cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macrophages as effector cells of protective immunity in murine schistosomiasis: I. Activation of peritoneal macrophages during natural infection

Abstract Mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni develop a dramatic (five- to eightfold) increase in numbers of peritoneal leukocytes, and approximately 65% of these cells are macrophages. By several biochemical and cytochemical criteria, these cells were comparable to resident peritoneal macrophages of normal mice. However, macrophages from schistosome-infected mice exhibited significant nonspecific tumoricidal activity in vitro , a function associated with immunologically activated cells. The time course for development of activated macrophages in the peritoneal cavity was dependent upon the route of infection. Cytotoxic cells were present in the peritoneal cavity by 3 weeks after intraperitoneal infection, but were not evident until several weeks later in animals infected percutaneously, subcutaneously, or intravenously. However, by 3 weeks after subcutaneous infection, tumoricidal macrophages appeared in the peritoneal cavity after intraperitoneal challenge with soluble schistosome antigens. Macrophage activation was independent of the development of egg granulomas, since tumoricidal cells could be found prior to the onset of egg production and were also present in mice infected with only male worms. Development of activated macrophages in these instances is thus consistent with previous observations on induction of T lymphocyte reactivity toward schistosomula. Since other manipulations known to activate macrophages have been shown to induce partial resistance to schistosome infection, the finding that macrophage activation results from primary S. mansoni infection itself suggests that these cells may play a major role in acquired immunity to this parasite.
Voltage-clamped class E amplifier with a Zener diode across the switch

The class E amplifier with a clamped switch peak voltage using a Zener diode is proposed and analyzed A higher output power is obtained when the maximum switch voltage is clamped. Design equations are derived for the output power and power losses. The effect of the Zener diode on the switch voltage waveform, output power, and efficiency are examined. The experimental verification is presented using a prototype circuit.
Nonlinear engine model for idle speed control

This paper describes a nonlinear model of an engine used for the design of idle speed control and prediction in a broad range of idle speeds and operational conditions. Idle speed control systems make use of both spark advance and the idle air actuator to control engine speed for improved response relative to variations in the target idle speed due to load disturbances. The control system at idle can be represented by a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) nonlinear model. Information of nonlinearities helps to improve performance of the system over the whole range of engine speeds. A proposed simple nonlinear model of the engine at idle was applied for design of optimal controllers and predictors for improved steady state, load rejection and transition from and to idle. This paper describes vehicle results of engine speed prediction based on the described model. >
Archival Education and the Need for Full-Time Faculty

A healthy system of professional education has three complementary components: professional associations, practitioners in the field, and faculty in academic settings. The lack of a sufficient number of full-time faculty is the weakest aspect of the current system of education for archivists. Drawing on the extensive literature on education for professions, especially librarianship, the author speculates on the advantages for the archival profession of a larger number of faculty, sketches an appropriate role for such a faculty, and encourages further development of a more complete system of archival education.
Formulation and food effects on the oral absorption of a poorly water soluble, highly permeable antiretroviral agent

DPC 961 is a low-solubility, high-permeability, second-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of drug substance and formulation variables on DPC 961 oral absorption, and to compare fed and fasted state oral absorption. To accomplish this, groups of four to six dogs were dosed with various formulations of DPC 961 under fasted or fed conditions, and DPC 961 pharmacokinetics were examined. Absolute oral bioavailability, based on i.v. AUC in the same dogs, was 24% after a suspension dose in fasted dogs and was 51% in fed dogs. Bioavailability with an unoptimized tablet formulation was 30% in fasted dogs and 86% in fed dogs. DPC 961 oral absorption was shown to be dependent on drug substance particle size in fasted dogs, after dosing with a tablet formulation where only the drug substance particle size was varied, but there was no difference in fed dogs. AUC and C(max) increased in proportion with increases in tablet strength from 100 to 400 mg, using tablets manufactured from a common granulation. Tablets made with 50 and 66% drug loadings showed similar relative oral bioavailabilities. Tablets prepared with two different polymorphic forms of DPC 961 were also compared, and these were found to be equivalent. These studies provided a useful component of the formulation development process, to help identify and control the variables affecting oral absorption of this potential new therapeutic agent.
Multidimensional Generalized Functions in Aeroacoustics and Fluid Mechanics-Part 1: Basic Concepts and Operations

This paper is the first part of a three part tutorial on multidimensional generalized functions (GFs) and their applications in aeroacoustics and fluid mechanics. The subject is fascinating and essential in many areas of science and, in particular, wave propagation problems. In this tutorial, we strive to present rigorously and clearly the basic concepts and the tools that are needed to use GFs in applications effectively and with ease. We give many examples to help the readers in understanding the mathematical ideas presented here. The first part of the tutorial is on the basic concepts of GFs. Here we define GFs, their properties and some common operations on them. We define the important concept of generalized differentiation and then give some interesting elementary and advanced examples on Green's functions and wave propagation problems. Here, the analytic power of GFs in applications is demonstrated with ease and elegance. Part 2 of this tutorial is on the diverse applications of generalized derivat...
Recent Applications of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry in Chemical and Environmental Analysis

Several different applications of Fourier transform infrared (FT-ir) spectrometry being developed at Ohio University are described. A dual-beam FT-ir system which enables identifiable GC-ir spectra to be measured from less than 100 ng of material is described. A method for removing the solvent from the effluent from a high performance liquid chromatograph is proposed, together with a device for on-line LC-ir at the submicrogram level. Calculations showing the effect of the instrument line shape function of an FT-ir spectrometer used with or without apodization on Lorentzian absorption bands are described, and the implications of the results of these calculations on spectral subtraction and remote sensing experiments are discussed.
Potential danger of chlorpropamide therahy: Impaired excretion of a water load

A modified Carter Robbins Test was used to diagnose central diabetes insipidus (DI) in 3 patients. After 2–3 months of oral chlorpropamide 250–500 mg/day, the test was repeated. In 2 patients CH2O remained negative even during a water load of 20 cc/kg and 2½% saline load of 10 cc/kg/45 min. There was no further drop of CH2O following 0.1 units aqueous pitressin intravenously. These and one other patient with DI were then subjected to a continuous water loading test initiated by giving 25 cc/kg of water while on chlorpropamide in a dose sufficient to cause antidiuresis without hypoglycemia. Water excretion was impaired in all patients. Serum Na fell at least 10 mEq/L in each patient. Serum osmolality fell 25 mosm/kg in 2 patients and fell 20 mosm/kg and 15 mosm/kg in the other 2 patients. All patients gained weight. Chloride spaces increased from 3% to 5% after the water load. CH2O remained negative throughout the entire test in 2 patients. A third patient developed a CH2O of +0.9 cc/min/1.73 m2. This maximum CH2O occurred 6½ hours after the water load. A fourth patient developed a CH2O of +25 cc/min/1.73 m2. This maximum CH2O occurred 2 hours after the water load, subsequently fell to .6 cc/min/1.73 m2 and never again exceeded +2.1 cc/min. Since published evidence indicates that chlorpropamide acts by potentiating ADH, our data suggests that the subthreshold circulating ADH presumed to be present in our patients is not further suppressed by water loading. Therefore, a potential danger exists for anyone taking chlorpropamide who either requires intravenous therapy, or who may drink a large amount of fluid.
An extracellular congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus mutation of the vasopressin receptor reduces cell surface expression, affinity for ligand, and coupling to the Gs/adenylyl cyclase system.

The mutation of the type-2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) apparently responsible for X-linked congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (CNDI) in the Q3 family consists of a T to C transition in codon 113, causing the change of Arg-113 to Trp. Arg-113 is located in the putative first extracellular loop of the V2R next to a frequently conserved Cys thought to interact via a disulfide bridge with a Cys of the second extracellular loop. The present study explored whether this mutation may account for the CNDI phenotype. The mutation was excised from the genomic DNA of a Q3 patient and introduced into the V2R cDNA, which was then placed into an expression plasmid and transfected into COS cells for transient expression and murine L cells for stable expression. Studies with L cells expressing similar levels of wild type and Q3 receptors showed that the mutant receptor has a 20-fold reduced affinity for arginine vasopressin (AVP) and stimulates adenylyl cyclase with an EC50 that is increased by a factor of about 60-...
Exploring Learning Analytics for Computing Education

Student retention in STEM disciplines is a growing problem. The number of students receiving undergraduate STEM degrees will need to increase by about 34% annually in order to meet projected needs [6]. One way to address this problem is by leveraging the emerging field of learning analytics, a data-driven approach to designing learning interventions based on continuously-updated data on learning processes and outcomes. Through an iterative, user-centered, design approach, we propose to develop a learning dashboard tailored for computing courses. The dashboard will collect, analyze, and present learning process and outcome data to instructors and students, thus providing an empirical basis for automated, teacher-initiated, and learner-initiated interventions to positively influence learning outcomes and retention. Through a series of mixed-method empirical studies, we will determine what data should be made available to instructors, how that data can be best displayed, how effective teaching interventions can be fashioned from the data, and how such interventions affect student grades and persistence in introductory computing science courses.
Controlled prospective trial of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine in children with acute leukemia.

Seventy-four children under the age of 15 years, with acute leukemia were enrolled in a study to ascertain the protective effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine, derived from the lipopolysaccharide antigens of the 7 Fisher, Devlin, and Gnabasik immunotypes. Thirteen patients received immunization initially as a pilot trial. The remaining 61 were randomized between vaccine (31) and control (30). The primary immunization consisted of 4 weekly injections. Booster doses were administered at 3 month intervals. In 85% of the patients antibodies were produced in response to the vaccination, but their levels tended to decline rapidly. The incidence of P. aeruginosa infection in each group was: pilot trial, 3, vaccine 5, and control 3. These results indicate that immunological control of P. aeruginosa infection could not be achieved by vaccination with the present vaccine alone in children with acute leukemia.
Critical role for IL-21 in both primary and memory anti-viral CD8+ T-cell responses.

While it is well established that CD8+ T cells generated in the absence of CD4+ T cells mediate defective recall responses, the mechanism by which CD4+ T cells confer help in the generation of CD8+ T-cell responses remains poorly understood. To determine whether CD4+ T-cell-derived IL-21 is an important regulator of CD8+ T-cell responses in help-dependent and -independent viral infections, we examined these responses in the IL-21Rα−/− mouse model. We show that IL-21 has a role in primary CD8+ T-cell responses and in recall CD8+ T-cell responses in help-dependent viral infections. This effect is due to a direct action of IL-21 in enhancing the proliferation of virus-specific CD8+ T cells and reducing their TRAIL expression. These findings indicate that IL-21 is an important mediator of CD4+ T-cell help to CD8+ T cells.
Aggregation behavior and thermodynamics of binding between poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) and plasmid DNA.

The aggregation behavior and the thermodynamics of binding between poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PDEAEMA) block copolymers and plasmid DNA were examined. Binding between the polymer and DNA were confirmed by gel electrophoresis. The high affinity between the polymer and DNA was demonstrated through the ethidium bromide (EtBr) displacement assay, and the binding was found to be related to the stoichiometric balance between the amine group of the polymer and the DNA nucleotide molar ratio (N/P molar ratio). The light scattering and TEM results showed that, at low polymer concentration, the hydrodynamic radii (Rh) of the polymer/DNA complexes was around 90 nm; however, at sufficiently high polymer concentration, the complexes condensed to around 35 nm induced by a structural rearrangement of the amphiphilic nature of the block copolymer. The isothermal titration calorimetric results showed that the binding between the polymer and DNA is driven by a large favorable...
Research Spotlight: The future of biofuels: is it in the bag?

How and where it will be possible to produce biofuels at a scale that can compete with fossil fuels, without competing with agriculture for water, fertilizer and land, is a fundamental unanswered question. We propose that the answer could be offshore membrane enclosures for growing algae. Microalgae are the fastest growing biomass and best oil producers known; by cultivating microalgae offshore using wastewater as a source of water and nutrients in floating photobioreactors (PBRs), the system would not compete with agriculture. Furthermore, freshwater microalgae clean the wastewater, capture CO2 and, if they accidentally escape, they cannot become invasive species because they cannot thrive in seawater. The seawater supports the PBRs, controls temperature and can be used for forward osmosis to concentrate nutrients and facilitate harvesting. Algae products, wastewater treatment, carbon sequestration and compatible aquaculture support the economics of the system as a whole. The completion of a 2-year feasi...
Multiple forces contribute to cell sheet morphogenesis for dorsal closure in Drosophila.

The molecular and cellular bases of cell shape change and movement during morphogenesis and wound healing are of intense interest and are only beginning to be understood. Here, we investigate the forces responsible for morphogenesis during dorsal closure with three approaches. First, we use real-time and time-lapsed laser confocal microscopy to follow actin dynamics and document cell shape changes and tissue movements in living, unperturbed embryos. We label cells with a ubiquitously expressed transgene that encodes GFP fused to an autonomously folding actin binding fragment from fly moesin. Second, we use a biomechanical approach to examine the distribution of stiffness/tension during dorsal closure by following the response of the various tissues to cutting by an ultraviolet laser. We tested our previous model (Young, P.E., A.M. Richman, A.S. Ketchum, and D.P. Kiehart. 1993. Genes Dev. 7:29–41) that the leading edge of the lateral epidermis is a contractile purse-string that provides force for dorsal closure. We show that this structure is under tension and behaves as a supracellular purse-string, however, we provide evidence that it alone cannot account for the forces responsible for dorsal closure. In addition, we show that there is isotropic stiffness/tension in the amnioserosa and anisotropic stiffness/tension in the lateral epidermis. Tension in the amnioserosa may contribute force for dorsal closure, but tension in the lateral epidermis opposes it. Third, we examine the role of various tissues in dorsal closure by repeated ablation of cells in the amnioserosa and the leading edge of the lateral epidermis. Our data provide strong evidence that both tissues appear to contribute to normal dorsal closure in living embryos, but surprisingly, neither is absolutely required for dorsal closure. Finally, we establish that the Drosophila epidermis rapidly and reproducibly heals from both mechanical and ultraviolet laser wounds, even those delivered repeatedly. During healing, actin is rapidly recruited to the margins of the wound and a newly formed, supracellular purse-string contracts during wound healing. This result establishes the Drosophila embryo as an excellent system for the investigation of wound healing. Moreover, our observations demonstrate that wound healing in this insect epidermal system parallel wound healing in vertebrate tissues in situ and vertebrate cells in culture (for review see Kiehart, D.P. 1999. Curr. Biol. 9:R602–R605).
Hepatitis C virus NS5A protein binds TBP and p53, inhibiting their DNA binding and p53 interactions with TBP and ERCC3.

Abstract Among the hepatotropic viruses, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered to be the leading cause of liver disease in humans, affecting ∼2% of the world population. HCV-encoded nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) is a 56–58-kDa phosphoprotein, which is produced from the processing of viral polyprotein. The potential mechanism(s) by which NS5A is able to influence key cellular processes are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the functional properties of NS5A. In vivo co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays demonstrated that NS5A forms a heteromeric complex with TATA box binding protein (TBP) and tumor suppressor protein p53. Mutants of TBP and p53 showed reduced binding to NS5A. To determine the functional relevance of these associations, we found that NS5A inhibits the binding of both p53 and TBP to their DNA consensus binding sequences in vitro. NS5A also inhibited the p53–TBP and p53–excision repair cross complementing factor 3 (ERCC3) protein–protein complex formation. Furthermore, NS5A repressed the p53 regulated p21 (WAF1) promoter and a synthetic promoter containing multiple p53 responsive DNA elements binding sites in HCT116 p53 +/+ cell line. p53-mediated transcriptional activation from both promoters was reduced ∼3–5-fold following expression of NS5A. Taken together, these results suggest that NS5A may exert its influence on key cellular processes by functional associations with p53 and TBP. This could explain one of the possible mechanism(s) by which NS5A is able to exert its effect on cellular gene expression and cell growth regulation.
Predictors of Health Education and Nonmedication Treatment in Adult Outpatients With Diagnosed Cardiac Conditions

The premise of this study was to assess what factors predict the provision of health education and nonmedication treatment for adult cardiac outpatients. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out on 2005 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data to determine the odds of provision of health education or nonmedication treatment in respect to age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, insurance type, smoking status, diabetes status, and receipt of medication in 278 cardiac patients aged 18 to 64 years who visited outpatient departments in 2005. Approximately 48% of cardiac outpatients were offered health education and 32% nonmedication therapy. Cardiac outpatients who were older, obese, and female were less likely to receive health education or nonmedication treatment during their visits. Eliminating such disparities to comprehensive cardiac outpatient care will elicit favorable outcomes to the patient and health care system.
Predictive accuracy of semi-quantitative scoring to screen for unfavorable ejection fraction and infarct size

Background Manual planimetry for quantitative analysis of ejection fraction (EF) and infarct size (IS) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging are too time-consuming, and therefore, impractical in daily clinical practice. We sought to derive and examine the predictive accuracy of a semi-quantitative scoring technique to screen patients with an EF ≤35% or an IS ≥18.5%, known independent predictors of increased cardiac events and mortality.
Diagnostic applications of indicator-dilution technics in congenital heart disease.

In summarizing the diagnostic value of the indicator-dilution technics in the study and investigation of congenital heart disease, perhaps a simple listing of the advantages and disadvantages of the technics will suffice. The advantages are as follows: 1. The technics have a high degree of safety. In the more than 3000 cardiac patients in whom they have been utilized there have been no deaths and little or no morbidity. 2. The sensitivity of the technics for the detection and localization of right-to-left and left-to-right shunts is much superior to that of the conventional blood-gas methods. 3. Quantitative determinations of systemic and pulmonary blood flow and intrathoracic shunts by indicator-dilution methods can be made simultaneously over periods of less than 1 minute; when indicator dyes are used, these technics do not require manometrie analyses, accessory respiratory exchange studies, or active cooperation of the patient; and they are independent of foreign (anesthetic) gases in the blood. 4. The technics are versatile and can be extremely useful either for the detection and diagnosis of minimal, relatively simple defects or for the elucidation of the extremely complex types of congenital malformations. 5. The information obtained is of both a qualitative and a quantitative nature; that is, the nature and location of defects can be determined and, in addition, the magnitude and direction of flow through the defects in question as well as the levels of systemic and pulmonary blood flows can be estimated. The disadvantages of the technics are as follows: 1. Rather complicated and sensitive recording equipment is essential. 2. Considerable technical skill is required of the persons carrying out the procedure in the placement of the necessary needles and catheters and in the proper selection of the multiple possible injection and sampling sites reached by these instruments in order to obtain the information needed to establish the diagnosis in question. 3. Correct interpretation of the diagnostic significance of the dilution curves obtained requires careful study and considerable experience by the person responsible for this phase of the investigation. In other words, these technics entail relatively little discomfort and little danger for the patient, but require good equipment and, more important, considerable time, effort and skill on the part of the investigator and his assistants in order to obtain highly successful results.
Managerial Ideology and the Social Control of Deviance in Organizations

The article presents a review of the book “Managerial Ideology and the Social Control of Deviance in Organizations,” by Richard M. Weiss.
Production of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs with fractions isolated from bovine spinal cord and killed tubercle bacilli.

Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis: Production of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis in Guinea Pigs with Fractions isolated from Bovine Spinal Cord and Killed Tubercle Bacilli
Anomalies in the magnetization of melt-processed YBCO superconductors

Abstract Anomalies have been observed in the magnetization curves of melt-processed polycrystalline YBCO materials containing certain dopants such as Pr and Pt. Such anomalies are not produced, and are even suppressed, by other dopants, such as Nb. The anomaly consists of the appearance of a second, higher-field peak in the irreversible region of the magnetization plot. It can be attributed to uncoupling of flux-pinning centers from the superconducting matrix at high fields. Creep measurements show that the activation energy for flux creep exhibits a maximum at the vicinity of the anomalous second peak.
Heinz Heinemann. The Berkeley Years (1978–1993)

Heinz Heineman came to Berkeley in 1978 and stayed there for 15 years. This was the time of the energy crisis and we did not have anybody like him who had such a tremendous industrial experience with oil and coal conversion technology and science. He was interested in the conversion of coal to gaseous molecules and our studies with model catalysts appealed to him and attracted him. In a way, Heinz Heineman was bigger than life, since he played such a seminal role in the history of American catalysis science.
Acoustic beam scattering and excitation of sphere resonance: Bessel beam example

The exact partial wave series for the scattering by a sphere centered on an ideal Bessel beam was recently given by Marston ["Scattering of a Bessel beam by a sphere," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 121, 753-758 (2007)]. That series is applied here to solid elastic spheres in water and to an empty spherical shell in water. The examples are selected to illustrate the effect of varying the beam's conical angle so as to modify the coupling to specific resonances in the response of each type of sphere considered. The backscattering may be reduced or increased depending on properties of the resonance and of the specular contribution. Changing the conical angle is equivalent to changing the beamwidth. Some applications of the Van de Hulst localization principle to the interpretation of the partial wave series and to the interpretation of the scattering dependence on the beam's conical angle are discussed. Some potential applications to the analysis of the scattering by spheres of more general axisymmetric beams are noted.
Studies on spin-labeled polyriboadenylic acid.

Spin-labeled samples of poly rA, poly rU, and poly rG have been prepared, and physicochemical properties primarily of labeled poly rA are reported. The nitroxide radical, 4-(2-iodoacetamido)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinooxyl, is incorporated to a greater extent in poly rA and poly rU, as compared to poly rG. No incorporation is observed in the case of poly rC. Special attention has been paid to the separation of the covalently attached labels from the free labels, and to the preservation of the integrity of the chain length of the labeled polymers. The determination of molar extinction coefficients of the three labeled polymers indicates virtually no difference from those known for the chemically unpertubed polyribonucleotides. The correlation times for the spin-labeled single stranded poly rA and poly rU have been calculated. More mobile building blocks are found in poly rU as compared to poly rA. Conformational properties of labeled poly rA in aqueous solutions have been investigated using electron spin resonance, circular dichroism, and absorption spectroscopy. The objective of the study of labeled poly rA was to examine its conformational transitions upon the uptake of protons by the adenine bases. Based on electron spin resonance data there is strong evidence that the single strand-double strand transition can take place in three steps. In addition to the already known two forms of double-stranded poly rA in acidic solution, called A and B, it is suggested that a third phase, consisting possibly of large aggregates, is involved in the transition of the less protonated double strands to those of complete protonation.
Medical astrologers and the invention of stringed keyboard instruments

(1990). Medical astrologers and the invention of stringed keyboard instruments. Journal of Musicological Research: Vol. 10, No. 1-2, pp. 1-17.
RPVs. Tiny, microwave powered, remotely piloted vehicles

As the name implies, a remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) has its motion controlled by an outside source. A commonly encountered example is a radio controlled model airplane. In this case, the pilot always has the aircraft and ground in view. It is a simple process (in principle) to fly and land. For vehicles that move out of the pilot's view, an onboard sensor is needed to determine motion and location relative to the terrain. Usually the sensor is a video camera, but radar and infrared systems also can be used. The design for such a small vehicle presents some unique engineering challenges. Several basic trade-offs must be performed in the areas of aerodynamics, propulsion, energy sources, control and onboard sensors. Obviously as the vehicle's size is reduced, the weight and power consumption of the systems on board must also be reduced. One way to reduce weight is to "beam" microwave energy to the vehicle. This energy is then converted to a DC signal which drives a motor. The author outlines this approach which is called wireless power transmission.
Relationship between crosslinking and ordering kinetics for the fabrication of soft templated (FDU-16) mesoporous carbon thin films

Although the fabrication of mesoporous carbon films through the cooperative assembly of phenolic resin oligomers (resol) and block copolymers is well-established, these methods generally rely upon simply following protocols developed for analogous bulk powders despite growing evidence of significant differences between thin films and bulk powders. Here, we examine the chemical evolution of resol through spectroscopically tracking the methylol content for films with and without a common templating agent (Pluronic F127). At lower temperature (100 °C and 120 °C), the crosslinking rate is not impacted by the presence of the template, while the addition of the Pluronic template decreases the reaction rate at higher temperatures (140 °C and 160 °C). At all conditions examined, the crosslinking kinetics of resol can be fit using the Jander model. in situ grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering illustrates that the mesostructural evolution is not highly correlated with the chemical changes during crosslinking. With this knowledge, a shortened processing schedule (3 h total) was devised in place of the standard 24 h thermopolymerization without adversely impacting the ordered structure of the mesoporous film and this protocol significantly increases (almost double) the porosity of the film.
The Dickinson W. Richards lecture. New concepts in assessing cardiovascular function.

The primary role of the heart is to provide energy for the circulatory transport of oxygen (O2) to cells at rates commensurate with their metabolic activity. At rest, even a "sick" heart may be capable of transporting O2 adequately. But during exercise, the increase in O2 required by muscle cells demands that their blood flow be increased. The supply of O2 needed to meet the O2 requirement for muscle mitochondrial high-energy phosphate generation during exercise is a critical function of the circulation. Thus, the adequacy of cardiovascular function can be estimated, noninvasively, from the pattern of O2 uptake in response to an exercise stimulus. While arterial O2 tension (PaO2) is dependent on pulmonary function (except for intracardiac right-to-left shunt), the mass transfer of O2 (VO2) between the cells and lungs depends on pulmonary blood flow (i.e., cardiac output) and O2 concentration difference between the pulmonary arterial and pulmonary venous blood, C(a-v)O2 (Fick principle). Thus, VO2 in the first 15 seconds of exercise can be used to describe the initial increase in pulmonary blood flow and stroke volume, while the subsequent rise in VO2 results from the further increase in VO2 in response to work rate increase are used to detect circulatory disturbances. Also, the rate of CO2 output (VCO2) has been valuable in the assessment of cardiovascular function when related to VO2. Inadequate O2 availability results in anaerobic metabolism, causing increased muscle lactic acid production. At the pH of cell water, most of the hydrogen ions produced with lactate are buffered by bicarbonate. The CO2 generated by the buffering reaction (22 ml for each milliequivalent) causes a net increase in VCO2 relative to VO2 at the work rate at which buffering begins. This provides a useful estimate of the anaerobic threshold. Thus, study of the dynamic coupling of external to cellular respiration during a work rate stimulus provides valuable, direct, and noninvasive information about cardiovascular mechanisms in health and disease.
Human response to environmental change in the perspective of future, global climate

Human response to severe environmental stress is conceived and implemented by individuals, but must be approved by the group. These decisions are made with respect to perceived circumstances. Societies are enmeshed within adaptive systems that provide a matrix of opportunities and constraints for a wide range of potential behavioral variability. Such systems repeatedly readjust to short-term crises, e.g., droughts, but persistent and severe environmental stress may require substantial revision of adaptive strategies. The Sahel drought of 1968–1973 is an example of a brief but severe crisis, recurring along the Saharan margins perhaps once every 30 years. Closer inspection shows links between intensified intertribal warfare and ecological stress in the lower Omo Valley. The decline of the Egyptian New Kingdom during the 12th century B.C., in response to economic stagnation, sociopolitical instability, dynastic weakness, foreign pressures, and poor Nile floods over 50–70 years, represents a more complex and fundamental modification, with systemic simplification lasting 450 years. Such insights can be applied to future, global climatic change due to increasing atmospheric CO2. Simulation and paleoclimatic experience suggest a drier climate for the North American and Soviet breadbaskets, to threaten world food supplies at a time of maximum demographic pressures and declining resources. Public perception and remedial planning should receive the attention of Quaternary scientists, in order to preempt an involuntary, global, systemic simplification.
Carathéodory–Julia type conditions and symmetries of boundary asymptotics for analytic functions on the unit disk

It is shown that the following conditions are equivalent for the generalized Schur class functions at a boundary point t0 ∈ : 1) Caratheodory–Julia type condition of order n; 2) agreeing of asymptotics of the original function from inside and of its continuation by reflection from outside of the unit disk up to order 2n + 1; 3) t0-isometry of the coefficients ofthe boundary asymptotics; 4) a certain structured matrix ℙ constructed from these coefficients being Hermitian. It is also shown that for an arbitrary analytic function, properties 2), 3), 4) are still equivalent to each other and imply 1) (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Profiles of workaholism among high‐tech managers

Purpose – To explore whether workaholism seems to be a pre‐requisite for success in the high‐technology industry.Design/methodology/approach – Survey results from a team of fourteen managers are used as a case study, to examine tendencies believed to relate to workaholism. A variety of cross comparisons are presented as scatter plots to frame the discussion, along with composite profiles of individual managers.Findings – While some of the managers seemed to represent the archetypal workaholic, some were quite the opposite. Others classified as either moderate or at‐risk.Research limitations/implications – Study took place within one company and using measures taken within a relatively short time span of several months. Statistical comparisons were not possible with a group of 14. The management group was exclusively male, eliminating any potential for gender comparisons.Practical implications – These managers had proven success within the same company and a high demand industry. Yet some did not display w...
Angiographic features and outcome of questionable recurrent choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose We sought to identify specific fluorescein angiographic patterns that may have led to the diagnosis of questionable recurrent choroidal neovascularization. We evaluated follow-up information to determine whether any specific angiographic patterns could be used to identify patients at high risk for definite recurrence. Methods We identified fluorescein angiograms graded as questionable for recurrent choroidal neovascularization that were taken from a previous prospective study involving 401 consecutive follow-up visits of patients treated with photocoagulation for choroidal neovascularization. We reviewed these angiograms to identify specific angiographic patterns that might have led to the classification of questionable recurrent choroidal neovascularization. Angiograms from visits subsequent to a questionable recurrence were reviewed to determine which patterns, if any, were associated with an increased risk for a definite recurrence to develop later. Results Forty-four eyes (44 patients) with questionable recurrences (of which 40 had at least four months of follow-up) were categorized into six angiographic patterns. The three most common patterns included the following: (1) focal staining along the edge of the laser lesion (20 cases, 15 subsequently recurred); (2) blocked fluorescence from subretinal hemorrhage not documented at the previous visit (eight cases, five subsequently recurred); (3) speckled hyperfluorescence noted beyond the edge of the laser lesion (eight cases, six subsequently recurred). Conclusions Questionable recurrent choroidal neovascularization may be identified by specific angiographic patterns. Focal staining along the edge of the laser lesion and speckled hyperfluorescence were the patterns that were most likely to progress to definite recurrence.
Skeletal stabilization for tibial fractures associated with acute compartment syndrome

To determine the possible relationship between outcome and fixation method for tibial fractures associated with compartment syndrome, the authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 96 patients (average age, 31.8 years) with this injury. Seventy-eight patients had multiple injuries (average Injury Severity Score, 22.37). There were 68 closed and 28 open fractures, including 3 gunshot wounds. Compartment syndrome was diagnosed by direct measurement or by clinical findings. The attending surgeon selected the type of fixation based on fracture pattern and associated injuries. Time to healing for the 96 fractures averaged 31.6 weeks. There was no significant difference in healing times between open and closed fractures or between methods of treatment. Healing time for closed fractures was significantly different from that reported for closed fractures not associated with compartment syndrome (30.2 compared with 17.3 weeks, respectively; open fracture healing times were not significantly different (35 compared with 29.3 weeks, respectively). The authors conclude that (1) compartment syndrome significantly lengthens the time to healing for closed tibial fractures but does not significantly affect the time to healing for open tibial fractures; (2) closed tibial fractures with compartment syndrome appear to act as open fractures; and (3) the method of fixation does not appear to affect time to healing for closed or open fractures associated with compartment syndrome.
Extracellular administration of BCL2 protein reduces apoptosis and improves survival in a murine model of sepsis.

Background Severe sepsis and septic shock are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In experimental sepsis there is prominent apoptosis of various cell types, and genetic manipulation of death and survival pathways has been shown to modulate organ injury and survival.
Hypermetabolism of paraventricular hypothalamus in the congenitally helpless rat

The congenitally helpless rat, selectively bred to model behavioral features of depression, has shown metabolic activity patterns in frontal and cingulate cortex similar to those detected in human imaging studies of depression and sadness. This study extends the same metabolic mapping technique (quantitative cytochrome oxidase histochemistry) to the hypothalamus, where activity levels were assessed in six nuclei: paraventricular nucleus, medial preoptic area, lateral hypothalamic area, supraoptic nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, and ventromedial nucleus. Helpless rats were compared with a strain of non-helpless rats selectively bred for stress resistance. Only the paraventricular nucleus showed a significant group difference, with helpless rats showing elevated metabolism and non-helpless rats showing reduced metabolism relative to normal rats. Thus, paraventricular nucleus activity may be associated with genetic susceptibility to helpless behavior.
Inference for identifying outlying health care providers

Abstract Provider profiling is the evaluation of the performance of hospitals, doctors, and other medical practitioners to enhance the quality of care. Many jurisdictions have released public report cards comparing hospital or physician-specific outcomes. Given the importance of provider profiling, studying the methodology used and providing enhancements are essential. Ohlssen, Sharples and Spiegelhalter (2007) give a thoughtful evaluation of provider profiling methodology. In particular they are concerned about whether a putative outlier is really an outlier or an observation in the tail of the common distribution for all practitioners, and present methodology to address this issue. In this paper we suggest as an alternative the use of a 100 ( 1 − α ) % credible region for provider fixed effects to identify outliers. Using both New York State bypass surgery data and simulated data of the same type as that used in Racz and Sedransk (2010), we compare the Ohlssen et al. (2007) approach with standard methodology, and with use of the credible region.
The τ-effective paradox: new measurements towards a resolution

Abstract New volume recovery measurements have been made on an epoxy glass for temperature down- and up-jumps from 1.0 to 4.0 K to investigate the τ-effective paradox. Due to the sensitivity of the measurements and to the fact that data points are obtained linearly in time, we are able to accurately measure the effective relaxation time at much smaller departures from equilibrium than those examined originally by Kovacs and subsequently by other researchers. The paradox is observed for the largest (2.0 and 4.0 K) up-jumps performed at the highest aging temperature. The magnitude of the expansion gap disappears as the departure from equilibrium approaches zero indicating a resolution of the paradox.
Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

Thirty-two consecutive patients with mediastinal lesions suggestive of bronchogenic carcinoma underwent transbronchial needle aspiration. Eighteen of 20 patients (90 percent) with proved bronchogenic carcinoma had malignant cytology specimens or tissue fragments. Of 12 patients with normal cytology specimens, six were subsequently proved to have nonneoplastic disease. Transbronchial needle aspiration appears to offer a sensitive and specific alternative to more invasive surgical techniques used in the diagnosis of malignancies with mediastinal involvement
Only technological processes are patentable

The U.S. Supreme Court will narrow the universe of process innovations that can be patented to those that are "technological," but what will that mean for software?
Regulation of A8 dopomine neurons by smuatostatin

Abstract The effects of depletion of somatostatin in the region of the retrorubral field on in vivo tyrosine hydroxyiation in the A8 cell group were assessed. Local injections of cysteamine into the central amygdaloid nucleus, source of a somatostatin input to the A8 cell group region, or directly into the retrorubral field resulted in an increase in in vivo tyrosine hydroxylation in the A8 cell group. Levels of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the retrorubral field were decreased by approximately 50% by the cysteamine treatment these data suggest that somatostatin may hold A8 dopamine neurons under tonic inhibition.
Measuring tongue movements during speech : Adaptation of a magnetic jaw-tracking system

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether measurements of tongue movement during speech could be obtained with an electronic device originally designed to record jaw movements via a magnetized pellet. The findings indicated that the system allowed basic quantification of tongue movements in a straightforward manner. The primary advantages of this system are that no distracting wires are attached to the pellet, and it is much less costly than other systems used for this purpose. Its main disadvantages are that it is unable to track multiple tongue fleshpoints simultaneously, lacks an anatomically based coordinate system, and the head must remain still during recordings.
Spatiotemporal variability of corn and soybean yield

Little is known about the spatial structure of yield across fields, nor of the temporal stability of this structure. We determined the spatial structures of grain yield for 6 yr of data and examined the stability of these structures over time. Yields were measured each year at 224 locations on an 8 x 24 grid within a 16-ha field, using plot combines. The field was planted either to corn (Zea mays L.) or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in an alternate-year rotation. Soybean yields averaged 3.16, 3.14, and 3.12 Mg ha -1 in 1990, 1992, and 1994. Corn yields averaged 9.30, 9.34, and 5.02 Mg ha -1 in 1989, 1991, and 1993 with the lower yield in 1993 a result of excessive rainfall that year. The large-scale deterministic structure of the spatial yield data was constructed for each year by median polishing. The trend surfaces were different for each year, indicating a lack of temporal stability in large-scale structure, although the trend surfaces shared some similar features. Overall, the deterministic structure accounted for about 25% of the overall yield variance. The small-scale stochastic spatial structure was determined by computing variograms of the yield residuals after subtracting the trends. Variograms showed strong spatial structure of the yield residuals, with zero nugget and correlation ranges approaching 150 m. Variograms differed from year to year and were not related to the crop being grown. The range was significantly correlated to precipitation, increasing with increasing total growingseason rainfall. Long-term monitoring of yield will be necessary to fully characterize its spatial-temporal pattern.