cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Jogging kinematics after lumbar paraspinal muscle fatigue.

Abstract Context: Isolated lumbar paraspinal muscle fatigue causes lower extremity and postural control deficits. Objective: To describe the change in body position during gait after fatiguing lumbar extension exercises in persons with recurrent episodes of low back pain compared with healthy controls. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Motion analysis laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-five recreationally active participants with a history of recurrent episodes of low back pain, matched by sex, height, and mass with 25 healthy controls. Intervention(s): We measured 3-dimensional lower extremity and trunk kinematics before and after fatiguing isometric lumbar paraspinal exercise. Main Outcome Measure(s): Measurements were taken while participants jogged on a custom-built treadmill surrounded by a 10-camera motion analysis system. Results: Group-by-time interactions were observed for lumbar lordosis and trunk angles (P < .05). A reduced lumbar spine extension angle was noted, reflecting a...
Resonant-phonon-assisted THz quantum-cascade lasers with metal–metal waveguides

We report our development of terahertz (THz) quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) based on two novel features. First, the depopulation of the lower radiative level is achieved through resonant longitudinal optical (LO-)phonon scattering. This depopulation mechanism is robust at high temperatures and high injection levels. In contrast to infrared QCLs that also use LO-phonon scattering for depopulation, in our THz lasers the selectivity of the depopulation scattering is achieved through a combination of resonant tunnelling and LO-phonon scattering, hence the term resonant phonon. This resonant-phonon scheme allows a highly selective depopulation of the lower radiative level with a sub-picosecond lifetime, while maintaining a relatively long upper level lifetime (>5 ps) that is due to upper-to-ground-state scattering. The second feature of our lasers is that mode confinement is achieved by using a novel double-sided metal–metal waveguide, which yields an essentially unity mode confinement factor and therefore a low total cavity loss at THz frequencies. Based on these two unique features, we have achieved some record performance, including, but not limited to, the highest pulsed operating temperature of 137 K, the highest continuous-wave operating temperature of 97 K, and the longest wavelength of 141 µm (corresponding to 2.1 THz) without the assistance of a magnetic field.
Molecular Evolution of Virulence in Natural Field Strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

The avrBs2 avirulence gene of the bacterial plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria triggers disease resistance in pepper plants containing the Bs2 resistance gene and contributes to bacterial virulence on susceptible host plants. We studied the effects of the pepper Bs2 gene on the evolution of avrBs2 by characterizing the molecular basis for virulence of 20 X. campestris pv. vesicatoria field strains that were isolated from disease spots on previously resistant Bs2 pepper plants. All field strains tested were complemented by a wild-type copy of avrBs2 in their ability to trigger disease resistance on Bs2 plants. DNA sequencing revealed four mutant alleles of avrBs2, two of which consisted of insertions or deletions of 5 nucleotides in a repetitive region of avrBs2. The other two avrBs2 alleles were characterized by point mutations with resulting single amino acid changes (R403P or A410D). We generated isogenic X. campestris pv. vesicatoria strains by chromosomal avrBs2 gene exchange to study the effects of these mutations on the dual functions of avrBs2 in enhancing bacterial virulence and inducing plant resistance by in planta bacterial growth experiments. The deletion of 5 nucleotides led to loss of avrBs2-induced resistance on Bs2 pepper plants and abolition of avrBs2-mediated enhancement of fitness on susceptible plants. Significantly, the point mutations led to minimal reduction in virulence function of avrBs2 on susceptible pepper plants, with either minimal (R403P allele) or an intermediate level of (A410D allele) triggering of resistance on Bs2 plants. Consistent with the divergent selection pressures on avrBs2 exerted by the Bs2 resistance gene, our results show that avrBs2 is evolving to decrease detection by the Bs2 gene while at the same time maintaining its virulence function.
Data Mining: Qualitative Analysis with Health Informatics Data

The new computational algorithms emerging in the data mining literature--in particular, the self-organizing map (SOM) and decision tree analysis (DTA)--offer qualitative researchers a unique set of tools for analyzing health informatics data. The uniqueness of these tools is that although they can be used to find meaningful patterns in large, complex quantitative databases, they are qualitative in orientation. To illustrate the utility of these tools, the authors review the two most popular: the SOM and DTA. They provide a basic definition of health informatics, focusing on how data mining assists this field, and apply the SOM and DTA to a hypothetical example to demonstrate what these tools are and how qualitative researchers can use them.
Does invasion of hybrid cordgrass change estuarine food webs

Studies examining the impacts of introduced species on food webs often focus on the top-down effects of introduced predators. However, marine and estuarine systems have been invaded by plants that have the potential to alter carbon and nitrogen sources available to consumers. In San Francisco Bay, California, USA, hybridized cordgrass Spartina alterniflora × foliosa is adding C4 carbon biomass to this system. We used natural abundances of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to examine whether infaunal and epifaunal food webs reflected the large detrital input from hybrid Spartina. We compared stable isotope signatures among macrofaunal invertebrate consumers collected in hybrid Spartina, native S. foliosa, or unvegetated mudflats. We found no additional shift towards hybrid Spartina in hybrid areas. Structural changes brought about by an invasive ecosystem engineer, specifically increased biomass and detrital inputs, do not necessarily result in its increased incorporation into the food web.
Circadian Phase-Dependent Modulation of cGMP-Gated Channels of Cone Photoreceptors by Dopamine and D2 Agonist

The affinity of cGMP-gated ion channels (CNGCs) for cGMP in chick retinal cone photoreceptors is under circadian control. Here we report that dopamine (DA) and D2 receptor agonists evoke phase-dependent shifts in the affinity of CNGCs for activating ligand. Inside-out patch recordings from cultured chick cones were performed at circadian time (CT) 4–7 and CT 16–19 on the second day of constant darkness. Exposing intact cells to DA or the D2 agonist quinpirole for 2 hr before patch excision caused a significant increase in the K D for cGMP during the night (CT 16–19) but had no effect during the day (CT 4–7). DA or quinpirole treatment had no effect on the Hill slope or the average number of channels per patch. The effect of DA was blocked by the D2 antagonist eticlopride and was not mimicked by D1 agonists or blocked by D1 antagonists. By contrast, a brief (15 min) exposure to DA or quinpirole caused a decrease in K D during the subjective day and had no effect during the subjective night. Thus, the effect of D2 agonists depends on both the duration of agonist exposure and the time of day. Application of DA or quinpirole evoked a transient activation of the MAP kinase Erk (extracellular signal-related kinase) during the day but caused a sustained inhibition during the night. Conversely, D2 agonists caused activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II during the night and inhibited this enzyme during the day. A circadian oscillator in cones appears to regulate the nature of the transduction cascade used by D2 receptors.
Self-Assembled InAs Islands on (AI,Ga)As, an In Situ Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Study

We report an in-situ molecular beam epitaxy – scanning tunneling microscopy study of three dimensional (3D) self organized InAs islands on (AI,Ga)As surfaces. The influence of the presence of Al atoms on the roughness of the starting surface and on the island density is shown by investigating several Al compositions. We emphasize the case of InAs/AlAs and point out the major differences between this system and the widely studied InAs/GaAs system.
Pre-learning stress that is temporally removed from acquisition exerts sex-specific effects on long-term memory.

We have examined the influence of sex and the perceived emotional nature of learned information on pre-learning stress-induced alterations of long-term memory. Participants submerged their dominant hand in ice cold (stress) or warm (no stress) water for 3 min. Thirty minutes later, they studied 30 words, rated the words for their levels of emotional valence and arousal and were then given an immediate free recall test. Twenty-four hours later, participants’ memory for the word list was assessed via delayed free recall and recognition assessments. The resulting memory data were analyzed after categorizing the studied words (i.e., distributing them to ‘‘positive-arousing’’, ‘‘positive-non-arousing’’, ‘‘negative-arousing’’, etc. categories) according to participants’ valence and arousal ratings of the words. The results revealed that participants exhibiting a robust cortisol response to stress exhibited significantly impaired recognition memory for neutral words. More interestingly, however, males displaying a robust cortisol response to stress demonstrated significantly impaired recall, overall, and a marginally significant impairment of overall recognition memory, while females exhibiting a blunted cortisol response to stress demonstrated a marginally significant impairment of overall recognition memory. These findings support the notion that a brief stressor that is temporally separated from learning can exert deleterious effects on long-term memory. However, they also suggest that such effects depend on the sex of the organism, the emotional salience of the learned information and the degree to which stress increases corticosteroid levels.
Pharmaco-redox regulation of cytokine-related pathways: from receptor signaling to pharmacogenomics

Cytokines represent a multi-diverse family of polypeptide regulators; they are relatively low molecular weight (< 30 kDa), pharmacologically active proteins that are secreted by one cell for the purpose of altering either its own functions (autocrine effect) or those of adjacent cells (paracrine effect). Cytokines are small, nonenzymatic glycoproteins whose actions are both diverse and overlapping (specificity/redundancy) and may affect diverse and overlapping target cell populations. In many instances, individual cytokines have multiple biological activities. Different cytokines can also have the same activity, which provides for functional redundancy (network) within the inflammatory and immune systems. As biological cofactors that are released by specific cells, cytokines have specific effects on cell-cell interaction, communication, and behavior of other cells. As a result, it is infrequent that loss or neutralization of one cytokine will markedly interfere with either of these systems. The biological effect of one cytokine is often modified or augmented by another. Because an interdigitating, redundant network of cytokines is involved in the production of most biological effects, both under physiologic and pathologic conditions, it usually requires more than a single defect in the network to alter drastically the outcome of the process. This fact, therefore, may have crucial significance in the development of therapeutic strategies for biopharmacologic intervention in cytokine-mediated inflammatory processes and infections.
Preexercise meal composition alters plasma large neutral amino acid responses during exercise and recovery

This study was designed to determine the effect of ingesting three preexercise meals on energy metabolism during exercise and recovery and to relate metabolic perturbations to subjective and objective measurements associated with central fatigue. Twelve subjects consumed isoenergetic meals consisting of oat, wheat, or corn cereals 90 min before cycling. A fasting trial served as the control. Blood samples and cognitive function, perceived hunger, and sleepiness measurements were obtained before and after feeding and during recovery when self-selected food intake was also measured. After meal ingestion, plasma insulin was lower for oat than for wheat or corn whereas the ratio of tryptophan to large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) for corn was less than for all others. During exercise, the tryptophan-LNAA ratio increased from preexercise values for the fasting and wheat trials, but exercise performance was unaffected. During recovery, tryptophan:LNAA increased from postexercise values in fasting trials. Also, hunger and fatigue ratings were greater in fasted subjects, but self-selected food intake measured at the end of the recovery period was not different among groups. We conclude that preexercise meal consumption affected tryptophan:LNAA before, during, and after exercise, but these changes were not sufficient to alter physical and cognitive performance.
Two new species of Manaosbiidae (Opiliones: Laniatores) from Panama, with comments on interspecific variation in penis morphology

Abstract In Central America, the family Manaosbiidae is recorded only from Panama and Costa Rica. Four species occur in this region: Barrona williamsi Goodnight & Goodnight 1942, Bugabitia triacantha Roewer 1915, Poassa limbata Roewer 1943, and Zygopachylus albomarginis Chamberlin 1925. In this paper, we describe Barrona felgenhaueri new species (Cocle Province, Panama) and Bugabitia akini new species (Cocle Province, Panama) and report a new record for B. williamsi (Cocle Province, Panama). We used SEM to examine the penis morphology of Barrona Goodnight & Goodnight 1942 and the Caribbean species Cranellus montgomeryi Goodnight & Goodnight 1947 and Rhopalocranaus albilineatus Roewer 1932. We compared genital morphology of these species with published descriptions for Manaosbiidae from South America. With respect to genital morphology, we found that the most variable characters were the number and relative sizes of the setae that occur on the lateral margins of the ventral plate. Other features that exhib...
Achievable rates for the noncoherent frequency selective fading channel

This paper investigates achievable rates for the time varying frequency selective fading channel in a single-input and single-output (SISO) system. The channel state information (CSI) is not known a priori at either the transmitter or the receiver. The paper begins by presenting a general simulation based technique to compute lower and upper bounds on the achievable rates. The paper also derives an analytical lower bound. Finally, the paper computes the loss associated with pilot based schemes by comparing their achievable rates with the bounds.
Explanation in Two Dimensions: Diagrams and Biological Explanation

Molecular biologists and biochemists often use diagrams to present hypotheses. Analysis of diagrams shows that their content can be expressed with linguistic representations. Why do biologists use visual representations instead? One reason is simple comprehensibility: some diagrams present information which is readily understood from the diagram format, but which would not be comprehensible if the same information was expressed linguistically. But often diagrams are used even when concise, comprehensible linguistic alternatives are available. I explain this phenomenon by showing why diagrammatic representation is especially well suited for a particular kind of explanation common in molecular biology and biochemistry: namely, functional analysis, in which a capacity of the system is explained in terms of capacities of its component parts.
In vivo efficacy of SM-20302, a GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, correlates with ex vivo platelet inhibition in heparinized blood but not in citrated blood.

We tested the hypothesis that the in vivo antithrombotic efficacy of SM-20302, a GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, correlates with the ex vivo platelet inhibition in heparinized platelet rich plasma (hPRP) but not in citrated PRP (cPRP). The studies were performed in a canine model of carotid artery thrombosis in which thrombus formation was induced by electrolytic injury. Thrombosis of the right carotid artery was induced immediately after the administration of saline (n=12). Thirty minutes after persistent occlusive thrombosis was obtained, the vessel segment was ligated, and the time to occlusion and thrombus weight were noted. Subsequently, thrombosis of the left carotid artery was initiated in the presence of SM-20302 (100, 300, 600, or 1000 microg/kg i.v.; n=4 to 6). All the doses of SM-20302 inhibited (by > or = 90%) the ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by ADP and arachidonic acid (AA) in cPRP. In hPRP, a dose-dependent inhibition of ex vivo platelet aggregation was observed. The maximal inhibition produced by 100 to 1000 microg/kg SM-20302 ranged from 18% to 80% for ADP and 44% to 88% for AA. Maximal prolongation of the template bleeding time induced by the 100-, 300-, 600-, and 1000-microg/kg doses were 2.5-, 9.5-, 10-, and > 10-fold, respectively. All the injured carotid arteries (n=12) in the saline-treated group occluded. SM-20302 pretreatment produced a dose-dependent maintenance of the carotid artery patency, and the incidence of occlusion at 4 hours was 5/6, 3/6, 0/6, and 0/6 for the 100-, 300-, 600-, and 1000-microg/kg doses, respectively. The results indicate that SM-20302 prevents carotid artery thrombosis in response to electrolytic arterial wall injury and that its in vivo antithrombotic efficacy can be correlated accurately with the ex vivo platelet inhibition in PRP prepared from heparinized blood but not from citrated blood.
Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography: 25 years old.

doi:10.1016/j. It is hard tobelieve thatwith the January2012 issue of JASE,wewill reach a milestone. This journal now is 25 years old. As with life in general, it’s amazing how quickly time passes. Celebrating a milestone is always bittersweet. It reminds all of us how quickly time goes by. It also offers an opportunity to stop and reflect backward and look forward. The journal and thefieldof echocardiographyhaveundergonedramatic transformationsover thepast 25years.One of the fewadvances forwhich I personally take some credit is that both the field and the journal are nowdigital. The IndianaUniversity echocardiography labwent digital in 1984. From 1984 to 1991, the storage of echocardiograms was on floppy disks. A digital network went live on July 1, 1991. I am proud to say that JASE was one of the first imaging journals to have its case reports in a digital format, permitting readers to view moving images. There have been other developments that affected both the field of echocardiography and the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. Both the field and the journal have had to deal with significant competition over the past 25 years. Echocardiography is now competingwith dramatic new imaging technologies in the formof cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). JASE also has had new competition from other imaging journals as well as dedicated echocardiography journals. With the introduction of competition there will always be pessimists who begin to question the status and viability of both the field and the journal. There was considerable concern that the European Journal of Echocardiographymight have a devastating impact on JASE. Many of our submissions came from overseas, especially Europe. After we seemed to survive that competition, the next onslaught came from imaging journals that were spinoffs from the Journal of theAmericanCollege ofCardiologyandCirculation. Again, despite the introduction of these new publications, JASE continues to thrive. Its impact factor and the number of submissions are still growing despite the presence of these competing journals. The increasing use of cardiac CT and MRI, together with the ongoing competition from nuclear cardiology and positron emission tomographic imaging, has been a major concern to those involved with echocardiography. There are many who now feel that echocardiography should be lumped together with the other technologies into one large field of cardiac imaging. Thus, they feel that both the American Society of Echocardiography and JASE should include all cardiovascular imaging and not be limited to cardiac ultrasound. There is no question that cardiology fellows do not want their training to be limited to only echocardiography. They want to be exposed to all imaging modalities. As a result of these developments, there is a serious question as to whether an organization and a journal dedicated solely to echocardiography are still relevant. The ultimate future of cardiac imaging is still unknown. All of the techniques continue to evolve. Some very dramatic economic
Fluorescence probing of T box antiterminator RNA: Insights into riboswitch discernment of the tRNA discriminator base

Abstract The T box transcription antitermination riboswitch is one of the main regulatory mechanisms utilized by Gram-positive bacteria to regulate genes that are involved in amino acid metabolism. The details of the antitermination event, including the role that Mg2+ plays, in this riboswitch have not been completely elucidated. In these studies, details of the antitermination event were investigated utilizing 2-aminopurine to monitor structural changes of a model antiterminator RNA when it was bound to model tRNA. Based on the results of these fluorescence studies, the model tRNA binds the model antiterminator RNA via an induced-fit. This binding is enhanced by the presence of Mg2+, facilitating the complete base pairing of the model tRNA acceptor end with the complementary bases in the model antiterminator bulge.
Does Surgical Approach Affect Patient-reported Function After Primary THA?

Background Total hip arthroplasty (THA) relieves pain and improves physical function in patients with hip osteoarthritis, but requires a year or more for full postoperative recovery. Proponents of intermuscular surgical approaches believe that the direct-anterior approach may restore physical function more quickly than transgluteal approaches, perhaps because of diminished muscle trauma. To evaluate this, we compared patient-reported physical function and other outcome metrics during the first year after surgery between groups of patients who underwent primary THA either through the direct-anterior approach or posterior approach.
Free Radicals in Pyrimidines: E.S.R. of X-irradiated Single Crystals of Phenobarbital

Two crystal polymorphs of phenobarbital, of melting points 175 deg C and 17# deg C, were x-irradiated in air at room temperature with doses of 10 Mrads. ESR spectra were recorded at 5 deg intervals about each of 3 orthogonal axes at both 9.3 GHz and 22.5 GHz. A comparative table is preserted of the ESR data obtained from the two crystal structures. The results were essentially the same, except that the relative values of the proton hyperfine couplings were different because of the different ethyl group rotations about the bond to C(5). It is tentatively suggested that one factor important to the mechanism of radical formation in this group of compounds is the difficulty in reorienting a large group into the plane of the pyrimidine ring when the electronic configuration of C(5) goes from sp/sup 3/ in the undamaged molecule, to sp/sup 2/ in the free radical. It is also suggested that another factor to be considered is the relative stability of alternate radical structures. (UK)
Beyond LibGuides: The Past, Present, and Future of Online Research Guides

The proliferation of research guides created using the LibGuides platform has triggered extensive discussion touting their benefits for everything from assessment, engagement, and marketing, to outreach and pedagogy. However, there is at present a relative paucity of critical reflection about the product’s place in the broader informational landscape. This article is an attempt to redress this lacuna. Relying primarily on examples from the field of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian studies, the authors briefly describe the evolution of online research guides; identify reasons for the proliferation of Springshare’s product in academic libraries; question whether LibGuides improve learning or reinforce information inequality in higher education; and propose a way to move beyond LibGuides.
Computer Programming and the Automation of Invention: A Case for Software Patent Reform

Software differs from other electromechanical technologies because of the unique process by which software programs are invented. In particular, software developers create novel executable software programs, which are components of a computer, by conceiving of and specifying such programs solely in terms of their logical structure. As a result, computer programmers need not engage in physical structural design, which historically has been necessary to invent electromechanical devices. This feature of software development violates the assumptions of patent law, which generally requires that electromechanical inventions be conceived, described, and claimed in terms of their physical structure. Patent law should allow software to be conceived, described, and claimed in terms of its logical structure to produce a better fit between patent law and software.
Defining the Boundaries of a 'Scandalous' Mark - A Comparative Perspective

Trademarks are renowned to serve multi-faceted purposes. They tell us where products and services come from, and we rely on them as guideposts for consistency, quality and social status. But trademarks also have…a dark side. “Scandalous” or “immoral” marks (referred to in the general sense of the term), while purportedly entitled to common law protection, are essentially “dead” in federal trademark registration schemes. They are barred from receiving federal trademark registration, or may have such registration revoked, including certain protections and benefits encompassed therein. While the exclusive rights of use of a trademark entitle an owner to prevent third parties from using identical or similar marks in relation to identical or similar products without his consent, these rights are qualified by their entitlement to be registered in the first place. One prohibition to registering a mark under a statutory trademark regime is that such a mark is either “scandalous”, “disparaging”, “contrary to principles of morality”, or “public policy”. Yet, there is no fixed definition of any of these terms – nor a general international consensus of how to classify marks that may be contrary to moral principles. In the wake of our globalized world, and near limitless movement of goods, this is highly problematic. The author discusses the approach to identifying scandalous marks, highlights the differences between the approach taken to register (or deny registrability of) trademarks in three common law jurisdictions, namely: the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This paper identifies that there is a need to clarify what “public interest” is, and sets the tone for proposing a universal method to determine when a mark should be deemed scandalous prior to registration. The findings in the paper have implications for property rights the vest under other intellectual property regimes, including geographical indications, as well as Constitutional considerations, and international norms.
Characteristics of YAP3, a new prohormone processing aspartic protease from S. cerevisiae.

Neuropeptides and peptide hormones are synthesized as large precursors that are cleaved at paired, or less frequently at single basic amino acid residues by endoproteases to release biologically active peptides [1,2]. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, processing of the pheromone precursor, pro-α-mating factor, is carried out by kexin, a subtilisin-related proprotein convertase that is the product of the KEX2 gene [3,4]. In 1990, a S. cerevisiae aspartic protease gene (YAP3) which was induced when pro-α-mating factor was over-expressed in a KEX2-deficient mutant was described [5]. The YAP3 gene product was able to catalyze the processing of the α-mating factor precursor on the COOH-terminal side of paired basic residues to yield the active pheromone in KEX2-deficient mutants, suggesting that YAP3 may be an alternative pro-α-mating factor processing protease. YAP3 has sequence similarity to the classical two-domain active site region of other aspartic proteinases such as pepsin, renin, cathepsin D and penicillopepsin that exhibit specificity for hydrophobic residues [6]. Despite this sequence similarity, YAP3 exhibits novel specificity for basic residues.
The Effects of Social Media on Political Participation and Candidate Image Evaluations in the 2012 Iowa Caucuses

Much academic debate has centered on the impact of new technologies on democracy. This study examines the effects of social media on political participation and candidate image evaluations in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses. Multivariate analyses show that social media have no effects on likelihood of caucus attendance but influence perceptions of candidate traits among the sample of Iowans drawn here. The study also addresses the role of traditional media as channels for political information during the caucuses.
Thin-layer Chromatographic Detection of Cocaethylene in Human Urine

A thin-layer chromatographic method was developed for the detection of cocaethylene and cocaine in human urine. Following a standard solid-phase extinction of urine buffered to pH 9.3, the concentrated extract was chromatographed in a solvent consisting of hexane:toluene:diethylamine (65:20:5 mL). Both cocaethylene and cocaine were visualized with iodoplatinate spray. Exclusive of the type of extraction used, the detection limit itself was 16 nmol (5 μg) for either compound. The method was applied to urine samples of 13 patients who had ingested cocaine with ethanol. Statistically significant correlations were noted between the intensity of the urine thin-layer chromatographic detection and the measured urine concentrations of cocaethylene and cocaine
Thiamin deficiency in the rhesus monkey; clinical, metabolic and hematologic observations.

Seven rhesus monkeys were subjected to one or more episodes of acute thiamin depletion. It is clear that significant metabolic inadequacies preceded demonstrable structural changes. Diminished food consumption and weight loss were manifest about two weeks after thiamin was removed from the diet. When the deficiency was prolonged the animals became apathetic, inactive and progressively weaker. This was followed by ataxia and at times ptosis and tremors. Even in such advanced states of depletion, administration of thiamin produced dramatic improvement in locomotion, appetite and reactivity. The blood thiamin content of normal monkeys ranged from 5.5 to 10γ per 100 ml. of whole blood, values which are comparable to those of healthy human beings. Following withdrawal of thiamin the blood concentration fell to values of 4γ or less. The tissue content of thiamin was correspondingly reduced in depleted animals. The minimum daily requirement for thiamin calculated on the basis of the time required to redeplete a deficient monkey following a small dose of thiamin was approximately 15γ per kilogram body weight. Characteristic degenerative changes in the heart muscle and severe retrogressive changes in the nuclear structures of the central nervous system previously reported were noted. Based on careful hematologic studies in 4 animals it is concluded that thiamin is essential for normal erythropoiesis. Acute or chronic depletion results in anemia due to suppression of red blood cell formation as indicated by severe depression or absence of reticulocytes in the blood. ACKNOWLEDGMENT We are indebted to Miss Mariette Quigley for the blood counts, and to Miss Ruth Johnson for assistance in thiamin assays.
An boundary tracking and extracting algorithm of the complicated binary images

To solve the problem that traditional boundary tracking algorithms can only acquire one outer contour of mixed boundaries of objects which have shared boundary points,an improved boundary tracking and extracting algorithm based on 8-connected boundary tracking is pre,sented.The improved algorithm can not only track and extract boundary of isolated object,but also track and extract boundary for each of objects which have shared boundary points,it can also get sequences of boundary points'parameters according to need.The algorithm performs well in fault interpretation of the coherence slice of the 3D seismic data.
Effects of successful, uncomplicated valve replacement on ventricular hypertrophy, volume, and performance in aortic stenosis and in aortic incompetence.

Preoperative and postoperative cardiac catheterization data were analyzed from 10 patients with aortic stenosis and eight with aortic incompetence with normal prosthetic function. In aortic stenosis, left ventricular mass decreased from 229 ± 39 to 123 ± 10 Gm. per square meter (p
Nephrogenic adenoma in children.

AbstractNephrogenic adenoma is a rare, benign lesion of the bladder, occurring as an epithelial response to infection or trauma. Characteristically, it presents as a papillary lesion resembling a low grade, low stage transitional cell carcinoma. Although usually occurring in adults, there have been 5 reports in children, in whom the adenoma occurred following either surgery or localized inflammation. We report on 2 additional children with nephrogenic adenoma, including one who presented with a bladder mass and total occlusion of the ipsilateral ureter, while in the other it was found incidentally during closure of a vesicovaginal fistula. Successful treatment consisted of transurethral resection and low dose suppressive antibiotics. Nephrogenic adenoma, while rare in children, appears to be a uroepithelial metaplastic response to trauma or inflammation and is treated best by conservative management.
Perinatal HIV Encephalopathy

The characteristics and survival of 178 children with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and encephalopathy are reported from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.
Gangliosides, The Thyrotropin Receptor, and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

The interaction of thyrotropin (TSH)* with a specific receptor on the thyroid cell surface induces changes in adenylate cyclase activity which result in enhanced iodide uptake, thyroglobulin biosynthesis, iodination of thyroglobulin, degradation of iodinated thyroglobulin to form thyroid hormone, and the release of thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) into the blood stream. Although changes in all of the above activities have been and can be used to define receptor function, definition of the structure of the TSH receptor on a molecular level, has required the identification of specific membrane components using binding studies and 125I-labeled hormone.
The thermal mismatch hypothesis explains host susceptibility to an emerging infectious disease.

Parasites typically have broader thermal limits than hosts, so large performance gaps between pathogens and their cold- and warm-adapted hosts should occur at relatively warm and cold temperatures, respectively. We tested this thermal mismatch hypothesis by quantifying the temperature-dependent susceptibility of cold- and warm-adapted amphibian species to the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) using laboratory experiments and field prevalence estimates from 15 410 individuals in 598 populations. In both the laboratory and field, we found that the greatest susceptibility of cold- and warm-adapted hosts occurred at relatively warm and cool temperatures, respectively, providing support for the thermal mismatch hypothesis. Our results suggest that as climate change shifts hosts away from their optimal temperatures, the probability of increased host susceptibility to infectious disease might increase, but the effect will depend on the host species and the direction of the climate shift. Our findings help explain the tremendous variation in species responses to Bd across climates and spatial, temporal and species-level variation in disease outbreaks associated with extreme weather events that are becoming more common with climate change.
Expansion of T Cells with Interleukin-21 for Adoptive Immunotherapy of Murine Mammary Carcinoma

We previously demonstrated that culturing antigen-sensitized draining lymph node (DLN) lymphocytes from BALB/c mice in interleukin (IL)-7/15 after activation with bryostatin/ionomycin (B/I) is superior to culture in IL-2 for expansion, differentiation to cluster of differentiation (CD)8+ cells and anti-tumor activity. We sought to determine whether the substitution or addition of IL-21 to culture had a similar effect. DLN lymphocytes were antigen-sensitized with 4T1 mammary carcinoma 10 days prior to harvest, activated with B/I, and expanded in culture for 7 days with either IL-2, IL-21, IL-2/21, IL-7/15, or IL-7/15/21. Cellular expansion, phenotype, interferon (IFN)-γ responses, and in vivo anti-tumor activity were compared. We found that T cells grown in IL7/15/21 demonstrated significantly greater lymphocyte expansion than IL-2, IL-21, IL-2/21, and IL-7/15 (38.4-fold vs. 5.5, 6.6, 9.5, and 23.9-fold, respectively). Of these expanded cells, IL-7/15/21 significantly expanded the greatest percentage of CD8+ cells (67.1% vs. 22.2%, 47.2%, 47.4%, and 55.3%, respectively), and the greatest number of T central memory cells (TCM) compared to IL-2, IL-21 and IL-2/21 (45.8% vs. 11.1%, 7.7%, and 12.1%, respectively). IL-21 and IL-2/21-expanded T cells preferentially differentiated into T naive cells (TN) vs. those expanded in IL-2, IL-7/15 and IL-7/15/21 (27.6% and 23.2% vs. 1.7%, 4.5%, and 10.4%, respectively), and demonstrated the highest IFN-γ levels in vitro. In vivo adoptive immunotherapy (AIT) experiments demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy was equally effective using IL-2, IL-21, IL-2/21, IL-7/15 and IL-7/15/21-cultured lymphocytes vs. control or cyclophosphamide alone, even at lower doses or with greater initial size of tumor prior to treatment.
Management of Ventricular Arrhtyhmias in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathic Syndromes

The term “nonischemic cardiomyopathy” refers to a heterogeneous group of patients with nonischemic ventricular dysfunction characterized by impaired systolic function and dilatation of 1 or both ventricles. An underlying etiology e.g. infiltrations or myocarditis can be identified in approximately 50% of patients, whereas the remaining 50% are considered idiopathic. Irrespective of the etiology the principles of management remain similar. Due to multiform presentation, we highlight the key nonischemic cardiomyopathies, discuss the substrate involved and review the current management strategies.
Seed Nutrition and Quality, Seed Coat Boron and Lignin Are Influenced by Delayed Harvest in Exotically-Derived Soybean Breeding Lines under High Heat.

The timing of harvest is a major factor affecting seed quality in soybean, particularly in Midsouthern USA, when rain during harvest period is not uncommon. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of time of harvest on soybean seed quality (seed composition, germination, seed coat boron and lignin) in high germinability (HG) breeding lines (50% exotic) developed under high heat. The hypothesis was that seeds of HG lines possess physiological and genetic traits for a better seed quality at harvest maturity and delayed harvest. A two-year field experiment was conducted under irrigated conditions. Results showed that, at harvest maturity, the exotic HG lines had higher seed protein, oleic acid, sugars, seed coat boron, and seed coat lignin, but lower seed oil compared with the non-exotic checks (Control), confirming our hypothesis. At 28 days after harvest maturity (delayed harvest), the content of seed protein, oleic acid, sugars, seed coat boron, and seed coat lignin were higher in the HG lines compared with the checks, indicating a possible involvement of these seed constituents, especially seed coat boron and seed coat lignin, in maintaining seed coat integrity and protecting seed coat against physical damage. Highly significant positive correlations were found between germination and seed protein, oleic acid, sugars, and seed coat boron and seed coat lignin. Highly significant negative correlation was found between germination and oil, linoleic acid, seed coat wrinkling, shattering, and hard seed. Yields of some HG lines were competitive with checks. This research demonstrated that time of harvesting is an important factor influencing seed protein and oil production. Also, since high oleic acid is desirable for oxidative stability, shelf-life and biodiesel properties, using HG lines could positively influence these important traits. This result should suggest to breeders of some of the advantages of selecting for high seed coat boron and lignin, and inform growers of the importance of timely harvest for maintaining high seed quality.
Conceptual Design of an Air-Breathing Electric Thruster for CubeSat Applications

The altitude range between 120 and 300 km is relatively unexplored with regard to space weather, atmospheric models, climate observations, the global electric circuit, remote sensing, and intellige...
Oxidation with Ruthenium Dioxide and Hypochlorite: Methyl 6-Deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribo-hexopyranosid-4-ulose

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the oxidation process with ruthenium dioxide and hypochlorite. A general method for the preparation of ketones has been the reaction of a secondary alcohol with ruthenium tetraoxide. The original method used equivalent amounts of ruthenium tetraoxide and frequently produced overoxidation of some of the ketones formed to yield lactones. In an experiment described in the chapter, both these problems were circumvented and only catalytic amounts of the ruthenium dioxide and a buffered solution of potassium periodate and potassium carbonate were used. In the absence of protecting groups that react with dilute solutions of sodium hypochlorite, the oxidation proceeds much faster and there is no need for buffering. The problem of converting ruthenium dioxide to the tetraoxide can be eliminated by prior oxidation of the inactive ruthenium dioxide using an alkaline chlorate melt oxidation followed by reduction to ruthenium dioxide in an active form.
Aging and Development of Ovarian Epithelial Carcinoma: The Relevance of Changes in Ovarian Stromalandrogen Production

There are three types of ovarian neoplasms: (1) Those which arise from the surface epithelium covering the ovary. (2) Those which are derived from the cortical mesenchymal stroma. (3) Those which develop from germ cells. Our laboratory has concentrated its effort on solid tumors in women of the first type, epithelial, which has the highest incidence and is the most lethal. Development of these tumors is correlated with aging in the ovary. They form primarily during the perimenopause. Among women, 64% of the total ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed between ages 41 and 60 years1. Our approach has been to establish stable tumor cell lines from patient specimens for use as in vitro models. We have investigated the response of these cells to steroid hormones because we hypothesized that these tumors retain some metabolic characteristics which are specific to the ovary. Our data demonstrate that testosterone and androstenedione, but not cortisol, inhibited proliferation of ovarian tumor cells in vitro by a mechanism which was independent of steroid receptors. These androgens are routinely synthesized and secreted by human ovary, and in the menopausal ovary the primary source of androgen is the stromal cell compartment. Because a relatively high local concentration of ovarian androgen exists in vivo, it is possible that androgen may suppress ovarian epithelial carcinoma in women as well. If it does, then development of this carcinoma may be facilitated when the postmenopausal ovary fails to produce adequate androgen during postreproductive years.
A Paradigm For Natural Language Explanation Of Database Queries: A Semantic Data Model Approach

Although the increasing pervasiveness of end-user computing has made concerns with database interfaces increasingly more important, paradoxically, there does not seem to be sufficient research into database interfaces for end-user computing. A much needed but neglected enrichment of database systems is an interface that provides the user with automatic feedback in the form of an explanation of how the database management system interprets user-specified queries. The study presented in this paper proposes an approach that exploits the rich semantics of graphical semantic data models to construct restricted natural language explanations of database queries that are specified in a very high-level declarative form. These interpretations of the specified query represent the systemâ€™s â€œunderstandingâ€ of the query, and are returned to the user for validation.
TOURISM SATELLITE ACCOUNTS: Implementation in Tanzania

Abstract While tourism satellite accounts are officially recognized by the World Tourism Organization and the United Nations as the methodology for assessing the magnitude of the industry in a country’s economy, their implementation remains a challenge for most countries the world over. This paper highlights a “bottom-up” approach of implementation in Tanzania. The observations of this experience emphasize benefits of the process rather than simply calculating its final output of economic impact estimates. The analysis indicates a number of spin-off benefits, whose ramifications go beyond the statistical database.
Duality and Representation Theorems

Consider first complex valued functions. We let ℒ2(μ) be the set of all functions f on X that are limits almost everywhere of a sequence of step functions (i.e. μ-measurable), and such that |f|2 lies in ℒ1. Thus $$ {\left| f \right|^{2}} = \overline {ff} . $$
Confocal microscopy for high-precision non-contact optical measurements

The EUV Snapshot Imaging Spectrograph (ESIS) is a slitless, tomographic imaging spectrograph for observing the solar transition region in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) at 63nm wavelength. An array of concave diffraction gratings re-image from the telescope prime focus to our CCD detectors. The instrument is aligned and focused in visible light, using substitute diffraction gratings ruled for the red HeNe laser line. To transfer precise alignment and focus of the visible gratings to the EUV gratings, we have developed a minitaturized, three point, noncontact measurement system, TEA (Transfer ESIS Alignment). TEA locates the grating surface using confocal microscopy, with three independent channels scanned together on a single stage, to specify the position and orientation of the spherical surface. Challenges for this measurement include the small size of the ESIS gratings (~ 16X20μm), their curved surfaces, diffraction effects, the alignment of tiny optics within TEA, and the mechanics used to repeatability mount the gratings. Our testing shows that the intrinsic repeatability of our measurement apparatus is approximately 2μm. In practice, however, our error is dominated by the process of mounting the grating subsystem in TEA, which introduces 12μm differences between subsequent runs. This level of repeatability meets our requirements for ESIS.