cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonionic Triblock Copolymers Facilitate Delivery of Exogenous Proteins into the MHC Class I and Class II Processing Pathways

Abstract Nonionic triblock copolymers are relatively nontoxic adjuvants that induce high-titer, long-lasting antibody responses. We have previously shown that these adjuvants also induce cell-mediated immunity including lymphokine production by CD4 + T cells and cytolytic responses by CD8 + T cells. These copolymers are thought to modulate hydrophobic adhesive interactions between antigens (Ag) and lymphoid cells. We sought to test the hypothesis that copolymers facilitate uptake of exogenous Ag by antigen-presenting cells (APC) using an in vitro model system. Our data show that nonionic triblock copolymers enhanced presentation of soluble ovalbumin (OVA) to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted CD4 + T cells and MHC class I-restricted CD8 + T cells, respectively. Presentation of OVA via the class I pathway was enhanced by copolymers in both phagocytic and nonphagocytic APC. However, copolymers did not enhance binding of peptides to the MHC molecules on APC, presentation of endogenously synthesized Ag, or presentation of exogenous Ag delivered by electroporation. These results provide additional evidence that these nonionic triblock copolymers can serve as powerful adjuvants for augmenting both humoral and cell-mediated immunity to protein Ag.
Soft X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopic Study of a LiNi0.5Mn0.5 O 2 Cathode during Charge

Soft X-ray (200 to 1000 eV) absorption spectroscopy at the O K-edge and the metal L II,III -edges, in both the fluorescence yield (FY) and the partial electron yield (PEY) mode, has been used to probe the electronic structure of electrochemically deintercalated Li 1-x Ni 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 2 . FY and PEY spectra of the transition metal L II,III -edges, indicated that Mn ions remain mostly unchanged in the Mn 4+ state at all levels of charge. However, the Ni FY L-edge spectra show a continuous shift to higher energy during charge, but remain mostly unchanged in the PEY data. The results of the FY data show that the Ni ions in the bulk are oxidized form Ni 2+ to Ni 4+ during charge. The difference between the surface-sensitive PEY data and the bulk-sensitive FY data indicates that the surface of Li 1-x Ni 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 2 has a different electronic structure than the bulk. The shift in the O K-edge to lower energies and the development of a shoulder on the low energy side of the first pre-edge peak indicates that the holes compensating the lithium ion deintercalation are located in O 2p states as well as Ni 3d states. These results show that soft X-ray absorption is a powerful technique for studying the electronic structure of new battery materials and it provides unique complementary information to that obtained from hard X-ray (above 1000 eV) absorption studies at the transition metal K-edges.
The effect of temperature upon the permeation of polar and ionic solutes through human epidermal membrane.

The temperature dependence of in vitro permeation through human epidermal membrane (HEM) was determined for urea, mannitol, tetraethylammonium ion (TEA), and corticosterone. The effect of temperature upon HEM electrical resistance was also measured. The majority of the experiments involved measuring the permeability coefficients of a specific permeant at 27 °C and 39 °C for a given HEM sample, the electrical resistance was also measured at each temperature. Similar experiments were also conducted with a model synthetic porous membrane. The effect of temperature was quantitated as the ratio of the permeability at 39 °C to the permeability at 27 °C for each permeant. These ratios observed for HEM with urea, mannitol, and TEA as the permeants were 1.66 ± 0.05, 1.76 ± 0.14, and 1.71 ± 0.11, respectively. The change in temperature was shown to have a similar effect upon the electrical conductance of the HEM samples. The observed ratio for corticosterone permeation was 4.5 ± 0.4. The experimental ratios observed for the three polar/ionic permeants were shown to approach those obtained from the model porous membrane and differed greatly from the ratio observed for the more lipophilic corticosterone, indicating differences in the effective transport mechanism/pathway for these classes of permeants. The permeability of urea was also observed to be inversely proportional to the electrical resistance of the HEM samples; this relationship was shown to be independent of temperature over the temperature range studied. The temperature dependence data and the observed relationship between urea permeability and electrical resistance strongly support the existence of a porous permeation pathway through the HEM as an operative diffusional route for polar/ionic permeants.
Physical properties of tissue-conditioning materials as used in functional impressions.

Abstract Controlled tests on the physical properties of four tissue-conditioning materials were conducted. The findings point to the advisability of leaving the tissue-conditioning materials used for functional impressions in the mouth for an interval of time ranging from 15 to 45 minutes, and then removing the impression. If left beyond 60 minutes, accuracy of reproducing detail may be diminished and any free standing material, such as on a border, will begin to slump. Wilson and co-workers, 8 in discussing the soft acrylic resins, concluded that a material used for functional impressions should be plastic while one used for tissue conditioning should be soft and resilient. They state that these properties cannot be present in the same material and, therefore, a product which is said to be suitable for both functional impressions and tissue conditioning has properties which are far from ideal for either purpose. However, this study indicates that tissue-conditioning materials do have the essential properties of a satisfactory impression material if working casts are poured promptly.
Automating Nutrition Screening and Assessment Documentation for the Electronic Medical Record

Abstract Moving from a manual, paper process for documenting in the medical record to a computerized process is a major adjustment for caregivers also faced with changes imposed by the differences in presenting and handling data through electronic means. The disciplines involved in the interdisciplinary assessment process are Dietetics, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Social Work. Underlying the design of the assessment pathways is the consensus among disciplines that patient data would flow to a common data base used by all caregivers, with an objective of minimizing duplicate data collection from the patient. Impacting the design of the actual patient applications, e.g. automated assessments, vital signs, intake & output are the larger system design constraints that impose boundaries on design creativity for computer information system staff and practitioners. These include, for example: phased implementation over many years (combination of manual and electronic systems), hardware features, software constraints (preset screen format for data entry and data presentation), number of characters per data field, capabilities for manipulating data, e.g. calculating body mass index, and the strength of the word processing feature. Information will be shared on the components of the electronic patient information system, the conversion from manual to automated nutrition screening and assessment, and what we have learned from the process. A demonstration using a laptop computer of the nutrition screening and assessment pathways used by the clinical dietitians and dietetic technicians will be included along with paper samples of the screens.
Thiamin degradation kinetics in pureed restructured beef

The kinetics of thiamin degradation in pureed restructured beef with 70% moisture (w/w) were determined at 110, 120, and 130C. As expected, the degradation kinetics followed a first-order reaction. the rate constant at 121C was 0. 01881 min−1. the temperature dependence of the rate constant obeyed an Arrhenius relationship. the activation energy was 26.5 kcal/mol. the activation energy compared very well to those obtained from the literature for a variety of foods including beef puree containing 85% moisture. Thiamin degradation kinetics in beef were independent of the form (free or combined) of the thiamin.
Hochauflösungs-Massenspektren von Penicillin-Derivaten

Die Massenspektren der Methylester von Penicillin G und Penicillin V, aufgenommen mit einem doppeltfokussierenden Spektrometer, werden diskutiert. Die mit diesem Instrument erzielbare hohe Auflosung ermoglicht die Bestimmung der genauen Masse und dadurch der Elementarzusammensetzung aller gebildeten Fragment-Ionen, was fur die Interpretation der Spektren von Molekulen, die viele Heteroatome enthalten, sehr wichtig ist. Die daraus gezogenen Schlusfolgerungen werden fur die Interpretation des konventionellen Massenspektrums von 6-Chlorpenicillansauremethylester benutzt.
A novel approach for the assessment of the rate-limiting step in Fischer-Tropsch slurry process

A novel approach to determine the rate-limiting step in the Fischer−Tropsch (F-T) slurry process was developed using a simple computer model. This approach, unlike others, takes into account the water gas shift (WGS) reaction in the calculation of the importance of the gas−liquid mass transfer and makes use of the “singular kinetic path” concept proposed by Espinoza in 1993 which incorporates F-T kinetic expressions from different investigators. The predictions of the computer model showed that CO was the likely limiting reactant when using iron-based catalyst, since it is consumed by Fischer−Tropsch and water gas shift reactions and has lower mass transfer coefficients than those of H2. It was also found that in the case of cobalt-based catalyst F-T synthesis is sensitive to the H2/CO ratio of the inlet gas and H2 was the likely limiting reactant, especially when the reactor was supplied with syngas having a H2/CO ratio lower than the stoichiometric value. The Fischer−Tropsch synthesis in a slurry phase ...
Felder-Soloman's Index of Learning Styles: internal consistency, temporal stability, and factor structure.

Background: Strategies to facilitate learning include using knowledge of students’ learning style preferences to inform students and their teachers. Purpose: Aims of this study were to evaluate the factor structure, internal consistency, and temporal stability of medical student responses to the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) and determine its appropriateness as an instrument for medical education. Methods: The ILS assesses preferences on four dimensions: sensing/intuitive information perceiving, visual/verbal information receiving, active/reflective information processing, and sequential/global information understanding. Students entering the 2002–2007 classes completed the ILS; some completed the ILS again after 2 and 4 years. Results: Analyses of responses supported the ILS’s intended structure and moderate reliability. Students had moderate preferences for sensing and visual learning. Conclusions: This study provides evidence supporting the appropriateness of the ILS for assessing learning style prefe...
Molecular Association in Solution: A Kirkwood−Buff Analysis of Sodium Chloride, Ammonium Sulfate, Guanidinium Chloride, Urea, and 2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol in Water

Molecular association has been investigated as a function of solution composition for sodium chloride (NaCl), guanidinium chloride (GdmCl), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), urea, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) mixtures with water. A Kirkwood−Buff analysis of the available experimental data provided information concerning the degree of excess association of the various species in solution. The results indicate that increasing concentrations of NaCl have no effect on the excess self-association of water, while GdmCl, (NH4)2SO4, and urea slightly increase the excess self-association of water. The presence of TFE results in composition dependent effects with a strong increase in the self-association of water at low TFE concentrations. The consequences of these observations in the context of water structure making properties are discussed. The excess self-association of cosolvents (except urea) displayed an initial increase which proceeded through a maximum at low cosolvent concentration and then decreased stea...
Long-term fluoxetine, but not desipramine, inhibits the ACTH and oxytocin responses to the 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, in male rats

Abstract The present studies determined whether serotonin 5-HT1A receptor-mediated function is modified by chronic exposure to antidepressants. Hormone responses to the 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, were evaluated after long-term exposure to two antidepressants, the 5-HT uptake blocker, fluoxetine, and the norepinephrine uptake blocker, desipramine (DMI). In addition, the density and affinity of 5-HT1A receptors in the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex were measured. Male rats received fluoxetine (10 mg/kg i.p.), DMI (5 mg/kg i.p) or saline injections once daily for 21 days. 8-OH-DPAT (0–500 μg/kg s.c.) was administered 18 h after the final antidepressant injection and 15 min before sacrifice. 8-OH-DPAT significantly increased plasma ACTH, corticosterone, oxytocin and prolactin, but not renin or vasopressin concentrations. Chronic injections of fluoxetine inhibited the ACTH, corticosterone and oxytocin responses to 8-OH-DPAT. suggesting reduced 5-HT1A receptor function. In contrast, chronic DMI did not alter the hormone responses to 8-OH-DPAT. The density and affinity of 5-HT1A receptors in the frontal cortex or hypothalamus were not altered by either fluoxetine or DMI. To verify that the observed effects require prolonged exposure to fluoxetine, rats received a single injection of fluoxetin (10 mg/kg, i.p.), 3 h before 8-OH-DPAT (0–500 μg/kg s.c.). Acute fluoxetine did not reduce any of the hormone responses to 8-OH-DPAT. In conclusion, the results suggest that chronic, but not acute, exposure to fluoxetine decreases 5-HT1A receptor function. This effects is not seen in rats chronically exposed to DMI. The mechanism of the effects of chronic fluoxetine on 5-HT1A receptor-mediated hormone responses is not likely due to reduced density of 5-HT1A receptors, because no changes were observed in [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding in hypothalamus and cortex, but could be due to changes in signal transduction.
Audiological findings in Gaucher's disease

Gaucher's disease (GD), the most common lysosomal storage disease, is an autosomal recessive, multi-systemic glycosphingolipid disorder. It is caused by reduced activity of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase, a lysosomal acid β-glucosidase, which results in the accumulation of glucosylceramide in lysosomes of the monocyte-macrophage system. Audiological assessment of GD patients has been performed in previous studies. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) still remains the main tool to evaluate the involvement of the auditory pathway in the progression of disease. Nevertheless, the relationship between abnormal findings and brainstem involvement remains unclear. We report our data and review the scientific literature.
True prostatic tissue in 46,xx female with adrenogenital syndrome

A case is presented of a seventeen-year-old phenotypic male with empty scrotum, hormonal studies consistent with adrenogenital syndrome, a 46,XX karyotype, and a normal prostate on rectal examination. Histochemical evidence of the true nature of the prostatic tissue is presented, and the developmental aspects of the case are discussed.
Commentary on Hahn's Divisions of Labor

Editor's Note: Dr. Newton is currently Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Medical School and head of the department's Section of Graduate Education. He holds medical degrees from both the University of Pennsylvania and Cambridge University and has served as Director of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is himself co-author (with E. E. Philipp and J. Barnes) of a textbook in the field that has gone through three editions (Scientific Foundations of Obstetrics and Gynecology: 1970, 1977, and 1986). His comments were prepared, at my request, as part of an effort to increase dialogue in print between anthropologists and health professionals and particularly to publish health professionals' reactions to our work.
Computer modelling of heat transfer in Czochralski silicon crystal growth

Abstract A finite element quasi-steady state modelling of heat transfer during the growth of a silicon single crystal by the Czochralski (CZ) method is presented. Computations are performed for a comprehensive geometrical model of an actual CZ puller, accounting for detailed radiation heat exchange and introducing a reviewed set of temperature dependent thermophysical properties. The implemented problem solving procedure goes through the recursive scaling of the power yield in order to guarantee the melt/crystal/gas tri-junction temperature matches the melting one. An effective, time saving, numerical scheme is employed for the coupled convergence of both melt/crystal interface location and temperature distribution. Many different growth conditions are simulated for analyzing the sensitivity of the heat flow pattern versus changes of pull rate, gas convection and material properties. The results stress the strong influence of growth rate on the phase change interface deflection, while the input of a correct melt emissivity value is shown to be imperative for working out reliable predictions of the crystal thermal field. The computed temperatures are compared with the corresponding thermographic data collected by means of an infrared imaging system, allowing a satisfactory validation of the adopted mathematical model.
Acute mountain sickness, inflammation, and permeability: new insights from a blood biomarker study.

The pathophysiology of acute mountain sickness (AMS) is unknown. One hypothesis is that hypoxia induces biochemical changes that disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and, subsequently, lead to the development of cerebral edema and the defining symptoms of AMS. This study explores the relationship between AMS and biomarkers thought to protect against or contribute to BBB disruption. Twenty healthy volunteers participated in a series of hypobaric hypoxia trials distinguished by pretreatment with placebo, acetazolamide (250 mg), or dexamethasone (4 mg), administered using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Each trial included peripheral blood sampling and AMS assessment before (−15 and 0 h) and during (0.5, 4, and 9 h) a 10-h hypoxic exposure (barometric pressure = 425 mmHg). Anti-inflammatory and/or anti-permeability [interleukin (IL)-1 receptor agonist (IL-1RA), heat shock protein (HSP)-70, and adrenomedullin], proinflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, IL-2, IL-1β, and substance P), angiogenic, or chemotactic biomarkers (macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, VEGF, TNF-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9) were assessed. AMS-resistant subjects had higher IL-1RA (4 and 9 h and overall), HSP-70 (0 h and overall), and adrenomedullin (overall) compared with AMS-susceptible subjects. Acetazolamide raised IL-1RA and HSP-70 compared with placebo in AMS-susceptible subjects. Dexamethasone also increased HSP-70 and adrenomedullin in AMS-susceptible subjects. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1β was higher in AMS-susceptible than AMS-resistant subjects after 4 h of hypoxia; dexamethasone minimized this difference. Other biomarkers were unrelated to AMS. Resistance to AMS was accompanied by a marked anti-inflammatory and/or anti-permeability response that may have prevented downstream pathophysiological events leading to AMS. Conversely, AMS susceptibility does not appear to be related to an exaggerated inflammatory response.
USD-FH: Jamming-resistant wireless communication using Frequency Hopping with Uncoordinated Seed Disclosure

Spread spectrum techniques (e.g., Frequency Hopping (FH), Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)) have been widely used for anti-jamming wireless communications. Such techniques require that communicating devices agree on a shared secret before communication. However, it is non-trivial for two devices that do not share any secret to establish one in presence of a jammer. Recently, several schemes relying on Uncoordinated Frequency Hopping (UFH) were proposed to allow two devices to establish a secret key using Diffie-Hellman (DH) key establishment protocol in presence of jammers. Unfortunately, all these schemes are limited in efficiency. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme named USD-FH, which uses Uncoordinated Seed Disclosure in Frequency Hopping to establish a shared secret in presence of jammers. The basic idea is to transmit each DH key establishment message using a one-time pseudo-random hopping pattern and disclose the corresponding seed in an uncoordinated manner before the actual message. Due to the large number of channels available for wireless communication, the jammers cannot control all channels at the same time. When the receiver and the sender use the same channel during seed disclosure, the receiver can get the seed. If the jammer does not listen on the same channel (and thus it does not know the hopping pattern), the receiver can receive the actual message without being jammed. We validate USD-FH through both theoretical analysis and simulation. Our results show that USD-FH is much more efficient and robust than previous solutions.
Physiological, metabolic and running characteristics of senescent female hamsters.

Metabolic, endocrine and biochemical variables of female hamsters were studied to define age-related alterations in their characteristics. Endurance performance, aerobic capacity and metabolic fuels and hormones were measured and compared in young-adult (2–3 months) and old (16–17 months) hamsters to determine if the storage of substrates used in endurance exercise is altered with age, and if so, its effect on performance. The results indicate that storage of metabolic fuels are not appreciably altered with age, although voluntary running is markedly reduced. Other factors are likely involved in the hypoactivity of senescent female hamsters.
Ion implantation in ceramics-residual stress and properties

The average and integrated stresses have been measured by the indentation technique for a series of sapphire crystals implanted with chromium or iron using a wide range of ion beam energy and fluences. The stress is compressive in nature and the average residual stress is in the range of 1100 MPa, i.e. about the value of the bulk rupture strength of defect-free single crystalline sapphire. Data for speciments implanted with iron indicate that a saturation value in average stress is reached at 1016 Fe cm−2 (160 keV) but a saturation for chromium implantation is not apparent. The residual compressive stress has a marked influence on the apparent fracture toughness as measured by the indentation technique and the fracture strength measured in bend tests.
Modeling and Analysis of Flexible Multistage Rotor Systems With Water-Lubricated Rubber Bearings

Flexible multistage rotating systems that are supported by water-lubricated rubber bearings (WLRB) have many engineering applications, including power generation, mining, water services, waste treatment, oil and gas industries, and industrial processes. Due to the flexibility of rotating shafts in these applications, dynamic modeling and vibration analysis is essentially important to optimal design and reliable operation of this kind of rotor systems.This paper presents a new model of WLRBs, with the focus on determination of bearing dynamic coefficients. Conventional bearing models are normally of pointwise type, and are invalid for WLRBs that have a large length-to-diameter ratio. The bearing model proposed in this work considers spatially distributed bearing forces, and for the first time, addresses the issue of mixed lubrication, which involves interaction effects of shaft vibration, elastic deformation of rubber material and fluid film pressure. With the bearing model, the dynamic response of a flexible multistage rotating system with WLRBs is described by a Distributed Transfer Function Method (DTFM). The steady-state response of the rotor system due to unbalanced mass is then computed by the DTFM, and compared with experimental data, yielding the dynamic stiffness coefficients of WLRBs. It is shown that the proposed bearing model and DTFM formulation is useful in vibration analysis and optimal design of WLRB-supported flexible multistage rotor systems.© 2014 ASME
Expression of antimicrobial peptides in the duodenal mucosa

Gastric acid is held as largely responsible for antimicrobial defense of the upper gut. However, with the wide use of proton pump inhibitors there is little evidence for increased risk of microbial infection, suggesting other defense mechanisms are present in the upper gut.
Resiniferatoxin, a phorbol-related diterpene, acts as an ultrapotent analog of capsaicin, the irritant constituent in red pepper.

Abstract Resiniferatoxin is an extremely irritant diterpene present in the latex of several members of the genus Euphorbia. Its mechanism of action has been shown to be clearly distinct from that of the structurally related phorbol esters. Since resiniferatoxin possesses a 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl substituent, a key feature of capsaicin, the major pungent ingredient of plants of the genus Capsicum, we examined the ability of resiniferatoxin to induce typical capsaicin responses. We report here that treatment of rats with resiniferatoxin, like treatment with capsaicin, caused hypothermia, neurogenic inflammation, and pain. These responses were followed by loss of thermoregulation, by desensitization to neurogenic inflammation, and by chemical and thermal analgesia, with cross-tolerance between resiniferatoxin and capsaicin. Resiniferatoxin was 3–4 orders of magnitude more potent than capsaicin for the effects on thermoregulation and neurogenic inflammation. Resiniferatoxin was only comparable in potency to capsaicin, however, in the assay for induction of acute pain, and the desensitization to acute pain appeared to require less resiniferatoxin than did desensitization for the other responses. We conclude that resiniferatoxin acts as an ultrapotent capsaicin analog and hypothesize that it may distinguish between subclasses of capsaicin response.
To parse or not to parse: relation-driven text skimming

We have designed and implemented a text processing system that can extract important information from hundreds of paragraphs per hour and can be transported within weeks to a new domain. The system performs efficiently because it determines the level of processing required to understand a text. This "skimming" method identifies surface relations in the input text that are likely to contribute to its interpretation in a domain. This approach differs from previous skimming techniques in that it uses conceptual information as part of bottom-up linguistic processing, thus using linguistic knowledge more fully while limiting grammatical complexity.
A SIMPLE MODIFICATION OF THE SPENCER ROTARY MICROTOME FOR CHUCK WITHDRAWAL ON THE UPSTROKE

A simple and accurate modification of the Spencer Model 820 rotary microtome is described in which the specimen is caused to withdraw from the knife on the upstroke. The modification, when used with glass knives, allows methacrylate-embedded tissues to be easily sectioned in the 1 to 5 β range. Interconvertibility from normal to modified operation is accomplished by simply turning a cam into one of two positions.
Genetic Gain in Yield Attributes of Winter Wheat in the Great Plains

Knowledge of changes associated with advances in crop productivity is essential for understanding yield-limiting factors and developing strategies for future improvement. Our objective was to identify plant traits associated with gains in grain yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Great Plains. Twelve landmark cultivars and one experimental line were compared with Turkey' (introduced 1873) at Hutchinson (Clark-Ost complex soil) and Manhattan (Reading silt loam soil), KS, during 1996-1997 and 1998-1999. Agronomic traits, leaf rust infection (caused by Puccinia recondita Rob. ex Desm. f. sp. tritici), and grain yield and its components were measured. Grain yields ranged from 2718 kg ha -1 for Turkey to 4987 kg ha -1 for the experimental line, with mean genetic gains of 0.16% per year for early genotypes and 0.63% per year for recent genotypes. Kernel number per unit of soil area had the highest phenotypic correlation with grain yield and contributed most to its genetic gain. Gains in spike numbers per unit of soil area and above-ground biomass also contributed significantly to higher yields of some genotypes. Significant genetic changes over time and correlations with grain yield were observed for early heading, decreased height, and reduced lodging and leaf rust but not for kernel weight. Our results suggested that yield components that form during vegetative phases (spike numbers per unit of soil area and kernels per spike) when conditions for growth are generally favorable are more amenable to genetic improvement than kernel weight, which forms during maturation when moisture and temperature are often unfavorable.
Automated method for tracing leading and trailing processes of migrating neurons in confocal image sequences

Segmentation, tracking, and tracing of neurons in video imagery are important steps in many neuronal migration studies and can be inaccurate and time-consuming when performed manually. In this paper, we present an automated method for tracing the leading and trailing processes of migrating neurons in time-lapse image stacks acquired with a confocal fluorescence microscope. In our approach, we first locate and track the soma of the cell of interest by smoothing each frame and tracking the local maxima through the sequence. We then trace the leading process in each frame by starting at the center of the soma and stepping repeatedly in the most likely direction of the leading process. This direction is found at each step by examining second derivatives of fluorescent intensity along curves of constant radius around the current point. Tracing terminates after a fixed number of steps or when fluorescent intensity drops below a fixed threshold. We evolve the resulting trace to form an improved trace that more closely follows the approximate centerline of the leading process. We apply a similar algorithm to the trailing process of the cell by starting the trace in the opposite direction. We demonstrate our algorithm on two time-lapse confocal video sequences of migrating cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). We show that the automated traces closely approximate ground truth traces to within 1 or 2 pixels on average. Additionally, we compute line intensity profiles of fluorescence along the automated traces and quantitatively demonstrate their similarity to manually generated profiles in terms of fluorescence peak locations.
A DHT-Aided Chunk-Driven Overlay for Scalable and Efficient Peer-to-Peer Live Streaming

Internet-based video streaming applications is becoming more and more popular and attract millions of online viewers every day. The incredible growth of viewers, dynamics of participants, and high video quality-of-service (QoS) requirement pose scalability, availability and low-latency challenges to peer-to-peer (P2P) live video streaming systems. Tree-based systems have low-delay but are vulnerable to churn, while mesh-based systems are churn-resilient but suffers high delay and overhead. Both systems cannot make full utilization of the bandwidth in the system. To tackle the challenges, we propose a DHT-aided Chunk-driven Overlay (DCO). It introduces a scalable DHT ring structure into a mesh-based overlay to efficiently manage video stream sharing. DCO includes a hierarchical DHT-based infrastructure and a chunk sharing algorithm. Aided by DHT, DCO guarantees stream chunk availability. In this way, DCO flexibly takes full advantage of available bandwidth in the system and at the same time provides high scalability and low-latency. Simulation results show the superiority of DCO compared with mesh-based and tree-based systems.
Vibrational approach to the dynamics of an α‐helix

The dynamics of a finite α-helix have been studied in the harmonic approximation by a vibrational analysis of the atomic motions about their equilibrium positions. The system were represented by an empirical potential energy function, and all degrees of freedom (bond lengths, bond angles, and torsional angles) were allowed to vary. The complete results were compared with a more restrictive model in which the peptide dihedral angle was kept rigid; also, a model potential excluding hydrogen bonds was examined. Thermal fluctuations in the backbone dihedral angles ϕ and ψ are 12° to 15°. The fluctuations of adjacent dihedral angles are highly correlated, and the correlation pattern is affected by the flexibility of the peptide dihedral angle. Time-dependent autocorrelations in the motion of ϕ and ψ appear to decay due to dephasing in less than 1 psec, while the motions of the carbonyl oxygen and amide hydrogens out of the peptide plane are more harmonic. Length fluctuations have been evaluated and exhibit a strong end effect; the calculated elastic modulus is in agreement with other values. Rigid and adiabatic total energy surfaces corresponding to dihedral angle rotations in the middle of the helix have been obtained and compared with the quadratic approximation to those surfaces. The magnitudes and correlations between the fluctuations obtained by averaging over the adiabatic energy surface most closely resemble the vibrational results. Of particular interest is the fact that hydrogen bonds play a relatively small role in the local dihedral angle fluctuations, though the hydrogen bonds are important in the energy of overall length changes.
TRANSLOCATION IN POLYTRICHUM COMMUNE (BRYOPHYTA). II. CLONAL INTEGRATION

Polytrichum commune is a perennial moss that grows by rhizomatous production of interconnected shoots. It possesses a well-developed internal system of food-conducting tissue. Liquid scintillation determinations following pulse-{sup 14}CO{sub 2} treatment of a single shoot in rhizomatously connected groups indicate that tagged photoassimilates are transported into: (1) newly developing stems during the early growing season; (2) shared rhizomes (with an increase observed in rhizome allocation toward the end of the year, as well as a year-end percentage increase in starch reserves); and (3) mature neighboring shoots. Over the course of the growing season, photoassimilate export from pulse-labeled shoots ranges between 12.9% and 21.4% of total tagged. The amount of export is significantly influenced by defoliation, shading, stem tip removal, and 50 ppm indole-3-acetic acid treatments performed on rhizomatously connected neighbor shoots. Physiological integration within P. commune can be inferred from these results. Control is exerted by endogenous hormones or by changes in the activity of sources and sinks.
OPTIMAL TRANSITION CONTROL OF DIFFUSION-CONVECTION-REACTION PROCESSES

Abstract An approach for the optimal transition control of diffusion-convection- reaction processes based on finite-dimensional models is presented. The finite-dimensional state-space models are constructed directly from the process PDE through application of orthogonal collocation on finite elements in the spatial domain. The dimension of the derived state-space model can be further reduced using standard model reduction techniques. The optimal controller is designed based on the finite-dimensional state-space model using continuous-time linear quadratic regulator (LQR) techniques.
Repair of propanodeoxyguanosine by nucleotide excision repair in vivo and in vitro.

Repair of the exocyclic DNA adduct propanodeoxyguanosine (PdG) was assessed in both in vivo and in vitro assays. PdG was site-specifically incorporated at position 6256 of M13MB102 DNA, and the adducted viral genome was electroporated into repair-proficient and repair-deficient Escherichia coli strains. Comparable frequencies of PdG → T and PdG → A mutations at position 6256 were detected following replication of the adducted genomes in wild-type E. coli strains. A 4-fold increase in the frequencies of transversions and transitions was observed in E. coli strains deficient in Uvr(A)BC-dependent nucleotide excision repair. A similar increase in the replication of the adduct containing strand was observed in the repair-deficient strains. No change in the frequency of targeted mutations was observed in strains deficient in one or both of the genes coding for 3-methyladenine glycosylase. Incubation of purified E. coli Uvr(A)BC proteins with a duplex 156-mer containing a single PdG adduct resulted in removal of a 12-base oligonucleotide containing the adduct. Incubation of the same adducted duplex with Chinese hamster ovary cell-free extracts also resulted in removal of the adduct. PdG was a better substrate for repair by the mammalian nucleotide excision repair complex than the bacterial repair complex and was approximately equal to a thymine-thymine dimer as a substrate for the former. The results of these in vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that PdG, a homolog of several endogenously produced DNA adducts, is repaired by the nucleotide excision repair pathway.
Party Influence on Roll Call Voting: A View from the U.S. States

Recent studies have documented that parties influence legislative behavior. But such studies have been unable to distinguish between party voting stemming from ideological agreement and true party influence, as most lack independent measures of legislator ideology and have not been tested at the U.S. state level. Using survey data to control for legislator ideology, this analysis looks at how and under what conditions parties influence voting in three sessions of five state legislatures. The results suggest party influence on voting in the states is partly due to the fact that legislators have similar beliefs and represent similar people. Nonetheless, parties exert an independent influence on roll call voting due to state legislators' desire for party resources and their desire to create a positive brand name for the party. Furthermore, there are numerous circumstances under which parties exert this influence.
Estimating chance reproducibility in Guttman Scaling

Abstract A definition of reproducibility in Guttman Scaling and two chance measures of reproducibility are suggested. The first measure assumes that the items are independent. The second method assumes nonindependent items and fits respondent and item margins by an iterative method used in fitting log-linear models. Chance reproducibility is conceptualized in terms of assumptions about respondent variability.
Oxygen sensing and oxidant/redox-related pathways

Abstract What is the nature of the oxygen sensor(s) and how do organisms sense variations in oxygen? A progressive rise of oxidative stress due to the altered reduction–oxidation (redox) homeostasis appears to be one of the hallmarks of the processes that regulate gene transcription. Dynamic changes in oxygen homeostasis and its close association with redox equilibrium, therefore, constitute a signaling mechanism for the expression/activation of oxygenes. This variation subsequently regulates the compartmentalization and functioning of HIF-1α and NF-κB. In addition, oxygen-evoked regulation of HIF-1α and NF-κB is closely coupled with intracellular redox state, such that modulating redox equilibrium affects their responsiveness at the molecular level (expression/transactivation). Interestingly, are these particular transcription factors potential oxygen sensors? The basic components of the intracellular oxidative/redox machinery and its crucial regulation of oxygen- and redox-sensitive transcription factors may help understand the network of oxygen sensing mechanisms and redox-related pathways.
Emotions and international security: Cave! Hic Libido

Great harm has been done to us. We have suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. George W. Bush, 20 September 2001, to ...
Numerical analysis of sorption and diffusion in soil micropores, macropores, and organic matter

Sorption and diffusion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil are important processes in subsurface contamination, but are complicated by the heterogeneous nature of soil. The soil pore-size distribution is herein approximated as a biporous geometry of micropores and macropores. The microspheres embedded in macrospheres contain micropores. Voids between microspheres constitute the macropores. Soil organic matter is assumed present on the surface of microspheres. We develop numerical solutions for the transient diffusion processes with linear partitioning in soil organic matter and nonlinear adsorption in the biporous soil particles. The three coupled nonlinear partial differential equations describe the diffusion in micropores and organic matter in series with diffusion in macropores. The computation uses an implicit Crank-Nicolson method with a predictor-corrector scheme for fast and efficient calculations. The solutions are applied to toluene and water sorption-desorption experimental data obtained by gravimetric uptake measurements. The procedure allows the estimation of key parameters, including micropore diffusivities.
Reducing the risks of laryngoscopy in anaesthetised infants.

Summary We have evaluated the use of oxygen insufflation during laryngoscopy with an OxyscopeTM laryngoscope blade compared to conventional laryngoscopy for maintenance of transcutaneous Po2 during intubation of anaesthetised, spontaneously breathing infants. Twenty healthy children aged between 1 and 24 months were anaesthetised with halothane in oxygen. Laryngoscopy and intubation were performed in a double-blind fashion using a Miller No. 1 OxyscopeTM blade either with or without oxygen insufflation. Transcutaneous oxygen tension, arterial pressure and heart rate were measured before and after laryngoscopy, and duration of laryngoscopy was recorded. Transcutaneous oxygen tension decreased by 7.1% (SD 6.1%) when oxygen insufflation was used, compared to 33.0% (SD 15.1%) without oxygen insufflation (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in mean duration of laryngoscopy or patient age. We conclude that oxygen insufflation during laryngoscopy and intubation of spontaneously breathing, anaesthetised infants effectively minimises the decrease in transcutaneous oxygen tension from pre-laryngoscopy levels, and makes instrumentation of the airway safer.
The Measured Electrostatic Charge on IgGs

Blood plasma is a high-concentration fluid containing ∼70 mg/ml protein. A major component of plasma (∼10 mg/ml) is a changing, heterogeneous mixture of IgGs. At plasma concentrations electrostatics (charge, dipole, induced dipoles, etc.) dominate chemical activity, hence solution properties. Protein charge can be determined accurately using a combination of electrophoretic and hydrodynamic measurements. It is essential to measure charge since calculated values (e.g., from isoelectric point determinations) may be in serious error. Monoclonal IgGs (mAbs) provide an important example where charge must be measured. Charge determinations for 11 different mAbs in 100 mM KCl at pH 6.0 show that calculated values overestimate the charge by ∼17, with the discrepancy increasing to ∼50 at pH 5.0. The mechanisms underlying charge suppression are unclear. There is nothing obvious in IgG structure (e.g., buried side chains, H-bonding, clustered charged side chains) that would account for the suppressed charge. It seems likely that weak ion binding (either site or territorial) by IgGs may occur since changing the solvent ionic strength and ion composition influence charge suppression beyond their Debye-Huckel effects. The unusual charge properties of IgGs may have both in vivo and in vitro significance. In vivo, charge suppression may provide a “buffer” that allows high plasma concentrations of IgGs with different amino acid compositions. Charge also may be important in Fc receptor binding of IgGs. Analysis of isolated Fc and Fab fragments reveals that the Fc fragment charge is less than +1 at pH 6.0, where the calculated charge is +9. In vitro, IgG charge correlates with increased solubility and reduced solution viscosity, properties that are important in drug formulation.Funding: Biomolecular Interactions Technology Center, Center to Advance Molecular Interaction Science
Is God a Person

The most striking difference between Christian and Muslim theologies is that while, for Christians, God is a person, Muslims worship an impersonal deity. Despite the importance of this difference for a host of theological issues, it is a difference which has gone largely unnoticed by Christians and Muslims alike. Yet Christians everywhere will affirm that God is a person, while the average Muslim will readily deny this. Theism is often defined by philosophers of religion who work in the Christian tradition in such a manner as to require the belief that God is a person. Thus The Encyclopedia of Philosophy has it that, ‘THEISM signifies belief in one God (theos) who is (a) personal, (b) worthy of adoration, and (c) separate from the world but (d) continuously active in it”. John H. Hick admits that, ‘Theism…is strictly belief in a deity, but is generally used to mean belief in a personal deity”. Richard Swinburne states that a theist is one who believes that there is a God who is a ‘person without a body (i.e. a spirit) who is eternal, free, able to do anything, knows everything, is perfectly good, is the proper object of human worship and obedience, the creator and sustainer of the universe”, and J. L. Mackie, while arguing the case of atheism, endorses Swinburne's definition of theism.
Longitudinal Relations Among Language Skills, Anger Expression, and Regulatory Strategies in Early Childhood

Researchers have suggested that as children's language skill develops in early childhood, it comes to help children regulate their emotions (Cole, Armstrong, & Pemberton, 2010; Kopp, 1989), but the pathways by which this occurs have not been studied empirically. In a longitudinal study of 120 children from 18 to 48 months of age, associations among child language skill, observed anger expression, and regulatory strategies during a delay task were examined. Toddlers with better language skill, and whose language skill increased more over time, appeared less angry at 48 months and their anger declined more over time. Two regulatory strategies, support seeking and distraction, explained a portion of the variance in the association between language skill and anger expression after toddlerhood.
The Economic Impact of Educational Institutions: Issues and Methodology:

This article provides a framework for conducting economic analysis for educational institutions. Such institutions, because they affect future output and income through human capital formation, have effects beyond the usual form of economic impact. To date, we are aware of no published impact studies that have adequately dealt with this issue, and most have not effectively handled the traditional sources of impact as arise through the import substitution phenomenon (the impact from increased local source spending in the area caused by the institution’s presence.) This study demonstrates an approach to handling all three sources of impact (export, import substitution, and human capital) and provides a description of the data sources needed to conduct such a study. In addition, the authors include a case study of Xavier University’s impact to demonstrate the viability of their proposed methodology.