cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of moderate-to-severe Marcus-Gunn jaw-winking ptosis.

Abstract Objective To report the results of levator excision and frontalis suspension for moderate-to-severe Marcus-Gunn jaw-winking ptosis. Design A retrospective noncomparative case series. Participants Twenty-four patients with moderate-to-severe Marcus-Gunn jaw-winking ptosis (21 unilateral and 3 bilateral) were treated surgically between 1978 and 1997 by one surgeon. Intervention Levator excision either in the involved eyelid or in both eyelids, followed by bilateral frontalis suspension, was performed. Main outcome measures Postoperative improvement of jaw-winking was determined. The surgical results of ptosis surgery were assessed as good, fair, or poor based on habitual upper eyelid heights and symmetry. Results Postoperative follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to 153 months, with an average of 36.9 months. After levator excision in a total of 27 eyelids exhibiting jaw-winking, 10 eyelids (37.0%) showed complete resolution of jaw-winking, and 13 eyelids (48.2%) showed mild winking (1 mm or less) on the lateral jaw movement only (functionally and cosmetically not a problem). In four eyelids (14.8%), these results were not recorded. In the group of five patients undergoing bilateral frontalis suspension and levator excision only on the involved side, final results were good in two patients (40%) and poor in three (60%). Of the 19 patients who underwent bilateral levator excision, final results were good in 13 (68.4%) and fair in 6 (31.6%). Conclusions For moderate-to-severe jaw-winking ptosis, bilateral frontalis suspension after bilateral levator excision generally provided satisfactory correction of both jaw-winking and ptosis.
Patterns of Low-Frequency Monthly Sea Level Pressure Variability (1899–1986) and Associated Wave Cyclone Frequencies

Abstract Spatial patterns of low-frequency sea level pressure (SLP) variability are identified by performing rotated principal component analysis (RPCA) on a long-term (1899–1986) Northern Hemisphere gridded dataset. The analysis is limited to the region 160°E eastward to 40°E due to missing data early in the century. The objective is to identify a comprehensive set of highly recurrent SLP teleconnection patterns; to examine some aspects of their seasonality; and to identify the associated mean winter pressure fields and cyclone frequencies occurring at times of opposite eigenvector polarity. The results are further described in the context of the Southern Oscillation and known midtropospheric teleconnection patterns. Four low-frequency variability patterns are identified over the Atlantic-European sector, including (i) the North Atlantic 0scillation (NAO), and spatial patterns with SLP variability centers over (ii) the eastern Atlantic (EATL), (iii) southern Europe and the northern Mediterranean basin (S...
Thrombopoietin induces activation of the phosphatidylinositol‐3′ kinase pathway and formation of a complex containing p85PI3K and the protooncoprotein p120CBL

Thrombopoietin (TPO) promotes megakaryocyte growth and development. Its receptor, c-MPL, is restricted to cells of megakaryocytic lineage and stem cells. We have previously shown that activation of c-MPL by thrombopoietin rapidly activates at least two cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, JAK2 and TYK2, after ligand binding. Phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase (PI3K) has been shown to play an important role in downstream signaling for many receptors. Thrombopoietin was found to also rapidly activate phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase, and the phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase inhibitor wortmannin decreased proliferation of thrombopoietin-stimulated cells, implying that phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase may have a regulatory role in thrombopoietin signaling. In immunoprecipitation studies, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase, p85PI3K, associated with several tyrosine phosphoproteins, and the major phosphoprotein was a 120 kDa protein identified as p120CBL. The phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase-enzyme activity in p120CBL immunoprecipitates was elevated in thrombopoietin-stimulated cells as compared to immunoprecipitates from unstimulated cells. p120CBL may be involved in signaling pathways activated by c-MPL which involve phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase.
Monoclonal antibody to 5-bromo- and 5-iododeoxyuridine: A new reagent for detection of DNA replication

Monoclonal antibodies specific for 5-bromodeoxyuridine have been produced and applied in detecting low levels of DNA replication on a cell-by-cell basis in vitro. The immunoglobulin-producing hybridomas were derived from spleen cells of mice immunized with a conjugate of iodouridine and ovalbumin. The cells were fused with the plasmacytoma line SP2/0Ag14. The antibodies produced are highly specific for bromodeoxyuridine and iododeoxyuridine and do not cross-react with thymidine. DNA synthesis in cultured cells exposed to bromodeoxyuridine for as short a time as 6 minutes can be detected easily and rapidly by an immunofluorescent staining method and quantitated by flow cytometry.
Effect of AGM and fetal liver-derived stromal cell lines on globin expression in adult baboon (p. anubis) bone marrow-derived erythroid progenitors

This study was performed to investigate the hypothesis that the erythroid micro-environment plays a role in regulation of globin gene expression during adult erythroid differentiation. Adult baboon bone marrow and human cord blood CD34+ progenitors were grown in methylcellulose, liquid media, and in co-culture with stromal cell lines derived from different developmental stages in identical media supporting erythroid differentiation to examine the effect of the micro-environment on globin gene expression. Adult progenitors express high levels of γ-globin in liquid and methylcellulose media but low, physiological levels in stromal cell co-cultures. In contrast, γ-globin expression remained high in cord blood progenitors in stromal cell line co-cultures. Differences in γ-globin gene expression between adult progenitors in stromal cell line co-cultures and liquid media required cell-cell contact and were associated with differences in rate of differentiation and γ-globin promoter DNA methylation. We conclude that γ-globin expression in adult-derived erythroid cells can be influenced by the micro-environment, suggesting new potential targets for HbF induction.
Ignition of Aluminum Slurry Droplets

The ignition of aluminum slurry fuel droplets was studied in the post-flame region of a flat-flame burner. Individual droplets having initial diameters ranging from 500 to 1100 microns were supported on silicon carbide filaments and rapidly exposed to a hot gas environment. Burner operating conditions were varied to provide oxygen mole fractions ranging from 0.10 to 0.25 and gas temperatures from 1250 to 1800 K at atmospheric pressure. Flame environments both with and without water vapor were considered. Using motion picture photography, ignition times were measured and ignition limits were determined. Experiments showed that AI/JP-10 slurry droplets ignited at ambient gas temperatures higher than 1300-1450 K within 0.2-1.2 s. The ignition processes of JP-10 bun -off and agglomerate heat-up were modeled analytically, and the theoretical predictions of ignition times were compared with experimental data. Ignition limits also were studied analytically. In both cases, theoretical calculations and experimenta...
Influence on pH level of two calcium hydroxide root canal sealers in vitro.

Abstract The pH level of saline solutions was determined 1 hour, 4 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, and 1 week after roots of human teeth, which had received one of four root canal treatments, were placed in them. The four treatments following instrumentation were filling of canals with laterally condensed gutta-percha and either Sealapex (10), calciobiotic root canal sealer (CRCS) (10), or a Grossman type sealer (10), and filling of only the coronal 2 to 3 mm of canals with Cavit (unfilled, 10). The coronal 2 to 3 mm of all canals in all groups were filled with Cavit. The pH levels of the four solutions were compared to each other and to that of saline solution only. The pH levels of the solutions in the Sealapex group were higher than those of all the other solutions for each of the six times (p
Evaluation of hepatic venous flow using transesophageal echocardiography in coronary artery bypass surgery: an index of right ventricular function.

Hepatic venous flows (HVFs) were evaluated to assess right-heart function by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography in 45 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Peak velocity and time velocity integral of A-wave (reverse flow in end diastole), S-wave (forward flow in systole), V-wave (reverse flow in late systole), and D-wave (forward flow in diastole) of biphasic HVF were examined. Peak systolic-diastolic ratio (S/D) of biphasic HVF and reverse flow ratio (% reversal flow/forward flow [RF/FF]) of both biphasic and monophasic HVF also were examined. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was assessed by color Doppler image. All data were obtained after performing the following: induction of anesthesia (stage 1); pericardiectomy (stage 2); cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (stage 3); and closure of sternum (stage 4). HVFs at stage 1 were obtained in all 45 patients, and the peak S/D in patients with a history of inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI) was significantly less than that in patients without a history of MI (p < 0.05). HVFs of 35 patients were recorded successfully at all stages. In 5 of these 35 patients, HVF patterns became monophasic after CPB, and only one of those patients had severe TR. In the rest of the 30 patients with biphasic patterns throughout the operation, peak A and D velocities increased (p < 0.01), whereas peak S and V velocities decreased (p < 0.01) after CPB compared with those before CPB. Consequently, peak S/D was reduced (p < 0.01), and %RF/FF increased (p < 0.05). These post-CPB changes were associated with increased (p < 0.01) pulmonary artery diastolic and right atrial pressures. Thus, this study indicates that before CPB, low peak S/D without significant TR could be indicative of reduced right ventricular (RV) systolic function in patients with a history of inferior MI. After CPB, reduced peak S/D and increased %RF/FF may be indicative of a decrease in RV function secondary to the operative procedure and/or poor protection of the right heart.
Seasonal variation of sexual differences in the volatile oil of Juniperus scopulorum

Abstract Very few differences between male and female trees were found in the volatile oil composition of Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Differences were more apparent when the compounds were calculated as percent of total oil than as weight per g dry matter. Almost all of the sexual differences occurred in the growing season (March–May). Essentially no differences were observed during the rest of the year. The observed differences were very small and should not affect the choice of plant material used in revegetating efforts (when browse potential is important). These differences should not affect chemosystematic studies, particularly if sampling is done during the period of the year when the plants are dormant.
Evaluating international usability of virtual worlds

The last five years have seen a rapid proliferation of graphical avatar-based virtual worlds and communities for entertainment and commercial purposes. Examples include worlds created by Microsoft, Sony, IBM, and others. Although these companies are trying to create new global forums for commerce, social interaction, and cooperative endeavors, there has been little analysis of how these worlds facilitate or constrain the participation of international users. The success of the virtual worlds is contingent upon the quality of the user's interactions, and the benefits of an internationally sensitive design include enhanced usability and larger markets. In this paper, I give a brief overview of virtual worlds and literature on cross-cultural comparisons, propose a set of variables for analyzing their cultural affordances, and make observations of selected virtual communities.
Scanning Electron Microscope Studies on Carrots: Effects of Cooking on the Xylem and Phloem1

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the microstructural changes of xylem and phloem tissue of mature carrots when cooked to doneness by the home preparation methods of steaming, boiling, and pressure cooking. This study yielded strong evidence for noncellulose polysaccharide fibrillar material between cells as theo rized by Colvin and Leppard (1973). This material was susceptible to degradation during cooking and resulted in varying degrees of disruption of cellular integrity. The data obtained clearly show the value of SEM in studies of this type.
Dabigatran has the upper hand on warfarin

doi:10.1160/TH13-05-0362 Thromb Haemost 2013; 110: ■■■■ Editorial Focus on ▶Sun et al. Thromb Haemost 2013; 110: ■■■■. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for the development of an ischaemic stroke. It has been demonstrated that oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), such as warfarin, is highly effective in preventing thromboembolic events in patients with AF. However, the administration of VKAs is accompanied by haemorrhagic complications and other unfavourable limitations (1). Recently, new oral anticoagulants directly targeting coagulation factors have been introduced and attracted significant interest as they have a better benefit/risk profile than VKAs for stroke prevention. In a large clinical trial, the new oral anticoagulant and direct thrombin inhibitor, Dabigatran etexilate (DE), was revealed to effectively prevent stroke in patients suffering from AF with less intracranial bleeding complications as compared to the VKA, warfarin (2). However, several questions have yet to be resolved. For example, it is still disputed how anticoagulated, acute stroke patients should be treated regarding the use of a thrombolytic therapy (3). In this issue, Sun et al. have experimentally addressed this interesting point by using a series of various rodent models of cerebral ischaemia, in which mice received either no anticoagulant, warfarin or DE before induction of ischaemic stroke (4). Subsequently, thrombolysis was performed with the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and mice were analysed for secondary intracerebral haemorrhage after 24 hours. The authors conclusively show that anticoagulation with DE, in contrast to warfarin, did not increase the rate of secondary intracerebral haemorrhage after thrombolysis in experimentally-induced cerebral ischaemia models. Furthermore, the reduced bleeding complications after thrombolysis observed in mice treated with DE as compared to warfarin, was ascribed to a less severe leakage in the blood-brain barrier as determined by Evans blue extravasation. The authors also provide a potential mechanism by showing that increased activation and proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9 might mediate the disruption of the blood-brain barrier in warfarin-treated mice (4). Together, the observations obtained in this experimental study could provide useful information for the management of anticoagulated, acute stroke patients but still have to be confirmed in clinical studies.
Esterase Studies on Dog Mast-cell Tumours

RECENTLY our laboratory reported the isolation of proteolytic enzymes from a dog mast-cell tumour using DEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose columns. An esterase which split N-acetyltyrosine ethyl ester (ATEe) and another which split p-toluene sulphonyl-l-arginine methyl ester (TAMe) were described1. Using column chromatography and eluting with a concentration gradient of phosphate buffer with a pH of 8.0, several peaks of ATEe esterase and two TAMe esterase peaks were found. All the peaks of ATEe esterase have since been found to have a similar Michaelis constant (Km) of 1.0–1.5 mM, except one which had a Km value of about 4 mM. From these observations the different peaks of ATEe esterase with similar Km values were postulated to be one enzyme.
Psychoneuroimmunologic factors in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Bidirectional relationships between the immune system, nervous system, and psychological processes likely exist in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because stress can affect IBD, and IBD is associated with an increased risk of psychological difficulty. The field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) sheds light on specific mechanisms that are involved in these relationships, and this research can be applied specifically to IBD. The purpose of this article is to review research on PNI processes in IBD and provide recommendations for future research. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed and PsychInfo computerized databases and bibliographies of relevant articles. Results: The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, sympathetic-adrenomedullary system, proinflammatory cytokines, substance P, and mast cells play roles in inflammatory processes in IBD. These processes also respond to stress, and they have been implicated in psychological problems in otherwise healthy individuals. These overlapping processes in inflammation and psychological function have received limited attention in IBD, but preliminary evidence suggests that these mechanisms may play a role in the psychological difficulty experienced by those with IBD. Conclusions: Several bidirectional PNI mechanisms overlap in IBD, suggesting ways that stress and psychological function can affect disease activity and, conversely, avenues by which the inflammation in IBD may contribute to psychological difficulty. More research on specific PNI processes is needed to fully understand these factors in IBD. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
Brain tumours--problems and perspectives.

Abstract The interpretation of carcinogenesis bioassay data is a complex process that requires a ‘weight of evidence’ approach rather than a rigid decision based solely on statistics. This is particularly true for rat brain tumours, since recent bioassays have demonstrated rather marked variations in the incidence of these neoplasms. The objective of this paper is to point out some of the considerations that should be included in such a ‘weight of evidence’ approach and to provide a few examples relevant to brain tumours. Areas for future research on mechanisms of neuro-oncology should provide additional information relevant to determining the chemical causes of brain tumours.
Stylistic text segmentation

This paper focuses on a method for the stylistic segmentation of text documents. Our technique involves mapping the change in a feature throughout a text. We use the linguistic features of conjunction and modality, through taxonomies from Systemic Functional Linguistics. This segmentation has applications in automated summarization, particularly of large documents.
The brain's response to incidental intruded words during focal text processing.

The functional neuroanatomy associated with processing single words incidentally, outside focal attention, was investigated. We asked subjects (n = 15) to listen, focus on, and comprehend a story narrative, and then single, unrelated but meaningful words were intruded into the ongoing narrative. We also manipulated the type of intruded word, using either neutral or emotionally valent words, to evaluate the extent of semantic processing and a potential encoding advantage for one type of material. Analyses emphasized the areas of activation unique to the intruded words as distinguished from the narrative text. Subjects were normal, healthy adults (n = 15). Compared to narrative text, the intruded words were associated with activation in the right middle temporal gyrus (BA 39) and posterior cingulate/precuneus regions (BA 30, 23). We conclude that the intruded words did make contact with word-level lexical but not necessarily semantic structures in the middle temporal region. The data suggested that the intruded words were processed by a “nonexecutive” monitoring system implemented by a pairing of activation in posterior, medial structures such as the posterior cingulate with deactivation in brain stem structures. This pattern induced a shift to more passive, less effortful, nonstrategic monitoring of the words. Thus, attention processing, not semantic processing, changes best characterized the brain activation unique to the intruded words. This posterior, medial region is discussed as a substrate dedicated to processing a second, incidental stream of information and thereby providing a crucial mechanism for implementing dual processing of the kind examined here.
Effects of anesthetics on cardiovascular responses of the marmot Marmota flaviventris.

Abstract The effects of pentobarbital (30 mg/kg), urethan (2 g/kg), chloralose/urethan (50 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg), and thiobutabarbital (Inactin, 100 mg/kg) on the mean arterial pressure (BP) and heart period (HP) of Marmota flaviventris were examined. Anesthesia significantly decreased BP by 22–27 mm Hg and HP by 123–151 msec. In a series of paired studies with eight marmots it was found that pentobarbital increased the BP response to phenylephrine and almost abolished the baroreflex HP responses to phenylephrine and nitroglycerin. In another series of animals right carotid occlusion in unanesthetized animals produced greater changes in BP and HP than occlusion of the left carotid. Chloralose/urethan, urethan, or Inactin reduced the reflex BP response to unilateral carotid occlusion by 50% and the HP response by 96%. It was concluded that the anesthetic agents investigated depress baroreflex responses significantly by influencing efferent sympathetic and parasympathetic reflex responses. They, therefore, are not appropriate for cardiovascular studies in acute, anesthetized preparations of the marmot and, perhaps, other hibernating species.
Persistent Infection of Humans with Hepatitis B Virus: Mechanisms and Consequences

Although most infections of humans with hepatitis B virus are self-limited, up to 10% of individuals experiencing primary infection remain persistently infected. These individuals are usually asymptomatic but may suffer episodic or progressive liver injury that can result in cirrhosis and liver failure. In addition, chronic infection with hepatitis B virus is, in certain settings, associated with the late development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. This review summarizes the biological characteristics of persistent viral infection, with particular emphasis on host and viral factors that affect the
Information Seeking Behavior in Digital Image Collections: A Cognitive Approach

Presents the results of a qualitative study that focuses on search patterns of college students and community users interacting with a digital image collection. The study finds a distinct difference between the two groups of users and examines the role of mental models in information seeking behavior in digital libraries.
Low order multimode generation in hollow glass waveguides

A mode mixing caused by localised stress in hollow core waveguides is investigated. It is shown that a hollow glass waveguide with a thick glass wall very effectively suppresses low order mode generation resulting from stress, and that a cable made with a thick wall glass waveguide produces a good spatial output mode.
The Adverse Consequences of Sleep Disturbance in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: Implications for Intervention

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic disorder, ranked among the top 10 leading causes of disability worldwide. Bipolar spectrum disorders with onset in childhood and adolescence have a particularly severe course, including more suicide attempts and greater comorbidity. The evidence accrued to date indicates that sleep disturbances are common among youth with BPD. Moreover, sleep problems may be an early marker for BPD, a distinguishing feature of BPD, and a contributor to relapse. The evidence reviewed highlights that sleep problems are associated with a range of serious adverse consequences, including difficulty in regulating affect in the daytime and difficulties with cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, attention, and concentration. Evidence reviewed also points to sleep disturbance as one possible contributor to weight gain, comorbid substance use, and impulsivity. The implications for intervention are explored, and a multicomponent sleep intervention for youth with BPD is outlined.
Psychological Precursors of Disorders: A Thought-Provoking Observation

While still in medical school at The Johns Hopkins University, participants in the Precursors Study, a longitudinal study of the precursors of coronary artery disease and other disorders, were given the Rorschach test along with other psychological and physical tests. In the present study, we looked at a cohort of 41 participants who, 8 to 24 years after having finished medical school, could be classified into five disorder groups: coronary, hypertension, mental illness, suicide, or malignant tumor. Using stepwise discriminant analysis, we found that participants' Rorschach test scores differed significantly among disorder groups. Since the Rorschach scores considerably predated the appearance of the disorders, this finding implies that the Rorschach scores were predictive of the subsequent development of the various disorders. The Rorschach scores were especially good at predicting mental illness. If this finding is not spurious, it suggests that a given Rorschach profile would be predictive long before mental illness became apparent. Consequently, it offers the possibility that some intervention might be undertaken which could either result in mental illness not occurring or, at perhaps a minimum, lessen its severity. Since the Precursors Study results discussed in this paper are some years old, it is likely that another cohort of participants have developed the various disorders. Therefore, the authors recommend that the discriminant functions derived from this effort be validated with another cohort from that study who had not yet exhibited one of the five disorders when the current analysis was undertaken. Were that not possible, we would recommend that this study simply be replicated with another cohort.
Production of mouse placental lactogen-I and placental lactogen-II by the same giant cell.

In previous studies, mouse placental lactogen I (mPL-I) and mPL-II were localized to trophoblast giant cells in the placenta at midpregnancy. The present study was undertaken to determine whether mPL-I and mPL-II are produced by two distinct populations of giant cells or by the same cells. A heterogeneous population of cells that included trophoblast giant cells was obtained by enzymatic dispersion and Percoll gradient centrifugation of placentas from days 7 and 9 of pregnancy. Cells from day 7 of pregnancy were cultured in serum-free medium for 5 days, and cells that contained mPL-I, mPL-II, or both mPL-I and mPL-II were identified by double-staining immunocytochemistry. The percentage of PL cells that contained both mPL-I and mPL-II increased from about 30% on the first day of culture to about 90% on the third, and then declined to zero by day 5. Between 50% and 60% of the PL cells contained only mPL-I on the first 2 days of culture, and then the percentage of PL cells containing only mPL-I declined. Th...
An electrochemical, spectroscopic, and theoretical study of poly(2,3-diaminophenazine)

The electrochemical polymerization of 2,3-diaminophenazine is affected by the presence of light and oxygen, causing a significant increase in the rate of polymerization. The electrochemical properties of poly(2,3-diaminophenazine) films prepared under different conditions vary slightly and are different from the properties of the related poly(o-phenylenediamine). Isolation of the initial photoproduct shows that this compound is a 1,2-coupled dimer of 2,3-diaminophenazine, suggesting that the structural differences between poly(2,3-diaminophenazine) and poly(o-phenylenediamine) arise from different coupling positions between monomer units during polymerization. Visible reflectance spectra measured for the two polymers also indicate that poly(o-phenylenediamine) contains quinonediimine linkages not found in poly(2,3-diaminophenazine). Density Functional Theory calculations support this assignment.
Cortical depth dependence of the diffusion anisotropy in the human cortical gray matter in vivo.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is typically used to study white matter fiber pathways, but may also be valuable to assess the microstructure of cortical gray matter. Although cortical diffusion anisotropy has previously been observed in vivo, its cortical depth dependence has mostly been examined in high-resolution ex vivo studies. This study thus aims to investigate the cortical depth dependence of the diffusion anisotropy in the human cortex in vivo on a clinical 3 T scanner. Specifically, a novel multishot constant-density spiral DTI technique with inherent correction of motion-induced phase errors was used to achieve a high spatial resolution (0.625×0.625×3 mm) and high spatial fidelity with no scan time penalty. The results show: (i) a diffusion anisotropy in the cortical gray matter, with a primarily radial diffusion orientation, as observed in previous ex vivo and in vivo studies, and (ii) a cortical depth dependence of the fractional anisotropy, with consistently higher values in the middle cortical lamina than in the deep and superficial cortical laminae, as observed in previous ex vivo studies. These results, which are consistent across subjects, demonstrate the feasibility of this technique for investigating the cortical depth dependence of the diffusion anisotropy in the human cortex in vivo.
Excitation Energy-Dependent Transient Spectral Relaxation of Coumarin 153

We report on the excitation energy-dependent transient spectral response of the polar dye molecule coumarin 153 (C153) in selected solvents. We find that the blue edge of the spontaneous emission spectrum of C153 contains several spectral features and that the relative contribution of these features to the overall response varies with the identity of the solvent and the excitation wavelength. The central result of these data is that the transient spectral response of C153 depends sensitively on the excitation wavelength and that the spectral evolution behavior of this molecule is therefore not related in a simple manner to solvent reorganization dynamics.
A Microprocessor Multi-Task Monitor

This paper describes a multi-task monitor program for microprocessors. Although written for the Intel 8085, it incorporates features that would be beneficial for implementation in other microprocessors used in controlling and monitoring experiments and accelerators. The monitor places permanent programs (tasks) arbitrarily located throughout ROM in a priority ordered queue. The programmer is provided with the flexibility to add new tasks or modified versions of existing tasks, without having to comply with previously defined task boundaries or having to reprogram all of ROM. Scheduling of tasks is triggered by timers, outside stimuli (interrupts), or inter-task communications. Context switching time is of the order of tenths of a millisecond.
Evaluation of water stress control with polyethylene glycols by analysis of guttation.

The water relations of pepper plants (Capsicum frutescens L.) under conditions conducive to guttation were studied to evaluate the control of plant water stress with polyethylene glycols. The addition of polyethylene glycol 6000 to the nutrient solution resulted in water relations similar to those expected in soil at the same water potentials. Specifically, xylem pressure potential in the root and leaf became more negative during a 24-hour treatment period, while osmotic potential of the root xylem sap remained constant. The decrease in pressure potential was closely correlated with the decrease in osmotic potential of the nutrient solution. In contrast, the addition of polyethylene glycol 400 to the nutrient medium resulted in a reduction of osmotic potential in the root xylem sap; this osmotic adjustment in the xylem was large enough to establish an osmotic gradient for entry of water and cause guttation at a nutrient solution osmotic potential of −4.8 bars. Pressure potential in the root and leaf xylem became negative only at nutrient solution osmotic potentials lower than −4.8 bars. About half of the xylem osmotic adjustment in the presence of polyethylene glycol 400 was caused by increased accumulation of K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in the root xylem. These studies indicate that larger polyethylene glycol molecules such as polyethylene glycol 6000 are more useful for simulating soil water stress than smaller molecules such as polyethylene glycol 400.
Fabrication and performance of thin film transistors, TFTs, incorporating doped μc-Si source and drain contacts, and boron-compensated μc-Si channel layers

PH 3 doped n + μc-Si, and lightly B 2 H 6 doped intrinsic μc-Si, iμc-Si, thin films have been integrated into bottom-gate TFTs. The use of n + μc-Si as a source/drain contact material in a-Si:H TFTs reduces the threshold voltage compared to n + a-Si:H contacts. The use of iμc-Si as the TFT channel material, combined with a post-deposition, back-channel exposure to atomic-H yielded low-temperature processed TFTs with effective channel mobilities of -6.5 cm 2 /V-s
The role of frozen section, gender, age, and tumor size in the differentiation of follicular adenoma from carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Background. The purpose of this study was to reanalyze modern trials and use meta-analysis to determine how well frozen section gender, age, and tumor size could differentiate follicular adenoma from follicular carcinoma. Method. Inclusion criteria were studies where patients had a permanent pathologic diagnosis of follicular adenoma or follicular carcinoma and underwent frozen section or had clinical features recorded. Data were pooled, and the random effects model of meta-analysis was used. A probability value of less than.05 was considered significant. Results. Nineteen studies were included (n = 3486 patients). Frozen section was evaluated in 11 studies (n = 2204 patients). Frozen section had an 87% sensitivity, a 48% specificity, a 92% and 35% positive and negative predictive value, respectively, an 82% accuracy, an odds ratio of 0.181, a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.07 to 0.49, and a probability value of.001. Clinical features were evaluated in 10 studies (n = 1954 patients). Of the patients with follicular carcinoma, 27.5% were male compared with patients with follicular adenoma, of whom 17.7% were male (P <.01; odds ratio, 2.17; CI 1.3-3.6; P =.003). Of the patients with follicular carcinoma, 52.2% were older than 50 years (52.2%) compared with patients with follicular adenoma, of whom 28.5% were older than 50 years (P <.001). Of patients with follicular carcinoma, 36.8% had tumors larger than 3 to 5 cm compared with patients with follicular adenoma, of whom 14.7% had tumors larger than 3 to 5 cm (P <.001; odds ratio, 3.99; CI 1.5-10.8; P =.006). Conclusions. Meta-analysis suggests that frozen section is not a specific test and cannot be used to confidently rule out follicular carcinoma. Male gender and large tumor size are significantly associated with carcinoma. (Surgery 2000;128:1075-81.)
Ascorbic Acid Oxidation a Key Factor in theInhibition or Promotion of the Tallowy Flavor in Milk

Summary 1. Ascorbic acid oxidation in the milk during storage at low temperature is an essential link in a chain of the reactions resulting in the development of the tallowy flavor. 2. The reaction which produces the tallowy flavor could be inhibited by quick and complete photochemical or chemical oxidation of ascorbic acid in the milk to dehydroascorbic acid prior to its pasteurization and storage. Partial oxidation of ascorbic acid stimulates the development of the tallowy flavor. 3. The promotion of the tallowy flavor by added copper (0.1 p.p.m.) in the presence of dehydroascorbic acid only, is much less effective as compared with that in milk containing ascorbic acid. 4. The tallowy flavor is not promoted by added copper (0.1 p.p.m.) in the milk completely depleted of its total vitamin C content by quick oxidation of ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid and the subsequent heat treatent that takes place in pasteurization. 5. The reaction which produces the tallowy flavor could be induced again by the addition of ascorbic acid to milk which was first depleted of its ascorbic acid or of the total vitamin C content.
Answer to August 2012 Photo Quiz

Answer: Acanthamoeba spp . Keratitis (infection of the corneal epithelium) is a relatively common eye disease. Viruses, including herpesvirus, varicella-zoster virus, and adenovirus, as well as intracellular bacteria of the genus Chlamydia, may infect the eye epithelium. Bacteria and fungi may
DISTRIBUTION OF PULMONARY BLOOD FLOW AND PROTEIN LEAK IN PREMATURE LAMBS

We studied 10 premature lambs with RDS to assess pulmonary blood flow (PBF) and protein leak distribution relative to aerated and atelectatic lung volumes. The lambs were delivered by C-section, intubated, paralyzed and ventilated so as to maintain normal blood gases. At 3.5 hrs, 125I ovalbumin (OA) was injected into an umbilical artery. At 4 hrs, radiolabeled microspheres were injected into the right ventricle to assess PBF distribution. The animals were sacrificed at 4 hrs of age, the lungs were removed, and divided into approximately 60 1 gm pieces, separating the lung into 3 categories: collapsed (C), partially aerated (P), and fully aerated (A). Each piece was assayed for 125I and microspheres. Results: 1) There was more flow to A than C regions, p<.01 in 8/10 lambs. By weight A was 36.7-70.1% (56.1%) and C was 14.9-52.1 (26.4%), while the % of total blood flow was 49.6-77.7% (64.0%) and 8.0-39.1% (19.2%), respectively. Without autoregulation there would be a mean shunt of 26.4% instead of the 19.2% measured, which could make a significant difference in the FiO2 needed to maintain normal oxygenation. Including P with C does not significantly change these results. 2) There was a relatively uniform protein leak throughout the lung but more in A than C in 4/5 animals that received OA, p<.05. 3) There was no correlation between blood flow and protein leak. Conclusions: Premature lambs with RDS have a small but significant ability for autoregulation of PBF, and intravascular protein tends to leak more in A than C regions.
Posttranslational modification and sequence variation of redox-active proteins correlate with biofilm life cycle in natural microbial communities.

Characterizing proteins recovered from natural microbial communities affords the opportunity to correlate protein expression and modification with environmental factors, including species composition and successional stage. Proteogenomic and biochemical studies of pellicle biofilms from subsurface acid mine drainage streams have shown abundant cytochromes from the dominant organism, Leptospirillum Group II. These cytochromes are proposed to be key proteins in aerobic Fe(II) oxidation, the dominant mode of cellular energy generation by the biofilms. In this study, we determined that posttranslational modification and expression of amino-acid sequence variants change as a function of biofilm maturation. For Cytochrome579 (Cyt579), the most abundant cytochrome in the biofilms, late developmental-stage biofilms differed from early-stage biofilms in N-terminal truncations and decreased redox potentials. Expression of sequence variants of two monoheme c-type cytochromes also depended on biofilm development. For Cyt572, an abundant membrane-bound cytochrome, the expression of multiple sequence variants was observed in both early and late developmental-stage biofilms; however, redox potentials of Cyt572 from these different sources did not vary significantly. These cytochrome analyses show a complex response of the Leptospirillum Group II electron transport chain to growth within a microbial community and illustrate the power of multiple proteomics techniques to define biochemistry in natural systems.
Transport-Based Load Modeling and Sliding Mode Control of Plug-In Electric Vehicles for Robust Renewable Power Tracking

This paper develops a modeling and control paradigm for the aggregate charging dynamics of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The central goal of the paper is to derive a control policy that can adapt the aggregate charging power of PEVs to highly intermittent renewable power. The key assumption here is that the grid is able to directly control the charging power of PEVs in real-time, through broadcasting a universal control signal. Using the transport-based load modeling principle, we develop a partial differential equation model for the collective charging of PEVs. We use real driving data to simulate the model and validate it against a PEV Monte Carlo simulation model. Adopting the sliding mode control theory, we then develop a robust output tracking controller for the system. The controller uses the real-time error between power supply and demand as the only measured signal, and attempts to suppress it despite the variation of the population of PEVs on the grid. We examine the performance of the controller using numerical simulations on a real wind power trajectory.
Clinical assessment incorporating a personal genome

Summary Background The cost of genomic information has fallen steeply, but the clinical translation of genetic risk estimates remains unclear. We aimed to undertake an integrated analysis of a complete human genome in a clinical context. Methods We assessed a patient with a family history of vascular disease and early sudden death. Clinical assessment included analysis of this patient's full genome sequence, risk prediction for coronary artery disease, screening for causes of sudden cardiac death, and genetic counselling. Genetic analysis included the development of novel methods for the integration of whole genome and clinical risk. Disease and risk analysis focused on prediction of genetic risk of variants associated with mendelian disease, recognised drug responses, and pathogenicity for novel variants. We queried disease-specific mutation databases and pharmacogenomics databases to identify genes and mutations with known associations with disease and drug response. We estimated post-test probabilities of disease by applying likelihood ratios derived from integration of multiple common variants to age-appropriate and sex-appropriate pre-test probabilities. We also accounted for gene-environment interactions and conditionally dependent risks. Findings Analysis of 2·6 million single nucleotide polymorphisms and 752 copy number variations showed increased genetic risk for myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. We discovered rare variants in three genes that are clinically associated with sudden cardiac death— TMEM43, DSP , and MYBPC3 . A variant in LPA was consistent with a family history of coronary artery disease. The patient had a heterozygous null mutation in CYP2C19 suggesting probable clopidogrel resistance, several variants associated with a positive response to lipid-lowering therapy, and variants in CYP4F2 and VKORC1 that suggest he might have a low initial dosing requirement for warfarin. Many variants of uncertain importance were reported. Interpretation Although challenges remain, our results suggest that whole-genome sequencing can yield useful and clinically relevant information for individual patients. Funding National Institute of General Medical Sciences; National Heart, Lung And Blood Institute; National Human Genome Research Institute; Howard Hughes Medical Institute; National Library of Medicine, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health; Hewlett Packard Foundation; Breetwor Family Foundation.
Hrk mediates 2-methoxyestradiol-induced mitochondrial apoptotic signaling in prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in males and ranks as the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), an endogenous estrogen metabolite, is a promising anticancer agent for various types of cancers. Although 2-ME has been shown to activate c-Jun-NH2-kinase (JNK) and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic signaling pathways, the underlying mechanisms, including downstream effectors, remain unclear. Here, we report that the human Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3)-only protein harakiri (Hrk) is a critical effector of 2-ME-induced JNK/mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Hrk mRNA and protein are preferentially upregulated by 2-ME, and Hrk induction is dependent on the JNK activation of c-Jun. Hrk knockdown prevents 2-ME-mediated apoptosis by attenuating the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, subsequent cytochrome c (cyt c) release, and caspase activation. Involvement of the proapoptotic protein Bak in this process suggested the possible interaction between Hrk and Bak. Thus, Hrk activation by 2-ME or its overexpression displaced Bak from the complex with antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL, whereas deletion of the Hrk BH3 domain abolished its interaction with Bcl-xL, reducing the proapoptotic function of Hrk. Finally, Hrk is also involved in the 2-ME-mediated reduction of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis through Bak activation in prostate cancer cells. Together, our findings suggest that induction of the BH3-only protein Hrk is a critical step in 2-ME activation of the JNK-induced apoptotic pathway, targeting mitochondria by liberating proapoptotic protein Bak.
The protective effects of plasma gelsolin on stroke outcome in rats

To date, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the only approved drug for ischemic stroke. It is intravenously administered functioning as a thrombolytic agent and is used to obtain reperfusion of the affected area of the brain. Excitotoxicity, inflammation and apoptosis are all involved in delayed neuronal death following stroke and offer multiple opportunities to intervene with neuroprotective agents. Gelsolin (GSN) is an actin- and calcium-binding protein mediating the disassembly of actin filaments and activity of calcium channels. It also functions as a regulator of apoptosis and inflammatory responses. This study tests the hypothesis that increasing the concentration of the form of GSN known as plasma GSN (pGSN) near an infarct will provide neuroprotection following ischemic stroke. We induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in male rats via intracranial injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, and then treated with local delivery of pGSN. Whole brain laser Doppler perfusion imaging was performed through the skull to assess MCAO effectiveness. Cylinder and vibrissae tests evaluated sensorimotor function before and 72 h after MCAO. Infarct volumes were examined 72 h after MCAO via 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) assay. Estimates of relative cerebral perfusion were significantly decreased in all groups receiving MCAO with no differences detected between treatments. Despite equivalent initial strokes, the infarct volume of the pGSN treatment group was significantly reduced compared with the untreated MCAO rats at 72 h. ET-1 induced significant deficits in both cylinder and vibrissae tests while pGSN significantly limited these deficits. Gelsolin could be a promising drug for protection against neurodegeneration following ischemic stroke.
Exploring the bases for a mixed reality stroke rehabilitation system, Part I: A unified approach for representing action, quantitative evaluation, and interactive feedback

Background Although principles based in motor learning, rehabilitation, and human-computer interfaces can guide the design of effective interactive systems for rehabilitation, a unified approach that connects these key principles into an integrated design, and can form a methodology that can be generalized to interactive stroke rehabilitation, is presently unavailable.