cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency and Influence of Exercise-Induced Artifact in Electrocardiograms During Exercise Treadmill Testing for Detection of Myocardial Ischemia.

Background Exercise treadmill testing (ETT) is frequently utilized for noninvasive detection of myocardial ischemia and coronary artery disease. The frequency of electrocardiogram (ECG) artifacts (ECGA) during ETT and their influence on the identification of exercise-induced ischemia are not known. Methods We reviewed all ETTs with ST segment depression in the University of California, Davis, Medical Center treadmill database during each of the years 2012 and 2016 to identify tests with exercise-induced ST segment depression in the inferior and inferolateral leads. We identified cases with ECGA during progressive phases of the test, and we assessed the influence of comorbidities and the impact of ECGA on the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Tests were considered false or true positive based on the result of confirmatory tests. Results Of 2,100 tests, we identified 123 patients with exercise-induced ST segment depression in inferior or inferolateral leads (men, 43%; mean age, 59 ± 10 years; white, 59%). Tests were symptom-limited: maximum heart rate, 153 ± 18; peak METs (metabolic equivalents of resting total oxygen consumption), 9.4 ± 2.7; ECGA occurred in 91% of tests at peak exercise with earlier occurrence among females. Tests were less likely to be true positive with peak ECGA than those without ECGA (13% vs. 50%, p = 0.05). Conclusions ECGA at peak exercise are frequent and related to peak heart rate and peak metabolic equivalents of resting total oxygen consumption, suggesting a motion effect. ECGA affected the diagnostic accuracy of ETT examinations, indicating that algorithms to reduce artifact for improved diagnosis of ETT require further investigation.
Drugs Used in Anesthesia

Abstract This book is intended as a guide to help the clinician determine where a visual problem is a drug-induced ocular side effect. We continually review spontaneous case reports from the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects, the World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the world literature. We have attempted to classify a suspected adverse event with our impression to causality (i.e. certain, probable, unlikely, conditional/unclassified). This chapter discusses drugs used in anesthesia including adjuncts to anesthesia, general anesthesia, local anesthesia, and therapeutic gases.
Nesprin-2 Recruitment of BicD2 to the Nuclear Envelope Controls Dynein/Kinesin-Mediated Neuronal Migration In Vivo.

Vertebrate brain development depends on a complex program of cell proliferation and migration. Post-mitotic neuronal migration in the developing cerebral cortex involves Nesprin-2, which recruits cytoplasmic dynein, kinesin, and actin to the nuclear envelope (NE) in other cell types. However, the relative importance of these interactions in neurons has remained poorly understood. To address these issues, we performed in utero electroporation into the developing rat brain to interfere with Nesprin-2 function. We find that an ∼100-kDa "mini" form of the ∼800-kDa Nesprin-2 protein, which binds dynein and kinesin, is sufficient, remarkably, to support neuronal migration. In contrast to dynein's role in forward nuclear migration in these cells, we find that kinesin-1 inhibition accelerates neuronal migration, suggesting a novel role for the opposite-directed motor proteins in regulating migration velocity. In contrast to studies in fibroblasts, the actin-binding domain of Nesprin-2 was dispensable for neuronal migration. We find further that, surprisingly, the motor proteins interact with Nesprin-2 through the dynein/kinesin "adaptor" BicD2, both in neurons and in non-mitotic fibroblasts. Furthermore, mutation of the Nesprin-2 LEWD sequence, implicated in nuclear envelope kinesin recruitment in other systems, interferes with BicD2 binding. Although disruption of the Nesprin-2/BicD2 interaction severely inhibited nuclear movement, centrosome advance proceeded unimpeded, supporting an independent mechanism for centrosome advance. Our data together implicate Nesprin-2 as a novel and fundamentally important form of BicD2 cargo and help explain BicD2's role in neuronal migration and human disease.
The State of Rural Public Health: Enduring Needs in a New Decade

Public health in the rural United States is a complex and underfunded enterprise. While urban-rural disparities have been a focus for researchers and policymakers alike for decades, inequalities continue to grow. Life expectancy at birth is now 1 to 2 years greater between wealthier urban and rural counties, and is as much as 5 years, on average, between wealthy and poor counties.This article explores the growth in these disparities over the past 40 years, with roots in structural, economic, and social spending differentials that have emerged or persisted over the same time period. Importantly, a focus on place-based disparities recognizes that the rural United States is not a monolith, with important geographic and cultural differences present regionally. We also focus on the challenges the rural governmental public health enterprise faces, the so-called "double disparity" of worse health outcomes and behaviors alongside modest investment in health departments compared with their nonrural peers.Finally, we offer 5 population-based "prescriptions" for supporting rural public health in the United States. These relate to greater investment and supporting rural advocacy to better address the needs of the rural United States in this new decade.
How do C2 tilt and C2 slope correlate with patient reported outcomes in patients after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND/CONTEXT C2 tilt and C2 slope are quick and easy measurements to obtain on lateral radiographs and may be used to determine overall cervical sagittal alignment; however, the influence of these measurements on patient outcomes has not been well established in literature. PURPOSE To determine if C2 tilt and/or C2 slope predict patient outcomes better compared with conventional radiographic measures after an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 249 patients who underwent 1 to 3 level ACDF to address radiculopathy and/or myelopathy at a single academic institution between 2011 and 2015 were identified. Patients with less than 1 year of follow-up were excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES Patient Reported Outcomes: Neck Disability Index (NDI), Physical Component Score-12 (PCS-12), and Mental Component Score (MCS-12), Visual Analog Score (VAS) Neck and Arm scores Cervical radiographic measurements: C2 tilt, C2 slope, C2–C7 lordosis, cervical SVA, T1 slope, T1 slope minus cervical lordosis (TS-CL), and C2–C7 ROM METHODS Pearson correlation tests were performed to assess for significant associations between radiographic measurements and patient outcomes. Multiple linear regression models were developed adjusting for demographics and radiographic parameters to determine which factors were predictive of patient outcomes. RESULTS C2 tilt and TS-CL correlated with all postoperative physical outcome scores (NDI, PCS-12, VAS Neck and ARM; p CONCLUSIONS C2 tilt significantly correlated with well-described conventional cervical parameters as well as postoperative physical outcomes measures, especially NDI, on multivariate analysis. C2 tilt may provide an easy and practical tool for predicting physical outcomes after ACDF.
SARS-CoV-2 Viral RNA Load Dynamics in the Nasopharynx of Infected Children

It is important to understand the temporal trend of pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral load to estimate the transmission potential of children in schools and communities. We determined differences in SARS-CoV-2 viral load dynamics between nasopharyngeal samples of infected asymptomatic and symptomatic children. The daily cycle threshold values of SARS-CoV-2 in the nasopharynx of a cohort of infected children were collected for analysis. Among 17 infected children, 10 (58.8%) were symptomatic. Symptomatic children, when compared to asymptomatic children, had higher viral load (mean cycle threshold on day 7 of illness 28.6 versus 36.7, p = 0.02). Peak SARS-CoV-2 viral loads occured around days 2-3 of illness/days of diagnosis in infected children. After adjusting for the estimated date of infection, the higher SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in symptomatic children remained. We postulate that symptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected children may have higher transmissibility than asymptomatic children. As peak viral load in infected children occurred in the early stage of illness, viral shedding and transmission in the pre-symptomatic phase probable. Our study highlights the importance of screening for SARS-CoV-2 in children with epidemiological risk factors, even when they are asymptomatic in order to improve containment of the virus in the community, including educational settings.
Physics webpages create barriers to participation for people with disabilities: five common web accessibility errors and possible solutions

While there have been numerous calls to increase the participation of people with disabilities in STEM, many postsecondary institutions are not equipped to support students with disabilities. We examined the accessibility of 139 webpages from 73 postsecondary institutions in the USA that contained information about the undergraduate physics curriculum and graduate research programs. We selected these webpages as they are common entry points for students interested in pursuing a physics degree. We used Tenon and Mac OS X’s VoiceOver software to assess the level of accessibility of these webpages as measured by alignment with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. We found that only one webpage had minimal accessibility errors (i.e., 10 errors), while the other webpages had numerous accessibility errors. Five specific error types accounted for the majority of all errors. The five most common errors were related to information, structure, and relationships of content (1.3.1 Level A; 39.7%); text alternatives for non-text content (1.1.1 Level A; 27.0%); information about link purpose (2.4.4 Level A; 14.7%); capability to resize text (1.4.4 Level AA; 10.0%); and information about the name, role, and value of user interface components (4.1.2 Level A; 11.2%). We present and describe the five common accessibility errors we identified in the webpages in our sample, suggest solutions for these errors, and provide implications for students with disabilities, instructors and staff, institutional administration, and the broader physics community.
Evolving a generalist biosensor for bicyclic monoterpenes

ABSTRACT Prokaryotic transcription factors can be repurposed as analytical and synthetic tools for precise chemical measurement and regulation. Monoterpenes encompass a broad chemical family that are commercially valuable as flavors, cosmetics, and fragrances, but have proven difficult to measure, especially in cells. Herein, we develop genetically-encoded, generalist monoterpene biosensors by using directed evolution to expand the effector specificity of the camphor-responsive TetR-family regulator CamR from Pseudomonas putida. Using a novel negative selection coupled with a high-throughput positive screen (Seamless Enrichment of Ligand-Inducible Sensors, SELIS), we evolve CamR biosensors that can recognize four distinct monoterpenes: borneol, fenchol, eucalyptol, and camphene. Different evolutionary trajectories surprisingly yielded common mutations, emphasizing the utility of CamR as a platform for creating generalist biosensors. Systematic promoter optimization driving the reporter increased the system’s signal-to-noise ratio to 150-fold. These sensors can serve as a starting point for the high-throughput screening and dynamic regulation of bicyclic monoterpene production strains.
Recent Developments in Naphthyridine Chemistry

Publisher Summary It is the purpose of this review to update the earlier review on the chemistry of naphthyridines. The chapter discusses the syntheses of naphthyridines. Electrophilic substitution reactions for the naphthyridines include bromination of hydrohalide salts of 1,7- and 1,8-naphthyridines, gas-phase bromination of 1,5-naphthyridine and bromination of oxonaphthyridines. In addition, the nucleophilic substitution reactions for naphthyridines include transformations of aminonaphthyridines and Reissert reaction. The chapter provides an illustration of reactions on nitrogen N-alkyl derivatives, N-amino derivatives, and N-oxides. The availability of 1,8-naphthyridine and its alkyl derivatives has spawned a veritable explosion of studies aimed at examining the behavior of this ring system as a ligand. The reduced naphthyridines and medicinal uses of naphthyridines are elaborated in the chapter. In addition, the chapter accounts for spectroscopic properties (nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, vibrational spectra, photoelectron spectra) and the electrochemical studies for naphthyridines.
Deformation and Failure of an Al-Mg Alloy Investigated Through Multiscale Microstructural Models

The microscale deformation of an Al-Mg alloy with a bimodal grain size distribution, consisting of coarse grains (CGs) and ultrafine grains (UFGs) is studied through finite element methods. Procedurally generated models are created to characterize the behavior of this micro structure at different scales. The mechanical response of individual grains is represented through crystal plasticity laws, which include accommodations for solute and grain size strengthening effects. These effects are quantified through multiscale models allowing for experimental calibration. Additionally, the behavior of grain boundaries is included through cohesive interface models. Using these techniques, grain scale deformation is characterized, load distribution between the two phases is examined, and the roles of crystal anisotropy and interface accommodation are considered.
Mechanism of Progesterone Receptor Action in the Brain

Progesterone is the most biologically active progestin, which modulates neuroendocrine functions in the central nervous system to coordinate physiology and reproduction in female mammals. Progesterone action in the brain is primarily mediated via their intracellular nuclear receptors, progestin receptors (PRs) functioning as ligand-dependent transcription factors, in steroid-sensitive regions to regulate genes and genomic networks. PRs exist as two distinct isoforms, PR-A and PR-B. Recent studies suggest that in addition to progesterone, intracellular PRs can be activated in a ligand-independent manner by neurotransmitters, growth factors, and cyclic neucleotides via crosstalk and convergence of pathways. Nonclassical rapid signaling events associated with membrane PRs and/or cytoplasmic PRs also converge with classical PR activation to regulate PR gene expression in neuroendocrine regulation of reproductive behavior. The molecular mechanisms underlying PR-dependent transcriptional activation require the sequential recruitment of various coregulators. Coregulators are versatile regulatory proteins, influencing transcriptional initiation, elongation, splicing, and translation. Differential coregulator interactions could regulate the crosstalk between different signaling pathways to modulate biological processes.
An Approach to Annual Assessment and Evaluation of University Faculty

An approach used to determine some university faculty annual raises is described. Faculty assessment information is covered first. Tabular summaries made from this information are also described. Then the annual evaluation procedure carried out by a faculty review team and the department head are described. The method used to determine faculty raise allocations is presented. Difficulties and limitations of the approach are mentioned throughout.
Connectionism: with or without rules?: Response to J.L. McClelland and D.C. Plaut (1999)

We thank Zsofia Zvolensky for a suggestion that led to the ‘fe-wo-fe’ test of the Dienes et al. model.
Inhibition of Shigella flexneri by the Normal Intestinal Flora II. Mechanisms of Inhibition by Coliform Organisms

Of 15 strains of coliform bacteria, all isolated from human feces, 14 inhibited the growth of Shigella flexneri in mixed culture. In every case, when inhibition occurred, exponential growth of Shigella was interrupted in the mixed culture and the organisms entered into either a stationary or a death phase. None of the test coliform strains produced colicines active against Shigella. An analysis of mixed-culture environments at the time Shigella inhibition occurred revealed that the inhibition was not due to nutrient depletion nor to the development of adverse pH or oxidation-reduction potentials in themselves. In mixed cultures, the coliform strains produced formic and acetic acids in concentrations that inhibited Shigella growth. With one exception, the coliform strains also greatly reduced the culture medium. In average concentrations produced, the formic and acetic acids exerted a bactericidal effect on Shigella under the reduced conditions found in mixed cultures. The acids were only moderately toxic for the coliform strains under the same conditions. Results indicate that volatile acid production and concomitant reduction of the medium are the mechanisms by which coliform bacteria inhibit Shigella growth in mixed cultures.
Computing as Social Action: The Social Dynamics of Computing in Complex Organizations

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the ways in that the behavior of people and groups in organizations influences the development, use, and consequences of computing. The chapter presents an examination of the usefulness of different social perspectives for explaining how computing developments work in complex organizations. The chapter also presents that the six perspectives are best introduced by indicating how they help explain a complex case of computer use. The six theoretical perspectives help to understand the assumptions behind the questions asked and the answers different analysts have found. The rational perspective dominates the majority of analyses of computing, particularly those that are written by practitioners and found in trade journals or the internal documents of organizations. The development, use, and impact of computing in organizations are examined in light of the six perspectives outlined. The chapter examines the development and provision of computer services through the life cycle from initiation to evaluation. The knowledge about computing is distributed throughout organizations, and this leads to systematic misperceptions of computer use and increases the likelihood of computing errors. The chapter examines the consequences of computer use for the ways decisions are made, the work lives of computer users, and the distributions of power in computer-using organizations.
Big-Four vs. Non-Big-Four Audit Quality: New Evidence

Prior research (Dopuch and Simunic 1982; Craswell et al. 1995; Becker et al. 1998; Francis et al. 1999; Francis and Krishnan 1999; MacDonald 1997; Krishnan 2003) has presented evidence consistent with the notion that the quality of independent financial audits conducted by the largest six (the "Big Six") CPA firms is higher than that of those conducted by other, non-"Big-Six" firms. Other research assumes that this prior finding is still true (although it is now made about the "Big Four" due to consolidation in the industry and the demise of Andersen). This paper uses inspection reports prepared by the Public Companies Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to reexamine the question of whether the quality of audits conducted by the Big Four CPA firms is higher than the quality of those conducted by non-"Big-Four" firms. The data are currently being analyzed.
Pinto Beans Are a Source of Highly Bioavailable Copper in Rats

The trace element copper (Cu) is a required nutrient in the diets of humans. It has been found in animal studies to be essential for efficient iron absorption and oxygen utilization and for aiding free-radical degradation. Dry beans (Phaseolis vulgaris) are potentially good sources of Cu; thus, the objective of this study was to determine the bioavailability of Cu from dry beans using the pinto bean as the source. Dry beans were obtained from a local market, cooked according to package directions, and dried. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 groups of 8 rats each) were fed a Cu-deficient diet (AIN-93G) for 4 wk followed by 2 wk of Cu repletion with diets containing 0-6.5 mg Cu/kg diet added as CuSO 4 or with 0.6 and 1.5 mg Cu/kg incorporated into rat diets as pinto beans at 10 and 20%. Standard response curves were developed based on repletion-induced recovery of 10 indices of Cu status, including organ Cu concentrations and Cu-dependent enzyme activities, in response to increasing dietary Cu as CuSO 4 . Recovery of these variables in rats fed the pinto bean diets was compared with the standard response curve at similar levels of dietary Cu. Based on the recovery of all 10 variables, the relative bioavailability of Cu from dry beans was at least 100% of that with the highly available CuSO 4 . For 3 of the variables, liver and heart Cu concentrations and serum superoxide dismutase 3 activity, estimated bioavailability values of Cu from beans were 138, 140, and 134%, respectively, of those from CuSO 4 . We conclude that the dry pinto bean is a good source of dietary Cu with respect to both concentration and bioavailability.
Ultrafast circuits and systems using quantum devices

In this paper, we discuss circuit design methodologies and simulation techniques for ultrafast digital systems using resonant tunneling devices. State of the art circuit techniques and process technologies are limited by the incremental performance improvement offered by device scaling. To achieve an order of magnitude improvement in circuit performance, it is necessary to develop technologies that are not solely dependent on device scaling for performance enhancement. Quantum effect devices use a radically different tunneling transport mechanism which allows picosecond device switching speeds and hence quantum circuit technology is a promising emerging alternative VLSI circuit technology. In a concentrated effort in the area of ultrafast circuit design using resonant tunneling devices, at the University of Michigan, we have developed circuit theory, logic families, architectural techniques, and CAD tools for the design of high performance circuit systems using quantum effect resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) in conjunction with hetero-junction bipolar transistors (HBTs), high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and CMOS devices.
Relationship between locus of control and depression mediated by anger toward others.

(1989). Relationship between Locus of Control and Depression Mediated by Anger toward Others. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 129, No. 3, pp. 413-414.
Working with teachers to develop healthy relationships with students.

This article describes activities that can be used with multiple audiences of teachers, administrators, or other caregivers regarding setting boundaries in personal relationships with students. First, participants must think about and discuss relationships that they experienced with their own teachers in the past and determine what aspects of those relationships made an impression on them. In many cases, these connections deeply influenced teachers to join the profession. Second, participants consider dilemmas that they would realistically face with students and decide how they would respond. The dilemmas are derived from actual encounters teachers describe in this volume and elsewhere. In groups, they discuss what the ramifications might be in each circumstance and explore together sound and appropriate responses. Finally, there is an emphasis on the process of strategizing well before these dilemmas arise.
Airway smooth muscle and platelet responses to several varieties of cotton bracts

Aqueous extracts of several varieties of cotton bracts were tested for their ability to: (1) contract isolated canine airways, and (2) cause 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT) release from human platelets. With regard to airway contractions, the order of effectiveness was: Lambright GL-4=Early Cot WR=LX-571>Texas Mix>Acala SJ-2>Coker 310. The EC50 for Coker 310 was approximately 6 times greater than that for Lambright GL-4. With regard to 5-HT release from platelets, the order of effectiveness was: LX-571=Acala SJ-2>Lambright GL-4>Coker 310>Early Cot WR>Texas Mix. The EC50 for Texas Mix was approximately 15 times greater than that for LX-571. There was no correlation between the EC50’s for smooth muscle contraction and the EC50’s for 5-HT release. We conclude that the concentrations of the bronchoactive and platelet active factors vary considerably among bracts obtained from different varieties of cotton. Moreover, bracts that contain a high concentration of the bronchoactive factor do not necessarily contain a high concentration of the platelet active factor, and vice-versa.
Cranial Sonography (CS) Correlation With Autopsy Neuropathology In Neonates. 792

Cranial sonography (CS) is the most commonly used method for imaging of the newborn brain. The sensitivity and specificity of CS continues to improve with technologic advances, but the limitations of sonography in diagnosing neuropathologic entities such as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) are still being evaluated. A retrospective review of the medical records, sonographic imaging, and brain pathology of infants who died in the Texas Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from 1 Jan 1993 to 31 Dec 1995 was performed. Of 244 infants who died, 51 had premortal CS as well as brain autopsy. Comparison of sonographic and neuropathologic diagnoses in these 51 infants was made by a neonatologist, a neuropathologist, and a pediatric radiologist experienced in cranial sonography; autopsy results were treated as the ”gold standard“. Most patients had multiple diagnoses. Each diagnosis was considered separately in assigning agreement or disagreement between CS and autopsy. Among the 51 patients there were 132 diagnoses; agreement existed between CS and autopsy in 74 of the 132 diagnoses. Of the 58 disagreements between autopsy and CS diagnosis, 13 could be explained by either the size of the lesion relative to the resolution of sonographic imaging or by timing of onset of the pathology relative to CS. These 13 diagnoses were not used in the statistical evaluation of CS reliability. There were therefore 45 of 132 diagnoses (34%) that were classified as true disagreement. The identification by CS of selected neuropathology was as follows: Table On the whole, agreement between CS and autopsy was good (83-97.5%). Most discrepancies could be explained by identified limitations of CS: posterior fossa location(parenchymal hemorrhage); inconsequential overdiagnosis of mild germinal matrix hemorrhage/gr. 1 IVH; or the diffuse nature of some lesions(HIE/infarction).
Resource Distribution Strategies for Mitigation of Cross-Regional Influenza Pandemics

As recently acknowledged by the Institute of Medicine, the existing pandemic mitigation models lack dynamic decision support capabilities. This paper develops a simulation optimization model for generating dynamic resource distribution strategies over a network of regions exposed to a pandemic. While the underlying simulation mimics the disease and population dynamics of the affected regions, the optimization model generates progressive allocations of mitigation resources, including vaccines, antivirals, healthcare capacities, and social distancing enforcement measures. The model strives to minimize the impact of ongoing outbreaks and the expected impact of the potential outbreaks, considering measures of morbidity, mortality, and social distancing, translated into the cost of lost productivity and medical expenses. The model was implemented on a simulated outbreak involving four million inhabitants. The strategy was compared to pro-rata and myopic strategies. The model is intended to assist public health policy makers in developing effective distribution policies during influenza pandemics.
From Discrimination to Affirmative Action: Facts in the Asian American Admissions Controversy

The development of claimsmaking activity over Asian American student admissions to America's elite universities has occasioned public debate on an array of complex issues, including discrimination, diversity, and affirmative action. This paper examines the history of claimsmaking activity involving Asian American organizations, university officials, state and federal institutions, and neoconservatives within the context of a shifting discourse on admissions. My discussion of the construction and viability of claims shows how participants usefacts as important resources in claimsmaking activity. But while facts often seem to be at the very center of the Asian admissions controversy, I argue that their importance and meaning depends fully upon the particular contexts in which they are created and used. At the same time, although participants contest the meaning of facts, they never seem to deny their importance as measures of a reality distinct from the controversy and fact production process.
Influence of Hyperglycemia on Oxidative Stress and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activation After Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats Relation to Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction

Background and Purpose— Hyperglycemia is linked to a worse outcome after ischemic stroke. Among the manifestations of brain damage caused by ischemia are blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and edema formation. Oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activation are implicated in BBB dysfunction after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our present study was designed to clarify the relation among hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and MMP-9 activation associated with BBB dysfunction after transient focal cerebral ischemia (tFCI). Methods— We used a model of 60 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion on the following animals: normoglycemic wild-type rats, wild-type rats with hyperglycemia induced by streptozotocin, and human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) transgenic rats with streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia. We evaluated edema volume, Evans blue leakage, and oxidative stress, such as the carbonyl groups and oxidized hydroethidine (HEt), SOD activity, and gelatinolytic activity, inc...
Assessment of Management Scenarios to Reduce Loggerhead Turtle Interactions with Shrimp Trawlers in Georgia

Abstract Recovery of loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta populations depends on many factors, including reducing anthropogenic mortality of adult turtles. Shrimp trawls are considered a major source of mortality for adult loggerhead turtles despite the mandatory use of turtle excluder devices. We modeled scenarios for reducing the likelihood of interaction between nesting adult loggerhead turtles and shrimp trawlers operating off the coast of Georgia during the nesting season (May–August). We used satellite telemetry and aerial surveys to describe the distribution patterns of nesting adult female turtles (2004–2005; n = 22) and shrimp trawls (1999–2005), respectively, across waters adjacent to the Georgia shoreline. Adult female turtles and shrimp trawlers both occupied state waters extensively during the nesting season. Turtles tended to have long, narrow home ranges that were located parallel to shore and that overlapped with the shrimp trawl distribution, which showed a slight grouping around deep channe...
Linear systems with input nonlinearities: Global stabilization by scheduling a family of H∞-type controllers

A new global stabilization algorithm is presented for linear systems that have (A, B) stabilizable, the eigenvalues of A in the closed left-half plane, but where the controls pass through nonlinearities of a general type. This algorithm is based on a semi-global stabilization solution for the same class of systems. The global solution is constructed by dynamically scheduling the adjustable parameter of the semi-global solution according to the size of the state. The semi-global solution is a family of linear control laws generated by a family of H∞-type algebraic Riccati equations. We show that the closed-loop state feedback system has the property that additive disturbances which converge exponentially to zero cannot produce unbounded states. This fact is used to show that, under a linear detectability assumption, the state feedback results are recovered when the solution is implemented via a standard linear-based observer.
Toxin-Producing Aspergillus Isolated from Domestic Peanuts

Nine species of fungi isolated from stored domestic peanuts were grown in the laboratory on sterilized peanuts and were incorporated into diets fed to ducklings. Symptoms of acute toxicity resulted only after consumption of one of the diets and this one contained material incubated with the fungus, Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fries.
Relationships Between Perceived School Climate and Adolescent Mental Health Across Genders

The current study explored the relationship between school climate perceptions and self-reported mental health among 415 high school students. Mental health was defined comprehensively via indicators of positive functioning (life satisfaction) and psychopathology (internalizing and externalizing problems). Regression analyses indicated that students’ perceptions of six dimensions of school climate (sharing of resources, order and discipline, parent involvement, school building appearance, student interpersonal relations, and student–teacher relations) accounted for a total of 15–22 % of the variance in indicators of their mental health, above and beyond between-school differences in outcomes. Bivariate links emerged between positive perceptions of each school climate dimension and better mental health. Parent involvement was the most consistent unique predictor of mental health. Worse perceptions of the peer interpersonal relations, equal sharing of school resources, and physical appearance of one’s school building uniquely predicted greater psychopathology (externalizing and internalizing problems, respectively), whereas teacher–student relations were particularly associated with wellness (among girls only). Across indicators, school climate was more highly associated with girls’ mental health. Directions for future research and implications for educators are discussed.
Learning convolutional filters for interest point detection

We present a method for learning efficient feature detectors based on in-situ evaluation as an alternative to hand-engineered feature detection methods. We demonstrate our in-situ learning approach by developing a feature detector optimized for stereo visual odometry. Our feature detector parameterization is that of a convolutional filter. We show that feature detectors competitive with the best hand-designed alternatives can be learned by random sampling in the space of convolutional filters and we provide a way to bias the search toward regions of the search space that produce effective results. Further, we describe our approach for obtaining the ground-truth data needed by our learning system in real, everyday environments.
Endotoxin-induced vasodilatation in anaesthetized rat skin involves nitric oxide and prostaglandin synthesis.

Abstract 1. The effect of intradermally injected endotoxin on skin blood flow was investigated in anaesthetized male Wistar rats in vivo. 2. Local skin blood flow changes were measured hourly for 6 h in the shaved dorsal skin with a laser-Doppler flow probe and compared to changes in control sites which had been injected with 100 microliters of phosphate-buffered saline. By 3 h, skin blood flow increased above basal by 129 +/- 27% and 186 +/- 29% with 1 and 10 micrograms of endotoxin respectively. Blood flow remained significantly elevated at 6 h, the corresponding figures being 129 +/- 24% and 154 +/- 31% (P less than 0.05, n = 6 rats, mean +/- s.e.mean). 3. In further experiments, the response to 3 micrograms of endotoxin was measured at 4 h and treatment with a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors or a topical steroid all significantly inhibited this response (P less than 0.05 in each case, n = 6 rats in each group with duplicate sites in each animal). 4. Indomethacin 3 x 10(-9) mol per site injected 3.5 h after injection of endotoxin suppressed the mean 4 h response to endotoxin by 78%; NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 10(-7) mol per site suppressed the response by 95%; NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) 10(-7) mol per site suppressed the response by 50%; whereas the D-isomer of NG-monomethyl-arginine 10(-7) mol per site had no significant effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Carbon monoxide mediates protection against nitric oxide toxicity in HeLa cells

Nitric oxide (NO) mediates cell signaling at low (nanomolar) concentrations, but can be cytotoxic at higher concentrations. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), implicated in a role in NO resistance, might confer its protective effect through the direct products biliverdin and CO or the secondary product bilirubin. We have therefore tested whether biliverdin, bilirubin, or CO can provide resistance to NO toxicity. HeLa cells treated with bilirubin or biliverdin (up to 25 microM) had unchanged survival of an NO challenge (1 mM spermine-NONOate or 2 mM DEA-NO), although they displayed increased resistance to H2O2 (350 microM). In contrast, prior exposure to CO (up to 100 ppm) increased NO resistance. An interval between CO exposure and NO resistance was required for the increased NO resistance. Because the CO-activated NO resistance was also blocked by the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D, inducible gene expression seems critical for the cytoprotection elicited by CO. Experiments in the presence of HO and guanylate cyclase inhibitors indicated that HO activity and cGMP signaling are not essential for the CO-protective effect. Last, inhibition of p38 MAPK activation fully blocked the CO-protective effect, indicating the involvement of this signaling pathway(s) in the CO response.
Estimation from k independent randomly truncated samples: application to neutrino energies

We investigate estimation and testing procedures for the k-sample problem where each of the populations is subject to random truncation by possibly different but known truncation functions. Particular attention is focused on the two sample case which is motivated from the following important application. Neutrinos were detected from Supernova 1987A at two sites: the 1MB detector in Ohio (eight neutrinos observed) and the Kamiokande II detector in Japan (twelve observed). Each detector has different "trigger efficiencies", the chance of observing the flash of light produced by the neutrino knocking an electron loose from an atom. Thus, we have two independent samples of randomly truncated data. We assume a normal model for some power transformation of the data with the same power for each sample. We estimate the parameters of this distribution by maximum likelihood and find confidence regions for the parameters. A Monte Carlo study investigates the properties of the maximum likelihood estimators for this e...
Reliability of lunar orbital periods extracted from ancient cyclic tidal rhythmites

Abstract Ancient tidal periods extracted from the geologic record are useful to constrain and calibrate theoretical models of the evolution of the earth-moon system. Analysis of rocks that contain such tidal periodicities, termed cyclic rhythmites, have tended to concentrate on long series and have focused on the more obvious periods. For example, neap-spring periods have been the most widely discussed; such information can be reliably extracted from bedform thickness series measured within laterally accreted tidal bundles and vertically accreted tidal laminae. Other lunar orbital data is also encoded in cyclic rhythmites; however this additional information has been much less extensively applied to earth-moon models. Herein, short segments of well-formed cyclic rhythmites are examined to determine how reliably the various tidal periods can be extracted via harmonic analysis. Rhythmite series analyzed here exhibit well-formed neap-spring tidal periods and also exhibit a prominent fortnightly inequality or a variation in the height of successive spring tides. This inequality is related to the elliptical nature of the lunar orbit (anomalistic month) and it is demonstrated that this period can also be reliably extracted from cyclic rhythmites. Tropical periods, which reflect the changing lunar declination that occurs during a tropical month, have also been reported from cyclic rhythmites. Unlike synodic and anomalistic periods, the apparent tropical periods extracted from some cyclic rhythmites do not always accurately correspond to the expected values. In only a few cases can this period be reliably extracted from short segments of cyclic tidal-rhythmite data. This period is commonly only poorly encoded in rhythmites because: (1) it tends to be masked by higher amplitude synodic periods, and (2) it is not well expressed within predominantly semidiurnal tidal systems. Samples selected from the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic tend to be more common during specific intervals of geologic time. These intervals were characterized by glacio-eustatic flux and, in some cases, by unique continental configurations. Understanding these basic controls on rhythmite occurrences should aid in the discovery of additional examples.
Global model comparison with Millstone Hill during September 2005

[1] A direct comparison between simulation results from the Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (GITM) and measurements from the Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar (ISR) during the month of September 2005 is presented. Electron density, electron temperature, and ion temperature results are compared at two altitudes where ISR data is the most abundant. The model results are produced, first using GITM running in one dimension, which allows comparison at the Millstone Hill location throughout the entire month. The model results have errors ranging from 20% to 50% over the course of the month. In addition, the F2 peak electron density (NmF2) and height of the peak (HmF2) are compared for the month. On average the model indicates higher peak electron densities as well as a higher HmF2. During the time period from 9 September through 13 September, the trends in the data are different than the trends in the model results. These differences are due to active solar and geomagnetic conditions during this time period. Three-dimensional (3-D) GITM results are presented during these active conditions, and it is found that the 3-D model results replicate the trends in the data more closely. GITM is able to capture the positive storm phase that occurred late on 10 September but has the most difficulty capturing the density depletion on 11 and 12 September that is seen in the data. This is probably a result of the use of statistical high-latitude and solar drivers that are not as accurate during storm time.
Library resources and services: a cross-disciplinary survey of faculty and graduate student use and satisfaction

Abstract This article describes the results of a survey of seven academic disciplines. The survey showed that all respondents, regardless of academic discipline, consult a narrower range of materials than was expected and regularly consult older published materials. Less surprisingly, respondents expressed a desire for simpler and more integrated search systems.
Comparison of Experiment With Monte Carlo Simulations on a Reflective Gap Using a Detailed Surface Properties Model

The spatial distribution of light through a rectangular gap bounded by highly reflective, diffuse surfaces was measured and compared with the results of Monte Carlo simulations. Incorporating radiant properties for real surfaces into a Monte Carlo code was seen to be a significant problem; a number of techniques for accomplishing this are discussed. Independent results are reported for measured values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function over incident polar angles from 0 to 90 deg for a semidiffuse surface treatment (Krylon flat white spray paint). The inclusion of this information into a Monte Carlo simulation yielded various levels of agreement with experimental results. The poorest agreement occurred when the incident radiation was at a grazing angle with respect to the surface and the reflectance was nearly specular. 10 refs., 7 figs.
Effects of Drought or Heat Stress Alone and in Combination on Kentucky Bluegrass

Cool-season turfgrasses are frequently subjected to heat and drought stresses during summer months. This study was conducted to determine physiological responses of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) to drought and heat alone or together, and the effects of drought preconditioning on plant responses to subsequent heat stress. Kentucky bluegrass (cv. Mystic) was subjected to drought and/or heat stress (35 degrees C/30 degrees C, day/night) in growth chambers for 40 d. Canopy photosynthetic rate (P(n)) and leaf photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) decreased under drought and heat stress. The decline in P(n) was more severe under heat than under drought stress during the first 12 d of treatment. The reduction in Fv/Fm ratio was more severe under drought stress than under heat stress after 20 d of treatment. The combined heat and drought stresses (H+D) caused more dramatic reductions in P(n) and Fv/Fm than either heat or drought alone, starting at 3 and 9 d after treatment, respectively. Drought or heat alone, or H+D, significantly reduced root dry weight. However, reduction was more severe under heat alone than under drought stress, particularly in the top 20 cm of soil. Drought preconditioning enhanced plant tolerance to subsequent heat stress but had no influence on plant tolerance to H+D. Drought-preconditioned plants maintained higher water status, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, and had significantly higher P(n) and root dry weight than non-preconditioned plants during subsequent heat stress. No significant difference in Fv/Fm was observed between drought-preconditioned and non-preconditioned plants under either heat alone or H+D. The results indicated that simultaneous drought and heat stresses were more detrimental than either stress alone. Drought preconditioning could improve Kentucky bluegrass tolerance to subsequent heat stress.
Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) as an ionomer for direct methanol fuel cell electrodes

Abstract Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) has been investigated as an ionomer in the catalyst layer for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). The performance in DMFC, electrochemical active area (by cyclic voltammetry), and limiting capacitance (by impedance spectroscopy) have been evaluated as a function of the ion exchange capacity (IEC) and content (wt.%) of the SPEEK ionomer in the catalyst layer. The optimum IEC value and SPEEK ionomer content in the electrodes are found to be, respectively, 1.33 meq. g −1 and 20 wt.%. The membrane-electrode assemblies (MEA) fabricated with SPEEK membrane and SPEEK ionomer in the electrodes are found to exhibit superior performance in DMFC compared to that fabricated with Nafion ionomer due to lower interfacial resistance in the MEA as well as larger electrochemical active area. The MEAs with SPEEK membrane and SPEEK ionomer also exhibit better performance than that with Nafion 115 membrane and Nafion ionomer due to lower methanol crossover and better electrode kinetics.