cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mining discriminative subgraphs from global-state networks

Global-state networks provide a powerful mechanism to model the increasing heterogeneity in data generated by current systems. Such a network comprises of a series of network snapshots with dynamic local states at nodes, and a global network state indicating the occurrence of an event. Mining discriminative subgraphs from global-state networks allows us to identify the influential sub-networks that have maximum impact on the global state and unearth the complex relationships between the local entities of a network and their collective behavior. In this paper, we explore this problem and design a technique called MINDS to mine minimally discriminative subgraphs from large global-state networks. To combat the exponential subgraph search space, we derive the concept of an edit map and perform Metropolis Hastings sampling on it to compute the answer set. Furthermore, we formulate the idea of network-constrained decision trees to learn prediction models that adhere to the underlying network structure. Extensive experiments on real datasets demonstrate excellent accuracy in terms of prediction quality. Additionally, MINDS achieves a speed-up of at least four orders of magnitude over baseline techniques.
Stationary measures for a randomly forced burgers equation

We study a randomly forced Burgers equation and its corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi equation on the line. The forcing is of the form of a randomly modulated and shifted potential. We prove the existence of invariant probability measures and provide examples for which these measures are not unique. These measures do exhibit certain ergodic behavior. The methods we use are closely connected to the Lax-Ole˘inik variational principle. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automated Weight Windows for Global Monte Carlo Particle Transport Calculations

A new method for efficiently solving global Monte Carlo particle transport problems is presented. (In these problems, flux information is desired across the entire system, not just at a small number of detector locations.) The method is based on the use of a weight window that distributes Monte Carlo particles uniformly throughout the system. This (a) ensures that all subregions of the system are adequately sampled and (b) controls the particle weights, even in subregions far from sources. The weight window is constructed from an approximate deterministic solution of the forward transport problem. It is argued that a weight window based on the forward transport solution is more appropriate for global problems than the more familiar concept of basing a weight window on an adjoint solution for source-detector problems. It is also shown that by using Monte Carlo-generated Eddington factors in deterministic solutions of the quasi-diffusion equation, one can inexpensively compute updated forward-based weight windows and obtain a more efficient global Monte Carlo calculation.
Two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic models of the solar corona: Mass loss from the streamer belt

The equations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) are used to study an axially symmetric model of the large-scale solar corona, extending from the coronal base to 15 solar radii. We use a uniform heating of the inner corona to investigate the energy output when the magnetic field is given as a dipole at the coronal base. The heat input produces a large-scale magnetic field structure similar to that found by Pneuman and Kopp, with coronal holes in the polar regions and a helmet streamer around the equator. We pay special attention to the energy balance in the system, and find that the role of heat conduction is important in determining the thermal structure in magnetically closed regions. Insufficient energy loss to the transition region leads to a high temperature inside the closed region. In the coronal holes a solar wind is accelerated into interplanetary space, and the temperature is lower. As the difference in pressure scale height along open and closed flux tubes is large, the helmet streamer does not relax to a steady state; it opens periodically to eject mass into interplanetary space. These mass ejections may contribute significantly to the mass and energy flux in the solar wind.
Sexual Behavior, Sexual Knowledge, and Sexual Attitudes of Emerging Adult Women: Implications for Working With Families

The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to examine the sexual behavior of emerging adult women in relation to their sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes, and perceptions of their parents' sexual attitudes; and second, to discuss the implications of this research in working with young adult women. Three hundred and sixty-four college-age women were administered the Sexual Experiences Inventory, Miller-Fisk Sexual Knowledge Questionnaire, and the Hendrick Sexual Attitude Scale. Ninety-six percent of the sample reported primarily heterosexual behavior. Sexual knowledge of participants was not related to their reports of sexual behavior. The sexual attitudes of college-age women and their perceptions of their parents' attitudes toward sexual behavior were found to relate positively to participant sexual permissiveness and sexual practice. The implications of these findings were discussed in relation to working with families and providing effective interventions to reduce unsafe sexual practices among emer...
A decade of experience with a selective policy for direct to operating room trauma resuscitations

Abstract Background The standard paradigm for acutely injured patients involves evaluation in an emergency department (ED). Our center has employed a policy for bypassing the ED and proceeding directly to the operating room (OR) based on prehospital criteria. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of all trauma patients admitted “direct to OR” (DOR) over 10 years. Demographics, injury patterns, prehospital, and in-hospital data were analyzed. Results There were 1,407 patients admitted as DOR resuscitations. Almost half (47%) had a penetrating mechanism, and 54% had chest or abdominal injury. The mean Injury Severity Score was 19, with altered mentation (Glasgow coma score [GCS] Discussion Our DOR protocol identified a severely injured cohort at high risk for requiring surgery with improved observed survival. High-yield triage criteria for DOR admission include a penetrating truncal injury, hypotension, and a severely altered mental status.
Mass spectrometry of lipids. II. Monoglycerides, their diacetyl derivatives and their trimethylsilyl ethers.

The mass spectra of 1- and 2-monoglycerides, their diacetyl derivatives and their trimethylsilyl (TMS) ether derivatives were recorded at high (80 eV) and low (6–13 eV) voltages. The fatty acid components of these derivatives included the even-numbered saturated acids from capric to arachidic acid plus oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. Differences between isomeric 1- and 2-monoglycerides were not sufficient to provide a basis for the analysis of these isomers. Mass spectra of the monoglycerides were very similar to the corresponding methyl esters. Mass spectra of the diacetyl derivatives were qualitatively similar to triglycerides of long-chain fatty acids, but parent ions were not observed. The spectra of diacetyl derivatives may be used for distinguishing 1- and 2-monoglycerides, but the spectra of the TMS ethers are better in this regard. The latter derivatives have fragmentation patterns distinct for the 1- and 2-monoglyceride isomers, particularly at low electron voltages.
Withholding Recess From Elementary School Students: Policies Matter

BACKGROUND Recess is a key aspect of a healthy elementary school environment and helps to keep students physically active during the school day. Although national organizations recommend that students not be withheld from recess, this practice occurs in schools. This study examined whether district policies were associated with school practices regarding the withholding of recess for behavior management or academic reasons, as well as the use of physical activity (eg, running laps) for behavior management. METHODS Data were gathered from administrators at US public elementary schools by mail-back surveys conducted during the spring of the 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 school years. Corresponding school district policies were gathered and coded. Each year's sample was nationally representative and data were analyzed as a stacked cross-sectional sample. A total of 1,919 surveys were received (61.2% response rate). RESULTS Averaged over the 3 years, students were not withheld from recess for poor behavior or academic reasons at 28.3% and 26.7% of elementary schools, respectively. Strong district policy was associated with an increased odds of not withholding students from recess for poor behavior (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.27, p < .001) or completing schoolwork (adjusted OR = 1.99, p < .001). Withholding recess was less common in the South versus the West, Midwest, and Northeast. Use of physical activity for behavior management was rare and not associated with district policy. CONCLUSIONS Strengthening district policies may be an effective strategy for changing school practices pertaining to withholding of recess, and to ensure that all students have opportunities to be physically active during the school day.
Study on enhanced Karnik-Mendel algorithms: Initialization explanations and computation improvements

Computing the centroid of an interval type-2 fuzzy set is an important operation in a type-2 fuzzy logic system, and is usually implemented by Karnik-Mendel (KM) iterative algorithms. By connecting KM algorithms and continuous KM algorithms together, this paper gives theoretical explanations on the initialization methods of KM and Enhanced Karnik-Mendel (EKM) algorithms, proposes exact methods for centroid computation of an interval type-2 fuzzy set, and extends the Enhanced Karnik-Mendel (EKM) algorithms to three different forms of weighted EKM (WEKM) algorithms. It shows that EKM algorithms become a special case of the WEKM algorithms when the weights of the latter are constant value. It also shows that, in general, the weighted EKM algorithms have smaller absolute error and faster convergence speed than the EKM algorithms which make them very attractive for real-time applications of fuzzy logic system. Four numerical examples are used to illustrate and analyze the performance of WEKM algorithms.
Piezoelectric effects on the dynamics of optical transitions in GaN/AlxGa1-xN multiple quantum wells

Piezoelectric effects on the dynamics of optical transitions in GaN/AlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) have been investigated by picosecond time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements. TRPL spectra of the 40 angstroms well MQWs reveal that the excitonic transition is in fact blueshifted at early delay times due to quantum confinement of carriers. The spectral peak position shifts toward lower energies as the delay time increases and becomes redshifted at longer delay times. By comparing experimental and calculation results a low limit of the piezoelectric field strength of about 460 kV/cm in GaN/Al0.15Ga0.85N MQWs and the electron and hole wave functions have been obtained. Temporal response of the excitonic transitions of the GaN/AlGaN MQWs depends on the well width. The recombination lifetimes of the 20 angstroms well MQWs decreases monotonously with an increase of emission energy. However, emission energy dependence of the lifetime on 30, 40, 50 angstroms well MQWs which shows a similar behavior as the cw PL spectrum, is quite different from that of 20 angstroms well MQWs. It has been demonstrated that the results described above are due to the presence of the piezoelectric field in the GaN wells of GaN/AlGaN MQWs subject to elastic strain together with screening of the photoexcited carriers and Coulomb interaction.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Gender, emotion and power in work relationships

Abstract We offer a theoretical account of how gender and emotion combine to influence the development of power in work relationships. We document the profound impact gender has on the display, perception and evaluation of emotion in the workplace. We illustrate the reciprocal relationship between emotion and power, and identify cycles of powerlessness that prevent women from developing and leveraging power in their work relationships. By exploring the nexus of gender, emotion and power in work relationships, we offer new insights into how the gendering of emotion creates and perpetuates gender differences in power in organizations. Implications for research and practice are offered.
Regional depletion of adenosine triphosphate, phosphocreatine, and glucose in ischemic hippocampus.

The selective vulnerability of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 hippocampal region in ischemic rat brain may be preceded by regional alterations of energy metabolism during early reperfusion. We measured ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr), and glucose in paramedian and lateral CA1 and in an area showing little postischemic cell loss, CA2. ATP levels in paramedian CA1 were depressed immediately after 30 min of ischemia (P ⩽ 0.02) and remained abnormal after 2 hr of reperfusion (P ⩽ 0.05). PCr was reduced substantially in both subdivisions of CA1 immediately after ischemia (P ⩽ 0.04) but returned to normal levels after 2 hr. Glucose levels were depressed in paramedian CA1 and CA2 after ischemia (P ⩽ 0.02) but corrected with reperfusion. We determined ∼P, the sum of ATP and PCr, in separate experiments investigating regional differences in consumption of high-energy phosphate metabolites during complete ischemia. The ∼P levels of rats subjected to 30 min of reversible ischemia followed by 2 hr of reperfusion showed a different pattern of regional differences from those seen in sham-ischemic animals (P ⩽ 0.01), indicating a persistent depression of metabolic rate in CA1 during reperfusion. We conclude that regional depletion of high-energy phosphates and alteration of metabolic rate may contribute to the selective vulnerability of the CA1 region during brain ischemia.
On free monoids partially ordered by embedding

Abstract A combinatorial theorem about finitely generated free monoids is proved and used to show that the set of all subsequences (or supersequences) of any set of words in a finite alphabet is a regular event.
Targets of the nuclear factor I regulon involved in early and late development of postmitotic cerebellar granule neurons

Recent studies have shown that the nuclear factor I (NFI) family controls multiple stages of the postmitotic differentiation of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Regulation of cell-cell signaling is an integral part of this NFI program, which involves expression of the cell adhesion molecules N cadherin and ephrin B1 throughout postmitotic CGN development. Here, we identify two additional downstream targets of NFI that are involved in extracellular CGN interactions. The cell adhesion molecule Tag-1 is highly enriched in CGNs undergoing parallel fiber formation and is down-regulated prior to onset of radial migration. We found that Tag-1 expression was strongly reduced by NFI dominant repression in immature primary CGNs and in the cerebella of E18 Nfib-null mice. Transient transfection and chromatin immunoprecipitation suggested that the Tag-1 gene is directly regulated by NFI. Furthermore, functional, Nfi knockout and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies implicated Wnt7a as a direct target of NFI in maturing CGNs. Wnt7a is secreted by developing CGNs and is required for maturation of mossy fiber-CGN synaptic rosettes. Consistent with this, synapsin I was greatly reduced within the internal granule cell layer of P17 Nfia-null mice. These findings indicated that NFI controls CGN postmitotic maturation through a combination of extracellular signaling molecules that operate either continuously to regulate multiple stages of development (N cadherin and ephrin B1) or primarily at early (Tag-1) or late (Wnt7a) maturation steps. They also illustrate the importance of NFI as a critical link between cell-intrinsic mechanisms and cell-cell interactions in the development of the mouse cerebellum.
Expression, Purification, and Functional Analysis of Murine Ectodomain Fragments of CD8αα and CD8αβ Dimers

Abstract Soluble mouse CD8αα and CD8αβ dimers corresponding to the paired ectodomains (CD8f) or their respective component Ig-like domains (CD8) were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells or the glycosylation variant Lec3.2.8.1 cells as secreted proteins using a leucine zipper strategy. The affinity of CD8ααf for H-2Kb as measured by BIAcore revealed a ∼65 μm K d, similar to that of CD8αβf. Consistent with this result, CD8ααf as well as CD8αβf blocked the effector function of N15 T cell receptor transgenic cytolytic T cells in a comparable, dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, both Lec3.2.8.1-produced and Chinese hamster ovary-produced CD8 homodimers and heterodimers were active in the inhibition assay. These results suggest that the Ig-like domains of CD8 molecules are themselves sufficient to block the requisite transmembrane CD8-pMHC interaction between cytolytic T lymphocytes and target cells. Moreover, given the similarities in co-receptor affinities for pMHC, the findings suggest that the greater efficiency of CD8αβ versus CD8αα co-receptor function on T cells is linked to differences within their membrane-bound stalk regions and/or intracellular segments. As recently shown for sCD8αα, the yield, purity and homogeneity of the deglycosylated protein resulting from this expression system is sufficient for crystallization and x-ray diffraction at atomic resolution.
SOCIAL INFLUENCE ON PARANORMAL BELIEFS

In spite of strong public expressions of skepticism from the scientific community, polls show that more than nine out of ten American adults profess belief in paranormal phenomena. Some scientists view this as a social problem, directing much blame (but little research) at a variety of sources including lack of critical thinking skills, fads, need for transcendent experiences, failure of the educational system, and cultural cycles. Social impact theory provides an alternative focus: it views paranormal beliefs as a natural consequence of social influence processes in interpersonal settings. In this study, subjects in a laboratory experiment were informed that some people believe pyramids harness a mysterious form of energy that preserves objects stored within them. They subsequently judged the relative freshness of fruit stored in a box and in a pyramid-shaped container. Although the judged stimuli essentially were identical, we observed that (1) subjects reported more “pyramid power” effects after hearin...
Polarography of Some Cu(I) Amino Acid Complexes

Abstract The polarography of copper(I) with some typical amino acids is characterized by disproportionation at the mercury surface typical of uncomplexed copper(I). Methionine complexes are somewhat unique. Apparently copper(II) and copper(I) are bound by different ligand groups. Implications of these findings on the mechanism of the participation of copper in biological electron transfer reactions are discussed.
Derivation of signal flow for switch-level simulation

This paper presents a new algorithm for deriving the direction of signal flow in MOS circuits. The algorithm detects so-called unidirectional transistors. In a unidirectional transistor, signal flow is restricted to one direction during switch-level simulation, without compromising the simulation results. The algorithm uses a static analysis of the switch-level characteristics of the circuit, such as the transistor strengths and node capacitor sizes. It was implemented and used in the simulation of a large, commercial microprocessor. For this processor, 98.5% of the transistors were determined to be unidirectional by the algorithm. The simulation time for this processor decreased significantly when unidirectional transistors were detected. >
Thoracic aorta: rapid black-blood MR imaging with half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement with or without electrocardiographic triggering.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare findings for thoracic aortic disease with three black-blood magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequences: half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE), with and without electrocardiographic (ECG) triggering, and ECG-triggered turbo spin echo (SE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Axial black-blood MR images of the chest acquired at 1.5 T with a phased-array coil were obtained in 38 consecutive patients referred for evaluation of thoracic aortic disease. ECG-triggered and nontriggered half-Fourier RARE images were compared with T1-weighted ECG-triggered turbo SE images. Two readers independently scored images for each of the following parameters: ghosting artifacts; clarity of the mediastinum, cardiac chambers, and aortic wall; conspicuity of abnormality; intraluminal signal void uniformity; and overall image quality. RESULTS: Both half-Fourier RARE sequences outperformed the turbo SE sequence for all measured parameters. Scores for the ECG-triggered half-Fourier RARE sequence were significantly (P <.05) higher than those for the nontriggered version for clarity of the mediastinum and aortic wall, conspicuity of any abnormality other than aortic dissection, and overall image quality. Mean acquisition times for the ECG-triggered (48 seconds) and nontriggered (30 seconds) sequences were significantly shorter than that for the turbo SE sequence (2 minutes 20 seconds). CONCLUSION: Rapid black-blood half-Fourier RARE sequences, with or without ECG triggering, can replace ECG-triggered turbo SE sequences for evaluation of thoracic aortic disease.
Trust Establishment in Data Sharing: An Incentive Model for Biodiversity Information Systems

We describe a long-felt but largely neglected problem in conservation biology, and explain how it can be addressed using incentive mechanisms inspired by techniques in computer security and cryptography. The result is a new type of database suitable for highly distributed contributions of data, in which researchers are incentivised to submit data by the guarantees extended by a conflict resolution mechanism that allows for accurate determinations of data origination.
Invited Commentary: Application of Case-Crossover Methods to Investigate Triggers of Preterm Birth

Properties of the case-crossover design have appeal for investigation of acute triggers of preterm birth. Measured and unmeasured time-invariant risk factors are controlled by design, such that maternal race, socioeconomic status, and other personal factors will not confound the exposure-preterm birth association. In this issue of the Journal, Basu et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2010;172(10):1108-1117) apply the case-crossover approach to assess the short-term relation between ambient apparent temperature and preterm birth. Novel application of the design to preterm birth, a "fatal" event exhibiting dramatic within-subject changes in risk, merits a review of the assumptions underlying the design. Implications of the referent time periods selected and the potential for confounding by seasonal patterns of conception are discussed in this commentary. The provocative associations observed by Basu et al. between high ambient apparent temperature and preterm birth should stimulate follow-up analyses and could ultimately have important public health implications. Future research can also help delineate the relative strengths and weaknesses of different temporal analytic strategies for investigating short-term associations between various exposures and preterm birth.
On Biomass Energy Consumption and Real Output in the US

Abstract This empirical note utilizes US annual data from 1949 to 2007 to examine the causal relationship between biomass energy consumption and real gross domestic product (GDP) within a multivariate framework. Toda-Yamamoto causality tests reveal unidirectional causality from biomass energy consumption to real GDP supportive of the growth hypothesis.
Design and Optimization of a Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer Micro-Array for Near Field Sensing

The design of a tool-tip mounted cMUT (capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer) micro-array for near field imaging of the retina is undertaken. For intra-vitreal applications, a uniformly excited NtimesN transducer array is limited to a size of 2mm times 2mm. The physical parameters of the array are constrained by the imaging requirements of a 2 mum resolution and a distance of 400 mum from the retinal surface. The mechanical and electrical parameters of the cMUT are calculated using a combination of the Mason equivalent circuit model and finite element techniques. Optimal transmit power and receive sensitivity for this imaging application are obtained by coupling the transducer model to a pseudo-spectral wave propagation model. The pseudo-spectral method is used to calculate the frequency dependent attenuation of the transmitted acoustic pulse through the vitreous and retinal media. The subsequent reflected wavefront is used to optimize the array transmit power and sensitivity
Crystal Chemistry of Cation Order–Disorder in Pseudobrookite-Type MgTi2O5☆

E⁄ects of cation order‐disorder on the pseudobrookite-type MgTi2O5 structure have been studied with single-crystal X-ray di⁄raction on five synthetic crystals (labeled P600, P700, P800, P1000, and P1400) annealed at 600, 700, 800, 1000, and 1400iC, respectively. The disorder parameters (X 5 Ti in the M1 site) determined for five samples range from 0.070(5) to 0.485(5). Unit-cell dimensions a and c increase with X, whereas b decreases. The decrease in b with increasing cation disorder results primarily from the marked reduction in the O3‐O3 distance within the M1 octahedron, whereas the variation of a and c is controlled by the size of the M2 octahedron. From P600 to P1400, the mean M1‐O length shortens by 2.35%; in contrast, the mean M2‐O distance lengthens by 1.16%. As a consequence, the M1 and M2 sites have a nearly identical octahedral volume in P1400. With increasing cation disorder, the degree of distortion of the M1 octahedron is reduced significantly, while that of M2 remains essentially unchanged. Cation disorder is also accompanied by straightening of the bands consisting of the M1 and M2 octahedra. There is a close correlation between atomic isotropic displacement factors (Biso) and cation order‐disorder: Biso factors of all atoms in more disordered samples are larger than those in less disordered ones. ( 1998 Academic Press
Glucagonlike peptide-2 analogue: a possible new approach in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract Background/purpose Glucagonlike peptide-2α (GLP-2α) has been shown to be a growth factor for the small intestine. This study investigated the benefits of intravenous and intraluminal administration of GLP-2α using a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods Normal Fisher rats and HLA-B27 (IBD) rats were treated for 14 days as follows: Fisher, intravenous saline (n = 6); HLA-B27, intravenous saline (n = 6); HLA-B27, intravenous GLP-2α (50 μg/kg/d; n=5); Fisher, intraluminal saline (n = 5); HLA-B27, intraluminal saline (n = 5); or intraluminal GLP-2α (50 μg/kg/d; n=5). Rats were evaluated for frequency of diarrhea, and the bowel was analyzed for gross and microscopic lesions. Statistical evaluations were determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P value of .05 was significant. Results Intravenous GLP-2α decreased diarrhea and the number of bowel lesions ( P P P Conclusions GLP-2α ameliorates the signs of IBD in HLA-B27 rats. Intravenous GLP-2α reduces diarrhea more effectively than intraluminal administration, and both routes are equally effective in ameliorating inflammation. GLP-2α potentially provides a new modality for the treatment of IBD.
Currency Devaluation and International Trade

TRADE BETWEEN THE PEOPLE of different nations has long been bedevilled by protective tariffs. And now understanding of the problem is bedevilled by confusions about currency and its relation to gold. One of the more widely circulated popular magazines published an editorial, more or less political, entitled 'The Whole Story," in an issue that appeared just before the 1944 Presidential election. A passage from this editorial illustrates those confusions:
Learning on an analog VLSI neural network chip

The issues associated with implementing the error backpropagation algorithm on a 64-neuron nonvolatile analog VLSI neural network chip (ETANN) are described. Imperfections in the analog ETANN chip were identified and found to impose constraints on the learning process. A chip-in-the-loop learning technique and an adaptive, reinforced, bake-train-bake scheme are reported. These techniques have shown potential in surmounting the difficulties connected with learning on an analog neural network chip. Experimental results are reported. >
Utility of transesophageal echocardiography and pulmonary artery catheterization during laparoscopic assisted abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Background: Advanced laparoscopic procedures are more commonly performed in elderly patients with cardiac disease. There has been limited data on the use of pulmonary artery catheters (PAC) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to monitor hemodynamic changes.
EVOLUTIONARY PERSISTENCE OF PHENOTYPIC INTEGRATION: INFLUENCE OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS ON COMPLEX TRAIT EVOLUTION

Examination of historical persistence of integration patterns provides an important insight into understanding the origin and evolution of complex traits. Specifically, the distinct effects of developmental and functional integration on the evolution of complex traits are often overlooked. Because patterns of functional integration are commonly shaped by selection exerted by the external environment, whereas patterns of developmental integration can be determined by relatively environment-independent selection for developmental homeostasis, examination of historical persistence of morphological integration patterns among species should reveal the relative importance of current selection in the evolution of complex traits. We compared historical persistence of integration patterns produced by current developmental versus ecological requirements by examining the evolution of complex mandibular structures in nine species of soricid shrews. We found that, irrespective of phylogenetic relatedness of species, patterns of developmental and functional integration were highly concordant, suggesting that strong selection for developmental homeostasis favors concordant channeling of both internal and external variation. Overall, our results suggest that divergence in mandible shape among species closely follows variation in functional demands and ecological requirements regardless of phylogenetic relatedness among species.
Calcium, TRPC channels, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in podocytes: towards a future of targeted therapies

With more than 6,000 new pediatric patients with treatment-resistant nephrotic syndrome in the US each year alone, the unmet need for novel, podocyte-specific therapies is substantial. Recently, the established therapeutic benefit of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) was used as a starting point to gain insight into the pathomechanism of primary podocytopathies. A calcium (Ca(2+))-mediated pathway has been identified that connects the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) to podocyte cytoskeletal dynamics, essential for a functioning glomerular filtration barrier. This discovery provided an important missing piece in our understanding of the pathomechanism of filter barrier damage, revealing Ca(2+) signaling as critical for podocyte health and disease. The identification of the two Ca(2+) permeant channels TRPC5 and TRPC6 as mediators of this pathway not only bolstered the importance of podocyte cytoskeleton dynamics but also revealed promising drug targets for treatment-resistant nephrotic syndrome. This review will focus on this novel signaling pathway in primary podocytopathies and its implications for next-generation therapies for glomerular disease.
The Arrangement of the Muscular Fibres of the Stomach.

The muscular coat of the stomach consists of three incomplete layers—external, middle, and internal. 1. The external layer consists as usually described of longitudinal fibres continuous with those of the œsophagus, best marked on the lesser curvature, when the stomach is distended, also well seen on the great curvature, and near the pylorus, but represented in practically all other parts by a thin layer, the fibres of which are irregular on the two surfaces some distance below the cardia. 2. The middle layer is composed of circular and oblique fibres; the former, which are the more numerous, are found in the form of rings surrounding the stomach from the sphincter pylori, which they form, to the cardia. Beyond this the layer is continued for some distance in the form of oblique fibres which radiate from the right side of the œsophageal opening above, downwards and to the left on the two surfaces of the stomach. These fibres, becoming more and more oblique, are continued above into the superficial cireular fibres of the lower end of the œsophagus. The fibres of this layer do not, as usually described, encircle the wide end of the stomach with a series of rings; these rings belong to the next layer. 3. The internal layer is composed, like the middle layer, of circular and oblique fibres, but, whilst the oblique fibres are but slightly developed in the middle layer, they form an important part of the internal layer. Beginning as a series of circles at the summit of the fundus, the layer extends in the form of a series of rings disposed at right angles to the axis of the stomach, as far as the cardia; beyond this it is continued by a number of fibres which radiate from the left side of the œsophageal opening downwards and to the right on both surfaces of the stomach, some of them reaching almost as far as the antrum pylori. These fibres end by turning abruptly towards the great curvature and passing into the circular fibres of the middle layer. The highest of these oblique fibres pass above into the deeper circular fibres of the œsophagus
Behavior and Survival of Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Prepupae in No-tillage and Conventional-tillage Corn

Direct observation and radiolabeling techniques were used to investigate movement and burrowing activity of prepupal Heliothis zea (Boddie) released in the field. Microenvironmental conditions as a function of tillage method influenced prepupa behavior differently in successive years. In a moist year, prepupae tended to burrow closer to the release site in no-tillage plots than in conventionally tilled plots; in a dry year, this trend was reversed. Distance that prepupae moved on the soil surface and time they required for burrowing were influenced by both soil type and moisture conditions. Overall, prepupae traveled greater distances and spent more time on the soil surface when the soil was smooth or crusted. Ant attacks were more frequent on prepupae in no-tillage treatments than in conventional tillage. A field cage study revealed no differences in survivorship between insects released in the two tillage treatments.
Using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography to identify tumor stromal fibrosis and increase tumor biopsy yield (Conference Presentation)

Tissue biopsy is the principal method used to diagnose tumors in a variety of organ systems. It is essential to maximize tumor yield in biopsy specimens for both clinical diagnostic and research purposes. This is particularly important in tumors where additional tissue is needed for molecular analysis to identify patients who would benefit from mutation-specific targeted therapy, such as in lung carcinomas. Inadvertent sampling of fibrotic stroma within tumor nodules contaminates biopsies, decreases tumor yield, and can impede diagnosis. The ability to assess tumor composition and guide biopsy site selection in real time is likely to improve diagnostic yield. Polarization sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) measures birefringence in organized tissues, such as collagen, and could be used to distinguish tumor from fibrosis. In this study, PS-OCT was obtained in 65 lung nodule samples from surgical resection specimens containing varying ratios of tumor and fibrosis. PS-OCT was obtained with either a custom-built helical scanning catheter (0.8 or 1.6mm in diameter) or a dual-axis bench top scanner. Strong birefringence was observed in nodules containing dense fibrosis, with no birefringence in adjacent regions of tumor. Tumors admixed with early, loosely-organized collagen demonstrated mild-to-moderate birefringence, and tumors with little collagen content showed little to no birefringent signal. PS-OCT provides significant insights into tumor nodule composition, and has potential to differentiate tumor from stromal fibrosis during biopsy site selection to increase diagnostic tumor yield.
Applications of Computed Tomography in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

In the early 1970s, computed tomography was a laboratory curiosity and a speculative industrial venture. Today, with a Nobel prize awarded to Cormack and Hounsfield, computed tomography (CT) is an accepted, almost venerable, technique. In parallel with the rapid clinical assimilation of computed tomographic scanners, there has been serious public concern about the economic implications of their widespread proliferation. This, in turn, has fostered an almost unprecedented effort to assess the clinical role and value of CT. The application of CT to the patient with malignant disease has been extensively investigated. CT has proven to be of major value in this application. In this paper, the role of body CT in the radiotherapeutic management of such patients will be reviewed with regard both to the clinical impact of CT and its influence on technical factors of treatment.
Mode of Action of Antimicrobial Peptides on E. coli Spheroplasts

We investigated the phenomena of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) directly attacking the cytoplasmic membranes of Escherichia coli spheroplasts. We developed a procedure for fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to examine dye leakage through bacterial membranes as AMPs in solution bound to the membranes. We found that the AMP binding did not increase the apparent membrane area of a spheroplast, contrary to the response of a lipid-bilayer vesicle, which always showed a membrane area expansion by AMP binding. The permeability through the bacterial membrane increased in a sigmoidal fashion as the AMP binding increased in time, exhibiting a cooperative behavior of AMPs. The analysis of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching showed that the fluxes of dye molecules into and out of the cell were consistent with diffusion of molecules through a number of pores that increased with binding of AMPs and then saturated to a steady level. We discovered a new, to our knowledge, experimental parameter called the flux rate that characterizes the AMP-induced permeability of dye molecules through bacterial membranes. The phenomena observed in bacterial membranes are consistent with the pore-forming activities of AMPs previously observed in lipid bilayers. The experimental value of the flux rate per pore is much smaller than a theoretical value that assumes no friction for the dye molecule’s permeation through the pore. We believe that experimental studies of the flux rate will be useful for further analysis of AMPs’ permeabilization mechanisms.
Hematologic Abnormalities in Acute Necrotizing Enterocolitis

This presentation emphasizes the possible clinical significance of hematologic abnormalities in acute necrotizing enterocolitis and presents the author’s experience.
RF-powered battery-less Wireless Sensor Network in structural monitoring

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have attracted more attentions in recent years due to its low cost and convenience. Despite the great potential, power supply seriously restricted the application of WSNs. Especially in the environment such as rural areas, underground and underwater structures, the electrical wire or battery increases the cost of installation and brings the unexpected inconvenience. In this paper, a radio frequency (RF) powered far-field battery-less wireless sensor network is presented to overcome such limitation of electrical wire and battery in WSNs. In addition, mesh network approach is proposed to solve the data collision issue caused by the discontinuous power supply of far-field battery-less. Several experiments have been performed to test the performance of the system in a complex indoor environment. Results obtained verify the feasibility and reliability of this WSNs.
Aortic Valve 18F-Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography: Can the Skeleton Key Be Copied?

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common valvular disease in the developed world.1,2 The disease prevalence is projected to reach 4.5 billion worldwide in 2030, underscoring its significance as a worldwide public health burden. Valve replacement is the only established therapy, but despite recent advances, both surgical and transcatheter approaches still have substantial morbidity and mortality and remain reserved for those with significant hemodynamic complications from severe aortic stenosis.2,3 For ineligible patients, no proven medical therapy exists to prevent, reverse, or delay the progression of CAVD. The ability to identify individuals who are at risk for CAVD progression and to provide disease-modifying treatment would substantially transform the field. See Article by Pawade et al The study by Pawade et al4 in this issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging exemplifies the ongoing efforts to use multimodality imaging not only for the diagnosis and management of CAVD but also for greater understanding of the underlying cellular mechanisms and pathogenesis of the disease, which are potential pharmacological targets for CAVD.5,6 These efforts have their basis in evidence that CAVD is not only a degenerative condition but also the result of complex and tightly regulated processes of inflammation and calcification.1,7,8 The pathophysiology begins with an early initiation phase, which resembles atherosclerosis, and is characterized by valvular lipid deposition, injury, and inflammation. Because activated macrophages produce pro-osteogenic factors, a transition to the propagation phase occurs, whereby valvular interstitial myofibroblasts become osteoblast-like cells. The propagation phase is also characterized by severe proinflammatory conditions, which further enhance inflammation and microcalcifications, contributing to greater calcium deposition and leaflet stiffening. In the later stages, calcification seems to be irreversible and unresponsive to medical therapy, in contrast to the early stages when both inflammation …
Ecosystem Service Concepts in Practice

Economists have long embraced the idea that services provided by nature have inherent economic value. Ecologists, other scientists, and many in the environmental advocacy community have more recently come to focus on the connection between natural systems and economic value. The broadening interest in the economic value of nature over the last two decades led to the emergence of the interrelated and now commonly used terms ecosystem services and natural capital. To inform Canadian policy, this paper discusses some of the efforts that have been enacted elsewhere, with particular emphasis on those in the United States, and why some have been more successful than others.
Aortopathy in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome Is Not Mediated by Altered Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling.

BackgroundMarfan syndrome (MFS) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding fibrillin‐1 (FBN1); however, the mechanisms through which fibrillin‐1 deficiency causes MFS‐associated aortopathy are unc...
Abstract 354: Improved Collagen Imaging in Large Pulsatile Vessels Using High-Resolution Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy and Retrospective Electrocardiogram Gating

Introduction: Intravital microscopy (IVM) can provide important molecular and structural detail of the arterial wall in health and disease. However, in vivo image accuracy and resolution can be limited due to the pulsatile nature of the artery itself. Here, we developed and implemented a retrospective electrocardiogram (ECG) gating-based strategy to eliminate cardiac cycle dependent motion to improve IVM of the arterial wall. Methods: C57Bl/6 mice (n=5) were anesthetized and the right carotid artery was exposed and suffused with PBS. Second harmonic generation (SHG) micrographs of type 1 collagen in the arterial wall were collected (550m x 550m) at 30 frames/s on a custom-built multichannel microscope. Intravenously injected FITC-dextran (MW 2000kDa) provided an angiogram to identify the carotid artery. To enable gating, analog image capture and start signals were concurrently recorded with the ECG during image acquisition at a sampling rate of 100kHz. Gating of the imaging data set was compiled manually using the ADC software and ImageJ. Histopathology of the carotid confirmed the ex vivo carotid collagen thickness. Wall thickness was defined as the full width half maximum of SHG signal in each micrograph. Statistical significance was established as ANOVA P values Results: Retrospective ECG gating yielded images with a mean collagen wall thickness that was not significantly different than ex vivo measured samples (p>0.05), thus verifying the accuracy of the retrospective gating protocol. All ungated images showed significant differences (1.4 to 6.5 fold) in the measured wall thickness compared across various heart rates and frame averages (p 200f averages to reach the SNR of a 30f gated image, which in turn needed 8-24s (240-720 frames) of image acquisition time, depending on the heart rate. Conclusion: Retrospective ECG gating enhances IVM accuracy of pulsatile tissues, as demonstrated by improved in vivo quantification of carotid arterial wall collagen in living mice. This strategy can be readily extended to multiplexed SHG and fluorescence IVM approaches to study other vascular disease models in vivo.
Ensemble coding remains accurate under object and spatial visual working memory load

A number of studies have provided evidence that the visual system statistically summarizes large amounts of information that would exceed the limitations of attention and working memory (ensemble coding). However the necessity of working memory resources for ensemble coding has not yet been tested directly. In the current study, we used a dual task design to test the effect of object and spatial visual working memory load on size averaging accuracy. In Experiment 1, we tested participants’ accuracy in comparing the mean size of two sets under various levels of object visual working memory load. Although the accuracy of average size judgments depended on the difference in mean size between the two sets, we found no effect of working memory load. In Experiment 2, we tested the same average size judgment while participants were under spatial visual working memory load, again finding no effect of load on averaging accuracy. Overall our results reveal that ensemble coding can proceed unimpeded and highly accurately under both object and spatial visual working memory load, providing further evidence that ensemble coding reflects a basic perceptual process distinct from that of individual object processing.