cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Partitioning Elevation Normalization Applied to Building Footprint Prediction

Understanding and exploiting topographical data via standard machine learning techniques is challenging, mainly due to the large dynamic range of values present in elevation data and the lack of direct relationships between anthropogenic phenomena and topography, when considering topographic–geology couplings, for instance. Here we consider the first hurdle, dynamic range, in an effort to apply Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) approaches for prediction of human activity. CNN for learning 3-D elevation data relies on data normalization approaches, which only consider locally available points, thereby discarding contextual information and eliminating global contrast cues. We present a fully invertible and data-driven global partitioning elevation normalization (GPEN) preprocessing technique, which is intended to ameliorate the impact of limited data dynamic range. Global elevation populations are derived and used to formulate a distribution, which is used to adopt a partitioning scheme to remap all values according to global occurrence frequency, while preserving partition contrast. Using USGS 3-D Elevation Project and Microsoft building footprint data, we conduct a binary classification experiment predicting building footprint presence from elevation data, with and without a global remapping using the SegNet convolutional encoder-decoder model. The results of the experiment show more rapid model convergence, reduced regionalization errors, and enhanced classification metrics when compared to standard normalization preprocessing techniques. GPEN demonstrates performance over 10% higher than the next best conventional preprocessing method, with a mean overall accuracy of 94.76%. GPEN may show promise as an alternative normalization for deep learning with topological data.
Effects of magnetic fields on HPGe tracking detectors

Abstract We present a study of magnetic fields effects on the position resolution and energy response of hyper-pure germanium detectors. Our results provide realistic estimates of the potential impact on the resolving power of tracking-arrays from (fringe) magnetic fields present when operating together with large spectrometers. By solving the equations of motion for the electron and holes in the presence of both electric and magnetic fields, we analyzed the drift trajectories of the charge carriers to determine the deviations in the positions at the end point of the trajectories, as well as changes in drift lengths affecting the energy resolution and peak shift due to trapping. Our results show that the major effect is in the deviation of the transverse (to the electric field direction) position and suggest that, if no corrective action is taken in the pulse-shape and tracking data analysis procedures, a field strength ≳ 0.1 T will start to impact the intrinsic position resolution of 2 mm (RMS). At fields above ∼ 1 T, the degradation of the energy response becomes observable.
The Definition of Voting Stock and the Computation of Voting Power Under Sections 368(c) and 1504(a): Recent Developments and Tax Lore

Although the concepts of "voting stock" and "voting power" are pervasive throughout the Code, until recently, courts, commentators and the Service have devoted minimal energy to demystifying the confusion surrounding the definition of voting stock and even less to expanding upon the methodology of computing voting power. Recent developments, however, may prompt practitioners to take a second look at these terms. While a 1995 decision by the Tax Court adds little to the existing body of authority with respect to the determination of the owner of voting stock, the Service's analysis of the voting power requirement in a 1994 private letter ruling sheds new light on the method of computing voting power.This article reviews and analyzes the current state of the law concerning the voting stock and voting power requirements in two areas of the tax law: section 368(c), which defines the level of stock ownership in a corporation that a taxpayer must possess in order to qualify for many forms of tax-free reorganizations, and section 1504(a), which requires a corporation attempting to form an "affiliated group" with a subsidiary corporation to own an amount of voting stock in the subsidiary having a specified level of voting power. Part II of this article briefly explains the statutory requirements of both section 368(c) and section 1504(a). Part III reviews the case law and administrative precedents that have shaped the definition of voting stock and attempts to distinguish the ownership requirement of section 368(c) from the direct ownership requirement of section 1504(a). Accordingly, part III of this article also analyzes the Tax Court's most recent decision regarding the meaning of the term "direct ownership." Part IV examines the mechanical test developed by the courts and the Service for computing the voting power inherent in the stock of a corporation, explores ways in which taxpayers have attempted to manipulate a corporation's capital structure in order to satisfy the control requirement of section 368(c), and discusses the Service's latest pronouncement regarding the use of this mechanical test in measuring voting power. Finally, this article highlights the remaining ambiguities that continue to create uncertainty for taxpayers with regard to the voting stock definition and the voting power formula.
Endovascular Stapler Complications During Minimally Invasive Nephrectomy: An Updated Review of the FDA MAUDE Database From 2009-2019.

Objective To characterize the rates of endovascular stapler complications during hilar ligation in minimally invasive radical nephrectomy over the last 10 years. Material and Methods We reviewed the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database from January 1, 2009 to August 1, 2019. Staplers were categorized according to type, namely Ethicon Inc. endocutters (Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick NJ); Endo-GIA (Medtronic, Minneapolis MN); and Endo-TA (Medtronic, Minneapolis MN). Results There were 383 cases of complications involving staplers, 63% with Ethicon endocutters; 28% with GIA; and 9% with TA. 22 deaths (5.7% of total complications) were attributed to staplers. No deaths or reoperations occurred due to TA staplers. TA staplers were also associated with a reduced incidence of conversion to open as compared to Ethicon and GIA staplers. Apart from one device, manufacturer evaluation of returned devices either showed no abnormalities or attributed fault to improper use of staplers. Discussion We characterized stapler complications during a 10-year period for minimally invasive radical nephrectomy. No deaths or reoperations occurred due to TA staplers, perhaps due to cutting and stapling occurring in separate steps. Based on manufacturer evaluation attributing stapling malfunctions to human errors, training of operating room staff on proper use of these devices is critical to prevent potentially significant complications from occurring.
Deep Optics: Learning Cameras and Optical Computing Systems

Neural networks and other advanced image processing algorithms excel in a wide variety of computer vision and imaging applications, but their high performance also comes at a high computational cost and their success is sometimes limited. Here, we review recent hybrid optical–digital strategies to computational imaging that outsource parts of the algorithm into the optical domain. Using such a co-design of optics and image processing, we can facilitate application-domain-specific cameras or compute parts of a convolutional neural network in optics. Optical computing happens at the speed of light and without any memory or power requirements, thereby opening new directions for intelligent imaging systems.
Bias Corrected H-likelihood Approach for Joint Models of Longitudinal and Survival Data, With Application to Community Acquired Pneumonia

Time-to-event coupled with longitudinal trajectories are often of interest in biomedicine, and one popular approach to analysing such data is with a Joint Model (JM). JMs often have intractable marginal likelihoods, and one way to tackle this issue is by using the hierarchical likelihood (HL) estimation approach by Lee and Nelder [12]. The HL approximation sometimes results in biased estimates, and we propose a biascorrection approach (C-HL) that has been used for other models (eg, frailty models). We have applied, for the first time, the C-HL in the context of joint modelling of time-to-event and repeated measures data. Our C-HL method shows efficiency improvement, which comes at a cost of a more expensive computation than the existing HL approach. Additionally, we illustrate our method with a new MIMIC-IV CAP dataset
Extended analysis of atmospheric refraction effects captured by time-lapse imaging: long-term trends and machine learning image shift prediction

This work presents an extended analysis of atmospheric refraction effects captured by time-lapse imagery for near-ground and near-horizontal paths. Monthly trends and multipath analysis of image shift caused by refraction during daytime are studied. Nighttime shift measurements during moonlit nights are also presented. Advanced nonlinear machine learning approaches for image shift prediction are implemented and the performance of the models is evaluated.
Short-term dependency of a class of nonlinear continuous time dynamic systems

Abstract Dynamic systems usually have long-term dependency. Recent work, however, shows that the long-term memory models like recurrent neural networks and short-term memory models like feed-forward neural networks have comparable performance in approximating the behavior of dynamic systems. While the pioneering researchers try to understand the short-term dependency in discrete time dynamic systems, this paper focuses on a class of continuous time dynamic systems characterized by ordinary differential equations. In this class of continuous time dynamic systems, only the variable can be observed, and its derivatives with respect to time cannot be measured directly. By analyzing the observability of the continuous time dynamic systems and the sampled systems, we show that the current output only depends on finite steps of history information when sampling fast. If the sampling is fast enough such that the Euler approximation can approximate the sampled system well, the current output only relies on the most recent n steps of history information. Here, n is the order of the ordinary differential equation. Later, we verified our results with the NARMAX method.
Tibiofemoral articular cartilage composition differs based on serum biochemical profiles following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Summary Objective Biochemical joint changes contribute to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this longitudinal cohort study was to compare tibiofemoral cartilage composition between ACLR patients with different serum biochemical profiles. We hypothesized that profiles of increased inflammation (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1]), type-II collagen turnover (type-II collagen breakdown [C2C]:synthesis [CPII]), matrix degradation (matrix metalloproteinase-3 [MMP-3] and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein [COMP]) preoperatively to 6-months post-ACLR would be associated with greater tibiofemoral cartilage T1ρ relaxation times 12-months post-ACLR. Design Serum was collected from 24 patients (46% female, 22.1 ± 4.2 years old, 24.0 ± 2.6 kg/m2 body mass index [BMI]) preoperatively (6.4 ± 3.6 days post injury) and 6-months post-ACLR. T1ρ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was collected for medial and lateral tibiofemoral articular cartilage at 12-months post-ACLR. A k-means cluster analysis was used to identify profiles based on biomarker changes over time and T1ρ relaxation times were compared between cluster groups controlling for sex, age, BMI, concomitant injury (either meniscal or chondral pathology), and Marx Score. Results One cluster exhibited increases in MCP-1 and COMP while the other demonstrated decreases in MCP-1 and COMP preoperatively to 6-months post-ACLR. The cluster group with increases in MCP-1 and COMP demonstrated greater lateral tibial (adjusted mean difference = 3.88, 95% confidence intervals [1.97–5.78]) and femoral (adjusted mean difference = 12.71, 95% confidence intervals [0.41–23.81]) T1ρ relaxation times. Conclusion Profiles of increased serum levels of inflammation and matrix degradation markers preoperatively to 6-months post-ACLR are associated with MRI changes consistent with lesser lateral tibiofemoral cartilage proteoglycan density 12-months post-ACLR.
Comparing the inhibitory thresholds of dairy manure co-digesters after prolonged acclimation periods: Part 1 – Performance and operating limits

Co-digestion has been used to improve biogas yields and the long-term stability of anaerobic digesters compared to mono-digestion; however, less is known about the ultimate inhibition from co-substrates at their maximum loading rates and mixing ratios because these limits cannot be practically tested by existing facilities. Here, we performed a controlled experiment with long operating periods to ensure sufficient acclimation with the goal to observe ultimate inhibition and the full benefit that can be gained from co-digestion. The three substrates: 1) food waste (FW); 2) alkaline hydrolysate (AH); and 3) crude glycerol (GY) were individually co-digested with dairy manure (MN) for more than 900 days using continuously stirred anaerobic reactors at mesophilic temperatures. Food waste caused no reduction in performance or stability when co-digested with manure up to a total organic loading rate (OLR) of 3.9 g volatile solids (VS)·L(-1)·Day(-1) (MN:FW = 51:49; VS basis), resulting in a specific methane yield (SMY) of 297 ± 3 mL CH4·g VS(-1) for the combined wastes. Alkaline hydrolysate was co-digested with manure up to a total OLR of 2.7 g VS·L(-1)·Day(-1) (MN:AH = 75:25) with a corresponding SMY of 299 ± 6 mL CH4·g VS(-1). However, the free ammonia concentration reached levels previously reported as inhibitory, and may have led to the observed accumulation of volatile fatty acids at higher loading rates. Crude glycerol co-digestion resulted in an optimum SMY of 549 ± 25 mL CH4·g VS(-1) at a total OLR of 3.2 g VS·L(-1)·Day(-1) (MN:GY = 62:38). Stable digestion beyond this level was prohibited by an accumulation of long-chain fatty acids and foaming. These results can be used to implement effective co-digestion strategies. Co-substrates that possess similar inhibiting characteristics should be monitored to prevent severe instability at high loading rates and mixing ratios.
Automatic Dimensional Analysis of Cyber-Physical Systems

The first step in building a cyber-physical system is the construction of a faithful model that captures the relevant behaviors. Dimensional consistency provides the first check on the correctness of such models and the physical quantities represented in it. Though manual analysis of dimensions is used in physical sciences to find errors in formulas, this approach does not scale to complex cyber-physical systems with many interacting components. We present DimSim, a tool to automatically check the dimensional consistency of a cyber-physical system modeled in Simulink. DimSim generates a set of constraints from the Simulink model for each subsystem in a modular way, and solves them using the Gauss-Jordan elimination method. The tool depends on user-provided dimension annotations, and it can detect both inconsistency and underspecification in the given dimensional constraints. In case of a dimensional inconsistency, DimSim can provide a minimal set of constraints that captures the cause of the inconsistency. We have applied DimSim to numerous examples from different embedded system domains. Experimental results show that the dimensional analysis in DimSim is scalable and is capable of uncovering critical errors in models of cyber-physical systems.
Eukaryotic nuclear RNase P: structures and functions.

Publisher Summary Over the past decade, ribonucleic acids (RNAs) have gained recognition as the catalysts for an increasing number of biochemical reactions. This chapter discusses the structures and functions of eukaryotic nuclear ribonuclease P (RNase P). The recognition and alignment of appropriate cleavage site proceeds through Watson–Crick base-pairing among the regions of complementary sequence within the same RNA chain. The function of RNase P in vivo is to bind and cleave all of the various transfer RNA (tRNA) precursors. To accomplish this in the absence of base-pairing, common determinants in the three-dimensional structures of the substrates become important. Because of the complex mode of substrate recognition by RNase P, the knowledge of the tertiary structures of both the catalytic and substrate RNAs as well as an understanding of the way these structured RNAs interact is necessary for the determination of its catalytic mechanism. Ribonuclease P is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that endonucleolytically cleaves precursor-tRNA molecules, generating mature 5' termini. The enzyme RNase P is an essential, well-conserved functionally and has been found in every organism tested. Yeast is a single-cell eukaryotic organism that contains two versions of RNase P: a nuclear form that processes nuclear-encoded pre-tRNAs destined for the cytoplasm and a mitochondrial form that processes pre-tRNAs encoded by the mitochondrial genome.
Differential amplifiers with enhanced linearity and temperature compensation

This paper implements a “multi-tanh principle” to linearize the bipolar differential amplifiers by offsetting the transfer function of the differential pairs and connection them in parallel. The principle is analyzed in detail and the optimum 3.75 and 2.9 offset ratio is found for a double and a 4-cell linearized differential amplifier. The resulted 4-cell linearized amplifier achieves an extremely linear ±20mV dynamic range within less than 0.1 dB ripple. The structure is shouldable for further expansion for wider linear operation. Temperature dependence is discussed and compensation from 250K-400K is realized by implementing the transistor size ratio, the Widlar current source and MOS voltage shift cell. Such differential amplifier with high linearity and insensitivity to stress will be suitable for high frequency situation or accurate gain control in varies of industrial applications.
Mechanical Properties of One-Dimensional Nanostructures

The elastic mechanical properties of one-dimensional nanostructures are considered, with an emphasis on the use of contact-resonance atomic force microscopy methods to determine elastic moduli. Various methods used to determine elastic moduli of one-dimensional nanostructures are reviewed before detailed consideration of the experimental and analytical methods used in contact-resonance atomic force microscopy As direct applications of contact-resonance atomic force microscopy on one-dimensional nanostructures, two measurement examples are shown here, for ZnO and Te nanowires. The variations of the elastic moduli of ZnO and Te nanowires with nanowire diameter are presented and interpreted in terms of core–shell models of nanowire structure. Based on combined theoretical, atomistic simulation, and experimental results, the importance of accurate and precise methods for measuring the mechanical properties of nanostructures, and how those methods need to be adjusted for one-dimensional nanostructures, is emphasized.
Atomistic Computer Simulation of Diffusion

The past decades have seen a tremendous increase in the application of computer modeling and simulation methods to diffusion processes in materials. Along with continuum modeling aimed at describing diffusion processes by differential equations, atomic-level modeling is playing an increasingly important role as a means of gaining fundamental insights into diffusion phenomena.
The Spread or Dispersion of a Batch

Some batches of numbers are very tightly bunched together while others are much more spread out. This property is referred to in exploratory data analysis as spread (or in more traditional statistical terms as dispersion), and it is often an informative characteristic of a batch to which you should pay attention. Just as it is convenient to have a numerical index for the level or center of a batch, it is also convenient to have a numerical index for the spread, or dispersion, of a batch. Once again there are several different numerical indexes that behave differently and are thus used in different circumstances.
Multiple Agent Coopoerative Design Evaluation Using Negotiation

This paper presents a form of multiagent cooperative problem solving where computational agents, paralleling human design, manufacturing and assembly participants, evaluate a design and comment on it from their unique expert perspectives. The evaluation process utilizes a novel form of incremental negotiation called knowledge-based negotiation where agent conflicts are resolved through the use of shared knowledge representations called shareable perspectives. Two agents’ shareable perspectives can be linked together to form an interagent issue relation which are grouped into a relational network and maintained by a third-party arbitrator agent. The arbitrator uses the relations to develop alternatives during conflict resolution between agents performing a design review. Through the use of arbitrator suggested shareable perspectives, a form of issue unlinking occurs and this allows the agents to consider additional viable alternatives which they might have dismissed earlier. This behavior is similar to integrative bargaining found in human negotiation where conflicting parties are enlightened about secondary benefits of a particular proposal. The resulting research is demonstrated as an implementation within a knowledge-based tool called the Designer Fabricator Interpreter (DFI) System.
WSN data fusion approach based on improved BP algorithm and clustering protocol

Network energy consumption is a critical factor determining the WSN development speed. In this paper, a novel approach of neural network and wireless sensor network combination for the inner data integration is adopted in order to effectively improve data transmission efficiency, reduce network energy consumption. Firstly, a kind of clustering protocol called CNN-LEACH based on Hamming network and a kind of optimization algorithm called SMPSO-BP based on neural network are proposed. Then, the CNN-LEACH clustering routing protocol integrated with SMPSO-BP optimization algorithm is applied in the WSN data fusion process. The above-mentioned protocol and algorithm under different scenarios are simulated and compared on the NS2 platform. The result show that, SMPSO-BP algorithm has improvement in convergence and CNN-LEACH protocol really balance the energy consumption of the network load to some extent. Finally, Their combination reduce the redundant data in WSN and the energy consumption of senor node and prolong the network lifetime.
Maximum likelihood reconstruction for magnetic resonance fingerprinting

In this paper, we introduce a statistical estimation framework for magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF), a recently proposed quantitative imaging paradigm. Within this framework, we present a maximum likelihood formulation to simultaneously estimate multiple parameter maps from highly undersampled, noisy k-space data. A novel iterative algorithm, based on variable splitting, the alternating direction method of multipliers, and the variable projection method, is proposed to solve the resulting optimization problem. Representative results demonstrate that compared to the conventional MRF reconstruction, the proposed method yields improved accuracy and/or reduced acquisition time. Moreover, the proposed formulation enables theoretical analysis of MRF. For example, we show that with the gridding reconstruction as an initialization, the first iteration of the proposed method exactly produces the conventional MRF reconstruction.
Comparison of Two Human Papovaviruses with Simian Virus 40 by Structural Protein and Antigenic Analysis

Abstract The proteins of simian virus 40 (SV40) and two human papovaviruses, the hemagglutinating BK virus and the non-hemagglutinating DAR virus, were analyzed and compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The virions of SV40 and DAR contain seven proteins. By molecular weight analysis the constituent proteins of SV40 and DAR are identical. Approximately 84% of the viral protein has a molceular weight of 45,000. The major protein of BK virus is 3,000 to 5,000 daltons lighter than the major proteins of SV40 and DAR viruses. The five most rapidly migrating proteins of BK virus are indistinguishable by molecular weight analysis from the corresponding proteins of SV40 and DAR viruses. Radial immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis of whole virus gave lines of identity between SV40 and DAR when reacted with SV40 antibody. SV40 antiserum tested against BK virus and BK antiserum tested against SV40 virus showed no reactivity by complement fixation, immunodiffusion, or immunoelectrophoresis.
Frequency doubling of ultrashort pulses in a Ti:sapphire laser

Frequency doubling the 800-850 nm fundamental of Ti:sapphire lasers may make possible pulses of unprecedented short duration in the blue. Both intracavity and extracavity femtosecond pulses from Ti:sapphire and CPM lasers have been demonstrated. Intracavity doubling is more difficult, but it has the advantage of much higher power in the KH/sub 2/PO/sub 4/ doubling crystal, and therefore, much higher efficiency. To date, the shortest pulses generated using intracavity doubling are 54 fs at 430 nm. >
Social network visualization in epidemiology

Epidemiological investigations and interventions are increasingly focusing on social networks. Two aspects of social networks are relevant in this regard: the structure of networks and the function of networks. A better understanding of the processes that determine how networks form and how they operate with respect to the spread of behavior holds promise for improving public health. Visualizing social networks is a key to both research and interventions. Network images supplement statistical analyses and allow the identification of groups of people for targeting, the identification of central and peripheral individuals, and the clarification of the macro-structure of the network in a way that should affect public health interventions. People are inter-connected and so their health is inter-connected. Inter-personal health effects in social networks provide a new foundation for public health.
A Novel Benzodiazepine that Activates Cardiac Slow Delayed Rectifier K+ Currents

The slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ current, IKs, is an important modulator of cardiac action potential repolarization. Here, we describe a novel benzodiazepine, [L-364,373 \[(3- R )-1,3-dihydro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-(1 H -indol-3-ylmethyl)-1-methyl-2 H -1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one\] (R-L3), that activates IKs and shortens action potentials in guinea pig cardiac myocytes. These effects were additive to isoproterenol, indicating that channel activation by R-L3 was independent of β-adrenergic receptor stimulation. The increase of IKs by R-L3 was stereospecific; the S -enantiomer, S-L3, blocked IKs at all concentrations examined. The increase in IKs by R-L3 was greatest at voltages near the threshold for normal channel activation, caused by a shift in the voltage dependence of IKsactivation. R-L3 slowed the rate of IKs deactivation and shifted the half-point of the isochronal (7.5 sec) activation curve for IKs by −16 mV at 0.1 μm and −24 mV at 1 μm. R-L3 had similar effects on cloned KvLQT1 channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes but did not affect channels formed by coassembly of KvLQT1 and hminK subunits. These findings indicate that the association of minK with KvLQT1 interferes with the binding of R-L3 or prevents its action once bound to KvLQT1 subunits.
A method to her madness: Bessie head's a question of power as South African National Allegory

Summary Bessie Head's A Question of Power (1974), is often thought to be her most personal and least political novel. Read through the lens of Fredric Jameson's concept of “national allegory”, though, the novel takes a whole new shape. In Jameson's formulation of “national allegory”, he urges readers to think about the equivalences of allegory as shifting through time, not the fixed one‐to‐one of traditional allegory. He insists that reading “third‐world” texts through the concept of “national allegory” allows readers to see the connection of individual to nation. Through the nonlinear narrative of Elizabeth's mental breakdown, Bessie Head takes us on an allegorical tour through South African history. While Elizabeth literally struggles to save herself from the demons of her madness, Head allegorically works through a diagnosis of apartheid era political problems. Through the figures of Dan and Sello, Head explicates oppressive and liberatory political ideologies. Reading A Question of Power as a national...
The expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in Aedes albopictus (C6/36) cells and Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes using a double subgenomic recombinant Sindbis virus.

Abstract Genomic RNA was transcribed in vitro from the double subgenomic recombinant Sindbis (SIN) virus expression vector, pTE/3′2J/CAT, and transfected into BHK-21 cells to generate recombinant virus stocks. TE/3′2J/CAT virus was used to infect C6/36 ( Aedes albopictus ) cells and adult female Aedes triseriatus . When C6/36 cells were infected with TE/3′2J/CAT virus at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of greater than 20, 100% of the cells expressed CAT. The number of CAT polypeptides expressed per cell at 24 h post infection (pi) was 8.3 × 10 5 . Approximately 4.0 log 10 TCID 50 of the TE/3′2J/CAT virus was intrathoracically inoculated into adult female mosquitoes. Titers greater than 6.0 log 10 TCID 50 /ml were detected within 4 days pi and declined to less than 4.0 log 10 TCID 50 /ml 20 days following inoculation. CAT activity was detected within 2 days (8 × 10 −5 units of CAT/mosquito or 1.4 × 10 10 CAT polypeptides), peaked at day 6 (4 × 10 −3 units of CAT/mosquito or 7.2 × 10 11 CAT polypeptides), and remained at peak levels to day 20. Immunofluorescence and CAT activity assays were used to localize CAT expression in infected mosquitoes and demonstrated that CAT was present in neural, midgut, ovarian, and salivary gland tissues. Alphavirus-based expression vectors should be useful for expressing heterologous genes in mosquito cells as well as adult mosquitoes.
The cathodic behavior of titanium: Serum effect†

The cathodic behavior of titanium was investigated in inorganic buffer solutions and in fetal bovine serum through potential sweep techniques. Under cathodic polarization, the oxygen reduction and the hydrogen evolution reactions were observed. It was found that the activity of the electrode toward the electron transfer increased with decreasing the electrode surface charge. The polarization curves recorded in serum displayed the same features as those observed in inorganic buffered solutions. However, organic molecules were likely adsorbed onto the titanium surface and the adsorption reactions were potential dependant. Additionally, it was noticed that the buffer capacity of serum could be overwhelmed by the progressive interface alkalinization during cathodic polarization. Furthermore, serum affected the corrosion current of the implant materials and the effect was pH-dependent.
Aspartame effect in sickle cell anemia.

Objective To examine the in vitro and in vivo attributes of aspartame and to determine its efficacy for treating sickle cell anemia. Rationale Aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) binds with 2 human Bence Jones proteins. The proteins (Mcg and Sea) showed phenylalanine penetrating into hydrophobic binding sites. This aspartame property suggested a potential to interfere with sickle hemoglobin fibril formation. Methods For the in vitro studies, blood from 20 subjects monitored for sickle cell anemia was collected in heparinized tubes. Specimens were divided in thirds and aspartame was added to 2 tubes to yield a 1 mg/mL or 2 mg/mL concentration. Sickled cells that were present after a drop from each aliquot was added to a fresh 2% metabisulfite solution were counted 3 times. For the in vivo studies, 23 subjects from the Sickle Cell Clinic (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Okla) consented to participate in a randomized single-dose administration of 1.5, 3.0, or 6 mg/kg aspartame. Heparinized blood was obtained at 0, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480, and 1440 minutes after aspartame administration. Specimens were counted in a blinded manner by means of the technique used for the in vitro method, but a photomicrograph of 1 field from each triplicate count was made. The pictures were marked and were computer counted. Results For the in vitro studies, sickled cells decreased from 28% to <14% when 1 mg/mL aspartame was added and decreased further with 2 mg/mL. For the in vivo studies, a decreased number of sickled cells in homozygous blood (HbSS) were observed after oral administration of aspartame. Sickling was inhibited by 6 mg/kg aspartame for at least 6 hours in 15 subjects with HbSS anemia. Conclusions Further evaluations of the efficacy of aspartame for sickle crisis and crisis prevention appears to be warranted. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2001) 69, 346–355; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2001.115141
Development of Foraging Skills and the Transition to Independence in Juvenile Savannah Sparrows

Abstract We investigated the timing and pattern of the development of foraging skills in juvenile Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis). Juveniles of known age, parentage, and in some cases sex were mist netted and tested in an aviary on Kent Island, an isolated island in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Captive birds were exposed to three standardized and ecologically relevant foraging tasks: locating spittle bugs (Homoptera: Cercopidae) in spittle masses on goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) plants, small caterpillars under spruce (Picea glauca) bud scales, and beetle larvae under leaves. The feeding trials involved 33 juveniles aged 17–42 days, four independent juveniles whose precise ages were not known, and five adults for comparison. The performance of juvenile sparrows on all three tasks showed rapid improvement between 22 and 24 days of age. Thereafter, foraging proficiency (number of foraging attempts, number of prey obtained, foraging efficiency) did not improve significantly with age among juveniles;...
Key considerations and current perspectives of epidemiological studies on human papillomavirus persistence, the intermediate phenotype to cervical cancer

Persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) causes essentially all precancerous cervical lesions and cervical cancer in females and thus is an important intermediate phenotype to cervical cancer. A majority of infected individuals naturally clear HPV viral infection, but the virus persists in a subset of infected hosts and the mechanism for this differential outcome is not well described. Most of the epidemiological studies have been cross-sectional in nature, and even with longitudinal studies, the definition of HPV persistence or clearance has not been well defined. There is no consensus on the correct time interval between HPV DNA tests, or how to utilize HPV persistence information in clinical management because there is no treatment for HPV. While most studies are performed with the endpoint of cancer, the intermediate phenotype has been overlooked. Epidemiological studies of HPV persistence suffer with several challenges in definitions, study designs, and analyses that undermine its importance in identifying and understanding the interactions between the viral and host genomes in the process of HPV infection pathogenesis. We have evaluated the current status of HPV persistence and provide perspectives on how the field would benefit from a research focus on intermediate phenotype in epidemiological studies.
Luminescence from X-Ray Colored KBr Crystals during Plastic Deformation

The spectral distribution of the luminescence, produced by compressing irradiated potassium bromide crystals, from 2000 to 9000 A, was determined. The eniission spectrum is presented. (W.D.M.)
Abstract 3356: Temozolomide resistance in human glioblastoma is associated with marked increase in PDK1 and MGMT expression

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Temozolomide has become the standard of care in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment, but a significant number of patients despite optimal treatment are met with recurrence. It is important to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying TMZ resistance for the development of better treatment strategies. In the present study, we evaluated the dynamic relationship between MGMT and resistance to TMZ. We generated a TMZ-resistant 5310R cell line by continuous treatment with 100 µM concentrations of TMZ (3 months) to parent 5310 cells. We tested the efficacy of TMZ on 5310R cells by FACS analysis. 5310R cells showed increased expression of MGMT when compared to parental controls. Also, we observed that the 5310R cells showed alterations in cell morphology, enhanced cell adhesion, increased migration and invasion capacities. Moreover, we observed PDK1, MGMT and EGFR expression to be up-regulated in 5310R cells compared to parental controls. Our previous data suggested that inhibition of PDK1 reverses the Warburg effect, and here we demonstrate that the acquired TMZ resistance in glioma may be associated with promotion of the malignant phenotype. Furthermore, we observed a significant correlation between PDK1, MGMT and EGFR expression in human GBM specimens using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. As treatment with TMZ becomes more ubiquitous in GBM treatment, the significance of the resistant 5310R cell line and an understanding of the metabolic and epigenetic changes will become critical in the development of targeted and effective therapies. Citation Format: William Lee, Kiran Kumar Velpula, Andrew J. Tsung. Temozolomide resistance in human glioblastoma is associated with marked increase in PDK1 and MGMT expression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3356. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3356
Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis and Fulminant Fatal Disease Due to Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Premature Infant

We report a case of fatal congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in a 695 gm, 29 weeks estimated gestational age premature infant. The newborn presented with hydrops fetalis, an unusual presentation of congenital CMV infection. In spite of ganciclovir therapy, the infant succumbed to his illness. Autopsy findings revealed the presence of widespread CMV disease, including pneumonitis, enteritis, and myocarditis. Congenital CMV infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hydrops fetalis.
Post-Vietnam gender role strain: A needed concept?

L'auteur s'interesse a un aspect totalement neglige du retour au pays des combattants au Vietnam; ce probleme est celui du sexe des combattants. Il propose un nouveau concept le stress du role sexuel post-Vietnam qui devrait etre extremement utile dans tous les programmes therapeutiques destines a cette population
Mechanisms governing the composition and size distribution of Ash aerosol in a laboratory pulverized coal combustor

Ash particle size distributions and ash chemical composition were measured from the convection section of a laboratory-scale pulverized coal combustor for a wide range of staged and unstaged combustion stoichiometries. Samples of bituminous coal and lignites from the western United States were combusted. It was determined that staged combustion tends to increase the final submicron aerosol mass loading for the lignites considered, although the extent of increase depended on the relative composition of volatile ash species. Chemical analysis indicated enrichment of the more volatile species (such as Na and K) both in the smaller particle sizes and on the surfaces of particles.
High-Resolution Enzymatic Mapping of Genomic 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

We describe the use of a unique DNA-modification-dependent restriction endonuclease AbaSI coupled with sequencing (Aba-seq) to map high-resolution hydroxymethylome of mouse E14 embryonic stem cells. The specificity of AbaSI enables sensitive detection of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) at low-occupancy regions. Bioinformatic analysis suggests 5hmCs in genic regions closely follow the 5mC distribution. 5hmC is generally depleted in CpG islands and only enriched in a small set of repetitive elements. A regularly spaced and oscillating 5hmC pattern was observed at the binding sites of CTCF. 5hmC is enriched at the poised enhancers with the monomethylated histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me1) marks, but not at the active enhancers with the acetylated histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27Ac) marks. Non-CG hydroxymethylation appears to be prevalent in the mitochondrial genome. We propose that some amounts of transiently stable 5hmCs may indicate a poised epigenetic state or demethylation intermediate, whereas others may suggest a locally accessible chromosomal environment for the TET enzymatic apparatus.
Child maltreatment in South Korea: An ecological systems analysis

Abstract This article reviews risk factors associated with child maltreatment in South Korea within the context of the ecological system theory. Although child maltreatment is a serious concern in South Korea, understanding of this phenomenon is limited because most of the empirical studies address individual characteristics and few consider broader ecological contexts. This review integrates empirical findings on the risk and protective factors associated with child maltreatment in South Korea within the context of micro - (parent–child relationship, intergenerational transmission of abuse, and domestic violence), meso - (interactions between child–teacher and child–parent), exo - (mothers' employment and parents' socio-economic status), macro - (drinking culture and corporal punishment), and chrono -system (Asian economic crisis) levels.
Regulation of mouse preimplantation development: inhibitory effect of the calmodulin antagonist W-7 on the first cleavage.

The calmodulin antagonist W-7 inhibits cleavage of 1-cell mouse embryos in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition is likely to be specific for a calmodulin-mediated process, since the less active congener W-5 does not inhibit cleavage when used at concentrations of W-7 that do. Concentrations of W-7 that inhibit cleavage and do not inhibit either the uptake or incorporation of [35S]methionine do inhibit [3H]thymidine incorporation; similar concentrations of W-5 do not inhibit [3H]thymidine incorporation. Consistent with W-7′s ability to inhibit cleavage by inhibiting DNA synthesis is that addition of W-7 at later times that correspond with exit from S phase results in cleavage to the 2-cell stage. Although W-7 does inhibit cleavage of 1-cell embryos, it does not inhibit transcriptional activation, which occurs in the 2-cell embryo and is characterized by the synthesis of a group of proteins of Mr = 70,000. Results of these experiments suggest a role for calmodulin in the first cell cycle of the mouse embryo and provide another example in which zygotic gene activation is not dependent on progression through the first cell cycle.
Foot shock induces time and region specific adrenergic receptor changes in rat brain

Abstract Rats were subjected to 1 hr or 2 hr of electric foot shock for 1 day or 7 days and adrenergic receptor binding was evaluated in the hypothalamus, brainstem and cortex. β-Adrenergic receptor density in the hypothalamus was dramatically reduced following 1 hr of shock. Following repeated shock, α 2 -adrenergic receptors in the cortex and brainstem were observed to increase. Cortical α 2 -adrenergic receptors were more sensitive to stress than the α 2 -adrenergic receptors of the brainstem, alterations in the latter only reaching statistical significance following 7 days of shock and 24 hr of recovery. α 1 - and β-adrenergic receptors in the brainstem and cortex were relatively resistant to stress induced changes. The significance of type of stress, duration of stress, and strain of rat for understanding the current data are discussed in the context of prior reports of stress induced receptor changes.
An associated solution model for albite-water melts

Abstract An associated solution model linking microscopic and macroscopic data is developed to describe the thermodynamic properties of NaAlSi 3 O 8 -H 2 O melt mixture. The model is based upon the following two homogeneous melt speciation reactions: Na 0.75 Al 0.75 Si 2.25 O 6 0.3Na 2 Al 2 SiO 6 + 0.15NaAlSi 2 O 6 + 0.55Si 3 O 6 ; Na 2 Al 2 SiO 6 , + H 2 ONa 2 Al 2 (OH) 2 SiO 5 , where the first reaction represents the formation of three-membered rings in albite melt and the second one represents hydrolysis of Al-O-Al linkages. The equilibrium constants of these two reactions are calibrated on the basis of available water speciation data, phase equilibrium data; thermodynamic data, solubility data, and P-V-T data. The calculated thermodynamic mixing properties show that relative to our standard states, albite and H 2 O melt components exhibit strong negative deviation from ideality. The value for G ex for any given P and T reaches a minimum at approximately 33 mol% water, which coincides with the composition at which there is a significant change in many microscopic and macroscopic properties in this system. For all P, T conditions, it is calculated that hydroxyl-bearing species dominate over molecular water at low water contents but the latter becomes dominant after the total water content exceeds about 33 mol%. When the total water content in the albite melt increases, the abundance of molecular water increases and that of albite species decreases, while the abundances of both three-membered rings and hydroxyl-bearing species (Na 2 Al 2 (OH) 2 SiO 5 ) first increase, then decrease. The calculated water solubility is positively correlated with P and negatively correlated with T for pressures lower than approximately 5 kb but positively correlated with T for pressures higher than this, consistent with the behavior suggested by previous workers. The water solubility has been readily modeled by hydrolysis of Al-O-Al linkages in spite of their very small abundance in these melts. The calculated hypersolidus phase relations are consistent with available experimental data. In addition, critical phenomena are predicted within the system, in agreement with the implications of available experimental data.
Bibliographical Note — The Vatican Film Library at Saint Louis University

Although the Vatican Film Library at Saint Louis University has been described recently in such diverse publications as the London Times, Osservatore Romano, Time, The American Historical Review, the Saturday Review and the National Geographic, it has never been explored fully by the scholarly world. The object of this article is to describe the extent of the microfilm collection at Saint Louis University, to provide some guides to the use of the manuscripts, and to indicate some possible areas of fruitful research in business and economic history.