cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant defense system in lung of male and female rats: Interactions with alcohol, copper, and type of dietary carbohydrate☆☆☆

Male and female rats were used to investigate the effects of type of dietary carbohydrate (CHO), copper, and ethanol consumption on lung antioxidant enzyme activities and levels of phosphorylated compounds in whole blood. Copper-deficient female rats exhibited a greater degree of copper deficiency than males, as assessed by hepatic copper concentration and hepatic copper superoxide dismutase (CuSOD) activity. However, copper-deficient male rats fed fructose-containing diets exhibited greater growth retardation, anemia, and heart hypertrophy than females consuming the same diets and males fed starch. In addition, one of 10 copper-deficient male rats that ate a fructose-based diet and drank water and one of 10 copper-deficient male rats that ate a starch-based diet and drank ethanol died. Copper-deficient, starch-fed males exhibited the highest activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase as compared with fructose-fed rats. Ethanol consumption elevated the activities of GSH-Px and catalase. Copper-deficient female rats exhibited higher catalase but lower GSH-Px activities than males. It is suggested that in copper deficiency, the ability to increase antioxidant enzyme activities in rats consuming starch is greater than in rats consuming fructose. Rats fed starch are provided with a greater degree of protection against oxidative damage than rats fed fructose. In addition, polyphosphorylated compounds in blood were reduced in copper-deficient male rats that consumed fructose-based diets. This may impair supply of oxygen to tissues.
Resonant chains and three-body resonances in the closely packed inner Uranian satellite system

Numerical integrations of the closely-packed inner Uranian satellite system show that variations in semi-major axes can take place simultaneously between three or four consecutive satellites. We find that the three-body Laplace angle values are distributed unevenly and have histograms showing structure, if the angle is associated with a resonant chain, with both pairs of bodies near first-order two-body resonances. Estimated three-body resonance libration frequencies can be only an order of magnitude lower than those of first-order resonances. Their strength arises from a small divisor from the distance to the first-order resonances and insensitivity to eccentricity, which make up for their dependence on moon mass. Three-body resonances associated with low-integer Laplace angles can also be comparatively strong due to the many multiples of the angle contributed from Fourier components of the interaction terms. We attribute small coupled variations in semi-major axis, seen throughout the simulation, to ubiquitous and weak three-body resonant couplings. We show that a system with two pairs of bodies in first-order mean-motion resonance can be transformed to resemble the well-studied periodically-forced pendulum with the frequency of a Laplace angle serving as a perturbation frequency. We identify trios of bodies and overlapping pairs of two-body resonances in each trio that have particularly short estimated Lyapunov timescales.
New Fks Hot Spot for Acquired Echinocandin Resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Its Contribution to Intrinsic Resistance of Scedosporium Species

Echinocandins represent a new antifungal group with potent activity against Candida species. These lipopeptides inhibit the synthesis of β-1,3-glucan, the major cell wall polysaccharide. Acquired resistance or reduced echinocandin susceptibility (RES) is rare and associated with mutations in two "hot spot" regions of Fks1 or Fks2, the probable β-1,3-glucan synthases. In contrast, many fungi demonstrate intrinsic RES for reasons that remain unclear. We are using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to understand the basis for RES by modeling echinocandin-Fks interaction. Previously characterized mutations confer cross-RES; we screened for mutations conferring differential RES, implying direct interaction of that Fks residue with a variable echinocandin side chain. One mutant (in an fks1Δ background) exhibited ≥16-fold micafungin and anidulafungin versus caspofungin RES. Sequencing identified a novel Fks2 mutation, W714L/Y715N. Equivalent W695L/Y696N and related W695L/F/C mutations in Fks1 generated by site-directed mutagenesis and the isolation of a W695L-equivalent mutation in Candida glabrata confirmed the role of the new "hot spot 3" in RES. Further mutagenesis expanded hot spot 3 to Fks1 residues 690 to 700, yielding phenotypes ranging from cross-RES to differential hypersusceptibility. Fks1 sequences from intrinsically RES Scedosporium species revealed W695F-equivalent substitutions; Fks1 hybrids expressing Scedosporium prolificans hot spot 3 confirmed that this substitution imparts RES.
Geographic variation in pharmacotherapy decisions for U.S. medicare enrollees with diabetes

Objectives Prescription rates for diabetic drugs vary considerably across the United States for Medicare beneficiaries. The goal of this study was to determine if non-clinical factors (patient race, ethnicity, gender, income) are associated with regional variation in pharmacotherapy decisions for diabetic patients enrolled in Medicare.
Measurement of a short-wavelength instability in Taylor vortex flow.

We report experimental results for the stability boundary in Taylor vortex flow for a system with radius ratio 0.5. For most values of the pattern's wave number, quasistatic measurements of the stability boundary are in excellent agreement with the calculation of Paap and Riecke [Phys. Rev. A 41, 1943 (1990)]. In addition, for large values of the pattern's wave number, performing quenches of the control parameter provided evidence for a new instability which supersedes the usual Eckhaus instability. This new instability is not evident in the quasistatic measurements because of the existence of a nonuniform wave number. We have also observed evidence for this instability with radius ratio 0.74.
Organometallic Terthiophene Derivatives: Modulation of the Terthiophene Core of 5,5‘‘-Diphenyl-2,2‘:5‘2‘‘-Terthiophene via [CpRu]+ and [Cp*Ru]+ Substituents

We have utilized electrochemical, UV−vis absorption/emission spectroscopy, and UV−vis spectroelectrochemistry to investigate the electronic structure of 5,5‘‘-diphenyl-2,2‘:5‘2‘‘-terthiophene (Ph2Tth) and the complexes [Cp/Cp*Ru(η6-Ph2Tth)]PF6 and [(Cp/Cp*Ru)2(η6,η6-Ph2Tth)](PF6)2 (Cp = cyclopentadienyl; Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). Uncomplexed Ph2Tth behaves as if the 2,2‘:5‘2‘‘-terthiophene (Tth) core has two weakly conjugated, sterically blocking phenyl group substituents. The nature of the phenyl substituents are altered by complexation with “Cp/Cp*Ru+” to create [Cp/Cp*Ru(phenyl)]+ substituents. Electrochemical studies show that Ph2Tth exhibits two reversible oxidation processes that produce the radical cation and dication forms of the Tth core. The complexes of Ph2Tth also exhibit localized Tth core oxidations that have E°s shifted to more positive potentials by about 150 mV per metal center. This shift is attributed to the positive charge of a [Cp/Cp*Ru(phenyl)]+ substituent. The electronic ...
Epidemiologic study of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children

Objective: The etiology and pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) remain poorly understood. We conducted an exploratory epidemiologic study to investigate potential risk factors associated with LCH. Study design: We used a case-control study design to obtain data from parents of children with LCH (n=459) who were members of the Histiocytosis Association of America and Canada. The two control groups consisted of 683 community control subjects and 3719 children with chidhood cancers treated at participating Children's Cancer Group institutions. Results: The median age at diagnosis of LCH was 1.8 years (range 0.1 to 14.6 years). Cases were cetegorized as multisystem LCH (MS-LCH) (n=208) and single-system LCH (SS-LCH) (n=198). Statistically significant associations included the following: infections in the neonatal period (MS-LCH, odds ratio (OR)=2.2), solvent exposure (SS-LCH, OR=54.9), childhood vaccinations (MS-LCH and SS-LCH, OR-0.4), thyroid disease in the proband (MS-LCH and SS-LCH, OR=21.6), and family history of thyroid disease (MS-LCH and SS-LCH, OR=1.4). The association with thyroid disease in the proband was explained partially by the involvement of the pituitary, with the relative risk decreasing when patients with diabetes insipidus and thyroid involvement were excluded from analysis. Conclusions: This large hypothesis-generating study provides directions for future investigations in well-designed population-based or hospital-based epidemiologic studies.
Comment: Growing a Multilevel Science of Emotion

This comment identifies and elaborates three assumptions that underlie the proposal made by the Rogers, Schroder, and von Scheve (2014) article. First, our theories of emotion need to take into account, and be consistent with, supported theories of social outcomes and processes. Second, a thorough understanding of affective processes requires investigation at multiple levels of analysis, which in turn requires multilevel theories—or single-level theories that interact well with theories at other levels. Third, our broad understanding of emotion will be served best when we cultivate a field of intersecting and interacting theories of emotion.
A disintegrin and metalloprotease protein-12 as a novel marker for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Objective To evaluate the performance of a novel biomarker, a disintegrin and metalloprotease-12 (ADAM-12), to differentiate an ectopic pregnancy (EP) from normal intrauterine pregnancies (IUPs). Design Case-control study. Setting Three urban academic centers. Patient(s) Women who were seen in the emergency department with pain or bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. Intervention(s) Sera from women with diagnosed EP or IUP were evaluated via proteomics and an ADAM-12 dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassay. Main Outcome Measure(s) Differences between groups, area under the receiver operating curve, sensitivity, and specificity. Result(s) Via a proteomics evaluation, we found a statistically significant decrease in ADAM-12 in the sera of patients with EP, which we confirmed in a larger group of 199 patients (median IUP 18.6 ng/mL versus median EP 2.5 ng/mL with good discrimination between the groups as assessed by receiver operating characteristics [area under the curve=0.82]). At a low cut-point, the sensitivity was 70% and specificity 84%, but, at a higher cut-point optimizing sensitivity, the ADAM-12 test demonstrated a sensitivity of 97%. Conclusion(s) ADAM-12 is a promising marker for the diagnosis of EP in women with symptoms in the first trimester, validating the proteomics findings. Further studies in additional patient populations and in combination with other biomarkers are needed.
Vascular Disease in Scleroderma: Mechanisms of Vascular Injury

Vascular endothelial injury in systemic sclerosis (SSc) includes a spectrum of changes that involve predominantly the microcirculation and arterioles. The pathologic changes in the blood vessels adversely impact the physiology of many organ systems, with a reduction in the size of microvascular beds leading to decreased organ blood flow and ultimately to a state of chronic ischemia. Current hypotheses in SSc vascular disease suggest a possible chemical or infectious trigger.
The Vapor-Pressure Curve of Helium between 4.2°K and 4.8°K

Measurements of the resistance of four Allen-Bradley carbon resistors in the liquid helium temperature range from 1.8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and at the hydrogen triple point have been fitted to smooth calibration curves. When the resistance is measured at helium vapor pressures from 760 mm to 1350 mm, and the corresponding temperatures are obtained from the so-called "agreed" scale of Van Dijk and Shoenberg, the calibration points in this range do not lie on these calibration curves. This discrepancy and the fact that the vapor pressure-temperature relation above 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K has not been determined since 1915 suggest that a redetermination of the vapor pressure-temperature relation above 760 mm is desirable.
The Effects of Different Beak Trimming Techniques on Plasma Corticosterone and Performance Criteria in Single Comb White Leghorn Hens

DeKalb XL chicks were given a beak trim at 6 d of age (6DP) with a 2.8-mm gauge and a beak trim at 11 wk (11WB) with a block cut approximately 2 mm anterior to the nasal openings. Corticosterone (CS) levels of the 6DP treatment were (P < or = 0.01) elevated above nontrimmed CS levels at 2 h posttrim; and BW and feed consumption (FC) of the 6DP were depressed until 8 wk of age. At 11 wk of age, CS of the 11WB treatment was (P < or = 0.02) elevated above controls at 1, 2, 8, and 5 wk posttrim. The 11WB treatment resulted in a decrease in FC and a reduction in BW at 12, 14, and 16 wk of age, whereas there were no differences among treatments in livability during the pullet phase. At 72 wk of age, FC of the nontrimmed controls was greater than both beak trimmed treatments, and both beak trimmed treatments had greater hen housed eggs, percentage hen day egg production, and percentage livability. Both beak trimmed treatments resulted in better egg income, feed cost per hen, and net income (NI). The 6DP and 11WB beak trim treatments resulted in an improvement of NI per hen of 1.48 dollars and 1.86 dollars, respectively. In addition, both beak trimmed treatments exhibited better feather score and Hansen's test (fearfulness). It was concluded that pullets and hens could adapt to the physiological stress of beak trimming and out perform, during a lay phase, controls whose beaks were not trimmed.
Phosphate and salt uptake by bakers' yeast.

UPTAKE of phosphate by Saccharomyces cervisiae has three components as indicated by first-order kinetic analysis of uptake under steady-state conditions as a function of phosphate concentration. Two of these components, having Michaelis–Menten constants K m = 10−5 and 10−3, respectively, are evident on a plot of rate of uptake m against m/phosphate concentration1 (Fig. 1). Action of glycolytic and respiration inhibitors, including anaerobiosis—illustrated by the action of iodoacetate (Fig. 1)—indicates that both these components are coupled to oxidative phosphorylation associated with the action of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The component reaction with K m = 10−5 is found to be rate-limited by formation of adenosine triphosphate, which acts as a competitive inhibitor in the oxidative phosphorylation, and the component with K m = 10−3 by the action of hexokinase, which becomes rate-limiting for utilization of adenosine triphosphate. The coupling of phosphate uptake with glycolysis, but not its components, was recognized by Strickland2 and Goodman and Rothstein3. Rothstein4, in particular, has related the uptake to glycolytic activity at a membrane surface.
Pediatric Safe Patient Handling

Patient-handling tasks have historically been recognized as the primary cause for musculoskeletal disorders among the nursing workforce. Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota (Children's) implemented an innovative and industry-leading pediatric safe patient-handling program to minimize the frequency of occupational injuries associated with patient-handling tasks. An analysis of workers' compensation claims revealed that the rate of postimplementation incidents was reduced by 71.4% when compared with Children's preimplementation incidence rate. A review of risk perception surveys illustrated that most patient-handling tasks at Children's were perceived to be significantly less risky after implementation.
Urbanization and Political Change in the Developing World: A Cross-National Analysis, 1965–2010

This article develops a theoretical and empirical evaluation of the overlooked relationship between urbanization and political change. To accomplish this, theoretical insights from Weber, Lerner an...
Some nucleoside analogs with anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity inhibit replication of Epstein-Barr virus

Abstract The effects of (+)-β- d -dioxolane-cytosine ((+)- d -β-DOC), (−)-β- l -dioxolane-cytosine ((−)- l -β-DOC), (+)-β- d -oxathiolane-cytosine ((+)- d -β-OTC), (−)-β- l -oxathiolane-cytosine ((−)- l -β-OTC, or 3TC), 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-methyl-cytidine (5-Me-AZDC), and 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine (AZDU) on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA replication in vitro were tested in P3HR-1 cells. Two anti-EBV drugs, 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (DHPG, or ganciclovir), were used as positive controls. The inhibitory effects on EBV DNA synthesis were quantified by membrane filter and Southern blot hybridizations with an EBV-specific probe BamHI-W fragment. The 50% effective doses (ED50) for EBV DNA replication were 0.15, 0.83, 1.5, 8.3, 14, and 7.7 μM for DHPG, (−)- l -β-DOC, (+)- d -β-DOC, (+)- d -β-OTC, (−)- l -β-OTC, and AZT, respectively. In contrast, 5-Me-AZDC and AZDU were not effective at concentrations as high as 30 μM. These results indicated that both (−)- l -β-DOC and (+)- d -β-DOC were more potent than AZT, which has previously been shown to have anti-EBV activity. (−)- l -β-DOC and (+)- d -β-DOC have also been previously demonstrated to suppress the infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Thus, (−)- l -β-DOC represents the first nucleoside analog with l -configuration exhibiting significant antiviral activities against both EBV and HIV.
How husbands and wives in dual-career families perceive their family and work worlds

Abstract The perceptions of men and women in dual-career families were mapped with a view to understanding their concerns, priorities, and attitudes toward their work and family lives. Sixteen variables which represented aspects of family and work life and members' own attitudes and behaviors were used to map the perceptions through the multivariate factor analytic technique. A sample of husbands and wives in 127 dual-career families in the St. Louis area was used to collect the data. The results of the study indicate that husbands and wives perceive and cognitively structure their family and work worlds in practically the same way. They both see four distinct facets of their work and family lives. These are (1) a psychologically rewarding job dimension, (2) a general effectiveness dimension, (3) an investment-return dynamic in their careers, and (4) an expectation from the organization and consequences dimension. If the results of this study are replicated in different samples of dual-career families, then we could be sure that the perceptions, values, priorities, and cognitive structuring of family and work factors are virtually the same for men and women and that there are no gender differences.
Multiscale Computational Models for Optogenetic Control of Cardiac Function

The ability to stimulate mammalian cells with light has significantly changed our understanding of electrically excitable tissues in health and disease, paving the way toward various novel therapeutic applications. Here, we demonstrate the potential of optogenetic control in cardiac cells using a hybrid experimental/computational technique. Experimentally, we introduced channelrhodopsin-2 into undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells via a lentiviral vector, and sorted and expanded the genetically engineered cells. Via directed differentiation, we created channelrhodopsin-expressing cardiomyocytes, which we subjected to optical stimulation. To quantify the impact of photostimulation, we assessed electrical, biochemical, and mechanical signals using patch-clamping, multielectrode array recordings, and video microscopy. Computationally, we introduced channelrhodopsin-2 into a classic autorhythmic cardiac cell model via an additional photocurrent governed by a light-sensitive gating variable. Upon optical stimulation, the channel opens and allows sodium ions to enter the cell, inducing a fast upstroke of the transmembrane potential. We calibrated the channelrhodopsin-expressing cell model using single action potential readings for different photostimulation amplitudes, pulse widths, and frequencies. To illustrate the potential of the proposed approach, we virtually injected channelrhodopsin-expressing cells into different locations of a human heart, and explored its activation sequences upon optical stimulation. Our experimentally calibrated computational toolbox allows us to virtually probe landscapes of process parameters, and identify optimal photostimulation sequences toward pacing hearts with light.
Response of E-glass/vinyl ester composite panels to underwater explosive loading: Effects of laminate modifications

Abstract The response of E-Glass/Vinyl ester curved composite panels subjected to underwater explosive loading has been studied. Three laminate constructions have been investigated to determine their relative performance when subjected to shock loading. These constructions are: (1) a baseline 0°/90° biaxial layup, (2) a 0°/90° biaxial layup that includes a thin glass veil between plies, and (3) a 0°/90° biaxial layup that has a coating of polyurea applied to the back face. The work consists of experimental work utilizing a water filled, conical shock tube facility. The samples are round panels with curved midsections, and are approximately 2.54 mm in thickness. The transient response of the plates is measured using a three-dimensional (3D) Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system, including high speed photography. This ultra high speed system records full field shape and displacement profiles in real time. The results show that the performance of the baseline laminate is improved when coated with the polyurea material, but conversely, is degraded by the inclusion of the glass veils between plies.
The Sustainable Communities Experiment in the United States Insights from Three Federal-Level Initiatives

This paper documents and analyzes a portion of the U.S. government's attempt to adopt the concept of sustainability after 1992. Numerous case studies of individual sustainable community development projects exist, although almost no literature describes the coordinated federal-level effort to create and implement a sustainable development policy from 1993 to 2000. Case studies of three prominent federal-level sustainable community programs are developed from twenty guided interviews and existing government documents. The analysis of these three cases reveals serious attempts to translate sustainability into federal programs and changes in agency cultures despite institutional barriers. Although the primary outcome of these efforts was a stronger framework for facilitation of planning at the federal level, it still remains unclear why planners were not more involved in this process.
Suppression of MHC gene expression in cancer cells

The class I antigens of the major histocompatibility complex play a crucial part in the recognition of foreign antigens by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Some cancer cells exhibit a reduced expression of these antigens and this may help these cells to escape immune surveillance.
The development of a Tri-Use cluster for general computer education, high performance computing education, and computationally intensive research

This paper describes the construction of a tri-use computer cluster for general computer science education, instruction in parallel high performance computing, and computationally intensive scientific research. While many schools today are starting to include parallel computing in their curriculum, a large number of smaller institutions lack the resources to devote a significant amount of their equipment budget exclusively to computers for parallel computing. Similarly, many schools would like to have computational facilities for scientific research, but cannot afford to designate machines solely for this purpose. Our system allows for one set of systems to be easily shared between pedagogical and research tasks. The system described herein utilizes standard hardware components and a combination of open-source Linux and commercial software. In addition, the development of a software program to selectively boot between operating systems is described.
Using meta-data to automatically wrap bioinformatics sources

Abstract Currently there are a huge number of bioinformatics sources available over the web. Accessing these sources manually is infeasible for individual biologists. Our goal is to provide a single point of access for scientists that will retrieve data from each applicable source. One fundamental problem is automating the retrieval of data from each site. We propose a meta-data description language to delineate both the steps required to retrieve data, as well as the mechanisms necessary to access the web site that contains the data. This description will enable the automatic generation of wrappers that can extract the appropriate data. Our meta-data language is based on DARPA Agent Markup Language-S (DAML-S), extending the description to include a grounding which details the mechanics of data access.
The Impact of Surface Heat Flux and Wind on Thermal Stratification in Portage Lake, Michigan

Portage Lake is situated near the center of the Keweenaw Peninsula and is connected to Lake Superior via lengthy (> 7 km) navigation channels. Using moored thermistor records and meteorological data, we examine how changes in lake stratification are related to surface winds and heat flux. Frequent episodes of full water column mixing are observed throughout the summer. Convective mixing through surface cooling appears to be an important agent responsible for these events, as all occur during cold air outbreaks and when the net heat flux is directed out of the lake (negative). However, wind-induced mixing is also implicated in contributing to some vertical mixing events, as evidenced by two events initiated during a period of strong winds and declining, but not yet negative, heat fluxes. Our analysis indicates that each time the water column restratifies, it tends to become more susceptible to convectively-driven overturn during cold air outbreaks. This tendency is quantified by the estimated time over which surface cooling due to a specified set of conditions, characteristic of a cold air outbreak, would reduce the temperature contrast between the upper and lower layers by half. This time declines by more than an order of magnitude for successive restratification events observed in the summer of 1999. Our analysis also reveals successive formation and dissolution of a diurnal surface mixed layer in an otherwise homogeneous water column during a 10-day period of August 1999. This is attributed to the combination of relatively light winds and negative daily net heat fluxes.
Patients' versus nurses' assessments of pain and sedation after cesarean section.

Objective: To compare nurses' and patients' assessments of pain and sedation in patients receiving epidural or intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after cesarean section. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Setting: The perinatal unit mid labor and delivery unit in a 1,036-bed university hospital in the mid-Atlantic region. Participants:‘Twenty-six patients receiving epidural PCA or intravenous PCA. Nurses participating in the study were assigned as caregivers to the 20 patients. Main outcome measures: Pain and sedation were assessed using 10-cm visual analogue scales completed by both the patient and the patient's nurse twice daily on the way of surgery and on the I st and 2nd postoperative days. Results: No significant correlation was found between the nurses' and patients' pain or sedation scores. Chi-square analysis showed that the nurse was as likely to underestimate as to overestimate the patient's pain score. The nurse underestimated the patient's sedation score 85% of the time. Conclusions: The results suggest that nurses' and patients' assessments of pain and sedation differ. The routine use of a standardized self-assessment tool. such as the visual analogue scale, is recommended to ensure that analgesic treatment is based on the subjective nature of the patient's pain experience rather than the nurse's judgment.
Sequential projections of rearrangement channels

Abstract Proposed here is a stepwise procedure of constructing the totally closed channel Hamiltonian for scattering systems with rearrangement processes, in which the non-orthogonal rearrangement channel components are projected out in sequence. The connection of this method to that followed in the generalized variational bounds formulation is clarified, and several possible applications are indicated. A simpler yet rigorous procedure for the evaluation of resonance energies is discussed with the partially projected operators.
Dynamic Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction After Aortic Valve Replacement: A Doppler Echocardiographic Study

An 81-year-old woman with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement. The postoperative course was complicated by new subvalvular left ventricular outflow tract obstruction created by systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet. The condition was recognized by echocardiography and was successfully treated medically.
Structure and function of the buccal apparatus of Clione limacina (Phipps) with a review of feeding in gymnosomatous pteropods

Abstract Feeding experiments and gut content analyses indicate that the gymnosomatous pteropod mollusc, Clione limacina (Phipps), feeds only on the thecosomatous pteropod genus Spiratella (Limacina) both in nature and the laboratory. Feeding is effected by complete extraction of the prey from its shell. The structure and function of the specialized buccal mass of Clione is described, as well as the action of associated musculature and the functional role of the hemocoel. Related aspects of the feeding biology of Clione are discussed, including escape responses of the prey, mechanical specializations of the predator, and problems associated with feeding specialization. Food and feeding biology of other gymnosomes is reviewed and compared with the results of this study.
A low-cycle fatigue approach to fatigue crack propagation

The damage accumulation hypothesis is used to derive a fatigue crack growth rate equation. The fatigue life of a volume element inside the plastic zone is evaluated by using low-cycle fatigue concepts. Crack growth rate is expressed as a function of cyclic material parameters and plastic zone characteristics. For a given material, crack growth increment, is predicted to be a fraction of the plastic zone size which can be expressed in terms of fracture mechanics parameters,K andJ. Hence, the proposed growth rate equation has a predictive capacity and is not limited to linear elastic conditions.
Colony-level selection effects on individual and colony foraging task performance in honeybees, Apis mellifera L.

In honeybees, as in other highly eusocial species, tasks are performed by individual workers, but selection for worker task phenotypes occurs at the colony level. We investigated the effect of colony-level selection for pollen storage levels on the foraging behavior of individual honeybee foragers to determine (1) the relationship between genotype and phenotypic expression of foraging traits at the individual level and (2) how genetically based variation in worker task phenotype is integrated into colony task organization. We placed workers from lines selected at the colony level for high or low pollen stores together with hybrid workers into a common hive environment with controlled access to resources. Workers from the selected lines showed reciprocal variation in pollen and nectar collection. High-pollen-line foragers collected pollen preferentially, and low- pollen-line workers collected nectar, indicating that the two tasks covary genetically. Hybrid workers were not intermediate in phenotype, but instead showed directional dominance for nectar collection. We monitored the responses of workers from the selected strains to changes in internal (colony) and external (resource) stimulus levels for pollen foraging to measure the interaction between genotypic variation in foraging behavior and stimulus environment. Under low-stimulus conditions, the foraging group was over-represented by high-pollen-line workers. However, the evenness in distribution of the focal genetic groups increased as foraging stimuli increased. These data are consistent with a model where task choice is a consequence of genetically based response thresholds, and where genotypic diversity allows colony flexibility by providing a range of stimulus thresholds.
Study on the Cooling Process of Low Yield Ratio 590-780MPa Grade Steel Plates for High-Rise Buildings

To develop 590/780MPa grade low yield ratio structural steel, the effects of ultra fast cooling (UFC) new process on microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed that the low yield ratio and high strength can be obtained by proper phase compositions including relative soft phase and hard phase. For the process of UFC + air cooling, when UFC final cooling temperature was 521°C, 22.5% M-A second hard phases were distributed on bainite ferrite matrix in steel No.A2. The mechanical properties can meet requirement of 590MPa grade low yield ratio structural steel. For the process of air cooling + UFC, when UFC initial cooling temperature was 781°C, the multiphase composed of 28.3% ferrite and other bainite / martensite lath structure can ensure the high strength and low yield ratio of steel No.B1. And performance indexes can meet the requirement of 780MPa grade low yield ratio structural steel.
Guiding the Development and Use of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Education

Cost-effectiveness analysis is rarely used in education. When it is used, it often fails to meet methodological standards, especially with regard to cost measurement. Although there are occasional criticisms of these failings, we believe that it is useful to provide a listing of the more common concerns and how they might be addressed. Based upon both previous projects on the subject and a recent project that attempted to construct cost-effectiveness comparisons from the What Works Clearinghouse of the Institute of Educational Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education, we have identified a set of recommendations for practice that should have high priority if we are to construct valid cost-effectiveness comparisons for policy uses when choosing among alternative educational interventions.
Apicoaortic Double-Valved Conduit in a 40-Year-Old Woman

A 40-year-old woman was admitted with pneumonia and septic shock. Chest x-ray showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, cardiomegaly, and a bioprosthetic valve in an unusual position near the left ventricular apex (Figure 1A). The patient had a history of muscular subaortic stenosis. At age 4, she underwent surgical resection, but severe subaortic stenosis recurred 5 years later when an apicoaortic conduit containing an Ionescu–Shiley bioprosthetic valve was placed between the left ventricular apex and the descending thoracic aorta. Six …
Interrelationships among Seed Quality Attributes in Soybean

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] meal is used primarily as a livestock feed. The high protein concentration and sulfur-containing amino acids in the meal contribute to its nutritional value. Oligosaccharides, including raffinose and stachyose in the meal, have detrimental effects on the nutritive value of soy meal as a livestock feed. The objective of this research was to determine the interrelationships among seed protein, oil, oligosaccharides, and S in a breeding population that varied widely in seed protein concentration. Forty-three random breeding lines that varied in seed protein concentration from 413 to 468 g kg -1 on a dry seed basis, were grown in replicated tests in three environments. Seed yield, protein, oil, oligosaccharides, and S concentrations were determined for entries in each replication in the three environments. Breeding lines and environments varied significantly for each of the traits measured. Concentrations of carbohydrates were not associated with seed yield. Protein increased at the expense of oil (b = -1.560), total carbohydrates (b = -0.171), and sucrose (b = -0.151). Sulfur increased with increasing protein (b = 0.008), but S/N ratios were constant across protein concentrations. Decreases in carbohydrates with increases in protein would contribute to increased nutritional value of the meal from these breeding lines. The consistent S/N ratio across the range of seed protein concentrations indicates that S-containing amino acids were not sacrificed with increases in seed protein.
Electron temperature of ultracold plasmas.

We study the evolution of ultracold plasmas by measuring the electron temperature. Shortly after plasma formation, competition between heating and cooling mechanisms drives the electron temperature to a value within a narrow range regardless of the initial energy imparted to the electrons. In agreement with theory predictions, plasmas exhibit values of the Coulomb coupling parameter $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ less than 1.
A note on vortex shedding from axisymmetric bluff bodies

The linear parallel and incompressible stability of a family of axisymmetric wake profiles is studied in the range of Reynolds numbers where helical vortex shedding from bluff bodies of revolution is observed. The family of mean flow profiles allows for the variation of the wake depth as well as for a variable ratio of wake width to mixing-layer thickness. It is found that, even without reverse flow, the first helical mode is absolutely unstable in the near wake for Reynolds numbers, based on wake diameter and free-stream velocity, in excess of 3.3 × 103. A survey of the region of local absolute instability as a function of profile parameters and Reynolds number suggests that the large-scale helical vortex shedding, which is observed between Reynolds numbers of 6000 and 3 × 105 for spheres, may be ‘driven’ by a self-excited oscillation in the near wake.
Cylindrical trees of pin fins

Abstract In this paper, we extend the constructal optimization method to cylindrical assemblies of pin fins. The assembly is arranged as a tree with one stem and many radial branches. The optimization consists of maximizing the global conductance subject to fixed total volume and amount of fin material. The length scale of the spacing between adjacent elemental fins is selected based on earlier results regarding the forced convection of compact electronic packages. The optimized features of the tree construct are the external shape (height/diameter) and the internal ratio between the stem diameter and the diameter of the elemental fins. The paper shows how the geometric optimum responds to changes in the remaining parameters of the design: the volume fraction occupied by fin material, the free stream velocity, and the Prandtl number. The optimized geometry is relatively robust. It is shown that optimized trees with tapered fins have slightly larger global conductances, but nearly the same external and internal aspect ratios. This last comparison also shows that the more efficient trees look more natural.
Zin en onzin van kalk en vitamine D

Calciumgebrek en vitamine D-gebrek zijn risicofactoren voor fracturen. Zonder deficientie is suppletie niet zinvol. De optimale calciumopname is niet bekend en wordt geschat op 800-1200 mg per dag. Geadviseerd wordt om terughoudend te zijn met calciumsupplementen in verband met een mogelijk nadelig effect op hart- en vaatziekten. Kinderen tot 4 jaar en alle ouderen vanaf 70 jaar dienen een vitamine D-supplement te gebruiken. Ook vrouwen vanaf 50 jaar, mensen met een donkere huid en mensen met weinig zonblootstelling worden geadviseerd om preventief extra vitamine D te nemen. De onderbouwing van het advies bij deze laatste groepen is echter minder sterk.
Specific modulation of intestinal epithelial brush border enzyme expression by a phorbol ester.

Much is known about intestinal epithelial regulation by growth factors and nutrients but the intracellular signals governing cell phenotype are less well understood. In an initial attempt to evaluate the role of protein kinase C in these events, we studied the effects of protein kinase C modulation by the phorbol ester TPA upon the differentiation, motility, and doubling time of the human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell line, a common model for enterocytic brush border enzyme expression. We also compared the effects of TPA to those of 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which does not modulate protein kinase C activity. Differentiation was studied by quantitating brush order dipeptidyl peptidase (DPDD)-specific activity in protein-matched Caco-2 lysates via synthetic substrate digestion. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) was studied for comparison. Doubling time was assessed by log transformation of serial cell counts and motility by monolayer expansion across type I collagen. TPA (0.03-0.7 μg/ml) dose-dependently stimulated DPDD, with a maximal 455 ± 26% increase at 0.7 μg/ml (P 9, P < 0.05 for each). The control phorbol ester did not affect migration. Manipulation of protein kinase C may specifically alter the phenotype of a human intestinal epithelial cell line.
Marangoni Convection With a Curved and Deforming Free Surface in a Cavity

A finite-volume based computational model is developed to predict Marangoni convection in a cavity with a curved and deforming free surface. The two-dimensional incompressible continuity, momentum, and energy equations are solved on a staggered Cartesian grid. The free surface location is computed using the volume-of-fluid transport equation. Normal and tangential boundary conditions at the free surface are modeled using respectively a surface pressure and a continuum surface force technique. Computational predictions of thermocapillary flow in a shallow cavity are shown to be in good agreement with previously published asymptotic results. The new transient model is then used to study the influence of Marangoni number and Capillary number on thermocapillary flows in a cavity for different static contact angles. The flows are characterized by streamline and isotherm patterns. The influence of the dimensionless parameters on heat transfer rate at the cavity walls is exposed by examination of local Nusselt number profiles.
Hybrid composite scaffolds prepared by sol–gel method for bone regeneration

Abstract This study reports the synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite (HA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) hybrid composite materials synthesized by sol–gel method. The fabrication of scaffolds was performed by salt-leaching technique using NaCl as porogen agent. In the first step, the physico-chemical characterization of composite material was performed to evaluate the composition and the interaction between the organic/inorganic phases. In the second step, optimized scaffolds were bioactivated on the surface. The combined effect of scaffold morphology and surface bioactivity is ideal for bone tissue engineering, supporting bone cells adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Here, a combined strategy involving biomimetic approach, using a supersaturated Simulated Body Fluid (SBF), and salt-leaching technique has been developed to grow hydroxyapatite in composite scaffolds able to regenerate the natural bone.
Role of the gerP Operon in Germination and Outgrowth of Bacillus anthracis Spores

Germination of Bacillus anthracis spores occurs when nutrients such as amino acids or purine nucleosides stimulate specific germinant receptors located in the spore inner membrane. The gerPABCDEF operon has been suggested to play a role in facilitating the interaction between germinants and their receptors in spores of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus. B. anthracis mutants containing deletions in each of the six genes belonging to the orthologue of the gerPABCDEF operon, or deletion of the entire operon, were tested for their ability to germinate. Deletion of the entire gerP operon resulted in a significant delay in germination in response to nutrient germinants. These spores eventually germinated to levels equivalent to wild-type, suggesting that an additional entry point for nutrient germinants may exist. Deletions of each individual gene resulted in a similar phenotype, with the exception of ΔgerPF, which showed no obvious defect. The removal of two additional gerPF-like orthologues was necessary to achieve the germination defect observed for the other mutants. Upon physical removal of the spore coat, the mutant lacking the full gerP operon no longer exhibited a germination defect, suggesting that the GerP proteins play a role in spore coat permeability. Additionally, each of the gerP mutants exhibited a severe defect in calcium-dipicolinic acid (Ca-DPA)–dependent germination, suggesting a role for the GerP proteins in this process. Collectively, these data implicate all GerP proteins in the early stages of spore germination.
Change in Cochlear Response in an Animal Model of Otitis Media with Effusion

Our previous studies confirm that middle ear mobility is reduced in the presence of otitis media with effusion (OME). Variations in middle ear function may result in changes in cochlear response in OME ears. With the long-term goal of evaluating cochlear function in OME ears, the aim of this study was to measure the displacement of the basilar membrane (BM) in guinea pig ears with OME. Vibrations of the BM at the apex and basal turn were measured in an in vitro preparation extracted 3 and 14 days after injection of lipopolysaccharide in the middle ear of guinea pigs. The results show that the displacement sensitivity of the BM at the apex and the basal turn to sound pressure in the ear canal was reduced up to 25 dB at their characteristic frequencies, respectively. Cochlear gain with respect to umbo movement was also changed in ears with OME in both groups. This study provides data for analysis of the change of BM vibration in a guinea pig OME model.
Sleep and Metabolism: An Overview

Sleep and its disorders are increasingly becoming important in our sleep deprived society. Sleep is intricately connected to various hormonal and metabolic processes in the body and is important in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Research shows that sleep deprivation and sleep disorders may have profound metabolic and cardiovascular implications. Sleep deprivation, sleep disordered breathing, and circadian misalignment are believed to cause metabolic dysregulation through myriad pathways involving sympathetic overstimulation, hormonal imbalance, and subclinical inflammation. This paper reviews sleep and metabolism, and how sleep deprivation and sleep disorders may be altering human metabolism.
Removal of hydrogen sulfide from biogas on sludge-derived adsorbents

Abstract Desulfurization adsorbents were prepared from the mixtures of sewage sludge and metal sludge of various compositions and individual sludges by pyrolyses at 650, 800 and 950 °C. The resulting materials were used as adsorbents of hydrogen sulfide from simulated digester gas mixture. The adsorbents before and after H2S removal were characterized using adsorption of nitrogen, elemental analysis, pH measurements, and thermal analysis. The behavior of materials as desulfurization media does not depend strongly on the humidification pretreatment. The pyrolysis temperature and composition of the mixture play a role in the development of final properties of adsorbents. When the content of sewage sludge is high the strong synergetic effect is noticed after high temperature of pyrolysis. Such factors as development of mesoporosity and new catalytic phases formed as a result of solid-state reactions contribute to this behavior. The removal of hydrogen sulfide on the materials obtained is complex due to the competition between H2S and CO2 for adsorption centers and deactivation of those centers by CO2/H2CO3.