cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Topical Antimicrobial Zinc Pyrithione Is a Heat Shock Response Inducer That Causes DNA Damage and PARP-dependent Energy Crisis in Human Skin Cells

The differentiated epidermis of human skin serves as an essential barrier against environmental insults from physical, chemical, and biological sources. Zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) is an FDA-approved microbicidal agent used worldwide in clinical antiseptic products, over-the-counter topical antimicrobials, and cosmetic consumer products including antidandruff shampoos. Here we demonstrate for the first time that cultured primary human skin keratinocytes and melanocytes display an exquisite vulnerability to nanomolar concentrations of ZnPT resulting in pronounced induction of heat shock response gene expression and impaired genomic integrity. In keratinocytes treated with nanomolar concentrations of ZnPT, expression array analysis revealed massive upregulation of genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPA6, HSPA1A, HSPB5, HMOX1, HSPA1L, and DNAJA1) further confirmed by immunodetection. Moreover, ZnPT treatment induced rapid depletion of cellular ATP levels and formation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymers. Consistent with an involvement of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in ZnPT-induced energy crisis, ATP depletion could be antagonized by pharmacological inhibition of PARP. This result was independently confirmed using PARP-1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts that were resistant to ATP depletion and cytotoxicity resulting from ZnPT exposure. In keratinocytes and melanocytes, single-cell gel electrophoresis and flow cytometric detection of γ-H2A.X revealed rapid induction of DNA damage in response to ZnPT detectable before general loss of cell viability occurred through caspase-independent pathways. Combined with earlier experimental evidence that documents penetration of ZnPT through mammalian skin, our findings raise the possibility that this topical antimicrobial may target and compromise keratinocytes and melanocytes in intact human skin.
EXTRACTABILITY OF COCONUT PROTEINS

SUMMARY —Studies were made on nitrogen (protein) solubility of coconut meal in aqueous media over a range of pH's. The point of minimum solubility was found at pH 3.9 and nitrogen solubility increased toward the acidic and basic sides. Coconut proteins displayed a markedly different pH-nitrogen solubility profile in salt solutions, showing minimal solubility at acidic pH's (pH 3), a sharp rise of solubility and a maximum at neutrality. Coconut meal prepared from fresh coconuts with and without testa removed, from parings and from a sample of sun-dried copra showed comparable solubility characteristics. However, meal prepared from commercial desiccated coconut showed low solubility, even under acid and alkaline conditions (pH 2 and 10). The most efficient solvent-to-meal ratio was found at 20:1 (v:w) for a single extraction, and a two-step 15:1 process for multiple extractions. Extractions using salt solutions show that the efficiency of extraction is greatly dependent upon pH; concentrations 0.25M effect maximum extraction. Osborne classification studies of coconut meal indicate that 90% of the proteins would be classified as albumins and globulins.
The structure of the controllable set for multimodal systems

This paper deals with the structure of the controllable set of a multimodal system. We define a maximal component of the controllable set, and we investigate the controllable set as the union of its maximal components. We show that for each positive integer k, state dimension n ⩾ 3, and control dimension m ⩽ n − 1 there is a multimodal system whose controllable set S (L) is the union of exactly k maximal subspaces of Rn, and this system has k as bound on the number of iterations necessary to reach any state in S (L) from zero. We also show the above holds with k = ∞. We show that for each state dimension n and each control dimension m, there is a completely controllable multimodal system having bound 2n - 2m.
On the multiplication of poisson series

The advantages of a tree-like data structure for use in the multiplication of Poisson series by computer are espoused. Compared to list representations, computations with trees can be faster by a factor ofn/log(n), wheren is the number of trigonometric terms in a multiplicand.
Memory self-efficacy and memory performance among black and white elders.

BACKGROUND The ability to differentiate between normal functioning and pathologic changes in cognitive aging will be enhanced by descriptive studies providing data from diverse samples of older adults. METHODS In this study, demographics, depression, health, memory self-efficacy, and metamemory were studied in relation to the memory performance of Black and White American older adults. Community-living adults participated in face-to-face interviews in their apartments or homes. Trained registered nurse interviewers administered all structured questionnaires (subjective) and performance tests (objective), including the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical regression were used in the analyses. RESULTS The sample consisted of 89 Black and 83 White adults (mean age, 76.52 years), and their Mini-Mental State Examination scores were in the nonimpaired range. The memory self-efficacy scores of the entire sample were low (M = 31.95 +/- 18.20). The Black elders scored lower on memory self-efficacy and memory performance. Memory self-efficacy predicted memory performance in the White group (r [83] =.41; p < or =.05), but the correlation for the Black group was nonsignificant (r [89] =.16). However, when the entire sample was combined for the regression analyses, the relation was significant (r [173] =.30; p < or =.05). Age, education, and memory self-efficacy accounted for 13% of the variance in memory performance. CONCLUSIONS Objective and subjective memory scores were decreased, and both measures provided insight into the participants' everyday memory function. The sample had low confidence in their memory ability, and this negatively influenced their everyday memory performance. The recruitment of minority elders into cognitive aging studies will continue to challenge researchers.
Male Narcissism and Attitudes Toward Heterosexual Women and Men, Lesbian Women, and Gay Men: Hostility toward Heterosexual Women Most of All

The present study investigated links between heterosexual men’s narcissism and attitudes toward heterosexual and non-heterosexual women and men. Male narcissism was predicted to be associated with hostility toward heterosexual women more than toward other groups, indicating investment in patriarchal power more than in conservative gender ideology or nonspecific disdain toward all people. Hierarchical regression analyses of responses from 104 male undergraduates (95% Caucasian) from Ohio in the U.S. supported the hypothesis that men’s narcissism is related most robustly to hostility toward women, rather than to equivalent derogation of all groups. Moreover, men’s narcissism is not merely a maker of traditional gender ideology, but instead is associated with favorable attitudes toward lesbian women and is unrelated to attitudes toward gay men.
Towards prognostics for electronics components

Electronics components have an increasingly critical role in avionics systems and in the development of future aircraft systems. Prognostics of such components is becoming a very important research field as a result of the need to provide aircraft systems with system level health management information. This paper focuses on a prognostics application for electronics components within avionics systems, and in particular its application to an Isolated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). This application utilizes the remaining useful life prediction, accomplished by employing the particle filter framework, leveraging data from accelerated aging tests on IGBTs. These tests induced thermal-electrical overstresses by applying thermal cycling to the IGBT devices. In-situ state monitoring, including measurements of steady-state voltages and currents, electrical transients, and thermal transients are recorded and used as potential precursors of failure.
Monetary policy and the choice of a monetary instrument in a stochastic setting

Abstract Should the FED try to set some monetary aggregate, or should it try to create certain credit conditions by setting interest rates? This question has been examined extensively within models that are essentially non-stochastic or certainty equivalent; however, the question is not meaningful to the monetary authority unless one postulates a stochastic setting. This paper attempts to analyze the question within a stochastic setting. It illustrates the new dimensions added by incorporating risk adverse economic behavior, “rational” expectations, and randomized policy settings.
Nutrition in acute pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a common disorder. Numerous factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic pancreatitis, but the exact mechanisms of these conditions are still poorly understood. Depending on the cause of the disorder, patients who have pancreatitis are usually not malnourished and are able to eat within 5 to 7 days of disease onset. In these patients, nutritional support is unnecessary. However, severe disease induces a catabolic state similar to that seen in trauma and sepsis, resulting in rapid weight loss and increased morbidity and mortality. Thus, vigorous nutritional support may be useful in the treatment of severe pancreatitis. Studies have shown that parenteral and enteral nutritional support are well tolerated and can maintain or improve nutritional status in patients with pancreatitis. This article reviews nutritional assessment and therapy in pancreatitis.
Safety and efficacy of entecavir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Entecavir is a cyclopentyl deoxyguanosine analog that was approved for the treatment of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 2005. In Phase III trials, it showed potent HBV suppression with drops of 6- to 7-log copies/mL in HBV DNA at 1 year. In addition, rates of genotypic resistance in nucleos(t)ide-naive patients are low, reaching only 1.2% after 6 years. Safety and efficacy have been established in compensated cirrhosis and HIV-coinfected patients. Studies in decompensated cirrhosis also show efficacy. Because of potent viral suppression and a large genetic barrier to resistance, entecavir is now a first-line choice in most HBV treatment guidelines and has become an integral part of the HBV treatment armamentarium.
Recovering the release history of a groundwater contaminant using a non-linear least-squares method.

A non-linear least-squares (NLS) method is used without regularization to recover the release history of a groundwater contaminant plume from its current measured spatial distribution. The flow system is assumed to be one-dimensional, with the plume originating from a known single site. The solution is found to be very sensitive to noise and to the extent to which the plume is dissipated. Although the NLS method is extremely sensitive to measurement errors for the gradual release scenario, it can resolve the release histories for catastrophic release scenarios reasonably well, even in the presence of moderate measurement errors. A number of synthetic numerical examples are analysed. We find that for catastrophic contaminant releases the NLS method may be an alternative to the Tikhonov regularization approach.
AVM Management Equipoise Survey: physician opinions regarding the management of brain arteriovenous malformations.

Introduction Management of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is controversial, and conducting clinical trials in this area has been a challenge. We sought to determine which, if any, patient/AVM characteristics were most likely to influence clinicians’ decisions regarding management and clinical trial enrollment. Methods We performed an online survey (Survey Monkey) of members of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) (n=4836) and Society of NeuroInterventional Surgeons (SNIS) (n=512). Physicians were asked to rate the likelihood that various patient/AVM characteristics would influence their treatment decisions and recommendations for clinical trial enrollment. 10 hypothetical case vignettes were also provided, and respondents were asked to select a management recommendation. Results 277 (5.2%) responses were received. Characteristics that the majority (>50%) of respondents felt should lead to treatment included size 30%) felt that six of these same characteristics should lead to observation or should not influence treatment decisions. Characteristics that the majority (>50%) of respondents felt should lead to clinical trial enrollment included size > 6cm, deep or eloquent location, and age 51–70 years. The only characteristic that the majority felt should not lead to enrollment was the presence of an intranidal aneurysm. For the 10 vignettes, the majority of respondents (>50%) favored a specific course of management in only five cases. Conclusions Clinicians’ opinions on which patient/AVM characteristics are important for decisions regarding treatment or trial enrollment vary widely. These results suggest that there is no uniform opinion of clinical equipoise with regard to the management of brain AVMs.
Effects of mood and urgency on activation of general and specific alcohol expectancies

We tested the interaction of a mood manipulation with positive and negative urgency on activation of general and specific alcohol expectancies. In Study 1, high negative urgency was associated with increased positive-alcohol IAT scores following a negative mood induction, F(1, 93) = 5.71, p < .01. In Study 2, high positive and negative urgency were associated with faster ETASK reaction times for global positive and tension reduction expectancies. These associations did not differ across mood conditions or expectancy subtypes. Our results suggest that positive and negative urgency are associated with increased activation of general, positive alcohol cognitions, rather than mood-specific subtypes.
NATURE OF THE RETARDING INFLUENCE OF THE THYMUS UPON AMPHIBIAN METAMORPHOSIS

1. Though thymus-fed salamander larvae often metamorphose normally, thymus feeding sometimes retards and in rare cases inhibits metamorphosis completely. 2. The addition of normal food to a thymus diet abolishes the inhibitory effect of the thymus. 3. Addition of a small quantity of iodothyrin leads rapidly to precocious metamorphosis of thymus-fed larvae. 4. The inhibitory effect of the thymus is not due to a specific inhibiting substance in the thymus, but to the absence from the thymus of a substance required to develop the thyroid to the secretory state.
CF3Br and other suppressants: Differences in effects on flame structure

We report the results of modeling studies of premixed, atmospheric pressure, methane/air flames inhibited by the following agents: N2, CF4, Fe(CO)5, NaOH, CF3CHFCF3, CF3CH2F, and CF3Br. These agents comprise inert, catalytic, and hydrofluorocarbon suppressants. The effects on the flame structure and chemistry of CF3Br, which is often used as a benchmark for alternative fire suppressants, are compared to those of the other agents. These comparisons show that the behavior of CF3Br is atypical of fire suppressants which act by efficient catalytic scavenging of flame radicals. Chemical saturation effects, dependence of inhibition efficiency on flame temperature, and changes in flame structure all differ significantly between CF3Br and other catalytic substances, including iron and alkali metals. Various correlations proposed between burning velocity and global flame properties such as peak radical concentrations all break down for one or more of the suppressants studied. Comparison of flame structure results show that this effect results from non-uniform reduction of radical concentrations throughout the flame: both CF3Br and non-brominated fluorocarbons cause the greatest relative reduction of radicals early in the flame. The use of CF3Br as a performance benchmark for new fire suppressants is appropriate from an engineering standpoint. The atypical aspects of CF3Br's behavior compared to other chemical inhibitors, however, indicates that care is required in inferring general principles in structure and chemistry of suppressed flames.
Capacitation of rabbit spermatozoa delayed in vivo by double ligation of uterine horn

An in vivo experimental design is described for the study of capacitation that permits simultaneous testing of both sperm capacitation and viability in two series of recipient does. In this system, superimposed capacitation is prevented in one of the series by performing tubal insemination 13 hours after HCG injection. Using this system it is possible to demonstrate that: the timing of tubal insemination is critical for the study of capacitation; there is no difference in terms of time required for capacitation between spermatozoa from the distal cauda epididymidis and from the ejaculate; in vitro capacitation does not result from sperm incubation with endometrium strips; ten hours incubation of sperm suspension in vivo in a double ligated and distended uterine horn delays capacitation without altering sperm fertilizing ability.
Induced Competence and the Bystander Effect1

Previous research has shown that people are slower to offer help in an emergency when there are other bystanders present than when there are not. It was proposed that exposing subjects to information about treatment of medical emergencies (i.e., experimentally-induced competence) would decrease this effect. Female college students either did or did not watch a series of public-service films on medical emergencies under the pretext of evaluating the films' relative effectiveness. Three weeks later, subjects participated in an experiment in which an ostensible co-subject experienced a choking fit and then fell silent. Subjects who had not viewed the films were slower to respond if they believed themselves to be in 6-member groups than if they believed themselves to be in 2-member groups. In contrast, subjects who had viewed the films responded quickly regardless of perceived group size. High competent subjects also responded more quickly than low competent subjects in a condition where another co-subject gave evidence of being high in competence. Results from a 6-week follow-up group indicated, however, that the induced competence was not permanent. Discussion centers on the theoretical implications of the findings.
A generalization of the maximum power transfer theorem

The well-known maximum power transfer theorem is generalized to the case of an n + 1 terminal network containing sources inside.
Rotational correlation times for aqueous carbonate and squarate ions measured by 13C NMR

Abstract 13C NMR spin-lattice relaxation times were measured as a function of temperature and field strength for carbonate, CO32-, and squarate, C4O42−, ions in D2O. Rotational correlation times were calculated from the chemical-shift anisotropy relaxation rates. Results were used to show that carbonate and squarate rotate more slowly in aqueous solution than do most other molecules and ions of comparable size. The effect is related to the “structure-making” properties of ions that have especially strong interactions with water molecules.
Autoimmune cardiac-specific T cell responses in dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of congestive heart failure and commonly occurs in the setting of autoimmune cardio-inflammatory processes. Consistent with this notion myocardial damage and dilatory remodeling consistent with DCM occurs upon adoptive transfer of T cell subsets reactive to self-antigens abundantly expressed in cardiac tissue. In this review we discuss etiologic mechanisms by which cardio-destructive T cells are generated during T cell ontogeny, and we review accumulated work identifying myocardial-derived T cell epitopes. Additionally, we describe several possible mechanisms whereby autoimmune T cell responses are sustained during chronic DCM. Epitope spreading, intra-cardiac persistence of pathogen-derived proteinaceous determinants, and generation of long-lived memory T cells are discussed as putative processes operative in the chronic maintenance of DCM.
Synthesis and secretion of a precursor hemolymph juvenile hormone-binding protein in the adult female cockroach Leucophaea maderae

Abstract Hemolymph juvenile hormone-binding protein (JHBP) is synthesized and secreted from fat body in the adult female cockroach, Leucophaea maderae . The data in this paper suggest it is initially secreted from the fat body as a larger peptide whereas data in the accompanying paper demonstrate that JHBP is apolipophorin I. Using media from cultures of fat body maintained in vitro , a JH-binding component was found that is JH III saturable, has a K D of 1.5 × 10 −8 M, binds JH III > JH II > JH I, and has a sedimentation value of 6.5S on high salt sucrose gradients. Each of these properties is identical to those of the JHBP extracted from the hemolymph. To identify the protein that bound JH, media proteins were photoaffinity labeled with 10-[10,11- 3 H]epoxyfarnesyl diazoacetate ([ 3 H]EFDA). The results revealed that two media proteins bound [ 3 H]EFDA in the absence of JH III, but not in the presence of 100-fold excess JH III. The molecular weights of the two media peptides were estimated by SDS-PAGE to be 275,000 and 220,000. To determine if the JHBP found in media of fat body cultures was due to hemolymph contamination of fat body, incorporation of [ 3 H]leucine into newly synthesized and secreted fat body proteins during a 48 h culture period was monitored. During the culture period, linear increases in the concentrations of radiolabeled 275 and 220 kD JHBP were observed. Monoclonal antibodies specific for the 220 kD hemolymph JHBP were found to recognize both the 275 and 220 kD JHBPs in the media. To investigate the possibility that the 275 kD protein is a precursor to the 220 kD protein and that components of the hemolymph process or modify the precursor, hemolymph was introduced into fat body cultures and relative concentrations of the 275 and 220 kD media JHBPs were determined. Addition of hemolymph to these organ cultures resulted in an increase in the concentration of radiolabeled 220 kD JHBP and a proportional decrease in the concentration of radiolabeled 275 kD JHBP, suggesting that the 275 kD protein is a precursor to the 220 kD hemolymph JHBP. The mechanism of processing or modification remains undetermined.
Computer-guided ultrasound probe realignment by optical tracking

In longitudinal studies and localized therapies, tissue changes are commonly tracked by repeated ultrasound scans at a fixed location marked on the patient body. However, the accuracy of this probe realignment approach is sometimes inadequate, especially when maintaining the insonification angle is essential. This paper describes a system that provides real-time visual guidance for accurate realignment of the ultrasound probe in six degrees of freedom (6 DoF). This system uses a small camera rigidly mounted on the probe to track artificial skin features, from which the current probe pose relative to the target pose is estimated. A virtual pyramid is created in the skin map and shown in the camera frame to intuitively indicate the probe movement required to achieve the target pose. Performance of this system was examined in vivo, and it was shown that this system significantly improves alignment of tissue structures in repeated ultrasound scans.
CA3-02: Tools for Quality Multi-site Work with Less Funding

Background/AimsSince all of the VDW data has been checked, the data must be consistent and perfect. Unfortunately, this isn?t always true. This presentation is designed to introduce project teams and QA work groups to some of the available tools that can be used to efficiently create useful reports to improve and ensure quality.MethodsThis presentation will discuss some of the tips and tools that are readily available that help project teams and VDW work groups including the following:ResultsThere are many efficient and available tools that improve quality. This presentation gave an update on recent tools the CESR DCC has been working on. Other tools have also been developed by other groups within the HMORN to facilitate HMORN work.DiscussionIn a tightening funding environment we are all going to need to work more efficiently. These tools give us the opportunity to work better, faster and cheaper.
Role of phagocytosis in the uptake of lipid by a phagocytic cell.

IT is well known that free fatty acids are readily taken up by most types of cell; much controversy exists, however, concerning uptake of complex lipids. It has been recently suggested that triglycerides may enter liver and adipose tissue1–3 by a phagocytosis-like process. The existence of such a mechanism of incorporation of lipid was investigated using suspensions of polymorphonuclear leucocytes capable of phagocytosis in vitro.
The Effects of Dressing Room Lighting on Consumers' Perceptions of Self and Environment

A positive experience in a retail store dressing room is a key part of the purchase decision process. Poor atmospherics can negatively affect the shopping experience and result in lost sales. Even though the importance of dressing room lighting has been acknowledged, no empirical studies have been done in this area. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dressing room lighting direction on states of arousal and pleasure, and on shopper self-evaluation and dressing room assessment. In this field study conducted at a local area boutique, 60 female participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years were randomly assigned to one of two dressing rooms; overhead and frontal lighting. The participants were asked to shop for a few different outfits, try them on, and complete the questionnaires in the dressing room. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, revealing statistical significances for dimensions of self-evaluation (p = 0.003) and dressing room evaluation (p = 0.002). The quantitative results indicate that dressing room lighting direction has a specifically strong effect on facial shadowing and perceived roominess, for which frontal lighting is superior. Qualitatively, the results indicate that though some prefer overhead lighting, frontal lighting is generally preferred for self- and dressing room evaluations. Designers may consider using frontal lighting instead of overhead lighting unless they can use both to achieve the most universally acceptable shopper experience.
Hyponitrite Radical, a Stable Adduct of Nitric Oxide and Nitroxyl

All major properties of the aqueous hyponitrite radicals (ONNO- and ONNOH), the adducts of nitric oxide (NO) and nitroxyl (3NO- and 1HNO), are revised. In this work, the radicals are produced by oxidation of various hyponitrite species in the 2−14 pH range with the OH, N3, or SO4- radicals. The estimated rate constants with OH are 4 × 107, 4.2 × 109, and 8.8 × 109 M-1 s-1 for oxidations of HONNOH, HONNO-, and ONNO2-, respectively. The rate constants for N3 + ONNO2- and SO4- + HONNO- are 1.1 × 109 and 6.4 × 108 M-1 s-1, respectively. The ONNO- radical exhibits a strong characteristic absorption spectrum with maxima at 280 and 420 nm (e280 = 7.6 × 103 and e420 = 1.2 × 103 M-1 cm-1). This spectrum differs drastically from those reported, suggesting the radical misassignment in prior work. The ONNOH radical is weakly acidic; its pKa of 5.5 is obtained from the spectral changes with pH. Both ONNO- and ONNOH are shown to be over 3 orders of magnitude more stable with respect to elimination of NO than it has bee...
Physician variability in history taking when evaluating patients presenting with chest pain in the emergency department.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine how physicians in the emergency department ask questions of patients presenting with chest pain and whether this varies by patient demographics. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with convenience sampling. A survey was administered to adult emergency department patients presenting with chest pain after emergency physicians obtained the history and performed the physical examination. No identifying data were collected from the patients. In addition to demographics, patients were asked whether or not their physician asked them about factors related to coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction etiology. Results: A total of 308 of 332 patients (93%) participated. Patients had a mean age of 52 years, 54% were male, and 85% spoke English; classification by race was 31% African American, 28% white, 19% Hispanic, and 13% other. History taking did not differ by gender. Patients who reported being asked about the following were statistically significantly younger than those who reported not being asked: family history, other medical problems, smoking, cocaine use, and alcohol use. Nonwhite patients reported being asked about the following more frequently than white patients: smoking (94% vs. 84%), alcohol use (81% vs. 70%), and cocaine use (64% vs. 42%). In multivariate logistic regression controlling for age, nonwhite patients were more likely than white patients to be asked about smoking (odds ratio [OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26 to 6.19), cocaine use (OR, 2.49; 95% CI = 1.50 to 4.12), and alcohol use (OR, 1.77; 95% CI = 1.0 to 3.09). Conclusions: The variability in questions about behavioral factors associated with chest pain etiology as reported by patients may indicate a possible cultural bias by physicians. Differences in risk identification may lead to differences in treatment decisions.
Adult‐type pulmonary function tests in infants without respiratory disease

A new method that permits the measurement of adult-type maximal expiratory flow-volume curves and fractional lung volumes in sedated infants was recently described. The purpose of this study was to define the normal range for these new measures of pulmonary function in infants and young children. Measurements of forced expiratory flows and fractional lung volume were made on 35 occasions in 22 children (ages 3-120 weeks) without respiratory disease. Maximal expiratory flow-volume curves were measured by the raised lung volume, thoracoabdominal compression technique. Functional residual capacity (FRC) was measured plethysmographically. Measurements of total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), FRC, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flows at 25, 50, 75, 85, and between 25% and 75% of expired FVC (FEF(25), FEF(50), FEF(75), FEF(85), and FEF(25-75), respectively) all increased in relation to infant length (P<0.001). RV/TLC, FRC/TLC, and FEF(25-75)/FVC declined in relation to increasing length (P<0.001). The forced expiratory flow and fractional lung volume measurements using this method were similar to previously reported estimates using other methods. These estimates represent a reasonable reference standard for infants and young children with respiratory problems.
Ultrasonic control of ceramic membrane fouling by particles: effect of ultrasonic factors.

Ultrasound at 20 kHz was applied to a cross-flow ultrafiltration system with γ-alumina membranes in the presence of colloidal silica particles to systematically investigate how ultrasonic factors affect membrane cleaning. Based on imaging of the ultrasonic cavitation region, optimal cleaning occurred when the membrane was outside but close to the cavitation region. Increasing the filtration pressure increased the compressive forces driving cavitation collapse and resulted in fewer cavitation bubbles absorbing and scattering sound waves and increasing sound wave penetration. However, an increased filtration pressure also resulted in greater permeation drag, and subsequently less improvement in permeate flux compared to low filtration pressure. Finally, pulsed ultrasound with short pulse intervals resulted in permeate flux improvement close to that of continuous sonication.
Szegő-Lobatto quadrature rules

Gauss-type quadrature rules with one or two prescribed nodes are well known and are commonly referred to as Gauss-Radau and Gauss-Lobatto quadrature rules, respectively. Efficient algorithms are available for their computation. Szego quadrature rules are analogs of Gauss quadrature rules for the integration of periodic functions; they integrate exactly trigonometric polynomials of as high degree as possible. Szego quadrature rules have a free parameter, which can be used to prescribe one node. This paper discusses an analog of Gauss-Lobatto rules, i.e., Szego quadrature rules with two prescribed nodes. We refer to these rules as Szego-Lobatto rules. Their properties as well as numerical methods for their computation are discussed.
Extraction of organic contaminants from marine sediments and tissues using microwave energy.

In this study, we compared microwave solvent extraction (MSE) to conventional methods for extracting organic contaminants from marine sediments and tissues with high and varying moisture content. The organic contaminants measured were polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, chlorinated pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Initial experiments were conducted on dry standard reference materials (SRMs) and field collected marine sediments. Moisture content in samples greatly influenced the recovery of the analytes of interest. When wet sediments were included in a sample batch, low recoveries were often encountered in other samples in the batch, including the dry SRM. Experiments were conducted to test the effect of standardizing the moisture content in all samples in a batch prior to extraction. SRM1941a (marine sediment), SRM1974a (mussel tissue), as well as QA96SED6 (marine sediment), and QA96TIS7 (marine tissue), both from 1996 NIST Intercalibration Exercise were extracted using microwave and conventional methods. Moisture levels were adjusted in SRMs to match those of marine sediment and tissue samples before microwave extraction. The results demonstrated that it is crucial to standardize the moisture content in all samples, including dry reference material to ensure good recovery of organic contaminants. MSE yielded equivalent or superior recoveries compared to conventional methods for the majority of the compounds evaluated. The advantages of MSE over conventional methods are reduced solvent usage, higher sample throughput and the elimination of halogenated solvent usage.
The Utility of PET Brain Imaging in the Initial Evaluation of Dementia

Given the challenges and benefits of timely and accurate diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders and the importance of appropriate subsequent treatments, physicians and patients alike desire tools that aid in diagnosing dementia as early and as precisely as possible. One of these tools may be functional brain imaging, specifically positron emission tomography (PET). Recent technological advancements, ongoing research studies, and approval for reimbursement by various insurance companies and Medicare, under certain circumstances, have led to an increased interest in the use of this tool in the evaluation of dementia. This article will review PET brain imaging in the initial assessment and diagnosis of dementia, including its place in current guidelines and role in diagnostic algorithms, its applicability in differentiating among various dementia syndromes and major psychiatric disorders, and some of the controversies surrounding its utility in general clinical practice.
Psychopathy and Negative Emotionality: Analyses of Suppressor Effects Reveal Distinct Relations With Emotional Distress, Fearfulness, and Anger–Hostility

Explicating the relationship between psychopathy and negative emotionality (NEM; the tendency to experience unpleasant emotional states such as fear, anger, and nervous tension) has been one of the most challenging and conceptually important issues in psychopathy research. Although low anxiety and fearlessness have featured prominently in many clinical descriptions and theories of psychopathy (Cleckley, 1941; Fowles, 1980; Karpman, 1948; Lykken, 1995; Patrick, in press), empirical investigations often yield weak, inconsistent, or complex effects, creating confusion regarding the etiological significance of low NEM in psychopathy (cf. Hare, 2003). We contend that these difficulties are due to (a) the multifaceted nature of both the NEM and psychopathy constructs, such that different facets of NEM have differential associations with the facets of psychopathy, and (b) the presence of suppressor effects between the factor scores of the Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL–R; Hare, 1991, 2003) in relation to NEM criterion measures. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between facets of psychopathy as operationalized by PCL–R factor scores and several facets of NEM. In particular, we provide a systematic examination of the suppressor effects present between the PCL–R factor scores in the prediction of NEM outcomes. We demonstrate that suppression provides the analytic and conceptual framework needed to reconcile the centrality of NEM in clinical descriptions of psychopathy with empirical investigations that use the PCL–R. Specifically, we demonstrate that PCL–R Factor 1 (F1) and Factor 2 (F2) exhibit mutually repulsive effects in the prediction of facets of NEM, wherein F1 is negatively associated with emotional distress (a similar but broader construct than trait anxiety) and fearfulness and is unrelated to anger–hostility, whereas F2 is positively associated with all facets of NEM.
A Rubidium-Strontium study of the Twilight Gneiss, West Needle Mountains, Colorado

The Precambrian trondhjemitic Twilight Gneiss (Twilight Granite of Cross and Howe, 1905b) of the West Needle Mountains, southwestern Colorado, and its interlayered amphibolite and metarhyodacite yield a Rb-Sr isochron of 1,805±35 m.y. A low initial Sr87/Sr86 ratio of 0.7015 implies that metamorphism of these rocks to amphibolite facies took place soon after their emplacement. The mild metamorphism of Uncompahgran age, prior to 1,460 m.y. ago, and Laramide volcanism did not affect the Rb-Sr system in the Twilight. Rb contents of 26.5 to 108 ppm, Sr contents of 114 to 251 ppm, and K2O percentages of 1.23 to 3.64 in the Twilight Gneiss, in conjunction with high K/Rb ratios and the low initial ratio of Sr87/Sr86, lend support to geologic data that suggest the Twilight originated as volcanic or hypabyssal igneous rocks in a basaltic volcanic pile.
Vitamin E: molecular and biological function

There is a growing body of evidence implicating free radicals in a wide variety of medical diseases and conditions, especially the diseases of ageing, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, which appear to be ultimate expressions of long-term, cumulative and sustained cellular damage. Vitamin E is an excellent lipid-soluble, chain-breaking antioxidant in the presence of other co-operative antioxidants such as vitamin C or ubiquinol, but it can act as a pro-oxidant in their absence. Epidemiological findings and animal studies support the belief that vitamin E is protective against cardiovascular disease and possibly cancer. The wide range of symptoms associated with vitamin E deficiency is consistent with a loss of antioxidant protection in those long-lived cells in which there is sufficient opportunity for accumulation of free radical damage. The cellular damage is proposed to arise from the generation of free radicals during normal aerobic metabolism. Some susceptible tissues may have enhanced levels of radicals that are produced, for example, by the action of cytochrome P-450 enzymes in steroidogenic tissues, or by the generation of NO in neural tissues.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential of Amyloid-Reactive IgG Antibodies Contained in Human Sera

Passive immunotherapy using fibril-reactive mAbs has been shown experimentally to reduce amyloid formation and also accelerate amyloidolysis. We now report that human sera, as well as various sources of pooled human IgG, including pharmacologic formulations of immune globulin i.v. (IGIV), contain Abs that specifically recognize fibrils formed from light chains and other amyloidogenic precursor proteins, including serum amyloid A, transthyretin, islet amyloid polypeptide, and amyloid beta 1-40 peptide, but notably, do not react with these molecules in their native nonfibrillar forms. After isolation of the Abs from IGIV via fibril-conjugated affinity column chromatography, the EC50-binding value for light chains and amyloid beta 1-40 peptide fibrils was approximately 15 nM-a magnitude approximately 200 and 70 times less than that of the unbound fraction and unfractionated product, respectively. Comparable reactivity was found in the case of those formed from serum amyloid A, transthyretin, and islet amyloid polypeptide. The purified Abs immunostained human amyloid tissue deposits and could inhibit fibrillogenesis, as shown in fibril formation and extension assays. Most importantly, in vivo reactivity was evidenced in a murine model when the enriched Abs were used to image amyloid, as well as expedite its removal. These promising experimental results suggest that fibril affinity-purified IGIV has potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent for patients with amyloid-associated disease.
Location discovery in enterprise-based wireless networks: Case studies and applications

We have designed and implemented a Web service for location discovery (LODS) and a location-based printing service that usesLODS on a network with wirelessLAN connectivity based onIEEE 802.11 that is typical to campuses and enterprises. The need for location management and location-based services is linked to the mobility of the users. While location discovery is already implemented in cellular telecommunication networks since the system needs to know where are the users to connect them to incoming calls, the need for such a service was not so crucial in data network where in general the mobile user is the client and initiates the connections. We propose several solutions to implement our location discovery service depending on the underlying networking architecture and compare these solutions in terms of several criteria.LODS allows mobile users to find their approximate location within the campus or the enterprise and allows location-based applications to find out the location of a user to suggest the nearest points of interest, e.g., printers, elevators, and vending machines. We also present the case of our location-based remote printing service that was deployed in Purdue wireless network.
Liver Regeneration and Aging: A Current Perspective

Many organ systems exhibit significant age-related deficits, but, based on studies in old rodents and elderly humans, the liver appears to be relatively protected from such changes. A remarkable feature of the liver is its capacity to regenerate its mass following partial hepatectomy. Reports suggests that aging compromises the liver's regenerative capacity, both in the rate and to the extent the organ's original volume is restored. There has been modest definitive information as to which cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating hepatic regeneration are affected by aging. Changes in hepatic sensitivity to growth factors, for example, epidermal growth factor (EGF), appear to influence regeneration in old animals. Studies have demonstrated (a) a 60% decline in EGF binding to hepatocyte plasma membranes, (b) reduced expression of the hepatic high affinity EGF receptor and (c) a block between G1 and S-phases of the cell cycle in old rats following EGF stimulation. Recent studies suggest that reduced phosphorylation and dimerization of the EGF receptor, critical steps in the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway and subsequent cell proliferation are responsible. Other studies have demonstrated that aging affects the upregulation of a Forkhead Box transcription factor, FoxM1B, which is essential for growth hormone-stimulated liver regeneration in hepatectomized mice. Aging appears to compromise liver regeneration by influencing several pathways, the result of which is a reduction in the rate of regeneration, but not in the capacity to restore the organ to its original volume.
Exploiting dead value information

We describe Dead Value Information (DVI) and introduce three new optimizations which exploit it. DVI provides assertions that certain register values are dead, meaning they will not be read before being overwritten. The processor can use DVI to track dead registers and dynamically eliminate unnecessary save and restore instructions from the execution stream at procedure calls and context switches. Our results indicate that dynamic saves and restore instances can be reduced by 46% for procedure calls and by 51% for context switches. In addition, save/restore elimination for procedure calls can improve overall performance by up to 5%. DVI also allows the processor manage physical registers to efficiently, reducing the size requirements of the physical register file. When the system clock rate is proportional to the register file cycle time, this optimization can improve performance. All of these optimizations can be supported with only a few new instructions and minimal additional hardware structures.
Morphologic characteristics help explain the gender difference in peak anterior cruciate ligament strain during a simulated pivot landing.

Background: Gender differences exist in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) cross-sectional area and lateral tibial slope. Biomechanical principles suggest that the direction of these gender differences should induce larger peak ACL strains in females under dynamic loading.Hypothesis: Peak ACL relative strain during a simulated pivot landing is significantly greater in female ACLs than male ACLs.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Twenty cadaveric knees from height- and weight-matched male and female cadavers were subjected to impulsive 3-dimensional test loads of 2 times body weight in compression, flexion, and internal tibial torque starting at 15° of flexion. Load cells measured the 3-dimensional forces and moments applied to the knee, and forces in the pretensioned quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius muscle equivalents. A novel, gender-specific, nonlinear spring simulated short-range and longer range quadriceps muscle tensile stiffness. Peak relative strain in the anteromedial bundle ...
Oral moxifloxacin for outpatient treatment of low-risk, febrile neutropenic patients.

Objectives Low-risk febrile neutropenic patients can be treated without hospitalization with oral antibiotic regimens. Combination regimens are recommended. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of quinolone monotherapy (moxifloxacin) in this setting.
Factors Influencing Nursing Home Placement Decisions: The Older Adult's Perspective

The study used a qualitative design to describe the decision making involved when an older adult relocated to a nursing home. Tape recorded semistructured interviews were conducted with 18 nursing home residents. Findings indicate that the decision to relocate the older adults to the nursing home was commonly made by their physician in response to acute and chronic health problems. Subjects described their residential preferences, discussed problems encountered after nursing home placement, and gave advice to other older adults contemplating relocation to a nursing home. Nursing interventions could be directed toward community residential alternatives and advocacy to ensure the older adult's involvement in the decision making as much as is possible.