cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Approach to Glomerulonephritis With Fibrillar IgG Deposits and Light Chain Restriction.

Introduction The pathologic approach to glomerulonephritis (GN) with fibrillar IgG deposits and light chain restriction remains a diagnostic challenge. Method All GN with fibrillar deposits of IgG and apparent light chain restriction on standard immunofluorescence on frozen tissue (IF-F) accessioned at the Columbia Renal Pathology Laboratory from 2012 to 2019 were identified. Additional studies including staining for Congo red, DNAJB9, IgG subtypes, and immunofluorescence on pronase-digested paraffin sections (IF-P) were performed. Result Based on the results, biopsy samples were reclassified as polytypic DNAJB9-positive fibrillary glomerulonephritis (pFGN, n = 14), monotypic DNAJB9-positive FGN (mFGN, n = 7), GN with polytypic DNAJB9-negative fibrillar IgG deposits (n = 2), and GN with monotypic DNAJB9-negative fibrillar IgG deposits (n = 6). Among DNAJB9-positive FGN samples, IgG subtype staining was able to exclude monotypic deposits by demonstrating reactivity for ≥2 IgG subtypes (usually IgG1 and IgG4) in 67% (14 of 21), including 9 that would have been misclassified as monotypic by IF-F and IF-P alone. Monotypic DNAJB9-positive fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) was not associated with monoclonal gammopathy in 5 of 6 patients. GN with monotypic DNAJB9-negative fibrillar IgG deposits exhibited focal parallel fibril alignment and frequent association with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but lacked the diagnostic microtubules of immunotactoid GN. Conclusion A systematic diagnostic approach with ancillary techniques is essential for proper classification and assignment of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance status in cases of GN with fibrillary IgG deposits and light chain restriction by IF-F.
Variations and Patterns in Sleep: A Feasibility Study of Young Carers in Families with ALS.

Introduction: Children and youth under the age of 19 provide daily care for family members living with illness, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Caregiving affects school performance, social support, stress, and anxiety. Yet, little is known about potential disruptions in sleep. Methods: A quasi-experimental matched comparison of age- and gender-matched young carers (n = 8) and non-carers (n = 12) was used in this study. Participants completed a pre/post survey, wore an actigraphy device, and journaled sleep/wake times for 5 days. Results: Young carers had shorter sleep duration (t = 51.19 (11.99)), efficiency (t = 55.49 (14.00)), sleep quality (t = 51.32 (12.26)), and higher rates of utilizing sleep medications (t = 50.81 (11.49)). The case study sleep data showed that carers had lower total sleep time (CG = 6.75 ± 1.47, NCG = 7.08 ± 1.36) and sleep efficiency than non-caregivers (0.80 ± 0.23). Case examples were reported across groups. Conclusions: The study results demonstrate feasibility, while providing crucial initial case data on sleep quality in young carers. The findings underscore the need to better document the impact of caregiving on young carer’s well-being across several areas, including sleep. This data has implications for larger scale studies examining how sleep disruption impacts well-being more broadly and in providing support and respite interventions for young carers across disorders.
The interaction of natural and synthetic polyanions with mammalian nuclei: II. Nuclear swelling

Abstract Various types of polyanions were tested for their effects on nuclear swelling using a new spectrophotometric technique. Heparin, dextran sulfate and polyaspartic acids (20 000–35 000 mol. wt.) caused nuclear swelling whereas polygalacturonic acid, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, aspartic acid and polyaspartic acid (5600 mol. wt.) showed no swelling activity. The specificity of the polyanions for nuclear swelling was correlated with their effects on the template activity of nuclear DNA and chromatin during DNA synthesis.
Kinetic treatment of unsegmented flow systems : Part 2. Detailed Treatment of Flow-Injection Systems with Gradient Chamber

Abstract A kinetic model is utilized for a detailed mathematical treatment and experimental evaluation of single-channel and dual-channel flow injection systems that include a gradient chamber. The kinetic model includes three distinct stages in the process, namely clearing reactant from the gradient chamber by first portions of sample, continued entry of sample into the gradient chamber, and decrease of determinant concentration in the gradient chamber via dilution and reaction with reagent. Equations predict entirely different behavioral patterns for different conditions and these predictions are verified experimentally for a wide range of conditions. The data show that the variable-time kinetic model is superior to the titration models previously utilized to describe these flow systems. The principal limitation of the kinetic equations involves an assumption of plug flow that is not completely valid. The extent of deviations from ideal behavior depend on conditions, but are negligible at low concentrations (0–50 mmol l -1 ) and can be 10% or larger at higher concentrations (100 mmol l -1 ). While equations are not exact, they are useful in predicting performance characteristics for a variety of conditions and experimental approaches.
The Point of Scientificity, the Fall of the Epistemological Dominos, and the End of the Field of Educational Administration

The point of scientificity, or pos,represents a place in history whereeducational administration was founded as ascience. A pos creates a field of memoryand a field of studies. A pos isepistemologically sustained in its claim forscientific status by a line of demarcation orlod. A lod is supported by truthclaims based on various forms ofcorrespondence. As these forms have beeninterrogated and abandoned, correspondence hasgiven way to coherentism and finally to testsof falsification. As falsification has shownto contain serious flaws when compared to theactual history of scientific discoveries, theentire project of a distinct and unitaryfield known as educational administration isseriously cast into doubt. Contemporaryexaminations in educational administrationdiscourse show that even when the lod hasbeen undermined by epistemological shifts, theinitial pos has remained to supportclaims regarding the project of a ``science ofleadership.'' The analysis contained in thisarticle show, however, that when claims of thelod are demonstrably unsustainable, theinitial pos must be similarly abandoned. With that collapse the concept of a fieldis likewise effaced. The epistemologicalalternative is to envision fields ofstudy which do not require a lod, excepton a longitudinal basis to ascertain whether aresearch program shaped and sustained by it isprogressive or regressive. In short, there areno aprori meta-criteria to separate sciencefrom non-science in educationaladministration.
Inferring ecosystem parameters from observation of vegetation patterns

[1] Spatial organization of vegetation into periodic, coherent patterns arises from the interaction of positive and negative ecological feedbacks. Naturally, the patterns reflect the characteristics of the ecological processes that underlie their formation. Direct inference of the parameters describing these ecological processes from observations of vegetation spatial patterns has not been attempted. If successful, such inference can facilitate the parameterization and predictive use of vegetation pattern models. An inference technique based on nonlinear filtering is proposed here and applied to estimate the parameters of a single-equation phenomenological model of vegetation biomass patterning. Results derived from modeled biomass data indicate that for sufficiently accurate biomass observations (signal-to-noise ratios >4), and spatial resolution of better than 10% of the pattern wavelength, nonlinear filtering techniques recovered model parameters with high fidelity. When applied to real-world imagery, reasonable parameters within the pattern-forming regime were inferred. The study demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of inferring quantitative ecological information from spatial observations of vegetation distributions.
A phantom study to evaluate variations in the quantization derived from a new 3D reconstruction algorithm.

2242 Objectives Clinical review of PET-CT patient data reconstructed with a new 3D-OSEM technique (TrueX) have demonstrated improved contrast, resolution and subjective image quality compared to 2D-OSEM. Variations have been noted in the quantitative results derived from reconstructions performed with TrueX versus 2D-OSEM. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate TrueX in a phantom model. Methods A PET-CT Phantom was imaged with a Siemens Biograph40 PET-CT system. The data was reconstructed using 2D-OSEM (2D) and 2 TrueX reconstructions (HD1 and HD2) with HD2 producing a “smoother” image set. Volumes of interest (VOIs) were created from the attenuation correction CT volume and copied to each PET reconstruction. Standard Uptake Values (SUV) and specific activity measurements were collected for the lesions and background regions. Results For all lesions, SUV mean and max were increased for both TrueX reconstructions. The largest increase was seen with the SUVs of a 17mm lesion with HD1; SUV mean and SUV max increased 29% and 51% compared to 2D. For the same lesion, HD2 SUV mean and max were 8% and 20% higher. The impact was decreased for lesions Conclusions TrueX reconstructions produced higher SUV values than 2D-OSEM. Although TrueX reconstructions produce images of subjectively improved quality, care must be taken when comparing SUV values derived from different reconstruction techniques.
Hash in a flash: Hash tables for flash devices

Conservative estimates place the amount of data expected to be created by mankind this year to exceed several thousand exabytes. Given the enormous data deluge, and in spite of recent advances in main memory capacities, there is a clear and present need to move beyond algorithms that assume in-core (main-memory) computation. One fundamental task in Information Retrieval and text analytics requires the maintenance of local and global term frequencies from within large enterprise document corpora. This can be done with a counting hash-table; they associate keys to frequencies. In this paper, we will study the design landscape for the development of such an out-of-core counting hash table targeted at flash storage devices. Flash devices have clear benefits over traditional hard drives in terms of latency of access and energy efficiency. However, due to intricacies in their design, random writes can be relatively expensive and can degrade the life of the flash device. Counting hash tables are a challenging case for the flash drive because this data structure is inherently dependent upon the randomness of the hash function; frequency updates are random and may incur random expensive random writes. We demonstrate how to overcome this challenge by designing a hash table with two related hash functions, one of which exhibits a data placement property with respect to the other. Specifically, we focus on three designs and evaluate the trade-offs among them along the axes of query performance, insert and update times, and I/O time using real-world data and an implementation of TF-IDF.
The effects of acute and repeated nicotine doses on spontaneous activity in male and female Sprague Dawley rats: analysis of brain area epibatidine binding and cotinine levels

Previous research in this laboratory has shown that nicotine's effects on spontaneous activity are contingent on individual differences, attenuating activity in high active rats and increasing it in low active rats. This study was designed to further evaluate this phenomenon, and to compare it with nicotine's effects on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression in several brain regions. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats selected for differences in baseline activity were administered nicotine twice daily for 14 days, and its effects on spontaneous activity were evaluated following 1, 13 and 27 doses. Furthermore, [(3)H] epibatidine binding and plasma cotinine levels were evaluated 24 h after the 28th dose. Contrary to previous findings, the effects of repeated nicotine on spontaneous activity were minimally contingent on baseline activity levels. Following an initial attenuation, males, but not females, exhibited sensitization to nicotine's effects on spontaneous activity. [(3)H] epibatidine was significantly increased in several brain regions in both male and female nicotine-treated animals, and in females selected for high activity at baseline. However, a clear relationship between these effects and spontaneous activity was not found, due to the lack of consistent effects of nicotine administration and baseline activity on spontaneous activity. Interestingly, significant correlations suggest that rats exhibiting higher spontaneous activity on the final test day were differentially marked by higher [(3)H] epibatidine. Cotinine levels were higher in low activity males than in high activity males, but no differences were observed between high and low activity females. Thus, no clear relationship between this variable and spontaneous activity could be discerned. Based on these data, no simple relationships between the effects of nicotine administration or baseline activity on [(3)H] epibatidine binding, nicotine metabolism, or spontaneous activity were observed. However, a relationship between [(3)H] epibatidine and spontaneous activity on the final test day is suggested.
Transport properties of polymer–aluminophosphate nano-composites prepared by simple mixing

Abstract Nano-composite polymer–aluminophosphate membranes do not have molecular sieving properties as previously claimed. The layered microporous aluminophosphate [Al 3 P 4 O 16 ] + ·3[NH 3 CH 2 CH 3 ] − was swollen with a surfactant and incorporated into cellulose acetate, Matrimid 5218©, UDEL P-3500©, PDMS, and a PDMS–6FDA–6FpDA co-polymer using simple mixing in organic solvents. It was anticipated that the addition of layered, microporous aluminophosphate to the polymer matrices would enhance the selectivity of large gas species compared to small gases through a molecular sieving effect. However, the selectivity was not improved using this technique due to insufficient exfoliation of the aluminophosphate and low dispersion of the particles into the respective polymer matrices.
Fan to parallel beam conversion in CAT by rubber sheet transformation

A technique for converting fan-beam projections to parallel-beam projections for use in computed tomography is presented. The problem is approached by use of a rubber sheet transformation. Since the data is discretized, an interpolation step is necessary. For densely sampled data this approach appears satisfactory and a significant reduction in photon noise is observable in computer simulations.
Microcinematographic demonstration of synchronous and asynchronous myoepithelial contractions in mouse submandibular gland rudiments in organotypic culture.

Time-lapse phase-contrast cinematography revealed contractile activity within mouse submandibular salivary gland rudiments in organotypic culture. Three types of contraction were distinguishable. In type I (voiding contractions), all portions of the gland contracted synchronously, and the active state ranged from 30 min to 2 hr. In type II (priming contractions), all portions of the gland contracted synchronously, but the active state was shorter, ranging from 4 to 10 min. In type III (churning contractions), isolated foci in lobules or secretory units throughout the gland contracted asynchronously and had very short active states of about 1 min. By electron microscopy, myoepithelial cells could first be demonstrated in submandibular glands developing either in vitro or in vivo, at 21 days postconception. Contractions in the cultured rudiments began as early as 18 days postconception. Since neither smooth nor striated muscle could be identified in these glands by electron microscopy, the contractions are believed to result from myoepithelial activity that apparently may begin before ultrastructural evidence of myoepithelial differentiation is contractile function and indirect evidence has lent ample support to this presumption, the present study represents the first direct cinematographic demonstration and characterization of myoepithelial contractions, under conditions in vitro.
Microstructure and properties of Tl0.75Bi0.25Sr1.6Ba0.4Ca2Cu3Ox tapes

Abstract Ag-clad Tl0.75Bi0.25Sr1.6Ba0.4Ca2Cu3Ox tapes were fabricated by a powder-in-tube technique. The starting powders consisted of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox plus simple oxides. The tapes were heated in flowing O2 at 835–865 °C for 7.5–10 h. Room-temperature pressing at 1.0–1.5 GPa produced tapes with denser, more phase-pure cores, and transport critical current density Jc at 77 K in self-field that was increased by a factor of ≈2. The maximum Jc value of 6 × 103 A/cm2 was obtained with heating at 840 − 850 °C for ≈ 10 h, with three intermediate pressing steps. The cores of the best tapes were still rather porous and contained significant concentrations of nonsuperconducting phases.
Fabrication of nanophotonic structures for information processing

Nanophotonic structures can be used to dramatically enhance interactions between light and matter. We describe some of our recent progress in fabricating optical nanostructures suitable for both classical and quantum information processing. In particular, we present our progress using nanoimprint lithography, a low cost nanoreplication method, to fabricate low loss photonic crystals.
Negotiating motherhood and work: a typology of role identity associations among low-income, urban women

Increasing international migration and an expanding low-wage economy call for continuous research into the work–family experiences of low-income and ethnic minority women. Most research highlights that these women are disproportionately exposed to challenging employment conditions while lacking the supports working and middle-class women rely on. To better capture variation in work–family decisions and well-being under significant structural and social constraints, researchers need to consider women's understanding of themselves as mothers and workers, and their perceptions of the interplay between these roles. Building on role identity theory and the concept of gendered moral rationalities, this paper proposes a five-fold typology of mother–worker role identity associations that captures complexity in work–family identification processes among low-income, ethnically diverse women. The analysis is based on ethnographic data from 25 mothers in New York City who were visited 12 times over a period of 9 mont...
Gatekeeping: An Ongoing Adventure in Research

Gatekeeping is an integral but sometimes difficult part of the research process, particularly for researchers who want to conduct research in indigenous cultures. The author discusses how she gained access into the Muscogee (Creek) culture to conduct several research studies. Establishing trusting, long-term relationships through social networking, acquiring specific permissions at various levels, selecting key informants, presenting oneself appropriately, and showing respect for cultural mores are essential aspects of being granted entry by gatekeepers.
Genetic targeting of the amphetamine and methylphenidate-sensitive dopamine transporter: On the path to an animal model of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Alterations in dopamine (DA) signaling underlie the most widely held theories of molecular and circuit level perturbations that lead to risk for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The DA transporter (DAT), a presynaptic reuptake protein whose activity provides critical support for DA signaling by limiting DA action at pre- and postsynaptic receptors, has been consistently associated with ADHD through pharmacological, behavioral, brain imaging and genetic studies. Currently, the animal models of ADHD exhibit significant limitations, stemming in large part from their lack of construct validity. To remedy this situation, we have pursued the creation of a mouse model derived from a functional nonsynonymous variant in the DAT gene (SLC6A3) of ADHD probands. We trace our path from the identification of these variants to in vitro biochemical and physiological studies to the production of the DAT Val559 mouse model. We discuss our initial findings with these animals and their promise in the context of existing rodent models of ADHD.
Paradoxical Effect of Caspofungin against Candida Bloodstream Isolates Is Mediated by Multiple Pathways but Eliminated in Human Serum

Paradoxical growth of Candida in vitro at echinocandin concentrations exceeding the MIC is well described, but the clinical relevance is unknown. We assessed echinocandin paradoxical effects against Candida bloodstream isolates (BSI) in the presence or absence of human serum and investigated regulatory mechanisms. As determined by broth microdilution, a paradoxical effect was evident for 60% (18/30), 23% (7/30), and 13% (4/30) of Candida albicans BSI exposed to caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin, respectively, at achievable human serum concentrations (≤8 μg/ml). A paradoxical effect was not evident among 34 C. glabrata BSI and was observed only for caspofungin against C. parapsilosis (4%, 1/23). As determined in time-kill studies, a caspofungin paradoxical effect was demonstrated by C. albicans (2/3), C. glabrata (1/3), and C. parapsilosis (1/3), including BSI that were determined to be negative by microdilution. In 50% human serum, a paradoxical effect was eliminated at caspofungin concentrations up to 64 μg/ml for 100% (8/8) of the C. albicans BSI. A caspofungin paradoxical effect was also eliminated by chitin synthase inhibitor nikkomycin Z and at achievable concentrations of calcineurin pathway inhibitors, tacrolimus and cyclosporine. Moreover, these agents were synergistic with caspofungin against 100, 100, and 88% (7/8) of C. albicans, respectively, and exerted their own paradoxical effects. Finally, paradoxical growth was eliminated in C. albicans irs4- and inp51-null mutants, which lack phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate 5′-phosphatase. Our findings suggest that the paradoxical effect is unlikely to be important in vivo but remains an important tool to study cell wall stress responses. We implicate the Irs4-Inp51 phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate 5′-phosphatase as a novel regulator of paradoxical growth.
2n pollen formation via parallel spindles in the potato cultivar sebago

Parallel spindles occur during microsporogenesis in the cultivar Sebago (2n=4x =48) and are the basis of 2n pollen production in this clone. The relations between the frequencies of parallel spindles, 2n microspores, and 2n pollen are striking. The predicted frequency of 2n pollen based on the percentage of microsporocytes with parallel spindles is highly correlated with the frequency of 2n pollen observed. The percentage of 2n microspores at the sporad stage also corresponds very closely with the observed percentage of 2n pollen. Sebago is thus nulliplex (psp sp sps) for the meiotic mutant which governs spindle orientation at the second meiotic division in microsporocytes. This finding agrees with the prediction that if parallel spindles were involved in the origin of cultivated tetraploid potatoes, the genesps should be present in some 4x cultivars. It adds further support to the concept that 2n gametes have been a creative factor in the origin and evolution of cultivated tetraploids.
Fuel Tank Crashworthiness: Loading Scenarios

The Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Research and Development is conducting research into fuel tank crashworthiness. The breaching of fuel tanks during passenger rail collisions and derailments increases the potential of serious injury and fatality due to fire. This paper identifies and describes common collision loading scenarios for locomotive fuel tanks on the U.S. general railroad system. Developing scenarios that characterize this situation is the first step in crashworthiness research methodology for improving rail equipment safety. A survey of accidents within the U.S. between 1995 and present was used to identify fuel tank impact scenarios as follows: impact with adjacent railcar component; oblique impact with another railcar; rollover leading to impact with another railcar; derailment or rollover leading to grounding; and impact with rail. These collision scenarios are further categorized by the types of collision modes experienced by the fuel tank, i.e. impact type and impact location. These loading conditions establish targets for evaluating current levels of fuel tank integrity and potentially developing improved strategies for enhancing fuel tank integrity.
Do We Need More College Graduates

President Obama has launched a major initiative hoping to increase the number of young people with college degrees. The article argues that more degrees would be desirable if more lower income students obtained them, because without a college degree social mobility can be difficult. However, the task will not be easy when one considers the important external factors related to degree completion including the quality of high school, parental income and wealth, and amount of schooling of the parent(s). The article concludes that early intervention programs offer the best opportunity to increase the number of degree holders from lower income families.
An examination of four GDSS experiments

Group decision support systems (GDSS) have been offered as an approach to dealing with the increasing com plexity of organizational environments in post-industrial soci cty. GDSS development and research enjoy a recent popularity in the academic community. with many US universities having GDSS facilities. GDSS'S can vary greatly from each other, how ever. They can differ in such basic respects as facility configu ration. software tools supported, and type of facilitation. The experiments designed to test the effects of GDSS also differ from each other, along many dimensions The net result is that findings from various GDSS expermients are not strictly comparable. This paper illustrates the differences in GDSS and GDSS expertments by examining four recently published GDSS experiments. It is recommended that the general grouping together of various systems under the term GDSS be re-ex amined It is also recommended that researchers take care in generalizing the results across GDSS studies.
Circadian rhythms of melatonin release from individual superfused chicken pineal glands in vitro.

Abstract The pineal gland of birds contains one or more circadian oscillators that play a major role in overall temporal organization. We have developed a flow-through culture system for the isolated pineal by which we can measure the release of melatonin continuously from superfused glands over long periods of time. Chicken pineals release melatonin rhythmically, and these rhythms persist in vitro with a circadian oscillation. In light cycles the release of melatonin is strongly rhythmic; however, in constant conditions the amplitude of the rhythm is lower and appears to be damping. Light has at least two effects upon the isolated pineal: cyclic light input synchronizes the rhythm, and acute light exposure at night rapidly inhibits melatonin release. The cultured avian pineal clearly offers great potential as a model system for the study of vertebrate circadian oscillators and may open the way for an analysis of mechanism.
Neutron-Scattering Study of the Ferroelectric Phase Transformation in Tb 2 ( M o O 4 ) 3

We establish a first example of a ferroelectric phase transformation where a Brillouin-zone-boundary soft mode [at the $M$ point (\textonehalf{}\textonehalf{},0)] rather than a Brillouin-zone-center mode of the parent paraelectric phase (PE) is responsible for the transition. By inelastic scattering of neutrons, we have measured low-frequency phonon-dispersion relations in ${\mathrm{Tb}}_{2}$${(\mathrm{M}\mathrm{o}{\mathrm{O}}_{4})}_{3}$ for symmetry directions emanating from the $M$ point in PE. For $Tg{T}_{0}=159\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$C the frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{M}$ of a doubly degenerate mode at $M$ follows a Curie-Weiss law ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{M}^{2}=A(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{C})$, with $A=0.0165$ me${\mathrm{V}}^{2}$/\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and ${T}_{C}=149\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$C. With the help of group theory, the symmetry properties of soft modes which lead from the PE symmetry (tetragonal $P\overline{4}{2}_{1}m$) to the symmetry (orthorhombic $\mathrm{Pba}2$) of the ferroelectric (FE) phase were determined. The soft-mode eigenvectors contain parameters which are not fixed by symmetry and their "static" values can be obtained from existing x-ray-structure data. "Dynamic" values are determined here from the integrated inelastic-scattering intensity of the soft mode measured in PE at various $M$ points. The "static" and the "dynamic" values are in good agreement. The condensation of such an antiferroelectric soft mode cannot directly produce the spontaneous polarization ${P}_{z}$ in FE. As has been suggested theoretically, our measurements show that the antiferroelectric static displacements constitute the order parameter, which couples to a shear strain ${u}_{\mathrm{xy}}$, which in turn produces the polarization by piezoelectric coupling. The spontaneous polarization and the spontaneous strain in FE are shown to be proportional to the square of this order parameter. From the initial slopes of acoustic branches we derive a set of elastic constants in PE.
Concentrations of nitric oxide in equine preovulatory follicles before and after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin

In the present study, follicular fluids of estrous mares treated with saline solution (Control) or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors were analyzed for nitric oxide (NO), estradiol-17beta (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations before and 36h after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Follicular fluids obtained before (0h) hCG administration from control mares had lower concentrations of NO than those obtained 36h after administration of hCG (58.3+/-17.8 micromol versus 340.4+/-57.7 micromol; P 0.10). In addition, mares treated with NOS inhibitors had lower intrafollicular concentrations of NO and P4 than control mares, both before and after hCG administration (P<0.05). Increased intrafollicular concentrations of NO in control, hCG-stimulated mares provide evidence for the presence of an NO-generating system in the equine preovulatory follicle that is likely upregulated following administration of hCG.
Algorithm 945: modred—A Parallelized Model Reduction Library

We describe a new parallelized Python library for model reduction, modal analysis, and system identification of large systems and datasets. Our library, called modred, handles a wide range of problems and any data format. The modred library contains implementations of the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD), balanced POD (BPOD) Petrov-Galerkin projection, and a more efficient variant of the Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD). The library contains two implementations of these algorithms, each with its own advantages. One is for smaller and simpler datasets, requires minimal knowledge to use, and follows a common matrix-based formulation. The second, for larger and more complicated datasets, preserves the abstraction of vectors as elements of a vector space and, as a result, allows the library to work with arbitrary data formats and eases distributed memory parallelization. We also include implementations of the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA), and Observer/Kalman Filter Identification (OKID). These methods are typically not computationally demanding and are not parallelized. The library is designed to be easy to use, with an object-oriented design, and includes comprehensive automated tests. In almost all cases, parallelization is done internally so that scripts that use the parallelized classes can be run in serial or in parallel without any modifications.
Geographic patterns of choice among peers

Abstract Editors of key journals in six specialties were asked to name experts in their specialty from whom they would like to receive manuscripts and whom they would like to use as referees. The people so named were asked for their choice of experts, and similarly for the persons they nominated. The analysis of geographical factors revealed a similarity between nominations and citations. Most of the nominees were from the U.S., followed by the UK and other industrialized and traditionally scientific nations. The U.S. scientists have a higher probability of being nominated than their proportion in the world scientific population might suggest. Nominators in most of the countries had a distinctive preference for nominating their own countrymen, with the exception of the Soviet Union.
Sporogen-an `Inductor' for Bacterial Cell Differentiation

CELLULAR differentiation has proved to be one of the most fascinating subjects for investigations in the field of biology. Since Spemann's1 discovery of the phenomenon of induction by organizers, numerous investigations have been directed towards the isolation and identification of inductor substances in morphogenesis. Efforts to obtain such genotropic substances and to analyse the mechanisms of their actions have so far been unsuccessful. In my investigations, bacterial sporogenesis has been taken as a model system for studying the biochemical aspects of intracellular differentiation.
Optimal control of switching/hybrid systems with applications to hybrid electric vehicles, dc-dc converters, and autonomous mobile robots (M-2)

This workshop will present recently developed results on the solution of the hybrid/switched optimal control problem using the embedding method developed by Bengea and DeCarlo (Automatica, January 2005). Using a variation of the collocation method, a numerical solution of the problem via sequential quadratic programming is outlined. With these tools and a model predictive control approach, application of the techniques to the switching control of a boost converter using a circuit specific estimator is then presented. Results include real time model predictive control of the boost converter at a switching speed of 10 kHz. This is followed by the model predictive control of mobile robots and groups of autonomous aerial vehicles (AUVs).
Duality principles for binary matroids and graphs

In hopes of better understanding graph-theoretic duality, a syntactical 'duality principle' is proved for circuit-cutset duality in binary matroids. The principle is shown to characterize binarity, and its theoretical and practical applicability is discussed.
Reversal of amyloid-induced heart disease in desmin-related cardiomyopathy

Amyloid oligomers, similar to the toxic entities found in Alzheimer's disease patients and in other amyloid-based diseases, are present in cardiomyocytes derived from human heart-failure patients and in animal models of desmin-related cardiomyopathy (DRM). The R120G mutation in α-B-crystallin (CryAB) causes DRM and is characterized by aggresomes containing CryABR120G and amyloid oligomer. In this study, we show that aggresome levels do not correlate with disease. Blocking aggresome formation results in increased levels of toxic amyloid oligomer and decreased cardiomyocyte viability. We confirmed the primary toxicity of intrasarcoplasmic amyloid accumulation in the cardiomyocytes by ectopic expression of the amyloidogenic peptide PQ81, which consists of multiple repeats of a polyglutamine tract. We then addressed the issue of disease reversibility by placing CryABR120G under inducible cardiomyocyte-specific expression in transgenic mice. The mice developed aggresomes and contained high concentrations of amyloid oligomer in the heart, resulting in cardiac disease. Cessation of CryABR120G expression in symptomatic mice improved cardiac function and rescued all of the animals from premature death. Rescue was accompanied by significant decreases in amyloid oligomer without a significant reduction in aggresomes. Blocking cardiac amyloid oligomer formation, even after cardiac dysfunction presents, may be a therapeutic strategy in DRM as well as in other types of cardiac disease in which significant amyloid accumulation occurs.
Spectral line and white-light intensities in the corona in the presence of propagating or standing shocks

The effect of a propagating shock on the Hi Lα line and the polarization brightness in the inner solar wind region is investigated. We find that the shock produces measurable changes in both and, provided the measurements are made simultaneously, the alteration of the density and velocity across the shock can be derived. For a standing shock the effect on the Lα line and the white-light radiation is much smaller.
Anti-ICAM-1 antibodies protect allografts against microvascular and parenchymal cell damage

Anti-ICAM-1 (anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1) monoclonal antibodies (CD54) were tested for treating composite tissue allografts in the rat hindlimb-cremaster transplantation model for intravital microcirculatory studies. Twenty-four transplantations were carried out across major histocompatibility barriers between Lewis-Brown Norway and Lewis rats. Isograft control transplants were compared to nontreated allograft control transplants and to allografts treated with 1 mg/kg of anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies. At 24 and 72 hours, microcirculatory vessel diameters, red blood cell velocities, functional capillary perfusion, endothelial edema index, and leukocyte-endothelial interactions were measured. At 24 and 72 hours, the number of sticking leukocytes, sticking lymphocytes, transmigrating leukocytes, and the endothelial edema index in the treated allografts were significantly decreased more than in the other 2 groups (p
Usual Interstitial Pneumonitis Responsive to Corticosteroids Following Varicella Pneumonia

Varicella pneumonia usually resolves after treatment, and occasionally miliary calcification develops on the roentgenogram of the chest years afterward. A case of varicella pneumonia is presented that followed a previously unreported course. In this case, usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP) developed. The pneumonitis responded well clinically and radiographically to corticosteroid treatment. The role of viral pneumonia in the cause of UIP is discussed.
Simulation, estimation and control of size distribution in aerosol processes with simultaneous reaction, nucleation, condensation and coagulation

This article presents a comprehensive study on simulation, estimation and control of size distribution in aerosol processes with simultaneous chemical reaction, nucleation, condensation and coagulation. Initially, a typical aerosol process is considered and a detailed population balance model is presented which describes how the aerosol size distribution evolves with time. The population balance is complemented with mass and energy balances that describe the evolution of the continuous phase species and temperature of the system. Sectional representations and unimodal lognormal moment approximations of the population balance model are then derived and solved. It is found that the moment model provides reasonably accurate estimates of the average properties of the aerosol size distribution computed by the sectional model for long times. Then, a nonlinear state estimator is constructed on the basis of the moment model, which employs measurements of the geometric average particle diameter to compute the evolution of the average properties of the aerosol size distribution. Finally, a nonlinear controller is designed on the basis of the moment model and is implemented on the sectional model to achieve an aerosol size distribution with desired geometric average particle diameter. The robustness properties of the nonlinear estimator and controller with respect to significant parametric model uncertainty are successfully tested through computer simulations.
Role of Erv29p in Collecting Soluble Secretory Proteins into ER-Derived Transport Vesicles

Proteins are transported from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in vesicles formed by coat protein complex II (COPII). Soluble secretory proteins are thought to leave the ER in these vesicles by "bulk flow" or through recognition by hypothetical shuttling receptors. We found that Erv29p, a conserved transmembrane protein, was directly required for packaging glycosylated pro-alpha-factor (gpalphaf) into COPII vesicles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Further, an Erv29p-gpalphaf complex was isolated from ER-derived transport vesicles. In vivo, export of gpalphaf from the ER was saturable and depended on the expression level of Erv29p. These results indicate that membrane receptors can link soluble cargo proteins to the COPII coat.
On Some Useful "Inefficient" Statistics

Several statistical techniques are proposed for economically analyzing large masses of data by means of punched-card equipment; most of these techniques require only a counting sorter. The methods proposed are designed especially for situations where data are inexpensive compared to the cost of analysis by means of statistically “efficient” or “most powerful” procedures. The principal technique is the use of functions of order statistics, which we call systematic statistics.
Barriers and successful strategies to antiretroviral adherence among HIV-infected monolingual Spanish-speaking patients.

Focus groups were conducted with HIV-infected, monolingual Spanish-speaking patients (N=81) taking antiretrovirals in order to: (1) determine what barriers impede medication adherence; (2) determine what strategies facilitate adherence; and (3) investigate the health care provider-patient relationship and whether it impacts adherence. Both quantitative and qualitative information was gathered. Participants were prescribed an average of 11 pills per day (M=11.4, SD=7.0, range=1-30). Only 32% of participants were consistently adherent when self-report of medication taking (yesterday, the day before yesterday, and last Saturday) was compared to prescribed regimen. The most frequently reported strategies were: learning more about the medications (77%), accepting the need to take them (75%) and refilling prescriptions early or on time (70%). Barriers most often reported were: feeling depressed or overwhelmed (21%), simply forgetting (19%) and sleeping through a dose (17%). From the qualitative data, four main ...
Computer literacy achievement based on prior education and training

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the achievement of students enrolled in a college level computer literacy course. Students were grouped as those having prior secondary computer classes, those having prior personal computer experience, and those having neither prior computer courses or prior computer experience. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures were used to examine the effects of prior computer experience and computer education on the students' computer literacy scores. The study indicates that high school courses and computer experience are irrelevant to the amount of knowledge the student will gain during the course.
Paediatric care and immunisation among Jordanian children

This paper investigates the behavioural aspects of health care use for Jordanian children from birth to 3 years using data from a national survey. Statistical analyses indicate differences in the determinants of the use of paediatric care and immunisation: whereas immunisation coverage was already good in 1983 (and has improved subsequently), paediatric care is used for fewer than half of the children under 1 year of age. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the population, especially female education, and maternal health care use, are important determinants of these patterns of child health care. The absence of differences in paediatric care and immunisation by sex of the child are discussed.
Genetic influences on craving for alcohol.

Abstract Introduction Craving is being considered for inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) DSM-5. However, little is known of its genetic underpinnings — specifically, whether genetic influences on craving are distinct from those influencing DSM-IV alcohol dependence. Method Analyses were conducted in a sample of unrelated adults ascertained for alcohol dependence (N = 3976). Factor analysis was performed to examine how alcohol craving loaded with the existing DSM-IV alcohol dependence criteria. For genetic analyses, we first examined whether genes in the dopamine pathway, including dopamine receptor genes (DRD1, DRD2, DRD3, DRD4) and the dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3), which have been implicated in neurobiological studies of craving, as well as alpha-synuclein ( SNCA ), which has been previously found to be associated with craving, were associated with alcohol craving in this sample. Second, in an effort to identify novel genetic variants associated with craving, we conducted a genomewide association study (GWAS). For variants that were implicated in the primary analysis of craving, we conducted additional comparisons — to determine if these variants were uniquely associated with alcohol craving as compared with alcohol dependence. We contrasted our results to those obtained for DSM-IV alcohol dependence, and also compared alcohol dependent individuals without craving to non-dependent individuals who also did not crave alcohol. Results Twenty-one percent of the full sample reported craving alcohol. Of those reporting craving, 97.3% met criteria for DSM-IV alcohol dependence with 48% endorsing all 7 dependence criteria. Factor analysis found a high factor loading (0.89) for alcohol craving. When examining genes in the dopamine pathway, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DRD3 and SNCA were associated with craving (p 0.05), suggesting that the association was due in part to craving. In the GWAS, the greatest evidence of association with craving was for a SNP in the integrin alpha D ( ITGAD ) gene on chromosome 7 (rs2454908; p = 1.8 × 10 − 6 ). The corresponding p-value for this SNP with DSM-IV alcohol dependence was similar (p = 4.0 × 10 − 5 ) but was far less with dependence without craving (p = 0.02), again suggesting the association was due to alcohol craving. Adjusting for dependence severity (number of endorsed criteria) attenuated p-values but did not eliminate association. Conclusions Craving is frequently reported by those who report multiple other alcohol dependence symptoms. We found that genes providing evidence of association with craving were also associated with alcohol dependence; however, these same SNPs were not associated with alcohol dependence in the absence of alcohol craving. These results suggest that there may be unique genetic factors affecting craving among those with alcohol dependence.
Passive Sampling of Bioavailable Organic Chemicals in Perry County, Missouri Cave Streams

Two types of passive samplers—semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS)—were deployed in spring 2008 to assess bioavailable concentrations of aquatic contaminants in five cave streams and resurgences in Perry County, Missouri. Study sites represent areas of high cave biodiversity and the only known habitat for grotto sculpin (Cottus carolinae). Time-weighted average (TWA) water concentrations were calculated for 20 compounds (n = 9 SPMDs; n = 11 POCIS) originating primarily from agricultural sources, including two organochlorine insecticides, dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide, which were found at levels exceeding U.S. EPA criteria for the protection of aquatic life. GIS data were used to quantify and map sinkhole distribution and density within the study area. Infiltration of storm runoff and its influence on contaminant transport were also evaluated using land cover and hydrological data. This work provides evidence of cave stream contamination by a mix ...