cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear elastic buckling and postbuckling analysis of cylindrical panels

This paper revisits the buckling analysis of a benchmark cylindrical panel undergoing snap-through when subjected to transverse loads. We show that previous studies either overestimated the buckling load and identified a false buckling mode, or failed to identify all secondary solution branches. Here, a numerical procedure composed of the arclength and branch switching methods is used to identify the full postbuckling response of the panel. Additional bifurcation points and corresponding secondary paths are discovered. Parametric studies of the effect of the rise, thickness, and boundary conditions of the panel on the buckling and postbuckling responses are also performed. HighlightsAll equilibrium paths of cylindrical panels are obtained.Numerical methods used are robust and efficient.Approach does not require prior knowledge or assumptions on solution.Influence of geometric characteristics on the equilibrium manifold is examined.
Crustal evolution by arc magmatism

Arc magmas generated at depths near 100 km by dehydration of subducting slabs are olivine-rich melabasalts, but the magmas that reach the surface in mature continental magmatic arcs have an average composition near that of rhyodacite. Depth-varying fractionations and equilibrations profoundly modify the initial magmas. Plate tectonics has operated throughout Proterozoic and Phanerozoic time much as it does now, and so many deeply eroded terrains must expose products of arc magmatism. Most exposed middle and deep continental crust consists of igneous rocks plus older rocks equilibrated at magmatic temperatures, variably deformed and metamorphosed subsequently; each crustal level displays a typical assemblage of magmatic rock types, which are here deduced to be products mostly of arc magmatism. Pre-arc mantle consists of depleted dunite and harzburgite. Rising arc magmas precipitate much additional olivine, and add the equivalent of 10 or 15% of basalt in clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, garnet and spinel. The seismic M. discontinuity may be controlled primarily by the shallow limit of the depth zone in which crystallization is mostly of ultramafic components, and the fractionated magmas that reach the crust are mostly of gabbroic to granodioritic compositions. The lower crust is characterized by differentiated layered complexes, which often contain mafic or ultramafic basal cumulates, medial floated-plagioclase anorthosite, and upper quartz-poor pyroxene-mesoperthite granites, and by other magmatic rocks. Magmatic rocks are more voluminous than pre-existing rocks. Supracrustal rocks are in middle granulite facies, and much granitic material has been melted from them by magmatic heat. The magmatically modified middle crust consists primarily of migmatites in lower granulite facies in the deeper part, and upper amphibolite facies in the shallower part. Much dissociation of hydrous mineral assemblages is caused by the magmatic heat, producing water-rich, aluminous magmas, assimilation and anatexis. The high water contents restrict rise of the equilibrated magmas; voluminous pegmatites are expelled into the wall rocks, and crystallization is forced. Sheets of two-mica granites characterize the upper part of the middle crust. The comparatively dry magmas that rise into the upper crust are mostly tonalite to adamellite. These magmas spread out in steep-sided batholiths above the migmatites, erupt as ash flow sheets from calderas, and produce voluminous far-travelling volcanic ash. Inverted metamorphic gradients and outward-verging structures are produced beneath the spreading batholiths. Magmatic arcs are extensional at all crustal levels.
A detailed resonance Raman study of the M412 intermediate in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle.

— Resonance Raman spectra of various M412 species associated with the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle have been obtained. These correspond to the two forms observed during the formation of M412 and the two forms that are observed during its decay in absorption experimeents. We do not see any significant difference between the Raman spectra of any of these forms. We therefore conclude that the differences in these species are due to the differences in the protein structure and not in the chromophore.
Nanoindentation of nanocrystalline Ni with geometrically different indenters

Abstract Nanoindentation has been used extensively for characterization of mechanical properties of materials in small scales and thin films. Traditionally, it is assumed that measured values for hardness are independent of indentation size. The indentation size effect (ISE) and the effect of indenters’ geometry have been investigated in this research. Nickel and nickel-based materials have received more interests recently for application of structural components in MEMS industries and also in the basic research. Hardness of electrodeposited nanocrystalline and commercially produced microcrystalline pure nickel were determined by using three geometrically different nanoindneters. The highest hardness values are for the Conical and the lowest for Berkovich indenters at the same indentation depths. The hardness measurements obtained from Berkovich and Cubecorner show good agreements with the mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity model. The results also indicate that the ISE strongly depends on each indenter’s geometry and is less sensitive to indentation depth. There is negligible strain rate dependency of hardness to the deeper depths and a significant increase in the hardness due to the decrease in grain size.
Interactions between shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRA) and cement paste's pore solution

Abstract Shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRA) have been developed to combat shrinkage cracking in concrete elements. While SRA has been shown to have significant benefits in reducing the magnitude of drying and autogenous shrinkage, it has been reported that SRA may cause a negative side effect as it reduces the rate of cement hydration and strength development in concrete. To examine the influence of SRA on cement hydration, this study explores the interactions between SRA and cement paste's pore solution. It is described that SRA is mainly composed of amphiphilic (i.e., surfactant) molecules that when added to an aqueous solution, accumulate at the solution–air interface and can significantly reduce the interfacial tension. However, these surfactants can also self-aggregate in the bulk solution (i.e., micellation) and this may limit the surface tension reduction capacity of SRA. In synthetic pore solutions, SRA is observed to form an oil–water–surfactant emulsion that may or may not be stable. Specifically, at concentrations above a critical threshold, the mixture of SRA and pore fluid is unstable and can separate into two distinct phases (an SRA-rich phase and an SRA-dilute phase). Further, chemical analysis of extracted pore solutions shows that addition of SRA to the mixing water depresses the dissolution of alkalis in the pore fluid. This results in a pore fluid with lower alkalinity which causes a reduction in the rate of cement hydration. This may explain why concrete containing SRA shows a delayed setting and a slower strength development.
Poly(styrene-b-4-vinylphenoxyphthalonitrile)-Cobalt Complexes and Their Conversion to Oxidatively Stable Cobalt Nanoparticles

Oxidatively stable, magnetic cobalt nanoparticles have been prepared by heating cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated in poly(styrene-b-4-vinylphenoxyphthalonitrile) block copolymers at elevated temperatures. The block copolymers were synthesized through the sequential anionic polymerization of styrene and tert-butyldimethylsilyloxystyrene. The silyl ether protecting groups on the second block were hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to afford poly(styrene-b-4-vinylphenol), and then the pendent phenols of the diblock copolymer were chemically modified with 4-nitrophthalonitrile to afford poly(styrene-b-4-vinylphenoxyphthalonitrile). Stable suspensions of ∼8−10 nm diameter cobalt metal nanoparticles were formed by thermolysis of dicobalt octacarbonyl in solutions of toluene containing poly(styrene-b-4-vinylphenoxyphthalonitrile). The cobalt−polymer nanoparticle complexes were pyrolyzed under argon to afford highly magnetic cobalt nanoparticles encased in graphitic-like coatings. Magnetic susceptibility measurem...
Delivery of pineal melatonin to the brain and SCN: role of canaliculi, cerebrospinal fluid, tanycytes and Virchow–Robin perivascular spaces

Historically, the direct release of pineal melatonin into the capillary bed within the gland has been accepted as the primary route of secretion. Herein, we propose that the major route of melatonin delivery to the brain is after its direct release into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the third ventricle (3V). Melatonin concentrations in the CSF are not only much higher than in the blood, also, there is a rapid nocturnal rise at darkness onset and precipitous decline of melatonin levels at the time of lights on. Because melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant, we surmise that the elevated CSF levels are necessary to combat the massive free radical damage that the brain would normally endure because of its high utilization of oxygen, the parent molecule of many toxic oxygen metabolites, i.e., free radicals. Additionally, the precise rhythm of CSF melatonin provides the master circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, with highly accurate chronobiotic information regarding the duration of the dark period. We predict that the discharge of melatonin directly into the 3V is aided by a number of epithalamic structures that have heretofore been overlooked; these include interpinealocyte canaliculi and evaginations of the posterodorsal 3V that directly abut the pineal. Moreover, the presence of tanycytes in the pineal recess and/or a discontinuous ependymal lining in the pineal recess allows melatonin ready access to the CSF. From the ventricles melatonin enters the brain by diffusion and by transport through tanycytes. Melatonin-rich CSF also circulates through the aqueduct and eventually into the subarachnoid space. From the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain, melatonin penetrates into the deepest portions of the neural tissue via the Virchow–Robin perivascular spaces from where it diffuses into the neural parenchyma. Because of the high level of pineal-derived melatonin in the CSF, all portions of the brain are better shielded from oxidative stress resulting from toxic oxygen derivatives.
Absorption spectra indicate conformational alteration of myoglobin adsorbed on polydimethylsiloxane

To assess the effects of adsorption on protein structure, ultraviolet optical absorption spectra of myoglobin (Mb) bound to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were measured. A flow cell, which enabled adsorption under controlled hydrodynamic conditions, was used in conjunction with a conventional spectrophotometer to obtain the spectra. Adsorption to PDMS reduced significantly the absorbance in the Soret region of the Mb spectrum, whereas the spectrum in the region near 280 nm was essentially unaffected. This result showed that disruption of the native structure of Mb occurs following interaction with PDMS. Furthermore, the change in the absorption spectrum may indicate loss of heme from the heme pocket of the adsorbed protein. Mb structure was altered from its solution configuration within fifteen min of contact with the surface. Exchange of adsorbed Mb with Mb in solution had little or no effect on the absorption spectrum of the surface-confined protein, indicating that exchange occurs only between conformationally altered species or between native species.
Coupling Fiber Optics to a Permeation Liquid Membrane for Heavy Metal Sensor Development

We present the first sensing system for metal ions based on the combination of separation/preconcentration by a permeation liquid membrane (PLM) and fluorescence detection with an optical fiber. As a model, a system for the detection of Cu(II) ions was developed. The wall of a polypropylene hollow fiber serves as support for the permeable liquid membrane. The lumen of the fiber contains the strip solution in which Cu(II) is accumulated. Calcein, a fluorochromic dye, acts as stripping agent and at the same time as metal indicator. The quenching of the calcein fluorescence upon metal accumulation in the strip phase is detected with a multimode optical fiber, which is incorporated into the lumen. Fluorescence is excited with a blue LED and detected with a photon counter. Taking advantage of the high selectivity and sensitivity of PLM preconcentration, a detection limit for Cu(II) of approximately 50 nM was achieved. Among five tested heavy metal ions, Pb(II) was the only major interfering species. The incorporation of small silica optical fibers into the polypropylene capillary allows for real-time monitoring of the Cu(II) accumulation process.
Increased chromosomal radiosensitivity in patients undergoing radioimmunoglobulin therapy.

Abstract Lymphocytes from individual patients undergoing radiolabeled immmunoglobulin therapy have been examined both for chromosome aberrations expressed immediately upon explant, or for chromosome aberrations induced by a subsequent challenge of γ-rays after PHA-stimulated proliferation. Despite interpatient variation, there is strong correlation between levels of chromosome aberrations observed in the initial mitosis after mitogenic stimulation and levels induced by a challenging dose of radiation in replicate cultures after several cell cycles of growth. These data indicated that even after proliferation, human lymphocytes retain a memory of in vivo exposure to ionizing radiation that can be observed by challenge with a clastogenic agent. This persistent hypersensitivity occurs at high frequency, suggesting that it may be related to initial steps in multistage carcinogenesis
GOAL PROGRAMMING IN A FUZZY ENVIRONMENT

This paper illustrates the application of “fuzzy subsets” concepts to goal programming in a fuzzy environment. In contrast to a typical goal-programming problem, the goals are stated imprecisely when the decision environment is fuzzy. The paper first considers a fuzzy goal-programming problem with multiple goals having equal weights associated with them. A solution approach based on linear programming is developed. Next, the solution approach is extended to the case where unequal fuzzy weights are associated with multiple goals. Numerical examples are provided for both cases to illustrate the solution procedure.
Evaluation of OKT3 monoclonal antibody and anti-thymocyte globulin in the treatment of steroid-resistant acute allograft rejection in pediatric renal transplants.

We reviewed the effectiveness of Muromonab-CD3 (OKT3) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) in the treatment of corticosteroid-resistant acute renal allograft rejection in 49 transplanted children. Reversal of rejection was successful in 22 of 23 patients (96%) treated with OKT3 and 21 of 26 (81%) treated with ATG (P = NS). Re-rejection episodes occurred within 1 month of cessation of therapy in 9 of 22 patients treated with OKT3 but only in 2 of 21 who received ATG (P or = 1:1,000) OKT3 antibody titers. In our experience, children with corticosteroid-resistant acute renal allograft rejection treated with OKT3 and ATG had similar allograft survival and level of renal function at 1 and 6 months, and number of infectious complications post therapy.
Gesture, Thought, and Spatial Language

This study explored the conceptual and communicative roles of gesture by examining the consequences of gesture prevention for the type of spatial language used to solve a spatial problem. English speakers were asked to describe where to place a group of blocks so that the blocks completely filled a puzzle grid. Half the subjects were allowed to gesture and half were prevented from gesturing. In addition, half the subjects could see their addressee and half could not. Addressee visibility affected how reliant subjects were on specifying puzzle grid co-ordinates, regardless of gesture condition. However, when describing block locations, subjects who were allowed to gesture were more likely to describe block orientation and rotation. Further, gesture and speech complemented each other such that subjects were less likely to lexically specify rotation direction when this information was expressed by gesture, but this was not a conscious communicative choice because subjects who were not visible to their addressee also tended to leave rotation direction unspecified when they gestured. We argue that the complementary integration of information in gesture and speech occurred as a result of the expression of thought rather than as a result of communicative intent.
Use of an expert concept map as an advance organizer to improve understanding of respiratory failure.

Background: Helping novices transition toward expertise requires “meaningful” learning. Advance organizers are educational tools which help connect prior knowledge with new information, a critical step in making learning meaningful. Concept maps visually represent knowledge organization and can serve as advance organizers enabling deeper and more meaningful learning while enhancing knowledge integration.Aim: To compare respiratory failure understanding of resident physicians instructed, using an expert concept map advance organizer with learners receiving traditional didactic teaching.Methods: Residents were randomized by month of service to receive either a control lecture or a session using an expert concept map as an advanced organizer. Participants completed three concept maps; pre-education (CM1), immediately post-education (CM2), and 1 week later (CM3). Concept maps were scored using a standardized structural scoring method.Results: Forty-six pediatric residents (23 control and 23 experimental) part...
Subduction zone geochemical characteristics in ocean ridge basalts from the southern Chile Ridge: Implications of modern ridge subduction systems for the Archean

The southern portion of the Chile Ridge is one of few sites where active subduction of a spreading center and its consequences for ridge axis magmatism can be investigated. New major element, trace element, and isotopic data for lavas recovered from the ridge axis between 43 °S and 46 °20′S of the southern Chile Ridge have revealed a suite of mid-ocean ridge basalts which possess typical major element variations, but diverse and sometimes unusual trace element characteristics. For several Chile Ridge lavas, key trace element ratios, such as RbCs, CePb, NbU, LaTa, HfTh and NbLa, extend well outside the fields for normal MORB or ocean island basalts and have values more commonly associated with arc volcanics and continental crust. This hybrid mixture between MORB-like major elements and arc-like trace element signatures has only previously been seen in back-arc basins, and is considered to primarily reflect contamination of a depleted MORB source mantle with slab-derived components. Along the southern Chile Ridge, contamination with slab components is occurring in advance of the subduction zone, possibly as a result of slab break-up or shearing in conjunction with subduction of young, buoyant lithosphere, and subsequent entrainment of these slab components into the sub-ridge mantle. Interestingly, many Archean greenstone basalts share the unusual hybrid MORB-arc geochemical characteristics found along the southern Chile Ridge. On the basis of theoretical modeling, it has been suggested that the mantle was hotter, plate motions were more rapid and ridge-trench interactions were more frequent during the Archean. Although use of geochemical signatures to discriminate tectonic setting must be approached with caution, the observed geochemical affinity of modern lavas from the southern Chile Ridge and some Archean greenstone lavas lends support to the idea that ridge subduction may have been an important mechanism in the formation of Archean greenstone basalts.
Single optical fiber probe for optogenetics

With the advent of optogenetics, all optical control and visualization of the activity of specific cell types is possible. We have developed a fiber optic based probe to control/visualize neuronal activity deep in the brain of awake behaving animals. In this design a thin multimode optical fiber serves as the head of the probe to be inserted into the brain. This fiber is used to deliver excitation/stimulation optical pulses and guide a sample of the emission signal back to a detector. The major trade off in the design of such a system is to decrease the size of the fiber and intensity of input light to minimize physical damage and to avoid photobleaching/phototoxicity but to keep the S/N reasonably high. Here the excitation light, and the associated emission signal, are frequency modulated. Then the output of the detector is passed through a time-lens which compresses the distributed energy of the emission signal and maximizes the instantaneous S/N. By measuring the statistics of the noise, the structure of the time lens can be designed to achieve the global optimum of S/N. Theoretically, the temporal resolution of the system is only limited by the time lens diffraction limit. By adding a second detector, we eliminated the effect of input light fluctuations, imperfection of the optical filters, and back-reflection of the excitation light. We have also designed fibers and micro mechanical assemblies for distributed delivery and detection of light.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Acid and mineral balances and bone in familial proximal renal tubular acidosis

Acid and mineral balances and bone in familial proximal renal tubular acidosis. Background Metabolic acidosis caused by increased rates of fixed acid production is associated with increased urinary excretion of Ca and negative Ca balances. Metabolic acidosis caused by a reduced capacity of the kidneys to excrete acid contributes to the development of bone disease in the course of chronic renal failure and may be associated with bone disease among some patients with renal tubular acidosis. Methods To assess the effects of life-long metabolic acidosis alone in the absence of other physiological disturbances, we measured the net balances of fixed acid and minerals in two brothers in a Costa Rican family with hereditary proximal renal tubular acidosis. Bone radiographs were assessed, and radial bone densities were measured. On a subsequent occasion, transiliac bone biopsies, following double-tetracycline labeling, were obtained from these two patients and an unaffected brother. Results During the balance studies, serum [HCO 3 - ] concentrations of the two affected patients were stable at 12.5 ± 0.9 and 19.2 ± 0.7 mmol/L, respectively. Their rates of net fixed acid production were normal and appropriate for their body weights, averaging 0.90 and 1.02 mEq/kg/day. Because their distal renal tubular function was normal, they were capable of acidifying their urine maximally, allowing sufficient urinary excretion of titratable acid and ammonium to maintain net acid excretion at a level that matched acid production. Thus, their acid balances were near zero, as observed among healthy subjects, at –1.9 ± 2.3 and -2.2 ± 2.2 mEq/day, respectively. Their rates of urinary Ca excretion were normal at 1.6 ± 0.3 and 2.7 ± 2.4 mmol/day, and the their balances of Ca and other minerals were close to zero so that ongoing bone loss was not occurring despite the acidosis. Nevertheless, their heights, relative to their ages, were shorter than the heights of their unaffected relatives. Their radial bone densities were lower than normal for their age and sex, and their iliac cortices were thinner than that of their unaffected brother. However, they had no histomorphometric evidence of osteomalacia or osteitis fibrosa, and their rates of bone mineralization were normal. Conclusions The results indicate that this chronic metabolic acidosis reduces growth, including that of bone. We speculate, without direct supporting evidence, that bone stores of HCO 3 - /CO 3 = are reduced, as has been observed in patients with the metabolic acidosis of chronic renal failure and in experimental metabolic acidosis in animals.
Crystal field effects on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy in HoAl2

Abstract Recent work on the heat capacity of HoAl 2 revealed an anomaly at 20°K, the origin of which was not understood. It is now suggested that this anomaly originates from a change in the easy direction of magnetization brought about by a combined effect of crystalline electric field and exchange field. Calculations by the equivalent operator method have been performed employing reasonable combinations of crystal field parameters. The exchange field acting on Ho 3+ is determined in a self-consistent manner. Results are presented to illustrate the expected occurrence of a change in the easy direction of magnetization for a range of crystal field parameters which are compatible with those found for other R Al 2 compounds. The magnetic moment on Ho 3+ ion calculated on the basis of this model is in agreement with experiment.
Developmental biology: Asymmetry with a twist

In snails, manipulating the orientation of cells in the early embryo alters the left–right asymmetry of the shell and body. These findings refine the search for the symmetry-breaking event in this and other animals. The chirality of snail shell coiling — the 'handedness' that means a structure can't be superimposed on its mirror image — is determined genetically by a single locus and is maternally inherited. The gene responsible has not been identified. Now Reiko Kuroda et al. have found that a simple manipulation of cells in 8-cell stage embryos of the great pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, can reverse chirality in the adult. Remarkably, expression of nodal, a gene that imparts left–right asymmetry in many species, is reversed by the cellular rearrangement. They also show a strong genetic linkage between the handedness-determining gene or genes and the chiral cytoskeletal dynamics at the third cleavage that promotes the dominant-type blastomere arrangement. The availability of this tractable experimental system should make the mechanism of left–right symmetry more amenable to study.
The development and application of the Gauss nonlinearly constrained optimization method

Abstract Presented in this paper is a new optimization technique, called the Gauss nonlinearly constrained technique, which is applicable to design problems with nonlinear objective functions and constraints. The technique is an extension of a previously developed method for linear constraints, referred to as the Gauss constrained technique. Both of these techniques, based on the Gauss unconstrained method, have been developed so that the Kuhn-Tucker conditions are automatically satisfied when the procedure terminates.
Topoisomerase I inhibitor SN-38 effectively attenuates growth of human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo

The effect of SN-38 was evaluated on multiple lung cancer cell lines. It inhibits anchorage-dependent and -independent growth as monitored by MTT and soft agar colony assay, respectively. SN-38 collapsed the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), arrested cells in S- and G2-phases of the cell cycle, and induced apoptosis via activation of caspase 3 and PARP. A single injection of 2 mg/kg body weight of SN-38 caused a significant reduction of lung cancer xenografts. These findings indicate that SN-38 induces apoptosis in the lung cancer cells effectively. Thus, SN-38 can potentially be an effective therapeutic agent against lung cancer.
Dynamic crystallization of cocoa butter. II. Morphological, thermal, and chemical characteristics during crystal growth.

After an induction period, crystallization of cocoa butter under dynamic conditions at 26.5°C occurs in two stages, primary and secondary. The primary stage involves nucleation, crystal growth, aggregation, and sintering. Crystals formed during the primary stage were slightly or non-birefringent, and had long, irregular-shaped filaments. The secondary stage was initiated by the formation of spherulites. Total crystallization time may depend upon the crystal growth rate in the primary stage and the time that coca butters take to form the spherulitic crystals in the secondary stage. After the spherulitic crystals formed, the crystal growth rates were rapid. Cocoa butters crystallized into two fractions during the primary and secondary stages. The low-melting fractions had onset melting temperatures similar to those of polymorphs IV and V of cocoa butter. The high-melting fractions, which were observed at the latter stages of crystallization, had differential scanning calorimetry endotherms with peak maxima at approximately 34–36°C (Form VI). The concentrations of 1,3-stearoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (SOS) in the crystals during growth were higher than those in the original cocoa butter. As crystallization progressed, crystals increased in their proportions of SOS in the triacylglycerol fraction. Concentrations of the C18 free fatty acids were lower during early crystallization as compared to the original cocoa butter.
SYNTHESES OF CYANOMETAL INCLUSION COMPOUNDS (PART I): PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF catena-[catena-(α,ω‐DIAMINOHEXANE)CADMIUM-μ‐TETRACYANONICKELATE]‐χGEST COMPLEXES

Abstract Synthetic details of a series of clathrate compounds of general formula, catena-[catena-(α,ω‐diaminohexane)cadmium-μ-tetracyanonickelate]‐χGuest, are described. The coefficient χ, i.e. the number of guest molecules per unit of the host metal complex, is estimated for each complex. The features of this type clathrate are discussed.
Tracing inputs to inhibitory or excitatory neurons of mouse and cat visual cortex with a targeted rabies virus.

Summary Background : Cortical inhibition plays a critical role in controlling and modulating cortical excitation, and a more detailed understanding of the neuronal circuits contributing to each will provide more insight into their roles in complex cortical computations. Traditional neuronal tracers lack a means for easily distinguishing between circuits of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a technique for retrogradely labeling inputs to local clusters of inhibitory or excitatory neurons, but not both, using neurotropic adenoassociated and lentiviral vectors, cell-type-specific promoters, and a modified rabies virus. Results : Applied to primary visual cortex (V1) in mouse, the cell-type-specific tracing technique labeled thousands of presynaptically connected neurons and revealed that the dominant source of input to inhibitory and excitatory neurons is local in origin. Neurons in other visual areas are also labeled; the percentage of these intercortical inputs to excitatory neurons is somewhat higher (∼20%) than to inhibitory neurons ( Conclusions : These novel findings for inhibitory and excitatory circuits in the visual cortex demonstrate the efficacy of our new technique and its ability to work across species, including larger-brained mammals such as the cat. This paves the way for a better understanding of the roles of specific cell types in higher-order perceptual and cognitive processes.
Linked Linear Amplification for Simultaneous Analysis of the Two Most Common Hemochromatosis Mutations

Background: Two mutations in HFE , G845A (amino acid substitution C282Y) and C187G (H63D), are associated with hereditary hemochromatosis. We developed and validated a novel method, linked linear amplification (LLA), for detection of these two mutations. Methods: Two segments of HFE were amplified by a multiplex LLA reaction that generated biotinylated LLA products. Aliquots of the multiplex LLA reaction were captured in microwells by hybridization to immobilized allele-specific oligonucleotides (ASOs). One wild-type and one mutant ASO represented the DNA sequence at each of the two mutation sites. Hybridization was detected by a streptavidin–horseradish peroxidase-based colorimetric method. Genotypes obtained by LLA and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods for 320 individuals were compared. Results: The amplified samples included the following genotypes as determined by PCR-RFLP: wild-type 282 and 63 codons (n = 105), C282Y homozygous mutant (n = 54), C282Y heterozygous (n = 52), H63D homozygous mutant (n = 17), H63D heterozygous (n = 59), and compound H63D and C282Y heterozygous mutant (n = 33). There was complete concordance between the results obtained by LLA and those obtained by PCR-RFLP analysis. The presence of another HFE mutation, A193T (encoding S65C), did not interfere with genotyping at codon 63. Conclusions: LLA provides a reliable method to detect the common mutations in HFE that cause hereditary hemochromatosis.
VP2 is the major exposed protein on orbiviruses.

Iodination of African horsesickness virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus resulted in labeling of VP2 and not of the other capsid protein, VP5, suggesting that VP2 is the major surface exposed protein of these orbiviruses.
Tracing requirements to tests with high precision and recall

Requirements traceability is linking requirements to software artifacts, such as source code, test-cases and configuration files. For stakeholders of software, it is important to understand which requirements were tested, whether sufficiently, if at all. Hence tracing requirements in test-cases is an important problem. In this paper, we build on existing research and use features, realization of functional requirements in software [15], to automatically create requirements traceability links between requirements and test-cases. We evaluate our approach on a chat system, Apache Pool [21] and Apache Log4j [11]. We obtain precision/recall levels of more than 90%, an improvement upon currently existing Information Retrieval approaches when tested on the same case studies.
Hepatoma induction in the rat by the subcutaneous administration of powdered 3'-methyl-p-dimethylaminoazobenzene.

A relatively safe and simple procedure was developed for the induction of hepatomas in the rat by the s.c. administration of powdered 3′-methyl-p-dimethylaminoazobenzene.
Modelling dislocations in a polycrystal using the Generalised Finite Element Method

Modelling the interaction of dislocations with internal boundaries and free surfaces is essential to understanding the effect of microstructure on dislocation motion. However, dislocation dynamics methods rely on infinite domain solutions of dislocation fields which makes modelling of heterogeneous materials difficult. A finite domain dislocation dynamics capability is presented that resolves both the dislocation array and polycrystalline structure in a compatible manner so that free surfaces and material interfaces are easily treated. In this approach the polycrystalline structure is accommodated using the Generalised Finite Element Method (GFEM) (Simone et al., 2006) and the displacement due to dislocations is added to the displacement approximation.
Implicit attentional orienting in a target detection task with central cues.

Abstract Studies using Posner’s spatial cueing paradigm have demonstrated that participants can allocate their attention to specific target locations based on the predictiveness of preceding cues. Four experiments were conducted to investigate attentional orienting processes operating in a high probability condition (cues 75% predictive) as compared to a low probability condition (cues 50% predictive) using various types of centrally-presented cues. Spatially-informative cues (arrows and circles with gaps) resulted in cueing effects (CEs) for both probability conditions, with significantly larger CEs in the high probability conditions than the low probability conditions. Participants in the high probability conditions reported little or no awareness of cue–target probabilities after task completion. Our results provide support for an implicit learning account of the proportion valid effect under experimental conditions involving spatially-informative central cues and relatively short stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs).
Noise estimation of an MTF measurement

The modulation transfer function (MTF) measurement is critical for understanding the performance of an EOIR system. Unfortunately, due to both spatially correlated and spatially un-correlated noise sources, the performance of the MTF measurement (specifically near the cutoff) can be severely degraded. When using a 2D imaging system, the intrinsic sampling of the 1D edge spread function (ESF) allows for redundant samples to be averaged suppressing the noise contributions. The increase in the signal-to-noise will depend on the angle of the edge with respect to the sampling along with the specified re-sampling rate. In this paper, we demonstrate how the information in the final ESF can be used to identify the contribution of noise. With an estimate of the noise, the noise-limited portion of MTF measurement can be identified. Also, we demonstrate how the noise-limited portion of the MTF measurement can be used in combination with a fitting routine to provide a smoothed measurement.
The use of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for penile reconstruction in bladder exstrophy and total epispadias patients.

Objectives: The effect of intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration on penile enlargement before genital surgery, its influence on penile skin histology and testicular descent were investigated. Methods: We examined 45 male patients (median age, 8 months; range 3-28) with total epispadias and classic bladder exstrophy, combined with cryptorchidism. 30 patients were administered 250 - 500 IU HCG intramuscularly 2 times per week for 3 weeks before reconstructive surgery. Skin biopsies were obtained for human epidermal growth factor (EGF) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her2/neu) determination. Skin specimens of the prepuce of 18 circumcised patients were used as controls. Post treatment testicle position was evaluated. Results: HCG caused a mean increase in penile length of 1.8 cm (p < 0.01) and in circumference of1.2 cm (p < 0.05) as well as improved local vascularity in all patients. Compared to the controls, the penile skin of exstrophy/ epispadias patients showed a significant decrease in the average amount per field of EGF and Her2/neu positive material (controls 81 % [mean 79, SE 2.3] vs. 31% [mean 28, SE 3.6; p<0.001]).Treatment with HCG led to an increase in average EGF and Her2/neu positive material by 10% (mean 8, SE 2; p<0.05). The potential side effects of HCG treatment were monitored 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Basal testosterone and LH levels were obtained in patients before and during therapy and postoperatively. Testicular descent was achieved in 21 patients (70%). No significant side effects or complications were encountered in any of our patients. Conclusion: Mean EGF and Her2/neu values are decreased in the penile skin of exstrophy/epispadias patients. The use of preoperative HCG administration leads to an increase in EGF and Her2/neu values and significantly contributes to successful reconstruction in these patients, especially in cases with a paucity of penile skin and in patients who have undergone previous repairs. Temporary penile stimulation by HCG in patients with bladder exstrophy combined with cryptorchidism allows the penile operation to be carried out earlier and contributes to testicular descent while demonstrating negligible side effects.
Evaluation of harmonic current reduction for the purpose of energy savings — A case study

This article evaluates the method of reducing power loss due to 3rd harmonic currents in a building that contains a significant level of electronic loads, by placing a passive filter in the neutral path. The initial power loss is obtained through current measurements in the phase and neutral conductors and knowledge of the resistance of these conductors and that of the transformer serving the facility. PSpice simulations are performed to determine the most suitable RL-C filter to minimize this loss. The losses are found to be not that significant due to existing reinforcements in the distribution circuit. The effect of filter placement on voltage distortion and capacitor resonance with the transformer leakage inductance are addressed.
Subsolid pulmonary nodules: CT–pathologic correlation using the 2011 IASLC/ATS/ERS classification

Adenocarcinoma is the most common histologic subtype of lung cancer. Recent advances in oncology, molecular biology, pathology, imaging, and treatment have led to an increased understanding of this disease. In 2011, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, the American Thoracic Society, and the European Respiratory Society published a new international multidisciplinary classification. Using this taxonomy, we review the spectrum of subsolid pulmonary nodules seen on computed tomography together with their histopathologic correlates and current management guidelines.
Leave Current System of Universal CPR and Patient Request of DNR Orders in Place

Bishop and colleagues (2010), in their paper “Reviving the Conversation around CPR/DNR,” wish to suggest a change in the model for do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for hospitalized patients in the U...
Coherence and sameness in well-formed and pairwise well-formed scales

Abstract A common theme running through many of the scale studies in recent years is a concern for the distribution of intervals and pitch classes. The question of good distribution becomes increasingly complex with the increase in parameters. Complexity increases when the cardinality, N, increases, and when the number of step sizes increases relative to cardinality. Complexity is also shown to be dependent upon the relative sizes of the step intervals. Two measures of scalar complexity are the properties known as difference and coherence. Difference rates a scale according to the number of distinct specific intervals it contains, whereas coherence concerns conflicts between generic and specific intervallic measures. There are two types of conflicts, ‘ambiguity’ and ‘contradiction’. This paper demonstrates that well-formed scales have, as a class, the highest coherence rank—fewest numbers of ambiguities or contradictions—for scales of a given cardinality. They are, then, in this sense, ‘minimally complex’...
The cellular site of sulfation of influenza viral glycoproteins.

Abstract The incorporation of 35SO42− into viral polypeptides in MDBK cells infected with influenza virus was analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When infected cells were labeled in the absence of calf serum, three polypeptides, HA, NP, and M, were resolved in isolated plasma membranes, and HA was the only polypeptide in which 35SO42− incorporation was detected. Sulfation of HA was also demonstrated in both smooth and rough cytoplasmic membranes, whereas there was no detectable 35SO42− incorporation into unglycosylated proteins. These results indicate that at least partial sulfation of HA is already completed at rough membranes. However, when infected cells were doubly labeled with [3H]leucine and 35SO42−, the 35 S 3 H ratio in the HA polypeptide was not uniform in virions and subcellular components. The ratio was highest in virions, and decreased in the order of virions, plasma membranes, smooth membranes, and rough membranes, suggesting that further sulfate incorporation may occur in smooth membranes and plasma membranes as well as in rough membranes. The 355/3H ratio of HA associated with plasma membranes varied with the length of labeling; higher ratios were observed with shorter labeling periods. This observation may be explained by sulfate incorporation into performed HA. Significant amounts of 35SO42− incorporation into HA were found in the presence of cycloheximide, at concentrations wich completely inhibited the synthesis of viral polypeptides. Further, pulse-labeling of infected cells with 35SO42− at various times after inhibition of protein sy thesis by cycloheximide showed that sulfation of HA polypeptides continues to occur as long as 30 min or more after synthesis, which also suggests that 35SO42− continues to be incorporated into HA polypeptides even after they migrate from rough membranes. The acceptors for sulfation appear to be oligosaccharide units of viral glycoproteins since almost all 35S label was recovered in association with glycopeptides after exhaustive digestion of virions with Pronase followed by gel filtration. As was observed for HA, the incorporation of 35SO42− into cellular mucopolysaccharides was also observed in every subcellular fraction tested. Further, when either smooth or rough cytoplasmic membranes isolated from infected cells were incubated with 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate ([35S]PAP) in vitro, sulfate incorporation into mucopolysaccharide was detected, which suggests that sulfation of mucopolysaccharide occurs in both smooth and rough membranes in vivo. Additionally, it was found that the rate of incorporation of 35SO42− into cellular mucopolysaccharide was markedly inhibited by influenza virus infection.
Efficacy of buspirone for attenuating cocaine and methamphetamine reinstatement in rats.

Abstract Background There are no approved pharmacotherapies for preventing psychomotor stimulant relapse. The operant reinstatement model has been suggested as a screen for identifying candidate medications. The present study examined if the anxiolytic buspirone could attenuate reinstatement of extinguished responding in Long–Evans rats that previously self-administered intravenous cocaine or methamphetamine. Methods Rats were trained in 2-h daily sessions to self-administer 0.5 mg/kg cocaine or 0.1 mg/kg methamphetamine infusions followed by 12 days of instrumental extinction. Reinstatement was evoked by 17 mg/kg i.p. cocaine primes or response-contingent cocaine-paired cues in cocaine-reinforced rats, and by 1 mg/kg i.p. methamphetamine primes or response-contingent methamphetamine-paired cues in methamphetamine-reinforced rats. Results Buspirone (1 and 3 mg/kg) significantly ( p Conclusions Given the complexity of buspirone's neuropharmacology consisting of serotonin 5-HT 1A receptor partial agonist activity, and dopamine D2, D3 and D4 receptor antagonist effects, it is uncertain which of these activities or their combination is responsible for the present results. Overall, these results suggest that buspirone may reduce the likelihood of relapse to cocaine and methamphetamine use under some conditions, although this speculation must be interpreted with caution given buspirone's similar potency to attenuate inactive-lever responding.