cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glial cells of the lamprey nervous system contain keratin‐like proteins

Lamprey axons regenerate following spinal cord transection despite the formation of a glial scar. As we were unable to detect a lamprey homologue of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a major constituent of astrocytes, we studied the composition of intermediate filament (IF) proteins of lamprey glia. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were raised to lamprey spinal cord cytoskeletal extracts and these mAbs were characterized by using Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. On two-dimensional (2-D) Western blots, five of the mAbs detected three major IF polypeptides in the molecular weight (MW) range of 45-56 kD. Further studies were conducted to determine the relationship between the lamprey glial-specific antigen and other mammalian IF proteins. Antikeratin 8 antibody recognized two of the three polypeptides. Several of the glial-specific mAbs reacted with human keratins 8 and 18 on Western blots. Keratin-like immunoreactivity was found in all parts of the central and peripheral nervous systems in both larval and adult lampreys. The immunocytochemical staining patterns of glial-specific mAbs were indistinguishable on lamprey spinal cord sections. However, on brain sections, two distinct patterns were observed. A subset of mAbs stained only a few glial fibers in the brain, whereas others stained many more brain glia, particularly the ependymal cells. The former group of mAbs recognized only the two lower MW polypeptides on 2-D Western blots, but the latter group of mAbs recognized all three major IF polypeptides. This correlation is supported by the observation that the highest MW IF polypeptide has an increased level of expression in the brain relative to the spinal cord. Thus, in the lamprey, the glial cells of both spinal cord and brain express molecules similar to simple epithelial cytokeratins, but their IFs may contain these keratins in different stoichiometric proportions. The widespread presence in the lamprey of primitive glial cells containing keratin-like intermediate filaments may have significance for the extraordinary ability of lamprey spinal axons to regenerate.
Fast-CT evaluation of the effect of lung volume on upper airway size and function in normal men

The present study was performed to evaluate the regional changes in pharyngeal cross-sectional area (CSA) that occur with changes in lung volume in normal men. Fast-CT and genioglossal electromyogram (EMGgg) were used to study upper airway (UA) size and dilator muscle activity at TLC, lung volume at end-tidal inspiration (VTei), FRC, and residual volume (RV) in 30 men with a mean age of 46 +/- 3 yr and no significant sleep-disordered breathing, mean AHI = 4 +/- 1 per hour. Compared with values at FRC, minimum CSA (Amin) increased 154 +/- 31% at TLC (p = 0.0001), 19 +/- 10% at VTei (p = 0.03), and there was a trend toward a decrease of 31 +/- 12% at RV (p = 0.07). Similar but smaller changes were observed in mean CSA (Amean), with an increase of 69 +/- 14% at TLC (p = 0.0001), 8 +/- 5% at VTei (p = 0.01), and a decrease of 17 +/- 7% at RV (p = 0.01). Both the velopharyngeal (VP) and orohypopharyngeal (OHP) segments of the UA increased in size with increasing lung volume. Both Amin and Amean of the OHP segment at TLC were larger (55 +/- 19 and 38 +/- 14%, respectively) than the respective measurements in the VP segment. EMGgg activity doubled from 12 +/- 1 microV at FRC to 25 +/- 1 microV at TLC (p = 0.006). There was no change in EMGgg with tidal ventilation or with exhalation to RV. Changes in CSA directly paralleled changes in lung volume in this group of normal awake nonobese men.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Development of a cell-based sensing device to evaluate toxicity of inhaled materials

Abstract Health risks associated with the inhalation of materials have been a topic of great concern due to highly publicized cases of inhalation anthrax, of new regulations on the release of PM2.5, and to increased concerns on the hazards of indoor air pollution. At this time, there are no automatable methods to evaluate the potential health impact of inhaled materials. Here, we describe the design and evaluation of a cell-based device that can determine the potential health impact of inhaled materials. The sensor platform utilizes cultured lung cells as a biological recognition element. The health and activity of these cells is characterized through a colorimetric metabolic assay that is monitored using light-emitting diodes and photodetectors. Cells are responsive to a variety of materials including low levels of Zn, of combustion derived particulate matter, and to volatizable pesticides. Substantial responses are obtained with as little as 10−4% by volume of pesticides, to μg/ml particulate matter, and μM levels of metals. The sensitivity of this device compares well to that obtained through more traditional cell culture measurements. The device is small, portable, and has the potential to be employed outside of a laboratory setting.
Connecting Knowledge and Policy: The Promise of Community Indicators in the United States

There are over 200 identified community based indicator projects in the United States. This paper reviews the factors that contribute to the success and failure of community indicator projects and discusses the types of desired outcomes that communities are trying to achieve. Both organizational and political factors contributing to the success of community indicators projects are discussed. Appendices include information on many of the community indicator projects in the United States. Advice for communities seeking to launch an indicator project are outlined.
Assessing uncertainty in VGI for emergency response

This research project examines the geographic data produced by volunteers via the Ushahidi web platform in response to the earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010. Volunteers translated messag...
Hot isostatic pressing (HIP)

Abstract The technology of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) — its equipment and process cycles — is summarised, and Battelle-Geneva's (BG's) development of HIP processed near-net shape powder metallurgy parts, metal/ceramic composites and ceramic/ceramic composites is described.
Generation of Nuclei-Mode Sulfuric Acid Aerosols for Health Effects Studies

Numerous health effects studies with particulate sulfates have been performed with aerosols whose size ranges correspond to the accumulation mode aerosol (∼0.1 to 1,0 µm) or larger. However, particles produced by nucleation phenomena such as sulfuric acid aerosol from catalytic converters1 or homogeneous gas phase reactions2 produce a somewhat short-lived but finer aerosol in the nuclei-mode size range (∼0.01 to 0.1 µm). Such particles may have different deposition characteristics in the lung than those previously studied, particularly in consideration of the hygroscopic nature of H2SO4. Recent experiments with nuclei-mode H2SO4 aerosol indicate that growth under near saturation conditions (∼100% relative humidity) is limited to about a factor of two in geometric dimension.3 Theoretical deposition curves for humans based upon nonhygroscopic particles suggest pulmonary deposition efficiencies for nuclei-mode aerosol may be as great as ∼50-60%, even if the particles grow by a factor of two in size in the re...
Treating adult cancer pain in primary care.

Family physicians take pride in addressing the totality of a patient’s experience of disease and are skilled in a multidisciplinary approach to care. As such, they have an important role to play in managing adult cancer pain. Although 75% to 90% of cancer patients could receive adequate pain relief from routine pharmacologic therapies delivered by family physicians, pain continues to be undertreated in this population. Pain is a global experience affecting the whole person. Our role as patient advocates and educators makes us well suited to participate in the current national attempt to redress the lack of attention to this important component of suffering. This article reviews commonly seen cancer pain syndromes, with specific recommendations concerning assessment, reassessment, management, and indications for consultation.
Factor Structure of the Adolescent Clinical Sexual Behavior Inventory

The primary goal of this study was to determine if the Adolescent Clinical Sexual Behavior Inventory-Self-Report conformed to the five-factor scale format that was initially used with a clinical sample that included adolescents referred for sexual abuse evaluations. Participants were 141 teenagers, ages 12-19 (M = 15.11, SD = 1.4), and their primary caregivers. None of the participants were referred for sexual abuse evaluations. Principal components analyses found a different though similar set of factors. This sample yielded three factors that were similar to the original five factors identified by Friedrich, Lysne, Sim, and Shamos (2004). That is, the measure was found to reliably assess adolescents' sexual knowledge, risky sexual behaviors, and concerns related to appearance.
Primary Aldosteronism in a Hypertensive Acromegalic Patient

ABSTRACT The association of acromegaly and a functioning adrenocortical adenoma producing aldosteronism is reported in a hypertensive patient. Although neoplasia of various endocrine glands has been reported in acromegaly, this is the first report of a functioning adrenocortical adenoma in an acromegalic patient. This neoplasm was not strictly “autonomous” since the measured rate of aldosterone secretion responded appropriately to several stimuli [adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), saline loading, volume depletion, and desoxycorticosterone acetate administration].
Mission Reliability Estimation for Repairable Robot Teams

Many of the most promising applications for mobile robots require very high reliability. The current generation of mobile robots is, for the most part, highly unreliable. The few mobile robots that currently demonstrate high reliability achieve this reliability at a high financial cost. In order for mobile robots to be more widely used, it will be necessary to find ways to provide high mission reliability at lower cost. Comparing alternative design paradigms in a principled way requires methods for comparing the reliability of different robot and robot team configurations. In this paper, we present the first principled quantitative method for performing mission reliability estimation for mobile robot teams. We also apply this method to an example robot mission, examining the cost-reliability tradeoffs among different team configurations. Using conservative estimates of the cost-reliability relationship, our results show that it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of a robotic mission by using cheaper, lower-reliability components and providing spares.
Benchmark Databases for Nonbonded Interactions and Their Use To Test Density Functional Theory

We present four benchmark databases of binding energies for nonbonded complexes. Four types of nonbonded interactions are considered: hydrogen bonding, charge transfer, dipole interactions, and weak interactions. We tested 44 DFT methods and 1 WFT method against the new databases; one of the DFT methods (PBE1KCIS) is new, and all of the other methods are from the literature. Among the tested methods, the PBE, PBE1PBE, B3P86, MPW1K, B97-1, and BHandHLYP functionals give the best performance for hydrogen bonding. MPWB1K, MP2, MPW1B95, MPW1K, and BHandHLYP give the best performances for charge-transfer interactions, and MPW3LYP, B97-1, PBE1KCIS, B98, and PBE1PBE give the best performance for dipole interactions. Finally, MP2, B97-1, MPWB1K, PBE1KCIS, and MPW1B95 give the best performance for weak interactions. Overall, MPWB1K is the best of all the tested DFT methods, with a relative error (highly averaged) of only 11%, and MPW1K, PBE1PBE, and B98 are the best of the tested DFT methods that do not contain k...
Lagrangian Motion and Fluid Exchange in a Barotropic Meandering Jet

Kinematic models predict that a coherent structure, such as a jet or an eddy, in an unsteady flow can exchange fluid with its surroundings. The authors consider the significance of this effect for a fully nonlinear, dynamically consistent, barotropic model of a meandering jet. The calculated volume transport associated with this fluid exchange is comparable to that of fluid crossing the Gulf Stream through the detachment of rings. Although the model is barotropic and idealized in other ways, the transport calculations suggest that this exchange mechanism may be important in lateral transport or potential vorticity budget analyses for the Gulf Stream and other oceanic jets. The numerically simulated meandering jet is obtained by allowing a small-amplitude unstable meander to grow until a saturated state occurs. The resulting flow is characterized by finite-amplitude meanders propagating with nearly constant speed, and the results clearly illustrate the stretching and stirring of fluid particles along the edges of the recirculation regions south of the meander crests and north of the troughs. The fluid exchange and resulting transport across boundaries separating regions of predominantly prograde, retrograde, and recirculating motion is quantified using a dynamical systems analysis. The geometrical structures that result from the analysis are shown to be closely correlated with regions of the flow that are susceptible to high potential vorticity dissipation. Moreover, in a related study this analysis has been used to effectively predict the entrainment and detrainment of particles to and from the jet.
5-HT1A receptor activation is necessary for 5-MeODMT-dependent potentiation of feeding inhibition

We propose a translational approach to the study of anorexia nervosa (AN) based on our human subject studies where there are characteristic elevations in 5-HT1A receptor binding, associated harm avoidance behaviors, reduced impulsivity, and comorbid anxiety disorders. Towards this goal, the hyponeophagia assay was implemented whereby food-deprived mice show increased latency to begin feeding in a novel, anxiogenic environment. The non-selective serotonin agonist, 5-MeODMT, potentiates feeding inhibition compared to the inhibition generated by the anxiogenic environment in a drug-by-environment interaction. Thus, using hyponeophagia in mice, it was possible to study the following key components of AN: anxiety; feeding inhibition; and a modulatory role of the serotonergic system. A major prediction of the proposed AN model is that 5-HT1A receptor activation is necessary for feeding inhibition. In support of this model, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY100635, reverses the 5-MeODMT-dependent potentiation of feeding inhibition. Our findings hint at a mechanistic role for increased 5-HT1A receptor activation in restricting-type AN. Further implications for the interplay between anxiety and feeding inhibition in AN are discussed.
Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Long Terminal Repeat-Driven Transcription by anin VivoMetabolite of Oltipraz: Implications for Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract Metabolite III (MIII, 7-methyl-6,8-bis(methylthio)pyrrolo[1,2- a ]pyrazine), a major in vivo metabolite of oltipraz (OLT, 5-pyrazinyl-4-methyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione), appears to disrupt human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication at a point distal to integration of the viral genome into host DNA. We report that MIII (but not OLT) is a nontoxic inhibitor of long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven expression of β-galactosidase in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated and unstimulated 293.27.2 cells (ED 50 = 14 ± 1 and 41 ± 4 μM, respectively). Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays (EMSA) reveal that MIII does not significantly reduce the PMA-induced DNA binding activities of NF-κB or AP-1. Although the mechanism by which MIII inhibits LTR-driven transcription remains unclear, the antiviral synergism of OLT and MIII in vitro are likely due their independent activities. Whether this translates into antiviral synergy in vivo is being examined by comparing OLT and MIII pharmacokinetics to the pharmacodynamic effects of orally-administered OLT in patients with p24 antigenemia.
The impact of state sentencing policies on the U.S. prison population

Abstract This article examines the aggregate effects of neoclassical sentencing reforms on three often contested outcomes of these reforms. The rate of new court commitments, the average length of time inmates serve, and prison population rates across the fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia are examined. Data from 1973 to 1998 across these jurisdictions are analyzed using hierarchical multivariate linear models (HMLM). Results show that on the aggregate, sentencing reforms are not directly related to changes in state prison populations; however, abolition of parole is negatively associated with state prison population rates. Two types of sentencing reforms, the voluntary sentencing guidelines and the ‘three-strikes’ laws are indirectly related to changes in prison populations and have opposite influences on rates of new court commitments. Of six sentencing practices examined, not one is associated with length of incarceration. These results do not support the contention that neoclassical changes to the nation's sentence policies account for the rapid increase in the state prison populations between the early 1970s and late 1990s.
Differential regulation of diverse physiological responses to VEGF in pulmonary endothelial cells

The mechanisms responsible for the divergent physiological responses of endothelial cells to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that VEGF elicits increased endothelial permeability and cell migration via differential activation of intracellular signal transduction pathways. To test this hypothesis, we established a model of VEGF-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction and chemotaxis with bovine pulmonary endothelial cells. We compared the effects of VEGF on transendothelial electrical resistance (TER), actin cytoskeletal remodeling, and chemotaxis of lung endothelial cells and then evaluated the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 in VEGF-mediated endothelial responses. The dose response of pulmonary arterial and lung microvascular endothelial cells to VEGF differed when barrier regulation and chemotaxis were evaluated. Inhibition of tyrosine kinase, phosphoinositol 3-kinase, or p38 MAPK significantly attenuated VEGF-mediated TER, F-actin remodeling, and chemotaxis. VEGF-mediated decreased TER was also significantly attenuated by inhibition of ERK1/2 MAPK but not by inhibition of fetal liver kinase-1 (flk-1) or Src kinase. In contrast, VEGF-mediated endothelial migration was not attenuated by ERK1/2 inhibition but was abolished by inhibition of either flk-1 or Src kinase. These data suggest potential mechanisms by which VEGF may differentially mediate physiological responses in vivo.
Gamma (γ) tocopherol upregulates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) gamma (γ) expression in SW 480 human colon cancer cell lines

Tocopherols are lipid soluble antioxidants that exist as eight structurally different isoforms. The intake of γ-tocopherol is higher than α-tocopherol in the average US diet. The clinical results of the effects of vitamin E as a cancer preventive agent have been inconsistent. All published clinical trials with vitamin E have used α-tocopherol. Recent epidemiological, experimental and molecular studies suggest that γ-tocopherol may be a more potent chemopreventive form of vitamin E compared to the more-studied α-tocopherol. γ-Tocopherol exhibits differences in its ability to detoxify nitrogen dioxide, growth inhibitory effects on selected cancer cell lines, inhibition of neoplastic transformation in embryonic fibroblasts, and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in macrophages and epithelial cells. Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor γ (PPARγ) is a promising molecular target for colon cancer prevention. Upregulation of PPARγ activity is anticarcinogenic through its effects on downstream genes that affect cellular proliferation and apoptosis. The thiazolidine class of drugs are powerful PPARγ ligands. Vitamin E has structural similarity to the thiazolidine, troglitazone. In this investigation, we tested the effects of both α and γ tocopherol on the expression of PPARγ mRNA and protein in SW 480 colon cancer cell lines. We also measured the intracellular concentrations of vitamin E in SW 480 colon cancer cell lines. We have discovered that the α and γ isoforms of vitamin E upregulate PPARγ mRNA and protein expression in the SW480 colon cancer cell lines. γ-Tocopherol is a better modulator of PPARγ expression than α-tocopherol at the concentrations tested. Intracellular concentrations increased as the vitamin E concentration added to the media was increased. Further, γ-tocopherol-treated cells have higher intracellular tocopherol concentrations than those treated with the same concentrations of α-tocopherol. Our data suggest that both α and γ tocopherol can upregulate the expression of PPARγ which is considered an important molecular target for colon cancer chemoprevention. We show that the expression of PPARγ mRNA and protein are increased and these effects are more pronounced with γ-tocopherol. γ-Tocopherol's ability to upregulate PPARγ expression and achieve higher intracellular concentrations in the colonic tissue may be relevant to colon cancer prevention. We also show that the intracellular concentrations of γ-tocopherol are several fold higher than α-tocopherol. Further work on other colon cancer cell lines are required to quantitate differences in the ability of these forms of vitamin E to induce apoptosis, suppress cell proliferation and act as PPAR ligands as well as determine their effects in conjunction with other chemopreventive agents. Upregulation of PPARγ by the tocopherols and in particular by γ-tocopherol may have relevance not only to cancer prevention but also to the management of inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders.
Pseudo Pitch Synchronous Analysis of Speech With Applications to Speaker Recognition

The fine spectral structure related to pitch information is conveyed in Mel cepstral features, with variations in pitch causing variations in the features. For speaker recognition systems, this phenomenon, known as “pitch mismatch” between training and testing, can increase error rates. Likewise, pitch-related variability may potentially increase error rates in speech recognition systems for languages such as English in which pitch does not carry phonetic information. In addition, for both speech recognition and speaker recognition systems, the parsing of the raw speech signal into frames is traditionally performed using a constant frame size and a constant frame offset, without aligning the frames to the natural pitch cycles. As a result the power spectral estimation that is done as part of the Mel cepstral computation may include artifacts. Pitch synchronous methods have addressed this problem in the past, at the expense of adding some complexity by using a variable frame size and/or offset. This paper introduces Pseudo Pitch Synchronous (PPS) signal processing procedures that attempt to align each individual frame to its natural cycle and avoid truncation of pitch cycles while still using constant frame size and frame offset, in an effort to address the above problems. Text independent speaker recognition experiments performed on NIST speaker recognition tasks demonstrate a performance improvement when the scores produced by systems using PPS are fused with traditional speaker recognition scores. In addition, a better distribution of errors across trials may be obtained for similar error rates, and some insight regarding of role of the fundamental frequency in speaker recognition is revealed. Speech recognition experiments run on the Aurora-2 noisy digits task also show improved robustness and better accuracy for extremely low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data.
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device in 6H-SiC for harsh environment applications

An electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) cell fabricated on a 6H-SiC substrate is reported. It is the first fully functional SiC EEPROM device. This device uses a generic double-polysilicon-gate configuration. It has been tested at both room temperature and elevated temperatures, up to 200/spl deg/C, to demonstrate full programmability. The threshold voltage shifts between programmed and erased states, at all tested temperatures, are larger than 4.5 V. In both states, the device functions satisfactorily as an n-type MOSFET. Charge retention time is more than 24 h at room temperature.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation attenuates thigh skeletal muscles atrophy but not trunk muscles after spinal cord injury

Abstract The current study examined the effects of 12weeks of surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and ankle weights on the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of three thigh [Gracilis (Gra), Sartorious (Sar) and Adductor (Add)] as well as two trunk [hip flexor (HF) and back extensor (BE)] muscle groups in men with spinal cord injury (SCI). Seven individuals with chronic motor complete SCI were randomly assigned into a resistance training +diet (RT+diet; n =4) or diet control ( n =3) groups. The RT+diet group underwent twice weekly training with surface NMES and ankle weights for 12weeks. Training composed of four sets of 10 repetitions of leg extension exercise while sitting in their wheelchairs. Both groups were asked to monitor their dietary intake. Magnetic resonance images were captured before and after 12weeks of interventions. Gra muscle CSA showed no change before and after interventions. A significant interaction ( P =0.001) was noted between both groups as result of 9% increase and 10% decrease in the Gra muscle CSA of the RT+diet and diet groups, respectively. Sar muscle CSA increased [1.7±0.4–2.5±0.5cm 2 ; P =0.029] in the RT+diet group with no change [2.9±1.4–2.6±1.3cm 2 ] in the diet group; with interaction noted between both groups ( P =0.002). Analysis of covariance indicated that Add muscle CSA was 38% greater in the RT+diet compared to the diet group ( P =0.025) after 12weeks; a trend of interaction was also noted between both groups ( P =0.06). HF and BE muscle groups showed no apparent changes in CSA in both groups. The results suggested that surface NMES can delay the process of progressive skeletal muscle atrophy after chronic SCI. However, the effects are localized to the trained thigh muscles and do not extend to the proximal trunk muscles.
Improving Line-Based QCA Memory Cell Design Through Dual Phase Clocking

This paper describes a line-based, quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) memory cell design that is synchronized by a dual-phase clocking scheme. In line-based QCA memory cells, data bits are stored oscillating along QCA lines. The best known line-based memory cell implementation requires three new clocking zones in addition to the four clocking zones defined by the conventional QCA clocking scheme and utilizes three parallel clocking zones per cell. The proposed memory cell requires only two new clocking zones and utilizes two parallel clock zones per memory cell; permitting less CMOS circuity for clock design and denser QCA system implementations. Furthermore, read throughput is improved to one operation per clock cycle (from one read per two clock cycles). Simulations with the QCADesigner simulator are performed to verify the functionality of the proposed QCA memory cell.
Tacrolimus in cardiac transplantation

The availability of effective immunosuppressive agents has allowed cardiac transplantation to become an accepted treatment for patients with end-stage heart disease. In recent years, tacrolimus has emerged as a useful alternative to cyclosporine, combined with either azathioprine or the newer antiproliferative agents, mycophenolate mofetil or sirolimus. A number of randomized clinical trials have shown tacrolimus to be comparable with cyclosporine regarding survival and the drug also demonstrates equivalent or improved prophylaxis against acute rejection. The adverse effects of tacrolimus differ from cyclosporine and the drug demonstrates a particularly improved profile with respect to hypertension and dyslipidemia. These data have recently led to regulatory approval of tacrolimus for primary immunosuppression in cardiac transplantation in the USA.
Visualization of Network Concepts: The Impact of Working Memory Capacity Differences

As networks of all forms become ubiquitous, the network-based information they generate is increasingly being used in a wide variety of analysis tasks. In organizations, social network analysis techniques are being applied to a number of domains, particularly the understanding of knowledge stocks and flows. Because this information is generated from large data sets, computerized visualizations of it are very helpful for accomplishing these complex tasks. This paper presents a model for evaluating the effectiveness of network visualizations based on theories of cognitive fit, working memory capacity, and information load. The model was empirically tested in two experiments using two types of data visualizations from two different social networks. Results support the theoretical model, illustrating that variations in cognitive fit and working memory interact. Findings suggest that visualizations can enable superior outcomes when they are designed to support this interaction.
Use of Cisplatin for Elderly Patients

The ageing of the population has resulted in a greater emphasis on cancer treatment effects in elderly patients. This population has often had arbitrary dose modification of chemotherapy owing to fear of excessive side-effects. A review was undertaken to evaluate cisplatin toxicity in patients of 70 years of age or older. Thirty-four patients were evaluated. Their mean age was 72.8 years and 85.3% were women. Fourteen of 34 (41%) patients completed the planned therapy. Treatment was terminated because of disease progression (35%), renal toxicity (9%) and non-renal toxicity (15%). Our conclusion is that cisplatin can safely be administered to elderly patients. Arbitrary dose modification or elimination of cisplatin from a treatment programme on the grounds of patient age alone is not justified.
The Splitting of Leadership and Management as a Social Defense

This article explores a maladaptive response organizations are making to the great uncertainty and turbulence they face. The authors describe the ways in which management and leadership are split apart, with one aspect idealized and the other devalued, as a "social defense" against confronting the adaptive demands of contemporary operating environments. Two variants of this social defense are examined: "managerialism" which looks to the magic of technique and "heroism" which focuses on the heroic leader. Responding effectively to current conditions requires linking what has come to be viewed as leadership, the visionary and mission setting aspects of executive action, with management, the apparatuses and tools for achieving organizational purposes.
Quantitative adsorption of antibody by the isolated heart and the intensity of cardiac anaphylaxis.

The present experiments show that the adsorption of antibodies to the guinea pig heart can be achieved by perfusing the heart with rabbit antiovalbumin solutions. The amount of radioactive antibody remaining on the tissue is a definite function of the concentration of antibody in the bulk phase instilled into the coronary circulation. When the antibody-loaded organ is challenged with ovalbumin, the efflux rate of antibody is increased; it is also increased in response to such nonspecific agents as histamine and epinephrine. Since the output rate is not affected when the heart fails to react to rechallenge with antigen, the release of antibody may be entirely dependent upon the mechanical response. The maximal amount.it of histamine-like material that can be produced by the heart undergoing anaphylaxis was found to be 1 x 10-s moles/Gm./min., estimated as histamine; the minimal amount of antibody necessary to release this quantity was calculated to be 0.343 µg. of specific antiovalbumin/100 mg. of heart. T...
Enforcing Constraints Between Documentary Comments and Source Code

An approach for enforcing constraints between program entities and their documentary comments is presented. The approach uses srcML to represent Java source code and introduces an XML format, namely srcDoc, for marking up Javadoc-style comments. The enforced constraints are specified with a combination of XML and XQuery. An Eclipse plugin is described that demonstrates the use of XML and related technologies to express and enforce constraints on documentary comments. Examples of constraints enforcing design rationale for methods in an API are shown.
Updraft Dynamics within a Numerically Simulated Subtropical Rainband

Abstract In this study a three-dimensional numerical cloud model is used to examine the early evolution of deep convective rainbands that occur in an environment of weak to moderate buoyancy and directionally varying lower-tropospheric vertical wind shear. A simulation based on a case observed on 8 June 1987 during the Taiwan Area Mesoscale Experiment produced a narrow bow-shaped rainband that comprised 1) short-lived updrafts along the downshear portion of the weak rain-induced cold pool and 2) more persistent updrafts along its southern flank, which were highly correlated with vertical vorticity. Trajectory calculations and an analysis of the dynamic portion of the perturbation pressure field are presented to illustrate the hybrid dynamical character of the simulated rainband. The shorter-lived updrafts were associated with weak upward-directed pressure gradient forces at the leading edge of the surface-based cold pool. The more persistent updrafts exhibited much stronger upward-directed pressure gradie...
Effect of oxygen tension and alginate encapsulation on restoration of the differentiated phenotype of passaged chondrocytes.

The implantation of laboratory-grown tissue offers a valuable alternative approach to the treatment of cartilage defects. Procuring sufficient cell numbers for such tissue-engineered cartilage is a major problem since amplification of chondrocytes in culture typically leads to loss of normal cell phenotype yielding cartilage of inferior quality. In an effort to overcome this problem, we endeavored to regain the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes after extensive proliferation in monolayer culture by modulating cell morphology and oxygen tension towards the in vivo state. Passaged cells were encapsulated in alginate hydrogel in an effort to regain the more rounded shape characteristic of differentiated chondrocytes. These cultures were exposed to reduced (5%-i.e., physiological), or control (20%) oxygen tensions. Both alginate encapsulation and reduced oxygen tension significantly upregulated collagen II and aggrecan core protein expression (differentiation markers). In fact, after 4 weeks in alginate at 5% oxygen, differentiated gene expression was comparable to primary chondrocytes. Collagen I expression (dedifferentiation marker) decreased dramatically after alginate entrapment, while reduced oxygen tension had no effect. It is concluded that alginate encapsulation and reduced oxygen tension help restore key differentiated phenotypic markers of passaged chondrocytes. These findings have important implications for cartilage tissue engineering, since they enable the increase in differentiated cell numbers needed for the in vitro development of functional cartilaginous tissue suitable for implantation.
World Water Resources and Achieving Water Security

Published in Agron. J. 107:1526–1532 (2015) doi:10.2134/agronj15.0045 Available freely online through the author-supported open access option. Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. aBstract
Type II corticosteroid receptor stimulation increases NPY gene expression in basomedial hypothalamus of rats

Evidence has suggested that glucocorticoids may increase neuropeptide Y (NPY) activity and gene expression. In the present study, we sought to determine the corticosteroid receptor subtype through which glucocorticoids increase NPY gene expression in the basomedial hypothalamus. This was accomplished by continuous administration of selective type I and II corticosteroid agonists in adrenalectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. Dot-blot analysis was performed, and the amount of NPY mRNA was determined. Additionally, serum insulin and glucose concentrations were determined. Type II receptor stimulation increased NPY mRNA levels in the basomedial hypothalamus above that of sham animals. This implies that type II receptor stimulation by high physiological concentrations of serum corticosterone may also increase NPY gene expression in the basomedial hypothalamus. The type II receptor agonist-induced increase in NPY gene expression did not appear to be mediated by a decrease in serum insulin concentrations. The present results may have relevance to the increased gene expression of NPY observed in the basomedial hypothalamus of obese Zucker rats and in food-deprived animals.
Finite-size effects on the molecular dynamics simulation of fast-ion conductors: A case study of lithium garnet oxide Li7La3Zr2O12

Abstract A useful tool to study ionic conduction mechanisms in fast-ion conductors is the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation performed on finite simulation cells with periodic boundary conditions. While there have been many studies of the effect of cell size on the thermodynamics and kinetics of simple liquids, the finite-size effect in fast-ion conductors remains elusive. This work presents a case study to investigate the finite-size effect on the phase transition, self-diffusivity, ionic conductivity, Haven ratio, thermodynamic factor, and Fickian diffusivity using lithium garnet oxide Li7La3Zr2O12 as a model material. It was found that cell sizes influence extracted thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics in different ways with magnitude ranging from weak to strong. For Li7La3Zr2O12, reliable properties can be obtained with a 3 × 3 × 3 (5184 atoms) cell.
NINE CASES OF UNINTENTIONAL RAPID INFUSION OF LIPID EMULSION IN CHILDREN: ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS AND CHANGES TO PRACTICE

Aim To undertake a root cause analysis (RCA) on a series of medication errors involving the rapid infusion of parenteral nutrition lipid emulsions; to identify weaknesses in the current system and implement changes in practice to help prevent repetition. Method A report was obtained from the Trusts incident reporting database relating to incidents involving parenteral nutrition (PN) in children aged 0–18 years on the paediatric wards (excluding neonatal unit). Incidents involving the rapid infusion of lipids were identified to be of particular concern and a multidisciplinary RCA was conducted. Results 43 critical incident reports were completed over a 9 year period (2004–2013) for incidents involving PN on the paediatric wards of a tertiary referral centre. 20 reports involved the incorrect administration of PN to children. 9 children (age 3mo–9yr) received a rapid infusion of lipid emulsion at rates up to 23 times the intended rate (0.4g/kg/hr to 3g/kg/hr). The errors occurred as a consequence of incorrect programming of the infusion pumps. In 8 of the cases the rates of infusion of the amino acids bag and the lipid bag were inadvertently “switched”. The other case was a result of the total daily quantity being programmed into the pump as the hourly rate. No child experienced any signs or symptoms of fat overload syndrome. The RCA identified the nurse checking procedure as the major contributor to the errors, together with the clarity of the pharmacy prescription. As a result, the nurse checking procedure has been revised and the pharmacy generated prescription form has been changed requiring the aqueous and lipid bags to be checked and administered separately, with check boxes for key elements of the checking procedure. Conclusion A multidisciplinary review of the contributory factors involved in critical incidents is a useful tool to identify key areas of weakness in any system.1 Similar incidents of rapid infusion of lipid emulsions have been reported previously, including incidents involving the amino acids and lipids being administered at “switched” rates.23 Fat overload syndrome is a potential consequence of rapid lipid infusion and may have serious consequences including respiratory failure and metabolic acidosis and spontaneous haemorrhage.4 Prevention of administration errors is paramount to prevent harm. Introduction of a revised checking procedure and prescription form checklist for PN should help prevent repetition of this type of error.
Virtual Reality Therapy for Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) is a new innovative modality of therapy that allows clients to enter a computer-generated virtual world in order to be exposed to fear-provoking stimuli similar to their real world experiences. VRT has become an important treatment alternative for psychologists; scientists have used VRT for cognitive therapies and structural desensitization of patients suffering from a variety of psychological disorders. One pioneering use of VRT has been its application in the treatment of phobic disorders. With proper techniques and provisions, scientists can conduct experiments providing results that suggest that VRT is a useful addition to or a replacement for traditional therapy techniques.
T-lymphocyte function following burns: dependence of response on antigenic disparity and size of injury.

SummaryUsing the Ford popliteal node assay, we found that the ability of spleen cells from burned rats to induce a graft-versus-host reaction in F1 hybrid recipients varied according to burn size and the histocompatibility difference between donor and recipient. It is postulated that a factor, possibly related to histocompatibility antigens, may be released from the burn site, capable of stimulating T-cells in small doses and of inducing antigenic overload paralysis in large doses.
Near-Nash Strategies in Competitive Multi-Team Target Assignment

While the Nash equilibrium represents an important strategy concept for non-cooperative scenarios such as military combat, it is often difficult to justify its use in scenarios in which its computation is unfeasible or its existence cannot be guaranteed. To justify the use of Nash-like strategies in such applications, we extend the concept of a Nash equilibrium to encompass a definition of near-Nash strategies. We then employ this definition in an efficient algorithm designed to calculate target assignment strategies in the Multi-Team Dynamic Weapon Target Assignment problem. Using this approach we demonstrate that our concept of near-Nash strategies generates results similar to those produced using the exact Nash strategies.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Research on isolation,identification and biologic characteristics of EV71 strains in HFMD

Objective:To obtain EV71 virus strains and study the effect of isolating enterovirus with Vero cells.Methods: To observe the cytopathic effect(CPE) after the HFMD cases′ nasal swab and herpes were inoculated on Vero cells.The CPE positive culture were identified types by real-time RT-PCR.Some strains were selected to take further analysis: VP1 gene sequence,morphological observation of electron microscope,indirect immunofluorescence assay and the cell culture infective dose 50%(CCID50) determination.Results: 22 enterovirus strains were isolated from 33 samples,the positive rate was 66.7%,including 17 EV71(77.3%) strains,4 CoxA16(18.2%) strains and 1 unclassified(4.5%) strain.Conclusion: The effect of isolating enterovirus with Vero cells was good.17 EV71 strains can be acquired.
Operant Conditioning in Gastrointestinal Dysfunctions

Operant conditioning, instrumental learning, biofeedback…. These are some of the designations assigned to the concept that autonomic nervous functions can be brought under voluntary control. This concept has been applied to the management of gastrointestinal dysfunctions, notably esophageal reflux and fecal incontinence, with desired clinical effects achieved in relatively brief periods of time.
A Mobile Alert System for Preparing the Delivery of Radiation Mitigators.

BACKGROUND/AIM A mobile system allowing hospital medical personnel to prepare for the administration of radiation mitigators prior to receiving casualties is desirable. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated a portable spectroscopic personal radiation detector for use as an ambulance-based unit for early detection and identification of gamma radiation. We tested the sensitivity, time-to-identification, and radionuclide identification accuracy rates, change in detector response to vehicle operation, interference from cardiac equipment, and internal versus external radiation source location. RESULTS We detected radiation sources in each of 119 trials using a humanoid phantom in a moving ambulance with a primary radionuclide identification accuracy of 96%. Typical identification time was around two minutes (149±95 s). CONCLUSION Our observations suggest this mobile system is a potential pre-hospital arrival tool allowing for rapid preparation of radiation mitigators.
The Reactivity of Energetic Materials Under High Pressure and Temperature

Abstract Chemical transformations that occur at the reactive shock front of energetic materials determine many aspects of material properties and performance. One major shortcoming of current explosive models is the lack of chemical kinetics data of the reacting explosive at the high pressures and temperatures experienced under detonation conditions. In the absence of experimental data, long time-scale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations with reactive chemistry provide insight into the decomposition mechanisms of explosives and allow us to obtain effective reaction rates. These rates can then be incorporated into a thermochemical continuum code for accurate and predictive description of grain- and continuum-scale dynamics of reacting explosives. During the course of the past decade, we have examined the chemistry of several reacting explosive materials, such as the high-performing HMX and the very insensitive TATB explosives, both of which are organic molecular solids at ambient conditions. We have used quantum-based, self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding method to calculate the interatomic forces in molecular dynamics simulations either for thermal decomposition studies (constant volume–temperature) or dynamical shock studies using the multiscale shock simulation technique (MSST). These studies allow us to investigate the chemical reactivity of explosives and to examine electronic properties at extreme conditions of temperature and pressure for a relatively long timescale on the order of several hundreds of picoseconds. In this chapter, we discuss challenges in simulating the reactions of shocked energetic materials and review specific examples of our recent simulations on HMX, PETN, and shocked TATB. Each of these studies revealed interesting aspects associated with known macroscopic properties of these materials. We also discuss simulations on nonenergetic materials such as shocked carbon and methane.