cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuropile potentials following wing sensory nerve stimulation in locusts.

Abstract 1. 1. Synaptic potentials, with or without superimposed spikes, have been recorded in presumed second-order neurons in the locust flight control system following stimulation of the two sensory nerves from the wings. 2. 2. All-or-nothing junctional potentials result from stimulation of the stretch receptor-containing nerve. Compound potentials which are graded with stimulus voltage follow stimulation of the anterior wing nerve. The two types of potential are similar in duration (around 20–30 msec). They may be recorded at the same (extracellular) site. 3. 3. The intraganglionic responses to wing nerve stimulation are found in several areas of neuropile, but the active spots are small.
H-ferritin is the major source of iron for oligodendrocytes.

There is a critical relationship between oligodendrocyte development, myelin production, and iron bioavailability. Iron deficiency leads to hypomyelination both in humans and animal models, and the neurological sequelae of hypomyelination are significant. Therefore, understanding molecular mechanisms of iron import into oligodendrocytes is necessary for devising effective strategies for iron supplementation. Although transferrin has been considered as an essential component of oligodendrocyte media in culture, oligodendrocytes in vivo lack transferrin receptors. We have established that receptors for H-ferritin (HF) exist on cells of oligodendroglial lineage and that uptake of extracellular HF by oligodendrocyte progenitors is via receptor mediated endocytosis. These data strongly argue that ferritin is a major source of iron for oligodendrocytes. In this study, we demonstrate that media deficient in transferrin results in loss of viability of oligodendrocyte progenitors in culture. Cell loss could be prevented by supplementing the media with HF. Moreover, the addition of extracellular HF stimulates development of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) by increasing expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and olig2 proteins without increasing their proliferation. The effect of HF on the OPCs could be mimicked by addition of membrane permeable 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl ferrocene (TMH-Fe) as an iron source to the media, but not membrane-impermeable ferric ammonium citrate. Overall, therefore, our results demonstrate the importance of iron for OPCs viability and differentiation and identify extracellular HF as a critical source of iron for oligodendrocytes. Given that ferritin receptors, but not transferrin receptors can be demonstrated on oligodendrocytes in vivo, the delivery of iron to oligodendrocytes viaferritin may be the more biological relevant delivery system. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Analytical implementation of the Ho and Lee model for the short interest rate

Abstract Ho and Lee introduced the first no-arbitrage model of the evolution of the short interest rate. When expositing the Ho and Lee model, other authors used the method of numerical solutions and forward induction, an approach pioneered by Black, Derman, and Toy for their own model much later. This standard method of implementation is relatively complex and time consuming when applied to scenarios that enable the use of an interest-rate lattice. Under many assumptions, however, the Ho and Lee model will generate an interest-rate tree. Under these circumstances, implementation via numerical methods and forward induction appears to be impractical, if not impossible. In this paper, we show how to implement the model analytically. We demonstrate that it is relatively straightforward to identify at the initial date analytical expressions for all interest rates at all dates. Once these expressions are evaluated, the calculations to obtain interest rates are arithmetic operations. Our recommended method of implementation applies equally effortlessly to interest-rate trees and Monte Carlo simulation.
Empigen BB: A Useful Detergent for Solubilization and Biochemical Analysis of Keratins

Intermediate filament (IF) proteins make up some of the most insoluble proteins known, and within the IF protein family, keratins are the least soluble. We compared the efficiency of nonionic, cationic, mixed nonionic and anionic, and zwitterionic detergents in solubilizing keratins from insect cells that express recombinant human keratins and from human colonic cell lines and normal keratinocytes. The cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was similar to the zwitterionic detergent Empigen BB in its ability to efficiently solubilize keratins, but the latter detergent was superior in that it maintained antibody reactivity and allowed for immunoprecipitation of the keratins. Although Nonidet-P40 partially solubilizes keratins, Empigen BB solubilizes a significant amount of keratins not solubilized by Nonidet-P40. In the case of vimentin, differences in solubilization efficiency among the detergents was not as dramatic as with keratins. Our results show that Empigen BB solubilizes a significant amount of epidermal and glandular keratins while preserving antigenicity. This detergent should prove useful for carrying out biochemical and molecular studies on these proteins and may be similarly beneficial for other IF proteins.
The safety impact of the 65 mph speed limit: A case study using Alabama accident records

On August 1, 1987, a change in Alabama laws went into effect raising the speed limit on the rural interstates to 65 mph. Two accident data sets (one year before and one year after the law change) were compared to assess the impact of the 65 mph speed limit on severity and frequency of accidents. Although accident severity appeared to remain the same from before to after time periods, the frequency of accidents on the rural interstates increased significantly, by 18.88%. However, the significant increase on the rural interstates was accompanied by a nonsignificant decrease of 456 accidents in the entire state of Alabama. This confounding result made it difficult to isolate the cause of various significant changes, but the overall evidence is not favorable to the recent increases in driving speeds.
Coronary atherosclerosis: extending to the microcirculation?

This editorial refers to ‘Coronary microcirculatory vasodilator function in relation to risk factors among patients without obstructive coronary disease and low to intermediate Framingham risk score’[†][1], by R. Rubinshtein et al. on page 936 The coronary circulation, responsible for the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the myocardium, is a complex system of conductance and resistance vessels. Each has its own mechanisms of dynamic regulation of its calibre through changes in the contractile state of the underlying smooth muscle. In addition, each plays a different role in determining myocardial perfusion in health and disease. The larger epicardial coronary arteries normally offer no significant resistance to blood flow and thus contribute little to the adaptive response of the coronary circulation to the physiological changes in myocardial oxygen demands that occur, for example, during exercise. However, they are the site for the development of coronary atherosclerosis, the best known and most dreaded form of ischaemic heart disease. That atherosclerotic obstructions of the epicardial coronary arterial lumen contribute to the occurrence of myocardial ischaemia and necrosis is easily demonstrable and well accepted. In fact, the diagnosis of ‘coronary artery disease’ is conventionally applied only to patients who are shown to have significant narrowing of one or more major epicardial coronary artery. Although controversies persist regarding their optimal utilization, there is a large armamentarium of therapies available to treat patients with severely narrowed epicardial coronary arteries. These include multiple medications, and percutaneous and surgical revascularization, in many instances supported by the results of randomized clinical trials demonstrating their relative efficacy. The smaller coronary arteries (i.e. too small in calibre to be visualized by angiography) constitute the coronary microcirculation and are those that normally offer significant vascular resistance. Consequently, it is the changes in the calibre of these smaller vessels that determine coronary blood … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 202 877 9090, Fax: +1 202 877 9034, Email: julio.a.panza{at}medstar.net [1]: #fn-1
Vibrationally Excited Products of Bimolecular Exchange Reactions

MANY observations of gaseous bimolecular exchange reactions in which vibrationally excited products appear have been interpreted1–3 in terms of a simple model developed by F. T. Smith2. Smith's treatment, based on the kinematics of a collinear collision, predicts that the upper limit to the fraction of energy of reaction which may appear as product vibration is sin2 β, where β is the angle between the skewed axes of the potential energy surface on which a sliding mass point represents the progress of the collision. Observed vibrational energies in excess of the amount calculated in this way have usually been interpreted as contravening Smith's model. It is the purpose of the present communication to point out that when the Smith treatment is generalized by lifting the restriction that collisions be collinear, it becomes apparent that the fraction being calculated is more nearly a lower limit than an upper. As a result certain changes in the interpretation of the experimental evidence are required.
A fluorescence polarization assay for native protein substrates of kinases.

Abstract Protein phosphorylation is the mediator of many important cellular processes of signal transduction and cell regulation. Phosphorylation often occurs on multiple sites within a single protein, whereby the results of individual phosphorylations are not well defined. This is partially due to the lack of tools for analyzing specific phosphorylation states in a quantitative manner. We have developed a high-throughput, rapid, and quantitative method for the determination of the phosphorylation status of peptides and, more importantly, native protein substrates of kinases using a competitive fluorescence-based approach. We have applied our method to measuring the phosphorylation activity of the Wee1 and Myt1 kinases. Our technique allows one to monitor the bis-phosphorylation status of the Cdk2 protein using an antibody specific for bis-phosphorylated Cdk2 and a fluorescently labeled bis-phosphorylated Cdk2 peptide. We have used this assay to screen a library of 16 general kinase inhibitors against Wee1 and Myt1 activity. None of the inhibitors inhibited Wee1, but both staurosporine and K-252a inhibited Myt1, with IC 50 values of 9.2±3.6 and 4.0±1.3 μM , respectively.
Concentrations of the urinary pyrethroid metabolite 3-phenoxybenzoic acid in farm worker families in the MICASA Study

Indoor pesticide exposure is a growing concern, particularly from pyrethroids, a commonly used class of pesticides. Pyrethroid concentrations may be especially high in homes of immigrant farm worker families who often live in close proximity to agricultural fields, and are faced with poor housing conditions, causing higher pest infestation and more pesticide use. We investigate exposure of farm worker families to pyrethroids in a study of mothers and children living in Mendota, CA within the population-based Mexican Immigration to California: Agricultural Safety and Acculturation (MICASA) Study. We present pyrethroid exposure based on an ELISA analysis of urinary metabolite 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA) levels among 105 women and 103 children. The median urinary 3PBA levels (children=2.56 ug/g creatinine, mothers=1.46 ug/g creatinine) were higher than those reported in population based studies for the United States general population, but similar to or lower than studies with known high levels of pyrethroid exposure. A positive association was evident between poor housing conditions and the urinary metabolite levels, showing that poor housing conditions are a contributing factor to the higher levels of 3PBA seen in the urine of these farm worker families. Further research is warranted to fully investigate sources of exposure.
Choose Wisely: Therapeutic Decisions and Quality of Life in Patients With Prostate Cancer

A diagnosis of localized prostate cancer propels patients and their partners into the complex realm of decision making. The decision-making process and final choice of treatment affect quality of life (QOL). Physical, social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of QOL all can be impacted. Making a choice regarding cancer treatment is a high-risk decision. The decision-making process for localized prostate cancer is complicated further by a lack of scientific evidence that supports one treatment rather than another.
A portrait of family involvement during Head Start: Nature, extent, and predictors

Family involvement, an important resource for early learning among children in poverty, is a primary focus of the Head Start preschool program. The current study examined the extent to which families in Head Start were involved in children's learning at home, in the community, and at school, as well as the child, family, and center factors that predicted this involvement. In total, 2154 children and families, as well as the 165 directors of their Head Start centers, participated in the nationally representative Family and Child Experiences Survey (2003 cohort). Child and family background and involvement data, as well as center outreach information, were collected through self-report surveys and interviews. Descriptive analyses showed that families were regularly involved in children's learning in all three contexts, although no ceiling effects were observed. Inferential analyses revealed that family background and process factors were the most substantial predictors of family involvement at the beginning (i.e., fall) of the Head Start year, and many of these factors continued to predict involvement at the end (i.e., spring) of the year. However, effect sizes were generally small. Center factors, including goals and incentives for involvement, were not linked to family involvement in fall or spring. In sum, findings indicate that most Head Start families were regularly involved with children's learning in diverse ways, but that involvement could be further increased. Distinct patterns of modest family predictors emerged, with center outreach indicated as a factor that could potentially be enhanced.
Abdominal Adiposity Assessed by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Provides a Sex-Independent Predictor of Insulin Sensitivity in Older Adults

BACKGROUND: An increase in total adiposity and in particular an abdominal distribution of adiposity may contribute to the decline in metabolic insulin sensitivity observed in older men and women. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine which measure of abdominal adiposity would provide the best sex-independent predictor of metabolic insulin sensitivity in older men and women. METHODS: Insulin sensitivity and abdominal adiposity were measured in healthy, nondiabetic older (64 +/- 6 years; mean +/- standard deviation) men (n = 23) and women (n = 31). Metabolic Insulin Sensitivity Index (S(I)) was determined from a frequently sampled insulin-assisted intravenous glucose tolerance test. Body fat mass and abdominal fat mass were determined from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Anthropometric measures included waist and hip circumferences, height, and body weight. RESULTS: Although waist circumference, waist index (waist circumference divided by height), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were all lower in women than in men, there was no sex difference in DXA L1-L4 fat mass. In univariate analyses, S(I) was significantly inversely related with body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist index, percentage of total body and abdominal fat, and DXA L1-L4 fat mass but not with WHR. The DXA L1-L4 fat mass was identified as the best independent predictor of S(I), accounting for 41.2% of the variance (p <.0001) in a stepwise multiple regression model that controlled for sex. CONCLUSIONS: WHR is not associated with S(I) in either men or women. Abdominal adiposity measured by DXA L1-L4 fat mass provides a sex-independent predictor of S(I) in older men and women.
The Chemical Synthesis of C‐Ring Aryl Taxoids

We designed and targeted for synthesis the C-ring aryl taxoids 2a-c in order to develop methods for the construction of the taxoid skeleton and to test their cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Compound 2a was synthesized by a convergent route from hydrazone 5 and aldehyde 4. Key steps included a Shapiro reaction to join 5 and 4, a McMurry coupling to construct the 8-membered ring, a carbonate opening to introduce the 2-benzoate group, and an allylic oxidation followed by side-chain attachment. A similar sequence led to compound 2c, whereas attempts to attain 2b were thwarted by the lability of the benzyl group during the carbonate opening. The biological activity of 2a and 2c against tumor cells was considerably less than that of taxol.
Objective evaluation of scanning ladar configurations for mobile robots

Scanning laser range sensors (ladars) are frequently used in mobile robotics applications because their ability to accurately measure the environment in 3D makes them well-suited for perception tasks like terrain modeling and obstacle detection. The choice of ladar sensor and the manner in which it is configured and integrated into a robot platform is usually determined subjectively based on the experience of the project team members. This paper develops a method for evaluating ladar sensors and sensor configurations that objectively measures the quality of a sensor/configuration choice in terms of density and uniformity of measurements within a region of interest. The method is applicable to static sensors and environments as well as scenarios with moving objects and mobile sensors. It can be used to compare different sensors, to evaluate specific sensor configurations and search for the optimal one, and to aid in designing new ladar sensors tailored to specific applications. We find that popular ladar configurations are often not the best configuration choice, and that alternative configurations not commonly used would offer better data density and uniformity.
A Comparison of Student Knowledge and Attitude toward Research: Are Main Campus Students Different from Those in a Hybrid Environment?.

The trend toward the use of distance education in teaching social work students has been rapidly growing over the past two decades. A constant issue of concern is related to student outcomes. This paper reports on a longitudinal quasi-experimental study assessing the differential knowledge and attitude toward research between social work students taking a research methods course in one of two modalities: traditional classroom versus distance setting. Both bachelor's and master's degree students participated in this 2-year study. Descriptive statistics and results of inferential tests as well as implications for future study are presented in this paper.
Effect of balance training on recovery of stability in children with cerebral palsy

This study examined the effect of massed practice in balance recovery of stability in six children (four males, two females; mean age 9 years 2 months, SD 2 years, range 7 years 5 months to 12 years 11 months) with cerebral palsy (CP). Four children were diagnosed with spastic diplegia (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level II) and two with spastic hemiplegia (GMFCS level I). A single-subject, multiple-baseline experimental design involving three pairs of children matched for diagnosis was used. A moveable forceplate system was used to test and train reactive balance control. Area per second (i.e. area covered by the center of pressure over a one second period) and time to stabilization from center of pressure measures were calculated following perturbations. The intervention phase consisted of massed practice on the moving platform (100 perturbations/day for 5 days). Analysis included hierarchical linear modeling and a repeated measures ANOVA. All children demonstrated a significant improvement in their ability to recover stability as demonstrated by reduced center of pressure area and time to stabilization following training. These improvements were still present 30 days following completion of training. Results suggest that postural control mechanisms in school-age children (7 to 13 years) with CP are modifiable.
Conjunctive formulation of the random set framework for multiple instance learning: Application to remote sensing

Multiple instance learning (MIL) is a widely researched learning paradigm that allows a machine learning algorithm to learn target concepts from data with uncertain class labels. The random set framework for multiple instance learning (RSF-MIL) makes use of the random set to learn in this scenario of uncertainty. Previous models used assumptions that imposed a disjunctive relationship between the simple concepts learned (which compose the target concept). In the following, a conjunctive formulation of RSF-MIL is proposed and investigated. Results illustrate the utility of the conjunctive and disjunctive formulations of RSF-MIL and the scenarios when each is applicable.
Factors affecting mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells in patients with lymphoma.

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with poor mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) or delayed platelet engraftment after high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with lymphoma. Fifty-eight patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma underwent PBPC transplantation as the "best available therapy" at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) between 1993 and 1995. PBPCs were mobilized with either granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone (n = 19) or G-CSF following combination chemotherapy (n = 39). Forty-eight of these patients underwent a PBPC transplant, receiving a conditioning regimen containing cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and either total body irradiation, total lymphoid irradiation, or carmustine. A median number of 4.6 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg were obtained with a median of three leukapheresis procedures. Mobilization of PBPCs using chemotherapy plus G-CSF was superior to G-CSF alone (6.7 x 10(6) versus 1.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg; P = 0.0002). Poorer mobilization of progenitor cells was observed in patients who had previously received stem cell-toxic chemotherapy, including (a) nitrogen mustard, procarbazine, melphalan, carmustine or > 7.5 g of cytarabine chemotherapy premobilization (2.0 x 10(6) versus 6.0 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg; P = 0.005), or (b) > or = 11 cycles of any previous chemotherapy (2.6 x 10(6) versus 6.7 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg; P = 0.02). Platelet recovery to > 20,000/microliter was delayed in patients who received or = 11 cycles of chemotherapy prior to PBPC mobilization tended to have delayed platelet recovery to > 20,000/microliter and to require more platelet transfusions than less extensively pretreated patients (median, 13.5 versus 23.5 days; P = 0.15; median number of platelet transfusion episodes, 13 versus 9; P = 0.17). These data suggest that current strategies to mobilize PBPCs may be suboptimal in patients who have received either stem cell-toxic chemotherapy or > or = 11 cycles of chemotherapy prior to PBPC mobilization. Alternative approaches, such as ex vivo expansion or the use of other growth factors in addition to G-CSF, may improve mobilization of progenitor cells for PBPC transplantation.
An Ecient Method for Including Mars Mesoscale Model Data in Entry, Descent and Landing Simulations

Engineering models of the Martian atmosphere are commonly used to perform endto-end Monte Carlo simulations for Mars entry, descent, and landing missions. During these simulations, random perturbations are made to atmospheric parameters like density, temperature and winds to simulate natural variability. Such variations produce atmospheres that do not satisfy the conservation of mass, momentum and energy. Increasingly stringent landing accuracy requirements require increasingly realistic atmospheric models. High delity models of the atmosphere are being developed using mesoscale numerical models, however, computationally ecient incorporation of these massive model databases into Monte Carlo simulations requires making approximations. This paper develops an approach to capture mesoscale model results with an arbitrary level of accuracy. This is accomplished by creating a grid of latitudes, longitudes and altitudes that contain EDL trajectories, and implementing a principal component analysis of the database to reduce the size of the data set while maintaining the integrity of the data. Comparing a POST2 output for a database of vertical mesoscale proles and the mesoscale database reduced using principal component analysis, it is evident that the reduced mesoscale database is more accurate and faster than the database of vertical proles implemented into MarsGRAM.
Pressure-Induced Structural Transformation in Cristobalite Studied by Molecular Dynamic Simulations

The phase transformation between the α- and β-cristobalite modifications of SiO2 were studied using molecular dynamic simulations. The transformation was induced isothermally by control of the pressure within the structure, either through an externally applied constant stress or by changing the simulation box volume. The atomic scale mechanisms of the transformation can best be observed by means of a time-correlation function describing the spatial orientation of the planes containing the Si-O-Si bonds. These planes rotate by 90° over the course of the transition. Both, the bulk modulus, calculated for static structures, as well as the vibrational spectra of the Si-O-Si planes, reflect the softening of acoustic modes in the midst of the transition, which is characteristic of displacive phase transformations. Although the aperiodic shift of atomic positions upon passage of the transformation front could be responsible for a momentary softening of the structure, this is not the only reason, since this behavior persists when maintaining the structure at intermediate densities, which corresponds neither to α-, nor to β- cristobalite.
Radiation loss in dielectric waveguide structures by the volume current method

The volume current method (VCM) is used to evaluate the radiation loss of dielectric waveguide structures. This perturbation technique is applicable to practically any waveguide structure. The radiation loss of two- and three-waveguide coupled wave structures is calculated. The theory leads to design criteria for the minimization of the radiation loss of these structures. The problem of radiation loss in bent waveguide is solved with the new formulation. Some properties of radiation from a bend are described. The expression for the bend-loss reduces to that in the literature.
On lattice-form algorithms for adaptive IIR filtering

Lattice-form algorithms are described for adaptive IIR (infinite-impulse-response) filtering that are based on the Gauss-Newton search method. Several approximations of the Hessian matrix that have different levels of computational complexity are considered, and the results are compared to a previous IIR lattice algorithm. Computer simulations in a system-identification configuration illustrate their convergence properties. Algorithms for the two-multiplier lattice with distinct coefficients in each section, and the one-multiplier form, are outlined. >
Violence, Separation, and Loss in the Families of Origin of Domestically Violent Men

The intergenerational transmission of domestic violence is most commonly studied from the perspective of social learning theory, with the consequence that variables external to that perspective are often overlooked. This study was undertaken in an effort to broaden the theoretical basis of intergenerational transmission of domestic violence by assessing if incorporating variables from attachment theory (measures of separation and loss) with exposure to violence in family of origin would increase predictive power of a multiple regression model. Subjects (N = 74) were men in treatment for domestic violence. Separation and loss variables were found to exert effects on respondents' violent behavior greater than or comparable to those from exposure to family of origin violence. Findings supported a need to broaden theoretical views of the etiology of domestic violence perpetration.
The Role of Lymphoid Neogenesis in Allografts

De novo induction of organized lymphoid aggregates at nonlymphoid sites has been observed in many chronic inflammatory conditions where foreign antigens such as infectious agents, autoantigens or alloantigens, persist. The prevailing opinion in the field of transplantation is that lymphoid neogenesis within allografts is detrimental to the establishment of immune tolerance. These structures, commonly referred to as tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs), are thought to contribute to graft rejection by generating and propagating local alloimmune responses. However, recent studies have shown that TLOs rich in regulatory Foxp3(+) cells are present in long-term accepting allografts. The notion that TLOs can contribute to the local downregulation of immune responses has been corroborated in other chronic inflammation models. These findings suggest that contrary to previous suggestions that the induction of TLOs in allografts is necessarily harmful, the induction of "tolerogenic" TLOs may prove advantageous. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of how TLOs are induced and how they regulate immune responses with a particular focus on alloimmunity.
Scapulothoracic and Glenohumeral Kinematics During Daily Tasks in Users of Manual Wheelchairs

Background Rates of shoulder pain in individuals who use manual wheelchairs as their primary means of mobility have been reported to be as high as 70% during activities of daily living. Current prevailing thought is that mechanical impingement of the soft tissues that reside within the subacromial space between the humeral head and coracoacromial arch is a major contributor to the shoulder pain in users of manual wheelchairs. The subacromial space size is directly related to the kinematics at the shoulder joint. Yet to be answered are questions about which common daily tasks are characterized by the most potentially detrimental kinematics. Objective The purpose of this analysis was to quantify and compare potentially detrimental kinematics in three common tasks performed by individuals with SCI and shoulder pain. These data will add to the body of knowledge, and test common assumptions about relative risk of tasks. Design A cross-sectional study of 15 manual wheelchair users with shoulder pain. Methods Electromagnetic surface sensor measures of mean and peak scapulothoracic internal and downward rotation, anterior tilt, and glenohumeral internal rotation were compared across propulsion, weight relief, and scapular plane abduction tasks using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results Statistical differences were observed between the tasks for all rotations. Mean scapulothoracic anterior tilt was greater in weight relief and propulsion than during scapular plane abduction (24, 23, and 13 degrees of anterior tilt, respectively). Mean GH axial rotation during weight relief was more internally rotated than during propulsion and scapular plane abduction (9, 26, and 51 degrees of external rotation, respectively). Limitations Surface-based measures of kinematics are subject to skin motion artifact, especially in translation which was not addressed in this study. Conclusions Each task presented with specific variables that might contribute to risk of developing shoulder “impingement” and pain. These data may assist therapists in their assessment of movement contributions to shoulder pain in this population, as well as in subsequent treatment planning.
Glucocorticoid Cell Priming Enhances Transfection Outcomes in Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are one of the most widely researched stem cell types with broad applications from basic research to therapeutics, the majority of which require introduction of exogenous DNA. However, safety and scalability issues hinder viral delivery, while poor efficiency hinders nonviral gene delivery, particularly to hMSCs. Here, we present the use of a pharmacologic agent (glucocorticoid) to overcome barriers to hMSC DNA transfer to enhance transfection using three common nonviral vectors. Glucocorticoid priming significantly enhances transfection in hMSCs, demonstrated by a 3-fold increase in efficiency, 4–15-fold increase in transgene expression, and prolonged transgene expression when compared to transfection without glucocorticoids. These effects are dependent on glucocorticoid receptor binding and caused in part by maintenance of normal metabolic function and increased cellular (5-fold) and nuclear (6–10-fold) DNA uptake over hMSCs transfected without glucocorticoids. Results were consistent across five human donors and in cells up to passage five. Glucocorticoid cell priming is a simple and effective technique to significantly enhance nonviral transfection of hMSCs that should enhance their clinical use, accelerate new research, and decrease reliance on early passage cells.
Model Adaptation for Personalized Opinion Analysis

Humans are idiosyncratic and variable: towards the same topic, they might hold different opinions or express the same opinion in various ways. It is hence important to model opinions at the level of individual users; however it is impractical to estimate independent sentiment classification models for each user with limited data. In this paper, we adopt a modelbased transfer learning solution – using linear transformations over the parameters of a generic model – for personalized opinion analysis. Extensive experimental results on a large collection of Amazon reviews confirm our method significantly outperformed a user-independent generic opinion model as well as several state-ofthe-art transfer learning algorithms.
‘Where Did the Other Heroes Go?’ Exalting the Polko National Guard Battalions in Nineteenth-Century Mexico

In 1848 the moderado administration of General Jose Joaquin Herrera staged public ceremonies to honour the ‘polko’ national guardsmen who had died defending Mexico City during the recent war with the USA. Herrera's government attempted to use the rituals to alleviate the pain of defeat and bring together a divided nation, as well as to reorganise the national guard into a military force manned by the well-to-do that would help preserve political stability and social harmony. Herrera's state-building project ultimately failed because the ceremonies could not surmount the tensions that afflicted Mexico. In the long run, the inability to restructure the national guard allowed Mexican statesmen in the late 1800s to disband that military force and to diminish its status in national patriotic discourse.
Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in normal and androgenized male and female rats.

SummarySerum FSH was measured by radioimmunoassay in developing normal and androgenized male and female rats. Immature, 30-day-old, as well as mature, 60-day-old males had higher concentrations of this gonadotropin than females. Serum FSH declined in androgenized females (50 μg of testosterone propionate, fifth day of age) between days 20 and 30. The level remained low at 60 days but was at about the level of normal females at 1 year. The results support the conclusion that androgenization in the female does not produce the male pattern of high serum FSH.
Establishing the Populations and Occupation Spans of Fort Johnson and Cantonment Davis, Hancock County, Illinois

AbstractFort Johnson and Cantonment Davis are two short-term War of 1812–era American military posts located above the east bank of the Mississippi River in Hancock County, Illinois, within what was then the western frontier of the United States. Because little has been written regarding the fort and the cantonment, most details of their occupations are poorly documented and occasionally contradictory. A review of the documents associated with the two military posts establishes that Fort Johnson was occupied by approximately 100 men for 42 days, while Cantonment Davis was occupied by as many as 825 military personnel for about six to eight months.
CT angiography spot sign predicts in-hospital mortality in patients with secondary intracerebral hemorrhage

Background and objective The presence of active contrast extravasation during CT angiography, the spot sign, is a potent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, its predictive value in patients with ICH due to a vascular abnormality, secondary ICH (SICH), is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and radiological predictors of a spot sign and in-hospital mortality in patients with SICH. Methods Two experienced readers independently reviewed CT angiograms performed on 215 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with SICH over a 10-year period to assess the presence of spot signs according to strict radiological criteria. Differences in reader interpretation were resolved by consensus. Medical records were reviewed for baseline clinical characteristics and in-hospital mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the clinical and radiological predictors of a spot sign and in-hospital mortality in patients with SICH. Results Spot signs were identified in 31 of 215 patients with SICH (14.4%), four of which were delayed spot signs (12.9%). Spot signs were most common in patients with arteriovenous fistulas (42%), Moyamoya (40%), elevated admission blood glucose (23%) and large intraventricular hemorrhage volumes (29%). Spot signs were most predictive of in-hospital mortality in patients with aneurysms of the anterior cerebral artery (100%) and anterior communicating artery (75%). In univariate analysis, the presence of a spot sign significantly increased the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with SICH (38.7%, OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.9, p=0.0497). However, in multivariate logistic regression analysis the admission Glasgow Coma Scale was the only independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with SICH (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.6 to 5.1, p=0.0004). Conclusion The spot sign identifies patients with SICH at increased risk of in-hospital mortality. However, the admission Glasgow Coma Scale was the only independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in this cohort of patients with SICH.
Too Good for CSR? How Intraorganizational Status interferes with Adoption of Uncertain Practice

Implementation of an uncertain practice has thus far been a black box in organizational theory in that how organizations actually implement a newly adopted practice or an idea was remained relative...
Evaluation and management of pediatric nasal obstruction: A survey of practice patterns.

BackgroundInferior turbinate (IT) hypertrophy and adenoid hypertrophy are both causes of pediatric nasal obstruction.ObjectiveThe purpose of this survey was to study nasal obstruction evaluation an...
Graft and Mesh Use in Transvaginal Prolapse Repair: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE:To update clinical practice guidelines on graft and mesh use in transvaginal pelvic organ prolapse repair based on systematic review.DATA SOURCES:Eligible studies, published through April 2015, were retrieved through ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases and bibliography sear
Coverage-based metrics for cloud adaptation

This work introduces novel combinatorial coverage based metrics for deciding upon automated Cloud infrastructure adaptation. Our approach utilizes a Combinatorial Testing engine, traditionally used for testing at the development phase, in order to measure the load behavior of a system in production. We determine how much the measured load behavior at runtime differs from the one observed during testing. We further estimate the involved risk of encountering untested behavior in the current configuration of the system as well as when transitioning to a new Cloud configuration using possible adaptation actions such as migration and scale-out. Based on our risk assessment, a Cloud adaptation engine may consequently decide on an adaptation action in order to transform the system to a configuration with a lesser associated risk. Our work is part of a larger project that deals with automated Cloud infrastructure adaptation. We introduce the overall approach for automated adaptation, as well as our coverage-based metrics for risk assessment and the algorithms to calculate them. We demonstrate our metrics on an example setting consisting of two sub-components with multiple instances, comprising a typical installation of a telephony application.
Structure of Bor1 supports an elevator transport mechanism for SLC4 anion exchangers

Boron is essential for plant growth because of its incorporation into plant cell walls; however, in excess it is toxic to plants. Boron transport and homeostasis in plants is regulated in part by the borate efflux transporter Bor1, a member of the solute carrier (SLC) 4 transporter family with homology to the human bicarbonate transporter Band 3. Here, we present the 4.1-A resolution crystal structure of Arabidopsis thaliana Bor1. The structure displays a dimeric architecture in which dimerization is mediated by centralized Gate domains. Comparisons with a structure of Band 3 in an outward-open state reveal that the Core domains of Bor1 have rotated inwards to achieve an occluded state. Further structural comparisons with UapA, a xanthine transporter from the nucleobase-ascorbate transporter family, show that the downward pivoting of the Core domains relative to the Gate domains may access an inward-open state. These results suggest that the SLC4, SLC26, and nucleobase-ascorbate transporter families all share an elevator transport mechanism in which alternating access is provided by Core domains that carry substrates across a membrane.
Improved survival of anchorage-dependent cells in core-shell hydrogel microcapsules via co-encapsulation with cell-friendly microspheres

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the effect of intracapsular environment on the survival of anchorage-dependent cells (ADCs) encapsulated in alginate microcapsules with three different core structures, i.e. liquid, semi-liquid and microsphere-encapsulating semi-liquid core, using NIH 3T3 fibroblasts as an ADC model. For the latter, we fabricated poly (ɛ-caprolactone) microspheres and co-encapsulated them with the cells, to establish cell-substrate interactions in the capsule. The fibroblast cells co-encapsulated with the microspheres exhibited higher survival and growth than those without. This study provides a “proof of concept” for employing microspheres as a cell-friendly surface to establish intracapsular cell-substrate interactions thus prolonging the survival of encapsulated therapeutic ADCs.
Brainstem regulation of slow-wave-sleep

Recent work has helped reconcile puzzling results from brainstem transection studies first performed over 60 years ago, which suggested the existence of a sleep-promoting system in the medullary brainstem. It was specifically shown that GABAergic neurons located in the medullary brainstem parafacial zone (PZGABA) are not only necessary for normal slow-wave-sleep (SWS) but that their selective activation is sufficient to induce SWS in behaving animals. In this review we discuss early experimental findings that inspired the hypothesis that the caudal brainstem contained SWS-promoting circuitry. We then describe the discovery of the SWS-promoting PZGABA and discuss future experimental priorities.
Tying genetic stability to cell identity.

Replication of the DNA is a fundamental requirement for progression through the cell cycle and thereby for the development and maintenance of all tissues in the human body. Though all cells duplica...
Fast Robot Collision Detection Using Graphics Hardware

Abstract Off-line robot programming and simulation systems are emerging based on graphic workstations. These simulate robot motion, but do not usually check for collision of the robot with other objects. A fast method is presented for such detection, making use of existing VLSI graphic hardware. This paper discusses the design of a future robot controller that would use graphic hardware technology to predict potential collisions in real time.
Innovative Experiments for Undergraduate Factory Automation

Abstract This paper describes new factory automation exercises that are part of an interdisciplinary emphasis in Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla. The laboratory exercises described here are a major part of the laboratory component of a course in factory automation which primarily teaches students how to use and program a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). This paper describes four scaled industrial process setups recently added to the laboratory: robot arm, conveyor assembly and inspection, pH neutralization, and operator interface. The equipment is used to perform exercises involving sequencing, timing, coordination, inspection, man/machine interface, and factory communications.
[μ-1,4-Bis(di­phenyl­phosphan­yl)butane-κ2P:P′]­bis­{(4-benzyl-2-neopentyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl­idene)[(1,2,5,6-η)-cyclo­octa-1,5-diene]iridium(I)} bis­(tetra­fluoro­borate) di­chloro­methane disolvate

The title compound, [Ir2(C14H19N3)2(C8H12)2(C28H28P2)](BF4)2·2CH2Cl2, has triclinic (P-1) symmetry and the dication lies about an inversion center located at the mid-point of the butane chain of the phosphine ligand. The IrI ion has a distorted square-planar coordination geometry. The N-heterocyclic carbene ligand has an extended S-shaped conformation. The diphosphine ligand acts as a bridge between the two metal centers. This is the first structural report of a complex where the square-planar iridium centers are bridged by a phosphine ligand, and it is of inter­est with respect to catalysis in transfer hydrogenation reactions. Parts of the triazole and cyclo­octa­diene ligands and the tetra­fluoro­borate anion are disordered over two sets of sites.
Rapid fabrication of hollow and yolk–shell α-Fe2O3 particles with applications to enhanced photo-Fenton reactions

α-Fe2O3 microspheres with hollow and yolk–shell (X@Fe2O3) morphologies are fabricated through synthesis in the confined environment of aerosol droplets. The process exploits the competitive carbonization of sucrose and the recrystallization of iron salts concurrently occurring in the droplet, to control the initial placement of iron species on the external surface or within the carbon microspheres. Upon calcination, the iron salts fuse and are oxidized to form a robust α-Fe2O3 shell. A partial burnoff of the carbon during calcination leads to the formation of microspheres with a core of carbon while complete burnoff leads to hollow α-Fe2O3 particles. Integration of ceramic nanoparticles in the precursor solution results in the inclusion of clusters of such nanoparticles in the core. The flexibility of synthesis of either hollow or yolk–shell particles makes the process amenable to the rapid fabrication of functional materials. As an example, α-Fe2O3 hollow microspheres show a 20-fold improvement in photo-Fenton reactivity towards the degradation of methylene blue, in comparison to commercially available materials.
Self and social identity in educational contexts

This is an important book in the world of social psychology; a volume of 19 chapters introducing a set of social-psychological concepts into the broader education literature.Self is inextricably li...