cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current insights: use of Immuknow in heart transplant recipients

Despite the advances in medical management of congenital and acquired cardiac disease, heart transplant remains the only curative option for certain patients. Transplant physicians aim to maintain a fine balance between too much and too little immunosuppression, so as to prevent complications such as infections, malignant growths, and toxic effects of drugs on one hand and acute or chronic rejection of the graft on the other hand. The ImmuKnow assay (by Cylex, recently acquired by Viracor-IBT Laboratories, Inc) was first introduced in 2002 by the Food and Drug Administration for detecting cell-mediated global immunity, thus providing an additional tool to help identify patients at risk for infection and rejection. All studies done to date are reviewed to examine the use of ImmuKnow in heart transplant recipients, both adults and children. Advantages and disadvantages are described, as well as areas in need of further investigation and improvement.
A Mössbauer-effect study of the isomer shifts of iron in nickel aluminides

Abstract The room-temperature isomer shifts of iron in nickel aluminides have been measured. A single Mossbauer-resonance line is observed for alloys of composition (NiAl) 100- c Fe c , 0 ⩽ c ⩽ 5 at. %, and Al 50 Ni 50- c Fe c , 2 ⩽ c ⩽ 50 at. %. The isomer shift for dilute Fe concentration in stoichiometric NiAl is compared with that for FeAl at stoichiometric composition.
Effect of reserpine on the incorporation in vivo of radioactivity from labeled serotonin and other 5-hydroxy-indole derivatives in mouse brain☆

Abstract After endocranial-intraventricular administration of labeled serotonin or 5-hydroxy-indole-3-acetaldehyde into mice, radioactivity is incorporated into acid-insoluble material obtained from the brains of the animals. Under proper experimental conditions pretreatment with pargyline diminishes the incorporation from serotonin, but incorporation from the aldehyde level remains unaffected. Radioactivity due to acid-soluble metabolites obtained from the brain is higher after endocranial injection of serotonin into pargyline pretreated animals as compared to untreated controls. This effect is not observed after administration of the corresponding aldehyde. Pretreatment with reserpine greatly increases the radioactivity due to soluble metabolites in the acid washings and of the incorporation both at the serotonin and the aldehyde levels (endocranial administration). This effect may be observed over a wide range of dosages. In reserpine-pretreated animals, increased radioactivity in the washings is also observed after endocranial injection of a variety of other labeled compounds, including tryptamine, dl -norepinephrine, dopamine, l -lysine and 5-hydroxy-indole-3-acetic acid. The possible mechanism of this effect is discussed.
Perylene-naphthalene: restricted IVR in a strongly bound van der waals molecule

Abstract The study of the spectroscopic properties of molecular complexes of perylene has been extended to naphthalene. Calculations extrapolated from earlier work predict a deviation from center-of-mass, parallel-plane geometry, and this prediction is supported by the experimental data. The complexes show a very large red-shift, of 748 cm−1, which is almost twice that of benzene. A 2 : 1 complex was also observed, exhibiting a nearly harmonic shift, to 1443 cm−1. The spectra show little perturbation of the in-plane modes from the free perylene case, but strong new low-frequency bands are seen, which may be attributed to complexation-induced deformation of the perylene ground state. The most important result is that strong resonance fluorescence, which was suppressed in small molecule complexes of perylene, is observed for the perylene-naphthalene 353 cm−1in-plane mode. By contrast, excitation into combinations of out-of-plane deformation modes in the same energy region effectively eliminated the resonance fluorescence. This is, therefore, an important case where a mode of a big molecule is decoupled from the quasi-continuum, and develops small-molecule character.
secretion of the major progesterone-induced proteins of the sheep uterus by caruncular and intercaruncular endometrium of the pregnant ewe from days 20–140 of gestation☆

Abstract An experiment was performed to evaluate the types and quantity of proteins secreted by intercaruncular endometrium at days 20, 60, 100 and 140 of gestation and caruncular endometrium from days 100 and 140 of gestation. Tissues were obtained from ewes made unilaterally pregnant. Based on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the major proteins present in uterine fluid at days 60–140 of gestation were the uterine milk proteins (UTM-proteins), a pair of structurally-related, progesterone-induced polypeptides with molecular weights of 55,000 and 57,000. These proteins were also present in uterine fluid at day 20, but the major protein at this time migrated coincident with albumin. Cultured explants of endometrium at all days of pregnancy produced UTM-proteins as their major radiolabelled product for both caruncular and intercaruncular endometrium. The amount of protein secretion in vitro was greater (P
Origin and Propagation of Cosmic-Ray Electrons

Cosmic ray electrons during propagation in interstellar space analyzed for energy spectrum modulation
Visualization of the flow of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in a tube with a conical contraction

Abstract Flow visualization experiments have been used to characterize the fluid dynamics of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, Vectra A, in the barrel and conical entry of a capillary rheometer. The displacement profiles indicate shear-thinning in the straight section, with a power law index much lower than that measured rheometrically. The contraction flow is complex and three-dimensional. There are asymmetrical vortices and signs of macroscopic structural changes. For flow in a corner, the profiles display patterns that cannot be predicted by the shear-thinning effects alone. These characteristics are in striking contrast to the results on lyotropic solutions in thin slit geometries (see J.N. Baleo and P. Navard, J. Rheol., 38 (1994) 1641 – 1655, and B.D. Bedford and W.R. Burghardt, J. Rheol., 38 (1994) 1657 – 1679).
The “July Phenomenon”: Is Trauma the Exception?

Background The concept of increased medical errors in July, secondary to new residents (the "July phenomenon"), often receives considerable attention without supporting evidence. A recent study reported a 41% increase in mortality during July and August in general surgery patients. The objective of this study was to determine if a July phenomenon existed in a Level I trauma center with an attending present at all times. Study Design A retrospective cohort study was conducted at an academic, tertiary Level I trauma center. Blunt trauma patients admitted during a 5-year period were compared for differences in outcomes by month and quarter. Chi-square and analysis of variance were used for categorical and continuous variables where appropriate. Linear regression was used to examine the effect of month on ventilator support days, ICU days, and minutes in the resuscitation room. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the effect of month and quarter on mortality. Results A total of 12,525 patients were analyzed by month and 14,798 patients were analyzed by quarter. Overall, 68% were men and 32% women, with a mean age of 39.5 years. Mean Injury Severity Score was 12.4. Mean 24-hour transfusion requirement was 0.5 U. Mean emergency department Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14. Multivariable logistic regression failed to show month or quarter of the year to be an independent predictor of mortality after adjusting for age, Injury Severity Score, emergency department Glasgow Coma Scale score, and 24-hour transfusion requirement (c = 0.97). Linear regression failed to show any monthly variation on ventilator-support days, ICU days, or minutes in the resuscitation room. Conclusions The July phenomenon does not exist at this Level I trauma center with in-hospital attending supervision.
Weaving Agile Software Development Techniques into a Traditional Computer Science Curriculum

Agile software methodologies are quickly becoming widely used in a variety of industry projects; their flexibility provides the means to address many common problems faced in the development of software systems. Companies commonly use selected agile techniques such as unit testing, pair programming, and iterative development even if a complete methodology is not yet embraced. As these techniques become more and more prevalent in industry, it is becoming essential that they are incorporated into traditional computer science curricula. Many aspects of agile methodologies can be regarded as standard practice but taken to an extreme. Consequently, although there are some agile practices that would have to be added to a traditional curriculum, there are many that are typically already covered to a limited extent. Webster University has developed an Agile Software Development graduate course in which the main ideas are discussed, and implemented via student projects. We describe some of the key agile techniques and how they are taught in the Agile course, how we resolve the numerous challenges faced by teaching these techniques, and report on how these ideas are woven into the graduate program.
Identifying Subjects Who Benefit from Additional Information for Better Prediction of the Outcome Variables

Suppose that we are interested in using new bio- or clinical markers, in addition to the conventional markers, to improve prediction or diagnosis of the patient's clinical outcome. The incremental value from the new markers is typically assessed by averaging across patients in the entire study population. However, when measuring the new markers is costly or invasive, an overall improvement does not justify measuring the new markers in all patients. A more practical strategy is to utilize the patient's conventional markers to decide whether the new markers are needed for improving prediction of his/her health outcomes. In this article, we propose inference procedures for the incremental values of new markers across various subgroups of patients classified by the conventional markers. The resulting point and interval estimates can be quite useful for medical decision makers seeking to balance the predictive or diagnostic value of new markers against their associated cost and risk. Our proposals are theoretically justified and illustrated empirically with two real examples.
Relative dispersion in 2D stochastic flows

We investigate the relative dispersion for two types of stochastic flows—Brownian flow (Kraichnan model) and a flow with memory (inertial particles). In the first case well-known asymptotics are rigorously derived for a self-similar spectrum of the velocity field by using a half-century-old Feller's theorem. Exact limits of the asymptotics and exact values for dimensionless constants are obtained. The second part of the paper addresses a relatively new object: the first-order Markov stochastic flow modelling inertial particle motion. Both local and non-local dynamics are investigated. In the first case an exact exponential asymptotic is obtained for the relative dispersion. In turn, two regimes are considered in the case of non-smooth forcing: weak and strong turbulence. For weak turbulence the obtained asymptotic of relative dispersion is similar to that of the Brownian flow. As for strong turbulence, an upper bound is obtained for the scaling of relative dispersion.
Risks for Developing Critical Illness With GI Hemorrhage

Study objectives To define risk factors, identifiable on initial presentation, that predict subsequent physiologic derangements that are consistent with critical illness in patients presenting to hospital with GI hemorrhage (GIH). Design Observational, cohort study. Setting Fourteen-bed medical ICU in a 300-bed community teaching hospital. Patients One hundred ninety-three patients were studied during 199 separate hospital admissions for GIH. Methods and measurements Demographic and physiologic variables were extracted from the medical records of patients admitted with GIH. Comprehensive data, from after 2 h in the emergency department to the time of discharge or death, were used to determine whether patients met established ICU admission criteria. Physiologic and demographic data from the initial 2-h period were then compared for patients who subsequently met and for those who did not meet ICU admission criteria. Independent predictors of meeting ICU admission criteria were identified using multiple logistic regression analyses. Sensitivity and specificity associated with the combined use of these predictors were assessed. Results Thirty-four patients satisfied ICU admission criteria after the initial 2-h period in the emergency department. Sixty-five patients, including 29 of 34 patients who met ICU admission criteria, were actually admitted to the ICU. Among those who never fulfilled ICU admission criteria, the duration of hospital stay was longer for those admitted to the ICU than for those not admitted to ICU (6.6 ± 0.6 days vs 5.2 ± 0.3 days; p = 0.04). The admission prothrombin time (international normalized ratio > 1.2), hypotension (systolic BP Conclusions Many patients with GIH were admitted to the ICU who never met local criteria for admission, and these patients experienced a significantly longer length of hospital stay than other, similarly ill patients. Coagulopathy, hypotension, neurologic dysfunction, and a higher (≥ 15) APACHE II score in the first 2 h of hospitalization were the best independent predictors of the subsequent development of critical illness.
Thrombospondin-1 induces matrix metalloproteinase-2 activation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract Introduction: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein, is associated with a variety of cellular processes relevant to atherosclerosis and intimal hyperplasia, including vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) is associated with basement membrane and ECM degradation, important processes for cell migration. We hypothesized that TSP-1 modulates MMP2 activity in VSMCs and is critical for VSMC migration. Methods: Quiescent bovine aortic VSMCs (48 hours) were incubated in serum-free media (SFM) with or without TSP-1 (10 or 20 μg/mL). Gelatinase activity was measured with zymography to determine pro-MMP2 and MMP2 activity. MMP2 messenger RNA expression was determined with Northern blot analysis. Invasion assays were performed. A binding assay was used to determine the specificity of TSP-1 binding to MMP2. Blots were quantified with densitometry, and all comparisons were made with a paired t test. Results: TSP-1 induced production of activated forms of MMP2, as well as upregulation of pro-MMP2. MMP2 mRNA was upregulated 1.7-fold by TSP-1 at 10 and 20 μg/mL. GM6001, an MMP inhibitor, inhibited VSMC migration across the matrix barrier, whereas migration that occurred in the absence of the matrix barrier was unaffected. With a binding assay, TSP-1 interacted physically with MMP2, and TSP-1-bound MMP2 showed the strongest binding activity in comparison with collagen I, fibronectin, and elastin. Conclusion: TSP-1 induced MMP2 activation through transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms. These findings imply that MMP2 activation is relevant to the mechanism of TSP-1-induced VSMC migration.
Contributions of voluntary activation deficits to hand weakness after stroke

Background: Hemiparetic stroke survivors often exhibit profound weakness in the digits of the paretic hand, but the relative contribution of potential biomechanical and neurological impairment mechanisms is not known. Establishing sources of impairment would help in guiding treatment.Objective: The present study sought to quantify the role of diminished capacity to voluntarily active finger flexor and extensor muscles as one possible neurological mechanism.Methods: Two groups of stroke survivors with “severe” (N = 9) or “moderate” (N = 9) hand impairment and one group of neurologically intact individuals (N = 9) participated. Subjects were asked to create isometric flexion force and extension force, respectively, with the tip of the middle finger. The maximum voluntary force (MVF) and the maximum stimulated force (MSF) produced by an applied train of electrical current pulses (MSF) were recorded for flexion and extension. Percent voluntary activation (PVA) was computed from MVF and MSF.Results: Significan...
Insulin-like growth factor-I-induced migration of melanoma cells is mediated by interleukin-8 induction.

Successive events of growth factor-induced autocrine and paracrine activation promote tumor growth and metastasis. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates melanoma cells to grow, survive, and migrate. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is produced by melanoma cells and has been correlated with melanoma metastasis, but the biological functions of this cytokine have not been elucidated. We show here that IGF-Iinduced migration of melanoma cells could be inhibited by neutralizing antibody against IL-8. IGF-I overexpression induced IL-8 production in melanoma cells, especially in biologically early melanomas by accelerating its transcription rate via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. IGF-I treatment phosphorylated c-Jun and stimulated the binding of AP-1 but not NF-B to the IL-8 promoter. These data identify IL-8 as a new target of IGF-I in melanoma and suggest that some of the biological functions of IGF-I are mediated by IL-8.
Multiple dimensions of bat biodiversity along an extensive tropical elevational gradient

Summary 1. Research concerning spatial dynamics of biodiversity generally has been limited to considerations of the taxonomic dimension, which is insensitive to interspecific variation in ecological or evolutionary characteristics that play important roles in species assembly and provide linkages to ecosystem services. Consequently, the assumption that the taxonomic dimension is a good surrogate for other dimensions remains unconfirmed. 2. We assessed variation in taxonomic (species richness) as well as phylogenetic and functional (Rao’s quadratic entropy, a measurement of dispersion) dimensions of bat biodiversity along an elevational gradient in the Manu Biosphere Reserve of Peru. Phylogenetic dispersion was based on relatedness of species derived from a mammalian supertree. Functional dispersion was estimated separately for each of six functional components that reflect particular niche axes (e.g. diet, foraging strategy, body size) and for all functional components combined. 3. Species richness declined nonlinearly with elevation, whereas phylogenetic dispersion and functional dispersion based on all functional components were not significantly associated with elevation (orthogonal polynomial regression). Moreover, considerable heterogeneity in the form of elevational relationships existed among functional components. After accounting for variation in species richness, dispersion of phylogenetic, diet and foraging strategy attributes were significantly greater than expected at high elevations, whereas dispersion of body size was significantly less than expected at high elevations. 4. Species richness was a poor surrogate for phylogenetic or functional dispersion. Functional dispersion based on multiple components obscured patterns detected by particular components and hindered identification of mechanistic explanations for elevational variation in biodiversity. 5. Variation in phylogenetic dispersion effectively captured the composite variation represented by all functional components, suggesting a phylogenetic signal in functional attributes. 6. Mechanisms that give rise to variation in richness do not fully account for variation in phylogenetic or functional characteristics of assemblages. Greater than expected phylogenetic, diet and foraging strategy dispersion at high elevations were associated with the loss of phylogenetically or functionally redundant species, suggesting that increasing interspecific competition with decreasing productivity resulted in competitive exclusion. In contrast, low dispersion of size attributes at high elevations suggests the importance of abiotic filtering that favours small-sized species that can more easily enter torpor.
Comparison and evaluation of RNA quantification methods using viral, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic RNA over a 104 concentration range

Quantification of RNA is essential for various molecular biology studies. In this work, three quantification methods were evaluated: ultraviolet (UV) absorbance, microcapillary electrophoresis (MCE), and fluorescence-based quantification. Viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic RNA were measured in the 500 to 0.05-ng microl(-1) range via an ND-1000 spectrophotometer (UV), Agilent RNA 6000 kits (MCE), and Quant-iT RiboGreen assay (fluorescence). The precision and accuracy of each method were assessed and compared with a concentration derived independently using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Cost, operator time and skill, and required sample volumes were also considered in the evaluation. Results indicate an ideal concentration range for each quantification technique to optimize accuracy and precision. The ND-1000 spectrophotometer exhibits high precision and accurately quantifies a 1-microl sample in the 500 to 5-ng microl(-1) range. The Quant-iT RiboGreen assay demonstrates high precision in the 1 to 0.05-ng microl(-1) range but is limited to lower RNA concentrations and is more costly than the ND-1000 spectrophotometer. The Agilent kits exhibit less precision than the ND-1000 spectrophotometer and Quant-iT RiboGreen assays in the 500 to 0.05-ng microl(-1) range. However, the Agilent kits require 1 microl of sample and can determine the integrity of the RNA, a useful feature for verifying whether the isolation process was successful.
Matter-antimatter accounting, thermodynamics, and black-hole radiation

We discuss several issues bearing on the observed asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the content of the universe, in particular, the possible role in this of Hawking radiation from black holes, with allowance for weak $C$- and $T$-violating interactions. We show that the radiation, species by species, can be asymmetric between baryons and antibaryons. However, if baryon number is microscopically conserved there cannot be a net flux of baryon number in the radiation. Black-hole absorption from a medium with net baryon number zero can drive the medium to an asymmetric state. On the other hand, if baryon conservation is violated, a net asymmetry can develop. This can arise through asymmetric gravitational interactions of the radiated particles, and conceivably, by radiation of long-lived particles which decay asymmetrically. In the absence of microscopic baryon conservation, asymmetries can also arise from collision processes generally, say in the early stages of the universe as a whole. However, no asymmetries can develop (indeed any "initial" ones are erased) insofar as the baryon-violating interactions are in thermal equilibrium, as they might well be in the dense, high-temperature stages of the very early universe. Thus particle collisions can generate asymmetries only when nonequilibrium effects driven by cosmological expansion come into play. A scenario for baryon-number generation suggested by superunified theories is discussed in some detail. Black-hole radiation is another highly nonequilibrium process which is very efficient in producing asymmetry, given microscopic $C$, $T$, and baryon-number violation.
Design and Construction of the Automatic Peptide Library Synthesizer

Abstract An automatic peptide library synthesizer capable of randomizing 20 building blocks in 20 reaction vessels is described. The design is based on uniform bead distribution by gravity sedimentation after thorough mixing by inert gas bubbling and stirring. The instrument can be alternatively used as a multiple peptide synthesizer since it can deliver any reagent to any reaction vessel.
Communication between professionals concerning medication for the hyperactive child.

The present study investigates the involvement of school personnel in the administration of medication for the hyperactive child. Questionnaires dealing with the initiation and monitoring of drug therapy were completed by 138 teachers and 9 nurses. The results showed that nurses were generally involved in the medication process while teachers knew very little about it. The teachers indicated that they should and wanted to have a larger role in the medication process. A discussion of implications for schools and areas in need of further study concludes the article.
Regulation of Expression of the Human Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Receptor (hCCR2) by Cytokines

Monocytes enter the subendothelial space in response to a variety of chemotactic agents, notably including monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). To better understand the role of the human MCP-1 receptor (hCCR2) in monocyte recruitment, we have examined the effects of cytokines on expression of the receptor gene by ligand binding and Northern blot analysis. THP-1 cells expressed on average about 5000 MCP-1 receptors/cell. Differentiation of the cells induced by phorbol myristate acetate resulted in a 75% reduction of receptor gene expression within 2 h. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor had only moderate effect on hCCR2 expression. However, interferon γ inhibited MCP-1 binding by 60% at 48 h. The combination of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interferon γ increased the inhibition to 80% at 48 h. This treatment has been shown previously to induce secretion of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) in monocytes. Incubation of THP-1 cells with TNF-α and IL-1 induced a rapid down-regulation of hCCR2 expression and eventual loss of receptor protein. These cytokines exerted their regulatory role at the level of gene transcription. The effect of TNF-α alone persisted for 48 h, whereas the cells treated with IL-1 alone regained all of their receptor activity by 48 h. Our results suggest that cytokines can profoundly affect the expression of hCCR2 and thus modulate the recruitment of monocytes into sites of acute and chronic inflammation, including the developing atherosclerotic lesion.
Ca2+, Calmodulin, and Cyclins in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Cycle

See related article, pages 1273–1281 Ca2+ is a major determinant of many biochemical processes in various cell types, from the beginning of new life and egg fertilization to the end of life and cell death.1 In vascular smooth muscle (VSM), physiological resting levels of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the nanomolar range are necessary to maintain basal vascular tone.2–4 VSM activation is associated with an increase in [Ca2+]i in the micromolar range,2–4 and large increases in VSM [Ca2+]i have been identified in excessive vasoconstriction disorders such as hypertension and coronary vasospasm.2,5 Activation of surface membrane receptors in VSM triggers increases in [Ca2+]i attributable to Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ entry from the extracellular space through Ca2+ channels (see Figure). Ca2+ then activates specific protein kinases and phosphatases that are involved in VSM contraction and relaxation.2,3,6 Ca2+ may also function as a second messenger to activate other signaling pathways such as cytosolic phospholipase A2α, phospholipase C, protein kinase C and phosphodiesterase.6–8 An increase in [Ca2+]i could also modulate plasma membrane channels and pumps such as Ca2+-activated K+ channels and the plasma membrane CaATPase (PMCA).9,10 Additionally, Ca2+ may affect sarcoplasmic reticulum channels and pumps such as the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor, the ryanodine-sensitive receptor and intracellular Ca2+ release channels, and the Ca2+ uptake pump (SERCA).11,12 Agonist (A)-receptor (R) interaction increases the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and IP3 production in VSM. IP3 stimulates Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Also, extracellular Ca2+ enters VSMC through Ca2+ channels. Ca2+ …
Early changes in abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter after endovascular repair.

PURPOSE Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is expected to alter the natural progression of diameter increase and rupture. The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of diameter change in AAA treated by endovascular repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-three patients underwent endovascular repair of AAA and 12-month median follow-up by computed tomographic (CT) angiography or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. The maximum cross-sectional outer diameters of aneurysms were measured with serial CT angiography and MR angiography. Immediate postrepair CT angiography and MR angiography were used for comparison to follow-up studies. Endoleak was also evaluated. RESULTS The mean and median follow-up interval was 12 months (range, 7–21 mo). There was a significant decrease in maximum diameter at follow-up (6.0 cm vs 5.1 cm; P P P = NS). Seventeen of 21 patients without an appreciable decrease in aneurysm diameter had no endoleak. CONCLUSIONS Patients with resolved endoleak exhibit a similar shrinkage rate to patients who never had endoleak during imaging follow-up. There remains a group of patients without significant sac shrinkage after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) yet have no endoleak on follow-up imaging (ie, endotension). It is still unclear whether these patients have received protection from AAA rupture from EVAR.
Progress in Creating Stabilized Gas Layers in Flowing Liquid Mercury

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee uses a liquid mercury target that is bombarded with protons to produce a pulsed neutron beam for materials research and development. In order to mitigate expected cavitation damage erosion (CDE) of the containment vessel, a two-phase flow arrangement of the target has been proposed and was earlier proven to be effective in significantly reducing CDE in non-prototypical target bodies. This arrangement involves covering the beam “window”, through which the high-energy proton beam passes, with a protective layer of gas. The difficulty lies in establishing a stable gas/liquid interface that is oriented vertically with the window and holds up to the strong buoyancy force and the turbulent mercury flow field. Three approaches to establishing the gas wall have been investigated in isothermal mercury/gas testing on a prototypical geometry and flow: (1) free gas layer approach, (2) porous wall approach, and (3) surface-modified approach. The latter two of these approaches show success in that a stabilized gas layer is produced. Both of these successful approaches capitalize on the high surface energy of liquid mercury by increasing the surface area of the solid wall, thus increasing gas hold up at the wall. In this paper, a summary of these experiments and findings is presented as well as a description of the path forward toward incorporating the stabilized gas layer approach into a feasible gas/mercury SNS target design.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Lack of Susceptibility of Marmosets to Human Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis

Infectious sera from three humans with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis, whose blood or serum had transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis both to other humans and to experimentally inoculated chimpanzees, were inoculated into five marmosets. A sixth uninoculated marmoset served as a control. No elevations in levels of serum alanine aminotransferase or isocitric dehydrogenase occurred in serum samples obtained weekly from any of the marmosets during three months following inoculation. This study indicates that certain species of marmoset, which are susceptible to and provide well-documented animal models for hepatitis A and GB-agent hepatitis, do not appear to be susceptible to the agent(s) of human non-A, non-B hepatitis. In addition, this study suggests that the agent(s) of human non-A, non-B hepatitis and the GB agent are probably different.
Experimental warming alters spring phenology of certain plant functional groups in an early‐successional forest community

Experimental study of the effects of projected climate change on plant phenology allows us to isolate effects of warming on life history events such as leaf out. We simulated a 2°C temperature increase and 20% precipitation increase in a recently harvested temperate deciduous forest community in central Pennsylvania, USA, and observed the leaf out phenology of all species in 2009 and 2010. Over 130 plant species were monitored weekly in study plots, but due to high variability in species composition among plots, species were grouped into five functional groups: short forbs, tall forbs, shrubs, small trees, and large trees. Tall forbs and large trees, which usually emerge in the late spring, advanced leaf out 14-18 days in response to warming. Short forbs, shrubs, and small trees emerge early in spring and did not alter their phenology in response to warming or increased precipitation treatments. Earlier leaf out of tall forbs and large trees coincided with almost three weeks of increased community-level leaf area index (LAI), indicating greater competition and a condensed spring green-up period. While phenology of large trees and tall forbs appears to be strongly influenced by temperature-based growth cues, our results suggest that photoperiod and chilling cues more strongly influence the leaf out of other functional groups. Reduced freeze events and warmer temperatures from predicted climate change will interact with non-temperature growth cues to have cascading consequences throughout the ecosystem.
Where Are We with Long‐Term Contract Accounting?

In response to practices by major U.S. corporations, the SEC and the FASB initiated major revenue recognition projects. This commentary examines the accounting for long‐term contracts, an aspect of revenue recognition often overlooked in academic research. The exploratory study reported here describes current practices and disclosures about long‐term contracts by Fortune 500 corporations, examines the level of comparability in these disclosures, and provides explanations for current practices.
Radar Remote Sensing Estimates of Waves and Wave Forcing at a Tidal Inlet

Thetimeandspacevariabilityofwavetransformationthroughatidalinletis investigatedwithradarremote sensing. The frequency of wave breaking and the net wave breaking dissipation at high spatial resolution is estimated using image sequences acquired with a land-based X-band marine radar. Using the radar intensity data, transformed to normalized radar cross section s 0 , the temporal and spatial distributions of wave breaking are identified using a threshold developed via the data probability density function. In addition, the inlet bathymetry is determined via depth inversion of the radar-derived frequencies and wavenumbers of the surface waves using a preexisting algorithm (cBathy). Wave height transformation is calculated through the 1D cross-shore energy flux equation incorporating the radar-estimated breaking distribution and bathymetry.Theaccuracyofthemethodologyistestedbycomparisonwithinsituwaveheightobservationsover a9-dayperiod,obtainingcorrelationvaluesR50.68to0.96,androot-mean-squareerrorsfrom0.05to0.19m. Predicted wave forcing, computed as the along-inlet gradient of the cross-shore radiation stress ›Sxx/›x was onshore during high-wave conditions, in good agreement (R 5 0.95) with observations.
Effect of Instruction in Appropriate Rubato Usage on the Onset Timings of Musicians in Performances of Bach

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of instruction in the use of specific rhythmic nuances on the timings of a musical performance. Volunteer subjects were asked to perform Bach's Suite no. 3 for Violoncello solo, Bouree no. 1, using a computer software program that controlled pitches, amplitude, and all other musical variables. The only aspect of the performance that the operator controlled was the rhythmic onset of each pitch. When the subjects had generated a performance with which they were pleased, they recorded it. Subjects in the experimental group were then given a model of rhythmic variations that represented the aggregate of the rubato variations used by 15 professional cellists in performances of this work. This model was presented visually informs, including a version of the score that had been marked up to indicate incidences of rubato, graphs of these incidences, and a prose synopsis. Subjects were then given time to practice until they believed that they were prepared to mak...
THE CHANGING STRUCTURE OF MACROREGIONAL MESOAMERICA: WITH FOCUS ON THE CLASSIC-POSTCLASSIC TRANSITION IN THE VALLEY OF OAXACA

To date, macro-scale analyses of ancient Mesoamcrica principally have debated whether or not Mesoamerica was a world-system and have described macroregional processes at the eve of the Spanish Conquest. This paper defines two alternative organizational modes (corporate-based/network-based) that serve to conceptualize diversity in strategics of leadership, production, and exchange. Collective mechanisms of integration arc central to corporate strategics, while network-based organization is heavily rooted in the personal connections and material accumulations of individuals. Consideration of these modes helps to define patterns of temporal and spatial diversity in the structure of the prehispanic Mesoamerican world.
Response to stimulus relations by a dog (Canis lupus familiaris

A malamute-husky mixed-breed dog was trained to distinguish one object that differed from three others that were identical to each other. The dog progressed rapidly after an effective shaping procedure, requiring 37 training sessions to master 20 such problems to a criterion of 90 %. The dog subsequently scored 80 % correct on the first trials with new problems that required a reversal of previously correct choices. The dog then scored 70 % correct on his first trials with 20 new problems composed of entirely new objects. Both performances are far above chance. Consequently, we conclude that choosing the odd or least numerous object in a group is within the capacity of the domestic dog.
High-Temperature Piezoelectric Crystals for Acoustic Wave Sensor Applications

In this review paper, nine different types of high-temperature piezoelectric crystals and their sensor applications are overviewed. The important materials’ properties of these piezoelectric crystals including dielectric constant, elastic coefficients, piezoelectric coefficients, electromechanical coupling coefficients, and mechanical quality factor are discussed in detail. The determination methods of these physical properties are also presented. Moreover, the growth methods, structures, and properties of these piezoelectric crystals are summarized and compared. Of particular interest are langasite and oxyborate crystals, which exhibit no phase transitions prior to their melting points ${\sim}1500\,^\circ{\rm C}$ and possess high electrical resistivity, piezoelectric coefficients, and mechanical quality factor at ultrahigh temperature ( ${\sim}1000\,^\circ{\rm C}$ ). Finally, some research results on surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors developed using this high-temperature piezoelectric crystals are discussed.
Homelessness, Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, and HIV: An Insidious Syndemic

Copyright: © 2014 Blank MB. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Volume 1 : Issue 1 Article Ref. #: 1000HARTOJ1e001 Mahatma Gandhi once said that the measure of a country’s greatness is in how it treats its least fortunate members. In his last public speech, Hubert Humphrey echoed the same sentiment when he said “...the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped” (Remarks at the dedication of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, November 1, 1977, Congressional Record, November 4, 1977, vol 123, p. 37287). The obligation of a civilization to care for the sick and downtrodden goes back in history at least to Aristotle.
Autologous blood donation by patients who have undergone solid organ transplantation

Autologous blood donation before elective surgery is generally believed to be a safe procedure for patients with a variety of underlying medical conditions, but the accumulation of additional data continues to define its safety in unique patient groups. Patients who have received a solid organ transplant may also undergo various elective surgical procedures after transplantation, and the question of safety of autologous blood donation for these patients is raised. In one hospital-based blood collection program, we identified 4 patients who had received solid organ transplants and subsequently made autologous blood donations for elective operations unrelated to the transplantation. Two patients had received heart transplants and 2 received liver transplants. A total of 10 autologous donations were made by these 4 patients without adverse effects or complications. A low hemoglobin concentration was the only reason for temporary deferral from autologous donation. Despite having complicated clinical situations, recipients of solid organ transplants can safely donate autologous blood and should not be automatically excluded from making such donations.
Control of Active Above-Knee Prostheses Through Electromyography

This paper describes a new electromyography (EMG) based control approach for powered above-knee prostheses. In the proposed control approach, the EMG signals are utilized as the direct control commands to the prosthesis, and thus enable the volitional control by the wearer, not only for locomotive functions, but for arbitrary motion as well. To better integrate the AK prosthesis into the rest of the human body, the control approach incorporates a human motor control mechanism-inspired ‘active-passive’ model, which combines an active control component that reflects the wearer’s motion intention, with a passive control component that implements the controllable impedance critical to the safe and stable interaction with the environment. The effectiveness of the proposed control approach was demonstrated through the experimental results for arbitrary free swing and level walking.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Analysis of the Public Media Health Communication in the Disease Prevention and Control Agency

Objectives To analyze the information of health communication through different media from Wuhan CDC,in order to provide the gist for the future health communication.Methods Information of different media in heath communication in 2012 and 2013were collected.Content analysis method was used to analyze the time distribution、transmission media distribution and subject distribution of the disseminate information.Results 1 012 information through different media were transmited in recent 2years,while in 2012 the number was 397 and in 2013595.There was a disproportion in time distribution due to the health events.The proportion of the traditional media in the media distribution of health communication was 24.80%(among them,the newspaper was 72.11%),the new media was 75.20%(among them,Microblog was 88.31%).The main issues were health factors and prevention knowledge(78.26%).Conclusions The traditional media is the important carrier of health communication,and the new media is the emerging carrier of health communication.The emphasis of the health communication is"to popularize the health knowledge and promote behavior change of the public".When facing with a public heath emergency,we must seize the opportunity to develop health communication.
Heterogeneous effects of market integration on sub-adult body size and nutritional status among the Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador.

AbstractBackground: Market integration (MI)—increasing production for and consumption from a market-based economy—is drastically altering traditional ways of life and environmental conditions among indigenous Amazonian peoples. The effects of MI on the biology and health of Amazonian children and adolescents, however, remain unclear.Aim: This study examines the impact of MI on sub-adult body size and nutritional status at the population, regional and household levels among the Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador.Subjects and methods: Anthropometric data were collected between 2005–2014 from 2164 Shuar (aged 2–19 years) living in two geographic regions differing in general degree of MI. High-resolution household economic, lifestyle and dietary data were collected from a sub-sample of 631 participants. Analyses were performed to investigate relationships between body size and year of data collection, region and specific aspects of household MI.Results: Results from temporal and regional analyses suggest that MI has ...
Examining Interpretations of Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels Among U.S. Youth and Adults

Few studies have examined how diverse populations interpret warning labels. This study examined interpretations of 9 graphic cigarette warning labels (image plus text) proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration among a convenience sample of youth (ages 13-17) and adults (18+) across the United States. Participants (N = 1,571) completed a cross-sectional survey. Participants were asked to select 1 of 3 plausible interpretations (1 preferred vs. 2 alternative) created by the research team about the particular consequence of smoking addressed in each warning label. Participants also rated each label for novelty, counterarguing, perceived effectiveness, and harm. Smokers reported their thoughts of quitting, self-efficacy, and motivation to quit. Although at least 70% of the sample chose the preferred interpretation for 7 of 9 labels, only 13% of participants chose all 9 preferred interpretations. The odds of selecting the preferred interpretation were lower among African Americans, among those with less education, and for labels perceived as being more novel. Smokers reported greater counterarguing and less perceived effectiveness and harms than nonsmokers, but results were not consistent across all labels and interpretations. The alternative interpretations of cigarette warning labels were associated with lower perceived effectiveness and lower perceived harms of smoking, both of which are important for motivating quit attempts.
Analysis for Correct Reasoning in Interactive Man-Robot Systems: Disjunctive Syllogism with Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens

In this paper, reasoning by a robot relates to commands it receives in the natural language. The statements supplied by the master are considered to be incompletely stated arguments, i.e., enthymemes. An attempt is made by the robot to provide missing premises or conclusions to produce valid arguments. This is done on the basis of the inference rule, disjunctive syllogism. The analysis utilizes, in part, the results of work covering correct reasoning by robots based on the two inference rules of modus ponens and modus tollens [1]. The robot seeks out missing premises or conclusions from its knowledge structures for obeying commands and from the environment through its sensors. In the final analysis, the paper establishes composite plausible commands as enthymemes that can be supplied by the master and corresponding missing premises or conclusions that the robot must seek out in an attempt to achieve a primary goal.