cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Septal abscess in a 14-month-old child: Diagnosis, management, and discussion of reconstructive options

Summary Objectives : Highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of septonasal abscesses to prevent life threatening consequences. Explain the aesthetic implications as well as the complications affecting nasal function in toddlers and preschool age children. Suggest reconstructive options and approaches to the pediatric nasoseptum after the deleterious effects of acute inflammation. Methods : Case presentation from a tertiary referral center. Literature review of contemporary and historic treatment of pediatric nasoseptal abscesses. Results : An open approach to nasal reconstruction is recommended with exposure of the caudal septum leaving the dorsal cartilage untouched in order to reduce the risk of nasal and/or midface growth retardation. Costal cartilage is the material of choice to reconstruct the nose because of its proportional growth with the native tissue. Conclusions : The foremost consideration in treatment of nasoseptal hematoma or abscess includes acute drainage and culture-directed antimicrobial medical management to avoid systemic complications. Affected children may require nasal reconstruction, preferably after the 4th year of life. Conscientious surgeons must have an awareness of nasal function, nasofacial development, potential graft donor sites, and subsequent psychological impact of delayed treatment. Our preference is the open approach with the use of autologous costal cartilage for structural reconstruction.
Calibration of a depangher long counter from 2 keV to 19 MeV

Abstract We have measured the sensitivity of a dePangher precision long counter (PLC) relative to 7 Li(p, n), T(p, n), and T(d, n) differential cross sections over the neutron energy range 10 keV–19 MeV. We also measured absolute sensitivity at 2 keV using a scandium filtered beam at a reactor. Results obtained with errors in the range 5–30% are consistent with the assumption of a nearly constant sensitivity over the range 2 keV–6 MeV, but exhibit a reduction above 12 MeV.
Rectovaginal fistulography: a technique for the identification of recurrent elusive fistulas.

Introduction and hypothesis The purpose of this study is to review our experience with a technique for diagnosing small rectovaginal fistulas that occasionally permit passage of air or mucus.
Lithospheric Control on the Initiation of the Yellowstone Hotspot: Chronic Reactivation of Lithospheric Scars

The Yellowstone hotspot is generally interpreted to have resulted from a mantle plume that initiated beneath the Idaho—Oregon—Nevada region at ~18 Ma. We explore an alternative model in which the initiation of Yellowstone magmatism is a result of lithospheric-scale processes—transtensional reactivation of the western Idaho shear zone—rather than a mantle plume. This model is based on both spatial and temporal correlations with deformation in the U. S. West. The first-order observation is that hotspot-related magmatism occurs as a linear N-S feature, which exploits the mantle portion of the inactive western Idaho shear zone and a deep crustal feature along the future Northern Nevada rift. The location for initiation of the McDermitt caldera, the interpreted initiation site of the Yellowstone hotspot, is spatially coincident with the southernmost known extent of the western Idaho shear zone in the lithospheric mantle. In contrast, the feeder zones of the voluminous magmatism of the Columbia River basalts in...
Ring-closing olefin metathesis for the synthesis of fused nitrogen heterocycles

Abstract A novel technique for the efficient synthesis of fused nitrogen heterocycles containing various combinations of five- and eight-membered rings has been developed. This method features the ring-closing metathesis (RCM), which is catalyzed by the molybdenum alkylidene complex 6, of α,ω-dienes that have a nitrogen atom in the chain linking the two olefinic functional groups.
Sequence of class ii major histocompatibility complex genes from mrl mice: Conserved amino acids in the I‐Eβ chains from autoimmune mice

Class II major histocompatibility complex molecules are critical in both normal and abnormal immune responses. Both in mice and in humans, these molecules have been implicated in the development of various diseases, including insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and systemic lupus erythematosus. The MRL/lpr mouse strain spontaneously develops a lupus-like illness with features that include anti-DNA antibodies, glomerulonephritis, and early death. We evaluated the structure of class II molecules from these mice, to investigate for unique sequences that might contribute to autoimmunity. Utilizing the polymerase chain reaction, we sequenced the second exons from the I-A and I-E genes of MRL/lpr and MRL-+/+ mice. We found that at the nucleotide level, there are several changes between MRL class II genes and the previously sequenced "k" haplotype, but at the protein level, they are identical. Furthermore, by comparing the sequences of class II genes from several strains of autoimmune mice, we found that there are conserved amino acids in the third hypervariable region of the I-E beta chain which may be important in the development of autoimmunity.
A simplified sample preparation method from various foods for PCR detection of pathogenicYersinia enterocolitica: a possible model for other food pathogens☆

A simplified method for the direct application of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect plasmid-bearing virulent serotypes of Yersinia enterocolitica (YEP+) in a variety of foods. Strains of YEP+ representing five serotypes were detected in enriched swab samples of artificially contaminated pork chops, ground pork, cheese and zucchini using multiplex PCR analysis. The method was also effective for identifying YEP+ strains in naturally contaminated porcine tongues. The use of swabs eliminated time-consuming extraction of DNA from food, inhibition of PCR by food-derived DNA, interference by background flora and reduced the time needed for processing samples. The detection of other food pathogens should be feasible by this technique.
Stormwater Governance and Future Cities

Urban stormwater infrastructure traditionally promoted conveyance. Cities are increasingly designing stormwater infrastructure that integrates both conveyance and infiltration in hybrid systems to achieve public health, safety, environmental, and social goals. In addition, cities face decisions about distribution of responsibilities for stormwater management and maintenance between institutions and landowners. Hybrid governance structures combine centralized and distributed management to facilitate planning, operations, funding, and maintenance. Effective governance in any management approach will require changes in the expertise of stormwater agencies. Recognizing the distinction between hybrid infrastructure and hybrid governance is important in long-term planning decisions for construction and management of stormwater systems. A framework is presented that relates the level and type of existing stormwater infrastructure with available capital, institutional development, and predominant citizen contributions. Cities with extensive existing infrastructure are increasingly integrating distributed, “green” approaches that promote infiltration, and must improve institutional expertise for governance decisions. For cities with little existing infrastructure, landowner management often dominates, especially when municipalities cannot keep pace with rapid growth. In between, rapidly industrializing cities are positioned to use growing capital resources to fund both conveyance and infiltration measures based on current design principles. For all cities, local management innovations, including decisions regarding public engagement, will be critical in shaping future urban stormwater systems.
Practical implementation of piezoelectric energy harvesting synchronized switching schemes

Many closed-loop control methods for increasing the power output from piezoelectric energy harvesters have been investigated over the past decade. Initial work started with the application of Maximum Power Point Tracking techniques (MPPT) developed for solar power. More recent schemes have focused on taking advantage of the capacitive nature of piezoelectric harvesters to manipulate the transfer of energy from the piezoelectric to the storage element. There have been a couple of main techniques investigated in the literature: Synchronous Charge Extraction (SCE), Synchronized Switching and Discharging to a Capacitor through an Inductor (SSDCI), Synchronized Switch Harvesting on an Inductor (SSHI), and Piezoelectric Pre-Biasing (PPB). While significant increases in harvested power are seen both theoretically and experimentally using powerful external control systems, the applicability of these methods depends highly on the performance and efficiency of the system which implements the synchronized switching. Many piezoelectric energy harvesting systems are used to power devices controlled by a microcontroller (MCU), making them readily available for switching control methods. This work focuses on the practical questions which dictate the applicability of synchronized switching techniques using MCU-based switching control.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND THE CORE CURRICULUM: ONE DEPARTMENT'S EXPERIENCE

The core curriculum being re-adopted by more and more colleges and universities has strong impact on physical geography. A case study at the University of Alabama provides insights into what these impacts may mean to enrollments and programs and how the impacts may be anticipated and turned into positive influences.
Flight test evaluation of a small one-man lunar flying device.

Flight test evaluation of small one man lunar flying device /POGO/, discussing vehicle control, pressure suits factors and piloting differences
Rural/Urban Variations in Diabetes Self-Care and Quality of Care in a National Sample of US Adults With Diabetes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine differences in diabetes self-care and provider-based quality-of-care indicators between rural and urban dwellers in a nationally representative sample of adults with diabetes.MethodsData were analyzed on 52 817 individuals with type 2 diabetes from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. Rural and urban residence was based on metropolitan statistical area. Self-care behaviors (nutrition, physical activity, self-monitoring) and quality-of-care indicators (clinical visits, glycemic control, preventive measures) were self-reported. Logistic regression analyses were done using STATA 10 to assess the independent effect of rural/urban residence on self-care and each quality measure and to account for the complex survey design.ResultsRural residents comprised 21% of the sample and were less likely to receive diabetes education (57% vs 51%, P < .001). The final adjusted model showed that foot self-checks (odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-...
Bitraces for GLn(Fq) and the Iwahori-Hecke algebra of type An − 1

Abstract Let Hn(q) be the Iwahori-Hecke algebra of the symmetric group Sn. Let F q be a finite field with q elements and let B be the Borel subgroup of upper triangular matrices in the general linear group G = GLn( F q). Let 1Bg denote the trivial representation of B induced to G. Then Hn(q) has a natural action on 1BG that commutes with the G-action, and we define the bitrace btr(g, a) to be the trace of g ϵ G and a ϵ Hn(q) acting simultaneously in 1BG. For partitions, μ, ν of n, let Tμ be a standard basis element of Hn(q) corresponding to the Sn-conjugacy class μ, and let uν be a unipotent element of G with Jordan block structure ν. We give a combinatorial formula for btr(uν, Tμ) as a weighted sum of column strict tableaux of shape ν and content μ. This bitrace also essentially counts F q-rational points in the intersection of a conjugacy class with a Schubert cell, provides a new proof of the Frobenius formula for characters of Hn(q), and gives a natural pairing between the conjugacy classes of Sn and the unipotent classes in G.
On stresses conjugate to Eulerian strains

A stress is considered conjugate to a strain if the product of the stress and an objective rate of the strain has a trace which is equal to the rate of work per unit volume. Using Kronecker product relations, apparently new expressions for stresses conjugate to the Finger strain B, the Euler strain ∃, the Eulerian (right) stretch tensor V, and log(V) are determined. In addition, a nonclassical strain p is introduced which permits a constitutive equation expressing its Truesdell rate in terms of B and the Truesdell rate of the Cauchy stress.
Semisynthetic neoclerodanes as kappa opioid receptor probes.

Abstract Modification of the furan ring of salvinorin A ( 1 ), the main active component of Salvia divinorum , has resulted in novel neoclerodane diterpenes with opioid receptor affinity and activity. Conversion of the furan ring to an aldehyde at the C-12 position ( 5 ) has allowed for the synthesis of analogues with new carbon–carbon bonds at that position. Previous methods for forming these bonds, such as Grignard and Stille conditions, have met with limited success. We report a palladium catalyzed Liebeskind–Srogl cross-coupling reaction of a thioester and a boronic acid that occurs at neutral pH and ambient temperature to produce ketone analogs at C-12. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported usage of the Liebeskind–Srogl reaction to diversify a natural product scaffold. We also describe a one-step protocol for the conversion of 1 to 12- epi - 1 ( 3 ) through microwave irradiation. Previously, this synthetically challenging process has required multiple steps. Additionally, we report in this study that alkene 9 and aromatic analogues 12 , 19 , 23 , 25 , and 26 were discovered to retain affinity and selectivity at kappa opioid receptors (KOP). Finally, we report that the furan-2-yl analog of 1 ( 31 ) has similar affinity to 1 . Collectively, these findings suggest that different aromatic groups appended directly to the decalin core may be well tolerated by KOP receptors, and may generate further ligands with affinity and activity at KOP receptors.
Natural Language and Logic of Agency

This light piece reflects on analogies between two often disjoint streams of research: the logical semantics and pragmatics of natural language and dynamic logics of general information-driven agency. The two areas show significant overlap in themes and tools, and yet, the focus seems subtly different in each, defying a simple comparison. We discuss some unusual questions that emerge when the two are put side by side, without any pretense at covering the whole literature or at reaching definitive conclusions.
Maximality and Consciousness

My argument against MS can be summarized as follows. Being conscious is intrinsic. Suppose P, a conscious human being, "shrinks" by losing an atom from her left index finger. Suppose that at the very first instant at which P has lost that atom, the atoms that then compose her remain just as they were (intrinsically and in all their spatiotemporal and causal interrelations) immediately before "the loss." This implies?assuming MS for reductio?that, just as those atoms compose a conscious object (P) after the loss, so they composed a conscious object before the loss. Name that latter object 'the atom-complement'. The pre-loss atom-complement is not identical with P. (Proof: P had a part, the lost atom, that the atom-complement lacked.) So before amputation, if MS is true, there were two conscious entities, P and the atom-complement, sitting in P's chair and wearing P's shirt. Indeed, similar reasoning shows that, if MS is true, there were many, many such entities. But there was exactly one. So MS is false. I shall here address objections to the above argument raised by Theodore Sider in "Maximality and Microphysical Supervenience."
Effect of Process Conditions on Olefin Selectivity during Conventional and Supercritical Fischer−Tropsch Synthesis

A precipitated iron catalyst (100 Fe/5 Cu/4.2 K/25 SiO2 on mass basis) was tested in a fixed-bed reactor under a variety of process conditions during conventional Fischer−Tropsch synthesis (FTS) and supercritical Fischer−Tropsch synthesis (SFTS). In both modes of operation it was found that: total olefin content decreases whereas 2-olefin content increases with either increase in conversion or H2/CO molar feed ratio. Total olefin and 2-olefin selectivities were essentially independent of reaction temperature. The effect of conversion was more pronounced during conventional FTS. Comparison of olefin selectivities in the two modes of operation reveals that total olefin content is greater while the 2-olefin content is smaller during SFTS. Also, both the decrease in total olefin content and the increase in 2-olefin content with increase in carbon number (i.e. molecular weight of hydrocarbon products) was significantly less pronounced during SFTS in comparison to the conventional FTS. The obtained results sug...
R&D Funding Sources and University Technology Transfer: What Is Stimulating Universities to Be More Entrepreneurial?

In recent years, universities have become increasingly entrepreneurial as evidenced by their rapid escalation into technology transfer, the process by which university-developed technologies are commercialized. Stimulated in part by a favorable policy environment for patenting and licensing as well as increased competition for limited resources, university commercially oriented activities are nevertheless risky and controversial. Yet, it is unlikely this trend will be reversed, and hence research to inform its responsible practice is needed. This study investigates the effect of core R&D resources on university licensing to small and large companies, two important but distinct forms of licensing activity. Implications of the findings for policy and practice are offered.
Teen Dating Violence (Physical and Sexual) Among US High School Students: Findings From the 2013 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Importance National estimates of teen dating violence (TDV) reveal high rates of victimization among high school populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s national Youth Risk Behavior Survey has provided often-cited estimates of physical TDV since 1999. In 2013, revisions were made to the physical TDV question to capture more serious forms of physical TDV and to screen out students who did not date. An additional question was added to assess sexual TDV. Objectives To describe the content of new physical and sexual TDV victimization questions first administered in the 2013 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, to share data on the prevalence and frequency of TDV (including the first-ever published overall “both physical and sexual TDV” and “any TDV” national estimates using these new questions), and to assess associations of TDV experience with health-risk behaviors. Design, Setting, and Participants Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 9900 students who dated, from a nationally representative sample of US high school students, using the 2013 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Main Outcomes and Measures Two survey questions separately assessed physical and sexual TDV; this analysis combined them to create a 4-level TDV measure and a 2-level TDV measure. The 4-level TDV measure includes “physical TDV only,” “sexual TDV only,” “both physical and sexual TDV,” and “none.” The 2-level TDV measure includes “any TDV” (either or both physical and sexual TDV) and “none.” Sex-stratified bivariate and multivariable analyses assessed associations between TDV and health-risk behaviors. Results In 2013, among students who dated, 20.9% of female students (95% CI, 19.0%-23.0%) and 10.4% of male students (95% CI, 9.0%-11.7%) experienced some form of TDV during the 12 months before the survey. Female students had a higher prevalence than male students of physical TDV only, sexual TDV only, both physical and sexual TDV, and any TDV. All health-risk behaviors were most prevalent among students who experienced both forms of TDV and were least prevalent among students who experienced none (all P Conclusions and Relevance The 2013 TDV questions allowed for new prevalence estimates of TDV to be established that represent a more complete measure of TDV and are useful in determining associations with health-risk behaviors among youth exposed to these different forms of TDV.
Higher Incidence of Small Y Chromosome in Humans with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)

Summary: The length of the Y chromosome was measured in 42 black patients with trisomy 21 (47,XY,+21) and a similar number of normal individuals of American black ancestry. The length of the Y was expressed as a function of Y/F ratio and arbitrarily classified into five groups using subjectively defined criteria as follows: very small, small, average, large, and very large. Thirty-eight % of the trisomy 21 patients had small or very small Ys compared to 2.38% of the controls (P < 0.01). In both populations the size of the Y was not normally distributed. In the normals it was skewed to the left, whereas in the Downs the distribution was flat (platykurtic). A significantly higher incidence of Y length heteromorphisms was noted in the Down as compared to the normal black population. In the light of our current understanding that about one-third of all trisomy 21 patients are due to paternal nondisjunction, it may be tempting to speculate that males with small Y are at an increased risk for nondisjunction of the 21 chromosome. Speculation: The present study suggests that one-third of trisomy 21 cases have small Y chromosome. Presently, it is believed that approximately one-third of all cases of Down Syndrome are due to “paternal” nondisjunction. Therefore, it is speculated that fathers with small Y chromosome might be at higher risk for nondisjunction for chromosome 21.
General and efficient synthetic approach to novel tricyclic spiroketones

A general and efficient synthetic approach to tricyclic spiroketones of interest as useful scaffolds in drug discovery was developed. Starting from commercially available benzyl 4-oxo-1-piperidinecarboxylate (5), spirocyclic tetralone 4, spirocyclic indanone 14, and spirocyclic benzocycloheptanone 15 were synthesized via six reaction steps in excellent overall yield.
Living donor liver transplantation for children with liver failure and concurrent multiple organ system failure.

Liver transplantation for pediatric patients in liver failure and multiple organ system failure (MOSF) often results in poor patient survival. Progression of organ failure occurs while awaiting a cadaveric allograft. Therefore, we considered living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in this critically ill group of children and report our initial results with comparison to a similar group who received cadaveric donation (CAD). A retrospective chart review was performed on all pediatric liver transplant recipients who met criteria for MOSF at the time of transplantation. Data collection involved pretransplantation patient profiles, as well as postoperative complications and patient survival. Eight patients in MOSF received living donor transplants and 11 patients received a cadaveric allograft. Mean wait time was 3.5 days in the LDLT group and 6.5 days in the CAD group. Pretransplantation patient profiles and postoperative complications were similar between groups. Mean cold ischemia times were 3.8 hours in the LDLT group and 7.9 hours in the CAD group (P = .0002). Thirty-day and 6-month survival rates of the LDLT group were 88% and 63% compared with 45% and 27% in the CAD group, respectively. Living donor transplant recipients in MOSF had decreased wait times to transplantation, as well as decreased cold ischemia times, compared with cadaveric transplant recipients. Patients in the LDLT group had markedly improved survival compared with the CAD group. Timely transplantation before worsening organ failure may account for these findings.
Host influence on the banding profiles of whole-body protein and excretory-secretory product of Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda) by isoelectric focusing.

Abstract Various protein separation in techniques have been used as alternative means of differentiating species and strains of parasites. Of these techniques, isoelectric focusing (IEF) has proved to be specific and reproducible with cestodes, protozoa and trematodes. As with the traditional morphological approach, there is, however, the potential for host influence. For a particular separation technique to be useful, it is important that banding profiles differentiating parasites be consistent, regardless of host species. To test for host influence, Fasciola hepatica were maintained in four definitive hosts. Soluble proteins of flukes from different hosts and their respective excretory-secretory product (ESP) were then subjected to IEF together with respective host tissues, and the resulting banding patterns were compared. Protein banding profiles of fluke body protein from llama, rat and mouse were very similar, while those of flukes from calves were distinct. Banding patterns of fluke ESP from different hosts were dissimilar. Overall banding patterns of body protein and ESP of flukes from different hosts were distinct from those of respective host tissues. The unique banding patterns of the body protein of flukes from calves indicate that there was host influence in their protein banding patterns, and the uniqueness of the calf fluke is discussed relative to host's resistance to the fluke.
Taste responses in the parabrachial pons of ovariectomized rats.

Since the early 1970s it has been known that female rats prefer higher concentrations of sweet stimuli compared with males. Recent data have revealed that electrophysiological responses to sweet tastes recorded in the parabrachial nucleus of the pons (PbN), the second relay in the neural pathway for taste, are larger in diestrus female rats compared with those in males. Because it has been shown that ovariectomized rats have lowered preferences for saccharin compared with intact females, it is possible to predict that responses to sweet stimuli in the PbN of ovariectomized rats might be smaller than those in intact females. To investigate this hypothesis, electrophysiological responses to representatives of the 4 basic taste qualities, i.e., salty, sour, sweet and bitter, were recorded in the PbN of ovariectomized rats. Gustatory stimuli included NaCl (0.1 M), HCl (0.01 M), sucrose (0.5 M), quinineHCl (0.01 M) and Na-saccharin (0.004 M). Comparison of taste responses of 49 PbN units in ovariectomized rats with those in the PbN of intact female and male rats showed that responses to sweet stimuli were of comparable magnitude to those in female rats but elevated compared with those in male rats. However, responses of PbN units to quinine appeared to be larger in ovariectomized rats compared with those in the PbN of both intact female and male rats. These results suggest that decreased saccharin preference in ovariectomized rats may reflect a greater sensitivity to the bitter components of the taste of saccharin. Moreover, these data provide evidence that taste responses in the PbN are influenced by both the activational and organizational actions of ovarian hormones.
Quantitative thin-layer chromatography of chloramben herbicide using densitometry

The quantitative determination of chloramben herbicide by in situ densitometry of thin-layer chromatography is described. Technical grade chloramben is analyzed by scanning of fluorescence after spraying with fluorescamine reagent. Chloramben residues may be determined, after diazotization and coupling of the amino group, by scanning the resultant red spots. Applicability of the latter method, which has an absolute sensitivity of less than 10 ng, is illustrated by the analysis of tomato and bean samples fortified at 0.1-ppm levels.
Backside Charging Of The CCD

Until recently, the usefulness of the charge coupled device (CCD) as an imaging sensor was thought to be restricted to within rather narrow boundaries of the visible and near IR spectrum. However, since the discovery of backside charging the full potential of CCD performance is now realized. Indeed, the technique of backside charging not only allows the CCD to be used directly in the UV, EUV, and soft X-ray regimes, it has opened up new opportunities in optimizing charge collection processes as well. The technique of backside charging is discussed, and its properties, use, and potential in the future as it applies to the CCD are described.
Influence of waves and horseshoe crab spawning on beach morphology and sediment grain-size characteristics on a sandy estuarine beach

The effects of wave action and horseshoe crab spawning on the topography and grain-size characteristics on the foreshore of an estuarine sand beach in Delaware Bay, New Jersey, USA were evaluated using data collected over six consecutive high tides. Data were gathered inside and outside a 25 m long exclosure constructed to create a control area free of disturbance by crabs. The density of crabs in the swash zone outside the exclosure was 8·1 organisms m−2. The maximum depth of sediment activation on the upper foreshore where spawning occurred was 0·103 m during periods characterized by low significant wave heights: < 0·08 m. This depth is greater than the depth of activation by waves alone during moderate significant wave heights of 0·16–0·18 m but less than the maximum depth (0·127 m) recorded when spawning occurred during periods of moderate wave heights. Spawning, combined with moderate wave heights, creates a concave upper foreshore that is similar to the type of profile change that occurs during storms, thus lowering the wave-energy threshold for morphological response. Spawning during low wave heights increases the mean grain size and sorting of surface sediments caused by the addition of gravel to the swash. Sedimentological differences are most pronounced on the upper foreshore, and data from this location may be most useful when using grain-size characteristics to interpret the effect of spawning in the sedimentary record. Depths of sediment reworking by horseshoe crabs can be greater than those by subsequent storm waves, so evidence of spawning can be preserved on non-eroding beaches. Greater depth of activation by horseshoe crab spawning than by waves alone, even during moderate-energy conditions, reveals the importance of crab burrowing in releasing eggs to the water column and making them available for shore birds.
Effects of collagen deposition on passive and active mechanical properties of large pulmonary arteries in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension

Proximal pulmonary artery (PA) stiffening is a strong predictor of mortality in pulmonary hypertension. Collagen accumulation is mainly responsible for PA stiffening in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in mouse models. We hypothesized that collagen cross-linking and the type I isoform are the main determinants of large PA mechanical changes during HPH, which we tested by exposing mice that resist type I collagen degradation (Col1a1 $$^\mathrm{R/R})$$ and littermate controls (Col1a1 $$^{+/+})$$ to hypoxia for 10 days with or without $$\beta $$ -aminopropionitrile (BAPN) treatment to prevent cross-link formation. Static and dynamic mechanical tests were performed on isolated PAs with smooth muscle cells (SMC) in passive and active states. Percentages of type I and III collagen were quantified by histology; total collagen content and cross-linking were measured biochemically. In the SMC passive state, for both genotypes, hypoxia tended to increase PA stiffness and damping capacity, and BAPN treatment limited these increases. These changes were correlated with collagen cross-linking ( $$p<0.05$$ ). In the SMC active state, hypoxia increased PA dynamic stiffness and BAPN had no effect in Col1a1 $$^{+/+}$$ mice ( $$p<0.05$$ ). PA stiffness did not change in Col1a1 $$^\mathrm{R/R}$$ mice. Similarly, damping capacity did not change for either genotype. Type I collagen accumulated more in Col1a1 $$^{+/+}$$ mice, whereas type III collagen increased more in Col1a1 $$^\mathrm{R/R}$$ mice during HPH. In summary, PA passive mechanical properties (both static and dynamic) are related to collagen cross-linking. Type I collagen turnover is critical to large PA remodeling during HPH when collagen metabolism is not mutated and type III collagen may serve as a reserve.
Why the AVMA's Council on Education should be an independent entity

Views: Commentary 599 F the past four years, I have opposed continued recognition of the AVMA’s Council on Education (COE) by the US Department of Education as the accreditation authority for colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, provoking the ire of several colleagues and friends. I have taken this position even though I know and deeply respect the past four COE chairs, believe that they and other members of the COE have acted with the best of intentions, and value the service that they have provided through the voluntary commitment of their time and efforts to veterinary education. Nonetheless, I am convinced that an independent accrediting body is needed, given the obvious real and apparent conflicts of interest that are undermining confidence in the leadership and decisions of the COE. In my view, although the existing COE has served the profession well for many decades, current political, economic, and academic realities place its outdated and conflicted governance structure under too much pressure to be effective, and it is time for a better system. Obvious real and apparent conflicts of interest held by the AVMA, which has oversight over the COE, unduly influence the establishment and execution of the standards of accreditation and thus necessitate separation. The AVMA benefits from funds made available to it by entities whose interests would be served by either weakening or enhancing accreditation standards. For example, veterinary service corporations that cosponsor AVMA programs benefit from a greater availability of veterinarians for employment, employ lobbyists who advise clients on the establishment of new veterinary schools seeking accreditation, and support these schools once established through clinical alliances. Conversely, the interests of individual or groups of veterinarians, on whom the AVMA depends for dues and elected leadership, are served by restricting the number of new graduates providing competing services. The financial and personal ties that exist between these entities and the AVMA represent conflicting interests that compromise confidence in the COE’s ability to make unbiased accreditation decisions. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), which has recently partnered with the AVMA in the selection of COE members and will soon likely share costs and staffing responsibilities, has its own set of Why the AVMA’s Council on Education should be an independent entity
Kinetics of epoxy cure: (1) The system bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether/m-phenylene diamine

Abstract The cure of the system bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether/m-phenylene diamine has been monitored by several methods in the range 23–157°C. The methods give identical results and show that the same process occurs over the complete cure reaction in the temperature range studied: the kinetically indistinguishable network extension by both primary and secondary amines. The maximum extent of cure is governed by network rigidity, in not allowing reactants into proximity for reaction. The kinetics suggest the reaction itself is diffusion controlled.
Equilibrium theory and paleoecology

Although several paleontologists have recently attempted to apply MacArthur & Wilson's equilibrium theory to the fossil record, their efforts have not met with overwhelming success. The major difficulties have involved the use of questionable methodologies and the application of a fundamentally inappropriate theoretical base. In the first category it appears as if previous methods of data collection and their subsequent analyses must be critically reviewed in order to adequately test the equilibrium theory. Thus detailed species lists that include population numbers must be compiled for spatially restricted habitats. Sampling of local stratigraphic sections must be carried out on a centimeter by centimeter basis rather than at meter intervals. It appears most likely that the use of colonization curves, coupled with a determination of species saturation levels, will provide a rigorous, quantitative technique for the analysis of equilibrium states. It has become obvious over the past ten years that paleoecologists need to be more critical in their application of ecological theories to the fossil record and in substantiation of this claim, and contrary to earlier reports, it seems as if a valid test of the equilibrium theory in the fossil record has yet to be made.
The Mythical Man

Jefferson Cowie and Nick Salvatore have offered us two distinct arguments, one persuasive, the other anything but. There is much to be said for their proposition that the political coalitions that instituted New Deal reforms, far from being the historic culmination of an inexorable march from laissez-faire to the welfare state, were fragile and limited from the start and crumbled beyond the possibility of retrieval after 1970. Much more dubious is their contention that the basic explanation of both the limits and the defeat of the New Deal is to be found in a political culture of individualism, which they claim has circumscribed the political life of the United States from the nation's founding to the present.
Discrete-time exploited fish epidemic models

We extend classic discrete-time susceptible-infective-susceptible (SIS) and susceptible-exposed-infectious-susceptible epidemic models to include disease transmission dynamics in exploited fish populations that exhibit compensatory (contest competition) and overcompensatory (scramble competition) stock dynamics with and without the strong Allee effect. We compute the basic reproductive number, \({\mathfrak{R}_{0}}\), and use it to predict the (uniform) persistence or extinction of the infective exploited fish population, where the fish stock dynamics are compensatory and the strong Allee mechanism is either present or absent. We use the SIS epidemic model to explore the relationship between the stock demographic equation and the epidemic process, where the total stock population dynamics are overcompensatory. As in “higher” human and animal populations, we show that the demographic exploited fish population dynamics drive both the susceptible and infective stock dynamics.
Molecular dynamics simulation of adsorption in electric double layers

Classical molecular dynamics is used to model the structure and dynamics of electric double layers that form when a metal electrode is in contact with an aqueous electrolyte solution containing simple ions and neutral organics. First attention is focused on the distribution of ions and neutrals next to an uncharged electrode. The electric field and potential across the system are calculated. The iodide ion adsorbs from neutral solution and causes a negative shift in the potential of zero charge (PZC) relative to fluoride. Adsorbed benzene causes a small positive shift of the PZC. Benzene desorbs when the metal electrode is charged and the surface electric field causes a layer of localized and oriented water to form next to the electrode. Non contact adsorbed hydrated sodium ions are more effective than contact adsorbed chloride in desorbing benzene.
Integrated Nondestructive Assay Systems to Estimate Plutonium in Spent Fuel Assemblies

AbstractAn integrated nondestructive assay (NDA) system combining active (neutron generator) and passive neutron detection and passive gamma (PG) detection is being analyzed in order to estimate the amount of plutonium, verify initial enrichment, burnup, and cooling time, and detect partial defects in a spent fuel assembly (SFA). Active signals are measured using the differential die-away (DDA), delayed neutron (DN), and delayed gamma (DG) techniques. Passive signals are measured using total neutron (TN) counts and both gross and spectral resolved gamma counts. To quantify how a system of several NDA techniques is expected to perform, all of the relevant NDA techniques listed above were simulated as a function of various reactor conditions such as initial enrichment, burnup, cooling time, assembly shuffling pattern, reactor operating conditions (including temperature, pressure, and the presence of burnable poisons) by simulating the NDA response for five sets of light water reactor assemblies. This paper ...
Ammonia synthesis: The bellwether reaction in heterogeneous catalysis

This is a personal account of the Havreholm Conference with a choice of topics dealing with catalytic ammonia synthesis. Among the general concepts that were retained are: the rate determining step with rates of adsorption and desorption of nitrogen; the direct activated dissociative adsorption of N2; the surface crystalline anisotropy of iron; the role of promoters in industrial iron based catalysts; and the atomic structure of the metallic surface on the industrial multiply promoted catalyst. Finally, a new isotope jump technique to measure an upper limit to the real turnover frequency is discussed.
Structure Theory and Convergence in Riemannian Geometry

We sketch a sequence of developments in riemannian geometry which have taken place over roughly the last 50 years. These concern structure theories for manifolds satisfying bounds on sectional or Ricci curvature, and related theories of geometric convergence. As an illustration, we describe some applications to the study of Einstein metrics in dimension 4.
Persistence of influenza vaccine-induced antibody in lung transplant patients and healthy individuals beyond the season

Background: The timing of influenza vaccination and susceptibility to re-circulating virus in the population is influenced by the persistence of seroprotection. Immunosuppressed transplant patients...
Archibald Menzies's visit to King George Sound, Western Australia, September–October 1791

This paper gives a daily account of an eighteenth-century naval surgeon/botanist's visit to King George Sound, Western Australia, from 29 September to 11 October 1791, followed by a list of the herbarium specimens extant in various British herbaria.
Flow cytometry method for the analysis of membrane‐associated human chorionic gonadotropin, its subunits, and fragments on human cancer cells

A quantitative flow cytometry method for the analysis of membrane-associated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), its subunits, and fragments on human cancer cells was developed using a double-antibody reaction; a flow cytometry with a 2-W argon laser, standard settings, and filters for fluorescein isothiocyanate use; commercially available software; and the ectopic hCG producer CCL 2 HeLa cells from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) as a cell control to standardize the reagents and for overall quality control. Twenty-two monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) and immunoglobulin G fractions from three rabbit polyclonal antisera were tested for effects of antibody concentration (titration), reproducibility at different levels of epitope expression, and variability of epitope expression to select appropriate primary antibodies. Based on the results of the various tests, three polyclonal immunoglobulin G antibodies and a panel of nine MoAb directed to epitopes located in five different regions on the hCG molecule were selected as first antibodies. Their specificity was determined by using two unrelated MoAb of the same isotype at the same concentration to replace the primary MoAb and by a competition experiment. The unrelated MoAb also were used for the selection of the appropriate control fluorescence profile needed for the software. The unique characteristics of this method were: the use of living cells, standardized reagents, internal and external quality control, and the highest sensitivity, which could detect as few as 10(3) molecules of fluorochrome per cell. Serial analyses of the ATCC CCL 2 HeLa cells and two of its variants and of the eutopic hCG producer JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells revealed the expression of membrane-associated epitopes of intact hCG, its subunits, and fragments by a high percentage of the cells, indicating that the expression of these sialoglycoproteins by these two different types of cancer cells is a common phenotypic characteristic.
Dentists' treatment of underserved populations following participation in community-based clinical rotations as dental students.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify which underserved populations are being treated by dentists after participation in community-based clinical rotations as dental students and to determine which predictor variables are associated with dentists' treatment of these populations. Methods: A 25-item written survey was developed and mailed to University of Iowa College of Dentistry alumni (1992-2002; N = 745) to assess what percentage of their current total patient population was composed of each of the twelve identified populations. Separate statistical analyses (descriptive, bivariate, and generalized logistic regression) were performed for each underserved population. Results: Three-hundred seventy-two dentists responded for an adjusted response rate of 50 percent. Respondents were most likely to treat “other ethnic groups” and low income populations. In contrast, 70 percent or more of all respondents said they never treat the homebound, homeless, and incarcerated. Additionally, over 40 percent of respondents said they never treat HIV+/AIDS patients and Medicaid patients. Logistic regression models showed that comfort in treating a population, treating more than seven populations, and having the total percentage of underserved populations treated within a practice total more than 50 percent were the most frequently associated (P < 0.05) and strongest predictors of treating the listed underserved populations. Conclusions: Although respondents reported treating most populations, community leaders and dentists should identify at-risk populations and develop protocols to help ensure that these populations are able to obtain, at a minimum, emergency care. Additionally, dental schools should develop educational curricula to help increase students' comfort in treating underserved populations.
Predicted disorder-to-order transition mutations in IκBα disrupt function

IκBα inhibits the transcription factor, NFκB, by forming a very tightly bound complex in which the ankyrin repeat domain (ARD) of IκBα interacts primarily with the dimerization domain of NFκB. The first four ankyrin repeats (ARs) of the IκBα ARD are well-folded, but the AR5–6 region is intrinsically disordered according to amide H/D exchange and protein folding/unfolding experiments. We previously showed that mutations towards the consensus sequence for stable ankyrin repeats resulted in a “prefolded” mutant. To investigate whether the consensus mutations were solely able to order the AR5–6 region, we used a predictor of protein disordered regions PONDR VL-XT to select mutations that would alter the intrinsic disorder towards a more ordered structure (D → O mutants). The algorithm predicted two mutations, E282W and P261F, neither of which correspond to the consensus sequence for ankyrin repeats. Amide exchange and CD were used to assess ordering. Although only the E282W was predicted to be more ordered by CD and amide exchange, stopped-flow fluorescence studies showed that both of the D → O mutants were less efficient at dissociating NFκB from DNA.