cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of shock bifurcations on shock-flame interactions and DDT

Time-dependent, multidimensional, reactive Navier-Stokes fluid-dynamics simulations are used to examine the effects of bifurcated shock structures on shock-flame interactions and deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in shock-tube experiments. The computations are performed for low-pressure (100 torr) ethylene-air mixtures using a dynamically adapting computational mesh to resolve flames, shocks, boundary layers, and vortices in flow. Results of the simulations show a complex sequence of events, starting from the interactions of an incident shock with an initially laminar flame, formation of a flame brush, DDT, and finally the emergence of a self-sustained detonation with the type of transverse-wave structure that forms detonations cells. An important process, studied here in detail, is the interaction of the reflected shock with the boundary layer formed by the incident shock. This interaction leads to bifurcation of the reflected shock and the formation of a complex structure containing a leading oblique shock followed by a recirculation region. If the flame is close enough to the bifurcated structure, it becomes entrained in the recirculation region and attached to the bifurcated shock. This changes the nature of the shock-flame interaction both qualitatively and quantitatively. The reactive bifurcated structure, containing an attached flame, appears as a shock-flame complex propagating at approximately one half of the CJ velocity. The presence of a bifurcated structure leads to an increase in the energy-release rate, the formation of Mach stems in the middle of the shock tube, and creation of multiple hot spots behind the Mach stem, thus facilitating DDT.
More aroused, less fatigued: fatty acid amide hydrolase gene polymorphisms influence acute response to amphetamine.

Amphetamine is a stimulant drug that enhances attention and feelings of alertness. Amphetamine's effects are known to be modulated by endogenous cannabinoids, which are degraded by the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). In this study we investigated inter-individual differences in mood response to amphetamine in relation to four polymorphisms in the FAAH gene, including the FAAH missense variant rs324420C → A (Pro129Thr), which was previously found to be associated with street drug use and addictive traits. One hundred and fifty-nine healthy Caucasian volunteers participated in a three-session, double-blind crossover study receiving either placebo or oral d-amphetamine (10 and 20 mg). Associations between individual genotypes and levels of self-reported Arousal (Profile of Mood States) after d-amphetamine ingestion were investigated using two-way ANOVAs/ANCOVAs. Association analyses for haplotypes were performed using the adaptive permutation approach implemented in PLINK. Genotypes at rs3766246 and rs2295633 were significantly associated with increased ratings of Arousal (p<0.05) and Fatigue (p<0.01) after the 10-mg dose. Fatigue levels were also found to be associated with the haplotypes CCC and TAT formed from rs3766246, rs324420, and rs2295633 (p<0.05). These data suggest that the endocannabinoid system influences variation in subjective response to amphetamine. This has important implications for understanding the role of endogenous cannabinoids in response to amphetamine, studies of poly-substance abuse, and understanding the genetic determinants of inter-individual differences in stimulant effects and risk of abuse.
Antorbital and forehead secretions of black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus): Their role in age-class recognition

Abstract Male black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus columbianus ) scent mark with their forehead gland secretion and antorbital sac contents. When forehead and antorbital sections were presented on the same nylon rod on an artificial tree, male deer discriminated between male yearlings' and fawns' secretions. When the secretions were presented separately, male deer discriminated between yearlings' forehead and antorbital secretions and blank controls. Discrimination was indicated by differential rates of sniffing and licking. In addition, the frequency of forehead rubbing of the scent marks appeared to be dependent on the dominance relationships of the male deer. Chemical evidence is presented which suggests that male yearlings' and fawns' antorbital secretions differ quantitatively. Females did not respond preferentially to these secretions and, with the exception of sniffing, responded significantly less than males.
Evolution of the statutes and membership of the international academy of astronautics

Abstract This segment deals with the institutional aspects of the origin and development of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), as reflected, in particular, in its basic legal documents, the IAA Statutes and Bylaws. These documents not only provide the legal basis on which the Academy was erected and its membership assembled, but also reflect the philosophy which has underlain the edifice of the Academy from its beginning until the present, even though the Academy has undergone some visible transformations in recent years. Notwithstanding these changes, however, the ideals that led to the establishment of the IAA remain valid and the Academy maintains its original goals and commitments. Its membership and governing bodies should now concentrate on how to further increase the scope and effectiveness of the activities of the IAA so as to strengthen its place and role among international organizations serving the cause of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer space in the present world community.
Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis with Splenic Involvement: A Detailed Autopsy Study

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is characterized by the deposition of IgG-positive, randomly arranged, nonbranching, non-Congophilic fibrils in the glomeruli. The possibility of multiorgan involvement, as in amyloidosis, has been raised. The authors report the first detailed autopsy study on a patient with FGN, with thorough examination of the organs by electron microscopy, colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining. Thin, wavy fibrils (extracellular matrix filaments) ranging from 6 to 17 nm were seen in all other organs, but only kidney and spleen showed the typical rigid, nonbranching fibrils of FGN with specific gold label. This study suggests that FGN is mainly a renal-limited disease with possible involvement of the spleen.
Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy decreases the incidence and morbidity of surgical site infections.

Objective To determine the incidence and morbidity of surgical site infections (SSI) during prostatectomy, and determine the association with surgical approach. The development of a SSI after radical prostatectomy is associated with increased cost and significant morbidity. However, existing comparisons between open and robotic surgery have been made comparing a contemporary robotic experience with historical cohorts undergoing open surgery. Methods We reviewed the incidence of SSI in 5908 consecutive patients undergoing both retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP; n = 4824 [81.7%]) and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP; n = 1084 [18.3%]) at our institution between 2004 and 2008. Patient records were reviewed for the development and treatment of an SSI, defined as wound erythema or cellulitis that necessitated antibiotic therapy or opening of the surgical wound within 30 days of surgery. Results In total, 222 (3.7%) patients developed an SSI. Those undergoing RARP (6/1084, 0.6%) were significantly less likely to develop an SSI than patients undergoing RRP (216/4824, 4.5%) ( P Conclusions Patients undergoing RARP are less likely to develop SSIs than patients undergoing RRP. Furthermore, the infections that develop after minimally invasive surgery are less severe. Continued investigation into the mechanisms of SSIs are needed to further decrease patient morbidity.
A Reconfigurable Computing Scheduler Optimized for Multicore Systems

The operating system plays an important role in managing the reconfigurable hardware (RH) resources in a reconfigurable computing system to maximize system performance. These systems are becoming increasingly more complex, with multi-core CPUs and multi-tasking applications, each containing multiple kernels of computation that could be accelerated in RH. In such a system, the dynamic allocation of RH resources also becomes increasingly difficult. In this paper we examine one of the important issues a scheduler may encounter: the performance benefits of accelerating a particular kernel in an application may be enhanced by also accelerating other kernels in the application. We show that a scheduler that ignores these interdependencies will not always find the best allocation. We also propose a new RH scheduler designed specifically to handle these interdependencies, improving system performance.
A nonlinear approach to tracking single nanometer-scale fluorescent particles

We describe a nonlinear control law for tracking single, sub-diffraction limit fluorescent particles that takes advantage of the geometric properties of the spatial intensity pattern. We present simulation results for tracking a single particle based on confocal measurements to illustrate the approach. The control law converts each intensity measurement into actuator commands directly, and consequently should yield improved temporal response over existing algorithms. We consider both two- and three-dimensional tracking.
Design and evaluation of a novel trifluorinated imaging agent for assessment of bile acid transport using fluorine magnetic resonance imaging.

Previously, we developed a trifluorinated bile acid, CA-lys-TFA, with the objective of noninvasively assessing bile acid transport in vivo using 19 F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CA-lys-TFA was successfully imaged in the mouse gallbladder, but was susceptible to deconjugation in vitro by choloylglycine hydrolase (CGH), a bacterial bile acid deconjugating enzyme found in the terminal ileum and colon. The objective of the present study was to develop a novel trifluorinated bile acid resistant to deconjugation by CGH. CA-sar-TFMA was designed, synthesized, and tested for in vitro transport properties, stability, imaging properties, and its ability to differentially accumulate in the gallbladders of normal mice, compared with mice with known impaired bile acid transport (deficient in the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter, ASBT). CA-sar-TFMA was a potent inhibitor and substrate of ASBT and the Na + /taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. Stability was favorable in all conditions tested, including the presence of CGH. CA-sar-TFMA was successfully imaged and accumulated at 16.1-fold higher concentrations in gallbladders from wild-type mice compared with those from Asbt-deficient mice. Our results support the potential of using MRI with CA-sar-TFMA as a noninvasive method to assess bile acid transport in vivo . © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 103:3782–3792, 2014
Characterization of a human saliva antigen precipitated by a lectin from Lotus tetragonolobus.

. Ouchterlony precipitin tests give visual evidence that extracts from Lotus tetragonolobus contain two different lectins. In addition to the H antigen, Lotus identifies another antigen, called the L antigen, which is not the A, B, Lea, Sda, I or SC1 saliva antigen and has been found in variable strength in secretor and nonsecretor saliva of individuals of all ABO blood groups. The L antigen is part of a cathode migrating glycoprotein. Sugar inhibition studies reveal that the terminal sugars are the same as for the H and Lea antigens, the presumable difference being that l-fucose is attached to a different site. The L antigen is absent in the saliva and red cells of the Bombay type, but red cells of all other individuals absorb both lectins from Lotus extract.
Nationwide Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Multimetric Indices: Identifying Inconsistencies and Limitations in Reporting Stream Impairment Status, USA

The objective of this study was to identify the current status of stream water-quality assessment and reporting methods for four states in the Ohio River basin (Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia), as required by the 305(b) section of the United States (US) Clean Water Act. Specifically, we clarified the discrepancies that exist among stream-impairment status classified by benthic macroinvertebrate multimetric indices (MMIs) and depicted using Geographic Information Systems shapefiles. In addition, we provided guidance in solving some of the comparability problems that arise when developing state-specific MMIs and depicting stream-impairment status using Geographic Information Systems technology. The MMI variation among states and differences in shapefile formats resulted in a nationwide dataset, which cannot be directly compared. Incorporating the changes suggested in this study allow for a uniform assessment and reporting method nationwide. Successful implementation of these changes would strengthen the US Environmental Protection Agency efforts to identify impaired streams and sources of those impairments without the limitations of state-by-state .developed assessment methods.
Heat and mass transfer characteristics of a constrained thin-film ammonia–water bubble absorber

Abstract A study of absorption of ammonia vapour bubbles into a constrained thin-film of ammonia–water solution is presented. A large-aspect-ratio microchannel constrains the thickness of the weak solution film and ammonia vapour bubbles are injected from a porous wall. A counter flowing coolant in a minichannel removes the generated heat of absorption. Experiments and a simple one-dimensional numerical model are used to characterize the absorber performance at a nominal system pressure of 6.2 bar absolute. Effect of varying the mass flow rate of the weak solution, vapour flow rate, solution inlet temperature, and coolant inlet temperature on absorption heat and mass transfer rates and exit subcooling are discussed. Two absorber channel geometries, each of 600 μm nominal depth, are considered: 1) a smooth-wall channel, and 2) a stepped-wall channel that has 2-mm deep trenches across the width of a channel wall. Results indicate that the reduction in coolant inlet temperature significantly enhances the mass transfer rates in both absorber geometries. While the stepped-wall geometry exhibits higher mass transfer rates at lower coolant inlet temperatures of 30 °C and 40 °C, the smooth-wall channel shows higher mass transfer rates at the highest coolant inlet temperature of 58 °C. Both absorption limited and residence time limited conditions are observed with variation of weak solution flow rate at fixed vapour flow rates.
De Facto Devolution and Urban Defunding: The Priority of Persons Over Places

Much attention has been focused on devolution of federal functions to states and localities; yet, little devolution is evident. Many forces are generating interest in devolution, but opposition rem...
The Golden Rule Bias Reduction Principle: A Practical Reform

In this article, the Executive Director of FairTest, an organization that has been prominent in promoting Golden Rule-type procedures, explains what he means by the “Golden Rule bias reduction principle” and why he advocates it as a practical reform to help ensure fairer tests.
Continuous Constant pH Molecular Dynamics in Explicit Solvent with pH-Based Replica Exchange

A computational tool that offers accurate pKa values and atomically detailed knowledge of protonation-coupled conformational dynamics is valuable for elucidating mechanisms of energy transduction processes in biology, such as enzyme catalysis and electron transfer as well as proton and drug transport. Toward this goal we present a new technique of embedding continuous constant pH molecular dynamics within an explicit-solvent representation. In this technique we make use of the efficiency of the generalized-Born (GB) implicit-solvent model for estimating the free energy of protein solvation while propagating conformational dynamics using the more accurate explicit-solvent model. Also, we employ a pH-based replica exchange scheme to significantly enhance both protonation and conformational state sampling. Benchmark data of five proteins including HP36, NTL9, BBL, HEWL, and SNase yield an average absolute deviation of 0.53 and a root mean squared deviation of 0.74 from experimental data. This level of accuracy is obtained with 1 ns simulations per replica. Detailed analysis reveals that explicit-solvent sampling provides increased accuracy relative to the previous GB-based method by preserving the native structure, providing a more realistic description of conformational flexibility of the hydrophobic cluster, and correctly modeling solvent mediated ion-pair interactions. Thus, we anticipate that the new technique will emerge as a practical tool to capture ionization equilibria while enabling an intimate view of ionization coupled conformational dynamics that is difficult to delineate with experimental techniques alone.
Deposition of carbon on gold using synchrotron radiation

Abstract Carbon contamination on the surfaces of optical components in beamlines is known to cause severe loss of flux, particularly for photon energies above the C K edge (∼ 280 eV). In order to gain insight into the mechanisms by which carbon deposition occurs we have used focussed, broadband synchrotron radiation (SR) to deposit carbon on gold under controlled conditions. Carbon was deposited by photolysis of various gases at pressures in the range of 10 −8 to 10 −6 Torr. Deposition was found to be localized to the area where the SR was incident on the surface. The relative concentration of carbon was monitored using Auger electron spectroscopy. The rate of deposition was found to be proportional to pressure and inversely proportional to substrate temperature. Effects of gas composition were also studied. Of the seven gases examined, acetone and methyl methacrylate had the highest deposition rate, while ethylene had the lowest. The ramifications of these findings on carbon contamination of beamline optical components are discussed.
Aflatoxicol and Aflatoxins B1 and M1 in Eggs and Tissues of Laying Hens Consuming Aflatoxin-Contaminated Feed

This study was undertaken to relate quantitatively the aflatoxin residue found in eggs and tissues to the aflatoxin intake via feed. Eighteen hens were fed an aflatoxin B1 (B1)-contaminated feed (8 micrograms/g) for 7 days, after which half the group was sacrificed; the remainder were sacrificed after an additional 7 days on an aflatoxin-free diet. Eggs were collected over the entire 14-day period. Aflatoxicol (R0), B1, or both were found in eggs and tissues (kidneys, liver, muscle, blood, and ova). Aflatoxin M1 (M1) (.04 to .1 ng/g) was found only in the kidneys. Levels of R0 and B1 were approximately the same in eggs, ova, kidneys, and liver. In eggs, the levels of R0 and B1 (.02 to .2 ng/g) increased steadily for 4 or 5 days, after which time the levels plateaued and then decreased after B1 withdrawal at the same rate as they had increased. At 7 days after withdrawal, only trace amounts of R0 (.01 ng/g) remained in eggs. All tissues, except blood, from hens sacrificed immediately before aflatoxin withdrawal contained R0 (.04 to .4 ng/g) or R0 and B1 (.04 to .8 ng/g). The R0 (.03 to .11 ng/g) was the only aflatoxin detected in muscle, and B1 (.05 to .07 ng/g) was the only aflatoxin in blood. Seven days after aflatoxin withdrawal, B1 (.08 ng/g) was found in one of nine livers and R0 (.01 to .04 ng/g) in eight of nine muscles analyzed, but no aflatoxins were found in any other tissues.
Chordal bipartite completion of colored graphs

Golumbic, Kaplan, and Shamir [Graph sandwich problems, J. Algorithms 19 (1995) 449-473], in their paper on graph sandwich problems published in 1995, left the status of the sandwich problems for strongly chordal graphs and chordal bipartite graphs open. It was recently shown [C.M.H. de Figueiredo, L. Faria, S. Klein, R. Sritharan, On the complexity of the sandwich problems for strongly chordal graphs and chordal bipartite graphs, Theoret. Comput. Sci., accepted for publication] that the sandwich problem for strongly chordal graphs is NP-complete. We show that given graph G with a proper vertex coloring c, determining whether there is a supergraph of G that is chordal bipartite and also is properly colored by c is NP-complete. This implies that the sandwich problem for chordal bipartite graphs is also NP-complete.
Revision and typification of Brazilian Augusta (Rubiaceae, Rondeletieae), with ecological observations on the riverine vegetation of the cerrado and Atlantic forests

A revision of Brazilian Augusta and general comments on the systematics of this genus are presented. The complex taxonomic history of this taxon has caused confusion over its correct nomenclature. The peculiar geographic distribution of Augusta has stimulated field observations and analysis of the ecology of the Brazilian ecosystems where this taxon occurs, which are here presented. The five Brazilian species of Augusta described by Pohl are here treated as ecotypes of A. longifolia. This species has two distinct varieties: var. Longifolia, widespread throughout the Brazilian cerrado, and var. parvifolia, endemic to the Atlantic forest near Rio de Janeiro. Typification, list of representative specimens, and distribution map of A. longifolia are also included.
Accelerating 3D nonrigid registration using the cell broadband engine processor

Registration or alignment of medical images in clinical applications requires cost-effective high-performance computing. In this paper, we present a parallel design and implementation of a mutualinformation-based multiresolution nonrigid registration algorithm that takes advantage of the Cell Broadband Engine® (Cell/B.E.) Architecture by exploiting the different levels of parallelism and optimization strategies. The new method was tested with a dualprocessor Cell/B.E. processor-based system. The experiments show an average performance of 1.09 µs per voxel and excellent scalability, demonstrating real-time or near-real-time performance for the computationally demanding task of nonrigid image registration.
Quantification of vaginal support: are continuous summary scores better than POPQ stage?

Objective This analysis compared 3 continuous variables as summary support loss (SL) scores with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) quantification (POPQ) ordinal stages. Study Design We used pooled baseline data from 1141 subjects in 3 randomized trials (CARE, n=322; OPUS, n=380; ATLAS, n=439) to test 3 SL measures. The relative responsiveness was assessed using the standardized response mean of 2-year outcome data from the CARE trial. Results Each SL measure was strongly correlated with POPQ ordinal staging; the single most distal POPQ point had the strongest correlation. Improvements in anatomic support were weakly correlated with improvements in POP Distress Inventory (r = 0.17–0.24; P Conclusion While continuous, single number summary measures compared favorably to ordinal POPQ staging system, the single most distal POPQ point may be preferable to POPQ ordinal stages to summarize or compare group data.
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of terminal duct carcinoma of minor salivary gland

The cytologic features of terminal duct carcinoma of the palate, as observed in a fine-needle aspiration specimen, are described and contrasted with the cytologic features reported for benign mixed tumor, basal-cell adenoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma. Terminal duct carcinoma, at times, may be difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish from adenoid cystic carcinoma in fine-needle aspiration specimens. In most instances, this distinction may not be important.
Interaction between phenylephrine and prostaglandins E1 and F1α on the contractile responses of vascular muscle

Abstract Prostaglandins (PGs) E 1 or F 1α (1.4−8.4 × 10 −8 M) contracted strips of rabbit aorta and increased the contractions produced by 1−6 × 10 −7 M phenylephrine (PE). The addition of the PGs simultaneously with PE or after a low concentration of PE (2 × 10 −7 M) significantly increased the PE-induced contractions. However, when the PGs were added after a higher concentration of PE (6 × 10 −7 M) an additional increase in the PE-induced contraction was produced with PGF 1α but not with PGE 1 . Isobolic plots of the data obtained from the simultaneous addition of PE and the PGs indicate that both PGs interact with PE in a synergistic or potentiative manner, suggesting that their effects are mediated through different receptor mechanisms. Addition of the PGs after a high dose of PE indicates that there may also be either qualitative or quantitative differences between PGE 1 and PGF 1α .
Generalized ADI preconditioning

On presente la methode implicite a direction alternee comme preconditionnement pour resoudre de grands systemes d'equations lineaires creux
Microcomputer system specification: a component selection methodology

Abstract Utilizing microcomputer component compatibility, the optimal microcomputer configuration, capable of performing the desired tasks, may be determined. This paper describes the data file development and the algorithmic process for configuring a specific microcomputer.
Dramatic enhancement in energy harvesting for a narrow range of dimensions in piezoelectric nanostructures

Recent work suggests that flexoelectricity causes significant enhancement of electromechanical coupling of nonuniformly strained piezoelectric and nonpiezoelectric nanostructures below a material-dependent length scale. In the present work, employing an atomistically informed dynamical continuum model that accounts for flexoelectricity, we argue that in a narrow range of geometric dimensions, piezoelectric nanostructures can dramatically enhance energy harvesting. Specifically, in the case of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) material employed in the form of cantilever beams, our results indicate that the total harvested power peak value can increase by 100% around 21 nm beam thickness (under short circuit conditions) and nearly a 200% increase may be achieved for specifically tailored cross-section shapes. The key (hereto undiscovered) insight is that the striking enhancement in energy harvesting is predicted to rapidly diminish (compared to bulk) both below and above a certain nanoscale structural length thus providing a rather stringent condition for the experimentalists.
High-Energy Gamma Rays in Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Implications for Risk and Wr

Based on the DS86 dosimetry system, nearly all of the dose to survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was due to unusually high-energy gamma rays, predominantly in the 2- to 5-MeV range. These high energies resulted in part from neutron capture gamma rays as the bomb neutrons penetrated large distances of air. Because of the inverse relationship between energy and biological effectiveness, these high-energy gamma rays are expected to be substantially less effective in producing biological damage than the radiations commonly used in radiobiology and risk assessment. This observation has implications for radiation protection and risk assessment.
The metrics of cardiac chronotropism: Biometric perspectives

The selection of heart period versus heart rate as a chronotropic metric has been considered from quantitative and statistical perspectives, which have not yielded a universal preference for either metric. In the present paper, we discuss biometric considerations that bear on the selection of the optimal chronotropic metric. Biometric evidence reveals that the transfer functions relating autonomic nerve traffic to chronotropic effects on the heart are more nearly linear for heart period than for heart rate. This confers considerable advantage on heart period as a chronotropic metric and can facilitate the study of psychophysiological relationships. We further show that heart period offers greater flexibility, because heart period data can be evaluated in cardiac time units (beats) or in real-time units (s), whereas heart rate data can only be analyzed in real time. These considerations suggest clear advantages to heart period as a chronotropic metric.
Prescribing Habits of Vancomycin in the Emergency Department: Are We Dosing Appropriately?

Abstract Background To prevent the development of bacterial resistance, current guidelines recommend vancomycin dosages of 15–20 mg/kg based on actual body weight. Objective Our aim was to determine if two community teaching Emergency Departments followed the new recommendations for a weight-based dosing regimen for vancomycin. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the prescribing habits of vancomycin in the Emergency Department. During a 6-month time period, 1,734 doses of vancomycin were dispensed and a subsequent random sample of 240 doses was reviewed. Data collection included age, gender, weight, creatinine clearance, vancomycin dose, and indication for vancomycin therapy. Mean values, standard deviations, and ranges were computed to illustrate current prescribing practices. Results The mean vancomycin dose was 1,117 ± 325 mg. Based on actual body weight, the calculated mean dose was 14.6 ± 5.7 mg/kg. Only 19.6% (47 of 240) of all patients received an appropriate dose based on the recommended 15–20 mg/kg vancomycin dose. Conclusions Our Emergency Department is inappropriately dosing vancomycin in the majority of patients. Educating clinicians regarding appropriate vancomycin dosing is recommended to achieve compliance with the latest consensus guidelines.
Fetal and neonatal responses to maternal canine starvation: circulating fuels and neonatal glucose production.

Summary: Pregnant dogs were starved for 72 hr while controls were fasted overnight. Maternal starvation significantly reduced fetal birth weight (269 ± 7.2 versus 294 ± 4.4 g). Total caloric deprivation had no effect on maternal or fetal blood glucose concentrations at the time of delivery; however, fasting neonatal blood glucose levels were depressed during the first 9 hr of life. Starvation produced a large elevation of maternal free fatty acids (1.68 ± 0.39 versus 0.74 ± 0.2 mM) and ketone bodies (2.99 ± 0.70 versus 1.04 ± 0.48). Although fetal free fatty acids increased minimally (0.39 ± 0.03 versus 0.22 ± 0.07), ketone body levels were markedly elevated (2.53 ± 0.35 versus 1.01 ± 0.32). After birth, plasma-free fatty acid and β-hydroxybutyrate levels were lower in pups of starved mothers at 3 hr, and acetoacetate was lower at 6 and 9 hr. Other alternate fuels such as amino acids demonstrated lower levels of glutamine in pups of starved mothers throughout the day (except 3 hr), whereas alanine levels declined significantly only at 24 hr (114.9 ± 15 versus 187.6 ± 26 μM. Glucose production was significantly depressed in pups of starved mothers at 3 (13.7 ± 1.4 versus 22.7 ± 3) and 9 hr (17.5 ± 2.2 versus 26.0 ± 2.8 μmoles/kg/min), whereas glucose clearance rates were elevated at 3, 6, and 9 hr of age. Lactate carbon incorporation into glucose increased throughout the day but was not significantly affected by prior maternal starvation. Speculation: Because glucose concentration and turnover were depressed whereas glucose clearance was elevated early during neonatal fasting, diminished oxidation of alternate fuels (such as fatty acids) may necessitate enhanced glucose consumption. Diminished intrahepatic oxidation of fatty acids may limit the energy source for sufficient glucose production from gluconeogenic precursors.
Identifying Domestic Violence in Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations

This study's primary objective was to evaluate the implementation of a domestic violence questionnaire introduced as a component of child maltreatment investigations. Interviews were conducted with a sample of 15 caseworkers. Case record data provided additional data. The questionnaire resulted in a 100% increase in the number of battered women identified during investigations. The interview data revealed that although there was resistance to the implementation of the questionnaire, there was a willingness to comply and complete the questionnaire. Workers conveyed a sense of responsibility to provide services to combat domestic violence. Most respondents believed their mandate was to protect the child and questioned the role of identifying domestic violence in protecting children. The questions of how child protective workers should assess and intervene with domestic violence are complex and lead to an examination of the mission of child protective service agencies.
Equine Granulomatous Enteritis

The gross abnormalities in the intestines of 10 horses with a history of chronic weight loss varied greatly. The principal microscopic change was granulomatous inflammation characterized by lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, epithelioid cells and giant cells. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, avian type, was isolated from the gut content of one horse, but no cause was found in the others. Horses previously reported to have tuberculosis had lesions similar to those described here. These lesions are also similar to those in Crohn's disease of man.
Cutting Edge: Macrophages Are Required for Localization of Antigen-Activated B Cells to the Follicular Perimeter and the Subsequent Germinal Center Response

We demonstrated recently that, after accumulation of Ag-engaged B cells at the T cell zone boundaries in the spleen, these B cells migrate to the perimeter of follicles adjacent to the marginal zone. They undergo rapid proliferation at this site prior to coalescence into germinal centers (GCs). In this article, we report that this phase of migration and expansion of activated Ag-specific B cells, as well as subsequent formation of GCs, does not take place in the absence of splenic macrophages. Our data suggest a previously unappreciated function for macrophages in orchestrating the early phases of T cell-dependent B cell responses and formation of GCs distinct from their potential role in Ag presentation to T cells.
Yang-Mills localization in warped space

We present a mechanism to localize zero mode non-Abelian gauge fields in a slice of AdS{sub 5}. As in the U(1) case, bulk and boundary mass terms allow for a massless mode with an exponential profile that can be localized anywhere in the bulk. However in the non-Abelian extension, the cubic and quartic zero-mode gauge couplings do not match, implying a loss of 4D gauge invariance. We show that the symmetry can be restored at the nonlinear level by considering brane-localized interactions, which are added in a gauge invariant way using boundary kinetic terms. Possible issues related to the scalar sector of the theory, such as strong coupling and ghosts, are also discussed. Our approach is then compared with other localization mechanisms motivated by dilaton gravity and deconstruction. Finally, we show how to localize the scalar component A{sub 5} zero mode anywhere in the bulk which could be relevant in gauge-Higgs unification models.
Pseudoachondroplasia and painful sequelae

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) is a well-described autosomal dominant short limb dwarfing condition caused by mutations in the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein gene (COMP). The most debilitating complication of the disorder is joint pain starting in childhood, the extent and severity of which is poorly defined. The aim of this study was to fully assess the pain and identify additional clinical complications affecting those with PSACH. An online survey was distributed to individuals with PSACH. Of the 77 surveys analyzed, 83% reported chronic pain starting as early as the newborn period. Pain was most frequently reported in weight bearing joints including the knees, hips, and back, and significantly interfered with their overall quality of life. For pain relief, patients with PSACH used a wide variety of treatments. However, patients reported only a 60% resolution of pain with their current treatments. An increase in other comorbidities was not found, specifically osteoporosis was not increased. This study documents for the first time that pain is the most common presenting symptom in PSACH and is often overlooked until short stature becomes obvious. The recognition of chronic pain as one of the earliest manifestations of PSACH is important to allow for prompt diagnosis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NMR CHEMICAL SHIFTS. 3. A COMPARISON OF ACETYLENE, ALLENE, AND THE HIGHER CUMULENES

The 13C NMR shieldings for acetylene, allene, and some higher cumulenes have been calculated at the MPW1PW91/6-311+G(2d,p) level using both the GIAO and IGAIM procedures. The calculations satisfact...
Microfluidics cell culture with sensing and SqueezeFluidics

Many biological studies, drug screening methods, and cellular therapies require culture and manipulation of living cells outside of their natural environment in the body. The gap between the cellular microenvironment in vivo and in vitro, however, poses challenges for obtaining physiologically relevant responses from cells used in basic biological studies or drug screens and for drawing out the maximum functional potential from cells used therapeutically. One of the reasons for this gap is because the fluidic environment of mammalian cells in vivo is microscale and dynamic whereas typical in vitro cultures are macroscopic and static. This presentation will give an overview of efforts in our laboratory to develop microfluidic systems that enable control of both the chemical and fluid mechanical environment of cells. The technologies and methods close the physiology gap to provide biological information otherwise unobtainable and to enhance cellular performance in therapeutic applications. A key technological need is to integrate sensors to refine device design and operating parameters as well as to monitor real time cellular responses. Specific biomedical topics that will be discussed include, microfluidic models of small airway injuries with pressure sensing and microfluidic liver/cancer cell culture with oxygen sensing. Additionally, microfluidic circuitry with hardware embedded flow control systems that automatically perform sophisticated fluid manipulations powered only by hand squeezing of the device will be presented. This type of capability may be useful for point-of-care diagnostic devices in resource poor environments.
Endothelial protein C receptor (CD201) explicitly identifies hematopoietic stem cells in murine bone marrow.

The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) is a unique cell type found in bone marrow, which has the capacity for both self-renewal and differentiation into all blood lineages. The identification of genes expressed specifically in HSCs may help identify gene products vital to the control of self-renewal and/or differentiation, as well as antigens capable of forming the basis for improved methods of stem cell isolation. In previous studies, we identified a number of genes that appeared to be differentially expressed in murine bone marrow–derived HSCs, using microarray technology. We report here that one of those genes, encoding the murine endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), is expressed at high levels within the bone marrow in HSCs. Bone marrow cells isolated on the basis of EPCR expression alone are highly enriched for hematopoietic reconstitution activity, showing levels of engraftment in vivo comparable to that of stem cells purified using the most effective conventional methods. Moreover, evaluation of cell populations first enriched for stem cell activity by conventional methods and subsequently fractionated on the basis of EPCR expression indicates that stem cell activity is always associated with EPCR-expressing cells. Based on our findings, we believe EPCR represents the first known marker that `explicitly' identifies hematopoietic stem cells within murine bone marrow.
Are Physical Assaults by Wives and Girlfriends a Major Social Problem? A Review of the Literature

Research that shows approximately equal rates of dating and domestic violence by men and women has been used to challenge the priority given to services for abused women. This article reviews the scientific evidence for gender equality in rates of lethal and nonlethal intimate partner violence. Among the problems noted in studies showing gender equality are the ways in which questions about violence are framed, exclusion of items about sexual abuse and stalking, and exclusion of separated couples. Studies without these problems show much higher rates of violence by men. Furthermore, the physical and psychological consequences of victimization are consistently more severe for women. Ever since the first survey results on domestic violence were published more than 20 years ago, a controversy has existed regarding the extent of violence by men and women. In the 1970s, Steinmetz’s publications on the “battered husband syndrome,” (e.g., Steinmetz, 1977-1978) were met with charges of the “battered data syndrome” (Pleck, Pleck, Grossman, & Bart, 19771978). In the 1980s, some authors claimed that domestic violence was a “falsely framed issue,” and the “truth” was that men were just as victimized as women (McNeely & Robinson-Simpson, 1987). Others responded with a description of “other truths” about women’s need to use violence defensively (e.g., Saunders, 1988). The controversy persists today despite the increasing rigor of research methods. Social scientists responsible for conducting
Effect of Glycemia on Plasma Incretins and the Incretin Effect During Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

The incretin effect, reflecting the enhancement of postprandial insulin secretion by factors including the intestinal hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, increases in proportion to meal size. However, it is unknown whether the incretin effect is dependent on ambient glucose. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of plasma glycemia on the incretin effect. Thirteen healthy subjects consumed 50 g oral glucose solution mixed with d-xylose during fixed hyperglycemia at 8 and 10.5 mmol/L, on 3 separate days, twice at lower glycemia (LOW) and once at higher values (HIGH). The relative increase in insulin release after glucose ingestion at fixed hyperglycemia, a surrogate for the incretin effect, was similar among all three studies. The GLP-1 response to oral glucose was significantly lower at higher plasma glycemia, as was the appearance of d-xylose after the meal. Between the two LOW studies, the reproducibility of insulin release in response to intravenous glucose alone and intravenous plus ingested glucose was similar. These findings indicate that the incretin contribution to postprandial insulin release is independent of glycemia in healthy individuals, despite differences in GLP-1 secretion. The incretin effect is a reproducible trait among humans with normal glucose tolerance.
Structural Impact Of Myosin Methionine Oxidation

We have examined the structural and functional consequences of methionine (Met) oxidation in Dictyostelium (Dicty) myosin II using a three-pronged approach that includes Met mutagenesis, site-directed spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. Protein oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a critical element of cell function, but in the context of oxidative stress, has been implicated in disease progression and biological aging. Our goal is to bridge our understanding of protein oxidation and muscle dysfunction with molecular-level insights into actomyosin interaction. A Cys-lite version of Dicty myosin II serves as our model system for examining site-specific Met oxidation. Peroxide treatment to mimic oxidative stress induced a two-fold decline in Vmax and KATPase for actin-activation, consistent with the decline in actomyosin interaction observed for biologically aged or peroxide-treated skeletal myosin. We tested the oxidation sensitivity of previously characterized myosin labeling sites in the force-producing region and actin-binding interface and found that spin label mobility and distance measurements in the actin-binding cleft are particularly sensitive to Met oxidation, but only in the presence of actin. Moreover, we conclude that the oxidation-induced structural change in myosin includes a redistribution of structural states involved in the weak to strong actin-binding transition, the step associated with muscle force production. Site-specific Met substitutions combined with functional measurements have allowed us to pinpoint which Met is responsible for the observed structural change. Lastly, we will examine Met oxidation in silico to gain mechanistic knowledge of how residue-specific oxidation translates into changes in both local and global myosin structural dynamics. We expect that our results will be applicable to the many biological and pharmaceutical contexts in which a detailed understanding of protein oxidation, function and structure relationships are sought. This work is supported by the NIH training grant “Functional Proteomics of Aging” (T32AG029796).
Orally delivered methadone as a reinforcer in rhesus monkeys

Methadone usually is taken orally for drug abuse treatment in humans but oral methadone self-administration by laboratory animals has not been investigated extensively. The present study examines acquisition and maintenance of oral methadone maintained responding in four adult male rhesus monkeys. Drug solution was available from one liquid delivery system and water from a second system during daily 3-h sessions. Locations of liquids were reversed each session, and liquid (0.65 ml per delivery) was delivered according to a fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule. Initially a test for the reinforcing effects of 0.00625–0.4 mg/ml methadone solutions was carried out but a consistent preference for drug over water was not seen. To establish methadone as a reinforcer, a fading procedure was used in which responding was first maintained by solutions of methadone (0.00625–0.4 mg/ml) combined with ethanol (0.0325–2.0% w/v). Subsequently, the concentration of the ethanol in the combination was gradually reduced to zero. Methadone-maintained responding (0.4 mg/ml) persisted when ethanol was no longer present. To confirm that the drug was serving as a reinforcer, the dose was varied: (a) by changing the volume delivered while the concentration was held constant and (b) by changing the concentration of the methadone while the volume per delivery was held constant. Over a wide range of doses, deliveries of methadone solution usually exceeded deliveries of concurrently available water. Orderly relationships were observed among methadone dose, response rate, and drug intake. The study of oral self-administration of opioid drugs by nonhuman primates may be a useful strategy for the development and evaluation of new drug substitution or replacement therapies.
An investigation of methods for assessing authenticity in computer-assisted language learning and assessment

The lack of an adequate correspondence between language instruction/assessment and real life language use may cause serious problems in learner achievement and the interpretation of their achievement. Learners could fail to cope with real life challenges based on what they have learned and been tested on, and the interpretation of their achievement in learning/testing situations may not reflect what learners can actually achieve in the real world. In order to improve the problem of this mismatch, the present study investigated the notion of authenticity in detail, derived methods for assessing authenticity from multiple perspectives, and tested the methods on four tasks in a computer-assisted English learning program. It was found that authenticity has become a multi-componential theory-based concept, and therefore investigation of the authenticity of a task needs to be based on analyses from multiple perspectives, consisting of the target language use situation, test/task characteristics, learner perception, learner involvement, and language production. Each of these aspects reveals one part of the correspondence; however, for a task developer to assert the authenticity of a task/test, one must find empirical evidence demonstrating authenticity from multiple perspectives.