cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applicability of base-isolation R&D in non-reactor facilities to a nuclear reactor plant

Abstract Seismic isolation is gaining increased attention worldwide for use in a wide spectrum of critical facilities, ranging from hospitals and computing centers to nuclear power plants. The level of assurance of performance for such isolation systems for a nuclear power plant will be much greater than that required for non-nuclear facilities. The question is to what extent can R&D for non-nuclear use of seismic isolation be applied to a nuclear power plant. Experience shows that considerable effort is needed to adapt any technology to nuclear power facilities. This paper reviews the R&D programs ongoing for seismic isolation in non-nuclear facilities and related experience and makes a preliminary assessment of the extent to which such R&D and experience can be used for nuclear power plant application. Ways are suggested to improve the usefulness of such non-nuclear R&D in providing the high level of confidence required for the use of seismic isolation in a nuclear reactor plant.
Changes in Trypanosoma cruzi infectivity by treatments that affect calcium ion levels.

Abstract The possible role of the intracellular Ca 2+ level in the regulation of Trypanosoma cruzi infectivity was explored by measuring the capacity of trypomastigote forms of this organism to invade mammalian host cells after treatments which decrease or elevate cytoplasmic Ca 2+ . Parasites loaded with either bis-( o -aminophenoxy)-ethane- N , N , N ′, N ′ tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) or 2-{[2-bis(carboxymethyl)-amino-5-methylphenoxy]methyl}-6-nethoxy-8-bis(carboxymethyl)aminoquinoline (Quin-2) to chelate Ca 2+ displayed significantly decreased infectivity. This effect was denoted by reductions in both the proportion of rat heart myoblasts invaded by the parasite in vitro and the number of trypanosomes penetrating these host cells, the extents of which were BAPTA or Quin-2 concentration dependent. Consistent with these observations, inhibitory effects were also recorded when the parasite was pretreated with the calmodulin-binding phenothiazines trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine or with felodipine, a chemically different type of calmodulin antagonist, for as little as 5 min. In contrast, pretreatment with the Ca 2+ ionophore ionomycin, which elevated Ca 2+ levels in T. cruzi , significantly enhanced the infective capacity of the parasite. These results point to the existence of a Ca 2+ -dependent mechanism that regulates the invasive capacity of T. cruzi .
A modeling of magnetic field variations during magnetospheric substorms

Magnetic field variations in the noon-midnight plane during the magnetospheric substorm are studied in terms of changes of three current systems: the dynamo-driven current on the magnetopause, the cross-tail current and the field-aligned current-auroral electrojet system. The field-aligned current is assumed to be generated as a result of interruption and subsequent diversion of the cross-tail current to the ionosphere. It is concluded that the available observations are consistent with a large increase of the three currents.
Relative insensitivity of avian skeletal muscle glycogen to nutritive status1,2 ☆

Previous studies in avian species have reported time-dependent losses in muscle glycogen with prolonged feed withdrawal (FW). However, cervical dislocation was used to collect tissues, a method that results in significant involuntary muscle convulsions. In this study, cervical dislocation alone was found to reduce muscle glycogen by 23%, therefore, barbiturate overdose was used to collect tissue samples before and after FW, at the end of refeeding, and from continuously fed controls at each interval. Additionally, plasma samples from 6-wk-old male chickens were taken at the initiation and end of a 24-hr feed withdrawal, and at various times during refeeding. After 24 hr of FW, liver glycogen decreased markedly (77%; P < 0.05), whereas muscle glycogen decreased slightly and transiently, such that it returned to and remained at control levels, even after prolonged (72 hr) FW. Plasma glucose was decreased, whereas glucagon was elevated after a 24-hr feed withdrawal (P < 0.05), when compared with control concentrations. Muscle glycogen levels were not significantly increased over control levels after refeeding, but liver glycogen was increased by 380% (P < 0.05). Feed deprivation followed by refeeding resulted in increased circulating insulin and glucose levels when compared with control levels. Therefore, by using methods of tissue collection that ensure that muscle glycogen determinations are not confounded by artifactual degradation, these results verify that regulation of avian muscle glycogen stores is similar to that in mammals.
Using motivational activities to facilitate treatment involvement and reduce risk.

Abstract The current study examined the effectiveness of motivational modules the authors designed to enhance motivation and confidence for treatment. One hundred and forty-six (146) probationers either received treatment as usual (“standard treatment”) or standard treatment enhanced with the motivational modules. The results indicate that probationers who received the motivational activities were more motivated to be involved in treatment and reduce risky behaviors (e.g., drinking, drug use, risky sex) toward the end of the residential phase of treatment. Methods to improve the intervention, including the development of 10 to 15 minute long micromodules to serve as booster sessions, are discussed.
HUMORAL AND CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSES TO PRP

Immune responses to Hemophilus influenzae, type b, polyribophosphate (PRP) were studied in 4 infants vaccinated at 6 months with 3 injections of PRP spaced 2 to 3 weeks apart. The injections totaled 1.6ugm of PRP mixed with 0.2ugm of cellular protein. Antibody to PRP was assayed by the Farr technique. Cellular responses were evaluated by incubating peripheral blood lymphocytes with several dilutions of pure PRP or PRP with protein and assaying for either protein or DNA synthesis. Generally significant increases in antibody to PRP were not seen as a result of this vaccination. No pre or post-vaccination lymphocyte cultures displayed increased DNA synthesis to the various dilutions and preparations of PRP tested. On the other hand, post-vaccination lymphocyte cultures from 2 infants displayed increased protein synthesis to pure PRP and one of these infants reacted similarly to PRP-protein. A third infant had significant pre-vaccination stimulation of protein synthesis and remained so following vaccination. The significance of cellular immune responses to PRP is unknown, however since antibody to PRP is not normally generated in the young infant, evaluation of both humoral and cellular immune responses may reveal additional mechanisms of immunity to infection with H. influenzae.
Development of a multi-microphone calibrator

Abstract This paper presents the theory, design, and validation of a microphone calibrator used to simultaneously calibrate the amplitudes of multiple microphones on a single probe. The probe uses four 6 mm diameter electret microphones to acquire the data needed to compute acoustic energy density. This probe has prompted the need for simultaneous, multi-microphone amplitude calibration. The calibration process simultaneously subject each microphone on the probe to the same known acoustic pressure using four equal-length, small-diameter tubes connected to a single excitation source. A reference microphone connected to a fifth tube is used to calibrate the microphones. Test results show that the calibrator can calibrate each probe microphone within ±0.5 dB up to 2 kHz, and within ±1 dB up to 4.9 Hz with a confidence level of 95%.
Conformation of the N-terminal segment of a monocysteine mutant of troponin I from cardiac muscle

A monocysteine mutant of cardiac muscle troponin I, cTnI(S5C/C81I/C98S), was generated from a mouse cTnI cDNA clone and expressed in a bacterial system. Cys-5 was modified with the fluorescent sulfhydryl reagent IAANS to probe the conformation of the N-terminal extension of the mutant and the mutant complexed with cardiac muscle troponin C. Our emphasis was on the effect of phosphorylation of Ser-23 and Ser-24 by protein kinase A on the conformation of the N-terminal segment. Phosphorylation resulted in an 8-nm red-shift of the emission spectrum of the attached IAANS probe and a reduction of its quantum yield by a factor of 4-5. The intensity decay of nonphosphorylated IAANS-labeled mutant was complex and had to be described by a sum of three exponential terms, with lifetimes in the range 0.1-5 ns. A fourth component in the range 7-9 ns was required to describe the intensity decay of the phosphorylated mutant. Phosphorylation also reduced the weighted mean lifetime, consistent with the changes observed in the steady-state fluorescence parameters and a 33% decrease in the global rotational correlation time calculated from anisotropy decay data. This change in correlation time suggested a decrease in the axial ratio of the protein. The fluorescence changes of the labeled mutant induced by phosphorylation were carried over to its complex with troponin C. The Stern-Volmer plots of acrylamide quenching of the steady-state fluorescence were essentially linear for nonphosphorylated mutant but displayed pronounced concave downward curvatures for the phosphorylated protein under all conditions studied. The present results are interpreted in terms of a more compact hydrodynamic shape of the phosphorylated cTnI mutant and are consistent with a folded conformation of the N-terminal extension induced by phosphorylation of the two serines. These conformational changes may play a role in the modulation of cardiac muscle contractility by troponin I phosphorylation.
Employee Commitment Resolving some Issues

There has been a recent upsurge of interest among sociologists in the organizational commitment of employees, with loyalty and intent to stay identified as distinct forms that this commitment can t...
Cardiometabolic risk factors and obesity: does it matter whether BMI or waist circumference is the index of obesity?

Background: It has been suggested that the cardiometabolic risk associated with excess adiposity is particularly related to central obesity. Objective: The objective was to compare the associations between cardiometabolic risk of apparently healthy individuals and measures of central obesity [waist circumference (WC)] and overall obesity [body mass index (BMI)]. Design: In this cross-sectional, observational study, 492 subjects (306 women and 303 non-Hispanic whites) were classified by BMI (in kg/m2) as normal weight (BMI <25) or overweight/obese (BMI = 25.0–34.9) and as having an abnormal WC (≥80 cm in women and ≥94 cm in men) or a normal WC (<80 cm in women and <94 cm in men). Measurements were also made of the cardiometabolic risk factors age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations. Associations among cardiometabolic risk factors and BMI and WC were evaluated with Pearson correlations. Results: There was a considerable overlap in the normal and abnormal categories of BMI and WC, and ∼81% of the subjects had both an abnormal BMI and WC. In women, BMI and WC correlated with SBP (r = 0.30 and 0.19, respectively), FPG (r = 0.25 and 0.22, respectively), triglycerides (r = 0.17 and 0.20, respectively), and HDL cholesterol (r = −0.23 and −0.20, respectively) (P < 0.01 for all). In men, BMI and WC also correlated with SBP (r = 0.22 and 0.22, respectively), FPG (r = 0.22 and 0.25, respectively), triglycerides (r = 0.21 and 0.18, respectively), and HDL cholesterol (r = −0.20 and −0.13, respectively) [P < 0.05 for all, except for the association of WC with HDL cholesterol (P = 0.08)]. Conclusions: Most individuals with an abnormal BMI also have an abnormal WC. Both indexes of excess adiposity are positively associated with SBP, FPG, and triglycerides and inversely associated with HDL cholesterol.
Successful pregnancy following surgery in the obstructed uterus in a uterus didelphys with unilateral distal vaginal agenesis and ipsilateral renal agenesis: case report and literature review.

Synopsis After surgical correction of unilateral distal vaginal agenesis, the obstructed didelphic uterus was able to harbor 2 subsequent pregnancies. Background There was a congenital anomaly syndrome of uterus didelphys, unilateral distal vaginal aplasia, and ipsilateral renal aplasia. Intuition suggests that later pregnancy would be in the unobstructed uterus. Objective The purpose is to report pregnancy occurring twice in a previously obstructed didelphic uterus after surgical correction. Case A girl aged 13 years, 8 months presented with the syndrome of didelphic uterus, upper right hematocolpos, and right renal aplasia. Right vaginal marsupialization was done. Subsequently, she had 2 pregnancies in the right didelphic uterus. Conclusion Pregnancy occurred in the obstructed uterus despite a large hematometra, extensive right pelvic peritoneal endometriosis, and hematocolpos. The surgeon should make every effort to preserve the obstructed uterus.
Approximate property checking of mixed-signal circuits

Growing circuit complexity and design uncertainty has made it difficult to predict whether large circuits meet target property specifications. To address this, we conservatively approximate the failure probability estimate by defining an interval that bounds this probability. Doing so using an arbitrary sampling distribution requires a learner. Given that the learner's knowledge is imperfect, the interval must first capture its uncertainty. An ensemble of such learners can then be used to compensate for the bias. Lastly, we develop an adaptive sampling scheme to tighten the obtained interval with increased simulation resources, thus controlling the accuracy vs. turn-around-time trade-off.
Gains from expanded irrigation water trading in Egypt: An integrated basin approach

Abstract Economic development and population growth in Egypt continue to increase the demands for water. Meeting these demands places increasing stress on Egypt's water institutions to support the country's need for food, urban, industrial, and environmental water uses. Many studies have examined measures to increase Egypt's effective water supplies or reduce its water demands. However, no research to date has examined economically efficient and culturally acceptable water institutions for improving the economic performance of Egyptian agricultural water use. The aim of this study is to examine the potential for irrigation water trading as a measure to improve the economic efficiency of Egyptian agricultural water use of the Nile River. Using data on Egyptian land, water, and agriculture, a catchment scale framework is developed to characterize hydrologic and economic impacts of limited water trading by irrigated agriculture while respecting hydrologic, environmental, food security, and institutional constraints. Results suggest that expanded water trading among Egyptian farmers could raise the economic performance of Egypt's irrigation water use. That improved performance could increase national farm income by 6.3 to 7.9% annually with little or no loss in water-related benefits outside agriculture. Worldwide, solutions to safeguard food production are needed fast. Institutionalizing currently informal water trading arrangements could be a prototype for measures to promote food and water security in Egypt and in other countries with similar water management challenges.
Long-term experience and outcomes of robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children and young adults.

Purpose: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is one of the more common robotic assisted procedures performed in children. However, data regarding long-term experience and clinical outcomes for this procedure are limited. We evaluated the long-term outcomes in a large series of patients undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty at a teaching institution, and the effect of a collaborative program between the robotic surgeons, surgical nurses and anesthesiologists on overall operative time.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 155 patients who underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty between 2002 and 2009. Operative data, including surgical approach, type of procedure, total and specific operative times and placement of ureteral stents, were determined. Postoperative outcome measurements, including duration of hospital stay, duration of Foley catheter drainage, radiological findings and any subsequent complications, were assessed.Results: Mean operative time and length of hospitalizat...
Agency and Community: A Critical Realist Paradigm

This essay develops a middle range sociological research paradigm based on the critical realist philosophy of Roy Bhaskar. It begins with an account of Critical Realism and its evolution over the last three decades. It then expands upon Bhaskar's Transformational Model of Social Activity (TMSA), moving in a step-by-step fashion from the philosophical conceptions of Critical Realism to a concrete sociological rendering of the TMSA itself. In making the transition from the philosophically abstract to the socially concrete, the author uses complexity theory and the works of Georg Simmel to illustrate the dialectical process through which human agency and community mutually constitute and reproduce one another.
Alkaline phosphatase inhibits cloning in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Use of alkaline phosphatase to treat linearized vector DNAs inhibits recovery of recombinant plasmids during cloning in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Our understanding of the entry process leads us to expect this result for cloning in naturally competent Gram-positive bacteria, in which single-stranded segments of donor DNA enter after being cut on the surface of the cell.
Design of a nanoscale Quantum-dot Cellular Automata Configurable Logic Block for FPGAs

This paper presents a novel design of a Configurable Logic Block (CLB) for a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based on a computing scheme in nanoscale technology called the Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA). In QCA technology, the cells made of quantum dots transmit information from one cell to the other based on Coulombic repulsion between the electrons. The main goal behind the design of the CLB is to ultimately design a miniscule nano FPGA without transistors for the ‘beyond CMOS era’ of the 2020s. Unlike previous research in this area, the attempt here is to take advantage of the unique QCA features in building the architecture. It is found that the proposed CLB has less latency and occupies less number of cells as compared to earlier designs. Different components of the CLB including a (4×16) decoder, a D-latch, a multiplexer and an RS-flip flop are designed, and simulated using the QCADesigner tool for functional correctness.
Model Calculations of Wind Noise Measured in a Flat Surface Under Turbulent Flow

It has been proposed that microphones mounted flush on the ground surface should measure reduced wind noise levels since the microphone does not disturb the flow and the wind velocity at the ground is small. However, there are pressure fluctuations induced on the ground by the interaction of the turbulent fluctuations above the ground with the average wind velocity gradient. Model calculations of the pressure spectrum under different wind velocity profiles have been developed based on the theoretical work of Kraichnan.1 Kraichnan calculated the turbulence-shear contribution to pressure fluctuations under boundary layer turbulence with an exponentially varying flow velocity profile. The calculations presented here incorporate measured outdoor spectra of the turbulence and different models of the velocity profile to investigate pressure fluctuation measurements outdoors at the ground surface. The predicted power spectral densities of the pressure are compared to each other and to measurements. The ultimate purpose of this research is to develop means to minimize wind noise interference in acoustic measurements. [Research supported by the U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ.]Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Moral Discourse and Public Policy in Aging: Framing Problems, Seeking Solutions, and “Public Ethics”*

Des approches humanistes sont essentielles pour explorer les principales politiques touchant la gerontologie et la geriatrie. Cet article decrit comment l'approche de « l'ethique publique, » c'est-a-dire l'examen des principales valeurs sous-tendant et orientant le procede d'elaboration des politiques publiques, peut nous faire davantage comprendre les politiques ayant trait au vieillissement. Pour illustrer cette analyse, des exemples tires d'une etude comparative entre le Canada et les Etats-Unis sont fournis. Parmi les elements analyses, on trouve d'abord les principales valeurs sociales formant la toile de fond de cette etude, particulierement l'opposition entre l'individualisme et le collectivisme. Ensuite, la definition et la resolution des problemes reposent a la fois sur les faits et les valeurs. Elles impliquent une discussion sur les facteurs sociaux intervenant dans la « crise » du vieillissement, notamment la polarisation des gens en groupes d'âge et la rationalisation des ressources destinees aux soins de la sante. Finalement, la nature du debat public et du discours moral, en qualite de procede guidant l'elaboration de politiques publiques, est etudiee, et les repercussions quant a l'importance des valeurs dans l'elaboration de nouvelles politiques a venir sont egalement considerees. Le procede d'elaboration des politiques publiques, notamment la maniere dont il releve les defis associes a une population vieillissante, en dit long sur la cohesion et l'integrite sous-jacentes de notre societe et sur le degre d'humanisme que l'on trouve au sein des principales politiques et institutions sociales.
Plant hydraulic conductance adapts to shoot number but limits shoot vigour in grapevines

The rate of shoot growth (vigour) in grapevines tends to decrease as the number of shoots per plant increases. Because the underlying causes of this relationship remain unclear, they were studied by variable pruning of field-grown, deficit-irrigated Merlot grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.). Shoot number ranged from 11 to 124 per vine and was inversely correlated with shoot growth rate, leaf appearance rate, axillary bud outgrowth, internode length, leaf size, shoot leaf area, carbon partitioned to the fruit (Cfruit) per shoot, average daily maximum photosynthesis (Amax), stomatal conductance (gmax), and leaf-specific hydraulic conductance (Kl). Shoot number was positively correlated with canopy leaf area, whole-vine Cfruit, whole-plant hydraulic conductance (Kv), and canopy conductance (Kc). Higher shoot vigour was associated with higher Amax, gmax, predawn leaf water potential (Ψpd), shoot hydraulic conductance (Ks), Kl, and Kv. Vigorous shoots supported both more vegetative growth and more reproductive growth; thus fruit growth did not compete with shoot growth for photosynthates. These results indicate that the hydraulic capacity of grapevines adapts to varying shoot numbers to support leaf physiology, growth, and carbon partitioning, but adaptation may be limited, putting upper bounds on the growth of individual shoots and fruit.
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AND OIL SPILL REDUCTION

A survey of the role of the U.S. Materials Transportation Bureau (MTB) in the control of oil spills from pipelines covers: the legislative and organizational history of the MTB, e.g., the recent inclusion of the MTB within the Research and Special Programs Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT); pipeline statistics which show that approx. 5Vertical Bar3< of oil spill incidents in the U.S. are caused by pipeline breaks which account for approx. 15Vertical Bar3< of the total annual accidental release of such materials; the lack of civil penalties available to the DOT to obtain compliance with regulations for liquid pipelines, in contrast with the MTB's programs for natural gas pipeline safety and for transportation of hazardous materials; legislative efforts to provide for civil penalties with respect to LPG pipelines; and landside regulatory programs for pipelines and for the safe transportation of hazardous materials by surface modes.
Kinematic characterization of manipulators: an approach to defining optimality

Some basic issues in kinematic optimization have been examined. Using the concept of the velocity and force ellipsoids, the author studies the relationships between the transmission ratios and manipulator performance characteristics. The transmission ratio has traditionally been viewed as a measure of manipulability. It is shown that the transmission ratio is also a direct measure of error amplification. The implication of this result is that manipulability must be obtained at the expense of accuracy, and vice versa. The author characterizes optimality as an appropriate compromise between manipulability and accuracy in the velocity and force domain. Approaches for both general optimization and task-oriented optimization are discussed. >
Islam and the Healthcare Environment: Designing Patient Rooms

Islam and the Muslim population are often the source of much misunderstanding and media-influenced misconceptions. Muslim patients who enter the healthcare environment are often weak and likely to experience feelings of vulnerability. Because of the complex and interwoven nature of culture and religion in a person's identity, it is important to consider patient belief systems and values when designing a patient's immediate environment. Through an exploration of literature related to culture and diversity and the beliefs and value system of the Muslim population, the authors were able to identify flexible design initiatives that could accommodate an array of cultural and spiritual practices. Islam and the Muslim population were chosen as the points of reference for this study because of the strong influence of religion on the culture, and because of the many nuances that differ from the dominant culture within the United States. From these points of reference, a hypothetical design was developed for a pati...
Evaluation of Low Sodium: Potassium Ratios in Dogs:

The results of general chemistry profiles of canine patients from Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, during 1993 were reviewed for low (<24) serum sodium:potassium (Na:K) ratios. Thirty-seven dogs had low Na:K ratios. The medical records for 34 these patients were available and sufficiently complete to identify conditions that were associated with low Na:K ratios. Of these 34 dogs, 8 (24%) had hypoadrenocorticism, and 14 had renal disease. Twenty-two of the 34 (65%) had Na:K ratios between 24 and 20. Of these 22 dogs, 9 (41%) had renal or urinary tract disease, and 2 (9%) had hypoadrenocorticism. Other diagnoses in this group included pancreatic disease (3), disseminated neoplasia (3), circulatory disturbance (2), pyometra (1), mushroom poisoning (1), and behavior problem (1). Eight of 34 dogs had Na:K ratios between 19.9 and 15. Of these 8 dogs, 4 (50%) had urinary tract disease, 2 had hypoadrenocorticism, 1 had pancreatic disease, and 1 had severe anemia and hypoproteinemia due to severe parasitism. All of the 4 dogs with Na:K ratios <15 had hypoadrenocorticism, and 1 of these 4 had concurrent renal failure. In all dogs, serum potassium concentration was above the laboratory's reference range, but sodium was below the laboratory's reference range in only 18 dogs (53%). Two of the 8 (25%) dogs with hypoadrenocorticism had serum sodium concentrations within the laboratory's reference range. In this population, low Na:K ratios were invariably associated with hyperkalemia but not always with hyponatremia. Although numerous conditions were associated with a low Na:K ratio, renal disease was the most common. Hypoadrenocorticism was present in only 13% of dogs with Na:K ratios between 24 and 15 but was present in all dogs with Na:K ratios <15.
The unfolding enthalpy of the pH 4 molten globule of apomyoglobin measured by isothermal titration calorimetry

The unfolding enthalpy of the pH 4 molten globule from sperm whale apomyoglobin has been measured by isothermal titration calorimetry, using titration to acid pH. The unfolding enthalpy is close to zero at 20 degrees C, in contrast both to the positive values expected for peptide helices and the negative values reported for holomyoglobin and native apomyoglobin. At 20 degrees C, the hydrophobic interaction should make only a small contribution to the unfolding enthalpy according to the liquid hydrocarbon model. Our result indicates that some factor present in the unfolding enthalpies of native proteins makes the unfolding enthalpy of the pH 4 molten globule less positive than expected from data for peptide helices.
Supervision of Predoctoral Graduate Research: A Practice-Oriented Approach

A practice-oriented approach to research supervision is described, which emphasizes the application of clinical thinking and practice-oriented methods to inquiry and involves a process of learning by doing. The research interests, orientation, and learning response of the students who have experienced this research practicum are reported. It is concluded that a research practicum of this nature can engage the interest of those counseling students who are practice oriented and prepare them for a contributing role in research relevant to practice.
D2-40 immunohistochemical analysis of pediatric vascular tumors reveals positivity in kaposiform hemangioendothelioma

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma is a distinctive vascular neoplasm affecting predominantly children and neonates. In neonates it needs to be differentiated from common infantile hemangioma and other vascular lesions of infancy. Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma immunoreacts with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3, and partial lymphothelial differentiation of this lesion has been suggested. D2-40 has been recently proposed as a selective marker of lymphatic endothelium. We performed immunohistochemical analysis with the D2-40 antibody on 24 kaposiform hemangioendotheliomas and 48 other pediatric vascular lesions including common infantile hemangioma (n=10), rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma (n=10), non-involuting congenital hemangioma (n=9), verrucous hemangioma (n=9), and pyogenic granuloma (n=10) to define whether this marker can be applied in the diagnosis of vascular lesions of infancy. In all, 23 of 24 (96%) kaposiform hemangioendotheliomas exhibited a distinct staining, while none of the other lesions immunoreacted with D2-40. D2-40 stained the neoplastic spindled cells and lymphatic channels adjacent to vascular lobules of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. These findings support D2-40 as a new determinate marker for kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, useful in differentiating it from other vascular lesions of infancy and suggest lymphothelial differentiation of the neoplastic component of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. Further studies are necessary to define the identity of the D2-40 antigen and to elucidate the biologic significance of its selective lymphothelial reactivity..
Focal adhesion kinase activates Stat1 in integrin-mediated cell migration and adhesion.

Recent studies suggest that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is important for cell migration. We now suggest a mechanism by which FAK activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, regulating cell adhesion and migration. In particular, we observe that FAK is capable of activating Stat1, but not Stat3. Co-immunoprecipitation and in vitro binding assays demonstrate that Stat1 is transiently and directly associated with FAK during cell adhesion, and Stat1 is activated in this process. FAK with a C-terminal deletion (FAKΔC14) completely abolishes this interaction, indicating this association is dependent on the C-terminal domain of FAK, which is required for FAK localization at focal contacts. Moreover, Stat1 activation during cell adhesion is diminished in FAK-deficient cells, correlating with decreased migration in these cells. Finally, we show that depletion of Stat1 results in an enhancement of cell adhesion and a decrease in cell migration. Thus, our results have demonstrated, for the first time, a critical signaling pathway from integrin/FAK to Stat1 that reduces cell adhesion and promotes cell migration.
Influence of centrifugation regimes on motility, yield, and cell associations of mouse spermatozoa.

Mouse sperm are exceptionally sensitive to mechanical forces associated with pipetting and mixing. This characteristic raised the question of the sensitivity of mouse sperm to centrifugation, a step necessary in the removal of cryoprotectants and a common component in the general manipulation of sperm suspensions for experimental purpose. Epididymal spermatozoa from ICR mice were isolated and manipulated to minimize pipetting and mixing damage. The centrifugal accelerations studied were 200, 400, 600, and 800 x g (measured with a stroboscope) for 5, 10, or 15 minutes of centrifugation time. The number of cells and the number of motile cells were counted. The percent motility and longevity, total yield, and motile yield were calculated. Centrifugation at 200 and 400 x g for short times (5 minutes) caused only a small loss in either immediate or 2.5-hour motility, but centrifugation at 600 and 800 x g for 15 minutes produced up to a fivefold loss. Low speed/short time centrifugation pelleted only about half of the cells; the others were lost when the supernatant was removed. The maximum number of motile sperm (motile yield) was obtained at intermediate centrifugal forces (approximately 400 x g for 10-12 minutes), and it is the total number of motile sperm (and not the percent motility) that is important in the use of cryopreserved sperm to regenerate cryopreserved mutant lines. Relative centrifugal force and centrifugation time exhibit reciprocity (e.g., 200 x g for 10 minutes produces similar results to 400 x g for 5 minutes). The spermatozoa must be centrifuged under carefully defined conditions to minimize the damage and to maximize the recovery of viable cells.
Streptolysin O Rapidly Impairs Neutrophil Oxidative Burst and Antibacterial Responses to Group A Streptococcus

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes a wide range of human infections, ranging from simple pharyngitis to life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome. A globally disseminated clone of M1T1 GAS has been associated with an increase in severe, invasive GAS infections in recent decades. The secreted GAS pore-forming toxin streptolysin O (SLO), which induces eukaryotic cell lysis in a cholesterol-dependent manner, is highly upregulated in the GAS M1T1 clone during bloodstream dissemination. SLO is known to promote GAS resistance to phagocytic clearance by neutrophils, a critical first element of host defense against invasive bacterial infection. Here we examine the role of SLO in modulating specific neutrophil functions during their early interaction with GAS. We find that SLO at subcytotoxic concentrations and time points is necessary and sufficient to suppress neutrophil oxidative burst, in a manner reversed by free cholesterol and anti-SLO blocking antibodies. In addition, SLO at subcytotoxic concentrations blocked neutrophil degranulation, interleukin-8 secretion and responsiveness, and elaboration of DNA-based neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), cumulatively supporting a key role for SLO in GAS resistance to immediate neutrophil killing. A non-toxic SLO derivate elicits protective immunity against lethal GAS challenge in a murine infection model. We conclude that SLO exerts a novel cytotoxic-independent function at early stages of invasive infections (< 30 min), contributing to GAS escape from neutrophil clearance.
Performance surfaces and adaptive landscapes.

SYNOPSIS. In an earlier characterization of the relationship between morphology, performance and fitness, I focused only on directional selection (Arnold, 1983). The aim of this article is to extend that characterization to include stabilizing and other forms of nonlinear selection. As in the earlier characterization, this more general description of the morphology-performance-fitness relationship splits empirical analysis into two parts: the study of the relationship between morpholgy and performance, and the study of the relationship between performance and fitness. From a conceptual standpoint, my goal is to specify the relationship of performance studies to the adaptive landscape. I begin by reviewing the adaptive landscape concept and its importance in evolutionary biology. A central point emerging from that review is that that key descriptors of the adaptive landscape can be estimated by measuring the impact of selection on the means, variances and covariances of phenotypic traits. Those descriptors can be estimated by making a quadratic (regression) approximation to the selection surface that describes the relationship between the phenotypic traits of individuals and their fitness. Analysis of the effects of morphology on performance follows an analogous procedure: making a quadratic approximation to the individual performance surface and then using that approximation to solve for the descriptors of the performance landscape. I conclude by discussing the evolution of performance and adaptive landscapes. One possibility with biomechanical justification is that the performance landscape evolves along performance lines of least resistance.
Biomaterial Value Proposition of Triticale

Cereal starch and straw are particularly good candidates for the manufacturing of environmentally friendly polymer materials, especially as replacements, either fully or partially, for traditional synthetic plastic products because of their renewal ability, biodegradability, and low cost. However, the use of cereal starch for the development of bio-based plastics has generated a competition with the human food supply and also created lots of concerns. The use of triticale starch for such purpose can ease those competition and concerns. In this chapter, the development of triticale starch and straw for plastic products and their potential applications are presented. For starch, the most promising venue that can bring rapidly triticale starch into plastic market is as direct use to replace partially traditional plastics and is mainly focused in this chapter. In this case, starch is plasticized and gelatinized (so-called thermoplastic starch or TPS) prior to replace conventional plastics. TPS are also blended with other plastics at a molten stage to produce homogenous blends. All these steps can be performed in one step using conventional plastic processing equipment in order to reduce energy consumption and production cost. The triticale starch morphology, the blending and processing ability into plastic products, and the formulation and the properties of the obtained triticale TPS-based plastic products, such as crystallization structure, morphology, rheological behavior, mechanical properties, and biodegradability are quite comparable to those of other TPS-based plastics made from other starch sources. Thus, it confirms the benefits of TPS-based plastics made from triticale are equivalent with those of other food-grade TPS-based plastics.
Reducing duplicate testing: a comparison of two clinical decision support tools.

Objectives: Unnecessary duplicate laboratory testing is common and costly. Systems-based means to avert unnecessary testing should be investigated and employed. Methods: We compared the effectiveness and cost savings associated with two clinical decision support tools to stop duplicate testing. The Hard Stop required telephone contact with the laboratory and justification to have the duplicate test performed, whereas the Smart Alert allowed the provider to bypass the alert at the point of order entry without justification. Results: The Hard Stop alert was significantly more effective than the Smart Alert (92.3% vs 42.6%, respectively; P < .0001). The cost savings realized per alert activation was $16.08/alert for the Hard Stop alert vs $3.52/alert for the Smart Alert. Conclusions: Structural and process changes that require laboratory contact and justification for duplicate testing are more effective than interventions that allow providers to bypass alerts without justification at point of computerized physician order entry.
Effects of increased cortisol concentration on ovine fetal leucine kinetics and protein metabolism.

Fetal protein accretion decreases as gestation progresses, primarily because protein synthesis decreases. Also, glucocorticoid primarily because protein synthesis decreases. Also, glucocorticoid co...
Abstract 3874: An isogenic cell line approach to MMTV integration site analysis

Development of mammary tumors in mice carrying the retrovirus, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), occurs by insertional mutagenesis in which viral transcriptional regulatory elements drive increased expression of adjacent genes. Several oncogenes have been identified due to their ability to cause loss of cell growth control in this system. However, most virus positive tumors feature multiple integration sites, and determination of which may be significant in tumor growth represents a challenge to validation of importance of integration site genes. We have developed a panel of more than 20 independent cell lines derived from MMTV-induced tumors of BALB/c mice. Analysis of common integration sites led to the identification of Tmem170, encoding a predicted transmembrane protein of 144 amino acids. Tmem170 RNA is highly expressed in several cell lines in the panel, but not in normal mouse mammary gland. Rabbit antiserum against a peptide in the predicted extracellular domain revealed a single band migrating at approximately 40 KDa in SDS gels. We developed a panel of vectors encoding silencing RNAs targeting Tmem170 and introduced these into cell lines expressing the Tmem170 RNA. Two independent cell lines exhibited decreased doubling times in culture when Tmem expression was silenced. The cells were introduced into the mammary fat pads of isogenic BALB/c mice and silenced lines exhibited dramatically decreased tumor growth. These studies support Tmem1709s oncogenic role in tumor growth. In addition, the use of an easily manipulated cell line model for assessing the contribution of upregulated genes to tumorigenesis in immune competent animals allows for testing of other potential oncogenes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3874. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3874
Addressing Internalized Biases and Stereotypes of the Group Leader: A Life-Long Professional Task

It doesn’t matter how long you have been in the field, how much professional work you have done on issues of diversity, how sensitive you may be to avoid microaggressions when dealing with differen...
Isolation of children′s infection with Haemophilus influenzae and the resistance analysis

Objective To investigate the incidence and resistance status of Haemophilus influenzae(Hi) infection in children,so as to provide a reference for the rational use of antibiotics in clinical. Methods Bacterial culture of sputum and throat swab in 2251 children in our hospital from June 2012 to May 2013 were selected. Results 186 Hi samples had been detected and the positive rate was 8.3%,whereas there were 74 cases had been detected from March to May,and the positive rate was 39.8%,and the period was the infection peak according to the highest isolated rate.The drug resistance rates of susceptibility results showed that the resistance rate of trimethoprim/sulfam,ampicillin,tetracycline was 70.4%,51.6% and 32.3% respectively,the resistant rate of amipicillin/subactan and cefuroxime was 26.3% and17.2% respectively,whereas the resistant rate of cefotaxime,aztreonam,azithromycin,levofloxacin were all less than 10%,meropenem resistance rate was 0.0%,the positive rate of β-lactamase was 45.2%. Conclusion Hi is an important pathogen of respiratory tract infections in children in Hangzhou area,with high resistance to common antibiotics,so the antibiotic choice in clinical should be based on susceptibility results reasonably.
Determination of critical well spacing in the low permeability oil reservoirs

The experiment of single-phase flow through low permeability core shows that during fluid flow there exists start-up pressure gradient.The observed start-up pressure gradient is derived through processing experimental data,and the power function of start-up pressure gradient and permeability in low permeability reservoir is obtained,when considering the nonlinear flow function of start-up pressure gradient.Combined with the percolation theory of low permeability oil reservoirs,we derived the function of determining critical technological spacing in low permeability reservoirs,and provided the theoretical basis for determining reasonable well spacing density during the development of low permeability oil reservoirs.The smaller the permeability,the bigger the start-up pressure gradient.
What Levels of Cholesterol should be Studied and What Should be the Study Designs

Study design must always depend on the objectives of the trial. In this paper, I will be talking about trials in phase II, III, and IV that are intended to determine whether a drug is safe and effective for use in altering lipids and lipoproteins for prevention of coronary artery disease.
A centrosome interactome provides insight into organelle assembly and reveals a non-duplication role for Plk4

Division of Intramural Research at the NIH/NHLBI [1ZIAHL006104]; NIH/NIGMS [R01GM110166, R01GM094415]; NSF [MCB1158151]
A numerical study of turbulence under temporally evolving axisymmetric contraction and subsequent relaxation

Direct numerical simulations using up to grid points on a deforming domain have been used to study the response of initially isotropic turbulence to a period of spatially uniform axisymmetric contraction (with one extensional and two equally compressive directions) and subsequent relaxation. A time-dependent strain rate is formulated to closely correspond to the downstream evolution in the wind tunnel experiments of Ayyalasomayajula & Warhaft (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 566, 2006, pp. 273–307), with a smoothly varying 4 : 1 contraction ratio. The application of strain leads to anisotropy in both the large scales and the small scales, in a manner where nonlinear effects not considered in rapid-distortion theory play an important role. Upon termination of strain, the small scales quickly return to isotropy while a residual level of anisotropy appears to persist at the large scales. The simulations are shown to reproduce many key findings from experiments, including distinctive changes in the form of the one-dimensional spectra in the extensional direction that arise at sufficiently high Reynolds number, during both the straining and relaxation periods. Scale-dependent measures of anisotropy are presented in terms of one-dimensional spectra and axisymmetric versions of the energy spectrum. To explain the observed changes in spectral shapes, various terms in the spectral evolution equation representing rapid pressure strain, slow pressure strain, production, nonlinear transfer and viscous dissipation are computed, showing that nonlinear effects take a dominant role when a wide range of scales exists. In particular, the ‘double-peak’ spectral form observed in experiments at high Reynolds number is found to be a consequence of the small scales relaxing towards isotropy much faster than the large scales. A comparison of results obtained from computational domains of varying sizes and grid resolutions show that the numerical findings are robust.