cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photography without film: low-cost digital cameras come of age in dermatology.

Background. Photography is integral to the practice of dermatology. Digital imaging techniques have only recently been used to assess cutaneous disorders. Previously reported imaging systems have been both expensive and cumbersome. Consequently, they have failed to gain widespread acceptance. Methods. We describe our experience using an inexpensive digital camera. Photographs taken with this portable digital camera (FotoMan) compare favorably to those obtained with conventional 35 mm cameras. Results. This inexpensive digital camera provides photographs of acceptable quality for a variety of dermatologic applications. Images created with this system are available within minutes and are less expensive than traditional photographs. Conclusions. Digital imaging is a new and exciting development. The digital camera described is simple to operate and provides a useful alternative or adjunct to conventional photography.
Multiphoton Excitation of Fluorescence near Metallic Particles: Enhanced and Localized Excitation.

We examined the effects of silver island films on multiphoton excitation of rhodamine derivatives and biochemical fluorophores. The fluorophores were studied in approximately 1 Im thick samples between two quartz slides coated with silver islands. Intensity and lifetime measurements of rhodamine B demonstrated enhanced two-photon excitation near the metal particles. Time-resolved measurements showed a decreased lifetime of RhB with two-photon excitation as compared to unsilvered quartz slides, which indicates the two-photon excitation was localized near the metal particles. Additionally, rhodamine B showed increased photostability with two-photon excitation near metal particles, which is consistent with the shorter lifetime. For lower quantum yield fluorophores such as rose bengal, eosin, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid, and coumarin 152, we found the emission from the micron thick sample was almost completely due to the fluorophores near the silver particles, perhaps to within 300 A of the metal surfaces. These results suggest the use of metal particles for localized multiphoton excitation of biological macromolecules or cells. Additionally, one can imagine metal colloids with bound fluorophores being selectively excited when placed in highly fluorescent samples such as tissue samples.
Peroxynitrite reduction of calmodulin stimulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase

The Ca(2+)-dependent binding of calmodulin (CaM) to neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) stimulates the catalytic oxidation of L-arginine to nitric oxide. The CaM-dependent increase in catalytic activity is associated with an increase in the flow of electrons from the flavoprotein to the heme domain. In the presence of suboptimal arginine concentrations, uncoupled turnover of nNOS produces both nitric oxide and superoxide, reactive species which combine to form peroxynitrite. We demonstrate here that peroxynitrite and other oxidants produced by nNOS oxidize the methionine residues of CaM and show that the ability of CaM to stimulate nNOS is impaired by this oxidative modification. Of the nine Met residues, those at the C-terminus (Met-144, -145, -124, -109) are most sensitive to oxidation. Correlation of the Met oxidation pattern with ability to stimulate nNOS suggests that oxidation of Met-36 is particularly important for the stimulation of nNOS. Incubation of nNOS with suboptimal concentrations of arginine results in sulfoxidation of the CaM methionine residues. Although nitration of the tyrosine residues in CaM could also occur, this does not occur to a significant extent in the present system. The results suggest that peroxynitrite may exert a feedback effect on its own formation by oxidizing CaM and thereby decreasing its ability to stimulate the turnover of nNOS.
Further Evidence for Alignment of the Rotation and Velocity Vectors in Pulsars

We re-examine the evidence for alignment of the proper motion and fiducial polarization-angle directions in radio pulsars given by Johnston et al., and we find that the case is probably stronger than this paper asserts. Other alignments are examined using the published literature and recent Arecibo polarimetry, providing an enlarged case that pulsar rotation axis and supernovae "kick" directions are aligned or orthogonal at birth. Pulsars' "orthogonal" polarization modes complicate fixing the orientation of such "kicks," but we note that determining the absolute geometry of the polarization modes is a key objective for understanding the physical origins of pulsar emission.
High levels of expression of full-length cryIA(c) gene from Bacillus thuringiensis in transgenic somatic walnut embryos

Abstract A full-length synthetic version of the cry IA(c) gene, expressing a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal crystal protein (ICP), was transferred into walnut somatic embryos. Sixty one transgenic embryo lines or clones were obtained and bioassayed with first instar codling moth larvae. In 34% of these lines, designated as ‘class A’, expression was high enough to obtain 80–100% mortality. A total of 20% were designated ‘class B’, which produced a mortality between 25 and 70% and also caused a decreased rate of larval development. Insect mortality and development from the remaining 46% of the lines were indistinguishable from that of the control. Expression of a chimeric gene encoding β -glucuronidase (GUS) was evaluated to serve as a linked but unselected marker gene. About 62% of the class A embryo lines showed correspondingly high activity for the GUS gene. However, 38% of the class A would have been missed if the level of GUS activity was used as the sole indicator. Detectable levels of protein corresponding to cry IA(c) could be found only in class A, but not in class B or C clones. Southern analysis of border regions revealed single inserts for class A clones and multiple inserts for classes B and C.
Children, Youth, and Their Gatekeepers

In the 12 years since our nation implemented the initiative which gave us the Community Mental Health Center, this "new" mental health movement has been given the credit or the blame, depending on one's point of view, for major changes in the delivery of mental health services. This movement has been charged, for example, with producing the imminent demise of the state hospital, with encouraging the strident voice of the consumer, and the indigenous worker as a profession, with increasing the visibility of alcoholism and drug abuse as illnesses, engendering social action and class action suits, and forcing a dilution of medical responsibility, while at the same time more services for a population inadequately served in the past have been provided. It is now 12 years since the child advocates voiced concern that children would be ill served by this "new" movement if they were categorized by the community mental health center as a "special" priority, similar in status to alcoholism and drug abuse. The question of whether these fears were well founded remains to be answered. It is now, however, 100 years since the child advocates first expressed concern that the special needs of children require attention (Bremner, 1971). Our nation, in response, has mobilized itself through a whole host of "movements," such as the milk fund, the pediatric hospital, the pediatric specialty, the Children's Bureau, child labor laws, child psychoanalysis, mental hygiene, child guidance clinic, the mental health and retardation center, and children and youth projects. The question to which this paper will address itself is not whether the community mental health center has adequately served children, but whether we are closer now to providing an opportunity for all children and adolescents to thrive as a result of the gatekeepers provided by the mental health and health service industries.
Climate and ocean dynamics and the lead isotopic records in Pacific ferromanganese crusts

As hydrogenous iron-manganese crusts grow, at rates of millimeters per million years, they record changes in the lead isotopic composition of ambient seawater. Time-resolved lead isotopic data for cut slabs of two central Pacific iron-manganese crusts that have been growing since about 50 million years ago were measured in situ by laser ablation, multiple-collector, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The lead isotopic compositions have remained remarkably uniform over the past 30 million years, but the record of small variations corresponds with other paleoceanographic indicators of climate change, including weathering and glaciation. This implies that despite the short residence time of lead in the oceans, global mechanisms may influence lead isotopic compositions in the central Pacific, far from continental inputs, because of changes in weathering, ocean circulation, and degree of mixing. Thus lead isotopic data could be used to probe climate-driven changes in ocean circulation through time.
Correlation Between IVC Dimensions and Volume Status on CT Scan

Background End points of resuscitation in trauma patients are difficult to define. The size of the inferior vena cava (IVC) on CT scan may accurately indicate volume status and guide resuscitation efforts. Our hypothesis was that IVC “flatness” on CT scan reflects volume status in hemodynamically normal trauma patients. Methods The study population was drawn from a database of trauma patients who had abdominal CT scans and lactate levels drawn on arrival. Lactate was chosen as a marker of volume status since hypotensive patients were unlikely to undergo CT. Anteroposterior (AP) and transverse (TV) diameters of the IVC were measured at the suprarenal and infrarenal locations. A flatness index was calculated for each location (TV ÷ AP) and this value was correlated with heart rate, blood pressure, and lactate. Results There was no difference in IVC flatness at the suprarenal or infrarenal position for patients with an elevated lactate compared with those with a normal lactate: 1.54 ± 0.18 versus 1.43 ± 0.08 (P = 0.2) suprarenal and 1.54 ± 0.46 versus 1.68 ± 0.58 (P = 0.4) infrarenal. IVC flatness at the suprarenal location weakly correlated with blood pressure (r = −0.29). IVC flatness did not correlate with blood pressure at the infrarenal location (r = −0.1). IVC flatness did not correlate with heart rate (P > 0.3) or age (P > 0.2). Conclusion These results did not demonstrate a correlation between IVC flatness and the markers of intravascular volume of heart rate, blood pressure, or lactate. IVC flatness on CT scan is not a valid indicator of volume status in hemodynamically normal trauma patients.
Teaching the Pronunciation of “C” and “G” and the Spanish Diphthongs

TEACHERS of Romance languages have always had to battle against the tendency of students not to retain and apply the rule for pronouncing "c" and "g." "Hard before a, o, u; soft before e, i" is a simple formula and an important one, because without it not only is proper pronunciation impossible, but the orthographic-changing verbs must be learned one by one as if they were irregular. The Spanish teacher, however, finds the difficulty in presenting this material greatly increased by the fact that he must also explain to his students that the five vowels are subject to yet another classification, "Strong a, e, o; weak i, u," for the purpose of forming diphthongs and triphthongs. Taken together, the two rules are mutually confusing; their very simplicity being the greatest enemy to proper retention. This confusion is all but eliminated by a graphic presentation of the problem. Imagine the well-known "triangle of vowels" placed inside the mouth. It then shows the approximate position of the tongue and the approximate opening of the jaws for the formation of each sound:
INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE (IVH) IN HIGH RISK NEWBORNS

We evaluated the incidence and severity of IVH in a group of high risk infants. Nineteen infants below 1.0kg, 37 between 1.0 and 1.5kg, and 36 between 1.5 and 2.0kg were examined with neurosonograms as part of routine screening, and 33 above 2.0kg were scanned for specific indications (asphyxia, meningitis, trauma). Grading of scans was based on the location of the hemorrhage (Grade I: subependymal, Grade II and III: intraventricular, Grade IV: intracerebral) and on the dimension of the ventricle (IIIa: 10mm). In addition, scans were examined for progressive deterioration of grading. The incidence of IVH was 74%, 65%, 31%, and 27% respectively in the four groups, from lightest to heaviest. Severe (IIIb, IIIc, IV) exceeded mild (I, II, IIIa) IVH in the total population and in 3 out of 4 weight groups. 62% of initial scans progressed to a more severe grade. In view of the unexpected IVH incidence in infants >1.5kg, we suggest that the criteria for neurosonographic screening be expanded among heavier infants.
Processing disjunctions in temporal constraint networks

Temporal constraint satisfaction problems (TCSPs) provide a formal framework for representing and processing temporal knowledge. Deciding the consistency of TCSPs is known to be intractable. We demonstrate that even local consistency algorithms like path-consistency (PC) can be exponential on TCSPs due to the fragmentation problem. We present two new polynomial approximation algorithms, Upper-Lower Tightening (ULT) and Loose Path-Consistency (LPC), which are efficient yet effective in detecting inconsistencies and reducing fragmentation. Our experiments on hard problems in the transition region show that LPC has the best effectiveness-efficiency tradeoff for processing TCSPs. When incorporated within backtrack search, LPC is capable of improving search performance by orders of magnitude.
Modeling and the Michigan Experimental Simulation Supervisor: An overview and some prospects

A data-generating system (MESS) is described which facilitates the construction and study of behavioral science models of various types. The system provides a spectrum of options that make it possible to employ MESS in a variety of classroom situations with relatively unsophisticated students.
Management of ejaculatory duct obstruction: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Abnormalities of the distal ejaculatory ducts related to infertility have been well-documented. Although there are no specific findings associated with ejaculatory duct obstruction, several clinical findings are highly suggestive. A diagnosis of ejaculatory duct obstruction is suggested in an infertile male with oligospermia or azoospermia with low ejaculate volume, normal secondary sex characteristics, testes, and hormonal profile, and dilated seminal vesicles, midline cyst, or calcifications on TRUS. Other causes of infertility may be concomitantly present and need to be evaluated and treated. Trans urethral resection of ejaculatory ducts (TURED) has resulted in marked improvement in semen parameters, and pregnancies have been achieved. Proper patient selection and surgical experience are necessary to obtain optimal results. In case of testicular dysfunction, chances of success are minimal. Extended follow-up periods are needed after TURED to examine the long-term effects of this procedure. Better understanding of the anatomy and pathology of the ejaculatory ducts will continue to refine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for this disorder.
Human-in-the loop issues for demining

The effectiveness and robustness of any landmine detector ultimately depend on its operator. This is especially true for hand-held landmine detectors, since the operator handles both the scanning motion and the interpretation of the data. Therefore, it is important that the human-in-the-loop issues are addressed as an integral part of the detector design, not as an afterthought. Two critical issues that we have identified are the lack of position feedback for the operator and the lack of 2D map of the detector output. The position feedback will allow the operator to obtain feedback with respect to the sweep rate, detector height and orientation. The position feedback can also be integrated with the detector output to generate a 2D map for the operator. In addition, the 2D map enables 2D image processing techniques, which are more robust and effective than 1D signal processing techniques.
Inhomogeneous broadening and rotational relaxation effects in a molecular gas flow laser

Kinetic equations have been formulated and solved to assess the significance of inhomogeneous broadening and rotational relaxation on a class of molecular flow lasers. In particular, criteria for the region of validity of a rate equation formalism are obtained, and the effect of departures from a Boltzmann distribution of rotational states is discussed. This investigation extends previous work by Cool on the gas flow molecular laser to include collisional diffusion in velocity space as well as finite rotational relaxation. Both high and low pressure effects on laser performance characteristics are studied in detail.
Preference for physicians as information providers by women with multiple sclerosis: a potential cause for communication problems?

Communication problems between physicians and people with chronic diseases may result from many causes. A brief description of some causes is provided. The focus of this article concerns the information‐seeking patterns of women with multiple sclerosis (MS). A survey method was used to determine whether a woman‘s general orientation to information (monitoring, or actively seeking infor mation; blunting, or turning away from information) or the length of time she had had MS affected her choice of human resource from whom she preferred to receive both medical and non‐medical information on a variety of topics related to multiple sclerosis. Although both monitors and blunters indicated physicians as the preferred source of medical as well as non‐medical information, the results revealed that monitors preferred physicians more often than did blunters. The length of time a woman had had MS was not a major factor affecting her choice of physicians. The use of physicians as a resource for both medical and non‐medical information can contribute to physician frustration which, in turn, can foster physician‐patient communication problems.
Identification and correlation of human footfall load parameters using multivariate analysis

This research had two main objectives: to identify and quantify the multiple reaction parameters of human footfall load histories for 24 subjects; and to seek statistical correlations of the reaction parameters with two gaits: fitness walking and running, with two footfall surfaces: rigid and mat, and with two subject attributes: gender and arch index. These reaction parameters, measured with a force plate, include the subjects' foot reaction forces in the three orthogonal directions and the particular features of these forces such as their duration, average values, peak values, and rates of loading. An automated data retrieval-software system evaluated these reaction parameters. The statistical correlations were made using principal component analysis (PCA), a method that projected the 13 identified footfall reaction parameters onto subsets of three or four parameters called principal components that contained most of the variance of the original thirteen. The results, among others, show couplings between the vertical and the peak medial load, but an uncoupling of the posterior-anterior loads with the loads in the other two directions.
Interface of personal and mediated communication: A research agenda

Uses and gratifications is seen as a viable communication perspective for examining the interface of interpersonal and mass communication. This essay explicates the interpersonal dimension of uses and gratifications models, including individual needs and functional alternatives. The uses of interpersonal channels are considered as coequal alternatives to the uses of media channels for the gratification of social and psychological needs. The parallels between uses and gratifications and interpersonal communication perspectives are explained and a research agenda is created for future investigations of why and how media and personal interaction are used to gratify individual communicative needs.
Comparison between emergent and elective delivery in women with placenta accreta.

AbstractObjective: To identify possible predictive factors associated with emergent delivery of antenatally diagnosed placenta accreta and to estimate association between emergent delivery and adverse maternal outcomes in comparison to elective delivery.Methods: A retrospective study of all patients with placenta accreta diagnosed antenatally and confirmed pathologically, who were delivered between 2000 and 2010. Baseline characteristics and outcomes of emergent deliveries were compared with elective deliveries.Results: A total of 48 women met inclusion criteria, of which 24 (50%) were delivered emergently. 79.2% of emergent deliveries were preceded by antenatal bleeding (p = 0.0005), and 62.5% were preceded by recurrent bleeding (p = 0.001). Comparison of elective and emergent deliveries revealed no clinical significant difference in maternal outcome.Conclusions: Antenatal bleeding is associated with an increased risk of emergent delivery. Emergent delivery in a tertiary care facility with immediate acce...
Expression of constitutively active phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibits activation of caspase 3 and apoptosis of cardiac muscle cells

Apoptosis of cardiac muscle cells contributes to the development of cardiomyopathy. Recent studies showed that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) inhibits apoptosis of cardiac muscle cells and improves myocardial function in experimental heart failure. This study was carried out to elucidate the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) in the anti-apoptotic actions of IGF-I in cardiomyocytes and to explore whether expression of constitutively active PI 3-kinase can inhibit apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Apoptosis of primary cardiomyocytes was induced by doxorubicin treatment and serum withdrawal. Transduction of cardiomyocytes with constitutively active PI 3-kinase specifically lead to serine phosphorylation of Akt, whereas phosphorylation of IGF-I receptor, IRS1/2 and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase were not increased. In the cardiomyocytes transduced with constitutively active PI 3-kinase, activation of the pro-apoptotic caspase 3 was attenuated and fragmentation of DNA was reduced. Preincubating cells with PI 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 was associated with loss of anti-apoptotic actions of IGF-I and PI 3-kinase. Neither IGF-I nor constitutively active PI 3-kinase lead to serine phosphorylation of Bad, suggesting that the anti-apoptotic effects of PI 3-kinase are not mediated through Bad phosphorylation in cardiac muscle cells. To determine whether activation of caspase 3 is sufficient to induce apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, an engineered TAT-caspase 3 protein was introduced to cardiomyocytes. Significant reduction of cell viability occurred in the cardiomyocytes transduced with active caspase 3, indicating that activation of caspase 3 is sufficient to cause cardiomyocyte death. These findings indicate the existence of an IGF-I receptor-PI 3-kinase-caspase 3 pathway in cardiomyocytes that plays an important role in the anti-apoptotic actions of IGF-I in heart. Moreover, these data suggest that modulation of PI 3-kinase activities may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to counteract the occurrence of apoptosis in cardiomyopathy.
Viscoelastic adherence to corneal endothelium following phacoemulsification

Purpose: To compare the residual adherence of viscoelastics to the corneal endothelium following phacoemulsification in an in vitro rabbit model. Setting: Departments of Ophthalmology and Anatomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Methods: Three groups of 10 rabbit eyes each had a lensectomy via phacoemulsification using sodium hyaluronate (Amvisc Plus®, Healon GV®) or sodium chondroitin sulfate-sodium hyaluronate (Viscoat®) as the viscoelastic agent. After phacoemulsification and cortex removal, a central corneal block was excised, cryofixed, and processed for light and electron microscopy. Viscoelastic thickness was determined by a calibrated reticule on the light microscope or a calibrated measuring program in the electron microscope. The nonparametric statistical test, Kruskal-Wallis, was used to compare viscoelastic groups. Results: Median phacoemulsification time between viscoelastic agents was not significantly different. Median viscoelastic thicknesses were 13.0 μm for Amvisc Plus, 0.4 μm for Healon GV, and 375.0 μm for Viscoat. Each was significantly different from the others (Kruskal-Wallis, P < .001). Conclusions: Median thickness of Amvisc Plus, Healon GV, and Viscoat remaining adherent to the corneal endothelium after phacoemulsification was markedly different. Viscoat provided the greatest amount of viscoelastic material adjacent to the corneal endothelium.
Learning from positive and unlabeled amazon reviews: towards identifying trustworthy reviewers

On-line marketplaces have been growing in importance over the last few years. In such environments, reviews consist the main reputation mechanism for the available products. Hence, presenting high quality reviews is crucial in achieving a high level of customer satisfaction. Towards this direction, in this work, we introduce a new dimension of review quality, the reviewer's "trustfulness". We assume that voluntary information provided by Amazon reviewers, regarding whether they are the actual buyers of the product, signals the reliability of a review. Based on this information, we characterize a reviewer as trustworthy (positive instance) or of unknown "trustfulness" (unlabeled instance). Then, we build models that exploit reviewers' profile information and on-line behavior to rank them according to the probability of being trustworthy. Our results are very promising, since they provide evidence that our predictive models separate positive from unlabeled instances with very high accuracies.
‘Cage clutch’ in a flock of commercial white leghorns

Summary Five commercial White Leghorn chickens were presented to the laboratory from a flock which was experiencing a mortality problem after transfer to the laying house. About 4 or 5% of the birds were ‘squatting’ in their cages and appeared nervous. Localized, ulcerative lesions were noted on the toes and shanks of the layers. The flock was placed on antibiotics and electrolytes, and the affected birds were removed from their cages and placed on the floor. The problem subsided, and the flock came into production on schedule. Aetiology of the disorder remains unknown.
Synthesis, physical and photophysical properties of Ru(II) pyridyl-pyrimidine and pyridyl-pyrimidinone complexes: effect of substituents on the pyrimidine ring

Abstract [Ru(bpy) 2 ((EtO) 2 pypmR)] 2+ (R=H, Me and pypm=2-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine) forms by ethoxide substitution of 4,6-halo groups when Ru(bpy) 2 CO 3 ·2H 2 O reacts with 4,6-dihalo-2-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine in ethanol. When these ligands react with Ru(bpy) 2 Cl 2 ·2H 2 O in acetone, [Ru(bpy) 2 (ClpypnR)] + (R=H, Me, Ph and pypn=2-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidinone) forms by a hydrolytic reaction. The complexes give rise to metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorptions in the 320–480 nm region and π→π* transitions below 300 nm. The lowest energy dπ→π* absorptions of [Ru(bpy) 2 (ClpypnR)] + shift to the red region of the spectrum when compared with those of [Ru(bpy) 2 (pypmR)] 2+ and [Ru(bpy) 2 ((EtO) 2 pypmR)] 2+ . Emission spectra maxima are observed from 606 to 653 nm with the high energy absorptions associated with the pypm derivatives and the low energy absorptions associated with the pypn derivatives. The oxidation potentials for Ru 3+/2+ couples vary from +1.33 to +0.95 V versus SSCE; ClpypnR ligands make Ru 2+ more easily oxidizable. Reductions are ligand-centered and sequential for each ligand π* system; the order of decreasing ease of reduction in the complexes is pypmR∼(EtO) 2 pypmR>ClpypnR (R=H, Me)>ClpypnPh. Excited-state Ru 2+*/+ couples range from +0.77 to +0.46 V; those of Ru 3+/2+* range from −0.56 to −0.96 V. A variable-temperature emission lifetime study reveals the presence of a low-lying 3 dd state with an energy gap between the 3 MLCT and the 3 dd (Δ E ) ranging from 1800–3920 cm −1 , the thermal deactivation rate constants from 3 dd ( k 1 ) vary from 1.4×10 10 to 5×10 14 s −1 . The ground state p K a values of the complexes determined by spectrometric titration range from −4.1 to −6.7. The excited state p K a *(app) values measured by fluorescence titration range from 0.5 to 3.03.
Class product and character product

For each finite group G, the product in the group ring of all the conjugacy class sums is a positive integer multiple of the sum of the elements in a special coset of the commutator subgroup G′, as Brauer and Wielandt first observed in the case G′ = G. We show that the corresponding special element G! in A := G/G′ is the product of B! over specified subgroups B of A. Somewhat analogously, the product of all the irreducible characters of G, restricted to the center Z of G, is a multiple of a special linear character !G of Z, and !G is the product of !(Z/Y) over specified subgroups Y of Z.
In vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy of the human brain at 9.4 T: initial results.

In vivo proton NMR spectroscopy allows non-invasive detection and quantification of a wide range of biochemical compounds in the brain. Higher field strength is generally considered advantageous for spectroscopy due to increased signal-to-noise and increased spectral dispersion. So far 1H NMR spectra have been reported in the human brain up to 7 T. In this study we show that excellent quality short echo time STEAM and LASER 1H NMR spectra can be measured in the human brain at 9.4 T. The information content of the human brain spectra appears very similar to that measured in the past decade in rodent brains at the same field strength, in spite of broader linewidth in human brain. Compared to lower fields, the T1 relaxation times of metabolites were slightly longer while T2 relaxation values of metabolites were shorter (<100 ms) at 9.4 T. The linewidth of the total creatine (tCr) resonance at 3.03 ppm increased linearly with magnetic field (1.35 Hz/T from 1.5 T to 9.4 T), with a minimum achievable tCr linewidth of around 12.5 Hz at 9.4 T. At very high field, B0 microsusceptibility effects are the main contributor to the minimum achievable linewidth.
Wavelet transform as a preprocessing step for classifying AVIRIS scenes

This paper presents the results of ongoing research aimed at reducing the size of a hyperspectral data set without significant loss in information prior to classifying a scene. We are using an atmospherically corrected 614 by 397 pixel subset of a 1994 AVIRIS image of the Lunar Crater Volcanic Field, where a great diversity of cover types can be found. An artificial neural network (ANN) has already ben sued to distinguish over twenty different surface units some of which exhibit very subtle spectral differences. This ANN classification utilized the entire 224 spectral bands obtained at each pixel. We test the hypothesis that a discrete wavelet transform of these spectral data vectors can be used to reduce their length prior to classifying the scene. This is possible because the spectra can be relatively sparse in the wavelet domain after removal of the smallest wavelet components. Since the transform is linear, spectral information is preserved and pixel classification can be based on the smaller data vectors. An ANN is being used as a sensitive tool to test this hypothesis and determine relative loss of information due to the wavelet compression. A substantial amount of ground truth from past extensive research by us and others is also being used in support of our analysis. If successful, wavelet compression could significantly increase the efficiency of a classification.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Preparation and luminescent properties of sol-gel derived SiO2-B2O3 :Tb glass films

Abstract Borosilicate glass films doped with rare-earths were deposited on glass substrates by using a simple sol–gel method. To avoid the undesirable precipitation due to the different hydrolysis rates between silicon and boron alkoxides, two solutions were used for dip-coating separately. One solution consisted of silicon tetraethoxide, ethanol, water and terbium nitrate as the Tb dopant. Another consisted of triethyl borate. Layer-by-layer deposition was applied by dipping into these solutions in sequence. The luminescent properties of Tb 3+ were investigated for the borosilicate samples in relation to the firing effect. After firing at 900 °C, a remarkable increase (≈8 times) of the Tb 3+ -ion luminescence was observed for the borosilicate samples, while the silicate sample showed about 3 times increase in luminescence intensity. The boron addition of as low as 1 mol% of B 2 O 3 was found to be very effective in increasing the Tb 3+ luminescence intensity.
A fast detector for single-shot positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Abstract When an intense sub-nanosecond positron pulse impinges upon a target, a pulse of γ-rays is created which can yield information concerning electron–positron pairs just prior to annihilation. Many conventional γ-ray detectors are unable to exploit the timing information contained within such pulses, and we describe here the development of a fast detector that is able to do so. Using a single-crystal PbF 2 Cherenkov radiator coupled to a fast photomultiplier tube (PMT), we have produced a detector with a time response of ∼4 ns (primarily determined by the PMT response), as well as a low-efficiency detector with a sub-nanosecond response. Since 511 keV photons produce very little Cherenkov light, the problem of photomultiplier saturation is mitigated and this detector is therefore well suited to single-shot positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (SSPALS) measurements.
Clinical Results of Titanium Retinal Tacks With Pneumatic Insertion

We used titanium retinal tacks inserted with a pneumatic instrument for retinal fixation in 11 operative procedures in ten eyes with complicated retinal detachments. Titanium was selected for permanent implantation because of its documented biologic tolerance. No intraoperative or postoperative complications related to the tacks were encountered. Three tacks, one 0.7 mm in length and two 1.6 mm in length, became dislodged postoperatively; 50 permanently implanted tacks, each 1.6 mm in length, remained in place after a mean follow-up of five months. Retinal reattachment at the end of the follow-up period was achieved in eight eyes and useful visual function was obtained in three eyes. Titanium retinal tacks are useful when immediate retinal fixation is required either temporarily or permanently to prevent retraction and detachment of the retina until adjunctive diathermy, cryopexy, or photocoagulation becomes effective.
The morphology of the buccal apparatus of Oenopota levidensis (Gastropoda, Turridae)

1. The Buccal, radular, and venom apparatus morphology and histology of Oenopota levidensis are described. This is the first report on the functional morphology of the turrid radular sac, the first report on the functional morphology of a north Pacific turrid gastropod, and the first histological study of these structures in the Turridae, in which they are highly modified in connection with the envenomation of prey. 2. The rhynchodaeum is similar to that in Oenopota Curricula, except that the rhynchodaeal sphincter is placed more posteriorly. 3. The proboscis of O. levidensis is intraembolic and similar to, but simpler than the proboscis of O. Curricula and Mangelia attenuata. 4. The Buccal tube, Buccal sac, and Buccal cavity correspond quite closely to O. turricula, except that O. levidensis has a. much larger buccal sphincter. 5. The salivary glands are paired and each has a duct that enters the buccal sac. They may function in removing cellular debris from the lumen of the tooth just prior to use. They may also function to initiate digestion, or to lubricate swallowed prey. 6. The radula is highly modified in the typical toxoglossan manner. It lacks a radular ribbon and a subradular membrane. Evidence is presented, and hypotheses are proposed to explain tooth formation. The teeth are most likely formed by odontoblast cells using a cell possibly of inferior epithelial origin as a template. This internal cell may also secrete the base of the tooth and its remnants may constitute the ligament. The tooth appears to undergo a chemical change in the radular sac that may be caused by secretions from the superior epithelium. The tooth may move down the radula supported by epithelial cells which are fastened to the ligament by interdigitating processes. 7. The venom apparatus is quite typically toxoglossan, very similar to Conus, and to the other turrids that have been studied, Lora, Mangelia, Oenopata, Philbertia, and Polystira. 8. The oesophagus is largely an unmodified wide tube as in other turrids.
Carbamylation of Brain Proteins with Cyanate in vitro and in vivo

Unequivocal demonstration of the incorporation of [14C]cyanate into brain proteins as a carbamyl derivative rather than via decomposition to CO2 is presented; this is based on the isolation of radioactive hydantoins and on the loss of radioactivity on hydrolysis of the hydantoins. The influence of conditions on the extent of carbamylation of brain proteins in vitro by cyanate are presented. The optimum pH is about 7 and the carbamylation is dependent on temperature, concentration and time. There was no detectable difference in the rate and/or extent of cyanate incorporation in vitro between normal and previously carbamylated animals. Experiments in vivo show a linear increase in the carbamylation of brain proteins with intraperitoneal injection of cyanate up to the highest concentration tested (2 μmol/g). The extent of carbamylation increases progressively with repeated injections for about 3 days. After this time with further injections there is increased incorporation, but at a lower rate. Experiments in vivo show that animals who have been previously carbamylated with non-radioactive cyanate incorporate about 25% less cyanate than control animals when given a pulse of [14C]cyanate. Fractionation of the major cell components revealed cyanate incorporation into all fractions but a higher incorporation in the supernatant fraction. When brain was fractionated by differential extraction there was incorporation in all the fractions, including the water, salt and solvent-insoluble residue. Although some differences were detected, additional studies are needed to determine whether carbamylation affects protein turnover. The higher sensitivity of experiments in vivo for discrimination of protein carbamylation is discussed in relation to the present work and to recent work from others.
Migrating sediment waves created by turbidity currents in the northern South China Basin

A large (∼ 25,000 km 2 ) field of migrating sediment waves on the gently dipping seaward wall of the Manila Trench in the northern South China Basin parallels the trench floor for 450 km and extends up the wall to 900 m above the trench floor. Wavelengths range from 200 m to 5 km, and amplitudes range from 5 to 50 m. The internal structure of the waves generally suggests upslope migration. These waves have characteristics common to migrating waves that were deposited by thermohaline (contour) currents at other locations throughout the world. However, the regional setting and sediments of these South China Sea waves, together with the apparent absence of contour-current activity within the South China Basin indicate that the waves probably formed by turbidity currents or related down-slope flows that moved southward along the Manila Trench floor. These sediment waves thus demonstrate that downslope, gravity-induced flows can create fields of migrating waves that are of regional extent and are morphologically identical to sediment waves deposited by thermohaline-induced contour currents.
Objective evidence of the efficacy of medicinal therapy in angina pectoris

Abstract In the treatment of patients with angina pectoris some form of medication is usually prescribed, but in the selection of such drugs the physician must rely either on clinical impressions of their therapeutic value or on the unsupported claims of the manufacturers. Many attempts to prove the value of medication have been made, but there has been little objective evidence of therapeutic action. As a result, the Council of pharmacy and Chemistry of the American Medical Association, in 1937,1 in reviewing the claims for the therapeutic efficacy of xanthine derivatives, reversed their decision of 1930,2 and “decided that there is no warrant for claims of efficacy as a dilator of the coronary arteries or of usefulness in overcoming pain in coronary occlusion or angina pectoris.” The purpose of the present investigation is to review the literature and present objective evidence of the pharmacodynamic action of drugs under conditions comparable to those commonly used in the treatment of angina pectoris.
Female big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus, recognize sex from a caller's echolocation signals

The echolocation calls of bats function in prey capture and navigation but are not commonly regarded as communicative signals. However, because bats' echolocation calls show patterns of variability, they may transmit information about a bat, such as its age, individual identity or sex. For echolocation calls to function in this manner, variation in calls must be reliably linked to the characteristics of the bat, as has been shown in a number of studies. However, few studies have asked whether bats respond to this variation. We tested whether female big brown bats can identify the sex of an unfamiliar bat from playbacks of its echolocation calls. Playback consisted of a 30-s preplayback period, a 60-s playback period of either male or female echolocation calls, and a 30-s postplayback period. In the playback and postplayback periods the vocalization rates of female bats changed significantly relative to the preplayback period depending on the sex of the playback stimulus, indicating that they could determine sex from the echolocation calls. These findings support the possibility that echolocation calls play a role in communication in big brown bats.
Recent evidence on tRNA and tRNA acylase-mediated cellular control mechanisms: a review.

Abstract A brief discussion of some relationships between cell division, tissue regeneration, differentiation and aging is presented. Recent evidence bearing on the proposition that translational control, involving tRNA and tRNA acylases, is a key part of those control systems operating during differentiation and aging is reviewed. Evidence includes the following: procaryotic and eucaryotic viral systems affect various translational mechanisms involving tRNA or tRNA acylase; Bacillus subtilis sporulation involves the loss of a unique lysine tRNA; extensive differences have been observed in tRNA and tRNA synthetase between different plant tissues and during the senescence of specific plant organs; marked differences in translational components occur in nematodes, meal worms and sea urchins during their development. Several examples exist of similar changes in amphibians, birds and mammals. Steroid and polypeptide hormone systems may alter components of the translating machinery. Several enzyme systems have been examined in which tRNA or aminoacyl-tRNA appear to act as co-factors in repression or derepression. Recent evidence which has been obtained on the in vivo relevance of various tRNA alterations is presented, as is a brief discussion of some of the major difficulties impeding future studies.
Virulence of a polymicrobic complex, Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis, in a murine model

The effect of a polymicrobic infection employing Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis in the murine lesion model was used to determine the synergistic virulence of these two periodontopathic bacteria. At high doses of P. gingivalis W50, addition of T. denticola in the infection mixture had no effect on the formation and size of the spreading lesion caused by this microorganism. However, at low P. gingivalis challenge doses, T. denticola significantly enhanced the virulence of P. gingivalis compared with monoinfection of this microorganism. A potential role of the trypsin-like protease enzyme activity of P. gingivalis in this synergistic virulence was tested using P. gingivalis mutants deficient (i.e., BEI) or devoid (i.e., NG4B19) of this protease activity. These findings demonstrated that T. denticola-P. gingivalis complexes exhibit enhanced virulence in this model and that even using a polymicrobic challenge infection, the trypsin-like protease activity was important to P. gingivalis virulence expression.
Abstract 2308: MUC1 modulation of E-cadherin through miR-200c and ZEB1

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL MUC1, a cell-surface glycoprotein implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis, has a cytoplasmic tail (MUC1.CT) that is phosphorylated by different receptor tyrosine kinases and conducts these signals by binding and altering the function or stability of transcription factors, thereby influencing gene transcription. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short RNAs (19-22 nucleotides), regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level and are differentially regulated in cancer and metastasis. We discovered that MUC1.CT influences expression of miRNAs that contribute to metastasis, including miR-200c. MiR-200c is a known regulator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through regulation of ZEB1, a transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin. In addition, ZEB1 is a repressor of miR-200c in a feedback loop. Overexpression of MUC1 results in a dramatic decrease in miR-200c levels, resulting in increased levels of ZEB1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to demonstrate that MUC1.CT occupies the ZEB1 binding motif upstream of the miR-200c start site. In addition, we found that ZEB1 occupancy of the miR-200c promoter region was enhanced 3.5-fold in MUC1 overexpressing cells, indicating that MUC1.CT may influence the expression and stability of ZEB1 at the miR-200c promoter. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments determined that MUC1.CT directly interacts with ZEB1. We evaluated levels of proteins affected by the miR-200c pathway in MUC1 overexpressing cells and observed an increase in ZEB1 levels and a decrease in E-cadherin levels, consistent with induction of EMT. We also confirmed an increase of ZEB1 occupancy at the E-cadherin promoter in MUC1 overexpressing cells, further confirming our hypothesis. In addition, MUC1.CT is differentially phosphorylated by several receptor tyrosine kinases. Antibodies against different phospho-isoforms were used with ChIP to investigate the signaling cascades that influence localization of the MUC1.CT to the miR-200c promoter. The phospho-YEKV form of MUC1.CT, which is representative of signaling through epidermal growth factor/receptor (EGF/EGFR), was the only phospho-MUC1.CT detected at the ZEB1 binding motif of the miR-200c promoter. EGF signaling is linked to a loss of E-cadherin, and our work is the first to link EGF signaling through the MUC1.CT as a direct regulator of miR-200c expression. These data portray a novel pathway of EMT modulation. EGF signaling via MUC1 regulates levels of miR-200c, altering regulation E-cadherin. Grant support was provided by grants from the NCI (Training Grant CA09476, R01CA57362, U01 CA111294) and student assistantships from UNMC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2308. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2308