cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dual role of Response gene to complement-32 in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Response gene to complement (RGC)-32 is a novel molecule that plays an important role in cell proliferation. We investigated the expression of RGC-32 in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. We found that CD3 + , CD68 + , and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) + cells in MS plaques co-localized with RGC-32. Our results show a statistically significant decrease in RGC-32 mRNA expression in PBMCs during relapses when compared to the levels in stable MS patients. This decrease might be useful in predicting disease activity in patients with relapsing–remitting MS. RGC-32 expression was also correlated with that of FasL mRNA during relapses. FasL mRNA expression was significantly reduced after RGC-32 silencing, indicating a role for RGC-32 in the regulation of FasL expression. In addition, the expression of Akt1, cyclin D1, and IL-21 mRNA was significantly increased during MS relapses when compared to levels in healthy controls. Furthermore, we investigated the role of RGC-32 in TGF-β-induced extracellular matrix expression in astrocytes. Blockage of RGC-32 using small interfering RNA significantly inhibits TGF-β induction of procollagen I, fibronectin and of the reactive astrocyte marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Our data suggest that RGC-32 plays a dual role in MS, both as a regulator of T-cells mediated apoptosis and as a promoter of TGF-β-mediated profibrotic effects in astrocytes.
3-D Video Modeling

Motion picture studios and equipment are out of reach for most people putting together presentations that include moving imagery. Fortunately, the presentation designer can draw upon a vast and constantly growing pool of film and video footage. 3-D Video Modeling augments the footage with a 3D structural model of the set where the footage was filmed. The model can be used as a description of the footage to aid in cataloging, referencing and retrieving the footage. The footage and model together can be used to create new footage, freeing the designer from decisions made by the film maker. Objects can be altered (such as by colorization) or entirely replaced, the camera's position can be changed, the lighting can be modified, and the depth of field can be narrowed, creating a focus pull in post-production.
Plasma resist image stabilization technique (PRIST)

PRIST, using a fluorocarbon plasma, effectively stabilizes the developed resist image in the production of integrated circuits. This plasma treatment, which is done at low power for a short time, allows the resist to be baked in excess of 210°C with no measurable change in dimensions. This phenomenon is attributed to the change in thermal properties of the resist surface effected by the active fluorine and fluorocarbon species generated in the plasma.
Regulation of fish reproduction by a predatory gastropod: an experimental investigation of indirect effects in a seagrass community

Abstract The indirect effects of the horse conch, a predatory gastropod, on reproduction in a suite of fishes that use the shells of the gastropod's main prey (the pen shell Atrina rigida (Sol.)) as nest sites in St. Joseph Bay, Florida, was investigated by examining the two links (direct interactions) that create the indirect effect. The horse conch–A. rigida predator–prey interaction was quantified by measuring predator feeding rate and distribution across a range of prey density. To determine the effect of A. rigida mortality on fish reproduction, the rate of shell availability was experimentally manipulated and egg production measured in four fish species. Horse conch feeding rate and distribution were not functions of prey density, but A. rigida mortality was correlated with conch abundance, supporting previous evidence that horse conchs regulate new shell availability. Increased rates of shell availability caused increases in the number of clutches laid and average clutch size in one fish species, Chasmodes saburrae Jordan & Gilbert, probably because new shells provide a greater surface area for eggs compared to older shells. These results suggest that horse conchs indirectly affect C. saburrae reproduction both at the level of the individual (clutch size) and the population (egg production) by regulating the availability of new shells. Because prey density had little effect on the predator, variation in the indirect effect of conchs on fish reproduction will be primarily influenced by the distribution of the predator, not A. rigida.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations with Interaction Potentials Including Polarization Development of a Noniterative Method and Application to Water

Abstract A general method is suggested for the implementation of polarization in molecular dynamics simulations of small molecules. Induced dipole moments are evaluated on selected polarizability centers and represented by separation of charges. The positive polarization charges reside on the selected atoms. The negative polarization charges are treated as additional particles. The positions of these polarization charges are determined from the electrical fields due to the permanent charges of the system. Thus the induction is treated explicitly, while the higher order contributions, the polarization due to induced dipoles, are taken into account in an average way by modification of potential parameters. The forces can be evaluated for the new charge distribution in the conventional way. As an illustration of this approach initial results are reported for the development of a polarizable water model. The higher order polarization is treated in an average way by slight increase of the permanent charges as ...
A head-mounted display holder for eye movement recording

A lightweight head-mounted display holder is described which eliminates the need to hold the head fixed during eye movement recording. A comparison of this device with a standard fixed-head condition indicates that performance is comparable under the two conditions but that subjects report less discomfort with the head-mounted display holder.
Airspace Surface Chemistry Mediates O3-Induced Lung Injury

Ozone (O3) produces diverse pulmonary pathophysiologies but with marked heterogeneities relative to species, age, anatomic site, disease, and exposure history. These pronounced susceptibility variations have remained largely undefined. We have postulated that interactions between inhaled O3 and the airspace surfaces appreciably govern the distribution and extent of lung injury. O3 displays unique absorption properties wherein chemical reaction with the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) maintains the net flux from the gas phase and couples O3 uptake with the generation of products that lead to cell injury. Diversities in respiratory tract geometry and interfacial physicochemical conditions leads to spatially heterogeneous rates of O3 flux into the ELF which combine with the local production of bioactive species to dictate the local dose. We have observed that both the uptake and distribution of acute epithelial injury is principally localized to the conducting airways. O3 preferentially reacts with ELF ascorbi...
Effect of Dietary Concentration of Total Nonstructural Carbohydrate on Energy and Nitrogen Metabolism and Milk Production of Dairy Cows

Two complete blended diets with a ratio of concentrate: silage dry matter of 60:40 were fed to 12 Holstein cows in the first 12 wk of lactation in an incomplete changeover arrangement of treatments. Diets differed (dry basis) in content of total nonstructural carbohydrate (24.9% versus 32.9%), neutral detergent fiber (37.0% versus 32.1%), and hemicellulose (19.6% versus 15.7%) but were similar in amounts of lignin, crude protein, soluble nitrogen, and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen. The diet with more total nonstructural carbohydrate was associated with greater dry matter intake as a percentage of body weight and greater yields of milk and solids-not-fat. Cellulose digestibility and mean rumen ammonia concentration were lower with this diet. Despite similar protein solubilities, the diet with more total nonstructural carbohydrate contained more rumen degradable nitrogen (80% versus 60%) but similar amounts of rumen degradable dry matter (82% versus 79%). The metabolizable energy of this diet was used more efficiently for the combined functions of maintenance and production, and net energy for lactation was larger (2.2 versus 1.9 Mcal/kg dry matter), as measured calorimetrically.
Anorectal function in fluctuating (on-off) Parkinson's disease: Evaluation by combined anorectal manometry and electromyography

Anorectal dysfunction and constipation are well recognized in Parkinson's disease and may reflect the direct involvement of the gastrointestinal tract by the primary Parkinson's disease process. We hypothesized, therefore, that anorectal function would alter in parallel with fluctuations in motor function related to on- and off-periods in Parkinson's disease, and employed combined anorectal manometry and electromyography to investigate anorectal function during both on- and off-periods in patients with Parkinson's disease. Manometric recordings revealed a deterioration in voluntary sphincter squeeze during off-periods (squeeze index, on versus off, mean +/- SEM: 46.4 +/- 11.1 versus 29.6 +/- 7.9 mm Hg, p < 0.05); correspondingly, simultaneous electromyographic (EMG) recordings showed poor recruitment of external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscles during off-periods. A hypercontractile ("paradoxical") rectosphincteric reflex response occurred during both on- and off-periods, and was associated with an increase in EMG activity in the external sphincter and/or the puborectalis muscle. These changes in manometric and EMG parameters paralleled changes in overall motor function. These findings provide further support for the involvement of the pelvic floor musculature in the Parkinson's disease process and also provide EMG correlates for some of the manometric abnormalities described in Parkinson's disease.
On Poisson Approximations for Superposition Arrival Processes in Queues

We report on simulations of ΣiGIi/M/1 queues; the arrival process is the superposition sum of up to 1024 i.i.d. renewal processes and there is a single exponential server. As one might anticipate, the simulation estimate of the expected number of customers in a ΣiGIi/M/1 queueing system approaches the expected number in an M/M/1 queueing system as the number of arrival processes, n, increases. However, for a given n, the difference between the expected numbers in the M/M/1 and ΣiGIi/M/1 queueing systems dramatically increases as the traffic intensity increases from I = 0.5 to I = 0.9. This difference is approximated by a formula which is a function of the traffic intensity, the number of component arrival processes and the squared coefficient of variation of the component interarrival times.
Evaluating college campus closings for the 1980s: A case application of an optimization model

Institutional administrators, faculty, state planners, and legislatures have little analytical basis available to help them cope with the expected excess higher education capacity of the 1980s. Without objective criteria, state planners and legislatures are likely to propose across-the-board reductions even if it were preferable to close some institutions and expand others. This study is a case application of an optimization model to two community colleges in northern Minnesota. Using estimated enrollment demand functions and readily available data on size, quality, and costs, this model is designed to assist policymakers in identifying overbuilt institutions and programs that should be closed. The state's objective in the model is to satisfy specified proportions of enrollment demand with a minimum expenditure of state funds.
Sorption and mineral equilibria controls on moisture chemistry in a C-horizon soil

Abstract A study was made of the chemistry of soil moisture collected over a period of 12 months from sandy loam soils in central Pennsylvania. Samples were taken at depths of from 1 to 9 m by means of suction lysimeters. The prevalent chemical character of soil moisture was generally Ca 2+ > Na + > Mg 2+ ≈ K + , with HCO − 3 > Cl − > SO 2− 4 ≈ NO − 3 on both a mole and weight basis. Soil-moisture pH ranged from 5.20 to 6.74. Dissolved silica averaged 54 mg/l (as SiO 2 ) and was as high as 117 mg/l. The specific conductance ranged from 20 to 400 μS/cm. Total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water increased with decreasing atmospheric precipitation and increasing temperature. This was due to evapotranspiration, which increased TDS directly, and also indirectly by reducing soil relative permeabilities and increasing the contact time between soil minerals and water. A secondary cause was greater precipitation acidity during the warmer months and during periods of lower precipitation. Soil colloids are predominantly Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxides, with usually smaller amounts of illite and kaolinite. Total cation exchange capacity is 2–3 meq./100 g. Regression analysis of dissolved-ion activities showed that the aquo-cations are strongly buffered by Donnan equilibrium and selective adsorption with selectivities in the order K + > H + > Mg 2+ > Ca 2+ . Calculation of the degree of saturation of the soil moisture with respect to soil minerals showed that the soil moisture is undersaturated with respect to calcite, dolomite, amorphous silica and illite, and super-saturated with respect to quartz and probably also kaolinite. Sorption equilibria controlled major-cation concentrations at all depths in the soil, whereas solution-mineral equilibria did not limit concentrations of these cations.
Hölder and LP Estimates for a Local Solution of ∂b at Top Degree

It is shown here that the kernels for ∂b developed by Treves yield local solutions for top forms with a gain in regularity.
Fast penetration depth estimation using rasterization hardware and hierarchical refinement

We present a novel and fast algorithm to estimate penetration depth (PD) between two polyhedral models. Given two overlapping polyhedra, it computes the minimal translational distance to separate them using a combination of discretized computations and hierarchical refinement. The algorithm computes pair-wise Minkowski sums of decomposed convex pieces, performs closest point query using rasterization hardware, and refines the estimated PD by incremental walking. It uses bounding volume hierarchies, model simplification, and culling algorithms to further accelerate the computation and refines the estimated PD in a hierarchical manner. We highlight its performance on complex models.
Dislocations at spinel surfaces

Abstract The structure of evaporation patterns created by stationary and moving dislocations which terminate on the (0 0 1) surface of MgAl 2 O 4 is discussed. When the Burgers vectors of the dislocations are inclined with respect to the (0 0 1) crystal plane, these dislocations create evaporation patterns in the form of double spirals. The double evaporation spirals develop through the synergistic rotation of pairs of 2-A-high half-ledges originating at the dislocation termination points. The dislocations, whose Burgers vectors lie in the (0 0 1) crystal plane, do not form spirals when terminating on the (0 0 1) surface, but may create kinks in the surface steps. The presence of the dislocation-related kinks causes local cusping of the surface steps.
A Practical Method for Automatic Real-Time EEG Sleep State Analysis

A computer system for real-time analysis of the electroencephalograph (EEG) is described. The system performs continuous analysis, with graphic, analog, and tabular outputs, and storage of selected samples on disk for off-line analysis. Implemented mostly in high-level software, it is based on a two-component model of the signal in which waves are detected by a combination zero-crossing and peak detection algorithm. Each sample is classified by a pattern recognition scheme into one of several classes on the basis of the frequency distribution of waves; the classes correspond to normal sleep-awake states. Samples are taken ten times per minute and tabulated once per minute to provide a concise quantified history which is well suited to long-term EEG studies. Alternate independent information channels allow verification of results. Samples stored on disk may be grouped and averaged for statistical comparisons of EEG signal characteristics. The state classification algorithm has been tailored to the EEG of the cat; the results of a series of 7-8 day sleep studies are presented.
Rates of decomposition of ribose and other sugars: implications for chemical evolution

The existence of the RNA world, in which RNA acted as a catalyst as well as an informational macromolecule, assumes a large prebiotic source of ribose or the existence of pre-RNA molecules with backbones different from ribose-phosphate. The generally accepted prebiotic synthesis of ribose, the formose reaction, yields numerous sugars without any selectivity. Even if there were a selective synthesis of ribose, there is still the problem of stability. Sugars are known to be unstable in strong acid or base, but there are few data for neutral solutions. Therefore, we have measured the rate of decomposition of ribose between pH 4 and pH 8 from 40 degrees C to 120 degrees C. The ribose half-lives are very short (73 min at pH 7.0 and 100 degrees C and 44 years at pH 7.0 and 0 degrees C). The other aldopentoses and aldohexoses have half-lives within an order of magnitude of these values, as do 2-deoxyribose, ribose 5-phosphate, and ribose 2,4-bisphosphate. These results suggest that the backbone of the first genetic material could not have contained ribose or other sugars because of their instability.
Characteristics of the Ca2+ spike and oscillations induced by different doses of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in individual pituitary cells and nonexcitable cells transfected with TRH receptor complementary deoxyribonucleic acid

The Ca2+ response of individual cells to TRH was investigated in excitable pituitary GH3 and in nonexcitable Hela cells transfected with the TRH receptor complementary DNA (HelaR cells). GH3 cells typically responded to 1 microM TRH with an immediate transient [Ca2+]i spike (mean peak [Ca2+]i = 1.5 microM) followed by a period of inactivity of approximately 100 sec long and then a secondary increase in [Ca2+]i with oscillations. At 10-100 nM TRH, the initial [Ca2+]i spike was more prolonged and immediately followed by a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i. At 0.5-1 nM TRH, there was a variable lag before any response; the initial [Ca2+]i spike was absent or small, but the sustained phase was still present. The second phase of elevated [Ca2+]i, which could be eliminated with nimodipine or chelation of extracellular Ca2+, gave a bell-shaped TRH dose response curve. The effect of TRH on Ca2+ oscillations depended both on TRH concentration and the basal oscillation frequency. HelaR cells responded to 1 microM TRH with a rapid [Ca2+]i spike, and at less than or equal to 10 nM TRH, up to 50% of HelaR cells displayed agonist-induced sinusoidal [Ca2+]i oscillations independent of extracellular Ca2+. TRH never caused a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i in HelaR cells. For GH3 and HelaR cells, the peak [Ca2+]i response increased with TRH concentration up to 1 microM. In contrast, the duration of the initial [Ca2+]i spike was shorter at higher TRH concentrations, decreasing from 16 to 6.3 s (GH3) or 92 to 35 s (HelaR) between 0.5 nM and 1 microM TRH. This shortening of the spike duration was caused by rapid clearing of cytoplasmic Ca2+ that depended primarily on agonist concentration. In summary, TRH stimulates a complex [Ca2+]i response pattern dependent upon both the agonist concentration and cell context. The initial burst of Ca2+ is cleared in part by agonist dependent Ca2+ clearing.
Cell-based Meniscal Tissue Engineering: A Case for Synoviocytes

Background Avascular meniscal injuries are largely incapable of healing; the most common treatment remains partial meniscectomy despite the risk of subsequent osteoarthritis. Meniscal responses to injury are partially mediated through synovial activity and strategies have been investigated to encourage healing through stimulating or transplanting adjacent synovial lining. However, with their potential for chondrogenesis, synovial fibroblast-like stem cells hold promise for meniscal cartilage tissue engineering.
Interatomic correlation energy and the van der Waals attraction between two helium atoms

Abstract A priori calculations have been carried out on He-He for 26 internuclear separations between 3.0 and 10.0 bohrs. The interatomic correlation energy is added to the Hartree-Fock energy to predict a potential energy curve. The calculated potential parameters are ϵ = 12.02°K, σ = 2.608 A, R e = 2.944 A. Predicted values of the coefficients C 6 and C 8 are within 7% and 3% of the accepted values. The interatomic correlation energy is divided into contributions from atomic and molecular orbitals of different symmetry types.
Architecting a System of Systems Responding to Maritime Domain Terrorism by Orthogonal Array Experiment

In this work we solve the problem of architecting a conceptual, cost-effective, near-term system of systems (SoS) to respond to terrorist threats to the United States emanating from the maritime domain. The threats include a weapon of mass destruction smuggled on a container ship, a commandeered ship used as a weapon, and small boats used by terrorists to attack maritime commerce traffic and critical shore infrastructures. We formulate the problem as an assignment problem, which is then solved using the orthogonal array experiment. The optimality of the resulting SoS architecture is validated against a heuristically developed architecture and an optimal effective, but not necessarily cost-effective, architecture obtained also with the orthogonal array experiment approach. The principal results of the orthogonal array experiment method reported herein underline this successful exploratory work in architecting an SoS. This method can be extended to architecting of other systems of systems.
Yoga Practice May Buffer the Deleterious Effects of Abuse on Women's Self-Concept and Dysfunctional Coping

Women who experienced abuse as children or adults can suffer from symptoms such as dissociations, physiological regulation difficulties, and mood disturbances that might not respond to traditional interventions. Given the benefits of yoga, we hypothesized that yoga practice would ameliorate the negative impact of abuse on psychological functioning. Our findings suggest that frequent yoga practice might ameliorate the negative impact of abuse history on self-concept and coping skills. In addition, our findings suggest that women who incorporate yoga into other areas of life could get the greatest psychological benefits. Given the preliminary nature of this study, further research into the benefits of yoga on women who have child or adult abuse histories is warranted.
Sn3F3PO4: The product of the reaction between stannous fluoride and hydroxyapatite

Abstract Sn 3 F 3 PO 4 has been identified as one of the main products of the reaction between stannous fluoride and carious dentine. This same compound also results from the reaction of stannous fluoride with (a) sound dentine, (b) enamel, and (c) synthetic hydroxyapatite. The morphologic changes on enamel surfaces and in carious dentine described previously may be explained in part by the transformation of hydroxyapatite into Sn 3 F 3 PO 4 .
An object-based conceptual framework and computational method for representing and analyzing coastal morphological changes

This article presents an object-based conceptual framework and numerical algorithms for representing and analyzing coastal morphological and volumetric changes based on repeat airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) surveys. This method identifies and delineates individual zones of erosion and deposition as discrete objects. The explicit object representation of erosion and deposition zones is consistent with the perception and cognition of human analysts and geomorphologists. The extracted objects provide ontological and epistemological foundation to localize, represent, and interpret erosion and deposition patches for better coastal resource management and erosion control. The discrete objects are much better information carriers than the grid cells in the field-based representation of source data. A set of spatial and volumetric attributes are derived to characterize and quantify location, area, shape, orientation, depth, volume, and other properties of erosion and deposition objects. Compared with the conventional cell-by-cell differencing approaches, our object-based method gives a concise and high-level representation of information and knowledge about coastal morphological dynamics. The derived attributes enable the discrimination of true morphological changes from artifacts caused by data noise and processing errors. Furthermore, the concise object representation of erosion and deposition zones facilitates overlay analysis in conjunction with other GIS data layers for understanding the causes and impacts of morphological and volumetric changes. We have implemented a software tool for our object-based morphological analysis, which will be freely available for the public. An example is used to demonstrate the utility and effectiveness of this new method.
ALTERATIONS IN STATE OF MOLECULAR AGGREGATION OF COLLAGEN INDUCED IN CHICK EMBRYOS BY ß-AMINOPROPIONITRILE (LATHYRUS FACTOR)

The lathyrogenic agents, s-aminopropionitrile and semicarbizide, when applied to the chorio-allantoic membrane of the chick embryo produced a dramatic increase in fragility of the embryo. This alteration was not associated with a change in the concentration of collagen, except in aorta, but was accompanied by a sharp increase in the amount of collagen extractible in cold 1 M NaCl from skin, bone, and aorta. Increase in fragility and extractible collagen began within 3 hours after introduction of the agent and rose steadily for at least 72 hours. Essentially no collagen could be extracted from tissues of normal chick embryos. Both fragility and amount of extractible collagen were dosage- and time-dependent. It is concluded that the extractible collagen in lathyrism consists of a large proportion of dissolved fibers previously insoluble and formed prior to administration of the agent. The data also suggest that the "lathyritic" collagen in vivo is not in molecular dispersion but in an aggregate or fibrillar form. It is dispersed by cooling. The extracted collagen could be reconstituted to typical striated fibrils in vitro and the molecule appeared to be normal in the gross, with regard to asymmetry ratio and intramolecular helical structure. The evidence at hand suggests that at least one of the defects induced by lathyrogenic agents is an interference with the normal intermolecular cross-linking within the collagen fibril.
Non-invasive determination of conjugative transfer of plasmids bearing antibiotic-resistance genes in biofilm-bound bacteria: effects of substrate loading and antibiotic selection

Biofilms cause much of all human microbial infections. Attempts to eradicate biofilm-based infections rely on disinfectants and antibiotics. Unfortunately, biofilm bacteria are significantly less responsive to antibiotic stressors than their planktonic counterparts. Sublethal doses of antibiotics can actually enhance biofilm formation. Here, we have developed a non-invasive microscopic image analyses to quantify plasmid conjugation within a developing biofilm. Corroborating destructive samples were analyzed by a cultivation-independent flow cytometry analysis and a selective plate count method to cultivate transconjugants. Increases in substrate loading altered biofilm 3-D architecture and subsequently affected the frequency of plasmid conjugation (decreases at least two times) in the absence of any antibiotic selective pressure. More importantly, donor populations in biofilms exposed to a sublethal dose of kanamycin exhibited enhanced transfer efficiency of plasmids containing the kanamycin resistance gene, up to tenfold. However, when stressed with a different antibiotic, imipenem, transfer of plasmids containing the kanR+ gene was not enhanced. These preliminary results suggest biofilm bacteria “sense” antibiotics to which they are resistant, which enhances the spread of that resistance. Confocal scanning microscopy coupled with our non-invasive image analysis was able to estimate plasmid conjugative transfer efficiency either averaged over the entire biofilm landscape or locally with individual biofilm clusters.
Cognitive impairment and outcomes in older adult survivors of acute myocardial infarction: findings from the translational research investigating underlying disparities in acute myocardial infarction patients' health status registry.

Background Cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are prevalent in older adults; however, the association of CIND with outcomes after AMI is unknown. Methods We used a multicenter registry to study 772 patients ≥65 years with AMI, enrolled between April 2005 and December 2008, who underwent cognitive function assessment with the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified (TICS-m) 1 month after AMI. Patients were categorized by cognitive status to describe characteristics and in-hospital treatment, including quality of life and survival 1 year after AMI. Results Mean age was 73.2 ± 6.3 years; 58.5% were men, and 78.2% were white. Normal cognitive function (TICS-m >22) was present in 44.4%; mild CIND (TICS-m 19-22) in 29.8%; and moderate/severe CIND (TICS-m P P = .002) and cardiac rehabilitation referrals ( P P = .054; referent normal, TICS-m >22). Quality of life across cognitive status was similar at 1 year. Conclusions Most older patients surviving AMI have measurable CIND. Cognitive impairment without dementia was associated with less invasive care, less referral and participation in cardiac rehabilitation, and worse risk-adjusted 1-year survival in those with moderate/severe CIND, making it an important condition to consider in optimizing AMI care.
DEVELOPMENT OF A PICTURE OF THE VAN DER WAALS INTERACTION ENERGY BETWEEN CLUSTERS OF NANOMETER-RANGE PARTICLES

The importance of the long-range Lifshitz--van der Waals interaction energy between condensed bodies is well known. However, its implementation for interacting bodies that are highly irregular and separated by distances varying from contact to micrometers has received little attention. As part of a study of collisions of irregular aerosol particles, an approach based on the Lifshitz theory of van der Waals interaction has been developed to compute the interaction energy between a sphere and an aggregate of spheres at all separations. In the first part of this study, the iterated sum-over-dipole interactions between pairs of approximately spherical molecular clusters are compared with the Lifshitz and Lifshitz-Hamaker interaction energies for continuum spheres of radii equal to those of the clusters' circumscribed spheres and of the same masses as the clusters. The Lifshitz energy is shown to converge to the iterated dipolar energy for quasispherical molecular clusters for sufficiently large separations, while the energy calculated by using the Lifshitz-Hamaker approach does not. Next, the interaction energies between a contacting pair of these molecular clusters and a third cluster in different relative positions are calculated first by coupling all molecules in the three-cluster system and second by ignoring the interactions between the molecules of the adhering clusters. The error calculated by this omission is shown to be very small, and is an indication of the error in computing the long-range interaction energy between a pair of interacting spheres and a third sphere as a simple sum over the Lifshitz energies between individual, condensed-matter spheres. This Lifshitz energy calculation is then combined with the short-separation, nonsingular van der Waals energy calculation of Lu, Marlow, and Arunachalam, to provide an integrated picture of the van der Waals energy from large separations to contact.
Paclitaxel and docetaxel photoaffinity labels

Abstract The synthesis and in vitro evaluation of four novel 3-azidobenzoyl photoaffinity analogues of paclitaxel and docetaxel is detailed. Due to their good to excellent ability to stimulate the assembly of microtubules they have potential as photoaffinity probes.
Decomposition of overlapping plasmagram peaks by spectral subtraction

Low field atmospheric pressure Ion Mobility Spectroscopy (IMS) involves the careful analysis of plasmagrams with multiple peaks which can mask one another when they are closely spaced in drift time or corresponding reduced mobility. A typical signal processing approach to decomposing overlapped peaks would be to use an orthogonal decomposition technique, but unfortunately Gaussian-like functions are not orthogonal, so no unique decomposition can be guaranteed. However, each ion species in the drift tube will arrive at the Faraday plate with a known statistical distribution determined by the IMS instrument’s drift tube design, electric field strength, reagent gas flow and other instrument-specific factors such as the ion gate function. This paper presents a straightforward algorithm for decomposing plasmagrams into distinct peaks using a subtractive technique that independently estimates the statistical parameters of each peak, rejecting spurious peaks and electrical noise. The results show that for relatively short gate times, the plasmagram peaks are nearly Gaussian-shaped, but slightly fatter and asymmetric. We show that including of the gate rise and fall times is also significant in matching the plasmagram peak shape. We also show that the diffusion effects on resolution can be attributed to combinations of non-uniform ion distributions in the reaction chamber as well as detritus effects in the drift tube. Given the known peaks statistical parameters, one can then separate overlapping peaks using a straightforward spectral subtractive technique.
Automated assignment of charge states from resolved isotopic peaks for multiply charged ions

The recent proliferation of electrospray as an ionization method has greatly increased the ability to perform analyses of large biomolecules by using mass spectrometry. The major advantage of electrospray is the ability to produce multiply charged ions, which brings large molecules down to a mass-to-charge ratio range amenable to most instruments. Multiple charging is also a disadvantage because mass (m) becomes ambiguous unless charge (z) can be assigned. This is typically performed with simple algorithms that use multiple peaks of the same m and different z, but these methods are difficult to apply to complex mixtures and not applicable when only one z appears for each m. The use of mass analyzers with higher resolving powers, like the Fourier transform mass spectrometer, allows resolution of isotopic peaks, providing an internal 1-Da mass scale that can be used for unambiguous charge assignment. Manual assignment of charge state from the isotopic peaks is time consuming and becomes inaccurate when either the signal level or resolving power are low. For these cases, computer algorithms based on pattern recognition techniques have been developed to assist in assignment of charge states to isotopic clusters. These routines provide for more rapid analysis with higher accuracy than available manually.
Effect of pump flow rate on cerebral blood flow during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in adults

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass flow rate on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen during hypothermic (27°C) cardiopulmonary bypass. Design, Setting, and Participants: The investigation was a prospective, randomized study in a tertiary care hospital setting. The 30 participants were volunteer adult cardiac surgical patients at a single institution. Interventions: The N20 saturation method of Kety and Schmidt was used to determine global cerebral blood flow and metabolic rate during four periods: prebypass, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (27°C) flow rates of 2.3 and 1.2 L/min/m2, and 30 minutes post-CPB. Anesthesia consisted of fentanyl and midazolam; pH management was a-stat, and mean arterial pressure was maintained at 50 to 70 mmHg throughout CPB. Measurements and Main Results: In the context of an unchanged mean arterial pressure, the pump flow did not affect cerebral blood flow or metabolic rate during hypothermic CPB. Systemic venous oxygen saturation was also maintained during reduced flow at 27°C. Hemodilution during hypothermic CPB maintained cerebral blood flow at prebypass levels. In the postbypass period, persistent hemodilution resulted in an elevated cerebral blood flow. Conclusions: Brain oxygenation is well maintained at lower than conventional pump flow levels during CPB. There may be practical advantages to reduced flows during hypothermia, and flow reductions do not appear to adversely affect cerebral blood flow or metabolism.
The relationship between service customers' quality assurance behaviors, satisfaction, and effort: A cost of quality perspective

Abstract The overarching purpose of this article is to deepen understanding of customers' roles in service quality assurance. Customers engage in quality assurance behaviors in attempts to increase their satisfaction and to recover from service failures. The non-monetary costs incurred by customers who engage in these behaviors represent largely overlooked costs of quality that can and should be factored into service design and management. Four customer costs of service quality are identified using a critical incident methodology to classify service customers' quality assurance behaviors. Then, relationships between customers' quality assurance behaviors and reported levels of effort and satisfaction are tested to better understand the implications of the typology. Finally, we provide some initial suggestions for integrating the quality assurance behaviors of customers with the service management activities of service providers.
Do environmental treaties matter

This paper examines a two-country model where each country produces a negative global externality. The results indicate that a locally oriented country has an incentive to negotiate a treaty with the other, however, the outcome is not a globally optimal one. Additionally, this paper demonstrates that when a locally oriented country operates with complete ignorance regarding the other country's intentions, a result approximating global optimum occurs.
Mathematical advances and horizons for classical and quantum-perturbed drift-diffusion systems: solid state devices and beyond

The classical drift-diffusion model employed in semi-conductor simulation is now seen as part of a hierarchy of mathematical models designed to capture the intricate patterns of current flow in solid-state devices. These models include those incorporating quantum mechanical effects. Scientific computation has vastly outpaced our mathematical understanding of these models. This article is restricted in its focus, and describes mathematical understanding achieved during the last few decades primarily in terms of Gummel decomposition, as applied to drift-diffusion models and the closely related family of quantum corrected drift-diffusion models. Drift-diffusion models are being employed once again in organic devices, and in bio-chip devices, and a re-examination is now seen as timely, as such studies proceed beyond solid state devices.
Migration transition in small Northern and Eastern Caribbean states.

PIP: 1 area of intra-Caribbean migration that has been overlooked is the "migration transition"--the transformation of rapidly modernizing societies from net labor exporters to net labor importers. This article assembles 8 case studies to 1) briefly present a spectrum of migration experiences in the Caribbean, 2) uncover some transitions under way, 3) pinpoint the forces that underlie the migration transition, and 4) point out some of the more important policy implications of labor migration reversals. The 8 island societies sampled for illustration purposes include 1) the Bahamas and the US Virgin Islands as post-migration transition societies (Zelinsky's advanced society), 2) the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands as undergoing transition (Zelinsky's late transitional society), and 3) Anguilla, St. Kitts-Nevis, Turks and Caicos, and Montserrat as premigration transition societies (Zelinsky's early transitional society). Population data for the islands were derived primarily from the West Indian censuses and government statistics. These 8 historical sketches reveal certain commonalities. All are at various stages in a long-term economic restructuring to displace traditional staple crops with more income elastic, high value export services. In such societies, population growth and progress along the migration transition is an increasing function of this kind of successful export substitution. In addition, along the migration and economic transitions, such insular economies exhibit a relatively large public sector (20-30% of all activity), declining unemployment, increasing fiscal autonomy, and are committed to a development strategy remarkably similar to the "successful" model of the Bahamas and the US Virgin Islands. Cursory evidence suggests that, because of intersectoral competition for land and labor, there is an inverse relationship between farm effort/manufacturing employment and tourism intensity. This review suggests that small islands undergoing rapid growth imperatives also experience a similar set of self-reinforcing socioeconomic and environmental imbalances. Particularly for post-transition and transition societies, these spillovers include increasing real estate speculation and inflation because of tourism and the allied development of retirement colonies of affluent North Americans, wage pressures and skilled manpower shortages, and increasing vulnerability to international business cycles.
Reading without saccadic eye movements

To assess the limitation on reading speed imposed by saccadic eye movements, we measured reading speed in 13 normally-sighted observers using two modes of text presentations: PAGE text which presents an entire passage conventionally in static, paragraph format, and rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) which presents text sequentially, one word at a time at the same location in the visual field. In Expt 1, subjects read PAGE and RSVP text orally across a wide range of letter sizes (2X to 32X single-letter acuity) and reading speed was computed from the number of correct words read per minute. Reading speeds were consistently faster for RSVP compared to PAGE text at all letter sizes tested. The average speeds for text of an intermediate letter size (8X acuity) were 1171 words/min for RSVP and 303 words/min for PAGE text. In Expt 2 subjects read PAGE and RSVP text silently and a multiple-choice comprehension test was administered after each passage. All subjects continued to read RSVP text faster, and 6 subjects read at the maximum testable rate (1652 words/min) with at least 75% correct on the comprehension tests. Experiment 3 assessed the minimum word exposure time required for decoding text using RSVP to minimize potential delays due to saccadic eye movement control. Successive words were presented for a fixed duration (word duration) with a blank interval (ISI) between words. The minimum word duration required for accurate oral reading averaged 69.4 msec and was not reduced by increasing ISI. We interpret these results as an indication that the programming and execution of saccadic eye movements impose an upper limit on conventional reading speed.
Neural network-based QSAR and insecticide discovery: spinetoram

Improvements in the efficacy and spectrum of the spinosyns, novel fermentation derived insecticide, has long been a goal within Dow AgroSciences. As large and complex fermentation products identifying specific modifications to the spinosyns likely to result in improved activity was a difficult process, since most modifications decreased the activity. A variety of approaches were investigated to identify new synthetic directions for the spinosyn chemistry including several explorations of the quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) of spinosyns, which initially were unsuccessful. However, application of artificial neural networks (ANN) to the spinosyn QSAR problem identified new directions for improved activity in the chemistry, which subsequent synthesis and testing confirmed. The ANN-based analogs coupled with other information on substitution effects resulting from spinosyn structure activity relationships lead to the discovery of spinetoram (XDE-175). Launched in late 2007, spinetoram provides both improved efficacy and an expanded spectrum while maintaining the exceptional environmental and toxicological profile already established for the spinosyn chemistry.
Comparison of different distortional hardening models suitable for the analysis of magnesium

HCP metals such as magnesium are characterized by a strong interplay between dislocation slip and deformation-induced twinning. These micromechanical processes result in a complex macroscopic behavior. More precisely, in addition to classical isotropic and kinematic hardening, the shape of the macroscopic yield function changes during deformation as well. This effect which is frequently referred to as distortional hardening is particularly pronounced in case of non-radial loading paths typical for most forming processes. Consequently, a physically sound distortional hardening is of utmost importance for several technically relevant applications. In the present contribution, three different of such enhanced hardening models are critically analyzed. Focus is on the modeling of magnesium. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Circumcision, sexual dysfunction and the child's best interests: why the anatomical details matter

In his contribution to the Journal of Medical Ethics , Joseph Mazor1 makes a logical case, based on the premises underlying his reasoning, for his article's primary thesis: he concludes that parents have the prerogative to determine the ‘best interests’ of their infant son in a circumcision decision. If the facts of the matter were ultimately no different from what he adduces, one could admit the soundness of his argument. But the paper is flawed by some questionable assumptions and grievous incompleteness. First, the author insufficiently explores the profound implications of a serious equivocation in the term ‘circumcision’ that is common throughout the literature. He does superficially reference the article on ‘Circumcision’ in The Jewish Encyclopedia , which describes in detail the actual steps involved in brit milah versus brit periah .2 Despite this general allusion, though, he hardly discusses the matter further, as though the distinction were practically irrelevant. It does have fundamental import, however. Milah is merely a token clip of the very tip (the overhang flap or akroposthion ) of the prepuce, which leaves most of the organ system (including all its essential functions) intact. This was evidently the version practiced in biblical times under the old Abrahamic–Mosaic covenant, before the Talmudic guardians of Judaic ethnic and religious identity proposed (around 150 AD) a means to prevent Hellinising Jewish men from attempting foreskin restoration by stretching their remaining preputial tissue forward. The rabbis mandated the replacement of milah with the more drastic procedure of periah , a radical surgery that cuts and tears from the penis its entire covering, leaving the glans irreversibly denuded. Unlike traditional milah , the innovation of periah necessarily has significant adverse consequences (delineated below). Second, Mazor concedes that circumcision ( periah ) might cause a ‘moderate’ reduction of sexual pleasure in the lad's …