cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
fMRI evidence of aberrant neural adaptation for objects in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) adaptation (also known as fMRI repetition suppression) has been widely used to characterize stimulus selectivity in vivo, a fundamental feature of neuronal processing in the brain. We investigated whether SZ patients and BD patients show aberrant fMRI adaptation for object perception. About 52 SZ patients, 55 BD patients, and 53 community controls completed an object discrimination task with three conditions: the same object presented twice, two exemplars from the same category, and two exemplars from different categories. We also administered two functional localizer tasks. A region of interest analysis was employed to evaluate a priori hypotheses about the lateral occipital complex (LOC) and early visual cortex (EVC). An exploratory whole brain analysis was also conducted. In the LOC and EVC, controls showed the expected reduced fMRI responses to repeated presentation of the same objects compared with different objects (i.e., fMRI adaptation for objects, p < .001). SZ patients showed an adaptation effect that was significantly smaller compared with controls. BD patients showed a lack of fMRI adaptation. The whole brain analyses showed enhanced fMRI responses to repeated presentation of the same objects only in BD patients in several brain regions including anterior cingulate cortex. This study was the first to employ fMRI adaptation for objects in SZ and BD. The current findings provide empirical evidence of aberrant fMRI adaptation in the visual cortex in SZ and BD, but in distinctly different ways.
SMAP: A Scalable and Distributed Architecture for Dynamic Spectrum Management

This paper presents the policy and technology case for decentralizing the architecture for dynamic spectrum management. A specific system concept called SMAP (distributed spectrum management architecture and protocol) is intended to enable wireless devices and networks to coordinate their spectrum use through an Internet-based common spectrum control plane. The SMAP architecture supports peer exchange of radio usage and control parameters between multiple wireless network domains operating in the same geographic region so that they can run distributed algorithms for optimization of transmission parameters to achieve efficiency and fairness while adhering to global and local policies. The architecture also provides interfaces to higher level cloud services including spectrum aggregators which facilitate broader cooperation and business relationships between wireless domains in the same area, or to regional spectrum databases such as the SAS (spectrum access system) being used for the 3.5 GHz innovation band. Design requirements for the proposed distributed spectrum control plane are discussed, including efficiency, scalability, decentralized decision making, support for local policy, service-level agreements and market mechanisms. This is followed by a technology outline of the architecture, explaining the high-level organization of the spectrum control plane, the participating entities, their protocol syntax and types of spectrum algorithms supported. Support for local policy and spectrum markets is also discussed. Proof-of-concept simulation and/or experimental results which demonstrate the technical feasibility of the proposed techniques are given for the following scenarios: (1) logically centralized spectrum coordination via regional spectrum brokers; (2) distributed coordination between colocated wireless domains using either single or multiple radio technologies (such as Wi-Fi and LTE); and (3) distributed coordination with additional local policy constraints. Future work is discussed in conclusion.
Relationship between a Weighted Multi-Gene Algorithm and Blood Pressure Control in Hypertension

Hypertension (HTN) is a complex disease with interactions among multiple organ systems, including the heart, vasculature, and kidney with a strong heritable component. Despite the multifactorial nature of HTN, no clinical guidelines utilize a multi-gene approach to guide blood pressure (BP) therapy. Non-smokers with a family history of HTN were included in the analysis (n = 384; age = 61.0 ± 0.9, 11% non-white). A total of 17 functional genotypes were weighted according to the previous effect size in the literature and entered into an algorithm. Pharmacotherapy was ranked from 1–4 as most to least likely to respond based on the algorithmic assessment of individual patient’s genotypes. Three-years of data were assessed at six-month intervals for BP and medication history. There was no difference in BP at diagnosis between groups matching the top drug recommendation using the multi-gene weighted algorithm (n = 92) vs. those who did not match (n = 292). However, from diagnosis to nadir, patients who matched the primary recommendation had a significantly greater drop in BP when compared to patients who did not. Further, the difference between diagnosis to current 1-year average BP was lower in the group that matched the top recommendation. These data suggest an association between a weighted multi-gene algorithm on the BP response to pharmacotherapy.
Structural Remodeling of Cardiac Myocytes in Hypertrophy and Progression to Failure

Studies conducted in recent years have underscored the importance of cardiac structural alterations in the progression to failure. For instance, therapies that arrest or reverse structural abnormalities produce the most striking improvements in patient outcome. Cardiac myocytes comprise about 75% of the heart mass and provide mechanical force for contraction. Consequently, structural changes in these cells are likely to play a key role in heart failure. Many myocyte cytoskeletal alterations have been observed in heart failure. Experiments in transgenic mice suggest that such changes can cause heart failure. Importantly, viral infections have been linked to cytoskeletal alterations known to cause heart failure. Perhaps, the most consistent and important myocyte structural alteration in progression to heart failure is a change in the shape of cardiac myocytes. In heart failure of both ischemic and hypertensive etiologies, progressive chamber dilatation is due largely to myocyte lengthening from series addition of new sarcomeres. During this critical transition period, myocyte diameter does not change. It is encouraging to know that this maladaptive change in myocyte shape is potentially reversible. Isolated myocyte data from patients with heart failure on LVAD (left ventricular assist device) support and animals genetically predisposed to heart failure and treated with ACE inhibitors or AT1 receptor antagonists have demonstrated significant reversal of myocyte shape alterations. As we learn more about signaling abnormalities affecting myocyte structure in heart failure, important new therapies will undoubtedly be developed in the near future as a result of this information.
The Measurement of Surface-Layer Stresses in a Polycrystalline Glass by Means of X-Ray Diffraction

Many glass materials can be made more resistant to failure if the surface layers are in a state of permanent compressive stress. For purposes of monitoring production quality at the factory, as well as to verify compliance with specifications before incorporation into special devices, it is desirable to measure nondestructively this stress magnitude. For those glass compositions in which the stress generating process creates a residual, finely divided, and uniformly dispersed crystalline phase (e.g. “Pyroceram”), a stress measuring technique based upon X-ray diffraction has been adapted and successfully used. Lattice spacings for near-surface crystallites are determined under the stressed conditions present in the final glass product. These lattice spacings are compared with values obtained from a powdered sample of the identical glass composition. In the powdered state the induced stress effects are minimal. Hence, the shift in lattice spacings is a measure of the compressive surface stress level attained in the manufacturing process.
Do sudden gains predict treatment outcome in social anxiety disorder? Findings from two randomized controlled trials.

Abstract Objective Sudden gains (SGs) have been found to occur during randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Evidence is mixed whether SGs relate to treatment outcome in SAD. We examined SGs in two RCTs for SAD. Method Study 1 (N = 68) examined SGs in individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and Study 2 (N = 100) compared SGs in group CBT and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Weekly ratings of social anxiety were used to calculate SGs. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self-Report and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale were completed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and follow-up to assess outcome. Results In Study 1, 17.6% of participants experienced a SG. Participants with SGs started and ended treatment with lower social anxiety. SGs were not associated with greater decreases in social anxiety from pre-to posttreatment or 12-month follow-up. In Study 2, SGs occurred in 27% of participants and at comparable rates in MBSR and group CBT. SGs were not associated with changes in social anxiety during treatment in either condition. Conclusion SGs occurred during treatment for SAD. In both RCTs, participants improved regardless of experiencing a SG, suggesting that SGs are not predictive of greater improvement during treatment for SAD.
Operative Technique for Laparoscopic Placement of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an increasingly utilized treatment modality for renal replacement therapy that affords medical and lifestyle benefits to the patient and financial savings to the health care system. Successful long-term use of PD is reliant upon an optimally functioning catheter. Many potential catheter-related complications can be avoided through utilizing optimal placement technique. As widespread use of PD as a renal replacement modality continues to increase, the need for a safe, standardized, catheter placement technique has become more evident. Objectives: To present a succinct synopsis of the rationale and elements of our current surgical management strategy for patients undergoing evaluation for PD and to provide a detailed stepwise description of our operative technique for PD catheter placement. This review describes potential pitfalls that may prevent optimal catheter function and describes each step taken to prevent potential complications. This description is combined with intraoperative photographs to highlight key steps. Conclusion: Following a defined reproducible stepwise approach, laparoscopic placement of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis catheters can be performed safely and known potential complications hindering optimal catheter function can be addressed prophylactically.
Ancillary Studies Applied to Renal Masses

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and, in general, kidney tumors are a cluster of histopathological and molecular heterogeneous lesions, with different sets of genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, as well as clinical behavior and therapeutic response. Therefore, ancillary testing must be used wisely and appropriately for the main differential diagnoses in an individualized fashion. Having said that, the landscape of the immunohistochemical studies with a description of common markers and patterns, as well as main clusters of tumors, is essential to better understand these neoplasms in order to reach the correct diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a valuable tool for proper diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive evaluation, since treatment is often decided based on tumor type. Although histologic assessment and IHC remain the foundation of renal biopsy interpretation, cytogenetic and molecular characterizations of renal neoplasms have been increasingly employed in the clinical setting to help improve histologic classification and guide management decisions when histology and immunohistochemistry profiles do not provide a clear diagnosis. This chapter’s aim is to discuss practical utilization of ancillary testing, describing best immunohistochemistry usage and exploring cytogenetic and molecular advances in this field.
Risk factors associated with gastric malignancy during chronic Helicobacter pylori infection

Chronic Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is considered to be the single most important risk factor for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma in humans, which is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Nonetheless, Hp infection does not always progress to malignancy, and, gastric adenocarcinoma can occur in the absence of detectable Hp carriage, highlighting the complex and multifactorial nature of gastric cancer. Here we review known contributors to gastric malignancy, including Hp virulence factors, featuring the vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA), the cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), and other bacterial components that promote chemotaxis, colonization, and the establishment of chronic inflammation. In addition, we discuss host factors including sex, age, and genetic polymorphisms associated with host inflammation. Moreover, we consider environmental variables that influence cancer risk, such as nutritional status, socio-economic status, and smoking. In addition to these relatively well-studied contributors to gastric cancer risk, the resident gastric microflora in humans have more recently been proposed as an additional risk factor for disease progression in Hp-infected individuals. Molecular approaches for microbe identification have revealed differences in the gastric microbiota composition between cancer and non-cancerous patients, as well as infected and uninfected individuals. Although the reasons underlying differences in microbial community structures are not entirely understood, gastric atrophy and hypochlorhydria that accompany chronic Hp infection may be a critical driver of gastric dysbiosis that promote colonization of microbes that contribute to increased risk of malignancy. However, definitive evidence that the gastric microbiota influences the emergence of gastric cancer does not exist. In summary, while controversial and unresolved, the importance of the gastric microbiota as a risk factor for gastric malignancy is a vital area of current research.
Determination of emodin in Dabaidu capsule by HPLC

Objective To establish a HPLC method for the determination of emodin in Dabaidu capsule. Methods The chromatographic system was adopted C18 column, using methanol -0.1% phosphoric acid (70∶30) as mobile phase. The content was detected at a waveleng of 254 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min.Results The emodin have a good tincar rolatim in the range of 6.181 ～ 18.54 μg/ml (r=0.9999), the average recovery rate was 98.93% and RSD = 0.65% (n = 6) . Conclusion The established method is accuracy,sensitive and simple. Key words: Emodin; HPLC; Determination
OAuth SSH with Globus Auth

The Secure Shell (SSH) protocol and its OpenSSH implementation are a cornerstone of modern scientific computing, enabling users to access remote computers, transfer data, and execute programs. We describe here extensions to the OpenSSH software that enable an additional authentication method, namely OAuth tokens from Globus Auth. Integration with Globus Auth allows users to authenticate using one of hundreds of supported identity providers, and makes it possible for external applications and services to use short-term tokens to access remote computers securely on behalf of users.
Menopause and Brain Health: Hormonal Changes Are Only Part of the Story

Most studies of menopause and brain aging have focused on the role of the sex steroid hormone, estradiol, as a key mechanisms contributing to cognitive and brain aging in women. An emerging literature demonstrates that beyond endogenous estradiol levels, menopausal symptoms, particularly vasomotor symptoms (VMS), are also key determinants of menopause-related changes in cognition and brain function. Critically, that literature shows the importance of using objective techniques to identify associations of VMS with memory performance, brain structure, and brain function. While self-report measures are important patient-centered outcomes in women's health research, objective measures of VMS typically relate more strongly to indices of cognitive and brain health. Currently, it is premature to make a causal claim about VMS and memory dysfunction, but initial findings raise the possibility that women with VMS might experience an improvement in cognition with VMS treatment. More generally, these findings underscore the utility of investigating female-specific risk factors for cognitive decline.
p-type Doping of Dilute-Anion III-Nitride Materials

Density Functional Theorem (DFT) calculations were employed to study the p-type doping of dilute-anion III-nitride materials. Results indicate that arsenic incorporation into AlN significantly reduces the ionization energy of magnesium dopants, allowing for a substantial improvement in hole concentrations.
Corporate Taxes, Tax Incidence, and Pretax Returns: Causes and Measurement

We develop a model to investigate the relations among (1) corporate tax incidence, (2) tax capitalization, and (3) implicit corporate tax in a competitive equilibrium. The economic pretax return is independent of whether the incidence of the corporate tax is shifted from shareholders to non-shareholders, such as customers or workers. However, tax incidence does affect the pretax accounting return, because the denominator of the return measure reflects the historical cost of the firms' assets and is often measured using prior year book values. To the extent a tax rate change changes the fair values of corporate assets (i.e., tax capitalization), the corporate tax affects pretax economic returns but not pretax accounting returns. The implicit tax rate for corporations reflects differences in corporate tax rates but is independent of pretax accounting returns.
Can Health Education Command Academic Respect

(1957). Can Health Education Command Academic Respect? Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 28, No. 5, pp. 26-58.
Cellular Sites of RNA Synthesis

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the more recent experimental work on the sites of RNA synthesis and the intracellular transport or redistribution of the RNA molecules. A primary question is whether all the cellular classes of RNA are synthesized under the immediate control of DNA templates or whether the cells contain mechanisms for self-replication of one or more cellular RNA types. A decisive answer is provided, by an abundance of new experimental work of a type representing, to a large degree, a cross between the biochemical and cytological approaches. A large body of evidence shows that the synthesis of all ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA), molecular ribonucleic acid (mRNA), and small ribonucleic acid (sRNA) is immediately DNA-dependent and restricted to the cell nucleus. RNA synthesis occurs independently on both the chromosomes and in the nucleoli. Some evidence suggests that nucleoli may accumulate RNA from other parts of the nucleus, but there is no satisfactory evidence that nucleolar RNA passes to the chromosomes. There is no evidence that RNA of these classes can undergo self-replication, within the cells, and all cytoplasmic RNA must be derived from the nucleus.
Session F: Responses of Man and Animals I

The papers presented during the first two days of this NATO ARW concerned various aspects of dosimetry, both theoretical and experimental. Whereas, in earlier years, such papers were concerned almost exclusively with the physical absorption of radio frequency energy in the tissues of the body, now we are beginning to hear mention of certain biological responses to that energy absorption. Theoretical dosimetry in particular has recognized the need to include such factors as tissue temperature, blood flow, metabolism, thermal conductivity, tissue inhomogeneity, and even evaporative capability. To the biologists attending the ARW in Slovenia, this change is like the dawn of a new day. This is so because we believe that in order to fully characterize the response of a whole organism, whether man or animal, to a RF exposure the physiological responses of that organism must be included. The present session, as well as Session G, provide some up-to-date information on the biological sequelae of RF energy absorption in humans and animals that will be important for expanding dosimetric modeling. Session F is concerned with thermal responses and begins with two theoretical papers. These are followed by a study of RF-induced tissue heating in the monkey ankle and two reports of the biological effects of high intensity fields.
High resolution simulation of direct current discharge coupled with a magnetic field

In this paper, we shall discuss a high resolution numerical approach to solve the drift-diffusion models in order to simulate direct current discharge under the externally applied magnetic field. The method is based on a diagonally dominant delta form to enable high resolution solutions to be obtained without being contaminated by numerical artifact. We will demonstrate our solution methodology by solving the electrodynamic structures of the classic parallel electrodes of infinite and finite dimension, as well as, the side-by-side electrode configurations with an externally applied transverse magnetic field.
Correlation Between Plaque Size and Spore Size in Dictyostelium discoideum

Haploid spores usually lead to the production of small plaques when plated under standard conditions; diploid spores usually lead to the formation of large plaques.
Marked phenotypic variability in Pseudomonas cepacia isolated from a patient with cystic fibrosis.

Characterization of the epidemiology of Pseudomonas cepacia colonization in cystic fibrosis is difficult because of the phenotypic variability of isolates. A single sputum culture may yield colonies which differ in morphology, antibiotic susceptibility, and pigment production. We examined serial P. cepacia isolates from a cystic fibrosis patient which the clinical laboratory identified as separate strains; these were selected on the basis of isolation date and culture site. An attempt was made to sample at multiple time points and, at a single time point, from three different culture sites. Ribotype analysis, using both the standard Southern blot technique and a recently reported method which uses the polymerase chain reaction, was used to distinguish unique P. cepacia strains. Characterization included comparison of antibiotic susceptibility, plasmid content, and outer membrane protein (OMP) patterns. rRNA analysis demonstrated that all isolates had the same ribotype, consistent with their being derivatives of the same strain. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed variability among both same-date and same-site isolates. Screening for plasmid DNA identified three groups of isolates; both same-date and same-site isolates demonstrated variability. OMP profiles were similar, but at least six distinct patterns were identified. For the six same-date isolates, five different OMP patterns were identified. For the 10 same-site isolates from different dates, five of the six OMP patterns were represented. We have demonstrated marked phenotypic variability in 14 strains of P. cepacia isolated from different sites and at different times from a single colonized patient. Ribotyping identified all the isolates as derivatives of a single strain; thus, the diversity of phenotypes appears to be the result of differential gene expression. Images
Corporate restructuring and corporate auctions

We study 298 firms that announce the intent to consider restructuring during the 1989 to 1998 period. We find that the actions taken subsequent to the initial restructuring consideration are equally divided between (i) being acquired, (ii) divesting one or more subsidiaries, or (iii) either terminating the process or declaring bankruptcy. There is a greater completion rate in the second half of the sample, which suggests that economy-wide factors influence the restructuring decision. For the average firm in the sample, restructuring is a positive net present value decision, although sustained positive shareholder returns accrue only to the firms that actually complete restructuring. For a sub-sample of firms that are acquired, we detail the private auction process that is initiated and conducted by the selling firms and their investment banks. In the private auction, 80 percent of the selling firms have multiple bidders, even though only 20 percent of these cases have more than one publicly announced bidder. The depth of the private auction affects the runup of stock prices prior to the formal acquisition offer.
Universality, reducibility, and completeness

Relations between such concepts as reducibility, universality, hardness, completeness, and deductibility are studied. The aim is to build a flexible and comprehensive theoretical foundations for different techniques and ideas used in computer science. It is demonstrated that: concepts of universality of algorithms and classes of algorithms are based on the construction of reduction of algorithms; concepts of hardness and completeness of problems are based on the construction of reduction of problems; all considered concepts of reduction, as well as deduction in logic are kinds of reduction of abstract properties. The Church-Turing Thesis, which states universality of the class of all Turing machines, is considered in a mathematical setting as a theorem proved under definite conditions.
Where Does Water Go During Hydraulic Fracturing

During hydraulic fracturing millions of gallons of water are typically injected at high pressure into deep shale formations. This water can be housed in fractures, within the shale matrix, and can potentially migrate beyond the shale formation via fractures and/or faults raising environmental concerns. We describe a generic framework for producing estimates of the volume available in fractures and undamaged shale matrix where water injected into a representative shale site could reside during hydraulic fracturing, and apply it to a representative site that incorporates available field data. The amount of water that can be stored in the fractures is estimated by calculating the volume of all the fractures associated with a discrete fracture network (DFN) based on real data and using probability theory to estimate the volume of smaller fractures that are below the lower cutoff for the fracture radius in the DFN. The amount of water stored in the matrix is estimated utilizing two distinct methods-one using a two-phase model at the pore-scale and the other using a single-phase model at the continuum scale. Based on these calculations, it appears that most of the water resides in the matrix with a lesser amount in the fractures.
Agricultural land-use change in Brazilian Amazônia between 1980 and 1995: Evidence from integrated satellite and census data

Abstract As cropland and pasture have replaced forest and cerrado in Brazilian Amazonia, concern has mounted over the effects of changing the biogeochemical and hydrological properties of one of the world's great storehouses of biomass and biodiversity. Although much recent effort has focused on the location, effects, and causes of deforestation and cerrado conversion, much less is known about the basin-wide spatial distribution and density of the land use following conversion for crops or pasture. In this paper, we use census and satellite records to develop maps of the distribution and abundance of major agricultural land uses across 4.5×108 ha of Brazilian Amazonia in 1980 and 1995. Results indicate an overall expansion of 7.0×106 ha in total agricultural area in Brazilian Amazonia between 1980 and 1995. The net change during this period is estimated for three different land-use types: croplands (an increase of 0.8×106 ha), natural pastures (a decrease of 8.4×106 ha), and planted pastures (an increase of 14.7×106 ha). These estimates, the first spatially explicit quantifications of agricultural land-use activities in 1980 and 1995 across Brazilian Amazonia, are shown to be consistent with the results of applying a land use change and secondary regrowth model to published deforestation rates for the period. The resulting time slices, presented for each land-use category at 5-min (∼9 km) spatial resolution, allow for the quantification of land-use changes in this region for biogeochemical, demographic and economic models. Several foci of agricultural change existed within Brazilian Amazonia during this period: in the state of Para, cropland was lost and planted pasture increased markedly; in Mato Grosso, both cropland and planted pasture increased; in Rondonia, planted pasture replacing forest was the primary route to agricultural expansion.
Reliability of three methods of occlusion classification

Four orthodontic faculty at one dental school classified 25 dental casts according to theclassification systems of Angle, Katz, and the British Incisor Classification. The dental casts were selected from a pool of 350 pretreatment graduate orthodontic cases and were those deemed the most atypical. The results demonstrated that Katz's classification was more reliable than both Angle and the British. Angle's classification was the least reliable of the three methods.
Reactions of NO2+ and solvated NO2+ ions with aromatic compounds and alkanes

The rate constants and modes of reaction of NO2+ and C2H5ONO2NO2+ with aromatic compounds and alkanes have been determined in a pulsed ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Both ions undergo competing charge transfer and substitution reactions (NO2+ + M MO+ + NO; C2H5ONO2NO2+ + M MNO2+ + C2H5ONO2) with aromatic molecules. In both cases, the probability that a collision results in charge transfer increases with increasing exothermicity of that process. The C2H5ONO2NO2+ ion does not undergo charge transfer with molecules having an ionization potential greater than about 212 kcal/mol (9.2 eV); this observation leads to an estimate of 13 kcal/mol for the binding energy between NO2+ and C2H5ONO2. The importance of the substitution reaction depends on the number of substituents on the aromatic ring and the molecular structure, and, in the case of C2H5ONO2NO2+ ions, on the energetics of the competing charge transfer process. Both NO2+ and C2H5ONO2NO2+ undergo hydride transfer reactions with alkanes. For both these ions, k(hydride transfer)/k (collision) increases with increasing exothermicity of reaction, but in both cases the rate constants of reaction are unusually low when compared with other hydride transfer reactions of comparable exothermicity which have been reported in the literature. This is interpreted as evidence that the attack on the alkane preferentially involves the nitrogen atom (where the charge is localized) rather than one of the oxygen atoms of NO2+.
Perturbations in dopamine synthesis lead to discrete physiological effects and impact oxidative stress response in Drosophila

The impact of mutations in four essential genes involved in dopamine (DA) synthesis and transport on longevity, motor behavior, and resistance to oxidative stress was monitored in Drosophila melanogaster. The fly lines used for this study were: (i) a loss of function mutation in Catecholamines up (Catsup26), which is a negative regulator of the rate limiting enzyme for DA synthesis, (ii) a mutant for the gene pale (ple2) that encodes for the rate limiting enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), (iii) a mutant for the gene Punch (PuZ22) that encodes guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase, required for TH activity, and (iv) a mutant in the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMATΔ14), which is required for packaging of DA as vesicles inside DA neurons. Median lifespans of ple2, PuZ22 and VMATΔ14 mutants were significantly decreased compared to Catsup26 and wild type controls that did not significantly differ between each other. Catsup26 flies survived longer when exposed to hydrogen peroxide (80 μM) or paraquat (10 mM) compared to ple2, PuZ22 or VMATΔ14 and controls. These flies also exhibited significantly higher negative geotaxis activity compared to ple2, PuZ22, VMATΔ14 and controls. All mutant flies demonstrated rhythmic circadian locomotor activity in general, albeit Catsup26 and VMATΔ14 flies had slightly weaker rhythms. Expression analysis of some key antioxidant genes revealed that glutathione S-transferase Omega-1 (GSTO1) expression was significantly up-regulated in all DA synthesis pathway mutants and especially in Catsup26 and VMATΔ14 flies at both mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, we hypothesize that DA could directly influence GSTO1 transcription and thus play a significant role in the regulation of response to oxidative stress. Additionally, perturbations in DA synthesis do not appear to have a significant impact on circadian locomotor activity rhythms per se, but do have an influence on general locomotor activity levels.
Montreal Protocol benefits cited

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has succeeded in eliminating the emission of millions of tons of ozone-depleting chemicals per year, according to a report issued by the World Bank on 16 September. The “Montreal Protocol Status Report” notes that annual global consumption of chlorofluoro-carbons (CFCs) plummeted from 1.1 million to 150,000 tons between 1986 and 1999. Without the protocol, CFC consumption would have reached 3 million tons in 2010 and 8 million tons in 2060, according to the report.
Rational design of highly active sgRNAs for CRISPR-Cas9–mediated gene inactivation

Components of the prokaryotic clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) loci have recently been repurposed for use in mammalian cells. The CRISPR-associated (Cas)9 can be programmed with a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to generate site-specific DNA breaks, but there are few known rules governing on-target efficacy of this system. We created a pool of sgRNAs, tiling across all possible target sites of a panel of six endogenous mouse and three endogenous human genes and quantitatively assessed their ability to produce null alleles of their target gene by antibody staining and flow cytometry. We discovered sequence features that improved activity, including a further optimization of the protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9. The results from 1,841 sgRNAs were used to construct a predictive model of sgRNA activity to improve sgRNA design for gene editing and genetic screens. We provide an online tool for the design of highly active sgRNAs for any gene of interest.
Diopside and anthophyllite dissolution at 25° and 90°C and acid pH

Abstract Dissolution experiments of diopside and anthophyllite were conducted in continuously stirred flow-through reactors at temperatures of 25° and 90°C at acid pH. Stoichiometric steady state was reached at ∼2700 h (at 25°) or ∼1000 h (90°C). Specific surface area significantly increased after dissolution of diopside but not anthophyllite. Extensive etch pits were observed on some of the reacted surfaces of diopside grains. The observed etch pits are preferentially developed along the exsolution lamellae boundaries between diopside and pigeonite or hypersthene. The surface morphology observed on our laboratory-leached samples is very similar to that observed on naturally weathered pyroxene grains by previous workers. No etch pits were observed on the surface of anthophyllite. Presumably, dissolution of anthophyllite results in the disintegration of fibrous anthophyllite without observable etching. Under the experimental conditions, dissolution rates of diopside and anthophyllite are pH-dependent, and the pH-dependence increases with increasing temperature. For diopside, the reaction order n with respect to H + increases from 0.19±0.06 at 25°C to 0.76±0.08 at 90°C, while for anthophyllite, the value of n increases from 0.24±0.03 at 25°C to 0.63±0.04 at 90°C. This result indicates that when temperature increases, the rate of increase in pH-dependence is faster for diopside than for anthophyllite. Activation energies ( E a ) have been estimated for diopside and anthophyllite dissolution based on dissolution at the two temperatures. The values of pH-independent E a are 22.8±1.6 and 19.4±0.9 kcal mol −1 for diopside and anthophyllite, respectively. Both of the activation energies are well above the E a of transport in solution (5 kcal mol −1 ), and significantly smaller than the E a of breaking bonds in crystals.
Cloud and Aerosol Research Capabilities at FARS: The Facility for Atmospheric Remote Sensing.

Abstract Since October 1987, the University of Utah Facility for Atmospheric Remote Sensing (FARS) has been applied to the probing of the atmosphere, concentrating on the study of high–level clouds. Regular FARS measurements, which currently total ~3000 h of ruby lidar polarization data, have been directed toward basic cloud research, remote sensing techniques development, and to improving satellite cloud property retrieval methods and GCM predictions by providing climatologically representative cloud datasets and parameterizations. Although the initial studies involved mainly the ruby lidar, the facility has steadily evolved to include a range of visible, infrared, and microwave passive remote sensors, and state–of–the–art, high–resolution dual–wavelength scanning lidar and W–band Doppler radar systems. All three active systems display polarization diversity. In this paper are reviewed the specifications of FARS instrumentation and the research programs to which they have been applied. Four multiple remo...
Posteromedial cortex glutamate and GABA predict intrinsic functional connectivity of the default mode network

The balance between excitatory glutamatergic projection neurons and inhibitory GABAergic interneurons determines the function of cortical microcircuits. How these neurotransmitters relate to the functional status of an entire macro-scale network remains unknown. The posteromedial cortex (PMC) is the default mode network (DMN) node with the greatest functional connectivity; therefore, we hypothesized that PMC glutamate and GABA predict intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) across the entire DMN. In 20 healthy men, we combined J-resolved magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure glutamate and GABA in the PMC and resting fMRI followed by group Independent Components Analysis to extract the entire DMN. We showed that, controlling for age and partial GM volume in the MRS voxel, PMC glutamate and GABA explained about half of the variance of DMN iFC (represented by the network's beta coefficient for rest). Glutamate correlated positively and GABA correlated negatively with DMN iFC; in an alternative statistical model which included the glutamate/GABA ratio, the ratio correlated positively with DMN iFC. Age had no independent association with DMN iFC. No other network was associated with PMC glutamate or GABA. We conclude that regional neurotransmitter concentrations in a network node strongly predict network but not global brain iFC.
Science teaching and the development of reasoning

L'auteur presente une partie de son travail de chercheur qui consiste a expliciter la theorie du developpement de Jean Piaget. Son objectif se limitait dans le cas present a chercher l'application de cette theorie dans le domaine de l'enseignement de la science dans le secondaire. Outre le fait de lancer une recherche sur le raisonnement de l'eleve, il paraissait essentiel a l'auteur de tenter de communiquer les composantes majeures de la theorie de Piaget aux enseignants du secondaire afin qu'ils puissent les appliquer, les mettre en pratique dans leurs classes et produire un eventail de resultats permettant une evaluation plus juste et plus complete de cette theorie dans un contexte donne.
Isozyme variation between diploid and tetraploid cytotypes of Glycine tabacina (Labill.) Benth.

Glycine tabacina (Labill.) Benth. is a wild perennial species related to the cultivated soybean, G. max (L.) Merr. It is composed of diploid (2n=40) and tetraploid (2n=80) cytotypes. Currently, to differentiate the cytotypes, plants are grown out in the greenhouse and chromosome counts made on pollen mother cells. It is a laborious and time consuming process. The objective of this study was to determine whether electrophoretic techniques could be utilized to separate the cytotypes. Electrophoretic examination of seven isozyme systems from seed of 67 G. tabacina accessions revealed banding patterns that could be used to differentiate between diploid and tetraploid cytotypes in the species. Among the tetraploid accessions, the number of bands observed were always greater than the diploids. Some tetraploid banding patterns consisted of bands similar to the diploid tabacina and/or additional bands previously identified in other Glycine species. The patterns of isozyme multiplicity and variation in the tetraploid tabacinas suggests more than one mode of origin for the tetraploids.
Accessibility in 5-axis milling environment

Abstract Using algorithms from computer graphics, i.e. hidden line and surface removal algorithms, techniques have been constructed to derive the 3-axis visible or millable set of a computer model from a given orientation, or simulate and verify machining toolpaths. In the paper, an approach that reduces the accessibility problem of 5-axis milling using a flat end tool to a 3-axis accessibility problem is discussed. Using this approach, global detection of possible gouging of other parts while a 5-axis flat endmill is in use is made feasible, and collisions can be avoided.
Bacterial attachment to the chorioamniotic membranes

Intra-amniotic infections are believed to result from bacteria of cervical and vaginal origin which gain access to the amniotic sac. The logical sequence in this process would be bacterial attachment to the maternal surface, followed by migration through the chorioamniotic membranes to the fetal surface. Fresh sterile chorioamniotic membranes were interposed between two arms of specially constructed incubation vessels. Bacteria (Escherichia coli, group B streptococci, or Neisseria gonorrhoeae) were inoculated into the arm (containing a basal salt medium) contiguous with the maternal surface. The arm contiguous with the fetal surface of the membrane contained pseudoamniotic fluid. At intervals up to 24 hours after inoculation, the membranes were removed, washed, fixed in glutaraldehyde, and examined by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The ability of group B streptococci and E. coli to attach to and invade the chorioamniotic membranes was demonstrated by this technique. It appeared that group B streptococci had a greater capacity to attach and invade than did E. coli, whereas N. gonorrhoeae predictably failed to attach.
Successful unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation for class 3 β‐thalassemia major using a reduced‐toxicity regimen

Unrelated umbilical CB transplant for class 3 β-thalassemia major is associated with an increased risk of mortality and non-engraftment. We describe two patients who underwent successful unrelated umbilical CB transplant using a novel reduced-toxicity preparative regimen. This regimen may be sufficiently immunosuppressive and myeloablative to ensure engraftment with reduced risks of toxicity and mortality. Close monitoring of HHV-6 viral load is advised for patients undergoing transplant with this regimen.
Structure-Based Functional Studies of the Effects of Amino Acid Substitutions in GerBC, the C Subunit of the Bacillus subtilis GerB Spore Germinant Receptor

Highly conserved amino acid residues in the C subunits of the germinant receptors (GRs) of spores of Bacillus and Clostridium species have been identified by amino acid sequence comparisons, as well as structural predictions based on the high-resolution structure recently determined for the C subunit of the Bacillus subtilis GerB GR (GerBC). Single and multiple alanine substitutions were made in these conserved residues in three regions of GerBC, and the effects of these changes on B. subtilis spore germination via the GerB GR alone or in concert with the GerK GR, as well as on germination via the GerA GR, were determined. In addition, levels of the GerBC variants in the spore inner membrane were measured, and a number of the GerBC proteins were expressed and purified and their solubility and aggregation status were assessed. This work has done the following: (i) identified a number of conserved amino acids that are crucial for GerBC function in spore germination via the GerB GR and that do not alter spores' levels of these GerBC variants; (ii) identified other conserved GerBC amino acid essential for the proper folding of the protein and/or for assembly of GerBC in the spore inner membrane; (iii) shown that some alanine substitutions in GerBC significantly decrease the GerA GR's responsiveness to its germinant l-valine, consistent with there being some type of interaction between GerA and GerB GR subunits in spores; and (iv) found no alanine substitutions that specifically affect interaction between the GerB and GerK GRs.
Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of a tide- and wave-dominated coastal succession: the Cretaceous Goshoura Group, Kyushu, southwest Japan

Abstract The Cretaceous, upper Albian-Cenomanian, Goshoura Group crops out in the Amakusa Islands, Kyushu, Japan. On the basis of facies analysis, the following coastal facies are recognized: shoreface-inner shelf (upper-middle shoreface, lower shoreface and inner shelf), tidal flat on the shoreface, estuary (bay-head delta, central basin, tidal flat and estuary mouth sand body) and fluvial (fluvial channel, flood plain and levee). The group records 4 transgressions and 3 regressions and consists of 4 depositional sequences composed mainly of transgressive and highstand systems tracts. The coastal palaeoenvironments are characterized by tide-and wave-dominated facies. Relative sea-level change estimated from this group is compatible with postulated eustatic sea-level fluctuation around the Albian-Cenomanian boundary.
An advanced controller for robotic manipulations

Abstract Model-based control method using second-order models may be insufficient for fast digital control of robots. Therefore, a model-based control using a third-order dynamic model is introduced. It is shown that this scheme may be implemented in real-time by means of an efficient recursive algorithm. The temporal arrangements of this algorithm are discussed and a controller implementation is proposed.