cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contextualising manufacturing data for lifecycle decision-making

Recent advances enable data from manufacturing systems to be captured and contextualised relative to other phases of the product lifecycle, a necessary step toward understanding system behaviour and satisfying traceability requirements. Significant challenges remain for integrating information across the lifecycle and enabling efficient decision-making. In this paper, we explore opportunities for mapping standard data representations, such as the Standard for the Exchange of Product Data (STEP), MTConnect, and the Quality Information Framework (QIF) to integrate information silos existing across the lifecycle. To demonstrate this vision, we describe a reference implementation with a contract manufacturer in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Smart Manufacturing Systems Test Bed. Using this implementation, we explore how knowledge generated from manufacturing can support lifecycle decision-making. As a case study, we then present an interactive prototype correlating the test bed's data based on the context that must be provided for a specific decision-making viewpoint.
Targeted Ultrasound-Guided Perineural Hydrodissection of the Sciatic Nerve for the Treatment of Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is a common cause of lumbar, gluteal, and thigh pain, frequently associated with sciatic nerve symptoms. Potential etiologies include muscle injury or chronic muscle stretching associated with gait disturbances. There is a common pathological end pathway involving hypertrophy, spasm, contracture, inflammation, and scarring of the piriformis muscle, leading to impingement of the sciatic nerve. Ultrasound-guided piriformis injections are frequently used in the treatment of these pain syndromes, with most of the published literature describing injection of the muscle. We describe a safe, effective ultrasound-guided injection technique for the treatment of piriformis syndrome using targeted sciatic perineural hydrodissection followed by therapeutic corticosteroid injection.
Shape Design Sensitivity Analysis and What-if Tool for 3-D Design Applications

Shape design parameters that govern the geometric shape of a structural component are the most effective way to improve design of 3-D elastic solid components. Four major characteristics, however, that are unique to the shape design problem make it more complicated than the traditional sizing problem; (1) it is difficult to retain the accuracy of finite element analysis results for a design model whose geometry changes during the design process, (2) it is difficult to handle the sophisticated shape design parameterization and update geometric shape, (3) efficient computation of shape design sensitivity information for a large scale problem is difficult to achieve, and (4) visualization of important design sensitivity information and automation of shape design processes to provide an effective design environment is not available.
The Role of Microalgal Symbionts (Symbiodinium) in Holobiont Physiology

Many marine organisms host microalgal symbionts. Complex holobionts require adaptations to accommodate closely associated lifestyles when algae live within host tissues. Six categories of physiological adaptation in Symbiodinium-holobiont systems include pathways related to nutrient transfer, carbon concentration, nitrogen recycling, calcification, oxidative stress and cell–cell communication. Combining traditional physiological measurements with genomic and transcriptomic analysis informs hypotheses about underpinning mechanisms. As methods advance, large, next generation sequence data sets make broad comparative investigations possible. Integrating data from multiple partners provides insight on physiological solutions to cooperative living.
Correlating Belongings with Passengers in a Simulated Airport Security Checkpoint

Automatic algorithms for tracking and associating passengers and their divested objects at an airport security screening checkpoint would have great potential for improving checkpoint efficiency, including flow analysis, theft detection, line-of-sight maintenance, and risk-based screening. In this paper, we present algorithms for these tracking and association problems and demonstrate their effectiveness in a full-scale physical simulation of an airport security screening checkpoint. Our algorithms leverage both hand-crafted and deep-learning-based approaches for passenger and bin tracking, and are able to accurately track and associate objects through a ceiling-mounted multicamera array. We validate our algorithm on ground-truthed datasets collected at the simulated checkpoint that reflect natural passenger behavior, achieving high rates of passenger/object/transfer event detection while maintaining low false alarm and mismatch rates.
Effects of Active Vibration Exercise on Neck Pain, Disability Index, and Muscle Activity of Patients with Forward Head Posture

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of active vibration exercise on the neck pain, disability index, and muscle activity of patients with forward head posture. Methods: A total of 24 patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group (n=12 each). The experimental group performed active vibration exercise using a flexi-bar for 20 minutes a day, five times a week for four weeks. The study measured patient neck pain using a visual analog scale, neck pain related disability using the neck disability index, and muscle activity using electromyography. Results: The intragroup comparison showed significant differences in the visual analog scale score, neck disability index score and upper trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscle activity values among patients in the experimental group. The intergroup comparison showed that differences in the visual analog scale score, neck disability index score and upper trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscle activity values in the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that active vibration exercise was effective in improving the neck pain, disability index, and muscle activity of patients with forward head posture.
Osteopathic medical students perspectives on the importance of primary care research

Historically, osteopathic medicine has focused primarily on clinical medicine. Research was a secondary concern, although scientific inquiry was originally part of the vision of founder Andrew Taylor (A.T.) Still, MD, DO.[1][1] With increased recognition of the connection between research and
Postwar Geopolitics and Self-Reliant Defense

After World War II, Northeast Asians soon found themselves returned to civil wars or struggling for national unification and independence. As the result of their incomplete civil struggles, the governments of the DPRK (North Korea) and ROK (South Korea) were founded in 1948, and the PRC (People’s Republic of China) in 1949. After his visit with Stalin, Mao realized that Moscow would not send the Russian army to defend Northeast Asia or fight the UNF in the Korean War. He developed a new self-reliant, China-centric defense for the newly founded republic, in the spring of 1950. When the PRC perceived the United States as an immediate threat and the most powerful military in the postwar world, Mao deployed the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) against a possible UNF invasion.
Important Differences in Hematology Results and Hematological Diseases

This chapter reviews the blood laboratory differences and trends that exist with African American patients including differences in CBC, metabolic panel, lipid panel and cancer markers. Laboratory reference interval differences by race (and gender) have been recognized for many years, but clinical laboratories have been slow to adopt either race or gender-linked reference ranges. The chapter also includes an overview of common hematological diseases in African Americans including sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Part IV – Sectoral Planning

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the different aspects of sectoral planning. The technique of input–output analysis is one of the basic tools of modern economics. Its most common use is in answering questions that concern macroeconomic planners. In economic planning, there are two basic ways in which input–output analysis is employed. The first, and more fundamental, is to ensure that development plans are consistent. It should be possible to estimate the breakdown of final demand into kinds of commodities and services. Thereafter, the input–output table can be put to work to determine the total quantity that each industry must produce to satisfy final demand and these results are compared with existing and planned capacity. It is found that to the extent that capacity falls short of the direct and indirect demands for goods and services, it is necessary either to plan investment to increase domestic capacity or to import the needed goods.
Ubiquitin ligase SMURF2 enhances epidermal growth factor receptor stability and tyrosine-kinase inhibitor resistance

The discovery of activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations spurred the use of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as erlotinib, as the first-line treatment of lung cancers. We previously reported that differential degradation of TKI-sensitive (e.g. L858R) and resistant (T790M) EGFR mutants upon erlotinib treatment correlates with drug sensitivity. We also reported that SMAD ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (SMURF2) ligase activity is important in stabilizing EGFR. However, the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, using in vitro and in vivo ubiquitination assays, MS, and superresolution microscopy, we show SMURF2–EGFR functional interaction is important for EGFR stability and response to TKI. We demonstrate that L858R/T790M EGFR is preferentially stabilized by SMURF2-UBCH5 (an E3-E2)-mediated polyubiquitination. We identified four lysine residues as the sites of ubiquitination and showed that replacement of one of them with acetylation-mimicking glutamine increases the sensitivity of mutant EGFR to erlotinib-induced degradation. We show that SMURF2 extends membrane retention of EGF-bound EGFR, whereas SMURF2 knockdown increases receptor sorting to lysosomes. In lung cancer cell lines, SMURF2 overexpression increased EGFR levels, improving TKI tolerance, whereas SMURF2 knockdown decreased EGFR steady-state levels and sensitized lung cancer cells. Overall, we propose that SMURF2-mediated polyubiquitination of L858R/T790M EGFR competes with acetylation-mediated receptor internalization that correlates with enhanced receptor stability; therefore, disruption of the E3-E2 complex may be an attractive target to overcome TKI resistance.
Evaluation and Management of Patients with Collagen Vascular Disease

The clinical outcome of patients with the various manifestations of collagen vascular disease (CVD) has significantly improved over the past two decades with the increased use of diuretics, cytotoxic agents, dialysis, transplantation, and the judicious use of corticosteroids and other antiinflammatory agents directed at altering or delaying end-organ damage by the underlying immunopathologic process. A more rigorous definition of the various CVD clinical syndromes and a greater sophistication in the serologic, radiologic, and pathologic diagnostic methods have meant that patients with these diseases are now coming to clinical attention earlier in the course of their illness. Consequently, the physician is now encountering a greater number of clinical problems over a longer time span for each individual patient, rather than just the well-known complications of their end-stage disease. Despite the beneficial aspects of the newer therapeutic interventions to improve the clinical outcome of patients with CVD, the incidence of infection as a cause of both morbidity and mortality in these patients has not changed significantly over the past 30 years. A number of factors discussed in this chapter most likely contribute to the persistence of infectious complications in these patients. These include underlying host-defense abnormalities not significantly altered by therapeutic interventions, prolonged therapy with corticosteroids and alkylating agents that further suppress an already abnormal immune response, and an increased frequency of hospitalizations with more aggressive medical and surgical interventions, thereby increasing the risk of nosocomial infectious complications.
Does Financial Development Volatility Affect Industrial Growth Volatility

This paper investigates whether volatility of financial development plays a role in determining industrial growth volatility. Three key findings emerge. First, overwhelming evidence supports the view that more volatile financial development raises the industrial volatility in sectors that rely more on external liquidity. Second, the harmful effect of financial volatility on industrial volatility mainly works through the increase in fluctuations of the growth of real value added per firm and the number of firms, with the former effect more prominent. Third, both the volatilities of the banking sector and the stock market positively associate with higher industrial growth volatility, which contrasts sharply with the finding in the existing literature that financial structure generally does not matter.
Patients with advanced solid cancers treated with ERK inhibitors exhibit pseudo-progession in lymphatic nodes.

3138Background: ERK1/2 signaling is often overactivated in cancer, especially in patients with molecular alterations activating the MAPK pathway. MAPK pathway inhibition can result in the increase ...
Obstetric outcomes after fetal intervention – a single-center descriptive review

Advancements in fetal interventions have enabled in utero management of several fetal congenital anomalies and conditions; these are accomplished via ultrasound-guided, fetoscopic or open technique...
A patient reads the medical literature

A 45-year-old male with no significant past medical history presented with a lump in his right groin. Outpatient computed tomography imaging ordered by his primary care physician demonstrated moderate right inguinal hernia containing nonobstructed distal descending/proximal sigmoid colon. Surgical repair of the hernia was recommended and the patient was referred for consultation with a general surgeon. The patient then conducted a search of current medical literature and, upon reflection, refused to let the consulted surgeon operate upon him. After identifying a significantly more experienced surgeon, the patient underwent office consultation and, later, uneventful surgical repair of his inguinal hernia. To follow is a case description with a review of the relevant literature read by the patient that informed his decision to be operated upon only by a more senior general surgeon.
The Effect of Automatic Reassessment and Relearning on Assessing Student Long-Term Knowledge in Mathematics

Intelligent Tutoring Systems ITS give assessments to estimate a student's current knowledge. A great deal of work in the past years, e.g. KDD Cup2010 has focused on predict students immediate next performance, while what is important is will the student retain that knowledge for later use. Some previous studies such as Wang, et al, Xiong, et al. have started to investigate this question by trying to predict student retention after a time interval of several days. We created a novel system that would automatically reassess and allow students to relearn the material to enhance a student's long-term knowledge. It is showed before that this intervention raised student learning, and now we are wondering if it also makes assessment of student long-term knowledge better i.e, more predictive power. The result shows that the reassessment and relearning information is very useful in assessing student long-term knowledge.
Recognition memory function in early senescent rhesus monkeys

Assessment of recognition memory was performed in a group of 12 rhesus monkeys, 19–24 years old (an age estimated to be comparable with early senescence in humans—i.e., 60s to early 70s). Their performance was compared with that of 14 young adult animals (5–14 years old, comparable to humans from the late teens to early 40s) on two tasks of recognition memory: trial-unique delayed nonmatching to sample (DNMS) and the delayed recognition span task (DRST). The DNMS is a benchmark visual recognition memory task that requires the identification of a novel object when paired with a familiar object that was presented 10 sec earlier. After reaching learning criterion, the memory demands of the task are increased by lengthening the interval between stimulus presentation and recognition up to 600 sec and lengthening the list length of samples presented before recognition up to 10 objects. The DRST is a task used to assess memory capacity by determining memory span for number of stimuli in different stimulus conditions. In the present study, memory span was determined for spatial, color, and object stimuli using both a unique series of stimuli and an embedded repeated series. On DNMS, only 4 of 12 early senescent monkeys were impaired, compared with the range of young adult monkeys in the acquisition of the task, but as a group, they were significantly impaired on the delay and list performance measures. On the DRST, early senescent monkeys, as a group, were impaired on both the spatial condition and the object condition of the task, but not on the color condition. The results reveal a cognitive profile of early senescent monkeys that, unlike monkeys of more advanced age, is characterized by a relatively moderate impairment in recognition memory and memory span.
Abstract 14721: Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness with Non-invasive Measures of Arterial and Ventricular Stiffness: The Dallas Heart Study

Introduction: Low fitness (CRF) is associated with a greater risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) through mechanisms that are not well understood. Because of the established contribution of arterial and ventricular stiffness in the pathophysiology of HFPEF, we evaluated the association between CRF and indices of ventricular-arterial mechanics. Methods: We studied Dallas Heart Study-II participants without cardiovascular disease who had CRF estimated as the peak oxygen uptake from a submaximal treadmill test using the Givoni’s equation and Hellerstein’s formula. The participants also had ECG-gated cine cardiac MRI imaging using 3-T MRI system. Ventricular stiffness (end-systolic elastance, Ees) was defined as the ratio of end-systolic BP [EBP = 0.9 X Systolic BP (SBP)] to end systolic volume (ESV), and arterial stiffness (effective arterial elastance, Ea) was defined as the ratio of EBP to stroke volume (SV). Associations of CRF with Ea and Ees among normotensive (SBP 140) were evaluated using multivariable-adjusted linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 1,687 participants (58% women) were included in the analysis. On univariate analysis, CRF was directly associated with SV (R= 0.3; P 55). After multivariable adjustment, CRF was inversely associated with Ea and Ees among normotensive, pre-hypertensive and hypertensive participants (Table). Furthermore, age, female sex and low body mass index were each associated with greater Ea and Ees among the study participants. Conclusion: Low fitness is associated with greater arterial and ventricular stiffness among normotensive as well as hypertensive participants. This association reflects fitness related differences in stroke volume and ventricular dimensions.
Gender differences in support for women candidates: Is there a glass ceiling in American politics?

Abstract Recent research on support for women candidates has provided evidence of the importance of gender to that support, but has failed to account for the possibility of differing levels of support. The research reported here tests the hypothesis of gender difference in support for female candidates and also examines its context. Analysis reveals significant differences in the levels of support men and women give to women candidates. Further, these differences between the sexes increase as the level of office being sought increases.
Early reherniation of disk material in eleven dogs with surgically treated thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion.

OBJECTIVE To report findings and outcomes of dogs with reherniation of nuclear material within 7 days of hemilaminectomy for acute thoracolumbar (TL) intervertebral disk extrusion. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS Chondrodystrophic dogs (n = 11). METHODS Dogs with acute neurologic decline within 1 week of surgical decompression for TL disk extrusion were identified. Advanced imaging was used to document extradural spinal cord compression at the previous surgery site. Ten dogs had a 2nd decompressive surgery to remove extruded nuclear material. RESULTS All dogs had acute neurologic deterioration (average, 2 neurologic grades) 2-7 days after initial hemilaminectomy. Computed tomography (CT; n = 10) or myelography (n = 1) documented extradural spinal cord compression compatible with extruded disk material at the previous hemilaminectomy site. Dogs that had a 2nd surgical decompression improved neurologically within 24 hours and were paraparetic at discharge. The single dog that did not have decompressive surgery did not regain deep nociception during 185-day follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Early reherniation at the site of previous hemilaminectomy can produce acute deterioration of neurologic function and should be investigated with diagnostic imaging. Repeat decompressive surgery can lead to functional recovery.
Decision feedback equalizer with pattern dependent threshold for magnetic recording channels

A new detector based on a practical nonlinear model for digital magnetic recording channels is described. The nonlinear model is easy to construct from simple measurements of the isolated transition response and dipulse responses. The new detector has a structure similar to that of the decision feedback equalizer (DFE) except that an add-on nonlinear canceler is used to cancel the trailing nonlinear intersymbol interference (ISI) and a pattern dependent threshold is employed to handle the precursor nonlinear ISI. We compare the detection performance of this new detector with that of the DFE on several experimental channels. The results show that the new detector yields significant performance improvement over its counterpart as measured by the detection signal to noise ratio (SNR).
A tunable X-band active notch filter with low-distortion passband response

The tunable channelized active notch filter presented distinguishes itself through its ability to maintain forward signal flow in its three parallel-connected branches without an amplifier in the one branch that determines passband performance, resulting in extremely low signal distortion and very low noise levels at passband frequencies. The practicability of the new approach has been experimentally verified with a filter whose 40-dB-deep notch tunes, with the help of varactors, from 9.5 to 10.5 GHz.
Structure and Composition of Glasses and Amorphous Materials by Vibrational Spectroscopy

The sections in this article are Rationale for Analysis Sample Preparation Silicate Glass Fluorinated Silicate Glass Phosphosilicate Glass and Hydroxyl Contaminants Amorphous Silicon Carbide Organic and Organo-Silicate Spin-On Glasses Conclusions
Horse Liver Aldehyde Dehydrogenase I. PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract Horse liver aldehyde: NAD oxidoreductase (EC 1.2.1.3) has been purified to homogeneity by a procedure consisting of salt fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. The purified material has a turnover number of 1.85 µmoles of NADH per min per mg of protein when assayed at pH 9.0 with propionaldehyde as substrate. Values obtained for the molecular weight of the native enzyme by sucrose density centrifugation, sedimentation equilibrium, and multiple porosity disc gel electrophoresis were 220,000, 260,000, and 252,000, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a subunit molecular weight of 57,000, suggesting a tetrameric structure for the native enzyme. Specificity studies indicated that both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes were oxidized. For most aldehydes tested, the Michaelis constants were between 0.1 to 1 µm when corrected for equilibrium concentrations of inactive hydrated aldehyde. Chloral, which is completely hydrated, was an inhibitor of the dehydrogenase reaction. Despite the broad aldehyde specificity, substrate analogues in which the aldehydic hydrogen of RCHO was replaced by NH2, CH3, or even OH were not found to be inhibitors.
Ion Channel Assays Using Fluorescent Probes

Originally published in: Expression and Analysis of Recombinant Ions Channels. Edited by Jeffrey J. Clare and Derek J. Trezise. Copyright © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA Weinheim. Print ISBN: 3-527-31209-2 The sections in this article are Introduction Membrane Potential Probes Redistribution Probes FRET Probes Advantages and Limitations of Membrane Potential Probes Ion-sensitive Fluorescent Probes Calcium Dyes Indicators of Other Ions Fluorescence Assays for Ion Channels Calcium Channels Non-voltage-gated Cation Permeable Channels Sodium Channels Potassium Channels Chloride Channels Assays for Monitoring Channel Trafficking Conclusion Keywords: expression of recombinant ion channels; ion channel assays; voltage-sensitive fluorescent probes; membrane potential probes; ion-sensitive fluorescent probes; monitoring channel trafficking
Advances in the Enzymology of Glutamine Synthesis

Meister's proposal of a gamma-glutamyl-P intermediate in the glutamine synthetase reaction set the scene for understanding how the stepwise activation of the carboxyl group greatly increased its susceptibility toward nucleophilic attack and amide bond synthesis. Topics covered in this review include: the discovery of the enzymatic synthesis of glutamine; the role of glutamine synthetase in defining the thermodynamics of ATPases; early isotopic tracer studies of the synthetase reaction; the proposed intermediacy of gamma-glutamyl-phosphate; the mechanism of methionine sulfoximine inhibition; stereochemical mapping of the enzyme's active site; detection of enzyme reaction cycle intermediates; borohydride trapping of gamma-glutamyl-P; positional isotope exchanges catalyzed by glutamine synthetase; regulation of bacterial enzyme; and a brief account of how knowledge of the atomic structure of bacterial glutamine synthetase has clarified ligand binding interactions. Concluding remarks also address how the so-called "Protein Ligase Problem" may be solved by extending the catalytic versatility of carboxyl-group activating enzymes.
Capacity of Nakagami multipath fading channels

We study the capacity of Nakagami multipath fading (NMF) channels with an average power constraint for three power and rate adaptation policies. We obtain closed-form solutions for NMF channel capacity (with and without diversity) for each power and rate adaptation strategy, and compare them with the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel capacity. The capacity of a NMF channel is always smaller than the capacity of an AWGN channel. Moreover, the capacities converge to the AWGN channel capacity as the Nakagami fading parameter m tends to infinity, as expected. Our results also show that optimal power and rate adaptation yields a small increase in capacity over just optimal rate adaptation with constant power, and this small increase in capacity diminishes as the average received carrier-to-noise ratio, m parameter, and/or number of diversity branches increase. Finally, fixed rate transmission with channel inversion suffers the largest capacity penalty. However, this penalty diminishes as the amount of fading decreases.
Analysts' response to earnings management

Previous literature studies analysts' earnings forecasts without considering firms' response to analysts' forecasts. This study improves upon previous research by considering firms' earnings management with respect to analysts' forecasts. I hypothesize that analysts understand these earnings management practices, and incorporate firms' expected behavior into their forecasts. I demonstrate that for firms with high tendencies and flexibilities to manage earnings downwards, and/or firms with negatively skewed earnings, analysts account for earnings management practices by lowering the otherwise optimal forecasts. Comparing analysts' consensus forecasts with proxy for non-strategic forecasts (otherwise optimal forecasts), I find that analysts' forecasts are systematically below the non-strategic forecasts for firm-quarters that have: high accounting reserves available to manage earnings downwards, high unmanaged earnings, low debt to equity ratios, negative forecasted earnings, and negatively skewed unmanaged earnings. These results suggest that analysts forecast below the non-strategic level in order to avoid the large optimistic forecast errors that occur when firms who cannot meet forecasts manage earnings downward. The test results also suggest that analysts forecast above the non-strategic forecasts when earnings are positively skewed, and/or when firms have high tendencies and flexibilities to manage earnings upwards.
Techniques for producing native seedlings for container, bareroot (plug+1), and seed increase production, including the use of Jiffy Forestry Pellets

Some native species present challenges for efficient propagation and production due to small seed size, low germination and establishment rates, as well as sensitivity to transplanting. In the Pacific Northwest, 3 species, Spiraea douglasii Hook. (Rosaceae), Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. (Rosaceae), and Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. (Fabaceae), are grown as container or bareroot (plug+1) stocktypes at the Coeur d’Alene Forest Service nursery in northern Idaho using Jiffy plugs for ease of germination, growth, and planting. We have found that this method overcomes production challenges for small-seeded bareroot and container plants and shortens time to seed harvest for seed increase needs.
A look at the current automated capabilities of traceability

The development of large scale, real-time military systems requires the tracing of requirements as mandated by DOD-STD-2167A. In order to comply with this requirement it is necessary to use an automated traceability tool. The paper examines the process and criteria for evaluating traceability tools for use with real-time system developments. >
An atypical response following intraoral intralesional steroid therapy

Management of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) involves a combination of systemic and local immunomodulatory therapies. Intralesional steroid therapy (IST) can be effective in treating refractory oral ulcerations. Complications of intraoral IST have not been reported. A 61-year-old male was admitted on day +157 status-post reduced intensity allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome with a new onset of erythrodermatous skin rash and oral mucosal lichenoid changes with multiple ulcerations and associated severe odynophagia. Platelet count and coagulation values were within normal limits. A diagnosis of overlap GVHD syndrome was made and treatment was initiated with methylprednisolone 2 mg/kg, extracorporeal photopheresis and budesonide oral rinses (3 mg/5 mL). Despite progressive overall improvement, there were two residual painful ulcers of the buccal mucosa bilaterally and IST was initiated in the morning of day +181. By that evening, the patient developed prominent right sided swelling and ecchymosis extending from the inferior aspect of the temporal area to the posterior and inferior borders of the mandible, and extending anteriorly to the lip, with significant dysphagia. Computed tomography scan demonstrated diffuse haemorrhage and inflammation consistent with haematoma. Improvement was noted within 3 days with gradual resolution over the next week. This case highlights that haematoma formation is an unpredictable and potentially life-threatening complication of IST. While the precise aetiology in this case is unclear, underlying bleeding risk and immune dysregulation may be contributing factors. Clinicians should be aware that if significant swelling develops following IST, patients should be directed to an emergency department for evaluation and monitoring.
Atrial Natriuretic Factor Stimulates Phosphorylation of a 52-kDa Calmodulin-Binding Protein in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the phosphorylation of the calmodulin-binding protein in vascular smooth muscle cells was investigated. Several phosphorylated calmodulin-binding proteins ranging in molecular weight from 205,000 to 50,000 were detected. Among them, we have found that the phosphorylation of a 52-kDa protein present mainly in the cytosolic fraction is stimulated by ANF and that the elevation of the phosphorylation is both time- and dose-dependent. Furthermore, the stimulation was mimicked by 8-bromo-cyclic GMP but not by 8-bromo-cyclic AMP. Endothelin induced significant inhibition of the phosphorylation. These results indicate that 52-kDa protein phosphorylation may be responsible for the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone.
Influence of pH on the ototoxicity of cisplatin: a round window application study

Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent that produces a number of dose-limiting side effects, including ototoxicity. We investigated the effect of pH on cisplatin ototoxicity. Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were recorded in chinchillas. Then the auditory bullae were opened and acidic (pH=6.5), neutral (pH=7.4) or alkaline (pH=10.2) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was applied to the round window membrane. After 30 min, any remaining solution was removed and cisplatin solution was applied to the round window membrane. After 3 days, follow-up ABRs were performed and the cochleae were processed for morphological analysis. Neutral PBS+cisplatin administration resulted in profound threshold changes at all frequencies. Acidic PBS+cisplatin administration showed had a trend of increased threshold changes, but the change did not reach statistical significance. However, the degree of hair cell loss was significantly higher than that of the neutral PBS-cisplatin group. Alkaline PBS significantly reduced cisplatin-induced threshold changes (P<0.05) compared to the neutral PBS group. Because the pH of cisplatin solution was 6.0, pH 6.0 PBS was applied to round window membrane. This acidic PBS solution did not cause any hearing impairment. These results demonstrate that pH can modulate the ototoxic effects of cisplatin.
Progress in Developing Nerve Agent Sensors Using Combinatorial Techniques

Development of a sensor capable of selective detection of specific nerve agents is imperative in today’s atmosphere of terrorism. The sensor needs to be inexpensive, portable, reliable, absent of false positives and available to all military and first responders. By utilizing the techniques of molecular imprinting, combinatorial chemistry, silica sol-gel synthesis and lanthanide luminescence, a sensor for the detection of the hydrolysis product of the nerve agent soman is being developed. There are many parameters that require investigation in order for the sensor to become a reality. These parameters include 1) the selection of a chelate that can bind to the lanthanide and anchor the nerve agent simulant during the formation of the molecularly imprinted polymer, 2) the determination of the environment best suited for this complex formation, 3) the formation, as well as modification of the silica sol-gel for molecular imprinting to take place, and 4) the proper quantity and ratios of monomers used to create the three dimensional imprint. Key to the success of optimizing these parameters is the development of a combinatorial assay that allows for the synthesis and testing of tens of thousands of combinations of parameters. Work on the development of the combinatorial assay has lead to a method of preparing thin film polymers capable of analyzing the presence of nerve agent simulants. Current work is underway to validate the combinatorial assay and to synthesize and evaluate a library of sensor materials selective for nerve agents.
Glacial geology and chronology of Bishop Creek and vicinity, eastern Sierra Nevada, California

The valley of Bishop Creek, which drains part of the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada, California, contains an unusually well-preserved set of middle to late Quaternary moraines. These deposits have been mapped by previous investigators, but they have not been quantitatively dated. We used the accumulation of cosmogenic 36 Cl to assign a chronology to the maximal glacial positions mapped in the valley. Our results indicate that the terminal moraines mapped by previous investigators as Tahoe were all deposited between ca. 165 and ca. 135 ka, during marine isotope stage (MIS) 6. Moraines mapped as Tioga were deposited between 28 and 14 ka, during MIS 2. These can be subdivided into Tioga 1 (28–24 ka), Tioga 3 (18.5–17.0 ka), and Tioga 4 (16.0–14.5 ka) advances (no moraines dated to Tioga 2 [21–19 ka] were found, presumably because the Tioga 3 advance either overrode or fluvially eroded them). At 15.0–14.5 ka, the Tioga 4 glacier retreated abruptly to the crest of the range. This was followed by the brief and fairly minor Recess Peak advance at ca. 13.4 ka. No Holocene advances extended beyond the very restricted limits of ice during the Matthes (Little Ice Age) advance. All preserved terminal moraines at lower elevations were deposited during either the Tahoe or Tioga stades. The Tahoe terminal moraines are extensive and voluminous, whereas the Tioga moraines are relatively narrow and have small volumes. However, this notable difference may be more a result of idiosyncrasies in the local glacial history than the result of differences in the length or intensity of glaciation between the two glacial episodes. The history of glacial advances at Bishop Creek exhibits a strong correspondence to global climate cycles, and to paleoclimate events in the North Atlantic in particular.
Turbinoplasty surgery for nasal obstruction in craniometaphyseal dysplasia: A case report and review of the literature

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia is a rare genetic condition characterised by hyperostosis of the skull base and sclerosis of craniofacial bones. This can cause nasal obstruction. This paper presents the case of a 14-year old with craniometaphyseal dysplasia presenting with nasal obstruction successfully treated with turbinoplasty. A literature search was conducted using PUBMED and EMBASE. In conclusion, in cases of craniometaphyseal dysplasia with nasal obstruction conventional techniques such as submucosal diathermy and outfracturing of inferior turbinates may not be adequate. Bony turbinoplasties along the whole length of the inferior turbinate may be required.
MEASURED DOSE TO OVARIES AND TESTES FROM HODGKIN'S FIELDS AND DETERMINATION OF GENETICALLY SIGNIFICANT DOSE

Abstract Purpose: To determine the genetically significant dose from therapeutic radiation exposure with Hodgkin's fields by estimating the doses to ovaries and testes. Materials and Methods: Phantom measurements were performed to verify estimated doses to ovaries and testes from Hodgkin's fields. Thermoluminescent LiF dosimeters (TLD-100) of 1 × 3 × 3 mm 3 dimensions were embedded in phantoms and exposed to standard mantle and paraaortic fields using Co-60, 4 MV, 6 MV, and 10 MV photon beams. Results: Our results show that measured doses to ovaries and testes are about two to five times higher than the corresponding graphically estimated doses for Co-60 and 4 MVX photon beams as depicted in ICRP publication 44. In addition, the measured doses to ovaries and testes are about 30% to 65% lower for 10 MV photon beams than for their corresponding Co-60 photon beams. Conclusion: The genetically significant dose from Hodgkin's treatment (less than 0.01 mSv) adds about 4% to the genetically significant dose contribution to medical procedures and adds less than 1% to the genetically significant dose from all sources. Therefore, the consequence to society is considered to be very small. The consequences for the individual patient are, likewise, small.
Identification of the trehalose biosynthetic loci of Pseudomonas syringae and their contribution to fitness in the phyllosphere.

Summary Surprisingly little is known of the trehalose biosynthetic pathways in pseudomonads, despite the importance of trehalose to protecting cells from environmental stresses such as low water availability. The genome of the foliar pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 contains genes for two trehalose biosynthetic pathways, TreS and TreYZ, and lacks genes for the more common OtsAB pathway. Deletion of either the treS (PSPTO_27602762) or treY/treZ (PSPTO_3125-3134) locus eliminated trehalose accumulation and reduced bacterial growth under hyperosmotic conditions. In evaluating the role of trehalose in P. syringae fitness on leaves, we found that a double deletion mutant lacking these loci exhibited poorer survival than the wild type on tomato leaves over a 2-week period in a growth chamber. Similarly, this mutant exhibited reduced survival on leaves of susceptible and resistant cultivars of the host plant tomato and of the non-host plant soybean over a 10-day period in field plots. Thus, the trehalose biosynthetic loci in P. syringae, which are highly conserved among pseudomonads, contributed to DC3000 fitness on leaves, supporting a role for trehalose in P. syringae survival and population maintenance in the phyllosphere.
New approaches for biomonitoring exposure to the human carcinogen aristolochic acid

Aristolochic acids (AA) are found in all Aristolochia herbaceous plants, many of which have been used worldwide for medicinal purposes for centuries. AA are causal agents of the chronic kidney disease entity termed aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), and potent upper urinary tract carcinogens in humans. AAN and upper urinary tract cancers are endemic in rural areas of Croatia and other Balkan countries where exposure to AA occurs through the ingestion of home-baked bread contaminated with Aristolochia seeds. In Asia, exposure to AA occurs through usage of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs containing Aristolochia. Despite warnings from regulatory agencies, traditional Chinese herbs containing AA continue to be used world-wide. In this review, we highlight novel approaches to quantify exposure to AA, by analysis of aristolactam (AL) DNA adducts, employing ultraperformance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization/multistage mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI/MSn). DNA adducts are a measure of internal exposure to AA and serve as an important end point for cross-species extrapolation of toxicity data and human risk assessment. The level of sensitivity of UPLC-ESI/MS3 surpasses the limits of detection of AL-DNA adducts obtained by 32P-postlabeling techniques, the most widely employed methods for detecting putative DNA adducts in humans. AL-DNA adducts can be measured by UPLC-ESI/MS3, not only in fresh frozen renal tissue, but also in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, an underutilized biospecimen for assessing chemical exposures, and in exfoliated urinary cells, a non-invasive approach. The frequent detection of AL DNA adducts in renal tissues, combined with the characteristic mutational spectrum induced by AA in TP53 and other genes provides compelling data for a role of AA in upper urothelial tract cancer.
Prompt damage identification for system survivability

Survivable systems must identify and isolate any damage as quickly as possible to avoid infection epidemic and outbreak in case of a malicious attack. Any delay during the fault detection and isolation process may lead to system unavailability and is unacceptable in mission-critical applications. In this paper a model is presented to perform damage assessment, fault identification and advance warning. The objective is to help confine the damage propagation (direct or transitive), while making the system survive ongoing attacks and performing necessary self-healing. Our major contribution is the study of the patterns of interconnection communications among applications and the use of communication graphs in damage identification and containment.
The uptake of [3h] γ-aminobutyric acid by isolated glial (müller) cells from the mouse retina

Abstract We have examined the uptake of [ 3 H]GABA by isolated glial (Muller) cells using light microscope autoradiography. The aim of these studies was to determine whether Muller cells dissociated from papain-treated mouse retina have the capacity to accumulate exogenous GABA and to further characterize the uptake process. Our results show that isolated Muller cells retain the capacity to accumulate exogenous [ 3 H]GABA and this uptake is inhibited by excess GABA, DABA and β-alanine. This communication also describes a new method for performing light microscope autoradiography.
Adenosine triphosphate induced change in light scattering of isolated basal bodies.

Abstract Suspensions of isolated basal bodies undergo a characteristic decrease in turbidity following their exposure to 10−3 M ATP. Typically, turbidity changes range from 8% to 20%, depending on the preparation, with an average change of 12%. Nucleotides other than ATP did not cause a turbidity decrease. The reaction has a pH optimum of pH 8.5 and is inhibited by concentrations of divalent cations greater than 2 × 10−3 M. These results indicate that ATP induces a conformational change in the basal body that may be related to its activity in the cell.
Loss of lutropin/human choriogonadotropin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid during ligand-induced down-regulation occurs post transcriptionally.

Previous studies have demonstrated that ligand-induced down-regulation of the LH/hCG receptor in rat corpus luteum results in a loss of ligand-binding activity and a parallel decline in steady state levels of receptor mRNA. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether this loss of receptor mRNA during receptor down-regulation is due to inhibition of transcription or increased degradation of the receptor mRNA. To differentiate between these two possibilities, nuclear run-off assays were performed to study transcription rates of nuclei isolated from control and hCG down-regulated rat ovaries. A 750-mer LH/hCG receptor cDNA probe, spanning the carboxy-terminal region of the peptide and the 3'-untranslated region of the receptor cDNA, was constructed by polymerase chain reaction. RNA transcripts were synthesized from existing nuclear RNA from control and down-regulated nuclei and hybridized to the receptor cDNA probe immobilized on nylon membranes and subjected to autoradiography. Hybridization t...
User modeling for improved computer-aided training in radiology: initial experience

Although mammography is an efficient screening modality for breast cancer, interpretation of mammographic images is a difficult task and notable variability between radiologists performance has been documented. A significant factor impacting radiologists diagnostic performance is adequate training. In this study we propose a new paradigm for computer-assisted training in radiology based on constructing user models for radiologists-in-training that capture individual error making patterns. Such user models are developed and trained to use image features for prediction of the extent of error made by a particular radiologist for variety of cases and therefore estimate difficulty of different types of cases for that radiologist. The constructed user model can be used to develop a personalized training protocol for the radiologist-in-training that focuses on cases that may pose a particular difficulty to the trainee. We initially demonstrate the concept of building individual user models for the task of breast mass diagnosis. Data collected from three resident observers at Duke University was used for the experiments. The result indicate that the proposed models are capable of learning to distinguish difficult and easy cases for each observer with moderate accuracy which shows promise for the proposed concept.