cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Separation of Metallated Petroporphyrin Models Using Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography

Abstract Some percentage of the total metals found in crude oils is present as organometallic porphyrin complexes, and petroporphyrin separations are of interest in geochemical sciences, environmental monitoring, and process control. Various chromatographic techniques including GC, SFC, and HPLC have been used to resolve mixtures of petroporphyrins. In this work, a micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatographic method has been developed and applied to the separation of petroporphyrin model compounds, and using the MECC method Ni (II) and V(IV)O Etio I and Octaethyl type porphyrins are completely resolved in 30 to 50 minutes. The MECC technique offers several advantages over a similar HPLC separation including smaller mobile phase and sample volumes required, milder aqueous based solvents, and less expensive columns. Furthermore, the peak capacity of the MECC separation is expected to be large because less hydrophobic, neutral species can migrate in the 6 to 30 minute separation time window, suggesting ...
Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity evaluation in men with epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Men with epilepsy appear to have an approximately fivefold increase in risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). We attempted to determine whether ED in men with epilepsy was due to a physiological basis and whether erectile function could be adequately evaluated with an ambulatory nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity monitor. Methods: The physiologic integrity of the sexual response in men with epilepsy and ED was assessed with an ambulatory nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity monitor (NPTR). Six men with localization-related epilepsy of temporal lobe origin (TLE) and ED, 2 men with TLE and normal sexual function, and 1 man with nonepileptic seizures (NES) and ED underwent evaluation of nocturnal erections for at least 2 nights. Results: Five of 6 men with TLE and complaints of ED had abnormal ambulatory NPTR evaluations. All others had normal ambulatory NPTR. All abnormal evaluations showed reduced levels of rigidity, often with normal levels of tumescence. Conclusions: Previous studies have shown this abnormal ambulatory NPTR pattern to be associated with neurogenic rather than vasogenic ED. Therefore, epilepsy-related ED may have a substantial neurophysiologic component.
Development of a measure that integrates positive and negative affect and personality: the Comprehensive Personality and Affect Scales.

The development, reliability and validity of a new measure of personality and affect, the Comprehensive Personality and Affect Scales (COPAS) was investigated in three studies of college students. In study 1, the factor structure of personality, negative affect, and positive affect was assessed, with five-factors found in each of the three analyses. Fifteen scales (Personality: Emotionality, Extroversion, Openness, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness; Negative Affect: Depression, Hostility, Agitation, Anxiety, and Social Anxiety; Positive Affect: Contentment, Joy, Love, Vigor, and Excitement) were constructed based on results of the factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the measurement model. In study 2, the reliability and construct validity of each of the 15 factor-derived scales was assessed in both referred and non-referred college students. Study 3 investigated the utility of the COPAS scales in differentiating referred and non-referred college students. Results indicated that reliability of the scales was good to excellent, while convergent and divergent validity was good for most scales. The COPAS scales were also shown to differentiate between referred and non-referred samples of college students. Overall, the COPAS was shown to be suitable for research with college student populations.
Regularized Modified BPDN for Noisy Sparse Reconstruction With Partial Erroneous Support and Signal Value Knowledge

We study the problem of sparse reconstruction from noisy undersampled measurements when the following knowledge is available. (1) We are given partial, and partly erroneous, knowledge of the signal's support, denoted by T . (2) We are also given an erroneous estimate of the signal values on T, denoted by (μ)T . In practice, both of these may be available from prior knowledge. Alternatively, in recursive reconstruction applications, like real-time dynamic MRI, one can use the support estimate and the signal value estimate from the previous time instant as T and (μ)T. In this paper, we introduce regularized modified basis pursuit denoising (BPDN) (reg-mod-BPDN) to solve this problem and obtain computable bounds on its reconstruction error. Reg-mod-BPDN tries to find the signal that is sparsest outside the set T, while being “close enough” to (μ)T on T and while satisfying the data constraint. Corresponding results for modified-BPDN and BPDN follow as direct corollaries. A second key contribution is an approach to obtain computable error bounds that hold without any sufficient conditions. This makes it easy to compare the bounds for the various approaches. Empirical reconstruction error comparisons with many existing approaches are also provided.
Neuromuscular organization of avian flight muscle: Morphology and contractile properties of motor units in the pectoralis (pars thoracicus) of pigeon (Columba livia).

We used acid digestion and glycogen depletion to determine fascicle organization, fiber morphology, and physiological and anatomical features of individual motor units of an in-series muscle, the pectoralis (pars thoracicus) of the pigeon (Columba livia). Most fascicles are attached at one end to connective tissue. Average fiber length in the four regions examined range from 42% to 66% of average fascicle length. More than 65% of fibers are blunt at one end of a fascicle and taper intrafascicularly. Fibers with blunt-blunt endings range from 13% to 31% of the population in different regions; taper-taper fibers range from 2% to 17%. Pigeon pectoralis fibers are distinguished histochemically into fast-twitch glycolytic (FG) and fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic (FOG) populations. Three units composed of FG fibers (FG units) contract more quickly than three units composed of FOG fibers (FOG units) (range 31-37 vs 47-62 msec), produce more tetanic force (0.11-0.32 vs 0.02-0.05 N) and are more fatigable ( 50% after repeated stimulation). Most motor units are confined to one of the four muscle regions. Territory of two FOG units is <30% of parent fascicle length. Territories of other units spanned parent fascicles; most fibers in these units do not extend the full fascicle length. Compared to FG units, FOG units have lower maximum innervation ratios and density indices (ratio of depleted/total FOG fibers in territory 8-14% vs 58-76% for FG units). These differences support the hypothesis that FG units are organized to produce substantial force and power for takeoff, landing and other ballistic movements whereas FOG units are suited for sustained flight when power requirements are reduced. Implications of findings for understanding the control of in-series muscles and the use of connective tissue elastic elements during wing movements are discussed. J.Morphol. 236:179-208, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii in a long-term acute care facility.

Background Patients in long-term acute care (LTAC) facilities often have many known risk factors for acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, the prevalence of resistance in these facilities has not been well described. Methods We performed a single-day, point-prevalence study of a 180-bed, university-affiliated LTAC facility in Baltimore to assess the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter baumannii in the anterior nares, perirectal area, sputum, and wounds. Results Among the 147 patients evaluated, we found a high prevalence of colonization by both MRSA (28%) and A baumannii (30%). Of the A baumannii isolates, 90% were susceptible to imipenem and 92% were susceptible to ampicillin-sulbactam. No isolates were resistant to both imipenem and ampicillin-sulbactam. Conclusion The high prevalence of resistance found in this study supports the need for increased surveillance of patients in the LTAC environment. The fact that these patients are often frequently transferred to tertiary care facilities also supports the need for coordination and collaboration among facilities within the same health care system and the broader geographic area.
Alternative nonlinear-optical expansion and diagrammatic approach: Nth-order dephasing-induced effects.

We show that dephasing-induced nonlinear-optical effects whose amplitudes are proportional to trinomials of dephasing rates, ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\mathrm{ij}}$+${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\mathrm{jk}}$-${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\mathrm{ik}}$, exist in all nonlinear orders of perturbation theory. To do this, we derive a new form for the perturbation expansion of the susceptibility, equivalent to the currently used expansion, but which writes each order as a sum of (1) terms due to single-sided diagrams, and (2) correction terms, all of which are proportional to trinomials of dephasing rates. The proof of this result utilizes a diagrammatic approach involving a new type of double-sided diagram for the latter terms. These diagrams immediately yield the terms proportional to trinomials of dephasing rates in all orders without the need for algebraic manipulation. This approach also reveals some general properties of the Nth-order susceptibility.
Control of cell fates within equivalence groups in C. elegans

Abstract Small groups of multipotent cells share the same set of potential developmental fates, with the fate of each cell specified by cell-cell interactions. Genetic studies in the nematode have identified two pathways that distinguish between two alternative cell fates in such ‘equivalence groups'. In a group whose members choose between two fates, only a single pathway operates. In groups whose members choose among three fates, both pathways operate, suggesting that complex decisions might result from the combination of binary decisions.
Frederick J. Hoffman-the “Passion for Yes”

Book reviewed in this article: Hoffman, Frederick J. The Mortal No, Death and the Modern Imagination. Hoffman, Frederick J. The Imagination's New Beginning: Theology and Modern Literature.
766 OTITIS MEDIA (OM) WITHIN 30 DAYS OF DIAGNOSIS: RECURRENCE OR REINFECTION?

We performed a prospective study of clinical recurrences (CR) of OM within the first 30 days after diagnosis. The purpose was to identify risk factors for CR and to determine if the CR was a bacteriologic recurrence (same pathogen as the acute episode) or a reinfection (different bacterial species or different strain of the same species). Patients were treated initially with Augmentin, Cefaclor or Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Tympanocentesis was performed at diagnosis, after 3-5 days of therapy and at the time of CR. Streptococcus pneumonias were classified by capsular serotypes; Haemophilus influenzae strains by biotypes and outer membrane protein electrophoresis patterns. Results: 36/105 patients (34%) developed CR. 29 underwent repeat tympanocentesis. 21/25 patients (84%) had reinfection; 4/25 (16%) were infected with the same pathogen. No pathogen could be identified initially or at CR in 4. Age, sex, race or presence of MEE at the end of therapy did not identify those with CR. Children with CR were more likely to have 3 episodes of OM in the last 6 months (40% vs. 12%, p = .003). Conclusions: 1) History of recurrent OM is a risk factor for clinical recurrences. 2) Clinical recurrences within 30 days of diagnosis are usually reinfections. Pediatricians should not assume that clinical recurrences after therapy are failures of initial antibiotic therapy.
Macroinvertebrate Communities in Headwater Streams Affected by Acidic Precipitation in the Central Appalachians

We collected quantitative macroinvertebrate samples monthly from September 1989 to October 1990 from four streams on the Allegheny Plateau of West Virginia that were characterized by different bedbrock geology and streamwater pH. Mean pH was 4.3, 6.1, 6.0, and 7.5 in the four streams. We compared species and functional group composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate community in these streams to choose taxa that could be used as indicator species for differences in pH in bioassessment studies. The streams differed in species composition and abundance and several species were found that could be used as indicators for each of the levels of pH. Higher densities of Amphinemura sp., Leuctra sp., Euryophella funeralis, and Paracapnia angulata were characteristic of the stream with a pH of 4.3. Higher densities of Peltoperia arcuata and Wormaldia moestas were found in the streams with a pH of about 6.0. Gammarus minus, Baetis sp., Ephemerella dorothea, and Sweltsa sp. were found at higher densities in the stream with a pH of 7.5
Monte Carlo analysis of Knudsen flow

Abstract As part of a general study of Knudsen flow in porous media, three special cases have been analyzed using Monte Carlo simulation. Steady flow through cylindrical tubes has been studied, the results indicating the range of validity of the analytic short and long tube formulas. Transient flow in tubes with adsorption on the walls has been analyzed. The results indicate that the diffusion equation adequately describes the flow, provided ( L / r 0 ) ⩾ 50. The response of short tubes, ( L / r 0 ) ∼ 1, to a point source pulse illustrates special characteristics which might be useful for an experimental determination of wall adsorption times. Lastly, the flow in a converging-diverging tube has been studied, and the results indicate that significant reductions in the flow rate can occur for channels having the same average diameter but varying degrees of curvature in the direction of flow.
Role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and kallikrein-kinin systems in the control of fluid and electrolyte metabolism, renal function, and arterial blood pressure.

The long-term effects of angiotensin I converting enzyme (kininase II) inhibition with Captopril on fluid and electrolyte metabolism, aldosterone secretion, renal function, and arterial pressure were evaluated in conscious sodium deficient dogs. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma renin activity (PRA), urinary sodium excretion (UNaV), arterial pressure (AP), renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood kinin concentration (BK), urinary kinin excretion (UK), and urinary kallikrein activity (UKA) were determined during long-term inhibition of angiotensin I converting enzyme (kininase II). In response to Captopril administration (20 mg/kg/day) PAC decreased from 38.9 ± 6.7 to 14.3 ± 2.3 ng/dl, PRA increased from 3.58 ± 0.53 to 13.7 ± 1.6 ng/ml/hr, UNaV increased from 0.65 ± 0.27 to 6.4 ± 1.2 mEq/day, AP decreased from 102 ± 3 to 65 ± 2mmHg, RBF increased from 136 ± 7 to 156 ± 8 ml/min, GFR decreased from 65 ± 8 to 36 ± 7 ml/min, BK increased from 0.17 ± 0.02 to 0.41 ± 0.04 ng/ml...
Dissections of a triangular prism

Three parallel, non-planar lines ξ, η, and ζ are given in ordinary 3-space, and distinct points X1, X2, ..., X x are given on ξ, Y1, Y2, ..., Y y on η, and Z1, Z2, ..., Z z on ζ. Into at most how many cells do the xyz triangular plane segments X i Y j Z k divide the interior of the triangular prism determined by the lines ξ, η, and ζ?
Micro/Nano Scale Wear Behavior of Pearlitic and Bainitic Rail Steels

To develop rails with higher hardness and thus better durability and longer life, alternative microstructures have been suggested, since conventional pearlitic rail steels have reached their hardness limit. Such a newly developed material has a fine bainite microstructure (coded J6 bainitic steel) and showed higher initial hardness but poorer on-site wear performance, compared to conventional pearlitic steels. This was explained by the fact that pearlitic steels show significant work hardening under severe stress conditions, even though their initial hardness was lower. In this work, the wear behavior of pearlitic and J6 bainitic rail steels was investigated at the micro/nano scale, using the nanoscratch technique. It was found that pearlitic steel shows better wear performance at the micro scale as well, in agreement with large scale rail field tests.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Regulation of glycine receptor binding in the mouse hypoglossal nucleus in response to axotomy

Recent studies have shown that muscarinic receptors in brain hypoglossal nuclei exhibit a loss of specific ligand binding in response to axotomy of the hypoglossal nerve. The mouse hypoglossal nucleus contains a high level of receptors for the inhibitory neurotransmitter, glycine; the ligand [3H]strychnine binds to the glycine receptor with high affinity. In the present study [3H]strychnine binding in mouse hypoglossal nuclei was examined at 1 to 150 days after unilateral lesions of the hypoglossal nerve. Brains were sectioned on a cryostat, thaw-mounted onto microscope slides, incubated with [3H]strychnine and processed for light microscopic autoradiography. Receptor density was assessed by counting silver grains in photomicrographs of operated and control nuclei. During the first 25 days after axotomy grain density fell to 50 percent of that of the control nucleus. After this time grain density slowly increased, returning to control levels by 150 days post lesion. These data indicate that glycine receptors on the axotomized cells of the hypoglossal nucleus are lost when connection with the target muscles of the tongue is interrupted, and that the receptors reappear when the hypoglossal nerve regenerates. It is suggested that excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor systems may be regulated in a coordinated fashion by the functional state of the motoneuron.
Inflammation in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes causes a number of metabolic and physiologic abnormalities in the retina, but which of these abnormalities contribute to recognized features of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is less clear. Many of the molecular and physiologic abnormalities that have been found to develop in the retina in diabetes are consistent with inflammation. Moreover, a number of anti-inflammatory therapies have been found to significantly inhibit development of different aspects of DR in animal models. Herein, we review the inflammatory mediators and their relationship to early and late DR, and discuss the potential of anti-inflammatory approaches to inhibit development of different stages of the retinopathy. We focus primarily on information derived from in vivo studies, supplementing with information from in vitro studies were important.
Uniformity versus differentiation in regulating externalities

Abstract In the regulation of pollutant emissions, a regulator may treat different sources (with different costs and environmental damage) as though they were the same—for institutional, informational, or transaction cost reasons. This may occur despite the efficiency gains from regulatory differentiation of sources. This issue has been a source of much controversy in the environmental economics literature and is examined here from a theoretical perspective. Using a two pollutant economy, emissions and net social benefits are compared for the case of efficient, differentiated regulation and the case of uniform, undifferentiated regulation of the aggregate of the two pollutants. We show when aggregate emissions will be greater than, equal to, or less than efficient emissions and we derive conditions for each of these three possibilities. Further, we show that when marginal costs and benefits become more steeply sloped, the inefficiency associated with undifferentiated regulation increases.
Managing infections in the elderly: The challenge of long-term care facilities

Abstract Infections in the elderly that reside in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are posing a significant challenge to clinicians. The most common infections encountered in LTCFs are pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and skin and soft tissue infections. UTIs are the most common infections, while pneumonia is associated with the most mortality. It is often exceptionally difficult to diagnose an infectious-disease syndrome and make an accurate bacteriological diagnosis. Culture data may not always capture the true pathogenic organism(s), and clinical clues are often subtle. Antibiotic resistance is also an extremely important consideration in the decisions for empiric therapy. The concern for the presence of antimicrobial resistance must be balanced by the appropriate use of broad-spectrum agents only when they are indicated. Carefully designed clinical studies are needed.
The evolution and depth structure of shelf and slope temperatures and velocities during the 1997–1998 El Niño near Point Conception, California

Abstract Moored, survey, and drifter observations are used to describe the evolution of temperature, sea level, velocity and salinity from 1997 to 1998 over the California shelf, between San Luis Obispo Bay and the eastern entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel. The dominant event during this time was the 1997–1998 El Nino. Its relation to background seasonal and interannual variability depended on which property is considered. Subsurface temperature and local sea level showed extreme anomalies between March 1997 and October 1998. Three distinct peaks occurred. The first two are associated with the regional response to El Nino, while the cause of the third remains unclear. The first peaked in June 1997, and decayed until August. The main El Nino peak reached maximum amplitude between November 1997 and January 1998. After the collapse of the regional El Nino anomaly in February 1998, a final peak occurred locally during the summer of 1998. The central result presented here concerns the spatial structure of temperature during these events. The initial peak was surface intensified and was barely detectable at 45 m. Its amplitude varied with position along the coast, decaying with distance north. The main peak showed a strong signal down to at least 200 m. The amplitude and timing of temperature anomalies during this event were depth dependent. The largest absolute amplitudes relative to seasonal cycles were in excess of 4 °C and occurred between 45 and 65 m depth. The anomalies reached their maximum values at later time with increasing depth, between October 1997 and January 1998. The amplitude of this main peak was comparable at all mooring sites. The final peak in August 1998 had a comparable amplitude at all mooring sites to a depth of 100 m. Temperature increases during the three events were accompanied by a corresponding rise in sea level. The El Nino signals in currents and salinity are more difficult to distinguish from background variability than those in temperatures and sea level. However, stronger than average poleward flow was observed at the eastern entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel between 5 and 100 m depth for most of 1997, and there are indications for greater than usual poleward flow over the Santa Maria Basin in fall 1997. Surface drifter evidence, although qualitative, also suggests greater than usual poleward displacement in November 1997 relative to other years. Along with increased temperature, survey observations of salinity suggest changes to the regional temperature–salinity relation during November 1997 with greater than usual salinity at temperatures below 12 °C.
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition in normal human esophageal endothelial cells cocultured with esophageal adenocarcinoma cells: role of IL-1β and TGF-β2

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) has been recognized as a key determinant of tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and metastasis. Endothelial cells undergoing EndoMT lose their endothelial markers, acquire the mesenchymal phenotype, and become more invasive with increased migratory abilities. Early stages of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are characterized by strong microvasculature whose impact in tumor progression remains undefined. Our aim was to determine the role of EndoMT in EAC by investigating the impact of tumor cells on normal primary human esophageal microvascular endothelial cells (HEMEC). HEMEC were either cocultured with OE33 adenocarcinoma cells or treated with IL-1β and transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) for indicated periods and analyzed for EndoMT-associated changes by real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and functional assays. Additionally, human EAC tissues were investigated for detection of EndoMT-like cells. Our results demonstrate an increased expression of mesenchymal markers [fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1), collagen1α2, vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Snail], decreased expression of endothelial markers [CD31, von Willebrand factor VIII (vWF), and VE-cadherin], and elevated migration ability in HEMEC following coculture with OE33 cells. The EndoMT-related changes were inhibited by IL-1β and TGF-β2 gene silencing in OE33 cells. Recombinant IL-1β and TGF-β2 induced EndoMT in HEMEC. Although the level of VEGF expression was elevated in EndoMT cells, the angiogenic property of these cells was diminished. In vivo, by immunostaining EndoMT-like cells were detected at the invasive front of EAC. Our findings underscore a significant role for EndoMT in EAC and provide new insights into the mechanisms and significance of EndoMT in the context of tumor progression.
Feature extraction in developing an airs cloud mask

Cloud and clear-sky detection is a crucial part in the analyses of AIRS (Atmospheric InfraRed Sensor) measurements. Currently cloud detection is done using spectral tests, which are based on well understood properties of the atmosphere. This paper gives an account of an investigation in using binary classification and feature extraction techniques to develop an AIRS cloud mask, where CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol LIDAR with Orthogonal Polarization) observations were used as “oracle” data. The objective was to produce an AIRS cloud mask which is either on par or better than the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer) cloud mask.
Acute kidney injury.

1. David T. Selewski, MD* 2. Jordan M. Symons, MD† 1. *Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, Division of Nephrology, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. 2. †Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. * Abbreviations: ACE: : angiotensin-converting enzyme AKI: : acute kidney injury AKIN: : Acute Kidney Injury Network ANCA: : antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody ATN: : acute tubular necrosis ECG: : electrocardiogram FEurea: : fractional excretion of urea FENa: : fractional excretion of sodium KDIGO: : Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes NSAID: : nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug RIFLE: : Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage The term acute kidney injury has replaced acute renal failure and represents a spectrum of clinically meaningful kidney damage. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize and define the spectrum of acute kidney injury (AKI). 2. Understand the diagnostic approach and be able to differentiate the main causes of AKI. 3. Understand the complications of AKI and the treatment of a child with AKI. Acute kidney injury (AKI), formerly called acute renal failure, is characterized by multiple abnormalities, including increases in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, electrolyte abnormalities, acidosis, and difficulties with fluid management. We have come to realize that what was previously thought to be relatively minor damage to the kidney can have significant short-term effects on morbidity and mortality and potential long-term implications for the development of chronic kidney disease. Thus, the term acute kidney injury has replaced acute renal failure , suggesting the spectrum of kidney damage that can occur. ### Definition AKI is classically defined as an acute decrease in glomerular filtration rate, which results in an increase in serum creatinine. It is important to recognize the limitations of creatinine as a marker of AKI because an increase in creatinine can be delayed by as much as 48 hours after damage to the kidney has occurred. Despite this limitation, change in creatinine remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of AKI. An evolution in the definition of AKI to better understand, characterize, and study the disease spectrum, has occurred, which has sought to capture the clinical importance of even small variations in kidney function. In addition, previous definitions used in the literature were widely disparate; this …
Comparative morphology of porpoise (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) pterygoid sinuses: phylogenetic and functional implications.

High-resolution X-ray computed tomo- graphic scans were used to examine pterygoid sinus mor- phology within extant porpoise species and one delphinid (Tursiops truncatus), in order to consider: 1) intraspecific and interspecific variation among the studied species; 2) the most parsimonious sequence of character acquisition; and 3) the potential functional roles of the preorbital lobes of the sinuses in sound reflection. Scans revealed that the pterygoid/palatine regions are mediolaterally broader in the earliest diverging phocoenid (Neophocaena phocae- noides) and Tursiops truncatus than the dorsoventrally elongated sinuses observed in other species. Rostrocaudal lengths of the sphenoidal regions of the sinuses in all indi- viduals studied are proportionally similar, indicating con- servatism in this region across species. The neonate Pho- coena phocoena has shorter preorbital lobes than adults, but they are still proportionally longer than Neophocaena phocaenoides and Phocoena spinipinnis. The preorbital lobes broaden mediolaterally to varying degrees across species; in particular, Phocoenoides dalli has the largest dorsal and lateral expansion of this region. Assuming the highest pulse frequency produced by porpoises is 150 kHz, all regions of the preorbital lobes are thick enough to reflect the wavelengths produced. In addition, the neo- nate preorbital lobes are not as elongated as they are in adults, and the dorsal third of this region may not reflect sound to the same extent. This study reinforces the impor- tance of using nondestructive methods to quantify varia- tion in endocranial anatomy and the value of CT data for recovering phylogenetically useful information, as well as functional roles sinuses play in concert with the soft tis- sue head anatomy for biosonar. J. Morphol. 274:49-62, 2013. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Violent Crime in African American and White Neighborhoods: Is Poverty's Detrimental Effect Race-Specific?

ABSTRACT The social disorganization and anomie perspectives generally suggest that poverty's criminogenic effect is racially invariant. These perspectives imply that policies that alleviate economic deprivation will equally reduce rates of violent crime in neighborhoods that are predominately white and neighborhoods that are predominately black. In contrast, several social commentators have suggested that alleviating poverty will be a relatively ineffective crime reduction strategy in predominately black areas. Existing empirical research on this issue has been mostly at the city level, and almost entirely cross-sectional. The present study examines potential racial differences in the longitudinal relationship between neighborhood poverty and violent crime rates. We use iteratively reweighted least squares, a robust regression technique, to estimate race-specific effects for Cleveland census tracts, 1990–2000. The results are supportive of the racial invariance hypothesis. Reductions in neighborhood pover...
Strong potential wave functions with elastic channel distortion.

The strong-potential Born approximation is analyzed in a channel-distorted-wave approach. Channel-distorted SPB wave functions are reduced to a conventional form in which the standard off-energy-shell factor g has been replaced by a modified factor \ensuremath{\gamma}, which represents a suitable average of g over the momentum distribution of the distorted-channel function. The modified factor is evaluated in a physically realistic model for the distortion potential, and it is found that \ensuremath{\gamma} is well represented by a slowly varying phase factor. The channel-distorted SPB approximation is accordingly identical to the impulse approximation if the phase variation of \ensuremath{\gamma} can be ignored. This is generally the case in applications to radiative electron capture and to a good approximation for ordinary capture at not too small velocities.
Amyloid-β Induces a Caspase-mediated Cleavage of P2X4 to Promote Purinotoxicity

Overproduction of the β-amyloid fragment 1–42 (Aβ1–42) is thought to contribute to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death in Alzheimer’s disease. Mounting evidence suggests that purinergic receptors play critical roles in synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival, but the potential involvement of these receptors in Aβ1–42-induced synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death has not been addressed. Here we report that Aβ1–42 promoted accumulation of the calcium-permeable purinergic receptor P2X4 in neurons. We also report evidence that Aβ1–42 induced a caspase-3-mediated cleavage of the receptor that slowed channel closure times and prevented agonist-induced internalization of the receptor. Molecular interference to reduce the expression of P2X4 in primary rodent neurons attenuated Aβ1–42-induced neuronal death while induced expression of P2X4 in a neuronal cell line that does not normally express P2-receptors enhanced the toxic effect of Aβ1–42. Together these findings suggest that Aβ1–42-induced synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death may involve perturbations in P2X4 purinergic receptors.
Simulation of afterglow plasma evolution in an inertial fusion energy chamber

The temporal evolution of plasma and gas parameters during the afterglow phase of cyclic operation of an inertial fusion-energy reactor chamber is simulated with a zero-dimensional code. The results of self-consistent modeling of plasma/gas cooling, plasma recombination, and the heat power load on a cryogenic fusion-fuel target are presented. The role of intrinsic impurity radiation and the edge plasma region in plasma cooling is analyzed. The impacts of large convective cells and large concentrations of a heavy-ion buffer gas inside the chamber on plasma evolution and target heat loads are discussed.
Comparison of circuits for linearizing the temperature indications of thermistors

Eight circuits designed for producing a signal that is a linear function of temperature change, utilizing a single thermistor as the temperature‐sensitive element, are examined. All are found equal in linearizing capability, including five circuits containing operational amplifiers. This finding does not apply to certain linearizing circuits such as those containing logarithmic amplifiers, some of which may be expected to have a linearizing capability greater than that of the circuits examined.
First Report of Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) as a Vector of Southern bean mosaic virus and Bean pod mottle virus

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), was introduced into the United States in New Jersey in 1916 and now commonly occurs in the eastern and mid-western United States. The Japanese beetle has a wide host range and feeds on more than 300 plant species within 79 families (2), but it has not been reported to be a vector of plant viruses. Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV; genus Sobemovirus) and Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV; family Comoviridae, genus Comovirus) are transmitted by several species of leaf-feeding beetles in the families Coccinelidae and Chrysomelidae (1). Japanese beetles, collected in northwestern Arkansas with a JB Jumbo insect trap (Great Lakes IPM, Inc., Vestaburg, MI), were tested to determine if they are able to transmit SBMV and BPMV. The beetles were given a 24-h acquisition access (individually in plastic petri dishes) to detached trifoliolate leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris 'Black Valentine' systemically infected with either BPMV or SBMV. Beetles that had fed on the infected bean leaves (as evidenced by feeding damage to the leaves) were caged individually in clear plastic cups on healthy 'Black Valentine' bean seedlings for a 24-h transmission access period. The test plants were grown in the greenhouse for 2 weeks after which they were evaluated for virus infection. In the first trial, BPMV was not transmitted (0 of 11 bait plants with feeding damage), whereas SBMV was efficiently transmitted (6 of 6 bait plants with feeding damage) as determined by agar-gel double-diffusion serology of test plants using polyclonal antibodies to SBMV and BPMV. In a second trial, with a different set of beetles, the transmission rate for BPMV was 3 of 46 (6.5%) and 33 of 43 (77%) for SBMV, and the test plants were evaluated for virus infection using Protein A ELISA. The higher transmission efficiency of SBMV by Japanese beetles when compared with BPMV is characteristic of these two viruses when they are transmitted by other leaffeeding beetles (1). These results are in contrast to an earlier report that Japanese beetles were not able to transmit BPMV from infected soybeans to healthy soybeans in Illinois (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report that the Japanese beetle, an introduced insect with a wide host range in the United States, is a vector of plant viruses. References: (1) J. P. Fulton et al. Ann. Rev. Phytopathol. 25:111. 1987. (2) D. W. Held. J. Aboricult. 30:328, 2004. (3) T. R. Mabry et al. Plant Dis. 87:1221, 2003.
Evolving strategies for the treatment of aortoenteric fistulas

Background Aortoenteric fistulas (AEFs) are a rare but often fatal cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Operative repair of AEF has been historically associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality. We reviewed our experience of open surgical and endovascular treatment of AEF to compare outcomes over a contemporaneous time period. Methods Over a 9-year period between January 1997 and January 2006, 16 patients (11 men and 5 women) were diagnosed with and treated for AEFs. Seven patients underwent open surgical repair, and nine, with anatomically suitable lesions, underwent endovascular repair. The outcome after treatment of these patients was investigated for survival, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and long-term disposition. Results Three primary and 13 secondary AEFs were treated. The mean time from the initial aortic operation until AEF diagnosis was 5.9 years (range, 0.7-12.2 years) for patients with secondary AEFs. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 18.8%. One intraoperative death and one in-hospital death secondary to multisystem organ failure occurred in patients undergoing open repair. One in-hospital death related to persistent sepsis occurred in the endovascular group. The overall perioperative complication rate was 50.0%. Complications in the open group included sepsis, renal failure, bowel obstruction, and pancreatitis. Complications in the endovascular group were related to persistent sepsis. The mean in-hospital length of stay was significantly longer for patients undergoing open repair compared with endovascular repair (44.0 vs 19.4 days; P = .04). Four (80%) of five patients who were discharged from the hospital in the open group were placed in skilled nursing facilities, and seven (87.5%) of eight patients discharged in the endovascular group returned home. The median overall survival after hospital discharge was 23.1 months. There were no late aneurysm-related deaths or late deaths related to septic complications. Conclusions Patients with AEFs have limited overall survival. Endovascular therapy offers an alternative to open surgical repair, seems to be associated with decreased perioperative morbidity and mortality and a shorter in-hospital stay, and allows for acceptable survival given the presence of coexisting medical comorbidities. Furthermore, endovascular repair provides a therapeutic option to control bleeding and allow for continued intervention in a stabilized setting.
A shade tolerant panel design for thin film photovoltaics

We analyze the problem of partial shading of thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) panels, using full two dimensional circuit simulations. By accounting for the panel structure and typical array configurations, we can accurately account for the effect of various shading configurations at the cell and panel level. We demonstrate the limitation of external bypass diodes in protecting shaded cells from reverse breakdown, and explore the whole range of shading scenarios and their impact on reverse stress experienced by shaded cells. Based on the analysis, we identify the key aspects of shading problem, and formulate design rules for shadow aware geometrical design of panels. Finally, we present a new radial design for a thin film PV panel, which not only improves the cell reliability under partial shading, but also enhances the array output current.
Objectively-Measured Impulsivity and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Testing Competing Predictions from the Working Memory and Behavioral Inhibition Models of ADHD

Impulsivity is a hallmark of two of the three DSM-IV ADHD subtypes and is associated with myriad adverse outcomes. Limited research, however, is available concerning the mechanisms and processes that contribute to impulsive responding by children with ADHD. The current study tested predictions from two competing models of ADHD—working memory (WM) and behavioral inhibition (BI)—to examine the extent to which ADHD-related impulsive responding was attributable to model-specific mechanisms and processes. Children with ADHD (n = 21) and typically developing children (n = 20) completed laboratory tasks that provided WM (domain-general central executive [CE], phonological/visuospatial storage/rehearsal) and BI indices (stop-signal reaction time [SSRT], stop-signal delay, mean reaction time). These indices were examined as potential mediators of ADHD-related impulsive responding on two objective and diverse laboratory tasks used commonly to assess impulsive responding (CPT: continuous performance test; VMTS: visual match-to-sample). Bias-corrected, bootstrapped mediation analyses revealed that CE processes significantly attenuated between-group impulsivity differences, such that the initial large-magnitude impulsivity differences were no longer significant on either task after accounting for ADHD-related CE deficits. In contrast, SSRT partially mediated ADHD-related impulsive responding on the CPT but not VMTS. This partial attenuation was no longer significant after accounting for shared variance between CE and SSRT; CE continued to attenuate the ADHD-impulsivity relationship after accounting for SSRT. These findings add to the growing literature implicating CE deficits in core ADHD behavioral and functional impairments, and suggest that cognitive interventions targeting CE rather than storage/rehearsal or BI processes may hold greater promise for alleviating ADHD-related impairments.
The dipolar field of rotating bodies in two dimensions

The fluid velocity far from a translating body in two-dimensional irrotational flow is generally dipolar. This is a classical result. Here we ask when the dipolar component vanishes. Lamb (1945, § 126) provides symmetry conditions on the virtual mass tensor for this to be the case. We show that these conditions are not necessary and obtain the sufficient and necessary condition in terms of the shape of the body using conformal maps. Some explicit examples are constructed based on this condition.
Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of the Pathway in Pantoea citrea Leading to Pink Disease of Pineapple

Pink disease of pineapple, caused by Pantoea citrea, is characterized by a dark coloration on fruit slices after autoclaving. This coloration is initiated by the oxidation of glucose to gluconate, which is followed by further oxidation of gluconate to as yet unknown chromogenic compounds. To elucidate the biochemical pathway leading to pink disease, we generated six coloration-defective mutants of P. citrea that were still able to oxidize glucose into gluconate. Three mutants were found to be affected in genes involved in the biogenesis of c-type cytochromes, which are known for their role as specific electron acceptors linked to dehydrogenase activities. Three additional mutants were affected in different genes within an operon that probably encodes a 2-ketogluconate dehydrogenase protein. These six mutants were found to be unable to oxidize gluconate or 2-ketogluconate, resulting in an inability to produce the compound 2,5-diketogluconate (2,5-DKG). Thus, the production of 2,5-DKG by P. citrea appears to be responsible for the dark color characteristic of the pink disease of pineapple.
Application of a beamforming technique to ultrasound imaging in nondestructive testing

Many innovations in the modern testing of materials make use of ultrasound. As a result, ultrasound has become extremely important to nondestructive testing of complete engineered systems. However, despite the fact that ultrasound inspection techniques are based on well-established principles, a few key problems pertaining to their application still remain unresolved. One of these problems deals with materials having complex geometries, often making the scanning/data collection processes time consuming. Consequently, fast and accurate mechanisms for testing components with awkward configurations have been the focus of attention in modern nondestructive testing research. In this paper, the data independent beamformer is studied as a potential method to reduce ultrasonic data acquisition time. The finite element method (FEM) is used as a testbed to mimic the ultrasound measurements by simulating the action of a transducer array. Tests reveal that when the weights of the interpolating filters (beamformers) are adjusted properly, they can indeed be used to predict A-scan signals from a data set produced by a transducer moving in a line-scan direction at nonuniform increments; hence, reducing the data acquisition time. The same filter weights also predict accurately A-scan signals from another data set produced by the same transducer moving at nonuniform increments for a different material geometry. >