cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cataloging Max Steiner: A Corpus Study of Film Scores

The Max Steiner corpus study is a long-term research project, drawing on the Max Steiner Collection at Brigham Young University, to catalog and analyze the music from all of Steiner’s film scores. This paper outlines the goals, processes, and potential future outcomes of this research. One of the main research goals of this project is to discover what kinds of melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and instruments Steiner used to represent different emotions and character types. Because of the amount of data needed to understand each of these elements thoroughly, this type of analysis can best be done through a corpus study. This data will be published as an interactive database that will allow the user to explore themes as they develop throughout a film as well as discover related themes in other film scores by Steiner. Transcriptions of themes will be displayed with Steiner’s annotations, film stills, and analytical data. This paper presents our findings to date and our plan to analyze, transcribe, and catalog the remaining films.
Research on the neurobiology of COVID-19

More studies have shown the neurological manifestations of the novel corona virus (COVID-19) and have inferred the molecular mechanism by which it invades the nervous system. The neurological aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been differently interpreted and dealt with in different parts of the world. To review the neurological manifestations and the neurovirulent mechanism by which CoV attacks the human nervous system and to examine different perspectives on this very same topic, the research on PubMed and ScienceDirect is conducted. The mechanisms that CoV enter and attack the nervous system and the subsequent neurologic manifestations have been proposed and now seems quite clear. However, more studies have to be done directly on the effect of COVID-19 on the CNS as well as the PNS.
Patterns of Cutaneous and Noncutaneous Immune-Related Adverse Events Among Patients With Advanced Cancer.

Importance Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) are some of the earliest toxic reactions to emerge following immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) initiation. As an early indicator of robust inflammatory response, cirAEs may be associated with patterns of immune-mediated toxic effects, but associations between these events and noncutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs) remain underexplored. Objectives To characterize patterns of cirAEs and irAEs across care settings and examine associations between the features of first cirAE, overall irAE risk, and risk of specific irAE subtypes. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single academic medical center. The cohort included 358 patients with cancer who initiated anti–programmed death 1/ligand 1 and/or anticytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-4 ICI therapy between January 1, 2016, and March 8, 2019, and developed 1 or more cirAEs, identified usingInternational Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes and confirmed via manual medical record review. All relevant information documented before March 31, 2020, was included. Exposures Anti–programmed death 1/ligand 1 and/or anticytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-4 therapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Associations between specific cirAE morphologic classes and patterns of irAEs (occurrence, timeline, organ class, and specific toxic effects). Given the potential that shared underlying factors are associated with the risk of both noncutaneous and cutaneous toxic effects, the presence of observed positive associations between certain cirAE and irAE subtypes was hypothesized. Results Of the 358 patients, 213 were men (59.5%); median age was 65 years (interquartile range, 55-73 years). Nearly half of the patients (177 [49.4%]) with cirAE also developed a noncutaneous irAE. Most patients (128 [72.3%]) experienced their first cirAE before developing any irAE. Several cirAE morphologic classes were found to be associated with overall, organ-based, and specific irAEs. More specifically, mucositis was found to be associated with overall irAE risk (odds ratio [OR], 5.28; 95% CI, 1.11-24.26;P = .04), gastrointestinal irAEs (OR, 5.70; 95% CI, 1.11-29.40;P = .04), and the specific diagnosis of gastroenterocolitis (OR, 6.80; 95% CI, 1.24-37.39;P = .03). In addition, psoriasis was associated with an increased risk of endocrine irAEs (OR, 4.54; 95% CI, 1.21-17.04;P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, these findings underscore the risk of multisystem toxic effects in patients experiencing cirAEs and highlight potential opportunities for dermatologists in the management of noncutaneous toxic effects.
The Gender Divide in Wikipedia: A Computational Approach to Assessing the Impact of Two Feminist Interventions

Wikipedia has a well-known gender divide affecting the diversity of the editor community and its biographical content. This bias not only shapes social perceptions of knowledge, but it can also propagate beyond the platform as its contents are leveraged to correct misinformation, train machine-learning tools, and enhance search engine results. What happens when feminist movements intervene to try to close existing gaps? Through the analysis of over 11,000 Wikipedia articles, we provide an evaluation of two popular feminist interventions designed to counteract digital knowledge inequality. We find that the interventions are successful at adding content about women that would otherwise be missing, but they are less successful at addressing structural biases that limit the visibility of women focused content. This leads us to argue for a more granular analysis of gender gaps in collaborative environments. We discuss the implications for future scholarship on digital inequalities.
Recycling lead and transparent conductors from perovskite solar modules.

Perovskite photovoltaics are gaining increasing common ground to partner with or compete with silicon photovoltaics to reduce cost of solar energy. However, a cost-effective waste management for toxic lead (Pb), which might determine the fate of this technology, has not been developed yet. Here, we report an end-of-life material management for perovskite solar modules to recycle toxic lead and valuable transparent conductors to protect the environment and create dramatic economic benefits from recycled materials. Lead is separated from decommissioned modules by weakly acidic cation exchange resin, which could be released as soluble Pb(NO3)2 followed by precipitation as PbI2 for reuse, with a recycling efficiency of 99.2%. Thermal delamination disassembles the encapsulated modules with intact transparent conductors and cover glasses. The refabricated devices based on recycled lead iodide and recycled transparent conductors show comparable performance as devices based on fresh raw materials. Cost analysis shows this recycling technology is economically attractive. Perovskite photovoltaics has become more competitive against silicon counterpart in reducing cost of solar energy, yet the management of toxic lead hampers it application. Here, the authors propose a cost-effective environmental-friendly approach to recycle lead and transparent conductors.
Raman Study of the Conformational Characteristics of Chain Molecules under High Pressure

As part of a continuing program to study the properties of lubricants and polymers, we have undertaken an investigation of the conformational properties of linear alkanes and polymers as functions of temperature and pressure. We have successfully obtained the Raman spectra of these materials over a range of 1 to 20 kbar from a gasketed diamond-anvil cell while calibrating the pressure with the ruby fluorescence technique [1]. The conformation of heptane (C7H34) and hexadecane (C16H34) have been monitored by the Observation of conformationally sensitive Raman bands. Our data indicate that heptane becomes more “kinked” (more gauche bonds) as a function of pressure. This result was surprising to us at first, since at sufficiently high pressure heptane freezes in the unkinked, all-trans conformation. We have developed a theory, based on excluded volume considerations, which is consistent with these observations.
Anal Canal Cancer

Radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. In the studies that established this approach, high rates of locoregional control have been reported, but the incidence of acute and late toxicity has been significant. Moreover, treatment-related acute toxicity may cause treatment interruptions that are potentially detrimental to locoregional control and colostomy-free survival. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has recently been instituted as an alternative to conventional two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiotherapy. Multiple institutional experiences, as well as a single phase II multi-institution prospective study, have demonstrated improved acute toxicity rates with IMRT, potentially minimizing treatment interruptions and improving treatment outcomes. Pilot studies evaluating IMRT show no reduction in overall or colostomy-free survival versus historical studies. Due to its high precision, the use of IMRT in anal cancer requires thorough understanding of the patterns of spread of anal cancer with thoughtful delineation of target volumes and organs at risk. In this chapter, we highlight the available data on the use of IMRT for anal cancer and summarize established approaches for IMRT planning in this disease.
Similarity or discrepancy in pharmacokinetic parameter estimation between bolus and infusion studies

A recent study by Heatherington and Rowland showing discrepancies in steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) estimation of two barbiturates between bolus and infusion studies in rat hindlimb preparations was reviewed. Their rationale is that increasing the duration of administration may increase the accessibility for tissue distribution and thus increase Vss for compounds showing slow tissue uptake. Such a dosing-duration-dependent distribution concept is, however, inconsistent with the principle in linear kinetics that the fate or disposition function of any drug molecules is independent of time of administration and presence of other molecules. When their well-designed bolus studies were reanalyzed by including extrapolated outflow data from the last sampling time to infinity, the Vss values for the two barbiturates were found to be very similar to those obtained by the infusion method. Our analysis seems to validate a theoretical concept that parameter estimation is independent of the duration of administration in linear kinetics. A potential complication of using the bolus method to study Vss is presented.
Reconstructing 3D Objects from Cross-Sections

This paper is concerned with the construction of a mathematical model of a three dimensional object, starting from cross-sectional data. The problem is to build a model which is suitable for displaying and manipulating an image of the object using a graphics workstation. This problem is of great importance in a number of fields, particularly in medical imaging. While it has been intensely studied by various researchers, it seems that approximation theorists have had little involvement. The purpose of this survey article is to review the state-of-the-art, with the hope that some of the recently developed methods in curve and surface fitting and Computer-Aided Geometric Design may be useful in designing new and improved reconstruction techniques.
Ethanol inhibits palmitoylation of G protein G alpha(s)

Neurobiological actions of ethanol have been linked to perturbations in cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent signaling processes. Chronic ethanol exposure leads to desensitization of cAMP production in response to physiological ligands (heterologous desensitization). Ethanol-induced alterations in neuronal expression of G proteins G(s) and G(i) have been invoked as a cause of heterologous desensitization. However, effects of ethanol on G protein expression vary considerably among different experimental protocols, various brain regions and diverse neuronal cell types. Dynamic palmitoylation of G protein alpha subunits is critical for membrane localization and protein-protein interactions, and represents a regulatory feature of G protein function. We studied the effect of ethanol on G alpha(s) palmitoylation. In NG108-15 rat neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells, acute exposure to pharmacologically relevant concentrations of ethanol (25-100 mm) inhibited basal and prostaglandin E1-stimulated incorporation of palmitate into G alpha(s). Exposure of NG108-15 cells to ethanol for 72 h induced a shift in G alpha(s) to its non-palmitoylated state, coincident with an inhibition of prostaglandin E1-induced cAMP production. Both parameters were restored following 24 h of ethanol withdrawal. Chronic ethanol exposure also induced the depalmitoylation of G alpha(s) in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells that overexpress wild-type G alpha(s) and caused heterologous desensitization of adenylyl cyclase. By contrast, HEK293 cells that express a non-palmitoylated mutant of G alpha(s) were insensitive to heterologous desensitization after chronic ethanol exposure. In summary, the findings identify a novel effect of ethanol on post-translational lipid modification of G alpha(s), and represent a mechanism by which ethanol might affect adenylyl cyclase activity.
Cytogenetics of fifty patients with primary amenorrhea

Abstract This investigation represents a cytogenetic study of 50 women with primary amenorrhea and 50 women of known fertility. The latter served primarily as technical controls for buccal smear and chromosome analyses. Nineteen of 50 patients with primary amenorrhea were found to have a chromosome abnormality. These included: nine with a 45,X constitution; two 45,X/46,XX/47,XXX; one 45,X/46,X,i(Xq); one 46,X,i(Xq); and one 46,XXq − . There were two patients with a translocation between two C group chromosomes; one was 46,XX,t(10q + ; 12q − ) and the other 46,X,t(Xq − ; 12q + ). Three "women" had a 46,XY constitution. The incidence of the various causes of primary amenorrhea, cytogenetic and others, is discussed.
Mock Interview Strategy: An Action Research Study of Administrator and Teacher Candidates' Preparation for Interview Field Experience.

Schools of graduate and undergraduate education can be of great help to each other. To be an effective interviewer or interviewee, a person must have experience. The perceived self-efficacy of interviewing skills may help in actual interviews. A mock interview strategy is proposed to help administrator and teacher candidates become proficient in the interview process while helping one another. Action Research methods were used as the research design and theoretical framework. Data were gathered from: observation, reflection on practice, narratives and student surveys. A total of 170 surveys were completed. Results indicated that perceived self-efficacy was improved and the experience was worthwhile. Improvements and changes to the strategy were implemented.
MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AND CO-STIMULATION BLOCKADE ENHANCE BONE MARROW ENGRAFTMENT AND INDUCE IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE

Background: Organ transplantation currently requires long-term immunosuppression. This is associated with multiple complications including infection, malignancy and other toxicities. Immunologic tolerance is considered the optimal solution to these limitations. Objective: To develop a simple and non-toxic regimen to induce mixed chimerism and tolerance using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) in a murine model. Methods: Wild type C57BL6 (H2D k ) and Bal/C (H2D d ) mice were used as donors and recipients, respectively. We studied to achieve tolerance to skin grafts (SG) through mixed chimerism (MC) by simultaneous skin graft and non-myeloablative donor bone marrow transplantation (DBMT) +/– MSC. All recipients received rapamycin and CTLA-4 Ig without radiation. Results: DBMT+MSC combined with co-stimulation blockage and rapamycin led to stable mixed chimerism, expansion of Tregs population and donor-specific skin graft tolerance. The flow cytometry analysis revealed that recipient mice developed 15%–85% chimerism. The skin allografts survived for a long time. Elimination of MSC failed to induce mixed chimerism and tolerance. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that donor-specific immune tolerance can be effectively induced by non-myeloablative DBMT-MSC combination without any additional cytoreductive treatment. This approach provides a promising and non-toxic allograft tolerance strategy.
The Multiplicative Golden Mean Shift Has Infinite Hausdorff Measure

In an earlier work, joint with R. Kenyon, we computed the Hausdorff dimension of the “multiplicative golden mean shift” defined as the set of all reals in [0, 1] whose binary expansion (x k ) satisfies x k x 2k = 0 for all k ≥ 1. Here we show that this set has infinite Hausdorff measure in its dimension. A more precise result in terms of gauges in which the Hausdorff measure is infinite is also obtained.
Distinct water activation on polar/non-polar facets of ZnO nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticles with differing dominant facets were prepared and characterized by a complimentary of techniques such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, temperature programmed desorption of H2O, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of adsorbed D2O. For the first time, water interaction/activation is compared on ZnO polar and non-polar facets. We report that non-polar facets exhibit high activity in water activation, which favors reactions such as ketonization and steam reforming in which dissociated water is involved. The distinct water dissociation on ZnO non-polar facets could be related to its facile formation of oxygen vacancies under realistic reaction conditions.
Antigenic Properties of Experimental Leukemias. II. Immunological Studies In Vivo With C57BL/6 Radiation-Induced Leukemias

The serum of C57BL/6 mice immunized against an A strain TL+ (thymus leukemia antigen) spontaneous leukemia was highly cytotoxic for the cells of several C57BL/6 leukemias. Paradoxically, this was not associated with resistance in vivo to the inoculation of 2 TL+ C57BL/6 radiationinduced leukemias highly sensitive to TL antisera in vitro. Leukemia cells recovered aftei their outgrowth in immunized C57BL/6 mice lost their sensitivity to TL antisera in vitro and their ability to absorb specific cytotoxic activity from TL antisera. A single further passage of these cells in normal untreated C57BL/6 hosts was accompanied by complete restoration of sensitivity, even after 3 consecutive passages in immunized hosts. Immunoselection, inadequate complementation, or interference by blocking antibody might account for the outgrowth of TL+ leukemia cells in immunized hosts, but the present evidence does not favor these interpretations. More probably the temporary changes in antigenicity reflect an adaptational alteration affecting the entire population of leukemia cells. (auth)
Flu and Finances: Influenza Outbreaks and Loan Defaults in US Cities, 2004-2012.

Objectives. We examined the association between influenza outbreaks in 83 metropolitan areas and credit card and mortgage defaults, as measured in quarterly zip code–level credit data over the period of 2004 to 2012.Methods. We used ordinary least squares, fixed effects, and 2-stage least squares instrumental variables regression strategies to examine the relationship between influenza-related Google searches and 30-, 60-, and 90-day credit card and mortgage delinquency rates.Results. We found that a proxy for influenza outbreaks is associated with a small but statistically significant increase in credit card and mortgage default rates, net of other factors. These effects are largest for 90-day defaults, suggesting that influenza outbreaks have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable borrowers who are already behind on their payments.Conclusions. Overall, it appears there is a relationship between exogenous health shocks (such as influenza) and credit default. The results suggest that consumer finances co...
Factors controlling the early stages of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia epizootics: low exposure levels, virus amplification and fish-to-fish transmission.

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus, Genogroup IVa (VHSV), was highly infectious to Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii (Valenciennes), even at exposure doses occurring below the threshold of sensitivity for a standard viral plaque assay; however, further progression of the disease to a population-level epizootic required viral amplification and effective fish-to-fish transmission. Among groups of herring injected with VHSV, the prevalence of infection was dose-dependent, ranging from 100%, 75% and 38% after exposure to 19, 0.7 and 0.07 plaque-forming units (PFU)/fish, respectively. Among Pacific herring exposed to waterborne VHSV (140 PFU mL(-1) ), the prevalence of infection, geometric mean viral tissue titre and cumulative mortality were greater among cohabitated herring than among cohorts that were held in individual aquaria, where fish-to-fish transmission was prevented. Fish-to-fish transmission among cohabitated herring probably occurred via exposure to shed virus which peaked at 680 PFU mL(-1) ; shed virus was not detected in the tank water from any isolated individuals. The results provide insights into mechanisms that initiate epizootic cascades in populations of wild herring and have implications for the design of VHSV surveys in wild fish populations.
Mucous fistula refeeding in neonates with short bowel syndrome

Abstract Background/Purpose: Neonates with enterostomies commonly suffer from a functional short bowel syndrome (SBS) and have a greater risk of electrolyte and fluid loss with poor weight gain. The authors describe their experience with refeeding stoma effluent into the mucous fistula in neonates. Methods: A 5-year (1993 to 1997) chart review of neonates with stoma effluent refeeding was undertaken. Demographics, medical history, surgical procedures, timing, and duration of refeedings were reviewed. Enteral and total parenteral nutritional (TPN) requirements, electrolyte, and acid-base disturbances were recorded. Results: Six neonates (gestational ages of 27 to 38 weeks, birth weights of 533 to 3400 g) were identified with nutritional or electrolyte complications before the commencement of refeeding. Enterostomy indications included necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 2), intestinal atresia type 3b (n = 1), complications from ruptured omphalocoele (n = 1), congenital adhesive band obstruction (n = 1), and midgut volvulus after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair (n = 1). Weight gain during refeeding ranged from 5 to 25 g/kg/d with duration of refeeding lasting 16 to 169 days (two neonates were refed at home) until reanastomoses were done 6 to 44 weeks after the original surgery. There were no complications, and TPN requirements were diminished or eliminated. Conclusion: This technique represents a simple and safe method, which lessens the need for TPN and electrolyte supplementation in neonates with enterostomies and SBS before reanastomosis.
187 OVARIAN CYCLE LIPID DYNAMICS REVEALED BY DESI-MS IMAGING AND MORPHOLOGICALLY-DRIVEN MULTIVARIATE STATISTICS

Understanding the role of lipid metabolism in ovarian physiology is crucial for the progression of reproductive biotechnology. The aim in this work was to explore the lipid composition and dynamics of ovarian tissue, specifically the stroma, follicles, and corpora lutea. Desorption electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (DESI-MS), an ambient ionization technique, was applied in this investigation, acquiring chemical and spatial information simultaneously. A morphologically-friendly solvent, dimethylformamide-acetonitrile (1 : 1), was used for DESI-MS imaging which allowed for ovarian lipid characterisation and subsequent staining (hematoxylin and eosin) providing morphological information. By this approach, regions-of-interest (ROI) were selected from bovine (n = 8), swine (n = 3), and mice (n = 5) ovaries (including pre-pubescent and cycling adults) based on the stained morphological structures. ROI for stroma (n = 54), follicles (n = 89), and corpora lutea (n = 61) were selected and chemically profiled. Tissue sections (20 μm) were thaw mounted onto glass microscope slides and stored at –80°C until analysis. A linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with a custom DESI-MS imaging stage was operated in the negative ion mode (m/z 200 to 1000). A 300 × 300 µm pixel size was used in DESI-MS imaging of ovarian tissue. Hyperspectral DESI images were reconstructed and processed by principal component analysis (PCA) that allowed visualisation of relationships among spatial (i.e. morphology) and chemical features. Ions indicated by PCA were analysed using univariate analysis (ANOVA), supporting the significance of particular lipids between morphological structures, e.g. adrenic acid (P = 1.7 × 10–8) and m/z 836 (P = 8.9 × 10–9) between corpora lutea and follicles. All morphological structures could be differentiated by multivariate statistics (>90% prediction rate) independent of the species, indicating conserved lipid constitution. Smaller differences in the lipid profiles were noted between species, poly-ovulatory and mono-ovulatory species, and reproductive maturation. A large variety and abundance of lipids was observed in corpora lutea and follicles, where steroidogenesis is a prominent physiological activity. Additional insight into ovarian physiology was gained with the detection of arachidonic and adrenic acid. The spatial relationship of arachidonic and adrenic acid with the corpora lutea – the former is a known prostaglandin precursor and key signalling molecule in steroidogenesis regulation and the latter is metabolized in the prostaglandin pathway by the same enzymes – suggests the latter may also have a role in steroidogenesis regulation, previously unseen in ovarian physiology. DESI-MS imaging with morphologically-driven statistical analysis proved efficient in relating and interpreting the chemical and morphological features. This methodology can by further applied to unravel complex ovarian-related physiological mechanisms and to other physiological and physiopathological models.
Mechanisms of charge-state determination in hydrogen-based impurity complexes in crystalline germanium

Recent experiments suggest that hydrogen may become bound to, and then tunnel around, substitutional carbon, silicon, or oxygen impurities in crystalline germanium. All these complexes are electrically active; (H,C) and (H,Si) are shallow acceptors, while (H,O) is a shallow donor. This paper attempts to elucidate the basic physical mechanisms controlling the charge state of such complexes as a function of the choice of the substitutional atom. A minimal-basis Bethe-cluster approach is used with the cluster comprising the ten-atom tetrahedral cage (including the substitutional atom) and enclosed H site, the latter coupled to all ten atoms of the cage. The important local correlation effect which tends to favor single occupation of the H site is modeled with a Hubbard-type term at that site. The charge state of the (H,C), (H,Si), and (H,O) complexes is associated with double occupation of the H site. Four aspects of the model are involved in favoring double occupation: (1) a low value of the H-site energy, (2) a reduced local correlation effect at the H site, (3) small hybridization between the H site and cage, and (4) a low value of the substitutional-site energy relative to that of the host. Results for the charge state formore » H at the cage center and for H near the substitutional atom are discussed in detail. Several useful formal results for local self-energies and local Green's functions are presented.« less
Daily work experiences and police performance

This study examined police officers’ perceptions of daily operational and organizational work experiences and their relationship with performance in two large urban police departments in the Midwest and the Middle Atlantic regions (USA). The findings were mixed: (1) organizational work experiences showed a higher mean score than operational work experiences; (2) there was no significant difference between cities on organizational and operational work experiences; and (3) multiple regression models for both organizational and operational work experiences predicted performance. Future research should examine work experiences in smaller and mid-size police agencies, suburban and rural agencies and widen the participant pool to include superior officers and civilian personnel.
Stress effects in the hippocampus: Synaptic plasticity and memory

It is now well-documented that exposures to uncontrollable (inescapable and unpredictable) stress in adulthood can have profound effects on brain and behavior. Converging lines of evidence from human and animal studies indicate that stress interferes with subsequent performances on a variety of hippocampal-dependent memory tasks. Animal studies further revealed that stress impedes ensuing induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Because the hippocampus is important for key aspects of memory formation and because LTP has qualities congruent to an information storage mechanism, it is hypothesized that stress-induced modifications in hippocampal plasticity contribute to memory impairments associated with stress. Recent studies provide evidence that the amygdala, a structure important in stress- and emotion-related behaviors, plays a necessary role in the emergence of stress-associated changes in hippocampal LTP and memory. Early life stress also alters hippocampal plasticity and memory in a manner largely consistent with effects of adult stress exposure. This review focuses on endocrine-system-level mechanisms of stress effects in the hippocampus, and how stress, by altering the property of hippocampal plasticity, can subsequently influence hippocampal memory.
Complete Solubilization of Ribosomal Proteins During the Fractionation of Mouse Liver Ribosomal Proteins by Two-Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract When analyzing ribosomal proteins by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, insoluble stained material is usually seen remaining in the cylinder gel after electrophoresis in the second-dimension is complete. In addition, diners or high molecular weight aggregates are commonly seen on the second dimension slab gel, and they are not identified as ribosomal proteins. These artifacts are attributed to insolubility of the ribosomal proteins that occurs both prior to and during electrophoresis of these proteins. The procedure described here eliminates the solubility artifacts that occur during the preparation of liver ribosomal proteins for electrophoresis. Modifications are also made in the electrophoretic procedure to prevent dimer formation during electrophoresis. A four-celled slab gel apparatus, capable of analyzing 100–120 μg Tibosomal protein samples in 5 hours is also described. The 1.5 mm thick slab gels can be dried in 1 hour for autoradiography or storage.
Optimal Management of Digital Content on Tiered Infrastructure Platforms

Media firms are increasingly using tiered infrastructure to cost-effectively manage heterogeneous resources by strategically allocating digital content across multiple tiers to avoid overcapacitating high-performance, expensive infrastructure tiers. Complex migrations in tiered environments are currently possible in a seamless, nondisruptive manner. We model digital content as a network capturing the inter-item impacts and use this network structure to develop optimal migration policies that partition media content into tiers. Addressing the context of large content providers such as video-on-demand providers that employ infrastructure platforms for content storage and delivery, we develop a bilevel programming model to maximize the profits of a price-setting platform and a tiered allocation-setting content provider. We model two fundamental effects with digital content: a revenue effect emanating from the tiered architecture and a traffic generating effect among media objects. Using a detailed longitudinal simulation study, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed provisioning policy and pricing strategy and illustrate the existence and impact of these effects in media markets. Finally, we show that repeated execution of the model can help providers respond effectively to a changing environment and thus better manage the risk from demand fluctuations.
Emerging pharmacotherapy for obesity

Introduction: Obesity is a rapidly increasing global health problem. The rates of obesity have tripled over the past three decades and are predicted to rise even further. The need for safe and effective therapies is great and has gone unmet. Areas covered: This review will summarize the emerging pharmacological treatments for obesity. The research discussed includes Phase III and early-phase clinical trials as well as recently published data regarding emerging treatment therapies. Expert opinion: The new generation of anti-obesity drugs offers hope in the management of obesity, but no single agent is likely to be a panacea. Treatment of obesity will likely use multiple medications to achieve the desired result. Additionally, in light of the challenges faced by drug companies in order to gain FDA approval for an obesity therapy, the future approach may be to seek approval for obesity-related co-morbidities. This approach would enhance the ability of physicians to practice ‘weight-centric’ disease management.
Bending fatigue of carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy composite strands

The bending fatigue behavior of unidirectional, continuous-carbon-fiber/epoxy composite strands has been characterized. The composite strands had a fiber volume fraction of 0.43 and a circular cross-sectional diameter of 0.50 mm. The composite strand was subjected to fully reversed bending fatigue at 3 Hz. A radius of curvature was imposed upon the strand to produce a maximum strain at the outer surface of 2.25%. It was determined that the composite did undergo fatigue, the fatigue damage being manifested as a loss of bending resistance. At high strains, damage occurred through fiber breakage, matrix cracking, and interfacial shear failure. As the number of bending cycles increased, there was crack growth in the matrix along fiber interfaces. At the imposed radius of curvature and up to 106 cycles, the loss in bending moment followed an exponential decay.
Expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α and 2α in Genetically Distinct Early Renal Cortical Tumors

Purpose: The role of the HIF class of transcription factors has been implicated to be a critical step in clear cell kidney tumorigenesis. To assess if HIF over expression is a prominent feature of other renal cell carcinoma histological subtypes we characterized the expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in genetically distinct early renal cortical tumors.Materials and Methods: Nascent renal tumors of distinct histology from patients with a hereditary renal tumor syndrome were characterized for HIF expression using high amplification immunohistochemistry. In addition, indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy were used for subcellular localization of HIF-1α and 2α in clear cell renal carcinoma cells.Results: Clear cell RCC tumors from patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease strongly expressed HIF-1α and HIF-2α (10 of 12 and 12 of 12 tumors, respectively). Chromophobe tumors from patients with Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome expressed predominantly HIF-2α with weaker HIF-1α expression (12 of 12 and 6 of 12 tumo...
A reproducible model of cardiogenic shock in the dog.

An animal model of cardiogenic shock has been developed in the intact unanesthetized dog. Selective embolization of the circumflex coronary artery with 0.2 ml of mercury produces infarction of the posterolateral wall of the left ventricle and a shocklike state in the dog which results in death of the animal in 5 to 48 hr. The syndrome of cardiogenic shock in the animal model simulates closely that observed in man. Systemic blood pressure falls sharply (25 to 30% of control) immediately after embolization, remains low for several hours, then slowly increases toward normal, but never reaches preinfarct levels. The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) remains within normal limits (5 to 10 mm Hg) during the initial hypotensive state, but increases to values above 10 mm Hg during the period of rising systemic pressures. As left ventricular failure begins to develop as evidenced by the rise in LVEDP, the mean pulmonary artery pressure also rises above control values. The cardiac output falls to 40% o...
Interferon response and respiratory virus control are preserved in bronchial epithelial cells in asthma

Background Some investigators find a deficiency in IFN production from airway epithelial cells infected with human rhinovirus in asthma, but whether this abnormality occurs with other respiratory viruses is uncertain. Objective To assess the effect of influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on IFN production and viral level in human bronchial epithelial cells (hBECs) from subjects with and without asthma. Methods Primary-culture hBECs from subjects with mild to severe asthma (n = 11) and controls without asthma (hBECs; n = 7) were infected with live or ultraviolet-inactivated IAV (WS/33 strain), RSV (Long strain), or RSV (A/2001/2-20 strain) with multiplicity of infection 0.01 to 1. Levels of virus along with IFN-β and IFN-λ and IFN-stimulated gene expression (tracked by 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 and myxovirus (influenza virus) resistance 1 mRNA) were determined up to 72 hours postinoculation. Results After IAV infection, viral levels were increased 2-fold in hBECs from asthmatic subjects compared with nonasthmatic control subjects ( P IFNB1 , 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase 1, or myxovirus (influenza virus) resistance 1mRNA levels. After RSV infections, viral levels were not significantly increased in hBECs from asthmatic versus nonasthmatic subjects and the only significant difference between groups was a decrease in IFN-λ levels ( P Conclusions The results indicate that IAV and RSV control and IFN response to these viruses in airway epithelial cells is remarkably similar between subjects with and without asthma.
Optimal H ∞ and H 2 control of hybrid multirate systems

The problem of using a synchronous multirate digital controller for a continuous-time plant is considered. The performance objectives considered are the H∞ and the H2 norms of the periodically time-varying continuous-time input-output behavior of the closed loop system. A continuous-time lifting technique is used to solve these hybrid sampled-data problems. This approach yields equivalent purely discrete-time problems while preserving the multirate causality of the systems. The later problems can then be solved using known techniques.
Return to Europa: Overview of the Jupiter Europa orbiter mission

Abstract Missions to explore Europa have been imagined ever since the Voyager mission first suggested that Europa was geologically very young. Subsequently, the Galileo spacecraft supplied fascinating new insights into this satellite of Jupiter. Now, an international team is proposing a return to the Jupiter system and Europa with the Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM). Currently, NASA and ESA are designing two orbiters that would explore the Jovian system and then each would settle into orbit around one of Jupiter’s icy satellites, Europa and Ganymede. In addition, the Japanese Aerospace eXploration Agency (JAXA) is considering a Jupiter magnetospheric orbiter and the Russian Space Agency is investigating a Europa lander. The Jupiter Europa Orbiter (JEO) would be the NASA-led portion of the EJSM; JEO would address a very important subset of the complete EJSM science objectives and is designed to function alone or in conjunction with ESA’s Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter (JGO). The JEO mission concept uses a single orbiter flight system that would travel to Jupiter by means of a multiple-gravity-assist trajectory and then perform a multi-year study of Europa and the Jupiter system, including 30 months of Jupiter system science and a comprehensive Europa orbit phase of 9 months. The JEO mission would investigate various options for future surface landings. The JEO mission science objectives, as defined by the international EJSM Science Definition Team, include: A. Europa’s ocean: Characterize the extent of the ocean and its relation to the deeper interior. B. Europa’s ice shell: Characterize the ice shell and any subsurface water, including their heterogeneity, and the nature of surface–ice–ocean exchange. C. Europa’s chemistry: Determine global surface compositions and chemistry, especially as related to habitability. D. Europa’s geology: Understand the formation of surface features, including sites of recent or current activity, and identify and characterize candidate sites for future in situ exploration. E. Jupiter system: Understand Europa in the context of the Jupiter system. The JEO orbital mission would provide critical measurements to support the scientific and technical selection of future landed options. The primary challenge of a Europa mission is to perform in Jupiter’s radiation environment, radiation damage being the life-limiting parameter for the flight system. Instilling a system-level radiation-hardened-by-design approach very early in the mission concept would mitigate the pervasive mission and system-level impacts (including trajectory, configuration, fault protection, operational scenarios, and circuit design) that can otherwise result in runaway growth of cost and mass. This paper addresses the JEO mission concept developed by a joint team from JPL and the Applied Physics Laboratory to address the science objectives defined by an international science definition team formed in 2008, while designing for the Jupiter environment.
Cell-cell coupling between CO2-excited neurons in the dorsal medulla oblongata.

Anatomically coupled neurons (17 of 137) and non-coupled neurons (120 of 137), in and near the nucleus tractus solitarius and dorsal motor nucleus (i.e. solitary complex), were studied by rapid perforated patch recording in slices (rat, 150-350 microm thick, postnatal day 0-21) before, during and after exposure to hypercapnic acidosis. Anatomical coupling refers to the intercellular transfer of Lucifer Yellow and Biocytin into adjoining neurons, presumably via gap junctions [see Dean et al. (1997) Neuroscience 80, 21-40]. Eighty-six per cent of the anatomically coupled neurons (12 of 14) were depolarized by hypercapnic acidosis, a response referred to as CO2 excitation or CO2 chemosensitivity. In all, 28% (12 of 43) of the CO2-excited neurons were anatomically coupled to at least one other neuron. None (0 of 39) of the CO2-inhibited neurons were anatomically coupled, and only 4% (two of 46) of the CO2-insensitive neurons were anatomically coupled. Increasing the fractional concentration of CO2 from five to 10 and 15% in constant bicarbonate (26 mM) decreased intracellular pH (control 7.3 7.4, 22-25 degrees C) by approximately 1.0 and 1.5 pH units, respectively, as measured using the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, 2',7'-bis (2-carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein. Nine of the anatomically coupled neurons (six CO2-excited, one CO2-insensitive and two unidentified) exhibited spontaneous electrotonic postsynaptic potential-like activity, suggesting that they were also electrotonically coupled. During hypercapnic acidosis, the amplitudes of electrotonic postsynaptic potentials were unchanged, concomitant with small changes in input resistance. The frequency of electrotonic postsynaptic potentials increased during hypercapnic acidosis in many anatomically coupled neurons (eight of nine), indicating that both neurons of the coupled pair were stimulated. Cell-cell coupling occurred preferentially in and between CO2-excited neurons of the solitary complex. Further, CO2-excited neurons were not electrotonically uncoupled during intracellular acidosis, in contrast to the effect that decreased intracellular pH has on many other types of coupled cells. It was not determined whether anatomical coupling was affected by hypercapnic acidosis since dye mixture was always administered under normocapnic conditions. The high correlation between anatomical coupling, electrotonic coupling activity and CO2-induced depolarization suggests that cell-cell coupling is an important electroanatomical feature in CO2-excited neurons of the solitary complex. CO2-excited neurons have been hypothesized to function in central chemoreception for the cardiorespiratory control systems, suggesting that cell cell coupling may contribute in part to central chemoreception of CO2 and H+.
Terahertz metamaterials for active, tunable, and dynamic devices

Tunable electromagnetic metamaterials can be designed through the incorporation of semiconducting materials. We present theory, simulation, and experimental results of metamaterials operating at terahertz frequencies. Specific emphasis is placed on the demonstration of external control of planar arrays of metamaterials patterned on semiconducting substrates with terahertz time domain spectroscopy used to characterize device performance. Dynamical control is achieved via photoexcitation of free carriers in the substrate. Active control is achieved by creating a Schottkey diode, which enables modulation of THz Transmission by 50 percent, an order of magnitude improvement over existing devices. Because of the universality of metamaterial response over many decades of frequency, these results have implications for other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and will undoubtedly play a key role in future demonstrations of novel high-performance devices.
On the solution of damped wave conduction and relaxation equation in a semi-infinite medium subject to constant wall flux

Abstract Eight reasons are given to seek a generalized Fourier’s law of heat conduction and relaxation. Bounded solutions are obtained for the damped wave conduction and relaxation equation in one dimension in Cartesian coordinates for a semi-infinite medium subject to the constant wall flux boundary condition for the dimensionless heat flux and dimensionless temperature. Three different methods were employed. In the first approach the method of Laplace transforms was used. The solutions are domain restricted. Three regimes can be identified (a) zero transferring regime; (b) rising regime and (c) falling regime. In the second approach a generalized substitution is used to transform the hyperbolic PDE into a parabolic PDE. The transform selected is one with spatiotemporal symmetry. The resulting parabolic PDE can be solved for using the Boltzmann transformation. In the third approach the damping term was first removed from the governing equation. The resulting equation was transformed into a Bessel differential equation using a spatiotemporal symmetric transformation variable. A approximate solution for the flux was obtained. The inertial regime, rising and falling regimes were identified in the solution. A Chebyshev polynomial approximation was used for the integrand with modified Bessel composite function in space and time. Telescoping power series leads to more useful expression for transient heat flux. The temperature and heat flux solutions at the wave front were also developed. The solution for transient heat flux from the method of relativistic transformation is compared side by side with the solution for transient temperature from the method of Chebyshev economization. Both solutions are within 12% of each other. For conditions close to the wave front the solution from the Chebyshev economization is expected to be close to the exact solution and was found to be within 2% of the solution from the method of relativistic transformation. Far from the wave front, i.e., close to the surface the numerical error from the method of Chebyshev economization is expected to be significant and verified by a specific example. The solutions for dimensionless heat flux and dimensionless temperature is found to be continuous across the wave front without any singularities or jumps.