cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrative physiology of fundamental frequency control in birds.

Abstract One major feature of the remarkable vocal repertoires of birds is the range of fundamental frequencies across species, but also within individual species. This review discusses four variables that determine the oscillation frequency of the vibrating structures within a bird’s syrinx. These are (1) viscoelastic properties of the oscillating tissue, (2) air sac pressure, (3) neuromuscular control of movements and (4) source-filter interactions. Our current understanding of morphology, biomechanics and neural control suggests that a complex interplay of these parameters can lead to multiple combinations for generating a particular fundamental frequency. An increase in the complexity of syringeal morphology from non-passeriform birds to oscines also led to a different interplay for regulating oscillation frequency by enabling control of tension that is partially independent of regulation of airflow. In addition to reviewing the available data for all different contributing variables, we point out open questions and possible approaches.
Seasonal fluctuations in hormones and behavior of free-living male California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi)

Abstract Plasma testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), and behavior were monitored concurrently in free-living male California ground squirrels ( Spermophilus beecheyi ). Male plasma T peaked in January, 2–3 months after males emerged from their annual period of estivation. PRL peaked 6 to 10 weeks after T. Temporal patterns of space use by males were directly correlated with plasma T levels, but seasonal maxima in rates of most monitored male behaviors occurred 4 weeks after the T peak. No monitored behavior rates were correlated with plasma PRL values. Yearling and adult males did not differ with respect to circulating levels of either T or PRL. Both groups of males mated in our study population, and did not differ significantly with respect to rates of most monitored behaviors. However, yearlings pursued fewer females, mated less frequently, and required more mounts to complete each copulation than did adults. We suggest that T serves an important priming function for various seasonally fluctuating behaviors, but also that mating experience might influence the efficiency of copulatory behavior in this species.
Uniform thin films of poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) prepared by in-situ deposition

In-situ deposited thin films of the conducting polymer poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) have been prepared on hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates and characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and resistivity measurements.
Comparison of Convective Transport of Drug Between Intravitreal Injection and Controlled Release Implant

It is important to know the drug distribution following administration of drug in order to properly treat with adequate dosage and thus, avoid damage to tissues due to excessive high concentrations. A computer model was developed to determine drug distribution by convective-diffusive transport processes in a rabbit eye. When compared with pure diffusion within vitreous, the ratio of the amount of a model compound, fluorescein, reaching the retina to that cleared by aqueous outflow increased by 93% and 84% for intravitreal injection and implant, respectively, with maximum vitreous outflow (glaucomatous eye). The result shows that the combined “convective” effect due to the vitreous outflow and “wash out” effect by aqueous outflow has significant impact on drug distribution for both intravitreal injection and implant. These two effects should be considered in the design of drug delivery strategies.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
GPU-based minwise hashing: GPU-based minwise hashing

Minwise hashing is a standard technique for efficient set similarity estimation in the context of search. The recent work of b-bit minwise hashing provided a substantial improvement by storing only the lowest b bits of each hashed value. Both minwise hashing and b-bit minwise hashing require an expensive preprocessing step for applying k (e.g., k=500) permutations on the entire data in order to compute k minimal values as the hashed data. In this paper, we developed a parallelization scheme using GPUs, which reduced the processing time by a factor of 20-80. Reducing the preprocessing time is highly beneficial in practice, for example, for duplicate web page detection (where minwise hashing is a major step in the crawling pipeline) or for increasing the testing speed of online classifiers (when the test data are not preprocessed).
Melatonin and its relation to the immune system and inflammation.

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) was initially thought to be produced exclusively in the pineal gland. Subsequently its synthesis was demonstrated in other organs, for example, the retinas, and very high concentrations of melatonin are found at other sites, for example, bone marrow cells and bile. The origin of the high level of melatonin in these locations has not been definitively established, but it is likely not exclusively of pineal origin. Melatonin has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects, among a number of actions. Melatonin reduces tissue destruction during inflammatory reactions by a number of means. Thus melatonin, by virtue of its ability to directly scavenge toxic free radicals, reduces macromolecular damage in all organs. The free radicals and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species known to be scavenged by melatonin include the highly toxic hydroxyl radical (.OH), peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-), and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), among others. These agents all contribute to the inflammatory response and associated tissue destruction. Additionally, melatonin has other means to lower the damage resulting from inflammation. Thus, it prevents the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) to the nucleus and its binding to DNA, thereby reducing the upregulation of a variety of proinflammatory cytokines, for example, interleukins and tumor neurosis factor-alpha. Finally, there is indirect evidence that melatonin inhibits the production of adhesion molecules that promote the sticking of leukocytes to endothelial cells. By this means melatonin attenuates transendothelial cell migration and edema, which contribute to tissue damage.
Classical and Bayesian inference in certain latency processes.

Certain aspects of point estimation are treated for two kinds of exponential latency processes. The first unitary process is represented by a simple exponential density in which the rate parameter may be viewed as an unknown constant or as a random variable. If a second, slower exponential process is grafted onto the first, there results a postulated two-component latency between stimulus and response. Moments estimators are derived for the two parameters of this latter density, and the relevance of the second parameter to decision time is emphasized.
Toll-Like Receptor-3 Is Dispensable for the Innate MicroRNA Response to West Nile Virus (WNV)

The innate immune response to West Nile virus (WNV) infection involves recognition through toll-like receptors (TLRs) and RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), leading to establishment of an antiviral state. MiRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be reliable biomarkers of TLR activation. Here, we sought to evaluate the contribution of TLR3 and miRNAs to the host response to WNV infection. We first analyzed HEK293-NULL and HEK293-TLR3 cells for changes in the innate immune response to infection. The presence of TLR3 did not seem to affect WNV load, infectivity or phosphorylation of IRF3. Analysis of experimentally validated NFκB-responsive genes revealed a WNV-induced signature largely independent of TLR3. Since miRNAs are involved in viral pathogenesis and the innate response to infection, we sought to identify changes in miRNA expression upon infection in the presence or absence of TLR3. MiRNA profiling revealed 70 miRNAs induced following WNV infection in a TLR3-independent manner. Further analysis of predicted gene targets of WNV signature miRNAs revealed genes highly associated with pathways regulating cell death, viral pathogenesis and immune cell trafficking.
The adaptive potential of maternal stress exposure in regulating population dynamics

Ecologists, evolutionary biologists and biomedical researchers are investing great effort in understanding the impact maternal stress may have on offspring phenotypes. Bian et al. advance this field by providing evidence that density-induced maternal stress programs offspring phenotypes, resulting in direct consequences on their fitness and population dynamics, but doing so in a context-dependent manner. They suggest that intrinsic state alterations induced by maternal stress may be one ecological factor generating delayed density-dependent effects. This research highlights the connection between maternal stress and population dynamics, and the importance of understanding the adaptive potential of such effects in a context-dependent manner.
Age and geochemistry of the mafic sills, ODP site 1276, Newfoundland margin

Abstract Site 1276, Leg 210 of the Ocean Drilling Program, was located on the Newfoundland margin in a seismically-defined ∼ 128 Ma “transitional” crust just west of the presumed oceanic crust, and the M3 magnetic anomaly. The goal of drilling on this non-volcanic margin was to study the rifting, nature of basement, and post-rift sedimentation in the Newfoundland–Iberia rift. Drilling of this 1739 m hole was terminated 90–160 m above basement, in the lower of a doublet of alkaline diabase sills. We have carried out geochemical studies of the sill complex, in the hopes that they will provide proxy information regarding the nature of the underlying basement. Excellent 40 Ar/ 39 Ar plateau ages were obtained for the two sills: upper sill ∼ 105.3 Ma; lower sill ∼ 97.8 Ma. Thus the sills are substantially younger than the presumed age of the seafloor at site 1276 (∼ 128 Ma), and were intruded beneath substantial sediment overburden (250 m for the upper, older sill, and 575 m for the lower younger sill). While some of the geochemistry of the sills has been compromised by alteration, the “immobile” trace elements show these sills to be hawaiites, differentiated from an enriched alkaline or basanitic parentage. Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes are suggestive of an enriched hotspot/plume mantle source, with a possible “added” component of continental material. These sills unequivocally were not derived from typical MORB (asthenospheric) upper mantle.
Fast calculation of the Choi-Williams time-frequency distribution

The method presented allows faster calculation of any time-frequency distribution with a kernel that can be formulated in the time-lag plane. Specific examples are the Wigner and Choi-Williams distributions. The Choi-Williams distribution (CWD) uses an exponential kernel in the generalized class of bilinear time-frequency distributions to achieve a reduction in the cross-term components of the distribution. Matrix manipulations provide an intuitive approach and, when combined with parallel processing, improve the processing speed to allow real-time calculations of the CWD. The use of an outer product matrix with a weighting matrix is particularly useful when evaluating different weighting parameters. For any given signal, the outer product matrix needs to be calculated just once. The various weighting matrices can be stored and used with any signal when needed. Parallel processing architectures allow implementation of the algorithm with speeds that are appropriate for real-time, running window calculations. >
A simple low-frequency thin-film magnetometer

The usual way of plotting hysteresis curves involves the integration of dB/dt , which has many disadvantages at low frequencies, and calls for complicated and expensive instrumentation. The instrument described here is not as accurate as a good vibrating sample magnetometer, but is very simple, inexpensive, and easy to construct and to use. It involves no integration and therefore its operation is independent of the frequency of the applied magnetic field, and can be readily applied for observing time effects. The magnetic induction B is measured directly by a Hall probe placed in a 20-mil gap between two pieces of the same thin-film sample mounted in a 4-inch Varian magnet. A second Hall probe measures the applied field H , and by subtracting the voltages, B - H is plotted vs. H on an x-y recorder. With commercial Hall probes, the voltage obtained is sufficient to apply directly to commercial x-y recorders, without further amplification, even for rather thin films. At 100 mA through each of the probes, the H scale was 10μ V/Oe, while the M scale was 80μV/Mx.
Residual flow to the infarct zone as a determinant of infarct size after direct angioplasty.

BACKGROUND In acute myocardial infarction, residual flow to the infarct zone either through antegrade flow in the infarct-related coronary artery or collateral flow from the non-infarct-related arteries is often present before reperfusion therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of antegrade flow in the infarct-related artery and/or collateral flow to the infarct zone before successful direct angioplasty on infarct size and myocardial salvage in patients with acute evolving myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS Sixty patients with acute evolving myocardial infarction underwent direct successful angioplasty without prior thrombolytic therapy. The myocardium at risk of infarction, the final infarct size, and myocardial salvage were measured by tomographic perfusion imaging with 99mTc sestamibi. Antegrade flow in the infarct-related artery before intervention was graded according to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) study group classification. Collateral flow to the infarct zone before angioplasty was also graded (0 through 3, 0 being no collateral flow). The presence of even minimal antegrade flow before angioplasty (TIMI grade 1) in the infarct-related artery compared with absent flow was associated with a significant reduction in final infarct size (9 +/- 17% versus 23 +/- 19% of left ventricle, P = .02) and a significant increase in myocardial salvage (23 +/- 16% versus 14 +/- 13% of left ventricle, P = .05) after angioplasty. When antegrade flow in the infarct-related artery was absent before angioplasty, the presence of collateral flow before angioplasty resulted in a significantly smaller final infarct size (P = .01) and more myocardial salvage (P = .05) after angioplasty. Both antegrade infarct-related artery flow and collateral flow to the infarct zone had significant independent ability to predict infarct size after angioplasty. When collateral grade and TIMI grade were added to provide an estimate of residual flow, a model including residual flow, myocardium at risk, and the interaction of residual flow and infarct site explained 83% of the variability in infarct size after angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS The presence of antegrade flow in the infarct-related artery and/or collateral flow to the infarct zone before direct angioplasty in acute evolving infarction results in a smaller infarct size after direct successful angioplasty.
Astrophysical shock-wave solutions of the Einstein equations

We construct exact, spherically symmetric, shock-wave solutions of the Einstein equations for a perfect fluid. The solutions are obtained by matching a Friedmann-Roberson-Walker metric (a cosmological model for the Universe) to a static Oppenheimer-Tolman metric (a model for the interior of a star) across a shock-wave interface. This is in the spirit of Oppenheimer and Snyder, except, in contrast with the Oppenheimer-Snyder model, the pressure p is nonzero. Our shock-wave solutions model the general relativistic version of an explosion into a static, singular, isothermal sphere. Shock waves introduce time irreversibility, loss of information, decay, dissipation, and increase of entropy into the dynamics of a perfect fluid in general relativity. As a corollary, we also obtain a different Oppenheimer-Snyder model for the case p==0.
Decided on the Battlefield: Grant, Sherman, Lincoln, and the Election of 1864

In Decided on the Battlefield: Grant, Sherman, Lincoln, and the Election of 1864, David Alan Johnson reiterates the point, familiar to historians, that Union military victories contributed signific...
Methylene migration and coupling on a non-reducible metal oxide: The reaction of dichloromethane on stoichiometric α-Cr2O3(0001)

Abstract The reaction of CH 2 Cl 2 over the nearly-stoichiometric α-Cr 2 O 3 (0001) surface produces gas phase ethylene, methane and surface chlorine adatoms. The reaction is initiated by the decomposition of CH 2 Cl 2 into surface methylene and chlorine. Photoemission indicates that surface cations are the preferred binding sites for both methylene and chlorine adatoms. Two reaction channels are observed for methylene coupling to ethylene in temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). A desorption-limited, low-temperature route is attributed to two methylenes bound at a single site. The majority of ethylene is produced by a reaction-limited process involving surface migration (diffusion) of methylene as the rate-limiting step. DFT calculations indicate the surface diffusion mechanism is mediated by surface oxygen anions. The source of hydrogen for methane formation is adsorbed background water. Chlorine adatoms produced by the dissociation of CH 2 Cl 2 deactivate the surface by simple site-blocking of surface Cr 3 + sites. A comparison of experiment and theory shows that DFT provides a better description of the surface chemistry of the carbene intermediate than DFT+U using reported parameters for a best representation of the bulk electronic properties of α-Cr 2 O 3 .
Calculations of the effect of tunneling on the Swain-Schaad exponents (SSEs) for the 1,5-hydrogen shift in 5-methyl-1,3-cyclopentadiene. Can SSEs be used to diagnose the occurrence of tunneling?

MPW1K density functional calculations, carried out with the 6-31+G(d,p) basis set, have been combined with canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) and small-curvature tunneling (SCT) corrections in order to compute the primary kinetic isotope effects for rearrangement of 5-methyl-1,3-cyclopentadiene (1) to 1-methyl-1,3-cyclopentadiene (2). The Swain-Schaad exponents, SSE = ln(kH/kT)/ln(kD/kT), for this reaction have been computed over the temperature range 100−600 K. Tunneling results in both large positive and large negative deviations from the value of SSE = 3.26, expected from consideration of only the effect of the isotopic mass on passage over the reaction barrier. In the rearrangement of 1 to 2, SSE ≈ 3.26, not only at temperatures >400 K, where tunneling is relatively unimportant, but also around 170 K, where tunneling by both H and D is the dominant mode of reaction. Thus, from an experimental finding that SSE ≈ 3.26 at a single temperature, it cannot be rigorously concluded that tunne...
Celebration meets caution: LARC's boons, potential busts, and the benefits of a reproductive justice approach

Recent years have witnessed an outpouring of research and funding pertaining to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). The time is ripe to contextualize LARC’s hype within our broader reproductive health goals and tools—that is, how we can best address the needs of individuals who benefit from the reproductive health services we provide. After reviewing LARC’s major benefits, this commentary presents three potentially problematic aspects of LARC promotion: 1) the notion that increasing LARC use could singlehandedly end unintended pregnancies and their associations with poverty, 2) the clinical emphasis on LARC methods over all others, and 3) inadvertently failing to acknowledge the ways in which poor women of color will experience LARC promotion through legacies of racism and eugenics. The comment concludes by highlighting the benefits of a reproductive justice approach to LARC: an approach devoted to making LARC affordable and accessible while simultaneously respecting women’s decisions not to use LARC, their ability to have LARC removed when they wish, and their ability to determine for themselves where contraception and pregnancies fit into their lives.
Approach-avoidance behaviors as a function of pleasantness and arousing quality of settings and individual differences in stimulus screening

Preference, affiliation, and work, 3 intercorrelated aspects of approach-avoidance to everyday environments, were investigated using slide stimuli. The slides were selected from a sample of 360 portraying a variety of indoor and outdoor settings, each of which had been rated by groups of subjects on pleasantness-unpleasantness and arousing quality. Written responses of participants to the slides were obtained using standardized measures of approach-avoidance: desire to seek, stay in, and explore the setting (preference), desire to interact socially in the setting (affiliation), and desire to work in the setting (work). All 3 approach behaviors were monotonically increasing functions of setting pleasantness. Desire to work was inversely related to increases in arousing quality of settings. Arousing quality and pleasantness interacted to determine the dependent measures of preference and affiliation. Preference was an increasing function of arousing quality in pleasant situations, an inverted U-shaped function of arousing quality in neutrally pleasant situations, and a U-shaped function of arousing quality in unpleasant situations. Affiliation was affected primarily by arousing quality in unpleasant situations. Here, it was a U-shaped function of arousing quality – a relationship that was more pronounced for the nonscreening participants. Variations in pleasant-ness-unpleasantness had a more pronounced effect on the approach behaviors of nonscreeners than of screeners.
Prevention of sexually transmitted HIV infection: A meta-analytic review of teh behavioral outcome literature.

Social learning theory-based models have recently provided the foundation for a series of twelve controlled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk reduction intervention studies that have examined sexual behavior change. These interventions have been tested with adolescents, gay and bisexual men, inner-city women, college students, and seriously mentally ill adults. We report the first meta-analysis of these intervention studies. We found that, as expected, the mean weighted effect of HIV-risk reduction interventions on behavioral outcomes was positive and strongly significant (d+=0.25). Moreover, the studies’ effect sizes were consistently positive, ranging from 0.11 to 0.53, and were largest when the outcomes were measured close in time to the intervention. We discuss other methodological challenges that, if solved, should enhance the success of future HIV-risk reduction interventions.
Intercomparison of Oxygen Boiling Point Realizations in Standards Laboratories

The experimental realizations of the normal boiling point of oxygen maintained in several national standards laboratories are compared.
Mutations of the human thyrotropin-ß subunit glycosylate site reduce thyrotropin synthesis independent of changes in glycosylate status

In recent studies, site-directed mutagenesis has been used to alter the tripeptide glycosylation recognition sequences of glycoprotein hormone subunits, thereby affecting their structure and function. However, it is not known whether these effects result from changes in glycosylation status, amino acid sequence, or both. We therefore studied the synthesis of wild-type and mutant recombinant human thyrotropins produced by transient transfection of a human cell line. Mutating the TSH-beta subunit glycosylation recognition sequence, Asn-Thr-Thr (codons 23-25), to either Gln-Thr-Thr or Asn-Thr-Tyr abolished subunit glycosylation, as demonstrated by the inability to incorporate 3H-carbohydrates. However, a third mutation (Asn-Thr-Ser) contained an intact glycosylation recognition sequence site, and was shown to retain glycosylation. The mutations that abolished TSH-beta subunit glycosylation resulted in greater than 90% decreases in TSH synthesis. However, the glycosylation recognition sequence mutant that retained beta subunit glycosylation exhibited a 70% decrease in TSH production. These decreases were not attributable to the intracellular accumulation of TSH or its free beta subunit. We also engineered two TSH-beta subunit mutations that did not alter the glycosylation recognition sequence. A glycine to arginine mutation adjacent to the glycosylation recognition sequence, in a region thought to be critical for heterodimer formation, abolished TSH production. In contrast, shortening the TSH-beta subunit carboxyterminus by six amino acids increased TSH synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Physical and biotic determinants of space utilization by the Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus pallidus)

Home ranges of the Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus pallidus) were examined with respect to food availability and the thermal environment. Activity patterns, the amount of space used per day, and time required to use the entire home range were also investigated. The effects of, and the relationships between, these factors vary seasonally, as do home range sizes and preferred body temperatures.
Monomethyl gallium: prelude to experiment

Abstract The AlCH 3 molecule has been observed by both neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry (NRMS) and resonance-enhanced multiphoton spectroscopy (REMPI), and GaCH 3 is a target molecule for both experimental techniques. Ab initio quantum mechanical methods have accordingly been applied to GaCH 3 . GaCH 3 is predicted to have a C 3 v equilibrium geometry, and theoretical values of its rotational constants, vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities are presented.
The pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by net accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the cardiac interstitium, and contributes to both systolic and diastolic dysfunction in many cardiac pathophysiologic conditions. This review discusses the cellular effectors and molecular pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. Although activated myofibroblasts are the main effector cells in the fibrotic heart, monocytes/macrophages, lymphocytes, mast cells, vascular cells and cardiomyocytes may also contribute to the fibrotic response by secreting key fibrogenic mediators. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, reactive oxygen species, mast cell-derived proteases, endothelin-1, the renin/angiotensin/aldosterone system, matricellular proteins, and growth factors (such as TGF-β and PDGF) are some of the best-studied mediators implicated in cardiac fibrosis. Both experimental and clinical evidence suggests that cardiac fibrotic alterations may be reversible. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for initiation, progression, and resolution of cardiac fibrosis is crucial to design anti-fibrotic treatment strategies for patients with heart disease.
Adaptive Evolution of a Tagged Chimeric Gammaretrovirus: Identification of Novel cis-Acting Elements That Modulate Splicing

Retroviruses are well known for their ability to incorporate envelope (Env) proteins from other retroviral strains and genera, and even from other virus families. This characteristic has been widely exploited for the generation of replication-defective retroviral vectors, including those derived from murine leukemia virus (MLV), bearing heterologous Env proteins. We investigated the possibility of "genetically pseudotyping" replication-competent MLV by replacing the native env gene in a full-length viral genome with that of another gammaretrovirus. Earlier, we developed replication-competent versions of MLV that stably transmit and express transgenes inserted into the 3' untranslated region of the viral genome. In one such tagged MLV expressing green fluorescent protein, we replaced the native env sequence with that of gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV). Although the GALV Env protein is commonly used to make high-titer pseudotypes of MLV vectors, we found that the env replacement greatly attenuated viral replication. However, extended cultivation of cells exposed to the chimeric virus resulted in selection of mutants exhibiting rapid replication kinetics and different variants arose in different infections. Two of these variants had acquired mutations at or adjacent to the splice acceptor site, and three others had acquired dual mutations within the long terminal repeat. Analysis of the levels of unspliced and spliced viral RNA produced by the parental and adapted viruses showed that the mutations gained by each of these variants functioned to reverse an imbalance in splicing caused by the env gene substitution. Our results reveal the presence of previously unknown cis-acting sequences in MLV that modulate splicing of the viral transcript and demonstrate that tagging of the retroviral genome with an easily assayed transgene can be combined with in vitro evolution as an approach to efficiently generating and screening for replicating mutants of replication-impaired recombinant viruses.
TEM4 is a junctional Rho GEF required for cell-cell adhesion, monolayer integrity and barrier function.

Signaling events mediated by Rho family GTPases orchestrate cytoskeletal dynamics and cell junction formation. The activation of Rho GTPases is tightly regulated by guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs). In this study, we identified a novel Rho-specific GEF called TEM4 (tumor endothelial marker 4) that associates with multiple members of the cadherin–catenin complex and with several cytoskeleton-associated proteins. Depending on confluence, TEM4 localized to either actin stress fibers or areas of cell–cell contact. The junctional localization of TEM4 was independent of actin binding. Depletion of endogenous TEM4 by shRNAs impaired Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cell junctions, disrupted MDCK acini formation in 3D culture and negatively affected endothelial barrier function. Taken together, our findings implicate TEM4 as a novel and crucial junctional Rho GEF that regulates cell junction integrity and epithelial and endothelial cell function.
Segmenter Wobble In Infrared Images

The image segmentation process is a key element in a number of image processing systems. Autocuers, which are normally associated withantiarmor missions, often employ subimage segmentation to extract target features that aid in target recognition. Systems employing contextualconcepts often require large areas of the field of view to be segmented to determine texture, shape, topography, or other features. Such systems areappropriate in cruise missile, aircraft avionics, and satellite applications.Tests conducted at Texas Instruments indicate that segmentation is crucial to the recognition of objects of interest in IR images. Furthermore,our experience points to three primary causes of poor segmenter performance: region clipping, distortion, and the appending of adjacent regions.
Measurements of Resistance of Individual Square-Mesh Screens to Oscillating Flow at Low and Intermediate Reynolds Numbers

Measurements are reported of pressure losses across single screens subjected to low-frequency oscillating flow for 0.002 ≤Re d ≤400, where Re d is Reynolds number based on wire diameter and peak approach velocity. Several correlation methods are examined. Extensive comparisons are made between present oscillating-flow results and previous reports of the resistance of screens to steady flow
Explaining Socioeconomic Variation in Asthma Hospitalization: Higher Incidence vs. Lower Admission Threshold for Acute Asthma Attacks • 454

Explaining Socioeconomic Variation in Asthma Hospitalization: Higher Incidence vs. Lower Admission Threshold for Acute Asthma Attacks • 454
Computer usage in distributor marketing

Abstract The use of computer systems by industrial distributors in marketing management is explored. Based upon the results of a mail survey and personal interviews with distributor managers, the article identifies where distributors are now in terms of computer usage, where they are going, and what steps need to be taken to improve their use of the computer in marketing management.
Peak stepping cadence is associated with leg vascular compliance in young adults.

Abstract Objectives To test the hypothesis that volume or intensity of daily ambulatory activity would associate with greater large artery compliance in healthy untrained adults. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Forty-five recreationally active young adults (22±3yr, 51% women) wore an accelerometer for 5.3±1.3 days for determination of average daily steps (volume) and 30-min peak stepping cadence (intensity; average steps per min for the 30 highest min in a day). Arterial compliance of the common carotid artery, superficial femoral artery (SFA), and popliteal artery was estimated using Doppler ultrasound. Data were analyzed using correlational analysis and analysis of covariance. Results Average daily steps and peak stepping cadence was 8957±3422 steps per day and 97±24 steps per min, respectively. Weight was the main independent predictor of daily steps ( r 2 =0.13, p =0.01) and peak stepping cadence ( r 2 =0.17, p r =0.53, p r =0.23, p >0.05). No other correlations were found between ambulatory activity and carotid or popliteal artery compliance ( p >0.05). Adults with peak stepping cadence≥102 steps per min had greater carotid (1.26±0.08 vs. 1.57±0.09mm 2 kPa −1 ; p =0.01) and SFA compliance (0.43±0.03 vs. 0.54±0.03mm 2 kPa −1 ; p =0.04) than adults with lower stepping cadence. Conclusions "Brisk" stepping cadence during daily ambulation is associated with greater leg vascular compliance. These results support the promotion of accumulating 30min of "brisk" walking per day as a strategy to improve vascular health.
Photocatalytic Oxidation of Methyl Orange over Titania-Bearing Blast Furnace Slag Photocatalysts and Effects of Cr(VI) under Visible Irradiation

Using sulfate-modified titanium-bearing blast furnace slag (STBBFS) as photocatalyst, decolorization efficiency of methyl orange (MO) in the absence and presence of Cr(VI) were studied. The effect of the initial concentration of Cr(VI) on the decolorization efficiency of MO at pH=1.5 has been investigated. The results indicate that the acidic solutions are favorable for the photocatalytic oxidation of MO in the absence and presence of Cr(VI), and the optimum pH for oxidation of MO is 1.5. In the presence of Cr(VI), decolorization efficiency and adsorption efficiency of MO rapidly increased with the increase of Cr(VI) concentration, indicating a strong promoting effect of Cr(VI) to oxidation of MO. The increasing in decolorization efficiency of MO in the compound system can be attributed to three main reasons: (1) oxidation of MO by Cr(VI); (2) the high affinity of MO to catalyst surface; (3) Moreover, the addition of Cr(VI) species able to act as electron scavengers to catalyst surface promotes the effective separation of electron-hole in the photocatalytic processes, and hence promote the increase of decolorization efficiency of MO in Cr(VI)-MO system under visible irradiation. FTIR spectral analysis showed that all these characteristic peaks of Cr(VI) and MO disappear after photoreaction, indicating the degradation of Cr(VI) and MO.
The balanced philosophy of secure multimodal endoscopic sinus surgery with adjunct use of middle meatal stenting and middle turbinate modification

The efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of chronic sinusitis is well established. Two contrasting European techniques were introduced to North America in the 1980s: one includes endoscopic modification of all sinus cavities, with modification of the middle turbinates and the other makes use of minimal opening of the narrow osteomeatal tract at the anterior ethmoid sinus to achieve physiological reversal of sinus disease. These techniques were modified recently by the introduction of power resection techniques and stereotactic computer navigation. After exposure to both original techniques, I developed a middle-ground approach that lies between the extremes of the two European schools. The benefits of this middle-ground multimodal technique include a high success rate, maximal safety, relative ease of learning, and the ability to be performed as an adjunct to any other indicated functional nasal surgery. Since its inception, key features of this technique have included concomitant use of fiberoptic headlight with the endoscopes, partial modification of middle turbinates, and incorporation of 1 week of postoperative middle meatal stenting. These have contributed markedly to rates of success and safety.
Oscillatory and collective instabilities in large Prandtl number convection

An experimental study of transitions from steady bimodal convection to time-dependent forms of convection is described. Using controlled initial conditions for the onset of bimodal convection two mechanisms of instability can be separated from the effects of random noise. The oscillatory instability of bimodal cells introduces standing waves closely resembling those occurring in low Prandtl number convection. The collective instability introduces spoke-pattern convection which is characteristic for turbulent large Prandtl number convection. Both instabilities originate primarily from the momentum advection terms in the equations of motion, as is evident from the strong Prandtl number dependence of the critical Rayleigh number Rt for the onset of oscillations. The results are discussed in relation to previous experiments and recent theoretical work.
Glomerular filtration rate measurement and estimation in chronic kidney disease

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) assesses kidney function. GFR is measured by renal clearance techniques; inulin clearance is the gold standard but is not easily measured. Thus, other methods to determine GFR have been utilized. Endogenous creatinine clearance (CrCl) is the most widely used, but creatinine secretion falsely elevates GFR. Cimetidine inhibits creatinine secretion, such that CrCl equals GFR, provided there are no difficulties with bladder emptying. Estimation of GFR from serum creatinine (e.g. Schwartz formula) is useful clinically; however, such formulae have not been updated for enzymatic creatinine autoanalyzers. Cystatin C, a small protein, is produced at a relatively constant rate and is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule. Cystatin C may be more sensitive than creatinine in detecting a reduction in GFR, but further studies are needed to prove this. Single injection (plasma) clearance techniques are the most precise measures of GFR. Iohexol is an exogenous marker that is comparable to inulin and 51Cr-EDTA and can be measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our pilot and the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) North American studies show that iohexol can accurately measure GFR using a four-point plasma disappearance curve national studies show that iohexol can accurately measure GFR using a four-point plasma disappearance curve (10, 30, 120, and 300 min) or, in most cases, a two-point disappearance time (120 and 300 min).
Comparison of some physical and chemical properties of eight strains of tobacco mosaic virus

Abstract The isoelectric points, ultraviolet absorption spectra, and electrophoretic mobilities between pH 4.15 and 8.0 of eight strains of tobacco mosaic virus are presented. The results confirm an earlier classification of these strains into four groups. Some of the differences in ultraviolet spectra and in slope of the mobility-vs-pH curves are correlated with differences in tyrosine, tryptophan, and histidine content. Strains within a group do not differ in any of the properties determined. Infrared absorption spectra of all strains are essentially identical.
A Lyapunov Controller for a Varying Length Flexible Cable System to Supress Transverse Vibration

Modeling and controller design for a flexible cable transporter system, with arbitrarily varying cable length is presented using Hamilton’s principle and Lyapunov theory. The axial velocity of the system is assumed to be arbitrary in the model. This is different from existing literature where the axial velocity is assumed either constant or is prescribed. The governing equations are coupled non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) and ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and boundary conditions. The interactions between the cables and the slider, pulleys, and motors are included in the model. Numerical solution of the governing equations is obtained using Galerkin’s method. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, we propose boundary controllers and the control law for an actuator within the domain to suppress the transverse vibration of the cables, while achieving the slider goal. The proposed controllers dissipate the vibratory energy and guarantee asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controllers.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Influence of stenosis morphology on flow through severely stenotic vessels: implications for plaque rupture

Abstract Flow patterns and flow-related stresses contribute to the characterization of health risks, particularly the risk of plaque rupture, posed by a particular atherosclerotic stenosis. Blood flow in the presence of significant plaque deposits is investigated, and the influence of factors such as stenosis morphology and surface irregularity is evaluated. Solutions for three-dimensional, unsteady flow in these stenotic vessels are obtained for an incompressible, Newtonian fluid. The equations of motion are solved numerically using a finite volume formulation. The resulting flow patterns and shear and normal stresses are interpreted with respect to diagnostic implications, including the possibility of plaque rupture. The inadequacy of “percent stenosis” to characterize the risks posed by a particular plaque is demonstrated. Surface irregularity, stenosis aspect ratio, and the shape of the pulsatile waveform all have considerable influence on the flow field and on the stresses on the plaque. A measure of surface irregularity or plaque symmetry, in particular, may complement percent stenosis in diagnosing the risk of plaque rupture.
Bleeding After Biopsy of a Bronchial Artery Arteriovenous Malformation Presenting as an Endobronchial Mass: Case Report and Literature Review

Bronchial arteriovenous malformation is a rare disease in which there is an abnormal communication between a bronchial artery and pulmonary artery or vein. We present a case of a 73-year-old woman who was referred for further evaluation and management of a right middle lobe endobronchial mass. After
Broadening the understanding of injury prevention: A case study

The death or injury of a loved one is tragic, especially if that injury could have been prevented. Programs to reduce the incidence and severity of neurological trauma are traditionally driven by injury statistics, and the literature on neurological injury prevention often fails to capture individual experiences. Understanding community members' concerns about injury and safety efforts can move injury-prevention programs to a new level by assessing injury-related beliefs and refining interventions suited to the community. Pediatric injury is an especially complex problem that is influenced by developmental, environmental, sociopolitical, economic, geographic, parental, and child-related factors. Recognition of injury as a public health concern supports updating program development. The following case study, based on an in-depth parent interview, offers a unique perspective on pediatric injury. The audiotaped interview was transcribed verbatim following qualitative guidelines. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (a) sources of parental concern for children's safety, (b) private versus public safety influences, and (c) behaviors making children vulnerable to injury. As this case study illustrates, parents may consider children susceptible to injury as a result of factors often not considered by injury prevention programs, for example, being "injury prone." Parents also have access to resources, grandparents, for example, not typically considered when programs are marketed. The challenge is to identify how programs become an accepted public safety influence and to address real-life parental concerns.
On near generalized balanced tournament designs

Abstract A near generalized balanced tournament design, NGBTD( n, k ), defined on a ( kn +1)-set V , is an arrangement of the blocks of a ( kn +1, k, k -1)-BIBD defined on V into an n x( kn +1) array so that (1) every element of V occurs precisely k times in each row, (2) every column of the array contains kn distinct elements of V , and (3) the columns form a near resolution of the ( kn +1, k, k -1)-BIBD. It is easy to construct NGBTD( n , 2) for n a positive integer. In this paper, we investigate the existence of NGBTD( n, k ) s for k ⩾ 3. We describe direct and recursive constructions for NGBTD( n, k ) s . One of our main results is to show that there exists a NGBTD( n , 3) for n a positive integer except possibly for n ϵ {3, 38, 39, 118}.
Interactive effects of age, sex, and strain on apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of soybean meal and an animal by-product blend in broilers

The objectives of this study were to determine if age, sex, and strain of broilers affect the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility (AID) of soybean meal and an animal by-product blend. Chicks from 2 broiler strains, 1 commercially available and the other in the test phase, were obtained from a common hatchery, feather-sexed, and placed into floor pens. The birds received common diets while on floor pens. Birds were transferred to metabolism crates for 2 ileal digestibility trials conducted at 3 and 6 wk of age. Two semipurified diets were formulated with each of the feed ingredients providing all of the amino acids (AA) in the diets. Diets were formulated to contain 20% CP, with chromic oxide added to the diet at 0.30% as the indigestible marker. The experimental diets were fed for a 72-h period after an overnight fast to 8 replicate cages of 5 birds per cage. Upon completion of the experimental periods (i.e., d 22 and 43), birds were euthanized and ileal digesta samples were collected and pooled by pen, frozen, lyophilized, and analyzed for AA and chromium concentrations. For soybean meal, no main effects were observed for age, sex, or strain; however, significant (P ≤ 0.05) 3-way interactions were observed for several dispensable and indispensable AA. Statistical analyses of these interactions indicate the AID of soybean meal may be different for 42-d males of the test strain. For the animal by-product blend, only main effects were significant for each AA, with the exception of Ile and Tyr. Main effect of strain was observed for most of the AA, showing that the commercially available strain had higher AID than the test strain. Also, significant main effect of age indicated that the AID for animal by-product blend was higher at 42 d than at 21 d. Evaluation of these 2 ingredients showed that age, sex, and strain may affect digestibility of feedstuffs and should be considered independently or interactively, for some cases, in future investigations as sources of variation in AA digestibility.
The emerging law of international electronic commerce: recent work by UNCITRAL

This paper describes the minimal aspects of any law intended to govern electronic commerce, and discusses the recent attempts by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law to create a legal framework for electronic commerce. Electronic commerce laws recognize the validity of electronic records, signatures and contracts without changing the underlying substantive law of contracts. The UNCITRAL approach to electronic commerce legislation is based on the "functional-equivalent" approach, which tries to place traditional commercial practice on the same level as electronic commerce.