cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Free-breathing cardiac MR stress perfusion with real-time slice tracking.

Purpose To develop a free-breathing cardiac MR perfusion sequence with slice tracking for use after physical exercise. Methods We propose to use a leading navigator, placed immediately before each 2D slice acquisition, for tracking the respiratory motion and updating the slice location in real-time. The proposed sequence was used to acquire CMR perfusion datasets in 12 healthy adult subjects and 8 patients. Images were compared with the conventional perfusion (i.e., without slice tracking) results from the same subjects. The location and geometry of the myocardium were quantitatively analyzed, and the perfusion signal curves were calculated from both sequences to show the efficacy of the proposed sequence. Results The proposed sequence was significantly better compared with the conventional perfusion sequence in terms of qualitative image scores. Changes in the myocardial location and geometry decreased by 50% in the slice tracking sequence. Furthermore, the proposed sequence had signal curves that are smoother and less noisy. Conclusion The proposed sequence significantly reduces the effect of the respiratory motion on the image acquisition in both rest and stress perfusion scans. Magn Reson Med 72:689–698, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Feasibility of Nuclear Pumping of Gas Lasers

Nuclear technology interacts with laser technology in two ways. Lasers may be used for generation of nuclear energy in connection with laser triggered thermonuclear fusion reactions or nuclear energy may be used to excite lasers. This paper is concerned with the latter possibility. The ultimate goal is to directly convert fission energy, the largest part of which is the kinetic energy of charged particles (fission fragments), into laser light. Historically this idea is almost as old as the laser itself. Papers dealing with this subject began to appear around 1961. A review of this earlier work is given in [1].
Who's “That Girl”: British, South African, and American Women as Africanist Archaeologists in Colonial Africa (1860s–1960s)

This paper reviews the accomplishments of British, South African, and American women Africanist archaeologists who worked between the 1860s and the 1960s. Despite their many significant contributions to African archaeological method and theory, especially those exposing the importance of indigenous populations to their own cultural development, the work of these women tends to be either appropriated or ignored by their contemporaries and by present day archaeologists. A postcolonial feminist analysis draws on the colonial context in which African archaeology developed and the continued Western domination of the discipline to provide a background for understanding how and why these women are omitted from historiographies of African archaeology.
Towards a rigorous definition of information system survivability

The computer systems that provide the information underpinnings for critical infrastructure applications, both military and civilian, are essential to the operation of those applications. Failure of the information systems can cause a major loss of service, and so their dependability is a major concern. Current facets of dependability, such as reliability and availability, do not address the needs of critical information systems adequately because they do not include the notion of degraded service as an explicit requirement. What is needed is a precise notion of what forms of degraded service are acceptable to users, under what circumstances each form is most useful, and the fraction of time such degraded service levels are acceptable. This concept is termed survivability. In this paper, we present the basis for a rigorous definition of survivability and an example of its use.
Childbearing motivations, desires, and intentions: A theoretical framework.

After briefly reviewing different approaches in the social and behavioral sciences to conceptualize the reasons that humans become motivated to bear children, I present a theoretical framework that incorporates many elements of these approaches. The framework is based on a four-step psychological sequence: the formation of traits, the activation of traits into desires, the translation of desires into intentions, and the implementation of intentions in the form of behavior. I use data from 401 married couples to develop regression models of the two middle steps of this sequence that indicate how childbearing motivational traits lead to childbearing desires and how the latter lead to childbearing intentions. I also develop a regression model that indicates how childbearing motivation affects an individual's perception of his or her spouse's childbearing desires.
Minority mothers' healthcare beliefs, commonly used alternative healthcare practices, and potential complications for infants and children.

AbstractPurposeComplementary and alternative healthcare practices have increased substantially in the United States especially with low-income ethnic minority mothers. These mothers often have provider mistrust, language barriers, differing health belief systems, and as a result are less likely to s
Influence of pH on plutonium desorption/solubilization from sediment.

Aqueous Pu concentrations and oxidation state transformations as a function of pH were quantified and compared between sorption/desorption studies and literature solubility values. When Pu(V) was added to a red subsurface sandy-clay-loam sediment collected near Aiken, South Carolina, 99% of the Pu sorbed to the sediment within 48 h. Throughout the study, > or = 94% of the Puaq remained as Pu(V), whereas 2 orders-of-magnitude when the contact time was increased from 1- to 33-days, presumably the result of Pu(V) reduction to Pu(IV). The desorption studies were conducted with a sediment that had been in contact with Pu (originally as PuIV(NO3)4) for 24 years. At near neutral pH, a decrease of 1-pH unit resulted in almost an order-of-magnitude increase in the concentration of Puaq (7.5 x 10(-10) M at pH 7 and 3.6 x 10(-9) M at pH 6). Similar to the sorption experiment, > or = 96% of the Puaq was Pu(V/VI). The Puaq concentrations from the desorption experiment were similar to those of the Pu(V) amended sorption studies that were permitted to equilibrate for 33 days, suggesting that the latter had reached steady state. The Puaq concentrations as a function of pH followed near identical trends with literature solubility values for PuO2(am), except that the desorption values were lower by a fixed amount, suggesting either Pu sorption was occurring in this sediment system or that a more crystalline, less soluble form of Pu existed in the sediment than in the literature water-PuO2(am) system. Based on Pu sorption experiments and measured sediment surface charge properties as a function of pH, the latter explanation appears more likely. pH had a more pronounced effect on solubility and Puaq concentrations than on sediment charge density (or Puaq oxidation state distribution). Slight changes in system pH can have a large impact on Pu solubility and the tendency of Pu to sorb to sediment, thereby influencing Pu subsurface mobility.
Effects of temperature on activity, food consumption rates, and gut passage times of seaweed-eating Tegula species (Trochidae) from California

Previous feeding studies on herbivorous marine snails rarely have focused on temperature effects on food intake. If temperature affects food intake, ectothermic snails may experience difficulty obtaining sufficient nutritional resources, limiting their ability to sustain populations at suboptimal temperatures. We hypothesized that the feeding responses of Tegula species would correspond with temperatures characteristic of their geographic distributions. We determined activity, consumption rates, and gut passage times at 11°C, 15°C, 19°C, and 23°C for three Tegula species with distinct thermal distributions: T. brunnea (cold water), T. aureotincta (warm water), and individuals from warm- and cold-water populations of T. funebralis, a broadly distributed species. Activity and consumption rates of T. aureotincta increased with increasing temperature, but were highest for T. brunnea at 19°C, a temperature rarely achieved in habitats occupied by this species, and lowest at 11°C. Warm-water T. funebralis showed significantly lower activity and consumption rates at 11°C, whereas cold-water T. funebralis consumed food fastest at 15°C and were most active at 23°C. Temperature affected gut passage time only in T. aureotincta. These data suggest that temperature might influence the northern limit of T. aureotincta by affecting activity and food consumption rates. T. brunnea’s activity and ability to consume food were not hindered by warmer temperatures despite the present day restriction of this species to colder waters. Also, widely separated (>300 km) T. funebralis populations may be adapted to regional conditions based on the different temperature responses of northern and southern snails.
Reduction of Blood Loss From Diagnostic Sampling in Critically III Patients Using a Blood-Conserving Arterial Line System

Study objective To demonstrate the utility of a new blood-conserving arterial line system in reducing blood loss associated with blood drawing in the critical care setting. Design Prospective, randomized, crossover comparison between two arterial line systems. Setting Medical intensive care unit (ICU); tertiary care teaching institution. Patients Thirty-one patients who required invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring throughout their ICU course. Interventions For ICU days 1 to 2, patients were randomized to receive either a conventional arterial line system or a new blood-conserving arterial line system. On ICU days 3 to 7, patients with a conventional arterial line were crossed over to the blood-conserving arterial line, and vice versa. Laboratory blood volumes, mixed discard volumes, and blood discard volumes were then recorded to document how much blood loss is associated with each aspect of the blood sampling process. Results The mean total volume of blood sent to the laboratory for testing was 257.4 ml. As a result of "clearing the line" over the 7-day period, patients with the conventional arterial line system lost a mean volume of 340.2 ml of blood mixed with heparinized saline solution more than patients with the blood-conserving arterial line. In terms of the blood component of the blood-heparinized saline solution mixture, use of the conventional arterial line was associated with an average of 156.8 ml more blood discarded than with the blood-conserving arterial line. Conclusion The new blood-conserving arterial line system provides a simple and effective method for reducing blood loss related to diagnostic sampling in the critical care setting.
Analytical models for the internal oxidation of a binary alloy that forms oxide precipitates of high stability

Abstract Since the experimental work of Smith on internal oxidation many attempts have been made to quantify the observations. This paper outlines the mathematical development of the extended model starting from the pioneering work of Rhines et al. A proper definition of the mass balance of individual components at the reaction interface predicts the transition behaviour. A proper definition of the convective velocity due to precipitation of oxide of larger molar volume compare to matrix phase in the differential mass balance introduces a volumetric flow towards the exposed surface that explains the outward extrusion of the matrix reported by many researchers.
Effect of bryostatin 1 on taxol-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity in human leukemia cells (U937)

Abstract We have examined the effects of the macrocyclic lactone protein kinase C (PKC) activator bryostatin 1 on taxol-induced apoptosis and inhibition of clonogenicity in the human monocytic leukemia cell line U937. Exposure of cells to bryostatin 1 (10 nM; 15 hr) after (but not before) a 6-hr incubation with 0.5 μM taxol significantly increased apoptosis and resulted in an approximately 3 log reduction in clonogenicity. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the increase in apoptotic cells following bryostatin 1 treatment occurred primarily in the population undergoing taxol-mediated G2M arrest. The actions of bryostatin 1 were not attributable to potentiation of taxol-induced tubulin stabilization or to a reduction in the intracellular retention of taxol. Following exposure of cells to taxol, the Bcl-2 protein displayed an alteration in mobility that was not modified appreciably by bryostatin 1 treatment. The mobility shift in Bcl-2 protein from cells exposed to taxol followed by bryostatin 1 was eliminated by treatment of lysates with the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A); the latter effect was blocked by okadaic acid. Treatment of cells with taxol followed by bryostatin 1 did not increase the amount of total Bax (compared with treatment with taxol alone), but did increase the amount of free Bax in the supernatant fraction. Finally, the ability of bryostatin 1 to potentiate taxol-induced apoptosis in U937 cells was mimicked closely by 2′-amino-3′-methoxyflavone (PD98059), a specific inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK). Collectively, these findings indicate that bryostatin 1 increases the susceptibility of U937 cells to taxol-induced apoptosis and inhibition of clonogenicity. They also raise the possibility that this phenomenon may involve functional alterations in Bcl-2 and/or other proteins involved in regulation of the cell death pathway.
Attempt at preclinical identification of huntington's disease using the WAIS

Abstract WAIS profiles of patients with Huntington's Disease (HD) differ from those of normal controls (NC). Studies of persons at risk for the disease (AR) have reported profiles with qualitative similarities to those of patients. Discriminant function and hierarchical clustering methods were used to explore the utility of WAIS pattern information for the preclinical identification of HD. A three-variable discriminant function correctly identified 79% of HDs and NCs. It classified 45% of ARs with HDs. However, there were no differences between ARs classified with HDs and those classified with NCs. Cluster analysis failed to isolate patient, risk, and control groups. Although performance patterns change very early in HD, WAIS profiles appear to be of limited value for preclinical indentification of the disease.
Volumetric Error Analysis of a Stewart Platform-Based Machine Tool

Abstract Striving for greater accuracy, some machine tool manufacturers are developing parallel structures for the next generation machine tool. Therefore, tools are needed to analyze the effect error sources have on this type of structure. A model of a Stewart Platform based machine tool is developed that provides the framework for inclusion of all relevant error sources. An error analysis is presented based on an error model formed through differentiation of the kinematic equations, and a sensitivity analysis is given as a design tool for tolerance allocation during manufacture. Finally, automated error analysis software is demonstrated that graphically depicts position and orientation errors along tool paths and throughout the workspace.
Mastery Motivation in Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities

Prior research on school-age children with mental retardation indicates that they are less motivated on tasks than mental-age-matched peers. In this study, mastery motivation on two tasks was compared for 1- and 2-year-old children with motor impairment (n = 25), developmental delay (n = 25), and typical development (n = 25), matched for mental age. The groups did not differ significantly on any measure of mastery motivation. The relative contribution of premature birth, a history of seizure disorders, severity of cognitive delay, and maternal didactic interaction in predicting mastery motivation was examined for toddlers with developmental delay or motor impairment. Maternal didactic interaction added a significant proportion of variance above and beyond other variables in predicting several aspects of mastery motivation in toddlers with developmental disabilities.
A low-cost, telemetering system for free-range animals.

A cheap, rugged, telemetry transmitter has been developed which is of sufficient power to transmit useful information from truly free-grazing domestic animals.
Factors Strengthening School Geography's Curricular Position in the Nineteenth Century

The purpose of this study was to analyze the evolution of geography in the United States’ K–12 education system throughout the Nineteenth Century to understand the causes of variations, shifts in focus, and relative importance placed on geography. A broad theoretical framework, based on the work of sociologists of education and education philosophers and historians, guided the process of data collection and analysis. The authors feel that this research is significant because it clearly shows that geography was a high-status, “stand alone” subject in the public schools throughout most of the Nineteenth Century. Factors contributing to geography's prominent curricular position correlate well with the theoretical notion that the variation of emphasis of school subjects hinges largely on the involvement of their respective academic disciplines and/or scholars, and that society must perceive the subject as macro-economically beneficial to the long-term longevity of the nation's interests and economy. For the s...
The Huxley Tradition of Language Study

Author's Summary.— The reason which Huxley especially emphasized as an argument for studying certain languages can easily be shown to be fallacious, though it continues to be accepted uncritically and repeated as a traditional idea.
Subduction of continental lithosphere: Some constraints and uncertainties

Two effects that contribute to the subduction of continental lithosphere are the negative buoyancy of the relatively cold mantle part of continental lithosphere and the pull of a downgoing slab of oceanic lithosphere on continental lithosphere trailing behind it. The mantle part of the lithosphere could continuously subduct about 10 km of continental crust, if the upper and lower crust could be detached from one another. This estimate, however, could be in error by as much as a factor of three, given the range of plausible values for the requisite parameters. The second effect is more difficult to estimate because of our ignorance of what proportion of the gravitational force acting on the downgoing slab is transmitted to the surface lithosphere. For various assumptions, subducted oceanic lithosphere could be expected to pull a short (tens of kilometres) or long (hundreds of kilometres) length of intact continental crust into the asthenosphere. Although we favor subduction of only a short length of intact continental crust, we cannot prove that a large amount of crust is not subducted. These calculations are for continental margins that meet subduction zones flush. If continental crust can remain intact, peninsulas and microcontinents might be subducted completely.
The geochemistry of antarctic streams and their role in the evolution of four lakes of the McMurdo dry valleys

Abstract Major ion concentrations are reported for nineteen meltwater streams in the McMurdo dry valleys, Antarctica, and for the four lakes fed by these streams. The most important solute acquisition processes for these flowing waters are dissolution of marine-derived salts, dissolution of calcite coatings derived from chemical weathering of parent rock, and direct weathering of silicates. Although Lakes Joyce, Hoare, and Fryxell have undergone significant evaporative concentration, the only simple salt which is predicted to form at present is calcite. The shallow waters of all four lakes were supersaturated with respect to this mineral, but were undersaturated with respect to other simple salts. Geochemical budgets, however, indicate that SO4, K, and Mg, in addition to Ca and HCO3, have been removed from some of these lakes over recent geological time. Bacterial sulfate reduction followed by precipitation of metal sulfides is likely to be a sink for sulfate. Sinks for Mg and K are more problematic, but may include formation of Mgcalcites and, in the case of K, reverse weathering reactions. The ages of the contemporary water columns, as indicated by chloride budgets, are relatively young, and these lakes could have evolved their chemical compositions over a few thousand years of present stream flows. It is not necessary to invoke trapped seawater or other salt sources to explain their evolution.
Praxis and autism: the psychomotor regulation sensory processing dimension-a report from the field.

A quiet revolution is afoot in our understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Classically understood as a social disorder (Kanner, 1943) that presents clinically with social and communication difficulty and restricted patterns of behaviors (Lord et al., 2000), both diagnosis and therapeutic interventions have correspondingly focused upon behavioral and typical development theory (Lovaas, 1987; Dawson et al., 2010). Yet recent studies across multiple fields have begun to substantiate what my colleagues and I have come to learn about ASD through almost two decades of clinical work with children. In fact two recent papers propose a cognitive motor model of autism and summarize much of this research (Rizzolatti and Fabbri-Destro, 2010; Mostofsky and Ewen, 2011). That research is further bolstered by (auto) biographical work of several people living with ASD (Williams, 1994; Biklen, 2005; Iversen, 2007). The primary claim is as simple as it is radical ASD has as a primary, defining feature psychomotor regulation sensory processing disorder. Whether this psychomotor dimension simply parallels the social and communication deficits that consume almost all of the attention and resources in research and intervention, or plays an important role in producing those symptoms will have to be the topic of future research over the coming decade. What we can say at present is that an important psychomotor dimension that has etiological and symptomatic aspects exists, and that this has important, if only nascently understood, therapeutic implications.
Histocompatibility types and measles antibodies in multiple sclerosis

The relationship between HLA antigens and measles antibody titers was investigated in 105 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. HLA antigens were determined serologically by a micro-lymphocytotoxicity test and measles antibody titers were determined by the hemagglutination inhibition test. There was an increased frequency of HLA-B7 and HLA-Bw35 antigens and a decreased frequency of HLA-A2, HLA-B12, and HLA-Bw40 antigens in MS. Measles antibody titers were significantly higher in MS than in control cases. In the MS patients, the chi-square test for homogeneity did not show any significant difference between the presence or absence of antigens HLA-A3, HLA-B7, HLA-B8 HLA-A2 or HLA-B12 when compared with measles antibody titers. The chi-square test for association did not show any significant difference between the presence or absence of these antigens compared with measles antibody titers above 1:64 or 1:128 or 1:256. However, there were significantly higher measles antibody geometric mean titers in MS patients with HLA-A3 antigen or lacking HLA-A2 antigen. In the case of HLA-A3, this was reflected in the female but not in the male patients. The increased measles HI antibody titer in MS may be related to the increased frequency of HLA-A3, or the decreased frequency of HLA-A2, or both.
Laryngeal fractures in lacrosse due to high speed ball impact.

Importance Men’s lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-collision sport with ball speeds in excess of 90 mph. Laryngeal fractures in lacrosse are a rarely reported injury. To increase awareness of this potential injury, we describe 3 male lacrosse players who sustained laryngeal fractures from lacrosse ball trauma to the neck. Observations The first patient sustained a minimally displaced, paramedian thyroid cartilage fracture and was managed with observation alone. The second patient sustained a depressed fracture of the left thyroid ala and was managed with closed reduction. The third case sustained a mildly displaced transcricoid fracture. He was managed with open reduction and internal fixation. All 3 patients returned to regular activities with near normal voice results by final follow-up. Conclusions and Relevance This is the first report of laryngeal fractures following lacrosse ball trauma to the neck. Lacrosse players are at risk for laryngeal injuries, and neck protection is only worn by the goalie. It is our hope that this series will raise awareness of this potentially lethal injury and prompt the sport to consider mandatory neck protection for all players.
P22 Arc Repressor: Role of Cooperativity in Repression and Binding to Operators with Altered Half-site Spacing

Abstract Dimers of P22 Arc repressor bind to half-sites of the 21 bp arc operator and interact cooperatively to stabilize a DNA-bound tetramer. Mutation of Ser35 (a residue in the dimer–dimer interface) to Arg or Leu disrupts cooperative binding. The mutant proteins have near wild-type stabilities, give operator footprints like wild-type, and prevent binding of RNA polymerase to the P ant promoter in vitro . These mutants are, however, largely inactive in vivo . Thus, although cooperativity is not structurally required for repression, it appears that the additional DNA-binding energy from dimer–dimer cooperativity is required for normal biological function. Altering the spacing between the DNA half-sites by even one base-pair eliminates dimer–dimer cooperativity, indicating that Arc dimers need to be oriented correctly by half-site binding to allow the interactions that stabilize the tetrameric complex.
Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy: A suggested approach to trace metal analysis in marine environments

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy analysis of marine samples from different environments appears to differentiate between adsorbed and structural Mn (II) and Fe (III) sites in the sediment. This suggests that EPR may provide a means of distinguishing different environmental influences on sediment. Acid extract solutions from sediment samples exhibit clearly defined EPR spectra due to Mn(II), Ti(III), Fe(III), and VO(IV), which are amenable to qualitative and quantitative analysis at concentrations below one part per million. Spectra of several shellfish vary considerably, both between species, and within a species, depending on sampling localities. Resonances from Mn(II), Mo(V), and Fe(III) can be obtained. Mn(II) is substituted for Ca(II) in the calcite structure of some shells.
On a time consistency concept in risk averse multistage stochastic programming

We discuss time consistency of multistage risk averse stochastic programming problems. The concept of time consistency is approached from an optimization point of view. That is, at each state of the system optimality of a decision policy should not involve states which cannot happen in the future.
Direct Bypass Techniques for the Treatment of Pediatric Moyamoya Disease

Moyamoya is an increasingly recognized cause of stroke in children and adults. Identification of the disease early in its course with prompt institution of therapy is critical to providing the best outcome for patients. Revascularization surgery seems to be effective in preventing stroke in moyamoya, with direct techniques providing durable protection when performed at experienced centers.
The Ionization of the Warm Gas in Early-type Galaxies and Its UV Upturn

It has long been known that the majority of early-type galaxies contain warm ionized gas producing optical emission lines. These warm ionized gas are spatially extended to kpc scales. Their line ratios satisify the criteria of Low-ionization Nuclear Emission-line Regions (LINERs) on all major line-ratio diagnostic diagrams. However, their ionization mechanism has been hotly debated. Multiple ionization mechanisms can produce the same kind of line ratios, including photoionization by a central AGN, photoionization by hot evolved stars (e.g. post-AGB stars), collisional ionization by fast shocks, photoionization by hot X-ray emitting gas, and conductive heating or turbulent mixing. Therefore, determining the ionization mechanism requires other information.
On the resurrection of the cladoceran species Chydorus reticulatus Daday, 1898 (Chydoridae, Cladocera) and its relationship to Chydorus ventricosus Daday, 1898

The chydorid species Chydorus reticulatus Daday, 1898 and Chydorus ventricosus Daday, 1898 are redescribed and literature records reevaluated on the basis of new material from India.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum in heart failure: central player or bystander?

Time for primary review 10 days. Myocardial excitation-contraction coupling begins with membrane depolarization, a process that activates voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the sarcolemma and allows a small amount of Ca2+ to enter the cell. This Ca2+ serves as a trigger to activate Ca2+-release channels in the adjacent junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) [1]: the ensuing efflux of stored SR Ca2+ increases the cytosolic free Ca2+ ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) and initiates contraction. The amount of Ca2+ released by the SR depends on the size of its Ca2+ load and on the size and duration of the initial Ca2+ trigger. This allows [Ca2+]i transient amplitudes to be graded [2]— an important feature in cardiac muscle, where all cells contract with each beat. Modulation of the [Ca2+]i transient amplitude provides one mechanism to vary the force of contraction and thereby match cardiac output to the body's metabolic demands. Myocardial relaxation occurs when Ca2+ is removed from the cytosol, and re-uptake by the SR is quantitatively the most important mechanism for decreasing cytosolic [Ca2+]i. This is accomplished through the activity of the SR Ca2+ pump protein, SERCA2, a Ca2+-activated ATPase that pumps Ca2+ into the SR lumen. Re-uptake occurs in the non-junctional SR, primarily in the SR membrane and Ca2+ ATPase rich portion of the cell near the transverse tubules, at the Z-line of the sarcomere [3]. Activity of the cardiac SR Ca pump is tonically inhibited by an endogenous SR component, phospholamban [4]. Phospholamban is a low molecular weight protein that can exist as either a pentamer or a monomer. Each phospholamban monomer contains two amino acid residues that can be … * Corresponding author. Tel. (+1-614) 292 1158; Fax (+1-614) 292 4118; E-mail: altschuld.2@osu.edu
Rapid Bioassessment of Crabtree Creek (Wake County, North Carolina) Using Macroinvertebrate and Microbial Indicators

ABSTRACT Crabtree Creek, a relatively shallow stream in Wake County, North Carolina is a major tributary of the Neuse River, which has historically received much attention with regards to water quality and health concerns within the state. We undertook a preliminary survey of Crabtree Creek in an effort to assess the water quality and determine the ecological integrity of this drainage system. Data were obtained during spring, fall, and winter at seven sites along the creek. The substrate ranged from boulder to cobble, gravel, and sand with moderate to heavy sedimentation at many sites. Dissolved oxygen was not considered stressful to organisms, except at one location, and most chemical parameters fell within normal ranges. Coliform bacteria, detected at all locations, were especially high in four of the seven study sites. Overall, taxa diversity and richness were low, and the invertebrate community included few ephemeropterans, plecopterans, and trichopterans but had many other pollution-tolerant species...
Modulation of lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial function improves neuropathology in Huntington's disease mice

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder. Oxidative damage has been associated with pathological neuronal loss in HD. The therapeutic modulation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function using low molecular weight compounds may be an important strategy for delaying the onset and slowing the progression of HD. In the present study, we found a marked increase of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) adducts, a lipid peroxidation marker, in the caudate and putamen of HD brains and in the striatum of HD mice. Notably, 4-HNE immunoreactivity was colocalized with mutant huntingtin inclusions in the striatal neurons of R6/2 HD mice. Administration of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), an antioxidant that functions by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, markedly reduced 4-HNE adduct formation in the nuclear inclusions of R6/2 striatal neurons. NDGA also protected cultured neurons against oxidative stress-induced cell death by improving ATP generation and mitochondrial morphology and function. In addition, NDGA restored mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial structure, and synapse structure in the striatum of R6/2 mice and increased their lifespan. The present findings suggest that further therapeutic studies using NDGA are warranted in HD and other neurodegenerative diseases characterized by increased oxidative stress and altered mitochondrial function.
Holographic memory for high-density data storage and high-speed pattern recognition

As computers and the internet become faster and faster, more and more information is transmitted, received, and stored everyday. The demand for high density and fast access time data storage is pushing scientists and engineers to explore all possible approaches including magnetic, mechanical, optical, etc. Optical data storage has already demonstrated its potential in the competition against other storage technologies. CD and DVD are showing their advantages in the computer and entertainment market. What motivated the use of optical waves to store and access information is the same as the motivation for optical communication. Light or an optical wave has an enormous capacity (or bandwidth) to carry information because of its short wavelength and parallel nature. In optical storage, there are two types of mechanism, namely localized and holographic memories. What gives the holographic data storage an advantage over localized bit storage is the natural ability to read the stored information in parallel, therefore, meeting the demand for fast access. Another unique feature that makes the holographic data storage attractive is that it is capable of performing associative recall at an incomparable speed. Therefore, volume holographic memory is particularly suitable for high-density data storage and high-speed pattern recognition. In this paper, we review previous works on volume holographic memories and discuss the challenges for this technology to become a reality.
A method for peripheral chromatolysis in neurons of trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia, produced in rats by lithium

In classical chromatolysis, Nissl bodies are initially lost centrally with subsequent progression to the periphery of the neuron. Peripheral chromatolysis has the opposite pattern; it is less common and more difficult to produce. We describe a new method for producing peripheral chromatolysis in neurons of trigeminal ganglia and dorsal root ganglia that requires only injection of large doses of lithium chloride (LiCl) for two, three or four consecutive daily doses. This method may be useful for elucidating the intraneuronal mechanisms that control the location and structure of the Nissl bodies.
The evolution of surfaces in turbulence

Abstract There are several phenomena that can be described to advantage in terms of surfaces within a turbulent fluid. Examples are: turbulent mixing (particularly at high Schmidt number); turbulent premixed flames; and, turbulent diffusion flames. These phenomena can (under appropriate conditions) be analyzed in terms of material surfaces, propagating surfaces, and constant-property surfaces, respectively. Deterministic and probabilistic equations are developed for the evolution of the local properties of these surfaces. The local geometry of regular surfaces is described by the surface element properties: position; normal to the surface; principal curvatures and directions; and, fractional area increase. Exact evolution equations for these properties are derived which reveal the effects of various processes—straining, and surface propagation, for example. For material surfaces and simple propagating surfaces these equations are closed with respect to surface properties:, that is, given the velocity field, the equations can be solved from specified initial conditions. The circumstances that can lead to a breakdown of regularity of an initially regular surface are determined. The fundamental one-point Eulerian probabilistic descriptor of a regular surface is the surface density function. From this can be determined the expected surface-to-volume ratio and the joint probability density function of the surface properties. An exact evolution equation for the surface density function is derived and discussed. For material surfaces and simple propagating surfaces the only unknowns in this equation are statistics of the velocity field. These statistics can be modelled (via Langevin equations, for example) and then the surface-density-function equation can be solved by a Monte Carlo method.
Hox Genes: It's All a Matter of Context

Recent studies provide compelling new evidence that Hox gene effects depend on fine-structure spatial and temporal information. Further, in a specific cell type, only one or a few downstream genes may mediate Hox morphogenetic functions. If this is generally true, it will have important implications for how Hox regulatory networks operate and evolve.
The Importance of Riboflavin in Reproduction in Poultry

Abstract VITAMIN G, or more specifically riboflavin, has been shown by many workers to be essential for good hatchability. Additions to the ration of carriers or concentrates of this vitamin, such as milk products, yeast, and alfalfa, have been used as a source of this factor to improve hatchability. That riboflavin is the important factor in these results has been shown by Davis, Norris, and Heuser (1938b) and Lepkovsky et al. (1938) by the use of concentrates of this substance. In this paper are reported some of the results when using synthetic and crystalline riboflavin. ORAL FEEDING OF RIBOFLAVIN Experiment 1. In 1937 hens were selected from three groups which had received different levels of riboflavin over a period of 24 weeks. The basal ration consisted of the following: Yellow corn meal 47.5 Wheat bran 20.0 Wheat flour middlings 20.0 Purified casein 6.0 Ground limestone 3.0 Steamed bone meal 2.0 Cod liver oil 1.0
Alternative hot spot formation techniques using liquid deuterium-tritium layer inertial confinement fusion capsules

The baseline DT ice layer inertial confinement fusion (ICF) ignition capsule design requires a hot spot convergence ratio of ∼34 with a hot spot that is formed from DT mass originally residing in a very thin layer at the inner DT ice surface. In the present paper, we propose alternative ICF capsule designs in which the hot spot is formed mostly or entirely from mass originating within a spherical volume of DT vapor. Simulations of the implosion and hot spot formation in two DT liquid layer ICF capsule concepts—the DT wetted hydrocarbon (CH) foam concept and the “fast formed liquid” (FFL) concept—are described and compared to simulations of standard DT ice layer capsules. 1D simulations are used to compare the drive requirements, the optimal shock timing, the radial dependence of hot spot specific energy gain, and the hot spot convergence ratio in low vapor pressure (DT ice) and high vapor pressure (DT liquid) capsules. 2D simulations are used to compare the relative sensitivities to low-mode x-ray flux asymmetries in the DT ice and DT liquid capsules. It is found that the overall thermonuclear yields predicted for DT liquid layer capsules are less than yields predicted for DT ice layer capsules in simulations using comparable capsule size and absorbed energy. However, the wetted foam and FFL designs allow for flexibility in hot spot convergence ratio through the adjustment of the initial cryogenic capsule temperature and, hence, DT vapor density, with a potentially improved robustness to low-mode x-ray flux asymmetry.
Thoracic Aortic Dissection Following Cannulation for Perfusion

Abstract Three patients with aortic dissection originating from a thoracic aortic cannulation site are discussed and recommendations are made for preventing this complication.
Positive Surgical Margins at Partial Nephrectomy: Predictors and Oncological Outcomes

Purpose: The prognostic significance and optimal management of positive surgical margins following partial nephrectomy remain ill-defined. We combine data from 2 tertiary care intuitions, and report predictors of positive surgical margins and long-term oncological outcomes for patients with positive surgical margins.Materials and Methods: Clinical, pathological and followup data on 1,344 patients undergoing 1,390 partial nephrectomies for kidney cancer were analyzed. Patients with positive surgical margins on final pathology were treated expectantly. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fit to determine clinicopathological features associated with positive surgical margins. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate freedom from local disease recurrence and metastatic progression. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess whether positive surgical margin predicted local recurrence or metastatic disease adjusting for tumor size, pathological stage, histological subtype a...
Geostandard Needs for Environmental Research and Monitoring Programs

Geostandards are needed to intercalibrate environmental research and routine environmental monitoring programs. Because a principal concern in both types of analyses is the elemental concentrations of discrete phases, values for partial extractions of geostandards are also needed. This and other information are solicited for an intercalibration among laboratories which monitor metals in marine sediments and wastewater sludge.
Fever and petechiae: No time for a rash decision

Abstract The goal of this review is to summarize the currently available literature pertaining to meningococcal disease as it relates to the complaint or fever and petechiae, From this review a management strategy is suggested for children who present with fever and a petechial rash. In general, invasive bacterial disease, including meningococcemia, in the child with fever and petcehiae is rare, The vast majority of children with invasive bacterial disease appear ill or have an abnormal laboratory evaluation. Children who are well-appearing, who have a normal laboratory evaluation, or who have a documented streptococcal pharyngitis or petechiae only above the nipple line appear to be at low risk for invasive bacterial disease. Children identified to be at low risk may be managed as an outpatient. All others should he admitted to the hospital and treated with antibiotics pending culture results.
The association between maternal factors and perinatal outcomes in triplet pregnancies

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between maternal factors and outcomes in triplet pregnancies. Study Design: This was a historic cohort study of 194 triplet pregnancies of ≥24 weeks of gestation that were delivered from 1983 through 2001 from five medical centers. Results: In analyses that were limited to pregnancies with all live-born triplets (178 pregnancies), women with a previous good outcome (>2500 g + >37 weeks of gestation) had longer gestations (+7.9 days, P =.03), better rates of fetal growth (+4.9 g/wk, P P P P Conclusion: Previous obstetric outcome and weight gain by 24 weeks of gestation were associated significantly with fetal growth rate and birth weight; fetal growth rate, in turn, was associated significantly with length of gestation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:752-7.)
Backtracking with multi-level dynamic search rearrangement

The order in which the variables are tested in a backtrack program can have a major effect on its running time. The best search order usually varies among the branches of the backtrack tree, so the number of possible search orders can be astronomical. We present an algorithm that chooses a search order dynamically by investigating all possibilities for k levels below the current level, extending beyond k levels wherever possible by setting the variables that have unique forced values. The algorithm takes time O(n k+1) to process a node. For k=2 and binary variables the analysis for selecting the next variable to introduce into the backtrack tree makes complete use of the information contained in the two-level investigations. For larger k or variables of higher degree there is no polynomial-time algorithm that makes complete use of the k-level investigations to limit searching (unless P=NP). The search rearrangement algorithm is closely related to constraint propagation. Experimental studies on conjunctive normal form predicates confirm that 1-level search rearrangement saves a great deal of time compared to 0-level (ordinary backtracking), and show that 2-level saves time over 1-level on large problems. For such problems with 256 variables 2-level is better than 1-level by a factor of two.
Cholinergic and serotonergic stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis is decreased in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Agonist-stimulated phosphoinositide (PPI) hydrolysis is a major signal transduction pathway in brain. These studies investigated neurotransmitter stimulated PPI hydrolysis in postmortem human brain. Preliminary studies using rat brain suggested that moderate postmortem delay has little effect on PPI hydrolysis and that human tissue might be reliably studied for differences in receptor-PLC coupling. Studies in human brain membranes (frontal cortex) indicated that the time course for GTP γ S and carbachol/GTPγS-stimulated PPI hydrolysis was linear for at least 20 min. GTPγS-stimulated [ 3 H] inositol phosphate (InsP) formation was enhanced by carbachol (232%) and 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5HT - 147%). SAX-HPLC seperation of [ 3 H] inositol polyphosphates indicated that the major isomer of inositol trisphosphate (InsP 3 ) was Ins(1,4,5)P3, the expected product of PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis. Ca 2 + increased PPI hydrolysis progressively from 100 nM through 50 μM and synergistically enhanced carbachol/GTPγS stimulation. Comparisons of age-matched controls with Alzheimer's patients indicated that GTPγS, carbachol/GTPγS, and 5HT/GTPγS-stimulation of PPI hydrolysis is reduced approximately 50% in membranes prepared from Alzheimer's patients. Ca 2+ stimulation of PPI hydrolysis was not different between controls and Alzheimer's patients suggesting that muscarinic cholinergic and serotonergic receptors are uncoupled from PLC in Alzheimer's disease. These studies indicate that there are changes in cholinergic and serotonergic signal transduction in Alzheimer's disease. Further, this method can be used to study signal transduction events in postmortem human brain.
Nonlinear interaction of an rf field with a bulk superconductor

Abstract Using a very sensitive intermodulation technique, we have measured the temperature ( T ) and magnetic fielf ( H ) dependence of the nonlinear rf interaction with pure bulk indium. A signal which varies extremely rapidly with both T and H is seen near T c .