cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence of a role for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the facilitation of tail withdrawal after spinal transection

Abstract Peripheral injury produces a characteristic excitation of spinal cord dorsal horn cells (wind-up) which is associated with a facilitation of spinal nociceptive reflexes (hyperalgesia). These phenomena are believed to be mediated by a trauma-induced increase in the release of excitatory amino acids (EAAs). A similar increase in the activity of dorsal horn neurons and spinal reflexes occurs after spinal transection. Therefore, the present studies examined the possibility that EAAs, acting through the NMDA receptor, might also be involved in behavioral hyperalgesia produced by central injury. The first experiment assessed the effect of pretreatment with the NMDA antagonist, ketamine, on the facilitated tail flick (TF) response of spinally transected rats. Separate groups of animals were spinalized under isoflurane anesthesia alone, intramuscular ketamine anesthesia alone, or a combination of isoflurance and intrathecal ketamine. The TF was examined 24 h later, before and 30 min after an intrathecal injection of morphine. In the second experiment, the effect of intraperitoneal or intrathecal ketamine on the TF was assessed in separate groups of rats that underwent spinal transection or sham surgery under isoflurane anesthesia. Pretreatment with either systemic or intrathecal ketamine did not alter TF facilitation of morphine-induced antinociception in spinal rats. However, both systemic and intrathecal ketamine significantly increased TF latencies in spinal, relative to intact rats. These results indicate that ketamine did not prevent the development of spinal reflex facilitation, but it selectively reduced this reaction once it was established in spinal rats. The data support an involvement of EAAs in reflex facilitation produced by spinal transection.
Tools to study plant organelle biogenesis. Point mutation lines with disrupted vacuoles and high-speed confocal screening of green fluorescent protein-tagged organelles.

We have focused our studies in the past several years on understanding protein trafficking from the secretory system to the vacuole—an organelle present in all plant cells. Here, we report an approach for generating and screening plants with defects in vacuolar biogenesis. Plant vacuoles are
Continuum theory of dilatant transformation toughening in ceramics

Abstract A continuum description is introduced for an elastic solid which contains particles that undergo an irreversible stress-induced dilatant transformation. The behaviors of the composite solid considered range from abrupt complete transformation at a critical mean stress to strain controlled transformation at constant stress. It is useful to define and distinguish between super-critically and sub-critically transforming materials. Stress and strain fields in the transformation zone at the tip of a macroscopic crack are determined for stationary and growing cracks. The near-tip stress intensity factor is related to the applied stress intensity factor. Toughening is associated with crack advance and is due to the wake of transformed particles which are left behind a quasi-statically advancing crack-tip. Detailed calculations for the toughening are made over a wide range of possible material parameters.
Transonic analysis of canted winglets

A computational method developed to provide a transonic analysis for upper/lower surface wing-tip mounted winglets is described. Winglets with arbitrary planform, cant and toe angle, and airfoil section can be modeled. The embedded grid approach provides high flow field resolution and the required geometric flexibility. In particular, coupled Cartesian/cylindrical grid systems are used to model the complex geometry presented by canted upper/lower surface winglets. A new rotated difference scheme is introduced in order to maintain the stability of the small-disturbance formulation in the presence of large spanwise velocities. Wing and winglet viscous effects are modeled using a two-dimensional 'strip' boundary layer analysis. Correlations with wind tunnel and flight test data for three transport configurations are included.
High repetition rate figure eight laser with extracavity feedback

The operation of an erbium figure eight all-fibre laser with a fundamental repetition rate of 28.5 MHz is reported. The feedback of light rejected by the nonlinear amplifying loop mirror back into the laser is found to stabilise mode locking enhance startup, shorten the pulse lenght to 275fs, and provide a simple means of multiplying the repetition rate.
Characterization of Dynamic Stick-and-Break Wetting Behavior for Various Liquids on the Surface of a Highly Viscoelastic Polymer

A thermally stripped acrylic polymer was wet with a series of liquids possessing a broad range of properties. Previously, novel wetting behavior by water was reported for the polymer, which included the formation of a wetting ridge structure substantially larger than those reported elsewhere and the complete halting of the three-phase line. This allows metastable angles ranging from 0° to greater than 150° to be achieved through changes in the sessile drop volume. Greater advancing angles are prevented by the collapse of the drop, producing what has been described as stick-and-break propagation. In Wilhelmy plate experiments for metal plates coated with the polymer, this mechanism produces a quasi-periodic pattern of lines composed of ridge structures. Similar behavior was observed for all liquids tested. Differences were observed in the maximum force measured with a tensiometer (pinning force) and the average distance between ridges for the formed pattern (pinning distance). These quantities are shown to...
Malignant lymphoma involving the rectum.

ALTHOUGH malignant lymphoma may involve the lymphoid tissue of any part of the body, it is not commonly found in the rectum, either as a localized entity or as a part of a generalized process. It is the belief of Warren and LittlefieldS that ahhough malignant lymphoma is essentially a systemic disease, localized forms of the disease do occur. They wrote . . . . "these localized lesions may represent mere instances in which the primary focus of a predestined generalized lymphoma is detected before widespread manifestations have ensued, but the duration of symptoms before discovery and the long survival or apparent cure after surgical removal in some cases suggest that these particular lymphomas differ materially from their more diffuse counterpart." Warren and Littlefield declared further that "this occasional tendency for malignant lymphomas to remain circumscribed is more commonly recognized in the gastrointestinal tract but similar involvement may affect other regions of the body." It has been known for many years that lymphosarcoma may involve the rectum. For instance, in 1900 Libman,6 studying the different types of sarcoma of the small intestine, found that the rectal wall was involved in two cases of lymphosarcoma. In 1902 Hessert 5 reported one of the first cases of lymphosarcoma of the rectum to be printed in the English literature. Several authors have collected large series of eases
Coupled aquifer-borehole simulation.

A model coupling fluid hydraulics in a borehole with fluid flow in an aquifer is developed in this paper. Conservation of momentum is used to create a one-dimensional steady-state model of vertical flow in an open borehole combined with radially symmetric flow in an aquifer and with inflow to the well through the wellbore screen. Both laminar and turbulent wellbore conditions are treated. The influence of inflow through the wellbore screen on vertical flow in the wellbore is included, using a relation developed by Siwon (1987). The influence of inflow reduces the predicted vertical variation in head up to 15% compared to a calculation of head losses due to fluid acceleration and the conventional Colebrook-White formulation of friction losses in a circular pipe. The wellbore flow model is embedded into the MODFLOW-2000 ground water flow code. The nonlinear conservation of momentum equations are iteratively linearized to calculate the conductance terms for vertical flow in the wellbore. The resulting simulations agree favorably with previously published results when the model is adjusted to meet the assumptions of the previous coupled models.
Dark matter: From galactic halo to superclusters

Abstract One topic relates to the possibility that the spherical dark matter halo of a spiral galaxy may contain neutron stars, brown dwarfs and asteroids. A possible connection between the “rotation curve conspiracy”, super-globular-clusters and gamma-ray-bursts is discussed. The relationship between very large “Zeldovich pancakes” and the value of the Hubble constant is also discussed.
Gaussian wave-packet dynamics: Semiquantal and semiclassical phase-space formalism

Gaussian wave packets are a popular tool for semiclassical analyses of classically chaotic systems. We demonstrate that they are extremely powerful in the semiquantal analysis of such systems, too, where their dynamics can be recast in an extended potential formulation. We develop Gaussian semiquantal dynamics to provide a phase-space formalism, and construct a propagator with desirable qualities. We qualitatively evaluate the behavior of these semiquantal equations, and show that they reproduce the quantal behavior better than the standard Gaussian semiclassical dynamics. We also show that these semiclassical equations arise as non-self-consistent (in \ensuremath{\Elzxh}) truncations to semiquantal dynamics. This enables us to introduce an extended semiclassical dynamics that retains the power of the Hamiltonian phase-space formulation. Finally, we show how to obtain approximate eigenvalues and eigenfunctions in this formalism, and demonstrate with an example that this works well even for a classically strongly chaotic Hamiltonian.
NEW CONGESTION CONTROL SCHEMES OVER WIRELESS NETWORKS: STABILITY ANALYSIS

Abstract The objective of this work is to introduce two original flow control schemes for wireless networks. The mathematical underpinnings lie on the recently-developed congestion control models for Transmission-Control-Protocol(TCP)-like schemes; more precisely, the model proposed by Kelly for the wired case is taken as a template, and properly extended to the more involved wireless setting. We introduce two ways to modify a part of the model; the first is through a static law, and the second via a dynamic one. In both cases, we prove the global stability of the schemes, and present a convergence rate study and a stochastic analysis.
Mechanisms of lifelong learning: the spread of innovative short-cycle higher education qualifications within national systems

This study examines the process of the dissemination of innovative short-cycle higher education qualifications within European national lifelong learning systems. Using qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, the study focuses on the cases of the Netherlands and Flanders, and traces the emergence of the new idea, its metamorphosis within and communicating through the social systems, and the main proponents behind that process.
Cadherin-11 Induces Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes to Form Lining Layers in Vitro

The synovial lining of diarthrodial joints is composed of a condensed network of synoviocytes that form an intact layer via cell-to-cell contacts with significant intercellular matrix spaces. However, the molecular basis for synovial lining formation and its structural integrity has not been previously defined. In this study, using a three-dimensional fibroblast-like synoviocyte in vitro organ culture system, we provide evidence that cadherin-11 expressed in fibroblast-like synoviocytes plays a determining role in establishing the synovial lining layer. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes that were grown in three-dimensional matrices demonstrated formation of a lining structure at the interface between the matrix and the fluid phase. Treatment of fibroblast-like synoviocyte organ cultures with a cadherin-11-Fc fusion protein efficiently abrogated lining layer organization. Moreover, because E-cadherin-expressing fibroblasts failed to organize a lining layer structure at the tissue boundary, this effect appears to be a distinct characteristic of fibroblasts expressing cadherin-11. We found that cadherin-11 mediated fibroblast-like synoviocyte cell-to-cell adhesion via formation of adherens junctions that were linked to and remodeled the actin cytoskeleton. Together, these studies implicate cadherin-11 in synovial tissue and lining layer formation and provide an in vitro system to model fibroblast-like synoviocyte behavior and function in organizing the synovial tissue.
Seeking the causal connection in electricity: shifting among mechanistic perspectives

This study evaluates reasoning about electric circuits in adolescents. We measured high school students' inclinations to shift among three mechanistic perspectives while solving circuit problems. Twenty‐two students from the same physics class were assigned to Treatment and Control groups. Semi‐structured interviews carried out before and after the teacher's electricity instruction measured changes in the Treatment group's reasoning. Four of the ten Treatment group subjects, the ‘Improved Performers', increased their accuracy scores across tests, while the remainder did not. In the Treatment group's post‐test, the ‘Unimproved Performers’ shifted among perspectives in a more disconnected, less coherent manner than the Improved Performers. Our results suggest that physics educators should recognize the importance of mechanism shifting for developing a causal understanding of electric circuits.
The cyclic stress-strain response of titanium-vanadium alloys

Abstract The cyclic stress-strain response of four Ti-V alloys (24, 28, 32 and 36 wt.% V), which have deformation modes ranging from coarse twinning to wavy and planar slip, has been measured and correlated with deformation mode and microstructure. When coarse twinning is the primary deformation mode an anomalous Bauschinger effect, associated with the untwinning during load reversal, is observed. A saturation flow stress is not obtained for the wavy slip alloy due to the intervention of microtwinning which inhibits cross slip and cell formation. Cyclic hardening of all alloys appears to be related, in some degree, to deformation twinning. Cyclic softening occurs for the planar slip alloys in the absence of microtwinning due to increasing mobile dislocation density.
Isolation and crystallization of planteose from mint seeds.

Abstract Planteose, α- d -Galp-(1 → 6)-β- d -Fruf-(2 → 1)-α- d -Glup, occurs together with sucrose and a nonreducing higher oligosaccharide as a principal reserve sugar in mint seeds. Planteose has been obtained in crystalline form from six different species, and identified by its characteristic x-ray diffraction pattern.
Dynamic Simulation Analysis of the Vibratory Sinking Piling System Based on AMESim

The dynamic model of pile-soil system has been established, the numerical simulation has been made with AMESim, and the effect of excitation frequency and soil condition on vibration friction characteristics of pile-soil system has been studied in the process of pile driving. Comparing the curves of pile tip resistance and side frictional resistance on different parameters, the influence law of work efficiency has been obtained. With the work, the most efficient exciting frequencies can be obtained, that the efficiency of pile-soil system in civil building construction can be improved.
Citrullus lanatus ‘sentinel’ (watermelon) extract reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice

Abstract Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus or C. lanatus) has many potentially bioactive compounds including citrulline, which may influence atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the effects of C. lanatus, provided as an extract of the cultivar ‘sentinel,’ on hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis in mice. Male low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice at 8 weeks old were given either C. lanatus ‘sentinel’ extract (2% vol/vol; n= 10) or a mixture of matching carbohydrates (2% vol/vol; n= 8) as the control in drinking water while being fed a saturated fat-enriched diet for 12 weeks ad libitum. Mice consuming C. lanatus ‘sentinel’ extract had significantly increased plasma citrulline concentrations. Systolic blood pressure was comparable between the two groups. Consumption of C. lanatus ‘sentinel’ extract led to lower body weight and fat mass without influencing lean mass. There were no differences in food and water intake and in urine output between the two groups. C. lanatus ‘sentinel’ extract administration decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations that were attributed to reductions of intermediate-/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Plasma concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-gamma were decreased and those of interleukin-10 were increased in mice consuming C. lanatus ‘sentinel’ extract. Intake of C. lanatus ‘sentinel’ extract resulted in reductions of atherosclerosis in both aortic arch and thoracic regions. In conclusion, consumption of C. lanatus ‘sentinel’ extract led to reduced body weight gain, decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations, improved homeostasis of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and attenuated development of atherosclerosis without affecting systolic blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic mice.
On Eddy Currents in a Rotating Disk

A DEVICE which often occurs in electric machines and instruments consists of a relatively thin conducting disk rotating between the pole pieces of a permanent magnet or electromagnet. The author has received inquiries as to the method of calculating the paths of the eddy currents and the torque in such cases. The following rather simple method, which is quite accurate for a permanent magnet, seems not to be described in the literature. It assumes that the disk is so thin that the skin effect can be neglected. This is true for all frequencies that can be produced mechanically. To facilitate calculation in the special case of circular poles it is also assumed that 2πωabγ=ea is much less than one where ω is the angular frequency of rotation in radians per second, a the pole-piece radius, b the disk thickness, and γ the electric conductivity, all in centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic units. This produces a fractional error of less than ea in the eddy current densities and of less than (ea)2 in the torque. In the case of the electromagnet the situation is complicated by the presence of the permeable pole pieces in the magnetic field of the eddy currents. This may send a large demagnetizing flux through the electromagnet. An approximate solution for this case will be considered.
Effects of hypophysectomy, prolactin, and growth hormone on growth of postmetamorphic frogs.

Hypophysectomy of juvenile postmetamorphic frogs (Rana pipiens) reduced growth (wet weight and length) compared to sham hypophysectomized controls. Mammalian growth hormone at doses of 10–50 μg/day promoted growth in intact frogs during a 2-month period. However, 5 μg/day of GH for 1 month did not promote growth. Mammalian prolactin did not promote growth in postmetamorphic frogs over a 2-month period at doses between 5 and 50 μg/day.
Ghost neutrinos in general relativity

An exact solution to the Einstein-Dirac equations is presented for a static, plane-symmetric spacetime generated by neutrinos. We find the neutrino field to be nonzero and correspond to a neutrino current along the symmetry axis of the space. The neutrinos yield a zero energy-momentum tensor and therefore the gravitational field is exactly the same as for the vacuum case. A comparison with other solutions is presented along with a discussion of the possible physical significance of this "ghost neutrino" field.
Fiber-optic oxygen sensor based on the fluorescence quenching of tris (5-acrylamido, 1,10 phenanthroline) ruthenium chloride

Abstract Leaking of immobilized fluorescent indicators from the sensing matrix affect the stability of optochemical sensors and, therefore, presents a major problem in this field. When a polymer is used as a matrix support, a covalent bonding of the fluorescence indicator to the matrix eliminates the leaking problem. However, covalent bonding of the indicator to the support cannot be used as a general approach since it may modify the spectral properties of the indicator and its sensing response toward the analyte. This paper describes the synthesis of a modified ruthenium phenanthroline complex which is suitable for acryl co-polymerization with acrylamide. The newly synthesized dye, tris (5 acrylamido, 1,10 phenanthroline) ruthenium chloride, Ru(5-acrylamido-phen)3, maintains its full oxygen response with a slight decrease in its quantum yield for emission. Leaking measurements show a significant improvement in the stability of fiber-optic oxygen sensors that use Ru(5-acrylamido-phen)3 as an oxygen sensitive fluorescence indicator, over previous fiber-optic oxygen sensors that make use of other ruthenium diimine complexes for oxygen measurement. The improvement in stability is particularly noticeable in samples of increased hydrophobicity.
Viscosity of vinyl aromatic polymer solutions

Abstract Viscosity data are presented for benzene solutions of three vinyl aromatic polymers: poly(1-vinylnaphthalene), poly(2-vinylnaphthalene) and poly(vinylbiphenyl) at 30°C and in the range of concentration c ⩽ 4 [η] . The results are compared with those for polystyrene in a theta and a good solvent. The applicability of the superposition scheme developed earlier and the molecular weight dependence of the reducing parameters are examined. For reduced viscosities \ gh ≡ η sp c [η] below about 1·6, superposition is achieved for all molecular weights. Observed differences in the molecular weight range of validity of superposition at elevated concentrations for the systems considered can be correlated with chain stiffness and solvent-polymer interactions, as characterized by the parameter B. A new reduced variable c 1 is suggested for a comparison of the relative positions of the generalized viscosity functions, \ gh=f ( c 1 ) , of different polymer solutions. The relative positions of the curves appear to be related to the relative values of the long range interaction parameter B.
Watching it boil: Continuous observation for the quantum zeno effect

The quantum Zeno effect (QZE) is often associated with the ironic maxim, “a watched pot never boils”, although the notion of “watching” suggests a continuous activity at odds with the usual (pulsed measurement) presentation of the QZE. We show how continuous watching can provide the same halting of decay as the usual QZE, and, for incomplete hindrance, we provide a precise connection between the interval between projections and the response time of the continuous observer. Thus, watching closely, but not so closely as to halt the “boiling”, is equivalent to—gives the same degree of partial hindrance as—pulsed measurements with a particular pulsing rate. Our demonstration is accomplished by treating the apparatus for the continuous watching as a fully quantum object. This in turn allows us a second perspective on the QZE, in which it is the modified level structure of the combined system/apparatus Hamiltonian that slows the decay. This and other considerations favor the characterization “dominated time evolution” for the QZE.
Inhibition by antitumour agents of labeling of nuclear proteins in vivo with l-arginine-U-14C

Abstract Arginine-U- 14 C was injected into animals bearing the Walker tumor at various times after treatment with one of a series of antitumor agents, including Myleran®, Leukeran®, 5-fluorouracil, 6-mercaptopurine, podophyllotoxin, colchicine and HN2. The tissues were excised 1 hr later and the labeling of proteins in various cellular fractions was determined. In the Walker tumor, the inhibition of labeling of the acid-insoluble nuclear proteins was the only constant effect of these agents. Podophyllo-toxin suppressed the labeling of the nuclear proteins to a greater extent than the labeling of proteins of other fractions of the Ehrlich ascites tumor; however, colchicine did not exert a selective effect on labeling of the nuclear proteins. The effects on labeling of the proteins of the liver and spleen varied from inhibitor to inhibitor. From these data it would appear that the inhibition of labeling of the acid-insoluble nuclear proteins is an intermediate stage of the inhibitory activity of these compounds.
Fluorimetric determination of monobromobimane and o-phthalaldehyde adducts of γ-glutamylcysteine and glutathione: application to assay of γ-glutamylcysteinyl synthetase activity and glutathione concentration in liver

The reversed-phase HPLC separation of fluorescent o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatives has been applied to the assay of hepatic gamma-glutamylcysteine and glutathione (GSH) levels and the enzymes producing these peptides. The method has been compared to the assay using monobromobimane (MB) as the derivatizing agent. The OPA method has the advantage of faster derivatization, the lack of need to adjust the pH, isocratic separation and selectivity for GSH and gamma-glutamylcysteine. The MB method requires pH adjustment following derivatization and gradient elution chromatography. MB is also non-selective, yielding fluorescent derivatives of all biological thiols and more interfering peaks on the chromatogram. MB-based analyses are also approximately sixty times more expensive per sample. MB yields fluorescent degradation products on exposure to light. OPA adducts are stable for up to ten days when stored at -20 degrees C. OPA detection is sensitive to 12.5 pmol in the sample, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 2.5. The two methods correlate well. Hepatic gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase in the same liver preparation was found to be 4.85 +/- 0.47 nmol min-1 mg-1 protein by the OPA method and 4.42 +/- 0.52 nmol min-1 mg-1 protein by the MB method. GSH concentrations were found to be 90.4 +/- 6.5 nmol/mg protein for the OPA method and 92.5 +/- 3.4 for the MB method.
Laparoscopic resection for inflammatory bowel disease: outcomes from a nationwide sample.

Background and Aims A significant proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) require surgery. While the majority of these are open procedures (OP), there is recent interest in laparoscopic resection (LS). There are no nationwide comparison of outcomes between LS and OP.
Vector potential of houseflies for the bacterium Aeromonas caviae.

Abstract Houseflies, Musca domestica Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae), have been implicated as vectors or transporters of numerous gastrointestinal pathogens encountered during feeding and ovipositing on faeces. The putative enteropathogen Aeromonas caviae (Proteobacteria: Aeromonadaceae) may be present in faeces of humans and livestock. Recently A. caviae was detected in houseflies by PCR and isolated by culture methods. In this study, we assessed the vector potential of houseflies for A. caviae relative to multiplication and persistence of the bacterium in the fly and to contamination of other flies and food materials. In experimentally fed houseflies, the number of bacteria increased up to 2 days post-ingestion (d PI) and then decreased significantly 3 d PI. A large number of bacteria was detected in the vomitus and faeces of infected flies at 2–3 d PI. The bacteria persisted in flies for up to 8 d PI, but numbers were low. Experimentally infected flies transmitted A. caviae to chicken meat, and transmissibility was directly correlated with exposure time. Flies contaminated the meat for up to 7 d PI; however, a significant decrease in contamination was observed 2–3 d PI. In the fly-to-fly transmission experiments, the transmission of A. caviae was observed and was apparently mediated by flies sharing food. These results support houseflies as potential vectors for A. caviae because the bacterium multiplied, persisted in flies for up to 8 d PI, and could be transmitted to human food items.
A simple method for the rapid determination of biogenic opal in pelagic marine sediments

Biogenic opal in marine sediments is determined with a single extraction of silica into 2 M Na2CO3 solution at 85°C for 5 h. The method has been applied to sediments of varied opal contents (3–100% opal) and age (Recent to Pliocene). It is sufficiently simple, precise and rapid to be used routinely for high resolution spatial and temporal mapping of the biosiliceous component in deep-sea sediments. Evidence from timed dissolution experiments, germanium/silicon ratios, and comparisons with other methodologies demonstrates that systematic errors produced by leaching of silica from aluminosilicates or by incomplete dissolution of siliceous microfossils are small compared to the range of opal contents in biogenic sediments. When estimating mass accumulation rates, we report sedimentary biogenic opal both as %SiOPAL (silicon content) and as %OPAL (2.4 × %SiOPAL). This conversion accounts for the average water content of diatomaceous silica (about 10% water = SiO2 · 0.4 H2O).
Renal dysfunction is common following resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Abstract Background Cardiac arrest patients often suffer from dysfunction of multiple organ systems after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The incidence of renal dysfunction in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is not well described. Renal dysfunction has been associated with worse outcomes in critical illness. Hypothesis Renal dysfunction is common after OHCA, and renal dysfunction is independently associated with survival. Methods We performed a retrospective review of consecutive adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit after successful resuscitation from OHCA between 01/01/2005 and 12/31/2010. Patients were excluded for death or withdrawal of care within 24 h, preexisting end-stage renal disease, or OHCA due to hyperkalemia. The RIFLE criteria were used to classify subjects with renal dysfunction into one of three categories – risk, injury, or failure – based on trending of serum creatinine concentration or glomerular filtration rate. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of 364 patients, 38 were excluded due to death or withdrawal of care within 24 h, 11 due to end-stage renal disease, and 4 due to OHCA from hyperkalemia, leaving 311 patients in the final analysis. The mean age was 58 (SD 16) years; 174 (59%) were male, VF/VT was the primary rhythm in 156 (50%), and 236 (80%) were comatose at hospital arrival. Among 311 patients, 32 (10.3%) developed acute renal failure (ARF), 27 (8.7%) developed acute kidney injury (AKI), and 56 (18.0%) developed risk of renal dysfunction. Of the 32 subjects that developed ARF, renal replacement therapy (RRT) was initiated on 13 (40.6%). Development of ARF was not associated with survival (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.26, 2.05) after adjusting for initial rhythm or illness severity. Conclusions More than one-third of patients resuscitated from OHCA developed evidence of renal dysfunction, and 19% of patients meeting criteria for AKI or ARF. In this study, development of renal failure was not independently associated with survival.
Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements for Growing Chicks I. Studies With Salt Mixtures Under Rachitic Conditions

Abstract It is well known that vitamin D or its equivalent, ultraviolet rays, has a corrective effect on the assimilation of calcium and phosphorus from rations with unfavorable mineral combinations. In other words, vitamin D masks the true biological action of the minerals as such. Therefore, to study the true mineral value of the diet, it is necessary to conduct experiments in the absence of this influencing factor. Shipley and co-workers1 demonstrated that rickets can be produced by either low calcium diets or low phosphorus diets. Sherman and Pappenheimer2 showed that rickets could be produced in rats by a diet low in phosphorus and that it could be prevented simply by increasing the phosphorus and decreasing the calcium content of the diet. In 1924 Goldblatt3 showed that when the calcium-phosphorus ratio was 1:0.8, rickets was only very slightly evident in rats fed a purified ration containing no vitamin D. However, in . . .
Isolated Proteinuria in Children Natural History and Indications for Renal Biopsy

The significance of isolated proteinuria in pediatric patients is uncertain. Therefore, we retrospectively studied all children evaluated for this urinary abnormality during the 6-year period from 1986 to 1992. Thirty-one patients (19 males), age 2 to 20 years, were identified as having isolated proteinuria that had persisted for a mean interval of 9.6 +/- 1.9 (SEM) months. The diagnosis was based upon the presence of a urine protein:creatinine ratio > 0.2 in an early-morning specimen. None of the patients had hematuria, edema, or azotemia. Seventeen children underwent a renal biopsy. There was no difference between the patients who were biopsied and those who were not with respect to age, magnitude of proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), or serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations. The renal histopathology revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (n = 8), membranous nephropathy (n = 1), postinfectious nephritis (n = 2), focal global glomerulosclerosis (FGGS) (n = 1), and normal kidney tissue (n = 5). Twelve of the patients who did not undergo a kidney biopsy and four of the five children with a normal renal biopsy were followed for at least 12 months; there was complete resolution of the proteinuria in 11 (69%) of these patients. The level of proteinuria did not predict the presence or absence of important kidney disease. However, if isolated proteinuria persists for more than 1 year, it is then unlikely to spontaneously remit and a renal biopsy is indicated to clarify the nature of any underlying glomerulopathy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mammalian cells in culture actively export specific microRNAs

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) as a new class of regulators of gene expression has triggered an explosion of research, but has left many unanswered questions about how this regulation works and how it is integrated with other regulatory mechanisms. A number of miRNAs have been found to be present in blood plasma and other body fluids of humans and mice in surprisingly high concentrations. This observation was unexpected in two respects: first, the fact that these molecules are present at all outside the cell at significant concentrations; and second, that these molecules appear to be stable outside of the cell. In light of this it has been suggested that the biological function of miRNAs may also extend outside of the cell and mediate cell-cell communication^[1-5]^. Such a system would be expected to export specific miRNAs from cells in response to specific biological stimuli. We report here that after serum deprivation several human cell lines tested do export a spectrum of miRNAs into the culture medium. The export response is substantial and prompt. The exported miRNAs are found both within and outside of microvesicles and exosomes. We have identified some candidate protein components of this system outside the cell, and found one exported protein that plays a role in protecting miRNA from degradation. Our results point to a hitherto unrecognized and uncharacterized miRNA trafficking system in mammalian cells that may involve cell-cell communication.
An overview of supercritical CO 2 applications in microelectronics processing

Supercritical CO2 technologies have only recently been proposed for microelectronic applications in response to needs for material-compatible cleaning systems, small-dimension developing solvents, and low chemical-use processes. Numerous proposed CO2 applications that are both process enabling and provide potential for chemical abatement in microelectronics engineering are discussed to present readers with the current scope of research in the field. Examples include stripping of photoresist and residues, drying, developing, and spinning of resist, chemical fluid deposition of metals, silylation, and formation and patterning of low-dielectric materials.
Boundary Conditions of the Galatea Effect: A Field Experiment and Constructive Replication

In a longitudinal field experiment, we examined the generalizability of the “Galatea effect” to businesses. This constructive replication provides the first test of the effect of a nonfictitious, n...
Crystal growth by topochemical reactions; CdCr2Se4 in the system CdSe-CrCl3-Pt

Abstract The equations of the chemical reactions leading to the growth of single crystals of the ferromagnetic semiconductor CdCr 2 Se 4 have been determined. The growth parameters are discussed in terms of the crystal growth techniques used by other investigators to prepare CdCr 2 Se 4 .
Sulfide Saturation in Mafic Magmas: Is External Sulfur Required for Magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) Ore Genesis?

The importance of externally derived sulfur in the genesis of sulfide-rich, magmatic Ni-Cu-(platinum group element [PGE]) deposits remains a key, yet unresolved, issue. Calculations utilizing a variety of mafic magma types indicate that, in general, sulfide saturation by fractional crystallization occurs after Ni has been depleted due to olivine crystallization. Cu- and PGE-rich layers may form during relatively later stages of closed-system crystallization, but unless the collection of the cotectic proportion of immiscible sulfide is extremely efficient, the mass of sulfide is too small to produce an economic deposit. We show that there are numerous processes that may lead to early sulfide saturation in mafic/ultramafic magmas. Contamination of mantle-derived magmas by siliceous country rocks or their partial melts will lower the sulfur content needed to induce sulfide liquid saturation, typically by amounts ranging from 200 to 700 ppm. The mixing of magmas, particularly if the result is to lower the liquidus temperature of the mixed magma, may also lower the sulfur content needed to attain sulfide saturation by similar amounts. An increase in magma fO2 related to the addition of volatiles such as H2O and CO2 is less effective in decreasing the sulfur concentration needed to achieve sulfide liquid saturation. Contamination processes that lead to an increase in the activity of SiO2 in the melt, and hence may promote orthopyroxene rather than olivine crystallization, aid in generating relative Ni enrichment in remaining liquid as a result of the lower DNi (mineral – melt) value of orthopyroxene relative to olivine. Although contamination and magma mixing may produce early sulfide saturation without the addition of externally derived sulfur, Ni-rich sulfide deposits can form in such cases only from large-volume, open systems, where the efficiency of sulfide collection is high. No matter what the liquidus minerals may be, without the addition of country rock-derived sulfur, the mass of sulfide necessary to generate economic Ni-Cu-(PGE) concentrations requires efficient sulfide collection from large, but not necessarily unrealistic, volumes of magma. Small deposits (4–30 Mt of sulfide) may form from the collection of cotectic proportions of sulfide from less than 50 km3 of magma. Larger deposits such as those at Noril’sk could involve more than 200 km3 of magma; this volume of magma is not unreasonable, particularly in rift/plume-related settings. Despite such possibilities, sulfur isotope data clearly indicate that externally derived sulfur has been involved in the formation of many large deposits, and that collection of mantle-derived sulfide in sufficient quantities to produce orebodies is a rare process. We propose that magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide ore formation normally requires significant sulfide supersaturation, and that the addition of sulfur derived from xenoliths is the most viable mechanism for producing sulfide well above the cotectic proportion in mafic/ultramafic magmas.
Engineered thermostable fungal cellulases exhibit efficient synergistic cellulose hydrolysis at elevated temperatures.

A major obstacle to using widely available and low-cost lignocellulosic feedstocks to produce renewable fuels and chemicals is the high cost and low efficiency of the enzyme mixtures used to hydrolyze cellulose to fermentable sugars. One possible solution entails engineering current cellulases to function efficiently at elevated temperatures in order to boost reaction rates and exploit several other advantages of a higher temperature process. Here we describe the creation of the most stable reported fungal endoglucanase, a derivative of Hypocrea jecorina (anamorph Trichoderma reesei) Cel5A, by combining stabilizing mutations identified using consensus design, chimera studies, and structure-based computational methods. The engineered endoglucanase has an optimal temperature that is 17 °C higher than wild type H. jecorina Cel5A, and hydrolyzes 1.5 times as much cellulose over 60 h at its optimum temperature compared to the wild type enzyme at its optimal temperature.This enzyme complements previously-engineered highly-active, thermostable variants of the fungal cellobiohydrolases Cel6A and Cel7A in a thermostable cellulase mixture that hydrolyzes cellulose synergistically at an optimum temperature of 70 °C over 60 h.The thermostable mixture produces three times as much total sugar as the best mixture of the wild type enzymes operating at its optimum temperature of 60 °C, clearly demonstrating the advantage of higher-temperature cellulose hydrolysis.
Pseudocolor b-mode arterial images to quantify echogenicity of atherosclerotic plaque

Based on the differences between tissue impedances in atherosclerotic plaques and on the scattering of ultrasound from blood, colors were assigned to the echo strength scale, replacing the usual gray scale in 2-D B-mode ultrasound images. Using a "green tag" indicating -55 dB to mark blood, other echo strength values from atherosclerotic plaque were assigned specific colors, creating a B-mode color ultrasound display that highlights selected echogenicities. The color scale permits the use of a wider dynamic range in the B-mode image, and allows the instrument gains to be set reproducibly.
“More Aware of Everything” Exploring the Returnee Experience in American Higher Education

At the intersection of the topics of migration and diversity in higher education lies the experience of people who grow up overseas, or who go overseas for education or military service, and then r...
Measuring user involvement: a diffusion of innovation perspective

User involvement is a need-based motivational attitude toward information systems and their development. As such, it has important implications for the successful creation and deployment of information systems in organizations. This paper reports on the development and validation of an instrument to determine if the distinction between a user's involvement in the process of information system diffusion can be measured independently of that user's involvement with the information system innovation itself. Utilizing previously-validated instruments from consumer behavior research, these two object-based categories of user involvement were operationalized.A longitudinal field study was conducted of users in a large financial institution during the implementation phase, in particular the later activities of the adaptation stage, of the information system diffusion process. During adaptation, the information system product becomes available for use in the organization. Late adaptation stage activities include hardware installation, system conversion, and training. The instruments were pre-tested and assessed as to their content validity, internal consistency, convergent validity, unidimensionality, temporal stability, discriminant validity, predictive validity, and factorial validity. The evidence indicates that the measurement scales are reliable and valid. The primary question of scale independence was examined by discriminant validity. The empirical evidence supports the theoretical distinction between user process involvement and user system involvement. The implications of these findings to research and practice are discussed.
Hydrated subducted crust at 100–250 km depth

Abstract Seismic waves that travel along the surface of subducted slabs provide a means to infer petrology to considerable depth. At high frequencies (0.5–10 Hz) they are particularly sensitive to the presence and state of subducted oceanic crust. New observations reveal systematic distortion of body waves in all north Pacific subduction zones, when signals traverse slabs at 100–250 km depths, suggesting that crust remains distinct to these depths. The signals show waveguide behavior at the scale of a few kilometers: short-wavelength, high-frequency energy (≥3 Hz) is delayed 5–7% relative to that of low frequencies (≥1 Hz), systematically at all subduction zones. To explain these observations, velocities in a low-velocity layer 1–7 km thick, likely subducted crust, must remain seismically slow relative to surrounding mantle at these depths. Hence, it seems unlikely that subducted crust has completely converted to eclogite, as often assumed. Inferred velocities within subducted crust are similar to those estimated for blueschists, suggesting that hydrous assemblages persist past the volcanic front.
A laccase electrode for organic-phase enzymatic assays

The biocatalytic activity of catalase in non-aqueous environments is exploited for developing an organic-phase amperometric biosensor. The catalase is immobilized within the Eastman-AQ film on the glassy carbon surface. Various experimental variables influencing the response of the t-butyl hydroperoxide substrate are explored for optimum performance.
Methodology to Review Cost-Effective Highway Sign Retroreflective Sheeting Policy

Kansas State University conducted research for the Kansas Department of Transportation to evaluate their retroreflective sheeting policy. This paper presents a recommended methodology for conducting a life-cycle cost analysis using Kansas cost figures and bid prices for two sheeting types as an example. A 50-state survey uncovered only four states that had ever done an economic analysis of sign sheeting. All were old studies and none used life-cycle cost-analysis techniques. Three types of signs were analyzed. For a new overhead guide sign, signs with high-performance sheeting had an equivalent uniform annual cost (EUAC) of $206.27/sign/year versus $243.40/sign/year for signs with engineering grade sheeting. For overlaying an existing guide sign, the EUAC is $152.2/sign/year for signs with high-performance sheeting versus $178.8/sign/year for signs with engineering grade sheeting. For a ground mounted sign, the EUAC is $4.79/sign/year for signs with high-performance sheeting versus $6.95/sign/year for signs with engineering grade sheeting. It was concluded that Kansas policy of using signs with highperformance sheeting was cost-effective. These conclusions are not necessarily valid in other states, and only two materials were used in the example because valid cost figures were available on only two materials; however, the methodology could be used by all states with appropriate data. An analysis of life-cycle cost results made available by several states would result in a significant contribution to nationwide results on all materials used in the United States under actual conditions. Language: en
The Solidarity of Markov Renewal Processes

It is known that for a wide class of irreducible recurrent Markov Chains and Markov Renewal processes, the finiteness of the p-th moment of recurrence times is finite for one state if and only if it is finite for all states. This result also holds for a wide class of functional of the processes between successive occurrence times. Such results are known as solidarity theorems. In this paper, a solidarity theorem is proved concerning the property of “being in the domain of attraction of a stable law with specified parameters.” A basic identity linking additive random functions determined by two distinct states is emphasized, and used to derive solidarity results for moments and for the WLLN.