cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptual dimensions influence auditory category learning

Human category learning appears to be supported by dual learning systems. Previous research indicates the engagement of distinct neural systems in learning categories that require selective attention to dimensions versus those that require integration across dimensions. This evidence has largely come from studies of learning across perceptually separable visual dimensions, but recent research has applied dual system models to understanding auditory and speech categorization. Since differential engagement of the dual learning systems is closely related to selective attention to input dimensions, it may be important that acoustic dimensions are quite often perceptually integral and difficult to attend to selectively. We investigated this issue across artificial auditory categories defined by center frequency and modulation frequency acoustic dimensions. Learners demonstrated a bias to integrate across the dimensions, rather than to selectively attend, and the bias specifically reflected a positive correlation between the dimensions. Further, we found that the acoustic dimensions did not equivalently contribute to categorization decisions. These results demonstrate the need to reconsider the assumption that the orthogonal input dimensions used in designing an experiment are indeed orthogonal in perceptual space as there are important implications for category learning.
Rapid formation of cataract after starting ziprasidone with spontaneous regression after therapy was discontinued

A 48-year-old diabetic woman with bipolar disorder presented with rapid onset of blurred vision after starting the antipsychotic drug ziprasidone. On examination, she was found to have advanced cataracts with a prominent posterior subcapsular component. Because her preoperative blood sugar levels had become elevated while on ziprasidone, the patient discontinued the medication before uneventful cataract surgery in the right eye. Postoperatively, the blood sugar level was improved; simultaneously, she noticed an improvement in vision in not only her operated eye but also her unoperated left eye. Examination showed near-complete resolution of the cataract in the left eye. We propose that initiation of therapy with ziprasidone in this patient promoted formation of bilateral cataracts, possibly through its hyperglycemic effect, while its cessation led to cataract regression in the unoperated eye.
Orientational order of [VOF 5 ] 2- and [NbOF 5 ] 2- polar units in chains

Abstract The generation of polarity in the solid state necessitates ordered, polar basic-building units (BBUs). This paper examines the evolution of ordered BBUs of 1D chains constructed of early transition metals (ETMs) and late transition metals. The cause of polar distortion orientation is illustrated with subtle alterations in the heterotypic structures of one previously reported compound (CuNbOF5(H2O)2(pyz)3) and three new hybrid materials, presented here: CuNbOF5(H2O)4(pyz)2 (1), CuVOF5(H2O)4(pyz)2 (2) and CuVOF5(H2O)2(pyz)3 (3) (pyz=pyrazine). In contrast to the [NbOF5]2− octahedra of CuNbOF5(H2O)2(pyz)3 and compound (1) that have oxide ligands within the 1D BBUs, the [VOF5]2− octahedra of compounds (2) and (3) contain disordered oxide ligands perpendicular to the chains. To create polar 1D BBUs in the solid state, one must have an understanding of how to direct distortions. We demonstrate that the choice of specific polar BBUs within a distinct environment is necessary for orientational order of the ETM anions.
Exact computation for existence of a knot counterexample

Previously, numerical evidence was presented of a self-intersecting Bezier curve having the unknot for its control polygon. This numerical demonstration resolved open questions in scientic visualization, but did not provide a formal proof of self-intersection. An example with a formal existence proof is given, even while the exact self-intersection point remains undetermined.
Understanding the History, Benefits, and Risks of Prenatal Screening and Diagnosis

The purpose of this book is to describe how advances in biomedical technologies have transformed the experience of pregnancy for many millions of women around the world. It focuses on biomedical te...
A Letter on "The Current Status of Genes and Genetic Testing in Emergency Medicine: A Narrative Review".

On August 25, 2019, you published an article titled “The Current Status of Genes and Genetic Testing in Emergency Medicine: A Narrative Review”. I recently read the article and want to both commend the authors for including information on Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vEDS) and expand upon the information provided. Thank you for publishing this article.
Development and Characterization of an Anisotropic Biomimetic Polymeric Patch to Improve the Durability of Surgical Heart Valve Repair

Objective: Patches currently used for valve repair have suboptimal mechanical and biocompatibility performance. We hypothesize that a biostable “biomimetic” patch that replicates the three-layer ar...
Development of a spectral micro-CT system using a photon counting detector with anti-coincidence corrections

There is potential to improve CT imaging by adding spectral capabilities as given by photon counting detectors (PCD). Here we describe and assess performance of a new spectral micro-CT prototype system using a CdTe-based PCD with 100-μm pixel size (model XC-Thor, made by Direct Conversion) benefitting from anti-coincidence corrections. To assess the PCD in terms of spectral response, a Ba-133 nuclear source was scanned using full spectrum scanning by sweeping thresholds with 2 keV increments. In a different experiment, we used small vials containing water, iodine (I), gadolinium (Gd), and gold (Au) placed on the surface of the detector and acquired X-ray data in full spectrum mode to verify that the PCD threshold positions yielded the expected changes in contrast around the K edges of these elements. Detector performance was assessed using micro-CT phantoms and during cancer experiments in mice injected with nanoparticle (NP)-based contrast agents. Both phantom and mouse micro-CT data were reconstructed using our iterative, multi-channel algorithm based on the split Bregman method and regularization with rank-sparse kernel regression. A post-reconstruction decomposition method was used. The system is capable of high resolution (11.9 lp/mm, 10% MTF) tomographic imaging. Despite the anti-coincidence corrections, the spectral performance of the PCD is, however, not perfect, and it seems to be affected mostly at lower keVs, making accurate iodine decomposition challenging. Our cancer imaging results illustrate that our spectral micro-CT can benefit both nanotechnology and cancer research by providing an imaging method that can help test/optimize various nanoparticle for theranostics.
Identification of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs) and other lacerations: a national survey of nurse-midwives

Clinical quality improvement relies on accurate understanding of current practice. We performed a cross-sectional national survey of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) assessing classification and identification of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) and other delivery lacerations. We hypothesized laceration diagnoses are frequently inaccurate, and delivery records for obstetric lacerations may be of questionable quality. We emailed 6909 American College of Nurse Midwives members an internet-based survey link. Of respondents, we included clinically active CNMs who perform at least one delivery per month. We evaluated laceration knowledge and application using standard descriptive text and images and asked about processes for recording lacerations in the delivery record. We received 1070 (15.5%) completed surveys and 832 (77.8%) met inclusion criteria. Over 50% characterized their OASI training and ability to identify OASI as good/excellent. Most (79%) had never attended education review on OASI. The overall accuracy for classification and identification of perineal lacerations ranged from 49 to 99%. Non-perineal lacerations were frequently categorized using the perineal/OASI system. Half of respondents (51%) document their deliveries in an electronic medical record but a quarter (28%) are not personally responsible for approving delivery data. Younger participants without a doctoral degree, with self-assessed good/excellent laceration training, and caring for < 50% publicly insured patients had higher accuracy for laceration identification and diagnosis. We found high rates of inaccurate laceration diagnosis and inappropriate application of the perineal OASI degree system, suggesting education and training are needed. Clinical studies that rely on delivery diagnosis of OASI may not be reliable.
Platform pricing redux

Platforms such as Airbnb, Amazon, Apple iOS, eBay, Microsoft Windows, and Uber are ubiquitous. The two-sided nature of platform markets, however, requires a reconsideration of the conditions for profit maximization and understanding of how platforms operate. Profit-maximization in two-sided markets is characterized as an intuitive extension of the inverse elasticity pricing rule (Lerner index). This is further expressed in terms of the participants' primitives: users' reservation values and the platform's marginal cost. Differences between one- and two-sided markets are demonstrated and discussed.
TC10 regulates breast cancer invasion and metastasis by controlling membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase at invadopodia

During breast cancer metastasis, cancer cell invasion is driven by actin-rich protrusions called invadopodia, which mediate the extracellular matrix degradation required for the success of the invasive cascade. In this study, we demonstrated that TC10, a member of a Cdc42 subfamily of p21 small GTPases, regulates the membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP)-driven extracellular matrix degradation at invadopodia. We show that TC10 is required for the plasma membrane surface exposure of MT1-MMP at invadopodia. By utilizing our new Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor, we demonstrated the p190RhoGAP-dependent regulation of spatiotemporal TC10 activity at invadopodia. We identified a pathway that regulates TC10 activity and function at invadopodia through the activation of p190RhoGAP and the downstream interacting effector Exo70 at the invadopodia sites. Our findings reveal the role of a previously unknown regulator of vesicular fusion at invadopodia, TC10, on the invasive potential of breast cancer cells during invasion and metastasis.
Surgical Techniques: Dorsal Cervico-Thoracic Sympathectomy

Surgical interruption of the cervical-thoracic sympathetic chain has been used for a spectrum of different purposes, but is now considered relatively rare. The current indications for cervical-thoracic sympathectomy include sympathetic-mediated skin hypersensitivity and allodynia related to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and secondary vasoconstrictive upper extremity ischemia (Raynaud’s phenomenon), both of which may occur in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). While supraclavicular, transaxillary and open transthoracic approaches to sympathectomy exist, the vast majority of interventions on the upper thoracic sympathetic trunk are now performed in a minimally-invasive fashion through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The purpose of this chapter is to outline a step-wise description of video-thoracoscopic cervico-thoracic sympathectomy as applied to patients with TOS, describing a thorough, flexible, and safe approach. Video-thoracoscopic sympathectomy offers the experienced surgeon a versatile and effective strategy to intervene in well-selected patients with CRPS or digital ischemia in association with TOS.
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Practices and Strategies of the Global Clothing and Textile Value Chain

The COVID-19 pandemic has created lots of uncertainties that force clothing and textile (C&T) companies to question their current practices and make urgent changes to navigate their future. Given t...
The importance of responsive parenting for vulnerable infants.

Abstract The quality of the early caregiving context sets the stage for the developing child's long term developmental trajectory. Infants are born highly dependent on parents and other caregivers for critical input for developing brain and behavioral systems. When infants experience early adversity, they are at risk for difficulties regulating behavior, emotions, and physiology. Parenting interventions have been developed to enhance parental responsiveness, thereby enhancing child outcomes. One such program, Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), is a home visiting intervention designed to enhance parenting nurturance and sensitivity. In this paper, we will consider the importance of parental sensitivity and developmental consequences of sensitive and insensitive care. We will then describe interventions that target parental responsiveness and intervention effectiveness, focusing primarily on ABC. Public policy recommendations related to the importance of parental responsiveness will then be discussed.
Novel Object Detection and Multiplexed Motion Representation in Retinal Bipolar Cells

Antagonistic interactions between the center and surround receptive field (RF) components lie at the heart of the computations performed in the visual system. Center-surround RFs are thought to enhance responses to spatial contrasts (i.e., edges), but how they contribute to motion processing is unknown. Here, we addressed this question in retinal bipolar cells, the first visual neuron with classic center-surround interactions. We found that bipolar glutamate release emphasizes objects that emerge in the RF; their responses to continuous motion are smaller, slower, and cannot be predicted by signals elicited by stationary stimuli. The alteration in signal dynamics induced by novel objects dwarfs the enhancement of spatial edges and can be explained by priming of RF surround during continuous motion. These findings echo the salience of human visual perception and demonstrate an unappreciated capacity of the center-surround architecture to facilitate novel object detection and multiplexed encoding of distinct sensory modalities.
A cross-sectional survey of cannabis use by people with MS in Oregon and Southwest Washington

Abstract Background: Evidence supports that cannabinoids reduce self-reported spasticity and neuropathic pain in people with MS (PwMS), and legal access to cannabis for medical and recreational use continues to rise. However, there are limited data regarding patterns of cannabis use and perceived benefits of cannabis among PwMS in the US. This study describes the prevalence of cannabis use, routes of administration, perceived benefit of cannabis for MS, and characteristics associated with cannabis use and perception of benefit among a population of PwMS living in two states where cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use. Methods: A survey about treatments used by PwMS, focusing on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), was sent to PwMS living in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This survey included questions about current and past cannabis use, route of cannabis administration, and perceived benefits, as well as personal demographics. Results: Of the 1188 returned surveys, 1000 had at least 75% complete survey responses and also completed the questions about current and past cannabis use. Thirty percent (n=303) of respondents reported currently using cannabis, 21% (n=210) used in the past but not currently, and 49% (n=487) had never used cannabis. Among current users, rates of use by smoking, vaping, topicals, tinctures and oils, or edibles were similar (35-46%), and most (59%) reported using multiple routes of administration. Most (64-78%, varying by route) current and past users reported cannabis being very or somewhat beneficial for their MS. The odds of current cannabis use were higher in PwMS who: 1) were younger (OR 2.24 [95% CI 1.39-3.61] for those age 18-40 compared with age >60]; 2) had lower household income (OR 3.94 [95% CI 2.55-6.09] with annual income $100k); 3) had secondary progressive MS (OR 1.77 [95% CI 1.07-2.92]); and 4) had more than minimal MS disability (OR 2.05 [95% CI 1.03-4.10] for those using a walker compared to those with none/minimal disability). The odds of perceiving cannabis as beneficial for MS were higher in: 1) younger individuals (OR 5.61 [95% CI 2.62-11.98] for those age 18-40 compared with age >60); 2) those with lower household income (OR 3.35 [95% CI 1.65-6.80] with annual income $100k), 3) those not currently using disease modifying therapies (OR 2.32 [95% CI 1.30-4.13]), and 4) those with the greatest disability (OR 17.96; [95% CI 2.00-161.22]). Conclusion: In this survey, 30% of PwMS reported currently using cannabis for their MS, mostly by multiple routes of administration, and most of these people report this being helpful for their MS. People who were younger, had lower household income, had progressive disease, and had more than minimal disability were more likely to use cannabis and report it was beneficial for their MS. People who were not using disease modifying therapies were also more likely to report benefit from cannabis use.
Internet of Things Architecture for High Throughput Biology

New cell culture techniques have led to complex tissue models in biological experiments. For example, 3-D cerebral organoids provide a more realistic model of the human cortical tissue. However, these cell culture experiments are restricted by high costs and limited labor. A massively scalable and cost efficient platform for tissue experiments would benefit genomics, neuroscience, and translational medicine by enabling advanced high throughput tissue screens. Cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) provide new tools for managing multiple experiments in parallel that are remotely controlled through automation. We introduce a cloud-based IoT architecture that takes advantage of these tools to offer an environment where researchers can run thousands of cell culture experiments at once. This technology allows studies with cell cultures to be performed at scales far beyond a single lab setting, democratizing access to advanced tissue models and enabling new avenues of research. IoT Cloud LaboratoryExperiments are automated through cloud connected devices to allow scalability, reproducibility, and online monitoring. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=177 SRC="FIGDIR/small/453595v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (43K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14421e7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@dce92org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@75037borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@37afa9_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Machine Learning Tools for Fossil and Geothermal Energy Production and Carbon Geo-sequestration—a Step Towards Energy Digitization and Geoscientific Digitalization

Eighty percent of current world energy consumption is satisfied by subsurface resources. In future, billions of watts of electrical power will be generated from geothermal energy sources. Subsurface earth can store the energy produced from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, and could provide safe storage of contaminants and hazardous nuclear waste. Engineering of subsurface earth is critical for fossil energy production, geothermal energy production, and carbon geo-sequestration. However, the subsurface is opaque, inaccessible, and heterogenous with nano-scale to kilo-scale processes that limits our understanding (characterization) and constrains the efficient engineering of the complex subsurface earth resources. There has been rapid increase in sensor deployment, data acquisition, data storage, and data processing for purposes of better engineering and characterizing the subsurface earth. This has promoted large-scale deployment of data-driven methods, machine learning, and data analytics workflows. Subsurface data ranges from nano-scale to kilometer-scale passive as well as active measurements. Subsurface data is acquired in the form of physical fluid/solid samples, images, 3D scans, time-series data, waveforms, and depth-based multi-modal signals, to name a few. Subsurface data sense various physical phenomena, e.g., transport, chemical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Integration of such varied data sources being acquired at varying scales, rates, resolutions, and volumes mandates robust machine learning methods to better characterize and engineer the subsurface earth. Machine learning has shown to improve the efficiency, efficacy, and productivity of subsurface engineering and characterization efforts required to produce fossil/geothermal energy and to sequester carbon dioxide.
Jet-Induced Circulation and Diffusion

Tests have been conducted in an air duct to determine the patterns of mean flow and turbulence produced by a jet emerging along an edge of the duct parallel to one of the duct walls. The parameters that have been varied include the relative proportions of the duct and a nondimensional grouping of the momentum characteristics of the jet. It has been concluded that: (1) Submerged jets provide an alternative (and even more adaptable) means of maintaining the pattern of flow for which a bubble screen is often utilized; (2) the generalized characteristics of the measured mean-flow and turbulence fields are subject to use in design over a considerable range of scales and operational conditions; and (3) until such time as similar studies have been carried out for bubble screens, an approximate method is at hand for comparing their effectiveness in terms of the information for jets presented herein.
Death Related to Aortic Coarctation in a Young Female During Sexual Intercourse

Coarctation of the aorta (CA) is diagnosed mainly in pediatric patients, and therapy is conservative if asymptomatic, but surgical treatment is required if advanced arterial hypertension is present. Moderate to severe forms contraindicate any type of physical activity requiring cardiac effort. Here, we describe the first documented death of an apparently healthy 35-year-old woman because of cardiac tamponade by rupture of an aortic aneurysm, possibly related to congenital CA, prolonged use of oxymetazoline hydrochloride, and physical and/or emotional stress during sexual activity. Our patient was asymptomatic for classical CA symptoms. The patient's breathing difficulties likely in hindsight were due not so much to nasal congestion, but rather to an ineffective oxygenation of the blood from the abnormal heart. In an attempt to treat the "nasal disease," the patient ingested chronic and excessive doses of decongestants, aggravating her fatal disease. The danger of inhaling large doses of nasal decongestants without an appropriate medical indication is highlighted here.
A translocator‐specific export signal establishes the translocator–effector secretion hierarchy that is important for type III secretion system function

Summary Type III secretion systems are used by many Gram-negative pathogens to directly deliver effector proteins into the cytoplasm of host cells. To accomplish this, bacteria secrete translocator proteins that form a pore in the host-cell membrane through which the effector proteins are then introduced into the host cell. Evidence from multiple systems indicates that the pore-forming translocator proteins are exported before effectors, but how this secretion hierarchy is established is unclear. Here we used the Pseudomonas aeruginosa translocator protein PopD as a model to identify its export signals. The N-terminal secretion signal and chaperone, PcrH, are required for export under all conditions. Two novel signals in PopD, one proximal to the chaperone binding site and one at the very C-terminus of the protein, are required for export of PopD before effector proteins. These novel export signals establish the translocator–effector secretion hierarchy, which in turn, is critical for the delivery of effectors into host cells.
Developmental changes in propagation patterns and transmitter dependence of waves of spontaneous activity in the mouse cerebral cortex.

Non-technical summary It is not well understood how all of the connections among neurons required for the brain to process information are established during development. It has recently become apparent that waves of spontaneous electrical activity spread across large groups of neurons during early brain development and that these waves of activity are crucial for correct development of brain circuitry. In this paper, we show that waves of spontaneous electrical activity propagate across the mouse cerebral cortex, beginning on the day before birth and continuing through the first 12 postnatal days. These waves are initiated at specific locations in the cortex, which do not change during the period of wave generation. Identity of the neurons that initiate the waves, however, does change during this time. This work indicates that even though spontaneous electrical activity occurs during a short contiguous period of development, the mechanisms underlying that activity change. Abstract Waves of spontaneous electrical activity propagate across many regions of the central nervous system during specific stages of early development. The patterns of wave propagation are critical in the activation of many activity-dependent developmental programs. It is not known how the mechanisms that initiate and propagate spontaneous waves operate during periods in which major changes in neuronal structure and function are taking place. We have recently reported that spontaneous waves of activity propagate across the neonatal mouse cerebral cortex and that these waves are initiated at pacemaker sites in the septal nucleus and ventral cortex. Here we show that spontaneous waves occur between embryonic day 18 (E18) and postnatal day 12 (P12), and that during that period they undergo major changes in transmitter dependence and propagation patterns. At early stages, spontaneous waves are largely GABA dependent and are mostly confined to the septum and ventral cortex. As development proceeds, wave initiation depends increasingly on AMPA-type glutamate receptors, and an ever increasing fraction of waves propagate into the dorsal cortex. The initiation sites and restricted propagation of waves at early stages are highly correlated with the position of GABAergic neurons in the cortex. The later switch to a glutamate-based mechanism allows propagation of waves into the dorsal cortex, and appears to be a compensatory mechanism that ensures continued wave generation even as GABA transmission becomes inhibitory.
Model-Based Pose Proposal for 2-D Object Recognition

We consider the problem of finding a known two- dimensional object in an image, or verifying that it does not appear in the image. We adopt the strategy of doing a fast scan for potential places in the image where the object could be; we call this scan pose proposal. Each pose hypothesis is a set of edges that correspond to a subset of the transformed object boundary. Our algorithm works by finding U- shaped segments of object boundaries, doing a quick match process between U- shaped segments in the image and the model, and combining the matches into overall pose hypotheses. Analysis and experiments show that the algorithm runs efficiently, and does a good job of discarding all but a few spots in the image as possible pose hypotheses.
On comparing heterogeneity across biomarkers

Microscopy reveals complex patterns of cellular heterogeneity that can be biologically informative. However, a limitation of microscopy is that only a small number of biomarkers can typically be monitored simultaneously. Thus, a natural question is whether additional biomarkers provide a deeper characterization of the distribution of cellular states in a population. How much information about a cell’s phenotypic state in one biomarker is gained by knowing its state in another biomarker? Here, we describe a framework for comparing phenotypic states across biomarkers. Our approach overcomes the current limitation of microscopy by not requiring co-staining biomarkers on the same cells; instead we require staining of biomarkers (possibly separately) on a common collection of phenotypically diverse cell lines. We evaluate our approach on two image datasets: 33 oncogenically diverse lung cancer cell lines stained with 7 biomarkers, and 49 less diverse subclones of one lung cancer cell line stained with 12 biomarkers. We first validate our method by comparing it to the “gold standard” of co-staining. We then apply our approach to all pairs of biomarkers and use it to identify biomarkers that yield similar patterns of heterogeneity. The results presented in this work suggest that many biomarkers provide redundant information about heterogeneity. Thus, our approach provides a practical guide for selecting independently informative biomarkers and, more generally, will yield insights into both the connectivity of biological networks and the complexity of the state space of biological systems.
Integrating professional and cultural concepts into an engineering course

This paper discusses a new paradigm for broadening the student perspective in engineering. A graduate level course in VLSI (very large scale integration) systems design has been taught in a manner that introduces students to both professional and cultural aspects of the engineering world. A Japanese corporate environment is used as the structural model. Students are called employees, given business cards and titles, and equal starting salaries. Design assignments, project reports, and evaluations (exams) determine any increase (or decrease) in individual salaries. The final grade is determined by the final salary each person has attained.
Prophylactic Edaravone Prevents Transient Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury: Implications for Perioperative Neuroprotection

Background and Purpose—Hypoperfusion-induced thrombosis is an important mechanism for postsurgery stroke and cognitive decline, but there are no perioperative neuroprotectants to date. This study investigated whether prophylactic application of Edaravone, a free radical scavenger already used in treating ischemic stroke in Japan, can prevent infarct and cognitive deficits in a murine model of transient cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. Methods—Adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transient hypoxic-ischemic (tHI) insult that consists of 30-minute occlusion of the unilateral common carotid artery and exposure to 7.5% oxygen. Edaravone or saline was prophylactically applied to compare their effects on cortical oxygen saturation, blood flow, coagulation, oxidative stress, metabolites, and learning-memory using methods that include photoacoustic imaging, laser speckle contrast imaging, solid-state NMR, and Morris water maze. The effects on infarct size by Edaravone application at different time points after tHI ...
Ferroportin-1 Is Not Upregulated in Copper-Deficient Mice

Body iron status regulates ferroportin-1 (FPN1) expression such that intestinal mRNA levels are enhanced by anemia, whereas liver transcripts are increased by iron overload. In vitro evidence suggests that copper also upregulates FPN1. To investigate whether copper deficiency affects FPN1 expression in vivo, starting at gestation d 17, pregnant mice were fed a modified AIN-76A diet low in copper (-Cu). Half of the mice were given copper in drinking water (+Cu). At 28 d, -Cu pups had significantly lower copper concentrations in duodenum, liver, and kidney (63, 50, and 27%, P 95% loss of ceruloplasmin activity. -Cu mice also had reduced hemoglobin (81.8 vs. 124.4 g/L in +Cu mice) and hematocrits (0.35 vs. 0.46 in +Cu mice), and displayed hepatic iron-loading (2- to 3-fold relative to +Cu mice). Despite these changes in copper and iron status, FPN1 mRNA levels were not altered significantly in duodenum, liver, kidney, and spleen. Moreover, FPN1 protein levels were not altered in liver tissue from -Cu mice, despite hepatic iron-loading. These data indicate that tissue copper deficiency does not alter FPN1 expression but that copper adequacy may be required for appropriate regulation of FPN1 by iron status.
Stages of Drug Use Acquisition among College Students: Implications for the Prevention of Drug Abuse.

The purpose of this study was to examine the stages of drug use acquisition among college students, and the relationship between stage status and motivation to avoid drugs and the frequency of drug use. Six hundred and sixty-nine students from a mid-size public university were selected to participate in the survey. College students were found to differ with regard to their stage of habit acquisition across five drugs. Stage status for a particular drug was associated with motivation to avoid that drug, with less motivation generally being related to greater stage advancement. Stage of acquisition for certain drugs was also found to be related to the frequency of use of other drugs, with alcohol and marijuana stage status being associated with the consumption of the greatest number of drugs. These results suggest that an acquisition stage heuristic holds promise in increasing our understanding of important developmental stages of drug use.
The role of stress proteins in membrane biogenesis.

Abstract Stress proteins are synthesized by eukaryotic cells in response to diverse environmental insults. The properties of the 70 kDa and 90 kDa members of the heat shock and glucose-regulated protein families have been studied intensively, though their functions have proved difficult to determine. Recent work has revealed that several constitutively expressed homologues of these proteins participate in the assembly of biological membranes.
Scalar replacement in the presence of conditional control flow

Most conventional compilers fail to allocate array elements to registers because standard data-flow analysis treats arrays like scalars, making it impossible to analyze the definitions and uses of individual array elements. This deficiency is particularly troublesome for floating-point registers, which are most often used as temporary repositories for subscripted variables. This paper presents a source-to-source transformation, called scalar replacement, that finds opportunities for reuse of subscripted variables and replaces the references involved by references to temporary scalar variables. The scalar replaced variables are more likely to be assigned to registers by the coloring-based register allocators found in most compilers than are their unreplaced counterparts. The algorithm presented here extends previous techniques for scalar replacement by allowing the presence of forward conditional control flow within loop bodies through the mapping of partial redundancy elimination to scalar replacement. Finally, experimental results show that scalar replacement is extremely effective. On kernels, integer-factor improvements over code generated by a good optimizing compiler of conventional design are possible.
A model for estimating environmental risk using multidimensional quantal response surfaces

The theory of estimating quantal response surfaces defined on several independent variables (stimuli) is adapted to estimating risk to a population inhabiting a large spatial region (global). Data are vector valued whose elements are time series. The aim is to formulate models so that robustness, sensitivity, and effects of errors can be estimated using computer simulations.
Functional analysis of Nox4 reveals unique characteristics compared to other NADPH oxidases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important signal transduction molecules in ligand-induced signaling, regulation of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and motility. Recently NADPH oxidases (Nox) homologous to Nox2 (gp91phox) of phagocyte cytochrome b558 have been identified, which are an enzymatic source for ROS generation in epithelial cells. This study was undertaken to delineate the requirements for ROS generation by Nox4. Nox4, in contrast to other Nox proteins, produces large amounts of hydrogen peroxide constitutively. Known cytosolic oxidase proteins or the GTPase Rac are not required for this activity. Nox4 associates with the protein p22phox on internal membranes, where ROS generation occurs. Knockdown and gene transfection studies confirmed that Nox4 requires p22phox for ROS generation. Mutational analysis revealed structural requirements affecting expression of the p22phox protein and Nox activity. Mechanistic insight into ROS regulation is significant for understanding fundamental cell biology and pathophysiological conditions.
The isolation limits of stochastic vibration

The vibration isolation problem is formulated as a 1D kinematic problem. The geometry of the stochastic wall trajectories arising from the stroke constraint is defined in terms of their significant extrema. An optimal control solution for the minimum acceleration return path determines a lower bound on platform mean square acceleration. This bound is expressed in terms of the probability density function on the significant maxima and the conditional fourth moment of the first passage time inverse. The first of these is found analytically while the second is found using a Monte Carlo simulation. The rms acceleration lower bound as a function of available space is then determined through numerical quadrature.
Critical particle size for fractionation by deterministic lateral displacement

The fractionation of small particles in a liquid based on their size in a micropost array by deterministic lateral displacement was recently demonstrated with unprecedented resolution (L. R. Huang, E. C. Cox, R. H. Austin and J. C. Sturm, Science, 2004, 304, 987–990, ). In this paper, we present a model of how the critical particle size for fractionation depends on the micropost geometry, depending specifically on the gap between posts, the offset of posts in one row with respect to another, and whether the fluid is driven by hydrodynamics or by electroosmosis. In general the critical particle diameter is much smaller than the gap, which prevents clogging. The model is supported by data with particles from 2.3 to 22 µm.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by means of fluorescence microscopy.

Summary An investigation has been carried out on a total of goo sputum specimens. One smear was prepared from each specimen, and stained and examined by both the fluorescence and a modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. The modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique yielded 1–4 per cent more positives for an expenditure of less time than that required by the fluorescence technique. On examining each of 500 smears the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique averaged 6 seconds less time per smear, or an overall slaving of 50 minutes. Cultures were made of all doubtful positives, and in the case of the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique more than double the number of such positive results were confirmed by culture than. were those by the fluorescence microscopic technique.
Parallel controllable texture synthesis

We present a texture synthesis scheme based on neighborhood matching, with contributions in two areas: parallelism and control. Our scheme defines an infinite, deterministic, aperiodic texture, from which windows can be computed in real-time on a GPU. We attain high-quality synthesis using a new analysis structure called the Gaussian stack, together with a coordinate upsampling step and a subpass correction approach. Texture variation is achieved by multiresolution jittering of exemplar coordinates. Combined with the local support of parallel synthesis, the jitter enables intuitive user controls including multiscale randomness, spatial modulation over both exemplar and output, feature drag-and-drop, and periodicity constraints. We also introduce synthesis magnification, a fast method for amplifying coarse synthesis results to higher resolution.
Effect of chemical reaction on particle to gas heat transfer

Abstract Particle to gas heat transfer studies were carried out by employing the endothermic cyclohexane dehydrogenation reaction. The calculated heat transfer coefficients were on the lower side of those previously reported in the literature for unreactive systems. Previous studies of other investigators with reactive systems suggest that particle to gas heat transfer coefficients may increase with exothermic reaction due to the product molecules leaving the catalyst surface with excess vibrational energy. For an endothermic reaction this effect would result in the calculation of a lower heat transfer coefficient.
Report on World Radio Conference Geneva, Switzerland, 1959

A report on the world radio conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, during the last four months of 1959 is presented. The Conference was held under auspices of the International Telecommunication Union, the specialized agency of the United Nations which deals with radio and other telecommunication matters at international level. The organization of the conference is described, to show the mechanism by which engineers and telecommunication administrators from many nations work together to produce what amounts to international legislation in a highly technical field. The four principal work areas of the conference were: Radio spectrum allocations; frequency management techniques; definition of technical terms and establishment of technical standards; and operating regulations in the aeronautical and maritime radio services. Major decisions of interest to engineers in the United States are summarized, including new terminology which engineers will be expected to learn gradually in the years ahead.
Deficiency of ROCK1 in bone marrow-derived cells protects against atherosclerosis in LDLR−/− mice

Rho kinases (ROCKs) are serine-threonine protein kinases that regulate the actin cytoskeleton. Recent studies suggest that ROCKs also play an important role in cardiovascular disease. However, the isoform- and tissue-specific role of ROCKs in mediating this process is unknown. Using homologous recombination, we generated mutant mice harboring alleles with homozygous deletion of ROCK1 (ROCK1(-/-)). Most ROCK1(-/-) mice die perinatally. However, a few ROCK1(-/-) mice survive to adulthood, are phenotypically normal, and have no apparent compensatory changes in ROCK2. Using these ROCK1(-/-) mice, we show that ROCK1 in bone marrow-derived macrophages is critical to the development of atherosclerosis, in part, by mediating foam cell formation and macrophage chemotaxis. Lipid accumulation and atherosclerotic lesions were reduced in atherosclerosis-prone LDLR(-/-) mice, whose bone marrows have been replaced with bone marrows derived from ROCK1(-/-) mice. Bone marrow-derived ROCK1-deficient macrophages exhibited impaired chemotaxis to monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and showed reduced ability to take up lipids and to develop into foam cells when exposed to modified low-density lipoprotein. These findings indicate that ROCK1 in bone marrow-derived cells is a critical mediator of atherogenesis and suggest that macrophage ROCK1 may be an important therapeutic target for vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Simultaneous measurements of the intra- and extra-cellular oxygen concentration in viable cells.

An EPR method that can measure the intra- and extra-cellular oxygen concentration [O2] simultaneously in vitro has been developed using specially designed nitroxides. In the presence of Fe(CN)63− in the medium, intracellular [O2] is measured by a neutral 15N-nitroxide and extracellular [O2] is measured by a negatively charged 14N-nitroxide, since charged species do not enter cells and the EPR spectrum of a 15N-nitroxide does not overlap with that of a 14N-nitroxide. The method is based in part on the minimal broadening of negatively charged nitroxides by Fe(CN)63− and the very effective broadening of neutral nitroxides by the same paramagnetic ions. Results with this method confirm the existence of gradients in [O2] between the extracellular and intracellular compartments in CHO cells and M5076 tumor cells, even without stimulation of cellular respiration by CCCP. The nature of the barrier that needs to be involved to account for the experimental results raises some significant questions.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Tobamovirus from Tropical Soda Apple in Florida

Adkins, S., Kamenova, I., Rosskopf, E. N., and Lewandowski, D. J. 2007. Identification and characterization of a novel tobamovirus from tropical soda apple in Florida. Plant Dis. 91:287293. Foliar symptoms suggestive of virus infection were recently observed on the noxious weed tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) in Florida. An agent was mechanically transmitted to Nicotiana benthamiana, and virions were isolated from systemically infected leaves. Rodshaped particles ~300 nm in length were observed in the partially purified preparations by electron microscopy. The host range determined by mechanical inoculation with purified virions included all tested plants in the Solanaceae (16 species including the important vegetable crops, pepper and tomato) and Chenopodiaceae (2 species) but excluded all tested plants in the Amaranthaceae, Apocynaceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, and Tropaeolaceae, including several common virus indicator hosts. Comparisons of the coat and movement protein nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of this putative tobamovirus with recognized members of this genus, indicate that it is a novel tobamovirus that shares the highest level of sequence identity with Pepper mild mottle virus followed by other members of the Solanaceae-infecting subgroup of tobamoviruses. The virus, for which the name Tropical soda apple mosaic virus (TSAMV) is proposed, was found to be widespread in tropical soda apple in peninsular Florida during an initial survey. TSAMV contamination of seed from infected tropical soda apple plants was found, suggesting that seed transmission may be important for TSAMV dissemination and epidemiology.
Enhancement of optical detectability with polarization

Low detectability is a major consideration for combat platforms. Exposed surfaces are painted or coated black to minimize optical or near infrared detectability; this is a fallacy in regard to polarization. The percent polarization of a diffuse (non specular) surface is inversely proportional to the surface reflectance (also known as albedo). Thus a dark surface with a reflectance of 2% can have a percent polarization of approximately 100%. (The percent polarization is the ratio of the difference between two orthogonal polarized measurements ratioed to the sum multiplied by 100). Experimental measurements of diffuse surfaces with albedos between 2% and 90% show this inverse relationship to be obeyed from the ultraviolet to the near infrared. Imagery has been obtained on various aircraft coatings that verify the inverse relationship between surface albedo and percent polarization in the green, red and near infrared wavelength bands. The imagery was obtained in the three bands with the Kodak digital cameras, which downloaded on to CD ROMs. Imagery has also been obtained on laboratory samples that verify the inverse relationship between albedo and polarization. The conclusion is that very high polarization of a dark aircraft enhances the detectability such that it is easily recognized optically using polarization. This effect has not been recognized in signature reduction. Imagery will be presented and the inverse relationship between surface albedo and percent polarization will be demonstrated.
Dual-band (1.55/1.3-um) operation of the recirculating photonic filter true-time delay

Photonic microwave true-time delay eliminates the beam squint problem in broadband phased-array antenna. However the large insertion losses associated with the optical switching network that selects the appropriate delay line is a serious limitation. We have previously demonstrated a unique photonic filter that uses the optical carrier wavelength in the 1550 nm wavelength band to select the desired time delay. In this paper, dual band (1550/1300 nm) operation of this Recirculating Photonic Filter True-Time- Delay is demonstrated. This dual-band operation offers flexibility in system design, enhanced antenna functionality and is expected to lead to lower device and system cost.