cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does antidepressant adherence have an effect on glycemic control among diabetic antidepressant users

Objective: To examine the relationship between adherence to antidepressant medications and HbA 1c levels among patients with diabetes in a managed care setting. Method: The analysis included measures of HbA 1c levels before, during, and after initial antidepressant use among 568 patients with diabetes enrolled in the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care insurance plan from 1991-1995. Adherence was defined as four refills in a six-month period after the first antidepressant prescription. General linear models using SAS PROC MIXED were used to estimate the effects ofcovariates including antidepressant adherence on HbA 1c levels over time, comparing patients who were adherent to antidepressant medications to those patients who were non-adherent to antidepressant medications. Results: Adherence to antidepressant treatment was not significantly associated with HbAic levels among diabetic patients who are antidepressant users. Younger age, use of insulin and oral medications, and female gender were all significantly associated with HbA 1c levels over time. Conclusions: Although we did not observe any association between level of adherence to antidepressant therapy among diabetic patients and levels of glucose control, our results confirm previously established associations between patient characteristics and glycemic control. Further research is needed to disentangle the complex relationship among antidepressant treatment adherence and diabetes outcomes.
Indeterminacy and investment adjustment costs: An analytic result

It is widely known that a neoclassical growth model with sufficient increasing returns to production may feature an indeterminate steady state. This note shows how investment adjustment costs increase the degree of increasing returns required for indeterminacy to arise. We also argue that sector-specific externalities are observationally equivalent to negative adjustment costs. It is widely known that a neoclassical growth model with sufficient increasing returns to production may feature an indeterminate steady state. This note shows how investment adjustment costs increase the degree of increasing returns required for indeterminacy to arise. We also argue that sector-specific externalities are observationally equivalent to negative adjustment costs.
A critical poetics of allure: 10 antiphons for the bringing-to-appearance of the place of allure as a complicity of human and non-human matter in writing, or, the Physis of the Whale in Anglo-Saxon England

This essay attempts to write variety with a variety of whales. It is an experiment in attempting to think and write with Anglo-Saxon poesy concerning whales in Anglo-Saxon England in interface with recent archaeological studies and the remains of actual whales from Anglo-Saxon England. Two notions from Charles Olson's recently edited notes on ‘Projective Verse II’ are particularly guiding: (1) that ‘The poem's job is to be able to attend, and to get attention to, the variety of order in creation’; and (2) that ‘A poem is a “line” between any two points in creation (a poem's beginning and its end). In its passage it includes – in the meaning here it passes through – the material of itself. Such a material is the “field” ’ (Olson, 2010, 15, 16).
The IgE and IgG subclass responses of mice to four helminth parasites

To investigate whether the formation of IgE is linked in vivo to an IgG subclass, mice were infected with four helminth parasites, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nbr), Mesocestoides corti, Taenia crassiceps and Trichinella spiralis, and the changes in the serum levels of the different Ig isotypes as well as the antibody response to M. corti and T. crassiceps antigen extracts were determined by radioimmunoassays. All four parasites induced a concomitant increase of the IgE and IgG1 serum levels and usually a decrease of the IgG2a level. They also induced an increase of the IgM level but had little effect on the IgG2b, IgG3, and IgA serum levels. The specific antibodies to an M. corti antigen extract were mainly of the IgG1 subclass, whereas it was of both IgG1 and IgG2a subclasses to T. crassiceps. Injections of dead M. corti induced an increase of all IgG subclasses and similar levels of IgG1 and IgG2a anti-parasite antibodies. Subcutaneous instead of intraperitoneal infection with T. crassiceps induced higher IgG2a than IgG1 levels and 10-fold lower IgE levels than the natural ip infection; however, despite the greater IgG2a polyclonal response, anti-parasite antibodies were predominantly of the IgG1 subclass. The data demonstrate that natural infection with four different helminth parasites induces a concomitant polyclonal IgG1 and IgE response. These in vivo observations corroborate the recent in vitro findings demonstrating that interleukin-4 induces lipopolysaccharide-activated murine B cells to secrete both IgG1 and IgE, suggesting that the regulation of these two isotypes is linked.
Equations and closure models for material pulverization and debris flow

Abstract A transition from interacting continua to a disperse debris flow is numerically simulated using a multi-velocity formulation based on the ensemble phase average. The numerical calculation takes advantage of the recently developed dual domain material point method, which overcomes numerical instabilities, numerical diffusion and mesh distortion issues encountered in other numerical methods in cases of large material deformations. Comparisons with experiments show that the difference between the average of the velocity gradient and the gradient of the average velocity is important. To consider the transition from a continuum motion to a disperse flow, a model for this difference is expressed in terms of the effective plastic strain and the critical strain of the material. Although the model results in excellent comparisons to the experimental results, more work to study the difference and the model is needed for broader applications.
Ethene Adsorption and Decomposition on the Cu(410) Surface

The influence of open steps on the surface properties is shown by investigating the interaction of molecular ethene with Cu(410). We find a surprisingly low-temperature, site-selective chemistry at the strongly under-coordinated step sites. Ethene bonds either in a π-bonded or in a di-σ-bonded state or undergoes complete dehydrogenation. All pathways involve the low-coordination sites at the step, since the first species is partially stabilized with respect to low-Miller-index surfaces, while the other two are observed only on Cu(410). When annealing the surface, dehydrogenation and transformation into the di-σ-bonded moiety proceed, both processes being favored by faster heating rates. The so-generated carbon (presumably C2 admolecules) decorates the step edges, thereby blocking the active sites for subsequent dissociation and permitting only π-bonding of ethene. The dipole loss of carbon disappears in high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy when annealing to room temperature, indicating that c...
Environmental regulation: a framework for determining research needs

A research response is called for to deal with the complex and inadequately understood physical and economic phenomena involved in environmental regulation. Because there is an area of conflict between people in the agricultural community and some of those advocating environmental regulation, a new client relationship is needed that may be uncomfortable for some. Major research tasks can be best seen in relation to the policy formation process. We need to consider involvement in identification and measurement of problems, development of alternative policies, analysis of these alternatives, development of efficient responses to policy initiatives, and assessment of policy performance. The need for research in new techniques could lead to the utilization of interdisciplinary research teams.
The elav gene product of Drosophila, required in neurons, has three RNP consensus motifs

A sequence of developmental events transforms neurons from their immature state to their mature, terminally differentiated state. The elav locus is one of the first examples of a gene that is expressed in neurons early during this developmental sequence. This gene has been shown to be required for the proper development of young neurons and for the maintenance of mature neurons. DNA sequence data presented in this report suggest that the elav gene product is an RNA binding protein, based on the presence of RNP (ribonucleoprotein) consensus sequences. This leads to the proposal that this protein is involved in the RNA metabolism of neurons.
Modular electronics for flow cytometry and sorting: The LACEL system†‡§

LACEL is a newly developed, fast, general-purpose data acquisition and processing system for flow cytometric applications. The system's modular electronics allows flexibility in system configurations. The system can process as many as eight input analog parameters and can transfer 16-bit words between the user's electronics and the computer with standard input/output interfaces. The system's 8-fold coincidence logic capability can be set to operate with the noncoincidental timing that may occur in multiparameter flow measurements. As many as four parameters can be used to establish amplitude and timing criteria for each of two sorting directions. Two experiments can be on line with the computer at one time.
Effect of sucrose on the structure, mechanical strength and thermal properties of corn extrudates

Abstract The effects of sucrose on extrusion process parameters and the structural, mechanical and thermal characteristics of the resultant extrudates have been investigated. To this end, sucrose in concentrations between 0 and 10% by weight was added to corn meal prior to extrusion at two levels of moisture (15 and 20%). The resulting data revealed the following significant features. (i) At the higher moisture level, sucrose progressively reduced the specific mechanical energy, while exhibiting little effect at the lower moisture level. (ii) At both moisture levels, sucrose increased the bulk density and reduced the cell size; this effect was progressive for high extrusion moisture samples and evident only at high sucrose contents for low extrusion moisture samples. (iii) In extrudate samples equilibrated to moisture contents between 12 and 17% wt, sucrose progressively plasticized the structures, as assessed by compression, dynamic mechanical spectrometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. In the aggregate, these results showed that the addition of sucrose requires a modification of the extrusion operating conditions to produce extrudates with optimal textural and storage properties.
Local ground states of a quenched lattice gas

Abstract We report Monte Carlo calculations concerning a lattice gas with nearest-neighbor hopping on a square lattice. First- and second-neighbor interactions are repulsive and further-neighbor ones are attractive. In quenches from high temperature to T = 0 the true ground state, which is fourfold degenerate, is not attained. Instead the system locks into an irregular agglomeration of finite clusters of the four ground states. It can escape from this “glassy” state only by raising its energy
Assays of glutamine and its aminotransferase with the enol-borate of phenylpyruvate.

Abstract A specific spectrophotometric assay for the transamination step of the glutamine aminotransferase reaction (EC2.6.1.15) has been devised with phenylpyruvate as the amino acceptor. The decrease in absorbance of phenylpyruvate enol-borate complex at 300 mμ is dependent upon glutamine, is linear with time, proportional to enzyme concentration, and stoichiometrically equal to the formation of ammonia and phenylalanine. The rate of tautomerization of phenylpyruvate is not limiting. The optical sensitivity of the assay can be controlled by the borate concentration, and rates of 0.001 μmole/min have been measured. The properties of glutamine aminotransferase found are comparable to those reported in previous studies. The affinity for phenylpyruvate (Km, 1 × 10−5 m ) is higher than for glutamine (Km, 6 × 10−3 m ). The enzyme is soluble and is found in highest concentration in kidney, where it develops after birth. The enzyme concentration is low in neoplastic tissues. The same reaction can be used for a sensitive and simple measure of the concentration of l -glutamine in plasma and tissues. Its concentrations in a series of rat tissues measured by this method are reported here.
Impact of Race/Ethnicity in OA Treatment:

Racial/ethnic disparities in the use of joint replacement surgery for knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) have long been described [4, 9, 23]. Whether these represent differences in the frequency and severity of OA at various joint sites [11, 12] or differences in patient preference, access to medical care, or other factors has been the source of considerable study in the last 10 to 15 years [6]. This article emphasizes racial/ethnic differences in, and factors associated with, the use or lack of use of various therapeutic interventions for OA, and new insights into potential mechanisms underlying these disparities, with an eye toward understanding how effective modalities might be applied in various populations likely to benefit.
Depressive symptoms after hospitalization in older adults: function and mortality outcomes.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between depressive symptoms after hospitalization and survival and functional outcomes. Design: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. Setting: General medical service of two urban, teaching hospitals in Ohio. Participants: Hospitalized individuals aged 70 and older. Measurements: Ten depressive symptoms, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and basic activities of daily living (ADLs) were measured at hospital discharge and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months later. Participant-specific changes in depressive symptoms (slopes) were determined using all data points. Four groups were also defined according to number of depressive symptoms (?3 symptoms, low; 4�10 symptoms, high) at discharge and follow-up: low�low, low�high, high�low, and high�high. Mortality was measured 3, 6, and 12 months after hospital discharge. Results: Participant-specific discharge depressive symptoms and change in depressive symptoms over time (slopes) were associated (P < .05) with functional and mortality outcomes. At 1 year, more participants in the low�low depressive symptom group (49%) were alive and independent in IADLs and ADLs than in the low�high group (37%, P = .02), and more participants in the high�low group (39%) were alive and independent in IADLs and ADLs than in the high�high group (19%, P < .001). Conclusion: Number of depressive symptoms and change in number of depressive symptoms during the year after discharge were associated with functional and mortality outcomes in hospitalized older adults. Fewer participants with persistently high or increasing depressive symptoms after hospitalization were alive and functionally independent 1 year later than participants with decreasing or persistently low symptoms, respectively.
Substance P innervation of spleen in rats: nerve fibers associate with lymphocytes and macrophages in specific compartments of the spleen.

Abstract We investigated the distribution of SP+ nerve fibers in the spleen of adult male Fischer 344 rats. SP+ nerve fibers entered the spleen with the splenic artery in the hilar region, arborized along the venous sinuses, and extended from these larger plexuses into trabeculae and the surrounding red pulp. In the white pulp, SP+ nerve fibers were found in the marginal zone, and in the outer regions of the PALS among T lymphocytes. No SP+ nerve fibers were observed in association with the splenic capsule, the central arteries of the white pulp, or the follicles. SP levels in rat spleen were 5.7 ± 0.4 ng/g wet wt. On the basis of the present findings of SP presence in nerve fibers in the spleen, and published evidence for SP receptors on lymphocytes and macrophages, we suggest that SP derived from nerve fibers in the spleen can act as a neurotransmitter with cells of the immune system as targets. These SP nerve fibers may be an important neural link between the nervous system and the immune system and may participate in modulation of immune reactivity and inflammatory responses.
Extralobar pulmonary sequestration in a 4-months infant

Aim-Background To highlight the rarity of a congenital condition of Pulmonary sequestration. This condition is presenting in two forms, intralobar and extralobar.
Frequency-dependent gas detection limits of standoff photothermal deflection spectroscopy caused by wind turbulence beam wander

The effects of near-ground wind turbulence-induced laser beam wander on photothermal beam deflection performance are presented. The theories of both photothermal deflection and turbulent beam wander are summarized. The semiphenomenological theory and experiment beam wander curve shapes and magnitudes match well over the range of 10 to 5000 Hz. The photothermal deflection modulation curves are set equal to the turbulence beam wander curves, and an effective turbulence equivalent concentration of the vapor of a chemical analyte can be derived as a function of frequency for the range 10 to 5000 Hz. The results show the limitations of near-ground level photothermal deflection measurements when wind is present in the beam path. The frequency points at which 1 ppbv of acetylene gas can be detected at different wind speeds and pump beam power are obtained. The wind is assumed to propagate parallel to the hard surface.
Guidelines To Creating a True Molecular Composite: Inducing Miscibility in Blends by Optimizing Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding

Blending a liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) with an amorphous polymer to create a molecular composite offers a method to utilize the desirable properties of a LCP at a more modest cost. However, ve...
Optimal four-impulse fixed-time rendezvous in the vicinity of a circular orbit.

Minimum fuel multiple impulse orbital rendezvous for fixed transfer time near circular orbits
Carbocyclic analogs of thymine nucleosides and related 1‐substituted thymines

The carbocyclic analogs of thymidine (IXf), 1-β-ribofuranosylthymine (IXg), and 1-β-3′-deoxyribofuranosyl-thymine (IXe) were synthesized by incorporating modifications into the Shaw method of synthesizing 2,4-(1H,3H)pyrimidinediones via acryloylureas. Simpler analogs of thymine nucleosides were also prepared by this method. The carbocyclic analog of thymidine displayed modest activity against Leukemia L1210 in vivo. It differs from a compound prepared previously by a Prins reaction.
Comparative effect of curare and succinylcholine on survival time of shocked rats.

Rats were shocked by pinching the cecum, a method which produces 100 per cent mortality. Time of survival using artificial respiration was noted. Another group of animals was treated similarly, except that succinylcholine was administered immediately following the shocking procedure. Still another group was studied using curare rather than succinylcholine. No statistically significant differences in survival time were found between any of the three groups.
Dissolution rate of borosilicate glass SON68: A method of quantification based upon interferometry and implications for experimental and natural weathering rates of glass

Abstract Rates of glass dissolution from laboratory and field studies are often considered to be irreconcilable, although potential causes for the difference, such as solution saturation state and increasing surface area from progressive weathering, have not been explored in depth. The dissolution rate of SON68 glass, the non-radioactive analog of the French R7T7 composition, was determined in a single-pass flow-through (SPFT) system at 90 °C and pH 9 over a silica-saturation interval. Dissolution rates were determined on both powdered and monolithic specimens by assaying the concentration of elements released from glass to effluent solution. In addition, rates of 12 monolithic specimens were quantified using a Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI) method. The method entails measuring the difference in height between a reference and reaction surface. The height difference is proportional to the dissolution rate. By adjusting the relative position of the reacted surface to average surface roughness, the effects of surface area on the dissolution rate can be minimized. Values of the dissolution rate, based upon chemical assay of the effluent solution on the one hand, and VSI methods on the other, were compared. In general, rates determined by the two methods are within a factor of 2×. The difference in rates may be due to the presence of a reaction layer that develops on the glass surface, resulting in an underestimation of the height difference measurement. The dissolution rates of SON68 glass in silica-saturated solutions were then compared to rates previously determined on basalt glass in natural weathering environments (Gordon and Brady, 2002, Chem. Geol. 190, 113–122). When adjusted for differences in temperature and pH, the ranges of borosilicate and basalt glass dissolution rates overlap, indicating that laboratory and field rates can be reconciled and that the principal control on glass dissolution is solution saturation with respect to amorphous silica.
Interspecific aggressive behaviour by long-toed lapwings (Vanellus crassirostris)

Abstract In this paper interspecific aggression is related to ecological relationships between bird species. Three kinds of relationships are distinguished according to the presence or absence of aggression and the degree to which resources are exclusively utilized: interspecific territoriality (aggression, exclusive use), partial exclusion (aggression, no exclusive use), and tolerance (no aggression, no exclusive use). Aggression by long-toed lapwings ( Vanellus crassirostris ) is examined within this framework, using quantitative data gathered through observational sampling. Lapwings were interspecifically territorial with one species, partially excluded five species, and tolerated four species. The results indicate that the function of interspecific aggressive behaviour may be related to competition, predation, or both.
Stabilization and partial characterization of endothelium-derived relaxing factor from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells

The extreme lability of the chemically undefined vasoregulatory mediator, endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), has been overcome. The activity of EDRF, from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells stimulated with A23187, was stabilized by acidification. An additional action of EDRF, platelet disaggregation was used as a sensitive and convenient bioassay to monitor purification. EDRF appears to be a hydrophilic molecule, rapidly inactivated under alkaline conditions. However, activity is restored upon reacidification suggesting that this instability results from a readily reversible chemical process. The stabilization and partial purification of EDRF sets the stage for its further biochemical and chemical characterization.
Isoalloxazine ring of FAD is required for the formation of the core in the Hsp60-assisted folding of medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase subunit into the assembly competent conformation in mitochondria.

We studied the role of FAD in the intramitochondrial folding and assembly of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), a homotetrameric mitochondrial enzyme containing a molecule of non-covalently bound FAD/monomer. In the MCAD molecule, FAD is buried in a crevice containing the active center. We have previously shown that upon import into mitochondria, newly processed MCAD is first incorporated into a high molecular weight (hMr) complex and that the hMr complex mainly consisted of MCAD-heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60) complex (Saijo, T., Welch, W. J., and Tanaka, K(1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 4401-4408). In the present study, we incubated in vitro synthesized precursor MCAD with mitochondria isolated from normal and riboflavin-deficient rat liver for 10-60 min and fractionated the solubilized mitochondria using gel filtration. The amount of MCAD in the hMr complex was larger and that of tetramer was smaller in riboflavin-deficient mitochondria than in control at any time point. In addition, riboflavin-deficient mitochondria were solubilized after 10-min import in a buffer containing ATP and were chased in the presence of FAD, FMN, or NAD+ or without any addition. The mitochondrial proteins were analyzed using gel filtration or immunoprecipitated with anti-hsp60 antibody. After 60-min chase in the presence of FAD, the majority of MCAD in the complex with hsp60 was transferred to tetramer, whereas no such transfer occurred after the chase in the absence of FAD. When chase was done in the presence of FMN, a significant amount of MCAD was transferred from the complex with hsp60 to tetramer, but the transfer was not as efficient as in the presence of FAD. The chase in the presence of NAD+ resulted in no transfer. These data suggest that isoalloxazine ring of FAD plays a critical role, exerting nucleating effect, in the hsp60-assisted folding of MCAD subunit into an assembly competent conformation, probably assisting the formation of the core.
Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Increases Expression of the αvβ3 Integrin Complex on Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Abstract Modulation of the expression of the α v β 3 complex on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) may be crucial in wound healing and angiogenesis. Therefore, we examined the influence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor β, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on the expression of this complex. Stimulation of HDMEC with bFGF increased cell surface expression of both α v and β 3 in a dose- and time-dependent manner associated with the development of a spindled, elongated cell morphology. Northern blot analysis of HDMEC stimulated with bFGF demonstrated a marked increase in β 3 but not α v mRNA expression. Incubation of HDMEC with transforming growth factor-α or interferon-γ alone resulted in modest decreases in cell surface α v β 3 , and co-incubation of HDMEC with bFGF and transforming growth factor-β or interferon-γ inhibited bFGF-induced changes in cell morphology, increases in cell surface α v β 3 expression, and increases in β 3 mRNA. These data demonstrate that both growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines alter the expression of α v β 3 on microvascular endothelial cells and that these alterations correlate with changes in cell morphology.
Changes in acetylcholinesterase, acid phosphatase and beta glucuronidase proximal to a nerve crush

Summary The changes taking place in acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acid phosphatase (AP) and beta glucuronidase (BG) proximal to an experimental crush injury were investigated in the ventral root and sciatic nerve. There was an AChE increase proximal to the crush in the ventral root which reached a peak at an earlier time period than did the corresponding increase proximal to a sciatic nerve crush. This AChE increase was observed to occur over a much greater distance proximal to the crush in the ventral root than in the sciatic nerve. In contrast to AChE, the AP and BG increases were limited to the region just proximal to the crush, and lasted for an extended period of time. The AChE activity soon fell to low levels along the whole extent of the root and nerve studied proximal to the injury. A gradual recovery of AChE activity was seen to occur as reinnervation took place. The above data are interpreted to indicate that: (1) there is a component of axoplasmic damming which is related to the distance of the crush injury from the cell body involving a local accumulation of axoplasm all along the axon proximal to the crush; (2) there is also a damming component just proximal to the crush which appears to occur no matter where the crush is placed; (3) the axoplasmic elements containing AChE must be flowing down the axon at a relatively rapid rate; (4) the phagocytic Schwann cells near the crush site are synthesizing large amounts of AP and BG.
Temperature effects in mass-spectrometric fragmentations

Abstract The kinetic energy released when H− is lost from metastable molecular ions of n-propanol displays a temperature dependence that is uniquely sensitive to ion life-time. It is suggested that the ion fragments by two mechanisms, one of which depends on the angular momentum of the ion.
High-lying levels in uranium atomic vapor near the ionization limit

This paper comments on the recent observation of Rydberg "progressions" in atomic uranium. A multichannel quantum-defect analysis shows that the observed ion peaks are unresolved groups of levels with different total angular momenta $J$ and approximately the same effective quantum number ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{ln}}$, and configuration interactions are apparent. The possible number of channels and their assignment are outlined.
Gene rearrangements and T-cell lymphomas.

Background: Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas comprise a broad spectrum of neoplasia ranging from indolent to highly aggressive types. To determine subset lineage and malignant vs benign nature, morphologic analysis, immunophenotyping, and flow cytometry have been used. However, given the shortcomings of these methods, molecular genetic techniques, which take particular advantage of the clonal nature of malignancy, are now being applied to better characterize and diagnose these lymphomas. Results: Each antigen-specific T cell and its clonal progeny has a unique rearrangement of its T-cell receptor gene such that it can recognize very specific antigenic epitopes. By visualizing these particular T-cell receptor gene rearrangements, Southern hybridization techniques and polymerase chain reaction amplification can detect clonal populations of T cells in the skin, blood, and lymph nodes of patients with T-cell leukemias and lymphomas. Clonal T-cell populations have also been found in cases of benign disorders such as lymphomatoid papulosis and pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta. Although these disorders usually have a benign outcome, they may represent dysplastic clonal lymphoid expansions with a high incidence of spontaneous regression. Conclusions: Molecular genetic techniques have added to our ability to diagnose, characterize, and monitor the course of T-cell lymphomas and leukemias. In addition, they may provide insight into the pathogenesis of certain benign disorders. ( Arch Dermatol. 1993;129:1484-1490)
Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry Analysis of Healthy and Emphysemic Alveolar Sac Models

Emphysema is a progressive lung disease that involves permanent destruction of the alveolar walls. Fluid mechanics in the pulmonary region and how they are altered with the presence of emphysema are not well understood. Much of our understanding of the flow fields occurring in the healthy pulmonary region is based on idealized geometries, and little attention has been paid to emphysemic geometries. The goal of this research was to utilize actual replica lung geometries to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms that govern fluid motion and particle transport in the most distal regions of the lung and to compare the differences that exist between healthy and emphysematous lungs. Excised human healthy and emphysemic lungs were cast, scanned, graphically reconstructed, and used to fabricate clear, hollow, compliant models. Three dimensional flow fields were obtained experimentally using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry techniques for healthy and emphysematic breathing conditions. Measured alveolar velocities ranged over two orders of magnitude from the duct entrance to the wall in both models. Recirculating flow was not found in either the healthy or the emphysematic model, while the average flow rate was three times larger in emphysema as compared to healthy. Diffusion dominated particle flow, which is characteristic in the pulmonary region of the healthy lung, was not seen for emphysema, except for very small particle sizes. Flow speeds dissipated quickly in the healthy lung (60% reduction in 0.25 mm) but not in the emphysematic lung (only 8% reduction 0.25 mm). Alveolar ventilation per unit volume was 30% smaller in emphysema compared to healthy. Destruction of the alveolar walls in emphysema leads to significant differences in flow fields between the healthy and emphysemic lung. Models based on replica geometry provide a useful means to quantify these differences and could ultimately improve our understanding of disease progression.
A new model of neonatal stroke: reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat pup.

Abstract Neonatal stroke remains a complex pathophysiologic process that is poorly understood and difficult to investigate. The primary animal model used to study this phenomenon is that of unilateral carotid artery ligation with 2–3 hours exposure to severe hypoxia. A new model of neonatal stroke was developed based on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion without craniectomy. In this model a #6-0 (0.07 mm) nylon filament is passed via the carotid artery to occlude reversibly the middle cerebral artery for 4 hours under conditions of normoxia in 14- to 18-day-old spontaneously hypertensive rat pups. After removal of the filament and reperfusion for 24 hours, the infarct volume was determined using the mitochondrial stain, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Using this technique, a neocortical and caudoputamenal infarct affecting 49% of hemispheric volume that measured 180 ± 29 mm 3 (hemisphere volume=359 ± 16 mm 3 , mean ± SEM) was created in 90% of animals (n = 8) undergoing this procedure. This model has the advantage of being relatively non-invasive, of not requiring global exposure of brain to hypoxia, and of using temporary rather than permanent occlusion. This technique should improve the ability to study the acute and long-term pathophysiology of neonatal stroke, particularly the phenomenon of reperfusion injury, as well as its sequelae in the developing nervous system.
ParCAT: Parallel Climate Analysis Toolkit

Abstract Climate science is employing increasingly complex models and simulations to analyze the past and predict the future of Earth's climate. This growth in complexity is creating a widening gap between the data being produced and the ability to analyze the datasets. Parallel computing tools are necessary to analyze, compare, and interpret the simulation data. The Parallel Climate Analysis Toolkit (ParCAT) provides basic tools to efficiently use parallel computing techniques to make analysis of these datasets manageable. The toolkit provides the ability to compute spatio-temporal means, differences between runs or differences between averages of runs, and histograms of the values in a data set. ParCAT is implemented as a command-line utility written in C. This allows for easy integration in other tools and allows for use in scripts. This also makes it possible to run ParCAT on many platforms – from laptops to supercomputers. ParCAT outputs NetCDF files so it is compatible with existing utilities such as Panoply and UV-CDAT. This paper describes ParCAT and presents results from some example runs on the Titan system at ORNL.
Vulnerability Studies: A Bibliometric Review

This article presents a bibliometric analysis of the vulnerability research field. We analyze 200 articles on vulnerability published between 1973 and 2012, in the context of the United States. The intent of this article is to compare the levels of activity of several academic disciplines and bodies of work in vulnerability scholarship and to examine which topics are most studied in them. Topic code use was assessed using the qualitative research data analysis tool Atlas.ti, which permits users to locate, code, and annotate article text fragments. Article categorization was measured both by coding first author organizational affiliation and using the ISI Web of Knowledge journal citation reports categorization scheme that assigns journals to a discipline; each article was coded by its journal category.
Voltage Dependent Anion Channels (VDAC) and Regulation of Mitochondrial Metabolism

Voltage dependent anion channels (VDAC) are responsible for permeability of mitochondrial outer membranes to hydrophilic metabolites like ATP, ADP and respiratory substrates. Although previously assumed to remain open, VDAC closure is emerging as an important mechanism for regulation of global mitochondrial function. Acetaldehyde formation from hepatic ethanol metabolism leads to VDAC closure, which suppresses exchange of mitochondrial metabolites and inhibits ureagenesis. In vivo, VDAC closure after ethanol occurs coordinately with mitochondrial depolarization. Together, VDAC closure and uncoupling foster selective and more rapid mitochondrial oxidation of toxic acetaldehyde formed by ethanol metabolism. Glycolysis and suppression of mitochondrial metabolism are metabolic characteristics of cancer cells that promote cell proliferation (Warburg phenomenon). High free αβ-tubulin dimers in cancer cells block VDAC and suppress mitochondrial function, and reversal of tubulin inhibition of VDAC with erastin and erastin-like small molecules has an anti-Warburg effect that hyperpolarizes mitochondria, enhances oxidative phosphorylation and decreases glycolysis. Erastin-like compounds also enhance mitochondria formation of reactive oxygen species in cancer cells, leading eventually to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Thus, VDAC is a key regulator of mitochondrial function (DK073336, DK037034 and 14.Z50.31.0028).
Chromatic number, clique subdivisions, and the conjectures of Hajós and Erdős-Fajtlowicz

For a graph G, let χ(G) denote its chromatic number and σ(G) denote the order of the largest clique subdivision in G. Let H(n) be the maximum of χ(G)=σ(G) over all n-vertex graphs G. A famous conjecture of Hajos from 1961 states that σ(G) ≥ χ(G) for every graph G. That is, H(n)≤1 for all positive integers n. This conjecture was disproved by Catlin in 1979. Erdős and Fajtlowicz further showed by considering a random graph that H(n)≥cn1/2/logn for some absolute constant c>0. In 1981 they conjectured that this bound is tight up to a constant factor in that there is some absolute constant C such that χ(G)=σ(G) ≤ Cn1/2/logn for all n-vertex graphs G. In this paper we prove the Erdős-Fajtlowicz conjecture. The main ingredient in our proof, which might be of independent interest, is an estimate on the order of the largest clique subdivision which one can find in every graph on n vertices with independence number α.
Thinspiration: Self-Improvement Versus Self-Evaluation Social Comparisons with Thin-Ideal Media Portrayals

Much research has demonstrated negative impacts of idealized-body imagery exposure on body satisfaction. Yet, paradoxically, media with such imagery attract mass audiences. Few studies showed women...
Metarepresentation: Native Competence and Targets for Instruction.

The premise of this article is that the study of representation is valuable and important for mathematics and science students. Learning about representation should go beyond learning specific, sanctioned representations emphasized in standard curricula (graphs, tables, etc.) to include principles and design strategies that apply to any scientific representation, including novel variations and even completely new representations. The article explores what it means to understand representation, what we believe students already know about the topic, and what they can profitably learn about it. The discussion includes learning difficulties-goals for instruction that appear challenging for students and may need particular attention.
Bealer on the possibility of philosophical knowledge

Repondant a l'article precedent intitule «A priori knowledge and the scope of philosophy» («Philosophical studies», 81, 1996, pp. 121-42), l'A. critique l'autorite epistemique que G. Bealer attribue a la methode philosophique, fondee sur l'indispensabilite des intuitions et sur l'equilibre reflexif
Selectively metalated doubly cofacial porphyrin trimers. New models for the study of photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer.

Abstract The preparation of a doubly cofacial porphyrin trimer consisting of a Zn mesoporphyrin - Zn mesoporphyrin - mesoporhyrin stack is described. The optical absorption and fluorescence properties of the molecule as a function of solvent are also reported.
A prototype manufacturing knowledge base in Syllog

This paper describes a prototype knowledge base for manufacturing planning, which we have built using a knowledge system shell called Syllog. We describe a Tester Capacity Planning and Yield Analysis task, knowledge needed for a part of the task, and the use of the knowledge in the Syllog system. We report that the sometimes difficult process of knowledge acquisition turned out, in this case, to be straightforward. Knowledge acquisition and knowledge use are done in the same language in Syllog.
A theory of shot noise in quantum wells and applications in resonant tunneling heterojunction bipolar transistors

Some semiclassical arguments are presented to show that the noise associated with the current through a resonant tunnel (RT) diode is reduced by the feedback through the modulation of the barriers by the space charge in the well, and at high frequencies by the reduction in the velocity spread. Theoretical calculations of shot noise are carried out on a double-barrier, one-well structure. The results show that the noise power is a function of the energy bandwidth of the transmitted electrons and that the noise may be significantly reduced by the quantum wells. These results can be applied to heterojunction bipolar transistors that contain a quantum well, and it is shown that these resonant tunneling heterojunction bipolar transistors (RTHBTs) should have a lower noise figure than homojunction transistors. >
A Role for the Actin Cytoskeleton of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Bipolar Bud-Site Selection

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells select bud sites according to one of two predetermined patterns. MATa and MATα cells bud in an axial pattern, and MATa/α cells bud in a bipolar pattern. These budding patterns are thought to depend on the placement of spatial cues at specific sites in the cell cortex. Because cytoskeletal elements play a role in organizing the cytoplasm and establishing distinct plasma membrane domains, they are well suited for positioning bud-site selection cues. Indeed, the septin-containing neck filaments are crucial for establishing the axial budding pattern characteristic of MATa and MATα cells. In this study, we determined the budding patterns of cells carrying mutations in the actin gene or in genes encoding actin-associated proteins: MATa/α cells were defective in the bipolar budding pattern, but MATa and MATα cells still exhibit a normal axial budding pattern. We also observed that MATa/α actin cytoskeleton mutant daughter cells correctly position their first bud at the distal pole of the cell, but mother cells position their buds randomly. The actin cytoskeleton therefore functions in generation of the bipolar budding pattern and is required specifically for proper selection of bud sites in mother MATa/α cells. These observations and the results of double mutant studies support the conclusion that different rules govern bud-site selection in mother and daughter MATa/α cells. A defective bipolar budding pattern did not preclude an sla2-6 mutant from undergoing pseudohyphal growth, highlighting the central role of daughter cell bud-site selection cues in the formation of pseudohyphae. Finally, by examining the budding patterns of mad2-1 mitotic checkpoint mutants treated with benomyl to depolymerize their microtubules, we confirmed and extended previous evidence indicating that microtubules do not function in axial or bipolar bud-site selection.
Face age estimation using model selection

Face age estimation is a difficult problem due to the dynamics of facial aging and its complex interactions owing to genetics and behavior factors. In this work we develop a robust age estimation system tuned by model selection that outperforms all prior systems on the FG-NET face database. We study various model selection methods systematically to determine the best selection methods among Least Angle Regression (LAR), Principle Component Analysis (PCA), and Locality Preserving Projections (LPP) for age estimation. Our performance analysis on PAL and FG-NET databases suggest that age estimation with LAR or LPP outperforms the full feature model. Furthermore, this work develops a novel operator named “graph age preserving” (GAP) to build a neighborhood graph for LPP for age estimation.
Acute appendicitis: added diagnostic value of coronal reformations from isotropic voxels at multi-detector row CT.

PURPOSE: To assess retrospectively the added value of coronal reformations from isotropic voxels obtained with 16-section multi–detector row computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. One hundred consecutive patients (21 men, 79 women; mean age, 38 years) with suspected appendicitis underwent 16-section multi–detector row CT (section thickness, 0.625 mm; pitch, 1.75; table speed, 35 mm/sec [17.5 mm per rotation, two rotations]; and gantry speed, 0.5 second per rotation), with coronal reformations. Twenty-four patients had appendicitis; 76 did not. Protocol included 150 mL oral iopamidol administered at 3 mL/sec. Transverse scans were reconstructed with 5-mm-thick sections at 5-mm intervals and 0.625-mm-thick sections at 0.625-mm intervals. The second data set was reformatted coronally, with 3-mm-thick sections at 5-mm intervals. Three ind...
Characteristics of Shock Following Acute Reduction of Cardiac Output in Dogs

A state of shock followed the acute reduction of cardiac output caused by injection of a necrotizing solution into the myocardium. Decrease in blood pressure, decrease in circulating plasma volume, increase in hematocrit readings and the effect of re-expansion of the plasma volume established the similarity of this state to other forms of shock. Pulmonary blood volume decreased concurrently with cardiac output and effective plasma volume.
Stoneflies (Plecoptera) Of Southern Utah With An Updated Checklist Of Utah Species

Southern Utah comprises 4 major physiographic divisions: the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, Central Rocky Mountains, and Southern Rocky Mountains, which have been partitioned into faunal regions. We discuss the uniqueness of southern Utah and the amount of land set aside for recreation and preservation, and we encourage the study and preservation of its water resources. The stonefly (Plecoptera) fauna of 13 counties in southern Utah was sur- veyed. We found 58 species representing 34 genera and 8 families. Three new state records for Utah and many new county records for southern Utah are presented, along with a discussion of distribution patterns and faunal affinities of each species. Distribution patterns indicate a historical connection between the Sevier River and the Colorado drainage and a separation of faunal areas within the Central Rocky Mountains at boundaries between the Wasatch Mountains, Wasatch Plateau, and the Southern High Plateau. The uniqueness of the isolated Abajo and LaSal Mountains, the Virgin River valley, and other faunal areas in southern Utah is presented.