cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHANGES ON BEEF ADIPOSE TISSUE FOLLOWING DECONTAMINATION WITH CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS OR WATER OF 35C OR 74C

Spray-washing reduced aerobic plate counts (APC) by 0.88 to 2.83 log colony forming units (CFU)/cm2, with hot water (74C) being the most effective treatment. Counts exceeded 6 log CFU/cm2 in 1–3, 7–11, 11–16, 16–23 and 23–29 days of storage for unwashed, washed with hydrogen peroxide, washed with 35C water or ozonated water or trimmed/washed with 35C water, washed with commercial sanitizer, and washed with trisodium phosphate, respectively. Samples washed with acetic acid or water of 74C reached only 4.31 and 4.36 log CFU/cm2, respectively, at 29 days of storage. Increases in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive-substances (TBARS) were slowest in samples washed with trisodium phosphate. Spray-washing with 2% acetic acid or 74C water were the most effective treatments for reducing microbial growth, followed by trisodium phosphate which also reduced lipid oxidation during storage of beef.
Non‐invasive visualization of solvent swelling and diffusion into solid polymers by electron spin resonance (ESR) imaging

Distribution du marqueur nitroxyde (hydroxy-4 tetramethyl-2,2,6,6 piperidine oxyl-1) visualisee comme solute dissous dans les solvants mixtes eau/DMF ou toluene/DMF, interagissant avec le polycarbonate ou le polystyrene
Analysis via transmission electron microscopy of the quality of diamond films deposited from the vapor phase

Abstract The quality of diamond films deposited from the vapor phase was analyzed via transmission electron microscopy. Diamond films grown by different deposition processes and under various conditions were examined and the processing microstructure relationships were established. Defect structures are first reviewed here. Twinning was the predominant defect observed in all of the diamond samples, but stacking faults and dislocations were also found. It was found that a lower methane concentration resulted in a lower defect density (higher quality) in diamond films grown by microwave-plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The defect density in diamond films was also reduced if reverse bias was applied in a bias-controlled hot-filament chemical vapor deposition system, in contrast with the high defect density which occurred under the forward bias condition. Finally, the imperfection density was substantially reduced if diamond films were grown at higher substrate temperatures in an oxyacetylene torch.
Trafficking of the HIV Coreceptor CXCR4: ROLE OF ARRESTINS AND IDENTIFICATION OF RESIDUES IN THE C-TERMINAL TAIL THAT MEDIATE RECEPTOR INTERNALIZATION

The G protein-coupled chemokine receptor CXCR4 serves as the primary coreceptor for entry of T-cell tropic human immunodeficiency virus. CXCR4 undergoes tonic internalization as well as internalization in response to stimulation with phorbol esters and ligand (SDF-1alpha). We investigated the trafficking of this receptor, and we attempted to define the residues of CXCR4 that were critical for receptor internalization. In both COS-1 and HEK-293 cells transiently overexpressing CXCR4, SDF-1alpha and phorbol esters (PMA) promoted rapid internalization of cell surface receptors as assessed by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence analysis. Expression of GRK2 and/or arrestins promoted modest additional CXCR4 internalization in response to both PMA and SDF. Both PMA- and SDF-mediated CXCR4 internalization was inhibited by coexpression of dominant negative mutants of dynamin-1 and arrestin-3. Arrestin was also recruited to the plasma membrane and appeared to colocalize with internalized receptors in response to SDF but not PMA. We then evaluated the ability of CXCR4 receptors containing mutations of serines and threonines, as well as a dileucine motif, within the C-terminal tail to be internalized and phosphorylated in response to either PMA or SDF-1alpha. This analysis showed that multiple residues within the CXCR4 C-terminal tail appear to mediate both PMA- and SDF-1alpha-mediated receptor internalization. The ability of coexpressed GRK2 and arrestins to promote internalization of the CXCR4 mutants revealed distinct differences between respective mutants and suggested that the integrity of the dileucine motif (Ile-328 and Leu-329) and serines 324, 325, 338, and 339 are critical for receptor internalization.
Lateral Paracapsular GABAergic Synapses in the Basolateral Amygdala Contribute to the Anxiolytic Effects of β3 Adrenoceptor Activation

Norepinephrine (NE) is known to play an integral role in the neurobiological response to stress. Exposure to stressful stimuli increases NE levels in brain regions that regulate stress and anxiety, like the basolateral amygdala (BLA). NE is thought to increase excitability in these areas through α- and β-adrenoceptors (ARs), leading to increased anxiety. Surprisingly, recent studies have shown that systemic β3-AR agonist administration decreases anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting that β3-ARs may inhibit excitability in anxiety-related brain regions. Therefore, in this study we integrated electrophysiological and behavioral approaches to test the hypothesis that the anxiolytic effects of β3-AR agonists may be mediated by an increase in BLA GABAergic inhibition. We examined the effect of a selective β3-AR agonist, BRL37344 (BRL), on GABAergic synapses arising from local circuit interneurons and inhibitory synapses originating from a recently described population of cells called lateral paracapsular (LPCS) interneurons. Surprisingly, BRL selectively enhanced LPCS-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) with no effect on local GABAergic inhibition. BRL also had no effect on glutamatergic synaptic excitation within the BLA. BRL potentiation of LPCS eIPSCs was blocked by the selective β3-AR antagonist, SR59230A, or by intracellular dialysis of Rp-CAMPS (cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor), and this enhancement was not associated with any changes in spontaneous IPSCs or LPCS paired-pulse ratio. BRL also increased the amplitude of unitary LPCS IPSCs (uIPSCs) with no effect on uIPSC failure rate. Finally, bilateral BLA microinjection of BRL reduced anxiety-like behaviors in an open-field assay and the elevated plus-maze. Collectively, these data suggest that β3-AR activation selectively enhances LPCS, but not local, BLA GABAergic synapses, and that increases in LPCS-mediated inhibition may contribute to the anxiolytic profile of β3-AR agonists.
Introduction of In-Service Optical Path Measurement

The concept of In-Service Optical Path Measurement (ISOPM) for mesh networks is introduced. PMD measurement within bandwidths of 50-GHz spaced DWDM channels along with multiple working channels, as an example, shows the feasibility of ISOPM.
Low molecular weight hydrophilic chemicals that attract Echinostoma trivolvis and E. caproni cercariae

A Petri dish bioassay was used to study chemoattraction of the cercariae of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. caproni in the presence of various bench chemicals prepared as 5 mM solutions in agar. The design compared the attraction of cercariae migrating toward the plugs impregnated with chemicals compared to unimpregnated plugs (controls). Cercariae of both species were significantly attracted to an array of amino acids and to some carbohydrates. Cercariae of E. trivolvis but not E. caproni were attracted to the peptide glutathione. Cercariae of E. trivolvis and E. caproni were repelled from valeric and butyric acids, respectively. Cercariae of E. caproni but not E. trivolvis were repelled from dextrose. Although broad specificity exists for echinostome cercarial penetration in snail intermediate hosts, results of these studies suggest that there are specific differences in cercarial chemoattractants between E. trivolvis and E. caproni.
Time-Resolved Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Excited Triplet State All-Trans-Retinal: Excitation Profiles, Intersystem Crossing Kinetics, and O2 Quenching

The time-resolved resonance Raman (TR3) spectra of excited triplet state all-trans-retinal (ATR (T1)) are analyzed with respect to (1) time-resolved excitation profiles (TREP), (2) T1 → S0 intersystem crossing rates, and (3) O2 quenching kinetics. These TR3 data are used to comment on the electronic characteristics and kinetic decay of the excited triplet state of a specific retinal isomer in room temperature solutions.
Short-sighted evolution and the virulence of pathogenic microorganisms

For some microorganisms, virulence may be an inadvertent consequence of mutation and selection in the parasite population, occurring within a host during the course of an infection. This type of virulence is short-sighted, in that it engenders no advantage to the pathogen beyond the afflicted host. Bacterial meningitis, poliomyelitis and AIDS are three candidates for this model of the evolution of virulence.
Development of a Microfabricated Palladium Decoupler/Electrochemical Detector for Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis Using a Hybrid Glass/Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Device

The fabrication and evaluation of a palladium decoupler and working electrode for microchip capillary electrophoresis (CE) with electrochemical detection is described. The use of the Pd decoupler allows the working electrode to be placed directly in the separation channel and eliminates the band-broadening characteristic of the end-channel configuration. The method used for fabrication of the decoupler and working electrode was based on thin-layer deposition of titanium followed by palladium onto a glass substrate. When employed as the cathode in CE, palladium absorbs the hydrogen gas that is generated by the hydrolysis of water. The effect of the decoupler size on the ability to remove hydrogen was evaluated with regard to reproducibility and longevity. Using boric acid and TES buffer systems, 500 μm was determined to be the optimum decoupler size, with effective voltage isolation lasting for ∼6 h at a constant field strength of 600 V/cm. The effect of distance between the decoupler and working electrode...
Transforming Organizational Culture Through Nursing Shared Governance

Nursing shared governance (NSG) provides a framework for the professionalization of nursing, provides a broader distribution of decision making across the profession, and allocates decisions based on accountability and role expectations. Shared governance defines staff-based decisions, accountability, roles, and ownership of staff in those activities that directly affect nurses' lives and practice. Although NSG is a somewhat ambiguous concept with a vast application, examining it from the perspective of structure, process, and outcomes can more clearly outline a successful strategy for implementation and growth.
Taming the Wild Missouri River: What Has it Cost?

Abstract The most significant legislation that authorized the alteration of the Missouri River is reviewed from a fisheries position. An outline of the dollar costs to achieve change along the river shows that the U.S. taxpayer has spent more than $6 billion in the Missouri River Basin. Broad ecological concern about lost riverine resources is raised. Mitigation, management, or enhancement of riverine resources has not been successfully completed. Alternatives to impoundment and channelization were not adequately discussed, and the extent of environmental damage was unknown, unexpected, and unstudied at the time these projects were planned. There was sufficient latitude in congressional action after 1944 to have provided some safeguard, had these laws been interpreted with a concern for wildlife.
Sex-role stereotypes and clinical judgments of mental health: The Brovermans' findings reexamined

This study attempted to evaluate the progress of mental health professionals regarding sex-role stereotyping in clinical functioning, identified as a problem over 10 years ago by Broverman et al. (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1970, 34, 1–7). A comparable format and questionnaire were used in order to replicate faithfully the earlier study and facilitate past-present comparisons. One hundred four psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers were randomly assigned to three instruction-set conditions in completing the Stereotype Questionnaire: sexunspecified adult instruction set, female instruction set, and male instruction set. No significant differences were found related to sex of clinician. A significant effect (p<.001) was found for social desirability and what was judged as healthy for sex-unspecified adults. No significant relationship was found, however, for social desirability of traits and conventional sex-role stereotypes. Based on the results of this study it is possible to speculate either that the Boverman results were primarily an artifact of their forced-choice methodology or that progress has been made in a more nonsexist direction among mental health professionals. Limitations of this research are presented and considered relative to the Brovermans' study. The basically attitudinal nature of this work is noted and the question is raised as to whether nonsexist attitudes are translated into nonsexist clinical functioning.
A Novel, Species-specific Class of Uncompetitive Inhibitors of γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase

Expression of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in tumors contributes to resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. GGT is inhibited by glutamine analogues that compete with the substrate for the γ-glutamyl binding site. However, the glutamine analogues that have been evaluated in clinical trials are too toxic for use in humans. We have used high throughput screening to evaluate small molecules for their ability to inhibit GGT and have identified a novel class of inhibitors that are not glutamine analogues. These compounds are uncompetitive inhibitors, binding the γ-glutamyl enzyme complex. OU749, the lead compound, has an intrinsic Ki of 17.6 μm. It is a competitive inhibitor of the acceptor glycyl-glycine, which indicates that OU749 occupies the acceptor site while binding to the γ-glutamyl substrate complex. OU749 is more than 150-fold less toxic than the GGT inhibitor acivicin toward dividing cells. Inhibition of GGT by OU749 is species-specific, inhibiting GGT isolated from human kidney with 7–10-fold greater potency than GGT isolated from rat or mouse kidney. OU749 does not inhibit GGT from pig cells. Human GGT expressed in mouse fibroblasts is inhibited by OU749 similarly to GGT from human cells, which indicates that the species specificity is determined by differences in the primary structure of the protein rather than species-specific, post-translational modifications. These studies have identified a novel class of inhibitors of GGT, providing the basis for further development of a new group of therapeutics that inhibit GGT by a mechanism distinct from the toxic glutamine analogues.
Learning style as an influence on the effectiveness of self-paced computer-assisted instruction: Preliminary results

Abstract Many have studied the relative effectiveness of self-paced, computer-assisted instruction. An experiment was conducted to investigate whether people of certain who exhibit certain learning styles are more successful using a self-paced instructional package. The preliminary results reported here indicate that differences in learning performance can be identified for different learning style categories (as measured by the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
The ultrastructure of endometrioid carcinomas of the ovary

Abstract Endometrioid carcinoma is an epithelial cancer of the ovary which histologically resembles adenocarcinoma of the endometrium, accounts for 15–20% of ovarian cancers [11], and is generally considered to have a relatively favorable outcome [5,6]. Sampson in 1925 first described the relationship of these tumors to endometriosis and suggested that they might originate from foci of endometriosis [1]. In spite of various published reports of malignant transformation of ovarian endometriosis in the literature [2–4], it is not always possible to demonstrate the transition between a benign cyst and true malignancy. However, in an alternate theory of histogenesis, it has been postulated that endometrioid tumors arise metaplastically from celomic epithelial inclusion cysts and should be classified in the cystoma group. In order to examine further the histogenesis of these lesions, we have undertaken a fine structural study of 12 cases of endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary.
Molecular genetics of primary congenital glaucoma

Molecular genetic studies conducted during the last several years have thrown some light on the basic molecular defects in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and the rationale behind the clinical and genetic presentation of this paediatric eye condition. The existence of a hereditary form of PCG segregating as an autosomal recessive trait with high penetrance is now confirmed. The primary molecular defect underlying the majority of PCG cases has been identified as mutations in the cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) gene. This gene is expressed in tissues of the anterior chamber angle of the eye. Molecular modelling experiments suggest that mutations observed in PCG patients interfere with the integrity of the CYP1B1 molecule as well as its ability to adopt a normal conformation and bind haem. On the basis of these observations, we hypothesised that CYP1B1 participates in the normal development and function of the eye by metabolising essential molecules that are perhaps used in a signalling pathway. Revealing the identity of this molecule is our major objective since it can lead to as yet unknown biochemical cascades controlling the terminal stages of anterior chamber angle development.
The Aero-Optical Environment of a Helicopter in Forward Flight

The performance of an optical system mounted in a hemispherical turret can be seriously limited at certain viewing angles due to aero-optical aberrations on the outgoing beam. The strength of these aberrations is related to the density fluctuations in the air immediately surrounding the turret and is proportional to the Mach number squared; helicopters are therefore an attractive platform for optical systems due to their low flight speeds. In this case, aero-optic aberrations can still arise, however, from the wake and especially the tip vortices from the helicopter blades. A simplified model of a rotor tip-vortex system is used to gain insight into the potential aero-optical environment of a helicopter in forward flight. The simplified model allows for the rapid calculation of aero-optic effects at different forward-flight speeds. The results indicate that the largest aero-optic aberration originates from “super vortices” that appear along the lateral edge of the helicopter wake. Estimated aberration amplitudes are presented, as well as an estimate of the undisturbed viewing angle of the optical system as a function of forward-flight speed.
Sequential Estimation of Optical Properties of a Two-Layered Epithelial Tissue Model from Depth-Sensitive Ultraviolet-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectra

A sequential estimation method that incorporates a composite probe design was developed for the estimation of optical properties of a two-layered epithelial tissue model from diffuse reflectance spectra measured in the UV-VIS region.
Investigation of the ability of a purified protease from Pseudomonas fluorescens RO98 to hydrolyze bitter peptides from cheese.

Abstract The ability of a purified protease from Pseudomonas fluorescens RO98 to hydrolyze bitter peptides found in Cheddar cheese was investigated. The purified protease was incubated with αs1-casein f1–9 and β-casein f193–209 in a model system (pH 6.8, 30°C) to determine hydrolysis. Residual substrate and hydrolysis products were determined by capillary electrophoresis. Both peptides were hydrolyzed by the protease during the 90-min assay. αs1-Casein f1–9 was hydrolyzed into two products and β-casein f193–209 was degraded completely in 90 min to three hydrolytic products. This protease hydrolyzed bitter peptides that are known to accumulate in Cheddar and Gouda cheese during aging, suggesting a possibility to debitter Cheddar cheese.
Transcription at two heat shock loci in Drosophila

Abstract Transcription at two heat shock loci in Drosophila melanogaster, in subdivisions 87A and 87C, was investigated by hybridization in situ with 3 H-labeled messenger, nuclear RNA and whole cell RNA from cells cultured at elevated temperature. What appears to be the same 9 × 10 5 dalton heat shock message hybridizes at both sites. At 87A, little additional hybridization is obtained with nuclear or whole cell RNA. In contrast, at 87C the saturation level of hybridization by nuclear and whole cell RNA is much higher than that obtained with the message alone. This evidence for extensive hybridization at 87C but not at 87A by RNA distinct from the message is confirmed by the finding that excess nonradioactive message competes away most of the hybridization by 3 H-labeled nuclear and whole cell RNA at the latter locus but not at the former. The noncompetable RNA migrates on an electrophoretic gel as a heterogeneous population of molecules, extending to sizes both larger and smaller than the message. These and other observations lead to the conclusion that at 87A transcription includes little more than sequences complementary to the 9 × 10 5 dalton message, while at 87C, there are sequences complementary to the same message and extensive additional sequences complementary to some other species of RNA.
Navigating static environments using image-space simplification and morphing

We present a z-buffered image-space-based rendering technique that allows navigation in complex static environments. The rendering speed is relatively insensitive to the complexity of the scene as the rendering is performed a priori, and the scene is converted into a bounded complexity representation in the image space. Realtime performance is attained by using hardware texture mapping to implement the image-space warping and hardware affine transformations to compute the viewpoint–dependent warping function. Our proposed method correctly simulates the kinetic depth effect (parallax), occlusion, and can resolve the missing visibility information by combining z-buffered environment maps from multiple viewpoints. CR
Multiplexed Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction on a Digital Microfluidic Platform

This paper details the development of a digital microfluidic platform for multiplexed real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Liquid samples in discrete droplet format are programmably manipulated upon an electrode array by the use of electrowetting. Rapid PCR thermocycling is performed in a closed-loop flow-through format where for each cycle the reaction droplets are cyclically transported between different temperature zones within an oil-filled cartridge. The cartridge is fabricated using low-cost printed-circuit-board technology and is intended to be a single-use disposable device. The PCR system exhibited remarkable amplification efficiency of 94.7%. To test its potential application in infectious diseases, this novel PCR system reliably detected diagnostic DNA levels of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. Amplification of genomic DNA samples was consistently repeatable across multiple PCR loops both within and between cartridges. In ad...
Human Factors in Healthcare: Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis:

The increasing physical, emotional and cognitive demands placed on nurses and other health care workers, coupled with higher patient acuity levels in the healthcare settings, have increased the risks of employee work stress and potential errors. Large-scale re-engineering efforts to contain costs through staff reduction and streamlining of processes over the past two decades have contributed seemingly to increased job stress of healthcare workers. Traditional human factors engineering methods used to evaluate activities yield a linear listing of activities, time, and motions involved in the patient care process. However, this approach does not provide an understanding of the cognitive work of clinical decision-making. Without this understanding, it is impossible to make judgements on “value added” or wasted motions, and errors. Traditional Human Factors methodology can be enhanced by adding qualitative observation of the nursing care process. The combined methodology provides detailed documentation of env...
Glomalin in aggregate size classes from three different farming systems

Glomalin was measured in soil from farming systems managed for 8 years by chisel tillage (CT), more intensive tillage for organic (ORG) production, and no tillage (NT) on Acrisols (FAO Soil Units) in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Whole soil and aggregate size classes of >2.00, 0.50–2.00 and 0.21–0.50 mm (macroaggregates), 0.05–0.21 mm (microaggregates), and <0.05 mm (fine material) were examined. Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) was extracted from 1-g samples (four plots per treatment) with 100 mM sodium pyrophosphate, pH 9.0, at 121 °C in three extraction cycles. Extracts were pooled and quantified by using the Bradford protein assay. Concentrations of GRSP and total carbon (C) in aggregates were linearly related across aggregate size classes for all treatments (GRSP = 0.101C + 0.56, r2 = 0.95). No tillage had significantly greater whole soil GRSP than did CT or ORG (P = 0.01). Mean values for GRSP in aggregates of NT were higher than for CT or ORG aggregates by 0.53 and 0.66 mg g−1 aggregates, respectively. There were no differences among treatments in GRSP concentrations in fine material. In NT the concentration of GRSP increased as aggregate size increased in contrast to the disturbed treatments, CT or ORG, where there were no differences in GRSP concentration across aggregate size fractions. Larger proportions of GRSP were distributed in macroaggregates of NT compared to CT and ORG in contrast to larger proportions in microaggregates of CT and ORG than in NT. Although soil disturbance in ORG farming is greater than for CT farming, both treatments had similar GRSP concentrations and distributions.
Automated Analysis of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) Data Based on the Laguerre Deconvolution Method

In fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), fluorescence time decay at each pixel of the imaged sample are measured. Every recorded fluorescence decay corresponds to the time convolution of the instrument response with the intrinsic fluorescence impulse response function (IRF), from which the sample fluorescence lifetime is determined. To estimate the IRF, the instrument response thus needs to be deconvolved from the recorded fluorescence decay. We have recently introduced a novel FLIM time-deconvolution method based on the linear expansion of the fluorescence decays on an orthonormal Laguerre basis. Since this method allows simultaneous estimation of the IRFs at all pixels, it performs at least two orders of magnitude faster than standard algorithms. In its original implementation, however, the Laguerre basis, determined by the Laguerre parameter , is selected using a heuristic approach. Here, we present an automated implementation, whereby the Laguerre parameter is treated as a free parameter within a nonlinear least squares optimization scheme. The new implementation combines the unmatched inherent computational speed of the Laguerre deconvolution method with a systematic model selection approach. This method will thus facilitate applications of FLIM requiring automatic estimation of the spatial distribution of fluorescence lifetimes, such as in in vivo tissue FLIM imaging.
Decentralizing Cross-Functional Decisions: Coordination Through Internal Markets

A firm faces many problems that are inherently cross-functional. To solve them successfully requires the coordinated actions of many functional representatives acting in a decentralized setting. Functional managers, however, respond to their own individual incentives and may consequently fail to maximize the overall profits of the firm. We examine this issue in a setting in which the output of early actions limits the range of later actions, and we propose an incentive scheme that allows the system to be successfully decentralized. Our mechanism is based on linear transfer prices for the intermediate output that are implemented through an internal market; a market maker buys the output from one function and sells it to another. She is not obliged to sell at the same price at which she bought and may set prices solely to provide incentives. We illustrate the flexibility of the scheme by applying it to several models in the operations management literature.
Teaching Massage to Nursing Students of Geriatrics Through Active Learning

The use of massage in nursing practice has declined through the years in favor of high-tech interventions. This article describes a project using active learning to teach nursing students massage with dementia residents in assisted living. Students participated in a workshop to practice basic relaxation massage techniques with the guidance of their clinical instructor and then provided massages to resident volunteers. Afterward, students discussed their experience and completed a resident assessment form. The students requested more such activities, and the residents and facility management invited the students to return for another session. The instructor observed growth in the students' assessment skills and in their confidence. Use of massage to teach nursing students how to care for and relate to older adults with cognitive impairment is recommended. Further research is needed on the use of massage as an active learning method for nursing students in long-term care.
Shear property characterization of viscoelastic media using vibrations induced by ultrasound radiation force

A method is proposed to estimate the shear properties of a viscoelastic medium by evaluating the vibration response of an embedded sphere. Radiation force generated by two interfering ultrasound beams is used to vibrate the sphere, at frequencies below 1 kHz. The motion of the sphere under multiple driving frequencies is measured by either laser or ultrasound technique. By fitting a theoretical model to these velocity spectrum measurements, the shear modulus and viscosity of the media are estimated. Experiment results in silicon oils and gel phantoms were in good agreement with the theory.
SCAR/WAVE and Arp2/3 are crucial for cytoskeletal remodeling at the site of myoblast fusion

Myoblast fusion is crucial for formation and repair of skeletal muscle. Here we show that active remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton is essential for fusion in Drosophila. Using live imaging, we have identified a dynamic F-actin accumulation (actin focus) at the site of fusion. Dissolution of the actin focus directly precedes a fusion event. Whereas several known fusion components regulate these actin foci, others target additional behaviors required for fusion. Mutations in kette/Nap1, an actin polymerization regulator, lead to enlarged foci that do not dissolve, consistent with the observed block in fusion. Kette is required to positively regulate SCAR/WAVE, which in turn activates the Arp2/3 complex. Mutants in SCAR and Arp2/3 have a fusion block and foci phenotype, suggesting that Kette-SCAR-Arp2/3 participate in an actin polymerization event required for focus dissolution. Our data identify a new paradigm for understanding the mechanisms underlying fusion in myoblasts and other tissues.
Effekte der Luftströmung auf das hygrothermische Verhalten von leichten Umfassungskonstruktionen

In dem Beitrag werden die Bilanzgleichungen eines neu entwickelten Programms zur gekoppelten Warme-, Luft-, Feuchte- und Schadstoffberechnung (CHAMPS) und ein Modell zur Berucksichtigung der Effekte dreidimensionaler Luftstromung vorgestellt. Die Leistungsfahigkeit des numerischen Verfahrens wird anhand von praxisrelevanten Anwendungsfallen, der Simulation des hygrothermischen Verhaltens einer leichten Wandkonstruktion und eines durchlufteten Daches demonstriert. Air flow effects on the hygrothermal behaviour of lightweight wall assemblies. The paper presents the governing equations and assumptions of a newly developed model for Coupled Heat, Air Moisture and Pollutant Simulation (CHAMPS). An approach for considering three-dimensional air flow effects is introduced. The capabilities of the numerical model are demonstrated by application to a lightweight wall assembly and a roof construction used in moderate climate zones.
Minimal chronic brain syndromes in children.

SUMMARY Forty-one children are described who were referred for neurological consultation because of poor school work, overactivity, clumsiness, poor speech or emotional problems; there was no previous definite diagnosis of neurological abnormality. Thirty-one of these children showed definite abnormal neurological signs and nine of the other ten were at least excessively clumsy. It is suggested that there is a syndrome of minimal brain damage, with subclinical affections in each of four areas, which may be stated as motor, mental, sensory and convulsive. RESUME Syndromes cerebraux chroniques minimaux chez l'enfant 41 enfants sont decrits qui ont consulte dans un service de neurologie pour un mauvais travail scolaire, de l'hyperactivite, de la maladresse, un retard de langage, ou des problemes affectifs mais sans autre diagnostic anterieur precis d'anormalites neurologiques. 31 presentaient incontestablement des signes du type decrit par certains auteurs sous le nom de ‘syndrome de lesion cerebrale minima’, bien que 9 des 10 autres etaient pour le moins excessivement maladroits. On admet qu'il existe des exemples incontestables de l'etat qui nous preoccupe sans deficit moteur. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Minimale chronische Hirnsyndrome bei Kindern 41 Kinder werden beschrieben, die einer neurologischen Sprechstunde zugewiesen wurden wegen schlechter Schularbeit, Hyperaktivitat, Ungeschicktheit, Sprachdefekt oder seelischer Probleme aber ohne irgend eine vorhergehende bestimmte Diagnose von neurologischer Abnormitat. 3 1 zeigten ganz bestimmte abnorme neurologische Symptome, die dem von einigen Autoren unter dem Namen ‘Syndrom minimaler Hirnschadigung’ beschriebenen Typ angehoren, obgleich 9 unter den 10 anderen wenigstens sehr ungeschickt waren. Es wird angenommen, dass es unbestreitbare Beispiele von dem besprochenen Zustand ohne motorisches Defizit gibt.
Tetrahedron-based orthogonal simultaneous scan for cone-beam computed tomography

In this article, a cone-beam computed tomography scanning mode is designed using four x-ray sources and a spherical sample. The x-ray sources are mounted at the vertices of a regular tetrahedron. On the circumsphere of the tetrahedron, four detection panels are mounted opposite of each vertex. To avoid x-ray interference, the largest half angle of each x-ray cone beam is 27°22′, while the radius of the largest ball fully covered by all the cone beams is 0.460, when the radius of the circumsphere is 1. A proposed scanning scheme consists of two rotations about orthogonal axes, such that, each quarter turn provides sufficient data for theoretically exact and stable reconstruction. This design can be used in biomedical or industrial settings, such as when a sequence of reconstructions of an object is desired.
Optimality of high resolution array processing using the eigensystem approach

In the classical approach to underwater passive listening, the medium is sampled in a convenient number of "look-directions" from which the signals are estimated in order to build an image of the noise field. In contrast, a modern trend is to consider the noise field as a global entity depending on few parameters to be estimated simultaneously. In a Gaussian context, it is worthwhile to consider the application of likelihood methods in order to derive a detection test for the number of sources and estimators for their locations and spectral levels. This paper aims to compute such estimators when the wavefront shapes are not assumed known a priori. This justifies results previously found using the asymptotical properties of the eigenvalue-eigenvector decomposition of the estimated spectral density matrix of the sensor signals: they have led to a variety of "high resolution" array processing methods. More specifically, a covariance matrix test for equality of the smallest eigenvalues is presented for source detection. For source localization, a "best fit" method and a test of orthogonality between the "smallest" eigenvectors and the "source" vectors are discussed.
Development of a swine model of secondary liver tumor from a genetically induced swine fibroblast cell line.

Aim. Metastatic disease is the most common liver tumor. Although alternative therapies have been developed for non-surgical candidates, those therapies lacked ideal testing prior to clinical application because of a paucity of large animal models. The purpose of the present study was to develop a model for secondary liver tumor in a large animal. Material and methods. Fibroblasts were isolated from swine ear lobules and then transfected with amphotrophic retroviruses encoding human or murine genetic material (hTERT, p53DD, cyclinD-1, CDK4R24C, Myc T58A, RasG12V). Transformed cell lines were finally inoculated subcutaneously (s.c.) into: 1) immunodeficient mice (nude), 2) immunocompetent mice (wild type), 3) immunosuppressed swine (under tacrolimus or corticosteroids), 4) immunocompetent swine, and 5) into the liver and portal circulation of swine under steroid-based immunosuppression. Results. In the murine model, tumor growth was evident in 100% of the nude mice (n=5), with a peak size of 20 mm (15.22±4.5 mm; mean±SD) at the time of sacrifice (3 weeks). Tumor growth was evident in 71% of the wild mice (n=21), with a peak size of 7.8 mm (4.19±1.1 mm) by the third week of growth. In the swine model, tumor growth was evident in 75% (3/4 ears; n=2) of swine under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression versus 50% of swine under steroids-based immunosuppression (n=2). Tumor growth was slow in two animals, while in one animal the tumor was larger with a peak growth of 42 mm at 3 weeks. The tumor pattern in the ear lobules was characterized by slow growth, with a peak size of 6–8 mm in the immunocompetent swine at 3 weeks. All tumors were shown to be malignant by histology. In contrast, inoculums of the transformed fibroblast cell line in swine livers showed no evidence of tumor growth at 3 weeks. Conclusions. Development of a transformed swine fibroblast cell line was successful, resulting in an in vivo malignant tumor. Cell line inoculums had tumorigenic properties in nude mice, wild-type mice, and immunosuppressed swine, as judged by uncontrolled cell growth, invasion of surrounding tissue, neoangiogenesis, and invasion of normal vasculature, resulting in the formation of tumor nodules. Such properties were not observed in swine upon inoculation into the liver/portal circulation.
Incarceration, Interrogation, and Counterterror: Do (Liberal) Democratic Institutions Constrain Leviathan?

States represent a solution to an important set of economic, political, and social problems. Whether one turns to philosophers such as Hobbes or Locke or more recent work by rational institutionalists such as Douglass North, it is something of a received wisdom that powerful states play a central and vital role in fostering economic, political, and social cooperation. The other edge of that sword, of course, is that powerful states that claim a monopoly on the legitimate exercise of coercion are ideally situated to predate, using methods that include incarceration without trial and torture. The very power that makes states effective at engaging in cooperation can weaken other organizations that might deter the state from predation. While democratic theory is not necessarily focused on the question of how we might constrain a powerful state's predation, democracy is—and, more specifically, liberal democratic institutions are—widely held to be one of the most important tools at our disposal to deter predation (e.g., Staton and Reenock 2010). Democracy, of course, refers to rule by the people, and in this article, I focus on universal suffrage as the means by which those who wield state power produce rule by the people. I refer to liberal democratic institutions, by contrast, as those institutions that perform a distinct—and, one can argue, antidemocratic—function: their purpose is to distribute power among multiple state actors in an effort to address the second edge of the sword described above and limit the tyranny of majorities. This article shows how this distinction usefully assists our assessment of the Bush administration's incarceration and interrogation policies in its war on terror.
Identification of conserved antigens for early serodiagnosis of relapsing fever Borrelia

Borrelia hermsii is a blood-borne pathogen transmitted by the argasid tick Ornithodoros hermsi. Since spirochaete clearance in mice is associated with an IgM-mediated response, an immunoproteomic analysis was used to identify proteins reactive with IgM. We report that IgM from both mice and human patients infected with B. hermsii not only reacted with the previously identified variable membrane proteins but also identified candidate antigens including heat-shock proteins, an adhesin protein, ABC transporter proteins, flagellar proteins, housekeeping proteins, an immune evasion protein, and proteins with unknown function. Furthermore, IgM reactivity to recombinant glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase was detected during early spirochaete infection and prior to a detectable IgG response. Lastly, a conserved hypothetical protein was produced in Escherichia coli and tested with immune serum against B. hermsii and Borrelia recurrentis. These results identify a much larger set of immunoreactive proteins, and could help in the early serodiagnosis of this tick-borne infection.
Just relax: convex programming methods for identifying sparse signals in noise

This paper studies a difficult and fundamental problem that arises throughout electrical engineering, applied mathematics, and statistics. Suppose that one forms a short linear combination of elementary signals drawn from a large, fixed collection. Given an observation of the linear combination that has been contaminated with additive noise, the goal is to identify which elementary signals participated and to approximate their coefficients. Although many algorithms have been proposed, there is little theory which guarantees that these algorithms can accurately and efficiently solve the problem. This paper studies a method called convex relaxation, which attempts to recover the ideal sparse signal by solving a convex program. This approach is powerful because the optimization can be completed in polynomial time with standard scientific software. The paper provides general conditions which ensure that convex relaxation succeeds. As evidence of the broad impact of these results, the paper describes how convex relaxation can be used for several concrete signal recovery problems. It also describes applications to channel coding, linear regression, and numerical analysis
Plasma Exchange on Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation With Bivalirudin Anticoagulation

A pediatric patient requiring venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Unfractionated heparin was discontinued, and a bivalirudin infusion was started. During the lung transplant evaluation, he was found to have allosensitization, requiring treatment with plasma exchange along with pulse methylprednisolone, rituximab, bortezomib, and pooled immunoglobulin infusion. We describe our experience with successful plasma exchange for allosensitization during bivalirudin anticoagulation on VV ECMO in a pediatric patient.
Using innovation diffusion theory to guide collaboration technology evaluation: work in progress

The cost effective development of collaboration technology requires evaluation methods that consider group practices and can be used early in a system's life-cycle. To address this challenge, we developed a survey to evaluate collaboration technology based on innovation diffusion theory (E. Rogers, 1995). The theory proposes five attributes of innovations that influence technology adoption: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability. Selecting items from existing surveys related to these attributes, we developed a prototype multi-scale survey to help evaluate whether using a system face-to-face or distributively influences study participants' attitudes towards system adoption. We have begun refining the survey instrument and report on this process, the proposed survey questions, and the reliability and validity of the survey instrument.
Thin-film silicon solar cell and module applications

Strong concern for the global environmental issues has brought dramatic growth of clean energy market. In order to meet huge demand for solar energy, together with our expansion of the production of the crystalline Si wafer based solar PVs, we have been researching and developing thin film silicon technologies and have started mass-production of crystalline thin-film silicon based solar cells and modules in 2005. These new crystalline thin-film silicon based PV products were successfully launched into market with a higher conversion efficiency, higher energy yield performance and estimated long-term reliability based on our device and module technologies. In this article, our activities for the thin-film silicon device and module technologies, as well as our thin-film silicon PV products, are outlined.
Simulation of Titan haze formation using a photochemical flow reactor. The optical constants of the polymer

Solar UV is the principal energy source impinging the atmosphere of Titan while the energy from the electrons in Saturn’s magnetosphere is less than 0.5% of the UV light. Titan haze analogs were prepared by the photolysis of a mixture of gases that simulate the composition of its atmosphere (nitrogen, methane, hydrogen, acetylene, ethylene, and cyanoacetylene). The real ( n) and imaginary (k) parts of the complex refractive index of haze analogs formed from four different gas mixtures were calculated from the spectral properties of the solid polymer in UV-visible, near infrared and infrared wavelength spectral regions. The value of n was constant at 1.6 ± 0.1 throughout the 0.2–2.5 µm region. The variation of k with wavelength for the values derived for Titan has a lower error than the absolute values of k so the more significant comparisons are with the slopes of the k(λ) plots in the UV-VIS region. Three of the photochemical Titan haze analogs had slopes comparable to those derived for Titan from the Voyager data (Rages and Pollack, 1980, Icarus 41, 119–130; McKay and Toon, 1992, in: Proceedings of the Symposium on Titan, in: ESA SP, Vol. 338, pp. 185–190). The slopes of the k(λ) plots for haze analogs prepared by spark discharge (Khare et al., 1984, Icarus 60, 127–137) and plasma discharge (Ramirez et al., 2002, Icarus 156, 515–529) were also comparable to Titan’s. These finding show that the k(λ) plots do not differentiate between different laboratory simulations of atmospheric chemistry on Titan in the UV-VIS near IR region (0.2–2.5 microns). There is a large difference between the k(λ) in the infrared between the haze analogs prepared photochemically and analogs prepared using a plasma discharges (Khare et al., 1984, Icarus 60, 127–137; Coll et al., 1999, Planet. Space Sci. 47, 1331–1340; Khare et al., 2002, Icarus 160, 172–182). The C/N ratio in the haze analog prepared by discharges is in the 2–11 range while that of the photochemical analogs is in the 18–24 range. The use of discharges and UV light for initiating the chemistry in Titan’s atmosphere is discussed.