cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health related quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: the impact of surgical therapy.

Over the past 30 years, health related quality of life (HRQOL) has developed into a scientific index of subjective health status. Measurement of HRQOL is now clearly a mandatory component in evaluating interventions and management of medical and surgical diseases. In designing comprehensive and meaningful clinical studies particular attention ought to be made of measures of HRQOL. This is clearly very important in inflammatory bowel disease. Both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) have a major impact on HRQOL. The chronic and unrelenting nature of these diseases, the often early age of onset, and the impact on social and sexual aspects of life significantly change patient’s perception, body image and quality of life. This manuscript is an overview of the available published data on HRQOL in UC and CD patients focusing on the impact of surgical therapy. While these two diseases may have some similarities in their management, clearly their impact on quality of life and the effects of are significantly different. Hence we are presenting the data separately.
alpha-Tocopheryl quinone is converted into vitamin E in man

The conversion of alpha-tocopheryl quinone into alpha-tocopherol in humans has been demonstrated. A male subject was given an oral dose of 400 mg of alpha-3,5-[(C2H3)2]-tocopheryl quinone with an evening meal. Analysis of plasma 15 h later by lipid extraction and subsequent GC-MS single ion monitoring revealed the presence of alpha-[5,7-(C2H3)2]-tocopherol at a concentration of 0.4 microM, representing 0.8% of the total tocopherol in the plasma sample. This experiment clearly demonstrates that orally administered alpha-tocopheryl quinone is converted in a low overall yield to alpha-tocopherol in humans. The conversion to alpha-tocopherol of that portion of the quinone dose which was actually absorbed into the blood stream may, however, have been fairly efficient.
Meiotic HORMA domain proteins prevent untimely centriole disengagement during Caenorhabditis elegans spermatocyte meiosis

In many species where oocytes lack centrosomes, sperm contribute both genetic material and centriole(s) to the zygote. Correct centriole organization during male meiosis is critical to guarantee a normal bipolar mitotic spindle in the zygote. During Caenorhabditis elegans male meiosis, centrioles normally undergo two rounds of duplication, resulting in haploid sperm each containing a single tightly engaged centriole pair. Here we identify an unanticipated role for C. elegans HORMA (Hop1/Rev7/Mad2) domain proteins HTP-1/2 and HIM-3 in regulating centriole disengagement during spermatocyte meiosis. In him-3 and htp-1 htp-2 mutants, centrioles separate inappropriately during meiosis II, resulting in spermatids with disengaged centrioles. Moreover, extra centrosomes are detected in a subset of zygotes. Together, these data implicate HIM-3 and HTP-1/2 in preventing centriole disengagement during meiosis II. We showed previously that HTP-1/2 prevents premature loss of sister chromatid cohesion during the meiotic divisions by inhibiting removal of meiotic cohesin complexes containing the REC-8 subunit. Worms lacking REC-8, or expressing a mutant separase protein with elevated local concentration at centrosomes and in sperm, likewise exhibit inappropriate centriole separation during spermatocyte meiosis. These observations are consistent with HIM-3 and HTP-1/2 preventing centriole disengagement by inhibiting separase-dependent cohesin removal. Our data suggest that the same specialized meiotic mechanisms that function to prevent premature release of sister chromatid cohesion during meiosis I in C. elegans also function to inhibit centriole separation at meiosis II, thereby ensuring that the zygote inherits the appropriate complement of chromosomes and centrioles.
Equivariant p-adic homotopy theory

Let G be a finite group. We show that the cochain functor with coefficients in Fp gives an equivalence between the p-adic equivariant homotopy category of finite type nilpotent G-spaces and a full subcategory of the homotopy category of diagrams of E∞ Fp-algebras indexed on the orbit category of G. This turns out to be an easy consequence of Elmendorf's Theorem and Kan's work on diagrams in closed model categories plus the equivalence in the nonequivariant context.
CPU architecture for realtime VME systems

Abstract Use of high-level languages (HLLs) for demanding realtime applications is not usually possible on conventional microprocessors. Typically the HLL is used only to program the user interface portion of the application, and assembly language is used for the time-critical portions. As the advantages of HLL programming are so great, various approaches to this problem have been taken including the use of multiple processors in the same system, and the use of more expensive, higher-performance processors than the application really requires. The paper discusses an alternative approach: a VMEbus processor designed for programming realtime applications wholly in HLL. The CPU has a registerless two-stack architecture.
Automated Segmentation Of Pseudoinvariant Features From Multispectral Imagery

An automated segmentation algorithm for the isolation of pseudoinvariant features was developed as a part of this study.1 This algorithm utilizes rate-of-change information from the thresholding process previously associated with the pseudoinvariant feature normalization technique demonstrated by Volchok and Schott, 1986.2 The segmentation algorithm was combined with the normalization technique and applied to the six reflective bands of the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) for both urban and rural scenes. The technique was also applied to color infrared high resolution U2 imagery. The accuracy and precision of the normalization results were evaluated. The combined techniques consistently produced normalization results with errors of approximately one to two reflectance units for both the rural and urban TM imagery as well as the visible bands of the high resolution air photo imagery. These results compare favorably with previous findings utilizing the manual segmentation technique while simultaneously eliminating user-to-user inconsistencies. Also developed as a result of this study was a quantitative metric for comparison of different normalization techniques.
The role of age at asthma diagnosis in the development of triggers of asthma episodes

Abstract This study examined the relationship of age at asthma diagnosis to the subsequent impacts of 12 common asthma triggers, which we classified as either mainly physically based or strongly psychosocially mediated. The physically based triggers were air pollution, cigarette smoke, high humidity, high/low environmental temperature, allergy problems, respiratory infection, physical activity, and nighttime hours; the psychosocially mediated triggers were stress or worry, anger, excitement, and laughter. Data were collected with questionnaires from families with asthmatic children ( n =115), 2 to 20 years of age, as part of a larger study of biological and psychosocial factors in asthma and other illnesses. Using parents' reports, we classified the children as early-diagnosed (before age 2) or later-diagnosed (at or after 2) for asthma and compared these groups, separated by gender, in 2×2 multivariate analyses. The impacts of all four psychosocially mediated triggers on asthma attacks were significantly greater for the later-diagnosed children than the early-diagnosed children. No age of diagnosis differences were found for any of the physically based triggers, and no gender or interaction effects were found for either type of trigger.
Professional School Counselors as Social Justice Advocates for Undocumented Immigrant Students in Group Work

Due to cultural and linguistic barriers, as well as a fear of deportation, undocumented immigrant students have remained an invisible group face in the existing school system. We provide specific strategies for school counselors to consider in advocating social justice and in facilitating empowerment of undocumented immigrant students through group work. A case vignette is presented to highlight challenges confronting undocumented immigrants and to offer strategies for school counselors as specialists in group work to address the unique educational and psychological needs of undocumented immigrant students.
Strong-coupling expansions for the anharmonic Holstein model and for the Holstein-Hubbard model.

A strong-coupling expansion is applied to the anharmonic Holstein model and to the Holstein-Hubbard model through fourth order in the hopping matrix element. Mean-field theory is then employed to determine transition temperatures of the effective (pseudospin) Hamiltonian. We find that anharmonic effects are not easily mimicked by an on-site Coulomb repulsion and that anharmonicity strongly favors superconductivity relative to charge-density-wave order. Surprisingly, the phase diagram is strongly modified by relatively small values of the anharmonicity. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
"The Interactive Effect of Job Complexity Trajectory, Autonomy, and Emotional Stability on Job Stress"

This paper extends our understanding of how the change of a job characteristic over time can influence employee job stress beyond the characteristic per se. In particular, we propose that, with the...
Paramecium calcium channels are blocked by a family of calmodulin antagonists.

Abstract Although the voltage-sensitive Ca channel present in Paramecium has been subjected to detailed physiological and genetic analysis, no organic ligands have been described that block this channel with high affinity and that ultimately can be used to identify channel components. Based on a previous observation that the naphthalene sulfonamide calmodulin antagonist W-7 can block Paramecium Ca channels at high concentration, we have synthesized analogs of W-7 that block these channels at concentrations of less than 1 microM. The effectiveness of these compounds was tested both by a sensitive behavioral assay and on Ca channels that had been incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. Despite the fact that these compounds are effective Paramecium calmodulin antagonists, two independent lines of evidence suggest that W-7 and its analogs block the Ca channel by a mechanism that is independent of their action on calmodulin. In addition, the sensitivity to W-7 or dihydropyridines of Ca channels present in a number of eukaryotic phyla has been used to identify similarities in Ca channels from widely diverse organisms. It appears that the pharmacological specificity provides a means to group Ca channels.
Temperature effects on chlorinated-benzene sorption to hydrophobic surfaces

Abstract Sorption and desorption of chlorinated benzenes were investigated in a series of column experiments using porous silica that had phenyl groups bonded to the surface; the mass-fraction organic carbon was 0.016. Both sorption and desorption curves were asymmetrical, but they were mirror images of each other for most experiments, indicating good sorption reversibility. The resulting breakthrough curves were fit to an advection-dispersion mathematical model, with sorption as a first-order, reversible reaction. Significantly greater tailing in the chlorinated-benzene breakthrough curves versus the salt-tracer ones was evidence of slow sorption and desorption. ΔH° values for di-, tri- and tetra-chlorobenzene were 13–21 kJ mol−1, indicative of strong van der Waals binding. Despite these small values, slow desorption was attributed to slow binding and release rather than diffusion through the bonded organic phase. Desorption rates decreased in going from di- to tri- to tetra- to penta-chlorobenzene. This decrease was significantly more than the decrease in molecular-diffusion coefficients in the same series, suggesting a chemical rather than a physical rate control. There was less difference in sorption rates through the series, suggesting an inverse relation between partition coefficient and desorption rate. ΔG° values were −17 to −23 kJ mol−1, giving TΔS° values of about 4 kJ mol−1. Thus enthalpic contributions to sorption appear to be of greater importance than entropic contributions.
Density functional theory study of the complexation of the uranyl dication with anionic phosphate ligands with and without water molecules.

The structures, vibrational frequencies and energetics of anhydrous and hydrated complexes of UO22+ with the phosphate anions H2PO4–, HPO42–, and PO43– were predicted at the density functional theory (DFT) and MP2 molecular orbital theory levels as isolated gas phase species and in aqueous solution by using self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) calculations with different solvation models. The geometries and vibrational frequencies of the major binding modes for these complexes are compared to experiment where possible and good agreement is found. The uranyl moiety is nonlinear in many of the complexes, and the coordination number (CN) 5 in the equatorial plane is the predominant binding motif. The phosphates are found to bind in both monodentate and bidentate binding modes depending on the charge and the number of water molecules. The SCRF calculations were done with a variety of approaches, and different SCRF approaches were found to be optimal for different reaction types. The acidities of HxPO43-x in ...
Electron microscopic study of leaf frog melanophore differentiation in culture, with special reference to allopurinol effect on pterorhodin formation

Abstract Melanophores in the skin from metamorphic climax tadpoles can produce pterorhodin autonomously in culture. Thyroxine neither accelerated synthesis nor increased the amount of pterorhodin deposited. Cytoplasmic events attendant to the transformation of the larval melanosome in vitro were like those that occur in vivo. These include the uplifting of the melanosomal limiting membrane, the presence of many small cytoplasmic vesicles that can fuse with the limiting membrane, and the gradual deposition of pterorhodin flocculations on the melanin surface starting at stage 25, the completion of metamorphic climax. Allopurinol inhibits pterorhodin synthesis in melanophores in skin culture. It is proposed that the autonomous transformation of larval melanosomes to the pterorhodin-containing adult type is based upon a preprogramming that occurs near the onset of metamorphic climax. This preprogramming involves the uptake of elements necessary for pterorhodin biosynthesis and implicates current theory concerning the origin of pigment cells.
De Haas-van Alphen studies of the Fermi surface of α-uranium

Abstract We have suppressed the low temperature phase changes in α-uranium with hydrostatic pressures ⩾8.3 kbar. Observation of the de Haas-van Alphen effect under these conditions permits measurement of Fermi surface cross sections and their pressure derivatives. This constitutes the first data of this kind in an actinide metal with a partially filled 5ƒ band.
Expression of creatine kinase isoenzyme during oogenesis and embryogenesis in the mouse

Creatine kinase activity was discovered in the growing mouse oocyte and in the preimplantation embryo. Changes in the enzyme activity during the growth and maturation of the egg and during the development of the embryo up to the blastocyst stage were determined. Close similarity of the protein to the brain-type isoenzyme of creatine kinase was established immunochemically. The kinetic parameters of the brain-type isoenzyme (M. R. Iyengar, C. E. Fluellen, and C. W. L. Iyengar, 1982, J. Muscle Cell Motil. 3, 231–246) and the pattern of development-associated changes in activity suggest a possible role for creatine kinase in maintaining the reported high ATP/ADP ratio (L. Ginsberg and N. Hillman, 1975, J. Reprod. Fertil. 43, 83–90), which is essential for the biosynthetic activities of the embryo.
Application of partial hydrogenation theory to the design of commercial reactors for hydrogenating triglyceride oils

Within the last 15–20 years, major advances have been publicized regarding the mechanism and general understanding of the partial hydrogenation of triglycerides, including soybean oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil and various animal fats (primarily hog and beef fats). Although edible shortenings, oleomargarine stocks and soap stocks are produced in large quantities, there is considerable doubt that the theory and fundamental information relative to hydrogenation is always applied to the fullest extent in designing and operating commercial reactors. This paper will review past accomplishments, the current state of the art and probable directions to be taken to obtain even further reactor improvements.
Variable structure servomechanism design and applications to overspeed protection control

A new class of variable structure feedback systems capable of rejecting a persistent disturbance is developed. This type of system which is called the VS servo is structurally similar to linear multivariable servomechanisms. Its behavior on the switching manifold and its internal stability and output regulation properties are examined using the theory of variable structure systems and sliding modes and existing results on high gain feedback. The concepts of the VS servo are particularly well suited for the study of 'emergency' control system design. The design of the VS servo is applied to the problem of overspeed protection control for large steam turbines. This study leads to an understanding of the generic difficulty associated with the application of overspeed protection control to large coal fired power plants and provides a feedback control structure with considerable promise for such applications. In addition, the paper serves as a useful illustration of the flexibility and potential applicability of variable structure designs. The effect of actuator parasitic dynamics is considered.
LP-Based Combinatorial Problem Solving

A tutorial outline of the polyhedral theory that underlies linear programming (LP)-based combinatorial problem solving is given. Design aspects of a combinatorial problem solver are discussed in general terms. Three computational studies in combinatorial problem solving using the polyhedral theory developed in the past fifteen years are surveyed: one addresses the symmetric traveling salesman problem, another the optimal triangulation of input/output matrices, and the third the optimization of large-scale zero-one linear programming problems.
Distance estimation in virtual environments using different HMDs

A previous study, Young et al. [2014], explored comparisons between cost-differentiated head-mounted displays for the evaluation of various perception and action tasks. One of the comparisons in that work was egocentric distance estimation comparison using an Nvis SX 60 head-mounted display (HMD) and an Oculus Rift. This poster abstract supplements that study results with an additional HMD for evaluation of egocentric distance estimation task, an Nvis SX111. We find that performance of the Nvis SX111 is comparable to that of the Nvis SX60 in Young et al. [2014], which was significantly more compressed than the Oculus Rift.
Oscillatory extinction of spherical diffusion flames: Micro-buoyancy experiment and computation

The transient extinction behavior of near-limit spherical diffusion flames under microbuoyancy conditions was experimentally investigated. An inverse flame configuration was employed with the oxidizer being ejected from a porous sphere burner into a fuel (H 2 ) environment in a low-pressure (0.096 atm) chamber to effectively minimize buoyancy. Various inert gasses (N 2 , CO 2 and He) were used to dilute the oxidizer to change the Lewis number and radiative properties of the mixture so that both the transport-induced and the radiative-induced limit could be achieved. Extinction was triggered by gradually decreasing the H 2 mole fraction in the ambient. At the transport-induced limit, extinction is characterized by sudden quenching of the flame as demonstrated by a rapid decrease of the radiometer signal voltage. However, at the radiation-induced limit extinction is preceded by oscillations in the flame luminosity that grows in amplitude before extinction. Computational simulation of the experiment was performed by using a onedimensional spherically symmetric domain with detailed chemistry and transport and radiatively thin heat loss. Oscillations were computationally observed at the radiative limit with approximately the same frequency as the experiment (∼2 Hz). However, the critical ambient H 2 mole fraction that triggered oscillation was much larger in the simulation than in the experiment, possibly due to the neglect of radiation reabsorption in the simulation.
A robust batch-fabricated high-density cochlear electrode array

This paper reports a fully batch-fabricated cochlear electrode array with built-in curl and stiffness control. The array is fabricated from stacked layers of parylene and metal with an integrated backing structure formed by parylene rings. The dual-function rings set the stiffness of the device and allow the array to be positioned inside the cochlea using a standard stylet wire approach. Metal-based stress-compensated layers are used to pre-curl the array so that it hugs the modiolus after insertion. A 32-site array with IrO sites on 250µm centers is realized.
Autologous lymph node cell-derived tumor-specific cytotoxic t-cells for use in adoptive immunotherapy of human melanoma

The in vitro development of tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cells from draining and tumor-involved lymph nodes obtained from melanoma patients were examined. Fresh draining or tumor-involved lymph node cells (LNC) demonstrate no significant cytotoxic activity against a variety of tumor targets including autologous melanoma. Natural killer cell (NK) activity is very low or absent in all of these specimens. Culture of the cells with irradiated autologous tumor and expansion in recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) results in strong cytotoxicity for autologous tumor cells. The cultured cells are T-cells of mixed CD4 and CD8 phenotypes. Following restimulation with autologous tumor, these lines are capable of becoming specifically cytotoxic for autologous tumor as tested in direct killing and in cold target inhibition studies. The LNC yield from fresh specimens ranges from 1 X 10(7) to more than 1 X 10(9) cells averaging 5 X 10(8) cells. After the cells are cultured, we can achieve up to a 60-fold or more increase in cell numbers, that demonstrate strong cytotoxicity for melanomas. The potential for adoptive immunotherapy using such specifically sensitized cytotoxic T-cells of mixed phenotypes is discussed.
Renovasculopathies of hypertension in hispanic residents of Dallas, Texas

Abstract Background Mean blood pressure levels (MBP) appear to rise with age slowly in the population of Mexico City and more swiftly in the U.S. in the black and white population, judging from published survey data. Some evidence suggests that MBP rises at intermediate rates in Hispanics in the U.S. Method This question is explored here in two ways, by review of published survey data and by a novel approach that uses renal tissues obtained from forensic autopsies to estimate MBP. Past studies have revealed good agreement between the two methods of estimating MBP. Results Good agreement is again observed from the results of this study. Results from both methods agree that MBP is much lower at all ages in Mexican men and women than in blacks and whites in the U.S. Both methods also agree that Hispanics in the U.S. demonstrate an intermediate rise in MBP. A speculative first look at a small sample of U.S. Hispanics suggests that MBP rates of recent immigrants tend to resemble those of Mexico, while MBP levels of migrants of long-term residence resemble the native-born U.S. populations. Conclusions The findings underscore the need for definitive testing to confirm if Mexicans who relocate to the U.S. may acquire an acceleration of the renovasculopathies, and of the lifelong progression toward hypertension that this implies.
Patient preferences regarding possible outcomes of lung resection: what outcomes should preoperative evaluations target?

Context: Lung resection can lead to significant postoperative complications: Although many reports describe the likelihood of postoperative problems, such as atelectasis, pneumonia, and prolonged ventilator dependence, it is unclear whether patients perceive these outcomes as sufficiently severe to influence their decisions about surgery. Objective: To assess patients’ preferences regarding possible outcomes of lung resection, including traditional complications reported in the lung surgery literature and outcomes that describe functional limitation. Design: Utility analysis. Setting: A community hospital internal medicine clinic, a private internal medicine practice, and a private pulmonary practice. Participants: Sixty-four patients, aged 50 to 75 years, who were awaiting appointments at the designated clinic sites. Main outcome measure: Patients’ strength of preference regarding potential outcomes of lung resection as derived from health utility scores. Results: Common postoperative complications were assigned high utility scores by patients. On a scale for which 1.0 represents perfect health and 0 represents death, postoperative atelectasis, pneumonia, and 3 days of mechanical ventilation were all rated >0.75. Scores describing limited physical function were strikingly low. Specifically, activity limited to bed to chair movement and the need for complete assistance with activities of daily living were all assigned utility scores <0.2. Twenty-four-hour oxygen dependence was scored at 0.33. Presence or absence of pulmonary illness did not predict scores for any outcome. Conclusions: Whether patients suffer from chronic lung disease or not, they do not regard the postoperative outcomes reported in the lung surgery literature as sufficiently morbid to forego important surgery. However, physical debility is perceived as extremely undesirable, and anticipation of its occurrence could deter surgery. Therefore, identification of preoperative predictors of postoperative physical debility would be invaluable for counseling patients who face difficult decisions about lung resection. (CHEST 2000; 117:1551‐1559)
The Farm Lease: An Analysis of Owner-Tenant and Landlord Preferences under Risk

A variety of farm lease terms are examined with respect to the preferences of an owner-tenant and landlord under risk. The owner-tenant's optimal crop mix is examined for six common leasing arrangements. A variant of the MOTAD model is used to derive the optimal crop mix for a risk-neutral and risk-averse owner-tenant. For two share leases, the trade-offs between the owner-tenant's and landlord's preferences are examined with each agent given neutral and averse risk postures. Results suggest the importance of mixed tenancy and risk in the selection of lease terms for farm land.
Hemoperfusion and pharmacokinetic studies with methamidophos in the rat.

Abstract A gas chromatographic method for quantifying methamidophos in plasma was developed and used to study the kinetics of methamidophos in the rat and to evaluate the efficacy of hemoperfusion therapy for treating organophosphate insecticide poisoned individuals. Intravenous administration of methamidophos resulted in a plasma decay curve which corresponded to a one compartment pharmacokinetic model with the following pharmacokinetic parameters: t 1/2 =1.5 hr; Vd=0.81 L/kg; Cl=5.8 mL/min/kg; kel=0.45 hr −1 . Hemoperfusion with activated charcoal effectively removed methamidophos from the blood of intoxicated rats, and significantly decreased the body burden of methamidophos; 27% of the administered dose of methamidophos was removed during five hours of perfusion. Despite a rapid reduction in the body burden of the insecticide, rats were not protected against a lethal dose of the insecticide. Because of the rapid and slowly reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by organophosphate insecticides, hemoperfusion alone will not improve the clinical status of organophosphate insecticide poisoned patients.
Feasibility and advisability of resections of thalamic tumors in pediatric patients.

Object. The author conducted a retrospective review of 19 cases in which he resected thalamic tumors between 1986 and 2001. Methods. The median age of the children was 8 years. Five different routes were used to resect the tumors; two tumors were resected via two approaches. The extent of resection was evaluated by postoperative imaging. Gross-total resections were performed in six cases and resections of greater than 90% of the tumor were conducted in 10 others; 90% or more of the tumor was resected in 84% of the cases. Seven tumors were low-grade gliomas and 12 were high grade. There was one postoperative death, and two children suffered permanent morbidity. Five of seven children with low-grade tumors are alive 2 to 12 years postoperatively; three of 11 children with high-grade tumors are alive at 2, 3, and 16 years, respectively. Conclusions. Treatment of pediatric thalamic tumors must be individualized, with consideration given to the tumor's location, enhancement, and margins as well as the publishe...
Refraction in Stratified, Anisotropic Media*

The Abeles treatment of refraction in stratified isotropic media is extended to stratified anisotropic media. The present treatment is restricted to linear refraction problems with incident light assumed to be plane waves of infinite extent. A mathematical restriction excludes application to singular cases. Subject to these restrictions, the treatment is quite generally applicable. It is applied to the case of an isotropic semiconductor in an external magnetic field; results agreeing with published experimental data and with an alternative method of calculation for normal incidence are obtained.
Dynamic Racking Crescendo Tests on Architectural Glass Fitted with Anchored Pet Film

Results are presented of a pilot study conducted recently at the Pennsylvania State University Building Envelope Research Laboratory (BERL) to investigate the response of curtain wall mock-ups glazed with 6 mm (1/4 in.) annealed monolithic architectural glass panels fitted with anchored applied film under simulated earthquake conditions. Three common film-to-frame anchoring methods were evaluated: (1) structural silicone adhesive [13 mm (1/2 in.) triangular cross section] application along the entire glass panel perimeter; (2) an aluminum bar extrusion to anchor the film to the frame horizontal along only the top of the glass panel; and (3) two aluminum bar extrusions to anchor the film to the frame verticals along the two vertical edges of the glass panel. Serviceability (glass cracking) and ultimate (glass fallout) limit-state data were collected during in-plane dynamic racking tests. Other performance characteristics, such as cohesive failure of the structural silicone adhesive, loss of film-to-glass adhesion, film tearing, damage to aluminum anchor bars, pullout of the filmed glass unit from the frame glazing pockets, and eventual entire unit fallout, were also recorded. These preliminary tests indicated that anchorage type can demonstrably influence both the serviceability (initial glass cracking) and ultimate (glass fragment fallout and entire unit fallout) limit states of “unweathered” filmed glass panels. In this study, the structural silicone anchor provided the best serviceability limit-state performance of the three anchor methods tested, and the top anchor provided the best entire-unit glass fallout resistance.
Electrospray ionization fourier transform mass spectrometry quantification of enkephalin using an internal standard.

Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS), long-known for its capabilities in structural characterization of molecules, is an emerging tool in quantification, and quantification methods using external and internal standards with electrospray ionization (ESI) FTMS have recently been demonstrated. Here, commercial ESI-FTMS is used to quantify the opioid pentapeptide methionine enkephalin using an internal standard. Linear working curves over three orders of magnitude are obtained using the internal standard, an improvement of one order of magnitude over the previous external standard ESI-FTMS quantification method for enkephalins. Low coefficients of variation (generally <6%) are observed, and inter-day and intra-day assays are compared and found to possess similar linearity and precision. The high mass accuracy advantage of FTMS can be exploited to give molecular specificity. Efforts to improve mass accuracy using internal mass calibration generally provide mass accuracies within 2.5 ppm.
Effects of axon degeneration on oligodendrocyte lineage cells: Dorsal rhizotomy evokes a repair response while axon degeneration rostral to spinal contusion induces both repair and apoptosis

Wallerian degeneration in the dorsal columns (DC) after spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with microglial activation and prolonged oligodendrocyte (OL) apoptosis that may contribute to demyelination and dysfunction after SCI. But, there is an increase in OL lineage cells after SCI that may represent a reparative response, and there is evidence for remyelination after SCI. To assess the role of axonal degeneration per se in OL apoptosis and proliferation, we cut the L2-S2 dorsal roots producing massive axonal degeneration and microglial activation in the DC, and found no evidence of OL loss or apoptosis. Rather, the numbers of OL-lineage cells positive for NG2 and APC (CC1) increased, and BrdU studies suggested new OL formation. We then tested contusion SCI (cSCI) that results in comparable degeneration in the DC rostral to the injury, microglial activation, and apoptosis of DC OLs by eight days. NG2+ cell proliferation and oligodendrogenesis was seen as after rhizotomy. The net result of this combination of proliferation and apoptosis was a reduction in DC OLs, confirming earlier studies. Using an antibody to oxidized nucleic acids, we found rapid and prolonged RNA oxidation in OLs rostral to cSCI, but no evidence of oxidative stress in DC OLs after rhizotomy. These results suggest that signals associated with axonal degeneration are sufficient to induce OL proliferation, and that secondary injury processes associated with the central SCI, including oxidative stress, rather than axonal degeneration per se, are responsible for OL apoptosis. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The use of the osteocutaneous groin flap in gunshot wounds of the hand

Since 1972, the groin flap has been used as an excellent source of skin coverage for the hand. This flap can incorporate the underlying iliac crest to provide both soft tissue and vascularized bone for the reconstruction of complex hand injuries. Three patients who sustained gunshot wounds of the hand with loss of the thumb metacarpal and extensive soft tissue were treated with a groin flap that included the iliac crest. Bony union was rapid and thumb stability was excellent in all patients 3 months after initial reconstruction. The advantages of the osteocutaneous flap include the ability to: (1) supply vascularized bone to what is frequently a poor recipient bed for a bone graft, (2) reconstruct both soft tissue and bony defects simultaneously, and (3) be used in facilities without capability for microvascular surgery.
Morphology to the rescue: molecular data and the signal of morphological characters in combined phylogenetic analyses—a case study from mysmenid spiders (Araneae, Mysmenidae), with comments on the evolution of web architecture

The limits and the interfamilial relationships of the minute orb-weaving symphytognathoid spiders have remained contentious and poorly understood. The circumscription and diagnosis of the symphytognathoid family Mysmenidae have always been elusive, and its monophyly has never been thoroughly tested. We combine sequence data from six genes with a morphological dataset in a total-evidence phylogenetic analysis (ca. 6100 characters, 109 taxa: 74 mysmenids), and explore the phylogenetic signal of the combined dataset, individual genes, and gene combinations with different parsimony methods and model-based approaches. Several support values and parameter-sensitivity schemes are explored to assess stability of clades. Mysmenidae monophyly is supported by ca. 20 morphological and ca. 420 molecular synapomorphies. Mysmenidae is monophyletic under all combined analyses that include morphology. Almost no gene or gene combination supports Mysmenidae monophyly. Symphytognathoids are delimited to include: (Theridiosomatidae (Mysmenidae (Synaphridae (Anapidae + Symphytognathidae)))). Micropholcommatids are a lineage nested within the anapid clade and thus are synonymized with Anapidae (Micropholcommatinae New Rank). We provide morphological diagnoses for all symphytognathoid families and discuss the behavioural evolutionary implications of our hypotheses of relationships. The planar orb web evolved independently twice from three-dimensional webs. The orb web was modified into sheet or cobwebs three times independently. The spherical mysmenine web has a single origin. Kleptoparasitism evolved once in mysmenids. We comment on the discrepancies and lack of resolving power of the molecular datasets relative to the morphological signal, and discuss the relevance of morphology in inferring the total-evidence phylogenetic pattern of relationships. © The Willi Hennig Society 2010.
Zero voltage switching technique for bi-directional DC/DC converters

This paper proposes a zero-voltage switching (ZVS) technique for bi-directional DC/DC converters. The DC/DC unit considered consists of two distinct bi-directional DC/DC cells paralleled at both input and output and whose two input bridges are coupled by means of passive inductive branches. A multi-angle phase-shift modulation method is proposed which simultaneously achieves bi-directional power control, power sharing and ZVS of all the electronic devices over the full power range without the need for auxiliary switches. Simulation and experimental results are reported for a 2.4 kW DC/DC unit consisting of two paralleled 1.2 kW bi-directional Dual-Bridge Series Resonant Converter (DBSRC) cells.
Microsporidiosis: an unusual endoscopic finding.

A72-year-old man with hypertension, diabetes, and a recent kidney transplant who was taking mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and prednisone was admitted to the hospital with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patient started having 5–6 profuse watery bowel movements 4 days before admission. He was having persistent nausea and occasional vomiting that were affecting his oral intake of food. His examination was suggestive of decreased skin turgor and dry oral mucosa but was otherwise unremarkable. His lab results on admission were significant for blood urea nitrogen 46mg/dL and creatinine 3.45mg/dL. Initial stool studies were negative, including Clostridium difficile toxin polymerase chain reaction. After appropriate resuscitation, the patient underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy for his persistent symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy interestingly revealed innumerable serpiginous ulcers in the duodenum. The ulcers were over the folds of duodenum and had necrotic-appearing centers (Figure A). Cold forceps biopsies were taken. There was evidence of duodenitis in the duodenal bulb. Colonoscopy revealed normal colonic mucosa, and randombiopsieswere taken. Onpathologic examination of duodenal and colonic biopsies, organisms compatiblewith microsporidia-type species were present (Figures B–D). Microsporidia spores can be seen within enterocytes (arrows) and within lamina propria macrophages (asterisks). Ultrastructurally, electron microscopy performed at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed scattered spores of microsporidia-type species, most readily within lamina propria, and macrophages (Figures E and F).
Uteroplacental insufficiency alters hepatic expression, phosphorylation, and activity of the glucocorticoid receptor in fetal IUGR rats

Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI) induces persistent changes in hepatic gene expression secondary to altered chromatin dynamics in the intrauterine growth- restricted (IUGR) rat liver. The glucoco...
Designing the system-user interface using an abstract workstation

A design methodology for user interfaces of complex systems is described. An engineering-oriented approach, based on a task analysis and formal specification of the software system, is proposed. The concept of an abstract workstation (AWS) provides the basis for the design of complex systems in a dynamic, open network environment. The AWS concept is based on identifying and providing support for a set of commonly used computing tasks. Many of the tasks identified for related systems share common semantics and can be usefully incorporated into a general description of a task set for a class of applications. The resultant AWS represents a class of physical workstations which are capable of supporting the interactions considered. The design begins with a formal analysis of the tasks that need to be supported and ends with a complete specification of the tasks in terms of system support, interactions, and dialogue. The impact of the AWS on the design process is presented. Extracts from a specification are provided. >
Implementing an effective utility testing process: a keystone for successful energy management

Ongoing testing of selected pieces of power house utility equipment is described. This utility testing process (UTP) is a combined plant, central engineering, and consultant effort to capitalize on energy reduction efforts already completed and to provide a basis for obtaining the best possible level of performance. UTP objectives, fundamentals of operation for compressed air, chiller, and boiler systems, and maintenance considerations are covered. Details presented include the basic measurement approach, a layman's guide to available test equipment, techniques to employ, pitfalls to avoid, and evaluation of claims made by vendors. >
Blocking, hand-off and traffic performance for cellular communication systems with mixed platforms

Cellular communication systems that support a mixture of platform types distinguished by different mobility characteristics are considered. A tractable analytical model for traffic performance analysis is developed using multidimensional birth-death processes and the method of phases. The framework allows consideration of homogeneous and nonhomogeneous systems, a broad class of dwell time distributions, and missed handoff initiations. Cut-off priority for handoffs and several platform types are considered to demonstrate the approach. The effects of different mobility parameters and of imperfect detection of handoff needs are examined. Theoretical performance characteristics are obtained. These exhibit carried traffic, handoff activity, blocking probability, and forced termination probability for each platform type. The realizable exchange of blocking for handoff performance is shown. >
Fuzzy logic, logic programming, and linear logic: towards a new understanding of common sense

Fuzzy logic was originally proposed as a tool for describing human reasoning. Currently, the main area of applications of fuzzy logic is in fuzzy control, where the choice of logic is usually motivated not by logical considerations (i.e. not by what best describes how people actually think), but by purely pragmatic, engineering considerations: what logic would lead to the best control. In this paper, we return to the original meaning of fuzzy logic: a tool for describing human reasoning. We analyze why the existing formalisms are not always adequate, and describe possible modifications of fuzzy logic. Our analysis shows that there are deep similarities between the descriptions of common-sense reasoning in three different fields: fuzzy logic, logic programming and linear logic. Thus, the future formalism for describing human reasoning will probably be a synthesis of these three.
Estimating individual animal movement from observation networks

Summary Observation network data comprise animal presences detected by observer stations at fixed spatial locations. Statistical analysis of these data is complicated by spatial bias in sampling and temporal variability in detection conditions. Advanced methods for analysis of these data are required but are currently underdeveloped. We propose a state-space model (SSM) for observation network data to estimate detailed movements of individual animals. The underlying movement model is an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process, which is stationary, and therefore has an inherent mechanism that models home range behaviour. An integral part of the approach is the detection function, which models the probability of logging animal presences. The detection function is also used to provide absence information when animals are undetected. Since the ability to detect an animal often depends on time-varying external factors such as environmental conditions, we use covariate information about detection efficiency as control variables. Via simulation, we found that movement estimation error scales log-linearly with network sparsity. This result can be used to indicate the number of stations necessary to achieve a desired upper bound on estimation error. Furthermore, we found that the SSM outperforms existing techniques in terms of estimating detailed movements and that estimates are robust towards mis-specification of the detection function. We also tested the importance of accounting for time-varying detection conditions and found that the probability of making wrong conclusions decreases substantially when covariate information is exploited. The model is used to estimate movements and home range of a humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) at Palmyra Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. Here, detection conditions have a strong diel component, which is controlled for using detection efficiency information from a reference device. The presented approach enhances the toolbox for analysis of observation network data as collected by acoustic telemetry or potentially other aspiring methods such as camera trapping and mobile phone tagging. By explicitly modelling movement and observation processes, the model integrates all sources of uncertainty and provides a sound statistical basis for making well-informed management decisions from imperfect information.
FACTORS IN THE PRODUCTION OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE MYASTHENIA GRAVIS IN ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR IMMUNIZED RABBITS

The development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) was studied in 10 rabbits which were repeatedly injected with Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Serum samples were obtained at various times for determination of complement fixing antibody level, serum complement level and the capacity of serum to inhibit neuromuscular transmission in amphibian muscle (passive transfer inhibiting capacity, PTIC). In seven animals the rise in level of circulating antibody occurred immediately before or in synchrony with the development of EAMG and frequently at such times serum complement rose irregularly. The PTIC was elevated during appearance of EAMG. In some animals a rise in complement fixing antibody level occurred without appearance of EAMG; in two others EAMG appeared without significant rise in antibody level. The data indicate that development of EAMG is associated with the production of antibodies which are capable of depressing neuromuscular transmission by reducing the sensitivity of the postjunctional membranes to acetylcholine. This depression can be potentiated by serum complement. Some but not all of the antibodies produced appear to fix complement when combined with Torpedo AChR. Evidence indicating possible existence of a presynaptic contribution to the development of EAMG is given.