cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Flow-Activated Chloride-Selective Membrane Current in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Shear stress-induced activation of endothelial ion channels, one of the earliest responses to flow, is implicated in mechano-signal transduction that results in the regulation of vascular tone. The effects of laminar flow on endothelial membrane potential were studied in vitro using both fluorescent potentiometric dye measurements and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. The application of flow stimulated membrane hyperpolarization, which was reversed to depolarization within 35 to 160 seconds. The depolarization was caused by a Cl(-)-selective membrane current activated by flow independently of the K(+) channel-mediated hyperpolarization. Thus, flow activated both K(+) and Cl(-) currents, with the net membrane potential being determined by the balance of the responses. Membrane potential sensitivity to flow was unchanged by flow preconditioning that elongated and aligned the cells.
Modeling and Control of a Balloon Borne Stabilized Platform

A balloon borne stabilized platform has been developed for a remotely operated altitude-azimuth pointing of a millimeter wave telescope system. A modeling and controller design of the azimuth point system of the platform is presented. Simulation results show that the system is capable of continuous operation with pointing rms to better than 0.01 deg. Ground testing results show continuous operation with pointing rms to better than 0.02 deg; while results of the first flight from the National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF) at Palestine, Texas show pointing rms better than 0.02 deg.
Three-Dimensional Elastic-Plastic Fractal Analysis of Surface Adhesion in Microelectromechanical Systems

High adhesion is often encountered at contact interfaces of miniaturized devices, known as microelectromechanical systems, due to the development of capillary, electrostatic, and van der Waals attractive forces. In addition, deformation of contacting asperities on opposing surfaces produces a repulsive interfacial force. Permanent surface adhesion (referred to as stiction) occurs when the total interfacial force is attractive and exceeds the micromachine restoring force. In the present study, a three-dimensional fractal topography description is incorporated into an elastic-plastic contact mechanics analysis of asperity deformation. Simulation results revealing the contribution of capillary, electrostatic, van der Waals, and asperity deformation forces to the total interfacial force are presented for silicon/silicon and aluminum/aluminum material systems and different mean surface separation distances. Results demonstrate a pronounced effect of surface roughness on the micromachine critical stiffness required to overcome interfacial adhesion.
Relationships between chemical structure and cholinergic activities of furmethides and potentiation of these activities by physostigmine

Summary Furfuryltrimethylammonium (furmethide; FT), 5-methylfurmethide (5-MFT), 5-hydroxymethylfurmethide (5-HMFT) and 5-chloromethylfurmethide (5-ClMFT) have structural similarity to muscarine. The cholinergic activities of these furmethides were compared on a superfused guinea pig ileum preparation. All four compounds were less potent but equally as active as acetylcholine (ACh). The ED50s of these compounds decrease in the following order: 5-ClMFT > 5-HFT > 5-MFT. The electron densities around the furan oxygen of these compounds decrease in the same order. It has been observed that these furmethides display two separate actions: (1) Direct interaction at the muscarinic receptor to elicit a response; and (2) Release of ACh from the presynaptic nerve terminal. In the presence of physostigmine, dose response curves of these compounds were shifted to the left. There was approximately a two-fold shift in the ED50 values for the furmethide. Like muscarine, these compounds were not hydrolyzed by cholinesterase (ChE). At least part of the furmethides response was due to release of ACh, because the responses were increased by ChE inhibition.
Allosteric regulation of protease activity by small molecules

Proteases regulate a plethora of biological processes. Because they irreversibly cleave peptide bonds, the activity of proteases is strictly controlled. While there are many ways to regulate protease activity, an emergent mechanism is the modulation of protease function by small molecules acting at allosteric sites. This mode of regulation holds the potential to allow for the specific and temporal control of a given biological process using small molecules. These compounds also serve as useful tools for studying protein dynamics and function. This review highlights recent advances in identifying and characterizing natural and synthetic small molecule allosteric regulators of proteases and discusses their utility in studies of protease function, drug discovery and protein engineering.
On Matrices with Perron–Frobenius Properties and Some Negative Entries

We consider those n-by-n matrices with a strictly dominant positive eigenvalue of multiplicity 1 and associated positive left and right eigenvectors. Such matrices may have negative entries and generalize the primitive matrices in important ways. Several ways of constructing such matrices, including a very geometric one, are discussed. This paper grew out of a recent survey talk about nonnegative matrices by the first author and a joint paper, with others, by the second author about the symmetric case [Tarazaga et al. (2001) Linear Algebra Appl. 328: 57].
Quantitative fractography and dislocation interpretations of the cyclic cleavage crack growth process

Abstract Fractographic features of cyclic cleavage crack growth in Fe and Fe-binary alloys as a function of applied stress intensity and test temperature are documented. Cyclic striations, cleavage rivers and twist angle misorientations are measured and discussed in terms of geometrical and local stress considerations. It is shown that the river height displacement must account for both twist angle misorientation between adjacent grains and the crack-tip opening displacement of an advancing fatigue crack. With regards to the rate of an advancing cleavage crack, a dislocation dynamics model is derived which qualitatively gives the correct ordering of power-law slopes (d a /d N vs ΔK ) and growth rate magnitudes as a function of test temperature.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of Candida keratitis.

Purpose To characterize the clinical features and therapeutic outcome of Candida keratitis. Design Retrospective, observational case series. Methods We reviewed 26 patients treated for Candida keratitis, including two with recurrent keratitis and one with bilateral infection. Results Of 29 keratitis episodes resulting from Candida albicans (n = 20) or Candida parapsilosis (n = 9), 16 (55%) complicated chronic ocular surface disease, and nine (31%) followed previous keratoplasty. Only two were clinically suspected to have keratomycosis at initial presentation, and 21 (72%) used antibacterial therapy before corneal scrapings. Reconstructive keratoplasty occurred more often in previously grafted eyes ( P = .03). Visual outcome was 20/60 or better in six (100%) medically treated eyes with good presenting visual acuity but in only five eyes (24%) with worse initial vision ( P = .002). Conclusions Candida keratitis is an opportunistic infection of a compromised cornea that often is misdiagnosed initially and, despite antifungal therapy, occasionally requires corneal grafting.
Challenges for homeland security

Preventing and protecting against catastrophic terrorism is a complex and dynamic challenge.
Tree-ring reconstruction of upper Gila River discharge

: Effective planning for use of water resources requires accurate information on hydrologic variability induced by climatic fluctuations. Tree-ring analysis is one method of extending our knowledge of hydrologic variability beyond the relatively short period covered by gaged streamflow records. In this paper, a network of recently developed tree-ring chronologies is used to reconstruct annual river discharge in the upper Gila River drainage in southeastern Arizona and southwestern Arizona since A.D. 1663. The need for data on hydrologic variability for this semi-arid basin is accentuated because water supply is inadequate to meet current demand. A reconstruction based on multiple linear regression (R2=0.66) indicates that 20th century is unusual for clustering of high-discharge years (early 1900s), severity of multiyear drought (1950s), and amplification of low-frequency discharge variations. Periods of low discharge recur at irregular intervals averaging about 20 years. Comparison with other tree-ring reconstructions shows that these low-flow periods are synchronous from the Gila Basin to the southern part of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Modelling the Heliosphere

An overview of our present efforts at the Bartol Research Institute in modelling the large-scale interaction of the solar wind with the local interstellar medium is presented. Particular stress is placed on the self-consistent inclusion of neutral hydrogen in the models and both 2D and 3D structure is discussed. Observational implications are noted.
Assessment and management of pain syndromes and arthritis pain in children and adolescents.

Pediatric rheumatologists increasingly are faced with the challenge of assessing, diagnosing, and managing pain in children and adolescents. Recent research suggests that muscloskeletal pain may be the most common complaint for which children are referred to pediatric rheumatologists. Understanding the nature of chronic musculoskeletal pain in children is advantageous for general pediatric practitioners and subspecialists. This article introduces issues related to pain in children who have musculoskeletal pain syndromes and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Transport and Retention of Colloidal Aggregates of C60 in Porous Media: Effects of Organic Macromolecules, Ionic Composition, and Preparation Method

The physical−chemical behavior of the fullerene C60 in environmental and physiological media is of interest for understanding the potential transport, exposure, and impacts of these materials on organisms and ecosystems. We consider the role of electrolyte composition and concentration, the effect of organic macromolecules, and the mode of preparation of colloidal aggregates of C60 (nC60) on the deposition of these colloids in a porous medium such as a groundwater aquifer or a water treatment filter. Results for nC60 deposition are qualitatively consistent with trends anticipated by theory. Deposition was found to increase with increasing ionic strength, the presence of polysaccharide-type organic matter, and lower Darcy velocities. Factors that will tend to decrease the retention of these materials in porous media include a low ionic strength and the presence of humic-like substances, while the ionic strengths typical of many natural waters and the presence polysaccharide-based natural organic matter, as...
In Vitro Capability of Faropenem To Select for Resistant Mutants of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae

When tested against nine strains of pneumococci and six of Haemophilus influenzae of various resistotypes, faropenem failed to select for resistant mutants after 50 days of consecutive subculture in subinhibitory concentrations. Faropenem also yielded low rates of spontaneous mutations against all organisms of both species. By comparison, resistant clones were obtained with macrolides, ketolides, and quinolones.
Investigation of a solid-state photodetector

Abstract We present results on the operation and performance characteristics of the MRS (metal/resistor/semiconductor) photodiode. These include measurements of threshold characteristics, noise frequency, dependence of signal amplitude on the applied voltage and temperature, and stability as a function of time and radiation dose. The single photoelectron separation for this photosensor is demonstrated with a light emitting diode. The response of the photodetector to light produced in a scintillator is studied with cosmic ray muons and a 106 Ru source. In addition, fiber-sensor alignment issues were evaluated. The results are promising and illustrate the potential use of MRS as photosensors in high-energy physics detectors.
Global analysis of fluorescence decay surfaces: excited-state reactions

Abstract A procedure is proposed for the analysis of fluorescence decay data for systems undergoing excited-state reactions. The rate constants describing the excited-state reactions as well as the spectra associated with each emitting state are recovered in a single analysis step. The method incorporates the simultaneous nonlinear analysis of a multidimensional data surface of time, multiple wavelenghts and concentrations. Complex excited-state reaction schemes can be tested and highly overlapping spectra can be resolved.
Adult cutaneous hemangiomas are composed of nonreplicating endothelial cells.

Abstract Thirty-four human "cherry" dermal hemangiomas were studied by electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture to assess the neoplastic nature of these lesions. Electron microscopy of nine hemangiomas revealed a pronounced thickening of the basement membrane (0.6 to 14μm) in 93% of the total 158 vascular structures examined within the lesions. This increase was caused mainly by multiple layers of basal lamina, which were irregular in outline and frequently associated with pericytes. Basement membrane changes were present both in the periphery of the hemangiomas, as well as in the center of the lesions. Immature vessels could not be identified and mitoses were absent in all endothelial cells. Using an immunohistochemical marker (Ki67) specific for proliferating cells in G2 and S phases, positive staining was not found in the endothelial cells lining the hemangiomatous vessels, whereas basal epidermal keratinocytes in the same preparations and cultured microvascular endothelial cells expressed the antigen. Endothelial cells of nine hemangiomas did not stain with an activation-related antibody (E12) specific for endothelial cells. When endothelial cells from 14 hemangiomas were isolated and cultured under conditions that support the growth of normal human skin microvascular endothelial cells, the cells of hemangiomatous origin failed to grow. We conclude that the adult hemangiomas may not be true neoplasms, but a tissue overgrowth composed of mature vessels resembling dermal venules, lined by endothelial cells with virtually no turnover.
Postoperative Tonsillectomy Bleed: Coblation Versus Noncoblation

Objective: To examine the incidence of postoperative bleeding after coblation and noncoblation tonsillectomy and to use postoperative bleeding as an outcome measure to determine the presence of a learning curve with this new surgical technique. Study Design: A retrospective review of records from January 1999 to April 2003 to determine type of tonsillectomy performed and the presence of postoperative bleeding. A chi-square analysis was used to determine a statistical difference between the postoperative bleed rate of coblation and noncoblation procedures. The examined time period was divided into 3-month intervals, and the coblation postoperative bleeds were tallied for each interval. The Cochraine-Armitage test of linear trend was used to assess change in the postoperative bleeds. Results: One thousand seven hundred sixty-two tonsillectomies were performed. The postoperative bleed rate for noncoblation tonsillectomy was 6.1% (74/1,216). The bleeding rate for coblation tonsillotomy was 5.9% (18/303) and 5.4% (13/239) for coblation tonsillectomy. There was no statistical difference (P = .93) between bleed rates for coblation versus noncoblation techniques. There was no difference in the need for operative intervention to control postoperative bleeding: 16.2% (12/74) for noncoblation technique and 25.85 (8/31) for coblation procedures (P = .25). The postoperative coblation bleed rates for the 3-month periods did not reveal an increasing or decreasing trend in the postoperative bleed rate (P = .49). Conclusion: Coblation is a safe procedure for performing tonsil surgery with no significant difference in postoperative bleeding from previous techniques and no increased need for operative intervention to control postoperative bleeding. A learning curve could not be identified when using postoperative bleeding as an outcome measure for coblation tonsillectomy.
Letter to the Editor: Is Cystic Fibrosis Protein a Diagnostic Marker for Individuals Who Harbor the Defective Gene?

Letter to the Editor: Is Cystic Fibrosis Protein a Diagnostic Marker for Individuals Who Harbor the Defective Gene?
On Distributed Communications Networks

This paper briefly reviews the distributed communication network concept in which each station is connected to all adjacent stations rather than to a few switching points, as in a centralized system. The payoff for a distributed configuration in terms of survivability in the cases of enemy attack directed against nodes, links or combinations of nodes and links is demonstrated. A comparison is made between diversity of assignment and perfect switching in distributed networks, and the feasibility of using low-cost unreliable communication links, even links so unreliable as to be unusable in present type networks, to form highly reliable networks is discussed. The requirements for a future all-digital data distributed network which provides common user service for a wide range of users having different requirements is considered. The use of a standard format message block permits building relatively simple switching mechanisms using an adaptive store-and-forward routing policy to handle all forms of digital data including digital voice. This network rapidly responds to changes in the network status. Recent history of measured network traffic is used to modify path selection. Simulation results are shown to indicate that highly efficient routing can be performed by local control without the necessity for any central, and therefore vulnerable, control point.
Exploring the Next Frontier of Mouse Vision

Two studies in this issue of Neuron apply in vivo functional imaging techniques to map out and record from mouse extrastriate visual cortex. They find that distinct areas show hallmarks of processing for different types of visual input and provide a promising path forward to investigate how complex image analysis is performed in the mouse visual system.
Monozygotic Twins Discordant for ROHHAD Phenotype

Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) falls within a group of pediatric disorders with both respiratory control and autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Children with ROHHAD typically present after 1.5 years of age with rapid weight gain as the initial sign. Subsequently, they develop alveolar hypoventilation, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, and, if untreated, cardiorespiratory arrest. To our knowledge, this is the first report of discordant presentation of ROHHAD in monozygotic twins. Twin girls, born at term, had concordant growth and development until 8 years of age. From 8 to 12 years of age, the affected twin developed features characteristic of ROHHAD including obesity, alveolar hypoventilation, scoliosis, hypothalamic dysfunction (central diabetes insipidus, hypothyroidism, premature pubarche, and growth hormone deficiency), right paraspinal/thoracic ganglioneuroblastoma, seizures, and autonomic dysregulation including altered pain perception, large and sluggishly reactive pupils, hypothermia, and profound bradycardia that required a cardiac pacemaker. Results of genetic testing for PHOX2B (congenital central hypoventilation syndrome disease-defining gene) mutations were negative. With early recognition and conservative management, the affected twin had excellent neurocognitive outcome that matched that of the unaffected twin. The unaffected twin demonstrated rapid weight gain later in age but not development of signs/symptoms consistent with ROHHAD. This discordant twin pair demonstrates key features of ROHHAD including the importance of early recognition (especially hypoventilation), complexity of signs/symptoms and clinical course, and importance of initiating comprehensive, multispecialty care. These cases confound the hypothesis of a monogenic etiology for ROHHAD and indicate alternative etiologies including autoimmune or epigenetic phenomenon or a combination of genetic predisposition and acquired precipitant.
Performance comparison of a novel hybrid smart antenna system versus the fully adaptive and switched beam antenna arrays

In this paper we investigate and compare the performance of a newly proposed hybrid smart antenna system with the fully adaptive and switched beam smart antenna array systems. Simulation results show that the adaptive and the proposed hybrid systems have nearly the same performance accuracy, with the hybrid system offering faster tracking time, improved computational efficiency, and a significant reduction in the implementation cost. The comparative study also included measured radiation pattern from a recently developed coplanar waveguide continuous transverse stub (CPW-CTS) antenna [W. Kim and M.F. Iskander].
The Role of Bargaining Power in Relational Contracts

This paper studies the effect bargaining power has on self-enforcing contracts. Optimal contracts are characterized under three enforcement regimes. When enforcement is absent, I show that as the agent's bargaining power increases, her incentive payments decrease even though her total compensation increases. Thus, efficiency wage contracts are more likely to be observed than contingent performance contracts in markets where agents have bargaining power. Self-enforcement is sustainable for any distribution of bargaining power when contracts are partially enforceable. Yet, when contracts are too costly to enforce or not enforceable at all good faith agreements collapse if the agent holds all bargaining power. In this case, the agent is better off exercising less bargaining power than what she has.
A Three Dimensional Parametric Model for Wideband MIMO Mobile-to-Mobile Channels

A three-dimensional (3-D) geometrical propagation model for wideband multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mobile-to-mobile (M-to-M) communications is proposed. Based on the geometrical model, a 3-D parametric reference model for wideband MIMO M-to-M multipath fading channels is developed. From the reference model, the space-time-frequency correlation function and the space-Doppler power spectral density are derived for a 3-D non-isotropic scattering environment. Finally, some simulation results are presented and compared with measured data. The close agreement between the theoretical and empirical curves confirms the utility of the proposed wideband model.
Microarray-Based Characterization of the Listeria monocytogenes Cold Regulon in Log- and Stationary-Phase Cells

Whole-genome microarray experiments were performed to define the Listeria monocytogenes cold growth regulon and to identify genes differentially expressed during growth at 4 and 37°C. Microarray analysis using a stringent cutoff (adjusted P < 0.001; ≥2.0-fold change) revealed 105 and 170 genes that showed higher transcript levels in logarithmic- and stationary-phase cells, respectively, at 4°C than in cells grown at 37°C. A total of 74 and 102 genes showed lower transcript levels in logarithmic- and stationary-phase cells, respectively, grown at 4°C. Genes with higher transcript levels at 4°C in both stationary- and log-phase cells included genes encoding a two-component response regulator (lmo0287), a cold shock protein (cspL), and two RNA helicases (lmo0866 and lmo1722), whereas a number of genes encoding virulence factors and heat shock proteins showed lower transcript levels at 4°C. Selected genes that showed higher transcript levels at 4°C during both stationary and log phases were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Our data show that (i) a large number of L. monocytogenes genes are differentially expressed at 4 and 37°C, with more genes showing higher transcript levels than lower transcript levels at 4°C, (ii) L. monocytogenes genes with higher transcript levels at 4°C include a number of genes and operons with previously reported or plausible roles in cold adaptation, and (iii) L. monocytogenes genes with lower transcript levels at 4°C include a number of virulence and virulence-associated genes as well as some heat shock genes.
The Newsworthiness of U.S. Supreme Court Criminal Procedure Cases (1994–2010 Terms): Assessing the Effects of Case Salience and Case Complexity Across Elite and Populace Press

This study examines elite (New York Times and Washington Post) and populace (USA Today) media decisions to cover and to intensively cover U.S. Supreme Court outcomes in criminal procedure cases dec...
The Antecedents and Consequences of Human Behavioral Mimicry

Behavioral mimicry—the automatic imitation of gestures, postures, mannerisms, and other motor movements—is pervasive in human interactions. The current review focuses on two recent themes in the mimicry literature. First, an analysis of the moderators of mimicry uncovers the various motivational, social, emotional, and personality factors that lead to more or less mimicry of an interaction partner in a given situation. Second, a significant amount of recent research has identified important downstream consequences of mimicking or being mimicked by another person. These include not only increased prosociality between interactants, but also unexpected effects on the individual, such as cognitive processing style, attitudes, consumer preferences, self-regulatory ability, and academic performance. Behavioral mimicry is also placed in its broader context: a form of interpersonal coordination. It is compared to interactional synchrony and other social contagion effects, including verbal, goal, and emotional con...
Image registration by aligning entropies

Maximization of mutual information is a powerful method for registering images (and other data) captured with different sensors or under varying conditions, since the technique is robust to variations in the image formation process. On the other hand, the high level of robustness allows false positives when matching over a large search space and also makes it difficult to formulate an efficient search strategy for this case. We describe techniques to overcome these problems by aligning image entropies, which are robust to illumination variation and can be applied to multi-sensor registration. This results in a lower rate of false positives and a more efficient method to search an image for the matching position. The techniques are applied to real imagery and compared to methods based on mutual information and gradients to demonstrate their effectiveness.
New processes for new horizons: the incremental commitment model

The wide variety of software-intensive systems needed to support the new horizons of evolving technology, system and software complexity, high dependability, global interoperability, emergent requirements, and adaptability to rapid change make traditional and current one-size-fits-all process models infeasible. This tutorial presents the process framework, principles, practices, and case studies for a new model developed and being used to address these challenges. It has a series of risk-driven decision points that enable projects to converge on whatever combination of agile, plan-driven, formal, legacy-oriented, reuse-oriented, or adaptive processes that best fit a project's situation. The tutorial discusses the decision table for common special cases; exit ramps for terminating non-viable projects; support of concurrent engineering of requirements, solutions and plans; and evidence-based commitment milestones for synchronizing the concurrent engineering. The tutorial will include case studies and exercises for participants' practice and discussion.
Separable decompositions and approximations of greyscale morphological templates

Abstract Decomposition of templates is a useful technique for increasing the computational efficiency of image processing operations, either by decreasing the number of operations required or by reorganizing computations into forms more compatible with specialized image processing architectures. There are numerous examples of useful decompositions including FFTs, decomposition of Laplacians of Gaussian masks, and decompositions of separable, convex greyscale structuring elements in mathematical morphology. In this paper, a method for decomposing any grey-scale structuring element into the sum of a separable and a totally inseparable template is described. Simple methods for decomposing the resulting separable template, or any separable template, into separable factors with respect to dilation are also described. The theory behind the decompositions and algorithms for computing them are both presented. If the original template is separable, then the method yields a separable decomposition. If the original template is not separable, the method yields the closest separable template to the original in the mean square sense.
Relationship between phosphorylated histone H2AX formation and cell survival in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) as a function of ionizing radiation exposure in the presence or absence of thiol-containing drugs.

Abstract Kataoka, Y., Murley, J. S., Baker, K. L. and Grdina, D. J. Relationship between Phosphorylated Histone H2AX Formation and Cell Survival in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMEC) as a Function of Ionizing Radiation Exposure in the Presence or Absence of Thiol-Containing Drugs. Radiat. Res. 168, 106–114 (2007). Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) were exposed to ionizing radiation at doses ranging from 0 to 16 Gy in either the presence or absence of the active thiol forms of amifostine (WR1065), phosphonol (WR255591), N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), captopril or mesna. Each of these clinically relevant thiols, administered to HMEC at a dose of 4 mM for 30 min prior to irradiation, is known to exhibit antioxidant properties. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship(s), if any, between the frequency of radiation-induced histone H2AX phosphorylation at serine 139 (γ-H2AX) in cells and subsequent survival, as assessed by colony-forming ability, in exposed cell popul...
Problems and solutions of the extensor mechanism

Abstract Problems related to the extensor mechanism can be devastating and severely compromise the end result of revision knee replacement surgery. Many of these complications can be prevented by careful surgical technique, especially intraoperative avulsion of the patellar tendon. Fractures of the patella in the most extreme forms can lead to prosthetic loosening and disruption of the extensor mechanism. In the most severe cases, complete absence of the extensor mechanism may require allograft extensor mechanisms to restore extensor function. Alterations in rehabilitation and postoperative treatment are often necessary to ensure an excellent result. Along with restoration of bone defects, achieving excellent knee alignment and stability, a functional and aligned extensor mechanism is key to an excellent result in knee revision surgery.
Obesity-Induced Infertility and Hyperandrogenism Are Corrected by Deletion of the Insulin Receptor in the Ovarian Theca Cell

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit elevated androgen levels, oligoanovulation, infertility, and insulin resistance in metabolic tissues. The aims of these studies were to determine the role of insulin signaling in the development and function of ovarian theca cells and the pathophysiologic effects of hyperinsulinism on ovarian function in obesity. We disrupted the insulin receptor (IR) gene specifically in the theca-interstitial (TI) cells of the ovaries (Cyp17IRKO). No changes in reproductive development or function were observed in lean Cyp17IRKO female mice, suggesting that insulin signaling in TI cell is not essential for reproduction. However, when females were fed a high-fat diet, diet-induced obesity (DIO) wild-type (DIO-WT) mice were infertile and experienced increased circulating testosterone levels, whereas DIO-Cyp17IRKO mice exhibited improved fertility and testosterone levels comparable to those found in lean mice. The levels of phosphorylated IRS1 and CYP17 protein were higher in the ovary of DIO-WT compared with DIO-Cyp17IRKO or lean mice. Ex vivo studies using a whole ovary culture model demonstrated that insulin acts independently or additively with human chorionic gonadotropin to enhance androstenedione secretion. These studies reveal the causal pathway linking hyperinsulinism with ovarian hyperandrogenism and the infertility of obesity.
The Molecular Genetics of Crop Domestication

Ten thousand years ago human societies around the globe began to transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture. By 4000 years ago, ancient peoples had completed the domestication of all major crop species upon which human survival is dependent, including rice, wheat, and maize. Recent research has begun to reveal the genes responsible for this agricultural revolution. The list of genes to date tentatively suggests that diverse plant developmental pathways were the targets of Neolithic "genetic tinkering," and we are now closer to understanding how plant development was redirected to meet the needs of a hungry world.
Antimicrobials: Modes of Action and Mechanisms of Resistance:

After six decades of widespread antibiotic use, bacterial pathogens of human and animal origin are becoming increasingly resistant to many antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial resistance develops through a limited number of mechanisms: (a) permeability changes in the bacterial cell wall/membrane, which restrict antimicrobial access to target sites; (b) active efflux of the antimicrobial from the cell; (c) mutation in the target site; (d) enzymatic modification or degradation of the antimicrobial; and (e) acquisition of alternative metabolic pathways to those inhibited by the drug. Numerous bacterial antimicrobial resistance phenotypes result from the acquisition of external genes that may provide resistance to an entire class of antimicrobials. These genes are frequently associated with large transferable extrachromosomal DNA elements called plasmids, on which may be other mobile DNA elements such as transposons and integrons. An array of different resistance genes may accumulate on a single mobile element, presenting a situation in which multiple antibiotic resistance can be acquired via a single genetic event. The versatility of bacterial populations in adapting to toxic environments, along with their facility in exchanging DNA, signifies that antibiotic resistance is an inevitable biological phenomenon that will likely continue to be a chronic medical problem. Successful management of current antimicrobials, and the continued development of new ones, is vital to protecting human and animal health against bacterial pathogens.
Ultramasculine prison environments and inmates' adjustment: It's time to move beyond the “boys will be boys” paradigm

Shock incarceration programs have become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional prisons. Critics state, however, that such programs are characterized by ultramasculine environments which may lead to a number of negative outcomes for inmates. This study compares inmates in a shock incarceration program with inmates in a traditional minimum-security prison on the degree to which they perceive their environments as masculine, and how these perceptions relate to institutional adjustment. Inmates who describe their environment as possessing ultramasculine attributes were more likely to report negative patterns of adjustment.
Mapping endocrine surgery: Workforce analysis from the last six decades

Background We analyzed the demographics of high-volume surgeons (HVS) for endocrine operations. Methods We characterized HVS by region, specialty, gender, teaching-affiliation, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) membership, and decade they entered practice. Providers were general surgeons (GS) and otolaryngologists (ENT); fellowship trained (FT) or not FT (NFT). Results We identified 395 HVS in 47 states entering practice between 1958 and 2011. Sixty-eight percent were GS, 35% were FT, and 35% were AAES members. GS, FT surgeons, and endocrine surgery FT surgeons (ES) performed more operations per surgeon. More FT surgeons were in Northeast, West (W), and Midwest than Southeast (SE) and Southwest (SW; P P P P = .3). Representation of ES, AAES members, and females increased over decades ( P Conclusion The workforce for endocrine operations displayed increased representation of GS, FT surgeons, and women, correlating with the profile of recent AAES fellowship graduates. More insight is needed to understand why most HVS were not AAES members. Regional disparities can guide the placement of endocrine surgeons into both academic and community practices, increasing trainee exposure and patient access to specialty care.
The Effects of Natural Hybridization on the Regulation of Doubly Uniparental mtDNA Inheritance in Blue Mussels (Mytilus spp.)

Blue mussels in the Mythilus edulis species complex have a doubly uniparental mode of mtDNA inheritance with separate maternal and paternal mtDNA lineages. Female mussels inherit their mtDNA solely from their mother, while males inherit mtDNA from both parents. In the male gonad the paternal mtDNA is preferentially replicated so that only paternal mtDNA is transmitted from fathers to sons. Hybridization is common among differentiated blue mussel taxa; whenever it involves M. trossulus , doubly uniparental mtDNA inheritance is disrupted. We have found high frequencies of males without and females with paternal mtDNA among hybrid mussels produced by interspecific matings between M. galloprovincialis and M. trossulus . In contrast, hybridization between M. galloprovincialis and M. edulis does not affect doubly uniparental inheritance, indicating a difference in the divergence of the mechanisms regulating mtDNA inheritance among the three blue mussel taxa. Our data indicate a high frequency of disrupted mtDNA transmission in F1 hybrids and suggest that two separate mechanisms, one regulating the transmission of paternal mtDNA to males and another inhibiting the establishment of paternal mtDNAin females, act to regulate doubly uniparental inheritance. We propose a model for the regulation of doubly uniparental inheritance that is consistent with these observations.
Heating based model analysis for explosive emission initiation at metal cathodes

This contribution presents a model analysis for the initiation of explosive emission; a phenomena that is observed at cathode surfaces under high current densities. Here, localized heating is quantitatively evaluated on ultrashort time scales as a potential mechanism that initiates explosive emission, based on a two-temperature, relaxation time model. Our calculations demonstrate a strong production of nonequilibrium phonons, ultimately leading to localized melting. Temperatures are predicted to reach the cathode melting point over nanosecond times within the first few monolayers of the protrusion. This result is in keeping with the temporal scales observed experimentally for the initiation of explosive emission.
Figure–ground organization and the emergence of proto-objects in the visual cortex

A long history of studies of perception has shown that the visual system organizes the incoming information early on, interpreting the 2D image in terms of a 3D world and producing a structure that provides perceptual continuity and enables object-based attention. Recordings from monkey visual cortex show that many neurons, especially in area V2, are selective for border ownership. These neurons are edge selective and have ordinary classical receptive fields, but in addition their responses are modulated (enhanced or suppressed) depending on the location of a ‘figure’ relative to the edge in their receptive field. Each neuron has a fixed preference for location on one side or the other. This selectivity is derived from the image context far beyond the classical receptive field. This paper reviews evidence indicating that border ownership selectivity reflects the formation of early object representations (‘proto-objects’). The evidence includes experiments showing (1) reversal of border ownership signals with change of perceived object structure, (2) border ownership specific enhancement of responses in object-based selective attention, (3) persistence of border ownership signals in accordance with continuity of object perception, and (4) remapping of border ownership signals across saccades and object movements. Findings 1 and 2 can be explained by hypothetical grouping circuits that sum contour feature signals in search of objecthood, and, via recurrent projections, enhance the corresponding low-level feature signals. Findings 3 and 4 might be explained by assuming that the activity of grouping circuits persists and can be remapped. Grouping, persistence and remapping are fundamental operations of vision. Finding these operations manifest in low-level visual areas challenges traditional views of visual processing. New computational models need to be developed for a comprehensive understanding of the function of the visual cortex.
A new species of Chimarra ( Otarrha ) Blahnik from Brazil (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae)

Chimarra Stephens, 1829 is the second largest genus of Trichoptera, with more than 700 extant species worldwide (Morse 2015). Currently 4 subgenera are recognized: Chimarra Stephens, 1829, known from all zoogeographic regions; and Curgia Walker, 1860, Chimarrita Blahnik, 1997, and Otarrha Blahnik, 2002, all of them confined to the Neotropics (Blahnik & Holzenthal 2012).
Characterization techniques for aligning spatio-temporal focused ultrafast pulses

To optimize intensity-localization in spatio-temporally focused ultrafast beams we demonstrate spectral interferometric and spectrally-resolved knife edge scan methods to characterize lateral and angular spatial chirp. A novel dispersion scan yields the focused-pulse spectral phase.
Repeatability in Color Measurements of a Spectrophotometer using Different Positioning Devices.

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the repeatability of color measurements of an intraoral spectrophotometer with the use of three different methods by two operators. Materials and methods A total of 60 teeth were obtained, comprising 30 human maxillary teeth [central incisors (n = 10); canines (n = 10); molars (n = 10)] and 30 artificial teeth [lateral incisors (n = 10); premolar (n = 20)]. Multiple repeated color measurements were obtained from each tooth using three measuring methods by each of the two operators. Five typodonts with alternating artificial and human teeth were made. Measurements were taken by two operators with the Vita EasyShade spectrophotometer using the custom tray (CT), custom jig (CJ) and free hand (FH) method, twice, at an interval of 2 to 7 days. Friedman test was used to detect difference among the three color measuring methods. Post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction applied was used for pair-wise comparison of color measurements among the three methods. Additionally, a paired-sample t-test was used to assess a significant difference between the two duplicated measurements made on the same tooth by the same operator for each color parameter and measuring method. Results For operator A, mean (SD) overall color change-ΔE* (SD) perceived for FH, CT and CJ were 2.21(2.00), 2.39 (1.58) and 2.86 (1.92), respectively. There was statistically significant difference in perceived ΔE* in FH vs CJ (p = 0.0107). However, there were no significant differences between FH and CT (p = 0.2829) or between CT and CJ (p = 0.1159). For operator B mean ΔE* (SD) for FH, CT and CJ were 3.24 (3.46), 1.95 (1.19) and 2.45 (1.56), respectively. There was a significant difference between FH and CT (p = 0.0031). However, there were no statistically significant differences in ΔE* in FH vs CJ (p = 0.3696) or CT vs CJ (p = 0.0809). Conclusion The repeatability of color measurements was different among the three measuring methods by operators. Overall, the CT method worked well for both operators. Clinical significance The use of a custom tray with apertures can improve the repeatability of color measurements of an intraoral spectrophotometer.
Hairy cell lymphoma: a potentially under-recognized entity

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a low grade B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder that typically presents with splenomegaly, cytopenias, and diffuse bone marrow infiltration. There have been few cases in the literature of HCL presenting as lymphomas in extra-nodal locations, such as soft tissues and bones without circulating leukemic cells, splenomegaly, or iliac crest bone marrow involvement. We present an additional case presenting as a thoracic mass, and discuss potential diagnostic pitfalls and management of these rare cases.
Management and Survival Patterns of Patients with Gliomatosis Cerebri: A SEER-Based Analysis.

Objective We used the SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results) database (1999–2010) to analyze the clinical practice patterns and overall survival in patients with gliomatosis cerebri (GC), or glioma involving 3 or more lobes of the cerebrum. Methods We identified 111 patients (age ≥18 years) with clinically or microscopically diagnosed GC in the SEER database. Analyses were performed to determine clinical practice patterns for these patients and whether these practices were associated with survival. Results Fifty-eight percent of the 111 patients with GC received microscopic confirmation of their diagnosis. Of the remaining patients, 40% were diagnosed via imaging or laboratory tests, and 2% had unknown methods of diagnosis. Seven percent of patients who did not have microscopic confirmation of their diagnosis received radiation therapy. Radiation therapy and surgery were not associated with survival. The only variable significantly associated with overall survival was age at diagnosis. Patients aged 18–50 years showed improved survival relative to patients aged >50 years (median survival, 11 and 6 months, respectively; P = 0.03). For patients aged >50 years, improved overall survival was observed in the post-temozolomide era (2005–2010) relative to those treated in the pre-temozolomide era (1999–2004) (median survival, 9 and 4 months, respectively; P = 0.005). Conclusions In the SEER database, ∼40% of the patients with glioma with imaging findings of GC do not receive microscopic confirmation of their diagnosis. We propose that tissue confirmation is warranted in patients with GC, because genomic analysis of these specimens may provide insights that will contribute to meaningful therapeutic intervention.
Regulation of taxis and the rise of ridesharing

Abstract This paper examines the experience with economic regulation of traditional taxicab markets and the effects of newly emerging dynamic rideshare services on the taxicab industry. The paper provides a brief history of the regulation of taxicabs and the development of ridesharing services in cities world-wide. The aim is to show the pros and cons of taxicab regulation and explain why ridesharing services have gained a strong foothold in many markets. Even though economic regulation of taxicab markets has long been questioned, and some cities deregulated their taxi services over the past several decades, most cities have continued to regulate market entry and fares, citing environmental concerns and consumer protection as justifications. The recent development of dynamic ridesharing services, which match drivers with riders using cell phone technology to handle matches and payments, is posing a major challenge to the traditional taxi markets. While some cities have chosen to ban the new services, many others have allowed the rideshare services to compete with taxis, but with far fewer regulatory constraints. This in turn has led to new policy issues: not only whether taxis and ridesharing services should be regulated differently, but more broadly, what regulations are appropriate given the new technologies that are being employed by both traditional taxis and the new services.