cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physician variation in diagnostic testing for low back pain. Who you see is what you get.

Objective. This study examined patterns of diagnostic test use for patients with low back pain. Three specific questions were addressed: 1) What tests do physicians recommend for patients with 3 common types of low back pain? 2) Do physicians in various specialties differ in the tests they would order? and 3) How appropriate are physicians' choices of tests, based on current medical knowledge and expert recommendations? Methods. A stratified national random sample of 2,604 physicians in 8 specialties was mailed questionnaires asking about the tests they would order for hypothetical patients with acute back pain, sciatica, or chronic low back pain. Physicians were also asked which procedures they generally used to evaluate suspected lumbar nerve root compression. These responses were compared with guidelines that have been suggested by the Quebec Task Force on Spinal Disorders, based on comprehensive evaluation of the scientific literature. Results. Approximately 1,100 physicians responded to the survey (43% response rate). Magnetic resonance imaging was the most frequently used procedure for evaluating suspected lumbar nerve root compression, although a majority of neurosurgeons would still use myelography. Neurosurgeons and neurologists were twice as likely as other specialists to order an imaging study for patients with acute nonradiating pain or chronic back pain. Physiatrists and neurologists were more than 3 times as likely as other specialists to order electromyograms for acute back pain with sciatica or chronic back pain. Rheumatologists were almost twice as likely as other specialists to order laboratory tests for both acute and chronic back pain. The reported use of imaging and electrodiagnostic tests was generally premature and more extensive than that recommended by the Quebec Task Force. Conclusion. There is little consensus, either within or among specialties, on the use of diagnostic tests for patients with back pain. Thus, the diagnostic evaluation depends heavily on the individual physician and his or her specialty, and not just the patient's symptoms and findings. Furthermore, many physicians may be ordering imaging studies too early and for patients who do not have the appropriate clinical indications. These results suggest a need for additional clinical guidelines as well as better adherence to existing guidelines.
Radioactive colloidal gold in macrophages and serous exudate in peritoneal fluid of sarcoma bearing mouse.

Summary and Conclusions(1) CFW and dba mice were inoculated intraperitoneallv with Sarcoma 37 cells from serial intraperitoneal transfers. After formation of copious peritoneal exudate containing tumor cells and macrophages, these mice received intraperitoneally or intravenously 0.1 mc (in 2 series 0.3 mc) of radioactive colloidal gold. At various intervals (∗4 hour to 48 hours) after injection, specimens of peritoneal fluid were withdrawn from these mice and centrifuged. Radioactivity of precipitate (P) and of supernatant (S) in each specimen was determined by Geiger counter. (2) Ratio P/S was accepted as index of radioactivity distribution between macrophages and serous exudate of the peritoneal fluid. Data illustrating trends in changes of P/S in various groups of mice were plotted in graphs and discussed. These data were interpreted as the combined effect of two parallel phenomena responsible for disappearance of radioactive colloid from the peritoneal serous exudate; (a) absorption and storage of col...
Rise of the Indoor Crowd: Reconstruction of Building Interior View via Mobile Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing is a technology with the potential to revolutionize large-scale data gathering in an extremely cost-effective manner. It provides an unprecedented means of collecting data from the physical world, particularly through the use of modern smartphones, which are equipped with high-resolution cameras and various micro-electrical sensors. In this paper, we address the critical task of reconstructing the indoor interior view of a building from crowdsourced data. We propose, design, and prototype IndoorCrowd2D, a smartphone-empowered crowdsourcing system for indoor scene reconstruction. We first formulate the problem via trackable models and then employ a divide and conquer approach to address the inherently incomplete, opportunistic, and noisy crowdsourced data. By utilizing the image information and sensory data in a coordinated way, our system demonstrates high result-accuracy, as well as allows a gradual build-up procedure of the hallway skeleton. Our evaluation result shows that IndoorCrowd2D achieves a precision around 85%, a 100% recall and a F-score around 95% for reconstructing college buildings from 1,151 datasets uploaded by 25 users. This reveals that our image and sensor hybrid method is more robust to overcome errors and outliers as compared to image-only method.
An Aerosolized Brucella spp. Challenge Model for Laboratory Animals

To characterize the optimal aerosol dosage of Brucella abortus strain 2308 (S2308) and B. melitensis (S16M) in a laboratory animal model of brucellosis, dosages of 10(3)-10(10) colony forming units (CFU) were nebulized to mice. Although tissue weights were minimally influenced, total CFU per tissues increased beginning at 10(6)-10(7) CFU dosages, with 10(9) CFU appearing to be an optimal dosage for S16M or S2308 aerosol delivery. At 12 weeks after vaccination with 10(7) CFU of B. abortus strain RB51 (SRB51) or saline (control), mice were challenged intraperitoneally (i.p.) (6.4 x 10(4) CFU) or via aerosol (1.76 x 10(9) CFU) with S2308. Mice vaccinated with SRB51 had reduced (P 0.05) in splenic, liver or lung colonization after aerosol S2308 challenge. Failure to demonstrate vaccine protection was not because of a high aerosol challenge dosage as colonization of spleen and liver tissues was lower (P < 0.05) after aerosol challenge when compared with control mice after i.p. S2308 challenge.
Interaction of a crack with a field of microcracks

Abstract Crack propagation in brittle materials is of ten accompanied by intensive microcracking; being a major energy sink,this phenomenon can strongly affect the fracture process. A two-dimensional problem of elastic interaction of a macrocrack with a field of microcracks is considered in the article. Consideration is based on the self-consistent method, generalized with the account of strong non — uniformity of the stress field in the vicinity of the macrocrack. The technique of double layer potentials is used. A closed form solution for the effective stress field is constructed.
Empty follicle syndrome: evidence for recurrence

The empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a frustrating condition in which no oocytes are retrieved in an IVF cycle. Although this is an infrequent event in IVF patients, the economic consequences as well as the emotional frustration of a cancelled cycle due to the inability to obtain oocytes are enormous. The mechanisms responsible for EFS remain obscure, though many hypotheses have been put forward ranging from dysfunctional folliculogenesis to a drug-related problem. We found that the EFS is a rare event (1.8% of oocyte retrievals) but with profound implications for counselling the couple about their future reproductive performance. The chances of recurrence of EFS increase with the age of the patient (24% recurrence rate for the 35-39 year age group, and 57% for those over 40 years). We postulate that ovarian ageing, through altered folliculogenesis, may be implicated in the aetiology of EFS and its recurrence.
Ultrasonography shows disappearance of monosodium urate crystal deposition on hyaline cartilage after sustained normouricemia is achieved

This study aimed at determining whether lowering serum urate (SU) to less than 6 mg/dl in patients with gout affects ultrasonographic findings. Seven joints in five patients with monosodium urate (MSU) crystal proven gout and hyperuricemia were examined over time with serial ultrasonography. Four of the five patients were treated with urate lowering drugs (ULDs) (allopurinol, n = 3; probenecid, n = 1). One patient was treated with colchicine alone. Attention was given to changes in a hyperechoic, irregular coating of the hyaline cartilage in the examined joints (double contour sign or “urate icing”). This coating was considered to represent precipitate of MSU crystals. Index joints included metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints (n = 2), knee joints (n = 3), and first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints (n = 2). The interval between baseline and follow-up images ranged from 7 to 18 months. Serial SU levels were obtained during the follow-up period. During the follow-up period, three patients treated with ULD (allopurinol, n = 2; probenecid, n = 1) achieved a SU level of 8 mg/dl, and no sonographic change was observed. In our patients, sonographic signs of deposition of MSU crystals on the surface of hyaline cartilage disappeared completely if sustained normouricemia was achieved. This is the first report showing that characteristic sonographic changes are influenced by ULDs once SU levels remain ≤6 mg/dl for 7 months or more. Sonographic changes of gout correlate with SU levels and may be a non-invasive means to track changes in the uric acid pool. Larger prospective studies are needed to further assess these potentially important findings.
Thermally moderated hollow fiber sorbent modules in rapidly cycled pressure swing adsorption mode for hydrogen purification

Abstract We describe thermally moderated multi-layered pseudo-monolithic hollow fiber sorbents entities, which can be packed into compact modules to provide small-footprint, efficient H2 purification/CO2 removal systems for use in on-site steam methane reformer product gas separations. Dual-layer hollow fibers are created via dry-jet, wet-quench spinning with an inner “active” core of cellulose acetate (porous binder) and zeolite NaY (69 wt% zeolite NaY) and an external sheath layer of pure cellulose acetate. The co-spun sheath layer reduces the surface porosity of the fiber and was used as a smooth coating surface for a poly(vinyl-alcohol) post-treatment, which reduced the gas permeance through the fiber sorbent by at least 7 orders of magnitude, essentially creating an impermeable sheath layer. The interstitial volume between the individual fibers was filled with a thermally-moderating paraffin wax. CO2 breakthrough experiments on the hollow fiber sorbent modules with and without paraffin wax revealed that the “passively” cooled paraffin wax module had 12.5% longer breakthrough times than the “non-isothermal” module. The latent heat of fusion/melting of the wax offsets the released latent heat of sorption/desorption of the zeolites. One-hundred rapidly cycled pressure swing adsorption cycles were performed on the “passively” cooled hollow fiber sorbents using 25 vol% CO2/75 vol% He (H2 surrogate) at 60 °C and 113 psia, resulting in a product purity of 99.2% and a product recovery of 88.1% thus achieving process conditions and product quality comparable to conventional pellet processes. Isothermal and non-isothermal dynamic modeling of the hollow fiber sorbent module and a traditional packed bed using gPROMS® indicated that the fiber sorbents have sharper fronts (232% sharper) and longer adsorbate breakthrough times (66% longer), further confirming the applicability of the new fiber sorbent approach for H2 purification.
Possibilities with today's reproductive technologies

Reproductive efficiency is critical to economic viability for cow/calf producers; however, very few producers take advantage of available reproductive technologies that can increase profitability. Today, more opportunities are available for producers who want to capture value from known genetics. Through the use of artificial insemination (AI), the average producer has access to a wide range of high-accuracy sires that can be selected to match production goals. Systems to synchronize estrus and ovulation can now produce pregnancy rates to a single fixed-timed AI that are 10-15% greater than those of the previous generation. Increased age and weight of calves at weaning is sufficient in some situations to pay for the cost of synchronization and AI. As a result of synchronization, more cows calve early the next year and in subsequent years of synchronization. The breeding season can be shortened without reducing end-of-season pregnancy rates, since synchronized cows have one more chance to conceive than unsynchronized cows in a 22-25 day interval. Cow nutrition can be more economically and precisely managed with a shorter breeding period. Producers that establish AI programs now will be prepared to take advantage of newly identified superior genetics or other technologies, e.g. sexed semen, when they become available. Trends towards more value-based marketing and improvements in pregnancy rates from synchronization systems, make this a key time to be aware of the possibilities using reproductive technologies.
Reduced Autonomic Activity in Parkinson Disease Patients

To the Editor: Scigliano et al1 report that reduced risk factors for vascular disorders in Parkinson disease patients may be attributed to reduced autonomic activity, suggesting that …
Electron Spin Resonance and Electron Spin Echo Modulation Spectroscopy of Aluminophosphate-Based Mesoporous Molecular Sieve Containing Framework Manganese

Aluminophosphate-based mesoporous molecular sieves with variable amounts of framework manganese have been synthesized at room temperature using cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium chloride as a structure-directing agent. Powder X-ray diffraction shows that all solid products with a d spacing of about 0.42 nm are structurally similar to silica-based MCM-41 materials. After calcination at 500 °C to decompose the surfactant these products still show a single broad diffraction peak with a d spacing of 0.36 nm and high surface area (830−930 m2/g), indicating that the products are relatively thermally stable. Electron probe microanalysis shows that the incorporation of Mn2+ causes an increase of the framework P/Al ratio from about 0.6 for manganese-free samples to about 0.7 for manganese-containing samples; these values are lower than 1.0 for an ideal aluminophosphate framework. This increase in P/Al ratio may account for the improved thermal stability of aluminophosphate mesoporous molecular sieves upon...
A new information-theoretic lower bound for distributed function computation

This paper presents an information-theoretic lower bound on the minimum time required by any scheme for distributed computation over a network of point-to-point channels with finite capacity to achieve a given accuracy with a given probability. This bound improves upon earlier results by Ayaso et al. and by Como and Dahleh, and is derived using a combination of cutset bounds and a novel lower bound on conditional mutual information via so-called small ball probabilities. In the particular case of linear functions, the small ball probability can be expressed in terms of Levy concentration functions of sums of independent random variables, for which tight estimates are available under various regularity conditions, leading to strict improvements over existing results in certain regimes.
Social anxiety and drinking refusal self-efficacy moderate the relationship between drinking game participation and alcohol-related consequences

AbstractBackground: Participation in drinking games is associated with excessive drinking and alcohol risks. Despite the growing literature documenting the ubiquity and consequences of drinking games, limited research has examined the influence of psychosocial factors on the experience of negative consequences as the result of drinking game participation. Objectives: The current event-level study examined the relationships among drinking game participation, social anxiety, drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) and alcohol-related consequences in a sample of college students. Methods: Participants (n = 976) reported on their most recent drinking occasion in the past month in which they did not preparty. Results: After controlling for sex, age, and typical drinking, higher levels of social anxiety, lower levels of DRSE, and playing drinking games predicted greater alcohol-related consequences. Moreover, two-way interactions (Social Anxiety × Drinking Games, DRSE × Drinking Games) demonstrated that social an...
The influence of age on cardiac refractory periods in man.

Top of pageAbstract Extract: As age is a determinant of cardiac refractory periods, this communication describes changes of refractory periods in an age continuum of infants, children and adults, 7 months through 77 years. Seventy patients with evidence of normal A-V conduction on scalar electrocardiogram were included. The patients were divided into six age groups: 30 years. Extrastimulus technique was used to determine refractory periods in sinus rhythm or at longest cycle length assuring atrial capture, then at shorter cycle lengths. Cycle lengths (CL) for each age group were divided into ranges: CLl, 1,000-600 msec; CL2, 599 460 msec; CL3, <459 msec. Refractory periods at the three CL's within each age group were determined. Full recovery times of the A-V node within groups of children were determined. Statistical significance of the data was found by analysis of variance. The younger group tended to have shorter values than the older groups (F < 0.05–0.001). Speculation: These changes with age apparently reflect maturation of the conduction system and may explain the differences in susceptibility to and electrophysiologic manifestations of various arrhythmias in infants, children, and adults. Keywords: Cardiac refractory periods; electrophysiology; extrastimulus technique; His bundle electrogram
Vocabularies and Vocabulary Structure: A New Approach Linking Categories, Practices, and Institutions

Organizational scholars have long used vocabularies, and with the rise of research on language, this work has grown. Yet the research drawing on vocabularies is wide ranging and not integrated. We review work on vocabularies from literatures on rhetoric, culture, cognition, and coordination. We integrate and extend this work on vocabularies, introducing the new concept of vocabulary structure to capture different aspects of vocabulary use that collectively explain how vocabularies yield meaningful categories. We also generate a cross-level model to link work on vocabularies at the level of social collectives with work on vocabulary use in situations. We illustrate the usefulness of vocabularies by showing how they help advance work on institutional logics. Vocabularies offer substantial opportunities for theoretical integration and novel extensions for organizational research and practice.
The role of the decision system in sensory and memory experiments using confidence judgments

This paper uses an artificial “sensory task” (a dice game) to investigate whether it is possible to distinguish between two-state and multistate sensory processes by examining confidence ratings of a group of unpracticed Os. The results indicate that Os use a decision rule that is deterministic so that both operating characteristics and a posteriori probability functions reflect the number of states used by the decision system. Thus, it would seem to be possible to use confidence ratings of Os to evaluate theoretical issues.
Vision-assisted control for manipulation using virtual fixtures

We present the design and implementation of a vision-based system for cooperative manipulation at millimeter to micrometer scales. The system is based on an admittance control algorithm that implements a broad class of guidance modes called virtual fixtures. A virtual fixture, like a real fixture, limits the motion of a tool to a prescribed class or range of motions. We describe how both hard (unyielding) and soft (yielding) virtual fixtures can be implemented in this control framework. We then detail the construction of virtual fixtures for point positioning and curve following as well as extensions of these to tubes, cones, and sequences thereof. We also describe an implemented system using the JHU Steady Hand Robot. The system uses computer vision as a sensor for providing a reference trajectory, and the virtual fixture control algorithm then provides haptic feedback to implemented direct, shared manipulation. We provide extensive experimental results detailing both system performance and the effects of virtual fixtures on human speed and accuracy.
The Antifungal Drug Amphotericin B Promotes Inflammatory Cytokine Release by a Toll-like Receptor- and CD14-dependent Mechanism

Amphotericin B is the most effective drug for treating many life-threatening fungal infections. Amphotericin B administration is limited by infusion-related toxicity, including fever and chills, an effect postulated to result from proinflammatory cytokine production by innate immune cells. Because amphotericin B is a microbial product, we hypothesized that it stimulates immune cells via Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and CD14. We show here that amphotericin B induces signal transduction and inflammatory cytokine release from cells expressing TLR2 and CD14. Primary murine macrophages and human cell lines expressing TLR2, CD14, and the adapter protein MyD88 responded to amphotericin B with NF-κB-dependent reporter activity and cytokine release, whereas cells deficient in any of these failed to respond. Cells mutated in TLR4 were less responsive to amphotericin B stimulation than cells expressing normal TLR4. These data demonstrate that TLR2 and CD14 are required for amphotericin B-dependent inflammatory stimulation of innate immune cells and that TLR4 may also provide stimulation of these cells. Our results provide a putative molecular basis for inflammatory responses elicited by amphotericin B and suggest strategies to eliminate the acute toxicity of this drug.
Transglycosylation: A mechanism for RNA modification (and editing?)

The vast majority of the ca. 100 chemically distinct modified nucleosides in RNA appear to arise via the chemical transformation of a genetically encoded nucleoside. Two notable exceptions are queuosine and pseudouridine, which are incorporated into tRNA via transglycosylation. Transglycosylation is an extremely efficient process for incorporating highly modified bases such as queuine into RNA. Transglycosylation is also a requisite process for “isomerizing” an N-nucleoside into a C-nucleoside as is the case for pseudouridine formation. Finally, transglycosylation is an attractive possibility for certain RNA editing events (e.g., pyrimidine to purine conversions) that cannot occur via the known, more straightforward enzymatic reactions (e.g., deaminations). This review discusses what is known about the mechanisms of transglycosylation for the queuine and pseudouridine RNA modifications and will speculate about a potential role for transglycosylation in certain RNA editing events.
Myosin I is associated with zymogen granule membranes in the rat pancreatic acinar cell

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: The mechanisms whereby intracellular messengers mediate zymogen granule transport and exocytosis in the pancreatic acinar cell are not well defined. Electron microscopy has shown a periluminal network of actin in the acinar cell, suggesting a role for actin and myosin in the transport process. The possible involvement of two types of myosin in the secretory process was investigated, and their distribution in acinar cells was determined. METHODS: Antibodies specific to myosin I or to myosin II were used for immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. Ultrastructural studies were also performed. RESULTS: Western blot analysis showed that myosin I and myosin II were present in total pancreatic homogenate but that only myosin I was present on isolated zymogen granules and their membranes. By immunocytochemistry, myosin I was shown in the apical aspect of acinar cells colocalized with glycoprotein 2, a marker for zymogen granules, and actin. By immunocytochemistry, myosin I was also localized on isolated zymogen granules. CONCLUSIONS: The immunolocalization of myosin I to zymogen granule membranes and its close association with periluminal actin suggest that myosin I plays a direct role in the process of transport and exocytosis of zymogen granules in the pancreatic acinar cell. (Gastroenterology 1997 Aug;113(2):649-58)
Beyond the learning curve: factors influencing cost reductions in photovoltaics

Abstract The extent and timing of cost-reducing improvements in low-carbon energy systems are important sources of uncertainty in future levels of greenhouse-gas emissions. Models that assess the costs of climate change mitigation policy, and energy policy in general, rely heavily on learning curves to include technology dynamics. Historically, no energy technology has changed more dramatically than photovoltaics (PV), the cost of which has declined by a factor of nearly 100 since the 1950s. Which changes were most important in accounting for the cost reductions that have occurred over the past three decades? Are these results consistent with the notion that learning from experience drove technical change? In this paper, empirical data are assembled to populate a simple model identifying the most important factors affecting the cost of PV. The results indicate that learning from experience, the theoretical mechanism used to explain learning curves, only weakly explains change in the most important factors—plant size, module efficiency, and the cost of silicon. Ways in which the consideration of a broader set of influences, such as technical barriers, industry structure, and characteristics of demand, might be used to inform energy technology policy are discussed.
Direct and Inverse Eigenvalue Problems Towards the Design and Identification of Mass-Loaded Micro-Resonators

The spectral data i.e. eigenvalues (natural frequencies) and eigenvectors (mode-shapes), characterizes the dynamics of the system. Non-destructive vibration testing, involving advanced experimental modal analysis techniques, has a potential to obtain the spectral data of the structures. It is well known that the dynamic characteristics of a structure will change due to the change in its physical properties. In this research, such changes in spectral behavior will be exploited towards the detection of minuscule changes in the mass of microstructures such as cantilever micro-beams, micro-resonators and oscillators, by solving certain direct and inverse eigenvalue problems. Some piecewise uniform micro-cantilever beams are considered here and associated transcendental eigenvalue problems are developed. Examples relevant to the design and identification of such beams are demonstrated through systematic mathematical modeling and effective solution strategy. It is shown that spectral behavior of mass loaded piecewise uniform beams can be obtained accurately and efficiently. Moreover, location and severity of the loaded mass can be identified successfully by using finite number of eigenvalues which may be available from experiments. Such formulations can be useful for, design and optimization of microstructures (micro-cantilever beams, resonators etc.), Bio-MEMS sensor design for the detection of single/multiple microbiological cells, and structural health monitoring.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Fine structure of the oocyst wall and excystation ofEimeria procyonis from the American raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Oocysts ofEimeria procyonis, from the American raccoon (Procyon lotor), were broken, added to a cell suspension, fixed in Karnovsky's fluid, and studied with the electron microscope. The oocyst wall has three layers: a thin electron-dense inner layer (8–15 nm), an electron-lucent middle layer (25–35 nm), and a thick outer layer (120–140 nm). The outer layer has an electron-dense inner portion and an electron-lucent outer portion that contains membrane-bound vesicles. When exposed to a trypsin-sodium taurocholate fluid, sporozoites excysted from most sporocysts which were 35–43 months old, but not from sporocysts that looked normal and were 106 months old. Excysted sporozoites measured 13–16×3–4 (mean 14.3×3.2) μm, usually had two refractile bodies, and had a nucleus with a prominent nucleolus.
Polyadenylation state of abundant mRNAs during Drosophila development.

Abstract We have used a two-dimensional gel analysis of cell-free translation products to determine whether individual mRNAs present in Drosophila melanogaster embryos, larvae, pupae, and adults are predominantly polyadenylated or nonadenylated. While the majority of the embryonic mRNAs we detected exist mainly in the polyadenylated form, these mRNAs become more evenly distributed between the poly(A) + and poly(A) − RNA fractions during postembryonic development. Although DNA:RNA hybridization experiments have indicated that Drosophila RNA populations contain a large group of rare class mRNAs restricted to the poly(A) − RNA compartment, this is not true for the 150 more abundant mRNA species analyzed by our methods. The histone mRNAs are the only abundant mRNA species which appear to be exclusively in the poly(A) − RNA class.
Debye-Hückel theory for charge symmetric Coulomb systems

It is proven that the pressure, density and correlation functions of a classical charge symmetric Coulomb system are asymptotic as the plasma parameter e tends to zero to the approximations predicted by the Debye-Huckel theory. These approximations consist of the ideal gas term plus a term of one lower order in e. The sine-Gordon transformation and some new correlation inequalities for the associated functional integrals are used.
Maintenance of CD8+ T-Cell Memory Following Infection with Recombinant Sindbis and Vaccinia Viruses

CD8(+) T-cell memory is critical for protection against pathogens poorly controlled by humoral immunity. To characterize two distinct vaccine vectors, the acute and memory CD8(+) T-cell responses to an HIV-1 epitope (p18) expressed by recombinant vaccinia (vp18) and Sindbis (SINp18) viruses were compared. Whereas 9 to 13% of CD8(+) splenocytes were p18 specific during the acute response to vp18, 4% were induced by SINp18 as revealed by class I tetramer staining. Increased T-cell activation by vp18 was confirmed by higher numbers of both p18-specific IFN-gamma-secreting splenocytes and activated CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells. Although higher frequencies of p18-specific CD8(+) T cells during primary responses correlated with higher frequencies during memory, the overall decline was only two- to threefold during the transition to memory, demonstrating equally efficient maintenance of memory in SINp18- as in vp18-immune mice. Despite modest in vivo activation, SINp18-induced CD4(+) T cells secreted substantial amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-2, potentially contributing to sustained CD8(+) memory. Collectively the data indicate that Sindbis virus recombinants provide effective vaccines for inducing protective memory CD8(+) T cells in the absence of the extensive inflammation and replication associated with vaccinia virus.
Mechanism of 5,5-Dimethylhydantoin Chlorination: Monochlorination through a Dichloro Intermediate

The hydantoin moiety is an important pharmacore, and when halogenated, hydantoin derivatives act as excellent biocides. However, there have been no computational studies concerning the chlorination mechanism for the hydantoin moiety reported. Herein we describe a computational mechanistic study of the chlorination of 5,5-dimethylhydantoin (H) at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) level. Under a 1:1 molar ratio of hydantoin and a chlorinating agent (HOCl), conproportionation is calculated to be favorable to give the N1 monochloro derivative as the major predicted product, which is in agreement with experiment. Initial direct chlorination at the N1 position is prevented by a high kinetic barrier. The first step involves the deprotonation of the hydantoin moiety (at the N3 position) which is followed by a SN2 step transferring a chloronium ion (Cl(+)) from HOCl to the ionized hydantoin anion. A mechanism is proposed where the N3 nitrogen is chlorinated first followed by the N1 position to form the dichloro derivative. When CPCM solvation free energies (ΔG(solv)) were added to the gas-phase free energies (ΔG(gas)) along the SN2 reaction path, a sudden decrease in free energy was observed due to the incipient formation of the hydroxide ion. Explicit consideration of solvation within a box of 512 water molecules led to a much more gradual free energy change along the reaction path but a very similar free energy of activation.
Modulus of elasticity of simple metals from interatomic pair potentials

On donne une expression du module d'elasticite en utilisant le potentiel de paire interatomique propose par Mie, Gruneisen et Furth
The evidence of your own eyes

The evidence of your own eyes has often been regarded as unproblematic. But we know that people make mistaken observations. This can be looked on as unimportant if there issome class of statements that can serve as evidence for others, or if every statement in our corpus of knowledge is allowed to be no more than probable. Neither of these alternatives is plausible when it comes to machine or robotic observation. Then we must take the possibility of error seriously, and we must be prepared to deal with error quantitatively. The problem of using internal evidence to arrive at error distributions is the main focus of the paper.
Dissociation of ethane by electron impact

The absolute total dissociation cross section for ethane is reported for electron energies between 10 and 600 eV. A maximum value of 7.6 × 10−16 cm2 occurs at 80 eV while the apparent threshold is ≈ 10 eV. Dissociative ionization is more probable than dissociation into neutral fragments at all energies except in the threshold region. The data indicates that fragmentation involving methane elimination (c− + C2 H6 → e− + CH4 + CH2) occurs in less than 2% of the dissociative events for 50 < E < 600 eV. Arguments are presented which suggest that some of the lower excited states of ethane are stable against dissociation.
The apparent volume of interdigitation: A new parameter for evaluating the influence of surface topography on mechanical interlock

A new parameter has been defined to estimate the apparent volume of interdigitation (Vi) that is available from a surface to support mechanical interlock. The parameter is estimated in terms of the core roughness parameters, which can be obtained from the material ratio curve of a representative surface profile. A verification of the definition for Vi is performed with the use of ideal surface profiles consisting of Gaussian and skewed height distributions. In contrast to conventional surface roughness parameters, the expression for Vi is capable of differentiating between positive and negative skewed surfaces with the same average surface roughness. It is expected that Vi will be a useful tool for optimization of the prosthesis and bone surface topographies, which are essential to the long-term success of cemented total joint replacements. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 58: 519–524, 2001
Towards a Computational Multiphysics Framework for Modeling Antibiofouling Processes

Biofouling is a process of major concern on naval vessels because it considerably affects their performance, maintenance and operational costs due to the fact that induces an increased hydrodynamic drag that leads to higher fuel consumption that in turn demands expensive cleaning procedures. A possible antibiofouling system can be designed by enhancing an existing impressed current cathodic protection system and taking advantage of the chlorine oxidants produced during its operation. In this work we present a design methodology for such a system, together with the associated multiphysics formulation framework based on a coupled chemical reactions — electric currents, species mass transport and electromigration model. This framework predicts the spatio-temporal distributions of the Chlorine species concentration that tend to inhibit the biofouling formations. We also demonstrate the applicability of the computational framework on a number of platforms ranging from simple panels up to a full scale boat. The computational results are compared with the actual field experiments.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Intertrial priming of pop-out search influences the shift, skew, and dispersion of response time distributions

Priming of pop-out (PoP), or intertrial priming, is the finding that responding to a singleton target is faster when a target’s defining feature (e.g., color) and nontarget features are repeated between trials than when the target and nontarget features switch between trials. Facilitated responding may reflect priming’s influence on selection, that is, implicitly encoded features speed the selection of a matching target. In contrast, PoP effects may also reflect intertrial priming’s influence on postselection processes, where episodic retrieval of a previous target is facilitated when its features match the current target. Lamy, Yashar, and Ruderman Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 73, 2160–2167 (2011) proposed a hybrid, dual-stage model that assumes intertrial priming influences both selection and postselection retrieval. To provide support for intertrial priming influencing more than one cognitive process, we examined priming’s influence on the shift, skew, and dispersion of RT distributions in PoP tasks by fitting the exponential-Gaussian function to the RTs. Three experiments demonstrated that PoP effects at the level of mean RT were associated with changes in both the shift and skew of the underlying RT distributions. Importantly, Experiments 2 and 3 showed that manipulations intended to influence selection or postselection processes produced corresponding changes in the contributions of the distribution shift and skew to the PoP effects on mean RT. The results suggest more than one process is influenced by intertrial priming in visual search tasks, but readers should be cautious about relating specific processes to specific exponential-Gaussian parameters.
Commercial availability of alcohol to young people: results of alcohol purchase attempts

Abstract Objectives. Commercial availability is an important contributor to alcohol use by young people. The purpose of this study was to test the purchasability of alcohol by youth who appeared to be under the legal age of sale in all types of businesses licensed to sell alcohol in upper Midwest communities. Methods. Female buyers who were age 21 but whose apparent age as rated by a panel averaged 19 years attempted to purchase beer without age identification at all off-sale outlets (n = 395) and a random sample of on-sale outlets (n = 492) in 24 communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Two purchase attempts were made at each outlet, with the buyer randomly assigned to outlet and community. Characteristics of the outlets, clientele, signs, interaction with the sellers or servers, and purchase success were recorded. Results. The buyers were successful in purchasing beer without age identification in 50% of attempts in on-sale outlets and 52% of off-sale attempts. Almost 75% of the outlets sold beer to the buyers at least once in two attempts. In off-sale businesses buyers were more successful if the salespersons were male and if the businesses were located in residential areas or malls. On-sale purchase attempts were more likely to be successful if the server appeared to be younger than 30 years, if the business was a restaurant as opposed to a bar alone, and if signs warning against sales to miners were located at the checkouts. Conclusions. The results of this study confirm and extend previous reports of the ability of youth to purchase alcohol and support the conclusion that commercial availability of alcohol to youth is widespread.
Validity of two WPPSI short forms in outpatient clinic settings

Investigated the validity of two- and four-subtest short forms for the WPPSI in an outpatient clinic population of 116 children aged 4 and 5 years. The short forms differed in ability to approximate the Full Scale IQ. Both short forms correlated highly with the Full Scale IQ and accounted for a high percentage of variance. Both short forms misclassified a substantial percentage of Ss in relation to intelligence category. It was concluded that only the four-subtest short form was useful as a screening device in an outpatient mental health setting.
Exploring Effective Strategies for Increasing the Amount of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Children Accumulate during Recess: A Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study.

BACKGROUND Less than half of elementary children meet the physical activity recommendations of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on a daily basis. Recess provides the single biggest opportunity for children to accumulate MVPA. This study explored whether a teacher's social prompting to be active during recess alone and modeling of active recess-time games alone may increase the amount of MVPA children accumulate during recess. METHODS Three demographically matched schools were randomly assigned to receive a social prompting intervention, modeling intervention, or to serve as a comparison group. Pre- and postintervention physical activity data was collected utilizing accelerometers. RESULTS Compared with preintervention, MVPA during recess increased significantly in the social prompting group and decreased significantly in the modeling group. There were no significant changes in the comparison group. There was a significant interaction between time and intervention: pre- to postintervention change between interventions was significant for modeling versus comparison and modeling versus social prompting, but not for social prompting versus comparison. CONCLUSIONS Modeling was not an effective strategy for increasing MVPA during recess. Social prompting may be an effective strategy for increasing MVPA during recess. However, larger studies are needed to determine whether social prompting increases MVPA during recess. In light of evidence suggesting that MVPA is linked to lower obesity rates, and a substantial number of health and academic benefits, social prompting may be a useful strategy to further explore to address the childhood obesity epidemic, and improve students' health and academic outcomes.
Tracking Single Potassium Channels in Live Mammalian Cells

Single molecule tracking in concert with mean square displacement and cumulative distribution function analysis is used to study Kv2.1 ion channel dynamics. Results show the channels are confined to clusters and they undergo anomalous subdiffusion.
An Explicit Integration Framework for Nonlinear Analysis of Suspension Bridges

In recent years computational simulation has taken an increased engineering importance in the seismic evaluation of critical structures. However, accurate nonlinear analyses of large suspension bridges continues to present earthquake engineers with a technically and computationally challenging problem. Application of general purpose nonlinear finite element software often results in computational models which are intractably large and computationally prohibitive. There are also specialized aspects to suspension bridges modeling, such as appro- priate gravity initialization, that are not easily solved with general purpose computer programs. To address the simulation model challenges, a reduced order computational model has recently been developed for efficient nonlinear time history analysis. The model employs special element technologies tailored to suspension bridge applications and provides a hybrid implicit-explicit solution algorithm which can perform appropriate gravity initialization and adeptly handle extreme nonlinearties such as dynamic impact associated with pounding between bridge seg- ments, foundation rocking or member buckling, and provide a framework which is readily migrated to a massively parallel compute environment. The computational model is described and a sample application is presented for the near-field seismic response of the San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge Western Crossing (USA).
TGF-beta regulates production of growth factors and TGF-beta by human peripheral blood monocytes.

AbstractTransforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and its closely related homologue, TGF-β2, rapidly induce growth factor gene expression by freshly isolated human peripheral blood monocytes. Within 3 h of exposure to TGF-β, mRNA species specific for interleukin-1 (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were observed. By 14-18 h, cytokine bioactivity and protein were detected in the culture supernatants. Furthermore, not only TGF-β1, but also TGF-β2 mRNA are expressed constitutively in unstimulated monocytes. However, in response to exogenous TGF-β (βl or β2), only TGF-β1 gene expression is upregulated, and the expression of TGF-β2 mRNA is unchanged. This selective autoinduction of TGF-β1 appears to be controlled at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. These paracrine and autocrine activities of TGF-β suggest potential mechanisms through which an inflammatory response can be initiated and amplified. In add...
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus: Cell Autonomy and Network Properties

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the primary circadian pacemaker in mammals. Individual SCN neurons in dispersed culture can generate independent circadian oscillations of clock gene expression and neuronal firing. However, SCN rhythmicity depends on sufficient membrane depolarization and levels of intracellular calcium and cAMP. In the intact SCN, cellular oscillations are synchronized and reinforced by rhythmic synaptic input from other cells, resulting in a reproducible topographic pattern of distinct phases and amplitudes specified by SCN circuit organization. The SCN network synchronizes its component cellular oscillators, reinforces their oscillations, responds to light input by altering their phase distribution, increases their robustness to genetic perturbations, and enhances their precision. Thus, even though individual SCN neurons can be cell-autonomous circadian oscillators, neuronal network properties are integral to normal function of the SCN.
Synthesis of [4.4.5.5]fenestrane

Abstract Intramolecular photochemical [2 + 2] cyclization of 3b gives 4b regio- and stereospecifically, along with fragmentation product 12b. The Cl atom of 4b was removed by ketalization, Li-NH3 reduction, and reoxidation with RuO4 to furnish 17b. The derived diazoketone 17d on treatment with rhodium(II) acetate underwent cyclization to the [4.4.5.5] fenestrane keto ketal 15. Subsequent reductions gave monoketone 23 and ultimately the parent hydrocarbon 6.
Assessment of ECG quality on an Android platform

An algorithm to determine quality of ECGs can enable inexperienced nurses and paramedics to record ECGs of sufficient diagnostic quality. We propose an algorithm that can assess the quality of an ECG designed for an Android-based platform. The algorithm is based on previously established ECG quality metrics for quantifying ECG quality but designed in a way to make it efficient to run on a mobile platform. Using the training data set the proposed algorithm obtained a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 85%. Testing against the test data sets, resulted in a score of 0.88 (events 1 and 2) and 0.79 (events 3). The proposed algorithm discriminates between ECGs of good and bad quality, which could help diagnose patients earlier and reduce associated treatment costs.