cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Study of Video Messaging Services on Smartphones

With the advancements in wireless networks and the pervasive adoptions of smartphones with camera capabilities, hundreds of millions mobile users are attracted to video messaging services on their smartphones. Unlike text messaging, transmitting large video messages (with a size of ~ 10 MBytes vs. a 140 Bytes limit for text messages) demands effective network resource provisioning. In this work, we investigate current practices of video messaging on smartphones. Focusing on the two most popular video messaging services, WhatsApp and WeChat, we conduct extensive experiments with commodity smartphones based on the three mainstream mobile OSes, namely, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone, from both the USA and China. We find that WhatsApp and WeChat have different resource provisioning strategies when serving video messaging clients, leading to a degraded service experience for WeChat users compared to WhatsApp users. Neither WhatsApp nor WeChat provides location aware service that can significantly improve the user experience. We further evaluate a few enhancements that can help reduce end-to-end delay in video messaging services. Our results provide new insights for both service providers and users for this type of newly emerging services.
Characterization of pulsed-laser deposited BaTiO 3 thin films

ABSTRACT BaTiO 3 thin films were grown on Si (100) and UV transparent fused silica substrates by KrF (248 nm)excimer laser deposition. The analysis of thin films was performed using XRD, AFM, UV/VIS/NIRspectrometer and Nano-indenter to study general features of BaTiO 3 thin films and to optimize depositionparameters. The XRD spectra of BaTiO 3 films at 600 0 C on Si (100) show polycrystalline peaks with astrongly preferential orientation. The surface imaging was taken by AFM and shows obvious grainboundary structures. The transmittance spectra for BaTiO 3 films on UV fused silica were measured. Theabsorption increases rapidly below 380 nm. The effects of changing background O 2 gas pressure andsubstrate temperature were studied. Finally, the hardness and YoungOs reduced modulus and scratch test ofBaTiO 3 films were measured using Nano-indenter system.Keywords: pulsed laser deposition (PLD), Barium titanate, thin film 1. INTRODUCTION Ferroelectric thin films have attracted much attention because of their potential application in computermemory devices, electro-optic devices, thin film capacitors, and pyroelectric detectors. BaTiO
IPSViz: An After-Action Review Tool for Human-Virtual Human Experiences

This paper proposes after-action review (AAR) with human-virtual human (H-VH) experiences. H-VH experiences are seeing increased use in training for real-world, H-H experiences. To improve training, the users of H-VH experiences need to review, evaluate, and get feedback on them. AAR enables users to review their H- VH interaction, evaluate their actions, and receive feedback on how to improve future real-world, H-H experiences. The Interpersonal Scenario Visualizer (IPSViz), an AAR tool for H-VH experiences, is presented. IPSViz allows medical students to review their interactions with VH patients. To enable review, IPSViz generates spatial, temporal, and social visualizations of H- VH interactions. Visualizations are generated by treating the interaction as a set of signals. Interaction signals are captured, logged, and processed to generate visualizations for review, evaluation and feedback. In a study (N=27), reviewing the visualizations helped students become self-aware of their actions with a virtual human and gain insight into how to improve interactions with real humans.
Quasi-particles and thermal expansion

An empirical observation of Brooks and Donnelly, that thermal expansion of helium II is related directly to the quasiparticle excitation curve, is deduced by a thermodynamic argument.
Abstract 2681: Identification of potential immunologic targets found in mice and man that are expressed in colon adenomas and colorectal cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Multiple recent studies have demonstrated that colorectal cancer (CRC) is immunogenic and that host adaptive immunity may play a role in inhibiting disease relapse. We have shown that overexpressed tumor associated proteins, those abundant in the cancer state but expressed at basal levels normal cells, can be immunogenic. The purpose of this study was to identify genes overexpressed in colorectal adenoma that maintain upregulation in CRC using publicly available microarray datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus. Such genes may encode proteins that could be suitable as immunologic targets for a colon cancer vaccine. We identified 7 high-quality datasets (GSE 867, 4183, 1095, 5206, 15960) where human adenomatous or CRC tissue was directly compared to normal colon. Inclusion criteria for the datasets included: commercial platforms, primary tissue, normal colon expression included, data generated after 2005, and access to microarray data. We reanalyzed these datasets and identified 100 genes that were ≥ 2-fold up-regulated in both adenomas and CRC, relative to normal colon. We further characterized these genes using a scoring system using the following criteria: 1) strong expression in CRC as compared to normal colon (RNA and protein), 2) evidence that the gene is biologically important in CRC initiation or progression, 3) limited expression of the gene in normal tissues, and 4) proven immunogenicity of the encoded protein. We hypothesized that genes that were highly conserved across species would potentially have greater biologic relevance, so we identified relevant microarray studies in mouse CRC models. We identified 2 studies (GSE 422, 784) which were limited in their data set and performed a similar analysis. We identified 93 murine genes that were conserved from adenoma to carcinoma. Comparison of the human and rodent data set revealed an overlap of 11 genes. We conclude that there are a limited number of genes up-regulated in adenoma and carcinoma and conserved across disease in mouse and man. If these proteins are immunogenic, they may serve as novel immunologic targets to prevent the progression from normal colonic epithelium to adenoma or carcinoma. 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 2681. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2681
Thermal Analysis of Dental Impression Waxes

Ten dental impression waxes were characterized by penetration and differential thermal analysis. Penetration and initial transition temperatures were directly correlated. Penetration at 37 C ranged from 2.5 to 22% for bite waxes and was 100% for corrective waxes. Distortion of an impression wax may occur upon removal from the mouth.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: outcome review of 2,173 surgical repairs in US infants

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains one of the most challenging conditions to treat within the pediatric surgical and medical communities. In spite of modern treatment modalities, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and improved ventilatory support, mortality remains high. The present study analyzes a US database containing information from nearly 93 million discharges in the US. Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia who underwent surgical repair were identified by ICD-9 procedure code and inclusion criteria including an age at admission of less than 1 year. Variables of gender, race, age, geographic region, co-existing diagnoses and procedures, hospital type, hospital charges adjusted to 2006 dollars, length of stay, and inpatient mortality were collected. A total of 89% of patients were either treated initially or rapidly transferred to urban teaching hospitals for definitive treatment of CDH. The inpatient mortality rate was 10.4% with a median length of stay of 20 days (interquartile range of 9-40 days). The median inflation-adjusted total hospital charge was $116,210. Respiratory distress was the most common co-existing condition (68.8%) followed by esophageal reflux (27.8%). The most common concomitant procedures performed were ECMO (17.8%) and fundoplication (17.6%). This study, which represents the largest characterization of US infants who have undergone CDH repair using data from a nationally representative non-voluntary database, demonstrates that surgical repair is associated with significant mortality and morbidity.
Complete composition tunability of InGaN nanowires using a combinatorial approach

The III nitrides have been intensely studied in recent years because of their huge potential for everything from high-efficiency solid-state lighting and photovoltaics to high-power and temperature electronics. In particular, the InGaN ternary alloy is of interest for solid-state lighting and photovoltaics because of the ability to tune the direct bandgap of this material from the near-ultraviolet to the near-infrared region. In an effort to synthesize InGaN nitride, researchers have tried many growth techniques. Nonetheless, there remains considerable difficulty in making high-quality InGaN films and/or freestanding nanowires with tunability across the entire range of compositions. Here we report for the first time the growth of single-crystalline In(x)Ga(1-x)N nanowires across the entire compositional range from x=0 to 1; the nanowires were synthesized by low-temperature halide chemical vapour deposition and were shown to have tunable emission from the near-ultraviolet to the near-infrared region. We propose that the exceptional composition tunability is due to the low process temperature and the ability of the nanowire morphology to accommodate strain-relaxed growth, which suppresses the tendency toward phase separation that plagues the thin-film community.
Carcinogenesis: Basic Principles

Many steps are required to convert a normal cell into a cancerous one. The cancer cell must be able to multiply under conditions that a normal cell would not and to invade surrounding tissue and spread throughout the body. Both genetic changes, such as activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and epigenetic changes, such as stimulation of cell proliferation, contribute to the development of cancers. Chemical agents can increase the probability of malignant transformation by inducing mutations that can ultimately lead to tumor formation, by promoting the development of tumors in cells with preexisting genetic damage, or by increasing the rate of acquisition of malignant traits by benign tumors. Chemical carcinogens are structurally diverse, but all initiating agents are either already electrophiles or can be converted to electrophilic reactants through metabolic activation. Genetic and environmental factors can alter an individual's ability to metabolize carcinogens, to repair DNA damage, and to respond to mitogenic stimuli, all of which can alter susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis. The incidence and time required for appearance of tumors appear to be dose-related, but the existence of no-effect doses of carcinogens remains controversial.
Steel recycling and energy conservation.

The potential for energy conservation through increased use of steel scrap by the U.S. steel industry is examined. It is concluded that increased use of scrap would reduce energy use, but it is not economical, due mainly to volatile scrap prices. Other energy-saving technologies exist, but it is likely that energy will be conserved through reduced use of steel as rising energy costs are passed through to consumers.
A comparison of Mehlich I and Mehlich III extractants as predictors of manganese, copper and zinc availability in four Delaware soils

Abstract The relative effectiveness of Mehlich I (.025N H2SO4 + .05N HCl) and Mehlich III (0.2N CH3COOH + 0.25N NH4NO3 +.015N NH4F + .013N HNO3 + .001M EDTA) extractants as predictors of Mn, Cu and Zn uptake was assessed in a greenhouse experiment with four Delaware soils. The soils were adjusted to eight pH levels by addition of Ca(OH)2 or elemental S, and received comparable amounts of Mn, Cu and Zn as either (1) MnSO4 + CuSO4 + ZnSO4 or (2) Poultry Manure. Mehlich 1 and III extractable Mn and Zn, but not Cu, were well correlated in most instances. Excellent correlations were obtained between Mn uptake and Mehlich I and Mehlich III extractable Mn, for all soils and sources. In general, however, neither Zn nor Cu was found to correlate well with plant uptake. Based on this study, conversion to Mehlich III, as a routine soil test extractant for micronutrients, would not result in a significant improvement over the currently used Mehlich I extractant.
Comparison of treatment plans using intensity-modulated radiotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for paranasal sinus carcinoma

Abstract Purpose To compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment planning with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) planning for paranasal sinus carcinoma. Methods and materials Treatment plans using traditional 3-field technique, 3D-CRT planning, and inverse planning IMRT were developed for a case of paranasal sinus cancer requiring adjuvant radiotherapy. Plans were compared with respect to dose conformality, dose–volume histograms, doses to critical normal tissues, and ease of treatment delivery. Results The inverse-planned IMRT technique was more conformal around the tumor target volume than conventional techniques. The dose–volume histograms demonstrated significantly better critical normal-tissue sparing with the IMRT plans, while able to deliver a minimum dose of 60 Gy to the clinical tumor volume and 70 Gy to the gross tumor volume. Acute toxicities in our analysis were minimal. Conclusions IMRT planning provided improved tumor target coverage when compared to 3D-CRT treatment planning. There was significant sparing of optic structures and other normal tissues, including the brainstem. Inverse planning IMRT provided the best treatment for all paranasal sinus carcinomas, but required stringent immobilization criteria. Further studies are needed to establish the true clinical advantage of this modality.
Delayed reduction in GABA and GAD immunoreactivity of neurons in the adult monkey dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus following monocular deprivation or enucleation.

GABA and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) immunoreactivities were examined in dorsal lateral geniculate nuclei (LGN) of normal monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and in monkeys that had one eye injected with tetrodotoxin (TTX) or one eye removed 5 days to 4 weeks prior to sacrifice. As seen in previous studies (Wong-Riley and Carroll 1984) monocular TTX injections or enucleation quickly reduced cytochrome oxidase (CO) staining in layers 2, 3 and 5 of the ipsilateral LGN and in layers 1,4 and 6 of the contralateral LGN. The reduction in CO staining was apparent at all survival times examined. By contrast, GABA and GAD immunostaining in the LGNs were qualitatively normal up to two weeks following enucleation or after 17 days of TTX injections. Quantitative and stereological analyses confirmed that the numerical density and proportion of GABA and GAD neurons do not change in the LGN following two weeks of denervation or deprivation, even though in the same monkeys a reduction in GABA immunostaining was found in deprived-eye columns of area 17. However, with longer survivals, of 3–4 weeks in duration, the number of GABA and GAD immunostained neurons in the deprived/denervated-eye laminae of the LGN was reduced by one-third. These findings demonstrate that the deprivation-induced reduction in GABA and GAD immunoreactivity is delayed in the LGN, by comparison with the visual cortex, and suggest that the effects in the LGN may be relayed through the cortex or that neurotransmitter levels may be regulated by different mechanisms in the two sites.
A FROBENIUS QUESTION RELATED TO ACTIONS ON CURVES IN CHARACTERISTIC P

We consider which integers g can occur as the genus and of a curve defined over a field of characteristic p which admits an automorphism of degree pq, where p and q are distinct primes. This investigation leads us to consider a certain family of three-dimensional Frobenius problems and prove explicit formulas giving their solution in many cases.
Advances in mechanisms of asthma, allergy, and immunology in 2010

This review summarizes selected articles appearing in 2008 in the Journal. Articles chosen include those improving our understanding of mechanisms of allergic diseases by focusing on human basophil, mast cell, and eosinophil biology; IgE and its high-affinity receptor on various cells; novel properties of omalizumab; airways remodeling; and genetics. Articles from other journals have been included to supplement the topics presented.
Mobile food vendors in urban neighborhoods-implications for diet and diet-related health by weather and season.

This study describes mobile food vendors (street vendors) in Bronx, NY, considering neighborhood-level correlations with demographic, diet, and diet-related health measures from City data. Vendors offering exclusively “less-healthy” foods (e.g., chips, processed meats, sweets) outnumbered vendors offering exclusively “healthier” foods (e.g., produce, whole grains, nuts). Wet days and winter months reduced all vending on streets, but exclusively “less-healthy” vending most. In summer, exclusively “less-healthy” vending per capita inversely correlated with neighborhood-mean fruit-and-vegetable consumption and directly correlated with neighborhood-mean BMI and prevalences of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia (Spearman correlations 0.90-1.00, p values 0.037 to <0.001). In winter, “less-healthy” vending per capita directly correlated with proportions of Hispanic residents and those living in poverty (Spearman correlations 0.90, p values 0.037). Mobile food vending may contribute negatively to urban food-environment healthfulness overall, but exacerbation of demographic, diet, and diet-related health disparities may vary by weather, season, and neighborhood characteristics.
The Theory of Satellite Orbits, Based on a New Co-Ordinate System

The co-ordinate system of King-Hele is refined and used to solve the equations of motion of a near-earth satellite, neglecting all perturbing forces except the oblateness of the earth. Besides the better-known effects (regression of nodes, precession or recession of perigee) it is found that the maximum latitude of the subsatellite point varies, and the rate of regression of the node varies by as much as 20% on either side of its mean value (when e = 0.2). Validity of the analysis is not restricted to small eccentricities.
Proximal radial artery-cephalic vein fistula hemodialysis.

• We describe a technique of proximal radial artery-cephalic vein fistula for hemodialysis. This is a useful method in patients with previously failed fistulas in the distal forearm or in diabetics in whom there is occlusive distal disease of the radial artery. This was used in 20 patients, with a patency rate of 90% over a follow-up period of 6 to 52 months and without any complications. (Arch Surg113:226-227, 1977)
Power production and environmental aspects of a fusion-hybrid reactor

The fusion hybrid reactor has been identified by such Nobel Laureates as Bethe and Sakharov as the system that will meet the world's carbon-free energy needs of the next several decades when its population is expected to reach 10 billion with a power demand of about 30 TWs. Such a reactor will consist of a fusion component surrounded by a blanket containing fertile material, with the fusion component serving primarily as a neutron source. As such, it can operate at or near “breakeven” condition, a much less stringent condition than that required for a pure fusion reactor. When fusion neutrons impinge on a blanket made of thorium-232, they will breed uranium-233, and simultaneously burn it to produce power. Since only 15% of the 14.1 MeV neutrons generated by DT reactions captured in thorium-232 are estimated to undergo fission, the remainder will undergo various (n, xn) nuclear reactions that lead to the build-up of actinides. That build-up will diminish drastically if the neutrons are thermalized by the inclusion of a moderator and, in so doing, significant enhancement in power production will follow. Preliminary analysis of a fusion hybrid reactor based on a Gasdynamic mirror (GDM) confined DT plasma, shows that 10 megawatts of thermal power per centimeter of length can be readily achievable, with a small fraction of the electric power produced needed to sustain the fusion reactions. Such a reactor is found to be “safe” since it will be “subcritical” and “proliferation” resistant since the uranium-232 formed along the U-233 is known to have decay products that emit energetic and dangerous gamma rays. From an environmental standpoint we find that the thorium fuel cycle waste has a radiotoxicity period of less than 200 years which compares favorably with the more than 10,000 year radiotoxicity estimated to exist for the uranium fuel cycle waste. Similar trends are shown to exist for the decay heat of both of these fuel cycles.
Influence of Cortisone, Pironlen and ACTH on Susceptibility of Embryonated Eggs to Fowl-Pox Virus

Summary and Conclusions1. The pre-and post-treatment of embryonated eggs with 1.25 mg of cortisone by the chorioallantoic and allantoic cavity routes significantly decreased the susceptibility of the chorioallantois to infection with the fowl-pox virus as measured by EID50 determinations and marked reduction in development of virus lesions. However, the incubation of diluted virus with cortisone (1.25 mg/ml), prior to inoculation onto the chorioallantois, did not alter the EID50, nor was the development of the virus lesions impaired. 2. The pre- and post-treatment of embryonated eggs with various concentrations of Piromen or constant quantities of ACTH (1.25 mg) by the chorioallantoic and allantoic cavity routes failed to alter the susceptibility of the chorioallantois to infection with the fowl-pox virus. Likewise, the incubation of Piromen with virus at room temperature failed to alter the infectivity of the fowl-pox virus. 3. Simultaneous treatment of eggs with cortisone and Piromen or ACTH resulted in...
The Need for Qualitative Research on Mental Health of Elder Hispanics.

This article contends that purely quantitative measures of Hispanic aged mental health have been insufficiently sensitive to cultural factors. It describes the uses and limitations of qualitative methods, especially in-depth interviews and life histories, and suggests that researchers should include the use of psychometric tests in these interviews, in order to improve the interpretations of the data. In this article the Adlerian perspective is developed along with several relevant dimensions for evaluating cases. Finally, seven cases illustrating the diversity of Hispanic elders are presented.
The biological diversity of collagenous proteins

Recent investigations show that some proteins contain alternating sequences of collagenous and non-collagenous structure. Evolutionary and biosynthetic relationships between such proteins and several different structural collagens are postulated.
Comparative Literature, Ancient Rome, and the Crisis of Modern European History

In her article "Comparative Literature, Ancient Rome, and the Crisis of Modern European History" Lucia Boldrini considers Edward Said's and Jacques Derrida's arguments about the centrality of romania to the European philological tradition and the contemporary understanding of literature and discusses in this light a selection of twentieth-century novels set at the time when literature, empire, Europe, Latinity, and Christianity were coming together: Broch's The Death of Virgil, Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian, Horia's God Was Born in Exile, and Malouf's An Imaginary Life. Linking the Roman past to the present of historical destruction and colonialism, these novels also establish a relationship between the old protagonist and a child or youth, representative of absolute innocence and authenticity, who finally walks away, dissolves or dies. In their interrupted state, these youths cannot become the future and can only presage utopia. Having held up the image of a different future and a different historical time, the novels show that only in the acknowledgment of historical contingencies can one recognize a responsibility towards generations past and yet to come, and towards those who are not "us."
Flow Structure and Transport Characteristics of Feeding and Exchange Currents Generated by Upside-Down Cassiopea Jellyfish

SUMMARY Quantifying the flows generated by the pulsations of jellyfish bells is crucial for understanding the mechanics and efficiency of their swimming and feeding. Recent experimental and theoretical work has focused on the dynamics of vortices in the wakes of swimming jellyfish with relatively simple oral arms and tentacles. The significance of bell pulsations for generating feeding currents through elaborate oral arms and the consequences for particle capture are not as well understood. To isolate the generation of feeding currents from swimming, the pulsing kinematics and fluid flow around the benthic jellyfish Cassiopea spp. were investigated using a combination of videography, digital particle image velocimetry and direct numerical simulation. During the rapid contraction phase of the bell, fluid is pulled into a starting vortex ring that translates through the oral arms with peak velocities that can be of the order of 10 cm s –1 . Strong shear flows are also generated across the top of the oral arms throughout the entire pulse cycle. A coherent train of vortex rings is not observed, unlike in the case of swimming oblate medusae such as Aurelia aurita . The phase-averaged flow generated by bell pulsations is similar to a vertical jet, with induced flow velocities averaged over the cycle of the order of 1–10 mm s –1 . This introduces a strong near-horizontal entrainment of the fluid along the substrate and towards the oral arms. Continual flow along the substrate towards the jellyfish is reproduced by numerical simulations that model the oral arms as a porous Brinkman layer of finite thickness. This two-dimensional numerical model does not, however, capture the far-field flow above the medusa, suggesting that either the three-dimensionality or the complex structure of the oral arms helps to direct flow towards the central axis and up and away from the animal.
Apotheosizing the Party: Lukács’s Chvostismus und Dialektik

Georg Lukacs’s recently discovered defense of Geschichte und Klassenbewusstsein, written in 1925 or 1926 in reply to critical attacks by Laszlo Rudas and Abram Deborin, is of a piece with that earlier work and his Lenin of 1924. In its emphasis on the pivotal role and absolute authority of the Communist Party as the incarnation of the class consciousness of the proletariat, it is Leninist to the core. For many contemporary Marxist theorists, including the Lukacs disciple Istvan Meszaros, such an apotheosis is precisely what is dead in Lukacs’s thought.
Transport of organic contaminants mobilized from coal through sandstone overlying a geological carbon sequestration reservoir

Abstract Successful implementation of large scale carbon capture and storage within deep geologic reservoirs will require public acceptance of the associated environmental risks. In order for this to occur, a better understanding of these risks must be developed. An important risk factor associated with deep geologic storage of CO 2 is the potential for leakage of fluids from the storage reservoir that could potentially impact valuable groundwater resources that overlie the storage reservoir. The research described here is focused on the transport and fate of toxic organic compounds mobilized by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) from organic rich storage reservoirs such as unmineable coal seams and depleted oil reservoirs. Column experiments were conducted using a water wetted sandstone core installed in a tri-axial core holder to study the potential for toxic organic compounds mobilized from coal by scCO 2 under simulated geologic carbon storage (GCS) conditions to impact groundwater. Rock core effluent pressures were set at 0, 500, or 1000 psig and the core temperature was set at 20 or 50 °C to simulate the transport at different subsurface depths. The concentrations of the organic compounds in the column effluent and their distribution within the sandstone core were monitored. Results indicate that the mobility though the core sample was much higher for BTEX compounds than for naphthalene. Retention of organic compounds from the vapor phase to the core appeared to be primarily controlled by partitioning from the vapor phase to the aqueous phase. Adsorption to the surfaces of the wetted sandstone was also significant for naphthalene. Reduced temperature and elevated pressure resulted in greater partitioning of the mobilized organic contaminants into the pore water.
Ventilatory chemosensitivity in parents of infants with sudden infant death syndrome

We measured ventilatory responses to progressive isocapnic hypoxia and to hyperoxic hypercapnia (CO 2 ) using rebreathing techniques in 16 parents of infants with autopsy-confirmed sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and 18 control parents matched for age, sex, and body size. Response to ventilatory loading was assessed by repeating the CO 2 test with an inspiratory flowresistive load (16 cm H 2 O/L/sec). During loaded and unloaded CO 2 tests, respiratory effort was also assessed by measuring the pressure generated in the first 0.1 second (P 0.1 ) of the subsequent inspiratory effort after brief manual occlusion of the inspiratory line. Ventilatory responses of the parents of victims of SIDS to chemical and mechanical stimulation were not significantly different from those of control parents. Responses in both groups were similar to previously reported normal values. There was a linear increase in ventilation (V e ) in response to hypercapnia and hypoxia and in P 0.1 in response to hypercapnia. We found expected increases in P 0.1 /Pco 2 and decreases in V E /Pco 2 slopes during loaded breathing in all subjects, but no difference between groups. We conclude that parents of SIDS victims have normal ventllatory chemosensitivity and respiratory drive.
To be or not to be exact.

In the injury field, it is common to obtain data that are measured in categories – either on an ordinal scale (e.g. severity of injury from mild to moderate to severe) or on a nominal scale (e.g. t...
A characterization of the scatter point-spread-function in terms of air gaps

Characterizing the scatter point-spread-function (PSF) yields a model for predicting the behavior of the scatter and a PSF for deconvolution techniques that correct for scatter. Assuming the X-ray scatter is isotropic, the authors present a model for the scatter point-spread-function parameterized only by air gap. This model suggests that small increases in air gap significantly attenuate the higher-frequency structure of the scatter distribution. To evaluate this model, the authors examined the behavior of the spatial frequency distributions of experimental scatter images as a function of air gap. Using film as the detector, they imaged a 20-cm uniformly thick water phantom with aperture diameters of 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 mm at air gaps of 0-24 cm. >
Optimizing the electrochemical performance of imidazolium-based polymeric ionic liquids by varying tethering groups

We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of novel imidazolium cation and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide anion (TFSI−)-based ionic liquid (IL) model compounds and their corresponding polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) with various tethering groups. Ethylene oxide repeating units were attached as tethering groups to an imidazolium cation to optimize the glass transition temperatures (Tg) and ionic conductivities of the PILs. The novel PILs exhibit excellent conductivity values of around 8 × 10−4 S/cm at room temperature. The thermophysical and electrochemical properties of ILs, including thermal transition, ionic conductivity, and rheological behavior, were characterized to investigate the effect of tethering groups. We conclude that the length of poly(ethylene oxide) tethering group has a tremendous effect on both physical property and electrochemical behavior and that charge carrier density is dominant in defining ionic conductivity with free ILs, whereas ion mobility plays a more important role after polymerization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1339–1350
A double-isotope derivative method for plasma progesterone assay.

Abstract Studies of the metabolism of progesterone have been hampered by the lack of a specific and sensitive method for the measurement of this steroid in plasma. Application of the double-isotope derivative method offered a solution to this problem. The usual derivative that is used in methods of this type is a tritiated acetate. Since progesterone cannot be acetylated, an alternative was devised by reducing the steroid with sodium borotritide followed by partial re-oxidation with manganese dioxide. The resultant product is isolated and purified by paper chromatography prior to counting. The accuracy of the method was demonstrated by assay of solvent samples and analysis of two pools of pregnancy plasma, results of which are given in this paper. Another study showed that as little as one milliliter of pregnancy plasma was sufficient to give an accurate result. Authentic progesterone was added to male plasma in amounts of 0.1 μg/5 cm 3 of plasma for recovery studies. The measured values of 0.140 ± 0.008 μ g/5 ml and 0.032 ± 0.04 μ g/5 ml, when compared to values of 0.033 ± 0.009 μ g/5 ml, led us to believe that the latter value represents progesterone endogenous to male plasma. The specificity of the method is shown by a comparison of partition coefficients. Derivatives were made from authentic progesterone-4C 14 and from a plasma extract. Aliquots of each were partitioned in two systems. The resultant coefficients were 2.86 vs. 2.87, and 0.225 vs. 0.219. The final derivative has been identified as 20-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3-one by R f values on several chromatogram systems and by crystallization to constant specific activity.
Depression and Burn Wounds

The biopsychosocial impact of a burn injury on the individual hospitalized for severe burn wounds begins at the moment of injury and extends throughout that person's life. Medical and emotional problems do not exist in clinical isolation but instead interact to confound and complicate treatment outcomes, accentuating the importance of providing optimal treatment of patients' medical illnesses without neglecting their mental distress. Identifying, and responding to, the signs and symptoms of depression is integral to the burn patient's recovery and rehabilitation.
The brain renin-angiotensin system and cardiovascular responses to stress: insights from transgenic rats with low brain angiotensinogen

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been identified as an attractive target for the treatment of stress-induced cardiovascular disorders. The effects of angiotensin (ANG) peptides during stress responses likely result from an integration of actions by circulating peptides and brain peptides derived from neuronal and glial sources. The present review focuses on the contribution of endogenous brain ANG peptides to pathways involved in cardiovascular responses to stressors. During a variety of forms of stress, neuronal pathways in forebrain areas containing ANG II or ANG-(1–7) are activated to stimulate descending angiotensinergic pathways that increase sympathetic outflow to increase blood pressure. We provide evidence that glia-derived ANG peptides influence brain AT1 receptors. This appears to result in modulation of the responsiveness of the neuronal pathways activated during stressors that elevate circulating ANG peptides to activate brain pathways involving descending hypothalamic projections. It is well established that increased cardiovascular reactivity to stress is a significant predictor of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. This review highlights the importance of understanding the impact of RAS components from the circulation, neurons, and glia on the integration of cardiovascular responses to stressors.
Porphyrin sensitized solar cells: TiO2 sensitization with a π-extended porphyrin possessing two anchoring groups

A π-extended porphyrin possessing two anchoring groups has been synthesized and successfully applied to dye-sensitized solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 5.5%, rendering it comparable to the performance of N719-sensitized solar cells under the conditions employed here.
Angioplasty of a large aortocoronary bypass graft utilizing a single oversized balloon catheter

Angioplasty of large saphenous vein grafts may present problems because of unavailability of adequately sized balloon dilatation catheters. We report a case of successful PTCA of a left anterior descending graft by using a 5 mm balloon and a standard 8F guiding catheter.
The Ca2+/Mg2+ sites of troponin C modulate crossbridge-mediated thin filament activation in cardiac myofibrils

The discovery of cardiomyopathy-associated mutations in the C-terminal domain of cardiac troponin C (cTnC), along with other evidence, suggests that the so-called structural Ca/Mg binding sites (III and IV) located in this domain might have a more complex role in contractile regulation. To explore this possibility the ATPase activity of rat cardiac myofibrils was assayed under conditions in which no Ca2+ was bound to the N-terminal regulatory site (site II). Myosin S-1 was treated with N-ethylmaleimide to create strong-binding myosin heads (NEMS-1) which could activate the cardiac thin filament in the absence of Ca2+. At pCa 8.0 and 1mM Mg2+ the addition of 1 μM NEMS-1 produced a 225% increase in myofibrillar ATPase activity. However, at pCa 8.0 and 30μM Mg2+ NEMS-1 produced a 69% increase in ATPase activity. In another set of experiments myofibrils were immersed in 1 mM Mg2+ and Ca2+ was varied in the range (pCa 8.0-6.5) in which it would bind only to the C-terminal domain, thus causing no activation of ATPase activity. With the addition of 1 μM NEMS-1 the ATPase activation decreased from ∼ 225% at pCa 7.5 to ∼ 85% at pCa 6.5. The data suggest that in the absence of Ca2+ at site II strong-binding myosin crossbridges cause opening of more active sites on the thin filament if the C-domain is occupied by Mg2+ rather than Ca2+. This effect could be relevant to the contraction-relaxation kinetics of cardiac muscle. As Ca2+ dissociates from site II during the relaxing phase of the cardiac cycle, residual Ca2+ bound at the C-terminus might facilitate the switching off of the thin filament and the detachment of crossbridges from actin.
Cellular magnesium acquisition: An anomaly in embryonic cation homeostasis☆

Abstract The intracellular dominance of magnesium ion makes clinical assessment difficult despite the critical role of Mg ++ in many key functions of cells and enzymes. There is general consensus that serum Mg ++ levels are not representative of the growing number of conditions for which magnesium is known to be important. There is no consensus method or sample source for testing for clinical purposes. High intracellular Mg ++ in vertebrate embryos results in part from interactions of cations which influence cell membrane transport systems. These are functionally competent from the earliest stages, at least transiently held over from the unfertilized ovum. Kinetic studies with radiotracer cations, osmolar variations, media lacking one or more of the four biological cations, Na + , Mg ++ , K + , and Ca ++ , and metabolic poison 0.05 mEq/L NaF, demonstrated that: (1) all four cations influence the behavior of the others, and (2) energy is required for uptake and efflux on different time scales, some against gradient. Na + uptake is energy dependent against an efflux gradient. The rate of K + loss is equal with or without fluoride, suggesting a lack of an energy requirement at these stages. Ca ++ efflux took twice as long in the presence of fluoride, likely due in part to intracellular binding. Mg ++ is anomalous in that early teleost vertebrate embryos have an intracellular content exceeding the surrounding sea water, an isolated unaffected yolk compartment, and a clear requirement for energy for both uptake and efflux. The physiological, pathological, and therapeutic roles of magnesium are poorly understood. This will change: (1) when 28 Mg is once again generally available at a reasonable cost for both basic research and clinical assessment, and (2) when serum or plasma levels are determined simultaneously with intracellular values, preferably as part of complete four cation profiles. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry, energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, and inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy on sublingual mucosal and peripheral blood samples are potential methods of value for coordinated assessments.
Effect of ethanol and high-fat feeding on hepatic γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase subunit expression in the rat

Glutathione (GSH) is important in antioxidant defense. A major determinant of the rate of GSH synthesis is the activity of the rate-limiting enzyme, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS). A heavy (HS) and light subunit (LS) make up GCS; oxidative stress regulates both transcriptionally. Cis-acting elements important for the oxidative stress-induced transcriptional up-regulation of both subunits are antioxidant response element (ARE) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) may also regulate the heavy subunit. Chronic ethanol ingestion causes oxidative stress, increases AP-1 expression, and depletes hepatic GSH. Data conflict regarding GSH synthesis and are lacking regarding GCS subunit gene expression. We examined the effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on ARE, AP-1, and NF-kappaB activity and GCS subunit expression. Male Wistar rats were fed an ethanol and high-fat (28.7% cal) diet intragastrically for 9 weeks. Liver GSH level fell by 40%, although GCS activity doubled. GCS-HS mRNA level doubled, whereas GCS-LS mRNA level remained unchanged. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that binding to ARE, AP-1, and NF-kappaB probes all increased. In conclusion, chronic ethanol ingestion increased GCS-HS expression and GCS activity by activating cis-acting elements important for transcriptional up-regulation of GCS-HS. GCS-LS mRNA level remained unchanged despite activation of ARE and AP-1, suggesting that negative transcriptional factors may be involved or the mRNA may be unstable. Despite induction in GCS activity, GSH level fell because of alterations in the other factors important in determining the steady-state GSH level.
Free amino acids in marine rains: evidence for oxidation and potential role in nitrogen cycling

Previous studies of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in precipitation have addressed various aspects of nutrient transport and global nitrogen cycling1. In most of these studies however, the detailed chemical composition of DON was not determined. Analyses of specific organic nitrogen compounds within precipitation can yield new information about sources and transformations of DON as well as about heterogeneous oxidative processes in the atmosphere. Dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) are a class of compounds for which surprisingly few analyses in precipitation have been published1. We report here the first detailed analyses of DFAA and primary amines in marine rains. Unexpectedly high concentrations of total DFAA were measured, averaging about 6.5 μM (16 marine rain samples) and ranging from 1.1 to 15.2 μM (0.015 to 0.21 p.p.m. N); these values are similar to those obtained for inorganic nitrogen species2. Amino acids are predominantly found in rain as their L optical isomers and therefore are most likely biological in origin; however, the exact sources and modes of enrichment in rain over the open ocean are not known. There is evidence that some of the amino acids, in particular methionine, are oxidized in the atmosphere possibly by a heterogeneous photochemical pathway. The finding of high DFAA and primary amine concentrations in marine rain may have important implications in global nitrogen cycling and also may contribute locally to available nitrogen at the sea surface.
Food-web analysis through field measurement of per capita interaction strength

THE idea that the connections between species in ecological assemblages are characterized by a trait called 'interaction strength' has become a cornerstone of modern ecology. Since the classic paper of Watt1, ecologists have acknowledged the importance of distinguishing pattern (static community features) from process (dynamically based mechanisms), which can determine the immediate observed details. Food webs display pathways of implied dynamics, and thus potentially unite pattern and process in a single framework2,3. Most analyses4–8 have focused entirely on web topology and the derived descriptive properties. By contrast, attempts to generalize how natural communities are organized9,10 or summary statements about whole communities6,11–13 have emphasized critical processes. Elton's2 insights and May's3generalizations and analyses have stimulated current developments. In May's approach, the idea of interaction strength is precise, reflecting coefficients in a jacobian matrix associated with a community dynamics model. He found striking dependence of community stability both on web complexity and on the number and strength of interactions. By contrast, empiricists have usually determined relative interaction strength from single-species removals analysed by multivariate statistics14,15.I report here the first experimental study designed to estimate interaction strengths in a species-rich herbivore guild, documenting on a per capita basis mainly weak or positive interactions, and a few strong interactions, a pattern which has profound implications for community dynamics.
Tropical Pacific Influence on the Source and Transport of Marine Aerosols to West Antarctica

AbstractThe climate of West Antarctica is strongly influenced by remote forcing from the tropical Pacific. For example, recent surface warming over West Antarctica reflects atmospheric circulation changes over the Amundsen Sea, driven by an atmospheric Rossby wave response to tropical sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. Here, it is demonstrated that tropical Pacific SST anomalies also influence the source and transport of marine-derived aerosols to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Using records from four firn cores collected along the Amundsen coast of West Antarctica, the relationship between sea ice–modulated chemical species and large-scale atmospheric variability in the tropical Pacific from 1979 to 2010 is investigated. Significant correlations are found between marine biogenic aerosols and sea salts, and SST and sea level pressure in the tropical Pacific. In particular, La Nina–like conditions generate an atmospheric Rossby wave response that influences atmospheric circulation over Pine Island Bay...