cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epinephrine use and outcomes in anaphylaxis patients transported by emergency medical services.

Abstract Background Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that may require emergency medical system (EMS) transport. Fatal anaphylaxis is associated with delayed epinephrine administration. Patient outcome data to assess appropriateness of EMS epinephrine administration are sparse. Objectives The objectives of this study are to (1) determine the frequency of epinephrine administration in EMS-transported patients with allergic complaints, (2) identify predictors of epinephrine administration, and (3) determine frequency of emergency department (ED) epinephrine administration after EMS transport. Methods A cohort study was conducted from over 5 years. A total of 59187 EMS transports of an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance service were studied. Results One hundred and three patient transports for allergic complaints were analyzed. Fifteen patients received EMS epinephrine, and epinephrine was recommended for 2 additional patients who refused, for a total of 17 (17%) patients for whom epinephrine was administered or recommended. Emergency medical system epinephrine administration or recommendation was associated with venom as a trigger (29% vs 8%; odds ratio [OR], 4.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-17.22; P = .013), respiratory symptoms (88% vs 52%; OR, 6.83; 95% CI, 1.47-31.71; P = .006), and fulfillment of anaphylaxis diagnostic criteria (82% vs 49%; OR, 3.50; 95% CI, 0.94-13.2; P = .0498). Four (4%) patients received epinephrine after ED arrival. Conclusion Low rates of epinephrine administration were observed. The association of EMS administration of epinephrine with respiratory symptoms, fulfillment of anaphylaxis diagnostic criteria, and low rate of additional epinephrine administration in the ED suggest that ALS EMS administered epinephrine based on symptom severity. Additional studies of EMS anaphylaxis management including ED management and outcomes are needed.
Life history of the long‐lived gynodioecious cushion plant Silene acaulis (Caryophyllaceae), inferred from size‐based population projection matrices

Alpine plants often appear to have long life-spans as an adaptation to harsh and unpredictable environmental conditions, yet many lack reliable indicators of age that would make it possible to determine their true longevity. Their extended lifespans also pose problems for measuring lifetime reproductive success, a key component of breeding system evolution in species such as the gynodioecious cushion plant Silene acaulis. For a population of S. acaulis in south-central Alaska, we applied a recently derived analytical approach using size-based population projection matrices that allowed us to estimate: (1) the relationship between cushion diameter and age; and (2) lifetime reproductive success through seed production by females relative to hermaphrodites. Because of a combination of slow growth, frequent shrinkage, and extremely high adult survival, we estimate that the largest cushions in our study population exceed 300 yr in age, and some may live substantially longer, despite the seemingly inhospitable alpine environment they inhabit. Females are estimated to produce 4.4 times as many offspring via seed production over the course of their lives as do hermaphrodites, a difference that is more than sufficient to assure the persistence of females despite their inability to transmit genes through pollen. These results highlight the utility of size-based projection matrices for studying the life histories of herbaceous perennials whose life-span and lifetime reproductive success cannot be determined easily by any other means. Life history theory predicts that perenniality and polycarpic reproduction will be favored where offspring survival is low (Charnov and Schaffer, 1973) or unpredictable (Murphy, 1968), two features that typify arctic and alpine environments. While high-altitude and high-latitude plants are often claimed to exhibit a high degree of perenniality (Billings and Mooney, 1968; Bliss, 1971; Walter, 1979), we presently have a poor understanding of the true life-spans of many species, preventing a full quantitative comparison of plant life history strategies in tundra vs. other biomes. This ignorance reflects the fact that for arctic and alpine plants, as for the dominant plants in many other biomes (e.g., grasslands and deserts), it can be exceedingly difficult to obtain direct estimates of plant life-spans. Because of their longevity, it is impractical to follow cohorts of tundra plants from birth until death. In addition, many characteristic tundra species have herbaceous growth forms, so that standard methods for determining an individual’s age (such as counting annual growth increments as is often done with woody plants) are usually either inappropriate (because many species lack clearly delineated growth increments) or require disturbance or destruction of sampled individ
Regulation of paxillin family members during epithelial-mesenchymal transformation: a putative role for paxillin δ

Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and the resulting induction of cell motility are essential components of tissue remodeling during embryonic development and wound repair, as well as tumor progression to an invasive metastatic phenotype. Paxillin, a multi-domain adaptor and phosphoprotein has previously been implicated in integrin signaling and cell motility. In this report we characterize a novel paxillin gene product, paxillin delta, generated from an evolutionarily conserved internal translation initiation site within the full-length paxillin mRNA. Paxillin delta, which lacks the key phosphorylation sites Y31 and Y118 as well as the ILK and actopaxin binding LD1 motif, exhibits a restricted distribution to epithelial cell types and is downregulated during TGF-beta1-induced EMT of normal murine mammary gland (NMuMG) epithelial cells. Interestingly, Hic-5, a paxillin superfamily member, exhibits a reciprocal protein expression profile to paxillin delta. In addition, paxillin delta expression is maintained following NMuMG differentiation in a 3D collagen I gel while other focal adhesion components are downregulated. Paxillin delta protein expression coincided with reduced paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation in NMuMG cells and paxillin delta overexpression in CHO.K1 cells inhibited adhesion-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. Forced expression of paxillin delta in NMuMG cells suppressed cell migration whereas Hic-5 overexpression stimulated motility. Together our data support a role for paxillin delta as a naturally occurring functional antagonist of paxillin signaling potentially through suppression of a Crk-mediated pathway during processes associated with cell migration.
Discrete atomic and smeared continuum modelling for static analysis

A computational technique was developed to model and simulate molecular or atomic behaviour of materials under static loads. Interatomic potential was used to maintain equilibrium among molecules or atoms under loads and constraints. In addition, a smeared continuum model was derived to represent a very large number of molecules or atoms collectively based on energy equivalency. The finite element method was applied to the smeared continuum model. Then, the molecular or atomic model was coupled with the finite element analysis model so that more flexible loads and constraints could be applied to the molecular or atomic model. In addition, such a coupling would be useful for transition from nanoscale to continuum scale. Some example problems were presented to illustrate the developed techniques. An example included a multi‐scale technique for woven fabric composites made of carbon nanotubes. The effective stiffnesses at different stages of the nano‐composites were computed.
AIRS impact on analysis and forecast of an extreme rainfall event (Indus River Valley, Pakistan, 2010) with a global data assimilation and forecast system

A set of data assimilation and forecast experiments are performed with the NASA Global data assimilation and forecast system GEOS-5, to compare the impact of different approaches towards assimilation of Advanced Infrared Spectrometer (AIRS) data on the precipitation analysis and forecast skill. The event chosen is an extreme rainfall episode which occurred in late July 11 2010 in Pakistan, causing massive floods along the Indus River Valley. Results show that the assimilation of quality-controlled AIRS temperature retrievals obtained under partly cloudy conditions produce better precipitation analyses, and substantially better 7-day forecasts, than assimilation of clear-sky radiances. The improvement of precipitation forecast skill up to 7 day is very significant in the tropics, and is caused by an improved representation, attributed to cloudy retrieval assimilation, of two contributing mechanisms: the low-level moisture advection, and the concentration of moisture over the area in the days preceding the precipitation peak.
CRITICS, CLONES AND NARRATIVE IN THE FRANCHISE BLOCKBUSTER

In opposition to the claims of many cinema scholars and critics, this paper argues that the classical narrative remains largely intact in contemporary Hollywood filmmaking, if in a somewhat different form. A close analysis of the narrative of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) demonstrates how closely that film, an exemplar of ‘post‐classical Hollywood’, fits the precepts of the unified, classical text. However, the film was much more popular with fan audiences than with the mass public. These opposed responses call attention to the film's status as a failed ‘franchise blockbuster’—a big‐budget genre epic that is constructed to appeal to both popular and fan audiences. One of the most important recent narrative developments in Hollywood, the franchise blockbuster, works within a network of transmedia texts, but should also stand alone as an autonomous narrative. While many critics are prevented by the perceived larger cultural significance of the franchise blockbuster from attempting a seri...
INTRAESOPHAGEAL pH MONITORING IN SEVERE APNEA AND CYANOSIS OF INFANCY

Since gastroesophageal fundoplication has improved apneic symptoms in some infants, presumably by preventing aspiration or acid triggered vagal reflexes, 12-24 hour intraesophageal pH monitoring was performed to quantitate gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in all 20 infants referred for severe apnea/cyanosis requiring resuscitation. Group (Gp) A (controls) consisted of 11 infants (5 male) who proved asymptomatic in hospital and on follow-up. The 9 infants (5 male) in Gp B had apneic episodes in hospital all requiring resuscitation except one. Mean age ± SD was not different in A (3.0 ± 2.5 months) from B (1.6 ± .5 months). pH monitoring results were compared for frequency (episodes of pH < 4.0 per hour), duration (percent reflux time of time monitored) and longest episode in minutes. These variables were studied during intervals of sleep, 2 hour postprandial and total time monitored. With the exception of duration and frequency of postprandial reflux, and frequency of sleep reflux, patients in Gp B had significantly (P<.05) greater reflux than Gp A by Kruskal Wallis rank sum test. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure was normal in both groups. Barium swallow was positive for GER in 6 of 9 patients in Gp B. 8 of 9 patients in Gp B had fundoplications with subsequent resolution of symptoms (mean follow-up of 23 months). All patients in B had apnea/cyanosis within 2 hours postprandially and 5 of 9 had positive correlation with intraesophageal pH < 4.0. We conclude that GER probably through aspiration is the major cause of severe postprandial apnea/cyanosis in infancy and recommend pH monitoring in all evaluations.
Regulation of the production of a prolactin-like protein (MRP/PLF) in 3T3 cells and in the mouse placenta

Abstract Mitogen-regulated protein (MRP), a heterogeneously glycosylated mouse protein of M r 34000, is in the same protein family as prolactin, growth hormone, and placental lactogen. We show here that the level of translatable MRP mRNA is increased in response to fibroblast growth factor. Also, the amount of MRP secreted by 3T3 cells is modulated by the rate of degradation of newly synthesized MRP in the lysosomes. This is indicated by several results. First, agents that inhibit protein degradation by lysosomal proteases selectively increased by 2- to 6-fold the incorporation of [ 35 S]methionine into MRP. These agents are ammonium chloride, the carboxylic ionophores, monensin and nigericin, and two thiol protease inhibitors, leupeptin and antipain. MRP that has already been secreted is not degraded by 3T3 cells. We examined the developmental appearance of MRP using immunofluorescence microscopy and found MRP localized in the mouse placenta between days 9 and 13 of development. The amount of MRP in the placenta drops suddenly after day 13. Whereas the appearance of MRP in the placenta follows the reported appearance of its mRNA, MRP disappears from the placenta more rapidly than its mRNA. On the basis of the results of our studies with cells in culture we propose that the production of MRP in the placenta is regulated similarly to prolactin. Thus we propose that the initial increase in MRP production in the placenta is due to pretranslational regulation by growth factors, and the later rapid decline is due to posttranslational regulation through degradation in the lysosomes.
Pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery secondary to placement of external ventricular drainage catheters

BACKGROUND Pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery have been described following trauma and various surgical procedures. There are no reports in the literature of these lesions following the placement of external ventricular drainage catheters. This article describes two patients and their successful treatment, and reviews diagnostic and treatment strategies. CASE DESCRIPTION Two patients developed tender, nonpulsatile masses in the scalp along the former subcutaneous tract of an EVD catheter. Both lesions were successfully excised in the operating room and found to be thrombosed pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery. CONCLUSION Pseudoaneurysms of the parietal branch of the STA may occur secondary to incision of the skin for twist drill hole placement or the use of a sharp trocar for subcutaneous tunneling of catheters. Use of a blunt-tipped trocar may reduce the risk of developing pseudoaneurysms secondary to EVD placement. Knowledge of the possibility of developing these lesions from catheter placement may aid the neurosurgeon in proper diagnosis and treatment.
Integrated assessment of packaging architectures in Earth observing programs

When designing Earth observation missions, it is essential to take into account the programmatic context. Considering individual missions as part of a whole enables overall program optimization, which may bring important cost reductions and scientific and societal benefits.12
Origin of grain size spectra of suspension deposited sediment

Hydronamic modification by settling from a turbulent suspension of an originally unsorted sediment produces grain size distributions that correspond to the size characteristics of many natural suspended and bottom sediments. Evaluation of the resulting equations allows parameterization of sediments in terms of three constants describing the source material, transport energy, and reworking history, respectively.
Regulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase during NK cell activation.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 modulates a variety of cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation and cell death. However, we report here a novel function for p38, i.e. the regulation of cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. Stimulation of NK cells by either cross-linking of their FcgammaRIII receptors or by binding to NK-sensitive target cells induces the phosphorylation and activation of p38, and also of its upstream regulators MKK3/MKK6. Pharmacologic analyses suggest that Src-family and Syk-family protein tyrosine kinases couple the NK cell surface receptors to p38 activation. The role of p38 in the cytotoxic function of NK cells was tested by treatment of NK cells with the cell-permeable, p38-specific inhibitor SB203580. Interestingly, exposure to the drug reduced both antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and natural cytotoxicity, but maximal inhibitory concentrations resulted in only partial inhibition. Collectively, these results suggest that the p38 MAPK pathway is stimulated during the development of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and that efficient killing is influenced by both p38-dependent and p38-independent pathways. More broadly, this study identifies the regulation of cell-mediated killing as a novel role for p38 in cytotoxic lymphocytes.
Colectomy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for early postoperative death in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis who are undergoing colectomy. METHODS: The charts of 24 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis who underwent colectomy between 1972 and 1990 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation were reviewed. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and compiled to determine preoperative factors that might be helpful in predicting early postoperative death. RESULTS: The only factor that predicted a poor outcome was cirrhosis at the time of surgery. Three of 8 patients with cirrhosis and 0 of 16 patients without cirrhosis had an early postoperative death (P<0.05, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: We conclude that establishing whether or not patients with inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis have cirrhosis is helpful in determining the risk of colectomy.
TURBULENCE GENERATION BY ELECTRIC BODY FORCES.

The effect of an electric body force on vorticity production and turbulence generation in a gas is investigated by examination of the governing electrohydrodynamic equations. The theoretical concepts are illustrated by hot-film anemometer measurements of the electrically induced turbulence in a large scale electrostatic precipitator. The results indicate dramatic increases in turbulence and diffusivity due to the corona discharge and suggest that turbulence control in this application requires a modification in electrode geometry.
Development of a single‐pass ceramic matrix bioreactor for large‐scale mammalian cell culture

A single-pass, plug-flow bioreactor has been developed in which oxygen is supplied to entrapped hybridoma cells via silicone tubes threaded through the square channels of a macroporous ceramic monolith. Oxygen diffuses from the gas phase, through the silicone tubing, across the open square channel, and into the pores of the ceramic wall where it is consumed by entrapped cells. Advantages of such a reactor include higher product yields, protection of cells from detrimental hydrodynamic effects, no internal moving parts to compromise asepsis, and simplicity of operation. A prototype bioreactor was constructed and operated over a range of residence times. A side-by-side experimental comparison with a conventional recycle bioreactor was performed by inoculating both bioreactors with cells from the same stock culture and feeding medium from the same reservoir. Final antibody titers were 80% higher in the single-pass bioreactor at a residence time of 200 minutes compared with those of the recycle bioreactor at a residence time of 800 minutes. A theoretical analysis of oxygen transport in this bioreactor is developed to highlight important design criteria and operating strategies for scale-up.
The 1994 Java Tsunami earthquake and its Normal aftershocks

[1] We compare the source spectra of the 1994 Java tsunami earthquake (MW = 7.9) and its two largest aftershocks. The source spectra of the aftershocks, from teleseismic P-waves, can be fit remarkably well by a standard ω2 model. However, the mainshock shows a lower moment release at periods of 1–20 sec than its aftershocks, although its total moment is 1000 times larger. We analyze this discrepancy by exploring two mechanisms that, in a simple Haskell rupture model, will decrease one of the corner frequencies of the source spectrum: 1. lowering the rupture velocity and 2. lowering the particle (slip) velocity. Both changes maintain an identical spectral drop-off and static stress drop, and result in the characteristic spectral shape of a “slow” earthquake. These kinematic models can be related to physical rupture parameters by considering the earthquake energy budget. In both cases the radiated seismic energy is lowered, either due to a higher frictional stress during the break-down phase, increasing the fracture energy (case 1), or by an increase in the sliding stress (case 2). We do not suggest that either of these simplified models is the only possible interpretation, but want to illustrate the danger in directly interpreting “slow” earthquakes as having a low rupture velocity.
Use of evolutionary factor analysis in the spectroelectrochemistry of Escherichia coli sulfite reductase hemoprotein and a Mo/Fe/S cluster.

The deconvolution of spectroelectrochemical data is often quite difficult if the spectra of intermediates are not known. Factor analysis, however, has been shown to be a powerful technique which can make it possible to deconvolute overlapping spectra. In this work, evolving factor analysis will be used to determine the number of intermediates and the spectra of those species for two typical spectroelectrochemical experiments: linear scan voltammetry and chronoabsorptometry in a thin-layer cell. The first system was the reduction of E. coli sulfite reductase hemoprotein (SiR-HP). Principal factor analysis indicated that three species were present. By using evolving factor analysis, the potential regions where each of the species were present were identified, and their concentrations and spectra were determined by the use of the mass balance equation. The spectra of the one-electron (SiR-HP1-) and two-electron (SiR-HP2-) reduced product were compared with previous work. The second experiment was the chrono...
Extended Dihydropyridine Chromophores for Photorefractive Polymers

Photorefractive materials show promise for several applications including high density optical data storage, image processing (correlation, pattern recognition), phase conjugation, optical limiting, simulations of neural networks and associative memories, and programmable optical interconnections.1,2
APPsw Transgenic Mice Develop Age-related Aβ Deposits and Neuropil Abnormalities, but no Neuronal Loss in CA1

The recent availability of transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer disease has allowed direct in vivo assessment of the molecular and neuropathological effects of cerebral amyloid deposition. We examined 16-month-old Tg(HuAPP695. K670N-M671L)2576 mice expressing human APP K670N-M671L (APPSw), which have amyloid deposition and behavioral deficits by 11 months of age. Transgene expression is predominantly neuronal, and results in amyloid deposits, comparable to human senile plaques, at terminal zones of transgene positive neurons in cortical and limbic regions. Amyloid deposits were associated with prominent gliosis and neuritic dystrophy, without neuronal loss in CA1, loss of synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, or loss of messenger RNA for neuronal synaptic, cytoskeletal, or metabolic proteins. We conclude that A beta is not acutely neurotoxic, but can disrupt neuronal processes and provoke an inflammatory response.
E-beam-induced distortions on SiN x-ray mask membrane

In this work we characterized (1) the resist stress dependence on exposure dose and (2) in-plane distortions of the mask caused by resist and substrate. A NIST standard ring with a SiN membrane window as used throughout this work. Resist stress was determined by measuring the resonant frequency of membrane coated with resist. Stress was measured at several doses for SAL605, APEX-E and PMMA resists. In-plane distortion was measured using in-situ measurement approach. An array of standard alignment fiducials for Leica-Cambridge EBMF10.5 e-beam system were placed directly on the membrane. Also, an array of fiducials was placed on the NIST ring to provide a reference point for measurements. The position of the fiducials on the membrane was measured before and after exposure, and compared to position of a common reference point. The magnitude of displacements agreed with theoretical values for measured stress coefficients. The accuracy and limitations of the methods used to obtain the distortion data, as well as possible strategies for reducing the in-plane distortions are also discussed here.
Tumor Response Kinetics after Schedule-Dependent Paclitaxel Chemoradiation Treatment for Inoperable Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Model for Low-Dose Chemotherapy Radiosensitization

Purpose Poor local disease control remains a major obstacle for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after radiotherapy. We previously reported results of a phase I/II clinical study based on preclinical investigations of paclitaxel radiation interactions for inoperable locally advanced NSCLC, which yielded remarkable local tumor responses and durable in-field tumor control using schedule-dependent low-dose paclitaxel for radiosensitization. Given our unique results, we analyzed the tumor response kinetics and conducted a statistical modeling of tumor response to characterize this regimen. Methods and Materials A total of 104 chest CT scans from 27 patients treated in the clinical trial were evaluated. Tumor volumes were calculated by three-dimensional measurements of pretreatment and serial post-therapy CT scans. A nonlinear mixed effects model was used to model response kinetics. Results The average tumor volume reduction at 1 month post-therapy was 69.9 ± 22.6% (standard deviation), and was 80.6 ± 17.9% at the last follow-up. The nonlinear mixed effects model predicts that tumor volume will ultimately shrink by at least 75% for more than 75% of patients treated by this regimen. The model also suggests that maximum shrinkage is reached within 2 months after treatment. Conclusion Tumor volume response kinetics revealed a rapid shrinkage of gross tumors using schedule-dependent pulsed low-dose paclitaxel radiosensitization. This is contrary to the protracted tumor regression process observed in radiation alone or other chemoradiation combinations. Statistical modeling may prove useful in characterizing and comparing different therapeutic regimens.
An Analysis of Contingent Labor

This paper finds that the number contingent workers in the economy has grown dramatically in the last few decades, especially during the 1980s, and that they are paid lowerwages, given fewer benefits, and are disproportionately young, female and minorities in comparison with their full-time permanent counterparts. The danger of contingent labor is its potential generalization throughout the economy as a profit-maximizing tool for businesses.
Escherichia coli and other species of the Enterobacteriaceae encode a protein similar to the family of Mip-like FK506-binding proteins

A newly identified gene in Escherichia coli, fkpA, encodes a protein with extensive similarity to the macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) proteins of Legionella pneumophila and Chlamydia trachomatis. The FkpA protein may be a new member of the family of FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) because its carboxyl domain includes a sequence that matches the consensus FK506-binding motif in 40 of 48 positions, including those amino acids at the active site that form hydrogen bonds with the drug FK506. The amino acid sequence of the 29 kDa FkpA protein is 30-35% identical to the Mip proteins of L. pneumophila, L. micdadei, and C. trachomatis. Of the 270 amino acids of FkpA, 113 (42%) are identical to the sequence of one or another of these Mip proteins. Overexpression of FkpA or deletion of fkpA from the E. coli chromosome had no detrimental effect on bacterial growth, indicating that fkpA is not an essential gene. Hybridization of fkpA-specific DNA probes to genomic blots revealed that similar genes exist in several representatives of the Enterobacteriaceae. Thus, mip-like genes are not found exclusively in bacteria having a predominately intracellular life style, but instead appear to be a new FKBP subfamily that is a common constituent of many bacteria.
Proline to the rescue.

Protein misfolding is now recognized to be a major contributing factor in a number of protein folding diseases, including amyotropic laterial sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and a host of many different amyloidosis diseases. Protein aggregation and misfolding reactions are also the bane of protein production and impede pharmaceutical drug development. Understanding the fundamental in vivo factors that control the kinetics of protein misfolding is the crucial aspect involved in developing procedures and strategies to avoid this deleterious side reaction. Elegant in vivo work of Nollen et al. (1) has shown that the elements controlling protein homeostasis such as protein synthesis, energy production in the cell, chaperone-dependent protein folding, protein transport, and protein degradation collectively control intracellular protein aggregation. However, it is also known that protein folding is influenced by the presence of intracellular osmolytes that, in turn, dramatically affect protein stabilities, protein folding rates, and protein aggregation. Thus, it would be highly useful if we could determine how osmolytes directly influence the kinetics of protein folding and aggregation in vivo. In this issue of PNAS, Ignatova and Gierasch (2) accomplish this feat by using their earlier in vivo protein aggregation cellular retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP) 4′,5′-bis(1,3,2-dithioarsolan-2-yl)fluorescein (FlAsH) model system (3) to monitor in vivo formation of amorphous and fibrillar/amyloid-like aggregation reactions driven by either misfolding or polyglutamine (53htt) aggregation in the presence of high intracellular proline concentrations. Interestingly, they find that the aggregation propensities and kinetics of their particular folding variants of CRABP FlAsH are dramatically altered when proline concentration levels are changed before and during the aggregation reaction (Fig. 1). This system allows these investigators to directly visualize for the first time the in vivo effects of rapid accumulation of an intracellular osmolyte during protein aggregation.
The observation of phase formation in annealed rf-sputtered FeN films

Abstract X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic studies were undertaken to characterize various magnetic phases observed prior to and during in-situ annealing of FeN films deposited on glass substrates by reactive rf-biased sputtering techniques. The concentration of nitrogen in the films was controlled by altering the nitrogen flow rate ( R ) during reactive sputtering. Experiments were carried out on three films prepared with R = 2, 5 and 8 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm). The films contain an α-Fe phase saturated with nitrogen atoms and a martensite phase supersaturated with nnitrogen atoms in the as-deposited state. The increase in the value of R in film deposition results in a very small change in the lattice parameter of the α-Fe phase, but allows the martensite phase to progressively increase supersaturation with nitrogen atoms. The sample prepared at R = 2 sccm, upon annealing at temperatures ranging between room temperature (RT) and 500°C, showed no structural changes. Annealing of the samples prepared at R = 5 and 8 sccm also exhibited no structural changes between RT and 400°C, but showed some new phases when heated to 500°C. The sample for R = 5 sccm contained a Fe 16 N 2 phase, while the sample for R = 8 sccm contained Fe 16 N 2 and Fe 4 N phase. During annealing, the grain size for the samples increased from 10–30 nm at RT to 60–90 nm at 500°C. The phases formed at 500°C in all samples were stable and remained unchanged when the specimens were cooled to room temperature.
Monophyly of Euaesthetinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): phylogenetic evidence from adults and larvae, review of austral genera, and new larval descriptions

We develop a morphological dataset for the rove beetle subfamily Euaesthetinae comprising 167 morphological characters (135 adult and 32 larval) scored from 30 terminal taxa including 25 ingroup terminals (from subfamilies Euaesthetinae and Steninae) and five outgroups. Four maximum parsimony analyses using different sets of terminals and character sets were run to test the monophyly of (1) Euaesthetinae, (2) Steninae, (3) Euaesthetinae þ Steninae, (4) euaesthetine tribes Austroesthetini, Alzadaesthetini, Euaesthetini, Fenderiini and Stenaesthetini, and (5) the ten currently known austral endemic genera together. Analyses of adult and larval character sets separately and in combination recovered the monophyly of Euaesthetinae, Steninae, and both subfamilies together, with strong support. Analysis of 13 ingroup terminals for which complete data were available suggests that monophyly of Euaesthetinae is supported by 19 synapomorphies (13 adult, six larval), of Steninae by 23 synapomorphies (14 adult, nine larval), and of both subfamilies together by 24 synapomorphies (21 adult, three larval). Within Euaesthetinae, only the tribe Stenaesthetini was recovered as monophyletic based on adult characters, and in no analyses were the ten austral endemic genera recovered as a monophyletic group. Phylogenetic relationships among euaesthetine genera were weakly supported, although analyses including adult characters supported monophyly of Octavius and Protopristus separately, and of Octavius þ Protopristus, Austroesthetus þ Chilioesthetus and Edaphus þ Euaesthetus. Steninae may include a third genus comprising two undescribed species probably possessing a 'stick-capture' method of prey capture, similar to that in Stenus. These two species formed a strongly supported clade recovered as the sister group of Stenus based on adult characters. Diagnoses and a key to adults are provided for the 15 euaesthetine genera currently known from the austral region (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and southern South America). Euaesthetine larvae previously were known only for Euaesthetus, and we describe the larvae of nine more genera and provide the first larval identification key for genera of Euaesthetinae.
Oxidative dissolution of copper and zinc metal in carbon dioxide with tert-butyl peracetate and a β-diketone chelating agent

A series of beta-diketone ligands, R(1)COCH(2)COR(2) [tmhdH (R(1) = R(2) = C(CH(3))(3)); tfacH (R(1) = CF(3); R(2) = CH(3)); hfacH (R(1) = R(2) = CF(3))], in combination with tert-butyl peracetate (t-BuPA), have been investigated as etchant solutions for dissolution of copper metal into carbon dioxide solvent. Copper removal in CO(2) increases in the order tfacH < tmhdH < hfacH. A study of the reactions of the hfacH/t-BuPA etchant solution with metallic copper and zinc was conducted in three solvents: scCO(2) (supercrical CO(2)); hexanes; CD(2)Cl(2). The etchant solution/metallic zinc reaction produced a diamagnetic Zn(II) complex, which allowed NMR identification of the t-BuPA decomposition products as tert-butyl alcohol and acetic acid. Gravimetric analysis of the amount of zinc consumed, together with NMR studies, confirmed the 1:1:2 Zn:t-BuPA:hfacH reaction stoichiometry, showing t-BuPA to be an overall two-electron oxidant for Zn(0). The metal-containing products of the copper and zinc reactions were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and, as appropriate, NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction [trans-M(hfac)(2)(H(2)O)(CH(3)CO(2)H) (1, M = Cu; 2, M = Zn)]. On the basis of the experimental results, a working model of the oxidative dissolution reaction is proposed, which delineates the key chemical variables in the etching reaction. These t-BuPA/hfacH etchant solutions may find application in a CO(2)-based chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process.
Cartilage Biomechanics and Implications for Treatment of Cartilage Injuries

Orthopaedic surgeons are involved in the care of the entire musculoskeletal system, which encompasses a wide variety of tissues with differing healing potentials. On one side of the spectrum is bone, which is one of the few tissues that can heal without scarring. On the other side of the spectrum is cartilage, which provides structural support and load bearing, but has little healing potential. The structural content and organization of cartilage are essential to its biomechanical functions. Understanding how the unique characteristics of different types of cartilage relate to their functions will help surgeons select the optimal treatments for cartilage injuries.
Spinal cord coding of graded nonnoxious and noxious temperature increases.

Abstract Neurons in layers I and IV–VII of L7 and S1 were studied in unanesthetized spinal cats. Each cell was characterized in terms of its responses to electrical stimulation of cutaneous A and C fibers, graded intensities of radiant heat applied to blackened skin, and touch, pressure and pinching. This analysis yielded five classes of units distinguished by the range of mechanical stimuli over which they responded: (I) touch (32 units), (II) touch-pressure (27 units), (III) touch-pressure-pinch (64 units), (IV) pressure-pinch (22 units), and (V) pinch only (9 units). Class I and II cells were concentrated in lamina IV and class III–V cells were distributed in laminae I, IV–VII but mainly in V and VI. In addition to the mechanical classification, some of the class II–V units also responded to radiant heat ( 66 122 ) and were divided into three functional groups. Warming units (10) had threshold skin temperatures between 35 and 42 C and responded maximally below 43 C. Warming-noxious units (14) had threshold responses between 35 and 42 C and maximum responses above 43 C. Noxious heat units (42) had thermal thresholds between 43–50 C and usually had maximum responses at 50 C or higher. Warming units tended to be in class II, warming-noxious units were usually class III units, and noxious heat units were in classes III–V. The responses of warming units indicated that they were adapted for coding the rate of change of skin temperature as well as the skin temperature level within the warming range. Similar to heat-induced pain thresholds and flexion reflexes, noxious heat units responded at the same temperature level (m = 44.5 C) irrespective of the rate of skin temperature change. The response of the population of noxious heat units was linearly related to skin temperature from 43 to 49 C, similar to the psychophysical curve of pain intensity over the same temperature range. Response thresholds of all thermally sensitive units were distributed continuously over a 35–50 C range. Therefore, recruitment of higher threshold units may be an important factor in coding nociceptive information. Representative types of mechanically and thermally sensitive units projected in the ipsilateral dorsolateral columns and their physiological characteristics did not differ from nonprojecting neurons.
An optimal algorithm for minimizing run-time reconfiguration delay

Reconfiguration delay is one of the major barriers in the way of dynamically adapting a system to its application requirements. The run-time reconfiguration delay is quite comparable to the application latency for many classes of applications and might even dominate the application run-time. In this paper, we present an efficient optimal algorithm for minimizing the run-time reconfiguration (context switching) delay of executing an application on a dynamically adaptable system. The system is composed of a number of cameras with embedded reconfigurable resources collaborating in order to track an object. The operations required to execute in order to track the object are revealed to the system at run-time and can change according to a number of parameters, such as the target shape and proximity. Similarly, we can assume that the applications comprising tasks are already scheduled and each of them has to be realized on the reconfigurable fabric in order to be executed.The modeling and the algorithm are both applicable to partially reconfigurable platforms as well as multi-FPGA systems. The algorithm can be directly applied to minimize the application run-time for the typical classes of applications, where the actual execution delay of the basic operations is negligible compared to the reconfiguration delay. We prove the optimality and the efficiency of our algorithm. We report the experimental results, which demonstrate a 2.5--40p improvement on the total run-time reconfiguration delay as compared to other heuristics.
The interval number of a complete multipartite graph

Abstract The interval number of a graph G, denoted i(G), is the least positive integer t for which G is the intersection graph of a family of sets each of which is the union of at most t closed intervals of the real line R . Trotter and Harary showed that the interval number of the complete bipartite graph K(m,n) is ⌈ (mn + 1) (m + n) ⌉ . Matthews showed that the interval number of the complete multipartite graph K(n1,n2,…,np) was the same as the interval number of K(n1,n2) when n1 = n2 = ⋯ = np. Trotter and Hopkins showed that i(K(n1,n2,…,np)) ≤ 1 + i(K(n1,n2)) whenever p ≥ 2 and n1≥n2≥ ⋯ ≥np. West showed that for each n ≥ 3, there exists a constant cn so that if p ≥ cn,n1 = n2−n −1, and n2 = n3 = ⋯ np = n, then i(K(n1,n2,…,np) = 1 + i(K(n1, n2)). In view of these results, it is natural to consider the problem of determining those pairs (n1,n2) with n1 ≥ n2 so that i(K(n2,…,np)) = i(K(n1,n2)) whenever p ≥ 2 and n2 ≥ n3 ≥ ⋯ ≥ np. In this paper, we present constructions utilizing Eulerian circuits in directed graphs to show that the only exceptional pairs are (n2 − n − 1, n) for n ≥ 3 and (7,5).
Enzyme immunoassay for the detection of Giardia lamblia.

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for direct detection ofGiardia lamblia antigens in fecal specimens. The EIA was evaluated by testing specimens from 1,331 subjects in the USA and Egypt. For the 353 specimens from human subjects in the USA there was a 97% overall agreement between the results of the EIA and direct microscopic examination, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 99% respectively. Due to adverse field conditions the EIA did not perform as well in the specimens collected and tested in Egypt. The sensitivity and specificity for 585 human specimens from Egypt were 74% and 97% respectively.
Reynolds Analogy in reacting systems Heat transfer to turbulently flowing nitrogen dioxide gas

The Reynolds Analogy, which is useful in relating rates of transfer of momentum, heat and mass in non-reacting systems is tested in the equilibrium type dissociating gas system, N2O4⇄2NO2. Temperature and velocity profiles in this gas flowing between asymmetrically heated parallel plates were determined permitting the evaluation of eh, the eddy conductivity and em, the eddy viscosity for this system. Bulk velocities were in the range of 11–36 ft/sec, with a 40 degree difference between the plates, the colder plate being at either 85 or 105°F. The ratio, eh/em, was found from the experimental temperature and velocity profiles to have a value near unity indicating applicability of the Reynolds Analogy for heat and momentum transfer. The ratio of the eddy conductivity to eddy diffusivity eh/ed, was found theoretically to be identical to unity for this dissociating system denoting the validity of the Reynolds Analogy for heat and mass transfer.
Quantification of epicardial fat volume using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

Background A growing body of data has demonstrated a direct relationship between epicardial fat volume(EFV) and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, EFV has been shown to be an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation. Currently, there is no standard protocol for assessing EFV using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Quantification of peri-ventricular EFV utilizing end diastolic short-axis cine sequences has been described; however, this technique is often challenging due to inadequate visualization of the pericardium. Oftentimes, the pericardium is better visualized during the systolic phase. Thus, we sought to determine the correlation and reproducibility of conventional EFV quantification using end diastolic with end systolic short-axis slices.
A scanning electron microscopic study of the sacculus and lagena in the ears of fifteen species of teleost fishes

The ulstrastructure of the saccular and lagenar maculae were studied in 15 species of teleost fishes, using the scanning electron microscope. Particular attention was paid to hair cell orientation patterns, composition of the ciliary bundles on the hair cells, hair cell distributions, and supporting cell types. The hair cells on both otolithic organs are divided into several groups with all of the hair cells in each group oriented in the same direction. The posterior region of the saccular macula in all species had dorsally oriented hair cells on the dorsal half of the macula and ventrally oriented hair cells on the ventral half. The cells on the anterior end of the macula were oriented anteriorly and posteriorly, with the posterior group, in most species, being on the dorsal half of the anterior region of the macula. There was considerable inter-specific variation upon this basic pattern. Inter-specific variation on the lagenar macula was considerably less than on the saccular macula. The basic pattern in all of the species includes one dorsal cell group and one ventral cell group. There are four more-or-less discrete ciliary bundles, each varying in the relative size of the kinocilia and stereocilia. Intermediary forms were also observed, making it difficult to differentiate ciliary bundles in some instances. It was apparent, however, that several of the ciliary bundles were found in particular macular regions.
The effects of magnetic fields upon rabbit brains

Abstract Rabbits were exposed to steady state and sinusoidally modulated magnetic fields of several levels of flux density for varying periods of time up to 60 hr. In those cases in which neuropathology was found, the results were consistent with the presence of the endemic encephalitozoonosis common to American rabbit colonies. This is in contrast to the findings of other investigators who attributed the histopathology directly to the effects of the imposed magnetic fields.
Balancing the Responsibilities of Work and Family Life: Results of the Family Caregiver Survey

This article describes patterns of work and family balance that were examined for employed parents who give family care to children with serious emotional disorders. A secondary analysis of data from the Family Caregiver Survey was performed for a subsample of 184 caregivers employed outside the home or having a partner employed full time. Families having different work structures (patterns of part- or full-time employment and of parenting arrangements) reported significantly different levels of job stress, pleasure in work and intimate relationships, work used as coping, and satisfaction handling home responsibilities. Although reported child behaviors were significantly related to stress attributed to children and family, the behaviors were not related to work structure, job stress, or support service use.
Hemispheric compensation in a child with left cerebral hypoplasia

Abstract The neuropsychological examination of an adolescent female with left cerebral hypoplasia and agenesis of the left middle cerebral artery is presented. Despite the absence of a functioning left hemisphere, there was notable selective sparing of higher cortical functions, apparently due to the right hemisphere's assumption of control of functions that would otherwise be mediated by the left hemisphere. The pattern of performance suggested that two factors limited right hemispheric compensation: (a) the degree of normal bilateral representation of a function, and (b) an upper limit on the number of functions that can be mediated within a single hemisphere.