cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic low-dose cocaine treatment during adolescence facilitates aggression in hamsters

Cocaine abuse during adolescence represents a significant health risk because of the potential for both acute and long-term negative physical and psychological sequelae, including increased aggressive behavior. This study examined the effects of chronic adolescent cocaine exposure on aggression in an animal model. It was hypothesized that chronic cocaine exposure during adolescence predisposes animals to heightened levels of aggressive behavior. To test this hypothesis, adolescent male golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were administered cocaine hydrochloride during their entire adolescent development (Postnatal Days 27–54) and then tested for offensive aggression using the resident–intruder model. Animals treated with low-dose cocaine during adolescence showed significantly elevated measures of offensive aggression (i.e., increased number of bites, attacks, and decreased latencies to bite), whereas measures of social communication, sexual motivation and motor activity remained constant. Cocaine-treated animals did not differ in body weight gain from controls, suggesting no dramatic physiological effects of adolescent cocaine exposure on body growth at the doses tested.
An Electrostatic Zigzag Transmissive Microoptical Switch for MEMS Displays

This paper presents the design and characterization of the zigzag transmissive microoptical switch. It consists of a highly space-efficient zigzag electrostatic actuator and opaque shutter pair, which cover the optical channel in order to modulate a focused incident light beam. The novel zigzag design increases the electrostatic force and extends the stable travel range of the electrostatic actuator. By adjusting the dimensions of the zigzag, it can operate both under digital and analog optical switching. The real-time shutter motions have been tested by a laser-integrated microscope. Experimental data demonstrate that a zigzag electrostatic actuator of 47 mumtimes160 mum size can achieve a maximum static lateral displacement of 10 mum (18 mum total opening by a shutter pair) at 38 V. Depending on their design, zigzag devices have a mechanical resonance frequency of up to 38.6 kHz with response time less than 20 mus and lifetime above 7.6times109 cycles
Modes of decomposition of silver, lead and mercuric toluenedithiolates. A synthetic and analytical study

The silver, lead and mercuric toluenedithiolates were synthesised and analysed by both conventional chemical methods and thermoanalytical methods. The thermal decomposition was studied by thermogravimetric analysis in air, nitrogen and vacuum. The formulae of the decomposition products were derived using the mole weights and i.r. absorption spectra. The activation energies for the first stage of decomposition were calculated. The volatile products contain mostly carbon and hydrogen while the residues contain the corresponding metals either free or combined with sulfur.
D-(+)-Pinitol, an oviposition stimulant for the pipevine swallowtail butterfly,Battus philenor.

Oviposition by females of the pipevine swallowtail butterfly,Battus philenor, was stimulated by contact with alcoholic extracts of host foliage.D-(+)-Pinitol was isolated and identified from leaf material of one host species,Aristolochia macrophylla (Aristolochiaceae). In combination with chloroform-soluble components of host leaf material, this compound was comparable to the parent extract in stimulating oviposition.
Variability in the accuracy of the exercise ST-segment in predicting the coronary angiogram: how good can we be?

Abstract In order to evaluate the variability in the diagnostic accuracy of the exercise electrocardiogram, a meta-analytic database derived from a review of 147 publications and a multicenter database derived from 2,826 angiographic referrals were analyzed. Wide variability in sensitivity and specificity were found from the meta-analytic review (standard deviations of 16% and 15%, respectively). No improvement in reported sensitivities and specificities has been seen over the past 22 years. The sensitivities and specificities derived from the multicenter database also showed wide variability (standard deviation 13% and 5%). These results suggest that despite obvious technologic strides in acquiring, processing, and interpreting exercise ECG signals, the accuracy of the exercise induced ST depression has not increased greatly and is difficult to ascertain a priori in a given laboratory. Individual anatomic and physiologic differences are postulated as limiting factors in the accuracy that can be obtained from this noninvasive test.
H1 histone variants in Xenopus laevis.

Abstract The H1 histones from erythrocytes, livers, intestines, testes, and embryos of Xenopus laevis have been examined electrophoretically. This species has been found to contain at least five electrophoretically resolvable lysine-rich histones in addition to the presumptive H5 histone of erythrocytes. Quantitative and qualitative distinctions between the H1 histones from each source were readily observed. Three H1 histones (H1A, H1B, and H1C) were found in both embryos and adult tissues, although in varying amounts. Two other H1 histones (H1D and H1E) were found only in adult tissues. Comparative SDS gel V8 protease cleavage maps of the lysine-rich histones from testes and erythrocytes have demonstrated that the “adult-specific” H1D and H1E are not artifacts of proteolysis and may be closely related to the presumptive H5 histone. Spermatogenic cells were found to be similar to embryonic cells in being deficient in H1D and H1E. These observations suggest that H1D and H1E are enriched in cell types with low rates of cell division similar to the mammalian H1° histone. The results presented here demonstrate a previously unrecognized degree of developmental and cell-specific variance in the H1 histones of Xenopus laevis .
Modelling Ice Dissipation in Eastern Lake Erie

Abstract A previously developed mathematical model, which considered both the heat exchange processes at the air-ice interface and the ice transport rate via the Niagara River Was used to simulate the ice dissipation process in eastern Lake Erie. The model, which assumed the ice thickness to be constant over the lake, has been further developed to take into account variable ice thickness. Buffalo meteorological data were used for the computation of the net heat exchange at the air-ice interface. Results of the model application illustrate the relative importance ofin-lake ice melt to ice transport via the Niagara River during the dissipation period. Model results were found to give reasonably good agreement with the limited ice information available for the 1976 dissipation period.
Use of Decontextualized Talk across Story Contexts: How Oral Storytelling and Emergent Reading Can Scaffold Children's Development.

This study examined 33 mothers' and preschoolers' oral language skills (decontextualized discourse) across an emergent reading, shared reading, and oral storytelling interaction. The sample comprised primarily African American families from various socioeconomic backgrounds, ranging from Head Start families to middle-income families. Two measures of decontextualized language were assessed—literate language features and type of talk (i.e., a coding scheme categorizing comments/questions on a continuum from contextualized to decontextualized talk). Mothers used more decontextualized language during the oral storytelling interaction versus the other interactions, but children used more during the emergent reading interaction. Mothers with advanced literacy skills were more likely to make decontextualized comments/questions and use mental/linguistic verbs during the interactions. Results are discussed in terms of implications for parent–child home literacy interventions.
Optical spectroscopy and thermal quenching of the Ce3+ luminescence in yttrium oxysulfate, Y2O2[SO4]

Abstract Photoluminescence and excitation spectrum of Ce 3+ activated yttrium oxysulfate, Y 2 O 2 [SO 4 ] has been investigated in the 10–300 K temperature region. The Stokes shift of the Ce 3+ emission is small (0.3 eV). The crystal field splitting and the centroid shift of the Ce 3+ 5d state have been derived from the low temperature excitation spectrum. At room temperature, the quantum efficiency of the Ce 3+ emission is low. The thermal quenching of Ce 3+ lifetime observed for T > 200 K is attributed to the photoionization of the Ce 3+ 5d electron. In Y 2 O 2 [SO 4 ], the Ce 3+ ions are coordinated with four “free” oxygen ions, which do not occur in the coordination polyhedra of the [SO 4 ] 2− groups. We present evidence from this work and from the data presented in the archival literature that the Ce 3+ luminescence efficiency is low at room or slightly above room temperature in materials, which offer “free” oxygen ions in the first coordination sphere of the Ce 3+ ion.
Carboxyl-terminated dendrimer-coated bioactive interface for protein microarray: high-sensitivity detection of antigen in complex biological samples.

Protein microarrays are promising tools that can potentially enable high throughput proteomic screening in areas such as disease diagnosis and drug discovery. A critical aspect in the development of protein microarrays is the optimization of the array's surface chemistry to achieve the high sensitivity required for detection of proteins in cell lysate and other complex biological mixtures. In the present study, a high-density antibody array with minimal nonspecific cellular protein adsorption was prepared using a glass surface coated with a poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer terminated with carboxyl group (PAMAM-COOH). The carboxyl-terminated dendrimer-modified surface has almost similar nonspecific cellular protein adsorption when compared to an inert PEG-modified surface. In addition, the multiple functional sites available for reaction on the dendrimer surface facilitated high-density immobilization of antibodies and efficient capture of bioanalytes. Various molecules were tested for their ability to block...
Three pion production on nuclei at 200 GeV

We have carried out a systematic study of the coherent dissociation of pions into 3 pions using nuclear targets. The experiment was performed at Fermilab using a high resolution forward spectrometer. Data were taken with carbon, copper and lead targets at an incident momentum of 202.5 GeV/c. Results are presented on momentum transfers, 3-pion masses, and on the nuclearA-dependence of the production cross section.
Evidence That Management Earnings Forecasts Do Not Fully Incorporate Information in Prior Forecast Errors

: This paper investigates whether managers fully incorporate the implications of their prior earnings forecast errors into their future earnings forecasts and, if not, whether this behavior is related to the post-earnings announcement drift. I find a positive association in consecutive management forecast errors, suggesting that managers underestimate the future implications of past earnings information when forecasting earnings. I also find that managers underestimate the information in their prior forecast errors to a greater extent when they make earnings forecasts with a longer horizon. Finally, I find that, similar to managers, the market also underreacts to earnings information in management forecast errors, which leads to predictable stock returns following earnings announcements.
Interaction of tRNA with domain II of 23S rRNA.

Abstract The interaction of tRNA with domain II of 23S rRNA in E. coli ribosomes has been probed using short, complementary DNA oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Specifically, cDNA oligomers to the region 801–811 of the 23S rRNA were used to ascertain the interaction of this region with tRNA. It was found that when tRNA was bound to the P site, considerable competition occurred between tRNA and the cDNA oligomers which base paired with the nucleotides 807–811. However, A-site bound tRNA neither displaced, nor was displaced, by cDNA oligomers to this region. Additionally, the binding of tRNA lacking the CACCA nucleotides on the 3′ terminus was unaffected by the presence a cDNA oligomer complementary to nucleotides 803–811, indicating that the cDNA-tRNA competition was dependent on the 3′ terminal nucleotides of tRNA.
Three-dimensional photonic crystal sensors

Photonic crystal templating of optically active hydrogel sensors is a topic of growing interest in materials chemistry. When interactions between a mesostructured hydrogel and the analyte molecules cause a reversible dimensional change of the hydrogel, the corresponding change in optical diffraction can be detected either spectroscopically or visually. Using poly(styrene) photonic crystals as templates, we synthesized inverse opal hydrogels through photopolymerization of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and various functional monomers, and demonstrated the ability to sense pH and glucose at different ionic strengths and other experimental conditions. The diffraction of the pH sensitive hydrogel shifted from 544 nm to 850 nm when the pH was increased from 4 to 7, while the diffraction of the glucose sensitive hydrogel changed from 599 nm to 719 nm when the glucose concentration was raised from 0 mM to 100 mM. Diffraction response kinetics on the order of ~30 minutes were observed, which may be attributed to diffusion of analyte molecules through thin (12 - 24 μm) hydrogel samples. These mechanically robust inverse opal hydrogel sensors may form a starting point for chemical and biological sensing using diffractive three-dimensional mesostructures.
Raman Spectroscopic Evidence for Cooperative C−H···O Interactions in the Acetaldehyde−CO2 Complex

In carbonyl compounds having a hydrogen atom attached to the α-carbon or directly to the carbonyl carbon, our recent ab initio and solvation studies have predicted the presence of a weak C−H···O interaction with CO2. This intermolecular interaction acts cooperatively with the Lewis acid−Lewis base interaction that exists between CO2 and the carbonyl group. This communication provides the first experimental evidence for this cooperative interaction in the acetaldehyde−CO2 complex using Raman spectroscopy at 25.0 °C in the gas phase. The implications of these interactions in the solvation of carbonyl-based CO2-philes are also discussed.
Effects of Dominance and Competence on Heterosexual Attraction

To clarify previous findings concerning the relationship between physical dominance and heterosexual attraction, 40 unacquainted couples worked as partners on a problem-solving task. Couples performed the task with the male physically or verbally dominating his partner, and the couples were led to believe that their success on the task was markedly above or below average. Findings showed that females were more attracted to competent rather than incompetent partners (P <0.001), but that mode of dominance interacted with competence, with physically dominant and competent males liked most and physically dominant and incompetent partners liked least (P 0.05). The findings are interpreted in the context of social power and non-verbal behaviour and they re-emphasize the need to examine situational determinants of interpersonal attraction.
ACM SRC poster: from days to seconds: scalable parallel algorithm for motion planning

This work presents a scalable framework for parallelizing sampling based motion planning algorithms. The framework subdivides the configuration space (C-space) into regions and uses (sequential) sampling-based planners to build roadmaps in each region. The regional roadmaps are later connected to form a roadmap of the entire free space. By subdividing the space, we reduce the work and inter-processor communication associated with nearest neighbor calculation, a critical drawback and bottleneck to scalability in existing parallel motion planning methods.We show that our method is general enough to handle a variety of planning schemes, including the popular Probabilistic Roadmap (PRM) and Rapidly-exploring Random Trees (RRT) algorithms. We compare our approach to two other existing parallel algorithms and demonstrate that our approach achieves better and more scalable performance. Our approach achieves almost linear scalability to hundreds of processors on a 2400-core Linux cluster and over a thousand core on a Cray XE6 petascale machine.
A simplified medium for in vitro tracheary element differentiation in mesophyll suspension cultures from Zinnia elegans L.

A simplified medium has been developed for the differentiation of tracheary elements in suspension cultures of mesophyll cells of Zinnia elegans L. All inorganic salts contained in media used previously were retained in the simplified medium, but most were reduced in concentration. The only organic supplements required for optimum differentiation were thiamine and nicotinic acid, in addition to the plant growth regulators N6-benzylaminopurine and α-naphthyleneacetic acid, and sucrose as a carbon source. Mannitol, an osmoticum, was necessary for rapid, synchronous differentiation. This simplified medium is particularly suitable for studies of the role of Ca2+ in tracheary element differentiation due to the elimination of myo-inositol, an intermediate in the phosphatidyl inositol signal transduction pathway and reduction in the concentrations of Mg2+ and Mn2+, which block calcium channels. It is also possible to eliminate EDTA from the medium, enabling studies using specific calcium chelators. Additional culture variables for the optimization of differentiation are discussed.
Production Control of Cyclic Schedules with Demand and Process Variability

Cyclic scheduling has been primarily studied under deterministic assumptions. In practice, stochastic variability exists and must be taken into account. In this paper, the descriptive Markov chain model of Bowman and Muckstadt is extended to cover demand variability. A production control algorithm is developed using cyclic time and task criticality estimates from the model. Application of the algorithm to a case study shows that material release and anticipatory inventory buildup decisions can be effective in reducing inventory holding and overtime costs when significant demand variability is present.
Postdoctoral nursing education in infection control: program description.

Summary The need to identify and evaluate those clinical practices that are efficacious in reducing risk of nosocomial infection is clear. A model of large-scale programmatic evaluation is the Study of the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control.3,4 Other important clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of practices such as closed urinary drainge and management of intravascular lines and the ineffectiveness of such practices as double bagging and routine gowning in the newborn nursery. Clearly, research is one essential way to direct practice in infection control. It is our goal that the Johnson & Johnson/SURGIKOS Postdoctoral Nursing Fellows in Infection Control will make a significant contribution to the knowledge base in the specialty. The need for collaboration by government, industry, and academia in addressing health care research needs has been recently emphasized.5–7 We also believe that this Program can serve as one model for such a collaborative effort.
Back and pelvic pain in an underserved United States pregnant population: a preliminary descriptive survey.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of back pain and treatment satisfaction in a population of low-socioeconomic pregnant women. Methods This study used a cross-sectional design to determine the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain in pregnancy for 599 women. Women completed an author-generated musculoskeletal survey in the second trimester of their pregnancy that addressed pain history, duration, location, and intensity, as well as activities of daily living, treatment frequency, and satisfaction with treatment. Results Sixty-seven percent of the total population reported musculoskeletal pain, and nearly half presented with a multi-focal pattern of pain that involved 2 or more sites. Twenty-one percent reported severe pain intensity rated on a numerical rating scale. Eighty percent of women experiencing pain slept less than 4 hours per night and 75% of these women took pain medications. Importantly, 85% of the women surveyed perceived that they had not been offered treatment for their musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion Multi-focal musculoskeletal pain in pregnancy was prevalent in this underserved patient population. The pain in this population negatively affected sleep and treatment appeared inadequate.
Sweet syndrome: Clinical presentation, associations, and response to treatment in 77 patients

Background Sweet syndrome is a neutrophilic dermatosis with cutaneous tender lesions that can be associated with malignancies, infections, systemic inflammatory disorders, and medications. Although numerous studies have described Sweet syndrome, few studies have systematically investigated Sweet syndrome. Objective We sought to describe characteristics and treatments of patients with Sweet syndrome and evaluate clinical differences depending on the underlying cause. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to identify patients with Sweet syndrome evaluated at Mayo Clinic from 1992 to 2010. Results Of 77 patients with Sweet syndrome (mean age of onset 57 years), 43 (56%) were male. Eighteen patients (23%) reported a preceding infection. A total of 41 (53%) patients were classified as having classic Sweet syndrome, 27 (35%) patients had malignancy-associated Sweet syndrome, and in 9 (12%) patients drug-induced Sweet syndrome was considered. In all, 21 patients had a hematologic malignancy or myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic disorder, whereas 6 patients had solid tumors. The mean hemoglobin level, in both male and female patients ( P P Limitations This is a retrospective study and represents patients from a single academic center. Conclusions Sweet syndrome is a distinctive disorder with certain clinical and histologic characteristics, which usually has a complete response to systemic corticosteroids. It is important to evaluate Sweet syndrome patients who have laboratory evidence of anemia for an underlying malignancy.
Intrusiveness of behavioral treatments for adults with intellectual disability

Abstract The current study examined treatment intrusiveness within behavior intervention programs developed for adults with intellectual disability (ID). Behavior analysts provided demographic information about themselves, their adult clients with ID, and their clients’ behavior intervention plans, and they completed an online version of the Treatment Intrusiveness Measure ( Carter et al., 2009 ), an instrument that provides a Base Level Intrusiveness Score (BLIS; a score computed across five areas of categorization, such as, Health and Safety) and a Modified Level of Intrusiveness Score (MLIS), which assesses the presence or absence of intrusiveness-reducing practices. Among other findings, various statistical analyses revealed (a) a significant difference between BLIS and modified (BLIS minus MLIS) intrusiveness scores, (b) the practices within which most of the intrusiveness was concentrated within behavioral treatment programs, and (c) the least- and most-utilized intrusiveness-reducing practices. Implications are provided to assist professionals working with adults with ID who engage in challenging behavior and are supported through behavior intervention services.
Dissociation of androgenic effects on sexual morphology and behavior in male rats.

Seven male rats of proven copulatory ability were castrated and retested for mating activity 45 and 49 days later. Five animals showed no sexual responses and the remaining 2 exhibited incomplete and infrequent mating reactions. All rats then received 28 daily injections containing 0.5 mg of fluoxymesterone and were tested with sexually receptive females once each week. After the fourth test the seminal vesicles and glans penis were prepared for histological study. Five individuals showed no copulatory behavior at any time. Two performed at subnormal levels but were more active than they had been prior to treatment. The condition of the seminal vesicles and glans penis was normal, showing no signs of castration effects. Fluoxymesterone appears to exert strong androgenic effects upon accessory sexual structures but not upon the central nervous mechanisms that mediate mating behavior. (Endocrinology 83: 395, 1968)
3D Assisted Prenatal Sonographic Diagnosis of Dicephalic Conjoined Twins and Subsequent Planned Vaginal Delivery

• Measurement of the combined cephalic diameter in premature conjoined twins can allow for a successful trial of vaginal delivery.
The presentation and outcome of heart failure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis differs from that in the general population

Objective To compare the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of heart failure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with non-RA patients. Methods We conducted a community-based cohort study in the setting of Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 1979 to 2000. One hundred three patients with RA and 852 non-RA patients with incident heart failure (physician diagnosed and Framingham criteria validated) were compared. Age- and sex-adjusted rates/frequencies and multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare the clinical features and mortality of heart failure following its onset in the 2 groups of patients. Results The patients with RA were more often female and less frequently were obese, were hypertensive, or had ischemic heart disease. Patients with RA and heart failure had fewer typical symptoms and signs and were less likely to undergo echocardiography compared with non-RA patients. After adjusting for differences, the patients with RA and heart failure were more likely to have preserved ejection fraction (≥50%). Mortality at 1 year following heart failure was higher in patients with RA compared with non-RA patients (35% versus 19%; multivariable hazard ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.26–2.84). Conclusion Both the clinical presentation and the outcome of heart failure differ significantly between patients with and those without RA from the same population. Among patients with RA, the presentation of heart failure is more subtle, myocardial function is more likely preserved, while mortality from heart failure is significantly higher. These findings emphasize the importance of more vigilant screening of patients with RA for early signs of heart failure and may represent important insights into the biologic mechanisms underlying heart failure in RA.
Oxidation–Reduction Properties of the Regulatory Site of Spinach Phosphoribulokinase☆

The oxidation-reduction midpoint potential (Em) of the regulatory disulfide, formed between Cys16 and Cys55, of spinach chloroplast phosphoribulokinase has been determined both for the wild-type enzyme and for a C244S-C250S double mutant, using enzymatic activity to monitor the oxidation-reduction state of the regulatory disulfide. At pH 7.0, Em values for the two-electron reduction of the regulatory disulfide of -295 +/- 10 and -290 +/- 10 mV were measured for the wild-type and mutant, respectively. In contrast to the dependence of activity on ambient potential (Eh) observed for the wild-type enzyme and the double mutant, which both followed the Nernst equation for a two-electron process, high and constant activity was exhibited by a C16S-C244S-C250 triple mutant of the enzyme at all Eh values tested. Em values for the wild-type enzyme were also measured at pH values of 6.7, 7.5, 7.7, and 8.2 and the Em vs pH data in this region give a good fit to a straight line with a slope of -60 mV/pH unit.
Field dependent free ion yields of room temperature tetramethyl liquids and their mixtures

Abstract Ionization currents and free ion yields have been measured as a function of the applied electric field in tetramethylgermanium and tetramethylin exposed to energetic gamma rays, and in binary mixtures of 2,2,4,4 tetramethylpentane, tetramethylsilane, tetramethylgermanium and tetramethyltin. The ion yields in tetramethylgermanium and tetramethyltin are high, making these room temperature liquids interesting candidates for use in liquid ionization detectors.
Wavelength tunable passively mode-locked bismuth oxide-based erbium-doped fiber laser

The broadband gain of bismuth oxide-based erbium-doped fiber has been used to obtain wavelength-tunable mode-locking over a 30 nm range from 1570 to 1600 nm. Passive mode-locking using a proton-bombarded semiconductor saturable absorber mirror produces 2.2-ps pulses at a repetition rate of 17 MHz. After external frequency chirp compensation, 288-fs pulses are obtained at 1600 nm.
Rat rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing properties are adversely affected by hypercholesterolemia

Background Rotator cuff tendon tears represent a major component of reported orthopaedic injuries. In addition, more than one quarter of U.S. adults either currently have high cholesterol levels or have reduced their previously high cholesterol levels through the use of pharmaceuticals. Our clinical data have already linked hypercholesterolemia to full-thickness rotator cuff tears, and experimental data from our laboratory have shown effects on native tendon properties in multiple species. The objective of this study was to evaluate healing of supraspinatus tendons in our rat rotator cuff injury model. We hypothesized that tendon healing would be inferior in rats receiving a high-cholesterol diet for 6 months compared with those receiving standard chow. Methods All animals were subjected to a unilateral supraspinatus detachment and repair surgery, with contralateral limbs serving as within-animal comparative data. Animals continued their respective diet courses, and their supraspinatus tendons were biomechanically or histologically evaluated at 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively. Results Biomechanical testing revealed a significant reduction in normalized stiffness in hypercholesterolemic rats compared with controls at 4 weeks after injury, whereas histologic analyses showed no significant differences in collagen organization, cellularity, or cell shape between groups. Conclusion On the basis of our findings, hypercholesterolemia may have a detrimental biomechanical effect on tendon healing in our rat rotator cuff injury and repair model.
Nonuniformly sampled computer‐generated holograms

An novel algorithm for computing holographic fringe patterns based on nonuniform sampling is described. We show both analytically and via simulation that nonuniform sampling reduces the number of samples required to represent the hologram, in some cases by as much as 30 to 40%. This method of computing compact holograms is information-theoretically lossless. Methods for decompressing the computed fringe pattern are also presented. The algorithm is implemented on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Mark II Holographic Video System and results demonstrating its performance are provided. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first time that nonuniform sampling has been used to compress holographic fringe patterns for display purposes. The possibility of using other sophisticated nonuniform sampling approaches emerges from this research.
Review on Implementation and Assessment of Conservation Voltage Reduction

Conservation voltage reduction (CVR) is widely adopted by utilities for peak demand reduction and energy savings through reducing the voltage level of the electrical distribution system. This paper presents an in-depth review on implementing and assessing CVR. The methodologies to quantify CVR effects are categorized into comparison-based, regression-based, synthesis-based and simulation-based methods. The implementation strategies for voltage reduction are classified into open-loop and closed-loop methods. The impacts of emerging smart-grid technologies on CVR are also discussed. The paper can provide researchers and utility engineers with further insights into the state of the art, technical barriers and future research directions of CVR technologies.
Obacunone and obacunone glucoside inhibit human colon cancer (SW480) cells by the induction of apoptosis

Abstract Objectives: The study was aimed to purify obacunone and obacunone glucoside (OG) from seeds of Marsh White grapefruit and understand the mode of cytotoxicity of limonoids on colon cancer (SW480) cells. Methodology: Both limonoids were purified using chromatographic techniques. The structures and purity of limonoids were confirmed by NMR and HPLC analysis, respectively. Results: Obacunone and OG inhibited SW480 cell proliferation with IC50 values of 97 and 109.7 μM respectively, at 24 h. Sequence of events such as decreased ratio of bcl2/bax gene transcription, activation of caspase-3, fragmentation of DNA in cells treated with obacunone and OG demonstrated induction of apoptosis by limonoids. Additionally, higher induction of cytochrome-c in cytosol suggests the activation of intrinsic apoptosis by limonoids. Involvement of apoptosis was also confirmed through expression of bax, bcl2, pro-caspase-3 and caspase-9. Both the limonoids activated p21 and arrested cells at G1 and G2/M phase. Additive activity of proliferation inhibition and activation of caspase-3 by limonoids was observed when combined with camptothecin, demonstrating the induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, both limonoids induced apoptosis by activation of intrinsic apoptosis pathway and activation of p21 leading to arresting cells at G2/M phase of the cell cycle.
Idiopathic right ventricular arrhythmias not arising from the outflow tract: Prevalence, electrocardiographic characteristics, and outcome of catheter ablation

Background Most idiopathic right ventricular (RV) ventricular tachycardias (VTs) originate from the outflow tract. Data on VT from the lower body of the RV are limited. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe a large experience with idiopathic VT detailing the prevalence and characteristics of VT arising from the body of the RV. Methods The distribution of mapping confirmed VTs within the RV body, ECG characteristics, and results of radiofrequency (RF) ablation were analyzed. Results Among 278 patients who underwent ablation for idiopathic VT or ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) arising from the RV, 29 (10%) had VT/VPDs from the lower RV body. Fourteen (48%) patients had VT/VPDs within 2 cm of the tricuspid valve annulus (TVA), 8 (28%) from the basal and 7 (24%) from the apical RV segments. Among the VT/VPDs from the TVA, 8 (57%) originated from the free wall and 6 (43%) from the septum. All but one RV basal or apical VT/VPDs originated from the free wall. All VT/VPDs had a left bundle branch block pattern. VT/VPDs from the free wall had longer QRS duration ( P = .0032) and deeper S wave in lead V 2 ( P = .042) and V 3 ( P = .046) than those from the septum. Apical VT/VPDs more often had precordial R wave transition ≥V 6 ( P = .0001) and smaller R wave in lead II ( P = .024) and S wave in lead aVR ( P = .001) compared to VT/VPDs from basal RV or TVA. RF catheter ablation eliminated VT/VPDs in 96% of patients. No complications were observed. During median follow-up of 27 months (range 4–131 months), 81% of patients had elimination of all symptomatic VT/VPDs. Nineteen percent had rare symptoms (8% without medications, 11% on beta-blocker). Conclusion Idiopathic VT/VPDs from the body of RV comprise an important subgroup of idiopathic RV VTs. Although most VTs originate from the RV free wall and nearly 50% from the TVA region, septal and more apical VTs are common. ECG characteristics distinguish free-wall versus septal and more apical origin of VTs, and RF catheter ablation provides good long-term arrhythmia control.
A comparison of the magnetic characteristics of nanocrystalline nickel, zinc, and manganese ferrites synthesized by reverse micelle technique

Abstract Nanocrystalline nickel, zinc and manganese ferrites synthesized by reverse micelle synthesis technique were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction techniques, and the magnetic behavior studied by Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). The three ferrites exhibit blocking temperatures of 16, 20, and 35 K, respectively. The difference in the blocking temperatures was attributed to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and L–S coupling. The saturation magnetization of the three ferrites at 300 K was 25, 8, and 6 emu/g, respectively and at 2 K was 35, 17, and 15 K, respectively. The lower saturation magnetization in the case of nickel and manganese ferrite compared to their bulk counterparts is attributed to a core-shell like particle morphology. The increase in the saturation magnetization in the case of zinc ferrite nanoparticles is attributed to the change in the cation distribution from a normal spinel to a mixed spinel structure in the nanocrystalline form.
Lymphocyte recruitment into the tumor site is altered in patients with MSI-H colon cancer

The ability of the host to mount an appropriate immune response to aberrant cells is one factor that determines prognosis in cancer patients. Naturally occurring regulatory T cells (T regs; CD4+ CD25+ cells) are key regulators of peripheral tolerance. It has been suggested that high levels of T regs are detrimental to the patient in some forms of cancer, but the role of these antigen-specific cells in individuals with colorectal cancers with high levels of microsatellite instability is unknown. Herein, we examined the ability of individuals with MSI-H or microsatellite stable colon cancer to recruit lymphocytes to the tumor site. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on archived paraffin-embedded specimens from a total of 38 individuals with MSI-H (n = 25) or MSS (n = 13) colon cancers to determine the proportion of CD3+, CD8+ and CD25+ cells infiltrating the tumor site. Patients with MSI-H colon cancers had increased percentages of CD8+ TILs (cytotoxic T cells) as compared to individuals with MSS colon cancer (47.3 vs. 24.04% of the infiltrate CD8+, respectively). No differences in the levels of CD25+ T cells were observed between individuals with MSI-H colon cancers and MSS colon cancers (0.53 vs. 0.54% CD25+, respectively). Together, these data suggest that the survival advantage enjoyed by patients with MSI-H colorectal cancer may, in part, be attributed to the increased cytolytic response, but not to an antigen-specific immunosuppressive response in MSS patients.
Fuzzy associative memories for instrument fault detection

Abstract A fuzzy logic instrument fault detection scheme is developed for systems having two or three redundant sensors. In the fuzzy logic approach the deviation between each signal pairing is computed and classified into three fuzzy sets. A rule base is created allowing the human perception of the situation to be represented mathematically. Fuzzy associative memories are then applied. Finally, a defuzzification scheme is used to find the centroid location, and hence the signal status. Real-time analyses are carried out to evaluate the instantaneous signal status as well as the long-term results for the sensor set. Instantaneous signal validation results are used to compute a best estimate for the measured state variable. The long-term sensor validation method uses a frequency fuzzy variable to determine the signal condition over a specific period. To corroborate the methodology synthetic data representing various anomalies are analyzed with both the fuzzy logic technique and the parity space approach.
Light scattering, data inversion, and information theory

Abstract Information theory is proposed as a guide for data inversion, the interpretation of scattered light fluxes in terms of sample particle properties. Information, in bits, is defined after Shannon in terms of the probabilities of the various possible sample configurations before and after a measurement. It is also expressed in terms of the signal to noise ratio. The calculation of the potential information content, in bits, of observed light fluxes is illustrated. The relation between this photometric information and useful information about the sample is outlined. These definitions of information implicate as relevant to the problem many factors which are normally not considered. The relations for amounts of information provide a systematic basis for for assessing the potential of a method and also reveal the importance of the various factors involved.
Association between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes and a symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression

Because multiple symptoms associated with “sickness behavior” have a negative impact on functional status and quality of life, increased information on the mechanisms that underlie inter-individual variability in this symptom experience is needed. The purposes of this study were to determine: if distinct classes of individuals could be identified based on their experience with pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression; if these classes differed on demographic and clinical characteristics; and if variations in pro- and anti- inflammatory cytokine genes were associated with latent class membership. Self-report measures of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression were completed by 168 oncology outpatients and 85 family caregivers (FCs). Using latent class profile analysis (LCPA), three relatively distinct classes were identified: those who reported low depression and low pain (83%), those who reported high depression and low pain (4.7%), and those who reported high levels of all four symptoms (12.3%). The minor allele of IL4 rs2243248 was associated with membership in the “All high” class along with younger age, being White, being a patient (versus a FC), having a lower functional status score, and having a higher number of comorbid conditions. Findings suggest that LPCA can be used to differentiate distinct phenotypes based on a symptom cluster associated with sickness behavior. Identification of distinct phenotypes provides new evidence for the role of IL4 in the modulation of a sickness behavior symptom cluster in oncology patients and their FCs.
Radio-frequency measurements of coherent transition and cherenkov radiation: implications for high-energy neutrino detection

We report on measurements of (11--18)-cm wavelength radio emission from interactions of 15.2 MeV pulsed electron bunches at the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator. The electrons were observed both in a configuration where they produced primarily transition radiation from an aluminum foil, and in a configuration designed for the electrons to produce Cherenkov radiation in a silica sand target. Our aim was to emulate the large electron excess expected to develop during an electromagnetic cascade initiated by an ultrahigh-energy particle. Such charge asymmetries are predicted to produce strong coherent radio pulses, which are the basis for several experiments to detect high-energy neutrinos from the showers they induce in Antarctic ice and in the lunar regolith. We detected coherent emission which we attribute both to transition and possibly Cherenkov radiation at different levels depending on the experimental conditions. We discuss implications for experiments relying on radio emission for detection of electromagnetic cascades produced by ultrahigh-energy neutrinos.
The positive impact of a facilitated peer mentoring program on academic skills of women faculty

In academic medicine, women physicians lag behind their male counterparts in advancement and promotion to leadership positions. Lack of mentoring, among other factors, has been reported to contribute to this disparity. Peer mentoring has been reported as a successful alternative to the dyadic mentoring model for women interested in improving their academic productivity. We describe a facilitated peer mentoring program in our institution's department of medicine. Nineteen women enrolled in the program were divided into 5 groups. Each group had an assigned facilitator. Members of the respective groups met together with their facilitators at regular intervals during the 12 months of the project. A pre- and post-program evaluation consisting of a 25-item self-assessment of academic skills, self-efficacy, and academic career satisfaction was administered to each participant. At the end of 12 months, a total of 9 manuscripts were submitted to peer-reviewed journals, 6 of which are in press or have been published, and another 2 of which have been invited to be revised and resubmitted. At the end of the program, participants reported an increase in their satisfaction with academic achievement (mean score increase, 2.32 to 3.63; P = 0.0001), improvement in skills necessary to effectively search the medical literature (mean score increase, 3.32 to 4.05; P = 0.0009), an improvement in their ability to write a comprehensive review article (mean score increase, 2.89 to 3.63; P = 0.0017), and an improvement in their ability to critically evaluate the medical literature (mean score increased from 3.11 to 3.89; P = 0.0008). This facilitated peer mentoring program demonstrated a positive impact on the academic skills and manuscript writing for junior women faculty. This 1-year program required minimal institutional resources, and suggests a need for further study of this and other mentoring programs for women faculty.
Atomic structure of a 6·[001] (110) tilt grain boundary in aluminum by HREM

A knowledge of the atomic structure of grain boundaries is central to a better understanding of the properties of polycrystalline materials. Attempts to predict grain boundary structure have so far led to the development of various geometrical models for grain boundaries. The concepts of coincident site lattice (CSL) (1), displacement shift complete (DSC) lattice (2,3,4) and the 0-lattice model (2), based on geometrical constructions of adjoining crystals forming boundaries, have been found useful in characterizing the structure of ideal grain boundaries. These models give suggestions regarding the atomic relaxation that occurs at the core of the boundary in the form of dislocations. The 0-lattice model is particularly useful in describing the primary dislocation content of low angle grain boundaries. In this paper the authors present a high resolution electron microscopy investigation of the core structure of a 6[degree][001] symmetrical tilt grain boundary in aluminum. For the first time the atomic structure of such a grain boundary in an FCC metal is resolved. The boundary structure obtained from the HREM images is compared to the corresponding structure predicted by the 0-lattice model and found to be in excellent agreement.
On the reconstitution of laccase from the chinese lacquer tree

Summary Reconstitution of laccase has been accomplished by the addition of cuprous ion to the cyanide-prepared apo-protein. The apo-protein is characterized by enhanced fluorescence, a disappearance of the 333 nm and 614 nm absorbance features typical of the native protein, and an almost complete disappearance of ferrocyanide activity compared to the native enzyme. A number of different methods of reconstitution are compared with regard to restoration of native properties. Under some conditions a bimodal fluorescence pattern develops which indicates that the metal uptake is linked to conformational changes of the peptide moiety.
Muonic X-ray efficiency calibration of a germanium-lithium drifted detector☆

Abstract Efficiency calibration of a GeLi detector using muonic X-rays from targets of various proton content is being discussed. After appropriate corrections a least-squares fit was made to the energy region 296 keV–3435 keV. The ratio of Kα muonic X-ray to all muonic K X-rays is also reported.
Pigment Analysis of Two Thai Banner Paintings

The pigments used in two Thai banner paintings ( phra bot ) were examined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). The two paintings examined dated from the late 18 th and the late 19 th century. The paintings examined follow the trends observed on Thai wall paintings and manuscripts from the same time periods. Pigments identified include vermilion, iron oxide earths, red lead, lead white (hydrocerrusite), calcium carbonate, kaolin, Prussian blue, gamboge, artificial ultramarine, copper citrate and a copper-arsenic green.