cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticle modification of microfluidic cell separation for cancer cell detection and isolation.

Cancer is a major health problem in the United States with extremely high mortality. The detection and isolation of cancer cells are becoming increasingly important for cancer diagnosis. We describe a microfluidic device modified with silica nanoparticles to enhance the isolation of cancer cells using affinity separation. The isolation of seven different cancer cell lines spiked into liquid biopsies was demonstrated and compared with unmodified separation devices. Cancer cells were isolated using CD71 which has already been demonstrated to be a widespread “net” for capturing cancer cells of any phenotype as the affinity target. The capture efficiency of our nanoparticle (NP)-modified HB chip showed significant differences compared with the normal HB chip, exhibiting an average increase of 16%. The cell enrichment increased by a factor of 2 over unmodified chips. Patient-derived ALL cells, COG-LL-332, were spiked into blood with concentrations ranging from 1% to 20% of total leukocytes, and isolated with the purity of 41%–65%. The results of this study demonstrated that the increase of cell–chip interactions after nanoparticle modification improved capture efficiency and capture purity, and can be applied to a wide range of cell separations.
Dynamic relationships between emotional distress, persecutory ideation, and metacognition in schizophrenia.

Objective Determine whether metacognitive capacity (i.e., a range of abilities that involve recognition, reflection, and integration of mental states) influences the relationships between emotional distress and persecutory ideation (PI). Methods The present study examined emotional distress, metacognition and PI in a sample (n = 337) of individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and clinician-rated PI. Pearson and partial correlations were used to examine relationships between variables, as well as between-subjects analysis of variances to compare groups characterized based on emotional distress and persecutory ideation scores. Results While emotional distress and PI are associated with one another, metacognition is negatively associated with PI and positively associated with emotional distress. Subgroup comparisons demonstrated that individuals with high emotional distress and low PI had significantly higher metacognitive capacity than those elevated in PI or reduced in both emotional distress and PI. Conclusions Findings suggest metacognitive capacity may relate to improved awareness of distress and reduced PI.
Reply to “Do We Always Practice What We Preach? Real Vampires’ Fears of Coming Out of the Coffin to Social Workers and Helping Professionals.”

This reply analyzes criticism of the article “Do We Always Practice What We Preach? Real Vampires’ Fears of Coming Out of the Coffin to Social Workers and Helping Professionals” published in Critical Social Work (2015), 16(1) by DJ Williams and Emily E. Prior. That article was widely publicized and received a seemingly disproportionate amount of criticism from both religious and secular voices. This reply applies Peter Berger’s notion of anomie to suggest that critics of the article felt threatened by the implications of tolerating emerging identity claims, such as those made by self-identified vampires. By attacking Williams and Prior as unreasonable, these critics suggest that an individual’s ontological status is taken-for-granted rather than socially constructed. Paradoxically, their protests also suggest an awareness that ontological status actually is socially constructed and that helping professionals, such as Williams and Prior, are imbued with cultural authority that can alter the established order. This reply suggests that the ontological threat presented by helping professionals is what is actually at stake in these critiques. Critiquing the article appears to be not only a call for the continued medicalization of self-identified vampires as deviant, but more importantly a strategy of repressing the realization that norms are socially constructed and therefore susceptible to change.
Structure, Function, and Defect Tolerance with Maturation of the Radial Tie Fiber Network in the Knee Meniscus

The knee menisci are comprised of two orthogonal collagenous networks-circumferential and radial-that combine to enable efficient load bearing by the tissue in adults. Here, we assessed how the structural and functional characteristics of these networks developed over the course of skeletal maturation and determined the role of these fiber networks in defect tolerance with tissue injury. Imaging of the radial tie fiber (RTF) collagen structure in medial bovine menisci from fetal, juvenile, and adult specimens showed increasing heterogeneity, anisotropy, thickness, and density with skeletal development. The mechanical analysis showed that the tensile modulus in the radial direction did not change with skeletal development, though the resilience (in the radial direction) increased and the tolerance to defects in the circumferential direction decreased, in adult compared to fetal tissues. This loss of defect tolerance correlated with increased order in the RTF network in adult tissue. These data provide new insights into the role of the radial fiber network in meniscus function, will lead to improved clinical decision-making in the presence of a tear and may improve engineering efforts to reproduce this critical load-bearing structure in the knee.
Chapter 7 – Linear Resolution

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on linear resolution. When proving an identity, one often starts with the left-hand side of the identity, applies an inference rule to it to obtain some other expression, then applies some inference rule again to the expression that is just obtained until the left-side expression is identical to the right-side expression of the identity. The idea of linear resolution is similar to this kind of chain reasoning. It starts with a clause, resolves it against a clause to obtain a resolvent, and resolves this resolvent against some clause until the empty clause □ is obtained. The special appeal of linear deduction is its simple structure. Furthermore, linear resolution is complete and is compatible with the set-of-support strategy. Also, heuristic methods can be conveniently applied with it. The chapter discusses some incomplete but efficient refinements of resolution, namely, input resolution and unit resolution. Input resolution is a subcase of linear resolution. It is much easier to implement and, although not complete, is more efficient than linear resolution.
Childhood adiposity and the onset of puberty: it turns out there is more to be learned

The literature on the relation between adiposity and the onset of puberty is extensive, both in size and in the length of time this question has been alive in the biomedical literature. It is easy to wonder, then, whether there is anything new to be learned in this crowded field. In this issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, Deardorff and colleagues (Am J Epidemiol XXXX; XXXX) show that it is still possible to innovate in this area. The authors report on the relation between body mass index (BMI) at age 5 with a variety of markers of the onset of puberty. Consistent with the current literature they show no association between BMI at age 5 and pubertal onset in boys. They also show an association between obesity at age 5 years with earlier onset of secondary sexual characteristics in girls, making an important subject-matter contribution that addresses many of the concerns of the existing literature in assigning causality. At the same time, the authors make an important, although less evident contribution to the practice of epidemiology for studies where the assessment of pubertal status is of interest.
In vivo mitochondrial ATP production is improved in older adult skeletal muscle after a single dose of elamipretide in a randomized trial

Background Loss of mitochondrial function contributes to fatigue, exercise intolerance and muscle weakness, and is a key factor in the disability that develops with age and a wide variety of chronic disorders. Here, we describe the impact of a first-in-class cardiolipin-binding compound that is targeted to mitochondria and improves oxidative phosphorylation capacity (Elamipretide, ELAM) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Methods Non-invasive magnetic resonance and optical spectroscopy provided measures of mitochondrial capacity (ATPmax) with exercise and mitochondrial coupling (ATP supply per O2 uptake; P/O) at rest. The first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle was studied in 39 healthy older adult subjects (60 to 85 yrs of age; 46% female) who were enrolled based on the presence of poorly functioning mitochondria. We measured volitional fatigue resistance by force-time integral over repetitive muscle contractions. Results A single ELAM dose elevated mitochondrial energetic capacity in vivo relative to placebo (ΔATPmax; P = 0.055, %ΔATPmax; P = 0.045) immediately after a 2-hour infusion. No difference was found on day 7 after treatment, which is consistent with the half-life of ELAM in human blood. No significant changes were found in resting muscle mitochondrial coupling. Despite the increase in ATPmax there was no significant effect of treatment on fatigue resistance in the FDI. Conclusions These results highlight that ELAM rapidly and reversibly elevates mitochondrial capacity after a single dose. This response represents the first demonstration of a pharmacological intervention that can reverse mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo immediately after treatment in aging human muscle.
Interpretable deep learning for imaging through scattering medium

Imaging through scattering medium has wide applications across many areas. Here, we present a new deep learning framework for improving the robustness against physical perturbations of the scattering medium. The trained DNN can make high-quality predictions beyond the training range which is across 10X depth-of-field (DOF). We develop a new analysis framework based on dimensionality reduction for revealing the information contained in the speckle dataset, interpreting the mechanism of our DNN, and visualizing the generalizability of the DNN model. This allows us to further elucidate on the information encoded in both the raw speckle measurements and the working principle of our speckle-imaging deep learning model.
Kinetic analysis of MgB2 layer formation in advanced internal magnesium infiltration (AIMI) processed MgB2 wires

Significantly enhanced critical current density (Jc) for MgB2 superconducting wires can be obtained following the advanced internal Mg infiltration (AIMI) route. But unless suitable precautions are taken, the AIMI-processed MgB2 wires will exhibit incomplete MgB2 layer formation, i.e. reduced superconductor core size and hence suppressed current-carrying capability. Microstructural characterization of AIMI MgB2 wires before and after the heat treatment reveals that the reaction mechanism changes from a "Mg infiltration-reaction" at the beginning of the heat treatment to a "Mg diffusion-reaction" once a dense MgB2 layer is formed. A drastic drop in the Mg transport rate from infiltration to diffusion causes the termination of the MgB2 core growth. To quantify this process, a two-stage kinetic model is built to describe the MgB2 layer formation and growth. The derived kinetic model and the associated experimental observations indicate that fully reacted AIMI-processed MgB2 wires can be achieved following the optimization of B particle size, B powder packing density, MgB2 reaction activation energy and its response to the additions of dopants.
Defining Effective Combinations of Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Oncolytic Virotherapy

Purpose: Recent data from randomized clinical trials with oncolytic viral therapies and with cancer immunotherapies have finally recapitulated the promise these platforms demonstrated in preclinical models. Perhaps the greatest advance with oncolytic virotherapy has been the appreciation of the importance of activation of the immune response in therapeutic activity. Meanwhile, the understanding that blockade of immune checkpoints (with antibodies that block the binding of PD1 to PDL1 or CTLA4 to B7-2) is critical for an effective antitumor immune response has revitalized the field of immunotherapy. The combination of immune activation using an oncolytic virus and blockade of immune checkpoints is therefore a logical next step. Experimental Design: Here, we explore such combinations and demonstrate their potential to produce enhanced responses in mouse tumor models. Different combinations and regimens were explored in immunocompetent mouse models of renal and colorectal cancer. Bioluminescence imaging and immune assays were used to determine the mechanisms mediating synergistic or antagonistic combinations. Results: Interaction between immune checkpoint inhibitors and oncolytic virotherapy was found to be complex, with correct selection of viral strain, antibody, and timing of the combination being critical for synergistic effects. Indeed, some combinations produced antagonistic effects and loss of therapeutic activity. A period of oncolytic viral replication and directed targeting of the immune response against the tumor were required for the most beneficial effects, with CD8 + and NK, but not CD4 + cells mediating the effects. Conclusions: These considerations will be critical in the design of the inevitable clinical translation of these combination approaches. Clin Cancer Res; 21(24); 5543–51. ©2015 AACR . See related commentary by Slaney and Darcy, p. 5417
Parallel Semi-Implicit Spectral Element Methods for Atmospheric General Circulation Models

Spectral elements combine the accuracy and exponential convergence of conventional spectral methods with the geometric flexibility of finite elements. Additionally, there are several apparent computational advantages to using spectral element methods on microprocessors. In particular, the computations are naturally cache-blocked and derivatives may be computed using nearest neighbor communications. Thus, an explicit spectral element atmospheric model has demonstrated close to linear scaling on a variety of distributed memory computers including the IBM SP and Linux Clusters. Explicit formulations of PDE's arising in geophysical fluid dynamics, such as the primitive equations on the sphere, are time-step limited by the phase speed of gravity waves. Semi-implicit time integration schemes remove the stability restriction but require the solution of an elliptic BVP. By employing a weak formulation of the governing equations, it is possible to obtain a symmetric Helmholtz operator that permits the solution of the implicit problem using conjugate gradients. We find that a block-Jacobi preconditioned conjugate gradient solver accelerates the simulation rate of the semi-implicit relative to the explicit formulation for practical climate resolutions by about a factor of three.
Immune exhaustion is associated with development of cardiopulmonary disease in a non-human primate model of HIV-infection (HUM8P.340)

Cardiopulmonary disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV infection, despite widespread use of anti-retroviral therapies. Chronic inflammation due to ongoing viral replication may lead to immune exhaustion, a potential mechanism for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Previously, we have shown that simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of macaques results in PAH and COPD. In the current study, we examined whether lymphocyte exhaustion and/or activation is associated with cardiopulmonary disease in SIV infection. Macaques were intravenously infected with SIVΔB670 (n=6, PAH study) or SHIV89.6P (n=11, COPD study). Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cells from S(H)IV-infected animals were analyzed by flow cytometry. Serial pulmonary function testing and right heart catheterization were performed to assess pulmonary obstruction and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), respectively. Increased effector memory CD8+ T (Tem) cells (CD95+CD28-) (p=0.008) and expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1), a marker of exhaustion (p
Supporting Teachers' Technology Integration: A Descriptive Analysis of Social and Teaching Presence in Technical Support Sessions

Summary of types of technical support sessions.teachers 8 and 10 focused on the pedagogical aspects of incorporat-ing technology during technical support sessions, and therefore were cat-egorized in the pedagogy-focused support session. Although they each had more than 15 years of teaching experience, they were unfamiliar incorpo-rating instructional technologies into their teaching, particularly following the reform-based method of putting the technologies into the hands of their students. teacher 14 was a new teacher who was entering teaching as a sec-ond career and had attended the summer tPd. Although confident with the technology, she was unsure how the lesson would work in her classroom. teachers 2, 9, and 11 exemplify social-centered support sessions. each teacher had between four and 10 years of teaching experience and was fair-ly familiar with the technology, having attended at least one summer tPd. therefore, once the lesson was discussed, the conversation turned social as they all had a friendly relationship with the researcher, built during the summer tPd. teachers 1 & 13 may also be included in this support type as their percentages for social talk were 53% and 43% respectively but were not necessarily representative of all the criteria; teacher 1 had less than four years of experience and teacher 13 fell slightly below the 50% mark. how-ever, in general, teachers 1, 2, 9, 11, 13, and 15 were fairly comfortable with their technical and pedagogical knowledge and seemed more interested in the social aspects of the interaction. the variation in the topics and types of interactions among the teach-ers in the technical support sessions suggests that an individual providing
Phylogeography and phyloecology of dorid nudibranchs (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

Dorid nudibranchs exhibit a number of anatomical and physiological adaptations that reflect a complex evolutionary history. The lack of a fossil record means that all available information on the evolution of this group comes from phylogenetic evidence. Deep imbalances in the phylogeny of dorid nudibranchs indicates that this group has probably undergone random extinction events and subsequent speciation of derived lineages. Sister-group relationships between eastern Pacific, Atlantic and tropical Indo-Pacific taxa [(eastern Pacific, Atlantic) Indo-Pacific], repeated throughout several lineages of dorid nudibranchs, provide solid evidence of two consecutive vicariant events: (1) the closure of communication between the tropical Indo-Pacific region and the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, which began during the Oligocene‐Miocene transition and was completed with the formation of the East Pacific Barrier, and (2) the rise of the Panama isthmus. The absence of solid dates for the effective isolation of the eastern Pacific and the central Pacific does not allow estimations of the time of diversification of dorid nudibranchs. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that omnivorism and de novo synthesis of chemical defences are probably the plesiomorphic conditions in dorid nudibranchs. It is also likely that all sponge-feeding cryptobranch dorids have a common ancestor, but other cases of sponge feeding in phanerobranch dorids have arisen independently. The numerous instances in which de novo synthesis was replaced by sequestration of chemicals from the prey are evidence of a great metabolic versatility in dorid nudibranchs. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 83 , 551‐559.
Catching Performance: Implications for the Practitioner

(1980). Catching Performance: Implications for the Practitioner. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 51, Including Leisure Today, pp. 56-58.
On Kernels and Sentiment

The paper analyzes the manner in which sentiment affects the pricing kernel. Sentiment is another term for traders' errors. There are two main questions addressed in the paper. The central question is: How can the concept of sentiment be formally defined so as to identify the manner in which traders' errors are manifest in the pricing kernel? The subsidiary question is: Because the pricing kernel underlies the pricing of all assets, how do traders' errors impact the pricing of major asset classes such as fixed income securities, options, mean-variance portfolios, and the market portfolio? The central result in the paper is that the log-pricing kernel can be decomposed into two stochastic processes, one pertaining to fundamentals and the other to sentiment. Hence, prices are efficient if and only if sentiment is uniformly zero. In the model, investors differ from each other in respect to beliefs, risk tolerance, and time preference. This heterogeneity has far reaching implications for asset pricing theory. When sentiment is nonzero, heterogeneity can lead to "smile" effects both in the graph of the kernel and in option prices, and "frown" effects in mean-variance returns. In this respect, heterogeneity can prevent the conditions necessary for equilibrium option prices to be given by Black-Scholes. As a result, the smile effect for call options can differ from the smile effect for put options. Nonzero sentiment distorts the mean-variance frontier from its "efficient" position, thereby giving rise to behavioral betas. In addition, nonzero sentiment interferes with the expectations hypothesis of the term structure, and can affect the volatility of the return to the market portfolio, depending on traders' risk tolerance spectrum.
New measures for characterizing nonlinear viscoelasticity in large amplitude oscillatory shear

Characterizing purely viscous or purely elastic rheological nonlinearities is straightforward using rheometric tests such as steady shear or step strains. However, a definitive framework does not exist to characterize materials which exhibit both viscous and elastic nonlinearities simultaneously. We define a robust and physically meaningful scheme to quantify such behavior, using an imposed large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) strain. Our new framework includes new material measures and clearly defined terminology such as intra-/intercycle nonlinearities, strain-stiffening/softening, and shear-thinning/thickening. The method naturally lends a physical interpretation to the higher Fourier coefficients that are commonly reported to describe the nonlinear stress response. These nonlinear viscoelastic properties can be used to provide a “rheological fingerprint” in a Pipkin diagram that characterizes the material response as a function of both imposed frequency and strain amplitude. We illustrate our new ...
Effect of hyperthermia on the action of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), rhodamine 123(2) [tetrachloroplatinum(II)], rhodamine 123, and potassium tetrachloroplatinate in vitro and in vivo.

Platinum rhodamine 123 [Pt(Rh-123)2] was synthesized in an effort to produce a new drug which would have the selective uptake into carcinoma cells of Rh-123 and the alkylating and radiosensitizing properties of the chloroplatinum moiety. Because both Rh-123 and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) have been shown to become more cytotoxic at elevated temperatures, we tested the interactions between Pt(Rh-123)2 and hyperthermia both in EMT6 cells in vitro and in the Lewis lung carcinoma in vivo. In the EMT6 cells, CDDP was far more cytotoxic than Pt(Rh-123)2 at 37 degrees C, but its cytotoxicity was less enhanced by exposure of cells to the drug at 42 degrees C than was true for Pt(Rh-123)2 [about 2 logs of increased killing at 42 degrees C after exposure to 10 microM CDDP versus over 3 logs of increased killing at 42 degrees C after exposure to 500 microM Pt(Rh-123)2]. Both Rh-123 and K2PtCl4 also are more cytotoxic to EMT6 cells at 42 degrees C than at 37 degrees C, but the hyperthermic enhancement was far less striking. In the Lewis lung carcinoma, the growth delay produced by CDDP (8 mg/kg) increased by a factor of approximately 2.5 when the drug was given i.p. just prior to local heating of the s.c. thigh tumor to 43 degrees C for 30 min, but the growth delay produced by Pt(Rh-123)2 (100 mg/kg) given i.p. 1 h before local hyperthermia increased by a factor of 5. In contrast, K2PtCl4 and Rh-123 given i.p. produced very short growth delays at normal temperatures and these growth delays were not enhanced by hyperthermia. The effect of these drugs at 37 degrees C and 42 degrees C on the conformation of superhelical pBR322 DNA was also examined. Exposure to CDDP caused progressive alteration from the supercoiled to the linear form of the DNA over time. In contrast, Pt(Rh-123)2 apparently produced progressive degradation of the DNA. Hyperthermia did not alter the qualitative damage produced by the drugs but increased the rate at which the changes occurred. These results suggest both that Pt(Rh-123)2 probably has a different mechanism of action at the DNA than does CDDP and that Pt(Rh-123)2 may be a good drug to use with local hyperthermia and radiation.
The Jovian Radiation Belt

Jupiter is a copious source of radiowaves having a wavelength of 3–75 cm. The radiation is 20% or so linearly polarized perpendicular to the planet rotation axis, does not vary much in intensity over the entire range of observed frequencies, and changes slowly in intensity over a time interval of the order of a few years. Chang and Davis (1962) have shown that the source is a belt of very energetic electrons trapped in the dipole field of the planet radiating by synchrotron emission. Spatially resolved observations at different frequencies have suggested to us a method by which the electron number density and energy can be determined everywhere in the equatorial plane.
Platinum Antitumor Complexes: 50 Years Since Barnett Rosenberg's Discovery.

Author(s): Muggia, Franco M; Bonetti, Andrea; Hoeschele, James D; Rozencweig, Marcel; Howell, Stephen B
REGIONAL VARIATION IN THE CURRENT FLOW ACROSS AN INSECT BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER

One notable characteristic of the insect and vertebrate central nervous system is the presence of a clearly defined blood-brain barrier. In the insect this barrier is made up of the perineurial glial cells, and shows a heterogeneity in structure and possibly function between the connectives and ganglia. In this paper we have used a two-dimensional vibrating probe to investigate the net flow of electrical current across the barrier at various locations in the abdominal nervous system. The results show clear differences between different areas. There is a strong and consistent outward current flow (3.16 microA cm-2) perpendicular to the ganglion surface over the equatorial plane. Current returns through the peripheral nerves and the connectives. A detailed study of the latter shows that the net inward flow is principally over the initial section, immediately adjacent to the ganglia (2.11 microA cm-2). The different current polarities can be correlated with structural differences in the underlying glial cells.
Antecedents and performance outcomes of global competence: An empirical investigation

We examine the role of commitment to supply chain management (CSCM) and information technology (IT) in the achievement of global competence (GC). Through an empirical examination of 667 manufacturing business units in the U.S., we confirm the importance of global competence using two objective measures of firm performance. We investigate the direct effects of CSCM and experience with IT on performance, in addition to their indirect effects through global competence. We show global competence to be linked directly to objective measures of sales, and indirectly to return on assets (ROA). Despite manufacturers' hefty investments in IT, we find that experience with IT does not drive ROA directly, but only indirectly through global competence and sales.
A large outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by EV71 and CAV16 in Guangdong, China, 2009

A large outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) occurred in Guangdong, China, in 2009. A total of 92,749 cases were officially reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong (GDCDC). To clarify the pathogen causing the outbreak, 600 specimens, including stool, rectal swabs, vesicular swabs, cerebrospinal fluid, and throat swabs, were collected from 541 patients and subjected to one-step RT-PCR. Four hundred eighty-nine of 541 patient samples were positive for enterovirus. All positive samples were cultured on RD and Hep2 cells; 307 specimens displayed CPE. Sequence analysis of PCR fragment and typing real-time PCR indicated that these isolates included EV71 (56%), CAV16 (35.5%), CAV6 (2.0%), CAV10 (1.0%), CAV2 (0.7%), CAV4 (1.3%), Echo30 (0.7%), Echo25 (1.0%), Echo4 (0.3%), CBV5 (1.0%) and human rhinovirus (0.7%). 100% (12/12) of fatal cases and 97.2% (140/144) of severe cases carried EV71 and CAV16. The results implied that EV71 and CAV16 were mainly responsible for the outbreak. Comparison with the three global types of EV71 and the five clusters of genotype C showed that the sequences from mainland China (not including the Hong Kong region) are located in subgenogroup C-4 and originate from isolates from the Shenzhen area of Guangdong Province. Results from this study show that the C-4 genotype has been a prevalent pathogen in mainland China since 1998.
Developmental competence of immature and failed/abnormally fertilized human oocytes in nuclear transfer

Somatic cell nuclear transfer holds great promise for basic studies of reprogramming human somatic cells and for the potential development of novel cell-based therapeutics. The aim of this study was to examine experimental aspects of human nuclear transfer via use of an abundant source of oocytes, those that are routinely discarded from assisted reproduction clinics. The results suggest and reinforce several findings based on the analysis of multiple parameters: first, it was observed that supplementation of commercial culture media with hormones promoted embryo development after parthenogenetic activation. Second, the use of the chemical activation reagent puromycin resulted in significant differences in cleavage rates in oocytes that were failed/abnormally fertilized after intracytoplasmic sperm injection relative to those from IVF (P < 0.05). Third, cycloheximide promoted cleavage rates ≥40% in both groups of oocytes; moreover, two blastocysts were produced following cycloheximide treatment. Finally, the use of a subset of oocytes for nuclear transfer resulted in cleaved embryos that expressed green fluorescent protein from a transgene in donor nuclei from human embryonic stem cells. In light of these results, it is suggested that the discarded oocytes can be used to investigate new human nuclear transfer protocols for embryonic stem cell derivation.
Separate Source–Channel Coding for Transmitting Correlated Gaussian Sources Over Degraded Broadcast Channels

The problem of transmitting a pair of correlated Gaussian sources over degraded broadcast channels using optimal separate source and channel codes is studied. Upper bounds are derived for the rate penalty (in terms of channel uses per source symbol) and the power loss endured by separate coding compared to joint coding. Although source-channel separation is suboptimal in general, it is demonstrated that the performance of separate coding comes close to that of optimal joint coding, especially for low distortion pairs. In fact, in some cases, separate coding performs better than the best known joint schemes so far. It is also shown analytically that separate coding is optimal when either of the sources is to be reconstructed in a near-lossless fashion.
Chemotherapy for the tuberculin converter: results of a survey of attitudes among 424 tuberculosis hospitals in the United States.

Persons whose reaction to tuberculin has changed from negative to positive are known as tuberculin converters. There is widespread interest in chemotherapy for tuberculin converters as a means of preventing the development of clinical tuberculosis. Drug therapy of this kind is referred to as chemoprophylaxis. The effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis is thought to be greatest when offered to those whose tuberculin reactions are known to have changed from negative to positive within the previous year. Robinson, Meyer and Middlebrook1 were the first to report a pronounced decrease in the skin hypersensitivity of four infants to tuberculin during treatment with isoniazid. In each instance the reaction became negative to old tuberculin in a dilution of 1 :100. Though few in number, their series of cases was of considerable interest to all who are intrigued with the idea of treating tuberculous infection in its earliest recognizable stage. So far, results have not been reported of the studies that are being made on a large scale by the United States Public Health Service.
Management of Diabetes in Older Adults

Enhanced life expectancy and the aging of society have conspired with rising rates of obesity and physical inactivity to cause an unprecedented increase in diabetes prevalence worldwide. The disease and its chronic complications have unique presentations and challenges in the elderly. Postprandial hyperglycemia may be the predominant manifestation, comorbid health conditions are often present, and the risk of cardiovascular disease is vastly increased. Periodic screening is essential for early diagnosis and proper treatment. The principles of multidisciplinary management emphasizing nutrition, exercise, education, psychosocial care, attention to concomitant metabolic risk factors, and prudent use of pharmacologic agents are the mainstay of therapy for older adults. Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient, and the assistance of family and caregivers should be combined with rational utilization of community resources. An evidence-based, comprehensive, and proactive approach is needed to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality from diabetes in the elderly.
Antagonist inhibition of GABAA-mediated chloride uptake is atypical in nigrocollicular areas

Marked regional differences in the mRNA levels for the different subunits of the GABAA receptor may result in functional differences throughout the brain. The effects of different GABAA agonists and antagonists on GABAA receptor function was measured using 36Cl- uptake in microsacs made from cerebellum (CB), superior colliculus (SC), substantia nigra (SN), inferior colliculus (IC) or cortex (CT) containing equal amounts of protein. GABA increased Cl- uptake in all regions in a dose-dependent and saturable manner but with markedly different efficacies across brain regions. Maximal GABA-stimulated uptake was 59 +/- 2 nmoles of Cl- per mg protein in CT, 25 +/- 5 in SC, 24 +/- 4 in CB, 16 +/- 1 in IC and 6.7 +/- 1.4 in SN. Muscimol increased Cl- uptake with greater potency than GABA but with similar efficacies in CT, CB, SC and SN; the efficacy of muscimol in IC was increased to 27.4 +/- 5. Picrotoxin inhibited maximal GABA-stimulated Cl- uptake in CB, SC and CT but did not decrease uptake in IC or SN. Bicuculline methiodide completely inhibited uptake in CB and CT, partially inhibited uptake in IC, and did not affect uptake in SC and SN. These data provide functional support for regional heterogeneity of the GABAA receptor/Cl- ionophore between nigrocollicular regions and CB and CT.
The placebo effect: "relatively large" and "robust" enough to survive another assault.

The evidence related to the placebo effect is discussed, and it is emphasized that the descriptors “relatively large” and “robust” are appropriate in the context in which they were used. Basic science and clinical trials, when interpreted properly, have revealed that the placebo effect is indeed a real phenomenon. J. Hunsley and R. Westmacott (this issue) as well as A. Hrobjartsson and P. C. Gotzsche (this issue) are concerned that B. E. Wampold, T. Minami, S. C. Tierney, T. W. Baskin, and K. S. Bhati (2005) overstated the clinical effects of placebo when it was never B. E. Wampold et al.'s (2005) intention to make inferences about clinical utility; however, it is shown that the placebo effect exceeds many accepted medical interventions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 401–403, 2007.
Probability distributions for first neighbor distances between resonances that belong to two different families

Abstract For a mixture of two families of resonances, we found the probability distribution for the distance, as first neighbors, between resonances that belong to different families. Integration of this distribution gives the probability of accidental overlapping of resonances of one isotope by resonances of the other provided that the resonances of each isotope belong to a single family.
Is neurogenesis reparative after status epilepticus

Neurogenesis persists in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of mammals, including human and nonhuman primates, throughout life (Altman and Das, 1965; Cameron et al., 1993; Kuhn et al., 1996; Eriksson et al., 1998; Gould et al., 1999; Kornack and Rakic, 2001). Neural stemlike cells reside in the subgranular zone (SGZ) at the border of the hilus and DGC layer (Seri et al., 2001; Filippov et al., 2003), where they generate neuroblasts that migrate into the layer and differentiate into granule neurons (Cameron et al., 1993; Kuhn et al., 1996). Adult-born dentate granule cells (DGCs) send axonal projections to appropriate targets (Stanfield and Trice, 1988; Markakis and Gage, 1999; van Praag et al., 2002) and acquire electrophysiological characteristics of mature DGCs (van Praag et al., 2002; Wadiche et al., 2005; Ge et al., 2006). Although the precise function is unknown, evidence implicates DGC neurogenesis in certain forms of hippocampus-dependent learning and memory (reviewed in Doetsch and Hen [2005]).
Increasing spatial resolution through temporal super-sampling of digital video

A general method is outlined to increase the spatial resolution of digital video sequences containing uncontrolled camera motion. This is accomplished by combining multiple frames of video into a composite image of a higher spatial sampling rate than the original video. Fundamental to this technique is the computation of optical flow. This technique has the greatest impact on camera systems where the focal plane array spatially undersamples the projected optical image. Implicit to the technique is the potential trade-off between frame rate, latency, and display resolution in a digital imaging system.
Parameters for relating unit hydrographs to watershed characteristics

It is suggested that the physical characteristics of a watershed exert two simultaneous and distinct influences upon the resultant unit hydrograph: one, whereby the runoff is brought to the valley; the other, in getting the runoff through the mouth. An empirical equation based on this thesis results in two parameters which are readily expressible in terms of the peak discharge and the time of peak. Between these two sets of parameters, the functional relationship is sufficiently complex to rob the latter set of any direct tie-in with the watershed characteristics. Herein lies a possible explanation of the general failure encountered in correlating watershed characteristics with peak discharge and time of peak. It is hoped that the proposed parameters may be more successful in bringing about this much sought-after correlation.
Hormonal Relations in the Phototropic Response: III. The Movement of C14-labeled and Endogenous Indoleacetic Acid in Phototropically Stimulated Zea Coleoptiles

The effect of phototropic stimulation of Zea coleoptile tips on the distribution of both endogenous indoleacetic acid (IAA) and applied C(14)-labeled IAA was determined. The tips rested on bisected agar blocks. More IAA was found in the blocks under the shaded side of the coleoptile tips than those under the irradiated side. However, no significant difference was observed between the total amounts of IAA, endogenous or labeled, in the irradiated and shaded sides of the experimental system. In addition, less endogenous auxin was found in the shaded tissues than in their irradiated counterparts. It is suggested that phototropism following unilateral irradiation with first positive radiant densities might be a consequence of lateral inequalities in the ability of the irradiated and shaded tissues to transport auxin basipetally.
Fabrication of MoS2 thin film transistors via selective-area solution deposition methods

We report a simple and selective solution method to prepare Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) thin films for functional thin film transistors (TFTs). The selective area solution-processed MoS2 grows on top and around the gold (Au) source and drain electrodes and in the channel area of the TFT. MoS2 thicknesses in the channel area are in the order of 11 nm. A mechanism for the selective growth is also proposed. The Au electrodes act not only as contact, but also as a catalytic surface for the hydrazine hydrate used in the reaction, which induces the selective growth of MoS2 on the Au surface and into the channel region. This one step process demonstrates functional TFTs with a carrier mobility of ∼0.4 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Midbrain microinfusions of prolactin increase the estrogen-dependent behavior, lordosis

Microinfusions of rat prolactin into the dorsal midbrain of estrogen-treated, ovariectomized rats increased lordosis behavior. Midbrain microinfusions of antiserum to prolactin into rats displaying maximum lordosis had the opposite effect. The distribution of a prolactin-like substance in the brain was studied immunocytochemically. The results suggest that a hypothalamic neuronal system projecting to the midbrain contains a prolactin-like substance that plays a role in facilitating this behavior and therefore may mediate some of the effects of estrogen on the brain. These data, together with others from studies of the prolactin gene and its regulation, indicate that it may be possible to analyze a sequence of molecular events in the brain that facilitate a behavioral response.
mTORC1 stimulates nucleotide synthesis through both transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms.

Background Cellular growth signals stimulate anabolic processes. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), as part of mTORC1, is a protein kinase that senses growth signals to regulate anabolic growth and proliferation. mTORC1 stimulates protein synthesis through effects on mRNA translation and ribosome biogenesis [1]. mTORC1 signaling also promotes de novo lipid and sterol synthesis through the activation of the sterol-response element-binding protein (SREBP) transcription factors, which stimulate the expression of the enzymes driving this biosynthetic process [2].
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Polymers

Abstract Vibrational spectroscopists have generally had two experimental techniques, IR absorption and Raman scattering, available for probing the structure of polyatomic molecules. However, despite its potential usefulness, Raman spectroscopy has traditionally been pursued in only a few laboratories, principally because of the lack of a suitable source of exciting radiation. At the same time, IR spectrometers, sampling devices, and sample handling techniques have been developed and refined to the point where spectra in the mid and near IR regions may now be readily obtained from commercial instruments on a rather routine basis. As a result, virtually all laboratories concerned with molecular structure, and particularly those concerned with polymer characterization, are equipped with IR spectrometers and the importance of IR spectroscopy in polymer characterization can hardly be disputed. Infrared spectroscopy is widely used to identify polymers and to determine crystallinity, conformation, end groups, br...
The Actuarial Role in Financial Reporting

Abstract This is the fourth in a series of interviews on the history of ideas published by the NAAJ in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Society of Actuaries. This contribution to the series covers developments in financial reporting for life insurance companies and for the sponsors of long-term employee benefits. Financial reporting techniques developed in response to the information requirements of efficient capital markets, and they have influenced advances in accounting and actuarial thought.
Angular plane curtain coating by drawdown of extruded polymer

An approximate analytic solution for an angular plane curtain coating of a highly viscous Newtonian fluid is developed. We obtain expressions for the melt curtain shape, coating thickness, contact length, contact pressure, drawing force, apparent contact angle, and contact convexity. Specially constructed examples enable practitioners to apply the results without advanced training in fluid mechanics. We identify a process indeterminacy that arises in curtain coating employing a parallel slit. We show that, with a rapidly converging extrusion slit, this indeterminacy vanishes. Thus, a unique solution for the contact length is always obtained. The extension to a viscoelastic fluid is also briefly considered.
Toward a general theory of hydrogen bonding: A study of hydrogen bonds involving H2O and HF

The method of localized charge distributions is used to analyze the difference in hydrogen-bond strength between H2OHOH and H2OHF in terms of the competition between the electronic kinetic energy and the potential energy. The main source of the difference is a relatively larger decrease in the electronic kinetic and potential energy of the F core and the HF bond, respectively, upon polarization. The source of the differences is the larger nuclear charge of F. The kinetic energy decrease is related to the second central moment of the density through the uncertainty principle. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 76: 341–358, 2000
A Comparison of Four Methods for Determining Available Lysine in Animal Protein Meals

Abstract The available lysine in 7 fish, 10 meat and bone, and 6 keratin meals was determined with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (FDNB) chemical procedures, chick bioassay (CBA), and digestible lysine (DL) technique. The percent available lysine and total lysine (TL) in test meals is reported as grams of lysine per 100 g dry weight. The available lysine means determined by the TNBS, FDNB, CBA, and DL procedures were 5.28, 4.34, 4.50, and 4.36% for fish meals; 2.48, 2.53, 2.71, and 2.61% for meat and bone meals; and 2.33, 2.74, 1.50 and 1.92% for keratin meals, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) for CBA versus TNBS lysine, FDNB lysine, DL, and TL are .90, .83, .97, and .93, respectively, for all animal proteins tested. The available lysine determined by the DL procedure correlated best with available lysine determined with the CBA for each type of animal protein meal and for all test meals collectively. The DL technique is a logical alternative to the CBA, FDNB, and TNBS procedure for determining available lysine in animal proteins because the DL procedure is simpler, less expensive, and quicker than the CBA procedure and more accurate than the colorimetric chemical procedures.