cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SKEWED TH1/TH2 IMMUNE RESPONSE TO SARCOPTES SCABIEI

Scabies is a contagious skin disease of humans and many other species of mammals. Previous studies suggested that the balance between the Th1 and Th2 immune responses may influence the outcome of a scabies infestation in a sensitized host. Therefore, in this study, we examined the T-helper cell cytokine profiles of splenocytes and lymph node cells in BALB/c mice that were immunized with scabies extract (primary response), infested with scabies mites (primary response), or immunized and then infested (secondary response). Lymphocyte cytokine expression was analyzed by flow cytometry after staining for intracellular cytokines. Immunization with scabies extract induced production of interferon-γ (IFNγ) (Th1 response) by both spleen and lymph node cells. Mice that were infested with scabies increased production of interleukin-4 by lymph node cells and of IFNγ by splenocytes. Mice that were first immunized and then infested with mites increased production of IFNγ by both spleen and lymph node cells. However, t...
3H-normetanephrine uptake in rat brain slices. Relationship to extraneuronal accumulation of norepinephrine.

Abstract 3H-Normetanephrine accumulation in slices of rat brain was characterized and contrasted with 3H-norepinephrine accumulation. Initial rates of normetanephrine uptake were very rapid; accuumulated amine was not bound to particulate fractions and was easily washed out of the tissues. Unlike norepinephrine uptake, normetanephrine accumulation was unaffected by reserpine, was not stereospecific and was less affected by omission of glucose or sodium than was norepinephrine uptake. The cerebral cortex was the region of greatest normetanephrine accumulation whereas the corpus striatum accumulated norepinephrine to highest tissue: medium ratios. Several features of normetanephrine uptake in brain resembled both Uptake2 of norepinephrine in heart and the extraneuronal uptake of norepinephrine in cocainized hearts. In rat brains in which the catecholamine nerve terminals were destroyed by intraventricularly administered 6-hydroxydopamine, endogenous norepinephrine was markedly reduced; 3H-norepinephrine accumulation by slices was decreased, and displayed characteristics more like normetanephrine uptake than like norepinephrine uptake in control animals.
EEG Correlations With Biochemical Abnormalities in Reye Syndrome

• A patient with Reye syndrome was studied throughout the course of the illness with continuous EEG monitoring, and these patterns were correlated with serial determinations of serum ammonia and short-chain fatty acid concentrations. There was high correlation between degree of EEG abnormality, clinical symptoms, and elevations of the short-chain fatty acids, while serum ammonia concentrations correlated poorly with the EEG and with the clinical state.
Field-heated, field-cooled, and zero-field-heated static permittivity of the deuteron glass Rb1-x(ND4)xD2AsO4.

Dielectric permittivity and remanent polarization measurements have been performed in deuterated rubidium ammonium dihydrogen arsenate with x=0.28. Upon cooling the crystal, there is only the ``transition'' to the deuteron glass state. Static permittivity measurements were carried out along the a tetragonal axis at two different heating and cooling rates. Applying an external dc electric field along the a axis creates a bias which forces the acid deuteron in the O-D...O bond to lie at one end as opposed to the other as the temperature is lowered. This gives rise to a static permittivity (\ensuremath{\approxeq}polarization and/or field) which freezes in below the glass ``transition'' temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{g}}$. On switching the external electric field off, a remanent polarization is observed which vanishes above ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{g}}$ as the ``frozen'' deuterons acquire more and more energy to overcome the random potential barriers. A theoretical fit with one adjustable parameter is seen to be in good agreement with the experimental results.
Testing regression function adequacy with correlation and without replication

The well known pure error-lack of fit test which can be used to assess the adequacy of a proposed linear regression model requires replication and assumes that the error structure is . This procedure is generalized to provide a test for lack of fit for the 2 case of nonreplication and error structure for certain known positive definite correlation matrices V. Included in the class of applicable correlation matrices are the cases of intraclass correlation and equicorrelation. The critical points of the F distribution can be used to provide a test of the exact desired size.
Application of a one-step procedure for measuring inorganic phosphate in the presence of proteins: the actomyosin ATPase system.

Abstract A one-step procedure using a mixed reagent of molybdovanadate and sodium dodecyl sulfate for measuring inorganic phosphate in the presence of proteins is described. This method is faster, simpler, and more accurate than the previous colorimetric methods. It is particularly valuable when assaying ATPase activity of enzymes soluble at low ionic strength, e.g., the ATPase activity of myosin subfragment one in the presence and absence of actin. The application of this method for assaying the actin-activation behavior of the Mg2+-ATPase of myosin, in which thiols have been modified by N-(iodoacetylaminoethyl)-5-naphthylamine-1-sulfonic acid, is discussed.
Studies on the structure of tyrosine aminotransferase.

Abstract Structural studies were performed on hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase isolated from rats injected with triamcinolone. The enzyme, treated with guanidine · HCl, was partially dissociated into a species of mol. wt. 32 000. The number of peptides separated after tryptic digestion or reaction with cyanogen bromide suggests that the enzyme is composed of four similar or identical subunits. No free N-terminal amino acid could be detected after dinitrophenylation of the denatured enzyme.
Riblet drag reduction at flight conditions

Paper describes perforated and nonperforated riblet tests on the fuselage of a modified Learjet Model 28/29 twin-engine business jet at Reynolds numbers 1.0-2.75 x 10 to the 6th/ft and Mach numbers 0.3-0.7. Drag reductions of the order of 6 percent at nondimensional wall spacings of 12 were obtained using boundary-layer rakes and direct drag balances. At the measurement locations the Reynolds number based on distance was 1.0-46 x 10 to the 6th. The nondimensional wall spacing for maximum drag reduction was well-predicted by low-speed wind-tunnel data, but the maximum drag reduction was lower. The low drag is tentatively ascribed to various instrumentation difficulties and the flow field on the aircraft. Riblets with 0.010-in. perforations at center spacings of 0.25 in. were found to give the same drag reduction as nonperforated riblets.
New Algorithm for Ordered Tree-to-Tree Correction Problem

The ordered tree-to-tree correction problem is to compute the minimum edit cost of transforming one ordered tree to another one. This paper presents a new algorithm for this problem. Given two ordered trees S and T, our algorithm runs in O(|S||T|+min{L2S|T|+L2.5SLT,L2T|S|+L2.5TLS) time, where LS denotes the number of leaves of S and DS denotes the depth of S. The previous best algorithms for this problem run in O(|S||T|min{LS,DS}min{LT,DT}) time (K. Zhang and D. Shasha, SIAM J. Comput.18, No. 6 (1989), 1245?1262) and in O(min{|S|2|T|log2|T|,|T|2|S|log2|S|}) time (P. N. Klein, in “Algorithms?ESA'98, 6th Annual European Symposium” (G. Bilardi, G. F. Italiano, A. Pietracaprina, and G. Pucci, Eds.), Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 1461, pp. 91?102, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/New York, 1998). As a comparison, our algorithm is asymptotically faster for certain kind of trees.
Neural networks in APL

Neural networks are fairly straightforward to program in a matrix oriented language such as APL. The only general improvement that would benefit them would be the implementation of sparse matrics. Small networks can be trained quite easily using the standard procedures (back propagation, etc).
Combined immune deficiencies in children.

Abstract Combined immune deficiencies are a heterogeneous group of congenital disorders usually attributable to a single gene defect. The hallmark of these disorders is recurrent infections resulting from defects in both T- and B-cell function. This article reviews the basic components of the immune system as well as the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and treatment for 3 distinct combined immune deficiencies.
On nodal blocking of a retransmitted packet in a computer communication network

To derive estimates for such important measures on network performance as the average queue lengths, throughput rates and buffer utilization of a large (national) computer communication network, it is always assumed that the number of a packet is geometrically distributed with PR, the steady-state nodal blocking probability. This implies that the probability remains constant for the first and subsequent transmission attempts and that these attempts are independent. In this paper, the past fate of a retransmitted packet is taken into account to examine nodal blocking. The result is a closed-form expression in terms of its steady-state estimate, the size of the Store-and-Forward buffers, the number of transmission lines connected to a node, the traffic intensity of the network, and a function comparing orders of message packets and the acknowledgement (ACK) arrivals, whose derivation requires some equalities from order statistics and the incomplete beta function.
Critical Roles of Lysosomal Acid Lipase in T Cell Development and Function

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) cleaves cholesteryl esters and triglycerides to generate free fatty acids and cholesterol in lysosomes. In LAL gene-knockout (lal−/−) mice, blockage of cholesteryl ester and triglyceride metabolism led to abnormal organization of the thymus and spleen, as well as neutral lipid accumulation in these organs. LAL deficiency impaired T cell development in the thymus. Peripheral T cells were reduced dramatically in lal−/− mice, due largely to increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation of lal−/− T cells in the thymus and peripheral compartments. These lal−/− T cells lost the ability to respond to T cell receptor stimulation, including reduced expression of cell surface receptor CD69, abolishment of T cell proliferation, and decreased expression of T lymphokines after stimulation by either anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and ionomycin. Differentiation of Th1 and Th2 CD4+ effector lymphocytes by T cell receptor stimulation was blocked in lal−/− mice. The ratio of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs to CD4+ T cells was increased in lal−/− spleens. Bone marrow chimeras demonstrated retardation of T cell development and maturation in lal−/− mice due to defects in T cell precursors. Therefore, LAL, its downstream genes, and lipid mediators all play essential roles in development, homeostasis, and function of T cells. The altered development and function of lal−/− T cells contributes to disease formation in various organs during LAL deficiency.
Association of C-reactive protein elevation with trait aggression and hostility in personality disordered subjects: a pilot study.

Abstract Objective The presence of personality traits of aggression and hostility, in generally healthy human subjects, has been shown to be associated with elevations of C-reactive protein (pCRP), which, in turn, has also been shown to be associated with an increased risk of cardiac disease. In this pilot study, the author tests the hypothesis that pCRP elevations are associated with the traits of aggression and hostility in personality disordered subjects, a group at high risk for the presence of aggression and hostility. Method Participants were 99 medically healthy subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for personality disorder for which both pCRP levels and Buss–Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) Aggression and Hostility data were available. Results Subjects with pCRP levels ⩾1.0 mg/L or higher were found to have significantly higher BDHI Aggression and BDHI Hostility scores than subjects with pCRP levels Conclusions The association of elevations in pCRP level in medically healthy personality disordered subjects with higher scores of trait aggression and hostility suggests the presence of chronic inflammation in highly aggressive/hostile personality disordered subjects similar to that observed in otherwise healthy individuals at risk for coronary artery disease. Further studies are warranted to determine the clinical correlates of this finding.
Brandjacking Big Pharma on the Web

The pharmaceutical industry is under worldwide attack from brandjackers using the Internet to illegally use protected trademarks and other intellectual property to market counterfeit drugs. This problem is discussed, illustrating the potential damage of not protecting valuable corporate brand names and reputations. Methods of preventing and monitoring the problem of brandjacking are offered.
Orbital tuning, eccentricity, and the frequency modulation of climatic precession

The accuracy of geologic chronologies can, in principle, be improved through orbital tuning, the systematic adjustment of a chronology to bring the associated record into greater alignment with an orbitally derived signal. It would be useful to have a general test for the success of orbital tuning, and one proposal has been that eccentricity ought to covary with the amplitude envelope associated with precession variability recorded in tuned geologic records. A common procedure is to filter a tuned geologic record so as to pass precession period variability and compare the amplitude modulation of the resulting signal against eccentricity. There is a reasonable expectation for such a relationship to be found in paleoclimate records because the amplitude of precession forcing depends upon eccentricity. However, there also exists a relationship between eccentricity and the frequency of precession such that orbital tuning generates eccentricity-like amplitude modulation in filtered signals, regardless of the accuracy of the chronology or the actual presence of precession. This relationship results from the celestial mechanics governing eccentricity and precession and from the interaction between frequency modulation and amplitude modulation caused by filtering. When the eccentricity of Earth's orbit is small, the frequency of climatic precession undergoes large variations and less precession energy is passed through a narrow-band filter. Furthermore, eccentricity-like amplitude modulation is routinely obtained from pure noise records that are orbitally tuned to precession and then filtered. We conclude that the presence of eccentricity-like amplitude modulation in precession-filtered records does not support the accuracy of orbitally tuned time scales.
The association of pain severity and pain interference levels with abuse experiences and mental health symptoms among 300 mothers: baseline data analysis for a 7-year prospective study.

Women who experience interpersonal violence are at increased risk for anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and chronic pain and other physical disorders. Although the effects of mental health disorders on women's functioning and well-being are well established, less is known about the effects of pain. We examined participants’ (n = 300 mothers) experiences of pain severity and pain interference. Higher levels of pain severity and pain interference were significantly associated with anxiety, PTSD, and depression symptoms. Mental health symptoms compounded by pain, may leave abused women less able to access resources or practice safety behaviors to protect themselves and their children.
Toward a Product-Proliferation Theory of Entry Barriers

We draw on industrial-organization economics theory, density-dependent and resource-partitioning theories, and brand-leveraging theories to propose a product-level theory of market entry. The result is a more fully informed account of the relationship between the firm and its ability to shape its market environment. Our core thesis is that the relationship between product proliferation and new product entry is an inverted U, which itself is moderated by the extent of brand name sharing among incumbent products.
Hemodynamics in the pink abalone, Haliotis corrugata (mollusca, gastropoda). II. Acute blood‐flow measurements and their relationship to blood pressure

In the pink abalone, Haliotis corrugata, pulsatile flow and pulsatile pressure were measured at 15°C by electromagnetic and Doppler ultrasonic flowmeters and strain gauge manometers. Flow was pulsatile in all areas of the arterial system investigated, i.e., the aorta, the cephalic arterial sinus and pedal arteries. Flow rates of approximately 2.9 ml/min were measured in the aorta of animals after surgical implantation of electromagnetic flowprobes. The events of the cardiac cycle are correlated with aortic blood flow. Simultaneous recording of pressure and flow suggested that the action of the aortic bulb maintained aortic flow during ventricular diastole.
Production and fragmentation of the D *0 meson in e + e - annihilations at √s=29 GeV

Abstract Neutral D∗ meson production in e+e− annihilation at √s=29 GeV has been studied using the high resolution spectrometer. The decay of D∗0 into D0γ, where the D0 decays into K−π+, has been observed. The production cross section in units of the point cross section is 0.63±0.22 for fractional energy Z⩾0.5. The fragmentation function is compared with that of the D∗+ meson measured in the same experiment.
Characterizing a user's mental involvement in interaction with complex systems

Complexity is only one of the many factors that influence the design of human interaction with complex systems, but it is extremely important. Depending on where and how it is instantiated and whether it is real or apparent, the user may perceive and deal with it differently. Successful user-system interaction becomes contingent on the user's capabilities and degree or extent of mental involvement. This paper presents a descriptive, five-variable model of that involvement. The model is then used to characterize three major types of interaction style: direct manipulation (DMI); virtual reality, the antithesis of DMI; and indirect, visualization-based interaction. Their respective strengths and weaknesses with regard to demands imposed on the user are hypothesized and discussed. The underlying theme is that adaptive HCI will require a designer's clear understanding of both the user-oriented and the system-oriented variables and distinctions.
C. elegans and volatile anesthetics

The mechanism of action of volatile anesthetics remains an enigma, despite their worldwide use. The nematode C. elegans has served as an excellent model to unravel this mystery. Genes and gene sets that control the behavior of the animal in volatile anesthetics have been identified, using multiple endpoints to mimic the phenomenon of anesthesia in man. Some of these studies have clear translational implications in more complicated organisms.
Spiral magnetic resonance coronary angiography--direct comparison of 1.5 Tesla vs. 3 Tesla.

Background. MR coronary angiography (MRCA) has been demonstrated successfully at 3 Tesla (T). However, the advantages remain unclear. No systematic comparison of MRCA between 1.5 T and 3 T has been performed. Therefore, anatomic coverage, image quality, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ration (CNR), and susceptibility artifacts were compared in 23 subjects. Methods and Results. Identical real‐time (RT) and high‐resolution (HR) sequences were implemented on the GE 1.5 T (Signa Twinspeed) and 3.0 T (Signa VH/i) whole body systems (GE, Milwaukee, WI). Both scanners were equipped with high‐performance gradient systems capable of 40 mT/m peak amplitude and 150 mT/m/ms slew rate. Real‐time localization of the coronary arteries was followed by a cardiac‐gated, breath‐hold HR sequence. Twenty‐three subjects were recruited consecutively and underwent both 3 T and 1.5 T MRCA within one week. Coronary coverage based on the number of coronary segments visualized, image quality using a grading scale, SNR...
Water Stress, Osmolytes and Proteins1

Abstract Organic osmolytes are small solutes used by cells of numerous water-stressed organisms and tissues to maintain cell volume. All known osmolytes are amino acids and derivatives, polyols and sugars, methylamines, and urea; unlike salt ions, most are “compatible,” i.e., do not perturb macromolecules. In addition, some stabilize macromolecules and are “counteracting” towards perturbants, e.g., methylamines can stabilize proteins and ligand binding against perturbations by urea in elasmobranchs and mammalian kidney, and (our latest findings) high hydrostatic pressure in deep-sea animals. Methylamines appear to coordinate water molecules tightly, resulting in osmolyte exclusion from hydration layers of peptide backbones. This makes unfolded protein conformations entropically unfavorable (work of Timasheff, Galinski, Bolen and coworkers). These properties have led to proposed uses in biotechnology, agriculture and medicine, including improved biochemical methods, in vitro rescue of misfolded proteins in...
Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery for Epilepsy Using Stereotactic MRI Guidance

Medically refractory epilepsy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Surgery is a safe and effective option for some patients, however the opportunity exists to develop less invasive and more effective surgical options. To this end, multiple minimally invasive, image-guided techniques have been applied to the treatment of epilepsy. These techniques can be divided into thermoablative and disconnective techniques. Each has been described in the treatment of epilepsy only in small case series. Larger series and longer follow up periods will determine each option's place in the surgical armamentarium for the treatment of refractory epilepsy but early results are promising.
Triage and emergency evacuation of recreational divers: a case series analysis.

Introduction: It is unknown if the benefits of rapid treatment always outweigh the risks of emer gency evacuation for recreational divers. To investigate current triage practice, we reviewed a three-year consecutive series of evacuations and analyzed the relationship of evacuation completion time (EvCT) to outcome in the decompression illness (DCI) cases. Methods: Checkbox-keyword searches of calls to Divers Alert Network (DAN) between 4/06 and 2/09 identified cases for review. Results: Of 24,275 calls, 107 were evacuations. Median EvCT, (defined as time from injury to arrival at treatment facility) was 20 hours (mean ± SD, 27.3 ± 27.2). Indications were: DCI 56% (60), medical illness 28% (30) or trauma 16% (17). Twenty-five percent of medically indicated evacuations were for pre-existing conditions. One-third of all DCI air evacuations (17 of 51) were for mild cases (pain or tingling only). EvCT and presentation severity were not significant predictors of DCI outcome; however, early data (< 6 hours) was sparse. Conclusion: More data are needed assess the benefits of faster evacuations. However , in real-world scenarios with EvCTs in the 20-hour range, time did not influence outcome. Risk-benefit analysis of emergency transport is advised, especially for mild cases of DCI with a low probability of symptom
Peripheral ankle cooling and core body temperature.

Context: Exposure of the human body to cold is perceived as a stressor and results in a sympathetic response geared at maintaining core temperature. Application of ice to the periphery may lead to a decrease in core temperature, which may counteract the therapeutic effects of cryotherapy. Objective: To determine if core temperature is lowered by the application of an ice bag to the ankle joint complex. Design: A within-subjects, repeated-measures design. Setting: The University of Virginia General Clinical Research Center. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-three healthy adults aged 19 to 39 years. Intervention(s): Subjects were admitted to the hospital on 2 separate occasions. During one admission, subjects had a 20-minute ice treatment applied to their ankles; in the other admission, a bag of marbles was applied. Temperature measurements were recorded at 6 time intervals: baseline (before ice application), immediately after ice application, 10 and 20 minutes after ice application, and 10 and 20 minutes after ice removal. Main Outcome Measure(s): We measured core temperature and ankle and soleus muscle surface temperatures. A mixed-effects model analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to determine if differences existed in core temperature and ankle and soleus surface temperatures between conditions (cryotherapy and control) and over time. Results: Core temperature did not change after ice application or ice removal ( P > 0.05). The average core temperatures during the cryotherapy and control conditions were 36.72°C ± 0.42°C and 36.45°C ± 1.23°C, respectively. Conclusions: A 20-minute cryotherapy treatment applied to the ankle did not alter core temperature.
Multi-Unit Auctions

We survey experimental research on multi-unit auctions with an emphasis on topics that may be of a unifying interest to experimental, as well as theoretical and empiri- cal economists. Topics include static and dynamic multi-unit auctions; combinatorial auctions and efficient auction design; simultaneous and sequential auctions; bidder asymmetry and endogenous entry, and collusion in auctions. We also discuss behav- ioral regularities observed in multi-unit auction experiments.
Hybrid adsorbent nonwoven structures: a review of current technologies

Adsorptive nonwoven substrates are composite media that contain adsorbent materials within their fibrous structure; the methods to incorporate adsorbents in nonwoven webs determine their adsorption capacity. The key objective for hybridization is to immobilize the adsorbent while controlling the packing density and pressure drop of the composite media. Loading percentage of adsorbents, the accessible portion of their surface area, their attachment and stability within the structure, and time/cost/process to incorporate them is different for each hybridization technique. The general limitations associated with hybrid adsorptive nonwovens are summarized as surface area loss, process control, and production time/cost. The primary focus of this review is on hybridization techniques that incorporate activated carbons and/or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in nonwoven structures, used in gas filtration. It was concluded that coating, thermal bonding, lamination, and coform methods have higher throughputs compared to electrospinning. In addition, coform method provides better control over accessible surface area of adsorbents.
Competence to Bind the State to an International Engagement

The purpose of this article is to inquire what is requisite to bind the state to an international engagement. We might ask what is the international effect of constitutional limitations on the power to make treaties, thus coming directly to the most controverted aspect of the problem. But there are also less formal agreements, as well as unilateral acts, all falling within one great category of negotia juris whose common characteristic is that they express the will of a state or states. In the following discussion we shall say simply “act,” meaning thereby an official act whose purpose is to create, alter, or extinguish rights in international law.
State of hydrophobic and hydrophilic ionic liquids in aqueous solutions: are the ions fully dissociated?

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed for aqueous solutions of five ionic liquids (ILs): 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C2mim]) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide ([NTf2]), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C4mim]) [NTf2], 1-n-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C6mim]) [NTf2], [C2mim] ethylsulfate ([C2H5SO4]), and [C2mim] chloride (Cl) to determine whether the ions of these ILs are associated at relatively high dilutions and whether the association is governed by hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the ILs. The adaptive biasing force technique was applied to calculate the potential of mean force (PMF) for each IL ion pair. For all of the ILs, the PMF is characterized by two distinct contact minima in which the ions have different relative conformations. The hydrophobic ILs bearing the anion [NTf2]− exist predominantly in the associative state; the strength of the association of these ILs increases with increase in the alkyl chain length. The most hydrophilic IL [C2mim] Cl was determined to be almost fully dis...
Assessing the effectiveness of surgical skills laboratories: a national survey.

IntroductionSurgical skills laboratories have gained widespread use in surgery residency training. Although the availability of simulators and skills laboratories has expanded, little is known about their use and effect on residency training.MethodsAn online survey consisting of 18 questions was dis
Excited-State Self-Trapping and Ground-State Relaxation Dynamics in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Resolved with Broadband Pump–Dump–Probe Spectroscopy

Broadband femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy is used to explore the mechanisms underlying excited-state and ground-state exciton relaxation in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) solution. We focus on the picosecond spectral shifts in the ground and excited states of P3HT, using pump–probe (PP) and pump–dump–probe (PDP) techniques to investigate exciton relaxation mechanisms. Excited-state PP signals resolved a dynamic stimulated emission Stokes shift and ground-state reorganization; PDP signals resolved a blue-shifting nonequilibrium ground-state bleach. Initial structural reorganization is shown to be faster in the excited state. Ground-state reorganization is shown to be dependent on dump time, with later times resulting in relatively more population undergoing slow (∼20 ps) reorganization. These observations are discussed in the context of structural relaxation involving small-scale ( 1 ps) planarization of thiophene groups following photoexcitation. Excited-state and grou...
The neuropeptide red pigment concentrating hormone affects rhythmic pattern generation at multiple sites

1. The cardiac sac network, which controls the rhythmic contractions of the cardiac sac in the foregut of crustaceans, is distributed throughout the stomatogastric nervous system, including the oesophageal ganglion (OG), the commissural ganglia (CGs), and the stomatogastric ganglion (STG). A red pigment-concentrating hormone (RPCH)-like peptide is likewise widely distributed. 2. The effects that bath application of the neuropeptide RPCH to the different ganglia has on the cardiac sac pattern were studied. 3. RPCH applied to the STG, the OG, or the CGs elicited bursting activity in all the known components of the cardiac sac pattern, including the two motor neurons, cardiac sac dilators 1 and 2 (CD1 and CD2), and the inferior ventricular nerve (ivn) fibers. 4. A cardiac sac pattern was also elicited when RPCH was applied to either the STG, the OG, or the CGs after synapses in that ganglion had been blocked by low Ca2+ saline containing 20 mM Co2+. 5. These data suggest that the ivn fibers are sensitive to RPCH and respond to it by generating bursting activity at or near their terminals in all four ganglia. 6. Application of RPCH to either the STG or the OG also caused an increase in the amplitude of the postsynaptic potential (PSP) from the ivn fibers to both CD1 and CD2. The increase was largest in the ganglion to which the RPCH was applied. 7. Repeated stimulation of the ivn, mimicking the bursts that occur during cardiac sac activity, also caused an increase in PSP amplitude, and so facilitation resulting from activation of ivn bursting could account for a portion of the increased amplitude seen in RPCH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Differentiating petrol based on optical fiber drop sensor

The optical fiber liquid drop sensor is a testing system , which monitors the increasing process of liquid drop to get the FFDT (fiber fingerprint drop trace ) which reflects the physical and chemical performances of liquid sample by analyzing the varieties of the light intensity of liquid drop in the dripping process . Different types of petrol and their mixtures with different mixing ratio are tested using optical fiber liquid drop sensor and the FFDTs are obtained. The conclusion is given that different types of petrol can be differentiated by analyzing the FDTs of them..
Clinical value of HBV Pre-S1 antigen detection in physical examinations

Objective To explore clinical value of HBV Pre-S1 antigen detection. Methods HBV Pre-S1 antigen and HBV markers, including HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc, were detected by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), and HBV-DNA was detected by quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results HBV-DNA could be detected in 69.3% of HBsAg positive specimens and HBV Pre-S1 antigen could be detected in 65.8%, with 97 of those with HBV Pre-S1 positive and HBeAg negative, accounting for 27.8% of those HBV Pre-S1 positive. HBV-DNA could be detected in 97 cases with HBeAg negative, accounting for 25.5% of those with HBV-DNA. HBV Pre-S1 was detected positive in nine of 402 cases with HBsAg positive.Conclusions HBV Pre-S1 antigen highly correlated with HBV-DNA duplication. Detection of HBe system and HBV-DNA can be supplemented and replaced by HBV Pre-S1 antigen detection. It is suggested that HBV Pre-S1 antigen should be included in the screening tests for pre-employment physical check-ups and blood donors.
Impacts of Pollutants on Beavers and Otters with Implications for Ecosystem Ramifications

Anthropogenic pollution has impacted ecosystems and organisms globally. Aquatic freshwater systems are of particular concern because of their importance to human health and livelihoods. Sentinel species can serve as indicators for both individual and population-level health risks to both wildlife and humans, and therefore facilitate the mitigation and prevention of such contamination. When such species are also keystone species and/or ecological engineers in aquatic ecosystems, understanding the influence of pollutants on their physiology and behavior acquires added importance. Given that river otters (Lontra canadensis and Lutra lutra) and beavers (Castor canadensis and C. fiber) serve such roles and are susceptible to a wide-range of anthropogenic pollution, this makes them prime candidates as indicators or sentinels of aquatic ecosystem health. We review published evidence on the toxicological impacts of pollutants in beavers and river otters and discuss the implications of exposure to their behavioral systems, conservation, and surrounding ecosystem.
Bio-economics of melanin biosynthesis using electromagnetic field resistant Streptomyces sp.-EF1 isolated from cave soil

Moving charges due to electric current create electromagnetic waves, which generate electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The low frequency EMFs are unlikely to cause adverse effects on living organisms; however, health-related incidents have prompted researchers to investigate the biochemical characteristics in microorganisms. We hypothesized that a diverse variety of microorganisms, i.e., bacteria, will respond to EMF and bio-stimulate microbial metabolic products of commercial significance. An EMF generator that produces a 10-mT-strength magnetic field was built in-house to investigate the magnetic response of microbial communities from cave soil samples. 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to identify three EMF-responsive isolates: Streptomyces sp., Arthrobacter sp., and Lysinibacillus sphaericus, designated as EF1, EF2, and EF3, respectively. Streptomyces sp.-EF1 showed a dark brown pigment identified as melanin on nutrient agar plates supplemented with 0.4 % L-tyrosine and L-DOPA. We also investigated the bio-economics of melanin biosynthesis, which revealed that waste shredded paper ($33.29 /g melanin) followed by starch ($256.03 /g melanin) were among suitable substrates for melanin biosynthesis under non-EMF condition. The most time-efficient melanin formation was achieved by starch under submerged fermentation (3.52 h/μg/mL) conditions. Shredded, laser-printer paper was noticed to be a cost-efficient process ($33.29 /g melanin) for melanin biosynthesis.
Electronic Densities of States of Amorphous and Trigonal Se and Te

We have used the Empirical Pseudopotential Method to obtain electronic densities of states and charge distributions for the valence electrons in trigonal Se and Te. We have explored the relation between density of states structure and charge density. Specifically, structures in recent photoemission spectra are identified with particular interchain and intrachain bonding states. These results are then used to interpret the changes observed in the experimental photoemission spectra of amorphous Se and Te.
Poisson and Pure Jump-Type Markov Processes

Random measures and point processes; Cox processes, randomization, and thinning; mixed Poisson and binomial processes; independence and symmetry criteria; Markov transition and rate kernels; embedded Markov chains and explosion; compound and pseudo-Poisson processes; ergodic behavior of irreducible chains
Recurrent dislocation: Management strategies

Abstract Success in the treatment of recurrent instability following total hip arthroplasty depends upon the correct identification of the root cause. Causes include component malposition, soft tissue deficiency, impingement, late wear, and mechanical failure. Occasionally, the cause of recurrent instability cannot be determined. Assessment of the unstable hip begins with the history, examination, and interpretation of plain radiographs. Component malposition is bested assesd by CT and soft tissues are best assessed by MR. Dynamic issues can be assessed by examination under fluoroscopy. Whenever possible, treatment should be focused on correcting a very specific issue. Salvage treatments such as dual mobility or constrained components should be reserved for the rare cases where the cause cannot be determined or corrected.
Ability of Liver Homogenates and Proteins to Reduce the Mutagenic Effect of Diesel Exhaust Particulates

An estimate by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that by 1985, 25% of the automobiles produced in the United States may be diesel powered, because diesel engines provide greater fuel economy than do spark-ignition gasoline engines (Santodonato et al., 1978). Automotive diesel engines may emit from 30 to 80 times more particulates than a comparable gasoline engine (Springer and Baines, 1977). Concern has been expressed about the potential health hazards of these particulates, since extracts of diesel particulates contain chemicals that are mutagenic in the Ames Salmonella typhimurium bioassay (Huisingh et al., 1978; Wei et al., 1980), a short-term test for determining the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of chemicals (Ames and McCann, 1976).
Effect of Corneal Nerve Ablation on Immune Tolerance Induced by Corneal Allografts, Oral Immunization, or Anterior Chamber Injection of Antigens.

Purpose Severing corneal nerves during corneal transplantation does not affect first corneal transplants, but abolishes immune privilege of subsequent corneal allografts. This abrogation of immune privilege is attributable to the disabling of T regulatory cells (T regs) induced by corneal transplantation. The goal of this study was to determine if severing corneal nerves induces the development of contrasuppressor (CS) cells, which disable T regs that impair other forms of immune tolerance. Methods Effect of corneal nerve ablation on immune tolerance was assessed in four forms of immune tolerance: anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID); oral tolerance; corneal transplantation, and intravenously (IV) induced immune tolerance. T regulatory cell activity was assessed by adoptive transfer and by local adoptive transfer (LAT) of suppression assays. Results Corneal nerve ablation prevented ACAID and oral tolerance, but did not affect IV-induced immune tolerance. Contrasuppressor cells blocked the action of T regs that were generated by anterior chamber injection, oral tolerance, or orthotopic corneal transplantation. The neuropeptide substance P (SP) was crucial for contrasuppressor activity as CS cells could not be induced in SP-/- mice and the SP receptor inhibitor, Spantide II, prevented the expression of CS cell activity in vivo. Contrasuppressor cells expressed CD11c surface marker that identifies dendritic cells (DC). Conclusions The loss of immune privilege produced by corneal nerve ablation following corneal transplantation extends beyond the eye and also affects immune tolerance induced through mucosal surfaces and appears to be mediated by a novel cell population of CD11c+ CS cells that disables T regs.
Abstract B45: Silencing ß3 integrin by targeted ECO/siRNA nanoparticles inhibits EMT and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer

Metastatic breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subcategory of breast cancer and currently lacks well-defined molecular targets for effective targeted therapies. Disease relapse, metastasis, and drug resistance render standard chemotherapy ineffective in the treatment of TNBC. Because previous studies coupled β3 integrin (ITGB3) to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis, we exploited β3 integrin as a therapeutic target to treat TNBC by delivering β3 integrin siRNA via lipid ECO-based nanoparticles (ECO/siβ3). Treatment of TNBC cells with ECO/siβ3 was sufficient to effectively silence β3 integrin expression, attenuate TGFβ;-mediated EMT and invasion, restore TGFβ-mediated cytostasis, and inhibit three-dimensional organoid growth. Modification of ECO/siβ3 nanoparticles with an RGD peptide via a PEG spacer enhanced siRNA uptake by post-EMT cells. Intravenous injections of RGD-targeted ECO/siβ3 nanoparticles in vivo alleviated primary tumor burden and, more importantly, significantly inhibited metastasis. In the span of 16 weeks of the experiments and observations, including primary tumor resection at week 9 and release from the treatment for 4 weeks, the mice bearing orthotopic, TGFβ-prestimulated MDA-MB-231 tumors that were treated with RGD-targeted ECO/siβ3 nanoparticles were free of metastases and relapse, in comparison with untreated mice. Collectively, these results highlight ECO/siβ3 nanoparticles as a promising therapeutic regimen to combat TNBC. Citation Format: Jenny G. Parvani, Maneesh D. Gujrati, Margaret A. Mack, William P. Schiemann, Zheng-Rong Lu. Silencing s3 integrin by targeted ECO/siRNA nanoparticles inhibits EMT and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Engineering and Physical Sciences in Oncology; 2016 Jun 25-28; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B45.
Pictorial Representations of Self and Others

In our society, the self is experienced visually in pictures as well as in reflective surfaces. Pictorial representations of the self are a medium in which self recognition may be observed and in which stimulus attributes, such as facial expression, size of image projected, amount of person shown (e.g., head versus entire body), and person attributes, such as age and sex, may be systematically varied or controlled. These attributes are very important, since preverbal children’s ability to recognize themselves in pictures can be inferred only through their differential responses to pictures of self and of other. The other that is used for comparison purposes should be as similar to the self as possible, since differential responding may be elicited by person perceptions other than self perception. For example, infants respond quite differently to adults and children in live approach sequences (Brooks & Lewis, 1976; Greenberg, Hillman, & Grice, 1973; Lewis & Brooks, 1974) so that differential responses to pictures of self and adults or even to self and older children may not be indicative of self recognition but instead may be indicative of age differentiation. In Picture Studies I and II, infants’ responses to pictures of themselves and of other same-aged and same-sex peers were compared in order to see whether, and at what ages, infants differentiate self from other and, by inference, recognize themselves.
Increase in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy conversation online unrelated to decision-making.

Abstract Background The increased uptake of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) among breast cancer patients remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that the increased rate of CPM is represented in conversations on an online breast cancer community and may contribute to patients choosing this operation. Methods We downloaded 328,763 posts and their dates of creation from an online breast cancer community from August 1, 2000, to May 22, 2016. We then performed a keyword search to identify posts which mentioned breast cancer surgeries: contralateral prophylactic mastectomy ( n = 7095), mastectomy ( n = 10,889), and lumpectomy ( n = 9694). We graphed the percentage of CPM-related, lumpectomy-related, and mastectomy-related conversations over time. We also graphed the frequency of posts which mentioned multiple operations over time. Finally, we performed a qualitative study to identify factors influencing the observed trends. Results Surgically related posts (e.g., mentioning at least one operation) made up a small percentage ( n = 27,678; 8.4%) of all posts on this community. The percentage of surgically related posts mentioning CPM was found to increase over time, whereas the percentage of surgically related posts mentioning mastectomy decreased over time. Among posts that mentioned more than one operation, mastectomy and lumpectomy were the procedures most commonly mentioned together, followed by mastectomy and CPM. There was no change over time in the frequency of posts that mentioned more than one operation. Our qualitative review found that most posts mentioning a single operation were unrelated to surgical decision-making; rather the operation was mentioned only in the context of the patient's cancer history. Conversely, the most posts mentioning multiple operations centered around the patients' surgical decision-making process. Conclusions CPM-related conversation is increasing on this online breast cancer community, whereas mastectomy-related conversation is decreasing. These results appear to be primarily informed by patients reporting the types of operations they have undergone, and thus appear to correspond to the known increased uptake of CPM.
A Framework for Improvement: Analyzing Performance-Assessment Scores for Evidence-Based Teacher Preparation Program Reforms

Teacher candidate performance assessments represent a promising source of data for evidence-based program improvement. However, teacher preparation programs (TPPs) interested in reform face a cruci...
An Unconscious Drive to Help Others? Using the Implicit Association Test to Measure Prosocial Motivation

ABSTRACT:We introduce an Implicit Association Test whose purpose is to measure implicit—or unconscious—prosocial motivation. In doing so, our aim is to provide researchers with a tool that can serv...