cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Difficult-to-wean: High index of suspicion

Patient: Female, 57 Final Diagnosis: Syryngomyelia • cervical Symptoms: Acute respiratory insufficiency Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Pulmonology Objective: Rare disease Background: Failed planned extubation occurs in a minority of patients with acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. In patients presenting with acute respiratory failure with no identifiable cardiopulmonary causes, uncommon conditions, such as cervical spondylotic myelopathy, should be considered. In very rare instances, when cervical spondylotic myelopathy and syringomyelia present concomitantly, they can be devastating. Case Report: A 57-year-old woman visited the emergency room (ER) after feeling unwell for several days. She was brought to the ER with acute respiratory distress and obtunded state with GCS of 6/15. She was hypotensive and agonally breathing. Her initial neurologic evaluation was unrevealing. Based on these findings, she was intubated. Over the next several days, she was difficult to wean from the ventilator and had persistent respiratory acidosis. After a short-lived extubation, the patient was again re-intubated. This time the neurologic evaluation showed decreased movements of all muscle groups against gravity and forces, with generalized weakness. An MRI of the brain and cervical spine demonstrated moderate degenerative disc disease and syringomyelia extending from C2 to C7 level. The patient underwent de-compression laminectomy. After failing several weaning trials, she underwent bronchoscopically-assisted tracheotomy. Conclusions: Acute cardiopulmonary and intensive care unit-acquired neuromuscular conditions have been attributed as a major cause of difficult weaning and extubation. Failure to identify and correct other rare combinations (such as cervical degenerative disc disease and syringomyelia) may cause acute respiratory failure and subsequent failure to wean and extubation, resulting in high rates of mortality and morbidity.
Broadband endoscopic imaging through a single fiberoptic channel

An ultrathin fiberscope that incorporates illumination and detection into a single channel is presented for broadband diffuse reflectance imaging. It consists of a 0.5 mm diameter imaging catheter (coherent fiber bundle cemented to a grin lens), illumination and collection optics, and a ccd camera. To obtain reasonable image contrast, surface scatter and the specular reflections at interfaces of differing refractive index must be reduced. In this paper, the prototype system is modeled end-to-end in a non-sequential ray tracing program with the aim of locating sources of residual backscatter and backreflections. Analysis of results from two test objects, text and tissue, are presented.
Ullrich-Turner syndrome in mother and daughter: prenatal diagnosis of a 46,X,del(X)(p21) offspring from a 45,X mother with low-level mosaicism for the del(X)(p21) in one ovary.

A woman with Ullrich-Turner syndrome but with normal secondary sex characteristics became pregnant on two occasions (ages 23 and 24). She had a 45, X karyotype in 100/100 lymphocytes and 50/50 skin fibroblasts. The first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 2 months of gestation. In the second pregnancy cultured amniocytes showed a 46, X, del(X)(p21) karyotype. This pregnancy resulted in an apparently normal girl. Biopsies of the mother's ovaries were obtained at the time of cesarean section. Grossly the ovaries appeared normal, and histologically the number of primordial follicles appeared normal. In the right ovary, 5/100 cells were 46, X, del(X)(p21), while all 100 cells in the left ovary were 45, X.
The pathology of ionizing radiation as defined by morphologic patterns.

This article presents a brief description of the effects of ionizing radiation in human tissues, as seen by the Pathologist. The lesions that occur in multiple organ/tissues will be discussed, dividing them into those that affect (a) the parenchyma or epithelia, (b) the stromal elements, and (c) the blood vessels. Since not all lesions fit into these patterns, the exceptions will be described as characteristic organ lesions. Unless specified otherwise the alterations presented are those that result from electromagnetic radiation (x-rays and gamma rays) as used for clinical radiation therapy. Most of the material presented will be delayed injury (i.e. months-to-years after exposure). The epithelial/parenchymal lesions include atrophy, necrosis, metaplasia, cellular atypia, dysplasia, and neoplasia. The common stromal lesions—the best recognized by pathologists—include fibrosis, fibrinous exudates, necrosis (with a paucity of cellular inflammatory exudates), and atypical fibroblasts. The vascular lesions ar...
Characterization of Functional Domains Necessary for Mutant p53 Gain of Function

Tumor cells, including SW480 carcinoma cells that carry a mutant p53, are addicted to the mutant for their survival and resistance to growth suppression by chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we investigated whether various classes of p53 mutants share a common property and functional domains necessary for mutant p53 gain of function. To test this, we generated SW480 cell lines in which endogenous mutant R273H/P309S can be inducibly or stably knocked down, whereas a small interfering RNA-resistant mutant p53 along with a mutated functional domain can be inducibly or stably expressed. We found that both contact-site (R248W and R273H) and conformation (G245S and R249S) mutants are able to maintain the transformed phenotypes of SW480 cells conferred by endogenous mutant p53. We also found that activation domains 1–2 and the proline-rich domain are required for mutant p53 gain of function. Interestingly, we showed that the C-terminal basic domain, which is required for wild-type p53 activity, is an inhibitory domain for mutant p53. Furthermore, we showed that deletion of the basic domain enhances, whereas a mutation in activation domains 1–2 and deletion of the proline-rich domain abolish mutant p53 to regulate Gro1 and Id2, both of which are regulated by and mediate endogenous mutant p53 gain of function. These results indicate that both conformation and contact-site mutants share a property for cell transformation, and the domains critical for wild-type p53 tumor suppression are also required for mutant p53 tumor promotion. Thus, the inhibitory basic domain and the common property for p53 mutants can be explored for targeting tumors with mutant p53.
Serotype-specific differences in antigenic regions of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV): a comprehensive statistical analysis.

Abstract Although vaccines are available for prophylaxis of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), few cases of escape mutants have been reported. To develop serotype-specific FMDV vaccination strategies it is imperative to understand how host selection has influenced evolution of FMDV. This study identified several possible targets for serotype-specific FMDV vaccines using a novel statistical approach. Pairs of closely related FMDV genomes identified in a phylogenetic analysis representing all seven serotypes were examined in order to understand the long term effects of host selection on well-characterized and predicted antigenic regions of importance (B, TH, and TC). Estimates of synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates for antigenic and non-antigenic regions were calculated for individual pairs of FMDV genomes. We found that on average, both antigenic and non-antigenic regions were subject to purifying selection acting at non-synonymous sites and that several antigenic sites showed a pattern of nucleotide substitution suggesting repeated positive selection across the population. In addition, we found that antigenic regions from the individual FMDV serotypes differed with respect to the extent of amino acid conservation. For a capsid TH epitope currently used in one synthetic vaccine, we found that serotypes SAT1-3 had significantly greater non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions than the other serotypes. In contrast, in a second well-studied B-cell epitope, there were no serotype-dependent differences in synonymous or non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions. These results support the hypothesis that host selection acting on individual serotypes has been an important factor in the long-term evolution FMDV and needs to be considered for vaccine design.
Transport of dissolved methoxy-nonafluorobutane through a saturated column

Solute transport experiments were conducted in a one-dimensional saturated column using dissolved methoxy-nonafluorobutane (HFE-7100), a Novec engineered fluid developed by the 3M Corporation, as the solute. Novec engineered fluids are considered dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) because they are immiscible with water and have a specific gravity greater than one. The HFE-7100 fluid is safer and environmentally friendlier than common DNAPL contaminants such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) or trichloroethylene (TCE); thus, it is an ideal substitute DNAPL for laboratory groundwater contamination research. Three sets of solute transport experiments were conducted. The first set of experiments was conducted in a glass-bead-packed column using dissolved HFE-7100 as the solute. The second set of experiments was conducted in a sand-packed column using dissolved HFE-7100 as the solute. The third set of experiments was conducted in a sand-packed column using dissolved PCE as the solute. The dissolved HFE-7100 column breakthrough concentrations were compared with dissolved PCE breakthrough concentrations. Results show that the one-dimensional solute transport equation was successful in describing the transport behavior of dissolved HFE-7100. This study demonstrates that the HFE-7100 fluid can be used as a safer substitute DNAPL for groundwater contaminant dissolution and transport research.
Technologic and Biologic Considerations in Neuro-Urologic Prostheses Development

Loss of volitional control of lower urinary tract function follows degenerative neurologic diseases and traumatic spinal cord injury. The development of implantable prosthetic devices for restoring function has evolved over the last ten years from the use of electrical detrusor stimulation to include urethral occlusion and volume sensing capabilities. Further efforts aimed at stimulating normal reflex function are dependent upon a thorough understanding of the biologic constraints and technologic limitations to this engineering design problem. An electromechanical system that circumvents these restrictions is described.
Cytokines Score a Knockout Harnessing Gene Targeting to Gain Insight Into the Pathogenesis of Myocarditis

Circumstantial evidence implicates a number of cytokines, protein mediators of inflammation and immunity, in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases ranging from heart failure to atherosclerosis. One such cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), has attracted considerable interest in this regard. The original descriptions of TNF-α focused on its antitumor actions in mice primed with endotoxin1 or as a mediator of cachexia in parasitically infected animals.2 Although it was originally considered a product of macrophages, we now recognize that many cells can produce TNF-α. In the context of cardiovascular biology, cardiac myocytes3 and vascular smooth muscle cells4 constitute potentially important sources of this multipotent mediator. TNF may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in several ways. Although its effects on specific cells differ, TNF-α generally elicits a spectrum of proinflammatory functions on target cells that may account for aspects of the pathological findings (Table⇓). For example, in septic shock, augmented endothelial procoagulant activity and increased production of plasminogen activator inhibitor can promote disseminated intravascular coagulation and its consequences, including purpura fulminans and the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. TNF-induced augmentation in leukocyte adherence to microvascular endothelium can promote vascular plugging and may contribute to such clinical scenarios as reperfusion injury or adult respiratory distress syndrome in septic patients. In congestive heart failure, the development of cardiac cachexia correlates with elevations in the circulating levels of TNF-α.5 This cytokine can augment expression of nitric oxide synthetase and hence vasodilatation and diminished myocardial contractility in septic shock.6 In atherosclerosis7 and restenosis,8 overexpression of TNF-α by injured smooth muscle cells may contribute to leukocyte recruitment and local induction of growth factors and further inflammatory mediators, yielding a sustained proinflammatory …
gli, a zinc finger transcription factor and oncogene, is expressed during normal mouse development

The oncogene GLI is amplified and expressed in some cases of human malignant glioma and undifferentiated childhood sarcoma and is the prototype for a gene family character- ized by a highly conserved set of five tandem zinc fingers and a consensus cysteine-histidine link. This zinc finger motif has been shown to bind DNA with sequence specificity and may mediate transcriptional regulation. Since GLI is expressed in embryonal carcinoma cell lines but not in most normal adult tissues and shows significant se- quence similarity within its zinc finger domain to cubitus interruptus dominant (ciDl, a Drosophila segmentation gene known to be important in the morphogenesis of the posterior portion of each larval segment, we established the temporal and tissue expression patterns of the mouse homo- logue of human GLI in day 10 through 18 mouse embryos with Northern blotting, reverse tran- scriptase coupled PCR, and in situ hybridization. gli transcripts were demonstrated on days 10 through 18 of mouse embryonic development as well as in normal adult uterus, brain, testis, and limb. Tissue expression of gZi during gestation was demonstrated in Meckel's precartilage mes- enchyme, the basis occipitus, rib mesenchymal condensations, primordial vertebral bodies, digi- tal mesenchymal condensations in forefoot and hindfoot plates, the ependymal layer of the spinal cord, and the mesoderm of the gastrointestinal tract. Expression persisted throughout gestation in developing bone and cartilage of the extremi- ties, the ribs, and the vertebral bodies, as well as the gastrointestinal tract mesoderm. These find- ings support a role for gli family genes in normal craniofacial and digital development in mammals first suggested by the demonstration of transloca- tion breakpoints within the GLI3 gene in families with the Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome and subsequently by reduced gZi3 expression in the mouse mutant extra toes. It is surprising that a single gene would be expressed in such a wide range of mesenchymal structures.
Severity of obstructive sleep apnea is associated with elevated plasma fibrinogen in otherwise healthy patients.

Purpose Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been implicated in both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Systemic inflammation and coagulation may be related to cardiovascular pathophysiology in patients with OSA. Fibrinogen is a major coagulation protein associated with inflammation, and long-term elevated plasma fibrinogen is associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular diseases. We assessed whether severity of OSA is associated with levels of fibrinogen in newly diagnosed, untreated, and otherwise healthy OSA patients.
Repeated stimulation of L-type calcium channels in the rat ventral tegmental area mimics the initiation of behavioral sensitization to cocaine.

Rationale: A substantial body of evidence indicates that ion flux through L-type calcium channels and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors contributes to behavioral sensitization to cocaine. Objectives: The following experiments were designed to evaluate the role of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels or NMDA receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the initiation of behavioral sensitization to cocaine. Methods: The L-type calcium channel agonist BayK 8644, the glutamate agonist NMDA, or vehicle was microinjected into the VTA on 3 consecutive days. Following a 2-week withdrawal period, all rats received a challenge injection of cocaine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) in order to assess potential cross-sensitization with the NMDA or BayK 8644 pretreatments. Results: Repeated intra-VTA microinjections of BayK 8644, but not NMDA, resulted in an augmentation of the behavioral response to cocaine. Conclusions: These results indicate that calcium influx through L-type calcium channels produces neurophysiological adaptations that mimic those resulting from intermittent exposure to cocaine.
‘More calculated to mislead than inform’: travel writers and the mapping of Central America, 1821–1945

Abstract This paper examines maps produced by and for travelers to Central America between 1821 and 1945, a genre of cartography rarely considered either by historical geographers or scholars of travel literature. The paper argues that during first half of this period, travelers initially considered map production as a key element in a travel account, preparing maps for future consideration rather than using them to travel. With the advent of the railroad, steamship, automobile, and airline, 20th century travelers became map consumers rather than producers. Between 1821 and 1945, the content of travelers' maps also evolved. Initial travelers to independent Central America mapped political geography, emphasizing state boundaries established in the region's independence (1821–1839). Subsequent travelers surveyed the interior for purposes of commercial development (1839–1886), focusing on transit—railroad and canal routes, mining, and colonization. By the late 19th century, with geographically accurate maps available to a general public in atlas and other forms, travelers contributed ‘personalized’ maps that no longer intended to represent accurate topography but other scientific knowledge or entertainment, and by the mid-20th century, maps became the work of publishers while travelers produced photographs and illustrations.
Feasibility of using neural networks and genetic algorithms to predict and optimize coated paper and board brightness

The final brightness of coated paper depends on a large number of interacting variables, including top- and bottom-coat formulation and coater settings. This paper reports the use and adjustments of neural networks to predict the brightness of a double-coated paper product based on a historical database. The trained neural network was integrated with a genetic algorithm to achieve a desired brightness at minimum cost. The neural network predicted brightness to within 3% of the true value. The optimum solution proposed by the genetic algorithm was 14% cheaper than the best solution in the database and appeared technically feasible and consistent with conventional understanding of the coating process. The accuracy of both the neural network and genetic algorithm was substantially improved by factorial experiments to maximize performance. For this complex optimization, the capabilities of the genetic algorithm appeared to be limited by computer hardware and software resources. To our knowledge, this represents the first use of an integrated neural network and genetic algorithm in the paper industry.
Invited Paper An Overview Of Melt Dynamics In Laser Processing

The role of convection in controlling laser melted pool geometry such as pool shape, undercut and ripples; defects such as variable penetration, porosity and lack of fusion; and properties such as homogeneity has been studied by a number of researchers. This paper will review the state-of-the-art research in this area.
Radiative transfer through a fibrous medium: Allowance for fiber orientation

Abstract The problem of radiative transfer through a fibrous medium has been formulated rigorously to account for the orientation of the fibers. The fibers in the medium can be either randomly oriented or aligned. It is shown that the radiative properties of the medium, e.g. the extinction efficiency, are strongly dependent on the fiber orientation. A specific case of collimated irradiation on the fibrous medium with fibers randomly oriented in a plane is investigated. Parametric studies are performed to determine the effect of fiber size and fiber optical properties on the transmissivity and reflectivity of the medium.
Using a Systematic Engineering Design Process to Conduct Undergraduate Engineering Management Capstone Projects

This paper presents an overview and lessons learned during the evolution of our capstone design experience from case studies to relevant, connected problems. We present some of the pros and cons of conducting real world capstones at the undergraduate level, student's perceptions of the experience, and lessons learned that can reduce the overhead associated with incorporating a real world experience into an undergraduate Engineering Management program. We also discuss how a capstone can be used to effectively develop those non-technical skills and close competency gaps identified by industry. Lastly, we present a life cycle framework for conducting capstones that we feel is important for ensuring a meaningful experience.
Feathers of the Ingersoll shale, Eutaw Formation (Upper Cretaceous), eastern Alabama: The largest collection of feathers from North American Mesozoic rocks

The Ingersoll shale (Santonian) is a small mudstone lens in eastern Alabama, interpreted as an abandoned tidal-channel fill that accumulated rapidly within the lower reaches of a bayhead delta. The diverse biota found in this fossil Lagerstatte includes 14 individual feather specimens, the largest collection known from the Mesozoic of North America. Occurring separately throughout nearly the entire thickness of the clay lens and with a range of sizes and morphologies, the feathers most likely represent a number of theropod species. Based on known taxa in the region, the largest specimen (16.5 cm) may be a rectrix (tail feather) from a dromaeosaurid dinosaur or from a hesperornithid. Smaller feathers may have belonged to a range of shore birds. The best-preserved specimens were found in the finest grained intervals. SEM examination reveals very well preserved microstructure consisting of carbonized rod-shaped bodies ∼1 µm in length, preserved in three dimensions and solid internally. Although identical in size and shape to modern feather-degrading bacilliform bacteria and displaying some bacteria-like features, their alignment along the axis of feather structures indicates that they are more likely the fossil remains of melanosomes, melanin bodies used for color production during life. No three-dimensional arrays or patterned differences of morphotypes have been seen thus far; almost all elements are elongate (apparently eumelanin). Inferred colors for four of the feathers, based on differences in melanosome morphologies, range from gray and brownish gray to black. Whereas the majority of feather-bearing deposits represent inland lakes, the estuarine setting adds a view of coastal feathered theropods preserved in detail by rapid deposition of fine-grained sediment.
Intellectual-HRDs and claims for academic freedom under human rights law

Many human rights defenders operate from within higher education institutions, research institutes, academies, societies and ‘think-tanks'. Many of these academics, researchers and lecturers would recognise themselves as human rights defenders because their academic work is consciously paired with rights-promoting education and advocacy. Others may not set out to be human rights defenders, but are cast in the role after being targeted for attack. Human rights claims arising out of such attacks on intellectual-HRDs, if brought, typically do not include claims for violations of academic freedom. As a result the standards are underdeveloped relative to other human rights claims and the scope of academic freedom violations globally. This may be in part due to a negatively reinforcing lack of familiarity with issues of academic freedom and the available standards for protection among human rights advocates, and in part to the fact that attacks on academic freedom often manifest as violations of other rights un...
Factors Affecting Guardianship Practices for Young Adults with Disabilities

Some contend developing self-determination in young adults with disabilities is the ultimate goal of education and promoting it may lead to improved postschool outcomes. Although there are efforts to promote self-determination, the results may be negated as an individual's right to make decisions are eliminated when a guardianship is imposed. This research is the first to examine guardianship as it affects young adults with disabilities. Two hundred and twenty-one court files were reviewed across nine jurisdictions in Michigan. Overall, 120 plenary guardians and 101 partial guardians were appointed. Distinctions between the powers of plenary and partial guardians, however, were often found to be minimal. Guardianship is a complex issue with many significant questions in need of answers.
Base-State Substitution: An Idealized Modeling Technique for Approximating Environmental Variability

AbstractBase-state substitution (BSS) is a novel modeling technique for approximating environmental heterogeneity in idealized simulations. After a certain amount of model run time, base-state substitution replaces the original horizontally homogeneous background environment with a new horizontally homogeneous environment while maintaining any perturbations that have developed during the preceding simulation. This allows the user to independently modify the kinematic or thermodynamic environments, or replace the entire sounding without altering the structure of the perturbation fields. Such an approach can provide a powerful hypothesis test, for example, in a study of how an isolated convective storm would respond to a different environment within a horizontally homogeneous setting. The BSS modifications can be made gradually or instantaneously, depending on the needs of the user. In this paper both the gradual and instantaneous BSS procedures are demonstrated for simulations of deep moist convection, usi...
Association of electrocardiographically determined left ventricular mass with incident diabetes, 1985-1986 to 2010-2011: Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

OBJECTIVE Electrocardiographic indices reflecting left ventricular hypertrophy are associated with incident diabetes in clinical populations at risk for coronary heart disease. We tested whether electrocardiogram-determined left ventricular mass was positively associated with incident diabetes in a population sample. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study participants ( n = 4,739) were followed from 1985–1986 to 2010–2011 for incident diabetes. Validated sex- and race-specific formulas were applied to standard electrocardiograms to determine left ventricular mass. RESULTS Over 25 years, 444 participants developed diabetes (9.4%). After adjustment for demographic, behavioral, and clinical covariates, participants in the highest quartile of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were twice as likely to develop diabetes than participants in the lower three quartiles (hazard ratio 2.61 [95% CI 2.16–3.17]). Neither Cornell voltage nor Cornell voltage product was associated with incident diabetes in fully adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS Electrocardiogram-determined LVMI may be a useful noninvasive marker for identifying adults at risk for diabetes.
Elliptic flow in heavy ion collisions near the balance energy

The proton elliptic flow in collisions of ${}^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$ on ${}^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$ at energies from 30 to 100 MeV/nucleon is studied in an isospin-dependent transport model. With increasing incident energy, the elliptic flow shows a transition from positive to negative flow. Its magnitude depends on both the nuclear equation of state (EOS) and the nucleon-nucleon scattering cross section. Different elliptic flows are obtained for a stiff EOS with free nucleon-nucleon cross sections and a soft EOS with reduced nucleon-nucleon cross sections, although both lead to vanishing in-plane transverse flow at the same balance energy.
Carbon dioxide sensitivity of mosquitoes infected with California encephalitis virus

Four species of mosquitoes became sensitive to carbon dioxide approximately 3 to 4 days after they received intrathoracic injectins of California encephalitis virus. Aedes melanimon and Aedes dorsalis infected orally with California encephalitis virus also became carbon dioxide-sensitive, but mosquitoes infected transovarially did not. Sensitivity to carbon dioxide was inhibited by antiserum to California encephalitis virus. To our knowledge this is the first report of carbon dioxide sensitivity induced in arthropods by a bunyavirus and the first demonstration of this phenomenon by an arbovirus in its proven vector.
Olfactory receptor-like genes are located in the human major histocompatibility complex

The murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) includes sequences that are responsible for haplotype-specific odor types that, in turn, influence mating preference. We report that there are several olfactory receptor genes or pseudogenes in the Class I region of the human MHC. At least one of these genes is intact, appears to encode an mRNA, and is quite homologous to a previously reported murine olfactory receptor.
Isolation and characterization of rat and human cDNAs encoding a novel putative peroxisomal enoyl-CoA hydratase.

Abstract We have used a PCR-based subtractive hybridization method to identify upregulated cDNAs in the livers of rats treated with a peroxisome proliferator [clofibrate or di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate]. After four rounds of subtractive hybridization 62 differentially hybridizing clones were partially sequenced and analyzed by sequence homology searching. Of 62, 49 were identical to 14 different upregulated rat sequences in the databank (mostly genes encoding microsomal or peroxisomal enzymes), 4 of 62 were fragments of three previously unknown genes, and 9 of 62 were false positives. Two of the unknown fragments hybridized to a single novel cDNA that was found to be more than 20-fold induced by both peroxisome proliferators. The 36-kDa predicted protein product of this cDNA shows a high degree of sequence homology to enoyl-CoA hydratases of several different species and has a C-terminal peroxisomal targeting sequence. An epitope-tagged protein product of a full-length cDNA was targeted to peroxisomes in a human cell line. We named this gene, which encodes an apparent peroxisomal enoyl-CoA hydratase, ECH1. We have also identified human ECH1 cDNA and mapped its structural gene to 19q13, 3′ to the ryanodine receptor, by hybridization to somatic cell hybrid DNA and chromosome 19-specific cosmid arrays. Possible roles for the ECH1 protein product in peroxisomal β-oxidation are discussed.
New coil geometries for the study of secondary discharge in atmospheric-pressure helium inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract Several coil geometries are proposed to reduce the secondary discharge in atmospheric-pressure helium inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (He ICPMS) using a crystal-controlled 40-MHz generator. The effectiveness of the proposed geometries in controlling the plasma potential is investigated by the Langmuir probe method and ion kinetic energy (IKE) measurements. The influence of RF power on plasma gas temperature ( T g ) is investigated through measurements of ICP-mass spectrometer interface pressure and IKEs for new and conventional coil geometries. Trends in plasma potential and T g are well correlated, revealing that T g is elevated (to ∼3500 K) at high power levels mainly as a consequence of the interaction between the ICP and the grounded sampler. The reduction of the secondary discharge results in lower T g values (∼2600 K), necessitating the use of a membrane desolvator to remove water-related polyatomic interferences observed in the mass spectrum. Solvent removal also improves the sensitivity for bromine as a high-ionization-potential element by one order of magnitude compared to the previous studies.
Moment analysis for compounds undergoing sequential chain reactions with first-order decay

Temporal and spatial moment analysis of one-dimensional equations governing fate and transport of parent compounds along with their transformation products is useful for parameter estimation of model parameters, and for understanding the average attributes of contaminant behavior. The objective of this paper is to present analytical expressions for the lower order moments of members in a sequential chain reaction, where members undergo first-order decay to produce the next member in the chain. Specifically, moments up to second order are discussed for the first two members. For the case of purely advective transport (Peclet number tending to infinity), temporal moment expressions are provided for more members of the chain. The sensitivity of temporal moments is examined with respect to Peclet number and transformation rates. Spatial moments are derived by two methods—one using Fourier transforms and another using moment generating differential equations. The behavior of lower order moments for the first few members of a chain can be elucidated from their mathematical expressions. However, expressions for higher order moments tend to be very complicated especially for members further down the chain.
Materials science: composite for smarter windows.

Glass has been prepared that selectively absorbs visible and near-infrared light when an electrochemical voltage is applied. This opens the way to 'smart' windows that block heat on demand, with or without optical transparency. See Letter p.323 Glass windows let in light and keep out extreme heat and cold, but with the advance of the field of electrochromism — the reversible change of optical transmittance in response to electrochemical charge and discharge — they could do much more. Delia Milliron and co-workers have made a step towards producing windows that can greatly reduce lighting and heating costs with the demonstration of a composite film composed of tin-doped indium oxide nanocrystals embedded in a niobium oxide glass matrix. By varying an applied voltage over a 2.5-volt range, the charged nanocrystals selectively block near-infrared light, while the glass strongly modulates visible light owing to its reconstructed bonding near the nanocrystal–glass interface. Practical 'smart windows' and other devices are still some way off, but this solution-processed nanocrystal-in-glass approach is modular and permits extensive tuning of structure and composition, and so provides a solid platform for further refinement.
Complete Three-Dimensional Structures of Picornaviral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases

Abstract In this issue of Structure , Love et al. report the three-dimensional structures of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), 3Dpol, from three different human rhinovirus serotypes.
Pattern classification reveals intersubject group differences in lumbar muscle recruitment during static loading.

Abstract Objective . This paper examines interindividual differences in the patterns of torso muscle recruitment during 3-dimensional static moment loading of the lumbar spine. Design . A mathematical model (artificial neural network) was used to differentiate individual patterns of muscle response. Background . Traditionally, experimental myoelectric data is averaged over subjects, assuming an ideal mean response to a given loading. However, averaging may overlook important information and implications associated with interindividual variability. Methods . In this study a simple classification tool in the form of a competitive neural network model is developed and used to evaluate lumbar muscle recruitment patterns. Results . Subjects formed consistent and denumerable clusters, and could be categorized as either ‘majority’ or ‘minority’ type responders, based on their individual muscle response patterns as discerned from the output of the competitive network model. The practical significance of these differences is shown by comparison of muscle activity with more established optimization-based force predictions. Those subjects categorized as majority-type responders had muscle activity in better correspondence with optimization-based predicted forces. Subjects in minority categories displayed more variance in their response patterns and larger degrees of antagonistic cocontraction. Conclusions . The implications for deterministic (e.g. optimization-based) biomechanical modelling are discussed. It is speculated that interindividual muscle recruitment differences may be important for assessing individual musculoskeletal risk.
How are usability elements - efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction - correlated with each other in the context of digital libraries?

This study examines the relationships amongst three major usability elements -- efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. Based on an experiment involving twelve subjects, this pilot study measured the efficiency, effectiveness, and subjective satisfaction of an academic digital library system. The preliminary results showed all three usability elements are highly correlated with each other. In particular, the correlation between effectiveness and satisfaction is much higher than the other pairs of correlations.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nickel and Manganese Vanadium Oxides

We have synthesized novel nickel and manganese vanadium oxides using the hydrothermal reactions of vanadium(V) pentoxide, Ni(CH3COO)2, and MnSO4 with an organic templating cation at 165°C. The [NH2(CH2)2NH2]2NiV6O14 has a monoclinic structure. It has some disordered V and 0 atoms in the V6O14 layer, which appear to be very close to each other with occupation factor around 0.5. The disordered model was decomposed for two ordered configurations, which differ in the stacking of the layers. The (Mn+2)6(Mn+3)l−2/3z(OH)3(1−Z)(VO4)3[(VO4)l−2z(v2O7)z] (Z≈0. 1) phase has a hexagonal pipe morphology. These compounds were also characterized by electron microprobe, FTIR and TGA. They reacted readily with lithium, and their electrochemical behavior in lithium cells was determined.
The “Wh” Questions of Visual Phonics: What, Who, Where, When, and Why

Visual Phonics is a reading instructional tool that has been implemented in isolated classrooms for over 20 years. In the past 5 years, several experimental studies demonstrated its efficacy with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Through a national survey with 200 participants, this study specifically addresses who, where, how, and why a sample of teachers use Visual Phonics in their everyday reading instruction. Through checklists of teaching practice, rating scales, and open-ended questions, teachers self-reported their use of Visual Phonics, reflected upon its efficacy, and what they think about using it with students with a diverse set of instructional needs. The majority reported that Visual Phonics was easy to use, engaging to students, and easy to integrate into a structured reading curriculum. The majority of respondents agreed that it helps increase phonemic awareness and decoding skills, build vocabulary, as well as increase reading comprehension. The implications of these findings in bridging the research-to-practice gap are discussed.
On the Teletraffic Capacity of Optical CDMA

The capacity of an optical code-division multi-access (CDMA) [OCDMA] network has traditionally been defined as the number of continuously transmitting circuits supported by the network. In this paper, we use teletraffic models to determine the teletraffic capacity of a circuit-switched OCDMA network where circuits carry bursty traffic. Our analysis is independent of the OCDMA implementation or spreading code. In conventional networks, e.g., a wavelength-routed network (WRN), new circuits are blocked when all wavelengths are occupied. In OCDMA when the number of codewords exceeds number of network subscribers, new circuits need not be blocked. Instead, capacity is limited by multiple access interference: when the number of actively transmitting circuits becomes excessive, the bit-error rate (BER) of all circuits on the network degrades, causing an outage. We find that through statistical multiplexing, the capacity of OCDMA exceeds that of a WRN except when circuit activity is very high while the constraints on outages are more stringent than those on blocking. In such cases, we show how OCDMA with call admission control can be used to match or exceed the capacity of a WRN. Overall, our analysis shows that OCDMA is well suited to applications when conventional blocking is undesirable, and/or circuits carry bursty traffic.
Normal physiology and retinal degeneration in the Drosophila visual system

Abstract The Drosophila genetic system has been exploited to identify and analyze many genes that are responsible for the specialized cellular processes and biochemical mechanisms of the photoreceptor cell. The results establish that disruption of many different cellular processes can trigger retinal degeneration. The rhodopsin gene family provides an example in which mutations are known to trigger retinal degeneration in both vertebrates and invertebrates. The Drosophila research has established that dominant rhodopsin mutations disrupt the protein maturation process. This review emphasizes the unique and powerful experimental approaches of Drosophila that are being applied towards understanding the many causes of retinal degeneration.
Bit-string physics: a novel "theory of everything"

Encodes the quantum numbers of the standard model of quarks and leptons using constructed bit-strings of length 256. These label a growing universe of bit-strings of growing length that eventually construct a finite and discrete space-time with reasonable cosmological properties. Coupling constants and mass ratios, computed from closure under XOR and a statistical hypothesis, using only /spl planck/, c and m/sub p/ to fix our units of mass, length and time in terms of standard (meter-kilogram-second) metrology, agree with the first four to seven significant figures of accepted experimental results. Finite and discrete conservation laws and commutation relations insure the essential characteristics of relativistic quantum mechanics, including particle-antiparticle pair creation. The correspondence limit in (free space) Maxwell electromagnetism and Einstein gravitation is consistent with the Feynman-Dyson-Tanimura "proof". >
Simultaneous signal separation and prognostics of multi-component systems: the case of identical components

When monitoring complex engineering systems, sensors often measure mixtures of signals that are unique to individual components (component signals). However, isolating component signals directly from sensor signals can be a challenge. As an example, in vibration monitoring of a rotating machine, if different components generate vibration signals at similar frequencies, they cannot be distinguished using traditional spectrum analysis (non-inseparable). However, developing degradation signals from component signals is important to monitor the deterioration of crucial components and to predict their residual lifetimes. This article proposes a simultaneous signal separation and prognostics framework for multi-component systems with non-inseparable component signals. In the signal separation stage, an Independent Component Analysis (ICA) algorithm is used to isolate component signals from mixed sensor signals, and an online amplitude recovery procedure is used to recover amplitude information that is lost afte...
Thermal management with graphene lateral heat spreaders: A feasibility study

Following an experimental discovery of its extremely high thermal conductivity, graphene was proposed as material for heat removal. To evaluate the feasibility of graphene's use for thermal management we simulated heat propagation in siliconon- insulator (SOI) structures with and without graphene or few-layer graphene (FLG) underlayers. A graphene heat spreader layer, when used, was sandwiched between the oxide layer and the Si substrate. The two ends of the graphene layer were attached to the side heat sinks, thus forming the lateral channel for heat escape. The simulations were carried out with the finite element method using COMSOL software. The thermal conductivity of graphene or FLG was assumed to be within the range from 1000 W/mK to 5000 W/mK. Our simulations have shown that for a given set of parameters of the device structure and a number of transistors the maximum temperature in the hot spots decreased by 70 K when graphene layers were embedded in the chip. The effect of the graphene lateral heat spreaders was more pronounced when the number of transistors increased. The obtained results suggest that graphene and FLG heat spreaders have a potential for the hotspot removal while incorporated in the chip design or used as filler in the thermal interface materials.
Delayed stenosis following stentriever use in acute stroke intervention

We report two cases of delayed post-embolectomy stenosis—that is, a new stenosis in the vascular bed of a previous endovascular embolectomy. The first case was discovered incidentally in a patient returning after embolectomy for evaluation of cerebral aneurysms. The second case was discovered on an MR angiogram obtained to screen for stenosis. This was prompted by our experience with the first case. To our knowledge, this phenomenon has not been reported previously.
Self-Efficacy and Its Association With Use of Diet-Related Behavioral Strategies and Reported Dietary Intake

The construct of self-efficacy has been widely used in studies of dietary behavior change and is accepted as a helpful process indicator. This study examined associations between self-efficacy and use of specific diet-related behavioral strategies and reported dietary intake over time. Data are from two community surveys of rural adults conducted 1 year apart (n = 354). Results indicate that changes in self-efficacy are positively associated with changes in strategy use but not dietary intake. Strategies may be thought of as leading to a particular level of dietary intake but are not the only influence on intake. Findings therefore confirm hypothesized associations between these components of the behavior change process. By attending to and measuring these specific links in the process, researchers and practitioners can better determine where behavioral interventions are succeeding and where they are breaking down.
Controlled manipulation of molecular samples with the nanoManipulator

The nanoManipulator system adds a virtual-reality interface to an atomic-force microscope (AFM), thus providing a tool that can be used by scientists to image and manipulate nanometer-sized molecular structures in a controlled manner. As the AFM tip scans the sample, the tip-sample interaction forces are monitored, which, in turn, can yield information about the frictional, mechanical, material, and topological properties of the sample. Computer graphics are used to reconstruct the surface for the user, with color or contours overlaid to indicate additional data sets. Moreover, a force feedback stylus, which is connected to the tip via software, allows the user to directly interact with the macromolecules. This system is being used to investigate carbon nanotubes, DNA, fibrin, adeno- and tobacco mosaic virus. It is now also possible to insert this system into a scanning electron microscope which provides the user with continuous images of the sample, even while the AFM tip is being used for manipulations.