cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation Detection Algorithm for a Portable Survey Instrument

Los Alamos has developed two detector probes, one for gammas and the other for alphas, that can be connected to any device, such as a terminal or computer, capable of sending and receiving serial ASCII data. We were faced with the problem of developing computer programs that would allow the probes to be used in either a survey or a measurement mode and give good statistical response in either. To test different algorithms using various parameters, we coded the algorithms in the Pascal programming language and ran them on a personal computer. The advantage of programs employing the algorithms we have developed is that they are both fast and accurate, but not at the same time. The probes, using these programs, are able to find then measure a source.
Design and implementation of a massively parallel version of DIRECT

This paper describes several massively parallel implementations for a global search algorithm DIRECT. Two parallel schemes take different approaches to address DIRECT's design challenges imposed by memory requirements and data dependency. Three design aspects in topology, data structures, and task allocation are compared in detail. The goal is to analytically investigate the strengths and weaknesses of these parallel schemes, identify several key sources of inefficiency, and experimentally evaluate a number of improvements in the latest parallel DIRECT implementation. The performance studies demonstrate improved data structure efficiency and load balancing on a 2200 processor cluster.
Evidence from Hox genes that bryozoans are lophotrochozoans

Bryozoans, or moss animals, are small colonial organisms that possess a suspension-feeding apparatus called a lophophore. Traditionally, this "phylum" has been grouped with brachiopods and phoronids because of the feeding structure. Available molecular and morphological data refute this notion of a monophyletic "Lophophorata." Alternative hypotheses place bryozoans either at the base of the Lophotrochozoa or basal to the Lophotrochozoa/Ecdysozoa split. Surprisingly, the only molecular data bearing on this issue are from the 18S nuclear ribosomal gene. Here we report the results of a Hox gene survey using degenerate polymerase chain reaction primers in a gymnolaemate bryozoan, Bugula turrita. Putative orthologs to both the Post2 and the Lox5 genes were found, suggesting that bryozoans are not a basal protostome group but closely allied to other lophotrochozoan taxa. We also found the first definitive evidence of two Deformed/Hox4 class genes in a nonvertebrate animal.
Oxidation of GaAs(110): New Results and Models,

The oxidation of ultra high-vacuum-cleaved GaAs(110) surfaces has been studied with high-resolution, core-level photoemission excited with synchrotron radiation. The oxidation is spatially and chemically inhomogeneous, and both subsurface oxidation and multibonding geometries occur already at submonolayer coverages.
Modeling and multivariable adaptive control of aircraft with synthetic jet actuators

In this paper, modeling and adaptive control of aircraft with synthetic jet actuators are studied. Linearized models of aircraft with synthetic jet actuators are first studied for healthy and ineffective actuators. It is shown that with loss of actuator effectiveness, independently adjustable control effectors have to be involved, and dynamic coupling is inevitable. With a specified equilibrium trajectory, parameters of aircraft models, including the dynamic coupling terms, vary continuously with time. As a demonstration of possible control techniques for such control problems, a multivariable direct adaptive control scheme is developed for such aircraft systems with some chosen operation conditions. For each operation condition, a reference system is constructed and will be switched to when under the corresponding operation condition. Such a control scheme ensures closed-loop stability and asymptotic tracking for the considered system. The robustness of such an adaptive control scheme against continuous parameter variations is also analyzed, and closed-loop stability can be guaranteed with robust adaptation.
Smooth muscle cell adhesion on crosslinked hyaluronan gels

Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based polymers (hylans) are highly biocompatible and can be structurally modified to obtain desired mechanical properties. This study evaluated divinyl sulfone-crosslinked solid and particulate hylans as cellular scaffolds. These two hylan types differ in surface characteristics, mode of preparation, HA content, and extent of crosslinking. Neonatal rat aortic smooth muscle cells were cultured on hylan gels coated with matrix factors including collagen I, ECM gel, laminin, and fibronectin and on uncoated controls for < or =4 weeks. Cell attachment was sparse on uncoated controls but significantly enhanced on coated gels. Cell morphology was influenced by the identity of the matrix factors coated and the surface topography of the hylan gels. Cells attached to coated particulate gels appeared either highly spread (collagen, fibronectin) or irregularly shaped (ECM gel, laminin). Cells on laminin and fibronectin-coated solid gels were rounded and nonproliferative. Cells proliferated most rapidly on ECM gel-coated gels. The uneven surface of particulate gels induced more protein deposition and the subsequent attachment and active proliferation of cells. This study shows that surface texturizing and subsequent surface treatment with matrix factors enhances cell attachment and proliferation of hylans. These results are useful toward developing bioengineered materials based on cell-hylan composites.
An fMRI study of unconditioned responses in post-traumatic stress disorder

Background Both fear and pain processing are altered in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as evidenced by functional neuroimaging studies showing increased amygdala responses to threats, and increased insula, putamen and caudate activity in response to heat pain. Using psychophysiology and functional magnetic resonance imaging, we studied conditioned and unconditioned autonomic and neuronal responses in subjects with PTSD versus trauma-exposed non-PTSD control (TENC) subjects. A design using an electric shock selected by subjects to be 'highly annoying but not painful' as an unconditioned stimulus (US) with partially reinforced cues allowed us to partly disentangle the expectancy- and prediction-error components from sensory components of the unconditioned response.
Surgery Versus Radiation Therapy Alone in Treating Spinal Metastasis: A Perspective.

In this issue of WORLD NEUROSURGERY, Chen et al. present an interesting meta-analysis comparing surgery (with or without radiation therapy) with radiation therapy alone in the treatment of patients with spinal metastasis. The authors aggregated data from 6 different clinical trials that span the past several decades. They compared surgery versus radiation therapy alone across several outcome measures, including 1-year survival, motor function, pain relief, and complications. Their results suggest that surgery compared with radiation therapy alone demonstrates significant improvements in ambulation, pain relief, and 1-year survival while showing no differences in the patient’s ability to regain ambulation, hospital duration of stay, and complications. The authors rightly caution that the results are
Tony Bennett and Patrick Joyce (eds), Material Powers. Cultural Studies, History and the Material Turn

Tony Bennett and Patrick Joyce (eds), Material Powers. Cultural Studies, History and the Material Turn (2010), 215 (Routledge, London and New York, £85.00/$140.00, paperback £24.99/$47.95). Materia...
Requirements specification for apps in medical application platforms

Existing regulatory agency guidance documents and process standards for medical devices (i.e., IEC 62304) generally consider medical devices to be stand-alone monolithic systems. The format and content of a system requirements document largely follows that of conventional embedded safety-critical systems. However, a vision is emerging of a new paradigm of medical system based on the notion of a medical application platform (MAP). A MAP is a safety- and security-critical real-time computing platform for (a) integrating heterogeneous devices, medical IT systems, and information displays via a communication infrastructure and (b) hosting application programs (i.e., apps) that provide medical utility via the ability to both acquire information from and update/control integrated devices, IT systems, and displays. To ensure a regulatory pathway for MAPs, it is necessary to adapt traditional development processes and artifacts to the specific characteristics of MAP architectures and constituent components. In this paper, we provide an initial proposal for developing and formatting requirements for MAP apps. For illustration, we consider an app that implements two "smart alarms" for pulse oximetry monitoring in a clinical context.
Does off-pump coronary surgery reduce morbidity and mortality? ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Objective: To compare hospital outcomes of on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: From 1997 to 2000, primary coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 481 patients off pump and in 3231 patients on pump. Hospital outcomes were compared between propensity-matched pairs of 406 on-pump and 406 off-pump patients. The 2 groups were similar in age ( P =.9), left ventricular function ( P =.7), extent of coronary artery disease ( P =.5), carotid artery disease ( P =.4), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( P =.5). However, off-pump patients had more previous strokes ( P =.05) and peripheral vascular disease ( P =.02); on-pump patients had a higher preoperative New York Heart Association class ( P =.01). Results: In the matched pairs the mean number of bypass grafts was 2.8 ± 1.0 in off-pump patients and 3.5 ± 1.1 in on-pump patients ( P P P =.006) artery systems in the off-pump patients. Postoperative mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, and reoperation for bleeding were similar in the 2 groups. There was more encephalopathy ( P =.02), sternal wound infection ( P =.04), red blood cell use ( P =.002), and renal failure requiring dialysis ( P =.03) in the on-pump patients. Conclusions: Both off- and on-pump procedures produced excellent early clinical results with low mortality. An advantage of an off-pump operation was less postoperative morbidity; however, less complete revascularization introduced uncertainty about late results. A disadvantage of on-pump bypass was higher morbidity that seemed attributable to cardiopulmonary bypass. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;124:698-707
Ambulatory blood pressure and metabolic abnormalities in hypertensive subjects with inappropriately high left ventricular mass.

Abstract —Appropriateness of left ventricular (LV) mass to cardiac workload can be evaluated by the ratio of observed LV mass to the value predicted for an individual’s gender, height2.7, and stroke work at rest (%PLVM). It is unclear which pathophysiological factors are associated with inappropriately high LV mass in hypertensive subjects. Adequate LV mass was defined by the 90% confidence interval (73% to 128%) of the distribution of %PLVM in 393 normal-weight normotensive subjects. In 185 hypertensive subjects (aged 56±11 years; 60% male, 29% black), according to %PLVM, 164 (88%) had adequate LV mass, 16 (9%) had inappropriately high LV mass (%PLVM >128%), and 5 (3%) had %PLVM <73% (low LV mass). Age, gender, smoking habit, proportion of never-treated subjects, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine levels did not differ significantly between subjects with adequate and inappropriately high LV mass. Body mass index, fasting glucose, and proportion of black subjects were higher (all P <0.05), while HDL cholesterol was lower ( P <0.05) in subjects with inappropriately high LV mass. Blood pressure at the echocardiogram was comparable between subjects with adequate and inappropriately high LV mass, but the latter group had higher ambulatory blood pressure ( P <0.01). Subjects with inappropriately high LV mass also had higher aortic root dimension and LV relative wall thickness and relatively lower LV systolic performance than those with adequate LV mass (all P <0.001). Larger aortic root diameter and lower systolic function were also found in hypertensive subjects with inappropriate LV hypertrophy compared with those with adequate LV hypertrophy. In an exploratory case-control study that compared subjects with low %PLVM with age-matched counterparts with adequate LV mass, low %PLVM was associated with lower body mass index, more favorable metabolic profile, and higher LV myocardial contractility. Higher body mass index, larger aortic root, and black race were independent correlates of increased %PLVM. Thus, in arterial hypertension, levels of LV mass inappropriately high for gender, cardiac workload, and height2.7 are associated with higher body mass index, higher ambulatory blood pressure, larger aortic root diameters, and relatively low myocardial contractility.
Bias in White: A Longitudinal Natural Experiment Measuring Changes in Discrimination

Many professions are plagued by disparities in service delivery. Racial disparities in policing, mortgage lending, and healthcare are some notable examples. Because disparities can result from a myriad of mechanisms, crafting effective disparity mitigation policies requires knowing which mechanisms are active and which are not. In this study we can distinguish whether one mechanism---statistical discrimination---is a primary explanation for racial disparities in physicians' treatment of patients. In a longitudinal natural experiment using repeated quasi-audit studies of medical students, we test for within-cohort changes in disparities from medical student behaviors as they interact with white and black patient actors. We find significant increases in medical students' disparate behaviors by patient race between their first and second years of medical school. This finding is inconsistent with statistical discrimination predictions and challenges the idea that statistical discrimination is primarily responsible for racial disparities in patient care. This paper was accepted by Jesper Sorensen, organizations.
Authentic faith and acknowledged risk: dissolving the problem of faith and reason

One challenge to the rationality of religious commitment has it that faith is unreasonable because it involves believing on insufficient evidence. However, this challenge and influential attempts to reply depend on assumptions about what it is to have faith that are open to question. I distinguish between three conceptions of faith (faith as belief-plus, trusting acceptance, and hopeful affirmation) each of which can claim some plausible grounding in the Judaeo-Christian tradition. Questions about the rationality or justification of religious commitment and the extent of compatibility with doubt look different on accounts of faith in which trust or hope, rather than belief, are the primary basis for the commitments. On such accounts, while the person of faith has a stake in the truth of the content (e.g. that God exists), practical as well as epistemic considerations can legitimately figure in normative appraisals. Trust and hope can be appropriate in situations of recognized risk, need not involve self-deception, and are compatible with the idea that one's purely epistemic opinions should be responsive only to evidence.
Imprinting of Mouse Kvlqt1 is Developmentally Regulated

Mouse distal chromosome 7 contains a cluster of at least five imprinted genes. The syntenic region in humans, at 11p15.5, has been implicated in several genetic disorders. Consistent with the imprinted status of the genes in the region, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and Wilms tumor are each associated with loss of maternal information. Also mapping to 11p15.5 are long QT and Jervell and Lange-Nielsen (JLN) syndromes. In contrast to BWS and Wilms tumor, these syndromes do not show any parent of origin bias. Recently positional cloning has identified KVLQT1 as the 11p15.5 gene responsible for increased susceptibility to long QT and JLN syndromes. Other studies associate KVLQT1 with BWS. Human KVLQT1 is paternally imprinted in embryos. In this study we present a contig and transcript map of distal mouse 7 and we physically and genetically map mouse Kvlqt1 to the region. Mouse Kvlqt1 is strongly expressed in heart, lung, gut, kidney and uterus. While its early developmental expression is maternal in origin, the paternal allele becomes increasingly active during development. Late juvenile and adult animals show complete biallelism, suggesting an explanation for the lack of parent of origin bias in JLN and long QT.
Use of Enteral Nutrition for Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis

OBJECTIVE:To review the controversies involving the use of enteral nutrition support for stress ulcer prophylaxis and formulate recommendations.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search (1966–December 2000) was conducted using the MeSH of nutrition, ulcer, critical care, and acid to identify relevant articles. References of selected articles were reviewed, and relevant abstracts from critical care or gastrointestinal journals identified.DATA EXTRACTION:Animal and human data from prospective studies, retrospective studies, and case series were evaluated for the effects of enteral nutrition on gastric pH, intramucosal pH, gastrointestinal blood flow, development of macroscopic mucosal erosions, and hemorrhage.DATA SYNTHESIS:Intragastric administration of enteral nutrition has variable effects on gastric pH, enhances regional distribution of gastrointestinal blood flow, and may lower intramucosal pH. All substrates (carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid), when administered into the stomach, reduce the occurrence of mucosal er...
Comment: Fatal Intracranial Bleed Potentially Due to a Warfarin and Influenza Vaccine Interaction

Objective:To report a case of fatal intracranial bleeding possibly due to an interaction between warfarin and inactivated influenza vaccination.Case Summary:A 64-year-old white male was admitted to the hospital after becoming unresponsive. The family reported a 2-day history of bleeding from the patient's rectum prior to admission. He had no recent changes in medical conditions or medication regimen, which included warfarin for stroke prophylaxis secondary to atrial fibrillation. The patient had received an inactivated influenza vaccine 4½ weeks prior to presentation, at which time his international normalized ratio (INR) was 2.0. Upon admission, the patient's INR was greater than 15: INR values over the previous 6 months had been relatively stable {range 1.4–4.7). A noncontrast computed tomography scan of the head showed a large parenchymal hemorrhagic infarction involving the left temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. In the emergency department, the patient received a nitroglycerin infusion to maint...
Long-Term Effect of Estrogen and Progesterone on Mammary Gland Growth in 3-Methylcholanthrene Treated and Non-treated Ovariectomized Rats.

SummaryAdministration of 1 μg estradiol benzoate plus 3 mg progesterone into ovariectomized rats for 20 days produced mammary gland DNA levels comparable to those observed in rats on 19th day of pregnancy, while continued injection for periods of 30, 40 and 50 days did not significantly increase observed growth. However, no involutionary changes were noted with long-term injection, indicating a maintainence of the lobule-alveolar system. Administration of 10 mg 3-methylcholanthrene twice weekly for 7 weeks reduced mammary gland growth by approximately 25% in ovariectomized rats given 1 μg estradiol benzoate plus 3 mg progesterone or twice this amount. These hormones prevented development of observable mammary tumors.
Near-linear CMOS I/O driver with less sensitivity to process, voltage, and temperature variations

Matching input/output (I/O) driver output resistance to transmission line impedance is critical for high-speed I/O operation in source series termination environments. Tuning driver output resistance can be accomplished through the use of calibration circuitry. Under ideal conditions, calibration circuitry can properly calibrate an I/O driver. Operating in an environment with die process, voltage, and temperature variations, that same calibration circuitry may perform improperly. This brief presents an I/O driver design that is less sensitive to process, voltage, and temperature variations. The proposed driver design provides a near linear or flat, output resistance response verses output voltage. Advantages of the proposed I/O driver architecture lie in applications where the output DC operating point may have a large variation, thus, reducing the error in matching output resistance.
Genetic association analysis of coronary heart disease by profiling gene-environment interaction based on latent components in longitudinal endophenotypes

Studies of complex diseases collect panels of disease-related traits, also known as secondary phenotypes or endophenotypes. They reflect intermediate responses to environment exposures, and as such, are likely to contain hidden information of gene-environment (G × E) interactions. The information can be extracted and used in genetic association studies via latent-components analysis. We present such a method that extracts G × E information in longitudinal data of endophenotypes, and apply the method to repeated measures of multiple phenotypes related to coronary heart disease in Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 Problem 2. The new method identified many genes, including SCNN1B (sodium channel nonvoltage-gated 1 beta) and PKP2 (plakophilin 2), with potential time-dependent G × E interactions; and several others including a novel cardiac-specific kinase gene (TNNI3K), with potential G × E interactions independent of time and marginal effects.
An advanced web query interface for biological databases

Although most web-based biological databases (DBs) offer some type of web-based form to allow users to author DB queries, these query forms are quite restricted in the complexity of DB queries that they can formulate. They can typically query only one DB, and can query only a single type of object at a time (e.g. genes) with no possible interaction between the objects--that is, in SQL parlance, no joins are allowed between DB objects. Writing precise queries against biological DBs is usually left to a programmer skillful enough in complex DB query languages like SQL. We present a web interface for building precise queries for biological DBs that can construct much more precise queries than most web-based query forms, yet that is user friendly enough to be used by biologists. It supports queries containing multiple conditions, and connecting multiple object types without using the join concept, which is unintuitive to biologists. This interactive web interface is called the Structured Advanced Query Page (SAQP). Users interactively build up a wide range of query constructs. Interactive documentation within the SAQP describes the schema of the queried DBs. The SAQP is based on BioVelo, a query language based on list comprehension. The SAQP is part of the Pathway Tools software and is available as part of several bioinformatics web sites powered by Pathway Tools, including the BioCyc.org site that contains more than 500 Pathway/Genome DBs.
Parental Wartime Deployment and the Use of Mental Health Services Among Young Military Children

The wars in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003) have been raging for almost 9 years, and some would qualify the current conflicts as the longest in US history. There is growing evidence that the psychosocial burden of war extends beyond the military service member's combat time and includes effects on the spouse and children, perhaps unfolding years after combat exposures. Recent study reports have described the health and mental health (MH) issues of US service members involved in wartime deployments,1,2 including the toll on American lives. From October 2001 through May 2010, there have been 5473 American casualties and 38 076 wounded in action.3 A recent study identified significant stress and MH problems in US Army wives whose husbands experienced deployments.4 Evidence from that study, and a study of school-aged children,5 suggests cumulative stress from subsequent wartime deployments for at-home parents and their children, and there are potential negative lifetime effects. Despite these challenges, the vast majority of US military children manifest considerable resilience. In fact, a colleague of mine genuinely refers to military families as “our heroes at home.” … Address correspondence to COL (ret) Beth Ellen Davis, MD, MPH, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Madigan Army Medical Center, MCHJ-PPS, Tacoma, WA 98431. E-mail: bethellen.davis{at}amedd.army.mil
Formation of Ethyl 1‐Thiomannopyranosides from 2‐O‐Chloroacetylated and 2‐O‐Levulinoylated Synthons

With the aim to prepare key glycosyl donors for the synthesis of fragments of the O-specific polysaccharides of Vibrio cholerae O:1, 1-O-acetyl derivatives of perosamine bearing participating 2-O-chloroacetyl or 2-O-levulinoyl groups were treated with EtSH and BF3·Et2O. While poor stereoselectivity of the formation of ethyl 1-thioglycosides (α:β = 3:2) was observed with 2-O-chloroacetylated intermediates, the same products can be obtained with good stereoselectivity (α:β = 7:1) from 2-O-levulinoylated intermediates. Selective regeneration of the carbonyl group from dithioketals in the presence of S,O-acetals by treatment with AgNO3 and Ag2O in MeCN/H2O is also described. The conversion allows direct preparation of 1-thioglycosides from carbohydrates protected with the levulinic ester group. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Improvement of electrical performance of anisotropically conductive adhesives

To improve the electrical properties of the anisotropically conductive adhesive (ACA) joints with the potential for fine pitch interconnect, self-assembled monolayer (SAM) compounds are introduced to treat nano silver (Ag) fillers. Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), contact angle and photoacoustic Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) results indicated the SAMs were well coated on the nano Ag particles. Furthermore, these SAM-treated ACAs were thermally stable at processing temperatures of the ACA samples. By introducing the novel SAM materials into the interfaces between nano metal fillers and the substrate bond pads, the conductivity and current carrying capability of ACAs were improved significantly due to the stronger bonding between nano fillers and SAM and consequently the improved interface properties of the high performance ACA. The improved electrical performance of nano Ag filled ACAs was accompanied with the higher thermal conductivity as well.
Expressivity and performativity: Merleau-Ponty and Butler

Until now post-structuralism and phenomenology are widely regarded as opposites. Contrary to this opinion, I am arguing that they have a lot in common. In order to make my argument, I concentrate on Judith Butler’s poststructuralist concept of performativity to confront it with Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological concept of expressivity. While Butler claims that phenomenological theories of expression are in danger of essentialism and thus must be replaced by non-essentialist theories of performativity, I hold that Merleau-Ponty’s concept of expressivity must strictly be understood in anti-essentialist terms. Following this line of interpretation, “expressivity” and “performativity”—as well as phenomenology and post-structuralism—are not opposites but partners in the search for an anti-essentialist gender concept. Consequently, feminist phenomenology turns out to be a non-essentialist approach that combines phenomenological and post-structural insights.
Mapping Personal Value Space: A Study of Managers in Four Organizations

The concept of personal values is a much referenced but little documented one in the organization behavior literature. In this study, a modified version of the Rokeach Value Survey is used to generate data on the personal values of 132 managers from four different organizations. Comparisons are made by level and by organization, and the value space of each organization is partially mapped, by combining the value data of the managers themselves with the values attributed by them to relevant and nonrelevant others. The results indicate the existence of by-level, by-organization differences hither-to undetected by other, more general measures of personal values. Suggestions for expanded research and diagnostic use of the Value Survey are made.
Bayesian analysis of software cost and quality models

Due to the pervasive nature of software, software-engineering practitioners have continuously expressed their concerns over their inability to accurately predict the cost, schedule and quality of a software product under development. Thus, one of the most important objectives of the software engineering community has been to develop useful models that constructively explain the software development lifecycle and accurately predict the cost, schedule and quality of developing a software product. Most of the existing parametric models have been empirically calibrated to actual data from completed software projects. The most commonly used technique for empirical calibration has been the popular classical multiple regression approach. This approach imposes a few restrictions often violated by software engineering data and has resulted in the development of inaccurate empirical models that do not perform very well. The focus of this dissertation is to explain the drawbacks of the multiple regression approach for software engineering data and discuss the Bayesian approach which alleviates a few of the problems faced by the multiple regression approach.
A finite-difference frequency-domain approach for solving electromagnetic scattering by conducting bodies of revolution

In this paper, the problem of electromagnetic scattering by a conducting body of revolution is solved using the finite-difference technique in frequency domain. Two coupled partial differential equations, derived based on the coupled azimuthal potentials introduced by Morgan, Chang, and Mei are solved over a domain surrounding the scatterer. Boundary-fitted curvilinear coordinates, which avoid the problem of staircasing, are used to discretize the domain of computation. Results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the method.
α-Synuclein aggregation alters tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation and immunoreactivity: Lessons from viral transduction of knockout mice

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis, is frequently used as a marker of dopaminergic neuronal loss in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). We have been exploring the normal function of the PD-related protein alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) with regard to dopamine synthesis. TH is activated by the phosphorylation of key seryl residues in the TH regulatory domain. Using in vitro models, our laboratory discovered that alpha-Syn inhibits TH by acting to reduce TH phosphorylation, which then reduces dopamine synthesis [X.-M. Peng, R. Tehranian, P. Dietrich, L. Stefanis, R.G. Perez, Alpha-synuclein activation of protein phosphatase 2A reduces tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation in dopaminergic cells, J. Cell. Sci. 118 (2005) 3523-3530; R.G. Perez, J.C. Waymire, E. Lin, J.J. Liu, F. Guo, M.J. Zigmond, A role for alpha-synuclein in the regulation of dopamine biosynthesis, J. Neurosci. 22 (2002) 3090-3099]. We recently began exploring the impact of alpha-Syn on TH in vivo, by transducing dopaminergic neurons in alpha-Syn knockout mouse (ASKO) olfactory bulb using wild type human alpha-Syn lentivirus. At 3.5-21 days after viral delivery, alpha-Syn expression was transduced primarily in periglomerular dopaminergic neurons. Cells with modest levels of alpha-Syn consistently co-labeled for Total-TH. However, cells bearing aggregated alpha-Syn, as revealed by proteinase K or Thioflavin-S treatment had significantly reduced Total-TH immunoreactivity, but high phosphoserine-TH labeling. On immunoblots, we noted that Total-TH immunoreactivity was equivalent in all conditions, although tissues with alpha-Syn aggregates again had higher phosphoserine-TH levels. This suggests that aggregated alpha-Syn is no longer able to inhibit TH. Although the reason(s) underlying reduced Total-TH immunoreactivity on tissue sections await(s) confirmation, the dopaminergic phenotype was easily verified using phosphorylation-state-specific TH antibodies. These findings have implications not only for normal alpha-Syn function in TH regulation, but also for measuring cell loss that is associated with synucleinopathy.
Low Gasoline Prices The Effects upon Auto Visitor Spending, Numbers of Activities, Satisfaction, and Return Intention

While the fluctuating price of gasoline has affected numerous industries throughout the world, very few entities in the global economy are more impacted than tourism and hospitality businesses located in destinations relying heavily on visitor demand generated by automobile travel. This study examines the effect of decreases in gasoline prices on travel expenditures and behavior among visitors arriving by auto to Florida destination areas. Data on travel expenditures, behavioral characteristics, selected demographics, revisit intention, and overall satisfaction with the on-site experience were collected at random from in-state and out-of-state travelers. A two-level hierarchical linear modeling approach was used to provide an accurate picture of the effects that decreasing gasoline prices have on auto visitor expenditures specific to restaurants, entertainment, admission to attractions and events, numbers of activities pursued during their on-site visit to the destination, and their impact on satisfaction...
Biology and Immature Stages of Snail-Killing Flies: The Genus Elgiva (Diptera: Sciomyzidae)

Larvae of Elgiva rufa (Panzer) (Holarctic), E. connexa (Steyskal) (Nearctic), and E. cucularia (L.) (Palearctic) are predators of aquatic, pulmonate snails belonging to the families Lymnaeidae, Physidae, and Planorbidae. Ecological distribution, mating, oviposition postembryonic development, larval feeding behavior, seasonal aspects, hymenopterous parasitoids, and other ethological and ecological characteristics are discussed. Descriptions and illustrations of the eggs, 3 larval instars, and puparia, and keys to larvae and puparia are given.
Modified free radial forearm fascia flap reconstruction of lower extremity and foot wounds: optimal contour and minimal donor-site morbidity.

Background Free tissue transfer is commonly required for reconstruction of distal third lower extremity injuries. Injuries involving the dorsal surface of the foot require thin pliable flaps. Musculocutaneous flaps are often too bulky to accommodate shoewear. Fasciocutaneous flaps, while an improvement, need secondary contouring procedures. The modified radial forearm fascial flap (MRFFF) may offer an alternative. Methods Twelve patients with distal third lower extremity wounds were reconstructed with MRFFF + split thickness skin graft. The modification in flap design leaves fascia radial to the pedicle unharvested, preserving sensibility of the dorsoradial aspect of the hand. Flaps were covered with a skin graft after inset. Donor sites were closed primarily. Results Nine wounds were traumatic—five with exposed hardware, one burn, one diabetic ulcer, and one wound dehiscence following sarcoma resection + radiation. Out of 12, 11 limbs were salvaged at 1 to 2 years follow-up. All patients ambulated on the reconstructed leg and wore a shoe comfortably. Average time to weight bearing was 2 months. The donor site was limited to 25-cm scar on the volar forearm. No persistent motor/sensory deficits occurred in donor arms. Conclusion MRFFF is an excellent flap for reconstruction of the distal lower extremity. Flap contour allows excellent shoe-fitting without secondary revisions. Replacement of the adipocutaneous flap on MRFFF donor site eliminates the need for a conspicuous donor-site skin graft. The ulnar orientation of the harvested fascia prevents sensory loss in the dorsal hand. The MRFFF provides the ideal replacement of “like with like” for selected distal lower extremity wounds.
Lifting the "FOG" with laser generated visual-cueing.

Background and purpose To ascertain whether freezing of gait (FOG) and stride reduction (SR) may be relieved by the use of an attachable, adjustable laser (the Mobilaser). Methods Seven parkinsonian patients with FOG and SR were randomized in an open-label, randomized, cross-over clinical study at a tertiary referral center. The Mobilaser was attached to a 4-wheeled walker by Velcro and switched on, producing an adjustable red line, which the subjects stepped on or over while ambulating a standardized course. The length of time each subject took, and the number of freezes they experienced traversing the course, using a 4-wheeled walker with the device turned on and off, were compared. Results A total of 7 patients were investigated; however, one was excluded from the study due to severe deconditioning, prohibiting completion of the testing. Of the 6 enrolled, all subjects took less time to ambulate the course using the attachable, adjustable laser than without it (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P=0.03). In addition, the total number of freezes was less in all 6 subjects when using the device than without it. No adverse events occurred during the trial. Discussion and conclusions The Mobilaser is potentially an effective and safe device for alleviating parkinsonian FOG and SR.
Growth of clostridium botulinum in fermented vegetables

The many recent outbreaks of poisoning due to the toxin of Clostridium botulinum with the large percentage of fatal cases demand a careful survey of every state to determine with certainty the distribution of the organism, the variation in types with their toxins, and the conditions under which these types grow and produce their toxin. The cases of botulism in man which have been described in United
Surgical Management of Sternoclavicular Joint Infections.

Background Infections of the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) respond poorly to nonoperative management and typically require resection. We examined presenting characteristics and outcomes after surgical management of SCJ infections, reviewing a 20-year single-institution experience. Methods From January 1992 to December 2012, 40 patients (age, 57 ± 12 years; 70% male) underwent resection of an infected SCJ. Sternal infections after cardiac surgery were excluded. Clinical features, microbiology, recurrence, survival, and functional impairment were assessed. Infection was documented by the surgeon, and supported by tissue culture. Clinical presentation and treatment course were obtained by review of medical records. The functional assessment was determined by phone interviews using the validated QuickDASH outcome measure. Mortality data were gathered from the medical record. Results Pain was the presenting symptom in 93% of patients. Staphylococcal species were isolated in 73% of tissue specimens. Fifteen patients (37%) underwent primary closure and 25 patients (63%) underwent closure by secondary intention with application of negative-pressure wound therapy. There were four recurrences (10%), one after primary closure and three in the secondary intention group. No deaths occurred within 30 days of operation, and 5-year survival was 67%. Functional assessment using the QuickDASH outcome measure revealed minimal loss in upper extremity function after the procedure (preoperative score, 10 ± 3; postoperative score, 19 ± 6.8; n = 11). There was no difference in functional outcome comparing primary closure versus secondary intention (19 ± 4.4 versus 20 ± 8.2; p = 0.64). Conclusions Septic arthritis of the SCJ is routinely managed surgically at many centers. We report that primary closure with a muscle flap can achieve similar outcomes to secondary intention in selected patients. Furthermore, patients experienced minimal functional impairment at long-term follow-up.
Activated human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells suppress metastatic features of MDA-MB-231 cells by secreting IFN-β.

Our recent study showed that human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) are activated to express tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) by exposure to TNF-α and these activated hMSCs effectively induce apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 (MDA) cells in vitro and in vivo. Here, we further demonstrated that activated hMSCs not only induced apoptosis of MDA cells but also reduced metastatic features in MDA cells. These activated hMSC-exposed MDA cells showed reduced tumorigenicity and suppressed formation of lung metastasis when implanted in the mammary fat pad. Surprisingly, the activated hMSC-exposed MDA cells increased TRAIL expression, resulting in apoptosis in MDA cells. Interestingly, upregulation of TRAIL in MDA cells was mediated by interferon-beta (IFN-β) secreted from activated hMSCs. Furthermore, IFN-β in activated hMSCs was induced by RNA and DNA released from apoptotic MDA cells in absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and IFN induced with helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1)-dependent manners. These observations were only seen in the TRAIL-sensitive breast cancer cell lines but not in the TRAIL-resistant breast cancer cell lines. Consistent with these results, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis also showed that lack of innate sensors detecting DNA or RNA is strongly associated with poor survival in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer patients. In addition, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) isolated from a breast cancer patient were also able to express TRAIL and IFN-β upon DNA and RNA stimulation. Therefore, our results suggest that the crosstalk between TRAIL-sensitive cancer cells and stromal cells creates a tumor-suppressive microenvironment and further provide a novel therapeutic approach to target stromal cells within cancer microenvironment for TRAIL sensitive cancer treatment.
The biological characteristics and control of a weedy rice Luolijing(Oryza sativa)

The objectives of this study were to determine biological characteristics of a weedy rice Luoli- jing (interim name:Oryza sativa L.),and effects of water regime and herbicides on its emergence and growth.Weedy rice Luolijing was found infesting in paddy field in Dandong,Liaoning Province,north- east of China.The height of the weedy rice was taller than most cultivated rice cultivars,and had medi- um-long grains without awns or with awns of 4-12 cm that was easily to shatter.The color of grains was straw-like or yellow with dark gray strips.Average 1000-grain weight was 2.35g.Periopsis of the weedy rice was nacarat.The emergence rate of the weed was more than 88% at 13-38℃.Irrigating water of 2.5-10 cm depth reduced the dry weight of the weed by 50%-69%.Pendimethalin at the rate of 660 -990 g ai/hm~2 provided excellent control of the weedy rice,and did not injure the transplanted rice cul- tivar Xiushui 11.
Mycoplasma causing urogenital tract infections and drug resistance

OBJECTIVE To understand the incidence of urogenital tract infections caused by Mycoplasma and the drug resistance.METHODS From Jun 2010 to Oct 2011,the detection of Mycoplasma obtained from the reproductive tract secretions of 200 patients was performed,and the drug susceptibility testing for 10 antibiotics was carried out,the result was analyzed.RESULTS There were 108 of 200 patients who were detected with Mycoplasma infections with the infection rate of 54.00%,among which 32.10% were male patients and 68.91% were female patients,Uu was the major species causing infections,the infection rates of the male and female were 23.46% and 52.94%,respectively,the difference between the total prevalence of Mycoplasma infection and Uu infection in different gender patients was statistically significant(P0.05);the drug susceptibility rates of Uu to doxycycline,minocycline,and josamycin were 94.44%,90.28%,and 93.06%,respectively,the drug resistance rates to ciprofloxacin and spectinomycin were 90.28% and 77.78%,respectively;the drug susceptibility rates of Mh to doxycycline,minocycline,and josamycin were 100.00%,the drug resistance rates to roxithromycinand azithromycin were 100.00%;the drug susceptibility rates of Uu+Mh to doxycycline and josamycin were 77.78% and 72.22%,respectively,the drug resistance rates to ciprofloxacin and azithromycin were 94.44% and 88.89%,respectively.CONCLUSION Urogenital tract infections caused by Mycoplasma is common,Uu is the predominant species;the incidence of Uu infection is higher in female than male,and it is resistant to most of the clinical first-line antibiotics.
Inhibition of dopamine autoxidation by tetrahydrobiopterin and NADH in the presence of dihydropteridine reductase

Dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) catalyzes the regeneration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) from quinonoid dihydrobiopterin by using NADH as a hydrogen donor. This enzymatic reaction has been found to serve as an antioxidation system during dopamine autoxidation in oxygenated Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.5) at 37 degrees C. BH4 or NADH by itself has little or no inhibitory effect on dopamine autoxidation. The presence of DHPR, in addition to BH4 and NADH, greatly prolongs the lag period, which increases with increasing concentrations of each of BH4, NADH and DHPR. This BH4/DHPR-mediated antioxidation system is as effective as other antioxidation agents such as ascorbic acid, cysteine and reduced glutathione. Since BH4, NADH and DHPR are ubiquitous in mammalian tissues, this system may play an important role in the reduction of the oxidation products of catecholamines.
Relative roles of intracellular Ca2+ and pH in shaping myocardial contractile response to acute respiratory alkalosis

During acute respiratory alkalosis, myocardial contractility initially increases but then declines toward control levels. To elucidate the mechanism of this response, two parallel strategies were adopted: isovolumic left ventricular developed pressure (DP) and intracellular pH (pHi) were measured in isolated ferret hearts using 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and isometric developed tension (DT) and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured in ferret papillary muscles using microinjected fura 2 salt. When hypocapnia was induced by sudden introduction of perfusate equilibrated with 2% CO2 (from 5% CO2 in control), DP increased to a maximum of 120 +/- 3% (SE; n = 7) of control within 40 s. Afterward, DP decreased toward control levels, reaching a new steady state in 2-3 min. In contrast, pHi increased from control (7.11 +/- 0.01) only after 30 s of hypocapnia and reached a peak of 7.25 +/- 0.02 between 80 and 100 s. Thus pHi lagged behind contractility. In contrast to pHi, [Ca2+]i changed in parallel with DT: when DT reached a maximum (251 +/- 63% of control; n = 5) during hypocapnia, the amplitude of [Ca2+]i transients also peaked (190 +/- 22% of control; n = 5). A simulation of contractile force based on our measurements of pHi and [Ca2+]i, along with published Ca(2+)-tension relations, described adequately the changes in developed force during hypocapnia. These results indicate that the biphasic changes in [Ca2+]i, coupled with an out-of-phase change in pHi, underlie the biphasic response of myocardial contractility to hypocapnia.
Back to the Lecture.

The latter days of August are the warm-up period for the new academic year and a time when professors reorient toward that part of the job which, for many of us, primarily pays our household bills: teaching students. It is a time during which I often contemplate new course content, teaching strategies, and how to make use of innovations that promote what is popularly called “active learning”. These are techniques meant to enhance student engagement in the classroom setting, such as organizing students in small groups that solve problems together on the fly, using peer-to-peer instruction and interactive devices that allow students to ask and answer questions in situ—basically anything other than the “traditional lecture”, defined as the situation wherein students sit (or sleep) and listen (or not) while their professor drones on about material they could just as well read about in the comfort of a local cafe.