cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and fabrication of self-sustainable triboelectric energy case for powering smart electronic devices

Abstract In recent times, Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENG) have attained the focus of the scientific community due to its potential as a medium to harvest mechanical energy from the ambient environment. Human motion has been attributed as a source of mechanical energy to drive electronic devices and sensors through TENG. Based on the principles of single electrode TENG, we have developed a Triboelectricity based Stepping and Tapping Energy Case (TESTEC) which magnifies the prospect to power touch electronic devices by utilizing finger tapping and stepping motion. This novel case was constructed with two single electrode TENG operating through the triboelectric mechanism between human skin and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film on the front part and Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) and PET film on the back part. This cost effective device was further tested by attaching with a cell phone at variable load frequency, airgap and finger combinations where the output response increased with the increased frequencies (60–240 BPM) and air gap (1 cm–5 cm). Maximum output voltages of 14.8 V and 50.8 V were obtained for the front and back parts, respectively. Besides, maximum output powers were observed to be 3.78 W/m2 at 0.46 MΩ and 6.21 W/m2 at 1.02 MΩ, respectively. Also, the device was tested by integrating with conventional electronic components including capacitors, bridge rectifiers and 15 LEDs. Based on the results, a electrical circuit has been proposed to power touch cell phones. The device was further modified using Silver (Ag) nanoparticles in the front part. The modified TESTEC provided higher output response compared to the primary TESTEC. The TESTEC can be a self sustainable way to power touch electronic devices which can reudce the necessity to charge electronics devices in the conventional way.
Variations in leader behavior as a function of task type

Abstract This paper provides information concerning the flexibility of leader behavior. Subjects were 48 black and 48 white undergraduate students. Twelve black and 12 white older students were selected as leaders while the remaining subjects were assigned randomly as members of 12 black, 12 white, and 12 mixed dyads. Results indicate that leader behavior as measured by Bales Interaction Process Analysis changed as the group performed different tasks. There were no behavior differences as a function of leader's race although an interaction was found in the directive categories between task and dyad composition.
3D Bioprinting and Its Application to Military Medicine

Introduction Traditionally, tissue engineering techniques have largely focused on 2D cell culture models-monolayers of immortalized or primary cells growing on tissue culture plastic. Although these techniques have proven useful in research, they often lack physiological validity, because of the absence of fundamental tissue properties, such as multicellular organization, specialized extracellular matrix structures, and molecular or force gradients essential to proper physiological function. More recent advances in 3D cell culture methods have facilitated the development of more complex physiological models and tissue constructs; however, these often rely on self-organization of cells (bottom-up design), and the range of tissue construct size and complexity generated by these methods remains relatively limited. By borrowing from advances in the additive manufacturing field, 3D bioprinting techniques are enabling top-down design and fabrication of cellular constructs with controlled sizing, spacing, and chemical functionality. The high degree of control over engineered tissue architecture, previously unavailable to researchers, enables the generation of more complex, physiologically relevant 3D tissue constructs. Three main 3D bioprinting techniques are reviewed-extrusion, droplet-based, and laser-assisted bioprinting techniques are among the more robust 3D bioprinting techniques, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. High complexity tissue constructs created through 3D bioprinting are opening up new avenues in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and physiological model systems for researchers in the military medicine community. Materials and methods Recent primary literature and reviews were selected to provide a broad overview of the field of 3D bioprinting and illustrate techniques and examples of 3D bioprinting relevant to military medicine. References were selected to illustrate specific examples of advances and potential military medicine applications in the 3D bioprinting field, rather than to serve as a comprehensive review. Results Three classes of 3D bioprinting techniques were reviewed: extrusion, droplet-based, and laser-assisted bioprinting. Advantages, disadvantages, important considerations, and constraints of each technique were discussed. Examples from the primary literature were given to illustrate the techniques. Relevant applications of 3D bioprinting to military medicine, namely tissue engineering/regenerative medicine and new models of physiological systems, are discussed in the context of advancing military medicine. Conclusions 3D bioprinting is a rapidly evolving field that provides researchers the ability to build tissue constructs that are more complex and physiologically relevant than traditional 2D culture methods. Advances in bioprinting techniques, bioink formulation, and cell culture methods are being translated into new paradigms in tissue engineering and physiological system modeling, advancing the state of the art, and increasing construct availability to the military medicine research community.
Deficits and compensation: attentional control cortical networks in schizophrenia

Visual processing and attention deficits are responsible for a substantial portion of the disability caused by schizophrenia, but the source of these deficits remains unclear. In 35 schizophrenia patients (SzP) and 34 healthy controls (HC), we used a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) visual search task designed to activate/deactivate the cortical components of the attentional control system (i.e. the dorsal and ventral attention networks, lateral prefrontal regions in the frontoparietal network, and cingulo-opercular/salience networks), along with resting state functional connectivity, to examine the integrity of these components. While we find that behavioral performance and activation/deactivation of the RSVP task are largely similar between groups, SzP exhibited decreased functional connectivity within late visual components and between prefrontal and other components. We also find that performance correlates with the deactivation of the ventral attention network in SzP only. This relationship is mediated by the functional connectivity of critical components of the attentional control system. In summary, our results suggest that the attentional control system is potentially used to compensate for visual cortex deficits. Furthermore, prefrontal deficits in SzP may interfere with this compensatory use of the attentional control system. In addition to highlighting focal deficits and potential compensatory mechanisms in visual processing and attention, our findings point to the attentional control system as a potential target for rehabilitation and neuromodulation-based treatments for visual processing deficits in SzP.
Abstract 14157: Racial Differences in Outcomes of Ischemic Stroke and Mortality With Left Atrial Appendage Closure With Watchman Device in Medicare Population

Introduction: Left atrial appendage closure by Watchman implantation is a novel non-pharmacological alternative for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who are deeme...
A survey of physician training and credentialing in endoscopic submucosal dissection in the United States.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is technically challenging, has a longer learning curve and a greater complication rate than most new endoscopic procedures. Formal training and credentialing guidelines for ESD are currently lacking in the United States (US). To survey ESD experts across the US to determine their learning process and obtain their opinion on how training and credentialing for ESD should develop. Anonymous electronic survey. ASGE members who are practicing US endoscopists. The survey was developed by iterative revisions of questions administered to three investigators who have been performing ESD for > 5 years. The final survey was distributed electronically to US endoscopists who had previously attended ESD expert conferences. Thirty-five (58.3%) of 60 practicing ESD experts responded to the survey. A majority (91%) were in university-based, community, or tertiary care hospitals. All practitioners practiced on porcine explants and observed live ESD procedures as part of the training. Out of the participants, 75.8% received formal supervised hands-on training on porcine explants and/or humans before performing ESD independently. Fifty percent indicated that their facility had written guidelines specifically for ESD credentialing. Four out of 5 felt that credentialing requirements should include attending weekend ESD courses, observing live procedures, practicing on explants, and advanced endoscopic training in interventional endoscopy such as an additional year of fellowship. Survey completion rate of 58.3%. ESD training should include practicing on explants, observation of live procedures, training in interventional endoscopy, and attending educational courses. Credentialing guidelines for ESD based on expert opinion need to be developed in the US.
Bibliometrics and Research Evaluation: Uses and Abuses [Book Review]

Measuring the impact of research and publications (bibliometrics) has become increasingly common for libraries, academic institutions, and scholars. Libraries use bibliometric measures, such as citation analysis, when considering which journals to acquire and retain. Faculty use them to demonstrate the value of their research in the tenure process. Academic institutions are beginning to use them to demonstrate institutional ranking and prestige (Pagell, 2014; Chen & Liao, 2012). In today’s data driven environment, bibliometrics play a critical role. As with any type of metric, bibliometrics are not without their challenges and issues. Bibliometrics and Research Evaluation: Uses and Abuses aims to explore this topic in detail.
Director Compensation in the Banking Industry Around the Dodd-Frank Act

Directors’ monitoring and advising activities as agents were supposed to increase after the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly increases the pressure on the board of directors...
Conclusion: Classroom Struggles

Taken together, the three chapters in Part II demonstrate that intersectionality greatly determines both the struggles that teachers of color experience in the classroom as well as how teachers of color choose to respond to those struggles. Moreover, the intersecting inequalities shaping their struggles go beyond the race, class, and gender of the teachers themselves to include the race, class, and gender of their students, their colleagues, and, in the case of the Asian American teachers Flores interviewed, their students’ parents as well.
Bacterial periplasmic permeases as model systems for the superfamily of traffic ATPases, including the multidrug resistance protein and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the composition and basic features of periplasmic permeases of gram-negative bacteria emphasizing those aspects of periplasmic transport that relate to their energy-coupling mechanism and structural organization. The mechanism of action of eukaryotic transporters is also presented in the chapter. Periplasmic permeases are composed of a receptor (a periplasmic substrate binding protein) and two to three membrane-bound components. All periplasmic permeases have the same overall composition. The similarity in the composition of these permeases indicates a conserved structural organization and mechanism of action despite the vast variety of substrates transported and a common evolutionary origin. Periplasmic permeases typically concentrate substrates against a very large concentration gradient. ATP binding and hydrolysis result in the conformational changes that are transmitted to the rest of the permease, thereby causing the opening of a pore or the creation of a substrate binding site in the membrane-bound complex. Conformational changes may be necessary as a signal for the receptor to release the substrate, which is deeply buried between its two lobes.
Percutaneous recanalization of totally occluded pulmonary veins after pulmonary vein isolation—intermediate-term follow-up

Objectives Review mid-term follow-up of percutaneous intervention for post ablation total pulmonary vein occlusion (PVO). Background Feasibility of percutaneous intervention for PVO has been described, but information remains limited. Methods Patients with total PVO were retrospectively identified from our catheterization database. Medical records, catheterization reports, and outpatient follow-up were reviewed. Results Between April 2005 and February 2012, 16 patients were identified with a total of 18 PVOs. Symptoms included hemoptysis in 6/16 (46%), cough in 8/16 (50%), chest pain in 8/16 (50%), dyspnea in 13/16 (81%) with mean NYHA Class of 2.6 ± 0.6. Recanalization was accomplished in 14/18 (78%) veins: 11 treated with balloon dilation and 3 with stents. Median follow-up for 13/14 veins was 13 (0–39) months (one patient with one PVO is awaiting follow-up). Reocclusion occurred in 7/13 (54%) at mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 1.6 months (6/10 post-balloon dilation and 1/3 post-stenting). Despite reocclusion, the reference vessel diameter increased from 4.8 ± 2.4 to 8.5 ± 4.2 mm (P < 0.001) between the first and second catheterization. Re-recanalization and stent placement was accomplished in 5/6 (83%), with one reocclusion not attempted. At latest follow-up 9/13 (69%) recanalized vessels remained patent and percent flow to affected lung quadrant increased from 7.4 ± 3.4% pre-intervention to 14.3 ± 4.2% (P = 0.004). Mean NYHA Class improved to 1.4 ± 0.4 (P < 0.001). Conclusions Recanalization of total PVO can be accomplished with reasonable mid-term patency, improved symptoms, and lung perfusion. Reocclusion is common, but vessel growth is often observed allowing placement of a reasonably sized stent at a second intervention. Staged intervention is often necessary to maintain patency. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synchronous e-learning: Reflections and design considerations

This paper is a personal reflection on the design, development, and delivery of online synchronous conferencing as a pedagogical tool complementing traditional, face-to-face content delivery and learning. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate how instructors can combine collaborative and virtual learning principles in course design. In particular, the paper asserts that instructors should take into account relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, and risk attributes of new technologies before incorporating them to their courses. Further, it is important to evaluate organizational support availability such as financial resources and managerial support. In realizing team work for course projects that require group interactions, synchronous online conferencing can be very valuable, and even preferable, for students since it overcomes limitations of space, time, and distance. Future research should explore benefits, challenges, and outcomes of synchronous online discussions. Comparisons to implementation and design considerations of “asynchronous” virtual learning environments such as discussion board forums could be beneficial as asynchronous virtual discussions seem to be more commonly used in supplementing traditional course designs.
The structure of automorphic loops

Automorphic loops are loops in which all inner mappings are automorphisms. This variety of loops includes, for instance, groups and commutative Moufang loops. We study uniquely 2-divisible automorphic loops, particularly automorphic loops of odd order, from the point of view of the associated Bruck loops (motivated by Glauberman’s work on uniquely 2-divisible Moufang loops) and the associated Lie rings (motivated by a construction of Wright). We prove that every automorphic loop Q of odd order is solvable, contains an element of order p for every prime p dividing |Q|, and |S| divides |Q| for every subloop S of Q. There are no finite simple nonassociative commutative automorphic loops, and there are no finite simple nonassociative automorphic loops of order less than 2500. We show that if Q is a finite simple nonassociative automorphic loop then the socle of the multiplication group of Q is not regular. The existence of a finite simple nonassociative automorphic loop remains open. Let p be an odd prime. Automorphic loops of order p or p are groups, but there exist nonassociative automorphic loops of order p, some with trivial nucleus (center) and of exponent p. We construct nonassociative “dihedral” automorphic loops of order 2n for every n > 2, and show that there are precisely p − 2 nonassociative automorphic loops of order 2p, all of them dihedral.
Optimal buffered clock tree synthesis

Given a topology and a library of buffers, we propose a clock buffer synthesis using a dynamic programming algorithm which finds optimum buffer sizes and insertion levels. At the same time, we optimize wire widths which further reduces propagation delay and the sensitivity of clock skew. Careful fine tuning by shifting buffer locations at the last stage preserves the zero skew property and reduces the wire length. Extensive experiments show a significant delay reduction compared to the best known clock topology generation algorithm. We also show a significant reduction of skew sensitivity under manufacturing variations. >
Challenges in the design of security-aware processors

Summary form only given. Approaches to cyber security have focused on reactive measures, perimeter security and software implementations. In contrast, we propose a proactive approach to cyber security, where every component, hardware, software or networking, has secure or trustworthy operation as a primary design goal. Architecture for cyber security must be defined at many levels. At the foundational level, if we want core hardware and software to be more responsible for cyber security, what architectural features must be included? How do we translate business and personal security needs, in addition to military and national security needs, into scalable technology features? In this talk, we focus on processors as the engines of the Information Age upon which all software runs. What does it mean for a processor to be security-aware? We illustrate with a few examples. In the area of e-commerce and e-business, we discuss how the processor can make cyber transactions more trustworthy. Can cryptography algorithms, and security protocols, be radically accelerated to provide needed confidentiality, data integrity, digital signatures and user authentication, in an automatic and painless way? In the area of service availability, we discuss whether the processor can provide defenses against misuse of computers by malicious third parties. Are there ways processor architecture can be enhanced to detect, prevent or mitigate potentially disastrous Distributed Denial of Service attacks? What are the processor and software vendors��� responsibilities in providing best-effort security features? What are the technical, policy and social challenges in digital rights management (DRM) with regard to built-in anti-piracy mechanisms? Many of these issues have legal, economic, social and ethical aspects, in addition to technological possibilities and limitations. We propose that it is time to consider how technology in general, and processor architecture in particular, can be designed to facilitate greater security and trust in cyberspace transactions and services.
Integrated optoelectronic devices using compound semiconductor nanowires

Compound semiconductor nanowires as attractive and versatile building blocks for the "bottom-up" assembly of photonic devices, including photodetectors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) , and lasers are briefly discussed in the paper . The ability to assemble and electrically interconnect these building blocks is especially critical since it represents a unique approach to active multi-color device components on a single chip unlike the conventional technologies.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: clinical manifestations and antimicrobial therapy

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common skin coloniser and less commonly causes infection. MRSA colonisation should be contained by infection control measures and not treated. MRSA infections cause the same spectrum of infection as MSSA infections, i.e., skin/soft tissue infections, bone/joint infections, central IV line infections, and acute bacterial endocarditis (native valve/prosthetic valve). There is a discrepancy between in-vitro sensitivity and in-vivo effectiveness with MRSA. To treat MRSA infections, clinicians should select an MRSA drug with proven in-vivo effectiveness, i.e., daptomycin. Linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin, minocycline, or vancomycin, and not rely on in-vitro susceptibility data. For MRSA, doxycycline cannot be substituted for minocycline. Linezolid and minocycline are available for oral administration and both are also effective in treating MRSA CNS infections. Vancomycin is being used less due to side effects, (increasing MICs/resistance, VISA/VRSA), and increased VRE prevalence. The most potent anti-MRSA drug at the present time is daptomycin. Daptomycin is useful when rapid/effective therapy of MRSA bacteraemia/endocarditis is necessary. Daptomycin is also useful to treat persistent MRSA bacteraemias/MRSA treatment failures with other drugs, i.e., vancomycin. There is no difference in virulence between MSSA and MRSA infections if treatment is started early and with an agent that has in-vivo effectiveness.
Role of Bacteria in the Oxidation of Myoglobin

Abstract The addition to steaks of cell suspensions of a number of aerobic bacteria and of Saccharomyces cerevisiae greatly increased the rate of discoloration. Low inocula resulted in the more rapid appearance of the brown color of metmyoglobin, whereas high cell populations quickly produced the purple color of myoglobin. Sonically treated suspensions of Pseudomonas geniculata produced similar changes in surface color but less rapidly. No such effect was observed with Lactobacillus plantarum. The visible changes in color were found to be associated with the oxygen demand of the surface tissue including, of course, the demand of any contaminating microorganisms. Inhibitors of respiratory activity inhibited the rate of discoloration under normal atmospheric conditions. However, when the oxygen level in the atmosphere was reduced, the inhibitors had no significant effect. In an oxygen-free atmosphere, the steak surfaces were the purple color of myoglobin; at 10 mm oxygen pressure, the pigment was oxidized to metmyoglobin and the surface was brown in color. No bacterial activity was necessary for pigment oxidation under low oxygen pressures. Addition of dilute solutions of glucose oxidase resulted in rapid oxidation of the meat pigment to metmyoglobin both in extracts and on steak surfaces. More concentrated solutions resulted in further oxidation as evidenced by the appearance of a green color. Horseradish extract with a high peroxidase activity added with H2O2 resulted in rapid oxidation of the pigment but neither were very effective alone, although H2O2 did result in a browning reaction in aged steaks. It is concluded that the primary role of the bacteria in meat discoloration is in the reduction of the oxygen tension in the surface tissue. The implications of the data are discussed and a possible mechanism of myoglobin oxidation is proposed.
The Androgen Receptor's CAG/Glutamine Tract in Mouse Models of Neurological Disease and Cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is central to androgen-dependent development and diseases. Activity of the receptor is influenced by the length of a CAG/glutamine tract in its N-terminal transactivating domain. Expansions of this tract cause Kennedy disease, a protein aggregation degenerative disorder of motor neurons that occurs only in men, and shorter length tracts have been linked to increased risk of prostate cancer. Here we review recent data from mouse models in which gene targeting was used to humanize the mouse Ar gene and introduce CAG/glutamine tracts of varying lengths. Insertion of an expanded tract encoded by 113 CAG repeats modeled Kennedy disease and revealed an important myopathic contribution to the disease phenotype. Variations in CAG tract length within the range of normal human alleles influenced the onset and progression of prostate cancer when targeted Ar mice were crossed to a transgenic prostate cancer model. This series of mice with different Ar alleles has provided insights into the mechanisms by which variations in the CAG/glutamine tract length influence the occurrence of human disease.
Bio-orthogonal Affinity Purification of Direct Kinase Substrates

Protein phosphorylation is a major mechanism of post-translational protein modification used to control cellular signaling. A challenge in phosphoproteomics is to identify the direct substrates of each protein kinase. Herein, we describe a chemical strategy for delivery of a bio-orthogonal affinity tag to the substrates of an individual protein kinase. The kinase of interest is engineered to transfer a phosphorothioate moiety to phosphoacceptor hydroxyl groups on direct substrates. In a second nonenzymatic step, the introduced phosphorothioate is alkylated with p-nitrobenzylmesylate (PNBM). Antibodies directed against the alkylated phosphorothioate epitope recognize these labeled substrates, but not alkylation products of other cellular nucleophiles. This strategy is demonstrated with Cdk1/cyclinB substrates using ELISA, western blotting, and immunoprecipitation in the context of whole cell lysates.
Modular Symbols and the Topological Nonrigidity of Arithmetic Manifolds

In this paper we address the existence of smooth manifolds proper homotopy equivalent to nonuniform arithmetic manifolds M = Γ\G/K that are not homeomorphic to it. While the manifolds M are properly rigid if rankℚ(Γ) ≤ 2, we show that the so-called virtual structure group has infinite rank as a ℚ-vector space if rankℚ(Γ) ≥ 4.© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collision Cross Sections for 25-Mev Neutrons

Collision cross sections of a number of elements for high energy neutrons have been measured. Neutrons with a maximum energy of 25.4 Mev were obtained by bombarding lithium with 10.2 Mev deuterons. The reaction ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(n,2n){\mathrm{C}}^{11}$, which has a measured threshold energy of approximately 21 Mev, was used as an energy sensitive detector for the transmission measurements. The cross section obtained for the neutron-proton collision process was 0.39 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. This is higher than the cross section calculated for $s$-scattering (0.35\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$), but agrees well with the value of 0.40\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ predicted by the symmetrical meson theory of Rarita and Schwinger. Measurements on other nucleii ranging from carbon to mercury show that the collision radius is given by ${R}^{\ensuremath{'}}=b+{r}_{0}{A}^{\frac{1}{3}}$, with $b=1.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm and ${r}_{0}=1.22\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm. These measurements are in good agreement with the inelastic cross-section measurements of Grahame and Seaborg. The value of ${r}_{0}$ is somewhat lower than the values deduced from $p\ensuremath{-}n$ reactions, Coulomb energies, and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle decay.
Mitochondrial Dynamics Controlled by Mitofusins Regulate Agrp Neuronal Activity and Diet-Induced Obesity

Mitochondria are key organelles in the maintenance of cellular energy metabolism and integrity. Here, we show that mitochondria number decrease but their size increase in orexigenic agouti-related protein (Agrp) neurons during the transition from fasted to fed to overfed state. These fusion-like dynamic changes were cell-type specific, as they occurred in the opposite direction in anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. Interfering with mitochondrial fusion mechanisms in Agrp neurons by cell-selectively knocking down mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) or mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) resulted in altered mitochondria size and density in these cells. Deficiency in mitofusins impaired the electric activity of Agrp neurons during high-fat diet (HFD), an event reversed by cell-selective administration of ATP. Agrp-specific Mfn1 or Mfn2 knockout mice gained less weight when fed a HFD due to decreased fat mass. Overall, our data unmask an important role for mitochondrial dynamics governed by Mfn1 and Mfn2 in Agrp neurons in central regulation of whole-body energy metabolism.
An adsorption study of gelatin onto the Fuller's earth surfaces

An adsorption study of gelatin was performed from its aqueous solution onto the Fuller's earth surfaces at room temperature. The dynamics of the adsorption process were followed spectrophotometrically; and various adsorption and kinetic parameters, such as adsorption coefficient, rate constants for adsorption and desorption, and penetration rate constant, were evaluated. The adsorption was found to vary sensitively with pH variation and show minima in both the media, that is, in acidic and basic. It was also observed that the presence of anions reversed their impact on adsorbed amount at their high concentration. The effect of cations and temperature were also investigated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 42–52, 2005
Two previously undescribed Nosema from mosquitoes of California (Nosematidae: Microsporidia).

Abstract The morphology and developmental cycles of two new species of Nosema which are parasitic in oenocytes of mosquitoes are described. N. chapmani sp.n. infects Anopheles pseudopunctipennis franciscanus McCracken; N. lunatum sp.n. infects Culex tarsalis Coquillett and has been observed only in dual infections with Thelohania californica Kellen and Lipa. Frequencies of infection in certain field populations are reported.
Developing a clinically relevant model of cognitive training after experimental traumatic brain injury.

Background. Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), clinical cognitive training paradigms harness implicit and explicit learning and memory systems to improve function; however, these systems are differentially affected by TBI, highlighting the need for an experimental TBI model that can test efficacy of cognitive training approaches. Objectives. To develop a clinically relevant experimental cognitive training model using the Morris water maze (MWM) wherein training on implicitly learned task components was provided to improve behavioral performance post-TBI. Methods. Eighty-one adult male rats were divided by injury status (controlled cortical impact [CCI]/Sham), non-spatial cognitive training (CogTrained/No-CogTrained), and extra-maze cues (Cued/Non-Cued) during MWM testing. Platform latencies, thigmotaxis, and search strategies were assessed during MWM trials. Results. Cognitive training was associated with improved platform latencies, reduced thigmotaxis, and more effective search strategy use for Sha...
Influence of intraspecific density and cover on home range of a plethodontid salamander.

Hypotheses about the influence of intraspecific density and available cover on home range size (=mean activity radius) of a plethodontid salamander (Desmognathus monticola) were tested by field experimentation from June 1980 to October 1981. A second order mountain stream in southwestern North Carolina was marked into five sections (two control and three experimental) and three replicated treatments were performed: Treatment I, low and high density additions of D. monticola; Treatment II, addition of cover objects (rocks); Treatment III, addition of cover and D. monticola. In Treatment I, home ranges of D. monticola on high density addition plots increased significantly relative to those on control and low density addition plots. Mean stomach content biomass and number of prey items of salamanders from high density plots were less than controls in all comparisons throughout the experiment but only one comparison revealed a statistically significant difference. Mean stomach contents of salamanders from low density plots were less than controls in 60% of all comparisons and only one statistically significant difference was found. Home range size was not affected significantly by Treatments II and III. Results of these experiments suggest that home range size of D. monticola may vary as a function of the number of conspecifics and cover objects; i.e., when the number of D. monticola increases where cover is limited, home range size increases.
Allopregnanolone, a Progesterone Metabolite, Is More Effective Than Progesterone in Reducing Cortical Infarct Volume After Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Study objective We compare the effects of postinjury administration of allopregnanolone, a metabolite of progesterone, to progesterone in an animal model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods Focal cerebral ischemia was induced in age-matched, adult, male, Sprague-Dawley rats by using an intraluminal filament and suture method to occlude the right middle cerebral artery. After 120 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion, the occluding filament was withdrawn to allow reperfusion. Laser-Doppler flowmetry was used to monitor cerebral blood flow for the entire 2-hour period of occlusion and for 5 minutes after reperfusion. Animals subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion received injections of allopregnanolone (8 mg/kg, n=6), progesterone (8 mg/kg, n=6) and vehicle (2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, n=7) at 2 hours (intraperitoneally 5 minutes before reperfusion) and 6 hours (subcutaneously) postocclusion. Brains were removed at 72 hours post–middle cerebral artery occlusion, sectioned into coronal slices, and stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). In a blinded analysis, infarct volume was calculated by using computer-aided morphometry to measure brain areas not stained with TTC. Results After progesterone or allopregnanolone treatment, stained sections revealed a significant reduction in cortical, caudate-putamen, and hemispheric infarct volumes (percentage of contralateral structure) compared with vehicle-injected controls. Cortical infarction (percentage of contralateral cortex) was 37.47%±10.57% (vehicle), 25.49%±7.38% (progesterone; P P P P P P P Conclusion Although progesterone and allopregnanolone are effective in reducing infarct pathology, allopregnanolone is more potent than progesterone in attenuating cortical damage. Our results suggest that both neurosteroids should be examined for safety and efficacy in a clinical trial for ischemic stroke.
Economic value of wetlands-based recreation

Abstract The loss of wetlands is an issue of growing concern. Previous studies have focused primarily on quantifying the commercial, storm protection, and energy-output values of wetlands. Relatively little research has been devoted to quantifying the outdoor recreational value of wetlands. In this paper, the recreational value of wetlands is discussed conceptually within a total economic value framework. Total economic value contains many value components which are broadly divided into non-use, current use, and future use values. Each of these value categories can be further subdivided into expenditures and consumer's surplus. An empirical study was conducted to measure expenditures and consumer's surplus associated with on-site, current recreational uses of a coastal wetlands area. Aggregate expenditures were estimated at approximately $118 million and aggregate consumer's surplus was estimated at approximately $27 million. These results suggest that the economic impacts and net economic benefits associated with wetlands-based recreation may be substantial. Hence, recreational functions provided by wetlands may be important considerations for wetlands policy and management.
Survival with combined modality therapy after intracerebral recurrence of pleuropulmonary blastoma

Background We present and discuss the successful treatment of pleuropulmonary blastoma metastatic to the brain using a multimodality regimen with surgery, high-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Procedure A 3-year-old boy referred to our institution with bilateral pulmonary cysts was diagnosed with pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB). Initial treatment included surgery and multiagent chemotherapy with vincristine, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and doxorubicin. One year after the completion of therapy, his PPB recurred as an intracerebral metastasis, and required further treatment with a multimodality salvage regimen. The child was successfully treated with a subtotal surgical resection, followed by high-dose cyclophosphamide, and radiation therapy. He is now disease-free 24 months later. Results Intracerebral metastases of PPB have been a uniformly fatal complication of this tumor. Postsurgical chemotherapy and radiation therapy appear to have contributed to the prolonged survival and potential for cure in our patient. Conclusions The use of this multimodality regimen may be warranted in other patients with recurrent PPB metastatic to the brain. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 30:63–66, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Enhancement of α-helix mimicry by an α/β-peptide foldamer via incorporation of a dense ionic side-chain array.

We report a new method for preorganization of α/β-peptide helices, based on the use of a dense array of acidic and basic side chains. Previously we have used cyclically constrained β residues to promote α/β-peptide helicity; here we show that an engineered ion pair array can be comparably effective, as indicated by mimicry of the CHR domain of HIV protein gp41. The new design is effective in biochemical and cell-based infectivity assays; however, the resulting α/β-peptide is susceptible to proteolysis. This susceptibility was addressed via introduction of a few cyclic β residues near the cleavage site, to produce the most stable, effective α/β-peptide gp41 CHR analogue identified. Crystal structures of an α- and α/β-peptide (each involved in a gp41-mimetic helix bundle) that contain the dense acid/base residue array manifest disorder in the ionic side chains, but there is little side-chain disorder in analogous α- and α/β-peptide structures with a sparser ionic side-chain array. These observations suggest...
Different development changes in latency for two functions of a single membrane bound enzyme Glusoce-6-phophatase activities as a function of age

Abstract 1. (1). The capacity for the synthesis of glucose 6-phosphate from PPi and glucose as well as for glucose-6-P hydrolysis, catalyzed by rat liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase, increases rapidly from low prenatal levels to a maximum between the second and fifth day, then slowly decreases to reach adult levels. When measured in enzyme preparations optimally activated by hydroxyl ions, the maximum neonatal activities were 4–5-fold higher than in adult animals and several-fold higher than had previously been observed for the unactivated enzyme. 2. (2). The latencies of two catalytic activities associated with the same membrane-bound enzyme show strikingly different age-related changes. The latency of PPi-glucose phosphotransferase activity reaches high levels (60–80% latent) soon after birth and remains high throughout life, while the latency of glucose-6-P phosphohydrolase decreases with age, The phosphohydrolase is 2—3 times more talent in th liver of the neonatal animal than in the adult. 3. (3). Then well established neonatal overshoot of liver glucose-6-phosophatase is almost entirely due to changes in the enzymes in the rough microsomal membranes. The enzyme activity in the rough membrane reaches a maximum and then decreases after day 2, while that in the smooth membrane is still slowly increasing. Despite the great differences in absolute specific activities and in the pattern of early enzyme development between the rough and smooth microsome, enzyme latency in the two subfractions remains parallel, glucose-6-P phosphohydrolase being only slightly more latent, while PPi-glucose phosphotransferase is much more latent in smooth than in rough membranes througout life. 4. (4). Kidney glucose-6-P phosphohydrolase and PPi-glucose phosphotransferase activities were found to change in a parallel fashion with age, showing a small neonatal peak between days 2 and 7 before rising the adult levels. Kidney phosphotransferase activity, like that of liver, remained highly latent throughout life. In contrast to liver, the glucose-6-P phosphohydrolase of kidney did not show a characteristics decreases in latency with age and in the adult remained appreciably more latent than in liver. 5. (5). An improved method was device for the separation of smooth microsomes from liver homogenates.
Serum progesterone concentrations in pregnant and nonpregnant heifers and after gonadotropin releasing hormone in luteal phase heifers.

Abstract Serum progesterone (P4) concentrations were quantitated in 18 Holstein heifers from days 5 to 16 after estrus in an effort to ascertain the effects of pregnancy on circulating levels of this hormone. The P4 concentration rose faster between days 5 and 10 in the pregnant heifers compared to P4 levels in both the non-pregnant heifers and the killed sperm inseminated group. It was found that serum P4 levels were significantly (P The administration of 250μg gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) to 10 Holstein heifers on day 7 after estrus resulted in a significant (P
A Categorical Characterization of General Automata

Let A ′ be a category of input objects and A a category of output objects. Assume that A ′ has limits and A has colimits; then, the behavior of every diagram in the category of abstract machines ( A ′, A ) over a connected scheme can be recorded in its limit. Thus, the theory of limit preserving functors describes the interconnections between the various traits that the total system exhibits. Hence, “the systems theorist is told” what jobs an arbitrary system can do for the given system.
Role of Plasma Instabilities in Auroral Phenomena

RECENTLY it was proposed that plasma instabilities are responsible for the auroral precipitation of particles trapped inside the magnetosphere1. The entire event would be a two-step process, one which takes particles inside the magnetosphere and one which dumps the trapped particles. Responsible for the second step would be plasma micro-instabilities of the type outlined by Krall and Rosenbluth2.
Measuring compliance with transmission-based isolation precautions: Comparison of paper-based and electronic data collection

Background Decreasing the transmission of resistant organisms in hospitals is a key goal of infection prevention plans. Studies have consistently shown inadequate health care worker (HCW) compliance with isolation precautions. Evaluating adherence through direct observation of HCW behavior is considered the "gold standard" but is labor-intensive, requiring the collection and analysis of a large volume of observations. Methods Two methods of data collection to assess HCW compliance were evaluated: a manual method using a paper form (PF), with subsequent data entry into a database, and an electronic method using a Web-based form (WBF) with real-time data recording. Observations were conducted at 4 hospitals (a total of 2,065 beds) to assess the availability of gloves, gowns, and masks; isolation sign postings; and HCW isolation practices. Results A total of 13,878 isolation rooms were observed in 2009. The median number of rooms observed per day was 61 for PF and 60 for WBF, and the respective mean observation times per room were 149 seconds and 60 seconds. Thus, use of the WBF provided a time savings of 89 seconds per room. Conclusion Simple electronic forms can significantly decrease the required resources for monitoring HCW adherence to hospital policies. Use of the WBF decreased the observation time by 60%, allowing for increases in the frequency and intensity of surveillance activities.
Proximal Femoral Anatomy in the Normal Human Population

In this study, we developed a complete description of the morphology of the proximal femur. Then, using this framework, we (1) determined normal population means, standard deviations, and ranges; (2) established differences among subpopulations; and (3) showed correlations among the various measurements. To accomplish these objectives, we analyzed 375 adult femurs. Specimens were digitally photographed in standardized positions, measurements being obtained using ImageJ software. Three parameters of the head-neck relationship were assessed. Translation was examined through four raw offset measurements (anterior, posterior, superior, inferior) used to calculate anterior-posterior and superior-inferior ratios. Rotation was investigated through anteroposterior (AP) and lateral physeal angles. Concavity was examined using alpha, beta, gamma, and delta angles. Two parameters of the neck-shaft relationship were assessed, neck version and angle of inclination. Average anterior-posterior and superior-inferior ratios were 1.14 and 0.90. Average AP and lateral physeal angles were 74.33° and 81.83°, respectively. Averages for alpha, beta, gamma, and delta angles were 45.61°, 41.85°, 53.46°, and 42.95°, respectively. Average neck version and angle of inclination were 9.73° and 129.23°, respectively. Differences existed between males and females and between those younger and older than 50 years. Correlations were observed between translation and concavity, and translation and the neck-shaft relationships.