cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Profiling of CNS Lymphoma and Its Microenvironment

Abstract 588 Background: Establishing the pathologic basis of focal brain lesions caused by disease processes such as CNS lymphoma is often difficult. Results of standard MRI-based neuro-imaging are non-specific and cytological testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is highly insensitive. We tested the hypothesis that the metabolic constituents of the CSF reflect pathologic processes within the brain and thus might lead to the identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and provide insight into mechanisms of CNS lymphoma pathogenesis and its impact on cognitive function. We have pursued two novel approaches to define and model the metabolic microenvironment in CNS lymphoma: (1) Differential metabolite profiling of CSF; (2) Metabolic imaging using hyperpolarized 13C probes using preclinical models involving intracranial xenografts of CNS lymphoma. Methods: We are using GC/MS, in collaboration with Metabolon, to profile a broad spectrum of metabolites (> 140) in CSF from CNS lymphoma patients at diagnosis, relapse as well as from control subjects without brain tumors. In parallel, we are using high resolution MRI (14T) to perform anatomic and contrast enhanced imaging plus hyperpolarized metabolic imaging using 13 C-metabolic probes such as [1- 13 C] pyruvate to monitor the production of intratumoral metabolites such as lactate within highly infiltrative xenograft models of CNS lymphoma. Results: Metabolite concentrations in CSF from 15 subjects with active CNS lymphoma were compared to 15 controls without brain tumors. Seventeen metabolites were significantly upregulated in CSF (> two-fold) compared to controls (p 13 C] pyruvate demonstrated intratumoral Warburg metabolism with a striking elevation of [1- 13 C] lactate that was apparent beyond the anatomical margins of the contrast enhancing lymphoma, as demonstrated by T 1 -weighted post-gadolinium images. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that 13 C imaging may be able to identify regions of metabolic abnormality in CNS lymphoma outside those identified by 1 H methods, and thus potentially provide insight into the metabolic features of the lymphoma as well as its stromal microenvironment. Our hypothesis is that MRI-based, non-invasive metabolic imaging will provide insights into the molecular differences between newly-diagnosed and relapsed cases as well as provide novel, non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Supported by a grant from CFAR and the Sandler Program for Breakthrough Biomedical Research. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Bargaining and Bicameralism

In bicameral legislatures, the protection of small states often motivates the malapportionment of the upper house. Using a legislative bargaining model, I show that malapportionment may produce the opposite effect. Under unicameralism, same-state legislators are shown to not inherently be coordinated to cooperate, diminishing the fear of a big-state conspiracy. By contrast, under bicameralism, preference complementarities enable upper-house legislators to effectively coordinate their state delegations, and this skews the expected allocation in favor of big states. Hence, unless bicameralism significantly increases their agenda power, small states will fare even worse under bicameralism whenever they are disadvantaged under unicameralism.
Evaluation of a Brief, School-Based Bullying Bystander Intervention for Elementary School Students

This study evaluated a brief, bystander bullying intervention for elementary school students. Students in the intervention group reported an increase in knowledge and confidence to act as “defenders.” Students in the intervention group also reported an increase in self-esteem relative to the control group, although this finding was limited to sixth-grade students. The study found no group differences in sense of school belonging. This article discusses implications for school counselors.
Interactive, iterative robot design

Consider how a new robot is designed. Starting from a relative size (e.g., nanometer, centimeter, meter), the roboticist picks a morphological type (manipulator, quadruped, biped), and then uses intuition, experience, biological inspiration, or some combination of the three to select kinematic, dynamic, and geometric parameters. The designer then conducts preliminary checks to see whether the robot can satisfy its intended function: manipulation, locomotion, or both. The designer then iteratively adjusts the physical parameters and conducts checks using sample tasks, presumably until convergence is reached. This paper describes a means to automate part of this approach by combining interactive elements with powerful tools that use multi-rigid body simulation. We describe and demonstrate a virtual testing phase that first determines whether the physically situated robot would serve its intended purpose. If the robot is not capable of performing its target task, the virtual testing phase can determine which of the robot's morphological parameters should be modified in order to do so. The process keeps a human in the loop to help account for hard to quantify design aspects like appearance, quirks of the fabrication procedure (i.e., laser cutting, milling, 3D printing processes), or even expert knowledge. We intend for the described approach to be used as an interactive tool that gives a robot designer feedback on what morphological parameters are likely to limit the performance of a robot and how to modify the design to fix or offset such limitations. We demonstrate that, through simulated prototyping and testing methods, we can improve a robot design and iteratively locate morphological parameters that make efficient use of available hardware.
Quantum Simulation of Complex Hamiltonians With Directionally Unbiased Linear-Optical Multiports

The directionally unbiased optical multiport is introduced, in which photons may reflect back out the input direction. Quantum walks on arrays of such multiports allow the simulation of a range of complex quantum Hamiltonians.
Predicted and Observed Environmental Impacts: Can We Foretell Ecological Change?

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the predicted and measured ecological impacts from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station project. It summarizes the generated predictions in three different ways: predictions made in the Final Environmental Statement, that is,, the environmental impact report or statement (EIR/S), predictions made by scientists testifying before the permitting agency, and predictions made by an independent group of scientists charged with conducting a comprehensive study of the power plant. It compares these predictions with actual effects that were documented as the result of a 15-year study and discuss the reasons for variation in the accuracy of these predictions. The analyses demonstrate that most predictions of ecological impacts are not considered to be accurate. This holds for EIR/S which covers an immense range of possible impacts and draws on limited information. This chapter concludes that neutralizing the failures of prediction needs to be done by conducting more tests of impact predictions. Testing predictions can be the fastest and most cost-effective way to improve the models and approaches that are already in use to generate predictions.
Cervical Cancer and the Development of HPV Vaccines in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Costa Rican women have been participating in cervical cancer research since 1985, when the USA National Cancer Institute (INC) started financing studies to determine the causes of cervical cancer. Most of those studies were conducted in one of Costa Rica’s poorest rural regions with a high incidence of HPV infection, and involved thousands of healthy young women. Undoubtedly the results of these studies are of high scientific and economic value, but they have not been free of controversy. Drawing on archival information (including legislative reports, academic and newspaper articles) and the testimonies of local experts and journalists, this chapter describes the complexities surrounding longitudinal clinical research projects, and the conflicts of interest and ethical violations that have been uncovered during the 20 years of cervical cancer research in this region. This case study illustrates the weaknesses of the regulatory framework and its enforcement, the strategies used by the promoters of clinical trials to foster clinical research and bypass existing regulations, the efforts of legislators and human rights activists to protect the rights of the participants and public health resources, and the conflicts of interest that have permeated the highest echelons of the Ministry of Health and the Costa Rican Social Security Institute. Despite ethical concerns in the informed consent form and in the recruitment of participants, some of these studies were approved by three research ethics committees. Most of these irregularities occurred under the oversight of international research sponsors.
Event-triggered interactive gradient descent for real-time multi-objective optimization

This paper proposes an event-triggered interactive gradient descent method for solving multi-objective optimization problems. We consider scenarios where a human decision maker works with a robot in a supervisory manner in order to find the best Pareto solution to an optimization problem. The human has a time-invariant function that represents the value she gives to the different outcomes. However, this function is implicit, meaning that the human does not know it in closed form, but can respond to queries about it. We provide event-triggered designs that allow the robot to efficiently query the human about her preferences at discrete instants of time. For both the cases when the human can answer instantaneously and with some bounded delay, we establish the existence of a minimum interexecution time and the global asymptotic convergence of the resulting executions to the solution of the multi-objective optimization problem.
Fertilizer Effects on Annual Grass in Wet Sedge-Grass Vegetation Site, Susitna Basin, Alaska, U.S.A.

Fertilizer trials on a disturbed, wet sedge-grass vegetation site in south-central Alaska indicated that N, P, and K were all deficient. Fertilizer and seed (common annual ryegrass, Lolium temulentum) were broadcast in l-m2-square plots in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatment levels were equivalent to 0, 100, and 200 kg N ha–1; 0, 75, and 150 kg P ha–1; and 0, 60, 120 kg K ha–1. Greatest responses for aboveground biomass and height occurred when all three nutrients were applied. Greatest cover occurred when both N and P were applied with or without K amendments. Positive responses for biomass and height required both N and P while cover responses required only N, P, or low K. Potassium application without N tended to suppress plant responses although these results were not statistically significant. Interactions among nutrients were significant in many cases. Nonsignificant responses occurred when only a single nutrient was applied. This indicates that N, P, and K were all d...
Examining the link between weight suppression and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors.

Abstract Background Given the negative consequences of excess weight, a large portion of the US population is seeking to obtain and maintain weight loss. Weight Suppression (WS) represents the difference between previous highest adult weight and current weight and may have negative psychological consequences. The current study examined the link between WS and lifetime non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behavior and explored indirect effects in this link using survey data in two large samples. Methods Sample 1 included 1011 college students (67% female, mean age = 19 years); Sample 2 included 2461 participants from an epidemiological study (68% female, mean age = 34 years). Models of direct and indirect effects were tested in MPlus using bootstrapping. Results As hypothesized, greater WS was associated with increased likelihood of lifetime NSSI in both samples (OR = 1.05 and 1.02). In both samples, significant indirect effects of drive for thinness (Total R2 = 0.06 and 0.09) and depressive symptoms (Total R2 = 0.13 and 0.29) accounted for this association. Alternative models in which the indirect effect of WS was tested in associations between drive for thinness or depressive symptoms and NSSI were not supported. Conclusion Results suggest that the link between WS and lifetime NSSI may be accounted for by eating or mood-related pathology. Future research should test whether addressing associated eating and mood problems would eliminate the link between WS and NSSI as a means for reducing suicide risk.
Beyond Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes: Distal Occlusion Thrombectomy.

Background and Purpose— Endovascular therapy is the standard of care for the treatment of proximal large vessel occlusion strokes. Its safety and efficacy in the treatment of distal intracranial occlusions has not been well studied. Methods— The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Retrospective review of a prospectively collected endovascular database (2010–2015, n=949) for all patients with distal intracranial occlusions treated endovascularly. Distal occlusions were defined as any segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), posterior cerebral artery, or occlusion at or distal to the middle cerebral artery (MCA)-M3 opercular segment. Results— Distal occlusions were treated in 69 patients. The mean age was 66.7±15.8 and 57% were male. Patients (29 [42%]) received intravenous tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator). The median preprocedure National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18 (interquartile range, 13–23). The distal occlusion was the primary treatment location in 45 patients, in 23 patients the distal occlusion was treated as a rescue strategy after successful treatment of a proximal large vessel occlusion strokes, and 1 patient had both primary and rescue treatment. The locations of the primary cases were MCA-M3 (n=21), ACA alone (n=8), ACA with a concomitant MCA-M1 or MCA-M2 (n=10), ACA with a concomitant MCA-M3 (n=3), and posterior cerebral artery (n=3). The locations of the rescue cases were MCA-M3 (n=11), ACA (n=7), posterior cerebral artery (n=4), and both MCA-M3 and ACA (n=1). There was a single patient with primary ACA and MCA-M2 occlusions treated, who then had a rescue MCA-M3 thrombectomy addressed after initial reperfusion. The most common treatment modalities used were stent-retrievers (n=37, 54%), intra-arterial tPA (n=36, 52%), and thromboaspiration (n=31, 45%). Near complete or complete reperfusion of the distal territory (modified Treatment In Cerebral Ischemia [mTICI] 2b-3) was achieved in 57 cases (83%). Three parenchymal hematomas (4%) occurred in the territory of the treated distal occlusion with 2 of these patients also receiving intravenous tPA. At 90 days, 21 patients (30%) had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 and 14 (20%) had died. Conclusions— Distal intracranial occlusions can be treated safely and successfully with endovascular therapy. These results need to be corroborated by larger prospective controlled studies.
Probabilistic pose estimation using a Bingham distribution-based linear filter:

Pose estimation is central to several robotics applications such as registration, hand–eye calibration, and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Online pose estimation methods typically us...
Role of BAFF and APRIL in Antibody Production and Diversification

BAFF and APRIL are two TNF family members that have emerged as important regulators of antibody production and diversification. They are expressed by innate immune cells and stromal cells and are upregulated in response to various danger signals. By bindings to their receptors and signaling for the activation of NF-κB, they regulate multiple aspects of T cell-dependent and -independent antibody responses including B-cell survival, activation, class switching, somatic hypermutation, plasmacytoid differentitation and tolerance. The understanding of their roles in these processes will offer novel insights in the therapeutic intervention of antibody-related disorders such as immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, infection and inflammation.
Coalition Formation for Servicing Dynamic Motion Tasks

When multiagent systems are used, design of an energy-efficient and autonomous data routing mechanism for wireless sensor networks is challenging. We see this challenge in the problem of coalition formation of agents (transmitters) for allocating dynamic-motion tasks (sensors) where the tasks have different service deadlines, and are in motion. The problem becomes harder when there are more tasks than agents, and when the data transmission is noisy. To address this, we design a novel and anytime decentralized heuristic algorithm to form coalitions. This algorithm can achieve at least 72±0.8% and at most 102±2.2% performance relative to the best known centralized coalition formation algorithm in such a sensor network.
THE VALIDITY OF TASK COVERAGE RATINGS BY INCUMBENTS AND SUPERVISORS: BAD NEWS

In this study incumbents from three different jobs were asked to rate lists of their job tasks on various constructs (e.g., time, importance) and then estimate the percentage of their job tasks (task coverage) included in the task list. Incumbents made these ratings under one of two conditions. In two instances, two months after making an initial task coverage rating for the entire list of tasks, the same incumbents were asked to estimate the task coverage of a reduced list of tasks (i.e., half to two-thirds of the tasks were removed from the list presented for rating). In a third instance one group of incumbents completed an entire inventory while a second group completed a reduced inventory. The average task coverage rating for the entire inventories were high (percent estimates ranging in the 80's–90's) and the average of the reduced inventories was much higher than expected (percent estimates in the 70's). It was concluded that incumbents and supervisors were not able to accurately estimate task coverage.
Is 'MeToo' Only a Social Movement or a Legal Movement Too?

This essay discusses some of the effects of the “MeToo” movement as a social movement, bringing issues of sexual assault and sexual harassment to the forefront. The essay then raises the question of whether that movement might also have implications for the law of sexual harassment. The essay discusses three elements of the law of sexual harassment—the “because of sex” requirement, the requirement that the harassment be subjectively hostile and objectively severe or pervasive, and the standard for employer liability for harassment—and explores the way that the “MeToo” movement might affect the way in which courts apply those elements. The essay then discusses other ways in which the law relevant to sexual harassment claims has been and may be changed by the movement, including with respect to mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreements and nondisclosure agreements.
Klondike on the Moskva: Lev Kuleshov, the Jack London short story, and the chamber film

This article seeks to re-contextualize Lev Kuleshov’s By the Law (Po zakonu, 1926) as a chamber film, a genre mostly associated with Weimar-era German cinema (the Kammerspielfilm) that uses natural...
Novel Synthesis and Application of a Protected Bicyclic α-Helix-Initiating Heptapeptide Suitable for Segment Condensation Syntheses: Utility of Pentaaminecobalt(III) for Carboxyl Protection

We have previously demonstrated that incorporation of side-chain lactam linkages between two pairs of lysine and aspartic acid residues placed in the i and i+4 and the i+1 and i+5 positions in a peptide chain generates a fully α-helical structure that is highly resistant to heat denaturation, and is capable of propagating the a-helical conformation in both the N- and C-terminal directions [1]. The synthesis of such helix-initiated peptides is desirable in order to probe the propagation and thermodynamic stability of a helices as a function of their amino-acid sequences. However, the use of solid-phase chemistry to incorporate just one such bicyclic structure into a peptide is highly unreliable, due to the interchain reactions that occur at each attempted intrachain cyclization step. Therefore, we have undertaken the development of a synthetic route to bicyclic helix-initiated peptides that involves the solution-phase preparation of a protected bicyclic peptide segment, 1 (Figure 1), that is suitable for incoporation into a standard Fmoc-based solid-phase synthesis by segment-condensation. This synthetic approach has been demonstrated through the synthesis of an N-terminal helix-initiated analogue of the epitope on the HIV-1 surface glyco-protein gp41 that is recognized by 2F5, an HIV-1 neutralizing monoclonal antibody.
Accurate Attitude Estimation for Drones in 5G Drone Small Cells

In this paper, a new attitude estimation procedure for drones in 5G drone small cells (DSC) is described using array of antennas placed on the body. The proposed method utilizes a fractal structure for the locations of the receiver antennas. By applying the least square (LS) procedure on the received signals, the proposed method estimates the drone attitude more accurately than the state of the art attitude estimation method that exploits hexagonal antenna placement patterns. In order to improve the accuracy of the attitude estimation further, those initial estimated angles can be refined in a second phase by implementing the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm in two dimensions. The two-phase method is called fractal structure array (FSA). The simulation results indicate that by the employment of the second phase, the accuracy of the attitude estimation is enhanced considerably. In addition, larger fractal structure using more receiver antennas can be applied to improve the performance of the proposed estimation method even further. The computational complexity of the methods are also compared and it is concluded that even by the addition of the second phase, the computational complexity of the FSA method is lower than the other ones.
Computer Managed Process Planning for Cylindrical Parts

Process planning can be an integral part of the manufacturing cycle, and Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) has emerged as a key requirement in a Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) environment. At the U. S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) in the Manufacturing Technology Division of the Research Development and Engineering Center, a CAPP system has been developed to meet this requirement. Current research is being performed to develop the necessary interfaces for the smooth transition of information from automated design to the process planning system and then to create code to run the automated shop floor equipment directly from the process plan output. This paper will discuss this research effort.
Preferential activation of spinal sensorimotor networks via lateralized transcutaneous spinal stimulation in neurologically intact humans

We demonstrate the selectivity of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS), which has been shown to enable function in humans with chronic paralysis. Specifically, we demonstrate that TSS applied to...
Retrograde stenting of the superior mesenteric artery is the procedure of choice for dissection of the aorta with mesenteric compromise

Abstract Acute mesenteric ischemia secondary to aortic dissection in type A and type B is a true vascular surgical emergency. Presentation can be subtle or dramatic, and time to revascularization is limited before irreversible changes occur. The literature recognizes the catastrophic consequences of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion and the need for urgent revascularization, often before central aortic repair in type A. There is no optimal revascularization technique described in this scenario. We present a case of type A aortic dissection with acute dynamic and static superior mesenteric artery occlusion and describe treatment that resulted in successful salvage of the bowel and the patient's life.
Evaluation of the Gradient Boosting of Regression Trees Method on Estimating Car-Following Behavior:

Car-following models, as the essential part of traffic microscopic simulations, have been utilized to analyze and estimate longitudinal drivers’ behavior for sixty years. The conventional car-follo...
The "when" and "where" of the interplay between attentional capture and response inhibition during a Go/NoGo variant.

Abstract Inhibitory control relies on attention, inhibition, and other functions that are integrated across neural networks in an interactive manner. Functional MRI studies have provided excellent spatial mapping of the involved regions. However, finer temporal resolution is needed to capture the underlying neural dynamics and the pattern of their functional contributions. Here, we used anatomically-constrained magnetoencephalography (aMEG) which combines MEG with structural MRI to examine how the spatial (“where”) and temporal (“when”) processing stages and interregional co-oscillations unfold in real time to contribute to inhibitory control. Healthy participants completed a modified Go/NoGo paradigm in which a subset of stimuli was modified to be visually salient (SAL). Compared to the non-modified condition, the SAL manipulation facilitated response withholding on NoGo trials and hindered responding to Go stimuli, reflecting attentional capture effectuated by an orienting response to SAL stimuli. aMEG source estimates indicate SAL stimuli elicited the attentional “circuit breaker” effect through early activity within a right-lateralized network centered around the lateral temporal cortex with additional activity in the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) and anterior insula (aINS/FO). Activity of the bilateral inferior frontal cortex responded specifically to inhibitory demands and was generally unaffected by the attentional manipulation. In contrast, early aINS/FO activity was sensitive to stimulus salience while subsequent activity was specific to inhibitory control. Activity estimated to the medial prefrontal cortex including the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and preSMA reflected an integrative role that was sensitive to both inhibitory and attentional stimulus properties. At the level of neurofunctional networks, neural synchrony in the theta band (4–7 Hz) revealed interactions between principal cortical regions subserving attentional and inhibitory processes. Together, these results underscore the dynamic, integrative processing stages underlying inhibitory control.
Nuclear Receptors and Transcription Factors in Obesity-Related Kidney Disease

Both obesity and chronic kidney disease are increasingly common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although obesity often co-exists with diabetes and hypertension, it has become clear over the past several decades that obesity is an independent cause of chronic kidney disease, termed obesity-related glomerulopathy. This review defines the attributes of obesity-related glomerulopathy and describes potential pharmacologic interventions. Interventions discussed include peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, the farnesoid X receptor, the Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5, and the vitamin D receptor.
Design and Fabrication of a Low-Pass Filter based on a Microstrip Resonator for Microwave Applications

This paper presents design, implementation and performance evaluation of a 2.8 GHz low-pass filter using microstrip resonator. The 3D planar electromagnetic simulator ADS Momentum is used for the layout design and the performance characterization. This filter has a Chebyshev response with 0.02 dB of ripple and a cutoff frequency located at 2.8 GHz. The attenuation of this filter is measured at 3.3 GHz. Theoretical frequency response from analytical calculations in MATLAB and ideal transmission line simulation in ADS are almost identical. The filter finds its application in telecommunication systems. Designed filter has been fabricated and measurements greatly coincide with simulation results.
The Brave New World of Long-term Care

Thank you for inviting me to Notre Dame Law School. It is an honor to address you and to share the podium with such distinguished co-presenters. My background includes eighteen years as a career U.S. government employee and a decade working with Medicaid and long-term care issues for the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Inspector General. I am currently president of the Center for Long-Term Care Reform, a private think tank and public policy advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring quality long-term care for all Americans. I chose “The Brave New World of Long-Term Care” as my topic today, but let me start by describing the “Pusillanimous Old World of Long-Term Care,” that is, the status quo. America has a welfare-financed, institution-based long-term care system, in the wealthiest country in the world, but no one wants to go to a nursing home. Long-term care in the United States is characterized by access and quality problems, dismally low reimbursement levels, discrimination against public benefits recipients, institutional bias, loss of independence, welfare stigma, and imminent
Malignant Melanoma Presenting as an Intrathymic Tumor

Abstract The identification of malignant melanoma in a visceral organ of nonepidermal origin is not an uncommon occurrence. Frequently, these cases are solitary metastases that present years after a thin epidermal melanoma has been diagnosed (and sometimes forgotten). However, primary visceral melanomas have been reported that have not been preceded by an epidermal lesion. We describe herein a unique case of melanoma presenting as a primary intrathymic tumor. The patient had no previous history of epidermal melanoma, and extensive workup did not reveal evidence for an alternative primary site. The tumor exhibited histologic features characteristic of melanoma, including an abundance of large pleomorphic cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm, prominent nucleoli, and occasional intranuclear inclusions. Tumor cells stained for HMB-45 and S-100 protein and ultrastructural analysis revealed stage II and stage III melanosomes. The patient remained free of disease until intrathoracic recurrence was detected on a com...
Tangible Microscope with Intuitive Stage Control Interface

Control interfaces of microscope stage have been conservative because they historically precede compact mechanisms which can be used in dark rooms with the sense of fingertips. However, there is a trend of expanding frontier in microscope interaction. New kinds of interactions for microscope are proposed and the freedom of stage control increases by hexapod micropositioning. We propose a tangible microscope which has an intuitive stage control interface. The interface combines a tablet device and a hexapod stage. Because a stage is a plane, we virtually assume a stage is on one’s palm. It is very intuitive that the stage moves in the same manner of palm’s move. As a proof-of-concept, we constructed a prototype by regarding a tablet as a palm. We haven’t any quantitative evaluation yet, but it is expected that the concept of tangible microscope brings a new sense of stage control to users.
Calcium Reintroduction Decreases Viability of Cardiac Myocytes from Copper-Deficient Rats

Copper deficiency leads to profound cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Myocytes were isolated from hearts of copper-deficient and copper-adequate male Holtzman rats to characterize size and function of the cells. Weanling rats were offered a semipurified diet low in copper in two separate experiments (Experiment 1, 0.45 mg Cu/kg and Experiment 2, 0.30 mg Cu/kg). Control (copper-adequate) rats drank water supplemented with cupric sulfate (20 mg Cu/L). Compared with copper-adequate rats, copper-deficient rats had lower hematocrits, liver copper concentrations and plasma ceruloplasmin activities, and higher heart weights and liver iron concentrations. When myocytes were isolated in low calcium media (1 micromol/L), cell viability was not affected by diet history. However, upon restoration to more physiologic levels of calcium (1 mmol/L), cells from copper-deficient rats were less viable, exhibiting an average loss of 34 and 40% in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively, compared with a 9.5 and 13% loss of cells, respectively, from the copper-adequate rats. Addition of the calcium channel blocker, verapamil, did not block this calcium-dependent loss of viability nor did the mitochondrial calcium channel blockers, ruthenium red and cyclosporin A. For comparison with another model of cardiac hypertrophy, the calcium sensitivity of myocytes from hypertrophic hearts of Sprague-Dawley rats with aortic constrictions was found not to differ from that of sham-operated rats. Thus, cardiac hypertrophy associated with postnatal copper deficiency results in a unique increased calcium intolerance of isolated myocytes.
Immune response of fishes to ciliates

Ciliates are highly evolved protists comprising a phylum of diverse species, many of which are opportunistic or obligate parasites. Ciliates parasitic to fish consist of salt and freshwater forms with endo- or ectoparasitic modes of infection. Some of the more commonly encountered genera include Chilodonella, Brooklynella, Ophryoglenina, Ichthyophthirius, Cryptocaryon, Uronema, Tetrahymena, Epistylus, and Trichodina. Species range from obligate parasites and commensals to opportunistic, facultative forms. Some parasitic ciliates are highly pathogenic and fishes in closed environments such as aquaria and farm ponds are particularly susceptible to high mortalities. Nevertheless, fish have evolved an immune system capable of mounting an effective protective response against parasite challenge. Much of the experimental research on immunity against ciliates has been carried out with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, on obligate parasite that invades surface epithelia of virtually all freshwater fish species. Interest in the immune response against I. multifiliis stems from the fact that convalescent fish become resistant to subsequent challenge (suggesting the possibility of immunoprophylaxis), and the need to curtail severe losses caused by this parasite in intensively farmed fishes. Furthermore, I. multifiliis has proven to be a useful experimental model because it is amenable to study under laboratory conditions. In this review cellular and humoral factors involved in both innate and acquired immunity against ciliates are covered and include natural killer cells, phagocytic cells, and antibody responses. Current ideas on the mechanisms of antibody-mediated cutaneous immunity against I. multifiliis are discussed and approaches toward the development of vaccines against this and other ciliate parasites are presented.
The physiologic state of Escherichia coli O157:H7 does not affect its detection in two commercial real-time PCR-based tests

Multiplex real-time PCR detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an efficient molecular tool with high sensitivity and specificity for meat safety assurance. The Biocontrol GDS and DuPont Qualicon BAX-RT rapid detection systems are two commercial tests based on real-time PCR amplification with potential applications for quantification of specific E. coli O157:H7 gene targets in enriched meat samples. However, there are arguments surrounding the use of these tests to predict pre-enrichment concentrations of E. coli O157:H7, as well as arguments pertaining to the influence of non-viable cells causing false positive results. The present study attempts to illustrate the effects of different bacterial physiologic states and the presence of non-viable cells on the ability of these systems to accurately measure contamination levels of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef. While the PCR threshold cycle (CT) values of these assays showed a direct correlation with the number of bacteria present in pure cultures, this was not the case for ground beef samples spiked with various levels of injured or healthy cells. Furthermore, comparison of post-enrichment cell densities of bacteria did not correlate with injured or healthy cell numbers inoculated before enrichment process. Ground beef samples spiked with injured or healthy cells at different doses could not be distinguished by CT values from either assay. In addition, the contribution of nonviable cells in generating positive real-time PCR signals was investigated using both assays on pre-enriched and post-enriched beef samples, but only if inoculated at levels of 10 6 cells/
Building up Complexity from Strips and Sheets: The Electronic Structure of the La12Mn2Sb30Alloy

The bonding in the relatively complex La{sub 12}Mn{sub 2}Sb{sub 30} alloy structure is analyzed with a retrotheoretical/building up process, implemented through a molecular orbital analysis of the various sublattices and the composite structure. In the antimony part of La{sub 12}Mn{sub 2}Sb{sub 30} there are three relatively noninteracting networks: a three-dimensional Sb{sub 20} sublattice, an Sb{sub 6} strip, and a one-dimensional array of isolated Sb atoms (of Sb{sub 4} stoichiometry). A Zintl-type approach, modified for the clearly hypervalent nature of locally linear and square-planar Sb environments, leads to an initial partitioning of the electrons among the Sb sublattices; this electron counting eventually turns out to be in reasonable agreement with extended Hueckel calculations. The electronic structure of the three-dimensional Sb{sub 20} sublattice in La{sub 12}Mn{sub 2}Sb{sub 30} is derived theoretically from a two-dimensional square Sb sheet through first kinking the square sheet at every fifth diagonal line and then stacking the sheets, with Sb-Sb bond formation, into the third dimension. For the Sb{sub 6} strips a second-order Peierls-type distortion of symmetrical vertex-sharing rhombi leads to the slightly asymmetrical strip structure observed. The d-block splitting of the Mn ions (in an unusual bicapped tetrahedral Sb environment) is described by a molecular model;more » arguments are given for localized bonding at Mn. There are significant La-Sb network interactions. The ability of the Sb networks in this structure to act as electron reservoirs is supported by the calculations.« less
Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Mesoproterozoic (~ 1.1 Ga) magmatic enclaves in granites of the eastern Llano Uplift, central Texas, USA

Abstract Mesoproterozoic (~ 1.1 Ga) plutons of the eastern Llano Uplift, central Texas, USA contain two types of magmatic enclaves ( Type II enclaves contained within the Marble Falls (MF) and Lone Grove (LG) plutons exhibit enrichments in Y, Nb, and Zr relative to their respective host granites. Enrichments in these incompatible trace elements at low SiO2, renders unlikely the possibility that the MF and LG Type II enclaves are the result of partial melting (anatexis) of mafic crustal rocks. Numerical modeling of fractional crystallization and simple mixing fails to explain the observed trace element trends. Because no coeval mafic to intermediate rocks are exposed in the uplift, characteristics of Type II enclave source magma(s) is uncertain. However, assuming source magmas similar to primitive continental arc basaltic andesite, trace-element trends (i.e., incompatible element enrichment and compatible element depletion) can be adequately replicated by a replenishment fractional crystallization (RFC) model. Chemistry of the MF and LG Type II enclaves suggest repeated replenishment of primitive magmas with only limited interaction with the host granitic magmas; the more primitive enclave magmas evolving in near chemical isolation by RFC processes. However, evidence from Type II enclaves in two other plutons in the Llano Uplift (Kingsland and Enchanted Rock) suggest that the isolation was non-ideal; i.e., some limited mixing may have occurred. Rapid quenching likely limited the potential for physical and chemical exchange between Type II enclaves and their host granite magmas.
Curriculum as concern for man's temporality

(1967). Curriculum as concern for man's temporality. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 6, Curriculum Theory Development: Work in Progress, pp. 172-179.
Methods and outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for obstructive sleep apnea

Radiofrequency therapy has been applied to the nasal turbinates, soft palate, and tongue base in attempts to improve obstructive sleep disordered breathing. Both monopolar and bipolar devices are available, with only the monopolar device being temperature-controlled. Procedures are performed in the office setting under local anesthesia. Repeated radiofrequency treatment improves treatment effectiveness. Compared to traditional procedures, radiofrequency offers less post-treatment pain. This review article details the author’s experience and literature review of techniques, outcomes, and clinical pearls related to this mode of therapy.
Training with the compactEASIE biologic endoscopy simulator significantly improves hemostatic technical skill of gastroenterology fellows: a randomized controlled comparison with clinical endoscopy training alone.

Background The Erlangen Active Simulator for Interventional Endoscopy (EASIE) was introduced in 1997 for interventional endoscopy training. compactEASIE developed in 1998 is a modified, light-weight version of the original model. Objective evidence of the benefits of training with these models is limited. A randomized controlled study, therefore, was conducted to compare the effects of intensive 7-month, hands-on training in hemostatic techniques by using the compactEASIE model (in addition to clinical endoscopic training) vs. pure clinical training in endoscopic hemostatic methods. Methods Thirty-seven fellows in gastroenterology in New York City area training programs were enrolled. Baseline skills were assessed on the simulator for the following techniques: manual skills, injection and electrocoagulation, hemoclip application, and variceal ligation. Twenty-eight fellows were then randomized into two comparable groups. Those randomized to Group A received purely clinical training in endoscopic hemostatic techniques at their hospitals. Those in Group B, in addition, were trained by experienced tutors in 3 full-day hemostasis workshops over 7 months. Both groups underwent a final evaluation on the compactEASIE simulator conducted by their tutors and additional evaluators who were blinded to the method of training. Initial and final evaluation scores were compared for each group and between groups. Outcomes of actual clinical hemostatic procedures performed during the study period also were analyzed. Results Ten of 14 fellows randomized to Group A (standard training) and 13 of 14 in Group B (intensive training) returned for the final evaluation. For Group B, scores for all techniques were significantly improved. In Group A, a significant improvement was noted for variceal ligation alone. Conclusions compactEASIE simulator training (3 sessions over 7 months), together with clinical endoscopic training resulted in objective improvement in the performance by fellows of all 4 endoscopic hemostatic techniques, whereas significant improvement was noted for variceal ligation alone for fellows who had standard clinical training. In clinical practice, fellows who had intensive simulator/clinical training had a significantly higher success rate and a nonsignificant reduction in the frequency of occurrence of complications.
Values and partisanship in left-right orientations: measuring ideology

. This paper analyzes whether left-right scales provide an interval measure of citizen issue attitudes that is comparable across eight Western European countries. Two commonly held views of left-right self-placement are juxtaposed: (1) the theory that issue attitudes are the primary component of left-right self-placement, and (2) the theory that partisanship is the primary component of left-right self-placement, which entails that left-right scales will take on different substantive meanings in countries with different types of party systems. Distance measures and least squares regression show that left-right scales are generally an appropriate instrument for cross-national tests of theories that have as an explanatory variable the ideological orientations of voters.
Ubiquitination of RhoA by Smurf1 promotes neurite outgrowth.

The Rho-family of small GTPases consists of essential regulators of neurite outgrowth, axonal pathfinding, and dendritic arborization. Previous work has demonstrated in non-neuronal cell types that Smurf1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates cell polarity and protrusive activity via PKCζ-dependent recruitment to cellular protrusion sites, and subsequent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of RhoA. In this study, we show that Smurf1 enhances neurite outgrowth in Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells. We demonstrate that RhoA is ubiquitinated, and that Smurf1 and RhoA physically interact in vivo. Interestingly, Smurf1 overexpression in Neuro2a cells dramatically reduces RhoA protein levels during dibutyric cyclic AMP, but not retinoic acid induced neurite outgrowth. This Smurf1-dependent reduction in RhoA protein levels was abrogated using the general proteasome inhibitor MG132, suggesting that RhoA is targeted for ubiquitination and degradation via Smurf1. Together, our data suggest that localized regulation of different subsets of Rho GTPases by specific guidance signals results in an intracellular asymmetry of RhoA activity, which could regulate neurite outgrowth and guidance.
Obtaining Plants using in Vitro Micrografting Method in Some Grapevine Varieties (Vitis Vinifera L)

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities of application of in vitro micrografting method in vines. In the study, shoot tips with apical meristem and 1–2 leafprimordia of Early Cardinal and Yalova incisi were grafted on the cut surface of the hypocotyls of Dogridge, Salt Creek, 1613 C and 41 B American rootstocks under aseptic conditions. From all the grafting combinations tested grafted plants were produced at different rates of success. The best results were obtained from Early Cardinal/41 B and Early Cardinal/Salt Creek combinations with 80% and 71.4% grafting success rates, respectively. Considering the other characteristics Early Cardinal combinations produce better results than Yalova incisi.
Space physics: A fast lane in the magnetosphere.

A magnetic storm that occurred on 9 October 2012 has been analysed in detail using the array of instruments onboard NASA's two Van Allen probes, launched in August 2012 to study Earth's magnetosphere, including the Van Allen radiation belt. The nature of the force that accelerates electrons trapped in the radiation belts has been a topic of much debate centering on whether the electrons are accelerated locally or by radial diffusive transport between weak and strong magnetic fields. Initial results had favoured a local mechanism and now Richard Thorne et al. report high-resolution electron observations from Van Allen probe A, together with modelling studies that identify the likely source of accelerating energy as chorus scattering, an effect caused locally by structured wave formations. This powerful local acceleration is also likely to be a factor around Jupiter, Saturn and other bodies with significant magnetic fields.