cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional Variation in Immature Ixodes scapularis Parasitism on North American Songbirds: Implications for Transmission of the Lyme Pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, is transmitted among hosts by the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, a species that regularly parasitizes various vertebrate hosts, including birds, in its immature stages. Lyme disease risk in the United States is highest in the Northeast and in the upper Midwest where I. scapularis ticks are most abundant. Because birds might be important to the range expansion of I. scapularis and B. burgdorferi, we explored spatial variation in patterns of I. scapularis parasitism on songbirds, as well as B. burgdorferi infection in bird-derived I. scapularis larvae. We sampled birds at 23 sites in the eastern United States to describe seasonal patterns of I. scapularis occurrence on birds, and we screened a subset of I. scapularis larvae for presence of B. burgdorferi. Timing of immature I. scapularis occurrence on birds is consistent with regional variation in host-seeking activity with a generally earlier peak in larval parasitism on birds in the Midwest. Significantly more I. scapularis larvae occurred on birds that were contemporaneously parasitized by nymphs in the Midwest than the Northeast, and the proportion of birds that yielded B. burgdorferi-infected larvae was also higher in the Midwest. We conclude that regional variation in immature I. scapularis phenology results in different temporal patterns of parasitism on birds, potentially resulting in differential importance of birds to B. burgdorferi transmission dynamics among regions.
Flash pattern recognition in fireflies

A theory has been developed which explains the use of time intervals in an animal communication system. The theory is based upon the observation of female Photinus macdermotti firefly responses to artificial male flash sequences. An explanation for time discrimination in a firefly brain is proposed as follows. Upon receiving the flash from the male, the female firefly generates a response function composed of three intervals: initial inhibition or total blocking; acceptance; and long-term inhibition. This response function and discrimination bias generated by the short term memory, together with background noise, determine the firefly response time window. The female will answer only if the subsequent male's flash is received during this time window. Short-term memory is used for sensitivity adjustment, whenever sharp change is introduced in the triggering sequence. If the firefly is flashing under favorable conditions, she adjusts herself into a flashing mood and will flash once, even if the triggering changes towards marginal conditions. If the firefly is receiving a wrong input flash sequence, she will enter a non-flashing mood and will not flash on a first good interval. At high frequencies, the firefly blocks her input for a constant period after every flash. It is shown that the flash sequences predicted by the theory are in very good agreement with actual observed female firefly responses to artificial male flash sequences.
Twenty-Four-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Monitoring in Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

This study examined the cardiovascular correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Vietnam combat veterans using 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate monitoring. Veterans with PTSD (n = 11) exhibited significantly higher heart rate and diastolic blood pressure across the 24 hr than veterans without PTSD (n = 7) (80.8 vs. 71.9 bpm, and 80.1 vs. 71.5 mm Hg, respectively). Heart rate during sleep was also significantly higher among veterans with PTSD, compared to veterans without PTSD (71.0 vs. 62.7 bpm). These results, based on a more naturalistic measurement methodology used outside the laboratory, support an association between PTSD and increased chronic cardiovascular arousal.
Advances in Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Postmenopausal Women

Hormone receptor-positive cancers are the most common tumor subtype among postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Despite substantial improvements in disease-free survival and overall survival with tamoxifen and chemotherapy, recurrences still occur, and may ultimately lead to death from breast cancer. Importantly, disease recurrence includes both early and late events, with over half of all recurrences detected more than 5 years from initial breast cancer diagnosis. In recent years, a number of large, randomized trials have evaluated the role of the aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. These studies have tested one of three approaches: (1) an upfront AI, (2) a sequential approach after 2-3 years of tamoxifen, and (3) extended endocrine therapy beyond 5 years. Results of these studies have challenged the previous standard of a 5-year course of tamoxifen alone. While the AIs have become a standard component of treatment for most postmenopausal women, many questions remain as to how best tailor endocrine treatment to individual patients. In addition, despite the gains achieved with the AIs, many recurrences are not prevented, and novel strategies are urgently needed, particularly for those women at high risk of recurrence. In this article, we review the efficacy and toxicity data from the available trials of endocrine therapy in the postmenopausal setting. We outline controversies in choosing the optimal endocrine approach, and we discuss selected ongoing studies. Finally, we highlight future research directions, such as the need to understand host and tumor heterogeneity.
The impact of temperature on plug-in hybrid electric vehicle battery performance

The battery performance of a modified Toyota Prius with a 5 kilowatt-hour (kWh) plug-in battery was documented for a one year to determine how various temperature conditions affected vehicle performance. Both fuel economy and pure electrical efficiency were compared to ambient temperature. The fuel economy has a positive relationship with ambient temperature until approximately 283 K where the efficiency begins to level off. Electrical performance has a positive linear relationship with ambient temperature. With the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs) and PHEVs from a variety of automotive manufacturers, information on EV and PHEV performance for consumers will become more important.
Fast quantum algorithm for numerical gradient estimation.

Given a black box for $f$, a smooth real scalar function of $d$ real variables, one wants to estimate $\ensuremath{\nabla}f$ at a given point with $n$ bits of precision. On a classical computer this requires a minimum of $d+1$ black box queries, whereas on a quantum computer it requires only one query regardless of $d$. The number of bits of precision to which $f$ must be evaluated matches the classical requirement in the limit of large $n$.
Latent atrial fibrillation triggers originating in accessory pathways.

In Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome,1 atrial and ventricular myocardium are connected via one or more accessory pathways that allow electrical propagation across the normally insulated annulus fibrosus.2 These accessory atrio-ventricular (AV) connections are believed to arise from residual tissue remaining from incomplete segmentation of the cardiac tube into atrial and ventricular chambers during development. Clinically, preexcitation syndromes are not associated with other structural heart disease in a majority of affected individuals.3, 4 However, the presence of preexcitation exposes some patients to rapidly conducted atrial tachyarrhythmias, and carries a small risk of sudden cardiac death.5 One of the most common arrhythmias in this setting is preexcited atrial fibrillation (AF),6, 7 which may occur in the absence of structural heart disease or the usual electrophysiologic substrate for AF.4, 8 The mechanism responsible for AF initiation in patients with accessory pathways is not completely understood. Successful surgical or catheter ablation of accessory pathways has been shown to reduce recurrence of AF,7, 9 suggesting that accessory pathways themselves may play a role in arrhythmogenesis. However, AF still occurs in some patients with WPW syndrome following successful ablation,3, 6, 10, 11 suggesting that intrinsic atrial properties may also play a role.
Effects of Certain Systemic Insecticides on Growth and Yield of Soybeans

An experiment was performed at Tallassee, Alabama, to determine if the application of certain systemic insecticides at the rate of 1 lb per acre applied in various ways had significant effects on the soybean plant other than those related to insect control. Disulfoton, phorate, carbofuran, and methomyl were applied as preplant granules, granules as sidedressing, foliar spray at 1st bloom, foliar spray at midbloom, foliar spray at full bloom, and a combination of all these methods. Stand counts revealed that germination was not affected by application of preplant granules. In a series of 3 plant-height measurements, the measurement made after a foliar spray application at midbloom was the only one to show significant differences among treated plots. Plants were taller in plots treated with methomyl and carbofuran than in plots treated with disulfoton or check plots. Data on height of the 1st pod from the ground, number of mature pods per plant, and yield revealed no significant mean differences. However, differences were detected in seed size (weight) because of methods of application. Plants treated with foliar sprays at 1st bloom, foliar sprays at midbloom, or combination treatments produced larger seeds than plants on other plots.
Equivalence of Quasi-regular Representations of Two and Three-Step Nilpotent Lie Groups

Abstract We characterize all pairs of cocompact, discrete subgroups Γ 1 and Γ 2 of a two-step nilpotent Lie group M such that the quasi-regular representations of M on L 2 ( Γ 1 \ M ) and L 2 ( Γ 2 \ M ) are unitarily equivalent. This characterization is used to construct new examples. We also describe a pair of nonisomorphic, cocompact, discrete subgroups Γ 1 and Γ 2 of a three-step nilpotent Lie group M such that the quasi-regular representations of M on L 2 ( Γ 1 \ M ) and L 2 ( Γ 2 \ M ) are unitarily equivalent.
Oxidation-reduction and other gas-solid reactions of hlgh-Tc superconductors

Abstract Understanding and controlling the reactions of the high- T c superconducting oxides with their gaseous environment are critical to attaining and preserving the optimal performance of the materials and resulting devices. These important interactions fall in two general classes. The first is concerned with the reversible exchange of oxygen between the oxide and the atmosphere at temperatures above about 300 °C. These oxidation-reduction phenomena establish the oxygen content of the solid and hence its intrinsic electrical and magnetic properties. The second category concerns the reaction of the superconductor with the ambient gases to produce undesired products initially at the surface or grain boundaries, analogous to corrosion. These products, along with the overall microstructure, impurities, defects, etc., determine the effective electrical properties.
Dexamethasone and Interleukin-1 Potently Synergize to Stimulate the Production of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Differentiated THP-1 Cells☆☆☆

The human monocytic leukemic cell line, THP-1, which differentiates toward macrophages in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was investigated for its ability to produce granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF protein was neither produced during PMA-induced differentiation nor in response to dexamethasone (Dex) alone. However, when combined, PMA and Dex synergistically stimulated THP-1 cells to produce G-CSF. The synergistic interaction between PMA and Dex on G-CSF production appeared to be mediated through the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) since neutralization of IL-1 activity completely inhibited G-CSF production. Further experiments demonstrated that in THP-1 cells pretreated with PMA, Dex potently synergized with IL-1 to stimulate G-CSF production.
The 19th Century German Diary of a New Jersey Geologist

Chute explores a diary of a young New Jersey scientist William Kitchell held in the Library concering a trrip to Germany that began in the fall of 1852. The purpose of the trip was to acquire the advanced training which would prepare him for his position as professor of geology at the Newark Wesleyan Institute.Â The diary contains the personal sketches of world famous men of science, the prevalence of soldiers in Berlin, the horrible climate, the slowness of transportation, and his questioning of the authenticity of the Genesis story of the great flood.
The coulometric microdetermination of iodide after oxygen flask combustion of organic iodine compounds. The use of lodate, biiodate, and iodide as primary standards

Summary Under the conditions presented, potassium iodate, hiiodate, and iodide can satisfactorily replace NBS 2-iodobenzoic acid, which is no longer available, as a standard source of iodide for determining the coulometric iodide titration constant. Use of these inorganic compounds as primary iodide standards increases the speed and simplicity of the coulometric titration finish to the oxygen flask combustion method for microanalytical determination of iodine without loss of precision or accuracy. Potassium iodate is the preferred replacement.
Arboreal Spider Ecology on Saltcedar (Tamarix) at Big Spring, Howard County, Texas

Abstract. The arboreal species of spiders on saltcedar, Tamarix spp., at Big Spring, Howard County, TX, were surveyed to determine which species could pose a threat to the success of the biological control agent Diorhabda elongata (Brulle) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This resulted in a list of the spider genera and species found on tamarisk and some initial information on spider ecology in association with this weed tree. Of the 1,495 specimens of spiders collected above ground level during the 3 years of study at the site, 55 spider species in 15 families were found on saltcedar trees. The most abundant species of spiders were mapped to determine their habitat on the trees and in relation to other species. Orb-weavers (Araneidae) and jumping spiders (Salticidae) were the most diverse families, as well as being common, but mesh web-weavers (Dictynidae), while less diverse, were individually numerous. Only orb-weavers were observed to feed on D. elongata in the field.
Spectroscopic studies of model carbonyl compounds in CO2: Evidence for cooperative C-H...O interactions

Acetylated carbohydrates have extremely high solubilities and miscibilities in CO2 and form the basis of a new approach toward the development of renewable CO2-philes. Ab initio computational studies relevant to this system indicate that in CO2 complexes with simple, model carbonyl compounds the Lewis acid−Lewis base interaction between the carbon atom of CO2 and the carbonyl oxygen is accompanied by a cooperative, intermolecular C−H···O interaction between the CO2 oxygen and the solute's hydrogen atom. The results show that this may provide an additional stabilization mechanism for solvation complex formation. Spectroscopic studies provide the best approach to study these interactions and the validation of either computational or theoretical models. The present study focuses on room temperature, gaseous, liquid, and supercritical condition spectroscopic data to evaluate the extent that such complexes are relevant to CO2 solvation. An examination of the temperature- and density-dependent changes in the vi...
Induction of neurogenic tumors in C3HeB-FeJ mice by nitrosourea derivatives: observations by light microscopy, tissue culture, and electron microscopy.

Neurogenic tumors were induced in 32.3% of C3HeB/FeJ mice treated transplacentally with ethylnitrosourea (ENU) and in 10.5% of mice treated intravenously (IV) with methylnitrosourea (MNU). Earlier reports on other strains of mice treated with nitrosourea derivatives indicated that non-neural tumors, particularly lymphomas, were readily induced. However, tumors of the nervous system did not develop or occurred only in a low percentage of treated mice. Genetic strain of mice appears to influence susceptibility of mice to nitrosoureas. Two brain tumors, an oligodendroglioma in the diencephalon and a mixed neuroblastoma-glioma of the cerebellum, occurred in 19 adult male mice treated IV every 4 weeks with 25 mg/kg MNU to a total of 175 mg/kg. Neurinomas of cranial nerves developed in 9 of 31 offspring of pregnant mice treated with 20 mg/kg ENU IV on the 19th day of gestation. One MNU-induced oligodendroglioma and 1 ENU-induced neurinoma were propagated in tissue culture. Cells of both tumors produced intracerebral (IC) and subcutaneous (SC) tumors following injection into syngeneic mice. Tissue samples from both IC transplanted tumors contained abundant clusters of C-type RNA viruses in interstitial spaces. Budding virus particles were readily demonstrated on the plasma membranes of tumor cells.
Predicting the decomposition patterns of tree biomass in tropical highland microregions of Kenya

Decomposition- and nitrogen-release patterns of biomass from three agroforestry multipurpose trees (Calliandra calothyrsus, Cordia africana and Grevillea robusta) were investigated in four contrasting environments (microregions) in the Kenyan tropical highlands during two cropping seasons. Dried leafy biomass was placed in 2-mm litter bags, buried at 15-cm depth and recovered after 2, 4, 7, 10, 15 and 20 weeks. Decomposition patterns were best described by first-order exponential decline curves. The decomposition rate constants ranged from 2.1 to 8.2 yr−1, and the rates of decomposition among the species were in the order: calliandra ≥ cordia > grevillea. There was a species-by-environment interaction during both seasons, but the nitrogen released did not follow such a pattern. Among the three tree species, calliandra released the highest amount of cumulative N, followed by cordia and grevillea. Using multiple regression techniques, decomposition pattern was described as a function of three groups of factors: biomass quality (N, C, lignin and polyphenol), climate (soil temperature and rainfall), and soil conditions (pH, soil organic C, total N and P). For all the species and factors combined, the adjusted R2 values were 0.88 and 0.91 for seasons 1 and 2, respectively. Among the three groups of factors, climate and biomass quality had the most influence on decomposition rates. Climatic factors accounted for 75% of the total rate of decomposition in season 1 (‘irregular’ season with less rainfall and more soil temperature fluctuations), whereas biomass quality factors were more influential in season 2 (‘regular’ season), accounting for 65% of the total variability.
Syntheses and spectrophotometric studies of azo dyes containing m-dimethylaminophenol as analytical reagents

Abstract Fifteen azo dyes containing the m-dimethylaminophenol group were synthesized, and their analytical potential for the determination of metals was studied spectrophotometrically. Among these reagents, the heterocyclic azo derivatives are most suitable as chromogenic reagents. The best reagents are the 2-pyridylazo compounds. These complexes with copper, zinc and nickel show molar absorptivities of the order of 100,000. For example, the 2-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)-azo]-5-dimethyl-aminophenol complexes with copper, zinc and nickel show molar absorptivities of 1.0, 1.33 and 1.28·105 1 mol-1 cm-1, respectively. In these reagents, the para-substituted dimethylamino group next to the azo group seems to play an important role in achieving high molar absorptivity and stability of the metal 'complexes.
Low Back Pain and Yoga

ABSTRACT Questions from patients about pain conditions and analgesic pharmacotherapy and responses from authors are presented to help educate patients and make them more effective self-advocates. The topic addressed in this issue is chronic low back pain, one of the most common reasons to visit one's primary care doctor. Complementary approaches, including yoga, will be addressed.
Gastric banding or bypass? A systematic review comparing the two most popular bariatric procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgical procedures have increased exponentially in the United States. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is now promoted as a safer, potentially reversible and effective alternative to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the current standard of care. This study evaluated the balance of patient-oriented clinical outcomes for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. METHODS: The MEDLINE database (1966 to January 2007), Cochrane clinical trials database, Cochrane reviews database, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects were searched using the key terms gastroplasty, gastric bypass, laparoscopy, Swedish band, and gastric banding. Studies with at least 1 year of follow-up that directly compared laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were included. Resolution of obesity-related comorbidities, percentage of excess body weight loss, quality of life, perioperative complications, and long-term adverse events were the abstracted outcomes. RESULTS: The search identified 14 comparative studies (1 randomized trial). Few studies reported outcomes beyond 1 year. Excess body weight loss at 1 year was consistently greater for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass than laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (median difference, 26%; range, 19%-34%; P .001). Resolution of comorbidities was greater after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In the highest-quality study, excess body weight loss was 76% with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus 48% with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and diabetes resolved in 78% versus 50% of cases, respectively. Both operating room time and length of hospitalization were shorter for those undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Adverse events were inconsistently reported. Operative mortality was less than 0.5% for both procedures. Perioperative complications were more common with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (9% vs 5%), whereas long-term reoperation rates were lower after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (16% vs 24%). Patient satisfaction favored Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (P .006). CONCLUSION: Weight loss outcomes strongly favored Roux-en-Y gastric bypass over laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Patients treated with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding had lower short-term morbidity than those treated with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, but reoperation rates were higher among patients who received laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Gastric bypass should remain the primary bariatric procedure used to treat obesity in the United States.
The role of sinus surgery in children

Objectives/Hypothesis To critically review the current literature discussing the outcome of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in children with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Study Design Literature review. Methods PubMed database and the Cochrane Library were searched. The PubMed search included all English-language literature published between January 1990 and July 2012 discussing the role of ESS in children with CRS. Studies that included patients with cystic fibrosis, primary immunodeficiency disorders, or ciliary dysmotility disorders were excluded. Results Of the 507 articles retrieved from the primary research strategy, 11 studies were included for further discussion. There were no randomized controlled studies. The rate of success of pediatric ESS ranged from 82% to 100% in selected patients. Children undergoing ESS for CRS usually have more severe disease compared to those who get medical treatment or adenoidectomy. The extracted rate of complication was 1.4%, with no cases of cerebrospinal fluid leak or major orbital injury such as hematoma or blindness reported. Conclusions ESS offers a surgical alternative in the treatment of CRS in children with an excellent safety profile. There remains a need for higher level studies addressing the indications of ESS in children. Level of Evidence 2a
Convolution-backprojection image reconstruction for bistatic synthetic aperture radar

The algorithm presented accounts for the elliptical nature of the wavefronts over the ground patch (resulting in elliptical-arc projections) and is based on the convolution-backprojection (CBP) algorithm of computer tomography. Essentially, three changes were made to the CBP algorithm. First, instead of backprojection along straight lines, the backprojection is along the same elliptical arcs from which the data were taken. Second, each pixel in the image, during each backprojection, receives a weighting depending on its position in the image. Third, each projection receives an additional overall weighting depending on the positions of the transmitter and the receiver for the corresponding projection. As with CBP, each projection is convolved with a specified function before backprojection, and all of the backprojections are accumulated to form the final reconstructed image.
Study of Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations and measurement of hole effective mass in compressively strained InXGa1−XSb quantum wells

Abstract In X Ga 1− X Sb has the highest hole mobility amongst all III–V semiconductors which can be enhanced further with the use of strain. The use of confinement and strain in In X Ga 1− X Sb quantum wells lifts the degeneracy between the light and heavy hole bands which leads to reduction in the hole effective mass in the lowest occupied band and an increase in the mobility. We present magnetotransport measurements on compressively strained In X Ga 1− X Sb and GaSb quantum wells. Hall-bar and Van de Pauw structures were fabricated and Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations in the temperature range of T = 2–10 K for magnetic fields of B = 0–9 T were measured. The reduction of effective hole mass with strain was quantified. These results are in excellent agreement with modeling results from band structure calculations of the effective hole mass in the presence of strain and confinement.
Myocardial oxygen consumption as influenced by isotonic contractions.

SummaryOxygen consumption of non-stimulated trabeculae carneae, which were maintained at various resting tensions, was not increased when they were stimulated to contract isotonically at a frequency of one per second. The data further indicate that the aerobic metabolism of heart muscle was uninfluenced by resting tensions comparable to those in vivo.
Is Being Popular a Risky Proposition

Longitudinal associations between social preference, perceived popularity, and risk behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, and sexual activity) were examined in a sample of high school students. Social preference did not predict any of the risk behaviors assessed, although the interaction between gender and social preference was predictive of sexual behavior. Perceived popularity in Grade 10 was predictive of increased alcohol use and sexual activity in Grade 12 for both boys and girls. A reciprocal relationship was found for boys, in which smoking in Grade 10 also predicted gains in perceived popularity over time. Furthermore, results suggested that gains in perceived popularity may be associated with subsequent losses in social preference over time, lending support for the “cycle of popularity” observed by Eder. Implications are discussed, including the personal impact of risk behaviors on perceived popular teens, as well as the broader influence their behavior may have on their less popular counterparts.
Compact S-Boxes in wireless SCADA for offshore wind farms

The security module in the wireless SCADA system for offshore wind farms needs compact ciphers. The core of modern ciphers is based on the substitution box (S-Box). In this paper, we propose a class of compact S-Boxes. The theoretical robustness of these S-Boxes is due to the nonlinear mapping in the Galois field.
REGRESSION FOR ESTIMATING NUMBER OF DOUGLAS-FIR TUSSOCK MOTH EGGS RELATIVE TO EGG MASS WEIGHT

A common regression equation, representing data collected from four widely separated areas, was constructed to determine number of eggs of the Douglas-fir tussock moth based on individual egg mass weights. The regression is designed for use in any egg mass sampling scheme where a knowledge of the potential early instar population is required. The regression equation is also given for each area.
PGE2 receptor EP1 renders dopaminergic neurons selectively vulnerable to low-level oxidative stress and direct PGE2 neurotoxicity

Oxidative stress and increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity are both implicated in the loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra (SN) in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is one of the key products of COX-2 activity and PGE2 production is increased in PD. However, little is known about its role in the selective death of dopaminergic neurons. Previously, we showed that oxidative stress evoked by low concentrations of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was selective for dopaminergic neurons in culture and fully dependent on COX-2 activity. We postulated that this loss was mediated by PGE2 acting through its receptors, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4. Using double-label immunohistochemistry for specific EP receptors and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), we identified EP1 and EP2 receptors on dopaminergic neurons in rat SN. EP2 receptors were also found in non-dopaminergic neurons of this nucleus, as were EP3 receptors, whereas the EP4 receptor was absent. PGE2, 16-phenyl tetranor PGE2 (a stable synthetic analogue), and 17-phenyl trinor PGE2 (an EP1 receptor–selective agonist) were significantly toxic to dopaminergic cells at nanomolar concentrations; EP2- and EP3-selective agonists were not. We challenged dopaminergic neurons in embryonic rat mesencephalic primary neuronal cultures and tested whether these receptors mediate selective 6-OHDA toxicity. The nonselective EP1–3 receptor antagonist AH-6809 and two selective EP1 antagonists, SC-19220 and SC-51089, completely prevented the 40%–50% loss of dopaminergic neurons caused by exposure to 5 μM 6-OHDA. Together, these results strongly implicate PGE2 activation of EP1 receptors as a mediator of selective toxicity in this model of dopaminergic cell loss. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of switching from oral to transdermal or transvaginal contraception on markers of thrombosis.

Abstract Background The study was conducted to determine the impact of switching from oral to transdermal patch or vaginal ring contraception on biomarkers of thrombosis. Study Design Current healthy oral contraceptive (OC) users were randomized to switch to either a contraceptive ring (CR) or patch (CP) and underwent phlebotomy to measure surrogate biomarkers of thrombosis [sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free protein S and activated protein C resistance (APC-r)] before switching, and during the fourth cycle of use of the new method. Results Of 142 reproductive age women enrolled, 120 sample pairs were available for analysis. SHBG increased significantly from baseline in CP users [mean change (95% CI), +29.9 nM (9.6–50)] but not in CR users [−1.6 (−16.6 to 13.5)]. Protein S decreased significantly from baseline in CP users [mean change −7.1% (−12.1 to −2.1)], but increased significantly in CR users [+5.3% (1.1–9.6)]. The APC-r ratio did not undergo a significant change from baseline in either group [CP +0.06 (−0.06 to 0.18), CR +0.02 (−0.10 to 0.14)]. Compared to CR users, subjects using the CP had significantly higher SHBG [187.5 (167.0–208), 146 (132.6–159.4), p=.012], significantly lower protein S [81.8 (76.8–86.8), 93.6 (89.1–98.1), p=.001] and similar APC-r ratios [2.99 (2.85–3.14), 3.09 (2.96, 3.22), p=.3] at the Cycle 4 visit. Conclusion OC users who switch to the ring exhibit beneficial changes in biomarkers of thrombosis, while those switching to the patch display a shift favoring clot formation.
Complexity and simplification in understanding recruitment in benthic populations

Research of complex systems and problems, entities with many dependencies, is often reductionist. The reductionist approach splits systems or problems into different components, and then addresses these components one by one. This approach has been used in the study of recruitment and population dynamics of marine benthic (bottom-dwelling) species. Another approach examines benthic population dynamics by looking at a small set of processes. This approach is statistical or model-oriented. Simplified approaches identify “macroecological” patterns or attempt to identify and model the essential, “first-order” elements of the system. The complexity of the recruitment and population dynamics problems stems from the number of processes that can potentially influence benthic populations, including (1) larval pool dynamics, (2) larval transport, (3) settlement, and (4) post-settlement biotic and abiotic processes, and larval production. Moreover, these processes are non-linear, some interact, and they may operate on disparate scales. This contribution discusses reductionist and simplified approaches to study benthic recruitment and population dynamics of bottom-dwelling marine invertebrates. We first address complexity in two processes known to influence recruitment, larval transport, and post-settlement survival to reproduction, and discuss the difficulty in understanding recruitment by looking at relevant processes individually and in isolation. We then address the simplified approach, which reduces the number of processes and makes the problem manageable. We discuss how simplifications and “broad-brush first-order approaches” may muddle our understanding of recruitment. Lack of empirical determination of the fundamental processes often results in mistaken inferences, and processes and parameters used in some models can bias our view of processes influencing recruitment. We conclude with a discussion on how to reconcile complex and simplified approaches. Although it appears impossible to achieve a full mechanistic understanding of recruitment by studying all components of the problem in isolation, we suggest that knowledge of these components is essential for simplifying and understanding the system beyond probabilistic description and modeling.
STEREOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS TRANSITION METAL HYDRIDE CLUSTERS AND RESULTING BONDING IMPLICATIONS

Article de synthese sur les structures cristallines et moleculaires de differents complexes metalliques contenant des ponts hydruro
Stability testing of ligninase and Mn-peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces extracellular peroxidases (ligninase and Mn-peroxidase) believed to be involved in lignin degradation. These extracellular enzymes have also been implicated in the degradation of recalcitrant pollutants by the organism. Commercial application of ligninase has been proposed both for biomechanical pulping of wood and for wastewater treatment. In vitro stability of lignin degrading enzymes will be an important factor in determining both the economic and technical feasibility of application for industrial uses, and also will be critical in optimizing commercial production of the enzymes. The effects of a number of variables on in vitro stability of ligninase and Mn-peroxidase are presented in this paper. Thermal stability of ligninase was found to improve by increasing pH and by increasing enzyme concentration. For a fixed pH and enzyme concentration, ligninase stability was greatly enhanced in the presence of its substrate veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol). Ligninase also was found to be inactivated by hydrogen peroxide in a second-order process that is proposed to involve the formation of the unreactive peroxidase intermediate Compound III. Mn-peroxidase was less susceptible to inactivation by peroxide, which corresponds to observations by others that Compound III of Mn-peroxidase forms less readily than Compound III of ligninase.
Leveraging Access to E-resources through Gateway: A Case Study at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi

The advancement of meta-searching of electronic resources (e-resources) has now become possible with the help of gateway, a communications network technology, resulting in greater control over the resources presentation to the users. This paper describes the importance of gateway in managing the e-resources in college’s library system. This paper also highlights the objectives, scope and interdisciplinary relevance of gateway in academic libraries. The paper explains the steps involved in building gateway, such as preliminary preparation, planning and designing, development of online gateway, testing and implementation. Besides this, open archive initiative and protocol metadata initiatives (OAI-PMH) and Z39.50 standards, architecture and features of the knowledge gateway have been discussed in this paper. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology , 2014, 33(5), pp. 418-425. http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/djlit.33.5107
Design and synthesis of potent pyridazine inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase.

Novel potent trisubstituted pyridazine inhibitors of p38 MAP (mitogen activated protein) kinase are described that have activity in both cell-based assays of cytokine release and animal models of rheumatoid arthritis. They demonstrated potent inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-α production in mice and exhibited good efficacy in the rat collagen induced arthritis model.
Neutron and proton structure today

We present an abbreviated and personal view of the development of our experimental knowledge of nucleon structure. The fundamentals were verified over 20 years, but the past decade has provided many interesting, even exciting, surprises. Perhaps more surprises are to come.
Frequency-based reconstruction of multi-description coded JPEG2000 images

Multiple description coding (MDC), together with reconstruction, is a popular technique for concealing packets losses in a best-effort network like the Internet. In our previous study, we have developed a sample-based MDC scheme for subband images and an optimal reconstruction-based subband transform (ORB-ST) at senders that takes into account the reconstruction process at receivers. Due to the partitioning of a description into segments before coding the segments by the ORB-ST coder, our previous scheme has severe degradation in quality because, among other reasons, the coder cannot exploit redundancies across multiple segments in a description, especially at low bit rates. To address this issue, we propose in this paper to divide a description into subbands in the frequency domain, instead of segmenting a description in the sample domain. Based on the observation that the corresponding subbands across two descriptions after inverse transformation are correlated, we present a scheme that reconstructs a lost subband using the corresponding subband received in the other description. We show that our scheme is more effective than reconstruction in the full band; that it has similar quality and lower delays in low-loss scenarios and slightly degraded quality in high-loss scenarios, when compared to MDC, unsegmented, and JPEG2000-coded images sent by TCP; and that it has much better quality and similar delays when compared to MDC, segmented, and ORB-ST-coded images sent by UDP.
RECOGNITION OF ALPHABETICAL ARRAYS PRESENTED IN THE RIGHT AND LEFT VISUAL FIELDS

-Six-letter nonsense arrays were tachistoscopically presented successively in the right visual field (RVF) and left visual field (LVF) at four different displacements from a central fixation point (FP) to 20 Ss. Recognition scores were significantly greater for material exposed in the RVF at each of the first three displacements and for the average of all displacements. In each case the higher recognition score for stimuli in the RVF was limited to letters located in the left-array half (letters 1, 2 and 3 ) . An investigation into the dynamics of scanning indicated that these three letters are more advantageously situated when presented in the RVF. This methodological inconsistency brings into question the use of the results obtained from the successive mode of stimulus presentation as evidence for Hebb's notion of a cell assembly. Several ideas concerning the dynamics of scanning which emerged from the experimental findings were discussed.
Lattice segmentation and minimum Bayes risk discriminative training for large vocabulary continuous speech recognition

Lattice segmentation techniques developed for Minimum Bayes Risk decoding in large vocabulary speech recognition tasks are used to compute the statistics needed for discriminative training algorithms that estimate HMM parameters so as to reduce the overall risk over the training data. New estimation procedures are developed and evaluated for both small and large vocabulary recognition tasks, and additive performance improvements are shown relative to maximum mutual information estimation. These relative gains are explained through a detailed analysis of individual word recognition errors.
The Magic of Harry Potter: Symbols and Heroes of Fantasy

This article suggests that the worldwide, multiage appeal of Harry Potter may lie in the way these stories of magic meet the needs of readers to find meaning in today's unmagical contexts. The imaginative appeal and symbolic efficacy of the books for children are examined in terms of Bruno Bettelheim's The Uses of Enchantment. The development of Harry Potter as a hero in the mythic/fantasy tradition, which allows young adults to grasp a sense of hope for meaning and triumph, are explored in terms of Joseph Campbell's Hero With a Thousand Faces. Case studies are included to illustrate.
Analysis of Flow of Gas and Water in a Low Permeability Reservoir

Abstract We modified Black Oil Applied Simulation Tool ( BOAST) Program for gas reservoirs, and successfully applied it to simulate production of gas from low permeability reservoirs. Our modification results in significant decrease in computational time and storage requirements, and allows us to reduce the designated grid blocks to the size of the high permeability zone and even the fracture. Pressure and saturation of gas and water were calculated at different locations in the reservoir during the production. Our calculation showed that the coproduction of gas and water and presence of the high permeability layers or the induced fractures significantly enhance the economical production of gas from low permeability reservoirs.
A new expression for intrinsic fill factor of silicon solar cells

Green [1] and Swanson and Sinton [2] proposed two different approaches to predict the maximum obtainable fill factor (FF) from the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of a solar cell. This is convenient because the internal or implied open-circuit voltage of a solar cell can be measured at early stages of device processing (e.g., after passivation), giving rapid insight into expected device performance. However, these methods assume that recombination is linear in excess carrier density. In addition, both formulas also require that the ideality factor be known, and, while unity is often assumed, the ideality factor in fact varies with injection level. The expressions are often used in cases where these assumptions are clearly violated; here, we evaluate the accuracy in these cases. We find that the expressions are unable to predict the intrinsic FF generally, and their use must be restricted to very low or very high injection. We propose an alternative expression that is accurate for calculating the intrinsic-recombination-limited FF. With appropriate input parameters, e.g. wafer thickness, doping concentration and photogenerated current, the FF and Voc of solar cells can be predicted independent of each other. We investigate the accuracy of our proposed expression and see that its deviation from exact results are less than 0.3 % for FF and 1 mV for Voc.
The epigenome-a family affair

Classic dogma has dictated that, in animals, genetic mechanisms in general, and DNA sequence in particular, are responsible for transmission of traits from one generation to the next. However, an increasing number of reports over the past decade have shown that epigenetic mechanisms can also contribute to transgenerational inheritance ( 1 ). This is important because it implies that effects to which your parents or grandparents were exposed, even if not directly mutagenic, may alter your phenotype or that of your children or grandchildren. Previous studies implicated disruptions in DNA methylation patterns as the molecular basis for this type of epigenetic inheritance ( 2 ), but on page 651 of this issue, Siklenka et al. ( 3 ) show that disruption of histone modifications, in the apparent absence of any changes in DNA methylation patterns, can also form the basis for transgenerational transmission of epigenetic programming defects that can modify phenotypic characteristics in subsequent generations.
SUVmax values in FDG-PET/CT scans of patients with HCC: A possible new prognostic factor

1308 Objectives HCC is the most frequent liver cancer. Hepatitis B and C are risk factors. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFT) is used as a tumor marker. Prognosis is very poor, and mainly based on: tumor size and TNM staging. Management is controversial. Different management-trees and treatment options based on prognostic factors exist. Aggressive surgery or liver transplant in early disease confined to the liver is probably the only cure. Metastasis is considered bad prognoses and tends to be managed with just supportive care. It has been postulated that additional prognostic factors could improve the management of these patients. The goal of this study was to assess if SUVmax values in FDG-PET/CT scans performed in patients with HCC at diagnoses could be used as a new prognostic factor. Methods 33 patients (30♂, 3♀), age 64.5±8.8 yo, with hepatitis B and/or C, elevated AFP (range 50,078-2.5) and newly diagnosed HCC were imaged with contrast-enhanced CT and FDG-PET/CT. SUVmax of the primary tumors was calculated in all cases. SUVmax values were correlated to bad prognoses based on incidence of metastatic disease. Results SUVmax levels ranged from 2.1-39.9 (mean 7.0±6.77). All patients with SUVmax>6 showed metastases (8/30) at the time of diagnoses, with exception of three patients. Using a cutoff value of SUVmax=6, 72.7% of patients with SUVmax>6 showed metastases and 88% of patients without metastases had SUVmax Conclusions SUVmax levels in FDG-PET/CT scans performed in patients with HCC tumors at time of diagnoses could become a new prognostic factor, since in our group of patients higher SUVmax levels seem to significantly correlate with higher incidence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnoses. SUVmax as a new prognostic factor could eventually improve the management of these patients in the near future
AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF DECOMPENSATED SYSTOLIC HEART FAILURE IN THE SETTING OF PATENT FORAMEN OVALE

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is one of the rare heart defects that frequently persists into adulthood without symptoms. Largerly underdiagnosed it becomes clinically relevant only in setting of cryptogenic stroke. With decompensated left heart failure (HF), the presence of a PFO can offload the left
Understanding the solvent polarity effects on surfactant-capped nanoparticles.

Understanding the molecular interactions between suspended nanoparticles (NPs) and the suspending solvent fluid may provide a useful avenue to create and to study exotic NP ensembles. This study focused on using a coarse-grained computational model to investigate the molecular interactions between oleate-capped NPs in various solvents, and to relate the results to experimental features of solvent-suspended, oleate-capped CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The QDs were modeled as a closed-shell fullerene molecule with an oleate-like ligand attached to each vertex. Solvent polarity was found to correlate to the simulation and experimental results more strongly than either dielectric constant or dipole moment. Computational results showed that the nonpolar solvents of hexane, toluene, and benzene (polarity index ETN < 0.120) kept NPs in suspension and solvated the oleate chains such that the oleate layer swelled to full extension. In contrast, as the most polar solvent tested (ETN = 1.000), water caused NPs to aggrega...