cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Perinatal Risk Factors Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability (ID), and Co-occurring ASD and ID

While studies report associations between perinatal outcomes and both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), there has been little study of ASD with versus without co-occurring ID. We compared perinatal risk factors among 7547 children in the 2006–2010 Autism and Developmental Disability Monitoring Network classified as having ASD + ID, ASD only, and ID only. Children in all three groups had higher rates of preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age, and low Apgar score than expected based on the US birth cohort adjusted for key socio-demographic factors. Associations with most factors, especially PTB, were stronger for children with ID only than children with ASD + ID or ASD only. Associations were similar for children with ASD + ID and ASD only.
Acinar cell cystadenoma of the pancreas: report of three cases and literature review.

Introduction Acinar cell cystadenoma (ACC) of the pancreas was first described as a distinct pancreatic cystic neoplasm in 2002.
Melanoma: Is More Diagnosis Better?

As melanoma has become more common and health care costs increase, it is useful to evaluate the nonspecialist's ability to act as a “first line of defense” for the general public. Chen et al.1 have compared the diagnostic acumen of dermatologists and primary care practitioners (PCPs) for melanoma. The good news from this evaluation is that the PCP diagnostic abilities—while not as good as the experts, the dermatologists—are actually very good: Area under the curve: 0.80 versus the 0.89 of dermatologists for diagnosis and 0.76 versus 0.84 for management of pigmented lesions. Further good news is that the dermatologists did, as anticipated, perform better.
Engineering the Caenorhabditis elegans genome using Cas9-triggered homologous recombination

Study of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has provided important insights in a wide range of fields in biology. The ability to precisely modify genomes is critical to fully realize the utility of model organisms. Here we report a method to edit the C. elegans genome using the clustered, regularly interspersed, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease and homologous recombination. We demonstrate that Cas9 is able to induce DNA double-strand breaks with specificity for targeted sites and that these breaks can be repaired efficiently by homologous recombination. By supplying engineered homologous repair templates, we generated gfp knock-ins and targeted mutations. Together our results outline a flexible methodology to produce essentially any desired modification in the C. elegans genome quickly and at low cost. This technology is an important addition to the array of genetic techniques already available in this experimentally tractable model organism.
Firmness of Enzymatically-Formed Milk Gels Measured by Resistance to Oscillatory Deformation

Abstract Firmness of milk gels formed with rennet extract and a mixture of rennet and porcine pepsin (Chymoset) was measured with an apparatus developed by CSIRO, Australia. The device consisted of two juxtapositioned diaphragms; one oscillated and sent pulses through the milk gel to a receiving diaphragm. The extent of pulses or deformations transmitted through the gel was proportional to gel firmness. Variability in rates of firming was greater between replicate samples treated with pepsin-rennet than between replicate samples treated with rennet. The apparatus was used successfully to monitor curd firmness under commercial cheese-making conditions. The equipment is simple, sturdy, easily cleaned, does not distrub the gel structure, and yields accurate, reproducible data.
Kirkpatrick's Level 1 Evaluation of the Implementation of a Computer-Aided Process Design Tool in a Senior-Level Engineering Course

Computer simulation tools are frequently used in engineering design work, and undergraduates are often trained to use these tools as they learn to design systems. The use of new tools in the learning environment should be evaluated to assure that the students are able to use the tools effectively. This study details and demonstrates the use of a Kirkpatrick's Level 1 Evaluation to assess the effectiveness of an instructional environment in which students learn to use a computer simulation tool to perform engineering design work. Specifically, an evaluation was conducted to look at student perceptions of FOODS-LIB—a steady-state food process design tool, its user's manual learning modules, and the implementation of FOODS-LIB in a senior level design course. This evaluation was triangulated with an instructor's assessment of student products generated as the students used the learning modules and designed an ice cream manufacturing process using FOODS-LIB.
Broadband neural encoding in the cricket cercal sensory system enhanced by stochastic resonance.

SENSORY systems are often required to detect a small amplitude signal embedded in broadband background noise. Traditionally, ambient noise is regarded as detrimental to encoding accuracy. Recently, however, a phenomenon known as stochastic resonance has been described in which, for systems with a nonlinear threshold, increasing the input noise level can actually improve the output signal-to-noise ratio over a limited range of signal and noise strengths. Previous theoretical and experimental studies of stochastic resonance in physical1–7and biological6–10 systems have dealt exclusively with single-frequency sine stimuli embedded in a broadband noise background. In the past year it has been shown in a theoretical and modelling study that stochastic resonance can be observed with broadband signals11,12. Here we demonstrate that broadband stochastic resonance is manifest in the peripheral layers of neural processing in a simple sensory system, and that it plays a role over a wide range of biologically relevant stimulus parameters. Further, we quantify the functional significance of the phenomenon within the context of signal processing, using information theory.
Dissociation pressure and thermodynamic properties of Na2SiF6

Abstract The standard Gibbs energy for the dissociation of sodium fluosilicate (Na2SiF6) on the basis of the measured SiF4 pressure is given by the following relations (where ΔG° is in calories per mole): Na2SiF6(α) → 2NaF(s) + SiF4(g)Δ° = 38645−74.237T + 4.75TinT 298 K
Strategies for Preventing Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms during Wound Care Procedures

Abstract ISSUE: Group Health Cooperative experienced methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus outbreaks during a 12-month period in three ambulatory care clinics that perform wound care. Infection Control's investigation, findings, and interventions are described. PROJECT: IC investigations revealed similar disparities in wound-care procedures that promoted cross-contamination and transmission of microorganisms. These included inadequacies in: personal protective equipment and environmental barrier use, environmental and instrument cleaning and disinfection, and separation of clean versus dirty items and procedures. Several strategies and interventions were implemented, procedures were written, staff education presented, and a multidisciplinary Wound Care Committee was formed that developed a Wound Care Training Program which included infection control principles and practices. RESULTS: Immediate interventions eliminated the outbreaks and transmission. The Wound Care Training that was developed as a result of the infection control assessment and risk identification has been effective in raising the infection control awareness of staff across the continuum of care and has promoted standardization of procedures and supplies and improved patient outcomes. No further outbreaks have occurred. All training and procedures have been applied across the GHC continuum of care (inpatient, home care, outpatient settings). LESSONS LEARNED: Infection control assessment and involvement in wound-care procedures and practice, and wound-care training that includes infection control principles and practices, is imperative in raising the staff infection control awareness and patient risks of multidrug-resistant organism transmission and acquisition that can occur as a direct result of the performance of wound care.
Theory of Optimal Weighting of Data to Detect Climatic Change.

Abstract A search for climatic change predicted by climate models can easily yield unconvincing results because of “climatic noise,” the inherent, unpredictable variability of time-averaged atmospheric data. We describe a weighted average of data that maximizes the probability of detecting predicted climatic change. To obtain the optimal weights, an estimate of the covariance matrix of the data from a prior data set is needed. This introduces additional sampling error into the method. We show how to take this into account. A form of the weighted average is found whose probability distribution is independent of the true (but unknown) covariance statistics of the data and of the climate model prediction. A table of critical values for statistical testing of the weighted average is given, based on Monte Carlo calculations. The results an exact when the prior data set consists of temporary uncorrelated samples.
SELECTIVE RADIOSENSITIZATION AND CYTOTOXICITY OF HUMAN MELANOMA CELLS USING HALOGENATED DEOXYCYTIDINES AND TETRAHYDROURIDINE

The halogenated pyrimidines 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine (CldCyd) and 5-bromo-2'-deoxycytidine (BrdCyd) can act as radiosensitizers and cytotoxic agents. It was hypothesized that tumor cells and normal cells might use different metabolic pathways to incorporate these halogenated deoxycytidines into DNA. This difference could potentially be exploited to produce selective radiosensitization and cytotoxicity of human tumor cells compared to normal human fibroblasts. This hypothesis was tested using two human melanoma cell lines and two normal fibroblast cell lines. Either CldCyd or BrdCyd alone caused both cytotoxicity and radiosensitization of tumor and normal cells. The addition of the cytidine deaminase inhibitor tetrahydrouridine (H4U) significantly protected the normal cells but had relatively little effect on the tumor cells. These data indicate that it may be possible to exploit differences between the pyrimidine metabolism of normal cells and melanoma cells to improve the therapeutic index of halogenated pyrimidines both as radiosensitizers and as cytotoxic agents.
Horse hemoglobins containing deutero- and mesoheme; functional and structural studies.

Summary Preliminary equilibrium, kinetic, and crystallographic investigations are reported for horse hemoglobin reconstituted with deutero- and mesoheme. Both modified hemoglobins exhibit lower n values, higher oxygen affinities, and more rapid rates of CO binding than native horse hemoglobin. Initial crystallographic results indicate that these derivatives are isomorphous with native horse metHb, thus allowing difference Fourier methods to be applied to structure determination.
Estimating Transactions Given Balance Sheets and an Income Statement

One way to develop an appreciation for the power and beauty of doubleentry is to derive consistent transaction vectors, i.e., start with financial statements and derive the transaction amounts that could have generated the statements. Working backward to uncover transactions (the inverting exercise) complements the more traditional approach of working forward from transactions to financial statements. In addition, the approach highlights a fundamental accounting activity: aggregation. Financial statements summarize a firm's transactions using only a relatively small number of account balances. A consequence of aggregation is that there are infinite consistent transaction vectors. However, because these infinite solutions are all prepared in accordance with double‐entry, they are linked to each other in a systematic fashion. We show how a directed graph representation of the accounting system can be used as a parsimonious means of characterizing all consistent transaction vectors. As the number of accounts...
Analysis of heterogeneous uptake by nanoparticles via differential mobility analysis–drift tube ion mobility spectrometry

Improved methods are needed to study sorption of vapor molecules by particles in the gas phase (heterogeneous uptake), which is an important process in both natural and engineered environments. Here, a new measurement system, composed of a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and drift tube ion mobility spectrometer (DTIMS) in series, is used to examine the heterogeneous uptake of water vapor by 2.85–7.6 nm particles composed of lithium and sodium iodide. The extent of heterogeneous uptake is determined by controlling the relative humidity of the drift region in the DTIMS in the 0–30% range (in air at atmospheric pressure and room temperature), and is quantified via the dimensionless growth factor (GF), i.e. the ratio of the mobility diameter of particles at a prescribed relative humidity relative to their mobility diameter under dry conditions. The precision in GF estimation of the DMA–DTIMS system is shown to be below 0.2%. An analytical equation to calculate the growth factor, based upon predictions of the equilibrium constants for the successive uptake of vapor molecules by particles, is also presented. While the equation is sufficiently general to enable comparison between measured GFs and predictions from any theoretical expression for equilibrium constants, we specifically compare measurements to GF predictions based on the classical Kelvin–Thomson–Raoult (KTR) model for the vapor pressure of a small particle, with consideration of the influence of the ion–dipole potential on water vapor–nanoparticle collisions. It is shown that KTR calculations drastically underpredict the extent of heterogeneous uptake for the examined nanoparticles.
Instructional Technology Research and Development in a US Physics Education Group.

The purpose of this brief paper is to provide insight into the kinds of work being done by an education research group in a US physics department. As will be evident, instructional technology raises many interesting questions and lends itself to a wide variety of studies. References and contacts are provided for readers wanting more detailed information on the research. The paper is based on a presentation given at the Workshop on Best Practices of ICT Use in a University Environment, 24 September 2004, in Zurich.
Molecular characterization of rat transforming growth factor-β type II receptor

Abstract A cDNA encoding the rat transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) type II receptor was isolated by hybridization from a rat pituitary gland cDNA library. The rat TGF-β type II receptor comprises 567 amino acid residues with a cysteine-rich extracellular domain, a single transmembrane domain and an intracellular protein kinase domain with predicted serine/threonine specificity. The comparison of the amino acid sequences of the rat and human TGF-β type II receptors indicated that they are highly conserved particularly in the intracellular kinase domain. RNA blot hybridization and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analyses showed that rat TGF-β type II receptor is widely distributed in various tissues and is expressed abundantly in the ovary and lung.
Safety and tolerability of oral loading divalproex sodium in acutely manic bipolar patients.

Background Achieving therapeutic blood levels of a mood stabilizer as quickly as possible is desirable in patients with acute mania. We examined the feasibility and safety of an accelerated oral loading strategy (divalproex, 30 mg/kg/day, on days 1 and 2, followed by 20 mg/kg/day on days 3-10) designed to bring serum valproate concentrations to therapeutic levels (i.e., above 50 microg/mL). Method Fifty-nine patients who met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for current manic episode and who had a Mania Rating Scale score > or = 14 were randomly assigned on a double-blind basis to receive divalproex oral loading (N = 20); divalproex nonloading (N = 20) at a starting dose of 250 mg t.i.d. on days 1 and 2, followed by standard dose titration for days 3 to 10; or lithium carbonate (N = 19) at a starting dose of 300 mg t.i.d., followed by standard dose titration for days 3 to 10. Results Eighty-four percent of the divalproex-loading patients, but only 30% of the divalproex-nonloading patients, had valproate serum levels above 50 microg/mL at day 3 of the study. None of the lithium-treated patients had serum lithium levels above 0.8 mEq/L at study day 3. No patient was removed from the study because of an adverse event. There were no significant differences between the groups in the frequencies or types of adverse events. Conclusion Accelerated oral loading with divalproex sodium is a feasible and safe method to bring serum valproate concentrations to effective levels rapidly.
A Shape Optimization Scheme With Coupling of Parametric and Freeform Shape Evolution

In this paper we propose a new shape optimization scheme for better geometric design starting from a base polygonal mesh model. The important features of our approach include: 1) surface partitioning scheme for handling large-scale polygonal meshes; 2) coupling of parametric and freeform shape evolution for efficient and effective solutions. 3) an optimization process constrained by constant volume in 3D cases. Numerical experiment indicates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Solid-state physics: How does your quasicrystal grow?

Somewhere between the amorphous glasses and the rigidly regimented periodic crystals lie the quasicrystals: ordered, predictable, yet non-periodic arrangements of atoms. How do these strange structures form?
Compact Silicon Carbide Switch For High Voltage Operation

Vanadium compensated, 6H silicon carbide (SiC) is investigated as a compact, high-power, linear-mode photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) material. SiC is an attractive material due to its high resistivity, high electrical breakdown strength, and long recombination times compared to other photoconductive materials. The PCSS is designed for fast-rise time, low-jitter (sub-nanosecond) operation in a matched 50 mu test bed. Ohmic contacts were applied by physical vapor deposition and initial test utilized an external Nd:YAG laser trigger source. Analysis of the optical properties of Va-compensated SiC and of switch conduction resistance are presented and performance of contact material is discussed.
Regional North American gravity and magnetic anomaly correlations

Summary. Correlation of gravity and magnetic anomalies combined with other geological and geophysical data is useful for enhancing the quality of geological interpretation of potential anomaly fields. Maps produced by equivalent point source inversion are used to investigate visual-spatial correlations of surface free-air gravity and POGO satellite magnetic anomalies and regional heat flow and tectonic data for North America and adjacent marine areas. A quantitative analysis of regional potential field anomaly correlations at satellite elevations is also considered utilizing Poisson’s theorem in a moving-window linear regression between derivatives of the anomalous gravity and magnetic fields. An inverse relationship is observed between long-wavelength gravity and magnetic anomalies over continental terrain. Negative gravity and positive magnetic anomalies are areas characterized by relatively thick crust and high magnetization. An example is a prominent magnetic high which corresponds to a trend of gravity minima extending from the Anadarko Basin to the Cincinnati Arch. Negative magnetic and positive gravity anomalies characterize thinner crust and regions of higher heat flow such as the Cordillera of North and Central America and specifically the Yellowstone geothermal region. Although gravity and magnetic anomalies over oceanic areas show poor correlation, the sign of the statistical correlation generally is positive. 1 Crustal correlation considerations The utility of long-wavelength gravity anomalies, covering several degrees of surface area, for geological analysis is well recognized. Magnetic anomalies which have significant energy in wavelengths of several hundred kilometres also have been identified as originating from within the Earth’s crust and perhaps the uppermost mantle. The geological interpretation of these regional anomalies is hindered by the effect of anomaly superposition and source ambiguity which is inherent to the analysis of potential fields. An approach to minimizing these limitations, especially in continental terrains, is to evaluate the correlation between anomalous gravity and magnetic fields. The basis of correlation analysis is the hypothesis, commonly validated in continental areas, that variations in lithology and physical properties of the crystalline crust are reflected
A methodology for analyzing curvature in the developing brain from preterm to adult

The character and timing of gyral development is one manifestation of the complex orchestration of human brain development. The ability to quantify these changes would not only allow for deeper understanding of cortical development but also conceivably allow for improved detection of pathologies. This article describes a FreeSurfer-based image-processing analysis “pipeline” or methodology that inputs an MRI volume, corrects possible contrast defects, creates surface reconstructions, and outputs various curvature-based function analyses. A technique of performing neonate reconstructions using FreeSurfer, which has not been possible previously because of inverted image contrast in premyelinated brains, is described. Once surfaces are reconstructed, the analysis component of the pipeline incorporates several surface-based curvature functions found in literature (principle curvatures, Gaussian, mean curvature, “curvedness,” and Willmore Bending Energy). We consider the problem of analyzing curvatures from different sized brains by introducing a Gaussian-curvature based variable-radius filter. Segmented volume data are also analyzed for folding measures: a gyral folding index (gyrification-white index GWI) and a gray-white matter junction folding index (WMF). A very simple curvature-based classifier is proposed that has the potential to discriminate between certain classes of subjects. We also present preliminary results of this curvature analysis pipeline on nine neonate subjects (30.4 weeks through 40.3 weeks Corrected Gestational Age), three children (2, 3, and 7 years), and three adults (33, 37, and 39 years). Initial results demonstrate that curvature measures and functions across our subjects peaked at term, with a gradual decline through early childhood and further decline continuing through to adults. We can also discriminate older neonates, children, and adults based on curvature analysis. Using a variable radius Gaussian-curvature filter, we also observed that the per-unit bending energy of neonate brain surfaces was also much higher than the children and adults. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 18, 42–68, 2008
ERBB3-Independent Activation of the PI3K Pathway in EGFR-Mutant Lung Adenocarcinomas

ERBB3, a member of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases, has been implicated in activation of the phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway in human lung adenocarcinomas driven by EGFR mutations. We investigated the contribution of ERBB3 to the initiation, progression and therapeutic response of EGFR-induced lung adenocarcinomas using tetracycline- and tamoxifen- inducible transgenic mouse models. Deletion of Erbb3 at the time of induction of mutant EGFR had no effect on tumorigenesis, demonstrating that ERBB3 is not required to initiate tumorigenesis. Tumors that developed in the absence of ERBB3 remained sensitive to EGFR TKIs and retained activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Interestingly, acute loss of Erbb3 suppressed further growth of established EGFRL858R-mediated lung tumors. Four weeks after deletion of Erbb3, the tumors exhibited phosphorylation of EGFR, of the adaptor proteins GAB1 and GAB2 and, of the downstream signaling molecules AKT and ERK suggesting that alternative signaling pathways could compensate for loss of Erbb3. Similar to our observations with mouse tumors, we found that GAB adaptor proteins play a role in ERBB3 independent activation of the PI3K pathway by mutant EGFR in EGFR mutant human cell lines. Finally, in such cell lines, increased levels of phosphorylation of ERBB2 or MET were associated with reduced sensitivity to acute loss of ERBB3, suggesting remarkable plasticity in the signaling pathways regulated by mutant EGFR with important therapeutic implications.
Estimating 3D camera motion without correspondences using a search for the best structure

A novel approach is presented for recovering the motion parameters of a camera from two frames. The proposed method does not require establishing point correspondences between the images, as does most current techniques. Our approach is also more straightforward than the very few non-correspondence motion estimation algorithms. It is based on the estimation of structure for each given set of motion parameters. This resulting structure is then evaluated in an optimization process using saliency metrics, until the best structure and motion parameters are obtained. In this work we have devised and tested two different structure metrics: the first based on scatter and the second using tensor voting. Experimental results show that this method is effective and can be used in video-based scene modeling systems.
Deletion of the BMP receptor BMPR1a impairs mammary tumor formation and metastasis

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are secreted cytokines/growth factors belonging to the Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) family. BMP ligands have been shown to be overexpressed in human breast cancers. Normal and cancerous breast tissue display active BMP signaling as indicated by phosphorylated Smads 1, 5 and 9. We combined mice expressing the MMTV.PyMT oncogene with mice having conditional knockout (cKO) of BMP receptor type 1a (BMPR1a) using whey acidic protein (WAP)-Cre and found this deletion resulted in delayed tumor onset and significantly extended survival. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that cKO tumors co-expressed Keratin 5 and mesenchymal cell markers such as Vimentin. This indicates that epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT)-like transitions occurred in cKO tumors. We performed microarray analysis on these tumors and found changes that support EMT-like changes. We established primary tumor cell lines and found that BMPR1a cKO had slower growth in vitro and in vivo upon implantation. cKO tumor cells had reduced migration in vitro. We analyzed human databases from TCGA and survival data from microarrays to confirm BMPR1a tumor promoting functions, and found that high BMPR1a gene expression correlates with decreased survival regardless of molecular breast cancer subtype. In conclusion, the data indicate that BMP signaling through BMPR1a functions as a tumor promoter.
FDTD Analysis on Extraction Efficiency of GaN Light-Emitting Diodes With Microsphere Arrays

The improvement of light extraction efficiency of InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) using microsphere arrays with various refractive indices was analyzed. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations show that the use of microsphere (dmicrosphere = 500 nm) arrays with refractive indices of 1.8 and 2.5 led to increase in light extraction efficiency of InGaN LEDs by 1.9 times and 2.2 times, respectively. The enhancement in light extraction efficiency is attributed to the decrease in the Fresnel reflection and increase in effective photon escape cone due to graded refractive index and curvature formed between microsphere and free space. The maximum enhancement of light extraction efficiency of InGaN quantum well LEDs was achieved by employing the refractive index matched anatase-TiO2 microsphere arrays. The effects of microsphere diameters on the light extraction efficiency were also investigated and 2.4 times enhancement was achieved by employing 400-nm refractive index matched TiO2 sphere arrays.
Antarctic Circumpolar Current will remain in position

Using data from a new, coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model, HiGEM, Graham et al. predict that warming air temperatures may shift westerlies, the prevailing wind at 60°S latitudes, farther south by more than 1° over the next few decades. The shifting westerlies may push warm ocean fronts (intense currents dividing warmer subtropical ocean waters from cold polar water) farther south, closer to Antarctica. Of particular importance is the location of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which lies immediately to the south of the subtropical warm ocean currents and moves clockwise from west to east around Antarctica. ACC keeps the warm ocean waters away from Antarctica, enabling that continent to maintain its huge ice sheet.
Increased lymphatic drainage from renal transplant Explanation for perinephric pseudocyst

Abstract The renal allograft is the source of increased lymphatic drainage following transplantation. A tenfold increase is seen at two to five days. Regeneration of renal lymphatics occurs after eleven to fourteen days.
An Annotated List of the Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Mississippi

There has been no previous systematic statewide study of mosquitoes in Mississippi. This survey, resulting in the collection of over 400,000 specimens, was conducted by the authors from 2003 to 2007 throughout much of the state using CO2-baited CDC light traps and larval dipping. In addition, a health department contract mosquito surveillance technician collected several thousand specimens from the state from 2001 to 2003. Lastly, specimens housed at the Mississippi State University Entomological Museum, obtained from previous surveys, were included as vouchers for species occurring in the state. The collection records and literature show 60 species as occurring or having occurred in Mississippi. Voucher specimens representing 57 of the 60 species discussed are deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum or in the U.S. National Museum of Natural History (USNM), Washington, D.C.
Isolation and characterization of alkaloids from Caulophyllum thalictroides

The lupin alkaloids, methylcytisine, baptifoline, and anagyrine, and the aporphine alkaloid, magnoflorine, were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Caulophyllum thalictroides . Separation of the tertiary lupin alkaloids was by partition column chromatography while magnoflorine was obtained after chromatography on alumina.
Mesoporous silica nanomaterial-based biotechnological and biomedical delivery systems

This review details the recent advancements in the design of mesoporous silica nanomaterials for controlled release drug, gene and neurotransmitter delivery applications. The high surface area (>900 m2/g), tunable pore diameter (2-20 nm) and uniform mesoporous structure (hexagonal channels or cubic pores) of the mesoporous silicas offer a unique advantage for loading and releasing large quantities of biomedical agents. Recent breakthroughs in controlling the particle size and shape of these materials have greatly improved the biocompatibility and the cellular uptake efficiency. The strategy of using various removable capping moieties, such as photo- or redox-responsive organic groups, inorganic nanoparticles, dendrimers and polymers, to encapsulate guest biomolecules inside the porous matrices further enables the utilization of these surface-functionalized mesoporous silica nanomaterials for stimuli-responsive controlled release in vitro and in vivo. In addition to the reviewed studies, many new and exciting applications of these novel materials will soon be realized.
Regulated interleukin-10 expression prevents chronic rejection of transplanted hearts.

Abstract Objective Interleukin-10 is a pleiotrophic cytokine with variable effects on the alloimmune response, depending on the experimental model system. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of regulated interleukin-10 expression on the development of chronic rejection in heart transplantation, or cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Methods Donor hearts from B6.C-H2 bm12 mice were transplanted into wild-type and interleukin-10 transgenic recipients. In interleukin-10 transgenic recipients, murine interleukin-10 cytokine is produced under the control of human interleukin-2 promoter. Donor hearts were sacrificed at days 7 and 24. No immunosuppression was used. Intimal proliferation was measured morphometrically. Intragraft cellular infiltrate was defined by both immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Intracellular cytokine staining assay was performed to determine both the type and source of intragraft cytokines. Results Hearts transplanted into wild-type recipients developed severe cardiac allograft vasculopathy by 24 days. Intimal lesions were absent in the donor hearts transplanted into interleukin-10 transgenic recipients. The number of graft-infiltrating T lymphocytes and the percentage of interleukin-2/interferon-γ producing T lymphocytes were markedly reduced in interleukin-10 transgenic recipients. Finally, the overexpression of interleukin-10 resulted in the decline of graft-infiltrating macrophages at all time points. Conclusions Regulated expression of interleukin-10 inhibits cardiac allograft vasculopathy development via reduction of mononuclear cell recruitment and alteration of their cytokine profile. This strategy may prove beneficial in controlling the alloimmune response in solid organ transplants. 34
Deconvolution-Based Structured Light System with Geometrically Plausible Regularization

This paper presents a new deconvolution-based energy formulation for segmenting the image of stripe-based patterns projected by structured light systems. Our framework features an explicit modeling of the blurring introduced by the lens of a structured light system. This allows a significant improvement when working out of focus, a situation which occurs when performing depth measurement. The proposed iterative algorithm includes two steps: a deconvolution and a segmentation. For both steps, a geometrically plausible regularization term is used. It considers the projected displacement induced by the camera, projector and scene configuration. We validate our method using real imagery acquired using off-the-shelf equipment.
Microphone array position calibration by basis-point classical multidimensional scaling

Classical multidimensional scaling (MDS) is a global, noniterative technique for finding coordinates of points given their interpoint distances. We describe the algorithm and show how it yields a simple, inexpensive method for calibrating an array of microphones with a tape measure (or similar measuring device). We present an extension to the basic algorithm, called basis-point classical MDS (BCMDS), which handles the case when many of the distances are unavailable, thus yielding a technique that is practical for microphone arrays with a large number of microphones. We also show that BCMDS, when combined with a calibration target consisting of four synchronized sound sources, can be used for automatic calibration via time-delay estimation. We evaluate the accuracy of both classical MDS and BCMDS, investigating the sensitivity of the algorithms to noise and to the design parameters to yield insight as to the choice of those parameters. Our results validate the practical applicability of the algorithms, showing that errors on the order of 10-20 mm can be achieved in real scenarios.
Cultural and Parenting Cognitions in Acculturating Cultures 1. Cultural Comparisons and Developmental Continuity and Stability

This longitudinal study evaluated cultural differences and developmental continuity and stability in cultural cognitions (acculturation, individualism, collectivism) and parenting cognitions (attributions, self-perceptions, and knowledge) in 86 Japanese American and South American acculturating mothers when their children were 5 and 20 months of age. South American mothers were more collectivistic than Japanese American mothers. Cultural group and attribution differences emerged for mothers' parenting attributions in successful situations, whereas child age and attribution differences emerged for parenting attributions in unsuccessful situations. Japanese American mothers' feelings of competence increased over time. South American mothers were more satisfied in the parenting role than Japanese American mothers. Mothers' knowledge of parenting increased over time in both groups. Mothers' cultural cognitions were stable, as were Japanese American mothers' parenting cognitions. This study provides insight in...
Obesity as a prognostic factor in chronic symptomatic heart failure.

Background Obesity is considered as an independent risk factor for development of heart failure (HF); however, its role in the progression of HF independent of atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes is not well described. Methods To identify the role of obesity in HF outcomes, we analyzed the Digitalis Investigation Group database with 7788 patients with chronic stable HF. Subjects with body mass index of ≥18.5 and 2 were categorized as normal weight, ≥25.0 and 2 as overweight, and ≥30.0 kg/m 2 as obese. Results Compared with normal weight, overweight or obese patients had lower all-cause mortality (37.8%, 32.4%, and 28.5%, P P = .01). After adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics, the overweight (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.95, P = .002) and the obese (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.92, P = .0005) had better survival rates compared with normal-weight groups. Similarly, the overweight (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65-0.88, P = .0003) or the obese (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63-0.88, P = .005) patients had better HF survival rates. After adjustment for baseline differences, the rate of hospitalizations was similar in the 3 groups. Conclusions In patients with chronic symptomatic HF, obesity or overweight status was associated with a lower risk for mortality but a similar risk for hospitalization compared with normal weight status. Prospective studies evaluating the risks and benefits of sustenance of obesity or weight loss are needed in this population.
Transgenic Mice Expressing Different Levels of Soluble Platelet/Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-IgG Display Distinct Inflammatory Phenotypes

Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31), expressed on the surfaces of leukocytes and concentrated in the junctions between endothelial cells plays an important role in transendothelial migration of neutrophils and monocytes. Soluble recombinant PECAM-IgG injected i.v. into mice blocks acute leukocyte emigration by 80%. To study the role of PECAM in models of chronic inflammation, we generated transgenic mice constitutively expressing soluble full-length murine PECAM as an IgG chimera. Three founder lines expressed this transgene and constitutively secreted murine PECAM-IgG into the plasma where it was maintained at characteristic concentrations for each line. All mice had similar hematologic profiles to wild-type littermates and were healthy when maintained in the standard laboratory animal facility. Both the leukocytes and the endothelium of mice of all transgenic lines expressed the same levels of endogenous PECAM-1 as wild-type littermates. Similarly, there were no detectable differences in the expression of several other common leukocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules. Mice that produced moderate (10–20 μg/ml) concentrations of PECAM-IgG demonstrated a severely blunted acute inflammatory response, despite mobilizing appropriate numbers of circulating leukocytes. Surprisingly, mice that constitutively produced high (400–1000 μg/ml) concentrations of PECAM-IgG were unresponsive to its anti-inflammatory effects. This is the first demonstration that a soluble form of a cell adhesion molecule can be stably expressed and retain efficacy in vivo over prolonged periods. This approach is applicable to many other extracellular molecules. However, the plasma concentrations of such constitutively produced inhibitors may greatly influence the resulting phenotype.
Growth Curves and Stabilization of Fresh Vaccine Cultures of the Clemson University Strain of Pasteurella multocida

Growth curves at 37 C for the Clemson University strain of Pasteurella multocida were about the same in either brain-heart-infusion broth or in a recently developed broth called "special broth TV". Counts in both broths were usually greater than 1 x 10(9) viable bacteria per ml. With the addition of 5 g of dried skim milk to each 100 ml of broth culture in the stationary phase of the growth curve, only a slight decrease in viable counts occurred over the next 7 to 14 days when held at 4 C. Such stabilization of broth cultures of P. multocida gives added flexibility to the use of fresh cultures as a live oral turkey cholera vaccine.
Wireless micromachined ceramic pressure sensor for high-temperature applications

In high-temperature applications, such as pressure sensing in turbine engines and compressors, high-temperature materials and data retrieval methods are required. The microelectronics packaging infrastructure provides high-temperature ceramic materials, fabrication tools, and well-developed processing techniques that have the potential for applicability in high-temperature sensing. Based on this infrastructure, a completely passive ceramic pressure sensor that uses a wireless telemetry scheme has been developed. The passive nature of the telemetry removes the need for electronics, power supplies, or contacts to withstand the high-temperature environment. The sensor contains a passive LC resonator comprised of a movable diaphragm capacitor and a fixed inductor, thereby causing the sensor resonant frequency to be pressure-dependent. Data is retrieved with an external loop antenna. The sensor has been fabricated and characterized and was compared with an electromechanical model. It was operated up to 400/spl deg/C in a pressure range from 0 to 7 Bar. The average sensitivity and accuracy of three typical sensors are: -141 kHz Bar/sup -1/ and 24 mbar, respectively.
On the possible environmental effect in distributing heavy elements beyond individual gaseous haloes

We present a study of extended galaxy halo gas through HI and OVI absorption over two decades in projected distance at $z\approx0.2$. The study is based on a sample of $95$ galaxies from a highly complete ($ > 80\%$) survey of faint galaxies ($L > 0.1L_*$) with archival quasar absorption spectra and $53$ galaxies from the literature. A clear anti-correlation is found between HI (OVI) column density and virial radius normalized projected distance, $d/R_{\rm h}$. Strong HI (OVI) absorption systems with column densities greater than $10^{14.0}$ ($10^{13.5}$) cm$^{-2}$ are found for $48$ of $54$ ($36$ of $42$) galaxies at $d R_{\rm h}$ compared to isolated galaxies ($\kappa_{\rm OVI}\approx0.13$ versus $0.04$) but no excess HI absorption. These findings suggest that environmental effects play a role in distributing heavy elements beyond the enriched gaseous halos of individual galaxies. Finally, we find that differential HI and OVI absorption between early- and late-type galaxies continues from $d < R_{\rm h}$ to $d\approx3\,R_{\rm h}$.
The evolution of integrated RF power measurement and control

The development of RF power measurement and control schemes is presented. Integrated circuit approaches based on logarithmic amplifiers and RMS detectors have evolved to cope with the complex signals present in today's communication systems. These techniques provide excellent calibration over temperature and offer versatile operation and simple user interfaces.
6 – BONE COLOR AS AN INTERPRETIVE TOOL OF THE DEPOSITIONAL HISTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL CREMAINS

Publisher Summary The study of bone color, a component of a larger GIS-based examination of the prehistoric Walker-Noe collection, aids in the reconstruction and interpretation of the burial deposit. Understanding the color variation in controlled experiments and from forensic and archaeological samples is critical to burned bone studies. The use of the CIELAB color coordinate system enables measurement of differences in overall colors and additionally a comparative assessment of the individual axis values. A slight variation is observable in bone surface color between the core and peripheral regions of the site. Differences in surface color can be recognized between elements from different skeletal divisions, collectively across the site and also between areas of the site. The interpretation of surface color data for bone fragments recovered from Walker-Noe provides additional insight into site formation processes at the Middle Woodland period crematory. The approach detailed in this study can readily be applied to other archaeological and forensic investigations to address differential burning, site formation issues, and taphonomic factors.
Impact of Recent Change in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard for 18F on the Relative Response of 68Ge-Based Mock Syringe Dose Calibrator Standards

As a result of a recent change in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) activity standard for 18F, we have determined new relative response ratios for a 68Ge solid epoxy mock syringe source used in activity calibrators as a long-lived substitute for 18F. New standardized solutions of each radionuclide were used to determine the response ratios while maintaining traceability to national standards. This work updates our previously published data from 2010. Methods: Following our previously published methodology, solution-filled mock syringe sources, identical in geometry to the solid 68Ge epoxy calibration source currently on the market, were prepared using NIST-calibrated solutions of 68GeCl4 and 18F-FDG and directly compared in several models of activity calibrators to determine empirically the relative response ratios for these 2 radionuclides. Results: The new relative response ratios measured in this study reflect the change in 18F activity measurements that arise from the recent −4% change in the NIST activity standard. The results allow the 68Ge activity of the mock syringe source to be expressed in terms of equivalent 18F activity, with a relative combined standard uncertainty of about 0.8% for the activity calibrators used in this study. Conclusion: This work revises our previously derived relative response ratios for 18F and 68Ge by −3.7%, allowing users of the commercial mock syringe surrogate source to calibrate their activity calibrators in a way that is consistent with the recent change in the NIST 18F standard.
An Analytic Method for Estimating the Kinetic Parameters of Active Conductances from Current-Clamp Data

Detailed compartmental models of individual neurons require information on the kinetic parameters of voltage-gated conductances present on their membranes. Since voltage-clamp and whole cell patch-clamp methods do not easily permit a characterization of active conductances as well as other aspects of neuronal physiology on the same cell, a method of obtaining some information on the kinetics of voltage-gated conductances from current-clamp data is introducted.
Voicing Discontent: Communication Technology and Protest

The Internet and mobile phones have rapidly spread around the world in the last decade. Today many citizens, including those in the poorest countries, have access to cell phones. What is the impact of this new technology on political protest? In this paper, we take a first step at investigating how cell phones affect the organization of political protest across different regimes. We argue that mobile phones increase the ability of citizens to protest around the world, however, this effect is stronger in authoritarian regimes. We empirically investigate our argument on three distinct sets of data: two cross-national time-series datasets and one subnational panel. Across all models, we find robust evidence for a positive effect of access to cell phones on political protest counts, with stronger effects in non-democratic regimes.