cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational Analysis of Small GTPase Cycling: Extraction of Parameters and Inference of Pathways

The Rho family of GTPases control actin organization during diverse cellular responses (migration, cytokinesis and endocytosis). Although the primary members of this family (RhoA, Rac and Cdc42) have different downstream effects on actin remodeling, the basic mechanism involves targeting to the plasma membrane and activation by GTP binding. Our hypothesis is that the details of GTPase cycling between membrane and cytosol are key to the differential upstream regulation of these biochemical switches. Accordingly, we developed a computational modeling framework to analyze experimental data for these systems. We show that experimental data for Rac membrane cycling and activation in cultured cells is well reproduced by a model where Rac dissociates from the membrane prior to binding to GDI; this contrasts with the behavior of Cdc42. The analysis also reveals that the lower apparent affinity of GDI for RacGTP compared to RacGDP can be fully explained by the faster dissociation of the latter from the membrane. A direct consequence is the increased membrane fraction of Rac upon increased GEF/GAP ratio. Non-dimensional steady-state solutions for membrane fraction of GTPases are presented in multidimensional charts. The charts are used to illustrate the effects of GEFs/GAPs and regulated affinities between GTPases and membrane and/or GDI on the amount of membrane bound GTPase. This methodology, is then used to analyze glucose stimulated Rac cycling in pancreatic β-cells. We find that the phosphorylation of GDI alone is not sufficient to translocate Rac. The affinity between Rac and membranes (plasma and granular) must also be increased upon glucose stimulus. In a similar fashion, the charts can be used as a guide in assessing how specific modifications may compensate for altered GTPase-GDI balance in disease scenarios.(Supported by NIH grants TRO1DK087650, R01HL097431 and P41RR013186).
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential of Tetanus Toxin-Derivatives in Neurological Diseases

We assessed the ex vivo reactivity of peptidic constructs of Tet1 (analog of tetanus toxin non-virulent C fragment) with sequence homology to the cysteine-active site of thioredoxin (Tet1THO) or tetralysine (Tet1PLYS) with oxidative species or axonopathic sodium cyanate (NaOCN), respectively. We then assessed their neuronal uptake in vivo in laboratory animals. The reactivity of Tet1PLYS with NaOCN (1:2.5 to 1:37.5 molar ratios) or Tet1THO with hydrogen peroxide (1:0.4 to 1:6.2 molar ratios) was assessed by mass spectrometry. Green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged Tet1-derivatives (3 mg/ml in artificial cerebrospinal fluid) were administered daily to rats by intramuscular injection in latissimus dorsi at lumborum at the dose of 1 μl/g of body weight, for 3 days. Motor neuron uptake was assessed after double immunolabeling for GFP and choline acetyltransferase. Mass spectrometry analysis successfully demonstrated the ex vivo reactivity of Tet1-derivatives in a concentration-dependent manner. Confocal microscopy revealed the localization of Tet1-derivatives in axons and motor neuron cell bodies. Intramuscular delivery of Tet1-derivatives appears to be a practical approach to circumvent the blood nerve barrier and selectively deliver small molecules to the nervous system, for diagnostic and/or treatment purposes.
Electronic Monitoring of Events within Dynamic Particulate Beds: Conductance and Capacitance Measurements

Methods for monitoring mechanical events occurring within particulate solids systems in a dynamic state are described. The electrical conductance and capacitance characteristics of such systems, as they relate to the degree of bed dilation or expansion, extent of interparticulate contact, and intensity of particle motion, were studied and are discussed. To establish the potential of this approach, harmonically vibrated beds of monodispersed conducting spheres were used. A technique, based on the frequency modulation of standard FM broadcast frequency carrier signals, was developed to measure low and high frequency fluctuations in bed capacitance. The electrical conductance of these systems also was determined by both voltage drop and current flow methods. The experimental techniques developed are broadly applicable to various materials and modes of agitation or flow. They permit the evaluation of the time courses of both bed dilation and particle motion which, in turn, are known to determine or modify critically powder flow and mixing behavior.
Humean laws and circular explanation

Humeans are often accused of accounting for natural laws in such a way that the fundamental entities that are supposed to explain the laws circle back and explain themselves. Loewer (Philos Stud 160(1):115–137, 2012) contends this is only the appearance of circularity. When it comes to the laws of nature, the Humean posits two kinds of explanation: metaphysical and scientific. The circle is then cut because the kind of explanation the laws provide for the fundamental entities is distinct from the kind of explanation the entities provide for the laws. Lange (Philos Stud 164(1):255–261, 2013) has replied that Loewer’s defense is a distinction without a difference. As Lange sees it, Humeanism still produces a circular explanation because scientific explanations are transmitted across metaphysical explanations. We disagree that metaphysical explanation is such a ready conduit of scientific explanation. In what follows, we clear Humeanism of all charges of circularity by exploring how different kinds of explanation can and cannot interact. Our defense of Humeanism begins by presenting the circularity objection and detailing how it relies on an implausible principle about the transitivity of explanation. Then, we turn to Lange’s (Philos Stud 164(1):255–261, 2013) transitivity principle for explanation to argue that it fairs no better. With objections neutral to the debate between Humeanism and anti-Humeanism, we will show that his principle is not able to make the circularity objection sound.
Calcium signalling in neurons.

very cell in an organism has a specialized task or function. As investigators, we are constantly posing the questions 'How is this function carried out? How is it regulated?' It is now a fundamental tenet of modem biology that small diffusible second messen- ger molecules act within the cell to provide a link between stimulus and output. In the 1960s, the multifaceted role of cyclic nucleotides and their associated phosphorylation systems became appar- ent. Similar second messenger functions for Ca ~+ were also suggested. In certain favorable instances, such as muscle contraction and neurotransmitter release, these were actually established. However, because of difficulties associated with measuring the intracellnlar free Ca 2+ concentration,
When words fail: An entrepreneurship glossolalia

This article offers a lexicon of mash-ups to describe Bengt Johannisson's research contributions: Otherpreneur: A person who is not the primary ‘founder’ of an organization, yet plays an important role in the creation of the organization: a ‘significant other’; Interactment: Actions that are both informed by others and are responded to; Senseability: When insight and action are combined; Narraction: When stories and action are combined; and Clevoyance: Ingenious insight about the future.
Shock Propagation and MPT Noise From a Transonic Rotor in Nonuniform Flow

One of the major challenges in high-speed fan stages used in compact, embedded propulsion systems is inlet distortion noise. A body-force-based approach for the prediction of multiple-pure-tone (MPT) noise was previously introduced and validated. In this paper, it is employed with the objective of quantifying the effects of nonuniform flow on the generation and propagation of MPT noise. First-of-their-kind back-to-back coupled aero-acoustic computations were carried out using the new approach for conventional and serpentine inlets. Both inlets delivered flow to the same NASA/GE R4 fan rotor at equal corrected mass flow rates. Although the source strength at the fan is increased by 38 dB in sound power level due to the nonuniform inflow, far-field noise for the serpentine inlet duct is increased on average by only 3.1 dBA overall sound pressure level in the forward arc. This is due to the redistribution of acoustic energy to frequencies below 11 times the shaft frequency and the apparent cut-off of tones at higher frequencies including blade-passing tones. The circumferential extent of the inlet swirl distortion at the fan was found to be two blade pitches, or 1/11th of the circumference, suggesting a relationship between the circumferential extent of the inlet distortion and the apparent cut-off frequency perceived in the far field. A first-principles-based model of the generation of shock waves from a transonic rotor in nonuniform flow showed that the effects of nonuniform flow on acoustic wave propagation, which cannot be captured by the simplified model, are more dominant than those of inlet flow distortion on source noise. It demonstrated that nonlinear, coupled aerodynamic and aero-acoustic computations, such as those presented in this paper, are necessary to assess the propagation through nonuniform mean flow. A parametric study of serpentine inlet designs is underway to quantify these propagation effects. © 2013 American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Neoeubria inbionis Shepard & Barr, a new genus and new species of neotropical water penny beetle (Coleoptera: Psephenidae: Eubriinae), with a key to the adult Eubriinae of the Neotropic Zone.

Neoeubria inbionis , new genus and new species, is described from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Ecuador. All life stages are descibed and illustrated, and a key to adults of the Eubriinae genera of the Neotropics is provided. Neoeubria is one of the most basal genera of the Eubriinae.
Endovascular treatment of celiac axis aneurysm with a covered stent: Case presentation and review of the literature

Abstract Objective To report the safe and effective treatment of celiac axis aneurysm (CAA) using a covered stent plus coil embolization of the gastric and splenic arteries, and to assess the results of similar cases treated using endovascular techniques. Methods Case report and PUBMED literature review (2000–2013) of cases treated using endovascular techniques. Results Successful exclusion of an enlarging CAA was performed using a covered stent placed from the origin of the axis into the common hepatic artery via a brachial approach; concomitantly, the splenic and gastric arteries were embolized. A PUBMED literature review revealed the successful endovascular treatment of CAA in 25. Stent graft exclusion was described a total of seven times: three within the axis itself, three landing in the splenic artery, and one landing in the hepatic artery. Conclusions Various methods of endovascular treatment of CAA have been reported to be safe and effective. Depending upon anatomy, this report suggests that preservation of blood flow to the hepatic artery with coil embolization of the gastric and splenic arteries is effective in treating this condition while maintaining important foregut blood flow.
The value of fast blastocoele re-expansion in the selection of a viable thawed blastocyst for transfer.

Objective To investigate the role of fast blastocoele re-expansion in the selection of viable thawed blastocysts for transfer. Design Retrospective study. Setting Academic assisted reproductive program. Patient(s) Transfer cycles were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of fast re-expanded blastocysts. In group I (124 cycles), all transferred blastocysts had fast re-expanding blastocoele. In group II (113 cycles), no fast re-expanded blastocysts were included in the transfer. Intervention(s) Blastocyst survival was defined as >50% of cells remaining intact after thaw and re-expansion after culture in vitro for 2–4 hours before transfer. Blastocysts with ≥50% re-expansion were designated as fast re-expanded blastocysts. Main Outcome Measure(s) Percentage of blastomere loss immediately after thaw, degree of blastocoele re-expansion, and clinical outcomes (pregnancy and implantation rates). Result(s) The rates of survival and fast blastocoele re-expansion of partially intact blastocysts were significantly reduced as compared with fully intact blastocysts. Significantly higher rates of clinical pregnancy (37.1% vs. 16.8%) and implantation (26.7% vs. 11.3%) were obtained when all transferred blastocysts had fast re-expanding blastocoele as compared with those transfers without fast re-expanded blastocysts included. Conclusion(s) Our results showed that blastomere loss of thawed blastocyst was associated with a reduced ability to re-expand. As a discriminative morphologic marker of superior embryo viability, a fast re-expanded blastocyst would be given priority for transfer to better utilize the cryopreserved blastocysts.
Sp1 binding activity increases in activated ito cells

Ito cells are the primary cell type in the liver responsible for increased type I collagen production observed during fibrogenesis. After a fibrogenic stimulus, Ito cells change from their normal quiescent state to an activated state. In this study, we examined the expression of the alpha 1(I) collagen gene in Ito cells that were freshly isolated from normal rat liver (quiescent) and Ito cells that were activated by culture on plastic. Northern blots showed that alpha 1(I) collagen messenger RNA levels were low in freshly isolated Ito cells and Ito cells cultured on plastic for up to 4 days, but were induced after 7 days in culture. To determine the location of important transcriptional regulatory elements within the 5'-flanking region of the alpha 1(I) collagen gene, transient transfections using various portions of the alpha 1(I) collagen gene promoter linked to the luciferase gene were performed in cultured Ito cells. As in fibroblast cells, only 220 base pairs (bp) of immediate 5'-flanking sequence of the collagen alpha 1(I) gene was necessary for efficient expression of the reporter gene. Deoxyribonuclease I footprinting analysis and mobility shift assays showed dramatic differences in the DNA binding proteins that interact with the 220 base pair promoter region of the alpha 1(I) collagen gene between freshly isolated and activated Ito cells. Sp1 binding activity was greatly increased in activated Ito cells, as was binding activity for CCAAT binding factor (CBF), a transcription factor previously shown to interact with the alpha 2(I) collagen gene promoter. The increased Sp1 binding activity to the alpha 1(I) collagen gene promoter involves a posttranscriptional event, as shown by Northern and Western blots. Therefore, we show that activated Ito cells have a different pattern of transcription factor binding activity interacting with the alpha 1(I) collagen gene promoter compared with quiescent Ito cells, including increased Sp1 binding activity, and that this may contribute to the increase in alpha 1(I) collagen gene expression during fibrosis.
Pathogenicity Assessment of Puccinia lygodii, a Potential Biological Control Agent of Lygodium japonicum in Southeastern United States.

Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Swartz (Family, Schizaeaceae) is naturally distributed from Asia to Australia and has naturalized in the United States from Texas to the Carolinas and Florida (4). Recently, it has been declared a Category I weed (the most invasive group) by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. A foliar rust fungus was observed on a population of L. japonicum growing under the canopy of a pine/hardwood forest in Gainesville, FL. The lower surfaces of almost all the pinnules (foliage) were covered with cinnamon-brown eruptive pustules. Necrotic areas developed around mature, erupted, and coalesced pustules. Severely infected foliage were wilted and dried. Microscopic observations of the pustules and spore morphology revealed these eruptive structures to be uredinia. The dimensions (24.6 [+ 2.2] × 29.7 [+ 3.5] μm) and morphology (ellipsoid or obovoid, pale cinnamon-brown, and echinulate with indistinct pores) of urediniospore were similar to those reported for Puccinia lygodii (Har.) Arth. (Ure...
Fundamentals And Overview Of Fiberoptic Sensors

Fiberoptic sensors offer a number of unique features which make them attractive for a variety of applications. For example, a fiberoptic sensor can be immune to electromagnetic interference, is non-electrical, is compatible with fiber telemetry, can be very sensitive as well as being small in size and weight, and may be used in the development of sensor arrays. Fiber sensors have been considered for the measurement of a large number of physical parameters, ranging anywhere from temperature and pressure to rotation rate, magnetic field, specie concentration and, even, nuclear radiation. The fields of application of fiberoptic sensors include navigation, robotics, undersea detection, medical, chemical and so on.
Differential threat perceptions : how transnational groups influence bilateral security relations

This article addresses how transnational groups affect the security relationship between the states they reside in. I argue that this is determined by the differential threat perceptions of the host states. If the host states both consider the group to be a threat, the group is a shared problem and policy toward the group becomes an arena for cooperation for the two states. However, if one state views the group as a threat and the other does not, policy toward the group becomes an arena for conflict between them. I test this hypothesis with a comparative case study analysis of Turkey's relationships with the United States, Syria, and Iran vis-a-vis the Kurds after the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Pulmonary function of the reserpine and isoproterenol models of cystic fibrosis

Summary: Two experimental animal models exhibiting functional and morphologic changes of exocrine glands similar to those seen in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have been reported in the rat: chronic stimulation with reserpine (Martinez et al. 1973 Pediatr. Res. 9:463, 470) and chronic stimulation with isoprenaline (Sturgess and Reid 1973 Br. J. Exp. Pathol. 54:388). We have studied the pulmonary function of these models induced by injecting rats subcutaneously with reserpine (RES, 0.5 mg/kg/day), isoproterenol (ISO, 25 mg/kg/day), or saline (Con, 1.0 ml/kg/day) for 6 days. Plethysmorgraphic measurements were made for functional residual capacity (FRC), airways resistance (Raw), specific airways conductance (sGaw), phase difference between air flow rate and mean alveolar pressure (PD), frequency of breathing (f), and tidal volume (VT) of the anesthetized rats. In the RES and ISO rats, the FRC, Raw and f were not different from Con values. The PD was greater and the VT was less than Con values (p < 0.05). The results of both studies indicate uneven ventilation (increased PD) and penduluft (decreased VT) consistent with maldistribution of resistance and/or compliances of the peripheral airways and/or alveolar compartments. These physiologic effects can be related to the morphologic changes reported for the airways of rats under chronic adrenergic stimulation (ISO) and expected for rats under chronic catecholamines depletion (RES). Since peripheral airways involvement is usually the earliest pulmonary lesion found in CF, these studies indicate that the RES and ISO models may be representative of the early pulmonary involvement of CF.
The Unanimous State

McCormick recounts the immediate chain of events, that led up to the moment of ratification.Â It began on November 23, 1786, when New Jersey became the first state to appoint delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
Aspects of silicate surface and bulk structure analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to study the average local environment and polarizability of oxygen in the near-surface region of crystalline and amorphous SiO2, NaAlSi3O8, NaAlSi2O6, NaAlSiO4, and CaMgSi2O6, as well as crystalline Mg2SiO4 and rhyolitic and basaltic composition glasses. For these materials, the O Is chemical shift due to different oxygen environments is not as large as in previously studied alkali silicate and alkali aluminosilicate systems. However, it was found that the O Is peak width (measured as FWHM) for the minerals is proportional to the number of chemically distinct oxygen environments in each structure. Further, O Is FWHM values for the mineral and rock composition glasses suggest certain structural details that correlate well with previously proposed amorphous structure models. Taken together, these results suggest that the shape and width of the O Is line may be important in monitoring atomic-level structural changes that may occur on silicate mineral and glass surfaces during, for example, reactions with aqueous solutions. In addition, for the O is line to be useful for bulk structural information, approximately the upper 60A of the sample must be representative of the bulk. The O 2s photopeak and X-ray induced O KL2,3L2,3 Auger line were also carefully studied, although they did not yield further structural information beyond that provided by the 0 Is line. However, the oxygen Auger parameters derived using the energy difference between the O Is and O KL2,3L2,3 lines for the crystals and glasses in this study within the Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 system show a systematic trend with bulk composition. This trend reflects a change in the polarization energy (extra-atomic relaxation energy) for oxygen in these materials.
Utilization of a BGO detector as an active oxygen target

Abstract The (n, n'γx) cross section for the 6.13 MeV state in oxygen has recently become of general interest because of the possibility of using this process to assay oxygen as a part of non-intrusive inspections. Localized densities of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen are particularly useful in determining the presence of explosives and/or drugs in containers of all sizes, from suitcases to cargo containers. The presence of oxygen in BGO (Bi4Ge3O12) scintillator makes this detector suitable for use as an active target for the measurement of the energy dependence of the excitation, of the first (6.049 MeV O+) and second (6.130 MeV 3−) excited states in 16O by fast neutron interactions. An active target functions as both a target and an active device such as a detector. The de-excitations of the 6.049 and 6.130 states take place by nuclear pair production and γ-ray emission respectively. There is a large probability of absorbing all of the de-excitation energy in the scintillator in either of these cases. Since the energies deposited in the scintillator by these transitions are very close, the de-excitations are indistinguishable. However, since the cross section for the excitation of the 6.13 MeV state is believed to be larger than that of the 6.049 MeV, the major measured features of the energy variations are those related to the second state. The validity of the technique was initially tested using (MCNP) calculations. The calculations established that the detected neutron count rate in the crystal was proportional to the cross-sections used as input for the calculations, and that the constant of proportionality did not vary with neutron energy. Subsequently, measurements were made with a BGO detector as an active oxygen target. The results clearly show a strong energy dependence including several resonances.
Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride as a solvent for proteins.

ANHYDROUS hydrogen fluoride (m.p., − 83° C.; b.p., 19.5° C.) has been found to be a powerful solvent for a wide variety of proteins. Experiments were carried out in transparent tubes moulded or machined from polychlorotrifluoroethylene polymer; these tubes containing the intensively dried protein samples could be attached to a metal vacuum system, hydrogen fluoride added by distillation, and direct visual observations made in the absence of moisture. Among proteins which are readily soluble in hydrogen fluoride at 0° are ribonuclease, lysozyme, pepsin, trypsin, crystallized egg albumin, bovine plasma albumin, bovine plasma globulin, edestin, peanut protein globulin, casein, zein, silk fibroin, hide collagen, insulin and adrenocorticotrophic hormone. These are all soluble at least to the extent of 20 mgm. per ml., and much more concentrated solutions can in general easily be prepared. Thus, a solution containing 350 mgm. per ml. bovine plasma albumin is still quite fluid at 0° C. The solutions are clear, colourless to faint amber, and are very much less viscous than corresponding aqueous solutions. The globular proteins dissolve rapidly even at − 78° C., whereas silk fibroin and hide collagen undergo strong swelling and require many hours at room temperature for complete solution.
Summation and transfer of negative occasion setting

Two experiments examined the summation and transfer of negative occasion setting in serial feature negative (X→A−/A+) and negative patterning discriminations (X→A−/X+/A+) in a discrete-trial operant task with rats. With both discrimination procedures, negative occasion setting transferred readily (but not perfectly) to cues trained as targets in another similar discrimination procedure, but not to cues that were separately trained. Furthermore, with both discrimination procedures, the negative occasion-setting powers of features from two individual discriminations summed, both when those features were trained with the same targets and when they were trained with different targets. After negative patterning discriminations, in which the feature (X) cues were separately reinforced, this summation of negative occasion setting occurred despite the concomitant summation of the features’ excitatory control in the absence of an explicit target cue. These data, which replicated and extended previously reported data from Pavlovian feature negative procedures, are discussed in the context of hierarchical, generalization, and network models of discrimination learning.
The End of Equipotentiality: A Moral Foundations Approach to Ideology-Attitude Links and Cognitive Complexity

One of the deadest ideas in all of psychology is the old behaviorist notion of “equipotentiality”—the idea that any response an animal can make can be linked with equal ease to any stimulus the ani...
The making of a field: The development of comorbid psychopathology research for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism

Knowledge in the area of developmental disabilities has been expanding rapidly. One area that has received particular attention is the topic of related comorbid conditions. This phenomenon is not exclusive to the field of developmental disabilities. However, research with this population is of recent origin. The purpose of this paper is to review the origins of this field including some of the notable developments and potential future trends.
A model for the origin of solar wind stream interfaces

The basic variations in solar wind properties that have been observed at 'stream interfaces' near 1 AU are explained by a gas dynamic model in which a radially propagating stream, produced by a temperature variation in the solar envelope, steepens nonlinearly while moving through interplanetary space. The region thus identified with the stream interface separates the ambient solar wind from the fresh hot material originally in the stream. However, the interface regions given by the present model are thicker than most stream interfaces observed in the solar wind, a fact suggesting that some additional physical process may be important in determining that thickness. Variations in the density, speed, or Alfven pressure alone appear not to produce streams with such an interface.
Taking Care of Yourself: Stress and the Librarian.

Stress is a part of our working lives and is not likely to decrease in tomorrow's workplace. A difficult economy, downsizing, taking on additional responsibilities without assistance or additional pay—all are taking their toll on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Community college librarians can often feel isolated as the only professional in the field, sometimes serving multiple campuses. They also share many of the same stressors as librarians in other settings: difficulty of keeping up with and maintaining fluency with new technologies in education, competing demands on their time with little or no staff support, rapidly changing responsibilities within a hierarchical academic structure, student and staff needs, and busy workloads to be completed within limited timeframes. This article looks at quick ways and easily implemented ideas for librarians to step back from daily demands and find time and activities to help reduce workplace stress.
Steady-state and dynamic thermal models for heat flow analysis of silicon-on-insulator MOSFETs

Abstract Self-heating in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs has become one of the vital issues for design, characterization, optimization and reliability prediction of SOI devices and integrated circuits due to the low thermal conductive buried oxide (BOX) and the continual increase in the microelectronic packaging density. Thermal models that are accurate and detailed enough to provide device temperature profiles and efficient enough for large scale electro-thermal simulation are therefore strongly desirable. This paper discusses the fundamental concepts for modeling of heat flow in semiconductor devices. A brief overview for the conventional approaches to thermal modeling of the SOI devices is given. Improved steady-state and dynamic SOI heat flow models based on the SOI film thermal resistance for efficient prediction of steady-state and dynamic temperature variations in SOI devices are presented. These improved models are applied to investigate temperature distributions and temporal evolution of the junction temperature in SOI nMOSFETs.
Fluid-Structure Interaction Predictions of Ascending Aorta Hemodynamics Under Tricuspid and Bicuspid Aortic Valve Flows

The bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly and is present in 2–3% of the general population. As compared to the normal tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) which consists of three leaflets, the most prevalent type-I BAV morphology forms with two as a result of left-/right-coronary cusp fusion. While the BAV anatomy may not intrinsically hamper valvular function, it is associated with a spectrum of secondary aortopathy such as aortic dilation and subsequent dissection. The dilation and thinning of the ascending aorta downstream of a BAV is marked by structural wall abnormalities including smooth muscle cell depletion, elastic fiber degeneration and abnormal extracellular matrix remodeling, which localize to the convexity of the aortic wall.© 2013 ASME
Extremal Splittings of Point Processes

The sequence with nth term defined by [(n + 1)p] − [np] is an extremal zero-one valued sequence of asymptotic mean p in the following sense (for example): if a fraction p of customers from a point process with iid interarrival times is sent to an exponential server queue according to a prespecified splitting sequence, then the long-term average queue size is minimized when the above sequence is used. The proof involves consideration of the lower convex envelope J (which is a function on Rm) of a function J on Zm. An explicit representation is given for J in terms of J, for J in a broad class of functions, which we call “multimodular.” The expected queue size just before an arrival, considered as a function of the zero-one splitting sequence, is shown to belong to this class.
Ischemic Necrosis of the Tongue in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock

Objectives/Hypothesis: Ischemic necrosis of the tongue is a rare entity generally associated with vasculitis. Critically ill patients with shock might experience hypoperfusion of head and neck end organs including the tongue. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of hospital charts. Methods: Case histories and photographs of five patients who developed ischemic tongue necrosis in the context of cardiogenic shock. Results: Five critically ill patients in our institution's cardiothoracic intensive care unit developed ischemic necrosis of the tongue. All five patients experienced protracted courses of profound cardiogenic shock requiring high-dose vasopressor support and urgent cardiac surgery. Three patients required intra-aortic balloon pumps. All patients had concomitant signs of poor end organ perfusion, including lower extremity ischemia and renal and hepatic failure. Ultimately, four of five patients died, with one patient surviving after sloughing of the entire oral tongue. Conclusions: Ischemic necrosis of the oral tongue is an uncommon but perhaps under-reported manifestation of end organ hypoperfusion in shock, likely signifying poor prognosis. Laryngoscope, 2010
Hyporhamphus collettei, a new species of inshore halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) endemic to Bermuda, with comments on the biogeography of the Hyporhamphus unifasciatus species group

Abstract A new species of halfbeak, Hyporhamphus collettei is described from Bermuda. Previously it was considered conspecific with the western Atlantic H. unifasciatus (Ranzani, 1842). When compared to H. unifasciatus, H. collettei is a more slender species and has lower meristic counts. Meristics were significantly different for dorsal-fin rays (usually 14–15), pectoral-fin rays (usually 10), and total second-arch gill rakers (usually 21–23). A number of morphometric ratios aided in distinguishing this species from its closest geographic neighbors, H. meeki from the east coast of the United States and H. unifasciatus from the Caribbean, and Central and South American coasts. When preorbital length to orbital diameter is compared, it is usually less than 0.70 in H. collettei and greater than 0.70 in H. meeki. Ratio of body depths at pectoral- and pelvic-fin origins to standard length usually less than 0.12 in H. collettei, and greater than 0.12 in H. unifasciatus. Sequence data for 800 bp of mtDNA Cyt b ...
Paper: Decentralized adaptive control of interconnected systems with reduced-order models

The adaptive control of interconnected systems whose subsystems possess slow and fast modes is investigated in the presence of external disturbances. A simple example is first used to show that a decentralized adaptive controller can become unstable due to the unmodeled interconnections and/or neglected parasitics. An approach is then developed for stabilization and tracking using decentralized adaptive controllers with modified adaptive laws. Sufficient conditions are obtained under which a region of attraction exists for boundedness and exponential convergence of the state/parameter errors to a small residual set. The size of the region of attraction depends on the frequency range of the local parasitics in such a way that if all the local parasitics become infinitely fast, the region of attraction becomes the whole space.
Oxidation of Clean Ge and Si Surfaces

The low-energy-electron loss spectra of oxygen adsorbed at room temperature on clean Si and Ge (100) and (111) surfaces suggest that each oxygen atom is doubly bonded to a surface atom. Using a chemical-bonding argument, it is shown that this complex is also energetically more favorable than previously proposed oxidation models.
The Ocean Economy of the United States: Measurement, Distribution, & Trends

Abstract Coastal managers are frequently required to consider the economic implications of their decisions, but economic data needed to support decisions is frequently lacking. This paper discusses the creation of a national data set that measures economic activity related to the oceans and Great Lakes of the U.S. Measures include employment, wages, establishments, and output. The data is derived from existing data maintained by the federal government to assure temporal and spatial consistency of measurement. The data set defines the “ocean economy” through a combination of industry and geographic location features to measure 21 separate industries in 6 sectors, at the national, state, and county levels. The data is subject to several suppression screens required to assure confidentiality of reported information. Analysis of the data for 2007 indicates that the national ocean economy of the U.S. is about 2% of U.S. employment and 1.7% of gross domestic product; it is comparable in size to other natural resource industries in the U.S. State and county level data indicate the ocean economy is largest in urban areas but is more likely to be a larger share of the economy of rural areas. The ocean economy data opens up numerous avenues for improvement in the estimation of employment and output and construction of models relating the ocean economy to changes in natural resources and to other changes in the economy.
An Adaptive Phasor Estimator for Power System Waveforms Containing Transients

Synchronized phasor measurement has gained wide acceptance in many power system applications, particularly for tracking dynamic transitions during various disturbances. Fourier filter-based phasor estimation algorithms, which have been predominately used in phasor measurement units, have difficulties in processing dynamic sinusoidal waveform distortions, such as modulation, frequency drift, abrupt change in magnitude, etc. This paper proposes an adaptive approach for accurately estimating phasors while eliminating the effect of various transient disturbances on voltages and currents. The method preanalyzes the waveform spanning the window of observation to identify and localize the discontinuities which affect the accuracy of phasor computation. A quadratic polynomial signal model is used to improve the accuracy of phasor estimates during power oscillations. Extensive experimental results demonstrate the advantages. The method was implemented on a PC-based PXI system for real-time phasor computations. It can also be used as reference algorithm for testing the performance of the devices extracting synchronized phasor measurements.
Application of Fourier Elastodynamics to Direct and Inverse Problems for the Scattering of Elastic Waves from Flaws Near Surfaces

In ultrasonic inspection one frequently encounters situations in which flaws lie too close to surfaces (or interfaces) for the applications of the conventional theory of scattering in an infinite host medium. One approach, pursued by Varadan, Pillai, and Varadan, is to rework scattering theory with a Green function suitably modified for the presence of surfaces. Our approach uses a Fourier elastodynamics formalism in which the scattering process is represented by the generalized transfer function for a slab of material containing the flaw. A sufficiently simple elastodynamic system can be built up of separately characterizable subsystems defined by intervals on the z-axis. Fortunately, it turns out that, in the case of propagating waves the generalized transfer function can be simply related to the scattering amplitude, the representation of scattering in the conventional theory. In the case where evanescent waves are present, the generalized transfer function can also be simply related to the scattering amplitude in which the incident and scattered direction \(\mathop e\limits^{{ \to _1}}\) and \(\mathop e\limits^{{ \to _S}}\) have been analytically continued from real to complex forms. In some cases it may be a good approximation to ignore completely the effects of evanescent waves. An integral equation has been derived whose solution gives the scattering from a system composed of a flaw and a nearby surface or interface. The computational results pertain to the scattering from spherical voids and inclusions in plastic at various distances from the plastic-water interface with the incident wave propagating through the water.
Determination of A0 for methyl-D3 iodide☆☆☆

Abstract High resolution infrared spectra of ν 4 and 2 ν 4 of CD 3 I have been analyzed simultaneously to obtain A 0 − ( 1 3 ) ηΔ4 = 2.5788 ± 0.0004 cm −1 , along with values for a number of other molecular parameters. Frequency expressions suitable for simultaneous least-squares fits have been revised to eliminate linear dependencies. A comparison is made with results obtained from analyzing the bands separately. The effect of a weak perturbation has been noted on the low frequency side of ν 4 .
Distinct Expressions of Three Cytokines by IL-1-Stimulated Astrocytes in Vitro and in AIDS Brain

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is elevated in brain tissue of individuals who died with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other diseases where this cytokine likely stimulates reactive astrocytosis. IL-1 stimulates, among others, production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in cultured astrocytes and astrocytoma cell lines. These and other cytokines may contribute to the neuropathogenesis after infection by human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). For example, concentration of TNF-alpha is increased in brain tissue of individuals who died with AIDS and correlates with the severity of AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC). TNF-alpha and IL-6 have been immunocytochemically detected in brain tissue but they have not been localized to astrocytes. We, therefore, examined the expression of IL-6, GM-CSF, and TNF-alpha in human primary astrocytes and astrocytoma cell lines U251 and 253 exposed to IL-1 in serum-free medium. In addition, we immunocytochemically assayed GM-CSF expression by astrocytes in brain tissue (n = 8). The three cytokines were differentially induced in cultured astrocytes by IL-1. The astrocytoma cell lines recapitulated cytokine-specific patterns of expression in astrocytes. The patterns were characterized by amounts produced, compartmentalization (intra- and/or extracellular), time courses, and optimal doses of IL-1 for induction. GM-SCF-like immunoreactivity was detected in some but not all, GFAP+ cells. GM-CSF+/GFAP+ cells were detected in only three of seven cases containing GM-CSF immunoreactivity. Thus, a discrepancy may exist between human astrocytic cytokine expression in vitro and in tissue. Novel methods therefore may need to be developed to recapitulate in vitro the heterogeneity of astrocytic cytokine expression in AIDS and other brain tissue.
Suppression of Experimental Aortic Aneurysms: Comparison of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors

The rat model of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is associated with inflammation, destruction of extracellular matrix, and production of both inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Indomethacin, a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, may prevent AAA formation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity. We hypothesized that indomethacin, rofecoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor), and 1400W (selective iNOS activity inhibitor) would decrease aneurysm formation in the rat model. Forty-six male Wistar rats underwent intraaortic elastase infusion in two parallel studies based on medication delivery route. Sixteen rats were randomized to rofecoxib or water by gastric lavage. Thirty rats were randomized to subcutaneous saline, indomethacin, or 1400W. Heart rate, blood pressure and aortic diameters were measured. Western Blot and mRNA analysis for MMP-9 and iNOS was performed on postoperative day 7 aortic segments. Elastin degradation and inflammation were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Elastase infusion produced AAA in all rats. 1400W significantly limited aneurysm expansion (p = 0.01) whereas treatment with indomethacin and rofecoxib did not. Only 1400W significantly increased blood pressure (p < 0.001). Indomethacin alone statistically decreased MMP-9 (p < 0.011). 1400W resulted in greater conservation of aortic elastin than indomethacin (p = 0.025). All groups demonstrated statistically similar expression of iNOS. In conclusion, selective iNOS activity inhibitor, 1400W, significantly decreased aneurysm size and preserved aortic elastin without altering MMP-9 levels. Indomethacin significantly decreased MMP-9 expression without decreasing aneurysm size. Rofecoxib did not significantly decrease MMP-9 expression or aneurysm size. Inhibition of iNOS limits aneurysmal expansion by mechanisms other than MMP-9 inhibition. MMP-9 inhibition by indomethacin is not sufficient to limit aneurysm expansion in our model.
Microwave sea return at moderate to high incidence angles

Abstract Bragg scattering is widely recognized as the dominant mechanism by which the ocean surface backscatters microwave radiation, but efforts to identify other, non-Bragg sources of this scattering have been pursued for many years. Non-Bragg backscattering from the sea surface is known to occur at incidence angles close to 0° and 90°. In this paper Bragg scattering is shown to explain most features of sea surface backscatter for incidence angles between about 20° and 80°, except when it predicts very small mean cross sections. The often-quoted evidence for non-Bragg scattering in this incidence angle range is that σ o (HH) is occasionally found to be larger than or equal to σ o (VV) for short integration times. We show that because of fading this is not evidence of non-Bragg scattering. For incidence angles up to about 50°, standard Bragg/composite surface scattering theory yields probabilities of finding σ o (HH)>σ o (VV) that are only slightly smaller than those found experimentally. As the incidenc...
Safety and Efficacy of Nasogastric Intubation for Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Myocardial Infarction: An Analysis of 125 Patients at Two Tertiary Cardiac Referral Hospitals

Our purpose was to analyze risks versus benefits of nasogastric (NG) intubation for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding performed soon after myocardial infarction (MI). While NG intubation and aspiration is relatively safe, clinically beneficial, and routinely performed in the general population for recent GI bleeding, its safety after MI is unstudied and unknown. In addition to the usual complications of NG tubes, patients status post-MI may be particularly susceptible to myocardial ischemia or cardiac arrhythmias from anxiety or discomfort during intubation. We studied NG intubation within 30 days of MI in 125 patients at two hospitals from 1986 through 2001. Indications for NG intubation included melena in 55 patients; fecal occult blood with an acute hematocrit decline, severe anemia, or sudden hypotension in 37; hematemesis in 18; bright red blood per rectum in 8; and dark red blood per rectum in 7. The intubation was performed on average 5.3 ± 7.2 (SD) days after MI. NG aspiration revealed bright red blood in 38 patients, “coffee grounds”-appearing blood in 45, and clear (or bilious) fluid in 42. Among 114 of the patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), EGD revealed the cause of bleeding in 79 (95%) of 83 patients with a grossly bloody NG aspirate versus 12 (39%) of 31 patients with a clear aspirate (P < 0.0001, OR = 31.3, OR CI = 9.4–103.1). Among 85 patients undergoing EGD within 16 hr of NG intubation, stigmata of recent hemorrhage were present in 28 (42%) of 66 with a bloody NG aspirate versus 3 (16%) of 19 with a clear aspirate (P = 0.06, OR = 3.93). Among 35 patients undergoing lower GI endoscopy, lower endoscopy revealed the cause of bleeding in 14 (56%) of 25 patients with a clear NG aspirate versus 1 (10%) of 10 patients with a grossly bloody aspirate (P < 0.04, OR = 11.46, OR CI = 1.55–78.3). The two NG tube complications (epistaxis during intubation and gastric erosions from NG suctioning) were neither cardiac nor major (requiring blood transfusions). This study suggests that short-term NG intubation is relatively safe and may be beneficial and indicated for acute GI bleeding after recent MI. Aside from improving visualization at EGD, the potential benefits include providing a rational basis for the timing of endoscopy (urgent versus semielective), for prioritizing the order of endoscopy (EGD versus colonoscopy), and for avoiding or deferring endoscopy in low-yield situations (e.g., colonoscopy when the NG aspirate is bloody). These benefits may be particularly relevant in patients after recent MI due to their increased endoscopic risks.