cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lentiviral Transduction of Rat Schwann Cells and Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons for In Vitro Myelination Studies.

Lentiviral transduction is a gene delivery method that provides numerous advantages over direct transfection and traditional retroviral or adenoviral delivery methods. It facilitates for the transduction of primary cells inherently difficult to transfect, delivers constructs of interest to nondividing as well as dividing cells, and permits the long-term expression of sizable DNA inserts (e.g., <7 kb). The study of peripheral nerve myelination at the molecular level has long benefited from the Schwann cells/dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons myelinating co-culture system. As this culture system takes about a month to develop and perform experiments with, lentiviral-delivered constructs can be used to manipulate gene expression in Schwann cells and DRG neurons, primary cells that are otherwise resilient to direct transfection. Here we present our protocol for lentiviral production and purification and subsequent infection of large numbers of Schwann cells and/or DRG neurons for the molecular study of peripheral nerve myelination in vitro.
Sensory-Motor and Perceptual-Motor Theories and Practices: An Overview and Evaluation

The use of movement to aid the human condition has a past lost in antiquity. The ancient Hindus and Chinese practiced various physical exercises to remedy a variety of illnesses and pathologies. Thousands of years before the coming of Christ, the Greeks and Romans, as well as physicians in the Arab nations, also included physical exercise in their medical kits (Licht, 1965).
ORIENTATION AND STRUCTURE OF RF SPUTTERED ZINC OXIDE FILMS ON METAL SUBSTRATES

This paper describes the results of a study on zinc oxide (ZnO) films, reactively sputtered on stainless steel substrates. Major goals were to: (a) establish a set of criteria for optimal c-axis oriented film deposition and (b) study the effect of sputtering parameters and post deposition annealing on the structural properties of sputtered films. Results obtained show that: (1) good c-axis oriented films are obtained with slow deposition rates (typically 0.13 nm s-1), a large O2/Ar ratio (≈ 0.7) and a substrate temperature in the vicinity of 250° C, (2) desposition rate which is sensitive to O2/Ar ratio, reaches a maximum in the range 0.3-0.5, (3) deposition rate is affected by the substrate temperature and reaches a maximum around 250°C, (4) deposition rate increases linearly with increasing RF input power and (5) post deposition annealing does not improve the film quality.
Elastic Compliance Versus Joint Actuation in an Articulated Swimming Robot

Abstract A planar swimming device comprising three rigid links with one actuated joint and one elastically compliant joint can achieve bi-directional translation as well as rotation solely through sinusoidal deformations of the actuated joint. In the context of an idealized model in which the surrounding fluid is assumed to be inviscid, the system’s locomotion may be understood in terms of geometric phases associated with limit cycles in joint-angle space. In comparison to a system with actuators at both joints executing the same swimming motion, a singly actuated compliant swimmer exhibits superior energy efficiency in laboratory experiments.
Application of a customizable sensor platform to detection of atmospheric gases by UAS

The dramatic reduction in the cost of consumer unmanned aerial systems (UAS) presents an opportunity for widespread adoption of UAS across several established areas of study. We present the development of a sensor prototyping platform designed to be accessible to a wide variety of industrial, academic, and hobbyist users. We also present a low-cost gas sensor array designed and fabricated using this development platform. Use of common low-cost ceramic metal-oxide gas sensors on a UAS required the inclusion of several supplemental compensation sensors, as well as the development of hardware to mitigate non-ideal impacts of UAS motion on the sensors. The system was tested at a private wetland in Western Whatcom County, WA during autumn 2017 in an effort to detect and geographically map potential methane hotspots, as well as test the development platform. While unable to detect hotspots within a 10-meter radius, flights conducted at 1 m/s provided more consistent detection than those flown at 3 m/s. Further work is required to mitigate non-ideal effects and improve the utility of a low-cost system for data collection by UAS. The sensor development platform, however, successfully supported this test and is suitable for further prototyping.
Dual-wavelength high-speed functional photoacoustic microscopy of mouse brain with a Raman laser at 1-MHz A-line rate (Conference Presentation)

Label-free functional photoacoustic microscopy (fPAM) has become a popular technology in small-animal hemodynamic studies. Here we report a stimulated-Raman-scattering-based (SRS) dual-wavelength high-speed fPAM that has achieved volumetric imaging at a 1 MHz A-line rate with capillary-level resolution. Potassium gadolinium tungstate (KGd(WO4)2) crystal is used as a Raman shifter to convert the pump 532 nm picosecond-pulsed laser to the first order Stokes line at 558 nm through the SRS effect with ~40% efficiency and a much narrower line width compared with previous fiber-based SRS PAMs. We also developed a water-immersible micro-electro-mechanical system scanner for scanning a ~4-mm range at a 500 Hz B-scan rate, while maintaining the optic-acoustic confocal alignment. This scanner is assembled entirely from commercially available components, facilitating replication. The detection sensitivity of our fPAM is also improved by employing a high numerical aperture polyvinylidene fluoride ultrasonic transducer, whose acoustic impedance matches better with tissue coupling medium than traditional ceramic transducers. The high sensitivity combined with ~2.4 µm resolution enabled our fPAM to image single red blood cells with a signal-to-noise ratio of ~27 dB. Compared with our previous laser-pulse-width based fPAM, we achieved simultaneous imaging of hemoglobin concentration and oxygenation with a 5-fold increase in imaging speed. Moreover, our system works in a convenient free-space manner compared to previous SRS-based PAMs. We applied it to imaging vasculature and blood oxygen saturation on mouse brains in both resting and stimulated states.
New Selenites: Syntheses, Structures, and Characterization of Centrosymmetric Al2(Se2O5)3 and Ga2(Se2O5)3 and Non-centrosymmetric In2(Se2O5)3

The syntheses, structures, and characterization of three new mixed metal selenites, Al2(Se2O5)3, Ga2(Se2O5)3, and In2(Se2O5)3 are reported. Al2(Se2O5)3 and Ga2(Se2O5)3 are isostructural to Cr2(Se2O5)3 and crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n (No. 14) with a = 10.825(6) A, b = 11.214(3) A, c = 11.567(6) A, and β = 94.92(3)° for Al2(Se2O5)3 and a = 10.901(6) A, b = 11.367(3) A, c = 11.682(3) A, and β = 95.07(3)° for Ga2(Se2O5)3. The third material, In2(Se2O5)3, crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group Pc (No. 7) with a = 11.1463(5) A, b = 13.3210(6) A, c = 9.7149(4) A, β = 105.478(1)°, and Z = 4. Nonlinear optical measurements on In2(Se2O5)3 indicate the material has second harmonic generating properties, with an efficiency of approximately 10 times SiO2. Infrared and thermogravimetric analyses for all three compounds are also presented.
Aptamer-Functionalized Nanoparticles as “Smart Bombs”: The Unrealized Potential for Personalized Medicine and Targeted Cancer Treatment

Conventional delivery of chemotherapeutic agents leads to multiple systemic side effects and toxicity, limiting the doses that can be used. The development of targeted therapies to selectively deliver anti-cancer agents to tumor cells without damaging neighboring unaffected cells would lead to higher effective local doses and improved response rates. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to target molecules with both high affinity and high specificity. The high specificity exhibited by aptamers promotes localization and uptake by specific cell populations, such as tumor cells, and their conjugation to anti-cancer drugs has been explored for targeted therapy. Advancements in the development of polymeric nanoparticles allow anti-cancer drugs to be encapsulated in protective nonreactive shells for controlled drug delivery with reduced toxicity. The conjugation of aptamers to nanoparticle-based therapeutics may further enhance direct targeting and personalized medicine. Here we present how the combinatorial use of aptamer and nanoparticle technologies has the potential to develop “smart bombs” for targeted cancer treatment, highlighting recent pre-clinical studies demonstrating efficacy for the direct targeting to particular tumor cell populations. However, despite these pre-clinical promising results, there has been little progress in moving this technology to the bedside.
Quantitative Analysis and Anti-inflammatory Activity Evaluation of the A-Type Avenanthramides in Commercial Sprouted Oat Products.

Avenanthramides (AVAs) are unique phytochemicals in oat that contain two distinct groups of compounds. The first group is constituted by N-cinnamoylanthranilic acids with a single double bond (refe...
Simulation in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

There has been increased use of simulation for medical training, continuing education, and crisis resource management. The quest for safety and quality has resulted in the development of realistic patient simulators and virtual reality devices which has enabled the mastery of complex procedures. This is especially true for the field of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology in which the need for management of increasingly complex and difficult cases, as well as the performance of a variety of procedures and skill sets, necessitates advanced practice models. It is essential for providers to gain mastery of skill sets such as central line placement, bronchoscopy, transesophageal echocardiography, invasive pressure monitoring, and management of complex cardiac, thoracic, and vascular cases. Using tools such as anesthesia management software, bronchoscopy simulators, vascular access trainers, full-sized mannequin, and simulated cardiopulmonary bypass models, practitioners are able to gain experience in the management of infrequently seen diseases and complications and to develop skills required for team-based management in the field of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia.
Review of From Deliberation to Demonstration: Political Rallies in France, 1868-1939, by Paula Cossart, trans. Clare Tame (Colchester, UK: ECPR Press, 2013).

Review of From Deliberation to Demonstration: Political Rallies in France, 1868-1939, by Paula Cossart, trans. Clare Tame (Colchester, UK: ECPR Press, 2013).
Recent Trends in the Incidence and Survival of Stage 1A Pancreatic Cancer: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Analysis.

BACKGROUND Rapid access to pancreatic imaging and regular pancreatic surveillance may help identify stage I pancreatic cancer. We investigated recent trends in the stage of newly diagnosed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDACs), age at diagnosis, and survival. METHODS Trends in age-adjusted incidence of stage IA PDAC between 2004 and 2016 were determined from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. All tests were two-sided. RESULTS The incidence of stage IA PDAC cases diagnosed increased statistically significantly from 2004 to 2016 (annual percent change = 14.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.4 to 17.7; P < .001). During the study period, average age at diagnosis for stage IA and IB casesAQ3 declined by 3.5 years (95% CI = 1.2 to 5.9; P = .004) and 5.5 years (95% CI = 3.4 to 7.6; P < .001), whereas average age increased for higher-stage cases (by 0.6 to 1.4 years). Among stage IA cases, the proportion of blacks was smaller (10.2% vs 12.5%), and the proportion of other non-Caucasians was higher compared with higher-stage cases (11.9% vs 8.4%; P < .001). Stage IA cases were more likely to carry insurance (vs Medicaid or none) than higher-stage cases (cases aged younger than 65 years; odds ratio = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.96 to 3.06; P < .001). The 5-year overall survival for stage IA PDAC improved from 44.7% (95% CI = 31.4 to 63.7) in 2004 to 83.7% (95% CI = 78.6% to 89.2%) in 2012; 10-year survival improved from 36.7% (95% CI = 24.1 to 55.8) in 2004 to 49.0% (95% CI = 37.2% to 64.6%) in 2007. CONCLUSIONS In recent years, the proportion of patients diagnosed with stage IA PDAC has increased, their average age at diagnosis has decreased, and their overall survival has improved. These trends may be the result of improved early diagnosis and early detection.
The pathogenesis of viral infections of the nervous system.

This article gives a brief and generalized review of the pathogenic events that result in a CNS viral infection.
The Thermal Enzyme Probe — A Novel Approach to Chemical Analysis

Calorimetry is an analytical technique of general usefulness since all chemical reactions produce an enthalpy change. Individual enzymes, on the other hand, are of great value because of their high specificity. Therefore, an analytical instrument combining the generality of calorimetry and the specificity of enzymes could be very useful for the specific measurement of any chemical for which there is an enzyme. For these reasons we have sought to develop a calorimetric technique utilizing enzymes for routine chemical analysis at minimum cost and with minimum sample size. An instrument based on such a technique should be useful for clinical analysis and industrial quality control (1).
Thymic iNKT single cell analyses unmask the common developmental program of mouse innate T cells.

Most T lymphocytes leave the thymus as naive cells with limited functionality. However, unique populations of innate-like T cells differentiate into functionally distinct effector subsets during their development in the thymus. Here, we profiled >10,000 differentiating thymic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells using single-cell RNA sequencing to produce a comprehensive transcriptional landscape that highlights their maturation, function, and fate decisions at homeostasis. Our results reveal transcriptional profiles that are broadly shared between iNKT and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, illustrating a common core developmental program. We further unmask a mutual requirement for Hivep3, a zinc finger transcription factor and adapter protein. Hivep3 is expressed in early precursors and regulates the post-selection proliferative burst, differentiation and functions of iNKT cells. Altogether, our results highlight the common requirements for the development of innate-like T cells with a focus on how Hivep3 impacts the maturation of these lymphocytes.
Shelter Characteristics, Infection Prevention Practices, and Universal Testing for SARS-CoV-2 at Homeless Shelters in 7 US Urban Areas.

Objectives. To examine shelter characteristics and infection prevention practices in relation to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection point prevalence during unive...
The Weekend Warrior: Common Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in the Recreational Athlete.

ABSTRACT “Weekend warriors” are recreational athletes who compress their physical activity into 1-2 weekly exercise sessions. These individuals are generally older than the conventionally discussed athlete, and can live otherwise sedentary lifestyles that contribute to limited opportunities for regular exercise. The combination of high-energy physical activity with relative deconditioning, as well as older age and a potential history of competitive athletic play, can predispose these weekend warriors to a plethora of sports injuries. The shoulder and elbow are dynamically involved in a multitude of common recreational sports, including baseball, softball, tennis, golf, and volleyball, as well as forms of casual exercise such as swimming or climbing. A lack of proper conditioning and supplemental training in weekend warriors, particularly in comparison to elite athletes in these respective sports, can contribute to the development of both acute and chronic conditions of the shoulder and elbow. Inconsistency in physical activity can minimize the prominence of symptoms, leading patients to delayed presentations with injuries that severely impact their ability to engage in their exercise of choice, and therefore remain active at all. This narrative review aims to present the etiology, presentation, and management of common shoulder and elbow injuries that may afflict this patient population. Prevention strategies will also be discussed.
Classic aversive conditioning of coronary blood flow in mongrel dogs

Left circumflex coronary blood flow (CBF) was measured in eight dogs during classic aversive conditioning (30-second tone followed by a one-second shock) using continuous-wave Doppler flow transducers. The systemic cardiovascular conditional response consisted of increases in: a) mean aortic pressure of 16.0 ± 4.2 mm Hg (16.1% ↑); b) d(left ventricular pressure)/dt of 1,752 ± 345 mm Hg/sec (64.2% ↑); and c) heart rate of 54 ± 12.3 bpm (63.2% ↑). Late diastolic CBF decreased by 4.0 ± 3.0 ml/min (12.5% ↓) between 5 and 10 seconds after onset of the conditional stimulus and then subsequently increased by 32.0 ± 8.9 ml/min (96.8% ↑). Concurrently, late diastolic coronary vascular resistance first increased by 0.59 ± 0.42 mm Hg/ml/min (21.9% ↑) and then decreased by 1.05 ± 0.22 mm Hg/ml/min (39.8% ↓). All changed values were significantly different from pretrial levels except the initial CBF decrease. This report presents the first detailed description of a coronary vascular conditional response.
SU-E-T-670: Radiotherapy Vault Shielding Evaluation Method for a Flattening Filter-Free (FFF) Linac-Practical Considerations and Recommendations

Purpose: To date, there isn’t formal approach for flattening filter-free (FFF) linac vault shielding evaluation, thus, we propose an extension to NCRP#151 to accommodate the recent large number of FFF linac installations.Methods and Materials: We extended the approach in NCRP#151 to design two Truebeam vaults in our new cancer center for hypofractionated treatments. Monte Carlo calculations have characterized primary, scattered, leakage and neutron radiations from FFF-modes. These calculations have shown that: a) FFF primary beam is softer on the central-axis compared to flattening filtered (FF), b) the lateral dose profile is peaked on the central axis and less integral target current is required to generate the same tumor dose with the FF beam. Thus, the TVLs for FFF mode are smaller than those of the FF mode and the scatter functions of the FF mode (NCRP#151) may not be appropriate for FFF-mode, c) the neutron source strength and fluence for 18X-FFF is smaller than 18X-FF, but it is not of a concern here, no 18X-FFF-mode is available on the linac under investigation. Results: These barrier thickness are smaller (12% reduction on the average) than those computed for conventional FF mode with same realistic primary workload since, the primary TVLs used here are smaller and the WL is smaller than the conventional (almost half reduced), keeping the TADR in tolerance. Conclusions: A comprehensive method for shielding barrier calculations based on dedicated data for FFF-mode linacs is highly desired. Meanwhile, we provide an extension to NCRP#151 to accommodate the shielding design of such installations. It is also shown that if a vault is already designed for IMRT/VMAT and SABR hypofractionated treatments with FFF-mode linac, the vault can also be used for a FFF mode linac replacement, leaving some leeway for slightly higher workload on the FFF linac.
Course 1 Principles of quantum computation

This chapter discusses the principles of quantum computation. It also discusses quantum circuit analysis methods presents a survey of entanglement as a physical resource, a review of information theory, examples of open quantum system dynamics, and a summary of ideas from quantum error correction. It introduces a language for transformations of quantum bits which is analogous to that used for electrical circuits. It shows that arbitrary unitary transforms can be constructed from certain single and multi-qubit gates, and illustrates this language with an important elementary quantum algorithm. The quantum circuits discussed allows understanding the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm. The chapter also introduces the concept of entanglement as being a physical resource. Much like space, time, and energy are physical resources that can be usefully consumed, compared, and converted, it is shown how entangled states are useful for applications such as precision measurement and communication. It is also shown how the amount of entanglement a given state can be quantified, and how entanglement is fungible. Further, the usefulness of entangled states with two applications: precision measurement and teleportation is illustrated. The chapter also provides an introduction to the classical theory of information. The two fundamental ideas of information theory are (1) the definition of information, in terms of entropy, and (2) the ability to and methods for transmitting information robustly through a noisy channel.
The Pros of Regional Legal Writing Conferences

Regional legal writing conferences have increased in popularity in recent years, and with good reason. First, they are relatively easy to host; they can be coordinated in just a few months, and they last only a day or two. Second, they provide numerous benefits to the participants, to their institutions, and to the profession. Benefits to attendees include hearing from nationally known experts, having a low cost educational opportunity, creating presentation opportunities for faculty teaching legal method, and networking. The host law school also benefits from the increased exposure of its program and personnel. Most significantly, regional legal writing conferences benefit the profession by creating a forum for the exchange of ideas related to teaching, scholarship, and service.
Phagosome as the Organelle Linking Innate and Adaptive Immunity

The means by which phagocytosis and antimicrobial defense mechanisms are linked have expanded greatly in recent years. It is now clear that the process of phagocytosis does more than just degrade internalized microbes, but also helps coordinate the actions of the innate and adaptive immune system. This review will discuss the means by which Toll-like receptor signaling pathways are coordinated around the processes of phagocytosis, phagosome trafficking and autophagy and how these signaling pathways influence T-cell-mediated immunity. In this regard, we propose that at the subcellular level, phagosomes represent the smallest definable unit that links innate and adaptive immunity.
Vertebral abnormality in a patient with suspected malignancy.

A 52-year-old man presented to the emergency department because of nausea and back pain. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated biliary tract and pancreatic duct obstruction secondary to a mass 3 cm in diameter in the head of the pancreas. There was also a liver mass 2 cm in diameter and an indeterminate lesion in the T12 vertebral body. Diagnostic studies are shown below (Figures ​(Figures11–4). Figure 1 Coronal T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) image shows increased signal intensity in the T12 vertebral body (arrows). Figure 4 Coronal reformatted CT image of T12 demonstrates vertically oriented radiolucent areas (arrows) adjacent to thickened trabecular struts. For diagnosis and discussion, see the following page. DIAGNOSIS: Vertebral hemangioma.
Regulation of Cockroach Antigen-Induced Allergic Airway Hyperreactivity by the CXCR3 Ligand CXCL9

Allergic airway disease is characterized by a robust lymphocytic infiltrate, elaboration of Th2-type inflammatory mediators, pulmonary eosinophil accumulation, and airway hyperreactivity. The CXCR3 ligands, CXCL9 (monokine induced by IFN-gamma) and CXCL10 (IFN-inducible protein, 10 kDa), are IFN-gamma-inducible, Th1-type chemokines. As CXCL10 has been previously shown to participate in the modulation of allergic inflammation, we were interested in investigating the possible role that CXCL9 may play in this inflammatory response. Expression of CXCL9 was primarily identified in airway epithelial cells by immunohistochemical staining. Airway neutralization of CXCL9 at the time of allergen challenge significantly increased airway hyperreactivity, airway eosinophil accumulation, and IL-4 levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage while significantly decreasing airway levels of IL-12. In contrast, introduction of exogenous CXCL9 into the airway at the time of allergen challenge dramatically reduced airway hyper-reactivity and eosinophil accumulation. Moreover, pulmonary levels of IL-4 were significantly reduced, whereas levels of IL-12 were significantly increased, with exogenous CXCL9 treatment. In lymphocytes restimulated with CXCL9 and allergen in vitro, CXCL9 down-regulated IL-4 expression and up-regulated IFN-gamma expression, suggesting that CXCL9 is able to direct activated lymphocytes toward a Th1-type phenotype. Additionally, CXCL9 was shown to inhibit CC chemokine ligand 11-induced eosinophil chemotaxis in in vitro assays. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the CXCR3 ligand CXCL9 is involved in regulation of the allergic response in the lung by regulation of lymphocyte activation and eosinophil recruitment.
Mycorrhizal fungi influence plant and soil functions and interactions

Potted soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants were grown in P-fertilized (+P) or low-P soil (-P), or colonized in -P soil by one of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus etunicatum(Ge), Glomus mosseae(Gm), or Gigaspora rosea(Gr). Treatment effects on plant development, on the soil microflora, and on the status of waterstable soil aggregates (WSA) were evaluated for all 5 treatments or for the 3 AM treatments alone. Dry weights of the AM plants, as a group, were half-way between the dry weights of the +P and -P plants, but within the AM group, Gm plants had the highest pod dry weights and pod/stem and root/stem ratios and the lowest specific root lengths, while Ge plants had high stem dry weights and were highly nodulated. High reproductive development and coarse roots in the Gm plants were associated with the most extensive growth of AM soil hyphae (km pot 1 : Gm, 20; Gr, 12; Ge, 8), while nodulation was inversely related with AM-colonized root length. The soils colonized by AM fungi had significantly higher levels of WSA (size classes 1 to 2 and 2 to 4 mm), and within the larger size class, Gm soils had the highest percentage of WSA. Proliferation (plate counts) of Gram positive (G+) and Gram negative (G-) bacteria, Arthrobactersp. (G+), and Pseudomonas sp. (G-) was greatest in the -P soils, but the bacterial populations of the +P and the AM soils were generally not significantly different. There were, however, differences among the AM treatments, where Gm soils had the lowest G- bacterial populations, while Ge soils had the highest populations of both G+ and G- bacteria. Correlations between plant and soil traits indicated that interactions within the plant-soil system were mediated by the AM fungi.
Finite element analysis of printing wiring board due to the solder masking process warpage

Efforts have been made to look at the various processes a printed wiring board (PWB) undergoes during its production, such as lamination, solder masking, and soldering, to determine their impact on board warpage. The focus of this research is on the influence of solder masking process on the PWB warpage. Finite element techniques were used to examine two areas related to solder mask and its application process. The first area studied was sensitivity of board warpage to changes in the mask material properties. The second area studied involved two steps used in applying the mask to the PWBs: curtain coating and curing. Results of these analyses have resulted in general guidelines that should be observed when selecting a mask material and application method. >
The effect of simulation of the volume changes which occur in the udder on the in vitro multiplication of staphylococci in bovine milk.

Staphylococcal multiplication in normal and high cell count milk was compared in constant volume cultures and in a culture system in which the volume changes associated with milk secretion and milking of the udder were simulated. Staphylococcal multiplication in the ‘simulator’ cultures was much less than in the constant volume cultures when high cell count milk was used, indicating the importance of continued milk secretion and milking in the control of the staphylococcal population in the milk of the sub-clinically infected bovine udder.
Simple Effective Decipherment via Combinatorial Optimization

We present a simple objective function that when optimized yields accurate solutions to both decipherment and cognate pair identification problems. The objective simultaneously scores a matching between two alphabets and a matching between two lexicons, each in a different language. We introduce a simple coordinate descent procedure that efficiently finds effective solutions to the resulting combinatorial optimization problem. Our system requires only a list of words in both languages as input, yet it competes with and surpasses several state-of-the-art systems that are both substantially more complex and make use of more information.
Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor Use in Men With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in men with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) remains unknown, yet its clinical relevance may be high given that its treatment—phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i)—can increase the left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the medical records of consecutively seen men with HC for the evidence of SD (defined as SD diagnosis noted in the medical record, the use of medications unique for SD, or SD reported by the patient on a routine clinical questionnaire). Of the 283 consecutively seen men with HC (mean age 52.9 ± 14.1 years), 63 patients (22%) with SD were identified. Of those with SD, 38% were recorded as regularly using PDE5i. In conclusion, SD and the use of PDE5i present a relatively common occurrence in men with HC, and further studies are needed to develop an evidence-guided algorithm for safe implementation of SD therapies in this most common inherited cardiomyopathy.
Identification and Characterization of Endogenous Galectins Expressed in Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells

Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells are a well characterized epithelial cell line used to study mechanisms of polarized delivery. As glycans on apically expressed proteins have been identified as targeting signals, and crosslinking by the abundant galectin-3 has been implicated in the mechanism of glycan-dependent sorting, we wanted to identify other members of the galectin (Gal) family expressed in MDCK cells. By analyzing intron-exon boundaries, we identified canine genes that were highly homologous to mammalian Gal-1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 12, and galectin-related HSPC159 and GRIFIN. Transcripts for Gal-2 and -12 were not detected in MDCK cells, but we found transcript levels for Gal-3 > Gal-9 > Gal-8 > Gal-1 ⋙ Gal-4 > Gal-7. Canine Gal-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, and -12 were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as GST fusion proteins to characterize binding specificities on arrays of synthetic glycans on glass slides from Core H of the NIH Consortium for Functional Glycomics. Individual expression of the N-terminal (GST-Gal-9N) and C-terminal (GST-Gal-9C) carbohydrate recognition domains greatly improved protein yield and the ability to characterize Gal-9 binding on the array. Canine galectins differentially bound sulfated disaccharides as well as human blood groups A, B, and H on both N-glycans and linear glycan structures on the array. Analysis of GST-Gal-1, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9N, and -9C binding to immunopurified human MUC1 expressed in MDCK cells revealed a preference for binding GST-Gal-3 and -9, which interestingly reflects the two most abundant galectins expressed in MDCK cells.
VIRAM: A Virtual Reality Environment for the Assembly of Micro Devices

The physical assembly of micron-sized parts is referred to as micro assembly. This paper discusses the creation of a virtual prototyping environment to study and facilitate the assembly of micro devices. The preliminary environment has been implemented using VRML 2.0 on a windows platform. The physical micro assembly system which was used as the target system to model includes a micro gripper, a linear micro-positioner, an assembly platen, a 3 axis micro positioner, cameras and a fixture mounted for the gripper. A description of the various stages involved in the creation of the virtual reality based environment is also described in this paper.© 2004 ASME
Assessing the Efficacy of Azaprophen and Physostigmine as a Pretreatment for Soman-Induced Incapacitation in Guinea Pigs by Response-Surface Modeling

Physostigmine (PHY) has the advantage over pyridostigmine of minimizing OP-induced incapacitation because it penetrates into the CNS. However, physostigmine is behaviorally toxic at relatively low concentrations. It is anticipated that this could be offset by a cholinolytic to prevent behavioral deficit due to the carbamate pretreatment alone. The therapeutic efficacy of physostigmine/azaprophen pretreatment therapy was evaluated in soman-challenged guinea pigs. Response surface methodology was employed to describe the relationship of the pretreatment combination with duration of incapacitation. The significance of the combination relative to PHY alone was evaluated in addition to dose combinations that yield optimal time to recovery. Analysis of the fitted response surface indicated that combination pretreatment with these compounds significantly reduces the time to recovery after soman challenge versus pretreatment with PHY alone.
Abstract B97: AS1411-Doxorubicin adduct for targeted liver cancer therapy.

Background: Aptamer-drug conjugates are promising to be applied to targeted cancer therapy, in which anticancer drugs were selectively delivered into cognate cancerous cells, but not to healthy tissues, in order to reduce side effects and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, the technology of drug-DNA adduct (DDA) was utilized to prepare drug-aptamer conjugates. Particularly, an anticancer drug, Doxorubicin (Dox), was conjugated with AS1411, a DNA aptamer which specifically recognizes human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells. The technology enabled a simple and high-payload conjugation of drugs onto aptamers. The resultant AS1411-Dox adduct maintained selectively recognition ability to target liver cancer cells with strong binding affinity (demonstrated by flow cytometry), was able to selectively deliver the conjugated Dox into target cancer cells (observed with confocal microscopy), and exhibited selective and potent cytotoxicity in target liver cancer cells (evaluated by MTS cell viability assay). More importantly, as the first of its kind, AS1411-Dox adduct demonstrated selectively antitumor therapeutic efficacy of this drug-aptamer conjugation technology in a mouse model. The ability of drug-aptamer adducts to deliver anticancer drugs into target cancer cells, while inhibiting nonspecific drug uptake in nontarget cells, enables this technology promising to be implemented in targeted cancer therapy. Conclusions/Significance: Given the demonstrated ability of targeted liver cancer therapy combined with the aforementioned advantageous features as a simple preparation, the high drug payload capacity, and the wide applicability, this novel drug-DNA adduct technology is anticipated for wide implications for targeted cancer therapy. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):B97. Citation Format: Thu Le Trinh, Guizhi Zhu, Xilin Xiao, Xiaokui Zhang, Kwame Sefah, Weihong Tan, Chen Liu. AS1411-Doxorubicin adduct for targeted liver cancer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B97.
Peer Reviewed: Through the looking Glass: Surveying the Undergraduate Quantitative Analysis Course

A first-ever survey of analytical chemistry faculty finds that curricular change is occurring, but that some responses differ according to years of teaching, professional rank, and gender.
Test-Retest Reliability of the Women's Health Initiative Physical Activity Questionnaire

Purpose Few physical activity (PA) questionnaires were designed to measure the lifestyles and activities of women. We sought to examine the test-retest reliability of a PA questionnaire used in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study. Differences in reliability were also explored by important covariates.
On multivariate kernel estimation for samples from weighted distributions

Abstract Data from multivariate weighted distributions appear in such cases as missing data, damaged data, sociological or economic data. Multivariate kernel density estimation is discussed for these data where its mean square error (pointwise and integrated) is derived and for an important and common special case, its mean absolute error is outlined. The analogous problem dealing with regression estimation is presented.
Simulating bioremediation of uranium-contaminated aquifers; uncertainty assessment of model parameters

Abstract Bioremediation of trace metals and radionuclides in groundwater may require the manipulation of redox conditions via the injection of a carbon source. For example, after nitrate has been reduced, soluble U(VI) can be reduced simultaneously with other electron acceptors such as Fe(III) or sulfate to U(IV), which may precipitate as a solid (uraninite). To simulate the numerous biogeochemical processes that will occur during the bioremediation of trace-metal-contaminated aquifers, a time-dependent one-dimensional reactive transport model has been developed. The model consists of a set of coupled mass balance equations, accounting for advection, hydrodynamic dispersion, and a kinetic formulation of the biological or chemical transformations affecting an organic substrate, electron acceptors, corresponding reduced species, and trace metal contaminants of interest, uranium in this study. This set of equations is solved numerically, using a finite difference approximation. The redox conditions of the domain are characterized by estimating the pE, based on the concentration of the dominant terminal electron acceptor and its corresponding reduced species. This pE and the concentrations of relevant species are then used by a modified version of MINTEQA2, which calculates the speciation/sorption and precipitation/dissolution of the species of interest under equilibrium conditions. Kinetics of precipitation/dissolution processes are described as being proportional to the difference between the actual and calculated equilibrium concentration. A global uncertainty assessment, determined by Random Sampling High Dimensional Model Representation (RS-HDMR), was performed to attain a phenomenological understanding of the origins of output variability and to suggest input parameter refinements as well as to provide guidance for field experiments to improve the quality of the model predictions. By decomposing the model output variance into its different input contributions, RS-HDMR can identify the model inputs with the most influence on various model outputs, as well as their behavior pattern on the model output. Simulations are performed to illustrate the effect of biostimulation on the fate of uranium in a saturated aquifer, and to identify the key processes that need to be characterized with the highest accuracy prior to designing a uranium bioremediation scheme.
Family history of cancer: is it an accurate indicator of cancer risk in the immigrant population?

BACKGROUND. Patients' self-reports of family history of cancer influence physician cancer screening recommendations. Little is known about rates of reporting a family history of cancer in the immigrant population. METHODS. The study used a nationally representative probability sample of adults, 18 years of age and older, living in the United States (N = 5010) who had responded to the 2005 Health Information Trends Survey (HINTS). Likelihood of reporting a family history of cancer was examined as a function of nativity status (foreign-born vs US-born) and control variables. RESULTS. Immigrants were approximately one-third as likely as nonimmigrants to report a family history of cancer (odds ratio [OR], 0.35; 95% confidence index [95% CI], 0.25–0.48) after controlling for sociodemographic and cancer knowledge variables. CONCLUSIONS. When healthcare providers are assessing cancer risk and making screening recommendations, they should take into account that among foreign-born patients, and especially nonwhite foreign-born patients, self-reported family history of cancer (FHC) may misrepresent their cancer risk. Failure to account for low rates of reporting FHC among immigrants could inadvertently contribute to existing disparities in cancer screening and use of genetic testing by immigrants and ethnic minorities. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Modelling the Axial-Flow Compressors for Calculating Starting of Turbojet Engines

This paper provides a method of modelling the axial-flow compressors in the low speed starting regime of an engine from windmilling to idling. A structural formula for the model is established by means of reference (1). A method of step-by-step regression is provided by the author for determining the coefficient matrices of the structural formulae. Excellent agreement was obtained between the computational and experimental results.Copyright © 1985 by ASME
MECHANICAL ALLOYING OF IMMISCIBLE ELEMENTS : AG-FE CONTRASTED WITH CU-FE

Extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure analysis demonstrates that the Cu-Fe and Ag-Fe systems, both immiscible in equilibrium, exhibit contrasting alloying behavior when subjected to mechanical milling. While Cu-Fe undergoes atomic-level alloying forming solid solutions, Ag-Fe remains largely unreacted. The alloying behavior observed is explained based on a model for a dynamic system, combining both the effects of externally driven mixing and thermal evolution under the thermodynamic driving force prevailing in a ball-milled mixture.
A Drift-Free Navigation System for a Mobile Robot Operating on Unstructured Terrain

The orientation and the angular rates of the body of a robotic vehicle are required for the guidance and control of the vehicle. In the current robotic systems these quantities are obtained by the use of inertial sensing systems. Inertial sensing systems involve drift errors which can be significant even after the vehicle has traversed only short distances on the terrain. A different approach is suggested here which guarantees accurate, drift-free sensing of the angular position and rates of the vehicle body. A camera system consisting of two cameras in fixed relationship to one another is made to continuously track two stationary objects (stars or the sun). The camera system is mounted on the vehicle body through an actuated three-degree-of-freedom joint. The angular positions and rates of these joints can be used to evaluate the angular positions and rates of the vehicle body. An estimate of the absolute position of the vehicle on the terrain can also be obtained from this sensing system. This can serve as the primary system for estimating the position of a vehicle on a planet, or as an inexpensive alternative/backup to a more accurate Global Positioning System (GPS) for estimating the position of a vehicle on earth.
A gas chromatographic method of quantitating DDT in the presence of interfering polychlorinated biphenyl.

Abstract Beroza and co-workers have developed a method of identifying pesticides on the basis of p-values. This paper extends the use of p-values to quantitating the components of a two-component system which cannot be resolved on a given gas chromatographic column.
The amperometric and constant current potentiometric titration of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid with copper (II)

Abstract The amperometric titration of 7·10 -5 M EDTA with copper(II) was performed in an acetate buffer of pH 5.0 at the rotated platinum electrode. A pH range of 4.73 to 5.73 was used to titrate 7·10 -4 M EDTA. The potentiometric titration at small constant current of 7·10 -3 to 3.5·10 -4 M EDTA with copper(II) was performed in an acetate buffer of pH 5.0 at the rotated platinum electrode.
Turbulence occurring after carotid bifurcation endarterectomy: A harbinger of residual and recurrent carotid stenosis☆

The goal of carotid endarterectomy is to remove an obstructing or embologenic lesion and reconstruct a durable arterial segment free of flow abnormality. The technical adequacy of 250 endarterectomy sites in 235 patients was assessed at operation by pulsed Doppler spectral analysis and arteriography and was correlated with postoperative patency, the incidence of residual and recurrent stenosis, and clinical outcome. Duplex scanning was used after operation to categorize disease severity. At operation, 10 patients (4%) had angiographic and Doppler flow abnormalities identified in the internal carotid artery. Vessel exploration identified intimal flaps, platelet aggregation, or stricture. Residual flow disturbances at the endarterectomy site correlated with perioperative thrombosis and stroke, angiographic abnormalities, primary closure of the arteriotomy, and a postoperative duplex scan consistent with stenosis. In 175 patients (182 sites) with normal arterial flow after carotid bifurcation endarterectomy, no thrombotic events occurred and the incidence of recurrent stenosis (life-table analysis) was zero at 3 months, 5% at 1 year, and 9% at 2 years. The incidence of occlusion and recurrent stenosis was increased (8% at 3 months, 18% at 1 year, and 21% at 2 years) in 68 arteries with residual flow disturbance identified at operation. Assessment of endarterectomy sites for turbulence identifies anatomic lesions that threaten patency and increase the incidence of residual and recurrent stenosis.
An Eulerian method for transient nonlinear free surface wave problems

Abstract An Eulerian difference method is developed for the transient potential flow of an incompressible fluid with fully nonlinear free surface conditions. The free surface coordinate y = ν ( x , t ) and the velocity potential θ ( x , y = ν ; t ) on the free surface are recognized as the primary unknowns to be solved as an initial value problem from the pair of nonlinear partial differential equations representing the dynamic and the kinematic conditions of the free surface. The continuity relation Δ 2 θ =0 for the velocity potential θ ( x , y ; t ) over the flow field Ω below the free surface is recognized as a subsidiary condition to be enforced at all times. The field of computation is transformed into a time invariant cartesian region with the free surface ν ( x , t ) represented by a coordinate line (or surface). The iterative solution for θ ( x , y ; t ), p ( x ; y ; t ) in this fixed field of computation is facilitated by the use of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The iterative process converges rapidly. In terms of this converged θ ( x , y ; t ), the free surface location ν ( x , t ) and its potential θ ( x , y = ν ; t ) are advanced in time. Results from two planar examples are illustrated. The method is equally applicable to problems in three space dimensions; possibly involving interactive matching with neighboring flow fields. If the initial free surface potential θ ( x , y = ν ; t = 0) is unknown, difficulties may be encountered in data specification for securing a well posed problem for solution.