cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of hypothalamic neuron-derived neurotrophic factor as a novel factor modulating appetite

Disruption of finely coordinated neuropeptide signals in the hypothalamus can result in altered food intake and body weight. We identified neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NENF) as a novel secreted protein through a large-scale screen aimed at identifying novel secreted hypothalamic proteins that regulate food intake. We observed robust Nenf expression in hypothalamic nuclei known to regulate food intake, and its expression was altered under the diet-induced obese (DIO) condition relative to the fed state. Hypothalamic Nenf mRNA was regulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, itself an important regulator of appetite. Delivery of purified recombinant BDNF into the lateral cerebral ventricle decreased hypothalamic Nenf expression, while pharmacological inhibition of trkB signaling increased Nenf mRNA expression. Furthermore, recombinant NENF administered via an intracerebroventricular cannula decreased food intake and body weight and increased hypothalamic Pomc and Mc4r mRNA expression. Importantly, the appetite-suppressing effect of NENF was abrogated in obese mice fed a high-fat diet, demonstrating a diet-dependent modulation of NENF function. We propose the existence of a regulatory circuit involving BDNF, NENF, and melanocortin signaling. Our study validates the power of using an integrated experimental and bioinformatic approach to identify novel CNS-derived proteins with appetite-modulating function and reveals NENF as an important central modulator of food intake.
Simulation and Analysis of Laminar Flow Reactors

Abstract Laminar flow reactors are frequently used to experimentally study an isolated elementary reaction step as well as chemical kinetic mechanisms of many coupled reactions. This classical method is effective in measuring kinetic rate parameters when the effects of mass diffusion and wall surface reactions can be neglected or accurately assessed. We perform a series of two-dimensional direct numerical simulations to investigate issues related to the operation of this classical apparatus. By utilizing a well-established gas phase kinetic mechanism for moist CO oxidation and a commonly used sub-model for multi-component diffusive transport, we investigate a virtual elementary kinetic experiment. In particular, we extract data from the simulations and evaluate the rate parameters of the reaction CO + OH ⇄ CO2 + H as one would in an actual experiment. We show that under appropriate operating conditions, the desired elementary reaction rate parameters can be recovered accurately with minimal efforts in ana...
The generality of overselectivity in developmentally disabled children.

Abstract A growing body of research suggests that low Mental Age (MA) autistic and retarded children show a unique stimulus control deficit, one that may cause many or most of their behavioral deficiencies. This problem, stimulus overselectivity, is evidenced when a child responds only to a restricted portion of the stimulus environment when compared with normal children. The purpose of this study was to assess whether this overselectivity is general across situations or whether it is restricted to certain stimulus/task conditions. Eight autistic children, who evidenced overselectivity on a preassessment task, and 8 normal children with similar MA levels participated. All children were trained on 3 tasks to determine if overselectivity varied as a function of different stimulus conditions. Each of the 3 tasks involved training a child to respond to (i.e., touch) a card containing a circle (S +) and to avoid a blank (S −) card. In each case, the circle comprised a series of dots. The difference between the 3 circles (tasks) was the distance between the successive dots making up each circle. Also, in the minimal separation condition the dots were smaller in size and greater in number than in the larger separation conditions. Of concern was whether autistic children learned about the gestalt (i.e., the circle), which required attention to multiple cues, or whether children would overselect and respond to the dots. The results showed that (1) stimulus overselectivity was found not to be a generalized deficit in autistic subjects; instead, it varied as a function of the stimulus variables; and (2) the stimulus variables manipulated in this study similarly influenced the responding of both normal and autistic children. The implications of these data for a theory of overselectivity are discussed.
The role of economic and demographic factors in explaining time-use of single and married mothers

The number of households headed by single mothers has been increasing in recent years. Yet, little is known about how this growing segment of the population differs, if at all, from married mothers in their time allocation patterns. In the study reported here, a system of time allocation equations based on household production theory is estimated for both married and single mothers. The results indicate that married and single mothers make different decisions about how to allocate their time to household production, child care, leisure, and paid work. Specifically, single and married mothers responded differently to a change in their shadow wage rates, unearned income, paid child care, and the ages of the children in each of the estimated equations.
In-plane waves in an elastic solid containing a cracked slab region

Abstract Propagation of longitudinal and transverse waves in an elastic solid that contains a cracked slab region is investigated. The cracks have a uniform probability density in the slab region, are parallel to the boundaries of the slab, and the solid is uncracked on either side of the slab. The waves are normally incident on the cracks. It is shown that the resulting average total motion in the solid is governed by a pair of coupled integral equations. These equations are solved under the special assumption that the average exciting motion near a fixed crack is equal to the average total motion. In this case, one finds that in the cracked region, where multiple scattering occurs, there is a forward motion and a backward motion. The two motions have identical frequency-dependent velocity and attenuation, for which simple closed-form formulae are obtained. Simple formulae are also obtained for the wave amplitudes outside the slab. Numerical results corresponding to the velocity, attenuation, reflection amplitude, and transmission amplitude are presented for several values of crack density and slab thickness.
Design space exploration and data memory architecture design for a hybrid nano/CMOS dynamically reconfigurable architecture

In recent years, research on nanotechnology has advanced rapidly. Novel nanodevices have been developed, such as those based on carbon nanotubes, nanowires, etc. Using these emerging nanodevices, diverse nanoarchitectures have been proposed. Among them, hybrid nano/CMOS reconfigurable architectures have attracted attention because of their advantages in performance, integration density, and fault tolerance. Recently, a high-performance hybrid nano/CMOS reconfigurable architecture, called NATURE, was presented. NATURE comprises CMOS reconfigurable logic and interconnect fabric, and CMOS-fabrication-compatible nanomemory. High-density, fast nano RAMs are distributed in NATURE as on-chip storage to store multiple reconfiguration copies for each reconfigurable element. It enables cycle-by-cycle runtime reconfiguration and a highly efficient computational model, called temporal logic folding. Through logic folding, NATURE provides more than an order of magnitude improvement in logic density and area-delay product, and significant design flexibility in performing area-delay trade-offs, at the same technology node. Moreover, NATURE can be fabricated using mainstream photolithography fabrication techniques. Hence, it offers a currently commercially viable reconfigurable architecture with high performance, superior logic density, and outstanding design flexibility, which is very attractive for deployment in cost-conscious embedded systems.In order to fully explore the potential of NATURE and further improve its performance, in this article, a thorough design space exploration is conducted to optimize its architecture. Investigations in terms of different logic element architectures, interconnect designs, and various technologies for nano RAMs are presented. Nano RAMs can not only be used as storage for configuration bits, but the high density of nano RAMs also makes them excellent candidates for large-capacity on-chip data storage in NATURE. Many logic- and memory-intensive applications, such as video and image processing, require large storage of temporal results. To enhance the capability of NATURE for implementing such applications, we investigate the design of nano data memory structures in NATURE and explore the impact of memory density. Experimental results demonstrate significant throughput improvements due to area saving from logic folding and parallel data processing.
Effects of estrogen on potassium-stimulated acetylcholine release in the hippocampus and overlying cortex of adult rats

In vivo microdialysis techniques were used to examine the effects of estrogen on potassium-stimulated acetylcholine release in the hippocampus and overlying cortex of adult, ovariectomized rats. Estrogen treatment resulted in a significant increase in the percent change in acetylcholine release induced by potassium relative to controls, particularly after prolonged (90 min) exposure to high potassium. The data suggest that estrogen may help to maintain cholinergic function under conditions where cholinergic afferents to the hippocampal formation and cortex are challenged or impaired.
Improving efficiency in business-to-business information transfers: a Web-based solution in the beef sector

Internet usage is growing rapidly among agricultural producers and processors, but little attention has been paid to the advantages of agribusiness firms using the Internet as an information exchange with other firms, such as input suppliers. A case study of a beef processor using the Internet to deliver information to input suppliers is presented to illustrate possible information transfer efficiency gains. The prototype information delivery system is a three-tier, Web-based product consisting of data, business logic, and presentation layers. Compared to a traditional client-server design, the Web-based system is more easily scalable as system demand increases, more easily managed whenever software is updated, more flexible, less costly, and more reliable. An overview of the system's design is provided to facilitate information professionals developing a similar system, which is specific to their business model.
The biologically relevant parameter in nerve impulse trains.

An experiment is described, the results of which indicate that impulse rate is the information carrying parameter of impulse trains. The demodulation of such information occurs by low-pass filtering. This conceptual model is compatible with all the features of synaptic transmission. The implications of this model for the transmission of information in integrative neurons is discussed.
Malthus, demography and social psychology☆

Logically each of these systems can be taken as consistent and self-contained. One can work within each of them producing important data and interesting theories. A complete theory of demography however a theory which can predict as well as explain and be useful for social policy will have to integrate all three perspectives. However each particular scholar will feel most comfortable in one or the other kind of theory and the history of demography has followed the preferences and achievements of different leaders with such affinities to different levels of success. These historical accidents influence the prevalence of one or the other model. For better or worse Thomas Malthus determined the direction which the incipient science of demography would take. The conditions which led Malthus to write the Essay determined not only the realisation that overpopulation could be a problem but the manner of approach to this problem as well. The data which Malthus employed to strengthen his argument the manner of reasoning he employed looked at population as a practically self-propelled unit. We have the image of an expanding mass straining against the constraint of natural resources. What is missing from this picture is the characteristically human ability to plan to think and to organise. Demography has followed this path for a long time showing population trends neglecting an alternative route of building up demographic rates from individual decisions. The latter procedure is comparatively recent and has added new perspectives to demography leading to better founded theories. This paper will discuss the route taken from Malthuss work and the dimensions which were implied when new models of human nature were added to the work of demography. (excerpt)
Color Coding of Circuit Quantities in Introductory Circuit Analysis Instruction

Learning the analysis of electrical circuits represented by circuit diagrams is often challenging for novice students. An open research question in electrical circuit analysis instruction is whether color coding of the mathematical symbols (variables) that denote electrical quantities can improve circuit analysis learning. The present study compared two groups of high school students undergoing their first introductory learning of electrical circuit analysis. One group learned with circuit variables in black font. The other group learned with colored circuit variables, with blue font indicating variables related to voltage, red font indicating those related to current, and black font indicating those related to resistance. The color group achieved significantly higher post-test scores, gave higher ratings for liking the instruction and finding it helpful, and had lower ratings of cognitive load than the black-font group. These results indicate that color coding of the notations for quantities in electrical circuit diagrams aids the circuit analysis learning of novice students.
99mTc 1-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid: tumor and tissue distribution results on a labeled cytotoxic amino acid☆

Abstract A 99mTc chelate of a cytotoxic unnatural amino acid, 1-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid, has been prepared and its tumor and tissue distribution evaluated in hamsters. Elevated renal and liver levels were observed and the bio-distribution displayed marked differences from a 14C analog.
Persistent Depression in Coronary Bypass Patients Reporting Sexual Maladjustment

Four hundred ten patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery demonstrated a highly significant correlation between sexual-adjustment disturbance and postoperative depressive symptomatology. Patients were assessed preoperatively with the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS), Zung SDS, and CES-D depression-rating scales; assessments were also made at three, six, and twelve months postoperatively. The PAIS served to examine psychosocial adjustment following bypass surgery. In particular, five of the six subscale items addressing sexual function were significantly correlated with persistent depressive symptoms. Sexual function problems were highly correlated with depression both pre- and postoperatively; of greater importance, preoperative sexual adjustment disturbances were predictive of depressive symptoms postoperatively on all assessment occasions. This study supports the need for an assiduous sexual history and psychiatric evaluation prior to surgery.
Catalytic Parallel Kinetic Resolution under Homogeneous Conditions

Two complementary chiral catalysts, the phosphine 8d and the DMAP-derived ent-23b, are used simultaneously to selectively activate a mixture of two different achiral anhydrides as acyl donors under homogeneous conditions. The resulting activated intermediates 25 and 26 react with the racemic benzylic alcohol 5 to form enantioenriched esters (R)-24 and (S)-17 by fully catalytic parallel kinetic resolution (PKR). The aroyl ester (R)-24 is obtained with near-ideal enantioselectivity for the PKR process, but (S)-17 is contaminated by ca. 8% of the minor enantiomer (R)-17 resulting from a second pathway via formation of mixed anhydride 27 and its activation by 8d.
Non-equilibrium plasmas in fuel-air mixtures generated by half of a microwave

The application of a 12ns unipolar pulse-or ‘half of a microwave’-for plasma production is compared in applications to more traditional microwave generated plasma, and evidence of improved pressures and efficiencies will be presented. These include initiation of combustion in fuel-air mixtures wherein the electron energy distribution is fundamentally different, sometimes appearing as streamers with space-charge limited streamer heads. Understanding the dynamics of nanosecond streamer discharges in air and in fuel-air mixtures at multi-atmospheric pressures is needed for applications of the non-equilibrium plasma assisted combustion processes in a variety of engines and with various fuels[1]. Pressure inside internal combustion engines, where transient plasma can be applied to improve combustion efficiency and peak pressure, can be very high. Cathode-directed streamer discharges and streamer propagation characteristics in synthetic air at pressures ranging from 1 to 22 bar are reported, and extension of these methods to fuel-air mixtures, including methane and diesel fuel, will be discussed. The discharges are investigated by optical, electrical and theoretical (phenomenological) methods. Streamer velocity scaling for higher pressures as a function of applied voltage, pressure and reduced electric field, E/P, is measured, and the scaling compared with the result of dimensional analysis. Transient plasma is shown to be useful for improving ignition and combustion in a range of fuels.
The Prevalence of CYP2C8, 2C9, 2J2, and soluble epoxide hydrolase polymorphisms in African Americans with hypertension.

Background The cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase pathway produces arachidonic acid metabolites that are vasoactive, that affect renal sodium handling, and that have been proposed to play a mechanistic role in hypertension. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in CYP2C8, 2C9, 2J2 and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) have been identified, many of which have altered functional activity in vitro. We performed a case-control study to determine the prevalence of epoxygenase-related SNP in African American individuals and to evaluate whether these SNP are associated with increased risk of hypertension. Methods Normotensive African American individuals (N = 107) and African American patients with hypertension (N = 108) were recruited. DNA was extracted from a venous blood sample and genotyped for CYP2C8*2,*3, CYP2C9*2-*5,*8,*11, CYP2J2 *2-*7, L50L, R49S, V113M, N124S, sEH R287Q, and sEH 403Rins variant alleles by allelic discrimination using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated and associations with hypertension were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age and sex. Results No association was found between any of the variant alleles and hypertension. We did find that only the CYP2C8*3and CYP2C9*2 alleles were in strong linkage disequilibrium in both the hypertensive and healthy African American groups, a finding that was reported previously in healthy individuals of white ethnicity. Conclusions These results suggest that these epoxygenase-related SNP are not associated with increased risk of hypertension in the African American population. There was significant linkage disequilibrium between CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C9*2 alleles that was not associated with hypertension.
The Relationship Between Health and Academic Performance in School-Age Children

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to investigate the relationship between health and academic performance in school-age children. Comprising the sample were 124 children in third (n = 69) and sixth grades (n = 55). Health was defined and operationalized as a multidimensional concept and measured by examination of clinical health problems, behavioral health problems, and a subjective component using the Child's Health Self-concept Scale (CHSCS). Academic performance was measured with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). Data for third- and sixth-grade children were analyzed separately using descriptive and correlational statistics. One indicator of health for each grade was significantly related to academic performance. In third-grade children, the number of sickroom visits was inversely related to academic performance (r =. 23; p =. 05). In sixth-grade children, the CHSCS scores were positively correlated with academic performance (r =. 34; p =. 01). Implications of these findings a...
An overview of wireless structural health monitoring for civil structures

Wireless monitoring has emerged in recent years as a promising technology that could greatly impact the field of structural monitoring and infrastructure asset management. This paper is a summary of research efforts that have resulted in the design of numerous wireless sensing unit prototypes explicitly intended for implementation in civil structures. Wireless sensing units integrate wireless communications and mobile computing with sensors to deliver a relatively inexpensive sensor platform. A key design feature of wireless sensing units is the collocation of computational power and sensors; the tight integration of computing with a wireless sensing unit provides sensors with the opportunity to self-interrogate measurement data. In particular, there is strong interest in using wireless sensing units to build structural health monitoring systems that interrogate structural data for signs of damage. After the hardware and the software designs of wireless sensing units are completed, the Alamosa Canyon Bridge in New Mexico is utilized to validate their accuracy and reliability. To improve the ability of low-cost wireless sensing units to detect the onset of structural damage, the wireless sensing unit paradigm is extended to include the capability to command actuators and active sensors.
Late consequences of chronic pediatric illness.

With the advent of new treatments for pediatric disorders, more chronically ill children and adolescents are surviving into adulthood than ever before. This article is aimed at helping psychiatric consultants understand how medical, developmental, and psychosocial needs are altered in adults who have grown up chronically ill as children. Congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, and rheumatologic disorders are discussed in detail as models to illustrate the impact of congenital malformations, genetic disorders, and typically adult disorders occurring in the pediatric age group.
Language Difference and Communication Policy in the Information Age

This study argues that language difference is an important, though often neglected, element in contemporary flows of audiovisual media and organizations' efforts to influence them through policy. Because linguistic issues overlap a number of policy areas, including trade, culture, language, and communication, this study advocates for increased attention to language-related concerns within and across those areas by policymakers and researchers alike. Various developments associated with globalization have contributed to the significance of the transnational media trade, and are discussed in light of language difference. Special emphasis is given the handling of language in media by the European Union and North American Free Trade Agreement, two trade regimes that have treated language difference distinctly. The probable expansion of both trade regimes is likely to increase the salience of linguistic diversity among participant societies in the future.
Protective equipment as treatment for stereotypic hand mouthing: sensory extinction or punishment effects?

We examined the effects of noncontingent and contingent protective equipment as treatment for self-injurious hand mouthing exhibited by 2 individuals with profound mental retardation. Results of a functional analysis assessment revealed that neither subject's self-injury was maintained by social reinforcement: One subject's self-injury was cyclical in nature; the other's occurred during all assessment conditions but most frequently when left alone. In the noncontingent-equipment condition, oven mitts were placed on the individual's hands at the beginning of a session and remained on throughout. In the contingent-equipment condition, the mitts were briefly placed on the individual's hands following occurrences of hand mouthing. For 1 subject, noncontingent mitts produced a large decrease in the rate of hand mouthing and contingent mitts produced similar results following a return to baseline. Hand mouthing was also reduced in the 2nd subject, but this individual was exposed only to the contingent-equipment condition (i.e., there was no prior history with the noncontingent-equipment condition). These results suggest either a punishment or a time-out interpretation rather than an extinction interpretation to account for the behavior-reducing effects of contingent protective equipment on self-injury.
Balancing transport and physical Layers in wireless multihop networks: jointly optimal congestion control and power control

In a wireless network with multihop transmissions and interference-limited link rates, can we balance power control in the physical layer and congestion control in the transport layer to enhance the overall network performance while maintaining the architectural modularity between the layers? We answer this question by presenting a distributed power control algorithm that couples with existing transmission control protocols (TCPs) to increase end-to-end throughput and energy efficiency of the network. Under the rigorous framework of nonlinearly constrained utility maximization, we prove the convergence of this coupled algorithm to the global optimum of joint power control and congestion control, for both synchronized and asynchronous implementations. The rate of convergence is geometric and a desirable modularity between the transport and physical layers is maintained. In particular, when congestion control uses TCP Vegas, a simple utilization in the physical layer of the queueing delay information suffices to achieve the joint optimum. Analytic results and simulations illustrate other desirable properties of the proposed algorithm, including robustness to channel outage and to path loss estimation errors, and flexibility in trading off performance optimality for implementation simplicity. This work presents a step toward a systematic understanding of "layering" as "optimization decomposition," where the overall communication network is modeled by a generalized network utility maximization problem, each layer corresponds to a decomposed subproblem, and the interfaces among layers are quantified as the optimization variables coordinating the subproblems. In the case of the transport and physical layers, link congestion prices turn out to be the optimal "layering prices.".
Diagnosis and treatment of enthesitis-related arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. The enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) JIA category describes a clinically heterogeneous group of children including some who have predominately enthesitis, enthesitis and arthritis, juvenile ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthropathy. ERA accounts for 10%–20% of JIA. Common clinical manifestations of ERA include arthritis, enthesitis, and acute anterior uveitis. Axial disease is also common in children with established ERA. Treatment regimens for ERA, many of them based on adults with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and biologic agents either individually or in combination.
Detection of Fabricated CTS Packet Attacks in Wireless LANs

IEEE 802.11 standard employs the RTS/CTS handshake procedure to avoid transmission collision and to improve network throughput. However, such an exchange may become a system vulnerability when malicious nodes send fabricated control messages such as CTS to make false claims of channel reservation. To the best of our knowledge, there exists no systematic detection technique for such fabricated control messages. In this paper, we investigate the adverse effects of such attacks on channel throughput and delivery ratio. In order to mitigate these effects, we propose an approach to detect the fabricated messages. With the help of two-hop neighborhood information, our technique enables jamming detection and allows the targeted node to send a message, which instructs neighboring nodes to ignore the fabricated control message. We perform ns-2 simulations to evaluate the benefit of our scheme.
Integration of CEBus with utility load management and automatic meter reading

It is pointed out that the writing of the CEBus standard will provide utilities with new concepts in load management and automatic meter reading (AMR). It will be possible for homeowners to have an important role in the load management responsibilities. As homeowners begin to purchase appliances outfitted with the CEBus option, such as water heaters and air conditioners, utilities will be able to communicate with the appliance by power line carrier through a CEBus meter. As a value-added benefit to the utility for installing an intelligent meter, the utility will be able to obtain a monthly meter reading. >
Shaping Health Behavior across Generations: Evidence from Time Use data in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and its Supplements.

This paper examines ways that families use time to shape their children’s health behaviors. Specifically, it explores ways that parents can prepare children to make health-enhancing choices as adults. It also analyzes ways that offspring manage their time during young adulthood, when they are old enough to make independent decisions about whether they will spend their time producing health, as the Grossman model argues that individuals can do (Grossman 2000). The empirical research uses time diary data from the Child Development Supplement CDS), data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) core and the PSID’s Transition to Adulthood (TA) module. By examining the intergenerational transmission of healthy behaviors, it is possible to better understand decisions individuals make in adulthood.
A Study of the Thermolysis Behaviour of Pmma in Polymer/SiO2-PbO-B2O3 Glass Powder Mixtures

The binder burn-out behavior in PMMA/glass powder composites was studied as a function of glass composition in the PbO-SiO2-B203 system. The PbO content was varied to obtain glasses having optical basicities in the range of 0.62–0.81. TGA measurements on PMMA/glass composites show that the main decomposition end temperatures of PMMA increase with decreasing PbO content, and therefore, decreasing optical basicity. This indicates that PMMA interacts strongly with more acidic surfaces. The effect of the milling fluid was also studied. Milling in toluene does not significantly alter the behavior. Milling in water of a PbO-rich glass leads to significant leaching of lead. During drying, the leached lead deposits on the glass particle surfaces and drastically alters the thermal behaviour of the glass powder and PMMA/glass composites.
‘Funny’ current: If heart rate slowing is not the best answer, what might be?

DiFrancesco first described an ion current in the sinoatrial node (SAN) of the rabbit which was thought ‘funny’, as is unusual, since it was hyperpolarization-activated and carried by both sodium and potassium ions.1,2 Hence, its name I f. The current is active in diastole between roughly −50 and −20 mV when it shuts down and is followed by the activation of the T-channel calcium current, which continues the process of diastolic depolarization. Accordingly, I f contributes significantly to spontaneous pacemaker activity in the mammalian heart.1 The gene encoding the channel was first discovered in the mouse brain.3 Subsequently, in the cardiac tissue, four isoforms of the hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gating channel protein (HCN 1,2,3,4) were identified.1,4 The channel's operating range and activity are sensitive to cAMP (second messenger role) and so autonomic tone, both sympathetic and parasympathetic.1 The distribution of isoforms in the rabbit heart also is variable, with HCN4 greater than HCN1 in SAN, whereas much lower levels of HCN2 are found in ventricular myocardium,5 but given the very large mass of myocytes vs. SAN tissue, HCN2 likely is the dominant isoform on a mass basis.5 Finally, the I f current is active at a threshold of −45 mV in the rabbit SAN but is only faint at hyperpolarization to −150 mV in rabbit myocytes.5 However, it is readily apparent at −100 mV in … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 617 724 3650; fax: +1 617 724 3636/3600. E-mail address : hgewirtz{at}partners.org; gewirtz.henry{at}mgh.harvard.edu
Evaluation of fiber-composite laminate in the restoration of immature, nonvital maxillary central incisors.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of fiber-composite laminate, a reinforcement ribbon embedded throughout a composite restoration, to reinforce immature maxillary central incisors. Twenty-six mature maxillary central incisors were prepared a minimum of 3 mm below the facial cementoenamel junction to simulate immature nonvital teeth. They were separated into 3 groups: group 1 was unfilled and served as a control; group 2 was filled to the depth of the preparation with composite; and group 3 was filled with composite and Connect Reinforcement Ribbon. The specimens were subjected to class I loading in an Instron Testing Machine until catastrophic failure occurred. The results indicate a highly significant difference between the groups (p ≤ 0.003). Group 1 fractured at an average load of 31.08 kg, group 2 at 51.00 kg, and group 3 at 37.93 kg. These findings suggest that composite alone increases fracture resistance of the immature tooth model more than composite with Reinforcement Ribbon.
A novel method for quantifying the in-vivo mechanical effect of material injected into a myocardial infarction.

Background Infarcted regions of myocardium exhibit functional impairment ranging in severity from hypokinesis to dyskinesis. We sought to quantify the effects of injecting a calcium hydroxyapatite-based tissue filler on the passive material response of infarcted left ventricles. Methods Three-dimensional finite element models of the left ventricle were developed using three-dimensional echocardiography data from sheep with a treated and untreated anteroapical infarct, to estimate the material properties (stiffness) in the infarct and remote regions. This was accomplished by matching experimentally determined left ventricular volumes, and minimizing radial strain in the treated infarct, which is indicative of akinesia. The nonlinear stress-strain relationship for the diastolic myocardium was anisotropic with respect to the local muscle fiber direction, and an elastance model for active fiber stress was incorporated. Results It was found that the passive stiffness parameter, C, in the treated infarct region is increased by nearly 345 times the healthy remote value. Additionally, the average myofiber stress in the treated left ventricle was significantly reduced in both the remote and infarct regions. Conclusions Overall, injection of tissue filler into the infarct was found to render it akinetic and reduce stress in the left ventricle, which could limit the adverse remodeling that leads to heart failure.
Characterization of chromate conversion coating on AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy

Chromate conversion coatings (CCCs) on AA7075-T6 were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam sectioning and scanning transmission electron microscopy with nano-electron dispersive spectroscopy line profiling. The thickness and composition of the CCC was different at different locations on the heterogeneous microstructure of AA7075-T6. The coating formed on the matrix phase was much thicker than that formed on the coarse Al-Cu-Mg, Al-Fe-Cu and Mg-Si intermetallic particles. Nano-electron dispersive spectroscopy line profiling indicated that the coating on the Al-Fe-Cu particles was similar to the CCC formed on the phase matrix, primarily a chromium oxide. However, the coatings on the Al-Cu-Mg and Mg-Si particles were mixed Al/Mg/Cr oxide and Mg oxide, respectively. The growth of CCC followed a linear-logarithmic kinetic rate law. The observations of this study support the sol-gel model of CCC formation.
Donor–acceptor semiconducting polymers for organic solar cells

This review describes the synthesis and photovoltaic performance of donor–acceptor (D–A) semiconducting polymers that have been reported during the last decade. 9,9-Dialkyl-2,7- fluorene, 2,7-carbazole, cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene, dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]silole, dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene, benzo[1,2 b:4,5 b′]difuran building blocks, and their D–A copolymers are described in this review. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Feedback linearization of active magnetic bearings: current-mode implementation

Feedback linearization is a promising approach to the nonlinear control problem posed by active magnetic bearing systems. In this paper, feedback linearization is employed in combination with robust control techniques for the regulation of a single axis test rig actuated by a multiple pole magnetic bearing. To this end, a nonlinear polynomial model of the magnetic actuator was developed based on its experimental calibration. The effect of the amplifier and measurement system dynamics on the feedback linearization performance, was also examined, and compensation filters were developed. Finally, an uncertainty framework was proposed for the linearized plant, and a robust controller was designed via /spl mu/ synthesis. Experimental results demonstrate that the feedback-linearized active magnetic bearing system can achieve stability and the specified performance over the entire range of bearing clearance. The introduction of compensation filters is shown to be essential to this result.
INFOSEC: What Is The Legal Standard Of Care?

The convenience of conducting personal business in the comfort of one’s home attracts millions of individuals to shop, pay bills, and bank online. In the process, sensitive personal and financial information is disclosed and the exchange of this information creates a risk of identity theft. Providing effective cyber security is an issue with significant implications for companies. Failure to provide adequate security for consumer information may subject a company to legal action by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Information vulnerability, recent security failures and the standard of care are discussed.
Urban Parks and Attitudes about Ecosystem Services: Does Park Use Matter?

In this study, we explored how visitation to urban green spaces relates to attitudes about urban forest ecosystem services among city residents. We used responses to a general population survey of urban residents in four Oregon, USA, cities to explore whether visits to urban and urbanproximate green spaces (such as parks and forest reserves) had a relationship to people's attitudes about urban forest ecosystem services. We also looked at a relationship between use frequency and familiarity with urban forest and ecosystem concepts. Results from our sample suggest that visitation frequency to urban green spaces has a positive relationship with attitudes about urban forest ecosystem services. We found that, in general, more frequent urban green space visitors had a greater familiarity with urban forest and ecosystem terms, and were more tolerant of problems (i.e., disservices) associated with urban trees and green space. Visitation frequency was less strongly associated with beliefs about threats to urban forests. Our results give some indication that urban natural resource management in Oregon could benefit by promoting urban natural area visits. Our data suggest that increasing visitation to urban parks, forest reserves, or other designated natural areas would likely coincide with greater public understanding and support for urban natural resource management. Among the strategies that may encourage more visitation, maintenance and general upkeep are very important. For example, infrequent visitors in our sample rated trash and litter accumulation and loitering as more substantial problems associated with urban forests and green spaces than more frequent visitors. Ensuring that potential users perceive a safe and inviting setting may increase visits. Most parks and recreation departments in the U.S. are facing shrinking budgets although volunteers can accomplish many basic maintenance and upkeep tasks. Partnering with community groups and local businesses will also provide outreach and engagement opportunities that can promote greater public support for park and recreation departments.
Direct vs. Indirect Boundary Element Methods

Direct and indirect boundary-element formulations are compared in the context of calculating the fluid mass matrix for two-dimensional flow of an ideal fluid external to cylindrical surfaces. The accuracy of calculated eigenvalues for the associated fluidboundary eigenproblem is used to assess performance. It is found that the indirect method is generally more accurate, which is attributed to the fact that boundary-element discretization directly constrains only the source field in the indirect formulation, whereas it directly constrains both the pressure and velocity fields in the direct formulation.
Pharmacologic blockade and genetic deletion of androgen receptor attenuates aortic aneurysm formation.

Background Testosterone is theorized to play a major role in the pathophysiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) because this disease occurs primarily in men. The role of the androgen receptor (AR) in the formation of AAAs has not been well elucidated, and therefore, it is hypothesized that androgen blockade will attenuate experimental aortic aneurysm formation. Methods Aortas of 8- to 12-week-old male C57Bl/6 wild-type (WT) mice or male AR knockout (AR −/− ) mice were perfused with purified porcine pancreatic elastase (0.35 U/mL) to induce AAA formation. Two groups of WT male mice were treated with the AR blockers flutamide (50 mg/kg) or ketoconazole (150 mg/kg) twice daily by intraperitoneal injection. Aortas were harvested on day 14 after video micrometry was used to measure AAA diameter. Cytokine arrays and histologic analysis were performed on aortic tissue. Groups were compared using an analysis of variance and a Tukey post hoc test. Results Flutamide and ketoconazole treatment (mean ± standard error of the mean) attenuated AAA formation in WT mice (84.2% ± 22.8% [ P = .009] and 91.5% ± 18.2% [ P = .037]) compared with WT elastase (121% ± 5.23%). In addition, AR −/− mice showed attenuation of AAA growth (64.4% ± 22.7%; P −/− groups compared with controls. Conclusions Pharmacologic and genetic AR blockade cause attenuation of AAA formation. Therapies for AR blockade used in prostate cancer may provide medical treatment to halt progression of AAAs in humans.
Thou Shall Not Kill - But We Will

Thou sall not kill, but we will. Under the new commandment, the US reserves the right to murder whomever it pleases, to condemn or condone political murders as it pleases. Here are three episodes that illuminate the new commandment.
Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Revision knee replacement presents a complex surgical challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. Every phase of the revision procedure must be approached with careful planning to effect a sound functional result. Diagnosis of failure must be accurate, particularly to eliminate the presence of indolent infection. Mechanical causes of failure provide special problems of soft tissue balancing and bone loss and these must be thoroughly evaluated prior to proceeding with revision surgery. Comprehensive examination of the patient provides important preoperative information on the nature and utility of prior incisions, soft tissue deficits that may be problematic with wound closure, and ligamentous instability. Radiographs must be thoroughly evaluated to determine: (1) possible technical problems with implant removal, (2) prosthetic instability, (3) bone deficits that will need reconstruction after implant removal, and (4) patellofemoral failure and cause. Only after this type of comprehensive review can an operative plan be developed that will globally resolve all problem areas in the surgical treatment of the failed total knee replacement.
Integrated Practice Improvement Solutions—Practical Steps to Operating Room Management

ABSTRACTPerioperative productivity is a vital concern for surgeons, anesthesiologists, and administrators as the OR is a major source of hospital elective admissions and revenue. Based on elements of existing Practice Improvement Methodologies (PIMs), “Integrated Practice Improvement Solutions” (IPIS) is a practical and simple solution incorporating aspects of multiple management approaches into a single open source framework to increase OR efficiency and productivity by better utilization of existing resources. Materials and Methods: OR efficiency was measured both before and after IPIS implementation using the total number of cases versus room utilization, OR/anesthesia revenue and staff overtime (OT) costs. Other parameters of efficiency, such as the first case on-time start and the turnover time (TOT) were measured in parallel. Results: IPIS implementation resulted in increased numbers of surgical procedures performed by an average of 10.7%, and OR and anesthesia revenue increases of 18.5% and 6.9%, r...
Magnetic Order of Co0.1Pt0.9 in Proximity of CoPt3

A polarized neutron reflectometry study of the magnetization density depth profile of a Co 0.1 Pt 0.9 -CoPt 3 bilayer film found evidence for an induced moment in the Co 0.1 Pt 0.9 overlayer in close proximity to the CoPt 3 underlayer. If the moment of Co in these films is that of the bulk, then the μ pt = 0.09(1)μ B in the overlayer, and μ pt = 0.04(1)μ B , in the underlayer. In addition, ferromagnetic order of the Co 0.1 Pt 0.9 overlayer was observed 8K above Tc for the material in the bulk.