cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AutoMOTGen: Automatic Model Oriented Test Generator for Embedded Control Systems

We present AutoMOTGen, a tool for automatic test case generation (ATG) from MATLAB Simulink/Stateflow (SL/SF) models [6] for testing automotive controllers. Our methodology is based on model checking [2]. The main highlights of the tool are: 1 Enhanced coverage of the model elements as well as high-level requirements. 1 A modular design for plug-and-playof different model checkers, test data generators and coverage analysis tools for enhancing the test suite quality. 1 Implements sampling time abstraction to generate tests with lessernumber of (discrete) steps in the intermediate model. 1 Implements coverage dependent instrumentation of the model for the structural coverage criteria. 1 Capability to handle SL/SF blocks commonly used in automotive controllers (including blocks such as integrator, delay, multiplication/division, look-up tables, triggered subsystems and hierarchical and parallel charts). The current implementation of AutoMOTGen uses SAL [8] as an intermediate representation and uses associated tools such as sal-atg , sal-bmc and sal-smc for generation of test data and proving the unreachability of some of the coverage goals. AutoMOTGen is implemented in Java and C++ (.NET framework) and uses MATLAB scripting language for extracting the relevant information from SL/SF models required for the purpose of test generation.
Development and validation of a recurrent Clostridium difficile risk‐prediction model

BACKGROUND Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI) affects 10% to 25% of patients with initial CDI (iCDI). Initiation of new therapies that reduce recurrences rests on identifying patients at high risk for rCDI at iCDI onset. OBJECTIVE To develop a predictive model for rCDI based on factors present at iCDI onset. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Large urban academic medical center. PATIENTS All adult patients with an inpatient iCDI from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009. INTERVENTION None. MEASUREMENTS Positive toxin assay for C difficile with no C difficile infection in the previous 60 days constituted iCDI. Repeat positive toxin within 42 days of stopping iCDI treatment defined rCDI. Three demographic, 13 chronic, and 12 acute disease characteristics, and 7 processes of care prior to or at the onset of iCDI, were assessed for association with rCDI. A logistic regression model to identify predictors for rCDI was developed and cross-validated. RESULTS Among the 4196 patients enrolled, 425 (10.1%) developed rCDI. Six factors (case status as community-onset healthcare-associated, ≥2 hospitalizations in the prior 60 days, new gastric acid suppression, fluoroquinolone and high-risk antibiotic use at the onset of iCDI, age) predicted rCDI in multivariate analyses, whereas intensive care unit stay appeared protective. The model achieved moderate discrimination (C statistic 0.643) and calibration (Brier score 0.089). Its negative predictive value was 90% or higher across a wide range of risk. CONCLUSIONS Among patients hospitalized with rCDI, multiple factors present at the onset of iCDI increased the risk for rCDI. Recognizing patients at high-risk for rCDI can help clinicians tailor early treatment and prevention. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:418–423. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
The Routh test and covariance control

It is well known that positive definiteness of a suitable Lyapunov function is equivalent to the Hurwitz-Routh test. The author uses the state covariance matrix in a quadratic Lyapunov function to prove the Hurwitz-Routh test and to show a conservation principle relating stability (the characteristic coefficients) to performance (achievable root-mean-square). The proof requires the positive definite test of two matrices approximately half the size of the state, a savings over the usual positive definite test of an n*n Lyapunov matrix. For third-order all-poles systems, a closed-form expression for all stabilizing output-feedback controllers is given in terms of three arbitrary positive numbers. >
Role of Bacterial Communities in the Natural Suppression of Rhizoctonia solani Bare Patch Disease of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Rhizoctonia bare patch and root rot disease of wheat, caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-8, develops as distinct patches of stunted plants and limits the yield of direct-seeded (no-till) wheat in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. At the site of a long-term cropping systems study near Ritzville, WA, a decline in Rhizoctonia patch disease was observed over an 11-year period. Bacterial communities from bulk and rhizosphere soil of plants from inside the patches, outside the patches, and recovered patches were analyzed by using pyrosequencing with primers designed for 16S rRNA. Taxa in the class Acidobacteria and the genus Gemmatimonas were found at higher frequencies in the rhizosphere of healthy plants outside the patches than in that of diseased plants from inside the patches. Dyella and Acidobacteria subgroup Gp7 were found at higher frequencies in recovered patches. Chitinophaga, Pedobacter, Oxalobacteriaceae (Duganella and Massilia), and Chyseobacterium were found at higher frequencies in the rhizosphere of diseased plants from inside the patches. For selected taxa, trends were validated by quantitative PCR (qPCR), and observed shifts of frequencies in the rhizosphere over time were duplicated in cycling experiments in the greenhouse that involved successive plantings of wheat in Rhizoctonia-inoculated soil. Chryseobacterium soldanellicola was isolated from the rhizosphere inside the patches and exhibited significant antagonism against R. solani AG-8 in vitro and in greenhouse tests. In conclusion, we identified novel bacterial taxa that respond to conditions affecting bare patch disease symptoms and that may be involved in suppression of Rhizoctonia root rot and bare batch disease.
Planning-based control of interface animation

Animations express a sense of process and continuity that is difficult to convey through other techniques. Although interfaces can often benefit from animation, User Interface Management Systems (UIMSs) rarely provide the tools necessary to easily support complex, state-dependent application output, such as animations. Here we describe Player, an interface component that facilitates sequencing these animations. One difficulty of integrating animations into interactive systems is that animation scripts typically only work in very specific contexts. Care must be taken to establish the required context prior to executing an animation. Player employs a precondition and postcondition-based specification language, and automatically computes which animation scripts should be invoked to establish the necessary state. Player’s specification language has been designed to make it easy to express the desired behavior of animation controllers. Since planning can be a timeconsuming process inappropriate for interactive systems, Player precompiles the plan-based specification into a state machine that executes far more quickly. Serving as an animation controller, Player hides animation script dependencies from the application. Player has been incorporated into the Persona UIMS, and is currently used in the Peedy application.
Adaptive auditory plasticity for social communication in the plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus)

Acoustic communication plays an important role in the social behaviours of vocal teleost fishes in the family Batrachoididae (midshipman and toad fishes). The midshipman and toadfishes have become good models for investigating the neural and endocrine mechanisms of auditory perception and vocal production shared by all vertebrates (Bass and Lu 2006), in part, because the reproductive success of these batrachoidid fishes is highly dependent on acoustic communication. Recent neuroethological studies of acoustic communication in the plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) have provided strong evidence for the related reproductive-state and steroid-dependent modulation of hearing sensitivity in this species that leads to enhanced coupling of sender and receiver in this communication system (Sisneros and Bass 2003; Sisneros et al. 2004a). The plainfin midshipman fish is a vocal marine teleost fish found along the west coast of the USA. During the late spring and summer, midshipman fish migrate from deep water into the rocky intertidal zone to court and spawn. Midshipman fish are known to have three adult reproductive morphs that include female and two male morphs known as type I and II. Type I or ‘singing’ males acoustically court females with their seasonal advertisement calls or ‘hums’, which is a multiharmonic acoustic signal with a fundamental frequency (F0) that ranges from 90 to 100Hz (Brantley and Bass 1994). The dominant harmonics of the hum range up to 400Hz and can contain as much or more spectral energy than the F0. These harmonics have been hypothesized to be important for the detection and localization of the advertisement signal during the reproductive season (Sisneros and Bass 2003). Type II males or ‘sneaker’ males use an alternative reproductive tactic that does not require them to build nests or acoustically court females. Instead type II males satellite and/or ‘sneak’ spawn in the nests of type I males to steal fertilizations from ‘singing’ males when they are actively courting females. Females rely heavily on their auditory sense to detect and locate advertising males that produce the multiharmonic hums during the breeding season and will often exhibit robust phonotaxis to a synthesized hum (and even to a low frequency tone near the F0 of the male’s advertisement call). Previous work showed that the frequency sensitivity of the auditory afferents that innervated the saccule, the main organ of hearing in the midshipman, changed seasonally with reproductive state such that reproductive females were better suited than nonreproductive females to encode the dominant harmonics of the male’s advertisement call (Sisneros and Bass 2003). An investigation of the seasonal periodicity of reproduction
Gap states in organic semiconductors: Hydrogen- and oxygen-induced states in pentacene

First-principles pseudopotential density functional calculations are reported for hydrogen- and oxygen-related defects in crystalline pentacene $({\mathrm{C}}_{22}{\mathrm{H}}_{14}).$ It is shown that defects that perturb a carbon atom so as to remove its ${p}_{z}$ orbital from participation in the \ensuremath{\pi} system give rise to a state in the gap. One such defect is formed by adding a H atom to create a ${\mathrm{C}}_{22}{\mathrm{H}}_{15}$ molecule with one fourfold C atom. In the neutral-charge state a single electron occupies a \ensuremath{\pi} orbital having reduced amplitude on the perturbed carbon atom. Charged defects correspond to addition or removal of an electron from this orbital. The possibility that these defects give rise to the bias-stress effect in pentacene-based thin film transistors is discussed.
The effects of glass-substrate's surface-treatment on the characteristics of N-channel polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors

We have examined the performance and hot-carrier stress reliability of n-channel polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin film transistors (TFTs) on RCA-leached glass. We have found out that the TFT’s performance and reliability are improved by RCA-leaching of the glass when compared to TFTs on bare glass due to the formation of a silica-rich layer on the glass surface by the RCA-leaching. The silica-rich layer acts as a barrier for impurity diffusion from glass as well as it modifies the poly-Si/glass interface which determines the physical structure of the active poly-Si.
Factors influencing light-rail station boardings in the United States

Abstract Many US cities have recently built or approved light-rail systems to combat congestion, sprawl, and pollution. Critics questions light rail’s ability to generate ridership in low-density, automobile-oriented, polycentric US cities with smaller downtowns. Proponents counter that sufficient numbers of homes and workplaces have convenient access to stations via walking, park-and-ride, or bus to develop feasible corridors connecting major residential areas with suburban concentrations of employment and the CBD. With this in mind, we used multiple regression to determine factors that contribute to higher light-rail ridership. Cross-sectional data on average weekday boardings were collected for the year 2000 for 268 stations in nine US cities representing a variety of urban settings. The results showed the importance of land use and accessibility. Employment, population, and percent renters within walking distance, as well as bus lines, park-and-ride spaces, and centrality, were significant. Dummy variables for terminal and transfer stations and international borders were all positive and significant. Total degree-days were negative and significant, lowering expectations for cities with extreme climates. Notably, the stations in the CBD generate much higher boardings, but these are explainable by the same variables present in lesser combinations at non-CBD stations and account for their generally lesser boardings. Importantly, a dummy variable for CBD location was not significant. The resulting model may be useful as a first-cut, one-step approach for predicting demand for possible light-rail alignments.
A New Approach to Prosthetic Control: EEG Motor Signal Tracking With an Adaptively Designed Phase-Locked Loop

The feasibility of using brain waves to control an externally powered prosthetic device for amputees was investigated. Two subjects were studied; one normal and one with a right hand disarticulation. Each subject, otherwise at rest, performed the protocol of voluntarily, repetitively opening and closing his hand. The normal accomplished this, while the amputee attempted to use her missing limb as if it were present. The time between opening and the next closing, and between closing and the next opening, was approximately 2 s. Simultaneously with this procedure, electroencephglograms (EEGs) were recorded from scalp electrodes presumably overlying the motor cortex on the left side, and an electromyogram (EMG) was taken from right forearm surface electrodes. The EEG and EMG were recorded on a polygraph and on magnetic tape. The latter recording was later sampled at 128 samples/s and quantized to 2 10 levels.
Maximum likelihood estimate of target angles for a conical scan tracking system in the presence of speckle

The equation for the maximum likelihood estimate of target angle is derived for a conical scan tracking system when the target produces speckle and Gaussian noise is present. Operation with a direct detection receiver is assumed with the average photon flux large enough so that the discrete nature of photoelectric events may be ignored. For large average SNRs, the estimate is shown to be unbiased and the variance of the estimate limited by both the average SNR and the number of degrees of freedom of the detected field.
Beta-alanine distribution in the lobster, Homarus americanus.

Abstract 1. 1. Whereas the distribution in lobster of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was restricted to nerve and muscle tissues, that of beta-alanine (BA) was more widespread and uniform. 2. 2. In abdominal, thoracic and subesophageal nerve cords and in cleaned peripheral motor nerve fibers, the GABA-BA ratio was 2–5 : 1. 3. 3. In walking leg peripheral nerves, the GABA-BA ratio was generally close to 1 or less than 1. 4. 4. Within abdominal nerve cords, the GABA-BA ratio was appreciably greater than 1 only in interganglionic connectives.
Electrochemical studies of self-doped conducting polymers: verification of the cation-popping doping mechanism

Abstract Cyclic voltammetry in conjunction with X-ray microprobe analysis has been used to investigate the doping mechanism in covalently-bonded-anion (self-doped) conducting polymers. The polymers investigated are the acid and sodium salt forms of poly 3-(4-butanesulfonate) thiophene (P3-BTSH and P3-BTSNa, respectively) and poly 3-(2-ethane sulphonate) thiophene (P3-ETSNa). These water-soluble polymers, whose synthesis is described in detail, were used (in the form of films cast from solution onto ITO glass or platinum sheets) as working electrodes in cyclic voltammetry experiments in which the proton or Na + concentration of the electrolyte was monitored. The results directly verify the proposed doping mechanism: charge injection into the π-electron system of the conjugated polymer accompanied by proton or sodium ion ejection, without incorporation of electrolyte anion, leaving behind the oppositely charge counterion.
Diamond Replication of Freezing Metal Structures

MANUFACTURED diamond exhibits a wide variety of surface detail which permanently preserves an impression of the immediate environment during the last moments of diamond growth.
Changes in plasma thyroxine during smoltification of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch.

Abstract Plasma thyroxine (T-4) levels of coho salmon at two different Columbia River hatcheries were measured by radioimmunoassay during the smoltification process. The T-4 concentration in plasma samples taken at 2-week intervals from late winter through spring showed a distinct peak. Basal levels (14 and 18 ng/ml) rose to as high as 65 and 91 ng/ml in mid-spring and subsequently returned to basal levels before summer solstice. The magnitude, duration and time of onset of the T-4 surge varied in the different stocks of coho salmon investigated. These results support the contention that the thyroid plays a role in regulation of salmon smoltification.
COAGULATION TIME OF THE BLOOD IN LOBAR PNEUMONIA

The coagulation time of the blood is generally prolonged during the acute stage of lobar pneumonia, returning to normal during the period of convalescence. There seems to be a simultaneous increase in the quantity of circulating fibrinogen. The lengthening of the coagulation time is probably due to an increased formation of antithrombin. The source of the increased antithrombin and fibrinogen is probably the liver, and the stimulus to increased production of these two substances is due to the nature of the infecting organism.
Generalizability and specificity of the stigma associated with the mental illness label: A reconsideration twenty‐five years later

The current status of the generalizability (i.e., application across situations) and specificity (i.e., differentiation from other deviant behavior stigmas) of the mental illness stigma was re-examined 25 years after delineation by Lamy (1966). College undergraduate students completed 30 forced-choice items measuring deep-level attitudes toward ex-mental patients vis-a-vis ex-convicts or ex-drug addicts. Etiological factors and various areas of functioning (i.e., psychological and social functioning, dating and romantic relationships, family, children, work, and rehabilitation and recidivism) were considered. An attitudinal hierarchy was found for the three deviant social roles, with the ex-drug addict role eliciting the least negative attitudes and the ex-convict role eliciting the most negative attitudes. The current results indicate that the stigma associated with the ex-mental patient role continues to be specific to that deviant social role; however, as compared to the results of Lamy, attitudes toward this deviant social role have evolved in a positive direction. The generalizability of the stigma reported by Lamy has diminished in relation to negative attitudes but remains somewhat stable for positive attitudes. Although college students were the participants in Lamy's study, their use in this study may restrict the generalizability of these deep-level attitude findings.
Recombinant rat IL-1β and IL-6 synergistically enhance C3 mRNA levels and complement component C3 secretion by H-35 rat hepatoma cells

Abstract Hepatic synthesis of complement component C3 is regulated in part by inflammatory cytokines. Rat models are frequently employed to investigate pathogenic roles of complement and cytokines. However, cytokines obtained from species other than the rat were used in previous studies of cytokine regulation of C3 synthesis in rat hepatocytes or hepatoma cells. It is not known whether these prior reports predict hepatocellular responses evoked by rat cytokines. Therefore, H-35 rat hepatoma cells were employed to measure the effect of recombinant rat IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α on C3 protein secretion and C3 mRNA levels quantified by ELISA and quantitative RT-PCR. Compared to untreated control cells, H-35 cells treated with IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ increased C3 secretion approximately 10-, 4-, and 2-fold, respectively. TNF-α was toxic, precluding further analysis. IL-1β and IL-6 demonstrated synergy with respect to the quantity and rate of increase of C3 mRNA measured and the magnitude of C3 protein secretion. Previous reports using non-rat cytokines did not consistently predict H-35 responses to rat cytokines. Consequently, we recommend the use of rat cytokines in rat models that include analysis of cytokine-mediated events.
Splittings, Satellites and Fine Structure in the Soft X-ray Spectroscopy of the Actinides

Perhaps the most demanding and powerful actinide spectroscopy is that using soft X-ray and VUV photons. Because of the relatively low energy and fairly small sampling depths of these photons and the corresponding electrons, it is necessary to use un-encapsulated samples with highly cleaned and well-prepared surfaces. This causes a myriad of sample containment problems for these radioactive materials. Despite these hindrances and difficulties, the soft-X-ray and ultra-violet spectroscopy of the actinides can provide an amazing level of detailed information, particularly having to do with 5f electronic structure. In this paper, the splittings, satellites and fine structure of the following actinide soft X-ray spectroscopies will be discussed: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-ray absorption spectroscopy; and inverse photoelectron spectroscopy, including Bremstrahlung isochromat spectroscopy and resonant inverse photoelectron spectroscopy.
Harnessing community energy: the keys to climate mitigation policy adoption in US municipalities

Many US municipalities are engaged in climate change mitigation planning or efforts to reduce their communities' greenhouse gas emissions. However, most have adopted very few policies to implement their climate change mitigation goals, and many others are not pursuing climate change mitigation at all. This study examines municipalities' approaches to energy and climate issues and identifies the “keys to success” that influence the extent to which they adopt climate change mitigation policies. Prior researchers have characterised climate change mitigation efforts as an example of multi-level governance, in which policies are formulated through a variety of networks and interactions between government actors and civil society. I find that municipalities that engage community interests and coordinate with neighbouring jurisdictions in their energy and climate planning processes are far more likely to adopt meaningful policies and conclude that such multi-level governance approaches are actually critical to t...
Secondary Neurologic Injury Resulting from Nonhypotensive Hemorrhage Combined with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Although the emergency physician often treats patients with multiple injuries, there are relatively few clinically relevant models that mimic these situations. To describe the changes after a hemorrhagic insult superimposed on traumatic brain injury (TBI), anesthetized and ventilated juvenile pigs were assigned to 35% hemorrhage (35H), TBI (via fluid percussion); TBI + 35H, and TBI + 40H (40% hemorrhage). Animals were resuscitated with shed blood and crystalloid. Hemodynamic, metabolic, behavioral, and histologic parameters were assessed for 48 h. In TBI, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was not significantly different from baseline. For TBI + 40H, MAP fell by 60% (p < 0.05). This was corrected with resuscitation. Interestingly, TBI + 35H did not show a fall in MAP, while in 35H, MAP was reduced similarly to the TBI + 40H group. ICP was elevated only initially in the TBI group. In TBI + 40H and TBI + 35H, ICP increased markedly with resuscitation, remaining elevated for 60 min. ICP remained at baseline with 35 H. Hemorrhagic focal cerebal contusions at the gray-white interface were observed in 3/5 of TBI + 40H and 5/7 of TBI + 35H. Despite the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in all the animals in the TBI alone group, none of these animals demonstrated grossly discernible intraparenchymal injury. There was no evidence of intracranial injury in the 35H group. Only in animals receiving a secondary insult of hemorrhage following the primary TBI were cerebral contusions found. These experiments demonstrate the evolution of cerebral contusions as a form of secondary neurologic injury following resuscitation from traumatic brain injury and hemorrhage, even in the absence of significant blood pressure changes.
Semantic State Space for High-level Maneuver Planning in Structured Traffic Scenes

Originating from simple cruise control systems that monitor and control the speed of the vehicle, driver assistance systems have evolved into intelligent systems. Future assistance systems will combine information from different sensors and data sources to build up a model of the current traffic scene. This way they will be able to assist in challenging tasks in complex situations. Towards this goal, the authors present a semantic scene representation for modeling traffic scenes. Based on a geometric representation a semantic representation is defined using an ontology to model relevant traffic elements and relations. Considering potential relations of the ego vehicle, a semantic state space of the ego vehicle is derived. Transitions are defined that model state changes (maneuvers). The model can be used for example for situation analysis and high level planning for driving hint generation or automated driving. The method is evaluated in different traffic situations and on real sensor data. It is going to be applied to (semi-)automated driving in a real test vehicle.
Population density and youth antisocial behavior

Theoretical models concerning how neighborhood contexts adversely influence juvenile antisocial behavior frequently focus on urban neighborhoods; however, previous studies comparing urban and rural areas on the prevalence of youth antisocial behavior have yielded mixed results. The current study uses longitudinal data on the offspring of a nationally representative sample of mothers (N = 4,886) in the US. There was no relation between density and mother-reported child conduct problems across ages 4-13 years, but youth living in areas of greater population density exhibited more youth self-reported delinquency across 10-17 years. Families often moved to counties with greater or lesser population density, but longitudinal analyses treating population density as a time-varying covariate did not support the hypothesis that living in densely populated counties influenced youth delinquency. Rather, the association between population density and delinquency appears to be due to unmeasured selection variables that differ between families who live in more or less densely populated counties.
Assessment of Residential Housing in Léogâne, Haiti, and Identification of Needs for Rebuilding after the January 2010 Earthquake

Two months after the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, a reconnaissance team from the University of Notre Dame traveled to Leogâne with a follow up trip in August 2010. The team sought to determine the failur...
Role of culture and toxin detection in laboratory testing for diagnosis ofClostridium difficile-associated diarrhea

Two variations of an egg yolk agar base medium containing cycloserine, cefoxitin, and fructose (CCFA), one with 250 μg and the other with 500 μg of cycloserine/ml of agar medium were compared to study the effect of the cycloserine concentration on recovery ofClostridium difficile from stool samples. In addition, the role of prior anaerobic reduction of these media in the detection ofClostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) was tested. Each medium was studied over a two-month period, with outcome compared between the testing periods and to historical data from our institution. Clinical correlation of test results was performed. The use of the originally described formulation of CCFA with 500 μg of cycloserine/ml of agar combined with 4 h of anaerobic reduction prior to specimen inoculation increased the rate of isolation of toxigenicClostridium difficile from clinical specimens from 6 to 17% (p < 0.001). Combining direct detection of stool toxin and properly performed culture for toxigenicClostridium difficile enhances the potential for diagnosis of CDAD. For optimal performance the culture medium should contain the originally proposed cycloserine concentration of 500 μg/ml of agar and should be anaerobically reduced at least 4 h prior to specimen inoculation.
Estrogen-Dependent Twenty-four-Hour Periodicity in Pituitary LH Release in the Female Hamster1

Ovariectomized hamsters were used to study the sites and mechanisms of action of estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) in controlling the synthesis and release of LH by the anterior pituitary. Progesterone alone or in combination with E had no effect on the pituitary content or concentration of LH. Correlated with a lower concentration of pituitary LH in E-treated animals was an increased release of LH in the afternoon. Estrogen alone depressed morning levels of serum LH to 40% of that observed in controls; in combination with P, E further depressed serum LH to values comparable to those found on diestrus. No effect on serum LH by P alone was observed. Pituitary responsiveness to purified exogenous LH-RH was diminished by the combination of E and P, but not by either steroid alone. Serum LH was elevated at 1500 hr for 3 consecutive days in ovariectomized (ovx) hamsters primed with E; this elevation, which was both quantitatively and temporally comparable to the preovulatory LH surge at proestrus was not obser...
Analysis and quantitation of biotinylated apoB-containing lipoproteins with streptavidin-Cy3.

Non denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (GGE) is commonly used to analyze the size distribution of lipoprotein particles. Its relatively low sensitivity and linear dynamic range limit use of GGE to quantify protein content of lipoproteins. We demonstrate a new high sensitivity method for analysis and quantitation of biotinylated apoli- poprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins using a fluores- cent streptavidin-Cy3 conjugate and non covalent preelec- trophoretic binding. Forty-four lipoprotein subfractions spanning the VLDL and LDL particle spectrum subfrac- tions (11 each from four human subjects) were prepared by density gradient ultracentrifugation. An aliquot of each sample was biotinylated and GGE was performed. Gels also were stained for lipid with Oil Red O (32 samples) and for protein with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (30 samples). There was a significant relationship between the Cy3 fluorescent label area under the curve and the mass of apoB ( P � 0.02- 0.004) and total cholesterol ( P � 0.03-0.004). Particle di- ameters of each absorbence/fluorescent peak were com- parable between Oil-Red O and streptavidin-Cy3 treated biotinylated lipoproteins ( � 3.54 A, P � 0.3). Biotinyl- ation and prestaining of lipoprotein particle with streptavi- din-Cy3 provides a new fluorescence-based method for de- tection and quantitative analysis of lipoprotein subspecies by gradient gel electrophoresis. —Berneis, K., M. La Belle, P. J. Blanche, and R. M. Krauss. Analysis and quantitation of biotinylated apoB-containing lipoproteins with Cy3-strepta- vidin. J. Lipid Res. 2002. 43: 1155-1159.
A novel reductive nitrogenation approach for synthesizing aluminum nitride powders

A novel low temperature chemical approach has been developed for synthesizing aluminum nitride powders. The process involves the reaction of aluminum trichloride (AlCl3) with anhydrous hydrazine (N2H4) in an acetonitrile solution in the presence of metallic lithium to induce a reductive precipitation reaction. Results of the XRD analyses conducted on the pyrolyzed powders obtained after heat-treatment at 800°C in either UHP-Ar or NH3 indicate the formation of a mixture of hexagonal AlN and lithium chloride (LiCl). LiCl can be removed either by washing with acetone or by subsequent heat-treatment of the precursors in UHP-Ar or NH3 beyond 1000°C, resulting in single-phase hexagonal AlN powders. This new approach therefore demonstrates the potential for synthesizing precursors at room temperature for the subsequent generation of AlN powders at temperatures as low as 800°C.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone gene expression in the bovine brain: anatomical localization and regulation by ovarian state.

Experiments were conducted to identify neurons in the bovine brain that express the LHRH gene and to determine whether LHRH mRNA levels are influenced by the ovaries. Two groups of postpubertal heifers were utilized: heifers killed during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle (LUTEAL, n = 5) and heifers killed 14-16 wk following ovariectomy (OVX, n = 5). In situ hybridization was performed through use of a 52P-end-labeled deoxyoligonucleotide (59 mer) complementary to the human LHRH mRNA sequence. LHRH-expressing neurons were identified in the diagonal band of Broca, the preoptic area, and the anterior hypothalamus in a manner consistent with immunocytochemical localization. Reduced silver grains, proportional to LHRH mRNA content, were quantified (in pixels, 45x objective) with an image analysis system. Expected serum hormone concentration differences between endocrine states were confirmed by radioimmunoassay for progesterone (LUTEAL > OVX, p LUTEAL, p < 0.01). Compared to the OVX group, LUTEAL heifers had 34% fewer LHRH-expressing neurons (p < 0.05); on the average, these neurons possessed 28% fewer pixels/cell (p < 0.01), indicating fewer copies of LHRH mRNA per cell. When the numbers of pixels in all labeled cells were totalled, LUTEAL animals had 57% fewer pixels (p < 0.05) than did the OVX females-probably reflecting a decrease in LHRH synthetic capacity in the LUTEAL animals. Therefore, during the mid-luteal phase of the bovine estrous cycle, ovarian steroid (i.e., luteal progesterone) suppression of LHRH release (as reflected by serum LH) is coincident with decreased LHRH mRNA in the brain. In summary, the quantity of LHRH mRNA, as well as the number of detectable LHRH-expressing neurons in the bovine brain, is influenced by the ovaries.
Are preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide levels associated with outcome after pulmonary artery banding and the double switch operation in patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries: A pilot study

From the Division of Pediatric Anesthesia, Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, Calif; Pediatric Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif; and Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Calif. This study was made possible by funding from the Pediatric Heart Center Research Program, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, Stanford CTSA (grant number UL1 RR025744). Disclosures: Authors have nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publication April 17, 2014; revisions received June 17, 2014; accepted for publication July 7, 2014; available ahead of print Aug 16, 2014. Address for reprints: Danton S. Char, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, H3580, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305 (E-mail: dchar@stanford.edu). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2014;148:2434-6 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2014 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2014.07.003
Discovery of Methyl 4′-Methyl-5-(7-nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylate, an Improved Small-Molecule Inhibitor of c-Myc–Max Dimerization

c-Myc is a basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-ZIP) transcription factor that is responsible for the transcription of a wide range of target genes involved in many cancer-related cellular processes. Over-expression of c-Myc has been observed in, and directly contributes to, a variety of human cancers including those of the hematopoietic system, lung, prostate and colon. To become transcriptionally active, c-Myc must first dimerize with Myc-associated factor X (Max) via its own bHLH-ZIP domain. A proven strategy towards the inhibition of c-Myc oncogenic activity is to interfere with the structural integrity of the c-Myc–Max heterodimer. The small molecule 10074-G5 is an inhibitor of c-Myc–Max dimerization (IC50=146 μM) that operates by binding and stabilizing c-Myc in its monomeric form. We have identified a congener of 10074-G5, termed 3jc48-3 (methyl 4′-methyl-5-(7-nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylate), that is about five times as potent (IC50=34 μM) at inhibiting c-Myc–Max dimerization as the parent compound. 3jc48-3 exhibited an approximate twofold selectivity for c-Myc–Max heterodimers over Max–Max homodimers, suggesting that its mode of action is through binding c-Myc. 3jc48-3 inhibited the proliferation of c-Myc-over-expressing HL60 and Daudi cells with single-digit micromolar IC50 values by causing growth arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated that 3jc48-3 inhibits c-Myc–Max dimerization in cells, which was further substantiated by the specific silencing of a c-Myc-driven luciferase reporter gene. Finally, 3jc48-3′s intracellular half-life was >17 h. Collectively, these data demonstrate 3jc48-3 to be one of the most potent, cellularly active and stable c-Myc inhibitors reported to date.
Eye movements in Daphnia magna. Regions of the eye are specialized for different behaviors.

Three types of behavior of the compound eye of Daphnia magna are characterized: ‘flick’, a transient rotation elicited by a brief flash of light; ‘fixation’, a maintained eye orientation in response to a stationary light stimulus of long-duration; ‘tracking’, the smooth pursuit of a moving stimulus. The magnitudes of the flick and fixation responses vary with stimulus position and are generally proportional to stimulus intensity, although at high intensities there is an attenuation of both behaviors. When the stimulus is placed at a position ∼80° dorsal to the eye axis, there is no response; this area is called the null region. For stationary stimuli in other positions, the direction of the response is such as to bring the stimulus closer to the null region. During tracking, the relative positions of the eye and stimulus change; the eye velocity is approximately half that of the moving stimulus. The regions of the eye in which these behaviors may be induced are different, being largest for flick and smallest for tracking. It is proposed that flick and fixation responses are a means for rotating the eye so that the stimulus is within the area surrounding the null region which is used for tracking.
Another rare cause of encephalopathy

A 45-year-old woman with a medical history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis presented with a progressively worsening occipital headache for 24 h associated with blurry vision and vomiting. The headache had an intermittent pattern with no pain-free periods. She used to have mild intermittent occipital headaches for the last 6 months which fluctuated and responded to over the counter pain medications, but this time it was more severe and did not respond to the same medications. No other neurological deficits, relieving or aggravating factors were noted and neither …
Safety coaches in radiology: decreasing human error and minimizing patient harm

Successful programs to improve patient safety require a component aimed at improving safety culture and environment, resulting in a reduced number of human errors that could lead to patient harm. Safety coaching provides peer accountability. It involves observing for safety behaviors and use of error prevention techniques and provides immediate feedback. For more than a decade, behavior-based safety coaching has been a successful strategy for reducing error within the context of occupational safety in industry. We describe the use of safety coaches in radiology. Safety coaches are an important component of our comprehensive patient safety program.
PCDD and PCDF emissions from simulated sugarcane field burning.

The emissions from simulated sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) field burns were sampled and analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs and PCDFs). Sugarcane leaves from Ha...
The Effect of Familiar Melodies on Initial Learning and Long-term Memory for Unconnected Text

In two experiments we tested the hypothesis that music, in the form of a familiar melody, can serve as an effective mnemonic device. Prior research has provided very little support for this commonly held belief. In both studies, participants learned a list of names that they heard either spoken or sung to a familiar tune. In Experiment 1, the melody was "Pop Goes the Weasel"; in Experiment 2, the melody was "Yankee Doodle." We measured the number of trials to learn the list initially and the number of trials to relearn the list a week later. In both studies, there was no advantage in initial learning for those who learned the names to the musical accompaniment. However,in both studies, participants who heard the sung version required fewer trials to relearn the list of names a week later than did participants who heard the spoken version.
Spatial Foraging Patterns and Colony Energy Status in the African Honey Bee, Apis mellifera scutellata

The relationship between changes in foraging patterns (inferred from waggle dance activity) and colony energy status (inferred from brood rearing activity, food storage, and colony weight) was examined for the African honey bee during a period of relative resource abundance and resource dearth. When resources were more abundant mean foraging distances (about 400 m) and foraging areas (4–5 km2) were small, and colonies recruited to 12–19 different sites per day. Colony foraging ranges and sites visited increased slightly during the dearth period, yet foraging continued to be concentrated within less than 10 km2. The degree to which fluctuations in foraging patterns were correlated with colony energy status varied with the availability of floral resources. During periods of relative forage abundance, increases in foraging range and number of sites visited were significantly correlated with increases in brood rearing and colony weight. In contrast, colonies examined during periods of resource dearth exhibited no correlations between foraging areas, foraging distances, and fluctuations in brood rearing, food storage, or colony weight. Thus, during dearth periods colonies may not be able to coordinate foraging patterns with changes in colony energy status.
Effects of therapist's nonverbal communication on rated skill and effectiveness

A therapist's nonverbal behavior may communicate emotion and feelings toward a client. Thus, skilled utilization of appropriate nonverbal cues should facilitate many nonbehavioral therapies. A 2 X 2 X 2 factorial experiment investigated the therapy-facilitating effects of three theoretical dimensions of nonverbal communication: Immediacy, potency or status, and responsivity. A reenacted client-centered therapy session was videotaped. Verbal content was held constant, but all combinations of the three nonverbal dimensions were portrayed. A total of 118 male and female nonparticipant observers rated the therapist's interpersonal skills (empathy, warmth, and genuineness) and effectiveness. The results disclosed that the nonverbal cues of immediacy (close therapist-client distance and eye contact) significantly improved ratings of the therapist's interpersonal skills and effectiveness. Thus, the study demonstrated that a therapist's nonverbal behavior is a basis for interpretations of empathy, warmth, genuiness, and effectiveness. These findings were interpreted in terms of the therapist's nonverbal cues communicating liking and acceptance of the client.
Miracles and the case for theism

Contre les apologetes chretiens, l'A. affirme que le miracle ne constitue pas a lui seul une preuve de l'existence de Dieu| mais le miracle peut servir d'appoint a une preuve de l'existence de Dieu fondee sur un autre critere, ceci contre J. L. Mackie, " The Miracle of Theism ", 1982
Percutaneous saphenous vein graft intervention with sequential embolic protection devices: complementing lesion anatomy with embolic protection device.

Saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) carries unique technical challenges requiring the utilization of embolic protection devices (EPDs) to reduce the adverse events associated with distal embolization. Distal embolization is a common and almost ubiquitous consequence of SVG PCI due to the soft and friable nature of the SVG lesions. We describe a case of revascularizing a SVG with tandem stenoses employing the use of two different EPDs that complemented their respective lesion's location within the SVG. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Preparation of Polymer–Carbon Nanotube Composite Materials and Their Applications for Enzyme Entrapment

Abstract Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), single‐, double‐, and multiwalled can be easily suspended up to 10 mg/ml in biocompatible carboxymethylcellulose or κ‐carrageenan as these polymers are envisioned to wrap themselves around CNTs effectively forming aqueous solutions. Glucose oxidase was used as a model to show the biocompatibility and stability of the entrapped enzyme in a κ‐carrageenan‐CNT network.
JNK2 Is a Positive Regulator of the cJun Transcription Factor

Summary The cJun NH 2 -terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway is established to be an important mechanism of regulation of the cJun transcription factor. Studies of Jnk1 −/− and Jnk2 −/− mice suggest that the JNK1 and JNK2 isoforms have opposite effects on cJun expression and proliferation. Here, we demonstrate, using a chemical genetic approach, that both JNK1 and JNK2 are positive regulators of these processes. We show that competition between JNK1 and JNK2 contributes to the opposite phenotypes caused by JNK1 and JNK2 deficiency. Our analysis illustrates the power of a chemical genetics approach for the analysis of signal transduction pathways and also highlights the limitations of single gene knockout strategies for the analysis of signaling pathways that are formed by a network of interacting proteins.
The new' democratic woman of modernity: Georgia O'Keeffe and Melanie Klein

O’Keeffe put into visual language the psychic splitting that had occurred between the sexes in the United States, attempting to integrate what had formerly been separated as feminine and masculine into the female psyche. In her most important contribution, she explored presence rather than absence and opened up possibilities for thinking about openings. The concept of the female opening in particular had heretofore been assigned a negative meaning, signifying more often than not a gaping wound rather than a space and place of possibilities.