cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of continuous intra-articular bupivacaine infusion for postoperative analgesia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective, and randomized study.

BackgroundThe increasing trend toward outpatient surgery has stimulated the development of techniques focused on decreasing perioperative and postoperative pain. Pain control infusion pumps are gaining in popularity in orthopaedic procedures to control postoperative pain.HypothesisContinuous infusion of bupivacaine via a catheter placed intra-articular into the knee after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using ipsilateral autograft quadrupled semitendinosus will decrease postoperative pain scores and narcotic and NSAID consumption.Study DesignRandomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.Methods: Three randomized study groups of 21 subjects were evaluatedgroup I, 0.25% bupivacaine infused intra-articular at 4 mL/hour for 72 hours (study); Group II, 0.9% saline infused intra-articular at 4 mL/hr for 72 hours (placebo); Group III, no intra-articular infusion catheter (control). Each subject received general anesthesia and preemptive intra-articular anesthesia. Visual analog scale pain scores an...
Non‐response adjustment of survey estimates based on auxiliary variables subject to error

Summary. Auxiliary variables that are associated with both key survey variables and response propensity are important for post-survey non-response adjustments, but rare. Interviewer observations on sample units and linked auxiliary variables from commercially available household databases are promising candidates, but these variables are prone to error. The assumption of missingness at random that underlies standard weighting or imputation adjustments is thus violated when missingness depends on the true values of these variables, leading to biased survey estimates. The paper applies pattern–mixture model estimators to this problem, analysing data from a survey in Germany that links commercial data to a national sample.
Plasma density measurements within Tungsten wire-array z-pinches on the cobra accelerator

The COBRA pulsed-power generator, with a nominal peak current of 1.1 MA and a minimum zero-to-peak rise-time of 95 ns, is being used to study the early phases of wire-array Z-pinch development with a variety of diagnostics. Here we present the results of applying point-projection X-ray radiography using up to five X pinches in the return current circuit to make accurate, high-resolution measurements of the plasma density distributions in tungsten (W) wire-array Z-pinch implosions. Plasma density measurements are calibrated by comparing X-ray transmission recorded on photographic films to transmission through W steps with known thicknesses. Plasma density distributions as a function of time with sub-ns time resolution and few-mum spatial resolution are presented for the coronal plasma close to each wire (1018-1020/cm3), ablation streams moving towards the axis (<1020/cm2 areal density) and on-axis (<1019/cm3) plasmas. X-ray images ranging from 70 to 170 ns after the start of the current pulse have been analyzed. Dense cores appear to expand to a radius, rf, that is linearly proportional to initial wire radius. The final radius is reached before 70 ns for 7.4-12.7 mum wires, with rf = 7.0 r0 - 9.6, where r0 is the initial radius and all units are in mum, within ~10%. Larger wires appear to continue to expand during the entire 70-170 ns observation window. The final radius, rf, is found from the Abel inversions of coronal plasmas, taking the radius at which the plasma density drops to 3times1020/cm3. This trend was not affected by the number of wires in the array or the array radius, implying that the initial wire diameter is more significant than the inter-wire gap for a fixed array mass. The coronal plasma areal density outside the dense core radius, rf, scales as 1/(r-rf/2)2 starting from the value at rf. The areal density of the plasma in the ablation streams moving toward the axis falls off as 1/r, where r is the distance from the center of the dense wire core. Detailed results will be presented.
Efficiency measures for retail fertilizer dealers

An application of tests of economically rational behavior by fertilizer retailers is presented. Tests are developed to measure efficiency of variable cost minimization, revenue maximization, and profit maximization. These tests include standard linear programming-based nonparametric efficiency tests and simpler but less conclusive tests which are performed using only simple arithmetic. Results indicate that fertilizer retailers act as variable cost minimizers, but not as revenue and profit maximizers. Additional tests isolate whether inefficiency in cost minimization is due to a perception of variable input fixity. Management can then take steps to focus efforts on input control. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comparing Proton Beam to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Planning in Esophageal Cancer

Abstract Purpose: To compare passive-scatter proton beam therapy (PBT) versus intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for reducing heart/lung dose in esophageal cancer, and to identify anatomy and treatment planning parameters that can lead to suboptimal proton plans. Patients and Methods: Passive-scatter PBT versus IMRT mean doses and coverage to the lung/heart were evaluated for 55 patients with esophageal cancer from 2007 to 2010. Geometric relationships between the tumor (distance from planning target volume to carina, and percentage of uninvolved heart) and doses to the lung/heart, respectively, were used to predict expected doses to these normal tissues. Cross-comparisons of heart versus lung dose and proton versus photon mean lung/heart dose were used to identify suboptimal proton dosimetry. Results: Dose–volumetric analysis showed that, for the lung and heart, although protons resulted in smaller volumes receiving lower doses (5–30 Gy), photons achieved smaller volumes receiving higher doses ...
Formation of point defects in calcium titanate

Abstract The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of single crystal calcium titanate were measured as a function of temperature and P H 2 O ⧸ P H 2 . The electrical conductivity was determined at temperatures from 1100° to 1300°C. The P H 2 O ⧸ p H 2 ratio extended from 2 × 10 −4 to 8 × 10 −2 . At 1200°C the electrical conductivity was 3.70 Ω −1 cm −1 at P H 2 O ⧸ P H 2 = 10 −3 and 1.75 Ω −1 cm −1 at p H 2 0 ⧸ p H 2 = 10 −2 ; the Seebeck coefficients were − 500 and − 580μ v°⧸k under the same conditions. The electrical conductivity was proportional to the −1 3 power of P H 2 O P H 2 . The sign of the Seebeck coefficient indicated the majority carriers to be electrons. The results may be described by a majority defect model consisting of doubly ionized oxygen vacancies and electrons. The standard enthalpy of formation was found to be 93,000 ± 4000 cal⧸mol. of oxygen vacancies.
Collaborative filtering via euclidean embedding

Recommendation systems suggest items based on user preferences. Collaborative filtering is a popular approach in which recommending is based on the rating history of the system. One of the most accurate and scalable collaborative filtering algorithms is matrix factorization, which is based on a latent factor model. We propose a novel Euclidean embedding method as an alternative latent factor model to implement collaborative filtering. In this method, users and items are embedded in a unified Euclidean space where the distance between a user and an item is inversely proportional to the rating. This model is comparable to matrix factorization in terms of both scalability and accuracy while providing several advantages. First, the result of Euclidean embedding is more intuitively understandable for humans, allowing useful visualizations. Second, the neighborhood structure of the unified Euclidean space allows very efficient recommendation queries. Finally, the method facilitates online implementation requirements such as mapping new users or items in an existing model. Our experimental results confirm these advantages and show that collaborative filtering via Euclidean embedding is a promising approach for online recommender systems.
Multicentric Squamous Cell Carcinomas In Situ Resembling Bowen's Disease in Five Cats

Abstract— Multiple squamous cell carcinomas in situ were diagnosed in five aged cats. Despite clinical courses ranging from 18 to 30 months, there was no clinical or histologic evidence of breachment of the basement membrane. The condition closely resembles Bowen's disease in humans. Resume— Des epitheliomas spinocellulaires multiples in situ ont ete diagnostiques chez 5 chats. Maigre une anclennete clinique de 18 a 30 mois, il n'y avait pas de signes cliniques ou histologiques d'atteinte de la membrane basale. Cette affection resemble a la maladie de Bowen chez l'homme. Zusammenfassung— Bei funf alten Katzen wurden multiple plattenepithelkarzinome in situ diagnostiziert. Trotz der klinischen Krankheitverlaufe von 18 bis 30 Monaten konnte weder klinisch noch histologisch ein Durchbrechen der Basalmembran nachgewiesen werden. Dieses Bild ahnelt sehr dem Bowens Krankheit des Menschen. Resumen En cinco gatos se diagnosticaron carcinomas multiples de celulas escamosas in situ. A pesar del curso clinico de 18–30 meses no se observo evidencia clinica, o histologica de infiltracion a traves de la membrana basal. La condicion es muy semejante a la enfermedad de Bowen en medicina humana.
Monte Carlo calculation of point spread functions of Compton scatter cameras

A technique has been devised for independently determining the energy and spatial resolution components of the point-spread functions of electronically collimated (Compton scatter) imaging devices using a Monte Carlo method. Monte Carlo runs are performed for the device being examined, and detailed records of exact energy loss and spatial coordinates of each interaction for each particle in the simulation are made. Taking resolution parameters from the known performance of the detectors, measured data is simulated by sampling from Gaussian distributions (for both energy and position) about the exact interaction energy and position in both detectors, for each Monte Carlo history. By back-projecting cones on an event-by-event basis and calculating the closest approach of the cone to the known source point using the simulated measurement data for one of the energy and position variables and the exact interaction data for the rest of the variables, the effect of the variable in question on the point spread can be isolated. In this paper the authors present the calculations of the contribution to the point-spread function of the energy and spatial resolution in each detector for various source positions for a representative Compton camera configuration.
Evolution of African Easterly Waves in Potential Vorticity Fields

AbstractThe evolution of African easterly waves (AEWs) leading to tropical cyclones (TCs) in the Atlantic during 2000–08 is examined from isentropic potential vorticity (PV) and Lagrangian streamline perspectives. Tropical cyclone formation is commonly preceded by axisymmetrization of PV, scale contraction of the wave, and formation of a closed circulation within the wave. In these cases, PV associated with the synoptic-scale wave is irreversibly deformed and subsumed within the developing vortex. Less commonly, filamentation of the PV leads to separation and independent propagation of the wave and the TC vortex. In an example presented here, the remnant wave with a closed circulation persisted for several days after separation from the TC. A second TC did not result, consistent with several past studies that show that a midtropospheric closed gyre is not sufficient for TC genesis. Sometimes, an AEW and a weak TC remain coupled for a few days, followed by the dissipation of the TC and the continued propag...
Teaching skeletal muscle adaptations to aerobic exercise using an American Physiological Society classic paper by Dr. Philip Gollnick and colleagues

The use of primary research in the classroom enhances the critical thinking abilities of students. The present article describes a strategy for using the American Physiological Society classic pape...
A Purine Scaffold HSP90 Inhibitor BIIB021 Has Selective Activity against KSHV-Associated Primary Effusion Lymphoma and Blocks vFLIP K13-Induced NF-κB

Purpose: Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpes virus (KSHV)–associated primary effusion lymphomas (PEL) have extremely poor prognosis when treated with conventional chemotherapy. KSHV-encoded viral FLICE-inhibitory protein (vFLIP) K13 binds to the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex to constitutively activate the NF-κB pathway, which has been shown to be essential for the survival and proliferation of PEL cells. The molecular chaperone HSP90 is a component of the IKK complex and is required for its activity. Experimental Design: We have analyzed the effect of HSP90 inhibitors on the survival and proliferation of PEL cells and on the activity of the NF-κB pathway. Results: We show that BIIB021, a purine scaffold–based orally administrable HSP90 inhibitor, shows preferential cytotoxicity toward PEL cells as compared with non-PEL cells. The cytotoxic effect of BIIB021 against PEL was associated with induction of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. BIIB021 blocked the expression of a number of cellular proteins involved in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. BIIB021 also blocked constitutive NF-κB activity present in PEL cells, in part, by blocking the interaction of vFLIP K13 with the IKK complex subunits. In a xenograft model of PEL, BIIB021 significantly reduced tumor growth. Conclusion: BIIB021 blocks constitutive NF-κB activity in PEL and shows preferential antitumor activity against PEL in vitro and in vivo . BIIB021 may be a promising agent for treatment of PEL. Clin Cancer Res; 19(18); 5016–26. ©2013 AACR .
A generic building product model incorporating building type information

Abstract Building product models are presented as an integrated representation for use in translating information between current and future design applications. Using an information model developed for design applications, we specify a Generic Building Model that represents both the physical and abstract information necessary to model basic knowledge about buildings and architecture. The Generic Building Model and its subsidiary concepts are reviewed. We show how it can incorporate building type information, and include the needs of various activities for comparison against the constructed form. We illustrate the model's behavior by showing how it can be adapted to model information relevant to hospital design.
Value Change in Oil and Gas Production: III a Time to Buy, a Time to Sell, a Time to Decide

Deciding whether to buy new information to potentially improve the residual reserves of a producing oilfield, and what price to pay for the information, which may or may not actually improve the reserves picture, is a problem of some concern to field development and production economics. Here we show how the worth of obtaining new information depends not only on the reserves produced to date but also on the residual reserves still to be produced, on the probability that purchase of new information will indeed improve the known reserves, on the value estimated to be produced by the acquisition, and on the cost of the acquisition. There are also dependencies on production and lifting costs but these are not considered in detail here. The timing of a decision whether to acquire new data and how much to pay for it, are illustrated using total profitable gains made to date as a proxy for time. Two simple examples are worked through in detail so that one can see when the uncertainty of possible gains from newly...
Diversity of Uncultured Epsilonproteobacteria from Terrestrial Sulfidic Caves and Springs

This study expands the phylogenetic diversity of Epsilonproteobacteria using the 16S rRNA gene framework. Of the 73 lineages defined by sequence similarities at or greater than 99%, most were found at only one site. In contrast, eight lineages were retrieved from sites spanning geographic distances from 1,000 to >10,000 km.
Multilevel coding and multistage decoding for M-ary two-dimensional ISI channels

We propose a computationally efficient scheme to decode two-dimensional (2D) intersymbol interference (ISI) channel with M-ary input. The basic idea is to equalize the channel stage by stage. To begin with the stage with the highest signal power level, the BCJR algorithm is used to equalize each level by averaging the interference of the undecoded levels. Both the hard and soft decisions are passed to the next stages. The scheme hugely reduces the complexity of full-branch BCJR on the entire received page of data and makes the equalization applicable. Based on the statistic output of each stage the overall information rates are evaluated. Furthermore, the coding simulation results are presented. All of these results show the proposed scheme is a good candidate for decoding such M-ary 2D ISI channels.
Hereditary Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Its Sequelae in the Dog

Further studies of hereditary patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the dog show the defect to have a graded phenotypic expression. A high proportion of offspring of test matings had a fully patent ductus arteriosus, while a smaller proportion had a blind diverticulum of the ductus arteriosus which communicated with the aorta. This is considered to be a forme fruste of PDA, representing incomplete closure. Approximately 50% of pups with fully patent ductus arteriosus developed signs of left heart failure, and about 15% developed severe pulmonary hypertension with right-to-left or bidirectional shunts. Genetic analysis indicated that hereditary PDA in the dog is not a simple mendelian trait, Rather, it resembles a quasi-continuous or threshold trait with a high degree of heritability. Results were analyzed using a polygenic model with two developmental thresholds. Liability to defective closure of the ductus arteriosus increased with the proportion of the genome received from dogs with PDA. Moreover, in pups which had PDA, the incidence of serious sequelae (left heart failure and severe pulmonary hypertension) increased in a parallel fashion, suggesting that an increased liability to PDA was accompanied by an increase in the severity of the lesion.
Social Status, Wealth and Individual Differences among the Yoruba

SOCIAL STATUS, WEALTH AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AMONG THE YORUBA 1 By WILLIAM R. BASCOM VIEW the sociological and I Nproblems of of culture current personality, it should anthropological to concern with and be of interest consider the manner in which individual differences, particularly those associated with status, are viewed in another culture, in this case that of the Yoruba of the kingdom of Ife. Intentionally, no attempt has been made to reconcile the categories in terms of which the West African Yoruba classify individuals with the current concepts of psycho-ethnography, which were still unrefined in 1937-38 1 when these data were collected. The Yoruba categories, rather, are presented as they were recorded in the belief that it may be profitable to examine a different point of view, in this case that of the Yoruba themselves toward members of their own society. Secondly, this paper concerns the effect of wealth on social position in a pecuniary African society. As will be seen, the classifications of individual differences reflect social and economic status as much as, or perhaps even more than, differences in individual personality. The analysis of these cate­ gories leads immediately to a consideration of the important factor of wealth, as well as that of hereditary or ascribed status. Birth into one of the patrilineal clans (idile)2 in itself gives an individual a certain status, while it may also make him eligible to hold one of the hereditary political or religious offices. Hereditary offices, as the term applies among the Yoruba, do not pass directly from father to son, but are generally open to any member of the clan, at least in theory, since there may be requirements as to sex, age or seniority, wealth, character, or other qualifications. Individual differences and wealth are only two of many factors which effect social position; that of seniority has been considered elsewhere,3 while others require a more complete discussion than can be devoted to them here. The major objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship of individual differences and wealth to social status ascribed on the basis of birth. The Yoruba people number some 3,500,000 and inhabit the southwestern 1 Field work in He and Igana, Nigeria, in 1937-38, was made possible by a fellowship from the Social Science Research Council of New York City, under the sponsorship of the Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University. Acknowledgement is also made to The Viking Fund of New York City and the Committee on Research of the Graduate School of Northwestern Uni­ versity for assistance in the preparation of this manuscript. S In the established orthography of Yoruba, used in this paper, ~ represents f, Q represents J, 1 represents sh or S, p represents kp and n represents nazalization except where it occurs between I Bascom, 1942a. two vowels.
A ZnO Nanostructure-Based Quartz Crystal Microbalance Device for Biochemical Sensing

We report a ZnO-nanostructure-based quartz crystal microbalance (nano-QCM) device for biosensing applications. ZnO nanotips are directly grown on the sensing area of a conventional QCM by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the ZnO nanotips are dense and uniformly aligned along the normal to the substrate surface. By using superhydrophilic nano-ZnO surface, more than tenfold increase in mass loading sensitivity of the nano-QCM device is achieved over the conventional QCM. The ZnO nanotip arrays on the nano-QCM are functionalized. The selective immobilization and hybridization of DNA oligonucleotide molecules are confirmed by fluorescence microscopy of the nano-QCM sensing areas.
Evolutionary dynamics and global diversity of influenza A virus

ABSTRACT The increasing number of zoonotic infections caused by influenza A virus (IAV) subtypes of avian origin (e.g., H5N1 and H7N9) in recent years underscores the need to better understand the factors driving IAV evolution and diversity. To evaluate the current feasibility of global analyses to contribute to this aim, we evaluated information in the public domain to explore IAV evolutionary dynamics, including nucleotide substitution rates and selection pressures, using 14 IAV subtypes in 32 different countries over a 12-year period (2000 to 2011). Using geospatial information from 39,785 IAV strains, we examined associations between subtype diversity and socioeconomic, biodiversity, and agricultural indices. Our analyses showed that nucleotide substitution rates for 11 of the 14 evaluated subtypes tended to be higher in Asian countries, particularly in East Asia, than in Canada and the United States. Similarly, at a regional level, subtypes H5N1, H5N2, and H6N2 exhibited significantly higher substitution rates in East Asia than in North America. In contrast, the selection pressures (measured as ratios of nonsynonymous to synonymous evolutionary changes [ dN / dS ratios]) acting on individual subtypes showed little geographic variation. We found that the strongest predictors for the detected subtype diversity at the country level were reporting effort (i.e., total number of strains reported) and health care spending (an indicator of economic development). Our analyses also identified major global gaps in IAV reporting (including a lack of sequences submitted from large portions of Africa and South America and a lack of geolocation information) and in broad subtype testing which, until addressed, will continue to hinder efforts to track the evolution and diversity of IAV around the world. IMPORTANCE In recent years, an increasing number of influenza A virus (IAV) subtypes, including H5N1, H7N9, and H10N8, have been detected in humans. High fatality rates have led to an increased urgency to better understand where and how novel pathogenic influenza virus strains emerge. Our findings showed that mutational rates of 11 commonly encountered subtypes were higher in East Asian countries than in North America, suggesting that there may be a greater risk for the emergence of novel pathogenic strains in East Asia. In assessing the potential drivers of IAV subtype diversity, our analyses confirmed that reporting effort and health care spending were the best predictors of the observed subtype diversity at the country level. These findings underscore the need to increase sampling and reporting efforts for all subtypes in many undersampled countries throughout the world.
Cartography: maps 2.0

At 11.35 am PDT on 18 September 2007 at Vandenberg Air Force base in California, DigitalGlobe’s new WorldView-1 satellite launched into orbit. The satellite is capable of collecting imagery over as much as three-quarters of a million square kilometers a day in resolution as ﬁ ne as 0.5 m. A second satellite will be launched in 2008, capable of photographing nearly a million square kilometers daily at the same high resolution. The data are twice the resolution of the pre-vious industry leader, the IKONOS satellite launched in 1999 and close to the military’s own resolution of 10 cm (Monmonier, 2002).What is significant about the launch is not only the extent and resolution of the imagery (which from all vendors now covers over half of the world’s population) but also the fact that this imagery will be available commercially (look for it in Google Earth). Such imagery, alongside the tremendous possibilities of ‘crowdsourced’ geospatial data, represent interesting new develop-ments in cartography.In the ﬁ rst of three reviews assessing the current state of cartography, I focus on the explosion of new ‘spatial media’ on the web. This topic goes under a bewildering number of names including the geospatial web or geoweb (Scharl and Tochtermann, 2007), neogeography (Turner, 2006), locative media (Rheingold, 2002), DigiPlace (Zook and Graham, 2007a), spatial crowdsourcing or geocollaboration (Hopfer and MacEachren, 2007) and map hacking (Erle
Unmet medical need in infectious diseases

To the Editor—Multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections are rapidly increasing worldwide, and, unfortunately, few new antimicrobials capable of treating these infections are under development [1, 2]. The emergence of infections for which there are limited treatment options represents a critical unmet medical need. In October 2011, we electronically surveyed the 1356 members of the Emerging Infections Network (EIN) about 3 areas of unmet medical need in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections. Respondents ranked the severity of unmet medical need for different infections from 1 (least severe) to 5 (most severe). Respondents also ranked the importance of specific challenges related to the treatment of MDR infections from 1 (not important) to 5 (most important). Finally, they ranked 5 specific strategies designed to combat antibiotic-resistant infections in the order in which they felt would best aid in targeting these infections. Additional questions pertained to use of polymyxin B/E (colistin). We received 562 responses (41.6%). The severity of unmet medical need was viewed as greatest for MDR gram-negative bacilli (mean score, 4.6), higher than for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), MDR tuberculosis, aspergillosis, and MDR gonorrhea (Figure 1A). The greatest challenge in the treatment of MDR infections was noted to be the limited number of new antimicrobials under development (mean score, 4.7) (Figure 1B). Respondents believed that the development of new antibacterials (mean score, 3.4) and more aggressive antimicrobial stewardship programs were the most important strategies in combating MDR infections (Figure 1C). Sixty-four percent of respondents reported using colistin during the previous year, 63% reported caring for a patient with an infection resistant to all available antibacterials, and 56% believe that the number of these untreatable infections is increasing. Figure 1. A, Mean score for rating severity of unmet medical need, ranging from 1 (least severe) to 5 (most severe). B, Mean score for rating importance of challenges in the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections, ranging from 1 (least important) to 5 (most ... We found that management of infection due to MDR gram-negative bacteria represents the most severe unmet medical need in infectious diseases. In their practice, EIN members are experiencing an alarming increase in infections due to MDR gram-negative bacilli for which few and, in some cases, no effective therapies exist. In response, the Infectious Diseases Society of America has taken an active role in supporting national legislation that promotes control of antibiotic resistance and incentives for new drug development (the Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now Act). [3] Although MRSA and tuberculosis have drawn the attention of the public media, infectious diseases clinicians from the EIN believed that gram-negative bacilli represent a far greater unmet need. From the vantage of front-line physicians, the limited number of new antibacterials represents both the greatest limitation and the most important solution to combating this crisis.
Germ-cell warfare in ascidians: sperm from one species can interfere with the fertilization of a second species

Ascidians (invertebrate chordates) are very abundant in many marine subtidal areas. They often live in dense multispecies clumps; thus, interspecific competition for space may be intense. Although most noncolonial species are broadcast spawners, their eggs can be fertilized only by sperm of the same species (1). Multiple fertilization is lethal and all animals have evolved blocks to polyspermy. Ascidian eggs block polyspermy by enzymatic (2) and electrical mechanisms (3). Sperm bind to N-acetylglucosamine groups on the vitelline coat (4, 5, 6, 7). Follice cells surrounding the vitelline coat release N-acetylglucosaminidase during egg activation (8), preventing the binding of all sperm but a few (2). I show here that this interaction is not species-specific; sperm from one species can cause glycosidase release from follicle cells of a second species. Furthermore, once glycosidase release has been induced, the subsequent addition of sperm from the egg-producing species fails to fertilize a substantial propo...
The Marginalized “Model” Minority: An Empirical Examination of the Racial Triangulation of Asian Americans

In this article, we propose a shift in race research from a one-dimensional hierarchical approach to a multidimensional system of racial stratification. Building upon Claire Kim’s (1999) racial triangulation theory, we examine how the American public rates Asians relative to blacks and whites along two dimensions of racial stratification: racial valorization and civic acceptance/ostracism. Using selected years from the General Social Survey, our analyses provide support for the multidimensional racial triangulation perspective as opposed to a singular hierarchical approach, although findings do not match all predictions by the racial triangulation thesis. Our results also suggest that on average whites are more likely than blacks to have more favorable views of the relative positions of Asians, particularly for family commitment, nonviolence and wealth, but blacks are more likely to assume racially egalitarian views than do whites.
Recurrent syncope in the young: do not forget the coronary arteries

This paper was guest edited by Brahmajee Kartik Nallamothu, University of Michigan, USA A 9-year-old patient was resuscitated after sudden cardiac arrest (SCD) during a soccer game. The boy had a history of exercise-related syncope since the age of 5, but all the previous extensive cardiac evaluations were unremarkable. During resuscitation, ECG documented ventricular …
Evaluation of shear-induced particle diffusivity in red cell ghosts suspensions

The shear-induced particle diffusivity in the red blood cell suspensions was evaluated based on the flow model and experimental results in a rectangular flow chamber. The effective diffusivity (De) of solute in the particle suspensions is equal to the stationary diffusivity (Ds) of the solute plus the shear-induced particle diffusivity (Dp). The effective diffusivity (De) of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the red blood cell (RBC) ghost suspensions was determined under diffusion-limited conditions using a total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) method as a function of suspended RBC ghost volume fractions (0.05-0.7) and shear rates (200-1,000 s,-1). The stationary diffusivity (Ds) of BSA in RBC ghost suspensions was calculated by Meredith and Tobias model. Therefore the shear-induced particle diffusivity undergoing laminar shear flow can be evaluated. The shear-induced RBC ghost diffusivity was ranged from 0.35xl0-7 to 21.2xl0-7 cm2/s and it increased with increasing shear rate. Also the shear-induced RBC ghost diffusivity increased as a particle volume fraction increased as well, up to a particle volume fraction of 0.45. However, for RBC ghost volume fractions above 0.45, the shear-induced particle diffusivity decreased with increasing particle volume fraction. The shear-induced particle diffusivity in RBC ghost suspensions is a function of a particle Peclet number (or shear rate) and particle volume fractions. The dimensionless particle diffusivity (Dρ/a2γ) was investigated as a function of particle volume fraction and these results are in good agreement with the literature values.
Experimental Investigation of Bend-Twist Coupled Cylindrical Shafts

A new and unique way of orienting carbon fiber lamina in cylindrical shafts results in bend-twist coupling. A beam is said to possess bend-twist coupling when a pure bending moment applied to the beam results in simultaneous bending and twisting. This effect is normally associated with asymmetric cross-sections (such as c-shaped sections) but can result from a symmetric cross-section if the beam is anisotropic. In this case we study the bend-twist coupling resulting from a cylindrical shaft fabricated using a unique, non-obvious anisotropic lay-up. This research covers the design and manufacturing of these carbon fiber shafts to maximize the bend-twist coupling while simultaneously achieving acceptable torsional and flexural rigidity. Once constructed, the composite shafts are tested using DIC to measure the degree of rotation and deflection given an applied bending and twisting moment. The results are used to determine the shear center, degree of bend-twist coupling, torsional rigidity, and flexural rigidity as well as to verify the Finite Element Models. These models are used to predict the success of potential designs and to provide greater understanding of the phenomenon. Closed-form solutions provide a third means of verification, analysis, and optimization.
SELECTIVE DISRUPTION OF NEUREGULIN-1 FUNCTION IN VERTEBRATE EMBRYOS USING RIBOZYME-TRNA TRANSGENES

The products of the neuregulin-1 gene constitute a set of polypeptide growth factors whose signalling through the ErbB receptors is essential to the growth and differentiation of many cell types in culture. Although studies with neuregulin-1 mutant mice have demonstrated that these growth factors are also essential regulators of cellular differentiation in vivo, the mid-embryonic death of these mutants precludes an analysis of hypothesized neuregulin-1 roles in later aspects of development. To circumvent this early lethality, we have pursued a ribozyme-based strategy for the perturbation of neuregulin-1 function in developing chick embryos. Early administration of a retrovirus carrying neuregulin-1 hammerhead-type ribozymes to blastoderm-stage embryos leads to an embryonic lethal phenotype that results from the failure of ventricular trabeculation in the developing heart, a faithful phenocopy of the mouse neuregulin-1 mutations. Later, more localized delivery of the ribozyme to the developing retina inhibits both the differentiation of retinal ganglion cell neurons and the proliferation of the neuroepithelial cells from which they derive. These results suggest that neuregulin-1 promotes both muscle cell differentiation in the heart and neuronal differentiation in the central nervous system. In addition, they demonstrate the utility of hammerhead ribozymes as a simple, effective and easily adaptable method of conditional gene inactivation in vertebrates.
The TORC1-activated proteins, p70S6K and GRB10, regulate IL-4 signaling and M2 macrophage polarization by modulating phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-2 (CCR3P.214)

The abundance of M2 macrophages in the airways of both human asthmatics and mouse models correlates with disease severity. M2 macrophage differentiation is induced by IL-4 and IL-13. The cytosolic adaptor, IRS-2, is tyrosine phosphorylated (pY-IRS-2) following engagement of the type I IL-4 receptor and it mediates M2 gene expression. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine negative regulators of IRS-2 activity. We found an inverse relationship between tyrosine and serine phosphorylation of IRS-2. IRS-2 was highly serine phosphorylated (pS-IRS-2) in unstimulated cells and pS-IRS-2 levels decreased as pY-IRS-2 increased following IL-4 stimulation. Inhibiting serine phosphatase activity caused a dramatic increase in IRS-2 serine phosphorylation and IL-4-induced M2 gene expression was ablated. By using phospho-serine kinase arrays and inhibitors of serine/threonine kinases, we showed that TORC1 and p70S6K inhibition but not TORC2, JNK or GSK3β inhibition, resulted in prolonged pY-IRS-2. p70S6K inhibition also augmented expression of the hallmark human M2 macrophage genes, CD200R , CCL22 , and TGM2 . Lastly, we showed interaction between IL-4Rα, γC, IRS-2 and the TORC1-activated protein GRB10. Using siRNAs to GRB10, we enhanced pY-IRS-2, prolonged IL-4 receptor expression and increased M2 gene expression in human monocytes after IL-4 stimulation. These data highlight p70S6K and GRB10, downstream of TORC1, as key negative regulators of IL-4 signaling in human monocytes.
Pasteuria penetrans for Control of Meloidogyne incognita on Tomato and Cucumber, and M. arenaria on Snapdragon

Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne arenaria are important parasitic nematodes of vegetable and ornamental crops. Microplot and greenhouse experiments were conducted to test commercial formulations of the biocontrol agent Pasteuria penetrans for control of M. incognita on tomato and cucumber and M. arenaria on snapdragon. Three methods of application for P. penetrans were assessed including seed, transplant, and post-plant treatments. Efficacy in controlling galling and reproduction of the two root-knot nematode species was evaluated. Seed treatment application was assessed only for M. incognita on cucumber. Pasteuria treatment rates of a granular transplant formulation ranged from 1.5 × 105 endospores/cm3 to 3 × 105 endospores/cm3 of transplant mix applied at seeding. Additional applications of 1.5 × 105 endospores/cm3 of soil were applied as a liquid formulation to soil post-transplant for both greenhouse and microplot trials. In greenhouse cucumber trials, all Pasteuria treatments were equivalent to steamed soil for reducing M. incognita populations in roots and soil, and reducing nematode reproduction and galling. In cucumber microplot trials there were no differences among treatments for M. incognita populations in roots or soil, eggs/g root, or root condition ratings. Nematode reproduction on cucumber was low with Telone II and with the seed treatment plus post-plant application of Pasteuria, which had the lowest nematode reproduction. However, galling for all Pasteuria treatments was higher than galling with Telone II. Root-knot nematode control with Pasteuria in greenhouse and microplot trials varied on tomato and snapdragon. Positive results were achieved for control of M. incognita with the seed treatment application on cucumber.
A Re-Assessment of the Genus Gongylia in North America, and A New Species of Protothelenella from Colorado

Abstract North American collections previously referred to the genus Gongylia Korb. are re-assessed. The collection previously referred to G. muscorum Zschacke is shown to be an undescribed species of Protothelenella Rasanen, for which the name P. pluriseptata Fryday is proposed, and the collection previously referred to G. nadvornikii Servit is shown to be referable to Segestria mammillosa Th. Fr., which is reported for the first time from Alaska and the North American Arctic. As a result, Gongylia muscorum and Sagediopsis barbara (Th. Fr.) R. Sant. & Triebel, which is the correct name for G. nadvornikii, should be removed from the North American flora.
Inhibition and Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 Colony Biofilms by Micellar-Encapsulated Eugenol and Carvacrol

The antimicrobial efficacy of carvacrol and eugenol, two essential oil compounds, encapsulated in a micellar nonionic surfactant solution on four strains of Listeria monocytogenes (Scott A, 101, 108, and 310) and four strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (H1730, E0019, F4546, and 932) growing as colony biofilms was investigated. Carvacrol and eugenol were encapsulated in Surfynol 485W at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 0.9% (wt/wt) at a surfactant concentration of 5% (wt/wt). Colony biofilms were grown on polycarbonate membranes resting on agar plates containing antimicrobial formulations. Cells were enumerated after 0, 3, 6, 9, 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. Colony biofilms of all E. coli O157:H7 strains were more sensitive to both antimicrobial systems than L. monocytogenes strains. Surface-grown E. coli O157:H7 viable cell numbers decreased below detectable levels after exposure to encapsulated essential oil compounds for >3 h at all tested concentrations, except for E. coli O157:H7 F4546, which gre...
Realtime, Physics-Based Marker Following

Finding torques that control a physical model to follow motion capture marker data can be complicated. We present a simple method for first constraining a physical model to follow marker data using forward simulation with intuitive parametrization. Essentially, the markers attach to the model through joint constraints and drag the body into position. We then use forward simulation to compute joint torques that produce the same movement. This is accomplished by adding constraints on the relative angular velocities of the body parts to the physical model. Framing the movement in terms of constraints on the model allows us to use the Open Dynamics physics engine (ODE) to find torques that simultaneously account for joint limits, body momentum, and ground/contact constraints. Although balanced movement still requires some external stabilizing torques, these torques are generally quite small and can potentially be addressed by minor changes in foot placement.
An automated, open-source pipeline for mass production of digital elevation models (DEMs) from very-high-resolution commercial stereo satellite imagery

Abstract We adapted the automated, open source NASA Ames Stereo Pipeline (ASP) to generate digital elevation models (DEMs) and orthoimages from very-high-resolution (VHR) commercial imagery of the Earth. These modifications include support for rigorous and rational polynomial coefficient (RPC) sensor models, sensor geometry correction, bundle adjustment, point cloud co-registration, and significant improvements to the ASP code base. We outline a processing workflow for ∼0.5 m ground sample distance (GSD) DigitalGlobe WorldView-1 and WorldView-2 along-track stereo image data, with an overview of ASP capabilities, an evaluation of ASP correlator options, benchmark test results, and two case studies of DEM accuracy. Output DEM products are posted at ∼2 m with direct geolocation accuracy of
Flow physics and performance of vertical axis wind turbine arrays

Modern wind farms employing horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) require significant turbine separation to avoid aerodynamic interference, leading to inefficiencies in the use of wind resources and land area. On the other hand, arrays of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have the potential to achieve higher power output per unit land area because of their smaller footprint. Recent studies by Dabiri and co-workers have indicated that additional benefits can be obtained by optimizing the placement and the direction of rotation of VAWTs. The focus of the current work is to study the flow physics and performance of VAWT arrays using numerical simulations based on the Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations. The results show that the majority of the wake deficit is confined to a few diameters downstream of a single VAWT and its spatial extent is seen to diminish with increased rotational speed. The extent of wake deficit extends further downstream by placing multiple VAWTs in a single column, irrespective of the direction of rotation of individual turbines. The aerodynamic interference between turbines gives rise to regions of excess momentum between the turbines, which leads to a significant augmentation up to twice that of an isolated turbine. Studies of VAWTs arranged in multiple columns show that the downstream columns can actually be more efficient than the leading column when spaced optimally.
Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 response to downhill running in humans.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is a proteolytic enzyme capable of degrading proteins of the muscle extracellular matrix. Systemic levels of MMP-9 or its inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), have the potential to serve as blood markers of exercise-induced muscle damage. The purpose of this study was to determine if an eccentrically-dominated task, downhill running (DHR), produces changes in plasma MMP-9 or TIMP-1 and examine the relationship between MMP-9/TIMP-1 levels and indirect indicators of muscle damage. Subjects were sedentary (SED, n=12) or had a history of concentrically-biased training (CON, n=9). MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured before (Pre-Ex), immediately after (Post-Ex), and 1-, 2-, 4-, and 7-days post-DHR (−10°), and compared to discomfort ratings, creatine kinase activity and strength loss. At 1-day Post-Ex, discomfort increased (5.6±7.8 to 45.5±19.9 mm; 0–100 mm scale), strength decreased (−6.9±1.6%) and CK increased (162.9±177.2%). MMP-9 was modestly but significantly increased at Post-Ex in both CONC and SED (32.7±33.6%) and at 4-days in SED (66.9±88.1%), Individual responses were variable, however. There were no correlations between MMPs and discomfort ratings, plasma CK or strength. While plasma MMP-9 changes may be detectable in the systemic circulation after DHR, they are small and do not correspond to other markers of damage.
Evidence for the supernormal phase and a recovery curve of conduction in the human heart.

Recent work by Ashman1 and by Ashman and Woolley2 has demonstrated that the compressed or injured cardiac muscle of the turtle may, after excitation, recover its conductivity along a curve which passes through a supernormal phase. Thus an impulse traversing the compressed muscle will travel most rapidly during the supernormal period. If the degree of compression is sufficient only impulses arriving at the compressed region during the supernormal phase are transmitted; earlier or later ones are blocked. These experimental observations add much weight to the argument for a supernormal phase in the recovery of conductivity in the human hearts discussed below.Lewis and Master3 reported two cases of block in the human heart which they interpreted as evidencing a supernormal phase. In their first case typical complete heart block was interrupted at times by a ventricular systole in response to an auricular impulse and only when the latter arose during late systole or early diastole. Auricular impulses arising l...