNA levels for cholesterol and fatty acid synthetic enzymes upon fasting. We conclude that SREBPs are regulated by food consumption in the mouse liver and that the decline in nuclear SREBP-1c upon fasting may explain in part the decrease in mRNAs encoding enzymes of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway.
SMI 2012: Full Pattern mapping with quad-pattern-coverable quad-meshes

We show that for every surface of positive genus, there exist many quadrilateral manifold meshes that can be texture-mapped with locally translated copies of a single square-texture pattern. This implies, for instance, that every positive-genus surface can be covered seamlessly with any of the 17 plane symmetric wallpaper patterns. We identify sufficient conditions for meshes to be classified as ''quad-pattern-coverable'', and we present several methods to construct such meshes. Moreover, we identify some mesh operations that preserve the quad-pattern-coverability property. For instance, since vertex insertion remeshing, which is the remeshing operation behind Catmull-Clark subdivision, preserves quad-pattern-coverability, it is possible to cover any surface of positive genus with iteratively finer versions of the same texture.
The site of action of prostaglandin E2 on the disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier in the rabbit eye

Abstract The protein content of the anterior chamber and posterior chamber was determined soon after trauma to the eye. The trauma was topical administration of prostaglandin E 2 or paracentesis of the anterior chamber in untreated rabbits or rabbits treated with aspirin. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the site of action of prostaglandin E 2 is on the tight junctions of the non-pigmented epithelial cells of the ciliary body. The possible routes of flow of plasmoid aqueous humor into the anterior chamber after trauma is discussed.
t(12;22)(q13;q13) and trisomy 8 are nonrandom aberrations in clear-cell sarcoma

We report a case of clear-cell sarcoma with a t(12;22)(q13;q13) and multiple copies of chromosome 8 in addition to other abnormalities. An identical or similar translocation has previously been reported in this type of tumor, suggesting that the t(12;22) is a primary cytogenetic change in the pathogenesis of a subset of clear-cell sarcomas. In addition, the presence of extra copies of chromosome 8, commonly noted in our case and others, suggests that it represents a nonrandom secondary change in these tumors.
Effect of in vivo crown margin discrepancies on periodontal health

Numerous reports have suggested a relationship between marginal adaptation of dental castings and periodontal tissue health, and this study examined this relationship quantitatively. Forty-two crown restorations in 29 randomly selected patients were selected for this study using three criteria. (1) The crowns were placed at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry; (2) the crowns were in service for a minimum of 4 years; and (3) the crown margins were within the intracrevicular crevice (subgingival). Replica impressions of the facial margins of specific crowns were made with a vinyl polysiloxane impression material, and poured casts were prepared for scanning electron micrograph evaluation. Marginal discrepancy measurements were identified on each micrograph at 10 equally spaced locations along the margin and averaged for each specimen. Periodontal indices of pocket depths, crevicular fluid volume, and gingival index were accumulated for clinical measurements. Pearson correlation and Bonferroni adjusted probability tests were performed, but no significant correlation was found between marginal discrepancy (0.16 +/- 0.13 mm) and pocket depth (2.4 +/- 0.9 mm). However, a strong correlation (p less than 0.001) existed between marginal discrepancy and gingival index (2 +/- 0.8) and between marginal discrepancies and crevicular fluid volume (49.9 +/- 31.1). These results established that a significant quantitative relationship existed between the marginal discrepancy and periodontal tissue inflammation for subgingivally located crown margins.
Generation, affinity maturation, and characterization of a human anti-human NKG2D monoclonal antibody with dual antagonistic and agonistic activity

In humans, NKG2D is an activating receptor on natural killer (NK) cells and a costimulatory receptor on certain T cells and plays a central role in mediating immune responses in autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer. Monoclonal antibodies that antagonize or agonize immune responses mediated by human NKG2D are considered to be of broad and potent therapeutic utility. Nonetheless, monoclonal antibodies to NKG2D that are suitable for clinical investigations have not been published yet. Here, we describe the generation, affinity maturation, and characterization of a fully human monoclonal antibody to human NKG2D. Using phage display technology based on a newly generated naive human Fab library in phage display vector pC3C followed by a tandem chain shuffling process designed for minimal deviation from natural human antibody sequences, we selected a human Fab, designated KYK-2.0, with high specificity and affinity to human NKG2D. KYK-2.0 Fab blocked the binding of the natural human NKG2D ligands MICA, MICB, and ULBP2 as potently as a commercially available mouse anti-human NKG2D monoclonal antibody in immunoglobulin G (IgG) format. Conversion of KYK-2.0 Fab to IgG1 resulted in subnanomolar avidity for human NKG2D. KYK-2.0 IgG1 was found to selectively recognize defined subpopulations of human lymphocytes known to express NKG2D, that is, the majority of human CD8+, CD16+, and CD56+ cells as well as a small fraction of human CD4+ cells. In solution, KYK-2.0 IgG1 interfered with the cytolytic activity of ex vivo expanded human NK cells. By contrast, immobilized KYK-2.0 IgG1 was found to strongly induce human NK cell activation. The dual antagonistic and agonistic activity promises a wide range of therapeutic applications for KYK-2.0 IgG1 and its derivatives.
Effects of acrolein on leukotriene biosynthesis in human neutrophils.

Acrolein is a toxic, highly reactive α,β-unsaturated aldehyde that is present in high concentrations in cigarette smoke. In the current study, the effect of acrolein on eicosanoid synthesis in stimulated human neutrophils was examined. Eicosanoid synthesis in neutrophils was initiated by priming with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and subsequent stimulation with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and 5-LO products in addition to small amounts of COX products were detected using LC/MS/MS. A dose-dependent decrease in the formation of 5LO products was observed in GM-CSF/fMLP stimulated neutrophils when acrolein (0-50 μM) was present with almost complete inhibition at ≥25 μM acrolein. The production of COX products was not affected by acrolein in these cells. The effect of acrolein was examined on key parts of the eicosanoid pathway, such as arachidonic acid release, intracellular calcium ion concentration, and adenosine production. In addition, the direct effect of acrolein on 5-LO enzymatic activity was probed using a recombinant enzyme. Some of these factors were affected by acrolein, but did not completely explain the almost complete inhibition of 5-LO product formation in GM-CSF/fMLP treated cells with acrolein. In addition, the effect of acrolein on different stimuli that initiate the 5-LO pathway (platelet-activating factor (PAF)/fMLP, GM-CSF/PAF, opsonized zymosan, and A23187) was examined. Acrolein had no significant effect on the leukotriene production in neutrophils stimulated with PAF/fMLP, GM-CSF/PAF, or OPZ. Additionally, 50% inhibition of the 5-LO pathway was observed in A23187 stimulated neutrophils. Our results suggest that acrolein has a profound effect on the 5-LO pathway in neutrophils, which may have implications in disease states, such as COPD and other pulmonary disease where both activated neutrophils and acrolein are present.
A Mechanical Theory of Electron-Image Formation

The formation of an electron image and its optical constants, such as magnification and position, is predicted from the simple assumption of transversal deflection in true proportion to the radial distance off the axis. The treatment is mechanical, rather than optical. Investigation of the electron trajectory is avoided. At first, the deflecting forces are supposed to act only in a negligible portion of the electron path. It is found that there exists for this case a "thin-lens law" which differs from the optical analogy only in that the distances are replaced by transit times. The resulting expression for electron-optical magnification is a ratio of transit times. Applications of these deductions are made for some particular electron tubes. The mechanical treatment is then used in connection with an extended field with a variable deflection constant all along the axis. The constants of thick lenses, either electric, magnetic, or combined fields, are expressed in terms of three integrals of the deflection with respect to transit time. The first of these integrals gives the focal length, the second the magnification, and the third the positions of corresponding object and image planes. All results are available in a graph of a family of hyperbolas for various operation parameters. The plane accelerating field, which forms a virtual rather than a real electron image, is studied in the same manner. Appendix A gives the mathematical proof of convergence of the series of functions used for approximation.
Growth and Development of the Nurse Practitioner Role Around the Globe

The role of the Nurse Practitioner, which began in the United States in the 1960s, has expanded dramatically around the world. There is a great need for development of this role to address the need for health promotion, disease prevention, and to provide for evidence based care to the underserved populations of the world. As this advanced practice role is introduced into the health care environment of a country or nation state, a clear developmental process occurs across all settings. When one looks at the path of acceptance and utilization of the advanced practice nurse in a new location, the challenges and the responses to those challenges mirror a developmental process. The stages will be compared to Erikson's developmental stages in children. There are often additional challenges to be faced and there may be some detours along the road, but these stages are the same in each country that develops the role. Knowledge of these stages and the role of "anticipatory guidance" to countries that are developing the role can be helpful to developing countries. This discussion will outline the developmental steps that are similar for all newly introduced advanced practice roles. Similar to pediatric and adolescent development, even though the stages are known and are clear, the child must progress through them in order to emerge as a strong and healthy individual, so must the advanced practice, nurse practitioner role evolve through these steps in order for them to emerge as successful and vital.
Generalised theory of uniform transmission lines

The conventional circuit theory of uniform two-conductor transmission lines (TEM mode) assumes that at any cross-section the current in one conductor is equal and opposite to that in the other. This is not necessarily true, and even when it is true the resulting theory does not permit solution of some simple problems such as evaluation of the voltage difference between two points on the same conductor. The paper presents a more general circuit theory which does permit solution of such problems and does not demand current balance. It incidentally shows that when there is current imbalance the expressions for voltage contain a term which depends linearly upon line length, as well as the familiar hyperbolic function terms.
Selective Tethering of Ligands and Proteins to a Microfluidically Patterned Electroactive Fluid Lipid Bilayer Array

We report a new, quantitative methodology to pattern and present ligands from planar, supported, fluid lipid bilayers. By combining microfluidic lithography (microFL) with an electroactive, chemoselective interfacial reaction strategy, a number of ligands as well as protein concanavalin A were immobilized in lipid microarrays. Electroactive vesicles were generated after the spontaneous insertion of hydroquinone-tethered alkane (H(2)Q) into egg palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (egg-POPC), followed by subsequent fusion to a siloxane-terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold. An advantage of the H(2)Q system is that it can be electrochemically oxidized to the corresponding quinone (Q), followed by rapid chemoselective conjugation with oxyamine-functionalized (RONH(2)) ligands. The oxime product is also electroactive, and the reaction can be monitored and the amount of ligand bound can be quantified by electrochemistry. The bilayers were characterized by electrochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, and ellipsometry and were determined to be fluid by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). This strategy provides a synergistic method to pattern and present a number of ligands or biomolecules from the bilayer surface for the evaluation of enzyme or protein binding to biomembranes.
Stream channel erosion and change resulting from riparian forests

Forested stream banks, compared to grassed ones, can destabilize stream channels by promoting erosion. Four reaches of Coon Creek, Wisconsin, each with long-term grassed and forested subreaches were examined. Grassed reaches were narrower and had smaller channels (bankfull cross sections) than forested reaches, suggesting that grassed channel reaches stored about 2100 to 8800 m 3 more sediment per kilometre than forested reaches. Available evidence suggests that conversion of riparian forests to grass would allow storage of sediment along channels, possibly decreasing downstream sediment yields. These findings are important as many grassed riparian corridors are rapidly reverting to forest because of economic conditions and governmental policies.
Resistivity modelling for arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional structures

A numerical technique is developed to solve the three-dimensional potential distribution about a point source of current located in or on the surface of a half-space containing arbitrary two-dimensional conductivity distribution. Finite difference equations are obtained for Poisson's equations by using point- as well as area-discretization of the subsurface. Potential distributions at all points in the set defining the half-space are simultaneously obtained for multiple point sources of current injection. The solution is obtained with direct explicit matrix inversion techniques. An empirical mixed boundary condition is used at the “infinitely distant” edges of the lower half-space. Accurate solutions using area-discretization method are obtained with significantly less attendant computational costs than with the relaxation, finite-element, or network solution techniques for models of comparable dimensions.