cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chromosome labeling with transposable elements in maize.

Transposable elements randomly insert into a targeted locus at a frequency of 10-6 to 10-5. The En element has been shown in previous studies to transpose more frequently into closely linked sites. Thus, it is appropriate to place an En element onto each of the 20 chromosome arms in maize to maximize tagging efficiency. This is called chromosome labeling for tagging purposes with transposons. After a chromosome arm has been labeled with a transposon, genes residing in that arm will have a greater chance to be tagged by the transposon. To date, all of the maize chromosome arms have been labeled with at least one of five Encontaining alleles. The elements were linked to the arms using reciprocal translocations. The usage of these arm-labeled lines is discussed in the context of gene tagging.
DERIVATIVES OF CORTICAL CORDS IN ADULT FREEMARTIN GONADS OF BOVINE QUINTUPLETS.

The anatomy of reproductive organs including histology and cytology of the gonads of one-year-old bovine quintuplets were investigated. The experimental animals were four freemartins and one fertile bull with normal sexual libido. In all four freemartins the cervix was absent but the vestibule and the uterine horns were present. The highest degree of transformation of an ovary toward the male pattern was characterized by absence of germinal epithelium, secondary tunica albuginea, ovarian cortex, and follicles; and by presence of mesothelium, primary tunica, tunica vasculosa, interstitial cells, primary sex cords, centrally located rete, epididymis and ductus deferens. Least transformation was characterized by partial presence of ovarian cortex with germinal epithelium, secondary tunica and primordial, growing and Graafian follicles with oocytes and nuclei in prophase of heterotypic division and more peripherally located rete. Histological transformation of gonads was parallel to anatomical transformation of reproductive organs. One male embryo was able to masculinize four of the female quintuplets at a lesser degree than that generally reported in the literature for twins and triplets. The histological differences of the right and left gonad of the same freemartin may be due to differences in the stage of embryonic development or, the sensitivity of the gonadal tissues at the time threshold amounts of circulating substances of male origin were available. The presence of oocytes in the luteal structures may indicate that the lutein cells of such structures originate from luteinized unruptured follicles rather than from the interstitial cells.
Edge plasma transport experiments in the Caltech Tokamak

Abstract This paper describes two experiments on edge plasma transport in the Caltech Research Tokamak ( B T = 4 kG , R = 45 cm , a = 15 cm , T( edge ) ≅25 eV , n( edge )~2 × 10 12 cm −3 ). The first aims to understand the mechanism of edge plasma cross-field transport by attempting to measure with Langmuir probes the local E and n and their correlation in order to compute the fluctuation-induced particle flux Λ rad = c · 〈 E pol · n 〉/B T . The second experiment aims at demonstrating control of the plasma-limiter interaction through use of a local divertor coil mounted inside the limiter itself.
Acidity of dealuminated β-zeolites via coupled nh3-stepwise temperature programmed desorption (STPD) and FT-IR spectroscopy

Abstract Ammonia stepwise temperature programmed desorption (STPD) and FT-IR spectroscopy have been used to study the acidity of dealuminated β-zeolites with Si/Al ratios in the range of 14.5 to 132. A carefully optimized temperature profile starting at 150 °C (in order to exclude physisorbed NH 3 ) revealed five peaks at about 180 °C, 250 °C, 350 °C, 440 °C, and 540 °C. Our investigations indicate that the first two peaks correspond to Lewis-type acidity of low strength and that the last three peaks correspond to Bronsted-type acidity of increasing strength. A one-to-one relation between the total number of ammonia molecules desorbed in the above temperature range and that of the Al atoms exists. High strength Lewis sites were not observed probably because the extent of dehydroxylation in the above temperature range was minimal. By increasing the level of dealumination, it was found that the relative population of strong Bronsted sites increases in comparison with the weak ones. The present stepwise temperature programmed desorption experiments coupled with FT-IR provide a very accurate tool for the quantitative measurement of the strength of the zeolite acid sites.
Public Health and Community Medicine Instruction and Physician Practice Location

Background Experts have historically recommended better integration of public health content into medical education. Whether this adoption is associated with physician practice location has not been studied. Purpose To examine the association between medical student perception of their public health and community medicine instruction and practice location in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Methods Descriptive analysis and a regression model assessed the significance and strength of the association between medical student perception of their public health and community medicine instruction and practice location using data from the Medical School Graduation Questionnaire 1997–2004, 2013 American Medical Association Physician Masterfile, and 2013 Health Professional Shortage Areas. Results A higher proportion of medical students with an intent to practice in underserved areas reported inadequate instruction in public health and community medicine than those without such intentions. Students reporting adequate public health and community medicine instruction are slightly more likely to practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area, controlling for their intent to practice in underserved areas. Conclusions Findings suggest an association between perceptions of public health and community medicine instruction and practice location. Improved public health and community medicine instruction may support medical students’ preparation and ability to integrate public health skills into practices in underserved settings. More research is needed to ascertain factors enabling better incorporation of public health and community medicine in medical education.
Fault-fluid compositions from fluid-inclusion observations and solubilities of fracture-sealing minerals

Abstract Host-rock chemical alteration and syntectonic veins in and near fault zones are evidence for episodic fracturing and fluid transport during faulting. Alteration minerals, vein fillings, and fluid inclusions may be used to estimate fault-fluid chemistry, temperature, and pressure. Fluid inclusions in thrust faults, reverse faults hosting mesothermal gold deposits, and exhumed footwall rocks of normal faults show that fluid components include NaCl, CO 2 , CH 4 and CaCl 2 in addition to H 2 O. Fluid composition, temperature, and pressure are spatially and temporally variable on most faults; a typical fault fluid does not exist. NaCl concentrations in fault fluids vary from 0 to 39 wt.%, CaCl 2 concentrations range up to 19 wt.% and CO 2 concentrations range up to 32 mole% in fluid inclusions, but some inclusions are present that are 100 mole% CO 2 . Homogenization temperature measurements and pressure estimates confirm that these fluids were trapped at elevated pressure at depth on the faults. In CO 2 -bearing fault fluids, pressures fluctuated, and a range of CO 2 contents indicate effervescence. Varying solution densities of NaCl–H 2 O fluids have been interpreted to result from entrapment of fluids in inclusions at constant temperature and varying pressures. Diverse fluid compositions are present on some faults with similar homogenization temperatures and estimated pressures suggesting similar depths on the faults. Pressure, temperature and fluid composition determine the solubilities of fracture-filling minerals calcite and quartz and the formation of alteration minerals that are related to the mechanical behavior of the rock. Quartz may precipitate as a result of cooling or pressure reduction, but calcite solubility increases with cooling and decreases with decreased P CO 2 . Higher salinities increase solubilities of calcite and quartz and decrease the pH for equilibrium among feldspars, muscovite and solution. Mineral assemblages provide evidence of depressurization of the fluid as fluid moves from higher- to lower-pressured reservoirs. Precipitation of quartz, calcite, and K-feldspar or albite in fractures may result from fluid depressurization. Fault-zone rocks containing stilbite and laumontite reacted with fluid that contained little CO 2 at comparatively low temperature and pressure; kaolinite, prehnite, muscovite, epidote, and chlorite formed from fluids at higher temperature and pressure. Variations in mineralogy and fluid-inclusion characteristics on individual faults suggest separate fluids that differ in chemical composition, temperature, and pressure.
Dye-enhanced multimodal confocal microscopy for noninvasive detection of skin cancers in mouse models.

Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. Its early diagnosis and timely treatment is of paramount importance for dermatology and surgical oncology. In this study, we evaluate the use of reflectance and fluorescence confocal microscopy for detecting skin cancers in an in-vivo trial with B16F10 melanoma and SCCVII squamous cell carcinoma in mice. For the experiments, the mice are anesthetized, then the tumors are infiltrated with aqueous solution of methylene blue and imaged. Reflectance images are acquired at 658 nm. Fluorescence is excited at 658 nm and registered in the range between 690 and 710 nm. After imaging, the mice are sacri- ficed. The tumors are excised and processed for hematoxylin and eosin histopathology, which is compared to the optical images. The results of the study indicate that in-vivo reflectance images provide valuable information on vascularization of the tumor, whereas the fluorescence images mimic the structural features seen in histopathol- ogy. Simultaneous dye-enhanced reflectance and fluorescence confo- cal microscopy shows promise for the detection, demarcation, and noninvasive monitoring of skin cancer development. © 2010 Society of
Teacher Learning in the Context of a Video Club.

Abstract This paper examines one model of professional development, the use of video clubs in which groups of teachers watch and discuss videotapes of their classrooms. Specifically, the paper investigates the learning that occurred as four middle-school mathematics teachers participated in a year-long series of video club meetings. Over time, discourse in the video clubs shifted from a primary focus on the teacher to increased attention to students’ actions and ideas. In addition, discussions of student thinking moved from simple restatements of students’ ideas to detailed analyses of student thinking. Furthermore, teachers began to reframe their discussions of pedagogical issues in terms of student thinking.
Quantitative characterization of specific genomic promoters using agarose gel electrophoresis

Over the past decade a large number of studies have focused attention on the role of nucleosomes as negative and positive regulators of specific nuclear functions. Due to the lack of an analytical method to determine the higher order conformation of the nucleosomal arrays that encompass specific genetic loci (e.g., promoters, enhancers), research emphasis has mostly been centered on chromatin remodeling and histone posttranslational modifications. We have recently developed an agarose gel electrophoresis method that permits us to analyze the higher order structure of specific in vivo assembled chromatin fragments. After calibration using a well-defined in vitro system, we have been able to experimentally determine the size, shape, and conformational flexibility of the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus long-terminal repeat promoter region in its repressed and activated states. These studies pave the way for widespread analyses of the higher order structure of specific, functionally important chromosomal loci, and in so doing enhance our understanding of the roles that the higher order structure of chromatin play in genome regulations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 68: 557–562, 2003
Advance directives in the primary care setting

Advance directives have been available for more than 20 years, yet only 2% of patients report having had a discussion about them with their physician. Physicians and patients appear to be reluctant to bring up the subject despite evidence that patients not only want help with advance directives, but report more satisfaction with their health care when the topic is addressed. The primary care setting is particularly well-suited to the establishment of advance directives. A clearer understanding of the benefits of advance directives to physicians and their patients can hopefully increase the use of this important health care resource.
Genetic Alterations Associated With Progression From Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia to Invasive Pancreatic Tumor

Background & Aims Increasing grade of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) has been associated with progression to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the mechanisms that control progression from PanINs to PDAC are not well understood. We investigated the genetic alterations involved in this process. Methods Genomic DNA samples from laser-capture microdissected PDACs and adjacent PanIN2 and PanIN3 lesions from 10 patients with pancreatic cancer were analyzed by exome sequencing. Results Similar numbers of somatic mutations were identified in PanINs and tumors, but the mutational load varied greatly among cases. Ten of the 15 isolated PanINs shared more than 50% of somatic mutations with associated tumors. Mutations common to tumors and clonally related PanIN2 and PanIN3 lesions were identified as genes that could promote carcinogenesis. KRAS and TP53 frequently were altered in PanINs and tumors, but few other recurrently modified genes were detected. Mutations in DNA damage response genes were prevalent in all samples. Genes that encode proteins involved in gap junctions, the actin cytoskeleton, the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, axon guidance, and cell-cycle regulation were among the earliest targets of mutagenesis in PanINs that progressed to PDAC. Conclusions Early stage PanIN2 lesions appear to contain many of the somatic gene alterations required for PDAC development.
Design of a System for Automated Measurement and Statistics Calculation of Voltage and Current Harmonics

The design and operation of a portable, personal computer-based system for the measurement and processing of data on 60 Hz. and harmonic current and voltage amplitudes and phases, and for the production of statistics and time trends on those quantities is described. Over the data acquisition interval, which may be several days in length, the system calculates and stores for each selected harmonic frequency of each selected voltage or current channel, statistics chosen from among: Mean, Mean Square Value, Variance, Maximum, Minimum. Trends in composite quantities such as Telephone Influence Factor and Total Harmonic Distortion may also be calculated over the interval. Samples of the graphical presentation of statistical results are included.
A Kinetics Study of Ortho-Para Hydrogen Conversion

Hougen and Watson [1] and Yang and Hougen [2] have developed methods for dealing with the various mechanisms which may be encountered in gaseous reactions catalyzed by solid surfaces in flow reactors. In heterogeneous reactions of this type, the mechanism consists of several consecutive steps (Fig. 1). These are: 1. Diffusion of reactant gases from the main stream through the gaseous surface film to the outer surface of the catalyst particle 2. Diffusion of reactant gases through pores of the catalyst to Its Interior surfaces 3. Adsorption of reactant gases on the catalyst surface 4. The surface reaction 5. Desorptlon of product gases from the catalyst surface 6. Outward diffusion of product through the pores from the interior surface of the catalyst 7. Diffusion of product gases from the surface of the catalyst through the surface film to the main stream of the gas.
Immune Response to Chronic Red Blood Cell Transfusion

Patients receiving chronic transfusion for aplastic anemia or hemoglobinopathy are believed to be at high risk for developing red blood cell alloantibodies, while those undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia are believed to be at low risk. To test this hypothesis, we studied the acquisition of new alloantibodies in 703 transfused patients. While none of 99 patients with lymphocytic leukemia made new antibodies, patients with myelogenous leukemia (16%), hemoglobinopathy (29%), aplastic anemia (11%), gastrointestinal bleeding (11%) or renal failure (14%) made antibodies at statistically similar rates. Lymphocytic leukemia or its treatment is characterized by a lack of immunologic response to transfusion. Patients with hemoglobinopathy or aplastic anemia do not appear at statistically significant greater risk of alloimmunization than many other patients requiring chronic transfusion. Neither intensive chemotherapy for myelogenous leukemia nor the uremia of renal failure significantly suppress the formation of blood group antibodies.
Fast thread migration via cache working set prediction

The most significant source of lost performance when a thread migrates between cores is the loss of cache state. A significant boost in post-migration performance is possible if the cache working set can be moved, proactively, with the thread. This work accelerates thread startup performance after migration by predicting and prefetching the working set of the application into the new cache. It shows that simply moving cache state performs poorly, and that moving the instruction working set can be even more critical than data. This paper demonstrates a technique that captures the access behavior of a thread, summarizes that behavior into a compact form for transfer between cores, and then prefetches appropriate data into the new caches based on the summary. It presents a detailed study of single-thread migration effects, and then demonstrates its utility on a speculative multithreading architecture. Working set prediction as much as doubles the performance of short-lived threads, and in a full speculative multithreading implementation, the technique is also shown to nearly double the effectiveness of the spawned threads.
A Comparative Study of SSR Diversity in Chinese Major Rice Varieties Planted in 1950s and in the Recent Ten Years (1995-2004)

Forty pairs of SSR markers were used to compare the genetic diversity changes in 151 Chinese major rice varieties planted in 1950s and in the recent ten years. Of 40 SSR loci, 39 were found to be polymorphic while one locus (RM479) monomorphic. A total of 213 alleles were identified from the 39 polymorphic loci. The average number of alleles per locus (Na) was of 5.5, ranging from 2 to 11. Nei's gene diversity index (He) varied drastically among loci from 0.309 at RM174 to 0.869 at RM418, with an average value of 0.649. There existed significant difference in SSR allelic diversity between indica and japonica subspecies, and indica had more variation than japonica both in Na and He. By comparison with the genetic changes in Na and He, it was revealed that the varieties planted in 1950s had more alleles and higher He than those in the recent ten years both for indica and japonica rices. The difference between two subspecies for Na was significant in a tendency over time (indica: z = 2.677, P = 0.007; japonica: z = 3.441, P = 0.001), but not significant for He (indica: z = 1.471, P = 0.141; japonica: z = 1.932, P = 0.053). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that there existed significant difference (P < 0.05) in genetic variation between the two periods, of which more genetic variation was contributed by indica (Fst = 0.050) and japonica (Fst = 0.082) subsets. Using locus-by-locus AMOVA procedure, significant genetic differentiations were observed in 13 loci (RM21, RM128, RM147, RM169, RM190, RM221, RM231, RM251, RM253, RM317, RM341, RM418, and RM478) for indica varieties and 11 loci (RM101, RM135, RM152, RM159, RM169, RM190, RM251, RM253, RM311, RM418, and RM478) for japonica ones between the two periods. It was found some alleles had been lost in current major rice varieties as comparing with those in 1950s. Therefore, it should be necessary to exploit more alien elite genetic resources for extension of genetic background in current rice breeding program. Key word: rice (Oryza sativa); major varieties; simple sequence repeats; genetic diversity; analysis of molecular variance In general, crop breeding will lead to the increase of food yield and other products to meet various demands of the people, meanwhile will lead to the decline of crop biological diversity resulting in genetic vulnerability (1-7) to adverse environment. This phenomenon has been revealed by the comparative studies on the genetic diversity changes in DNA level in wheat in Europe (8-9) , oat in Canada (10) , and maize in France (11) . However, some scientists did not agree with this idea, thinking that due to the progress of breeding techniques and the increasing germplasm exchange in modern crop breeding, the genetic background of the current varieties was enlarged, which has been indicated by those studies with the molecular biological methods on the modern varieties
Effectiveness of Green Electroluminescent Lamps for Attracting Stored-Product Insects

Green electroluminescent lamps were compared with a circline ultraviolet (UV) lamp for their effectiveness in attracting stored-product insects to a suction light trap in laboratory rooms and in peanut warehouses. Indian-meal moths, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), and Mediterranean flour moths, Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller), responded in greater numbers to radiation from eight 0.06-watt green lamps than to 1 circline 32-watt UV lamp. Almond moths, Cadra cautella (Walker), and Angoumois grain moths, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), showed no preference for either lamp. Five beetles: the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorn (F.); the merchant grain beetle, Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel); the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae(L.); the red flour beetlc, Tribolium castanleum (Herbst); and the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), responded in greater numbers to the UV lamp radiation.
Room and Cryogenic Temperature Operation of 280 nm Deep Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes

We present a study of the electrical and optical characteristics of 280 nm emission deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LED) at room and cryogenic temperatures. At low bias the defect assisted carrier tunneling primarily determines the current conduction. The room-temperature spectral performance and optical power are limited mostly by pronounced deep level defect assisted radiative and non-radiative recombination as well as poor electron confinement in the active region. At temperatures below 100 K the electroluminescence peak intensity increases by more than one order of magnitude due to suppression of non-radiative recombination channels indicating that with a proper device design and improved material quality, milliwatt power 280 nm LED are viable.
Applications of the Expansion Method

1. An Introduction to the Expansion Method and to its Applications Emilio Casetti and John Paul Jones III 2. The Dual Expansion Method: An Application for Evaluating the Effects of Population Growth on Development Emilio Casetti 3. Paradigmatic Dimensions of the Expansion Method John Paul Jones III 4. A Contextual Expansion of the Welfare Model Janet E. Kodras 5. A Comparison of Drift Analyses and the Expansion Method: The Evaluation of Federal Policies on the Supply of Physicians Stuart A. Foster, Wilpen L. Gorr and Francis C. Wimberly 6. Personal Characteristics in Models of Migration Decisions: An Analysis of Destination Choice in Ecuador Mark Ellis and John Odland 7. Alternative Approaches to the Study of Metropolitan Decentralization Shaul Krakover 8. Long Wave Spatial and Economic Relationships in Urban Development Shaul Krakover and Richard L. Morrill 9. An Investigation of the Dynamics of Development Inequalities via Expanded Rank-Size Functions C. Cindy Fan 10. Identifying Hierarchical Development Trends in the Hungarian Urban System using the Expansion Method Darrick R. Danta 11. An Exploration of the Relationship between Sectoral Labor Shares and Economic Development Kavita Pandit 12. Production Function Estimation and the Spatial Structural of Agriculture Sent Visser 13. Incorporating the Expansion Method into Remote Sensing-Based Water Quality Analyses Marty Miles, Douglas A. Stow and John Paul Jones III 14. Innovation Diffusion Theory and the Expansion Method Michael Sonis 15. Spatial Dependence and Spatial Heterogegity: Model Specification Issues in the Spatial Expansion Paradigm Luc Anselin 16. Generating Varying Parameter Models using Cubic Spline Functions Robert Q. Hanham
Fluorescence enhancement and focal volume reduction observed in c-shaped nano-apertures

We evaluate the potential ability of c-shaped apertures milled in aluminum thin films to reduce the effective measurement volume and to enhance the fluorescence signal for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy of ATTO655 dye dissolved in a HEPES buffer solution. Previous studies have shown that by morphing a square aperture into a rectangular aperture while holding the cross-sectional area constant will yield strong polarization dependence in the reduction of the effective volume and about a factor of 2-3 enhancement in the fluorescence count rate per molecule. By morphing the rectangular aperture into a c-shaped aperture we gain further reduction in focal volume while maintaining the count rate enhancements. In particular, we compare c-shaped apertures to squares with the same cross-sectional area and show that one can achieve one molecule per focal volume at ~3µM (about a 1000 times reduction in effective volume compared to confocal FCS) while maintaining a fluorescence count rate per molecule of about an order of magnitude higher than for bulk diffusing dyes. Two orthogonal polarizations for the incident field have been studied to explore the effects on the focal volume reduction and fluorescence count rate enhancements.
Adaptations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung Environment Can Include Deregulation of zwf, Encoding Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are highly susceptible to chronic pulmonary disease caused by mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains that overproduce the exopolysaccharide alginate. We showed here that a mutation in zwf, encoding glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), leads to a approximately 90% reduction in alginate production in the mucoid, CF isolate, P. aeruginosa FRD1. The main regulator of alginate, sigma-22 encoded by algT (algU), plays a small but demonstrable role in the induction of zwf expression in P. aeruginosa. However, G6PDH activity and zwf expression were higher in FRD1 strains than in PAO1 strains. In PAO1, zwf expression and G6PDH activity are known to be subject to catabolite repression by succinate. In contrast, FRD1 zwf expression and G6PDH activity were shown to be refractory to such catabolite repression. This was apparently not due to a defect in the catabolite repression control (Crc) protein. Such relaxed control of zwf was found to be common among several examined CF isolates but was not seen in other strains of clinical and environmental origin. Two sets of clonal isolates from individual CF patient indicated that the resident P. aeruginosa strain underwent an adaptive change that deregulated zwf expression. We hypothesized that high-level, unregulated G6PDH activity provided a survival advantage to P. aeruginosa within the lung environment. Interestingly, zwf expression in P. aeruginosa was shown to be required for its resistance to human sputum. This study illustrates that adaptation to the CF pulmonary environment by P. aeruginosa can include altered regulation of basic metabolic activities, including carbon catabolism.
An Auditory Localization and Coordinate Transform Chip

The localization and orientation to various novel or interesting events in the environment is a critical sensorimotor ability in all animals, predator or prey. In mammals, the superior colliculus (SC) plays a major role in this behavior, the deeper layers exhibiting topographically mapped responses to visual, auditory, and somatosensory stimuli. Sensory information arriving from different modalities should then be represented in the same coordinate frame. Auditory cues, in particular, are thought to be computed in head-based coordinates which must then be transformed to retinal coordinates. In this paper, an analog VLSI implementation for auditory localization in the azimuthal plane is described which extends the architecture proposed for the barn owl to a primate eye movement system where further transformation is required. This transformation is intended to model the projection in primates from auditory cortical areas to the deeper layers of the primate superior colliculus. This system is interfaced with an analog VLSI-based saccadic eye movement system also being constructed in our laboratory.
Novel approaches to the primary prevention of edema after ischemia.

Progressive edema and tissue swelling after large anterior circulation stroke are the leading cause of death in malignant infarction.1–3 The formation of rapidly accumulating cerebral edema after infarction compromises arterial inflow to surrounding tissue, culminating in further ischemic damage, enlargement of the infarct, herniation, and death. Despite the great morbidity and mortality that are a direct consequence of brain swelling, novel approaches to the prevention of cerebral edema have …
Apocynin improves diaphragmatic function after endotoxin administration.

Free radicals are known to play an important role in modulating the development of respiratory muscle dysfunction during sepsis. Moreover, neutrophil numbers increase in the diaphragm after endotox...
Exploring and exploiting aminoglycoside resistance enzymes (363.1)

Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics use against serious bacterial infections. The main mechanism of resistance against these drugs consist of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, which chem...
Moderators of intervention dose effects on diet quality and physical activity changes in a church-based, multicomponent, lifestyle study: Delta Body and Soul III

Many community-based lifestyle interventions targeting African Americans have reported positive effects on participants' dietary choices and physical activity habits. However, these effects vary and not all participants will have outcome changes. Moderation analysis can help explain differential effects observed, but are not often reported. Hence, the objective of this secondary analysis was to explore potential moderators of intervention dose effects on diet quality and physical activity outcomes in an effective lifestyle intervention. Delta Body and Soul III, conducted from 2011 to 2012, was a 6-month, church-based, multicomponent, educational intervention designed to improve diet quality and increase physical activity in rural Southern African American adults. Generalized linear mixed models were used to determine associations among indicators of intervention dose received by participants, potential moderators and health outcome changes. Results indicated only three baseline characteristics-employment status, food shopping frequency and individual with primary responsibility for meal preparation-moderated the effects of education session attendance on diet quality changes. No evidence for moderation of exercise class attendance effects on physical activity changes was found. Thus, this culturally targeted, multicomponent lifestyle intervention did induce positive health changes in participants with a range of sociodemographic characteristics and food shopping and eating behaviors.
#Free_CeCe: the material convergence of social media activism

AbstractIn 2011 CeCe McDonald, an African-American transgender woman, was charged with murder for killing her attacker during a racist and transphobic assault in Minneapolis. After McDonald’s arrest, local queer communities organized an astounding level of support. This article examines the CeCe Support Committee as a case study for effective grassroots organizing that is fueled by and increasingly reliant upon social media for advancing social justice. An ethnographic approach reveals how the success of the Committee’s social media activism largely depended on traditional activist strategies. Because the group’s activism was based on unpaid labor and supported by numerous physical protests, the use of social media platforms enabled the Support Committee to challenge news media’s racialized framing of McDonald’s gender non-conformity as deceiving and threatening and exposed the state-sanctioned violence enacted against her. Therefore, I contend that the transformative political potential of social media a...
An NO/GSNO-based Neuroregeneration Strategy for Stroke Therapy

Stroke is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to the limited neuroregeneration capacity of the injured brain. Other than thrombolysis in the acute phase of the disease by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which offers only a short window of treatment (~3 hours), an ideal stroke therapy is not available mainly because of limited understanding of the mechanisms of neuroregeneration and functional recovery in the chronic phase. Yet many drug therapies, including S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), have been shown to provide neuroprotection against acute disease in animal models of transient cerebral ischemia reperfusion (IR) and permanent ischemia. GSNO was also effective in stimulating neuroregenerationrelated factors in the chronic phase of the disease. In this short review, we assess the evidence supporting exogenous administration of GSNO after experimental stroke as a means to stimulate neuroregeneration and aid in functional recovery via stabilization of the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway.
Steady-state and dynamic models for particle engulfment during solidification

Steady-state and dynamic models are developed to study the physical mechanisms that determine the pushing or engulfment of a solid particle at a moving solid-liquid interface. The mathematical model formulation rigorously accounts for energy and momentum conservation, while faithfully representing the interfacial phenomena affecting solidification phase change and particle motion. A numerical solution approach is developed using the Galerkin finite element method and elliptic mesh generation in an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian implementation, thus allowing for a rigorous representation of forces and dynamics previously inaccessible by approaches using analytical approximations. We demonstrate that this model accurately computes the solidification interface shape while simultaneously resolving thin fluid layers around the particle that arise from premelting during particle engulfment. We reinterpret the significance of premelting via the definition an unambiguous critical velocity for engulfment from steady-state analysis and bifurcation theory. We also explore the complicated transient behaviors that underlie the steady states of this system and posit the significance of dynamical behavior on engulfment events for many systems. We critically examine the onset of engulfment by comparing our computational predictions to those obtained using the analytical model of Rempel and Worster 29. We assert that, while the accurate calculation of van der Waals repulsive forces remains an open issue, the computational model developed here provides a clear benefit over prior models for computing particle drag forces and other phenomena needed for the faithful simulation of particle engulfment.
Lysosomal enzymes in aortas of species susceptible and resistant to atherosclerosis.

SummaryLysosomal enzyme activity in grossly normal aortas of species susceptible and resistant to atherosclerosis has been studied. β-Glucuronidase, cathepsin, acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase B, and cholesteryl ester hydrolase were the lysosomal-like enzymes measured. Resistant species, the rat, guinea pig and dog, showed higher total lysosomal enzyme activity than did the susceptible species, rabbit and swine. Using malate dehydrogenase as an indicator, no difference in mitochondrial enzyme activity was observed in the various species.
Short-Term Daily Emergence of Adult Midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) from a Natural Lake and an Artificial Reservoir

Daily emergence of adult Chironomidae in a lake and an artificial reservoir in Florida was sampled at 24-h intervals during spring and summer 1980 and summer 1981. Changes in water temperature during the sampling periods were recorded. Linear population trends of a species with time were examined by multiple linear regression. Temporal relationships of emergence periodicity within a species, between species, and between a catch of a species and daily water temperature were examined by autocorrelation and standard correlation analyses. Glyptotendipes paripes Edwards and Chironomus decorus Johannsen in the reservoir, and G. paripes and C. crassicaudatus Malloch in the lake, were quantitatively important and emerged on a daily basis at 18.5 to 30.0°C water temperatures. Trends of adult emergence of all species in relation to Julian day were inconsistent. Some significant autocorrelations and standard correlations existed, but all the correlation coefficient values were less than 0.66. From the daily emergence of the species studied, it can be suggested that their oviposition in central Florida lakes takes place almost on a daily basis at 18.0 to 30.0°C water temperatures, and several asynchronous generations of each species develop resulting in their asynchronous emergence.
Significance of thyroid in cold survival of hamsters.

SummaryAll three groups of hamsters were exposed to a cold temperature of —6° to —8°. Group I served as a control; Group II were thyroidectomized by surgery; and Group III were thyroidectomized by 131I. Exposure to cold causes a significant increase in oxygen consumption and a decrease in body weight of all 3 groups. Animals in Group I and II survived for more than 9 days; however, 68% of the animals in Group III died within 72 hours after exposure to cold. The plasma PBI in Group II was lower than in Group I and higher than in Group III. This suggests that the hamster likely has ectopic thyroid tissue which enhances survival of thyroidectomized animals. A comparison of control and surgically-ThX animals suggest that the known increases in TSR at cold temperatures are not significant in survival to extreme cold.Further investigations should test the value of thyroxine replacement of survival of the radio-thyroidectomized animals and a comparison on propyl thiouracil and thyroxine-supplemented intact anima...
Complement--a review of the chemistry and reaction mechanisms.

Antibody and complement are the principal noncellular factors in host resistance. Antibody recognizes the foreign nature of antigenic substances in the body. Complement is a protein system which is enzymatically and sequentially activated by the combination of complement-fixing antibody with antigen. The complement system is designed to destroy the invading substance by direct destruction (cellular or bacterial lysis), by enhancing and assisting in phagocytosis, and by liberation of vasoactive substances. These actions and the present concepts of the chemistry and the reaction mechanisms of complement are discussed.
Virtual Fusion: Integrating Virtual Components into a Physical Manufacturing System

Abstract Current manufacturing operations are increasingly pushed to boost profits through improved efficiency and quality. A common approach to enhance production is through the adoption of new machines, modified production schedules, and the integration of new products. Existing methods for validating the impact of these modifications either ignore the physical implementation challenges through only simulation-based analysis or require costly run off processes on the physical system. To mitigate these limitations, this paper presents a virtual fusion environment in which the physical and simulated systems are run simultaneously, enabling real-time analysis and integration of virtual parts within the physical manufacturing system. A virtual fusion filter is used to synchronize and augment input signals to a local controller to represent the physical effects of a given process on a virtual part within the physical system. Experimental results on a reconfigurable manufacturing test platform demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach.
[Anesthesia in domestic animals (small mammals, psittacines and reptiles)]

The presentation of small animals and exotic pets (birds, reptiles) in veterinary practice is increasing. Physiological and ethological variations demand specific precautions in restraining/ anesthetizing these patients. In Psittacines hypoglycemia, hypoxia and hypothermia are typical side-effects. Long-acting recovery control in birds and reptiles is necessary.
Gun violence prevention - Authors' reply.

We thank all authors for their interest in our paper;1 four main critiques are raised. First, Schell and Morral suggest that bootstrapping to recalculate standard error and confidence intervals would be appropriate in this context. We disagree. Bootstrapping is more appropriate under the assumption that observations are from an independent and identically distributed proportion. We are studying a highly interdependent set of populations, and fewer assumptions imposed on the data seem far more appropriate.... Language: en
Linshom thermodynamic sensor is a reliable alternative to capnography for monitoring respiratory rate

Monitoring ventilation accurately is a technically challenging, yet indispensable aspect of patient care in the intra- and post-procedural settings. A new prototypical device known as the Linshom Respiratory Monitoring Device (LRMD) has been recently designed to non-invasively, inexpensively, and portably measure respiratory rate. The purpose of this study was to measure the accuracy and variability of LRMD measurements of respiratory rate relative to the measurement of capnography. In this prospective study, participants were enrolled and individually fitted with a face mask monitored by the LRMD and capnography. With a baseline oxygen flow rate and digital metronome to pace their respiratory rate, the participants were instructed to breathe at 10 breaths per minute (bpm) for 3 min, 20 bpm for 3 min, 30 bpm for 3 min, 0 bpm for 30 s, and resume regular breathing for 30 s. Both sensors were connected to a computer for continuous temperature and carbon dioxide waveform recordings. The data were then retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-six healthy volunteers, mean (range) age 27.8 (23–37) and mean (range) BMI 23.1 (18.8–29.2) kg/m2 were recruited. There were 15 males (57.7%) and 11 females (42.3%). After excluding 3 subjects for technical reasons, 13,800 s of breathing and 4,140 expiratory breaths were recorded. Throughout the protocol, the average standard deviation (SD) for the LRMD and capnography was 1.11 and 1.81 bpm, respectively. The overall mean bias (±2SD) between LRMD and capnography was −0.33 (±0.1.56) bpm. At the lowest and intermediate breathing rates reflective of hypoventilation and normal ventilation, the LRMD variance was 0.55 and 1.23 respectively, compared to capnography with 5.54 and 7.47, respectively. At higher breathing rates indicative of hyperventilation, the variance of the test device was 4.52, still less than that of capnography at 5.73. This study demonstrated a promising correlation between the LRMD and capnography for use as a respiratory rate monitor. The LRMD technology may be a significant addition to monitoring vital signs because it offers a minimally intrusive opportunity to detect respiratory rate and apnea, without expensive or complex anesthetic equipment, before the need for life-saving resuscitation arises.
Establishment of Full-Field, Full-Order Dynamic Model of Cable Vibration by Video Motion Manipulations

In-service cables such as stay cables and suspenders of cable-stayed bridges and suspension bridges, are subjected to dynamic loads (e.g., the vehicle loads and wind excitation). Performing vibration measurements and subsequently identifying the dynamic properties and establishing a dynamic model of cable vibration are essential for their dynamic analysis, condition assessment, and performance prediction. For example, based on the taut-string theory, the cable tension, as a critical indicator of cable performance and health state, can be computed using its frequency that can be identified from the measured cable vibration responses. Traditional contact-type wired or wireless sensors, such as accelerometers and strain gauge sensors, require physically attaching to the structure for vibration measurements, which could induce the mass effect. In addition, installing these sensors on structures is costly, time-consuming, and allows instrumentations at a limited number of places. On the other hand, digital video cameras have emerged as a cost effective and agile non-contact vibration measurement method, offering high-resolution, simultaneous, measurements. Recently, digital video camera measurements processed by advanced computer vision and machine learning algorithms have been successfully used for experimental and operational full-field vibration measurement and modal analysis. This study develops a video measurement and processing based technique that can autonomously and blindly extract the full-field dynamic parameters of cable vibration from the video measurements. In addition, by exploiting the taut string theory, full-order (as many modes as possible) dynamic parameters are also extracted. Therefore, a full-field, full-order dynamic (modal) model of cable vibration is established. Laboratory experiments are conducted to validate the developed approach.
A machine-learning graph-based approach for 3D segmentation of Bruch’s membrane opening from glaucomatous SD-OCT volumes

Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) is a recently proposed structural parameter which estimates the remaining nerve fiber bundles in the retina and is superior to other conventional structural parameters for diagnosing glaucoma. Measuring this structural parameter requires identification of BMO locations within spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) volumes. While most automated approaches for segmentation of the BMO either segment the 2D projection of BMO points or identify BMO points in individual B-scans, in this work, we propose a machine-learning graph-based approach for true 3D segmentation of BMO from glaucomatous SD-OCT volumes. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem for finding a 3D path within the SD-OCT volume. In particular, the SD-OCT volumes are transferred to the radial domain where the closed loop BMO points in the original volume form a path within the radial volume. The estimated location of BMO points in 3D are identified by finding the projected location of BMO points using a graph-theoretic approach and mapping the projected locations onto the Bruch's membrane (BM) surface. Dynamic programming is employed in order to find the 3D BMO locations as the minimum-cost path within the volume. In order to compute the cost function needed for finding the minimum-cost path, a random forest classifier is utilized to learn a BMO model, obtained by extracting intensity features from the volumes in the training set, and computing the required 3D cost function. The proposed method is tested on 44 glaucoma patients and evaluated using manual delineations. Results show that the proposed method successfully identifies the 3D BMO locations and has significantly smaller errors compared to the existing 3D BMO identification approaches.