cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Project Circuits in a Basic Electric Circuits Course

The use of project circuits (a photoplethysmograph circuit and a simple audio amplifier), introduced in a sophomore-level electric circuits course utilizing active learning and inquiry-based methods, is described. The development of the project circuits was initiated to promote enhanced engagement and deeper understanding of course content among students. The new activities were assessed by student surveys, student scores on essay exams probing deeper learning, and classroom observations by an assessment specialist. The results are compared to similar assessments made before the introduction of the project circuits and are related to other applications of active learning approaches in the teaching of electric circuits.
Models of three-dimensional fractional topological insulators

Time-reversal invariant three-dimensional topological insulators can be defined fundamentally by a topological field theory with a quantized axion angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ of 0 or $\ensuremath{\pi}$. It was recently shown that fractional quantized values of $\ensuremath{\theta}$ are consistent with time-reversal invariance if deconfined, gapped, fractionally charged bulk excitations appear in the low-energy spectrum due to strong correlation effects, leading to the concept of a fractional topological insulator. These fractionally charged excitations are coupled to emergent gauge fields, which ensure that the microscopic degrees of freedom, the original electrons, are gauge-invariant objects. A first step towards the construction of microscopic models of fractional topological insulators is to understand the nature of these emergent gauge theories and their corresponding phases. In this work, we show that low-energy effective gauge theories of both Abelian or non-Abelian type are consistent with a fractional quantized axion angle if they admit a Coulomb phase or a Higgs phase with gauge group broken down to a discrete subgroup. The Coulomb phases support gapless but electrically neutral bulk excitations while the Higgs phases are fully gapped. The Higgs and non-Abelian Coulomb phases exhibit multiple ground states on boundaryless spatial three-manifolds with nontrivial first homology, while the Abelian Coulomb phase has a unique ground state. The ground-state degeneracy receives an additional contribution on manifolds with boundary due to the induced boundary Chern-Simons term.
Molecular cloning of complementary DNA for the alpha subunit of the G protein that stimulates adenylate cyclase

A complementary DNA clone encoding the alpha subunit of the adenylate cyclase stimulatory G protein (Gs) was isolated and identified. A bovine brain complementary DNA library was screened with an oligonucleotide probe derived from amino acid sequence common to known G proteins. The only clone that was obtained with this probe has a complementary DNA insert of approximately 1670 base pairs. An antibody to a peptide synthesized according to deduced amino acid sequence reacts specifically with the alpha subunit of Gs. In addition, RNA that hybridizes with probes made from the clone is detected in wild-type S49 cells; however, cyc- S49 cells, which are deficient in Gs alpha activity, are devoid of this messenger RNA.
Self-harming behavior: Introduction to the special series on non-suicidal self-injury and suicide

Abstract Suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) lie along a continuum of self-harming behaviors. Highly prevalent, NSSI is a serious public health concern. It also increases risk for suicide. The present article reviews recent research on NSSI and provides an introduction to the articles in this special edition of the journal.
The effect of intravenous cadmium on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions in conscious dogs.

This study was conducted in conscious dogs to investigate the effect of cadmium on exocrine pancreatic secretion and plasma levels of pancreatic polypeptide (PP). Mongrel dogs weighing 20–25 kg were prepared with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulas, and were acclimated for 3 wk prior to studies. The dogs were given iv infusion of saline, secretin at 25 U/kg/h, cadmium at 0.15 mg/kg/h, or various combinations of these compounds. During the infusion, pancreatic juice and blood samples were collected at regular intervals. Secretin infusion stimulated pancreatic secretions. Infusion of cadmium alone had no effect on pancreatic secretions and plasma levels of PP. When cadmium infusion was stopped with the background infusion of secretin, pancreatic secretions and plasma levels of PP were significantly increased. This latent effect of cadmium on pancreatic secretions and plasma levels of PP was abolished by an iv injection of 100 mg/kg atropine. These results indicate that cholinergic signaling may be involved in the effect of cadmium on pancreatic exocrine secretions and PP release. The current study suggests that cadmium may have diverse physiological functions in both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic cells.
Biochemical effects of the vinca alkaloids. II. A comparison of the effects of colchicine, vinblastine and vincristine on the synthesis of ribonucleic acids in ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.

Abstract The synthesis of RNA was studied in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma growing in the peritoneal cavities of mice treated with either colchicine, vinblastine or vincristine. In all cases, treatment with drug inhibited the incorporation of [ 3 H]uridine into phenol-extractable RNA by about 50%, the duration of the inhibition being in the range of 15–24 h. Separation of the RNA into soluble, ribosomal and rapidly-labelling fractions, indicated that the primary effect of these drugs is on soluble RNA, the doses in mg per kg needed for 50% inhibition being 0.3 for vincristine, I.O for colchicine and 0.8 for vinblastine. At higher dose levels, smaller changes were produced in the synthesis of ribosomal and rapidly-labelling interphase RNA. Pretreatment with massive doses of glutamic acid (0.9–2.7 g per kg) prevented, to varying degress, the inhibition in RNA synthesis produced by the alkaloids. Uptake of [I- 14 C]valine into tumor cell proteins also was depressed by treatment. The significance of these findings for the problem of control of cell division is discussed.
Antennal Olfactory Sensilla Responses to Insect Chemical Repellents in the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius

Populations of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera; Cimicidae), a temporary ectoparasite on both humans and animals, have surged in many developed countries. Similar to other haematophagous arthropods, C. lectularius relies on its olfactory system to detect semiochemicals in the environment, including both attractants and repellents. To elucidate the olfactory responses of the common bed bug to commonly used insect chemical repellents, particularly haematophagous repellents, we investigated the neuronal responses of individual olfactory sensilla in C. lectularius’ antennae to 52 insect chemical repellents, both synthetic and botanic. Different types of sensilla displayed highly distinctive response profiles. While C sensilla did not respond to any of the insect chemical repellents, Dγ sensilla proved to be the most sensitive in response to terpene-derived insect chemical repellents. Different chemical repellents elicited neuronal responses with differing temporal characteristics, and the responses of the olfactory sensilla to the insect chemical repellents were dose-dependent, with an olfactory response to the terpene-derived chemical repellent, but not to the non-terpene-derived chemical repellents. Overall, this study furnishes a comprehensive map of the olfactory response of bed bugs to commonly used insect chemical repellents, providing useful information for those developing new agents (attractants or repellents) for bed bug control.
Bimodal effect of methylenedioxyphenyl compounds on detoxifying enzymes in the housefly

Abstract Thirteen methylenedioxyphenyl (MDP) compounds, including commercial insecticide synergists and juvenile hormone analogs, were compared in their effect on detoxifying enzymes in the housefly ( Musca domestica ). Flies were fed a diet containing 1% of the compounds for 3 days. Enzymes were then assayed in vitro for their activity using aldrin and DDT as substrates. Piperonyl butoxide (PB), sesamex, propyl isome, sulfoxide, safrole, isosafrole, 6,7-epoxy-3,7-diethyl-1-[3-4(methylenedioxy) phenoxy]-2-octene (MDP-JH I) and 6,7-epoxy-3-methyl-7-ethyl-1-[3,4-(methylenedioxy) phenoxy]-2-octene (MDP-JH II) all caused a bimodal effect, inhibiting microsomal epoxidase and inducing DDT-dehydrochlorinase in the resistant Isolan-B strain. Two of these, PB and MDP-JH I, gave similar results with the susceptible strain, stw;w 5 and two resistant strains, Fc-B and Orlando-DDT. However, o -safrole, piperonylic acid, piperonal, 3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl acetate and methyl-(3,4-methylenedioxy) benzoate had little or no effect on the enzyme systems studied. The standard susceptible strain (WHO-SRS) responded to these compounds very differently. Among those tested, piperonyl butoxide, sesamex, safrole, and isosafrole were inducers of microsomal epoxidase, a 4-fold increase occurring after treatment with sesamex. Only MDP-JH II showed a marked inhibition of the epoxidase. These treatments did not effect DDT-dehydrochlorinase activity in this strain. The enhancement of DDT-dehydrochlorinase activity by the MDP compounds is associated with an increased rate of DDT dehydrochlorination in vivo . The stimulatory effect could be blocked by treatment with actinomycin D or cycloheximide.
Improved InP/InGaAs/InP PIN detector response using a transparent conductor contact

The elimination of the spatial variation in the frequency response of large area pin photodetectors is described using indium tin oxide as a transparent contact. The I/V, C/V, and relative frequency response characteristics are reported for devices fabricated with and without the indium tin oxide. The devices have active area diameters of 25.0 and 80.0μm. Responsivities were 0.53 and 0.61 A/W for photodetectors with and without the ITO contact, respectively.
Surface modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) angioplasty balloons with a hydrophilic poly(acrylamide-co-ethylene glycol) interpenetrating polymer network coating.

An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of poly(acrylamide-co-ethylene glycol) (p(AAm-co-EG)) hydrogel was covalently grafted to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) angioplasty balloons to increase surface hydrophilicity and improve lubricity. A 2-step graft polymerization protocol was followed to first polymerize and cross-link acrylamide onto the substrate with a photosensitizer and/or oxygen plasma pretreatment. The effects of varying photo-initiation and plasma exposure times were investigated separately and conjunctively using water contact angles to obtain optimal coating deposition parameters. A poly(ethylene glycol) network was then grafted by swelling the preexisting polyacrylamide network to allow inter-diffusion of the monomer and cross-linker, which were then polymerized by photo-initiation. When the photo-initiation time was long enough to reach near gelation, pretreatment of PET with oxygen plasma did not offer significant benefit. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of both polymer layers, and composition depth profiles supported the assessment that an interpenetrating network was formed. Tensile testing and application of Weibull statistics on unmodified and modified films indicated that the surface modification approach did not significantly alter the mechanical integrity of the material. These findings indicate that a p(AAm-co-EG) coating can be effectively deposited on PET surfaces without compromising the structural integrity of the substrate. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 53: 568–576, 2000
Degradation of Circulating von Willebrand Factor and Its Regulator ADAMTS13 Implicates Secreted Bacillus anthracis Metalloproteases in Anthrax Consumptive Coagulopathy

Pathology data from the anthrax animal models show evidence of significant increases in vascular permeability coincident with hemostatic imbalances manifested by thrombocytopenia, transient leucopenia, and aggressive disseminated intravascular coagulation. In this study we hypothesized that anthrax infection modulates the activity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and its endogenous regulator ADAMTS13, which play important roles in hemostasis and thrombosis, including interaction of endothelial cells with platelets. We previously demonstrated that purified anthrax neutral metalloproteases Npr599 and InhA are capable of cleaving a variety of host structural and regulatory proteins. Incubation of human plasma with these proteases at 37 °C in the presence of urea as a mild denaturant results in proteolysis of VWF. Also in these conditions, InhA directly cleaves plasma ADAMTS13 protein. Npr599 and InhA digest synthetic VWF substrate FRETS-VWF73. Amino acid sequencing of VWF fragments produced by InhA suggests that one of the cleavage sites of VWF is located at domain A2, the target domain of ADAMTS13. Proteolysis of VWF by InhA impairs its collagen binding activity (VWF:CBA) and ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation activity. In plasma from anthrax spore-challenged DBA/2 mice, VWF antigen levels increase up to 2-fold at day 3 post-infection with toxigenic Sterne 34F2 strain, whereas VWF:CBA levels drop in a time-dependent manner, suggesting dysfunction of VWF instead of its quantitative deficiency. This conclusion is further supported by significant reduction in the amount of VWF circulating in blood in the ultra-large forms. In addition, Western blot analysis shows proteolytic depletion of ADAMTS13 from plasma of spore-challenged mice despite its increased expression in the liver. Our results suggest a new mechanism of anthrax coagulopathy affecting the levels and functional activities of both VWF and its natural regulator ADAMTS13. This mechanism may contribute to hemorrhage and thrombosis typical in anthrax.
Sequencing of TNFAIP3 and Association of Variants with Multiple Autoimmune Diseases

The TNFAIP3 locus at 6q23, encoding A20, has been associated with multiple autoimmune diseases (AIDs). In this study, we sequence the coding portions of the gene to identify contributing causal polymorphisms that may explain some of the observed associations. A collection of 123 individuals from the Multiple Autoimmune Disease Genetics Consortium (MADGC) collection, each with multiple AIDs (mean=2.2 confirmed diagnoses), and 397 unrelated healthy controls were used for initial sequencing. A total of 32 polymorphisms were identified in the sequencing experiments, including 16 novel and 11 coding variants. Association testing in the entire MADGC collection (1,008 Caucasians with one or more AIDs and 770 unaffected family controls) revealed association of a novel intronic insertion-deletion polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (odds ratio (OR)=2.48, P=0.041). Genotyping of the most common coding polymorphism, rs2230926, in the MADGC collection and additional control individuals revealed a significant association with Sjogren's syndrome (OR=3.38, P=0.038), Crohn's disease (OR=2.25, P=0.041), psoriasis (OR=0.037, P=0.036) and RA (OR=1.9, P=0.025). Finally, haplotype and additional testing of polymorphisms revealed that cases were enriched for 5' and 3' untranslated region variants (one-sided P-value=0.04), but not specifically for common (>2% minor allele frequency), rare, exonic, intronic, non-synonymous or synonymous variants.
Detection of Volume Changes in Calcein-Stained Cells Using Confocal Microscopy

Calcein is an intracellular fluorescent probe that has been used as an indicator of cell volume in several previous studies. These studies have reported two different fluorescence responses depending on the optical setup used to collect the data: wide-field microscopy has resulted in a decrease in fluorescence upon cell shrinkage, whereas confocal microscopy has been shown to yield the opposite result. In this short communication, we have investigated the effect of optical setup on detection of cell volume changes in calcein-stained endothelial cells. A confocal microscope was used to collect the fluorescence data, and the pinhole diameter was varied in order to examine the effects of optical section thickness on fluorescence response. For large pinhole diameters – which correspond to relatively thick optical sections – fluorescence intensity decreased when cells were induced to shrink. In contrast, for small pinhole diameters the fluorescence intensity increased with cell shrinkage. The transition between these two types of fluorescence responses occurred when using a pinhole diameter of 285 μm, which corresponds with an optical section thickness slightly less than the height of the cells. Our results have implications for the design and interpretation of experiments involving the use of calcein as a cell volume indicator.
Aromatase expression in the human male.

The role of estrogens produced by the testis may involve negative feedback regulation of androgen biosynthesis. Estrogens are also associated with contractile processes of seminiferous tubules, and might have mitogenic effects on Sertoli and Leydig cells. To investigate the location of aromatase (estrogen synthetase) in the testes, tissue from normal human subjects, aged 3 months to 72 years were studied using immunocytochemistry. In mature testes, aromatase immunostain was always associated with Leydig cells and was absent from Sertoli cells. Aromatase activity ranged from 0.014–0.55 pmol estrogen per mg/h and was significantly correlated with the immunostain intensity (P<0.02). Activity and immunostain intensity did not correlate with increasing age. Rather, the highest levels were measured in four of six testes of men aged 18–20 years, three of whom also had the strongest immunostain in larger and more prominent Leydig cell clusters than those in the other specimens. A low level of aromatase activity but no immunostain was detected in prepubertal testes. However, in several prepubertal patients with Peutz–Jegher's Syndrome (PJS) with bilateral multifocal sex cord tumors and enlarged seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cells, aromatase was expressed in these Sertoli cells, but absent from normal Sertoli and Leydig cells. Increased aromatase expression in these tissues involved activation of upstream regulatory elements of the gonadal P II promoter of P-450arom. In a prepubertal boy with gynecomastia but without PJS, aromatase excess appeared to be due to increased aromatization in skin fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Several members of the patient's family including his sister also expressed high levels of aromatase. This condition appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.
CORRECTIONS TO MILEAGE ACCUMULATION RATES FOR OLDER VEHICLES AND THE EFFECT ON AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS

The MOBILE6 emissions model, currently under development, uses mileage accumulation rates that assume that the average 25-year-old car has been driven more than 337 962 km (210,000mi), and that the average 25-year-old pickup truck has been driven more than 402 336 km (250,000 mi). Cumulative mileage is used in the model to calculate emission factors that increase with mileage due to air pollution control device "deterioration." Odometer readings taken in previous studies by the Environmental Protection Agency and additional data indicate that average mileage accumulations may be much less [i.e., 201 168 km (125, 000 mi)] than those used in the MOBILE6 model. This has the effect of overestimating emissions from older vehicles. A simple model is presented that accounts for scrappage of older vehicles as a function of cumulative mileage. This model predicts average cumulative mileage that is much closer to actual odometer readings (taken in Nashville, Tennessee) than the default values used in MOBILE6. The u...
Toward understanding how early-life social experiences alter oxytocin- and vasopressin-regulated social behaviors

The early-life social environment has profound effects on brain development and subsequent expression of social behavior. Oxytocin and vasopressin are expressed and released in the brain and are important regulators of social behavior. Accordingly, the early social environment may alter social behaviors via changes in the oxytocin and/or vasopressin systems. To test this hypothesis, and to gain mechanistic insights, rodent models mimicking either a deprived (e.g. maternal separation) or enriched (e.g. neonatal handling) early social environment have been utilized. Findings indeed show that differences in the quality of the early social environment are associated with brain region-specific alterations in oxytocin and vasopressin expression and oxytocin receptor and vasopressin 1a receptor binding. Early social environment-induced changes in oxytocin and vasopressin systems were associated with changes in several forms of social behavior, including maternal care, aggression, play-fighting, and social recognition. First studies provide evidence for a causal link between altered vasopressin responsiveness and impairments in social recognition in rats exposed to maternal separation and a role for epigenetic mechanisms to explain persistent increases in vasopressin expression in mice exposed to maternal separation. Overall, initial findings suggest that oxytocin and vasopressin systems may mediate early social environment-induced alterations in social behavior. Additional comprehensive studies will be necessary to advance our understanding to what extent changes in oxytocin and vasopressin underlie early social environment-induced alterations in social behavior. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Social Behavior.
High-speed fiber optic probe for dynamic blood analysis measurements

Dynamic blood analysis requires real-time measurements. We introduce a novel optical scanning fiber-optic probe that can be used for rapidly acquiring sample data such as flow rates via doppler and dye luminescent decay kinetics over a spatial domain of interest. Experiments described demonstrate our high-speed wavelength tuned optical scanning probe concept. The scanning probe is based on wavelength multiplexing technique that offers simple control (via wavelength tuning). System issues such as probe beam scan distance, scan angle, beam spot size and optical efficiency have been addressed.
Spontaneous mucocele of the upper esophagus: radiologic demonstration.

We present a patient with dysphagia resulting from a pedunculated, spontaneous mucocele of the upper esophagus. We briefly discuss the radiologic, endoscopic and pathologic findings of this unusual lesion.
An auto-focus sharpness function for stereo image pairs

Auto-focusing is a key feature of modern camera systems that ensures a focused image is captured without the need for any user intervention. Passive auto-focusing is achieved based on a measure of sharpness or a sharpness function that is extracted from a series of images at different focal positions. With the rapid growth of stereo camera systems for 3D applications, this paper introduces a sharpness function when a series of stereo image pairs are captured at different focal positions. This function is defined based on the joint information between the left and right images. A comparison is carried out between the introduced sharpness function and the conventional sharpness functions when considering the left and right images separately in terms of sharpness accuracy and computation time.
The insidious problem of fatigue in medical imaging practice.

Fatigue represents a temporary inability to respond to a situation due to inadequate recuperation from overactivity; which can manifest in mental, emotional, or physical forms [1]. Occupational fatigue has been identified as a contributing factor in numerous catastrophic events including the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear reactor meltdowns, the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster, The Bhopal Union Carbide plant explosion, and the grounding and resulting oil spill of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker [2, 3]. In medicine, fatigue has been well documented as a source of medical errors, exacerbated by the continuous (i.e., around the clock) requirements for service delivery as well as associated disruption of circadian rhythms [4, 5]. Other sources of medical error that could be exacerbated by fatigue include excessive workload, cognitive overload, imperfect information processing, poor communication, and flawed decision making [6]. One can argue that all of these sources of medical error are ubiquitous in the current healthcare practice, and steadily rising as service demands and quality expectations continue to escalate. As reimbursements trend downwards, healthcare providers attempt to compensate by increasing their individual and collective practice productivity. While computerized medical technologies offer the potential to improve workflow and productivity, there is a theoretical point in which increasing productivity becomes offset by potential quality deficiencies. At the same time, healthcare consumers are placing increasing demands on providers for access to healthcare data, collaborative decision making, and quality accountability measures [7–9]. The collective stressors of worsening healthcare economics, increased workload, and heightened quality concerns serve as inevitable source of fatigue and stress on healthcare providers. These in turn can further compromise productivity and quality deliverables. If this cycle of perpetual occupational fatigue is to be successfully addressed and circumvented, it is first essential that the healthcare community identify the sources, create proactive mechanisms for objective data collection and analysis, and develop effective countermeasures.
Photosensitization is required for antiretroviral activity of hypericin

In a seminal series of papers, Meruelo and co-workers have described the potent antiretroviral effect of hypericin. Interestingly, hypericin was found to inhibit not only the production of infectious virus from chronically infected cells, but was also shown to directly inhibit reverse transcriptase activity of mature virions. The effect of hypericin on cells chronically infected with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), a retrovirus genetically related to HIV, is demonstrated. At concentrations of 10 (mu) g/ml, hypericin reduced production of infectious EIAV by 99.99 without causing obvious cytopathic effects. Interestingly, the results indicated that the antiretroviral activity of hypericin was wholly dependent on the presence of light. No decrease in viral infectivity was observed when hypericin and virus were incubated in the dark. Moreover, it appeared that light was an absolute requirement for the antiviral activity, as even high concentrations of hypericin (10 (mu) g/ml) were unable to reduce infectivity of as few as 100 infectious virions.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Modern departures in fire severity and area vary by forest type, Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades, California, USA

Acute changes in ecological disturbance regimes can have major consequences for ecosystems and biota, including humans, living within them. Human suppression of fire in the western United States over the last century has caused notable changes to many ecosystems, especially in lower elevation, semiarid forest types dominated historically by fire tolerant taxa like Pinus and Quercus. Recent increases in fire activity in western US forests have highlighted the need for restoration of ecological structure and function, but management targets for restoration in different forest types remain uncertain. Working in the forests of eastern California, we evaluated the direction and magnitude of change in burned area and fire severity between the period prior to Euro-American settlement (∼1500–1850) and the “modern” period (1984–2009). We compared total annual area burned; proportional area burned at low-moderate severity and high severity; and annual area burned at low-moderate severity and high severity between the two time periods in seven forest types. We also examined modern trends in fire area and severity. We found that modern rates of burning are far below presettlement levels for all forest types. However, there were major differences between low to middle elevation forests and high elevation forests regarding the components of this departure. Low and middle elevation forests are currently burning at much higher severities than during the presettlement period, and the departure in fire area is overwhelmingly expressed in the low to moderate severity categories; in these forest types, mean annual area of high severity fire is not notably different between the modern and presettlement periods. In higher elevation forests on the other hand, the modern departure in fire area is expressed equally across fire severity categories. Our results underline the critical need for forest and fire restoration in the study area, especially in low and middle elevation forests adapted to frequent, low severity fire. Expanded management of naturally ignited fires for resource benefit is clearly needed, but in many parts of our study area, strategic reduction of forest fuels will likely be necessary before large-scale restoration of fire becomes ecologically, politically, and financially feasible.
Chromosome segregation during the prokaryotic cell division cycle

Recent work has dramatically changed our view of chromosome segregation in bacteria. Rather than being a passive process, it involves rapid movement of parts of the circular chromosome. Several genes involved in chromosome segregation have been identified, and the analysis of their functions and intracellular localization are beginning to shed light on the mechanisms that ensure efficient chromosome segregation.
Multiple Functions of the TR2-11 Orphan Receptor in Modulating Activation of Two Key Cis-acting Elements Involved in the Retinoic Acid Signal Transduction System

The testicular receptor 2 (TR2) orphan receptor binds to hormone response elements (HREs) consisting of two AGGTCA half-site direct repeat consensus sequences (DR) with various spacing in the following order: DR1 > DR2 > DR5 DR4 DR6 > DR3. When binding to natural HREs, TR2 orphan receptor remains flexible with higher binding affinities to (a) cellular retinol-binding protein II promoter region (CRBPIIp) (DR1), SV40 +55 region (DR2), and retinoic acid response element β (RAREβ) (DR5) than to (b) NGFI-B response element (NBRE) and also to (c) the palindromic thyroid hormone response element (TREpal). This wide spectrum of HRE recognition sequences suggests possible versatility of the TR2 orphan receptor in cross-talking with other signal transduction systems. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay demonstrates that the TR2 orphan receptor competes with CRBPIIp- and RAREβ-CAT gene expression activated by retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) and retinoic acid receptor α (RARα)/RXRα heterodimers, respectively. In addition, this suppression may not be mediated by the formation of heterodimers between TR2 orphan receptor and either RXRα or RARα. Instead, a minimum of 100-fold higher affinity of the TR2 orphan receptor for CRBPIIp than RXRα may explain why the TR2 orphan receptor dominates RXRα in CRBPIIp-CAT activation. Together, our data suggest that the TR2 orphan receptor may be a master regulator in modulating the activation of two key HREs, RAREβ and CRBPIIp, involved in the retinoic acid signal transduction pathway.
Reducing F0 Frame Error of F0 tracking algorithms under noisy conditions with an unvoiced/voiced classification frontend

In this paper, we propose an F0 Frame Error (FFE) metric which combines Gross Pitch Error (GPE) and Voicing Decision Error (VDE) to objectively evaluate the performance of fundamental frequency (F0) tracking methods. A GPE-VDE curve is then developed to show the trade-off between GPE and VDE. In addition, we introduce a model-based Unvoiced/Voiced (U/V) classification frontend which can be used by any F0 tracking algorithm. In the U/V classification, we train speaker independent U/V models, and then adapt them to speaker dependent models in an unsupervised fashion. The U/V classification result is taken as a mask for F0 tracking. Experiments using the KEELE corpus with additive noise show that our statistically-based U/V classifier can reduce VDE and FFE for the pitch tracker TEMPO [1] in both white and babble noise conditions, and that minimizing FFE instead of VDE results in a reduction in error rates for a number of F0 tracking algorithms, especially in babble noise.
Intrasensory Redundancy Facilitates Infant Detection of Tempo: Extending Predictions of the Intersensory Redundancy Hypothesis

Research has demonstrated that intersensory redundancy (stimulation synchronized across multiple senses) is highly salient and facilitates processing of amodal properties in multimodal events, bootstrapping early perceptual development. The present study is the first to extend this central principle of the intersensory redundancy hypothesis (IRH) to certain types of intrasensory redundancy (stimulation synchronized within a single sense). Infants were habituated to videos of a toy hammer tapping silently (unimodal control), depicting intersensory redundancy (synchronized with a soundtrack) or intrasensory redundancy (synchronized with another visual event; light flashing or bat tapping). In Experiment 1, 2-month-olds showed both intersensory and intrasensory facilitation (with respect to the unimodal control) for detecting a change in tempo. However, intrasensory facilitation was found when the hammer was synchronized with the light flashing (different motion) but not with the bat tapping (same motion). Experiment 2 tested 3-month-olds using a somewhat easier tempo contrast. Results supported a similarity hypothesis: intrasensory redundancy between two dissimilar events was more effective than that between two similar events for promoting processing of amodal properties. These findings extend the IRH and indicate that in addition to intersensory redundancy, intrasensory redundancy between two synchronized dissimilar visual events is also effective in promoting perceptual processing of amodal event properties.
Dynamic program slicing

Abstract A dynamic program slice is an executable subset of the original program that produces the same computations on a subset of selected variables and inputs. It differs from the static slice (Weiser, 1982, 1984) in that it is entirely defined on the basis of a computation. The two main advantages are the following: Arrays and dynamic data structures can be handled more precisely and the size of slice can be significantly reduced, leading to a finer localization of the fault. The approach is being investigated as a possible extension of the debugging capabilities of STAD, a recently developed System for Testing and Debugging (Korel and Laski, 1987; Laski, 1987).
The father of sports medicine (Galen).

Although there were many physicians who treated athletes before Galen, I believe that he was the first to devote a major portion of his time to this field of endeavor. Furthermore, his systematic observations, his aggressive pursuit of newer and better ways of treatment, his teaching, and his publishing of his observations make him a kindred soul to the team physician and practitioners of sports medicine of today. It is for these reasons that I believe that he can justly be called the "Father of Sports Medicine."
The spaghetti overlay: simultaneous screening of multiple polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies by immunoautoradiography.

Abstract A method for rapid screening of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies using micropolyacrylamide gels is described. Antibodies, labeled directly in vitro or in vivo or indirectly by conjugate formation with 125I-labeled protein A, are dissolved in low-melting-temperature agarose and drawn into microcapillary tubes. After gelling, tube contents are applied to the gel surface in “lanes.” Following a brief incubation, antibody strips are removed and destaining is achieved by electrotransfer onto DE-81 or by washing. The technique is illustrated by screening of multiple polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against Chlamydomonas flagellar proteins. A potential use for mapping of antigenic determinants is also demonstrated using antisera to the 60K gelatin-binding peptide of human plasma fibronectin, released by leukocyte elastase, to probe subfragments generated by limited CNBr digestion.
Design and operation of the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth

This report describes how the 1995 [U.S.] National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) was designed planned and implemented. The NSFG is a national survey of women 15-44 years of age designed to provide national estimates of factors affecting pregnancy and birth rates and the health of women and infants....About 260 female interviewers were trained for 7 days in January 1995. These interviewers completed a total of 10847 interviews with women 15-44 years of age for a response rate of 79 percent. This report describes how the survey was planned and designed and how the data were collected edited and processed for public use. (EXCERPT)
Spirituality and recovery in 12-step programs: An empirical model

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs are widely employed in the addiction rehabilitation community. It is therefore important for researchers and clinicians to have a better understanding of how recovery from addiction takes place, in terms of psychological mechanisms associated with spiritual renewal. A program like AA is described here as a spiritual recovery movement, that is, one that effects compliance with its behavioral norms by engaging recruits in a social system that promotes new and transcendent meaning in their lives. The mechanisms underlying the attribution of new meaning in AA are considered by recourse to the models of positive psychology and social network support; both models have been found to be associated with constructive health outcomes in a variety of contexts. By drawing on available empirical research, it is possible to define the diagnosis of addiction and the criteria for recovery in spiritually oriented terms.
Oxidative-Nitrosative Stress in a Rabbit Pup Model of Germinal Matrix Hemorrhage Role of NAD(P)H Oxidase

Background and Purpose— Germinal matrix hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage is the most common neurological problem of premature infants. Despite this, mechanisms of brain injury from intraventricular hemorrhage are elusive. We hypothesized that germinal matrix hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage, by induction of NAD(P)H oxidases, might cause oxidative/nitrosative stress contributing to brain injuries and that NAD(P)H oxidase inhibition could offer neuroprotection. Methods— To test this hypothesis, we exploited our rabbit pup model of glycerol-induced germinal matrix hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage. We delivered rabbit pups prematurely (E29) by cesarean section and administered intraperitoneal glycerol at 2 hours postnatal age. Free-radical adducts, including nitrotyrosine, 4-hyroxynonenal, and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine as well as O2.− and H2O2 levels were measured in the forebrain. To determine the source of free-radical generation, we used inhibitors for NAD(P)H oxidase (apocynin), xanthine ...
Laboratory Diagnosis of Pneumonia Due to Streptococcus pneumoniae

The diagnostic reliability of the Quellung reaction of sputum and the gram stain-directed sputum culture (SC) for bacteriologic diagnosis of pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae was determined. Detection of pneumococcal polysaccharide in sputum by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) or isolation of pneumococci from blood or pleural fluid (BPF-positive) was considered indicative of definite pneumococcal infection. Specimens were obtained from 211 patients with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Of 119 CIE-positive specimens, the Quellung reaction was positive for 117 and the SC was positive for 96. However, 35 CIE-negative specimens were positive by QR, SC, or both, a result suggesting that CIE is a less sensitive indicator of pneumococcal infection than originally assumed. CIE, QR, and SC were positive in similar numbers of BPF-positive cases. All BPF-positive and CIE-positive cases were detected by both QR and SC. Use of both the QR and directed SC offers a rapid, accurate bacteriologic diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia.
A beef herd model for simulating feed intake, animal performance, and manure excretion in farm systems

A beef herd submodel was created for integration with other farm components to form a whole-farm model capable of simulating a wide range of beef production systems. This herd submodel determined the best available feed or feed mix to meet the fiber, energy, and protein requirements for each of up to six animal groups on the farm. The groups comprised any combination of cows, nursing calves, young heifers, yearling heifers, stockers, and finishing cattle. Protein, energy, and mineral requirements were determined for each group using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System, Level 1. Diets were formulated to meet these requirements with available feeds, and the resulting feed intake, growth, and manure DM and nutrient (N, P, and K) excretions were predicted. Required feed characteristics included CP, ruminally degradable protein, acid detergent insoluble protein, NDF, P, and K concentrations. Feed intake was predicted by considering energy intake, potentially limited by fill, and exceeding a minimum roughage requirement. Fill and roughage limits were functions of feed NDF concentrations adjusted to consider particle size distribution and the relative rate of ruminal digestibility or the physical effectiveness of the fiber. The herd submodel was verified to predict feed intakes, nutrient requirements, diets, and manure excretions similar to those recommended or measured for beef animals. Incorporation of the beef herd submodel with other farm components, including crop growth (alfalfa, grass, corn, small grain, and soybean), harvest, storage, feeding, grazing, and manure handling, provided the Integrated Farm System Model. This comprehensive farm-simulation model is a useful research and teaching tool for evaluating and comparing the long-term performance, economics, and environmental impact of beef, dairy, and crop production systems.
A taste for ATP: neurotransmission in taste buds

Not only is ATP a ubiquitous source of energy but it is also used widely as an intercellular signal. For example, keratinocytes release ATP in response to numerous external stimuli including pressure, heat, and chemical insult. The released ATP activates purinergic receptors on nerve fibers to generate nociceptive signals. The importance of an ATP signal in epithelial-to-neuronal signaling is nowhere more evident than in the taste system. The receptor cells of taste buds release ATP in response to appropriate stimulation by tastants and the released ATP then activates P2X2 and P2X3 receptors on the taste nerves. Genetic ablation of the relevant P2X receptors leaves an animal without the ability to taste any primary taste quality. Of interest is that release of ATP by taste receptor cells occurs in a non-vesicular fashion, apparently via gated membrane channels. Further, in keeping with the crucial role of ATP as a neurotransmitter in this system, a subset of taste cells expresses a specific ectoATPase, NTPDase2, necessary to clear extracellular ATP which otherwise will desensitize the P2X receptors on the taste nerves. The unique utilization of ATP as a key neurotransmitter in the taste system may reflect the epithelial rather than neuronal origins of the receptor cells.
The Role of Metrology in Electromagnetic Compatibility

It is the intent of this paper to present where we, Autonetics, in specific, and the industry in general are in the EMC calibration program. Since the inception of EMC specifications, a great deal of effort has been directed toward standardizing test requirements and methods to assure compatibility, while conversely the calibration and standardization of EMI measuring instrumentation has received very little attention. The existing, and especially the most recent tri-services EMC specifications, specify accuracy requirements approaching the state of the art. A detailed analysis has shown that this accuracy specification is quite difficult to meet. In recognition of these requirements, Autonetics, A Division of North American Rockwell Corporation, has initiated a three-phase program for the calibration of EMI instrumentation. A description of measurement techniques used to perform calibration of EMI instruments is presented. The problems associated with the calibration of the Field Intensity Meter (FIM), CW Signal Generators, and Impulse Generators are reviewed. Discussions are also presented on the mismatch errors that exist between the input devices and the FIM which contribute to the overall measurement accuracy. Solutions are given to improve the calibration accuracies of EMI measuring equipment which will result in a more meaningful EMI measurement. Recommendations are given to clarify the accuracy specifications imposed by the EMC standards and specifications which can result in more realistic accuracy requirements for EMI instrumentation.
A safe and reproducible anastomotic technique for minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy: the circular-stapled anastomosis with the trans-oral anvil §,§§

Objectives: In expert hands, the intrathoracic oesophago-gastric anastamosis usually provides a low rate of strictures and leaks. However, anastomosescan be technically challenging and time consuming when minimally invasive techniques are used. We present our preliminary results of a standardised 25 mm/4.8 mm circular-stapled anastomosis using a trans-orally placed anvil. Materials and methods: We evaluated a prospectivecohortof 37 consecutive patientsofferedminimallyinvasive IvorLewisoesophagectomyat a tertiaryreferralcentre.Theoesophagogastric anastomosis was created using a 25-mm anvil (Orvil, Autosuture, Norwalk, CT, USA) passed trans-orally, in a tilted position, and connected toa90-cmlongpolyvinylchloridedeliverytubethroughanopeningintheoesophagealstump.Theanastomosiswascompletedbyjoiningtheanvil to a circularstapler (end-to-end anastomosis stapler(EEAXL) 25 mm with 4.8-mmstaples,Autosuture,Norwalk,CT, USA) insertedinto the gastric conduit. Primary outcomes were leak and stricture rates. Results: Thirty-seven patients (mean age 65 years) with distal oesophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 29), squamous cell cancer (n = 5) or high-grade dysplasia in Barrett’s oesophagus (n = 3) underwent an Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy between October 2007 and August 2009. The abdominal portion was operated laparoscopically in 30 patients (81.1%). The thoracic portion was done using a muscle-sparing mini-thoracotomy in 23 patients (62.2%) and thoracoscopic techniques in 14 patients (37.8%). There were no intra-operative technical failures of the anastomosis or deaths. Five patients had strictures (13.5%) and all were successfully treated with endoscopic dilations. One patient had an anastomotic leak (2.7%) that was successfully treated by re-operation and endoscopic stenting of the anastomosis. Discussion: The circular-stapled anastomosis with the trans-oral anvil allows for an efficient, safe and reproducible anastomosis. This straightforward technique is particularly suited to the completely minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy. # 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.