cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing best practices for IOOS web portals

The Regional Associations (RAs) of IOOS have developed web portals to deliver oceanographic data and information to a diverse range of users. Our research task here is to discover ways of measuring how effectively IOOS web portals are delivering that data and information. Good measurement techniques can help the IOOS community improve its support to users through the development of best practices. In our examination of 10 RA web portals we found the main questions are: If IOOS is about getting data, how easy is it to locate, and then to use? We consider usability testing as a means for evaluating the effectiveness of web portals and discuss three exploratory assessments with regards to navigation, search, and content. The authors anticipate future, more in-depth research on how to maximize web portal usability for the diverse base of IOOS stakeholders.
Approach to Permanent Hemodialysis Access in Obese Patients

Obesity has reached an epidemic in the United States and, not surprisingly, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity-associated comorbidities, complete with a host of new, related surgical challenges. The creation and maintenance of permanent hemodialysis access, particularly autogenous access, is generally considered more difficult in the obese patient because of the increased risk of perioperative complications, as well as a decreased maturation rate. Most of the data documenting these adverse outcomes come from retrospective studies and, therefore, the reliability of the data is somewhat limited, given the inherent selection bias. In the United States, most obese patients dialyze through prosthetic access, despite the national initiatives targeted at maximizing autogenous access. However, it is possible to construct an autogenous access in most patients, including obese patients, presenting for permanent access using proper, diligent preoperative imaging and an aggressive postoperative surveillance protocol until access maturation. This is facilitated by careful preoperative planning and liberal use of multiple diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers to improve overall access function. In this review, the outcomes associated with permanent hemodialysis access in the obese are discussed and helpful suggestions to facilitate a functional access provided.
Impedance-Based Method for Nondestructive Damage Identification

A structural damage identification technique based on the impedance method is presented in this paper using smart piezoelectric transducer (PZT) patches. A modeling framework is developed to determine the structural impedance response and the dynamic output forces of PZT patches from the electric admittance measurements. A damage identification scheme for solving the nonlinear optimization problem is proposed to locate and quantify the structural damage through the minimization of the discrepancy between the structural impedance response and the numerically computed frequency response. The proposed technique does not use modal analysis or model reduction, and only the electric admittance measurements of PZT patches and the analytical system matrices are required. A beam example has been employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm numerically. Furthermore, the influence of the measurement noise on the results has been investigated.
Multilayer organic X-band antenna arrays using Wilkinson power dividers with embedded thin film resistors

Antenna arrays are used extensively in remote sensing applications where a highly directed beam is desired to scan a particular area on the surface of the Earth. Compact size, lightweight, and flexibility are essential characteristics for such applications that require portability and surface conformance. Multilayer Organic (MLO) System on a Package (SOP) technology offers a low cost solution for this type of applications while providing excellent RF performance. Microstrip antenna phased arrays utilizing a substrate of Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) and RT/Duroid dielectric layers, and with integrated SiGe LNAs and phase-shifters, have been demonstrated in [1]. The radiating elements on these arrays were uniformly fed in parallel using an embedded microstrip feed network with reactive power dividers. This paper presents a different approach to the feed network, using Wilkinson power dividers with embedded thin film resistors; which will provide better performance in terms of isolation between output ports.
The effects of bile acids on phospholipase C activity in extracts of normal human colon mucosa and primary colon tumors.

Phospholipase C (PLC) activity and its response to stimulation by bile acids was assayed in cellular extracts from 16 primary human colon tumors of various Duke′s stages and paired adjacent normal mucosal samples. In the absence of bile acid, there was negligible degradation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 1-stearoyl-2-[14C]-arachiodonoyl by tumor or normal tissue, but the addition of deoxycholic acid (DCA) or taurocholic acid (TCA) resulted in concentration-dependent and time-dependent stimulation of diacylglycerol (DAG) formation at optimal concentrations of 2 mM DCA and 4 mM TCA. Triton X-100 (0.125–1.0%) inhibited rather than enhanced the PI-degrading activity of these extracts, indicating that the stimulatory effects of DCA and TCA were not simply due to a detergent effect. Under the same assay conditions there was only a small amount of labeled monoacylglycerol or free arachidonic acid produced by extracts incubated in the absence or presence of DCA or TCA. No major differences in DAG production from PI were seen between paired samples of normal colon mucosa and primary colon tumors, in assays done in the presence of 2 mM TCA. Extracts from tumors in the distal part of the colon had higher activity than those from the proximal colon. This was also true for the extent of release of free arachidonic acid from labeled PI. Under the same conditions, labeled phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine did not serve as substrates for the colon mucosa or tumor extracts. Nor was there significant hydrolysis of the labeled DAG (1-stearoyl-2-14C-arachidonoylglycerol) by normal colon mucosa or tumor extracts, in the absence or presence of DCA or TCA. On the other hand, a low level of DAG lipase activity was detected in the presence of Triton X-100. These findings provide the first evidence that normal human colon mucosa and primary colon tumors contain a PI-specific PLC activity that is markedly stimulated by bile acids. Our results also suggest that bile acids may enhance colon carcinogenesis by acting on this enzyme system, thereby influencing signal transduction pathways in the target cells. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Treatment of Sarcoidosis With Infliximab

Background/objectives Many patients with sarcoidosis are unable to tolerate corticosteroids or alternative therapeutic agents due to side effects or have disease refractory to these agents. We report our experience using infliximab to treat such patients Methods A group of patients in whom traditional sarcoidosis therapy failed, either due to drug failure or intolerable side effects, were prescribed infliximab. Their charts were retrospectively reviewed Results Ten patients receiving infliximab were reviewed. Nine of the 10 patients reported a symptomatic improvement with therapy, and all 10 demonstrated objective evidence of improvement. A drug reaction developed in one patient after several months of therapy, oral candidiasis developed in one patient, and angioimmunoblastic lymphoma developed in another patient. The corticosteroid dose was reduced in five of the six patients who were receiving corticosteroids at the time of infliximab therapy Conclusion Infliximab appears to be an effective, safe treatment for patients with refractory sarcoidosis, including such manifestations as lupus pernio, uveitis, hepatic sarcoidosis, and neurosarcoidosis. Infliximab appears to be steroid sparing. Patients receiving the drug should be screened for latent tuberculosis and lymphoproliferative disorders
Cytogenetic analysis of salivary gland type tumors

Fourteen salivary gland type tumors were analyzed with a combination of conventional cytogenetics via GTG-banding, molecular cytogenetics via fluorescent in situ hybridization, and chromosome morphometry. Nine tumors were benign (eight pleomorphic adenomas and one Warthin tumor) five tumors were malignant (one carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, two adenoid cystic carcinomas including one from the breast, a basal cell adenocarcinoma, and an acinic cell carcinoma). Thirteen specimens grew in tissue culture; the basal cell adenocarcinoma did not grow. The Warthin tumor had a normal karyotype, one pleomorphic adenoma was normal, one had a clone with a missing Y chromosome, and the other pleomorphic adenomas had structural chromosomal abnormalities including the following: translocations between chromosomes 3 and 8, chromosomes 6 and 16, chromosomes 8 and 9, chromosomes 8 and 12, chromosomes 8 and 14, and chromosomes 8 and 21. Of the four malignant tumors with karyotypes, the acinic cell carcinoma and one adenoid cystic carcinoma were normal, the second adenoid cystic carcinoma showed a normal polymorphic variant, whereas the carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma demonstrated the following karyotype: 46,XX,dir ins(8;5)(q12;q12q35), add(12)(p13)/46,XX. In conclusion, 66% of the benign tumors and 25% of the malignant tumors demonstrated abnormal karyotypes.
Adaptive linearization for cooperative position control of robotic manipulators

Multilink manipulators have nonlinear and strongly coupled dynamics, which can be linearized and decoupled by using nonlinear feedback control schemes. Since the nonlinear feedback law depends on the system's parameters, if the system parameters change, the linearized system will go beck to a nonlinear system. This paper shows how the adaptive control technique can be used to overcome system parameter variation. The steepest descent method is used to adjust the parameters in the nonlinear feedback loop. Once the system is linearized adaptively, the controller for cooperative position control can be designed using linear control techniques. >
Marketing, Market Growth, and Endogenous Growth Theory: An Inquiry Into the Causes of Market Growth:

Market growth plays a central role in virtually all strategic marketing models developed in the past 30 years. Although marketing scholars seem implicitly to assume that marketing efforts contribute in some way to market growth, market growth per se remains a conceptual black box in marketing. Using new developments in endogenous growth theory, this article explores the link between marketing actions and market growth. In particular, the authors develop a conceptual model arguing that the effect of endogenous actions on market growth is mediated by knowledge creation, matching, and diffusion. Propositions are proposed to guide future research. The authors discuss the implications for marketing strategy at both business discipline and public policy levels.
Systematic recursive construction of LDPC codes

This letter presents a systematic and recursive method to construct good low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, especially those with high rate. The proposed method uses a parity check matrix of a quasi-cyclic LDPC code with given row and column weights as a core upon which the larger code is recursively constructed with extensive use of pseudorandom permutation matrices. This construction preserves the minimum distance and girth properties of the core matrix and can generate either regular, or irregular LDPC codes. The method provides a unique representation of the code in compact notation.
Punitive Damages, Other Acts Evidence, and the Constitution

This article responds to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Campbell and argues the Court failed to fulfill its obligation to provide clear guidance to lower courts on how to interpret and apply its opinion, particularly with regard to the use of evidence of other acts. Rather than detailing what evidence of other acts a lower court may consider in determining whether and in what amount a punitive damage award is appropriate, the Court simply declared - with little explanation - that other acts evidence must have a "nexus" to the harm suffered by the plaintiff; absence of such a nexus violates due process. Part II of this article traces the development of the Court's punitive damages jurisprudence. Next, Part III outlines the rules governing the admissibility of evidence of other acts. In Part IV, Professor Gash analyzes and critiques the Court's opinion in State Farm and provides three alternate explanations for the "nexus" test. Finally, in Part V, Professor Gash proposes a framework for lower courts to follow when deciding whether evidence of other acts can or should be admitted for the purpose of ascertaining the appropriate amount of punitive damages, if any, that should be awarded in a given case. This six-step process remains faithful to and consistent with the State Farm Court's "nexus" test.
Comparison of Treatment Effects Between US and Non-US Study Sites in Multiregional Alzheimer Disease Clinical Trials:

Conducting clinical trials across multiple regions of the world has become common practice. A multiregional clinical trial (MRCT) presents opportunities as well as challenges. However, regional differences of treatment effects appear in many MRCTs, which make the interpretation of clinical trial results difficult and presents challenges for clinical trial design. Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects approximately 5 million people in the United States and is the sixth leading cause of death in the country. In 2014, AD cost the United States $214 billion, and the cost is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050. In this article, we utilize data from New Drug Applications (NDAs) that have been approved for the treatment of AD to study whether there are differences in treatment effect between US and non-US study sites. Using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model and forest plot, we analyze the treatment difference by region (US and non-US) from 3 separate perspectives: by region for each trial, by region for each endpoint, and by region and trial for each endpoint. Overall, the analyses indicate that treatment effects in clinical trials for AD are generally in the expected direction in both US and non-US sites. There was no clear evidence of heterogeneity in treatment effects between US and non-US sites. It appears that there is no clear evidence to suggest that MRCTs should not be used to study AD.
Acute Metabolic Effects of Nicotinic Acid in Alloxan Diabetic Dogs.

SummarySmall doses of nicotinic acid were injected i.v. into alloxan diabetic dogs, causing an initial, rapid, significant decrease of plasma FFA followed by a rebound increase over control values. Blood sugar and total cholesterol were not affected.
Heterothallism in the Lettuce Strain of Erysiphe Cichoracearum

The cultivated-lettuce strain of Erysiphe cichoracearum was found to be heterothallic. The two mating types occurred with about the same frequency when random samples of single conidia were analyze...
Synthesis, characterization, and glutathionylation of cobalamin model complexes [Co(N4PyCO 2Me)Cl]Cl 2 and [Co(Bn-CDPy3)Cl]Cl 2

Synthetic Co(III) complexes containing N5 donor sets undergo glutathionylation to generate biomimetic species of glutathionylcobalamin (GSCbl), an important form of cobalamin (Cbl) found in nature. For this study, a new Co(III) complex was synthesized derived from the polypyridyl pentadentate N5 ligand N4PyCO(2)Me (1). The compound [Co(N4PyCO(2)Me)Cl]Cl(2) (3) was characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-vis, IR, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry (HRMS). Reaction of 3 with glutathione (GSH) in H(2)O generates the biomimetic species [Co(N4PyCO(2)Me)(SG)](2+) (5), which was generated in situ and characterized by UV-vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopies and HRMS. (1)H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopic data are consistent with ligation of the cysteine thiolate of GSH to the Co(III) center of 5, as occurs in GSCbl. Kinetic analysis indicated that the substitution of chloride by GS(-) occurs by a second-order process [k(1) = (10.1 ± 0.7) × 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1)]. The observed equilibrium constant for formation of 5 (K(obs) = 870 ± 50 M(-1)) is about 3 orders of magnitude smaller than for GSCbl. Reaction of the Co(III) complex [Co(Bn-CDPy3)Cl]Cl(2) (4) with GSH generates glutathionylated species [Co(Bn-CDPy3)(GS)](2+) (6), analogous to 5. Glutathionylation of 4 occurs at a similar rate [k(2) = (8.4 ± 0.5) × 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1)], and the observed equilibrium constant (K(obs) = 740 ± 47 M(-1)) is slightly smaller than for 5. Glutathionylation showed a significant pH dependence, where rates increased with pH. Taken together, these results suggest that glutathionylation is a general reaction for Co(III) complexes related to Cbl.
Identification of histamine in blood by paper chromatography.

SummaryA method for the chemical identification of histamine in blood has been described and used to prove the appearance of histamine in plasma after addition of antigen (in vitro) to the blood of sensitized rabbits and in the blood of dogs undergoing anaphylactic shock.
Distribution and partial purification of pituitary gonadotropins of human plasma.

SummaryThe location and approximate concentration of gonadotropic activity in various fractions of human postmenopausal plasma has been determined. The plasma was fractionated by means of the cold ethanol method VI of Cohn and was assayed in immature female rats by estimating ovarian growth and secretory activity. Although traces of activity were found in Fractions IV-1, IV-4 and V, the bulk of the gonadotropically-active material was located in Fraction II + III. Subfractionation of Fraction II + III by successive precipitations with zinc and 20% ethanol freed the gonadotropins from the majority of the contaminating proteins.
Electrochemical Coupled-Enzyme Assays at Carbon Nanotubes

The recently developed internally calibrated electrochemical continuous enzyme assay (ICECEA) has proved to work well for single-enzyme systems. In the present work, its relevance to more challenging coupled-enzyme measurements was investigated by using a model enzyme pair comprising aspartate transaminase (AST) and malic dehydrogenase. The ICECEA was performed at an electrode modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which were dispersed in a polysaccharide chitosan that acted as an adhesive. The 7 min assay required a 100 μL sample and relied on an AST-free calibration. It had a limit of detection equal to 5.0 pM AST (0.10 U L–1) with no need for the incubation period. Its linear range extended up to 3500 pM (70 U L–1). Perhaps the most promising was the fact that the assay and its calibration could be performed in the same solution even though the composition of the assay solution for the coupled-enzyme assays is typically more complex than that for the single-enzyme assays. This and the fast electrode ki...
Larvicides for Fly Control—A Review

Many fly species are found around domestic animal manures. Those infesting cattle manure include the house fly, Musca. domestica. L.; the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.); the face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer; and the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitarns (L.). Around poultry manure, fly pests, in addition to the house fly, are the little house fly, Fannia canicularis (L.); the costal fly, F. fermoralis Stein; and the false stable fly, Muscina stabulans (Fallen). Additional species reported to be problem around poultry wastes in Hawaii are F. pusio (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephalis (F.), and Parasarcophaga arygrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Sherman et al. 1962).
Nitrate photochemistry in NaY zeolite: product formation and product stability under different environmental conditions.

In the atmosphere, mineral dust particles are often associated with adsorbed nitrate from heterogeneous reactions with nitrogen oxides (N2O5, HNO3, NO3, and NO2). Nitrate ions associated with mineral dust particles can undergo further reactions including those initiated by solar radiation. Although nitrate photochemistry in aqueous media is fairly well studied, much less is known about the photochemistry of nitrate adsorbed on mineral dust particles. In this study, the photochemistry of nitrate from HNO3 adsorption in NaY zeolite under different environmental conditions has been investigated using transmission FTIR spectroscopy. NaY zeolite is used as a model zeolite for studying reactions that can occur in confined space such as those found in porous materials including naturally occurring zeolites and clays. Upon nitrate photolysis under dry conditions (relative humidity, RH, 1%. In the presence of gas phase ammonia, ammonium nitrate is formed in NaY zeolite. Photochemistry of ammonium nitrate yields gas phase N2O as the sole gas phase product. Evidence for an NH2 intermediate in the formation of N2O is identified with FTIR spectroscopy for HNO3 adsorption and photochemistry in NH4Y zeolite. Here, we discuss mechanisms for the formation of these intermediates from nitrate photochemistry as well as possible atmospheric implications.
Broadband Lg Magnitude

The application of the Nuttli (1973) definition of mbLg to observations with periods away from 1.0 seconds as suggested by Boore and Atkinson (1987) and Atkinson and Boore (1987) is studied with emphasis on observations in the 1.0 –10.0 second range and on single degree of freedom seismographs. Simulation studies indicate the efficacy of this usage, but also provides insight into the interrelated effects of the instrument, anelastic attenuation and the seismic source on observed amplitudes. In order to relate a broadband Lg magnitude to the source spectrum, a correction term must be applied to the m Lg (f) relation of Herrmann and Kijko (1983).
Calculation Method of Composite Error for Electronic Current Transformers Based on Rowgowski Coil

The calculation and analysis of composite error for electronic current transformer is important to the precision of power operational factors.We introduced the error calibration method of electronic current transformer,analyzed the fundamental principle of electronic current transformer on the basis of Rogowski coil,and proposed several composite error calibration methods of electronic current transformer on the basis of Rogowski coil in order to test composite error accurately.Then we proposed a composite error calibration method based on Hilbert transform according to the comparison and analysis of several composite error calibration methods.The results show that,when using Hilbert transform,the calculation result is not affected by sampling frequency and can satisfy the demands of error limiting value when signal frequency fluctuate in common range if the signal is of standard sine wave.The calculation result can satisfy the accuracy requirements even the signal contains some harmonic content.Therefore,the Hilbert transform can be chosen to be a calculation method of composite error for electronic current transformers based on Rowgowski coil.This method is proved practicable by practical test.
Survey of Awareness of Food Safety Knowledge of Employees in Food Circulation

Objectives To understand the awarness of the food safety knowledge of the prohibition production and operation food of all the city's circulation link food practitioners,and to explore the countermeasures for decreasing the occurrence of food safety incidents.Methods 3 092 circulation link food practitioners of the whole city who had participated in training of the food safety law and other relevant laws and regulations in 2012,and all of them should answer ten questions.Results The awareness of the food safety knowledge of the prohibition production and operation food was related with the educational level,the previous training,the length of service,the business scale and the job status.The awareness of the group of high educational level was significantly higher than the group of low educational level,the trained group was significantly higher than the untrained group,the seniority group was significantly higher than the short length of service group,the large supermarket group were significantly higher than the general store group,the group in charge of people was significantly higher than the group of general staff(P0.005).Conclusions We should intensify supervision and monitoring,strengthen relevant propaganda and publicity,and make the knowledge of the ban on the production and management food as a key in the training to improve the knowledge level of circulation link food practitioners.
Nonequilibrium Reaction Kinetics in Molecular Solids

We explore the possibility of nonstatistical chemical reactions in condensed-phase energetic materials via reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We characterize the response of nitromethane [CH3NO2], HMX [cyclic (CH2-NNO2)4], and PETN [C-(CH2-ONO2)4] to different types of insults: electric fields of various frequencies and strengths and direct heating at various rates. We find that nonequilibrium states can be created for short time scales when energy input targets specific vibrations through the electric fields and that equilibration eventually occurs even while the insults remain present. Interestingly, for strong fields these relaxation time scales are comparable to those of the initial chemical decomposition of the molecules. NM decomposes predominantly via bimolecular reactions, and while insults targeting specific modes lead to strong nonequilibrium states, they do not affect the kinetics associated with decomposition. PETN decomposes via the unimolecular formation of NO2 and, quite interest...
Gothic Cuba and the Trans-American South in Louisa May Alcott’s ‘M.L.’

Garcia examines what she identifies as a ‘representational equation’ between Cuba and the US South in one of the Gothic romances written by Louisa May Alcott, one of the most famous nineteenth-century American women authors. Alcott is one in a small group of US writers who used Gothic tropes to represent Cuba. Focusing on race as the major Gothic element in ‘M.L.’, written in 1860 but published in 1863—during the Civil War—this chapter finds that the intersection of race, gender, and geography turn Cuba into a double of the South in a narrative that allegorizes national and racial reconciliation. The chapter concludes by noting how Alcott constructed a ‘trans-American South’, one that connected the United States and the Spanish Caribbean through the Gothic.
Angelman Syndrome: Molecular Cytogenetic Studies

Clinical, neurological, and molecular genetic studies of 22 patients with diagnostic features of Angelman syndrome (AS) are reported from National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
A Qualitative Evaluation of the 4-H Record Book in Light of the PYD Concepts: Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity

The highlights of a study of the 4-H Record Book (RB) in light of the four positive youth development (PYD) concepts: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity are discussed in this paper. Utilizing qualitative methods we interviewed 21 participants (14 leaders, 9 recent 4-H alumni) from 9 states. Results describe the ways in which participants perceived that the RB (a) supports the four PYD concepts (e.g., “RB fosters independence through the goal setting, monitoring, and appraising process”) and (b) does not support, or should be revised to support the concept (e.g., “RB competitions may hinder mastery”). Our results support the RB as a PYD intervention but we recommend that states/counties consider these results when revising RBs. In light of concerns about age and developmental appropriateness, we suggest that the most pressing question is whether or not the traditionally formatted RB is appropriate for all 4-Hers. We encourage RB committees to engage professionals with developmental expertise (e.g., educators) in RB revisions.
A Proverbial Approach to Public Administration

The ethical challenges of public administrators are great. In order to address these challenges the administrator requires more than legal boundaries to fall back onto. A moral foundation is also required. The moral foundation thesis is not new to the study of public administration, however, this paper proposes that one overlooked and underrepresented area for establishing a moral foundation is found in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and especially its central book of wisdom, Proverbs. This paper examines select and common public administrative principles that flow from the book of Proverbs, thus showing that ethical decision-making by public administrators is influenced by wisdom literature found in religious texts.
Chemistry and physiology of deoxynivalenol in pathogenesis

The focus of this presentation is on the role of deoxynivalenol in pathogenesis. Single-kernel analysis is the model system developed for the study of this disease. In natural infection, DON is found in the spikelets other than those showing symptoms and is most likely due to spread of the fungus. In wheat and barley heads inoculated with DON, no translocation of DON out of the spikelets was noted after 12, 24, and 48 hours. Macroconidia of F. graminearum isolates did not contain DON when grown on mung bean agar although these same isolates when inoculated into spikelets of wheat produced the toxin. In inoculation of single kernels of wheat, DON as well as 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol are produced as soon as 48 hours after inoculation. Trichodiene mutants that do not produce DON did not do so when inoculated into single spikelets on wheat heads although they did show mild symptoms of infection. The wild type (DON producer) caused mores severe symptoms of infection than the mutant.
Fast Metabolite Identification in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomic Studies: Statistical Peak Sorting and Peak Overlap Detection for More Reliable Database Queries.

A lot of time is spent by researchers in the identification of metabolites in NMR-based metabolomic studies. The usual metabolite identification starts employing public or commercial databases to match chemical shifts thought to belong to a given compound. Statistical total correlation spectroscopy (STOCSY), in use for more than a decade, speeds the process by finding statistical correlations among peaks, being able to create a better peak list as input for the database query. However, the (normally not automated) analysis becomes challenging due to the intrinsic issue of peak overlap, where correlations of more than one compound appear in the STOCSY trace. Here we present a fully automated methodology that analyzes all STOCSY traces at once (every peak is chosen as driver peak) and overcomes the peak overlap obstacle. Peak overlap detection by clustering analysis and sorting of traces (POD-CAST) first creates an overlap matrix from the STOCSY traces, then clusters the overlap traces based on their simila...
Influence of Brain Stem on Axial and Hindlimb Spinal Locomotor Rhythm Generating Circuits of the Neonatal Mouse.

The trunk plays a pivotal role in limbed locomotion. Yet, little is known about how the brain stem controls trunk activity during walking. In this study, we assessed the spatiotemporal activity patterns of axial and hindlimb motoneurons (MNs) during drug-induced fictive locomotor-like activity (LLA) in an isolated brain stem-spinal cord preparation of the neonatal mouse. We also evaluated the extent to which these activity patterns are affected by removal of brain stem. Recordings were made in the segments T7, L2, and L5 using calcium imaging from individual axial MNs in the medial motor column (MMC) and hindlimb MNs in lateral motor column (LMC). The MN activities were analyzed during both the rhythmic and the tonic components of LLA of LLA, the tonic component being used as a readout of generalized increase in excitability in spinal locomotor networks. The most salient effect of brain stem removal was an increase in locomotor rhythm frequency and a concomitant reduction in burst durations in both MMC and LMC MNs. The lack of effect on the tonic component of LLA indicated specificity of action during the rhythmic component. Cooling-induced silencing of the brain stem reproduced the increase in rhythm frequency and accompanying decrease in burst durations in L2 MMC and LMC, suggesting a dependency on brain stem neuron activity. The work supports the idea that the brain stem locomotor circuits are operational already at birth and further suggests an important role in modulating trunk activity. The brain stem may influence the axial and hindlimb spinal locomotor rhythm generating circuits by extending their range of operation. This may represent a critical step of locomotor development when learning how to walk in different conditions and environments is a major endeavor.
Familial Classification of Depressive Illnesses

It has become the fashion to use a series of criteria to make a diagnosis in psychiatry. The latest effort in this direction is the DSM-III system (1980) in the United States. The criteria for depression, however, do not define an illness; they simply define a syndrome. This syndrome is seen as a secondary phenomenon (secondary depression) in a number of medical and psychiatric illnesses (Stewart et al. 1965; Winokur 1972).
Carbon Dioxide and Climatic Change

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some of the carbon dioxide–climate sensitivity studies to analyze effect of carbon dioxide on climate. The carbon dioxide-induced change of the atmospheric temperature is analyzed based upon the results from radiative, convective models of the atmospheric-surface system. A general circulation model of climate is elaborated as a prognostic system of equations representing the physical and dynamical processes, which control climate. A brief description of climate as simulated by the Manabe–Stouffer model is presented. The climatic effect of the increase in carbon dioxide concentration is discussed based upon analysis of the differences between the two statistically stationary states which emerge from the 1×CO 2 and 4×CO 2 experiments. The distribution of the carbon dioxide-induced change in a global model climate is discussed. The latitudinal and seasonal variation of the signal-to-noise ratio for the carbon dioxide-induced change of zonal mean surface air temperature over continents is also illustrated.
Long-term strength of a pressed composite under conditions of programmed uniaxial tension-compression

1. The long-term strength curves of the investigated composite in tension and compression diverge in the region t*>10 h. 2. In the case of programmed loading with constant sign the best prediction of the lifetime is given by criteria (4) and (5). However, preference should be given to criterion (5) which, thanks to the presence of an additional constant ni, takes the hereditary properties of the material and the nonlinearity of the damage accumulation process more accurately into account. 3. A change in the sign of the stress affects the lifetime of the specimen. This effect is especially marked on transition from compression to tension. The periods of compression make an important contribution to the total damage; disregarding this contribution may lead to a significant error in calculating the lifetime. 4. Predicting the lifetime under alternating loading using criteria (2), (4) and (5) leads, for most of the programs investigated, to an appreciable error. This is evidently due to the effect of the change in the sign of the stress on the variation of the rate of damage accumulation and the level of damage inheritance during the loading process. Criterion (4) and (5) require modification before being extended to the case of alternating loading.
Analysis of Phosphatidylinositol Transfer at ER-PM Junctions in Receptor-Stimulated Live Cells.

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) is an inositol-containing phospholipid synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). PI is a precursor lipid for PI 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) in the plasma membrane (PM) important for Ca2+ signaling in response to extracellular stimuli. Thus, ER-to-PM PI transfer becomes essential for cells to maintain PI(4,5)P2 homeostasis during receptor stimulation. In this chapter, we discuss two live-cell imaging protocols to analyze ER-to-PM PI transfer at ER-PM junctions, where the two membrane compartments make close appositions accommodating PI transfer. First, we describe how to monitor PI(4,5)P2 replenishment following receptor stimulation, as a readout of PI transfer, using a PI(4,5)P2 biosensor and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. The second protocol directly visualizes PI transfer proteins that accumulate at ER-PM junctions and mediate PI(4,5)P2 replenishment with PI in the ER in stimulated cells. These methods provide spatial and temporal analysis of ER-to-PM PI transfer during receptor stimulation and can be adapted to other research questions related to this topic.
Compact Kähler manifolds with nonpositive bisectional curvature

Let (M n , g) be a compact Kahler manifold with nonpositive bisectional curvature. We show that a finite cover is biholomorphic and isometric to a flat torus bundle over a compact Kahler manifold N k with c 1 < 0. This confirms a conjecture of Yau. As a corollary, for any compact Kahler manifold with nonpositive bisectional curvature, the Kodaira dimension is equal to the maximal rank of the Ricci tensor. We also prove a global splitting result under the assumption of certain immersed complex submanifolds.
Oxidation-induced healing in laser-processed thermal barrier coatings

Abstract The use of columnar structures in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) enables producing materials with lower thermal conductivities that are also able to accommodate thermal expansion during temperature cycling events. However, open porosity leads to the failure of TBCs because of the rapid oxidation of the coating-substrate interface. Here we propose to create an oxidation-induced sealing process to mitigate any oxidation or potential chemical attack. This is achieved by pre-mixing the top surface with a carbide phase (TiC or SiC) that oxidizes in contact with air to seal the surface through volume expansion. Laser processing was used as a technique to fabricate YSZ-Al2O3-TiC or YSZ-Al2O3-SiC layers on 316 stainless steel substrates to understand the viability of this process as well as this coating design in creating self-healing thermal barrier coatings. Nanocomposite self-healing coatings and single-phase yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) reference layers were produced using a laser fluence of 17.0 J/mm2 (800 W), 19.1 J/mm2 (900 W), and 25.5 J/mm2 (1200 W) to optimize process conditions. These coatings were subsequently annealed at 720 °C for 12 h to ensure complete oxidation of the TiC(SiC) phase in the former coating. X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping confirmed the creation of the desired columnar structure to accommodate thermal stresses and that a post-annealing treatment was required to achieve complete oxidation of the TiC(SiC) phase. The migration of TiO2 phase to the crack site was demonstrated using cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in tandem with elemental mapping via energy dispersive spectroscopy. The suggested optimum laser fluence to create a viable self-healing composite was found to be 17.0 J/mm2 since higher values resulted in significant interdiffusion between the substrate and the coating as indicated by cross-sectional SEM/EDS. Laser processing was demonstrated to be a viable technique that has the potential to create a self-healing layer that seals YSZ-based underlayers from diffusion.
Changes in global electrical heterogeneity associated with dofetilide, quinidine, ranolazine, and verapamil

Background Electrocardiographic (ECG) markers of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) activity could be used to optimize efficacy and minimize toxicity. Vectorcardiographic global electrical heterogeneity (GEH) is associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death, but it is unclear how GEH measurements change in response to AADs. Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize acute effects of AADs on GEH measurements. Methods We analyzed double-blind placebo-controlled trial data from healthy volunteers given 1 dose of placebo, dofetilide, quinidine, ranolazine, or verapamil on subsequent visits. Serial ECGs and plasma drug concentrations were collected. Vectorcardiographic GEH parameters (spatial ventricular gradient [SVG], spatial QRST angle, sum absolute QRST integral, and SVG-QRS peak angle) were measured. Placebo-corrected change from baseline was regressed on drug concentration stratified by sex using linear mixed effects models. Results Among 22 persons (11 (50%) male median age 27 ± 5 years), 5232 ECGs were analyzed. Dofetilide and quinidine were associated with significant changes in more GEH parameters (5) compared with verapamil (2) and ranolazine (1). The most notable change occurred in SVG azimuth, with largest changes (degrees per unit normalized drug concentration) in dofetilide (6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2–8.0) and quinidine (9.4; 95% CI 6.7–12.0), and smaller effects in verapamil (4.4; 95% CI 2.9–5.9) and ranolazine (5.4; 95% CI 3.5–7.3). AAD-induced GEH changes significantly differed in men and women. Conclusion AADs change GEH measurements. These changes, which differ by sex, are likely driven by alterations in ion channel function and dispersion of depolarization or repolarization. GEH measurement may allow early assessment of favorable or adverse AAD effects.
Comparison of Fundus-Guided Microperimetry and Multifocal Electroretinography for Evaluating Hydroxychloroquine Maculopathy.

Purpose To compare retinal function by using fundus-guided microperimetry (MP) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) for detecting hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) maculopathy. Methods Forty-six eyes of 25 patients referred to our clinical practice for HCQ maculopathy assessment and 3 groups of normal control subjects were evaluated by mfERG and MP. Macular structure was assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Ring ratios from the three innermost mERG rings were compared with average sensitivity of each MP ring at approximately equivalent distances from the fovea. HCQ toxicity was defined as an mfERG ring ratio or mean MP ring sensitivity >2 standard deviations below the normal mean. The sensitivity and specificity of MP to detect HCQ toxicity relative to mfERG were evaluated. Results MP rings MR2 and MR3 were positively correlated with corresponding mfERG ring ratios (r = 0.52, P = 0.002 and r = 0.56, P < 0.001 respectively). Ring 2 and ring 3 measures of MP and mfERG were significantly worse in HCQ eyes than controls (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of MP to detect toxicity for MR1 through MR3 ranged from 33% to 88%, whereas specificity ranged from 72% to 85%. Through rings 1 to 3, the frequency of abnormal function ranged from 20% to 48% for MP, 11% to 35% for mfERG, and 41% to 45% for SD-OCT. Conclusions The frequency of detection of HCQ toxicity with MP was greater than with mfERG. MP showed an overall good sensitivity and moderate specificity in detecting HCQ-induced functional deficits. Translational Relevance Results from this study may allow clinicians to improve screening accuracy for HCQ toxicity by using the alternative modality of MP.
Industrial R&D in 2008

Changes in industrial R&D will accelerate over the next 10 years. Scenario planning indicates that there are several drivers of change, the most prominent of which are information technology and gl...
Prognostic Value of Initial Blood Cell Counts in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy that has a poor prognosis. Not only does AML lead to mortality, but toxicity from chemotherapy can result in life-threatening complications. While the goal of treatment for some AML patients is cure, if the risks of chemotherapy are substantial, then less aggressive treatment regimens, including no treatment, should be pursued. The goal of this study was to identify risk factors for early mortality among patients with AML who receive chemotherapy. Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review. From January 2015 to August 2019, patients who received chemotherapy for AML were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics were gathered from when the patient was first suspected to have AML: age, sex, race, body surface area (BSA), white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin, platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and uric acid. The outcome was weeks of survival from the first day of treatment. The independent samples Mann-Whitney Test was used for dichotomous comparisons. Results: Forty-nine patients were included in the study. Patients aged ≤65 years old had greater median survival than those >65 years old (40.36 weeks vs. 11.50 weeks, p=0.045). Patients with a hemoglobin >8 g/dL had greater median survival than those ≤8g/dL (45.43 weeks vs. 6.57 weeks, p 50,000/mm3 had greater median survival than those ≤50,000/mm3 (47.72 weeks vs. 8.29 weeks, p For the 23 of 49 patients who survived less than six months from the time they started chemotherapy, patients with a platelet count >50,000/mm3 had greater median survival than those ≤50,000/mm3 (11.29 weeks vs. 4.43 weeks, p=0.016). Also, for patients surviving less than six months, those with BSA >1.95 m2 had median survival of 10 weeks versus median survival of 4.5 weeks for BSA ≤1.95 m2 (p=0.07). Conclusion: For patients receiving chemotherapy for AML, we found that in addition to older age, lower hemoglobin and lower platelet count were risk factors for survival time and should be considered before embarking on an aggressive treatment regimen, as the risks may outweigh the benefits. Download : Download high-res image (103KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Design of an eccentric recumbent ergometer to elicit delayed onset muscle soreness.

Introduction: Our objective was to design an eccentric bicycle design to elicit delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods: To assess the bicycle designs’ ability to elicit DOMS, fourteen, recreationally active, males performed five-minutes of eccentric bicycling at 50% of their individualized power determined from a modified six-second Wingate test. Outcome measures to assess DOMS included the Likert pain scale, creatine kinase, lactate blood concentration, and pressure algometry detection evaluated at four time points (baseline (before the eccentric bicycling), immediate post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post). Results: The Likert pain scale was different (F = 75.88, p < 0.001) at baseline (0.14 ± 0.36) and immediate post (0.21 ± 0.43), compared to 24 hours post (3.07 ± 0.83), and 48 hours post (2.93 ± 1.07). No changes were reported for creatine kinase (F = 0.7167, p = 0.475), lactate blood concentration (F = 2.313, p = 0.107), or pressure algometry detection. Conclusions: To understand mechanisms of DOMS, there is a need for a consistent, reliable method for producing DOMS. Our eccentric bicycle design and protocol offers an alternative approach to previous eccentric ergometer designs - demonstrating the potential to elicit DOMS in one, five-minute session.