cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
2-Octyl-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond), a new glue for variceal injection therapy: results of a preliminary animal study.

Background: Endotherapy of bleeding gastric varices is problematic. The aim of this descriptive study in an animal model was to compare 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond), a Food and Drug Administration-approved agent for superficial wound closure, to N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl), an agent available outside of the United States for the endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastric varices. Methods: Eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to either the study agent Dermabond or the control agent, Histoacryl. Both active agents were equally mixed with ethiodized poppy seed oil (Ethiodol) and injected into the auricular vein. The animals were euthanized at various time intervals after injection. A 2 cm strip of tissue on either side of the injection site along with the adjacent perivascular tissues were resected for histologic evaluation. Results: The use of 0.5 mL of Dermabond effectively induced vascular occlusion compared with 0.2 mL of Histoacryl. The histologic changes acutely and at 1 week were similar with each mixture. Conclusion: Dermabond may be useful in the treatment of gastric variceal bleeding, but further studies are necessary to determine dose response rates in animals and humans.
Off-hour presentation and outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Studies have suggested that patients with acute ischemic stroke who present to the hospital during off-hours (weekends and nights) may or may not have worse clinical outcomes compared to patients who present during regular hours. Methods We searched Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus through August 2013, and included any study that evaluated the association between time of patient presentation to a healthcare facility and mortality or modified Rankin Scale in acute ischemic stroke. Quality of studies was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. A random-effect meta-analysis model was applied. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q statistic and I2. A priori subgroup analyses were used to explain observed heterogeneity. Results A total of 21 cohort studies (23 cohorts) with fair quality enrolling 1,421,914 patients were included. Off-hour presentation for patients with acute ischemic stroke was associated with significantly higher short-term mortality (OR, 1.11, 95% CI 1.06–1.17). Presenting at accredited stroke centers (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.98–1.11) and countries in North America (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09) were associated with smaller increase in mortality during off-hours. The results were not significantly different between adjusted (OR, 1.11, 95% CI 1.05–1.16) and unadjusted (OR, 1.13, 95% CI 0.95–1.35) outcomes. The proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale at discharge ≥ 2–3 was higher in patients presenting during off-hours (OR, 1.14, 95% CI 1.06–1.22). Discussion The evidence suggests that patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting during off-hours have higher short-term mortality and greater disability at discharge.
On-line coupling of polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis for automatic DNA typing and HIV-1 diagnosis

We demonstrate an integrated on-line system with a fused-silica capillary as the microreactor for PCR and capillary gel electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection for DNA typing and disease diagnosis. Two applications have been investigated: the four short tandem repeat (STR) loci vWA, THO1, TPOX and CSF1PO (CTTv) for DNA typing, and DNA probe for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) diagnosis. The CTTv are important loci in forensic and genetic linkage analysis. The PCR technique is a powerful tool in HIV research because it can detect the presence of the virus before any antibody response in the infected person. Thus it is important for early diagnosis. Multiplexed PCR in a fused-silica capillary, on-line injection, DNA denaturation and calibration based on a standard ladder have been successfully combined. Also, on-line liquid flow management, DNA separation and detection have been completely integrated.
Encapsulation of Neutral Gold Nanoclusters by Resorcinarenes

A new strategy for encapsulating neutral nanoclusters is presented which employs surfactants with large concave headgroups and multiple contact sites. Au nanoclusters ranging from 3 to 20 nm in diameter were generated in the vapor phase and dispersed into dilute solutions of resorcinarenes 1−3, where they were stabilized for up to several months. The resorcinarenes were readily displaced by dodecanethiol, which resulted in the precipitation of the larger particles as determined by UV−vis absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The chemisorption of resorcinarenes to the Au cluster surface is most likely mediated by multiple Au−O interactions, which is supported by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
NEUTRAL EVOLUTION AND MUTATION RATES OF SEQUENTIAL DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS

In this paper we study the evolution of sequential dynamical systems as a result of the erroneous replication of the SDS words. An consists of (a) a finite, labeled graph Y in which each vertex has a state, (b) a vertex labeled sequence of functions (Fvi,Y), and (c) a word w, i.e. a sequence (w1,…,wk), where each wi is a Y-vertex. The function Fwi,Y updates the state of vertex wi as a function of the states of wi and its Y-neighbors and leaves the states of all other vertices fixed. The over the word w and Y is the composed map: . The word w represents the genotype of the in a natural way. We will randomly flip consecutive letters of w with independent probability q and study the resulting evolution of the . We introduce combinatorial properties of which allow us to construct a new distance measure for words. We show that captures the similarity of corresponding . We will use the distance measure to study neutrality and mutation rates in the evolution of words. We analyze the structure of neutral networks of words and the transition of word populations between them. Furthermore, we prove the existence of a critical mutation rate beyond which a population of words becomes essentially randomly distributed, and the existence of an optimal mutation rate at which a population maximizes its mutant offspring.
Teaching structured programming attitudes, even in APL, by example

As a programming assignment in a graduate programming course, students were to program an interactive word game, JOTTO. The language used was APL, under constraints of well-structured programming and complete control of the user-machine interaction. In response to complaints that teamwork was an impediment to programming and that it was not possible to write efficient well-structured programs in APL, the instructors undertook to complete the assignment working as a team. The results of the effort were carefully documented, including experiences with program modification, and are presented here, as they were to the class, to illustrate the principles that should be communicated to professional programmers.
Measurement of the thermal-noise-limited frequency stability of a fiber-optic Bragg-grating laser

Tunable single-frequency fiber lasers that can be integrated into optical-fiber networks are of great interest in the fiber-communication area for wavelength-division-multiplexing work.1 In particular, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) with a spectral bandwidth of ≈0.2 nm are attractive as laser-cavity reflectors for the construction of compact single-frequency fiber lasers. Laser-cavity length of the order of a few centimeters (2-5 cm) can be constructed by using a length of Er/Yb-doped fiber (fiber-laser high-gain medium) connected between two matched fiber-Bragg-grating reflectors.2 The Er/Yb-doped fiber is pumped optically to achieve lasing. The central lasing wavelength of this type of single-frequency fiber-Bragg-grating laser is determined by Bragg-resonance condition and thus provides a high degree of wavelength selectivity by writing gratings at different Bragg wavelengths within the gain bandwidth of the active fiber. In using this type of FBG laser in high-data- rate communication systems, both the long-term and the shortterm frequency stability of the laser output are important. For example, long-term stability, which is usually affected by the laser-cavity drift (slow length changes) and can be controlled by a laser-cavity stabilization scheme, is essential to the communication-channel assignments when the WDM approach is used. Likewise, short-term stability, which is more difficult to control, is essential for signal integrity in high-data-rate optical heterodyne detection systems, for example. This paper reports the measurement of a thermal-noise-limited short-term (<1 ms) frequency stability from an FBG single-frequency laser by using an interferometric technique.
Generalized thyroid hormone resistance due to a deletion of the carboxy terminus of the c-erbA β receptor

Generalized resistance to thyroid hormone (GRTH) is a disorder of thyroid hormone action which has been linked to the beta thyroid hormone receptor (TR beta) gene. A diverse array of TR beta mutations have been characterized, and these distinct genotypes have been associated with characteristic patterns of severity and tissue distribution of clinical thyroid resistance. In this report, we describe a patient with GRTH caused by a single C-->A base mutation (nucleotide 1623) in one allele of TR beta (exon 10). The mutation produces a premature translation termination signal (UGA) at codon 446 and predicts expression of a mutant TR beta which is truncated by 16 carboxyl-terminal amino acids (TR beta delta 446-461). This sequence was absent in both parents, indicative of a de novo mutation in the proband. To our knowledge, this case represents the first description of a mutation producing premature translation termination of TR beta in association with the syndrome GRTH, and emphasizes the critical role of the carboxyl terminal region of TR beta in mediating both positive and negative regulation of thyroid-responsive target genes in many tissues.
Mesenchymal stem cells: new players in retinopathy therapy.

Retinopathies in human and animal models have shown to occur through loss of pericytes resulting in edema formation, excessive immature retinal angiogenesis, and neuronal apoptosis eventually leading to blindness. In recent years, the concept of regenerating terminally differentiated organs with a cell-based therapy has evolved. The cells used in these approaches are diverse and include tissue specific endogenous stem cells, endothelial progenitor (EPC), embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Recently, MSC derived from the stromal fraction of adipose tissue have been shown to possess pluripotent differentiation potential in vitro. These adipose stromal cells (ASC) have been differentiated in a number of laboratories to osteogenic, myogenic, vascular and adipocytic cell phenotypes. In vivo, ASC have been shown to have functional and phenotypic overlap with pericytes lining microvessels in adipose tissues. Furthermore, these cells either in paracrine mode or physical proximity with endothelial cells, promoted angiogenesis, improved ischemia reperfusion, protected from myocardial infarction and are neuroprotective. Owing to the easy isolation procedure and abundant supply, fat derived ASC are a more preferred source of autologous mesenchymal cells compared to bone marrow MSC. In this review we present evidence that these readily available ASC from minimally invasive liposuction will facilitate translation of ASC research into patients with retinal diseases in the near future.
THEORY OF SLOW SECOND ORDER REACTIONS IN POWER PLANT PLUMES: COMPARISON WITH PRELIMINARY DATA

Slow second order reactions in which plume travel time is short compared to characteristic chemical reaction times are incorporated into the conservation equations for a buoyant plume in a crosswind. In the theory, a source term has been written for a second order irreversible reaction of the form A + B → AB. Approximate solutions to the conservation equations are derived in the near and far-field and compared with numerical results for a representative range of stack exit parameters. The relative contribution of near and far-field kinetics to the end-point conversion ratio [AB]/[A] is predicted with the approximate expressions. Expected errors between asymptotic predictions of the conversion ratio [AB]/[A] and numerical results are demonstrated for a wide range of stack exit parameters. The direct application of these useful results to the prediction of expected levels of sulfate formation from power plant stacks are demonstrated and a comparison is made with limited wind tunnel data.
Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by cellulosic hemodialysis membranes

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by cellulosic hemodialysis membranes. Compared to cellulose acetate, hemodialysis with cuprophan membranes is associated with greater activation of the alternative pathway of complement. Previous studies have shown that this difference is not due to a greater number of potential covalent binding sites for activated C3 on cuprophan. To investigate further the factors that influence complement activation by hemodialysis membranes, proteins were eluted from serum-treated cuprophan and cellulose acetate membranes with hydroxylamine at alkaline pH and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Approximately 23 times more total protein was removed from cellulose acetate. Virtually all the C3 in the cellulose acetate eluate was in the form of inactive fragments C3c and C3dg. In contrast, the functionally active form of C3 (C3b) was a prominent constituent of the cuprophan eluate. The binding of factor B (precursor of the catalytic subunit of the C3 convertase) and factor H (regulatory protein of C3 activation) to serum-treated membranes was also analyzed. By Scatchard's method, the affinity constant at equilibrium for factor B binding (K B ) to the two types of membranes was not significantly different; however, there were approximately four times more factor B binding sites on the cuprophan than on the cellulose acetate. For cuprophan, the number of factor B binding sites was 1.6 times greater than the number of factor B binding sites. These studies demonstrate that a portion of the C3b molecules that bind to cuprophan are protected from degradation, and suggest that the complement activating capacity of hemodialysis membranes is determined by biochemical properties that modulate both the binding of serum proteins to the membrane and the interactions of the endogenous regulatory proteins with membrane-associated C3b.
A New Record in 2007 for Melting in Greenland

The 2007 melting season set a new record for snowmelt over the Greenland ice sheet, according to analysis of spaceborne microwave brightness temperatures measured by the Special Sensor Microwave Imaging radiometer aboard the U.S. Defense Meteorological Satellites Program. As shown in Figure la, positive melting anomaly values, calculated as the difference between the number of melting days occurring in 2007 and the average number of melting days during the period 1988–2006, are concentrated on large inland areas in southern Greenland.
A design study of a shared resource computing system

The motivations for the design study of a modular, shared resource computing system are given by discussing fault-tolerance and resource utilization issues in parallel processing architectures. A design is presented which employs an array of pipelined arithmetic processors to perform array operations. The design provides for fault-tolerance (“graceful degradation”) capability and is efficient in using main memory bandwidth. Various architectural tradeoffs of the design are discussed. Some results of simulations used for the verification of design decisions are also reported.
Child and adolescent clinical features as forerunners of adult-onset major depressive disorder: retrospective evidence from an epidemiological sample.

Background: Adult-onset cases of DSM-III-R major depressive disorder (MDD) often have had a history of mood disturbances and allied clinical features during childhood or adolescence. This study seeks to illuminate these early-life disturbances, as recalled and reported by adult-onset MDD cases (i.e. those whose first episode of MDD occurred after age 18) and non-cases. Methods: Our research group has re-assessed survivors in the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) community sample roughly 13.5 years after first diagnostic assessments in 1981. Of the 1920 participants, 150 were found to have a history of adult-onset MDD; 1755 were sub-threshold with respect to DSM criteria or reported few or no depression-related problems. Survival analysis was used to plot and study the cumulative occurrence of each clinical feature of depression from age 6 through 18 years for cases of adult-onset MDD versus non-cases. Results: The earliest and most frequently occurring forerunners of adult-onset MDD were persistent depressed mood, anhedonia, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide, with persistent anhedonia and worthlessness having a special prognostic value. One-third of adult-onset cases of MDD reported at least one clinical feature before age 19 versus only 7.3% of non-cases. Limitations: The study's estimates are based on retrospective recall, although a life chart methodology sought to reduce recall inaccuracies. Conclusions: The ECA follow-up sample data, though based on retrospection, provide new details about early forerunners of adult-onset depression from a sample of survivors. When they appear in children or adolescents, persistent anhedonia and persistent feelings of worthlessness merit special attention. These two clinical features, in particular, may help predict later risk of adult-onset major depression.
Coal-Mining Seismicity and Ground-Shaking Hazard: A Case Study in the Trail Mountain Area, Emery County, Utah

We describe a multipart study to quantify the potential ground-shaking hazard to Joes Valley Dam, a 58-m-high earthfill dam, posed by mining-induced seismicity (mis) from future underground coal mining, which could approach as close as ∼1 km to the dam. To characterize future mis close to the dam, we studied mis located ∼3–7 km from the dam at the Trail Mountain coal mine. A 12-station local seismic network (11 stations above ground, one below, combining eight triaxial accelerometers and varied velocity sensors) was operated in the Trail Mountain area from late 2000 through mid-2001 for the dual purpose of (1) continuously monitoring and locating mis associated with longwall mining at a depth of 0.5–0.6 km and (2) recording high-quality data to develop ground-motion prediction equations for the shallow mis. (Ground-motion attenuation relationships and moment-tensor results are reported in companion articles.) Utilizing a data set of 1913 earthquakes ( M ≤ 2.2), we describe space-time-magnitude distributions of the observed mis and source-mechanism information. The mis was highly correlated with mining activity both in space and time. Most of the better-located events have depths constrained within ±0.6 km of mine level. For the preponderance (98%) of the 1913 located events, only dilatational P -wave first motions were observed, consistent with other evidence for implosive or collapse-type mechanisms associated with coal mining in this region. We assess a probable maximum magnitude of M 3.9 (84th percentile of a cumulative distribution) for potential mis close to Joes Valley Dam based on both the worldwide and regional record of coal-mining-related mis and the local geology and future mining scenarios.
The sustainability hub: an information management tool for analysis and decision making

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important driver for which decision makers -- consumers, corporate and government -- rely on principled, accurate and provenanced metrics to make appropriate behavior changes. Our assertion here is that a Sustainability Hub which manages such metrics together with their context and chains of reasoning will be of great benefit to the global community. In this paper we explain the Hub vision and explain its triple value proposition of context, chains of reasoning and community. We propose a data model and describe our existing prototype.
Where Would Economic Education Be Without Rendigs Fels

A tribute to Rendigs Fels for his years of service and commitment to the teaching of economics.
Alkane Oxidation on Rh(111) Single-Crystal Surfaces under High-Temperature, Short-Contact-Time Conditions: A Molecular Beam Kinetic Study†

The kinetics of the partial oxidation of alkanes with molecular oxygen on Rh(111) single-crystal surfaces were studied by using a collimated effusive molecular beam under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. These experiments were conceived to probe the details of the mechanism of these processes under high-temperature, short-contact-time conditions. It was determined that the primary products in these reactions are H2 and CO, the components of syngas, as it has been suggested by the so-called direct mechanism. The production of water is also detected, but at a slower rate because of the slow formation of the surface hydroxo intermediate involved. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is never produced, because carbon monoxide desorbs before having the opportunity to react further with adsorbed oxygen atoms. Both surface and subsurface atomic oxygen species form during the reaction, but only the more labile surface intermediate is relevant, blocking Rh sites for alkane activation and reacting to form CO and H2O.
Coating proteins: structure and cross-linking in fp-1 from the green shell mussel Perna canaliculus.

The protein family known as fp-1 provides mussel byssus with a protective outer coating and has drawn much attention for its water resistant bioadhesive properties in vitro. A new fp-l isolated from the green shell mussel Perna canaliculus (pcfp-1) reveals a composition dominated by only four amino acids: 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine (dopa), lysine, proline, and valine at ∼20 mol % each. SDS−PAGE and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry detected size variants at 48 and 52 kDa in preparations of purified Pcfp-1. The N-terminal sequence enabled construction of oligonucleotide primers for PCR and RACE-derived cDNAs from which the complete sequence of four variants was deduced. pcfp-1 deviates from all known homologues in other mussels in several notable respects: its mass is half, most of its sequence is represented by 75 tandem repeats of a tetrapeptide, i.e., PY*VK, in which Y* is dopa, prolines are not hydroxylated, and thiolate cysteines are clustered in homologous sequences at both the amino and carboxy termi...
Motivating recycling behavior: A quasiexperimental investigation of message and source strategies

This research contributes to the area of environmental management by investigating strategic approaches to motivating increased citizen compliance with community recycling programs. Using a quasiexperimental design, direct behavioral observations and attitudinal and other survey data were drawn from 140 households in a northeastern metropolitan community, to test hypotheses related to the efficacy of different message appeal (fear, satisfaction) and source (advertising, publicity, personal) strategies. Although positive appeals yielded most favorable levels of beliefs and attitude toward recycling, the greatest increase in recycling behavior came in response to a negatively framed message conveyed by a personal acquaintance. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dominance assertion in male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

The social relations of three adult males in a captive chimpanzee group were evaluated for 12 months. The observations encompassed a period of transition in the dominance hierarchy providing an opportunity to assess behavioral patterns involved in the initiation of status changes. This study shows that dominance in the chimpanzee is expressed primarily through ritualized and non-contact behavior rather than by overt aggression. In particular, display behavior is important for indicating dominance rank, in communicating aggressive intent, and as a prelude to status struggles. The functional relationships between status, displays and other socio-sexual behavior patterns are presented.
Pulse dynamics in absorber dominated optical cavities

We investigate optical field dynamics in lasers cavities dominated by a saturable absorber. We found that for a specific parameter range the solitary wave-type solutions exist and can be expressed in analytic form, including a new gray-pulse solution. Stability of these solitary waves is discussed and numerically examined.
Point load wave excitation in multi-layered solids: Experiments and model verification

Studies of transient wave propagation in a single plate, a two-layer plate structure, and a two-layer-on-a-half-space structure are reported. Experimental results are used to verify the accuracy of a new model for wave propagation in layered solids. The experiments are performed using point load excitation and point detection at the surface of the layered structure. The basis of the new wave propagation model is first introduced. Then, experiments performed on a single plate are described. Results from different wave sources, plate materials, and wave sensors are compared with each other and with computed results from the model. The transient source function for a pencil-lead-break wave source is obtained. Next, the results of experiments performed on a two-layer plate structure (aluminum bonded to stainless steel) are reported. The cases of stainless steel atop aluminum and aluminum atop stainless steel are considered. The effects of the second layer on the transient displacement at the top surface are discussed. Finally, a two-layer-on-a-half-space structure consisting of a stainless steel plate as the top layer, an aluminum plate as the second layer and a thick acrylic resin block as the half-space is studied. The obtained experimental transient measurements agree with the computed results for all cases, thus verifying the accuracy of the model.
MONOPOLY and Critical Theory Gaming in a Class on the Sociology of Deviance

In this article, the authors demonstrate how they modified a well-known game to use it as an educational simulation to help students understand difficult material, specifically critical theory. The...
Control of Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed) and recovery of native plants in tidal marshes of the San Francisco Estuary

Several management techniques are effective in controlling Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed) in rangelands and hay meadows; however, this invader’s rapid spread into sensitive aquatic habitats throughout the western US calls for alternative control strategies. To evaluate control methods for use in tidal marshes of San Francisco Estuary, we tested chemical, mechanical, and biological methods in field and greenhouse experiments. In a field experiment in three brackish marshes spanning the estuary, application of the herbicide glyphosate to re-growth of L. latifolium following hand-removal reduced L. latifolium cover by an average of 80% after 2 years and led to a 60% increase in native vegetation cover. Glyphosate alone was less effective at reducing L. latifolium cover (20% decrease) and increasing native cover (34% increase). Preliminary tests of a potential biological control, a native parasitic plant, were not successful, thus plots intended for field trials were instead used to test the newly approved herbicide imazapyr, which showed promise in controlling L. latifolium. An additional greenhouse experiment found large reductions in stem lengths with either glyphosate following clipping or imazapyr with or without clipping, all significantly more so than glyphosate alone. We conclude that an integrated management approach of applying glyphosate following mechanical removal can be effective at reducing L. latifolium cover and allowing recovery of native tidal marsh plants, providing a useful solution for controlling smaller, accessible infestations of the invader. Our preliminary tests of imazapyr suggest that it may be very effective at controlling L. latifolium in tidal marshes, although further assessment of non-target effects and native plant recovery are needed to evaluate its relative merit.
Termination of Ca2+ release by a local inactivation of ryanodine receptors in cardiac myocytes

In heart, a robust regulatory mechanism is required to counteract the regenerative Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Several mechanisms, including inactivation, adaptation, and stochastic closing of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) have been proposed, but no conclusive evidence has yet been provided. We probed the termination process of Ca2+ release by using a technique of imaging local Ca2+ release, or “Ca2+ spikes”, at subcellular sites; and we tracked the kinetics of Ca2+ release triggered by L-type Ca2+ channels. At 0 mV, Ca2+ release occurred and terminated within 40 ms after the onset of clamp pulses (0 mV). Increasing the open-duration and promoting the reopenings of Ca2+ channels with the Ca2+ channel agonist, FPL64176, did not prolong or trigger secondary Ca2+ spikes, even though two-thirds of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ remained available for release. Latency of Ca2+ spikes coincided with the first openings but not with the reopenings of L-type Ca2+ channels. After an initial maximal release, even a multi-fold increase in unitary Ca2+ current induced by a hyperpolarization to −120 mV failed to trigger additional release, indicating absolute refractoriness of RyRs. When the release was submaximal (e.g., at +30 mV), tail currents did activate additional Ca2+ spikes; confocal images revealed that they originated from RyRs unfired during depolarization. These results indicate that Ca2+ release is terminated primarily by a highly localized, use-dependent inactivation of RyRs but not by the stochastic closing or adaptation of RyRs in intact ventricular myocytes.
Upregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, and CCL-2 by a novel mouse model of pancreatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background Little is known about the immunologic events surrounding pancreatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) because of a lack of established experimental models. The purpose of this study was to develop a mouse model for pancreatic IRI to serve as a basis for the immunologic characterization of pancreatic organ damage at transplantation. Methods Reversible ischemia was surgically induced by vascular isolation of the distal pancreas for 0, 10, 20, or 30 min. Mice receiving laparotomy without clamping served as sham-operated controls. After reperfusion, mice were serially assayed for biochemical and histologic evidence of inflammation, proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, and inflammatory gene upregulation. Results After induction of pancreatic IRI, serum amylase and lactate dehydrogenase peaked at 6 hr and returned to baseline by 120 hr after injury in all groups. Mice undergoing 30 min of IRI demonstrated the greatest biochemical evidence of inflammation. Histologic scoring similarly demonstrated marked inflammation in mice subjected to 30-min IRI compared with controls. Serum cytokine/chemokine analysis demonstrated significant upregulation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-1β, IL-6, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-2, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-5, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein 2. A similar upregulation of ccl2, il1b, il6, fos, hspa1a, hspd1, and cd14 gene expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of pancreatic tissue. Conclusions This novel model of distal pancreatic IRI in the mouse demonstrates time-limited pancreatic inflammation and injury by histologic and biochemical indices. Inflammation may be, in part, a result of the immunologic effects of IL-1β, IL-6, and CCL-2. This model provides a method by which immunologic mechanisms of pancreatic IRI can be elucidated.
Impact of COPD on the Mortality and Treatment of Patients Hospitalized With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: The Worcester Heart Failure Study

BACKGROUND COPD is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure, yet little is known about the impact of this condition in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), especially from a more generalizable, community-based perspective. The primary objective of this study was to describe the in-hospital and postdischarge mortality and treatment of patients hospitalized with ADHF according to COPD status. METHODS The study population consisted of patients hospitalized with ADHF at all 11 medical centers in central Massachusetts during four study years: 1995, 2000, 2002, and 2004. Patients were followed through 2010 for determination of their vital status. RESULTS Of the 9,748 patients hospitalized with ADHF during the years under study, 35.9% had a history of COPD. The average age of this population was 76.1 years, 43.9% were men, and 93.3% were white. At the time of hospital discharge, patients with COPD were less likely to have received evidence-based heart failure medications, including β-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, than patients without COPD. Multivariable, adjusted in-hospital death rates were similar for patients with and without COPD. However, among patients who survived to hospital discharge, patients with COPD had a significantly higher risk of dying at 1 year (adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.14) and 5 years (adjusted RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.28-1.52) after hospital discharge than patients who were not previously diagnosed with COPD. CONCLUSIONS COPD is a common comorbidity in patients hospitalized with ADHF and is associated with a worse long-term prognosis. Further research is required to understand the complex interactions of these diseases and ensure that patients with ADHF and COPD receive optimal treatment modalities.
Approximation of rectangular sums of B-valued random variables

Given independent identically distributed random variables {xn;n ∈ ℕq| indexed by q-tuples of positive integers and taking values in a separable Banach space B we approximate the rectangular sums \(\{ \sum\limits_{m \leqq n} {x_m ;n \in \mathbb{N}^q } \} \) by a Brownian sheet. We obtain the corresponding result for random variables with values in a separable Hilbert space H while assuming an optimal moment condition. Generalized versions of the functional law of the iterated logarithm are thus derived.
R-Histogram: quantitative representation of spatial relations for similarity-based image retrieval

Representation of relative spatial relations between objects is required in many multimedia database applications. Quantitative representation of spatial relations taking into account shape, size, orientation and distance is often required. This cannot be accomplished by assimilating an object to elementary entities such as the centroid or the minimum bounding rectangle. Thus many authors have proposed numerous representations based on the notion of histograms of angles. However, they can only represent directional relations, but not the topological spatial relations "inside" and "overlap." Moreover, distance information is not explicitly taken into account. To address these issues, we propose in this paper a new histogram representation called R-Histogram that extends the histogram of angles by incorporating both angles and labeled distances. Dissimilarity between images is then defined by the distance between corresponding R-Histograms. A prototype Query By Example (QBE) system using the R-Histogram has been implemented. The effectiveness of our algorithm is demonstrated with experiments on two databases of 2000 synthetic images.
Robust 2 × 2 multimode interference optical switch

A robust 2 × 2 photonic switch based on multimode interference (MMI) effects is proposed. We demonstrate that the device is very tolerant to material modifications and typical fabrication errors. This is a result of the MMI design and the high symmetry of the switch. The key parameter for the operation of the device is that the input light forms a pair of well defined self-images exactly in the middle of the switch. The index modulated regions precisely overlap the positions where these two self-images are formed. By creating identical contact features at these locations, any refractive index change induced in the material as a result of electrical isolation will be replicated in both self-images, and therefore the off-state output will not be altered. In the same way, offset and dimension errors are reflected symmetrically on both self-images and do not seriously affect the imaging. The characteristics of the switch under different scenarios are investigated using the finite difference beam propagation method. By employing this configuration, crosstalk levels better than −20 dB are achievable over a wavelength range of 100 nm while maintaining polarization independence.
Involvement of Sp1 Elements in the Promoter Activity of the α1-Proteinase Inhibitor Gene

The transcripts of the alpha1-proteinase inhibitor in the cornea are different from those in hepatocytes and monocytes, suggesting that alpha1-proteinase inhibitor gene transcription may respond to different cell-specific regulatory mechanisms. Although information on alpha1-proteinase inhibitor gene structure has been obtained, little is known regarding the cis- and trans-acting factors that regulate its expression. In this study, we cloned and sequenced a 2. 7-kilobase 5'-flanking region upstream from the corneal transcription initiation site of the gene, demonstrated functional promoter activity, and identified the regulatory elements. Sequencing revealed that the 5'-flanking element was highly G/C-rich in regions proximal to the corneal transcription start site. DNase I footprinting located 10 potential Sp1-binding sites between nucleotides -1519 and +44. The putative promoter was functional in human corneal stromal cells, but not in human skin, scleral, and conjunctival fibroblasts, suggesting that the promoter may be corneal cell-specific. The promoter activity in the corneal cells was repressed when Sp1 was coexpressed. In the cornea-thinning disease keratoconus, down-regulation of the alpha1-proteinase inhibitor gene and increased Sp1 expression have both been demonstrated. The current results suggest that down-regulation of the inhibitor in keratoconus corneas may be related directly to overexpression of the Sp1 gene. This information may help elucidate the molecular pathways leading to the altered alpha1-proteinase inhibitor expression in keratoconus.
Remanent magnetic properties of unbrecciated eucrites

This study examines the remanent magnetic properties of five unbrecciated eucrites, ranging from the coarse-grained cumulate Moore County to the quenched melt rock ALH 81001 in order to assess the strength of the magnetic field associated with their parent body during their formation. Two of the meteorites are judged as unlikely to have preserved their primary thermal remanence because of large variations in subsample remanence intensity and direction (Ibitira), and lack of NRM resistance to AF and thermal demagnetization (PCA 82502). The lack of a strong (greater than 0.01 mT) magnetizing field during their cooling on the eucrite parent body is inferred from the low normalized NRM intensities for subsamples of ALH 81001 and Yamato 791195.
Decompositions of metastable [C6H12O]+ ions with the oxygen on the third carbon: Ring-size preferences in [CnH2nO]+˙ ions

The isomerizations preceding the metastable decompositions in the mass spectrometer of a number of [C6H12O]+˙ ions with the oxygen on the third carbon are characterized utilizing deuterium labeling. Hydrogens are transferred in these ions by three-, five- and six-membered ring rearrangements, with propensities determined by features of the individual reactions. Three-membered ring hydrogen transfers between α and β-carbons are preferred to all five-membered ring hydrogen transfers. However, six-membered ring hydrogen transfers take place to the apparent exclusion of three-membered ring hydrogen transfers to enol carbons when the products are of comparable stability. The low-energy [C6H12O]+˙ isomerizations characterized are predictable from the behavior of their lower homologs. It is concluded that the determinants of these reactions are the same as those of other highly reactive organic intermediates.
COOPERATING WITH NONEQUILIBRIUM FLUCTUATIONS THROUGH THEIR OPTIMAL CONTROL

The task of fluctuation control in stochastic systems is reformulated as an optimal control problem. We show that it is possible to design an external control field that works cooperatively with system fluctuations to achieve a desired physical objective. The proposed approach is illustrated with one-dimensional Brownian motion as a simple model.
Optimizing rearing conditions of hatchling loliginid squid

Eggs laid by the California market squid (Loligoopalescens) were collected from spawning grounds and reared in the laboratory. The eggs were maintained in a rearing tank that was part of a closed, recirculating system. The system included seven 220-l circular tanks with attached filtration. Five experiments were conducted to test hatchling survival. One of them evaluated survival on three different food types: (a) enriched Artemia sp. nauplii, (b) wild zooplankton and (c) a mixture of a and b plus mysid shrimp. This mixture of food types (c) was offered to the hatchlings in the other four experiments. High mortality occurred in all experiments between days 1 and 15 post-hatching. However, survival over the entire time span of the experiments (45–60 days) was between 36% and 60%. These survival rates are well above previously reported survival rates for the same time period, and overall are up to 35% better than any survival results ever attained for the routine culture of Loligo spp. squid. Results suggest that high survival can be achieved by: (1) rearing hatchlings in a recirculating system consisting of small round tanks designed to maintain water quality and pH within narrow limits (8.1–8.4), (2) maintaining low current speed (1.0–1.4 cm s–1) to reduce skin damage and to enhance hatchling–prey interactions, (3) increasing feeding rate by feeding small amounts of food at regular intervals (every 2–3 h) during day time hours and keeping prey densities above 50 prey l–1, (4) feeding hatchlings with enriched Artemia nauplii during days 1–30 post-hatching and (5) feeding a variety of prey types and sizes to match the different sizes and hunting abilities of same-aged but heterogeneously developing hatchlings. The results from this study will enhance future culturing efforts for the commercially important loliginid squid.
Decision makers' hindsight bias after receiving favorable and unfavorable feedback.

Two studies examined if decision makers show hindsight bias when feedback reflects upon their judgment. Study I investigated whether decision making heightens cognitive activity, and thereby reduces hindsight effects, or triggers self-serving mechanisms that prompt hindsight bias only when outcomes match favorably with decisions. Business students decided if they would purchase a company's stock, then received no feedback or feedback that the stock value increased or decreased. Consistent with a self-serving interpretation, relative to no-feedback participants, those whose outcomes matched favorably with their decisions showed hindsight bias and had a higher proportion of internal thoughts. In Study 2. favorable-feedback participants again showed hindsight bias, and had higher recall for decision-supportive items, but not when their tendency to take credit for success was suppressed. Discussion focuses on implications of decision makers' hindsight bias.
Telemetry in a Large Hospital-A Look at the Future

The present value of telemetry in clinical care is limited. In ten years, however, it is possible that 40 patients will be under surveillance by telemetry at any one time in a 1000 bed hospital, with at least three channels of information associated with each patient. The technological base for broad medical use of telemetry exists already except for the serious lack of practical transducers. The real problems in implementing a telemetry program are electromagnetic interference, standardization, maintenance, security of components, location of patients, and reliability of day-to-day operation. It is urged that preferential consideration be given to manufacturers who recognize these problems and offer realistic proposals for their solution.
Multi-gauge Calibration for modeling the Semi-Arid Santa Cruz Watershed in Arizona-Mexico Border Area Using SWAT

In most watershed-modeling studies, flow is calibrated at one monitoring site, usually at the watershed outlet. Like many arid and semi-arid watersheds, the main reach of the Santa Cruz watershed, located on the Arizona-Mexico border, is discontinuous for most of the year except during large flood events, and therefore the flow characteristics at the outlet do not represent the entire watershed. Calibration is required at multiple locations along the Santa Cruz River to improve model reliability. The objective of this study was to best portray surface water flow in this semi-arid watershed and evaluate the effect of multi-gauge calibration on flow predictions. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was calibrated at seven monitoring stations, which improved model performance and increased the reliability of flow predictions, in the Santa Cruz watershed. The most sensitive parameters to affect flow were found to be curve number (CN2), soil evaporation and compensation coefficient (ESCO), threshold water depth in shallow aquifer for return flow to occur (GWQMN), base flow alpha factor (Alpha_Bf), and effective hydraulic conductivity of the soil layer (Ch_K2). In comparison, when the model was established with a single calibration at the watershed outlet, flow predictions at other monitoring gauges were inaccurate. This study emphasizes the importance of multi-gauge calibration to develop a reliable watershed model in arid and semi-arid environments. The developed model, with further calibration of water quality parameters will be an integral part of the Santa Cruz Watershed Ecosystem Portfolio Model (SCWEPM), an online decision support tool, to assess the impacts of climate change and urban growth in the Santa Cruz watershed.
Sex Identification of Malocosoma disstria Pupae (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

In insect research, accurately identifying sexes is essential. For the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria Hubner), an important defoliator of aspen and associated species, this has only been achieved by examining the size of adult moth antennae. The literature sketchily covers sex determination in Lepidoptera during the pupal stage (Poulton 1890, Jackson 1891, Mosher 1916, Butt and Cantu 1962, Soloman 1962, and Kean and Platt 1973). Information relating to the sexing of M. disstria pupae is minimal and incomplete (Mosher 1916). Described here are certain diagnostic characters and results of tests to correctly identify sex in the pupal stage.
The library's role in academic instructional use of the World Wide Web

Abstract As technology advances, the services offered by academic libraries must change to keep pace. One promising new service is instructing faculty on using the World Wide Web (WWW) as a teaching tool. Collaboration with computing center personnel enables librarians to deliver this service in a way that maximizes benefits for all parties. This paper describes these benefits, suggests ways to develop a collaborative program about instructional uses of WWW, offers advice on demonstrating and constructing instructional Web sites, and—particularly in the substantial appendix—provides information on numerous Web sites suitable for demonstrating instructional applications.