cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new direct detection camera system for electron microscopy

High resolution electron imaging is very important in nanotechnology and biotechnology fields. For example, Cryogenic Electron-Microscopy is a promising method to obtain 3-D structures of large protein complexes and viruses. We report on the design and measurements of a new CMOS direct-detection camera system for electron imaging. The active pixel sensor array that we report on includes 512 by 550 pixels, each 5 by 5 μm in size, with an ~8 μm epitaxial layer to achieve an effective fill factor of 100%. Spatial resolution of 2.3 μm for a single incident e- has been measured. Electron microscope tests have been performed with 200 and 300 keV beams, and the first recorded Electron Microscope image is presented.
Effect of methionine sulfoximine on methylation of guanine residues in astroglial transfer ribonucleic acids.

Culture-grown astrocytes derived from 3-day-old rat brain were incubated in the presence of [3H]guanosine and of the convulsant agent L-methionine-dl-sulfoximine (MSO). The resulting [3 H]tRNA was purified from control and MSO-exposed cells at several time points during the incubation and was hydrolyzed to [3H]guanine and four [3H]methyl guanines which were separated by high pressure liquid chromatography. Three of the four [3H]methyl guanines were more highly labeled in the [3H]tRNA of the MSO-exposed ceils, relative to that of the control cells throughout the entire incubation period. The findings extend to cultured astrocytes, the stimulatory effect of MSO on the methylation of neural tRNA guanines, previously observed both in vitro using [~4C]S-adenosyl-L-methionine and in vivo using [methyl-3H]L-methionine.
The Host Guest Co-Crystal Approach to Supramolecular Structure

A host-guest co-crystal approach to supramolecular structure has been developed. Molecular functionalities have been identified that will self assemble via hydrogen bonds to give one dimensional α-networks with defined intermolecular distances. Host molecules based on these functionalites can be co-crystallized with guest molecules, the characteristic distance defined by the host is thus imposed on the guest. Using this strategy, functional supramolecular solids can be prepared. One molecule, the host determines the structure, while a second molecule, the guest, provides the function.
In vitro prediction of the terfenadine-ketoconazole pharmacokinetic interaction.

Biotransformation of the peripherally acting H-1 histamine antagonist, terfenadine, to its desalkyl and hydroxy metabolites was studied in vitro using microsomal preparations from six separate human livers. These metabolic reactions are mediated by the specific cytochrome P450-3A4. Addition of ketoconazole to the reaction mixtures reduced the rate of formation of both metabolites in a manner consistent with competitive inhibition. Ketoconazole inhibition constants (Ki) averaged 0.024 μM for the desalkyl terfenadine pathway, and 0.237 μM for the hydroxy terfenadine pathway. A mathematical model, based on the in vitro Ki values and the usual clinical range of plasma ketoconazole concentrations (1–5 μg/mL; 1.88 − 0.94 μM), predicted that plasma terfenadine levels during coadministration of ketoconazole would increase by a factor ranging from 13-fold to 59-fold relative to the same dose of terfenadine given without ketoconazole. Actual plasma terfenadine levels during terfenadine-ketoconazole coadministration in a clinical pharmacokinetic study were close to those predicted by the model. These plasma levels were associated with prolongation of the corrected QT interval, thereby explaining the potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias reportedly associated with terfenadine-ketoconazole cotherapy. Thus, data from studies of drug metabolism in vitro can be used to predict and thereby possibly avoid clinically important drug interactions.
Applications of NMR to Pharmaceutical Technology

Introduction Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a spectroscopic technique well suited to determining the structure of molecules ranging from a few atoms to large proteins. The strength of NMR lies in its ability to distinguish and identify atoms on the basis of their chemical environment, and in determining the chemical bond and spatial relationship of those atoms. Thus, NMR is a powerful tool for the identification of molecules, especially those of an organic nature. In addition, NMR has quantitative applications valuable to pharmaceutical analysis.
Nuclear-acoustic-resonance study of electric quadrupole interactions and spin-phonon coupling in an aluminum-zinc alloy

Nuclear acoustic resonance has been applied to the study of an aluminum-0.87-at.%-zinc single-crystal alloy. For the magnetic field along [111], satellite lines were observed at \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 57 Oe and \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 114 Oe relative to the main line. These satellites were attributed to aluminum nuclei which are nearest neighbors to zinc impurities. The orientation of the principal axes of the electric-field-gradient tensor was determined for nearest neighbors. The main $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$ resonance absorption and dispersion signals were observed over the temperature range of 2.5-200 K. These signals exhibited temperature-dependent changes in shape which are explained by the theories of Buttet and Fedders.
Methodology for Impact Modeling of Triaxial Braided Composites Using Shell Elements

In this paper, a two-dimensional triaxial braided composite model has been studied using the nonlinear explicit finite-element code LSDYNA. The unit cell consists of six subcells and material properties associated with shell element integration point simulate braiding architecture. The local material properties were selected by correlation of the global behavior of a coupon model with static specimen tests. By changing subcell size and orientation angle at integration points, different braids architectures were obtained. Panel ballistic models were performed with benefits of computation efficiency of shell elements. Mechanical properties, panel impact threshold velocities, and failure initiations for braids with bias angles of 75, 60, 45, and 30° were studied. Boundary effects were also investigated.
Breaking the barriers to commercialization of MEMS: a firm's search for competitive advantage

A model of infrastructure development for MEMS manufacturing Technologies is offered. The role of discontinuous innovation in achieving competitive advantage is briefly reviewed. This is followed by the development of a model that describes the stages in the growth of an infrastructure to support Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems infrastructure. We briefly describe how an infrastructure gradually grows to support a new industry, resulting from discontinuous innovation. the model indicates the evolving nature of the actions and investments that firms and governments need to make to support the growth of an immature industry. Consequently, we aim to not only offer a descriptive model, but offer guidance to firms on whether their intentions and resources fit with the state of the industry and to offer policy makers guidance on the timing of different types of support.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A SIBLING SPECIES OF SEA CUCUMBER DISCOVERED BY STARCH GEL ELECTROPHORESIS.

Abstract 1. 1. Two populations of the holothurian Thyonell gemmata have been found to differ very slightly in morphological and behavioural characteristics; separation of the two forms is possible only upon careful observation of living material. 2. 2. Individuals of each of the two types, “stouts” and “thins”, have very different hemoglobin and esterase electrophoretic patterns, though the gross morphology and the electrophoretic pattern for the major soluble proteins of corresponding organs and tissues are similar. 3. 3. A probable genetically based hemoglobin polymorphism exists in “stouts” but not “thins” and is further evidence that there is no gene flow between the two essentially sympatric populations. 4. 4. Water vascular and coelomic hemoglobins appear to be very similar if not identical proteins and to have a common genetic determinant. 5. 5. The discovery of these “sibling species” by biochemical means i discussed from both ontogenetic and phylogenetic viewpoints; in addition, other examples of the usefulness of biochemical techniques in systematics are reviewed.
The effects of sub-blocking temperature metamorphism on the K/Ar systematics of hornblendes: 40Ar/39Ar dating of polymetamorphic garnet amphibolite from the Franciscan Complex, California

The effects of sub-blocking temperature metamorphism on the K/Ar system in hornblende, as revealed by 40Ar/39Ar release spectra, have been studied in a polymetamorphic “knocker” from the Franciscan Complex (FC), California. A primary amphibolite assemblage of horn-blende +rutile+epidote+apatite±garnet±sphene is variably overprinted by a blueschist facies assemblage of blue amphibole +lawsonite+chlorite+white mica+pumpellyite±sphene. The secondary assemblage formed at a temperature of ≤370° C, below that at which rapid Ar diffusion is expected in hornblende. Hornblendes from three, variably-altered samples of garnet amphibolite yield total gas ages of 147 to 161 Ma, but the corresponding plateau ages of 163.0±2.8, 160.6±2.2, and 161.8±2.2 Ma are identical within error. Hornblende separates with lower total gas ages come from more highly overprinted rocks, have “excess” K compared to that expected on the basis of electron probe analyses, and exhibit anomalously high K/Ca ratios in the low-temperature fractions of their incremental heating spectra. The reduced total gas ages result from the presence of thin (∼2 μm) sheets of younger white mica in hornblendes from the moderately and highly altered amphibolites. The secondary micas are difficult to detect because of their small size and low abundance (≤2%), but because their K content is 50 to 100 times that of the host hornblende, they contribute significantly to the K and Ar budgets of the sample. The mica intergrowths are not removed by normal sample preparation, but because the mica inclusions degas at lower temperatures than hornblende during vacuum extraction, incremental heating analyses can provide precise cooling ages for the hornblendes as well as useful estimates of the age of the mica inclusions. The hornblende separate from the most altered sample contained 20±10% younger blue amphibole replacing hornblende, but its plateau age was not significantly affected. This is consistent with a replacement process in which K and Ar loss from the hornblende are coupled, leaving the K/Ar system undisturbed in relict primary grains. The K and Ar budgets of the sample are not strongly affected by the blue amphibole because of its very low K content. Because partial replacement of primary amphibole by high-K phyllosilicates occurs in many geological environments, effects like those described here could be widespread.
Approaches for updating the matrix inverse for control system problems with special reference to row or column perturbation

Abstract This paper presents an approach for updating the inverse of the matrix. The update in the existing matrix inverse is usually needed because of changes in one or more elements of the original matrix or a change of one row or one column. Changes in value of elements of a matrix may occur due to variation in operating conditions of the system. Existing techniques of matrix inversion do offer the possibility of updating the inverse. For these techniques the matrix inverse has to be determined from fundamentals for the modified matrix and this kind of computation is not very desirable from the point of view of computer time and storage. This paper suggests certain methodologies to update the given matrix inverse for variation of operating conditions.
L-type voltage-gated calcium channels are involved in the in vivo and in vitro expression of fear conditioning.

Fear conditioning, a behavioral model of fear learning and cue-related anxiety, causes enhanced neuronal transmission in the thalamic to lateral amygdala pathway.(1,2) In the expression phase of learned fear, this increased transmission recorded in vitro is revealed in increased amplitudes of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and occlusion of paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) implicating a presynaptic increase in transmitter release. Here we examined the contribution of L-type calcium channels in fear conditioning. We measured the effect of nimodipine (Nim, 1.5-20 mg/kg), an L-type calcium channel antagonist, on fear-potentiated startle in which startle was assessed in animals receiving paired or unpaired tone and foot shock. Nim administered intraperitoneally blocked fear-potentiated startle but not baseline startle in a dose-dependent manner. We also analyzed the effect of Nim (10 micro M) in vitro on synaptic facilitation of EPSCs and PPF in slices from naive control, unpaired control, and fear-conditioned animals. In neurons from naive control animals, Nim had no effect on EPSC amplitude or PPF, but in slices from fear-conditioned rats, Nim reduced EPSC amplitude, suggesting the recruitment of L-type calcium channels within the fear-conditioning pathway. Nim increased PPF in slices from fear-conditioned animals, suggesting that L-type calcium channels may contribute to increased probability of release in fear conditioning. In slices from unpaired animals, Nim decreased synaptic transmission but had little effect on PPF, suggesting that stress or contextual fear learning may induce L-type channel activity in fear-conditioned and unpaired control animal groups. We also analyzed protein expression of the alpha(1C) and alpha(1D) L-type calcium channel subunits isolated from the amygdala and found that alpha(1C) protein was significantly increased in fear-conditioned animals. These findings suggest that L-type calcium channels play a role in the amygdala in cued fear conditioning and have important implications in the treatment of anxiety and in emotional learning and plasticity.
Alkali Metal Partitioning in Ash from Pulverized Coal Combustion

Abstract The relationship between the original form of sodium and potassium in coal and the ultimate fate of these metals was explored through experimentation in a 17kw laboratory downflow combustor. Composition analyses of size segregated samples of airbone ash at exhaust conditions for six different coals are reported. In all cases sodium was enriched in the small particle size range, and was shown both to form a sodium rich fume as well as an enriched surface layer around existing particles. The fraction of sodium appearing in the small particle size range, and therefore previously vaporized, could be correlated with the fraction of sodium that was acid soluble and inversely with the amount of silicon present in the parent coal. Increased temperature led to a decrease in the amount of sodium vaporized. For the coals examined, potassium was present primarily in the mineral form. Although the fraction of potassium vaporized could be positively correlated neither with total nor with acid soluble forms of ...
Propionic acidemia: diagnosis by enzyme assay in frozen leukocytes.

Summary A simplified and miniaturized assay is described for propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity. Leukocytes have measurable amounts of this enzyme, which is markedly reduced in patients with propionic acidemia. The stability of this enzyme permits shipment of whole blood or frozen leukocyte pellets for diagnostic assay. It has been possible to establish or refute the diagnosis of propionic acidemia in specimens of blood transported from other medical centers.
Priority-based dynamic packet reservation for TDMA wireless networks

We investigate the problem of dynamic bandwidth reservation over the uplink of TDMA-based wireless networks providing prioritized services. The proposed multiple access protocol has the following salient features. First, it supports multiple levels of priorities. Second, it optimizes a unique cost function that consists of a weighted sum of allocation "deviation" functions, on a frame-by-frame basis. This, in turn, reduces the computational complexity significantly and hence makes it more suitable to real-time operation. Furthermore, the proposed cost function is amenable to analytical optimization techniques. Third, it supports a wide variety of traffic classes, namely multimedia, short message bursts and call hand-off requests. The simulation results show that a performance improvement is achieved by this protocol compared to a heuristic policy based on weighted fair queuing.
The Handy Eye Check: a mobile medical application to test visual acuity in children

Purpose To compare visual acuity results obtained with the Handy Eye Chart to results obtained using the Handy Eye Check, a mobile medical application that electronically presents isolated Handy Eye Chart optotypes according the Amblyopia Treatment Study (ATS) protocol. Methods Consecutive patients 6-18 years of age presenting for eye examinations between May 30, 2012, and June 26, 2012, were invited to participate. Monocular visual acuity testing was performed on the subject's poorer-seeing eye using both the Handy Eye Check and the Handy Eye Chart under the same conditions. Visual acuity was first tested using the mobile application, then using the chart, followed by repeated application testing. Patients were excluded if they were unable to undergo the required visual acuity testing or if visual acuity in the worse-seeing eye was less than 20/200 (for validity testing, but not reliability testing). Results There was a strong linear correlation ( r = 0.92) and a mean difference in acuity of −0.005 logMAR, or less than one letter (95% CI, −0.03 to 0.02), between the two tests. The 95% limits of agreement were ± 2 lines. Test–retest reliability was high, with 81% of retest scores within 0.1 logMAR (5 letters) and 100% within 0.2 logMAR (10 letters), an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.93, and a standard error of measurement of 0.08. Conclusions The Handy Eye Check mobile application compares similarly to the Handy Eye Chart as a valid and reliable test of visual acuity in children age 6-18 years.
Female Athlete Triad Awareness Among Multispecialty Physicians

The female athlete triad (Triad) is a serious condition with lifelong consequences seen in physically active females. Prior studies assessing Triad knowledge among coaches/athletic trainers reported surprisingly low awareness results. Our aims were to (1) determine the percentage of physicians across multiple specialties who had heard of the phrase “female athlete triad” and (2) determine the percentage who can properly diagnose or have a high comfort level appropriately referring these patients. Via electronic survey, we recruited medical staff, residents, and fellows at three large academic institutions across specialties to answer an eight-item test on Triad awareness and knowledge. A total of 931 physician participants were recorded. Of the total responders (40 % male and 60 % female), 23 % were residents, 12 % were fellows, and 65 % were attending physicians. Overall, 37 % had heard of the Triad. Of these respondents, an average of 2.1 ± 1.1 of the three components were properly identified with an overall average score on the Triad awareness test of 71 ± 18 % out of a possible 100 %. Fifty-one percent reported feeling either comfortable treating or referring a patient with the Triad. When assessing awareness among specialties, the awareness rates were highest among orthopedic surgery (80 %), followed by obstetrics and gynecology (55 %) and physical medicine and rehabilitation/rheumatology (52 %). The three with the lowest awareness were anesthesia (9 %), radiology (10 %), and psychiatry (11 %). Our findings suggest that approximately one third of the physicians surveyed have heard of the Triad. Approximately one half of physicians were comfortable treating or referring a patient with the Triad. Increased awareness through education to properly identify and manage the Triad is essential for all physicians.
Kafka in the academy: a note on ethics in IA education

In studying how to protect the United States' critical infrastructure, a presidential commission divided it into several sectors: information and communications, banking and finance, energy, physical distribution, and vital human services. Given that all sectors are strongly interconnected, the vulnerability of one represents dangers for the others. For example, a failure in the communications infrastructure would quickly have consequences in the finance and physical distribution sectors, which rely on it for coordination. Disruption of finance and transportation would quickly spill over into the energy and human services sectors. The communications and information infrastructures' self-evident long-term dependence on energy and finance completes the cycle
Myocardial restoration with embryonic stem cell bioartificial tissue transplantation.

Background The optimal cell-matrix combination for robust and sustained myocardial restoration has not been identified. The present study utilizes embryonic stem cells as the substrate of bioartificial myocardial tissue and evaluates engraftment in, and functional recovery of, the recipient heart. Methods Collagen type I was populated with undifferentiated green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive mouse embryonic stem cells. An intramural left ventricular pouch was fashioned after ligation of the left anterior descending artery in an athymic nude rat heterotopic heart transplant model. The bioartificial mixture (0.125 ml) was implanted in the infarcted area within the pouch. Echocardiography was performed to assess fractional shortening in: Group I, infarcted rats that received cell-matrix implants; Group II, rats given matrix implant without cells; Group III, rats given no matrix or cells; and Group IV, rats receiving transplanted hearts without ligation ( n = 5/group). Hearts were stained for GFP, cardiac markers (connexin-43, α-sarcomeric actin), hematoxylin-eosin (HE Group II, 1.0 ± 0.1 mm, Group III, 0.9 ± 0.2 mm; and Group IV, 1.3 ± 0.2 mm). The inoculated cells expressed connexin-43 and α-sarcomeric actin in vivo. Fractional shortening was better in embryonic stem cell-treated animals (Group I, 21.5 ± 3.5%; Group II, 12.4 ± 2.8%; Group III, 8.2 ± 2.9%; Group IV, 23.2 ± 4.2%). Conclusions Embryonic stem cells are an efficient alternative substrate for myocardial tissue engineering and can prevent myocardial wall thinning and improve contractility after implantation into injured myocardium in a 3-dimensional matrix.
Comparisons of HIV-1 viral sequences in brain, choroid plexus and spleen: Potential role of choroid plexus in the pathogenesis of HIV encephalitis

Possible mechanisms of HIV transmission to the brain include direct viral infection of cerebral endothelium and hematogeneous dissemination of viral-infected lymphocytes and monocytes. Cerebrospinal fluid dissemination from a primary infection of choroid plexus (CPx) is an alternative mechanism supported by recent studies in our laboratory. We showed that HIV-infected asymptomatic patients as well as AIDS patients have HIV infection of the CPx; the cell types so infected included stromal monocytes and dendritic cells. To further explore the potential role of CPx in the pathogenesis of HIV encephalitis, we analyzed HIV sequences from brain, CPx, and spleen of four AIDS patients by extracting DNA from paraffin sections and amplifying the V3 region of the HIV env gene by PCR. Several different clones from each tissue were characterized. We found that viruses from the brain and spleen grouped into two distinct clusters, while viruses of the CPx contained viral strains that were a mixture of those found in the...
Wiener filtering of nonstationary signals based on spectral density functions

This paper deals with a large class of nonstationary stochastic processes generated by passing white noise through a general linear time-varying filter. It is shown that such processes can be characterized in terms of a family of jointly wide-sense stationary processes. This formulation is used to define the spectral density function for the nonstationary processes considered in the paper. Then the spectral density function is used to give a suboptimal solution to the nonstationary Wiener filtering problem. This suboptimal solution is shown to be nearly optimal under conditions corresponding to a sufficiently small rate of variation. A numerical example compares this suboptimal Wiener filter solution to an optimal solution.
New Therapies for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

The concept of flow diversion is based on placing a stent across the neck of an intracranial aneurysm, which then results in flow away from the aneurysm, inducing thrombosis and occlusion of the aneurysm over time. Modern flow diverters, such as the Pipeline embolization device, are currently used for unruptured anterior circulation aneurysm. As the use and application of flow diverters becomes more widespread, some important questions remain relating to the effective treatment of dual antiplatelet therapy, the occurrence of delayed aneurysm ruptures and intraparenchymal hemorrhages, and long-term patency rates.
TIMEOUT POSTPONEMENT WITHOUT INCREASED REINFORCEMENT FREQUENCY

Three experiments were conducted to examine pigeons' postponement of signaled extinction periods (timeouts) from a schedule of food reinforcement when such responding neither decreased overall timeout frequency nor increased the overall frequency of food reinforcement. A discrete-trial procedure was used in which a response during the first 5 s of a trial postponed an otherwise immediate 60-s timeout to a later part of that same trial but had no effect on whether the timeout occurred. During time-in periods, responses on a second key produced food according to a random-interval 20-s schedule. In Experiment 1, the response-timeout interval was 45 s under postponement conditions and 0 s under extinction conditions (responses were ineffective in postponing timeouts). The percentage of trials with a response was consistently high when the timeout-postponement contingency was in effect and decreased to low levels when it was discontinued under extinction conditions. In Experiment 2, the response-timeout interval was also 45 s but postponement responses increased the duration of the timeout, which varied from 60 s to 105 s across conditions. Postponement responding was maintained, generally at high levels, at all timeout durations, despite sometimes large decreases in the overall frequency of food reinforcement. In Experiment 3, timeout duration was held constant at 60 s while the response-timeout interval was varied systematically across conditions from 0 s to 45 s. Postponement responding was maintained under all conditions in which the response-timeout interval exceeded 0 s (the timeout interval in the absence of a response). In some conditions of Experiment 3, which were designed to control for the immediacy of food reinforcement and food-correlated (time-in) stimuli, responding postponed timeout but the timeout was delayed whether a response occurred or not. Responding was maintained for 2 of 3 subjects, suggesting that behavior was negatively reinforced by timeout postponement rather than positively reinforced by the more immediate presentation of food or food-correlated (time-in) stimuli.
Methyl jasmonate elicits rapid changes in carbon and nitrogen dynamics in tomato.

Summary • Evidence is emerging to support the notion that in response to herbivory, plants undergo changes in their primary metabolism and are able to fine-tune the allocation of new and existing resources and temporarily direct them to storage organs. • We hypothesized that simulated herbivory increases the export of resources out of the affected tissues and increases allocation to roots. We used short-lived radioisotopes to study in vivo the dynamics of newly incorporated 11 CO2 and 13 NH3. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a known defense elicitor, was applied to the foliage of tomato plants and 4 h later we monitored leaf uptake, export and whole-plant allocation of [ 11 C]photosynthate and [ 13 N]amino acids. • There was a marginally significant decrease in the fixation of 11 CO2, and an increase in the export of newly acquired carbon and nitrogen out of MeJA-treated leaves. The proportion of nitrogen allocated to roots increased, whereas the proportion of carbon did not change. • These results are in agreement with our hypotheses, showing a change in the allocation of resources after treatment with MeJA; this may reduce the chance of resources being lost to herbivores and act as a buffer to biotic stress by increasing the potential for plant regrowth and survival after the attack.
Carbon dioxide exchange rate and chlorophyll content of turfgrasses treated with flurprimidol or mefluidide

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are being used increasingly for high maintenance turf production. A greenhouse and growth chamber study was conducted to determine the effect of two PGRs, mefluidide and flurprimidol, on the carbon dioxide exchange rate, chlorophyll content, and specific leaf weight of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass. Rate-response and time course studies were conducted. In the rate-response study, increasing flurprimidol rates caused a linear decrease in the carbon dioxide exchange rate (CER). Mefluidide had no effect on the CER in the rate-response experiment but did cause a significant drop in the CER at 4 and 8 days after treatment (DAT) in the time course study. Both PGRs increased chlorophyll content at 16 DAT in the time course study. In the rate-response study, chlorophyll content displayed a quadratic response to an increasing mefluidide rate. The 0.28 kg ha−1 rate of mefluidide increased the chlorophyll content to 46 μg cm−2 from 21.5 μg cm−2 for control plants. Both PGRs increased specific leaf weight, although for flurprimidol the effect was significant only at the 0.1 level of probability. PGRs decreased the CER and increased the chlorophyll content and specific leaf weight for both species tested. The physiologic effects measured were short lived, and so the physiologic significance of these changes is difficult to determine without further research.
New estimates of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extent during September 1964 from recovered Nimbus I satellite imagery

Abstract. Visible satellite imagery from the 1964 Nimbus I satellite has been recovered, digitized, and processed to estimate Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extent for September 1964. September is the month when the Arctic sea ice reaches its minimum annual extent and the Antarctic sea ice reaches its maximum. Images from a three-week period were manually analyzed to estimate the location of the ice edge and then composited to obtain a hemispheric estimate. Uncertainties were based on limitations in the image analysis and the variation of the ice cover over the three-week period. The 1964 Antarctic extent is higher than estimates from the 1979–present passive microwave record, but is in accord with previous indications of higher extents during the 1960s. The Arctic 1964 extent is near the 1979–2000 average from the passive microwave record, suggesting relatively stable summer extents during the 1960s and 1970s preceding the downward trend since 1979 and particularly the large decrease in the last decade. These early satellite data put the recently observed record into a longer-term context.
Light inactivation of water transport and protein–protein interactions of aquaporin–Killer Red chimeras

Aquaporins (AQPs) have a broad range of cellular and organ functions; however, nontoxic inhibitors of AQP water transport are not available. Here, we applied chromophore-assisted light inactivation (CALI) to inhibit the water permeability of AQP1, and of two AQP4 isoforms (M1 and M23), one of which (M23) forms aggregates at the cell plasma membrane. Chimeras containing Killer Red (KR) and AQPs were generated with linkers of different lengths. Osmotic water permeability of cells expressing KR/AQP chimeras was measured from osmotic swelling–induced dilution of cytoplasmic chloride, which was detected using a genetically encoded chloride-sensing fluorescent protein. KR-AQP1 red fluorescence was bleached rapidly (∼10% per second) by wide-field epifluorescence microscopy. After KR bleaching, KR-AQP1 water permeability was reduced by up to 80% for the chimera with the shortest linker. Remarkably, CALI-induced reduction in AQP4-KR water permeability was approximately twice as efficient for the aggregate-forming M23 isoform; this suggests intermolecular CALI, which was confirmed by native gel electrophoresis on cells coexpressing M23-AQP4-KR and myc-tagged M23-AQP4. CALI also disrupted the interaction of AQP4 with a neuromyelitis optica autoantibody directed against an extracellular epitope on AQP4. CALI thus permits rapid, spatially targeted and irreversible reduction in AQP water permeability and interactions in live cells. Our data also support the utility of CALI to study protein–protein interactions as well as other membrane transporters and receptors.
Speech intelligibility by listening in Parkinson speech with and without deep brain stimulation: Task effects

Abstract The effects of speech task (conversation versus conversation-repetition) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) on intelligibility in Parkinson’s disease were examined. Speech samples in the two production modes (tasks) were matched by having subjects repeat their own utterance types previously obtained during spontaneously produced conversational speech. Intelligibility measures from listeners were augmented by difficulty ratings. Linguistic context in the experimental protocol was manipulated using the results of a written pre-test and segregation of auditory stimuli by difficulty and length. Comparisons of task and DBS state revealed significant effects of task, DBS, and stimulus length on intelligibility measures of speech. Difficulty ratings tracked accuracy measures. Overall repetition was more intelligible than conversation, especially for shorter stimuli, demonstrating that task demands and spoken context had strong effects on motor speech competence. The adverse effects of DBS on speech intelligibility were observed on conversational but not repeated speech. These results demonstrate a facilitative role of external models provided by repetition in motor speech performance, and a mildly disruptive role of DBS on internally modeled conversational speech.
A Connectionist Learning Approach to Analyzing Linguistic Stress

We use connectionist modeling to develop an analysis of stress systems in terms of ease of learnability. In traditional linguistic analyses, learnability arguments determine default parameter settings based on the feasibilty of logically deducing correct settings from an initial state. Our approach provides an empirical alternative to such arguments. Based on perceptron learning experiments using data from nineteen human languages, we develop a novel characterization of stress patterns in terms of six parameters. These provide both a partial description of the stress pattern itself and a prediction of its learnability, without invoking abstract theoretical constructs such as metrical feet. This work demonstrates that machine learning methods can provide a fresh approach to understanding linguistic phenomena.
Lean thinking and its implications for public procurement: moving forward with assessment and implementation

Over the last several decades, lean thinking has been credited with several advancements in the practices of private sector organizations. Only recently have researchers begun to report on lean thinking as it applies to the public sector. For public procurement research, the concept remains largely unexamined. This research used the extant literature to identify preconditions that are required to successfully deploy lean thinking principles, tools, and techniques. Salient preconditions were organized into key categories. These categories provided the basis for a framework designed to assess public procurementʼs ability to adopt lean thinking, and aid in its implementation within this public sector environment. Questions suggested to guide future research, along with an approach intended to facilitate this work, are also presented.
Solifenacin and Tamsulosin Combination Therapy Decreases Urine Nerve Growth Factor/Creatinine Levels in Men

Objective To evaluate urinary nerve growth factor (NGF)/creatinine (Cr) levels from men with symptomatic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and measure the effect of combination therapy with solifenacin and tamsulosin. Materials and Methods From January 2012 to February 2014, all male patients referred for evaluation and management of LUTS were screened for enrollment. In all subjects, urinary NGF and Cr levels were measured and normalized to the urinary Cr concentrations (NGF/Cr). Uroflow, postvoid residual, and symptom questionnaires were measured at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after starting combination therapy with solifenacin 5 mg and tamsulosin 0.4 mg. The primary endpoint was urinary NGF and NGF/Cr change from baseline compared with week 12. Results Ten patients were recruited into the study. Peak urine flow at baseline 20.3 ± 2.5 ml/s and postvoid residual 45.3 ± 13.6 ml did not significantly change with 3 months of combination treatment 14.9 ± 1.8 ml/s and 58.5 ± 23.9 ml. However, urine NGF/Cr (pg/mg) levels were significantly reduced following treatment with levels of 39.7 ± 6.6 at baseline to 17.9 ± 5.1 at 3 months (P value Conclusion Male patients with LUTS had decreased urinary NGF/Cr levels after treatment with combination solifenacin and tamsulosin in this novel pilot study. This corresponded with improvement in patient reported outcomes.
Apologize and Move On? Finding a Remedy for Pornography, Insult, and Hate Speech

When should an apology suffice to close a private or public dispute? Provides a brief overview of the hate speech regulation controversy. Finds that the remedy of apology, proposed by one writer, to be inadequate in that it ignores the power dimension present not only in the hate speech itself but in the proposed informal method for redressing it.
Abstract 1226: The AH receptor plays a key role in mediating IL6 production in head and neck tumor cell lines

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor conventionally viewed as binding exogenous ligands and mediating gene transcription through DNA binding. Our research has uncovered various structurally distinct ligands, both exogenous and endogenous, that are capable of binding the AHR. We have also recently shown that combinatorial treatment of human breast and cervical cancer cell lines with an AHR ligand and an inflammatory signal results in synergistic induction of interleukin 6 (IL6). Squamous cell cancer of the head and neck is an umbrella term for malignancies developing in numerous locations, including the pharynx, larynx, tongue, and oral cavity. These tumors are often aggressive in nature, with high rates of metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Treatment has historically included radical or modified neck dissection to remove lymph nodes and frequent adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. IL6 production within HNSCC microenvironments both by cancer cells and by tumor-infiltrating macrophages has been shown to correlate with invasive, proliferative, and anti-apoptotic abilities of HNSCC cells, as well as human disease prognosis and recurrence rates. In studying a number of HNSCC cell lines, we have found many to have relatively high basal IL6 production. Using HNSCC2095 as an example, the AHR dependency of basal IL6 production was shown by means of siRNA-mediated AHR knockdown, as well as mediation of basal IL6 transcription following treatment with an AHR antagonist. ChIP assays reveal a significant level of basal AHR occupancy at the IL6 promoter, and antagonist treatment leads to dismissal of the AHR and a combination of coactivators. Similarly, AHR dismissal results in higher occupancy of transcriptional repressors. Key activators lost with AHR dismissal include p65, HDAC3, and BRG1. Following AHR dismissal, an increased presence of dimethylated histone H3 and HDAC1 occurs; both of which are typically repressive. Dismissal of the AHR from the IL6 promoter also leads to a decrease in the IL6-induced STAT3 signaling feedback loop seen in HNSCC lines. Constitutively active STAT3 has been examined as a therapeutic target in HNSCC due to its ability to increase tumor growth and anti-apoptotic effects. Our research shows that AHR binding to the IL6 promoter in HNSCC lines is required for constitutive cytokine production and plays a key role in STAT3 activation. These findings highlight the AHR as a potential target in mediating the autocrine loop of pro-growth signaling in human head and neck cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1226.
0040 Connecting the dots: understanding and addressing the links between multiple forms of violence

Statement of purpose Different forms of violence are connected and understanding these connections is important for prevention. CDC will provide an overview of the links between multiple forms of violence and Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment will present on their shared risk and protective factor approach to violence prevention. Participants will learn about: 1) The latest research on shared risk and protective factors across different forms of violence; 2) How experiencing one form of violence affects people’s risk for experiencing other forms of violence; 3) Considering peoples’ risk and protection from multiple forms of violence within the context of their communities. Methods/Approach Connecting the Dots: An Overview of the Links between Multiple Forms of Violence is a new resource co-developed by CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention and Prevention Institute for injury and violence prevention practitioners. It includes a summary of the latest research on the connections between different forms of violence and how these connections affect communities. Results Different types of violence are connected and often share the same root causes. Examples will be given of how to apply a shared risk and protective factor approach to violence prevention in a state health department. Conclusions Understanding the overlapping causes of violence and the things that can protect people and communities is important, and can help public health practitioners at the federal, state, and local levels better address violence in all its forms. Significance and contribution to the field Connecting the Dots translates research about connections between different forms of violence and describes how these connections affect communities, and Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment provides an example of the role that state health departments can play in addressing multiple forms of violence together. This information will help violence prevention practitioners improve the public’s health by thinking strategically and creatively about ways to prevent multiple forms of violence at the same time.
Research on the Value of Application of Dynamic MRI

Objective: Using homemade high conformable sacculus to do pelvic floor dynamic MRI,and evaluate its feasibility,sensitivity and stabilization.Methods: Fifty women(24～79 years old,mid-age 56.5 years old) with pelvic floor disorders received pelvic floor dynamic MRI while use and nonuse the homemade high conformable sacculus.The examination datum from them were compared.Result: 42 patients defecated the sacculus,while 5 of the other 8 patients defecated the sacculus after changed their posture from supine to lying on their left side.The dynamic MRI revealed 41 rectocele(82%),35 cystocele(70%),16 external anal sphincter atrophy(32%),12 perineum prolapse(24%),8 spastic pelvic floor syndrome(16%).Conclusion: Dynamic MRI can intuitively and exactly diagnose complicate pelvic floor disfunction.
Epidemic characteristics of rubella in Futian district from 2008 to 2009

Objective To study the epidemic characteristics of rubella in Futian district,and to provide scientific basis for the future control and prevention of rubella.Method Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted to analyze the epidemics of rubella in the past two years in whole district.Results The number of cumulative cases about rubella was 45 in the Futian district.No death case was noted.The incidence rate of yearly average was 1.88/100 000.There was no significant difference in the incidence between 2008 and 2009(P0.05).The peak period was in March 2008 and May in 2009.Students were the major victims (24.44%),followed by the scattered inhabiting children(20.00%) and businessman (11.11%).The incidence rate for female was higher than the male(P0.05),and the sex ratio was 0.72:1.Conclusion Strengthening the disease monitoring and improving vaccine coverage of susceptible population should be the primary measures for preventing and controlling rubella.
Design and stress analysis of electric submersible pump link side in spline axis arc

We build up three-dimensional non-linear contact finite element analysis model of the spline axis and the spline sets of the electric pump machine and get the stress distribution of the spline axis and the spline sets when the axis of electric pump retorts.The maximum stress occurs in the root of linking side of spline and the transition section.According to calculation and contrast analysis of outside arc and inside arc of spline axis,the maximum stress of the outside arc declines by 12.53% than the inside arc,and the root stress concentration coefficient declines by 10.77%,and this provides theoretical basis and analysis method.
Using EEG in a consultative role.

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a long-used tool assisting health care providers with the diagnosis, management, and treatment of various neurological disorders. This article highlights several scenarios in which a consultant may utilize the routine EEG in managing specific neurological cases. Eight case scenarios from a tertiary referral hospital are presented for the reader’s consideration. Scenarios selected are new-onset seizures, encephalopathy, syncope, dementia, brain death, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, status epilepticus, and migraine. A history in each condition is presented and is followed by a discussion of how useful an EEG may be in these specific situations. These eight cases highlight specific learning points where the EEG may be useful and how it can be practically incorporated into care of patients. Understanding how the EEG may be useful in the presented cases will allow the efficient and effective use of the EEG in similar clinical scenarios.
Endoscopic Anterior Component Separation

Endoscopic component separation (ECS) generally refers to a perforator sparing technique to access the oblique muscle complex for the purposes of separating the internal and external oblique muscles, and dividing the insertion of the external oblique medially. While most surgeons perform this for the sole purpose of intra-operative mobilization, we also believe that there is a significant role of reducing postoperative tension during bilateral activation of the oblique muscles with activities such as coughing. We believe that this will allow the midline closure to heal better, compared to having the full force of the oblique muscle complex pulling in opposite directions. The technique is used in conjunction with an open hernia repair utilizing a sublay prosthetic that is individualized to the specific patient. ECS has been shown to be associated with slightly improved wound morbidity as compared to the traditional open component separation (OCS). ECS certainly appears to be a viable alternative to OCS with fewer superficial wound complications; however, one must be mindful of the reported trends toward increased recurrence rate.