cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk factors associated with urinary tract infection in female dogs

Abstract In order to formulate effective intervention strategies to prevent the development of urinary tract infections (UTI) in female dogs, we evaluated the role of several risk factors which may affect incidence. Risk factors were identified a priori and tested for association with UTI in a case-control study. The case group consisted of 78 female dogs with culture-proven, community-acquired UTI. Controls were group matched to cases for age, American Kennel Club (AKC) breed group and weight for mixed breeds. Age and breed group adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated to estimate relative risk. Increased risks were found for vaginitis (OR = 11.4), corticosteroid (OR = 3.0) or antibiotic (OR = 2.1) administration within the past 60 days, vaginoscopy/vaginal cytology (OR = 7.6) and urinary catheterization (OR = 15.7). These associations persisted after controlling for additional confounding by multiple logistic regression.
Permanent cannula-injection system for intracerebral injections in small animals

The procedure for constructing a simplified cannulainjection system for making repeated intracerebral injections in conscious, free-moving animals is described. The system is made from standard hypodermic needles and polyethylene tubing. The absence of screw joints and the small size make this system particularly useful for chronic injections in small animals. Additional advantages are discussed.
Discovery and structure–activity relationship analysis of Staphylococcus aureus sortase A inhibitors

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major health problem that has created a pressing need for new antibiotics. Compounds that inhibit the S. aureus SrtA sortase may function as potent anti-infective agents as this enzyme attaches virulence factors to the cell wall. Using high-throughput screening, we have identified several compounds that inhibit the enzymatic activity of the SrtA. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis led to the identification of several pyridazinone and pyrazolethione analogs that inhibit SrtA with IC(50) values in the sub-micromolar range. Many of these molecules also inhibit the sortase enzyme from Bacillus anthracis suggesting that they may be generalized sortase inhibitors.
Further studies on coronary sinus rhythm.

Abstract 1. (1) Certain characteristics of coronary sinus rhythm are discussed. 2. (2) Three main forms of this arrhythmia are recognized. 3. (3) It is shown on clinical observation that the differentiation of these three forms and therefore the evaluation of each case may meet with great difficulties in practice.
Control of postganglionic sympathetic efferent fibers by neurokinin 1 receptors in rats.

Abstract Substance P (SP) is released peripherally from nociceptive terminals and has a direct effect on vascular cells. The present study suggests an indirect effect as well. In normal rats and rats with one hindpaw inflamed for 48 h following intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant, neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors were immunohistochemically localized on postganglionic sympathetic axons. The percentage of NK1-labeled axons in the gray rami from normal rats was 35.0±5.0; in inflamed rats this percentage increased significantly to 49.1±2.3. These data suggest a sensory-sympathetic reflex, where SP activates these peripheral sympathetic receptors with subsequent release of noradrenaline and other compounds to affect vascular cells indirectly. This control is enhanced after inflammation.
Nefrectomía del donante vivo: técnica de la universidad de Miami y resultados actuales

Resumen es: Objetivo: La nefrectomia del donante vivo ha aumentado significativamente el fondo de donantes para trasplante renal, permitiendo un incremento marcado d...
Coumarins from Aster praealtus

Abstract Chemical analysis of aerial parts and roots of Aster praealtus provided, besides the known coumarins umbelliferone, marmin, epoxyaurapten and 6′-hydroxy-β-cycloaurapten, four new 7- O -monoterpene ether derivatives of umbelliferone, praealtin A–D. The structures of the new compounds were established by NMR, IR, UV and mass spectral analyses and the molecular structure of praealtin A was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. No coumarins were detected in the following taxa: A. adnatus , A. concolor , A. dumosus x lateriflorus and A. lateriflorus , A. patens , A. spinosus , A. subulatus var. ligulatus , and A. tenuifolius . Aster adnatus provided the Δ 7 -sterol, spinasterol, and A. spinosus gave the known acetylene lachnophyllum lactone.
Isotope Effects and the Mechanism of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

The mechanism of free-radical polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate was studied by a combination of 13C kinetic isotope effects and theoretical calculations. Free-radical polymerization initiated by AIBN and ATRP initiated by 1:2:1 CuBr:2,2‘-bipyridine:ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate exhibit statistically indistinguishable 13C isotope effects. This supports identical chain-propagation steps in ATRP and free-radical polymerization. The free-radical additions leading to these isotope effects were modeled in DFT calculations of transition structures for the addition of 2-methoxycarbonyl-2-propyl radical to methyl methacrylate. Comparison of predicted isotope effects with the experimental values supports the approximate accuracy of the DFT transition structures vs the physical transition state but suggests that the predicted transition structures are slightly too early. This suggestion is supported by comparison of DFT predictions with high-level ab initio predictions ...
Time Trends in Epidemiology and Characteristics of Psoriatic Arthritis Over 3 Decades: A Population-based Study

Objective. To determine time trends in incidence, prevalence, and clinical characteristics of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) over a 30-year period. Methods. We identified a population-based incidence cohort of subjects aged 18 years or over who fulfilled ClASsification of Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) criteria for PsA between January 1, 1970, and December 31, 1999, in Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA. PsA incidence date was defined as the diagnosis date of those who fulfilled CASPAR criteria. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates were estimated and age- and sex-adjusted to the 2000 US White population. Results. The PsA incidence cohort comprised 147 adult subjects with a mean age of 42.7 years, and 61% were men. The overall age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence of PsA per 100,000 was 7.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.0, 8.4] with a higher incidence in men (9.1, 95% CI 7.1, 11.0) than women (5.4, 95% CI 4.0, 6.9). The age- and sex-adjusted incidence of PsA per 100,000 increased from 3.6 (95% CI 2.0, 5.2) between 1970 and 1979 to 9.8 (95% CI 7.7, 11.9) between 1990 and 2000 (p for trend Conclusion. The incidence of PsA has been rising over 30 years in men and women. Reasons for the increase are unknown, but may be related to a true change in incidence or greater physician awareness of the diagnosis.
Ongoing proliferation of melanocytes in the stria vascularis of adult guinea pigs

The intermediate cells of the stria vascularis are melanocytes derived from the neural crest. These internalized pigment cells have been thought to be a static population, distinct from those found in the skin. However, this investigation demonstrates that the melanocytes of the adult stria vascularis undergo continuous replication. Cell proliferation was studied using [3H]-thymidine autoradiography and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. Single or multiple injections of [3H]-thymidine within a six hour period labeled a mean of 9 intermediate cells. In pigmented guinea pigs, single daily injections of [3H]-thymidine for 2 or 4 days labeled a mean of 24 and 69 intermediate cells, respectively; Pigmented guinea pigs given BrdU once daily for 2 or 4 days labeled a mean of 38 and 75 intermediate cells. By contrast, albino littermates also given BrdU averaged only 23 and 42 labeled intermediate cells in the same 2 and 4 day experiments. The mean number of proliferating cells/mm of stria per 24 h was 1.54 in the pigmented animals and 0.88 in the albinos. Both the total number and density of labeled intermediate cells were significantly smaller in the albino than the pigmented guinea pigs. These results demonstrate that the melanocytes in the stria vascularis undergo continuous baseline mitosis, and at a rate comparable to the melanocytes of the skin. This surprising similarity promotes the speculation that the proliferative rate of the strial melanocytes may be influenced by some of the same factors known to affect replication and pigment production in the skin.
Evolution of volcanic and tectonic features in caldera settings and their importance in localization of ore deposits

Many calderas are located along regionally important fault zones that are intermittently active before and after the caldera cycle. In mineralized calderas, the ore deposits are controlled by structures developed during caldera formation and by regional faults which intersect and reactivate the caldera-related structures. In the earliest phase of the caldera cycle, tumescence occurs over the shallowly emplaced magma chamber and normal faults develop within the structural dome above the magma chamber. This early phase of faulting is disrupted by caldera formation but some of the faults are preserved outside the caldera margin and may become important ore-controlling structures such as the Ruja mercury deposit in the McDermitt caldera complex, Nevada, and the precious metal deposits in the Atlanta district, Nevada, outside the Indian Peak caldera. Caldera-related structures such as ring fracture faults are commonly the most important in controlling the emplacement of resurgent magma, as well as postcollapse intrusions and associated ore deposits. During the resurgence phase of the caldera, faults related to an apical graben, and radial and ring faults and fractures form and may extend outside the collapse structure. Radial and ring faults and fractures provided the structural control for gold alunite-type deposits in the Rodalquilar caldera complex, Spain.At the end of the caldera cycle, the area over the batholith related to the caldera-forming magma chambers is uplifted as isostatic compensation occurs, or subsides if the volcanic field is developed within a rapidly subsiding graben. Volume change resulting from crystallization will also contribute to subsidence. Regional subsidence of the Lake Owyhee volcanic field in southeastern Oregon at the end of the caldera cycle is reflected by arkosic sedimentation in the caldera basins and throughout the eastern part of the volcanic field. Crystallization of the underlying batholith permits the reestablishment of brittle deformation along the regional faults which initially may have controlled magma emplacement. This tectonic activity may reactivate caldera structures and these typically become important for localization of hydrothermal activity. Hot spring-type gold deposits in the Lake Owyhee volcanic field formed when a regional northwest-trending structure reactivated the caldera ring fracture fault zone of the Three Fingers caldera. The formation of hydrothermal ore deposits at the end of the caldera cycle is often related to tectonic reactivation of caldera structures by regional faults and emplacement of small volumes of magma as stocks and vent complexes along these structures.
Farm animal welfare in the U.S.A.: Farming practices, research, education, regulation, and assurance programs

What impact has the Brambell Report, and the growth of the field of applied ethology, had on the United States of America? There has been increasing public awareness of farm animal welfare issues and a concomitant increase in animal welfare research and teaching activities. This has occurred more slowly in the U.S.A. than in Europe, but is now gathering momentum as the agricultural industries and food retailers write guidelines and implement animal welfare auditing programs in an attempt to reassure consumers that farm animals are raised and slaughtered humanely. Applied ethologists have played an important role in these advances, not just in terms of providing relevant scientific research results, but also as consultants and members of advisory committees. This is likely to continue, although the long-term effectiveness of depending upon voluntary standards and auditing programs to foster sustained industry-wide improvements in farm animal welfare and to reassure consumers remains to be seen.
Scalar mixing in a confined rectangular jet in crossflow

An experimental investigation of a confined rectangular jet in crossflow was performed. The rectangular jet is highly confined in that it spans almost 80% of the crossflow duct, rather than issuing into a semi-infinite crossflow. Furthermore, the jet is confined in the cross-stream direction because it issues into a relatively narrow duct. In addition, the flow rate of the secondary jet is large (up to 50% of the crossflow flow rate) which also influences the jet–crossflow interaction. Configurations of this type are found in a variety of different industrial manufacturing processes used to mix product streams.A systematic variation of three pertinent parameters, i.e. momentum ratio, injection angle and development length, was performed. A full factorial experiment was run using three velocity ratios ($, 15 and 19) using a laser-Doppler velocimetry (LDV) system. The combined scalar concentration and velocity field data provided an understanding of the large-scale mixing and the role of coherent structures and their evolution. The investigation revealed that the flow does not necessarily develop symmetrically and also highlighted some of the effects of confinement.
Sensory properties and lipid oxidation in aerobically refrigerated cooked ground goat meat

Abstract Plain meat loaf and chili (a seasoned product) prepared with vacuum-packaged/frozen-and-thawed ground goat meat were aerobically refrigerated for 0, 3, or 6 days. The 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) content of the plain loaf increased ∼3200 and ∼4200% after 3 and 6 days, respectively, while peroxide value (PV) increased 250 and 430%. The corresponding increases for chili were much smaller (29 and 79% for TBARS and 90 and 47% for PV), most likely due to antioxidative effects of culinary non-meat ingredients used in chili preparation. Trained sensory panel evaluations of plain loaf samples showed that “cooked goat meat/brothy” aromatic (associated with freshly cooked goat meat) intensity decreased (P
L-ornithine α-ketoglutarate in HIV infection: effects on muscle, gastrointestinal, and immune functions

OBJECTIVES: There have been claims that l-ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) exerts anticatabolic, anabolic, and immunomodulating properties. This study aimed at quantifying the effects of OKG on muscle force, body composition, and immune function in outpatients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and presenting weight loss. METHODS: Forty-six HIV(+) patients were included in a double-blind, prospective, randomized, controlled trial for 12 wk (10 g/d of OKG or isonitrogenous placebo and nutritional counseling). Podometry, handgrip strength, step test, triceps skinfold thickness, 50-kHz bioelectrical impedance, 3-d diet record, CD4 cell count, HIV-1 RNA concentration (viral load), and gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 wk. RESULTS: At baseline, patients (OKG, n = 22; placebo, n = 24) has similar CD4 counts (338 +/- 172 and 310 +/- 136 cells/mL), viral load (3.6 +/- 1.3 and 3.5 +/- 1.3 log(10) copies/mL), body mass index (20.0 +/- 2.4 and 20.6 +/- 3.0 kg/m(2)), weight loss (9.0 +/- 3.12 and 9.4 +/- 3.0 kg), and food intake (2509 +/- 962 and 2610 +/- 808 kcal/d). Twenty-nine patients completed the protocol. Both groups increased their body mass index (P = 0.02 versus baseline) and triceps skinfold thickness (P < 0.01 versus baseline). They showed a similar positive correlation between handgrip strength and fat-free mass. Frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms increased in the OKG group (86% versus 54% in the placebo group, P = 0.025). No other differences were observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: All patients increased their body mass index and triceps skinfold thickness due to food supplementation and diet counseling. Oral OKG failed to improve nutritional, functional, or immunologic status in these weight-losing HIV(+) patients and had important gastrointestinal side effects.
Radar cross section statistics of cultural clutter at Ku-band

Knowing the statistical characteristics of the radar cross-section (RCS) of man-made, or cultural clutter, is crucial to the success of clutter mitigation, radar target detection algorithms, and radar system requirements in urban environments. Open literature studies regarding the statistical nature of cultural clutter focus primarily on radar probability models or limited experimental data analysis of specific locations and frequencies. This paper seeks to expand the existing body of work on cultural clutter RCS statistics at Ku-band for ground moving target indication (GMTI) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications. We examine the normalized RCS probability distributions of cultural clutter in several urban scenes, across aspect and elevation angle, for vertical transmit/receive (VV) polarizations, and at diverse resolutions, using experimental data collected at Ku-band. We further describe frequency and RCS strength statistics of clutter discretes per unit area to understand system demands on radars operating in urban environments in this band.
Intravenous immunoglobulin for treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss

PROBLEM: Efficacy of immunotherapy for treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion (SA) has been controversial. The low treatment effect of white blood cell immunization lead to investigations of alternative treatments including intravenous (IV) immunoglobulin (Ig). To evaluate the efficacy of IVIg for treatment of recurrent SA, a prospective, randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial was performed. METHODS: Ninety-five women experiencing two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions with no known cause were randomized and received either IVIg 500 mg/kg/month or placebo (albumin). RESULTS: Of 95 women participating in the study, 47 received IVIg and 48 received placebo. Medication was discontinued in 34 women who failed to conceive within four cycles. The remaining 61 women achieved pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes included 29 deliveries and 32 recurrent SA. Among women delivering live births 18 (62%) received IVIg and 11 (38%) received placebo. By contrast, 21 (66%) women experiencing recurrent SAs received placebo and 11 (34%) received IVIg. Among 61 women who conceived, 29 received IVIg and 32 received placebo. Of the 29 women who conceived and received IVIg, 18 (62%) delivered live births and 11 (38%) experienced recurrent SA. Of 32 women who conceived and received placebo 11 (34%) delivered live births and 21 (66%) had recurrent SA. The difference in live birth rates between women receiving IVIg and placebo was significant (P = 0.04, odds ratio 3.1). CONCLUSION: IVIg is effective in enhancing the percentage of live births among women experiencing unexplained recurrent SA.
Independence of metal binding between tandem Cys2His2 zinc finger domains

Most Cys2His2 zinc finger proteins contain tandem arrays of metal binding domains. The tandem nature of these arrays suggests that metal binding by these domains may not be independent but rather that metal binding may occur in a cooperative manner. This is especially true in light of the crystal structure of a three zinc finger array bound to DNA that revealed several types of interactions between domains. To address this question, peptides containing two tandem domains have been prepared. While metal binding studies do show that the two finger peptide has a metal ion affinity about threefold higher than that for a single domain peptide with the same sequence, additional studies reveal that this behavior is due to increased single site affinities in the context of the two domain peptide rather than to cooperativity. These studies indicate that domains of this type are independent of one another with regard to metal binding, at least in the absence of DNA. This observation has implications with regard to the question of whether the activities of proteins of this class might be modulated by available zinc concentrations.
Impacts of Indirect Blocks on Buffer Cache Energy Efficiency

Indirect blocks, part of a file's metadata used for locating this file's data blocks, are typically treated indistinguishably from file's data blocks in buffer cache. This paper shows that this conventional approach will significantly detriment the overall energy efficiency of memory systems. Scattering small but frequently accessed indirected blocks over allmemory chips reduce the energy saving opportunities. We propose a new energy-efficient buffer cache management scheme, named MEEP, which separates indirect and datablocks into different memory chips. Our trace-driven simulation results show that our new scheme can save memory energy up to 16.8% and 15.4% in the I/O-intensive server workloads TPC-R and TPC-H, respectively.
Nanoelectromechanics of piezoresponse force microscopy

To achieve quantitative interpretation of piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), including resolution limits, tip bias- and strain-induced phenomena and spectroscopy, analytical representations for tip-induced electroelastic fields inside the material are derived for the cases of weak and strong indentation. In the weak indentation case, electrostatic field distribution is calculated using an image charge model. In the strong indentation case, the solution of the coupled electroelastic problem for piezoelectric indentation is used to obtain the electric field and strain distribution in the ferroelectric material. This establishes a complete continuum mechanics description of the PFM contact mechanics and imaging mechanism. The electroelastic field distribution allows signal generation volume in PFM to be determined. These rigorous solutions are compared with the electrostatic point-charge and sphere-plane models, and the applicability limits for asymptotic point-charge and point-force models are established. The implications of these results for ferroelectric polarization switching processes are analyzed.
The stability of Poiseuille flow in a pipe of circular cross-section

The stability of Poiseuille flow in a pipe of circular cross-section to azimuthally varying as well as axisymmetric disturbances has been studied. The perturbation velocity and pressure were expanded in a complete set of orthonormal functions which satisfy the boundary conditions. Truncating the expansion yielded a matrix differential equation for the time dependence of the expansion coefficients. The stability characteristics were determined from the eigenvalues of the matrix, which were calculated numerically. Calculations were carried out for the azimuthal wavenumbers n = 0,…, 5, axial wavenumbers α between 0·1 and 10·0 and αR [les ] 50000, R being the Reynolds number. Our results show that pipe flow is stable to infinitesimal disturbances for all values of α, R and n in these ranges.
Review of the Genus Agalliopsis for Hispaniola (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Agalliinae), Including Thirteen New Species

ABSTRACT: The leafhopper genus Agalliopsis is reviewed for Hispaniola. Five species have been known from this island, A. balli (Baker), A. conformis Oman, A. pepino (DeLong and Wolcott), A. clitellaris (Ball) and A. acuticauta (Oman) New Combination. Thirteen new species are described, including A. lathripa, A. meiosa, A. acrita, A. treptona, A. bidigita, A. ancyra, A. dicroma, A. davidsoni, A. extenda, A. extrema, A. intera, A. longistyla and A. uncula. A key to the known species is included.
Elastic face - an anatomy-based biometrics beyond visible cue

This paper describes a face recognition method that is designed based on the consideration of anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of facial tissues. Elastic strain pattern inferred from facial expression can reveal an individual's biometric signature associated with the underlying anatomical structure, and thus has the potential for face recognition. A method based on the continuum mechanics infinite element formulation is employed to compute the strain pattern. Experiments show very promising results. The proposed method is quite different from other face recognition methods, and its advantages and limitations, as well as future research for improvement are discussed.
The ZIIR Element of the Epstein-Barr Virus BZLF1 Promoter Plays a Central Role in Establishment and Maintenance of Viral Latency

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BZLF1 gene encodes the immediate-early (IE) protein Zta, which plays a central role in regulating the switch between viral latency and lytic replication. A silencing element, ZIIR, is located between the ZID and ZII positive regulatory elements in the BZLF1 promoter Zp. We report here the phenotypes of variants of EBV strain B95.8 containing base substitution mutations in this ZIIR element. HEK293 cells infected with ZIIR mutant (ZIIRmt) virus produced at least 20-fold more viral IE Zta and Rta and early (E) EAD protein than did cells infected with the parental wild-type (WT) virus, leading to viral DNA replication and production of infectious virus. However, ZIIR mutant virus was 1/10 as efficient as WT virus in establishing proliferating B-cell clones following infection of human primary blood B cells. The ZIIRmt-infected lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) that did grow out exhibited a phenotype similar to the one observed in 293 cells, including marked overproduction of IE and E gene products relative to WT-infected LCLs and lytic replication of the viral genome. Incubation of the ZIIRmt-infected LCLs with the chemical inducer 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) led to much greater activation of Zp than did the same treatment of WT- or ZVmt-infected LCLs. Furthermore, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, bis-indolylmaleimide, eliminated this activation by TPA. Thus, we conclude that ZIIR is a potent silencing element of Zp; it plays a key role in establishment and maintenance of EBV latency by inhibiting activation of Zp through the PKC signal transduction pathway.
An Adenovirus Linked to Mortality and Disease in Long-Tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) in Alaska

Abstract SUMMARY. An adenovirus was isolated from intestinal samples of two long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) collected during a die-off in the Beaufort Sea off the north coast of Alaska in 2000. The virus was not neutralized by reference antiserum against known group I, II, or III avian adenoviruses and may represent a new serotype. The prevalence of the virus was determined in live-trapped long-tailed ducks at the mortality site and at a reference site 100 km away where no mortality was observed. Prevalence of adenovirus antibodies in serum samples at the mortality site was 86% compared to 10% at the reference site. Furthermore, 50% of cloacal swabs collected at the mortality site and only 7% of swabs from the reference site were positive for adenoviruses. In 2001, no mortality was observed at either of the study areas, and virus prevalence in both serum and cloacal samples was low, providing further evidence that the adenovirus was linked to the mortality event in 2000. The virus was used to infect...
PS-4 GHZ Contour Extensional Mode Aluminum Nitride MEMS Resonators

This work presents higher-order contour mode piezoelectric AlN MEMS resonators with lithographically defined GHz operating frequencies. By selectively patterning the transduction electrodes and routing the electrical excitation waveform, the resonant frequency of the device is uncoupled from the overall dimensions of the AlN plate and spurious electrical responses are suppressed over a wide frequency range. Resonators employing either parallel or coplanar ground and signal electrode pairs have been developed. The design has been validated by demonstrating a 1.28 GHz resonator with a 231 Omega motional resistance and a Q factor over 1,400 when tested in air
Cross-Sectional Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of III-V Semiconductor Structures

The method of cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is described. Illustrative examples are given of studies of III-V semiconductor systems, including low-temperature-grown (LT) GaAs, and InAs/GaSb superlattices. In each case, the STM permits the observation of structural features on an atomic scale. The associated electronic spectroscopy for states a few eV on either side of the Fermi-level can be determined. Such information is relevant for the operation of devices constructed from these layered semiconductor systems.
On the possible in situ elemental analysis of small bodies with laser ablation TOF-MS

Abstract An analysis is presented of the potential application of laser ablation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-TOF-MS) to the study of small bodies on in situ and sample return missions. LA-TOF-MS provides the significant advantages of high-quality, low-ambiguity data, no requirement of sample contact or preparation, rapid analysis, and local probe capability. The ability to address particular scientific goals on a given mission depends strongly on obtaining reproducible instrument- and sample-dependent fractionation factors for heterogeneous samples in various operating conditions. LA-TOF-MS analyses of basalt and mineral separate standards, in both powdered and compressed forms, have been used to establish an understanding of elemental fractionation in the mass range from C to Zn and selected higher-mass elements. Results of a preliminary calibration applied to the bulk analysis of carbonaceous meteorites suggests that sufficient precision is obtained from replicate averaging of spectra to differentiate among some sub-classes. Complementary point-by-point LA analyses of such samples could also provide powerful diagnostic information for mineralogy.
Clear-cell ependymoma: A report of intracortical tumor with significant desmoplasia

We report a case of clear-cell ependymoma in a 20-month-old girl who presented with seizures. The tumor had several uncommon features including a solid consistency, a purely intracortical location, and a remarkable degree of desmoplasia. Clinical, radiological, and pathological findings are presented. This case emphasizes the value of ultrastructural studies in pathological work-up of brain tumors.
Induction of helicity in polyuridylic acid and polyinosinic acid by silver ions.

Silver ions binding to poly(U) and poly(I) produce highly ordered multistranded helices under conditions which would otherwise lead to random coils. Evidence for helicity comes from the hypochromicity and high ellipticity generated in the polymers by Ag+ binding, as well as from x-ray studies and from the cooperativity of the Ag+ complexing reaction. Continuous variation studies show that both polymers form 1:1 and 2:1 polymer–Ag+ complexes. Low pH favors the 1:1 complex with poly(U) and the 2:1 complex with poly(I); the reverse is true at high pH. Ag+ binding and proton-release experiments make it clear that at low pH, unprotonated electron-donor groups are complexed preferentially, but that at high pH, Ag+ readily displaces H+ from protonated groups. In poly(I) the unprotonated donor is N(7), leading at low pH to a 2:1 complex containing N(7)-Ag-N(7) bonds; at high pH, proton release from N(1) leads to a 1:1 complex containing N(1)-Ag-O bonds. In poly(U) there is no unprotonated donor; the low-pH 1:1 complex involves deprotonation of only one N(3) per bound Ag+, leading to N3-Ag-O bonding, while high pH causes deprotonation of two N(3) per Ag+ and a 2:1 N(3)-Ag-N(3) complex. Thus silver ions react with the nucleotide bases in chemically predictable ways, and the formation of different Ag–nucleotide bonds leads to different multiple-helix structures.
Contaminants of legacy and emerging concern in largescale suckers (Catostomus macrocheilus) and the foodweb in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, USA.

We investigated occurrence, transport pathways, and effects of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants and other endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in aquatic media and the foodweb in the lower Columbia River. In 2009 and 2010, foodweb sampling at three sites along a gradient of contaminant exposure near Skamania (Washington), Columbia City (Oregon) and Longview (Washington) included water (via passive samplers), bed sediment, invertebrate biomass residing in sediment, a resident fish species (largescale suckers [Catostomus macrocheilus]), and eggs from osprey (Pandion haliaetus). This paper primarily reports fish tissue concentrations. In 2009, composites of fish brain, fillet, liver, stomach, and gonad tissues revealed that overall contaminant concentrations were highest in livers, followed by brain, stomach, gonad, and fillet. Concentrations of halogenated compounds in tissue samples from all three sites ranged from < 1 to 400 nanograms per gram of wet tissue. Several chemical classes, including PBDEs, organochlorine pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were detected at all sites and in nearly all fish tissues sampled. In 2010, only fish livers were sampled and inter-site concentration differences were not as pronounced as in 2009. Chemical concentrations in sediments, fish tissues, and osprey eggs increased moving downstream from Skamania to the urbanized sites near Columbia City and Longview. Numerous organochlorine (OC) pesticides, both banned and currently used, and PBDEs, were present at each site in multiple media and concentrations exceeded environmental quality benchmarks in some cases. Frequently detected OC compounds included hexachlorobenzene, pentachloroanisole, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its degradates, chlorpyrifos, and oxyfluorofen. Biomagnification of BDE47, 100, 153, and 154 occurred in largescale suckers and osprey eggs. Results support the hypothesis that contaminants in the environment lead to bioaccumulation and potential negative effects in multiple levels of the foodweb.
Viscous QCD matter in a hybrid hydrodynamic+Boltzmann approach

A hybrid transport approach for the bulk evolution of viscous QCD matter produced in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions is presented. The expansion of the dense deconfined phase of the reaction is modeled with viscous hydrodynamics, while the dilute late hadron gas stage is described microscopically by the Boltzmann equation. The advantages of such a hybrid approach lie in the improved capability of handling large dissipative corrections in the late dilute phase of the reaction, including a realistic treatment of the nonequilibrium hadronic chemistry and kinetic freeze-out. By varying the switching temperature at which the hydrodynamic output is converted to particles for further propagation with the Boltzmann cascade we test the ability of the macroscopic hydrodynamic approach to emulate the microscopic evolution during the hadronic stage and extract the temperature dependence of the effective shear viscosity of the hadron resonance gas produced in the collision. We find that the extracted values depend on the prior hydrodynamic history and hence do not represent fundamental transport properties of the hadron resonance gas. We conclude that viscous fluid dynamics does not provide a faithful description of hadron resonance gas dynamics with predictive power, and that both components of the hybrid approach are needed for a quantitative description of the fireball expansion and its freeze-out.
A state space approach to multimodal integration of simultaneously recorded EEG and fMRI

We develop a state space approach to multimodal integration of simultaneously recorded EEG and fMRI. The EEG is represented with a distributed current source model using realistic MRI-based forward models, whose temporal evolution is governed by a linear state space model. The fMRI signal is similarly modeled by a linear state space model describing the hemodynamic response to underlying EEG current activity. We explore the feasibility of high dimensional dynamic estimation of simultaneous EEG/fMRI using simulation studies of the alpha wave.
Application of complex-valued FXLMS adaptive filter to Fourier basis control of adaptive optics

In this paper, the Filtered-X Least Mean Square (FXLMS) adaptive filter with bias integration technique is applied to an adaptive optics system where the Discrete Fourier Transform is used to project the measured phase onto the Fourier basis for modal control. The control law is applied in the complex-valued coefficient space and the FXLMS algorithm is modified accordingly for the complex-valued control. Numerical analysis is conducted for a feedback loop of a single Fourier mode in the presence of a disturbance representing a frozen flow atmospheric turbulence. The performance is compared with a Kalman estimator based control law proposed in the literature called Predictive Fourier Control (PFC). The proposed method demonstrated a similar performance for a stationary disturbance and improved performance for a slowly drifting disturbance. Whereas the performance of the PFC is very sensitive to the accuracy of the identification of the disturbance, the proposed method does not require such an explicit identification and produces minimum error for the given disturbance.
Mindfulness in School Psychology: Applications for Intervention and Professional Practice.

Although the use of mindfulness is increasing in other areas of applied psychology, school psychology has yet to embrace it in practice. This article introduces school psychologists to the burgeoning field of mindfulness psychology and to the possibilities that it offers to their discipline. A background on the Western scientific study and application of mindfulness provides a theoretical foundation to those unfamiliar with the topic. We then discuss the application of mindfulness technologies to various forms of service provision in the professional practice of school psychology. The innovative and novel avenues that mindfulness psychology offers to psychological science
Gateway Deployment optimization in Cellular Wi-Fi Mesh Networks

With the standardization of IEEE 802.11, there has been an explosive growth of wireless local area networks (WLAN). Recently, this cost effective technology is being developed aggressively for establishing metro-scale “cellular Wi-Fi” network to support seamless Internet access in the urban area. We envision a large scale WLAN system in the future where Access Points (APs) will be scattered over an entire city enabling people to use their mobile devices ubiquitously. The problem addressed in this paper involves finding the minimum number of gateways and their optimal placement so as to minimize the network installation costs while maintaining reliability, flexibility and an acceptable grade of service. The problem is modeled taking a network graph, where the nodes represents either the Access Points of IEEE 802.11 or wired backbone gateways. In this paper, we present two methods (1) an innovative approach using integer linear programming (ILP) for gateway selection in the cellular Wi-Fi network, and (2) a completely new heuristic (OPEN/CLOSE) to solve the gateway selection problem. In the ILP model, we developed a set of linear inequalities based on various constraints. The ILP model is solved by using lp-solve, a simplex-based software for linear and integer programming problems. The second approach is an OPEN/CLOSE heuristic, tailored for cellular Wi-Fi, which arrives at a sub-optimal solution. Java programming language is used for simulation in OPEN/CLOSE heuristic. Extensive simulations are carried out for performance evaluation. Simulation results show that the proposed approaches can effectively identify a set of gateways at optimal locations in a cellular Wi-Fi network, resulting in an overall cost reduction of up to 50%. The technique presented in this paper is generalized and can be used for gateway selection for other networks as well.
Structured lipid made from fish oil and medium-chain triglycerides alters tumor and host metabolism in Yoshida-sarcoma-bearing rats

The effects of structured lipid composed of fish oil and medium-chain triglycerides (Fish/MCT) on tumor and the host metabolism was compared with conventional long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) in Yoshida-sarcoma-bearing rats receiving TPN for 3 d. The two parenterally fed groups were divided into two treatments, saline or tumor necrosis factor (TNF), given intravenously at 20 micrograms/kg body wt. Changes in tumor volume, body weight, urinary nitrogen, whole-body and tissue protein kinetics, and fatty acid composition were measured. The study revealed that Fish/MCT feeding inhibited tumor growth, which could be attributed to decreased tumor protein synthesis. Body weight and nitrogen were better maintained by Fish/MCT feeding. In addition, the effects of Fish/MCT on tumor growth were synergistic with TNF treatment. The results demonstrate that dietary fat composition can influence fatty acid compositions of tumor tissue as well as tumor protein kinetics after a short period of TPN feeding.
Metformin Improves Diabetic Bone Health by Re-Balancing Catabolism and Nitrogen Disposal.

Objective Metformin, a leading drug used to treat diabetic patients, is reported to benefit bone homeostasis under hyperglycemia in animal models. However, both the molecular targets and the biological pathways affected by metformin in bone are not well identified or characterized. The objective of this study is to investigate the bioengergeric pathways affected by metformin in bone marrow cells of mice.
Monitoring Treatment Efficacy: DXA Pearls and Pitfalls

One of the benefits of DXA is the ability to monitor the efficacy of therapies aimed at stabilizing and/or increasing bone density. Clinical trials in the development of drugs for osteoporosis have shown that increased bone density equates to reduction in fractures. It follows then that practitioners see increases in bone density as a surrogate marker for treatment success.
THOUGHT AND 2ND LANGUAGE: A VYGOTSKIAN FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING BICS AND CALP

Language diversity has been a defining characteristic of U.S. public schools throughout their history, and this phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down. Over the 10 year period between 1994-1995 and 2004-2005, the number of students in US public schools classified as Limited English Proficient (LEP) grew from roughly 3.2 to 5.1 million, an increase of 57% (National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition). Public schools are responsible for educating students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, and efforts to do so have often involved immersing these students in English-only programs at the expense of their primary language.
Are You Legal?: A Personal Legal-Audit and Empowerment Tool

The book this file excerpts encourages you to audit your legal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities in each significant area of your life to take charge of your flourishing. Law is about empowerment. This audit is for better control, risk management, peace of mind, and prosperity. An audit is simply an examination against standards. Businesses have a lot at stake, which is why they undergo regular audits. You have no less at stake, relatively speaking, than they do. You have no excuse for disorderly conduct, financial affairs, employment and family relationships, or properties, leaving legal risks you have no need to face. Your life has value to you and others. Examine it through law’s lens. Experience and enjoy the power of lawful purpose. Answer for yourself the question, “Are you legal?” not just so that you can avoid punishment, liability, or other penalty or sanction but to improve your life and the lives of those around you.
FIR Filter Design via Extended Optimal Factoring

An improved optimal factoring and zero-grouping algorithm is presented that reduces the hardware needed to implement FIR filters in a cascade structure, with better factors obtained via an optimal grouping of both off-unit-circle as well as on-unit-circle transfer-function zeros. The concept, additional design techniques, and benefits are examined here using practical examples. It is shown that the extended approach offers access to more features that can be exploited to achieve a greater reduction in coefficient quantization levels, thereby creating filters having minimal hardware complexity.
Mass Armies and the Cold War: Institutional Post-Heroism?

At the end of the Second World War, the atom bomb placed into doubt the utility of land forces in future wars. Yet throughout the Cold War the superpowers and their allies maintained mass armies as well as nuclear arsenals, and today’s wars still appear to require armed forces that combine technology, individual skill and mass despite the promises of a second revolution in military affairs based on information technology. How much did nuclear weapons and concepts of deterrence and of limited war change the understanding of warfare within armies in the western world? Did the Cold War represent a transition from heroic to post-heroic wars, the latter characterized by conflict management and casualty aversion?1 Following the closing argument of John Keegan’s landmark study The Face of Battle, we might say that heroic understandings of battle died in the world wars of the twentieth century.2 But can the same be said about an institutional vision of war? It is worth considering that while managerial concepts of deterrence governed military policies of the great powers, more heroic notions of warfare survived in the ‘small wars’ of the Cold War era. This essay discusses the political, strategic and institutional visions of war and of deterrence in the US army as an example for coping with war in the nuclear age. It shows how the army found its place in that brave new world.
Infiltration of hematogenous lineage cells into the demyelinating central nervous system of twitcher mice.

Infiltration of hematogenous lineage cells into the central nervous system (CNS) was investigated in the twitcher mouse, a murine model of globoid cell leukodystrophy in human. The hematogenous cells were selectively labeled following intraperitoneal injection of rhodamine isothiocyanate (RhIc). The frequency of detecting Rhic-labeled cells (RhIc' cells) in the twitcher CNS varied with age. RhIc cells were hardly detected when injection was made prior to the postnatal day (PND) 30. The number of Rhlc + cells increased thereafter peaked at PND 35-38 and declined drastically at PND 40-45. The majority of RhIc + cells were distributed in white matter of the CNS that correlated well with the areas of demyelination and of increased microglia/macrophage population described in our earlier studies. Almost all RhIc + cells were double-labeled with antibody for Mac-1 and also with MHC class II. Some small cells double-labeled with RhIc and antibodies for CD4, CD8, or IL-2R were also identified. By RT-PCR, the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA increased drastically at PND 30, peaked at PND 35, and decreased gradually after PND 40. This pattern of mRNA changes correlated well with the dynamic pattern of the infiltration of hematogenous cells into the CNS, suggesting a role of chemokine(s) in the cellular infiltration in the twitcher brain. The expression of IL-10 mRNA also increased gradually. IL-10 is a cytokine inhibitory factor and a major regulator in suppressing the inflammatory response. Thus, our results indicated that hematogenous lineage cells infiltrated in the CNS of twitcher mice, and that MCP-1 and IL-10 may play an important role in regulating the cellular recruitment.