cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rhinovirus-induced PBMC responses and outcome of experimental infection in allergic subjects

Abstract Background: The immune response to rhinovirus (RV) infections is considered to contribute to upper respiratory symptoms and may also be an important contributor to lower airway dysfunction in patients with asthma. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the relationship of RV-specific responses in PBMCs to the outcome of experimentally induced infection with RV16. Methods: Twenty-two subjects with either allergic rhinitis or asthma were inoculated with RV16: virus-induced proliferation and cytokine production were determined on PBMCs obtained before and then again 7 and 28 days after inoculation. Results: Several subjects had proliferative responses to RV16 before inoculation, and precold RV-specific proliferative responses were inversely correlated ( r s = –0.62, P r s = –0.58, P = 0.01) between precold RV-induced IFN-γ secretion ex vivo and peak RV shedding during the cold. Conclusions: Certain RV-specific lymphocyte responses before the cold (vigorous proliferation or IFN-γ secretion) were associated with reduced viral shedding after inoculation. These findings suggest that variations in mononuclear cell responses to RV could contribute to the individual variability in viral shedding during experimentally induced, and perhaps naturally acquired, RV infections in subjects with respiratory allergy or asthma. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:692-8.)
The energy significance of Racah's quantum numbers in Dy2+☆

Abstract Analytical self-consistent field results for a number of states of Dy 2+ , ( Z = 66), 4f 10 , are used to demonstrate the specific extent of the generally known energy significance of the Racah's quantum numbers ν and U ≡( u 1 . u 2 ).
Colorimetric assay for rapid screening of corticotropin releasing factor receptor ligands

The corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor is known to be coupled to Gs and transduces its signal through stimulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) production. Here we describe the characterization of several stable CRF receptor-expressing LVIP2.0Zc cell lines that also contain an exogenous cAMP-responsive β-galactosidase reporter gene construct. The CRF receptor activity was assayed by measuring the induction of β-galactosidase in response to CRF. Rat/human and bovine CRF stimulated β-galactosidase activity in a dose-dependent manner with EC50 values of ∼0.1 nM; the biologically weak deamidated analog of bovine CRF was ∼500-fold less potent. The CRF receptor antagonist, [d-Phe12,Nle21,38,Ala32r/hCRF(12–41) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of CRF-stimulated β-galactosidase activity, further demonstrating the pharmacological specificity of the interaction. The magnitude of the maximal response to CRF varied among individual cell lines. This variation was independent of the level of CRF receptor expression, but reflected differences in the intrinsic activity of adenylate cyclase. In contrast to most cAMP assay systems, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine decreased the CRF-induced β-galactosidase activity when used in the context of the assay regimen described here. Since the assay can be easily performed in a high-throughput 96-well plate format, these cell lines provide an efficient way for the identification of CRF receptor agonists and antagonists.
A Review and Proposed Treatment Approach for the Young Athlete at High Risk for the Female Athlete Triad

As sports medicine and health care professionals we have a responsibility to promote health and well-being in all the athletes we treat. The child or adolescent athlete who struggles with one or more aspects of the female athlete triad (Triad) may be at particular risk. This condition occurs on a spectrum and includes three interrelated components: energy availability, menstrual regularity and bone density. The domains of healthy nutrition, exercise and well-being form a cohesive foundation for skill development and may prevent development of the Triad interrelated aspects. By developing specific skills in each area, a younger athlete can earn a “safety badge” for safe sports participation which supports resilience and balance. Specific guidelines and expectations for the athlete in these three areas are outlined and can improve communication and treatment outcomes. Helping the athlete and family understand the importance of skill acquisition in these areas will promote treatment cohesion. Prevention thro...
Design strategy for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell flow-field capable of switching between parallel and interdigitated configurations

Abstract Novel water management strategies are important to the development of next generation polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell systems (PEMFCs). Parallel and interdigitated flow fields are two common types of PEMFC designs that have benefits and draw backs depending upon operating conditions. Parallel flow fields rely predominately on diffusion to deliver reactants and remove byproduct water. Interdigitated flow fields induce convective transport, known as cross flow, through the porous gas diffusion layer (GDL) and therefore are superior at water removal beneath land areas which can lead to higher cell performance. Unfortunately, forcing flow through the GDL results in higher pumping losses as the inlet pressure for interdigitated flow fields can be up to an order of magnitude greater than that for a parallel flow field. In this study a flow field capable of switching between parallel and interdigitated configurations was designed and tested. Results show, taking into account pumping losses, that using constant stoichiometry the parallel flow field results in a higher system power under low current density operation compared to the interdigitated configuration. The interdigitated flow-field configuration was observed to have lower overvoltage at elevated current densities resulting in a higher maximum power and a higher limiting current density. An optimal system power curve was produced by switching from parallel to interdigitated configuration based on which produces a higher system power at a given current density. This design method can be easily implemented with current PEMFC technology and requires minimal hardware. Some of the consequences this design has on system components are discussed.
Auger spectrum of the noble gases. II. Argon

Theory and experiment are compared for the ${L}_{23}\mathrm{MM}$ principal and satellite spectra of argon. For the principal spectrum it is shown that theory and experiment are in excellent agreement if the doublet conventionally assigned to ${L}_{23}\ensuremath{-}{M}_{1}{M}_{1}$ is reassigned to ${L}_{23}\ensuremath{-}{M}_{1}{M}_{23}$ ($^{1}P$). It is hypothesized that the splitting of the $^{1}P$ term is due to configuration interaction with the ${(3p)}^{3}^{2}D(3d)^{1}P$ term of ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+2}$. The reassignments enable us to locate, tentatively, several unknown singlet levels in ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+2}$. An examination of the satellite spectrum confirms Mehlhorn's assignment of the terms in the ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+2}$ ${(2p)}^{5}{(3s)}^{2}{(3p)}^{5}$ configuration. The calculated satellite spectra agree with experiment in spectral shape (the location of peaks) and agree to a factor of 2 in individual satellite peak intensity. The satellite calculations support Mehlhorn's conclusion that theory considerably overestimates the ${L}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{L}_{23}{M}_{1}$ Auger transition rate.
Hydrolase (β-Glucanase, α-Glucanase, and Protease) Activity in Ariolimax columbianus (Banana Slug) and Arion ater (Garden Slug)

Abstract Carboxymethylcellulase (cm-cellulase), cellulase, chitinase, amylase, and protease enzymatic activity are found in the crop fluid and digestive gland of the pulmonate gastropods Ariolimax columbianus and Arion ater . The β -glucanases (cm-cellulase, cellulase and chitinase) and α -glucanase (amylase) display acidic pH-activity optima (between pH 5 and 7) on their respective substrates (cm-cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, chitin and starch). Protease activity (upon casein) displays a pH optimum of approximately 8.3. Comparative studies show higher specific enzyme activity in Arion ater than in Ariolimax columbianus for all five hydrolases studied. Incubation of the β -glucanases for variable times at 50°C indicates significant differences in stability between Ariolimax columbianus and Arion ater for the β -glucanases (cm-cellulase, cellulase, and chitinase). Chromatography upon Sephadex G-100 reveals enzyme heterogeneity for the β -glucanases in both species, with at least three enzyme components or complexes (of differing molecular weight) for each species that can hydrolyze cm-cellulase, cellulase, and chitinase. The β -glucanases are apparently selective and specific for their respective substrates, with some cm-cellulase isozymes unable to digest native cellulose and vice versa. Preliminary evidence for the presence of cellulose-digesting prokaryotes in the crop fluid of Arion ater is presented.
WAMA: a method of optimizing reticle/die placement to increase litho cell productivity

This paper focuses on reticle/field placement methodology issues, the disadvantages of typical methods used in the industry, and the innovative way that the WAMA software solution achieves optimized placement. Typical wafer placement methodologies used in the semiconductor industry considers a very limited number of parameters, like placing the maximum amount of die on the wafer circle and manually modifying die placement to minimize edge yield degradation. This paper describes how WAMA software takes into account process characteristics, manufacturing constraints and business objectives to optimize placement for maximum stepper productivity and maximum good die (yield) on the wafer.
The Effect of Vacuum, Pressure, pH and Different Meat Types on the Binding Ability of Poultry Meat

Abstract THE demand for further processing of turkeys into boneless turkey rolls or loaves has been increasing during the past several years. At the present time, over 25% of all turkey meat sold in the United States is used in the production of turkey loaves or rolls. With the advent of deboning machines, it is possible that in the future other types of poultry meat will be used in the production of loaves. Binding procedures used to produce loaves have been patented by several individuals. Maas (1963) patented the procedures of mechanical mixing of pieces or chunks of red meat for binding. Torr (1965) patented the use of emulsions in the binding of pieces of poultry meat. Hanson et al. (1961) patented the principle of binding of pieces of poultry meat utilizing salt soluble proteins. Froning (1965) found that pieces of poultry meat could be better bound together to form a…
Echocardiography in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Benjamin W. Eidem, MD, FACC, FASE; Frank Cetta, MD, FACC, FASE; and Patrick W. O’Leary, MD, FACC, FASE, eds. 500 pages. Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2010. $229.00 ISBN 0-7817-8136-1 It has been nearly 8 years since a textbook on echocardiography specifically for pediatric congenital heart disease (CHD) has been published. A specific work on both pediatric and adult CHD emphasizing imaging is a new endeavor. Three expert senior clinicians from the Mayo Clinic are the editors and primary authors of this multiauthor textbook, which includes young investigators, midcareer investigators, and senior experts in pediatric and congenital heart echocardiography and imaging from around the United States and Canada. In their Introduction, the editors, citing the evolution of echocardiography, remind us of the major contributions of Drs James Seward and Jamil Tajik and Drs William Edwards and Donald Hagler to the field of 2-dimensional echocardiography and CHD in 1987, after the original investigations of M-mode echocardiography and 2-dimensional echocardiography by this reviewer (D.J.S.). Richard Meyer and Nils Lundstrom, the editors of this new text, also, in their Introduction, give special attention to Dr. Edwards, the renowned cardiac pathologist and a major resource. This textbook is well organized. The first chapter relates to principles of cardiovascular ultrasound, followed by practical issues, anatomic orientation, and segmental cardiovascular analysis; quantitative methods for echocardiography, basic and advanced; and then lesion-oriented chapters, including pulmonary venous abnormalities and abnormalities of the atrial septum, atrial ventricular septal defects, Ebstein malformation, mitral valve abnormalities, congenitally corrected transposition, ventricular septal defects, univentricular connections, …
Susceptibility of an established cell line of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to three nuclear polyhedrosis viruses

Abstract The cell line, UFL-AG-286, derived from embryos of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was susceptible to the A. gemmatalis and Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (AgNPV and AcNPV, respectively), and some DNA replication of the Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus occurred. Polyhedra of AcNPV and AgNPV were observed in the nucleus of these cells beginning at day 3. Replication of the viruses took longer than with other cell lines as the cells grew slowly, with optimal harvest time of the nonoccluded virus at 3 days postinfection.
From Robust Chip to Smart Building: CAD Algorithms and Methodologies for Uncertainty Analysis of Building Performance

Buildings consume about 40% of the total energy use in the U.S. and, hence, accurately modeling, analyzing and optimizing building energy is considered as an extremely important task today. Towards this goal, uncertainty/sensitivity analysis has been proposed to identify the critical physical and environmental parameters contributing to building energy consumption. In this paper, we propose to apply sparse regression techniques to uncertainty/sensitivity analysis of smart buildings. We consider the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm as a case study to demonstrate its superior efficacy over other conventional approaches. Experimental results reveal that OMP achieves up to 18.6× runtime speedups over the conventional least-squares fitting method without surrendering any accuracy.
Statewide GIS/Census Data Assessment of Nitrogen Loadings from Septic Systems in Pennsylvania

Despite the role of septic systems in surface and groundwater N contamination, little statewide information has been collected or is available on the amount of N pollution from septic systems. This study reports on the development of a methodology to assess N released from septic systems at the state level and presents results of N loading estimates in Pennsylvania watersheds. The methodology describes steps to compute N loadings per watershed unit area within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework based on (i) information on septic systems and population from the 1990 Census data, (ii) soil limitations to proper purification of septic system effluent acquired from the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) data base, and (iii) daily N estimates per capita in septic system effluent from the literature. In this study, watersheds were ranked from 1 to 104 and grouped into three significantly different classes (high, medium, and low) according to their N loadings. The N loading ranges corresponding to these classes were 1.16 to 0.71 kg ha -1 yr -1 , 0.66 to 0.41 kg ha -1 yr -1 , and 0.38 to 0.03 kg ha -1 yr -1 , respectively. High-producing watersheds were generally located in suburbs adjacent to larger metropolitan areas. The watershed ranking, groups, and N loading results provided by this methodology can be combined with similar information from agriculture, atmospheric deposition, etc. in the attempt to account for all sources of nonpoint N pollution in a state or region.
A study of the Li7(He3,n)B9 reaction by time-of-flight techniques

The Li7(He3, n)B9 reaction has been investigated at incident energies from 5.2 to 12.5 MeV, using a pulsed-beam time-of-flight spectrometer in conjunction with the ONR-CIT tandem accelerator. The spectrometer includes a pre-acceleration beam-bunching system, which increases the average target current by a factor of approximately 10 for protons and deuterons, and 4 for He3 and alpha beams. Previously unreported B9 levels were found at excitation energies of 12.06±0.06, 14.01±0.07, 14.670±0.016 and 16.024±0.025 MeV, with widths of 800±200, 390±110, <45 and 180±16 keV, respectively. At 12.5 MeV bombarding energy, covering the range of excitation of B9 up to 17.9 MeV, two additional neutron groups correesponding to known B9 states at 17.19 and 17.63 MeV were observed. The neutron groups were superimposed on an intense background continuum, attributable to processes leading to the final configuration 2α+p+n. An angular distribution, at 8.7 MeV incident energy, of the neutrons leading to the 14.67 MeV state is roughly isotropic in the centre-of-mass system, and the total cross section is 8 mb. A T = 32 assignment for the 14.67 MeV state is suggested by its narrow width, and by recent studies of the Li7(t, p)9 and Li7(He3, p)Be9 reations. A comparison of the Li7(He3, p) Be9 and Li7(He3, n)B9 reactions shows that the cross sections for formation of the 14.67 MeV B9 state and the analogous Be9 state are approxinately equal, if barrier-penetration effects in the outgoing channels are removed.
Theory of the scattering-phase-matrix determination for ice crystals

A theoretical foundation is presented for the experimental determination of the scattering-phase matrix for nonspherical ice crystals. The scattering-phase matrix can be determined solely from four radiance measurements. Conditions for the phase matrix of a volume of ice crystals that are typical of those in cirrus clouds are presented.
Differential biological activity of three species of methionyl-tRNA in yeast

Three species of tRNA capable of being aminoacylated with methionine have been isolated from a crude tRNA fraction of the brewers yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) after chromatography on benzolyated DEAE-cellulose. These three species of tRNAMet can be distinguished on the basis of several criteria. They differ in their ability to be aminoacylated with Escherichia coli aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase; to be formylated by E. coli transformylase; to participate in in vitro protein synthesis in a yeast system based on endogenous mRNA; and to take part in a GTP factor-dependent binding reaction to yeast ribosomes. They also differ in their abilities to bind to 80 S ribosomes or 40 S ribosomal subunits in a reaction that does not contain GTP and is carried out at high Mg2+. The methionine-containing oligonucleotides isolated after the ribonuclease T1 digestion of each methionyl-tRNA have different electrophoretic mobilities. Fraction 1 of these species acts in a manner similar to initiator tRNAs of other eucaryotic and procaryotic systems when tested in a homologous yeast system. Fractions 2 and 3 appear to represent the species of tRNAMet that are concerned with the translation of the internal methionine codons.
SOME EVOLUTIONARY POSSIBILITIES FOR A MICROBE THAT CAUSES INCOMPATIBILITY IN ITS HOST

This note concerns some speculations about the evolution of Wolbachia, an intracellular bacterium found in many insects. O'Neill et al. (1992) reported the results of a survey of a limited number of insects, and more recently R. Giordano and H. M. Robertson have found it in more than 10% of more than 500 species surveyed (pers. comm. 1992). In several insects, it has been shown to cause unidirectional incompatibility between males carrying the microbe and females that do not (O'Neill et al. 1992; Stevens and Wade 1990). In haplo-diploids, it can cause sex-ratio distortion and parthenogenesis (Stouthammer et al. 1993). This note concerns the incompatibility effect, in which the Wolbachia spreads by partially sterilizing those females that do not carry it. Because of this mode of increase, Hurst et al. (1992) referred to the organism as a "selfish gene." Rousset and Raymond (1991) titled their paper on the subject "Why sterilize females?" and compared the system to "spiteful behavior." One objective of this note is to illustrate how such anthropomorphic metaphors might be misleading and cause diversion from interesting and perhaps useful questions. The exercise that follows examines the population behavior of possible kinds of nonsterilizing strains of Wolbachia. This system, then, has three kinds of hosts: unifected hosts, u; hosts carrying Wolbachia with the normal sterilizing allele, s; and hosts carrying the microbe with one or the other of two kinds of nonsterilizing alleles, explained below. The recurrence equations for this system were derived in an analogous way to that of Nigro and Prout (1990) who also had three host states. The assumptions are random mating of the host, matriclinous transmission of the microbe, and discrete generations. Additional biology is identified in the parameter definitions below. The equations are
Silica-supported chromium catalysts for ethylene polymerization

The initial activity of Cr(III)SiO2 catalysts for ethylene polymerization was found to be a strong function of the activation temperature and the metal loading up to a level of 0.1 wt% Cr. Carbon monoxide poisoning of 0.11 wt% Cr(III)SiO2 catalysts, activated at 400 and 900 °C, indicated that the active chromium is only 4 to 7% of the total chromium. Reduction of Cr(III)SiO2 with CO at 400 °C resulted in a loss in activity at 25 °C which was mirrored by an increase in Cr(II) concentration, as determined by chemiluminescence measurements. Increasing the activation temperature from 400 to 900 °C resulted in a 10-fold increase in activity with not more than a 2-fold increase in the number of sites. At low temperatures (< 50 °C) the active site for polymerization is believed to be a surface-isolated Cr(III) ion which is coordinatively unsaturated. Dehydroxylation at elevated temperatures increases the number of coordination sites available for the substrate molecule and the growing polymer chain.
Field problems in balancing rotating electric machinery

Although vibration problems are covered in detail by many textbooks, practical examples of field work serve to point out methods of approach for correcting unbalance.
Effects of anesthesia and surgical stress on insulin secretion in man

Abstract Surgical stress with inhalation anesthesia is associated with increased circulating catecholamines, hyperglycemia, and impaired insulin secretion. These changes do not occur during surgical stress with spinal anesthesia, suggesting that they are neurally mediated due to pain initiated afferents from the site of tissue trauma. Inhalation anesthesia alone was found to suppress basal insulin levels and the insulin response to intravenous glucose with no significant increase in plasma norepinephrine and a decrease in plasma epinephrine. Thus, these changes in insulin secretion are not attributable to adrenergic mechanisms. In the postoperative period, however, suppressed insulin secretion was found to be correlated with elevated plasma epinephrine concentrations and may, therefore, be mediated by adrenergic mechanisms. Thus, these findings indicate that impaired insulin secretion during surgical stress may have two etiologies—one related to the type of anesthesia used and the other due to adrenomedullary stimulation due to pain.
Metastable phase equilibria in the lead-tin alloy system: Part II. Thermodynamic modeling

The lattice stability of Sn is reassessed in view of additional pressure-temperature data since the earlier assessment by Kaufman. The metastable phase boundary of the α-Pb phase reported in Part I in connection with available thermochemical data is used to define more accurately the model paraaeters for the stable L, α, β, and metastable α1-phases. Using these models, the stable phase diagram of Pb−Sn, the metastable extension of the stable phase diagram, and several possible metastable phase diagrams are calculated. Thermodynamic and kinetic criteria are used to discuss the formation of various phases during rapid solidification processes.
The compatibility of crack closure and Kmax dependent models of fatigue crack growth

Abstract There has been continued debate over the relative importance of crack closure and other sources of Kmax dependence in metallic fatigue crack growth. Crack closure is believed to be a very important physical mechanism that is a source for the observed dependence of fatigue on load ratio or Kmax. It is unclear whether the difficulty in observing some hypothesized crack closure is the result of the very small distances over which contact may occur, or whether new mechanisms which operate in front of the crack tip are affecting crack growth. From the existing experimental fatigue data, two driving force models have been developed, one based on crack closure and a ΔKeffective term, and a second based on two terms: ΔK and Kmax. We show how these two driving force models are mathematically compatible with each other, examine what these models say about microstructural mechanisms of fatigue crack growth, and discuss the implications of each model on mechanical design of structures, materials design, and materials science. If there is to be continued debate over the relative importance of closure behind the crack tip and of the effects of stresses in front of the crack tip, we believe the debate should focus on the physical micro-mechanisms involved, rather than on analysis of the mechanical driving forces of crack growth or far field estimates of crack closure.
Role of the renin-angiotensin system in maintaining arterial pressure in conscious pregnant rats.

The renin-angiotensin system in relation to arterial blood pressure was examined in conscious rats at various stages of pregnancy. Also, the possibility that a site other than the maternal kidney was the source of the increased plasma renin levels in late gestation was tested by examining the reninangiotensin system in nephrectomized term-pregnant rats. Conscious rats, pregnant for 9, 13, 17, and 21 days, had mean arterial pressures that were not different from those of nonbred control rats; however, infusion of the angiotensin II (A-II) antagonist, [Sar1, Ala8]A-II, resulted in significant decreases in mean arterial pressure in the 13-, 17-, and 21-day-pregnant groups. Pregnant rats had significant elevations in PRA at 13, 17, and 21 days of gestation and increases in plasma renin concentrations (PRC) at 13 and 21 days of gestation, while plasma renin substrate concentrations (PRS) were significantly increased in the 9- and 13-day-pregnant groups, but were not increased in the 17- and 21-day-pregnant gro...
Impacts of Antioxidants on Hydroxyl Radical Production from Individual and Mixed Transition Metals in a Surrogate Lung Fluid

Inhalation of ambient particulate matter causes morbidity and mortality in humans. One hypothesized mechanism of toxicity is the particle-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) – including the highly damaging hydroxyl radical (OH) – followed by inflammation and a variety of diseases. While past studies have found correlations between ROS formation and a variety of metals, there are no quantitative measurements of OH formation from transition metals at concentrations relevant to 24-hour ambient particulate exposure. This research reports specific and quantitative measurements of OH formation from 10 individual transition metals (and several mixtures) in a cell-free surrogate lung fluid (SLF) with four antioxidants: ascorbate, citrate, glutathione, and uric acid. We find that Fe and Cu can produce OH under all antioxidant conditions as long as ascorbate is present and that mixtures of the two metals synergistically increase OH production. Manganese and vanadium can also produce OH under some conditions, but given that their ambient levels are typically very low, these metals are not likely to chemically produce significant levels of OH in the lung fluid. Cobalt, chromium, nickel, zinc, lead, and cadmium do not produce OH under any of our experimental conditions. The antioxidant composition of our SLF significantly affects OH production from Fe and Cu: ascorbate is required for OH formation, citrate increases OH production from Fe, and both citrate and glutathione suppress OH production from Cu. MINTEQ ligand speciation modeling indicates that citrate and glutathione affect OH production by changing metal speciation, altering the reactivity of the metals. In the most realistic SLF (i.e., with all four antioxidants), Fe generates approximately six times more OH than does the equivalent amount of Cu. Since levels of soluble Fe in PM are typically higher than those of Cu, our results suggest that Fe dominates the chemical generation of OH from deposited particles in the lungs.
Nitric Oxide Synthases: Why so Complex?

INTRODUCIlON . • . • • • • • • • . • • • • • • . . • • • • • • • • • • • . . • • • • • . • . • • . . . . . • • . . . . • . • 131 BIOLOGY OF NITRIC OXIDE AND NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASES . • . . . . . . . • . . . . 132 CHARACTERIZATION OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASES . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . 134 Biochemistry 134 Mechanism • • . . . . • • . • . • . . • . • • • • . . . • • . . . . . • • . . . . . • . . . . . • • . . . . • . . . . . . . . . 137 CONCLUDING REMARKS • • • • . . . . • . . . . . • • . . . . • • • . . . . • • • . . • . • . . . . . . • . . . . . . 141
Recognition of the Apical Ballooning Syndrome in the United States

Acute dilated cardiomyopathy is an uncommon but often life-threatening cardiovascular event. Despite varied clinical presentations that may include cardiogenic shock, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and chest pain mimicking acute myocardial infarction, a growing list of potentially reversible pathogeneses should be considered in the initial differential diagnosis. These may include cardiotoxins, such as excessive alcohol, cocaine, or antiretroviral agents; nutritional deficiencies (eg, thiamine, selenium, carnitine); endocrine disturbances (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, pheochromocytoma); viral myocarditis; Lyme carditis; hypersensitivity reactions; infiltrative processes, such as hemochromatosis; peripartum disease; and tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.1 Recently, a newly described left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome has been added to the growing list of diagnostic possibilities.2 See p 472 The apical ballooning syndrome is characterized by the abrupt onset of angina-like chest pain, ECG changes that typically demonstrate ST-segment elevation, diffuse T-wave inversions and abnormal QS-wave development, discrete wall motion abnormalities involving the lower anterior wall and apex on echocardiography or left ventriculography, and limited myocardial enzyme release relative to the extent of ventricular akinesia. The clinical presentation mimics acute myocardial infarction but always occurs in patients without evidence for hemodynamically significant coronary arterial stenoses by angiography. It was first described in the Japanese literature in 1991 by Dote and colleagues,2 who proposed the term “tako-tsubo” (Japanese for octopus trap) cardiomyopathy on the basis of the peculiar appearance of a rounded bottom and narrow neck on the end-systolic left ventriculogram. The clinical features and outcomes of the syndrome have been well characterized in Asian populations in studies by Kurisu et al3 (n=30 patients) and Abe et al4 (n=17 patients) and in an important multicenter observational study of 88 patients by Tsuchihashi et al.5 The “tako-tsubo” syndrome has been reported to account for 1% of admissions for suspected acute myocardial infarction in Japan during the past decade.5 A …
Viscoelastic measurements on perfused and non-perfused swine renal cortex in vivo

Renal fibrosis threatens kidney viability and fibrosis has been associated with altered tissue structure affecting the biomechanical properties of the kidney, such as elasticity and viscosity. Although there are limited studies regarding viscoelastic properties of renal tissue, an in vivo renal MRE study suggests that shear elasticity changes as a result of hemodynamic variables. A newly emerging method called Shearwave Dispersion Ultrasound Vibrometry (SDUV) offers a tool to determine renal elasticity and viscosity in vivo. SDUV quantifies both elasticity and viscosity by evaluating dispersion of shear wave propagation speed versus its frequency. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of SDUV for in vivo measurements of elasticity and viscosity on normal swine kidney consequent to acute changes in renal hemodynamics.
Comparison of Answer Copying Indices with Real Data

This study investigated the Type I error rate and power of four copying indices, K-index (Holland, 1996), Scrutiny! (Assessment Systems Corporation, 1993), g2 (Frary, Tideman, & Watts, 1977), and ω (Wollack, 1997) using real test data from 20,000 examinees over a 2-year period. The data were divided into three different test lengths (20, 40, and 80 items) and nine different sample sizes (ranging from 50 to 20,000). Four different amounts of answer copying were simulated (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of the items) within each condition. The ω index demonstrated the best Type I error control and power in all conditions and at all α levels. Scrutiny! and the K-index were uniformly conservative, and both had poor power to detect true copiers at the small α levels typically used in answer copying detection, whereas g2 was generally too liberal, particularly at small α levels. Some comments on the proper uses of copying indices are provided.
Network decomposition: theory and practice

We show that significant simplicities can be obtained for the analysis of a network when link capacities are large enough to carry many flows. We develop a network decomposition approach in which network analysis can be greatly simplified. We prove that the queue length at the downstream queue converges to that of a single queue obtained by removing the upstream queue, as the capacity and the number of flows at the upstream queue increase. The precise modes of convergence vary depending on the type of input traffic, i.e., from regulated traffic arrivals to point process inputs. Our results thus help simplify network analysis by decomposing the original network into a simplified network in which all the nodes with large capacity have been eliminated. By means of extensive numerical investigation under various network scenarios, we demonstrate different aspects and implications of our network decomposition approach. Some of our findings are that our techniques perform well especially for the cases when: i) many flows are multiplexed as they enter the queue and/or ii) departing flows are routed to different downstream nodes, i.e., no single flow dominates at any node.
Changes in the flora of Thoreau’s Concord

To determine the effectiveness of conservation efforts, scientists and land managers must evaluate the ability of conservation areas to protect biological diversity. The historic town of Concord, Massachusetts, home of the philosopher and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, provides a unique opportunity to examine how well conservation areas preserve biodiversity in a suburban landscape. About 35% of total land area in the town has been protected, and botanists, including Thoreau, have surveyed plants in Concord five times over the last 170 years. We spent 5 years (2003‐2007) re-surveying a subset of Concord’s flora for species presence and abundance. Of the species seen by Thoreau in the mid-19th century in Concord, we could not locate 27%, and an additional 36% persist in one or two populations where they are vulnerable to local extinction. Most species losses appear to have occurred in the past three to four decades. Certain groups, such as orchids, have shown particularly severe losses. More native species are declining in abundance than are increasing. Nonnative species represent an increasing percentage of the flora, with many increasing in abundance. The flora has experienced a net loss of species over the past four decades, with 82 species gained and 236 species missing. Because many species are rare on a local scale, persisting as one or two small populations, local extinctions will likely continue in coming decades. Habitat management, primarily to prevent tree establishment, appears to have allowed many rare species of open habitats to persist and recover. Active management of existing sites will likely be the key to protecting the species diversity of the Concord flora and maintaining the living connection to the writings of Thoreau.
Parasite–host cell interactions in toxoplasmosis: new avenues for intervention?

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is uniquely adapted for penetrating and surviving within a wide range of host cells. This parasite invades mammalian cells by an active actin-dependent mechanism, and after entry establishes a vacuole with the assistance of products secreted by the parasite's apical organelles. Simultaneously, Toxoplasma sets about gaining access to cellular nutrients by forming pores in the vacuolar membrane. In this manner it enjoys a rich and comfortable lifestyle at the host cell's expense. Understanding the Toxoplasma–host interaction may reveal unusual mechanisms for exploiting host cell pathways and diverting host organelle functions. These novel modifications could also be potential targets for new drugs.
Scalable circuits for supply noise measurement

This paper discusses techniques to allow high-resolution supply noise measurements in advanced CMOS technologies without the overhead of voltage references or separate power supplies. In addition to improving the existing sample and hold-based system, we propose a new technique that uses a very short integration time in the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)-based A/D converter and hence removes the difficult-to-scale sample and hold circuit. Each conversion results in a low-resolution measurement; however the measurements are intrinsically dithered so that resolution can be increased by averaging multiple conversions. Both sample and hold-based and averaging-based systems are implemented in a 90nm SOI process as part of a characterization test chip for the parallel interface described in (Chang et al., 2005). Measurement results show both systems are capable of measuring supply noise down to 5mV with bandwidths well in the GHz range.
Paternal Transmission of Complex Phenotypes in Inbred Mice

Background Inbred mice are genetically identical but nonetheless demonstrate substantial variability in complex behaviors such as activity levels in a novel environment. This variability has been associated with levels of parental care experienced early in development. Although maternal effects have been reported in biparental and uniparental strains, there have been no investigations of paternal effects in non-biparental strains in which offspring are reared exclusively by mothers. Methods In the uniparental inbred Balb/cJ mouse strain, we examined the relationship of paternal open-field activity to the activity of both male and female offspring in the open-field. Potential mediators of paternal transmission of behavior were examined, including maternal care, growth parameters, litter characteristics, and time the father was present with the pregnant mother prenatally. Results An association of paternal open-field activity with the open-field activity of female but not male offspring was found. Variation in maternal postnatal care was associated with female but not male offspring activity in the open-field but did not mediate paternal effects on offspring behavior. Paternal effects on offspring growth parameters were present, but these effects also did not mediate paternal effects on behavior. Conclusions Paternal transmission of complex traits in genetically identical mice reared only by mothers suggests a nongenetic mechanism of inheritance potentially mediated by epigenetic factors. The exclusion of multiple mediators of paternal effects on offspring suggests the possibility of germline paternal inheritance via sperm of complex phenotypes in inbred mice. Future studies are required to examine these interesting possibilities.
Dynamics, optimization and control of a fuel cell based combined heat power (CHP) system for shipboard applications

In this paper, a natural gas fuel processor system (FPS), a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM-FC) and a catalytic burner (CB) are integrated in a combined heat power (CHP) generation plant. The FC provides the power based on electrochemical reaction of hydrogen (H2). The FPS generates the hydrogen from natural gas and the CB provides the energy for preheating the FPS inlet flows by burning any excess H/sub 2/ from the FC exhaust. The coupling of these three systems poses a challenging optimization and control problem. The goal is to analyze the open loop dynamics and design a controller that achieves optimal steady state operation and acceptable transient performance, i.e., mitigates the H/sub 2/ starvation and regulates reactor temperatures. We show in simulations that an observer based feedback controller, which relies on temperature measurements of two reactors, speeds up the transient response fivefold, as compared to the baseline when no feedback control is employed.
Characterization of patient-derived breast cancer xenografts demonstrates molecular evolution

INTRODUCTION: Directly implanting human tumors into immunodeficient mice is a popular model as it may more accurately recapitulate tumor characteristics. Prognosis is poor for breast cancer patients with minimal response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). We established a model of chemoresistance by transplanting tumors from patients with poor response to NCT into mice. We hypothesize that serial passage will not change donor tumor characteristics.
Augmentation–Mastopexy Using an Autologous Parenchymal Sling

Mastopexy–augmentation is an important treatment to address breast deflation. Combining these two procedures is technique-sensitive, with a reported high revision rate and propensity for complications. We describe an approach to achieve aesthetic breast correction in an effective, reproducible, and safe manner while minimizing untoward sequela. A vertical mastopexy, using a superior dermoglandular pedicle, is coupled with a subpectoral breast implant with the support of a longitudinal autologous sling of breast fascia, termed autologous sling augmentation–mastopexy. Twenty consecutive patients, aged 25-49 years, were treated by this technique, with a follow-up period of at least 1 year. Aesthetic improvement of breast shape, projection, and nipple position were achieved in all patients. No major complications, including infection, necrosis, or implant exposure, occurred. Minor wound-healing deficits at the inferior aspect of the vertical resection occurred in three patients. One patient required implant exchange early postoperatively because of saline leakage. No revisions were necessary to adjust breast symmetry or nipple position. We describe a mastopexy–augmentation technique, based on patient selection, mastopexy resection pattern, and implant size and position, to improve breast aesthetics safely and reproducibly while minimizing complications and the need for near-term revision.
Experience with the use of vacuum-assisted closure therapy in the management of sickle cell leg ulcers

Leg ulcers are the commonest cutaneous manifestation of sickle cell disease, typically running an indolent course. They commonly occur around the distal third of the leg, an area notorious for difficult-to-heal wounds. The vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) device has been found efficacious in the management of chronic ulcers of varying aetiologies. However, reports on its use in the management of sickle cell ulcers are at best scanty. The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of VAC therapy in the management of sickle cell ulcers. Over an 18-month period, consecutive patients presenting at the plastic surgery centre of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital were managed using VAC therapy and subsequent skin grafting for extensive ulcers. Data were extracted from the case records after completion of wound care and analysed using descriptive statistics. There were seven males and two females aged 14–34 years with 15 ulcers affecting the distal third of the leg. Ulcer duration before commencement of VAC care ranged from 2.5 to 84 months. All wounds showed remarkable reduction in size, had healthy granulation tissue and were ready for skin grafting within 6–10 days of VAC care. Graft take was 98% to 100%. Use of the VAC device is valuable in the management of sickle cell ulcers. This device rapidly improves the vascularity of the wound bed and permits early successful coverage of sickle cell ulcers.
What You Don't Know: Improving Family Health History Knowledge among Multigenerational Families of Mexican Origin

Background: This study investigated diabetes and heart disease family health history (FHH) knowledge and changes after providing personalized disease risk feedbac
Edwin H. Sutherland: An Improbable Criminological Key Thinker—For Critical Criminologists and for Mainstream Criminologists

Edwin H. Sutherland’s status as a key thinker among criminologists—for many critical criminologists as well as mainstream criminologists—is addressed, with special attention to the various dimensions of his background that render this status highly improbable. Sutherland’s principal contributions to criminology are identified along with the limitations of these contributions. While Sutherland is especially known for his theory of differential association, his own history suggests that “influence” broadly conceived is complex and idiosyncratic and does not lend itself well to straightforward prediction, hence a “theory” of differential influence (applying differential quite differently from Sutherland) is advanced. Some attention is devoted to contemporaries or near contemporaries (including the Dutch Marxist Willem Bonger) of Sutherland in relation to why their influence has been more limited than that of Sutherland. Criminological “influence” is complex, and not easily testable. A closing section identifies some typically overlooked radical observations of Sutherland’s.
Thermal Diffusivity Measurements on Elastomers

Abstract Thermal diffusivity, rather than thermal conductivity, is the property which governs rates of heating up and cooling down of a rubber article in the mold. It is preferable to measure it directly, rather than to derive it from separate measurements of thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity. A straightforward measurement method is described together with procedures for deriving the required results from the raw data. The sources of error are discussed, and ways for minimizing them are suggested. Thermal diffusivities for gum and black EPDM and fluoroelastomer are reported for temperatures from 0° to 100° C.