cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the Effects of Three-Dimensional Cylinder Liner Surface Texture on Ring-Pack Performance With a Focus on Honing Groove Cross-Hatch Angle

Frictional losses in the piston ring-pack of an engine account for approximately 20% of the total frictional losses within an engine. Although many non-conventional cylinder liner finishes are now being developed to reduce friction and oil consumption, the effects of the surface finish on ring-pack performance is not well understood. The current study focuses on modeling the effects of three-dimensional cylinder liner surface anisotropy on piston ring-pack performance. A rough surface flow simulation program was developed to generate flow factors and shear stress factors for three-dimensional cylinder liner surface textures. Rough surface contact between the ring and liner was modeled using a previously published methodology for asperity contact pressure estimation between actual rough surfaces. The surface specific flow factors, shear stress factors, and asperity contact model were used in conjunction with MIT’s previously developed ring-pack simulation program to predict the effects of different surface textures on ring-pack behavior. Specific attention was given to the effect of honing groove cross-hatch angle on piston ring-pack friction in a stationary natural gas engine application, and adverse effects on engine oil consumption and durability were also briefly considered. The modeling results suggest that ring-pack friction reduction is possible if the liner honing cross hatch angle is decreased by reducing the feed-to-speed ratio of the honing tool. Reducing the cross-hatch angle increased oil flow blockage and increased the lubricant’s effective viscosity during mixed lubrication. This allowed more load to be supported by hydrodynamic pressure, reducing ring-pack friction. However, there appeared to be a potential for increased oil consumption and scuffing tendency corresponding to a decrease in honing cross-hatch angle.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Reduction in ground reaction force variables with instructed barefoot running

Abstract Backgound Barefoot (BF) running has recently increased in popularity with claims that it is more natural and may result in fewer injuries due to a reduction in impact loading. However, novice BF runners do not necessarily immediately switch to a forefoot strike pattern. This may increase mechanical parameters such as loading rate, which has been associated with certain running-related injuries, specifically, tibial stress fractures, patellofemoral pain, and plantar fasciitis. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in loading parameters between typical shod running and instructed BF running with real-time force feedback. Methods Forty-nine patients seeking treatment for a lower extremity injury ran on a force-sensing treadmill in their typical shod condition and then BF at the same speed. While BF they received verbal instruction and real-time feedback of vertical ground reaction forces. Results While 92% of subjects (n = 45) demonstrated a rearfoot strike pattern when shod, only 2% (n = 1) did during the instructed BF run. Additionally, while BF 47% (n = 23) eliminated the vertical impact transient in all eight steps analyzed. All loading variables of interest were significantly reduced from the shod to instructed BF condition. These included maximum instantaneous and average vertical loading rates of the ground reaction force (p Conclusion As impact loading has been associated with certain running-related injuries, instruction and feedback on the proper forefoot strike pattern may help reduce the injury risk associated with transitioning to BF running.
Can compact rail transit corridors transform the automobile city? Planning for more sustainable travel in Los Angeles

Directing growth towards compact rail corridors has become a key strategy for redirecting auto-oriented regions towards denser, mixed-use communities that support sustainable travel. Few have examined how travel of near-rail residents varies within corridors or whether corridor land use–travel interactions diverge from regional averages. The Los Angeles region has made substantial investments in transit-oriented development, and our survey analysis indicates that although rail corridor residents drove less and rode public transit more than the county average, households in an older subway corridor with more near-transit development had about 11 fewer daily miles driven and higher transit ridership than households along a newer light rail line, a difference likely associated with development patterns and the composition and preferences of residents. Rail transit corridors are not created equally, and transit providers and community planners should consider the social and development context of corridors in...
Relationship between Age and the Risk of Surgical Site Infection: A Contemporary Reexamination of a Classic Risk Factor

Due in large part to many landmark innovations in the care of the surgical patient, such as the use of anesthesia [1] and the development of the principles of antibiotic prophylaxis [2, 3], the number of surgical procedures performed annually has climbed steadily, with >24 million surgical procedures performed in 2001 in the United States alone [4]. Unfortunately, as surgical volume has increased and with the development of novel surgical procedures, the number of persons at risk of morbidity from surgical site infections (SSIs) has also increased. According to the most-recent estimates, 500,000 SSIs occur annually in the United States, leading to an estimated 3.7 million excess hospital days and >$1.6 billion in excess costs [5, 6]. A patient who develops an SSI while hospitalized has an -60% greater risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit, is >5 times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after discharge, and incurs an attributable extra hospital stay of 6.5 days, leading to a direct cost of an additional $3000/infection [7]. Attempts to reduce such morbidity have appropriately focused on the identification of specific risk factors for SSI. Such factors may be specific to single surgical types, such as the use of internal mammary arteries for coronary arterial bypass grafting [8, 9], but many are applicable to most surgical procedures. In general, these risk factors can be categorized into 2 groups: characteristics of the surgical patient and characteristics of the procedure itself (figure 1) [10, 11]. Some risk factors-in particular, patient characteristics such as altered immune
Developmental expression and hormonal regulation of the rat matrix GLA protein (MGP) gene in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis

Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a vitamin K dependent protein, has recently been identified in many tissues. However, it is accumulated only in bone and cartilage suggesting that the expression of MGP may be related to the development and/or maintance of the phenotypic properties of these tissues. We systematically evaluated MGP mRNA expression as a function of bone and cartilage development and also as regulated by vitamin D during growth and cellular differentiation. Three experimental models of cartilage and bone development were employed:colon; an in vivo model for endochondral bone formation, as well as in primary cells of normal diploid rat chondrocyte and osteoblast cultures. MGP was expressed at the highest level during cartilage formation and calcification in vivo during endochondral bone formation. In chondrocyte cultures, MGP mRNA was present throughout the culture period but increased only after 3 weeks concomitantly with type I collagen mRNA. In osteoblast cultures, MGP mRNA was expressed during the proliferative period and exhibited increased expression during the period of matrix development. In contrast to osteocalcin (bone Gla protein), this increase was not dependent on mineralization but was related to the extent of differentiation associated with and potentially induced by extracellular matrix formation. During the proliferative period, type I collagen mRNA peaked and thereafter declined, while type I collagen protein steadily accumulated in the extracellular matrix. Constant MGP levels were maintained in the mineralization period of osteoblast differentiation in vitro which is consistent with the constant levels found during the osteogenic period of the in vivo system. MGP mRNA levels in both osteoblasts and chondrocytes in culture were significantly elevated by 1,25-(OH)2D3 (10−8 M, 48 h) throughout the time course of cellular growth and differentiation. Interestingly, when MGP mRNA transcripts from vitamin D treated and untreated chondrocytes and osteoblasts were analyzed by high resolution Northern blot analysis, we observed two distinct species of MGP mRNA in the vitamin D treated chondrocyte cultures while all other cultures examined exhibited only a single MGP mRNA transcript. Primer extension analysis indicated a single transcription start site in both osteoblasts and chondrocytes with or without vitamin D treatment, suggesting that the lower molecular weight MGP message in vitamin D treated chondrocytes may be related to a modification in post-transcriptional processing. In conclusion, these results show that the selective accumulation of MGP in bone and cartilage tissues in vitro may be related to the development and/or maintance of a collagenous matrix as reflected by increases in MGP mRNA during these periods. Moreover, our data suggest that cartilage and bone MGP mRNA may in part be selectively regulated by 1,25-(OH)2D3 at the post-transcriptional level.
Focusing osteoarthritis management on modifiable risk factors and future therapeutic prospects

The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) appears to be the result of a complex interplay between mechanical, cellular, and biochemical forces. Obesity is the strongest risk factor for disease onset and mechanical factors dominate the risk for disease progression. This narrative review focuses on the influence of biomechanics and obesity on the etiology of OA and its symptomatic presentation. We need to revisit the way we currently manage the disease and focus on the modifiable, primarily through nonpharmacologic intervention. Greater therapeutic attention to the important role of mechanical factors and obesity in OA etiopathogenesis is required if we are to find ways of reducing the public health impact of this condition.
An efficient and backwards-compatible transformation to ensure memory safety of C programs

Memory-related errors, such as buffer overflows and dangling pointers, remain one of the principal reasons for failures of C programs. As a result, a number of recent research efforts have focused on the problem of dynamic detection of memory errors in C programs. However, existing approaches suffer from one or more of the following problems: inability to detect all memory errors (e.g., Purify), requiring non-trivial modifications to existing C programs (e.g., Cyclone), changing the memory management model of C to use garbage collection (e.g., CCured), and excessive performance overheads. In this paper, we present a new approach that addresses these problems. Our approach operates via source code transformation and combines efficient data-structures with simple, localized optimizations to obtain good performance.
Preoperative predictors of number of root canals clinically detected in maxillary molars: a PennEndo Database study.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the concomitant influence of several variables on the number of root canals clinically detected in maxillary molars. The study used multiple logistic regression analysis on data from 1328 patients, aged 6–82 years, who received nonsurgical root canal treatment on maxillary molars at the University of Pennsylvania from 2000–2006. The number of canals was used as the dependent variable, whereas tooth type, age, caries, referral source, restoration, and pulpal and periapical diagnosis were used as independent variables. One was 0.98 times less likely to detect more canals when the age increased by 1 year. Similarly, one was 1.4 times more likely to detect canals in teeth with caries than teeth without caries. When these independent variables were controlled, only age of the individual was significantly related to number of root canals detected.
The Effect of Altitude on Dosing and Response to Erythropoietin in ESRD

For poorly understood reasons, patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) differ substantially in their response to treatment with recombinant erythropoietin (EPO). Because hypoxia influences many of the biologic pathways involved in erythropoiesis, the altitude at which a patient lives may affect the dose-response relationship of EPO. In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data from 341,737 incident hemodialysis patients registered in the U.S. Renal Data System were combined with elevation data from the U.S. Geological Survey to address this question. Higher altitude was associated with smaller EPO doses and higher hematocrit levels. For example, compared with patients at sea level, patients living above 6000 ft received 19% less EPO (12.9 versus 15.9 thousand units/wk) but had hematocrit levels 1.1 points higher (35.7% versus 34.6%). These associations were found within subgroups defined by sex, race, age, calendar time, cause of ESRD, and dialysis center profit status, and persisted after adjustment for various potential confounding factors. Furthermore, resistance to EPO decreased with elevation. Our results suggest that ESRD patients living at high altitude either increase endogenous EPO production or respond better to endogenous and exogenous EPO.
Supporting Student Learning: Improving Performance on Short-Essay Exams Using Realistic Practice Opportunities.

The present manuscript reports an attempt to support students in learning to apply knowledge from class to novel situations on course exams. Students took short-essay exams at the end of each unit. Students were offered two practice opportunities during each unit: answering practice questions and participating in a mock exam study session. On average, exam performance improved when students completed more practice questions accurately and when they took mock exams. The improved performance suggests that efforts to support student learning succeeded in helping them develop a deeper, application-based understanding of course materials.
COBAS ® AmpliPrep/COBAS ® TaqMan ® HIV-1 Test, Version 2.0

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the etiologic agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Roche COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan® HIV-1 Test involves automated reverse transcription, PCR amplification, and detection of HIV-1 target RNA from peripheral blood specimens. The dynamic range of the assay is 48–10,000,000 copies/mL.
Inference model for heterogeneous robot team configuration based on Reinforcement Learning

In many practical robotics problems, knowledge of the team configuration and capabilities is crucial in coordination of multiple heterogeneous robots. In a challenging environment with costly, sporadic, or absent communication, inferencing based on observed spatio-temporal state transitions is necessary for learning and reasoning. In this paper, we present a general purpose inference engine that takes sparse observations of state transitions made during multi-robot team execution of a foraging task as input and dynamically inferences the team configuration through a rational decision-making process using Reinforcement Learning (RL). We demonstrate the operation and scalability of this approach in simulations using various size multi-robot foraging tasks. The method is robust to dynamic changes in team composition during execution.
Defeating Vanish with Low-Cost Sybil Attacks Against Large DHTs

Researchers at the University of Washington recently proposed Vanish [20], a system for creating messages that automatically “self-destruct” after a period of time. Vanish works by encrypting each message with a random key and storing shares of the key in a large, public distributed hash table (DHT). DHTs expunge data older than a certain age; after this happens to the key shares, the key is permanently lost, and the encrypted data is permanently unreadable. Vanish is an interesting approach to an important privacy problem, but, in its current form, it is insecure. In this paper, we defeat the deployed Vanish implementation, explain how the original paper’s security analysis is flawed, and draw lessons for future system designs. We present two Sybil attacks against the current Vanish implementation, which stores its encryption keys in the million-node Vuze BitTorrent DHT. These attacks work by continuously crawling the DHT and saving each stored value before it ages out. They can efficiently recover keys for more than 99% of Vanish messages. We show that the dominant cost of these attacks is network data transfer, not memory usage as the Vanish authors expected, and that the total cost is two orders of magnitude less than they estimated. While we consider potential defenses, we conclude that public DHTs like Vuze probably cannot provide strong security for Vanish.
Induction of Synchronized Fissions in Telotrochidium henneguyi

SYNOPSIS. Cultures of Telotrochidium henneguyi, begun with logarithmic phase cells, were employed in an effort to produce synchronized fission by heat treatment. The cells tolerated a temperature range of 20–50 C; temperatures above 50 were lethal. When cells were exposed to a single shock for 30 min, 30–40 produced 0–50% encystment with total excystment after 10 min exposure to room temperature (heat shock range). No encystment occurred between 20–30 (intershock range). Encystment and excystment time varied directly with temperature between 40–50. The most effective procedure for inducing synchronized fission consisted of 6 cycle program of 38/28 C (shock temperature/intershock temperature) administered for 15/15 (shock/intershock duration in min). Division indices (DI = cells dividing/total population X 100 =%) ranged from 12–66% with a mean of 37.25%. In control cells, division indices ranged from 2–20% with an average of 12%. Inferences from these independently derived findings are discussed.
The Prediction of Performance of Olympic Athletes in Discus, Hammer, Javelin, and Shotput From Measures of Personality Characteristics

For each of four subsamples of Olympic-quality athletes—14 Discus, 8 Hammer, 11 Javelin, and 12 Shotput specialists—measures of 19 personality constructs yielded only two statistically significant validity coefficients (out of 76 possible significant indices) in the prediction of average length of throw. The conclusion was reached that the self-report personality measures employed afford little promise as predictors of success in the four Olympic events studied.
Structural induction: towards automatic ontology elicitation

Induction is the process by which we obtain laws (and more encompassing - theories) about the world. This process can thought as aiming to derive two aspects of a theory: a Structural aspect and a Numerical aspect respectively. The Structural aspect is concerned with the entities modeled and their interrelationship, also known as ontology. The Numerical aspect is concerned with the quantities involved in the relationships among the above-mentioned entities along with uncertainties either postulated to exist in the world or inherent to the nature of the induction process. In this thesis we will focus more on the structural aspect hence the name: Structural Induction: toward Automatic Ontology Elicitation. In order to deal with the problem of Structural Induction we need to solve two main problems: (1) We have to say what we mean by Structure (What? ); and (2) We have to say how to get it (How?). In this thesis we give one very definite answer to the first question ( What?) and we also explore how to answer the second question (How?) in some particular cases. A comprehensive answer to the second question (How?) in the most general setup will involve dealing very carefully with the interplay between the Structural and Numerical aspects of Induction and will represent a full solution to the Induction problem. This is a vast enterprise and we will only be able touch some aspects of this issue. The main thesis presented in this work is that the fundamental structural elements based on which theories are constructed are Abstraction (grouping similar entities under one overarching category) and Super-Structuring (grouping into a bigger unit topologically close entities - in particular spatio-temporally close). This thesis is supported by showing that each member of the Turing equivalent class of General Generative Grammars can be decomposed in terms of these operators and their duals (Reverse Abstraction and Reverse SuperStructuring, respectively). Thus, if we are to believe the Computationalistic Assumption (that the most general way to present a finite theory is by the means of an entity expressed in a Turing equivalent formalism) we have proved that our thesis is correct. We call this thesis the Abstraction + SuperStructuring thesis. The rest of the thesis is concerned with issues in the opened by the second question presented above ( How?): Given that we have established what we mean by Structure, how to get it?
CRPS-Related Neurogenic Edema Responsive to Dextromethorphan/Quinidine

Dear Editor, Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) generally follows trauma to soft tissue (CRPS type I) or a major peripheral nerve (CRPS type II), and is characterized by severe pain disproportionate to the inciting injury, which may migrate to regions anatomically removed from the site of trauma. Apart from pain, patients with CRPS demonstrate sensory (e.g., hyperesthesia or allodynia), vasomotor (e.g., temperature or skin color asymmetry), sudomotor (e.g., edema or sweating changes), or motor/trophic changes (tremor, dystonia, thinning of nails) [1]. The pathophysiology of CRPS remains unknown, but potential mechanisms include injury to C- and A-delta sensory nerve fibers resulting in neurogenic inflammation and central sensitization [2]. According to this model, nerve fiber activation causes release substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptides resulting in protein extravasation, edema, and accumulation of inflammatory cytokines. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated central sensitization ensues, and inflammation (e.g., microglial activation) spreads up the neuraxis, correlating with spread of pain beyond the site of injury. …
Feeding Tubes and the Prevention or Healing of Pressure Ulcers

Background: The evidence regarding the use of feeding tubes in persons with advanced dementia to prevent orhealpressureulcersisconflicting.Usingnationaldata, we set out to determine whether percutaneous endoscopicgastrostomy(PEG)tubespreventorhelphealpressure ulcers in nursing home (NH) residents with advanced cognitive impairment (ACI). Methods: A propensity-matched cohort study of NH residents with ACI and recent need for assistance in eating was conducted by matching each NH resident who had a feeding tube inserted during a hospitalization to 3 without a PEG tube inserted. Using the Minimum Data Set (MDS), we examined 2 outcomes: first, whether residents without a pressure ulcer developed a stage 2 or higher pressure ulcer (n=1124 with PEG insertion); and second, whether NH residents with a pressure ulcer (n=461) experienced improvement of the pressure ulcer by their first posthospitalization MDS assessment (mean [SD] time between evaluations, 24.6 [32.7] days). Results: Matched residents with and without a PEG insertionshowedcomparablesociodemographiccharacteristic, rates of feeding tube risk factors, and mortality. Adjustedforriskfactors,hospitalizedNHresidentsreceiving a PEG tube were 2.27 times more likely to develop a new pressureulcer(95%CI,1.95-2.65).Conversely,thosewith apressureulcerwerelesslikelytohavetheulcerhealwhen theyhadaPEGtubeinserted(OR0.70[95%CI,0.55-0.89]). Conclusions:Feeding tubes are not associated with prevention or improved healing of a pressure ulcer. Rather, our findings suggest that the use of PEG tube is associatedwithincreasedriskofpressureulcersamongNHresidents with ACI.
Sustainable development under population pressure: lessons from developed land consumption in the conterminous U.S.

Population growth will result in a significant anthropogenic environmental change worldwide through increases in developed land (DL) consumption. DL consumption is an important environmental and socioeconomic process affecting humans and ecosystems. Attention has been given to DL modeling inside highly populated cities. However, modeling DL consumption should expand to non-metropolitan areas where arguably the environmental consequences are more significant. Here, we study all counties within the conterminous U.S. and based on satellite-derived product (National Land Cover Dataset 2001) we calculate the associated DL for each county. By using county population data from the 2000 census we present a comparative study on DL consumption and we propose a model linking population with expected DL consumption. Results indicate distinct geographic patterns of comparatively low and high consuming counties moving from east to west. We also demonstrate that the relationship of DL consumption with population is mostly linear, altering the notion that expected population growth will have lower DL consumption if added in counties with larger population. Added DL consumption is independent of a county’s starting population and only dependent on whether the county belongs to a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). In the overlapping MSA and non-MSA population range there is also a constant DL efficiency gain of approximately 20km2 for a given population for MSA counties which suggests that transitioning from rural to urban counties has significantly higher benefits in lower populations. In addition, we analyze the socioeconomic composition of counties with extremely high or low DL consumption. High DL consumption counties have statistically lower Black/African American population, higher poverty rate and lower income per capita than average in both NMSA and MSA counties. Our analysis offers a baseline to investigate further land consumption strategies in anticipation of growing population pressures.
Comparison of storage techniques for giant panda sperm

Semen storage for artificial insemination is an integral part of giant panda captive breeding programs. The development of short- and long-term storage techniques is needed to ensure a viable reserve of germplasm for artificial reproduction. In this study semen collected by electroejaculation from three male pandas was extended in culture medium prior to recording initial motility (MOT), speed of progression (SOP), and percent live (% L). Motility scores (MS) were calculated as MOT×SOP2. All results were expressed as % of initial MS (% IMS) and % of initial L (% IL). Experiment 1 examined the longevity of cooled sperm, both fresh and thawed. Extended fresh sperm was diluted in TEST-Y buffer before storage at 4°C. The % IMS and % IL were recorded at 4, 8, 24, and 48 hr for males 1 and 2, and at 29, 70, and 214 hr for male 3. Additional sperm was frozen over liquid nitrogen vapor following dilution in TEST-Y buffer with 4% glycerol and cooling to 4°C. The % IL of fresh sperm after 48 hr at 4°C was 96 and 100 for males 1 and 2, respectively. In contrast, thawed sperm from these males exhibited just 77 and 68% IL at thaw (T0). These data indicate that short-term liquid storage is superior to freezing when sperm is to be used within 48 hr of collection. Experiment 2 compared the effects of four cooling methods on the cryosurvival of panda sperm. Sperm from male 3 was diluted in TEST-Y buffer with 4% glycerol and cooled by four methods. Vials were frozen over liquid nitrogen vapor and stored for 5 months in liquid nitrogen. The sperm was thawed and evaluated for % IL at T0, and then reevaluated at 30 and 60 min at 37°C. There was no significant effect of the prefreeze cool method on % IMS or % IL. Zoo Biol 22:335–345, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
DFT Challenges in Next Generation Multi-media IP

Multi-media based applications have increased immensely in the last few years. The need to have better video quality, higher recording and playback time, more video channels and faster time to market (TTM) requires DFT solutions that use core-based testing to allow concurrent IP and SOC development, scalable to support multiple technologies and eases the development of timing constraints. This paper describes the challenges and solutions used to address them.
The Future Is Now: Biologics for Non-Infectious Pediatric Anterior Uveitis

Anterior uveitis (AU), inflammation of the iris, choroid or ciliary body, can cause significant eye morbidity, including visual loss. In the pediatric age group, the most common underlying diagnosis for AU is juvenile idiopathic associated uveitis and idiopathic AU, which are the focus of this paper. AU is often resistant to medications such as topical corticosteroids and methotrexate. In the past 15 years, biologic agents (biologics) have transformed treatment. In this review, we discuss those in widespread use and those with more theoretical applications for anterior uveitis. Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (anti-TNFα) have been available the longest and are used widely to treat pediatric uveitis. The effects of anti-TNFα in children are described mostly in small retrospective case series. Together, the literature suggests that the majority of children treated with anti-TNFα achieve decreased uveitis activity and reduced corticosteroid burden. However, many will have disease flares even on treatment. Only a few small studies directly compare outcomes between alternate anti-TNFα (infliximab and adalimumab). The use of different uveitis grading systems, inclusion criteria, and outcome measures makes cross-study comparisons difficult. Whether the achievement and maintenance of inactive disease occurs more frequently with certain anti-TNFα remains controversial. Newer biologics that modulate the immune system differently (e.g., interfere with Th17 activation through IL-17a and IL-6 blockade, limit T lymphocyte costimulation, and deplete B lymphocytes), have shown promise for uveitis. Studies of these agents are small and include mostly adults. Additional biologics are also being explored to treat uveitis. With their advent, we are hopeful that outcomes will ultimately be improved for children with AU. With many biologics available, much work remains to identify the optimal inflammatory pathway to target in AU.
An Unusual Multiple Drug Intoxication Case Involving Citalopram

A 47-year-old male with a history of drug abuse and suicide attempts was found dead at home. The death scene investigation showed evidence of cocaine abuse and multiple drug ingestion. Citralopram, a new selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, cocaine, oxycodone, promethazine, propoxyphene, and norpropoxyphene were identified and quantitated in the postmortem samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentration of citalopram in the femoral blood was 0.88 mg/L. The heart blood concentration was 1.16 mg/L. Femoral blood concentrations of the other drugs were as follows: cocaine, 0.03 mg/L; oxycodone, 0.06 mg/L; promethazine, 0.02 mg/L; propoxyphene, 0.02 mg/L; and norpropoxyphene, 0.07 mg/L. Other tissue samples were also analyzed. The concentrations of cocaine, oxycodone, promethazine, and propoxyphene in the blood, liver, brain, and gastric contents did not suggest an intentional overdose. However, the possibility of multiple drug interactions including citalopram was evident. In this case, the citalopram concentrations were consistent with those reported in fatal cases involving multiple drug use. Citalopram was present in urine at a concentration of 0.9 mg/L.
Studies on the biology of the Gorse Seed Weevil, Exapion ulicis (Forster 1771), in Northern California (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The seed weevil, Exapion ulicis (Forster 1771), was released in northern California as a biological control agent against gorse, an exotic shrub that invades grasslands and wildlands in the coastal counties of California. Several studies were conducted to examine the relationship between egg maturation and deposition with the flowering phenology of its host plant. Female weevils fed different diets of flowers and foliage showed significant differences in ovarian development. Females relied on their stored fat reserves to sustain them through the winter season. Stored fat in newly emerged females was 21% in June or July, declining to 10% by late January the following year. Fat maintenance was sustained throughout the ovipositional period by both flower and foliage feeding. The results show that the biology and life cycle of this weevil was closely tied to the production of flowers by gorse. Oviposition was synchronized with anthesis and flower feeding in March (early spring). Larval development occurred in...
Hopelessness as a predictor of non-response to fluoxetine in major depressive disorder.

Background. The purpose of this study was to study hopelessness as a predictor of response to fluoxetine in outpatients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Methods. The degree of hopelessness was assessed during the baseline visit with the use of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in 312 patients with MDD (56.1% women; 39.8 ± 10.3 years of age) who entered an 8-week, 20-mg, fixed-dose, open trial of fluoxetine. With the use of a logistic regression we tested whether BHS scores at baseline predicted clinical response, controlling for the severity of depression as reflected by the total score on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17). With the use of a multiple regression we also tested whether BHS scores at baseline predicted HAM-D-17 scores at endpoint, controlling for HAM-D-17 scores at baseline. Results. After controlling for depression severity at baseline, a greater degree of hopelessness was found to significantly increase the risk of non-response to fluoxetine (p = 0.0413), as well as the risk of greater endpoint depression severity (p = 0.0305). Conclusions. Hopelessness appeared to be associated with poorer response to treatment with fluoxetine in MDD, and this was independent of depression severity. Similar studies involving treatment with higher doses of fluoxetine and for greater duration as well as a placebo comparator arm are needed to further explore the relationship between hopelessness, placebo response and drug response.
Column experimental design requirements for estimating model parameters from temporal moments under nonequilibrium conditions

Abstract Data truncation is a practical necessity of laboratory column experiments because of both time and detection-limit constraints. In this paper, we study the extent to which data truncation can affect estimates of transport modeling parameters, as derived from temporal moment calculations and in the context of solute transport experiments that are influenced by sorption and nonequilibrium partitioning among mobile and immobile phases. Our results show that, for a given amount of solute used, step changes in input conditions can give more accurate moment-derived parameters than Dirac or square-wave pulses, whereas Dirac and square-wave pulses are essentially identical in terms of accuracy of parameter estimates. By simulating data truncation for a wide range of column input and transport conditions, we provide guidance toward the experimental designs that are needed to keep parameter estimation error within specified bounds, assuming nonequilibrium conditions of transport that result from either first-order or diffusion-based rate processes. More specifically, we investigate the relationships between mass of solute added to the system, minimum solute quantification limits, experiment duration times, and accuracy of parameter estimation, all as a function of experimental conditions.
Open Access Status of Nano ELSI Research: Determining Availability of a Core Collection of Research for a Disciplinary Repository

INTRODUCTION The development and maintenance of a disciplinary repository is a high cost, long-term project; therefore, it is important to investigate the feasibility of the proposed resource. This paper explores whether an emerging discipline can support the development of a disciplinary repository by evaluating the availability of scholarship and scholarly communication trends within the nanotechnology and emerging technology ethical, legal, and societal issues research (Nano ELSI) domain. METHODS In this study, journal articles produced through Spring 2013 by two large National Science Foundation Centers for Nanotechnology and Society at the University of California Santa Barbara and Arizona State University are evaluated for both potential and actual availability through open access publishing and author self-archiving. RESULTS While only 14% of articles in this collection have been published openly in open access or hybrid open access journals, over two thirds (85%) have been published in journals that support author self-archiving of some version of the manuscript in institutional or disciplinary repositories. The actual full-text open availability of 48% of total articles in the set demonstrates that there is a strong inclination among this community to share research products. CONCLUSION The availability of a core collection of materials and an understanding of scholarly communication conventions within the domain support the development of a centralized resource.
Late Cretaceous dinosaurs from the Denver Basin, Colorado

Late Cretaceous dinosaurs have been known from the Denver Basin, Colorado, since the mid-1860s. Most of the fossils are scrappy, although several fragmentary skeletons are known. Most recently discovered specimens are the result of salvage work at construction sites in the Denver metropolitan area. Dinosaurs from the Denver Basin include Triceratops , Torosaurus , Edmontosaurus , Thescelosaurus , Edmontonia , Pachycephalosaurus , Tyrannosaurus , a dromaeosaurid, and Ornithomimus . All of these taxa are also known from the Lance, Hell Creek, and Scollard Formations to the north and are known collectively as the Lancian fauna. Thus, these Late Cretaceous dinosaurs from Colorado are the southeastern-most extension of the Lancian fauna. Furthermore, there may be ecological segregation of some taxa based on their facies distribution, with Thescelosaurus and Torosaurus restricted to the wetter lowlands and Ornithomimus and possibly Pachycephalosaurus to the better drained uplands.
Modeling distribution of point and nonpoint sources pollution loadings in the saginaw bay watersheds, Michigan

This study involves developing a physically based, spatially-distributed water quality model to simulate spatial and temporal distributions of point and nonpoint sources in the Saginaw Bay Basin, Michigan. Databases of point sources including combined sewer overflows (CSOs) were acquired from the governmental agencies to map the occurrences and magnitude of the CSOs. Multiple databases of meteorology, land use, topography, hydrography, soils, and agricultural statistics were used to estimate nonpoint source loading potential in the study watersheds. Results indicate that point sources from municipalities, industrial sectors and business entities contribute approximately 25% of the total phosphorous load to Saginaw Bay. While total amount of nutrients (N and P) from animal manure and fertilizer applications and atmospheric deposition declined in the Saginaw Bay Basin, fertilizer applications in non-farmland increased significantly.
Is GLP‐1 a hormone: Whether and When?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a product of proglucagon cleavage synthesized in L cells in the intestinal mucosa, α-cells in the pancreatic islet, and neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract. GLP-1 is essential for normal glucose tolerance and acts through a specific GLP-1 receptor that is expressed by islet β-cells as well as other cell types. Because plasma concentrations of GLP-1 increase following meal ingestion it has been generally presumed that GLP-1 acts as a hormone, communicating information from the intestine to the endocrine pancreas through the circulation. However, there are a number of problems with this model including low circulating concentrations of GLP-1 in plasma, limited changes after meal ingestion and rapid metabolism in the plasma. Moreover, antagonism of systemic GLP-1 action impairs insulin secretion in the fasting state, suggesting that the GLP-1r is active even when plasma GLP-1 levels are low and unchanging. Consistent with these observations, deletion of the GLP-1r from islet β-cells causes intolerance after IP or IV glucose, challenges that do not induce GLP-1 secretion. Taken together, these data support a model whereby GLP-1 acts through neural or paracrine mechanisms to regulate physiologic insulin secretion. In contrast, bariatric surgery seems to be a condition in which circulating GLP-1 could have an endocrine effect. Both gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are associated with substantial increases in postprandial GLP-1 release and in these conditions interference with GLP-1r signaling has a significant impact on glucose regulation after eating. Thus, with either bariatric surgery or treatment with long-acting GLP-1r agonists, circulating peptide mediates insulinotropic activity. Overall, a case can be made that physiologic actions of GLP-1 are not hormonal, but that an endocrine mechanism of GLP-1r activation can be co-opted for therapeutics.
New Termitophilous Staphylinidae of Zoogeographic Significance (Coleoptera)

Zoogeographical and evolutionary considerations and host relationships of termitophiles in the aleocharine tribe Corotocini (subtribes Corotocina and Termitogastrina), and of the terniitophilous subfamily Trichopseniinae, are discussed. New taxa in the Corotocina are: Thyreoxenus mexicanus , from Campeche, whose host probably is a Nasutitermes, and SPIRACHTHODES , type S. madecassus , found with Nasutitermes kanderianus in Madagascar. This latter is the first Old-World genus with exudatory abdominal appendages, a remarkable adaptive feature shared only with Spirachtha Sehiodte of Brazil and British Guiana. New species of Termitogastrina are: Termitoptochus australiensis , from a nest of Tumulitermes apiocephalus in Western Australia; Idiogaster coatoni , collected with an undescribed Trinervitermes in Northern Rhodesia; and Protermitobia rhodesiae , taken with Cubitermes sp. in Northern Rhodesia. The first known Ethiopian genus of Trichopseniinae is TERMITONA , type T. congoensis , from nest of Schedorhinotermes lamanianus in the Belgian Congo; its closest relative is Schizelythron, in Java. New synonymy: Idiogasler Wasmann, 1912 (= Termitotima Wasmann, 1916).
WILL NONAEROSPACE APPLICATIONS FOR TITANIUM EVER GROW

Confronted with the currently attractive aerospace markets, titanium producers could choose to minimize their promotional effort in the nonaerospace sector. In such a case, primary producers would continue to give some support to a few nonaerospace market segments but would minimize product and market development in most other areas. Such a modus operandi is quite likely, in which case the 1990s may turn out to be as disappointing for the industrial application of titanium as were the 1980s. Such a trend is not desirable for titanium producers for two reasons: the military aerospace market is likely to shrink in the future,8 and the titanium content of commercial jet engines will decline.9 Thus, titanium producers need to adopt a strategy to increase nonaerospace applications. Such a strategy must accomplish at least the following: • Commit to reducing titanium mill product costs. • Convince potential users that titanium (sponge and) mill products will be available at a sustained cost much below the current cost. No radically new technologies are necessaryzzto meet the target sponge costs (i.e., the current processes can meet cost targets with plant and practice changes). • Begin developing new alloys specifically tailored to nonaerospace applications and lower-cost mill products. If and when new alloys become available, the potential growth in nonaerospace uses would be greater than the 1-10-100 rule, which applies to existing commercially pure titanium. • Work toward reducing value-added component costs by achieving cost reductions in secondary fabrication for selected niche applications. • Offer application engineering and technical support services, including the establishment of training centers (e.g., for field welding). • Develop estimates of cost effectiveness in target applications that will convince the users. If a strategy incorporating these elements is not adopted by titanium producers because of the short-term strength of aerospace demand, then the industrial and nonaerospace use of titanium will be riding the downside of the roller coaster early in the next century.
Exercise, stand up, flip a coin, or just say no: provocative testing in the child with borderline QTc.

The 2011 challenge in considering a diagnosis of long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is best viewed as having 4 distinct clinical scenarios. The first and most straightforward is the family member with a genotyped kindred in whom, within a month, a relatively firm diagnosis can be obtained by family-specific testing, along with an ECG. The second, the genotype-negative index patient with otherwise unexplained, repeated, markedly prolonged QTc (>480), is similarly straightforward. The third scenario comprises family members of those same patients with unambiguous LQTS but no available gene. For those patients, their prior probability of having LQTS is estimated by careful pedigree analysis, with ECG findings combined with other clinical evaluation to help characterize the potential phenotype. The likelihood of making the diagnosis is relatively large (50%, 25%, 12.5%), depending on distance from an affected individual. The most challenging scenario is the young person with the “borderline” test obtained either for unrelated symptoms or during screening efforts before sports or medication without a clear family history. For that patient, the prior probability of having LQTS may as low or lower than the estimated gene prevalence of ≈1 in 2000 (0.05%).1 Indeed, in that setting, even genetics sometimes leaves the clinicians challenged when the result returns with a variant of unknown significance, requiring further pedigree analysis. In that context, the careful descriptive study of exercise QT dynamics by Berger and colleagues2 in this issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology adds useful information to this challenge. Article see p 448 The study itself is straightforward: 94 boys …
Ultraviolet Irradiation of the Turkey Hen

Abstract Early studies involving the use of ultraviolet radiation on poultry dealt mainly with the antirachitic wave lengths and their effects on laying hens and chicks maintained on rachitogenic diets. Mussehl and Yung (1942), Hart et al. (1925), and Titus and Nestler (1935), demonstrated that satisfactory egg production could be maintained in chickens where irradiation with ultraviolet energy of antirachitic properties replaced the vitamin D supplement normally added to the diet. Their results indicated no stimulatory effect of ultraviolet radiation. Recently Barrott et al. (1951) reported that ultraviolet radiation from lamps whose maximum energy output occurred at 2,537 A units, stimulated hens fed complete diets to lay more eggs than where such energy was not provided. The ultraviolet supplied was in addition to the conventional source of visible light given off, in this case, by fluorescent lamps. To date, little or no data have been presented as to the reaction of …