cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Axions, Domain Walls, and the Early Universe

Axion models have a spontaneously broken Z{A) symmetry. The resulting discretely degenerate vacua and domain-wall solitons are incompatible with the standard cosmology. It is possible, however, to introduce a small Z(N) breaking interaction into axion models without upsetting the Peccei-Quinn mechanism. In that case the domain walls disappear a certain time after their formation in the early universe. Their. presence for a limited time period might lead to galaxy formation.
Factors influencing patient pathways for receipt of cancer care at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Background: Within the field of oncology, increasing access to high quality care has been identified as a priority to reduce cancer disparities. Previous research reveals that the facilities where patients receive their cancer care have implications for cancer outcomes. However, there is little understanding of how patients decide where to seek cancer care. This study examined the factors that shape patients’ pathways to seek their cancer care at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center (NCI-CCC), and differences in these factors by race, income and education. Methods: In-depth interviews and survey questionnaires were administered to a random sample of 124 patients at one NCICCC in the Northeast US. In-depth interview data was first analyzed qualitatively to identify themes and patterns in patients’ pathways to receive their cancer care at an NCI-CCC. Logistic Regression was used to examine if these pathways varied by patient race, income, and education. Results: Two themes emerged: following the recommendation of a physician and following advice from social network members. Quantitative data analysis shows that patient pathways to care at an NCI-CCC varied by education and income. Patients with lower income and education most commonly sought their cancer care at an NCI-CCC due to the recommendation of a physician. Patients with higher income and education most commonly cited referral by a specialist physician or the advice of a social network member. There were no statistically significant differences in pathways to care by race. Conclusions: Our findings show that most patients relied on physician recommendations or advice from a social network member in deciding to seek their cancer care at an NCI-CCC. Due to the role of physicians in shaping patients’ pathways to the NCI-CCC, initiatives that strengthen partnerships between NCI-CCCs and community physicians who serve underserved communities may improve access to NCI-CCCs.
Calibration of reduced dynamic models of power systems using phasor measurement unit (PMU) Data

Accuracy of a power system dynamic model is essential to the secure and efficient operation of the system. Lower confidence on model accuracy usually leads to conservative operation and lowers asset usage. To improve model accuracy, identification algorithms have been developed to calibrate parameters of individual components using measurement data from staged tests. To facilitate online dynamic studies for large power system interconnections, this paper proposes a model reduction and calibration approach using phasor measurement unit (PMU) data. First, a model reduction method is used to reduce the number of dynamic components. Then, a calibration algorithm is developed to estimate parameters of the reduced model. This approach will help to maintain an accurate dynamic model suitable for online dynamic studies. The performance of the proposed method is verified through simulation studies.
Pseudocompact groups: progress and problems ✩

Abstract Several months ago the speaker and Jan van Mill gave a proof of this result [W.W. Comfort, J. van Mill, Extremal pseudocompact abelian groups are compact metrizable, Abstracts Amer. Math. Soc. 27 (2006) 78 (Abstract #1014-22-958); W.W. Comfort, J. van Mill, Extremal pseudocompact abelian groups are compact metrizable, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 135 (2007) 4039–4044]: A pseudocompact abelian group of uncountable weight admits both a proper dense pseudocompact subgroup and a strictly larger pseudocompact group topology. This presentation will describe both the necessary new details of the argument and the historical development (useful tools, special cases). Among those who contributed essentially are: K.A. Ross (1964, 1966); T. Soundararajan (1982); L.C. Robertson (1982, 1988); J. van Mill (1989); J. van Mill and H. Gladdines (1994); J. Galindo (2002). Several related unsolved problems will be cited.
Work and nonwork stressors, negative affective states, and pain complaints among firefighters and paramedics

Prior research has suggested that occupational stressors may contribute to the etiology, progression, and chronicity of pain problems in workers. This study used anonymous survey methods to assess the prevalence and frequency of self-reported pain symptoms and their relationships to demographic variables, sources of occupational stressors, nonwork stressors and affective distress in a large sample (N≈2000) of employed career public sector firefighters and paramedics. The findings were consistent with those of previous studies of high strain workers. More than 95% of the firefighter/paramedic sample reported at least one pain complaint (using a 1 week assessment time frame). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis entering demographic, occupational, and nonwork stressors, as well as measures of negative affective states targeting total pain scores, yielded significant relationships. Five occupational stressors were associated with respondent pain complaints. The results also suggest that negative affective states mediated the relationships between work and nonwork variables, and pain complaint outcomes. The implications of these findings for the development of preventive interventions for firefighters and paramedics as well as other emergency service workers are considered.
A Bayesian Framework for Quantifying Uncertainty in Stochastic Simulation

When we use simulation to estimate the performance of a stochastic system, the simulation often contains input models that were estimated from real-world data; therefore, there is both simulation and input uncertainty in the performance estimates. In this paper, we provide a method to measure the overall uncertainty while simultaneously reducing the influence of simulation estimation error due to output variability. To reach this goal, a Bayesian framework is introduced. We use a Bayesian posterior for the input-model parameters, conditional on the real-world data, to quantify the input-parameter uncertainty; we propagate this uncertainty to the output mean using a Gaussian process posterior distribution for the simulation response as a function of the input-model parameters, conditional on a set of simulation experiments. We summarize overall uncertainty via a credible interval for the mean. Our framework is fully Bayesian, makes more effective use of the simulation budget than other Bayesian approaches in the stochastic simulation literature, and is supported with both theoretical analysis and an empirical study. We also make clear how to interpret our credible interval and why it is distinctly different from the confidence intervals for input uncertainty obtained in other papers.
Discretizing the diffusion equation on unstructured polygonal meshes in two dimensions

We derive a discretization of the two-dimensional diffusion equation for use with unstructured meshes of polygons. The scheme is presented in r–z geometry, but can easily be applied to x–y geometry. The method is “node”- or “point”-based and is constructed using a finite volume approach. The scheme is designed to have several important properties, including second-order accuracy, convergence to the exact result as the mesh is refined (regardless of the smoothness of the grid), and preservation of the homogeneous linear solution. Its principle disadvantage is that, in general, it generates an asymmetric coefficient matrix, and therefore requires more storage and the use of non-traditional, and sometimes slowly-converging, iterative linear solvers. On an unstructured triangular grid in x–y geometry, the scheme is equivalent to the linear continuous finite element method with “mass-matrix lumping”. We give computational examples that demonstrate the accuracy and convergence properties of the new scheme relative to other schemes.
Impaired substrate utilization in mitochondria from strain 129 dystrophic mice

Mitochondria from skeletal muscle, heart and liver of strain 129/ReJ-dy dystrophic mice and their littermate controls were characterized with respect to their respiratory and phosphorylating activities. Skeletal muscle mitochondria from dystrophic mice showed significantly lower state 3 respiratory rates than controls with both pyruvate + malate and succinate as substrates (P less than 0.01). ADP/O and Ca2+/O ratios were found to be normal. A decreased rate of NADH oxidation (0.01 less than P less than 0.05) by sonicated mitochondrial suspensions from dystrophic mice was also seen. High respiratory rates with ascorbate + phenazine methosulfate as substrates indicated that cytochrome oxidase was not rate limiting in the oxidation of either pyruvate + malate or succinate. Skeletal muscle mitochondria from dystrophic mice showed no deficiency in any of the cytochromes or coenzyme Q. Mg2+-stimulated ATPase activity was higher in dystrophic muscle mitochondria than in controls, but basal and oligomycin-insensitive activities were virtually identical to those of controls. A significant reduction inthe intramitochondrial NAD+ content (0.01 less than P less than 0.02) was seen in dystrophic skeletal muscle as compared to controls. Heart mitochondria from dystrophic mice showed similar, though less extensive abnormalities while liver mitochondria were essentially normal. We concluded from these results that skeletal muscle mitochondria from strain 129 dystrophic mice possess impairments in substrate utilization which may result from (1) an abnormality in the transfer of electrons on the substrate side of coenzyme Q in the case of succinate oxidation; (2) a defect on the path of electron flow from NADH to cytochrome c, and (3) a deficiency of NAD+ in the case of NAD+-linked substrates.
Model Reference Control of a Gas Turbine Engine

A simple control law is developed that guarantees that the outputs of a linear time invariant plant with feedthrough elements will converge asymptotically to a pre-specified set of desired trajectories. This control law is illustrated on a gas turbine engine to demonstrate its applicability to higher dimensional problems and to highlight the fast asymptotic convergence towards the desired trajectories. The algorithm presented here is fairly straightforward to implement, and should be a useful tool for model reference control. The desired model is implemented off-line, thus allowing for a potential real-time application. The only assumption made in this work is that the modes of the ‘actual’ plant are controllable. No assumptions are made or required on the ‘desired’ plant. The dynamic characteristics of both the ‘actual’ and the ‘desired’ plant can actually be quite different. The control law generates an input that forces the ‘actual’ outputs to follow the ‘desired’ trajectories.
A low-cost photoacoustic microscopy system with a laser diode excitation

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is capable of mapping microvasculature networks in biological tissue and has demonstrated great potential for biomedical applications. However, the clinical application of the PAM system is limited due to the use of bulky and expensive pulsed laser sources. In this paper, a low-cost optical-resolution PAM system with a pulsed laser diode excitation has been introduced. The lateral resolution of this PAM system was estimated to be 7 µm by imaging a carbon fiber. The phantoms made of polyethylene tubes filled with blood and a mouse ear were imaged to demonstrate the feasibility of this PAM system for imaging biological tissues.
Geometric structure of b 2,2-orbihedra and interpolation of operators

We compute the normals to faces of b 2,2-orbihedra and apply the results to Operator Interpolation Theory.
Differential distribution of alpha subunits and beta gamma subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins on Golgi membranes of the exocrine pancreas.

Heterotrimeric G proteins are well known to be involved in signaling via plasma membrane (PM) receptors. Recent data indicate that heterotrimeric G proteins are also present on intracellular membranes and may regulate vesicular transport along the exocytic pathway. We have used subcellular fractionation and immunocytochemical localization to investigate the distribution of G alpha and G beta gamma subunits in the rat exocrine pancreas which is highly specialized for protein secretion. We show that G alpha s, G alpha i3 and G alpha q/11 are present in Golgi fractions which are > 95% devoid of PM. Removal of residual PM by absorption on wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) did not deplete G alpha subunits. G alpha s was largely restricted to TGN-enriched fractions by immunoblotting, whereas G alpha i3 and G alpha q/11 were broadly distributed across Golgi fractions. G alpha s did not colocalize with TGN38 or caveolin, suggesting that G alpha s is associated with a distinct population of membranes. G beta subunits were barely detectable in purified Golgi fractions. By immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling, G beta subunits were detected on PM but not on Golgi membranes, whereas G alpha s and G alpha i3 were readily detected on both Golgi and PM. G alpha and G beta subunits were not found on membranes of zymogen granules. These data indicate that G alpha s, G alpha q/11, and G alpha i3 associate with Golgi membranes independent of G beta subunits and have distinctive distributions within the Golgi stack. G beta subunits are thought to lock G alpha in the GDP-bound form, prevent it from activating its effector, and assist in anchoring it to the PM. Therefore the presence of free G alpha subunits on Golgi membranes has several important functional implications: it suggests that G alpha subunits associated with Golgi membranes are in the active, GTP-bound form or are bound to some other unidentified protein(s) which can substitute for G beta gamma subunits. It further implies that G alpha subunits are tethered to Golgi membranes by posttranslational modifications (e.g., palmitoylation) or by binding to another protein(s).
Computer controlled shear cell for measurement of flow properties of particulate materials

Abstract A shear tester for powders that allows the determination of a dynamic yield locus from a single test was built and tested. The principle of the computer controlled shear cell (CCSC) is that dynamic yield states can be maintained in a test cell over a range of normal and shear stresses in the same test. This leads directly to a dynamic yield locus. With its flexible design, the CCSC can also be used as a Jenike shear cell or a direct shear cell. The performance of the CCSC used as a dynamic yield locus tester (YLT) was compared with the CCSC used as a Jenike shear cell. Wheat flour and sugar were the test materials. The yield loci obtained with the CCSC-YLT using fine cohesive material, wheat flour, were not statistically different (at the 95% confidence interval) from the yield loci obtained with the CCSC-Jenike, while there were marginal differences (at the 95% confidence interval) between the testers for the less cohesive material, granulated sugar. Design of the CCSC also eliminated the need for trial and error in determining the number of twists needed for critical consolidation of powder mass. In addition, the duration of the test and amount of material needed to generate a dynamic yield locus using the CCSC are reduced by 3/4 and 2/3, respectively, compared with those required for the CCSC used as a Jenike shear cell.
Hypercholesterolemia increases supraspinatus tendon stiffness and elastic modulus across multiple species

Background More than one-quarter of Americans have hypercholesterolemia and/or are being treated with cholesterol-lowering medications. Given the systemic nature of hypercholesterolemia and remaining questions regarding its effect on tendons at a local level, we sought to assess the utility of small versus large animal model systems for translational studies by exploring the effect of hypercholesterolemia on supraspinatus tendon elastic mechanical properties in mice, rats, and monkeys. We hypothesized that stiffness and elastic modulus would be increased in tendons across species due to hypercholesterolemia. Materials and methods Supraspinatus tendons from normal (control) and high-cholesterol (HC) mice, rats, and monkeys were used in this study. After dissection, tendons were geometrically measured and tensile tested with tissue strain measured optically. Results Overall, HC animals had significantly altered plasma lipid profiles. Biomechanical testing showed a significant increase in stiffness compared with control in HC mice and rats, as well as a nonsignificant trend for HC monkeys. Elastic modulus was also significantly increased in HC mice and monkeys, with HC rats showing a trend. Conclusions The consistency of our findings across species and between small and large animals, combined with the fact that the aged mice were exposed to lifelong hypercholesterolemia (compared with rats and nonhuman primates, which were fed HC diets), suggests that these increased properties may be inherent to the effect of hypercholesterolemia on supraspinatus tendon rather than due to an effect of cumulative exposure time to the effects of HC. Further investigation is needed to confirm this concept.
Estimation Of 3-D Shape Of Blood Vessels From X-Ray Images.

A new approach to blood vessel boundary estimation from a few whole volume projection images addressing the problems of low S/N ratio, low sampling rate and optimum data utilization, and the clinical need for three dimensional information about the vessel is presented in this paper. It is based on a recently developed estimation approach and algorithm for 3-D reconstruction from projections with incomplete and very noisy data. Using a stochastic dynamic model for the vessel, the imaging problem is reformulated as a nonlinear state estimation problem of small dimensionality, and an approximate recursive MMSE smoothing algorithm for its solution is presented. Computationally, the algorithm outperforms by orders of magnitude a previously suggested estimation method for blood vessel imaging, which was infeasible for the 3-D problem.
Effects of a 17-spirolactone on a circadian rhythm and other physiological systems (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of the Δ4-androstene-3-1-17-spirolactone on the circadian rhythm of ovulation-oviposition and on anatomical changes of the adrenals, ovary, oviduct and body weight is presented. 2. 2. This synthetic steroid caused an exponential regression in weight of the adrenals and the ovary, a variable effect in body weight and a linear regression of the oviduct preceded by a short increase in weight. 3. 3. Several possible sites of drug action are suggested.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Excerpt To the editor: As a diagnostician, I was pleased to see the critical review of the current value, or lack thereof, of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate by Drs. Sox and Liang (1). I was sur...
Observer Design Based Cyber Security for Cyber Physical Systems

In this paper, an observer based cyber-attack detection and estimation methodology for cyber physical systems is presented. The cyber-attack is considered to influence the physical part of the cyber physical system that compromises human safety. The cyber-attacks are considered to affect the sensors and the actuators in the sub-systems as well as the software programs of the control systems in the cyber physical system. The whole system is modeled as a hybrid system to incorporate the discrete and continuous part of the cyber physical system and a sliding mode based observer is designed for the detection of these cyber-attacks. For simulation purposes, this paper considers different cyber-attacks on the battery sub-system of modern automobiles and the simulation results of attack detection are presented in the paper.
Teaching computer graphics using RenderMan

A computer graphics course is extremely hardware system dependent, even more than most computer science courses. To produce high quality graphics images requires a high resolution system with extensive color capability and a fast cpu. Fortunately, the computer graphics capabilities of inexpensive systems have continued to increase. As this trend continues we need to consider changing the way we teach our computer graphics courses. In this paper I discuss a major shift in my teaching methods in the past year. Whereas, previously my students developed their own programs to create images, I have switched to the use of the Pixar RenderMan graphics package in the second graphics course and use it at the end of the first graphics course. I will discuss the rational for this change, mine and the students' experiences with it, and future planned modifications of the courses.
Cerebral aneurysms with intrasellar extension: a systematic review of clinical, anatomical, and treatment characteristics

Object Intrasellar aneurysms are rare lesions that often mimic pituitary tumors, potentially resulting in catastrophic outcomes if they are not appropriately recognized. The authors aimed to characterize the clinical and anatomical details of this poorly defined entity in the modern era of neuroimaging and open/endovascular neurosurgery. Methods A PubMed literature review was conducted to identify all studies reporting noniatrogenic aneurysms with intrasellar extension, as confirmed by CT or MR imaging and angiography. Clinical, anatomical, and treatment characteristics were analyzed. Results Thirty-one studies reporting 40 cases of intrasellar aneurysms were identified. Six patients (15%) presented with aneurysmal rupture. Patients with unruptured aneurysms presented with the following signs and symptoms: headache (61%), visual field cuts/decreased visual acuity (61%), endocrinopathy (57%), symptomatic hyponatremia (21%), and cranial nerve paresis (other than optic nerve) (18%). The most common endocrine...
Abstract 5765: Tumor-elicited myeloid progenitors promote metastasis through induction of mesenchymal to epithelial transition

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Malignant primary tumor cells colonize in target organs to form dormant micrometastasis. In some cases, the micrometastases progress to macrometastasis resulting in more than 90% of human cancer related deaths. However, the cellular and molecular regulators of metastatic initiation and progression remains poorly understood. Using a variety of metastatic tumor models we show that recruited bone marrow-derived myeloid progenitor cells comprise a significant fraction of the metastatic lung as compared to the primary tumor that predominantly have infiltrated macrophages. Specific depletion of the myeloid progenitor cells did not affect primary tumor growth but significantly impaired lung metastases. Global gene expression profiling of the CD11b+GR1+ myeloid progenitor cells identified potential pro-metastatic mediators. We have characterized one such mediator that promotes lung metastasis via promoting mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) of disseminated tumor cells. Our data suggests that this transition favors enhanced proliferation and survival of disseminated tumor cells so that they can successfully form functional metastases. RNAi-mediated acute suppression of this mediator in the bone marrow markedly inhibited lung metastases. Taken together, these findings illustrate the critical roles of the myeloid progenitors in metastasis and suggest the potential impact of targeting bone marrow cells and MET pathways in metastatic disease. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5765.
Waste not, want not: the private and social costs of waste-to-energy production

Communities, and whole countries, are considering implementing the quickly-evolving technologies of waste-to-energy (WTE) production. Unlike other energy sources, waste-to-energy plants have two objectives. In addition to generating useful energy, these plants are designed to ensure the safe and effective disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW). Energy production and solid waste management both involve complicated and large-scale production processes which generate substantial environmental impacts. Traditional analysis of the desirability of adopting WTE technology has compared its costs and benefits either to other forms of energy production or to other forms of solid waste management. Traditional analysis also tends to focus on private production costs with limited consideration of broader social environmental impacts. Using data from Germany, Sweden, the UK and the US, this paper bundles together the energy generation and waste disposal services offered by WTE and estimates the associated private production and social environmental costs. In so doing, this economic study provides insight into whether WTE plants can compete on the energy production side with fossil-fuel-fired plants and on the waste management side with landfill disposal.
THE EFFECT OF CHRONIC PROPRANOLOL (P) ON THE GROWTH AND ENDOCRINE FUNCTION OF NEWBORN PUPPIES

Top of pageAbstract The effect of P, commonly employed in the treatment of neonatal hypertension, on growth, development and endocrine function of developing infants has not been examined. Beagle littermates, age 1 week, were placed in one of three groups: P 3 mg/kg/BID, P 9 mg/kg/BID, or control (C). Measurements of blood pressure, weight, and length were done weekly or bi-weekly. At 3 and 6 months of age fasting puppies were given, on different days, 0.5 gm/kg of glucose IV and 0.1 U/kg insulin IV for determination of glucose and insulin tolerance respectively. Fasting T3 and T4 levels were determined. Animals were sacrificed at 6 months and wet organ weights obtained. Blood pressure was significantly lower in P treated animals (p <.001). There were no significant differences between P and C animals in body or individual organ size. After IV insulin, P animals had greater falls in serum glucose (p <.02) compared to C animals at 3 months (42.5% vs 33.6%) and at 6 months (33.6% vs 26.4%). In P animals glucose disappearance rate was slower at 3 months (.009 vs .011, p <.05) and T4 levels were lower at 6 months (2.85 mcg/dl vs 3.51 mcg/dl, p <.05). In summary, chronic β blockade with P had no effect on body or organ growth of newborn puppies. However, significant abnormalities were observed in thyroid function and in glucose homeostasis, suggesting the need for additional studies on the safety of chronic β blockade in developing infants.
Publication productivity in selected School Psychology Journals: 1985-1991

This study examines the institutional affiliations of authors who have published in the three major journals of School Psychology and two additional journals started recently in the field between January, 1985, and July, 1991. The specific journals examined were Psychology in the Schools, Journal of School Psychology, and the School Psychology Review. These journals comprise the primary research outlets in School Psychology. In addition, papers published in Professional School Psychology and the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment were also included in the analysis because these represent relatively new publication outlets for School Psychology. Findings regarding institutional productivity are compared with those obtained from previous studies in this area.
Transient response of protruding electronic modules exposed to horizontal cross flow

Abstract The objective of this research was to carry out a numerical simulation of heat transfer during cross-flow mixed convection in electronic circuit boards. A buoyancy-driven transport in the vertical direction and a forced convective flow in the horizontal direction results in a three dimensional boundary layer structure adjacent to the board surface. The rate of heat transfer is determined by a combined influence of these two transport processes. It was attempted to identify and analyze the significance of different factors that influence the local heat transfer rate and the temperature of these components and their behavior with change in time. A three-dimensional numerical model of a conducting board of finite thickness with four heat sources mounted on its surface was analysed. Heat transfer from both sides of the board was taken into account. The equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy were solved in the fluid region. In the solid region, the energy equation reduced to the transient heat conduction equation. The solution was carried out simultaneously in the solid and the fluid regions taking into account the continuity of temperature and heat flux at the solid–fluid interfaces. The important parameters that influenced the heat transfer mechanism were the distance of the heat sources from the natural as well as the forced convection leading edges, spacing between the sources, board thickness, Richardson number, Reynolds number, and Fourier number. The variation of velocity and temperature fields as well as the Nusselt number with Fourier number for different values of Richardson number were explored.
Perspectives: Interplay Between Melanoma Regulated Fibrin and Receptor Mediated Adhesion Under Shear Flow

Metastasis is a complex process that ultimately results in secondary tumor formation, posing a threat to patient survival. However, the mechanisms by which circulating tumor cells adhere to the endothelium and escape from the vasculature are not fully understood. To bind to the endothelium, tumor cells must resist the shear forces induced by flow, largely through receptor-mediated cell–cell interactions. Tumor cells are able to manipulate the metastatic site microenvironment via thrombin and soluble fibrin (sFn) regulation, impacting both coagulation and cell adhesion processes. Thus, thrombosis may be recognized as a prognostic indicator of highly metastatic tumors. Herein, we describe some correlations between the metastatic potential of tumor cells and coagulation. This perspectives review focuses on the role of sFn in melanoma-endothelial adhesions under shear conditions. Specifically, sFn serves as a divalent ligand for αvβ3, CD11b/CD18 (αmβ2, Mac-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) transmembrane receptors. The cross-linking role of sFn is examined in relation to host leukocytes, in particular, the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-mediated adhesions of melanoma cells to the endothelium. These results have shed light on the significant interplay between melanoma cells, PMNs, and the endothelium under shear conditions, which is key in the struggle to better diagnose and treat melanoma metastases.
Electrical Stimulation of the Mammillary Nuclei Increases Seizure Threshold to Pentylenetetrazol in Rats

High-frequency electrical stimulation of mammillary nuclei (MN) of rat posterior hypothalamus resulted in a significant increase in seizure threshold induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). The anticonvulsant effect was frequency and intensity specific. Stimulation at 100 Hz (1-5 V, 30-200 microA) afforded protection against EEG and behavioral manifestations of PTZ seizures. Stimulation of either low frequency (5 Hz), high intensities (8-20 V, 300-800 microA), or outside the histologically verified MN target region did not increase seizure threshold. In some instances, high-intensity stimulation of MN alone elicited spike-wave epileptiform EEG activity accompanied by either arrest of behavior or myoclonic seizures. In animals with ongoing seizure activity, electrical stimulation of MN disrupted the high-voltage synchronous wave forms on cortical EEG. These data support the concept that electrical perturbation of MN in hypothalamus may functionally inhibit generalization of paroxysmal activity required for expression of the EEG and, in particular, the behavioral component of PTZ seizures. These studies provide additional insight into forebrain-brainstem interactions mediating generalized seizure expression.
The Addition of Arenesulfinyl Chlorides to Olefins

Abstract It has long been known that arenesulfenyl halides will add to olefins to yield β-halosulfides1. Arene-sulfonyl halides have been shown to react with alkenes2 polyenes3, alkynes4 and allenes5. Although sulfinyl halides have been synthesized for some time6 there appears to be but one brief mention of their reaction with olefins7. In view of the recent increased interest in sulfoxides we decided to reinvestigate this reaction.
Effect of latent heat transfer on diurnal and annual prediction of temperature and radiobrightness of northern prairie

Prairie Biosphere-Atmosphere Interchange (BAI) fluxes of energy and moisture influence mid-continent atmospheric circulation. The energy fluxes of radiant heat, sensible heat, and latent heat are strongly coupled to soil temperature and moisture content, and through these to radiobrightness. The authors' long term objective is to develop a BAI model that will reliably predict radiobrightness based upon radiation and weather forcing. The authors present an element of such a BAI model-an improved annual model for soil temperature. They use the bulk transfer approach to model sensible heat transfer and the Bowen ratio approach to model latent heat transfer. A finite element method is then used to track isotherms within the soil. From these isotherms they find surface temperature and temperature gradient-parameters needed in the computation of radiobrightness. The model predicts that soil temperatures are weakly dependent on latent heat transfer in frozen regions and strongly dependent in thawed regions. >
Fibroblast growth factor-induced increases in calcium currents in the PC12 pheochromocytoma cell line are tyrosine phosphorylation dependent

The PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cell line is widely used to study neuronal differentiation by growth factors. In response to nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), PC12 cells differentiate into sympathetic-like neurons and become electrically excitable. Using whole cell patch-clamp recording, with barium as a charge carrier, we looked at the effects of bFGF on calcium channel expression as reflected by changes in barium current amplitudes normalized to cell membrane area. Similar to the effect reported for NGF, we show that 7 day treatment with bFGF increased the barium current approximately 4-fold. The largest contributor to the increase in barium current with bFGF treatment is a 6-fold increase in the high threshold voltage activated omega-conotoxin sensitive barium current. Smaller increases in current produced by bFGF treatment of PC12 cells are observed for the dihydropyridine sensitive and dihydropyridine/conotoxin insensitive currents. The bFGF-induced increases in barium currents are dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation, since the effects of bFGF are blocked by genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This system will ultimately be useful in understanding the signaling pathways that control calcium channel expression in response to growth factors.
Positive natural selection has driven the evolution of the Hsp70s in Diguetia spiders

Hsp70s are a ubiquitous family of highly conserved proteins. Hsp70s are chaperones and have important roles in both protein folding and thermotolerance. It has been widely assumed that Hsp70 sequence evolution is governed by the strong functional constraints imposed by its crucial cellular functions. In this study of cytosolic heat-inducible Hsp70s from three spider families, we have found clear evidence of positive natural selection altering Hsp70s in desert-dwelling and heat-loving Diguetidae spiders. These spiders are a small family restricted to deserts. They display heat-tolerant behaviours not seen in their closest relatives, the Pholcidae and Plectreuridae.
Prostate Biopsy Techniques

Prostate biopsy has evolved to the current transrectal ultrasound—guided, multiple systematic biopsy scheme. In this chapter, the basics of prostate biopsy, and various current biopsy procedures including transrectal, transperineal, and transurethral are discussed. Biopsy techniques in special patient groups, such as biopsy after radical prostatectomy and abdominoperineal resection of the rectum, are also discussed.
Neutralization of H- Beams by Magnetic Stripping

The stability of H- beams passing through strong magnetic fields has been relevant to accelerator transport problems and, recently, to neutral beam preparation techniques. We have measured the H- electron detachment rate as a function of restframe electric field and provide parameters for a theoretical lifetime expression. We discuss the limitations imposed on H- transport by magnetic stripping, and neutral-beam preparation in emittance growth, magnetic fields, and beam energies. Application techniques are also briefly discussed.
Time-of-Day Effects on Human Performance

The course of study of time-of-day effects on human performance has not been an easy one to chart, with many findings that seem to be in opposition. This review examines the difference between group and individual differences with regard to time-of-day effects; time-of-day effects in individuals; morningness-eveningness as an individual characteristic; morningness-eveningness in adolescents; effect of time of day on cognition and academic performance; time-of-day effects on intelligence, testing, and academic achievement; the effect of matching individuals to their preferred time on academic achievement; and motivation as a primary confounding variable in time-of-day preference/academic performance studies. Other possible confounding variables and procedures in testing time-of-day effects are also briefly examined.
Insulin sensitivity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical activity in overweight Hispanic youth.

mass explained 53% of the variance in SI and that VO2max (milliliters of O2 per minute) was not independently related to SI. Cardiorespiratory fitness was positively related to both fat mass (r 0.43, p 0.001) and soft lean tissue mass (r 0.89, p 0.001). PA was not related to any measure of insulin sensitivity and secretion. Discussion: Cardiorespiratory fitness, as determined by VO2max (milliliters of O2 per minute), was not independently related to insulin sensitivity or secretion, suggesting that VO2max influences insulin dynamics indirectly through fat mass.
Nanostructured non-magnetic left-handed composites

Materials with simultaneously negative values of effective dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability have been shown to have negative phase velocity (and refractive index). We propose a new approach to constructing a system with negative refractive index. In contrast to all previous designs, our system is implicitly non-magnetic and homogeneous. The proposed material is based on EM wave propagation inside a strongly anisotropic dielectric material in waveguide geometry. This design is highly scalable from GHz to optical frequencies. We present the theoretical description of the EM properties of the proposed system and several realizations for different spectral ranges.
Visualization of a Spacecraft Mission Software System

A Spacecraft Mission Software System (SMSS) consists of both ground and flight software working cohesively to perform failure-free and reliable spacecraft operations in order to meet critical NASA or Department of Defense mission objectives. Visualization of all interdependencies of system components provides a means for assessment and detection of problems that can lead to a potential failure of the SMSS. When a spacecraft operation anomaly does occur, a quick assessment and isolation of the problem (software or hardware) and its impact on the mission are necessary to form a strategy to keep the spacecraft safe and to meet mission objectives. An interactive approach to drill down the visualization of spacecraft operations to the subsystem and component level yields an efficient way to determine the root cause. The visualization of the spacecraft operations can determine if the root cause is due to an actual failure in the flight or ground software system, or if the root cause is related to a system-level component contributing to a software failure. The Embedded Applications Group at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory researched the use of visualization of spacecraft operations as part of an Internal Research and Development (IRAD) project. As a result of the IRAD, a visualization software prototype referred to as System Insight was developed to monitor spacecraft operations using NASA's Van Allen Probes mission. The paper will discuss the layered visualization design implemented in the System Insight software. Elaboration on the Van Allen Probes SMSS will be presented along with examples of how System Insight can be used by software engineers and mission operators to visually identify functional problems in the SMSS. The paper will conclude with a brief discussion on the plans for future work and potential use of System Insight.
Correction and update to ‘The earth's C21 and S21 gravity coefficients and the rotation of the core’

Wahr (1987) used satellite constraints on C21 and S21 (the spherical harmonic coefficients of the earth's external gravitational potential) to infer certain properties of the core and core/mantle boundary. It is shown here, contrary to the claim by Wahr, that it is not possible to use C21 and S21 to placed bounds on the core's products of inertia. As a result, Wahr's constraints on the l = 2, m = 1 components of the core/mantle boundary topography and on the angular orientation of the inner core with respect to the earth's rotation vector are not justified. On the other hand, Wahr's conclusions about the time-averaged torque between the core and mantle and the resulting implications for the l = 2, m = 1 components of fluid pressure at the top of the core can be strengthened. Wahr's conclusions about the mean rotational flow in the core are unaltered.
Synaptic Inputs Compete during Rapid Formation of the Calyx of Held: A New Model System for Neural Development

Hallmark features of neural circuit development include early exuberant innervation followed by competition and pruning to mature innervation topography. Several neural systems, including the neuromuscular junction and climbing fiber innervation of Purkinje cells, are models to study neural development in part because they establish a recognizable endpoint of monoinnervation of their targets and because the presynaptic terminals are large and easily monitored. We demonstrate here that calyx of Held (CH) innervation of its target, which forms a key element of auditory brainstem binaural circuitry, exhibits all of these characteristics. To investigate CH development, we made the first application of serial block-face scanning electron microscopy to neural development with fine temporal resolution and thereby accomplished the first time series for 3D ultrastructural analysis of neural circuit formation. This approach revealed a growth spurt of added apposed surface area (ASA) >200 μm2/d centered on a single age at postnatal day 3 in mice and an initial rapid phase of growth and competition that resolved to monoinnervation in two-thirds of cells within 3 d. This rapid growth occurred in parallel with an increase in action potential threshold, which may mediate selection of the strongest input as the winning competitor. ASAs of competing inputs were segregated on the cell body surface. These data suggest mechanisms to select “winning” inputs by regional reinforcement of postsynaptic membrane to mediate size and strength of competing synaptic inputs.
Pharmacogenetics of chronic cardiovascular drugs: applications and implications.

Cardiovascular disease continues to be a tremendous worldwide problem, and drug therapy is a major modality to attenuate its burden. At present, conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and heart failure are pharmacologically managed with an empirical trial-and-error approach. However, it has been suggested that this approach fails to adequately address the therapeutic needs of many patients, and pharmacogenetics has been offered as a tool to enhance patient-specific drug therapy. This review outlines pharmacogenetic studies of common cardiovascular drugs, such as diuretics, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, statins and warfarin, ultimately highlighting considerations for future research and practice.
Factors Associated With 20-Year Cumulative Risk of Infection After Aseptic Index Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to calculate the cumulative risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after aseptic index knee revisions and to identify the surgical, perioperative, and medical comorbidity risk factors associated with deep infection. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1802 aseptic index revision total knee arthroplasties performed at our institution from 1970 to 2000. From this cohort, there were 60 reoperations performed for deep infection. Results The cumulative risk of infection at 1, 5, 10, and 20 years after index revision was 1%, 2.4%, 3.3%, and 5.6%, respectively. Conclusions Male gender, use of constrained implants, increased operative times, increased Charlson Comorbidity Index, and a history of liver disease were all significantly associated with PJI. The development of cardiovascular disease, endocrine disorders, and renal disease were also associated with PJI.
Biodemography of Old-Age Mortality in Humans and Rodents

The growing number of persons living beyond age 80 underscores the need for accurate measurement of mortality at advanced ages and understanding the old-age mortality trajectories. It is believed that exponential growth of mortality with age (Gompertz law) is followed by a period of deceleration, with slower rates of mortality increase at older ages. This pattern of mortality deceleration is traditionally described by the logistic (Kannisto) model, which is considered as an alternative to the Gompertz model. Mortality deceleration was observed for many invertebrate species, but the evidence for mammals is controversial. We compared the performance (goodness-of-fit) of two competing models—the Gompertz model and the logistic (Kannisto) model using data for three mammalian species: 22 birth cohorts of U.S. men and women, eight cohorts of laboratory mice, and 10 cohorts of laboratory rats. For all three mammalian species, the Gompertz model fits mortality data significantly better than the “mortality deceleration” Kannisto model (according to the Akaike’s information criterion as the goodness-of-fit measure). These results suggest that mortality deceleration at advanced ages is not a universal phenomenon, and survival of mammalian species follows the Gompertz law up to very old ages.