cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The matrix matters: effective isolation in fragmented landscapes.

Abstract: Traditional approaches to the study of fragmented landscapes invoke an island‐ocean model and assume that the nonhabitat matrix surrounding remnant patches is uniform. Patch isolation, a crucial parameter to the predictions of island biogeography and metapopulation theories, is measured by distance alone. To test whether the type of interpatch matrix can contribute significantly to patch isolation, I conducted a mark‐recapture study on a butterfly community inhabiting meadows in a naturally patchy landscape. I used maximum likelihood to estimate the relative resistances of the two major matrix types (willow thicket and conifer forest) to butterfly movement between meadow patches. For four of the six butterfly taxa (subfamilies or tribes) studied, conifer was 3–12 times more resistant than willow. For the two remaining taxa (the most vagile and least vagile in the community), resistance estimates for willow and conifer were not significantly different, indicating that responses to matrix differ e...
Solvent-Jump Relaxation Kinetics of the Association of Rhodamine Type Laser Dyes

Equilibrium spectral photometric and solvent-jump relaxation kinetic results of the monomer (M) — dimer (D) equilibrium $$ 2M{H^{ + }}\underset{{{0^{{{K_{{ - 1}}}}}}}}{\overset{{{0^{{{K_1}}}}}}{\rightleftharpoons}} {D^{{ + + }}} $$ (1) of aqueous and ethanolic rhodamine B, rhodamine 3B, rhodamine 6G, and rhodamine 110 (Fig. l) have been obtained, which indicate that, contrary to previous suggestions, association occurs in both solvents with the exception of rhodamine 3B and 6G in ethanol.
SCALING OF MUSCLE COMPOSITION, WING MORPHOLOGY, AND INTERMITTENT FLIGHT BEHAVIOR IN WOODPECKERS

Existing theory and empirical evidence suggest that body size should have a profound influence upon the composition of flight muscles and the performance of inter- mittent flight in birds. I examine the relationships between functional morphology and intermittent flight behavior within a closely-related group of birds using six species of woodpeckers (Picidae): Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens, 27.2 g), Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis, 47.4 g), Hairy Woodpecker (P. villosus, 70.5 g), Lewis' Woodpecker (Me- lanerpes lewis, 106.6 g), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus, 148.1 g), and Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus, 262.5 g). In woodpeckers with a body mass less than 100 g, the pectoralis muscle was composed mostly of red (R) fibers, with intermediate (I) fibers either absent or restricted to lateral regions. R and I fibers were found in all regions of the pectoralis in the larger species. Positive scaling of the percent and cross-sectional diameter of I fibers may explain why species larger than 100 g flap-bounded when theory predicts they should not have sufficient power. Differences were evident in staining characteristics of I fibers among (but not within) species. Phylogenetic effects were apparent because hypothesized sister taxa shared similarities in muscle composition. Internal and external wing dimensions scaled according to the predictions of geometric similarity, but the Red-naped Sapsucker and Lewis' Woodpecker possessed slightly higher wing-shape indices (narrower, more-pointed wings) than the other species, which may reflect migratory and flycatching behavior as well as phylogeny. All of the species exhibited flap-bounding. The number of flaps in a flapping phase, wingbeat frequency, flapping-phase duration, and bounding-phase duration all scaled negatively with body mass, whereas the percent time spent flapping and flight speed scaled slightly positively. Lewis' Woodpecker was unusual in its intermittent flight behavior by spending more time flapping, using lower wingbeat frequencies and flying slower than would be expected for its body mass. It was the only species to pursue flying insects using highly maneuvered flights including extended glides, although the Red-naped Sapsucker was ob- served to flycatch without gliding. Slow flight speed, rather than wing design, was related to gliding in the Lewis' Woodpecker. I fibers in the pectoralis of the Lewis' Woodpecker were unique in showing intense glycolytic potential, perhaps reflecting the species' foraging style. Received 2 May 1995, accepted 21 August 1995.
Axial crushing of foam-filled columns

Abstract A new method of treating progressive folding of foam filled prismatic columns is developed and compared with available experimental data. Theoretical analysis gives good agreement with experimental results, provided that the interaction between the thin-walled tube and filling foam is taken into account.
Domains of attraction of asymptotic reliability functions of some homogeneous series-parallel systems

Theorems about domains of attraction of limit distribution of extreme statistics of independent identically distributed random variables are well known. It has been shown that if the series-parallel system is such that the number of its series components is of order of less than the logarithm of the number of its parallel components then there is a three-element class of its limit reliability functions. This paper presents the solution concerned with domains of attraction for these asymptotic reliability functions. Moreover, some examples are given.
Effect on dimensional accuracy when reattaching fractured lone standing teeth of a cast

Abstract 1. Ninety-five percent of the variation in position of reattached lone standing incisor and premolar stone teeth was within the limits of physiologic tooth movement. 2. No significant differences resulted from the use of Class I or Class II stones, the technical experience of the operator, or the diameter of the neck of the tooth. 3. There were significant differences between Duco cement and Eastman 910 used between the tooth fragments, but none between Duco cement used between the tooth fragments and Eastman 910 used on the fracture line. However, with all three techniques, most of the changes were within the physiologic limits of healthy tooth movement. 4. The greatest movement was in the buccolingual direction and the least in the occlusogingival.
Controlling adsorption and release of drug and small molecules by organic functionalization of mesoporous materials

A series of mesoporous nanosphere materials that are functionalized with various terminal and bridging organic groups were synthesized. They have improved adsorption capacity and different release properties for drug and small molecules. The materials contained terminal vinyl, 3-mercaptopropyl, 3-aminopropyl, and secondary amine functional groups and bridging ethane, ethene, and benzene groups within their mesopore channel walls. The samples containing mercaptopropyl and vinyl groups showed greater adsorption capacity and better controlled release behavior for rhodamine 6G molecules. On the other hand, mesoporous matrices containing amine functional groups showed higher adsorption capacity and better release properties for ibuprofen molecules. Further studies revealed that the bridging organic groups in the mesopore channel walls also improved the adsorption capacity and release properties of the materials compared to the corresponding samples containing no bridging organic groups. Such improved adsorption and controlled release properties of molecules by simple changes of functional groups on mesoporous materials are important for the development of nanomaterial drug delivery vehicles and for controlled release of drugs over long time periods at specific targeted sites in the body. By judicious choice of organic groups and by systematic design and synthetic approaches, nanoporous materials having different adsorption capacity and release properties for many other drug molecules can also be achieved.
Exploration of associations between governance and economics and country level foot‐and‐mouth disease status by using Bayesian model averaging

Summary. Using Bayesian model averaging, we quantify associations of governance and economic health with country level presence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and estimate the probability of the presence of FMD in each country from 1997 to 2005. The Bayesian model averaging accounted for countries’ previous FMD status and other possible confounders, as well as uncertainty about the ‘true’ model, and provided accurate predictions (90% specificity and 80% sensitivity). This model represents a novel approach to predicting FMD, and other conditions, on a global scale and in identifying important risk factors that can be applied to global policy and allocation of resources for disease control.
In vitro response of atpase activities in tissue subcellular particle preparations to a series of mono-unsaturated C18 fatty acids

The positions of the double bond and the cis/trans configurations of six mono-unsaturated C18 fatty acids (FA) showed selectivity for inhibition and stimulation of ATPase activities of tissue homogenate fractions. The 13,000 g and 100,000 g sediments (fractions B and C respectively) of tissues homogenates were used as sources of Na+-K+ ATPase and of oligomycin-sensitive (OS) and -insensitive (OIS) Mg2+ ATPase activities. Tissue source included bovine brain and rat brain, kidney, heart and liver. Cis mono-unsaturated C18 FA caused an apparent uncoupling of mitochondrial coupling factor F1 (Mg2+ ATPase). This was indicated by the loss of oligomycin and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) sensitivity in the presence of 50 microM FA (12-C18:1). Thus, a precipitous decrease in OS-Mg2+ AtPase activity of mitochondria was accompanied by an equally steep increase in OIS-Mg2+ ATPase activity. This was especially apparent in the heart tissue preparation. The uncoupling action of the FA was not observed with the trans mono-unsaturated C18 FA, Na+-K+ ATPase activity from a bovine brain nerve ending particle (B) fraction was also sensitive to 12-C18:1 FA. However, inhibitory response of Na+-K+ ATPase activity were different for OS-Mg2+ ATPase activity. The latter (OS) was not sensitive to the trans 12-C18:1, while the former (Na+-K+) was sensitive to both cis and trans forms of 12-C18:1 and inhibition appeared to be dependent on the position of the double bond.
Review and Unification of Methods for Computing Derivatives of Multidisciplinary Computational Models

This paper presents a review of all existing discrete methods for computing the derivatives of computational models within a unified mathematical framework. This framework hinges on a new equation, the unifying chain rule, from which all the methods can be derived. The computation of derivatives is described as a two-step process: the evaluation of the partial derivatives and the computation of the total derivatives, which are dependent on the partial derivatives. Finite differences, the complex-step method, and symbolic differentiation are discussed as options for computing the partial derivatives. It is shown that these are building blocks with which the total derivatives can be assembled using algorithmic differentiation, the direct and adjoint methods, and coupled analytic methods for multidisciplinary systems. Each of these methods is presented and applied to a common numerical example to demonstrate and compare the various approaches. The paper ends with a discussion of current challenges and possib...
Triggering Creativity in Science and Engineering: Reflection as a Catalyst

In the recent literature, creativity has been clarified as a phenomenon that categorically differs from intelligence in that the ideas that result from it may not be deduced by applying current reasoning techniques on the state-of-the-art knowledge. Thus, creativity clearly transcends intelligence. Despite this new perspective, by its very nature, creativity defies a true and complete definition and the issue of how to arrive at a creative solution for a given problem, continues to remain an open question. This paper represents an effort to gain insights into the nature of creativity. It begins by observing (i) documented manifestations of creative discoveries and inventions by leading scientists and inventors, (ii) records of creative flashes in many day-to-day ordinary activities, and (iii) instances of creativity in Nature. It then critically analyzes these observations to uncover what mechanisms trigger the processes that eventually lead to creative solutions to problems. This paper submits three hypotheses for cases (i) through (iii) and claims that reflection constitutes the underlying mechanism in each of them, serving as a catalyst for creativity. The first hypothesis is that, in many of the highly creative scientific and engineering discoveries, reflection has played an explicit role in catalyzing the onset of creativity in the scientists and inventors, leading to spontaneous solutions. The second hypothesis is that creativity may be triggered by resorting to implicit reflection. The underlying mechanism consists of highly experienced professionals who report arriving at decisions and diagnoses, almost instantaneously, through intuitive flashes that later turn out to be precisely correct. The third postulate is that Nature is guided by reflection, while utilizing enormous resources and knowledge at her disposal, to play her meta-level role in introducing creative traits, selectively, in one or more individuals of a specific animal colony. The resulting collective behavior of the entire colony represents a spontaneous, creative behavior, very different from that of a pure, homogeneous colony. In essence, the contributions of this paper are two-fold. First, although the exact definition of creativity continues to elude us, the use of explicit and implicit reflection constitutes two approaches that are potentially useful in triggering creativity, at will, in ordinary scientific and engineering personnel to achieve quantum leaps in our knowledge and achievement. The role of reflection is that of a catalyst. Reflection also appears to underlie the inner workings of Nature. Second, from the perspective of engineering pedagogy, these approaches may constitute a tried and tested mechanism for inducing creativity in ordinary students through practice.
Anticancer activity of heteroleptic diimine complexes of dirhodium: A study of intercalating properties, hydrophobicity and in cellulo activity

The series of complexes cis-[Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)2(dppn)(L)]2+, where dppn = benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c] phenazine, and L = bpy (2,2′-bipyridine) (1), phen (1,10-phenanthroline) (2), dpq (dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline) (3), dppz (dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) (4), and dppn (5) were synthesized and their effect on the human cancer cells HeLa and COLO-316 was monitored. Complexes 1 and 2 interact with DNA through intercalation, whereas compounds 3–5 bind only electrostatically. It was found that the dirhodium complex 4 is the most effective compound at inhibiting cell viability of the human cancer cells HeLa and COLO-316. A general conclusion is that the hydrophobicity of the compounds correlates with their in cellulo activity in both cell lines. The ability of the compounds to reach nuclear DNA and form adducts was explored using the comet assay. The results indicate that compounds 1–5 either do not form adducts with DNA that are detrimental to the cell or that they are successfully repaired by the cellular machinery. The results of an annexin V assay indicate that compounds 1–4 trigger apoptosis, whereas compound 5 clearly does not. These findings are significant because they support the contention that dirhodium complexes can be tuned to direct their effect to cellular targets other than nuclear DNA.
Toxicity and bioaccumulation of biosolids-borne triclosan in terrestrial organisms

Triclosan (TCS) is a common constituent of personal care products and is frequently present in biosolids. Application of biosolids to land transfers significant amounts of TCS to soils. Because TCS is an antimicrobial and is toxic to some aquatic organisms, concern has arisen that TCS may adversely affect soil organisms. The objective of the present study was to investigate the toxicity and bioaccumulation potential of biosolids-borne TCS in terrestrial micro- and macro-organisms (earthworms). Studies were conducted in two biosolids-amended soils (sand, silty clay loam), following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) guidelines. At the concentrations tested herein, microbial toxicity tests suggested no adverse effects of TCS on microbial respiration, ammonification, and nitrification. The no observed effect concentration for TCS for microbial processes was 10 mg/kg soil. Earthworm subchronic toxicity tests showed that biosolids-borne TCS was not toxic to earthworms at the concentrations tested herein. The estimated TCS earthworm lethal concentration (LC50) was greater than 1 mg/kg soil. Greater TCS accumulation was observed in earthworms incubated in a silty clay loam soil (bioaccumulation factor [BAF] = 12 ± 3.1) than in a sand (BAF = 6.5 ± 0.84). Field-collected earthworms had a significantly smaller BAF value (4.3 ± 0.7) than our laboratory values (6.5–12.0). The BAF values varied significantly with exposure conditions (e.g., soil characteristics, laboratory vs field conditions); however, a value of 10 represents a reasonable first approximation for risk assessment purposes. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:646–653. © 2011 SETAC
PPARα ligands cause lymphocyte depletion and cell cycle block and this is associated with augmented TRB3 and reduced Cyclin B1 expression

PPARα ligands are medications used clinically to prevent cardiovascular events, however studies have shown that these agents are also anti-inflammatory. Our previous studies have shown that PPARα ligands induce lymphocyte depletion. PPARα ligands also potently upregulate TRB3, a protein that has been associated with cell cycle arrest. Therefore the following studies were undertaken to determine the mechanisms associated with lymphocyte depletion. Our studies demonstrate that WY14,643, a PPARα ligand, decreases the amount of lymphocytes recovered after stimulation and reduces cellular divisions. Cells treated with WY14,643 also accumulate in the G2/S phase of the cell cycle. TRB3 has been shown to inhibit the phosphorylation of AKT/Protein Kinase B, and reduced activation of AKT has been associated with decreased cellular divisions and survival. However in lymphocytes, TRB3 did not reduce the phosphorylation of AKT, and WY14,643 treatment was associated with enhanced activation of AKT. Drosophila tribbles (TRB3 homolog) causes G2 arrest by decreasing the expression of a Cdc25c homolog. Lymphocytes stimulated and treated with WY14,643 have reduced expression of Cdc25c, however this is not associated with enhanced expression of phosphorylated-Cdc2 which induces G2 arrest. Instead we observed that WY14,643 consistently reduces the protein and mRNA expression of Cyclin B1. Moreover, TRB3 inhibits activation of a Cyclin B1 promoter construct. In summary, we propose that PPARα ligands may reduce cellular number by augmenting TRB3 expression, which in turn induces cell cycle arrest by reducing the expression of Cyclin B1. Reduced cellular divisions and cell cycle arrest may be responsible for some of the immunomodulatory effects of these agents that have been consistently observed in human trials.
Modeling of thermomechanical processing of heat-treatable aluminum alloys

This paper describes formulation of a model for calculating recrystallized grain size for heat-treatable aluminum alloys subjected to thermomechanical processing for grain size control. When combined with Zerer's equation for the limiting grain size during grain growth in particle-containing materials, the model can be used to calculate the stable grain size after thermomechanical processing. A set of adjunct models and experimental observations have been used to relate alloy composition and processing parameters to the intermediate variables which are inputs to the model for recrystallized grain size. Model results are compared with experimental data from various sources. Modeling results exhibit all of the trends observed in the experimentally-determined grain sizes for AA7075, for AA6063, and for modified AA7475 alloys containing different dispersoid-forming additions.
Treatment of anticonvulsant drug-induced bone disease

Abstract Although the pathophysiology of bone disease in patients treated with anticonvulsant drugs may vary, most affected patients have increased bone remodeling rather than decreased mineralization. Milder cases may show high bone turnover without significant loss of cortical or trabecular bone. Cases of intermediate severity may exhibit the characteristic features of a high-turnover osteopenia/osteoporosis, but some patients with severe bone disease may manifest the features of an osteomalacic disorder. Prophylactic vitamin D supplementation at doses up to 2000 IU/day can be recommended for all patients on initiation of anticonvulsant therapy. A calcium intake of 600–1000 mg/day should also be ensured. If an osteopenic/osteoporotic disorder exists, treatment with 2000–4000 IU/day vitamin D is appropriate. Vitamin D doses of 5000–15,000 IU/day may be needed to treat osteomalacia. Conventional treatment with bisphosphonates may be needed when the response to vitamin D is inadequate. However, routine use of bisphosphonates in patients receiving long-term anticonvulsant therapy cannot at present be recommended.
Design specifications for a radiation oncology picture archival and communication system

The handling of various types of images is an important function in radiotherapy and can be aided significantly by the use of a picture archival and communication system (PACS). The conventional imaging PACS has been well-studied, but the radiotherapy picture archival and communication system (RT-PACS) is relatively unfamiliar to the medical community. While many of the massive data handling requirements of a conventional imaging PACS may not be necessary for an RT-PACS, the RT-PACS must support various image operations that are unique to radiotherapy. This report describes some of the desired functional capabilities of the RT-PACS and the design specifications required to support these capabilities.
The strange case of cultural services: Limits of the ecosystem services paradigm☆

Abstract As interest in the concept of ecosystem services (ES) has grown, so has its scope. This paper considers some limitations of the ES paradigm by examining one category of ES: cultural services, including the environmental basis for esthetic, spiritual, and recreational experiences, cultural heritage, sense of place, and ways of life. It examines whether cultural ES can be assessed in terms of purely individual benefits or if social/collective considerations must be included; and whether the concept of ‘services’ even provides an appropriate framework for understanding such values. To pursue these questions I consider the recent literature on the assessment and valuation of ‘cultural services’ and assess the adequacy of this perspective against several examples from American Indian communities of the Pacific Northwest. Three characteristics of these situations from Indian Country are problematic for an ES framework: the social construction of environmental experience, the symbolic character of environmental knowledge, and the multidimensionality of environmental value. On the basis of this analysis, I propose a model of culturally reflexive stewardship as potentially a more productive and theoretically consistent framework for characterizing such socially constructed environmental values and practices.
A simple optimal control problem involving approximation by monotone functions

For the problem of minimizing a suitable type of integral functionalJ[y] in the class\(\mathfrak{M}\)k of real, monotone nonincreasing functionsy which are Lipschitzian on a compact interval [a, b] with Lipschitz constantk, there is presented an existence theorem and a characterization of minimizing functions as solutions, in the sense of Filippov, of associated differential equations whose members involve discontinuities. For the problem of minimizingJ[y] in the class\(\mathfrak{M}\) of all real, monotone nonincreasing functions for whichJ[y] exists, there is established an existence theorem and proof that, under suitable hypotheses, a solution of this second problem is the limit of solutions of the aforementioned problem ask → ∞. For the particular case in whichJ[y] is the integral of 1/2[y −h(t)]2, whereh(t) is measurable and bounded on [a, b], it is shown that the minimizing function forJ[y] in the class\(\mathfrak{M}\) is the derivative almost everywhere of the least concave majorant of the functionH(t)=∫0th(s)ds, t e [a,b].
Untreated uveal melanoma and its metastatic spread: a case report

A patient with suspected uveal melanoma died 18 months after refusing all treatment. Since this disease rarely goes untreated, its undeterred spread is of clinical interest. At the request of the patient's family and physician, we set out to verify the type, location, and extent of the tumor, and the cause of death. Post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patient's head, followed by dissection and microscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis of primary uveal melanoma. There were large masses in the frontal part of the cranium which apparently had metastasized from the primary uveal tumor via vascular or lymphatic pathways since there were no direct extensions of the primary tumor beyond the orbital musculotendinous cuff. Metastases found in the liver, kidney, and vertebrae, is the absence of cervical, thoracic, and abdominal lymph node involvement, indicated the likelihood of hematogenous spread although small subpleural metastases were found in the lung. The cause of death appeared to be acute myocardial infarction due to obstruction of both coronary arteries and was unrelated to the malignancy. Although MRI has been proposed as an important tool for diagnosing uveal melanoma, our findings indicate the need for caution. Misleading signal intensities resulting from variable pigmentation in these tumors impair diagnosis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Therapy for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Older Persons

OBJECTIVE: To review the early management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in older adults. METHODS: Recently published studies relevant to the early management of AMI were systematically reviewed. When possible, the impact of older age on complication rates and clinical outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: In general, AMI therapies that are effective in younger patients are also effective in older patients. Conversely, older age is associated with an increased risk of complications from therapy, implying that careful patient selection is required to optimize outcomes while minimizing risks. The principal limitation of currently available data is that relatively few patients older than the age of 80 have been enrolled in prospective randomized clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombolysis and primary angioplasty are effective in establishing reperfusion and improving clinical outcomes in older patients with AMI. In the absence of contraindications, aspirin and beta blockers should be considered standard therapy in AMI patients of all ages, whereas heparin, nitrates, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are indicated in selected subgroups. At the present time, calcium channel blockers, magnesium, and antiarrhythmic agents are not recommended for routine use in the AMI setting, and the role of glycoprotein II/IIIa inhibitors, low molecular weight heparin, and other newer agents await the results of ongoing clinical trials.
Botulinum toxin: therapeutic agent to cosmetic enhancement to lethal biothreat

The clinical effects of Clostridium botulinum and its extremely potent neurotoxin have been known for two centuries. The disease threat and the clinical uses are now well established. What’s changed is the potential for botulinum neurotoxin to be used as a biological threat agent. The recent upsurge of illegal trafficking of reagent-grade toxin could, if bought in large enough quantities, be as serious a threat as other biothreat agents such as anthrax and smallpox, which have received much more attention. Fortunately, effective countermeasures are available.
Viral transformation of baby hamster kidney cells affects the oxygen sensitivity of nitroxide reduction.

Abstract In order to explore and expand the potential applications of nitroxides, it is important to understand how nitroxides are metabolized by living systems. We studied the oxygen sensitivity of a BHK (baby hamster kidney) cell line and BHK cells that had been transformed by adenovirus to determine if the process of adenoviral transformation effects nitroxide metabolism. When the BHK cells are transformed by adenovirus, they reduce nitroxides essentially independently of oxygen concentration. In addition, the rate of reduction of the nitroxides decreases by a factor of 10 compared to the rate of reduction in BHK cells. These data suggest to us that the process of viral transformation has affected dramatically the metabolism of these cells; one possible interpretation is that the viral transformed cells lost the ability to perform oxidative phosphorylation. We believe that this is a metabolic event which could be exploited by magnetic resonance imaging.
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Clinical Practice Guidelines: Part I Where Do They Come From?

Case Presentation : A 65-year-old male presents for evaluation of chest pain. He describes substernal chest pressure that comes on when he plays doubles tennis or walks up a hill on the golf course. His discomfort is associated with dyspnea and is relieved within a few minutes by rest. On one occasion, a golfing partner gave him one of his sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. This brought prompt relief of the discomfort. He denies any chest pain at rest or at night. He has a history of hypertension, for which he is taking a diuretic. On a routine physical examination last year, his cholesterol was 240, with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol of 150. He is trying to follow a low-fat diet and lose weight to reduce this. He has smoked 1 pack of cigarettes a day most of his adult life, although he did quit for a year or 2 on 2 separate occasions in the past. He has no history of diabetes. Both his mother and father lived into their late eighties and died of cancer. He is an only child. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 145/95 mm Hg. His heart rate is 72 beats per minute and regular. His cardiac examination is normal. His resting ECG is normal. The patient undergoes a treadmill exercise test. He completes 6 minutes of exercise according to a Bruce protocol. He stops because of fatigue but does note some mild chest pressure at peak exercise. Peak exercise heart rate is 135 beats per minute, and the peak exercise blood pressure is 190/100 mm Hg. Exercise electrocardiography shows 0.5 mm of up-sloping ST depression measured 80 seconds after the J point at peak exercise. To better define the patient’s diagnosis and prognosis, he then undergoes exercise myocardial perfusion imaging with sestamibi. He again …
Acute ethanol exposure fails to elicit preconditioning-like protection in in situ rabbit hearts because of its continued presence during ischemia ☆

OBJECTIVES Is the timing of exposure critical for ethanol’s ability to induce cardioprotection? BACKGROUND Acute ethanol exposure has been reported to mimic ischemic preconditioning in vitro, but it failed to protect in situ. We hypothesized that these conflicting findings were related to ethanol’s presence during ischemia in situ. METHODS The effect on infarct size (triphenyltetrazolium chloride) of acute ethanol exposure (0.35, 0.7, and 1.4 g/kg IV) 10 min before ischemia was measured in open-chest rabbits after 30 min of regional ischemia and reperfusion and was compared to ethanol’s ability to reduce infarct size in isolated hearts in which the timing of ethanol exposure could be varied. RESULTS Ethanol exposure in situ shortly before ischemia did not reduce infarct size. Moreover, ethanol abolished protection from both ischemic preconditioning and mitochondrial KATPchannel activation. In contrast, in buffer-perfused hearts exposed to 10 to 50 mmol/liter ethanol for 5 min followed by washout before ischemia, infarct size was significantly reduced. When ethanol exposure was prolonged until the end of ischemia in isolated hearts, protection was abolished. Conversely, protection was seen when ethanol was infused in situ followed by removal of the heart and perfusion with ethanol-free buffer prior to ischemia in a Langendorff preparation. When 50 min were allowed to metabolize the ethanol prior to ischemia, protection could also be shown in situ. CONCLUSIONS Ethanol exposure followed by washout or sufficient time to metabolize the alcohol prior to ischemia induces preconditioning-like myocardial protection. However, if present throughout ischemia, ethanol actually blocks all preconditioning-related protection.
An Approach to the Analysis of Political Systems

IN an earlier work I have argued for the need to develop general, empirically oriented theory as the most economical way in the long run to understand political life. Here I propose to indicate a point of view that, at the least, might serve as a springboard for discussion of alternative approaches and, at most, as a small step in the direction of a general political theory. I wish to stress that what I have to say is a mere orientation to the problem of theory; outside of economics and perhaps psychology, it would be presumptuous to call very much in social science “theory,” in the strict sense of the term.
Is EBV persistence in vivo a model for B cell homeostasis

Abstract We have measured the absolute numbers of EBV- infected B cells in the peripheral blood of healthy persistently infected individuals. Single measurements on a panel of 15 healthy individuals demonstrate that the frequency varies over a wide range from 1–50 per 10 6 B cells. Repeat measurements over 1–3.5 years on several individuals whose frequencies varied over a 10-fold range showed that the variation does not represent the fluctuation in the frequency that can occur within an individual; rather, the frequencies are specific to the individual. The frequency within an individual measured over time is stable and contributes less than 10% to the variance seen in the whole population. These measurements suggest that the level of EBV-infected B cells is tightly regulated and we propose that the same homeostatic mechanisms that regulate the levels of normal B cells also regulate B cells latently infected with EBV.
Electron Microscopy Study of Cubic Boron Nitride Thin Films Grown by Ion -Assisted Pulsed Laser Deposition

We present a microstructural study of boron nitride films grown by ion-assisted pulsed laser deposition. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and electron diffraction measurements indicate that within the irradiated region of the substrate, the film consists of high fraction of cBN with a small amount of the turbostratic phase; outside of the irradiated region, only the turbostratic phase is detected. Conventional and high resolution electron microscopic observations of the boron nitride microstructure indicate that the cBN is in the form of twinned crystallites, up to 30 nm in diameter. We also observe particulates, formed by the laser pulse, that reduce the yield of cBN in the irradiated regions by shadowing local areas from the ion beam.
The Warning Decision Support System–Integrated Information

Abstract The Warning Decision Support System–Integrated Information (WDSS-II) is the second generation of a system of tools for the analysis, diagnosis, and visualization of remotely sensed weather data. WDSS-II provides a number of automated algorithms that operate on data from multiple radars to provide information with a greater temporal resolution and better spatial coverage than their currently operational counterparts. The individual automated algorithms that have been developed using the WDSS-II infrastructure together yield a forecasting and analysis system providing real-time products useful in severe weather nowcasting. The purposes of the individual algorithms and their relationships to each other are described, as is the method of dissemination of the created products.
How does radiation kill cells

Recent advances in the understanding of intracellular signaling after genotoxic injury have led to a better understanding of the pathways that influence radiation-induced cell death. Particular progress has been made in defining molecular controls of apoptosis and radiation-induced cell cycle arrest, as well as the possible role of telomerase activity in stabilizing DNA breaks.
Heat and mass transfer during heating of a hybrid absorption/sensible storage tank

A numerical study of heat and mass transport in a tank of aqueous calcium chloride as heat is added to the tank is presented to evaluate the potential of storing water, diluted, and concentrated salt solutions in a single tank to provide sensible and thermochemical (sorption) storage for solar space heating and hot water. An immersed heat exchanger provides the means to sensibly charge the tank while a stable density interface between layers of different salt mass fraction minimizes mass transfer to permit long term storage. Transient simulations are presented over the wide range of conditions expected in practice, as represented in dimensionless form by the Rayleigh number (Ra), buoyancy ratio (N), geometric aspect ratio (a), Lewis number (Le) and Prandtl number (Pr). Correlations of Nusselt number (Nu) and Sherwood number (Sh) for 7 × 103 < Ra < 3.3 × 109, 1 < N < 26.4, 0.125 < a < 1, and 15 < Le < 1.5 × 104 are in the form Nu = 0.45a0.5Ra0.28 and Sh = 0.001Ra0.28N−0.69Le1.17.
Technological Relatedness and Knowledge Space: Entry and Exit of US Cities from Patent Classes

Rigby D. L. Technological relatedness and knowledge space: entry and exit of US cities from patent classes, Regional Studies. US patent and citation data are used to measure technological relatedness between major patent classes in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The technological relatedness measures, constructed as the probability that a patent in class j will cite a patent in class i, form the links of a knowledge network. Changes in this knowledge network are examined from 1975 to 2005. Evolution of the patent knowledge base within US metropolitan areas is tracked by combining the knowledge network with annual patent data for each city. Entries and exits of cities from patent classes are linked to local and non-local measures of technological relatedness.
Kinetics for changes in enzyme synthesis and mRNA content and hormones required for induction of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in hepatocytes

Abstract Rats fasted for 2 days were refed a 60% glucose diet for varying periods of time in order to follow the kinetics for changes in 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase synthesis and mRNA content. Hepatocytes isolated from control or induced rats were incubated with actinomycin D and the rate of decline in 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase mRNA was determined by translating RNA in a nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysate. The half-life for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase mRNA under both of these conditions was about 2 h. Thus, increases in transcription or the processing of nuclear RNA may increase 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase mRNA during the dietary induction of this enzyme. Hepatocytes prepared from fasted rats were cultured with 5% serum and various hormones and energy sources. If hepatocytes were isolated from thyroidectomized rats and cultured in serum from a thyroidectomized calf, the 4-fold induction of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was primarily dependent upon added insulin. In the presence of optimal insulin concentrations (10−7 M) triiodothyronine slightly stimulated 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase induction. The gut hormones somatostatin and secretin had no effect on 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase induction in cultured hepatocytes. Hepatocytes cultured in carbohydrate-free medium and 5% serum required added insulin for maximal induction. 8-Br-cGMP did not significantly affect 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase induction in hepatocytes either in the presence or absence of added insulin. Dibutyryl cAMP did not alter the time course or extent of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase induction in cultured hepatocytes. We have concluded that under these conditions insulin is a potent signal regulating the levels of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase mRNA and that this induction is not mediated by cyclic nucleotides.
Talin-dependent integrin signalling in vivo

Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion receptors essential for metazoan life. In addition to mediating cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions, integrins are bona fide signalling receptors in that they transmit information in both directions across the plasma membrane. The affinity of integrins for extracellular ligands is regulated through a process termed integrin activation or "inside-out signalling". On the other hand, ligand binding to integrins can induce the recruitment and activation of a number of enzymes and adaptors such as pp125(FAK) and Src family kinases, to initiate "outside-in signalling". Intensive investigation into the mechanisms of integrin signalling has revealed many of the key players; amongst these, one of the most important is talin. Our understanding of how many of these molecules interact is now understood at the atomic level thanks to detailed structural studies. Indeed structural information and model cell systems have provided unique opportunities to dissect the molecular mechanisms of many aspects of integrin signalling. Recent studies have begun testing the biological significance of these mechanisms using in-vivo models, particular genetically modified mice. The generation and characterisation of in-vivo models to study integrin signalling has provided valuable information into the functional significance of integrin signalling in fundamental physiological processes as well as within the context of human disease. Here, I will review recent insights that have been gained into integrin signalling through the use of genetically modified mice focusing on integrin alphaIIbbeta3 (GPIIb-IIIa) and the regulation of its function in haemostasis and thrombosis.
Event-related potential P3 change in mild Parkinson's disease

The purpose was to determine if unmedicated, mildly affected patients with Parkinson's disease exhibited abnormality in the P3 component of the event-related potential, and whether such abnormality differed between younger and older patients. The study evaluated 10 younger (mean age = 43.7 years) and 10 older (mean age = 64.4 years) unmedicated patient volunteers diagnosed with idiopathic PD during the past 4 years and equal numbers of age-, gender-, and education-matched controls. The auditory oddball P3 was recorded, and P3 peak amplitude, peak latency, and the component score derived from principal components analysis were analysed. Neuropsychological measures focusing on frontal lobe and memory function were obtained. Although patients did not show neuropsychological deficits, they had significantly enlarged P3 amplitude measured at Cz (p < 0.01) or Pz (p < 0.01). The P3 amplitude abnormality among patients was not affected by age. Patient P3 latency was not prolonged. The results indicate that P3 amplitude may more sensitive than neuropsychological measures for detecting subtle brain dysfunction occurring early in PD. This measure has possible utility for detecting and tracking early disease. It is hypothesized that enlarged P3 amplitude reflects abnormality in use of at tentional resources to compensate for brain dysfunction.
Malingering detection with the dot counting test

The Dot Counting Test (DCT) offers a technique for malingering detection that is less transparent than the forced-choice testing that has received so much recent attention. The present study defined six dependent variables derived from DCT responses, and examined these variables in the context of differentiating simulators from non-simulators. Four groups of subjects were studied: normal controls, neuropsychological evaluation patients, naive (uncoached) malingering simulators, and sophisticated (coached) malingering simulators. Results demonstrate that the DCT provides several different scores that significantly differ between simulators and non-simulators. The DCT appears to hold promise as an additional tool to neuropsychologists in the detection of malingering.
A direct comparison of surface and bulk chain-relaxation in polystyrene

Near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy was used to measure simultaneously the relaxation rates of polystyrene (PS) molecules at the free surface and in the bulk. The samples were uniaxially stretched and annealed at temperatures below the bulk glass transition temperature of PS. The surface and bulk chain relaxation was monitored by measuring the partial-electron and the fluorescence NEXAFS yields, respectively, both parallel and perpendicular to the stretching direction. The decay of the optical birefringence was also measured to provide an independent measure of the bulk relaxation. Relaxation of PS chains was found to occur faster on the surface relative to the bulk. The magnitude of the surface glass transition temperature suppression over the bulk was estimated based on the information on the temperature dependence of the rates.
Comparison of wild-type BK virus DNA and BK virion DNA rescued from virus-transformed BHK cells

Abstract We have examined some biological and biochemical properties of the human papovavirus, BKV, and its DNA which was rescued from baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21) transformed by the wild-type BKV. A particular clone of transformed BHK-21 cells, BK-BHK-L29, was selected for study since BKV T antigen could not be detected in the nuclei of these cells by histochemical assays but did release infectious virus following fusion with permissive human embryonic kidney cells. Comparison of the genome from the rescued virus with a plaque-purified, prototype BKV DNA was done by restriction endonuclease cleavage analysis and molecular hybridization. In these tests, the rescued virus and the viral DNA were indistinguishable from the wild-type, parental virus and its DNA. Immunoprecipitation experiments performed with transformed BHK cells did not demonstrate a 94K or large T BKV protein when analyzed on SDS-polyacrylamide gels.
Use of Sulfur Dioxide in Winemaking

Ten juices of common wine cultivars were studied to determine if pretreatment of the juice with air, blanketing the juice with nitrogen or pretreatment with sulfur dioxide (SO2) was the most satisfactory method to make the better wine. Further treatment with SO2 was made later at intervals. The pretreatment with aeration lowered the final color in the wine compared to nitrogen blanketing. SO2 pretreatment gave the lowest colored juice for the white wines. All juices treated with SO2 later had much lower color. Wines without SO2 were generally less liked. Pretreatment of juice with SO2 helped preserve good color and sensory attributes of the wines but later treatments with SO2 were more essential in improving and maintaining quality. Oxidation was probably the most important control exercised by SO2 additions.
Transverse Flap Tracheostomy: A Technique for Temporary Tracheostomy of Intermediate Duration

Summary A technique is described which is particularly useful in obese or heavily muscled animals when a single lumen tracheostomy tube is used, or when mechanical ventilation through a cuffed tracheostomy tube is required. The technique assures easy access to a large tracheal stoma which facilitates cleaning and tube replacement.
Existence of global attractors for the three-dimensional Brinkman–Forchheimer equation

In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of solutions of the three-dimensional Brinkman–Forchheimer equation. We first prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the equation in L2, and then show that the equation has a global attractor in H2 when the external forcing term belongs to L2. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.