cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical, spectroscopic, and laser characterization of γ-irradiated transition metal doped II-VI semiconductors

We report a comprehensive study of γ-irradiation on optical, electrical, and laser characteristics of pure and transition-metal doped single and polycrystalline ZnS and ZnSe. Polished pure, Cr-doped, and Ag, Au, Cu, Al, In, and Mn co-doped ZnS and ZnSe crystals after absorption and electro-conductivity characterization were γ-irradiated at doses of 1.28x108 rad at −3°C. Dynamic room temperature absorption studies, electro-conductivity measurements, and mid-IR lasing were performed after different exposition times of crystals at room temperature. Cr:ZnSe and Cr:ZnS lasers based on identical γ-irradiated and non-irradiated crystals featured very similar pump thresholds, slope efficiencies, and output powers. New fluorescence band spanning over 1.3-2.1 μm in the γ-irradiated Au:Cr:ZnS was attributed to 3A2→3T2(F) transition of Cr4+.
Correlations of glucose metabolism and structural damage to language function in aphasia

Studies of aphasic patients using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron computed tomographs have shown areas of metabolic depression in the left hemisphere larger than the area of infarction noted on CT. To evaluate these metabolic differences in relationship to language abnormalities, 11 patients had metabolic scans, CT, and were administered the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Battery and the Porch Index of Communicative Ability. Correlation analyses were computed between metabolic, CT, and language data. CT demonstrated reliable correlations of speaking, oral reading, and repetition to Wernicke' area, consistent with current anatomic language models, while metabolic data from areas posterior, inferior, and superior to the traditional Wernicke's area and the head of the caudate nucleus also had reliable correlations with aphasic language function. The utilization of both structural and metabolic brain measures may improve our understanding of the anatomy of language as related to aphasia.
Linking Stereotype Threat and Anxiety

Claude Steele’s stereotype threat hypothesis has attracted significant attention in recent years. This study tested one of the main tenets of his theory—that stereotype threat serves to increase individual anxiety levels, thus hurting performance—using real‐time measures of physiological arousal. Subjects were randomly assigned to either high or low stereotype threat conditions involving a challenging mathematics task while physiological measures of arousal were recorded. Results showed significant physiological reactance (skin conductance, skin temperature, blood pressure) as a function of a stereotype threat manipulation. These findings are consistent with the argument that stereotype threat manipulations either increase or decrease situational‐specific anxiety, and hold significant implications for thinking about fair assessment and testing practices in academic settings.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.): A Neglected Panacea? A Review of Ethnobotany, Bioactivity, and Biomedical Research1

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.): A Neglected Panacea? A Review of Ethnobotany, Bioactivity, and Biomedical Research. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in the world, primarily for wounds, digestive problems, respiratory infections, and skin conditions, and secondarily, among other uses, for liver disease and as a mild sedative. Preclinical studies indicate that it may have anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, anxiolytic, and perhaps antipathogenic activities. Animal studies have also shown that yarrow is generally safe and well tolerated. The claim that yarrow has been shown to be specifically contraindicated during pregnancy is based on a single low-quality rat study the results of which were incorrectly interpreted. The combination of human use data from multiple cultures, independently reporting similar activities for yarrow, and the discovery of potentially relevant bioactivities by in vitro and animal studies represent meaningful evidence of the plant’s efficacy. We therefore argue that human clinical trials should be funded and conducted.
Kinetics of exciton trapping by monocoordinate reaction centers

Abstract A model of exciton migration and trapping in photosynthetic membranes is presented that differs from earlier models of hopping excitons on lattices. In the new model, the trap, which is the special pair of chlorophyll (Chl) molecules within the reaction center (RC), is assumed monocoordinate, i.e. to have but one nearest-neighboring antenna lattice site; in earlier models, the trap is assumed isocoordinate with the antenna sites. In this monocoordinate-RC model, which it is argued is more realistic at least for some of the photosynthetic bacteria, antenna Chl excitation energy decays more slowly than in the isocoordinate-RC models, for equal values of parameters. The principal exponential decay lifetime is predicted to increase typically by a factor of 2–3. However, in the analysis of an experiment on the picosecond kinetics of excitation decay in Rps. viridis [1], where the exponential lifetime is fixed by the measurement, one is forced to conclude the opposite, i.e. unknown Forster parameters must be larger than previously thought, in fact approaching theoretical maximum values. As a side benefit of the relatively simpler calculation for the monocoordinate-RC model, coupling of the exciton trapping to the first two steps of electron transport in the RC has been readily included in the equations. This yields a bi-exponential decay in which the second exponential component, describable as a long-time tail of small amplitude (∾0.2%), can nonetheless be responsible for a large fraction of the total quantum yield, at least in a system with pre-reduced RCs. The utility of this result for the analysis of delayed flourescence experiments is discussed.
Diagnostic value of conidia associated with pulmonary oxalosis : Evidence of an Aspergillus niger infection

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) material is commonly received in cytopathology for the exclusion of microorganisms. When crystalline material suggestive of calcium oxalate is present in the specimen, a search for fungal elements should be undertaken.Aspergillus nigeris the hyaline mold associated with the presence of oxalate crystals. Commonly fragments of hyphae and occasionally entire conidiophores may be present in BAL specimens from patients with aspergillosis. We report a case of a patient with saprophytic colonization of a bullous/cavitary lesion. The BAL consisted of abundant acute inflammation, crystalline material suggestive of oxalate, and darkly pigmented conidia. Although an extensive search was undertaken, hyphal fragments could not be found. The suspicion of anA. nigerinfection was confirmed by culture. We believe that even in the absence of hyphal fragments, darkly pigmented, occasionally rough-walled conidia are sufficient evidence to be highly suspicious of an A. nigerinfection in patients with pulmonary oxalosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1997;17:292–294. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Radiation-induced changes in the ferroelectric properties of some barium titanate-type materials☆

Abstract Measurements of ceramic BaTiO 3 dielectric constant versus temperature as a function of pile irradiation showed modification of the Curie-point transition. In the case of commercially pure ceramic BaTiO 3 there was a depression of the dielectric-constant peak with little modification of the room-temperature dielectric constant. Ceramics made with additives showed a shift of the Curie point as well as a depression of the dielectric-constant peak. Material that had been exposed to an integrated pile dosage of 1 × 10 18 nvt would not support reversible dielectric polarization.
The Reading Knowledge Test in the Foreign Languages: A Survey

Author's Summary— The reading knowledge tests now in use are still open to adverse criticism. There is great divergence both in the form and in the manner in which they are administered at present. Only by wholehearted co-operation on the part of all college and university teachers can the quality of these tests be improved.
Radioguided parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism in the reoperative neck

Background The purpose of this study was to determine if radioguided parathyroidectomy (RGP) is effective for hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in the reoperative neck. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients with HPT and a history of neck surgery who underwent RGP over a 7-year period. Data are reported as mean ± SEM. Results We identified 110 patients with primary ( n = 94), secondary ( n = 7), or tertiary ( n = 9) HPT who underwent 138 previous neck operations. The average hospital stay was 0.6 ± 0.1 days. The in and ex vivo counts obtained with the gamma probe were 310 ± 26 and 130 ± 13, respectively. The ex vivo percentage of background was 69% ± 9%, and virtually all resected parathyroids had ex vivo counts ≥20%. After RGP, 96% of patients were cured, and 5% experienced complications (all transient). Cure rates after RGP decreased as the number of previous neck operations increased ( P = .002). Additionally, reoperative neck patients with single adenomas were more likely to experience cure than patients with hyperplasia ( P = .02). Conclusion These results illustrate that RGP is valuable in treatment of the reoperative neck. In addition, RGP allows similar lengths of stay, efficacy, and complication rates as those reported for patients undergoing initial parathyroidectomy.
Reduction of NOx with Ammonia over Fe/MFI: Reaction Mechanism Based on Isotopic Labeling

The selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides has been studied in the presence of O2 over Fe/MFI catalysts with Fe/Al∼1, prepared by sublimation of FeCl3 vapor onto HMFI. Reduction of NOx is much faster with NH3 than with isobutane. A 100% NOx reduction to N2 is observed for an NH3/NO ratio above unity and 90% for a 1/1 dosage. The catalyst is very active and stable in the presence of water vapor. Isotopic labeling with 15NO shows that the preferred path for the reduction of NOx with NH3 is via NH4NO2. This nitrite decomposes to N2+2H2O. A 100% pure 15N14N product is obtained by circulating a 1/1 mixture of 15NO and 15NO2 over a catalyst covered with adsorbed 14NH3. In contrast, 14N2 is formed by oxidation of 14NH3 with O2 or N2Ox with x>3. The high efficiency of this catalyst is due to the fact that ammonia swiftly intercepts the oxidation of NO when the value of x=3 is reached. At high temperature when little adsorbed water is present, water vapor promotes activity because it is needed for the formation of ammonium nitrite. At low temperature it acts kinetically as a mere competitor for the active sites.
Slow Dissociation of a Charged Ligand: Analysis of the Primary Quinone QA Site of Photosynthetic Bacterial Reaction Centers

Reaction centers (RCs) are integral membrane proteins that undergo a series of electron transfer reactions during the process of photosynthesis. In the QA site of RCs from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, ubiquinone-10 is reduced, by a single electron transfer, to its semiquinone. The neutral quinone and anionic semiquinone have similar affinities, which is required for correct in situ reaction thermodynamics. A previous study showed that despite similar affinities, anionic quinones associate and dissociate from the QA site at rates ≈104 times slower than neutral quinones indicating that anionic quinones encounter larger binding barriers (Madeo, J.; Gunner, M. R. Modeling binding kinetics at the QA site in bacterial reaction centers. Biochemistry2005, 44, 10994–11004). The present study investigates these barriers computationally, using steered molecular dynamics (SMD) to model the unbinding of neutral ground state ubiquinone (UQ) and its reduced anionic semiquinone (SQ–) from the QA site. In agreement with exper...
Capabilities of the New ILS

A review of the new Instrument Landing System (ILS) currently being deployed by the Federal Aviation Administration for use by pilots in making very low visibility landings is presented. The Mark-20, as it is designated, is compatible with all present ILS receiving equipment and is intended principally as an upgrade to replace the first solid-state transmitting equipment, which was typically placed in service approximately 25 years ago. New features such as remote control provisions and the novel components to accomplish this control are described.
Modeling scientific practice: Paul Thagard's computational approach☆

Abstract In this paper I examine Paul Thagard's computational approach to studying science, which is a contribution to the cognitive science of science. I present several criticisms of Thagard's approach and use them to motivate some suggestions for alternative approaches in cognitive science of science. I first argue that Thagard does not clearly establish the units of analysis of his study. Second, I argue that Thagard mistakenly applies the same model to both individual and group decision making. Finally, I argue that in attempting to account for psychological and social processes as well as providing a philosophical model of successful reasoning Thagard attempts to explain too much with one model, thus straining the plausibility of his model.
Homocysteine Metabolism in Children with Down Syndrome: In Vitro Modulation

The gene for cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is located on chromosome 21 and is overexpressed in children with Down syndrome (DS), or trisomy 21. The dual purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of overexpression of the CBS gene on homocysteine metabolism in children with DS and to determine whether the supplementation of trisomy 21 lymphoblasts in vitro with selected nutrients would shift the genetically induced metabolic imbalance. Plasma samples were obtained from 42 children with karyotypically confirmed full trisomy 21 and from 36 normal siblings (mean age 7.4 years). Metabolites involved in homocysteine metabolism were measured and compared to those of normal siblings used as controls. Lymphocyte DNA methylation status was determined as a functional endpoint. The results indicated that plasma levels of homocysteine, methionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, and S-adenosylmethionine were all significantly decreased in children with DS and that their lymphocyte DNA was hypermethylated relative to that in normal siblings. Plasma levels of cystathionine and cysteine were significantly increased, consistent with an increase in CBS activity. Plasma glutathione levels were significantly reduced in the children with DS and may reflect an increase in oxidative stress due to the overexpression of the superoxide dismutase gene, also located on chromosome 21. The addition of methionine, folinic acid, methyl-B12, thymidine, or dimethylglycine to the cultured trisomy 21 lymphoblastoid cells improved the metabolic profile in vitro. The increased activity of CBS in children with DS significantly alters homocysteine metabolism such that the folate-dependent resynthesis of methionine is compromised. The decreased availability of homocysteine promotes the well-established “folate trap,” creating a functional folate deficiency that may contribute to the metabolic pathology of this complex genetic disorder.
Glucose induction pathway regulates meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in part by controlling turnover of Ime2p meiotic kinase

Several components of the glucose induction pathway, namely the Snf3p glucose sensor and the Rgt1p and Mth1p transcription factors, were shown to be involved in inhibition of sporulation by glucose. The glucose sensors had only a minor role in regulating transcript levels of the two key regulators of meiotic initiation, the Ime1p transcription factor and the Ime2p kinase, but a major role in regulating Ime2p stability. Interestingly, Rgt1p was involved in glucose inhibition of spore formation but not inhibition of Ime2p stability. Thus, the glucose induction pathway may regulate meiosis through both RGT1-dependent and RGT1-independent pathways.
Bias-induced color-tuned semiconductor devices

A three terminal light emitter in which the emission wavelength is selected by an applied voltage and the emission intensity is independently modulated by an applied current has been demonstrated. The device exhibits coaxial optical output, a large wavelength separation (8210 /spl Aring/ or 7640 /spl Aring/, /spl Delta//spl lambda/=570 /spl Aring/), low operational voltages (<5 V) and currents, and high emission contrast ratios (as large as 159:1 and as small as 1:76). Having selected the wavelength the optical output power can be independently modulated without loss of wavelength selectivity. Wavelength switching can be accomplished while maintaining a high contrast ratio and optical output power.
Use of a high infusion rate to prevent posterior dislocation of fluocinolone acetonide implant during surgical removal.

Purpose: To describe a strategy for reducing the risk of posterior dislocation of a fluocinolone implant during exchange or removal.Design: Case report and in vitro model.Methods: Description of a surgical case and an in vitro experiment evaluating the role of infusion pressure in maintaining implant stability in surgery.Results: Use of an elevated infusion pressure allowed safe removal of a fluocinolone implant that spontaneously dissociated into two pieces during removal. An in vitro model using the implant’s drug reservoir in a cadaver eye demonstrated that the implant remained in a stable location at the scleral incision if the infusion pressure was high, whereas with a lower infusion pressure the implant spontaneously fell onto the posterior pole of the eye.Conclusions: During exchange or removal of a fluocinolone implant, an elevated infusion pressure may reduce the risk of posterior dislocation of the device.
Tackling the Persistent Effects of Concussion

In some people, the harmful consequences of a concussion can last more than 3 months; there are no effective drugs. Koski et al . hypothesized that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)— known to be effective for depression—would be tolerable, safe, and effective in patients with long-lasting symptoms after a concussion. In this pilot study, 15 patients with persistent mild to severe post-concussive symptoms that lasted 6 or more months received 4 weeks of treatment. In rTMS, magnetic pulses are delivered through the skull to stimulate nerve cells in targeted brain regions. Here the authors administer rTMS on 5 consecutive weekdays (20 sessions), with stimulation intensity increasing gradually across sessions. Subjects completed cognitive testing 2 weeks before and after treatment, and then again 3 months after the last rTMS session. Among the 12 patients who tolerated all 20 sessions, none reported any serious adverse effects. Two weeks after treatment, the symptoms decreased in 9 of the 12 patients (75%), and overall there was a clinically meaningful mean reduction of post-concussive symptoms. By 3 months after treatment, however, some of the treatment effect had disappeared. A significant limitation of this study was the lack of a control group; it is unclear whether no treatment would produce similar results. Nevertheless, the results of this study suggest that rTMS treatment for patients with persistent post-concussive symptoms warrants further study. L. Koski et al ., Noninvasive brain stimulation for postconcussion symptoms in mild traumatic brain injury. J. Neurotrauma 10.1089/neu.2014.3449 (2014). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/neu.2014.3449
A 20-kDa domain is required for phosphatidic acid-induced allosteric activation of phospholipase D from Streptomyces chromofuscus.

Two phospholipase D (PLD) enzymes with both hydrolase and transferase activities were isolated from Streptomyces chromofuscus. There were substantial differences in the kinetic properties of the two PLD enzymes towards monomeric, micellar, and vesicle substrates. The most striking difference was that the higher molecular weight enzyme (PLD57 ∼57 kDa) could be activated allosterically with a low mole fraction of phosphatidic acid (PA) incorporated into a PC bilayer (Geng et al., J. Biol. Chem. 273 (1998) 12195–12202). PLD42/20, a tightly associated complex of two peptides, one of 42 kDa and the other 20 kDa, had a 4–6-fold higher Vmax toward PC substrates than PLD57 and was not activated by PA. N-Terminal sequencing of both enzymes indicated that both components of PLD42/20 were cleavage products of PLD57. The larger component included the N-terminal segment of PLD57 and contained the active site. The N-terminus of the smaller peptide corresponded to the C-terminal region of PLD57; this peptide had no PLD activity by itself. Increasing the pH of PLD42/20 to 8.9, followed by chromatography of PLD42/20 on a HiTrap Q column at pH 8.5 separated the 42- and 20-kDa proteins. The 42-kDa complex had about the same specific activity with or without the 20-kDa fragment. The lack of PA activation for the 42-kDa protein and for PLD42/20 indicates that an intact C-terminal region of PLD57 is necessary for activation by PA. Furthermore, the mechanism for transmission of the allosteric signal requires an intact PLD57.
KPNA7, an oocyte- and embryo-specific karyopherin α subtype, is required for porcine embryo development

Coordinated partitioning of intracellular cargoes between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments is critical for cell survival and differentiation. The karyopherin α/β heterodimer functions to import cytoplasmic proteins that possess classical nuclear localisation signals into the nucleus. Seven karyopherinαsubtypes have been identified in mammals. The aim of this study was to determine the relative abundance of transcripts encoding seven karyopherinαsubtypes in porcine oocytes and embryos at discrete stages of cleavage development, and to determine the developmental requirements of karypopherinα7 (KPNA7), an oocyte and cleavage stage embryo-specific karyopherinαsubtype. We hypothesised that knockdown of KPNA7 would negatively affect porcine cleavage development. To test this hypothesis, in vitro matured and fertilised porcine oocytes were injected with a double-stranded interfering RNA molecule that targeted KPNA7; nuclei were counted in all embryos 6 days after fertilisation. Embryos injected with KPNA7-interfering RNAs possessed significantly lower cell numbers than their respective control groups (P<0.05). In vitro binding assays also suggest that KPNA7 may transport intracellular proteins that possess unique nuclear localisation signals. Our data suggest that embryos have differential requirements for individual karyopherinαsubtypes and that these karyopherinαsubtypes differentially transport intracellular cargo during cleavage development.
High-Throughput Screening for Daunorubicin-Mediated Drug Resistance Identifies Mometasone Furoate as a Novel ABCB1-Reversal Agent

The overexpression of P-glycoprotein, encoded by the ATP Binding Cassette B1 (ABCB1) gene, contributes to multidrug resistance (MDR) and is considered one of the major obstacles to successful cancer chemotherapy. The authors previously developed a T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell line that overexpresses ABCB1 and exhibits MDR to daunorubicin (DNR), prednisolone, and vincristine. Using this cell line and the fluorescent probe JC-1, they developed a flow cytometry-based, high-throughput screening (HTS) assay that quantifies ABCB1 efflux. They screened a library of 880 off-patent drugs for their ability to inhibit ABCB1 efflux and then measured the ability of 11 lead compounds to reverse in vitro DNR-mediated drug resistance and the toxic doses for each agent. Seven of the 11 drugs were able to reverse drug resistance at a concentration significantly below its toxic dose. Of the remaining 7, only 1 compound, mometasone furoate, has not been previously described as an ABCB1 antagonist to DNR-mediated drug resistance. On the basis of its high ABC modulator activity and relatively large in vitro therapeutic window, this drug warrants further investigation. In addition, the approach used in this study is useful for identifying off-patent drugs that may be repurposed for novel clinical indications.
Turbulence statistics in fully developed channel flow at low reynolds number

A direct numerical simulation of a turbulent channel flow is performed. The unsteady Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically at a Reynolds number of 3300, based on the mean centerline velocity and channel half-width, with about 4 million grid points. All essential turbulence scales are resolved on the computational grid and no subgrid model is used. A large number of turbulence statistics are computed and compared with the existing experimental data at comparable Reynolds numbers. Agreements as well as discrepancies are discussed in detail. Particular attention is given to the behavior of turbulence correlations near the wall. A number of statistical correlations which are complementary to the existing experimental data are reported for the first time.
Coordinating Coordination Failures in Keynesian Models

This paper focuses on the importance of strategic complementarities in agents’ payoff functions as a basis for macroeconomic coordination failures. Strategic complementarities arise when the optimal strategy of an agent depends positively upon the strategies of the other agents. We first analyze an abstract game and find that multiple equilibria and a multiplier process may arise when strategic complementarities are present. Often these equilibria can be Pareto ranked. We then place additional economic content on the analysis of this game by considering strategic complementarities arising from production functions, matching technologies, and commodity demand functions in a multisector, imperfectly competitive economy. C 1988 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. © 1988 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Phenotypic Identification and Classification of Functional Defecatory Disorders Using High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry

Background & Aims Disordered defecation is attributed to pelvic floor dyssynergia. However, clinical observations indicate a spectrum of anorectal dysfunctions. The extent to which these disorders are distinct or overlap is unclear; anorectal manometry might be used in diagnosis, but healthy persons also can have abnormal rectoanal pressure gradients during simulated evacuation. We aimed to characterize phenotypic variation in constipated patients through high-resolution anorectal manometry. Methods We evaluated anorectal pressures, measured with high-resolution anorectal manometry, and rectal balloon expulsion time in 62 healthy women and 295 women with chronic constipation. Phenotypes were characterized by principal components analysis of high-resolution anorectal manometry. Results Two healthy persons and 71 patients had prolonged (>180 s) rectal balloon expulsion time. A principal components logistic model discriminated healthy people from patients with prolonged balloon expulsion time with 75% sensitivity and a specificity of 75%. Four phenotypes discriminated healthy people from patients with abnormal balloon expulsion times; 2 phenotypes discriminated healthy people from those with constipation but normal balloon expulsion time. Phenotypes were characterized based on high anal pressure at rest and during evacuation (high anal), low rectal pressure alone (low rectal) or low rectal pressure with impaired anal relaxation during evacuation (hybrid), and a short anal high-pressure zone. Symptoms were not useful for predicting which patients had prolonged balloon expulsion times. Conclusions Principal components analysis of rectoanal pressures identified 3 phenotypes (high anal, low rectal, and hybrid) that can discriminate among patients with normal and abnormal balloon expulsion time. These phenotypes might be useful to classify patients and increase our understanding of the pathogenesis of defecatory disorders.
ECG-gated 99mTc single-photon emission CT for assessment of right ventricular structure and function: is the information provided similar to echocardiography?

Study objective: 99m Tc single-photon emission CT (SPECT) and ECG-gated SPECT can visualize well the right ventricle (RV) in most patients, but their utility for assessment of the RV has not been formally evaluated. We examined whether 99m Tc SPECT/ECG-gated SPECT provide similar information to transthoracic two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography (2D-ECHO) regarding RV cavity size, wall thickness, and systolic function. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: A major university teaching hospital. Patients: A consecutive series of 194 patients with good quality stress SPECT and 2D-ECHO studies performed within 1 day of each other and no significant interim cardiac events. Measurements and results: RV size and function were visually assessed by SPECT/ECG-gated SPECT and 2D-ECHO. RV wall thickness was visually assessed by SPECT and measured in mm in end-diastole by 2D-ECHO. Of 142 patients with normal RV cavity size by SPECT, 134 patients (94%) had normal RV cavity size by 2D-ECHO. However, of 52 patients with RV dilation by SPECT, only 9 patients (17%) had RV dilation by 2D-ECHO. A perfusion abnormality in the right coronary artery territory was significantly associated with RV dilation by SPECT (p < 0.005) and 2D-ECHO (p < 0.05). Among 150 patients with ECG-gated SPECT, only 2 patients had abnormal RV systolic function, as compared with 18 patients by 2D-ECHO. RV wall thickness measurements by SPECT and 2D-ECHO did not correlate. Conclusions: For normal interpretations regarding RV cavity size, wall thickness, and systolic function, there is good agreement between 99m Tc stress SPECT/ECG-gated SPECT and 2DECHO. However, there is poor overall agreement between gated SPECT/ECG-gated SPECT and 2D-ECHO regarding the presence of RV dilation, hypertrophy, and systolic dysfunction. (CHEST 2003; 124:227–232)
The concept of socialrace

Explication of the concept of socialrace: the concept variously refers to (1) a social group that is taken to be a racialist race, (2) the social position occupied by a particular social group that is a socialrace and (3) the system of social positions that are socialraces. Socialrace is distinguished from other more familiar forms of social construction. The sense in which socialrace counts as a race concept is explained. The advantages of the term ‘socialrace’ are discussed. The desiderata for a conception of socialrace are articulated. The concept socialrace is contrasted with other similar concepts.
Using concept maps for evaluating program objectives

In assessing students' conceptual understanding of their engineering discipline, traditional methods such as exams and surveys do not capture the level of knowledge integration that students have obtained about their field of study. At the University of Pittsburgh, we are investigating the use of concept maps to measure this "knowledge integration" as part of meeting program objectives. Unfortunately the qualitative nature of concept maps makes scoring and data analysis laborious. To combat this, a holistic metric was developed that effectively measures the comprehensiveness, structure and correctness of students' maps. In the spring of 2000, a sample of sophomore, junior and senior industrial engineering students developed concept maps of their field of study. This experiment was repeated in the fall of 2002 with seniors, many of who had participated in the initial experiment as sophomores. When traditional methods of scoring the maps yielded little information of value, a holistic approach was developed in an effort to quantify students' conceptual understanding of their engineering academic program. This paper describes the development of the holistic metric and analyzes the scored maps relative to a number of student related factors. Also discussed is how the scored maps can be further used to evaluate programmatic objectives.
Effective Systems Engineering Training

The need for systems engineering training is steadily increasing, as both the defense and commercial markets take on more complex "systems of systems" work. A variety of universities and commercial training vendors have assembled courses of various lengths, format, and content to meet this need. This presentation looks at the requirements for systems engineering training, and discusses techniques for increasing its effectiveness. Several format and content options for meeting these requirements are compared and contrasted, and an experience-based curriculum is shown.
Effect of enterovirus D68 on Lung Clearance Index in patients with cystic fibrosis: A case report

Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) causes airways obstruction and a decline in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%). FEV1% is an objective measure of a pulmonary exacerbation of CF; improvement in FEV1% is the endpoint used often to determine success of treatment of these acute declines in pulmonary health. Lung Clearance Index (LCI), derived from multiple breath inert gas washout (MBW) test, measures ventilation inhomogeneity and small airways dysfunction. In the United States in 2014–2015, enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), a novel virus, led to hospitalizations in children because of respiratory distress. This report describes 2 patients with CF admitted for pulmonary exacerbations who were enrolled in an inpatient study to assess patient satisfaction and utility of MBW to measure LCI. Diagnostic testing indicated that these patients were infected with EV-D68. Although their FEV1% improved to their previous baseline following treatment for pulmonary exacerbation, it was discordant with LCI. We discuss LCI as a novel measure of pulmonary function and hypothesize that, based on these cases, it may be a more sensitive indicator of ongoing post-viral airways dysfunction as compared to FEV1%.
An apparatus to quantify anteroposterior and mediolateral shear reduction in shoe insoles.

Background: Many of the physiological changes that lead to diabetic foot ulceration, such as muscle atrophy and skin hardening, are manifested at the foot–ground interface via pressure and shear points. Novel shear-reducing insoles have been developed, but their magnitude of shear stiffness has not yet been compared with regular insoles. The aim of this study was to develop an apparatus that would apply shear force and displacement to an insole’s forefoot region, reliably measure deformation, and calculate insole shear stiffness. Methods: An apparatus consisting of suspended weights was designed to test the forefoot region of insoles. Three separate regions representing the hallux; the first and second metatarsals; and the third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals were sheared at 20 mm/min for displacements from 0.1 to 1.0 mm in both the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions for two types of insoles (regular and shear reducing). Results: Shear reduction was found to be significant for the intervention insoles under all testing conditions. The ratio of a regular insole’s effective stiffness and the experimental insole’s effective stiffness across forefoot position versus shear direction, gait instance versus shear direction, and forefoot position versus gait instance was 270% ± 79%, 270% ± 96%, and 270% ± 86%, respectively. The apparatus was reliable with an average measured coefficient of variation of 0.034 and 0.069 for the regular and shear-reducing insole, respectively. Conclusion:
Seasonal Variations of the Urban Heat Island at the Surface and the Near-Surface and Reductions due to Urban Vegetation in Mexico City

AbstractThe contrast of vegetation cover in urban and surrounding areas modulates the magnitude of the urban heat island (UHI). This paper examines the seasonal variations of the UHI using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), surface meteorological observations, and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. A distinction is made between the land surface UHI observed by satellite and the near-surface UHI observed by measuring the air temperature. The land surface UHI is found to be high at night throughout the year but drops during the wet season. The daytime UHI is low or even exhibits an urban cool island throughout the year but increases during the wet season. The near-surface air temperature UHI trend is similar to the land surface temperature UHI at night. By day, however, the air temperature UHI remains constant throughout the year. Regression analysis showed that the daytime land surface UHI correlates with the difference in vegetation fraction between the urban and sur...
Regulation of Synaptic Transmission by Ambient Extracellular Glutamate

Many neuroscientists assume that ambient extracellular glutamate concentrations in the nervous system are biologically negligible under nonpathological conditions. This assumption is false. Hundreds of studies over several decades suggest that ambient extracellular glutamate levels in the intact mammalian brain are approximately 0.5 to approximately 5 microM. This has important implications. Glutamate receptors are desensitized by glutamate concentrations significantly lower than needed for receptor activation; 0.5 to 5 microM of glutamate is high enough to cause constitutive desensitization of most glutamate receptors. Therefore, most glutamate receptors in vivo may be constitutively desensitized, and ambient extracellular glutamate and receptor desensitization may be potent but generally unrecognized regulators of synaptic transmission. Unfortunately, the mechanisms regulating ambient extracellular glutamate and glutamate receptor desensitization remain poorly understood and understudied.
Arterial misplacement of large-caliber cannulas during jugular vein catheterization: case for surgical management.

Abstract Background Accidental placement of a large sheath or catheter in an artery during central venous cannulation, though rare, is a potentially devastating complication. The present study reviews our 14-year experience with this complication to determine appropriate role of surgical management. Study design Review was conducted of all cases involving patients treated by the vascular surgery service from July 1989 to June 2003 for accidental placement of a large-caliber cannula (≥ 7 F) in an artery during catheterization of the jugular vein. Two management techniques were used during this period: removal of cannula followed by application of local pressure; and surgical exploration, removal of cannula under direct vision, and repair of artery. Results Eleven patients (5 men, 6 women) aged 35 to 73 years (mean age 56 years) were treated for cannulas placed accidentally in an artery. In nine patients, the cannula entered the carotid artery, and in two patients it entered the subclavian artery. Three patients had undergone placement of 8.5-F sheaths for monitoring cardiac hemodynamics, and 8 patients had triple-lumen catheters for fluid infusion or parenteral nutrition. Eight patients (three sheath, five catheter) were asymptomatic at the time of cannula removal. In three patients, the correct diagnosis was missed initially and infusion was started. All three developed neurologic symptoms. In two patients, the cannula (sheath) was pulled and pressure applied. One of them developed a stroke and the other developed a pseudoaneurysm that was treated surgically. Nine patients in whom the sheath or catheter was removed by surgical exploration had no new complications related to surgery. Conclusions Surgical management seems to be the most effective and safe treatment of arterial misplacement of cannulas during jugular vein catheterization. Further study is needed to determine the optimum management of this potentially devastating complication.
Classification of melanoma using tree structured wavelet transforms

This paper presents a wavelet transform based tree structure model developed and evaluated for the classification of skin lesion images into melanoma and dysplastic nevus. The tree structure model utilizes a semantic representation of the spatial-frequency information contained in the skin lesion images including textural information. Results show that the presented method is effective in discriminating melanoma from dysplastic nevus. The results are also compared with those obtained using another method of developing tree structures utilizing the maximum channel energy criteria with a fixed energy ratio threshold.
Wireless biomechanical power harvesting via flexible magnetostrictive ribbons

Magnetostrictive Terfenol-D ribbons exhibiting superior magnetization values were printed onto a silicone elastomer. Deformation of the magnetostrictive ribbons alters domain orientation, which changes the magnetic flux. Interfacing the flexible magnetostrictive ribbons with a biomechanical source led to continuous sample deformations, which resulted in ‘radiating’ electromagnetic power to a remote receiver, thereby realizing wireless biomechanical power harvesting.
Vascular Flora and Plant Communities of the John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest State Nature Preserve (Anglin Falls Ravine), Rockcastle County, Kentucky

Abstract A descriptive floristic study of the vascular flora and plant communities was conducted at the John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest State Nature Preserve in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, during the growing seasons of 1997–98. This 51-hectare rugged natural tract of the Berea College Forest, formerly known as Anglin Falls Ravine, is the 36th Kentucky State Nature Preserve. The vascular flora consists of 98 families, 310 genera, and 538 species (56 of these non-native). Species are classified into Lycopodiophyta (4), Polypodiophyta (29), Pinophyta (5), and Magnoliophyta (500). The four largest families in species are the Asteraceae (79), Poaceae (46), Cyperaceae (35), and Fabaceae (20). Eleven plant communities are described from field survey and plant sampling work. Seven are forested, two are microhabitats within those seven communities, one is a wetland meadow, and one is a culturally disturbed community. The Preserve supports an excellent example of protected Mixed Mesophytic Forest in the Norther...
Comparison of the gene encoding, and the predicted amino acid composition of, platelet membrane receptor subunit glycoprotein Ibα in members of the family Felidae.

Background There is minimal information regarding platelet receptors in the family Felidae. Comparative studies assist with identifying amino acids critical for protein structure and function. Objective The purpose of the study was to compare the gene encoding, and the predicted amino acid composition of, platelet membrane receptor subunit GPIbα in Felidae family members. Methods Genomic DNA samples isolated from whole blood of 13 domestic cats and 50 big cats representing 8 different species were subjected to PCR using primers designed to flank the coding region of GPIbα in overlapping fashion. PCR products were separated via electrophoresis on agarose gels, and extracted products were submitted for sequencing. DNA sequences were used to predict the length and amino acid composition of the protein. Results Varying protein lengths were predicted in Felidae family members which were primarily due to polymorphisms in the variable number of tandem repeats region encoding the macroglycopeptide region of GPIbα. Other areas of the gene and predicted amino acid compositions were fairly conserved when compared to human sequences and between Felidae family members. Conclusion Various polymorphisms within GPIbα, including length variants encoding the macroglycopeptide region, were identified in members of the family Felidae. More studies are needed to determine if a correlation exists between various polymorphisms and predisposition for hemorrhage or thrombosis as suggested in people.
Change in Plasma Phosphate Concentration on Infusion of Calcium Gluconate or Na2EDTA

SummaryThe change in plasma phosphate concentration was studied in unanesthetized dogs by continuously infusing calcium gluconate or Na2EDTA intravenously at a constant rate until the plasma calcium obtained a steady state. The changes in plasma phosphate concentration in the normal and thyroparathyroidectomized animals were primarily dependent on the rate of calcium infusion and independent of both thyroid and parathyroid glands together.
Influence of Group Size on Daily Per Capita Birth Rates of the Cabbage Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Collards

Daily per capita birth rates of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), increased 40–50% as numbers of adult female aphids in artificially created groups on kale plants increased from three or fewer to six or more adults. Reproduction was enhanced at a declining rate such that the maximal effect was observed at 10 females per group, with no further increase up to 27 females per group. Increasing the number of females per group enhanced per capita birth rates on potted kale plants under greenhouse conditions and on field-grown kale plants. Enhancement under field conditions was observed in warm (22°C) but not cool (15°C) periods.
The SDREM Method for Reconstructing Signaling and Regulatory Response Networks: Applications for Studying Disease Progression

The Signaling and Dynamic Regulatory Events Miner (SDREM) is a powerful computational approach for identifying which signaling pathways and transcription factors control the temporal cellular response to a stimulus. SDREM builds end-to-end response models by combining condition-independent protein-protein interactions and transcription factor binding data with two types of condition-specific data: source proteins that detect the stimulus and changes in gene expression over time. Here we describe how to apply SDREM to study human diseases, using epidermal growth factor (EGF) response impacting neurogenesis and Alzheimer's disease as an example.
Marijuana and T Iymphocyte rosettes

The effect of marijuana smoking on sheep cell rosetting properties of both early (active) and total T lymphocytes was studied in vitro. Significantly fewer active rosettes were formed by T cells from a population of 35 who appeared to be chronic marijuana smokers than the 34 controls. The late, or cold-enhanced rosettes formed by smokers and nonsmokers were similar, suggesting that similar numbers of rosette-forming T cells were present in the peripheral blood of smokers. These data suggest that marijuana smoking may affect the function of a subpopulation of T lymphocytes, identified by their capacity to form early rosettes, possibly by affecting these cell membranes.