cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural effect on degradability and in vivo contrast enhancement of polydisulfide Gd(III) complexes as biodegradable macromolecular MRI contrast agents

Abstract The structural effect of biodegradable macromolecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, polydisulfide gadolinium (Gd)(III) chelates, on their in vitro degradability, and cardiovascular and tumor imaging were evaluated in mice. Polydisulfide Gd(III) chelates, Gd-DTPA cystamine copolymers (GDCC), Gd-DTPA l -cystine copolymers (GDCP), Gd-DTPA d -cystine copolymers (dGDCP) and Gd-DTPA glutathione (oxidized) copolymers (GDGP), with different sizes and narrow molecular weight distribution were prepared and evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in mice bearing MDA-MB-231 tumor xenografts. GDGP with large steric hindrance around the disulfide bonds had greater T 1 and T 2 relaxivities than GDCC, GDCP and dGDCP. The degradability of the polydisulfide by the endogenous thiols decreased with increasing steric effects around the disulfide bonds in the order of GDCC>GDCP, dGDCP>GDGP. The size and degradability of the contrast agents had a significant impact on vascular contrast enhancement kinetics. The agents with a large size and low degradability resulted in more prolonged vascular enhancement than the agents with a small size and high degradability. It seems that the size and degradability of the agents did not significantly affect tumor enhancement. All agents resulted in significant contrast enhancement in tumor tissue. This study has demonstrated that the vascular enhancement kinetics of the polydisulfide MRI contrast agents can be controlled by their sizes and structures. The polydisulfide Gd(III) chelates are promising biodegradable macromolecular MRI contrast agents for magnetic resonance angiography and cancer imaging.
Polarization-contrast sensing in complex environment for through-the- wall microwave imaging applications

Adaptive polarization-contrast techniques were applied to a model of human arm motion inside the room. Simulated results show the possible utility of the method for the case where reflections from multiple walls are present. Polarization-contrast sensing in the frequency domain may help us estimate the relative position of the arm with respect to the torso. This is achieved by analysis of optimal angles in the principal component analysis. Other results for targets in more complicated multipath environments will be given in the presentation.
Alternative Splicing of the Ca2+ Channel β4 Subunit Confers Specificity for Gabapentin Inhibition of Cav2.1 Trafficking

Gabapentin is well established as an effective treatment for neuropathic pain; however, little is known about its mechanism of action. It binds with high affinity to Ca2+ channel alpha2delta subunits that are expressed in dorsal root ganglia. Mutation of a single alpha2delta amino acid, R217A, eliminates both gabapentin binding and analgesic efficacy. Gabapentin does not seem to have direct Ca2+ channel blocking properties but does affect overall levels of Ca2+channel surface expression in some circumstances. In this report, we examined gabapentin effects on trafficking and voltage-dependent gating properties of recombinant Ca(v)2.1 Ca2+ channel complexes transiently expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. We also determined electrophysiologically whether gabapentin causes displacement of beta subunits from Ca(v)2.1 complexes. Our principal findings are as follows: 1) gabapentin inhibits trafficking of recombinant Ca(v)2.1 Ca2+ channels in X. laevis oocytes; 2) gabapentin inhibition occurs in the presence of the Ca2+ channel beta4a subunit but not in the presence of beta4b; 3) gabapentin does not affect Ca(v)2.1 voltage-dependent gating parameters; 4) inhibition of Ca(v)2.1 trafficking is highly dependent on beta-subunit concentration; and 5) gabapentin inhibition of Ca(v)2.1 trafficking can be reversed by the alpha2delta R217A mutation. Overall, our results suggest that gabapentin reduces the number of beta4a-bound Ca(v)2.1 complexes that are successfully trafficked to the plasma membrane. This mechanism may help to explain why gabapentin is both effective and selective in the treatment of neuropathic pain states that involve up-regulation of alpha2delta subunits.
Basics Of Design And Construction Of A Human Powered Submarine

This paper describes the systematic approach used by the author on the design and construction of the human powered submarine "Sea Panther". The order in which varilous items were examined was based on the author's knowledge, research and experience. As no two painters will pick the same colors, brushes or strokes to create their masterpiece, no two HPV builders will follow the same exact course. As such, each HPV designer may find his or her own preferred procedure. Utilizing a design spiral as an outline, the basic components and features of the ##Sea Pantherll, as well as, some test results and construction techniques are presented. Ship design basics, test results and suggestions of previouls HPV designers are examined, followed by the design decisions made for the "Sea Panther1! and the rational for those decisions.
Invasion of the Central Nervous System by Cryptococcus neoformans Requires a Secreted Fungal Metalloprotease

ABSTRACT Cryptococcus spp. cause life-threatening fungal infection of the central nervous system (CNS), predominantly in patients with a compromised immune system. Why Cryptococcus neoformans has this remarkable tropism for the CNS is not clear. Recent research on cerebral pathogenesis of C. neoformans revealed a predominantly transcellular migration of cryptococci across the brain endothelium; however, the identities of key fungal virulence factors that function specifically to invade the CNS remain unresolved. Here we found that a novel, secreted metalloprotease (Mpr1) that we identified in the extracellular proteome of C. neoformans (CnMpr1) is required for establishing fungal disease in the CNS. Mpr1 belongs to a poorly characterized M36 class of fungalysins that are expressed in only some fungal species. A strain of C. neoformans lacking the gene encoding Mpr1 ( mpr1Δ ) failed to breach the endothelium in an in vitro model of the human blood-brain barrier (BBB). A mammalian host infected with the mpr1Δ null strain demonstrated significant improvement in survival due to a reduced brain fungal burden and lacked the brain pathology commonly associated with cryptococcal disease. The in vivo studies further indicate that Mpr1 is not required for fungal dissemination and Mpr1 likely targets the brain endothelium specifically. Remarkably, the sole expression of Cn MPR1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in a robust migration of yeast cells across the brain endothelium, demonstrating Mpr1’s specific activity in breaching the BBB and suggesting that Mpr1 may function independently of the hyaluronic acid-CD44 pathway. This distinct role for Mpr1 may develop into innovative treatment options and facilitate a brain-specific drug delivery platform. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcus neoformans is a medically relevant fungal pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. An intriguing feature is its strong neurotropism, and consequently the hallmark of cryptococcal disease is a brain infection, cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. For C. neoformans to penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), it first breaches the blood-brain barrier via a transcellular pathway; however, the identities of fungal factors required for this transmigration remain largely unknown. In an effort to identify extracellular fungal proteins that could mediate interactions with the brain endothelium, we undertook a proteomic analysis of the extracellular proteome and identified a secreted metalloprotease (Mpr1) belonging to the M36 class of fungalysins. Here we found that Mpr1 promotes migration of C. neoformans across the brain endothelium and into the CNS by facilitating attachment of cryptococci to the endothelium surface, thus underscoring the critical role of M36 proteases in fungal pathogenesis.
Moral Issues in Human Genetics: Counseling or Control?

… [T]he question “valuable to what end?” is one of extraordinary complexity. For example, something obviously valuable in terms of the longest possible survival of a race (or of its best adaptation to a given climate, or of the preservation of its greatest numbers) would by no means have the same value if it were a question of developing a more powerful type. The welfare of the many and the welfare of the few are radically opposite ends.There is no question that genetic engineering in many forms… will come about. It is a general rule that whatever is scientifically feasible will be attempted. The application of these technics must, however, be examined from the point of view of ethics, individual freedom and coercion. Both the scientists directly involved and, perhaps more important, the political and social leaders of our civilization must exercise utmost caution in order to prevent genetic, evolutionary and social tragedies.
Heart Rate and Subsequent Blood Pressure in Young Adults: The CARDIA Study

The objective of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that baseline heart rate (HR) predicts subsequent blood pressure (BP) independently of baseline BP. In the multicenter longitudinal Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study of black and white men and women initially aged 18 to 30 years, we studied 4762 participants who were not current users of antihypertensive drugs and had no history of heart problems at the baseline examination (1985-1986). In each race-sex subgroup, we estimated the effect of baseline HR on BP 2, 5, 7, and 10 years later by use of repeated measures regression analysis, adjusting for baseline BP, age, education, body fatness, physical fitness, fasting insulin, parental hypertension, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, and change of body mass index from baseline. The association between baseline HR and subsequent systolic BP (SBP) was explained by multivariable adjustment. However, HR was an independent predictor of subsequent diastolic BP (DBP) regardless of initial BP and other confounders in white men, white women, and black men (0.7 mm Hg increase per 10 bpm). We incorporated the part of the association that was already present at baseline by not adjusting for baseline DBP: the mean increase in subsequent DBP was 1.3 mm Hg per 10 bpm in white men, white women, and black men. A high HR may be considered a risk factor for subsequent high DBP in young persons.
Real-time inversions for finite fault slip models and rupture geometry based on high-rate GPS data

We present an inversion strategy capable of using real-time high-rate GPS data to simultaneously solve for a distributed slip model and fault geometry in real time as a rupture unfolds. We employ Bayesian inference to find the optimal fault geometry and the distribution of possible slip models for that geometry using a simple analytical solution. By adopting an analytical Bayesian approach, we can solve this complex inversion problem (including calculating the uncertainties on our results) in real time. Furthermore, since the joint inversion for distributed slip and fault geometry can be computed in real time, the time required to obtain a source model of the earthquake does not depend on the computational cost. Instead, the time required is controlled by the duration of the rupture and the time required for information to propagate from the source to the receivers. We apply our modeling approach, called Bayesian Evidence-based Fault Orientation and Real-time Earthquake Slip, to the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake, 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake, and a simulated Hayward fault earthquake. In all three cases, the inversion recovers the magnitude, spatial distribution of slip, and fault geometry in real time. Since our inversion relies on static offsets estimated from real-time high-rate GPS data, we also present performance tests of various approaches to estimating quasi-static offsets in real time. We find that the raw high-rate time series are the best data to use for determining the moment magnitude of the event, but slightly smoothing the raw time series helps stabilize the inversion for fault geometry.
Microlight-emitting diode with integrated Fresnel zone plate for contact lens embedded display

This article [J. Micro/Nanolith. MEMS MOEMS. 11, (3 ), 033010 (2012)] was originally published online on 21 September 2012 with an error on page 6 in the Discussion section.
A role for DNA methylation in vertebrate gene expression

Methyl-5-cytosine (m5C) represents 0.75–2.4 mol% of all vertebrate DNA bases and is localized within transcriptionally inactive DNA (1, 2). This review addresses the distribution and formation of m5C in vertebrate DNA in regard to its functional role in the control of gene expression. Early studies established that transcriptionally inactive mouse satellite DNA contains two to four times more m5C than bulk DNA and is enriched in methylated CpT, TpC, and CpC dinucleotides. The distribution of m5C within gene coding sequences different than the generalized, heavy methylation of satellite DNA. Methyl-5-cytosine is concentrated in the CpG dinucleotides of transcriptionally inactive genes. Transcriptionally active genes are depleted in m5C and are associated with methylation-free CpG islands, DNA sequences 500–2000 base pairs in length with an overall G - C content of 50–70% and a near random frequency of CpG dinucleotides. CpG islands are now known to occur in housekeeping genes that are expressed in all cell...
Spatial Access to Faith-based Diabetes Intervention for Guyanese Adults in Schenectady, New York

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine whether travel distance would pose a barrier to participation in proposed diabetes intervention programs for Guyanese immigrants at faith-based organizations (FBOs). This study also suggests the most collectively accessible set of FBOs that could serve as intervention sites.MethodsData were extracted from a cross-sectional health interview survey conducted in Schenectady, New York, in 2011. The shortest driving distances from homes to FBOs and to the city’s only diabetes education center (DEC) were analyzed among Guyanese and non-Guyanese adults with diabetes and prediabetes (n = 238), using spatial algorithms and Geographic Information System resources.ResultsThe Guyanese were more likely to belong to a FBO than the non-Guyanese (77.8% vs 61.2%). The mean driving distance to FBO was 1.19 miles (95% CI, 0.98-1.39) for the Guyanese, which was significantly shorter than that for the non-Guyanese (2.87 miles, 95% CI, 1.93-3.82). The Guyanese had uniformly shorte...
Robust airborne navigation algorithms for SRGPS

Shipboard-relative GPS (SRGPS) is an architectural variant of the joint precision approach and landing system (JPALS) that provides high accuracy and high integrity DGPS navigation for automatic shipboard landings. This research is focused on the design of robust airborne algorithms for SRGPS terminal navigation. In this context, a processing methodology is defined to optimally combine the complementary benefits of geometry-free filtering and geometric redundancy. Specifically, when the aircraft is far from the ship (inside or outside the SRGPS service volume), geometry-free filtering is used for cycle estimation of widelane integers. For dual frequency implementations, the advantage of code/carrier divergence-free filtering prior to SRGPS service volume entry can be especially significant because long filter durations can be used. In this paper, the robust navigation architecture is detailed and its performance is evaluated relative to the navigation integrity requirements for shipboard landing of aircraft.
Protection against atherosclerosis by estrogen is independent of plasma cholesterol levels in LDL receptor-deficient mice.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-deficient (LDLR 2 / 2 ) mice consuming a high fat diet were used to assess the effect of endogenous and exogenous estradiol (E 2 ) on atherosclerosis. Sexually mature female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and implanted with subcutaneous, slow-release pellets designed to release 6 m g/day of exoge- nous 17 b -estradiol (17 b -E 2 ), 17 a -estradiol (17 a -E 2 ), or pla- cebo (E 2 -deficient). Sham-operated control female (endog- enous E 2 ) and male mice were studied as controls. Aortic atherosclerotic lesion area was reduced by physiologic amounts of both endogenous and exogenous E 2 compared to E 2 -deficient female mice. Although plasma cholesterol levels were reduced by exogenous E 2 despite the absence of the LDL receptor, endogenous E 2 was not associated with any cholesterol changes. In contrast, only 17 a -E 2 was associ- ated with decreased fasting triglyceride. In subgroup analyses matched for time-averaged plasma total choles- terol, aortic lesion area was reduced by the presence of es- tradiol (E 2 ). E 2 protected LDLR 2 / 2 female mice from ath- erosclerosis and this protection was independent of changes in plasma cholesterol levels. —Marsh, M. M., V. R. Walker, L. K. Curtiss, and C. L. Banka. Protection against atherosclerosis by estrogen is independent of plasma cho- lesterol levels in LDL receptor-deficient mice. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 893-900.
A Field Guide to the NASA Procedural Requirements for Systems Engineering

In March 2007, NASA issued the new NASA procedural requirements (NPR) for systems engineering - NPR 7123.1 A NASA systems engineering processes and requirements - as part of the NASA systems engineering framework. This NPR "establishes a core set of common agency-level technical processes and requirements needed to define, develop, realize, and integrate the quality of the system products created and acquired by or for NASA."The processes described in the NPR are intended to "clearly delineate a successful model to complete comprehensive technical work, reduce program and technical risk, and improve mission success."The rationale for the Systems Engineering (SE) NPR is the fact that "systems engineering at NASA requires the application of a systematic, disciplined engineering approach that is quantifiable, recursive, iterative, and repeatable for the development, operation, maintenance, and disposal of systems integrated into a whole throughout the life-cycle of a project or program. The emphasis of systems engineering is on safely achieving stakeholder functional,physical, and operational performance requirements in the intended use environments over the system's planned life within cost and schedule constraints." [6] This paper provides an overview of NPR 7123.1A, including institutional and programmatic requirements, requirements for common technical processes, NASA oversight activities on contracted projects, systems engineering technical reviews, and the purpose and function of a systems engineering management plan (SEMP). It also includes an overview of the practices for common technical processes - system design processes, technical management processes, and product realization processes - as well as a discussion of the entrance and success criteria for technical reviews. It concludes with how the NPR is being implemented across the Agency, how NASA systems engineers are being trained in its use, and the impact of the NPR to date.
An energy-efficient decentralized clustering protocol for wireless sensor networks

This paper presents a novel clustering protocol, the Decentralized Energy Efficient cluster Propagation (DEEP) protocol, that manages the communication of data while minimizing energy consumption across sensor networks. The paper also presents an Inter-Cluster Routing protocol (ICR) that is compatible with the proposed clustering technique. The proposed clustering protocol uses the unique technique of forming clusters using a pre-selected initial cluster head that initiates the advertisement process. The initial cluster head also identifies its cluster members as well as new cluster head candidates based on the relative distance between sensor nodes and their remaining energy levels. Because this model results in a balanced load among cluster heads, protocol overhead due to frequent re-clustering is eliminated. Simulation results demonstrate that the DEEP protocol distributes energy consumption approximately eight times better than the LEACH clustering scheme. In addition, the DEEP protocol substantially reduces total data communication and route setup energy consumption in the network compared to the LEACH protocol.
Accessmonkey: a collaborative scripting framework for web users and developers

Efficient access to web content remains elusive for individuals accessing the web using assistive technology. Previous efforts to improve web accessibility have focused on developer awareness, technological improvement, and legislation, but these approaches have left remaining concerns. First, while many tools can help produce accessible content, these tools are generally difficult to integrate into existing developer workflows and rarely offer specific suggestions that developers can implement. Second, tools that automatically improve web content for users generally solve specific problems and are difficult to combine and use on a diversity of existing assistive technology. Finally, although blind web users have proven adept at overcoming the shortcomings of the web and existing tools, they have been only marginally involved in improving the accessibility of their own web experience.As a first step toward addressing these concerns, we introduce Accessmonkey, a common scripting framework that web users, web developers and web researchers can use to collaboratively improve accessibility. This framework advances the idea that Javascript and dynamic web content can be used to improve inaccessible content instead of being a cause of it. Using Accessmonkey, web users and developers on different platforms with potentially different goals can collaboratively make the web more accessible. In this paper we first present the Accessmonkey framework, describe three implementations of it that we have created and offer several example scripts that demonstrate its utility. We conclude by discussing future extensions of this work that will provide efficient access to scripts as users browse the web and allow non-technical users be involved in creating scripts.
LowVoltage CMOS Operational Amplifiers

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Rail-to-Rail Constant-g m Input Stages Low-Voltage Rail-to-Rail CMOS Output Stages Complete Rail-to-Rail Input and Output Operational Amplifier Conclusion This chapter contains sections titled: Acknowledgments References ]]>
Laterality of Brain Activation for Risk Factors of Addiction.

BACKGROUND Laterality of brain activation is reported for tests of risk factors of addiction- impulsivity and craving-but authors rarely address the potential significance of those asymmetries. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to demonstrate this laterality and discuss its relevance to cognitive and neurophysiological asymmetries associated with drug abuse vulnerability in order to provide new insights for future research in drug abuse. METHOD From published reports, brain areas of activation for two tests of response inhibition or craving for drugs of abuse were compiled from fMRI activation peaks and were tabulated for eight sections (octants) in each hemisphere. Percent asymmetries were calculated (R-L/R+L) across studies for each area. RESULTS For impulsivity, most activation peaks favored the right hemisphere. Overall, the percent difference was 32% (Χ2 = 16.026; p < 0.0001) with the greater asymmetry for anterior peaks (46.8%; Χ(2) = 17.329; p < 0.0001). The asymmetries for cue-induced craving were opposite, favoring the left hemisphere by 6.7% (Χ(2) = 4.028; p < 0.05). The consistency of left asymmetry was found for almost all drugs. For nicotine, studies where subjects were not allowed to smoke (deprived) prior to measurement had the same left hemisphere activation but those who smoked (satiated) before the fMRI measure showed right asymmetry. CONCLUSION Brain activation studies demonstrate different left/right hemispheric contributions for impulsivity versus craving-factors related to addiction. Failure to take laterality into consideration is a missed opportunity in designing studies and gaining insight into the etiology of drug abuse and pathways for treatment.
A New Pair of Lungs

It was Max who first popped the question about a lung transplantation. In 1990, it was a relatively new procedure, performed at only a few medical centers around the country.
Lipoprotein-X in a Patient with Lymphoplasmacytic Sclerosing Cholangitis: An Unusual Cause of Secondary Hypercholesterolemia

This paper presents an interesting case study of lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis and a superb review of lipoprotein-X (Lp-X) with very high levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by gel electrophoresis, and mild elevations in triglycerides, having resulted in the use of a statin (1). Fortunately, the patient had a low-normal apolipoprotein B (apoB), a more sensitive measure of atherogenic lipoprotein particles, questioning whether such statin treatment was necessary. As reviewed by the authors, this elevated measure of total cholesterol in a patient with marked cholestasis is measuring the cholesterol in both LDL and Lp-X. Lp-X is found clinically in adults with obstructive liver disease, whether intra- or extrahepatic. Phospholipids, which have no apoB, are excreted in the bile, and when there is cholestasis, they increase in the serum. Lp-X has more apolipoproteins A1, C, and E, more albumin in its core, and in the large case study cohorts cited in this article, have not been found to be atherogenic. This was also found in one of the original reports of 18 women with increased total cholesterol in primary biliary cirrhosis and illustrates the increasing phospholipid content and decreasing cholesterol ester/free cholesterol found in Lp-X (2). Because Lp-X has less apo B, it is less readily removed by the hepatic LDL receptor in the liver, with more removal through the reticuloendothelial system of the liver and spleen. In this case, a direct measure of LDL cholesterol was also very low, helping in
Improving clarity and stability of skim milk powder dispersions by dissociation of casein micelles at pH 11.0 and acidification with citric acid.

Casein micelles in milk cause turbidity and have poor stability at acidic conditions. In this study, skim milk powder dispersions were alkalized to pH 10.0 or 11.0, corresponding to reduced particle mass. In the following acidification with hydrochloric or citric acid, the re-formation of casein particles was observed. The combination of treatment at pH 11.0 and acidification with citric acid resulted in dispersions with the lowest turbidity and smallest particles, which enabled translucent dispersions at pH 5.5–7.0, corresponding to discrete nanoparticles. The concentration of ionic calcium was lower when acidified with citric acid than hydrochloric acid, corresponding to smaller particles with less negative zeta potential. The pH 11.0 treatment followed by acidification with citric acid also resulted in smaller particles than the simple chelating effects (directly implementing sodium citrate). The produced casein nanoparticles with reduced dimensions can be used for beverage and other novel applications.
Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Magnetohydrodynamic Flows

This paper presents the Lattice Boltzmann method for computation of low Mach number magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows. The equilibrium distribution function recently derived by Huba and Lyon for ideal MHD is used to obtain the particle distribution function for the Lattice BGK (LBGK) model for the MHD flow equations. In two-dimensions, a nine-velocity square lattice model is employed for solving the LBGK equations. The magnetic field equations are solved by a finite-difference method on the LBGK square lattice. Thus, the solution technique can be considered as hybrid-the MHD flow equations solved by the LBGK method and the magnetic field equations by a finite-difference technique. Computations are performed for fully developed Hartmann-Poisuelle flow in a channel and are compared with the analytical solution.
Analysis on the Gaming of Central Government and Local Governments during Economy Transition Period

China is in the period of economy transition. Why do we carry out the policy of economy transition? What are the shortcomings of the original economic model and system? These are problems that economics should answer and solve.This paper expounds it with gaming theory,the basic instrument of economics,and put forward system innovation by a normative analysis to make the economy transition develop along a correct and healthy directrion.
Quantitative phenology of warm desert legumes: seasonal growth of six Prosopis species at the same site

Non-destructive growth analysis was used to investigate the comparative growth morphology, capability and seasonality of six species of Prosopis grown at the same site. The six species investigated were: P. alba, P. chilensis, P. glandulosa, P. nigra, P. ruscifolia and P. velutina. Plants were derived from seed collected in South America (P. alba, P. chilensis, P. ruscifolia, P. nigra) and North America (P. glandulosa, P. velutina). Three of the species (P. chilensis, P. glandulosa, P. velutina) were used to investigate the influence of water limitation on growth. There were some remarkably similar growth patterns among all species, such as two distinct growth periods, rapid shoot elongation during short periods of the growing season, and all trees were virtually leafless in February through to March. However, each species had a different growth morphology. For example, P. ruscifolia produced long unbranched shoots and an open canopy while P. nigra produced highly branched new shoots and a dense canopy. Water limitation caused a decrease in plant water potential in all three species, but P. ruscifolia had the lowest leaf water potential and the greatest inhibition of growth. In addition, growth analysis of branches indicated that P. chilensis would have the greatest wood production and P. glandulosa the least when grown in these experimental conditions. However, water limitation caused a proportionally greater decrease in P. chilensis growth than that of P. glandulosa, and water limitation induced an increase in fruit production in P. glandulosa.
The nature of the nonventilatory period in crocodillan respiration

Abstract This study examined the nonventilatory phase of crocodilian respiration to determine whether or not the term apneusis, as defined by Lumsden, was applicable. Activity of respiratory muscles, endotracheal pressures, and plethysmograms were used to determine whether or not “a state of tonic, sustained contraction of inspiratory muscles existed”. It was found that during the nonventilatory phase: (1) Tonic activity of respiratory muscles is limited to activity in the glottal sphincter. (2) Pressure first rises to 6–8 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure and then falls slowly to about 4 mm Hg, but never to atmospheric level or below. (3) If the glottis is held open, most of the inspired air is lost by passive recoil; the small portion retained is expelled with the active expiration that begins a new ventilatory phase. It is concluded that apneusis, implying as it does tonic sustained contraction of inspiratory muscles, is not correctly applied to the nonventilatory period in crocodilian reptiles, and that some other term, such as breath retention or inspiratory trapping, more aptly describes this particular activity.
Approaches to management of cancer of the esophagus.

While at best the prognosis is grim, inoperability of the tumor should not be a signal to abandon the patient. It has now been demonstrated that radiotherapy, in combination with a number of new peroral techniques of esophageal dilation and prosthesis placement, not only provides symptomatic relief but spares the patient exposure to the substantial morbidity and mortality of surgery.
Estimate p 1 — p 2 , Binomial Populations

In this chapter we have two binomial population Pop I and Pop II. In Pop I (II) let p 1 (p 2) be the probability of a “success”. We want a fuzzy estimator for p 1 — p 2.
“Are You Shakespearienced?” Rock Music and the Production of Shakespeare

In 1966 Gerome Ragni and James Rado teamed up with a composer named Gait MacDermot. MacDermot had composed some songs for a few revues in Montreal, but his work with the two young actors, a “free-form musical” titled Hair, designed to transform theatre and provide a new model for musicals, was his first full-length effort. Hair, called “The American Tribal Love Rock Musical” by its creators, was one of the first American musicals to use rock and roll as its dominant musical style.1 It was also one of the first plays to combine an Americanized Shakespeare with rock and roll.
3D epileptic foci detection using an integrated neuro-imaging approach

This study proposes an inverse solution in estimating the 3-D localization of interictal spike activity in epileptogenic data. Sensory modalities for data analysis include electroencephalographs (EEG) superimposed on magnetic resonance imagery (MRI) in a pediatric population with extra-temporal lesional epileptic foci. In this integrated approach, software developments were based on a three-dimensional (3-D) programming platform driven by multimodal neuro-imaging software, namely the CURRY program. The inverse solution is supported by a simplex optimization method. To circumvent false local minima, iterations are repeated from several initial dipoles scattered in various locations. Values of the minima reached by these initial dipoles reveal localization accuracies of clinical relevance. This approach was adapted for analyzing scalp EEG data and reconstructing superimposed images in 10 children who underwent extensive pre-surgical evaluation for intractable partial seizures. The results of 3-D spike source localization were assessed in relationship to focal lesions evident on the patient's MRI scans.
Security fusion implementation and optimization in SCADA systems

SCADA systems are the control backbone of the utility industry where control is critical to the treatment, generation, and distribution of electrical, water, sewage, oil, and gas utilities. These SCADA systems utilize well-known behavior with limited variability. Trust of these control systems is vital to proper operation since improper operation could lead to catastrophic environmental disasters. Trust anchors can be used to provide this desired trust for the SCADA systems and these trust anchors can provide integrity for the required signals and assist in ensuring high availability of the SCADA system. However the implementation of a large number of trust anchors may not be possible due to the size of the deployed system and cost of a complete system replacement. This paper defines how a trust anchor implementation could be optimized and can utilize a security fusion methodology to provide adequate security protection and trust in the system for a reasonable investment.
The Henry Ford Health System No Harm Campaign: A Comprehensive Model to Reduce Harm and Save Lives

Article-at-a-Glance Background In 2008 Henry Ford Health System launched its "No Harm Campaign," designed to integrate harm-reduction interventions into a systemwide initiative and, ultimately, to eliminate harm from the health care experience. Methods The No Harm Campaign aims to decrease harm events through enhancing the system's culture of safety by reporting and studying harm events, researching causality, identifying priorities, and redesigning care to eliminate harm. The campaign uses a comprehensive set of 27 measures for harm reduction, covering infection-, medication-, and procedure-related harm, as well as other types of harm, all of which are combined to comprise a unique global harm score. The campaign's objective is to reduce all-cause harm events systemwide by 50% by 2013. A wide range of communication processes, from systemwide leadership retreats to daily e-mail news sent to all employees and physicians, is used to promote the campaign. In addition, the campaign is on the intranet "Knowledge Wall," where monthly dashboards, meeting minutes, and best practices and the work of our teams and collaboratives are documented and shared. Results From 2008 through 2011, a 31% reduction in harm events and an 18% reduction in inpatient mortality occurred systemwide. Discussion Building infrastructure, creating a culture of safety, providing employee training and education, and improving work process design are critical to systemwide implementation of harm-reduction efforts. Key actions for ongoing success focus on leadership, disseminating performance, putting everyone to work, and stealing ideas through national and local collaborations. A financial model was created to assess cost-savings of reducing harm events; early results total nearly $10million in four years.
Palmitoylation of Sindbis Virus TF Protein Regulates Its Plasma Membrane Localization and Subsequent Incorporation into Virions.

ABSTRACT Palmitoylation is a reversible, posttranslational modification that helps target proteins to cellular membranes. The alphavirus small membrane proteins 6K and TF have been reported to be palmitoylated and to positively regulate budding. 6K and TF are isoforms that are identical in their N termini but unique in their C termini due to a −1 ribosomal frameshift during translation. In this study, we used cysteine (Cys) mutants to test differential palmitoylation of the Sindbis virus 6K and TF proteins. We modularly mutated the five Cys residues in the identical N termini of 6K and TF, the four additional Cys residues in TF9s unique C terminus, or all nine Cys residues in TF. Using these mutants, we determined that TF palmitoylation occurs primarily in the N terminus. In contrast, 6K is not palmitoylated, even on these shared residues. In the C-terminal Cys mutant, TF protein levels increase both in the cell and in the released virion compared to the wild type. In viruses with the N-terminal Cys residues mutated, TF is much less efficiently localized to the plasma membrane, and it is not incorporated into the virion. The three Cys mutants have minor defects in cell culture growth but a high incidence of abnormal particle morphologies compared to the wild-type virus as determined by transmission electron microscopy. We propose a model where the C terminus of TF modulates the palmitoylation of TF at the N terminus, and palmitoylated TF is preferentially trafficked to the plasma membrane for virus budding. IMPORTANCE Alphaviruses are a reemerging viral cause of arthritogenic disease. Recently, the small 6K and TF proteins of alphaviruses were shown to contribute to virulence in vivo . Nevertheless, a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which either protein acts to promote virus infection is missing. The TF protein is a component of budded virions, and optimal levels of TF correlate positively with wild-type-like particle morphology. In this study, we show that the palmitoylation of TF regulates its localization to the plasma membrane, which is the site of alphavirus budding. Mutants in which TF is not palmitoylated display drastically reduced plasma membrane localization, which effectively prevents TF from participating in budding or being incorporated into virus particles. Investigation of the regulation of TF will aid current efforts in the alphavirus field searching for approaches to mitigate alphaviral disease in humans.
“Stressing Out”: Cadre Calibration and Affective Proximity to the CCP in Reform-era China

Might authoritarian one-party systems experience something akin to party identification – or affective proximity to the Party – that waxes and wanes over time? Such cycles do not centre on elections but on the politics of succession, new policy initiatives and ad hoc housecleaning, and their focus would be officials within the system as opposed to the electorate outside it. I argue that a key mechanism animating such variation in party identification of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cadres lies within the recurring rectification efforts seeking to temper these individuals and make them more submissive to the larger political goals of the Party centre. Such priming is largely an in-house phenomenon, taking place increasingly deeper within the CCP apparatus. This process tends to involve an extensive arsenal of institutional mechanisms that constitute a particularly big stick and within which pressures to comply can be uncomfortable, even excruciating. Normative elements of these movements, such as the language and substantive written materials used during study, analysis and self-criticism are predominantly in the service of enhancing the sheer domineering quality of the Party vis-a-vis the individuals that make up its ranks. I explore this through an examination of the three stresses (san jiang) campaign of 1998–2002.
Capsule Type and Amount Affect Shedding and Transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae .

The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Streptococcus pneumoniae is characterized by its diversity, as it has over 95 known serotypes, and the variation in its thickness as it surrounds an organism. While within-host effects of CPS have been studied in detail, there is no information about its contribution to host-to-host transmission. In this study, we used an infant mouse model of intralitter transmission, together with isogenic capsule switch and cps promoter switch constructs, to explore the effects of CPS type and amount. The determining factor in the transmission rate in this model is the number of pneumococci shed in nasal secretions by colonized hosts. Two of seven capsule switch constructs showed reduced shedding. These constructs were unimpaired in colonization and expressed capsules similar in size to those of the wild-type strain. A cps promoter switch mutant expressing ~50% of wild-type amounts of CPS also displayed reduced shedding without a defect in colonization. Since shedding from the mucosal surface may require escape from mucus entrapment, a mucin-binding assay was used to compare capsule switch and cps promoter switch mutants. The CPS type or amount constructs that shed poorly were bound more robustly by immobilized mucin. These capsule switch and cps promoter switch constructs with increased mucin-binding affinity and reduced shedding also had lower rates of pup-to-pup transmission. Our results demonstrate that CPS type and amount affect transmission dynamics and may contribute to the marked differences in prevalence among pneumococcal types.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, is readily transmitted, especially among young children. Its structurally and antigenically diverse capsular polysaccharide is the target of currently licensed pneumococcal vaccines. Epidemiology studies show that only a subset of the >95 distinct serotypes are prevalent in the human population, suggesting that certain capsular polysaccharide types might be more likely to be transmitted within the community. Herein, we used an infant mouse model to show that both capsule type and amount are important determinants in the spread of pneumococci from host to host. Transmission rates correlate with those capsule types that are better at escaping mucus entrapment, a key step in exiting the host upper respiratory tract. Hence, our study provides a better mechanistic understanding of why certain pneumococcal serotypes are more common in the human population.
62 Self-protective firearm use and victim injury in the united states: an analysis of national victimisation data, 1973–2015

Compared to other high income nations, the US reports high rates of household firearm ownership and firearm-related injuries and deaths. Though a growing body of evidence suggests that firearm access increases the risk of violent injury, the current literature is limited in its assessment of the injury prevention potential of protective firearm use in violent crime scenarios. Purpose The purpose of our study is to examine associations between armed self-protective strategies and victim injury outcomes in the context of violent crime using a large, nationally representative and multi-year sample of US crime victimizations. Methods We assembled a comprehensive panel of all available National Crime Victimisation Survey (NCVS) data, spanning collection years 1973–2015. A penalised logistic regression approach was used to estimate the effects of defensive weapon use (DWU) on five injury types, including: (1) gunshot/knife wounds, (2) internal injuries/knocked out, (3) broken bones/teeth, (4) minor injuries, and (5) any injuries. Findings. Relative to victimizations that involved the defensive use of verbal threats and arguments, the risk of gunshot injuries to the victim was increased when DWU (OR=2.02; 95% CI, 1.14 ‘“ 3.52) was employed by crime victims. Risk of broken bone injuries was also increased in DWU cases compared to non-DWU victimizations (OR=1.68; 95% CI, 1.10–2.47). Contribution Our findings suggest that armed self-protective strategies serve to increase the odds of victim injury, in particular by gunfire.
High-Output Cardiac Failure and Coronary Steal With an Arteriovenous Fistula

Creation of an arteriovenous access for hemodialysis can provoke a sequence of events that significantly affects cardiovascular hemodynamics. We present a 78-year-old man with end-stage renal disease and concomitant coronary artery disease previously requiring coronary artery bypass grafting including a left internal mammary graft to the left anterior descending artery, ischemic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and severe aortic stenosis who developed hypotension unresponsive to medical therapy after recent angioplasty of his ipsilateral arteriovenous fistula for high-grade outflow stenosis. This case highlights the long-term effects of dialysis access on the cardiovascular system, with special emphasis on complications such as high-output cardiac failure and coronary artery steal syndrome. Banding of the arteriovenous fistula provided symptomatic relief with a decrease in cardiac output. Avoidance of arteriovenous access creation on the ipsilateral upper extremity in patients with a left internal mammary artery bypass graft may prevent coronary artery steal syndrome.
Preparative microdroplet synthesis of carboxylic acids from aerobic oxidation of aldehydes

Single liquid-phase and liquid–liquid phase reactions in microdroplets have shown much faster kinetics than that in the bulk phase. This work extends the scope of microdroplet reactions to gas–liquid reactions and achieves preparative synthesis. We report highly efficient aerobic oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids in microdroplets. Molecular oxygen plays two roles: (1) as the sheath gas to shear the aldehyde solution into microdroplets, and (2) as the sole oxidant. The dramatic increase of the surface-area-to-volume ratio of microdroplets compared to bulk solution, and the efficient mixing of gas and liquid phases using spray nozzles allow effective mass transfer between aldehydes and molecular oxygen. The addition of catalytic nickel(II) acetate is shown to accelerate further microdroplet reactions of this kind. We show that aliphatic, aromatic, and heterocyclic aldehydes can be oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acids in a mixture of water and ethanol using the nickel(II) acetate catalyst, in moderate to excellent yields (62–91%). The microdroplet synthesis is scaled up to make it preparative. For example, aerobic oxidation of 4-tert-butylbenzaldehyde to 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid was achieved at a rate of 10.5 mg min−1 with an isolated product yield of 66%.