cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CBP Recruitment and Histone Acetylation in Differential Gene Induction by Glucocorticoids and Progestins

We have analyzed histone acetylation at the steroid-responsive mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter in five separate cell lines that express functional glucocorticoid and/or progesterone receptors. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays reveal that glucocorticoid and progesterone receptors bind the MMTV promoter after hormone addition but that receptor binding is not associated with an increase in acetylation of histone H3 or H4. We have, however, found one exception to this rule. Previously we described a cell line [T47D(C&L)] that displayed a remarkable differential induction of MMTV by glucocorticoids and progestins. At one chromosomal locus (MMTV-luciferase), MMTV is preferentially induced by glucocorticoids, whereas at another locus within the same cell (MMTV-CAT), MMTV is activated by both glucocorticoids and progestins. Here we show that the glucocorticoid-mediated induction of MMTV-luciferase is accompanied by increased recruitment of CBP to the promoter and increased histone H3 and H4 acetylation, whereas the hormonal induction of MMTV-CAT in the same cell exhibits a more modest CBP recruitment without any increase in histone acetylation. These studies suggest that increased histone acetylation may serve a potentiating function for MMTV promoter activation at certain loci. However, increased histone acetylation is not requisite for steroid-mediated induction of transcription at all genes.
Interferon-Alpha Produces Sustained Cytogenetic Responses in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Patients

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the frequency and the course of complete cytogenetic responses in interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha)-treated patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. DESIGN Two prospective trials in consecutive patients. SETTING A major tertiary cancer center. PATIENTS Ninety-six consecutive patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia with disease duration of less than 1 year. INTERVENTION Patients received partially pure IFN-alpha intramuscularly, from 3 to 9 million U/d (51 patients) or recombinant IFN-alpha 2a (Roferon, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc., Nutley, New Jersey), 5 million U/m2 body surface area daily (45 patients). MEASUREMENTS Hematologic and cytogenetic tests were administered. MAIN RESULTS Seventy of the patients (73%) achieved hematologic remission (95% CI, 63% to 81%), and 18 (19%) had complete suppression of the Philadelphia chromosome on at least one cytogenetic test. A complete cytogenetic response was induced in 7 of 51 or 14% (CI, 6% to 26%) of the patients treated with the partially pure IFN-alpha and in 11 of 45 or 24% (CI, 13% to 40%) of the patients treated with recombinant IFN-alpha 2a. The difference in complete cytogenetic response between the two groups was 10.7% (CI, - 5% to 26%; P greater than 0.2). Eleven patients had durable, ongoing, complete cytogenetic responses from 6 to more than 45 months (median, more than 30 months). CONCLUSION This study was the first to show sustained, complete cytogenetic responses in a subset of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia treated with single-agent therapy. The nature of this remission, that is, whether it depends on continuous therapy, requires further study.
Effects of driving and subsequent consolidation on behaviour of driven piles

The effects and simulation of driving of structures (piles) into saturated soil media are discussed, and procedures for numerical simulation of driving are proposed. Consolidation caused by changes in stresses and in pore water pressures in the soil mass due to the driving is solved by using a finite element procedure. The changes in stresses and pore water pressures due to driving are obtained on the basis of the cavity expansion approach, and are introduced in the finite element procedure as initial conditions. Stresses and deformations around a pile as consolidation proceeds are plotted and related to the quantities such as a wall friction, and point and total loads relevant to analysis and design.
Point process models show temporal dependencies of basal ganglia nuclei under Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for patients with Parkinsons disease, but its impact on basal ganglia nuclei is not fully understood. DBS applied to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) affects neurons in the Globus Pallidus pars interna (GPi) through direct projections, as well as indirectly through the Globus Pallidus pars externa (GPe). Since traditional statistical analyses of electrophysiological data provide too coarse a view of circuit dynamics, and mesoscopic biophysical dynamic models contain an intractable number of state variables for small populations of neurons, we apply a modular approach and treat each region in the STN-GPe-GPi circuit as a multi-input multi-output point process system. We use microelectrode recordings of a normal primate with DBS applied to STN at 100 and 130 Hz to estimate point process models (PPMs) for recorded regions in GPi. Our PPMs uncovered distinct dependencies between regions of GPe and GPi neurons, separated by the position of the GPi neurons, and showed normal refractory periods, inhibition from projecting neurons in the GPe, and DBS-induced oscillatory effects. The PPMs also showed the relative impact of the above factors, which traditional statistics fail to capture. Our PPM framework suggests a useful approach for understanding dynamics of complex neural circuits.
Royal Land in Ptolemaic Egypt: A Demographic Model

Recent studies in Ptolemaic agrarian history have emphasized the regional differences between the Fayyum and the Nile Valley, where private land was more extensive. This article proposes a demographic model that regards communal rights on royal land in the Fayyum as an adaptation to risk and links privatization with population pressure. These correlations and their reflection in Demotic and Greek land survey data raise doubts about the common view that patterns of tenure on royal land in the Fayyum can be attributed to more intensive state control over this region. De recents travaux relatifs a l'histoire agraire de l'Egypte Lagide ont mis en evidence les differences regionales entre le Fayoum et la vallee du Nil, ou la terre privee etait predominante. Cet article propose un modele demographique qui considere les droits communaux sur la terre royale dans le Fayoum comme une strategie d'adaptation aux risques et lie la privatisation de la terre avec la pression demographique. Ces correlations, attestees dans les documents cadastraux, remettent en question le consensus selon lequel l'organisation de la culture de la terre royale dans le Fayoum etait soumise a un controle etatique plus strict.
Quadratic Electrooptic Effect for Frequency Down-Conversion

A novel optical frequency down-conversion approach employing the quadratic electrooptic effect is proposed, analyzed, and verified. This down-conversion method can seamlessly integrate with an optical phase-locked-loop linear phase demodulator. It has the potential to achieve a large dynamic range and low conversion loss. Comprehensive theoretical studies are performed to investigate the noise, efficiency, and linearity of this down-conversion approach. Experiments are then conducted. It is found that the unwanted fourth-order electrooptic effect of the InP modulator device limits the dynamic range.
Scheduling of wireless metering for power market pricing in smart grid

Remote metering is a key task in smart grid to collect the power load information for the pricing in power market. A wireless communication infrastructure is assumed for the smart meter network. The dynamics of the power market are assumed to be a Markov Decision Process (MDP) by modeling the power load evolution as a two-state Markov chain. The fundamental elements of the MDP are discussed and the optimal strategy is obtained from Dynamic Programming. Due to the curse of dimensions, the myopic strategy is proposed to significantly simplify the algorithm. The validity of the proposed scheduling algorithm is demonstrated using numerical simulations. For example, for price insensitive power users, the average price and power generation errors are reduced by 60% and 40% using the myopic approach, compared with the simple round robin schedule, in certain circumstances.
Cryptococcus neoformans Ilv2p confers resistance to sulfometuron methyl and is required for survival at 37 °C and in vivo

Acetolactate synthase catalyses the first common step in isoleucine and valine biosynthesis and is the target of several classes of inhibitors. The Cryptococcus neoformans ILV2 gene, encoding acetolactate synthase, was identified by complementation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae ilv2 mutant. C. neoformans is highly resistant to the commercially available acetolactate synthase inhibitor, sulfometuron methyl (SM). Expression of C. neoformans ILV2 in S. cerevisiae conferred SM resistance, indicating that the SM resistance of C. neoformans is due, at least in part, to C. neoformans Ilv2p. The C. neoformans ILV2 gene was disrupted. The ilv2 mutants were auxotrophic for isoleucine and valine and the auxotrophy was satisfied by these amino acids only when proline, and not ammonium, was the nitrogen source, indicating nitrogen regulation of amino acid transport. ilv2 mutants rapidly lost viability at 37 °C and when starved for isoleucine and valine. Consistent with these phenotypes, an ilv2 mutant was avirulent and unable to survive in mice. Because C. neoformans Ilv2p is required for virulence and survival in vivo, inhibitors of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis may make valuable antifungal agents.
Brimonidine 0.15% versus apraclonidine 0.5% for prevention of intraocular pressure elevation after anterior segment laser surgery.

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of brimonidine 0.15% with those of apraclonidine 0.5% in preventing intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations after anterior segment laser surgery. Setting Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Glaucoma Service, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Methods This double-masked randomized trial 80 eyes of 80 patients who had laser peripheral iridotomy, argon laser trabeculoplasty, or neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy. Eyes received 1 drop of brimonidine 0.15% or apraclonidine 0.5% before laser surgery. Intraocular pressure, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured before laser surgery and at 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, and 1 week after laser surgery. Results Before laser treatment, 41 patients received brimonidine 0.15% and 39 received apraclonidine 0.5%. Thirteen (31.7%) patients in the brimonidine group and 11 (28.2%) in the apraclonidine group had postoperative IOP elevations of 5 mm Hg or more (P = .5). Four patients (9.8%) in the brimonidine group and 3 (7.7%) in the apraclonidine group had IOP increases of 10 mm Hg or more (P = .5). There were no statistically significant changes in mean heart rate or blood pressure in either group except a slight reduction in diastolic blood pressure at 1 hour in the brimonidine group (−4.7 ± 9.2 mm Hg) compared with that in the apraclonidine group (−0.1 ± 9.1 mm Hg) (P = .01). No clinically significant side effects were noted in either group. Conclusion A single preoperative drop of brimonidine 0.15% had similar efficacy and safety as apraclonidine 0.5% in preventing IOP elevations immediately after anterior segment laser surgery.
Gendered practices in the education of gifted girls and boys

Gifted girls and gifted boys are more alike than they are different, although researchers remain fascinated with sex differences. Small differences between gifted boys and girls in achievements, interests, careers, and relationships can become exaggerated through gendered educational practices. Kindergarten “red-shirting'' of boys and the denial of early admission to girls can cause gifted children to be out of step throughout their academic careers. When gifted children are not actively encouraged to participate in talent searches and after-school and summer programs, whether because of overprotection of girls or the insistence on athletic activities at the expense of academic activities for boys, they lose the opportunity for challenge, friendships, and community. When boys are not supported in their interests in creative careers and girls are not supported in their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers, they may enter occupations that will not offer them the sense of purpose and meaning they might have otherwise had. It is in the area of gender relations, however, that long-term consequences of gendered practices are most apparent for gifted individuals because both gifted boys and girls need to plan for balancing family and career. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measurement of Glenoid Bone Loss A Comparison of Measurement Error Between 45° and 0° Bone Loss Models and With Different Posterior Arthroscopy Portal Locations

BackgroundOsteotomies at an angle of 45° to the long axis of the glenoid were originally used in a cadaveric model to simulate the bone loss that can occur clinically in anterior instability of the shoulder. However, this type of glenoid defect is not consistent with the usual clinical scenario, in which bone loss occurs nearly parallel (at 0°) to the long axis of the glenoid.PurposeOur objectives were to compare the amount of glenoid bone loss measured after a 45° glenoid osteotomy with that after a 0° osteotomy and to determine differences in bone loss measurement from 2 different posterior shoulder portals.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsGlenoids of 14 embalmed cadaveric shoulders (mean age, 81 years; range, 56–90) were mounted in a custom shoulder holder, and 2 posterior portals (2 and 3 o'clock) were fixed into place. The area of a best-fit circle of the inferior portion of the glenoid was digitally calculated, and 2 sequential osteotomies of 12.5% and 25% of anteroinferior glenoid bon...
Rectus Femoris to Gracilis Muscle Transfer With Fractional Lengthening of the Vastus Muscles: A Treatment for Adults With Stiff Knee Gait

Background Stiff knee gait, which may be seen in patients with upper motor neuron injury, describes a gait pattern with a relative loss of sagittal knee motion. It interferes with foot clearance during swing, often leading to inefficient compensatory mechanisms and ambulatory dysfunction. Distal rectus femoris muscle transfers and fractional lengthening of the vastus muscles have been performed in adult patients. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe a unique surgical technique and report on initial outcomes. Design A retrospective case-series study design was used. Methods The patients were adults with stiff knee gait due to stroke or traumatic brain injury who underwent distal rectus femoris muscle transfer with fractional lengthening of the vastus muscles. The patients (19 men and 18 women) had an average age of 51 years at the time of surgery. Lower-extremity examinations, clinical gait analyses, and satisfaction levels were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Results At a mean follow-up time of 10 months, 36 (97%) of the 37 patients were satisfied with their clinical and functional results, and the average Viosca score improved from 3.1 to 3.5. Limitations Limitations of the study include use of a retrospective design, lack of a control group, and limited quantitative measures of gait. Conclusion Distal rectus femoris muscle transfer and fractional lengthening of the vastus muscles were found to be a possible treatment for adults with stiff-knee gait caused by stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Maternal Infection and Schizophrenia: Implications for Prevention

Accumulating evidence suggests that maternal infection is a risk factor for schizophrenia. Prospective epidemiological studies indicate that maternal influenza, toxoplasmosis, and genital/reproductive infection are associated with this disorder in offspring. Preclinical models of maternal immune activation have supported the neurobiological plausibility of these microbes in schizophrenia. Previous studies suggest that treatment or prophylactic efforts targeting these and other infections could have significant effects on reducing the incidence of schizophrenia, given that they are common in the population and the effect sizes derived from epidemiological studies of these and other microbial pathogens and schizophrenia, to date, are not small. Fortunately, the occurrence of many of these infections can be reduced with relatively practical and inexpensive interventions that are scalable to large populations given adequate resources. Hence, in the present article, we focus on the potential for prevention of schizophrenia by control of infection, using these 3 categories of infection as examples. Lessons learned from previous successful public health efforts targeting these infections, including the relative advantages and disadvantages of these measures, are reviewed.
Quotas and qualifications: the impact of gender quota laws on the qualifications of legislators in the Italian parliament

This article addresses concerns that candidates nominated because of gender quota laws will be less qualified for office. While questions of candidate quality have long been relevant to legislative behavior, quota laws requiring a certain percentage of candidates for national office to be women have generated renewed interest. Gender quotas are often perceived to reduce the scope of political competition. By putting gender identity center stage, they preclude the possibility that elections will be based on ‘ideas’ or ‘merit’ alone. Other electoral rules that restrict candidate selection, such as the centralization of candidate selection common in closed list PR systems, have been found to reduce the quality of candidates. Rules that open selection, such as primaries, result in higher quality candidates. We exploit the institutional design of Italy’s mixed electoral system in 1994, where quotas were applied only to the PR portion of the list, to compare the qualifications of men, women, and ‘quota women’. We estimate regressions on several measures of deputies’ qualifications for office and performance in office. We find that unlike other rules limiting candidate selection, quotas are not associated with lower quality on most measures of qualifications. In fact, quota women have more local government experience than other legislators and lower rates of absenteeism than their male counterparts. Contrary to critics, quota laws may have a positive impact on legislator quality. Once the quota law was rescinded, quota women were less likely to be re-elected than non-quota women or men, which suggests that discrimination – not qualification – limits women’s status as candidates.
An Efficient and Rapid Synthesis of N-substituted Pyrroles by Microwave Assisted Solid Acid Catalysis

(2006). AN EFFICIENT AND RAPID SYNTHESIS OF N-SUBSTITUTED PYRROLES BY MICROWAVE ASSISTED SOLID ACID CATALYSIS. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 38, No. 5, pp. 495-500.
Small differences in electrophoretic mobility among circularly permuted sequence isomers of duck hepatitis B virus linear, single-stranded DNA

Two linear minus-strand viral DNAs, disparate in size by 10 nucleotides, were isolated from duck hepatitis B virus infected tissues and observed to migrate differently in nondenaturing agarose gels. We examined this phenomenon using both synthetic and cloned viral DNAs and discovered that distinct, circularly permuted, linear isomers of single-stranded DNA could have slightly different electrophoretic mobilities under nondenaturing conditions. This finding reveals a novel feature for consideration in assessing the conformations of native or renatured single-stranded nucleic acids. The study also suggests that the virion-derived minus-strand DNAs of the avihepadnaviridae may necessarily possess a minimal secondary structure.
Using Ideas Strategically: The Contest Between Business and NGO Networks in Intellectual Property Rights

Whose ideas matter? And how do actors make them matter? Focusing on the strategic deployment of competing normative frameworks, that is, framing issues and grafting private agendas on policy debates, we examine the contentious politics of the contemporary international intellectual property rights regime. We compare the business victory in the establishment of the 1994 Agreement on Trade-Related Intellectual Property (TRIPS) in the World Trade Organization with the subsequent NGO campaign against enforcing TRIPS to ensure access to essential HIV/AIDS medicines. Our analysis challenges constructivist scholarship that emphasizes the distinction between various types of transnational networks based on instrumental versus normative orientations. We question the portrayal of business firms as strictly instrumental actors preoccupied with material concerns, and NGOs as motivated solely by principled, or non-material beliefs. Yet we also offer a friendly amendment to constructivism by demonstrating its applicability to the analysis of business. Treating the business and NGO networks as competing interest groups driven by their normative ideals and material concerns, we demonstrate that these networks’ strategies and activities are remarkably similar.
Processing of a Composite Large Subunit rRNA: Studies with Chlamydomonas Mutants Deficient in Maturation of the 23S-like rRNA

(Cr.LSU). Little is known of the cis and trans requirements or of the processing pathway for this essential RNA. Previous work showed that the ribosome-deficient ac20 mutant overaccumulates an unspliced large subunit (LSU) RNA, suggesting that it might be a splicing mutant. To elucidate the molecular basis of the ac20 phenotype, a detailed analysis of the rrn transcripts in ac20 and wild-type cells was performed. The results indicate that processing of the ITSs, particularly ITS-1, is inefficient in ac20 and that ITS processing occurs after splicing. Deletion of the Cr.LSU intron from ac20 also did not alleviate the mutant phenotype. Thus, the primary defect in ac20 is not splicing but most likely is associated with ITS processing. A splicing deficiency was studied by transforming wild-type cells with rrnL genes containing point mutations in the intron core. Heteroplasmic transformants were obtained in most cases, except for P4 helix mutants; these strains grew slowly, were light sensitive, and had an RNA profile indicative of inefficient splicing. Transcript analysis in the P4 mutants also indicated that ITS processing can occur on an unspliced precursor, although with reduced efficiency. These latter results indicate that although there is not an absolutely required order for LSU processing, there does seem to be a preferred order that results in efficient processing in vivo.
Feedback control of a bioinspired plate-beam system

In this paper we present a model for a plate-beam system to represent a bioinspired flexible wing. Using a Galerkin based finite element approximation to the system, we compute functional gains that can be used for sensor placement and show that a piezoceramic actuator on the beam can be used for camber control.
A global synchronization algorithm for the Intel iPSC/860

Precisely synchronizing the processors of a distributed memory multicomputer provides them with a common baseline from which time can be measured. This amounts to providing the processors with a global clock. This work investigates a global processor synchronization algorithm for the Intel iPSC/860. Previous work has shown that for certain communication problems, such as the one-to-all broadcast and the complete exchange, the most effective use of the iPSC/860 interconnection network is obtained only when communicating pairs of processors are suitably synchronized. For other communication problems, such as the shift operation, global processor synchronization ensures the most effective use of the communication network. This work presents an algorithm that synchronizes processors more closely than the synchronization primitive by Intel. This new synchronization algorithm is used as the basis of an efficient implementation of the shift operation. >
Verification of Non-Mainline Functions in Todays Processor Chips

In a modern chip development cycle non-mainline / nonfunctional verification is gaining importance compared to traditional functional verification tasks and takes up to one third of the total verification effort. The purpose of non-mainline logic is to operate, maintain, and debug the chip. Ever-increasing complexity of the chip, thus, directly affects the complexity of the non-mainline logic and as a result, the verification thereof. Moreover, the non-mainline world is no longer pure hardware, but an intricate mix of software and hardware.We claim that traditional constrained-random verification methods are not valid for the non-mainline domain and the verification should be based on usage scenarios. Moreover, these scenarios must be formally specified to avoid ambiguity and allow collaboration of different teams involved in the chip development.
The Influence of Presumed Influence

Although direct influences of media have been the primary focus of mass communication research recent theoretical developments have suggested powerful and important indirect effects as well. Derived from the third-person effect hypothesis and related research but describing a broader range of phenomena the indirect effects model proposes that people (a) perceive some effect of a message on others and then (b) react to that perception. We call this model the influence of presumed influence. The general model was tested with evaluation data from a maternal health campaign in Nepal. A key aspect of the campaign was a serial radio drama directed at clinic health workers. Results showed however that many women in the general population also listened to the serial. The program had no direct positive influence on this population but we found a significant indirect influence on their attitudes and reported behaviors when mediated by their perceptions of impact on the target population of clinic health workers. (authors)
Mine-Impacted Water and Biochemical Reactors

Abstract Biochemical reactors (BCRs) biologically reduce sulfate to treat mine-impacted water. Generally, the BCR is a pondlike system containing a permeable bed including organic material. That organic material is used as an electron donor and sulfate in the metal-containing water is transformed during electron acceptance to sulfide, which precipitates many metals in an insoluble form. Adsorption and coprecipitation are other possible mechanisms of metals removal in BCRs. The key design parameter is the rate of sulfate reduction, which is determined by the rate at which the organic material, usually a woody material, is consumed. A wide range of sulfate reduction rates have been reported, presumably due to differences in degradability of the organic substrate. The hydraulics of a BCR is another design consideration, particularly because operational problems are most often related to flow patterns in the bed.
An update on airway management in infants and children

Anesthesia is nothing, but airway management’ or ‘Anesthesia is nothing without airway management’, perhaps both are true. Airway anatomy and physiology in infants and small children differs markedly from the adults, and so are the problems associated with it. We have to adopt protocols, methods and techniques, specifically for this population.This special article is an overview of the current trends with a special reference to the future perspective in infant and pediatric airway management. Key words: Airway management; Infant airway management; Pediatric airway management; Airway assessment; Direct laryngoscopy; Indirect laryngoscopy; Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope; Videolaryngoscopy; Mallampati Score; Genetic syndromes; Airway adjuncts; Difficult airway Citation: Krishna SG and Tobias JD. An update on airway management in infants and children. Anaesth Pain I18(1):85-96
Infection control strategies that successfully controlled an outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus at a cystic fibrosis center

Background Mycobacterium abscessus infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) can result in accelerated clinical decline and the potential for direct or indirect transmission between patients has been recently demonstrated. Data on the outcomes of M abscessus outbreaks and the efficacy of specific infection control procedures in patients with CF remain limited. This study provides follow-up from an outbreak of pulmonary M abscessus in our center, highlighting outcomes and strategies that appear to have prevented further spread of the organism. Methods Data from our adult CF center (1989-2015) were analyzed, including chart reviews of all patients with positive mycobacterial sputum cultures, cultures from environment surfaces, and epidemiologic evaluation of infected patients. Following an M abscessus outbreak in 2009, infection control policies were intensified based on CF guidelines and surveillance data were collected and reviewed. Results Five cases of M abscessus were involved in the outbreak; 3 patients died during follow-up. An environment search failed to reveal an intermediary source of transmission between patients. After implementation of infection control measures composed of staff/patient education, environment sterilization, and patient isolation, no new cases were detected. Conclusions Direct or indirect patient-to-patient transmission of M abscessus is a threat in the CF population. A multifaceted infection control strategy based on CF guidelines was effective in halting transmission in our center.
Signal Processing in Periodically Forced Gradient Frequency Neural Networks

Oscillatory instability at the Hopf bifurcation is a dynamical phenomenon that has been suggested to characterize active non-linear processes observed in the auditory system. Networks of oscillators poised near Hopf bifurcation points and tuned to tonotopically distributed frequencies have been used as models of auditory processing at various levels, but systematic investigation of the dynamical properties of such oscillatory networks is still lacking. Here we provide a dynamical systems analysis of a canonical model for gradient frequency neural networks driven by a periodic signal. We use linear stability analysis to identify various driven behaviors of canonical oscillators for all possible ranges of model and forcing parameters. The analysis shows that canonical oscillators exhibit qualitatively different sets of driven states and transitions for different regimes of model parameters. We classify the parameter regimes into four main categories based on their distinct signal processing capabilities. This analysis will lead to deeper understanding of the diverse behaviors of neural systems under periodic forcing and can inform the design of oscillatory network models of auditory signal processing.
Built-in potentials via electroabsorption measurements in a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells: A critical assessment

We have measured electroabsorption (EA) in a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells in order to estimate their built-in potentials Vbi. This Method was pioneered by the Osaka University group; in simple cases Vbi is identified with a parameter V0 obtained by a simple linear fit to the dependence of EA on external bias voltage. Using signal averaging techniques we are able to Measure V0 with a reproducibility of better than 2%. In one sample from the Institute of Energy Conversion with an a-SiC:H p+ layer we estimate Vbj = 0.97 ± 0.06 V, which is in good agreement with previous JVT Measurement. The reason that the error estimate is larger than the reproducibility error is the presence of several small effects not accounted for by the original EA theory: in particular V0 depends slightly on the laser wavelength. We attribute these effects to the small portion of Vbi dropped in the a-SiC:Hp+ layer, which has a different electroabsorption than a-Si:H. We discuss models for the wavelength dependence.
Urological Evaluation in the Shy Drager Syndrome

Nine patients with the Shy-Drager syndrome underwent complete urological and neurological investigation of bladder symptoms. Urodynamic studies revealed detrusor areflexia in 6 patients (67 per cent), detrusor hyperreflexia in 3 (33 per cent), a lower motor neuron lesion involving the periurethral striated muscle in 9 (100 per cent) and an open vesical neck at rest in all 5 patients in whom cystography was performed. These findings support the current view that parasympathetic, pudendal and sympathetic involvement is part of the pathophysiology of the Shy-Drager syndrome.
Real-Time Reconfigurations of Embedded Control Systems

This paper deals with the study of the reconfiguration of embedded control systems with safety following component-based approaches from the functional level to the operational level. The authors define the architecture of the Reconfiguration Agent which is modelled by nested state machines to apply local reconfigurations. They propose in this journal paper technical solutions to implement the whole agent-based architecture, by defining UML meta-models for both Control Components and also agents. To guarantee safety reconfigurations of tasks at run-time, they define service and reconfiguration processes for tasks and use the semaphore concept to ensure safety mutual exclusions. As a method to ensure the scheduling between periodic tasks with precedence and mutual exclusion constraints, the authors apply the priority ceiling protocol.
Use of corticosteroids as an adjuvant in terminal salpingostomy

Between the years 1977 and 1980, 26 women underwent terminal salpingostomy with a standard operative procedure at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The term pregnancy rate was 23%, and the ectopic pregnancy rate was 13%. Fourteen patients received dexamethasone perioperatively; and of these, 3 had term pregnancies (21%). Of the 12 patients not receiving dexamethasone, there were also three term pregnancies (25%). It is concluded from this small series that perioperative corticosteroids do not improve the term pregnancy rate for terminal salpingostomy.
12 – Drive and sperm: the evolution and genetics of male meiotic drive

Publisher Summary Some selfish genetic elements in eukaryotic genomes have been harnessed to perform essential functions for their hosts, whereas others have gained transmission advantages at the expense of their hosts. Meiotic drive elements are particularly dramatic examples of the latter. Meiotic drive is the unequal—and thus non-Mendelian—transmission of alternative alleles or chromosomes from heterozygotes. Most drive elements achieve greater than Mendelian transmission from their carriers by excluding, impairing or killing competing alternative gametes. The best-characterized drive elements are the Segregation Distorter (SD) complex in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster and the t-haplotype in the Mus house mouse species. Despite being found in very distantly related species, both meiotic drive systems share genetic and chromosomal features that appear to characterize meiotic drive systems in general. For these, and all systems characterized to date, drive involves an interaction between at least two loci in which a trans-acting drive allele at one locus impairs transmission of sensitive alleles at a cis-acting target locus. In effect, the drive allele produces a toxin that incapacitates sperm bearing sensitive forms of the target. Drive chromosomes bear a driver and a drive-insensitive target, whereas non-drive chromosomes lack the driver and typically carry a drivesensitive target. This chapter reviews the genetics, molecular basis, and evolutionary history of several well-characterized drive systems, and considers the impact of drive on spermatogenesis and sperm competition, including potential evolutionary responses of organisms to drive.
The inferior turbinate: an autonomic organ

The inferior turbinate has well-recognized respiratory and immune functions to provide the airway with appropriate warmth, humidification, and filtration of the inspired air while sampling the environment for pathogens. Normal functioning of the inferior turbinate relies on an intact autonomic system to maintain homeostasis within the nasal cavity. The autonomic nervous system innervates the submucosal glands and the vasculature within the inferior turbinate, resulting in control of major turbinate functions: nasal secretions, nasal patency, warmth, and humidification. This review will summarize the autonomic innervations of the turbinates, both the normal and abnormal autonomic processes that contribute to the turbinate functions, and the clinical considerations regarding optimal functioning of the turbinate autonomic system.
The K-complexes they are a-changin’

Reduced frequency of K-complex waveforms on EEG during non-REM sleep may help to differentiate patients with Alzheimer’s disease from older healthy individuals.
Interaction of Insecticides with the Nervous System

The majority of modern insecticides owe their toxicity to their ability to attack the nervous system. Insect have a very well-developed nervous system, sometimes comparable in organization, although different and simpler, to that of mammals (Matsumura, 1985). Poisoning of insect nervous system easily disrupts their physiological mechanisms; most insecticides, however, are also toxic to nontarget organisms, including human. Understanding the mechanism of action of pesticides is a major and fundamental task for pesticide toxicologists, as the knowledge of the mechanism of action of drugs is of vital importance for pharmacologists. Although there are cases (e.g. aspirin) where the mechanism of action of a drug has been discovered long after the beginning of its common and successful use, a great emphasis is given today to address mechanistic questions in the initial stages of the development of a new drug or pesticide. It is far beyond the scope of this chapter to review the neurotoxicology of pesticides, and I will concentrate only on selected aspects of mechanistic studies of pesticide neurotoxicity, with special emphasis on their interaction with neurotransmitter receptors. I refer the interested reader to various books and reviews published in the last few years (Murphy, 1980; Ecobichon and Joy, 1982; Matsumura, 1985).
Attitudes and perceptions of radiographers applying lead (Pb) protection in general radiography: An ethnographic study

Abstract Introduction Since the discovery of X-rays by Rontgen in 1895, lead (Pb) has been used to limit ionising radiation for both operators and patients due to its high density and high atomic number (Z = 82). This study explores the attitudes and perceptions of diagnostic radiographers applying Pb protection during general radiographic examinations, an area underexplored within a contemporary radiographic environment(s). Methods This paper presents findings from a wider ethnographic study undertaken in the United Kingdom (UK). The use of participant observation and semi-structured interviews were the methods of choice. Participant observation enabled the overt researcher to uncover whether Pb remained an essential tool for radiographers. Semi-structured interviews later supported or refuted the limited use of Pb protection by radiographers. These methods enabled the construction of original phenomena within the clinical environment. Results Two themes are discussed. Firstly, radiographers, underpinned by their own values and beliefs towards radiation risk, identify a dichotomy of applying Pb protection. The cessation of Pb may be linked to cultural myths, relying on ‘word of mouth' of peers and not on the existing evidence-base. Secondly, radiographers acknowledge that protecting pregnant patients may be primarily a ‘personal choice' in clinical environments, which can alter if a patient requests ‘are you going to cover me up?' Conclusion This paper concludes by affirming the complexities surrounding Pb protection in clinical environments. It is proposed that the use of Pb protection in general radiography may become increasingly fragmented in the future if radiographers continue rely on cultural norms.
Photogrammetric Techniques Using High-Speed Cineradiography

A high-speed 16-mm cineradiographic system previously developed at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute for use in biomechanics research has been undergoing a continuous upgrading in capability. In addition to changes in the structural aspect of the cineradiography, improvements have been made in the procedures used to obtain better image quality as well as methods for interpretation of the digitized results. The current improvements in the system include: 1) filtering the X-ray source before penetration of the subject to increase image contrast as well as to protect the image tube; 2) pre-processing of the film to increase its effective speed; 3) development of a neutral density radio-contrast media for outlining anatomical structure without using the vascular system; and 4) development of procedures for obtaining analytical information about motion of non-rigid anatomical structures from digitized film. This system now consists of either a 35-mm Photosonics 4B, a 16-mm Photosonics 1B, or a 16-mm Milliken which views a 50-mm (2-inch) diameter output of a P-11 phosphor of a high gain, four-stage magnetically focused image intensifier tube, gated on and off synchronously with the motion picture camera shutter. A lens optically couples the input photocathode of the image tube to an X-ray fluorescent (rare earth) screen image produced by a smoothed DC X-ray generator of a conventional type. The system is capable of looking at a large spectrum of anatomical structures under a wide range of dynamic loading conditions.
SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF THE TARNISHED PLANT BUG, LYGUS LINEOLARIS (HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE) ON SOYBEAN

The seasonal occurrence of the tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), on soybean in Arkansas was examined in 1986 and 1987. Peak populations of TPB adults occurred in 1986 in mid-June in the southeast (SE) and mid-July in the southwest (SW) and westcentral (WC) areas. Population peaks in 1987 occurred in late July in the SW and WC areas but rapidly declined during the first week of August. Peaks occurred in each area at different plant growth stages. TPB adults apparently migrate from other plant hosts, probably wild hosts, to soybean for a brief period, after which they move to a more desirable host. Very few TPB nymphs were found relative to the number of samples taken and TPB adults collected.
Glacier Peak Volcano: Tephrochronology, Eruption History and Volcanic Hazards

Glacier Peak volcano in northern Washington state has erupted many times during the last 6000 years. The ages of deposits produced during past volcanic eruptions has been determined by tephrochronology and radiocarbon dating. Eruptions of voluminous assemblages of pyroclastic-flow deposits and lahars are usually separated by dormant intervals, lasting as long as 2500 years. This behavior pattern suggests that the volcano, which probably last erupted only a few hundred years ago, may erupt again. Potential volcanic hazards should be considered in land-use planning decisions in areas down-valley from the volcano.
IR and HR perspectives on workplace conflict

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of industrial relations (IR) and human resource (HR) perspectives on conflict in the employment relationship. While both perspectives recognize the existence of employment relationship conflict, IR's premises about such conflict are that it stems from an employer–employee power imbalance, is enduring, often requires institutional interventions in the forms of unionism and legislation to correct the power imbalance, and can be constructive even when the conflict is dealt with in adversarial, nonproblem-solving fashion. HR's premises about employment relationship conflict, by contrast, are that such conflict stems from poor management, can be partially reduced by organizational and workplace innovations that build an employer–employee unity of interests, can be still further reduced through cooperative, mutual gains-oriented problem-solving techniques, and, as a consequence of improved management, will fade from the employment scene. These premises are then examined in relation to case and empirical evidence on grievance procedures, employment discrimination, and employee involvement/participation programs. The analysis finds some support for, but also important limitations on, each of these key perspectives. Recommendations are offered to enable members of the IR and HR communities to incorporate into their respective domains key lessons from each other's dominant perspective on employment relationship conflict.
Synaptophysin expression on circulating tumor cells in patients with castration resistant prostate cancer undergoing treatment with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide.

Abstract Background With the advent of secondary androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (PC), nonadenocarcinoma PCs are becoming more prevalent. Many of these cancers express neuroendocrine markers, which may provide biomarkers for emergence of this disease state. We aimed to quantify the expression of synaptophysin (Syp) on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from serial samples of patients being treated with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide. Methods CTCs were isolated from 44 patients with castration resistant PC before starting abiraterone or enzalutamide, at 4, 8, and 12 weeks on therapy, and at progression. Patients were stratified into 3 groups: de novo resistance, short response, and long response. CTCs were enumerated on the CellSearch platform and Syp expression was quantified using the open fluorescent channel on the platform. Correlative analyses were performed. Results A baseline CTC count of 5 or greater was associated with a more rapid time to progression and increasing CTC counts correlated with emergence of drug resistance. Syp was readily detectable on the surface of CTCs, and baseline percentage CTC Syp expression was significantly associated with time to progression. Furthermore, in evaluable patients, percent CTC Syp expression increased with the emergence of drug resistance. We also found that prior exposure to AR-targeted therapies was inversely associated with progression free survival. Conclusions We have demonstrated that Syp can be quantified on CTCs and that Syp expression correlates with resistance to abiraterone and enzalutamide. Larger studies testing Syp as a biomarker of emergence of nonadenocarcinoma disease and as a marker of response to AR-targeted therapies are warranted.