cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stereoscopic shape discrimination is well preserved across changes in object size.

Abstract A single experiment evaluated human observers’ ability to discriminate the shape of solid objects that varied in size and orientation in depth. The object shapes were defined by binocular disparity, Lambertian shading, and texture. The object surfaces were smoothly curved and had naturalistic shapes, resembling those of water-smoothed granite rocks. On any given trial, two objects were presented that were either the same or different in terms of shape. When the “same” objects were presented, they differed in their orientation in depth by 25°, 45°, or 65°. The observers were required to judge whether any given pair of objects was the “same” or “different” in terms of shape. The size of the objects was also varied by amounts up to ±40% relative to the standard size. The observers’ shape discrimination performance was strongly affected by the magnitude of the orientation changes in depth – thus, their performance was viewpoint dependent. In contrast, the observers’ shape discrimination abilities were only slightly affected by changes in the overall size of the objects. It appears that human observers can recognize the three-dimensional shape of objects in a manner that is relatively independent of size.
The Impact of Using Incorrect Weights With the Multiple Membership Random Effects Model

The multiple membership random effects model (MMREM) is used to appropriately model multiple membership data structures. Use of the MMREM requires selection of weights reflecting the hypothesized contribution of each level two unit (e.g., school) and their descriptors to the level one outcome. This study assessed the impact on MMREM parameter and residual estimates of the choice of weight pattern used. Parameter and residual estimates resulting from use of different weight patterns were compared using a real dataset and a small-scale simulation study. Under the conditions examined here, results indicated that choice of weight pattern did not greatly impact relative parameter bias nor level two residuals’ ranks. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
STUDIES ON YELLOW FEVER IN SOUTH AMERICA : IV. TRANSMISSION EXPERIMENTS WITH AEDES AEGYPTI.

1. Batches of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti which had fed on monkeys in the early febrile stage of yellow fever and which has subsequently passed the usually accepted extrinsic incubation period for the virus, failed to transmit the disease to normal monkeys in approximately fifty per cent of the experiments. During the same time over eighty per cent of blood transfers were successful. 2. The monkeys which failed to show fever following mosquito bites later proved resistant to the inoculation of blood or tissues containing virus. 3. The incubation, or afebrile, period in monkeys following the bites of infected mosquitoes varied from less than twenty-four hours to fifteen days. It averaged somewhat longer in non-fatal than in fatal infections.
Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia: A case report

A case of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia of the hand is described. This tumor has also been described as subcutaneous angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia and as an atypical pyogenic granuloma. It usually occurs in the head or neck. This highly recurrent tumor has not been previously described in the hand. It was completely excised and had not recurred 4 years after surgery.
Inhibitory and Facilitatory Areas of the Dorsal Medulla Mediating ACTH Release in the Cat

To define the role of the dorsal medulla in the control of release of ACTH, the authors stimulated electrically (30 sec, 100 μA, 50 Hz) 50 sites in the vicinity of the solitary nuclei of 11 cats anesthetized with chloralose/urethane. Responses of arterial pressure to electrical stimulation were not correlated significantly with release of ACTH. Indirect effects of changes in arterial pressure could not explain changes in release of ACTH. Concentrations of ACTH were measured by radioimmunoassay. Active areas associated with the solitary nucleus were: 1) lateral inhibitory: ventral and lateral to the solitary tract (mean δ ACTH: −153, −86, −97 pg/ml at 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 min, respectively; P < 0.01); 2) medial inhibitory: medial dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and extending to the midline (mean A ACTH: −81, −107, −67 pg/ml; P < 0.01); and 3) intermediate facilitatory: lateral nucleus intercalatus and adjacent reticular formation (mean A ACTH: +105, +158, +4 pg/ml; P < 0.01). The former two areas contain neu...
A consistent pre-clinical/clinical elastography approach for assessing tumor mechanical properties in therapeutic systems

Unlike many other experimental imaging methods, elastography has enjoyed a strong link to the standard diagnostic and interventional evaluation technique of soft tissue palpation. As a result, the initial excitement about elastography quickly translated to clinical use (e.g., [1-3]) which now includes commercially available ultrasound and magnetic resonance (MR) elastography products. However, despite these advances, understanding what these macroscopic clinical-scale tissue measurements indicate with respect to the underlying cellular and tissue-matrix scale phenomena is largely unclear. In this work, we present preliminary data towards a more systematic study of the elasticity biomarker in characterizing cancer for therapeutic design and monitoring. In addition, we demonstrate that we can conduct these studies with techniques that are consistent across both pre-clinical (i.e., mouse) and clinical length scales. The elastography method we use is called modality independent elastography (MIE) [4, 5] and can be described as a highly translatable model-based inverse image-analysis method that reconstructs elasticity images using two acquired image volumes in a pre-post state of deformation. Quantitative phantom results using independent testing methods report an elastic property contrast between the inclusion and background as a 14.9 to 1 stiffness ratio with MIE reconstructing the ratio as 13.1 to 1. Preliminary elasticity reconstructions in murine and human systems are reported and are consistent with literature findings.
Direct Evidence of Anomalous Interfacial Magnetization in Metamagnetic Pd doped FeRh Thin Films

Palladium doped iron rhodium is a magnetic material of significant interest for it's close to room temperature magnetostructural phase transition from antiferromagnetic (AF) to ferromagnetic (FM) ordering. Here we report on the peculiarities of the magnetization distribution in thin films of FeRh(Pd) probed by Polarized Neutron Reflectometry. Remarkably, we've found thin interfacial regions with strong magnetization that have unique thermomagnetic properties as compared to the rest of the system. These regions exist at the top and bottom interfaces of the films while the central regions behave similarly to the bulk with a clear AF-FM order transition. Further we explore the impact of an additional Pt interlayer introduced in the middle of the FeRh(Pd) film and reveal that it serves to replicate the strong interfacial magnetization found at the top and bottom interfaces. These results are of great value both in understanding the fundamental physics of such an order transition, and in considering FeRh(Pd) for magnetic media and spintronics applications.
Actions of Ca2+ antagonists on the guinea-pig ileal myenteric plexus preparation

The guinea-pig ileal myenteric plexus preparation has been used to compare the actions of three Ca2+ channel antagonists, D 600 (methoxyverapamil), nicardipine and diltiazem, on smooth muscle contractions and acetylcholine release in response to electrical stimulation. Acetylcholine release was not affected by these agents at concentrations of 10(-6)-10(-5)M. In confirmation of previous work, however, the smooth muscle contractile responses were effectively inhibited at these concentrations. Quercetin, a non-Ca2+ channel antagonist, was approximately equieffective in blocking both acetylcholine release and smooth muscle contractions. These data suggest that differences may exist in the antagonist sensitivity of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.
Molecular Characterization of Fusarium Head Blight Pathogens Sampled from a Naturally Infected Disease Nursery Used for Wheat Breeding Programs in China.

Puri, K. D., Saucedo, E. S., and Zhong, S. 2012. Molecular characterization of Fusarium head blight pathogens sampled from a naturally infected disease nursery used for wheat breeding programs in China. Plant Dis. 96:1280-1285. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an important disease of wheat and barley worldwide. The disease is primarily caused by members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex, consisting of at least 14 phylogenetically distinct species. To determine the population structure of the FHB pathogens in a naturally infected disease nursery located at Jianyang, Fujian province, China, 160 isolates of the F. graminearum complex were recovered from symptomatic wheat spike samples collected in two consecutive years (2008 and 2009) and characterized using species- and chemotype-specific polymerase chain reaction as well as variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) markers. All isolates analyzed were identified as F. asiaticum except for one isolate, which was identified as F. avenaceum. Among the 159 F. asiaticum isolates, 126 (79%) isolates were of the nivalenol (NIV) type while 29 (18%) isolates were of the 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol type and only 4 (3%) isolates were of the 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol type. The 10 VNTR markers revealed 124 distinct haplotypes and 76 polymorphic alleles across the whole population. The two subpopulations (FA-08 and FA-09) grouped based on the year of collection exhibited low genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.032) and high gene flow (Nm = 15.13). However, a significant genetic differentiation was found within the NIV-type isolates as revealed by the Structure software. The pairwise linkage disequilibrium tests did not support the hypothesis of random mating in the population because half (48.8%) of the locus pairs showed a linkage disequilibrium (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that FHB in this nursery was caused by a genetically homogenous and non-random mating population of F. asiaticum in 2008 and 2009, which consisted of all three trichothecene types with various levels of aggressiveness.
Hybrid miniemulsion polymerization of acrylic/alkyd systems and characterization of the resulting polymers

The hybrid miniemulsion polymerization of acrylates in the presence of alkyd resin was carried out. The polymers obtained were characterized via gel permeation chromatography, carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis and selective extraction; they had a quite broad molecular weight distribution. The double bonds that served as grafting sites of the alkyd onto the polyacrylate were mostly those near acid groups. The final product contained some free alkyd and some free polyacrylate, but the predominant form was poly(acrylate-graft-alkyd). This confirmed that monomer droplet nucleation is the predominant nucleation mechanism for this hybrid miniemulsion polymerization system. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4159–4168, 1999
Extensive Sequence Conservation Among Insect, Nematode, and Vertebrate Vitellogenins Reveals Ancient Common Ancestry

The eggs of most oviparous animals are provisioned with a class of protein called vitellogenin (Vg) which is stored as the major component of yolk. Until recently, deduced amino acid sequences were available only from vertebrate and nematode Vgs, which proved to be homologous. The sequences of several insect Vgs are now known, but early attempts at pairwise alignments with vertebrate and nematode Vgs have been problematic, leading to conflicting conclusions about how closely insect Vgs are related to the others. In this paper we demonstrate that insect Vg sequences can be confidently aligned with one another along their entire lengths and with multiple vertebrate and nematode Vg sequences along most of their spans. Although divergence is high, conservation among insect, vertebrate, and nematode Vg sequences is widespread with a preponderance of glycine, proline, and cysteine residues among strictly conserved amino acids, establishing conclusively that Vgs from the three phyla are homologous. Areas of least-certain alignment are primarily in and around insect and vertebrate polyserine domains which are not homologous. Phylogenetic reconstructions of Vgs based on sequence identities indicate that the insect lineage is the most diverged and that the mammalian serum protein, apolipoprotein B-100, arose from a Vg ancestor after the nematode/vertebrate divergence.
A reflectance study of the photoexcitation of stilbene adsorbed on alumina

It has been found that the prominent near-UV absorption characteristic of chemisorbed trans-stilbene on alumina is entirely removed by irradiation at 31 950 cm−1. The absorption is regenerated in a dark reaction, the reversibility and the time scale of which can be varied over wide limits depending on the activation conditions. It is shown that the process does not involve isomerization. An intermediate is proposed which involves dative sigma bonding to an active aluminum site.
Towards a unified theory of discrete auroras

Recent theoretical developments in auroral research are reviewed. In spite of the great complexity involved, a unified theory begins to emerge. The framework of this unified theory is provided by the imperfect magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling due to enhanced magnetospheric convection. The auroral potential structures in the imperfect coupling state result from the loss cone constriction on enhanced upward field-aligned currents following enhanced magnetospheric convections. Field-aligned potential drops for the inverted V precipitations are supported by a combination of the double layer process, the pitch-angle anisotropy process, the wave-particle interaction (anomalous resistivity) process, the electrostatic shock and the thermoelectric process in descending order of importance. Quasineutrality along inverted V field lines is maintained primarily by the trapped and back-scattered electrons produced respectively by wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere and electron-neutral collisions in the ionosphere. Additional electron energization due to the ion cyclotron turbulence may lead to striations along the inverted V field lines to produce thin auroral arcs imbedded in the inverted V precipitation. The formation of discrete auroras can now be understood as a manifestation of the imperfect magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling due to enhanced magnetosphere-ionosphere interaction.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the management of cervical carcinoma following primary therapy

Thirty-five fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) in 30 patients who had previously received primary therapy for cervical carcinoma are reported. There were 22 positive FNABs, and in 11 cases the positive FNAB definitely changed the patient's planned therapy. There were no complications due to FNAB in these 30 patients. FNAB has an important role in follow-up and management of patients with cervical carcinoma.
Morphological and physiological changes in mice (Mus musculus) selected for large size

Abstract 1. 1. Organ weight studies were carried out on young and aged mice of the Goodale Giant Strain (G/Gw). 2. 2. G/Gw mice have increased body weight (over 40 g), but are normally proportioned without any evidence of obesity. 3. 3. Most organ weights of the G/Gw increased in direct proportion to the increase in body weight although the pituitary, liver and kidneys exhibited relatively larger sizes than in normal sized studies. 4. 4. The increase in liver weight was found to be associated with an increased level of liver glycogen.
Volume comparison and the σk-Yamabe problem

Abstract In this paper we study the problem of finding a conformal metric with the property that the k th elementary symmetric polynomial of the eigenvalues of its Weyl–Schouten tensor is constant. A new conformal invariant involving maximal volumes is defined, and this invariant is then used in several cases to prove existence of a solution, and compactness of the space of solutions (provided the conformal class admits an admissible metric). In particular, the problem is completely solved in dimension four, and in dimension three if the manifold is not simply connected.
A MODEL FOR THE WORLD: 80 YEARS OF MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION AT THE INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION

. This is a short history of modeling work done by the staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission, from the pioneering work of Thompson and Bell through the present.
Evolution of solution structures in a deformed quartz arenite: geometric changes related to permeability changes

Abstract Quartz arenite of the Silurian Keefer Sandstone at a site in West Virginia, U.S.A., records an early pervasive solution-related deformation by grain interpenetration. Volume losses measured by the PSS method show shortening directions from both diagenetic compaction and early tectonic layer-parallel shortening. Later solution-related tectonic deformation during folding formed transgranular stylolites along pre-existing faults or in rock volumes with abundant microfractures. Thus, the geometry of solution-related deformation changed progressively from pervasive at grain scale to focused along transgranular surfaces. We propose that this geometric change resulted from intense porosity and permeability reduction during diagenetic cementation and early layer-parallel shortening, which required fluids to exploit tectonically created pathways along faults or networks of microfractures during later deformation.
Use of continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound to evaluate and manage primary pulmonary hypertension.

Doppler ultrasound was used to assess the response to serial drug testing in a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension. There was a close correlation between the pressure estimated by Doppler and the pulmonary arterial systolic pressure measured invasively (r=0.98). Continous-wave Doppler ultrasound, although not a substitute for initial Swan-Ganz catheterization, may obviate the need for repeat invasive procedures and permit closer monitoring of patients during treatment.
COMPARISON OF ATTACHED DIATOM COMMUNITIES ON NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SUBSTRATES1

A study of attached diatom communities on artificial and natural substrates was conducted in Wheelwright Pond, New Hampshire, during 1975. There were differences in the species composition growing on artificial glass slides and natural substrates. The slides favored the accumulation of Achnanthes minutissima Kutz. and decreased the relative abundance of Eunotia incisa W. Sm. ex. Greg. and Cocconeis placentula v. euglypta (Ehr.) Cleve. Large growths of planktonic species were also noted on the slides. Compositional differences between slides positioned at 15–30 cm (upper) and 1 m (lower) from the surface of the water were minimal. A similar community composition of periphytic diatoms was found on five aquatic macrophytes.
Immunization with peptides from 60 kDa Ro in diverse mouse strains.

Antibodies binding the Ro (or SSA) and La (or SBB) proteins are commonly found in a high proportion of sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or Sjogren's syndrome. The mechanism by which these autoantibodies arise is not known. Others and we have shown that immunization of nonautoimmune-prone mice with short peptides from the Ro ribonucleoprotein particle can induce autoimmunity to 60 kDa Ro and 52 kDa Ro as well as to the 48 kDa La protein after epitope spreading. We have explored the differences in the epitope spreading after 60 kDa Ro peptide immunization in several strains of mice. There is intra- and intermolecular diversification of the immune response after immunization of DBA/2J animals with a monomer peptide representing the residues 480-494 of the 60 kDa Ro protein, but this peptide does not induce epitope spreading when used as the immunogen in either C57Bl/6J or PL/J mice. Similar to previously studied BALB/c mice, DBA/2J mice have antibodies binding many epitopes of 60 kDa Ro, and some sera bind 52 kDa Ro as well as La. These mice have antinuclear antibody in their sera. These data demonstrate that Ro peptide immunization results in different outcomes depending upon the strain of mouse used. Furthermore, these data suggest that genetic variation is important with regard to responding towards short peptide immunization by epitope spreading.
Localization of Hepatitis A Antigen in Marmoset Organs during Acute Infection with Hepatitis A Virus

Twelve marmosets (Saguinus mystax) were inoculated intravenously (iv) with hepatitis A virus (HAV). One died early (day 12); seven were sacrificed at the time of elevation in level of alanine aminotransferase (serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase), and four without elevation were not sacrificed but seroconverted. In the seven marmosets sacrificed during the acute stage of illness, hepatitis A antigen (HA Ag) was detected in the liver by immunofluorescence in all cases, by immune electron microscopy in four, and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in three. The HA Ag appeared by immunofluorescence as very fine granules in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. The HA Ag could not be detected by immunofluorescence in biopsy specimens taken from the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, or transverse colon in any of eight marmosets in which necropsy was performed during the acute or preacute stage of illness. These findings suggest that the gut is not involved during the acute phase of HAV infection following iv inoculation into marmosets. The ELISA results showed that only three of 12 marmoset livers obtained during the acute phase of HAV infection could be used as an antigen source in serologic testing for antibody to HA Ag. Thus, marmoset livers were no better as a source of HA Ag than acute-phase stools from patients with type A hepatitis.
Far-infrared LMR detection of hydroxymethyl

Abstract Laser magnetic resonance spectra of the free hydroxymethyl radical, produced by the reaction of atomic chlorine with methanol vapor, have been observed at several laser wavelengths between 118 and 657 μm. The spectra are identified by chemical tests and by comparison with the ESR spectrum of hydroxymethyl in solids and liquids.
Phase II trial of adjuvant pelvic radiation "sandwiched" between combination paclitaxel and carboplatin in women with uterine papillary serous carcinoma.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the safety and survival in women treated with adjuvant pelvic radiation "sandwiched" between six cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy with completely resected UPSC. Methods Surgically staged women with UPSC (FIGO stage 1–4) and no visible residual disease were enrolled. Treatment involved paclitaxel (175mg/m 2 ) and carboplatin (AUC=6.0–7.5) every 21days for 3 doses, followed by radiation therapy (RT), followed by an additional 3cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin (AUC=5–6). Survival analysis, using Kaplan–Meier methods, was performed on patients who completed at least 3cycles of chemotherapy and RT. Results A total of 81 patients were enrolled, of which 72 patients completed the first 3cycles of chemotherapy followed by prescribed RT. Median age was 67years (range: 43–82years). 59/72 (82%) had disease confined to the uterus and 13/72 (18%) had completely resected extra-uterine disease (stage 3 and 4). 65 (83%) completed the protocol. Overall PFS and OS for combined stage 1 and 2 patients was 65.5±3.6months and 76.5±4.3months, respectively. PFS and OS for combined stage 3 and 4 patients was 25.8±3.0 and 35.9±5.3months, respectively. Three-year % survival probability for stage 1 and 2 patients was 84% and for stage 3 and 4 patients was 50%. Of the 435 chemotherapy cycles administered, there were 11(2.5%) G3/G4 non-hematologic toxicities. 26(6.0%) cycles had dose reductions and 37(8.5%) had dose delays. Conclusions Compared to prior studies of single modality adjuvant therapy, RT "sandwiched" between paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy is well-tolerated and highly efficacious in women with completely resected UPSC.
Production of L‐tryptophan in submerged culture

A strain of C. purpurea has been isolated which will produce L-tryptophan from indole in submerged culture. The L-tryptophan produced is extracellular and in a free form. Levels of up to 1·5 mg/ml of L-tryptophan have been obtained.
Relation between Cardiac Patterns and Reading Performance in Second and Fourth Grade Children

Summary.-The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between reading performance and cardiac response patterns in young children. Continuous cardiac measures were taken on second and fourrh grade boys and girls performing a reading task under Stress or No-stress condicions. Stress was introduced in order to manioulate cardiac level. Results indicated a significant but complex relationship between reading performance and: (1) Cardiac Response Patterns (Basal Cardiac Rate, Performance Cardiac Rate, Cardiac Rate Change); (2) Stress and Cardiac Response Pattern interaction; and (3) sex and age. The results generally confirmed and expanded previous find
Effect of the odd-photon destructive interference on laser induced transparency in rubidium

We present evidence that the odd-photon destructive interference plays an important role when laser induced transparency is used to generate a four-wave mixing signal at a frequency corresponding to a resonance transition. We observe that the resonance four-wave mixing works as predicted by the Harris theory until a critical concentration is reached. Well above the critical concentration the four-wave mixing field becomes concentration independent. This destructive interference significantly limits the much anticipated high efficiency nonlinear wave generation promised in early studies on laser induced transparency.
Perioperative dexmedetomidine improves mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective This study retrospectively investigated the effect of dexmedetomidine on outcomes of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Design Retrospective investigation. Setting Patients from a single tertiary medical center. Participants A total of 724 patients undergoing CABG surgery met the inclusion criteria and were categorized into 2 groups: 345 in the dexmedetomidine group (DEX) and 379 in the nondexmedetomidine group (Non-DEX). Interventions Perioperative dexmedetomidine was used as an intravenous infusion (0.24 to 0.6 µg/kg/hour) initiated after cardiopulmonary bypass and continued for less than 24 hours postoperatively in the intensive care unit. Measurements and Main Results Major outcome measures of this study were in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality, delirium and major adverse cardiocerebral events. Perioperative dexmedetomidine infusion was associated with significant reductions in in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortalities, compared with the patients who did not received dexmedetomidine. In-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortalities were 1.5% and 4.0% (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.332; 95% CI, 0.155 to 0.708; p = 0.0044), 2.0% and 4.5% (adjusted OR, 0.487; 95% CI, 0.253 to 0.985; p = 0.0305), and 3.2% and 6.9% (adjusted OR 0.421; 95% CI, 0.247 to 0.718, p = 0.0015), respectively. Perioperative dexmedetomidine infusion was associated with a reduced risk of delirium from 7.9% to 4.6% (adjusted OR, 0.431; 95% CI, 0.265-0.701; p = 0.0007). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine infusion during CABG surgery was more likely to achieve improved in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year survival rates, and a significantly lower incidence of delirium.
Layers of Reading Intervention in Kindergarten Through Third Grade Changes in Teaching and Student Outcomes

In this study, students and their teachers participated in a layered approach to reading intervention in kindergarten through third grade that included professional development for teachers in scientifically based reading instruction, ongoing measurement of reading progress, and additional small-group or individual instruction for students whose progress was insufficient to maintain grade-level reading achievement. Reading outcomes were compared with historical control groups of students in the same schools. The findings revealed overall improvements in reading, improved reading for students who began the study in high-risk categories, and decreases in the incidence of reading disability at the end of third grade. Implications for scaling up are discussed.
Is pathogenic humoral autoimmunity a Th1 response? Lessons from (for) myasthenia gravis

Abstract Myasthenia gravis (MG) is mediated by autoantibodies to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Although AChR-specific T cells are necessary for disease development, the role of cytokines is not clear. Here, Balaji Balasa and Nora Sarvetnick discuss the T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 paradigm and emerging evidence that interferon γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) are important in experimental autoimmune MG pathogenesis.
Melatonin synthesis in retina: circadian regulation of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase activity in cultured photoreceptor cells of embryonic chicken retina

The key regulatory enzyme in melatonin synthesis is arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT). In vivo, AANAT activity in chicken retinal photoreceptor cells exhibits a circadian rhythm that peaks at night. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the temporal development of light/dark and circadian oscillations of AANAT activity in cultured retinal cells prepared from 6- and 8-day-old chicken embryos (E6, E8, respectively). Photoreceptor cells prepared from E6 retinas and incubated under a 14-h light/10-h dark (LD) cycle of illumination for 5-7 days displayed prominent daily fluctuations in AANAT activity on days 5 and 6 in vitro. However, when E6 cells, incubated for 5 days under LD, were transferred to continuous (24 h/day) darkness (DD) on day 6, no daily pattern of activity was observed. This result indicates that AANAT fluctuations were light-driven and not circadian at this stage. In contrast, cells prepared from E8 embryos and incubated under conditions identical to those for E6 cells displayed prominent rhythms of AANAT activity in both LD and DD, indicative of circadian control. To determine if circadian control of AANAT activity would develop in E6 cells incubated for a longer period of time to allow maturation, cells were incubated for 8 days in LD followed by 2 days in DD. AANAT activity in these cells was rhythmic in both LD and DD. In cells incubated in this manner, a 2-h light pulse in the middle of the subjective night suppressed AANAT activity, indicating that the enzyme activity in the cultured cells is acutely suppressed by light, as it is in vivo. These results indicate that the ability to express circadian regulation of AANAT activity is an intrinsic property of retinal cells that can develop in vitro. Development of light-dark regulation of AANAT activity appears to precede the circadian clock-control of enzyme activity.
A relation between adiabatic inertial parameters and the cubic inverse energy-weighted sum rule

Abstract In the case of a collective path generated by a constrained Hartree-Fock calculation, we derive a simple expression for the adiabatic inertial parameter. This parameter is given by the cubic inverse energy-weighted sum rule calculated in the random phase approximation around each point of the path.
Peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of naturally-occurring phenols and hardwood lignins

Abstract Horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide form phenoxy radicals from 4-substituted-2,6-dimethoxyphenols, milled wood lignin and alkali lignins. A number of factors governing this reaction are examined. Side chain cleavage to quinones is the principal disproportionation reaction of these radicals. Catalysis by UV light and inhibition by quinones is observed. Aerobic oxidation of phenols is catalyzed by small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Lignin substrates are degraded by the same oxidation mechanism as are the simple phenolic substrates.
Clinical and histological evaluation of immediate and delayed flea antigen intradermal skin test and flea bite sites in normal and flea-allergic cats.

Seven cats diagnosed as flea allergic by specific criteria and seven normal control cats were exposed to flea bites in a controlled manner and were given intradermal injections of 1:1000 w/v flea antigen. Subjective evaluation of gross lesions and documentation of histological changes at flea antigen intradermal skin test (IDST) and flea bite sites were performed at 15 min, 24 h and 48 h after IDST or flea exposure. Control cats did not develop an immediate gross reaction to either flea bites or the intradermal injection of flea antigen. All seven flea-allergic cats had an immediate gross reaction at the site of IDST with flea antigen; five of these cats also developed immediate gross reactions to flea bites. Three of seven flea-allergic cats developed a gross 24 h and/or 48 h delayed reaction at the flea antigen IDST sites. These three and one other cat had both an immediate and delayed gross reaction to flea bites. Histological examination of 15 min skin specimens from IDST and flea bite sites of flea-allergic cats were similar with a mild lymphocytic, histiocytic and mastocytic superficial perivascular dermatitis. Histological examination of 24 h and 48 h skin specimens from IDST and flea bite sites of flea-allergic cats showed that they were often indistinguishable. Histological features of IDST and flea bite sites of flea-allergic cats at 24 h consisted of a perivascular to diffuse predominately eosinophilic dermatitis and mural folliculitis with variable epidermal necrosis and ulceration.
Cytoplasmic mediation of malignancy

The relative roles of nucleus and cytoplasm in the induction and maintenance of the malignant state were studied. Cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) clones, derived from the fusion of cytoplasts from malignantly transformed cells to normal whole cells, produced tumors in 17% of the animals injected with them. Nuclear/cytoplasmic hybrid (reconstituted cell) clones, derived by fusion of cytoplasts from malignant cells with karyoplasts of normal cells, produced tumors in 97% of the animals injected. A unique aspect of this study is the fact that all of the cells utilized, both normal and malignantly transformed, were derived from an original cloned cell.
Immune mediated shaping of microflora community composition depends on barrier site.

Barrier surfaces, such as the intestinal lining and the skin, are colonized by a diverse community of commensal microorganisms. Although commensal microorganisms clearly impact the host immune system, whether the immune system also shapes the commensal community is poorly understood. We used 16S rDNA deep sequencing to test whether mice with specific immune defects have an altered commensal microflora. Initially, skin swabs were obtained from wild-type and Langerhans Cell (LC) deficient mice. Despite the intimate contacts that LC make with the upper epidermis, no significant differences were observed in microbial community composition. Similarly, the skin of MyD88/TRIF−/−, Rag1−/− and heterozygous littermate controls showed no alteration in their commensal communities. Next we examined mouth swabs and feces. We did not find a difference in the MyD88/TRIF−/− mice. However, we did observe a significant shift in the microbial composition in the feces and mouths of Rag1−/− mice. Thus, we conclude that the adaptive immune system modulates the microbial composition at mucosal surfaces in the steady-state but LC, adaptive immunity, and MyD88-dependent innate responses do not affect the skin microbiome revealing a major distinction between barrier sites.
Electron energy-loss spectroscopy study of thin film hafnium aluminates for novel gate dielectrics

We have used conventional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in scanning transmission electron microscopy to investigate the microstructure and electronic structure of hafnia-based thin films doped with small amounts (6.8 at.%) of Al grown on (001) Si. The as-deposited film is amorphous with a very thin (approximately 0.5 nm) interfacial SiOx layer. The film partially crystallizes after annealing at 700 degrees C and the interfacial SiO2-like layer increases in thickness by oxygen diffusion through the Hf-aluminate layer and oxidation of the silicon substrate. Oxygen K-edge EELS fine-structures are analysed for both films and interpreted in the context of the films' microstructure. We also discuss valence electron energy-loss spectra of these ultrathin films.
On the measurement of structural balance

If in a group of people every one loves his friends' friends and also his enemies' enemies and hates his friends' enemies and his enemies' friends, the “signed graph” representing the network of relations will be balanced. The degree of balance of a graph, then, provides a sociometric index which may be of importance in constructing theories of group structure and behavior. There are several ways of defining the degree of balance, and the group has several ways of altering this index, for example by reversing existing relationships, by deleting them, or by expelling members. There may be tendencies other than toward balance operating in a group, and these may be opposed to each other. This paper continues the exploration of the mathematical properties of signed graphs with special reference to specific assumptions about the evolution of human groups.
Excimer formation of pyrene as a probe to investigate the recombination of geminate pairs: the effect of charge hopping process on fluorescence and ODESR spectra in X-irradiated ethylene propylene rubber doped with pyrene

The fluorescence detected ESR (ODESR) spectrum and X-induced and UV-excited fluorescence spectra were successfully obtained for ethylene propylene rubber doped with pyrene under various conditions. From the analysis of the ODESR intensity and its line-width, it was found that charge hopping between the solute pyrenes is the main mechanism for geminate recombination at the pyrene content larger than 0.3 wt%. At elevated temperatures, the excimer fluorescence relative to the monomer fluorescence induced by X-ray excitation is considerably stronger than that by UV-excitation, especially at high concentrations. On the other hand, at lower temperatures below ca. 280 K this difference could not be observed even at high concentration of 3.0 wt%. These observations indicate that the dimer cation formation, from which the excimer fluorescence is efficiently emitted, is accelerated by the hopping of cation-radical center to the clustering pyrenes at high temperatures and high concentrations. While only the electron hopping takes place at low temperatures, thus whether a charge recombination results in excimer formation or not is determined by the cationic trapping site, i.e. if several pyrenes are clustering there, excimer may be formed regardless of the excitation source. Although rapid translational motion is restricted in ethylene propylene rubber, the effective formation of excimer or dimer cation at high temperatures indicates that rotational diffusion and small distance translational diffusion are allowed within the fluorescence lifetime at those temperatures.
Regulation of acid hydrolysis of sucrose in acid lime juice sac cells

The sucrose content of acid lime [Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swing.] juice tissue was measured at time 0 and at various times following incubation at 15.5, 26.6 and 37.7°C. The decline in sucrose content in fruit stored at 15.5°C paralleled the expected values for a sucrose solution at pH 2.1. At higher temperatures, the in vivo sucrose content decreased at significantly lower rates than the expected values. In fruit stored at 26.6 and 37.7°C, the vacuolar pH increased 0.11 and 0.23 units, respectively. When sucrose hydrolysis was recalculated at the increased vacuolar pH of juice cells stored at 26.6 and 37.7°C, the calculated values were similar to the measured values obtained in vivo. It is concluded that within the limits of the experimental conditions, the rates of sucrose acid hydrolysis are regulated by changes in the vacuolar H+ concentration.
Angular correlation analysis

Abstract The analysis of angular correlation data is described, in which measurements are made at a minimum number of properly chosen angles. It is assumed that the radiation studied is beam produced (in particular, a neutron capture-gamma experiment). Calculations are made concerning the “false correlation” and “correlation damping” effects which result from the finite dimensions of the target and detectors, and from the scattering and attenuation of radiation in the target. Explicit expressions for the appropriate corrections are compiled.
Treatment Receipt and Outcomes among Lung Cancer Patients with Depression

Abstract Aims Among lung cancer patients, depression has been associated with increased mortality, although the mechanisms are unknown. We evaluated the association of depression with mortality and receipt of cancer therapies among depressed veterans with lung cancer. Materials and methods A retrospective, cohort study of lung cancer patients in the Veterans Affairs-Northwest Health Network from 1995 to 2010. Depression was defined by ICD-9 coding within 24 months before lung cancer diagnosis. Multivariable Cox proportional analysis and logistic regression were used. Results In total, 3869 lung cancer patients were evaluated; 14% had a diagnosis of depression. A diagnosis of depression was associated with increased mortality among all stage lung cancer patients (hazard ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.27, P = 0.01). Among early-stage (I and II) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, the hazard ratio was 1.37 (95% confidence interval: 1.12–1.68, P = 0.003). There was no association of depression diagnosis with surgery (odds ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.56–1.22, P = 0.34) among early-stage NSCLC patients. A depression diagnosis was not associated with mortality (hazard ratio = 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 0.89–1.16, P = 0.78) or chemotherapy (odds ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 0.83–1.39, P = 0.59) or radiation (odds ratio = 1.04, 95% confidence interval: 0.81–1.34, P = 0.75) receipt among advanced-stage (III and IV) NSCLC patients. Increased utilisation of health services for depression was associated with increased mortality among depressed patients. Conclusions Depression is associated with increased mortality in lung cancer patients and this association is higher among those with increased measures of depression care utilisation. Differences in lung cancer treatment receipt are probably not responsible for the observed mortality differences between depressed and non-depressed patients. Clinicians should recognise the significant effect of depression on lung cancer survival.
Competitive reduction of noxious Lyngbya wollei mats by rooted aquatic plants

Abstract Establishment of native emergent or floating-leaved plants appears to offer natural and effective means to minimize the nuisance impacts of the mat-forming cyanobacterium Lyngbya wollei. This research has identified two species (Pontederia cordata and Potamogeton nodosus) which offer the potential for long-term competitive control of nuisance L. wollei mats in shallow waters. Both species significantly impacted the distribution and total mass of L. wollei mats within planted experimental plots compared to adjacent unplanted control plots. The established plants forced a redistribution of the L. wollei biomass within the water column, preventing the formation of the characteristic summertime floating mats, the most objectionable of the many nuisance aspects of this species. In addition, the L. wollei biomass was reduced by more than 50% in planted plots. This reduction in mass may have been related to reduced light and nutrient availability within the vegetated plots. In addition, oxygenation and acidification of the benthic region may have promoted the decomposition and remineralization of the nuisance mat.
A hierarchical feature decomposition clustering algorithm for unsupervised classification of document image types

In a system where medical paper document images have been converted to a digital format by a scanning operation, understanding the document types that exists in this system could provide for vital data indexing and retrieval. In a system where millions of document images have been scanned, it is infeasible to expect a supervised based algorithm or a tedious (human based) effort to discover the document types. The most sensible and practical way is an unsupervised algorithm. Many clustering techniques have been developed for unsupervised classification. Many rely on all data being presented at once, the number of clusters to be known, or both. The algorithm presented in this paper is a two-threshold based technique relying on a hierarchical decomposition of the features. On a subset of document images, it discovered document types at an acceptable level and confidentially classified unknown document images.
Mechanism of graft-versus-host-induced lymphadenopathy in mice. Trapping vs. proliferation.

Graft-vs.-host (GVH)-induced lymphadenopathy of the popliteal lymph node has been produced in C57BL/6 x A/J F1 (BAF1) mice by injecting A/J spleen cells into the rear footpads. By giving 51Cr-labeled BAF1 lymphoid cells intravenously to the hosts, 24 h before sacrifice, we have demonstrated that a large portion of the GVH-induced lymphadenopathy is due to the trapping of circuating lymphocytes in the challenged lymph nodes. Most of the remaining enlargement can be attributed to proliferation of host cells within the reacting lymph nodes. Conditions have been defined under which the weights and [14C]thymidine incorporation of the popliteal nodes can be plotted against the dose of injected A/J spleen cells on a double-log scale to give a linear dose-response. The popliteal lymph node GVH assay is a simple and effective means of quantitating immune reactivity to histocompatibility antigens in mice.
Sequential Monte Carlo Method for Fixed Symbol Timing Estimation and Data Detection

Accurate estimation of symbol sampling instants is critical for reliable detection of transmitted symbols in communication systems. In this paper, we deal with the problem of joint estimation of symbol timing and transmitted symbols using sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) methods. Previous research work has developed SMC methods that achieve excellent performance in estimating channel reference parameters that include the symbol timing. However, these SMC methods are developed based on the assumption that the symbol-timing is time-varying, as a result, their application may be limited to systems whose symbol timing can be modeled as such. In this paper, we extend the work to problems where the symbol-timing is fixed. The posterior probability density of the fixed symbol timing is approximated by a beta distribution function whose parameters are sequentially updated. With such an approximation, an efficient SMC algorithm is developed that estimate the transmitted symbols and the symbol timing jointly.