cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A taxonomical investigation of the genus Corvomeyenia weltner (Spongillidae)

The taxonomically problematic spongillid genus Corvomeyenia Weltner is analyzed. A north-south evolutionary series composed of Corvomeyenia everetti (Mills), Corvomeyenia carolinensis sp. nov., and Corvomeyenia australis Bonetto & Ezcurra de Drago can be demonstrated. C. carolinensis sp. nov. possesses spicular characteristics that indicate genetic variation from its congeners; in addition, environmental conditions in the type locality of C. carolinensis sp. nov. differ greatly from the optimal conditions for growth of C. everetti (Mills). A new method for phase contrast study of living sponge tissues and a variety of histological and histochemical techniques are used to taxonomically define C. carolinensis sp. nov.
A Selective Stain for Elastic Tissue (Orcinol-New Fuchsin)

A selective stain for elastic tissue (designated orcinol-new fuchsin) is described. Two grams of new fuchsin (C.I. No. 678) and 4 gm of orcinol (highest purity) are added to 200 ml of distilled water and the solution boiled for 5 min. Then 25 ml ferric chloride solution (U.S.P. IX) are added and the solution is boiled 5 min longer. The precipitate is collected and dissolved in 100 ml 95% ethanol. This is the staining solution. Sections are deparaffinized and brought to absolute ethanol, stained for 15 min at 37 °C with orcinol-new fuchsin, differentiated for 15 min in 70% ethanol, dehydrated, cleared and covered as usual.
Microfluidics without pumps: reinventing the T-sensor and H-filter in paper networks

Conventional microfluidic devices typically require highly precise pumps or pneumatic control systems, which add considerable cost and the requirement for power. These restrictions have limited the adoption of microfluidic technologies for point-of-care applications. Paper networks provide an extremely low-cost and pumpless alternative to conventional microfluidic devices by generating fluid transport through capillarity. We revisit well-known microfluidic devices for hydrodynamic focusing, sized-based extraction of molecules from complex mixtures, micromixing, and dilution, and demonstrate that paper-based devices can replace their expensive conventional microfluidic counterparts.
Causality and Cauchy horizons

LetS be a partial Cauchy surface for (M, go) which remains a partial Cauchy surface under small metric perturbations. In general, the Cauchy horizon H+(go, S) may be unstable to small changes in the metric. Points of the horizon may move by large amounts and even the topological type of the horizon may change under arbitrarily small changes in the metric tensor. In this paper, we investigate sufficient conditions for existential, locational, and topological stability of Cauchy horizons under metric changes which perturb the light cones by small amounts.
Comparison of common cytotypesof Andropogon gerardii(Andropogoneae, Poaceae)

Many plant species contain populations with more than one polyploid cytotype, but little is known of the mechanisms maintaining several cytotypes in a population. Andropogon gerardii cytotypes were compared to evaluate different models of autopolyploid cytotype coexistence. The enneaploid (90 chromosome, 9x) cytotype was found to be larger and taller than the hexaploid (60 chromosome, 6x) cytotype. Seed production is significantly more efficient in hexaploids, but seed production per area was not significantly different. The two cytotypes are not exomorphologically separable in the field because of great plasticity in response to environmental variation and wide variation within each cytotype. These data suggest cytotypic variation is maintained by natural selection.
Exploring the usefulness of finger-based 3D gesture menu selection

Counting using one's fingers is a potentially intuitive way to enumerate a list of items and lends itself naturally to gesture-based menu systems. In this paper, we present the results of the first comprehensive study on Finger-Count menus to investigate its usefulness as a viable option for 3D menu selection tasks. Our study compares 3D gesture-based finger counting (Finger Count menus) with two gesture-based menu selection techniques (Hand-n-Hold, Thumbs-Up), derived from existing motion-controlled video game menu selection strategies, as well as 3D Marking menus. We examined selection time, selection accuracy and user preference for all techniques. We also examined the impact of different spatial layouts for menu items and different menu depths. Our results indicate that Finger-Count menus are significantly faster than the other menu techniques we tested and are the most liked by participants. Additionally, we found that while Finger-Count menus and 3D Marking menus have similar selection accuracy, Finger-Count menus are almost twice as fast compared to 3D Marking menus.
The solar cycle variation of the rates of CMEs and related activity

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are an important aspect of the physics of the corona and heliosphere. This paper presents results of a study of occurrence frequencies of CMEs and related activity tracers over more than a complete solar activity cycle. To properly estimate occurrence rates, observed CME rates must be corrected for instrument duty cycles, detection efficiencies away from the skyplane, mass detection thresholds, and geometrical considerations. These corrections are evaluated using CME data from 1976-1989 obtained with the Skylab, SMM and SOLWIND coronagraphs and the Helios-2 photometers. The major results are: (1) the occurrence rate of CMEs tends to track the activity cycle in both amplitude and phase; (2) the corrected rates from different instruments are reasonably consistent; and (3) over the long term, no one class of solar activity tracer is better correlated with CME rate than any other (with the possible exception of type II bursts).
Agrarian Capitalism and Struggles over Hegemony in the Bolivian Lowlands

In 2006, President Morales announced that his administration would end land inequality in Bolivia. Agrarian elites in the lowlands department of Santa Cruz, known as the economic engine of Bolivian...
Isotopic microassay of histamine, histidine, histidine decarboxylase and histamine methyltransferase in brain tissue.

— Microassays are described for histamine, histidine, and the activities of the enzymes histidine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.22) and histamine niethyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.8) in brain tissue. The enzymic-isotopic microassay for histamine is based on the methylation of tissue histamine by added histamine methyl-transferase and [14C]- or [3H]-labelled S-adenosyl-l-methionine. In a double-isotopic form of the assay, a tracer of [3H]histamine is employed along with [14C]S-adenosyl-l-methionine, and the ratio [14C]:[3H] reflects the amount of histamine in the sample. Because the methylation of histamine is uniform in brain samples studied, a single isotopic assay with [3H]S-adenosyl-l-methionine as the methyl donor is possible and increases sensitivity, so that 10 pg of tissue histamine can be estimated reliably. The assay for histidine involves decarboxylation of histidine by a bacterial histidine decarboxylase and measurement of the histamine formed by the enzymicisotopic procedure. In the histidine decarboxylase assay, histamine synthesized from added histidine is measured. The assay for histamine methyltransferase involves measuring the formation of [14C]methylhistamine with [14C]S-adenosyl-l-methionine serving as the methyl donor.
Enhanced recovery of brain electrical activity by adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate following complete global cerebral ischemia in dogs

Objective : To test the hypothesis that adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) or dibutyl-cAMP (a more lipid-soluble, less rapidly metabolized analog of cAMP) would improve recovery of cerebral electrical activity and metabolic function after transient global cerebral ischemia by improving cerebral blood flow during the reperfusion period. Design : Randomized, controlled, prospective study. Setting : University research laboratory. Subjects : Twenty-five male beagle dogs. Interventions : Nine control dogs received saline (20-mL/kg bolus and 0.01 ml/kg/min) intravenously, beginning 25 mins before 12 mins of cerebral global ischemia (by aortic occlusion). The dogs in the experimental groups received either cAMP (40 mg/kg 25 mins before ischemia and 0.2 mg/kg/min throughout reperfusion, n = 7), or dibutyl-cAMP (6 mg/kg 25 mins before ischemia and 3 mg/kg at 60, 90, and 120 mins of reperfusion, n = 9). Measurements and Main Results : Total and regional cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen consumption, and somatosensory evoked potentials were measured during 180 mins of reperfusion. Pretreatment with dibutyl-cAMP resulted in increased postischemic hyperemia at 30 mins of reperfusion (e.g., whole brain : control 40 ± 6 ; cAMP 56 ± 9 ; dibutyl-cAMP 67 ± 10 ml/min/100 g [mean ± SEM, p <.05 control vs. dibutyl-cAMP group]) but no difference in total cerebral blood flow or oxygen consumption during later points of reperfusion. All groups demonstrated rapid ablation of the amplitude of somatosensory evoked potentials during ischemia, with no difference between the groups. At 180 mins of reperfusion, somatosensory evoked potentials recovered to 28 ± 4% of the preischemic baseline value in dogs treated with saline, whereas the somatosensory evoked potentials recovered to 58 ± 4% of preischemic baseline value in the cAMP-pretreated group (p <.05), and to 70 ± 6% of preischemic baseline value in dogs treated with dibutyl-cAMP (p <.05). Conclusions : cAMP and dibutyl-cAMP improve recovery of cerebral electrical function after complete transient global cerebral ischemia. Although hyperemia was more prolonged in cAMP- and dibutyl-cAMP-treated dogs, there was no difference between groups in degree of postischemic delayed hypoperfusion. Therefore, we believe that the mechanism for cerebral protection afforded by cAMP and dibutyl-cAMP is not related to cerebral circulatory effects.
On multirate control of a fast-rate beam steering system using slow-rate image sensor feedback

This paper demonstrates the use of a slow-rate image sensor for control of a fast-rate beam steering system. The image sensor is modeled as an integrative intensity sensor, from which fast-rate dynamics may be estimated by appropriate motion-field extraction. These fast-rate state estimates obtained from the slow-rate image sensor are then used for a multirate model-following controller that achieves desired performance through state-matching. This is in contrast to traditional control schemes for fast-rate systems with image sensors, which rely on the slow-rate time-averaged output measurement during the exposure time of the image sensor (i.e., the first spatial moment of the acquired image), discarding the image blur as noise. We demonstrate that the proposed multirate feedback controller, which uses the entire intensity distribution at the image sensor, provides superior tracking performance than a similar multirate controller that uses only the first moment of the image (time-averaged output) as feedback measurements.
Tackling childhood obesity: requires a shift in social norms, not just an exercise programme.

Despite heightened interest in preventing obesity in childhood, the evidence base for the effectiveness of local school based programmes and changes in policy to combat childhood obesity is poor.1 2 3 Even less research has been devoted to improving nutrition and physical activity in preschool and childcare settings, where further challenges exist, such as lack of uniformity between programmes and fragmented oversights by regulatory authorities.1 3 Yet increasing evidence shows that preschool practices can influence the overall energy expenditure of young children.4 w1 In this issue of the BMJ , Reilly and colleagues address this gap in the literature with a rigorously designed, cluster randomised controlled trial of an intervention to promote physical activity in 36 Scottish nursery schools.5 Body mass index and physical activity were not …
Emotional processing and frontal asymmetry in impulsive aggressive individuals

Abstract Right frontal cortical activity, thought to reflect increased activity in withdrawal-related systems, has been observed in angry and anxious samples. The current study attempted to examine this effect in impulsive aggressive individuals (IAs) and nonaggressive controls. Impulsive aggression is a reactive violent response characterized by loss of behavioral control and previous physiological studies have found IAs have sensory and informational processing deficits. In Study 1, undergraduate volunteers ( n = 10 IAs, n = 14 controls) completed a resting EEG and IAs showed more right frontal cortical activity than controls at rest. In Study 2, we replicated this result with undergraduate males ( n = 15 IAs, n = 15 controls) and demonstrated that not only did IAs have more right frontal activity at rest than controls, controls were able to switch between the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS) depending on exposure to affective stimuli, whereas IAs could not. Results indicated IAs likely have an overactive BIS, and thus have difficulty recognizing emotional stimuli, suggesting a dysfunction in emotional arousal. Future directions are discussed.
Formate in Urine as a Biological Indicator of Formaldehyde Exposure: A Review

The presence of a small amount of endogenously derived formate in human urine is normal; however, formate derived from the metabolism of formaldehyde, several other industrial compounds and some pharmaceuticals may elevate the urine formate concentration above the normally expected values. This elevation in the urine formate concentration presents the possibility of using this as a tool for monitoring exposure to chemicals. Unfortunately, the use of urine formate as a technique for monitoring personal chemical exposure has yet to be evaluated. This review identifies several potentially important variables that could alter the extent to which formate is eliminated through the urine and that could affect the accuracy of using urine formate concentration as an indicator of chemical exposure. Some potentially important confounders that have been identified, but not evaluated adequately, include dietary intake, nutritional status and exposure to cigarette smoke. Furthermore, the metabolism and elimination kinetics have yet to be adequately demonstrated in humans. Without having controlled for potential confounders in previous pharmacokinetic studies, it is unknown whether or not the large range and variation observed in human studies is due to the confounders or to innate individual variability. Given the poor understanding of the normal variation of formate concentration in the urine, the use of it as a biological indicator of chemical exposure becomes questionable. Without appreciable skin penetration, as in this case, the reliance upon air monitoring alone may be more practical. The evidence at this time suggests that the use of urine formate to monitor chemical exposure offers a broad opportunity for investigative research. At the present time, however, the interpretation of urine formate concentration in samples obtained from workers would be difficult.
Cation−π Interactions as a Mechanism in Technical Lignin Adsorption to Cationic Surfaces

The assembly of dissolved technical lignins in aqueous and organic medium has been studied at the solid-liquid interface. Adsorption of alkali lignin onto gold coated crystals treated with a cationic polymer was determined using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. Complete coverage of the cationic surface with alkali lignin occurred at low solution concentration, revealing a high affinity coefficient under both alkali and neutral conditions. With additional adsorption studies from organosolv lignin in organic solvent and spectroscopic analysis of mixtures of cationic polymer and alkali lignin, a noncovalent interaction between lignin's aromatic rings and the cation of the quaternary ammonium group was shown to exist. The work underscores how polyphenolic biopolymers can strongly interact with cations through noncovalent interactions to control molecular architecture.
Understanding the genetics of male infertility: Progress at the bench and in the clinic

We are currently in the midst of an era of rapidly advancing technologies that are exponentially increasing our ability to identify genetic variants responsible for complex diseases, such as male i...
Soft-tissue lesions: when can we exclude sarcoma?

OBJECTIVE. A wide spectrum of space-occupying soft-tissue lesions may be discovered on MRI studies, either as incidental findings or as palpable or symptomatic masses. Characterization of a lesion as benign or indeterminate is the most important step toward optimal treatment and avoidance of unnecessary biopsy or surgical intervention. CONCLUSION. The systemic MRI interpretation approach presented in this article enables the identification of cases in which sarcoma can be excluded.
Submucosal endoscopy with mucosal flap safety valve

Background There is no reliable endoscopic method to selectively resect deeper layers of the gut wall or to access the peritoneal cavity and prevent peritoneal soiling. Objectives To determine the technical feasibility and safety of submucosal endoscopy with mucosal flap (SEMF) in accessing the peritoneal cavity through a large full-thickness gastric-muscle–wall resection. Design Ex vivo feasibility exploration and survival animal study. Settings Ex vivo samples were obtained from fresh harvested organs. In vivo procedures were conducted with the pigs under standard general anesthesia. Interventions High-pressure carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) injection and balloon dissection created a large submucosal working space for insertion of a cap-fitted endoscope. By using the EMR cap, a full-thickness resection of the muscularis propria was performed. This full-thickness defect was sealed with the overlying mucosal flap and the use of hemoclips or tissue anchors. Results By using the SEMF technique in the ex vivo experiment, the gastric wall was successfully traversed in each stomach after submucosal dissection and full-thickness resection of the musclaris. Similarly, by using the SEMF technique in the in vivo procedures, the peritoneal cavity was successfully accessed and the defect was completely sealed by using the mucosal flap. All animals survived 1 week after the procedure. Ulceration was noted in 3 pigs, and a small bowel injury was noted in 1 pig. Leak testing was negative in all stomachs. Conclusions By using the SEMF technique, submucosal space endoscopy and deep-layer gastric-wall resection were successfully performed. Furthermore, the mucosa overlying the dissected submucosal space served as a safe flap valve, preventing peritoneal leakage.
Relation of community size to endogamy in a traditional soceity: Pátzcuaro, Mexico, 1903-1932.

Community endogamy is often a preferred cultural practice, although in traditional populations small community size make universal endogamy difficult for lack of appropriate mates. Using civil marriage records from an early 20th century Tarascan Mexican population, the association of local community size, transferred to long values, and endogamy is tested using 2,663 marriages for 40 locations situated in two municipios (counties) forming the Southwest rim of lake Patzcuaro. The association is linear, with a correlation coefficient of 0.62 for completely endogamous marriages and 0.55 for individual endogamy. If the two municipio cabeceras (county seats) are removed, the r values improve to 0.83 and 0.80 (all at P < 0.001), respectively. Community size is thus important, but in a complex settlement area central place locations, such as the cabeceras, also exert a strong disruptive influence on the simple pattern.
A rapid method for assessment of a macrophage chemotactant produced by SaD2 fibrosarcoma cells in vitro

A new rapid method for assessing murine macrophage chemotaxis was developed using peritoneal exudate cells labeled with [5,6-3H]uridine in modified Boyden chambers with double polycarbonate filters. The method gave positive results with endotoxin-treated mouse serum and with serum-free culture supernatant of the DBA/2 SaD2 fibrosarcoma. These results correlated with results obtained with conventional microscopic assessment of chemotaxis. Using this method, the SaD2 supernatant was shown to be chemotactic rather than chemokinetic.
The arm: there is no escaping the reality for mothers of children with obstetric brachial plexus injuries.

Background: Shoulder dystocia is considered the obstetric nightmare. A potentially devastating complication of shoulder dystocia to the infant is obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI). Between 20% and 30% of infants with OBPI experience residual functional deficits. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate mothers' experiences caring for their children who have an OBPI. Methods: Colaizzi's phenomenology was the method used to examine the phenomenon of mothers' caring for their children with an OBPI. A recruitment notice was placed on the Web site of the United Brachial Plexus Network. Twenty-three mothers comprised the convenience sample. Eleven mothers participated in the study over the Internet, and 12 mothers were interviewed in person. Each mother was asked to describe in as much detail as she wished her experiences caring for her child with an OBPI. Results: Six themes emerged to describe mothers' experiences caring for their children with an OBPI: (a) In an Instant: Dreams Shattered; (b) The Arm: No Escaping the Reality; (c) Tormented: Agonizing Worries and Questions; (d) Therapy and Surgeries: Consuming Mothers' Lives; (e) Anger: Simmering Pot Inside; and (f) So Much to Bear: Enduring Heartbreak. Conclusions: The results of this phenomenological study helped to make visible the daily struggle and enduring heartache of mothers who care for their children with OBPI.
Approach for reducing menu access time by enabling bidirectional cursor movement within nested menu(s)

There is a time value associated with the action an application user must perform to traverse menu items to reach a specific option. The time value increases when menu options are arranged within multiple nested menus. This work proposes a new menu layout that helps reduce the time required to traverse menus, especially those with multiple levels of nesting. This work also includes the results of a statistical experiment that measures the time taken to traverse using the suggested approach. The results are compared with the time taken to traverse using the traditional menu layout. Experimental data (under pre-defined assumptions) seems to significantly favor the proposed approach. The work presents data samples, assumptions, and limitations of the proposed approach.
Identification as Civic Literacy in Digital Museum Projects: A Case Study of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum

Scholars have observed that rhetorical identification is a common strategy used by both physical and virtual museums to engage the public in their narratives of civic history. This essay explores what happens when service-learning students enter this context to build digital projects as agents and as objects of identification. Drawing from my ten-year partnership with the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, I illustrate how identification can arise within a museum-based digital project, how it can enrich and complicate the project, and how my students and I attempt to balance our insider/outsider roles as authors and interpreters of community history.
Glucocorticoid receptor from lactating goat mammary tissue comparison of native and activated forms in a cell free system.

Physicochemical properties of native and activated (DNA-binding) forms of the glucocorticoid receptor in cytosol prepared from lactating goat mammary tissue have been examined. Under hypotonic conditions the cytosolic receptor sediments at 8.4 S or 9.9 S in the absence or presence of 10mM molybdate, respectively. The receptor in cytosol, either with or without molybdate elutes from DEAE-cellulose at approximately 200 mM potassium phosphate concentration. Isoelectric focusing reveals that this form of the receptor focuses at pH 5.5. Further, the cytosolic form of the receptor exhibits minimal binding affinity for polyanions such as DNA-cellulose. Its Stokes radius is 77 A and the mol. wt is approximately 331,000. Following exposure to in vitro activating conditions (including elevated ionic strength or temperature), the liganded receptor exhibits much lower affinity for DEAE-cellulose (elution at 35–55 mM potassium phosphate concentration). Other alterations in properties of the activated receptor, after partial purification, include sedimentation at 3.9 S in hypotonic sucrose gradients, binding to polyanions (DNA-cellulose), and an isoelectric point at pH 7.2. This receptor has a Stokes radius of 58 A and a mol wt of 98,000. A degraded form, with a mol. wt of approximately 57,000 and high affinity for polyanions, was the major form of the receptor obtained if appropriate precautions to prevent or remove proteolytic activity were not observed during purification and/or characterization of the activated receptor.
Actions of androgen and estrogen on guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium and muscle.

Using the guinea pig seminal vesicle, experiments were designed to gain insight into the relative contributions of androgen and estrogen to the growth of accessory sex organ epithelium and muscle. Treatment of castrated animals with daily injections of either testosterone or dihydrotestosterone completely prevented the castration-induced reduction in the size and number of epithelial cells. Estrogen treatment of castrated animals alone or in combination with dihydrotestosterone revealed no detectable anabolic effect on the epithelium. Therefore, estrogens would not normally appear to exert significant influences on the normal growth of this accessory sex organ epithelium. In the muscle, castration-induced regression was due only to a reduction in cell size, which was prevented by maintenance of castrated animals with either testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. Although treatment with estradiol prevented loss of wet weight, maintained cell size, and, in addition, increased cell numbers, there was no detect...
Predictors of glycemic control in children with Type 1 diabetes: The importance of race

Diabetes is a common cause of kidney failure and blindness among young adults, particularly of African-American descent. Since glycemic control is a predictor of diabetes complications, we evaluated the impact of multiple factors including a special multidisciplinary management program on glycosylated hemoglobin in children with Type 1 diabetes. Data was collected from pediatric diabetes clinics in New Orleans, LA and Baltimore, MD. In New Orleans, hemoglobin A(1c) was higher in African-American patients 12. 5+/-3.3% (n=71) vs. 10.7+/-2.1% (n=80) in Caucasian children, p<0. 0001. Longer duration of diabetes was also associated with higher hemoglobin A(1c) in both races. The effect of race on hemoglobin A(1c) was independent of the influence of sex, insurance status, body mass index (BMI) z-score, and number of clinic visits. Covariate analysis with mean blood glucose levels indicated that higher hemoglobin A(1c) was attributable to higher mean blood glucose levels in African-American children. From the Baltimore data, a multidisciplinary intervention program led to improved total glycosylated hemoglobin for Caucasian patients but not for African-American children. Poorer glycemic control of African-American children is likely to predispose them to a higher likelihood of developing microvascular complications as they mature. Standard hospital-based multidisciplinary programming for diabetes management may have limited effectiveness in improving glycemic control of African-American children with diabetes. Innovative intervention programs are needed for these high-risk patients.
The Meaning of a Healthcare Community of Practice

eibertPurpose This study intends to explore the meaning of community of practice within the context of healthcare. Based on Walker and Avant's conceptual analysis method, this study identifies the contextual definitions, critical attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the community of practice phenomena in health care. Findings The findings in articles appearing in peer-reviewed healthcare journals within publication dates of 2007–2012 concur that a healthcare community of practice shares a common domain of interest in which healthcare workers collaborate to enhance the practice, promote professional expertise, and augment institutional knowledge. Antecedents necessary for and consequences that occur because of a healthcare community of practice are detailed within this article. Practice Implication This analysis informed the decision to use a healthcare community of practice framework for an interprofessional dedicated education unit. Seibert
Results of Using a Wireless Inertial Measuring System to Quantify Gait Motions in Control Subjects

Gait analysis is important for the diagnosis of many neurological diseases such as Parkinson's. The discovery and interpretation of minor gait abnormalities can aid in early diagnosis. We have used an inertial measuring system mounted on the subject's foot to provide numerical measures of a subject's gait (3-D displacements and rotations), thereby creating an automated tool intended to facilitate diagnosis and enable quantitative prognostication of various neurological disorders in which gait is disturbed. This paper describes the process used for ensuring that these inertial measurement units yield accurate and reliable displacement and rotation data, and for validating the preciseness and robustness of the gait-deconstruction algorithms. It also presents initial results from control subjects, focusing on understanding the data recorded by the shoe-mounted sensor to quantify relevant gait-related motions.
Anaesthetic effects of various ratios of ketamine and xylazine in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Intramuscular injection of selected ratios of ketamine and xylazine provided smooth anaesthetic induction, a wide safety margin, and no significant undersirable side effects. Induction and recovery times, duration of anaesthesia, and thermoregulatory ability can be affected by different combinations of ketamine and xylazine. The addition of xylazine to ketamine increases muscle relaxation, recovery time, and duration of anaesthesia, while generally decreasing induction time and thermoregulatory ability.
Information-rich Path Planning with General Constraints using Rapidly-exploring Random Trees

This paper introduces the Information-rich Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (IRRT), an extension of the RRT algorithm that embeds information collection as predicted using Fisher Information Matrices. The primary contribution of this algorithm is target-based information maximization in general (possibly heavily constrained) environments, with complex vehicle dynamic constraints and sensor limitations, including limited resolution and narrow eld-of-view. An extension of IRRT for multi-agent missions is also presented. IRRT is distinguished from previous solutions strategies by its computational tractability and general constraint characterization. A progression of simulation results demonstrates that this implementation can generate complex target-tracking behaviors from a simple model of the trade-o between information gathering and goal arrival.
Posttranslational Modification of the 20S Proteasomal Proteins of the Archaeon Haloferax volcanii

20S proteasomes are large, multicatalytic proteases that play an important role in intracellular protein degradation. The barrel-like architecture of 20S proteasomes, formed by the stacking of four heptameric protein rings, is highly conserved from archaea to eukaryotes. The outer two rings are composed of α-type subunits, and the inner two rings are composed of β-type subunits. The halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii synthesizes two different α-type proteins, α1 and α2, and one β-type protein that assemble into at least two 20S proteasome subtypes. In this study, we demonstrate that all three of these 20S proteasomal proteins (α1, α2, and β) are modified either post- or cotranslationally. Using electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, a phosphorylation site of the β subunit was identified at Ser129 of the deduced protein sequence. In addition, α1 and α2 contained N-terminal acetyl groups. These findings represent the first evidence of acetylation and phosphorylation of archaeal proteasomes and are one of the limited examples of post- and/or cotranslational modification of proteins in this unusual group of organisms.
Cognitive Performance after Stroke – The Framingham Heart Study

Background Individuals with a high risk of stroke are also more prone to cognitive impairment perhaps because of concomitant vascular risk factors. In addition, clinical stroke increases the risk of subsequent dementia. Nevertheless, the relationship between clinical stroke and subsequent cognitive function in initially nondemented individuals remains less clear as most prior studies examined case series without controls. Aims To specify among nondemented individuals the cognitive domains affected by clinical stroke, independently of vascular risk factors and prestroke cognition. Methods One hundred thirty-two Framingham study participants (mean age = 77 ± 9 years, 54% women) with prospectively validated initial strokes, as well as age- and gender-matched controls, underwent identical cognitive evaluations ∼six-months after the stroke. Linear regression models were used to assess the differences in cognitive scores between stroke cases and controls adjusting for prestroke cognitive function as assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and with and without adjustment for vascular risk factors. Results Adjusting for prestroke cognition and vascular risk factors, persons with stroke had poorer cognitive function in the domains of immediate recall of logical and visual memories (β = -1·27 ± 0·60, P = 0·035; β = -1·03 ± 0·47, P = 0·028, respectively), verbal learning (paired associate test; β = -1·31 ± 0·57, P = 0·023), language (Boston naming test; β = -0·27 ± 0·08, P = 0·002), executive function (digit span backward; β = -0·53 ± 0·21, P = 0·015), and visuospatial and motor skills (block design; β = -3·02 ± 1·06, P = 0·005). Conclusions Clinical stroke is associated with subsequent poorer performance in multiple cognitive domains. This association cannot be entirely explained by the individual's cognitive function prior to stroke or by concomitant vascular risk factor levels.
Physical Layer Network Isolation in Multi-tenant Clouds

The isolation capabilities provided by conventional enterprise data center technology are inadequate for many clients of multi-tenant storage or compute clouds. To address this deficiency we propose a cloud architecture which relies on strategic deployment of physical layer network isolation. We show how improved client isolation can be realized with 'color gapping' using existing Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing technologies, and demonstrate how in some settings isolation can be visually verified by clients. To address the challenging problem of isolating multiple clients' Virtual Machines within a single physical server, we introduce a novel application of distributed bridging based on Virtual Ethernet Port Aggregators.
The influence of mating and related stimuli on plasma levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, and testosterone in the male rat

Male rats were exposed to several stimuli associated with mating, and their resting levels of LH, prolactin (PRL), and testosterone (T) were compared to their hormone levels after stimulation. Sexually experienced rats showed two- to fourfold increases in levels of these hormones after both mating with estrous females and attempting to mate with unreceptive females. Only LH levels were significantly elevated by the odor of estrous females or by non-tactile contact with estrous females. Neither transfer to an empty mating arena nor interaction with another male altered the rats' hormone levels. The LH and PRL levels of sexually naive rats showed a similar pattern of response, but T levels in naive rats were unaffected by all stimuli including mating. In a further study, rats were killed immediately after mating for varying times up to 1 h, and their levels of LH, FSH, PRL, and T were measured. Both LH and PRL levels peaked 5 min after the start of mating and the declined, while FSH levels remained unchange...
Embryo quality before and after surgical treatment of endometriosis in infertile patients.

To investigate the hypothesis that surgical treatment of endometriosis in infertile patients may improve pregnancy rates by improving embryo quality. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of 30 infertile patients treated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) before and after surgery for endometriosis. Patients served as their own controls and only cycles with similar stimulation protocols were compared. Using standard visual evaluation, embryo quality on day 3 was similar before and after surgical treatment of endometriosis. Fifty seven percent of patients had stage I–II endometriosis and 43% had stage III–IV disease. No patients had a live birth after the first IVF cycle and 43% of patients had a live birth with the IVF cycle after surgery. Surgical treatment of endometriosis does not alter embryo quality in patients with infertility treated with IVF.
The Trier Ceiling: Power and Status on Display in Late Antiquity

The fourth-century painted ceiling at Trier, Germany was destroyed less than two decades after it was decorated, yet today it is one of the best-known monuments of Late Antique Gaul (figure 1). In excavations begun by Theodor Kempf in 1945, archaeologists collected the ceiling's fragments from the ruins of a Roman house beneath the city's Romanesque cathedral. Painstaking assembly of the plaster fragments into their original form was completed in 1980. Now displayed in the Trier Episcopal Museum, the ceiling is a rare example of Late Antique domestic painting. It comprises fifteen trompe l'oeil coffers which are outlined by red and green borders and a yellow guilloche. Each coffer contains an image of a different subject; bust-length female and male single figures alternate with pairs of putti in various active poses. The ceiling's rarity, its mysterious, unidentified figures, and the possibility proposed by Kempf that it belonged to a palace built by the emperor Constantine have made it the subject of extensive scholarship. Because conservators assembled the ceiling over a thirty-five year span and individual scenes were published as they were completed, the first scholars of the ceiling studied sections in isolation from the whole monument. Attention first focused on the depictions of the woman with the mirror and the woman with the jewel box, because they were the first single figures to be restored and published. Many archaeologists and art historians concentrated on identifying the women as portraits of Constantine's family. Irving Lavin took a different approach and carefully addressed the painting's classicizing style. Scholars in the 1980s, with the advantage of the ceiling's completed restoration, have considered the ceiling as a thematic whole.
Detection and measurement of alternative splicing using splicing-sensitive microarrays

Splicing and alternative splicing are major processes in the interpretation and expression of genetic information for metazoan organisms. The study of splicing is moving from focused attention on the regulatory mechanisms of a selected set of paradigmatic alternative splicing events to questions of global integration of splicing regulation with genome and cell function. For this reason, parallel methods for detecting and measuring alternative splicing are necessary. We have adapted the splicing-sensitive oligonucleotide microarrays used to estimate splicing efficiency in yeast to the study of alternative splicing in vertebrate cells and tissues. We use gene models incorporating knowledge about splicing to design oligonucleotides specific for discriminating alternatively spliced mRNAs from each other. Here we present the main strategies for design, application, and analysis of spotted oligonucleotide arrays for detection and measurement of alternative splicing. We demonstrate these strategies using a two-intron yeast gene that has been altered to produce different amounts of alternatively spliced RNAs, as well as by profiling alternative splicing in NCI 60 cancer cell lines.
Effective calculation of power system low-voltage solutions

This paper develops a method for reliably determining the set of low-voltage solutions which are closest to the operable power flow solution. These solutions are often used in conjunction with techniques such as energy methods and the voltage instability proximity index for assessing power system voltage stability. This paper presents an algorithm which provides good initial guesses for these solutions. The results are demonstrated on a small power system and on larger power systems with up to 2000 buses.
Classical test theory and item response theory/Rasch model to assess differences between patient-reported fatigue using 7-day and 4-week recall periods

Abstract Objective This study compared self-reported fatigue between 7-day and 4-week time frames and explored factors that affect patients' responses. Study Design and Setting Two hundred and sixteen cancer patients completed either 7-day or 4-week version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F). Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel statistics and Cochran–Armitage trend tests were used to assess the association between time frame and item scores. Information function curves at both item and scale levels were depicted to evaluate the precision along the fatigue continuum. Differential item functioning (DIF) was used to examine the stability of the psychometric properties between time frames. Results Time frame did not influence patients' item responses. Examination of information function curves at item level did not clearly favor either time frame. At the scale level, the 7-day time frame was slightly more precise overall than the 4-week time frame. No item demonstrated DIF between time frames. Neither gender nor fatigue severity had an impact on above results. Conclusion This study suggests 7-day and 4-week time frame are equally appropriate in measuring fatigue, preference might be given to the more informative 7-day time frame. However, substantive considerations regarding the appropriate time frame should outweigh statistical ones.
Recent Advances in the Development of New Auristatins: Structural Modifications and Application in Antibody Drug Conjugates

Dolastatin 10 is a powerful antineoplastic agent and microtubule inhibitor that was discovered by Pettit et al. and published in 1987. Since then, many research groups have engaged in SAR studies of synthetic analogues, termed “auristatins”. It was eventually discovered that auristatins are of great value as payloads in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), which led to the FDA-approved ADC brentuximab vedotin (Seattle Genetics). Currently, over 30 ADCs in clinical trials employ auristatins as payloads, and there is a great interest in the research community, both on academic and industrial sides, to further study these analogues. This review will provide an overview of the recent advancements in auristatin development spanning a time frame of about the past ten years. The main focus will be to describe structural changes made to the auristatin peptide and their resulting biological activities in tumor cell proliferation assays. Selected ADC examples will also be described.
Third‐Power Stress Dependence in Creep of Polycrystalline Nonmetals

Published results on the high-temperature creep of polycrystalline nonmetals indicate that under high stresses many of them obey the equation eασn, where e is the steady-state creep rate, σ the applied stress, and n a constant which is usually either 3 or 5. A fifth-power stress dependence is observed in most pure metals; the creep rate is thought to be controlled by a slip creep process involving dislocation climb. Third-power dependence is not merely a combination of fifth-power-dependent slip creep and first-power-dependent Nabarro-Herring creep but appears to be controlled by a separate mechanism. This mechanism may be associated with Nabarro's dislocation climb model or with Weertman's microcreep model involving charged dislocations. It appears that the ratio of the anion radius to the cation radius is usually >2 in nonmetals for which n=3 and >2 in those for which n=5.
Spatial decorrelation in orientation-selective cortical cells

We propose a model for the lateral connectivity of orientation-selective cells in the visual cortex. We study the properties of the input signal to the visual cortex and find new statistical structures that have not been processed in the retino-geniculate pathway. Using the idea that the system performs redundancy reduction of the incoming signals, we derive the lateral connectivity that will achieve this for a set of orientation-selective local circuits, as well as the complete spatial structure of a network composed of such circuits. We compare the results with various physiological measurements.
LHRH receptor targeted therapy for breast cancer.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, with an estimated 212,920 new cases and 40,970 deaths in the United States in 2006. The present work extends the studies of nanoparticles targeted to the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) receptor which is overexpressed in breast, ovarian, endometrial and prostate cancer cells. In contrast, LHRH receptors are not expressed, or expressed at a low level in most visceral organs. In our studies, we conjugated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (20–30 nm) with [D-Trp6]LHRH (Triptorelin), a decapeptide analog of LHRH currently used for treatment of sex-hormone-dependent tumors. Conjugation of [D-Trp6]LHRH to Fe3O4 particles retained its binding affinity and biological activity for the LHRH receptor. Treatment of two separate breast tumor cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB231) with these conjugated nanoparticles resulted in 95–98% cell death and loss of viability within 24 h whereas no change in cell proliferation or cell apoptosis was observed in cells treated with equal amounts of either [D-Trp6]LHRH or unconjugated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. These studies provide critical and important information regarding use of LHRH receptor targeted therapy for breast cancer.
Why phase-change Materials work: An EXAFS Investigation of Ge-Sb-Te Alloys

Studies of amorphous (a-) semiconductors have been driven by technological advances as well as fundamental theories. Observation of electrical switching, for example, fueled early interest in a-chalcogenides. More recently a-chalcogenide switching has been applied quite successfully to DVD technology where the quest for the discovery of better-suited materials continues. Thus, switching provides researchers today with an active arena of technological as well as fundamental study. On the theoretical front, bond constraint theory and rigidity theory provide a powerful framework for understanding the structure and properties of a-materials. Applications of these theories to switching in a-chalcogenides holds the promise of finding the best composition suited for switching applications. Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy is an ideally suited technique to investigate the switching properties of these materials. Results of previous EXAFS experiments will be presented and viewed through the lens of bond constraint theory and rigidity theory.