cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lignoceroyl‐CoASH ligase: enzyme defect in fatty acid β‐oxidation system in X‐linked childhood adrenoleukodystrophy

We have previously reported that the peroxisomal β-oxidation system for very long chain fatty acids is defective in X-linked childhood adrenoleukodystrophy [(1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 4203-4207]. In order to elucidate the specific enzyme defect, we examined the oxidation of [1-14C]lignoceric acid, [1-14C]lignoceroyl-CoA and (1-14C)-labelled α,β-unsaturated lignoceroyl-CoA (substrates for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd steps of the β-oxidation cycle, respectively). These studies suggest that the pathognomonic accumulation of very long chain fatty acids in X-linked childhood ALD may be due to the defective activity of peroxisomal very long chain (lignoceroyl-CoA) acyl-CoA ligase.
Action Learning and Research at George Washington University

Action learning has emerged as one of the most effective and powerful teaching and learning approaches used in graduate studies in human resource development at George Washington University (GWU). In this article, both faculty and student perspectives are presented to describe action learning teaching, research, and organizational interventions. First-hand experiences of doctoral students with action learning sets are presented in their own words. Students benefit from action learning experiences by building strong networks of personal and professional support. Improved group processes and greater interaction between executive level students and faculty have resulted in a strong doctoral cohort experience for Executive Leadership Program students at GWU. The initial energy to generate action learning programs in students' organizations requires active faculty involvement and follow-up to ensure that organizations accept and benefit from action learning programs. HRD (human resource development) faculty can profit from additional orientation and understanding of action learning to incorporate this methodology into their courses and problem-solving activities.
CEREBRAL BLOOD FLEW IN THE NEWBORN VARIABLES WHICH EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOPPLER ULTRASOUND AND 133-XENON CLEARANCE

We have previously reported correlations between 133-Xenon cerebral blood flow measures and two forms of Doppler ultrasound measure — continuous wave and range-gated — in studies of neonatal cerebral blood flow (Greisen, Johansen, Ellison et al). In the present study, the contributions of pCO2, heart rate (HR), gestational age (GA) and blood pressure (BP) to these correlations were analyzed. Using jackknife techniques (Mosteller and Tukey), we also examined the stability of prediction of 133-Xenon flow from the ultrasound measures.
A rat model of prolonged pulmonary infection due to nontypable Haemophilus influenzae.

Pulmonary colonization and infection with nontypable (unencapsulated) Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) occurs commonly in the setting of chronic lung diseases. Because the study of NTHI pulmonary infection in animal models has been limited by the rapid clearance of organisms, a model of persistent pulmonary infection was developed. Groups of rats were inoculated by transtracheal instillation of viable NTHI suspended in broth or semisolid agar. Some rats had received hexamethylphosphoramide (HMP) in drinking water before inoculation to cause respiratory epithelial mucosal damage. Groups of animals were sacrificed serially. Lungs were cultured quantitatively and their gross and microscopic anatomy examined. NTHI was recovered in small quantities from few broth-inoculated rats after the first day of infection and in none after Day 7. In contrast, NTHI was recovered from the majority of animals and in greater amounts through 2 wk after agar-borne inoculation. HMP pretreatment further enhanced recovery through 4 ...
Conflicting testimony: Judges' and attorneys' perceptions of gender bias in legal settings

Statewide samples of women judges (N = 40), men judges (N = 326), women attorneys (N = 414), men attorneys (N = 288) in Florida rated the extent to which judges and attorneys of both genders engage in different forms of biased behavior against women in legal settings. Women judges and attorneys are most aware of gender-biased behavior against women. Women judges differ, especially, from men judges in perceiving other judges as behaving unprofessionally toward women. Multiple regression results show that this “gender gap” in perceptions is partly a function of age. This study suggests that promotion of more women to judgeships and educational efforts aimed at the younger generation of men judges will be productive in reducing biased treatment of women in the legal system.
BMI vs. body composition and radiographically-defined osteoarthritis of the knee in women: a 4-year follow-up study

Summary Objective To elucidate the role of body mass index (BMI) and knee osteoarthritis (OAK) by evaluating measures of body composition including fat mass and skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Methods Data are from 541 women enrolled in the Michigan Bone Health Study, a longitudinal, population-based study. At visits in 1998 and 2002, radiographs were taken of both knees and were evaluated for the presence of OAK (≥2 on the Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) scale). Joint space width (JSW) was measured with electronic calipers. Fat mass and SMM were determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results In 2002, the prevalence of OAK was 11% in this population of women whose mean age was 47 years. Fat mass, lean mass, SMM, waist circumference and BMI were greater in women with OAK compared to those without OAK. In multiple variable analyses adjusted for age, fat mass and SMM explained OAK prevalence and increasing OAK severity better than models with BMI; further SMM explained more variation than did fat mass. SMM was positively associated with level of left and right medial JSW while there was no consistent association of JSW and BMI or fat mass. Conclusion Fat mass and SMM were associated with K–L OAK score and the amount of joint space, with more variation explained by SMM. SMM was highly associated with JSW. Therefore, though obesity, frequently characterized by BMI, is a frequently reported risk factor for OAK, this mis-attribution may mean that interventions that focus on weight loss as treatment for osteoarthritis should be aware that this may negatively impact muscle mass.
VGLUTs define subsets of excitatory neurons and suggest novel roles for glutamate

Exocytotic release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate depends on transport of this amino acid into synaptic vesicles. Recent work has identified a distinct family of proteins responsible for vesicular glutamate transport (VGLUTs) that show no sequence similarity to the other two families of vesicular neurotransmitter transporters. The distribution of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 accounts for the ability of most established excitatory neurons to release glutamate by exocytosis. Surprisingly, they show a striking complementary pattern of expression in adult brain that might reflect differences in membrane trafficking. By contrast, VGLUT3 is expressed by many cells traditionally considered to release a different classical transmitter, suggesting novel roles for glutamate as an extracellular signal. VGLUT3 also differs from VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 in its subcellular location, with somatodendritic as well as axonal expression.
LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION IN NORTH AMERICA AND THE NEW DIRECTION OF LINGUISTICS

The self-empowerment of indigenous populations speaking endangered languages continuously changes linguists' relationships with them. Some major influences on this relationship include the disappearance of indigenous languages, the perceived and real power of fluency in English, and the limited economic relevance of indigenous language knowledge. Even so, linguists may be able to contribute to successful language revitalization in respectful ways that appeal to indigenous communities by appropriately encouraging (1) the preservation of indigenous languages, (2) the promotion of literacy, (3) the development of new speakers, (4) the actual use of the indigenous language, and (5) community control of the language.
Gene expression in pre-term, pre-labour and parturient canine placenta.

Contents Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-A receptor (Flt-1) and KiSS-1 receptor (KiSS-1R) all play a role in trophoblast invasion in a number of mammalian species. However, mRNA expression of factors regulating trophoblast invasion has not been studied in dogs. Abnormal expression of these factors at the end of canine gestation may contribute to placental retention and/or subinvolution of placental sites. Therefore, we sought to determine the relative mRNA expression of these factors in canine chorioallantois tissue at 61 ± 1 day past the LH surge (pre-term; n = 4), following elective c-section at 64 ± 1 day past the LH surge prior to first-stage labour (pre-labour; n = 4) and following natural delivery (parturient; n = 3). Total RNA was isolated, real-time RT-PCR was performed, and relative expression was calculated using the relative quantitation () method. MMP-9 mRNA expression was significantly higher in pre-term samples compared to pre-labour and parturient samples. The results showed no significant difference between MMP-2, TIMP-2, VEGF-A and Flt-1 mRNA expression among the three groups. KiSS-1R mRNA was not expressed in any tissues studied. Gene expression of MMP-9 may be related to the onset of labour, whereas MMP-2, VEGF-A, Flt-1, TIMP-2 and KiSS-1R mRNA do not appear to play a role at the end of gestation in the dog.
Monitoring anti-angiogenic therapy in colorectal cancer murine model using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI- comparing pixel-by-pixel with region of interest analysis

Sorafenib is a multi-kinase inhibitor that blocks cell proliferation and angiogenesis. It is currently approved for advanced hepatocellular and renal cell carcinomas in humans, where its major mech...
Public Information Systems Management and Information Policy

The articles in this special volume showcase the latest research in public information systems management and information policy. “The Impacts of Information Technology on Public Administration: An...
A clinical comparison of syrup of ipecac and apomorphine use in adults

A prospective, randomized study was performed to compare syrup of ipecac to apomorphine as the emetic of choice in poisoning cases. Of the 28 adults studied, 15 patients (54%) received 30 ml of ipecac orally and 13 received 0.1 mg/kg apomorphine subcutaneously. Emesis was successfully induced with initial therapy in 13 of 15 (87%) ipecac-treated patients and 10 of 13 (77%) apomorphine-treated patients. In the ipecac group the mean latency period before onset of vomiting was 11.6 minutes (range 4 to 26 min) and in the apomorphine group, 5.3 minutes (range 2 to 13 min) (P
AN INTERFEROMETRIC INVESTIGATION OF OPEN-CAVITY NATURAL-CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER

Abstract An interferometric investigation has been conducted on open-cavity natural convection. The test section consists of three uniformly heated cavity plates and two partially heated outside walls. The cavity is gradually turned from sideways to upright at a constant Grashof number. For the side-facing aperture, Grashof number effects are also investigated in a limited range. At this zero inclination, boundary-layer-type flows are clearly formed. As the cavity inclination increases, substantial changes occur in local heat transfer. Gravity-drawn cold air acts as a promoter of heat transfer; however, at a large inclination, plume rise and cavity recirculation act as inhibitors. The overall average Nusselt number is less sensitive to the cavity orientation. It attains a maximum value at an inclination angle between 30° and 60°.
Preterm birth prevention: Where are we?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the current approaches to preventing preterm delivery. Study Design: The problem of preterm birth was assessed by reviewing the different components that play a role in preterm birth prevention, excluding infection, antibiotic treatment, and tocolytic treatment. Results: Prevention of preterm labor must initially discriminate those at risk. Positive predictive values of various approaches are currently not adequate enough to warrant intervention. Prevention modalities, in part because of poor prediction, are mostly unproved. Accurate diagnoses of preterm labor remains difficult and confuses analyses of tocolytic agents. Cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin, perhaps in combination with cervical evaluation, shows promise. Early detection programs remain controversial, but most reviews indicate that daily patient contact with high-risk patients gives cause for some optimism. Antenatal maternal glucocorticoid treatment at specific gestational ages improves neonatal outcome. Conclusion: The incidence of preterm birth is rising in the country. However, improved definition of the various components of the problem has provided an improved understanding of the problem. There is a new continuing effort and a search for new and innovative ways to address this vexing national problem.
Time gating improves sensitivity in energy transfer assays with terbium chelate/dark quencher oligonucleotide probes.

Lanthanides are attractive as biolabels because their long luminescence decay rates allow time-gated detection, which separates background scattering and fluorescence from the lanthanide emission. A stable and highly luminescent terbium complex based on a tetraisophthalamide (TIAM) chelate is paired with a polyaromatic-azo dark quencher (referred to as a Black Hole Quencher or BHQ) to prepare a series of 5‘TIAM(Tb)/3‘BHQ dual-labeled oligonucleotide probes with no secondary structure. Luminescence quenching efficiency within terbium/BHQ probes is very dependent on the terbium−BHQ distance. In an intact probe, the average terbium−BHQ distance is short, and Tb → BHQ energy transfer is efficient, decreasing both the terbium emission intensity and lifetime. Upon hybridization or nuclease digestion, which spatially separate the Tb and BHQ moieties, the Tb luminescence intensity and lifetime increase. As a result, time-gated detection increases the emission intensity ratio of the unquenched probe/quenched probe...
Direct plate isolation method for Cryptococcus neoformans from the soil.

An in vitro technique was developed for the isolation ofCryptococcus sp. from soil. Cycloheximide was sused to suppress the growth of many of the saprophytic fungi, includingCryptococcus sp. cells. These cells are then selectively recovered by neutralizing the effect of the cycloheximide, using a hydrolysis product of protein (usually peptone) to adsorb the antibiotic off the walls, allowing the cells to grow.
Biomaterials-based microfluidics for engineered tissue constructs

The utility of microfluidics in biotechnology has dramatically increased in recent years as these systems have expanded to supplement efforts in lab-on-a-chip technology. The driving force for the widespread implementation of these systems for biological discovery is based on (1) miniaturization to increase sensitivity and reduce the scale of experimentation and (2) the ability to design high throughput systems. These two advantages have also motivated the integration of biomaterials with microfluidic structures and cell culture techniques. Micron scale systems enable precise control over cellular microenvironment while high throughput strategies are able to rapidly screen complex interactions such as cell–biomaterial responses. This review presents recent progress in the integration of biomaterials microfabrication and microfluidics-based cell culture systems towards tissue development. Materials considerations are of great importance in order to develop microfluidic biomaterials that are mechanically robust, compatible with established fabrication techniques, and able to accommodate the integration of viable cell populations. The use of biopolymers for these systems requires materials-specific microfabrication techniques for applications in microfluidic biomaterials. Pertinent examples that integrate aspects of biomaterials, microfabrication techniques, and cell culture for in vitro tissue morphogenesis are also discussed. These include systems designed to study basic mechanisms of tissue development, potential clinically relevant tissue engineered constructs, and in vitro model tissue systems for drug discovery and safety evaluation. The confluence of biomaterials-based microfluidics and controlled cellular integration portends the realization of far-reaching applications that span the spectrum between basic science and technologies for advancing human health.
Phase Transformations in Steels: Processing, Microstructure, and Performance

In this study, contemporary steel research is revealing new processing avenues to tailor microstructure and properties that, until recently, were only imaginable. Much of the technological versatility facilitating this development is provided by the understanding and utilization of the complex phase transformation sequences available in ferrous alloys. Today we have the opportunity to explore the diverse phenomena displayed by steels with specialized analytical and experimental tools. Advances in multi-scale characterization techniques provide a fresh perspective into microstructural relationships at the macro- and micro-scale, enabling a fundamental understanding of the role of phase transformations during processing and subsequent deformation.
Surgery for a post-chemotherapy residual mass in seminoma.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We attempted to select patients for surgery of post-chemotherapy residual mass in advanced seminoma.Materials and Methods: A total of 55 patients with advanced seminoma underwent surgical exploration of a mass seen on computerized tomography (CT) after chemotherapy. Residual masses were defined radiographically as smaller or larger than 3 cm. and as well defined or poorly defined. Surgery consisted of complete resection of the mass and surrounding lymph nodes or multiple biopsies at sites of disease.Results: Of the 55 patients 32 (58%) had masses resected and 23 (42%) underwent multiple biopsies. Of 27 patients with a post-chemotherapy 3 cm. or larger mass on CT 8 (30%) had residual tumor (seminoma in 6 and teratoma in 2), whereas necrotic tissue was found in the other 28 patients having a mass smaller than 3 cm. Well defined masses on CT were resected in 78% of patients and poorly defined masses could be resected in only 44%. Of the 8 patients with positive histology 6 remain alive and d...
Effect of Upstream Conditions on the Outer Flow of Turbulent Boundary Layers

It will be shown that the boundary layer develops differently depending on the upstream conditions (e.g., the wind-tunnel speed, size of tripping wire, or recent history). Also, it will be demonstrated that almost all of the Reynolds-number dependence observed in the outer velocity deficit profiles is caused primarily by changes in the upstream conditions and not to the local Reynolds number. The empirical velocity scale of Zagarola and Smits is derived here for boundary layers with and without pressure gradient using similarity principles. This scaling is successful in removing the effect of upstream conditions and the residual dependence on the local Reynolds number from the mean velocity deficit. Even more interesting, it produces only three profiles in turbulent boundary layers, regardless of the strength of the pressure gradient: one for adverse pressure gradient, one for favorable pressure gradient, and one for zero pressure gradient
Photoeffects in Intermetallic Compounds

The intermetallic semiconductors are classified with respect to their crystal structure and to the place of the component elements in the periodic system. A survey is given of the properties of compounds with the zincblende and fluorite lattice. Photoeffects of individual members of these two groups are discussed. Such phenomena include photoconduction, photovoltage, and the photoelectro-magnetic effect.
Periostin promotes ovarian cancer angiogenesis and metastasis

Abstract Objective Perostin (PN) has been found to be overexpressed in a variety of human malignancies including ovarian cancer. In the present study, we investigated PN expression status in a large cohort of ovarian tumors with the focus on biological influence of PN related on ovarian tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Methods PN expression was determined by cDNA microarray, PN northern blot and PN IHC tissue array analyses. Exogenous PN expression in ovarian cancer cells OVCAR-3 and OV2008 were achieved through retroviral transfection and confirmed by PN western blot and ELISA. The effects of exogenous PN expression on tumor angiogenesis and metastatic growth were accessed in orthotopic mouse models. The in vitro cell adhesion, migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the potential mechanisms involved in PN's in vivo effects. Results PN was frequently overexpressed in ovarian tumors. Higher PN levels significantly correlated with clinical late stages (III/IV) and cancer recurrence. PN was produced by engineered PN-overexpressing cells at levels comparable to that of A2780 cells, an ovarian carcinoma cell line with endogenous PN expression. PN overexpression did not change cell growth rates in vitro ; however it significantly promoted intraperitoneal tumor metastatic growth in immunodeficient mice, which was associated with increased tumor angiogenesis and decreased tumor cell apoptosis. In vitro purified PN promoted cell adhesion, migration, and invasion of both human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) and/or ovarian cancer cells. Conclusions Our data indicate PN plays a critical role in both ovarian tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Thus PN may represent a clinically effective new target for therapy of ovarian cancer.
Buckling of Woven Fabrics: Part III: Experimental Validation of Theoretical Models

The buckling behavior of fabrics initially lying on a horizontal surface has been studied in a three-part series. Parts I and II developed theoretical models that included the effects of fabric weight and nonlinear stiffness properties, respectively. Part III is an experimental study designed to validate the theoretical models. A special apparatus was developed to measure the load-deflection curves of a fabric in buckling. Two materials, a plain weave fabric and a cellulose film, were selected to study the effect of fabric weight and nonlinear bending stiffness on the buckling behavior. The ex perimental results compared favorably with the theoretical predictions. The model that included the fabric weight and realistic nonlinear bending stiffness most accurately represented the actual load-deflection behavior. The model and the experimental results showed that the force to initiate buckling increased dramatically as the weight factor or the nonlinearity of the bending stiffness increased.
Smart video surveillance for airborne platforms

This paper describes real-time computer vision algorithms for detection, identification, and tracking of moving targets in video streams generated by a moving airborne platform. Moving platforms cause instabilities in image acquisition due to factors such as disturbances and the ego-motion of the camera that distorts the actual motion of the moving targets. When the camera is mounted on a moving observer, the entire scene (background and targets) appears to be moving and the actual motion of the targets must be separated from the background motion. The motion of the airborne platform is modeled as affine transformation and its parameters are estimated using corresponding feature sets in consecutive images. After motion is compensated, the platform is considered as stationary and moving targets are detected accordingly. A number of tracking algorithms including particle filters, mean-shift, and connected component were implemented and compared. A cascaded boosted classifier with Haar wavelet feature extraction for moving target classification was developed and integrated with the recognition system that uses joint-feature spatial distribution. The integrated smart video surveillance system has been successfully tested using the Vivid Datasets provided by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The experimental results show that system can operate in real time and successfully detect, track, and identify multiple targets in the presence of partial occlusion.
Going With the Flow or Swimming Against the Tide Should Children With Central Venous Catheters Swim

Children who require long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) have central venous catheters (CVCs) in place to allow the safe and effective infusion of life-sustaining fluids and nutrition. Many consider recreational swimming to be a common part of childhood, but for some, the risk may outweigh the benefit. Children with CVCs may be at increased risk of exit site, tunnel, and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) if these catheters are immersed in water. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current literature regarding the risk of infection for patients with CVCs who swim and determine if there is consensus among home PN (HPN) programs on this controversial issue. A total 45 articles were reviewed and 16 pediatric HPN programs were surveyed regarding swimming and CVCs. Due to the limited data available, a firm recommendation cannot be made. Recreational water associated outbreaks are well documented in the general public, as is the presence of human pathogens even in chlorinated swimming pools. As a medical team, practitioners can provide information and education regarding the potential risk, but ultimately the decision lies with the parents. If the parents decide swimming is worth the risk, they are encouraged to use products designed for this use and to change their child's dressing immediately after swimming. Due to our experience with a fatal event immediately after swimming, we continue to strongly discourage patients with CVCs from swimming. Further large and well-designed studies regarding the risk of swimming with a CVC are needed to make a strong, evidence-based recommendation.
A Pilot Retrospective Study of the Relationship Between Estrogen Use and Pancreatitis/Pancreatic Function in Women with Chronic Abdominal Pain

Context Estrogens are thought to cause pancreatitis by raising triglyceride levels but whether there are other effects on the pancreas is debatable. Objective To better elucidate the relationship between estrogens and pancreatitis and pancreatic function in a pilot study. Design/setting/patients Our retrospectively collected database of 224 patients who had undergone secretin stimulation testing was queried for females with available medication histories, who were then divided into two groups: those taking estrogens (E) and those not on estrogens (N). Mann Whitney U and Fisher’s exact tests were used. Results Seventy of the patients in the database were females with available medication histories. Thirty-five (50.0%) were taking estrogens. Twenty-nine (82.9%) of the E patients experienced any type of pancreatitis (i.e., acute pancreatitis, acute relapsing pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis) while only 19 (54.3%) of the N patients did (P=0.019). During secretin stimulation testing, the peak bicarbonate levels for E and N patients were 80±18 and 90±23 mEq/L, respectively (P=0.058). When patients with any type of pancreatitis were excluded, E patients still displayed decreased peak bicarbonate levels in response to secretin (90±18 vs . 104±19 mEq/L; P=0.021). Weight, age, triglyceride levels, frequency of patients with cholecystectomy and biliary stones did not significantly differ between the two groups (E and N respectively). Conclusions These pilot data suggest exogenous estrogens may be related to the development of acute pancreatitis and acute relapsing pancreatitis, and probably to a lesser degree chronic pancreatitis, perhaps through a triglyceride independent mechanism. During secretin stimulation testing, peak bicarbonate production may be diminished in women on estrogens (even in those who have never had pancreatitis). Further study is necessary to better define the relationship between estrogen use, pancreatitis, and pancreatic function. Image: Pancreatic function by peak bicarbonate.
Tempered Fractional Stable Motion

Tempered fractional stable motion adds an exponential tempering to the power-law kernel in a linear fractional stable motion, or a shift to the power-law filter in a harmonizable fractional stable motion. Increments from a stationary time series that can exhibit semi-long-range dependence. This paper develops the basic theory of tempered fractional stable processes, including dependence structure, sample path behavior, local times, and local nondeterminism.
Breast and cervical cancer screening for women with mental illness: patient and provider perspectives on improving linkages between primary care and mental health

Objective: Previous research suggests that women with mental illness may be at increased risk for breast and cervical cancer. This qualitative study of patients and primary care and mental health providers explored challenges to accessing and providing breast and cervical cancer screening for women with mental illness. Method: Key informant patient and provider participants were recruited from a community health setting and teaching hospital. Narrative data from 1) interviews with women in a community primary care setting (n = 16); 2) telephone interviews with women with mental illness (n = 16); and 3) focus groups with primary care providers (n = 9) and mental health providers (n = 26) were collected. Results: Patient, provider, and system factors that may contribute to suboptimal cancer screening among women with mental illness were identified. Communication between primary care and mental health providers was noted as a key area for intervention to enhance screening. Barriers to and possibilities for a more proactive role for mental health providers were also considered. Conclusions: Both patient and provider study participants emphasized the need to address communication gaps between primary care and mental health providers and to promote the active collaboration of mental health providers in preventive cancer screening for women with mental illness.
Flight performance of the largest volant bird

Pelagornithidae is an extinct clade of birds characterized by bizarre tooth-like bony projections of the jaws. Here, the flight capabilities of pelagornithids are explored based on data from a species with the largest reported wingspan among birds. Pelagornis sandersi sp. nov. is represented by a skull and substantial postcranial material. Conservative wingspan estimates (∼6.4 m) exceed theoretical maximums based on extant soaring birds. Modeled flight properties indicate that lift:drag ratios and glide ratios for P. sandersi were near the upper limit observed in extant birds and suggest that pelagornithids were highly efficient gliders, exploiting a long-range soaring ecology.
Algorithms for Smart Spaces

To many people, home is a sanctuary. For those people who need special medical care, they may need to be pulled out of their homes to meet their medical needs. As the population ages, the percentage of people in this group is increasing and the effects are expensive as well as unsatisfying. We hypothesize that many people with disabilities can lead independent lives in their own homes with the aid of at-home automated assistance and health monitoring. In order to accomplish this, robust methods must be developed to collect relevant data and process them dynamically and adaptively to detect and/or predict threatening long-term trends or immediate crises. The main objective of this chapter is to describe techniques for using agent-based smart home technologies to provide this at-home health monitoring and assistance. Inhabitant modeling and automation algorithms that are found in smart environments can also provide remote health monitoring for caregivers. Specifically, we address the following technological challenges: (1) identifying lifestyle trends, (2) detecting anomalies in current data, and (3) designing a reminder assistance system. We discuss one such smart environment implementation in the MavHome project and present results from testing these techniques in simulation and with volunteers in an apartment setting.
The Assessment of the Older Adult with a Physical Disability: A Guide for Clinicians

As the population of older adults increases, so does the number of people aging with a disability. It is more important than ever that clinicians caring for these individuals ask appropriate questions and focus on key areas of the physical examination that are pertinent to the care of this population. This article is meant to provide clinicians with a framework for evaluating the older adult aging with a physical disability in a clinic or hospital setting.
Electron Heating in Magnetohydrodynamic Power Generators

Electron heating arising from the induced electric field is theoretically analyzed in three different idealized directcurrent MHD generator geometries. It is shown that the electron temperature can be considerably higher than the initial stagnation temperature of the gas. For conditions of electron heating, the current, electrical conductivity, and power density are calcuiated in a mixture of argon and 1% potassium in a segmented-electrode geometry. The calculated electrical conductivities and power densities are higher by one to two orders of magnitude than those achieved in MHD generators using combustion gases, but at a much lower temperature. These results indicate a possible method of solving two of the major problems of MHD power generation, viz., electrical conductivity and gas temperature. (auth)
Overriding follicle selection in controlled ovarian stimulation protocols: Quality vs quantity

Selection of the species-specific number of follicles that will develop and ovulate during the ovarian cycle can be overridden by increasing the levels of pituitary gonadotropin hormones, FSH and LH. During controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in nonhuman primates for assisted reproductive technology (ART) protocols, the method of choice (but not the only method) has been the administration of exogenous gonadotropins, either of nonprimate or primate origin. Due to species-specificity of the primate LH (but not FSH) receptor, COS with nonprimate (e.g., PMSG) hormones can be attributed to their FSH activity. Elevated levels of FSH alone will produce large antral follicles containing oocytes capable of fertilization in vitro (IVF). However, there is evidence that LH, probably in lesser amounts, increases the rate of follicular development, reduces heterogeneity of the antral follicle pool, and improves the viability and rate of pre-implantation development of IVF-produced embryos. Since an endogenous LH surge typically does not occur during COS cycles (especially when a GnRH antagonist is added), a large dose of an LH-like hormone (i.e., hCG) may be given to reinitiate meiosis and produce fertilizable oocytes. Alternate approaches using exogenous LH (or FSH), or GnRH agonist to induce an endogenous LH surge, have received lesser attention. Current protocols will routinely yield dozens of large follicles with fertilizable eggs. However, limitations include non/poor-responding animals, heterogeneity of follicles (and presumably oocytes) and subsequent short luteal phases (limiting embryo transfer in COS cycles). However, the most serious limitation to further improvements and expanded use of COS protocols for ART is the lack of availability of nonhuman primate gonadotropins. Human, and even more so, nonprimate gonadotropins are antigenic in monkeys, which limits the number of COS cycles to as few as 1 (PMSG) or 3 (recombinant hCG) protocols in macaques. Production and access to sufficient supplies of nonhuman primate FSH, LH and CG would overcome this major hurdle.
Use of Buccal Swabs for Sampling DNA from Nestling and Adult Birds

We evaluated the feasibility and efficiency of using swabs to collect buccal epithelial cells from small (2- to 13-g) birds as a source of DNA for genetic studies. We used commercially available buccal swab kits to collect samples from 42 adult and 39 nestling (4- to 8-day-old) black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and from 6 4-day-old nestling boreal chickadees (P. hudsonica). We compared DNA from buccal epithelial samples to that from blood samples from the same individuals. We extracted sufficient quantities of DNA for analysis from all buccal samples, and samples remained viable even after being stored in original plastic sampling tubes at room temperature for up to 18 months. Yields were equivalent whether extracted using the proprietary quick-extraction solution provided with buccal swab kits or using a salt-extraction process with inexpensive reagents. Yields of DNA from buccal samples were consistently lower than those from blood samples, but quantities were sufficient for all analyses. Assignment of sex, based on DNA extracted from paired buccal and blood samples, was identical for all 87 birds. We found no difference in the genotypes obtained from buccal and blood samples for 12 individuals tested using 5 microsatellite loci and found perfect concordance in sequencing of an 823-base-pair segment within the control region of mitochondrial DNA for 7 individuals tested. Use of buccal swabs is highly recommended as a rapid, noninvasive technique for sampling avian genomic DNA, especially for extremely young altricial nestlings or small-bodied adults, or for any birds for which blood sampling may be impossible or stressful.
Shrub regrowth, antiherbivore defenses, and nutritional value following fire

Abstract Prescribed fire is a commonly used as a follow-up procedure to mechanical top growth removal methods such as mowing and roller chopping, but the effects of fire on spinescence and tannin content of shrub sprouts produced after mechanical top growth removal are unknown. Following mowing, (1) height, spinescence, and tannin content in sprouts produced after burning; (2) nutrient and fiber contents in sprouts of the 3 study species; and (3) utilization of sprouts of each species in burned and unburned plots were determined in each of blackbrush acacia (Acacia rigidula Benth.), honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.), and spiny hackberry (Celtis pallida Torr.). Averaged across sampling periods, burned blackbrush acacia and honey mesquite had 54% and 94%, respectively, shorter thorns than unburned plants. Burned and unburned spiny hackberry plants had similar thorn lengths. Averaged across species, sprouts of burned plants had similar tannin levels as unburned plants 6 and 12 weeks after burning. S...
The Significance of Deviations in Human Sperm Morphology

If the premise is accepted that the spermatozoa released from the germinal epithelium do not, in the light microscope at least, undergo marked changes in head-structure in their subsequent passage through the duct system to the ejaculate; and if it is further assumed that, under physiological conditions, the germ cells are not absorbed in numbers by the ductal epithelium, then the cellular components of the ejaculate can be accepted, qualitatively and quantitatively, as truly representing the output of the germinal epithelium. It is certain that the spermatozoa in all species studied do undergo further maturation in the epididymis and possibly in the ductus deferens. The size, shape and internal structure of the acrosome are modified (1,2) as is the organization of the mitochon dria of the middle piece (3). In confirming earlier work that the capacity for motility increases as the spermatozoa pass through the epididymis, Blandau (4) and Gaddum (5) have shown in the rabbit that this potentiation of motility is produced partly by an alteration in the head-tail relationship of the cell. Undoubtedly chemical changes in the cells occur in the epididymal transit which, in turn, may induce changes in their metabolic properties and an increasing capacity for the ultimate utilization of substrates.
An experimental study of Froude number effect on wind-tunnel saltation

The simulation of the natural process of saltation in a wind tunnel is considered. The pioneering interactive boundary-layer analysis of Owen and Gillette [11] concluded that an independence Froude number criterion did apply to the problem and they estimate, based on wind-tunnel Froude number data ranging from 35 to 80, an independence Froude number value of about 20 for saltating flows to be free of facility constraints imposed on the saltation. The present experimental flows had Froude numbers ranging from about 6 to 1000. Analysis of friction speed variation as a function of downstream position suggests a more conservative critical Froude number value of 10 be used. Also, there appears to be an additional requirement, for most of our data, that tunnel’s downstream length-to-heigt ratio be greater than 5. Therefore, a maximum Froude number of 10 and minimum tunnel length-to-height ratio of 5 is suggested to insure accurate saltation tunnel simulation.
Pico-Force Optical Exchange (pico-FOX): Utilizing Optical Forces Applied to an Orthogonal Electroosmotic Flow for Particulate Enrichment from Mixed Sample Streams

Results are reported from a combined optical force and electrokinetic microfluidic device that separates individual particulates from molecular components in a mixed sample stream. A pico-Newton optical force was applied to an orthogonal electroosmotic flow carrying a hydrodynamically pinched, mixed sample, resulting in the separation of the various particles from the sample stream. Different combinations of polystyrene, PMMA, and silica particles with a commercially available dye were utilized to test the different separation modes available, from purely optical force to combined optical and electrophoretic forces. The impact of various particle properties on particle separation and separation efficiency were explored, including size (2, 6, 10 μm), refractive index, and electrophoretic mobility. Particle addressability was achieved by moving particles to different outlets on the basis of particle size, refractive index, and electrophoretic differences. Separations of 6 and 10 μm polystyrene particles led...
Role of vitamin A in induction of vitamin K deficiency in the rat.

SummaryEvidence is presented to indicate that the level of dietary Vit. A is closely related to development of symptoms of Vit. K deficiency in the rat. Under appropriate experimental conditions, 0.5 and 5 i.u. of Vit. A per gram of diet gave reduced prothrombin concentrations which were not observed on corresponding rations deficient in Vit. A. This extends the previously known hemorrhagenic toxicity of Vit. A to physiological levels and emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the level of Vit. A in studies of Vit. K deficiency in the rat. The effect of Vit. A was more severe in male than in female rats. In further studies with male rats, Vit. A acid was markedly more hemorrhagenic than Vit. A acetate.
Synthesis and Mechanical Properties of Nano-Scale NiAl and NiAl/Al2O3 Composites

This work reports on the synthesis, characterization and preliminary mechanical properties of nanocrystalline NiAl/Al2O3 composite materials. Nano-scale crystallites of NiAl were formed by high energy milling of pre-alloyed powder with and without Al2O3 under an Ar atmosphere. Consolidation of the nano-scale powders was done by sinter-forging at < 0.4 Tm in air. Characterization of the powders and consolidated microstructures and hardness data are reported.
Flow field visualization and drag analysis of particles in a gas-solid fluidized bed

In this work particle flow behaviors inside a gas-solid fluidized bed were documented. Spherical and non-spherical particles measuring 1 mm and 0.85-1.18 mm, respectively, were used as test particles. Flow structure, particles size, particle velocity were measured with shadowgraphy a non-intrusive technology. Also presented in this work is a drag model for non-spherical particles expressed in terms of particle sphericity and Reynolds number. The drag model presented here is applicable to a range between 0.48 to 0.68.
Beyond Body Cameras: Defending a Robust Right to Record the Police

This symposium essay articulates and defends a robust First Amendment right to record the police, up to the point that the act of filming presents a concrete, physical impediment to a police officer or to public safety. To the extent that courts have identified the constitutional values behind the right to record, they have for the most part relied on the idea that filming the police promotes public discourse by facilitating the free discussion of governmental affairs. Like limiting the gathering of news, limiting the filming of the police constricts the information in the public sphere from which the public can draw and debate. I contend that this account of the constitutional values behind the right to record is correct but incomplete, for it sets aside the ways in which the act of recording an officer in the open is a form of expression in the moment, a gesture of resistance to the power of the police over the community. In order to flesh out this function of civilian recording as resistance, this essay contrasts civilian filming of the police with the use of police-worn body cameras: while both forms of film are useful to deter misconduct and document police activity, only civilian filming allows civilians to express ownership over their streets and neighborhoods. Ultimately, I argue that a jurisprudence of the right to record should account for both the benefits to public discourse and the in-the-moment communication to officers that can be found when civilians record the police.
Measurement of Noncondensible Distribution in Two-Phase Flow Experiments Using Ultraviolet Attenuation Techniques

In this paper a nonintrusive technique for measuring the distribution of noncondensible gases in two-phase flow experiments, using ultraviolet attenuation, has been developed. The technique consists of detecting the attenuation of ultraviolet light by a highly absorbing tracer gas which is mixed with the noncondensibles (air) and injected into the experimental system. The experiments conducted using this technique show very promising results when used in the high quality regions of the system. At low qualities, scattering of light becomes significant.
Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT)

Elderly trauma patients are at particularly high risk for acute kidney injury because of injury-related hypotension and hypovolemia superimposed on decreased physiologic reserve. Aggressive fluid resuscitation should be balanced with other conditions which may limit how much volume an individual patient can tolerate. The initiation and withdrawal of renal replacement therapy in this population can be controversial. Guidelines exist to support decision making and resolving ethical conflicts related to renal support and palliative care.
From death as necessity to death as choice

Summary There is a growing public perception that death should be a matter of personal choice in respect to timing and means employed, as opposed to death as a necessary component of being a mortal creature. This perception is partly in response to the success of medical treatments that prolong life (or delay death). This perception is also partly a consequence of the late modern project of asserting greater human control over nature and human nature, a goal exacerbated by transhuman rhetoric regarding human enhancement and extended longevity (e.g., the goal of some transhumanists is to achieve virtual immortality by uploading one's consciousness into a computer and then downloading into robotic or AI hosts so that death would always be a matter of choice). This article assesses selected implications of this public perception that death should be a matter of choice rather than necessity by focusing on changing public expectations of medical care, and how responding to these expectations may be altering, for both good and ill, medical practice.