cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bartter syndrome: unraveling the pathophysiologic enigma

Familial hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, or Bartter syndrome, is not a single disorder but rather a set of closely related disorders. These Bartter-like syndromes share many of the same physiologic derangements, but differ with regard to the age of onset, the presenting symptoms, the magnitude of urinary potassium (K) and prostaglandin excretion, and the extent of urinary calcium excretion. At least three clinical phenotypes have been distinguished: (1) classic Bartter syndrome; (2) the hypocalciuric-hypomagnesemic Gitelman variant; and (3) the antenatal hypercalciuric variant (also termed hyperprostaglandin E syndrome). The fundamental pathogenesis of this complex set of disorders has long fascinated and stymied investigators. Physiologic investigations have suggested numerous pathogenic models. The cloning of genes encoding renal transport proteins has provided molecular tools to begin testing these hypotheses. To date, molecular genetic analyses have determined that mutations in the gene encoding the thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride (Na-Cl) cotransporter underlie the pathogenesis of the Gitelman variant. In comparison, the antenatal variant is genetically heterogeneous with mutations in the genes encoding either the bumetanide-sensitive sodium-potassium-chloride (Na-K-2Cl) cotransporter or the luminal, ATP-regulated, K channel. With these data, investigators have begun to unravel the pathophysiologic enigma of the Bartter-like syndromes. Further studies will help refine pathogenic models for this set of disorders as well as provide new insights into the normal mechanisms of renal electrolyte transport.
Sleep Deprivation Per Se Does Not Decrease the Hypercapnic Ventilatory Response in Humans

Several studies have found that sleep deprivation reduces the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR). Such results may have been affected by uncontrolled activities or environmental influences during the sleep deprivation period. The current study determined the “pure” effect of sleep deprivation on respiratory control under strictly controlled behavioral and environmental conditions. After 2 d of acclimation in the laboratory, 10 subjects maintained wakefulness (confirmed by EEG), a constant semirecumbent posture, ate regular small meals, had constant interaction with experimenters, and stayed in an environment with constant low light (10 lux) and constant room temperature for 41 consecutive hours. Measurements of HCVR, resting ventilation, V˙ o 2 and V˙ co 2 were performed every 2 h. Comparisons were made of six pairs of measurements, with each pair separated by 24 h of sleep deprivation. None of the respiratory variables changed significantly with 24 h of sleep deprivation. Mean HCVR increased by 17% ...
Simulation of Myoplasmic Calcium Transients in Mouse Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers

ABSTRACTFiber bundles were dissected from soleus muscles of adult mice and individual slow-twitch fibers were micro-injected with furaptra, a low-affinity rapidly-responding fluorescent Ca indicator. Fiber activity was elicited by action potential stimulation at 16 oC and dfCaD, the fraction of the indicator in the Ca-bound form, was measured. The dfCaD waveform was simulated with a multi-compartment reaction-diffusion model that provides estimates of the amount and time course of Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), the binding and diffusion of Ca in the myoplasm, the re-uptake of Ca by the SR Ca pump, and the myoplasmic free Ca transient itself (d[Ca]). In response to one action potential (AP), the following spatially-averaged estimates were obtained (concentration units are referred to the myoplasmic water volume): 107 micro-molar for the amount of Ca release; 57 micro-molar/ms and 1.7 ms for the peak and full-duration at half maximum (FDHM) of the release flux; 7.6 micro-molar and 4.9 ms for the peak and FDHM of d[Ca]. In response to five APs at 67 Hz, d[Ca] summated somewhat in response to later action potentials in the train, while the second and subsequent releases declined progressively, from 0.3 to 0.1 times that of the first release. Two important parameters of the model are the on- and off-rate constants of the reaction between Ca and the regulatory sites on troponin. Values of 0.4x108 M−1 s−1 and 26 s−1, respectively, were found to be consistent with the measurements of dfCaD. The peak troponin occupancy is estimated to be 79% and 93% in response to one and five APs, respectively.
Oxygen-enhanced propane chemisorption on platinum

Abstract The effect of oxygen chemisorbed on a Raney platinum surface on the subsequent chemisorption of propane at 100 °C, particularly in the simultaneous presence of preadsorbed water, has been studied. With increasing degree of coverage of the surface with chemisorbed oxygen, the amount of propane subsequently chemisorbed is increased. For instance, chemisorption of about 0.65 atoms of oxygen per platinum surface atom increases the amount of chemisorbed propane at a pressure of 1 mm Hg and 100 °C by a factor of about 3. It is assumed that the chemisorbing hydrocarbon reacts with O or OH groups present on the platinum surface.
Unobstructed afocal systems of spherical mirrors

Design methods are presented to facilitate studies of unobstructed afocal systems composed of two and three spherical mirrors. Only unobstructed systems with a plane of symmetry are considered. Low order imaging constraints are determined to eliminate available degrees of freedom and reduce the dimensionality of the configuration space. Example systems are presented.
Early trends of the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instrument's performance using in-flight calibration sources for the Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) TERRA mission

Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instrument, with it's three scanning thermistor bolometers, was designed to provide accurate measurements for the long- term monitoring of Earth's radiation energy budget. The sensors measure broadband radiances in the shortwave (0.3 - 5.0 micrometers), total (0.3 - >100 micrometers) and 8 - 12 micrometer water vapor window regions. Two of the CERES instruments, Flight models 1 and 2 (FM1 and FM2) are scheduled for launch aboard the Earth Science Enterprise Terra Spacecraft in November 1999.
Quantitative trait loci for agronomic traits in soybean

There continues to be improvement in seed yields of soybean by conventional breeding, but molecular techniques may provide faster genetic gains. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the agronomic traits seed yield, lodging, plant height, seed filling period and plant maturity in soybean. To achieve this objective, 101 F 6 -derived recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from a population developed from a cross of N87-984-16 x TN93-99 were used. Experiments were conducted in six environments during 2002-2003. Heritability estimates on an entry mean basis from data combined across environments ranged from 0.12 to 0.65 for seed yield and seed filling period, respectively. Composite interval mapping detected one QTL for yield (near Satt076), two for lodging (near Satt225 and Satt593) and four for maturity (near Satt263, Satt292, Satt293 and Satt591) in this population. Additional environmentally sensitive QTL for these traits, and for seed filling period and plant height are also reported. The QTL associated with agronomic traits that we report and the recently released germplasm (PI 636460) from this population may be useful in soybean breeding programmes.
Abortion, Islam, and the 1994 Cairo Population Conference

The International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in September 1994 focused world attention on the interplay of religion, family-planning methods, and women's status. The most hotly debated topic of the conference was abortion. Before the conference convened, newspapers in the West and in the Middle East reported “a growing religious furor” that spurred an alliance between Muslim nations and the Vatican based on a common belief in the prohibition of abortion and concern for Western sexual mores. At the conference, Muslim delegations abandoned their slogans and moved away from the Vatican position by denouncing abortion as a method of family planning but leaving open its use under specific circumstances. Although a majority of Muslims worldwide agree with the stance taken at the population conference, and most would state that Islam forbids abortion, the Muslim theological position on abortion does not approximate the Roman Catholic condemnation of the practice. A full prohibition of abortion represents neither the sophisticated Muslim jurisprudence literature on abortion nor current practices of some Muslim women. Discussion with Muslim women and Muslim religious scholars (ʿulamāʾ) about the intricacies of the issues that abortion raises tells us that the question is not simple, consensus is far from being reached, and political concerns further complicate understanding of the paradoxical issues involved.
Evaluating Natural Site Formation Processes in Eolian Dune Sands: A Case Study from the Krmpotich Folsom Site, Killpecker Dunes, Wyoming

Abstract Eolian dune sands commonly contain archaeological material in both surface and buried contexts. However, because of the dynamic nature of dunes, the original context of an archaeological site can be severely modified or destroyed as a result of post-occupational geomorphic processes. This paper examines a Folsom occupation associated with a buried soil in the Killpecker Dunes in southwestern Wyoming. Field and labortory data are compared to determine the likely scenario of natural site formation processes responsible for the current context of the archaeological assemblage. Two primary eolian stratigraphic units are present at the site, and are separated by the buried artefact-bearing soil. Radiocarbon and optical luminescence ages indicate that the Folsom artefacts occur across a temporal hiatus, and that the buried soil is late Holocene in age. Sedimentological data indicate that the highest frequencies of artefacts by depth are associated with an erosional contact characterized by a concentration of coarse-grained material. Thus, the Folsom assemblage appears to have been vertically displaced as a result of post-occupational erosion and deflation. This case study indicates that evaluating the context of an archaeological occupation in a dune setting is best carried out utilizing multiple lines of evidence derived from both field and laboratory work.
Active Uptake of Ca++ and Ca++-Activated Mg++ ATPase in Red Cell Membrane Fragments

Isolated human red blood cell membrane fragments (RBCMF) were found to take up Ca++ in the presence of ATP.1 This ATP-dependent Ca++ uptake by RBCMF appears to be the manifestation of an active Ca++ transport mechanism in the red cell membrane reported previously (Schatzmann, 1966; Lee and Shin, 1969). The influences of altering experimental conditions on Ca++-stimulated Mg++ ATPase (Ca++ ATPase) and Ca++ uptake of RBCMF were studied. It was found that pretreatment of RBCMF at 50°C abolished both Ca++ ATPase and Ca++ uptake. Pretreatment of RBCMF with phospholipases A and C decreased both Ca++ ATPase and Ca++ uptake, whereas pretreatment with phospholipase D did not significantly alter either Ca++ ATPase or Ca++ uptake. Both Ca++ ATPase and Ca++ uptake had ATP specificity, similar optimum pH's, and optimum incubation temperatures. From these results, it was concluded that Ca++ uptake is intimately linked to Ca++ ATPase.
Experimental Observations of Nitrogen Diluted Ethylene and Methane Jet Flames

While the liftoff mechanisms of nitrogen-diluted methane jet flames have been well documented, higher order fuels, such as ethylene, have not been studied as extensively with regards to flame stabilization and behavior. Higher order fuels generally burn more intensely, and thus produce much different stabilization patterns than those of simple hydrocarbon fuels, such as methane. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of nitrogen dilution on ethylene combustion and compare to that witnessed in typical methane jet flames; specifically, the influence on the liftoff height, blowout, and flame chemiluminescence. Liftoff and blowout velocities were compared for various mixtures of ethylene without nitrogen. It was observed that the reason behind the varying stabilization patterns is due to the higher thermal diffusivity of ethylene as well the higher flame speeds that are characterized in the combustion of ethylene. Using a sequence of images from each mixture, the flame liftoff heights were recorded. Due to the strong chemiluminescence of ethylene flames, little fluctuation between liftoff parameters was observed, with respect the velocity; however, there was a significant effect on the liftoff height, with respect to dilution. Blowout for fuel mixtures was much more difficult to achieve due to the higher thermal diffusivity of ethylene, meaning the flame would stabilize at positions much farther downstream than those of simple hydrocarbon fuels.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Ambulatory psychophysiological monitoring: A potentially useful tool when treating panic relapse *

Following relapse after 11 sessions of cognitive behavioral treatment of panic disorder, a client wore an ambulatory physiological monitoring device for 1 day. The physiological data were used to test the client's hypothesis that panic attacks always occur from “out of the blue.” Results showed that hyperventilation and fearful thoughts preceded panic attacks, refuting the client's initial hypothesis. A comparison of the client's self-report data before and after wearing the device indicated that this therapeutic strategy had a beneficial treatment effect. The results are discussed in the context of the scientist-practitioner approach to treatment failure.
Re effects on phase stability and mechanical properties of MoSS+Mo3Si+Mo5SiB2 alloys

Abstract In this paper, we investigate the effects of Re additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a ternary alloy with the composition Mo-12.5Si-8.5B (at.%). This alloy has a three-phase microstructure consisting of Mo solid-solution (MoSS), Mo3Si, and Mo5SiB2 and our results show that up to 8.4 at.% Re can be added to it without changing its microstructure or forming any brittle σ phase at 1600 °C. Three-point bend tests using chevron-notched specimens showed that Re did not improve fracture toughness of the three-phase alloy. Nanoindentation performed on the MoSS phase in the three-phase alloy showed that Re increases Young’s modulus, but does not lower hardness as in some Mo solid solution alloys. Based on our thermodynamic calculations and microstructural analyses, the lack of a Re softening effect is attributed to the increased Si levels in the Re-containing MoSS phase since Si is known to increase its hardness. This lack of softening is possibly why there is no Re-induced improvement in fracture toughness.
Lessons from the Lollipop: Biotribology, Tribocorrosion, and Irregular Surfaces

Biotribology and tribocorrosion are often not included in numerical or computational modeling efforts to predict wear because of the apparent complexity in the geometry, the variability in removal rates, and the challenge associated with mixing time-dependent removal processes such as corrosion with cyclic material removal from wear. The lollipop is an accessible bio-tribocorrosion problem that is well known but underexplored scientifically as a tribocorrosion process. Stress-assisted dissolution was found to be the dominant tribocorrosion process driving material removal in this system. A model of material removal was described and approached by lumping the intrinsically time-dependent process with a mechanically driven process into a single cyclic volumetric material removal rate. This required the collection of self-reported wear data from 58 participants that were used in conjunction with statistical analysis of actual lollipop cross-sectional information. Thousands of repeated numerical simulations of material removal and shape evolution were conducted using a simple Monte Carlo process that varied the input parameters and geometries to match the measured variability. The resulting computations were analyzed to calculate both the average number of licks required to reach the Tootsie Roll® center of a Tootsie Roll® pop, as well as the expected variation thereof.
O007 IRF-5; Mediates cross talk between innate and adaptive immunity

Introduction IRF-5 is a transcription factors activated by TLR7 and TLR9 during innate immune responses. IRF-5 activates not only Type I IFN, but also inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Most importantly a distinct genetic variations in the IRF-5 gene show a strong association with autoimmune diseases such as Lupus (SLE). Here we analyzed the role of IRF-5 in the induction of inflammatory cytokines and B cells activation, two hallmarks of SLE. Methods The two strains of IRF-5 knockout mice were evaluated for their rsponse to antigens in vivo. The IgG switching was anlayzed in isolated B cells in vitro. The molecular mechanism involved in the alteration of the antigenic response was determined on the molecular levels. Results Using two independently generated strains of IRF5-deficient mice Irf 5−/− mice we showed that these mice exhibit high susceptibility to VSV and HSV-1 infection, reduction in serum levels of type I IFN as well as inflammatory cytokines,including interferon in response to viral infection, high sussceptibilty to virus (VSV) and parasite (Laishmania donovai) infection and a defect in generation of the TH-1 response. IRF-5, but not IRF-7 is also critical for B cells differention to plasma cells, IgG2a/c responses to antigens and to polyoma virus infection. This defect is due to the intrinsic deletion of IRF-5 in B cells, as Rag1 knockout mice reconstituted with Irf5 −/− B cells show a decrease in IgG2a/c expression after viral infection. Irf 5−/−B cells in vitro have diminished TLR and cytokine-induced class switching to IgG2a/c. Addressing the molecular mechanism of these defects, we show that IRF-5 regulates Blimp-1 and Ikaros expression, factors essential for plasma cells differentiation and IgG2a/c expression respectively. Reconstitution of IRF-5 in Irf 5−/− B cells rescue Blimp-1 expression, down-regulates Ikaros levels and increases switching to IgG2a/c. The IRF site in Blimp-1 and ikzf1 promoters binds IRF-5. Conclusion Collectively these results identify the role of IRF-5 both in the innate and adaptive immune respose and indicate its a critical role in the cross talk between the innate and adaptive immune responses.
CHILDREN'S PERCEPTION OF MEDIA-PORTRAYED SEX ROLES

The immediate impact on preschool and elementary school children of a televised presentation in which the traditional sex roles of physician and nurse were reversed was examined. After viewing a videotape of a male nurse and a female physician, subjects were asked to identify photographs or names of the physician and nurse. Preschool, first-, and fourth-grade children selected male names or pictures for the physician and female names or pictures for the nurse, thereby reversing genders. Their immediate recall appeared strongly influenced by their stereotypes rather than by the film they had just viewed. Seventh-grade children correctly identified the names of the physician and nurse.
Influences on Vigilance in Nine-banded Armadillos

Functional aspects of vigilance in nine-banded armadillos (Edentata: Dasypus noverncinctus) were investigated. Data on solitary individuals revealed few age or sex differences in time spent vigilant. However, vigilance increased in most social contexts and w'!s highest during intraspecific agonistic encounters. These results suggest social functions for armadillo vigilance. Armadillos with higher vigilance levels had longer flight distances, suggesting that vigilance may also have antipredator benefits. Further examination of flight distances revealed that they varied with age, weather conditions, and time of year (breeding versus non-breeding season), and were negatively correlated with body size. In total, the results indicate the complexity of vigilance in a solitary species and suggest that armadillo vigilance is multifunctional.
A green light for virulence gene expression.

A new technique identifies Salmonella genes that are preferentially expressed during infection of host cells.
Processing Diagnosis Queries: A Principled and Scalable Approach

Many popular Web sites suffer occasional user-visible problems such as slow responses, blank pages or error messages being displayed, items not being added to shopping carts, database slowdowns, and others. Such deviations of systems from desired behavior, or failures, can cause user dissatisfaction and considerable loss of revenue. The scale, complexity, and dynamics of modern systems make it hard to track down the cause of failures manually. We address this problem through a new class of declarative queries, called diagnosis queries, that a system administrator or user can pose to pinpoint the cause of a failure. We describe how diagnosis queries are specified over system-monitoring data, and the challenges faced by current techniques to process these queries. We develop and evaluate a new algorithm, based on a combination of clustering and classification, to process diagnosis queries automatically, efficiently, and with good accuracy.
Changing endonuclease EcoRII Tyr308 to Phe abolishes cleavage but not recognition: possible homology with the int-family of recombinases

Abstract Endonuclease EcoRII is one of a group of type II restriction enzymes, including Nael, Narl, BspMI, HpaII, and SacII, that require binding of an enhancer sequence to cleave DNA. Comparison of the EcoRII amino-acid sequence with the amino-acid consensus motifs that differentiate between recombinase families uncovered similarity between a 29 amino-acid sequence in the carboxyl end of EcoRII and the motif defining the integrase family of recombinases. This similarity implied that EcoRII tyrosine 308 should be involved in catalyzing hydrolysis of the scissile bond. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to mutate Tyr308 to Phe. The phenylalanine-substituted enzyme could not cleave T5 DNA under conditions in which wild-type enzyme completely cleaved this DNA. The Tyr308 to Phe mutation abolished cleavage activity but not specific binding to DNA. No evidence was found for the existence during the cleavage reaction of a covalent linkage between Tyr308 and DNA.
Effectiveness of hemodialysis in chronic schizophrenic patients: a double-blind study.

: Twenty-four chronic schizophrenic patients were treated with active or sham hemodialysis in a double-blind, randomized-group design. Treatment outcomes, as measured by the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (version PD), are presented. Patients in both active and sham conditions responded to the dialysis process. The research design may have prevented the separation of these groups of responders. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of hemodialysis on a selected group of schizophrenic patients.
Hepatic angiomyolipoma with striated granules and positivity with melanoma--specific antibody (HMB-45): a report of two cases.

Angiomyolipoma occurs rarely in the liver, with only 25 previous cases being reported in the English literature. The article describes two additional cases, one of which was multicentric, with results of ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies. Many of the tumor cells contained numerous electron-dense granules, some with transverse striations like those found in melanosomes. Both tumors stained positively for S-100 protein and melanoma-specific antibody HMB-45. One case also expressed vimentin and neuron-specific eno-lase. Both were negative for cytokeratin, carci-noembryonic antigen, a-fetoprotein, desmin, muscle-specific actin, factor VIII antigen, and chromogranin. Comparison of our ultrastructural findings with those of classic renal angiomyolipoma raises the possibility that the melanosomelike structures may represent renin granules rather than melanosomes, although the latter are not excluded. Expression of HMB-45 in angiomyolipoma has important biologic and diagnostic implications, whether o...
Differential thermometric kinetic analysis. a new general technique of interpreting the data obtained in kinetic analyses

Abstract The concentration-time data obtained in kinetic analyses may be easily and conveniently interpreted by multiparametric curve-fitting. A new technique of kinetic analysis, in which the overall extent of reaction is monitored by following the variation with time of the difference between the temperature of a reaction mixture and that of a reference solution, is described. Both these techniques are illustrated with-data obtained in oximations of mixtures of propanal-and cyclohexanone. The results confirm the existence of the synergic effect reported by Siggia and Hanna.
Contour Processing Algorithm For Hexagonally Sampled Images

AbstractThis paper describes a contour tracking algorithm for images which have been hexagonally sampled. Both formal and informal descriptions of the procedure as well as performance statistics are included.IntroductionMachine vision systems utilize image processing and understanding algorithms in which the image data isstored in a two dimensional array. Furthermore, this data is usually rectangularly sampled. This type ofsampling operation is described byf(xl,x2) = fa(x1T1,x2T2) (1) where T1 and T2 are the horizontal and vertical sampling intervals, and xl and x2 are the row -column coordinates in image space. The advantages (and disadvantages) of rectangular sampling rather than other types of two dimensionalsampling are usually not considered. This adherence to the rectangular standard is inappropriate and inef-ficient for some tasks. For example, it has been shownithat hexagonal sampling is the optimal samplingscheme for signals which are band limited over a circular region of the Fourier plane. In fact, no othersampling scheme permits a lower sampling density. Another feature of hexagonal sampling is that it resolvesthe nearest neighbor question. As shown in figure 1, the eight neighbors of a pixel are not of equal distance
Wakefield generation by a relativistic ring beam in a coaxial two-channel dielectric loaded structure

In this paper, we give a complete analytical solution for wakefields generated by an azimuthally symmetric ring beam propagating in a coaxial two-channel dielectric structure. This wakefield can be used to accelerate a witness beam in the central channel. The ratio of the peak accelerating field in the center channel to the decelerating field in the ring channel (defined as transformer ratio $R$) is also derived. We find that, by appropriate choice of parameters, $R$ can be much greater than 2, the limiting value for collinear wakefield accelerators.
Three Books on Israel and Palestine

Book reviewed in this article: The Palestinian Entity, 1959–1974: Arab Politics and the PLO: Moshe Shemesh
The effect of dimerization on the resonance raman excitation profiles of metalloporphyrins

Abstract Model calculations are reported showing the effect of dimerization on the absorption spectra and resonance Raman excitation profiles of metalloporhyrins. This effect, which qualitatively resembles that of metal atom substitution or solvent change, is mainly due to mixing of the monomer Q and B states.
Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of HSO3- by O2. 2. The Manganese(II)-Catalyzed Reaction

The Mn2+-catalyzed oxidation of HSO3- by O2 has been studied in the pH region 4.5 and at bisulfite ion concentrations from 1.5 × 10-3 to 1.2 × 10-2 M. The reaction was found to obey a three-term ra...
Derivatives regulation: Implications for central banks

Abstract We review aspects of derivatives markets that affect central bank operations. We focus on how derivatives affect monetary policy and bank supervision, and argue that derivatives have no material adverse impact on the conduct of monetary policy. Our analysis suggests that both derivatives users and dealers face relatively small default risks from derivatives. Systemic risk, the risk of widespread default, has been largely exaggerated. Policy debates have neglected incentives of employees; the nature of this agency risk suggests that internal controls are more likely to reduce these problems than derivatives regulation.
Engineering the Functional Maturation of Nanofiber-Based Human Meniscus Tissue

The meniscus is a fibrous tissue essential to healthy knee mechanics. It functions to redirect vertical forces laterally, converting compressive into tensile loads which are taken up by an array of highly organized collagen fibers. Load transmission is not only the operative mode of the meniscus, but is also required for normal development and homeostatic maintenance [1]. With injury, disruption of the aligned collagen fiber architecture impairs function, altering joint loading and initiating osteoarthritis. Toward engineering replacement meniscus tissue, we have investigated scaffolds of aligned electrospun nanofibers that direct cell orientation and provide a suitable microenvironment for the deposition of organized extracellular matrix (ECM) (Fig 1) [2]. In previous work, human meniscus fibrochondrocytes (MFCs) seeded on such scaffolds formed robust ECM with commensurate increases in tensile properties [3]. After 10-weeks of static, free-floating culture, however, mechanical properties still fell short of native tissue values. Over this time course, full-thickness MFC colonization was not observed due to the tight packing of nanofibers, although better infiltrated constructs revealed larger improvements in tensile properties. To accelerate cell ingress, we next explored composite scaffolds containing slow eroding poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers and water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) fibers that augment pore size when removed (Fig 4A-D) [4]. Based on this precedent, the current study explored two strategies for improving the maturation of MFC-laden nanofibrous constructs: dynamic tensile loading mimicking the in vivo mechanical environment and inclusion of sacrificial PEO fibers to enhance cell infiltration. We hypothesized that dynamic control of the mechanical and material microenvironment would improve matrix production and lead to enhanced mechanical properties.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Juvenile hormone regulation of the second biting cycle in Culex pipiens

Abstract Juvenile hormone regulation of the second biting cycle was studied in Culex pipiens by allatectomizing mosquitoes at daily intervals after the first blood meal. Mosquitoes oviposited and were tested for biting 2 days later. Allatectomy on days 1 through 4 prevented biting in a high percentage of females, indicating that juvenile hormone was required for a second biting cycle. When allatectomy was delayed 6 or more days after the first blood meal, the mosquitoes took a second blood meal after oviposition even though eggs were retained at the time of allatectomy. Thus, egg retention did not prevent mosquitoes from releasing juvenile hormone for a second biting cycle. Unoperated mosquitoes also bit when they were forced to retain eggs after the first blood meal. However, these mosquitoes only fed on blood if they were confined on or near the host; they would not feed in cages where host seeking was required to locate the host. Based on these findings, it appeared that oviposition was necessary to initiate host-seeking behaviour, whereas juvenile hormone release initiated biting. These results, in conjunction with earlier work demonstrating juvenile hormone induction of the first biting cycle, indicated that alternating periods of juvenile hormone production and oviposition regulate the cyclic patterns of biting and host-seeking behaviour throughout the life of the mosquito.
Comparison of traditional low-dose-rate to optimized and nonoptimized high-dose-rate tandem and ovoid dosimetry

Abstract Purpose: Few dose specification guidelines exist when attempting to perform high-dose-rate (HDR) dosimetry. The purpose of this study was to model low-dose-rate (LDR) dosimetry, using parameters common in HDR dosimetry, to achieve the “pear-shape” dose distribution achieved with LDR tandem and ovoid applications. Methods and Materials: Radiographs of Fletcher-Suit LDR applicators and Nucletron “Fletcher-like” HDR applicators were taken with the applicators in an idealized geometry. Traditional Fletcher loadings of 3M Cs-137 sources and the Theratronics Planning System were used for LDR dosimetry. HDR dosimetry was performed using the Nucletron Microselectron HDR UPS V11.22 with an Ir-192 source. Dose optimization points were initially located along a line 2 cm lateral to the tandem, beginning at the tandem tip at 0.5-cm intervals, ending at the sail, and optimized to 100% of the point A dose. A single dose optimization point was also placed laterally from the center of each ovoid equal to the radius of the ovoid (ovoid surface dose). For purposes of comparison, dose was also calculated for points A and B, and a point located 1 cm superior to the tandem tip in the plane of the tandem, (point F). Four- and 6-cm tandem lengths and 2.0-, 2.5-, and 3.0-cm ovoid diameters were used for this study. Based on initial findings, dose optimization schemes were developed to best approximate LDR dosimetry. Finally, radiographs were obtained of HDR applications in two patients. These radiographs were used to compare the optimization schemes with “nonoptimized” treatment plans. Results: Calculated doses for points A and B were similar for LDR, optimized HDR, and nonoptimized HDR. The optimization scheme that used tapered dose points at the tandem tip and optimized a single ovoid surface point on each ovoid to 170% of point A resulted in a good approximation of LDR dosimetry. Nonoptimized HDR resulted in higher doses at point F, the bladder, and at points lateral to the tandem tip than both the optimized plan or the LDR plan. Conclusion: Optimized HDR allows specification of dose to points of interest, can approximate LDR dosimetry, and appears superior to nonoptimized HDR treatment planning, at least at the tandem tip. An optimization scheme is presented that approximates LDR dosimetry.
Frequency of the apolipoprotein E ε2 allele is diminished in sporadic Alzheimer disease

Recent data have demonstrated genetic disequilibrium between inheritance of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) epsilon 4 allele and increased risk of Alzheimer disease. We tested the idea that inheritance of other allelic variations of apoE might also increase or decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer disease. We studied apoE genotypes in a large clinic based population of Alzheimer disease patients and age-compatible, tested control individuals. We confirm the genetic disequilibrium between apoE epsilon 4 and Alzheimer disease and now report that inheritance of apoE epsilon 2, another common variant of the apolipoprotein E gene, is negatively associated with risk of developing Alzheimer disease.
Saturn's Rings: Identification of Water Frost.

Saturn ring IR spectrum, discussing resemblance and discrepancies of ammonia and water frost spectra
Research cloning, ethics, and public policy.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that prohibits human cloning for both reproduction and biomedical research. Last July, the President's Council on Bioethics unanimously endorsed a legal ban on human reproductive cloning, but only 7 of 17 voting Council members supported a
What can cognitive psychology and sensory evaluation learn from each other

Two questions are addressed in this paper: What can cognitive psychology bring to sensory evaluation? And what can cognitive psychology learn from sensory evaluation? In the first part, I will argue that one important contribution from psychology to sensory evaluation is to interpret flavor as a cognitively unified system made of three anatomically separated systems (smell, taste, and the trigeminal system). In the second part, I will argue that the applied field of sensory evaluation stresses the importance of using ecologically valid, naturalistic stimuli. Sensory evaluation also provides results that challenge accepted interpretations in psychology, especially in the field of evaluation of expertise.
Modeling and experimental analysis of magnetostriction in high strength steels

Previous studies on the magnetostriction in high strength steels have ignored the internal anisotropies due to previous material handling. Cold-rolling an iron alloy will stretch and distort the magnetic domains in the direction of rolling. These altered domain shapes impact the magnetic characteristics of the alloy; adding an additional preferred direction of magnetization to the easy or hard axes within the crystalline structure. This paper presents data taken on rods of a high strength steel that have been machined parallel to the rolling direction; as well as simulated results using a Preisach-type magnetostriction model. The model, whose formulation is based on the DOK magnetization-based model, aims specifically to simulate the Villari reversal phenomenon observed in the magnetostriction measurements of high strength steels and some Terfenol-D alloys.
Giant transverse hysteresis in an asperomagnet.

Comparison of the magnetoresistance of amorphous thin films of Tb{sub 80}U{sub 20} and the nonmagnetic analog Y{sub 80}U{sub 20} reveals hysteresis for the terbium alloy, which extends to fields in excess of 8 T at 4.2 K. Hysteresis is found in the magnetization curve only in fields below 4 T at the same temperature. The magnetoresistance effect, attributed to scattering of electrons by the frozen transverse spin components, which have spatial fluctuations on the scale of the interatomic spacing, is interpreted in terms of the magnetization process of the amorphous alloy. Evidence of weak localization is observed in both films below 1 K.
Improved Synthesis of N-(2,6-Dimethylphenylcarbamoylmethyl)iminodiacetic Acid and Analogs

A new synthesis of N-(2,6-dimethylphenylcarbamoyl-methyl)iminodiacetic acid directly from nitrilotriacetic acid was developed. Six analogs also were synthesized. Their technetium Tc 99 m complexes were prepared and characterized. Electrophoresis and chromatography were used to determine the radiochemical purity of each complex.
Stabilization of Magnified Videos on a Mobile Device for Visually Impaired

The camera function in smart phones has a great potential to help visually impaired people with discerning scene details. Many apps have been developed to turn a smart phone into a handy video magnifier using digital zoom. As digital zoom normally cannot provide sufficient magnification for distant objects, optical telescopic devices attached to the smart phone cameras can be used to increase magnification power. However, image jitter of hand held phone cameras is greatly enlarged too, and can impair patients' reading efficiency, especially for distant objects. Gyro-sensor based stabilization methods are not effective for this application due to the limited precision of the gyro-sensor in common mobile devices. We have implemented an image motion based video stabilization method on iOS that is more sensitive than the gyro-sensor. The image motion based stabilization not only appeared to be able to remove most of the image jitter visually, it also improved the performance of human subjects, including 2 visually impaired, at discerning distant details.
A mechanism for dust-induced destabilization of glacial climates

Abrupt transitions between cold/dry stadial and warm/wet interstadial states occurred during glacial peri- ods in the absence of any known external forcing. The cli- mate record preserved in polar glaciers, mountain glaciers, and widespread cave deposits reveals that these events were global in extent with temporal distribution implying an un- derlying memoryless process with millennial time scale. Here a theory is advanced implicating feedback between atmospheric dust and the hydrological cycle in produc- ing these abrupt transitions. Calculations are performed us- ing a radiative-convective model that includes the interac- tion of aerosols with radiation to reveal the mechanism of this dust/precipitation interaction feedback process and a Langevin equation is used to illustrate glacial climate desta- bilization by this mechanism. This theory explains the ob- served abrupt, bimodal, and memoryless nature of these tran- sitions as well as their intrinsic connection with the hydrolog- ical cycle.
Scaling Non-Volatile Memory Below 30nm

The future scaling challenges of non-volatile memories for 32 Gb+ using 30 nm and below feature sizes are discussed. The key challenges reviewed include structural integrity, floating gate scaling, floating gate replacement, noise and variation. Future trends are discussed.
Distributed detection of narrowband signals

Distributed signal detection schemes have received significant attention, but most research has focused on cases with independent observations at the different sensors. Cases with dependent narrowband signals, which are of practical interest in communication, radar, and sonar problems, are studied. The focus is on applications where the observations consist of a weak common signal in possibly non-Gaussian additive noise which is independent from sensor to sensor. The author finds that the best (locally optimum) sensor test statistics for such cases are often different from the best test statistics for cases with isolated sensors and that these sensor test statistics may be nonsymmetric for highly symmetric problems. The possible difference between the best weak-signal distributed sensor test statistic and the best weak-signal test statistic for an isolated sensor can be shown to be due to the distributed sensors attempting to approximate the correlation terms found in the corresponding centralized tests. >
Distributed Tracking for Mobile Sensor Networks with Information-Driven Mobility

In this paper, we address distributed target tracking for mobile sensor networks using the extension of a distributed Kalman filtering (DKF) algorithm introduced by the author in [11]. It is shown that improvement of the quality of tracking by mobile sensors (or agents) leads to the emergence of flocking behavior. We discuss the benefits of a flocking-based mobility model for distributed Kalman filtering over mobile networks. This mobility model uses author's flocking algorithm with a natural choice of a moving rendezvous point that is the target itself. As the agents "flock" towards the target, the information value of their sensor measurements improves in time. During this process, smaller flocks merge and form larger flocks and eventually a single flock with a connected topology emerges. This allows the agents to perform cooperative filtering using the DKF algorithm which considerably improves their tracking performance. We show that this flocking algorithm is in fact an information-driven mobility that acts as a cooperative control strategy that enhances the aggregate information value of all sensor measurements. A metric for information value is given that has close connections to Fisher information. Simulation results are provided for a group of UAVs with embedded sensors tracking a mobile target using cooperative filtering.
The Initial Response of Blood Leukocytes to Incubation with Perfluorocarbon Blood Substitute Emulsions

Due to their enhanced oxygen carrying characteristics, perfluorocarbon emulsions are valuable adjuncts to coronary revascularization procedures. However, the effects of perfluorocarbon emulsions on white blood cell function are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of three perfluorocarbon emulsions on the adhesion characteristics of leukocytes. Heparinized blood from donor rats was mixed with either Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS), PFB-1, PFB-2 (both non-complement activating perflubron emulsions, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.) or Fluosol (20% w/v PFC, Alpha Therapeutic) in a ratio of one part emulsion to six parts blood. The blood-emulsion mixtures were incubated for ten minutes at 37°C, then passed down nylon wool leukocyte adhesion columns. Blood samples were counted for: Leukocytes, Granulocytes and Lymphocytes. % Cell Adherence was calculated as: {1 -[WBC-out]/[WBC-in]}. We found that, compared to PBS control, the granulocyte adherence to the nylon fiber was significantly i...
Fast algorithms for systems of equations in wavelet-based solution of integral equations with Toeplitz kernels

The wavelet transform is applied to integral equations with Toeplitz kernels. Such integral equations arise in inverse scattering and linear least-squares estimation. The result is a system of equations with block-slanted-Toeplitz structure. In previous approaches, this linear system was sparsified by neglecting all entries below some threshold. However, in inverse scattering, the Toeplitz kernel may not be a rapidly decreasing function due to reflections from great depths. In this case, neglecting entries below a threshold will not work since the system matrix is ill-conditioned. We use the different approach of exploiting the block-slanted-Toeplitz structure to obtain fast algorithms similar to the multichannel Levinson and Schur algorithms. Since it is exact to within the wavelet-basis approximation, this different approach should prove to be a valuable alternative to the approximate approach of sparsification in cases when the latter does not work.
Model for the interpretation of hyperspectral remote-sensing reflectance.

Remote-sensing reflectance is easier to interpret for the open ocean than for coastal regions because the optical signals are highly coupled to the phytoplankton (e.g., chlorophyll) concentrations. For estuarine or coastal waters, variable terrigenous colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), suspended sediments, and bottom reflectance, all factors that do not covary with the pigment concentration, confound data interpretation. In this research, remote-sensing reflectance models are suggested for coastal waters, to which contributions that are due to bottom reflectance, CDOM fluorescence, and water Raman scattering are included. Through the use of two parameters to model the combination of the backscattering coefficient and the Q factor, excellent agreement was achieved between the measured and modeled remote-sensing reflectance for waters from the West Florida Shelf to the Mississippi River plume. These waters cover a range of chlorophyll of 0.2-40 mg/m(3) and gelbstoff absorption at 440 nm from 0.02-0.4 m(-1). Data with a spectral resolution of 10 nm or better, which is consistent with that provided by the airborne visible and infrared imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS) and spacecraft spectrometers, were used in the model evaluation.
Sensor System for Crack Initiation and Crack Growth Monitoring in Aeroengine Components

Structural health monitoring of aeroengine components is the most vital issue for safe, uninterrupted and prolonged operating life of aircrafts. Initiation and propagation of cracks are the ultimate damages leading to the failures of components. This review aims at comparative evaluation of four advanced sensor systems (eddytherm, fibre Bragg grating, microelectromechanical systems, Piezoelectric ceramic zirconate titanate sensors) applied to the sensing and monitoring cracks in aeroengine components.