cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative phase imaging with programmable illumination

Even with the recent rapid advances in the field of microscopy, non-laser light sources used for light microscopy have not been developing significantly. Most current optical microscopy systems use halogen bulbs as their light sources to provide a white-light illumination. Due to the confined shapes and finite filament size of the bulbs, little room is available for modification in the light source, which prevents further advances in microscopy. By contrast, commercial projectors provide a high power output that is comparable to the halogen lamps while allowing for great flexibility in patterning the illumination. In addition to their high brightness, the illumination can be patterned to have arbitrary spatial and spectral distributions. Therefore, commercial projectors can be adopted as a flexible light source to an optical microscope by careful alignment to the existing optical path. In this study, we employed a commercial projector source to a quantitative phase imaging system called spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM), which is an outside module for an existing phase contrast (PC) microscope. By replacing the ring illumination of PC with a ring-shaped pattern projected onto the condenser plane, we were able to recover the same result as the original SLIM. Furthermore, the ring illumination is replaced with multiple dots aligned along the same ring to minimize the overlap between the scattered and unscattered fields. This new method minimizes the halo artifact of the imaging system, which allows for a halo-free high-resolution quantitative phase microscopy system.
NEC ampacity tables, circuit sizing, and developing standardized tables

The basic design considerations and applicable codes and standards requirements necessary for proper circuit sizing are set forth, based on the 1990 National Electric Code (NEC). Consideration is given to load current, insulation temperature rating, equipment terminal requirements, ambient temperature, voltage drop, energy costs, equipment grounding conductor size, raceway effects, etc. Examples are given describing the typical but often incorrect method and several alternative, but correct methods. Finally, guidelines and examples are given on methods to streamline this process using computer-generated, standardized tables for feeders, motors, and transformers. These tables reduce design time and assure increased quality control in the design process. >
Interaction of capsaicinoids with drug-metabolizing systems. Relationship to toxicity

The interaction of capsaicin with microsomal drug-metabolizing systems was assessed to determine the role that bioactivation of capsaicin may play in the induction of hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Capsaicin produced a type I spectral change in rat hepatic microsomes in a high affinity (Ks = 8 microM) concentration-dependent manner and was approximately equipotent with SKF-525A in inhibiting ethylmorphine demethylation. Capsaicin (10 mg/kg, s.c.) inhibited biotransformation in vivo as measured by prolongation of pentobarbital sleep time. Reactive metabolites of capsaicin were studied using [3H]dihydrocapsaicin. [3H]Dihydrocapsaicin bound irreversibly to hepatic microsomal protein after in vitro incubation or in vivo administration. No binding was observed in spinal cord or brain. Although the bioactivation and subsequent covalent binding of capsaicin equivalents may initiate events associated with the hepatotoxicity of capsaicin, it appears that capsaicin-induced neuropathy does not involve covalent interactions with neuroproteins in spinal cord or brain.
Spin frustration in MII[C(CN)3]2 (M = V, Cr). A magnetism and neutron diffraction study.

Three-dimensional coordination network solids of MII[C(CN)3]2 (M = V, Cr) composition possess interpenetrating rutile-like network structures. Each [C(CN)3]- bonds to three different metal ions in a triangular array, affording a geometrical topology akin to a Kagome lattice leading to competing spin exchange interactions and spin frustration. The crystal and magnetic structure of CrII[C(CN)3] was determined by Rietveld refinement of the powder neutron diffraction data at 2 and 15 K and belongs to the orthorhombic space group Pmna [a = 7.313(1) A, b = 5.453(1) A, c = 10.640(1) A, Z = 2, T = 15 K]. Each CrII has a tetragonally elongated octahedral structure with four Cr-N(1) distances of 2.077(2) A and two significantly longer axial Cr-N(2) distances of 2.452(2) A. Magnetic susceptibility measurements between 1.7 and 300 K reveal strong antiferromagnetic interactions for both V- and Cr[C(CN)3]2 with theta = -67 and -46 K, respectively, from a fit to the Curie-Weiss law. Long-range magnetic ordering does not occur for M = V above 1.7 K, in contrast to M = Cr, which antiferromagnetically orders at low temperature. This is attributed to Jahn-Teller distorted CrII site relieving frustration in one dimension, leading to 2-D Ising antiferromagnetism, as observed by both magnetic susceptibility and specific heat studies. Neutron diffraction experiments at 2 K for Cr[C(CN)3]2 yielded additional Bragg reflections as a result of antiferromagnetic ordering with the moments on the CrII atoms aligned parallel to c and 4.7(1) microB. Fitting of the magnetic order parameter to a power law yielded TN = 6.12(4) K and beta = 0.18(1) consistent with 2-D Ising behavior. A TN of 6.13 K is also observed from the specific heat data.
Particle distribution of human serum high density lipoproteins

Abstract Density gradient ultracentrifugation of human serum high density lipoproteins (HDL) from both normolipemic males and females results in a distribution of HDL concentration versus subfraction hydrated density which has three maxima. Gradient gel electrophoresis of total HDL is characterized by three banding maxima, the positions of which suggest the presence of three particle size ranges: I. 10.8–12.0 nm, II. 9.7–10.7 nm, and III. 8.5–9.6 nm. Gradient gel electrophoresis of density gradient subfractions established an inverse relationship between particle size and particle hydrated density which was corroborated by electron microscopy and analytic ultracentrifugation. Comparison of male HDL from size ranges I, II, and III with female HDL from the same size ranges showed only small differences in the mean value of the peak F° 1.20 rate, size, molecular weight, protein weight percent, and weight protein/ weight phospholipid. Major differences between males and females were seen in the relative amounts of HDL in density gradient subfractions 1–3 (size range I material) and 11–12 (size range III material); the percent total HDL in the group of subfractions 1–3 was greatly increased in female HDL while that of the group of subfractions 11–12 was increased in the male HDL. These studies indicate the presence of at least three major components in HDL instead of two (HDL2 and HDL3) and that peak ° 1.20 rate differences in HDL schlieren patterns between males and females are a function of the relative levels of these three componets.
What are mathematicians doing

Let me emphasize the point I have been trying to make. The mathematician9s playing with the roots of equations, a play which had no practical motivations and almost no possibilities of practical application, led to the recognition of the importance of symmetry and groups. The study of theory of groups led to mathematical discoveries in geometry and differential equations, and finally to prediction of the existence of a new elementary particle. Surely a surprising outcome for the ivory-tower speculations of an impractical mathematician! Despite my professional bias, I must acknowledge that the importance of symmetry was recognized before mathematicians invented the theory of groups. In 1794 William Blake wrote: Tiger, Tiger, burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? However, to the mathematicians must be given the credit of recognizing that, to understand symmetry, you must study the theory of groups. I can now answer my original question, What are mathematicians doing? They are trying to make precise the intuitions of poets.
The Two Faces of Cincinnatus: A Rhetorical Theory of the State of Exception

This article offers a rhetorical theory of what Giorgio Agamben has called the “state of exception” through a genealogy of the figure of Cincinnatus. In classical Rome, Cincinnatus was named dictator not once, but twice; first to save the city from invaders, and second to put down a popular, democratic uprising. Here we see the two sides of exception, or what I call the two faces of Cincinnatus: enemyship, and sovereign violence. These two faces are linked by an anti-democratic logic that is premised on the will of “the people,” as becomes clear in the counter-revolutionary writings of the founders of the United States.
Lethal Synergism of 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae Coinfection Is Associated with Loss of Murine Lung Repair Responses

ABSTRACT Secondary bacterial infections increase disease severity of influenza virus infections and contribute greatly to increased morbidity and mortality during pandemics. To study secondary bacterial infection following influenza virus infection, mice were inoculated with sublethal doses of 2009 seasonal H1N1 virus (NIH50) or pandemic H1N1 virus (Mex09) followed by inoculation with Streptococcus pneumoniae 48 h later. Disease was characterized by assessment of weight loss and survival, titration of virus and bacteria by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR), histopathology, expression microarray, and immunohistochemistry. Mice inoculated with virus alone showed 100% survival for all groups. Mice inoculated with Mex09 plus S. pneumoniae showed severe weight loss and 100% mortality with severe alveolitis, denuded bronchiolar epithelium, and widespread expression of apoptosis marker cleaved caspase 3. In contrast, mice inoculated with NIH50 plus S. pneumoniae showed increased weight loss, 100% survival, and slightly enhanced lung pathology. Mex09-S. pneumoniae coinfection also resulted in increased S. pneumoniae replication in lung and bacteremia late in infection. Global gene expression profiling revealed that Mex09-S. pneumoniae coinfection did not induce significantly more severe inflammatory responses but featured significant loss of epithelial cell reproliferation and repair responses. Histopathological examination for cell proliferation marker MCM7 showed significant staining of airway epithelial cells in all groups except Mex09-S. pneumoniae-infected mice. This study demonstrates that secondary bacterial infection during 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus infection resulted in more severe disease and loss of lung repair responses than did seasonal influenza viral and bacterial coinfection. Moreover, this study provides novel insights into influenza virus and bacterial coinfection by showing correlation of lethal outcome with loss of airway basal epithelial cells and associated lung repair responses. IMPORTANCE Secondary bacterial pneumonias lead to increased disease severity and have resulted in a significant percentage of deaths during influenza pandemics. To understand the biological basis for the interaction of bacterial and viral infections, mice were infected with sublethal doses of 2009 seasonal H1N1 and pandemic H1N1 viruses followed by infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae 48 h later. Only infection with 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus and S. pneumoniae resulted in severe disease with a 100% fatality rate. Analysis of the host response to infection during lethal coinfection showed a significant loss of responses associated with lung repair that was not observed in any of the other experimental groups. This group of mice also showed enhanced bacterial replication in the lung. This study reveals that the extent of lung damage during viral infection influences the severity of secondary bacterial infections and may help explain some differences in mortality during influenza pandemics.
Environmental stress increases extracellular dopamine in striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats: in vivo microdialysis studies

Bilateral intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine depleted dopamine (DA) in striatal tissue of rats by 88%. Tail shock increased DA in striatal extracellular fluid of these rats from 10 to 17 pg/20 microliters as measured by microdialysis, values less than half those seen in normal striatum. The increase was observed even in rats that were akinetic. DA in extracellular fluid after stress was negatively correlated with behavioral performance. Thus, residual nigrostriatal DA neurons are responsive to stress but do not produce normal DA levels in striatal extracellular fluid.
Managing the Press: Origins of the Media Presidency, 1897-1933

Introduction - McKinley and the First White House Press Corps - Theodore Roosevelt: Publicity! Publicity! Publicity! - The White House and the First Executive Press Bureaus - Taft: Avoiding the Press - The Consequences of Nonpublicity - Wilson: Centralizing Executive Information - Executive Propaganda in World War I - Harding and Coolidge: Emergence of the Media Presidency - Cabinet Publicity in the 1920s - Herbert Hoover: The Press and Presidential Failure - Conclusion - Works Cited - Index
Alterations by estrogen and hypothyroidism in the effects of septal lesions on lordosis behavior of male rats.

Abstract Earlier experiments indicated that chronic exposure to estradiol benzoate (EB) following septal lesions can increase the subsequent levels of female sexual behavior in male rats tested several months later following priming doses of EB. However, the present study demonstrates that a single injection of a large dose of EB (50 μg) two days after septal destruction did not modify subsequent responsiveness to EB priming in male rats relative to sham operated controls. Yet male rats given 10 daily injections of 5.0 μg EB/day immediately following a septal lesion were more responsive to EB than oil treated controls when tested later for lordosis behavior. Therefore, the capacity for EB to alter the behavioral effects of septal lesions on lordosis behavior in male rats is related to both chronic administration and a period of susceptibility to some action of EB during the immediate post-lesion period. In two additional experiments, chronic hypothyroidism induced by propylthiouracil or thyroidectomy was also found to modify the effects of septal lesions on female sexual behavior of male rats. These latter results indicate that EB is not unique in its capacity to alter the behavioral effects of septal lesions in male rats, and are consistent with the view that both EB and hypothyroidism may interact with some dynamic process associated with recovery from brain lesions.
Identification of α-dicarbonyl scavengers for cellular protection against carbonyl stress

Tissue deterioration and aging have long been associated with the accumulation of chemically induced protein and DNA damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive carbonyl species (RCS), especially alpha-dicarbonyl compounds, are key mediators of damage caused by oxidative stress, glycation, and UV-irradiation. The toxic effects of ROS are counteracted in vivo by antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes, and the deleterious effects of one RCS, methylglyoxal, are counteracted by a ubiquitous glyoxalase system. Carbonyl stress as a result of toxic effects of various mono-dicarbonyls (e.g. 4-hydroxynonenal) and alpha-dicarbonyls (e.g. glyoxal and deoxyosones) cannot be directly antagonized by antioxidants, and only a small number of biological carbonyl scavengers like glutathione (GSH) have been identified to date. We have developed a new screening method for the identification of carbonyl scavengers using a rapid glycation system that proceeds independent of oxygen and therefore, excludes identification of inhibitory compounds acting as antioxidants. Using this screening assay adapted to 96-well microtiter plates, we have identified the cysteine derivative 3,3-dimethyl-D-cysteine as a potent inhibitor of non-oxidative advanced glycation. Comparative kinetic analyses demonstrated the superior alpha-oxoaldehyde-scavenging activity of D-penicillamine over that of aminoguanidine. D-Penicillamine traps alpha-oxoaldehydes by forming a 2-acylthiazolidine derivative as shown by structure elucidation of reaction products between D-penicillamine and methylglyoxal or phenylglyoxal. We demonstrated that upon co-incubation, D-penicillamine protects human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts (CF3 cells) against glyoxal- and methylglyoxal-induced carbonyl toxicity. Our research qualifies alpha-amino-beta-mercapto-beta,beta-dimethyl-ethane as a promising pharmacophore for the development of related alpha-dicarbonyl scavengers as therapeutic agents to protect cells against carbonyl stress.
Urine Peptidomic and Targeted Plasma Protein Analyses in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a chronic pediatric disease. The initial clinical presentation can mimic other pediatric inflammatory conditions, which often leads to significant delays in diagnosis and appropriate therapy. SJIA biomarker development is an unmet diagnostic/prognostic need to prevent disease complications. We profiled the urine peptidome to analyze a set of 102 urine samples, from patients with SJIA, Kawasaki disease (KD), febrile illnesses (FI), and healthy controls. A set of 91 plasma samples, from SJIA flare and quiescent patients, were profiled using a customized antibody array against 43 proteins known to be involved in inflammatory and protein catabolic processes. We identified a 17-urine-peptide biomarker panel that could effectively discriminate SJIA patients at active, quiescent, and remission disease states, and patients with active SJIA from confounding conditions including KD and FI. Targeted sequencing of these peptides revealed that they fall into several tight clusters from seven different proteins, suggesting disease-specific proteolytic activities. The antibody array plasma profiling identified an SJIA plasma flare signature consisting of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), interleukin (IL)-18, regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), P-Selectin, MMP9, and L-Selectin. The urine peptidomic and plasma protein analyses have the potential to improve SJIA care and suggest that SJIA urine peptide biomarkers may be an outcome of inflammation-driven effects on catabolic pathways operating at multiple sites.
The nature of the SO bond of chlorinated sulfur–oxygen compounds

Sulfur–oxygen chemistry encompasses a rich variety of chemical species and reactions. Sulfur–oxygen bonds can be quite short and strong, and historically, there has been disagreement as to the nature of the SO bond in sulfinyl groups. Early work invoked participation by the 3d orbitals of sulfur to explain the apparent double-bond character of sulfinyl bonds, but modern calculations have clearly established that sulfur 3d atomic orbitals do not participate as valence orbitals in hypervalent sulfur compounds. In prior work, we used generalized valence bond (GVB) theory to explain the features of the SO bond in the HSO/SOH structural isomers, and we extend that work here to the chlorinated analogs (ClSO/SOCl). We also use GVB theory to elucidate the nature of the bonding in Cl2SO and its higher energy structural isomer ClSOCl. We find that recoupled pair bonding, which we first introduced in our study of sulfur fluorides, is integral to describing the SO bond in all of these species. We also connect our analysis to the use of hyperconjugation to explain the back-bonding in the π system in the sulfinyl halides.
Psychiatry and the Elderly in the Middle East: A Report from Iran.

One of the more firmly established generalizations in mental health concerns the positive correlation found between aging on the one hand and levels of psychiatric distress and utilization of mental health services on the other. It is also generally believed that the young, being more resilient and healthier, possess a greater capacity to cope with psychiatric stress than the elderly. The causal inferences are often unavoidable. Since cross-cultural studies can examine naturally occurring differences in exogenous factors, they may help clarify some of the causal connections. This paper presents utilization rates as well as the results of psychiatric tests on older and younger populations of psychiatric patients and addicts in Iran. The psychiatric population includes both inpatients and outpatients from hospitals and clinics in Tehran, and the provinces. The addicts' population includes a nationwide sample of registered addicts as well as illicit addicts from Tehran and other provinces. Psychiatric profiles are constructed from Symptom-Checklist-90 (SCL-90) questionnaire translated and adapted for use in Iran. For each individual, nine primary symptom distress levels together with three global indices are obtained. Primary comparison is made across age variable with fifty-five years and over age group versus those below fifty-five years of age. Secondary comparisons include psychiatric versus addicts, inpatients versus outpatients, male versus female, as well as comparisons across other socio-economic variables. Findings are discussed in the light of prevalent socio-cultural factors.
DNA ploidy and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in colonic adenomas and adenocarcinomas.

To investigate the colonic adenoma-adenocarcinoma progression sequence, DNA ploidy analysis was performed on hyperplastic polyps to adenocarcinomas. DNA ploidy data were then compared with immunocytochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In hyperplastic polyps to villous adenomas, all cases were diploid except one aneuploid villous adenoma. In three adenomas, diploidin situ adenocarcinomas were present. As diploid percentages decreased from hyperplastic polyps to villous adenomas, aneuploid percentages increased. In adenocarcinomas, the Dukes classification corresponded well to DNA ploidy status: all four stage A carcinomas were diploid, whereas three cases each of stage C1 and C2 carcinomas were aneuploid or multiploid. A surprising finding was that S-phase percentage in adenocarcinomas was not parallel with PCNA-positive tumor cell numbers. It is concluded that multistep adenoma-adenocarcinoma progression was partially reflected in DNA ploidy pattern from hyperplastic polyps to villous adenomas. In adenocarcinomas, the Dukes classification paralleled well the DNA ploidy status from stage A diploid to stage D aneuploid, but was not accompanied by increasing PCNA-positive cell numbers.
Daunorubicin-Induced Apoptosis in Rat Cardiac Myocytes Is Inhibited by Dexrazoxane

Abstract—The clinical efficacy of anthracycline antineoplastic agents is limited by a high incidence of severe and usually irreversible cardiac toxicity, the cause of which remains controversial. In primary cultures of neonatal and adult rat ventricular myocytes, we found that daunorubicin, at concentrations ≤1 μmol/L, induced myocyte programmed cell death within 24 hours, as defined by several complementary techniques. In contrast, daunorubicin concentrations ≥10 μmol/L induced necrotic cell death within 24 hours, with no changes characteristic of apoptosis. To determine whether reactive oxygen species play a role in daunorubicin-mediated apoptosis, we monitored the generation of hydrogen peroxide with dichlorofluorescein (DCF). However, daunorubicin (1 μmol/L) did not increase DCF fluorescence, nor were the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine or the combination of α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid able to prevent apoptosis. In contrast, dexrazoxane (10 μmol/L), known clinically to limit anthracycline cardiac tox...
In situ AFM/STM characterization of porphyrin electrode films for electrochemical detection of neurotransmitters

We have studied the adsorption and electropolymerization of protoporphyrin IX (PP), Fe(III)-protoporphyrin IX (Fe-PP) and Zn(II)-protoporphyrin IX (Zn-PP) on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) with in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and examined the performance of the porphyrin-coated electrodes for electrochemical detection of the neurotransmitter, dopamine. AFM and STM reveal that the porphyrins adsorb spontaneously onto HOPG and self-assemble into ordered monolayers with the individual molecules lying flat on the surface. On increasing the electrode potential to the oxidation potentials, islands, corresponding to electrooxidative polymerization, begin to form on the monolayers. The islands grow in size and number and form a continuous film that provides a convenient way to modify the graphite electrode. The porphyrin-coated electrodes can suppress the unwanted oxidation of ascorbic acid by 100-fold without sacrificing much of the electrode response time and sensitivity for detecting dopamine.
Design of a frequency agile X-band LNA using BST varactor based voltage tunable impedance matching networks

Current advancements in military and wireless applications create the need for increased functionality with reduced cost and size. In this paper a highly integrated tunable electronics are necessary to meet these new requirements. Barium strontium titanium oxide (BST) is a viable technology for these applications. BST technology offers significant benefits with its high tuning range, high power capabilities and low control voltages. While there is great interest in the development of BST technology, little research has been published regarding integrated matching networks using BST thin film parallel plate capacitors for an X-band low noise amplifier (LNA).
A Neutrosophic Multi-Criteria Decision Making Method

This work presents a method of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) using neutrosophic sets. Besides studying some interesting mathematical properties of the method, algorithm viz neut-MCDM is presented. The work also furnishes the fundamentals of neutrosophic set theory succinctly, to provide a first introduction of neutrosophic sets for the MCDM community. To illustrate the computational details, neut-MCDM has been applied to the problem of university faculty selection against a given set of criteria.
A Bio-Inspired Scheme for Coordinated Online Search $ $

We present a novel scheme for coordinated search by autonomous agents that is inspired by collective forms of intelligence present in group predators. In the scheme proposed, a group of agents is tasked to find several targets over a search area. The sensing technology is imperfect so there are non-negligible probabilities for false positives and false negatives. Agents maintain two data `trails' across potential target locations that have been explored. One trail is associated with the frequency with which a given location has been probed while the other relates to the current likelihood that a target is present. Each agent independently chooses a decision that is aimed at maximizing the chance of detecting a target without unnecessary duplication in probing. By endowing agents with this simple optimization rule, we show that a form of collective intelligence emerges as agents successfully coordinate indirectly (i.e., they locate all targets) through active manipulation of the trails in a relatively fast fashion. This feature guarantees the proposed scheme is both reconfigurable and scalable.
Retroviral proteomics and interactomes: intricate balances of cell survival and viral replication.

Overall changes in the host cellular proteome upon retroviral infection intensify from the initial entry of the virus to the incorporation of viral DNA into the host genome, and finally to the consistent latent state of infection. The host cell reacts to both the entry of viral elements and the manipulation of host cellular machinery, resulting in a cascade of signaling events and pathway activation. Cell type- and tissue-specific responses are also characteristic of infection and can be classified based on the differential expression of genes and proteins between normal and disease states. The characterization of differentially expressed proteins upon infection is also critical in identifying potential biomarkers within infected bodily fluids. Biomarkers can be used to monitor the progression of infection, track the effectiveness of specific treatments and characterize the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. Standard proteomic approaches have been applied to monitor the changes in global protein expressi...
Re-evaluation of sleep electroencephalography

Abstract Review of 4,000 EEG records, among which there were 1,620 abnormal EEG's favorable for comparing the contribution to the interpretation of the waking state as opposed to the sleep state, warrants the following conclusion: While the mainstay of EEG interpretation is based on the EEG during wakefulness, sleep is a valuable adjunct to EEG procedure and a mild soporific should be administered at the beginning of the recording so that if sleep is indicated no time will be lost. Consideration of the clinical aspects leads us to propose the following rules of procedure regarding sleep state recordings: 1.1. If the examination is for a gross pathologic lesion without epileptic phenomena in the clinical picture and (a) the waking state EEG is normal, there is little likelihood that sleep will provide any diagnostically important information, and hence sleep is not indicated; (b) if the EEG is a focal abnormal, sleep may be useful to the electroencephalographer principally to provide data from which he can make inferences about the depth and/or extent of the process; (c) if the EEG is a diffuse abnormal, occasionally sleep will bring out crucial focal abnormalities and is indicated. 2.2. If the examination is for epileptic or quasi-ictal phenomena (and here would be included post-traumatic and the "autonomic-behavior-pain" syndromes) and (a) the waking state EEG is normal, sleep is indicated as it may provide the crucial information; (b) if the waking state EEG is focal abnormal, sleep is useful only if confirmatory data or a more specific wave form is wanted; (c) if the abnormalities are diffuse and non-specific in the waking state, sleep may uncover more specific epileptogenic discharges or a focus, and hence is indicated.
Mentoring programs for physicians in academic medicine: a systematic review.

PurposeMentoring is vital to professional development in the field of medicine, influencing career choice and faculty retention; thus, the authors reviewed mentoring programs for physicians and aimed to identify key components that contribute to these programs’ success.MethodThe authors searched the
Introducing the First Hybrid Doctoral Program in Educational Technology

In 2010 Michigan State University launched the first hybrid doctoral program in Educational Technology. This 5-year program blends face-to-face and online components to engage experienced, working education professionals in doctoral study. In this paper, we describe the design and evolution of the program as well as the response from students. We outline key programmatic challenges and opportunities in offering a hybrid doctoral program side by side with an existing face-to-face program. We conclude with two examples of the hybrid doctoral program in action (redesigning coursework and virtual talks) to demonstrate how we confronted these challenges and opportunities in the design of the program.
Bit-Error-Rate Estimation for High-Speed Serial Links

High-performance serial communication systems often require the bit error rate (BER) to be at the level of 10-12 or lower. The excessive test time for measuring such a low BER is a major hindrance in testing communication systems. In this paper, we show that the jitter spectral information extracted from the transmitted data and some key characteristics of the clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit can be used to estimate the BER effectively without comparing each captured bit for error detection. This analysis is also useful for designing a CDR circuit for systems whose jitter spectral information is known. Experimental results comparing the estimated and measured BER on a 2.5-Gb/s commercial CDR circuit demonstrate the high accuracy of the proposed technique
Effect of Angiotensin II Synthesis Blockade on the Hypertensive Response to Chronic Reductions in Uterine Perfusion Pressure in Pregnant Rats

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the renin-angiotensin system in mediating the hypertension in response to chronic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) in conscious chronically instrumented pregnant rats. Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in pregnant rats with chronic RUPP (125+/-3.0 mm Hg, P<0.01, n=12) than in pregnant rats (100+/-2.3 mm Hg, n=17). Plasma renin activity in pregnant rats with chronic RUPP was 17.1+/-2.5 nmol angiotensin I. L(-1). h(-1) compared with 21.9+/-3.5 nmol angiotensin I. L(-1). h(-1) in pregnant rats. Chronic oral administration of a converting-enzyme inhibitor (enalapril, 250 mg/L for 6 days) decreased mean arterial pressure to a similar extent in pregnant rats with chronic RUPP (109+/-4.2 mm Hg, P<0.01, n=9) and in normal pregnant (81+/-1.8 mm Hg, P<0.01, n=9) rats. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system, however, had no significant effect on the blood pressure response to chronic RUPP as differences were similar in control (Delta25 mm Hg) and converting-enzyme inhibitor-treated (Delta27 mm Hg) groups. These findings suggest that the renin-angiotensin system does not play a major role in mediating the hypertension produced by chronic RUPP in pregnant rats.
Directions in the Chemical Mechanical Planarization Research

Planarized surfaces have become key to the success of advanced semiconductor devises/circuits/chips. The planarization, achieved by the use of chemical mechanical means, has enabled the interconnection of ever increasing number of devices and also the use of lower resistivity copper as the interconnect material for such devices. Chemical mechanical planarization (CMIP) has now found application at several different stages of semiconductor chip fabrication and many other microelectronic applications. However, there remain a large number of nuances and effects e.g. pattern, chemical, and pad dependencies and scratching, that need to be carefully studied, evaluated and eliminated if we want to continue to progress in sub 0.1 µm (minimum feature size) regime, where the amounts of material to be removed will be small, surfaces will dominate the performance, and margin of error extremely small and unforgiving. This presentation will discuss the future needs, the CMP variables, the relationship of these variables to CMP behavior and planarity, scratch-free CMP, and size-impact on CMP outcome. A new set of goals will be presented and discussed.
Automated electron nanocrystallography

We review methods to solve nanocrystals and obtain a 3D charge-density map at the electron microscope. Experimental tests are demonstrated for kinematic CBED and precession techniques.
Feasibility of Extended Ambulatory Electrocardiogram Monitoring to Identify Silent Atrial Fibrillation in High-risk Patients: The Screening Study for Undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation (STUDY-AF)

Background Identification of silent atrial fibrillation (AF) could prevent stroke and other sequelae.
Decrecimiento, post-desarrollo y transiciones: una conversación preliminar

Resumen | Este trabajo procura iniciar un dialogo entre los marcos de referencia del decrecimiento y el post-desarrollo, colocandolos dentro del campo mas amplio de los discursos sobre las transiciones ecologica y de civilizacion, y procurando tender puentes entre propuestas emergentes del Norte y aquellas generadas en el Sur global . Sostenemos que este dialogo no solo puede ser mutuamente enriquecedor para ambos movimientos, sino tambien esencial para una efectiva politica de transformacion . La primera parte de este trabajo presenta un panorama breve de los discursos de transicion, particularmente en el Norte. La segunda parte discute de manera sucinta las principales tendencias en el post-desarrollo en America Latina, incluyendo el Buen Vivir, los derechos de la naturaleza, la crisis de la civilizacion, y el concepto de “alternativas al desarrollo”. Con estos elementos en la mano, la tercera parte intenta un dialogo preliminar entre el decrecimiento y el post-desarrollo; identifica puntos de convergencia y tension, y termina bosquejando algunas areas de investigacion que podrian ser de particular interes para los estudiosos del decrecimiento.
Performance evaluation of two earnings based valuation models in detecting equity mispricing and growth option of firms

We compare two models that attempt to identify mispricing and growth option of firms: The residual income model (RIM) of Ohlson (1995) and a model developed by Rhodes-Kropf, Robinson, and Viswanathan (2005) (RKRV). For the sample of US publicly traded stocks for the period from 1971 to 2005, we find that we are able to calculate valuation measures for substantially more firm-years using RKRV than RIM. Sample firms for RKRV model tend to be smaller and have higher market-to-book ratio than sample firms using RIM model. More importantly, in a significant number of firm-years, these models disagree on whether a firm is misvalued or has high growth option considerably. We also find some differences between these two models in detecting misvaluation and/or growth option around events where extant literature suggests an important role for misvaluation or growth option, such as mergers and acquisitions, open market share repurchases, and stock splits.
Automated Intra-Operative Analysis of Breast Cancer.

Background: Multiple operations are a major problem for breast conservation therapy. Accurate interpretation of intra-operative tumor margins can limit multiple re-excision procedures in order to obtain negative margins while maintaining a good cosmetic result from BCT. Intra-operative touch preparations have been used in the past but can be difficult to interpret without an experienced cytopathologist.Objective: To examine the reliability of fluorescently labeled intra-operative touch preps in conjunction with automated analysis in correctly identifying cancer cells compared to final pathologic diagnosis.Methods: Touch preps were propctively performed on 38 consecutive cases of patients undergoing breast surgery. The surgical cases included 15 invasive tumors, 9 ductal carcinoma in situ, 5 prophylactic mastectomies, and 9 normal tissues from breast reduction operations. Tumors were grossly located by a surgical pathologist and a cross sectional cut was made at the suspected tumor center. Touch preps with poly-l-lysine coated slides were then taken on the tissue surfaces exposed from the cross sectional cut. Additionally, the location where the touch preps were performed was isolated in a cassette and separated for later comparison. In cases of benign disease, touch preps were performed at the center of the excised tissue. The slides were fixed in 95% ethanol and stained with a Cytokeratin, an epithelial cell marker, and Hoechst, a nuclear stain. The prepared slides were then imaged with an automated fluorescent microscope, and suspected cancer cells were detected through standard image processing and statistical techniques.Results: The overall accuracy of our automated fluorescence analysis was 95% for identifying invasive or pre-invasive cancer compared final pathologic diagnosis. The overall specificity was 100% (there were no false positives). The sensitivity for ductal carcinoma in situ was 75% and invasive cancer was 90%. Overall sensitivity was 87% which is comparable to the best reported results from manual examination of touch preparations.Conclusion: Automated analysis of fluorescently stained touch prep slides is highly accurate in identifying cancer with no false positives. The immunofluorescence stains and automated microscopy may help the pathologist to quickly identify cancer cells in fresh breast tissue during BCT operations, and, thus, limit breast re-excisions in the future. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6016.
Research on disinfection effect of chlorine dioxide disinfectant on vegetables and fruits

Objective:To understand the bactericidal performance of chlorine dioxide disinfectants. Methods:Suspension quantitative germicidal test and simulated field identification test were involved in this study. Results:Escherichia coli in suspension and poison cucumber were killed by disinfectant solution including 100 mg/L chlorine dioxide in 5 min and 15 min respectively,with killing log value all above 3. 00. Conclusion:The chlorine dioxide disinfectant had good effectiveness of killing,so it can be applied to disinfection of vegetables and fruits.
Research on Modes of Connecting Bulk Power Bases to Power Grids by UHV Transmission Systems

The development and operation situation of ultra high voltage(UHV) transmission systems home and abroad are described in brief,the reasonability and feasibility of directly connecting bulk power base to power grid by UHV transmission system are analyzed,and the economy of the two connecting modes,i.e.,directly connecting bulk power base with UHV transmission system and connecting bulk power base to power grid via twice step-up,are compared.Comparison conclusion shows that how to connect bulk power base with UHV power transmission system should be determined according to actual conditions,different grid-connecting modes should be adopted under different conditions.
Analysis of power export mode in Inner Mongolia

The background of electric power export of Inner Mongolia was introduced in respect of resource environment and guidance policy, because electric power export of Inner Mongolia is one of important measures for realizing the optimized allocation of resources in North China. In the early stages of power grid development, the most power transmission modes is "point to grid". Along with the power grid development, the power transmission mode "grid to grid" is adopted. The two power transmission modes "gird to grid" and "point to grid" were compared technically. The conclusion is that power transmission mode "grid to grid" is relative stable and economical, and the part of existed "point to grid" power lines in Inner Mongolia power grid is restricted for the development. After the real situation of Inner Mongolia and ability of Inner Mongolia electric power export were analyzed, it is pointed out that the mode "gird to grid" has more advantage for Inner Mongolia electric power export.
Breeding and Key Cultivation Technique of New Productive and Ornamental Chestnut Cultivar Hongli 2

The new chestnut cultivar Hongli 2 is a dominant variant strain selected from the Hongli seedlings.It performed early fruiting,high yield,good quality,high resistance and strong adapatability in the regional tests in many provinces.Its nuts are brilliant with the average weight of single nut of 10.3 g;its flesh is yellow,fine and smooth with high sugar content,so it tastes good after stir-fried.In addition,it is appropriate for landscape because its annual branch,leafstalk and involucre were bright red.Generally,its comprehensive characters are better than those of the cultivar Hongli.
WE-H-207A-08: Characterization of a Broad-Spectrum Cancer Targeted MRI Contrast Agent

Purpose: To characterize the relaxation properties and tumor targeting capabilities of a novel alkylphosphocholine (APC) analog MR contrast agent, Gd-DO3A-404. Methods: Relaxivities were measured via T1 and T2 mapping of Gd-DO3A-404 with inversion recovery and spin echo pulse sequences, respectively. Uptake was characterized in flank xenograft models of non-small cell lung cancer (A549) and glioma (U87) and compared with uptake of Dotarem. Mice (N=3 per model per agent) were delivered 2.34 moles contrast intravenously. T1-weighted MRI and T1 maps were acquired pre-contrast and at multiple time points up to seven days post-contrast. For Dotarem imaging, T1-weighted MRI was performed at multiple time points from one minute to one day. Results: Relaxivities of Gd-DO3A-404 in plasma were r1=5.74 and r2=20.4 s-1/mm at 4.7T, comparing favorably to clinical contrast agent Dotarem (r1=3.3, r2=4.7). Specific, sustained uptake of Gd-DO3A-404 was observed in U87 and A549. The ratio of tumor:muscle T1-weighted signal increased from 1.24 pre-contrast to 2.12 twenty-four hours post-contrast in U87 and from 1.14 to 2.16 (same time points) in A549. Significant signal enhancement was maintained until 7 and 4 days post-contrast in U87 and A549, respectively. In comparison, uptake and washout of Dotarem in U87 occurred over the course of fifteen minutes. The ratio of tumor:muscle T1-weighted signal increased only 59% as much as Gd-DO3A-404, ranging from 1.15 pre-contrast to a maximum of 1.67 five minutes post-contrast. Significant signal enhancement from Dotarem was not sustained beyond one hour post-contrast. Conclusion: These results indicate that with favorable relaxation characteristics and sustained signal-enhancing uptake in multiple tumor models, Gd-DO3A-404 has great potential as a tumor-targeting MR contrast agent. As part of a library of APC analogs labeled with PET/optical tracers and therapeutic radionuclides, Gd-DO3A-404 further expands theranostic capabilities. Future work will investigate applications in orthotopic glioma imaging, simultaneous PET/MR, and neutron capture therapy.
Temperature dependence of the yields of methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone from the OH-initiated oxidation of isoprene under NOx-free conditions

Abstract Yields of methacrolein (MAC) and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) from the OH-initiated oxidation of isoprene were measured under NO x -free conditions at 303, 323 and 343 K and 1 atm in a quartz reaction chamber coupled to a mass spectrometer. Measured yields of MAC and MVK were approximately 9–11% and 17−22%, respectively at temperatures between 303 and 343 K, in good agreement with previous studies. The measured yields of MAC and MVK, at 303 and 323 K as well as the measured yield of MAC at 343 K were reproduced reasonably well using an explicit model of isoprene oxidation. However, the experimental yields of MVK at 343 K were underestimated by the model, suggesting that a temperature dependent source of MVK was missing. Several recently proposed additions to the isoprene oxidation mechanism, including 1,6- and 1,5-H shift isomerization reactions of isoprene-based hydroxyalkyl peroxy radicals, were tested in order to determine if these mechanisms can explain the observed temperature dependence of the product yields.
In Silico Proficiency Testing for Clinical Next-Generation Sequencing

Quality assurance for clinical next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based assays is difficult given the complex methods and the range of sequence variants such assays can detect. As the number and range of mutations detected by clinical NGS assays has increased, it is difficult to apply standard analyte-specific proficiency testing (PT). Most current proficiency testing challenges for NGS are methods-based PT surveys that use DNA from reference samples engineered to harbor specific mutations that test both sequence generation and bioinformatics analysis. These methods-based PTs are limited by the number and types of mutations that can be physically introduced into a single DNA sample. In silico proficiency testing, which evaluates only the bioinformatics component of NGS assays, is a recently introduced PT method that allows for evaluation of numerous mutations spanning a range of variant classes. In silico PT data sets can be generated from simulated or actual sequencing data and are used to test alignment through variant detection and annotation steps. In silico PT has several advantages over the use of physical samples, including greater flexibility in tested variants, the ability to design laboratory-specific challenges, and lower costs. Herein, we review the use of in silico PT as an alternative to traditional methods-based PT as it is evolving in oncology applications and discuss how the approach is applicable more broadly.