cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Roles of stress hormones in food intake regulation in anuran amphibians throughout the life cycle

Towards understanding the ontogeny of energy balance regulation in vertebrates we analyzed the responses of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and corticosterone to food deprivation in the Western spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii) at three developmental stages: premetamorphic tadpole, prometamorphic tadpole, and juvenile. Corticosterone responses to 5 days of food deprivation varied among developmental stages. Both pre- and prometamorphic tadpoles increased whole-body corticosterone content with food deprivation, but the magnitude of the response of premetamorphic tadpoles was significantly greater. By contrast, juvenile toads decreased plasma corticosterone concentration. Similarly, brain CRF peptide content tended to increase in food-deprived tadpoles but did not change in food-deprived juveniles. Therefore, there is an ontogenetic difference in the way the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis responds to food deprivation in amphibians. In tadpoles, the HPI axis is activated in response to fasting as is seen in birds and mammals, and may be associated with mobilization of stored fuels and increased foraging. Juvenile toads do not respond to food deprivation by activating the HPI axis, but instead pursue a strategy of energy conservation that involves a reduction in plasma corticosterone concentration.
Electrophysiologic interventions in patients with inferior vena cava filters: safety and efficacy of the transfemoral approach.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transfemoral venous approach for electrophysiologic interventions in patients with inferior vena cava filters. BACKGROUND Reports have detailed complications associated with obtaining central venous access in patients with inferior vena cava filters. Accordingly, electrophysiologic interventions have been modified or deferred altogether in such patients. METHODS Patients requiring interventions with a transfemoral approach who were at least 3 months post filter insertion underwent fluoroscopically guided insertion and withdrawal of electrode catheters with appropriate follow-up. RESULTS Five patients underwent successful pacing, electrophysiologic study, or radiofrequency ablation using one to three catheters, with no complications attributable to filter placement. CONCLUSIONS Transfemoral electrophysiologic interventions can be safely undertaken across vena cava filters provided appropriate precautions are taken.
Characterization of large water-soluble macromolecules by size exclusion chromatography

A method for characterizing very large, water-soluble polymers by size exclusion chromotography (SEC) has been developed. Sephacryl S1000 packing material, a precision syringe pump, and an eluent pressure detector have been utilized to produce highly accurate chromatograms of polymers having molecular hydrodynamic diameters up to 250 nm. Previous SEC analysis has been limited to polymers having hydrodynamic diameters of less than 120 nm.
A coupled mesoscale–microscale framework for wind resource estimation and farm aerodynamics

Abstract This study discusses the development of a coupled mesoscale–microscale framework for wind resource estimation and farm aerodynamics. WINDWYO is a computational framework for performing coupled mesoscale–microscale simulations. The framework is modular, automated and supports coupling of different mesoscale and microscale solvers using overset or matched grids. The modular nature of the framework and the support for overset grids allows the independent development of mesoscale and microscale solvers and the efficient coupling between the codes. The performance of the framework is evaluated by coupling Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with three microscale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes of varying complexity. The solvers used are: (i) UWake: a blade element model with free-vortex wake, (ii) Flowyo: large eddy simulation code with actuator line/disk parametrization of the wind turbine and (iii) HELIOS: detached eddy simulation code with full rotor modeling and adaptive mesh refinement. Power predictions and wake visualization of single turbine and off-shore Lillgrund wind farm in uniform and turbulent inflow are used to demonstrate the capabilities of the framework.
Experimental measurements of the scatter reduction obtained in mammography with a scanning multiple slit assembly

A nonconventional and sensitive method of measuring scatter is described. The method was employed to quantitate the scatter imaged in mammography with a conventional unit, a unit equipped with a grid, and a unit equipped with a scanning multiple slit assembly (SMSA). The results indicate that the grid technique significantly reduces the scatter imaged, while the SMSA virtually eliminates it. The resultant increase in large area contrast is readily apparent on radiographs with greater improvement obtained with the SMSA than with the grid. The effect of the increase in contrast on small detail visibility was assessed with a phantom having simulated fibrils and calcifications. Significantly more fibril and calcification detail was visible with the grid and SMSA technique than with the conventional technique. The detail visible with the grid and SMSA technique was comparable, and the lack of better performance by the SMSA unit is attributed to its poorer MTF.
An S/X-band feed design for a 9m dual-offset reflector antenna for weather radar application

This paper describes the feed upgrade effort to an existing 9m dual-offset reflector antenna operating at S-band for weather radar applications. The new feed, designed to upgrade the existing operational capabilities, fits mechanically in the existing antenna interface and operates, simultaneously, over the S-Band and X-band frequencies with collinear beam direction and linear polarization alignment.
Total body protein turnover rate in rats: Effects of exogenous thyroxine and thyroidectomy☆☆☆

Abstract The effect of thyroxine (T 4 ) administration and thyroidectomy (Thx) on total body protein turnover rate was investigated in rats using the total body gamma activity of Se 75 labeled methionine. The results indicated that the daily injection of 2 ug of L-T 4 per 100 gm body wt significantly increased protein turnover rate. However, the injection of 4 ug of L-T 4 per 100 gm body wt produced no effect. The Thx rats showed a 32% decrease in protein turnover rate. The possible mechanisms in alteration of protein metabolism by absence or excess of T 4 are discussed.
Behavioral hierarchy in the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis: feeding as a dominant behavior

The effect of feeding behavior on other behaviors (swimming, crawling and shortening) was investigated in the leech, Hirudo medicinalis. The stimulus locations and intensities required to produce mechanically elicited behaviors were first determined in the non-feeding leech. Stimuli were delivered while the leech was in various body positions to determine whether stimulus location affected behavioral response. Response thresholds were determined for the mechanically elicited behaviors. The same stimuli were then applied to feeding leeches to determine if response thresholds had changed. A solution with NaCl and arginine was used to elicit feeding. The same sets of stimuli were applied at intervals for an hour after feeding, to determine the duration of feeding-induced changes in behavior. Depending on the body position and stimulus location, stimuli produced different combinations of behaviors that included shortening, swimming and crawling. Anterior stimuli generally elicited shortening, whereas posterior stimuli generally elicited crawling and swimming, with swimming more likely to ventral stimulation than to dorsal stimulation. Having the front sucker attached changed these behavioral patterns. During feeding, the response thresholds changed dramatically, from 3-5 V to greater than 9 V. This increase in threshold began with the start of feeding, even before ingestion commenced. Suppression of the behaviors lasted up to 1 h after the end of feeding, with the effect on swimming being the most pronounced and longest lasting.
Systemic interleukin I administration suppresses arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema in the mouse.

Abstract Recombinant human interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), given intraperitoneally to mice as a single injection, significantly suppressed the development of arachidonic acid (AA)-induced ear oedema. This effect was noted 2 h after administration and for at least 5 days afterwards. IL-1 beta was effective in the dose range of 250 ng-20 micrograms/mouse. Injection of IL-1 beta per se resulted in erythema of the ears, and thus, IL-1 beta has the capacity not only to induce and augment but also to suppress inflammatory responses. Indomethacin administered as subcutaneously-implanted pellets did not influence the IL-1 beta induced-ear erythema, but suppressed to some extent the effect of IL-1 beta on the AA-induced ear oedema.
Experimental study on transport mechanisms during deep fat frying of chicken nuggets

Abstract Two important factors affecting oil uptake of food products during deep fat frying (DFF) are water content and pressure development. This study tries to explain the complex mass transfer mechanisms taking place during DFF with respect to real time pressure variations inside chicken nuggets. Breaded chicken nuggets were made with and without 5 g/100 g methylcellulose (MC) added to predust. Frying experiments were performed at 175 °C and 190 °C for 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 s. The gage pressure increased rapidly after the nuggets were introduced into hot oil. As frying progressed the pressure inside the nugget decreased to negative values (suction). During post frying cooling there was a further reduction in pressure. The MC-coated nuggets had lower fat uptake and moisture loss than control nuggets for both frying temperatures. Scanning electronic microscopic analysis showed that the control nuggets had greater randomness in the crust, core and meat layers in terms of microstructure development, surface texture, rigidity and pore sizes than MC-coated nuggets. Higher frying temperature resulted in increased complexity of microstructure. The nuggets fried in dyed oil showed oil penetration up to 1–4 mm into the meat layer. This implied that the oil uptake was a surface phenomenon.
Abstract A3: Design and model for breast cancer literacy outcomes among medically underserved females in Michigan

Statistical theory requires that analysis of study outcomes be conducted conditional on the design process. Ignoring this process may result in severely biased estimates, leading to false inferences, especially when the outcome variable is associated with design variables. We propose in this paper a class of hierarchical models to investigate the dependence between the design process and the study outcomes of primary interest. We discuss a fully parametric and a semiparametric formulation of the hypothesized model and propose the EM algorithm to obtain maximum likelihood estimates. Our numerical results show that the semiparametric approach outperforms the fully parametric model with respect to some key features of the model. The methodology is used to gain insight into the mechanism that generates breast cancer literacy outcomes in a study conducted among medically underserved females in Michigan. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A3.
Conscript: RasMol to PyMOL script converter

The aim of the Structural Biology Extensible Visualization Scripting Language (SBEVSL) project is to allow users who are experts in one scripting language to use that language in a second molecular visualization environment without requiring the user to learn a new scripting language. ConSCRIPT, the first SBEVSL release, is a plug-in for PyMOL that accepts RasMol scripting commands either as premade scripts or as line-by-line entries from PyMOL's own command line. The plug-in is available for download at http://sourceforge.net/projects/sbevsl/files in the ConSCRIPT folder. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 419-422, 2010
Effect of fractionation and pyrolysis on fuel properties of poultry litter.

Abstract Raw poultry litter has certain drawbacks for energy production such as high ash and moisture content, a corrosive nature, and low heating values. A combined solution to utilization of raw poultry litter may involve fractionation and pyrolysis. Fractionation divides poultry litter into a fine, nutrient-rich fraction and a coarse, carbon-dense fraction. Pyrolysis of the coarse fraction would remove the corrosive volatiles as bio-oil, leaving clean char. This paper presents the effect of fractionation and pyrolysis process parameters on the calorific value of char and on the characterization of bio-oil. Poultry litter samples collected from three commercial poultry farms were divided into 10 treatments that included 2 controls (raw poultry litter and its coarse fraction having particle size greater than 0.85 mm) and 8 other treatments that were combinations of three factors: type (raw poultry litter or its coarse fraction), heating rate (30 or 10 °C/min), and pyrolysis temperature (300 or 500 °C). A...
Terraces of Douglas Creek, northwestern Colorado: An example of episodic erosion

Channel incision began after 1880 in Douglas Creek, a tributary of the White River in northwestern Colorado. This modern erosion produced a complex series of discontinuous, unpaired terraces below the 1880 valley floor. As many as four of these surfaces were formed below the level of the old valley floor by a process of discontinuous downcutting that apparently was not related to changes of base level, climate, or land use, although the initial incision was probably due to the introduction of large numbers of livestock. The progress of incision was impeded as large quantities of sediment were flushed from steep tributary valleys into the main channel. Temporary storage and flushing of the sediment by episodic erosion produced a complex post-1900 terrace sequence. This phenomenon may be expected following rejuvenation of areas of high relief and high sediment production, and episodic incision may be a normal part of the erosional evolution of such areas.
Soil biota and soil properties in the surface rooting zone of mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) in historical and recently desertified Chihuahuan Desert habitats

The woody legume, mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) has expanded from its historical habitats (playas and arroyos) to recently occupied grassland and dune habitats during the desertification of perennial grasslands in the Chihuahuan Desert. We studied historical and recently occupied sites, having hypothesized that the trophic structure and population density of soil microarthropods and nematodes associated with the surface root system of mesquite would differ in sites representing historical and recent habitats, and that the N mineralization potential would be lower in the recent habitats. Our results showed that net N mineralization potential did not differ significantly among the sites, even though soil nutrient concentrations and texture varied widely. Concentrations of organic C, N, and P were lowest in the recent dune habitat and highest at the playa. Very low concentrations of P in the dune and grassland soils implicated P as a limiting factor in these systems. The bacterial-feeding and omnivore-predator functional groups made up the largest fraction of the nematode community at most of the sites. The high density of plant-feeding nematodes at the playa indicated that herbivory is potentially most important at this site. Total microarthropod densities did not vary significantly among habitats, with Collembola densities highest in the mesquite dunes. Grazers were the dominant microarthropod functional group. While both C and N pool sizes were higher in the historical habitats, a higher substrate lability in the recent habitats appeared to support biota populations and N mineralization rates equivalent to those in the playa and arroyo. Differences in soil properties and biota among historical and recent mesquite habitats may be important for understanding the changes that have occurred in Chihuahuan Desert ecosystems during desertification.
In-vivo efficacy of hand sanitisers against feline calicivirus: a surrogate for norovirus

Hand disinfection is considered important in preventing the transmission of viruses, including norovirus. We investigated the virucidal efficacy of nine hand sanitisers (four alcohol-based sanitisers, three non-alcoholic sanitisers and two triclosan-containing antimicrobial liquid soaps) against feline calicivirus, a surrogate for norovirus, on artificially contaminated fingertips for 30 s and 2 min contact periods. Among alcohol-based sanitisers, a product containing 99.5% ethanol was more effective than those containing 62% ethanol, 70% isopropanol or 91% isopropanol. A log(10) virus reduction factor of 1.00-1.30 was achieved with 99.5% ethanol but those containing a lower alcohol concentration only achieved a log(10) reduction factor of <or=0.67. Antiseptics containing 10% povidone-iodine (equivalent to 1% available iodine) reduced virus titre by a log(10) reduction factor of 2.67 within 30s contact time. This viral reduction rate was higher than that achieved with any of the alcohol-based sanitisers, non-alcoholic sanitisers or antimicrobial soaps. The two antimicrobial soaps tested showed minimal virus reduction (a log(10) reduction factor of 0.17-0.50), which is similar to that obtained by washing hands without any soap (a log(10) reduction factor of 0.33-0.42). These results indicate that triclosan-containing antimicrobial soaps or alcohol-based hand rubs may be inadequate for preventing norovirus transmission. Further research on alternative hand sanitisers should continue for effective control of norovirus infections.
The Influence of Job Motivation versus Downsizing on Individual Behavior.

The turbulence caused when a company downsizes places unusual demands on training and development personnel. For their efforts to be successful in such an environment, these professionals must understand the effects of down-sizing on the survivors. Studies of the impact of downsizing on the behaviors of survivors have yielded mixed results. We propose and test a model that focuses on job motivation as well as past and future downsizing factors. The results indicate that job motivation dominates the downsizing factors, which may explain why the findings of previous studies are mixed. The implication is that job design that promotes empowerment and intrinsic motivation is more important than the effects of downsizing.
Loss of Raf kinase inhibitory protein induces radioresistance in prostate cancer.

Purpose External beam radiotherapy (RT) is often used in an attempt to cure localized prostate cancer (PCa), but it is only palliative against disseminated disease. Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is a metastasis suppressor whose expression is reduced in approximately 50% of localized PCa tissues and is absent in metastases. Chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to induce tumor apoptosis through induction of RKIP expression. Our goal was to test whether RT similarly induces apoptosis through induction of RKIP expression. Methods and Materials The C4-2B PCa cell line was engineered to overexpress or underexpress RKIP. The engineered cells were tested for apoptosis in cell culture and tumor regression in mice after RT. Results RT induced both RKIP expression and apoptosis of PCa cells. Overexpression of RKIP sensitized PCa cells to radiation-induced apoptosis. In contrast, short-hairpin targeting of RKIP, so that RT could not induce RKIP expression, protected cells from radiation-induced apoptosis. In a murine model, knockdown of RKIP in PCa cells diminished radiation-induced apoptosis. Molecular concept mapping of genes altered on manipulation of RKIP expression revealed an inverse correlation with the concept of genes altered by RT. Conclusion The data presented in this report indicate that the loss of RKIP, as seen in primary PCa tumors and metastases, confers protection against radiation-induced apoptosis. Therefore, it is conceivable that the loss of RKIP confers a growth advantage on PCa cells at distant sites, because the loss of RKIP would decrease apoptosis, favoring proliferation.
Input rate‐dependent stereoselective pharmacokinetics: Effect of pulsatile oral input

Computer simulation was used to test the effects of pulsatile oral input on the stereoselectivity in the area under the blood concentration–time curves (AUCs) of the enantiomers of racemic drugs. The effects of input rate determinants, namely, dose, dosage interval, and formulation on the stereoselectivity were investigated under both steady-state and nonsteady-state conditions. Simulations were carried out for drugs undergoing Michaelis–Menten hepatic metabolism with different enantiomeric maximum velocity (Vmax) or constant (Km) values. With pulsatile input, the enantiomeric AUC ratios of both types of drugs were dependent on all the determinants of input rate. However, in most cases, the direction of input rate-dependent changes in the enantiomeric AUC ratios for drugs with different enantiomeric Vmax was opposite of that for drugs with different enantiomeric Km. The direction and magnitude of changes in the enantiomeric AUC ratios were also dependent on the selected dose, dosage interval, and formulation. Further, different conclusions could be reached based on the nonsteady-state and steady-state data. Additional simulations were then performed to test the effects of input rate-dependent stereoselective pharmacokinetics on the bioequivalence of chiral drugs with nonlinear metabolism. These simulations suggested that bioequivalence studies based on the racemic drug measurement may result in erroneous conclusions for the individual enantiomers. The results of this study may be used as a tool for the design of experiments to test the input rate dependence of stereoselective pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of racemic drugs in animals and humans. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reactive sputter-deposition of oxygenated amorphous carbon thin films in Ar/O2

Abstract Oxygenated amorphous carbon thin films were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering using various argon and oxygen process gas mixtures. The X-ray diffraction data indicated that the predominantly amorphous films had more defined peaks with a higher partial pressure of oxygen. Results indicated that use of oxygen in the working gas enhanced the crystalline nature of the films. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy revealed that the surface roughness and film topography differed with the oxygen process gas variations. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed increased surface oxygen content with higher oxygen concentration in the working gas. Raman spectroscopy results suggested that the increased oxygen in the films may have led to a higher percentage of sp 3 -bonded carbon atoms. The growth rate (deposition rate) of the films decreased as the amount of oxygen increased. This decreased deposition rate was associated with an oxygen etching of the film.
Laparoscopic Expertise Increases Hospital Volume of Adrenal Surgery

The laparoscopic approach is preferred for most adrenal tumors but technical challenges limit its use. We evaluated the effects of the availability of laparoscopic expertise on the volume of the ad...
Efficacy of Fumagillin Against Proliferative Kidney Disease and its Toxic Side Effects in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fingerlings

The potential of fumagillin DCH to prevent proliferative kidney disease (PKD) in rainbow trout fingerlings was tested in field and laboratory studies. In a field study, PKX trophozoites and accompanying inflammation (PKD) occurred in the kidneys of 92.7% of fish fed control diets and in only 7.9% of fish receiving 0.34 g fumagillin/kg of diet (fed at 6% biomass per day) when examined 65 days after being placed in waters enzootic for the parasite.In a laboratory study, fumagillin treatment reduced the number of fish that developed PKD following natural exposure to the parasite. In both the laboratory and the field studies, fish fed fumagillin demonstrated a loss of appetite beginning 2 to 4 weeks following feeding of medicated diets. Cumulative mortalities of 92% and 33% for the field and laboratory studies were experienced by groups of fish continuously fed medicated diets.The toxicity of fumagillin was evaluated in the laboratory following feeding at 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 g drug/kg feed (fed at 1.5-2.0% biomass daily) for 8 weeks at water temperature of 15°C. Fish administered 0.5 and 1.0 g drug/kg food exhibited anorexia beginning 4 weeks after initiation of feeding that lasted until the end of the experiment at 8 weeks. The cumulative mortality of fish fed the 1.0 g drug/kg reached 22% at the end of the study. The average weight of these fish was significantly decreased compared to fish receiving lower doses or no fumagillin in the diet. The spleen and kidney of fish administered the two highest doses of fumagillin were grossly reduced in size. Microscopic examinations revealed a decrease in the amount of interstitial hematopoietic tissue in the anterior and posterior kidney and splenic lymphoid tissue. These effects were least apparent in the fish fed 0.1 g fumagillin/kg feed. These results indicate that fumagillin can have an adverse effect on the hematopoietic tissue of fish when administered at increased concentrations over an extended period of time. However, these effects can be minimized when fish are fed low doses of fumagillin as a potential treatment to prevent PKD.
Reflectometer for pseudo-Brewster angle spectrometry (BAIRS)

A simple, robust reflectometer, pre-set for several angles of incidence (AOI), has been designed and used for determining the optical parameters of opaque samples having a specular surface. A single, linear polarizing element permits the measurement of perpendicular(s) and parallel (p) reflectence at each AOI. The BAIRS algorithm determines the empirical optical parameters for the subject surface at the pseudo-Brewster AOI, based on the measurement of p/s at two AOI's and, in turn the optical constants n and k (or (epsilon) 1 and (epsilon) 2). Radiation sources in current use, are a stabilized tungsten-halide lamp or a deuterium lamp for the visible and near UV spectral regions. Silica fiber optics and lenses deliver input and output radiation from the source and to a CCD array scanned diffraction spectrometer. Results for a sample of GaAs will be presented along with a discussion of dispersion features in the optical constant spectra.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Computation of the frequency responses for distributed systems with one spatial variable

For a class of distributed systems with one spatial variable, we develop a method for computing the maximum singular value of the frequency response operator. This computation is typically done by resorting to finite-dimensional approximations of the underlying operators. In this paper, we introduce an alternative approach that avoids the need for numerical approximation of the operators in the evolution model. This involves two steps: (i) recasting the frequency response operator as a two point boundary value problem; and (ii) using state-of-the-art automatic spectral collocation techniques for solving the resulting boundary value problems with accuracy comparable to machine precision. We provide an example from viscoelastic fluid dynamics to illustrate the utility of the proposed method.
Neuroscience: A complex in psychosis

The molecular basis of psychoses such as schizophrenia remains largely mysterious. The interaction between two of the brain receptors involved adds to evidence that will help in the search for explanations.
Weak Precompactness in the Space of Vector-Valued Measures of Bounded Variation

For a Banach space and a measure space , let be the space of all -valued countably additive measures on of bounded variation, with the total variation norm. In this paper we give a characterization of weakly precompact subsets of .
Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the hip during pregnancy: outcome in a subsequent gestation.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the hip is a serious complication of pregnancy, but there is little information available regarding its recurrence in a subsequent gestation. CASE: A woman with a history of pregnancy-related osteonecrosis, successfully treated with conservative therapy, presented for preconceptual counseling. Because a literature search uncovered only one applicable case, the patient was managed empirically. Her subsequent pregnancy was uneventful with no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although idiopathic osteonecrosis of the hip during pregnancy is uncommon, it is important to establish the outcome in subsequent pregnancies. Avoidance of vigorous physical activity, measures to limit edema, and low-dose aspirin therapy were successful in this patient.
A robust aim point tracking algorithm for 3-D laser radar imagery

In this work, we present a controlled active vision tracking scheme that makes use of 3-D range data and 2-D reflectance data collected with a 3-D Laser Radar (3DLADAR) system. Specifically, our algorithm employs the Active Contour Framework along with a detection algorithm involving feedback to effectively maintain visual tracking of an object in adverse scenarios. As opposed to typical 2D systems, in which tracking is limited by a lack of contrast, 3DLADAR provides the capability to improve aim point tracking by encoding depth information so that the scene can be resolved for all spatial dimensions. We demonstrate the proposed algorithm both qualitatively and quantitatively on several challenging tracking scenarios.
Hydraulic properties of individual xylem vessels of Fraxinus americana

Studies of the hydraulic properties of xylem vessels have been limited to measurements of whole plant or whole stem segments. This approach allows the longitudinal transport properties of the ensemble of vessels within a stem to be determined, but provides little information on radial transport. Here the xylem of Fraxinus americana L. has been examined using a new method that allows the transport properties of individual vessels to be examined. One goal of this study was to quantify transport parameters relevant to embolism repair. The longitudinal conductivity of vessel segments open at both ends (i.e. no end walls) agreed with values predicted by the Poiseuille equation. Radial specific conductance (conductance per unit area) was approximately six orders of magnitude lower than the longitudinal conductance of the vessel segment normalized by the cross-sectional area of the vessel lumen. There was a step increase in the radial specific conductance of previously gas-filled vessels when the delivery pressure exceeded 0.4 MPa. This is consistent with the idea that positive pressure, required for embolism repair, can be compartmentalized within a vessel if the bordered pit chambers are gas-filled. The diffusion coefficient for the movement of gas from a pressurized air-filled vessel was of the same order of magnitude as that for air diffusing through water (1.95 e(-9) m(2) s(-1)). Estimates of the time needed to displace all of the gas from an air-filled vessel were in the order of 20 min, suggesting that gas removal may not be a major limitation in embolism repair.
Peer taught microcomputer skills: an untapped resource for stretching the budget

Abstract This article presents a solution to the problem of providing students with microcomputer education without significant increases in funding. One method of providing students with software training is through peer teachers. Students teaching other students to use software is an untapped resource that should be carefully considered. The article describes an approach in which students who were familiar with Lotus 1-2-3®∗ were enlisted to teach other students the Lotus® spreadsheet software. Significant savings in faculty time were obtained through the peer teaching approach.
Quadriceps Strength, Muscle Activation Failure, and Patient-Reported Function at the Time of Return to Activity in Patients Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Cross-sectional Study

Study Design Cross-sectional. Objectives To determine if quadriceps activation failure (QAF) moderates the relationship between quadriceps strength and physical function in individuals following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Background Quadriceps activation failure may impair the recovery of physical function after ACL reconstruction, given that QAF reduces strength and strength is related to physical function. Evidence of this relationship has been found in individuals with knee osteoarthritis, wherein patients with lower strength and greater QAF had lower levels of physical function. Methods Participants consisted of 52 individuals who were cleared for return to activity at an average ± SD of 7.4 ± 1.2 months post-ACL reconstruction. Quadriceps activation failure was assessed using the superimposed burst technique, and quadriceps strength was assessed using concentric isokinetic contractions (Newton meters per kilogram). Physical function was quantified using a combined variable of a ...
Improving financial computation speed with full and subproblem memoization

Analysts prototyping trading strategies often reuse previously computed values: both full problems and subproblems. Avoiding recomputing these would increase productivity. We built a memoization library that caches function computations to files to avoid recomputation. This should minimize the need for users to think about whether caching is appropriate while giving them control over speed, accuracy, and space usage. Guo and Engler built an automatic memoization library by modifying the Python interpreter, while jug and joblib are distributed computing libraries that do memoization. Our library attempts to maintain the ease of use of these libraries while offering a higher degree of control of how caching is carried out. It allows control of space usage for individual functions and all memoization, refreshing memoization for a specific function, and accuracy checking, and uses faster hashing and provides a divide and conquer approach to reuse previously computed subproblems. We show that for Markowitz optimization, Fama-French, and the singular value decomposition, memoization using our library greatly speeds up recomputation, often by over 99% versus no memoization and over 80% versus joblib. We also show how a divide-and-conquer memoization approach can give large speedups for sorting. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
The latent structure of post-traumatic stress disorder: tests of invariance by gender and trauma type.

BackgroundMeasurement invariance of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) criterion symptoms was tested by gender and trauma type, assaultive and non-assaultive.MethodAnalysis was conducted using latent class analysis (LCA), based on findings that the three-class LCA model from Breslau et al. (Archives of General Psychiatry 2005, 62, 1343–1351) fits the data across the four groups best. The classes represent three levels of PTSD-related disturbance: no disturbance, intermediate disturbance and pervasive disturbance, with the last one approximating the DSM-IV PTSD diagnosis.ResultsAnalysis of measurement invariance showed that, with respect to gender, there was no evidence of differential symptom reporting within the same disturbance class. DSM-IV symptom indicators represent the latent structure of PTSD equally in males and females. We found that more female than male victims of assaultive violence experienced pervasive disturbance. In the absence of measurement variability associated with gender, the finding is likely to reflect a gender difference in susceptibility. The analysis of measurement invariance detected evidence of variability associated with trauma type. Victims of assaultive violence in the pervasive disturbance class report more severe distress (especially emotional numbing) than do victims of non-assaultive violence in the same class.ConclusionsThe finding of measurement bias associated with type of trauma raises questions about the applicability of a single definition for PTSD associated with assaultive violence and PTSD associated with traumatic events of lesser magnitude.
A review of selected patient-generated outcome measures and their application in clinical trials.

Abstract Background Patient-generated outcome measures have been developed in an effort to capture the individualistic nature of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). These measures differ from traditional HRQoL instruments in that they allow patients to individually define HRQoL domains or weights. Nevertheless, application of these measures may be challenging, particularly in a clinical trial setting. Objective The objective of this study was to provide a critical review of the following patient-generated outcome measures: Patient-Generated Index (PGI), Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL), Repertory Grid, and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Methods We conducted a systematic literature review of the Medline and Olga databases and the journal Quality of Life Research and consulted experts. We abstracted data from eligible studies on the instruments' content, psychometric properties, and applicability in a clinical trial setting. Results The SEIQoL has shown to be reliable, valid, and responsive, but the PGI has not. Both instruments have poor practicality and have not been used in a clinical trial. The Repertory Grid's psychometric properties have not been well studied. The AQLQ is in part patient-generated and has been used in clinical trials. Nevertheless, the practicality of the individualized section is poor owing to the issue of missing data. All four instruments fail to provide a form of standardization needed for estimating population effects in a clinical trial. Conclusion The applicability of patient-generated outcome measures in a clinical trial setting remains questionable. Patient-generated outcome measures appear to be useful primarily in complementing traditional HRQoL measures, guiding individual patient treatment decisions, and assisting the design of new measures.
Numerical analysis and validation of the combined field surface integral equations for electromagnetic scattering by arbitrary shaped two-dimensional anisotropic objects

The numerical solution of coupled integral equations for arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional, homogeneous anisotropic scatterers is presented. The combined theoretical and numerical approach utilized in the solution of the integral equations is based on the combined field formulation and is specialized to both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations. As opposed to the currently available methods for anisotropic scatterers, the present approach involves integration over the surface of the scatterer in order to determine the unknown surface electric and magnetic current distributions. The solution is facilitated by developing a numerical approach employing the method of moments. The various difficulties involved in the numerical effort are pointed out, and ways of overcoming them are discussed in detail. The results obtained for two canonical anisotropic structures, namely, a circular cylinder and a square cylinder, are given and validated by results obtained by alternative methods. >
Solubilization and Reconstitution of the Calcium Release Channel of Skeletal Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Fragmented heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum was solubilized by cholate, and proteins were subsequently fractionated by using diethylaminoethyl-cellulose (DEAE-cellu-lose) column chromatography. A fraction was collected in which proteins with molecular weights between 31,000 and 45,000 u were major components. This fraction, when incorporated into Ca2+-loaded liposomes, facilitated the Ca2+ efflux. The rate of efflux was regulated by the external Ca2+ concentration, reaching a maximum at 3 μ-M Ca2+. The Ca2+ efflux was suppressed by Mg2+.
Transient hyperthyroidism of hyperemesis gravidarum: a sheep in wolf's clothing.

Background: Transient hyperthyroidism of hyperemesis gravidarum (THHG) is a self-limiting hyperthyroidism occurring in the context of hyperemesis gravidarum. Methods: A literature search of MEDLINE was undertaken, and a case report of a woman with THHG in pregnancy is described. Results and Conclusions: Because thyroid function tests cannot distinguish Graves disease from THHG, the diagnosis of THHG rests largely on the concurrent development of hyperemesis and hyperthyroidism and the absence of signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism before and during pregnancy. THHG might be responsible for 40% to 70% of thyroid function abnormalities in pregnancy. Both the thyroid function abnormalities and hyperemesis are related to elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin. THHG resolves by 18 weeks of pregnancy without sequelae. No treatment is required. Diagnosis of THHG by the primary care provider can prevent unnecessary treatment or referral for specialty care.
EPR and Mössbauer characterization of RTV polysiloxane foams and their constituents

We have used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and 57 Fe Mossbauer spectroscopies to investigate potential aging mechanisms in filled RTV polysiloxane foams, diatomaceous earth, and their other constituents. Intense, broad EPR resonances in the RTV foams were recorded at room temperature as a function of microwave power. These signals were shown to come from the diatomaceous earth filler (Celite 350) in the RTV foams. 57 Fe Mossbauer measurements for neat Celite 350 showed the presence of iron compounds in the form of lepidocrocite. Further EPR measurements showed that the intense, broad signals from Celite 350 and the RTV foams were due to lepidocrocite that has been annealed to 175 � C and is in an excited state. EPR measurements of annealed samples of Celite 350 also indicated that structural (chemisorbed) water is not easily released by the lepidocrocite. Therefore, the presence of intermediate forms of iron oxides in Celite 350 and RTV foams indicates that water is not active in these materials.
Modeling the emergence of insider threat vulnerabilities

In this paper, we present insights generated by modeling the emergence of insider threat vulnerabilities in organizations. In our model, we integrate concepts from social judgment theory, signal detection theory, and the cognitive psychology of memory and belief formation. With this model, we investigate the emergence of vulnerabilities (especially that are insider-driven) in complex systems characterized by high levels of feedback complexity, multiple actors, and the presence of uncertainty in the judgment and decision processes. We use the system dynamics method of computer simulation to investigate the consequences caused by changes to the model's assumptions. We find that the emergence of vulnerability can be an endogenous process and that leverage points to reduce this vulnerability involve improvement in information acquisition, information management, and the training of personnel in judgment and decision-making techniques
A phonetic analysis of consonantal devoicing in children's speech

A number of phonologists have observed the frequent occurrence of ‘devoiced’ obstruents in word-final position in children's utterances. Although such transcription-based accounts have provided evidence of the phenomenon, physical phonetic properties of devoiced consonants have not been described. Therefore, characteristics of voicing control for ‘voiced’ and ‘voiceless’ stops produced by five English-speaking children aged 2; 6–3; 0, five aged 4; 0–4; 6, and five adults were investigated in terms of (1) the percentage of all stop productions evidencing ‘devoicing’ during consonant closure, and (2) in the case of devoiced stops, the proportion of consonant closure evidencing voicing. Both groups of children revealed substantial amounts of consonantal devoicing when compared with the adults; in addition, the proportion of stop closure evidencing voicing was considerably less for the children than for the adults. It was also observed, however, that the children's ‘devoiced’ stops revealed significantly more voicing than their phonemically ‘voiceless’ stop productions.
Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Renal Injury: Importance of Superoxide

Cisplatin is a potent chemotherapeutic agent that is used to treat many human malignancies. Unfortunately, in addition to side effects such as ototoxicity, anaphylaxis, and bone marrow suppression, a significant percentage of patients receiving cisplatin develop severe nephrotoxicity. Mitochondrial dysfunction that is mediated via the generation of reactive oxygen species has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced renal injury. To address the mechanism, it was hypothesized that overexpression of antioxidant enzymes, such as mitochondria-localized manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) or mitochondria-targeted catalase (mito-Cat), would be cytoprotective in cisplatin-induced cell injury. To this end, human MnSOD or a mito-Cat vector were stably transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Cells that overexpressed MnSOD exhibited significantly less cell rounding and detachment compared with both mito-Cat and vector controls after exposure to 20 microM cisplatin. Cell injury as assessed by DNA fragmentation and annexin V binding assays was significantly decreased in the cells that overexpressed MnSOD compared with vector alone and mito-Cat. In addition, elevated levels of MnSOD were strongly associated with increased clonogenic potential after cisplatin challenge. Thus, overexpression of MnSOD, and not catalase, protects against cisplatin-induced renal epithelial cell injury. These results demonstrate the importance of reactive oxygen species in the mechanism that underlies cisplatin-induced renal injury and specifically implicate the superoxide radical, and not hydrogen peroxide, as the mediator.
Cerebral Ischemia and Reactive Hyperemia: Studies of Cortical Blood Flow and Microcirculation Before, During, and After Temporary occlusion of Middle Cerebral Artery of Squirrel Monkeys

Correlative studies of cortical blood flow measured by the 85Kr washout technique and observations of the cortical blood vessels of 10 squirrel monkeys subjected to temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery are described. During occlusion, cortical blood flow in core areas of ischemia decreased to 0.12 to 0.90 ml/g/min (20 to 50% of preocclusion values) and became pressure dependent with failure of autoregulation. After release of the occluding clip, cortical blood flow was restored. Correlation between degree of vascular reaction judged by observation of the cortex and degree of hyperemia as determined by cortical blood flow was poor. There was incomplete correlation between the degree of hyperemia and the degree of preceding ischemia. Hyperemia, or "luxury perfusion," manifested by red venous blood, appears to be related to failure of cerebral tissue to utilize available oxygen as well as to "reactive" hyperemia, or supernormal blood flow, in regions previously ischemic. There was no demonstrabl...