cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catecholaminergic-serotonergic balance in the CNS and reproductive cycling in aging rats.

Abstract Treatment with the serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor zimelidine, 20 mg/kg/24 hr, SC, for 14 days increased the duration of vaginal cycles in 3 month-old Long Evans hooded rats. It induced persistent vaginal estrus in 12 of 16 ten-month-old animals, and blocked reinitiation of vaginal cycles by L-dopa in 10 of 10 twenty-month-old rats. A single injection of zimelidine at 1400 hr did not alter the vaginal smear pattern of young or middle-aged cycling females or old constant estrus females. Also, a single dose of zimelidine at 1400 hr on the day of vaginal proestrus had no effect on serum LH values in young females. The serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, 4 μg, injected into the ventral and dorsal raphe areas (after desipramine, 25 mg/kg IP) reinitiated vaginal cycling in 8 of 13 twenty-month-old rats. These results suggest that (1) age-dependent changes in serotonin metabolism may contribute to the age-dependent changes in luteinizing hormone secretion which eventually lead to the cessation of ovarian function in the rat and (2) that alterations in serotonin function are an important component of the mechanism by which treatments with catecholamine precursors reinstate ovarian function in the old female rat.
Col3.6-HSD2 transgenic mice: A glucocorticoid loss-of-function model spanning early and late osteoblast differentiation

The goal of this study was to characterize the bone phenotype and molecular alterations in Col3.6-HSD2 mice in which a 3.6-kb Col1a1 promoter fragment drives 11beta-HSD2 expression broadly in the osteoblast lineage to reduce glucocorticoid signaling. Serum corticosterone was unchanged in transgenic females excluding a systemic effect of the transgene. Adult transgenic mice showed reduced vertebral trabecular bone volume and reduced femoral and tibial sub-periosteal and sub-endosteal areas as assessed by microCT. In adult female transgenic mice, histomorphometry showed that vertebral bone mass and trabecular number were reduced but that osteoblast and osteoclast numbers and the mineral apposition and bone formation rates were not changed, suggesting a possible developmental defect in the formation of trabeculae. In a small sample of male mice, osteoblast number and percent osteoid surface were increased but the mineral apposition bone formation rates were not changed, indicating subtle sex-specific phenotypic differences in Col3.6-HSD2 bone. Serum from transgenic mice had decreased levels of the C-terminal telopeptide of alpha1(I) collagen but increased levels of osteocalcin. Transgenic calvarial osteoblast and bone marrow stromal cultures showed decreased alkaline phosphatase and mineral staining, reduced levels of Col1a1, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin mRNA expression, and decreased cell growth and proliferation. Transgenic bone marrow cultures treated with RANKL and M-CSF showed greater osteoclast formation; however, osteoclast activity as assessed by resorption of a calcium phosphate substrate was decreased in transgenic cultures. Gene profiling of cultured calvarial osteoblasts enriched in the Col3.6-HSD2 transgene showed modest but significant changes in gene expression, particularly in cell cycle and integrin genes. In summary, Col3.6-HSD2 mice showed a low bone mass phenotype, with decreased ex vivo osteogenesis. These data further strengthen the concept that endogenous glucocorticoid signaling is required for optimal bone mass acquisition and highlight the complexities of glucocorticoid signaling in bone cell lineages.
The importance of material-processing interactions in inducing false memories

Deep encoding, relative to shallow encoding, has been shown to increase the probability of false memories in the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm (Thapar & McDermott, 2001; Toglia, Neuschatz, & Goodwin, 1999). In two experiments, we showed important limitations on the generalizability of this phenomenon; these limitations are clearly predicted by existing theories regarding the mechanisms underlying such false memories (e.g., Roediger, Watson, McDermott, & Gallo, 2001). Specifically, asking subjects to attend to phonological relations among lists of phonologically associated words (e.g., weep, steep, etc.) increased the likelihood of false recall (Experiment 1) and false recognition (Experiment 2) of a related, nonpresented associate (e.g., sleep), relative to a condition in which subjects attended to meaningful relations among the words. These findings occurred along with a replication of prior findings (i.e., a semantic encoding task, relative to a phonological encoding task, enhanced the likelihood of false memory arising from a list of semantically associated words), and they place important constraints on theoretical explanations of false memory.
A homogeneous population of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells is incapable of killing virus, bacteria-, or parasite-infected macrophages

Previous reports have suggested a role for natural killer (NK) cells in directly lysing host cells infected with bacteria and other intracellular microorganisms. Here, we determined the inability of a highly homogeneous population of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells to kill macrophages infected with the following intracellular parasites: Mycobacterium avium, Listeria monocytogenes, Legionella pneumophila, Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypanosoma cruzi. In parallel cytotoxicity assays, LAK cells lysed the tumor targets YAC-1 and P815 effectively. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate that influenza-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), but not LAK cells, were efficient killers of influenza virus-infected macrophages.
Hypercoagulability in otologic patients.

Introduction: Three patients with otologic disorders developed complications related to hypercoagulability. This report was prepared to increase the awareness among otolaryngologists of the diagnosis and management of hypercoagulable states, and to encourage expert consultation when indicated. Materials and Methods: One patient with dural venous sinus thrombosis complicating an otitis media, one patient with a large glomus jugulare tumor, and one patient with a sudden sensorineural hearing loss were treated by the otolaryngology service. Suspicious thromboembolic events were evaluated by the hematology service, and appropriate anticoagulative therapy was recommended. Results: One patient with an inherited hypercoagulopathy and two patients with acquired hypercoagulopathies were treated for otologic problems. Two of the patients were stabilized and discharged on life-long anticoagulation therapy. The third patient, in spite of intensive medical and surgical support, eventually succumbed to complications to which an acquired hypercoagulable state made a significant contribution. Expert consultants made the hematologic diagnoses and treatment recommendations. Conclusion: Otolaryngologists should be aware that hypercoagulable states may now be more accurately diagnosed and characterized, and that thorough investigation of thromboembolic events may affect treatment decisions.
Comment on: Origin of the superconductivity in the Y-Sr-Ru-O and Y-Sr-Cu-O systems

Galstyan et al. [Phys. Rev. B 76, 014501 (2007)] asserted that superconductivity reported for ${\text{Sr}}_{2}{\text{YRu}}_{1\text{\ensuremath{-}}u}{\text{Cu}}_{u}{\text{O}}_{6}$ is due to inclusions of ${\text{YSr}}_{2}{\text{Cu}}_{3}{\text{O}}_{7}$. We have synthesized samples of this magnetic material ($u=0.10$) which exhibit diamagnetism exceeding that possible even if all of the available dopant Cu were present in ${\text{YSr}}_{2}{\text{Cu}}_{3}{\text{O}}_{7}$. Our materials were studied with neutron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and SQUID magnetometry. We found no evidence for inclusions of ${\text{YSr}}_{2}{\text{Cu}}_{3}{\text{O}}_{7}$. Despite their claim, this is in agreement with a primary finding of Galstyan et al. that granular ${\text{YSr}}_{2}{\text{Cu}}_{3}{\text{O}}_{7}$ is present only in material doped with Cu at 250% of the known Cu solubility limit. The lack of superconductivity at low Cu doping in their material is likely due to their failure to follow published synthesis procedures. It is concluded that the findings of Galstyan et al. actually support our contention that properly synthesized ${\text{Sr}}_{2}{\text{YRu}}_{1\text{\ensuremath{-}}u}{\text{Cu}}_{u}{\text{O}}_{6}$ is a single phase material which exhibits high temperature superconductivity.
Norepinephrine and isoproterenol increase the phosphorylation of synapsin I and synapsin II in dentate slices of young but not aged Fisher 344 rats.

Abstract A number of recent reports have suggested that norepinephrine (NE) produces a form of synaptic enhancement that resembles long-term potentiation (LTP). LTP, thought to be an electrophysiological correlate of memory, in part involves an augmentation of transmitter release. Although the effects of NE have not been unequivocally linked to LTP, it is clear that NE can produce increased transmitter release in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether NE was capable of enhancing the phosphorylation of synapsin I and synapsin II, two homologous phosphoproteins thought to be involved in modulation of neurotransmitter release. NE (10 microM) and isoproterenol (250 nM) produced an increase in the phosphorylation of synapsin I and synapsin II in dentate slices from young rats. Phosphorylation site analysis of synapsin I, performed by limited proteolysis, indicated that NE and isoproterenol increased the phosphorylation of synapsin I at sites modified by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II as well as cAMP-dependent protein kinase. These data demonstrate that NE stimulates the phosphorylation of synapsin I at its Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II site, which is a site that has been shown to regulate the effect of synapsin I on neurotransmitter release. We have also examined the effects of NE and isoproterenol on synapsin phosphorylation in dentate slices prepared from aged animals. Such animals have previously been shown to exhibit deficits in NE sensitivity as well as significant impairment in their ability to exhibit LTP. Neither NE nor isoproterenol stimulated synapsin phosphorylation in slices prepared from aged animals. Interestingly, the basal level of phosphorylation of the synapsin proteins was higher in slices prepared from aged animals. This higher basal level of phosphorylation may underlie the failure of aged animals to exhibit NE-stimulated increases in phosphorylation of the synapsin proteins. We hypothesize that the beta-adrenergic agonist-stimulated phosphorylation of synapsin I and synapsin II in young rats plays a role in the increase in transmitter release produced by NE in the dentate. Thus, the failure of the aged rats to show such phosphorylation may underlie, in part, their failure to exhibit normal responsiveness to NE. Moreover, these deficits in synapsin phosphorylation may also play some role in the deficits in plasticity seen in aged rats.
Propeptide does not act as an intramolecular chaperone but facilitates protein disulfide isomerase-assisted folding of a conotoxin precursor

Conotoxins comprise a large and diverse group of peptide neurotoxins derived from Conus snail venoms; most contain multiple disulfide bonds. The conotoxin precursors consist of three distinct domains: the N-terminal signal sequence, an intervening propeptide region, and the C-terminal mature conotoxin. Formation of the native disulfide bonds during the oxidative folding of conotoxins is a prerequisite for their proper biological function, but in numerous in vitro folding experiments with mature conotoxins, a lack of specificity in formation of the native Cys−Cys connectivities is observed. The mechanisms that ensure that the native disulfide bonds are formed in venom ducts during biosynthesis remain unknown. To evaluate whether the propeptide could potentially function as an intramolecular chaperone, we studied the oxidative folding of a conotoxin precursor, pro-GI, belonging to the α-conotoxin family. Our results indicate that the propeptide sequence did not directly contribute to folding kinetics and t...
Strontium and cesium extraction into hydrocarbons using alkyl cobalt dicarbollide and polyethylene glycols

The extraction of strontium and cesium ions from high ionic strength acid, base, and salt solutions into an organic extractant consisting of alkyl cobalt dicarbollide and polyethylene glycol (PEG) in diethylbenzene was investigated. Adding hexaethylene glycol or PEG-400 improved the strontium extraction ≥100-fold, while cesium extraction was decreased at high PEG concentrations. The extractions are rapid and selective, even in the presence of molar concentrations of sodium ion, suggesting that alkyl cobalt dicarbollide extractants are useful for the treatment of alkaline nuclear wastes. A method for the synthesis of tetra-n-hexyl(cobalt dicarbollide) is described.
Kinetics of deoxidation of liquid copper by graphite particles during submerged injection

Liquid copper can be deoxidized by submerged injection of inert gas in the presence of graphite particles. This paper describes the results of experiments in which approximately 20 kg copper melts were deoxidized by injection of N2, CO2, and air in the presence of low sulfur graphite particles. The apparent kinetics of the deoxidation process are first order with respect to the concentration of dissolved oxygen, and the concentration of oxygen in the melt could be reduced to less than 10 ppm by weight after less than 30 minutes of injection. The kinetics are consistent with mixed rate control with both mass transfer and chemical reaction rate affecting the rate of deoxidation. In these experiments, the rate of deoxidation under a graphite covering was slower when particles were injected with the gas stream than when gas was injected alone, although this result may have been influenced by the small size of the melt.
Initial community and environment determine the response of bacterial communities to dispersant and oil contamination

Bioremediation of seawater by natural bacterial communities is one potential response to coastal oil spills, but the success of the approach may vary, depending on geographical location, oil composition and the timing of spill. The short term response of coastal bacteria to dispersant, oil and dispersed oil was characterized using 16S rRNA gene tags in two mesocosm experiments conducted two months apart. Despite differences in the amount of oil-derived alkanes across the treatments and experiments, increases in the contributions of hydrocarbon degrading taxa and decreases in common estuarine bacteria were observed in response to dispersant and/or oil. Between the two experiments, the direction and rates of changes in particulate alkane concentrations differed, as did the magnitude of the bacterial response to oil and/or dispersant. Together, our data underscore large variability in bacterial responses to hydrocarbon pollutants, implying that bioremediation success varies with starting biological and environmental conditions.
Tracer-Placement Techniques for Improved Radioactive-Tracer Logging

The accuracy of a radioactive-tracer log depends on the tracer rapidly mixing with the wellbore fluid and traveling with the same velocity as the wellbore fluid. In addition, log quality depends on the ability to measure the tracer transit time from the gamma ray detector responses accurately; the tracer must maintain a sharp peak, or sharp leading edge, for reliable transit-time measurement. The authors conducted experiments in a model wellbore to determine the factors affecting tracer slug distribution and the responses at tracer detectors resulting from these factors. Tracer-placement parameters studied included tracer shot velocity, shot duration, wellbore flow rate, and tracer viscosity. When wellbore flow was laminar, the tracer dispersion could be predicted with a theoretical model and the experimental results compared well with the theory. As would be expected, optimal results were obtained when the bulk of the tracer was placed in the high-velocity, central region of the wellbore. In turbulent flow, a fairly low ejection rate and large shot size most consistently yielded sharp slugs that were maintained at both detectors.
White on White: Researcher Reflexivity and the Logics of Privilege in White Schools Undertaking Reform

I use this paper to reexamine my role as a White researcher on a multi-racial research team. I reanalyze data I collected during an evaluation project to reveal how I avoided seeing race in the schools I visited and how I dodged discussions of race with members of those school communities. By analyzing my own discursive practice, I introduce a series of logics enacted through a variety of strategies that I used to manage race talk. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: (1) an analysis of the strategies I used to sustain White privilege and (2) an examination of the logics of those strategies in order to understand the power they have in reproducing inequity. Only by understanding the self-perpetuating nature of White privilege will we be able to begin to dismantle it.
Factors associated with increased hospital utilization in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine whether controlling systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure, and heart rate in the outpatient setting is associated with decreased hospital utilization in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (PEF). DESIGN Retrospective medical record review. SETTING University-affiliated medical center and outpatient clinics. PATIENTS One hundred forty adults admitted between January 1, 2003, and October 31, 2005, for an exacerbation of heart failure with PEF and followed for 2 years after their index admission. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Outpatient SBP, pulse pressure, and heart rate, and the percentage of clinic visits for which patients had each vital sign at a certain level were used for correlations and comparisons. These vital signs and percentages of clinic visits were varied until maximum significant differences were observed in total hospital utilization for each parameter. These values were then analyzed for differences based on age, race-ethnicity, and sex. When comparing patients whose vital signs were in control for at least 80% of clinic visits versus those whose were in control for less than 80% of clinic visits, significantly lower hospital utilization was associated with clinic SBP less than 140 mm Hg (median hospital utilization 3 vs 5 visits, p=0.0252), pulse pressure less than 65 mm Hg (3 vs 5 visits, p=0.0113), and heart rate of 55-70 beats/minute (2 vs 4 visits, p=0.0311). Among the 140 patients, 78 (56%) were Caucasian, 48 (34%) were Hispanic, and 14 (10%) were African-American. The African-American patients were significantly younger (p=0.0218) and had significantly poorer SBP control ( /= 80% of clinic visits: 14.3% vs 43.8%, p=0.0446) and higher hospital utilization (> 4 visits: 78.6% vs 43.8%, p=0.0218) than the Hispanic patients, despite similar percentages of missed clinic appointments (25% for each group). CONCLUSION Controlling SBP at less than 140 mm Hg, pulse pressure at less than 65 mm Hg, and heart rate at 55-70 beats/minute for at least 80% of clinic visits were factors associated with decreased hospital utilization. African-American patients with heart failure and PEF were younger, had more poorly controlled SBP, and had higher hospital utilization despite similar percentage of missed clinic visits as their Hispanic counterparts.
The El Mozote Massacre: Anthropology and Human Rights: We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families: Stories from Rwanda

The El Mozote Massacre: Anthropology and Human Rights. Leigh Binford. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1996.263 pp. We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families: Stories from Rwanda. Philip Gourevitch. New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux. 1998. 384 pages.
PAT: a knowledge-based program analysis tool

The authors address the use of knowledge-based techniques in providing high-level support for program understanding and debugging activities. An intelligent program analysis/debugging tool, called PAT, is described which is expected to provide human-expert-level assistance to programmers in general program understanding and debugging tasks. PAT is characterized by its use of a knowledge base of coding and debugging heuristics represented as program plans. With the help of the encoded expert knowledge, this tool comprehends a given program without a separate specification from the programmer or an execution of the program. PAT then generates paraphrases about the intentions implied in the given code and diagnoses bugs that are commonly related to those intentions. >
The question of stimulus content and pupil size

Evidence indicated that dilation can be produced, even in the presence of increased luminance, provided the stimulus is sufficiently arousing or novel. The results from a second study failed to support the hypothesis that pupil size is systematically related to rated affect of visually presented words. Possible artifacts of measurement are discussed.
In situ metabolic profiling of single cells by laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Depending on age, phase in the cell cycle, nutrition, and environmental factors, individual cells exhibit large metabolic diversity. To explore metabolic variations in cell populations, laser ablat...
Advanced carbon aerogels for energy applications

Carbon aerogels are a unique class of high-surface-area materials derived by sol–gel chemistry. Their high mass-specific surface area and electrical conductivity, environmental compatibility and chemical inertness make them very promising materials for many energy related applications, specifically in view of recent developments in controlling their morphology. In this perspective we will review the synthesis of monolithic resorcinol–formaldehyde based carbon aerogels with hierarchical porosities for energy applications, including carbon nanotube and graphene composite carbon aerogels, as well as their functionalization by surface engineering. Applications that we will discuss include hydrogen and electrical energy storage, desalination and catalysis.
Computer Multiplication and Division Using Binary Logarithms

A method of computer multiplication and division is proposed which uses binary logarithms. The logarithm of a binary number may be determined approximately from the number itself by simple shifting and counting. A simple add or subtract and shift operation is all that is required to multiply or divide. Since the logarithms used are approximate there can be errors in the result. An error analysis is given and a means of reducing the error for the multiply operation is shown.
Shared reality: physical collaboration with a virtual peer

We describe a novel interface, in which a human and embodied conversational agent share a seamlessly integrated virtual and physical environment. This type of interface, in which objects are passed from the real to the virtual world, has potential applications in unsupervised learning, collaborative work, and entertainment. We introduce Sam, our first implementation of such an interface, which allows children to engage in natural storytelling play with real objects, in collaboration with a virtual playmate who shares access to those real objects.
Cyclic voltammetric studies for the electrochemical determination of palladium in high-level nuclear waste

Cyclic voltammetric studies of Pd(II)/Pd(0) electrode process were carried out on a Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE) in HCl for the development of an Anodic Stripping Voltammetric (ASV) method for the determination of palladium in High-Level Nuclear Waste (HLNW). Pd(II) reduces electrochemically to Pd(0) in a wide potential range, depending upon the concentration of HCl. No significant effect of concentration was observed on the oxidation of palladium, which more or less occurs at 500 mV. Effects of HCl concentration, potential scan range, scan rate and scan repetition were studied in detail. The oxidation of palladium in HCl medium was relatively more distinct than in nitric and sulphuric acids. Maximum anodic and cathodic peak currents of unequal heights were observed at 1.0 ×10–2 M concentration of HCl. An ASV method was developed successfully on the basis of these studies for the determination of palladium in HLNW.
Low-cost scan-based delay testing of latch-based circuits with time borrowing

Classical test approaches typically provide abysmally low path delay fault coverage for high-speed latch-based circuits where time borrowing may occur. Furthermore, none of the classical design-for-testability (DFT) approaches can be used to improve coverage. In [Chung, 2003] we proposed the first structural testing approach that can provide high robust path delay fault coverage for such circuits. However, that approach suffered from high DFT overheads since it required a fully-reconfigurable scan circuitry. In this paper we propose an approach that can provide even higher path delay fault coverage for such circuits using dramatically fewer scan configurations. The proposed test generation approach can also provide high path delay fault coverage under any given set of scan chain configurations. We demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach via extensive experiments.
Obesity, Psychiatric Status, and Psychiatric Medications

This article has shown that obesity is related to several psychiatric disorders, the most thoroughly researched of which is depression. In both community and clinical populations, the observed relationship is more consistent in women than in men, and is stronger in more severely obese individuals. The presence of BED also is associated with elevated risk of additional psychopathology. Longitudinal research provides evidence to support a pathway from obesity to depression, as well as one from depression to obesity. Weight loss, particularly with nonpharmacologic methods, appears to have favorable group-level effects on mood, but may be associated with adverse outcomes for some individuals. Persons who require antipsychotic medications are at risk for weight gain and metabolic abnormalities, and their management should be informed by consensus guidelines.
Thermal rearrangements of α-(ω-azidoalkyl) enones

The thermal rearrangement of α-(ω-azidoalkyl) enones has been investigated. A variety of these substrates were synthesized and subjected to thermal rearrangement to investigate the scope and generality of their transformation to bicyclic lactams.
Determinants of antepartum human immunodeficiency virus testing in a non-Medicaid obstetric population.

Objective: To determine voluntary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing rates and factors influencing testing in a private obstetric practice. Methods: Antepartum patients were offeredHIV testing after completing a self-assessment questionnaire. Perceived risks and demdgraphics were correlated with testing rates. Results: Overall, 348/600 (58%) women consented to HIV testing. In a univariate analysis, patients with "any" perceived risk(s) were more likely to be tested. Single women and those with an at-risk partner(s) or a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) were more likely to desire testing. These factors remained independently associated with voluntary testing in a multivariate regression model. No patients tested positive for HIV. Conclusions: In our private obstetric practice, 26% of women perceived themselves at risk for HIV infection, and testing rates depended on the various risks identified. A history ofSTDs or an at-risk sexual partner were stronger predictors of voluntary testing than was marital status. Focused HIV counseling among pregnant women at relatively low risk for infection may be possible.
Gene Therapy of the Peripheral Nervous System: The Enteric Nervous System

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex network of ganglia embedded in the walls of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The highly integrated enteric neural network can act independently of sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation to control all aspects of GI function. Due to the central role the ENS plays in GI physiology, the ability to manipulate genetic expression within the ENS is an invaluable tool for both research and clinical applications. Here, we describe a method for gene delivery to the ENS using direct injections of adeno-associated virus (AAV) into the gut wall. This method is able to achieve transgene expression in both neurons and glia located in discrete areas of the ENS.
In situ and enhanced coal-bed methane production from the Powder River Basin

The majority of the coal in the Powder River Basin (PRB) is located in formations too deep to be economically mined but microorganisms within some of these deep coal seams generate coal-bed methane (CBM) which can be harvested and utilized as an energy source. However, little is known about the in-situ microbial community, the environmental conditions conducive to CBM production, or the microbial community interactions that promote CBM production. Several sampling locations within the PRB were identified as methane-producing sites based on geochemical analysis of groundwater. A diffusive microbial sampler (DMS) was utilized for microbial sampling which was loaded with coal and only opened at the bottom of the wells where the coal seam was exposed. Pyrotag analysis of DMS coal identified the predominant in-situ bacterial and archaeal populations, providing insight into microbes generating CBM within the PRB. Changes in the composition and structure of microbial communities that occur under stimulated conditions were investigated by applying molecular methods in combination with cultivation techniques (with and without nutrient supplementation) to identify conditions which maximize methane production in batch, bench-scale incubations. Results from these studies indicated the addition of yeast extract resulted in an increase in methane production as well as a shift to a microbial population capable of acetate production / acetate utilization. Isolation methods targeting coal utilizing Bacteria and methanogenic Archaea were applied in addition to DNA based methods to infer microbial community members present within coalbeds. The acetoclastic methanogen Methanosarcina was isolated which is the only identified methanogen with the highefficiency acetate kinase (Ack) / phosphotransacetylase (Pta) methane production pathway. This pathway provides increased growth and methane production when acetate concentrations are high which can result from microbial stimulation with nutrients. Genomic analysis revealed Ack evolved through gene duplication and divergence of acetyl CoA synthetase within the methanogenic genome. This research resulted in an increased understanding of the contribution of acetoclastic methanogenesis to CBM production and novel insight into the evolution of the high-efficiency Ack/Pta pathway. 109 Lewis Hall Montana State University PO Box 173520 Bozeman, MT 59717 Tel: 406-994-2902 Fax: 406-994-4926 microbiology@montana.edu Microbiology and Immunology
From Fallopius to fantasy.

Knowledge of the female reproductive system in classical times is reviewed briefly. Current knowledge of tubal physiology is explained in greater detail. This knowledge which is relevant to the study of fertility and sterility includes sections dealing with: 1) sperm transport; 2) sperm capacitation; 3) fertilization; and 4) ovum and embryo transport. Since human data for some of these areas is lacking data obtained in the study of other species is used as a supplement. Although it is now believed that microsurgical plastic repair of the fallopian tubes is preferable to macrosurgery the author maintains that this has not been proven. Proof would involve studies in which the skill of the surgeon the degree of damage requiring repair and the method of assessing results were all held constant. The pregnancy rates following microsurgery as compared to those obtained with macrosurgery do not seem to justify the cost prolonged operating time and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy associated with microsurgical procedures.
Persistent Hypoglycemia in Patient with Hodgkin’s Disease

Hypoglycemia is a rare complication of Hodgkin's disease. Several explanations have been postulated but the exact pathophysiology is not well understood. We are presenting a case of newly diagnosed Stage IV Hodgkin's disease that developed persistent and recurrent hypoglycemia despite giving glucagon, repeated 50% dextrose, and D5 and D10 continuous infusion. Hypoglycemia workup showed the C-peptide level to be low. Patient was suspected of having hypoglycemia related to lymphoma and was given a trial of prednisone which resolved the hypoglycemic episodes and made the patient euglycemic for the rest of his hospital stay. The presence of a substance that mimicked the effects of insulin was highly suspected. Several case reports strengthen the hypothesis of an insulin-like growth factor or antibodies secreted by the cancer cells causing hypoglycemia in Hodgkin's disease but none of them have been confirmed. Further investigation is warranted to more clearly define the pathophysiology of persistent hypoglycemia in patients with Hodgkin's disease.
Judicial Control of Juries and Just Results in the Common Law System: A Historical Perspective

The ancient common law system of England is still prevalent in many nations associated with—or previously associated with—the United Kingdom, not simply in England and Wales. Findings of fact at common law were the sole prerogative of the jury for many centuries. This chapter addresses restraints upon jurors’ conduct and jury verdicts that evolved over many centuries, imposed by an increasingly active judiciary in the interest of preventing injustices stemming from jury verdicts that were unsupported by competent evidence, biased, or otherwise should not be allowed to stand in the interests of justice.
A Note on Anonymous Expertise in Over-the-Counter Markets

I consider the model of expertise acquisition studied in Glode, Green, and Lowery (2012), under the alternative assumption that investment in expertise is unobservable. This model generates cross sectional variation in expertise levels and produces price dispersion.
Hybrid Discrete-Continuum Cellular Automaton (HCA) model of Prostate to Bone Metastasis

Prostate to bone metastases induce a "vicious cycle" by promoting excessive osteoclast and osteoblast mediated bone degradation and formation that in turn yields factors that drive cancer growth. Recent advances defining the molecular mechanisms that control the vicious cycle have revealed new therapeutic targeting opportunities. However, given the complex temporal and simultaneous cellular interactions occurring in the bone microenvironment, assessing the impact of putative therapies is challenging. To this end, we have integrated biological and computational approaches to generate an accurate model of normal bone matrix homeostasis and the prostate cancer-bone microenvironment. The model faithfully reproduces the basic multicellular unit (BMU) bone coupling process and introduction of a single prostate cancer cell yields a vicious cycle that is similar in cellular composition and pathophysiology to models of prostate to bone metastasis.
Managing uncertainty in electricity generation and demand forecasting

The most readily accessed and abundant renewable energy sources—wind, hydro, and solar—are weather dependent and are therefore inherently intermittent. Energy demand is also dependent on the weather as well as many other difficult-to-model factors. In fact, there are many uncertainty factors that affect the modeling of both energy demand and renewable energy sources. In this paper, we begin with an overview of several of the underlying changes taking place in the energy industry and then specifically consider the uncertainty inherent in the forecasting of energy demand and wind power. We conclude with a discussion of techniques to integrate energy demand and the renewable energy supply, each with their associated uncertainty factors, in a stochastic environment to enable better informed business decisions.
Simulating Kinect Infrared and Depth Images

With the emergence of the Microsoft Kinect sensor, many developer communities and research groups have found countless uses and have already published a wide variety of papers that utilize the raw depth images for their specific goals. New methods and applications that use the device generally require an appropriately large ensemble of data sets with accompanying ground truth for testing purposes, as well as accurate models that account for the various systematic and stochastic contributors to Kinect errors. Current error models, however, overlook the intermediate infrared (IR) images that directly contribute to noisy depth estimates. We, therefore, propose a high fidelity Kinect IR and depth image predictor and simulator that models the physics of the transmitter/receiver system, unique IR dot pattern, disparity/depth processing technology, and random intensity speckle and IR noise in the detectors. The model accounts for important characteristics of Kinect’s stereo triangulation system, including depth shadowing, IR dot splitting, spreading, and occlusions, correlation-based disparity estimation between windows of measured and reference IR images, and subpixel refinement. Results show that the simulator accurately produces axial depth error from imaged flat surfaces with various tilt angles, as well as the bias and standard lateral error of an object’s horizontal and vertical edge.
Skin as a vehicle for horizontal transmission of gross passage a leukemia in adult mice. A unique microenvironment

In malignancy in vivo studies, skin is one of the frequently manipulated organs. It has been painted or injected subcutaneously with carcinogens in order to induce tumor growth. Attempts to induce immunity to tumor growth have included intradermal injection and scarification techniques. But in all these manipulations, the skin is used only as an “experimental medium” through which some other element of the oncogenic process is studied — either the tumor itself or the immune response to the challenge of the tumor. A recent discovery in my laboratory, however, has strongly suggested that the skin microenvironment itself may play a role in the oncogenic process.
Cancer therapy: reimbursement of new therapeutic technologies.

Abstract New drugs and technologies for cancer treatment are being developed at a rate that has created a reimbursement crisis. This article discusses third-party concerns about this problem and describes generic criteria that have proven to be useful in assessing any new technology. It is equally important to discontinue funding of ineffective and obsolete therapies as it is to devise a strategy for identifying and encouraging the development of new therapy that will be both clinically useful and cost-effective. Examples are provided to show that these are not necessarily mutually exclusive goals. Off-label application of standard therapy as well as the funding of new cancer therapy are considered. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell support for treatment of a variety of neoplasms has become a major reimbursement challenge. Other technologies such as autolymphocyte therapy and use of colony-stimulating factors are considered in detail. Finally, a process for deciding how to fund new cancer therapy is described.
Thyroiditis, Hyperthyroidism, and Tumors

The nature, diagnosis, and management of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and Graves’ disease are presented, and the radioimmunoassays used in their detection are described. Proper methods of screening for thyroid tumors in patients known to have been exposed to radiation are also discussed.
Acute ST elevation myocardial infarction in fulminant systemic p-ANCA vasculitis: a rare catastrophic complication

A 45-year-old Caucasian man presented to the hospital with a 3-month history of fatigue, bilateral upper and lower limb paresthesias and gradually worsening ascending paralysis. A few weeks later, he developed acute renal failure requiring haemodialysis. Investigations revealed presence of myeloperoxidase (MPO) perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Renal biopsy was conclusive for rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with crescents. Treatment for ANCA positive vasculitis was initiated with pulsed steroids, cyclophosphamide and plasmapheresis. The hospital course took an unexpected turn when the patient developed acute chest pain with an EKG consistent with inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Urgent left heart catheterisation revealed distal occlusions in multivessel coronary distribution. Coronary involvement is rare in ANCA vasculitis and STEMI has not been reported in MPO-ANCA positive vasculitis, to the best of our knowledge.
Preparing enhanced recovery after surgery for implementation in pediatric populations

Abstract Standardization in perioperative care has led to major improvements in surgical outcomes during the last two decades. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs are one example of a clinical pathway impacting both surgical outcomes and efficiency of care, but these programs have not yet been widely adapted for surgery in children. In adults, ERAS pathways have been shown to reduce length of stay, reduce complication rates, and improve patient satisfaction. These pathways improve outcomes through standardization of existing evidence-based best practices. Currently, the direct evidence for adapting ERAS pathways to pediatric surgery patients is limited. Challenges for implementation of ERAS programs for children include lack of direct translatability of adult evidence as well as varying levels acceptability of ERAS principles among pediatric providers and patients' families. We describe our newly implemented ERAS program for pediatric colorectal surgery patients in an era of limited direct evidence and discuss what further issues need to be addressed for broader implementation of pediatric ERAS pathways. Level of evidence: Level 5.
Environments for rapid implementation of control algorithms and hardware-in-the-loop simulation

Integrated control design environments reduce the time of development, simulation and real-time testing of embedded control systems. This tutorial paper describes five contemporary software and hardware tools which may be used to create integrated control design environments to facilitate rapid implementation of control algorithms and hardware-in-the-loop simulation. Examples presented include, decoupling stabilizing control of an unstable multivariable plant, digital PID control of an analog plant and PWM control of DC motor speed.
Pegylated Recombinant Murine GM-CSF Is a Potent Mobilizer of Murine Bone Marrow Progenitors, Synergizes with BIO5192 and Plerixafor (AMD3100), and Skews Mobilized Cells to a Tolerogenic Phenotype.

Abstract Abstract 2432 Poster Board II-409 Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a naturally occurring acidic glycoprotein growth factor that regulates proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Inflammation results in the release of GM-CSF from numerous cell types including T-cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. Murine GM-CSF (mGM-CSF), unlike human GM-CSF, has a very short half-life in vivo. Pegylation of mGM-CSF (peg-mGM-CSF) has been shown to prolong its half-life. There are numerous reports of GM-CSF use in humans to mobilize stem cells. It was observed by our group that patients who were transplanted with stem cell products mobilized by GM-CSF had a lower incidence of acute GVHD (Devine et al. BBMT 2005; 36:531). The reason for this is unclear. A recent report suggested that regulatory T-cells (T-regs) express the low affinity alpha subunit of the mGM-CSF receptor and can be expanded ex vivo in the presence of GM-CSF and independent of IL-2 (Kared et al. Blood 2008;112:2575). We hypothesized that peg-mGM-CSF may expand T-regs in vivo and act synergistically with the CXCR4 antagonist Plerixafor (AMD3100) and a small molecule inhibitor of VLA-4, BIO5192, to generate optimal peripheral blood stem cell products enriched in hematopoietic progenitors and T-regs. Peg-mGM-CSF was manufactured in a bioreactor as previously described (Sainathan et al. Prot Express and Purification 2005;44:94). C57/Bl6 mice were injected with peg-mGM-CSF 5ug IP, daily x 4 days then bled and analyzed for CFU progenitor assays (CFU-C) and FACS analysis. The same mice were then injected with AMD3100 (5mg/kg SC) with or without BIO5192 (1mg/kg IV) and serially bled at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, and 6 hours. CFU-C were performed and blood and spleen were analyzed for T-cell and dendritic cell subsets by FACS. We observed that peg-mGM-CSF was a potent mobilizer of hematopoietic progenitors and resulted in leukocytosis (mean difference 17.98 K/uL +/- 2.15, 95%CI 13.4 - 22.53, p Disclosures: DiPersio: Genzyme Corporation: Honoraria.
Turning meter transactions data into occupancy and payment behavioral information for on-street parking

Abstract Over 95% of on-street paid parking stalls are managed by parking meters or kiosks. By analyzing meter transactions data, this paper provides a methodology to estimate on-street time-varying parking occupancy and understand payment behavior in an effective and inexpensive way. We propose a probabilistic payment model to simulate individual payment and parking behavior for each parker. Aggregating the payment/parking of all transactions leads to time-varying occupancy estimation. Two data sets are used to evaluate the methodology, parking spaces near Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) campus, and near the Civic Center in San Francisco. The proposed model generally provides reliable estimations of occupancies at a low error rate and substantially outperforms other naive models in the literature. From the results of the experiments we find that people generally tend to slightly underpay in CMU area, whereas for Civic Center area, payment behavior varies by time of day and day of week. For Fridays, people generally tend to overpay and stay longer in the mornings, compared to underpaying and parking for shorter durations in the late afternoons. Parkers’ payment behavior, in general, is more variable and noisier around Civic Center than around CMU. Moreover, we explore the effective granularity, defined as the highest spatial resolution for this model to perform reliably. For CMU areas, the effective granularity is around 10–20 spaces for each block of streets, while it is 150–200 spaces for the Civic Center area due to more random parking behavior.
Environmental exposures and pediatric kidney function and disease: A systematic review

Abstract Background Environmental chemical exposures have been implicated in pediatric kidney disease. No appraisal of the available evidence has been conducted on this topic. Methods We performed a systematic review of the epidemiologic studies that assessed association of environmental exposures with measures of kidney function and disease in pediatric populations. The search period went through July 2016. Results We found 50 studies that met the search criteria and were included in this systematic review. Environmental exposures reviewed herein included lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, fluoride, aflatoxin, melamine, environmental tobacco, bisphenol A, dental procedures, phthalates, ferfluorooctanoic acid, triclosan, and thallium/uranium. Most studies assessed environmental chemical exposure via biomarkers but four studies assessed exposure via proximity to emission source. There was mixed evidence of association between metal exposures, and other non-metal environmental exposures and pediatric kidney disease and other kidney disease biomarkers. The evaluation of causality is hampered by the small numbers of studies for each type of environmental exposure, as well as lack of study quality and limited prospective evidence. Conclusion There is a need for well-designed epidemiologic studies of environmental chemical exposures and kidney disease outcomes.