cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probing the mechanisms of an air amplifier using a LTQ-FT-ICR-MS and fluorescence spectroscopy

We report the first quantitative assessment of electrosprayed droplet/ion focusing enabled by the use of a voltage-assisted air amplifier between an electrospray ionization emitter and a hybrid linear ion trap Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (ESI-LTQ-FT-ICR-MS). A solution of fluorescent dye was electrosprayed with a stainless steel mesh screen placed in front of the MS inlet capillary acting as a gas-permeable imaging plate for fluorescence spectroscopy. Without use of the air amplifier, no detectable FT-ICR signal was observed, as well as no detectable fluorescence on the screen upon imaging using a fluorescence scanner. When the air amplifier was turned ON while electrospraying the fluorescent dye, FT-ICR mass spectra with high signal to noise ratio were obtained with an average ion injection time of 21 ms for an AGC target value of 5 × 105. Imaging of the screen using a fluorescence scanner produced a distinct spot of cross-sectional area ∼33.5 mm2 in front of the MS inlet capillary. These experimental results provide direct evidence of aerodynamic focusing of electrosprayed droplets/ions enabled by an air amplifier, resulting in improved electrospray droplet/ion capture efficiency and reduced ion injection time. A second set of experiments was carried out to explore whether the air amplifier assists in desolvation. By electrospraying a mix of quaternary amines, ratios of increasingly hydrophobic molecules were obtained. Observation of the solvophobic effect associated with electrospray ionization resulted in a higher abundance of the hydrophobic molecule. This bias was eliminated when the air amplifier was turned ON and a response indicative of the respective component concentrations of the molecules in the bulk solution was observed.
A controlled investigation of propofol, thiopentone and methohexitone.

This was a randomized study of 180 ASA physical status I and II patients, 60 in each group who received propofol (PROP), 2.5 mg·kg-1, thiopentone (THIO), 4 mg·kg-1, or methohexitone (METH), 1.5 mg·kg-1. Control values, followed by changes after induction and during a 3-min delay before intubation were recorded for the following parameters: heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP, DBP), respiratory rate (RR), end—tidal CO2 (PetCO2), and induction time (IT). In addition, the incidence of adverse reactions and time for recovery from anaesthesia were noted. The IT (mean ± SE) was 35 ± 1 sec for propofol, 35 ± 1.2 sec for thiopentone and 34 ± 1.4 sec for methohexitone. Ninety-three per cent of the PROP group fell asleep with one dose and required no additional doses. Fifty per cent of each of the THIO and METH groups required additional agents (p < 0.05). METH was associated with the highest elevation in HR, PROP the least (p < 0.05). PROP was associated with the most decrease in SBP and DBP and in addition respiratory depression (p < 0.05). The incidence of injection pain or excitatory activity was equal in the three groups with the exception that 14 patients who received METH developed hiccoughs while none did in the other groups. PROP was associated with the most rapid recovery, particularly with respect to the orientation time. We conclude that PROP is an effective alternative to barbiturate induction and that the published recommended doses of THIO and METH are often ineffective.
Parameterized algorithms for generalized traveling salesman problems in road networks

The Generalized Traveling Salesman (Path) Problem involves finding a minimum-cost tour (or path) through exactly one location from each of a set of generalized location categories (e.g., gas stations, coffee shops). This problem type has many practical applications in personal navigation and logistics. While NP-hard in general, this problem also admits fixed-parameter tractable (FPT) algorithms with run times of the form f(k)nO(1) for some function f (independent of the problem size, n) with respect to the number of location categories, k (typically very small in practice). We present both exact and approximate FPT algorithms for this problem. Experimental results on the road network of North America (with over 50 million edges) show that we can optimally solve nationwide queries with up to 7 categories and millions of optional category locations in sub-second time. Our approximate solutions improve this even further down to millisecond query times, resulting in only negligible relative error with respect to optimality, on average.
Multi-scale modeling of refractory woven fabric composites

Thermomechanical analysis of a refractory, woven fabric composite was conducted using a multi-scale analysis technique. The composite was made of carbons and ceramic materials. The fibers were made of carbons and the outer coating was made of a ceramic material. In order to reduce the thermal stress in the carbon fibers and the ceramic material caused by mismatch of coefficients of thermal expansion between the two materials, a graphitized carbon layer was introduced between the fiber and the ceramic coating. For the multi-scale analysis, a new analysis model was developed and used to bridge the micro-scale characteristics, i.e. the constituent material level such as carbon and ceramic materials, to the macro-scale behavior, i.e. the woven fabric composite level. Furthermore, finite element analyses were undertaken with discrete modeling of the representative fibers, coating, and the graphitized middle layers. Then, both multi-scale analytical and numerical results were compared. In this study, thermal stresses at the micro-level, i.e. in the fibers and coating materials, as well as effective thermomechanical properties of the refractory composites were computed using the multi-scale technique.
CAUSALITY TESTS OF THE REAL STOCK RETURN‐REAL ACTIVITY HYPOTHESIS

Recent studies of the relation between real stock returns and real activity do not examine cause and effect. In this study I use Granger causality tests to examine such a relation. Results support three possibilities. First, changes in stock returns are synonymous with changes in wealth, which influence future demand for consumption and investment goods. Second, an increase in current real activity increases demands on existing capital stock, which ultimately induces future increased capital investment. The stock market anticipates these events. Third, stock returns Granger-cause a leading economic indicator, the interest rate spread between commercial paper and Treasury bills.
Establishment of immortalized rat Kupffer cell lines

Abstract Background. Kupffer cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. Primary cultures of Kupffer cells have a very limited life span, tend to de-differentiate and become senescent, and therefore are not suitable for cell signaling studies. Aim. To establish immortalized rat Kupffer cell lines that facilitate mechanistic studies of cell signaling and signal transduction. Methods. Rat Kupffer cells were sub-cultured with EGF to obtain rat Kupffer Cell line 1 (RKC1), and subsequently transfected with Simian Virus 40 Large T-antigen expression vector to obtain rat Kupffer Cell line 2 (RKC2). Results. RKC1 and RKC2 are similar to primary Kupffer cells as they express the molecular markers ED1, ED2, ED3, and F4/80, and upregulate TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, Fas /FasL, and NF-κB, as well as TLR4 in response to LPS or pancreatic elastase. Additionally, RKC1 and RKC2 maintain phagocytic properties of latex beads and exhibit increased telomerase and stabilized p53 activity. Conclusion. Immortalized RKC1 and RKC2 cells maintain properties of primary Kupffer cells and can be valuable tools in evaluating the role of Kupffer cells in immune diseases and in liver-cell based drug discovery.
Visual Adaptation in Monkey Cones: Recordings of Late Receptor Potentials

The retinal cones of cynomolgus macaque monkeys show marked amounts of adaptation when the receptor potential is elicited by brief incremental stimuli presented against steady backgrounds of increasing intensity. The results can be accounted for by mechanisms of response compression, modified by the effects of photopigment bleaching, which together set the gain of the system at each background level, while also making the response nearly linear over a significant range of intensities above and below that of each adapting stimulus.
The role of fibrates in the prevention of cardiovascular disease--a pooled meta-analysis of long-term randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Background Fibrates are effective antilipidemic agents with peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor agonist activity, but clinical trial data on their role in cardiovascular prevention are conflicting. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to evaluate their role in prevention of cardiovascular events. Methods A total of 36489 patients from 10 published randomized placebo-controlled trials were analyzed using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects model. Odds ratios were computed for cardiovascular outcomes from data pooled from the selected trials, and statistical significance was tested using the z -test statistic (2-sided α error Results Fibrates significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels by about 8% and 30%, respectively, and raised high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by about 9% compared with placebo. The odds of all-cause mortality tended to be higher ( P = .08), and the odds of noncardiovascular mortality were significantly higher ( P = .004) with the use of fibrates. However, these significant differences did not persist after exclusion of trials using clofibrate as the study drug. Fibrates did not significantly reduce the odds of cardiovascular mortality ( P = .68), fatal myocardial infarction (MI) ( P = .76), or stroke ( P = .56). On the other hand, fibrates significantly reduced the odds of nonfatal MI by about 22% ( P P = .98), nor were the odds of cancer-related death ( P = .17). Conclusions In conclusion, our meta-analysis revealed that the long-term use of fibrates significantly reduces the occurrence of nonfatal MI but has no significant effect on other adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Behavior of microorganisms and internal state variables

Abstract It is shown that the dependence of cell density on the swimming parameters of microorganisms—the average speed, the average turning frequency and the motility—obtained by Oosawa and Nakaoka using a theory with internal state variables to describe the behavior of individual cells, may be derived using only macroscopic quantities. These results are compared with the predictions of a model in which a partial differential equation is used to describe the behavior of microbial populations.
Elemental mercury evolution mediated by humic Acid.

Elemental mercury is formed in aqueous solution by the chemical reduction of mercuric ion in the presence of humic acid. The reduction proceeds via first order kinetics (rate constant, 0.009 hour-1) and is depndent on pH. The reaction mechanism involves interaction of the ionic metal species with the free radical electrons of the humic acid.
Effect of 2,3 Butanedione Monoxime (BDM) on ventricular fibrillation

Optical mapping is commonly used to study ventricular fibrillation (VF). Electro-contractile uncouplers like 2,3 Butanedione Monaxime (BDM) are used in these studies to stop the mechanical activity wider the assumption that they do not have an effect on the electrical activity. Our objective is to test this assumption. Male guinea pigs were used in this study. The Animals were anaesthetized and median sternotomy and pericardiectomy were performed to expose the heart An Intracardiac injection of BDM was administered and VF was induced Epicardial unipolar recordings were made for 4s using an electrode array along with a video recording of the heart The procedure was repeated for saline and control. Quantitative analysis of the data was performed using autocorrelation analysis. BDM significantly decreases the mechanical activity of the heart and increased the level of temporal organization during VF.
Clonal analysis of cardiac morphogenesis in the chicken embryo using a replication-defective retrovirus: I. Formation of the ventricular myocardium.

Cells of the precardiac mesoderm (stages 4-6) and dividing myocytes of early hearts (stages 10-15) were tagged with a replication-incompetent retrovirus (CXL) (Mikawa et al., 1991b) encoding bacterial beta-galactosidase (beta-gal). Two protocols were used to infect the cardiogenic cells. (1) Small blocks (approximately 50 micron 2) of anterolateral mesoderm were dissected from gastrula-stage embryos (stages 4-6) and incubated in liquid medium containing the retrovirus. After removal of CXL, the tissues were dispersed into single-cell suspensions and pressure injected into the precardiac areas of recipient embryos (stages 4-6). Such embryos were then incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C for 2 days (New, 1968), and those embryos with beating hearts were fixed for X-gal histochemistry and paraffin serial sectioning. (2) CXL was pressure injected in ovo (embryonic stages 4-15) into cardiogenic tissues and the eggs subsequently returned to an incubator. At selected stages of development embryos or whole hearts were fixed, stained with X-gal, and serially sectioned after paraffin embedding. The first method showed that (1) cells of the precardiac mesoderm could be infected with the retrovirus, (2) the transplanted cells would differentiate into beating myocytes, and (3) beta-gal expression was sufficiently high to be detected histochemically. With the second procedure we could show that (1) beta-gal-tagged cells formed colonies in the myocardium, (2) the labeled cells were exclusively myocytes, (3) the number of cells per colony increased with increasing age of embryonic development, (4) the size of colonies was larger in the left than the right ventricle, (5) many of the colonies were transmural, i.e., they extended from epicardial to endocardial layers of the myocardium and generally exhibited a cone or funnel-shape with the base of the cone nearest the epicardium, (6) the orientation of myocytes within each colony changed at different layers of the myocardium, and (7) the cones contained both beta-gal+ and beta-gal- myocytes. DNA labeling studies with [3H]thymidine indicated that cardiogenic cells divided every 16-18 hr during the first week of development and that the CXL-labeled cells divided indistinguishably from unlabeled myocytes. Based on these observations a model for the growth of the myocardium is presented.
Effects of root reinforcement on soil-slip patterns in the Transverse Ranges of southern California

Effects of roots on soil slippage were investigated on unstable hillsides covered by chaparral, prescription-burned chaparral, and grassland in the Transverse Ranges of southern California. Direct shear tests were conducted on large (0.25-m diameter x 0.61 m) "undisturbed" soil samples extracted from slip-prone landscapes under the three vegetation types. Roots were decayed from small (61-mm diameter x 25 mm) cores extracted from each large shear surface and were used to establish the strength of soil without roots. Absolute and relative contributions of roots to soil strength were very significant, although average root-strength contributions did not differ among the three vegetation types. Unburned chaparral tended to provide sparsely distributed but occasionally great root reinforcement. Burned chaparral and grassland landscapes provided more uniformly distributed root reinforcement with lower maximum local contributions to soil strength than chaparral. Total shear strength of soils was mobilized at greater horizontal displacements in burned and unburned chaparral than in grassland. We developed a three-dimensional analysis of slope stability, using representative distributions of root-strength values. This model predicted systematic differences in minimum scar size between vegetation types. These differences arose not from the average root-reinforcement values which were the same for each type, but rather from the differing distributions of root contributions to soil strength found for each vegetation type. This heuristic model suggests that the generally observed higher frequency of landslides in chaparral lands after conversion to grass cover may result from reduced variation in root reinforcement, which permits smaller slips to develop.
Discussion of the Paper on Ticks with Special Emphasis on Boophilus Microplus

I do appreciate Dr Wharton’s furnishing me a copy of his paper several weeks before this meeting so that I could formulate these comments. He and his entire research team are to be congratulated on the excellence of the research that has emanated in recent years from the CSIRO laboratory at Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia.
Copayment Levels and Medication Adherence: Less Is More

Statins play a central role in cardiovascular risk reduction. Their benefit has been demonstrated for a broad spectrum of patients, ranging from those without known vascular disease1 to those who have recently had a myocardial infarction 2 or have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery.3 Not surprisingly, statins are the most widely sold class of drugs in the United States, accounting for $18.4 billion in sales in 2007.4 Article p 390 Despite this, fewer than half of the people who qualify for lipid-modifying treatment receive it.5 Furthermore, only half of all patients who have been prescribed a statin actually adhere to this therapy. For example, 42% of Medicare patients enrolled in a pharmacy benefit program were adherent with their prescribed statin 2 years after starting treatment.6 Statin adherence rates after acute coronary syndrome do not appear to be much better,7 nor have they improved substantially over time.8 Not surprisingly, nonadherence is a central reason why many patients do not achieve their low-density lipoprotein goals,5 and patients who are nonadherent have worse clinical outcomes9 and higher healthcare costs10 than their adherent counterparts. The reasons for statin nonadherence are complex and vary from patient to patient. For some, side effects lead them to a legitimate discontinuation of therapy. Others misunderstand the importance of statin therapy …
SH2 domains recognize contextual peptide sequence information to determine selectivity

Selective ligand recognition by modular protein interaction domains is a primary determinant of specificity in signaling pathways. Src homology 2 (SH2) domains fulfill this capacity immediately downstream of tyrosine kinases, acting to recruit their host polypeptides to ligand proteins harboring phosphorylated tyrosine residues. The degree to which SH2 domains are selective and the mechanisms underlying selectivity are fundamental to understanding phosphotyrosine signaling networks. An examination of interactions between 50 SH2 domains and a set of 192 phosphotyrosine peptides corresponding to physiological motifs within FGF, insulin, and IGF-1 receptor pathways indicates that individual SH2 domains have distinct recognition properties and exhibit a remarkable degree of selectivity beyond that predicted by previously described binding motifs. The underlying basis for such selectivity is the ability of SH2 domains to recognize both permissive amino acid residues that enhance binding and non-permissive amino acid residues that oppose binding in the vicinity of the essential phosphotyrosine. Neighboring positions affect one another so local sequence context matters to SH2 domains. This complex linguistics allows SH2 domains to distinguish subtle differences in peptide ligands. This newly appreciated contextual dependence substantially increases the accessible information content embedded in the peptide ligands that can be effectively integrated to determine binding. This concept may serve more broadly as a paradigm for subtle recognition of physiological ligands by protein interaction domains.
Central nervous system action of TRH to influence gastrointestinal function and ulceration

There is clear evidence in rats that TRH acts in the brain to stimulate gastric acid, pepsin, and serotonin secretion, mucosal blood flow, contractility, emptying, and ulceration through activation of parasympathetic outflow to the stomach (TABLE 3). A number of TRH analogues, including some devoid of TSH-releasing activity, mimic the effects of TRH. The most sensitive TRH sites of action to elicit gastric acid secretion and motility are located in the dorsal vagal complex and include the dorsal vagal, nucleus tractus solitarius, and nucleus ambiguus. The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most responsive visceral systems to the central effects of TRH, because doses in the range of 1-10 pmol in the dorsal vagal complex stimulate gastric function, whereas stimulation of cardiovascular and respiratory function on microinjection of the brainstem nuclei requires higher doses. Although fewer investigations have been carried out in other species, evidence from the available data clearly indicates that TRH acts in the brain to increase gastric secretion and motility in the rabbit, sheep, and cat. Lack of stimulation of gastric acid secretion after third ventricle injection in the dog may be related to species difference or to rapid degradation of the peptide before it reaches its site of action. TRH acts centrally to stimulate gastric function and also intestinal secretion, motility, and transit as reported mostly in rabbits (TABLE 3). TRH produces enteropooling and release of serotonin in portal blood, increases duodenal and intestinal contractility and colonic transit, and elicits diarrhea. All these effects were shown to be vagally mediated. Stimulation of intestinal motility and transit by central injection of TRH has been observed in rats and sheep. The biological activity of centrally injected TRH is well correlated with the presence of TRH immunoreactivity and receptors in the dorsal vagal complex containing afferent and efferent connections to the stomach. Moreover, endogenous release of brain TRH in rats mimics the stimulatory effect of centrally injected TRH on gastric function. Although the lack of a specific TRH antagonist has hampered assessment of the physiological role of TRH, converging neuropharmacological, neuroanatomical, and physiological findings support the concept that TRH in the dorsal vagal complex may play a physiological role in the vagal regulation of gastrointestinal function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Writings and the Spirit: Authority and Politics in Ancient Christianity

“Spirit” in antiquity was seen as the uncontrollable, dynamic, and numinous presence of divine power. It had no relation to rationality, nor were human beings masters of this spirit. On the contrary, it was thoroughly irrational and entirely the agent of the gods. When the spirit was present in human beings, its manifestations were poetry, prophecy, visions, ecstasy, and speaking in tongues.
The role of pelvic angiography in evaluation and management of pelvic trauma

Patients presenting with pelvic fractures and hemorrhagic shock are critically injured, with a reported mortality greater than 50% [1–5]. Mortality usually is caused by the associated injuries, although pelvic fracture hemorrhage also is a contributor [6]. Hemorrhage in patients with pelvic fractures may originate from many sources, including intra-abdominal organ injury, intrathoracic injuries, osseous bleeding, venous injuries, and arterial injuries. On initial presentation, immediately identifying the major source of hemorrhage responsible for shock can be difficult. Blunt injuries associated with pelvic fractures and hemoperitoneum represent a particularly difficult diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. Emergent management of hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures remains controversial. Numerous investigators have attempted to provide optimal management guidelines to permit prompt and accurate decision making in these critically injured patients. Recommendations have varied and to some degree display a geographic difference in treatment philosophy. Frequently these recommendations are based on the investigator’s clinical experiences and in part may reflect differences in their institution’s strengths. Injuries combining mechanically unstable pelvic fractures with hemodynamic instability are rare and may account for only 1%–2% of all pelvic fractures seen at level I trauma centers [7]. Recommendations thus also have been based on a small number of patients. The strength of these recommendations is complicated further by the diverse set of associated injuries these patients also have sustained that affects their ultimate outcome. The role of angiography in hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures has expanded in conjunction with technologic advances and improvements in emergent angiographic availability. Despite this, there is no consensus on the appropriate indication, order, and timing of angiographic intervention in critically injured patients with pelvic fractures. In thisarticletherecommendedindicationsfor,timingof, and drawbacks to angiography are reviewed. Source of hemorrhage in pelvic fractures
Future Research on Gender Symmetry in Physical Assaults on Partners

In the light of evidence from about 200 studies showing gender symmetry in perpetration of partner assault, research can now focus on why gender symmetry is predominant and on the implications of symmetry for primary prevention and treatment of partner violence. Progress in such research is handicapped by a number of problems: (1) Insufficient empirical research and a surplus of discussion and theory, (2) Blinders imposed by commitment to a single causal factor theory-patriarchy and male dominance-in the face of overwhelming evidence that this is only one of a multitude of causes, (3) Research purporting to investigate gender differences but which obtains data on only one gender, (4) Denial of research grants to projects that do not assume most partner violence is by male perpetrators, (5) Failure to investigate primary prevention and treatment programs for female offenders, and (6) Suppression of evidence on female perpetration by both researchers and agencies.
Potential curve for linear symmetric H3

The configuration interaction (CI) method is applied to calculate the potential curve for linear symmetric H3. The configurations are constructed from pseudo-natural orbitals in order to improve the convergence of the CI expansion. The computed barrier energy is 10.1 kcal. This is an upper bound and has a probable error of 0.5 kcal. The method used in this calculation is critically evaluated and specifications of a projected calculation to reduce the error to less than 0.2 kcal are given.
The Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruction: Applications and Limitations

Importance The supraclavicular artery island (SAI) rotational flap may have advantages compared with free-tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction. Because this flap has not been extensively described for head and neck reconstruction of oncologic defects, guidelines for its indications would benefit the reconstructive surgeon. Objective To describe the applications and limitations of the SAI flap as an alternative to free-tissue transfer in reconstruction of head and neck defects. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective case series of 45 patients with defects related to malignant and nonmalignant disease undergoing reconstructive surgery from August 18, 2010, through September 28, 2012, at an academic, tertiary referral center. Each defect was deemed unsuitable for primary or local flap closure and would require regional tissue or free-tissue transfer. Mean follow-up was 10.3 (range, 1-31) months. Intervention Use of the SAI flap for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the head and neck. Main Outcomes and Measures Defect site, flap dimensions, time to raise the flap, and complications. Results Defects of the oral cavity, oropharynx, laryngopharynx, esophagus, trachea, temporal bone, and cervicofacial skin underwent reconstruction. Mean flap dimensions were 6.1 cm wide and 21.4 cm long, with a mean skin paddle length of 7.9 cm. Harvest time was less than 1 hour. Donor-site complications included minor dehiscence in 6 patients and prolonged wound care in 2. Partial skin flap necrosis occurred in 8 patients, whereas 2 had complete loss of the skin paddle. Seven patients developed a salivary fistula, 4 of which healed spontaneously. Flap length greater than 22 cm correlated with flap necrosis ( P = .02). A history positive for smoking correlated with an increased risk of flap dehiscence ( P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance The SAI flap provides an alternative to free-tissue transfer for soft-tissue reconstruction after head and neck oncologic surgery. This flap is easy to harvest and versatile. However, the SAI flap has limitations in length and, because it is a rotational flap, is less capable of reconstructing some complex head and neck defects.
A microfluidic system for studying the behavior of zebrafish larvae under acute hypoxia

Oxygen is essential for metabolism of animals and is a vital component of their natural habitats. Hypoxic conditions in tissue, when oxygen levels are lower than normal, change a variety of cellular processes, while environmental hypoxia can have physiological and behavioral effects on the whole animal. Larval zebrafish respond to oxygen deprivation with a characteristic set of physiological changes and motor behaviors, making them a convenient vertebrate model to study hypoxia responses. However, to date, hypoxia studies in zebrafish are limited by the existing experimental setups, which only impose hypoxia on a scale of minutes to hours. Here, we present a microfluidic system, which makes it possible to expose spatially confined unanesthetized zebrafish larvae to a broad range of hypoxic and normoxic conditions and to switch between different oxygen concentrations in the medium around the larvae on a 2 second timescale. We used the system to observe different behavioral responses of zebrafish larvae to three levels of rapidly imposed hypoxia. Larvae increased their rate of body movements in response to the strongest hypoxia and increased their rate of pectoral fin beats in response to all levels of hypoxia. Importantly, the behavior of the larvae changed within 15 seconds of the changes in the oxygen content of the medium. The proposed experimental system can be used to study the behavior of zebrafish larvae or other aquatic organisms exposed to other water-dissolved gasses or to different temporal patterns of oxygen concentration. This system can also potentially be used for testing the effects of genetic modifications and small molecule drugs and for probing neural mechanisms underlying various behaviors.
AXIOMS FOR DETERMINATENESS AND TRUTH

A new formal theory DT of truth extending PA is introduced, whose language is that of PA together with one new unary predicate symbol T (x), for truth applied to Godel numbers of suitable sentences in the extended language. Falsity of x, F(x), is defined as truth of the negation of x; then, the formula D(x) expressing that x is the number of a determinate meaningful sentence is defined as the disjunction of T(x) and F(x). The axioms of DT are those of PA extended by (I) full induction, (II) strong compositionality axioms for D, and (III) the recursive defining axioms for T relative to D. By (II) is meant that a sentence satisfies D if and only if all its parts satisfy D; this holds in a slightly modified form for conditional sentences. The main result is that DT has a standard model. As an improvement over earlier systems developed by the author, DT meets a number of leading criteria for formal theories of truth that have been proposed in the recent literature and comes closer to realizing the informal view that the domain of the truth predicate consists exactly of the determinate meaningful sentences.
Immunization of Macaques with Single-Cycle Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Stimulates Diverse Virus-Specific Immune Responses and Reduces Viral Loads after Challenge with SIVmac239

Genetically engineered simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) that is limited to a single cycle of infection was evaluated as a nonreplicating AIDS vaccine approach for rhesus macaques. Four Mamu-A*01+ macaques were inoculated intravenously with three concentrated doses of single-cycle SIV (scSIV). Each dose consisted of a mixture of approximately equivalent amounts of scSIV strains expressing the SIVmac239 and SIVmac316 envelope glycoproteins with mutations in nef that prevent major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I downregulation. Viral loads in plasma peaked between 104 and 105 RNA copies/ml on day 4 after the first inoculation and then steadily declined to undetectable levels over the next 4 weeks. SIV Gag-specific T-cell responses were detected in peripheral blood by MHC class I tetramer staining (peak, 0.07 to 0.2% CD8+ T cells at week 2) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays (peak, 50 to 250 spot forming cells/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cell at week 3). Following the second and third inoculations at weeks 8 and 33, respectively, viral loads in plasma peaked between 102 and 104 RNA copies/ml on day 2 and were cleared over a 1-week period. T-cell-proliferative responses and antibodies to SIV were also observed after the second inoculation. Six weeks after the third dose, each animal was challenged intravenously with SIVmac239. All four animals became infected. However, three of the four scSIV-immunized animals exhibited 1 to 3 log reductions in acute-phase plasma viral loads relative to two Mamu-A*01+ control animals. Additionally, two of these animals were able to contain their viral loads below 2,000 RNA copies/ml as late as 35 weeks into the chronic phase of infection. Given the extraordinary difficulty in protecting against SIVmac239, these results are encouraging and support further evaluation of lentiviruses that are limited to a single cycle of infection as a preclinical AIDS vaccine approach.
Inflammasome activation to protect against colorectal cancer metastasis

Currently, innate immunity is in the limelight for potential contributions to the immune response against cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical component of this innate immune response, as they can directly kill tumor cells; however, tumors often develop inhibitory mechanisms to escape attack by these cells. Approaches that maintain activation of NK cells in the context of these escape mechanisms could lead to improved immunotherapeutics. Recent work by Dupaul-Chicoine et al . highlights a promising mechanism by which NK cell activation is maintained through NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The authors set off to examine the impact of inflammasome activation in colorectal cancer metastasis in the liver, a site exposed to intestinal bacteria through the portal vein that also expresses pattern recognition receptors that activate the inflammasome. The authors first noted that caspase-1, which requires the inflammasome for activity, when knocked down, enhanced colorectal cancer liver metastasis growth in a mouse model. They went on to show in mice deficient for Nlrp3 that Nlrp3 was required for suppression of colorectal cancer metastasis, whereas other inflammasome proteins were not. IL-18, but not IL-1, supported the suppression of liver metastasis, and IL-18 could mediate this effect in the absence of the adaptive immune system. In these models, the inflammasome suppressed metastatic growth through NK cell–induced tumor cell death. The creative approach and results of this study leave an impression that not only has the innate immune system been overlooked in the quest to activate antitumor immunity, but also that there are likely more unexpected innate targets out there waiting to be discovered to activate antitumor immunity. The next step may be investigating inflammasome activity in human colorectal cancers in association with patient metastasis to support these intricate mouse studies. J. Dupaul-Chicoine et al. , The Nlrp3 inflammasome suppresses colorectal cancer metastatic growth in the liver by promoting natural killer cell tumoricidal activity. Immunity 43 , 751–763 (2015). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.cell.com/immunity/abstract/S1074-7613%2815%2900345-3
ELECTRICAL INSTABILITY DUE TO REGIONAL INCREASE IN EXTRACELLULAR POTASSIUM ION CONCENTRATION.

Introduction: Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are the two most dangerous arrhythmias. Both are related to reentrant electrical activity in the ventricles. Many studies of arrhythmias consider a homogeneous sheet of cardiac tissue. Since normal ventricular myocardium is inhomogeneous and inhomogeneities play an important role in the induction of reentry, we investigate the effect of a localized inhomogeniety developed at the border between normal and ischemic region. Methods: We used the bidomain model to represent the electrical properties of cardiac tissue and a modified version of the dynamic Luo-Rudy (LRd) model to represent the active properties of the membrane. To investigate the effect of a localized inhomogeneity, the extracellular potassium [K] e concentration is raised to 10 mM from normal [K] e (4 mM) on the right half of the tissue. Results and Discussion: A train of cathodal stimuli are applied from the lower left corner of the tissue with different basic cycle lengths (BCL). At certain BCL, the spatial heterogeneity created with regional elevation of [K] e can lead to action potential instability (alternans) in the normal and border regions, and 2:1 conduction block in the ischemic region. We observed the reentry when local heterogeneity in [K] e is changed from 10 to 12 mM on the right half of the virtual ventricular myocardium sheet. Conclusion: Electrical alternans occur during high heart rates and are observed in patients suffering from ventricular tachycardia. It is an early indication of left ventricular systolic impairment. This study will help to evaluate alternans as a predictor and guide for antiarrhythmic therapy. Journal of Nature and Science, 1(8):e160, 2015.
Integration of Precision Agriculture and SmartGrid technologies for sustainable development

In this paper the integration of Precision Agriculture (PA) and Smart grid technologies is proposed as an avenue for increasing the volume of sustainable energy supply. Agriculture constitutes a large load to accomplish tasks such as irrigation, crop collection and processing. Furthermore, it has an untapped potential for generation of energy from agricultural residue and waste. PA involves exacting and precise measurements of different variables of interest, be it related to consumption or generation of energy. This provides information that can increase the accuracy of energy demand and supply forecasting, the basis of better load management in Smart grid. Such integration has the potential to benefit agricultural systems through reduced costs of input including costs of waste disposal. Furthermore it may also positively benefit the environment through consumption of carbon neutral fuels. In addition, if the better energy management is utilized to give some excess power to the villages around smart farms, it can form the basis for power generation for remote communities.
Evidence-Based Collection Management: A Discipline-Specific Usage Analysis of PsycBOOKS

This study examines usage patterns of psychology e-books and equivalent print titles held in Texas A&M University (TAMU) Libraries collections. The authors sought to determine how well PsycBOOKS, a specialized subject-based collection, serves users' needs. Results support evidence-based collection acquisition and management decisions of books in print and electronic formats. Major findings indicate that PsycBOOKS is a critical and cost-effective resource supporting the TAMU user community and that hybrid print and electronic collections should coexist to support a variety of user information needs.
Longitudinal sex and stress hormone profiles among reproductive age and post-menopausal women after severe TBI: A case series analysis.

AbstractPrimary objectives: To describe hormone profiles for pre-/post-menopausal women, to monitor time to resumption of menstruation among pre-menopausal women and to describe cortisol associated LH suppression and phasic variation in other sex hormones over timeMethods and procedures: This study determined amenorrhea duration and characterized acute (days 0–7) and chronic (months 1–6) gonadotropins [luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone (LH, FSH)], sex hormones (progesterone, estradiol) and stress hormone (cortisol) profiles. Women were pre-menopausal (n = 3) or post-menopausal (n = 3). Among pre-menopausal women, menstrual cycle resolution and phase association (luteal/follicular) was monitored using self-report monthly reproductive history questionnaires. This study compared post-TBI hormone profiles, stratified by menopausal status, to hormone levels from seven controls and described 6- and 12-month outcomes for these women.Main outcomes and results: Consistent with functional hypotha...
Two Views of Culture and Their Implications for Mathematics Teaching and Learning.

In this article, the authors present an analysis of two views of culture reflected in equity scholarship and their implications on research and mathematics teaching. In doing so, they draw on two interrelated theoretical orientations to describe instructional practices that support equitable learning opportunities in mathematics classrooms. These two orientations are grounded in contrasting views of culture. They discuss the contributions of and the tensions associated with each orientation, and argue for a research agenda that focuses primarily on what is called the Cultural Participation Orientation. In addition, the authors discuss the usefulness of drawing on both orientations in understanding equitable instructional practices in urban mathematics classrooms.
The folic acid requirement of chicks for growth, feathering and hemoglobin formation.

SummaryThe folic acid requirement of chicks for growth, feathering, and hemoglobin formation has been determined using a purified diet containing 2.0 μg of preformed folic acid per 100 g of diet. The total folic acid content of the basal diets as determined microbiologically following incubation with chick liver was 5 μg per 100 g of diet for Experiment 1 and 15 μg for Experiments 2 and 3.The following amounts of folic acid, which include the amount in the basal diet, were required for its several functions: for survival to 6 weeks of age, approximately 25 μg per 100 g; for growth and hemoglobin formation at 4 weeks of age, 45 μg; for growth at 6 weeks, 45 μg, but for hemoglobin formation at 6 weeks, 35 μg; and for feathering at 6 weeks of age, not less than 55 μg per 100 g of diet.In these experiments the addition of succinylsulfathiazole at 1 or 2% of the diet did not have any effect on growth, feathering, or hemoglobin formation in chicks to 6 weeks of age.
Fatigue behavior of resin infusion and resin transfer molding S2-glass twill-woven composites

The present study provides the performance evaluation of 2x2 twill woven composite (S2-Glass and C-50 resin system) material for Integral Armor applications. The laminates were fabricated by two low cost processes: RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) and VARIM or RI (Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding). These components are expected to be under fatigue loading. Fatigue behavior of the twill woven laminate is presented. Tension-Compression (R = -1) fatigue experiments were performed for both RI and RTM panels. All the fatigue tests were performed at 1 Hz frequency. S-N diagram and stiffness degradation over the fatigue life of the specimen was obtained. The fatigue tests indicated that with the same volume of fibers and with more resin, RTM process improved the fatigue performance over RI process. The ratios of logarithm of fatigue life cycles of RTM and RI is almost constant. Therefore on the absolute scale the ratio keeps increasing at higher fatigue life or at lower fatigue loads. However, with the same volume of fibers and resin, the fatigue performance of RTM and RI processed panels were comparable. It was also observed that both RTM and RI exhibited classical three-stage degradation in stiffness.
Effect of photodynamic action on the viscosity of desoxyribonucleic acid.

SummarySuspensions of desoxyribonucleic acid become less viscous when they are irradiated in the presence of photodynamically active compounds, such as eosin, methylene blue, 1,2-benzanthracene, or 20-methylcholanthrene. This apparent depolymerization may be involved in the lethal and possible mutagenic effects of photodynamic action.
Visual Diagnosis: Multiple Joint Contractures in a Male Newborn

1. Lincy Cherian, MD* 2. Jacob J. Rosenberg† 1. *Pediatric Chief Resident, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY. 2. †Associate Program Director, Department of Pediatrics, Nassau University Medical Center; Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, SUNY at Stony Brook, West Hempstead, NY. A male infant is born at 35 weeks' gestation to a 38-year-old G3P2 woman and is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) because of multiple joint contractures (Fig. 1 ). The mother received appropriate prenatal care during pregnancy, during which multiple fetal sonograms revealed a prominent renal pelvis, poor fetal motion and tone, persistent extension of the arms, flexion of the knees, and extension of one ankle. However, maternal morbid obesity limited the ability to achieve full-quality images. A maternal serum screen suggested that the fetus had trisomy 18, but the mother refused additional investigative studies, including amniocentesis. Figure 1. A term male newborn who has multiple joint contractures. Apgar scores are 8 at 1 minute and 8 at 5 minutes. Vital signs are normal for age, and the weight, length, and head circumference are within the 25th percentile for gestational age. Physical examination reveals a flat, open anterior fontanelle; normal-set ears; intact palate; normal cardiovascular, lung, and abdominal examination findings; and normal male genitalia. The infant's hips are rotated externally, the knees are flexed with limited range of motion (ROM) (Fig. 2 ), the …
The Effects of Insurance Status and Medical Need on Community-Based Health Care Access among Jail Detainees with Serious Mental Illnesses

The present study assessed factors affecting patterns of pre-incarceration medical service access and use among jail detainees with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders...
Towards PDES in a Message-Driven Paradigm: A Preliminary Case Study Using Charm++

Discrete event simulations (DES) are central to exploration of "what-if" scenarios in many domains including networks, storage devices, and chip design. Accurate simulation of dynamically varying behavior of large components in these domains requires the DES engines to be scalable and adaptive in order to complete simulations in a reasonable time. This paper takes a step towards development of such a simulation engine by redesigning ROSS, a parallel DES engine in MPI, in Charm++, a parallel programming framework based on the concept of message-driven migratable objects managed by an adaptive runtime system. In this paper, we first show that the programming model of Charm++ is highly suitable for implementing a PDES engine such as ROSS. Next, the design and implementation of the Charm++ version of ROSS is described and its benefits are discussed. Finally, we demonstrate the performance benefits of the Charm++ version of ROSS over its MPI counterpart on IBM's Blue Gene/Q supercomputers. We obtain up to 40% higher event rate for the PHOLD benchmark on two million processes, and improve the strong-scaling of the dragonfly network model to 524, 288 processes with up to 5x speed up at lower process counts.