cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fecundity of Larra bicolor (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) and Its Implications in Parasitoid: Host Interaction with Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae: Scapteriscus)

ABSTRACT Larra bicolor F. (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) is a specialist parasitoid of Scapteriscus (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) mole crickets, attacking adults and medium to large nymphs. Reproductive systems were dissected from 10 female wasps collected in northern Florida. Each had 2 ovaries, each with 3 ovarioles. The maximal number of mature eggs (10) plus developing oocytes (83) was 93. Female wasps deposit an egg on the venter of the host's thorax, and the wasp larva develops as an ectoparasitoid. Twenty newly-emerged female wasps housed in small cages with at least 1 male and with 7 potential hosts replaced daily deposited a mean 2.44 eggs (range 0–10) per day for a total lifetime production averaging 56 eggs (range 17–91) during a lifespan averaging 23.5 d (range 8–40). Assuming 3 wasp generations with fecundity as shown to 1 host generation, per year, the wasp should easily be able to outreproduce its host mole crickets. A few of the hosts became superparasitized with 2 or even 3 eggs, but at most 1...
The nature of benzo(a)pyrene-DNA adducts formed in hamster embryo cells depends on the length of time of exposure to benzo(a)pyrene

Summary Most of the benzo( a )pyrene-DNA adducts found in hamster embryo cells after 4 or 6 hr of benzo( a )pyrene treatment resulted from reaction with (±)7α,8β-dihydroxy-9α,10α-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo( a )pyrene (the syn -isomer) whereas most of the adducts found at 24 or 72 hr resulted from reaction with (±)7α,8β-dihydroxy-9β,10β-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo( a )pyrene (the anti -isomer).
A Student’s Perspective on Issues in Curricula

Abstract The present paper provides a student's perspective on the poultry science curriculum and the effect of a merger of a Department of Poultry Science with a Department of Animal Science. Concerns about course offerings, scholarships, internship opportunities, and advising are explored. The importance of the poultry industry to student interest is stressed.
Polymer-enhanced diffraction in an azo-dye- doped liquid crystal

Degenerate four-wave mixing measurements were employed to obtain first-order diffraction efficiencies of dye-doped and polymer- dye-doped liquid crystals. A sixfold enhancement in the diffraction effi- ciency (12%) was found for the liquid crystal doped with 1% azo dye and 1% polymer, compared to a 2% diffraction efficiency found for the liquid crystal containing 1% azo dye. Polarization dependence of absorption and diffraction studies, coupled with the absence of two-beam coupling, support a grating formation based on photoisomerization of azo dye mol- ecules, which leads to a reorientation of the liquid crystal phase. © 2001
Atrioventricular Pressure Half-Time Measure of Mitral Valve Orifice Area

In 20 patients studied by cardiac catheterization, the time required for the diastolic left atrioventricular pressure difference to fall to half its initial value (half-time) varied with the anatomic severity of the valvular stenosis. In mild mitral stenosis, the half-time was approximately 100 msec; in moderate stenosis, it was about 200 msec; and it was 300 msec or longer in severe stenosis. The half-time at the nonstenotic mitral valve was less than 25 msec. Although exercise increased the atrioventricular pressure gradient, heart rate, and cardiac output significantly, the half-time was affected only slightly. Mitral regurgitation of various severities did not affect the half-time. The half-time appears to vary inversely with the anatomic orifice area of the mitral valve. The determination of the half-time obviates the need for the commonly used exercise test for the evaluation of mitral stenosis.
Engaging spirituality in the transformative higher education classroom

This chapter discusses the challenges of fostering spirituality in the higher education classroom and its relationship to the practice of transformative learning.
Role of amiodarone in reducing atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery in adults

Atrial fibrillation is a common occurrence after cardiac surgery and the source of financial expenditure and complications. A critical literature review was undertaken to examine the use of amiodarone therapy to prevent or manage atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. Evidence strongly suggests that perioperative treatment of cardiac patients with amiodarone may reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation with minimal adverse effects. Further study is warranted to determine the optimal timing and dosing, for the drug's most cost-effective use.
Techniques for enhancing JPEG XR / HD Photo rate-distortion performance for particular fidelity metrics

ABSTRACT This paper explores several encoder-side techniques aimed at improving the compression performance of encoding for the draft JPEG XR standard. Though the syntax and decoding process are fixed by the standard, significant variation in encoder design and some variation in decoder design are possible. For a variety of selected quality metrics, the paper discusses techniques for achieving better compression performance according to each metric. As a basic reference encoder and decoder for the discussion and modifications, the publically available Microsoft HD Photo DPK (Device Porting Kit) 1.0, on which the draft JPEG XR standard was based, was used. The quality metrics considered include simple mathematical objective metrics (PSNR and L  ) as well as pseudo-perceptual me trics (single-scale and multi-scale MSSIM). Keywords: Image coding, JPEG, JPEG 2000, JPEG XR, HD Photo 1. INTRODUCTION Presently, the JPEG committee is in the process of standa rdizing a new image coding sp ecification known as JPEG XR
Freeman's defense of Judicial Review

In a recent article entitled "Constitutional Democracy and the Legitimacy of Judicial Review," Samuel Freeman has offered a challenging critique of the claim still commonly heard in constitutional jurisprudence that the judicial review of legislation (on the basis of a Bill of Rights) is undemocratic.1 The claim, he concedes, is trivially true for anyone who stipulatively defines "democratic" in terms of majoritarian procedures. But it is not trivially true indeed he thinks it is not true at all if "democratic" is defined more generously to include the rule of law, civil liberties and equality of opportunity. "There is," says Professor Freeman in the conclusion of his article, "nothing undemocratic (and it is disingenuous to claim there is) about the judicial review of laws that infringe against the equality of such fundamental moral rights as liberty of conscience and freedom of thought, freedom of association, freedom of occupation and choice of careers, political participation, and, more generally, the freedom to pursue one's own plan of life."2 I am not sure anything is gained in this debate by one side calling the other "disingenuous". Judicial review of legislation is now such a familiar feature of American political culture that people here are inclined to accept its democratic credentials without question. But it is a live and open issue in other countries most notably in the Charter 88 campaign for constitutional reform in the U.K. Having studied (and
Novel aplanatic designs for LED concentration

Aplanats make great concentrators because of their near perfect imaging. Aplanatic conditions can be satisfied using two surface curves (generally mirrored surfaces) in two dimensions (see Figure 1) which are constructed by successive approximation to create a highly efficient concentrator for both concentration and illumination. For concentration purposes, having a two mirror system would be impossible because the front mirror would block incoming light (see figure 2) so the idea is to replace the front mirror with a "one-way" mirror. Light from a lower index can be transmitted, so if the aplanat surface is a higher index light is allowed to enter, and be trapped. In the Jellyfish design, TIR takes place except for light striking the surface within the range of critical angles. To combat that, a small area of reflective coating is applied to the central top part of the Jellyfish, where TIR fails (In the middle) to keep the light there from directly escaping (see figure 3). The design works in both forwards and reverse. Light entering can be focused to a collecter, or the collecter can be replaced with a light source to concentrate light out. In this case, LEDs are used for their highly efficienct properties.
Physics-inspired image edge detection

We describe a new computational approach to edge detection. Our digital algorithm emulates propagation of light through a physical medium with specific nonlinear diffractive property. The method uses the phase profile of the output complex-amplitude image to identify the edges with different strength in a digital image. This technique is related to the recently introduced Discrete Anamorphic Stretch Transform in which the magnitude of a similar transform was used for image compression. Experimental results shown here prove edge detection with excellent performance.
COMPUTER‐AIDED PREDICTIONS OF FOOD STORAGE STABILITY: OXIDATIVE DETERIORATION OF A SHRIMP PRODUCT

— A study was conducted on stability of a freeze-dried shrimp bar packaged in various materials. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for predicting the storage stability of dry foods stored in semipermeable containers and deteriorating through oxidation of lipids. In the shrimp bar, organoleptic deterioration was correlated with absorption of oxygen and with loss of carotenoid pigment; these indices of oxidation were used for the study. Rates of oxidation were studied as a function of oxygen concentration and permeability characteristics of materials used to package the bars determined. A mathematical model for prediction of storage life of the product was formulated using the kinetic data for shrimp oxidation and the permeability data. An iteration procedure utilizing a high-speed computer was used to solve the pertinent equations and to predict storage life. Predictions were compared with results of actual storage tests; those based upon pigment loss were better than those based upon changes in flavor score.
Optimization of x10 programs with ROSE compiler infrastructure

X10 is a Java-like programming language that introduces new constructs to significantly simplify scale-out programming based on the Asynchronous Partitioned Global Address Space (APGAS) programming model. The fundamental goal of X10 is to enable scalable, high-performance, high-productivity programming of large scale computer systems for both conventional numerically intensive HPC workloads and for emerging “Big Data” workloads. X10 is implemented via source-to-source compilation; the X10 compiler takes as input X10 programs, applies high-level transformations primarily targeting X10’s APGAS constructs, and outputs either C++ or Java source code that is further compiled to yield an executable program. ROSE is a multi-lingual compiler infrastructure for optimizing HPC applications using source-to-source transformations. It supports widely used programming models for parallel and distributed computing and provides a rich set of optimizations for serial programming models. In this paper, we report our early experiences connecting the X10 and ROSE and compilers to enable X10 programs to benefit from ROSE’s suite of optimizations. To demonstrate the applicability of our approach, we compiled the LULESH proxy application with the combined toolchain and obtained a 10% performance improvement.
Preisach modeling of piezoceramic hysteresis: independent stress effect

Many of the smart materials being investigated (e.g., piezoceramics, shape memory alloys (SMAs), and magnetostrictives) exhibit significant hysteresis effects, especially when driven with large control signals. Furthermore a single input single output hysteresis model may not adequately capture the corresponding nonlinear effects due to the influence of an unmodeled parameter, and two input hysteresis models may therefore be more appropriate. In this paper the Preisach model and inverse compensator for a piezoceramic sheet actuator is described and experimental data presented. The effect of a large independent applied stress on the observed applied electric field to measured strain hysteresis for a piezoceramic sheet actuator is demonstrated.
Bioluminescence tomography with optimized optical parameters

Bioluminescence tomography (BLT) is a rapidly developing new area of molecular imaging. The goal of BLT is to produce a quantitative reconstruction of a bioluminescent source distribution within a living mouse from bioluminescent signals measured on the body surface of the mouse. While in most BLT studies so far the optical parameters of the key anatomical regions are assumed known from the literature or diffuse optical tomography (DOT), these parameters cannot be very accurate in general. In this paper, we propose and study a new BLT approach that optimizes optical parameters when an underlying bioluminescent source distribution is reconstructed to match the measured data. We prove the solution existence and the convergence of numerical methods. Also, we present numerical results to illustrate the utility of our approach and evaluate its performance.
Sol-gel synthesis of rare-earth-doped lanthanum halides for highly efficient 1.3-microm optical amplification.

Praseodymium- and dysprosium-doped lanthanum halide powders have been synthesized by a sol-gel–reactive-atmosphere approach. Emission at 1.3 µm from a sol-gel-derived material was observed for the first time to our knowledge. Measured lifetimes corresponded to radiative quantum efficiencies of approximately 8% for Pr3+:LaF3, 72% for Pr3+:LaCl3, and 78% for Dy3+:LaCl3. The spectroscopic properties of these hosts are shown to be comparable with those of melt-grown single-crystal analogs, verifying the ability of inexpensive and low-temperature solution-based methodologies to produce low-phonon-energy materials.
New insights into atherosclerosis from studies with mouse models

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large arteries that is the cause of heart disease and stroke. It is a highly complex disorder with multiple genetic and environmental influences. The mouse model has proved very useful for studying atherosclerosis because genetic analysis and planned genetic modification are feasible in this organism. In this brief review, some recent findings are summarized and future prospects using mouse models to study atherosclerosis-related traits are discussed.
A 2-D simulation model for lifting activities

Abstract Occupational biomechanics models deal with the evaluation of physical activities such as lifting of loads. This allows the user to determine the stresses imposed on the musculoskeletal system while holding or moving a load. These models are useful tools in estimating these stresses especially those imposed on the lumbar spine. dynamic biomechanical models, as opposed to static models require the displacement-time information to obtain the kinematics needed to estimate the kinetics of the motion. However, the collection of this displacement data is both tedious and can require expensive equipment. Simulation models on the other hand can provide an indirect means of performing the biomechanical analyses without having to collect the displacement-time data. A typical simulation model for 2-D lifting activities will be presented. The basis for this is the hypothesis that the body will perform the activity in such a manner so as to minimize the work done. Using this assumption an objective function was developed subject to a set of constraints. These constraints relate to the human movement, the physical workplace layout, and maintenance of balance. Using this model, it was possible to generate the lifting motion patterns, as well as the kinematics and kinetics of motion. The paper discusses the model development, the model output and the kinematics and kinetics of the simulation of the lifting action.
Aortic Size Assessment by Noncontrast Cardiac Computed Tomography: Normal Limits by Age, Gender, and Body Surface Area

Objectives To determine normal limits for ascending and descending thoracic aorta diameters in a large population of asymptomatic, low-risk adult subjects. Background Assessment of aortic size is possible from gated noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scans obtained for coronary calcium measurements. However, normal limits for aortic size by these studies have yet to be defined. Methods In 4,039 adult patients undergoing coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning, systematic measurements of the ascending and descending thoracic aorta diameters were made at the level of the pulmonary artery bifurcation. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to detect risk factors independently associated with ascending and descending thoracic aorta diameter and exclude subjects with these parameters from the final analysis. The final analysis groups for ascending and descending thoracic aorta included 2,952 and 1,931 subjects, respectively. Subjects were then regrouped by gender, age, and body surface area (BSA) for ascending and descending aorta, separately, and for each group, the mean, standard deviation, and upper normal limit were calculated for aortic diameter as well as for the calculated cross-sectional aortic area. Also, linear regression models were used to create BSA versus aortic diameter nomograms by age groups, and a formula for calculating predicted aortic size by age, gender, and BSA was created. Results Age, BSA, gender, and hypertension were directly associated with thoracic aorta dimensions. Additionally, diabetes was associated with ascending aorta diameter, and smoking was associated with descending aorta diameter. The mean diameters for the final analysis group were 33 ± 4 mm for the ascending and 24 ± 3 mm for the descending thoracic aorta, respectively. The corresponding upper limits of normal diameters were 41 and 30 mm, respectively. Conclusions Normal limits of ascending and descending aortic dimensions by noncontrast gated cardiac CT have been defined by age, gender, and BSA in a large, low-risk population of subjects undergoing CAC scanning.
Simulated long-term nitrogen losses for a midwestern agricultural watershed in the United States

Adequate knowledge on the movement of nutrients under various agricultural practices is essential for developing remedial measures to reduce nonpoint source pollution. Mathematical models, after extensive calibration and validation, are useful to derive such knowledge and to identify site-specific alternative agricultural management practices. A spatial-process model that uses GIS and ADAPT, a field scale daily time-step continuous water table management model, was calibrated and validated for flow and nitrate-N discharges from a 365 ha agricultural watershed in central Iowa, in the Midwestern United States. This watershed was monitored for nitrate-N losses from 1991 to 1997. Spatial patterns in crops, topography, fertilizer applications and climate were used as input to drive the model. The first half of the monitored data was used for calibration and the other half was used in validation of the model. For the calibration period, the observed and predicted flow and nitrate-N discharges were in excellent agreement with r2 values of 0.88 and 0.74, respectively. During the validation period, the observed and predicted flow and nitrate-N discharges were in good agreement with r2 values of 0.71 and 0.50, respectively. For all 6 years of data, the observed annual nitrate-N losses of 26 kg ha-1 for the entire simulation were in excellent agreement with predicted nitrate-N losses of 24.2 kg ha-1. The calibrated model was used to investigate the long-term impacts of nitrate-N losses to changes in the rate and timing of fertilizer application. Results indicate that nitrate-N losses were sensitive to rate and timing of fertilizer application. Modeled annual nitrate-N losses showed a 17% reduction in nitrate-N losses by reducing the fertilizer application rate by 20% and switching the application timing from fall to spring. Further reductions in nitrate-N losses require conversion of row cropland to pasture and/or replacement of continuous corn or corn�soybean rotation systems with alternative crops.
Chylothorax in Infants and Children

Chylothorax, the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, is a relatively rare cause of pleural effusion in children. It can cause significant respiratory morbidity, as well as lead to malnutrition and immunodeficiency. Thus, a chylothorax requires timely diagnosis and treatment. This review will first discuss the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and discuss various causes that can lead to development of a chylothorax in infants and children. Then, methods of diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed. Finally, complications of chylothorax will be reviewed.
From Drunkard's Path to Kansas Cyclones: Discovering Creativity Inside the Blocks

Abstract This essay discusses how the author missed the significance of creativity in the process of the quilt making she was studying. This is attributed to societal views of what is creative. However, in listening to what quilt makers said, it became evident that creativity was a significant source of meaning in what they did. The paper proposes that doing is essential to being creative, and is supported by the structure and ruleii of traditional crafts. Community is another important support for doing creative occupations.
Separation of cloud layers in multispectral imager data

In this paper, we introduce methodology for multispectral layer separation. Efficient alternating minimization and fast operator-splitting methods are used to solve minimization problems. Specifically, we apply our methodology to separate strongly stratified and optically thin upper (cirrus) clouds from optically thick lower convective (cumulus) clouds in atmospheric imagery approximated as additive contributions to the observed signal. After setting up synthetic “truth” scenarios, we evaluate the accuracy of the two-layer separation results while varying the effective opaqueness of each of two types of cloud. We show that multispectral cloud layer separation is consistently more accurate than channel-by-channel cloud layer separation.
Acetylenic Cyclophanes as Fullerene Precursors: Formation of C60H6 and C60 by Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry of C60H6(CO)12

A logical precursor of macrocycle C60 H6 , cyclophane C60 H6 (CO)12 (1) represents a building block in a possible total synthesis of C60 . In Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance laser desorption mass spectroscopic experiments in the negative-ion mode, 1 fragments to C60 H6 (2) under successive loss of CO. Further loss of six H atoms and rearrangement gives C60 ions with a fullerenic structure.
A re-examination of the phylogenetic relationship between the causal agents of carrot black rot, Alternaria radicina and A. carotiincultae.

The phylogenetic relationship between Alternaria radicina and A. carotiincultae was reexamined based on morphology, sequence analysis of rDNA (ITS and mitochondrial small subunit [mtSSU]), protein ...
Cannabinoids in Humans. II. The Influence of Three Methods of Hydrolysis on the Concentration of THC and Two Metabolites in Urine

Glucuronide conjugates of cannabinoids were previously identified in humans. For gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of the unconjugated compounds in human urine, it is necessary to cleave the glucuronide moiety. Base hydrolysis and two forms of enzymatic hydrolysis were compared in this study to examine any quantitative differences between the hydrolysis methods. Human volunteers (n = 8) each smoked one marijuana cigarette containing 3.58% delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and submitted urine samples prior to smoking, 5 min after smoking, and hourly for 8 h thereafter. Urine (1 mL) was buffered to the optimum pH for each form of enzyme tested. beta-Glucuronidase from Escherichia coli (bacteria) or Helix pomatia (mollusk) was added to the specimens, followed by overnight incubation at 37 degrees C. Following hydrolysis, the samples were extracted using hexane-ethyl acetate (7:1) and derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide plus 1% trimethylchlorosilane, which converted the cannabinoids to their trimethylsilyl derivatives. GC-MS analysis revealed striking differences between the hydrolysis methods. Concentrations of unconjugated THC and 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) using E. coli were significantly increased over all other methods tested (p < .05). These results demonstrate the species-dependent nature of glucuronidase activity in hydrolyzing THC and 11-OH-THC glucuronides and the ineffectiveness of base hydrolysis on these hydroxylated compounds. The need for further study to find the optimum conditions necessary for the complete hydrolysis of cannabinoid conjugates is suggested.
Surface folding of viscoelastic fluids: finite elasticity membrane model

When a dry sphere sinks into a fluid, a funnel-shaped free surface develops behind the sphere if the sinking occurs faster than the surface wetting. If the fluid is viscoelastic, the interface can become unstable to a loss of axisymmetry. The stress near this surface concentrates into boundary layers, as also seen in other free surface extensional flows of viscoelastic fluids. At high Deborah number and low Reynolds number, the qualitative behaviour can be recovered by considering the static equilibrium of a stretched elastic membrane in an hydrostatic pressure field. We treat this problem in the framework of finite elasticity using a neo-Hookean constitutive model, and show how the conditions of instability can be recovered. A numerical study of this model is presented.
Being Asian American: Identity, Cultural Constructs, and Stereotype Perception

The interplay between individualist and collectivist orientations, ethnic identity, and beliefs about stereotypes was explored among Asian Americans. The authors proposed four components of Asian American Identity: feelings of interdependence with family, a sense of connectedness to heritage and tradition, a belief that achievement would reflect well on one's family and group generally, and an awareness of structural barriers and racism. A sample of 162 Asian American university students perceived stereotypes about Asian Americans as focusing primarily on school achievement and secondarily on social attributes. Although rarely engaging in strategies to avoid being academically labeled, students engaged in strategies to avoid labeling in other domains. Students varied in their valuation of the model minority label, with those high in Asian American Identity, collectivism, and work ethic more likely to view the label positively.
A new methodology for quantifying on-site residential and commercial fossil fuel CO2 emissions at the building spatial scale and hourly time scale

In order to advance the scientific understanding of carbon exchange with the land surface, and contribute to quantitative-based US climate change policy interests, quantification of fossil fuel CO2 emissions (the primary greenhouse gas), at fine spatial and temporal scales, is essential. Known as the ‘Hestia Project’, this pilot study has quantified all fossil fuel CO2 emissions down to the scale of individual buildings, road segments and industrial/electricity production facilities on an hourly basis for the greater Indianapolis region, IN, USA. Here, we describe the method used to quantify the on-site fossil fuel CO2 emissions in the residential and commercial sectors. By downscaling the Vulcan Project’s 2002 county-level commercial and residential fossil fuel CO2 emissions, we quantified the CO2 emissions for all building structures using a combination of multiple datasets and energy simulation. At the landscape scale, the spatial variation in CO2 emissions is driven by building density, height and typ...
Comparative Efficacy of Potential Chemical Disinfectants for Treating Unballasted Vessels

The release of ballast water from transoceanic vessels is a major vector for the introduc- tion of nonindigenous species into the Laurentian Great Lakes. This study assessed the effectiveness of treating unballasted transoceanic vessels using three different biocides: glutaraldehyde plus a surfactant adjuvant (Disinfekt 1000 ®), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and SeaKleen™ (menadione and menadione metabisulfite 2:8). Efficacy against several classes of aquatic organisms was evaluated using 24 h acute toxicity experiments and 11 day ballast tank simulation experiments. The results indicate substantial, compound-specific variations in organism sensitivity. For water-only exposures, NaOCl and SeaKleen™ were most effective: NaOCl had the lowest LC90 (90% lethal concentration value) for the oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus (1.0 mg L-1), while SeaKleen™ had the lowest LC90 for the amphipod Hyalella azteca (2.5 mg L-1). Sediments profoundly affected efficacy, particularly for NaOCl: At a 1:4 sediment- water ratio, the estimated LC90 for L. variegatus was > 2,000 mg L-1. Sediment quality also impacted efficacy: Sediments with higher organic carbon content typically required greater biocide concentrations to achieve comparable toxicity. Efficacy was further evaluated with 11 day bioassays using sediments from unballasted vessels. Results indicated that NaOCl and Disinfekt 1000 ® were more effective than predicted based on small scale sediment-water exposures. Overall, the data suggest that although NaOCl may be effective under water-only conditions, the higher concentrations required in the presence of sedi- ments may cause corrosion problems for ballast tanks. Because of this, less reactive, non-oxidizing bio- cides such as SeaKleen™ and Disinfekt 1000 ® may be better candidates for treating sedimented tanks.
Circulating p24 Antigen Levels and Responses to Dideoxycytidine in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections: A Phase I and II Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of dideoxycytidine in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or advanced AIDS-related complex. DESIGN A partially randomized phase I and II outpatient, dose-ranging study. SETTING Four university medical centers involving government-supported referral AIDS Clinical Trial Units. PATIENTS Sixty-one patients with AIDS or advanced AIDS-related complex and 100 pg/mL or more serum p24 antigen titers. INTERVENTIONS Dideoxycytidine was administered orally at 0.06, 0.03, 0.01, or 0.005 mg/kg body weight every 4 hours for 3 to 6 months depending on tolerance and benefit. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS In patients receiving 0.06 and 0.03 mg/kg, diffuse erythematous rash, fever, and aphthous stomatitis occurred in the first weeks of therapy, but resolved later. Hematopoietic suppression was rare. Peripheral sensory neuropathy occurred in patients receiving 0.06 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg and improved after discontinuation of therapy. Serum p24 antigen fell significantly (P less than 0.01) from baseline entry values in most of these patients. The CD4 lymphocytes rose transiently at the 0.03 mg/kg dosage. At the 0.005 mg/kg dosage, skin rash, fever, and aphthous stomatitis were mild or absent. Peripheral neuropathy, which occurred in all patients receiving 0.01 mg/kg was less severe than at higher dosages. At the 0.005 mg/kg dosage, peripheral neuropathy was occasionally seen. Significant suppression of serum p24 antigen was seen in most patients with AIDS-related complex receiving 0.01 mg/kg and less frequently in patients receiving 0.005 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS Less toxic regimens of dideoxycytidine merit clinical assessment for advanced anti-human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) infection. Several studies alternating dideoxycytidine and zidovudine are in progress.
On the Concept of a Morally Relevant Harm

The author argues that only when the two harms are morally relevant to one another may an agent take into account the number of people he can save. He defends an orbital conception of morally relevant harm, according to which harms that fall within the ‘orbit’ of a given harm are relevant to it, while all other harms are not. The possibility of preventing a harm provides both a first-order reason to prevent that harm, and a second-order reason not to consider preventing irrelevant harms. This understanding of a morally relevant harm avoids two objections to such a concept recently raised by Alastair Norcross: identifying a point along a continuous scale of harms at which the divide between relevant and irrelevant harms occurs, and the entailment that the mere possibility of preventing harm that one is morally forbidden from preventing can determine which of two other actions morality requires.
Improving International Medical Graduates' Performance of Case Presentations

Health care professionals use case presentations to communicate patient information among themselves during treatment and management. It is a critical genre of performance for medical residents to master for professional success. This genre is characterized by uncertainty and unique rhetorical moves, grammar, vocabulary and discourse strategies. As the format is established but not universal, international medical graduates (IMGs) in the United States anecdotally report case presentations to be the most difficult of communication tasks due to their lack of familiarity with the genre, problems with grammar and vocabulary, and the inability to organize, summarize or articulate their findings into the prescribed, interactive format. Many report crippling anxiety. For communication skills trainers, reviewing the literature in health communication and applied linguistics greatly informs the training of case presentation delivery. This paper describes the communicative tasks required of residents, followed by the components and genre particular to case presentations and how the task is perceived by residents compared to their attending faculty. Next, it explains the linguistic features unique to the task. Finally, it describes an individualized program established to train IMGs to approach the case presentation with the attitude of confidence and the deliberate manner of speaking required for professional discourse.
The Effect of Translocating Cylindrical Particles on the Ionic Current through a Nanopore

The electric field-induced translocation of cylindrical particles through nanopores with circular cross sections is studied theoretically. The coupled Nernst-Planck equations (multi-ion model, MIM) for the concentration fields of the ions in solution and the Stokes equation for the flow field are solved simultaneously. The predictions of the multi-ion model are compared with the predictions of two simplified models based on the Poisson-Boltzmann equation (PBM) and the Smoluchowski's slip velocity (SVM). The concentration field, the ionic current though the pore, and the particle's velocity are computed as functions of the particle's size, location, and electric charge; the pore's size and electric charge; the electric field intensity; and the bulk solution's concentration. In qualitative agreement with experimental data, the MIM predicts that, depending on the bulk solution's concentration, the translocating particle may either block or enhance the ionic current. When the thickness of the electric double layer is relatively large, the PBM and SVM predictions do not agree with the MIM predictions. The limitations of the PBM and SVM are delineated. The theoretical predictions are compared with and used to explain experimental data pertaining to the translocation of DNA molecules through nanopores.
Endocytic trafficking of activated EGFR is AP-2 dependent and occurs through preformed clathrin spots

The removal of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) from the cell surface by endocytosis is triggered by receptor activation, but many facets of EGFR trafficking remain unresolved. We employed total internal fluorescence microscopy to elucidate the dynamics of activated EGFR at the cell surface through live-cell imaging. The results of these studies demonstrate that: (1) EGFR does not localize to caveolae in live cells either before or after activation; (2) EGFR does localize to clathrin-coated pits, but only after activation; (3) activation does not result in the formation of new clathrin-coated pits; (4) activated EGFR clusters at sites of preformed clathrin lattices; (5) The AP-2 complex is involved in the internalization of activated EGFR. Using imaging techniques to show the endocytic sorting of activated EGFR for the first time in live cells, these studies suggest a refinement of the model for EGFR entry.
Multi-Agent Formation Control and Trajectory Tracking via Singular Perturbation

We study the problem of formation control and trajectory tracking for a group of robotic systems modeled as second order linear dynamics. The objective is to achieve and maintain a stable formation for a group of multi-agent systems, while guaranteeing tracking of a specified trajectory. The group should appear to the external operator that steers the fleet as a rigid body. We partition the state space for the collective system into coordinates of the geometric center of mass of the team and coordinates that describe the relative position of each robot with respect to the center of mass, thus defining the formation shape. The resulting dynamics are in general coupled. By imposing holonomic constraints between the subsystems (i.e. configuration constraint) and hence reducing the system's dimension, we guarantee the group behaving as a rigid body. Using high gain feedback we achieve asymptotic decoupling between the center of mass and the shape dynamics and the analysis is performed using singular perturbation method. In fact, the resulting system is a singularly perturbed system where the shape dynamics describe the boundary layer while the center of mass dynamics describes the reduced system. After an initial fast transient in which the robots lock to the desired shape, a slower tracking phase follows in which the center of mass converges to the desired trajectory while maintaining a stable formation.
Human Intestinal M Cells Display the Sialyl Lewis A Antigen

The biochemical features that distinguish human M cells from other intestinal epithelial cell types are important for understanding microbial pathogenesis and for targeting vaccines to the mucosal immune system. We applied a large panel of carbohydrate-specific monoclonal antibodies and lectins to Peyer's patch and cecum biopsy specimens from three normal individuals and a patient with inflammatory bowel disease. The results show that human M-cell glycosylation patterns are distinct from those of other species examined and that human M cells preferentially display the sialyl Lewis A antigen. This carbohydrate epitope is also present in a small subpopulation of enterocytes in the follicle-associated epithelium and in goblet cell mucins.
Peripheral signals in the control of feeding behavior.

Eating requires at least two basic decisions: what to eat, which is a decision about food choice, and how much to eat, which is a decision about food intake. This distinction is important because food choice and intake involve different behaviors, different controlling signals and different physiological mechanisms. Feeding behavior is controlled by a variety of signals. ‘Cephalic’ signals, such as the taste, smell, sound and sight of food, control food choice and can influence the amount of food consumed in the shortterm. Gastrointestinal signals resulting from changes in distention or the release of gut peptides may play a role in the control of shortterm intake within a meal or across several meals. Metabolic signals generated by the supply and utilization of metabolic fuels not only influence food choice, but also how much food is consumed in the short-term. Metabolic signals also determine food intake in the longterm and are important in maintaining energy balance over a nutritionally significant interval. Traditionally, research emphasized separate signals associated with glucose and fat metabolism. ‘Glucostatic’ hypotheses about these signals have focused on either changes in the circulating level of glucose or on intracellular glucose utilization, whereas ‘lipostatic’ hypotheses have targeted the amount of body fat or, more recently, the adipose hormone, leptin. A less well known line of research has looked to metabolic processes common to the metabolism of both glucose and fat for metabolic signals controlling food intake. This perspective was initially proposed by Ugolev and Kassil (1961), who investigated the tricarboxylic acid cycle as a source of a common, ‘oxidative’ metabolic signal. More recently, research in this area has focused on aspects of ATP production. Our approach to the study of the metabolic controls of food intake addresses questions that are usually associated with the study of sensory systems: Where are receptors/detectors that monitor metabolic events to control food intake? What stimulus is adequate to activate the receptor? How is this stimulus transduced into a neural signal? And how is this signal transmitted to and within the central nervous system? Here, we review our laboratory’s work on each of these issues in turn.
Three-dimensional potential gradient fields generated by intracardiac catheter and cutaneous patch electrodes

BACKGROUND Defibrillation may be improved if electrode configurations can be found that create a larger and more even voltage gradient field across the heart. This study determined the magnitude of the shock gradient fields generated by four nonthoracotomy electrode configurations for defibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS In six dogs, a catheter was inserted containing a right ventricular apical electrode (V) and a right atrial electrode (A). A cutaneous patch electrode (P) was placed on the left lateral thorax. Shock potentials were recorded simultaneously from 128 electrodes in the left ventricular and right ventricular subepicardium and subendocardium, ventricular septum, and atria. With the chest closed, 50-mA shocks were given during diastole via the following lead configurations: V\---|-A (V, cathode; A, anode); V\---|-P; V\---|-A+P; and V+A\---|-P. Potential gradients were calculated at the subepicardium and subendocardium in millivolts per centimeter per volt of shock. In most dogs, the V\---|-A+P configuration produced higher gradients throughout the ventricles than did V\---|-A, V\---|-P, or V+A\---|-P. The maximum potential gradient was smaller for the V+A\---|-P configuration than for V\---|-A, V\---|-P, or V\---|-A+P. The gradient fields for the configurations with the catheter alone or combined with P were uneven. CONCLUSIONS It is possible to estimate shock gradient fields in three dimensions. Of the four configurations tested, V\---|-A+P produced the highest gradients and V+A\---|-P produced the lowest high gradient. The gradient fields were uneven throughout the ventricles.
The optical detection of cancer: An introduction

During 2008, approximately 1.4 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States, leading to more than 1500 deaths every day. Even with remarkable technological advancements and extraordinary efforts from cancer advocates, scientists, and clinicians, the diagnosis of cancer often occurs at a late stage conferring a dismal prognosis. Importantly, the improvement of patient outcomes is clearly related to the detection of cancerous or precancerous lesions at early stages of disease. Optical detection technology offers the promise to not only detect disease at early stages, but also to improve the monitoring of disease progression or regression during treatment. The field of optical diagnostics comprises a variety of techniques designed to characterize the relationship between the optical and biological properties of tissue. Through the detection of changes in light after interaction with tissue, optical technologies provide information on the physiologic condition of the tissue at a molecular level. Early research in optical diagnostics suggested that alterations in light-tissue
Abstract 918: Physician receptivity to molecular diagnostic testing in planning treatment for early-stage colon cancer patients

Molecular diagnostic testing is an emergent biomedical technology that can help physicians and patients make treatment decisions. We administered a survey questionnaire to surgeons and medical oncologists to assess physician receptivity to use of a molecular diagnostic test (GUCY2C) to identify early stage (pN0) colon cancer patients at risk for recurrence. We identified 104 physicians who treat such patients; and 43 (41%) physicians returned a completed survey. The survey included items on practice environment (e.g., hospital-versus community-based practice), physician background (e.g., sociodemographic characteristics), physician experience (exposure to pN0 colon cancer patients), and current practice for staging pN0 colon cancer patients (e.g., histopathology, molecular diagnostic testing). We also asked respondents to report how accurate (very accurate, somewhat accurate, not accurate) they thought histopathology and molecular diagnostic testing were in staging pN0 colon cancer patients. Items using a Likert-type response set (Strongly Disagree - 1 to Strongly Agree -5) were used to elicit responses to statements about stress related to making treatment recommendations, and confidence in recommending treatment. To measure the dependent variable, we used two items with the same type of response set, and asked physicians to indicate their readiness to incorporate GUCY2C testing into treatment planning. Responses were summed, averaged, and categorized into “Agree” (>3) and “Do Not Agree” ( Citation Format: Ronald E. Myers, Thomas A. Wolf, Scott Waldman. Physician receptivity to molecular diagnostic testing in planning treatment for early-stage colon cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 918. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-918
Viscoelastic Characterization of Structural Adhesive via Force Oscillation Experiments

A test device based on the Weissenberg Rheogoniometer was developed to measure the dynamic viscoelastic properties of solids. A computerized data acquisition and analysis system with graphics capability is utilized in this apparatus. Equations containing terms for the moment of inertia and damping of the torsion head were developed for forced oscillation. The apparatus was employed to characterize an epoxy with known fracture and fatigue properties. Despite the epoxies complex morphology, time-temperature superposition could be used to obtain master curves. The shift factors (and glassy modulus) for the α transition depended on the thermal history of the specimen while the shift factors for the β relaxation gave a linear Arrhenius plot with an activation energy of 15 kcal/mole.
Textural, Color, and Sensory Properties of Bologna Containing Various Levels of Washed Chicken Skin

Abstract Poultry skin was washed in sodium bicarbonate (0.5%) solution in a pilot plant facility to remove fat from skin. Composition of the washed product was determined and its functional properties were determined in a bologna product at the levels of 0, 10, and 20%. Washing reduced fat, and increased total protein and moisture in skin. Collagen content was significantly increased and water- and salt-soluble protein in washed skin were significantly decreased compared to unwashed skin (P
Linear Fractional Transformation Identification Using Retrospective Cost Optimization

Abstract In this paper we use retrospective cost optimization to identify linear fractional transformations (LFTs). This method uses an adaptive controller in feedback with a known system model. The goal is to identify the feedback portion of the LFT by adapting the controller with a retrospective cost. We demonstrate this method on numerical examples of increasing complexity, ranging from linear examples with unknown feedback terms to nonlinear examples. Finally, we examine methods for improving the retrospective cost optimization performance.