cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient manifold preserving audio source separation using locality sensitive hashing

We propose an efficient technique to learn probabilistic hierarchical topic models that are designed to preserve the manifold structure of audio data. The consideration of the data manifold is important, as it has been shown to provide superior performance in certain audio applications such as source separation. However, the high computational cost of a sparse encoding step due to the requirement of a large dictionary prevents it from being used in real-world applications such as real-time speech enhancement and the analysis of big audio data. In order to achieve a substantial speed-up of this step, while still respecting the data manifold, we propose to harmonize a particular type of locality sensitive hashing with the hierarchical topic model. The proposed use of hashing can reduce the computational complexity of the sparse encoding by providing candidates of non-zero activations, where the candidate set is built based on Hamming distance. The hashing step is followed by comprehensive sparse coding that considers those candidates only, rather than the entire dictionary. Experimental results show that the proposed hashing technique can provide audio source separation results comparable to the similar system without hashing, but with significantly less and cheaper computation.
Read This Paper Even Later: Procrastination with Time-Inconsistent Preferences

Salience costs, along with imperfect foresight, have been used in previous studies to explain procrastination of a one-time task. A companion to this paper, "Read This Paper Later: Procrastination with Time-Consistent Preferences" analyzes the extent to which procrastination of a divisible task is compatible with rational behavior. While the fully rational model explains key qualitative observations, it requires an extremely high rate of time preference or elasticity of intertemporal substitution to generate serious procrastination and cannot explain undesired procrastination at all. This paper investigates the extent to which dynamically inconsistent preferences can better explain such impatience and address the issue of self-control failures. Two types of discount functions are presented, motivated by previous salience cost explanations. Hyperbolic discounting corresponds to a salient present; short-term discount rates are higher than long-term ones. A new form, differential discounting, arises from salient costs; utility from leisure is discounted at a higher rate than rewards from work. The model of a divisible task with delayed rewards generates clear predictions that can be used to distinguish between types. When workers have rational expectations about future behavior, both regimes induce self-control problems and sharper procrastination than standard exponential discounting. However, they have different implications for policies to induce work, reduce procrastination, and improve welfare.
Mitochondrial DNA Repair in Mammals

In the past it was assumed that damaged mitochondrial DNA molecules in mammalian cells were not repaired, but it is now known that editing of polymerase errors and base excision repair are functional in mammalian mitochondria. Keywords: mitochondrial genome; mitochondrial disorders; oxidative stress; base excision repair; DNA acid replication fidelity
Online and Offline Continuities, Community and Agency on the Internet

How the Internet spawns community and gets its features into offline life is a recurring problem met in searches for “impacts” of its successive iterations in the Middle East and arises particularly in assessing equivocal findings most recently about social media in the Arab Spring uprisings. But the problem is more methodological than ontological: it lies in viewing the Internet through a media lens on communication as message-passing and “influence” as the outcome to be identified. The Internet and its current embodiment for new users as social media have a richer – and, I argue, normal – sociology in a more extended habitus explored here through comparison of longer-term, intermediate-term, and immediate processes highlighted by recent research that give better pictures of the Internet as networking and as cultural performance, and of appropriate methodologies that will retrieve their features. (Less)
Family Programming for Incarcerated Parents: A Needs Assessment among Inmates.

Abstract The current exploratory study was undertaken to investigate the needs, as perceived by the offender, of families with incarcerated individuals. The aim of the research was to determine inmates' family and parenting issues and concerns, and to assess their interest in formal and informal family services. Respondents were 136 inmates (99 male, 37 female) who ranged in age from 18 to 49. Inmates requested information about child rearing, better visitation for their children, and help with issues of trust and communication. The results demonstrate that male and female inmates have differing concerns. However, both incarcerated mothers and fathers seem to value their parental identity and family commitments.
A fast cyber 205-ETA10 program for SU(3) lattice gauge theory

Abstract We describe a Monte Carlo program that simulates SU(3) lattice gauge theoryon CYBER 205 and ETA 10 computers. The program uses the Cabibbo Marinari algorithm for the updating and a novel way of gathering neighbors. It achieves a 17.1 μs updating time per link on a 2-pipe CYBER 205 using 32-bit arithmetic. The updating time per link on the ETA 10 at Florida State University is 8.8 μs.
Precision masses for studies of the astrophysical r process

Half of the elements heavier than iron (Z > 26) are thought to be created through the astrophysical r process, whereby nuclides are produced via a rapid series of nuclear reactions that are postulated to occur in high temperature and neutron density environments such as supernovae or merging neutron stars. The nucleosynthetic path that describes the sequence of reactions through the chart of nuclides strongly depends on the neutron-separation energies of the nuclei. Until recently, however, almost all of these neutron-rich nuclei were not within reach of accelerator facilities, and therefore simulations of the r process had to rely on mass models for input into the calculations. Now, with the advent of facilities such as CARIBU at Argonne National Laboratory, the masses of many nuclides along the r-process path can be determined precisely with Penning trap mass spectrometers coupled to these facilities. More than 70 nuclides have been measured with the Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer alone in the past year, which overlap and complement results from other Penning trap mass spectrometers, and first calculations with these new masses suggest the timescale of the r process through the tin isotopes is delayed much more strongly than mass models would suggest.
Researcher and informant roles in narrative interactions: Constructions of belonging and foreign-ness

In this article I focus on the influence of researcher/informant roles on the types of narratives that are produced and on the ways in which storytelling interactions are managed in research contexts. In particular, I show that storytelling activities and story types both reflect and shape relationships among participants based, among other factors, on their local management of situational and portable identities. I argue that one important methodological consequence of the analysis is the recognition of the fact that all data produced in interaction (including interviews) are irreducibly context-bound and that therefore an analytical separation between observer and observed is impossible. I also discuss how a treatment of the research event and of storytelling in it as a real interactional encounter can shed light on issues related to the insider-outsider status of the researcher and the Observer's Paradox (Labov 1972b). (Narrative, interviews, interactional roles, immigrants, identities).
Aptamer-functionalized superporous hydrogels for sequestration and release of growth factors regulated via molecular recognition

While the discovery of highly potent biologics has led to the development of promising therapies for various human diseases, biologics can cause severe toxicity if delivered inappropriately. Thus, great efforts have been made to synthesize polymeric systems for safe and efficient delivery of biologics. However, the application of polymeric delivery systems is often limited by problems such as harsh reaction conditions, low drug sequestration efficiency, and difficult drug release regulation. This study was aimed at developing a superporous material system with a hydrogel and an aptamer to overcome these challenges. The results have shown that the superporous hydrogel is capable of instantaneously and fully sequestering a large amount of growth factors, owing to the presence of superporous architectures and aptamers. Moreover, the sequestering and loading procedure does not involve any harsh conditions. The release kinetics of growth factors can be molecularly modulated by either changing the binding affinity of the aptamer or by using a triggering effector. Therefore, this study presents a promising superporous material for the delivery of highly potent biologics such as growth factors for clinical applications.
Normalizing and Converting Image DC Data Using Scatter Plot Matching

Remote sensing image data from sources such as Landsat or airborne multispectral digital cameras are typically in the form of digital count (DC) values. To compare images acquired by the same sensor system on different dates, or images acquired by different sensor systems, it is necessary to correct for differences in the DC values due to sensor characteristics (gain and offset), illumination of the surface (a function of sun angle), and atmospheric clarity. A method is described for normalizing one image to another, or converting image DC values to surface reflectance. This method is based on the identification of pseudo-invariant features (bare soil line and full canopy point) in the scatter plot of red and near-infrared image pixel values. The method, called “scatter plot matching” (SPM), is demonstrated by normalizing a Landsat-7 ETM+ image to a Landsat-5 TM image, and by converting the pixel DC values in a Landsat-5 TM image to values of surface reflectance. While SPM has some limitations, it represents a simple, straight-forward method for calibrating remote sensing image data.
Urethral flow-responsive afferents in the cat sacral dorsal root ganglia.

Abstract Although sensory feedback from the urethra plays an integral role in the regulation of lower urinary tract function, little is known about the properties of flow-responsive primary afferent neurons. The purpose of this study was to characterize the activity of sacral afferents that responded to fluid flow through the urethra. Single neuron action potentials were recorded extracellularly from the S1 and S2 dorsal root ganglia in eight cats anesthetized with α-chloralose. 21 of 116 cells responded to urethral flow but not to mechanical palpation of the perineum, 22 responded to both urethral flow and palpation, and 27 responded to palpation only. 34 of the 43 flow-responsive cells exhibited a firing response to 10 ml flow boluses that could be fit using a power function: FR( t ) = a × ( t ) b + c , where FR is firing rate, t is time, and a , b and c are constants. In all 34 cells the ‘ b ’ term was negative, indicating that the firing rate slowed over the time course of the urethral flow. In 16 of the 24 cells that were recorded during at least four different flow rates, a power function provided a good fit of the relationship between firing rate and flow rate: FR( flow ) = k × ( flow ) p + q , where k , p and q are constants. In each of these 16 cells the ‘ p ’ term was positive, indicating that the firing rate tended to increase with increases in flow rate. These are the first data to characterize the properties of flow-responsive afferents in the cat, and reveal properties that parallel those of other afferents.
Nonuniform cardiac denervation observed by 11C-meta-hydroxyephedrine PET in 6-OHDA-treated monkeys

Parkinson's disease presents nonmotor complications such as autonomic dysfunction that do not respond to traditional anti-parkinsonian therapies. The lack of established preclinical monkey models of Parkinson's disease with cardiac dysfunction hampers development and testing of new treatments to alleviate or prevent this feature. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of developing a model of cardiac dysautonomia in nonhuman primates and preclinical evaluations tools. Five rhesus monkeys received intravenous injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (total dose: 50 mg/kg). The animals were evaluated before and after with a battery of tests, including positron emission tomography with the norepinephrine analog (11)C-meta-hydroxyephedrine. Imaging 1 week after neurotoxin treatment revealed nearly complete loss of specific radioligand uptake. Partial progressive recovery of cardiac uptake found between 1 and 10 weeks remained stable between 10 and 14 weeks. In all five animals, examination of the pattern of uptake (using Logan plot analysis to create distribution volume maps) revealed a persistent region-specific significant loss in the inferior wall of the left ventricle at 10 (P<0.001) and 14 weeks (P<0.01) relative to the anterior wall. Blood levels of dopamine, norepinephrine (P<0.05), epinephrine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (P<0.01) were notably decreased after 6-hydroxydopamine at all time points. These results demonstrate that systemic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine in nonhuman primates creates a nonuniform but reproducible pattern of cardiac denervation as well as a persistent loss of circulating catecholamines, supporting the use of this method to further develop a monkey model of cardiac dysautonomia.
CHANGING COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE CURRICULA TO A LEARNING OUTCOMES APPROACH

Manifestations of evolutionary processes are often quite dramatically different, as for example, when the caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly. These changes are not sudden, but involve long, careful processes of constant transformation. Learning often has the same character. Individuals become aware of new insights and then wonder why it took so long to see the obvious (McNiff, 2000). This article reviews timely concerns associated with restructuring curricula to match today's competency requirements and includes three components. First, the need is identified for changing curricula from focusing on instruction to providing learning in community and technical college environments. Second, three models are presented to provide faculty with a starting point for implementing change to a more learning-centered atmosphere. Finally, models are discussed for assessing community and technical colleges that are on their journey to formulating student learning outcomes approaches (SLOA). The author has been ...
Surgical management of conjunctival lymphangiectasis by conjunctival resection.

Abstract Purpose To report the treatment of symptomatic conjunctival lymphangiectasis with conjunctival resection. Design Interventional case series. Methods Retrospective review of three cases of patients with symptomatic unilateral conjunctival lymphangiectasis who had conjunctival resection of the involved tissue down to bare sclera. Results The surgical area reepithelialized without recurrence of the lymphatics. In all cases the patients have remained asymptomatic for at least 14 months. Conclusion Conjunctival resection for symptomatic lymphangiectasis can be a successful therapeutic option for this condition.
Diel water movement between parenchyma and chlorenchyma of two desert CAM plants under dry and wet conditions

Abstract. Electric-circuit analogue models of the water relations of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) succulents such as Agave deserti and Ferocactus acanthodes have predicted diel movement of water between the water-storage parenchyma and the photo-synthetic chlorenchyma. Injection of tritiated water into either tissue in the laboratory confirmed substantial and bidirectional water movements, especially under conditions of wet soil. For A. deserti, water movement from the water-storage parenchyma to the chlorenchyma increased at night as the chlorenchyma osmotic pressure increased. Although nocturnal osmotic pressure increases and transpiration for both species were minimal in the field under dry conditions, diel changes in the deuterium: hydrogen ratio (expressed as ΔD) were similar for the water-storage parenchyma and the chlorenchyma. Such indication of [substantial mixing of water between the tissues over a 24-h cycle was more evident under wet conditions in the field. For A. deserti, ΔD then increased by 32%o from the afternoon to midnight and was essentially identical in the water-storage parenchyma and the chlorenchyma. For F. acanthodes, the diel changes in ΔD were one-third those of A. deserti, and ΔD was always slightly higher for the chlorenchyma than for the water-storage parenchyma, apparently reflecting the lower surface-to-volume ratio of A. deserti. In summary, data obtained using radioactive and stable isotopes strongly supported model predictions concerning diel cycles of internal water distribution for these CAM species.
Role of the conserved lysine within the Walker A motif of human DMC1.

During meiosis, the RAD51 recombinase and its meiosis-specific homolog DMC1 mediate DNA strand exchange between homologous chromosomes. The proteins form a right-handed nucleoprotein complex on ssDNA called the presynaptic filament. In an ATP-dependent manner, the presynaptic filament searches for homology to form a physical connection with the homologous chromosome. We constructed two variants of hDMC1 altering the conserved lysine residue of the Walker A motif to arginine (hDMC1K132R) or alanine (hDMC1K132A). The hDMC1 variants were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to near homogeneity. Both hDMC1K132R and hDMC1K132A variants were devoid of ATP hydrolysis. The hDMC1K132R variant was attenuated for ATP binding that was partially restored by the addition of either ssDNA or calcium. The hDMC1K132R variant was partially capable of homologous DNA pairing and strand exchange in the presence of calcium and protecting DNA from a nuclease, while the hDMC1K132A variant was inactive. These results suggest that the conserved lysine of the Walker A motif in hDMC1 plays a key role in ATP binding. Furthermore, the binding of calcium and ssDNA promotes a conformational change in the ATP binding pocket of hDMC1 that promotes ATP binding. Our results provide evidence that the conserved lysine in the Walker A motif of hDMC1 is critical for ATP binding which is required for presynaptic filament formation.
A pinhole model for metal-insulator-semiconductor solar cells

Abstract Based upon a consideration of the standard theory of MIS solar cells and the experimental results on such devices, the concept of tunneling through the thin insulating layer as the controlling mechanism is rejected. In place of the tunneling mechanism the concept of parallel Schottky diodes through pinholes in the insulator is proposed. The mathematical formulation fits this proposal. The characteristics and limits of efficiency expected for such a pinhole MIS are explored and found to be in good accord with existing results on experimental diodes. The equations needed to specify the density and size of the pinholes needed for optimal efficiency are formulated but not solved. A suggestion to test the hypothesis by artificially producing pinhole devices is proposed.
Jugular vein catheterization for repeated blood sampling in the unrestrained conscious rat

The ability to obtain repeated, low-stress blood samples from adult rats enables the design of complex experiments in which time course information or evaluation of repeated treatments is necessary. Furthermore, it reduces the number of animals necessary to acquire such information and, thus, facilitates compliance with the animal use 3Rs (reduction, refinement and replacement). To this end, a microsurgical technique to collect blood samples from the right atrium through a catheter (cannula) implanted into the right external jugular vein of adult rats is described. Rats tolerate this simple and efficient vascular access technique as evidenced by the absence of overt morbidity or abnormal behaviors. Blood is easily sampled while the rats reside in their home cages. Because the sample volume is replaced, repeated sampling is possible without compromising blood volume. Successful adoption of this procedure by other investigators will be aided by the photographic illustrations accompanying this detailed description of the procedure. Application of this technique to monitor temporal changes in plasma stress hormones during stressor paradigms as well as after behavioral and pharmacological challenges is discussed.
Sexual violence among host and refugee population in Djohong District, Eastern Cameroon

Abstract The following is a population-based survey of the Central African Republic (CAR) female refugee population displaced to rural Djohong District of Eastern Cameroon and associated female Cameroonian host population to characterise the prevalence and circumstances of sexual violence. A population-based, multistage, random cluster survey of 600 female heads of household was conducted during March 2010. Women heads of household were asked about demographics, household economy and assets, level of education and sexual violence experienced by the respondent only. The respondents were asked to describe the circumstances of their recent assault. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence among Djohong district female heads of household is 35.2% (95% CI 28.7–42.2). Among heads of household who reported a lifetime incident of sexual violence, 64.0% (95% CI 54.3–72.5) suffered sexual violence perpetrated by their husband or partner. Among the host population, 3.9% (95% CI 1.4–10.5) reported sexual violence b...
Streptokinase binds to human plasmin with high affinity, perturbs the plasmin active site, and induces expression of a substrate recognition exosite for plasminogen.

Binding of streptokinase (SK) to plasminogen (Pg) conformationally activates the zymogen and converts both Pg and plasmin (Pm) into specific Pg activators. The interaction of SK with Pm and its relationship to the mechanism of Pg activation were evaluated in equilibrium binding studies with active site-labeled fluorescent Pm derivatives and in kinetic studies of SK-induced changes in the catalytic specificity of Pm. SK bound to fluorescein-labeled and native Pm with dissociation constants of 11 +/- 2 pm and 12 +/- 4 pm, which represented a 1,000-10,000-fold higher affinity than determined for Pg. Stoichiometric binding of SK to native Pm was followed by generation of a two-fragment form of SK cleaved at Lys(59) (SK'), which exhibited an indistinguishable affinity for labeled Pm, while a truncated, SK(55-414) species had a 120-360-fold reduced affinity. Binding of SK to native Pm was accompanied by a >50-fold enhancement in specificity for activation of Pg, which was paralleled by a surprising 2.6-10-fold loss of specificity of Pm for 8 of 11 tripeptide-pNA substrates. Further studies with Pm labeled at the active site with 2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonic acid demonstrated directly that binding of SK to Pm resulted in expression of a new substrate binding exosite for Pg on the SK.Pm complex. It is concluded that SK activates Pg in part by preferential binding to the active zymogen conformation. High affinity binding of SK to Pm enhances Pg substrate specificity principally through emergence of a substrate recognition exosite.
Effects of Carcinogenic Agents on Paramecium caudatum

ConclusionThese results indicate that exposure of Paramecium caudatum to the carcinogens employed in these experiments, causes the production of certain abnormalities regardless of the different concentrations of the carcinogenic agents used. The order of potency for these carcinogens, as demonstrated by the time of appearance of abnormalities, is as follows: 3:4 benzpyrene: methylcholanthrene, and Scharlach red.
Achieving excellence in the college oration

(1965). Achieving excellence in the college oration. The Speech Teacher: Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 184-192.
Substrate oxidation and cardiac performance during exercise in disorders of long chain fatty acid oxidation.

Abstract Background The use of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) for energy is inhibited in inherited disorders of long-chain fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Increased energy demands during exercise can lead to cardiomyopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) bypass the block in long-chain FAO and may provide an alternative energy substrate to exercising muscle. Objectives To determine the influence of isocaloric MCT versus carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation prior to exercise on substrate oxidation and cardiac workload in participants with carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2), very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) and long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiencies. Design Eleven subjects completed two 45-minute, moderate intensity, treadmill exercise studies in a randomized crossover design. An isocaloric oral dose of CHO or MCT-oil was administered prior to exercise; hemodynamic and metabolic indices were assessed during exertion. Results When exercise was pretreated with MCT, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), steady state heart rate and generation of glycolytic intermediates significantly decreased while circulating ketone bodies significantly increased. Conclusions MCT supplementation prior to exercise increases the oxidation of medium chain fats, decreases the oxidation of glucose and acutely lowers cardiac workload during exercise for the same amount of work performed when compared with CHO pre-supplementation. We propose that MCT may expand the usable energy supply, particularly in the form of ketone bodies, and improve the oxidative capacity of the heart in this population.
Laboratory measurements of porosity, permeability, resistivity, and velocity on Fontainebleau sandstones

The relations among the resistivity, elastic-wave velocity, porosity, and permeability in Fontainebleau sandstone samples from the Ile de France region, around Paris, France were experimentally revisited. These samples followed a permeability-porosity relation given by Kozeny-Carman’s equation. For the resistivity measurements, the samples were partially saturated with brine. Archie’s equation was used to estimate resistivity at 100% water saturation, assuming a saturation exponent, n 2. Using self-consistent SC approximations modeling with grain aspect ratio 1, and pore aspect ratio between 0.02 and 0.10, the experimental data fall into this theoretical range. The SC curve with the pore aspect ratio 0.05 appears to be close to the values measured in the entire porosity range. The elastic-wave velocity was measured on these dry samples for confining pressure between 0 and 40 MPa.Aloading and unloading cycle was used and did not produce any significant hysteresis in the velocity-pressure behavior. For the velocity data, using the SC model with a grain aspect ratio 1 and pore aspect ratios 0.2, 0.1, and 0.05 fit the data at 40 MPa; pore aspect ratios ranging between 0.1, 0.05, and 0.02 were a better fit for the data at 0 MPa. Both velocity and resistivity in clean sandstones can be modeled using the SC approximation. In addition, a linear fit was found between the P-wave velocity and the decimal logarithm of the normalized resistivity, with deviations that correlate with differences in permeability. Combining the stiff sand model and Archie for cementation exponents between 1.6 and 2.1, resistivity was modeled as a function of P-wave velocity for these clean sandstones.
Auger electron analysis of oxygen contamination in sputter-deposited Nb films

Oxygen contamination in sputter‐deposited Nb films was measured as a function of background pressure and other sputtering variables using Auger electron spectroscopy. Significant variables affecting purity were the degassing rate and the ultimate background pressure prior to sputtering. Serious contamination occurred even when the background pressure was in the 10−10‐Torr range. Getter sputtering within a cryogenically cooled container with the appropriate sputtering variables can reduce contamination to a level nearly identical to that of the target material.
Ventricular fibrillation during right coronary arteriography with ioxaglate, iohexol and iopamidol in dogs.

Radiograph contrast media (CM) are known to produce myocardial disturbances during cardiac angiography. The most severe electrical disturbance is ventricular fibrillation (VF). Previous studies using prolonged right coronary exposures have demonstrated a higher incidence of VF with dilute low sodium CM than with dilute CM containing more physiologic levels of sodium. In this study the incidence of VF was examined for more conventional concentrations of iopamidol, iohexol and ioxaglate and for sodium supplemented iohexol. The incidence of VF was determined during 25-second injections of contrast media into the canine right coronary artery at a rate of 0.4 mL/sec. Injections of iohexol and iopamidol at concentrations of 160, 240 and 320 mgI/mL produced significantly more VF (P less than .005, Fisher Exact Test) than meglumine/sodium ioxaglate or iohexol supplemented with 20 mM sodium chloride. The time required to produce a 50% incidence of VF with iohexol and iopamidol was significantly related to sodium concentration (r = .92, P less than .01).
Therapeutic strategies for treatment of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Introduction: Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare progressive lung disease affecting almost exclusively women. Neoplastic growth of atypical smooth muscle-like cells in the lung induces destruction of lung parenchyma leading to the formation of lung cysts, rupture of which results in spontaneous pneumothorax. LAM occurs sporadically or in association with inherited hamartoma syndrome tuberous sclerosis complex. Progression of LAM often results in loss of pulmonary function and death. Increasing understanding of neoplastic LAM cell growth is driving the development of therapeutic approaches targeting the disease progression. Areas covered: This review provides background to understand the rationale for current treatments used in patients with LAM, to critically appraise the evidence for these treatments and to discuss future treatment approaches. The literature review includes publications from PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov/. Expert opinion: Targeting mTOR activation with rapamycin analogs s...
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY ON PRIMARY LIQUOR FOLLICULI SECRETION IN THE MOUSE OVARY.

This paper reports a study by light and electron microscopy on changes observed in the granulosa cells of the primary ovarian follicle of the mouse. These changes are, apparently, concomitant with primary follicular fluid secretion. The staining of thick sections of OSO4-fixed, Epon-embedded specimens with Azure B and periodic acid-Schiff reagent has revealed the presence of follicular fluid between granulosa cells and in the follicular spaces at an early phase of follicular development. Electron microscope observations have shown within the granulosa cells a sequence of changes which appear to be associated with cellular secretory functions. These changes begin with the enlargement of some of the Golgi canaliculi and are followed by an apparent discontinuity of their course. In the next phase smooth-walled cisternae appeared and were concentrated in the cortical area of the cells. The ultimate sequence was the discharge of the cisternal contents into the intercellular spaces. The follicular fluid appeared electron opaque within the intercellular spaces where it appeared to fill the spaces between thin, somewhat more electron dense, fibrillar micelles. Call-Exner bodies were observed as cytoplasmic droplets.
Finding the Gentrification Frontier Using Census Data: The Case of Portland, Maine

The purpose of this paper is to identify of the gentrification frontier. The gentrification frontier represents a divide between gentrified and ungentrified areas of the city. Based on a case study of Portland, Maine, field research is combined with an analysis of census-derived variables to delineate the gentrification frontier in three time periods 1980-1990, 1990-2000, and 1980-2000. This paper suggests that the existence of an amenity, a revitalized urban waterfront can act as a catalyst for gentrification of the adjacent urban space, thereby creating a gentrification frontier associated with reinvestment in the waterfront. The results of the analysis show that because of low levels of gentrification before 1990 it is only possible to identify the gentrification frontier in the period from 1990-2000. As expected, the gentrification frontier is fragmented and discontinuous. It is located adjacent to an almost continuous area of gentrification that extends along Portland's waterfront.
Covariance Matrix for α-β-γ Filtering

Closed-form expressions are derived for the output noise response of an α-β-γ filter in steady-state operation with constant measurement noise statistics. To the author's knowledge such expressions have been unavailable until now. These formulas are useful for target tracking applications.
α-Synuclein occurs physiologically as a helically folded tetramer that resists aggregation

Pathogenic aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn) is implicated in Parkinson's disease and related disorders. αSyn has long been regarded as a natively unfolded monomer that acquires secondary structure only when it binds to its target. This model is the basis for a number of published studies, but Bartels et al. report that endogenous αSyn isolated under entirely non-denaturing conditions from brain tissue, cell lines and living human cells occurs principally as a folded tetramer. This finding suggests that destabilization of the αSyn tetramer precedes misfolding and aggregation in synucleinopathies, and that agents that stabilize the normal tetramer may reduce αSyn pathogenicity. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder1,2. Growing evidence indicates a causative role of misfolded forms of the protein α-synuclein in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease3,4. Intraneuronal aggregates of α-synuclein occur in Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites5, the cytopathological hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders called synucleinopathies4. α-Synuclein has long been defined as a ‘natively unfolded’ monomer of about 14 kDa (ref. 6) that is believed to acquire α-helical secondary structure only upon binding to lipid vesicles7. This concept derives from the widespread use of recombinant bacterial expression protocols for in vitro studies, and of overexpression, sample heating and/or denaturing gels for cell culture and tissue studies. In contrast, we report that endogenous α-synuclein isolated and analysed under non-denaturing conditions from neuronal and non-neuronal cell lines, brain tissue and living human cells occurs in large part as a folded tetramer of about 58 kDa. Several methods, including analytical ultracentrifugation, scanning transmission electron microscopy and in vitro cell crosslinking confirmed the occurrence of the tetramer. Native, cell-derived α-synuclein showed α-helical structure without lipid addition and had much greater lipid-binding capacity than the recombinant α-synuclein studied heretofore. Whereas recombinantly expressed monomers readily aggregated into amyloid-like fibrils in vitro, native human tetramers underwent little or no amyloid-like aggregation. On the basis of these findings, we propose that destabilization of the helically folded tetramer precedes α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation in Parkinson’s disease and other human synucleinopathies, and that small molecules that stabilize the physiological tetramer could reduce α-synuclein pathogenicity.
A Note on Self-Translation

Not so long ago this journal published an excellent overview of the issues related to the reliability of translations. But neither this, nor apparently any other study, considered the case of a text translated by its own author, hence a note on this topic may have some use. As I just finished translating of my own Le Rwanda ancien (Paris, 2001), I have been prompted to do so. The issues still are: how reliable is this sort of translation to the original? Is it really equivalent to the original?Translations of modern works can be grouped in three categories according to the knowledge an author has about the language in which his or her work is being translated: the author does not know the language of the translation at all; the author knows that language well enough to check on the reliability of a translation; or the author knows that language to the point that he or she can translate the work him-or herself. In the first case, even the author has no idea how faithful the translation is to the original. In the second case the overall reliability of the translation can be guaranteed by the author, but his or her limited knowledge of the language in question means that he or she may be unaware that some parts of the translation may not be faithful in the sense that readers might understand them in ways the author did not intend. Moreover, the great majority of translations by others will still strike native readers of the language into which it is translated as stilted because its rhetorical devices, and perhaps its syntax, do not wholly conform to the usual practice in that language. Indeed some passages may seem quaint or even especially striking merely because standard idioms or metaphors have been too literally translated. But surely self-translation should be completely reliable, especially when the translated text has been also copy-edited by a native speaker of the language in which it is translated?
The Testing of Mercury-Arc Rectifiers

THE design of mercury-arc rectifiers is based, as is that of all electrical apparatus, upon knowledge gained from fundamental principles, test data, and operating experience. Our knowledge of the physical action occurring within the rectifier is very limited. While the fundamental processes which take place in an arc discharge have been quite completely described by physicists,1 their complexity has prevented their expression in a form usable by the engineer. For this reason rectifier design depends, to a larger degree than does the design of most electrical apparatus, upon experimental data obtained from tests.
Mutual Attractions of Partially Immersed Parallel Plates

We complete a study initiated in an earlier paper, on the horizontal attracting and repelling forces acting on two parallel semi-infinite plates, partly immersed in an infinite liquid bath and subject to capillary attractions in a uniform gravity field. We find a considerable range of behavior patterns, depending on the contact angles on the plate sides and on the plate separation, in ways that we did not anticipate.
Equilibrium Vacancy Concentration Measurements on Solid Krypton

Simultaneous length and x-ray lattice-parameter expansion measurements have been made on 6-mm-diam cylindrical specimens of 99.99%-purity krypton. The specimens were prepared and held in a rigid-tail cryostat in which specimen temperatures could be precisely controlled. The data show a divergence between the bulk and x-ray expansions at the higher temperatures, which indicates an appreciable net concentration of thermally generated vacancy defects at temperatures above 75\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The equilibrium atomic-vacancy concentration inferred from these measurements may be represented by $\mathrm{exp}[({{2.0}_{\ensuremath{-}0.5}}^{+1.0})\ensuremath{-}(895\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}100)\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{K}/T]$. The monovacancy formation enthalpy and entropy are discussed and compared with other existing theoretical and experimental information on argon and krypton. From the present direct measurements it appears that the enthalpy of formation for the monovacancy in krypton may not be entirely accounted for by two-body central-force interactions. However, existing calculations of the contribution of many-body interactions to the binding energy of the noble-gas solids appear to be of the correct order of magnitude and sign to improve agreement between theory and experiment for the vacancy. It is found that an empirical law of corresponding states which describes a number of the bulk thermal properties of the noble-gas solids may also describe some of the defect properties.
X-ray-induced thermally stimulated luminescence of cerium-doped gadolinium oxyorthosilicate

Abstract Thermally stimulated luminescence from X-irradiated Gd2SiO5:Ce, measured in the interval 300–700 K, is characterized by a main glow peak near 390 K and weaker maxima near 420, 490 and 550 K. Analysis of the well-resolved principal peak shows that it obeys first-order kinetics with thermal activation energy 1.16 eV and frequency factor 3.17×10 14 s −1 . The glow curve and peak parameters are similar to those found in cerium-doped M2SiO5 (M=Lu, Y, Yb, Er) and undoped Lu2SiO5. For these latter samples, it has previously been shown that the defect responsible for the principal peak (∼375 K) is intrinsic and common to these C2/c-structured oxyorthosilicates. The present results demonstrate that the defect is also common to Gd2SiO5:Ce, which possesses P21/c symmetry, and is likely associated with the configuration of oxygen ions in the vicinity of the host lanthanide ions. An oxygen ion vacancy is a plausible candidate for this defect.
Assaying β-amyloid Toxicity using a Transgenic C. elegans Model

Accumulation of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) is generally believed to be central to the induction of Alzheimer's disease, but the relevant mechanism(s) of toxicity are still unclear. Aβ is also deposited intramuscularly in Inclusion Body Myositis, a severe human myopathy. The intensely studied nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans can be transgenically engineered to express human Aβ. Depending on the tissue or timing of Aβ expression, transgenic worms can have readily measurable phenotypes that serve as a read-out of Aβ toxicity. For example, transgenic worms with pan-neuronal Aβ expression have defects is associative learning (Dosanjh et al. 2009), while transgenic worms with constitutive muscle-specific expression show a progressive, age-dependent paralysis phenotype (Link, 1995; Cohen et al. 2006). One particularly useful C. elegans model employs a temperature-sensitive mutation in the mRNA surveillance system to engineer temperature-inducible muscle expression of an Aβ transgene, resulting in a reproducible paralysis phenotype upon temperature upshift (Link et al. 2003). Treatments that counter Aβ toxicity in this model [e.g., expression of a protective transgene (Hassan et al. 2009) or exposure to Ginkgo biloba extracts (Wu et al. 2006)] reproducibly alter the rate of paralysis induced by temperature upshift of these transgenic worms. Here we describe our protocol for measuring the rate of paralysis in this transgenic C. elegans model, with particular attention to experimental variables that can influence this measurement.
The rapid determination of binding constants for antiviral antibodies by a radioimmunoassay. An analysis of the interaction between hybridoma proteins and influenza virus.

Abstract A method is described that allows the rapid determination of equilibrium binding constants for antibody-antigen reactions. The method, based upon the radioimmunoassay procedure of Rosenthal et al. (1973), has been applied to the interaction of monoclonal antiviral hybridoma antibodies with a panel of influenza viruses. Equilibrium binding constants with values from 106M−1 to 1010M−1 have been observed with errors of approximately ±6.5%. An independent determination by equilibrium dialysis of the binding constant of one hybridoma antibody is in excellent agreement with the results presented here. Heterogeneity constants for the reaction pairs are also presented and are consistent with the interaction of monoclonal antibodies with homogeneous protein determinants.
Substance P enhances HIV-1 infection in human fetal brain cell cultures expressing full-length neurokinin-1 receptor

The associations between the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R), substance P (SP), and HIV-1 were investigated in neurosphere-derived cultures of microglial-depleted human fetal brain cells (HFBC). Full-length NK-1R was identified in HFBC cultures. SP treatment of the HFBC increased intracellular calcium mobilization and decreased electrical impedance, both of which were blocked by the NK-1R antagonist aprepitant. SP treatment of HIV-1-infected HFBC upregulated HIV-1 expression. These data show that human neural cells grown from neurospheres express functional full length NK-1R that is responsive to SP, and that SP enhanced HIV-1 infection in HBFC.
Use of a Physostigmine Continuous Infusion for the Treatment of Severe and Recurrent Antimuscarinic Toxicity in a Mixed Drug Overdose

Introduction Physostigmine was once a widely used antidote for the treatment of antimuscarinic toxicity. However, reports describing the association of physostigmine with asystole and seizures in severe tricyclic antidepressant poisoning resulted in a decrease in use. Recent literature has demonstrated that physostigmine is a safe and effective antidote for the treatment of antimuscarinic toxicity. There are only two previously published articles regarding the use of physostigmine administered as a continuous intravenous infusion for persistent antimuscarinic toxicity. We present a case of physostigmine continuous infusion for the treatment of antimuscarinic symptoms in a polydrug overdose due to the ingestion of diphenhydramine along with bupropion, citalopram, acetaminophen, and naproxen.
How does ocean biology affect atmospheric pCO2? Theory and models

[1] This paper examines the sensitivity of atmospheric pCO2 to changes in ocean biology that result in drawdown of nutrients at the ocean surface. We show that the global inventory of preformed nutrients is the key determinant of atmospheric pCO2 and the oceanic carbon storage due to the soft-tissue pump (OCSsoft). We develop a new theory showing that under conditions of perfect equilibrium between atmosphere and ocean, atmospheric pCO2 can be written as a sum of exponential functions of OCSsoft. The theory also demonstrates how the sensitivity of atmospheric pCO2 to changes in the soft-tissue pump depends on the preformed nutrient inventory and on surface buffer chemistry. We validate our theory against simulations of nutrient depletion in a suite of realistic general circulation models (GCMs). The decrease in atmospheric pCO2 following surface nutrient depletion depends on the oceanic circulation in the models. Increasing deep ocean ventilation by increasing vertical mixing or Southern Ocean winds increases the atmospheric pCO2 sensitivity to surface nutrient forcing. Conversely, stratifying the Southern Ocean decreases the atmospheric CO2 sensitivity to surface nutrient depletion. Surface CO2 disequilibrium due to the slow gas exchange with the atmosphere acts to make atmospheric pCO2 more sensitive to nutrient depletion in high-ventilation models and less sensitive to nutrient depletion in low-ventilation models. Our findings have potentially important implications for both past and future climates.