cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of a Mach-3 Nozzle for TBCC Testing in the NASA LaRC 8-ft High Temperature Tunnel

A new nozzle is being constructed for the NASA Langley Research Center 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel. The axisymmetric nozzle was designed with a Mach-3 exit flow for testing Turbine-Based Combined-Cycle engines at a Mach number in the vicinity of the transition from turbojet to ramjet operation. The nozzle contour was designed using the NASA Langley IMOCND computer program which solves the potential equation using the classical method of characteristics. To include viscous effects, the design procedure iterated the MOC contour generation with CFD Navier-Stokes calculations, adjusting MOC input parameters until target nozzle-exit conditions were achieved in the Navier-Stokes calculations. The design process was complicated by a requirement to use the final 29.5 inches of an existing 54.5-inch exit-diameter Mach-5 nozzle contour. This was accomplished by generating a Mach-3 contour that matched the radius of the Mach-5 contour at the match point and using a 3rd order polynomial to create a smooth transition between the two contours. During the final evaluation of the design it was realized that the throat diameter is more than half that of the upstream mixing chamber. This led to the concern that large vortical structures generated in the mixer would persist downstream, affecting nozzle-exit flow. This concern was addressed by analyzing the results of three-dimensional, viscous, numerical simulations of the entire flowfield, from the exit of the facility combustor to the nozzle exit. An analysis of the solution indicated that large scale structures do not pass through the throat and that both the total temperature and species (CO2) are well mixed in the mixer, providing uniform flow to the nozzle and subsequently the test cabin.
Critical role of neuronal pentraxin 1 in mitochondria-mediated hypoxic-ischemic neuronal injury

Developing brain is highly susceptible to hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury leading to severe neurological disabilities in surviving infants and children. Previously, we have reported induction of neuronal pentraxin 1 (NP1), a novel neuronal protein of long-pentraxin family, following HI neuronal injury. Here, we investigated how this specific signal is propagated to cause the HI neuronal death. We used wild-type (WT) and NP1 knockout (NP1-KO) mouse hippocampal cultures, modeled in vitro following exposure to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), and in vivo neonatal (P9-10) mouse model of HI brain injury. Our results show induction of NP1 in primary hippocampal neurons following OGD exposure (4-8 h) and in the ipsilateral hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions at 24-48 h post-HI compared to the contralateral side. We also found increased PTEN activity concurrent with OGD time-dependent (4-8 h) dephosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and GSK-3β (Ser9). OGD also caused a time-dependent decrease in the phosphorylation of Bad (Ser136), and Bax protein levels. Immunofluorescence staining and subcellular fractionation analyses revealed increased mitochondrial translocation of Bad and Bax proteins from cytoplasm following OGD (4 h) and simultaneously increased release of Cyt C from mitochondria followed by activation of caspase-3. NP1 protein was immunoprecipitated with Bad and Bax proteins; OGD caused increased interactions of NP1 with Bad and Bax, thereby, facilitating their mitochondrial translocation and dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m)). This NP1 induction preceded the increased mitochondrial release of cytochrome C (Cyt C) into the cytosol, activation of caspase-3 and OGD time-dependent cell death in WT primary hippocampal neurons. In contrast, in NP1-KO neurons there was no translocation of Bad and Bax from cytosol to the mitochondria, and no evidence of ΔΨ(m) loss, increased Cyt C release and caspase-3 activation following OGD; which resulted in significantly reduced neuronal death. Our results indicate a regulatory role of NP1 in Bad/Bax-dependent mitochondrial release of Cyt C and caspase-3 activation. Together our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which NP1 regulates mitochondria-driven hippocampal cell death; suggesting NP1 as a potential therapeutic target against HI brain injury in neonates.
Varieties generated by unital Abelian ℓ-groups

Abstract Much work has been done on the connections between Abelian l -groups and MV -algebras. For example, it is well known that there is a bijective correspondence between the so-called equational classes of unital Abelian l -groups and the subvarieties of MV , the variety of MV -algebras. The drawback of this correspondence is that these former classes are not varieties. The main result of this paper remedies this situation by establishing that the subvariety lattice of the variety p A of positively-pointed Abelian l -groups (excluding the trivial variety) is isomorphic to the subvariety lattice of MV . In particular, with the exception of the unique atom, every subvariety of p A is generated by its unital members.
A simple model for solute partitioning and adsorption

Abstract A simple lattice-fluid model is presented for solute adsorption from a bulk liquid onto a solid surface in the presence of an additional thin (liquid) surface coating. In this model, solutes first absorb in this intermediate surface film before they adsorb at the solid surface. This coupling of adsorption with absorption behavior has a significant effect on the overall solute depletion from the bulk liquid. Consequently, the particular choice of surface film can be used to “tune” the adsorbent for particular needs (e.g., this can be used to increase the sorbent selectivity when several solutes are present). In the limit where the solvent in the bulk liquid and the surface coating material are mutually immiscible, the governing equations decouple and reduce to simple Boltzmann laws. In these analytical expressions, the depletion of solute depends linearly on the bulk concentrations, where the proportionality factor reflects the strengths of fluid–fluid relative to fluid–surface interactions. Good agreement is obtained when comparing predictions of the model with Monte-Carlo simulations (based on the same microscopic model).
Doripenem MICs and ompK36 Porin Genotypes of Sequence Type 258, KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae May Predict Responses to Carbapenem-Colistin Combination Therapy among Patients with Bacteremia

Treatment failures of a carbapenem-colistin regimen among patients with bacteremia due to sequence type 258 (ST258), KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were significantly more likely if both agents were inactive in vitro, as defined by a colistin MIC of >2 μg/ml and the presence of either a major ompK36 porin mutation (guanine and alanine insertions at amino acids 134 and 135 [ins aa 134–135 GD], IS5 promoter insertion [P = 0.007]) or a doripenem MIC of >8 μg/ml (P = 0.01). Major ompK36 mutations among KPC-K. pneumoniae strains are important determinants of carbapenem-colistin responses in vitro and in vivo.
Determination of the residue-specific 15N CSA tensor principal components using multiple alignment media.

The individual components of the backbone 15N CSA tensor, σ11, σ22, σ33, and the orientation of σ11 relative to the NH bond described by the angle β have been determined for uniformly labeled 15N, 13C ubiquitin from partial alignment in phospholipid bicelles, Pf1 phage, and poly(ethylene glycol) by measuring the residue-specific residual dipolar couplings and chemical shift deviations. No strong correlation between any of the CSA tensor components is observed with any single structural feature. However, the experimentally determined tensor components agree with the previously determined average CSA principal components [Cornilescu and Bax (2000) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122, 10143–10154]. Significant deviations from the averages coincide with residues in β-strand or extended regions, while α-helical residue tensor components cluster close to the average values.
Tad1-1, an active LINE-like element of Neurospora crassa.

Tad is a LINE-like retrotransposon of Neurospora crassa. The element was originally detected and cloned using the am gene as a transposon trap in hybrid strains derived from a cross of Adiopodoume (a wild collected strain) and a laboratory strain devoid of Tad elements. We report the cloning and sequencing of an active Tad element, Tadl-1, which is capable of independent transposition. Transposition was demonstrated by screening for transfer of the element from a donor nucleus that contained the Tadl-1 element as the only active Tad, into a naive nucleus within a forced heterokaryon. We also report here the sequence analysis of Tadl-1, and its comparison with the sequence of another active element, Tad3-2. These elements are approximately 7 kb in length. They contain two long open reading frames (ORFs) encoded on the strand of the same polarity as the full-length transcript. ORF1 encodes a putative protein of 486 amino acids. Homology to the first ORF of other LINE elements is confined to three cysteine-rich motifs, located near the carboxy-terminus, that are thought to be involved in binding nucleic acids. The second ORF is 1156 amino acids in length and shows homology to the reverse transcriptase domains of various retroviruses and retrotransposons. Tadl-1 and Tad3-2 differ in only ten positions over their whole length.
Differences of Personality, Defensiveness, and Compliance Between Admitting and Denying Male Sex Offenders

This study assessed predicted psychological differences between denying (n = 30) and admitting (n = 72) male sex offenders within the framework of Eysenck's theory on the personality of criminals. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Gudjonsson's Compliance Questionnaire (CQ) were administered to consenting participants who were probationers in court-ordered group therapy at an outpatient clinic. Denying sex offenders were found to have relatively high tendencies to dissimulate on the EPQ and to present themselves as emotionally stable. On the CQ, deniers showed greater ability to withstand pressure from others than admitters. The results suggest that including the EPQ and the CQ in a test battery designed to screen defensive sex offenders increases the validity of such psychological assessment in forensic and treatment settings.
Distribution of potassium forms in virgin and cultivated soils of the U.S.A.

Abstract The potassium status of virgin soil profiles and their cultivated analogues is compared. Eight agriculturally important soil series, representative of various U.S. Land Resource Areas, cultivated for 16–72 years, were studied to ascertain if relative pool sizes or soil K fertility are being changed by cultivation and associated fertilizer K application. Little change in total or non-NH 4 -exchangeable K contents was observed with cultivation. Increases NH 4 -exchangeable (20% increase) and HNO 3 -extractable K contents (13% increase) of surface soils (0–15 cm) compared to virgin analogues (166 and 692 mg kg −1 , respectively), however, were observed when averaged across the six cultivated soils receiving fertilizer K. In contrast, both NH 4 -exchangeable and HNO 3 -extractable K contents of the two unfertilized cultivated soils, decreased 5 and 3%, respectively. Prior heating at 450° C increased NH 4 -exchangeable K an average 315 in the surface 15 cm of cultivated compared to virgin soils. Changes in the contents of K forms in surface soils were greater than in deeper horizons, with little change observed below 45 cm as a consequence of cultivation. Relative to N and P, cultivation had less effect on soil K status, due to large native soil K reserves. In fact, the average NH 4 -exchangeable K contents of all the cultivated surface soils (208 mg kg −1 ) were greater than the average calculated minimum NH 4 -exchangeable K values (80 mg kg −1 ). Even after extended periods of cropping, native soil K reserves were large enough to supply most plant needs. On the basis of minimum exchangeable K values, further cropping of these soils should not result in any immediate plant K stress.
Methylphenidate speeds evaluation processes of attention deficit disorder adolescents during a continuous performance test.

Fortysix Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) adolescents took a Continuous Performance Test (CPT) under placebo and methylphenidate (35.33 mg/day). The task required pressing one button for targets (p=133),and another button for nontargets. Subjects displayed a strong bias to make the more frequent negative response before completely evaluating stimuli. Consistent with this assumption, subjects responded faster (by an average of 87 ms) to nontargets than to targets. Methylphenidate increased accuracy and speeded reaction times (RTs) to targets. The drug also increased the amplitude of the P3b component of the eventrelated potential for nontargets and shortened the latency of P3b for both targets and nontargets. These results suggest increased capacity allocation to and faster evaluation of task stimuli. Finally, the stimulant lengthened relative motor processing time (RT-P3b latency) for nontargets, a finding implying that response processing was accomplished with the benefit of earlier completion of evaluation processes for these stimuli.
Association of pain with HbA1c in a predominantly black population of community-dwelling adults with diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis

Aims To assess the relationship between pain and HbA1c levels in a predominantly black population with diabetes, and to determine whether self-management behaviours (exercise and diet) and symptoms of depression mediate this relationship. Methods We analysed cross-sectional data from 417 community-dwelling individuals with diabetes in rural Alabama, USA. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship between pain and HbA1c levels, defined as relatively good [≤ 64 mmol/mol (≤ 8.0%)] and relatively poor [> 64 mmol/mol (> 8.0%)], after adjusting for sociodemographics, insulin use, medication count, cigarette smoking history and body mass index (BMI). We examined the mediating roles of exercise, diet, and symptoms of depression using bootstrapping. Results Participants were primarily black (86.6%), female (76.1%) and reported an annual income of ≤$20,000 (52.7%). Their mean (sd) age was 59.6 (12.8) years. The majority of the participants reported moderate to extreme pain (71.5%). Participants reporting pain were more than twice as likely to have HbA1c levels > 64 mmol/mol (8.0%) in the fully adjusted model (odds ratio 2.33 [95% CI 1.28–4.24]; P < 0.05). Diet significantly mediated the relationship between pain and HbA1c control (β = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01–0.17), but only in the unadjusted model. Exercise and symptoms of depression were not significant mediators. Conclusions A significant independent relationship between pain and HbA1c control was found in this mainly black population, which was not explained by self-management behaviours or symptoms of depression. Future research is needed to delineate the mechanism by which pain influences HbA1c control, especially among black people with diabetes on low incomes.
Nonlinear Flutter in Fan Stator Vanes With Time Dependent Fixity

A new mechanism for fan stator vane failure in turbofan engines at high speed and high loading has been identified and reported in this paper. Highly destructive vane failures have been encountered at Honeywell in one of the development fans with composite stator vanes. Measured data indicated nonlinear high amplitude vibratory response in fan stator vanes on stall side of the fan map at high speeds. Analysis showed that under certain vane steady loading vane fixity at hub could change, significantly reducing the vane natural frequency. At lower natural frequency the vane was found to be aeroelastically unstable and calculated response exhibited behavior observed during failure. An engine test was conducted to validate the role of hub fixity in vane failures. Test results showed failure to be a self-excited phenomenon and not driven by an external source of excitation. It was also shown that failures occur in vanes that are not rigidly fixed, validating the role of hub fixity in vane failures. Test results along with the analysis confirm the role of time dependent hub fixity leading to the highly destructive flutter responsible for vane failures.© 2010 ASME
Drosophila Kismet Regulates Histone H3 Lysine 27 Methylation and Early Elongation by RNA Polymerase II

Polycomb and trithorax group proteins regulate cellular pluripotency and differentiation by maintaining hereditable states of transcription. Many Polycomb and trithorax group proteins have been implicated in the covalent modification or remodeling of chromatin, but how they interact with each other and the general transcription machinery to regulate transcription is not well understood. The trithorax group protein Kismet-L (KIS-L) is a member of the CHD subfamily of chromatin-remodeling factors that plays a global role in transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Mutations in CHD7, the human counterpart of kis, are associated with CHARGE syndrome, a developmental disorder affecting multiple tissues and organs. To clarify how KIS-L activates gene expression and counteracts Polycomb group silencing, we characterized defects resulting from the loss of KIS-L function in Drosophila. These studies revealed that KIS-L acts downstream of P-TEFb recruitment to stimulate elongation by Pol II. The presence of two chromodomains in KIS-L suggested that its recruitment or function might be regulated by the methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 by the trithorax group proteins ASH1 and TRX. Although we observed significant overlap between the distributions of KIS-L, ASH1, and TRX on polytene chromosomes, KIS-L did not bind methylated histone tails in vitro, and loss of TRX or ASH1 function did not alter the association of KIS-L with chromatin. By contrast, loss of kis function led to a dramatic reduction in the levels of TRX and ASH1 associated with chromatin and was accompanied by increased histone H3 lysine 27 methylation—a modification required for Polycomb group repression. A similar increase in H3 lysine 27 methylation was observed in ash1 and trx mutant larvae. Our findings suggest that KIS-L promotes early elongation and counteracts Polycomb group repression by recruiting the ASH1 and TRX histone methyltransferases to chromatin.
Histochemical analysis of extracellular matrix material in embryonic trisomy 1 mouse eye.

Trisomic animals produced from mice doubly heterozygous for Robertsonian translocation chromosomes [Rb(1.3)/Rb(1.10)]consistently show eye defects (e.g., aphakia, microphakia, and retention of lens stalk). To determine if changes in distribution or composition of extracellular matrix material may be a factor in development of these defects, eye structures of trisomy (ts) 1 embryos and normal littermates were studied histochemically using the following methods: Alcian blue 8GX, pH 2.5; periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian blue/PAS combined; high-iron diamine (HID), and HID/Alcian blue combined. Eye development was divided into stages to account for the known delay in ts 1 mouse development. Differences were found in staining patterns as early as stage 1. In later stages, the most consistent difference was an increased period of contact between lens and optic cup due to retardation of interface matrix dissolution between these rudiments in ts 1 embryos. Eyes in which this occurred had abnormally shaped lenses. Overall, the ts 1 optic cup appeared to have fewer staining abnormalities and dysmorphology than did the lens or interface matrix. Triplication of a chromosome may indirectly alter temporal and spatial organization of extracellular matrix through action on cells responsible for the production of this material. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed.
Radiation Instrumentation Electronics for the Pioneers III and IV Space Probes

One of the devices carried aboard lunar payloads, Pioneer III and Pioneer IV, was a radiation measurement instrument. Its purpose was to detect and process information on particle flux rates encountered along the nominal cis-lunar trajectory to be followed by those payloads. Radiation data were collected by two different Geiger-Mueller tubes. One tube registered particle counts and the resultant accumulation was stored in a 17-stage scaler. The other tube provided average pulse current that was a compressed function of the counting rate. This current was fed to a resistor and the voltage thus formed was transferred to a telemetering subcarrier oscillator by way of a stable dc amplifier. The electronics discussed in this paper fall into three groups: 1) dc amplifier for the analog experiment, 2) high-voltage circuitry for the detectors, 3) digital circuitry for the counting experiment. Details of the encoding system, which permits a large dynamic range of counting rates to be clearly presented on a single subcarrier, are also discussed.
Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infections in men

Summary In order to understand the epidemiology and pathogenesis of urinary tract infections in men, as well as to most effectively treat them, it is important to determine the best collection procedures and the most appropriate diagnostic criteria for bacteriuria. Studies by our group and others have begun to define the ways in which the laboratory diagnosis of bacteriuria in men differs from that in women. Future efforts should be aimed at discovering how men develop bacteriuria, how the prostate gland becomes infected, how to more accurately localize bacteriuria in men, and how such infections are best treated. Meanwhile, we offer the following recommendations: o 1.Recognize that guidelines for the laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infections are derived almost entirely from studies on women, and that these are not always applicable to men. 2.In obtaining voided specimens for culture, meatal cleansing is not necessary, regardless of the man's circumcision status; midstream sampling is preferable, but not mandatory. 3.Culture of voided urine is extremely sensitive and specific for detecting true bacteriuria; bladder specimens are unnecessary unless the patient is unable to void or the voided urine results are difficult to interpret. 4.When bladder specimens are necessary, suprapubic aspiration is preferable to urethral catheterization. 5.The best definition of bacteriuria for voided urine is growth of ≥10 3 cfu/mL of one or two microbial species. 6.The role of the prostatic localization study is unclear, and therefore it should not be performed routinely on men with bacteriuria. 7.In terms of cost, speed, and sensitivity, the Gram-stained smear remains the primary screening procedure for detecting bacteriuria for most microbiology laboratories. 8.In patients with irritative genitourinary symptoms or a positive Gramstained smear, a specimen should be plated on chocolate agar when standard urine cultures are negative.
The geometric isomers of methyl-2,4,6-decatrienoate, including pheromones of at least two species of stink bugs

Abstract All eight geometric isomers of methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoate were synthesized from readily accessible starting materials by fully exploiting Wittig-type olefinations, and taking advantage of an easy separation of 2E and 2Z unsaturated esters. The aggregation pheromone of the brown-winged green bug, Plautia stali, methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate (also a cross-attractant for the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys), was expediently produced in two easy steps from (E)-4,4-dimethoxy-2-butenal in 55% yield. The sex pheromone of the red-shouldered stink bug, Thyanta pallidovirens, methyl (E,Z,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate, was conveniently synthesized from 2,4-octadiyn-1-ol in 32% yield using in situ manganese dioxide oxidation–Wittig condensation in a key step.
Circularly polarized electromagnetic waves in nonlinear dissipative media

Earlier time-sinusoidal progressive-wave and standing-wave solutions for nondissipative isotropic nonlinear dielectrics are generalized to allow for dissipation. Both dielectric and ferromagnetic media are considered. In the former case the waves are time-sinusoidal plane circularly polarized and transverse, while in the latter case the magnetic field intensity may have a spatially nonuniform longitudinal component. The problem of finding the spatial variation of the wave amplitude and phase is analogous to a problem of plane motion of a particle in a nonconservative force field.
Trafficking of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases to the Nucleus

It has been known for at least 20 years that growth factors induce the internalization of cognate receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). The internalized receptors are then sorted to lysosomes or recycled to the cell surface. More recently, data have been published to indicate other intracellular destinations for the internalized RTKs. These include the nucleus, mitochondria, and cytoplasm. Also, it is recognized that trafficking to these novel destinations involves new biochemical mechanisms, such as proteolytic processing or interaction with translocons, and that these trafficking events have a function in signal transduction, implicating the receptor itself as a signaling element between the cell surface and the nucleus.
The diagnosis and management of post-traumatic pain syndromes (causalgia).

Smmary There are two major categories of post-traumatic pain syndroms: (1) causalgia: and (2) mimocausalgia states or reflex sympatheic dystrophy. Vasoconstricition is usually present. Because of the pain, limitation of motion of the extremity occurs, and may result in permanent disability. There is often a great disparity between the apparent trauma and the severity of the pain. sympathetic blocks and sympathectomy are definitive modes of therpy. In a series of 147 patients, 56% required surgical sympathectomy. The rest were treated by blocks, physical therapy, and other medical measures. Eighy-two percent had excellent relief of pain, 11% had good relief, while 7% had no relief. Thirty-one percent of patients had residual symptoms resulting from the original injury, or from irreversible occurrences on the basis of pain and trophic changes. Emphasis is placed on early recognition and proper treatment.
Abnormal force patterns for multidirectional postural responses in patients with Parkinson’s disease

This study tests the hypothesis that the basal ganglia are involved in optimizing postural responses for changes in perturbation direction and stance width. We compared the patterns of horizontal and vertical ground reactive forces under each leg in response to eight directions of surface translation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) subjects and age-matched control subjects standing with both narrow and wide stance. Although passive reactive forces were larger, active forces were weaker and in abnormal directions for subjects with PD. Unlike the control subjects, who corrected their postural equilibrium in response to lateral and diagonal-lateral perturbations primarily with their loaded limbs, the PD subjects used both legs more symmetrically to recover equilibrium. PD subjects also did not change the magnitude or direction of reactive forces when initial stance width changed. These results support the hypothesis that the basal ganglia are important for optimizing automatic postural response patterns for changes in perturbation direction and for initial stance conditions.
A Servo/Suction-Controlled Ring Shear Apparatus for Unsaturated Soils: Development, Performance, and Preliminary Results

In recent years, the key hypotheses of most constitutive frameworks postulated for unsaturated soils have been validated via suction-controlled oedometer, triaxial, and direct shear testing. These techniques only allow for the application of loads along limited modes and levels of soil deformation. It is well known today that a vast majority of geotechnical infrastructure made of compacted soil, or resting on unsaturated ground, involves a wide range of deformations. Calculation of foundation settlement, for instance, requires a good estimation of soil stiffness at relatively small strains. Analysis of slopes, embankments, and soil bearing capacity, on the other hand, requires good estimations of shear strength, from peak to residual. To date, however, there is limited experimental evidence of unsaturated soil behavior under large deformations while being subjected to controlled-suction states. This paper introduces a fully servo/suction-controlled ring shear apparatus that has been made suitable for testing unsaturated soils at large deformations via axis-translation technique. The paper outlines the full development of the apparatus, including details of its main components, assembling, and performance verification against the original Bromhead device. A preliminary series of suction-controlled ring shear tests was accomplished on several statically compacted samples of silty sand. Residual friction angle with respect to matric suction, i.e., residual beta angle, was found to remain virtually constant, regardless of the applied level of net normal stress. The results suggest that a conceptual residual shear strength framework for unsaturated soils, similar to that postulated for peak shear strength, could eventually be devised as more experimental evidence of this kind is made available.
CHEMICAL and SENSORY PROPERTIES OF WHOLEWHEAT PASTA PRODUCTS SUPPLEMENTED WITH WHEAT‐DERIVED DRIED DISTILLERS GRAIN (DDG)

This study was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of wheat dried distillers grain (DDG) in pasta. Pastas were formulated incorporating 0, 25 and 50% DDG from wheat with wholewheat durum flour. Dried samples were analyzed for moisture, fat, protein, ash and fiber. Moisture content was found to significantly decrease as DDG level increased while fat, protein, fiber and ash values significantly increased with increasing DDG levels. Increasing DDG levels produced a darker product. Cooked weight yields decreased significantly with increasing levels of DDG. A trained sensory panel found the appearance, flavor and texture of cooked products containing 25% wheat DDG statistically comparable to the controls but sensory qualities with 50% DDG were significantly inferior to both the controls and 25% substitutions. This study demonstrated that levels of up to 25% wheat-derived DDG can be successfully incorporated into wholewheat pastas.
Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis: Incidence, analysis of risk factors, and clinical outcomes in 108 consecutive patients treated at a single institution

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) can lead to serious morbidity and may be potentially fatal. We reviewed our experience with this entity over a 4-year period, to determine the following: 1) incidence and type of thrombosis in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), 2) clinical consequences of thrombosis, i.e., amputation, cerebrovascular accidents and death, 3) risk factors associated with development of thrombosis, and 4) impact of therapy on clinical outcomes in patients with HITT. Between 1991-1994, 108 patients were diagnosed to have HIT by heparin-induced platelet aggregation test. Thirty-two (29%) of these developed thrombotic complications, of which 20 were venous, 8 arterial, and 4 both. Five of the 32 died, 3 underwent amputations, and 3 had cerebrovascular accidents. The patients who developed thrombotic complications, when compared to those with HIT alone, were older (68.7 +/- 11.5 vs. 63.3 +/- 16 years, P = .05), had more severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count 46,300 +/- 30,400/mm3 vs. 62,500 +/- 34,400/mm3, P = .02), and developed it earlier (6.0 +/- 2.9 vs. 7.4 +/- 3.1 days, P = .03). Multivariate analysis showed that severity of thrombocytopenia and early fall in platelet count were independent risk factors for development of thrombotic complications. We did not find an association between development of thrombosis and clinical events (myocardial infarction, cardiac procedures or surgery, noncardiac surgery, and sepsis) that occurred immediately prior to onset of thrombocytopenia. Heparin was stopped in all 32 patients with HITT. Six received no additional therapy, and one received a single dose of aspirin. Three of these 7 died. The other 25 received anticoagulant or multiagent therapy, with 2 deaths. The death rate was lower in those who were treated with anticoagulant or multiagent therapy (P = .05). We conclude that: 1) Thrombotic complications occur in about 29% of hospitalized patients who develop HIT. 2) Early, severe fall in platelet count in elderly patients receiving heparin appears to be associated with development of thrombotic complications. 3) Our data do not show an association between development of thrombotic complications and clinical events immediately preceding the diagnosis of HIT. 4) In addition to discontinuation of heparin, anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy should be considered in patients with HITT.
Addressing fundamental questions about mindfulness.

Every moment a beginning, every moment an end. -Salzman (2000) Mindfulness is essentially about waking up to what the present moment offers. It sounds easy, but as most of us know, waking up can be...
High growth rate diamond synthesis in a large area atmospheric pressure inductively coupled plasma

Abstract : Diamond synthesis is demonstrated in an atmospheric pressure inductively coupled argon-hydrogen-methane plasma. The plasma generated has a free stream active area of 20 sq cm and has an equilibrium electron temperature T sub e of approximately 4000 K. Growth rates are typically in the range of 25- 50 microns/hour and are found to depend on the processing conditions and position on the substrate. Individual crystallites are analyzed by micro-raman spectroscopy. Large (50 microns) size well-faceted crystallites are found to be under a state of compression, displaying shifts in the principal phonon mode as great as 3/cm from that of smaller polycrystalline diamond clusters or secondary nucleation sites. These shifts are shown to be expected within the framework of linear thermal expansion theory and the assumption of negligible stress relief at the crystallite-substrate interface. Keywords: Diamond synthesis, Thermal plasma, Raman spectroscopy.
Capsule Commentary on Yoong et al., A Cross-sectional Study Examining Australian General Practitioners’ Identification of Overweight and Obese Patients

Globally, the prevalence of obesity and overweight has reached epidemic proportions, leading to substantial morbidity/mortality and becoming a significant public health issue.1 Primary care physicians and general practitioners are well positioned to make a difference in the battle against obesity through early recognition and intervention in the at-risk patient population. This study by Yoong et al.,2 conducted in several practice sites in urban Australian cities, examined the accuracy of general practitioners (GPs) in identifying overweight and obese patients using as reference self-reported weight and height by patients. Yoong et al. also looked into GPs and patient characteristics associated with non-detection of overweight and obesity. They found GPs’ estimation of overweight and obesity to be 7 % and 8 % lower, respectively, than estimates based on patients’ self-report; the sensitivity of GP assessment was only 63 %, whereas specificity was 89 %. College-educated, male, non-diabetic, normotensive patients had higher odds of non-detection. There was no significant GP characteristic identified. The authors cited factors that may account for these observations, and recommended that strategies to help GPs improve identification of obese and overweight be initiated. The subjects in this study electronically entered height and weight from which body mass index (BMI) was calculated, but the GPs had no access to this data; instead, they were asked to complete a hard copy questionnaire answering “Yes or “No” to a list of patient’s health risk conditions, such as alcohol consumption, obesity, smoking, and overweight. This was done to minimize reporting bias if GPs were only queried on obesity and overweight. Yet, having data such as BMI available to primary care providers (PCPs) and GPs through electronic clinical support tools and reminders may be effective strategies that can improve clinician recognition and early intervention. Their use has been shown to improve practitioner outcomes in chronic disease management and delivery of preventive care services.3–5 Tapping into new information and communication technologies can help busy practitioners stay ahead in the race to decrease the burden of chronic diseases that obesity exemplifies. What impact providers can have on reducing or preventing obesity or what interventions are effective remain unknown and should be the focus of future research.
Diagnosing and Treating Millennial Student Disillusionment

What faculty see as student apathy or disengagement in the millennial generation is due to a number of factors, most of which are associated with the technological revolution.Millennial students ar...
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Simulations and Games in Human Factors Research

Much has been already been said about what simulations and games can provide that other research methodologies do not. But the complexity and richness of the results they afford in human factors research is matched by the complexity and cost of their conception, design, implementation, and validation. Though this may seem a daunting challenge to those considering such platforms for their own research, this panel aims to air the promises and pitfalls of simulations and games by sharing historical exemplars, lessons learned, and current issues in their use for human factors research. The panelists represent decades of experience in military, medical, and civilian research domains and have worked through abundant successes and failures in this area. Key issues of discussion will include cases which stand out as exemplary instances of using simulations and games in human factors research, particularly those that produced results that would have been unattainable by other methods, the challenges and constraints of participant pools (e.g. naive subjects, access to domain experts, and suitable compromises), development of viable and engaging simulations (e.g., the problem of software written by grad students, for grad students), collection of accurate and meaningful data, and the generalizability of such game and simulation platforms as well as the adaptability of off-the-shelf solutions.
Two-surgeon versus single-surgeon radical cystectomy and urinary diversion: Impact on patient outcomes and costs

Abstract Objectives To examine the difference in charges and outcomes between patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion by a team of two surgeons versus a single surgeon. Methods A total of 63 patients with bladder cancer who underwent the procedures were retrospectively analyzed. Two surgeons sequentially performed the cystectomy and ileal conduit (IC, n = 17) or neobladder (NBL, n = 18) or a single surgeon performed both the cystectomy and IC (n = 21) or NBL (n = 7). Procedure-related charges, hospital charges, operating room time, length of stay, and complications were compared between the two groups. Results For the IC patients, the two-surgeon team had 60% greater mean surgeon charges ( P P P = 0.001), and 30% lower operating room charges ( P = 0.001). For the NBL patients, the two-surgeon team had 32% greater surgeon charges ( P P = 0.003), 149 minutes shorter operating room time ( P P P = 0.008). No differences were found in complications between the groups. Conclusions For IC patients, our data showed no differences in the average overall charges, whether a two-surgeon team or a single surgeon performed the procedure. Additional reductions in hospital charges could offset the greater physician charges in the NBL patients and allow full realization of the benefit from the shorter operative time with the two-surgeon team.
A sampling and analytical method for vinylidene chloride in air.

A sampling and analytical method for the determination of vinylidene chloride in air is presented. Vinylidene chloride can be quantitatively trapped on charcoal over a wide range of concentrations. The collected vapors are desorbed with carbon disulfide and analyzed by gas chromatography utilizing a flame ionization detector. The analytical column is packed with Durapak OPN. The lower limit for the method is approximately 7 µg of vinylidene chloride per sampling tube. The breakthrough volume was found to be dependent upon the concentration sampled and the relative humidity of the air sampled The overall precision of the analytical method is 5% (relative standard deviation).
On the presence of rotational nonequilibrium in a supersonic HF laser

Overtone small signal gain data measured while operating a small-scale HF laser saturated on the fundamental transitions are compared with fundamental lasing output spectra and spontaneous overtone emission spectra measured orthogonal to the lasing axis. In all cases, the data are consistent with an equilibrium rotational distribution. These results are discussed in terms of their applicability to the question of rotational nonequilibrium in cw HF lasers.
Approximating the larger eddies in fluid motion V: Kinetic energy balance of scale similarity models

We first review a classical scale-similarity model used to simulate the motion of large eddies in a turbulent flow. The kinetic energy balance of this model is very unclear in theory. Experiments with it often have reported that an additional Smagorinski type subgridscale term is needed. This term is not benign; it can alter significantly the predicted long term dynamics of the large eddies. However, we also show that the principal of scale-similarity (introduced in 1980 by Bardina, Ferziger and Reynolds) can also give rise to other scale similarity models which have the correct kinetic energy balance.
Characterization of the DNA from the dinoflagellate crypthecodinium cohnii and implications for nuclear organization

Abstract Although dinoflagellates are eucaryotes, they possess many bacterial nuclear traits. For this reason they are thought by some to be evolutionary intermediates. Dinoflagellates also possess some unusual nuclear traits not seen in either bacteria or higher eucaryotes, such as a very large number of identical appearing, permanently condensed chromosomes suggesting polyteny or polyploidy. We have studied the DNA of the dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii with respect to DNA per cell, chromosome counts, and renaturation kinetics. The renaturation kinetic results tend to refute extreme polyteny and polyploidy as the mode of nuclear organization. This organism contains 55–60% repeated, interspersed DNA typical of higher eucaryotes. These results, along with the fact that dinoflagellate chromatin contains practically no basic protein, indicate that dinoflagellates may be organisms with a combination of both bacterial and eucaryotic traits.
Compressible Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Rough Surfaces

Etude de la lubrification elastohydrodynamique dans le cas d'un film compressible et de surfaces rugueuses
Juxtaglomerular cell tumor of the kidney: case report and differential diagnosis with emphasis on pathologic and cytopathologic features.

This study presents a case of juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JCT) in a 12-year-old girl with hypertension. Fine needle aspirate (FNA) cytology demonstrated a neoplasm with features of a papillary carcinoma, prompting a right radical nephrectomy. Histological examination revealed solid sheets of round epithelioid cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, and distinct cell borders in a background of widespread hemorrhage. Electron microscopy revealed cytoplasmic renin granules. The differential diagnosis of a renal mass in a young patient with hypertension includes JCT, Wilm’s tumor, and renal cell carcinoma, which may produce renin. The renin granules detected by electron microscopy are characteristic of JCT, and the diagnosis is confirmed by ultrastructural study. FNA cytology is not sensitive enough for the diagnosis of JCT and its results must be carefully interpreted.
Item and order dissociation in humans with prefrontal cortex damage

Subjects with bilateral, right or left prefrontal cortex damage and age matched controls were tested for item and order recognition memory for spatial location, word, abstract picture and hand position information. Prefrontal cortex damaged subjects showed, in general, no deficits on item recognition tests relative to controls with the exception of a deficit for hand positions. In contrast, prefrontal cortex damaged groups had severe deficits on all order recognition tests relative to controls. With respect to lateralization, order recognition memory deficits occurred for right, bilateral, but not left prefrontal cortex damaged subjects for spatial location information, but for both right and left prefrontal cortex damaged subjects for words, abstract pictures, and hand position. The data suggest that the prefrontal cortex mediates temporal order information for all modalities tested as well as item recognition memory for egocentric spatial information.
Adaptive filtering and indexing for image databases

In this paper we combine image feature extraction with indexing techniques for efficient retrieval in large texture images databases. A 2D image signal is processed using a set of Gabor filters to derive a 120 component feature vector representing the image. The feature components are ordered based on the relative importance in characterizing a given texture pattern, and this facilitates the development of efficient indexing mechanisms. We propose three different sets of indexing features based on the best feature, the average feature and a combination of both. We investigate the tradeoff between accuracy and discriminating power using these different indexing approaches, and conclude that the combination of best feature and the average feature gives the best results.
Chronic stress and sex differences on the recall of fear conditioning and extinction.

Abstract Chronic stress effects and sex differences were examined on conditioned fear extinction. Male and female Sprague–Dawley rats were chronically stressed by restraint (6 h/d/21 d), conditioned to tone and footshock, followed by extinction after 1 h and 24 h delays. Chronic stress impaired the recall of fear extinction in males, as evidenced by high freezing to tone after the 24 h delay despite exposure to the previous 1 h delay extinction trials, and this effect was not due to ceiling effects from overtraining during conditioning. In contrast, chronic stress attenuated the recall of fear conditioning acquisition in females, regardless of exposure to the 1 h extinction exposure. Since freezing to tone was reinstated following unsignalled footshocks, the deficit in the stressed rats reflected impaired recall rather than impaired consolidation. Sex differences in fear conditioning and extinction were observed in nonstressed controls as well, with control females resisting extinction to tone. Analysis of contextual freezing showed that all groups (control, stress, male, female) increased freezing immediately after the first tone extinction trial, demonstrating contextual discrimination. These findings show that chronic stress and sex interact to influence fear conditioning, with chronic stress impairing the recall of delayed fear extinction in males to implicate the medial prefrontal cortex, disrupting the recall of the fear conditioning acquisition in females to implicate the amygdala, and nonstressed controls exhibiting sex differences in fear conditioning and extinction, which may involve the amygdala and/or corticosterone levels.