cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of factors influencing release of solid drug dispersed in inert matrices. II. Quantitation of procedures.

Recently a number of factors governing the rate of release of drug from plastic matrices were investigated. This study showed that while the experimental results were. Generally in agreement with Higuchi's relationship, they were not always quantitative. The present paper describes a refined experimental procedure for quantitatively studying the various factors. Matrix porosities are determined in two ways so that available and inaccessible pores can be differentiated. Difision coefficients are independently determined. The matrix tortuosity can now be quantitatively determined independently of the solid drug release rate data. In addition to these experimental refinements, the limitations of the theory are reviewed and some useful modifications proposed.
Histamine H1- and H2-receptors in the cat and their roles during alveolar hypoxia

We sought to define the roles of H1-and H2-receptors in the cat and to evaluate the roles of these receptors during alveolar hypoxia. In pentobarbital anesthetized cats, we found that histamine infusion (1.1 microgram/kg/min for 3 min) increased cardiac output and decreased pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances. However, when cardiac output was held constant, histamine infusion induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. Histamine infusions after H1-and H2-receptor blockade (chlorpheniramine and metiamde, respctively) indicated that H2-receptors mediated systemic vasodilatation. In the lung, H1-receptors mediated vasoconstriction, and H2-receptors mediated vasodilatation. Hypoxia (10% O2) caused large increases in pulmonary vascular resistance which were not blocked by H1-, H2-, or combined H1- and H2-receptor blockade. In the intact cat, histamine does not appear to mediate hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.
Effect of nucleotides and other inhibitors on the inactivation of glutamate decarboxylase.

: The effects of 17 nucleotides and nucleotide analogs and 11 other compounds on the glutamate-promoted inactivation of brain glutamate decarboxylase were examined. Among the nucleotides, the major determinant of potency was the polyphosphate chain, Glutamate-promoted inactivation was strongly enhanced by low concentrations (<100 μM) of adenosine tetraphosphate and all eight nucleoside triphosphates tested. Nucleoside diphosphates enhanced inactivation, but were much less effective than the nucleoside triphosphates; nucleoside monophosphates were not effective. Modification of the polyphosphate chain of the nucleoside triphosphates also affected potency; adenylylimidodiphosphate and α,β-methylene ATP were about as effective as nucleoside diphosphates, but α,β-methylene ATP was nearly as effective as ATP. The nucleoside base had only a small effect on potency; purine nucleotides were more potent than pyrimidine nucleotides, and one nucleotide with a tricyclic base, 1, N6-etheno ATP, was as effective as the purine nucleoside triphosphates. The 2′-hydroxyl group of ribose was unimportant, since deoxy ATP was as effective as ATP. Three nonnucleotide polyanions were strong promoters of inactivation; inositol hexasulfate and 5-phosphorylribose 1-pyrophosphate were at least as effective as ATP; inositol hexaphosphate (phytate) was as effective as the nucleoside diphosphates. These results suggest that a major determinant of potency was a strong negative charge on the molecule. Negative charge was not sufficient, however, since fructose 1,6-bisphosphate did not promote inactivation. Inactivation by all of these compounds was slow, requiring more than 20 min for full effect. Two competitive inhibitors, chloride and glutarate, acted immediately and also reduced rather than enhanced glutamate-promoted inactivation.
Adriamycin tolerance in human mesothelioma lines and cell surface NADH oxidase.

Abstract Adriamycin tolerant human mesothelioma cell lines derived from a single tumor prior to either chemotherapy or radiation therapy and a susceptible cell line were investigated. Not only was growth resistant to low doses of adriamycin but an unusual pattern of resistance was encountered in which cells seemed to better tolerate high adriamycin doses than intermediate doses. The differential growth susceptibility of the tolerant lines compared to A549 lung carcinoma and the bimodal dose response correlated with differences in the specific activity of a plasma membrane-associated NADH oxidase (NOX). Plasma membrane fractions of high purity were isolated by aqueous two-phase partition and assayed directly. The NADH oxidase activity of the plasma membranes for the susceptible cell line was maximally inhibited by 1 μM adriamycin whereas the NADH oxidase activity of the tolerant lines was less and was maximally inhibited by 0.1 μM adriamycin with 1 and 10 μM adriamycin being less inhibitory than 0.1 μM adriamycin. The findings suggest a relationship between the growth response to adriamycin of the adriamycin tolerant mesothelioma lines and the activity of the plasma membrane-associated NADH oxidase activity of the cell surface in these cell lines.
Heart norepinephrine content in iron deficiency anemia

Abstract Rat heart norepinephrine (NE) content is significantly diminished and NE fractional turnover is decreased by dietary iron deficiency anemia at the same time that left ventricle size nearly doubles ( Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 193 :306–312, 1990). To determine if this low NE content is due to a) impaired synthesis per se, or b) mismatching of synthesis relative to adrenergic impulse traffic; we performed several experiments in which nerve traffic was altered through the use of a ganglionic blocking drug. In addition, we examined tyrosine hydroxylase activity both in vivo and in vitro. Heart NE concentration was 50% less than normal in the hypertrophied iron-deficient hearts (146 ± 59 versus 481 ± 72 ng NE/g). Ganglionic blockade for three hours resulted in similar elevations in NE contents in both dietary treatments. Pharmacologic inhibition of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase resulted in similar rates of dihydroxy phenyl alanine (DOPA) accumulation in hearts of anemic and control rats demonstrating equivalent in vivo tyrosine hydroxylase activities. In addition, in vitro tyrosine hydroxylase activity was similar. These findings demonstrate that norepinephrine synthesis per se is not defective in the iron-deficient heart but may still be limited in its capacity to match the demands of higher sympathetic activity.
Retinocortical processing of spatial patterns

This study is an attempt to understand the major functions of early vision by considering how various components cooperate in preparing visual information to organize our perceptions of the world around us. To this end, and with the cooperation of SRI's Machine Vision Group, we have assembled some of these functions in a computational working model, which can graphically display the spatial structure of the information at a given stage of the visual process, in the form of a two-dimensional intensity array (or "image"). The development of such a capability should facilitate the study and comparison of retinal and cortical inputs and outputs of spatial information. The individual components of the model are well known, and the relations among them are based on available data from the literature. However, two aspects of this study seem novel. One is the exploitation of powerful, state-of-the-art tools of computational vision, such as Symbolics 3600-series LISP machines, to create and display our results. These tools were developed primarily for artificial intelligence purposes; they have rarely been used for basic studies in human vision. Another important novelty is the combination, into a single, integrated emulation, of the following properties of the visual process: . Inhomogeneous filtering by retinal receptive fields. . Re-mapping of visual space by the retinocortical projection. . Image analysis by receptive fields of the striate cortex. . Multiple fixations of a single scene. Each of these mechanisms has been studied in detail previously, but they have scarcely been interrelated. Taking a different approach, we use a relatively broad-brush description of each to study how they could all behave in concert.
Ibadan modernism: Poetry and the literary present in mid-century Nigeria

This article traces the early careers of Nigerian writers educated in the 1950s at University College, Ibadan, through the appearance of their poetry in student magazines and limited-edition collec...
Methemoglobinemia from isobutyl nitrite preparations

Ingestion of preparations containing isobutyl nitrite can lead to rapidly fatal methemoglobinemia. We report the cases of three patients presenting with methemoglobinemia secondary to ingestion or inhaling the contents of an over-the-counter room odorizer preparation containing isobutyl nitrite. The condition was treated successfully with administration of intravenous methylene blue.
Universal Denoising of Continuous Amplitude Signals with Applications to Images

We consider the problem of image denoising wherein the statistical characterization of the noise corruption mechanism is known. We make no assumptions on the nature or statistics of the underlying noise-free signal. A denoiser is proposed which, although ignorant of the statistical properties of the noise-free image, does essentially as well as a scheme with full knowledge of the statistics. The solution is presented as a sequence of schemes that progressively consider larger neighborhoods (contexts) around a pixel being denoised, to achieve optimum performance under a user-defined distortion measure.
Cosmical‐terrestrial studies began before 1850

Cliver [1994], in his very interesting and informative article on solar-terrestrial connections, states that the origin of these studies is generally traced to Sabine's 1852 article relating geomagnetic activity and sunspots. This statement is true as regards the subsequent proliferation of studies in modern times. Proposals of solar-terrestrial connections, however, can be traced back to much earlier times.
Ethnic differences in coronary calcification: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Background— There is substantial evidence that coronary calcification, a marker for the presence and quantity of coronary atherosclerosis, is higher in US whites than blacks; however, there have been no large population-based studies comparing coronary calcification among US ethnic groups. Methods and Results— Using computed tomography, we measured coronary calcification in 6814 white, black, Hispanic, and Chinese men and women aged 45 to 84 years with no clinical cardiovascular disease who participated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The prevalence of coronary calcification (Agatston score >0) in these 4 ethnic groups was 70.4%, 52.1%, 56.5%, and 59.2%, respectively, in men (P<0.001) and 44.6%, 36.5%, 34.9%, and 41.9%, respectively, (P<0.001) in women. After adjustment for age, education, lipids, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, treatment for hypercholesterolemia, gender, and scanning center, compared with whites, the relative risks for having coronary calcification ...
An experimental study on the effect of chloride penetration on moisture diffusion in concrete

Chloride penetration and moisture diffusion are two important transport processes for studying the long-term durability of concrete. The chloride penetration and moisture transfer in concrete are considered as two coupled transport processes. An experimental study was conducted for determining the related material parameters in the coupled transport processes. For the coupled moisture diffusion, we consider that the total moisture fluxJ H t is resulted from two driving forces: the gradient of moistureH, and the gradient of free chlorideC f , that is,J H t =−D H-H grad(H)−D H-Cl grad(C f′ ). In this formulation, two transport parameters are involved: the moisture diffusion coefficientD H-H and the coupled moisture diffusion coefficient due to chloride diffusionD H-Cl . A seepage test was designed specifically for determining the two transport parameters. The test data showed that the chloride penetration accelerates the moisture diffusion significantly. The two transport parameters were determined using the present test data. The result showed thatD H-Cl is not a constant, but depends linearly on the free chloride concentration.
Simplifying Causal Complexity: How Interactions Between Modes of Causal Induction and Information Availability Lead to Heuristic‐Driven Reasoning

— This article considers a set of well-researched default assumptions that people make in reasoning about complex causality and argues that, in part, they result from the forms of causal induction that we engage in and the type of information available in complex environments. It considers how information often falls outside our attentional frame such that covariation falls short, mechanisms can be nonobvious, and the testimony that others offer is typically subject to the same constraints as our own perceptions. It underscores the importance of multiple modes of causal induction used in support of one another when discerning and teaching about causal complexity. It considers the importance of higher order reflection on the nature of causality that recognizes the challenging features of complex causality and how it interacts with human causal cognition.
Experiences of Racism and the Incidence of Adult-Onset Asthma in the Black Women’s Health Study

Background Chronic stress resulting from experiences of racism may increase the incidence of adult-onset asthma through effects on the immune system and the airways. We conducted prospective analyses of the relation of experiences of racism with asthma incidence in the Black Women's Health Study, a prospective cohort of black women in the United States followed since 1995 with mailed biennial questionnaires. Methods Among 38,142 participants followed from 1997 to 2011, 1,068 reported incident asthma. An everyday racism score was created based on five questions asked in 1997 and 2009 about the frequency in daily life of experiences of racism (eg, poor service in stores), and a lifetime racism score was based on questions about racism on the job, in housing, and by police. We used Cox regression models to derive multivariable incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% CIs for categories of each racism score in relation to incident asthma. Results The IRRs were 1.45 (95% CI, 1.19-1.78) for the highest compared with the lowest quartile of the 1997 everyday racism score (P for trend Conclusions Given the high prevalence of experiences of racism and asthma in black women in the United States, a positive association between racism and asthma is of public health importance.
Effects of Precooling Turbine Cooling Air on Engine Performance

Approaches to improving gas turbine cycle efficiency by cooling the compressor discharge air used for turbine cooling are explored. From a turbine cycle standpoint, cooling the coolant air can improve cycle efficiency. A significant improvement in specific fuel consumption is achieved by raising the turbine rotor inlet temperature, and engine pressure ratio. Precooling compressor discharge air can enable rotor inlet temperature to increase up to 100 K at the same rotor cooling flow rate ratio. The efficiency gains from a 100 K rise in rotor inlet temperature translated into a fuel savings of 400 kg for a mission length of 5450 km. This fuel savings means about a 1200 kg savings in CO2 production. Compressor discharge air that passes through a heat exchanger may not have enough pressure to prevent hot gas ingestion through the cooling holes of the high pressure turbine stator. A stator analysis assuming a mixture of precooled and uncooled compressor discharge air showed only a 50 K rise in rotor inlet temperature due to precooling at the same cooling flow rate ratio.© 2009 ASME
Anxiety Level Modification by Cognitive Style Matching.

Abstract This study addresses the need to reduce student anxiety to levels that are productive, rather than destructive. Student cognitive styles are matched to the cognitive style of the instructional mode to see if student anxiety levels are reduced. A review of the literature indicates that while mild anxiety might serve as a stimulus to learning, high anxiety is debilitating. The subjects, 51 freshman students, were enrolled in an audiotutorial life science course at Oakland Community College, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The measurement instruments employed included the Cognitive Style Diagnostic Test Battery and the State—Trait Anxiety Inventory. Hypotheses were tested using the Kolmogorov—Smirnov analysis of variance and the two-sample chi-square at the .05 alpha level. High A-trait students with cognitive styles matched to the cognitive style of the instructional mode tend to have greater reduction of A-state anxiety levels than do nonmatched students. Students with cognitive styles matched to the ...
Significance of AIC differences for precipitation intensity distributions

Chain dependent models for daily precipitation typically model the occurrence process as a Markov chain and the precipitation intensity process using one of several probability distributions. It has been argued that the mixed exponential distribution is a superior model for the rainfall intensity process, since the value of its information criterion (Akaike information criterion or Bayesian information criterion) when fit to precipitation data is usually less than the more commonly used gamma distribution. The differences between the criterion values of the best and lesser models are generally small relative to the magnitude of the criterion value, which raises the question of whether these differences are statistically significant. Using a likelihood ratio statistic and nesting the gamma and mixed exponential distributions in a parent distribution, we show indirectly that generally the superiority of the mixed exponential distribution over the gamma distribution for modeling precipitation intensity is statistically significant. Comparisons are also made with a common-a gamma model, which are less informative.
Characterization of one-dimensional capacitive micromachined ultrasonic immersion transducer arrays

We report on the characterization of 1D arrays of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUT). A 275/spl times/5600 /spl mu/m 1D CMUT array element is experimentally characterized, and the results are found to be in agreement with theoretical predictions. As a receiver, the transducer has a 0.28-fm//spl radic/Hz displacement sensitivity, and, as a transmitter, it produces 5 kPa/V of output pressure at the transducer surface at 3 MHz with a DC bias of 35 V. The transducer has more than 100% fractional bandwidth around 3 MHz, which makes it suitable for ultrasound imaging. The radiation pattern of isolated single elements, as well as those of array elements are measured, and two major sources of acoustical crosstalk are identified. A weakly dispersive non-leaky interface wave (Stoneley wave) is observed to be propagating at the silicon substrate-fluid interface at a speed close to the speed of sound in the fluid. This wave causes internal reflections, spurious resonance, and radiation from the edges of the silicon substrate. The large lateral component of the particle velocity generated by the membranes at the edge of the cMUT array elements is found to be the source of this interface wave. Lowest order Lamb waves in the silicon substrate are also found to contribute to the crosstalk between elements. These waves are excited at the edges of individual vibrating membranes, where they are anchored to the substrate, and result in a narrowing of the beam profile of the array elements. Several methods, such as trench isolation and wafer thinning, are proposed and implemented to modify the acoustical cross coupling between array elements.
Hypothermia and localized cold injuries

Hypothermia and localized cold injuries are largely preventable with proper preparation for activities in cold environments. Proficient field management is crucial to the final outcome in terms of function and viability because proper care is vital to preventing exacerbation of the initial exposure and injury. Rapid rewarming is optimal when further cold exposure can be avoided reliably. Repetitive freeze-thaw cycles are associated with increased morbidity and tissue loss caused by progressive microvascular injury and thrombosis. The subsequent care is largely supportive and consists of wound care and physical and hydrotherapy to promote optimal functional recovery.
Nuclear Receptors for 3,5,3′-Triiodothyronine in Human Liver and Kidney: Characterization, Quantitation, and Similarities to Rat Receptors*

ABSTRACT Studies were undertaken to compare the T3-specific nuclear receptors from the liver and kidney of man and rat. Human liver was obtained from two male accident victims. Human kidney was taken from grossly normal areas of surgical specimens removed because of ureteral obstruction (n = 3) or hypernephroma (n = 2). Rat liver and kidney were obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 150-250 g. Nuclei were purified through 2.4 M sucrose by methods previously described. Maximum binding capacity and affinity constants (Ka) were determined by incubation of whole nuclei at 37 C for 30 min with increasing concentrations of [125I]T3. Both rat and human tissues exhibited a single class of binding sites with a Ka of approximately 1 × 109 M-1. The maximal binding capacities of the same tissue from both species were very similar (expressed as nanograms of T3 per mg DNA): human liver, 0.68; rat liver, 0.76; human kidney, 0.24; and rat kidney, 0.26. Endogenous T3 specifically bound to the nuclear receptors was m...
The Association between Students’ Evaluation of Teaching and Grades

The results of a student evaluation of teaching instrument are analyzed for a semester of classes at a large collegiate business school, at both the graduate and undergraduate academic level. In particular, we concentrate on the relationship between responses to the instrument and student grades. The results show interesting differences, suggesting dissimilarities, especially for gender, academic level, and field. Our research suggests that academic administrators and others need be cautious when they use such data in evaluating teaching.
VE-cadherin trans-interactions modulate Rac activation and enhancement of lung endothelial barrier by iloprost

Small GTPase Rac is important regulator of endothelial cell (EC) barrier enhancement by prostacyclin characterized by increased peripheral actin cytoskeleton and increased interactions between VE-cadherin and other adherens junction (AJ) proteins. This study utilized complementary approaches including siRNA knockdown, culturing in Ca(2+) -free medium, and VE-cadherin blocking antibody to alter VE-cadherin extracellular interactions to investigate the role of VE-cadherin outside-in signaling in modulation of Rac activation and EC barrier regulation by prostacyclin analog iloprost. Spatial analysis of Rac activation in pulmonary EC by FRET revealed additional spike in iloprost-induced Rac activity at the sites of newly formed cell-cell junctions. In contrast, disruption of VE-cadherin extracellular trans-interactions suppressed iloprost-activated Rac signaling and attenuated EC barrier enhancement and cytoskeletal remodeling. These inhibitory effects were associated with decreased membrane accumulation and activation of Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) Tiam1 and Vav2. Conversely, plating of pulmonary EC on surfaces coated with extracellular VE-cadherin domain further promoted iloprost-induced Rac signaling. In the model of thrombin-induced EC barrier recovery, blocking of VE-cadherin trans-interactions attenuated activation of Rac pathway during recovery phase and delayed suppression of Rho signaling and restoration of EC barrier properties. These results suggest that VE-cadherin outside-in signaling controls locally Rac activity stimulated by barrier protective agonists. This control is essential for maximal EC barrier enhancement and accelerated barrier recovery.
Granzyme A activates another way to die

Granzyme A (GzmA) is the most abundant serine protease in killer cell cytotoxic granules. GzmA activates a novel programed cell death pathway that begins in the mitochondrion, where cleavage of NDUFS3 in electron transport complex I disrupts mitochondrial metabolism and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS drives the endoplasmic reticulum-associated SET complex into the nucleus, where it activates single-stranded DNA damage. GzmA also targets other important nuclear proteins for degradation, including histones, the lamins that maintain the nuclear envelope, and several key DNA damage repair proteins (Ku70, PARP-1). Cells that are resistant to the caspases or GzmB by overexpressing bcl-2 family anti-apoptotic proteins or caspase or GzmB protease inhibitors are sensitive to GzmA. By activating multiple cell death pathways, killer cells provide better protection against a variety of intracellular pathogens and tumors. GzmA also has proinflammatory activity; it activates pro-interleukin-1beta and may also have other proinflammatory effects that remain to be elucidated.
Cyclosporine-Resistant, Rab27a-Independent Mobilization of Intracellular Preformed CD40 Ligand Mediates Antigen-Specific T Cell Help In Vitro

CD40L is critically important for the initiation and maintenance of adaptive immune responses. It is generally thought that CD40L expression in CD4 + T cells is regulated transcriptionally and made from new mRNA following Ag recognition. However, recent studies with two-photon microscopy revealed that most cognate interactions between effector CD4 + T cells and APCs are too short for de novo synthesis of CD40L. Given that effector and memory CD4 + T cells store preformed CD40L (pCD40L) in lysosomal compartments and that pCD40L comes to the cell surface within minutes of antigenic stimulation, we and others have proposed that pCD40L might mediate T cell-dependent activation of cognate APCs during brief encounters in vivo. However, it has not been shown that this relatively small amount of pCD40L is sufficient to activate APCs, owing to the difficulty of separating the effects of pCD40L from those of de novo CD40L and other cytokines in vitro. In this study, we show that pCD40L surface mobilization is resistant to cyclosporine or FK506 treatment, while de novo CD40L and cytokine expression are completely inhibited. These drugs thus provide a tool to dissect the role of pCD40L in APC activation. We find that pCD40L mediates selective activation of cognate but not bystander APCs in vitro and that mobilization of pCD40L does not depend on Rab27a, which is required for mobilization of lytic granules. Therefore, effector CD4 + T cells deliver pCD40L specifically to APCs on the same time scale as the lethal hit of CTLs but with distinct molecular machinery.
Left atrial enlargement: a cause of stroke?

See related research article by Bouzas-Mosquera and colleagues on page [E657][1] and at [www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.091688][2]. Although there are a variety of established risk factors for ischemic stroke and its common pathophysiologies are well known, a specific cause remains undefined
Regulating Lobbyists and Interest Group Influence

In this paper, I analyze how legislators structure their interactions with lobbyists so as to limit undue interest group influence. A simple game theoretic model is developed to show that legislators have various means by which to control lobbying activity, even in the absence of stringent lobbying regulations. The costliness of the lobbyist's signals limit the lobbyist's ability to exaggerate claims.
Characterizing nitric oxide exchange dynamics during tidal breathing: theory

Parametric characterization of nitric oxide (NO) gas exchange using a two-compartment model of the lungs is a potentially promising, non-invasive technique to characterize inflammatory lung diseases. Currently, this technique is limited to single breath maneuvers, including pre-expiratory breath-hold, which is cumbersome for children and individuals with compromised lung function. The current study extends the two-compartment model to parametric characterization of NO gas exchange from tidal breathing data. We assess the potential to estimate up to six flow-independent parameters, and study alternate breathing patterns by varying breathing frequency and inspiratory/expiratory flow rate ratio at constant alveolar ventilation rate. We identify three, easily characterized flow-independent parameters, which include maximum airway flux, steady state alveolar concentration, and airway volume (uncertainty <10%). Rapid inhalation followed by slow (long duration) exhalation facilitates estimates of all flow-independent parameters. Our results demonstrate the potential of parametric analysis of tidal breathing data to characterize NO pulmonary exchange.
A nonlinear optimization algorithm for the estimation of structure and motion parameters

A nonlinear least-squares optimization technique is proposed which uses the Levenberg-Marquardt method and estimates the motion and structure parameters to a global scale factor by minimizing an objective function. This objective function is the mean-square difference between the measured coordinates of feature points in the image plane and the coordinates predicted from the current state estimate. In comparison to existing approaches, this technique converges faster and yields better estimates. A recursive version of this algorithm is developed using the block approach. This algorithm is shown to also track eventful motion effectively. The performance of the proposed technique on real image sequences is also presented. Some performance results are indicated to illustrate the efficacy of this approach. >
Unlimited Talent: The Benefits of High-Skilled Immigrants

Technological companies are increasingly in need of talent and skills often lacking within the native workforce. If the demand for such workers cannot be met, the United States’ economic competitiveness will continue to diminish. This research focuses on high-skilled immigrants, a sub-group of immigrants characterized by entrepreneurship, innovation, and intellect. Though they are ideal candidates for the many unfilled positions in technological sectors, unreasonable policies both deter and prevent these individuals from contributing to the country. An analysis of other surveys, studies, and research reveals that certain visas can take applicants decades to obtain. Furthermore, the cause for most of the opposition towards high-skilled immigrants seems to be fueled by nativism and lack of education. Luckily, if policymakers can begin to scrutinize the issue of high-skilled immigrants in a more objective manner, solutions can be easily achieved. The examined data suggests that simply eliminating visa caps can remove many of the decade-long backlogs in a few years. In other words, this would finally ease the process of attracting and retaining the exceptional talent that will keep moving this country forward.
Analytical model for planar tube hydroforming: Prediction of formed shape, corner fill, wall thinning, and forming pressure

An analytical model for planar tube hydroforming based on deformation theory has been developed. This analytical model can be used to predict hydroformed shape, corner fill, wall thinning, and forming pressure. As the model is based on a mechanistic approach with bending effects included, local strain and stress distribution across the wall thickness can be determined. This includes strain and stress distributions for the outer layer, inside layer, and middle layer. The model is validated using finite element analysis and tube hydroforming experiments on irregular triangular, irregular quadrilateral, and pentagonal hydroformed shapes.
Conformational study of quaternary epitope region of V1/V2 loop: influence of disulfide bonds and glycosylations

Background The HIV-1 envelope spike, which consists of a compact, heterodimeric trimer of the glycoprotein gp120 and gp41, is the sole viral target of neutralizing antibodies. The gp120 component of the viral spike is known to be heavily glycosylated, and glycosylation can affect the conformation of envelope spikes. V1/V2 variable loops of gp120 are key target regions for a number of broadly neutralizing human antibodies, such as PG9 and PG16, CH01-CH04, and PGT141-145. Two glycosylation sites (N156 and N160) have been shown by mutagenesis studies to be important in forming the PG9 and PG16 epitopes. Recently, Peter Kwong and coworkers have resolved crystal structure of V1/V2 domain of HIV-1 gp120 from strains CAP45 and ZM109 complexes with antigen-binding fragment of PG9.
Modeling the Workload-Performance Relationship

Human factors research is often focused on the mental workload that is required to perform a task or set of tasks with the goal of reducing workload to make systems easier to manage. The Improved P...
Nimodipine Improves Information Processing in Substance Abusers

We examined whether nimodipine can improve information processing in healthy drug abusers using cognitive event-related potential (ERP) methodology. Placebo and 30- and 60-mg doses of nimodipine were administered on separate days in a random double-blind design to twelve male subjects, who used cocaine and/or opiates as well as alcohol and marijuana. The subjects performed the auditory rare event monitoring (AREM) task and the paired letter version of the visual continuous performance task (CPT) before oral drug administration as well as one and two hours after drug ingestion. The EEG was recorded from 7 scalp locations. The P3 component of the ERPs to the target stimulus was reduced with repeated testing on the placebo day. The 30-mg dose of nimodipine blocked the decrease in P3, which reflects stimulus evaluation in both tasks. Chronic administration of nimodipine may alleviate the cognitive deficits observed in substance abusers during abstinence and prevent treatment relapse.
Development of an integrated GUI framework for post-disaster data fusion visualization

Dealing with fused data is a complicated task and its visualization is even more difficult to achieve with the paradigm of common georeferencing systems. This is especially true in high-level fusion visualization for situation awareness. We have developed a disaster-monitoring interface that runs in a HLA/RTI network for an earthquake simulation. Damage and recovering activities, such as casualties and ambulance routings, are presented in a GIS vector map with fast data manipulation and display control. In addition, incoming data is accumulated over time for dynamic visualization, which includes the morphing of casualty clusters. This feature is effective in keeping track of clusters so that a user can easily comprehend the trend of a situation. This paper also addresses our unique approach to the full capabilities of multiple views by the integration of a 2D and 3D display.
Review article: potential mechanisms of action of rifaximin in the management of hepatic encephalopathy and other complications of cirrhosis.

SummaryBackground Progressive gut milieu (microbiota) changes occur in patients with cirrhosis and are associated with complications [e.g. hepatic encephalopathy (HE)]. Aim To examine the role of rifaximin in the management of HE and other complications of cirrhosis, including potential mechanisms of action and the need for future studies. Methods A literature search was conducted using the keywords ‘rifaximin’, ‘hepatic encephalopathy’, ‘ascites’, ‘variceal bleeding’, ‘peritonitis’, ‘portal hypertension’, ‘portopulmonary hypertension’ and ‘hepatorenal syndrome’. Results The nonsystemic agent rifaximin reduces the risk of HE recurrence and HE-related hospitalisations in cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis, rifaximin modulates the bacterial composition of the gut microbiota without a consistent effect on overall faecal microbiota composition. However, rifaximin can impact the function or activities of the gut microbiota. For example, rifaximin significantly increased serum levels of long-chain fatty acids and carbohydrate metabolism intermediates in patients with minimal HE. Rifaximin also favourably affects serum proinflammatory cytokine and faecal secondary bile acid levels. Conclusions The gut microenvironment and associated microbiota play an important role in the pathogenesis of HE and other cirrhosis-related complications. Rifaximin's clinical activity may be attributed to effects on metabolic function of the gut microbiota, rather than a change in the relative bacterial abundance.
Metabolic and Nutritional Consequences of Infection

Generalized infectious illnesses initiate a consistent array of complex metabolic and nutritional responses in the host (Scrimshaw et al , 1968; Taylor and DeSweemer, 1973; Latham, 1975; Beisel, 1972, 1975, 1976a). The magnitude and type of nutritional losses caused by an infection reflect both the severity and duration of illness. Well-nourished individuals are generally able to withstand and recover from a brief, infection-induced loss of body constituents. In contrast, patients with chronic or severe nutritional problems, especially deficiencies of protein and calories, are likely to suffer from a series of recurrent infections. Furthermore, an infectious disease often runs an unusually virulent course in a severely malnourished patient. Because malnutrition and infection interact adversely, especially in children, the concepts of a downward spiral or vicious cycle have been used to define the unique synergistic relationship between these two widespread disease problems.
Regulation of metabolism by the innate immune system

Low-grade tissue inflammation induced by obesity can result in insulin resistance, which in turn is a key cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cells of the innate immune system produce cytokines and other factors that impair insulin signalling, which contributes to the connection between obesity and the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here, we review the innate immune cells involved in secreting inflammatory factors in the obese state. In the adipose tissue, these cells include proinflammatory adipose tissue macrophages and natural killer cells. We also discuss the role of innate immune cells, such as anti-inflammatory adipose tissue macrophages, eosinophils, group 2 innate lymphoid cells and invariant natural killer T cells, in maintaining an anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitive environment in the lean state. In the liver, both Kupffer cells and recruited hepatic macrophages can contribute to decreased hepatic insulin sensitivity. Proinflammatory macrophages might also adversely affect insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscle and pancreatic β-cell function. Finally, this Review provides an overview of the mechanisms for regulating proinflammatory immune responses that could lead to future therapeutic opportunities to improve insulin sensitivity.
Analysis of mouse intron 7 DNA sequence of the APP gene: comparison with the human homologue

Mutations in the beta-amyloid precursor protein gene (APP) cause Alzheimer disease (AD) in certain families. The mature protein (APP) exists in several different isoforms resulting from alternative splicing of the primary transcript. Several lines of evidence indicate that particular isoform(s) of APP may contribute to the etiology of AD. One of the isoforms, APP695, lacks the Kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI) domain encoded by exon 7. APP695 is expressed predominantly in neurons, whereas the KPI domain containing isoforms, APP751 and APP770, are expressed ubiquitously. The ratio of APP751/APP695 mRNA tends to increase in the brain of AD patients. Furthermore, this ratio in mouse brain is much lower than that in human brain, and mice are resistant to the spontaneous development of beta-amyloidosis. In addition, transgenic mice that develop pathological changes similar to those of AD expressed more KPI-domain containing APP mRNA than transgenic mice without the changes. Previous studies imply that the controlling elements exist in the flanking sequences of the alternatively-spliced exons. Therefore, we have determined the DNA sequences of intron 7 and made a comparison between mouse and human DNA sequences of intron 7. Mouse intron 7 shares about 50% sequence identity with the human homologue, with higher sequence identity (approximately 85%) mainly in the 5' end (approximately 250 bp) of the intron. A palindromic sequence was found in both human and mouse intron 7 and showed subtle differences in their structure between the two species. Whether this sequence plays any roles in regulating alternative splicing of exon 7 remains to be determined. Human intron 7 contains a Alu element, which possesses potential retinoic acid and thyroid hormone responsive elements that might be involved in the regulation of alternative splicing. Mouse intron 7 sequence also contains a few repeat sequences which are specific to the genome of mice and rats. Homologies shared between human and mouse intron 7 sequences may contribute to the common characteristics of neuron-specific splicing of APP in both species. The unique features of the intron may account for differences between human and mouse brain in fine tuning of alternative splicing of the APP transcript, which may lead to their different susceptibilities to beta-amyloidosis.
ON THE STRUCTURE AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF STRATOSPHERIC WATER VAPOR

Some recent results on the measurement of the mixing ratio of stratospheric water vapor are reported. The instrument uses photodissociation of water followed by fluorescence of the hydroxyl fragment (PFF). This instrument has a large signal to noise ratio at integration times of 1 second, so that potential structure and fine structure of the water mixing ratio profile can be resolved.
Software Everywhere

IEEE Security a Privacy's readers are concerned with not only security and privacy but also safety and dependability. In this issue, we focus on all four aspects of the technology we use daily.
Differences in sera of human subjects with respect to heteroagglutinins for mouse erythrocytes.

Summary and ConclusionThe performance of agglutination tests, using the blood cells of mice of 5 inbred strains and 8 types of F1 and F2 hybrid mice, have shown that human sera can be differentiated, apart from the usual intra-group reactions, by their ability to agglutinate mouse erythrocytes. The differentiation of human sera on this basis depended on the presence or absence of a specific agglutinin (Mo agglutinin). It was found to bear no specific relationship to either the A-B-0 blood groups or the Rh factor. Five of the 37 human sera tested (approximately 14%) did not contain the Mo agglutinin. Mouse erythrocytes adsorbed the Mo agglutinin but not α and β agglutinins or the rabbit cell agglutinin. Human erythrocytes of the a and β group and rabbit red cells adsorbed their specific agglutinins, but not the Mo agglutinin.
Transverse chemotactic migration of bacteria from high to low permeability regions in a dual permeability microfluidic device.

Low permeability regions such as clay lenses are difficult to remediate using conventional treatment methods. Bacterial chemotaxis (directed migration toward a contaminant source) may be helpful in...
Surveillance on iodized salt among residents in Huaning County of Yunnan Province from 2011-2012

[Objective] To understand the iodine level and consumption status of iodized salt among residents in Huaning County of Yunnan Province,and provide evidence for developing iodine deficiency disorders comprehensive control measures and ensuring the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.[Methods]Descriptive epidemiology was adopted to analyze iodized salt monitoring data of Huaning household from 2011-2012.[Results] A total of 600 samples of edible salts were tested.The iodined salt coverage rate was 98.50%.The rate of qualified iodized salt was 62.44%.The consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 61.50% and the non-iodized rate of 1.50%.[Conclusion]The iodine salt coverage rate has met the national standard for iodine deficiency disorders elimination.But both the rate of qualified iodized salt and consumption rate of qualified iodized salt did not met the national standard for iodine deficiency disorders elimination in Huaning County.It is necessary to strengthen the publicity and supervision of iodine deficiency disorders hazards,to improve the system of production,supervision and testing,so as to achieve the goal of iodine deficiency disorders elimination.
Reason Analysis of HV Bushing Explosion of a 220kV Transformer

Upon on-site strip inspection of the exploded HV busing of a 220 kV main transformer,the root cause of the explosion was deemed to be the insulation breakdown in the bushing proper.It is indicated that quality inspection during the manufacture of bushing and on-line monitoring of bushing in operation should be strengthened,so as to discover defects timely and avoid accidents.
Research on selection of perforation plan based on fuzzy multiple attribute decision making

Perforation is one of major oil and gas well completion methods.Different perforation parameters have different influences on oil-well productivity.Perforation involves productivity ratio,perforation phase angle,perforation diameter,penetration and etc,which conflict with each other.Fuzzy factors of perforation are inevitable.Fuzzy multi-attributes decision making method is applied and perforation scheme fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making model is created.The FMADM model with preference information and FMADM model without preference information are discussed in detail.The simulation experimental results show that models are effective,which offer one kind of science decision-making foundation of petroleum perforation.
Effect of TCM on Bio-Psycho-Environment-Human Medical Model

Through discussing the biological-psychological-Environment-human medical model,discussed that the effect of TCM theory which were the psychological thoughts,"Heaven corresponding" concept,spirit,theory and practice of Chinese medicine on its formation.
The Role of Peer Agent’s Learning Competency in Trialogue-Based Reading Intelligent Systems

This paper investigates how the peer agent’s learning competency affects English learners’ reading, engagement, system self-efficacy, and attitudes toward the peer agent in a trialogue-based intelligent tutoring system (ITS). Participants learned a summarizing reading strategy in the compare-contrast text structure in the ITS. Results detected the significant main effect of the peer agent’s learning competency on learners’ performance and on engagement.
After the Myocardial Infarction: A Review and Approach to Risk Stratification

Each patient who is stricken with a myocardial infarction should be evaluated with respect to future risk. Risk stratification should be carried out early after the acute infarction since the majority of excess deaths occur early after discharge. Clinical observations and several properly selected noninvasive procedures will classify most patients into high or low risk.
Clinical Case #9: Esther

Esther is a 72-year-old mother of four children and grandmother of eight who presents with a 3-week history of right lower back pain. She says that she has had intermittent right-sided lower back pain for many years, but the pain has always been mild and it had not been bothering her at all for a few months until 3 weeks ago. Three weeks ago, the pain began after taking care of her 6-month-old granddaughter. Esther says that she was lifting her granddaughter a lot on that day and felt the pain in her right lower back but kept lifting her anyway. That night, the pain in the right lower back was “pretty bad” and in the morning she had trouble getting out of bed because of the pain.