cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A nationwide production analysis of state park attendance in the United States

This study examined the production of U.S. states' park visits from 1984 to 2010 by state. In specifying the production equation in terms of the influences of the states' parklands, labor, and capital investments on the annual attendances, we found that state governments will experience an ongoing need for more labor to maintain their parklands if attendance is to increase in the future. Results also indicated that more capital expenditures are not likely to increase park utilization rates. Post-estimation procedures involved the application of the response residuals to identify the capacity utilization rates of the states' park systems over the past 27 years. Past utilization rates revealed operators met or exceeded capacity utilization expectations from 1984 through 1990. However, beginning in 1991, the annual mean utilization rate for the nation's supply of states' parks signaled a trend toward excess capacity. Our forecast revealed the mean utilizations over the next three years will vary between 90% and 95%. Post-estimation procedures also examined the relationship between state park management orientations (towards either public-lands preservation or recreational development) and projected annual capacity utilization rates. Results indicate that the quantity of added facilities to broaden their appeal to the public (i.e., a recreation orientation) was not important in explaining utilization capacities. However, an orientation toward public-lands preservation related significantly to greater utilization rates. In our view, the public will continue to accept current cost structures for continued operations of the states' parks on the compelling need for access to outdoor recreation to contribute to the visitor well-being.
Steps to implement Bayesian input distribution selection

There are known pragmatic and theoretical difficulties associated with some standard approaches for input distribution selection for discrete-event simulations. One difficulty is a systematic underestimate of the variance of the expected simulation output that comes from not knowing the 'true' parameter values. Another is a lack of quantification of the probability that a given distribution is best. Bayesian methods have been proposed as an alternative, but acceptance has not yet been achieved, in part because of increased computational demands, as well as challenges posed by the specification of prior distributions. In this paper, we show that responses to questions like those already asked and answered in practice can be used to develop prior distributions for a wide class of models. Further, we illustrate techniques for addressing some computational difficulties thought to be associated with the implementation of Bayesian methodology.
FoxO3a preferentially induces p27Kip1 expression while impairing muscle precursor cell-cycle progression.

Previous work has demonstrated that forkhead transcription factors, which include the FoxO subfamily, play a critical role in muscle atrophy by inducing expression of the atrophy-related ubiquitin ligases. The proliferation of muscle precursor cells (MPC) is also essential for skeletal muscle mass. The hypothesis was tested that the FoxO forkhead transcription factor FoxO3a hinders MPC proliferation. The present studies were designed to determine the effects of overexpression of FoxO3a on in vitro proliferation of MPCs. MPCs infected with an adenovirus for wild-type FoxO3a had decreased DNA synthesis as detected by the incorporation of 5-bromo-2′ deoxyuridine. In general, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, including p27Kip1and p21Waf/Cip1, inhibit cell proliferation. Associated with the impaired MPC proliferation, we found an increase in the promoter activity and protein levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1, whereas there was no effect and a decrease in the promoter activity and protein levels of p21Waf/Cip1. FoxO3a overexpression had no effect on either the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (ser780) or cyclin D1 protein levels, suggesting that FoxO3a does not effect the early phase of the G1–S transition. In addition to its ability to induce muscle atrophy, these studies identify FoxO3a as a negative regulator of MPC proliferation. Our findings suggest that attenuating increased FoxO3a may restore MPC proliferation to prevent atrophy and improve the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle. Muscle Nerve, 2007
The surface tension in a structural model for the solid-liquid interface

Recently, a structural model has been proposed for the solid-liquid interface in monatomic systems.(I) It was obtained by applying the construction rules for the liquid to the special boundary condition of a crystal plane. In particular, the example of an interface between a dense random packing of hard spheres and a close packed crystal plane has been worked out. The rules used during the construction were:
The Role of Polysialic Acid in Migration of Olfactory Bulb Interneuron Precursors in the Subventricular Zone

Abstract Transplantation studies have been used to show that tangential migration of olfactory bulb interneuron precursors is retarded in NCAM-mutant mice, and that this defect reflects loss of NCAM polysialic acid (PSA). In contrast, radial migration of cells within the bulb did not require PSA. Reciprocal transplantations between wild-type and mutant mice have revealed that the mutation affects the in vivo migration environment in the subventricular zone, and not movement of individual cells. However, in vitro migration of the cells into a PSA-negative collagen matrix environment was also PSA-dependent. The surprisingly similar results obtained in the in vivo and in vitro environments is consistent with the observation that migration of subventricular cells occurs as streams of closely apposed cells in which the PSA-positive cells appear to serve as their own migration substrate.
Color as a determined communication

Although it is possible that one viewer's perception of color may be very different from another's, experimental evidence suggests that the relationships between colors are, in many respects, universal, and thus relatively free from individual and cultural influences. the "experience of color" can be described objectively, so that predictable visual sensations can be elicited by adjusting the relationships among colors. a model of color experience is described that is based on the types of interactions among colors. the model adjusts formal compositional attributes such as hue, value, chroma, and their contrasts, as well as size and proportion. components such as these can be utilized to build a general architecture for adding guidance to interactive systems.
Additive-subtractive speckle interferometry: extraction of phase data in noisy environments

A technique for realizing accurate phase measurement based on additive-subtractive speckle pattern interferometry is presented. Ad- ditive fringe patterns corresponding to two deformation states of an ob- ject vibrating sinusoidally are first obtained and these are then sub- tracted from that with zero deformation. The technique requires five frames of additive speckle patterns S0, S1, ... , S4, where S0 is taken with the laser illumination pulsed at instants when the vibration reaches its two zero amplitude positions within one harmonic vibration cycle of the object, and the remaining four (S1 through S4) are taken with the illumination pulses arranged at times when the vibration reaches its maximum and minimum amplitudes. During the acquisition of S1 through S4, the phase of the reference beam is appropriately shifted between the two pulses within each vibration cycle. The phase shifts are synchro- nized with the pulses. Speckle patterns S1 through S4 are then sub- tracted from S0 to generate four correlation fringe patterns with relative phase shifts of 0, p/2, p and 3p/2, respectively. These fringe patterns are then utilized to derive a phase map using a four-step phase calcula- tion algorithm and quantitative vibration amplitudes can be readily ob- tained from the phase map. Results obtained from electronic speckle pattern interferometry and shearography are presented, and the ability of the technique to perform in relatively severe noisy environments is dem- onstrated. © 1996 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. Subject terms: additive-subtractive fringes; phase measurement in noisy condi- tions; laser pulsing/strobing; speckle interferometry and shearography.
The decay of a turbulent swirl in a pipe

This paper presents a linearized theory for the average decay of a tape-induced fully developed turbulent swirl in flow through a pipe. In the Reynolds number range between 104 and 105 the theoretical analysis was found to be in good agreement with experimental data obtained with water in a 1 in. pipe, provided the eddy diffusivity was chosen appropriately.It was observed that a turbulent swirl decays to about 10–20% of its initial intensity in a distance of about 50 pipe diameters, the decay being more rapid at smaller than at larger Reynolds numbers. The theoretical swirl velocity distribution agreed qualitatively with experimental measurements at distances less than 20 diameters downstream from the outlet of the swirl inducer, but deviated from the experimental results further downstream.
Design and testing of a mass-stabilized projectile for a small caliber, electromagnetic launcher

An initial design is presented for a mass-stabilized projectile intended for launch from an electromagnetic railgun. The design utilizes early all the launch package mass for impacting the target and has a reasonable ballistic coefficient for extended range flight. The projectile is comprised of two parts: a tungsten nose tip, and a 7075 aluminum afterbody incorporating a solid armature. The afterbody forms a 'U' and relies on an interference fit to establish an initial preload on the armature/rail interface. A lightweight, discarding bore rider has also been designed to keep the projectile stable during acceleration and represents a small fraction of the total launch package mass. The bore rider prevents armature balloting and supports the nose afterbody interface. Attention is given to design considerations, test results from two electromagnetic launcher firings, and flight characteristics obtained after launch by a conventional gun. >
Duplex high-throughput flow cytometry screen identifies two novel formylpeptide receptor family probes.

Of recent, clinical interest have been two related human G-protein coupled receptors: formylpeptide receptor (FPR), linked to antibacterial inflammation and malignant glioma cell metastasis; and FPR like-1 (FPRL1), linked to chronic inflammation in systemic amyloidosis, Alzheimer's disease, and prion diseases. In association with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Molecular Library Screening Network, we implemented a flow-cytometry-based high-throughput screening (HTS) approach for identifying selective small molecule FPR and FPRL1 ligands. The screening assay measured the ability of test compounds to competitively displace a high-affinity, fluorescein- labeled peptide ligand from FPR, FPRL1, or both. U937 cells expressing FPR and rat basophil leukemia (RBL) cells expressing FPRL1 were tested together in a “duplex” format. The U937 cells were color coded with red-fluorescent dye allowing their distinction during analysis. Compounds, cells, and fluorescent ligand were sequentially combined (no wash) in 15 μl assay volumes in 384-well plates. Throughput averaged ∼11 min per plate to analyze ∼4,000 cells (∼2,000/receptor) in a 2 μl aspirate from each well. In primary single concentration HTS of 24,304 NIH Small Molecule Repository compounds, 253 resulted in inhibition >30% (181 for FPR, 72 for FPRL1) of which 40 had selective binding inhibition constants (Ki) ≤ 4 μM (34 for FPR and 6 for FPRL1). An additional 1,446 candidate compounds were selected by structure–activity-relationship analysis of the hits and screened to identify novel ligands for FPR (3570-0208, Ki = 95 ± 10 nM) and FPRL1 (BB-V-115, Ki = 270 ± 51 nM). Each was a selective antagonist in calcium response assays and the most potent small molecule antagonist reported for its respective receptor to date. The duplex assay format reduced assay time, minimized reagent requirements, and provided selectivity information at every screening stage, thus proving to be an efficient means to screen for selective receptor ligand probes. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HYDROUS AND ORDINARY PYROLYSIS

Pyrolysis results are reviewed briefly with the intent of drawing comparisons between open, high pressure, and hydrous pyrolysis. Empirically, the degree of pyrolysis severity to form volatile products in open pyrolysis is similar to that required to form an expelled oil phase in hydrous pyrolysis. The yields of hydrocarbons from open pyrolysis are close to those from hydrous pyrolysis, but hydrous pyrolysis tends to assist the separation of hydrocarbons from polar materials. Pressure has a small but measurable affect on the generation kinetics.
Trace and ultra trace elements in nutrition: An overview

The general environment and especially diet or nutrition are well recognized to be major factors determining some part of the human cancer incidence and this is reflected in extensive studies which have focused both on aspects of epidemiological approaches and experimental animal research. Another important area of modern nutrition research is concerned with the role of trace and ultra trace elements both in chemically‐induced oncogenesis and toxicology. The focus of this presentation is to highlight and review the role in humans and animals of the more important trace elements such as copper, zinc, and chromium in terms of their essentiality, effects of their deficiency, their role in pregnancy cause and outcome, their biological availability and interactions as well as aspects of their recommended daily allowance. Additionally, the potential role of a number of ultra trace elements in nutrition such as arsenic, nickel, and vanadium will also be reviewed.
Synthesis of (R)-[2-2H]isopentenyl diphosphate and determination of its enantiopurity by 2H NMR spectroscopy in a lyotropic medium.

The synthesis of (R)-[2-2H]isopentenyl diphosphate from d-mannitol 1,2:5,6-bis-acetonide in 10 steps is reported. Stereospecific incorporation of the label is achieved by a BF3-catalyzed NaCNBD3 reduction of the enantiomerically pure (S)-isopropylidene oxirane intermediate. The enantiomeric excess of the penultimate precursor [2-2H]isopentenyl tosylate (>95% ee) was determined by 2H NMR spectroscopy in a poly-γ-benzyl-l-glutamate/CH2Cl2 liquid crystal at −50 °C.
Response of amygdalar norepinephrine to footshock and GABAergic drugs using in vivo microdialysis and HPLC.

These studies used in vivo microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to examine levels of norepinephrine (NE) within the amygdala in response to both footshock and GABAergic compounds. In Experiment 1, microdialysis probes were inserted into a previously implanted guide cannula aimed at the amygdala and the level of NE was examined in response to footshock. A 0.55 mA (2 s) footshock induced a significant increase in NE levels when the microdialysis probe was located within the amygdala; levels of NE did not differ from baseline in rats with microdialysis probes located outside the amygdala. Experiment 2 examined the effects of the GABAergic antagonist, picrotoxin, the GABAergic agonist, muscimol, and saline on NE levels in the amygdala. Rats treated systemically with picrotoxin showed a dramatic increase in levels of NE within the amygdala. In contrast, systemic injection of muscimol resulted in decreased levels of NE. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that drugs that are capable of modulating memory do so by altering levels of NE within the amygdala.
Factors affecting pharmacists' pediatric asthma counseling

Abstract Objective To explore various factors that may influence community pharmacists' pediatric asthma counseling. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Maryland from September 2002 through March 2003. Participants Random sample of 400 community pharmacists. Intervention Mail survey. Main outcome measures Pharmacists' attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, intention to provide pediatric asthma counseling, and reported counseling using the theory of planned behavior as a framework; demographic and pharmacy characteristics. Results 98 of 389 (25%) eligible pharmacists responded. Most acknowledged the importance of providing asthma counseling to children (54%) or caregivers (68%). However, only a small number reported demonstrating to children or caregivers or asking them to demonstrate how to use antiasthmatic medications. Multivariate logistic regressions revealed that intention to counsel was a significant predictor of providing counseling for children or caregivers (odds ratio [OR], 3.95 and 3.09, respectively). Intention to counsel children was significantly associated with subjective norm (OR, 1.88) and perceived ease of counseling (OR, 1.48); intention to counsel caregivers was significantly associated with perceived ease (OR, 1.45). Pharmacists also reported the following barriers that made counseling difficult: lack of time, lack of parent's interest, and lack of placebo devices useful for demonstration of inhalation technique. Conclusion Despite a positive attitude toward providing asthma counseling, the majority of pharmacists reported not fully engaging in counseling. A number of barriers to counseling were reported that, if targeted, could improve the management of pediatric asthma through pharmacist-initiated counseling.
ADSORPTION OF ASPHALT FUNCTIONALITIES AND OXIDIZED ASPHALTS ON AGGREGATE SURFACES

ABSTRACT The adsorption of asphalt functionalities and asphalt oxidized to different degrees on real and model aggregates has been investigated. The functionalities used were: nitrogen-base, phenolic, carboxylic acid, ester, ketone, sulfoxide, and polynuclear aromatic. Adsorption isotherms of these functionalities on porous silica showed different affinity rankings dependent upon concentration. The competitive affinity ranking of the asphalt functionalities on dried silica was obtained as phenylsulfoxide > qulnoline > phenol > benzoic acid > benzophenone > benzylbenzoate > pyrene. The sensitivity to moist silica surface of the four most strongly adsorbed compounds was: qulnoline > benzoic acid > phenol > phenylsulfoxide. Asphalts oxidized to different degrees were adsorbed on different aggregates. On silica and alumina, the oxidized asphalts with viscosities of 32,000 and 126,000 poise were adsorbed less than AC-20. On limestone and sandstone, the adsorption of AC-20 and oxidized asphalts was concentratio...
Healed asymptomatic miliary tuberculosis

Summary 1. An 8-year-old boy was found positive to tuberculin and he showed a roentgenogram of a healed primary tuberculosis with a normal hemogram and sedimentation rate. 2. Two years later, upon routine re-examination, with a perfect record of school attendance, he presented a roentgenogram of evenly distributed, healed, calcified miliary tuberculosis of the lungs. His general physical condition, hemogram, and sedimentation test were perfectly normal, and his stomach washings were negative for Koch bacilli on guinea pig inoculation. 3. Three years later the roentgenogram remained completely unchanged showing the identical evidence of miliary tuberculosis while his general health as well as all clinical tests remained entirely normal.
Electrophysiological effects of prazosin during acute myocardial ischemia

Prazosin, 100 μg/kg, had no effect on baseline refractoriness or intraventricular conduction in anesthetized dogs. During 1 h of coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion, prazosin significantly blunted the shortening of the ventricular effective refractory periods within ischemic myocardial region relative to vehicle-treated animals. Prazosin treatment also prevented the delayed conduction of paced ventricular complexes entering and exiting the ischemic zone. These effects may be associated with the blockade of α1-adrenoceptor activation during the acute phase of myocardial ischemia.
Nickel-mediated hydrogenolysis of C-O bonds of aryl ethers: what is the source of the hydrogen?

Mechanistic studies of the hydrogenolysis of aryl ethers by nickel were undertaken with (diphosphine)aryl methyl ethers. A Ni(0) complex containing Ni–arene interactions adjacent to the aryl–O bond was isolated. Heating led to aryl–O bond activation and generation of a nickel aryl methoxide complex. Formal β-H elimination from this species produced a nickel aryl hydride which can undergo reductive elimination in the presence of formaldehyde to generate a carbon monoxide adduct of Ni(0). The reported complexes map out a plausible mechanism of aryl ether hydrogenolysis catalyzed by nickel. Investigations of a previously reported catalytic system using isotopically labeled substrates are consistent with the mechanism proposed in the stoichiometric system, involving β-H elimination from a nickel alkoxide rather than cleavage of the Ni–O bond by H2.
Asymptotic behavior of static meson potentials

The asymptotic behavior of the source-source interaction energy in static-source meson field theories is shown to be given by the (renormalized) one-meson-exchange interaction. The distorted-field approximation that gives the correct asymptotic behavior also gives a useful approximation to the static meson potential for all values of the source separation.
Transient thermal regimes in the Sierra Nevada and Baja California extinct outer arcs following the cessation of Farallon subduction

[1] We examine the thermal relaxation of the Sierra Nevada and Baja California extinct outer arc blocks following the progressive cessation of Farallon subduction under western North America beginning at ∼30 Ma. Being parts of the same outer arc until the inland jump of the San Andreas transform fault at ∼5 Ma, these two regions show many similarities in their geology, geomorphology, rigid body behavior, and their relatively low seismicity. In the thermal model, we combine results of different geophysical and geophysical studies to constrain the thermal state and geometry of the outer arcs before the cessation of subduction and then model the postsubduction temperature responses in these regions using the results of the tectonic reconstructions. A well-constrained regional thermal model of these blocks using the results of many earlier studies in these regions confirms that the present low heat flow values in these regions are the remnants of the very cold outer arc thermal regime of the subduction zone even as long as 30 Ma after cessation of subduction. Thus the entire Pacific boundary of the North American plate is still in a transient thermal state. The calculated low lithospheric temperatures in the Sierra Nevada and Peninsular blocks correlate very well with their rigid body behavior obtained from geodetic studies, and seismogenic layer thicknesses obtained from seismological studies. This is in contrast with the fact that both regions are surrounded by intense deformation associated with the western North America intraplate and extraplate motions. These low-temperature islands play important roles in the present interaction of the North American and Pacific plates and contribute to the broad deformation of the transform boundary. The thermal relaxation of the extinct outer arcs includes both vertical heating from the underlying asthenosphere and the lateral heating from the extinct back arc (Basin and Range), which has remained as a high heat flow region after the cessation of the subduction. We suggest that the significant lateral heat transfer from the Basin and Range in the Sierra Nevada (and from the Gulf of California spreading center in the Peninsular block since ∼5 Ma) may be the main driving mechanism of the postsubduction volcanism/magmatism along the extinct volcanic arc and the recent tilted uplift of the Sierra Nevada block. The low lithospheric temperatures in Sierra Nevada region may also explain the observation of the high seismic velocities in the mantle beneath the southern Sierra Nevada where the downwelling of the mantle lithosphere proposed.
PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT, A REJOINDER

(1995). Preferential Procurement, a Rejoinder. Journal of Urban Affairs: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 29-32.
Myocardial texture characterization by two-dimensional echocardiography

Twenty-four normal subjects and 181 patients with various cardiac disorders (36 autopsies) were studied by 2-dimensional echocardiography. In vitro echocardiographic studies were performed on 26 of 36 autopsied hearts utilizing an ultrasonically visible metallic probe to correlate myocardial echo patterns with histopathologic features. All normal subjects and the majority of patients with ventricular hypertrophy due to valvular or hypertensive lesions showed a uniformly speckled or an echolucent appearance of the myocardium (type I texture). No autopsied heart with this texture had gross fibrosis (visible to the naked eye) or infiltrative disease. All patients with infiltrative disorders (amyloidosis, 7 of 7; Pompe's disease, 4 of 4) had multiple, discrete, and small (3 to 5 mm) highly refractile echoes (HREs) in the myocardium involving the ventricle or ventricles completely (type IIA texture) or partly (type IIB texture). However, this finding was non-specific and was observed in many other conditions such as left heart hypoplastic syndrome (10 of 10), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (19 of 26), and chronic renal failure (4 of 9). In the noninfiltrative group, HREs in the autopsied cases were shown to result from gross fibrosis or endocardiofibroelastosis utilizing in vitro echocardiographic studies and metallic probe-guided biopsies, while HREs in the autopsied cases with cardiac amyloidosis could be correlated only with amyloid deposits since fibrosis was absent. Larger HREs (>5 mm) presenting as broad patches or long linear echoes in the myocardium (type IIC texture) was seen in old myocardial infarctions (9 of 21) and congestive cardiomyopathy (4 of 26) and were correlated with large areas of myocardial fibrosis. Two-dimensional echocardiographic studies of myocardial texture help identify various infiltrative and degenerative processes in the heart.
Performance-Limiting Factors In Optical Coatings

AbstractSome of the features of optical thin films that contribute to their performance limitsare surveyed. Emphasis is placed on differences between thin film materials and theirbulk form.IntroductionOptical thin film coatings are currently capable of high levels of performance. Never-theless, the real performance of thin -film optical devices always falls short of what istheoretically possible. These limitations are due to the shortcomings of manufacturingprecision and to the ways in which the behavior of the materials in thin film form differsfrom that of the ideal bulk form. It is on these aspects that we will concentrate here.The treatment is qualitative. Even if the layers could be perfect, in the sense thatthey behave exactly as the theoretical model used in design calculations, there would stillbe some limits to achievable performance. We will begin by briefly considering these.Ideal performanceThe ideal model of an optical thin film is a parallel- sided, homogeneous slab ofmaterial, characterized by a refractive index, n, an extinction coefficient, k, and ageometrical thickness, d. The thin -film designer has several parameters at his disposalto vary so as to arrive at the required performance. These include the selection of thematerials, the order in which they occur, and the thickness of the individual layers.The more exacting the performance, the greater the number of parameters that are required.A recent paper by Dobrowolski and Lowe' shows us that the distribution of a refractiveindex throughout a multilayer is related through a Fourier transform to a function of itsspectral performance. Roughly, then, the total thickness of the multilayer will dependon the width of the spectral range over which the performance is to be specified.
Measuring coalitions in the industrial buying center

Currently, little is understood about the behavioral dynamics which take place in the industrial buying process. Coalition formation has been emphasized as a frequent behavioral strategy on the part of buying center members. The absence of much theoretical or empirical work in the area of coalition formation within the buying center may be due to significant measurement problems. This article presents one approach for addressing these problems. Specifically, by using a sociometric method for data collection, group structure and coalitions are identified through the use of multidimensional scaling. To demonstrate applicability in a group context, multidimensional scaling is briefly reviewed. Results of an experimental application of this approach to a vendor choice decision are described.
Moxidectin plasma concentrations following topical administration to llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Lama pacos)

Producers and veterinarians commonly administer pharmaceuticals labeled for cattle, sheep, or goats to llamas and alpacas, yet little is known about the safety and efficacy of this extra-label usage. There are many species-related factors, such as bioavailability and metabolism, that could lead to variation in the pharmacokinetic parameters between species and possibly decrease the activity of a compound. This experiment investigated the absorption and disposition of topical (pour-on) moxidectin in llamas and alpacas. Seven llamas and seven alpacas were obtained from commercial sources and were not treated with an avermectin/milbemycin agent within 60 days prior to the start of the study. The animals were housed outdoors with water and hay available ad libitum. All animals received moxidectin at a dose of 500g/kg after being clipped along the dorsal midline. Serial blood samples were collected post dose. Samples were analyzed for moxidectin using a validated liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy assay. Moxidectin administration was well tolerated with no adverse effects noted in either species following topical administration. Median Cmax values were highly variable in the llamas and alpacas with two alpacas having no detectable plasma concentrations of moxidectin. Due to the limited absorption of this compound in both species, appropriate pharmacokinetic parameters could not be determined. In these two species of South American camelids, moxidectin was not well absorbed following topical administration. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Efficacy of a latex teat sealer.

Abstract In the first of two experiments, efficacy of a latex teat sealer product was tested under field conditions on 32 cows that had one side of the udder dipped with the test product and the other left as the control. Number of new coliform, staphylococcal, or streptococcal infections in treated quarters was not reduced from controls. In a second experiment, effectiveness of this product as a protective sealer was investigated on six cows dip challenged with a broth containing 1million Escherichia coli /ml. On sealed teats the challenge was applied on top of the dried film. The challenge organism was recovered from 33% of treated quarters and 42% of control quarters 6h after exposure. Organisms were recovered from none of the quarters by 31h postchallenge.
Judgments of Critical Care Nurses About Risk for Secondary Brain Injury

Background Interdisciplinary care for patients with traumatic brain injury focuses on treating the primary brain injury and limiting further brain damage from secondary injury. Intensive care unit nurses have an integral role in preventing secondary brain injury; however, little is known about factors that influence nurses' judgments about risk for secondary brain injury. Objective To investigate which physiological and situational variables influence judgments of intensive care unit nurses about patients' risk for secondary brain injury, management solely with nursing interventions, and management by consulting another member of the health care team. Methods A multiple segment factorial survey design was used. Vignettes reflecting the complexity of real-life scenarios were randomly generated by using different values of each independent variable. Surveys containing the vignettes were sent to nurses at 2 level I trauma centers. Multiple regression was used to determine which variables influenced judgments about secondary brain injury. Results Judgments about risk for secondary brain injury were influenced by a patient's oxygen saturation, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, mechanism of injury, and primary diagnosis, as well as by nursing shift. Judgments about interventions were influenced by a patient's oxygen saturation, intracranial pressure, and cerebral perfusion pressure and by nursing shift. The initial judgments made by nurses were the most significant variable predictive of follow-up judgments. Conclusions Nurses need standardized, evidence-based content for management of secondary brain injury in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury.
Risk factors for acute adverse events during ultrasound-guided central venous cannulation in the emergency department.

Ultrasound (US) greatly facilitates cannulation of the internal jugular vein. Despite the ability to visualize the needle and anatomy, adverse events still occur. We hypothesized that the technique has limitations among certain patients and clinical scenarios. Objective: The purpose of our study was to identify characteristics of adverse events surrounding US-guided central venous cannulation (CVC). Methods: We assembled a prospective observational cohort of emergency department (ED) patients undergoing consecutive CVC under US. The primary outcome of interest was a composite of acute mechanical adverse events including hematoma, arterial cannulation, pneumothorax, and unsuccessful placement. Physicians performing the CVC recorded anatomical site, reason for insertion, and acute complications. We followed the catheters until they were removed based on radiographic evidence hospital nursing records. ED charts and pharmacy records contributed variables of interest. A self reported online survey provided physician experience information. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of an adverse outcome. Results: Physicians attempted 289 CVC on 282 patients. An adverse outcome occurred in 57 attempts (19.7%, 95%CI 15.5–24.7) the most common being 31 unsuccessful placements (11%, 95% CI 7.7–14.8). Patients with a history of end stage renal disease (OR 3.54, 95%CI 1.59–7.89) and central lines placed by operators with intermediate experience (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.19–4.32) were most likely to encounter adverse events. Previously cited predictors such as BMI, coagulopathy, and pulmonary hyperinflation were not significant in our final model. Conclusions: Acute adverse events occurred in approximately 20% of US guided central line attempts. We identified both patient (history of end stage renal disease) and physician (intermediate experience level) factors that are associated with acute adverse events.
Phosphodiesterase regulation of nitric oxide signaling

Nitric oxide regulation of the cardiovascular system involves both cGMP-dependent and independent mechanisms. The former directly interacts with the family of catabolic phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that control cGMP levels and thus distal effects such as protein kinase G stimulation. Growing evidence supports an important role of several PDEs, including PDE1, PDE2, and PDE5, in the regulation of cGMP in both vascular smooth muscle and cardiac myocytes. These PDEs have relatively little impact on resting function, but they can potently modulate acute contractile tone in cells stimulated by external agonists such as angiotensin or catecholamines. Regulation by PDEs is compartmentalized, with selective interactions occurring between a given source of cGMP and PDE hydrolysis. PDE1 and/or PDE5 are also reportedly up-regulated in chronic disease conditions such as atherosclerosis or cardiac pressure-load stress and heart failure as well as in response to long-term exposure to nitrates. Such up-regulation is thought to contribute to vascular and cardiac pathophysiology and to drug tolerance. Recent studies utilizing selective PDE5 inhibitors support significant cross-signaling with NO-cGMP synthetic pathways that may be particularly helpful in treating certain disease states.
A direct-drive, robot parts, and tooling gripper with high-performance force feedback control

The authors present the design of a direct-drive parts and tooling gripper for use in robotic assembly operations. The gripper design incorporates three-dimensional force vector sensing and both force and position control with extremely-low-friction, direct linear motor drives. The authors present a state-variable approach to force control and discuss the design techniques required for a manipulator to achieve high-performance force control. They introduce an underlying principle in force control by demonstrating that the contact stiffness between the environment and the manipulator must be known and of an optimum range to provide good force control. To verify the techniques, a servo-controlled manipulator with compliant vector force sensing was developed. The manipulator features direct-drive, linear motors and compliant, vector force sensors. Force resolution was optimized by eliminating friction sources. Inertia was kept to a minimum to allow command following performance. A compliant vector force sensor provides the known contact stiffness between the manipulator and the workpiece environment. Experimental results show that force sensor stiffness is a key element in force loop control design and that robust force control dynamics are comparable to robust position control loop dynamics. >
Expiratory muscle training in spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Roth EJ, Stenson KW, Powley S, Oken J, Primack S, Nussbaum SB, Berkowitz M. Expiratory muscle training in spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial. Objective To assess the effectiveness of expiratory muscle training on the pulmonary function of spinal cord injured patients. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Participants Patients (N=29, 22 men and 7 women) with recent traumatic, motor complete, spinal cord injury (SCI) at or above level T1 consecutively admitted to an SCI rehabilitation service. Subjects were randomized to either resistance training (n=16) or sham training (n=13). Interventions The subjects completed either sham training or expiratory muscle resistive training with maximal expiratory force using a small handheld device, which is a tube with an aperture at the distal end, for 10 repetitions twice a day 5 days a week for a total of 6 weeks. Main Outcome Measures Pulmonary function tests were measured before and after the training program and included forced vital capacity (FVC); forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1); maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), which is often referred to as forced expiratory pressure; maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), which is often referred to as negative inspiratory force; inspiratory capacity (IC); expiratory reserve volume (ERV); total lung capacity (TLC); functional residual capacity (FRC); and residual volume (RV). Results FVC, FEV1, and ERV improved in both groups. Although exit values of MEP were improved in both groups compared with entry values, this increase was statistically significant only in the resistance training group. No significant improvements occurred in IC, TLC, FRC, or RV from entry to exit. MIP improved in both groups, but this increase was statistically significant only in the resistance training group. There was also a significant between-group difference in MEP exit values (98cmH 2 O for the resistance training group and 59cmH 2 O for the sham training group, t =3.45, P =.002). Multivariate analyses failed to reveal significant effects of treatment for any of the pulmonary function tests. Conclusions The resistance training group had significantly greater exit MEP values than the sham training group in univariate analysis only. However, improvements in pulmonary function were noted in both the resistance training and sham training groups. Although multivariate analysis failed to reveal a significant difference between groups, these findings offer some indication that expiratory training may benefit people with SCI.
Localization on curved objects using tactile information

This paper offers a computational study of finger localization on 2D curved objects using tactile data which builds on efficient numerical processing of curves. Our first algorithm localizes one rolling finger on a stationary object. It finds all boundary segments with the same arc length and total curvature computed from tactile data. The algorithm slides an imaginary segment along the object boundary by alternatively marching its two endpoints forward, stretching or contracting the segment if necessary. Through a curvature-based analysis we establish the global convergence of the algorithm to every location of such a segment and also derive the local convergence rate. The algorithm runs in time linear in the size of the discretized boundary curve domain. Based on these results, we present a global algorithm to localize two fingers rolling on a free object. The algorithm partitions the object boundary into segments over which related total curvature functions are monotonic. Then it combines bisection with forward marching to search for possible locations of the fingers within every pair of such segments.
Functional replacement of the ketosynthase domain of FUM1 for the biosynthesis of fumonisins, a group of fungal reduced polyketides

The genetic manipulation of the biosynthesis of fungal reduced polyketides has been challenging due to the lack of knowledge on the biosynthetic mechanism, the difficulties in the detection of the acyclic, non-aromatic metabolites, and the complexity in genetically manipulating filamentous fungi. Fumonisins are a group of economically important mycotoxins that contaminate maize-based food and feed products worldwide. Fumonisins contain a linear dimethylated C18 chain that is synthesized by Fum1p, which is a single module polyketide synthase (PKS). Using a genetic system that allows the specific manipulation of PKS domains in filamentous fungus Fusarium verticillioides, we replaced the KS domain of fumonisin FUM1 with the KS domain of T-toxin PKS1 from Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Although PKS1 synthesizes different polyketides, the F. verticillioides strain carrying the chimeric PKS produced fumonisins. This represents the first successful domain swapping in PKSs for fungal reduced polyketides and suggests that KS domain alone may not be sufficient to control the product’s structure. To further test if the whole fumonisin PKS could be functionally replaced by a PKS that has a similar domain architecture, we replaced entire FUM1 with PKS1. This strain did not produce any fumonisin or new metabolites, suggesting that the intrinsic interactions between the intact PKS and downstream enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway may play a role in the control of fungal reduced polyketides.
Der Einfluß starker Unstetigkeitsfronten auf Unterschallströmungen um Profile

Es wird der Einflus einer starken Unstetigkeitsfront auf das Feld einer inkompressiblen Stromung um ein Profil untersucht. Das Stromungsfeld wird getrennt auf beiden Seiten der Unstetigkeitsfront mit Hilfe der linearisierten Gleichungen berechnet. Diese beiden Felder werden auf der Front durch die Forderung nach gleichem Druck und gleicher u-Komponente der Geschwindigkeit aneinander angeschlossen. Als numerische Beispiel wird der Einflus der Unstetigkeitsfront auf die Stromung um ein Parabelbogenprofil behandelt. The influence of a strong discontinuity upon incompressible flows over profils is investigated. Such discontinuities can arise e.g. by meteorological reasons as temperaturjumps or by sudden heat-addition. The fields before and behind the front are calculated seperately and then these fields are matched on the front by the condition of equal pressure and equal u-components of the velocity. As numerical example the influence of a temperaturefront on a parabolic are profile is calculated.
B Cell–Intrinsic TLR7 Signaling Is Required for Optimal B Cell Responses during Chronic Viral Infection

The importance for activation of innate immunity by pattern recognition receptors in forming an effective adaptive immune response is well known. TLRs were demonstrated to be critical for Ab responses to a variety of immunizations. In particular, recent evidence suggests that B cell-intrinsic TLR signaling is required for optimal responses to virus-like Ags, but the mechanisms by which TLR signaling impacts Ab responses during infection in vivo is unclear. In the current study, we demonstrate that deficiency of TLR7 in B cells alone is sufficient to significantly impact Ab responses in mice during chronic viral infection. This effect was independent of T follicular helper cells and resulted in a loss of plasma cells generated later, but not early, in the response. The defect in plasma cell formation appeared to be secondary to a qualitative effect of TLR signaling on the germinal center (GC) B cell response. GC B cells in TLR7-deficient mice proliferated to a lesser extent and had a greater proportion of cells with phenotypic characteristics of light zone, relative to dark zone, GC B cells. These results suggest that B cell-intrinsic TLR signaling in vivo likely affects plasma cell output by altered selection of Ag-specific B cells in the GC.
A Role for Somatosensory Cortices in the Visual Recognition of Emotion as Revealed by Three-Dimensional Lesion Mapping

Although lesion and functional imaging studies have broadly implicated the right hemisphere in the recognition of emotion, neither the underlying processes nor the precise anatomical correlates are well understood. We addressed these two issues in a quantitative study of 108 subjects with focal brain lesions, using three different tasks that assessed the recognition and naming of six basic emotions from facial expressions. Lesions were analyzed as a function of task performance by coregistration in a common brain space, and statistical analyses of their joint volumetric density revealed specific regions in which damage was significantly associated with impairment. We show that recognizing emotions from visually presented facial expressions requires right somatosensory-related cortices. The findings are consistent with the idea that we recognize another individual's emotional state by internally generating somatosensory representations that simulate how the other individual would feel when displaying a certain facial expression. Follow-up experiments revealed that conceptual knowledge and knowledge of the name of the emotion draw on neuroanatomically separable systems. Right somatosensory-related cortices thus constitute an additional critical component that functions together with structures such as the amygdala and right visual cortices in retrieving socially relevant information from faces.