cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Characterization of an Electrothermal Vaporization‐Direct Current Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer for the Determination of Boron, Cadmium, Copper, Iron, and Lead

Abstract A graphite rod electrothermal vaporizer used to introduce microliter‐sized samples into a direct current plasma (DCP) atomic emission spectrometer is reported in this work. Several important experimental conditions were found to be important in achieving good analytical performance from the electrothermal vaporization (ETV‐DCP) system. A combination of lowered plasma electrode sleeve gas flow rates, when compared to that commonly used in the DC plasma jet, and relatively low carrier gas flow rates resulted in very good analytical performance. Relative precision for the ETV‐DCP instrument using B, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Pb solutions ranged between 4% and 10%. Limits of detection (LOD) lower than 100 pg were achieved for these elements, roughly an order of magnitude better than other ETV‐DCP studies that used commercial graphite boat/furnace combinations. In addition, good calibration linearity was observed, with 2–4 orders of magnitude linearity for the elements investigated.
LUMBAR PUNCTURE IN CHILDREN WITH CONVULSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH FEVER

Abstract 452 previously healthy children aged over six months and under six years were admitted to the Sheffield Children's Hospital between January, 1972, and December, 1976, after their first convulsion associated with fever. 304 of the children had a lumbar puncture. 25 punctures were necessary according to defined clinical criteria—including those in 15 children who were subsequently shown to have meningitis. All 148 children who did not have a lumbar puncture made a prompt and uneventful recovery. Children with convulsions associated with fever should be referred to hospital. A lumbar puncture should be performed when meningitis is suspected, after examination by a senior and experienced member of the staff. It should not be carried out as a routine procedure.
A comparative study of the α-subdomains of bovine and human α-lactalbumin reveals key differences that correlate with molten globule stability

The alpha-lactalbumins form stable molten globule states under a range of conditions, with the low pH form being the best characterized. The stability of the molten globule varies among different members of this family, but the origin of the stability difference is not clear. We compare the folding and stability of alpha-subdomain constructs of human and bovine alpha-lactalbumin. Previous studies have demonstrated that the isolated alpha-subdomain of human alpha-lactalbumin folds and forms a molten globule state. The minimum core construct has been defined to include the A, B, and D alpha-helices and the C-terminal 3(10) helix. A construct corresponding to the same region of bovine alpha-lactalbumin is much less structured and less stable than the human alpha-lactalbumin construct. Addition of the C-helix to generate a 75-residue bovine construct does not lead to a significant increase in structure or stability. This construct (AB-CD/3(10)) contains the entire alpha-subdomain of bovine alpha-lactalbumin. Thus molten globule formation in the human protein, but not in the bovine protein, can be rationalized on the basis of a stable alpha-subdomain. Interactions involving more of the protein chain are required to generate a well structured molten globule in the bovine protein. Comparison of AB-CD/3(10) to the molten globule formed by the intact protein and to the protein with the 6-120 disulfide reduced indicates that both the beta-subdomain and the 6-120 disulfide play a role in stabilizing the bovine alpha-lactalbumin molten globule.
Evaluation of tissue-engineered skin (human skin substitute) and secondary intention healing in the treatment of full thickness wounds after Mohs micrographic or excisional surgery.

background. Human Skin Substitute (Apligraf, Organogenesis, Inc., Canton, MA) is a bi-layered tissue-engineered living biological dressing developed from neonatal foreskin. It consists of a bovine collagen matrix containing human fibroblasts with an overlying sheet of stratified human epithelium containing living human keratinocytes. Human Skin Substitute (HSS) appears to be immunologically inert, and has shown usefulness in the treatment of chronic and acute wounds. objective. Primary objectives were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HSS in the treatment of full-thickness wounds in a prospective case series. Secondary objectives were to determine the rate of complete wound reepithelialization, incidence of complete wound healing, pain at wound site, overall cosmetic outcome, and patient satisfaction. methods. Fourteen patients were enrolled in the study, of which 12 were evaluable. HSS was applied in a blinded fashion to 6 of the patients immediately following Mohs or excisional surgery for skin cancer. The remaining 6 patients were allowed to heal by secondary intention. Both groups were evaluated at weekly appointments until complete reepithelialization occurred. During each evaluation, wound quality was assessed through the Vancouver Burn Scar Assessment Scale by the investigator and an independent blinded dermatologist. The investigator, blinded observer, and patient further evaluated the cosmetic outcome of the wound through the use of a Visual Analog Scale over a 6-month period. results. HSS patients and secondary intention patients were equivalent in comorbid factors such as pain, erythema, edema, exudate, infection, or hematoma between the groups. The incidence of complete wound healing at 6 months was 100% for both groups. Both groups also appeared to heal at similar rates, as defined by the complete reepithelialization of the wound. HSS patients ultimately resulted in more pliable and less vascular wounds as defined by the Vancouver Burn Scar Assessment Scale. Patient satisfaction with cosmetic outcome in both groups was positive at 6 months. conclusions. HSS appears to be a safe, well-tolerated biological dressing with equivalent comorbid factors to secondary intention healing. HSS, however, seems to produce a more pliable and less vascular scar than those developed through healing by secondary intention. HSS also appears to produce more satisfactory cosmetic results when compared to secondary intention healing.
Bayesian methods and optimal experimental design for gene mapping by radiation hybrids

Radiation hybrid mapping is a somatic cell technique for ordering human loci along a chromosome and estimating the physical distance between adjacent loci. The present paper considers a realistic model of fragment generation and retention. This model assumes that fragments are generated in the ancestral cell of a clone according to a Poisson breakage process along the chromosome. Once generated, fragments are independently retained in the clone with a common retention probability. Based on this and less restrictive models, statistical criteria such as minimum obligate breaks, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian posterior probabilities can be used to decide order. Distances can be estimated by either maximum likelihood or Bayesian posterior means. The model also permits rational design of radiation dose for optimal statistical precision. A brief examination of some real data illustrates our criteria and computational algorithms.
Seasonal control of particle clearance by isolated gills from the clam Mercenaria mercenaria.

Pieces of gill isolated from the clam Mercenaria mercenaria clear colloidal graphite from seawater, and the clearance rates are measurable. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) had a biphasic effect on clearance rates: concentrations from 10–6 to 10–5 mol l–1 5-HT increased clearance, but higher concentrations reduced it. During the summer, the gills were less responsive to 5-HT: the threshold increased from 1×10–6 to 5×10–6 mol l–1, and although the rate was still maximal at 10–5 mol l–1, it was significantly lower than the maximal rate in the winter. At 10–5 mol l–1 5-HT, which maximized clearance, the lateral cilia were active, the interfilament space decreased and the diameter of the water tubes increased. Higher concentrations of 5-HT contracted the gill musculature, which inhibited the lateral cilia, decreased the interfilament space even more and decreased the diameter of the water tubes. The nitric oxide (NO) generator DEANO stimulated clearance in the winter but had no effect during the summer. l-NAME, an inhibitor of NO synthesis, diminished the effect of 5-HT during the winter but was ineffective during the summer. The diminished response to 5-HT of winter gills treated with l-NAME was statistically equal to the response of the gills to 5-HT during the summer. Dopamine (DA) inhibited clearance, and the gills were more sensitive to DA in winter than in summer. Microscopic examination of untreated gills revealed little or no lateral ciliary activity, and clearance was minimal. Thus, clearance rates of isolated gills behave in a manner consistent with the seasonality and pharmacology of the lateral cilia and branchial musculature.
Artifacts in Fourier transform mass spectrometry.

Recent work on a new, higher sensitivity preamplifier design for Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS) revealed a number of artifact peaks (spectral features) which do not contain useful chemical information. In order to determine the cause of these artifacts and eliminate them, these severely distorted spectra were compared with similarly distorted signal models. The source of several common signal processing artifacts was thereby determined and correlated to radio-frequency interference (RFI) noise and saturation of the amplifier and/or the digitizer. Under such conditions, the fast Fourier transform (FFT) generates spectral artifact peaks corresponding to harmonics and mixing frequencies of the real signal peaks and RFI frequencies. While this study was done using FTICRMS data, it is important to stress that these artifacts are inherent to the digitization and FFT process and thus are relevant to any FT-based MS instrument, including the orbitrap and FT ion trap. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of occluded biliary Wallstents

Background—Wallstents (Schneider Stent, Inc., USA) used for the palliation of malignant biliary strictures, although associated with prolonged patency,can occlude.There is no consensus regarding the optimal management of Wallstent occlusion. Aims—To evaluate the eYcacy of different endoscopic methods for managing biliary Wallstent occlusion. Methods—A multicentre retrospective study of patients managed for a biliary Wallstent occlusion. Results—Data were available for 38 patients with 44 Wallstent occlusions, all of which had initial endoscopic management. Twenty four patients had died and 14 were alive after a median follow up of 231 (30‐1095) days following Wallstent occlusion. Occlusions were managed by insertion of another Wallstent in 19, insertion of a plastic stent in 20, and mechanical cleaning in five. Endoscopic management was successful in 43 (98%). Following management of the occlusion, bilirubin decreased from 6.0 (0.5‐34.3) to 2.1 (0.2‐27.7) mg/100 ml (p<0.05). No complications occurred. The median duration of second stent patency was 75 days (95% confidence interval 43 to 107) after insertion of another Wallstent, 90 days (71 to 109) after insertion of a plastic stent, and 34 days (30 to 38) after mechanical cleaning (NS). The respective median survivals were 70 days (22‐118), 98 days (54‐142),and 34 days (30‐380) (NS).Incremental cost eVective analysis showed that plastic stent insertion is the most cost eVective option. Conclusion—Although all three methods are equally eVective in managing an occluded Wallstent, the most cost eVective method appears to be plastic stent insertion. (Gut 1998;42:703‐707)
Enhancing cellular multicast performance using ad hoc networks

Although multicast communication is well-suited to shared wireless links, receiver heterogeneity impedes the use of multicast in wireless networks. In this paper, we examine an approach that addresses the receiver heterogeneity problem in cellular multicast with the help of an additional IEEE 802.11 ad hoc network. The basic idea is to allow the cellular receivers experiencing poor channel conditions to use the ad hoc network to connect to those cellular receivers that are experiencing good cellular channel conditions. The good receivers (called proxies) relay multicast data to the poor receivers through the ad hoc network. We specifically consider the third generation cellular high data rate (HDR) broadcast/multicast services (BCMCS). We develop a new routing algorithm to find efficient ad hoc paths from the proxies to the cellular multicast receivers. Unlike existing algorithms (Luo et al. (2003)), our routing algorithm considers the effect of ad hoc path interference. Using simulations of an HDR BCMCS network in conjunction with an IEEE ad hoc network, we show that our algorithm improves the receiver goodput by up to 280% compared to that obtained without using ad hoc paths. We also show that our algorithm achieves up to 98% higher receiver goodput in comparison to the greedy algorithm proposed in Luo.
The nature of Coasean property

The Coase Theorem is widely regarded as pointing to the importance of positive transaction costs for the analysis of economic institutions. Various interpretations of the Coase Theorem regard transaction costs as some set of impediments to contracting, or more broadly, as the costs of providing institutional solutions to conflicts over resource use. The abstract nature of the Coasean hypothetical tends to promote an abstract notion of property as a thin entitlement: a right in a designated person to take certain actions or derive value from a set of resource attributes. On this view, property is like a collection of tiny contracts. The property rights furnished by actual property law are much more coarse grained than this, and property is correspondingly “incomplete” for transaction costs reasons. Property and contract are substitutes in some situations, but they often are not interchangeable—because of Coasean transaction costs.
Superconvergent derivatives: A Taylor series analysis

An analysis, based on the use of Taylor series expansions, is developed to determine accuracy estimates for derivatives in one and two dimensions computed by differentiation of a finite-element interpolant or approximation. The analysis clarifies some issues concerning special points at which the derivatives are believed to be exceptionally accurate with higher convergence rates (superconvergence). Moreover, it leads directly to a class of post-processing strategies for the derivatives and offers a more direct constructive approach to the subject.
Improvement of SMVGEAR II on vector and scalar machines through absolute error tolerance control

Abstract The computer speed of SMVGEAR II was improved markedly on scalar and vector machines with relatively little loss in accuracy. The improvement was due to a method of frequently recalculating the absolute error tolerance instead of keeping it constant for a given set of chemistry. To test the effects of the modification on speed and accuracy, three Eulerian model simulations were performed on two vector machines, the Cray C-90 and Cray J-916, and a scalar machine, the Silicon Graphics Origin 2000. The first simulation was an urban air pollution case in which gas chemistry, dynamical meteorology, radiation, and species transport were solved together. The second and third simulations were global cases in which chemistry, dynamical meteorology, radiation, and species transport were solved together. For the urban case, the new algorithm reduced SMVGEAR II's computer time by 50–67%, depending on the machine used. For the global cases, chemistry time was reduced by 14–44%. In all simulations, normalized gross errors were less than 1%, and the time required to solve chemistry dropped to near or below 50% of the total model simulation time. Thus, gas chemistry may no longer be the computationally-limiting process in many atmospheric models. The simulations show the usefulness of SMVGEAR II on a scalar workstation with sufficient memory bandwidth.
Nira Yuval-Davis. The Politics of Belonging: Intersectional Contestations

Intersectionality is a feminist approach that requires being cognizant of the diversity of people who are placed in a category (e.g. women) and how their different identities intersect with one ano...
Effects of Personality Disorder and Impulsivity on Emotional Adaptations in Prison Among Women Offenders

The present study sought to better understand the influence of personality disorders and impulsivity on women’s ability to adapt to incarceration. We analyzed the influence of personality disorders as screened with the Structured Clinical Interview for Personality Disorders, and impulsivity as assessed with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale on depression and anxiety, sleeping problems, and feeling afraid of being attacked in prison among a large sample of women incarcerated in a Virginia prison. Results from regression models indicated that schizotypal, borderline, avoidant and dependent personality disorders and cognitive impulsivity were significant predictors of symptoms of anxiety and depression net of demographic covariates. Women possessing a diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder were at increased odds of having difficulty sleeping in prison and borderline, dependent, and paranoid personality disorder were at increased odds of experiencing fear in prison. Women who had been in prison before were significantly less likely to experience these problems. Implications of study findings for policies and practices involving women offenders are discussed.
NF-κB2/p52 Induces Resistance to Enzalutamide in Prostate Cancer: Role of Androgen Receptor and Its Variants

Resistance of prostate cancer (CaP) cells to the next generation anti-androgen, Enzalutamide, may be mediated by a multitude of survival signaling pathways. In this study we tested whether increased expression of NF-κB2/p52 induces CaP cell resistance to Enzalutamide and whether this response is mediated by aberrant androgen receptor (AR) activation and AR splice variant production. LNCaP cells stably expressing NF-κB2/p52 exhibited higher survival rates compared to controls when treated with Enzalutamide. C4-2B and CWR22Rv1 cells chronically treated with Enzalutamide were found to express higher levels of NF-κB2/p52. Downregulation of NF-κB2/p52 in CWR22Rv1 cells chronically treated with Enzalutamide rendered them more sensitive to cell growth inhibition by Enzalutamide. Analysis of the expression levels of AR splice variants by qRT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that LNCaP cells expressing p52 exhibit higher expression of AR splice variants. Downregulation of expression of NF-κB2/p52 in VCaP and CWR22Rv1 cells by shRNA abolished expression of splice variants. Downregulation of expression of either full length AR or the splice variant AR-V7 led to an increase in sensitivity of CaP cells to Enzalutamide. These results collectively demonstrate that resistance to Enzalutamide may be mediated by NF-κB2/p52 via activation of AR and its splice variants.
Evidence that Perutz's double-β-stranded subunit structure for β-amyloids also applies to their channel-forming structures in membranes

Although there is a growing body of evidence that different amyloidoses may have a similar molecular mechanism in common, the many details of this mechanism are not understood. In this study, we propose that there is a common molecular structure of the primary agents of these diseases, namely a small oligomer of Perutz's cylindrical double-β-stranded subunit for polyglutamine and that this structure, which contains a central water-filled core, can spontaneously integrate into the bilayers of membranes to form aqueous pores. We suggest that this ability to produce permeable channels in appropriate neuronal membranes is a key element in the toxicity of the β-amyloids. One strong criterion for the stability of the Perutz structure for an amyloid is that it contain ≈40 or more amino acid residues. We show here that the neurotoxic Aβ amyloids 1-40 and 1-42, related to Alzheimer's disease, spontaneously enter the membranes of intact erythrocytes and cause their lysis but that Aβ 1-38 and Aβ 1-35, which are not neurotoxic, have no observable effects on erythrocytes, supporting our proposal. Other aspects of the proposed mechanism of cytotoxicity of the β-amyloids are explored.
Data morphing: an adaptive, cache-conscious storage technique

The number of processor cache misses has a critical impact on the performance of DBMSs running on servers with large main-memory configurations. In turn, the cache utilization of database systems is highly dependent on the physical organization of the records in main-memory. A recently proposed storage model, called PAX, was shown to greatly improve the performance of sequential file-scan operations when compared to the commonly implemented N-ary storage model. However, the PAX storage model can also demonstrate poor cache utilization for other common operations, such as index scans. Under a workload of heterogenous database operations, neither the PAX storage model nor the N-ary storage model is optimal. In this paper, we propose a flexible data storage technique called Data Morphing. Using Data Morphing, a cache-efficient attribute layout, called a partition, is first determined through an analysis of the query workload. This partition is then used as a template for storing data in a cache-efficient way. We present two algorithms for computing partitions, and also present a versatile storage model that accommodates the dynamic reorganization of the attributes in a file. Finally, we experimentally demonstrate that the Data Morphing technique provides a significant performance improvement over both the traditional N-ary storage model and the PAX model.
Circannual changes in free thyroxine, prolactin, testes, and relative food intake in woodchucks, Marmota monax

Woodchucks (n = 12–14/group) with circannual cycles entrained to northern versus southern hemisphere photoperiods were assessed monthly for 16 mo. Changes in serum total triiodothyronine (TT3), fre...
Evaluation of hearing handicaps and presbyacusis using World Wide Web-based calculators.

This article is a clinical report on the applicability of computer software in determining hearing handicaps and presbyacusis. The software is now World Wide Web based and can be implemented in a clinical setting by using JavaScript calculators housed on the World Wide Web at . Added features consist of calculating the maximum recommended allowable noise exposure using the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health 1997 frequencies in handicap determination and the projection of future audiometric thresholds using the International Standards Organization 1999 compression factor. A review of the literature and the theoretical and clinical applications of these new features are discussed. A guide in the selection of Web-based development software is also presented in the hope of encouraging other researchers to develop Web-based versions of their software applications.
Mistérios de Lisboa: história e estrutura

This essay analyzes the structure of Mysteries of Lisbon by reconstructing its story in chronological sequence and by examining how in place of the single character striving to achieve a goal or solve a puzzle as one would expect to discover at the heart of the typical classical Hollywood film, Mysteries of Lisbon employs an unusual, echoing structure between the film’s two parts that tightly interrelates the actions of multiple characters who appear otherwise to be related merely by apparent coincidence.
Politics, Police Accountability, and Public Health: Civilian Review in Newark, New Jersey

Police brutality, a longstanding civil rights issue, has returned to the forefront of American public debate. A growing body of public health research shows that excessive use of force by police and racial profiling have adverse effects on health for African Americans and other marginalized groups. Yet, interventions to monitor unlawful policing have been met with fierce opposition at the federal, state, and local levels. On April 30, 2015, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey signed an executive order establishing a Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to monitor the Newark Police Department (NPD). Using a mixed-methods approach, this study examined how advocates and government actors accomplished this recent policy change in the face of police opposition and after a 50-year history of unsuccessful attempts in Newark. Drawing on official public documents, news media, and interviews conducted in April and May 2015, I propose that: (1) a Department of Justice investigation of the NPD, (2) the activist background of the Mayor and his relationships with community organizations, and (3) the momentum provided by the national Black Lives Matter movement were pivotal in overcoming political obstacles to reform. Examining the history of CCRB adoption in Newark suggests when and where advocates may intervene to promote policing reforms in other US cities.
Stability and Conductivity of Gd2((Mo1/3Mn2/3)xTi1-x)2O7

A composite solid state electrochemical device, with (Gd1-xCax)2Ti2O7 serving as the electrolyte and Gd2(Ti1-xMox)2O7 (GT-Mo) as the anode has recently been proposed. The latter exhibits high levels of mixed conduction under reducing atmospheres, but decomposes at high Po2. We have recently succeeded in extending the stability limits of the GT-Mo to higher Po2 with the addition of Mn. In this study, we report on the conductivity and stability of Gd2((Mo13Mn2/3)xTi1-x)207 (GMMT) as a function of Po2, T, and composition utilizing impedance spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. The addition of Mn extends the stability region of the material to Po2 = 1 atm with little change in the magnitude of the conductivity. Defect models explaining the dependence of the conductivity on oxygen partial pressure are presented. Preliminary results from the use of an electronic blocking sandwich cell used to isolate the ionic conductivity of GMMT are also presented.
New Waves in Musical Ontology

Since analytic aesthetics began, around 50 years ago, music has perhaps been the art most discussed by philosophers. The reasons for philosophers’ attraction to music as a subject are obscure, but one element is surely that music, as a non-linguistic, non-pictorial, multiple-instance, performance art, raises at least as many questions about expression, ontology, interpretation and value as any other art—questions that often seem more puzzling than those raised by other arts.
Crystal Detectors in Particle Physics

The authors review the principal characteristics driving the design of precision calorimeters composed of inorganic crystal scintillators now in operation (L3, CLEO 2) or developed for the next generation of particle physics experiments. The unique discovery potential of these detectors (1.5 to 50 m{sup 3} of crystals; 10{sup 4} to > 10{sup 5} elements) is the result of their high electron and photon energy resolution over a wide energy range, uniform hermetic acceptance and fine granularity. Experiments at CERN`s multi-TeV Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will search for the Higgs particles thought to be responsible for mass, and for many other new physics processes. In order to exploit the intrinsically high resolution of crystal detectors, exceptionally high speed (1 to 30 ns decay time) and radiation resistance are required. BaF{sub 2} and CeF{sub 3} are currently the preferred choices, and higher density alternatives such as PbWO{sub 4} are under investigation. Lower energy, high luminosity experiments that will measure rare particle decays, and explore the violation of the fundamental ``CP`` symmetry that may be related to the predominance of matter over antimatter in their universe, have chosen Cesium Iodide for its combination of high light output, speed, and radiation resistance. Recent developmentsmore » by Caltech include the use of photons generated by an H{sup {minus}} beam from an RFQ accelerator to calibrate and provide sub-percent resolution in the L3 BGO calorimeter, and an in situ optical bleaching technique that renders large BaF{sub 2} crystals now mass produced in China radiation hard up to dose levels {approx_gt} 10 MegaRads. 65 refs.« less
Temperature Dependent Current-Voltage Characteristics of TiSi2/ n+/ p-Si Shallow Junctions

Modelling of temperature dependent current-voltage characteristics of TiSi2/n+/p-Si shallow junctions has been presented here. The formation of shallow pn junctions, by ion implantation of As+ through Ti films evaporated on p-Si substrates has been performed in these experiments. The temperature dependent factors such as band gap narrowing, intrinsic carrier concentration, mobilities and diffusivities are considered in the model.
The Stock Price Crash Risk Prediction by Neural Network

The prediction of stock price crash risk is an important and widely studied topic in both accounting and finance, since crash risk has a significant impact on shareholders, creditors, managers, investors, and regulators. In this paper, I develop a neural network crash risk prediction model that has not been explored before. In addition, I compare the performance of the neural network model with the logistic model and random forecast. I show that the neural network crash risk prediction model provides a significant improvement in prediction accuracy over logistic regression and random forecast . The results indicate that the neural network methodology is a good alternative to predict stock price crash risk. The prediction of stock price crash risk is an important and widely studied topic in both accounting and finance, since crash risk has a significant impact on shareholders, creditors, managers, investors, and regulators. In this paper, I develop a neural network crash risk prediction model that has not been explored before. In addition, I compare the performance of the neural network model with the logistic model and random forecast. I show that the neural network crash risk prediction model provides a significant improvement in prediction accuracy over logistic regression and random forecast . The results indicate that the neural network methodology is a good alternative to predict stock price crash risk. Key words: stock price crash risk; neural network;
Characteristics of the Spatial and Temporal Expression of SPMI Gene in the Genital Tracts of Boars and Gilts

To investigate the spatial and temporal expression profiles of seminal plasma motility inhibitor(SPMI) gene in the genital tracts of boars and gilts,the qualitative RT-PCR was used to detect tissue expression pattern along reproductive tracts and semi-quantitative RT-PCR was applied to determine the developmental expression of SPMI in seminal vesicle and bulbourethral gland in the current study.The qualitative RT-PCR revealed that the expression of SPMI mRNA was highest in seminal vesicle,moderate in bulbourethral gland and uterine horn,weak in prostate,cervix and ovary,no signal was found in the other reproductive tissues.The semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the similar developmental expression pattern of SPMI in seminal vesicle and bulbourethral gland was found,and the expression of SPMI both in seminal vesicle and bulbourethral gland initiated on day 1 and improved until sexual maturity(150 d) with age increase.The expression of SPMI in seminal vesicle increased significantly on days 60,90 and 150 d(P0.05);while the expression of SPMI in bulbourethral gland increased significantly on days 30,90 and 150 d(P0.05),the expression increased on day 60 d compared with that on day 30 d,but the difference was not significant(P0.05).These results indicate that the SPMI express extensively along the genital tracts of boars and gilts,and in general,the temporal expression of SPMI during boar development is age dependent and the expression level is improved significantly from puberty to sexual maturity.
Update on diabetes diagnosis: a historical review of the dilemma of the diagnostic utility of glycohemoglobin A1c and a proposal for a combined glucose-A1c diagnostic method.

The role of glycohemoglobin A1c (A1c) for the diagnosis of diabetes has been debated for over three decades. Recently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recommended adding A1c as an addit...
Is the decline in renal function with normal aging inevitable

The structural changes observed in the normal aging kidney support a concept that one should expect a decline in renal function as one ages. Reports by renal physiologists, however, suggest that this is not always true. The suggestion is made that vascular adaptations to structural changes may help to preserve glomerular filtration rate by producing a state of hyperperfusion and hyperfiltration in surviving nephrons.
Temporal Bone Infections

Several inflammatory diseases affect the temporal bones and can potentially lead to permanent neurologic deficits and even death. Mastoiditis is the most common temporal bone infection for which imaging is performed and consists of inflammation of the mastoid air cells. It is the most common suppurative complication of acute otitis media given the contiguity of the middle ear cavity and mastoid air system. If not adequately treated, acute mastoiditis can eventually progress to coalescent mastoiditis, subperiosteal abscess formation, petrous apicitis, labyrinthitis, facial nerve involvement, or subcutaneous abscesses. Intracranial extension can lead to meningitis, intracranial abscess, subdural empyema, dural venous sinus thrombosis, and otitic intracranial hypertension. Patients frequently present with fever and otalgia. Imaging plays a pivotal role in patients who fail to respond to antimicrobial therapy and present with neurological symptoms, subcutaneous findings, or persistent pain, fever, and otorrhea. Treatment ranges from antimicrobial therapy for uncomplicated cases to simple drainage or radical mastoidectomy for advanced disease.
Registering imaged ECoG electrodes to human cortex: A geometry-based technique

Abstract Background The accurate localization of implanted ECoG electrodes over the brain is of critical importance to invasive diagnostic work-up for the surgical treatment of intractable epileptic seizures. The implantation of subdural electrodes is an invasive procedure which typically introduces non-uniform deformations of a subject’s brain, increasing the difficulty of determining the precise location of the electrodes vis-a-vis cortex. Formalization of this problem is used to define a novel solution for the optimal localization of subdural electrodes. New method We demonstrate that nonlinear transformation is required to accurately register the implanted electrodes to the non-deformed pre-surgical cortical surface, and that this problem is accommodated by utilizing known features of electrode geometry. Techniques to register chronically implanted subdural electrodes to the undistorted brain image are described and evaluated using simulated and clinical data. Results Principal Axis, our novel analysis method that estimates an electrode’s orientation by the moment of inertia of the solid electrode volume, proved to be the most reliable measure in both the simulated and clinical datasets. Comparison with existing methods This method of electrode translation along its principal axis is an improvement over other techniques, such as the limited view provided by intraoperative photography, and the image degradation inherent in post-operative MRI. Conclusions This technique compensates for alterations due to post-operative brain edema, and translates subdural electrodes to their original location on pre-operative MRI 3D models. This is helpful in the correct localization of seizure foci and functional mapping of epilepsy patients.
R-HCVAD/R-MTX-ARAC Is an Effective Regimen for Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) with Aggressive Features in Patients Younger Than 60 Years

Background: R-HCVAD (rituximab-cyclphosphamide, vincristine, dexamethasone, doxorubicin) alternating with R-MTX-ARAC (rituximab, methotrexate-cytarabine) is a chemoimmunotherapy regimen with activity in ALL, mantle cell, and Burkitt’s lymphomas. Histological differentiation between BL. atypical BL, and DLBCL with high-grade features can be difficult. We treated patients with DLBCL with high-grade histological features, and/or poor-risk IPI. Patients who received at least one dose of R-HCVAD were included in this cohort. Methods: Twenty-seven consecutive patients younger than 60 years, with information collected prospectively in the NCCN database, treated between 7/2002 and 10/05 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 17 (63%) male, 15 (55%) HI and High IPI, 17 (63%) ↑LDH, 14 (52%) with Stage III/IV, 2 (5%) with PS>1, 60% had a Ki-67 higher than 80%. Results: ORR was of 100% with (95%) CR/CRu. With a median follow-up of 26 months, 2 patients failed: One died of disease, and another received a SCT when the patient was in PR. Four patients have died, three of disease, one of pulmonary embolism. The 3-year OS is 96% (95% CI 77%–100%); 3-year FFS is 86% (95% CI 64%–100%). The 3-year FFS for patients with L/LI risk (2-failures of 12 pts) was 69% and for patients with HI/H age-adjusted IPI (0 failures of 15 pts) 100%. Conclusions: R-HCVAD/R-MTC-ARAC is a very active regimen for DLBCL. Toxicity was mostly hematological and infectious. We are currently doing a prospective randomized phase II study comparing this regimen to standard R-CHOP in poor risk younger patients.
Race and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Adverse Impact of Race and Treatment Delays on Survival. A SEER-Medicare Population Study (1995–2003).

Abstract Background: Despite a lower incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and specifically diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common histologic subtype, previous studies suggest that blacks have a higher disease-specific mortality from NHL than whites. To study this disparity, we looked at the impact of race, treatment delays and the use of rituximab on survival in NHL and DLBCL. To control for access to care, we focused on a population of patients with Medicare benefits. Methods: After establishing a SEER-Medicare Data-Use Agreement and obtaining IRB approval, we used the linked SEER-Medicare database for NHL patients diagnosed from 1995 through 2002, with claims data through 2003. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess the difference between race and rates of survival, NHL histology, and the likelihood of receiving treatment within 90 days and of receiving rituximab at any time during the course of NHL treatment. Results: Among 41,704 NHL cases, 35,014 (85%) cases were in whites and 2,287 (5.5%) were in blacks. Of the 14,831 total cases of DLBCL, 12,449 (84%) were in whites and 715 (4.8%) were in blacks. Despite a lower incidence of NHL, blacks had a lower 1-year survival for NHL compared to whites (OR 0.68 [95% CI 0.61–0.76]). Blacks also had a lower 1-year survival for DLBCL compared to whites (OR 0.63[95% CI 0.53–0.75]). Patients treated within 90 days of diagnosis had improved 1-year survival for NHL (OR 1.10 [95% CI 1.03–1.18]) and for DLBCL (OR 1.60 [95% CI 1.47–1.75]). When controlling for age, gender and income, blacks were less likely than whites to be treated within 90 days of a NHL diagnosis (OR 0.599 [95% CI 0.526–0.681]). The use of rituximab was associated with improved 1-year survival for NHL (OR 3.67 [95% CI 3.37–4.00]) and specifically for DLBCL (OR 3.01 [95% CI 2.66–3.40]). However, blacks were significantly less likely to receive rituximab for NHL (OR 0.55 [95% CI [0.47–0.63]) and specifically for DLBCL (OR 0.71[95% CI 0.57–0.90]). An analysis of two and three year survival for NHL and DLBCL yielded similar results for the impact of race, treatment delays and use of rituximab. Conclusions: Blacks are diagnosed with NHL and specifically DLBCL less frequently than whites but have significantly lower 1-year survival rates. Blacks were significantly less likely to begin treatment within 90 days of a NHL diagnosis. In addition, blacks were significantly less likely to receive rituximab despite presumed equal access to healthcare with Medicare benefits. The reason for this racial disparity is unclear. Studies to further characterize the disparity are needed.
Strong Photoluminescence Enhancement of Silicon Oxycarbide through Defect Engineering

The following study focuses on the photoluminescence (PL) enhancement of chemically synthesized silicon oxycarbide (SiCxOy) thin films and nanowires through defect engineering via post-deposition passivation treatments. SiCxOy materials were deposited via thermal chemical vapor deposition (TCVD), and exhibit strong white light emission at room-temperature. Post-deposition passivation treatments were carried out using oxygen, nitrogen, and forming gas (FG, 5% H2, 95% N2) ambients, modifying the observed white light emission. The observed white luminescence was found to be inversely related to the carbonyl (C=O) bond density present in the films. The peak-to-peak PL was enhanced ~18 and ~17 times for, respectively, the two SiCxOy matrices, oxygen-rich and carbon-rich SiCxOy, via post-deposition passivations. Through a combinational and systematic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and PL study, it was revealed that proper tailoring of the passivations reduces the carbonyl bond density by a factor of ~2.2, corresponding to a PL enhancement of ~50 times. Furthermore, the temperature-dependent and temperature-dependent time resolved PL (TDPL and TD-TRPL) behaviors of the nitrogen and forming gas passivated SiCxOy thin films were investigated to acquire further insight into the ramifications of the passivation on the carbonyl/dangling bond density and PL yield.
Enrichment of endogenous fractalkine and anti-inflammatory cells via aptamer-functionalized hydrogels.

Abstract Early recruitment of non-classical monocytes and their macrophage derivatives is associated with augmented tissue repair and improved integration of biomaterial constructs. A promising therapeutic approach to recruit these subpopulations is by elevating local concentrations of chemoattractants such as fractalkine (FKN, CX3CL1). However, delivering recombinant or purified proteins is not ideal due to their short half-lives, suboptimal efficacy, immunogenic potential, batch variabilities, and cost. Here we report an approach to enrich endogenous FKN, obviating the need for delivery of exogenous proteins. In this study, modified FKN-binding-aptamers are integrated with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate to form aptamer-functionalized hydrogels (“aptagels”) that localize, dramatically enrich and passively release FKN in vitro for at least one week. Implantation in a mouse model of excisional skin injury demonstrates that aptagels enrich endogenous FKN and stimulate significant local increases in Ly6CloCX3CR1hi non-classical monocytes and CD206+ M2-like macrophages. The results demonstrate that orchestrators of inflammation can be manipulated without delivery of foreign proteins or cells and FKN-aptamer functionalized biomaterials may be a promising approach to recruit anti-inflammatory subpopulations to sites of injury. Aptagels are readily synthesized, highly customizable and could combine different aptamers to treat complex diseases in which regulation or enrichment of multiple proteins may be therapeutic.
Transverse Electrooptic Properties of Magnetron Sputtered PLZT Thin Films

Ferroelectric thin films of (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics were deposited on various substrates by magnetron sputtering. With the use of a phase-detection technique, the transverse electrooptic properties of the films were characterized. It was found that the electrooptic response of the films is strongly dependent on the grain orientation of the thin film materials.
Detection of Good and Bad Sensor Nodes in the Presence of Malicious Attacks and Its Application to Data Aggregation

Most of the sensor nodes have multiple inexpensive and unreliable sensors embedded in them. For many applications, readings from multiple sensors are aggregated. However, the presence of malicious attacks adds a challenge to sensor data aggregation. Detection of those compromised and unreliable sensors and sensor nodes is important for robust data aggregation as well as their management and maintenance. In this work, we develop a method for identification of good and bad sensor nodes and apply it for secure data aggregation algorithms. We consider altered/unreliable readings as outliers and identify them using an augmented and modified version of a local outlier factor computation method. We use the outlier detection algorithm for reliable and unreliable sensor detection and use the results from this algorithm for an unreliable sensor-node identification algorithm. We show its usefulness for secure data aggregation algorithms. Extensive evaluations of the proposed algorithm show that it identifies good and bad nodes and estimates true sensor value efficiently.
Aggregate enantiostyly: Floral visitor interactions with a previously unreported form of floral display

Floral herkogamy, or the spatial separation of reproductive structures, plays an important role in the evolution of plant mating systems. One form of herkogamy is enantiostyly, or the alternate presentation of stigmas to the left and right of the floral axis. Theoretically, enantiostyly increases outcrossing rate by promoting reciprocal pollen deposition and export, but empirical evidence of this is lacking. Understanding how pollinators interact with enantiostylous flowers will illuminate the mechanisms by which enantiostyly encourages outcross pollination. We quantified style deployment within and among plants, of Allionia incarnata L. (Nyctaginaceae), a species with a new kind of enantiostyly we call “aggregate enantiostyly”. A. incarnata is the first species known to have “compound blossoms”, with different flowers each containing a left- or right-handed style. We quantify the autonomous selfing rate and describe floral visitor interactions with this unique floral structure. We found equal frequency of left- and right-handed blossoms within and among plants. Common floral visitors, Hemiargus ceraunus and Halictus sp . , interacted with either anthers or stigmas, but not both, indicating effective outcrossing at the flower level. Outcrossing produced more fruits than selfing. The order in which floral visitors interacted with reproductive structures indicates that enantiostyly may increase pollen export. However, we did not find evidence that enantiostyly affected pollen deposition. Our study provides an intriguing first look at the reproductive ecology of a species with a new unique form of herkogamy, and provides evidence on the adaptive significance of enantiostyly.