cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTIVENESS OF SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS FOR REDUCING ALCOHOL-INVOLVED CRASHES

The goal of sobriety checkpoints is to deter drinking and driving by systematically stopping drivers for assessment of alcohol impairment, thus increasing the perceived risk of arrest for alcohol-impaired driving. This review examines the effectiveness of random breath testing (RBT) checkpoints, at which all drivers stopped are given breath tests for blood alcohol levels, and selective breath testing (SBT) checkpoints, at which police must have reason to suspect the driver has been drinking before demanding a breath test. A systematic review of the effectiveness of sobriety checkpoints in reducing alcohol-involved crashes and associated injuries and fatalities was conducted using the methodology developed for the Guide to Community Preventive Services (Community Guide) . Substantial reductions in crashes were observed for both checkpoint types across various outcome measures and time periods. Results suggest that both RBT and SBT checkpoints can play an important role in preventing alcohol-related crashes...
Preparation and structural studies of elemental curium-248 and the nitrides of curium-248 and berkelium-249

Abstract Samples of curium-248 metal were prepared on the 10 μg scale by reducing curium trifluoride with lithium metal vapor. Elemental curium 248 was found to exhibit a double hexagonal close-packed (d.h.c.p.) structure with average room temperature lattice parameters of a0 = 0.3500(3) nm and c0 = 1.134(1) nm, and a high temperature face-centred cubic (f.c.c.) structure with an average room temperature lattice parameter of 0.5065 (19) nm. Complete reversibility between the two phases of the metal was demonstrated. The nitrides of curium-248 and berkelium-249 were prepared by reaction of the metals or their hydrides with nitrogen. Curium-248 nitride was found to exhibit an f.c.c. structure with an average room temperature lattice parameter of a0 = 0.5027(12) nm. One single-phase sample of berkelium nitride yielded the f.c.c. parameter a0 = 0.5010(4) nm.
Pacific meridional mode and El Niño—Southern Oscillation

(1) We present intriguing evidence that the majority of El Nino events over the past four decades are preceded by a distinctive sea-surface warming and southwesterly wind anomaly in the vicinity of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) during the boreal spring. This phenomenon, known as the Meridional Mode (MM), is shown to be intrinsic to the thermodynamic coupling between the atmosphere and ocean. The MM effectively acts as a conduit through which the extratropical atmosphere influences ENSO. Modeling results further suggest that the MM plays a vital role in the seasonal phase-locking behavior of ENSO. The findings provide a new perspective for understanding the important role of thermodynamic ocean-atmosphere feedback in ENSO and may have profound implications for ENSO prediction, particularly the unresolved issue of the spring predictability barrier. Citation: Chang, P., L. Zhang, R. Saravanan, D. J. Vimont, J. C. H. Chiang, L. Ji, H. Seidel, and M. K. Tippett (2007), Pacific meridional mode and El Nino—Southern Oscillation, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L16608, doi:10.1029/2007GL030302.
The rigidity of repaired flexor tendons increases following ex vivo cyclic loading

Transected flexor tendons are typically treated by suture repair followed by rehabilitation that generates repetitive tendon loading. Recent results in an in vivo canine model indicate that during the first 10 days after injury and repair, there is an increase in the rigidity of the tendon repair site. Our objective was to determine whether or not ex vivo cyclic loading of repaired flexor tendons causes a similar increase in repair-site rigidity. We simulated 10 days of rehabilitation by applying 6000 loading cycles to repaired canine flexor tendons ex vivo at force levels generated during passive motion rehabilitation; we then evaluated their tensile mechanical properties. High-force (peak force, 17 N) cyclic loading increased repair-site rigidity by 100% and decreased repair-site strain by 50%, whereas low-force (5 N) loading did not change the properties of the repair site. This mechanical conditioning effect may explain, in part, the changes in tensile properties observed after only 10 days of healing in vivo. Mechanical conditioning of repaired flexor tendons by repetitive forces applied during rehabilitation may lead to increases in repair-site rigidity and decreases in strain, thereby altering the mechanical loading environment of tissues and cells at the repair site.
Seat excess variances of apportionment methods for proportional representation

Apportionment methods round vote proportions to integer numbers of seats in a parliament. The seat excess is the difference between the integer seat allocation and the fractional ideal share of seats. In order to quantify biased treatment of larger versus smaller parties, previous studies derived the conditional expectation of the seat excess, when the vote proportions are conditioned to be ordered. We complement these studies by computing the conditional seat excess variance for popular apportionment methods.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Lamellar Structured Inorganic Films Using Interfacial Surfactant Templating

Zinc oxide and cobalt hydroxide films with ordered lamellar structures were electrochemically produced via interfacial surfactant templating. This method utilizes interfacial amphiphile assemblies on a working electrode as a template to electrodeposit inorganic nanostructures. Surfactants with anionic head groups (e.g. sodium dodecyl sulfate, 1-hexadecanesulfonate sodium salt, dodecylbenzenesulfonate sodium salt, and dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt) formed bilayer assemblies with Zn2+ and Co2+ ions on the working electrode and guided the lamellar growth of ZnO and Co(OH)2 films. In order to gain the ability to precisely tailor inorganic lamellar structures, the effect of co-solvent and type of working electrode on the repeat distances, homogeneity and orientation of the interfacial amphiphilic bilayers were investigated. The results described here will provide a useful foundation to design and optimize synthetic conditions for electrochemical construction of inorganic lamellar structures.
Elevation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in patients experiencing neurocognitive decline following carotid endarterectomy

Background. Previous studies have demonstrated that elevated pre-operative monocyte count is an independent predictor of acute neurocognitive decline following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), secreted by human endothelial and monocyte-like cells, is a potent mediator of inflammation and mononuclear cell trafficking. This study examines the relationship between peri-operative serum MCP-1 elevation and post-operative neurocognitive injury following CEA. Methods. Fifty-two patients undergoing CEA and 67 lumbar laminectomy (LL) controls were administered a battery of five neuropsychological tests pre-operatively and on post-operative day 1 (POD 1). Change in individual test scores from baseline to POD 1 were converted into Z-score and used to develop a point system quantifying the degree of neurocognitive dysfunction relative to change within the LL group. Neurocognitive injury following CEA was defined as a score greater than 2 standard deviations above mean total deficit scores of LL controls. Serum MCP-1 levels were measured pre-operatively and on POD 1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Findings. Mean percent MCP-1 elevation was higher for the 13 injured CEA patients (147.7 ± 32.4%) in our cohort compared to 39 age- and sex-matched uninjured CEA patients (76.0 ± 16.5%). In unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis, percent elevation in serum MCP-1 level was associated with neurocognitive injury one day after CEA (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.13–4.26, P = 0.021, for a 100% elevation from pre-operative levels). Conclusions. Peri-operative elevations in serum MCP-1 levels correlate with acute neurocognitive dysfunction following CEA. These data implicate an inflammatory mechanism in the pathogenesis of Ischaemic neurocognitive decline.
X-ray diffraction in the multimegabar regime

Using the diamond anvil cell and powerful synchrotron sources, scientists are now able to routinely make x-ray diffraction studies of samples at pressures of 2 Mbars (200 GPa) using energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDXD) techniques. Thus, it is possible to obtain equations of state and to study new crystal structures which appear at ultrapressures. This makes possible direct comparison of experiments and approximate first principle bonding calculations and provides the basis for improving the approximations used in the fundamental approaches to bonding. Examples of such comparisons are given. Materials which have been studied by EDXD range from those with low atomic numbers such as NaH and Si to those with high atomic numbers such as Re and Au. Recently, considerable progress has also been made with single crystal x-ray diffraction experiments including studies on H/sub 2/ to 22 GPa.
Estimation of shock induced vorticity on irregular gaseous interfaces: a wavelet-based approach

We study the interaction of a shock with a density-stratified gaseous interface (Richtmyer–Meshkov instability) with localized jagged and irregular perturbations, with the aim of developing an analytical model of the vorticity deposition on the interface immediately after the passage of the shock. The jagged perturbations, meant to simulate machining errors on the surface of a laser fusion target, are characterized using Haar wavelets. Numerical solutions of the Euler equations show that the vortex sheet deposited on the jagged interface rolls into multiple mushroom-shaped dipolar structures which begin to merge before the interface evolves into a bubble-spike structure. The peaks in the distribution of x-integrated vorticity (vorticity integrated in the direction of the shock motion) decay in time as their bases widen, corresponding to the growth and merger of the mushrooms. However, these peaks were not seen to move significantly along the interface at early times i.e. t < 10 τ, where τ is the interface traversal time of the shock. We tested our analytical model against inviscid simulations for two test cases – a Mach 1.5 shock interacting with an interface with a density ratio of 3 and a Mach 10 shock interacting with a density ratio of 10. We find that this model captures the early time (t/τ ∼ 1) vorticity deposition (as characterized by the first and second moments of vorticity distributions) to within 5% of the numerical results.
The early history of TGF-β, and a brief glimpse of its future

This brief review is a retrospective on the original discovery of TGF-b, and the development of the field of TGF-b research in its earliest years, before 1990. Although such a commentary might seem to be ancient history to some, perhaps a revisiting of the context of the original discovery of the molecule and of some of the original assumptions and conclusions, both correct and incorrect, that were made from 1980–1990 can still provide useful insights for the contemporary investigator at the laboratory bench. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, it had become apparent that the growth of normal cells is controlled largely by the interplay between several polypeptide hormones and hormone-like growth factors that are present in tissue fluids. This was a golden age of discovery in growth factor research. Many new polypeptide growth factors were being identified in blood, serum, tissue fluids, and cellular extracts. Moreover, it was known that malignant cells were not subject to all the same growth controls as were normal cells. In general, it had been shown that malignant cells required less of these exogenous growth factors than did their normal counterparts for optimal growth and multiplication in cell culture, and the Nobel laureate, Robert Holley, had suggested that ‘‘transformed or malignant cells escape from normal growth controls by requiring less of such hormones or growth factors’’ [1]. It was in this setting that a new hypothesis of ‘‘autocrine secretion’’ was formulated in 1980 [2]. This hypothesis suggested a new explanation for the mechanism whereby a polypeptide growth factor might cause the malignant transformation of cells. Specifically, the hypothesis sug-
Monolithic Integration of Si and GaAs Devices

Integration of Si MOSFETs with GaAs MESFETs and with GaAs/AlGaAs double-heterostructure LEDs on monolithic GaAs/Si substrates is reported. Both Si MOSFETs and GaAs MESFETs show characteristics comparable to those for devices fabricated on separate Si and GaAs substrates. In LED/MOSFET integration, the cathode of each LED is connected with the drain of a MOSFET. This is the first time that Si and GaAs devices have been monolithically interconnected. LED modulation rates up to 27 Mbps have been achieved by applying a stream of voltage pulses to the MOSFET gate.
Structure and Dynamics of TM Domains of Human Glycine Receptor in LPPG Micelles

The structure and backbone dynamics of the entire four transmembrane domains of human glycine receptor α1 subunit (GlyRTM1234) were studied in LPPG micelle. Using triple-resonance multi-dimensional NMR methods, over 80% residues were assigned. The chemical shift index clearly showed that most residues in the TM region were in helical conformation, consistent with a four-helix-bundle TM protein. We have collected sufficient amount of distance, H-bond, and dihedral angle restraints from NOE and chemical shift data, as well as long-range distance restraints from paramagnetic relaxation enhancement measurements. The structure model, determined using the available restraints, showed a kink between Trp72 and Cys76 in the beginning of TM3 domain. Moreover, the end of TM2 domain, S53 to S56, is more flexible compared to the rest of TM2. In contrast, part of TM23 loop, V63 to V66, showed a helical secondary structure. Backbone dynamics measurements indicated the existence of significant internal motions of TM1234 in LPPG micelles. The relaxation data also resulted in an overall rotational correlation time of ∼33.4 ns, estimated based on the non-flexible helical residues. This overall tumbling time corresponds to a 66.8 kDa protein-LPPG complex with ∼98 LPPG molecules per GlyRTM1234. The size is confirmed by the dynamic light scattering measurement. We suggest that the flexible end of TM2 and the beginning of TM3 can better coordinate the coupling between the TM2-TM3 loop and the extracellular domain. This coupling is thought to be important for mediating channel gating. In addition, it is confirmed that the early termination of TM2 helix in GlyR is an intrinsic property and is independent of the presence or absence of other TM domains (Funded by NIH R37GM049202 & R01GM069766).
Reassessment of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal: A probability approach

Abstract This reassessment of the Corps of Engineers' study of the Cross-Florida Canal demonstrates the application of the Weibull probability distribution to handle uncertainty in benefit-cost analysis and illustrates the distribution's use to incorporate environmental considerations in project analysis. With range and probability assumptions to reflect the criticisms of the Corps' study, it is shown that the Canal was a high-risk project even with the inappropriately low discount rate used. Use of the Weibull distribution is shown to be superior to the usual point estimates and range sensitivity tests in benefit-cost analysis.
Duloxetine for management of stress urinaryincontinence

Abstract Objective: The aim of this article was to review data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of duloxetine, a selective serotonin (S-HT)-norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitor that has received US Food and Drug Administration marketing approval for the treatment of major depressive disorder and painful diabetic neuropathy, and that has been investigated as a treatment for stress urinary incontinence. Methods: A MEDLINE/PubMed search was conducted to identify English-language study reports. In addition, proceedings of meetings of the International Continence Society, European Association of Urology, American Urological Association, and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology were reviewed for relevant abstracts (search terms included duloxetine, thiophenes, serotonin uptake inhibitors, adrenergic uptake inhibitors , and stress urinary incontinence ). Additional references were obtained from the bibliographies of these sources. Data for the period from 1986 through January 2005 were reviewed. Results: All in vitro and in vivo studies of duloxetine were included. Because both S-HT and NE are involved in the maintenance of urinary continence, duloxetine may have a role in the treatment of urinary incontinence. Duloxetine is primarily eliminated via metabolism, with P P P P = 0.004), and improving the condition as measured by patient self- report ( P P = 0.028) and incontinence quality-of-life scores ( P = 0.002 to P = 0.03). The most problematic adverse events are nausea, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, and insomnia. Conclusions: Although statistically superior to placebo in efficacy trials, the clinical effects of duloxetine therapy on incontinence are small, suggesting that any benefits to the patient would be modest and must be weighed against the drug's adverse event profile. No comparative efficacy/tolerability data with alpha-receptor agonists (eg, pseudoephedrine) are available. On the basis of available data, duloxetine is a modest, but welcome, advance in the pharmacotherapeutic management of stress urinary incontinence.
Fluorinated methylenecyclopropane analogues of nucleosides. Synthesis and antiviral activity of (Z)- and (E)-9-{[(2-fluoromethyl-2-hydroxymethyl)-cyclopropylidene]methyl}adenine and -guanine.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of the title fluoromethylenecyclopropane analogues 15a, 15b, 16a, and 16b is described. Methylenecyclopropane carboxylate was first transformed to 2,2-bis-hydroxymethylmethylenecyclopropane. Selective monoacetylation followed by introduction of fluorine gave 2-acetoxymethyl-2-fluoromethylmethylenecyclopropane as the key intermediate. The synthesis of analogues 15a, 15b, 16a, and 16b then followed alkylation–elimination procedure as described previously for other methylenecyclopropane analogues. The adenine Z-isomer 15a was found to be a potent inhibitor of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in vitro with EC50/CC50 (μM) 0.5/55.7. Compounds 15b, 16a, and 16b were also active but at higher concentrations, EC50/CC50 (μM) 3.2–7.5/53.6–64.1. Analogue 15a inhibited hepatitis C virus by virtue of its cytotoxicity and it moderately inhibited replication of the Towne strain of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The E-isomer 16a was a substrate for adenosine deaminase, whereas the Z-isomer 15a was not deaminated.
Intramyocardial current flow in acute coronary occlusion in the canine heart

Data from numerous experimental infarction studies indicate that rapid myocardial cell depolarization following ischemia causes the flow of injury currents. These currents were measured in the canine myocardium by monitoring voltage gradients across infarct boundaries using silver chloride plunge electrodes, followed by placement of a 100 Ω resistor between the electrodes and again measuring the voltage gradients. Current flow was calculated from these measurements with the following results: 1) TQ currents developed within 15 seconds after occlusion and persisted for 120 to 150 minutes, often attaining a magnitude of 1μA. 2) ST currents also developed within 15 seconds and attained 2 to 3 μA within 15 to 30 minutes, then usually subsided to some degree. 3) T currents were biphasic and attained 2 to 5 μA. Initially, current flowed from normal to ischemic myocardium but usually reversed within 30 minutes after occlusion. 4) The current flow was often disproportionate to the voltage gradient between 120 and 180 minutes after occlusion, possibly indicating electrical uncoupling of the infarcting cells from normal cells. These data indicate that intramyocardial current flow develops early after acute coronary occlusion. These currents may be sufficient to induce reexcitation.
Barrier function of lymph node to tumor cells and erythrocytes. I. Normal nodes.

This study was carried out to obtain quantitative information relative to the ability of normal lymph nodes to retain tumor cells and to compare the findings with those obtained when similarly labeled erythrocytes were employed. The authors concluded (1) that retention of either erythrocytes or tumor cells is not influenced by cannulation of efferent lymphatics of nodes and lymph collection, (2) that information obtained relative to the barrier function of lymph nodes to erythrocytes is not applicable when nodal retention of tumor cells is considered, (3) that the majority of labeled tumor cells traverse lymph nodes to enter either efferent lymph or the venous system via nodal lymphatic-venous communications and that a unification exists between the blood and lymph vascular systems, and (4) that many tumor cells initially retained in nodes following injection maintain only temporary residence and that tumor cells themselves may be as great or greater a determinant of their residence in nodes as are the biological and mechanical properties of such nodes. Alternative considerations are given regarding the clinical importance of so called “positive” lymph nodes in patients with cancer.
Is elicitation of the autonomic orienting response associated with allocation of processing resources

Two experiments investigated whether elicitation of the autonomic orienting response is associated with active allocation of processing resources as indexed by the slowing of reaction time to secondary task probes. In Experiment 1, 75 college student subjects performed a dual task consisting of a primary auditory orienting task and a concurrent secondary visual reaction time task. The primary orienting task included task-relevant tones presented to one ear and task-irrelevant tones presented to the other ear. The last trial of the primary task included an unexpected novel tone presented binaurally. The secondary task consisted of a series of brief light flashes presented at critical times throughout the primary task; the reaction time of the subjects' motor responses to these flashes was measured. Consistent with the resource allocation view of orienting, the results demonstrated that resources were allocated during the primary task tones and the novel tone, and this allocation was greater during the early trials than the late trials of the primary task. However, a directional dissociation was observed in that resource allocation was greater during the task-irrelevant tone whereas autonomic orienting responses were larger to the task-relevant tone. Experiment 2 replicated all of these effects and demonstrated that the directional dissociation was sensitive to the predictability and ease of discrimination between the task-relevant and task-irrelevant tones. Taken together, these findings indicate that the relationship between resource allocation and autonomic orienting is a reliable but complex one in need of further research.
Demonstration of an Integrated Micro Cryogenic Cooler and Miniature Compressor for Cooling to 200 K

Joule-Thompson (J-T) based micro cryogenic coolers (MCCs) are attractive because they can provide the cryogenic temperatures needed for small electronic devices while having a low cost and small volumetric footprint. A compressor is a major part of a cryogenic system, but so far J-T based MCCs have not used miniature or micro scale compressors. This work demonstrates a J-T based MCC coupled with a miniature compressor for cooling to 200 K, using a custom hydrocarbon mixture as refrigerant. The compressor is formed by coupling a miniature piston oscillator built for Stirling coolers with a micromachined check valve assembly. The MCC is formed by glass fibers within a capillary forming a counter flow heat exchanger, and a silicon and glass chip forming a J-T valve. Minimum temperatures of 166 K have been observed in transient, and stable temperatures of 200 ±1 K have been observed for >1 hour. Some insight is given into the unstable performance in terms of intermittent liquid accumulation. The coefficient of performance is analyzed for the system, and it is found that most of the inefficiencies arise at the compressor.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Vomitoxin-Mediated IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 Superinduction in Murine CD4+T Cells Stimulated with Phorbol Ester and Calcium Ionophore: Relation to Kinetics of Proliferation

Abstract The effects of the trichothecene vomitoxin (VT) on the kinetics of cell proliferation and cytokine production were evaluated in murine CD4 + T cells. The CD4 + cultures were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin to activate protein kinase C and increase cytoplasmic free calcium, respectively, in a range of VT concentrations. Total and viable cell counts at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days revealed delayed or impaired cell proliferation in cultures containing between 50 and 100 ng/ml VT, with complete inhibition being observed at 250 and 500 ng/ml of VT. The VT concentration required to inhibit protein synthesis in a 3-day culture by 50% in this model was 40 ng/ml. When enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantitate cytokines, IL-2 levels in control cultures were highest at Day 1 and declined rapidly thereafter, whereas, in VT groups, IL-2 levels were highest at Day 3 and remained elevated up to 11 days. IL-2 levels were elevated by continuous exposure to 100–500 ng/ml of VT with more than 100-fold differences being observed between control and 250 ng/ml VT from Days 5 to 11. When IL-2 levels were expressed on a per viable cell basis, increases were even more marked with as much as 6 log differences being observed between the treatments at 250–500 ng/ml VT and control cultures at Day 7. Supernatant IL-4 and IL-5 levels were also elevated by 100 and 250 ng/ml VT in a dose- and time-dependent fashion compared to control cultures, whereas 500 ng/ml VT was inhibitory. When relative IL mRNA abundance was analyzed during the first 3 days of culture by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) in conjunction with Southern hybridization analysis, IL-2 mRNA levels in Days 1, 2 and 3 in cultures containing 100 and 250 ng/ml VT were greater than corresponding controls. IL-2 mRNA abundance in both control and VT-treated cultures was maximal at Day 1 and decreased rapidly thereafter in controls, whereas much slower rates of IL-2 disappearance were noted in 100 and 250 ng/ml of VT. IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA levels at VT doses of 50 and 100 ng/ml were also elevated compared to controls. Pulsed VT (8 to 48 hr) or cycloheximide (4 to 48 hr) exposure of CD4 + cells enhanced supernatant levels of IL-2 but not IL-4 upon incubation for 24 hr in fresh medium. This effect was not persistent. Taken together, VT enhanced and/or delayed peak IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 gene expression and secretion in CD4 + T cells stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. Remarkably, cytokine superinduction occurred simultaneously with partial or maximal inhibition of cell proliferation.
Ascending tracts of the lateral columns of the rat spinal cord: A study using the silver impregnation and horseradish peroxidase techniques

Abstract The location of projection areas and cells of origin of the ascending fiber tracts of the spinal cord lateral columns were examined in the rat. Projection areas were localized after unilateral microtransection of lateral column fibers at C2 or T10, using silver impregnation of preterminal and fiber degeneration. Cells of origin were localized by unilateral microtransection and subsequent application of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Two groups of fibers projected to the dorsal medulla. One group projected to nucleus intercalatus, commissuralis, and the dorsal column nuclei. The second group projected via the inferior cerebellar peduncle to the vestibular complex, with additional fibers continuing dorsally to the cerebellum. The most extensive system of ascending fibers projected to the reticular formation. Most spinoreticular fibers coursed through the ventral hindbrain and projected to the lateral reticular nucleus, ventral reticular nucleus, nucleus gigantocellularis, and nucleus subceruleus. Spinotectal and spinocentral gray fibers coursed through the ventral portion of the medulla and then dorsally through the pons. Spinocentral gray fibers projected to the caudal portion of the central gray matter, ipsilaterally. Spinotectal fibers projected to the intercollicular nucleus and adjacent portions of the superior colliculus, bilaterally. Two projections to the thalamus were observed after anterolateral column transection. Preterminal degeneration was observed in the ventrobasal complex ipsilaterally, and bilaterally in the intralaminar nuclei. In conjunction with previous results the present HRP data suggest that the cells of origin of spinothalamic tract fibers were situated in laminae IV, V, and VI. The location of spinal cord cells of origin of additional ascending tracts is discussed.
Effects of sera and liver extracts from partially hepatectomized rats on liver slice DNA synthesis

Sera from partially hepatectomized rats (PH) compared to sera from control rats (C) enhance liver slice DNA synthesis but depress kidney slice DNA synthesis. Alone, liver extracts from PH do not affect DNA synthesis; but adding sera to PH extracts stimulates, suggesting that sera and liver factors from PH may participate in compensatory growth.
Effects of inhibitors and substrate supplementation on anaerobic energy metabolism in the ventricle of the oyster, Crassostrea virginica☆

Abstract 1. 1. Under anoxic conditions, in vitro preparations of the ventricle of the oyster Crussostrea virginica appeared to simultaneously ferment glycogen and aspartate. Alanine, succinate and alanopine/ strombine accumulated as end products. 2. 2. Addition of the transaminase inhibitor, aminooxyacetate, significantly inhibited the anoxic utilization of aspartate and the accumulation of alanine and succinate. In contrast, alanopine/strombine production was markedly stimulated in the presence of aminooxyacetate. 3. 3. Iodoacetate, a well-established inhibitor of glycolysis, failed to produce any significant changes in the levels of aspartate, alanine and succinate. The accumulation of alanopine/strombine, however, was significantly reduced. These results suggest that the carbon skeleton used alanine synthesis is not totally derived from glycogen. 4. 4. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase does not appear to be functional during the early phases of anoxia in C. virginica ventricle. This was clearly demonstrated by the lack of an effect of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase inhibitor, mercaptopicolinate, on end product accumulation. 5. 5. Addition of exogenous aspartate enhanced the accumulation of alanine in anoxic ventricle preparations. 6. 6. The results of this study are generally consistent with the proposed linkage of aspartate and glycogen fermentation during the early phases of anoxia in molluscs.
Digital particle image thermometry/velocimetry: a review

Digital particle image thermometry/velocimetry (DPIT/V) is a relatively new methodology that allows for measurements of simultaneous temperature and velocity within a two-dimensional domain, using thermochromic liquid crystal tracer particles as the temperature and velocity sensors. Extensive research has been carried out over recent years that have allowed the methodology and its implementation to grow and evolve. While there have been several reviews on the topic of liquid crystal thermometry (Moffat in Exp Therm Fluid Sci 3:14–32, 1990; Baughn in Int J Heat Fluid Flow 16:365–375, 1995; Roberts and East in J Spacecr Rockets 33:761–768, 1996; Wozniak et al. in Appl Sci Res 56:145–156, 1996; Behle et al. in Appl Sci Res 56:113–143, 1996; Stasiek in Heat Mass Transf 33:27–39, 1997; Stasiek and Kowalewski in Opto Electron Rev 10:1–10, 2002; Stasiek et al. in Opt Laser Technol 38:243–256, 2006; Smith et al. in Exp Fluids 30:190–201, 2001; Kowalewski et al. in Springer handbook of experimental fluid mechanics, 1st edn. Springer, Berlin, pp 487–561, 2007), the focus of the present review is to provide a relevant discussion of liquid crystals pertinent to DPIT/V. This includes a background on liquid crystals and color theory, a discussion of experimental setup parameters, a description of the methodology’s most recent advances and processing methods affecting temperature measurements, and finally an explanation of its various implementations and applications.
Development and validation of a citrate synthase directed quantitative PCR marker for soil bacterial communities

Abstract Molecular innovations in microbial ecology are allowing scientists to correlate microbial community characteristics to a variety of ecosystem functions. However, to date the majority of soil microbial ecology studies target phylogenetic rRNA markers, while a smaller number target functional markers linked to soil processes. We validated a new primer set targeting citrate synthase ( gtl A), a central enzyme in the citric acid cycle linked to aerobic respiration. Primers for a 225 bp fragment suitable for qPCR were tested for specificity and assay performance verified on multiple soils. Clone libraries of the PCR-amplified gtl A gene exhibited high diversity and recovered most major groups identified in a previous 16S rRNA gene study. Comparisons among bacterial communities based on gtlA sequencing using UniFrac revealed differences among the experimental soils studied. Conditions for gtl A qPCR were optimized and calibration curves were highly linear ( R 2 > 0.99) over six orders of magnitude (4.56 × 10 5 to 4.56 × 10 11 copies), with high amplification efficiencies (>1.7). We examined the performance of the gtl A qPCR across a variety of soils and ecosystems, spanning forests, old fields and agricultural areas. We were able to amplify gtl A genes in all tested soils, and detected differences in gtl A abundance within and among environments. These results indicate that a fully developed gtl A-targeted qPCR approach may have potential to link microbial community characteristics with changes in soil respiration.
Real-Time Battery Model Parameter Estimation With Improved Observability and Robustness

Prediction of battery system responses and capability for next few seconds can provide key information to use battery hardware effectively. The prediction performance will be much improved, when battery models can capture the real battery responses as accurate as possible. Equivalent circuit models (ECMs) have been used for control purpose due to their proper balance between computational efficiency and prediction accuracy. The limitations of ECMs can be efficiently compensated through real-time model parameter estimation. Further enhancement is possible by improving system observability and robustness, specifically effective under low temperature and aggressive driving. This paper proposes an approach to improve the robustness and accuracy in estimating parameters by reformulating ECMs with new parameters. The proposed approach can estimate battery parameters less sensitive to both external disturbance and possible model mismatch under various driving conditions.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Hybrid SemiLoof elements for plates and shells based upon a modified Hu-Washizu principle

Hybrid SemiLoof elements for plates and shells are developed based upon modified Hu-Washizu principle. In the new version of the assumed stress hybrid formulation the equilibrium equations are satisfied through the introduction of internal displacement parameters as Lagrange multipliers. The inversion of the resulting H-matrices is simplified particularly when the stresses are expressed in terms of natural coordinates. A 24-DOF triangular element and a 32-DOF quadrilateral element based on shallow shell theory are derived and evaluated.
An analysis of a size effect in indentation delamination of a ductile film on an elastic substrate

Abstract Simulations of indentation delamination of ductile films on elastic substrates are performed. A cohesive zone model accounts for initiation and growth of interface delaminations. With the cohesive zone model a length scale is introduced into the analysis and a size effect in the initiation of interface delaminations is predicted.
Modeling access to health care within a community

Health disparities have been a growing concern in the USA. Differences in access to healthcare play a role in these health disparities. This article presents a model that illustrates access to healthcare in two rural Midwestern communities. The simulation model developed helps determine if people in these communities have equal access to health care and if physician’s insurance coverage practices prevent certain people from accessing care. From the simulation, it can be determined which characteristics may lead to the disparities in access to health care. Using the results of such a simulation model, the community may then begin to take action in order to ensure equal access to health care for all people within the community and help reduce health disparities.
Angle-resolved photoemission investigation of the bonding geometry of CO to ZnO(101̄0)

Abstract Angle-resolved ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy has been used to determine the bonding orientation of CO adsorbed on the ZnO (1010) surface. The surface coordination structure observed provides insight into the bonding and utility of ZnO as a methanol synthesis catalyst.
Helping parents to become the potent force in combating and preventing the drug problem

There is a growing recognition that parents can be a “potent force” in preventing drug abuse. At the same time, parents themselves who have become disenchanted and disillusioned with previous drug ...
Intra-arterial third-generation recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (reteplase) for acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively evaluated the safety and recanalization efficacy of intra-arterially administered reteplase, a third-generation recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, for treating ischemic stroke in patients considered poor candidates for intravenously administered alteplase therapy. METHODS: Patients were considered poor candidates for intravenously administered therapy because of severity of neurological deficits, interval from onset of symptoms to presentation of 3 hours or more, or recent major surgery. We administered a maximum total dose of 8 U of reteplase intra-arterially in 1-U increments via superselective catheterization. Adjunctive angioplasty of the occluded artery was performed in seven patients. Angiographic evidence of perfusion and thrombus was graded by use of modified Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) criteria. Neurological examinations were performed before and 24 hours and 7 to 10 days after treatment. RESULTS: Sixteen consecutive patients were treated (mean age, 64.1 ± 16.4 yr; seven were men). Initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores ranged from 10 to 26. Time from onset of symptoms to treatment ranged from 2 to 9 hours. Occlusion sites were the cervical internal carotid artery (n = 4), intracranial internal carotid artery (n = 4), middle cerebral artery (n = 6), and vertebrobasilar artery (n = 2). Complete or near-complete perfusion (TIMI Grade 3 or 4) was achieved in the arteries in 14 patients (88%), with partial recanalization (TIMI Grade 2) or minimal response (TIMI Grade 1) in the arteries in one patient each. Neurological improvement (defined as decrease of four or more points in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score) was observed in 7 (44%) of the 16 patients at 24 hours. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in one patient; three other patients experienced intracerebral hemorrhages that did not result in neurological worsening. The overall mortality during hospitalization was 56%, related to massive ischemic stroke (n = 7), withdrawal of care at the family's request after the development of aspiration pneumonia and renal failure (n = 1), and a combination of intracerebral hemorrhage and massive ischemic stroke (n = 1). CONCLUSION: In this study, intra-arterially administered reteplase in doses up to 8 U with or without angioplasty resulted in a high rate of recanalization. This strategy should be considered in treating patients considered poor candidates for intravenous thrombolysis.
Soft films on hard substrates — nanoindentation of tungsten films on sapphire substrates

Abstract We have studied the indentation properties of sputter deposited W thin films on single crystal sapphire substrates in an effort to understand the effects of pile-up on the indentation properties of soft films on hard substrates. Hardness and elastic modulus of these films were determined by nanoindentation using a Nano XP™. The hardness and elastic modulus were first determined using the Oliver and Pharr method to estimate the contact areas during indentation. This method does not account for the effects of pile-up. Because the film and substrate have very similar elastic properties, it was possible to determine the true contact areas directly from the measured contact stiffness and from that determine the true properties of the film. This method also provides a quantitative estimate of the pile-up height, which compares favorably with direct AFM measurement of the pile-up height.
Genome-wide dynamics of Pol II elongation and its interplay with promoter proximal pausing, chromatin, and exons

Production of mRNA depends critically on the rate of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation. To dissect Pol II dynamics in mouse ES cells, we inhibited Pol II transcription at either initiation or promoter-proximal pause escape with Triptolide or Flavopiridol, and tracked Pol II kinetically using GRO-seq. Both inhibitors block transcription of more than 95% of genes, showing that pause escape, like initiation, is a ubiquitous and crucial step within the transcription cycle. Moreover, paused Pol II is relatively stable, as evidenced from half-life measurements at ∼3200 genes. Finally, tracking the progression of Pol II after drug treatment establishes Pol II elongation rates at over 1000 genes. Notably, Pol II accelerates dramatically while transcribing through genes, but slows at exons. Furthermore, intergenic variance in elongation rates is substantial, and is influenced by a positive effect of H3K79me2 and negative effects of exon density and CG content within genes.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02407.001.
Three-dimensional preoperative virtual planning and template use for surgical correction of craniosynostosis.

Summary Background Surgical correction of craniosynostosis aims to remodel the cranial vault to achieve a morphology approaching that of age-matched norms. However, current surgical technique is highly subjective and based largely on the surgeon's artistic vision in creating a normal head shape. Here, we present our technique and report our experience with the use of virtual surgery using computer-assisted design (CAD)/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) techniques to create a prefabricated template for the planning of osteotomies and the placement of bone segments, to achieve standardised, objective and precise correction of craniosynostosis. Methods Four patients who underwent cranial vault remodelling (CVR; three metopic synostosis and one sagittal synostosis) underwent virtual surgical planning (VSP) preoperatively using CAD/CAM techniques. VSP allows pre-planning of osteotomies to achieve the desired cranial vault shape. Surgical osteotomies and placement of bone segments were performed intra-operatively based on prefabricated templates. Results All patients demonstrated markedly improved head shape postoperatively. One patient developed a subdural haematoma 6 weeks postoperatively subsequent to a fall where he hit his head. The haematoma was drained and a soft spot was present in that location 3 months postoperatively. Conclusion The use of virtual surgery and prefabricated cutting guides allows for a more precise and rapid reconstruction. Surgical osteotomies are pre-planned and rapidly performed using a template, and precise placement of calvarial bone segments is achieved without the need for subjective assessment of the desired calvarial shape. In addition, patients and families have a significantly better understanding of the disease process and anticipated surgery preoperatively with the visualisation achieved through virtual surgery. This results in better alignment of hopes and expectations between the parents and surgeons.
ENHANCING CLASSROOM COURSES WITH INTERNET TECHNOLOGY: ARE COURSE WEB SITES WORTH THE TROUBLE?

This article reports the findings of a survey of faculty who publish course Web sites associated with their classroom courses. The communication goals and educational objectives of the sites were i...
On the theory of coherent neutrino scattering from crystals

Recently, Weber has analyzed the scattering of (anti)-neutrinos from a crystal, predicting that the neutrino-nuclear cross-section is multiplied by a coherence factorO(N2), whereN is the number of nuclei in the crystal. This leads to a macroscopic force on the crystal, for which he reports finding preliminary evidence using a fission reactor as a source of electron antineutrinos. Butler has since argued that a factorO(N2) can enter only when the neutrino wave-length is comparable with the crystal dimension, indicating that coherence occurs only in this ultra-low-energy regime. I consider the scattering from an ideal crystal of (anti)neutrinos with much smaller wave-lengths, comparable to the lattice spacing or considerably less, leading to coherent Bragg-Laue scattering, analogous to that of X-rays or thermal neutrons. An explicit formula is obtained for the coherent force exerted on the crystal expressed in terms of energy moments of the neutrino source. The coherent force produced by neutrinos of such wave-lengths is linear inN. Hence, in agreement with Butler, I find that a coherence factorO(N2) can occur only for neutrinos with ultra-long wave-lengths.
Can robot-assisted radical prostatectomy be taught to chief residents and fellows without affecting operative outcomes?

Purpose To determine whether robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) may be taught to chief residents and fellows without influencing operative outcomes.
Frequency and duration of hierarchy item exposure in a systematic desensitization analogue

Abstract Little is known regarding the importance of stimulus presentation variables in desensitization. A repeated measures factorial research design was utilized to investigate the role of hierarchy item frequency and duration in a desensitization analogue. Two frequency levels (1 and 3) and three total duration levels (3,12 and 30 sec) were combined to form six treatment groups; an additional no-treatment control group was also used. Results in both overt behavioral and subjective fear response modes suggest that single exposures are preferable, but that this preference is localized primarily in the longer total duration range. Long single exposures to hierarchy items yielded the greatest and most persistent changes in both response modes. It is suggested that clinicians utilize item presentations of this sort to determine their efficacy in actual therapy conditions. Choice of technique for assessing change and the utility of analogue studies are also briefly discussed.