cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
26 – A Comparison of Two Different Placebo-Controlled SAD Light Treatment Studies

Abstract High intensity light is widely used as an antidepressant for the treatment of winter depression. There is no doubt that treatment with light can substantially reduce and even eliminate all symptoms. However, establishing that this effect is greater than what could be produced by a placebo-control treatment is hampered by the difficulty in finding an appropriate placebo for light treatment. This paper compares two light treatment studies with good placebo controls. The first study employed a crossover design between morning light and morning placebo. The second, which is still in progress, employs a parallel design with morning light, morning placebo and evening light groups. The first study did not show a statistically significant difference between light and placebo. Although the response rates in the second study are much greater than in the first study, there is still no significant difference between light and placebo. The response to light treatment is much greater than in the first study, but the response to placebo treatment is also much greater. Several possible reasons for the greater antidepressant effects in the second study are discussed, such as a larger placebo component in all three treatments due to a more optimistic staff. Although it would be premature to draw final conclusions about efficacy, we have shown that for light treatment, like antidepressant drug treatment, most of the antidepressant effect can be attributed to placebo effects.
I-spin, U-spin, and penguin dominance in B→KKK

Abstract Isospin and U-spin symmetries are useful approximations for studying penguin dominance in B meson decays to three kaons, B→KK K . We point out certain subtleties in treating these decays in these approximations. Resulting uncertainties are discussed in determining the CP content of the final state in B → K + K − K S , and in relating the CP asymmetry in this process to the value of sin2 β .
Two-phase flow in complicated geometries

We study modeling two-phase flow in complicated geometries. We use modern mesh generation techniques to improve the quality of the mesh and at the same time both reduce the number of elements and capture the geometry accurately. The generated meshes consist of orthogonally optimized general hexahedras. To model the flow in general hexahedras, we use the multipoint flux mixed finite element method. As a test problem we use the Frio experiment data.
Backscatter from Specific Regions of Human Hearts Obtained from Standard Echocardiography Views

Further development of quantitative diagnostic procedures will enhance the selection and implementation of specific therapies that can reduce the damage to the heart muscle when applied to the victims of a heart attack. Ultrasonic imaging is one modality that provides real-time images of the beating heart that may be useful in forming diagnoses and evaluating therapies applied as well as providing insight into the underlying physiology. In characterizing the state of the cardiac muscle after a heart attack a clinician would like the ability to differentiate a segment of myocardial tissue with an old infarct (scarred tissue) from a region with acute ischemic injury where the muscle tissue may still be viable and could potentially be salvaged with the application of an appropriate therapy. Furthermore, once a specific therapy has been applied, it may be useful to monitor the reperfusion of the affected myocardial region. Our goal in ultrasonic tissue characterization is to provide an assessment of the state of the tissue based on quantitative analyses of the ultrasonic signal returned from a specific region of tissue. Implementation of quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization procedures will complement conventional ultrasonic imaging which provides information regarding the dimensions and motion of the heart.
Neural-Tube Defects with Dolutegravir Treatment from the Time of Conception

Dolutegravir and Neural-Tube Defects Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a priority, but assessing a medication for potential side effects in pregnancy is complicated. In this letter, preliminary data on a possible side effect of dolutegravir are presented.
Uncertainty-aware generative models for inferring document class prevalence

Prevalence estimation is the task of inferring the relative frequency of classes of unlabeled examples in a group—for example, the proportion of a document collection with positive sentiment. Previous work has focused on aggregating and adjusting discriminative individual classifiers to obtain prevalence point estimates. But imperfect classifier accuracy ought to be reflected in uncertainty over the predicted prevalence for scientifically valid inference. In this work, we present (1) a generative probabilistic modeling approach to prevalence estimation, and (2) the construction and evaluation of prevalence confidence intervals; in particular, we demonstrate that an off-the-shelf discriminative classifier can be given a generative re-interpretation, by backing out an implicit individual-level likelihood function, which can be used to conduct fast and simple group-level Bayesian inference. Empirically, we demonstrate our approach provides better confidence interval coverage than an alternative, and is dramatically more robust to shifts in the class prior between training and testing.
Production of Over 27 000 Peptide and Nearly 4400 Protein Identifications by Single-Shot Capillary-Zone Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry via Combination of a Very-Low-Electroosmosis Coated Capillary, a Third-Generation Electrokinetically-Pumped Sheath-Flow Nanospray Interface, an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid Mass Spectrometer, and an Advanced-Peak-Determination Algorithm.

We show that capillary-zone electrophoresis–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (CZE-ESI-MS/MS) generates very large numbers of peptide and protein identifications (IDs) by combining four technologies: a separation capillary coated to generate very low electroosmosis, an electrokinetically pumped sheath-flow nanoelectrospray interface to produce high-sensitivity ionization, an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid platform to provide high-speed analysis, and an advanced-peak-determination (APD) algorithm to take advantage of the mass spectrometer’s data-acquisition speed. The use of the APD algorithm resulted in 2 times more identifications than the standard peak algorithm. We also investigated the effect of the isolation window, injection time, and loading amount. Optimization of these parameters produced over 27 000 peptide identifications and nearly 4400 protein-group identifications from 220 ng of K562-cell digest in a single 120 min run, which is 2.7 times more IDs produced by CZE-ESI-MS/MS than...
Lateral ectopic thyroid mimics carotid body tumor on Indium-111 pentetreotide scintigraphy

A 34-year old woman with past history of anxiety, depression, and hypothyroidism resulting from prior total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter presented with complaints of palpitations, sweating, and tachycardia. Clinical examination revealed a painless right lateral neck mass. USG/CT of the neck revealed the soft tissue mass located at the right carotid bifurcation. A subsequent Indium-111 pentetreotide somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) demonstrated tracer uptake in the mass. Hence, secretory carotid body tumor/paraganglioma was strongly suspected. However, post-surgical histopathological specimen revealed only benign thyroid follicles indicative of lateral ectopic thyroid with no evidence of neuroendocrine cells or malignancy. This case highlights the importance of considering lateral ectopic thyroid, a very rare entity, in the differential diagnosis for carotid bifurcation masses. Also highlighted is the false positivity from normal but ectopic thyroid tissue on Indium-111 pentetreotide SRS mimicking a paraganglioma.
Gadolinium Aspiration Following Inadvertent Endotracheal Tube Cuff Injection in a Pediatric Patient

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) are frequently used for MRI contrast studies. We report a case of pulmonary aspiration secondary to inadvertent GBCA injection. A 12-year-old female with a past medical history significant for mitochondrial disorder, bronchial asthma, autism, recurrent urinary tract infection, epilepsy, developmental delay, dysautonomia, and thrombocytopenia was scheduled for a contrast-enhanced MRI study using gadoterate meglumine for urinary incontinence. The patient was sedated and intubated in preparation for the study, during which 10 mL of gadoterate meglumine was inadvertently injected into the endotracheal tube cuff pilot line instead of intravenously. The patient remained intubated and was admitted to the intensive care unit with continuous monitoring for signs of pulmonary injury or gadolinium toxicity. She was successfully extubated approximately 24 hours later without complication. A variety of adverse effects attributable to parenteral GBCA exposure have been reported ranging from mild irritation to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Gadolinium deposition and storage have been implicated in a number of those adverse effects and multiple treatments modalities have been suggested, but no scientifically guided management exists. This case of pulmonary aspiration secondary to inadvertent GBCA injection in a pediatric patient demonstrated no acute side effects or complications within the first 24 hours. With the wide range of adverse effects attributed to gadolinium use in the medical literature, it is difficult to predict potential future adverse effects.
CALCULATION ANALYSIS ON POWER SYSTEM DAMPING AND LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMECHANICAL OSCILLATIONS IN INTERCONNECTED POWER SYSTEMS

An eigenvalue analysis method is used for calculating the damping characteristics in a simple one machine to an infinite bus system and a real multi-machine interconnected power system. With the real parts of the system dominant eigenvalue and the damping factor ξ, comparisons are made on damping effects for different generator models in which different rotor windings are taken into account. Several other factors which affect the system damping are studied, and some comparisons are made among them. On the bases of analyzing and comparing all the calculation results, some conclusions are obtained.
Learning and Recovery in the ReLU Model

Rectified linear units, or ReLUs, have become a preferred activation function for artificial neural networks. In this paper we consider two basic learning problems assuming that the underlying data follow a generative model based on a simple network with ReLU activations. The first problem we study corresponds to learning a generative model in the presence of nonlinearity (modeled by the ReLU functions). Given a set of signal vectors $\mathrm {y}^{i} \in \mathbb {R}^{d}, i = 1, 2,\ldots, n$, we aim to learn the network parameters, i.e., the $d\times k$ matrix $A$, under the model $\mathrm {y}^{i}=\mathrm {R}\mathrm {e}\mathrm {L}\mathrm {U}(A\mathrm {c}^{i}+\mathrm {b})$, where $\mathrm {b}\in \mathbb {R}^{d}$ is a random bias vector. We show that it is possible to recover the column space of $A$ within an error of $O(d)$ (in Frobenius norm) under certain conditions on the distribution of b.The second problem we consider is that of robust recovery of the signal in the presence of outliers. In this setting, we are interested in recovering the latent vector c from its noisy nonlinear images of the form $\mathrm {v}=\mathrm {ReLU}(A\mathrm {c})+\mathrm {e}+\mathrm {w}$, where $\mathrm {e}\in \mathbb {R}^{d}$ denotes the outliers with sparsity $s$ and $\mathrm {w}\in \mathbb {R}^{d}$ denote the dense but small noise. We show that the LASSO algorithm recovers $\mathrm {c} \in \mathbb {R}^{k}$ within an $\ell _{2}$-error of $O(\sqrt {((k+s)\log d)}/d)$ when $A$ is a random Gaussian matrix.
A Hybrid State of Charge Estimation Method of a LiFePO 4 /Graphite Cell Using a Reduced Order Model with an Extended Kalman Filter

Estimation of state of charge (SOC) is imperative in the battery management system that ensures safe and reliable operations. Lithium iron phosphate cells are preferred for high power applications because of their electrochemical and thermal stability. On the other hand, these cells are characterized by voltage plateau and path dependence, which impede the accurate estimation of SOC. In this work, a new method is proposed to estimate the SOC using a physics-based reduced order model (ROM), where the two-phase transition of cathode is modeled and validated. In addition, an extended Kalman filter (EKF) is used to minimize the estimation errors of the SOC caused by the inaccuracy of the ROM or the initial errors. The insensitivity of voltage at the plateau is further compensated by combining Coulomb counting. This method is then validated against experimental data obtained with different C-rates at both single and multiple cycles. The effect of EKF on SOC estimation is also analyzed. The results show that the absolute SOC error is kept less than 3% for all the tested conditions.
Assessing virus infection probability in an office setting using stochastic simulation

Viral infections are an occupational health concern for office workers and employers. The objectives of this study were to estimate rotavirus, rhinovirus, and influenza A virus infection risks in a...
Gray Matter Involvement in Schizophrenia: Evidence from Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies

It is established that schizophrenia represents an important public health challenge as it contributes to significant psychosocial disability worldwide (Whiteford et al., Lancet 382(9904):1575–86, 2013). Although its fundamental pathobiology remains elusive, neuroimaging studies provide compelling evidence that schizophrenia is associated with alterations in brain gray matter morphometry, which may be one mechanism that underpins the emergence and maintenance of the clinical symptoms of this disorder. This chapter reviews current evidence on the nature and extent of cross-sectional and longitudinal gray matter changes in patients with syndromal schizophrenia. We then identify the most consistent links between such alterations with psychopathology and highlight key potential pathogenetic and moderating mechanisms. The relevant neuroimaging literature is substantial and substantive. We focus on evidence from large-scale, multisite, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies and meta-analyses as they have the advantage of greater power and precision in identifying and quantifying schizophrenia-related alterations in gray matter morphometry.
Manipulating long-lived topological surface photovoltage in bulk-insulating topological insulators Bi2Se3 and Bi2Te3

The appearance of topologically protected spin-momentum locked surface states in topological insulators gives rise to robust room temperature spin currents making them ideal candidates for the realization of spintronic devices. New methods are needed to access and manipulate such currents with timescales that are compatible with modern electronics. Here we reveal that an optically induced long-lived (~10 ns), spin-polarized surface state excitation in topological insulators can be easily tuned in both magnitude and duration. Time-resolved angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, together with a quantitative model, reveals the ideal conditions for a surface photovoltage in two different topological insulators. Our model predicts that the reported effects are an intrinsic property of topological insulators, as long as the chemical potential falls within the band gap. This work demonstrates that persistent excited topological surface states are photon-accessible and easily tuned in both magnitude and duration, merging photonics- and spintronics-based devices in the same material.
A Privacy Protection Layer for Wearable Devices

The use of wearable devices is growing exceptionally which helps the individuals to track their daily activities, habits, health status, etc. They are be-coming so powerful and affordable that in some cases replace the use of mobile devices. Users are not aware of the extent and quality of the data being collected by these devices and the inherent risk of data security and privacy violation. This research introduces a privacy aware layer built over a sample smartwatch OS to limit user data access through enforcement of user set privacy settings. Since the nature of wearable devices leaves little space for interaction between the device and users, we develop a interface to capture user’s privacy preference. Two user studies, one using the Tizen platform and one with the privacy protection layer, are performed to compare its effectiveness.
Ecology, Structure, and Evolution of Shigella Phages

Numerous bacteriophages-viruses of bacteria, also known as phages-have been described for hundreds of bacterial species. The Gram-negative Shigella species are close relatives of Escherichia coli, yet relatively few previously described phages appear to exclusively infect this genus. Recent efforts to isolate Shigella phages have indicated these viruses are surprisingly abundant in the environment and have distinct genomic and structural properties. In addition, at least one model system used for experimental evolution studies has revealed a unique mechanism for developing faster infection cycles. Differences between these bacteriophages and other well-described model systems may mirror differences between their hosts' ecology and defense mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the history of Shigella phages and recent developments in their isolation and characterization and the structural information available for three model systems, Sf6, Sf14, and HRP29; we also provide an overview of potential selective pressures guiding both Shigella phage and host evolution.
Antimicrobial Resistance at Two U.S. Cull Cow Processing Establishments.

Culled beef cows (cows from cow-calf operations that have reached the end of productive life span) and culled dairy cows amount to approximately 18% of the cattle harvested in the U.S. annually, but data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) levels in U.S. cull cattle is extremely limited. To address this data gap, colon contents were obtained from 180 culled beef cows (conventional beef), 179 culled dairy cows (conventional dairy), and 176 culled organic dairy cows produced without using antimicrobials (organic dairy). Also, 181 conventional beef, 173 conventional dairy, and 180 organic dairy carcasses were sponge sampled. These samples were obtained on 6 days (3 each at two beef harvest and processing establishments). At one establishment 30 samples of beef manufacturing trimmings (trim) from conventional cows and 30 samples of trim from organic dairy cows were acquired. All 1,129 samples were cultured for Escherichia coli, tetracycline-resistant (TETr) E. coli, third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCr) E. coli, Salmonella, and 3GCrSalmonella.Metagenomic DNA was isolated from 535 colon content samples and quantitative PCR was performed to assess the abundances of the following 10 antimicrobial resistance genes: aac(6')-Ie-aph(2")-Ia, aadA1, blaCMY-2,blaCTX-M,blaKPC-2, erm(B),mecA, tet(A),tet(B), and tet(M). For colon contents only TETrE. coli (P < 0.01), 3GCrE. coli (P < 0.01), and erm(B) (P = 0.03) levels were higher in conventional than organic cows. Sampling day also significantly (P < 0.01) affected each of these levels. Production system did not affect the levels of any measured antimicrobial resistance on carcasses or trim. The human health impact of the few statistically significant AMR differences are undefinable due to the lack of standards for normal, background, safe, or basal levels. Study results provide key heretofore unavailable data that may inform quantitative microbial risk assessments to address these gaps.
Optogenetic activation of heterotrimeric Gi proteins by LOV2GIVe— a rationally engineered modular protein

Heterotrimeric G-proteins are signal transducers that mediate the action of many natural extracellular stimuli as well as of many therapeutic agents. Non-invasive approaches to manipulate the activity of G-proteins with high precision are crucial to understand their regulation in space and time. Here, we engineered LOV2GIVe, a modular protein that allows the activation of Gi proteins with blue light. This optogenetic construct relies on a versatile design that differs from tools previously developed for similar purposes, i.e. metazoan opsins, which are light-activated GPCRs. To make LOV2GIVe, we fused a peptide derived from a non-GPCR protein that activates Gi (but not Gs, Gq, or G12) to a small plant protein domain, such that light uncages the G-protein activating module. Targeting LOV2GIVe to cell membranes allowed for light-dependent activation of Gi proteins in different experimental systems. In summary, LOV2GIVe expands the armamentarium and versatility of tools available to manipulate heterotrimeric G-protein activity. GRAPHICAL SUMMARY O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=127 SRC="FIGDIR/small/253781v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (18K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1870610org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19f2b2dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@cb9e57org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@88924_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Identity development and life satisfaction among young adults in India

Identity is an important part of individual’s life as it helps you define your role in different social and environmental aspects. This study investigates the relation between Identity development stages and Life satisfaction in young adults of India. It is a quantitative research design and has taken 100 employed young adults as sample through convenience sampling method. The scales used for measuring the variables were Satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) Pavot, W., & Diener, E. and Layne Bennion and Gerald Adams’ Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status. The findings suggest that there is positive correlation between Identity achievement and Life satisfaction, while a weak positive relationship in case of Moratorium identity status. Life satisfaction had a strong negative correlation with Identity diffusion as well as Foreclosed identity status. Brief cultural values and their implication to the study have also been discussed.
The National Institute on Aging Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease Family Based Study: A Critical Component of the International Effort to Understand Alzheimer's Disease

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION The National Institute on Aging Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Family Based Study (NIA-LOAD FBS) was established to study the genetic etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). METHODS Recruitment focused on families with two living affected siblings and a third first degree relative similar in age with or without dementia. Uniform assessments were completed, DNA was obtained as was neuropathology, when possible. APOE genotypes, genome-wide SNP arrays and sequencing was completed in the majority of families. RESULTS A wide range in the age-at-onset in many large families was related to APOE genotype, but not in all. Variants typically associated with early-onset AD and frontotemporal dementia were also found. DISCUSSION The NIA-LOAD FBS is the largest collection of familial AD worldwide, and data or samples have been included in 126 publications addressing the genetic etiology of AD. Genetic heterogeneity and variability in the age-at-onset provides opportunities to investigate the complexity of familial AD.
Segmentation of seagrass blade images using deep learning

Segmentation of individual seagrass images is of importance to biologists who are investigating individual seagrass blade cover to correlate the surface cover information to benthic environmental factors. Seagrasses may be covered with epiphytes like crustose and filamentous algae and tubeworms, all bioindicators of nutrient and turbidity conditions of the seagrass environment. Classical image processing techniques to segment seagrasses have been successful; however, such techniques are relatively time consuming. We introduce deep learning as a computationally efficient approach to perform semantic segmentation in multiple seagrass images to determine each blade’s percent cover and surface composition. Pre-trained ResNet-18 and ResNet-50 convolutional neural networks have been adapted using transfer learning to classify seagrass blade surface composition. Seagrass surface semantic segmentation and mapping is achieved for five classes including the bare seagrass blade (no cover), general epiphyte, tubeworm, filamentous algae, and background. We present the application of deep learning in two convolutional neural networks to achieve semantic segmentation of seagrass blades as a fast tool for seagrass surface classification. Classification accuracy and computational performance of the two deep CNN are presented.
Effects of captopril against radiation injuries in the Göttingen minipig model of hematopoietic-acute radiation syndrome.

Our laboratory has demonstrated that captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, mitigates hematopoietic injury following total body irradiation in mice. Improved survival in mice is correlated with improved recovery of mature blood cells and bone marrow, reduction of radiation-induced inflammation, and suppression of radiation coagulopathy. Here we investigated the effects of captopril treatment against radiation injuries in the Gottingen mini pig model of Hematopoietic-Acute Radiation Syndrome (H-ARS). Minipigs were given captopril orally (0.96 mg/kg) twice daily for 12 days following total body irradiation (60Co 1.79 Gy, 0.42-0.48 Gy/min). Blood was drawn over a time course following irradiation, and tissue samples were collected at euthanasia (32-35 days post-irradiation). We observed improved survival with captopril treatment, with survival rates of 62.5% in vehicle treated and 87.5% in captopril treated group. Additionally, captopril significantly improved recovery of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and a trend toward improvement in recovery of red blood cells and platelets. Captopril significantly reduced radiation-induced expression of cytokines erythropoietin and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and suppressed radiation-induced acute-phase inflammatory response cytokine serum amyloid protein A. Using quantitative-RT-PCR to monitor bone marrow recovery, we observed significant suppression of radiation-induced expression of redox stress genes and improved hematopoietic cytokine expression. Our findings suggest that captopril activities in the Gottingen minipig model of hematopoietic-acute radiation syndrome reflect findings in the murine model.
Emergency physician risk of occupational mortality: A scoping review.

Background Occupational hazards for emergency physicians are widely known, but the risk of work-related mortality is not clear. The COVID-19 pandemic generated new concerns about the risk of occupational mortality, particularly in the setting of inadequate personal protective equipment. The perception of increased risk generated ethical concerns regarding emergency physicians' duty to treat and employers' duty to protect their employees. We performed this scoping review to define prepandemic emergency physician occupational mortality. Methods We performed a scoping review of peer-reviewed publications from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases in September 2020. Results Of the 747 unique articles identified in the 3 databases, 1 article met inclusion criteria and was included in the final analysis. Conclusion The baseline risk of occupational mortality for emergency physicians is not established in the scientific literature. Further study is needed to quantify risk, as this information would be useful to shape policy and ethical considerations.
A Transparent Ultrasound Array for Real-time Optical, Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging

Objective and Impact Statement: Simultaneous imaging of ultrasound and optical contrasts can help map structural, functional and molecular biomarkers inside living subjects with high spatial resolution. There is a need to develop a platform to facilitate this multimodal imaging capability to improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Introduction: Currently, combining ultrasound, photoacoustic and optical imaging modalities is challenging due to complex arrangements, in order to co-align both optical and ultrasound waves within the same field of view, because conventional ultrasound transducer arrays are optically opaque. Methods: One elegant solution is to make the ultrasound transducer transparent to light. Here, we demonstrate a novel transparent ultrasound transducer (TUT) liner array fabricated using a transparent lithium niobate piezoelectric material for real-time multimodal imaging. Results: The TUT array consisted of 64 elements and centered at ~6 MHz frequency. We demonstrate a quad-mode ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging in real-time using the TUT array directly coupled to the tissue mimicking phantoms. Conclusion: The TUT array successfully showed a multimodal imaging capability, and has potential applications in diagnosing cancer, neuro and vascular diseases, including image-guided endoscopy and wearable imaging.
Evaluation of the host specificity of Spathius galinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Northeast Asia

Abstract Host-specificity determination prior to the introduction of non-native natural enemies is a critical component of the risk assessment for modern classical biocontrol programs. In the present study, we assessed the host specificity of a newly described parasitoid, Spathius galinae Belokobylskij and Strazanac, which is native to Northeast Asia, for classical biocontrol of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, in North America. Along with foreign exploration for natural enemies of EAB in 2010 and 2012, we surveyed ash (Fraxinus spp.) wood-boring insects and their parasitoids from artificially stressed Oriental ash (F. rhynchophylla Hance) trees in natural forest stands in the Primorskiy Kray region of Russia. Once colonies of S. galinae were established in U.S. quarantine, we tested the parasitoid against 15 species or groups of North American wood-boring insects that were selected along a continuum from closely related taxa (e.g., Agrilus spp. in the family Buprestidae in Coleoptera) to distantly related ones in Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. While three of the tested insects, Neoclytus acuminatus Fabricius, Podosesia spp. and Hylesinus fraxini Panzer attack ash as their main host, the rest attack non-ash trees such as birch, maple and oak. Results from our field survey in Russia showed that S. galinae did not attack bark beetles (Hylesinus spp.) or longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) that coexisted with EAB on infested ash trees. In quarantine laboratory studies, S. galinae did not attack 14 species or groups of non-target wood-boring insects infesting both ash and/or non-ash trees such as birch, maple or red oak. The only non-target attack was on the goldspotted oak borer (GSOB), Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer, infesting red oak. The rate of parasitism on GSOB was significantly lower than on EAB under laboratory conditions that favored parasitism. These findings indicate that the host specificity of S. galinae is restricted within the host genus (Agrilus).
Pharmaceutical Solids: A Strategic Approach to Regulatory Considerations

Purpose. This review describes a conceptual approach to the characterization of pharmaceutical solids. Methods. Four flow charts are presented: (1) polymorphs, (2) hydrates, (3) desolvated solvates, and (4) amorphous forms. Results. These flow charts (decision trees) are suggested as tools to develop information on pharmaceutical solids for both scientific and regulatory purposes. Conclusions. It is hoped that this review will lead to a more direct approach to the characterization of pharmaceutical solids and ultimately to faster approval of regulatory documents containing information on pharmaceutical solids.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN HORSES

Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable imaging procedure but one that requires significant technical support. Although scanners are available for veterinary use, their successful installation requires in-depth facility planning. Maintenance costs for these highly complex systems are high and may greatly exceed acquisition costs. Equipment to move anesthetized horses and support them during scanning is also expensive. Transport and scan table equipment suitable for equine CT studies are described. Clinical scan protocols used for CT of the equine skull and extremities are detailed. Precise positioning is essential for interpretable scans. Significant training in anatomy and CT physics is required for the veterinary computed tomographer.
Biological Reactions in the Heart : What Should We Do in 'Cardiology'?

Humankind is on a similar evolutionary process to animals. Biological reactions in the human heart will be reviewed, and consideration will be made about what can be done in cardiology, from the viewpoints of basic, clinical and community medicine. Functional reactions of the heart to acute loading (exercise, etc) comprise myocardial contractility, preload, pump function and peripheral factors, and are mobilized step by step in that order, to maintain normal functioning. Morphological reactions to chronic loading (hypertension etc) comprise hypertrophy and dilatation, which are caused by mechanical and nonmechanical factors, but may not always be mobilized to maintain normal functioning. Various neurohumoral factors take part in the mechanisms, and modifications, of these reactions. They act in a complex manner according to the biological conditions, and may not always act to maintain normal functioning. The biological reactions in the heart (ie, Basic Cardiology) should not be interpreted as having purpose; that is, putting a value on humankind, although medical treatment (Clinical Cardiology) and the solution of health problems in the community (Community Cardiology) should be done from this viewpoint.
Fetal Exposure to Diagnostic X Rays, and Leukemia and Other Malignant Diseases in Childhood

A survey of the comparative incidence of exposure to antenatal irradiation in utero and of the occurrence of leukemia and other malignant diseases in later childhood is reported. The case material consisted of deaths, before the age of 10 years, from leukemia and other malignant diseases, in Louisiana during the 5year period 1951 to 1955. The control cases were deaths from other causes matched for age, sex, race, and place of death. Information concerning the incidence of irradiation (diagnostic x rays during the last trimester of pregnancy) was obtained from professional sources, either from the doctor who delivered the mother or from the institution in which the child was born. The incidence of x ray exposure was found to be as follows: leukemia cases, 26.9 percent; malignant disease cases, 28.4 percent; and control cases, 18.3 percent. These findings are in substantial agreement with those of Stewart et al., in England. The findings lend emphasis to the need for minimizing exposure of the fetus to x rays, by careful determination of the indications for antenatal radiography and by attention to the technical procedures. (auth)
Mass Transfer in Gases

Although throughout the text we consider both liquids and gases, in this chapter we consider mass transfer in gases only. We examine the observed deviations from the viscous flow behavior at low pressures (or for very small pore sizes) and consider chemical reactions. The subject of gas diffusion in porous media has been extensively treated by Jackson (1977), Cunningham and Williams (1980), and Wakao and Kaguei (1982). Jackson gives special attention to the multicomponent gas mixtures (more than two components), even though for more than three components and at low gas pressures where the molecular slip occurs, the treatment becomes very difficult because of the interdependence of the individual mass fluxes.
Haloforms: Sweet taste or smell?

An Patienten mit Anosmia, Hyposmia, Hypogeusia oder Agylcogeusia, resp. mit klinischen Ausfallen im Bereich des Geruchs- und Geschmacksinnes, wird die Perzeption der chemischen Stoffgruppe der Haloforme untersucht und gezeigt, dass Chloroform, Bromoform und Jodoform unabhangig voneinander sussen Geschmack und Geruch hervorrufen konnen.
Structure and morphology of baked starch foams

Baked starch foams were characterized by several physical methods in order to better understand the relationship between process parameters and starch foam structure. In this process, a thin-walled object such as a plate is formed by heating a starch batter inside a closed mould. Normal corn and potato starches are gelatinized by this treatment but some swollen granules remain. The foams have a dense outer skin and a less dense interior with large, mostly open cells. Overall foam density and strength increase with increasing starch concentration, molecular weight and amylose content. Foam flexibility tends to increase with decreasing density. Plates made from tuber starches such as potato have lower densities and higher flexibilities than those made from cereal starches such as corn. Starch foams are useful as disposable food packaging and serving articles which can be composted after use.
Stabilization of eyelid height after aponeurotic ptosis repair

Abstract Objective To develop guidelines for revision of ptosis surgery in the early postoperative period by establishing what percentage of eyelids after anterior levator advancement have reached their final height by the first postoperative week. Design Prospective noncomparative case series. Participants An analysis was performed on 164 eyelids in 97 patients with involutional aponeurotic ptosis. Intervention Anterior levator advancement was performed on each of these 164 eyelids. Exclusion criterion consisted of a history or evidence of neurologic or muscular disease, preceding trauma, an anophthalmic socket, or prior eyelid surgery. Main outcome measures The marginal reflex distance, eyelid excursion, and degree of swelling were recorded perioperatively; additionally, photographs were obtained before surgery and at 1 and 6 weeks after surgery. Results At 1 week after surgery, only 40% of eyelids had reached their final height; 52% continued to rise a mean of 1.1 mm. The percentage of eyelids continuing to rise after the first postoperative week varied with the amount of swelling present at 1 week, although a direct correlation did not exist (Pearson correlation, 0.22; P Conclusions Based on this study, the authors suggest revision at 1 week after anterior levator advancements in which minimal-to-moderate eyelid swelling exists for contour abnormalities, if the eyelid height is 0.5 mm or more above or more than 1.0 mm below the target height, or if asymmetry between the eyelids is 1.0 mm or more. The authors do not advise early revision for patients with excessive swelling still present 1 week after surgery.
Landscape factors affect the genetic population structure of Oncorhynchus mykiss populations in Hood Canal, Washington

Among salmonids, local adaptation can reduce gene flow among populations, which can then lead to population sub-division. As such, it is important to understand what landscape variables affect local adaptation, especially for populations for which conservation concerns exist. By examining allele frequencies at 15 microsatellite DNA loci from anadromous (steelhead) and freshwater resident (rainbow trout) Oncorhynchus mykiss collected from 7 Hood Canal, Washington rivers, we surveyed the genetic population structure within and among populations, and examined the landscape factors that could be affecting their genetic population structure. We found that samples from within a river system were more genetically similar to each other regardless of life history type or sampling location than they were to similar types from other rivers. Rainbow trout samples had lower genetic diversity then steelhead samples. We identified two main population groups among the steelhead samples. Genetic distance among populations was most strongly influenced by the populations’ locations on one of two peninsulas, and to a lesser extent, river flow rate and hydrological characteristics. These factors influence genetic population structure and local adaptation more than geographic distance, river gradient, or mean annual river temperature.
Adenosine triphosphate mediates intercellular communication in liver: Talk ain't exactly cheap

Intercellular communication among certain cell types can occur via ATP secretion, which leads to stimulation of nucleotide receptors on target cells. In epithelial cells, however, intercellular communication is thought to occur instead via gap junctions. Here we examined whether one epithelial cell type, hepatocytes, can also communicate via nucleotide secretion. The effects on cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) of mechanical stimulation, including microinjection, were examined in isolated rat hepatocytes and in isolated bile duct units using confocal fluorescence video microscopy. Mechanical stimulation of a single hepatocyte evoked an increase in [Ca2+]i in the stimulated cell plus an unexpected [Ca2+]i rise in neighboring noncontacting hepatocytes. Perifusion with ATP before mechanical stimulation suppressed the [Ca2+]i increase, but pretreatment with phenylephrine did not. The P2 receptor antagonist suramin inhibited these intercellular [Ca2+]i signals. The ATP/ADPase apyrase reversibly inhibited the [Ca2+]i rise induced by mechanical stimulation, and did not block vasopressin- induced [Ca2+]i signals. Mechanical stimulation of hepatocytes also induced a [Ca2+]i increase in cocultured isolated bile duct units, and this [Ca2+]i increase was inhibited by apyrase as well. Finally, this form of [Ca2+]i signaling could be elicited in the presence of propidium iodide without nuclear labeling by that dye, indicating that this phenomenon does not depend on disruption of the stimulated cell. Thus, mechanical stimulation of isolated hepatocytes, including by microinjection, can evoke [Ca2+]i signals in the stimulated cell as well as in the neighboring noncontacting hepatocytes and bile duct epithelia. This signaling is mediated by release of ATP or other nucleotides into the extracellular space. This is an important technical consideration given the widespread use of microinjection techniques for examining mechanisms of signal transduction. Moreover, the evidence provided suggests a novel paracrine signaling pathway for epithelia, which previously were thought to communicate exclusively via gap junctions.
Hydrolysis of condensed phosphates during aerobic biological sewage treatment

Abstract In a domestic sewage, the concentrations of orthophosphate and inorganic condensed phosphate varied widely during a 24-hr period. The condensed phosphate concentration was especially variable, increasing from 1 to 17 mg P/l during a 4-hr span. This increase coincided with an increase in the concentration of ABS. In the settled sewages sampled, approximately half the phosphorus was in the form of condensed phosphates. Treatment at activated sludge and trickling filter installations affected the hydrolysis of a portion of the incoming condensed phosphates. The extent of hydrolysis was variable, but in general, approximately half the condensed phosphates in the settled sewage was converted to orthophosphate during aerobic biological treatment.
Anabolic and catabolic regimens of human parathyroid hormone 1-34 elicit bone- and envelope-specific attenuation of skeletal effects in sost-deficient mice

PTH is a potent calcium-regulating factor that has skeletal anabolic effects when administered intermittently or catabolic effects when maintained at consistently high levels. Bone cells express PTH receptors, but the cellular responses to PTH in bone are incompletely understood. Wnt signaling has recently been implicated in the osteo-anabolic response to the hormone. Specifically, the Sost gene, a major antagonist of Wnt signaling, is down-regulated by PTH exposure. We investigated this mechanism by treating Sost-deficient mice and their wild-type littermates with anabolic and catabolic regimens of PTH and measuring the skeletal responses. Male Sost+/+ and Sost−/− mice were injected daily with human PTH 1–34 (0, 30, or 90 μg/kg) for 6 wk. Female Sost+/+ and Sost−/− mice were continuously infused with vehicle or high-dose PTH (40 μg/kg · d) for 3 wk. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived measures of intermittent PTH (iPTH)-induced bone gain were impaired in Sost−/− mice. Further probing revealed normal or enhanced iPTH-induced cortical bone formation rates but concomitant increases in cortical porosity among Sost−/− mice. Distal femur trabecular bone was highly responsive to iPTH in Sost−/− mice. Continuous PTH (cPTH) infusion resulted in equal bone loss in Sost+/+ and Sost−/− mice as measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. However, distal femur trabecular bone, but not lumbar spine trabecular bone, was spared the bone-wasting effects of cPTH in Sost−/− mice. These results suggest that changes in Sost expression are not required for iPTH-induced anabolism. iPTH-induced resorption of cortical bone might be overstimulated in Sost-deficient environments. Furthermore, Sost deletion protects some trabecular compartments, but not cortical compartments, from bone loss induced by high-dose PTH infusion.
A preliminary investigation of mesoionic xanthine analogues as inhibitors of platelet aggregation.

A series of mesoionic xanthines (e.g. mesoionic thiazolopyrimidines, 3, and thiadiazolopyrimidines, 5) and related analogues were examined as inhibitors of human platelet aggregation. Appropriately substituted compounds were found to fully inhibit platelet aggregation, and anhydro-(6-ethyl-8-isopentyl-7-oxo-5-hydroxy-1,3,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidinium hydroxide) (5b) was 40 times more potent than the structurally related xanthine theophylline (1). Gel filtration studies suggest that compound 5b irreversibly inhibits aggregation and this might be due to its ability to act as a latent acylation agent.
Interaction of a water mist with a buoyant methane diffusion flame

Abstract This work describes observations and measurements from the interaction of a fine water spray from a hollow cone nozzle, with purely buoyant diffusion flames from a natural gas ceramic-plate burner located directly underneath the nozzle. The burner plate was instrumented with thermocouples cemented on its upper and lower surfaces to assess the influence of the spray on the burner temperature. A set of thermocouples was also used to measure plume centerline temperatures above the burner plate. An imaging system was used to record the presence of droplets near the burner surface, and a narrow angle total radiation detector was used to measure changes in local flame radiation. A limited number of measurements of the steady state O2 and CO concentrations along the plume centerline were also carried out. For the conditions tested, the plume-to-spray thrust ratio was large, resulting in negligible direct penetration of the droplets into the fire region. A consequence of the low spray thrust was an almost droplet-free region above the flame. The observed cooling of the ceramic burner when the spray was applied was due to decreased radiant emission from the flame as well as deposition and evaporation of droplets entrained into the plume near the burner. The centerline plume temperatures did not change significantly upon application of the spray, at least within the error limits of thermocouple measurements. However, there was a significant decrease in O2 and an increase in CO concentrations along the plume centerline upon application of the spray. An energy balance on the ceramic-plate burner, together with the experimental data, yielded estimates of the water deposition rate on the burner surface.