cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydroxide anion at the air–water interface

Whether aqueous interfaces are acidic or basic has implications for interfacial chemistry, but the question remains open. We employ first-principles molecular dynamics simulations to determine the intrinsic propensity of OH− for the air–water interface and find that OH− is stabilized by roughly kBT at the interface vs. the bulk. We predict, therefore, that the surface population OH− is slightly enhanced. Our simulations suggest that the solvation of OH− at the interface is similar to that observed in small water clusters, and they reveal changes in the orientation of solvating water molecules that are consistent with surface-sensitive vibrational spectra.
Physiologic Aspects of Human Heart-Lung Transplantation* Pulmonary Function Status of the Post-Transplanted Lung

Pulmonary function measurements were performed before and after heart-lung transplantation in nine patients who had undergone surgery for end-stage pulmonary hypertension. In seven of them, sequential follow-up studies were performed at variable times postoperatively with the longest period 27 months. Pre-transplant studies showed a mild restrictive defect in 33 percent and obstructive disease in 50 percent of the patients, respectively. Arterial hypoxemia was present in all patients. The degree of mechanical changes found did not appear severe enough to account for the marked dyspnea and disability characterizing this group of patients with pulmonary hypertension. Following transplantation, all patients showed striking improvement of symptoms and general physical status. In the early post-transplant period, there was a marked decrease in most lung volumes resulting in a moderately severe restrictive ventilatory defect. Flow parameters that were reduced could be related to decreased volumes and not to intrinsic airway obstruction. Arterial O2 tensions improved dramatically and gas exchange was maintained at essentially normal levels. Lung function tended to improve progressively following transplantation with the passage of time. Heart-lung transplant is consistent with an adequate long-term pulmonary functional state which has the capacity to sustain the normal activities of daily living. From the standpoint of lung function, heart-lung transplantation appears to be acceptable as a form of therapy in selected patients.
Does Labor Market Status Influence Self-Assessed Health?

This study examines whether individuals’ self-assessed health is related to their previous standing in the labor market and their self-assessed health at that time. We find that, once self-assessed health in the past is controlled for, none of the specified reasons behind individuals’ labor market status at that time, including the inability to find work, have a statistically significant adverse impact on current assessment of physical or mental health. We do find, however, that women obtaining a job in the past period will currently perceive that their physical health is improved, and that previously unemployed men with a job to return to in the current period also experienced perceptions of better health in the current period. We present evidence that these perceptions share a common factor with other health indicators such as sick days and quasi-objective measures of physical and mental health.
Geographical variation in fallow deer (Dama dama L.).

IN Great Britain fallow deer are distributed widely and are the most common species in deer parks. It is not known if this deer is indigenous to Britain or whether it was introduced during historic times; popular belief has it that it was introduced by the Romans.
Pathologic Features of Sudden Death in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

Pathologic investigation of 50 children, adolescents, and young adults who died suddenly and unexpectedly revealed that the most frequently encountered cardiovascular diseases were mitral valve prolapse (12 cases), myocarditis (12 cases), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (six cases), and anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the aorta (two cases). Five subjects had no evidence of cardiac abnormalities. A striking family history of sudden death was encountered among eight subjects, of whom three had mitral valve prolapse and three had normal hearts. Assessing the circumstances surrounding sudden death, it was found that at the time of collapse, 32 subjects were engaged in regular activity, eight subjects were engaged in active athletics, and ten were found dead in bed. A relationship of the terminal event to emotional stress was reported in three subjects.
Exploring Contributing Factors to Driver Injury Levels during Nighttime at Local Collectors

This study investigated the night time crash characteristics at local collectors. The multinomial logit model (MNL) was selected to estimate the contributing factors to different injury outcomes for night time crashes. The latest six-year crash data (2005-2010) were obtained from Florida Crash Annual Report (CAR) System. Five injury level outcomes, no injury, possible injury, non-incapacitating injury, capacitating injury, and fatal injury, were considered. A total of 824 crashes were observed in local collectors. Five explanatory variables, post speed limit, lighting, single vehicle, truck/bus, and age, are significant at a 95% confidence level. Street light presence is the most significant factor to the injury outcome at local collectors and a single vehicle crash could significantly increase the possibility of all injury outcomes compared to a multi-vehicle crash. The odds ratios suggest the having street lights could reduce the relative risk of being in incapacitating injury and fatal injury at local collectors.
C-terminal Di-arginine Motif of Cdc42 Protein Is Essential for Binding to Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate-containing Membranes and Inducing Cellular Transformation

Rho GTPases regulate a diverse range of processes that are dependent on their proper cellular localization. The membrane localization of these GTPases is due in large part to their carboxyl-terminal geranylgeranyl moiety. In addition, most of the Rho family members contain a cluster of positively charged residues (i.e. a “polybasic domain”), directly preceding their geranylgeranyl moiety, and it has been suggested that this domain serves to fine-tune their localization among different cellular membrane sites. Here, we have taken a closer look at the role of the polybasic domain of Cdc42 in its ability to bind to membranes and induce the transformation of fibroblasts. A FRET assay for the binding of Cdc42 to liposomes of defined composition showed that Cdc42 associates more strongly with liposomes containing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) when compared either with uncharged control membranes or with liposomes containing a charge-equivalent amount of phosphatidylserine. The carboxyl-terminal di-arginine motif (Arg-186 and Arg-187) was shown to play an essential role in the binding of Cdc42 to PIP2-containing membranes. We further showed that substitutions for the di-arginine motif, when introduced within a constitutively active (“fast cycling”) Cdc42(F28L) background, had little effect on the ability of the activated Cdc42 mutant to induce microspikes/filopodia in NIH 3T3 cells, whereas they eliminated its ability to transform fibroblasts. Taken together, these findings suggest that the di-arginine motif within the carboxyl terminus of Cdc42 is necessary for this GTPase to bind at membrane sites containing PIP2, where it can initiate signaling activities that are essential for the oncogenic transformation of cells.
Stress-Resilience, Illness, and Coping: A Person-Focused Investigation of Young Women Athletes

Coping correlates of resilience, defined as resistance to illness in the face of exposure to high numbers of negative life events, were studied in a sample of 404 young women high school athletes. Negative life events and coping strategies were assessed preseason, and daily illness data were collected during the course of the season. Among athletes with high levels of exposure to negative life events, resilient (no illness time loss) and nonresilient (upper third of time loss distribution) groups were compared on 6 scales of the Ways of Coping Checklist. Coping profiles of the groups differed significantly, with resilient athletes favoring Problem-focused Coping and Seeking Social Support, and nonresilient athletes reporting greater use of Avoidance and Blaming Others. Correlations among Problem-focused Coping, Seeking Social Support, and Minimize Threat were higher in the resilient group. Results suggest that certain coping strategies may contribute to illness-resistance in the face of high life stress.
Oxygen Reduction Reaction Evaluation of Platinum Catalysts Formed via the Reactive Spray Deposition Technique

Reactive Spray Deposition Technology (RSDT) is a fabrication process developed for the 1-step deposition of platinum catalyst, carbon support and ionomer directly onto a Nafion® membrane. The process involves pumping a platinum-organic solute dissolved in a combustible solvent through an atomizer. The spray is then combusted and nanosized particles of platinum are produced and subsequently cooled by a gas quench. Once the reaction plume is cooled a secondary set of nozzles is used to inject the carbon support and ionomer. The quench air cools the reactive zone enough to allow direct deposition onto a Nafion® electrolyte or a glassy carbon electrode. This arrangement thus realizes a process for one-step catalyst formation, dispersion onto carbon and direct deposition onto an electrolyte membrane. The independent control of the three components allows for real-time control of the carbon, platinum, and ionomer ratios in the final electrode. In this research work we examine the oxygen reduction reaction via a rotating disc three electrode set-up to understand the intrinsic activity of the as-sprayed platinum. The mass and specific activities were measured in a 0.1 M perchloric acid electrolyte under different deposition conditions and loading was verified by atomic emission spectroscopy inductively coupled plasma (AES-ICP). A range of microscopy images for visualization of the microstructure are also presented. The initial results show that the RSDT technique is capable of producing catalysts with oxygen reduction mass activity at 0.9 V of 200 mA/mgPt rotating at 1600 rpm and 30 °C.Copyright © 2011 by ASME and The Crown in Right of Canada
The chromatin remodeller ACF acts as a dimeric motor to space nucleosomes

Evenly spaced nucleosomes directly correlate with condensed chromatin and gene silencing. The ATP-dependent chromatin assembly factor (ACF) forms such structures in vitro and is required for silencing in vivo. ACF generates and maintains nucleosome spacing by constantly moving a nucleosome towards the longer flanking DNA faster than the shorter flanking DNA. How the enzyme rapidly moves back and forth between both sides of a nucleosome to accomplish bidirectional movement is unknown. Here we show that nucleosome movement depends cooperatively on two ACF molecules, indicating that ACF functions as a dimer of ATPases. Further, the nucleotide state determines whether the dimer closely engages one or both sides of the nucleosome. Three-dimensional reconstruction by single-particle electron microscopy of the ATPase-nucleosome complex in an activated ATP state reveals a dimer architecture in which the two ATPases face each other. Our results indicate a model in which the two ATPases work in a coordinated manner, taking turns to engage either side of a nucleosome, thereby allowing processive bidirectional movement. This novel dimeric motor mechanism differs from that of dimeric motors such as kinesin and dimeric helicases that processively translocate unidirectionally and reflects the unique challenges faced by motors that move nucleosomes.
SU-DD-A2-06: EPID Portal Dosimetry for IMRT Validation

Purpose: To evaluate portal dosimetry using EPID as an alternative method for patient specific IMRT pre‐treatment verification. Dose profiles obtained using EPID and EDR2 film are compared and analyzed.Method and Materials: A total of 40 fields from patients' IMRT plans were retrospectively analyzed. 35 of which were planned with 23MV and 5 fields with 6MV. Hybrid plan was created using Eclipse TPS for each patient. All fields were measured using EPID and EDR2 film at gantry angle of 0°. Film was placed transversely into a solid water phantom at the depth of 10.3cm. EPIDimager was set to 105cm. Dose profiles for all fields were compared. γ index proposed by Low D.A. et al was used to quantify the disagreement between measured and planned dose distributions. Criteria used for γ index was set at 3%/3mm. To exclude the data outside of treatment fields, only dose higher than 20% of maximum dose was included for calculation. γ values were grouped with different dose ranges and averaged for both and EPID and EDR2 film. Results: Both EPID and EDR2 film data show good correlation between measured and planned dose. Average γ value was 0.63±0.03 for EPID and 0.61±0.03 for film dosimetry. It is statistically insignificant between the results from EPID and EDR2 film using 6MV and 23MV. However, a significant difference of γ index for the dose less than 40% of maximum dose (p<0.05) is observed using EPID and EDR2 film. Conclusion: Use of EPID to measure IMRT pre‐treatment QA appears a comparable result to film dosimetry. In advent of digital imaging,EPIDdosimetry would be a quick and easy alternative for IMRT planning verification.
Modelling the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence - An invariant dynamical systems approach

The modeling of the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence is examined from a basic theoretical standpoint with a view toward developing improved second-order closure models. Invariance considerations along with elementary dynamical systems theory are used in the analysis of the standard hierarchy of closure models. In these commonly used models, the pressure-strain correlation is assumed to be a linear function of the mean velocity gradients with coefficients that depend algebraically on the anisotropy tensor. It is proven that for plane homogeneous turbulent flows the equilibrium structure of this hierarchy of models is encapsulated by a relatively simple model which is only quadratically nonlinear in the anisotropy tensor. This new quadratic model - the SSG model - is shown to outperform the Launder, Reece, and Rodi model (as well as more recent models that have a considerably more complex nonlinear structure) in a variety of homogeneous turbulent flows. Some deficiencies still remain for the description of rotating turbulent shear flows that are intrinsic to this general hierarchy of models and, hence, cannot be overcome by the mere introduction of more complex nonlinearities. It is thus argued that the recent trend of adding substantially more complex nonlinear terms containing the anisotropy tensor may be of questionable value in the modeling of the pressure-strain correlation. Possible alternative approaches are discussed briefly.
Comparative Study of Hemopoietic Precursors from Fetal and Adult Bone Marrow: Utilization of Stem Cells Derived from Miscarriages

Hemopoietic and immune capacities of fetal bone marrow (FBM) obtained from 2nd-trimester lost pregnancies and adult bone marrow (ABM) were compared. Progenitor cell assays for both sources were also e
The structural properties of the transmembrane segment of the integral membrane protein phospholamban utilizing 13C CPMAS, 2H, and REDOR solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Abstract Solid-state NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate the secondary structure of the transmembrane peptide phospholamban (TM-PLB), a sarcoplasmic Ca2+ regulator. 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning spectra of 13C carbonyl-labeled Leu39 of TM-PLB exhibited two peaks in a pure 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayer, each due to a different structural conformation of phospholamban as characterized by the corresponding 13C chemical shift. The addition of a negatively charged phospholipid (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylglycerol (POPG)) to the POPC bilayer stabilized TM-PLB to an α-helical conformation as monitored by an enhancement of the α-helical carbonyl 13C resonance in the corresponding NMR spectrum. 13C–15N REDOR solid-state NMR spectroscopic experiments revealed the distance between the 13C carbonyl carbon of Leu39 and the 15N amide nitrogen of Leu42 to be 4.2 ± 0.2A indicating an α-helical conformation of TM-PLB with a slight deviation from an ideal 3.6 amino acid per turn helix. Finally, the quadrupolar splittings of three 2H labeled leucines (Leu28, Leu39, and Leu51) incorporated in mechanically aligned DOPE/DOPC bilayers yielded an 11° ± 5° tilt of TM-PLB with respect to the bilayer normal. In addition to elucidating valuable TM-PLB secondary structure information, the solid-state NMR spectroscopic data indicates that the type of phospholipids and the water content play a crucial role in the secondary structure and folding of TM-PLB in a phospholipid bilayer.
Modulation of glutathione synthetic enzymes by acidic fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract Increasing evidence suggests that glutathione (GSH) synthesis is a regulated process. Documented increases in γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) occur in response to oxidants, in tumors, on plating cells at a low cell density, and with nerve growth factor stimulation, suggesting that GSH synthesis may be related to the cell growth and transformation. Previously, extracellular acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) has been demonstrated to cause transformation and aggressive cell growth in murine embryonic fibroblasts. In the present investigation, we sought to determine whether FGF-1, with its growth inducing properties, resulted in the modulation of GSH biosynthetic enzymes, GCS and GSH synthetase. Murine fibroblasts transduced with (hst/KS)FGF-1, a chimeric human FGF-1 gene containing a signal peptide sequence for secretion, displayed elevated gene expression of both heavy and light subunits of GCS. Activity of GSH synthetase was also elevated in these cells compared with control cells. Nonetheless, GSH was decreased in the FGF-1-transduced cells along with high energy phosphates, adenine nucleotides, NADH, and the redox poise. However, GSSG was not elevated in these cells. Fibroblasts stably expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat, which induces intrinsic FGF-1 secretion, resulted in similar changes in GCS, GS, and GSH. The results suggest that although increases in the enzymes of GSH synthesis are a common response to growth factors, an increase in GSH content per se is not required for altered cell growth.
The Universal Clamp hybrid system: a safe technique to correct deformity and restore kyphosis in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Purpose Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a tridimensional deformity characterized by coronal and sagittal profiles changes. We present a series of 62 patients affected by AIS and treated by thoracic Universal Clamps and transpedicular lumbar screws hybrid system.
On climatic analogs in paleoclimatic reconstruction

Abstract Many of the problems that have been discussed with regard to the analog approach to paleoclimatic reconstruction may be illustrated by consideration of basic principles and definitions, and the logical consquences thereof. Specific attention is directed toward the definition of the regional macroclimate as the modal microclimate and to a series of axioms: (1) There are various microclimates which depart more or less from the macroclimate in each terrestrial region. (2) Environment and climate change on time scales from near instantaneous to millions of years. (3) Climate is multidimensional (a vector), not a single scalar datum. (4) Biotic assemblage changes in response to environmental (including climatic) changes are expressed primarily in terms of reproductive success. One may conclude from the corollaries to these axioms that perfect analogs cannot be found for any Holocene climate, but that “partial analogs” (“transfer equations”) may still be used if allowance is made for shared variance.
Characterization of atmospheric organic matter using size-exclusion chromatography with inline organic carbon detection

Abstract The atmosphere contains a substantial amount of water-soluble organic material in aerosols, clouds and fogs. Despite years of efforts, little is known on the structure, composition and properties of this organic matter with most studies focusing on individual species while the bulk of the organic matter remains poorly characterized. In this work high-performance size-exclusion chromatography coupled with inline organic carbon detection (SEC-DOC) is used to characterize organic matter in fogs, clouds and aerosols collected in Fresno (CA), Whistler (BC), Davis (CA) and Selinsgrove (PA). The molecular weight distributions showed a fractional overlap of atmospheric samples and terrestrial fulvic acids although for clouds and aerosols the smaller molecular weight (MW) material is dominant. This smaller MW material is clearly resolved. Cloud and fog samples showed a larger fraction of small molecular weight organic species compared to the water-soluble fraction of aerosols, consistent with the partitioning of small molecular weight volatile species into the atmospheric aqueous phase. There are overall little differences between different sites for a same type of sample. These results obtained by one analytical set-up were confirmed with a second size-exclusion chromatography set-up using a different column and detection system. Size distributions for the same sampling location showed little inter-event variability and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) samples were slightly shifted toward larger sizes compared to clouds and fogs, consistent with an important contribution of volatile species to the latter ones. Cloud and aerosol samples contributed to a significant fraction (up to 21% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC)) of the macromolecular scale material.
Gastric Sarcina organisms in a patient with cystic fibrosis

Abstract Sarcina are large Gram positive anaerobic bacteria which grow in recognizable tetrads and octets. Less than 10 cases of human infection with Sarcina have been reported, many of these in the setting of delayed gastric transit. Here, we present the first reported case of gastric Sarcina in a patient with cystic fibrosis, a known cause of gastroparesis. Following a 2 week history of intermittent epigastric pain, endoscopic and histologic examination revealed numerous Sarcina organisms in association with linear gastric ulcerations. Yeast forms morphologically compatible with Candida were also identified. The occurrence of Sarcina in cystic fibrosis further confirms the association of this organism with delayed gastric emptying and suggests a possible predisposition in patients with genetic disorders of chloride ion transport, as one previous report occurred in a patient with congenital chloride diarrhea. Recognition of this unique organism in endoscopic biopsies should prompt several diagnostic considerations.
Transesophageal Echocardiography and Concurrent Coronary Angiography for the Rapid Assessment of Papillary Muscle Rupture

Echocardiography with color flow imaging is valuable for identifying mechanical complications of myocardial infarction. Transesophageal echocardiography is useful for critically ill patients in whom transthoracic imaging is often insufficient. A case of papillary muscle rupture is presented in which transesophageal echocardiography was performed concurrently with coronary angiography. The detailed information obtained from two-dimensional and color flow imaging eliminated the need for diagnostic right heart catheterization and left ventriculography. Transesophageal echocardiography used in this manner can facilitate expeditious surgical management. papillary muscle, transesophageal echocardiography, myocardial infarction
Complications of intrauterine intervention for treatment of fetal obstructive uropathy

The intrauterine surgical placement of vesicoamniotic shunts in the treatment of fetal obstructive uropathy associated with prune-belly syndrome to avoid such complications as renal damage and oligohydramnios remains controversial. We present a case of an infant born with prune-belly syndrome at 33 weeks and 5 days of estimated gestational age to a mother of two by vaginal delivery after a pregnancy complicated by fetal obstructive uropathy with attempted intrauterine intervention. After sonographic and laboratory diagnostic and prognostic evaluations, an intrauterine procedure was performed in which a vesicoamniotic shunt was placed under ultrasound guidance. Complications included dislodgment of the initial shunt, with a failed subsequent attempt at placement, oligohydramnios, preterm labor and delivery, and traumatic gastroschisis through the surgical abdominal wall defect. His hospital stay was further complicated by chronic renal insufficiency, prematurity, respiratory distress, bowel malrotation, an episode of gram-negative sepsis with Enterobacter cloacae, signs of liver failure, an exploratory laparotomy for severe enterocolitis, and orchiopexy for bilateral undescended testes. At present, it is unclear whether vesicoamniotic shunt placement can provide any significant improvement in the morbidity or mortality for patients with prune-belly syndrome. A large, prospective, randomized trial is needed to determine its efficacy.
Presynaptic facilitation: Quantal analysis and simulations

Abstract The time-course of quantal neurosecretion indicated asynchrony in releases of presynaptic vesicles (quanta) in response to a stimulus. This was interpreted as reflecting the sequential release of vesicles from a single release site. We performed Monte-Carlo simulation of facilitated neurosecretion based upon the hypothesis that release sites do not limit transmitter release. The output of this simulation succeeded in reproducing the experimentally obtained distribution of quantal releases. These results support a model for neurosecretion in which each action potential evokes mobilization of synaptic vesicles to a single presynaptic release site followed by probabilistic secretion of releasable vesicles one after another.
Postingestive Chemosensation and Feeding by Leeches

Abstract Distinct chemical cues acting on chemosensory structures on the dorsal lip of bloodsucking leeches activate the entire complement of appetitive and ingestive feeding behaviors. However, it is not known whether the maintenance of ingestion depends on continuous stimulation of these peripheral chemosensors. Leeches of the species Hirudo medicinalis and Macrobdella decora were fed for 2 min on an artificial blood solution containing 150 mM NaCl/1 mM arginine before switching the feeding solution to various experimental mixtures. Leeches did not start to feed on, but continued to ingest solutions in which equiosmolar KCl or lysine substituted for NaCl or arginine, respectively, until sated. In contrast, they rejected water and dropped off the feeding apparatus within 30 s of the exchange. Leeches also detached from the feeding tube when quinine, denatonium, or caffeine were added to the NaCl/arginine solution during an ongoing feeding bout. The duration of ingestion following the switch correlated inversely with the concentration of the drugs (0.1–10 mM). Superfusion of the dorsal lip with high concentrations of the bitter chemicals, while feeding was in progress, had no effect on the duration of ingestion. However, injections of the bitter substances directly into the gut, during a feeding bout, abruptly stopped ingestion. The results suggest that while leeches continue to sample their food once ingestion has begun, secondary chemosensory mechanisms situated downstream from the dorsal lip may be involved in the maintenance of ingestion and the rapid postingestive rejection of noxious foods.
False-positive tuberculous meningitis due to laboratory contamination: importance of a holistic clinical evaluation

Incidence of tuberculosis in Nebraska is 1.9/100 000 people. Tuberculous meningitis is rare and comprises 1% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. An elderly Caucasian man presented with fever, headache, altered mentation and a history of tick bite. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed negative cultures and the patient was treated empirically for tickborne illness. Forty-five days later, CSF nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) was positive for tuberculosis. On readmission, repeat neurological examination and CSF analysis were benign and the patient was not offered antituberculous treatment. Genotype investigation of the culture and NAAT specimen by the Center for Disease Control confirmed laboratory contamination. The literature reports an incidence of 2–4% for false-positive tuberculosis cultures. Contaminated devices, clerical errors and laboratory errors have been implicated. Laboratory contamination results in smear-negative culture-positive cases. Epidemiological investigation with genotype testing is confirmatory. Detailed clinical assessment with good clinical and laboratory communication and frequent laboratory surveillance is advocated to mitigate these cases.
Planktonic food availability and suspension-feeder abundance: Evidence of in situ depletion

Abstract Substrata were arranged in a manner allowing in situ measurement of particle depletion as a function of the abundance of suspension-feeders and time. The abundance of two suspension-feeding groups, bryozoans and sponges, and of two planktonic fractions, naked and bacterial cells, were monitored. In one experiment, organism-cover increased through time and in another it remained low through time. As organism-cover increased, food availability per organism decreased, whereas when it remained low, food availability remained high. High levels of depletion measured suggest the possibility of competition for food in dense assemblages of suspension feeders.
The features of sperm maturation in the epididymis of a marsupial, the brushtailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula.

Possum spermatozoa undergo a distinctive process of maturation in the epididymis, as shown by change in the properties of the sperm surface, by modification of their morphology and by their increasing capacity for progressive motility. Modification of the sperm surface over the head and tail is demonstrated by the different affinities of sperm from successive regions of the epididymis for FITC-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin and concanavalin A, and for cationic ferric oxide colloidal particles. Changes in sperm head morphology are caused by (1) a dramatic reshaping and consolidation of the acrosome in which excess plasma membrane overlying it is sloughed as a cluster of vesicles, (2) a reorientation of the nucleus almost parallel to the axis of the tail and (3) distal movement of the droplet from its initial envelopment of the nucleus to an eccentric position on the anterior segment of the midpiece. Spermatozoa released from the testis and caput epididymidis are essentially immotile or exhibit only lazy uncoordinated movements, whereas many from the corpus and most from the more distal regions of the epididymis display an energetic, progressive motility imparted by a rapid and stiff tail beat of narrow arc. This maturation of the capacity for motility is accompanied by an enhanced stability of the dense fibers and sheath, which become more resistant to the disruptive action of SDS and DTT, and by changes in the ultrastructure of the sperm tail. These include modification of the matrix of the mitochondria and also an unusual differentiation of the midpiece into two distinct segments. The anterior segment is defined by profuse peri-mitochondrial stacks of membranes which develop as spermatozoa pass through the epididymis. These membranes, although prominent in mature spermatozoa fixed in situ, appear sparse and disorganised in spermatozoa fixed after 15 to 30 minutes of active motility in physiological medium, suggesting their possible utilisation in motile spermatozoa. The posterior segment is characterised by a thick peri-mitochondrial cytoplasmic sleeve, by spirally arranged parallel fibrous bands immediately beneath the plasma membrane and, subsequently, as spermatozoa pass into the lower corpus epididymidis, by rows of flask-shaped surface invaginations which develop between the spiral bands. Despite broad similarities in the features of sperm maturation in this marsupial and in eutherian mammals, there are distinct differences in the structural organisation of their spermatozoa, particularly in the sperm head. Until more is known of the details of fertilisation in marsupials the significance of these differences will remain unclear.
Increased birth prevalence of cardiac defects in Yuma, Arizona

Abstract A systematic study was undertaken to estimate the birth prevalence of congenita heurt disease because there was a clinical impression that a disproportionate number of cases occurred in Yuma, Arizona. Control data were obtained from Sierra Vista, Arizona, a region with similar demographic characteristics, and from the Baltimore-Washington Infant Study. Patients with chromosomal or syndromal associations were excluded. In the Baltimore-Washington Infant Study only echocardiogrephic and invasively documented cases were included. From 1983 to 1988 the birth prevalence was significantly higher in Yuma ) than in Sierra Vista (, p Families were interviewed to exclude cases in which the mother did not spend the month before conception and the first trimester in Yuma or Sierra Vista. The birth prevalence for Yuma (6.0/1,000) remained significantly greater than that for Sierra Vista (3.8/1,000, p = 0.03). The exclusion of cases in which the mother resided elsewhere suggests, but does not prove, that an environmental influence may have played a role in the increased birth prevalence of congenital heart disease in this community.
Nicotine enhancement of fast excitatory synaptic transmission in CNS by presynaptic receptors

The behavioral and cognitive effects of nicotine suggest that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) participate in central nervous system (CNS) function. Although nAChR subunit messenger RNA (mRNA) and nicotine binding sites are common in the brain, there is little evidence for synapses mediated by nAChRs in the CNS. To test whether, CNS nAChRs might modify rather than mediate transmission, the regulation of excitatory synaptic transmission by these receptors was examined. Nanomolar concentrations of nicotine enhanced both glutamatergic and cholinergic synaptic transmission by activation of presynaptic nAChRs that increased presynaptic [Ca2]i. Pharmacological and subunit deletion experiments reveal that these presynaptic nAChRs include the alpha 7 subunit. These findings reveal that CNS nAChRs enhance fast excitatory transmission, providing a likely mechanism for the complex behavioral effects of nicotine.
Hypothermia and Rewarming by Peritoneal Dialysis and Temperature-Controlled Inhalate

In 12 rabbits hypothermia and rewarming were induced with temperature-controlled circulating peritoneal dialysis in combination with temperature-controlled hypoxic and hypercapnic gas mixtures. The average cooling time necessary for the esophageal temperature to decrease from 37.7 degrees +/- 0.7 to 20.6 degrees +/- 1.0 degrees C was 81 +/- 34 minutes with a range of 41 to 150 minutes. The average warming time for esophageal temperature to increase from 20.6 degrees +/- 1.0 degrees C to 35.2 degrees +/- 1.8 degrees C was 90 +/- 35 minutes. Time of cooling was related to the proportions of inspired carbon dioxide and oxygen. In contrast to surface and bypass methods, esophageal and muscular temperatures agreed very closely, suggesting an absence of regional temperature gradients.
Dynamic Dynamometry to Characterize Disk Turbines for Space-Based Power

Rankine cycles will someday be the power plants of choice for manned space missions, providing excellent thermodynamic efficiency and high power density. The Rankine cycle’s hallmark is a working fluid that changes phase between liquid and vapor. However, the working fluid must remain in the vapor phase as it passes through the turbine to avoid damaging this component. The need to tightly regulate the working fluid phase through the turbine imposes limits on the power produced and the overall efficiency of the cycle, especially given limitations on power plant volume and mass necessarily imposed by housing it in an interplanetary spacecraft. These limitations could be relaxed if a turbine were incorporated into the Rankine power cycle that was robust and fully operational while processing two-phase flows. Disk turbines have the potential for continuous operation regardless of the thermodynamic quality of working fluid running through them. However, due to high rotational velocity and low torque output by disk turbines, their performance is difficult to evaluate using conventional techniques for aero-derived turbines. To assess disk turbines as candidates for space-based power generation, we describe a method to accurately measure and predict turbine mechanical power output using the rational inertia of the turbine’s spinning components and friction in its bearings as the load. The turbine’s time response to Dirac load inputs, as well as its no-load responses to compressed air input over a range of pressures, are measured. This technique, called dynamic dynamometry, produces turbine power-versus-angular-velocity curves, useful for quantitative performance analysis.
Inflation in a newly industrialized country: The case of Korea

Abstract This paper investigates the nature and causes of inflation in Korea, a newly industrialized country. The basic framework is the two-way causation between prices and wages. The estimated results show that the postulated hypotheses are upheld and that there are multiple causes of inflation. In particular, capital and material costs, which may be considered as external factor costs in Korea, play a significant role, implying that the impact of external inflation on internal inflation in a rapidly developing country is substantial.
Improved Results Treating Lung Allograft Failure With Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Background Primary graft failure remains a significant source of mortality after lung transplantation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides treatment for affected recipients. We hypothesized that venovenous membrane oxygenation provides a safer alternative than venoarterial support for lung recipients suffering from primary graft failure. Methods We conducted an analysis of 522 patients who underwent lung transplantation from April 1992 to July 2004. Twenty-three (4.5%) patients required membrane oxygenation secondary to primary graft failure unresponsive to conventional treatment. Of these recipients, 15 (65%) were treated with venoarterial, while 8 (35%) underwent venovenous membrane oxygenation. Results Median days to initiation and duration of membrane oxygenation did not differ between groups. Eight of 15 patients (53%) from the venoarterial group were successfully weaned from life support, with one surviving greater than 45 days. This lone long-term survivor required retransplantation 4 days after initial transplant. In contrast, all venovenous patients were weaned from support, with 7 of 8 surviving greater than 30 days. The 30-day survival for venovenous recipients (88%) approximates that of all lung recipients at our center (94%, p = 0.42). Noted complications for ECMO patients included renal failure (n = 16), neurologic catastrophes (n = 8), sepsis (n = 5), and hemorrhage (n = 10). The venoarterial recipients suffered 30 of 39 total complications. Most of the complications for venovenous recipients involved renal failure, but by hospital discharge these patients demonstrated a mean creatinine of 0.9 mg/dL. Conclusions For lung recipients with primary graft failure, venovenous membrane oxygenation provides better outcomes, with fewer complications, than venoarterial membrane oxygenation.
Adolescent oncology: who cares?—the new KID on the block

The paper reports a case of a 25-year-old male with a new diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia admitted in a predominantly older adult cancer ward. It explores the emerging area of adolescent oncology. Despite the advances of modern cancer medicine in both survival and outcomes, these adolescent and young adult cancer patients are an underserved group. Their medical, physical, psychological, and emotional needs are different and ought to be managed differently, just like pediatric or geriatric subpopulations. Cancer adds an enormous burden to the already turbulent period of adolescence. Cancer incidence in the 15-29-year age group is at least three times than that of those younger than 15 years of age, and it kills more young adults than any disease except depression-induced suicide. The need for optimizing and personalizing care in this age group is highlighted.
Modelling of directional solidification of BSO

A thermo-fluid model for vertical Bridgman growth of bismuth silicon oxide (BSO) as model material for semi-transparent, low thermal conductivity oxides is developed. Internal radiative heat transfer, together with convective and conductive heat transfer are considered in this model. Due to the strong internal thermal radiation within the grown crystal, the growth interface is highly convex into the melt, instead of being concave as is the case for opaque materials with the thermal conductivity of the melt larger than that of the solid. Reduction of the growth interface non-planarity through variations in the growth configuration is investigated. A furnace temperature profile consisting of a steep gradient on the melt side and shallow gradient on the solid side of the charge is found to be the most effective approach.
Correlation of Direct Evaporative Cooling Efficiency With Media Porosity

. Energy consumption of HVAC&R could be reduced by integrating evaporative cooling device into air conditioning systems. Direct Evaporative Cooling (DEC) are suited for climates where the air is hot and humidity is low. In DEC, heat is absorbed whenever water is evaporated and converted to water vapor. By passing through or around a wetted surface, heat is removed from the surrounding air in the vaporization of the water. The process approximates the adiabatic-saturation process and the path lies on a constant wet-bulb temperature which is a constant enthalpy line. The wetted surface area in direct evaporative cooling depends on porosity and absorptivity of the media. This paper evaluates the effect of media porosity on performance of a Direct Evaporative Cooling system. In this experimental work, the porosity is varied by changing the packing density and volume of media. The packing material allows air and water to come in direct contact. Holding all other variables like mass flow rates and inlet dry-bulb temperature constant, the effect Porosity on DEC performance is studied. The performance of DEC system is a function of porosity, dry- and wet-bulb temperatures and relative humidity. Efficiency increases with porosity.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Invasion of black-tailed deer by nose bot fly larvae (Diptera: Oestridae: Oestrinae)

Abstract Invasion of black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) by larvae of the nose bot flies (Cephenemyia apicata and C. jellisoni) was investigated by obssrving their expulsion by larviparous females and their subsequent activity on the host. The drying uterine fluid encasing larvae ( = larval packet) delays desiccation, ensures adhesion to hairs, and immediately dissolves upon contact with saliva. Contrary to the widely accepted nasal mode of invasion, larvae placed on muzzles of deer crawl ventrally toward the upper lip, enter the mouth, and then crawl caudally along the hard palate or tongue toward the throat. Hair located between the muzzle and nostril prevents larvae from entering the nostrils. A natural per os mode of invasion, heretofore unrecognized, is proposed. This is initiated by: (1) females depositing larval packets on the muzzle of deer, or (2) deer licking larval packets from contaminated areas around the muzzle. The positive thermotropism of larvae is compatible with such a per os mode of entry into the host.
Effect of Paste Properties on Extrudate Freezing Time in Freeze-Form Extrusion Fabrication Processes

During the freeze–form extrusion fabrication process for aqueous–based pastes, the sub–zero temperature environment aids the part in maintaining its shape by freezing the water present in the paste. However, while some pastes can be frozen properly, other pastes using the same extrusion strategy may be kept in semi–liquid state and cause the part to deform or even collapse. Therefore, different dwell times are needed between layers for different pastes, which may substantially increase part build time. In this paper, a simplified one–dimensional model was developed and validated by the commercial code Fluent. The paste temperature and paste freezing time were computed for various process parameters via numerical simulation using this model. As the layer number increases, the paste freezing time reaches a steady state. The relationship between the steady state freezing time and the paste material and solids loading was studied. The simulations show the paste freezing time decreases due to the increase in paste thermal conductivity, solids loading and total time between layers.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
On-chip nanoplasmonic-nanofluidic biosensors overcoming mass transport limitations

We demonstrate a novel hybrid platform merging label free nanoplasmonic sensing with actively controlled nanofluidic surface delivery to overcome mass transport limitations. We show 14-fold improvement in mass transport rate constants appearing in the exponentials.
Brachio-cervical inflammatory myopathies: clinical, immune, and myopathologic features.

Objective To characterize patients with inflammatory myopathies who present with weakness in the proximal regions of the arms. Methods Clinical, laboratory, and myopathologic features were evaluated in 10 patients, identified consecutively over 12 years, with inflammatory myopathies and weakness that was most severe in the proximal regions of the arms. The features of these brachio-cervical inflammatory myopathy (BCIM) syndromes were compared with those of other inflammatory and immune-mediated myopathies evaluated during the same period. Results Patients with BCIM developed progressive weakness at ages 24–82 years (mean ± SD age 55 ± 9 years). Posterior neck weakness occurred in 60% of patients, while motor neuron disease was the referring diagnosis in 30%. All patients had other systemic autoimmune disorders, including myasthenia gravis (40%) and rheumatoid arthritis (20%). Antinuclear antibodies were present in all patients. Serum creatine kinase levels were usually moderately high (mean 910 IU/liter). Active myopathy was identified in muscle biopsy samples from the patients. Focal collections of mononuclear cells, some predominantly B cells, were present in perivascular and perimysial regions. MxA- and CD123-positive dendritic cells were present in the endomysium. C5b–9 components of complement were present diffusely in endomysial connective tissue. Most patients improved in strength after receiving corticosteroids. Conclusion Patients with BCIM syndromes have progressive weakness in the proximal regions of the arms and neck. The predominant myopathologic findings are active myopathy, C5b–9 staining of endomysium, focal perivascular and perimysial inflammation, often with a prominent B cell component, and endomysial dendritic cells. Corticosteroid treatment of BCIM is often followed by improvement in strength.
Some Results on Stabilizability of Large-Scale Control Systems with Indetrminancy

In this paper a large-scale contol system described by a class of functional differential equations with unknown coefficients satisfying certain constraints is considered. A larg-scale control that is linear relative to the system variables and satisfies the asymptotic stability of its zero solution is constructed. It is shown that the exponential stabilizabilty of a class of large-scale control systems with indeterminancy is equivalent to the stabilizabilty of its approximating linear system under certain conditions.