cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sampling and Analysis Methods for Estimation of Average Vehicle Occupancies

Average vehicle occupancy (AVO) has been used in various applications, including conversion of person trips and vehicle trips in travel demand modeling, evaluation and monitoring of congestion management strategies, and computation of person delays in traffic analysis. AVO data are traditionally collected in the field using the roadside windshield method and the carousel method. The accuracy of AVO estimates is of particular importance because in traffic analysis a relatively small percentage of AVO will convert to the same percentage of vehicles. This paper describes a detailed process for estimating AVOs at the individual location, facility-type, and county levels. A detailed sampling process designed to select data collection locations and dates on three different facility-types (surface streets, freeways, and toll facilities) is presented. To ensure that all areas are covered, the sampling was performed in proportion to roadway vehicle miles traveled (VMT) within individual census tracts over a one-year period. A comprehensive statistical analysis of the collected data was then demonstrated. The results showed no significant difference in the AVO estimates among the three facility-types. Also, no significant difference was found among the AVO estimates derived from facility-weighted composite values and those derived from averaging the simple means. The process presented in this paper provides a rigorous example for the collection and analysis of vehicle occupancy data.
The activity of NaCl in seawater of 10–40‰ salinity and 5–25°C at 1 atmosphere

Abstract The activity of NaCl in artificial seawater was measured potentiometrically with Na+- and Cl− -sensitive electrodes. The salinity of the solutions, examined at 25°C, ranged from 10–40‰ salinity. The change in the activity from 5–25°C was measured at 35‰ salinity. The molal mean activity coefficient of NaCl in 35‰ seawater at 25°C is 0.667. The relative partial molal enthalpy of NaCl in 35‰ seawater is −130 ±50 cal mol−1. This value is in good agreement with the value measured in pure 0.72 M NaCl. The results were compared with activity coefficients predicted by a specific interaction model and by an ion association model. Good agreement was found in both cases.
Toll like receptors and acute allograft rejection

Toll like receptors (TLR) are critical innate immune receptors expressed on a variety of cells including dendritic cells that are activated by the presence of invading pathogens. However, there is emerging evidence that TLR signaling participates in inflammation that may occur in the absence of overt infection. In solid organ transplantation there is increasing evidence, both in experimental and human studies, that TLR activation is involved in the innate immune recognition of allografts. Further investigation of how innate immunity impacts solid organ transplantation may lead to improved therapies for transplant recipients.
Simulation of the beam-beam effects in e + e - storage rings with a method of reduced region of mesh

A highly accurate self-consistent particle code to simulate the beam-beam collision in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ storage rings has been developed. It adopts a method of solving the Poisson equation with an open boundary. The method consists of two steps: assigning the potential on a finite boundary using Green's function and then solving the potential inside the boundary with a fast Poisson solver. Since the solution of Poisson's equation is unique, our solution is exactly the same as the one obtained by simply using Green's function. The method allows us to select a much smaller region of mesh and therefore increase the resolution of the solver. The better resolution makes more accurate the calculation of the dynamics in the core of the beams. The luminosity simulated with this method agrees quantitatively with the measurement for the PEP-II B Factory ring in the linear and nonlinear beam current regimes, demonstrating its predictive capability in detail.
Platelet injury during phototherapy

Phototherapy with blue fluorescent light is widely employed for treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Functional, biochemical, and morphologic changes produced by blue fluorescent light in human platelets were identified and characterized. Platelet-rich plasma was exposed for up to 170 min to amounts of light equivalent to that used in phototherapy of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Within 110 min of light exposure, platelets were essentially no longer aggregable by ADP and connective tissue suspension and were depleted of ADP, ATP, and glycogen. Electron photomicrographs revealed these platelets to be swollen, depleted of glycogen granules and organelles, and to have ill-defined membranes. Platelet injury could be accelerated by adding a photosensitizing agent, hematoporphyrin, to platelet samples before exposure. In contrast, control platelets kept in the dark for 170 min or nonirradiated platelets resuspended in irradiated plasma maintained their integrity. The results indicate that platelets are damaged in vitro when exposed to amounts of blue light used in phototherapy.
Heart and Cognition in Ancient Chinese Philosophy

Following the theory of conceptual metaphor in cognitive linguistics, this paper studies a predominant conceptual metaphor in the understanding of the heart in ancient Chinese philosophy: THE HEART IS THE RULER OF THE BODY. The most important conceptual mapping of this metaphor consists in the perceived correspondence between the mental power of the heart and the political power of the ruler. The Chinese heart is traditionally regarded as the organ of thinking and reasoning, as well as feeling. As such, it is conceptualized as the central faculty of cognition. This cultural conceptualization differs fundamentally from the Western dualism that upholds the reason-emotion dichotomy, as represented by the binary contrast between mind and heart in particular, and mind and body in general. It is found that the HEART AS RULER metaphor has a mirror image, namely THE RULER IS THE HEART OF THE COUNTRY. The ruler as the "heart" of the country leads his nation while guided by his own heart as the "ruler" of his body. It is argued that the two-way metaphorical mappings are based on the overarching beliefs of ancient Chinese philosophy in the unity and correspondence between the microcosm of man and the macrocosm of universe. It is suggested that the conceptualization of the heart in ancient Chinese philosophy, which is basically metaphorical in nature, is still spread widely across Chinese culture today.
Occult infection of old nonfunctioning arteriovenous grafts: a novel cause of erythropoietin resistance and chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients.

Occult infection of old nonfunctioning arteriovenous grafts: A novel cause of erythropoietin resistance and chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients. Background Occult infection of old nonfunctioning arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) is frequent among hemodialysis patients. It is a recognized cause of bacteremia and other infectious complications. Additionally, old nonfunctioning AVGs may be harbingers of other noninfectious complications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether occult infection of old nonfunctioning AVGs is a cause of a chronic inflammatory state in hemodialysis patients. Methods This study was performed in two phases: In the first phase (study 1), 22 patients with clinically proven occult infection of old nonfunctioning AVG were identified, and data on hemoglobin, weekly erythropoietin dose, and albumin levels were collected retrospectively. Comparisons were made between values obtained pre- and post-AVG resection. In the second phase (study 2), we examined whether the presence of a chronic inflammatory state is associated with occult AVG infection in old nonfunctioning AVGs. Twenty hemodialysis patients were identified with chronic inflammatory state based on erythropoietin dose (units/wk)/hematocrit ratio>470, serum albumin 25 mg/L. Among these patients, we found eight with old nonfunctioning AVGs. We then performed indium-labeled white blood cell (WBC) scans on the eight patients to screen for occult infection of old nonfunctioning AVGs. The AVGs with positive indium scan were resected and cultured. Data on hematocrit, erythropoietin dosing, serum albumin, ferritin, and CRP were obtained at 2 months following AVG resection and compared to pre-resection values. Results In study 1, the 22 patients with occult infection of old nonfunctioning AVG exhibited profound anemia and hypoalbuminemia. Their mean hemoglobin was 9.2 ± 1.2 g/dL which improved to 11.6 ± 0.8 g/dL ( P P P P P P P = 0.13). Percent plasma iron saturation did not appreciably differ from baseline (20.5%± 4.4% to 19.8 ± 1.9%, P = 0.89). Conclusions Occult infection of old nonfunctioning AVG is a common cause of erythropoietin resistance and chronic inflammatory state among hemodialysis patients. Resection of old nonfunctioning AVGs with occult infection is associated with resolution of markers of chronic inflammatory state.
Community Health Facilities and Services: The Manpower Dimensions

The public believes that economists know that one basic cause of the "shortage" is the operation of a large collective monopoly that restricts entry into medical practice and enforces price discrimination. But public dissatisfaction with health services would not be eradicated solely by increases of professional numbers. We discuss possible sources of the "shortage" and how their role might be assessed. Previous research, with a few brilliant exceptions,' slighted the spatial variation in rates of training, practice, and quality of service available across the nation. We have begun analysis of this variation. Our objectives are a better description of this variation and a better understanding of the operation of markets for health services. In a perfectly competitive economy, the judgment that the quantity and distribution of a certain commodity are inadequate can be interpreted to mean that there is a different, better distribution of purchasing power. The judgment is supplied on extra-economic grounds, and the preferred distribution is achieved by ideal taxes and transfers that do not impair optimality. Its consequences are the reallocation of resources to the production of greater quantities of the commodity judged to be deficient, and the reallocation of consumption toward the commodity. Could such a redistribution of income remedy the expressed dissatisfaction with the quantity and distribution of health services? Not entirely, because of the characteristics of the demand for and supply of health services. Many premature deaths and medically unncessarily long illnesses of the poor could have been avoided if they had had greater pur
The sociocultural context of families with a child with myelomeningocele.

The purpose of this article is to describe in greater detail the sociocultural context of, and its level of supportiveness for, families with a child with myelomeningocele. Using the Family Management Style framework and a semistructured interview guide, the authors interviewed 30 mothers and fathers in this qualitative study. Families were stratified by age of the child with myelomeningocele. Fifteen categories reflecting components of the sociocultural context were identified. Across the fifteen categories, three major themes emerged: (a) Sharing Information, (b) Interpersonal Interactions, and (c) Supports/Hindrances. Levels of supportiveness across the three themes were described as supportive, moderately supportive, moderately nonsupportive, and nonsupportive. An exemplar case is presented for each. To assist families better, nurses need to assess each family's sociocultural context and its perceived level of supportiveness in the course of managing the child's chronic condition. Families require dev...
Use of crop protection chemicals for integrated pest control

Examples of and methods for achieving the selective use of pesticides in control of pests while conserving important beneficial natural enemies are discussed relative to the development of integrated pest management systems for apples in the U.S.A. Included are examples of physiologically selective acaricides, ecological selectivity conferred by application techniques and selectivity due to the development of resistant beneficial insects. A definition and examples of ideal selectivity of pesticides for this crop production system are discussed. Lastly, an approach to resistance management in an entire apple arthropod pest - natural enemy complex is discussed in relation to a long-used chemical control system (organophosphate pesticides) compared with a new chemical control programme based on pyrethroid insecticides.
Dynamic interaction analysis and its application to distillation column control

This paper describes a method to examine the dynamic as well as static interactions among control loops in a multivariable system. The analysis obtains the same results at steady state as that employing the relative gain matrix (Bristol, 1966, Shinskey, 1967). It is demonstrated that a design where the control loops exhibit minimum static interaction is not always the best strategy. This is illustrated through the example of a distillation column, which shows that by using interactive loops, the closed loop poles can be shifted much further to favorable locations of the left complex plane than for the case of minimum steady state interaction loop design.
Thoughts and recommendations concerning impact and productivity in school psychology journals

Having been personally involved in several examinations of productivity in various sub-disciplines of psychology, I read with great interest the articles in this special issue. I commend the authors for engaging in this activity, as I feel that a field benefits from occasional self-examinations. In this commentary, I caution against placing too much emphasis on impact factors, arguing that they are not measured without error and unethical behaviors could increase if they are weighted too heavily. I recommend examinations of methodological trends, whether implications for practice are based on observational data, whether female participation in the publication process matches their participation as members of the field, and finally including other characteristics in defining highly productive scholars that would attract potential graduate students.
A shear pin weak-link assembly for oceanographic use

Abstract Weak links have been fabricated for use on dredges or devices where it is desirable to release or tumble the device should it become entangled or snagged on the bottom. The device is a shear pin-holder with provision for pins of different shear strengths for varying loads.
Reovirus Protein λ3 Is a Poly(C)-Dependent Poly(G) Polymerase

Reovirus protein lambda 3 has been isolated from cells infected with two recombinant vaccinia viruses into the TK gene of which the reovirus serotype3 strain Dearing L1 genome segment under the control of the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase promoter, or the T7 polymerase gene itself, had been cloned. Highly purified protein lambda 3 does not transcribe double-stranded reovirus RNA into single-stranded RNA, or plus-stranded reovirus RNA into minus-stranded RNA, but it does transcribe poly(C) into poly(G). It prefers Mn2+ to Mg2+. A polymer consisting of poly(C) linked linearly to poly(U) provided template activity only for its poly(C) moiety. Protein lambda 3 forms complexes with protein lambda 1, as well as with protein lambda 2, and with both lambda 1 and lambda 2, which are sufficiently stable to be precipitated by monospecific antisera. None of these complexes are capable of transcribing either ds- or ssRNA.
Female reproductive biology of the southeastern crowned snake (Tantilla coronata)

Female Tantilla coronata reach sexual maturity in the spring of their third calendar of life (about 21 months of age) at about 150 mm snout-vent length. Vitellogenesis occurs in the spring, ovulation in June and oviposition in June and early July. Both ovaries are fully functional despite the lack of a functional left oviduct. The number of vitellogenic follicles is correlated with snout-vent length, however, the number of eggs or corpora lutea are not correlated with snout-vent length. Mean litter size and percent of females reproductive varied between years. The difference in the expected litter size between snakes with vitellogenic follicles and snakes with oviducal eggs or corpora lutea is due to atresia of vitellogenic follicles. Coelomic fat mass of adults showed a significant negative correlation during the course of vitellogenesis. Fat mass increased significantly following oviposition, however, some females had low coelomic reserves in late summer.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide splitting enzyme: a characteristic of the mouse macrophage

Murine macrophages are endowed with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide splitting activity that is markedly higher than that of other cells, tissues, or organs of the mouse. This enzyme therefore can be used as a biochemical marker for distinguishing macrophages from other cells of the lymphoreticular system and from polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Abundant intracellular IgG in enterocytes and endoderm lacking FcRn.

FcRn, a non-classical MHCI molecule, transports IgG from mother to young and regulates the rate of IgG degradation throughout life. Brambell proposed a mechanism that unified these two functions, saying that IgG was pinocytosed nonspecifically by the cell into an FcRn-expressing endosome, where, at low pH, it bound to FcRn and was exocytosed. This theory was immediately challenged by claims that FcRn specificity for ligand could be conferred at the cell surface in neonatal jejunum. Assessing Brambell's hypothesis we found abundant nonspecifically endocytosed IgG present in the cytoplasm of FcRn−/− enterocytes. Further, IgG was present in the intercellular clefts and the cores of FcRn+/+ but not FcRn−/− jejunum. FcRn specificity for ligand could be determined within the cell.
Percutaneous aspiration of lumbar synovial cyst: CT and MRI considerations.

This report describes image-guided percutaneous aspiration of a symptomatic lumbar synovial cyst, with prompt relief of symptoms.
Interference with endothelial cell function by JG-03-14, an agent that binds to the colchicine site on microtubules.

Abstract JG-03-14, a novel tetrasubstituted pyrrole with microtubule-depolymerizing and anti-proliferative activities, was tested for its effect on endothelial cell (EC) functions in vitro . JG-03-14 was a potent inhibitor of EC vessel-like tube formation on extracellular matrix (IC 50 of 40 nM) and caused the involution of established vessels, potential anti-angiogenic and vascular-disrupting activities, respectively. These actions were not due to the inhibition of EC proliferation or to the induction of apoptosis by JG-03-14. While similar effects were observed with the microtubule-depolymerizing and vascular-disrupting drug combretastatin-A4 (CoA4), JG-03-14 had a more selective effect on tube formation, relative to its cytotoxic actions, than did CoA4. Potential molecular mechanisms for JG-03-14's anti-vascular actions were explored. In contrast to the taxanes, which also have anti-vascular actions, JG-03-14 did not disrupt focal adhesion formation or block VEGF-induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. It did, however, inhibit VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VE-cadherin and reduce the association of β-catenin with VE-cadherin. It caused cell retraction, intercellular gaps, and abnormally elongated adherens junctions at low concentrations, and prominent, but reversible, plasma membrane blebbing at higher concentrations. These results suggest that JG-03-14 may affect vascular morphogenesis by disrupting the interaction of adjacent endothelial cells, possibly as a consequence of effects on VE-cadherin, β-catenin, and/or actin. They also provide the first report of anti-vascular activity for this class of compounds.
Increasing brain tumor rates : Is there a link to aspartame ?

In the past two decades brain tumor rates have risen in several industrialized countries, including the United States. During this time, brain tumor data have been gathered by the National Cancer Institute from catchment areas representing 10% of the United States population. In the present study, we analyzed these data from 1975 to 1992 and found that the brain tumor increases in the United States occurred in two distinct phases, an early modest increase that may primarily reflect improved diagnostic technology, and a more recent sustained increase in the incidence and shift toward greater malignancy that must be explained by some other factor(s). Compared to other environmental factors putatively linked to brain tumors, the artificial sweetener aspartame is a promising candidate to explain the recent increase in incidence and degree of malignancy of brain tumors. Evidence potentially implicating aspartame includes an early animal study revealing an exceedingly high incidence of brain tumors in aspartame-fed rats compared to no brain tumors in concurrent controls, the recent finding that the aspartame molecule has mutagenic potential, and the close temporal association (aspartame was introduced into US food and beverage markets several years prior to the sharp increase in brain tumor incidence and malignancy). We conclude that there is need for reassessing the carcinogenic potential of aspartame.
A study of carbohydrate metabolism in the eggs (oncospheres) of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta , with special reference to glucose

When incubated in vitro for 24 h, intact eggs, chemically shelled eggs (obtained by treating intact eggs with NaOCl), activated larvae (eggs in which the outer shell and inner envelope were removed), and oncospheres (activated larvae treated with papain to remove the embryophore) absorb and metabolize radioactive glucose. Intact eggs, which are covered by the impermeable shell, absorb only small amounts of exogenous radioactive glucose, while chemically shelled eggs, activated larvae, and oncospheres absorb much larger amounts. Only very small amounts of the exogenous glucose are incorporated into the ethanol-precipitable carbohydrate fraction (which would include glycogen) by any of the preparations of eggs/larvae. However, the glucose is incorporated into higher molecular weight end-products that are liberated into the incubation medium. There is a temporal shift in the ability of activated larvae and oncospheres to metabolize exogenous glucose. Activated larvae and oncospheres absorb but do not metabolize glucose during the first 8 h post-activation. Between 8 and 16 h post-activation, however, virtually all of the absorbed glucose is metabolized into higher molecular weight end-products that are liberated into the incubation media. This temporal shift suggests that activation of oncospheres and cysticercoid morphogenesis are accompanied by distinct changes in carbohydrate metabolism.
Ensemble Kalman filters for dynamical systems with unresolved turbulence

Ensemble Kalman filters are developed for turbulent dynamical systems where the forecast model does not resolve all the active scales of motion. Coarse-resolution models are intended to predict the large-scale part of the true dynamics, but observations invariably include contributions from both the resolved large scales and the unresolved small scales. The error due to the contribution of unresolved scales to the observations, called 'representation' or 'representativeness' error, is often included as part of the observation error, in addition to the raw measurement error, when estimating the large-scale part of the system. It is here shown how stochastic superparameterization (a multiscale method for subgridscale parameterization) can be used to provide estimates of the statistics of the unresolved scales. In addition, a new framework is developed wherein small-scale statistics can be used to estimate both the resolved and unresolved components of the solution. The one-dimensional test problem from dispersive wave turbulence used here is computationally tractable yet is particularly difficult for filtering because of the non-Gaussian extreme event statistics and substantial small scale turbulence: a shallow energy spectrum proportional to k^-^5^/^6 (where k is the wavenumber) results in two-thirds of the climatological variance being carried by the unresolved small scales. Because the unresolved scales contain so much energy, filters that ignore the representation error fail utterly to provide meaningful estimates of the system state. Inclusion of a time-independent climatological estimate of the representation error in a standard framework leads to inaccurate estimates of the large-scale part of the signal; accurate estimates of the large scales are only achieved by using stochastic superparameterization to provide evolving, large-scale dependent predictions of the small-scale statistics. Again, because the unresolved scales contain so much energy, even an accurate estimate of the large-scale part of the system does not provide an accurate estimate of the true state. By providing simultaneous estimates of both the large- and small-scale parts of the solution, the new framework is able to provide accurate estimates of the true system state.
Pilot Study: Use of Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Yoga Practices With Low-Income and/or Uninsured Patients With Depression and/or Anxiety

Purpose: This pilot study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness practices, including self-compassion and yoga, on depression and/or anxiety in uninsured and/or low-income pati...
THE INFLUENCE OF REPEATED FASTING ON THE PARATHYROIDECTOMIZED ALBINO RAT

TETANY or depression occurs in most laboratory animals following com' plete removal of the parathyroid glands. Hammett (i) claimed age, weight and season to be factors influencing mortality in the parathyroidectomised albino rat. Hoskins (2) confirmed Hammett's findings in regard to age and weight but did not consider season to be a factor when animals were chosen of uniform weight and age. Barnes and Fogelberg (3) found such a marked variation in mortality in animals of a given age as to require a large number to justify conclusions. The effects of temperature (4) and fasting (5) during the first 24 hours after operation has been studied by Templeton and coworkers. When the temperature was raised the mortality increased. When the animals were fasted for 24 hours after operation the mortality was much higher than when food was given ad libitum immediately after parathyroidectomy.
Geochemistry and geochronology of a hydrothermal ferromanganese deposit from the North Fiji Basin

Abstract A study of North Fiji Basin surface sediment geochemistry has indicated one core to be of predominately hydrothermal origin. This core contains a 38 cm thick ferromanganese oxide deposit that conformably overlies foraminiferal ooze. Uranium series, and major, rare earth, and trace element chemical analyses were performed in order to understand the origin and age of this unusual deposit. The onset of hydrothermal deposition at 128 ± 18ka B.P. has been determined by excess 230 Th dating of the oxide/ooze contact. Both 226 Ra and 222 Rn are supplied to the overlying water column by diffusion from the 230 Th-rich ferromanganese deposit. Foraminifera tests within the deposit are replaced by and coated with the ferromanganese-rich material. Calculated metal accumulation rates are comparable to, or exceed, rates from other known hydrothermal areas such as the East Pacific Rise, Bauer Basin, FAMOUS and TAG areas. Rare earth element results indicate a partial hydrogenetic contribution to a predominantly hydrothermal signature in the ferromanganese part of the deposit. Vertical element distributions reveal variations that are interpreted as changes in the nature of hydrothermal activity at this site. R -mode factor analysis of the elemental data indicates three major factors: low-temperature hydrothermal, volcanic ash-detrital, and high-temperature hydrothermal that together account for 95% of the sample variability. The combined geochemical data reveal a sequence of deposition at this site of initial volcanism (ash fall), followed by high-temperature and then low-temperature hydrothermal mineralization lasting for up to 128 ka
Some “opaque” problems in transparent optical networks

Summary form only given. By “opaque”, we mean important and challenging research problems in transparent optical networks that need more clarity and our research attention. Examples of such problems include: mixed-line-rate (MLR) optical networks (due to the emergence of 100G and beyond transmission technologies); hybrid circuit/packet switching (including horizontal partitioning and vertical stacking); energy efficiency in telecom networks; etc. Several of these topics will be covered in this talk.
Cytomegalovirus: sodium entry and development of cytomegaly in human fibroblasts.

Abstract A possible relationship between net Na + entry and the development of CMV-induced cytomegaly (cell enlargement) was investigated in human fibroblasts derived from skin-muscle and thyroid tissue. We found that inhibiting cellular Na + uptake, either by pharmacological means (amiloride, an inhibitor of Na + /H + exchange) or by replacement of extracellular Na + (by N -methyl- d -glucamine or choline), inhibited the development of cytomegaly. Furthermore, we noted a temporal parallelism between the development of cytomegaly and enhancement of ouabain-sensitive (O-S) 86 Rb + uptake. O-S 86 Rb + uptake is a monitor for the activity of the sodium pump resident in the plasmalemma of the fibroblasts. The enhanced O-S 86 Rb + uptake reflects either an increased intracellular Na + concentration or an increased number of sodium pump complexes per fibroblast. Amiloride inhibited the enhancement of O-S 86 Rb + uptake, as well as cytomegaly development. Addition of amiloride at selected times after infection suggested that the same phase of virus replication was sensitive to the inhibitory effect of this drug on the enhancement of O-S 86 Rb + uptake and on the development of cytomegaly. There was also a similar pattern of inhibition of O S 86 Rb + uptake and cytomegaly with increasing concentrations of amiloride. Thus, there may be a relationship between CMV-induced Na + entry through activation of the Na + /H + exchanger and development of cytomegaly.
Differential recovery of peptides from sample tubes and the reproducibility of quantitative proteomic data.

Differential recovery of peptides due to nonspecific adsorption can seriously compromise reproducibility and quality of proteomic data for peptide analyses by liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC−MS). This study demonstrates large variations in reproducibility and quantitation of LC−MS data for peptides derived from tryptic digests of BSA upon storage in different sample tubes. Notably, we show that highly improved consistency and lower errors in quantitation of BSA tryptic peptides in replicate measurements is achieved with low-retention tubes compared to regular eppendorf tubes. Furthermore, qualitative differences in peptides detected by LC−MS were observed in the two types of storage tubes. These results illustrate the necessity for careful evaluation of storage vessels and conditions to minimize variability in sample quality for LC−MS experiments. Keywords: peptides • LC−MS • recovery • reproducibility • nonspecific adsorption • quantitation • proteomics
Intracellular Lipid Accumulation in Liver and Muscle and the Insulin Resistance Syndrome

This article emphasizes intrahepatocellular and intramyocellular lipid accumulation as components of the insulin resistance syndrome. It examines the mechanisms responsible for the interrelationships among ectopic fat deposition, insulin resistance, and associated metabolic traits. These relationships are complex and vary according to diet, exercise, weight loss, and racial identity. Overall, there is a high degree of association of both intrahepatocellular and intramyocellular lipids with insulin resistance and associated cardiometabolic risk factors. It concludes that further research is necessary to determine the orchestrated roles of adipose and nonadipose tissue compartments in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, and mechanisms explaining racial differences in the insulin resistance syndrome-trait cluster.
A Strain of Clover yellow vein virus that Causes Severe Pod Necrosis Disease in Snap Bean

Soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) outbreaks occurring since 2000 have been associated with severe virus epidemics in snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production in the Great Lakes region. Our objective was to identify specific viruses associated with the disease complex observed in the region and to survey bean germplasm for sources of resistance to the causal agents. The principle causal agent of the disease complex associated with extensive pod necrosis was identified as Clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV), designated ClYVV-WI. The virus alone caused severe mosaic, apical necrosis, and stunting. Putative coat protein amino acid sequence from clones of amplicons generated by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was 98% identical to ClYVV strain no. 30 identified in Japan that has not been reported to cause pod necrosis. ClYVV-WI amplicons were 96% identical to a mild strain of ClYVV from Oregon. A distinguishing feature of this new strain is that it does not react with Potyvirus broad-spectrum monoclonal antibody PTY 1. A survey of common bean lines and cultivars revealed that, in addition to UI-31 and US1140 with known resistance to ClYVV, lines with the bc-3 gene for resistance to Bean common mosaic necrosis virus also were resistant to ClYVV-WI. An evaluation of 63 snap bean cultivars and breeding lines revealed just one, Roma 442, with a moderate level of tolerance to ClYVV-WI. Introgression of the bc-3 gene and resistances from UI-31 and US1140 into snap bean may offer a high level of resistance to extensive pod necrosis disease caused by ClYVV in the Great Lakes region.
Evaluation of Lane-by-Lane Vehicle Detection for Actuated Controllers Serving Multilane Approaches

A comparison was conducted of traditional vehicle detection, in which all lanes on an approach are connected to an actuated controller through one amplifier card and input, and lane-by-lane detection, in which each lane is interfaced with the controller through separate amplifier cards and inputs. Both detection strategies were evaluated with various extension time values on the same traffic stream. A total of 430 h of data from two separate approaches was evaluated on an hour-by-hour basis. During certain time periods, lane-by-lane detection provided up to a 13% increase in efficiency. For all 930 h of observations, the median increase in efficiency was 5.2% on an approach with 51-ft-long detection zones and 3.5% on an approach with 38-ft-long detection zones. This increased efficiency corresponds to time that could be allocated to other movements or used to reduce the cycle length. The largest improvements associated with lane-by-lane detection occurred during periods with moderate volume-to-capacity ratios, with smaller benefits observed during periods of heavy or light traffic.
Challenges to meat safety in the 21st century

The safety of meat has been at the forefront of societal concerns in recent years, and indications exist that challenges to meat safety will continue in the future. Major meat safety issues and related challenges include the need to control traditional as well as “new,” “emerging,” or “evolving” pathogenic microorganisms, which may be of increased virulence and low infectious doses, or of resistance to antibiotics or food related stresses. Other microbial pathogen related concerns include cross-contamination of other foods and water with enteric pathogens of animal origin, meat animal manure treatment and disposal issues, foodborne illness surveillance and food attribution activities, and potential use of food safety programs at the farm. Other issues and challenges include food additives and chemical residues, animal identification and traceability issues, the safety and quality of organic and natural products, the need for and development of improved and rapid testing and pathogen detection methodologies for laboratory and field use, regulatory and inspection harmonization issues at the national and international level, determination of responsibilities for zoonotic diseases between animal health and regulatory public health agencies, establishment of risk assessment based food safety objectives, and complete and routine implementation of HACCP at the production and processing level on the basis of food handler training and consumer education. Viral pathogens will continue to be of concern at food service, bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Campylobacter will continue affecting the safety of raw meat and poultry, while Listeria monocytogenes will be of concern in ready-to-eat processed products. These challenges become more important due to changes in animal production, product processing and distribution; increased international trade; changing consumer needs and increased preference for minimally processed products; increased worldwide meat consumption; higher numbers of consumers at-risk for infection; and, increased interest, awareness and scrutiny by consumers, news media, and consumer activist groups. Issues such as bovine sponginform encephalopathy will continue to be of interest mostly as a target for eradication, while viral agents affecting food animals, such as avian influenza, will always need attention for prevention or containment.
Combined upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy: a prospective study in alcoholic and nonalcoholic cirrhosis.

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is one of the more important complications of cirrhosis. Most of the available data regarding the prevalence of upper and lower gastrointestinal sites of bleeding in cirrhotic patients have been obtained in individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis evaluated in the course of an acute gastrointestinal bleeding episode. Few data exist, however, as to the prevalence of either potential bleeding sites or of normal endoscopic findings in hemo-dynamically stable individuals with cirrhosis of any etiology. Five hundred ten cirrhotic subjects, who were evaluated for possible liver transplantation (OLTx) between January 1985 and June 1987, were included in this study. Seventy-five had alcoholic cirrhosis and 435 had nonalcoholic cirrhosis of various etiologies. Of these 510 patients, 412 underwent combined upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and 98 underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy alone. Gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer disease were found significantly (each at least p < 0.025) more often in patients with alcoholic liver disease than in those with nonalcoholic liver disease. The prevalence of the various lower gastrointestinal lesions in both groups was similar. Of particular interest is the fact that in alcoholic cirrhotics, the prevalence of gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer disease was unrelated to the degree of portal hypertension, whereas in the nonalcoholic cirrhotics the prevalence of gastritis and duodenal ulcer disease but not gastric ulcer disease was associated significantly with the degree of portal hypertension as assessed by the presence or absence of large esophageal varices, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy.
Lessons learned from the DIASTAT vascular access graft

Background The vascular community continues to search for the ideal vascular access graft that will allow early cannulation and avoid temporary central venous catheters. Methods This is a review of the Cranley Surgical Associates' experience with the use of the Gore-Tex DIASTAT (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Flag-staff, Arizona) vascular access graft in 20 patients compared with 20 control patients matched for age, sex and risk factors. Results Although the DIASTAT graft is touted for early accessibility and decreased need for central venous access, that was not found to be the case as 14 patients in the DIASTAT group received temporary access catheters. There was significantly more edema in the DIASTAT patients ( P =0.0048). Comparing the time to the first thrombosis or to revision revealed an average of 18 weeks for the DIASTAT group and 56 weeks for the control group. The length of time to thrombosis or revision was significantly longer in the control group ( P =0.0058). Comparison of the number of weeks of function and serviceability of the grafts revealed the average DIASTAT graft functioned for 34 weeks and that of the control group for an average of 70 weeks ( P =0.0131). Comparison of the two groups showed a significant increase in early thrombotic events ( P =0.0013). Conclusions The DIASTAT vascular access graft does not appear to be the ideal hemodialysis access graft.
Current and future issues of active noise control

Active control of sound fields is an emerging technology which has a great potential to become superior to many passive low frequency noise control methods. It is based on fundamental physical principles which include acoustical coupling of sources, destructive wave interference, and control of enclosure modes. The implementation of active noise control requires placing secondary sources and microphones into the controlled field. Most systems use adaptive filters to control the secondary sources to achieve maximum noise reduction. The engineering applications will require developing optimization techniques for secondary sources and controlling microphone locations. Also new types of robust actuators and controlling sensors will be needed. A brief summary of existing and future applications is provided.
Microfluidic Channel Fabrication With Tailored Wall Roughness

Realistic random roughness of channel surfaces is known to affect the fluid flow behavior in microscale fluidic devices. This has relevance particularly for applications involving non-Newtonian fluids, such as biomedical lab-on-chip devices. In this study, a surface texturing process was developed and integrated into microfluidic channel fabrication. The process combines colloidal masking and Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) for generating random surfaces with desired roughness parameters on the micro/nanoscale. The surface texturing process was shown to be able to tailor the random surface roughness on quartz. A Large range of particle coverage (around 6% to 67%) was achieved using dip coating and drop casting methods using a polystyrene colloidal solution. A relation between the amplitude roughness, autocorrelation length, etch depth and particle coverage of the processed surface was built. Experimental results agreed reasonably well with model predictions. The processed substrate was further incorporated into microchannel fabrication. Final device with designed wall roughness was tested and proved a satisfying sealing performance.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Homogeneous Condensation of Argon: An Experimental Study Using the Nozzle Flow of a Cryogenic Ludwieg Tube

The homogeneous condensation of argon in helium was investigated in the supersonic nozzle expansion of a cryogenic Ludwieg tube operated at 77.4 K. The onset of condensation at the nozzle exit was observed by laser light scattering. The static pressure at the observation station was measured by a piezoelectric transducer. Argon condensation was found in the partial pressure range 0.6 torr ≤ p Ar ≤ 57 torr at the corresponding temperatures 41 K ≤ T ≤ 62 K. Regarding the effect of the cooling rate on the onset of condensation, the adiabatic supercooling of ΔT ad ∼ 10° C determined in the present experiments is in agreement with recently obtained results on argon condensation in the unsteady expansion waves of cryogenic shock tubes also operated at 77.4 K. The experiments do not, however, agree with previous studies showing substantially more supersaturation employing steady supersonic nozzle flow and free jet expansions starting at higher temperatures.
Enhancement of Metastases by L -Asparaginase in a Mouse Tumour System

IT has been reported that the new antileukaemic and antitumour agent, L-asparaginase, has significant immunosuppressive activity1–6. We have studied the effect of L-asparaginase on the mouse tumour sarcoma 180 grown as a foot implant, which metastasizes only rarely to the regional popliteal node, but metastasizes extensively after the host has been treated with an immunosuppressive agent such as antilymphocyte serum7. There was a striking enhancement of metastases when the mice were treated with L-asparaginase even in doses considerably smaller than those used by previous investigators which had no antitumour effect.
Apparent reversal of physical ageing in amorphous glassy polymers by electron beam irradiation

Abstract It has been found that electron beam irradiation of physically aged, glassy polymeric films results in an apparent reversal of physical ageing (i.e. ‘deageing’) as determined by differential scanning calorimetry and yield stress behaviour. This is the first reported observation of ‘deageing’ in glassy polymers that does not involve heating above the glass transition or an imposed deformation process. Effects of dose level and dose rate on the physically aged state of polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate) and polycarbonate have been determined. The specific deageing behaviour has been found to be material-dependent and the extent of deageing is proportional to the total absorbed dose. The experimental results support a proposed hypothesis that this deageing phenomenon is the result of radiation-induced internal gas evolution, which produces an increase in free volume and corresponding reversal of physical ageing.
The Short-Term Impact of Involuntary Migration in China’s Three Gorges: A Prospective Study

The aim of this study is to measure the short-term impact of involuntary migration resulting from China’s Three Gorges Dam project on the 1.3 million persons being displaced. We focus on the social, economic, and mental and physical health impact using three sets of indicators. Using a prospective research design, we gathered information about these indicators from a sample of migrants first before they moved and then again after they moved. Changes in the migrants’ wellbeing during the period, when benchmarked to corresponding changes computed for a control group of non-migrants, are attributed to the impact of involuntary migration. Our results showed that although the displaced have enjoyed a relative gain in housing quality, most of the changes were in the negative direction and many of such negative changes were statistically significant.