cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myosin Storage Myopathy Mutations Cause Age Dependent Muscle Degeneration and Cardiac Dysfunction in a Drosophila Model

Myosin storage myopathy (MSM) is a rare congenital disorder caused by missense mutations in the beta cardiac MHC rod and characterized by subsarcolemmal accumulation of beta cardiac MHC that has a hyaline appearance. These mutations map near to or within the assembly competence domain known to be crucial to filament assembly. We hypothesize that mutations interrupt assembly of coiled-coil rod dimers or thick filaments causing aggregation. We have made a Drosophila model for MSM whichcan serve as a powerful model for mechanistic investigations. This in vivo model makes it possible to examine interactions between wild-type and mutant full-length myosins, as the majority of mutant alleles are dominant. We introduced the R1845W, L1793P or the E1883K mutation into a Drosophila myosin heavy chain transgene and expressed it in the indirect flight/jump muscles. Our studies show a severe reduction in the flight and jump ability of the transgenic flies (p<0.0001) in both homozygotes and heterozygotes, with an age-dependent loss of muscle function. Electron and confocal microscopy of the indirect flight muscles of transgenic lines show myofibrillar disarray with large areas of granular/ filamentous inclusions similar to hyaline bodies found in affected humans. In addition, heterozygotes of at least two mutants show restrictive cardiomyopathy phenotypes with arrhythmia that mirrors cardiomyopathy reported in human subjects. We plan to examine the biophysical defects by studying in vitro filament forming ability of the mutant myosin to determine if defective filament formation or instability of the myosin filaments is the basis of MSM. Our study will be an important step in exploring the mechanistic basis of MSM, and identify potential therapeutic approaches by over-expressing myosin chaperones or the autophagic response.
Effects of drugs on response duration differentiation III. Acute variation of reinforced duration

Rats trained to hold a lever down for at least 1.0 s but less than 1.3 s could differentiate the reinforced response duration on about 50% of the trials. The response duration frequency distribution was a normal distribution with a peak near the minimum reinforced response duration. Dose-effect curves were determined for the effects of phencyclidine (PCP) and methamphetamine. Subsequently, rats continued to be trained for 3 days a week with responses between 1.0 and 1.3 s reinforced, but on days when injections were given either the maximum reinforced duration was increased to 2.3 s, or the minimum reinforced duration was lowered to 0.5. When the maximum duration was increased to 2.3 s, the percentage of reinforced responses increased to 60% and when the minimum reinforced duration was decreased to 0.5 s, the percentage of reinforced responses increased to 89%. Despite the increased percentage of reinforced responses when the time window was widened, the effects of PCP and methamphetamine were not changed. These data suggest that the effects of drugs on response duration differentiation are not greatly influenced by transient changes in reinforcement frequency.
Organizational Commitment and Constraints on Work-Family Policy Use: Corporate Flexibility Policies in a Global Firm:

Academics, policy makers, and human resource professionals advocate flexibility policies as a way to help employees balance work and family and to promote a more committed workforce for employers. This mutually beneficial scenario assumes that employees are interested in work-family policies and perceive themselves as being able to use them. We examine these issues among managers and professionals in a global, high-commitment firm. Our analysis of individual-level and work group–level factors that contribute to workers' feeling constrained from using a corporation's generous official flexibility policies reveals that those with the heaviest job demands and least supportive work groups are most likely to feel unable to use these policies. Further, this sense of constraint is associated with lower organizational commitment. These findings suggest contradictions in the high-commitment model of employment as it has been applied to managers and professionals in the rapidly changing, competitive financial servi...
Cortical Representations Are Reinstated by the Hippocampus during Memory Retrieval

The hippocampus is assumed to retrieve memory by reinstating patterns of cortical activity that were observed during learning. To test this idea, we monitored the activity of individual cortical neurons while simultaneously inactivating the hippocampus. Neurons that were active during context fear conditioning were tagged with the long-lasting fluorescent protein H2B-GFP and the light-activated proton pump ArchT. These proteins allowed us to identify encoding neurons several days after learning and silence them with laser stimulation. When tagged CA1 cells were silenced, we found that memory retrieval was impaired and representations in the cortex (entorhinal, retrosplenial, perirhinal) and the amygdala could not be reactivated. Importantly, hippocampal inactivation did not alter the total amount of activity in most brain regions. Instead, it selectively prevented neurons that were active during learning from being reactivated during retrieval. These data provide functional evidence that the hippocampus reactivates specific memory representations during retrieval.
Comments on Woodward, Making Things Happen

I welcome the chance to revisit my review of Making Things Happen and the book itself (Woodward 2003; Strevens 2007) in the light of Woodward’s response to the review (henceforth “Woodward’s reply”). In what follows I hope to provide a surer footing for some of the claims made in the original review, to address the new definition of unrelativized causation proposed in Woodward’s reply, and to expand my own appreciation of the manifold aims of the book, while expressing some doubt as to whether they can be realized by a single system of definitions. I have more to say than I can reasonably fit into this piece; I hope that my silence on some matters will not be interpreted as a concession. (In particular, I am fairly sure that what Woodward has to say about explanation implicitly commits him to what he calls “potentialism”.)
Measurement of unrelaxed-rotational distributions using the laser pump-and-probe technique

Collisional relaxation of the nascent distribution of rotational quantum states of MgH (X 2Σ+, ν = 0) produced in the reactions of H2 and SiH4 with Mg(3s3p 1P1) has been studied by lengthening the delay time in the laser “pump-and-probe” technique. Empirical “scaling lacy” reproduce the relaxation process quite well, and it is shown that the distributions determined at the shortest experimentally accessible delay times are essentially unaffected by secondary rotational relaxation.
Identification of a maize root transcript expressed in the primary response to nitrate: characterization of a cDNA with homology to ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase

To more fully understand the biochemical and molecular events which occur in plants exposed to nitrate, cDNAs whose accumulation was enhanced in nitrate- and cycloheximide-treated maize (Zea mays L. W64A × W182E) roots were isolated. The 340 bp Zmrprn 1 (for Zea mays root primary response to nitrate) cDNA also hybridized with a probe enriched for nitrate-induced sequences, and was characterized further. Sequence analysis of a near full-length cDNA (Zmrprn 1A) showed strong homology (>90% amino acid identity) with a root ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNR) of rice, and 45–50% amino acid identity with leaf FNR genes. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the Zmrprn 1A cDNA produced a protein with NADPH: ferricyanide reductase activity, consistent with the enzymatic properties of an FNR. The Zmrprn 1 cDNA hybridized with a 1.4 kb transcript which was expressed in the maize root primary response to nitrate. That is, mRNA levels in roots increased rapidly and transiently in response to external nitrate, and low levels of nitrate (10 μM) induced transcript accumulation. The accumulation of the Zmrprn 1 transcript was not prevented by cycloheximide, indicating that the cellular factor(s) required for expression were constitutively present in maize roots. The Zmrprn 1 mRNA accumulated specifically in response to nitrate, since neither K+ nor NH4 + treatment of roots caused transcript accumulation. Maize leaves had about 5% of the transcript level found in roots, indicating a strong preference for expression of Zmrprn 1 in roots. Analysis of maize genomic DNA indicated the presence of only a single gene or very small gene family for the Zmrprn 1. Together, the data indicate that Zmrprn 1A encodes a nitrate regulated maize root FNR.
Thermodynamics of Solutions with Liquid Crystal Solvents. VIII. Solute Induced Nematic-Isotropic Transitions

Abstract An experimental approach has been devised which permits the study of the effect of nonmesomorphic solutes of different sizes and shapes on nematic phase stability. The apparatus consists of a vacuum microbalance system which employs a Cahn RG Electrobalance to determine the weight of volatile solute absorbed by a known weight of nematic material at a given temperature and solute partial pressure. From such measurements, solute activity coefficients (γ2) were determined as a function of solute mole fraction (x 2) at several set temperatures (T) below the nematic-isotropic transition temperature (61.2°C) of the pure nematogen p-methoxybenzylidene-p'-n-propylaniline (MBPA). The solute probes studied were n-heptane, benzene and carbon tetrachloride. For all three systems the observed behavior was: In γ2 decreased sharply with increasing x 2 in the nematic region, became discontinuous at a mole fraction x2 corresponding to the solute induced transition point, and then decreased gradually (approaching ...
Improved performance of deterministic lateral displacement arrays with triangular posts

Deterministic lateral displacement arrays have shown great promise for size-based particle analysis and purification in medicine and biology. Here, we demonstrate that the use of an array of triangular rather than circular posts significantly enhances the performance of these devices by reducing clogging, lowering hydrostatic pressure requirements, and increasing the range of displacement characteristics. Experimental data and theoretical models are presented to create a compelling argument that future designs of deterministic lateral displacement arrays should employ triangular posts. The effect of practical considerations, such as vertex rounding, post size, and shape, is also discussed.
Speed of Adjustment in U.S. Financial Markets

This study uses U.S. financial market data from the post-World War II era to examine whether the statistical evidence supports a flexible-weight asset allocation in U.S. financial markets. A variety of econometric tests are developed to estimate the speed of adjustment of economic time series data subject to unit roots and structural breaks. The findings suggest that successful flexible-weight asset allocation is likely to be difficult. Of all the relationships tested, only the long-term government bonds versus S&P 500 relationship is cointegrated with a significant speed of adjustment parameter. This suggests a predictable long-run equilibrium relationship.
Expert Systems and Intelligent Information Retrieval.

Abstract Researchers have begun to investigate whether “intelligent” information retrieval systems can be built using expert system techniques. This paper will explore what an intelligent information retrieval system involves and examine why expert system techniques might be of interest to the designers of such systems. A brief review will be presented of expert systems research, describing what an expert system is, what it can do (and cannot do), and how this performance is achieved. The emphasis will be on components, architecture, and human-system interaction rather than on specific applications or individual systems. The paper will then explore the extent to which it is feasible to think of applying expert system techniques to intelligent retrieval.
Grain boundary modeling in high critical temperature superconductors

Geometrical modeling and minimization of energy of grain boundaries in high critical temperature YBaCuO superconducting oxides is used to determine the atomic structure and its influence on the superconducting properties. It is possible to form grain boundaries with four types of atomic planes with different atomic arrangements in the layered structure, thus giving rise to four independent configurations. The structure of the primary coincidence symmetric tilt boundaries containing either a and b or c and a lattice parameters within the grains is illustrated for several misorientations. The modeling is used to determine the fraction of superconducting planes which are continuous across the grain boundary and the excess charge associated with the boundary. The modeling is also applied to secondary coincidence symmetric tilt boundaries and asymmetric tilt boundaries to delineate important features associated with these configurations. The fraction of superconducting planes at the boundaries, which determine their current carrying capacity, is estimated. The relative occupancy of the copper and the oxygen atoms in the coincidence site unit cells is evaluated for each misorientation.
Transforming growth factor beta induces fibroblast fibrillin-1 matrix formation

Objective Fibrillin, an extracellular matrix protein implicated in dermal fibrosis, is increased in the reticular dermis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) skin. We undertook this study to investigate the hypothesis that transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) or other cytokines regulate fibrillin matrix formation by normal and SSc fibroblasts. We further investigated the mechanism of TGFβ-induced fibrillin fibrillogenesis and its relationship to myofibroblasts. Methods Fibrillin and fibronectin matrix deposition and α-smooth muscle actin expression by fibroblast cultures from normal and SSc skin treated with TGFβ or other cytokines were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Supernatant and extracellular matrix from normal and SSc fibroblasts treated with or without TGFβ were evaluated by Western blot and Northern blot for fibrillin protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, respectively. Results Immunofluorescence demonstrated increased fibrillin matrix formation by normal and scleroderma fibroblasts after TGFβ treatment. Other cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-4, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and platelet-derived growth factor, did not affect fibrillin fibrillogenesis. Fibrillin matrix formed in proximity to myofibroblasts and independently of up-regulation of fibronectin matrix or cell number. Western blot analysis of extracellular matrix confirmed increased fibrillin after TGFβ stimulation of normal or scleroderma fibroblasts. However, TGFβ did not alter the expression of either soluble fibrillin protein or fibrillin mRNA. Conclusion Our data show that TGFβ induces fibrillin protein incorporation into the extracellular matrix without affecting fibrillin gene expression or protein synthesis, suggesting that fibrillin matrix assembly is regulated extracellularly. TGFβ might increase fibrillin matrix by activating myofibroblasts. Such TGFβ-mediated effects could account for the increased fibrillin matrix observed in SSc skin.
The Logic of Uncertainty: Measuring Degree of Belief

This paper discusses the need to quantitate degrees of belief to handle problems that involve making decisions when the consequences of the various possible decisions cannot be known with certainty. Degrees of belief are interpreted in such a way that inconsistent opinions about uncertainty can be recognized and avoided. Five general techniques for measuring uncertainty are introduced.
Hydrogen Trioxide Anion: A Possible Atmospheric Intermediate and Path to Oxygen-Rich Molecules

The structure of the HO3- anion has been studied theoretically using many theoretical methods. We found two metastable isomers for HO3-. The most stable isomer has a structure reminiscent to its neutral HOOO and cationic HOOO+ relatives. However, the central O−O bond in the anion was found to be unusually long (1.79 A) compared to the same bond in the cation (1.40 A) and in the neutral molecule (1.56 A). Careful analysis reveals that the long O−O bond in the anion is a true chemical bond, but the bond order is only 0.75, which is the reason for its extreme length. We believe that the HO3- anion may play a role in atmospheric processes and its unusual long bond can expand our view of chemical bonding in oxygen-rich molecules.
Metabolism and effects of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in children and adults.

To compare the metabolism and effects of synthetic GnRH (Parke-Davis CI-785) in children and adults, 24 children were given 10 μg GnRH/m2 iv; 5 adult male volunteers randomly received 1, 10, 25 and 100 μg GnRH/m2 iv at weekly intervals. Blood samples were withdrawn at frequent intervals during the 1 hr before and 4 hr after injection. GnRH concentrations were determined by a highly specific radioimmunoassay which utilizes Niswender antiserum #R-42 and 125I-GnRH purified by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. Sensitivity of this assay is 1 pg/tube or 5 pg/ml of unextracted plasma. Serum LH and FSH were determined by radioimmunoassay. No correlation was found between physiological state or serum gonadotropin concentrations, and endogenous GnRH values. Indeed, most plasma samples were at or below the sensitivity of the GnRH assay. Maximum GnRH concentrations occurred at +1 or +2 min and were significantly greater in children (4.02 ± 0.33 (se) ng/ml) than adults (2.05 ± 0.37 (se) ng/ml) given GnRH iv at ...
On accent, stress and quantity in West Slavic

Among the Indo-European languages with mobile stress, the Slavic languages are distinguished by possessing, in addition to accented and unaccented morphemes, a class of post-accenting morphemes, whose cognates in the other IE languages are accented. The paper employs Idsardi's (1992) metrical theory of stress and accent to account for the evolution of this class of morphemes. It is proposed that the development of these morphemes was a consequence of Dybo's Law, a rule that rendered certain accented vowels unstressable. This proposition also provides a straightforward explanation for the striking fact that the West Slavic cognates of the post-accenting morphemes are exceptions to the otherwise pervasive vowel shortening process and hence preserve the original quantity contrasts. Since West Slavic (except for Kashubian) lost mobile stress many centuries ago, it has been proposed (e.g., by Garde, 1976) that Dybo's Law by-passed West Slavic. This common sense conclusion, however, is untenable in the light of the length preservation facts noted above. It is shown that the Idsardi's metrical theory of prosody allows for a full account of this complex body of data. The paper thus explains not only a hitherto puzzling set of facts, but also provides important empirical support for the Idsardi theory of prosody.
7, 12-Dimethylbenz(α) Anthracene-Induced Malignant Lymphoma in Germfree Mice

It has been well-established that conventional rodents that received a single subcutaneous injection of 7,12-Dimethylbenz(α)-anthracene (DMBA) develop local and/or distant neoplasms(1–10). The age of treated rodents, the dose of carcinogen, the difference in species of animals used and other factors (sex) seems to influence the incidence and type of DMBA-induced tumors(1, 2,5,6,9). The incidence of malignant lymphoma in conventional mice is increased by subcutaneous injection of small dose of DMBA at birth (1–4). On the base of previous works by others, however, there is no such high incidence of lymphoma in other rodents, such as the rat(7, 11), hamster (8, 9) and rabbit(lO) similarly treated with DMBA. At present, it is unknown what factor(s) makes this difference in response of mice distinct from other species to DMBA-injection at birth, although it can be assumed that leukemia virus widely present in “normal” laboratory mice may be responsible for this phenomenon.
Gibberellin precursor is involved in spore germination in the moss Physcomitrella patens

Gibberellins are ent-kaurene derived phytohormones that are involved in seed germination, stem elongation, and flower induction in seed plants, as well as in antheridia formation and spore germination in ferns. Although ubiquitous in vascular plants, the occurrence and potential function(s) of gibberellins in bryophytes have not yet been resolved. To determine the potential role of gibberellin and/or gibberellin-like compounds in mosses, the effect of AMO-1618 on spores of Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) B.S.G. was tested. AMO-1618, which inhibited ent-kaurene and gibberellin biosynthesis in angiosperms, also inhibited the bifunctional copalyl diphosphate synthase (E.C. 5.5.1.13)/ent-kaurene synthase (E.C. 4.2.3.19) of P. patens. AMO-1618 also caused a decrease in spore germination rates of P. patens, and this inhibitory effect was less pronounced in the presence of ent-kaurene. These results suggest that ent-kaurene biosynthesis is required by P. patens spores to germinate, implying the presence of gibberellin-like phytohormones in mosses.
Effect of Ethylene on Mangifera indica

THE variations in the chemical changes of the respirable substrate accompanying the process of fruit development and ripening of the different varieties of the tropical fruit Mangifera indica were investigated with the view of finding out the nature and the response of the substrate to the different methods of storage. Such investigations would provide helpful information for devising methods of storage of this delicate and easily perishable fruit. Accordingly, investigations as to the changes in the respirable substrate under the different conditions of storage were planned and carried out, first at a lower temperature of 8–12° C., secondly in ordinary room conditions of 28–32° C., and thirdly the effect was examined of different concentrations of ethylene gas as a means of artificial ripening.
Severe peripheral sensory neuron loss and modest motor neuron reduction in mice with combined deficiency of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin 3 and neurotrophin 4/5.

Neurotrophins are a family of structurally and functionally related proteins that regulate neuronal survival during development. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that neurotrophins are potent factors for the survival of various sensory neurons and sympathetic neurons. However, it is not clear whether all PNS neurons are neurotrophin-dependent. In the central nervous system (CNS), studies using injury models show that neurotrophins promote the survival of CNS neurons. But mice lacking individual neurotrophins or a combination of BDNF and NT4 did not show significant CNS neuronal loss. Here we derived mice lacking three neurotrophins, brain-derived growth factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT4) to study the effect of triple neurotrophin deficiency on peripheral and central neurons. These triple-deficient mice did not nurse and died within 12 hours after birth. Neuronal cell counts showed that triple mutant pups lacked most of their peripheral sensory neurons and had a statistically significant reduction of motor neurons in several motor nuclei. Our results suggest that neurotrophins are essential for the survival of most peripheral sensory neurons and affect the survival of a small portion of motor neurons during embryogenesis. Dev Dyn;218:94–101. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Bedside information technology to support patient-centered care.

Abstract Purpose Patients and health care providers often lack real time access to information at the bedside required to provide safe patient-centered care. Both groups identified pertinent information needed at the patient's bedside. The purpose of our research was to identify the essential data elements that will be used to define requirements for a useful bedside communication tool in the acute care hospital setting. Methods Descriptive research methods were used to identify bedside information requirements through group and individual interviews. Data from patients and health care providers were analyzed to identify common themes, compiled into a survey, and validated by both groups. Results Thirty-seven information requirements were identified and classified under five themes: (1) plan of care, (2) patient education, (3) communication of safety alerts, (4) diet, and (5) medications. A survey completed by 30 patients and 30 health care providers confirmed 36 specific bedside information requirements (mean≥5 on an 11-point scale). Patients and health providers each identified 24 specific information requirements that were similar in importance. When compared with nurses, significant differences were noted in the degree to which patients identified knowing the "daily routine schedule," e.g. when their doctor typically sees patients as a key requirement for the electronic bedside communication tool, t =3.52, p =.001. Conclusion Patients and health care providers identified information requirements at the bedside to promote self-care management of healthcare needs and an understanding of the hospital environment. Accurate, easily accessed information at the bedside is needed for providing safe patient-centered care.
Chemotaxonomy: distribution studies of sulfur compounds in Allium.

Abstract Twenty-seven samples of Old World and two New World species of Allium have been investigated and the nature and amount of many of the sulfur compounds determined by gas chromatography. Using the sectional classification of L.K. Mann, comparisons were made as to the kind and amounts of these compounds present in species within each section. More often than not, members of each section showed similar characteristic chromatographic patterns for the sulfur compounds, whereas there were distinct differences in pattern at the sectional level.
DETERMINANTS OF PERSISTENCE OF GRADUATE STUDENTS IN PH.D. PROGRAMS

This study utilizes longitudinal data on individual students enrolled in doctoral programs from 1989 to 1993 to identify patterns and determinants of their persistence. For each of five disciplines (biochemistry, economics, English, mathematics, and mechanical engineering), a survival model is specified to explain student persistence through the first four years of graduate study. Variables hypothesized to explain persistence include student aptitude and achievement, financial support, and demographic characteristics, as well as characteristics of the programs in which students were enrolled. The statistical estimates reveal significant differences across disciplines, but several general results are apparent: a student with given characteristics is more likely to persist at more selective institutions; other things being equal, a student is more likely to persist if he or she has greater financial support, higher GRE Verbal or Quantitative scores, and a master's degree. Student citizenship, gender, ethnicity, and age are not consistently related to persistence across disciplines.
Evolutionary development of the space plasma laboratory

In connection with payload definition studies for the Shuttle, one particular study, initiated in 1971, was concerned with the Definition of a Plasma Physics and Environmental Perturbation Laboratory (PPEPL). Possibilities were explored for performing, from a manned Shuttle-borne laboratory, investigations utilizing the natural space plasma environment around the Shuttle, and investigations employing controlled active experiments within the space plasma environment. Special emphasis was placed on employing controlled active experiment techniques using a manned Shuttle for short duration (7 to 30 days) missions and frequent reflights.
Solubility of Anthracene in Ternary Propanol + Butanol + Cyclohexane Solvent Mixtures

Experimental solubilities are reported for anthracene dissolved in ternary 1-propanol + 1-butanol + cyclohexane, 1-propanol + 2-butanol + cyclohexane, 2-propanol + 1-butanol + cyclohexane, and 2-propanol + 2-butanol + cyclohexane solvent mixtures at 298.15 K. Nineteen compositions were studied for each of the four solvent systems. Results of these measurements are used to test the predictive ability of the ternary solvent form of the combined NIBS/Redlich−Kister equation. Computations showed that the model predicted the observed solubility behavior to within an overall average absolute deviation of about 1.6%.
A portable scanning lidar system used for aerosol detection

In this paper, a 1.5 micron, 3-D scanning, portable and eyesafe aerosol lidar system is presented. The design, testing and field measurements of this lidar are introduced. An aerosol lidar model is used to evaluate lidar system's performance. At the end, the experimental and theoretic atmospheric detection results are presented and compared.
Sexual function among women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

Objective The objective of this research was to determine whether sexual complaints, such as dyspareunia, are associated with pelvic floor disorders. Study design We used data collected for the Maryland Women's Health Study. Among adult women scheduled for hysterectomy, we used multiple logistic regression analysis to identify characteristics associated with 4 sexual complaints: decreased libido, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and anorgasmia. Results Among 1299 participants, 495 (38.1%) had evidence of pelvic floor disorders. Sexual complaints were significantly more common among women with pelvic floor disorders (53.2% vs 40.4%, P Conclusion In a cohort of women planning hysterectomy, women with urinary incontinence were significantly more likely to report sexual complaints.
A surrogate relaxation based algorithm for a general quadratic multi-dimensional knapsack problem

In this paper, we develop a framework to solve a General Quadratic Multi-dimensional Knapsack Problem using surrogate relaxation. This paper exploits the fact that a continuous single constraint quadratic knapsack problem can be solved by inspection by the procedure given by Mathur et al. [6]. A preliminary computational study indicates that the proposed algorithm is much more efficient than some of the alternate procedures.
Dexmedetomidine in the Treatment of Withdrawal Syndromes in Cardiothoracic Surgery Patients

Dexmedetomidine (Precedex, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) is an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist that possesses a high ratio of specificity for the alpha 2 versus the alpha 1 receptor. It is currently approved for the provision of sedation during mechanical ventilation in adults. Given previous experience with clonidine for the treatment of substance withdrawal and the preliminary anecdotal experience with dexmedetomidine, it appears that dexmedetomidine may be a useful agent for treatment of substance withdrawal in the intensive care setting. The authors present their experience with the use of dexmedetomidine to control withdrawal behavior in 3 patients following cardiothoracic surgery. Previous reports regarding the use of dexmedetomidine to treat withdrawal and its potential application in this clinical arena are reviewed.
Gas desorption electron stimulated during operation of field emitter-phosphor screen pairs

Abstract Gas desorption from a field emitter array (FEA) cathode and phosphor screen anode in a flat panel display during a lifetime operation can affect cathode electron emission and degrade display performance and uniformity. We have measured the outgassing products from selected FEA-phosphor pairs in an ultrahigh vacuum system equipped with a calibrated quadrupole rresidual gas analyzer. Different low voltage phosphors and blank anodes were studied. A Spindt-type FEA was used as the electron source. A unique carousel was used so the desorption from all these different anodes could be measured without intervening vacuum breaks; this allowed the desorption from the different anodes to be directly compared with each other. Quantitative outgassing rates are given and the implications of the results for the pumping of the flat panel and emission from the FEAs are discussed.
Assessing neutron generator output using neutron activation of silicon

Abstract D–T neutron generators are used for elemental composition analysis and medical applications. Often composition is determined by examining elemental ratios in which the knowledge of the neutron flux is unnecessary. However, the absolute value of the neutron flux is required when the generator is used for neutron activation analysis, to study radiation damage to materials, to monitor the operation of the generator, and to measure radiation exposure. We describe a method for absolute neutron output and flux measurements of low output D–T neutron generators using delayed activation of silicon. We irradiated a series of silicon oxide samples with 14.1 MeV neutrons and counted the resulting gamma rays of the 28Al nucleus with an efficiency-calibrated detector. To minimize the photon self-absorption effects within the samples, we used a zero-thickness extrapolation technique by repeating the measurement with samples of different thicknesses. The neutron flux measured 26 cm away from the tritium target of a Thermo Electron A-325 D–T generator (Thermo Electron Corporation, Colorado Springs, CO) was 6.2 × 103 n/s/cm2 ± 5%, which is consistent with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Breast density measurement: 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images versus 2D digital mammograms

Breast density has been recognized as one of the major risk factors for breast cancer. However, breast density is currently estimated using mammograms which are intrinsically 2D in nature and cannot accurately represent the real breast anatomy. In this study, a novel technique for measuring breast density based on the segmentation of 3D cone beam CT (CBCT) images was developed and the results were compared to those obtained from 2D digital mammograms. 16 mastectomy breast specimens were imaged with a bench top flat-panel based CBCT system. The reconstructed 3D CT images were corrected for the cupping artifacts and then filtered to reduce the noise level, followed by using threshold-based segmentation to separate the dense tissue from the adipose tissue. For each breast specimen, volumes of the dense tissue structures and the entire breast were computed and used to calculate the volumetric breast density. BI-RADS categories were derived from the measured breast densities and compared with those estimated from conventional digital mammograms. The results show that in 10 of 16 cases the BI-RADS categories derived from the CBCT images were lower than those derived from the mammograms by one category. Thus, breasts considered as dense in mammographic examinations may not be considered as dense with the CBCT images. This result indicates that the relation between breast cancer risk and true (volumetric) breast density needs to be further investigated.
Acute Renal Failure and Intravenous Immune Globulin: Occurs with Sucrose-Stabilized, but Not with D-Sorbitol–Stabilized, Formulation

OBJECTIVETo report 2 cases of acute renal failure (ARF) following administration of sucrose-stabilized intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), one of which did not recur following subsequent doses of d-sorbitol–stabilized formulation, and review the relevant literature.CASE SUMMARIESA 44-year-old white man awaiting heart transplantation developed ARF requiring hemodialysis following administration of sucrose-stabilized IVIG for high alloreactivity to population human leukocyte antigens. Following a return of renal function to baseline, subsequent doses of d-sorbitol–stabilized IVIG were administered without incident. A 90-year-old white man developed ARF after administration of sucrose-stabilized IVIG for monoclonal gammopathy. Renal function returned to baseline, and no subsequent IVIG doses were administered. An objective causality assessment revealed that sucrose-stabilized IVIG was the probable cause of the adverse drug event for both cases.DISCUSSIONSeveral case reports of ARF secondary to IVIG have been...
MEASURING REGIONAL AGREEMENT IN SENATE VOTING, 1977

By delineating voting regions directly from Congressional statistics, geographers can help identify legislative voting patterns more precisely. Analysis of 1977 Senate roll calls using three measures of agreement reveals deep cleavages separating liberal Northeastern and Upper Middle Western senators from conservatives representing Southern and Western states. Senators from the same region often voted alike despite differences in party affiliation.
A new bounding procedure for the network reliability problem

A description is given of a way to obtain bounds which will be tight over the class of networks for all possible values of the edge failure rate. These bounds have been shown to be valid for a certain range of edge failure rates. The author discusses the known bounding methods before proposing the new approach. >
Effect of skew, pole count and slot count on brushless motor radial force, cogging torque and back EMF

Permanent magnet brushless motors are increasingly being used in high performance applications. In many of these applications, the acoustic noise and torque ripple characteristics of the motor are of primary concern. Because of this concern, it is important to understand the influence of the motor geometrical parameters of skew amount, pole count and slot count on the resulting motor characteristics of radial force, cogging torque and back EMF. While these relationships are understood intuitively and have been explored experimentally and predicted numerically, they have not been confirmed analytically for motors having any combination of skew amount, pole count and slot count. The paper fills this void by exploring these relationships analytically using a Fourier series. The influence of skew amount, pole count and slot count on motor radial force, cogging torque and back EMF are shown to confirm prior experimental and numerical results. More importantly, the derived analytical results provide valuable insight into the implications of common motor design choices.
Mobile phone based clinical microscopy for global health applications.

Light microscopy provides a simple, cost-effective, and vital method for the diagnosis and screening of hematologic and infectious diseases. In many regions of the world, however, the required equipment is either unavailable or insufficiently portable, and operators may not possess adequate training to make full use of the images obtained. Counterintuitively, these same regions are often well served by mobile phone networks, suggesting the possibility of leveraging portable, camera-enabled mobile phones for diagnostic imaging and telemedicine. Toward this end we have built a mobile phone-mounted light microscope and demonstrated its potential for clinical use by imaging P. falciparum-infected and sickle red blood cells in brightfield and M. tuberculosis-infected sputum samples in fluorescence with LED excitation. In all cases resolution exceeded that necessary to detect blood cell and microorganism morphology, and with the tuberculosis samples we took further advantage of the digitized images to demonstrate automated bacillus counting via image analysis software. We expect such a telemedicine system for global healthcare via mobile phone – offering inexpensive brightfield and fluorescence microscopy integrated with automated image analysis – to provide an important tool for disease diagnosis and screening, particularly in the developing world and rural areas where laboratory facilities are scarce but mobile phone infrastructure is extensive.
Annexin 2 Is Not Required for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Particle Production but Plays a Cell Type-Dependent Role in Regulating Infectivity

During assembly and budding of retroviruses, host cell proteins are incorporated into viral particles. Identification of virion-associated proteins may help pinpoint key cellular components required for virus production and function. The cellular protein annexin 2 (Anx2) is incorporated into HIV-1 particles, and knockdown of Anx2 has been reported to cause defects in Gag processing and infectivity of HIV-1 particles in macrophages. Here, we tested whether Anx2 was required for HIV-1 production in other cell types capable of producing HIV-1 virions. Endogenous Anx2 levels were knocked down by ∼98% using lentivirus encoding short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting Anx2. Under these conditions, there was no reduction in HIV-1 virus-like particle (VLP) production in either COS-1, 293T, or Jurkat T cells or primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Murine embryonic fibroblasts derived from Anx2 −/− mice produced the same levels of VLPs as matched cells from wild-type mice. The calcium-mediated spike in VLP production still occurred in Anx2-depleted COS-1 cells, and there was no apparent alteration in the intracellular Gag localization. Overexpression of Anx2 in trans had no effect on Gag processing or VLP production. Neither Anx2 depletion nor Anx2 overexpression altered the infectivity of HIV-1 particles produced by COS-1 or 293T cells. However, supernatants containing virus from Anx2 siRNA-treated primary human MDMs exhibited decreased infectivity. These data indicate that Anx2 is not required for HIV-1 assembly or Gag processing but rather plays a cell type-dependent role in regulating production of infectious HIV-1 by macrophages.
An Efficient Higher-Order Difference Method for Two-Dimensional Structures

creasing Prandtl number. Values of the Nusselt number were not obtained for those combinations of Prandtl number and mass injection marked with a dash in Table 1. The Nusselt number was equated to zero when the calculated value was less than 1 X 10~. The present numerical solutions support the results of Ref. 1 with respect to the thermal boundary-layer blowoff and the temperature variation being confined to a region near rj = TJT. However, this region of temperature variation is not always thin. This behavior is dependent on both the value of the Prandtl number and mass injection, beginning at smaller Prandtl numbers as the mass injection is increased. In addition to the usual decrease in Nusselt number with increasing mass injection and a constant Prandtl number,
Nitric Oxide Mediates IL-1β-Induced Islet Dysfunction and Destruction: Prevention by Dexamethasone

Nitric oxide has recently been implicated as a cellular effector molecule that mediates interleukin-1β (IL-lβ)-induced inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by islets of Langerhans. In this study evidence is presented which demonstrates that islets contain both the cytokine inducible and the constitutive isoforms of nitric oxide synthase as determined by NADPH diaphorase staining and immunohistochemical localization. Untreated islets contain NADPH diaphorase activity, and the intensity of NADPH diaphorase staining is dramatically increased after culture for 18 hrs with IL-1β. Both control and IL-lβ-induced NADPH diaphorase staining of islets is inhibited by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA). Importantly, ~60–70% of islet cells stained positive for NADPH diaphorase (under both IL-1β treated and control conditions), suggesting that a subset of islet cells contain nitric oxide synthase. The β-cell appears to be the endocrine cell type which contains constitutive...
ADAPTIVE MODEL INVERSION FLIGHT CONTROL FOR TILT-ROTOR AIRCRAFT

Neural network augmented model inversion control is used to provide a civilian tiltrotor aircraft with consistent response characteristics throughout its operating envelope, including conversion flight. The implemented response type is Attitude Command Attitude Hold in the longitudinal channel. Similar strategies can be applied to provide for Rate Command Attitude Hold in the roll channel, and Heading Hold and Turn Coordination for the yaw motion. Conventional methods require extensive gain scheduling with tiltrotor nacelle angle and speed. A control architecture is developed that can alleviate this requirement and thus has the potential to reduce development time, facilitate the implementation of handling qualities, and compensate for partial failures. One of the key aspects of the controller architecture is the accommodation of modeling error. It includes an online, i.e. learningwhile-controlling, neural network with guaranteed stability. The performance of the controller is demonstrated using the nonlinear Generic Tiltrotor Simulation code developed for the Vertical Motion Simulator at the NASA Ames Research Center.
Abstract 467: Differences In Susceptibility to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Between 129/SvEv and C57Bl/6 Mice

Objective: Abundant evidence has demonstrated the profound influence of genetic background on cardiovascular phenotypes. Previous work in the mouse has shown that genetic background-related variations in murine models of Marfan syndrome affect thoracic aortic aneurysm formation, rupture, and lifespan of mice. Marfan syndrome mice in the C57Bl/6 genetic background are less susceptible to aneurysm formation compared to 129/SvEv mice. In this study, we hypothesize that the susceptibility to the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) will be similarly increased in 129/SvEv mice compared to C57Bl/6 mice. Approach and Results: Mice of either C57Bl/6 or 129/SvEv background underwent AAA induction by periaortic application of CaCl2. Aortic diameters were measured at 6 weeks post induction. Aneurysm size was significantly larger in 129/SvEv mice than in C57Bl/6 mice. Histological studies showed more severe elastic lamella disruption and fragmentation in 129/SvEv mice than in C57Bl/6 mice. Macrophage infiltration was more prominent in the aortas of 129/SvEv mice than of C57Bl/6 mice. The elastic modulus was found to be higher in the aortas of the 129/SvEv mice compared to the C57Bl/6 mice. MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels, examined by gelatin zymography,were higher in the aortas of 129/SvEv mice compared to the C57Bl/6 mice. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that 129/SvEv mice are more susceptible to AAA compared to C57Bl/6 mice. The difference in the susceptibility to AAA is at least partially due to the difference in aortic elastic lamellae mechanical properties and MMP-2 and -9 expression between the two strains of mice.
Performative Verschiebungen im Feld von Gender und Medien

In der Buchfassung ihrer Dissertation untersucht die Medienwissenschaftlerin Andrea Seier die Anschlussfahigkeit der Butlerschen Konzeption von Performativitat an die Medienwissenschaft. Damit verfolgt sie ein doppeltes Anliegen: Es geht ihr zum einen darum, mit der Fokussierung auf die performative Perspektive dem Ereignischarakter von Medien Rechnung zu tragen, und zum anderen darum, das Verhaltnis von Gender und Medien sowohl erkenntnistheoretisch als auch methodisch zu prazisieren. Darin liegt der grose Gewinn dieser Arbeit fur eine transdiziplinare Forschung zwischen Gender Studies und Medienwissenschaft.