cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autologous blood donation in nonorthopaedic surgical procedures as a blood conservation strategy.

Autologous blood donation in many nonorthopaedic procedures is controversial. Our study of 408 consecutive such procedures could be divided into two groups. In group I, the anticipated probability for homologous blood transfusion was very low (less than 5%): vaginal hysterectomy and miscellaneous gynecologic procedures, obstetrical delivery, mammoplasty and cholecystectomy. In group II, the anticipated probability for homologous blood transfusion was high (greater than 5%): open heart and vascular surgery, neurosurgery, mastectomy, abdominal and radical hysterectomy, and extensive urologic procedures. We conclude that for procedures in which the blood transfusion probability is very low, autologous blood donation should not be encouraged; this practice should be promoted in procedures in which the blood transfusion probability is 'high' (i.e. greater than 5%), with emphasis on maximizing autologous blood collection in order to minimize homologous blood transfusion.
The effect of external representations on numeric tasks

This article explores the effect of external representations on numeric tasks. Through several minor modifications on the previously reported two-digit number comparison task, we obtained different results. Rather than holistic comparison, we found parallel comparison. We argue that this difference was a reflection of different representational forms: The comparison was based on internal representations in previous studies but on external representations in our present study. This representational effect is discussed under a framework of distributed number representations. We propose that in numerical tasks involving external representations, numbers should be considered as distributed representations, and the behaviour in these tasks should be considered as the interactive processing of internal and external information through the interplay of perceptual and cognitive processes. We suggest that theories of number representations and process models of numerical cognition should consider external represen...
Strategies for treating lipids for prevention: risk stratification models with and without imaging.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality both in the United States and worldwide. Traditional risk factors are essential to CVD risk prediction and explain a significant portion of the between-population and between-individual variance in CVD. Nonetheless, due to the large size of the group, a substantial portion of cardiovascular events occur in individuals predicted to be at low risk based on traditional risk factor models such as the Framingham risk score. The problem is that by disregarding this low risk group, a significant proportion of events are ignored and deemed ‘unpreventable’. As such, it is imperative to find new ways to improve CVD risk prediction and thereby apply preventive measures to persons more likely to develop ‘preventable’ disease. Focus has consequently shifted towards identification of novel markers to improve cardiovascular risk prediction. We review the role of various risk stratification models, and assess the incorporation of imaging markers to guide treatment for lipids in prevention of CVD.
Development of a Problem-Focused Behavioral Screener Linked to Evidence-Based Intervention

Development of a problem-focused behavioral screener linked to evidence-based intervention.
DSRS Versus TIPS for Variceal Bleeding: Lessons From Late Follow-up of 507 DSRS Patients

longest follow-up experience with DSRS reported to date. The major finding of this study was that the DSRS provided very long-term control of UGI bleeding in patients. The study clearly demonstrated that in those patients with relatively preserved hepatic function (Child–Pugh A or B, MELD less than 12.5) and no ongoing hepatocellular injury, survival in excess of 10 or even 20 years could be achieved. Particularly dramatic longterm outcomes were seen in patients with pre-sinusoidal hypertension such as those with portal vein hypoplasia, many of whom following DSRS returned to normal lives, raised families, and remain healthy without difficulties 20 and 30 years postsurgery. Similarly, alcoholic cirrhosis patients who abstain from drinking after DSRS and without a concomitant viral hepatitity, 10-year survival rates of 42.2% and 20-year survival rates of 20.3% were observed.2 Neither DSRS nor TIPS is a contraindication to subsequent liver transplantation.3 We submit, therefore, that based upon best available evidence, the correct interpretation of the data from the Henderson study and our single-institutional late follow-up series is that DSRS can provide long-term and definitive control of upper gastrointestinal bleeding without need for additional procedures. This includes patients over 65, who in many regions are not candidates for transplantation. TIPS should be considered for short-term cases with imminent need for transplantation and with likelihood of organ availability, particularly in patients with a concomitant viral hepatitity. All patients with preserved hepatic function and no ongoing liver injury, such as reformed alcoholics or those with presinusoidal hypertension, deserve the long-term and potentially definitive care that a DSRS may provide. We hope that late follow-up of the Henderson data set will further confirm these assertions in the next decade. Unfortunately, subset analysis of the 70 DSRS patients and the failure to remove those with chronic active hepatitis has likely rendered the study underpowered to answer such questions. We encourage hepatologists to familiarize themselves with our report and refer these patients to an experienced surgeon for definitive and optimal care.
Intermediate temperature surface proton conduction on dense YSZ thin films

In this work, the electrical conductivities of sputtered 6 nm and 50 nm thick, dense yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films are measured using impedance spectroscopy in both dry and humidified air at the intermediate temperatures of 300–650 °C. While the 50 nm thick films exhibited the same conductivity in both dry and humid air, the conductivity of 6 nm thick films in humidified air was around twice as much as that in dry air at temperatures below 500 °C. The conductivity increase for the 6 nm thick film was attributed to surface proton conduction, with a net conductance similar in magnitude to the bulk oxygen ion conductance. Contrary to some literature suggestions, proton conduction is believed to occur along the free surface and not through grain boundaries, since the lateral grain sizes of the 6 nm and 50 nm thick films are comparable. Interestingly, the proton conduction had an activation energy of 1.03 eV, similar to oxygen ion conduction in YSZ.
Wrongful firing in violation of public policy: Who gets fired and why

We extend the whistle-blowing literature to the context of wrongful firings that violate a public policy. Our results suggest that the incidence of wrongful firings varies, depending on the employee’s gender and tenure, and the industry in which the organization operates. Wrongful firings do not occur more frequently in certain occupations, since firms wrongfully discharge professional and managerial employees as often as employees in technical, clerical, and laborer occupations. We also show that gender, tenure, occupation, and industry, in combination, can distinguish between three types of wrongful firings in violation of public policy. Our results support the application of theory and empirical research on whistle-blowing to the wrongful firing context, aiding researchers interested in developing explanations of wrongful firings in violation of public policy. For managers, our study points to the need to develop more effective responses to employees exercising legal rights, refusing to participate in illegal or unethical activities, and performing a public duty or obligation, such as whistle-blowing.
Experimental modification of digestive pathology.

Abstract Two experiments using human volunteers with gastric disorders were performed. The pH level of the subjects' stomach contents was measured with special electrodes in a nasogastric tube. In each experiment, some of the subjects received true feedback (TFG), while others received reverse, or false, feedback (RFG) about the pH of their stomach contents. In the first experiment, giving feedback of pH increases to 27 subjects during the first training session did not result in an alteration of stomach pH or acid concentration. It did, however, result in decreased volume of acid secretion in the TFG (9 subjects). In the second experiment, 10 training sessions were conducted with 12 subjects, 7 in the TFG, 5 in the RFG. The TFG showed increased stomach pH and decreased acid secretion volume, but no changes in acid concentration compared to the RFG.
Nuclear translocation of 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate coenzyme A ligase by cold and osmotic stress

Cells are continuously exposed to environmental stresses and respond to them to maintain cellular homeostasis. Failure to respond to these stresses may cause pathological states such as renal failure, complications of diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Signal transduction induced by osmotic and cold stresses is not fully understood. In addition, mechanisms of these stress responses are yet to be elucidated. Activation of many signaling pathways induces translocation of proteins into the nucleus to transduce signals and regulate nuclear functions. By using inducible translocation trap (ITT), a reporter gene-based screening technique, nuclear translocation of 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate coenzyme A ligase (KBL) was detected in response to cold and osmotic stresses. Rapid nuclear translocation of KBL was confirmed by biochemical analysis and fluorescent microscopy. A large region of KBL was required for stress-induced nuclear translocation. The KBL reporter system will be a useful tool for the investigation of cold and osmotic stress responses.
The sum and substance of it: the appreciation of mass and count quantifiers in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract We performed three experiments in order to determine whether patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD) have a sentence comprehension impairment. In the first experiment, we found that nondemented PD patients were impaired at matching a short sentence containing a mass or count quantifier (e.g., "Point to the jar with many") with one of four pictures. Patients erred by pointing to the incorrect mass or count type of substance, but pointed correctly to the large or small amount of a substance in the picture. In the second experiment, we asked the same PD patients to judge short sentences containing mass or count nouns modified by mass or count adjectives (e.g., *"The glass contains many milk"). PD patients were significantly impaired at detecting errors in the agreement between a noun and a quantifying adjective and errors in the appropriate use of the plural associated with a noun. A sentence completion task was performed in order to determine whether patients impaired on both sentence-picture matching and sentence judgment tasks are also compromised in their expression of quantifiers. Some patients impaired on both tasks also had difficulty expressing quantifiers, and it is these patients who may have difficulty performing grammatical computations. Other patients were selectively impaired in their sentence-picture matching or their sentence judgments, suggesting a performance deficit concerned with a particular task. We conclude that sentence comprehension impairments in PD are multifactorial in nature.
Biochemical characterization of MODY2 glucokinase variants V62M and G72R reveals reduced enzymatic activities relative to wild type

The glucokinase V62M and G72R mutations are naturally occurring and known to associate with hyperglycemia in humans. Structurally, V62 and G72 residues are located in close proximity to the allosteric site where hypoglycemia-linked activating mutations are clustered. To address the mechanism by which these variants alter the physiological phenotype, we characterized the biochemical and biophysical properties of the enzymes. Recombinant proteins were purified without affinity tags, and their steady-state kinetics and glucose binding affinities were determined. Both enzymes showed reduced rates of turnover (k(cat)) and reduced glucose affinity (i.e., increased K(0.5) and K(D) values). Their thermal stability did not largely differ from that of wild-type glucokinase. However, V62M and G72R lost the stabilizing protein interactions with glucokinase regulatory protein, which may contribute to lower activity in vivo. Both mutants were subject to activation by small molecule activators. In conclusion, the decreased enzyme activities of V62M and G72R observed in this study are consistent with the hyperglycemic phenotype.
Levator contraction strength and genital hiatus as risk factors for recurrent pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective To correlate levator ani contraction strength and genital hiatus measurements with surgical failure in prolapse. Study design This retrospective study involved chart review for documentation of levator contraction strength, genital hiatus measurement, and recurrent pelvic floor disorders in women who underwent surgery for prolapse. Results The recurrent prolapse rate was 34.6%. Median follow-up interval was 5 months. Diminished levator strength was associated with recurrent prolapse (35.8% versus 0%; P = .017). A genital hiatus 5 cm or greater was associated with recurrent prolapse (44.2% vs 27.8%; P = .034). Inability to contract the levator ani was associated with urinary incontinence (35.1% vs 18.8%; P = .023). Increasing levator contraction strength was associated with a decreased reoperation rate for pelvic floor disorders, whereas genital hiatus correlated best with recurrent prolapse. Conclusion Diminished levator ani contraction strength and a widened genital hiatus correlate with an increase in surgical failures in the early postoperative period. These tools are useful for counseling a patient concerning surgery for prolapse.
Gender, masculinity and the new economy

This paper examines the ‘remaking’ of white working class masculinities in the latter quarter of the twentieth century. It draws on ethnographic data gathered at two points in time in order to interrogate the relation of macro-economic and social relations on individual and group identities; to excavate the social psychological relations ‘between’ genders and races, as narrated by white working-class men; and to explore the nuanced variations among these men. Addressing theoretical, empirical and methodological issues associated with these studies, I argue that the remaking of the white working class can only be understood in relation to gendered constructions within itself, the construction of relevant ‘others’, as well as deep shifts in large social formations.
Phototaxis by the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium splendens Lebour.

SYNOPSIS A microscope-television system was used to monitor quantitatively the behavior of Gymnodinium splendens Lebour in response to light. The predominant behavioral sequence upon stimulation is (a) an initial 2–5 sec cessation of movement (stop-response) followed by (b) positive phototaxis. The action spectra for each response are identical, having maxima at 450 and 280 nm. Upon measuring the percent response to a range of stimulus intensities, it is apparent that a stop-response is not a behavioral prerequisite for phototaxis. An identical circadian rhythm in photoresponsiveness is observed for phototaxis and for the stop-response with greatest light sensitivity occurring during the first 4 hr of the entrained light period. The implication of phototactic sensitivity and the phototactic circadian rhythm in diurnal vertical migration is discussed.
Representations of a Clifford algebra that are Azumaya algebras and generate the Brauer group

Abstract Clifford algebras of forms of degree d > 2 are infinite dimensional (see Theorem 3, p. 272 of L. Childs, J. Lin. Mul. Alg., 5 (1978), 267–278 and Corollary 2, p. 273 of M. Orzech and L. Small, Lecture Notes in Pure and Applied Mathematics, Vol. 11, Dekker, New York, 1975 ). In the case of a non-singular binary cubic form over field F, D. Haile (Amer. Math. J., 106, No. 6 (1984) , 1269–1280) demonstrated an injective representation of the Clifford algebra in M(3, K), where K is a transcendental extension of F; he showed that the Clifford algebra is thus an Azumaya algebra over the coordinate ring of an elliptic curve, and that, for any algebraic extension F∼ of F, the group of F∼-points on the curve map homomorphically into the Brauer group of F∼.
An overview and generalization of implicit Navier–Stokes algorithms and approximate factorization

Abstract A theme of linearization and approximate factorization provides the context for a retrospective overview of the development and evolution of implicit numerical methods for the compressible and incompressible Euler and Navier–Stokes algorithms. This topic was chosen for this special volume commemorating the recent retirements of R.M. Beam and R.F. Warming. A generalized treatment of approximate factorization schemes is given, based on an operator notation for the spatial approximation. The generalization focuses on the implicit structure of Euler and Navier–Stokes algorithms as nonlinear systems of partial differential equations, with details of the spatial approximation left to operator definitions. This provides a unified context for discussing noniterative and iterative time-linearized schemes, and Newton iteration for unsteady nonlinear schemes. The factorizations include alternating direction implicit, LU and line relaxation schemes with either upwind or centered spatial approximations for both compressible and incompressible flows. The noniterative schemes are best suited for steady flows, while the iterative schemes are well suited for either steady or unsteady flows. This generalization serves to unify a large number of schemes developed over the past 30 years.
Complex Hunter-Gatherer-Fishers of Prehistoric California: Chiefs, Specialists, and Maritime Adaptations of the Channel Islands

The Chumash of the Santa Barbara Channel region were among the most economically and politically complex hunter–gatherer cultures of the New World. In recent decades, rich ethnohistorical documents pertaining to Chumash culture were analyzed, thus providing an excellent foundation for understanding the simple chiefdom that was in place as explorers and missionaries arrived in the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. Current archaeological research on the Channel Islands focuses on the emergence of ranked society in Chumash prehistory, with special emphasis on political developments and environmental stresses that contributed to cultural evolution. A wide range of data acquired from the Channel Islands illuminates a new model of the rise of complexity. This model of chiefdom emergence is based on population-resource imbalances, political opportunism, and the manipulation of labor by rising elites. Diverse lines of evidence must be employed to evaluate the timing, causes, and consequences of increasing complexity.
Formation of free radicals in photoirradiated cellulose. V. Effect of temperature

ESR spectra of purified and ferric ion-sensitized celluloses irradiated with ultraviolet light in vacuo at 45, 20, −80, and −196°C were recoreded and compared. Generally, several kinds of spectra, viz., singlet, three-line, five-line, and seven-line spectra, were observed. At higher temperatures, only singlet and three-line spectra of stable free-radical species were detected, whereas at lower temperatures such as at −196°C, two doubled spectra of formyl radicals and hydrogen atoms were also detected in addition to cellulose radicals. It is believed that the intricate spectra observed at low temperatures are superimposed upon spectra generated by free radicals which may or may not be stable at high temperatures. During reirradiation at −196°C with an alternative light sources, i.e., λ > 2537 A and λ > 3400 A, of samples which were irradiated at 20°C or at −196°C, phenomena indicative of radical transformation and formation of new radicals or of decay of radicals in terms of ultraviolet bleaching were observed on studying the changes of line-shapes and relative signal intensities of the spectra.
A study of seismic reflection imaging using microearthquake sources

Abstract We present a method for processing three-component digital recordings of microearthquakes to obtain near-vertical reflection profiles in regions of shallow seismicity. The processing includes magnitude and focal depth normalization and event stacking, where stacking is by small localized groups, with ray theoretical time and distance corrections applied to compensate for varying focal depths. In areas with high seismicity, this procedure allows earthquakes to be treated as “controlled” sources to probe layered structures of the deep crust and upper mantle. The validity of our approach is examined using aftershocks of the Borah Peak, Idaho earthquake ( M s = 7.3). Several thousand events occurred in a NNW-trending zone about 10 km wide, 75 km long, and 15 km deep. A small (~ 10 ×10 km) array of nine University of Wisconsin three-component triggered short-period digital seismographs was installed in the region of aftershock activity. Over a 10-day period, about 1000 useable events were recorded, of which about 120 have been used for this study. Hypocenters have been computed using both P- and S-wave arrivals, the latter being essential for stable solutions of events outside the network. The Borah Peak data have been processed to obtain shear-wave reflection profiles for the central station (Station 8) of the digital station array. The stacked shear wave (transverse) record sections reveal coherent reflections from horizons at mid-crustal to Moho depths. The most prominent reflections are from crustal discontinuities in the depth range 18–28 km. Coherent reflections can be obtained only through stacking, which is necessary to improve the signal to noise ratio. The major sources of data scatter, as manifested by “smearing” of reflections on the stacked records, are crustal heterogeneity and errors in the determination of focal depth and origin time.
Transphosphorylases in the firefly lantern.

Abstract Evidence is given for the existence in firefly lanterns of enzymes catalyzing xTP + ADP → xDP + ATP. The evidence indicates that these transferring enzymes are present in the “soluble fraction” rather than in particulates separated by differential centrifugation.
Emerging Trends That Herald the Future of Surgical Simulation

For the first time in over 100 years, there is a revolution in surgical education. One of the most important core technologies generating this revolution is simulation science, which includes not only the technology of simulators but new curricula, objective assessment methods, and criterion-based requirements. By reviewing the current status of simulation and making comparisons with the emerging technologies, an analysis of the gaps can demonstrate the necessary direction for the future.
A new tool for power analysis of fixed plot data: Using simulations and mixed effects models to evaluate forest metrics

Since 2006, the National Park Service's Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) has been monitoring forest health in 10 national park units in the northeastern U.S. using a protocol adapted from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis Program. To ensure current methods are appropriate for monitoring long-term trends in forest composition, structure and function, we performed a power analysis of key forest metrics using data collected in each park and covering two four-year survey cycles. We determined statistical power by repeatedly generating bootstrapped datasets with specified percent change between survey cycles in the value of each metric, and then testing whether a mixed effects model detected a significant change. We applied effect sizes ranging from a 50% decline to a 50% increase in 5% increments. Power analyses indicated that, for most key forest metrics, our monitoring program met the target of detecting a 40% change in a metric over a 12-year period with 80% power and a Type I error rate of 0.10. Power also tended to improve with subsequent repeated surveys. Native species richness and live-tree basal area metrics consistently performed well for all parks. Average percent cover of plant groups performed better than quadrat frequency. Regeneration metrics performed best in parks with low or high regeneration rates. Coarse woody debris volume, snag abundance, and invasive species richness did not meet the trend detection target in multiple parks. In most cases, metrics that failed to meet the trend detection target in one or several parks had high proportions of zeros and relatively low overall values for the respective park. In cases where high metric variability was the reason for poor trend detection, results indicated that post-stratifying can sometimes improve power. We developed the power analysis tool in R to be applicable for a range of data types, including proportional and count data, and for any number of sampling areas (e.g., parks) and sampling units (e.g., plots). Our approach represents one of the few tools available that can assess the power to detect change over time using mixed effects models.
Italian Industrialists from Liberalism to Fascism: The Political Development of the Industrial Bourgeoisie, 1906–34

The Croix de Feu and its successor the Parti Social Francais stood at the centre of political conflict in the turbulent final years of the French Third Republic. Membership peaked at 750,000 in 1937, and at the time the movement was widely regarded as the counterpart of fascism in Germany and Italy. However, only recently has the view that fascism also has roots in France become a serious topic for debate. From Liberalism to Fascism is based largely on archival research, and shows that contemporary perceptions of the Croix de Feu and the PSF as fascist were in fact correct. Dr Passmore places French fascism in the wider context of the history of French conservatism through a micro-study of a crisis of the liberal-conservative tradition in Lyon. This book is the first to place the emergence of French fascism in the wider political and social context. In the process, received views of the nature of French society and politics are contested.
A Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test for Bacillus anthracis

An effective public health response to a deliberate release of Bacillus anthracis will require a rapid distribution of antimicrobial agents for postexposure prophylaxis and treatment. However, conventional antimicrobial susceptibility testing for B. anthracis requires a 16- to 20-h incubation period. To reduce this time, we have combined a modified broth microdilution (BMD) susceptibility testing method with real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The growth or inhibition of growth of B. anthracis cells incubated in 2-fold dilutions of ciprofloxacin (CIP) (0.015 to 16 μg/ml) or doxycycline (DOX) (0.06 to 64 μg/ml) was determined by comparing the fluorescence threshold cycle (CT) generated by target amplification from cells incubated with each drug concentration with the CT of the no-drug (positive growth) control. This ΔCT readily differentiated susceptible and nonsusceptible strains. Among susceptible strains, the median ΔCT values were ≥7.51 cycles for CIP and ≥7.08 cycles for DOX when drug concentrations were at or above the CLSI breakpoint for susceptibility. For CIP- and DOX-nonsusceptible strains, the ΔCT was <1.0 cycle at the breakpoint for susceptibility. When evaluated with 14 genetically and geographically diverse strains of B. anthracis, the rapid method provided the same susceptibility results as conventional methods but required less than 6 h, significantly decreasing the time required for the selection and distribution of appropriate medical countermeasures.
Recording skin resistance and beat-by-beat heart rate from the same pair of dry electrodes.

Changes in skin resistance and beat-by-beat heart rate, derived from the EKG, were obtained from the same pair of dry silver electrodes applied to the finger tips. The electronic criteria to be satisfied for application of this technique are discussed. The recording system was constructed using low-cost, solid-state circuitry. A typical record of changes in skin resistance and beat-by-beat heart rate is presented to demonstrate the performance characteristics of the equipment.
A novel integrated power inductor in silicon substrate for ultra-compact power supplies

A novel silicon-based inductor, power inductor in silicon, or PIiS, has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The PIiS is fabricated at wafer level using a silicon molding micromachining technique, in which 200 µm thick copper windings are embedded into a silicon substrate and both sides of the substrate are capped with a polymer-magnetic power composite. Through-silicon vias (TSVs) and copper routings are also added so that a PIiS can be directly used as a surface mountable packaging substrate. A 3×3×0.6 mm3 PIiS with a measured inductance of 390 nH has been fabricated. The Q factor of this PIiS is 10 at 6 MHz. An ultra compact buck converter has been made by surface mounting off-shelf power ICs and capacitors on a PIiS. The buck converter is 3×3×1.2 mm3, which has successfully delivered 500 mA at 1.8V with an 80% efficiency at 6 MHz.
Vascular tissue engineering by computer-aided laser micromachining

Many conventional technologies for fabricating tissue engineering scaffolds are not suitable for fabricating scaffolds with patient-specific attributes. For example, many conventional technologies for fabricating tissue engineering scaffolds do not provide control over overall scaffold geometry or over cell position within the scaffold. In this study, the use of computer-aided laser micromachining to create scaffolds for vascular tissue networks was investigated. Computer-aided laser micromachining was used to construct patterned surfaces in agarose or in silicon, which were used for differential adherence and growth of cells into vascular tissue networks. Concentric three-ring structures were fabricated on agarose hydrogel substrates, in which the inner ring contained human aortic endothelial cells, the middle ring contained HA587 human elastin and the outer ring contained human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Basement membrane matrix containing vascular endothelial growth factor and heparin was to promote proliferation of human aortic endothelial cells within the vascular tissue networks. Computer-aided laser micromachining provides a unique approach to fabricate small-diameter blood vessels for bypass surgery as well as other artificial tissues with complex geometries.
Numerical Study of Developing Flow and Heat Transfer in a Wavy Passage

Developing flow and heat transfer in a wavy passage are studied using a numerical scheme that solves the two-dimensional unsteady flow and energy equations. Calculations are presented for a wavy channel consisting of 14 waves. Time-dependent simulations have been performed for several Reynolds numbers. At low Reynolds numbers, the flow is steady in the complete channel. As the Reynolds number is progressively increased, the flow becomes unsteady. As a result of the unsteadiness, there is increased mixing between the core and the wall fluids, thereby increasing the heat transfer rate. With further increase in Reynolds number, the flow becomes unsteady at a much earlier spatial location
Protein Folding Failure Sets High-Temperature Limit on Growth of Phage P22 in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

The high-temperature limit for growth of microorganisms differs greatly depending on their species and habitat. The importance of an organism's ability to manage thermal stress is reflected in the ubiquitous distribution of the heat shock chaperones. Although many chaperones function to reduce protein folding defects, it has been difficult to identify the specific protein folding pathways that set the high-temperature limit of growth for a given microorganism. We have investigated this for a simple system, phage P22 infection of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Production of infectious particles exhibited a broad maximum of 150 phage per cell when host cells were grown at between 30 and 39°C in minimal medium. Production of infectious phage declined sharply in the range of 40 to 41°C, and at 42°C, production had fallen to less than 1% of the maximum rate. The host cells maintained optimal division rates at these temperatures. The decrease in phage infectivity was steeper than the loss of physical particles, suggesting that noninfectious particles were formed at higher temperatures. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a decrease in the tailspike adhesins assembled on phage particles purified from cultures incubated at higher temperatures. The infectivity of these particles was restored by in vitro incubation with soluble tailspike trimers. Examination of tailspike folding and assembly in lysates of phage-infected cells confirmed that the fraction of polypeptide chains able to reach the native state in vivo decreased with increasing temperature, indicating a thermal folding defect rather than a particle assembly defect. Thus, we believe that the folding pathway of the tailspike adhesin sets the high-temperature limit for P22 formation in Salmonella serovar Typhimurium.
PATRONAGE IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

Patronage is generally assumed by scholars to have been a universal feature of ancient Near Eastern societies, but has been neglected as a topic of serious investigation. The purpose of this study is to offer, without prior assumptions, textual evidence that establishes the exis tence of the concept of patronage. The approach is to present case studies from various parts of the region which are best explained by the presence of patronage. For these purposes patronage is narrowly defined on the basis of ancient Roman and contemporary anthropo logical models. Les historiens du Proche-Orient ancien supposent que le patronage etait un phenomene uni versel dans la region, sans que ce sujet n'ait fait l'objet d'une etude approfondie. Dans cet article je propose de presenter sans presomptions prealables des preuves textuelles que le con cept de patronage existait. L'approche est de presenter des cas concrets provenants de plusieurs parties de la region qui s'expliquent au mieux par la presence du patronage. A ces fins, j'adopte une definition etroite du patronage, a la base de modeles romains anciens et antropologiques modernes.
Inhibition of nociceptors by TRPV1-mediated entry of impermeant sodium channel blockers

The snag with most local anaesthetics is their lack of specificity. They are lipophilic, so can enter virtually any neuron, where they indiscriminately block sodium channels in the membrane. A way of blocking the activity of specific pain-sensing neurons without affecting other sensory or motor neurons could be used to create a more targeted form of local anaesthesia, and that is the prospect held out by Binshtok et al. in this issue. They report that the lidocaine derivative QX-314 can be targeted to pain-sensing neurons. Normally QX-314 can't cross the cell membrane. But antipain specificity is ensured by allowing it to enter via the TRPV1 channel, a capsaicin receptor found only in pain-sensing neurons. Co-application of QX-314 and capsaicin in rats blocked mechanical and thermal pain, inducing local anaesthesia, without the paralysis seen in 'normal' lidocaine anaesthesia. A drawback of most local anaesthetics is their non-specific action. Their lipophilic nature permits them access to any neuron, where they indiscriminately block sodium channels in the membrane. A membrane-impermeant sodium channel blocker, QX-314, can be targeted to pain-sensing neurons. The authors exploited the specific expression of TRPV1 channels in pain-sensing neurons, the opening of which by capsaicin allows QX-314 access to the inside of the cell. Most local anaesthetics used clinically are relatively hydrophobic molecules that gain access to their blocking site on the sodium channel by diffusing into or through the cell membrane1. These anaesthetics block sodium channels and thereby the excitability of all neurons, not just sensory neurons. We tested the possibility of selectively blocking the excitability of primary sensory nociceptor (pain-sensing) neurons by introducing the charged, membrane-impermeant lidocaine derivative QX-314 through the pore of the noxious-heat-sensitive TRPV1 channel. Here we show that charged sodium-channel blockers can be targeted into nociceptors by the application of TRPV1 agonists to produce a pain-specific local anaesthesia. QX-314 applied externally had no effect on the activity of sodium channels in small sensory neurons when applied alone, but when applied in the presence of the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin, QX-314 blocked sodium channels and inhibited excitability. Inhibition by co-applied QX-314 and capsaicin was restricted to neurons expressing TRPV1. Injection of QX-314 together with capsaicin into rat hindpaws produced a long-lasting (more than 2 h) increase in mechanical and thermal nociceptive thresholds. Long-lasting decreases in pain sensitivity were also seen with regional injection of QX-314 and capsaicin near the sciatic nerve; however, in contrast to the effect of lidocaine, the application of QX-314 and capsaicin together was not accompanied by motor or tactile deficits.
Computational model of the serotonergic modulation of sensory neurons in Aplysia.

Serotonergic modulation of the sensory neurons that mediate the gill- and tail-withdrawal reflexes ofAplysia is a useful model system for studies of neuronal plasticity that contributes to learning...
Local and Global Convergence

Proving convergence of the various optimization algorithms is a delicate exercise. In general, it is helpful to consider local and global convergence patterns separately. The local convergence rate of an algorithm provides a useful benchmark for comparing it to other algorithms. On this basis, Newton’s method wins hands down. However, the tradeoffs are subtle. Besides the sheer number of iterations until convergence, the computational complexity and numerical stability of an algorithm are critically important. The MM algorithm is often the epitome of numerical stability and computational simplicity. Scoring lies somewhere between these two extremes. It tends to converge more quickly than the MM algorithm and to behave more stably than Newton’s method. Quasi-Newton methods also occupy this intermediate zone. Because the issues are complex, all of these algorithms survive and prosper in certain computational niches.
Named Entity Scoring for Speech Input

This paper describes a new scoring algorithm that supports comparison of linguistically annotated data from noisy sources. The new algorithm generalizes the Message Understanding Conference (MUC) Named Entity scoring algorithm, using a comparison based on explicit alignment of the underlying texts, followed by a scoring phase. The scoring procedure maps corresponding tagged regions and compares these according to tag type and tag extent, allowing us to reproduce the MUC Named Entity scoring for identical underlying texts. In addition, the new algorithm scores for content (transcription correctness) of the tagged region, a useful distinction when dealing with noisy data that may differ from a reference transcription (e.g., speech recognizer output). To illustrate the algorithm, we have prepared a small test data set consisting of a careful transcription of speech data and manual insertion of SGML named entity annotation. We report results for this small test corpus on a variety of experiments involving automatic speech recognition and named entity tagging.
Plasma protein biosynthesis following laparotomy and partial hepatectomy.

SummaryPartial hepatectomy resulted in an increase in the relative synthetic rates (RSR) of albumin, fibrinogen, and the seromucoid fraction which extended over a period of at least 14 days following the operation. The response of the seromucoid fraction showed a biphasic pattern; an early marked increase closely related to the initial stress and a less marked secondary response. The response of albumin was less dramatic than that of the other fractions and showed no evidence of a biphasic character.Laparotomy caused an increase in the RSR of the seromucoid and fibrinogen fractions but had no effect on albumin synthesis. The patterns of response for fibrinogen and the seromucoid fraction following laparotomy were different from those following partial hepatectomy; RSR values were back to normal by 8 days and the secondary wave of seromucoid synthesis was absent.
Long-term exposure to abnormal glucose levels alters drug metabolism pathways and insulin sensitivity in primary human hepatocytes

Hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus has been linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can progress to inflammation, fibrosis/cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Understanding how chronic hyperglycemia affects primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) can facilitate the development of therapeutics for these diseases. Conversely, elucidating the effects of hypoglycemia on PHHs may provide insights into how the liver adapts to fasting, adverse diabetes drug reactions, and cancer. In contrast to declining PHH monocultures, micropatterned co-cultures (MPCCs) of PHHs and 3T3-J2 murine embryonic fibroblasts maintain insulin-sensitive glucose metabolism for several weeks. Here, we exposed MPCCs to hypo-, normo- and hyperglycemic culture media for ~3 weeks. While albumin and urea secretion were not affected by glucose level, hypoglycemic MPCCs upregulated CYP3A4 enzyme activity as compared to other glycemic states. In contrast, hyperglycemic MPCCs displayed significant hepatic lipid accumulation in the presence of insulin, while also showing decreased sensitivity to insulin-mediated inhibition of glucose output relative to a normoglycemic control. In conclusion, we show for the first time that PHHs exposed to hypo- and hyperglycemia can remain highly functional, but display increased CYP3A4 activity and selective insulin resistance, respectively. In the future, MPCCs under glycemic states can aid in novel drug discovery and mechanistic investigations.
Abstract 6: ADAMTS13 Reduces VWF-Mediated Acute Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice

Background and objective: ADAMTS13 cleaves von Willebrand factor (VWF), a large multimeric protein that plays an important role in thrombus formation by binding to platelets following vascular injury. Epidemiological studies implicate elevated VWF levels and reduced ADAMTS13 activity in plasma as risk factors for myocardial infarction, but it remains unknown whether the ADAMTS13/VWF axis contributes to myocardial infarction pathogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that ADAMTS13 reduces VWF-mediated myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice. Methods: Myocardial infarction was induced in male mice (8-10 weeks of age) by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 minutes followed by 23.5 hours of reperfusion. The extent of myocardium damage was evaluated by measuring infarct size (%) in 2 mm serial sections stained with 2% triphenyl-2, 3, 4-tetrazolium-chloride. Results: Adamts13 -/- mice had significantly larger infarcts (mean ± SEM: 21.4 ± 1.3%, P Adamts13+/- mice, which have a 50% reduction in ADAMTS13 activity, had similar sized infarcts (16.6 ± 1.3%) compared to those in WT mice. Because VWF remains the only known substrate of ADAMTS13 in multiple experimental models, we hypothesized that ADAMTS13 reduces myocardial injury through its proteolytic effect on hyper adhesive ULVWF and /or VWF. To test this hypothesis, we used a VWF-blocking antibody. Interestingly, WT mice treated with the VWF-blocking antibody showed a marked reduction in infarct size (7.9 ± 0.6%, P Adamts13 -/- mice treated with the VWF-blocking antibody had infarct sizes (8.0 ± 1.5%) that were similar to those WT mice treated with VWF-blocking antibody, demonstrating that increased infarct size in the Adamts13 -/- mice in this acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury model is VWF-dependent. Conclusion: These findings reveal a new role for anti-thrombotic enzyme ADAMTS13 in reducing VWF-mediated myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy: Adam Smith's Vision

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Albert Einstein Philosophy is the science of the connecting principles of nature. Nature, after the largest experience that common observation can acquire, seems to abound with events which appear solitary and incoherent with all that go before them, which therefore disturb the easy movement of the imagination … Philosophy, by representing the invisible chains which bind together all these disjointed objects, endeavours to introduce order into this chaos of jarring and discordant appearances, to allay the tumult of the imagination, and to restore it, when it surveys the great revolutions of the universe, to that tone of tranquility and composure, which is both most agreeable in itself, and most suitable to its nature. Philosophy, therefore, may be regarded as one of those arts which addresses themselves to the imagination…. Adam Smith “History of Astronomy” IMAGINATION, THE INVISIBLE HAND, AND PHILOSOPHY Imagine that there is an order to the universe, an order that is the work of a deity as designer. Imagine further that somewhere beyond our sight that deity has a drafting table and on that table are the blueprints for that design. Those imagined blueprints are invisible to us, and so too the hand that drew them.
Signal-Design Concepts for Noncoherent Channels

All our results thus far apply exclusively to coherent channels. We now consider the more difficult problem of determining optimal signal waveforms for telemetry systems which are still synchronous, that is, where the receiver knows the time interval during which the signal is to arrive but not the carrier-phase angle of the arriving signal. The waveform emitted at the transmitter during the interval [0,T] is still assumed to be one of M equally powered equally likely signals, but after transmission through the channel, coherent phase information of the carrier is assumed to be lost; in addition, we have the previous assumption of corruption of the signal by additive white gaussian noise. The received signal y(t) is then of the form $$ y(t) = Vs_j (t;\phi ) + n(t) $$ (19.1) where, as before V 2/2 is the average received signal power and n(t) is the additive white gaussian noise (independent of the transmitted wave-forms).
Those Who Can, Teach

This paper describes the process through which a small group of graduate students at a particular PhD program in a research university developed an informal but effective way to help prepare their peers for the rigors, stresses, and uncertainties of teaching. The main pedagogical tools through which advanced PhD students in this political science department communicated advice, tips and teaching strategies were a panel presentation and a candid discussion on past teaching experiences and strategies for seeking teaching opportunities. The small audience involved new PhD students who had just entered the program as well as more advanced PhD students. Prior to the presentation, advanced PhD students in the program were surveyed on their range of teaching experience during their doctoral careers. The author argues that peer coaching and frank discussion about teaching at the graduate student level is as important as the tacit learning that takes place when graduate students assist and observe faculty members teaching courses. Such coaching and dialogue can and should take place alongside university-wide programs to prepare graduate students to teach college courses, and supplement other programs specific to the discipline of political science.