cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental acquisition of sensory transduction in hair cells of the mouse inner ear.

Sensory transduction in hair cells requires assembly of membrane-bound transduction channels, extracellular tip-links and intracellular adaptation motors with sufficient precision to confer nanometer displacement sensitivity. Here we present evidence based on FM1-43 fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy and RT-PCR that these three essential elements are acquired concurrently between embryonic day 16 and 17, several days after the appearance of hair bundles1, and that their acquisition coincides with the onset of mechanotransduction.
An Absurd Accumulation: Metaphysics M.2, 1076b11-36

The opening argument in the Metaphysics M.2 series targeting separate mathematical objects has been dismissed as flawed and half-hearted. Yet it makes a strong case for a point that is central to Aristotle’s broader critique of Platonist views: if we posit distinct substances to explain the properties of sensible objects, we become committed to an embarrassingly prodigious ontology. There is also something to be learned from the argument about Aristotle’s own criteria for a theory of mathematical objects. I hope to persuade readers of Metaphysics M.2 that Aristotle is a more thoughtful critic than he is often taken to be.
New Light Curves and Orbital Solution for AM Leonis

New UBVRI photometry has been obtained for the W UMa eclipsing system AM Leonis. The data have been used to derive nine times of minimum and to construct light curves. The minimum timings show that the system recently had a significant period increase. Modeling of the light curves shows AM Leo to be an overcontact system with a mass ratio of 2.51. Both Rucinski & Duerbeck's absolute magnitude calibration for W UMa stars applied to our photometry and the radial velocity curve combined with our derived parameters indicate a distance near 125 pc, larger than the 77 pc from the Hipparcos parallax.
Movement-based interactive dance performance

Movement-based interactive dance has recently attracted great interest in the performing arts. While utilizing motion capture technology, the goal of this project was to design the necessary real-time motion analysis engine, staging, and communication systems for the completion of a movement-based interactive multimedia dance performance. The movement analysis engine measured the correlation of dance movement between three people wearing similar sets of retro-reflective markers in a motion capture volume. This analysis provided the framework for the creation of an interactive dance piece, Lucidity, which will be described in detail. Staging such a work also presented additional challenges. These challenges and our proposed solutions will be discussed. We conclude with a description of the final work and a summary of our future research objectives.
Alcohol-resistant phosphatase activity in chloroplasts.

When isolated spinach chloroplasts were incubated with 32PO43− and subsequently treated with methanol, the formation of methyl phosphate was observed chromatographically. The ester is formed even without incubation. Other simple alcohols give the corresponding alkyl phosphates, the yields decreasing with increasing molecular weights. This formation of alkyl phosphates is due to a phosphatase in the chloroplasts which survives treatment with up to 80% alcohol even at room temperature for periods up to several days and stays active under these conditions. It catalyses the reaction: phosphate + alcohol ⇋ alkyl phosphate + water, to give, under appropriate conditions, an equilibrium which can be reached from both sides as well. The equilibrium is strictly dependent on the alcohol concentration and meets the condition ΔF = 0 in methanol concentrations below 50% by volume. In mixtures containing over 50% methanol, the turn-over is incomplete because of denaturation of the enzyme before it can reach the equilibrium. There is no high-energy phosphate donor involved in the reaction. Phosphatases of similarly high stability, giving the same reaction, are shown to exist in several other biological materials, e.g., blood. Thus, simple addition of cold alcohol, to make its concentration 80% of the final volume, cannot be considered as sufficient to kill every enzyme contained in samples of biochemical experiments.
Cross-polarization photography of the nerve fiber layer

Cross-polarized photography was used to enhance the visibility of the arcuate bundles of the retinal nerve fiber layer ( NFL ). A fundus camera (Zeiss) was modified to accept a linear polarizing filter in front of the flash and another polarizing filter in front of the film plane. The azimuths of the two filters were kept at right angles to one another. Cross-polarized photographs were taken of the NFL of seven normal eyes and 18 eyes with ocular hypertension. The polarizers were rotated together to obtain four different orientations, equally spaced through 90 degrees. The manner in which visibility of the arcuate fibers was enhanced varied consistently with the orientation of the polarizing filters. Cross-polarization accentuated apparent defects in the NFL when compared with standard red-free illumination.
Transmission of Walleye Dermal Sarcoma and Lymphocystis via Waterborne Exposure

Abstract A study was conducted to determine if walleye dermal sarcoma could be experimentally transmitted by waterborne exposure of tumor-free walleyes Stizostedion vitreum to tumor-positive walleyes by cohabitation. Uninfected walleyes were placed in a common raceway with tumor-positive fish for either 5 or 15 d. Direct contact between the two groups of fish was prevented by two screen barriers. The exposed fish were then maintained in the laboratory for a total of 20 weeks. Walleye dermal sarcoma developed in 89% and 71% of the fish exposed for 5 and 15 d, respectively. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in incidence of tumors between the two groups of fish exposed for different lengths of time.
Keeping wiki content current via news sources

Online resources known as wikis are commonly used for collection and distribution of information. We present a software implementation that assists wiki contributors with the task of keeping a wiki current. Our demonstration, built using English Wikipedia, enables wiki contributors to subscribe to sources of news, based on which it makes intelligent recommendations for pages within Wikipedia where the new content should be added. This tool is also potentially useful for helping new Wikipedia editors find material to contribute.
Effects of Parasite Attributes and Injected Current Parameters on Electromagnetic Detection of Parasites in Fish Muscle

: We examined the potential of an electromagnetic parasite detection technique to become the basis of an automated commercial system. The effects of parasite orientation and position, presence offish bone, and applied signal strength and frequency on resultant magnetic field strength were determined by scanning a conducting cell containing fish fillet and parasite below a SQUID magnetometer. The parasite orientation affected peak-to-peak voltage of the magnetic dipole. The parasite position with respect to myotome structure seemed to affect the orientation of the dipolar signal. A fish bone was readily detected. The magnetic field strength was independent of the frequency of the injected current and scaled with amplitude=.
Sildenafil, a novel inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 in human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells

Abstract In human corpus cavernosum, release of nitric oxide from the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerves and/or the endothelium activates guanylyl cyclase and increases intracellular cGMP levels. The increase in intracellular cGMP modulates intracellular calcium and in turn regulates smooth muscle contractility and erectile function. Phosphodiesterases play an important physiological role by regulating the intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides. In this study, we investigated the kinetic parameters of inhibition of phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 5 (E.C. 3.1.4.35 3′, 5′-cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase) by a novel, high affinity, selective PDE type 5 inhibitor, sildenafil, in soluble extracts of human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells. Sildenafil inhibited PDE type 5 cGMP-hydrolytic activity, in the crude extract (K i = 4–6 nM) and in partially purified preparations (K i = 2 nM) in a competitive manner, as determined by Dixon plots. Sildenafil (K i = 2–4 nM) was a more effective PDE type 5 inhibitor than zaprinast (K i = 250 nM). Stimulation of intracellular cGMP synthesis by the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, resulted in less than a 5% increase in cGMP levels in the absence of sildenafil and a 35% increase in cGMP levels in the presence of sildenafil, in intact cells at physiological temperatures. These results are in accord with the clinical observations that sildenafil, taken orally, promotes penile erection through increased intracellular cGMP in response to sexual stimulation, potentiating smooth muscle relaxation.
Analysis of the torsion-rotation spectra of the isotopic methanol molecules

Abstract The high resolution infrared spectra of CH3OH, CH3OD, CD3OH and CD3OD observed by D. R. Woods and C. W. Peters in the region from 400 to 900 cm−1 have been analyzed to obtain the molecular moments of inertia, the barrier height and the Kirtman perturbation constants. The first step consisted in identifying as many Q branch origins as possible. Between 25 and 40 origins were determined for each isotopic molecule with an accuracy of about 0.03 cm−1. These data were combined with Q branch origins found by R. M. Lees and J. G. Baker from their very accurate measurements of the microwave spectra of these molecules. A nonlinear least squares solution yielded values for the constants. With these constants the spectrum was recomputed and found to agree with the observed spectrum to the order of the experimental errors. In all, 176 data points were described by 40 constants-10 for each molecule. In the second phase of the work a tentative theory is proposed which relates the perturbation constants of the four isotopic molecules. This theory, which contains a number of approximations, involves only 21 constants. These were evaluated from a nonlinear least squares analysis and the spectrum was recomputed. The agreement with the observed spectrum is good, but not as good as in the former case. The barrier height V3 was found to decrease upon deuteration and a mechanism is suggested based upon the zero point vibrations of the atoms. The barrier potential is shown to be highly sinusoidal in form with V 6 V 3 = −0.0002 ± 0.0006 .
CS2-mediated cross-linking of erythrocyte spectrin and neurofilament protein: dose response and temporal relationship to the formation of axonal swellings.

Abstract Using model proteins, a mechanism for CS 2 -mediated covalent cross-linking of proteins has been demonstrated previously. The biologic importance of CS 2 -promoted protein cross-linking is apparent as a possible dosimeter of CS 2 exposure and as a potential mechanism to account for the identical neuropathies produced by 2,5-hexanedione and CS 2 . The present investigation examines the utility of erythrocyte spectrin cross-linking as a biomarker of effect for inhalation exposure to CS 2 and examines the ability of CS 2 to cross-link neurofilament proteins, a potential neurotoxic target. Rats were exposed to CS 2 via inhalation at control, 50-, 500-, and 800-ppm levels for 2, 4, 8, and 13 weeks and spectrin dimer formation was quantified using denaturing gel electrophoresis and densitometry. Neurofilament preparations were also obtained from spinal cords and examined for cross-linking using Western blotting methods. The results obtained for protein cross-linking were compared to morphologic changes in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord using light and electron microscopy. The spectrin dimer exhibited a cumulative dose response and was detectable at both the 50-ppm level employed that did not produce axonal swellings and prior to the development of axonal swellings for the 500- and 800-ppm levels used. Neurofilament protein cross-linking involved all three subunits and the temporal relationship of cross-linking was consistent with a contributing role in the development of axonal swellings. These results establish the sensitivity of spectrin cross-linking for evaluating inhalation exposures and extend the similarities observed for 2,5-hexanedione and CS 2 in both clinical settings and in vitro models to their effects exerted on neurofilaments in the axon.
Agricultural Impact Assessment, Vulnerability, and the Scope for Adaptation

Climate change assessments which have considered climate impacts of a 2xCO2 climate, using models of the global agricultural system, have found small impacts on overall production, but larger regional changes. Production shifts among regions can be considered one mechanism for adaptation. Adaptation at the farm level, through changes in crops, cultivars, and production practices, is another adaptation mechanism. Existing studies differ in how important these mechanisms will be. Studies that have considered yield effects at specific sites have found very wide ranges of impacts. A useful way to evaluate the impacts of climate change, given the uncertainty about future impacts, is to consider vulnerability. Studies have defined vulnerability in terms of yield, farm profitability, regional economy, and hunger. Vulnerability and climate impacts, particularly in terms of higher order effects on profitability and sustainability, will depend on how society and the economy develop. Lower income populations and marginal agricultural regions, particularly arid or flood prone areas, are most vulnerable to climate change.
New design of a beam-steering thermooptic multimode polymer waveguide switch

We present simulations of a Y-branch directional coupler activated using the thermooptic effect in a multimode polymer waveguide. Microheaters embedded beneath both sides of the waveguide at the Y-branch are used to generate an inhomogeneous temperature profile. Through the thermooptic effect, this temperature profile creates a refractive index profile in the channel waveguide material, which steers the beam to one of the two output branches. We determined the expected thermal profiles using finite element modeling (FEM). The transmission of a basic mode through the waveguide was then simulated using the beam propagation method (BPM). The results show that a high contrast ratio (>90%) can be achieved in response times on the order of 1 ms.
Modeling the electromagnetic property trends in sea ice, part I

Abstract Two phase dielectric mixing model results are presented showing the electromagnetic (EM) properties of sea ice vs. depth. The modeled data are compared with field measurements and show comparable results. It is also shown how the model data can be used in support of impulse radar remote sensing of sea ice. Examples of the remote measurement of sea ice thickness using impulse radar operating in the 80 to 300 MHz frequency band are presented and discussed.
An experimental analysis of pleometrotic advantage in the desert seed-harvester antMessor pergandei (Hymenoptera; Formicidae)

Starting colonies of the desert seed-harvester antMessor pergandei are clumped in the field and face severe intraspecific competition through brood raiding. Single foundress laboratory colonies ofM. pergandei are more likely to succeed at brood raiding with conspecific colonies if they are given additional workers and mature pupae several days prior to brood raiding. Per foundress fecundity remains constant across laboratory starting colonies established with 1, 3 and 5 foundresses. These results suggest that the selective advantage of cooperative colony foundation (pleometrosis) in this and similar species may derive directly from the ability of multiple foundresses to produce a larger brood raiding force.
Investigation of quaternary ammonium silane‐coated sand filter for the removal of bacteria and viruses from drinking water

Aims To develop an anti-microbial filter media using an attached quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) and evaluate its performance under conditions relevant to household drinking water treatment in developing countries. Methods and Results Silica sand was coated with dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ammonium chloride via covalent silane chemistry. Filter columns packed with coated media were challenged with micro-organisms under different water quality conditions. The anti-bacterial properties were investigated by visualizing Escherichia coli (E. coli) attachment to coated media under fluorescence microscopy combined with a live/dead stain. A 9-cm columns with a filtration velocity of 18 m h−1 achieved log10 removals of 1·7 for E. coli, 1·8 for MS2 coliphage, 1·9 for Poliovirus type 3 and 0·36 for Adenovirus type 2, compared to 0·1–0·3 log10 removals of E. coli and MS2 by uncoated sand. Removal scaled linearly with column length and decreased with increasing ionic strength, flow velocity, filtration time and humic acid presence. Escherichia coli attached to QAC-coated sand were observed to be membrane-permeable, providing evidence of inactivation. Conclusions Filtration with QAC-coated sand provided higher removal of bacteria and viruses than filtration with uncoated sand. However, major limitations included rapid fouling by micro-organisms and natural organic matter and low removal of viruses PRD1 and Adenovirus 2. Significance and Impact of the Study QAC-coated media may be promising for household water treatment. However, more research is needed on long-term performance, options to reduce fouling and inactivation mechanisms.
Celiac and Non-Celiac Forms of Gluten Sensitivity: Shifting Paradigms of an Old Disease

Gluten sensitivity is one of the prominent features of celiac disease (CD) which is an autoimmune disorder characterized by damaged lining of the small intestine. CD was known already to ancient Greeks as κοιλιακός (keeleeakoss) i.e. disease of the abdominal cavity hence celiac. Focus of this Commentary article is on rather complex definition of CD and its emerging new forms the example of which is non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It is becoming evident that to formulate more effective treatments, these associations and newly identified disease entities deserve attention from both academic and clinical communities.
A-Optimal Incomplete Block Designs for Control-Test Treatment Comparisons

A-optimal designs for comparing v test treatments with a control in b blocks of size k each are considered. Several series of A-optimal designs are given when the parameters are in the range 2 ≤ k ≤ 8, k ≤ v ≤ 30, v ≤ b ≤ 50. A-optimal designs in blocks of size 2 are extensively studied through a combination of theoretical results and numerical investigations. Tables of approximately A-optimal designs are given when A-optimal designs are not easily available for the case k = 2.
Editorial and Forum

For over a decade, passive thermography has been utilized as a reasearch aid in the study of human breast cancerl . In this case, a passive thermographic system basically performs a spatial measurement of the 'natural thermal emission (heat) of the human body. The measured flux is then converted into an electrical signal, displayed, and recorded (generally on photographic film). Al-t hough passive thermography has proved to be of great value in diagnostic', work, there are limitations on its effectiveness. One such limitation is the thermographic system's inability to yield significant information relating to the depth of various portions of the breast's vascular tree. Efforts are currently in progress to overcome this problem by utilizing a technique called active-passive thermography. Before discussing this technique, the question of why the depth information is of importance is addressed.
Excimer laser surface processing of ceramics: Process and properties

Surface modification of ceramics has proved to be of benefit in a number of applications. Excimer laser light provides a rapid and efficient means for surface alloying and modification of ceramic materials. The laser pulse can melt the surface of the ceramic as well as a deposited metal layer. This results in diffusional mixing in the liquid state, which is followed by rapid resolidification. The high temperatures involved can overcome kinetic barriers to mixing found in ion beam experiments. Tribological measurements on surface treated materials show reduced friction and increased surface toughness. Increased fracture toughness in laser surface alloyed ceramics has also been observed. Excimer laser processes therefore may enable the use of ceramic materials in applications for which they are not now suitable.
RNA regulons in Hox 5′ UTRs confer ribosome specificity to gene regulation

Emerging evidence suggests that the ribosome has a regulatory function in directing how the genome is translated in time and space. However, how this regulation is encoded in the messenger RNA sequence remains largely unknown. Here we uncover unique RNA regulons embedded in homeobox (Hox) 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) that confer ribosome-mediated control of gene expression. These structured RNA elements, resembling viral internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs), are found in subsets of Hox mRNAs. They facilitate ribosome recruitment and require the ribosomal protein RPL38 for their activity. Despite numerous layers of Hox gene regulation, these IRES elements are essential for converting Hox transcripts into proteins to pattern the mammalian body plan. This specialized mode of IRES-dependent translation is enabled by an additional regulatory element that we term the translation inhibitory element (TIE), which blocks cap-dependent translation of transcripts. Together, these data uncover a new paradigm for ribosome-mediated control of gene expression and organismal development.
Isotopic constraints on carbon exchange between deep ocean sediments and sea water

THE vast reservoirs of organic carbon in marine sediments1–3 have the potential to influence the properties of organic matter in the overlying water column. For example, it has been suggested that marine sediments are a possible source of the old, refractory dissolved organic carbon (DOC) found in deep water3–4. Natural radiocarbon and stable carbon isotope ratios (Δ14C and δ13C) can be used to constrain the role of sediments in the ocean carbon cycle5–8. Here we report the distributions of Δ14C and δ13C associated with dissolved organic and inorganic carbon in sediment pore water, together with those of the particulate sedimentary organic carbon, from two geochemically distinct marine environments. Concentration gradients of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon across the sediment–water interface imply significant diffusive fluxes of these solutes from the sediment to the water column. But the DOC fraction in the sediments is greatly enriched in 14C compared with that in the overlying sea water (by as much as 370‰), indicating that the DOC supplied by sediments to ocean waters must be relatively young, and that its remnant ages in the water column itself.
The representation of parts and wholes in face-selective cortex

Although face perception is often characterized as depending on holistic, rather than part-based, processing, there is behavioral evidence for independent representations of face parts. Recent work has linked face-selective regions defined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to holistic processing, but the response of these areas to face parts remains unclear. Here we examine part-based versus holistic processing in face-selective visual areas using face stimuli manipulated in binocular disparity to appear either behind or in front of a set of stripes [Nakayama, K., Shimojo, S., & Silverman, G. H. Stereoscopic depth: Its relation to image segmentation, grouping, and the recognition of occluded objects. Perception, 18, 5568, 1989]. While the first case will be filled in by the visual system and perceived holistically, we demonstrate behaviorally that the latter cannot be completed amodally, and thus is perceived as parts. Using these stimuli in fMRI, we found significant responses to both depth manipulations in inferior occipital gyrus and middle fusiform gyrus (MFG) face-selective regions, suggesting that neural populations in these areas encode both parts and wholes. In comparison, applying these depth manipulations to control stimuli (alphanumeric characters) elicited much smaller signal changes within face-selective regions, indicating that the part-based representation for faces is separate from that for objects. The combined adaptation data also showed an interaction of depth and familiarity within the right MFG, with greater adaptation in the back (holistic) condition relative to parts for familiar but not unfamiliar faces. Together, these data indicate that face-selective regions of occipito-temporal cortex engage in both part-based and holistic processing. The relative recruitment of such representations may be additionally influenced by external factors such as familiarity.
Ultrashort-pulse prebunched FEL

Currently under design is an X-band photocathode linac FEL system which produces ultra- short (picosecond), high-power (MW) pulses of coherent microwave and millimeter-wave radiation. In this system, the resultant electron bunches are considerably shorter than the wavelength of the emitted radiation, and these bunches coherently emit synchrotron radiation in the wiggler interaction region to generate subnanosecond, millimeter-wave MW pulses. The output radiation pulse length is essentially determined by the slippage between the electron bunch and the electromagnetic waves through the wiggler. The wiggler, which has already been constructed and characterized, produces a 5 kG helically polarized field, with an 84 mm period over a length of 2 meters. The device operates in the fundamental TE11 cylindrical waveguide mode. Close to grazing, where slippage is minimal, the pulses are further compressed because of the very wide instantaneous interaction bandwidth. In this regime, the output pulse duration is determined by the group velocity dispersion in the waveguide and the interaction bandwidth. A planned upgrade for the system is also described.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting utilization trends over time

Background Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been the standard in atherosclerotic stroke prevention for over 2 decades. More recently, carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as a less invasive alternative for revascularization. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an increase in stenting parallels a decrease in endarterectomy, if there are specific patient factors that influence one intervention over the other, and how these factors may have changed over time.
The molecular basis of long QT syndrome and prospects for therapy

Long QT syndrome (LQT) is a cardiac disorder that causes sudden death from ventricular tachyarrhythmias, specifically torsade de pointes. Two types of LQT have been reported, autosomal-dominant LQT (Romano-Ward syndrome) and autosomal-recessive LQT (Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome); Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome is also associated with deafness. Four LQT genes have been identified for autosomal-dominant LQT: K+ channel genes KVLQT1 on chromosome 11p15.5, HERG on 7q35-36 and minK on 21q22, and the cardiac Na+ channel gene SCN5A on chromosome 3p21-24. Two genes, KVLQT1 and minK, have been identified for Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome. Genetic testing and gene-specific therapies are available for some LQT patients.
Project strategy: A template for analyzing real life projects

This paper is about an industry independent template used to analyze real life project case studies. This template has been used by graduate students post-project to analyze over 650 case studies. Any project can be analyzed with this thorough template. The design is flexible and comprehensive. Scale is easily integrated into but does not influence the analytical outcome. There are over seventy analytical metrics. Some are highly vectored where a single aspect is analyzed in depth and detail. Company processes, methodologies, risks, cultures, leadership, and organization, as well as, customer, user deliverables, needs, and risks are included. The alignment of corporate, business, project, and customer strategies are defined, described, and analyzed to see how they contribute to competitive advantage/value. This analysis provides students with an in-depth look at project management in their company and allows them to compare their company's project management practice to those of the other students. When used as a pre-project tool, development of the project's Strategic Focus and Success Dimensions contributes to a unified Project Strategy and an effective Project Plan that strategically aligns company, process, customer, and deliverables leading to project success and increased competitive advantage/value.
Packet classification in co-mingled traffic streams

This paper considers the problem of packet classification in a co-mingled traffic stream. Given an encrypted co-mingled stream consisting of different protocol flows originating from different sources; we investigate if it is possible to assign packets to their respective sources and identify the protocol for each source. Encryption makes it difficult to obtain any information from packet headers or payloads. Consequently the only information available to an observer is the packet size, arrival times, direction and power levels. This paper presents a statistical approach that analyses the sizes and power levels of packets belonging to each protocol and uses this information to classify the packets in the co-mingled stream. Results are presented for the classification of a co-mingled stream of upto five different protocols. The results show that it is possible to efficiently classify packets based on sizes, direction and power levels. We see that packets belonging to the HTTP protocol are easiest to classify whereas those belonging to the FTP and IMAP protocols are difficult to separate when co-mingled with each other.
Computer-aided detection of mammographic microcalcifications: Pattern recognition with an artificial neural network

We are developing a computer program for automated detection of clustered microcalcifications on mammograms. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a signal classifier based on a convolution neural network(CNN) approach for improvement of the accuracy of the detection program. Fifty‐two mammograms with clustered microcalcifications were selected from patient files. The clusters on the mammograms were ranked by experienced mammographers and divided into an obvious group, an average group, and a subtle group. The average and subtle groups were combined and randomly divided into two sets, each of which was used as training or test set alternately. The obvious group served as an additional independent test set. Regions of interest (ROIs) containing potential individual microcalcifications were first located on each mammogram by the automated detection program. The ROIs from one set of the mammograms were used to train CNNs of different configurations with a back‐propagation method. The generalization capability of the trained CNNs was then examined by their accuracy of classifying the ROIs from the other set and from the obvious group. The classification accuracy of the CNNs for the ROIs was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. It was found that CNNs of many different configurations can reach approximately the same performance level, with the area under the ROC curve (A z ) of 0.9. We incorporated a trained CNN into the detection program and evaluated the improvement of the detection accuracy by the CNN using free response ROC analysis. Our results indicated that, over a wide range of true‐positive (TP) cluster detection rate, the CNN classifier could reduce the number of false‐positive (FP) clusters per image by more than 70%. For the obvious cases, at a TP rate of 100%, the FP rate reduced from 0.35 cluster per image to 0.1 cluster per image. For the average and subtle cases, the detection accuracy improved from a TP rate of 87% at an FP rate of four clusters per image to a TP rate of 90% at an FP rate of 1.5 clusters per image.
Coordinate Regulation of G- and C Strand Length during New Telomere Synthesis

We have used the ciliate Euplotes to study the role of DNA polymerase in telomeric C strand synthesis. Euplotes provides a unique opportunity to study C strand synthesis without the complication of simultaneous DNA replication because millions of new telomeres are made at a stage in the life cycle when no general DNA replication takes place. Previously we showed that the C-strands of newly synthesized telomeres have a precisely controlled length while the G-strands are more heterogeneous. This finding suggested that, although synthesis of the G-strand (by telomerase) is the first step in telomere addition, a major regulatory step occurs during subsequent C strand synthesis. We have now examined whether G- and C strand synthesis might be regulated coordinately rather than by two independent mechanisms. We accomplished this by determining what happens to G- and C strand length if C strand synthesis is partially inhibited by aphidicolin. Aphidicolin treatment caused a general lengthening of the G-strands and a large increase in C strand heterogeneity. This concomitant change in both the G- and C strand length indicates that synthesis of the two strands is coordinated. Since aphidicolin is a very specific inhibitor of DNA pol alpha and pol delta, our results suggest that this coordinate length regulation is mediated by DNA polymerase.
Seizure suppression by high frequency optogenetic stimulation using in vitro and in vivo animal models of epilepsy.

Abstract Background Electrical high frequency stimulation (HFS) has been shown to suppress seizures. However, the mechanisms of seizure suppression remain unclear and techniques for blocking specific neuronal populations are required. Objective The goal is to study the optical HFS protocol on seizures as well as the underlying mechanisms relevant to the HFS-mediated seizure suppression by using optogenetic methodology. Methods Thy1-ChR2 transgenic mice were used in both vivo and in vitro experiments. Optical stimulation with pulse trains at 20 and 50 Hz was applied on the focus to determine its effects on in vivo seizure activity induced by 4-AP and recorded in the bilateral and ipsilateral-temporal hippocampal CA3 regions. In vitro methodology was then used to study the mechanisms of the in vivo suppression. Results Optical HFS was able to generate 82.4% seizure suppression at 50 Hz with light power of 6.1 mW and 80.2% seizure suppression at 20 Hz with light power of 2.0 mW. The suppression percentage increased by increasing the light power and saturated when the power reached above-mentioned values. In vitro experimental results indicate that seizure suppression was mediated by activation of GABA receptors. Seizure suppression effect decreased with continued application but the suppression effect could be restored by intermittent stimulation. Conclusions This study shows that optical stimulation at high frequency targeting an excitatory opsin has potential therapeutic application for fast control of an epileptic focus. Furthermore, electrophysiological observations of extracellular and intracellular signals reveled that GABAergic neurotransmission activated by optical stimulation was responsible for the suppression.
Cervical fluorescence of normal women.

Background and Objective: Cervical tissue fluorescence spectra have previously been measured in vivo in women with a recent abnormal Papanicolaou smear. Diagnostic algorithms have been developed to diagnose squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) based on these fluorescence emission spectra. However, algorithms have not been tested in women with no history of cervical neoplasia. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Cervical fluorescence was measured from 54 women with no history of cervical dysplasia, and the spectra were compared to those from colposcopically normal sites in women with suspected dysplasia. Representative spectra from each group were compared and a two-sided, unpaired Student’s t-test was performed to compare mean principal component scores used in previously published diagnostic algorithms. The ability of previously reported diagnostic algorithms to classify these samples as normal tissue was also assessed. Results: At the 0.05 level of significance, the mean scores of 4 of the 7 important principal components were statistically different for the two populations. However, when the data collected from volunteers in this study were preprocessed in the appropriate manner and the algorithms were applied, more normal samples were correctly classified than in the previous clinical study in which these algorithms were developed. Conclusion: Previously reported algorithms can accurately classify tissue type based on spectra from women with and without a history of cervical neoplasia. Lasers Surg. Med. 24:29‐37, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Distributed opinion estimation using iterative majority voting

We consider a problem that is motivated by the problem of efficiently determining the opinions of a large number of people, where some fraction of the population may be untrustworthy. We propose a class of distributed algorithms called iterative majority voting (IMV), which appears to solve the problem efficiently as long as a positive fraction of the population is trustworthy. IMV consists of two phases: sampling and networking. In the sampling phase each person samples some random set of people for their opinions. In the networking phase each person communicates to random people about their estimates on the group opinion, and the approach benefits from “the power of networking.” We show that IMV is a fair, efficient and robust distributed algorithm by theoretical calculations and simulations. Possible applications include distributed ranking systems, survey and polling systems, social contexts in systems with or without an infrastructure (wireless ad-hoc networks or sensor networks).
Anaerobic biodegradation of the microbial copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate): Effects of comonomer content, processing history, and semi-crystalline morphology

Abstract Films of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (P3HB-co-3HHx) containing 3.8–10 mol% of 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) comonomer were subjected to anaerobic biodegradation to explore the effects of copolymer composition, crystallinity, and morphology on biodegradation. As biodegradation proceeded, samples with higher HHx fraction tended to have faster weight loss; on Day 7 of the degradation experiment, P3HB-co-10 mol%-3HHx lost 80% of its original weight, while P3HB-co-3.8 mol%-3HHx lost only 28%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the anaerobic biodegradation proceeded at the surface of the samples, with preferential erosion of the amorphous regions, exposing the crystalline spherulites formed inside the copolymer films. It was observed that copolymers with higher HHx fraction had smaller diameter spherulites, ranging from roughly 40 μm for P3HB-co-3.8 mol%-3HHx to 10 μm for P3HB-co-10 mol%-3HHx. A banded spherulite morphology was observed for P3HB-co-6.9 mol%-3HHx and P3HB-co-10 mol%-3HHx, with much wider band spacing (2 μm) for the former than the latter (0.3 μm). Different thermal history seemed to affect the morphological properties and, thus, the biodegradability of the P3HB-co-3HHx samples as well. When comparing copolymers with the same copolymer composition, P3HB-co-3HHx annealed at 70 °C had 5–30% more weight loss after the same duration of incubation in active sludge compared to the quenched samples. We suggest that annealing of P3HB-co-3HHx likely induces void formation in the semi-crystalline structure, facilitating the movement of water or perhaps enzymes to a higher degree of penetration into the sample and subsequently enhancing microbial degradation.
A tunable continuous-wave 330 GHz gyrotron for enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a technique used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments and requires a continuous-wave (CW) source able to generate ten or more watts of power in the 140 to 600 GHz range, a task well suited for gyrotron oscillators1. Besides these requirements, a frequency tunable gyrotron is also highly desirable since it would permit DNP/NMR experiments to be performed without tuning the NMR magnet or with NMR magnets without a superconducting sweep coil. We have performed preliminary tuning experiments2 in a CW 460 GHz gyrotron that have demonstrated 1 GHz of magnetic/voltage tuning at 460 GHz, second-harmonic mode TE 11,2 , with a maximum power of 16 W. When the magnetic field was reduced, we also obtained at 332 GHz, second-harmonic mode TE 4,3 , a maximum power of 2.5 W with 1 GHz of tuning.
Disparity in the use of combined modality therapy for rectal cancer in the older adult

Abstract Objectives The standard treatment strategy for patients with rectal adenocarcinoma having T3 or T4 tumors or positive lymph nodes includes concurrent chemoradiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Population based studies show relatively low rates of usage of standard therapy for rectal cancer in the older adult. Materials and methods Two decades of cases of stage II and stage III rectal cancer from two academic teaching hospitals were reviewed. Comparisons were made of subjects ≤ 70 or ≥ 71 years with regard to initiation and completion of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. Results Subjects ≥ 71 years of age had significantly lower proportions of surgical resection (84 vs. 94%) and of initiation of all three component of standard therapy (49 vs. 66%) compared to those ≤ 70 years of age. Subjects ≥ 71 years had significantly more co-morbidities; however, the difference in initiation of therapy remained after adjusting for stage, treating hospital, co-morbid status, race or sex in multivariable analysis. The odds for initiation of therapy were reduced by ≈ 22% in older adults in the adjusted analysis. Among all patients who started therapy only 56% completed it without dose reduction or delay. There were trends to increased completion among those receiving neo-adjuvant vs. post-operative chemoradiation and among those with stage III as opposed to stage II cancer. Conclusions Our study indicates that a major disparity in the use of standard therapy for rectal cancer in the older adult exists in academic hospital settings. It will be important for oncologists to reconsider increasing the usage of curative therapy in these patients.
Acute respiratory symptoms following massive carbon black exposure.

Background Chronic carbon black exposure in the work environment can cause both respiratory symptoms and changes in lung function. There is limited information on the respiratory effects of acute exposure to carbon black. Methods Case report and literature review. Results A 44-year-old man had intense exposure to carbon black when his crane ran into a truck with a trailer filled with carbon black. One week after this exposure he developed shortness of breath and cough with sputum production. These symptoms persisted and increased in intensity. Physical examination revealed expiratory wheezes when in the supine position. Pulmonary function tests revealed a mild obstructive ventilatory defect with a reduced FEV(1)/FVC ratio. The patient responded to treatment with fluticasone and salmeterol with a reduction in symptoms and improvement in his spirometry to a normal range. Conclusions Acute exposure to carbon black can cause respiratory symptoms and an obstructive ventilatory defect. This presentation suggests a small airway disease which improved over time with inhaled steroids and long-acting beta-agonists. Patients with intense carbon black exposure following industrial accidents will need frequent evaluation to manage any related respiratory tract injury.
Accuracy of volumetric bone mineral density measurement in high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography

Accurate bone mineral density (BMD) quantification is critical in clinical assessment of fracture risk and in the research of age-, disease-, and treatment-related musculoskeletal changes. The development of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) imaging has made possible in vivo assessment of compartmental volumetric BMD (vBMD) and bone micro-architecture in the distal radius and tibia. HR-pQCT imaging relies on a polychromatic X-ray source and therefore is subject to beam hardening as well as scatter artifacts. In light of these limitations, we hypothesize that the accuracy of HR-pQCT vBMD measurement in the trabecular compartment (vBMD(trab)) is not independent of bone density and geometry, but rather influenced by variations in trabecular bone volume fraction and cortical thickness. The goal of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the accuracy of HR-pQCT vBMD(trab) measurement in the radius and tibia, and to determine the dependence of this measurement on geometric and densitometric parameters. Our approach was to use a series of idealized hydroxyapatite (HA) phantoms with varying densities and geometries to quantify the accuracy of HR-pQCT analysis. Two sets of custom-made HA phantoms designed to mimic the distal tibia and distal radius were manufactured. Geometric and densitometric specifications were based on a dataset of healthy volunteers and osteopenic patients. Multiple beam hardening correction (BHC) algorithms were implemented and evaluated in their ability to reduce measurement error. Substantial errors in measured vBMD(trab) were found. Overestimation of vBMD(trab) increased proportional to cortical shell thickness and decreased proportional to insert density. The most pronounced vBMD(trab) overestimation therefore occurred in the phantoms with the lowest insert densities and highest shell thickness, where error was as high as 20 mg HA/cm3 (33%) in the radius phantom and 25 mg HA/cm(3) (41%) in the tibia phantom. Error in vBMD(trab) propagates to the calculation of micro-architectural measures; 41% error in vBMD(trab) will produce 41% error in volume fraction (BV/TV) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and 5% error in trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). BHC algorithms supplied by the manufacturer failed to eliminate these errors. Our results confirm that geometric and densitometric variations influence the accuracy of HR-pQCT vBMD(trab) measurements, and must be considered when interpreting data across populations or time-points.