cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Furcation Morphology Relative to Periodontal Treatment: Furcation Entrance Architecture

The furcation entrance diameter of first permanent molar teeth has been investigated in a sample of 114 maxillary and 103 mandibular teeth, and found to be smaller than the blade face width of commonly used periodontal curettes in 58% of the furcations examined. It is suggested that because of this size disparity curettes when used alone may not be suitable for root preparation in this area as part of periodontal therapy. Alternative methods of instrumentation require clinical appraisal before recommendation. The buccal furcation entrance diameters of the maxillary first molar teeth examined tended to be smaller than either the mesiopalatal or distopalatal. Similarly the buccal entrance diameter in the mandibular first molar teeth examined tended to be smaller than the linqual. The mesiodistal widths at the cementoenamel junction of both maxillary and mandibular first molar teeth were found to have very low correlation with their furcation entrance diameters. Large teeth therefore do not necessarily have large furcation entrance diameters.
L-arginine is a radioprotector for hematopoietic progenitor cells.

l-Arginine is shown to protect hematopoietic progenitor (32D cl 3) cells from death due to exposure to γ radiation (137Cs). Some of the other intermediates in the urea cycle, namely ornithine and citrulline, plus urea itself, were not found to have any significant impact on cell survival after irradiation. Intriguingly, supplementation of irradiated cells with l-arginine results in decreased production of peroxynitrite, suggesting that suppression of superoxide generation by nitric oxide synthase in one or more microenvironments is an important factor in the observed radioprotection. The absence of any radioprotective effect of l-arginine in cells at 3% oxygen also confirms the involvement of one or more oxygen-derived species. Knockdown experiments with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) siRNAs in cells and NOS knockout animals confirm that the observed radioprotection is associated with nNOS (NOS-1). l-Arginine also ameliorates the transient inhibition of the electron-transport chain complex I that occurs with...
SUPPRESSION OF GRP78 CORE PROMOTER ELEMENT-MEDIATED STRESS INDUCTION BY THE DBPA AND DBPB (YB-1) COLD SHOCK DOMAIN PROTEINS

The highly conserved grp78 core promoter element plays an important role in the induction of grp78 under diverse stress signals. Previous studies have established a functional region in the 3' half of the core (stress-inducible change region [SICR]) which exhibits stress-inducible changes in stressed nuclei. The human transcription factor YY1 is shown to bind the SICR and transactivate the core element under stress conditions. Here we report that expression library screening with the core element has identified two new core binding proteins, YB-1 and dbpA. Both proteins belong to the Y-box family of proteins characterized by an evolutionarily conserved DNA binding motif, the cold shock domain (CSD). In contrast to YY1, which binds only double-stranded SICR, the Y-box/CSD proteins much prefer the lower strand of the SICR. The Y-box proteins can repress the inducibility of the grp78 core element mediated by treatment of cells with A23187, thapsigargin, and tunicamycin. In gel shift assays, YY1 binding to the core element is inhibited by either YB-1 or dbpA. A yeast interaction trap screen using LexA-YY1 as a bait and a HeLa cell cDNA-acid patch fusion library identified YB-1 as a YY1-interacting protein. In cotransfection experiments, the Y-box proteins antagonize the YY1-mediated enhancement of transcription directed by the grp78 core in stressed cells. Thus, the CSD proteins may be part of the stress signal transduction mechanism in the mammalian system.
Operant Conditioning in Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease

Behavioral interventions based on operant principles are commonly attempted to manage agitation in older adults with dementia. The extent to which operant conditioning can occur in persons with particular dementias, however, is unclear. The present study involved use of a button-pressing task to evaluate the sensitivity of the responding of older individuals with and without probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to changes in schedules of reinforcement. It was expected that participants with AD would acquire the experimental task and that they would demonstrate less sensitivity to changes in schedules of reinforcement than participants without AD. Results indicated that operant conditioning can occur in older adults with AD and that they can respond to different schedules of reinforcement. The responding of 3 participants with AD was highly sensitive to a transition from a fixed interval schedule to an extinction schedule. Two participants with AD demonstrated responding that was sensitive to a more subtle transition. Participants with AD failed to show spontaneous recovery of responding after a delay. The performances of participants with and without AD are compared, and implications of findings for behavioral interventions in AD are discussed.
An endoplasmic reticulum-specific cyclophilin.

Abstract Cyclophilin is a ubiquitously expressed cytosolic peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase that is inhibited by the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A. A degenerate oligonucleotide based on a conserved cyclophilin sequence was used to isolate cDNA clones representing a ubiquitously expressed mRNA from mice and humans. This mRNA encodes a novel 20-kDa protein, CPH2, that shares 64% sequence identity with cyclophilin. Bacterially expressed CPH2 binds cyclosporin A and is a cyclosporin A-inhibitable peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase. Cell fractionation of rat liver followed by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis indicated that CPH2 is not cytosolic but rather is located exclusively in the endoplasmic reticulum. These results suggest that cyclosporin A mediates its effect on cells through more than one cyclophilin and that cyclosporin A-induced misfolding of T-cell membrane proteins normally mediated by CPH2 plays a role in immunosuppression.
Effectiveness of PCB Simulation in Teaching High-Speed Digital Design

Signal integrity for high-speed digital design at the printed-circuit board (PCB) level is an issue of increasing importance in electronic design that requires coverage in more undergraduate classes. This paper describes how simulation tools offer an economical alternative to hardware-based experiments in undergraduate courses in high speed design. A simulation tool, Hyperlynx, has been used in our high-speed digital design class to help students understand fundamental concepts and ideas in signal integrity as well as to experiment with different techniques for maintaining signal integrity in a PCB design. We present examples in which traditional approaches employing only closed-form expressions can be effectively supplemented with simulation to help students gain a deeper understanding of basic concepts such as time-of-flight, parasitic parameters, nonlinear driver and receiver models, characteristic impedance, per-unit- length parameters, termination techniques, and crosstalk.
TLM: a trench leakage monitor for a four megabit SPT DRAM technology

The authors discuss a single trench capacitor macro-array structure used for trench dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device design and characterization, and as a manufacturing test vehicle. A nonaddressable array of trench-capacitor DRAM cells is used for quantification of trench DRAM leakage parameters, storage node parasitic device characterization, and silicon defects. Used with an addressable functional monitor, it is found to be a valuable semiconductor process development vehicle to achieve functionality and cell retention yield for a 4-Mb CMOS DRAM technology. >
A test for the rare male mating advantage in coisogenic strains of Drosophila melanogaster

Experiments were carried out to see if rare male mating advantage could be detected when males differ at only one locus. The eye colour mutant sepia was inserted into a strain of Drosophila melanogaster homozygous for a first, second, and third chromosome from the Canton-S strain. Tests for the rare male advantage were conducted using ratios of 4:1, 1:1, and 1:4 of the coisogenic wild-type and sepia males. No deviations from expected types of matings were observed. The results are discussed with respect to possible conditions necessary for the rare male effect to occur.
Effects of Ser16 phosphorylation on the allosteric transitions of phospholamban/Ca2+-ATPase complex

Phosphorylation by protein kinase A and dephosphorylation by protein phosphatase 1 modulate the inhibitory activity of phospholamban (PLN), the endogenous regulator of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA). This cyclic mechanism constitutes the driving force for calcium reuptake from the cytoplasm into the myocite lumen, regulating cardiac contractility. PLN undergoes a conformational transition between a relaxed (R) and tense (T) state, an equilibrium perturbed by the addition of SERCA. Here, we show that the single phosphoryl transfer at Ser16 induces a more pronounced conformational switch to the R state in phosphorylated PLN (pPLN). The binding affinity of PLN to SERCA is not affected (K(d) values for the transmembrane domains of pPLN and PLN are approximately 60 microM), supporting the hypothesis that phosphorylation at Ser16 does not dissociate PLN from SERCA. However, the binding surface and dynamics in domain Ib (residues 22-31) change substantially upon phosphorylation. Since PLN can be singly or doubly phosphorylated at Ser16 and Thr17, we propose that these sites remotely control the conformation of domain Ib. These findings constitute a paradigm for how post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation in the cytoplasmic portion of membrane proteins control intramembrane protein-protein interactions.
Modelling and stability of FAST TCP

We introduce a discrete-time model of FAST TCP that fully captures the effect of self-clocking and compare it with the traditional continuous-time model. While the continuous-time model predicts instability for homogeneous sources sharing a single link when feedback delay is large, experiments suggest otherwise. Using the discrete-time model, we prove that FAST TCP is locally asymptotically stable in general networks when all sources have a common round-trip feedback delay, no matter how large the delay is. We also prove global stability for a single bottleneck link in the absence of feedback delay. The techniques developed here are new and applicable to other protocols.
Study of Germanium Epitaxial Recrystallization on Bulk-Si Substrates

LPCVD Ge films are deposited onto bulk Si substrates and subjected to either a rapid thermal anneal (RTA) or furnace anneal (FA) at a temperature that is higher than the melting point of Ge in an attempt to induce epitaxial recrystallization. Spiking into the Si and voids in the Ge film are observed after the anneal. This is attributed to defect-assisted Ge diffusion into the Si substrate caused by strain at the Ge-Si interface. Simple diffusion theory using published diffusivity values predicts diffusion depths similar to the spiking depths observed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Approaches to reduce the strain at the interface are explored. It is found that the quasi-equilibrium nature of FA reduces spiking and that there is an area dependence. Grazing-incidence x-ray diffraction analysis suggests that this technique for epitaxial recrystallization does not result in single-crystalline Ge.
Reactor selectivity based on first‐order closures of the turbulent concentration equations

Extension de l'hypothese de Toor (1969) a des reactions en serie et en parallele de 2eme ordre. Une 2eme fermeture relie le melangeage de la 2eme reaction a la 1ere. Resolution des equations pour calculer la conversion et la selectivite, dans le cas d'un reacteur avec ecoulement turbulent. L'analyse est etendue pour inclure les concepts de distribution de temps de sejour, de segregation et de melange maximum
A logic based approach to the recognition of overlapping 2-D geometrical objects

A prototype image recognition system that illustrates and offers a particular solution to the problem of relating the procedural and declarative aspects of the image recognition process is described for overlapping plane geometrical objects. A hybrid approach comprising both declarative and procedural components in which the respective roles are clearly distinguished is applied. The usual definitions of the target geometrical objects are represented by production rules, and an expert system inference engine is used to identify objects based on them. The low-level input is preprocessed by the procedural unit of the system in order to provide suitable input to the relatively high-level expert system. >
Optimal linear phase digital filter design by one-phase linear programming

An improved linear programming algorithm for the design of optimal linear-phase FIR filters with extra time-domain or frequency-domain constraints is presented. After stating the problem as involving the minimization of a linear function of filter parameters with linear constraints, a method is given for choosing an initial basic feasible solution of the dual problem that does not require the introduction of artificial variables. This significantly reduces the number of iterations of the revised simplex algorithm needed to reach the optimal solution. >
Simulation Strategies to Teach Patient Transfers: Self-Efficacy by Strategy

OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effects of transfer training-after training in the classroom and in the high-technology simulation laboratory (WISER Center)-on students' perceptions of their self-efficacy for knowledge, skill, and safety in executing dependent transfers. METHOD After classroom training, occupational therapy students were randomized to three teaching groups on the basis of the amount of participation and observation opportunities provided at the WISER Center-observation dominant, participation dominant, and participation only. RESULTS The participation-dominant group reported an increase in knowledge self-efficacy over time compared with the observation-dominant and participation-only groups. Over time, self-efficacy ratings increased for all students, regardless of group. CONCLUSION Simulation scenarios implemented at the WISER Center provided a useful adjunct to classroom training in transfer skills. Both participatory and observational experiences contributed to the development of students' perceptions of their ability to manage acutely ill and medically complex patients.
Performance of global load balancing by local adjustment

A set of M resource locations and a set of alpha M consumers are given. Each consumer requires a specified amount of resource, and is constrained to obtain the resource from a specified subset of locations. The problem of assigning consumers to resource locations so as to balance the load among the resource locations as much as possible is considered. It is shown that there are assignments, termed uniformly most-balanced assignments, that simultaneously minimize certain symmetric, separable, convex cost functions. The problem of finding such assignments is equivalent to a network flow problem with convex cost. Algorithms of both the iterative and combinatorial type are given for computing the assignments. The distribution function of the load at a given location for a uniformly most-balanced assignment is studied, assuming that the set of locations each consumer can use is random. An asymptotic lower bound on the distribution function is given for M tending to infinity, and an upper bound is given on the probable maximum load. It is shown that there is typically a large set of resource locations that all have the minimum load, and that for large average loads the maximum load is near the average load. >
Rehabilitation as Rhetoric: The Ideal of Reformation in Contemporary Parole Discourse and Practices

This article reports on a set of findings from an ethnographic research project conducted in a parole field office in central California, specifically addressing how the notion of rehabilitation is expressed in parole discourse and practices. It appears that while the agency (and its field agents) still espouse the validity of normalization and reformative goals in this arm of corrections, the resources and commitment to carry out those aims are in short supply. Consequently, agency actors appear to have constructed the parolee subject as one who is dispositionally flawed, and who is ultimately responsible for his own improvement. The findings are discussed in relation to Simon's (1993) analysis of the agency's struggle to construct a plausible account of parole's purpose in the face of shifting structural, political, and institutional demands.
Location proteomics: determining the optimal grouping of proteins according to their subcellular location patterns as determined from fluorescence microscope images

Modeling of protein functions as envisaged by systems biology requires detailed knowledge about the subcellular distributions of all proteins. Unfortunately, such knowledge is limited or nonexistent for most proteins. Further, the available information is often of low resolution, distinguishing major organelles but not adequately capturing the incredible complexity of possible protein patterns. Our group has previously developed automated systems for determining subcellular location from fluorescence microscope images; these systems can discriminate between similar patterns better than humans. We have also developed approaches to grouping proteins by the patterns they display in 3D confocal microscope images.
A Comparison of the Physical Properties of Cluster-Based and Vacuum-Evaporated Thin Metal Films

The physical properties of a thin metal film are highly dependent on the process by which the film is formed. Using the Multiple Expansion Cluster Source (MECS), it is possible to form an inert gas aerosol containing neutral metal clusters with uniform diameters in the nanometer size range. Cluster-based (CBD) films can be deposited directly from this aerosol or can be formed from colloidal clusters captured from the aerosol. We present TEM data comparing the initial microstructure of gold films formed by these two CBD processes and also by vacuum-evaporation (PVD). Electrical resistivity versus nominal thickness are also presented for the aerosol deposited CBD and the PVD cases.
Concomitant Pituitary Apoplexy and Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy Complicated With Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

ABSTRACT Objective: Pituitary complications during delivery are relatively rare in developed countries. In this case report we describe a case of panhypopituitarism during pregnancy with concomitant acute liver failure. Methods: We present the case of a pregnant female with acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) complicated by panhypopituitarism. We also review the current literature on cases of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies with AFLP, including presentation, management, and outcomes. Results: A 29 year-old female at 25-weeks gestation presented with subacute onset of headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting. She was diagnosed with acute liver failure and coagulopathy secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Further workup revealed deficiencies of all anterior pituitary hormones, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was compatible with pituitary hemorrhage/apoplexy from probable infarction. Conclusion: AFLP, especially in association with DIC, can lead to pituita...
User Perceptions Toward In-Vehicle Technologies: Relationships to Age, Health, Preconceptions, and Hands-On Experience

Associations between user characteristics and system features to technology adoption have been discussed in various domains. However, less is known about how different factors potentially affect the adoption of in-vehicle smart technologies. This study builds and tests a research model that describes the relationships of individual characteristics, preconceptions, and task performance and perceptions measured during a system experience to attitudes and expectations toward in-vehicle technologies. Based on empirical data from three research cases—voice-control interface, active parallel parking assist, and cross traffic alert—this study finds perceptions of a hands-on system experience to have strong associations with postexperience attitudes and expectations. Individual characteristics including age and health, general preconceptions, and task performance were found to have weaker relationships. Based on the findings, this article discusses implications for research in the emerging domain of smart technol...
An Antibody to Detect Alanine-Expanded PABPN1: A New Tool to Study Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy.

Background Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), a late onset disorder affecting specific skeletal muscles, is caused by a (GCG)n expansion mutation in the gene encoding the mRNA processing protein, polyadenylate binding protein nuclear 1 (PABPN1). The expansion in PABPN1 leads to an increase in a stretch of N-terminal alanine residues in the PABPN1 protein from the normal 10 to 12-18. Given this modest change, detection of mutant protein has not been possible without the use of tagged constructs. Objective We sought to generate a polyclonal antibody that recognizes alanine-expanded but not wild type PABPN1 with the goal of making possible analysis of expression and localization of alanine-expanded PABPN1. Methods We immunized rabbits with a GST-tagged alanine peptide and tested the resulting serum against alanine-expanded PABPN1 expressed in cell culture as well as in animal models of OPMD. Results The resulting α-alanine antibody detected PABPN1 proteins that contained 14 or more alanine residues. Importantly, the α-alanine antibody could be used to detect alanine-expanded PABPN1 in muscles from either a mouse or Drosophila model of OPMD. Conclusions This α-alanine antibody provides a new tool that will allow for more in-depth study of how alanine expansion affects aggregation, localization, and steady-state levels of alanine-expanded PABPN1 levels in vivo, providing new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying OPMD.
CATH.A NEURON CELL ANALYSIS ON A CHIP WITH MICELLAR ELECTROKINETIC CHROMATOGRAPHY

An on-chip electrophoresis analysis of the contents of CATH.a neuron cells is presented. A novel mixed-micelle MEKC separation was required to resolve twelve amino acids and neurotransmitters within five minutes.
A curved boundary treatment for discontinuous Galerkin schemes solving time dependent problems

For problems defined in a two-dimensional domain ? with boundary conditions specified on a curve ?, we consider discontinuous Galerkin (DG) schemes with high order polynomial basis functions on a geometry fitting triangular mesh. It is well known that directly imposing the given boundary conditions on a piecewise segment approximation boundary ? h will render any finite element method to be at most second order accurate. Unless the boundary conditions can be accurately transferred from ? to ? h , in general curvilinear element method should be used to obtain high order accuracy. We discuss a simple boundary treatment which can be implemented as a modified DG scheme defined on triangles adjacent to ? h . Even though integration along the curve is still necessary, integrals over any curved element are avoided. If the domain ? is convex, or if ? is nonconvex and the true solutions can be smoothly extended to the exterior of ?, the modified DG scheme is high order accurate. In these cases, numerical tests on first order and second order partial differential equations including hyperbolic systems and the scalar wave equation suggest that it is as accurate as the full curvilinear DG scheme.
Advice for Physicalists

This paper engages with two compelling challenges to physicalism,each designed to show that the nature of experience is elusive fromthe standpoint of physical science. It is argued that the physicalistis ultimately well placed to meet both challenges.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Ischemic Heart Disease

State-of-the-art echo-Doppler is the most practical and useful technique for rapid, noninvasive bedside evaluation of coronary heart disease. This chapter highlights changes in technology over the past 40 years that have advanced the status of echo-Doppler techniques in the evaluation of coronary heart disease. It emphasizes echo-Doppler’s use in diagnosing myocardial infarction and its complications, its prognostic value, and ability to guide specific treatment. The role of echo-Doppler in diagnosing coronary heart disease using exercise or pharmacologic stress technique is also reviewed.
Biomaterials for refractive correction: corneal onlays and inlays

Corneal inlays and onlays represent a means of providing patients with permanent refractive error correction. As an alternative to conventional spectacles and contact lens, these techniques are less invasive compared with laser-based refractive surgery and are reversible. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the anatomic microstructure of the human cornea, indicating the primary physiological function for each component. Next, the wide range of biomaterials used as corneal inlays and onlays are considered, from synthetic polymers to biological components derived from the extracellular matrix. The limitations and challenges associated with the most common materials are discussed as is the need to improve their properties to achieve long-term, complication-free intraocular implantation. Finally, the prospect of applying tissue engineering strategies is noted for its potential to generate autologous corneal tissue that could be implanted as the optimal inlay or onlay materials.
Linkage of two enzyme loci in fishes of the genus Xiphophorus (Poeciliidae) Guanylate kinase-2 (GUK2) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-1 (GAPD1) designated as linkage group III

Electrophoretic variation ascribable to two enzyme loci, coding for a guanylate kinase (GUK2) and a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD1), was observed in three species of fishes of the genus Xiphophorus. Electrophoretic patterns in F1 hybrid heterozygotes suggested a monomeric subunit structure for GUK2 and confirmed a tetrameric structure for GAPD1. Variant alleles at the two loci exhibited normal Mendelian segregation in backcross hybrids. Linkage analyses indicate estimated recombination of GUK2-7.6 percent-GAPD 1. This group (designated linkage group III) was shown to assort independently from the 7 loci comprising linkage groups I and II and from 26 other informative markers, within the limits of the data. Difficulties inherent in establishing homology with linkage groups in other species in cases involving presumed gene duplication are discussed.
Cytogenetics research in radiation biology

Radiation cytogenetics goes back approximately six decades and not only contributed to the earliest development of radiobiology, but continues to contribute today. Contributions on three levels are outlined here. Early contributions to radiobiological theory include the nature of dose-effect curves, dose-rate and fractionation effects, and linear energy transfer (LET) effects. Understanding of the roles of aberrations in endpoints such as cell killing, mutation and carcinogenesis have more recently contributed to unraveling mechanisms in these important radiobiological effects. Finally, the study of various details of classical radiation cytogenetics, such as half chromatid exchange or sister chromatid union, has contributed to our current understanding of cytogenetic phenomena on the molecular level. Language: en
Food Safety, Defense, and Microbiology

Food safety, defense, and microbiology collectively are at the core of all of food science, as they represent not just a means of making food but are also a major concern in the consumption of food. Whether biological or chemical, the safety and healthiness of the food that we consume is one of the most important issues we face as a society. This concern extends to all facets of our society but it is perhaps most paramount for communities at the lower economic scale where the availability and safety of food is a major challenge. Over the past decade, with the rapid advances in genomics, our understanding of the role of microorganisms in foods has progressed enormously. Perhaps the most remarkable discovery is that we share our bodies with a consortium of microorganisms that outnumber and are more diverse than our own cells. Concern for the safety and the nutritional value of the food that we consume continues to increase as the population ages and at the same time becomes more aware of the impact of food on health. New food products resulting from the development of new processes or the widespread adoption of existing ones continually increase the array of foods in the marketplace. Microbiology plays a critical role in all of these matters, and the added challenges of chemical contaminants will complicate the important efforts to feed the world's burgeoning population.
Monumentalizing the Ruins of Korean Antiquity: Early Travel Photography and Itinerary of Seoul’s Heritage Destinations

This study introduces the oldest photographs of Seoul’s ruins, which have been recycled for more than a century in a wide variety of print sources, such as travelogues, postcards, museum catalogs, and guidebooks. Regardless of the medium, the aesthetic, disciplinary, and cultural biases practiced by the first generation of globe-trotters, diplomats, and commercial photographers to arrive in the Korean peninsula resulted in the mass distribution of the most “picturesque” monuments, such as Buddhist art and architecture, palaces, and fortress gates targeting the “tourist gaze.” By analyzing a select number of stock images of architectural landscapes, which have served as the “scenic” backdrop for framing “native types,” currently part of museum collections and photographic archives, the article will illustrate how such exoticized and romanticized visions of the conquered “Hermit Kingdom” trapped in time and space have continued to impact the trajectory of heritage management policies and the hierarchical ranking system of national treasures and famous places in postwar South Korea.
Lateral eye-movements and dream recall.

Using lateral eye-movements, the present study examined the hypothesis ,that dream recall is associated with selective activation of the right hemisphere. This hypothesis is derived from the observation that the EEG indicates a notable tendency for activation of the right hemisphere during such recall (1). No supposition is made as to the role of this hemisphere in dreaming itself (5). While findings have not been unanimous (3), there is considerable evidence that initial lateral eye-movements, made while pondering questions, are indicative of activation of the opposite hemisphere (4). In the present study, lateral eye-movements were observed while participants answered questions designed to engage the right or left hemisphere or to require dream recall. The procedure as well as the questions, except those chosen for dream recall, is detailed elsewhere (2). Examples of dream recall questions included, "Imagine your last dream. Was it in color, or was it in black and white?" and, "Recall your last nightmare. Were you afraid of dying during it?". Basically, each of 31 participants (20 male, 11 female) was asked 22 questions, while facing the experimenter. Above the head of the latter was a TV camera; otherwise, there were no notable visual distractions. The same experimenter worked with all participants. Seven questions required verbal thought (left hemisphere), 7 visual thought (right hemisphere), and 8 dream recall. These occurred in a haphazard order. Initial lateral eye-movements were later noted from the video tapes. The ratio of right to total lateral eye-movements, R/(R+L), was calculated for each person, for each type of question. The means of these were .63 (SD = .26) for verbal questions, .50 (SD = .28) for visual questions, and .50 (SD = .28) for dream recall questions. A two-way analysis of variance yielded Fa,m = 6.45 (P < .005). This was a repeated-measures design, with regard to the types of questions. The other factor was sex, which did not approach significance, The findings suggest that the verbal questions elicit a greater number of right lateral eye-movements than do spatial and dream recall questions, but the latter may not differ from each other. This is taken as support of the initial hypothesis but leaves an interesting question which we are presently examining. Is the similarity for spatial and dream recall quesrions due to the largely visual content of dream recall or is there some other connection between dream recall and right hemispheric activity?
On a Theorem of Thrall in Combinatorial Analysis

(1963). On a Theorem of Thrall in Combinatorial Analysis. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 70, No. 1, pp. 41-44.
Androgenic activity in the interscapular brown adipose tissue of the male hibernating bat (Myotis lucifugus).

SummaryMyotis lucifugus, simultaneously exhibits enlarged accessory sex glands and atrophied testis during hibernation. Evidence is presented for presence of an unidentified androgenic substance in the interscapular brown fat obtained from the bat during the hibernation season. The active substance isolated from the nonsaponifiable matter of one gram of brown fat elicits a growth response (rat seminal vesicle assay) equivalent to that produced by 676 μg of testosterone. The presence of an androgenic factor in brown fat suggests a unique role for this tissue in the sexual cycle of the bat.We wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance of Messrs. Charles R. Cook and Robert Kolek.
HFS Job Description Survey: Job Dimensions, Satisfaction, and Motivation

This paper presents the findings of a nationwide survey of members, fellows, and associates of the Human Factors Society. The survey contained the short form of the Job Diagnostic Survey which measures objective characteristics of jobs, particularly the degree to which jobs are designed to inhance motivation, and job satisfaction. Compared to a Professional-Technical nationwide normative sample, human factors professionals are more satisfied with their jobs and their jobs contain higher levels of motivating characteristics. Results are discussed by highest degree obtained and type of organization.
Effect of electron contamination on in vivo dosimetry for lung block shielding during TBI

Our institution performs in vivo verification measurement for each of our total body irradiation (TBI) patients with optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLD). The lung block verification measurements were commonly higher than expected. The aim of this work is to understand this discrepancy and improve the accuracy of these lung block verification measurements. Initially, the thickness of the lung block was increased to provide adequate lung sparing. Further tests revealed the increase was due to electron contamination dose emanating from the lung block. The thickness of the bolus material covering the OSLD behind the lung block was increased to offset the electron contamination. In addition, the distance from the lung block to the dosimeter was evaluated for its effect on the OSLD reading and found to be clinically insignificant over the range of variability in our clinic. The results show that the improved TBI treatment technique provides for better accuracy of measured dose in vivo and consistency of patient setup.
Seizure Action Plans Do Not Reduce Health Care Utilization in Pediatric Epilepsy Patients

Management of pediatric epilepsy requires complex coordination of care. We hypothesized that an improved seizure management care plan would reduce health care utilization and improve outcomes. The authors conducted a cohort study with historical controls of 120 epilepsy patients before and after implementation of a "Seizure Action Plan." The authors evaluated for differences in health care utilization including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, clinic visits, telephone calls, and the percentage of emergency department visits that resulted in hospitalization in patients who did or did not have a Seizure Action Plan. The authors found that there was no decrease in these measures of health care utilization, and in fact the number of follow-up clinic visits was increased in the group with Seizure Action Plans (4.2 vs 3.3, P = .006). However, the study was underpowered to detect smaller differences. This study suggests that pediatric epilepsy quality improvement measures may require alternative approaches to reduce health care utilization and improve outcomes.
Acetylcholinesterase from Torpedo: characterization of an enzyme species isolated by lytic procedures.

An acetylcholinesterase has been purified from Torpedo californica by mild proteolysis of electroplax membranes with trypsin (5 µg/ml for 5 min) to solubilize the enzyme, followed by affinity chromatography of the soluble enzyme. The procedure yields an apparently homogeneous enzyme whose molecular weight (approximately 335,000), frictional coefficient (1.65), and amino acid composition all distinguished the Torpedo acetylcholinesterase from that which has been prepared by lytic procedures from Electrophorus. The enzyme is composed of four similar, if not identical, subunits, each of which possesses a catalytic and inhibitor binding site. Torpedo acetylcholinesterase contains 7.9% carbohydrate present as hexoses, hexosamines, and sialic acid, and at least some of these residues are exposed on the outer surface of the molecule. Concanavalin A, a plant lectin with specificity toward mannose residues at nonreducing positions, forms a sedimentable complex with the purified acetylcholinesterase which can be partially reversed by α-methyl-D-mannoside. Addition of concanavalin A to electroplax membranes markedly inhibits trypsin-induced acetylcholinesterase release from the membrane surface.
Reduction In Proliferative Rate of Myeloma Plasma Cells Measured by the Plasma Cell Labeling Index Predicts Improved Survival In Multiple Myeloma

Abstract Abstract 4048 Background: The plasma cell labeling index (PCLI) is measured as the percentage of bone marrow plasma cells (PC) in the S phase of the cell cycle and provides an estimate of the proliferative capacity of malignant PC in multiple myeloma (MM). The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) uniform response criteria measure the monoclonal (M) protein and serum free light chain (FLC) assay to evaluate clinical response. An elevated PCLI is an established adverse prognostic risk factor for survival, however it is unknown if the PCLI response to therapy offers further prognostic value. Methods: Data from 176 newly diagnosed MM patients from 1985 to 2005 were collected from the Mayo Clinic dysproteinemia database. Inclusion criteria for the study required a minimum initial PCLI of 0.5% and a subsequent PCLI 4 months after initiation of therapy. Baseline and subsequent serum M-protein, progression date, and overall survival were recorded. Clinical responses were assessed by the IMWG uniform response criteria. The association of PCLI response and treatment response (CR, VGPR, or PR) was assessed univariately. Overall survival based on PCLI response, M-spike reduction, and treatment response by IMWG criteria was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median overall survival (OS) was 47 months (range: 4 – 165). Ninety-four patients (53%) demonstrated a ≥60% reduction in PCLI after initial therapy (responders) and this conferred a significant OS advantage of 51 months vs. 34 months (P Download : Download high-res image (270KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the degree of PCLI reduction after therapy is important in predicting overall survival and response to therapy. This is an important finding in the current setting of effective MM treatment options, whereby patients who do not achieve an adequate response as defined as ≥60% reduction in PCLI in our study, may require change in therapy. Our data confirm that reduction of M-protein is an important surrogate endpoint, as patients who achieved PR and CR lived significantly longer. A significant portion of individuals 39% had a measurable response by PCLI that was not detected by M-protein. Further studies are needed to evaluate the predictive value of the addition a criterion that looks at reduction in proliferative rate as measured by PCLI or other methods such as flow cytometry. Disclosures: Greipp: Mayo Clinic: Patents & Royalties.
Extracellular ATP Triggers Action Potentials in Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

Myocardial ischemia causes a high frequency of ventricular arrhythmias. A long established metabolic response to hypoxia in the heart is the release of ATP. Here we tested the hypothesis that ATP released from cardiomyocytes during acute myocardial injury can contribute to ventricular ectopy by causing delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered action potentials. Isolated mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes were loaded with Fura2-AM to measure intracellular Ca. Spontaneous Ca waves (SCW) and triggered beats (TB) were quantified after a train of field-stimulated Ca transients (for 20s with 3 Hz) in presence of inotropic stimulation with isoproterenol (1 µM) and partial inhibition of the inward rectifier with Ba (5 µM) to facilitate TBs. Application of extracellular ATP (3-50 µM) significantly increased the incidence and frequency of TBs, whereas the rate of SCWs was not significantly changed. Notably, extracellular ATP application generated a different type of TBs that was not preceded by SCW, which were termed ATP-triggered beats (TBATP). Higher concentrations of ATP (> 50 µM) reduced the rates of TBATP. Simultaneous [Ca]i and membrane potential measurements using perforated patch method demonstrated that both regular TBs and TBATP were preceded by a delayed afterdepolarization (DAD) of similar shape. However, in presence of ATP, 34% of DAD that triggered beats occurred WITHOUT concomitant elevations of cytosolic [Ca]. In other words, general DADs and TBs were mediated by the classic Ca-dependent mechanism (i.e., Na-Ca exchange current in response to spontaneous SR Ca release), whereas ATP generated DADs occurred in the absence of the classic Ca-dependent pathway. In isolated Langendorff perfused mouse hearts, adding ATP (30 µM) to the perfusate triggered both atrial and ventricular premature beats. We conclude that low micromolar extracellular ATP activates an inward current that is sufficient to generate DADs and spontaneous action potentials in the absence of spontaneous SR Ca release. Although the molecular identity of ATP-activated inward current remains to be determined, the current study demonstrates that ATP release by acute ischemic stress could facilitate arrhythmia susceptibility via a Ca-independent mechanism.
Reproductive health information needs and maternal literacy in the developing world: A review of the literature

This article provides an analysis of the relationship of literacy and education in the developing world as they intertwine with reproductive health, and explores the reproductive health-related inf...
Transfer learning for EEG based BCI using LEARN++.NSE and mutual information

In this paper, the use of mutual information and the Learn++.NSE algorithm is proposed to create an EEG SSVEP BCI system that can select and utilize data sets originating from a group of users. In typical BCI systems, the nonstationarity in the EEG prevents the system from blindly applying training data from other users to the incoming data. Mutual information is introduced to select previous data sets that provide the most information about current random variables. A signed rank test was employed to show that this configuration outperformed both normal Learn++.NSE ensembles and LDA classifiers. This indicates that mutual information and ensemble learning techniques may prove useful in improving user transferability in SSVEP systems with low computational requirements.
Brain Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation

Many brain regions have been reported to be involved in different forms of mindfulness meditation. What is the function of each participating region? Do different forms of mindfulness meditation involve different brain networks? Do different practice stages recruit the same or distinct brain regions while practicing the same mindfulness technique? Does the brain network differ with amount of effort during practice? To answer these questions, I organize this chapter based on the latest neuroscience findings, showing that mindfulness meditation includes at least three components: enhanced attention control, improved emotion regulation, and altered self-awareness. I discuss the brain regions involved in these components respectively, mainly including anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and adjacent prefrontal cortex, striatum, insula, and default mode network (DMN). I also propose a distinction between state training and network training to clarify the unique brain networks following mindfulness meditation.
Nanopatterned epitaxy of non-polar Ga1-yInyN layers with caps and voids

Low-defect density non-polar a-plane Ga1-yInyN layers on r-plane sapphire substrates are reported by implementing self-assembling nanopatterning in metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Nanopillar capping and void formation in regrowth lead to a 90% defect reduction. An ex-situ Ni layer transforms into a nanoisland etch mask to pattern GaN templates. a-Plane GaN and Ga1-yInyN layers with an InN content in the range of y = 0.04–0.11 are then regrown. Both exhibit a low density of basal-plane stacking faults of (4.6 ± 1.3) × 104 cm−1 by transmission electron microscopy analysis. Growth parameters and the template pattern are discussed by help of an X-ray rocking curve analysis. We find pattern the fill factor and V/III ratio to dominate the defect reduction. Resulting layers should enable efficient long-wavelength light-emitting and solar cell devices.