cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thoracic Response of Belted PMHS, the Hybrid III, and the THOR-NT Mid-Sized Male Surrogates in Low-Speed, Frontal Crashes

Injury to the thorax is the predominant cause of fatalities in crash-involved automobile occupants over the age of 65, and many elderly-occupant automobile fatalities occur in crashes below compliance or consumer information test speeds. As the average age of the automotive population increases, thoracic injury prevention in lower severity crashes will play an increasingly important role in automobile safety. This study presents the results of a series of sled tests to investigate the thoracic deformation, kinematic, and injury responses of belted post mortem human surrogates (PMHS, average age 44 years) and frontal anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) in low-speed frontal crashes. Nine 29 km/h (three PMHS, three Hybrid III 50th% male ATD, three THOR-NT ATD) and three 38 km/h (one PMHS, two Hybrid III) frontal sled tests were performed to simulate an occupant seated in the right font passenger seat of a mid-sized sedan restrained with a standard (not force-limited) 3-point seatbelt. All occupants were instrumented to record deformation contours and accelerations of the thorax at multiple locations. The ATD subjects were also instrumented to record the internal deformation of the thorax via multi-point tracking systems. For the 29 km/h tests, PMHS maximum chest deflections ranged from 10% to 19% of the undeformed chest depth, and peak mid-spine accelerations ranged from 21 to 24 g. The average peak internal mid-sternal (sternum slider) deflections for the Hybrid III were 23 mm (29 km/h tests) and 30 mm (38 km/h tests). The average maximum Hybrid III sternal deflection of 23 mm measured in the 29 km/h tests corresponds to an AIS 3+ thoracic injury risk of 14% or greater for people 70 years and older. This result suggests that three-point belted elderly occupants without shoulder-belt force limiters could experience non-trivial thoracic injuries in frontal crashes that are below NHTSA's compliance and/or consumer information test severities.
Experimental annotation of the human pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum transcribed regions using high-resolution tiling arrays

The fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum is thought to be the most common cause of fungal respiratory infections in immunocompetent humans, yet little is known about its biology. Here we provide the first genome-wide studies to experimentally validate its genome annotation. A functional interrogation of the Histoplasma genome provides critical support for continued investigation into the biology and pathogenesis of H. capsulatum and related fungi. We employed a three-pronged approach to provide a functional annotation for the H. capsulatum G217B strain. First, we probed high-density tiling arrays with labeled cDNAs from cells grown under diverse conditions. These data defined 6,172 transcriptionally active regions (TARs), providing validation of 6,008 gene predictions. Interestingly, 22% of these predictions showed evidence of anti-sense transcription. Additionally, we detected transcription of 264 novel genes not present in the original gene predictions. To further enrich our analysis, we incorporated expression data from whole-genome oligonucleotide microarrays. These expression data included profiling under growth conditions that were not represented in the tiling experiment, and validated an additional 2,249 gene predictions. Finally, we compared the G217B gene predictions to other available fungal genomes, and observed that an additional 254 gene predictions had an ortholog in a different fungal species, suggesting that they represent genuine coding sequences. These analyses yielded a high confidence set of validated gene predictions for H. capsulatum. The transcript sets resulting from this study are a valuable resource for further experimental characterization of this ubiquitous fungal pathogen. The data is available for interactive exploration at http://histo.ucsf.edu .
Experimental features of the recent lateral Casimir force measurement

Some experimental features of the recent lateral Casimir force measurement are discussed. A brief experimental overview, along with the related analysis to obtain calibration constants is presented. The data show the diffraction like coherent scattering from the corrugated surfaces.
Studies on the performance of circular and elliptical z-gradient coils using a simulated annealing algorithm

Elliptical z-gradient coils with different ellipticities are optimized using a simulated annealing algorithm. This study demonstrates that when the coil ellipticity was changed from 1.0 to 1.67, the gradient strength was increased by 21% and the coil inductance was reduced by about 34%. At the same time, the gradient inhomogeneity was increased by a factor between 15 to 47%. In these examples we also observed that when the coil ellipticity was increased from 1.0 to 1.11, the gradient inhomogeneity was reduced by a factor between 16 to 19%. This study provides a quantitative assessment of the advantages and disadvantages in coil performance obtained by using elliptical z-gradient coils.
Treatment Outcomes for Women With Substance Abuse and PTSD Who Have Experienced Complex Trauma

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on a range of problems associated with complex trauma in a sample of women with comorbid substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: A total of 107 women with current or subthreshold PTSD and a current substance use disorder from an urban, low-income area were recruited from both community and clinical populations. Participants were recruited between 1997 and 2000. A quasi-experimental design was used, and participants who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (N=75) were compared with those in a control group who received no active study treatment (N=32). All participants were given the same list of community treatment resources and told that they could pursue services while participating in the study if they wished. RESULTS: At the end of treatment (three months postbaseline), compared with participants in the control group, those in the active treatment group showed significant reductions in symptom...
Observation of intense wave bursts at very low altitudes within the Venus nightside ionosphere

Intense ELF (100 Hz) bursts were detected by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter plasma wave instrument during the final operations of the spacecraft prior to atmospheric entry. These bursts were detected at approx. 130 km altitude around 0400 local time. The wave activity lasted for several tens of seconds. Furthermore the bursts were not symmetric about periapsis, unlike instrument noise caused by neutral impacts on the spacecraft. The bursts had a vertical attenuation scale height of the order 1 km, consistent with that expected for whistler-mode waves propagating through a collisional ionosphere. Since the decay of the signals appears to be due to attenuation, the source must persist for several tens of seconds. The wave bursts could therefore be the signature of electromagnetic radiation entering the bottomside ionosphere from several distant sources, as would be expected if lightning were a relatively persistent phenomenon within the Venus atmosphere.
A Theoretical Study of the Qualitative Reaction Mechanism for the Homogeneous Disproportionation of Pentavalent Uranyl Ions

Abstract There is significant interest in understanding the oxidation and reduction of aqueous uranium ions. In the literature, there is considerable variation in the results of attempts to reduce uranium depending on very small differences in reducing species, pH, spectator ions, mineral substrates, and other factors. Of particular curiosity is the fact that U(V) can be stabilized in the lab but is almost never found in the environment. In order to better understand these two phenomena, a direct computational study of homogenous, aqueous U(V) disproportionation was undertaken. Using a combination of Marcus Theory with Hartree–Fock and MP2 calculations, the rate constant of the electron-transfer reaction was calculated. Under the conditions studied, the electron-transfer reaction is slow ( k observed ∼ 10 −1 M −1 s −1 ). This reduced rate is a result of a variety of factors: the +1 charge of the reactants, the large encounter complex distance, and the electronic reorganization energies associated with the proton transfers. Excluding the energy from the coupled proton transfers, all of the remaining factors could be eliminated by small alterations of the uranium’s environment.
Brief paper: On using least-squares updates without regressor filtering in identification and adaptive control of nonlinear systems

In continuous-time system identification and adaptive control the least-squares parameter estimation algorithm has always been used with regressor filtering, which adds to the dynamic order of the identifier and affects its performance. We present an approach for designing a least-squares estimator that uses an unfiltered regressor. We also consider a problem of adaptive nonlinear control and present the first least-squares-based adaptive nonlinear control design that yields a complete Lyapunov function. The design is presented for linearly parametrized nonlinear control systems in 'normal form'. A scalar linear example is included which adds insight into the key ideas of our approach and allows showing that, for linear systems, our Lyapunov-LS design with unfiltered regressor, presented in the note for unnormalized least-squares, can also be extended to normalized least-squares.
Reduced macrophage selenoprotein expression alters oxidized lipid metabolite biosynthesis from arachidonic and linoleic acid

Uncontrolled inflammation is an underlying etiology for multiple diseases and macrophages orchestrate inflammation largely through the production of oxidized fatty acids known as oxylipids. Previous studies showed that selenium (Se) status altered the expression of oxylipids and magnitude of inflammatory responses. Although selenoproteins are thought to mediate many of the biological effects of Se, the direct effect of selenoproteins on the production of oxylipids is unknown. Therefore, the role of decreased selenoprotein activity in modulating the production of biologically active oxylipids from macrophages was investigated. Thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages were collected from wild-type and myeloid-cell-specific selenoprotein knockout mice to analyze oxylipid production by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry as well as oxylipid biosynthetic enzyme and inflammatory marker gene expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Decreased selenoprotein activity resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, enhanced cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase expression and decreased oxylipids with known anti-inflammatory properties such as arachidonic acid-derived lipoxin A₄ (LXA₄) and linoleic acid-derived 9-​oxo-octadecadienoic acid (9-oxoODE). Treating RAW 264.7 macrophages with LXA₄ or 9-oxoODE diminished oxidant-induced macrophage inflammatory response as indicated by decreased production of TNFα. The results show for the first time that selenoproteins are important for the balanced biosynthesis of pro- and anti-inflammatory oxylipids during inflammation. A better understanding of the Se-dependent control mechanisms governing oxylipid biosynthesis may uncover nutritional intervention strategies to counteract the harmful effects of uncontrolled inflammation due to oxylipids.
Preparation and characterization of well-defined Ni/SiO2 catalysts

Abstract Silica-supported nickel catalysts were prepared by three different methods of preparation including impregnation and precipitation. The nature of the precursor compounds, as well as the activation of these catalysts were studied by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. From this battery of techniques it was found that the method of preparation affects the properties of the catalysts in four ways: 1) the type of precursor metal compound deposited on the support; 2) the decomposition/reduction pathway that the metal precursor takes to the metallic state; 3) the degree of precursor-support interaction resulting from preparation and pretreatment; and 4) characteristics of the reduced catalyst including metal crystallite size and size distribution.
A Search Through the Curriculum Maze

Classroom teachers who turn to existing literature for assistance in cur riculum development activities are confronted with what these two authors call a maze of information. They review the literature and provide some guidelines for development activities.
Modeling species invasions in Ecopath with Ecosim: An evaluation using Laurentian Great Lakes models

Abstract Invasive species affect the structure and processes of ecosystems they invade. Invasive species have been particularly relevant to the Laurentian Great Lakes, where they have played a part in both historical and recent changes to Great Lakes food webs and the fisheries supported therein. There is increased interest in understanding the effects of ecosystem changes on fisheries within the Great Lakes, and ecosystem models provide an essential tool from which this understanding can take place. A commonly used model for exploring fisheries management questions within an ecosystem context is the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) modeling software. Incorporating invasive species into EwE models is a challenging process, and descriptions and comparisons of methods for modeling species invasions are lacking. We compared four methods for incorporating invasive species into EwE models for both Lake Huron and Lake Michigan based on the ability of each to reproduce patterns in observed data time series. The methods differed in whether invasive species biomass was forced in the model, the initial level of invasive species biomass at the beginning of time dynamic simulations, and the approach to cause invasive species biomass to increase at the time of invasion. The overall process of species invasion could be reproduced by all methods, but fits to observed time series varied among the methods and models considered. We recommend forcing invasive species biomass when model objectives are to understand ecosystem impacts in the past and when time series of invasive species biomass are available. Among methods where invasive species time series were not forced, mediating the strength of predator–prey interactions performed best for the Lake Huron model, but worse for the Lake Michigan model. Starting invasive species biomass at high values and then artificially removing biomass until the time of invasion performed well for both models, but was more complex than starting invasive species biomass at low values. In general, for understanding the effect of invasive species on future fisheries management actions, we recommend initiating invasive species biomass at low levels based on the greater simplicity and realism of the method compared to others.
System-of-Systems Inspired Aircraft Sizing and Airline Resource Allocation via Decomposition

The phrase "system-of-systems" describes a large system of multiple systems, each capable of independent operation, which have been brought together to provide capabilities beyond those of each individual constituent system. Formulating and solving a system-of-systems design problem has become increasingly important in the aerospace and defense industries as customers have begun to ask contractors for broad capabilities and solutions rather than for specific individual systems. Part of a system-of-systems design problem is determining the appropriate mix of both existing and yet-to-be-designed systems. Whereas determining an appropriate mix of existing systems falls into the category of resource allocation, including features of a yet-to-be-designed system complicates the problem by requiring the allocation of a variable resource. In this paper, an airline wishing to investigate how a new, yet-to-be-designed aircraft will impact the fleet operating costs provides a simple example of this type of problem. The resulting statement is a mixed-integer, nonlinear programming problem. Both a traditional approach and a new decomposition approach were used to solve the problem. The traditional approach is a mixed-integer nonlinear branch-and-bound. The decomposition approach applied to the problem is analogous to those of multidisciplinary optimization, in which there is an allocation domain and an aircraft sizing domain. When the problem size increases to the point where the traditional mixed-integer, nonlinear programming approaches cannot obtain a solution, the decomposition approach can find solutions for these larger problems. The multidisciplinary design optimization-motivated decomposition approach appears to have promise for the allocation of variable resources challenge presented by many system-of-systems design problems.
Condensation nuclei events at 30 km and possible influences of solar cosmic rays

Two recent observations have provided the basis for study of a relationship between solar activity and the formation of small particles in the earth's atmosphere; the discovery of annual increases of condensation nuclei (CN) at 30 km and the detection of sulfuric acid molecules in large negative ion clusters in the 25-35-km altitude region. These observations have led to formulation and testing of a model wherein CN are formed in a 'polar cloud chamber' supersaturated with sulfuric acid vapor and triggered by ionization associated with solar flare cosmic radiation. It is concluded that such a model provides a potential explanation of the observations.
Possible nematic order driven by magnetic fluctuations in iron pnictides

In this paper, instabilities of the isotropic metallic phase in iron pnictides are investigated. The relevant quartic fermionic interaction terms in the model are identified using phase space arguments. Using the functional integral formalism, a Hubbard-Stratonovich transformation is used to decouple these quartic terms. This procedure introduces several bosonic fields which describe the low-energy collective modes of the system. By studying the behavior of these collective modes, a possible instability is found in the forward scattering channel of the isotropic phase driven by magnetic fluctuations. Using mean field analysis, we obtain a static and homogeneous ground state. This ground state is metallic, but the electron Fermi pockets are distorted unequally at different pockets in momentum space. This results in a desirable nematic ordering which breaks the lattice ${C}_{4}$ symmetry but preserves translational symmetry and may explain several experimental observations.
"¡Quedate o Vente!": Uncovering the Determinants of Hispanic Public Opinion Toward Immigration:

Why do some Hispanic-Americans support (Vente) and others oppose (Quedate) the liberalization of immigration policies?1 In this study we attempt to ascertain which combination of demographic, attit...
THE PROPERDIN ACTIVATOR SYSTEM: A REACTION MECHANISM LEADING TO UTILIZATION OF THE CLASSICAL AND ALTERNATE PATHWAYS OF COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION

Isolation of a new enzyme, designated properdin convertase, has allowed elucidation of a new series of reactions which taken together constitute the Properdin Activator System. At 37°, zymosan activates the isolated precursor form of properdin convertase in the absence of other factors except divalent cations. The activated, properdin convertase is present in the fluid phase and will interact with purified properdin at 37° after zymosan has been removed. Separation of these two proteins by electrophoresis on 6% polyaerylamide gel at pH 8.6 shows that the properdin has now acquired a cathodal migration and will interact directly with purified native C3 to consume over 90% of its specific hemolytic activity. When the activated properdin is added to NHS, however, not only is C3 consumed but also C3 proactivator is cleaved and the specific hemolytic activity of C4 and C2 are consumed. Neither the cleavage of C3PA nor the consumption of C4 or C2 will occur in sera depleted of C3 by antibody adsorption. Since C3PA, C4 or C2 are not involved in the activation of properdin convertase or properdin, it appears that the utilization of these substances are secondary to the reactions of the properdin activator system and C3. (Supported in part by NIAMD grant AM 17376 and the N.Y.S. Kidney Disease Institute)
Two systems of reasoning: architecture and relation to emotion

Distinguishing cognitive systems that support intuition and deliberation has proven necessary to explain how people reason,1, 2 decide,3 categorize,4 form attitudes,5 make confidence6 and moral7 judgments, and prioritize goals.8 Both behavioral and neuroimaging evidence show that the evidence supports similar distinctions in each field. Deliberative processing enlists working memory, and intuitive processing depends more directly on long-term memory retrieval. One of the key unanswered questions concerns how the systems interact. The data suggest that one of the key functions of deliberation is to suppress intuition. It does not invariably succeed, however, and leakage is common. Another question concerns the relations between affect and reasoning systems. The evidence suggests that emotions are not exclusively related to the intuitive system. Instead, emotional reactions that are directly tied to the perception of objects and events (e.g., fear) are associated with intuition, emotions that arise when alternative possibilities are considered (e.g., regret) are tied to deliberation, and moods (e.g., happy, sad) influence how much each system is relied on. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Giant flux creep and irreversibility in an Y-Ba-Cu-O crystal: An alternative to the superconducting-glass model.

We report strong, anisotropic magnetic relaxation of the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetization along the principal axes of an Y-Ba-Cu-O single crystal and interpret it with a thermally activated flux-creep model. A simple scaling argument shows that high thermal activation causes magnetic irreversibilities and critical currents to drop below the threshold of detectability at a reduced temperature difference $1\ensuremath{-}t$ proportional to ${H}^{\frac{2}{3}}$, a power frequently observed in experiment and in particular in our crystal.
Cellular biometrics in the postgenomics era.

Commentary to:Establishment and characterization of a bona fide Barrett esophagus-associated adenocarcinoma cell lineHector Alvarez, Jan-Bart M. Koorstra, Seung-Mo Hong, Jurjen J. Boonstra, Winand N.M. Dinjens, Arlene A. Forastiere, Tsung-Teh Wu, Elizabeth Montgomery, James R. Eshleman, Anirban Maitra
Simulation of alternative agricultural marketing systems

Abstract A study of the current US flue-cured 2 tobacco marketing system was performed to determine the need for a new system. Computer simulation models of 13 alternative marketing systems were developed. The throughput, kg of tobacco processed in a 40-hour period, was measured. Maximum throughput predicted by the 13 models varied from 298 508 kg to 1 347 472 kg per 40-hour period. A fractional factorial experimental design was used to determine significant model factors. Statistical models were employed to isolate important factors and differences among the marketing systems studied. Two marketing systems are recommended to the US flue-cured tobacco industry for further analysis.
Graphics in business where we are and where we are going

All of us possess a naturally well-developed faculty for recognizing pattersn. Therefore, the information technology, now furnished with a new dimension in low-cost interactive graphics, is indeed ready to be of meaningful assistance in the process of decision making. How quickly its acceptance will spread among business decision makers will depend primarily upon how swiftly the inertia of habitually dealing with numbers (rather than dealing directly with implicit patterns) can be overcome. Vendors are supplying more of an end-user product today, but the situation is far from ideal; users still have to put several bits and pieces together. It is fair to assume that better quality, more efficient, and more cost-effective graphing, communications, and computational hardware will definitely be forthcoming. Also, users will find gradually more complete systems in the market. While the hardware costs will continue to decline, the software development costs are likely to keep on increasing.Hardware vendors, although in a position to amortize the software development costs over a large number of customers, are expected to keep showing reluctance at providing users with adequate applications software and the post-sales support. If the vendors are to furnish more of the end-user oriented applications software, they must be convinced of its profitability. The users can motivate vendors to concentrate on crystalization of user needs, so that they can respond with more complete products.This paper is intended to stimulate a discussion on the state of interactive graphics art and future trends, in relationship to the (business) user needs and problems. This panel member's bias is reflected above. He believes that right now the first difficult step of "getting started" needs to be taken by most users involved in the business decision-making activity, for which fairly decent products are available. The better decision support systems must be part of an evolutionary process which should be jointly embarked on by users as well as manufacturers. Neither party can do it or will try to do it alone.
Effect of the number of nucleic acid oligomer charges on the salt dependence of stability (DeltaG 37degrees) and melting temperature (Tm): NLPB analysis of experimental data.

For nucleic acid oligomers with variable chain lengths, the salt concentration ([salt]) dependences of the denaturation temperature (Tm) and of the free energy of helix formation at 37 °C (Δ ) are predicted using nonlinear Poisson−Boltzmann (NLPB) calculations. Analysis of experimental data reveals that the ratio of the [salt] derivative of melting temperature (STm = dTm/d log[salt]) to the value for a polymer with the same base composition (STm/STm,∞) is independent of base composition but strongly dependent on the number of DNA charges (|Z|) below ∼8 bp for two-strand helices (formed from association of two complementary strands) and below ∼18 bp for hairpin helices (formed from folding of one self-complementary strand). We interpret these STm/STm,∞ ratios in terms of the ratio of thermodynamic ion release from the oligomer (Δnu, per charge) to that from the same oligomer embedded in polymeric DNA (Δnu,∞, per charge). Experimental values of STm/STm,∞ and its dependence on |Z| are in good agreement with ...
A Practical Method for Real-Time Optical Imaging of Damage Zone and Microscale Failure in Bone

Bone is an extremely complex composite material with hierarchical organization ranging from the molecular level all the way up to macroscale. The damage process too evolves through this hierarchy (1). Much of the damage process of bone is well understood at the macroscale level (2); however, microscopic and submicroscopic levels of bone damage are still poorly understood.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Concentrated Powers: Unilateral Executive Authority and Fiscal Policymaking in the American States

Although executive authority is a critical element in separation of powers systems, an excessive amount is not conducive for responsible policymaking behavior. Unilateral executive powers allow elected executives to pursue policies consistent with their short-term electoral incentives. This proposition is tested by analyzing the relationship between the exercise of unilateral executive control over fiscal policymaking and fiscal-spending growth in the American states. The empirical evidence reveals that exercising some amount of unconstrained policymaking authority with a unitary elected executive promotes higher fiscal-spending growth. These effects systematically vary between Democratic and Republican governors. Specifically, fiscal-spending growth under Democratic governors reaches its apex when they possess either unilateral control over revenue forecasts or budget formulation, whereas, unilateral control over both policymaking tools yields the greatest fiscal-spending growth under Republican governor...
Mutiny and nonviolence in the Arab Spring: Exploring military defections and loyalty in Egypt, Bahrain, and Syria

Recent studies of civil resistance indicate that security force defections can heavily influence the outcome of nonviolent uprisings against authoritarian regimes. Yet we know little about why, whe...
Sexuality and aging in male veterans: a cross-sectional study of interest, ability, and activity.

To gather data on sexuality, specifically in male veterans, and to test the hypothesis that aged males remain interested in sexual intercourse yet suffer from erectile failure, veterans age 30 to 99 were surveyed. The mailed survey had 88 questions and was pretested on young potent males and aged impotent males. From 1031 randomly selected subjects, there were 806 replies: 427 completed surveys, 247 refusals, and 132 who were too ill to participate (225 failed to reply). Among responders, sexual interest declined from a mean of 4.4/5 (4 = very interested, 5 = extremely interested) in men age 30–39 years to 2.0/5 (2 = slightly interested) in men age 90–99 (p < 0.0001). Vaginal intercourse was consistently the preferred sexual activity; however, intercourse frequency was diminished from a mean of once per week in 30- to 39-year-olds to once per year in 90- to 99-year-olds (p < 0.0001). Frequency, rigidity, and duration of erections were less in aged compared to younger cohorts (p < 0.0001). With these facts in mind, further research to bridge the libido-potency gap is warranted.
Development of a novel clinical scoring system for on-farm diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease in pre-weaned dairy calves

Several clinical scoring systems for diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves have been proposed. However, such systems were based on subjective judgment, rather than statistical methods, to weight scores. Data from a pair-matched case-control study on a California calf raising facility was used to develop three novel scoring systems to diagnose BRD in preweaned dairy calves. Disease status was assigned using both clinical signs and diagnostic test results for BRD-associated pathogens. Regression coefficients were used to weight score values. The systems presented use nasal and ocular discharge, rectal temperature, ear and head carriage, coughing, and respiratory quality as predictors. The systems developed in this research utilize fewer severity categories of clinical signs, require less calf handling, and had excellent agreement (Kappa > 0.8) when compared to an earlier scoring system. The first scoring system dichotomized all clinical predictors but required inducing a cough. The second scoring system removed induced cough as a clinical abnormality but required distinguishing between three levels of nasal discharge severity. The third system removed induced cough and forced a dichotomized variable for nasal discharge. The first system presented in this study used the following predictors and assigned values: coughing (induced or spontaneous coughing, 2 points), nasal discharge (any discharge, 3 points), ocular discharge (any discharge, 2 points), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C or 102.5°F, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized "BRD positive" if their total score was ≥4. This system correctly classified 95.4% cases and 88.6% controls. The second presented system categorized the predictors and assigned weights as follows: coughing (spontaneous only, 2 points), mild nasal discharge (unilateral, serous, or watery discharge, 3 points), moderate to severe nasal discharge (bilateral, cloudy, mucoid, mucopurlent, or copious discharge, 5 points), ocular discharge (any discharge, 1 point), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized "BRD positive" if their total score was ≥4. This system correctly classified 89.3% cases and 92.8% controls. The third presented system used the following predictors and scores: coughing (spontaneous only, 2 points), nasal discharge (any, 4 points), ocular discharge (any, 2 points), ear and head carriage (ear droop or head tilt, 5 points), fever (≥39.2°C, 2 points), and respiratory quality (abnormal respiration, 2 points). Calves were categorized "BRD positive" if their total score was ≥5. This system correctly classified 89.4% cases and 90.8% controls. Each of the proposed systems offer few levels of clinical signs and data-based weights for on-farm diagnosis of BRD in dairy calves.
Progressive, continuum grasping in cluttered space

Continuum manipulators, inspired by invertebrate structures in nature, such as octopus arms and elephant trunks, do not contain rigid links, can deform, and are passively compliant, which make them particularly flexible for manipulation in cluttered space. A key open issue here is how to make such a manipulator autonomously grasp an object in cluttered space, especially if the object cannot be completely seen or known before being grasped. In this paper, we address this issue by introducing an approach that enables a multi-section continuum manipulator to probe an object with its tip while gradually form a whole-arm, force-closure grasp by following closely the contour of the probed object. This real-time approach is both effective and efficient for grasping an object in a cluttered space, as evident from the test examples.
Coatings and clusters of carboxylic acids in carbon-containing atmospheric particles from spectromicroscopy and their implications for cloud-nucleating and optical properties

Particle shape and distribution of chemical compounds within individual particles are implied in the parameterizations used in air quality and climate models for radiative transfer, volatility, and mass transfer. In this study we employ Scanning Transmission X-Ray Microscopy with Near-Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy with image analysis and pattern recognition techniques to characterize the chemical structure of 636 particles collected on six field campaigns in the western hemisphere between 2004 and 2008. Many of the particles were chemically heterogeneous. A few observed types include black carbon particles covered by aqueous-phase components (n = 90), dust particles with organic clumps (106), organic particles enriched in carboxylic acid at the surface (54), and inorganic cores encapsulated by organic shells (10). The 90 particles in the first category collectively contained 95 regions showing a strong black-carbon spectral signature associated with the aqueous-phase components, of which 78 were between 0.1 and 1 mm. Organic mass fraction of the organic dust particles varied significantly (mean and standard deviation of 0.3 +/- 0.2), and over half of these dust particles were found to be nearly spherical. Thickness of acid-enriched coatings and carbon on inorganic cores were less than 0.6 mu m in most cases, but accounted for < 0.01 to 0.98 of the particle volume fraction. More than half of the identified organic particles (359) were found to be chemically heterogeneous, and 32 particles were observed as agglomerations or inclusions but did not meet one or more of the criteria of the categories described here. The acidic coatings on black carbon are calculated to have a significant impact on the critical supersaturation of these particles. The measured distribution of aspect ratios of dust and other particles in our samples ranged nonuniformly between 1.0 and 4.6 with a mean of 1.4, which can affect assessment of extinction-to-backscatter ratios over the case where spherical geometry is assumed.
Bcl10 can promote survival of antigen-stimulated B lymphocytes.

To understand the nature of negative responses through the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR), we have screened an expression cDNA library for the ability to block BCR-induced growth arrest and apoptosis in the immature B-cell line, WEHI-231. We isolated multiple copies of full-length, unmutated Bcl10, a signaling adaptor molecule encoded by a gene found to translocate to the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus in some mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. A conditionally active form of B-cell lymphoma 10 (Bcl10) protected WEHI-231 cells from BCR-induced apoptosis upon activation. Induction of Bcl10 activity caused rapid activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. These results support genetic and biochemical experiments that have implicated Bcl10 and its binding partners Carma1 and MALT1 in mediating the ability of the BCR to activate NF-κB. The ability of Bcl10 expression to prevent BCR-induced growth arrest and apoptosis of WEHI-231 cells was dependent on NF-κB activation. Finally, overexpression of Bcl10 in primary B cells activated ex vivo promoted the survival of these cells after removal of activating stimuli. Taken together these results support the hypothesis that enhanced BCL10 expression caused by translocation to the IGH locus can promote formation of MALT lymphomas. (Blood. 2005;106:2105-2112)
Effect of Temperature on Survival of Northern Pike Embryos and Yolk-sac Larvae

Abstract Experiments were conducted to examine the effect of water temperature and handling procedure on the percentage hatch of known-age northern pike (Esox lucius) embryos and on survival of the yolk-sac larvae. Embryos and larvae were incubated at constant temperatures from 3 to 24°C. The hatching temperature range was 3.1 to 20.9°C and lethal temperatures were 3 and 24°C. Optimum hatching range was 6.2 to 20.9°C and maximum hatch occurred at 9 to 15°C. The age of the embryo before temperature change and the test temperatures both had a significant effect on percentage hatch. Temperature had the greatest adverse effect on percentage hatch during the first 5 h of development. There was no significant difference in the number of embryos hatching when comparing those that developed for 5 h before temperature change with those that developed 12, 24, and 48 h before change. There was a significant increase in hatch for embryos that had developed 120 h before change. The type of temperaturxe change (shock o...
Capturing a Layer Response during the Curing of Stabilized Earthwork Using a Multiple Sensor Lightweight Deflectometer

AbstractThe lightweight deflectometer (LWD) is a portable device that measures surface deflections and applied force, from which dynamic stiffness and elastic modulus can be estimated. The inclusion of radial offset sensors with LWD testing, referred to here as multiple sensor LWD testing, stemmed from the well-established falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing method. However, little research exists in the literature addressing LWD use on stabilized or lightly bound layers with multiple sensors, or exploring the applicability of backcalculating/isolating layer moduli from multiple sensor LWD tests. To this end, over 200 multiple sensor LWD tests on stabilized base materials were performed at five sites and rigorously analyzed to determine if the test could capture growth in stabilized base stiffness while the underlying subgrade layer remained unchanged. Deflection results demonstrate that the LWD test is capable of detecting changes in the stiffness of the stabilized base material during curing as i...
"Preflight Checklists" for diagnosis: a personal experience

As physicians, we take pride in our ability to generate, from memory, a complete differential diagnosis for our patients' presenting symptoms. We expect this of ourselves and our trainees, but we do not do it reliably. Studies have found that the most common cause of diagnostic error is the physician's failure to consider the correct diagnosis as a possibility. Other professionals, like airline pilots and nuclear plant operators, have accepted the fallibility of their memories and have learned how to ensure reliable completion of critical tasks by using checklists. But our culture in medicine glorifies physicians who complete the critical task of diagnosis using their memories and disparages those who cheat by referring to a list. Recent studies have supported the use of checklists in the operating room and intensive care unit, but so far they have not been used to make diagnosis more reliable. This essay explores a possible use for differential-diagnosis checklists by describing the author's experience with them in a primary care clinic.
Prostacyclin production after treatment of rat liver cells with tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate is mediated by a phorbol-ester-stimulated intermediate

Abstract The prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) production in rat liver cells by treatment by N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is not dependent upon the simultaneous presence of both ligands. Preincubation of the rat liver cells with TPA followed by addition of TPCK, as well as preincubation of the cells with TPCK followed by addition of TPA, results in PGI 2 production. Maximum production is found after a 10 min incubation with TPA or after a 120 min incubation with TPCK. Preincubation with TPA for longer than 10 min or preincubation with TPCK for longer than 2 h results in reduced stimulation of PGI 2 production. Dexamethasone does not eliminate the effects of either preincubation or simultaneous addition of TPCK and TPA. EGTA does not affect either preincubation reaction but does completely inhibit PGI 2 production after simultaneous addition of the agents. Preincubation of the cells for 30 min with aspirin completely inhibits the TPCK-TPA-stimulated PGI 2 synthesis. The PGI 2 production following exogenous addition of arachidonic acid to the cells is unaffected by prior treatment of the cells with TPA, TPCK, or TPA plus TPCK. Taken together the data suggest that TPA stimulates the production of an intermediate which activates a Ca 2+ -dependent phospholipase activity. The intermediate is inactivated by a protease which is inhibited by the SH-reactive agent TPCK. The released arachidonic acid is oxygenated by the constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase (prostaglandin H synthase-1).
Community Approaches to the Siting of Psychiatric Housing

This article examines community planning and communications approaches used by mental health housing organizations in the siting process for community-based psychiatric housing. Drawing on interviews with housing administrators in 7 states, it assesses variations in the approach, content, timing, and modes of agency communications with community leaders, neighbors, and local citizens, and the association of these communications methods with initial and longer-term community responses to the site. The study provides evidence to inform practice for the development of community approaches to the siting of psychiatric housing.
Symmetric contact and sliding interface algorithms for intense impulsive loading computations

This paper presents symmetric contact and sliding interface algorithms for intense impulsive loading computations due to high velocity impact and explosive detonation. These algorithms are presented for both 2D and 3D geometry, and they include the effect of friction. These algorithms can be used in a fully automatic mode, where the user is not required to input the sliding interfaces, or they can be used with user specified interfaces. Also included are the interface determination algorithms and the searching algorithms. These algorithms are an extension of an earlier 2D algorithm that is dependent on the order that the interface nodes are processed. The new symmetric algorithms are not order-dependent. In addition to providing more accurate computations, the new symmetric algorithms are better suited for parallel processing.
Coordinate changes in drug resistance and drug-induced conformational transitions in altered-function mutants of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein.

The MDR1 P-glycoprotein (Pgp), responsible for a clinically important form of multidrug resistance in cancer, is an ATPase efflux pump for multiple lipophilic drugs. The G185V mutation near transmembrane domain 3 of human Pgp increases its relative ability to transport several drugs, including etoposide, but decreases the transport of other substrates. MDR1 cDNA with the G185V substitution was used in a function-based selection to identify mutations that would further increase Pgp-mediated resistance to etoposide. This selection yielded the I186N substitution, adjacent to G185V. Pgps with G185V, I186N, or both mutations were compared to the wild-type Pgp for their ability to confer resistance to different drugs in NIH 3T3 cells. In contrast to the differential effects of G185V, I186N mutation increased resistance to all the tested drugs and augmented the effect of G185V on etoposide resistance. The effects of the mutations on conformational transitions of Pgp induced by different drugs were investigated u...
Phase stabilization system for holographic optical data processing.

Routine passive techniques such as temperature and air current control are frequently not adequate to provide interference fringe stabilization in holographic optical data processing experiments. A successful active phase stabilization system that can be adapted to a variety of experimental configurations is described. It utilizes a synchronous lock-in amplifier and an electrooptic phase modulator to provide real-time stabilization of the interference fringe pattern. Both a video detection method and a direct optical detection method are experimentally evaluated in conjunction with the phase stabilization system.
Nano-biosensor development for bacterial detection during human kidney infection: use of glycoconjugate-specific antibody-bound gold NanoWire arrays (GNWA)

Infectious disease, commonly caused by bacterial pathogens, is now the world's leading cause of premature death and third overall cause behind cardiovascular disease and cancer. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), caused by E. coli bacteria, is a very common bacterial infection, a majority in women (85%) and may result in severe kidney failure if not detected quickly. Among hundreds of strains the bacteria, E. coli 0157:H7, is emerging as the most aggressive one because of its capability to produce a toxin causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) resulting in death, especially in children. In the present study, a project has been undertaken for developing a rapid method for UTI detection in very low bacteria concentration, applying current knowledge of nano-technology. Experiments have been designed for the development of biosensors using nano-fabricated structures coated with elements such as gold that have affinity for biomolecules. A biosensor is a device in which a biological sensing element is either intimately connected to or integrated within a transducer. The basic principle for the detection procedure of the infection is partly based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system. Anti-E. coli antibody-bound Gold Nanowire Arrays (GNWA) prepared on anodized porous alumina template is used for the primary step followed by binding of the bacteria containing specimen. An alkaline phosphatase-conjugated second antibody is then added to the system and the resultant binding determined by both electrochemical and optical measurements. Various kinds of GNWA templates were used in order to determine the one with the best affinity for antibody binding. In addition, an efficient method for enhanced antibody binding has been developed with the covalent immobilization of an organic linker Dithiobissuccinimidylundecanoate (DSU) on the GNWA surface. Studies have also been conducted to optimize the antibody-binding conditions to the linker-attached GNWA surfaces for their ability to detect bacteria in clinical concentrations.