cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Delineation of sodium-stimulated amino acid transport pathways in rabbit kidney brush border vesicles

We have confirmed previous demonstrations of sodium gradient-stimulated transport of L-alanine, phenylalanine, proline, and beta-alanine, and in addition demonstrated transport of N-methylamino-isobutyric acid (MeAIB) and lysine in isolated rabbit kidney brush border vesicles. In order to probe the multiplicity of transport pathways available to each of these 14C-amino acids, we measured the ability of test amino acids to inhibit tracer uptake. To obtain a rough estimate of nonspecific effects, e.g., dissipation of the transmembrane sodium electrochemical potential gradient, we measured the ability of D-glucose to inhibit tracer uptake. L-alanine and phenylalanine were completely mutually inhibitory. Roughly 75% of the 14C-L-alanine uptake could be inhibited by proline and beta-alanine, while lysine and MeAIB were no more effective than D-glucose. Roughly 50% of the 14C-phenylalanine uptake could be inhibited by proline and beta-alanine; lysine was as effective as proline and beta-alanine, and the effects of pairs of these amino acids at 50 mM each were not cumulative. MeAIB was no more effective than D-glucose. We conclude that three pathways mediate the uptake of neutral L, alpha-amino acids. One system is inaccessible to lysine, proline, and beta-alanine. The second system carries a major fraction of the L-alanine flux; it is sensitive to proline and beta-alanine, but not to lysine. The third system carries half the 14C-phenylalanine flux, and it is sensitive to proline, lysine, and beta-alanine. Since the neutral, L, alpha-amino acid fluxes are insensitive to MeAIB, we conclude that they are not mediated by the classical A system, and since all of the L-alanine flux is inhibited by phenylalanine, we conclude that it is not mediated by the classical ASC system. L-alanine and phenylalanine completely inhibit uptake of lysine. MeAIB is no more effective than D-glucose in inhibiting lysine uptake, while proline and beta-alanine appear to inhibit a component of the lysine flux. We conclude that the 14C-lysine fluxes are mediated by two systems, one, shared with phenylalanine, which is inhibited by proline, beta-alanine, and L-alanine, and one which is inhibited by L-alanine and phenylalanine but inaccessible to proline, beta-alanine, and MeAIB. Fluxes of 14C-proline and 14C-MeAIB are completely inhibited by L-alanine, phenylalanine, proline, and MeAIB, but they are insensitive to lysine. Proline and MeAIB, as well as alanine and phenylalanine, but not lysine, inhibit 14C-beta-alanine uptake. However, beta-alanine inhibits only 38% of the 14C-proline uptake and 57% of the MeAIB uptake. We conclude that two systems mediate uptake of proline and MeAIB, and that one of these systems also transports beta-alanine.
On the parity of planar covers

A covering is a graph map φ: G→H that is an isomorphism when restricted to the star of any vertex of G. If H is connected then |φ −1 (v)| is constant. This constant is called the fold number. In this paper we prove that if G is a planar graph that covers a nonplanar H, then the fold number must be even
Living concrete/carrot city: an exhibition platform as a growing medium.

The authors of this paper co-curated Living Concrete/Carrot City, an exhibition at The New School during the Fall 2010 semester that explored the relationship between urban agriculture and the city, and the roles of farmers and gardeners, designers, artists, activists, academics, and others in integrating food and agriculture into everyday city life. This reflective essay discusses the genesis of the exhibition, our curatorial decisions, and the interactions among students, faculty, and community members that we observed within the gallery. The project supported university goals of cross-disciplinary and public scholarship, created a space for members of the urban agriculture community to learn from each other, and demonstrated the potential for an exhibition platform to serve as a vehicle for liberal arts and design schools to engage in food systems research, teaching, design practice, and public engagement. While the essay focuses on the specific instance of this exhibition and interdisciplinary collaboration, it suggests some implications for consideration by other urban institutions of higher education.
Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in adolescent prostitutes in detention

In the first quarter of 1983, four (17%) of 24 cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection diagnosed in female adolescent detainees in King County, Washington were caused by penicillinase-producing (PPNG) strains. Twelve (3%) of 397 reported cases of female gonorrhea in the rest of King County during this time were caused by PPNG strains ( p N. gonorrhoeae from female adolescent detainees should be tested for pencilinase production, and all prostitutes with genitourinary symptoms suggestive of gonorrhea should be treated with an antimicrobial resistant to pencillinase.
Zinc ions and alkaline pH alter the phosphorylated state of proteins 3 and 4.2 in human erythrocyte membranes.

Abstract The phosphorylation patterns of isolated red blood cell (RBC) membranes labeled with [ γ- 32 p]ATP are altered by Zn ++ ions. Zn ++ ions caused an increased phosphate incorporation into a 72 KDa protein and several proteins in the 40–60 KDa region and a decrease in the labeling of a 53 KDa protein. The 72 KDa and 53 KDa proteins have been identified as protein 4.2 and a protease-cleaved fragment of protein 3, respectively. Evidence suggests that the changes in phosphorylation pattern may be due to the stimulation of endogenous membrane alkaline phosphatase(s). Our results suggest that Zn ++ , at physiological concentrations in the intact erythrocyte, could modulate the phosphorylation of selected proteins which may regulate their association in the cytoskeletal network.
Sequential Ordered Fatty Acid α Oxidation and Δ9 Desaturation Are Major Determinants of Lipid Storage and Utilization in Differentiating Adipocytes

Herein, we exploit the power of global lipidomics to identify the critical role of peroxisomal processing of fatty acids in adipocyte lipid storage and metabolism. Remarkably, 3T3-L1 differentiating adipocytes rapidly acquired the ability to alpha oxidize unbranched fatty acids, which is manifested in the accumulation of odd chain length unbranched fatty acids in all major lipid classes. Moreover, in differentiating adipocytes, unsaturated odd chain length fatty acids in TAG molecular species contained exclusively Delta9 olefinic linkages. Unsaturated fatty acids (e.g., oleic and palmitoleic acids) were not subject to alpha oxidation, resulting in the absence of Delta8 unsaturated odd chain length fatty acids. This highly selective substrate utilization resulted in the obligatory sequential ordering of alpha oxidation prior to Delta9 desaturation. On the basis of these results, a putative type 2 peroxisomal localization sequence was identified at the N-terminus of mouse stearoyl-CoA desaturase I (SCD I) comprised of (30)KVKTVPLHL(38). Kinetic analysis demonstrated that the rate of alpha oxidation of exogenously administered [9,10-(3)H]palmitic acid increased 4-fold during differentiation. Similarly, quantitative PCR demonstrated a 4-fold increase in phytanoyl-CoA alpha hydroxylase (PAHX) and fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (FACO) mRNA levels during differentiation. Collectively, these results underscore the role of peroxisomal fatty acid processing as an important determinant of the metabolic fate of fatty acids in the differentiating adipocyte.
Acquisition of serial complexity in speech production: a comparison of phonetic and phonological approaches to first word production.

Comparison was made between performance-based and competence-based approaches to the understanding of first word production. The performance-related frame/content approach is representative of the biological/functional perspective of phonetics in seeking explanations based on motor, perceptual and cognitive aspects of speech actions. From this perspective, intrasyllabic consonant-vowel (CV) co-occurrence patterns and intersyllabic sequence patterns are viewed as reflective of biomechanical constraints emerging from mandibular oscillation cycles. A labial-coronal sequence effect involved, in addition, the problem of interfacing the lexicon with the motor system, as well as the additional problem of initiation of movement complexes. Competence-based approaches to acquisition are within the generative phonological tradition; involving an initial assumption of innate, speech-specific mental structures. While various current phonological approaches to acquisition involve consideration of sequence effects and intrasyllabic patterns, they do not adequately establish the proposed mental entities in infants of this age, and are nonexplanatory in the sense of not considering the causes of the structures and constraints that they posit.
Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Height Ratio as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Korean Adults

Background: Obesity is associated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Anthropometric indices, such body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), were evaluated as predictors of the presence of CVD risk factors in Korean adults. Methods and Results: The data were obtained from the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III, 2005). The study contained a nationally representative sample of Korean adults (2,327 men, 3,102 women) aged 20 years or older. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for WHtR was higher than that for WC or BMI with respect to diabetes mellitus and hypertension in both men and women, whereas WC was a better predictor for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in men. The WHtR cut-off value to predict diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was approximately 0.50 in men and 0.51 in women. The WC cut-offs varied from 81.6 to 85.2 cm in men and from 78.1 to 81.9 cm in women. The optimal BMI cut-off point varied from 23.0 to 24.7 kg/m2 in both men and women. Conclusions: WC or WHtR may be a better predictor of CVD risk factors than BMI in Korean adults. (Circ J 2009; 73: 1643-1650)
Effects of Exenatide on Plasma Glucose and Insulin Concentrations in Alpacas

Background: Exenatide is a degradation-resistant glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It enhances the insulin response to hyperglycemia. Because of a poor insulin response, adult camelids are susceptible to hyperglycemia from stress, glucose administration, or energy metabolism disorders. Insulin often is administered to decrease plasma glucose concentration, but this approach has disadvantages such as the risk of hypoglycemia. Noninsulin medications targeting the incretin hormone pathway, such as exenatide, are providing alternate treatment options. Hypothesis/Objectives: Exenatide will decrease plasma glucose and increase insulin concentrations in alpacas. Animals: Six healthy adult alpacas. Methods: After food was withheld for 8 hours, alpacas were given, on subsequent days in a randomly determined order, either 0.2 μg/kg of exenatide or similar volume of isotonic saline SC. Blood samples were collected before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 minutes after treatment. A rapid dextrose (0.5 g/kg) injection was given after the time 60 samples. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at each time point. Results: Alpacas had significantly (P= < .001–.015) lower plasma glucose and higher insulin concentrations for the hyperglycemic period after receiving exenatide than after saline injections. Colic signs were observed in 5 of 6 alpacas treated with exenatide. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Exenatide appeared to increase insulin release and decrease plasma glucose concentrations in hyperglycemic alpacas. These findings are similar to findings in humans and could support therapeutic usage of exenatide in alpacas. However, induction of colic may limit practical application.
Coastal storm deposition: Salt-marsh response to a severe extratropical storm, March 1993, west-central Florida

On March 12–13, 1993, the passage of a severe extratropical storm, popularly referred to as the “Storm of the Century,” resulted in the deposition of storm-suspended sediments along Florida' west-central coastline. In Waccasassa Bay, surge waters near 3 m in height inundated the coast and transported resuspended, nearshore sediments onto the open-marine marshes rimming the embayment. The thickness of the resulting storm deposit reached 12 cm on the levees and up to 2 cm on the marsh surface, and visible sedimentation occurred several hundred metres from the creek banks into the marsh interior. The tan to gray storm layer was composed of mixed clays, silt to very fine sand–sized quartz, and marine biogenic sediments, all similar to those of the underlying marsh sediments. Despite the evidence for severe storm conditions, this event was characterized further by the absence of shoreline erosion along the marsh coast. This condition contrasts with sandy coasts, where strong storms often result in shoreline erosion. As compared to sandy shorelines, the stability of this marsh-fronted coast is enhanced by the cohesive nature of the fine-grained marsh muds, baffling by the marsh-grass canopy, and sediment binding by plant-root matrices. Locally, the Waccasassa Bay coastal system has developed under sediment-poor, sand-starved, and low-energy conditions, and large-scale storm events may be an important component in sediment-transport processes and marsh-surface accumulation. The response of the Waccasassa Bay system to this event offers a different view of storm-related shoreline effects and, in particular, the role that storms may play in long-term shoreline stability.
Drop foot as a complication of acupuncture injury and intragluteal injection

Two cases of peroneal nerve palsy resulting in drop foot are reported. One case involves direct injury to the common peroneal nerve by an acupuncture needle. A second case describes sciatic nerve injury caused by an intragluteal injection. Although acupuncture injury at the spinal cord level and the peripheral nerves of the upper extremity has been documented, peroneal nerve palsy resulting from acupuncture therapy has not been previously reported.
Cancer: An extravascular route for tumour cells

Molecular tracing of populations of breast-cancer cells in a primary tumour in mice reveals that two proteins, Serpine2 and Slpi, enable tumour cells to form vascular-like networks, facilitating perfusion and metastasis. See Letter p.358
Anti-estrogen inhibition of testosterone-stimulated aggression in mice

Testosterone-stimulated intermale aggression in castrated mice can be reversibly inhibited by anti-estrogen administration suggesting that estrogen formation and actions in the brain may be required for testosterone's behavioral actions.
A Novel Lysophospholipid- and pH-Sensitive Receptor, GPR4, in Brain Endothelial Cells Regulates Monocyte Transmigration

Abundant evidence documents the highly proinflammatory actions of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). Further, LPC, found in high amounts in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is implicated as an atherogenic factor. In endothelial cells, LPC impairs endothelial barrier function through GPR4, a novel receptor hypothesized to be sensitive to LPC and protons. The authors investigated the stimulation by LPC or low pH of GPR4 in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) and whether the activated GPR4 regulates in vitro monocyte transmigration. The results indicated that HBMECs stimulated by LPC (5 microM), but not low pH, showed a twofold increase in monocyte transmigration. Using retroviruses containing siRNA to GPR4, a > 60% reduction of GPR4 expression resulted in blockade of the LPC-stimulated transmigration. The inhibited response was restored by co-expression with an small interference RNA (siRNA)-resistant, but functional, GPR4 mutant construct. To investigate potential signaling mechanisms, the siRNA-mediated knockdown of GPR4 also prevented LPC-induced RhoA activation. C3 transferase, a Rho inhibitor, prevented approximately approximately 65% of the LPC-stimulated transmigration. LPC also increased MLC phosphorylation by 5 min, which was inhibited by the Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632 (10 microM) or ML-7 (myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor). The findings indicate that the proinflammatory and atherogenic LPC stimulated endothelial GPR4, which promoted monocyte transmigration through a RhoA-dependent pathway.
Wnt signaling: A complex issue

The development of tissues and organs in multicellular organisms is controlled by the interplay of several signaling pathways that cross-talk to provide positional information and induce cell fate specification. Together with other families of secreted factors such as TGFss, FGFs, Hedgehog and Notch proteins, Wnt growth factors are crucially implicated in these processes. Here, we will first discuss molecular mechanisms and then consider some biological consequences of Wnt signaling
FRIEDEL OSCILLATIONS IN THE FORCE CONSTANTS OF METALS

Analytic expressions are derived for the long-range falloff of the force constants of nearly-free-electron metals. Comparison with exact results shows that Friedel oscillations dominate the force constants of fcc Al beyond the fourth-neighbor shell. Applications suggested include improving embedding theories of defect-related strain, improving methods for determining force constants empirically, and realistically assessing Friedel oscillation contributions to interadsorbate and interstep interactions at surfaces. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Developing a sustained interest in science among urban minority youth

This study draws upon qualitative case study to investigate the connections between the “funds of knowledge” that urban, high-poverty students bring to science learning and the development of a sustained interest in science. We found that youth developed a sustained interest in science when: (1) their science experiences connected with how they envision their own futures; (2) learning environments supported the kinds of social relationships students valued; and (3) science activities supported students' sense of agency for enacting their views on the purpose of science. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 466–489, 2007
Safety of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty as outpatient surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the admission rate and characterize the complications in uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) patients scheduled to have outpatient surgery.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective ...
Endothelin-1 attenuates the hemodynamic response to exogenous epinephrine in a porcine ischemic ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest model.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) increases in the ischemically induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) swine model of cardiac arrest and affects outcome by potentially attenuating the hemodynamic response to epinephrine. Fifty-one swine underwent percutaneous left anterior descending occlusion. Seven minutes postonset of ischemic VF, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated. If VF persisted after 3 shocks, 1 mg of epinephrine was given. ET-1 (collected at baseline and every 5 min until VF onset) was assayed with ELISA. Bayesian multivariate logistic regression analysis compared peak ET-1 levels with the binary outcome of a positive coronary perfusion pressure response of >20 mmHg following epinephrine. Sixteen animals (31%) failed to achieve a positive response. Restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was observed in 1/16 (6.3%) of epinephrine nonresponders and 20/35 (57.1%) of epinephrine responders (P=0.0006). The median peak ET-1 level was 2.71 pg/mL [interquartile range (IQR) 1.06–4.40] in nonresponde...
The Real World Sleep, Risk, and Culture

In September 1999 Ann Brown, chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), called a press conference to announce new findings on the dangers of infants sleeping with parents. From a sample of 515 infant deaths occurring in adult beds, the agency concluded that 121 died as a result of overlying by a parent or sibling, and 394 as a result of entrapment in the bed. The CPSC's recommendation was unequivocal. Said Commissioner Brown: "Don't sleep with your baby or put the baby down to sleep in an adult bed…. The only safe place for babies to sleep is a crib that meets current safety standards and has a tight-fitting-mattress" (Chicago Tribune, October 17, 1999).
The relations among critical ratios, critical bands, and intensity difference limens in man.

Band‐narrowing estimates of the critical bandwidth (CB) are consistently larger than critical‐ratio (CR) estimates for the same signal frequency. Bilger [in Hearing and Davis: Essays Honoring Hallowell Davis, edited by S. K. Hirsh et al. (Washington U. P., St. Louis, 1976), p. 191] proposed that this difference could be accounted for by reference to intensity‐discrimination performance [CR(Hz)/CB(Hz)=ΔI/I]. To test this hypothesis, band‐narrowing, critical‐ratio, and intensity‐discrimination data were collected for four normally hearing, well‐trained listeners. Signal frequency was 2000 Hz and two noise levels were used: 20 and 50 dB N0. The relations proposed by Bilger among critical‐bandwidth estimates from band‐narrowing experiments, critical‐ratio estimates from pure‐tone detection in wideband noise, and intensity discrimination for a critical‐band‐wide noise in wideband noise are not supported by the results of individual listeners, or results averaged across listeners.
A geospatial model of ambient sound pressure levels in the contiguous United States.

There has been much effort in the US and worldwide to measure, understand and manage natural soundscapes which are often complex due to a multitude of biological, geophysical, and anthropogenic influences. The sound pressure level is a time and space varying quantity that represents the aggregate of present sources. This work presents a predictive model relating seasonal sound pressure levels to geospatial features such as topography, climate, hydrology and anthropogenic activity. The model utilizes random forest, a tree based machine learning algorithm, which does not explicitly incorporate any apriori knowledge of acoustic propagation mechanics. The response data encompasses 271,979 hours of acoustical measurements from 192 unique sites located in National Parks across the contiguous United States. Cross validation procedures were used to evaluate model performance and identify GIS explanatory variables with predictive power. Using the model, the effect of individual explanatory variables on sound pressure level can be isolated and quantified revealing trends across environmental gradients. An example application of projecting predicted sound pressure levels across the Olympic peninsula is discussed. Because many wildlife habitats, geological processes, and anthropogenic impacts occur on a regional scale, the extent of acoustical analyses must be on similar scales.
Two-Dimensional Echocardiographic Recognition of Papillary Muscle Fibrosis in Pediatric Patients

Two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations were performed in seven infants with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCA), in one infant with myocardial infarction and left main coronary obstruction, and in eight with critical valvar aortic stenosis (AS). Comparative qualitative echo density assessment demonstrated that each infant had a marked increase in the echo density of one or both left ventricular papillary muscles. This increased echo density was considered to represent fibrosis and scar formation as a result of ischemia and infarction. Pathologic proof of excessive fibrosis of the papillary muscles was obtained in three cases. In an additional case, calcification of the papillary muscle was noted on fluoroscopic examination. The echocardiographic appearance of papillary muscle fibrosis provides a useful indicator of severe subendocardial ischemia in patients with either critical AS or ALCA.
A STUDY OF UNDERGROUND CLAY MINING1

The conditions in underground clay mining as noted during a survey of the heavy clay industries of Ohio are discussed. The need for greater study of the subject is stressed, especially the haulage, drainage, timbering, panel development, and pillar drawing phases. The solution suggested is a mine as carefully planned and operated as the manufacturing plant in order to increase the percentage of recovery and reduce the cost per ton.
Expression of carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) promoter-reporter fusion genes in multiple tissues of transgenic mice does not replicate normal patterns of expression indicating complexity of CA II regulation in vivo

Although the proximal, 5′ 115 bp of the human carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) gene was sufficient for expression of a reporter gene in some transfected cell lines, we found previously that 1100 bp of this promoter (or 500 bp of the mouse CA II promoter) was not sufficient for expression in transgenic mice. We have now studied the expression of linked reporter genes in mice transgenic for either (1) 11 kb of the human 5′ promoter or (2) 8 kb of the human 5′ promoter with mouse sequences from the first exon, part of the first intron (since a CpG island spans this region), and the 3′ sequences of the gene. Expression was found in both cases, but the tissue specificity was not appropriate for CA II. Although there was a difference in the sensitivity of the assays used, the first construct led to expression in many tissues, while the second construct was expressed only in spleen. These findings indicate considerable complexity of DNA control regions for in vivo CA II expression.
Some observations on egg-yolk color.

Abstract DURING the last 10 years there has been a marked growth in the interest shown by poultrymen in factors affecting quality in eggs. It would be rather difficult to say, without making an exhaustive review of the literature, just when interest in this subject began to grow. However, nearly a quarter of a century ago Pearl and Surface (1914) called attention to the economic importance of quality in eggs. One of the most easily controlled factors that affects the commercial quality of eggs is yolk color. In Europe the more deeply colored yolks are preferred; but in this country a preference for the lighter colored yolks, especially in table eggs, has been in evidence for about 20 years. This preference for light colored yolks, however, is not universal and in the baking industry there is a definite demand for the more deeply colored yolks. Stewart and Atwood (1903) and Dryden . . .
Burst error statistics of simulated Viterbi decoded BPSK on fading and scintillating channels

The author presents and analyzes burst error statistics of a soft-decision Viterbi decoder when the transmitted signal is encoded with the 313 (3, 1/2) or 31123 (5, 1/2) convolutional codes, modulated via coherent binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) for the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, and subjected to slow and nonselective scintillation/fading modeled by the Nakagami-m distribution. These statistics were generated by Monte-Carlo simulations, and presented in terms of burst error length average and quantile (90 and 99%) statistics versus SNR (E/sub b//N/sub 0/) parameterized by the fading intensity parameter m. The results indicate how Viterbi decoder burst error statistics vary with the fading/scintillation intensity m for Nakagami-m channels, and, consequently, provide information important to the design of interleaved or noninterleaved concatenated coding schemes for such channel environments. >
Automated MRI segmentation for individualized modeling of current flow in the human head.

Objective. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and high-density electroencephalography require accurate models of current flow for precise targeting and current source reconstruction. At a minimum, such modeling must capture the idiosyncratic anatomy of the brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and skull for each individual subject. Currently, the process to build such high-resolution individualized models from structural magnetic resonance images requires labor-intensive manual segmentation, even when utilizing available automated segmentation tools. Also, accurate placement of many high-density electrodes on an individual scalp is a tedious procedure. The goal was to develop fully automated techniques to reduce the manual effort in such a modeling process. Approach. A fully automated segmentation technique based on Statical Parametric Mapping 8, including an improved tissue probability map and an automated correction routine for segmentation errors, was developed, along with an automated electrode placement tool for high-density arrays. The performance of these automated routines was evaluated against results from manual segmentation on four healthy subjects and seven stroke patients. The criteria include segmentation accuracy, the difference of current flow distributions in resulting HD-tDCS models and the optimized current flow intensities on cortical targets.Main results. The segmentation tool can segment out not just the brain but also provide accurate results for CSF, skull and other soft tissues with a field of view extending to the neck. Compared to manual results, automated segmentation deviates by only 7% and 18% for normal and stroke subjects, respectively. The predicted electric fields in the brain deviate by 12% and 29% respectively, which is well within the variability observed for various modeling choices. Finally, optimized current flow intensities on cortical targets do not differ significantly.Significance. Fully automated individualized modeling may now be feasible for large-sample EEG research studies and tDCS clinical trials.
Interface considerations for MATE mobile testers

The military specification for the weight of mobile testers places limitations of 35 and 84 lbs. for one- and two-person carry capabilities, respectively. The present weight of a fully MATE-compliant single-tier interface connector assembly (ICA) is greater than 100 lbs. In addition to this excessive weight, the MATE patch panel is a dedicated interface, limiting the signal capabilities of the ICA. This excessive interface size and weight, together with the inefficient and inadequate signal routing, eliminates a fully MATE-compliant ICA design from consideration for use on a MATE mobile tester. It is, however, still possible to design a mobile tester interface which will take advantage of the attributes of the MATE ICA, while at the same time reducing the weight and miniaturizing the interface. Such an interface is described, along with design considerations and how they apply to MATE. >
Management of advanced regeneration in secondary forests of the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract Gap formation is a critical process for plant establishment that may be absent or infrequent in second-growth forests, negatively influencing their ability to become diverse mature forest. I simulated treefall gaps within a 10-year-old secondary forest established on a clear-cut area, because cut areas may have a greater potential for economic exploitation than areas used for pastures and shifting cultivation. I explored the effects of varying degrees of canopy opening on the growth of plants already established as advanced regeneration. Five intensities of canopy opening were created: total removal (100%), 80–90%, 50–60%, 20–30% and a 0% control. Only trees >5 cm DBH were cut. The established plant community was diverse, and comprised 37 families and 126 species and morpho-species, of which 72% had some use reported in the literature. I found that the canopy opening treatments resulted in very little disturbance to the established seedling and sapling community, with no significant increase in mortality, but had a strong positive effect on their growth. Light levels reaching the understory were increased from 1% of incident photosynthetic active radiation in control plots to 35% in 100% canopy opening plots. During the first year, differences in plant growth were not significant, but by the second year, differential plant growth associated with canopy opening became evident. Most seedlings (51%) grew approximately 25 cm in height, and approximately one quarter grew more than 25 cm. Only 2.6% of the seedlings decreased in height, and 12% did not grow at all. Fifty percent canopy removal resulted in an almost threefold increase in plant height compared to control plots (0.52 ± 0.4 m and 0.20 ± 0.2 m, respectively), and was not significantly different from 80 or 100% removal. This indicates that intermediate levels of canopy removal had positive effects and total removal was unnecessary to stimulate the best growth responses. I conclude that regeneration of diverse mature forest can be accelerated under some conditions by partial removal of secondary forest canopy.
Localization of Potassium in Al2O3

The accommodation of small amounts of intentionally added potassium in sintered and hot–pressed polycrystalline α-alumina was studied. In sintered specimens, potassium was pushed out by, and accumulated along, the grain boundaries enclosing abnormally large α-alumina grains. Potassium was also localized in hot-pressed specimens and formed large (up to 1-mm diameter), randomly dispersed precipitates of polycrystalline potassium β-alumina. Each precipitate was enclosed within a thin shell (0.5– to 1.5-mm radius) of potassium–rich material. The experimental observations of this precipitation are compared to the formation of Liesegang rings.
Differential gene expression during compensatory sprouting of dendrites in the auditory system of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

Neurons that lose their pre-synaptic partners due to injury usually retract or die. However, when the auditory interneurons of the cricket are denervated, dendrites respond by growing across the midline and forming novel synapses with the opposite auditory afferents. Suppression subtractive hybridization was used to detect transcriptional changes three days after denervation. This is a stage at which we demonstrate robust compensatory dendritic sprouting. While 49 unique candidates were downregulated, no sufficiently upregulated candidates were identified at this time point. Several candidates identified in this study are known to influence the translation and degradation of proteins in other systems. The potential role of these factors in the compensatory sprouting of cricket auditory interneurons in response to denervation is discussed.
Designing robust products using a combination of simulation, experimental and statistical techniques

Probabilistic simulation methodology combines the simulation, experimental and statistical techniques in solving real life problems. In this paper the probabilistic design methodology is illustrated on a particular failure mode that was observed while testing a cell phone in an accelerated life test (ALT) environment. The failure mode encountered was the screw pull out during prototype testing a finite element model (FEM, FEA) was developed and used to predict the tensile force in the screw. The distribution of the stress (tensile force) was estimated using statistical methods such as DOE and response surface models (RSM) as a function of drop angle and friction that were the input parameters used in FEA model. Distributions of strength and drop angle were experimentally determined. Using the distribution of the drop angle and the RSM prediction equation from FEA model, the p.d.f. of the force distribution at the test condition was empirically determined. For known strength distribution but unknown stress distribution there is no analytical solution to calculate failure probability. Therefore, failure probability was calculated by using Monte-Carlo simulations, in which the probability of stress (force) larger than strength was estimated. The failure probability estimates from Monte Carlo Simulation were compared with the drop test results from actual ALT testing and were found to be in very good agreement. An alternative design was proposed and using the Monte-Carlo simulation probability of failure was estimated without doing any retooling, and prototype testing. With the new design it was predicted and later verified that this failure mode was eliminated in the ALT test environment. In conclusion, a practical methodology has been developed that integrates the FEA with statistical methods to predict up front, the reliability of the product. Application of this methodology at an early phase in the design process has the potential for reducing developmental cycle times and improving product reliability.
Physical activity patterns in children with and without Down syndrome

SummaryPURPOSE: To describe physical activity (PA) patterns in children with Down syndrome (DS) compared to their unaffected siblings. METHODS: Children with DS (n = 28) and their siblings (n = 30), between 3-10-years (mean +/- SD 7.1 +/- 2.1 years) participated in a nutrition and growth study. PA was measured over 7 days using accelerometers. RESULTS: Children with DS were younger (6.6 vs. 7.1 years) and heavier (BMI 18.4 vs. 16.7 kg m(-2)) than their siblings (p < 0.05). Overall, participants accumulated 2.5 hours per day in moderate- (MPA) and 59 min per day in vigorous-intensity activity (VPA), consistent with the current PA recommendations for children. Children with DS accumulated less VPA than their siblings (49.5 vs. 68.6 minutes per day; p = 0.04) and for shorter bouts (2.5 vs. 5.1 minutes per bout; p < 0.01), but spent similar time in MPA and low-intensity PA. Analyses adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, income, maternal education and BMI showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Children with DS...
Issues confronting vacuum system design for e + e - storage rings

The challenges that face vacuum system design for high-intensity synchrotron light sources and for high luminosity e/sup +/e/sup -/ colliders are explored. Many of these challenges are common to the two types of storage rings. Constraints on beam-gas-induced detector backgrounds produced in the interaction region (IR) influence not just the vacuum system but the optics and the geometry of the IR. Experience gained by several groups is discussed, and some of the solutions used in synchrotron light sources are presented. >
Effects of Emulsion Composition on Pulmonary Tobramycin Delivery during Antibacterial Perfluorocarbon Ventilation

Abstract Background: The effectiveness of inhaled aerosolized antibiotics is limited by poor ventilation of infected airways. Pulmonary delivery of antibiotics emulsified within liquid perfluorocarbon [antibacterial perfluorocarbon ventilation (APV)] may solve this problem through better airway penetration and improved spatial uniformity. However, little work has been done to explore emulsion formulation and the corresponding effects on drug delivery during APV. This study investigated the effects of emulsion formulation on emulsion stability and the pharmacokinetics of antibiotic delivery via APV. Methods: Gravity-driven phase separation was examined in vitro by measuring emulsion tobramycin concentrations at varying heights within a column of emulsion over 4 hours for varying values of fluorosurfactant concentration (Cfs = 5–48 mg/mL H2O). Serum and pulmonary tobramycin concentrations in rats were then evaluated following pulmonary tobramycin delivery via aerosol or APV utilizing sufficiently stable emu...
Of Passions and Positive Spontaneous Thoughts

Despite the abundance of research on negative intrusive thoughts, far less is known about their positive counterparts. In two studies, we explored how positive spontaneous thoughts are related to people’s favorite activities (i.e., their passions, Vallerand et al. in J Pers Soc Psychol 85(4):756–767. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.85.4.756 , 2003), and how passions and associated thoughts contribute to mental health. In Study 1, 170 participants reported on the valence and frequency of the spontaneous thoughts they tend to have about several activities. Harmonious and obsessive passion both predicted more frequent spontaneous thoughts, but only harmonious passion predicted thought positivity. In Study 2, 232 participants completed measures pertaining to physical activity, spontaneous thoughts, and mental health. As predicted, positivity of spontaneous thoughts about physical activity predicted frequency of physical activity. Further, positivity of spontaneous thoughts about physical activity mediated the relationship between harmonious passion and indices of mental well-being.
Characterizations of Certain Discrete Distributions

In the present note we give characterizations of the generalized Poisson, negative binomial and generalized Polya-Eggenburger distributions by applying a theorem due to Patil and Seshadri [11] in the form given by Menon [10]. We also provide a characterization of quasi-Polya distribution (Janardan [5]).
Maintenance of pregnancy in hypophysectomized rats with placental implants.

SummaryPregnancy has been maintained in rats hypophysectomized on day 6 of their first pregnancy and injected daily subcutaneously for 6 days with placentae from rats, 12 days pregnant. Five placentae or approximately 275 mg daily accomplished this in the majority of the test rats. One 12-day placenta plus 0.5 μg of estrone proved equally efficacious. Pregnancy was not maintained by similar treatment if the rats were also oophorectomized.
The red blood cell: an essential component of the toxicity of strangulation intestinal obstruction.

SummaryThe production in the laboratory of a fluid which simulates the “toxic” or lethal fluid of strangulating intestinal obstruction has been accomplished. This fluid requires a hemoglobin concen...
An Analysis of the Application Prospects of Agricultural Economics

The end of the shortage of agricultural products and double-fold marketing difficulties are the causes of the transformation of agricultural economic analysis from the single analysis solely focused on production,or the analysis of function F,to the synthetic analysis combining production and demand;consequently,function G is theoretically developed.The evolution from function F to function G is an indication of the progress of the relevant theories in agricultural economics and the practical experiences of agricultural economy in the context of the double-fold marketing difficulties.
The Art of (Re)Building Sustainable Educational Opportunity and Equity in New Orleans Public Schools

Well before the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina and its flooding, concentrated poverty in New Orleans was eroding and undermining the economic, social and educational infrastructure of the city and its neighborhood schools. These neighborhoods did not appear by accident.
The TESS camera: modeling and measurements with deep depletion devices

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, a NASA Explorer-class mission in development, will discover planets around nearby stars, most notably Earth-like planets with potential for follow up characterization. The all-sky survey requires a suite of four wide field-of-view cameras with sensitivity across a broad spectrum. Deep depletion CCDs with a silicon layer of 100 μm thickness serve as the camera detectors, providing enhanced performance in the red wavelengths for sensitivity to cooler stars. The performance of the camera is critical for the mission objectives, with both the optical system and the CCD detectors contributing to the realized image quality. Expectations for image quality are studied using a combination of optical ray tracing in Zemax and simulations in Matlab to account for the interaction of the incoming photons with the 100 μm silicon layer. The simulations include a probabilistic model to determine the depth of travel in the silicon before the photons are converted to photo-electrons, and a Monte Carlo approach to charge diffusion. The charge diffusion model varies with the remaining depth for the photo-electron to traverse and the strength of the intermediate electric field. The simulations are compared with laboratory measurements acquired by an engineering unit camera with the TESS optical design and deep depletion CCDs. In this paper we describe the performance simulations and the corresponding measurements taken with the engineering unit camera, and discuss where the models agree well in predicted trends and where there are differences compared to observations.
Neuroimaging of Brain Tumors in Animal Models of Central Nervous System Cancer

Abstract Imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission tomography, optical imaging, and others can be applied to investigations of animal models of cancer of the central nervous system (CNS) to gain critical insights into disease status in a noninvasive fashion. Scaled-down versions of clinical neuroimaging systems offer animal research investigators the full arsenal of diagnostic imaging capabilities that are available in the clinic as well as the capabilities of experimental imaging modalities that are not yet approved for human applications. The use of noninvasive imaging technologies in animal research enables study designs that track disease status in individual animals over time; these longitudinal data complement traditional histological endpoint analyses and often reduce the number of animals required to make precision observations. This chapter briefly discusses some current applications of neuroimaging techniques to animal investigations of CNS cancer with the goal of arming the reader with examples of how these imaging technologies may be leveraged in research activities. The growing use of neuroimaging in preclinical animal research not only encourages the translation of data acquired from preclinical studies to observations made in the clinic, but also validates important advances in diagnostic imaging science.
Learning Bayesian networks with discrete variables from data

This paper describes a new greedy Bayesian search algorithm (GBPS) and a new "combined" algorithm PC+GBPS for learning Bayesian networks. Simulation tests of these algorithms with previously published algorithms are presented.
Predatory journals and the breakdown of research cultures

Like human cultures, research cultures are passed down from one generation of scholars to the next. The advent of predatory journals and conferences is damaging existing research cultures. Predator...
Thermal expansion and dynamic mechanical analysis of epoxy matrix–borosilicate glass hollow particle syntactic foams:

Syntactic foams are commonly fabricated with sodalime–borosilicate glass hollow microsphere fillers, which are susceptible to degradation after long-term or high temperature moisture exposure. In c...
Towards a 3D Virtual Programming Language to increase the number of women in computer science education

We propose a 3D Virtual Programming Language to provide an interactive tool for beginners and intermediate students. We believe that the direction of our research will help increase the recruitment and retention of women in CS. We developed an initial prototype and surveyed students to determine the figures that work best. Our results show that it is hard for CS students to provide clear 3D representations for programming concepts in some instances yet we were able to derive some common figures.
What Constitutes Poor Teaching? A Preliminary Inquiry Into the Misbehaviors of Not-So-Good Instructors:

Across three phases, we investigated college students’ perceptions of poor college teaching to develop a typology of poor teaching behaviors. In Phase 1, students generated a list of qualities repr...