cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and distribution of multilocus sequence types of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bulk tank milk and cows with mastitis in Pennsylvania

A total of 163 S. aureus isolates; 113 from mastitic milk (MM) and 50 from bulk tank milk (BTM) (2008, 2013-2015) submitted for bacteriologic analysis at the Penn State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory were examined for their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis identified 16 unique sequence types (STs) which belonged to eight clonal complexes (CCs). Majority of the isolates were variants of CC97 (68.7%) and CC151 (25.1%). CC97 comprised of seven STs, of which two were new STs (ST3273, ST3274), while CC151 comprised of three STs of which ST3272 was identified for the first time. Several farms had more than one ST type that were either members of the same clonal complex or unrelated STs. On one farm, six different STs of both categories were seen over the years within the farm. It was observed that ST352 and ST151 were the two main clonal populations in cattle not only in Pennsylvania but also globally. Most isolates were susceptible to all the antibiotics evaluated. 6.7% of isolates showed resistance to vancomycin and penicillin. Two isolates of ST398 showed multidrug resistance (>3 antibiotics) against clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and penicillin. It was noted that 59 of 163 (36.2%) isolates encoded for enterotoxigenic genes. Enterotoxin genes seg/sei accounted for ~85% of enterotoxin positive isolates. Toxic shock syndrome gene tsst-1 alone was positive in two isolates (ST352, ST 2187). 97.5% of CC151 isolates were enterotoxin seg/sei positive. Most isolates were positive for lukED (95%) and lukAB (96.3%) leukotoxin genes. Bovine specific bi-component leucocidin lukMF' was present in 54% of isolates. A prominent observation of this study was the explicit association of lukMF' with lineages ST151 and ST352. In conclusion, the findings of the study, suggest that small number of S. aureus STs types (ST352, ST2187, ST3028, and ST151) are associated with majority of cases of bovine mastitis in Pennsylvania dairy farms. It was observed that one ST of S. aureus predominated in the herd and this ST can coexist with several other ST types of S. aureus strains. When STs were interpreted along with virulence, leucocidin genes and antimicrobial resistance, ST-variants allowed better interpretation of the S. aureus molecular epidemiologic findings specifically for tracing recurrence or persistence of infections in cow over time, among cows in the herd, and between herds in Pennsylvania.
Models and techniques for computer aided surgical training

Laparoscopic surgery, when performed by a well-trained surgeon, is a remarkably effective procedure that minimizes complications associated with large incisions, operative blood loss and post-operative pain. It also reduces the recovery time. However, the procedure is more challenging than a conventional surgery due to the restricted vision, hand-eye coordination problems, limited working space, and lack of tactile sensation. These issues make the laparoscopic surgery a more difficult technique for medical students and residents to master.
Correlation between steady transcortical potential and evoked response. II. Effect of veratrine and strychnine upon the responsiveness of visual cortex.

Abstract Eighteen cats were used, maintained under light nembutal anesthesia. The experiments concern principally a correlation between visual response evoked by volleys from the opposite optic nerve and steady potential change, occasioned under veratrine. 1. 1. During intense, rapid negative SP shifts which result from application of veratrine to the surface, the fast spike components of the evoked visual response and their associated positivities are lost from back forwards; as surface negativity is lost the spikes return in the reverse order. 2. 2. The superficial negative wave elicited by direct stimulation of the cortical surface is exaggerated by 10 −3 strychnine, markedly diminished by later application of veratrine. This has led to the presumption that veratrine will supercede the action of strychnine, and that the potential assigned to the dendritic arborizations is quite sensitive to veratrine application. 3. 3. On the plateaus between the intense surface-negative veratrine shifts, the positive components of evoked response are exaggerated in amplitude and markedly prolonged, resulting in continuous positivities for as long as 36 sec. At times, with very prolonged, and exaggerated after-positives, an intense negative SP shift may eventuate out of an evoked response and last 5 more min. 4. 4. The intense surface-negative shifts of veratrinized cortex are attributable to a wave of depolarization which commences in the surface dendritic arborizations and proceeds downwards along the apical dendrites. The exaggeration of the surface-positive component of the evoked response and the protracted after-positivity where it occurs is believed akin to the results of surface-negative polarization by applied currents. The latter notably exaggerates the sign of the initial positive of the evoked response.
Red Cabbage Methanol Extract inhibits the growth of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis during Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test

This study was designed to establish whether the red cabbage methanol extract can inhibit the growth of various strains of bacteria which include Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The red cabbage methanol extract discs were resisted by all the strains of bacteria except for VRE and Enterococcus faecalis. While the antibiotic streptomycin was resisted by VRE, the red cabbage methanol extract caused a remarkable zone of inhibition.
Submicron CMOS thermal noise modeling from an RF perspective

Continuous scaling of submicron CMOS technologies will soon make low cost, wireless system-on-a-chip communication products possible. The ultimate goal of these systems is to integrate the entire RF front-end with DSP together on a single chip. One key issue to the success of this CMOS RF system LSI chip implementation is how to accurately predict circuit performance using simulators such as SPICE. This will require accurate RF AC and noise models. The latter is essential for optimizing the noise performance which will in turn lead to a low power design. Recently, several CMOS RF models have been proposed for improvement on the accuracy of AC analysis at high frequencies (Ou et al, 1998). However, the accuracy of the existing noise models is not satisfactory for submicron CMOS. In this paper, a physics-based RF thermal noise model is proposed for submicron CMOS devices with a channel thermal noise model, resulting in a nearly bias-independent noise factor /spl gamma/. This model shows good agreement with measured RF noise data across a wide range of bias conditions.
Cardiac Transplantation: Considerations for the Intensive Care Unit Nurse

Heart transplantation is a recommended and curative treatment option for patients with advanced heart failure symptoms despite receiving optimal medical and device therapy. The availability of donor organs limits the number of patients able to receive a heart transplant. The overall outcome of patients able to receive a heart transplant is determined by the successful delivery of essential nursing care. Understanding the specific interventions and therapies unique to this patient population is critical to their care. This article reviews considerations for the intensive care unit clinician in the management of heart transplant patients in this setting.
Discovery of Small Molecules that Bind to K-Ras and Inhibit Sos-Mediated Activation.

K-Ras is a small GTPase that functions as a molecular switch cycling between inactive (GDP-bound) and active (GTP-bound) states. The conversion of K-Ras-GDP to K-Ras-GTP is the rate-limiting step in the activation of K-Ras and is catalyzed by guanine nucleotide exchange factors such as the son of sevenless (Sos). Mutations in K-Ras fix the protein in the active state and endow cells with capabilities that represent the hallmarks of cancer.[1] These include the ability to proliferate, evade apoptosis, reprogram cell metabolism, induce angiogenesis, activate invasion and metastasis, and escape immune destruction.[2] Indeed, aberrant K-Ras signaling plays a role in 30% of all human cancers, with the highest incidence of activating mutations found in pancreatic (70-90%), colon (30-50%), and lung (20-30%) carcinomas.[3] Downregulation of activated Ras reverses the transformed phenotype of cells and results in the dramatic regression of tumors in murine xenograft models.[4] Thus, K-Ras inhibition represents an attractive therapeutic strategy for many cancers. However, Ras activation and signaling is accomplished primarily through protein-protein interactions. Such protein interfaces typically lack well-defined binding pockets and have been difficult to target with small molecules.[5]
The effect of Pt on the photocatalytic degradation pathway of methylene blue over TiO2 under ambient conditions

Abstract Photocatalytic degradation pathway of methylene blue (MB) has been studied over TiO2, 0.5 wt.% Pt/TiO2, and 3 wt.% Pt/TiO2 at ambient conditions (30 °C and 1 atm of air) by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The reaction was proposed to be initiated via the abstraction of H from MB molecule by hydroxyl radical (·OH), followed by –CH3 elimination and CAr–N scission. The correlation in IR intensity between the decrease in C–H bond in MB molecule and the increase in hydroxyl group (–OH) at 3672 cm−1 during the reaction (i) provides an indirect evidence to support the proposed ·OH-initiating pathway, (ii) suggests that the –OH sites could be related to OH generation sites, and (iii) offers new insights into the photoinduced hydrophilicity of the TiO2 surface. Subsequent breakup of the MB central ring via accepting protons and photogenerated electrons resulted in the formation of intermediates containing C O, COO−, and N–H groups. Deposition of 0.5 wt.% Pt to TiO2 enhanced (i) the scission of and C–H bonds and (ii) the formation of intermediates containing C O and COO− groups. The latter suggests that Pt provided the sites for oxygen absorption, accelerating the formation rate of oxygen-containing intermediates. The comparable IR intensity of –OH at 3632 cm−1 before reaction and –OH at 3672 cm−1 during the reaction on TiO2 and 0.5 wt.% Pt/TiO2 indicates that OH generation sites were not blocked by low Pt loading (i.e., 0.5 wt.%). The simultaneous presence of OH generation, photoelectron generation, and Pt sites could play a synergetic role in enhancing and C–H bond scission and formation of C O and COO− species. Increasing Pt loading to 3 wt.% resulted in the total elimination of –OH and the significant decrease in the MB degradation rate, indicating that the low activity of 3 wt.% Pt/TiO2 could be attributed to the blocking of OH generation sites by the high Pt loading.
A short survey on preconditioning techniques for large-scale dense complex linear systems in electromagnetics

In solving systems of linear equations arising from practical scientific and engineering modelling and simulations such as electromagnetics applications, it is important to choose a fast and robust solver. Due to the large scale of those problems, preconditioned Krylov subspace methods are most suitable. In electromagnetics simulations, the use of preconditioned Krylov subspace methods in the context of multilevel fast multipole algorithms (MLFMA) is particularly attractive. In this paper, we present a short survey of a few preconditioning techniques in this application. We also compare several preconditioning techniques combined with the Krylov subspace methods to solve large dense linear systems arising from electromagnetic scattering problems and present some numerical results.
Migration and biodegradation of free silicone from silicone gel‐filled implants after long‐term implantation

In vivo 1H NMR chemical shift imaging (CSI), 1H NMR localized spectroscopy (STEAM) and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (29Si, 13C, 1H) were used to characterize the aging process of silicone gel-filled implants in a rat model after long-term implantation. Although no significant changes could be observed in the implants or surrounding tissue by in vivo 1H chemical shift imaging, in vivo 1H localized spectroscopy of the livers from the longer term population revealed the presence of silicone. Ex vivo 29Si spectroscopy of the liver, spleen, and the capsule formed around the 9 and 12 month implants clearly demonstrated and confirmed for the first time that a significant amount of free silicone migrates from silicone gel-filled implants. Also, these results show that silicones are not metabolically inert, and their biodegradation in tissue and within the implant can be monitored after 9 and 12 months by changes in the 29Si chemical shifts seen in corresponding ex vivo spectra. The NMR findings are supported by those obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Silicone aging changes not only the chemical composition of the gel, but also its proton T2 relaxation times, which increase with long implantation times. The three dimensional structure of the gel disintegrates (i.e., polymer chain rupture), increasing the molecular mobility of the polymer and, consequently, its protons T2 values. The relaxation data we obtained reflect this in vivo degradation, especially in the case of implant rupture. Additionally, small concentrations of fat in the silicone gel were found within the implants. The presence of these lipophilic substances also might increase the T2 values (plasticizer effect). These findings may assist in evaluating the implant integrity and disease symptoms related to their presence in humans.
[3H]lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): differential agonist and antagonist binding properties at 5-HT receptor subtypes in rat brain

[3H]Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the presence of 40 nM ketanserin labeled the 5-HT1A receptor subtype in rat hippocampal membranes. In the presence of guanosine triphosphate (GTP), the Bmax and affinity of [3H]LSD binding to the 5-HT1A binding site were significantly decreased. [3H]LSD in the presence of 40 nM WB4101 labeled the 5-HT2 receptor subtype in homogenates of rat frontal cortex. In contrast to the effect on [3H]LSD binding to the 5-HT1A binding site, GTP produced no significant effect on either the Bmax or the KD of [3H]LSD binding to the 5-HT2 binding site. Competition of 5-HT for [3H]LSD binding to the 5-HT2 binding site was best described by a computer-derived model assuming two binding sites. In the presence of GTP, the 5-HT competition curve was shifted significantly to the right with an approx. 3-fold increase in the IC50. These binding characteristics are consistent with [3H]LSD acting as an antagonist at the 5-HT2 receptor which has multiple affinity states for agonists and is coupled to a guanine nucleotide regulatory subunit. Thus, [3H]LSD has binding characteristics consistent with it acting as an agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor subtype but as an antagonist at the 5-HT2 receptor subtype in rat brain.
Dynamics of Lotka–Volterra competition reaction–diffusion systems with degenerate diffusion

Abstract This paper is dealt with a class of Lotka–Volterra competition reaction–diffusion system and a competitor–competitor–mutualist system with density-dependent diffusion in a bounded domain under the three basic types of Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin boundary conditions. The governing equations for the competition system consist of an arbitrary number of degenerate quasilinear parabolic equations while the competitor–competitor–mutualist system involves three degenerate equations. The goal of the paper is to show: the existence of positive steady-state solutions or quasi-solutions, the existence and uniqueness of a classical global time-dependent solution, and the asymptotic behavior of the time-dependent solution in relation to the steady-state solutions or quasi-solutions. The above goals are achieved under a very simple condition on the reaction rates of the reaction functions and these results yield a global attractor and the coexistence of the competing species. In the case of Neumann boundary condition the system has a unique constant positive steady-state solution which is a global attractor of all the competing species. The above conclusions lead to some interesting distinct dynamic behavior between degenerate quasilinear reaction–diffusion systems and the corresponding semilinear reaction–diffusion systems in which some or all of the competing species may be in extinction.
A numerical procedure for three-dimensional transient free surface seepage

Abstract A three-dimensional procedure based on the finite element method is proposed for transient free surface seepage. It involves solution of the governing equations by using a time integration scheme. The procedure is applied for solution of confined, and transient free surface flow; the latter includes verification with respect to test results from a laboratory model. It is also applied to free surface flow through a dam with a crack.
Mutational analysis of m‐values as a strategy to identify cold‐resistant substructures of the protein ensemble

Characterizing the native ensemble of protein is an important yet difficult objective of structural biology. The structural dynamics of protein macromolecules play key roles in biological function, but the short lifetimes and low population of near-native states of the protein ensemble limit their ability to be studied directly. In part to address such issues, it was shown recently that the cooperative substructures that populate a protein ensemble could be ascertained by NMR methods performed at very cold temperatures. What is presented here is an argument that these same substructures can also be determined by denaturant-induced unfolding studies performed on protein at room temperature. Data supporting this argument are given for Staphylococcal nuclease, chymotrypsin inhibitor 2, and ubiquitin. The observation of an agreement between the thermodynamics of the protein ensemble simulated under very cold temperatures to the apparent sensitivity of the ensemble to chemical denaturants at room temperature also suggests that the overall structural-thermodynamic character of an ensemble is surprisingly robust and preserved even in the presence of strong denaturing conditions.
Extension, subsidence and thermal evolution of the Los Angeles basin—a two-dimensional model

Abstract The Los Angeles Basin is a narrow, deep basin containing large oil fields. Its formation began in the middle Miocene and its subsidence has been extraordinarily rapid. We suggest that, although the basin is in a predominantly strike-slip tectonic environment, the subsidence is largely a result of crustal extension. Simple one-dimensional extension models, ignoring the lateral flow of heat, are inadequate to explain the rapidity of the subsidence. We use a two dimensional numerical method to model the thermal evolution of the basin. Based on our model studies, the Central, Southwest, Northeast, and Palos Verdes Blocks are inferred to have been extended by 178%, 69%, 20%, and 27% respectively. The average crustal extension for the whole basin is 66%. The lateral flow of heat out of the Central Block into adjacent cooler blocks accounts for its rapid subsidence during the early stage. The deepest sediments are predicted to have been heated to about 210°C. Hydrocarbon maturity calculations indicate that the upper Miocene sediments reached oil maturity a little over 4 m.y. B.P. No sediment is predicted to have achieved natural gas maturity.
Early SUSY discovery at LHC via sparticle cascade decays to same-sign and multimuon states

Abstract In the very early stages of LHC running, uncertainties in detector performance will lead to large ambiguities in jet, electron and photon energy measurements, along with inferred missing transverse energy E T miss . However, muon detection should be quite straightforward, with the added benefit that muons can be reliably detected down to transverse energies of order 5 GeV. Supersymmetry discovery through multimuon channels has been extensively explored in the literature, but always relying on hard E T miss cuts. Here, we quantify signal and background rates for same-sign (SS) dimuon and multimuon production at the LHC without any E T miss cuts. The LHC, operating at s = 10 TeV , should be able to discover a signal over expected background consistent with gluino pair production for m g ˜ ≲ 450 (550) GeV in the SS dimuon plus ⩾4 jets state with just 0.1 (0.2) fb−1 of integrated luminosity.
ALDOSTERONE--A POTENT STIMULATOR OF THE RENAL KALLIKREIN-KININ SYSTEM DURING FETAL LIFE

The effects of acute (A) (0.25 ug/min/kg body wt. over 2 hrs) and chronic (C) (0.50 ug/kg over 4 days) aldosterone infusion (Aldo-I) on active urinary kallikrein (UKall) and Na+ excretion (UNa+V) were studied in young (95-115 days, n=6) and old ( 125 days, n=8) fetal lambs (term 145 days) chronically instrumented. A-Aldo-I was not associated with changes in plasma electrolytes concentration but produced a significant decrease in UNa+V in both groups of fetuses and a rise in UKall in young fetuses. C-Aldo-I produced a significant (p<0.05) rise in plasma Na+ (142±1 to 147±1 meq/1 meq/1) and decline in plasma K+ (4.7±0.3 to 4.0±0.2 meq/l) in old fetuses and was associated with decreases in UNa+V and increases in UKall in both groups of fetuses.
Polymerized Ionic Liquids: Solution Properties and Electrospinning

In this study, the solution properties and electrospinning of a polymerized ionic liquid was explored. Polymerized ionic liquids are synthesized from polymerizing ionic liquid monomers, where ionic liquids are of great interest due to their unique physiochemical properties. Compared to other polyelectrolyte solutions, this polymerized ionic liquid solution exhibits similar viscosity scaling relationships in the semidilute unentangled and semidilute entangled regimes. However, the electrospraying-electrospinning transition occurs at similar polymer solution concentrations compared to neutral polymers, where electrospinning produced beaded fibers and defect-free fibers at ∼1.25 and ∼2 times the entanglement concentration, respectively. Due to high solution conductivities, electrospinning produces fibers approximately an order of magnitude smaller than neutral polymers at equivalent normalized solution concentrations. In addition, a high ionic conductivity of the solid-state fiber mat was observed under dry ...
Further tests of the atom-annihilation hypothesis as to the origin of the cosmic rays

1. Tests in Mexico. The authors had predicted that since the hypothetical silicon-annihilation rays should have enough energy (13.2 Bev) to get vertically through the earth's magnetic field at the equator in Peru, though not in India, there should be found, both at sea level and at all altitudes in the Americas, when vertically incoming rays alone are under test, a very long plateau of uniform cosmic-ray intensities extending north from Mollendo, Peru to about the latitude of Victoria, Mexico (mag. lat. 32.8°). There the strong band due to oxygen annihilation rays (7.5 Bev) should first appear, to be followed in going still further north when the latitude of 40° N magnetic had been reached, by the full entrance of the nitrogen annihilation band (6.5 Bev). The experimental findings were in accord with these predictions. 2. Tests in the United States. In going from Pasadena (mag. lat. 40.7° to St. George, Utah, but 4.1° (280 miles) nearer to the N magnetic pole than Pasadena, the carbon-annihilation band (5.6 Bev) was expected to appear, to be followed by a flat plateau clear up to latitude 54° N magnetic, when helium annihilation rays (1.88 Bev) were expected to appear. A ballon flight at St. George (mag. lat. 44.8°) and another at Pocatello, Idaho (mag. lat. 51°) yielded preliminary results in harmony with these predictions. 3. Evidence that the act of atom-annihilation actually transforms the rest mass energy of an atom into an electron pair. The flat plateau between St. George and Pocatello (mag. lat. 51°) corresponding to the absence of abundant atoms of atomic weight between that of carbon and that of helium, and the definite appearance of a new band between Omaha (mag. lat. 51.3°) and Bismarck (mag. lat. 56°) constitute new and strong evidence for the transformability of the complete rest mass energy of an atom into an electron pair.
Sources, transport, and sinks of SO2 over the equatorial Pacific during the Pacific Atmospheric Sulfur Experiment

The Pacific Atmospheric Sulfur Experiment (PASE) is the first sulfur-budget field experiment to feature simultaneous flux measurements of DMS marine emissions and SO2 deposition to the ocean surface. We make use of these data to constrain a 1-D chemical transport model to study the production and loss pathways for DMS and SO2 over the equatorial Pacific. Model results suggest that OH is the main sink for DMS in the boundary layer (BL), and the average DMS-to-SO2 conversion efficiency is ~73%. In an exploratory run involving the addition of 1 pptv of BrO as a second oxidant, a 14% increase in the DMS flux is needed beyond that based on OH oxidation alone. This BrO addition also reduces the DMS-to-SO2 conversion efficiency from 73% to 60%. The possibility of non-DMS sources of marine sulfur influencing the estimated conversion efficiency was explored and found to be unconvincing. For BL conditions, SO2 losses consist of 48% dry deposition, while transport loss to the BuL and aerosol scavenging each account for another 19%. The conversion of SO2 to H2SO4 consumes the final 14%. In the BuL, cloud scavenging removes 85% of the SO2, thus resulting in a decreasing vertical profile for SO2. The average SO2 dry deposition velocity from direct measurements (i.e., 0.36 cm sec−1) is approximately 50% of what is calculated from the 1-D model and the global GEOS-Chem model. This suggests that the current generation of global models may be significantly overestimating SO2 deposition rates over some tropical marine areas. Although the specific mechanism cannot be determined, speculation here is that the dry deposition anomalous results may point to the presence of a micro-surface chemical phenomenon involving partial saturation with either S(IV) and/or S(VI) DMS oxidation products. This could also appear as a pH drop in the ocean’s surface microfilm layer in this region. Finally, we propose that the enhanced SO2 level observed in the lower free troposphere versus that in the upper BuL during PASE is most likely the result of transported DMS/SO2-rich free-tropospheric air parcels from the east of the PASE sampling area, rather than an inadequate representation in the model of local convection.
Plasma Retinoids and Composition of Blood Mononuclear Leukocyte Populations in Holstein Calves Orally Supplemented with 13-Cis-Retinoic Acid

Abstract Ten calves were assigned to treatments to evaluate effects of oral administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid on plasma retinoids, composition of blood mononuclear leukocyte populations, and serum Ig. Treatments were control (1 ml vegetable oil, n = 5) and 100 mg 13-cis-retinoic acid in 1 ml vegetable oil (n = 5) per day for 5 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected for 3 days prior to beginning treatment, and 3 days weekly for 6 weeks thereafter. Administration of 13-cis-retinoic increased plasma concentrations of 13-cis-, all-trans-, and 9,13-S. di-cis-retinoic acid during the treatment period compared to control calves. The mean plasma retinol in treated calves was lower than in control calves (190 and 223 ng/ml, respectively). The proportion of monocytes from blood mononuclear leukocytes was decreased by oral administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid. Serum IgM and IgG concentrations were unaffected by treatment. Overall, oral administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid to calves altered plasma re...
99. Plasma markers of inflammation are elevated in intermittent explosive disorder and as a function of aggression in human subjects

Behavior can influence immune function, inflammatory activity, and psychological functioning; these relationships are often bi-directional. Aggressive behavior is associated with elevations in inflammatory mediators in animals, but few studies have examined these connections in humans. The present study explored relationships between aggressive behavior and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble interleukin-1B receptor type II (IL1BrII), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), controls with Axis I and/or Axis II, disorders (Psychiatric Controls: PC), and subjects with no evidence of psychopathology (Healthy Controls: HC). Inflammatory markers were highly correlated with aggressive behavior, and impulsivity and aggression were highly related in all subjects (p
Production of Spherules from Synthetic Proteinoid and Hot Water

When hot saturated solutions of thermal copolymers containing the 18 common amino acids are allowed to cool, huge numbers of uniform, microscopic, relatively firm, and elastic spherules separate. The place of this phenomenon in a comprehensive theory of original thermal generation of primordial living units is considered.
The Impact of Evidence on Physicians’ Inpatient Treatment Decisions

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that most medical inpatients receive treatment supported by strong evidence (evidence-based treatment), but they have not assessed whether and how physicians actually use evidence when making their treatment decisions. We investigated whether physicians would change inpatient treatment if presented with the results of a literature search.
The uniqueness of palms

Palms build tall trees entirely by primary growth in a way that limits their growth habit, but not their capacity for continued stem development. They achieve massive primary stature because of distinctive features of leaf development, stem vasculature and anatomical properties. They exhibit several record features of leaf and seed, and inflorescence size and leaves of great complexity. A marked ability to generate new roots allows them to be transplanted easily. As climbing plants they develop the longest unrooted stems in which there are, paradoxically, anomalous features of vascular construction compared with tree palms. It is here claimed that they are the world’s longest lived trees because stem cells of several kinds remain active in differentiated tissues throughout the life of the palm. Absence of physiological dormancy may be related to this property, together with inability to withstand freezing temperatures that would cause irreversible cavitation of tracheary elements. This largely restricts them to the tropics, for which they are emblematic organisms. In these biological features palms are indeed unique organisms. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 5‐14.
Reference spectrum extraction and fixed-pattern noise removal in optical coherence tomography

We present a new signal processing method that extracts the reference spectrum information from an acquired optical coherence tomography (OCT) image without a separate calibration step of reference spectrum measurement. The reference spectrum is used to remove the fixed-pattern noise that is a characteristic artifact of Fourier-domain OCT schemes. It was found that the conventional approach based on an averaged spectrum, or mean spectrum, is prone to be influenced by the high-amplitude data points whose statistical distribution is hardly randomized. Thus, the conventional mean-spectrum subtraction method cannot completely eliminate the artifact but may leave residual horizontal lines in the final image. This problem was avoided by utilizing an advanced statistical analysis tool of the median A-line. The reference A-line was obtained by taking a complex median of each horizontal-line data. As an optional method of high-speed calculation, we also propose a minimum-variance mean A-line that can be calculated from an image by a collection of mean A-line values taken from a horizontal segment whose complex variance of the data points is the minimum. By comparing the images processed by those methods, it was found that our new processing schemes of the median-line subtraction and the minimum-variance mean-line subtraction successfully suppressed the fixed-pattern noise. The inverse Fourier transform of the obtained reference A-line well matched the reference spectrum obtained by a physical measurement as well.
Dependence of the contractile activation of skinned cardiac cells on the sarcomere length.

FRANK1 and Starling2 have demonstrated that the systolic pressure developed by the heart decreased as its diastolic volume was altered in either direction from an optimum value. This law has been explained by variations of the number of cross bridges between the thin (actin) and the thick (myosin) filaments which generate force in individual cells3,4 in accordance with the sliding filament theory5.
Apparent first-order kinetics in the transformation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane in groundwater following a transient release.

Abstract A transient release of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) to an otherwise uncontaminated aquifer at a manufacturing facility presented a useful opportunity to validate the results of previous laboratory and field studies on TCA transformation in groundwater. Abiotic TCA transformation to 1,1-dichloroethylene (DCE) and acetic acid at the site exhibited first-order kinetics with half-life of 2.9 years 15° C. Degradation effects were seen to overwhelm chemical retardation effects on the DCE/TCA concentration ratio in groundwater. The kinetic data was sufficient to date the release to within one week of when it actually occurred. A kinetic approach may be applicable to dating the releases on other contaminated sites where a single transient release is indicated. The transformation of dissolved TCA in groundwater with a half-life of several years can be expected at many contaminated sites.
Das elektrische Moment einwertiger normaler sekundärer und Isoalkohole

Fur einige einwertige normale sekundare und Isoalkohole der Fettreihe werden die Dipolmomente gemessen. Ihr Betrag ergibt sich von derselben Gros-enordnung wie fur die normalen primaren Alkohole. Daraus geht hervor, das das Dipolmoment sowohl von der Stellung der Hydroxylgruppe wie auch von der Verzweigung der Kohlenstoffkette im Molekul unabhangig ist.
State of Stress and Crustal Deformation along Weak Transform Faults

The state of stress and style of crustal deformation along weak transform plate boundaries is discussed in the context of available data and simple analytical models. Appreciable evidence indicates that while the frictional strength of the upper crust is high (in general accordance with simple faulting theory and laboratory-derived coefficients of friction), the frictional resistance to motion along transform plate boundaries is extremely low. These conditions require that horizontal principal stresses must be oriented approximately parallel and perpendicular to the transform-fault zone to minimize the shear stresses acting parallel to the transform. Along plate margins that must accommodate relative convergence (transpressive margins), a pattern of near fault-normal compression and fault-normal crustal shortening is expected. Along divergent plate margins (transtensional margins), extension is expected to occur perpendicular to the transform, as the direction of minimum horizontal principal stress is expected to be nearly perpendicular to it. These patterns of stress and deformation can be observed along a number of transform faults around the world.
Drag coefficients for free molecule flow in the velocity range 7-37 km/sec

Monoenergetic nitrogen free molecule beam impingement on solid surface, calculating satellite drag coefficients from momentum transfer measurements
Distributed convergence to Nash equilibria by adversarial networks with directed topologies

This paper considers a class of strategic scenarios in which two cooperative groups of agents have opposing objectives with regards to the optimization of a common objective function. In the resulting zero-sum game, individual agents collaborate with neighbors in their respective network and have only partial knowledge of the state of the agents in the other network. We consider scenarios where the interaction topology within each cooperative network is given by a strongly connected and weight-balanced directed graph. We introduce a provably-correct distributed dynamics which converges to the set of Nash equilibria when the objective function is strictly concave-convex, differentiable, with globally Lipschitz gradient. The technical approach combines tools from algebraic graph theory, dynamical systems, convex analysis, and game theory.
Covariation of residues in the homeodomain sequence family

Homeodomains are 60 amino acid DNA binding domains found in numerous eukaryotic transcription factors. The homeodomain family is a useful system for studying sequence-structure relationships because several hundred sequences are known and the structures of several homeodomains have been determined. Covariation of amino acid residues in the homeodomain family has been investigated to see whether strongly covariant residue pairs can be understood in terms of the structure and function of these domains. Among 16 strongly covariant pairs examined, 2 are explained by the ability to form salt bridges, and 9 appear related to the DNA binding function of the proteins. For the remaining 5 pairs, the rationale for covariance remains unclear and the likelihood of artifactual correlations is discussed in the context of experimental and evolutionary biases in the selection of sequences. No significant correlation was found between covariance and structural proximity in the hydrophobic core.
Nonlinear Trends in Hippocampal Metabolic Function and Verbal Memory: Evidence of Cognitive Reserve in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy?

Abstract The present study explored the possibility of nonlinear trends in the relationship between verbal memory and hippocampal function in a series of 33 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Right and left hippocampal metabolic function was quantified using levels of hippocampal creatine to N-acetylaspartate (Cr/NAA) derived from 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. An exploratory neural network analysis (multi-layer perceptron) suggested the possibility of either a quadratic or cubic trend in the relationship between left hippocampal Cr/NAA and verbal retention. Using regression-based curve estimation, the cubic function was found to optimally fit the data, explaining 41% of the variance in the relationship between verbal memory and hippocampal metabolic function. This was contrasted to the 28% variance explained by simple linear regression. These findings suggest that (1) the relationship between verbal retention and hippocampal function in patients with TLE is nonlinear, and (2) this could be explained in terms of a possible “cognitive reserve.” Clinical implications are discussed.
Tuning the visible-to-infrared reflectance spectra of arrays of vertical ge nanowires

We experimentally demonstrate that, by varying their diameter, the visible-to-infrared reflectance spectra of arrays of vertical Ge nanowires can be tuned. The results could enable future nanowire-based photodetectors with tailored responsivity spectra.
Shoulder Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities, Wheelchair Propulsion, and Gender

Abstract Boninger ML, Dicianno BE, Cooper RA, Towers JD, Koontz AM, Souza AL. Shoulder magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, wheelchair propulsion, and gender. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003;84:1615–20. Objective To investigate the relationship between pushrim forces and the progression of shoulder injuries in manual wheelchair users. Design Longitudinal case series. Setting Biomechanics laboratory and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facility at a Veterans Health Administration medical center and university hospital, respectively. Participants Fourteen individuals with spinal cord injury (8 men, 6 women) who used manual wheelchairs. Intervention Subjects propelled their own wheelchairs on a dynamometer at 0.9 and 1.8m/s. Bilateral biomechanical data were obtained by using force and moment sensing pushrims at time 1. Bilateral shoulder MR images were also completed on 2 occasions, at time 1 and, approximately 2 years later, at time 2. Main outcome measures The peak pushrim forces in a pushrim coordinate system were calculated, weight normalized and averaged over 5 strokes (presented as % body weight). MRI abnormalities were graded by using a summated scale. Differences between scores between times 1 and 2 were calculated. Results Subjects were divided into 2 groups based on change in MRI score. Seven subjects were in the group with worsening scores (MRI+; mean, 8.14 points; range, 5–16), and 7 were in the group with improving or unchanging scores (MRI−; mean, −1.00 point; range, −5 to 1). There was no significant difference between groups with respect to age, body mass index, or years from injury. There were significantly more women in the MRI+ group (6 women, 1 man) than in the MRI− group (7 men) ( P =.001). The MRI+ group used significantly greater weight-normalized radial force, or force directed toward the axle at time 1, to propel their wheelchairs at each speed ( P P =.028); and MRI+ at 1.8m/s (mean radial force, 6.6%±1.2%) ( P =.023) and MRI− at 1.8m/s (mean radial force, 4.1%±2.2%). In a separate analysis, women were found to propel with a significantly higher radial force. A logistic regression found a significant relationship between radial force at time 1 and increased risk of progression of MRI findings over time. Conclusion Individuals who propel with a greater percentage of force directed toward the axle were at increased risk of progression of MRI findings over time. Most people in this group were women. Clinicians should instruct wheelchair users in effective propulsion techniques and should pay particular attention to women who use wheelchairs. Reducing forces during wheelchair propulsion may minimize the likelihood of developing shoulder injuries.
Beyond-use date determination of buprenorphine buccal solution using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study included developing and validating a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection for the determ...
Multiple-parameter CMOS IC testing with increased sensitivity for I/sub DDQ/

Technology scaling challenges the effectiveness of current-based test techniques such as I/sub DDQ/. Furthermore, existing leakage reduction techniques are not as effective in aggressively scaled technologies. We exploited intrinsic dependencies of transistor and circuit leakage on clock frequency, temperature, and reverse body bias (RBB) to discriminate fast ICs from defective ones. Transistor and circuit parameters were measured and correlated to demonstrate leakage-based testing solutions with improved sensitivity. We used a test IC with available body terminals for our experimental measurements. Our data suggest adopting a sensitive multiple-parameter test solution. For high performance IC applications, we propose a new test technique, I/sub DDQ/ versus F/sub MAX/ (maximum operating frequency), in conjunction with using temperature (or RBB) to improve the defect detection sensitivity. For cost sensitive applications, I/sub DDQ/ versus temperature test can be deployed. Our data show that temperature (cooling from 110/spl deg/C to room) improved sensitivity of I/sub DDQ/ versus F/sub MAX/ two-parameter test by more than an order of magnitude (13.8/spl times/). The sensitivity can also be tuned by proper selection of a temperature range to match a required defect per million (DPM) level.
Cheating more when the spoils are split

Abstract Four experiments demonstrated that people are more likely to cheat when the benefits of doing so are split with another person, even an anonymous stranger, than when the actor alone captures all of the benefits. In three of the studies, splitting the benefits of over-reporting one’s performance on a task made such over-reporting seem less unethical in the eyes of participants. Mitigated perceptions of the immorality of over-reporting performance mediated the relationship between split spoils and increased over-reporting of performance in Study 3. The studies thus showed that people may be more likely to behave dishonestly for their own benefit if they can point to benefiting others as a mitigating factor for their unethical behavior.
Osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis associated with androgen action in bone: requirement of increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.

Abstract Both the number and the activity of osteoblasts are critical for normal bone growth and maintenance. Although a potential role for estrogen in protection of bone mass through inhibition of osteoblast apoptosis has been proposed, a function for androgen is much less clear. The aim of this study was to establish a direct role for androgen to influence osteoblast apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. AR-MC3T3-E1 cells, with androgen receptor (AR) overexpression controlled by the type I collagen promoter, were treated with the non-aromatizable androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Apoptosis was assessed by three different techniques including DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Transactivation of AR by DHT enhanced apoptosis while 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment reduced apoptosis in both proliferating preosteoblasts and mature osteocyte-like cells. To explore mechanism, the apoptosis regulators Bcl-2 (antiapoptotic) and Bax (proapoptotic) were evaluated. Western analysis revealed that DHT decreased Bcl-2 resulting in a significantly increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Regulation of Bcl-2 was post-transcriptional since bcl-2 mRNA levels were unaffected by DHT treatment. Furthermore, ubiquitination of Bcl-2 was increased and serine phosphorylation was reduced, consistent with inhibition of MAP kinase signaling by DHT. Increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was essential since either Bcl-2 overexpression or Bax downregulation by RNA interference (RNAi) partially abrogated or reversed DHT-enhanced osteoblastic apoptosis. In order to establish physiologic significance in vivo, AR-transgenic mice with AR overexpression in the osteoblast lineage and thus enhanced androgen sensitivity were characterized. In male AR-transgenic mice, increased osteoblast apoptosis was observed in vivo even in association with new bone formation. Thus, although estrogen can be antiapoptotic, androgen stimulates osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis through an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio even in anabolic settings. These results identify a new mechanism for androgen regulation of osteoblast activity distinct from estrogen, and suggest that enhanced apoptosis can be associated with anabolic stimulation of new bone growth. Androgens thus play a distinct role in skeletal homeostasis.