cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silver nanoparticles induce developmental stage-specific embryonic phenotypes in zebrafish

Much is anticipated from the development and deployment of nanomaterials in biological organisms, but concerns remain regarding their biocompatibility and target specificity. Here we report our study of the transport, biocompatibility and toxicity of purified and stable silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs, 13.1 ± 2.5 nm in diameter) upon the specific developmental stages of zebrafish embryos using single NP plasmonic spectroscopy. We find that single Ag NPs passively diffuse into five different developmental stages of embryos (cleavage, early-gastrula, early-segmentation, late-segmentation, and hatching stages), showing stage-independent diffusion modes and diffusion coefficients. Notably, the Ag NPs induce distinctive stage and dose-dependent phenotypes and nanotoxicity, upon their acute exposure to the Ag NPs (0–0.7 nM) for only 2 h. The late-segmentation embryos are most sensitive to the NPs with the lowest critical concentration (CNP,c ≪ 0.02 nM) and highest percentages of cardiac abnormalities, followed by early-segmentation embryos (CNP,c < 0.02 nM), suggesting that disruption of cell differentiation by the NPs causes the most toxic effects on embryonic development. The cleavage-stage embryos treated with the NPs develop into a wide variety of phenotypes (abnormal finfold, tail/spinal cord flexure, cardiac malformation/edema, yolk sac edema, and acephaly). These organ structures are not yet developed in cleavage-stage embryos, suggesting that the earliest determinative events to create these structures are ongoing, and disrupted by NPs, which leads to the downstream effects. In contrast, the hatching embryos are most resistant to the Ag NPs, and majority of embryos (94%) develop normally, and none of them develop abnormally. Interestingly, early-gastrula embryos are less sensitive to the NPs than cleavage and segmentation stage embryos, and do not develop abnormally. These important findings suggest that the Ag NPs are not simple poisons, and they can target specific pathways in development, and potentially enable target specific study and therapy for early embryonic development.
Magnetic properties of the Skyrmion gas in two dimensions

The classical ferromagnet is analyzed in two dimensions via a mean-field treatment of the $C{P}^{1}$ model valid in the limit of low temperature and of weak magnetic field. At high skyrmion densities, we find that the magnetization begins to decrease linearly with temperature, but it then crosses over to a Curie law at higher temperature. The comparison of these results with recent Knight-shift experiments on the quantum Hall state is fair.
THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS PROFESSION: AN APPRAISAL OF SOME CURRENT TRENDS*

Using the results of the first part of their 1994 membership survey, AhmadiâEsfahani and Brakey (1996) examined the structure, conduct and performance of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society qualitatively. This paper extends that analysis by appraising some current trends in the Australian agricultural economics profession quantitatively. It concentrates on the second part of the survey to address a number of fundamental questions. A comparison of the US and Australian agricultural economics professions is made. The implications of the analysis for the product mix of the Society are explored.
Molecular cloning of an inducible serine esterase gene from human cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Abstract A cDNA clone encoding a human serine esterase gene was isolated from a library constructed from poly(A)+ RNA of allogeneically stimulated, interleukin 2-expanded peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The clone, designated HSE26.1, represents a full-length copy of a 0.9-kilobase mRNA present in human cytotoxic cells but absent from a wide variety of noncytotoxic cell lines. Clone HSE26.1 contains an 892-base-pair sequence, including a single 741-base-pair open reading frame encoding a putative 247-residue polypeptide. The first 20 amino acids of the polypeptide form a leader sequence. The mature protein is predicted to have an unglycosylated Mr of approximately equal to 26,000 and contains a single potential site for N-linked glycosylation. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of clone HSE26.1 are homologous with all murine and human serine esterases cloned thus far but are most similar to mouse granzyme B (70% nucleotide and 68% amino acid identity). HSE26.1 protein is expressed weakly in unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells but is strongly induced within 6-hr incubation in medium containing phytohemagglutinin. The data suggest that the protein encoded by HSE26.1 plays a role in cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Anti-windup control design for exponentially unstable LTI systems with actuator saturation

In this paper, a new saturation control technique in the framework of anti-windup compensation is developed for exponentially unstable linear time-invariant systems subject to input nonlinearities. The proposed control algorithm guarantees regional stability in the existence of input saturation, and provides less conservative performance than most existing anti-windup schemes. Moreover, an explicit form of anti-windup controller with its order no more than the order of the plant is derived. An inverted pendulum example is used to demonstrate the advantages of the newly proposed anti-windup control technique.
c-Jun Can Recruit JNK to Phosphorylate Dimerization Partners via Specific Docking Interactions

Structurally related serine/threonine kinases recognize similar phosphoacceptor peptides in vitro yet in vivo, they phosphorylate distinct substrates. To understand the basis for this specificity, we studied the interaction between the Jun kinases (JNKs) and Jun proteins. JNKs phosphorylate c-Jun very efficiently, JunD less efficiently, but they do not phosphorylate JunB. Effective JNK substrates require a separate docking site and specificity-conferring residues flanking the phosphoacceptor. The docking site increases the efficiency and specificity of the phosphorylation reaction. JunB has a functional JNK docking site but lacks specificity-conferring residues. Insertion of such residues brings JunB under JNK control. JunD, by contrast, lacks a JNK docking site, but its phosphoacceptor peptide is identical to that of c-Jun. Substrates such as JunD can be phosphorylated by JNK through heterodimerization with docking competent partners. Therefore, heterodimerization can affect the recognition of transcription factors by signal-regulated protein kinases.
Serum albumin production by hepatoma cells in culture: Direct evidence for stimulation by hydrocortisone

Abstract Addition of hydrocortisone to the medium of a clonal strain of rat hepatoma cells (MH1C1) stimulated their production of serum albumin. The stimulated rate of production reached a maximum by 50 hours, at which time it was about four times the rate in control cultures. Stimulation was observed at a hydrocortisone concentration as low as 10−7M. Removal of hydrocortisone from the medium caused a return of the rate of albumin production to that in control cultures.
Enrollment Demand in Arizona: Policy Choices and Social Consequences.

Policy analysis provided the framework for enrollment planning in the Arizona University System. An initial statement, developed by an analyst and approved by policymakers, serves as a guide for the new planning paradigm. Independent environmental factors are the foundation of the planning paradigm.
Heat transfer in heat pump reversing valve bodies

Abstract The heat transfer from the discharge to the suction side of a heat pump reversing valve is analysed. There is a major path of conduction through the valve body. A model is outlined and its predictions partly and favourably compared with measured data.
The vortex ring merger problem at infinite reynolds number

Abstract : The physics of three-dimensional incompressible fluid flow, as is well known, is an extremely difficult and not well understood subject. The mathematical theory of the Navier-Stokes and the Euler equations is incomplete and a detailed qualitative understanding of the dynamics is, for the most part, lacking. One focus of recent research which aims at an understanding of key features of turbulence and of the possible breakdown in regularity of solutions of the fluid equations has been on the motion of vortex filaments. Motivations for the study of vortex filaments are the prevalence of thin vortex tubes in experimentally observed flows, the fact that the Euler equations can be thought of as an evolution equation for a continuum of interacting vortex filaments, and a view of turbulence as being characterized by wildly stretching and dissipating vortex filaments. A vortex flow problem which has been the subject interesting laboratory and numerical experiments is the vortex ring merger problem. In this problem the evolution over a short interval of time of two initially parallel (or slightly inclined) co-rotating vortex rings of the same strength is studied. The rings are observed to come together and reconnect, in the sense that much of the vorticity field becomes composed of vortex lines which join the two initially distinct vortex rings. This merger occurs on a timescale which is much shorter than that expected from a simple dimensional analysis based on the magnitude of viscosity and on the vortex ring radius.(kr)
Insulin-Secreting Pancreatic (Islet Cell) Carcinoma in a Cat

A functional, insulin-secreting pancreatic (islet cell) carcinoma was diagnosed in a 17-year-old male Siamese cat. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs (i.e., seizures and stupor) that resolved temporarily after correction of hypoglycemia with feeding or intravenous administration of glucose, the finding of an inappropriately increased serum insulin concentration in the face of hypoglycemia, and prolonged resolution of hypoglycemia after surgical removal of the tumor. Primary islet cell tumor of the pancreas was confirmed by biopsy. The cat died 18 months later, and necropsy revealed metastases to regional lymph nodes and liver. Specimens of the tumor and metastatic lesions both stained positively for insulin.
Morphologic complexity of the pericellular matrix in the annulus of the human intervertebral disc.

The pericellular region of the extracellular matrix (ECM) contains collagens, proteoglycans and other noncollagenous matrix proteins. Although such specialized pericellular ECM has been well studied in articular cartilage, little is known about the pericellular matrix in the disc. In the study reported here, pericellular matrix was studied in annulus tissue from 52 subjects ranging in age from 17-74 years. In aging/degenerating intervertebral discs, cells were identified that formed a distinctive cocoon of encircling pericellular ECM. Immunohistochemical studies identified types I, II, III and VI collagen in these pericellular sites with diverse morphological features. Similar types of changes in the pericellular matrix were observed in both surgical specimens and control donor discs. Results indicate the need for future studies to address why such specialized matrix regions form around certain disc cells and to determine the consequences of these unusual matrix regions on annular lamellar organization an...
Pathways of water between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Indonesian seas

THE physical structure of the Pacific and Indian oceans is substantially affected by the inter-ocean transport of excess fresh water from the North Pacific Ocean through the Indonesian seas1,2. The efficiency of this transport is an important regulator of the meridional overturning of these oceans1,2, and hence perhaps of the global thermohaline circulation3; in addition, the seepage of warm water out of the Pacific affects the volume of the western Pacific warm pool, and thus may influence EI Nino events24. But the sources, pathways and physical properties of the Indonesian throughflow are not well enough characterized to allow its influence on ocean circulation and the climate system to be quantified. Here we report salinity, temperature and chemical-tracer data from the Indonesian seas which show that the throughflow is dominated by two components: one of low-salinity, well ventilated North Pacific water through the upper thermocline of the Makassar Strait, and the other of more saline South Pacific water through the lower thermocline of the eastern Indonesian seas. Seasonal (monosonal) variations in the ratio of these components, perhaps modulated by EI Nino conditions, imply the existence of potentially important variable feedbacks to the ocean circulation and climate system.
Evolution and implementations of the RAP database machine

The article presents the evolution of the RAP. 1, RAP. 2, and RAP. 3 database architectures and discusses various implementations carried out to date. The RAP database machine has evolved from a fixed head disk based SIMD architecture into one that is an MIMD architecture and optimized around solid state bulk memories. With the dynamic and order preserving data space partitioning strategy, binary relational algebra and projection operation complexity has been reduced to a linear order. Its tagging based universal language has enabled various system implementations such as multimodel support, integrated text retrieval capabilities, and security and integrity control.
Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support for Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma

Background: Left heart mechanical circulatory support (MCS) through the left chest via the pulmonary vein and descending thoracic aorta is a good option for patients with an inaccessible anterior mediastinum and/or poor peripheral access. Materials and Methods: We report the case of a 19-year-old small female with a newly discovered bulky primary mediastinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) who developed refractory inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) with cardiogenic shock. Results: Temporary MCS was implemented in order to stabilize the patient and proceed with a chemotherapy treatment. Given the patient's oncologic “frozen” mediastinum and the presence of poor peripheral arterial access, the left heart temporary MCS was successfully implanted through a left mini-thoracotomy via the left inferior pulmonary vein and descending thoracic aorta. Conclusions: This is the first report of temporary MCS to treat inverted TC and diffuse PMBL. (J Card Surg 2012;27:119–121)
Acute Hepatitis E in the US Today Occurs in Diverse Patient Populations: Case Reports

Hepatitis E has long been thought of as an infection confined to the developing world. However, there has been an increased incidence of locally acquired cases in developed countries especially in transplant patients. Our first case is a 56-year-old Caucasian female post-heart transplant patient who presented with diarrhea and abdominal pain. She was found to be acutely infected with hepatitis E and progressed to stage 3 liver fibrosis. Our second patient was an otherwise healthy 76-year-old Vietnamese female who presented with abdominal pain, jaundice and fatigue. She was diagnosed with acute hepatitis E complicated by acute renal failure. There have only been a few reported cases of acute hepatitis E complicated by renal failure.
Toxicity of L-proline toward rat hippocampal neurons

Intrahippocampal injections of L-proline, a neutral amino acid excitant, non-selectively destroyed pyramidal and granule cells. Co-administration of equimolar kynurenate, an excitatory amino acid antagonist, markedly reduced the extent of neuronal cell death. L-Proline destroyed far more hippocampal neurons than D-proline, in keeping with its greater neuroexcitatory potency. L-Proline must therefore be added to the list of excitotoxins present in brain. Its excitotoxic action may be related to the neurological and cognitive deficits associated with hyperprolinemia.
Incidence, reproduction and feeding of Stylochus zebra, a polyclad turbellarian symbiont of hermit crabs

The hermit crab Pagurus pollicaris is the common host for the polyclad turbellarian Stylochus zebra in the Atlantic coastal waters from Massachusetts to North Carolina, USA. S. zebra is reported for the first time from two other hermit crabs, Pagurus impressus and Petrochirus diogenes. It was not found with Clibanarius vittatus or Pagurus longicarpus, although the latter serves as a host along the Gulf coast of Florida. The incidence of the polyclad with P. pollicaris in Massachusetts is more than twice that in populations to the south. Multiple infestations (up to 7 worms/crab) occur in over 50% of the infested crabs from Massachusetts, but they are rare elsewhere. Worms living in clear plastic shells with crabs orient in the body whorl dorsal to the host. Egg masses of worms are cemented in the same position within gastropod shells harboring the crabs. In the laboratory, the worm feeds on the gastropod Crepidula plana, a common inhabitant of shells occupied by P. pollicaris. Its feeding behavior is described. The relationship between S. zebra and P. pollicaris appears to be generally commensalistic, but it could be more complicated if the predation of crab embryos observed in the laboratory is confirmed under natural conditions.
The Sampler Platter: An Introduction to Nine Agricultural and Food Digital Projects

(2007). The Sampler Platter: An Introduction to Nine Agricultural and Food Digital Projects. Journal of Agricultural & Food Information: Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 75-82.
Ecotropic MuLV expression in radiation-induced lymphomas of the RF, BALB/c and (BALB/c × RF)F1 mouse strains

Endogenous ecotropic viruses isolated from radiation-induced lymphomatous tissue of BALB/c mice have been shown to consist of a collection of variants as assayed by the mobility of virion structural proteins p30, p15, p12 and gp70 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) (Ellis et al., 1980 a). In this study we show that a similar phenomenon occurs in RF mice, but only with regard to p15 and gp70, and not p30 and p12. Using the distinct and unvarying mobility of the RF viral p12 protein on SDS-PAGE as a marker, we show that the RF-derived ecotropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV) is expressed to the exclusion of the BALB/c-derived ecotropic MuLV in F1 hybrid mice of the BALB/c X RF cross, and that variant viruses expressed in F1 radiation-induced lymphomatous tissue display the pattern of variation characteristic of the RF, and not of the BALB/c, strain.
The Mechanisms of Sudden Gains in Supportive–Expressive Therapy for Depression

Abstract A sudden gain is a large symptom improvement in one between-session interval. Studies of cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) reported that many more cognitive changes occurred in pregain sessions (sessions immediately preceding sudden gains) than in control sessions. This study investigated sudden gains in supportive–expressive therapy (SE) for depression. Compared with control sessions, in these SE pregain sessions the authors found significantly greater therapist interpretation accuracy, better therapeutic alliance at a trend level, but an almost identical number of cognitive changes. Results from this SE study and past CBT studies suggest that sudden gains in different treatments may be associated with different mechanism factors: cognitive changes in CBT and accurate interpretations and possibly therapeutic alliance in SE. Zusammenfassung Die Mechanismen plotzlicher Gewinne in unterstutzend-expressiver Therapie bei Depression Ein plotzlicher Gewinn ist eine Symptomverbesserung in einem Interva...
Using a question prompt list as a communication aid in advanced cancer care.

A simple, one-page question prompt list addressing cancer treatment, prognosis, quality of life, and end-of-life issues was well received by new oncology patients and did not affect patient anxiety or physician workflow.
Damage Evolution in Composites with a Homogenization-based Continuum Damage Mechanics Model

This paper develops a 3D homogenization-based continuum damage mechanics (HCDM) model for fiber reinforced composites undergoing micro- mechanical damage. Micromechanical damage in the representative volume element (RVE) is explicitly incorporated in the form of fiber-matrix interfacial debonding. The model uses the evolving principal damage coordinate system as its reference in order to represent the anisotropic coefficients. This is necessary for retaining accuracy with nonproportional loading. The material constitutive law involves a fourth order orthotropic tensor with stiffness characterized as macroscopic internal variable. Damage in 3D composites is accounted for through functional forms of the fourth order damage tensor in terms of macroscopic strain components. The HCDM model parameters are calibrated by using homogenized micromechanical (HMM) solutions for the RVE for a few strain histories. The proposed model is validated by comparing the CDM results with HMM response of single and multiple fiber RVEs subjected to arbitrary loading history. Finally the HCDM model is incorporated in a macroscopic finite element code to conduct damage analysis in a structure. The effect of different microstructures on the macroscopic damage progression is examined through this study.
Cyclic Heat Island Impacts on Traditional Versus Pervious Concrete Pavement Systems

As the world becomes more urbanized, concerns over the urban heat island (UHI) are more pronounced. Increased urban temperatures have a negative affect on the natural and human environment by producing increased energy usage and smog formation. Pervious concrete pavement is one technology that may help mitigate increased urban temperatures. Temperature data from an instrumented site in Iowa and heat storage phenomena for various weather patterns are presented. The site contains both pervious concrete pavement with a solar reflectance index (SRI) of 14 and traditional concrete pavement with an SRI of 37. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accepted a high SRI (>29) as one method to characterize a cool surface. Heat capacities of both systems were studied along with a sensitivity analysis of the inputs. The research supports the conclusion that even though pervious concrete may have a much lower SRI than traditional concrete made with similar materials, it can be considered a cool pavement ...
Obesity Wars: Molecular Progress Confronts an Expanding Epidemic

The worldwide prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, with major adverse consequences for human health. This "obesity epidemic" is paralleled by a rapid and substantive increase in our understanding of molecular pathways and physiologic systems underlying the regulation of energy balance. While efforts to address the environmental factors that are responsible for the recent "epidemic" must continue, new molecular and physiologic insights into this system offer exciting possibilities for future development of successful therapies.
GEOMETRIC STREAMING ALGORITHM WITH A SORTING PRIMITIVE

We solve several fundamental geometric problems under a new streaming model recently proposed by Ruhl et al.2,15 In this model, in one pass the input stream can be scanned to generate an output str...
Hydrogen-Deuterium Solvent Exchange in Gramicidin a Single Crystals

The structure of gramicidin A crystallized from ethanol (P212121: a = 24.6, b = 32.3, c = 32.5) remains unsolved because of a lack of isomorphous derivatives for phase determination. In such a case, neutron diffraction offers the possibility of approaching the phase problem by means of isomorphous deuterium-hydrogen substitution. The solvent (ethanol-water: 50-50) comprises about 15% of the mass of these crystals. Neutron diffraction data to 2-A resolution have been recorded at Brookhaven’s High Flux Beam Reactor for crystals of gramicidin A containing either H2O/ethanol or D2O/deuteroethanol. The average difference in |I1/2| is 28% between these two data sets. Difference neutron Patterson maps show significant peaks in the region where a previous x-ray self Patterson analysis indicated there was a channel down the center of the cylindrical molecule. The strongest difference peak has been refined in three centrosymmetric projections, with use of the Dickerson phase refinement program. A single site having an occupancy of four deutrons refines to a centric R-factor of 0.39 at 8-A resolution (0.46 at 5 A). This site has been used to calculate (FgramD − FgramH − fsite) difference Fourier projections to locate additional sites, which were then refined and used in further difference Fourier calculations. The procedure was stopped after the difference data had been fitted with use of eight sites having occupancies ranging from 0.5 to 4 deuterons, the R-factor for the fit being 0.28 for three centric projections at 3-A resolution. Single isomorphous replacement phases (mean figure of merit = 0.72 at 5 A) were used to calculate projection and 3-dimensional Fourier maps at 5-A resolution. The maps confirm previous indications concerning the cylindrical shape of gramicidin A in these crystals. We do not yet know whether it will be possible to trace the course of the polypeptide backbone by using these maps. We intend to resolve the single isomorphous phase ambiguity by using either a covalent deuterovaline derivative or a crystal soaked in H2O/deuteroethanol.
Evaluation of two different biomarkers for use in the assessment of toxic chemical exposure in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

Industrial pollution is a significant environmental problem that has the potential to cause serious health consequences in humans and wildlife. In 1998, over 248 million pounds of toxic chemicals were reportedly released into the surface water of rivers, bays and the oceans (US EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), 1998). Examples of these toxicants, according to the TRI, include trichloroethylene, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, glycol ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and mercury. Once toxicants enter the aquatic environment, they can accumulate in the benthic sediments, be distributed throughout the water column, be incorporated by organisms, and then bioaccumulate up the food chain. The benthic sediments often act as an almost limitless reservoir for environmental contaminants and continually change in response to both abiotic and biotic conditions (Malins and Ostrander, 1991). The sea-surface microlayer, the upper 50 lm of the water column, is an area of particular concern for some species, as some contaminant concentrations, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, are 10–1000 times higher in this layer than in the
Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy/Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NFD/NSF) and Gadolinium-Based Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents (GBMCAs): A Literature Review

Abstract Health Canada and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States have recently issued warnings pertaining to the use of gadolinium-based magnetic resonance contrast agents in patients with renal insufficiency. A strong temporal relationship between the administration of gadolinium agents and the development of nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy/nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in this patient cohort has been established. This study presents a review of the literature, description of the disease, and discussion of possible contributing co-factors to its development. Best practice recommendations are provided for medical radiation technologists for management of patients with renal insufficiencies that may need to undergo magnetic resonance imaging with a gadolinium-based magnetic resonance contrast agent.
Are Farm‐to‐School Programs More Common in States With Farm‐to‐School‐Related Laws?

BACKGROUND: Farm-to-School programs (FTSPs) connect schools with locally grown food. This article examines whether FTSPs are more common in public elementary schools (ESs) in states with a formal, FTSP law or with a related, locally grown procurement law. METHODS: A pooled, cross-sectional analysis linked nationally representative samples of 1872 public ESs (across 47 states) for the 2006–2007, 2007–2008, and 2008–2009 school years with state laws effective as of the beginning of September of each year that were collected and analyzed for all states. Multivariate logistic regression models examined the impact of state law on school FTSP participation, controlling for year and school-level race/ethnicity, region, locale, free-reduced lunch participation, and school size. RESULTS: The percentage of schools located in a state with a FTSP-specific law increased from 7.3% to 20.4% over the 3-year period, while the percentage of schools located in a state with a locally grown procurement law was approximately 30% across all years. The percentage of schools with FTSPs has more than tripled over the last 3 years (from 4.9% to 17.7%). After adjusting for all covariates except year, FTSPs were significantly more likely in states with a FTSP-specific law (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.28-4.67); once adjusting for year, the results were marginally significant (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = .91-3.25). School-level FTSPs were not related to state locally grown procurement laws. CONCLUSION: Although the percentage of schools with FTSPs is relatively small, these programs are becoming more common, particularly in states with FTSP-specific laws.
Effect of Quenching Kinetics on Unsteady Response of Pressure-Sensitive Paint

Pressure-sensitive paints (PSP) have recently been extended to high-frequency flowfields. Paint formulations have been used effectively to characterize pressure fluctuations on the order of 100 kHz. As the limits of PSP are extended, various experimental results indicate that the unsteady response characteristics are nonlinear. A thorough understanding of the photophysical mechanisms in paint response is needed. Gas transport properties, coupled with the nonlinear nature of the Stern‐Volmer relationship have an effect on the paint response. This work discusses the full implications of a diffusion-based model for the unsteady response of pressure-sensitive paint. Based on this model, it is shown that the indicated pressure response of PSP is faster for a decrease in pressure, and slower for a pressure increase. Effects of other factors, such as pressure-jump magnitude, pressure-jump range, and Stern‐Volmer nonlinearity, are evaluated. Furthermore, a fluidic oscillator is used to demonstrate experimentally the quenching kinetics of two types of PSP—polymer/ceramic and fast FIB. Results from the oscillator operated with argon, nitrogen, and oxygen gases at 1.59 kHz demonstrate behavior that agrees with the diffusion model. The polymer/ceramic PSP exhibited no delay between different test gases, indicating a flat frequency response of at least 1.59 kHz. Fast FIB, on the other hand, demonstrated a significant delay in rise time between the nitrogen and oxygen cases. Both the diffusion model and the experimental results demonstrate that the different responses to nitrogen and oxygen only become critical when the period of the flowfield oscillations is shorter than the response time of the paint formulation.
The isotopic composition of respired carbon dioxide in scleractinian corals: Implications for cycling of organic carbon in corals

was measured continuously within the chamber. Our results show that during daylight, the 13 Co f theCO2 in the incubation water becomes enriched in 13 C as a result of fractionation during the fixation of C by photosynthesis, whereas at night the 13 Co f theCO2 becomes more negative. The 13 C of the respiratory CO2 ranges from 9‰ in the late spring to values as low as 17‰ in the autumn. The lighter values are significantly more negative than those reported by previous workers for coral tissue and zooxanthellae. An explanation for this discrepancy may be that the corals respire a significant proportion of isotopically negative substances, such as lipids, which are known to have values up to 10‰ lighter compared to the bulk 13 Co f the tissue. The clear seasonal cycle in the 13 C of the respiratory CO2 suggests that there is also seasonal variability in either the 13 C of the coral tissue or the type and/or amount of organic material being respired. A similar temporal pattern and magnitude of change was observed in the 13 C of the coral tissue samples collected from a nearby reef at monthly intervals between 1995 and 1997. These patterns are similar in timing to the 13 C measured in the coral skeletons. We have also calculated an annual mean value for the fractionation factor between dissolved CO2 in the external environment and photosynthate fixed by the zooxanthellae of 1.0121 (0.003). This value is inversely correlated with the ratio of photosynthesis to respiration (P/R) of the entire organism and shows the highest values during the summer months. Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Ltd
Analysis of robust pole clustering in a good ride quality region for uncertain matrices

This paper presents a general analysis of robust pole clustering in a good ride quality region of aircraft, a specific non-/spl Omega/-transformable region, for uncertain matrices. The region is an intersection of a ring and a horizontal strip, located on the left half-plane. From experiments, it is known that the control system with poles located in this specific region provides a good ride quality for aircraft. The paper applies Rayleigh principle along the norm theory to analyze robust pole clustering within this good ride quality region since the generalized Lyapunov theory is not valid for non-/spl Omega/-transformable regions. The mainly concerned uncertainties are unstructured uncertainties. A simple extension of the results for structured uncertainties is also provided. Two examples illustrate the results for a perturbed closed-loop system matrix of F16 aircraft approximation model. The results are useful for robustness analysis and, especially, analysis of robust good ride quality of aircraft, shuttles, and space station.
Quantifying Timed-Up-and-Go test: A smartphone implementation

Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) is a simple, easy to administer, and frequently used test for assessing balance and mobility in elderly and people with Parkinson's disease. An instrumented version of the test (iTUG) has been recently introduced to better quantify subject's movements during the test. The subject is typically instrumented by a dedicated device designed to capture signals from inertial sensors that are later analyzed by healthcare professionals. In this paper we introduce a smartphone application called sTUG that completely automates the iTUG test so it can be performed at home. sTUG captures the subject's movements utilizing smartphone's built-in accelerometer and gyroscope sensors, determines the beginning and the end of the test and quantifies its individual phases, and optionally uploads test descriptors into a medical database. We describe the parameters used to quantify the iTUG test and algorithms to extract the parameters from signals captured by the smartphone sensors.
Do Medication Samples Jeopardize Patient Safety

BACKGROUNDMedication samples are commonly dispensed by prescribers. Written consumer medication information (CMI) provided with sample packaging is an important source of patient information. Although one-third of Americans have health literacy deficiencies, previous studies have found that CMI is often too complex for many patients to understand. This may prevent patients from using these medications appropriately.OBJECTIVETo evaluate readability and formatting characteristics of CMI included with nonsolid (ie, topical cream/lotion, inhalation, transdermal) drug samples.METHODSWe collected a convenience sample of nonsolid dosage sample medications (N = 55) from several different private and university-affiliated primary care and specialty physician practices at a large academic medical center in the southeastern US. We noted whether CMI was present and, if it was, we assessed it for instruction presentation, reading level, text size, format/layout, and comprehensibility.RESULTSMost (43 of 55) products in...
Statin therapy for the prevention of atrial fibrillation trial (SToP AF trial).

Background—Inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Statins have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We tested if atorvastatin reduced AF recurrence after DC cardioversion (CV) by modifying systemic oxidative stress and inflammation. (NCT00252967) Methods and Results—In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) were randomized to receive either atorvastatin 80 mg (n=33) or placebo (n=31) before CV. Treatment was continued for 12 months or until AF recurred. Serum oxidative stress markers (ratios of oxidized to reduced glutathione and cysteine, derivatives of reactive oxygen species, isoprostanes) and inflammatory markers [ high sensitivity C- reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)] were measured at baseline and on follow-up. AF recurred in 22 (66.7%) of atorvastatin and 26 (83.9%) of placebo group (p=0.2). The adjusted hazard ratio of having recurrence on atorvastatin versus on placebo was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-1.01, p=0.3). There was no significant difference in the time to recurrence using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates (median (IR): 29 (2-145) days vs. 22 (7-70) days, p=0.9). While no significant effect was seen on oxidative stress, 2 of 4 inflammatory markers, IL-6 (adjusted OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35-0.97, p= 0.04) and hs-CRP (adjusted OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37-0.95, p=0.03) were significantly lowered with atorvastatin. Cholesterol levels significantly decreased with atorvastatin (p=0.03).
Prediction of CPU idle-busy activity pattern

Real-world workloads rarely saturate multi-core processor. CPU C-states can be used to reduce power consumption during processor idle time. The key unsolved problem is: when and how to use which C-state. We propose a machine learning prediction method and usage model. We evaluate this model with idle traces collected on dual-core and quad-core processor, and find this method can well predict CPUpsilas activity pattern at the error level not exceeding 4%. Compared with existing OS C-state policy, it results in 12% additional CPU power saving and 2% performance improvement. In industry, 12% power saving for any processor is very significant improvement. SPECWeb (which we used consists of 3 different benchmarks - We consistently see doubledigit power saving) is representative ldquofront-endrdquo server workload - it takes >60% DP server market segment share.
Abstract 3725: Contrast Enhanced MRI with a Reduced Dose of Gadolinium for Measurement of Blood to Brain Influx Rate in Cerebrovascular Diseases

Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI with a Reduced Dose of Gd-DTPA for Measurement of Blood-to-Brain Influx Rate in Cerebrovascular Diseases In vivo quantification of blood-to-brain transfer rate is of i...
Anticonvulsants: Pharmacotberapeutic Issues in the Critically Ill Patient

Critically ill patients often have or develop conditions that make them susceptible to seizures and epilepsy. Treatment frequently involves the use of anti-convulsants. In order to use these effectively, the critical care nurse must be aware of the indications and controversies surrounding their use, the patho-physiologic conditions that impact on the disposition, and appropriate dosing and monitoring of these agents in the critical care setting.
Glycogen Levels of Adult Culex tarsalis in Response to Photoperiod

Manipulation of photoperiod resulted in overall differences in glycogen levels of adult Culex tarsalis Coquillett, and in daily fluctuations of this same substance. High levels were maintained in females on long (16-hour) daily photoperiod reared as larvae on constant light. Short (8-hour) photoperiod adults of both sexes reared as larvae on this same photoperiod also maintained relatively high glycogen levels. Daily fluctuations in glycogen generally coincided with photoperiod, rising to high just before the dark period began, and declining after start of the dark period. Males raised as larvae on short photoperiod maintained the characteristics of this photoperiod as adults when changed to long photoperiod.
Effects of Burner Diameter and Fuel Type on Smoke Point and Radiation Characteristics of Diffusion Flames

The main purpose of this study was to comprehend the effects of burner diameter and fuel type on smoke point characteristics of a hydrocarbon diffusion flame and its radiation emission. The critical mass flow rate of pure fuel at this smoke point was measured. At nine different fractions of the critical mass flow rate, nitrogen gas was supplied along with the fuel to achieve smoke point. At each condition, flame radiation and flame height were measured. The axial radiation profile at the critical fuel mass flow rate for one burner was also measured. Three fuels of differing sooting propensities were used: ethylene (C2 H4 ), propylene (C3 H6 ), and propane (C3 H8 ). Three different burners with inner diameters of 1.2 mm, 3.2 mm and 6.4 mm were used. Results showed that propylene had the highest critical fuel flow rate and the highest nitrogen dilution required to suppress smoking and total flame radiation, followed by ethylene and propane. For all fuels, the curves of nitrogen flow rate required for smoke suppression versus fuel flow rate exhibited a skewed bell shape. The variation of Reynolds number at the critical fuel mass flow rate with the burner diameter showed a linear relation. On the other hand, the variation of total flame radiation with burner diameter was nonlinear.© 2002 ASME
Immunotherapy with acute leukemia cells modified into antigen-presenting cells: ex vivo culture and gene transfer methods.

Adult patients with acute leukemia have, in general, a poor prognosis, with long-term, disease-free survival achieved in only approximately one-third of cases. One of the proposed mechanisms for this poor overall response is the inability of the immune system to detect and eliminate residual malignant leukemia cells, which subsequently serve as a source of leukemic relapse. This review discusses the rationale of immunotherapy for acute leukemia and presents in vitro and in vivo model systems that were devised for pre-B acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). New advances in the ex vivo manipulation of acute leukemia cells are presented, which attempt to modify these cells into functional antigen-presenting cells. These cells can then be used as autologous vaccines at the time of minimal residual disease after standard chemotherapy, to stimulate host immune responses against their own leukemia cells. The various approaches toward this aim include incubation of leukemia cells with cytokines or growth factors and gene manipulation of these cells. In particular, ex vivo culture of ALL cells with CD40 ligand, incubation of AML cells with granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 (GM-CSF/IL-4) and lentiviral transduction of ALL and AML cells for expression of immunomodulators (CD80 and GM-CSF) are current approaches under investigation for the development of autologous acute leukemia cell vaccines.
Iodine Nutrition Among Residents in Zhuhai

Objective To grasp status of iodine nutrition among resident in Zhuhai,so as to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods Multiple-stage sampling concerning geographical positions was conducted and children of 8-10 years old were randomly selected with urine and edible salt;drinking water was sampled as well.Iodine concentration was tested from urine,edible salt and drinking water.Results Median urinary iodine of children aged 8-10 was 216.85μg/L,6.65μg/L in drinking water and 31.19 mg/kg in edible salt.Conclusions Iodine nutrition level of residents in Zhuhai exceeded slightly the upper limit of adequate range,but is still within acceptable range;strategies of iodine fortification in edible salt need to be carried out continuously.
The role of intracoronary thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in evolving myocardial infarction.

Early reperfusion and interruption of the evolution of myocardial ischemia to necrosis can dramatically reduce the extent of myocardial damage and favorably influence the outcome of acute myocardial infarction. Intracoronary thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, alone or in combination, are an effective method of nonsurgical revascularization in selected patients. Potential applications of these methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and current available experience are discussed
The Koran the Book of Allah

The year following the death of Muhammad, according to the orthodox view, abu-Bakr, on the recommendation of ‘Umar, who had observed that the Koran memorizers (ḥuffāẓ) were becoming extinct, ordered that the scattered portions of the Koran be collected. Zayd ibn-Thābit of al-Madīnah, formerly Muhammad’s secretary, was entrusted with the task. Fragments from “ribs of palm-leaves and tablets of white stone and from the breasts of men”1 were brought together and a text was constructed. In the caliphate of ‘Uthmān (644–56) various readings in the current copies arose, due mainly to the defective nature of Kufic script; ‘Uthmān accordingly appointed in 651 the same Zayd as chairman of the committee on revision. Abu-Bakr’s copy, then in the custody of Ḥafṣah, daughter of ‘Umar and one of Muḥammad’s widows, was used as a basis. The original codex of the fresh version was kept in al-Madīnah;2 three copies of this text were made and forwarded to the three military camps in Damascus, al-Baṣrah and al-Kūfah, and all others were destroyed.
Recent developments in distributed dictionary learning

Most of the research on dictionary learning has focused on developing algorithms under the assumption that data is available at a centralized location. But often the data is not available at a centralized location due to practical constraints like data aggregation costs, privacy concerns, etc. Using centralized dictionary learning algorithms may not be the optimal choice in such settings. This motivates the design of dictionary learning algorithms that consider distributed nature of data as one of the problem variables. Just like centralized settings, distributed dictionary learning problem can be posed in more than one way depending on the problem setup. Most notable distinguishing features are the online versus batch nature of data and the representative versus discriminative nature of the dictionaries. In this paper, several distributed dictionary learning algorithms that are designed to tackle different problem setups are reviewed. One of these algorithms is cloud K-SVD, which solves the dictionary learning problem for batch data in distributed settings. One distinguishing feature of cloud K-SVD is that it has been shown to converge to its centralized counterpart, namely, the K-SVD solution. On the other hand, no such guarantees are provided for other distributed dictionary learning algorithms. Convergence of cloud K-SVD to the centralized K-SVD solution means problems that are solvable by K-SVD in centralized settings can now be solved in distributed settings with similar performance. Finally, cloud K-SVD is used as an example to show the advantages that are attainable by deploying distributed dictionary algorithms for real world distributed datasets.