cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Chediak-Higashi syndrome: a possible lysosomal disease

All varieties of circulating white blood cells in patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome characteristically contain giant granules in their cytoplasm. The similarity of the massive particles to normal-sized leukocyte lysosomes has been previously recognized. In the present study the technics of ultrastructural histochemistry were used to demonstrate acid phosphatase activity in giant C.H. particles and their degenerating remnants in the leukocytes of two patients with the C.H. syndrome. The presence of an acid hydrolase in massive granules indicates that they are lysosomes. The selective localization of enzyme reaction product in large particles by this method, when small normal-appearing lysosomes in the same cells remained unstained, has suggested that the unit membranes surrounding C.H. granules are abnormally permeable. The increased permeability of the large particles may be related to the pathogenesis of morbid clinical features of C.H. syndrome.
Medical Treatment of Epilepsy

A variety of anticonvulsant drugs are currently available for the treatment of patients with epilepsy, and administration of anticonvulsant medications remains the primary method of therapy for control of seizures. The initial choice of anticonvulsant is usually based on the seizure classification, as these drugs are optimally administered based on their effectiveness for a specific seizure diagnosis (Macdonald & McLean, 1986).
The Path to Academia and Motherhood: It Takes a Village

Growing up in rural Ohio, I never met a university professor. In fact, no one in my immediate family had even attended a 4-year college. And although I clearly remember almost everyone within our small community, I can’t recall a single child who had two mothers. Yet today I enjoy a successful career as a chemistry professor at a primarily undergraduate institution and am happily raising a 7-year-old daughter who thinks nothing of the fact that she has two moms. How did I arrive at this point? Hard work, persistence, and, of course, a little bit of luck helped. But just as important were the encouraging mentors and a supportive group of family and friends who helped me successfully navigate the path to become a scientist and educator as well as a partner and parent. Although it can be challenging to balance my roles as a faculty member and parent, I find that the synergy that exists from being a chemistry professor and a mom is tremendously enriching and gratifying.
Shields Gray Crescents Masquerading as Glaucomatous Cupping of the Optic Nerve Head.

Purpose Gray crescents characterized by darkly pigmented regions on the optic nerve head could make assessment of cupping difficult by obscuring the true anatomic disc border. On slit-lamp examination, 2 morphologically distinct types of gray crescents at the curved disc boundary exist. The in vivo histologic characteristics differentiating these 2 types are described using spectral-domain (SD) OCT. Methods A prospective interventional case series in a single tertiary referral center. Sixteen eyes of 10 patients with gray crescents determined through clinical examination and fundus photography underwent cross-sectional optic nerve head and parapapillary imaging using high-resolution SD OCT. In vivo histology of gray crescents was characterized. Results In SD OCT images across the areas of gray crescent, type A gray crescents represent regions where the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-Bruch's membrane complex is absent and the dark underlying choroid is directly visible. In contrast, type B gray crescents represent regions of the retina where the RPE is clumped or thickened, typically appearing to be folded upon itself, revealing the embryonic continuity of the RPE and neuroretina. Conclusions Shields type A and B gray crescents appear different clinically because histologically they represent differences in RPE. Type A grey crescents lack RPE, whereas type B crescents have thickened, folded RPE. Gray crescents can obscure the true disc border and result in pseudo-cupping of the optic nerve head. Identification of gray crescents is clinically important because failure to recognize pseudo-cupping can contribute to overdiagnosis of glaucoma.
Fixation vs. No Fixation in MIS Inguinal Hernia Repair

Fixation of mesh during minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair is a highly debated topic. The main reason to advocate for fixation is to prevent mesh migration, theoretically decreasing the likelihood of recurrence. The main argument against certain forms of fixation is a risk of acute pain and chronic pain due to fixation into muscles, nerves, and bone. Some surgeons advocate for no fixation at all, while those advocating fixation use many methods including absorbable and permanent forms of sutures, staples, and tacks applied to various structures within the posterior inguinal anatomy. Alternative to penetrating fixation such as surgical glue and self-fixating mesh is also being widely utilized, potentially changing if and how most surgeons fixate mesh in minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair.
Continuous monitoring of land disturbance based on Landsat time series

Abstract We developed a new algorithm for COntinuous monitoring of Land Disturbance (COLD) using Landsat time series. COLD can detect many kinds of land disturbance continuously as new images are collected and provide historical land disturbance maps retrospectively. To better detect land disturbance, we tested different kinds of input data and explored many time series analysis techniques. We have several major observations as follows. First, time series of surface reflectance provides much better detection results than time series of Top-Of-Atmosphere (TOA) reflectance, and with some adjustments to the temporal density, time series from Landsat Analysis Ready Data (ARD) is better than it is from the same Landsat scene. Second, the combined use of spectral bands is always better than using a single spectral band or index, and if all the essential spectral bands have been employed, the inclusion of other indices does not further improve the algorithm performance. Third, the remaining outliers in the time series can be removed based on their deviation from model predicted values based on probability-based thresholds derived from normal or chi-squared distributions. Fourth, model initialization is pivotal for monitoring land disturbance, and a good initialization stability test can influence algorithm performance substantially. Fifth, time series model estimation with eight coefficients model, updated for every single observation, based on all available clear observations achieves the best result. Sixth, a change probability of 0.99 (chi-squared distribution) with six consecutive anomaly observations and a mean included angle
Evaluation of Dogwood and Birch Species and Cultivars for Resistance to Key Insect Pests and Diseases

Abstract Ten cultivars of dogwoods (Cornus spp.) were evaluated in multi-year trials for relative reisistance to the dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Harris); cold injury; canker disease, Botryosphaeria dothidea; spot anthracnose, Elsinoe corni; and powdery mildew, Oidium sp., Microsphaera sp., and Phyllactinia sp. Similarly, eight cultivars of birch (Betula spp.) were evaluated for resistance to the birch leafminer, Fenusa pusilla (Lepeletier); Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman; aphids, Hamamelistes spinosus Shimer; the bronze birch borer, Agrilus anxius Gory; and leaf-spot, Cryptocline betularum. All cultivars of C. florida, C. kousa and C. kousa x florida were susceptible to dogwood borer, although the C. florida cultivars were surviving better than the others. Cornus mas and C. kousa cultivars were relatively resistant to powdery mildew while C. florida x kousa hybrids and C. florida ‘Cherokee Brave’ were intermediately resistant. Betula platyphylla szechuanica ‘Purpurea’ was highly suscept...
Early Paleocene tropical forest from the Ojo Alamo Sandstone, San Juan Basin, New Mexico, USA

Earliest Paleocene megafloras from North America are hypothesized to be low diversity and dominated by long-lived cosmopolitan species following the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) mass extinction. However, megafloras used to develop this hypothesis are from the Northern Great Plains (NGP) of North America, and relatively little is known about floras from southern basins. Here, we present a quantitative analysis of an earliest Paleocene megaflora (<350 kyr after K/Pg boundary) from the Ojo Alamo Sandstone in the San Juan Basin (SJB), New Mexico. The megaflora, comprising 53 morphotypes, was dominated by angiosperms, with accessory taxa composed of pteridophytes, lycophytes, and conifers. Diversity analyses indicate a species-rich, highly uneven, and laterally heterogeneous flora. Paleoclimate estimates using multivariate and univariate methods indicate warm temperatures and relatively high precipitation consistent with a modern tropical seasonal forest.When compared with contemporaneous floras from the Denver Basin (DB) of Colorado and the Williston Basin (WB) of North Dakota, the SJB flora had significantly higher species richness but lower evenness. Paleoclimate estimates from the SJB were 7–14°C warmer than the estimates for the DB and WB, indicating a shift from a temperate forest in the NGP to a tropical forest in the SJB. These results demonstrate the presence of a latitudinal floral diversity and paleoclimatic gradient during the earliest Paleocene in western North America. We hypothesize that the warm, wet conditions in the earliest Paleocene SJB drove rapid rates of speciation following the K/Pg boundary, resulting in a diverse and heterogeneous flora.
End-of-High-School Mathematics Attainment: How Did Students Get There?:

BackgroundMany studies have looked at students’ mathematics achievement in the middle and high school years and the kinds of factors that are associated with their achievement. Within this domain, ...
Social network determinants of screen time among adolescents

Abstract This research investigates the screen-based media consumption of adolescents in their social context, using social contagion theory to understand how screen-based media consumption is affected by an individual’s social environment. To assess the possibility of person-to-person spread and the social network determinants of screen-based media consumption behavior, analyses were performed on the social networks of adolescents. First, the social networks of adolescents were assessed for the degree of clustering of similar screen-based media behavior between friends. Second, regression analyses assess the extent to which these associations may be attributed to friendship selection or to social influence processes. Results show that high screen-based media consumption rates are strongly correlated with high screen-based media consumption rates in one’s friends. This association extends up to six degrees of separation. Implications for understanding how adolescents make decisions about how to consume media are discussed.
Design and Characterization of a MEMS Probe Scanner for On-chip Atomic Force Microscopy

This paper presents the design and characterization of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based probe scanner proposed to function as an on-chip atomic force microscope (AFM). The device comprises an in-plane stage with electrostatic actuators and electrothermal displacement sensors. The stage is able to precisely position an AFM probe over a sample to perform tapping-mode AFM imaging. For implementation, a standard silicon-on-insulator (SOI) microfabrication process is used. In a previously reported design, the embedded AFM probe featured only one piezoelectric transducer for simultaneous actuation and sensing, making its use in imaging problematic. To address this issue, the new design features separate actuation and sensing AlN piezoelectric transducers. An extra electrode is also incorporated on the probe that enables canceling the electrical feedthrough from the actuation to sensing. To accommodate the extra signal routing paths, mechanical design of the probe scanner is modified. Device characterization reveals an in-plane displacement range of 8 µm × 7 µm with a bandwidth of up to 2.7 kHz. The frequency-domain behavior of the AFM probe is also studied and feedthrough cancellation is performed at the resonant frequency of 127.35 kHz.
The Effects of 2,5-Hexanedione on Cholinesterase in the Rat

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) are two enzymes that are important because of the role they play in neurotransmission and metabolism of exogenous and endogenous substrates. While both enzymes hydrolyze acetylcholine (ACh), they do so at significantly different rates, AChE being approximately 10X faster (Main, 1976). Both are glycoproteins and exist in homologous sets of six molecular forms, three globular and three asymmetric (Massoulie and Bon, 1982; Vigny et al., 1978). The globular forms consist of the catalytic subunit as a monomer (G1), a dimer (G2), and tetramer (G4). The asymmetric forms are composed of one (A4), two (A8), and three (A12) tetramers attached to a collagen tail. The composition of the molecular forms varies from tissue to tissue as well as from species to species.
Effects of anhydrous gel with TriHex peptides on healing after hybrid laser resurfacing.

BACKGROUND Hybrid fractional laser skin resurfacing is a procedure that combines fractional nonablative and ablative wavelengths to improve photoaging. The postoperative period involves overt skin swelling, redness, and roughness. OBJECTIVE A single-center, randomized trial was performed to compare the effect of a standard Skincare regimen, with and without an anhydrous gel with TriHex peptides (a proprietary tripeptide and hexapeptide blend), on recovery after hybrid laser resurfacing of the face. METHODS Five subjects were assigned to a split-face protocol. Use of the skin regimen began approximately 2 weeks before the hybrid laser resurfacing and ended 7 days after. Subjects were evaluated by a physician for postprocedural healing. Additionally, the subjects were photographed and completed surveys to assess postprocedural healing and overall preference for Skincare regimen. RESULTS Based on physician assessment, mean redness on postoperative days 1 and 4 and mean roughness on the postoperative days 3 and 4 were significantly (P < .05) improved on the side of the face using the anhydrous gel with TriHex peptides compared with the side using a standard skin regimen. Based on subject assessment, 4 out of 5 subjects thought that their skin and complexion appeared better on the anhydrous gel-treated side and preferred the Skincare regimen with the gel. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that using the anhydrous gel with TriHex peptides before and after hybrid fractional laser skin resurfacing can minimize the postoperative redness and roughness that are typical and expected for this procedure.
Cannabinoid and Marijuana Neurobiology

The convergence of political, financial, medical, and basic science interests is transforming the field of marijuana science. The past decade has seen a 140-fold increase in the scientific literature compared with 1960, catalyzed by changes in our perception of marijuana and by the discovery of an entirely new signaling system, the endocannabinoid system in living organisms. Shortly after this discovery, revelations appeared on how plant-based cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) and de novo synthetically produced cannabinoids target and modulate this system in the brain and in other organs. The past decade has also witnessed a steep rise in marijuana use in the United States. The principal target of marijuana is the multifunctional endocannabinoid signaling system, which modulates a vast range of functions – behavioral, cognitive, endocrine, immune, and motor – in the brain and has an equally central role in shaping the function of many organ systems and metabolism in peripheral tissues. With the potency of marijuana and number of users rising, the impact of marijuana on physiology, pathophysiology, cognitive function, and psychiatric conditions is likely to rise. We have embarked on a vast human experiment without informed consent. This chapter provides an overview of the endocannabinoid signaling system, how THC affects the neurobiology of cannabinoids, and implications of this newly found knowledge for public health and public policy.
Spectrally recycling space-time wave packets

Space-time (ST) wave packets are propagation-invariant pulsed optical beams that travel rigidly in linear media without diffraction or dispersion at a potentially arbitrary group velocity. These unique characteristics are a result of spatiotemporal spectral correlations introduced into the field; specifically, each spatial frequency is associated with a single temporal frequency (or wavelength). Consequently, the spatial and temporal bandwidths of ST wave packets are correlated, so that exploiting an optical source with a large temporal bandwidth or achieving an ultralow group velocity necessitate an exorbitantly large numerical aperture. Here we show that spectral recycling can help overcome these challenges. Recycling or reusing each spatial frequency by associating it with multiple distinct but widely separated temporal frequencies allows one to circumvent the proportionality between the spatial and temporal bandwidths of ST wave packets, which has been one of their permanent characteristics since their inception. We demonstrate experimentally that the propagation invariance, maximum propagation distance, and group velocity of ST wave packets are unaffected by spectral recycling. We also synthesize a ST wave packet with group velocity $c/14.3$ ($c$ is the speed of light in vacuum) with a reasonable numerical aperture made possible by spectral recycling.
Management of Acute and Acute on Chronic Liver Failure in the Intensive Care Unit Setting

The care of patients with Acute and Acute-on Chronic Liver disease is a challenging enterprise. The intensivist is called upon to understand how the failing liver affects all of the other organ systems, and then manage the patient in a manner that will give the liver a chance to recover from the insult that caused the patient to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. This requires close attention to detail, and management of the encephalopathy, hemodynamics, renal failure, respiratory failure, coagulopathy and infections that patients with severe liver disease are prone to having. This is best done in a multidisciplinary manner, with the inputs of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Transplant surgeons. It is also important to keep up good lines of communication with the family that cares for the patient, and Palliative Care Services can be a quite important team member, even when pursing aggressive treatment.
Go-selfies: A Fast Selfies Background Removal Method Using ResU-Net Deep Learning

The selfies play an important role in recording meaningful moment in human’s daily life. In most cases, before sharing photos, people often synthesis attractive images on some phone applications, such as Photoshop. While these kinds of software have reached good performance nowadays, they are too complex for simple life usage. In this work, we proposed an automatic segmentation model unique to segment human selfies photos. We first constructed a large photo segmentation database and built 8 different models based on resolution, image size and whether or not to use transfer learning and picked the best one among them. We then applied cyclical learning rate method and pre-trained encoder network to fine tune our models. Finally, our best model tested on Google images demonstrated satisfying promising results on both accuracy scores and losses, which will be the precondition in real-time segmentation. We named this lovely web product as "Go Selfies".
Establishment and Retrospective Analysis of a Pilot Peer Mentorship Program.

BACKGROUND Studies suggest widespread advantages to peer mentoring programs; however, there is minimal data pertaining to medical students mentoring undergraduate students. OBJECTIVES To determine the feasibility and perceived effectiveness of a medical student-undergraduate student peer mentorship program. METHODS A needs assessment guided the development of Pre-Med Pair Up, a program connecting medical student mentors from the Medical College of Wisconsin and other US medical schools to undergraduates at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to provide peer mentorship, premedical resources, and global health information. After 6 months, surveys were distributed to 43 premedical and 26 medical students to evaluate the program. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations (r) were used to assess the relational strength between program components and student confidence and knowledge. RESULTS Eleven undergraduate and 26 medical students completed surveys. Most undergraduates expressed increased confidence in abilities as premedical students associated with program involvement (18.2% great, 27.3% moderate, 45.5% minimal, 9.1% no improvement). Increased confidence was strongly correlated with knowledge of volunteer opportunities (r = 0.887, P < 0.001) and feelings of preparedness for the medical school application process (r = 0.854, P = 0.001) and curriculum (r = 0.871, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION While self-reported confidence improved and overall positive program outcomes were statistically significant, the number of participants was low and the number who completed mid-year surveys was even lower. Therefore, no conclusions about program effectiveness were made. Instead, a lessons-learned approach was used to discuss the pilot development, implementation, and suggestions for future program installment.
Improving Health Outcomes and Lowering Costs: Attorneys As Proactive, Paid Providers Treating Social Determinants of Health

Innovative and emerging value-based delivery models should include attorneys as health care team members to treat the social determinants of health. Social determinants of health (“SDH”) are non-medical conditions that can produce or undermine health and include basic human needs like economic status, housing, nutrition, employment, and similar issues. Health care experts increasingly recognize the role that SDH play in driving the cost, utilization, and outcomes of medical treatment. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) is looking for holistic ways to innovatively manage SDH, including paying for assistance—whether or not that assistance involves traditional healthcare services. Private payors and providers are financially incentivized to incorporate SDH management into their treatment plans because new payment models are already penalizing providers for quality measures largely affected by SDH. Attorneys can help “treat” SDH, such as financial distress, home environment (including housing, utility, and food security), employment issues, resolution of insurance/immigration/criminal/military status, and many other SDH. Instead of relying on the goodwill of attorney organizations to provide free legal services to patients, the health care delivery system should include reimbursement mechanisms to pay attorneys for this valuable service. The legal profession and the health care industry will both benefit from the development of payment mechanisms that incentivize attorneys to engage in new roles treating SDH. This Article explores ways that untreated SDH impact health care and how attorneys can add value by embracing advocacy roles for patients, providers, and payors to treat social determinants of health.
Teaching Peter McLaren: Paths of Dissent

Teaching Peter McLaren, the first volume in the Teaching Contemporary Scholars series, focuses on the work of educational scholars on the left who have made major contributions to the field. In this book, editors Marc Pruyn and Luis M. Huerta-Charles have assembled a notable group of contributors who reflect on, analyze, and critique over two decades's worth of scholarship produced by Peter McLaren, one of the most influential and widely read leftist scholars working in academia today. Specifically, this book focuses on the nexus of education, critical theory, Marxism, globalization, and struggles for social justice via the work and theorizing of McLaren.
Quantifying soil surface change in degraded drylands: Shrub encroachment and effects of fire and vegetation removal in a desert grassland

[1] Woody plant encroachment, a worldwide phenomenon, is a major driver of land degradation in desert grasslands. Woody plant encroachment by shrub functional types ultimately leads to the formation of a patchy landscape with fertile shrub patches interspaced with nutrient-depleted bare soil patches. This is considered to be an irreversible process of land and soil degradation. Recent studies have indicated that in the early stages of shrub encroachment, when there is sufficient herbaceous connectivity, fires (prescribed or natural) might provide some reversibility to the shrub encroachment process by negatively affecting shrub demography and homogenizing soil resources across patches within weeks to months after burning. A comprehensive understanding of longer term changes in microtopography and spatial patterning of soil properties following fire in shrub-encroached grasslands is desirable. Here, we investigate the changes in microtopography with LiDAR (light detection and ranging), vegetation recovery, and spatial pattering of soil properties in replicated burned, clipped, and control areas in a shrub-grass transition zone in the northern Chihuahuan Desert four years after prescribed fire or clipping. Results indicate a greater homogeneity in soil, microtopography, and vegetation patterning on burned relative to clipped and control treatments. Findings provide further evidence that disturbance by prescribed fire may allow for reversal of the shrub encroachment process, if the event occurs in the early stages of the vegetation shift. Improved understanding of longer-term effects of fire and associated changes in soil patterning can inform the use and role of fire in the context of changing disturbance regimes and climate.
Exploration of the Lower Main Sequence Among Wide Binaries

Using optical (BVRI) photometry we have determined photometric parallaxes for components of Luyten and Giclas common proper motion binaries. The resulting luminosity function for main sequence components, corrected for incompleteness to μ ≥ 0.2″/yr and m pg ≤ +18, is compared to those of main sequence field stars and visual binary components.
Xanthine Oxidase Polymorphism in Bovine Milk

Abstract The biological activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) was determined polarographically in situ in milk from 92 Guernseys and 39 Holsteins. Individual assays of the milk from each breed formed three nonoverlapping distributions. Means and standard errors for Guernsey milk based on 21 animals with low XO activity, 50 animals with medium XO activity, and 21 animals with high XO activity were 30±0.9, 52±0.9, and 80±1.5 μ liters O 2 per ml milk per hr. Corresponding XO activities for Holstein milk from 8 low XO activity, 20 medium XO activity, and 11 high XO activity animals were 28±2.4, 48±1.9, and 75±2.1 μ liters O 2 per ml milk per hour. A nonsignificant interaction between the sires and the activity of their daughters was found. However, results with the daughters of five sires representing 48 of the 81 animals suggested that the two alleles present are not random; they depend upon the genotype of the parents. Genetic polymorphism of the gene responsible for this enzyme with two alleles showing no dominance and additive gene action is proposed with the following nomenclature: high activity allele XO A ; low activity allele XO B . Gene frequencies are: Guernsey, XO A = 0.50; XO B = 0.50, se±0.037; Holstein, XO A = 0.54; XO B = 0.46, se±0.058.
Correlates of reaction time to startle.

The present study was concerned with behavioral and physiological correlates of response time to high intensity, 'unexpected' auditory stimuli. Stimuli consisted of an initial 120 db startle tone followed by a series of 50 tones of 75 db and a final 120 db startle tone. Sub-jects responded by moving a control stick as rapidly as possible to the onset of each tone. Continuous recordings of heart rate and skin resistance were taken. Autonomic reactivity to the first intense stimulus was found to be positively correlated with response latency, while response time to the final intense stimulus suggests a negative relationship to autonomic levels and reactivity. The primary effect of the second high intensity tone was to significantly exaggerate pre-existing differences between individuals in their reaction time to the preceding moderate intensity stimuli. Possible relationships of this differential stress response to concepts of excitation and inhibition are briefly discussed.
Introduction to discussion of Heinz body anemias--unstable hemoglobinopathies.

During the past 18 years, numerous cases of “congenital Heinz body anemia” have been reported. It is now clear that unstable, thermolabile hemoglobins are present in most or all such cases. Unstable hemoglobins Zurich. H. Koln, Hasharon and L Ferrara have been reported in more than one family. Most of the unstable hemoglobins may be attributed to point mutations in the genetic code, such as a change from guanine to adenine. Nearly 30 such unstable hemoglobinopathies have been characterized from the standpoint of the molecular pathology—that is, the change in structure of the globin chains of hemoglobin. The manner by which these molecular changes cause instability of the hemoglobin molecule seems to be variable, but very likely the effect in most is to loosen the bond between heme and globin, followed by formation of mixed disulfides and denaturation and precipitation of globin. Erythrocytes that contain unstable hemoglobins may exhibit accelerated glucose consumption, low glutathione concentration, decreased glutathione stability, and low concentrations of adenosine triphosphate. The rate of methemoglobin formation and of in vitro autohemolysis may be increased. Oxygen dissociation is abnormal in some of these disorders. The inheritance of these disorders is commonly autosomal dominant. Hemolysis may be mild to severe; it may occur only after sulfonamide ingestion or may not be demonstrable at all. Splenectomy has been beneficial in a few cases of severe hemolytic anemia due to unstable hemoglobinopathy.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate Phosphatase 1 Regulates Keratinocyte Differentiation and Epidermal Homeostasis

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid whose levels are tightly regulated by its synthesis and degradation. Intracellularly, S1P is dephosphorylated by the actions of two S1P-specific phosphatases, sphingosine-1-phosphate phosphatases 1 and 2. To identify the physiological functions of S1P phosphatase 1, we have studied mice with its gene, Sgpp1, deleted. Sgpp1−/− mice appeared normal at birth, but during the 1st week of life they exhibited stunted growth and suffered desquamation, with most dying before weaning. Both Sgpp1−/− pups and surviving adults exhibited multiple epidermal abnormalities. Interestingly, the epidermal permeability barrier developed normally during embryogenesis in Sgpp1−/− mice. Keratinocytes isolated from the skin of Sgpp1−/− pups had increased intracellular S1P levels and displayed a gene expression profile that indicated overexpression of genes associated with keratinocyte differentiation. The results reveal S1P metabolism as a regulator of keratinocyte differentiation and epidermal homeostasis.
The Soil Moisture Active and Passive Mission (SMAP): Science and applications

The Soil Moisture Active and Passive mission (SMAP) will provide global maps of soil moisture content and surface freeze/thaw state. Global measurements of these variables are critical for terrestrial water and carbon cycle applications. The SMAP observatory consists of two multipolarization L-band sensors, a radar and radiometer, that share a deployable-mesh reflector antenna. The combined observations from the two sensors will allow accurate estimation of soil moisture at hydrometeorological (10 km) and hydroclimatological (40 km) spatial scales. The rotating antenna configuration provides conical scans of the Earth surface at a constant look angle. The wide-swath (1000 km) measurements will allow global mapping of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state with 2–3 days revisit. Freeze/thaw in boreal latitudes will be mapped using the radar at 3 km resolution with 1–2 days revisit. The synergy of active and passive observations enables measurements of soil moisture and freeze/thaw state with unprecedented resolution, sensitivity, area coverage and revisit.
Growth and cytopathic effect of H type rhinoviruses in monkey kidney tissue culture.

SummaryGrowth and production of CPE in MKTC has been demonstrated for 5 rhino-virus strains, NIH 1734, 353, 11757, 1059, and 33342, previously considered to be H strains.
The complex wavenumber eigenvalues of Laplace’s tidal equations for oceans bounded by meridians

The complex wavenumber eigenvalues of Laplace’s tidal equations are determined for an ocean of constant depth bounded by meridians. A Galerkin method is used to expand the tide height and velocities in series of associated Legendre functions. A homogeneous system of equations results from the continuity and momentum equations. The frequency and depth are fixed, so that the meridional wavenumbers are the eigenvalues. This gives rise to a generalized eigenvalue problem that must be solved numerically by iteration. The eigenvalues are not integers and represent inertia-gravity wave solutions at the specified tidal forcing frequency that can be excited by the presence of meridional boundaries. Those complex eigenvalues represent solutions that decay away from meridional boundaries. The eigenvalue spectrum is investigated for the semi-diurnal, fortnightly, and monthly tides. One complex wavenumber for the semi-diurnal tide explains the amphidromic systems within 20° of a north-south coastline. The fortnightly and monthly tides have only real wavenumber eigenvalues. The basin scale deviation of these tides from equilibrium is attributed to low wavenumber divergent inertia-gravity waves.
On the isotropic constant of marginals

Let 1 6 p 1. We write μB,p,n for the probability measure in R with density 1Bn p , where B n p := {x ∈ R : ‖x‖p 6 bp,n} and |B p | = 1. Let μ1, · · · , μk1 be one-dimensional log-concave measures, let pj ∈ [1,∞] and let nj , 1 6 j 6 k2 be positive integers with k1 + ∑k2 j=1 nj = N > n. We show that, for every F ∈ GN,n, L πF (( ⊗1 i=1μi ) ⊗ ( ⊗2 j=1μB,pj,nj )) 6 C, where C > 0 is an absolute constant, Lμ stands for the isotropic constant of μ and πF (μ) denotes the marginal of μ on F .
Test Data Likelihood for PLSA Models

Probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis (PLSA) is a statistical latent class model that has recently received considerable attention. In its usual formulation it cannot assign likelihoods to unseen documents. Furthermore, it assigns a probability of zero to unseen documents during training. We point out that one of the two existing alternative formulations of the Expectation-Maximization algorithms for PLSA does not require this assumption. However, even that formulation does not allow calculation ofthe actual likelihood values. We therefore derive a new test-data likelihood substitute for PLSA and compare it to three existing likelihood substitutes. An empirical evaluation shows that our new likelihood substitute produces the best predictions about accuracies in two different IR tasks and is therefore best suited to determine the number of EM steps when training PLSA models. The new likelihood measure and its evaluation also suggest that PLSA is not very sensitive to overfitting for the two tasks considered. This renders additions like tempered EM that especially address overfitting unnecessary.
MODELING GENETIC REGULATORY NETWORKS: CONTINUOUS OR DISCRETE?

Selecting an appropriate mathematical model to describe the dynamical behavior of a genetic regulatory network plays an important part in discovering gene regulatory mechanisms. Whereas fine-scale models can in principle provide a very accurate description of the real genetic regulatory system, one must be aware of the availability and quality of the data used to infer such models. Consequently, pragmatic considerations motivate the selection of a model possessing minimal complexity among those capable of capturing the level of real gene regulation being studied, particularly in relation to the prediction capability of the model. This paper compares fine-scale stochastic-differential-equation models with coarse-scale discrete models in the context of currently available data and with respect to their description of switch-like behavior among specific groups of genes.
Effects of antihypertensive drugs on heart and resistance vessels

STUDY OBJECTIVE - The aim of the study was to examine the effects of antihypertensive drugs on heart and resistance vessels to see whether regression of peripheral vascular hypertrophy accompanies reduction in cardiac mass. DESIGN - Matched groups of spontaneously hypertensive and control rats were treated for 12 weeks with captopril (average dose 65 mg.kg-1.d-1) or hydrochlorothiazide (73 mg.kg-1.d-1) and compared to untreated groups. Perfusion pressure, which has been validated as an index of hypertrophy of resistance vessels, was determined in hind limbs of pithed rats at constant blood flow and maximum vasodilatation. SUBJECTS - Experimental animals were 14 week old male spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats (n = 41) and strictly age matched Wistar Kyoto rats (n = 12). SHR rats were assigned at random to three groups: (a) captopril treated (n = 15), (b) hydrochlorothiazide treated (n = 15), (c) control (n = 11). MEASUREMENTS and RESULTS - Mean perfusion pressure was 29.5(SEM 0.4) mm Hg in untreated Wistar Kyoto rats and 37.4(0.5) mm Hg in untreated SHR rats. In comparison with untreated SHR rats, treatment with captopril lowered blood pressure, perfusion pressure [35.2(0.3) v 37.4(0.5) mm Hg, p less than 0.01)], and left ventricular to body weight ratio [2.28(0.03) v 2.63(0.05) mg.g-1, p less than 0.01)]. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide also lowered blood pressure but had no significant effect on left ventricular weight to body weight ratio [2.54(0.04)]. However, perfusion pressure was reduced to 35.3(0.5) mm Hg, p less than 0.01. CONCLUSIONS - For equal regression of vascular hypertrophy, captopril and hydrochlorothiazide had different effects on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus left ventricular and vascular structural changes may respond differently to the same drug in the same animal.
What Can the Churches Say Together about the Church

This article explores the extent of consensus between the churches, as expressed mainly in the multilateral texts of the World Council of Churches, with regard to the nature of the Christian Church and its unity. Twelve major points of agreement are identified, but an issue with regard to their reception is also flagged up. The churches and the ecumenical instruments are urged to reflect upon and to act on this remarkable convergence.
The dual role of PZT in metal-PZT-Al 2 O 3 structure for nonvolatile memory cell

We have shown that the metal-PZT-Al 2 O 3 memory stack exhibits much larger than usual memory window, in the direction of charge-trapping effect (which is opposite to the polarization switching effect) which we attribute to the enhanced charge injection due to the large polarization field of the PZT. Other attractive properties such as excellent endurance characteristics and good retention make the metal-PZT-Al 2 O 3 memory stack a promising candidate for nonvolatile memory technology. Although the memory stack used in this study contains relatively thick PZT that necessitates high P/E voltages, our preliminary results have shown much lower P/E voltages for thinner PZT, and results for such scaled memory stacks will be reported at the conference. We would like to thank Jason Hoffman for his technical assistance and valuable discussions. This work was sponsored by the SRC.
On the origin of return flows in horizontal chemical vapor deposition reactors

Abstract The mechanism underlying the onset of recirculations, so-called return flows, in the entrance region of horizontal chemical vapor deposition reactors is analyzed. This phenomenon, which is observed experimentally for reactors with either top or bottom heating, is shown to be the result of changes in the relative magnitude of vertical and axial pressure gradients. A criterion for evaluating whether or not recirculations will arise is developed in terms of Reynolds and Grashof numbers for the physical system. The predictions based upon this criterion are shown to be consistent with published experimental data and numerical simulations. The impact of pressure distribution changes on the use of simplified, parabolic fluid flow simulations is discussed. Finally, it is shown that variations in relative magnitudes of axial and vertical pressure gradients may also lead to an unequal distribution of flow above and below a substrate placed in midstream.
Shear effects during the gelation of aqueous gelatin.

Measurements of the viscosity of aqueous solutions of gelatin at a wide range of shear rates during and after gelation are presented. Although the viscosity is shear rate dependent, experiments in which the shear rate was changed during gelation show a shear rate history independence. This implies that shear does not disrupt intermolecular junctions between the gelatin molecules; i.e., the bond probability p is not a function of the shear rate \ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}. Thus the viscosity is a function of p and \ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}, i.e., \ensuremath{\eta}=\ensuremath{\eta}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}), with the important distinction that p and \ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{} act independently to determine the state of the system. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Teaching assistant socialization: Communication with peer leaders about teaching and learning

Abstract This paper examines the ways in which references to teaching and learning are shared among peer leaders and new teaching assistants (TAs). Eleven new TAs and three peer leaders participated in this investigation. Audio recordings of group meetings as well as written descriptions of communication concerns were used to generate data. Results indicate that peer leaders develop thematic messages about teaching and learning during group meetings and that new TAs accept or challenge these themes in relation to the expressed level of communication concern.
Relationship between pain and medial knee joint loading in mild radiographic knee osteoarthritis

Objective The relationship between knee pain and radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) is notoriously imperfect. In particular, conditions that distinguish individuals with symptoms from those with comparable radiographic involvement who remain asymptomatic are unclear. We investigated dynamic loading across the knee in individuals with mild radiographic OA who were distinguished by the presence or absence of knee pain. Methods Subjects were recruited into 3 groups: symptomatic with a Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade of 2 (n = 52), asymptomatic with a K/L grade of 2 (n = 19), and asymptomatic with a K/L grade of 0 or 1 (n = 37), the latter representing a normal comparator group. Dynamic knee loading was assessed with gait analysis, and both the peak external knee adduction moment and the knee adduction angular impulse were determined. Results Peak knee adduction moment and knee adduction angular impulse were 19% and 30% higher, respectively, in symptomatic K/L grade 2 individuals than in asymptomatic individuals with the same radiographic grade (P < 0.05). Conversely, the asymptomatic K/L grade 2 group did not differ from the K/L grade 0–1 normal comparator group (P = 1.00). Conclusion Among individuals with mild radiographic knee OA (K/L grade 2), those who are symptomatic have significantly higher medial compartment loads than those who are asymptomatic, whereas those who are asymptomatic do not differ from normal controls (asymptomatic K/L grade 0 or 1). These findings suggest a biomechanical component to the distinction between asymptomatic and symptomatic radiographic OA, which may be pathophysiologically important.
Occurrence, habitat, and movements of the endangered northern madtom (Noturus stigmosus) in the Detroit River, 2003–2011

Abstract The northern madtom ( Noturus stigmosus or NOM) is a small catfish, native to North America. It is globally vulnerable and endangered in Canada, Ontario, and Michigan. In 1994 and 1996, it was found in the St. Clair River and in Lake St. Clair, respectively. However, it had not been found downstream in the Detroit River since 1978. We report catches of 304 NOM from 2003 to 2011 and describe their mud and sand habitats in the deep (10 m), dark, Detroit River. We found adult NOM, including 3 ripe males (90–107 mm SL) in head waters of the river near Belle Isle in Michigan waters, and both adult and 4 juvenile NOM (21–30 mm SL) near Peche Island in Ontario waters. From 2009 to 2011, in the river's middle reach, we caught 7 adult NOM for the first time near Fighting Island in Ontario waters, but no NOM in the river's lower reach. Our mark–recapture results showed that within 6 weeks, 2 adult NOM moved east 2.0 km from Michigan waters near Belle Isle across the deep (10 m) Fleming Channel of the Detroit River to Canadian waters near Peche Island. Analysis of annuli from pectoral spines of 7 dead NOM revealed that they live to at least 6 years of age in the Detroit River. This is the first age data that we could find for a NOM population. Our findings extended our knowledge of habitat, reproductive ecology, age, and distribution of NOM in the Detroit River corridor.
Genetic Characterization of Plasmid-Associated Triphenylmethane Reductase in Listeria monocytogenes

The enzyme triphenylmethane reductase (TMR) reduces toxic triphenylmethane dyes into colorless, nontoxic derivatives, and TMR-producing microorganisms have been proposed as bioremediation tools. Analysis of the genome of Listeria monocytogenes H7858 (1998-1999 hot dog outbreak) revealed that the plasmid (pLM80) of this strain harboring a gene cassette (bcrABC) conferring resistance to benzalkonium chloride (BC) and other quaternary ammonium disinfectants also harbored a gene (tmr) highly homologous to TMR-encoding genes from diverse Gram-negative bacteria. The pLM80-associated tmr was located two genes downstream of bcrABC as part of a putative IS1216 composite transposon. To confirm the role of tmr in triphenylmethane dye detoxification, we introduced various tmr-harboring fragments of pLM80 in a pLM80-cured derivative of strain H7550, from the same outbreak as H7858, and assessed the resistance of the constructs to the triphenylmethane dyes crystal violet (CV) and malachite green. Transcriptional and subcloning data suggest that the regulation of TMR is complex. Constructs harboring fragments spanning bcrABC and tmr were CV resistant, and in such constructs tmr transcription was induced by sublethal levels of either BC or CV. However, constructs harboring only tmr and its upstream intergenic region could also confer resistance to CV, albeit at lower levels. Screening a panel of BC-resistant L. monocytogenes strains revealed that all those harboring bcrABC and adjacent pLM80 sequences, including tmr, were resistant to CV and decolorized this dye. The findings suggest a potential role of TMR as a previously unknown adaptive attribute for environmental persistence of L. monocytogenes.