cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic Exploration of Eosin−Lysozyme Binding

We developed a modular pair of experiments for use in the undergraduate physical chemistry and biochemistry laboratories. Both experiments examine the thermodynamics of the binding of a small molecule, eosin Y, to the protein lysozyme. The assay for binding is the quenching of lysozyme fluorescence by eosin through resonant energy transfer. In both experiments, students measure fluorescence quenching at constant lysozyme concentration as a function of added eosin and determine the dissociation constant, KD, and ΔG° for binding. In the physical chemistry experiment, students repeat the fluorescence measurements at several temperatures to determine the temperature dependence of ΔG°, and therefore ΔH° and ΔS° as well. Typical student results yield a KD of (28.3 ± 7.5) μmol L−1 and a binding ΔG° of (−26.04 ± 0.70) kJ mol−1 at 25 °C. ΔH° and ΔS° of binding are found to be (−4.1 ± 2.5) kJ mol−1 and (73.9 ± 8.7) J mol−1 K−1, respectively. This pair of laboratories represents an interdisciplinary module in which students in different courses examine the same system but from different perspectives and with different emphases.
Semi-Chronic Motorized Microdrive and Control Algorithm for Autonomously Isolating and Maintaining Optimal Extracellular Action Potentials

A system was developed that can autonomously position recording electrodes to isolate and maintain optimal quality extracellular signals. The system consists of a novel motorized miniature recording microdrive and a control algorithm. The microdrive was designed for chronic operation and can independently position four glass-coated Pt-Ir electrodes with micrometer precision over a 5-mm range using small (3 mm diam) piezoelectric linear actuators. The autonomous positioning algorithm is designed to detect, align, and cluster action potentials and then command the microdrive to optimize and maintain the neural signal. This system is shown to be capable of autonomous operation in monkey cortical tissue.
TH‐E‐BRB‐05: Modeling the Correlation Between OAR Dose Sparing and Patientˈs Anatomy in Head and Neck IMRT

Purpose: To summarize the knowledge of the dependence of organ‐at‐risk (OAR) dose‐volume distribution on patient's anatomy by machine learning techniques from a database of previous expert plans. Methods: 35 head‐and‐ neck IMRT plans were studied retrospectively. The OAR‐PTV geometry was modeled by the distance‐to‐target histogram (DTH). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to DVH and DTH to capture their salient features. The PCs of the DVH and DTH were then mapped to the parameter space of patient anatomy and dose distribution using correlation analysis. A polynomialmodel of the correlation between OAR DVH and patient anatomy was constructed and trained by a stepwise regression method. Two major OARs, the right/left parotids, were modeled in the regression analysis. Results: (1) PCA characterizes two salient features of the DTH and DVH, the first as the mean of the histogram, the second as the average gradient of the histogram within a range. (2) The regression analysis shows that the main factors contributing to the first component of the principal component score (PC1) of OAR DVH are the PC1 of DTH and the fractional volume in the overlap region, and the main factor affecting the PC2 of OAR DVH is the PC2 of DTH. (3) In terms of patient anatomy and dose‐volume distribution parameters, these correlations indicate the influences of the mean and gradient of DTH on the mean and gradient of DVH by the patient plan. In addition, the fractional volume outside treatment field with co‐planar beam setting also plays a role in determining OAR DVH. The determination coefficients by the polynomialmodels are: R,2 =0.89 and R,2 =0.47 for PC1 and PC2 of right parotid, respectively; R,2 =0.64 and R,2 =0.41 for PC1 and PC2 of left parotid, respectively. Conclusions: The model learned from the database quantifies the influence of geometrical complexity on the OAR dose sparing. Duke University has a master reaserch agreement with VARIAN Medical Systems, Inc..
Elimination of polarization induced signal fading in interoferometric fiber sensors using input polarization control

We present an analysis of polarization-induced fading in interferometric fiber sensors which predicts that the effect can always be overcome through control of the state of polarization of the light input to the interferometer. Experimental results verifying this theory are reported.
An extension of the root locus method to obtain closed-loop frequency response of feedback control systems

THE root locus method for analyzing feedback control systems has become increasingly popular over the last few years. However, the great potentialities of the method have yet to be realized. The method has had the drawback of presenting only the transient response of the system under study. An ideal method of analysis and synthesis would allow the engineer to arrive at both the transient and the steady-state sinusoidal response without any large amount of extra work involved for either. The work would progress in two stages. The first stage would take a relatively short time to complete and would yield approximations to both the closed-loop transient response and the frequency response. At this point, various design features could be compared. The second stage would be an extension of the work done in the first stage ? not a more detailed rework of the problem. This second stage of the problem would yield exact and complete transient and sinusoidal solutions.
Laser Diagnostics of Plasma in Synthesis of Graphene-Based Materials

Scalable production of carbon nanostructures to exploit their extraordinary properties and potential technological applications requires an improved understanding of the chemical environment responsible for their synthesis. In this study the spatial distribution of the rotational temperature of hydrogen is investigated via coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy in the plasma of a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition reactor under parametrically controlled conditions. The reactor pressure is varied from 10 to 30 Torr and the plasma generator power from 300 to 700 W, simulating the conditions required for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes, graphene and graphitic nanopetals. Temperature measurements are conducted within the plasma sheath and up to 6 mm away from the puck surface in order to elucidate the spatial distribution of temperature within and around the plasma region. The results indicate a linear increase in rotational temperature of H2 with respect to the distance normal from the puck surface. Temperatures also increase with pressure. At 10 Torr the temperature range is approximately 850–1150 K while at 30 Torr it is approximately 1200–1650 K for a plasma generator power of 500 W. In addition, the temperature increases with plasma generator power and the introduction of other substances such as CH4 and N2. These findings may aid in understanding the function of the chemical composition and reactions in the plasma environment of these reactors which, to date, remains obscure. The spectroscopic techniques applied in this work may prove to be suitable in-situ monitoring methods for the scalable manufacturing of carbon nanomaterials.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Phylogeny of regulatory mechanisms in temperature regulation

Abstract The temperature of the earth's climate since the Paleozoic varies by two orders of magnitude. On the other hand, the internal organs of the vertebrate body function better when their temperature varies by only a few centigrade degrees. Vertebrates evolved a host of abilities to lessen variation of their internal temperature vis-a-vis the earth's climate. Speculations concerning the phylogeny of these abilities are reviewed, including the origin and evolution of: (1) sensory mechanism(s) to recognize when the internal temperature is deviating from the optimal temperature; and (2) the responses to minimize the deviation.
Fine bookbinding meets electronics

As technologies, finely bound books are compact, durable forms that get passed from one generation to the next. As handcrafted objects, they exemplify manual control and dexterity, patience and care, and continuity with the past. Paper-based electronic books, by contrast, are relatively new objects that enable novel interactions with material. Here we explore connections between centuries-old and contemporary building techniques by adding electronics to traditional binding. What kinds of details would be interesting to learn about the past? How could we use conductive fibers to talk to the future? What could gilded edges tell us about our interactions with books? In this studio, participants will build basic bookbinding and e-textiles skills to enable new material explorations.
DOES PRIOR CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING SURGERY IMPACT OUTCOME IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Re-operation for aortic valve replacement after prior coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) is associated with increased risk for poor outcome. With transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as an alternative for aortic valve surgery, it is not clear if prior CABG is also associated
Tyrosine phosphorylations specific to mitosis in human and hamster cells

Changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation are known to be important for regulating cell cycle progression. With the aim of identifying new proteins involved in the regulation of mitosis, we used an antibody against phosphotyrosine to analyze proteins from synchronized human and hamster cells. At least seven proteins were found that displayed mitosis-specific tyrosine phosphorylation in HeLa cells (pp165, 205, 240, 250, 270, 290, and ∼ 400) and one such protein in hamster BHK cells (pp155). In synchronized HeLa and BHK cells, all proteins except HeLa pp165, pp205, and pp250 were readily detectable only in mitosis. Tyrosine phosphorylation of pp165, pp205, and pp250 was apparent during arrest in S phase, suggesting that cell cycle perturbations can affect the phosphorylation state of some of these proteins. In a related finding in BHK cells, pp155 underwent tyrosine phosphorylation when cells were forced into premature mitosis by caffeine treatment. Only one protein (pp135 in HeLa cells) was found to be dephosphorylated on tyrosine during mitosis. The above findings may prove helpful for isolating new cell cycle proteins that are important for both the normal regulation of mitosis and the mitotic aberrations associated with cell cycle perturbations and chemical treatments.
State formation in Korea : historical and archaeological perspectives

Emerging Elites I: perspectives on state formation in Korea Preface Introduction 1. State formation in the southern Korean peninsula: a critical review 2. Early Korean states: a review of historical interpretation 3. The development of stoneware technology in southern Korea 4. A technological study of earthenware and stoneware from southern Korea 5. Discoveries of iron armour on the Korean peninsula 6. Walled sites in the Three Kingdoms settlement patterns 7. The emergence and expansion of Silla as seen archeologically 8. Korean capital cities Appendix I. Western language works on Korean state formation (ref: Ch. 2)
Structure of the Giant Fibers of Earthworms

The median giant fiber and the pair of lateral giant fibers that run the length of the ventral nerve cord in earthworms were thought to arise by fusion of the axons of several nerve cells in each segment. The structure of these giant fibers has now been examined with a fluorescent dye injected into single fibers. Each giant axon connects to one cell body in each segment; the giant fibers are not fused axons. In each segment, the median giant fiber has three branches and each lateral giant fiber has five branches. These branches are presumably dendritic. No structural differences between the giant fibers in anterior and posterior regions of the worm seem to account for the functional polarity of the giant fiber system observed in behavioral studies.
High performance computing technology, applications and business

High Performance Computing (HPC) was born in the mid 70’s with the emergence of vector supercomputers. It has then evolved according to technology and business enlarging progressively its scope of application. In this paper, we describe the fundamental concepts at the core of HPC, their evolution, the way they are used today in real applications, how these applications are evolving and how application and technology are transforming business.
Work Socialization and Adolescents' Work-Related Values in Single-Mother African American Families

This study examined African American mothers' work socialization messages in relation to adolescents' work-related values. Moderation effects of mother–adolescent relation quality on the linkage be...
Edge Cities: Peripheralizing the Center.

Within the last two decades, an ostensibly new urban phenomenon—the edge city—has taken root in the U.S. metropolis. Rather than treating this sighting as an objective event to be empirically verified, the focus here is on the concept's discursive qualities. Edge city's symbolic thrust, I argue, is to resolve the ambivalence Americans have toward their cities. Ultimately, however, it fails, floundering on flawed representational tactics and a misreading of the actual dynamics of U.S. urbanization. Our urban ambivalence remains intact.
Requirements and approach for a space tourism launch system

Abstract Market surveys suggest that a viable space tourism industry will require flight rates about two orders of magnitude higher than those required for conventional spacelift. Although enabling round-trip cost goals for a viable space tourism business are about $240/pound ($529/kg), or $72,000/passenger round-trip, goals should be about $50/pound ($110/kg) or approximately $15,000 for a typical passenger and baggage. The lower price will probably open space tourism to the general population. Vehicle reliabilities must approach those of commercial aircraft as closely as possible. This paper addresses the development of spaceplanes optimized for the ultra-high flight rate and high reliability demands of the space tourism mission. It addresses the fundamental operability, reliability, and cost drivers needed to satisfy this mission need. Figures of merit similar to those used to evaluate the economic viability of conventional commercial aircraft are developed, including items such as payload/vehicle dry weight, turnaround time, propellant cost per passenger, and insurance and depreciation costs, which show that infrastructure can be developed for a viable space tourism industry. A reference spaceplane design optimized for space tourism is described. Subsystem allocations for reliability, operability, and costs are made and a route to developing such a capability is discussed. The vehicle's ability to satisfy the traditional spacelift market is also shown.
Doc2b promotes GLUT4 exocytosis by activating the SNARE-mediated fusion reaction in a calcium- and membrane bending–dependent manner

The glucose transporter GLUT4 plays a central role in maintaining body glucose homeostasis. On insulin stimulation, GLUT4-containing vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane, relocating GLUT4 from intracellular reservoirs to the cell surface to uptake excess blood glucose. The GLUT4 vesicle fusion reaction requires soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) as the core fusion engine and a group of regulatory proteins. In particular, the soluble C2-domain factor Doc2b plays a key role in GLUT4 vesicle fusion, but its molecular mechanism has been unclear. Here we reconstituted the SNARE-dependent GLUT4 vesicle fusion in a defined proteoliposome fusion system. We observed that Doc2b binds to GLUT4 exocytic SNAREs and potently accelerates the fusion kinetics in the presence of Ca2+. The stimulatory activity of Doc2b requires intact Ca2+-binding sites on both the C2A and C2B domains. Using electron microscopy, we observed that Doc2b strongly bends the membrane bilayer, and this membrane-bending activity is essential to the stimulatory function of Doc2b in fusion. These results demonstrate that Doc2b promotes GLUT4 exocytosis by accelerating the SNARE-dependent fusion reaction by a Ca2+- and membrane bending–dependent mechanism. Of importance, certain features of Doc2b function appear to be distinct from how synaptotagmin-1 promotes synaptic neurotransmitter release, suggesting that exocytic Ca2+ sensors may possess divergent mechanisms in regulating vesicle fusion.
Past, Present, and Future Variations in Community College Organizational Structure

A survey directed at 135 community college presidents in 1991 elicited details about how their colleges were organized five years prior to 1991 and in 1991, as well as their preferred organizational structures for the future. The authors report variations in structure by three college size categories (enrollment levels) based on responses from 118 presidents and indicate notable variations and trends in organizational structure.
The Insect Bite Reaction

In addition to the clinical problems sometimes presented by the severe local, or more rarely, generalized reactions of sensitized persons to insect-bites, the feeding mechanisms of blood sucking insects, the nature of the lesions produced by their bites, and the subsequent reactions of the human host are of more than academic interest because of their bearing on the transmission and development of the parasites causing insect borne diseases. Thus the course of an insect-borne disease may be influenced by these factors at any one of the three natural phases -that is, at the time when the parasite is taken up by the vector, at the time when it is deposited in the new host, and finally during the early stages of its subsequent development.77 These remarks by Prof. R. M. Gordon and W. Crewe (1) serve to introduce this review, primarily for the dermatologist, of the study of the mechanism of the insect bite. We felt that no detailed study of sensitivity to the bites of various arthropods or clinical investigations on human skin of repellents and toxicants could be done without some prior attempts to study this insect bite reaction in man.
Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp Studies of Insulin Sensitivity in the Offspring of Diabetic Sheep

Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp Studies of Insulin Sensitivity in the Offspring of Diabetic Sheep
Raman Spectroscopic Study of High-Pressure Phase Transitions in Cristobalite

The pressure dependence of the cristobalite Raman spectrum has been investigated to 22 GPa at room temperature, using single-crystal Raman spectroscopy with a diamond-anvil cell. We observe a rapid, first-order phase transition on increasing pressure, consistent with the cristobalite I↔II transition revealed in previous x-ray diffraction experiments. The phase transition has been bracketed at 1.2±0.1 GPa on increasing pressure and 0.2±0.1 GPa on decreasing pressure. The pressure shifts II) of 11 Raman bands in the high-pressure phase (cristobalite have been measured. Evidence for an unusual hybridization of modes at 490–500 cm−1 is found. Changes in the Raman spectra also reveal an additional phase transition to a new phase at P ≈ 11 GPa, which remains to be fully characterized.
Tools for Innovative Thinking in Epidemiology

Innovation is the engine of scientific progress. Concern has been raised by the National Academies of Science about how well America is sustaining its "creative ecosystem." In this commentary, the author argues that we can all improve our ability to think innovatively through instruction and practice. The author presents a series of tools that are currently being taught in a curriculum developed at the University of Texas, based on earlier evidence-based creativity training programs. The tools are these: 1) finding the right question; 2) enhancing observation; 3) using analogies; 4) juggling induction and deduction; 5) changing your point of view; 6) broadening the perspective; 7) dissecting the problem; 8) leveraging serendipity and reversal; 9) reorganization and combination of ideas; 10) getting the most out of groups; and 11) breaking out of habitual expectations and frames. Each tool is explained using examples from science and public health. It is likely that each of us will identify with and agree with the usefulness of one or two of the tools described. Broader mastery of many of these tools, particularly when used in combination, has provided our students with a powerful device for enhancing innovation.
Computational mechanisms for gaze direction in interactive visual environments

Next-generation immersive virtual environments and video games will require virtual agents with human-like visual attention and gaze behaviors. A critical step is to devise efficient visual processing heuristics to select locations that would attract human gaze in complex dynamic environments. One promising approach to designing such heuristics draws on ideas from computational neuroscience. We compared several such heuristics with eye movement recordings from five observers playing video games, and found that heuristics which detect outliers from the global distribution of visual features were better predictors of human gaze than were purely local heuristics. Heuristics sensitive to dynamic events performed best overall. Further, heuristic prediction power differed more between games than between different human observers. Our findings suggest simple neurally-inspired algorithmic methods to predict where humans look while playing video games.
Signaling at the Gliovascular Interface

Advances in fluorescent calcium indicating dyes over the past decade have identified calcium signaling as the tool by which astrocytes communicate among themselves and with neighboring neurons. Studies of astrocyte-neuron interactions have shown that calcium signaling is a potent modulator of the strength of both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. The concept that astrocytes possess a mechanism for rapid cell communication has not been incorporated, however, into the supportive functions of astrocytes. Because many of the classical tasks of astrocytes are linked to the blood-brain barrier, we have here examined the expression of proteins required for calcium signaling in their vascular end-foot processes. The gap junction protein, Cx43, was expressed intensively around the vessels interconnecting astrocytic end-foot processes. These gap junctions permitted diffusion of Lucifer yellow, specifically along the path of glial end feet apposed to the vessel wall. The purinergic receptors, P2Y(2) and P2Y(4), were also strongly expressed at the gliovascular interface and colocalized with GFAP around larger vessels in cortex. Multiphoton imaging of freshly prepared brain slices loaded with Fluo-4/AM revealed that ATP mobilized cytosolic calcium in astrocytic end feet, whereas electrical stimulation triggered calcium waves propagating along the vessel wall. Brain endothelial cells and pericytes were physically separated from astrocytes by the basal lamina and responded only weakly to ATP. These observations identify astrocytic end-foot processes plastered at the vessel wall as a center for purinergic signaling. It is speculated that calcium signaling may play a role in astrocytic functions related to the blood-brain barrier, including blood flow regulation, metabolic trafficking, and water homeostasis.
Bone marrow mononuclear cells from patients with Paget's disease contain measles virus nucleocapsid messenger ribonucleic acid that has mutations in a specific region of the sequence.

Ultrastructural, immunocytochemical, and in situ hybridization studies have suggested that paramyxoviruses, such as measles virus (MV), are present in Pagetic osteoclasts and may contribute to the abnormality in osteoclast function. However, little additional information is known about potential viruses present in Pagetic osteoclasts. As there are increased numbers of osteoclast precursors among the marrow mononuclear cells of Paget's patients, we used the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to amplify the nucleocapsid sequence of MV from freshly isolated bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells to examine the potential role of these viruses in cells in the osteoclast lineage. We detected MV nucleocapsid transcripts in 5 of 6 individual Paget's patients' marrow samples. MV transcripts were not detected in marrow samples from 10 normal subjects. Sequence analysis of the PCR products revealed that 1 patient had the same sequence as the Edmonston strain of MV. The remaining 4 patients had point muta...
Alterations of the blood-brain barrier after transplantation of autonomic ganglia into the mammalian central nervous system

Autonomic (superior cervical) ganglia, the vessels of which are freely permeable to macromolecules, from mature rat donors (allografts or autografts) were transplanted to different sites in the central nervous system (CNS). Minimal trauma was caused by grafts into the IVth ventricle while grafts to intraparenchymal locations such as cerebral cortex and spinal cord were necessarily traumatic and produced glial scarring. Postoperative periods were between 4 weeks and 30 months. A potentially significant aspect of neural transplantation is the functional vascular connections between host and graft. It is highly likely that grafting procedures alter the bloodbrain barrier (BBB) in the recipient brain. In order to determine permanent BBB changes, the glycoprotein horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (M.W. 40,000) was injected intravascularly for circulation periods ranging between 50 seconds and 90 minutes. Protein exudatation was monitored by using the chromagens DAB and the highly sensitive TMB. All autonomic ganglia transplants, regardless of postoperative or HRP circulation times, were permeable to the injected protein; no qualitative differences were found between allografts and autografts. The blood-borne protein traversed the autonomic graft and infiltrated into the host brain for distances between 200 μm in intraparenchymal grafts to over 1 mm in intraventricular grafts; a smaller exudate was found in the intraparenchymal model than in the intraventricular site probably due to glial scarring, that impeded the protein movement in the interstitial spaces. Significantly, TMB demonstrated that the systemic protein entered the cerebrospinal fluid. HRP was detected on the ventricular floor and in the perivascular spaces of the microvasculature. Transplantation of an autonomic ganglion into the brain provides a biological portal that bypasses normal barriers to macromolecules. The vascular and extracellular confluences between host and graft could provide direct access for systemically administered substances to enter brain regions where they, normally, would be excluded.
Cooperation with Network Monitoring

This paper studies the maximum level of cooperation that can be sustained in perfect Bayesian equilibrium in repeated games with network monitoring, where players observe each other’s actions either perfectly or not at all. The foundational result is that the maximum level of cooperation can be robustly sustained in grim trigger strategies. If players are equally well monitored, comparative statics on the maximum level of cooperation are highly tractable �
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Semantic Memory Processes in the Frontal Lobes

Frontal-lobe activation during semantic memory performance was examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a noninvasive technique for localizing neural activity associated with cognitive function Left inferior prefrontal cortex was more activated for semantic than for perceptual encoding of words, and for initial than for repeated semantic encoding of words Decreased activation for semantic encoding of repeated words reflects repetition priming, that is, implicit retrieval of memory gained in the initial semantic encoding of a word The left inferior prefrontal region may subserve semantic working memory processes that participate in semantic encoding and that have decreased demands when such encoding can be facilitated by recent semantic experience These results demonstrate that fMRI can visualize changes in an individual's brain function associated with the encoding and retrieval of new memories
Mixed Enzyme Systems for Delignification of Lignocellulosic Biomass

The application of enzymes such as laccase and xylanase for the preparation of cellulose from lignocellulosic material is an option for those industries seeking to reduce the use of chlorine-containing bleach agents, thus minimizing the environmental impact of their processes. Mixed hydrolytic and oxidative enzyme systems have been well described in the context of biopulping, and thus provide good precedent regarding effectiveness, despite the susceptibility of xylanase to inactivation by laccase-generated oxidants. This paper examines the progress towards development of sequential and simultaneous mixed enzyme systems to accomplish delignification.
An Examination of the Specificity of Motivation and Executive Functioning in ADHD Symptom-clusters in Adolescence

Objective Motivation and executive functioning are central to the etiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that motivation should show specificity of association with ADHD-impulsivity/hyperactivity symptoms, whereas executive functioning should show specificity of association with ADHD-inattention symptoms. This study tests this specificity-hypothesis and extends previous research by conceptualizing motivation to include both reactivity to reward and punishment. Methods Executive functioning was assessed using two different laboratory measures (the Wisconsin-Card-Sort and Stop-Signal Tasks) and motivation was measured using a laboratory measure of sensitivity to reward and punishment (the Point-Scoring-Reaction-Time Task). Results Findings suggested specificity of association between executive functioning and symptoms of inattention, and between motivation and symptoms of impulsivity/hyperactivity. However, support varied across indices of executive functioning. Conclusions Results provide support for multiple component models of ADHD symptoms and extend the literature by providing a theoretically based conceptualization of motivation grounded on developmental neuroscience models of motivated behavior.
Motor Neuron Disease With Parkinsonism

Objective: To report clinical characteristics of patients with combined features of parkinsonism and motor neuron disease (MND). Design: Medical chart review. Setting: University medical center. Patients: Thirteen patients, identified by computer-assisted search, who had diagnoses of both parkinsonism and MND. Results: Median age was 68 years. There were 7 men and 6 women. All had clinical and electrodiagnostic evidence of both upper and lower motor neuron degeneration. One or more clinical manifestations of parkinsonism were observed in all patients either before the diagnosis of MND (n=2), at the time of initial evaluadon (n=10), or after the diagnosis of MND (n=1). The median time from symptom onset to presentation was 18 months. Improvement was seen in 5 of the 11 patients treated with levodopa. Dementia and autonomic dysfunction were absent in all patients. Postmortem neuropathological evaluation, available in 1 patient, demonstrated degeneration of the substantia nigra with Lewy bodies, mild pallor of the medullary pyramids, and neurogenic atrophy of the skeletal muscle. Conclusion: The onset of MND and parkinsonism within a relatively short period in most of our patients favors a common pathogenic mechanism over coincidental occurrence of 2 unrelated diseases. In patients with MND, it is important to recognize signs of parkinsonism that levodopa might alleviate.
Isolation of Polymer-Degrading Bacteria and Characterization of the Hindgut Bacterial Community from the Detritus-Feeding Larvae of Tipula abdominalis (Diptera: Tipulidae)

The Tipula abdominalis larval hindgut microbial community presumably facilitates digestion of the lignocellulosic diet. The microbial community was investigated through characterization of bacterial isolates and analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. This initial study revealed novel bacteria and provides a framework for future studies of this symbiosis.
Biological stoichiometry of Daphnia growth: An ecophysiological test of the growth rate hypothesis

The growth rate hypothesis (GRH) proposes that variation in organism C : P and N : P ratios reflects variation in P content associated with altered allocation to P-rich ribosomal RNA under different growth rates. We tested the GRH by examining the effects of food quantity and stoichiometric quality (differing carbon : nitrogen : phosphorus [C : N : P] ratios) on juvenile growth and chemical composition (C : N : P, RNA, and DNA contents) of two species of Daphnia (D. galeata, D. pulicaria). Daphnia in P-limited experiments were fed saturating and limiting concentrations of food (Scenedesmus acutus) of high P (C : P 5 110 6 7.3), medium P (456 6 20.7), and low P (934 6 23.6), and in an N-limited experiment D. pulicaria was fed saturating concentrations of high N (C : N 5 6.31 6 0.35), medium 1 and medium 2 (9.0 6 0.42; 15.0 6 0.49, respectively), and low N (18.22 6 0.56) food. In Plimited experiments, both Daphnia species grew fastest under P-rich, high food conditions and grew slowest under P-deficient, low food conditions, showing effects of both food quality and quantity. Daphnia body percentage P, C : P, N : P, and percentage RNA were tightly correlated with growth rates, and RNA contributed a significant fraction of total body P (48.8% [62.0%]). This strong three-way (growth‐RNA‐P) set of correlations supports the GRH. In the N-limited experiment, food C : N had a moderate effect on Daphnia growth. While there was a good linear correlation between P and RNA, growth rate was uncorrelated with RNA content and P content, suggesting that the three-way coupling of growth, RNA, and P content is broken under N limitation of growth, but more data for these conditions are needed. These data help in delineating the physiological conditions under which the GRH holds and may be useful in interpreting variation in body stoichiometry of zooplankton from field and lab studies.
Flame spread in a forward forced flow

Abstract A theoretical model is developed for the propagation of flames over a solid fuel in a laminar forced oxidizing gas flow moving in the direction of flame propagation. The model makes use of a boundary-layer approximation to describe the flow and of an ignition surface temperature to define the rate of flame spread. By solving the gas-phase problem uncoupled from the solid-phase analysis in first-order approximation, analytical expressions are obtained for the velocity of propagation of the pyrolysis front and of the flame tip along thermally thick and thin fuels as functions of the thermophysical properties of the fuel and induced oxidizer flow. Experimental measurements of the rate of spread of the pyrolysis front for flames propagating over polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) sheets are reported as a function of the velocity of a forced air flow. The experiments are performed in a small-scale wind tunnel. A laser Doppler velocimeter facility is used to record the forced-flow characteristics, and arrays of thermocouples are used to measure the rate of flame spread. It is shown that the theoretical predictions agree well with the experimental measurements.
A Cost-effective Three-phase Grid-connected Inverter with Maximum Power Point Tracking

Solar energy is desirable due to its renewable and pollution-free properties. In order to utilize the present utility grid infrastructure for power transmission and distribution, grid connected dc-to-ac inverters are needed for solar power generation. However, previously proposed voltage source inverters with a two-power-stage structure or a cascaded structure increase the circuit complexity, power losses, and system cost. In addition, conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods usually need power calculation and complex logic judgment, so expensive multipliers and/or microprocessors are needed. This leads to high inverter capital cost, which becomes a major barrier for the wide use of solar power generation. A cost-effective MPPT method integrated within the One-Cycle Control (OCC) core is proposed in this paper. When integrated with a three-phase boost type inverter, the proposed method tracks MPP with good precision, and solar power is converted into three-phase ac power with a single power stage. There is no power calculation in the controller, which yields a simple and cost-effective solution. Experiments have been carried out with a photovoltaic source to verify good performance.
Rapid optimization of the post-column fluorogenic ninhydrin reaction for the HPLC-based determination of bradykinin and related fragments.

A flow injection analysis scheme is demonstrated for the rapid optimization of reagent concentrations, flow rates, delay time and temperature using the guanidino moiety specific fluorogenic ninhydrin reaction. Using the amino acid arginine, non-arginine containing peptides, and the arginine-containing peptides, bradykinin and related fragments, specificity is demonstrated. These results serve to extend previous descriptions of the post-column reaction by offering a time efficient approach for the optimization of newly assembled post-column reactors using this chemistry. The reactor is subsequently added to a gradient elution HPLC system with the separation of bradykinin and bradykinin fragments demonstrated. Detection sensitivity in the high femtomole-low picomole mass range was achieved for these substances.
Prevalence and correlates of antipsychotic polypharmacy in children and adolescents receiving antipsychotic treatment.

Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP), which is common in adults with psychotic disorders, is of unproven efficacy and raises safety concerns. Although youth are increasingly prescribed antipsychotics, little is known about APP in this population. We performed a systematic PubMed search (last update 26 January 2013) of studies reporting the prevalence of APP in antipsychotic-treated youth. Summary statistics and statistical tests were calculated at the study level and not weighted by sample size. Fifteen studies (n = 58 041, range 68-23 183) reported on APP in youth [mean age = 13.4 ± 1.7 yr, 67.1 ± 10.2% male, 77.9 ± 27.4% treated with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs)]. Data collected in these studies covered 1993-2008. The most common diagnoses were attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 39.9 ± 23.5%) and conduct disorder/oppositional defiant disorder (CD/ODD; 33.6 ± 24.8). In studies including predominantly children (mean age = 30-⩾90 d (N = 5), p = 0.88]. Despite lacking safety and efficacy data, APP in youth is not uncommon, even in samples predominantly consisting of non-psychotic patients. The duration, clinical motivations and effectiveness of this practice require further study.
The role of mass spectrometry in vitamin D research

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is the active metabolite of vitamin D3, and has been found to play important roles in mineral balance and immunological regulation. Recently, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and similar synthetic analogs in development have been found to possess potential therapeutic values in the treatment of proliferative diseases, including leukemia, breast cancer, and psoriasis. Current methods for the analysis of these compounds may either lack the necessary sensitivity (i.e., UV detection) or specificity (i.e., receptor binding assay). In addition, the synthetic analogs developed to date have not been found to uniformly bind with receptors in binding assays, a property that may render them to be difficult for measurement at the trace levels. Methods utilizing mass spectrometry (MS) have been used for either structural identification or quantification. Electron impact ionization has been the technique of choice for structural analysis, whereas newer ionization techniques have been utilized for the quantification of metabolites, often in conjunction with on-line separation. In this review, MS and non-MS based methods for vitamin D analysis will be discussed, with an emphasis on the former. Historical perspectives, the present state, and the future role of MS in vitamin D research will be discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Staged Approach for Rehabilitation Classification: Shoulder Disorders (STAR–Shoulder)

Shoulder disorders are a common musculoskeletal problem causing pain and functional loss. Traditionally, diagnostic categories are based on a pathoanatomic medical model aimed at identifying the pathologic tissues. However, the pathoanatomic model may not provide diagnostic categories that effectively guide treatment decision making in rehabilitation. An expanded classification system is proposed that includes the pathoanatomic diagnosis and a rehabilitation classification based on tissue irritability and identified impairments. For the rehabilitation classification, 3 levels of irritability are proposed and defined, with corresponding strategies guiding intensity of treatment based on the physical stress theory. Common impairments are identified and are used to guide specific intervention tactics with varying levels of intensity. The proposed system is conceptual and needs to be tested for reliability and validity. This classification system may be useful clinically for guiding rehabilitation intervention and provides a potential method of identifying relevant subgroups in future research studies. Although the system was developed for and applied to shoulder disorders, it may be applicable to classification and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders in other body regions.
A Constraint Function Technique for Improved Structural Dynamics

A constraint function approach is presented for finding design changes that remove natural frequencies from undesirable frequency bands for lightly damped structures. The technique requires the minimization of a function which becomes smaller when (1) natural frequencies clear out of undesirable bands, and (2) design changes become small. Useful forms of these functions are defined, and the number of possible minima is explored. Graphical intepretations of the constraint functions are given, and an example is included which shows the effects of the parameters which weight these two functions.
Secondary expansion in refractory clays

A large number of refractory clays show secondary or after-expansion with a marked increase in volume, usually occurring in the range from cones 6 to 14. Data presented in this paper were secured in an investigation made by the Ohio State University Engineering Experiment Station on twenty-one representative clays from Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. The findings indicate that the expansion is caused by opening up the natural lamination or bedding planes in the clay grains. Two methods for reducing or eliminating the expansion are given. Data concerning chemical analyses, petrographic examinations, and X-ray studies are presented.
Idiopathic calcinosis cutis presenting as labial lesions in children: Report of two cases with literature review

Abstract Background: Calcinosis cutis is a general term for calcium deposition in the skin. It may be due to abnormal calcium or phosphorus metabolism, damage to the dermal collagen, or idiopathic. It has been found in the skin of many areas of the body, including the face, extremities, penis, scrotum and mons pubis. We report two cases of calcinosis cutis presenting as lesions of the labia majora in children. Cases: A 6 1/2-year-old girl presented with labial lesions of unknown etiology. There was no history of sexual abuse or trauma. Excisional biopsy was performed and histopathological evaluation showed subepithelial calcification. Follow-up laboratory evaluation revealed normal serum calcium and phosphorus levels. Screening tests for collagen vascular diseases were negative. An 8-year-old girl presented for evaluation of a “labial cyst”. The lesion was first noted 6 months prior to presentation and had not resolved, despite treatment with topical creams and sitz baths. Excisional biopsy was performed and histopathological evaluation showed multiple nodules of calcified and amorphous debris surrounded by histiocytes and giant cells. Conclusion: We report two cases of idiopathic calcinosis cutis presenting as labial lesions in children. Because it can be mistaken for a sexually transmitted disease, recognition and proper diagnosis of this condition is essential. Additionally, work-up to rule out abnormalities of phosphorus or calcium metabolism and collagen vascular diseases may be indicated.
Multiple ribbons in face-centred cubic materials. II. Formation of double and multiple ribbons

Direct observations of the decomposition of double and other multiple ribbons in f.c.c. materials are discussed. It is shown that these provide direct evidence for the two different mechanisms proposed for the formation of the double ribbons. The observations of the other multiple ribbons are the first of their kind reported for f.c.c. materials. Die Auflosung von Doppel- und Mehrfachbandern wird in k.f.z. Materialien direkt beobachtet. Diese Beobachtungen weisen darauf hin, das die beiden fur die Ausbildung der Doppelbander vorgeschlagenen Prozesse ablaufen. Die Mehrfachbander werden zum ersten Male in k.f.z. Materialien beobachtet.
A course in gross anatomy, notes and comment, 1990

This paper documents and describes a contemporary course in gross anatomy, traditional in approach yet well-suited to today's medical curriculum and practice. In so doing, it looks beyond the “course catalog” description of the curriculum into the complexities and rationale of the gross anatomical teaching program. The purpose and methods of the course, such as dissection of the entire body in a clinically-relevant context, are examined. The value of the dissection process is discussed in terms of gaining anatomical knowledge, the team approach to learning and problem-solving, and student-faculty interactio at the dissection table. The significance of the dissection experience in terms of its often being the students' first encounter with death and serious pathology is recongnized and discussed in relationship to donor programs and the Convocation of Thanks. Comments on examination technique and stragety and examples of facilitating lectures and laboratory experinces are also included. In spite of its time-tested rationale, we wonder if the continued quest for the grant dollar, the current penchant for computer-aided instruction and curricular machinations, and—importantly—a dwindling supply of well-trained anatomists, is relegating this type of gross anatomy course to the passing parade?
Head and neck cancer screenings and human papillomavirus knowledge across diverse suburban and urban populations

Abstract Background Minimal research has explored community dwelling adults’ knowledge of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in relation to head and neck cancer (HNC). The purpose of this study was to report on community dwelling adults’ knowledge of HPV in relation to infection, symptoms, and the development of HNC. Methods Cross-sectional assessment of community-dwelling adults on history of behavioral risk factors for HNC, health literacy, and knowledge regarding HPV in relation to HNC. Results Of those who completed the measure of health literacy, 17.1% read at or below an 8th grade level. Participants reported a range of history of behaviors putting them at increased risk for HPV and HNC. Respondents answered an average of 67.2% of HPV questions correctly, only one person answered all 15 questions correctly. There were no differences in knowledge of HPV in relation to HNC based upon demographics, suburban versus urban location, health literacy, or cancer history. Conclusions Adults reported a range of behaviors associated with an increased risk of HPV transmission but also displayed large gaps in knowledge regarding HPV in relation to HNC.