cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robotic Bronchoscopy for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: A Multicenter Pilot and Feasibility Study (BENEFIT)

Background The diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL) continues to present clinical challenges. Despite extensive experience with guided bronchoscopy, the diagnostic yield has not improved significantly. Robotic-assisted bronchoscopic platforms have been developed potentially to improve the diagnostic yield for PPL. Presently, limited data exist that evaluate the performance of robotic systems in live human subjects. Research Question What is the safety and feasibility of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy in patients with PPLs? Study Design and Methods This was a prospective, multicenter pilot and feasibility study that used a robotic bronchoscopic system with a mother-daughter configuration in patients with PPL 1 to 5 cm in size. The primary end points were successful lesion localization with the use of radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) imaging and incidence of procedure related adverse events. Robotic bronchoscopy was performed in patients with the use of direct visualization, electromagnetic navigation, and fluoroscopy. After the use of R-EBUS imaging, transbronchial needle aspiration was performed. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) was used on all cases. Transbronchial needle aspiration alone was sufficient when ROSE was diagnostic; when ROSE was not diagnostic, transbronchial biopsy was performed with the use of the robotic platform, followed by conventional guided bronchoscopic approaches at the discretion of the investigator. Results Fifty-five patients were enrolled at five centers. One patient withdrew consent, which left 54 patients for data analysis. Median lesion size was 23 mm (interquartile range, 15 to 29 mm). R-EBUS images were available in 53 of 54 cases. Lesion localization was successful in 51 of 53 patients (96.2%). Pneumothorax was reported in two of 54 of the cases (3.7%); tube thoracostomy was required in one of the cases (1.9 %). No additional adverse events occurred. Interpretation This is the first, prospective, multicenter study of robotic bronchoscopy in patients with PPLs. Successful lesion localization was achieved in 96.2% of cases, with an adverse event rate comparable with conventional bronchoscopic procedures. Additional large prospective studies are warranted to evaluate procedure characteristics, such as diagnostic yield. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03727425; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov .
Competing reproductive and physiological investments in an all-female lizard, the Colorado checkered whiptail

Organisms in the wild have to allocate limited resources towards competing functions such as reproduction, growth, and self-maintenance. These competing investments create significant changes in physiological activity, and we still know little about the relationship between physiological activity and reproductive investment in natura. We investigated trade-offs between physiological activity and reproductive investment in the parthenogenetic Colorado checkered whiptail, Aspidoscelis neotesselata, across three different sites at the US Army Fort Carson Military Installation near Colorado Springs, CO, throughout the reproductive season in 2018 and 2019. We measured clutch size and reproductive activity and quantified plasma corticosterone (CORT), reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), and bacterial killing ability (BKA) to examine how energy-mobilizing hormones, oxidative stress, and immunity change in light of reproductive investment across different sub-populations. Circulating CORT increased with reproductive investment across all sub-populations, and increased clutch size led to a decrease in BKA in one sub-population, suggesting that habitat and nutritional availability may mediate this relationship. Oxidative stress, CORT, and innate immunity were not correlated with the exception of a trade-off between ROMs and BKA. This indicates individuals that have a better capacity to fight-off pathogens suffered increased reactive oxygen metabolites across all sub-populations, independently of habitat characteristics, which has important implications for A. neotesselata conservation.
Evaluation of Respiratory Therapist Extender Comfort With Mechanical Ventilation During COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Staffing strategies used to meet the needs of respiratory care departments during the COVID-19 pandemic included the deployment of respiratory therapist extenders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate respiratory therapist extenders’ comfort level with critical care ventilators while caring for patients with COVID-19. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the deployment of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in a critical care setting. METHODS: A qualitative survey method was used to assess CRNA experience with critical care ventilators. Prior to deployment in the ICU, CRNAs were trained by clinical lead respiratory therapists. Education included respiratory clinical practices and ventilator management. Sixty-minute sessions were held with demonstration stations set up in ICUs for hands-on experience. RESULTS: Fifty-six CRNAs responded to our survey (63%). A mean ± SD of 9.48 ± 12.27 h was spent training prior to deployment in the ICU. CRNAs were at the bedside a mean ± SD of 73.0 ± 40.6 h during the pandemic. While CRNA comfort level with critical care ventilators increased significantly (P CONCLUSIONS: Comfort level with mechanical ventilation increased for CRNAs working alongside respiratory therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Probing the Consequences of Cubic Particle Shape and Applied Field on Colloidal Crystal Engineering with DNA.

In a magnetic field, cubic Fe3 O4 nanoparticles exhibit assembly behavior that is a consequence of a competition between magnetic dipole-dipole and ligand interactions. In most cases, the interactions between short hydrophobic ligands dominate and dictate assembly outcome. To better tune the face-to-face interactions, cubic Fe3 O4 nanoparticles were functionalized with DNA. Their assembly behaviors were investigated both with and without an applied magnetic field. Upon application of a field, the tilted orientation of cubes, enabled by the flexible DNA ligand shell, led to an unexpected crystallographic alignment of the entire superlattice, as opposed to just the individual particles, along the field direction as revealed by small and wide-angle X-ray scattering. This observation is dependent upon DNA length and sequence and cube dimensions. Taken together, these studies show how combining physical and chemical control can expand the possibilities of crystal engineering with DNA.
Genomics Links Inflammation With Neurocognitive Impairment in Children Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1.

BACKGROUND We identified host single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) associated with neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) children. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on 217 PHIV with cognitive score for age (CSA) < 70 and 247 CSA ≥ 70 (discovery cohort [DC]). SNVs identified in DC were evaluated in 2 validation cohorts (VC). Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for NCI. A human microglia NLRP3 inflammasome assay characterized the role of identified genes. RESULTS Twenty-nine SNVs in 24 genes reaching P ≤ .002 and OR ≥ 1.5 comparing CSA < 70 to CSA ≥ 70 were identified in the DC, of which 3 SNVs were identified in VCs for further study. Combining the 3 cohorts, SNV in CCRL2 (rs3204849) was associated with decreased odds of NCI (P < .0001); RETREG1/FAM134B (rs61733811) and YWHAH (rs73884247) were associated with increased risk of NCI (P < .0001 and P < .001, respectively). Knockdown of CCRL2 led to decreased microglial release of IL-1β following exposure to ssRNA40 while knockdown of RETREG1 and YWHAH resulted in increased IL-1β release. CONCLUSIONS Using WES and 2 VCs, and gene silencing of microglia we identified 3 genetic variants associated with NCI and inflammation in HIV-infected children.
Research Attitudes Questionnaire scores predict Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial dropout:

BackgroundMissing data are a notable problem in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials. One cause of missing data is participant dropout. The Research Attitudes Questionnaire is a 7-item instrument th...
The sense of presence: lessons from virtual reality

The sense of presence—or the sense of “being there”—is a poorly understood phenomenon, especially in the case of “unseen others,” e.g., God. We used the tools of virtual reality (VR) to explore the...
Approximation of Large Games with Applications to Uniform Price Auctions

We provide a framework justifying the use of nonatomic limit model approximations to analyze the large market behavior of otherwise intractable game-theoretic models. We demonstrate continuity requirements on the economic primitives sufficient for the equilibrium strategies of the two models to converge as the number of participants in the large finite game approaches infinity. We apply our analysis framework to show that the equilibrium of a large interdependent values uniform price auction model where bidders have complementary preferences for multiple units can be approximated by a nonatomic exchange economy. We prove that the uniform price auction asymptotically aggregates idiosyncratic bidder information into market price and that the uniform price auction is approximately efficient with a large number of participants in the private values or single unit demand case.
Teaching NeuroImages: Starry-sky appearance in Rocky Mountain spotted fever

A 7-year-old previously healthy girl presented with high fever, headache, and a diffuse petechial rash. Serology confirmed Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii . The organisms disseminate hematogenously to the CNS and invade arterioles and capillaries, leading to inflammation and disruption of the blood–brain barrier. Typical findings on MRI include periventricular and subcortical infarcts secondary to vasculitis, which tend to occur in a perivascular distribution, resulting in a starry sky appearance (figure). Although highly suggestive in the appropriate clinical setting, similar imaging findings have been described in other viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.1
Group IVA phospholipase A₂ is necessary for growth cone repulsion and collapse.

The repellent semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) causes growth cone turning or collapse by triggering cytoskeletal rearrangements and detachment of adhesion sites. Growth cone detachment is dependent on eicosanoid activation of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCe), but the characterization of the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2) ) that releases arachidonic acid (AA) for eicosanoid synthesis has remained elusive. Here, we show, in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, that Sema3A stimulates PLA(2) activity, that Sema3A-induced growth cone turning and collapse are dependent on the release of AA, and that the primary PLA(2) involved is the group IV α isoform (GIVA). Silencing GIVA expression renders growth cones resistant to Sema3A-induced collapse, and GIVA inhibition reverses Sema3A-induced repulsion into attraction. These studies identify a novel, early step in Sema3A-signaling and a PLA(2) necessary for growth cone repulsion and collapse.
Meat Intake and Insulin Resistance in Women without Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose. To examine the relationship between meat intake and insulin resistance (IR) in 292 nondiabetic women. Methods. IR was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Diet was assessed via 7-day weighed food records. Servings of very lean meat (VLM) and regular meat (meat) were indexed using the ADA Exchange Lists Program. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers and body fat was measured using the Bod Pod. Results. Meat intake was directly related to HOMA (F = 7.4; P = 0.007). Women with moderate or high meat intakes had significantly higher HOMA levels than their counterparts. Adjusting for body fat weakened the relationship (F = 1.0; P = 0.3201). Odds ratio results showed that the low meat quartile had 67% lower odds of being IR (75th percentile) compared to their counterparts (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.16–0.71). These findings changed little after adjusting for all covariates simultaneously (OR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.14–0.83). Conversely, VLM intake was not related to HOMA, with or without the covariates. Conclusion. Moderate and high meat intakes are associated with increased insulin resistance in nondiabetic women. However, differences in body fat contribute significantly to the relationship. VLM is not predictive of IR. Prudence in the amount and type of meat consumed may be helpful in decreasing the likelihood of IR.
On-chip versus off-chip test: an artificial dichotomy

There has been some recent interest in the subject of whether circuits should be tested with built-in self-test (BIST) or automated test equipment (ATE). As with many such debates, neither extreme is a viable position, and the true answer lies somewhere in the middle. BIST patterns have their place with scan patterns, I/sub DDQ/ patterns, etc. as part of a test program driven by ATE.
Numerical challenges in the modeling of metamaterials and antenna-EBG composites

The objective of this paper is to present numerous examples of metamaterials, artificial dielectrics and related structures (e.g. antennas utilizing these materials) that provide considerable challenges when one attempts to simulate them using the CEM tools. Although they are not large in terms of the wavelength, these structures often have fine features and, hence, they require a discretization with a very small cell size. Furthermore, the multilayer nature of many packages also serves to exacerbate the problems of large CPU memory and time. The inhomogeneous nature of the structure precludes the use of the MoM, except when the conductors are thin, the dielectric materials are planar and layered, and the truncation effects are negligible enough to allow us to assume that the layers are infinite in extent.
Modeling the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process using neural networks and genetic algorithms

Silicon dioxide films deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) are useful as interlayer dielectrics for metal-insulator structures. In this study, PECVD modeling using neural networks and genetic algorithms is introduced. The deposition process was characterized via a fractional factorial experiment, and data from this experiment were used to train feed-forward neural networks using the error back-propagation algorithm. The networks were optimized to minimize both learning and prediction error. The optimal neural process models were then used for recipe synthesis to generate the proper deposition conditions to obtain specific film properties. The response surfaces of the neural process models were explored using genetic algorithms, and the performance of this procedure was evaluated by comparing the deposition conditions indicated by the generic algorithms with the neural process model predictions. >
Ultraviolet damage resistance of laser coatings

The damage resistance of several thin-film materials used in ultraviolet laser optics was measured at 266 and 355 nm. The coatings included single, quarterwave (QW) layers of NaF, LaF/sub 3/, MgF/sub 2/, ThO/sub 2/, Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, HfO/sub 2/, ZrO/sub 2/, Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and SiO/sub 2/, plus multilayer reflectors composed of some of these materials. The substrates were uv-grade fused silica. Single-shot thresholds were obtained with 22 ns and 27 ns (FWHM) pulses at 266 and 355 nm, respectively. One of the samples had previously been tested using 20-ps pulses, providing a pulsewidth comparison. At 266 nm the coating with the highest damage threshold was a QW layer of NaF at 10.8 J/cm/sup 2/ (450 MW/cm/sup 2/), whereas for a maximum reflector of Al/sub 2/O/sub 3//NaF the value was 3.6 J/cm/sup 2/ (154 MW/cm/sup 2/), and the threshold of the maximum reflector was 12.2 J/cm/sup 2/ (470 MW/cm/sup 2/). The results were analyzed to determine correlations with standing-wave electric fields and linear and two-photon absorption. Scaling relationships for wavelength, refractive index and atomic density, and pulsewidth were found.
Functions of the Complement System1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses two major trends in the complement system—the isolation and characterization of the individual complement (C’) components and the clarification of their reaction mechanisms and the growing awareness of the possible participation of C’ in processes of presumed pathological significance. The chapter evaluates the nature and validity of the evidence that seek to relate C’ activity with other biological and immunological phenomena. The chapter presents the understanding of the mode of action of C’ components and improved methods of assay through the development of methods for the isolation of the intermediate reaction products in the hemolytic reaction sequences. It elucidates the role of C’ in the aggregation reactions and examines the postulated enzymatic nature of C’ activity. It discusses the influence of various disease processes such as rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, renal disease, and nutritional disturbances on serum C’ levels and describes the role of C’ in manifestations of hypersensitivity reactions of the immediate type.
Bell’s Theorem, Realism, and Locality

Bell’s theorem is sometimes taken to show that quantum mechanics undermines scientific realism. If so, this would be a striking empirical argument against realism. However, Maudlin has claimed that this is a mistake, since Bell’s theorem has precisely one conclusion—namely that quantum mechanics is non-local. I argue here that matters are more complicated than Maudlin acknowledges: quantum mechanics is not a unified theory, and what Bell’s theorem shows of it depends on which interpretation turns out to be tenable. I conclude that while the lesson of Bell’s theorem could be that quantum mechanics is non-local, it could equally be that measurements have multiple outcomes, or that effects can come before their causes, or even, as the anti-realist contends, that no description of the quantum world can be given.
Enhanced quality modified multiband excitation model at 2400 bps

This paper introduces the modified multiband excitation model (MMBE) for speech coding. The MMBE is a modified version of the multiband excitation model which operates at lower bit rates and has improved speech quality. The MMBE is similar to the improved multiband excitation coder described in Hardwick and Lim (1991). The MMBE bit rate is reduced by employing more efficient coding techniques and reducing the number of voiced/unvoiced decisions per frame of speech than the original MBE. The complexity of the MMBE has been kept to a minimum in order to be suitable for real time applications with DSP chips. Preliminary results show the MMBE to meet or exceed the duality of previous MBE models at bit rates of 4.8 kbps and below.
Investigation of the Assembly of Comb Block Copolymers in the Solid State

Comb block copolymers are a relatively new architecture of polymer whose assembly into ordered morphologies in the solid state is largely unexplored. Thirty-two comb block copolymers with molecular...
Calculation of Repeatable Control Strategies for Kinematically Redundant Manipulators

A kinematically redundant manipulator is a robotic system that has more than the minimum number of degrees of freedom that are required for a specified task. Due to this additional freedom, control strategies may yield solutions which are not repeatable in the sense that the manipulator may not return to its initial joint configuration for closed end-effector paths. This paper compares two methods for choosing repeatable control strategies which minimize their distance from a nonrepeatable inverse with desirable properties. The first method minimizes the integral norm of the difference of the desired inverse and a repeatable inverse while the second method minimizes the distance of the null vectors associated with the desired and the repeatable inverses. It is then shown how the two techniques can be combined in order to obtain the advantages of both methods. As an illustrative example the pseudoinverse is approximated in a region of the joint space for a seven-degree-of-freedom manipulator.
Modification of Riboflavin for coupling to glassy carbon

Abstract Riboflavin was acetylated and then modified at the position 8 methyl group to give the 8-bromo and then the 8-triphenylphosphonium bromide derivatives. The phosphonium salt, after the addition of a strong base, was incubated with pieces of glassy carbon that had been oxidized, acylated, and reduced to form surface aldehyde groups. The objective here was to couple the riboflavin derivative to the activated glassy carbon through a double bond bridge by a Wittig type reaction. Cyclic voltammetry measurements on the glassy carbon following the Wittig incubation, showed the appearance of new redox groups with E ′ o values of — 0.16 V and — 0.44 V, indicating that coupling may have been accomplished. NMR spectra of the riboflavin derivatives agreed with literature results where comparable data were available. Additional studies are planned for verification of the riboflavin to glassy carbon coupling and for subsequent testing of the coupled riboflavin for cofactor activity with an appropriate apoenzyme.
Microwave plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy as a tool for the determination of copper, iron, manganese and zinc in animal feed and fertilizer

Quantitative analysis of elements in agricultural products like animal feed and fertilizers by a new instrument using microwave plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) technology was demonstrated in this work. Hot plate and microwave digestion were used to digest the sample matrices and the consequent digests were subject to atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA), inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and MP-AES analysis. The detection limit, accuracy and dynamic range for each instrument, were compared and matrix effects were evaluated with respect to the fertilizer and feed materials. The new MP-AES platform can offer comparable or better performance compared to AA and/or ICP-OES with respect to routine analysis for a regulatory program.
Inflammation-associated cancer: NF-κB is the lynchpin

It has long been suspected that NF-κB signaling has a pivotal role in chronic inflammation-associated malignancies, although genetic evidence for this hypothesis has been lacking. However, recent papers have lent credence to this concept and show that NF-κB activation in pre-malignant cells contributes to cell survival and metastatic potential. Furthermore, NF-κB activation in tumor-associated leukocytes, especially macrophages, contributes towards tumorigenesis by upregulating tumor-promoting proinflammatory proteins. This emphasizes the importance of NF-κB inhibitors as immunotherapeutic agents for chronic inflammation and suggests that these reagents might prevent, or at least inhibit, chronic inflammation-associated tumorigenesis.
Comparison of ultrasound quality assurance phantom measurements from matched and mixed scanner-transducer combinations.

Our goal in this work was to compare the results of common phantom tests made using matched and mixed ultrasound (US) scanner-transducer combinations. Sets of common US quality assurance (QA) measurements were made using matched US scanner-transducer combinations (i.e., transducers purchased for use with a particular scanner), as well as unmatched (mixed) combinations. Measurements of vertical and horizontal distance accuracy, and depth of penetration were performed using three common transducer types. Means, standard deviations, and differences between the mean mix and match measurements divided by the standard deviation (match-mix difference, or MMD), and two-sided, paired t-tests were computed for the groups of mixed and matched measurements. MMDs for vertical and horizontal distance accuracy test results were less than 0.87 in all cases, well below our threshold value of 2.0, which indicates that a significant difference exists. MMDs for the depth of penetration measurements were less than 1.50, again below the threshold value. These results suggest that all of the mixed and matched data sets were very similar. The more sensitive t-tests indicate statistically significant differences in only 2 of the 18 pairs of data sets. In conclusion, this study suggests that QA measurements generated by mixed or matched scanner-transducer combinations are very comparable. The ability to obtain QA phantom test data from mixed scanner-transducer combinations reduces the time required for US QA testing.
Threshold for carcinogenicity of N-nitrosodiethylamine for esophageal tumors in rats

Abstract In a study on 4080 rats by Peto et al. [Cancer Res. 51 (1991) 6415], esophageal neoplasms induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) were the tumors most clearly demonstrated to have a dose response from administration of the compound to male rats. However, they were unable to predict the shape of the dose–response curve at low doses. These data were reanalyzed in the present study for dose response on a logarithmic scale for dose. In contrast to the conclusion of Peto et al., the reanalysis shows a convincingly sharp threshold at 1017.1 molecules/kg/day. This unequivocal threshold has substantial implications for risk assessment of chemical carcinogens.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFLATION AND RELATIVE PRICES

The literature concerning the subject of inflation and relative prices has been growing so fast in the last few years that a review in chronological order allows for a greater understanding of the subject. This approach is taken here.
A systematic quantitative proteomic examination of multidrug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Abstract Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains have been examined at the DNA sequence level, but seldom using large-scale quantitative proteomics. We have compared the proteome of the multidrug resistant strain BAA-1605, with the proteome of the drug-sensitive strain ATCC 17978, using iTRAQ labeling and online 2D LC/MS/MS for peptide/protein identification. Of 1484 proteins present in at least 2 of 4 independent experiments, 114 are 2-fold to 66-fold more abundant in BAA-1605, and 99 are 2-fold to 50-fold less abundant. Proteins with 2-fold or greater abundance in the multidrug resistant strain include drug-, antibiotic-, and heavy metal-resistance proteins, stress-related proteins, porins, membrane transporters, proteins important for acquisition of foreign DNA, biofilm-related proteins, cell-wall and exopolysaccharide-related proteins, lipoproteins, metabolic proteins, and many with no annotated function. The porin CarO, inactivated in carbapenem-resistant strains, is 2.3-fold more abundant in BAA-1605. Likewise, the porin OmpW, less abundant in carbapenem- and colistin-resistant A. baumannii strains, is 3-fold more abundant in BAA-1605. Nine proteins, all present in the drug-sensitive strain but from 2.2-fold to 16-fold more abundant in the MDR strain, can potentially account for the observed resistance of BAA-1605 to 18 antibiotics. Biological significance Multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of the pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii are a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections, are associated with increased mortality and length of stay, and may be a major factor underlying the spread of this pathogen, which is difficult to eradicate from clinical settings. To obtain a better understanding of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in MDR A. baumannii, we report the first large scale 2D LC/MS/MS-based quantitative proteomics comparison of a drug-sensitive strain and an MDR strain of this pathogen. Ca. 20% of the expressed proteome changes 2-fold or more between the compared strains, including 42 proteins with literature or informatics annotations related to resistance mechanisms, modification of xenobiotics, or drug transport. Other categories of proteins differing 2-fold or more between strains include stress-response related proteins, porins, OMPs, transporters and secretion-related proteins, cell wall- and expolysaccharide-related proteins, lipoproteins, and DNA- and plasmid-related proteins. While the compared strains also differ in other aspects than multi-drug resistance, the observed differences, combined with protein functional annotation, suggest that complex protein expression changes may accompany the MDR phenotype. Expression changes of nine proteins in the MDR strain can potentially account for the observed resistance to 18 antibiotics.
Understanding changes in lignin of Panicum virgatum and Eucalyptus globulus as a function of ionic liquid pretreatment

Ionic liquids (ILs) have shown great potential for the reduction of lignin in biomass after pretreatment. Although dilute acid and base pretreatments have been shown to result in pretreated biomass with substantially different lignin composition, there is scarce information on the composition of lignin of IL pretreated biomass. In this work, temperature dependent compositional changes in lignin after IL pretreatment were studied to develop a mechanistic understanding of the process. Panicum virgatum and Eucalyptus globulus were pretreated with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C(2)mim][OAc]). Measurement of syringyl and guaiacyl ratio using pyrolysis-GC/MS and Kamlet-Taft properties of [C(2)mim][OAc] at 120 °C and 160 °C strongly suggest two different modes of IL pretreatment. Preferential breakdown of S-lignin in both eucalyptus and switchgrass at high pretreatment temperature (160 °C) and breakdown of G-lignin for eucalyptus and no preferential break down of either S- or G-lignin in switchgrass was observed at lower pretreatment temperatures (120 °C).
Direct Observation of Inversion Domain Boundaries of GaN on c‐Sapphire at Sub‐ångstrom Resolution

Wide-bandgap III–nitrides have seen enormous success in modern electronic, optoelectronic, and even spintronic devices. Recently, interest has grown in manipulating the crystal polarity of GaN having a wurtzite structure, which provides a new degree of freedom for investigating III–nitrides and their novel devices. These studies include work on the inversion domain boundaries (IDBs) of GaN, which separate adjacent domains of different polarity. Ten years ago, Northrup et al. performed first-principles calculations of domain-boundary energies and proposed the structure shown in Figure 1, based on its very low energy (25 meV A ). Since then, no direct, indisputable test has been carried out to determine the exact boundary structure. At the same time, many unique properties have been observed at the IDBs. Among these is the remarkable effect, observed by Stutzmann et al. that the IDB can act as a rectifying junction when biased by two electrodes placed on adjacent Gaand N-face regions. The boundary between two adjacent domains with different polarity has been shown to be a very efficient radiative recombination center, which may have potential application for novel light-emitting devices. Meanwhile, it was found that the rectifying behavior of the IDBs can be explained by ab initio density functional calculations, assuming the IDBs have a structure as shown in Figure 1 (where a thin AlN layer is used to invert the polarity of GaN). However, the IDB structure has never been determined directly and their real structure remains unconfirmed. Here we show that we have determined directly the IDB structure, including the determination of GaN polarity, by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) at sub-Angstrom
Circulating And Disseminated Tumor Cells After Neoadjuvant Therapy In Primary Breast Cancer

Background: Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) have been identified in approximately 30% of patients with primary breast cancer (BC) and predict outcome. Tumor cells in the blood (CTCs) predict outcome in metastatic BC, but their significance in primary BC is unclear. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is effective in reducing primary tumors or eradicating lymph node metastases prior to surgery, but the effect of NACT on DTCs and CTCs is unknown. Methods: We measured CTCs and DTCs in 107 patients with operable BC. Blood and bone marrow samples were collected following NACT completion. DTCs were identified using anti-cytokeratin immunostaining. CTCs were detected using the Cell Search system. Primary tumor markers, lymph node status, types/response to NACT were compared to CTC and DTC presence. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 51 years; median follow-up was 25 months. DTCs were identified in 27% and CTCs in 21% of patients following NACT. We found no associations between DTCs and primary tumor characteristics or lymph node status, however, ≥3 positive lymph nodes (intra-operatively) predicted CTCs (P=0.03). Conclusions: A significant number of primary BC patients have CTCs and DTCs following NACT, irrespective of primary tumor characteristics or response to NACT. Longer follow-up will determine if these cells predict outcome. Keywords—Circulating tumor cells, disseminated tumor cell, micrometastase, breast cancer
Initiation, Growth and Nuclear Characteristics of Tissue Cultures of Paeonia suffruticosa

Tissue cultures of the garden paeony, Paeonia suffruticosa have been established using explants of etiolated stems. Callus formation was induced on agar-solidified media containing ammonium ions or amino acids together with the hormones 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and kinetin, but not on media lacking the reduced nitrogen component. Attempts to induce callus from explants from green plants were completely unsuccessful and were characterized by the production of intense brown colorations, both of the explant and the medium. Subcultured tissue without the added hormones produced roots, both on solid and liquid media. Growth was tested on a range of liquid media, SH/2, SH, SH × 2 and SH—M, containing 1250, 2500, 5000 and 2500 mg/l potassium nitrate. The SH—M medium also contained 1650 mg/l ammonium nitrate. Growth measured as increased fresh weight was best in the SH/2, SH and SH—M media and was curtailed in the SH × 2 medium. Soluble protein content was highest at the lowest nitrogen concentration. A histochemical comparison of tissue grown on the SH/2, SH—M and SH—M lacking hormones showed that the cells in all the cultures remained diploid while differences were established in total nuclear protein, measured using the ninhydrin-Schiff procedure. Nuclei from SH—M grown cells have a higher protein content than those from the SH/2 medium while cells from the SH—M medium lacking hormones show a further increase in nuclear protein. This raises the question whether this change in nuclear protein is related to the morphogenesis of roots which occurs in this medium.
Determination of Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activity in Waters, Soils, and Sediments using High Throughput Microplate Assays

Much of the nutrient cycling and carbon processing in natural environments occurs through the activity of extracellular enzymes released by microorganisms. Thus, measurement of the activity of these extracellular enzymes can give insights into the rates of ecosystem level processes, such as organic matter decomposition or nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization. Assays of extracellular enzyme activity in environmental samples typically involve exposing the samples to artificial colorimetric or fluorometric substrates and tracking the rate of substrate hydrolysis. Here we describe microplate based methods for these procedures that allow the analysis of large numbers of samples within a short time frame. Samples are allowed to react with artificial substrates within 96-well microplates or deep well microplate blocks, and enzyme activity is subsequently determined by absorption or fluorescence of the resulting end product using a typical microplate reader or fluorometer. Such high throughput procedures not only facilitate comparisons between spatially separate sites or ecosystems, but also substantially reduce the cost of such assays by reducing overall reagent volumes needed per sample.
Effects of stress on serum C14 levels in rats following administration of hydrocortisone-4-C14 and corticosterone-4-C14.

ONE of the theories which has been proposed to explain the increased pituitary secretion of ACTH after the application of a stressful stimulus to the organism, is the concept that the increased demand of the peripheral tissues for adrenocortical hormones during stress results in a lowering of the cortical hormone titer in the blood, thereby stimulating the pituitary to secrete increased quantities of ACTH (Sayers 10). In the experiments reported in this paper, C14 labelled hydrocortisone and corticosterone were used in rats in an attempt to determine whether the application of such procedures as exercise, the injection of epinephrine or histamine altered (a) the half-life of the radioactive label in the blood or (b) the blood levels of the radioactive steroid when it was infused into the animals at a constant rate. If increased utilization, resulting in the destruction of the steroid ring, did occur then either the half-life of the compound would be decreased or, in the case where constant infusion was em...
Descartes and occasional causation

(1994). Descartes and occasional causation. British Journal for the History of Philosophy: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 35-54.
A comparison of spindle concentrations in large and small muscles acting in parallel combinations

A small short muscle frequently acts across a joint in parallel with a vastly larger and longer muscle; therefore it should play a minimal role in the mechanical control of that joint. This study provides evidence suggesting that the small member of such a "parallel muscle combination" (PMC) may serve an important sensory feedback role. The spindle densities of large and small members of PMCs in man and the dog were determined and compared. Epaxial PMCs controlling canine intervertebral joints were dissected and tissue samples were embedded in paraffin, sectioned transversely to the muscles' long axis and, stained with hematoxylin-periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Representative tissue sections were projected on to stereological grids and the percentage volume of spindles was determined. Data existing in the literature were used to ascertain spindle densities in human PMCs controlling joints in the cervico-occipital region and the extremities. The spindle density for each muscle in a group of PMCs controlling a particular motion was listed, and the mean spindle densities were determined for both the large and the small members of the group. Student's unpaired t test was used to determine the significance of the differences between mean spindle densities. Linear regression was calculated and the data were plotted graphically. In all PMCs examined, the spindle density of the small muscles was significantly higher than that of their large counterparts. It is therefore proposed that the small muscles of PMCs may function as "kinesiological monitors" generating important proprioceptive feedback to the central nervous system.
Electrophysiological properties of identified postnatal rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons in primary culture.

Abstract Electrophysiological experiments were performed on primary cell cultures of retrogradely labelled postnatal rat hippocampal neurons. Rhodamine microspheres injected into the dorsal fornix clearly labelled the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus while excluding the other hippocampal layers and the dentate gyrus. In dissociated cell culture, the labelled cells were easily identified by fluorescence microscopy. Anti-neuron-specific enolase and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein antibody staining confirmed that the labelled cells were neurons. The input resistance decreased from 2 GΩ to 450 MΩ, the input capacitance increased from 25 pF to 75 pF, the percentage of cells showing repetitive action potentials increased from 6% to 30%, and both peak GABA and glutamate responses increased over 100% during the 0 to 10 days time period investigated. This increase in chemosensitivity can be accounted for by an increase in cell size without an increase in the specific amino acid gated channel density. The subset of hippocampal neurons identified by the retrograde tracer technique are similar to non-labelled neurons with respect to the electrophysiological and pharmacological variables investigated. Nevertheless, it is likely that identified neurons may possess unique properties not evident in this study and refinement of the dissociated cell culture system using identified neuronal subpopulations may facilitate investigations looking at neuronal interactions such as synapse formation.
Effect of Supplemental β-Carotene on Luteinizing Hormone Released in Response to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Challenge in Ovariectomized Holstein Cows

Thirteen lactating Holstein cows were assigned randomly to either a control or beta-carotene (600 mg/d) treatment group to determine the effect of long-term beta-carotene supplementation on releasable luteinizing hormone in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone challenge. The experimental period was 28 wk. Milking was terminated at wk 16, ovariectomy performed at wk 20, and response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone determined at wk 27. Serum beta-carotene concentrations reflected dietary intake and were higher in the cows fed beta-carotene after 2 wk of supplementation and remained higher for the duration of the trial. Feeding supplemental beta-carotene had no effect on circulating progesterone concentration, corpora lutea size or corpora lutea progesterone concentration, or basal concentrations of luteinizing hormone, frequency, and amplitude of luteinizing hormone pulses, or the release of luteinizing hormone in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Thus, pituitary responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone was not affected by feeding supplemental beta-carotene.
Topological phases in layered pyrochlore oxide thin films along the [111] direction

We theoretically study a multiband Hubbard model of pyrochlore oxides of the form ${A}_{2}$${B}_{2}$O${}_{7}$, where $B$ is a heavy transition metal ion with strong spin-orbit coupling, in a thin-film geometry orientated along the [111] direction. Along this direction, the pyrochlore lattice consists of alternating kagome and triangular lattice planes of $B$ ions. We consider a single kagome layer, a bilayer, and the two different trilayers. As a function of the strength of the spin-orbit coupling, the direct and indirect $d$-orbital hopping, and the band filling, we identify a number of scenarios where a noninteracting time-reversal-invariant ${Z}_{2}$ topological phase is expected and we suggest some candidate materials. We study the interactions in the half-filled $d$ shell within Hartree-Fock theory and identify parameter regimes where a zero magnetic field Chern insulator with Chern number $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1$ can be found. The most promising geometries for topological phases appear to be the bilayer which supports both a ${Z}_{2}$ topological insulator and a Chern insulator, and the triangular-kagome-triangular trilayer which supports a relatively robust Chern insulator phase.
Relationship between the uptake, binding and pharmacological action of procaine in the isolated heart

Abstract 1. The uptake, efflux and pharmacological actions of procaine hydrochloride were studied on isolated hearts of female guinea-pigs. The hearts were perfused with Krebs solution containing 14C-procaine (0.1-500 μg/ml.) by the Langendorff technique at 37° C, using a constant flow pump. Hearts and cardiac effluent were assayed for procaine by liquid scintillation spectrometry. 2. Accumulation of procaine did not appear to involve active transport mechanisms for the following reasons. The rate of procaine uptake was most rapid at the highest perfusion concentration (500 μg/ml.), when it was three times faster than at the lowest concentration (0.1 μg/ml.); it was not affected by lowering the temperature to 3° C. The ratio of the concentration of procaine in the heart to the concentration in the perfusing fluid decreased with increasing concentration in the perfusion fluid. 3. When the efflux of 14C-procaine from hearts previously perfused with procaine-containing Krebs solution for 10 min was compared with the efflux of 14C-inulin, the patterns of efflux of both compounds were similar, and showed at least two exponential components. At the highest concentration of procaine (500 μg/ml.) the efflux of procaine was more rapid than that of inulin. 4. A relationship was found between the pharmacological action of procaine, the rate of uptake and the level of procaine in the heart. When the procaine-containing perfusion fluid was changed to a procaine-free solution, the heart rate increased rapidly, and there was a rapid decline in the levels of procaine in the hearts. 5. It is concluded that guinea-pig hearts accumulate procaine by a passive diffusion process, and that the pattern and rate of efflux indicate that the drug is loosely bound. If it is permissible to extrapolate from these findings to the antiarrhythmic effect in man, the short duration of its action may be due to loose binding rather than to rapid metabolic inactivation.
The Space Charge Due to Corona

A new technique for measuring the field strength and deducing the ion density about a wire in corona is needed. One such new method is measurement of a-c corona directly with a crystal galvanometer connected between two probe screens. The net space charge density was derived from the field strength curves in a single mathematical step, using Poisson's equation. The amount of charge present may be shown quantitatively by using a special function of the charge density. This is the total net charge contained in a cylindrical shell, one centimeter long, one centimeter thick, and of a parametric radius R. This total net charge is designated by Q. It is a convenient notation, for Q does not vary as a cloud of ions moves radially, but can change only by diffusion, recombination, or the introduction of new ions.
Peroxide formation in gamma irradiated citrate buffer.

Les resultats presentes ici suggerent la formation d'un produit du type peroxide apres l'irradiation, en presence d'oxygene, d'une solution aqueuse de citrate de sodium tamponnee au pH 7.
DESIGN OF EXTENDED KALMAN FILTER FOR A SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY MANIPULATOR

This paper presents an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for estimation of the state variables of a single degree of freedom rotary manipulator actuated by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). A state space model for the SMA manipulator is presented. The model includes nonlinear dynamics of the manipulator, constitutive model of Shape Memory Alloy, and the electrical and heat transfer behavior of SMA wire. In the experimental setup, angular position of the arm is the only state variable that is measured. The other state variables of the system are arm’s angular velocity, SMA wire’s stress, temperature and the Martensite factor, which are not available experimentally due to measurement difficulties. Hence, a model-based state estimator that works with noisy measurements is presented based on the Extended Kalman Filter. This estimator predicts the state vector at each time step and corrects its prediction based on the angular position of the arm which can be measured experimentally. The state variables collected through model simulations are also used to evaluate the performance of the EKF. Several EKF simulations are presented that show accurate, and robust performance of the estimator for different types of inputs.Copyright © 2003 by ASME