cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of regional referral centers for microsurgical breast reconstruction: the New England perforator flap program experience.

Background Development of new, microsurgical techniques for breast reconstruction has led to more natural and durable reconstruction while minimizing morbidity. Despite these advances, institutions are slow to integrate subspecialized programs because of the additional resources required. In February 2004, our institution developed a microsurgery program for perforator flap breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of this program with attention to reconstruction rates, patient satisfaction, and referral patterns. Study Design A retrospective chart review was performed on all women who had undergone mastectomy or breast reconstruction at our hospital. A total of 1,172 patients were identified between 1999 and 2006. Patients who had breast reconstruction received a validated questionnaire on satisfaction, health-related quality of life, and sociodemographic data. A 75.4% response rate was obtained. Results Since the program's inception, there has been a significant increase in the immediate reconstruction rate from 51.5% to 63.9% (p Conclusions The addition of a perforator flap program for breast reconstruction to accredited cancer centers can increase both patient satisfaction and reconstruction rates. The shift in referral patterns emphasizes the role of breast reconstruction within a regional referral center.
Neurulation and neurite extension require the zinc transporter ZIP12 (slc39a12)

Zn2+ is required for many aspects of neuronal structure and function. However, the regulation of Zn2+ in the nervous system remains poorly understood. Systematic analysis of tissue-profiling microarray data showed that the zinc transporter ZIP12 (slc39a12) is highly expressed in the human brain. In the work reported here, we confirmed that ZIP12 is a Zn2+ uptake transporter with a conserved pattern of high expression in the mouse and Xenopus nervous system. Mouse neurons and Neuro-2a cells produce fewer and shorter neurites after ZIP12 knockdown without affecting cell viability. Zn2+ chelation or loading in cells to alter Zn2+ availability respectively mimicked or reduced the effects of ZIP12 knockdown on neurite outgrowth. ZIP12 knockdown reduces cAMP response element-binding protein activation and phosphorylation at serine 133, which is a critical pathway for neuronal differentiation. Constitutive cAMP response element-binding protein activation restores impairments in neurite outgrowth caused by Zn2+ chelation or ZIP12 knockdown. ZIP12 knockdown also reduces tubulin polymerization and increases sensitivity to nocodazole following neurite outgrowth. We find that ZIP12 is expressed during neurulation and early nervous system development in Xenopus tropicalis, where ZIP12 antisense morpholino knockdown impairs neural tube closure and arrests development during neurulation with concomitant reduction in tubulin polymerization in the neural plate. This study identifies a Zn2+ transporter that is specifically required for nervous system development and provides tangible links between Zn2+, neurulation, and neuronal differentiation.
Voltage stability of weak power distribution networks with inverter connected sources

Microgrids are power distribution systems in which generation sources are located close to loads. These small distribution networks represent a bottom-up approach for improving power security of critical loads that cannot tolerate disruptions in main grid service. Voltage stability becomes a significant issue in microgrids when the network interconnections are weak. This paper derives sufficient conditions for voltage stability of a weak microgrid with inverter connected sources. These conditions take the form of inequality constraints on various network parameters, loads and generation set points. These conditions can therefore be easily incorporated into optimal dispatch problems.
An Improved Method for Simulating Divot Injury on Turfgrass

Divot recovery has been investigated on many turfgrass species and a number of acceptable methods have been developed to simulate divots for those studies. In an effort to enhance the speed and reliability in simulating divot injuries, a divot-making machine was developed using a motorized lawn edger equipped with multiple saw blades stacked to a width similar to that of a divot. The uniformity of divots produced with this device was compared to two previously developed devices by cutting 30 divots with each device on three turfgrass species and measuring the width, length, depth, and area of each divot. On all turfgrass species, the device described here produced divots that were either as uniform or more uniform for length, width, depth, and area as the other two devices. In addition, the device can create divots five times faster than the other devices. This improved device should enhance the ability and ease of studying divot injury in the future.
Five more phases of the structural family [M(H2O)2(15‐crown‐5)](NO3)2

The structures of five more phases of the structural family of compounds [M(H2O)2(15-crown-5)](NO3)2 have been determined. All of these phases are stable at room temperature or above, but transform to other phases if cooled slowly. All five phase transitions take place without significant damage to the single crystal. The M = Co phase, which has a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding pattern, is a disordered version of the structure known at room temperature; Z′ changes from 2 to ½. The other four structures have a two-dimensional hydrogen-bonding pattern, are all modulated variants of the same basic cell (or subcell) and are at least mostly ordered. For M = Mg and Zn the structure found somewhat above room temperature is the Z′ = 8 variant found previously for M = Fe. For M = Cu and Ni the Z′ = 2 phase found is the same as seen previously for one of the room-temperature polymorphs with M = Mn. There are now two phases and one transition known for each M studied that has a two-dimensional hydrogen-bonding pattern. The changes in the modulation patterns during these transitions are Z′ 3 ↔ 8 (Mg, Fe, Zn), Z′ 3 ↔ 2 (Mn, Ni) and Z′ 5 ↔ 2 (Cu). In all two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded crystals the alternation pattern of conformational enantiomers along the modulation direction becomes more perfect above the phase transition. All stable [M(H2O)2(15-crown-5)](NO3)2 phases whose existence at accessible temperatures is indicated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have now been characterized.
Effect of ethionine on amino acid composition of rat tumors.

Summary1. Percentages of total and “free” amino acids in viable tissues of Sarcoma R-1 and Walker carcinosarcoma 256 grown in control and ethionine-treated male and female rats of the Wistar strain have been determined by microbiological assay methods. 2. Ethionine treatment induced no change in total amino acids but caused an increase or decrease in concentration of some “free” amino acids in viable tissue but was without marked effect on methionine. 3. It was concluded that inhibition of tumor growth by ethionine probably results largely from indirect effects on utilization of amino acids other than methionine.
Size-Exclusion “Capture and Release” Separations Using Surface-Patterned Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels

Micrometer-scale poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly-NIPAAm) hydrogel monolith patterns were fabricated on solid surfaces using soft lithography. At sufficiently high aspect ratios, the hydrogel monoliths swell and contract laterally with temperature. The spaces between the monoliths form a series of trenches that catch, hold, and release appropriately sized targets. A series of poly-NIPAAm monoliths were fabricated with dry dimensions of 40 μm height, 12 μm diameter, and a spacing of 12 μm between monoliths. Above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), the monoliths collapse to their dry dimensions and the spacing between monoliths is 12 μm. Below the LCST, the monoliths swell by 70% in the lateral direction, reducing the gap size between monoliths to 3 μm. The potential use of the hydrogel monoliths as size-selective “catch and release” structures was demonstrated with a mixture of 6 and 20 μm polystyrene microspheres, where the 6 μm diameter particles were selectively concentrated and separated ...
Potato sprout inhibition and tuber quality after treatment with high-energy ionizing radiation.

The use of industrial-type linear accelerators may be an alternative treatment for controlling sprouts in potatoes during long-term storage. The technical aspect of treatment has been described and may include largescale treatment of bulk potatoes as they are moving along a system of conveyors either to or from storage. The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of a linear accelerator for long-term sprout control under commercial storage conditions and the effects on tuber quality. An 18-MeV linear accelerator was used to provide sprout-inhibiting irradiation to various lots of ‘Russet Burbank’ potatoes. Successful sprout suppression was achieved with doses of 40 to 50 Gy (0 g sprout weight after 9 months of storage at 7.2 C) while higher doses caused undesirable increases in reducing sugars in the tubers. Glucose concentrations of treated tubers (0.25% fresh tuber weight) were higher after treatment than the untreated controls (0.08%), but returned to control levels after 2 to 6 months in storage. Glucose concentrations in treated tubers were significantly reduced with storage management for reconditioning by increasing the storage temperature for one month (from 7.2 C to 14.4 C) resulting in glucose concentrations near control concentrations. By increasing the dose-rate from the accelerator, recovery of tuber glucose concentration due to radiation treatments was significantly faster than when the dose was given more slowly. Potato tubers irradiated with high rates (100 Gy) of high-energy electrons exhibited an increase in soft rot and dry rot incidence in storage. Disease development in potatoes treated with sprout inhibiting doses of radiation (50 Gy) increased in lots with a high rot potential. Treated lots with low rot potential were successfully stored for 8 months or more without an increase in rot potential or shrinkage. Selection of lots for irradiation treatment should include some preliminary evaluation for development of disease in long-term storage.
Meclofenamate blocks the pulmonary arterial vasopressor effects of leukotriene B4 in awake sheep

Abstract This study examined the hemodynamic effects of leukotriene B4 (LTB4 in chronically instrumented awake sheep, and the role of cyclooxygenase products in the sheep's response to LTB4. LTB4 (25 μg) was given as a into the pulmonary artery. Six sheep were studied with LTB4, both before and after pre-treatment with meclofenamate (5mg/kg load, 3 mg/kg/hr maintenace infusion). LTB4 alone caused a rapid rise in pulmonary arterial pressure from 15 ± 1 to 42 ± 11 cm H2O. LTB4 had no effect on pulmonary arterial pressure following pre-treatment with meclofenamate. LTB4 alone caused an increase in serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) from 130 ± 35 to 320 ± 17 pg/ml 3 minutes after dosing but did not increase TxB2 following pre-treatment with meclofenamate. LTB4 caused a slight decrease in mean systemic arterial pressure and a transient fall in circulating white bloos cells, both of which were unaffected by meclofenamate pre-treatment. The vasoactive effects of LTB4 in the pulmonary circulation appear to be mediated indirectly through the production of cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid.
Factors influencing rates of sediment ingestion by Parastichopus parvimensis (Clark), an epibenthic deposit-feeding holothurian

Rates of sediment ingestion and organic matter uptake by Parastichopus parvimensis , an epibenthic deposit-feeding holothurian have been examined in relation to intraspecific patterns of age-size distribution, differences in sediment type ingested seasonal variations in temperature and annual evisceration events. Individuals living in areas of rock rubble along cove margins in the vicinity of the Isthmus, Santa Catalina Island, southern California were 27% smaller and seven times more numerous than holothurians living on granular sediments on cove bottoms. Animals feeding on the fine particulate matter on rock surfaces removed three times more organic material per gram of ingested sediment than animals feeding on the coarser grained sediments of the cove floor, but the quantity reworked was eight times less. As a result, animals feeding on granular sediments consume almost eight times the quantity of organic matter per animal per day than those feeding on sediment from rock surfaces. P. parvimensis is non-selective with respect to grain size ingested. By only ingesting the top few millimeters of sediment it does, however, exploit the sediment layer with the highest and most readily utilizable organic matter. Annual evisceration events, which affected 60% of the population during October and November, caused a cessation in feeding for approximately 4 weeks until minimal gut connections were formed, and can result in an annual decrease of 10% in rates of sediment reworking and organic matter removal by the entire population. Seasonal variations in temperature did not significantly affect these rates.
Moral Descriptors and the Assessment of Children

Abstract In the world outside schools, the public clamours for more character education; inside schools, psychologists, responsible for evaluating children, neither assess the moral domain nor use moral terminology to describe children. There are powerful reasons to resist the reintroduction of moral language into psychological assessments: such inclusion could promote invidious labelling, burden children with shame and guilt and open the diagnostic system to increased subjectivity, capriciousness and stigmatization‐‐the substitution of “illness” for what is mere social and cultural difference. Despite these serious objections, it is arguable that the moral domain should be included in our psychological appraisals of children, and that the absence of moral dictates in a child could even be considered a “mental disorder”. If children are endowed with a native moral propensity (as they are endowed with a native attachment propensity), and if that propensity is inadequately nurtured, then the consequent depr...
Tumor suppressors miR-143 and miR-145 and predicted target proteins API5, ERK5, K-RAS, and IRS-1 are differentially expressed in proximal and distal colon.

The colon differs regionally in local luminal environment, excretory function, and gene expression. Polycistronic microRNA (miR)-143 and miR-145 are downregulated early in colon cancer. We asked if...
Two-dimensional block diagonal LMS adaptive filtering

The paper is concerned with the development of two-dimensional (2D) adaptive filters using the block diagonal least mean squared (BDLMS) method. In this adaptive filtering scheme, the image is scanned and processed block by block in a diagonal fashion, and the filter weights are adjusted once per block rather than once per pixel. The diagonal scanning is adopted to avoid the problems inherent in the 1D standard scanning schemes and to account for the correlations in two directions. The weight updating equation for 2D BDLMS is derived, and the convergence properties of the algorithms are investigated. Simulation results that indicate the effectiveness of the 2D BDLMS when used for image enhancement, estimation, and detection applications are presented. >
Alcohol‐related diarrhea

Abstract Alcohol generates a large caloric yield without supplying any essential nutrients; alcoholics may thus maintain body weight while suffering from malnutrition. In addition, diarrhea is a common complaint of both acute and chronic alcoholics. Here, we review the effects of alcohol on gastrointestinal morphology, function, its nervous system and motility. Acute morphological changes such as erosions, inflammatory cell infiltrations and microvascular changes are seen in the stomach and small intestine in acute alcoholics. In addition, atrophic gastritis, reduced villous height and decreased mucosal surface area of the small intestine have been described in chronic alcoholics. Acute administration of alcohol inhibits absorption of nutrients and fluids, and can stimulate secretion of water and electrolytes. Bacterial overgrowth in the proximal small intestine and decreased pancreatic secretions have been also described in chronic alcoholics. The well-known deleterious effects of alcohol on the central nervous system raise the possibility of similar acute and chronic effects of the enteric nervous system. Such effects could alter motility and transit. Indeed, esophageal dysmotility and delayed gastric emptying have been observed with high concentrations of alcohol in experimental studies and in chronic alcoholics. Small bowel motility and transit may be abnormal in both acute and chronic alcoholics, and colonic propulsive motility is increased after acute administration of alcohol. Any, or all, of these changes in gastrointestinal functions may contribute to diarrhea in acute binge drinkers and chronic alcoholics. Unfortunately, there is a lack of systematic studies of the pathophysiology of alcohol abuse, and an integrating concept of the diarrhea of alcoholics is still not possible.
A nonverbal semantic differential

Three studies were performed to develop and validate nonverbal measures of Evaluation, Potency, Activity, Density, Orderliness, Reality, and Familiarity. The results indicate that the first five factors were being reliably and independently measured by the graphic scales, and that the nonverbal scales correspond closely to the adjective scales. Representative nonverbal items are presented.
Harpoon: a flow-level traffic generator for router and network tests

We describe Harpoon, a new application-independent tool for generating representative packet traffic at the IP flow level. Harpoon is a configurable tool for creating TCP and UDP packet flows that have the same byte, packet, temporal, and spatial characteristics as measured at routers in live environments. We validate Harpoon using traces collected from a live router and then demonstrate its capabilities in a series of router performance benchmark tests.
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of the Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper (Homoptera: Membracidae) on Soybeans

Within-plant distribution and within-field dispersion of Spissistilus festinus (Say) nymphs on conventionally planted and tilled soybeans, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, were quantified over a 2-yr period at two experimental sites. Within-plant distribution (vertical and horizontal location) was more closely associated with vegetative development in 1986 than in 1987. The mainstem node with the most nymphs, designated the most likely node (MLN), represented the location of 50% or more of all nymphs through 4 July (V6–V7) and at least 30% through 10 August (Vl3–V18). From plant emergence until first bloom (R1), 100% of the nymphs were found on either the mainstem, mainstem petioles, or the first lateral branch node. However, from R1 until the end of the season, significantly more nymphs were found on mainstem petioles, and twice as many nymphs were associated with lateral branches than with the mainstem. Higher nymphal densities and a greater proportion of infested plants occurred in 1986 than in 1987. Indices of dispersion calculated from individual plant samples suggested greater aggregation of nymphs than did values reported for larger sample units such as the ground cloth. Iterative nonlinear regression of proportion infested plants against mean density allowed estimation of Taylor's coefficients that were used to develop sequential sampling plans appropriate for enumerative and presence-absence methods. Results indicated that nymphs did not reach damaging levels during any of the sampling periods.
Age and Glare Recovery Time for Low-Contrast Stimuli

The purpose of this study was to obtain a rigorous experimental estimate of the time required to recover from the deleterious effects of glare. Low contrast test stimuli were employed to increase the potential sensitivity of the procedure. Multiple age groups were sampled since susceptibility to glare effects is known to increase with advancing years. Glare recovery time assessments were collected from 12 young, 12 middle-aged and 16 older adults. Subjects were presented with 10 sec exposures to an intense glare source under highly controlled experimental conditions. Upon the offset of the glare exposure period, the time required to regain sensitivity for low contrast test stimuli was measured. Relative to their younger counterparts, older subjects required 3-times longer to recover from glare exposure. These findings suggest that the dynamic components of glare effects must be considered when designing environments - especially where older observers are involved.
Discussion on “Sequential Design and Estimation in Heteroscedastic Nonparametric Regression” by Sam Efromovich

Abstract This discussion contains a few comments inspired by Professor Efromovich's paper, on research in sequential analysis in general and sequential design in particular.
Onset of convection in a very compressible fluid: the transient toward steady state.

We analyze the time profile deltaT(t) of the temperature difference, measured across a very compressible supercritical 3He fluid layer in its convective state. The experiments were done along the critical isochore in a Rayleigh-Benard cell after starting the vertical constant heat flow q. For q sufficiently well above that needed for the convection onset, the transient deltaT(t) for a given epsilon identical with (T-T(c))/T(c), with T(c)=3.318 K, shows a damped oscillatory profile with period t(osc) modulating a smooth base profile. The smooth profile forms the exponential tail of the transient which tends to the steady-state deltaT( infinity ) with a time constant tau(tail). The scaled times t(osc)/t(D) and tau(tail)/t(D) from all the data could be collapsed onto two curves as a function of the Rayleigh number over approximately 3.5 decades. Here t(D) is the characteristic thermal diffusion time. Furthermore, comparisons are made between measurements of a third characteristic time t(m) between the first peak and the first minimum in the deltaT(t) profile and its estimation by Onuki et al. Also, comparisons are made between the observed oscillations and the two-dimensional simulations by Onuki et al. and by Amiroudine and Zappoli. For epsilon<9 x 10(-3), the experiments show a crossover to a different transient regime. This regime, which we briefly describe, is not understood at present.
Perceptions of the causes of eating disorders: a comparison of individuals with and without eating disorders

In this study, we examined perceptions regarding the causes of eating disorders, both among those with eating disorders as well as those without. By understanding the differences in perceived causes between the two groups, better educational programs for lay people and those suffering from eating disorders can be developed. This study used open-ended questions to assess the beliefs of 57 individuals with self-reported eating disorders and 220 without. Participants responded to the questions, “What do you think was (were) the cause(s) of your eating disorder?” and “What do you think is (are) the cause(s) of eating disorders?”. A list of possible codes for the causes of eating disorders was created based on a thorough review of the literature. A manually-generated set of eight codes was then created from individuals' actual responses. Frequencies and chi square analyses demonstrated differences in rates of endorsement between those with eating disorders and those without. Participants with eating disorders most frequently endorsed psychological/emotional and social problems, with genetics/biology and media/culture ideals least endorsed. Participants without eating disorders most frequently endorsed psychological/emotional problems and media/culture ideals, with traumatic life events and sports/health least endorsed. There was a difference between groups in the endorsement of the media as a cause of eating disorders, suggesting that those without eating disorders may overly attribute the media as the main cause while those with eating disorders may not be fully aware of the media’s impact. Additionally, while both groups highly endorsed psychological/emotional problems, there was a noticeable stigma about eating disorders among those without eating disorders. There were noteworthy differences between samples; such differences suggest that there is a need for more education on the topic of eating disorders. Furthermore, despite empirical support for the effects of genetics, sports, and family factors, these were infrequently endorsed as causes of eating disorders by both groups. Our results suggest that there is a need for more education regarding the factors associated with eating disorders, in order to reduce the stigma surrounding these disorders and to potentially aid the treatment process.
Lifestyle, Environment, and Male Reproductive Health

A large number of environmental and lifestyle factors may negatively affect spermatogenesis and male fertility. This article enumerates the current state of knowledge regarding those that have been identified, and extrapolates the predicted magnitude of these effects over the next 20 years based on current societal trends. However, it is likely that additional factors have yet to be recognized. Additional research is needed to further define and clarify environmental factors that affect male fertility in order to mitigate their effects.
Pair decay of the 15. 1 MeV level of /sup 12/C

We have observed the e/sup +/e/sup -/ pair line from the decay of the 15.1 MeV level of /sup 12/C. Pairs were detected using an intermediate image pair spectrometer. The use of this line as a calibration point for beta spectrometers is discussed.
Parietal pleural plaques, asbestos bodies, and neoplasia. A clinical, pathologic, and roentgenographic correlation of 25 consecutive cases.

An investigation was made to correlate autopsy and roentgenographic findings of pleural plaques with occupational exposure to asbestos and occurrence of respiratory tract tumors. Of the 434 autopsies performed over a 2½ year period, 25 (5.8 percent) had pleural plaques but no gross evidence of parenchymal fibrosis. Review of the posterior-anterior chest roentgenograms using the International Labor Office criteria for classification of pneumoconiosis (1980) revealed that only seven of the 25 cases had detectable pleural thickening or calcification, which demonstrates the poor sensitivity of standard x-ray films. There was no detectable difference in frequency of known or presumed exposure to asbestos between the pleural plaque cases and controls as determined by occupational information obtained from chart review. Asbestos bodies were identified in lung tissue digests from all 25 cases with pleural plaques, and exceeded the normal range for our laboratory in 14 cases (56 percent). Of the 25 cases with pleural plaques, four also had bronchogenic and three had laryngeal carcinoma. The prevalence of bronchogenic carcinoma in patients with plaques was not different from those without plaques (p>0.50). However, the association between plaques and laryngeal carcinoma was highly significant (p = 0.004).
A Report on Librarian-Faculty Relations from a Sociological Perspective

In this report, we review social science and library studies literatures on librarian-faculty relations, and present a preliminary sociological analysis of these relations. We find an asymmetrical disconnection between both groups: Librarians and faculty identify a disconnection that keeps the two separated, but only librarians view this disconnection as problematic.
Neural Networks that Emulate Qubits

Recurrent neurons can store simultaneous true and false with probabilistic behaviors usually reserved for quantum states. It is speculated below that neural networks can simulate certain quantum computations and, although less potent than quantized particles, they nevertheless significantly exceed the capabilities of classical deterministic circuits.
A stereocontrolled synthesis of Z and E terminal dienes from pinacol E-1-trimethylsilyl-1-propene-3-boronate

Abstract Pinacol E -1-trimethylsilyl-1-propene-3-boronate reacts with aldehydes to form (±)-( R *, S *)-3-trimethylsilyl-4-hydroxy-1-alkenes, which can be deoxysilylated stereoselectively to either 98% Z or 99% E 1,3-dienes, including the separate components of the red bollworm moth pheromone.
Inhibition of Polyphenoloxidase by Sulfite

When polyphenoloxidase (PPO) was exposed to sulfite prior to susbstrate addition, inhibition was irreversible. Trials to regenerate PPO activity, using extensive dialysis, column chromatography, and addition of copper salts were not successful. Increased concentrations of sulfite and pH levels less than 5 enhanced the inhibition of PPO by sulfite. At pH 4, concentrations greater than 0.04 mg/mL completely inhibited 1,000 units of PPO activity almost instantaneously. This suggested that the HSO3- molecule was the main component in the sulfite system inhibiting PPO. Column chromatography, extensive dialysis, and gel electrophoresis did not demonstrate 35SO2 bound to purified pear PPO protein. Formation of extra protein bands of sulfite inhibited purified pear PPO fractions on gel electrophoresis was demonstrated. This and other evidence suggested that the major mode of direct irreversible inhibition of PPO was modification of the protein structure, with retention of its molecular unity.
Genotypic Analysis of Respiratory Mucous Sulfation Defects in Cystic Fibrosis

Intracellular dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) has been proposed to alter endosomal acidification. The most widely studied consequence of this defect has been alterations in the biochemical properties of cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory mucus glycoproteins. However, studies confirming the existence of mucous processing defects in CF have been hindered by the lack of in vivo animal models by which to test these hypotheses in the absence of secondary effects of chronic bacterial infection. The human bronchial xenograft model has been useful in evaluating the pathophysiologic differences between CF and non-CF airway epithelium, in the absence of secondary disease effects such as goblet cell hyperplasia. In this study we sought to compare the extent of sulfation within secreted mucus glycoproteins from CF and non-CF human bronchial xenografts. Cumulative results of xenografts generated from 13 independent CF tissue samples demonstrated a statistically significant higher level of sulfation (1.7 +/- 0.18, P < 0.026) as compared to non-CF paired controls. Such findings add to the growing body of knowledge that primary defects in sulfation exist in CF respiratory mucin. Correlation of genotype with the extent of mucus sulfation revealed two categories of CF tissues with statistically different mucus sulfation profiles. Results from these studies demonstrated a 2.0 +/- 0.15-fold higher level of mucus sulfation produced from xenografts of five defined CF genotypes as compared to non-CF controls (P < 0.004, n= 10). Interestingly, three CF samples for which one mutant allele remained undefined (deltaoff8/unknown or G551D/unknown) demonstrated no statistical difference in the level of sulfation as compared with matched non-CF controls (n= 3). This as yet unknown allele was not identified within a screen for the 26 most common CF mutations. These results provide preliminary evidence for allelic variation within the CF population which may begin to elucidate the structure-function of CFTR with regards to intracellular mucus processing defects.
Elevated frontal lobe cytosolic choline levels in minimal or mild AIDS dementia complex patients: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

The frontal lobe is an area of heavy viral load and marked neuronal loss in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-l) and in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex (ADC) (Everall et al 1993; Pumarola-Sune et al 1987). Functionally, frontal cortex glucose metabolism is abnormal early in the course of HIV infection (Pascal et al 1991; Hinkin et al 1995). Frontal cortex dysfunction may contribute to the progressive cognitive and neuropsychiatric impairments seen in ADC. Consequently, further characterization of frontal cortex changes throughout the disease process may be particularly helpful for evaluating both disease progression and treatment efficacy. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (IH MRS) allows the noninvasive detection of brain metabolites that are markers for cell function (Kauppinen and Williams 1994). Resonance signals
Analysis on Distribution Law of Damaged Filters for Bag Dedusters in Coal-Fired Power Plants

Operating for 1.5 years, part of filtering bags for bag dedusters in a coal-fired power plant had severely decreased intensity and were generally broken. These disabled bags were mainly at the middle and tail of dedusters. By analysis, the reason of the ineffectual filtering bags is oxidation corrosion and more flue gas passing through, owing to the nonuniform distribution of gas. As an improvement measure, such methods are needed as operation optimization, installing de-nitrification system and adding gas uniform plate in dedusters.
Neuroscientists' classroom visits positively impact student attitudes.

The primary recommendation of the 2010 President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report on K-12 education was to inspire more students so that they are motivated to study science. Scientists’ visits to classrooms are intended to inspire learners and increase their interest in science, but verifications of this impact are largely qualitative. Our primary goal was to evaluate the impact of a longstanding Brain Awareness classroom visit program focused on increasing learners understanding of their own brains. Educational psychologists have established that neuroscience training sessions can improve academic performance and shift attitudes of students from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Our secondary goal was to determine whether short interactive Brain Awareness scientist-in-the-classroom sessions could similarly alter learners’ perceptions of their own potential to learn. Teacher and student surveys were administered in 4th-6th grade classrooms throughout Minnesota either before or after one-hour Brain Awareness sessions that engaged students in activities related to brain function. Teachers rated the Brain Awareness program as very valuable and said that the visits stimulated students’ interest in the brain and in science. Student surveys probed general attitudes towards science and their knowledge of neuroscience concepts (particularly the ability of the brain to change). Significant favorable improvements were found on 10 of 18 survey statements. Factor analyses of 4805 responses demonstrated that Brain Awareness presentations increased positive attitudes toward science and improved agreement with statements related to growth mindset. Overall effect sizes were small, consistent with the short length of the presentations. Thus, the impact of Brain Awareness presentations was positive and proportional to the efforts expended, demonstrating that short, scientist-in-the-classroom visits can make a positive contribution to primary school students’ attitudes toward science and learning.
Hummingbirds, Orioles, and Butterflies [Patents]

Is there a limit on the prior art a patent examiner can cite in rejecting a patent application, or is everything that is early enough fair game? That was the question before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) in the recent case of In re Klein.
Adult perceptions of favorite childhood play experiences

Observational studies of childhood play have been commonplace throughout most of the twentieth century. While this methodology provides many insights into children's play behaviors, other strategies may enrich understandings of this important activity. The present study implemented a research procedure in which adults were asked to remember, draw, and discuss a favorite childhood play experience. One hundred fifteen students from six university classes participated as subjects. Data were summarized in four ways: (1) play materials used in the remembered play experiences, (2) the social and cognitive play types described, (3) the playmates identified, and (4) a comparison of the play experiences occurring indoors or outdoors. Play materials described were frequently either natural (ie rocks, leaves) or non‐play items (ie pots and pans). Social play with friends and/or siblings was remembered more often than solitary activities. Over seventy‐five percent of the adults remembered outdoor play experiences.
Computer-aided detection of malpositioned endotracheal tubes in portable chest radiographs

Portable chest radiographic images play a critical role in examining and monitoring the condition and progress of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). For example, portable chest images are acquired to ensure that tubes inserted into the patients are properly positioned for effective treatment. In this paper, we present a system that automatically detects the position of an endotracheal tube (ETT), which is inserted into the trachea to assist patients who have difficulty breathing. The computer detection includes the detections of the lung field, spine line, and aortic arch. These detections lead to the identification of regions of interest (ROIs) used for the subsequent detection of the ETT and carina. The detection of the ETT and carina is performed within the ROIs. Our ETT and carina detection methods were trained and tested on a large number of images. The locations of the ETT and carina were confirmed by an experienced radiologist for the purpose of performance evaluation. Our ETT detection achieved an average sensitivity of 85% at less than 0.1 false-positive detections per image. The carina approach correctly identified the carina location within a 10 mm distance from the truth location for 81% of the 217 testing images. We expect our system will assist ICU clinicians to detect malpositioned ETTs and reposition malpositioned ETTs more effectively and efficiently.
Fault-tolerant controller design with applications in power systems and synthetic biology

This paper deals with fault-tolerant controller design for linear time-invariant (LTI) systems with multiple actuators. Given some critical subsets of the actuators, it is assumed that every combination of actuators can fail as long as the set of the remaining actuators includes one of these subsets. Motivated by electric power systems and biological systems, the goal is to design a controller so that the closed-loop system satisfies two properties: (i) stability under all permissible sets of faults and (ii) better performance after clearing every subset of the existing faults in the system. It is shown that a state-feedback controller satisfying these properties exists if and only if a linear matrix inequality (LMI) problem is feasible. This LMI condition is then transformed into an optimal-control condition, which has a useful interpretation. The results are also generalized to output-feedback and decentralized control cases. The efficacy of this work is demonstrated by designing fault-tolerant speed governors for a power system. The results developed here can be extended to more general types of faults, where each fault can possibly affect all state-space matrices of the system.
The role of liver glucosensors in the integrated sympathetic response induced by deep hypoglycemia in dogs.

The significance of the portohepatic glucosensors for counterregulation in deep hypoglycemia (i.e., glycemia 0.10). When compared with protocols I and III, the catecholamine response above basal was significantly greater during protocol II with liver and systemic deep hypoglycemia (7.30 +/- 1.51 and 2.89 +/- 0.5 nM for epinephrine and norepinephrine, respectively, P < 0.005). These values reflect net increases in the catecholamine responses of 100% and 85% for epinephrine and norepinephrine when compared with protocol I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Performance Limits of Nanocomposite Transistors & Nanobio Sensors: A Bottom-up Perspective

In this paper we trace the confusion in the field to inappropriate use of effective-media theories to characterize the transistors/sensors, and show that a 'bottom-up' view allows intuitive understanding of these devices as an elementary illustrations of stick-percolation theory (generalized to nonlinear regime) and diffusion-limited aggregation (generalized to transient regime). Our approach guides technology optimization, and in the process - as experimental testbeds - illuminates subtleties of stick-percolation theory and fractal geometry.
Multi-path adaptive optical burst forwarding

Reducing burst contention is an inherently challenging problem in optical burst switched (OBS) networks. We present a new proactive approach for tackling this problem; the approach is based on adaptive use of multiple paths between edge nodes. The proposed adaptive framework is entirely edge-assisted, distributed, and scalable; it can be employed with any OBS control architecture. The framework is based on (1) dynamically finding, among multiple paths for forwarding bursts, the optimal path that yields a global low burst drop probability throughout the network and (2) pipelined burst delivery for seamless path shifting and also to avoid out-of-order packet delivery. Simulation studies on various network and load scenarios demonstrate a significant reduction of burst contention compared to the existing single path non-adaptive case.
Assessing changes over time in temporal lobectomy: outcome by scoring seizure frequency

Current methods of evaluating seizure outcome after anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) have major limitations. We evaluated the usefulness of a recently proposed system in our study of the stability of seizure frequency after ATL in 184 patients with intractable epilepsy. Data collection by chart review was supplemented by an intensive program of follow-up by our survey research center through correspondence or phone calls according to a protocol approved by our Institutional Review Board. Seizure frequency during each 12-month period after ATL was scored for each patient. The only statistically significant change in seizure frequency scores during follow-up was between the third and the fourth years (means of 2.61 and 2.11; P < 0.045). Further assessment showed that the change was most likely due to an increase in the proportion of patients who achieved a score of 0 when they successfully stopped taking antiepileptic medications (9.1% in the third year and 22.5% in the fourth year; P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between follow-up years in the proportion of patients achieving excellent outcome (i.e. scores of 0-4). Outcome remained unchanged when follow-up at each year was confined to the same patients throughout their postsurgical course. By using the Seizure Frequency Scoring System, we have demonstrated that seizure outcome remains stable after ATL. The scoring system facilitates the detection of subtle changes in the postoperative course. The advantages and the limitations of the system are discussed.
Automated Inference of Pointcuts in Aspect-Oriented Refactoring

Software refactoring is the process of reorganizing the internal structure of code while preserving the external behavior. Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) provides new modularization of software systems by encapsulating crosscutting concerns. Based on these two techniques, aspect-oriented (AO) refactoring restructures crosscutting elements in code. AO refactoring includes two steps: aspect mining (identification of aspect candidates in code) and as- pect refactoring (semantic-preserving transformation to mi- grate the aspect-candidate code to AO code). Aspect refac- toring clusters similar join points together for the aspect candidates and encapsulates each cluster with an effective pointcut definition. With the increase in size of the code and crosscutting concerns, it is tedious to manually identify aspects and their corresponding join points, cluster the join points, and infer pointcut expressions. Therefore, there is a need to auto- mate the process of AO refactoring. This paper proposes an automated approach that identifies aspect candidates in code and infers pointcut expressions for these aspects. Our approach mines for aspect candidates, identifies the join points for the aspect candidates, clusters the join points, and infers an effective pointcut expression for each clus- ter of join points. The approach also provides an addi- tional testing mechanismto ensure that the inferred pointcut expressions are of correct strength. The empirical results show that our approach helps achieve a significant reduc- tion in the total number of pointcut expressions to be used in the refactored code.
Ketolide Treatment of Haemophilus influenzae Experimental Pneumonia

The MICs of HMR 3004 and HMR 3647 at which 90% of beta-lactamase-producing Haemophilus influenzae isolates were inhibited were 4 and 2 micrograms/ml, respectively. Both HMR 3004 and HMR 3647 were active against beta-lactamase-producing H. influenzae in a murine model of experimental pneumonia. As assessed by pulmonary clearance of H. influenzae, HMR 3004 was more effective (P < 0.05) than was azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin A, pristinamycin, or HMR 3647 in this model.
Detecting and targetting oncogenic fusion proteins in the genomic era

The advent of widespread cancer genome sequencing has accelerated our understanding of the molecular aberrations underlying malignant disease at an unprecedented rate. Coupling the large number of bioinformatic methods developed to locate genomic breakpoints with increased sequence read length and a deeper understanding of coding region function has enabled rapid identification of novel actionable oncogenic fusion genes. Using examples of kinase fusions found in liquid and solid tumours, this review highlights major concepts that have arisen in our understanding of cancer pathogenesis through the study of fusion proteins. We provide an overview of recently developed methods to identify potential fusion proteins from next-generation sequencing data, describe the validation of their oncogenic potential and discuss the role of targetted therapies in treating cancers driven by fusion oncoproteins.