cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Normal photoresponses and altered b-wave responses to APB in the mdx(Cv3) mouse isolated retina ERG supports role for dystrophin in synaptic transmission.

The mdxCv3 mouse is a model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is an X-linked disorder with defective expression of the protein dystrophin, and which is associated with a reduced b-wave and has other electroretinogram (ERG) abnormalities. To assess potential causes for the abnormalities, we recorded ERGs from pieces of isolated C57BL/6J and mdxCv3 mouse retinas, including measurements of transretinal and intraretinal potentials. The ERGs from the isolated mdxCv3 retina differ from those of control retinas in that they show reduced b-wave amplitudes and increased b-wave implicit times. Photovoltages obtained by recording across the photoreceptor outer segments of the retinas did not differ from normal, suggesting that the likely causes of the reduced b-wave are localized to the photoreceptor to ON-bipolar synapse. At a concentration of 50 μM, the glutamate analog DL-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB) blocks the b-wave component of the ERG, by binding to sites on the postsynaptic membrane. The On-bipolar cell contribution to the ERG was inferred by extracting the component that was blocked by APB. We found that this component was smaller in amplitude and had longer response latencies in the mdxCv3 mice, but was of similar overall time course. To assess the sensitivity of sites on the postsynaptic membrane to glutamate, the concentration of APB in the media was systematically varied, and the magnitude of blockage of the light response was quantified. We found that the mdxCv3 retina was 5-fold more sensitive to APB than control retinas. The ability of lower concentrations of APB to block the b-wave in mdxCv3 suggests that the ERG abnormalities may reflect alterations in either glutamate release, the glutamate postsynaptic binding sites, or in other proteins that modulate glutamate function in ON-bipolar cells.
The optical activity of large molecules from classical scattering theory

Abstract A classical theory of optical activity valid for large molecules is formulated from a consideration of the scattering of electromagnetic radiation by a low-density collection of these molecules. The specific rotatory power is shown to be simply related to the asymptotic scattering amplitude which, in turn, can be conveniently expressed in terms of the interaction energy between the molecule and the electromagnetic field. For purposes of illustration, the theory is applied to a coupled harmonic oscillator model. Also discussed is the connection of the present theory to semiclassical, and completely quantum mechanical approaches, and to the usual treatment of small molecules which proceeds via the constitutive relations.
Multistability, chains, and cycles in optical multiwave mixing processes

We exhibit the information processing capabilities of the first few terms that arise in the amplitude expansion for resonant scattering in a medium with a delay nonlinearity (generalized volume hologram). We begin by showing how the physics of intensity dependent charge transport near a two-photon resonance gives both delayed quadratic and quartic nonlinearities. After reviewing the utility for matrix associative memories exhibited by the delayed quadratic nonlinearity (the ordinary Gabor hologram), we examine the role of the quartic nonlinearity, which is a fourth rank tensor. The symmetries of this tensor determine the information processing capabilities (via multilinear correlations) of the medium in an optical computing paradigm. We find multiple basins of stability, Jordan strings, and cycles as possible dynamic behaviors for the medium. We indicate how each corresponds to an information processing task: multiple basins to multiassociative memory, Jordan strings and cycles to chain and sequence memory and to group-invariant pattern recognition. We briefly indicate how branching processes may be implemented by the fourth rank mode-coupling tensor.
Diencephalic projections from the superficial and deep laminae of the medullary dorsal horn in the rat.

An important function of the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) is the relay of nociceptive information from the face and mouth to higher centers of the central nervous system. We studied the central projection pattern of axons arising from the MDH by examining the axonal transport of Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L). Labeled axon and axon terminal distributions arising from the MDH were analyzed at the light microscopic level. After large injections of PHA-L into both superficial and deep laminae of the MDH in the rat, labeled axons were observed in the nucleus submedius of the thalamus (SUB), ventroposterior thalamic nucleus medialis (VPM), ventroposterior thalamic nucleus parvicellularis (VPPC), posterior thalamic nuclei (PO), zona incerta (ZI), lateral hypothalamic nucleus (LH), and posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PH). Restriction of PHA-L into only the superficial laminae resulted in heavy axon and varicosity labeling in the SUB, VPM, PO, and VPPC and light labeling in LH. In contrast, after injections into deep laminae, labeled axons were mainly distributed in ZI and PH; some were also in VPM and LH, and fewer still in PO and SUB. Varicosities in VPM, SUB, and PO were significantly larger than those in VPPC, ZI, LH, and PH. Varicosity density was highest in SUB and lowest in the VPPC. We concluded that there are two distinct nociceptive pathways, one originating from the superficial MDH and terminating primarily in the dorsal diencephalon and the second originating from deep laminae of the MDH and terminating primarily in the ventral diencephalon. We propose that in the rat, input from the deeper laminae is primarily involved in the motivational-affective component of pain, whereas input from the superficial MDH is related to both the sensory-discriminative and motivational-affective component of pain. Published by 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Freezing bovine embryos with a portable liquid nitrogen freezer requiring no external seeding.

Abstract One-hundred and twenty excellent morula to blastocyst stage bovine embryos were obtained nonsurgically from superovulated Holstein heifers. Completely portable, nonelectric (manual) liquid nitrogen (LN) freezers combined with simplified freezing curves utilizing self-seeding were compared to a programmable LN freezer (Planner-R204) following the conventional freezing rate for freezing embryos. Seeding was self induced in ampules at −6.8°C and at −5.5°C in straws in the manual freezers. Glycerol was used as the cryoprotectant at 1.5 M concentration. Post-thaw appearance, fluorscein diacetate testing (FDA), and growth after 12 and 24 h incubation were used as indicators of embryo viability. There were no significant differences between embryos frozen in the two types of freezers in terms of the viability tests used. Pregnancy rates resulting from transfer of embryos frozen in the two types of freezers will be determined in subsequent field trials. The manual LN freezers used in this study are capable of successfully freezing bovine embryos. The simplified nature of these freezers and the freezing procedures used with them greatly decreases the complexity and expense of freezing embryos.
Bovine fibrinogen—Heterogeneity of the γ-chains☆

Abstract Bovine fibrinogen was subjected to sulfitolysis and the resulting S-sulfo-fibrinogen was chromatographed on CM-cellulose at pH 4.8. Several major fractions, designated α(A), β(B), γ-1 and γ-2 were isolated and their electrophoretic behavior demonstrated the relationship to the three major bands observed in the unfractionated S-sulfo-fibrinogen. Although both γ-1 and γ-2 contained tyrosine as the NH 2 -terminal amino acid, these fractions differed slightly in their electrophoretic mobility and in their amino acid and carbohydrate compositions. Preliminary studies indicated that the molecular weight of γ-1 and γ-2 was approximately 50,000. Additional variations in carbohydrate were found in the γ(B) fraction. The differences in carbohydrate content indicate that these groups are distributed unevenly throughout the bovine fibrinogen molecule.
Interfacial reaction pathways and kinetics during annealing of epitaxial Al/TiN(001) model diffusion barrier systems

Abstract Single-crystal TiN(001) layers, 60 nm thick, were grown on MgO(001) by ultra-high vacuum (UHV) reactive magnetron sputter deposition at T s =700°C in pure N 2 . Epitaxial Al(001) overlayers, 160 nm thick, were then deposited at T s =100°C without breaking vacuum. Changes in bilayer sheet resistance R s were monitored continuously as a function of time t a and temperature T a during annealing while changes in bilayer microstructure and interfacial reaction pathways were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction following selected annealing times and temperatures. The combined results indicate that bilayer reaction is initiated at the Al/TiN interface with the formation of a thin continuous epitaxial AlN(001) interfacial layer in a metastable zincblende structure. Ti atoms, released upon formation of AlN, diffuse to the Al overlayer leading to the nucleation and growth of an epitaxial tetragonal Al 3 Ti layer. Reaction kinetics obtained from R s ( T a , t a ) curves together with TEM observations of reaction pathways indicate that growth of both the AlN and Al 3 Ti layers is limited by diffusion of reactants, with an activation energy of 2.3±0.1 eV, through the AlN blocking layer.
The direct spectropolarimetric titration of aluminum. indium, and thallium with D-(—)-1,2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid

Abstract A direct spectropolarimetric titration method of analysis was developed for aluminum(III), indium(III) and thallium(III), with the stereospecific ligand, D-(—)-1, 2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (D(—)PDTA). The optical rotation of the solution was monitored with a photoelectric polarimeter to determine the end-point of the titration. The metal complexes and titrant are optically active and serve as self-indicators. Since D(—)PDTA is stereospecific in its reaction with these metals, maximum utilization of the optical rotation of these complexes is achieved. The observed optical rotation is linear with respect to concentration of the metal complexes; consequently, it is possible to perform straight-line extrapolations to the end-point. The effects of some parameters were investigated and optimum conditions were established. The range of the average deviations from visual chelometry for the three metals determined was 0.11–0.18%.
Pre-irradiation 5-fluorouracil infusion in advanced head and neck carcinomas.

One hundred and eight patients with advanced head and neck carcinomas were reviewed. Half of the patients were treated with intra-arterlal 5-fluorouracil infusion prior to external irradiation; the other half were irradiated widiout prior infusion. In spite of good regression with intra-arterial infusion, no increase in survival or cure rates was noted in the combined therapy group.
Career mobility and job flocking

Abstract Flocking is oftentimes used to metaphorically describe social behavior. Do people actually flock in a way that avian species do? This paper develops a purely ecological mechanism for explaining similarity in human behavior by distinguishing between social networks of person-to-person ties and ecological networks of ties of observability. I test the “information center hypothesis” [Ibis 115 (1973) 517] from bioecology on the career mobility of professional managers who all graduated from the same university. In this case, spatial proximity in birds is replaced with sociodemographic homophily on an acquired status characteristic among persons. The results indicate that homophilous individuals exchange information about a favorable destination state by ecological ties of observability, that is, they follow the career mobility of fellow alumni and “flock” along with them.
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY OF STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IN PURE MAGNESIUM.

Abstract A crystallographic characterization study has been made of the transgranular stress corrosion cracking in pure Mg tested at room temperature in aqueous NaCl-K2CrO4. Selected area electron channeling and photogrammetry were used to determine the cracking orientation. The fracture surfaces consisted of flat parallel {22¯03} facets approximately 10° off the {11¯01}. These facets are separated by steps also following {22¯03} planes. The fractographic evidence shows that cracking occurs by cleavage. The crystallographic characteristics and the low energy nature of the fracture surfaces are discussed in relation to compatible stress corrosion cracking models.
Dilepton production from a viscous QGP

Abstract This work calculates the first correction to the leading order q q ¯ dilepton production rates due to shear viscosity in an expanding gas. The modified rates are integrated over the space–time history of a viscous hydrodynamic simulation of RHIC collisions. The net result is a hardening of q ⊥ spectrum with the magnitude of the correction increasing with invariant mass. We argue that a thermal description is reliable for invariant masses less than M max ≈ ( 2 τ 0 T 0 2 ) / ( η / s ) . For reasonable values of the shear viscosity and thermalization time M max ≈ 4.5 GeV . Finally, the early emission from a viscous medium is compared to emission from a longitudinally free streaming plasma. Qualitative differences in q ⊥ spectrum are seen which could be used to extract information on the thermalization time, viscosity to entropy ratio and possibly the thermalization mechanism in heavy-ion collisions.
Wireless Infant Monitoring Device for the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome

A wireless Infant Monitoring Device has been developed as a preventive measure against sudden infant death syndrome. It measures the sleep position, respiratory rate and body temperature of an infant as well as its surrounding carbon monoxide concentration. Those data are considered as the risk factors of the sudden infant death syndrome. They are analyzed on board and results are transmitted to a remote server via Wi-Fi. Alarms will be triggered if any of the monitored parameters is beyond the preset limits. The system was tested on an infant manikin driven by an infant ventilator. Test outcomes demonstrated that it can reliably measure respiratory rate down to the low respiratory pressure of 3 mmHg peak to peak in addition to the infant position, temperature and carbon monoxide concentration. The device can be easily integrated into cloud service to enhance its features with its wireless communication capabilities.
Electron-positron jets from a critically magnetized black hole

The curved spacetime surrounding a rotating black hole dramatically alters the structure of nearby electromagnetic fields. The Wald field which is an asymptotically uniform magnetic field aligned with the angular momentum of the hole provides a convenient starting point to analyze the effects of radiative corrections on electrodynamics in curved spacetime. Since the curvature of the spacetime is small on the scale of the electron's Compton wavelength, the tools of quantum field theory in flat spacetime are reliable and show that a rotating black hole immersed in a magnetic field approaching the quantum critical value of $B_k=m^2 c^3/(e\hbar) \approx 4.4 \times 10^{13}$~G $\approx 1.3\times10^{-11}$ cm$^{-1}$ is unstable. Specifically, a maximally rotating three-solar-mass black hole immersed in a magnetic field of $2.3 \times 10^{12}$~G would be a copious producer of electron-positron pairs with a luminosity of $3 \times 10^{52}$ erg s$^{-1}$.
Can municipal wastewater treatment systems be carbon neutral

Abstract Municipal wastewater treatment has emerged as one of the largest resource consumers in the US. As a result, the goal of municipal wastewater systems has extended from protecting receiving water and human health to improving the system sustainability. This study used the embodied energy and the associated carbon footprint to measure the resource consumption and recovery in wastewater systems. Three resource recovery methods were specifically investigated: onsite energy generation through combined heat and power systems, nutrient recycling through biosolids land application, and water reuse for residential irrigation. The embodied energy and the associated carbon footprint were estimated through an input–output based hybrid energy analysis method and carbon emission factors. A wastewater treatment plant in Tampa, Florida was studied to investigate the possibility of carbon neutrality of wastewater treatment systems. It was shown that the integrated resource (energy, nutrient and water) recovery has the potential to offset all the direct operational energy; however, it is not able to offset the total embodied energy of the treatment plant to achieve carbon neutrality. Among the three resource recovery methods, water reuse has the highest potential of offsetting carbon footprint, while nutrient recycling has the lowest.
Defect state dampening of surface plasmons in Au-YSZ nanocomposites

The optical signature of Au nanoparticles within an yttria-stabilized zirconia matrix has been demonstrated as an optical beacon for changes in emission gas concentrations within harsh environments. It has been proposed that this broadening in the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band is due to the inelastic scattering of plasmons by filled oxygen ion vacancies. Using the theoretical expressions developed by others for adsorbate induced dampening, a model has been developed for plasmonic nanocomposites to describe the changes observed in the LSPR band broadening for metallic nanoparticles due to the same scattering mechanisms. The model agrees with the broadening observed for the experimental results.
Surface micromachining of unfired ceramic sheets

Conventional surface micromachining techniques including photolithography and both wet and dry etching have been directly applied to an unfired sheet of yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramic material. Reversible bonding methods were investigated for affixing unfired ceramic samples to silicon handle wafers in order to perform photolithography. Three types of photoresist were investigated. Thin film photoresist allowed a line-width feature size of 8 μm to be obtained. Thick film photoresist exhibited a coverage gradient after being spun on. Chemical etching was successfully performed isotropically with concentrated hydrofluoric acid. A dry thick film resist applied by lamination provided coverage during plasma etching. Neither an oxygen plasma nor a mixture of sulfur hexafluoride and oxygen plasma proved successful at etching the unfired ceramic. Embossing was performed on the meso-scale with feature shrinkage of approximately 45% after sintering.
Ultrastructural studies of transmural migration of blood cells in the bone marrow of rats, mice and guinea pigs.

The ultrastructure of bone marrow of rats, mice and guinea pigs was studied after fixation by vascular perfusion. Serial sections were examined to determine the structure and site of pores in lining cells. It was concluded that pores are transient structures occurring only in conjunction with migrating blood cells. These pores occur within lining cells and most frequently near junctions of contiguous lining cells. Microfilaments in lining and adventitial cells are described and their possible roles discussed.
ACETALDEHYDE GENERATION IN POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) RESINS FOR WATER BOTTLES

ABSTRACT Acetaldehyde (AA) is a degradation byproduct formed when PET is melted. For the storage of beverages in PET bottles, minimization of the AA in the bottle wall is necessary as it can leach into the drink and alter its taste. Today's PET resins can easily meet the requirement for packaging strongly-flavored drinks such as colas (<8 ppm of AA in the preforms). However, the most stringent application is the packaging of potable water for which preforms with less than 3 ppm of AA are required. Major differences in the performance of commercial water-grade PET resins were observed. It is commonly believed that the key to reduced AA in preforms is a low I.V. resin (<0.75 dL/g), as it allows injection molding of preforms at low temperatures. However, this work shows that low I.V. is not a sufficient or even dominant factor for the AA obtained in preforms. It is possible to have a low I.V. resin that yields high AA in the preforms and conversely a high I.V. polymer that gives low AA. The intrinsic AA gene...
From the black widow spider to human behavior: Latrophilins, a relatively unknown class of G protein-coupled receptors, are implicated in psychiatric disorders

The findings of a recent study associate LPHN3, a member of the latrophilin family, with an increased risk of developing attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most common psychiatric disorder in childhood and adolescence. Latrophilins comprise a new family of G protein-coupled receptors of unknown native physiological function that mediate the neurotoxic effects of α-latrotoxin, a potent toxin found in black widow spider venom. This receptor-toxin interaction has helped to elucidate the mechanistic aspects of neurotransmitter and hormone release in vertebrates. Such unprecedented discovery points to a new direction in the assessment of ADHD and suggest that further study of this receptor family may provide novel insights into the etiology and treatment of ADHD and other related psychiatric conditions.
The leisure problem and the role of the clergy

Leisure behavior reflects a response to religious questions in that it is a matter of choice and value. The article investigates leisure as a social problem and defines it as a spiritual capacity for freedom. Historically there have been variations in the value accorded leisure in religion fostering tension between the values of work and leisure. An analysis of structural interrelations between leisure and religion suggest ways clergy may help to alter the work-leisure relation by pointing to the value of leisure and creating social oportunities for its use.
Seismic design of nuclear power plants : where are we now?

The lack of any significant activity in the design and construction of new nuclear power plants over the last 10 years has resulted in a corresponding lull in the basic academic research carried out in this field. Whilst some work is still going on related to the evaluation of existing plants or to litigation over some of them (including some that never became operational) most of it is of a very applied nature and little basic research is being conducted at present. However, research on earthquake engineering in general, as applied to buildings, bridges, lifelines, dams and other constructed facilities has continued. This paper attempts to look at some of the areas where there were major uncertainties in the seismic design of nuclear power plants (selection of the design earthquake and its characteristics, evaluation of soil effects and soil structure interactions, dynamic analysis and design of the structures), the progress that has been made in these areas, and the remaining issues in need of further research.
An NMR Strategy for Determination of Configuration of Remote Stereogenic Centers: 3-Methylcarboxylic Acids

A method has been developed for determining the absolute configuration of carboxylic acids bearing a methyl substituent at C(3). A series of 1-arylethylamide derivatives of such acids was prepared in which both the amine- and acid-derived portions were of known configuration. Diagnostic chemical shift differences (Δδ's) were identified for various proton resonances in each pair of diastereomeric amides and a new method was established based on the observed trends. A conformational model (supported by computational calculations) consistent with the observed differential shielding effects is offered. This approach represents a general strategy that can be adapted to other substructures.
Nesting Behaviour of Harpagifer bispinis in Arthur Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula

Observations of the nesting behaviour of the plunder fish, Harpagifer bispinis, from laboratory tanks at Palmer Station and from diving in Arthur Harbour, Anvers Island, Antarctic Peninsula, are the first to be recorded for any antarctic fish. Females of this species construct a nest and, unless removed, guard it throughout the four month incubation period. Guards clean the eggs and protect them from predators and parasites. If a guarding female is removed from a nest, another fish assumes guard responsibilities. This species exhibits traits which are common in other antarctic forms. The sequence of reproductive events affords adults, eggs and fry a high degree of protection and allows each stage to use available resources fully.
P55: Healthy Rewards: Goal-Setting for Nutrition and Physical Activity Change

Street, Stone Hall, Room G-1J, West Lafayette, IN 47907, armobley@purdue.edu; Beth Olson, PhD, Food Science & Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, 2112 South Anthony, East Lansing, MI 48824, olsonbe@msu.edu; Kaye Stanek Krogstrand, PhD, RD, Department of Nutrition & Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 202J Ruth Leverton Hall, P.O. Box 830806, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, kstanek1@unl.edu; Hilary Strom, MS, Department of Nutrition & Health Sciences, 202H Ruth Leverton Hall, P.O. Box 830806, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, strom2@bigred.unl.edu; Heidi Wengreen, PhD, RD, Utah State University, Nutrition & Food Science Department, 1200E 750N, Logan, UT 84322-8700, hwengreen@cc.usu.edu
Subjects matter: a survey of public opinions about a large genetic cohort study

Purpose: Cohort studies investigating genes, environment, and lifestyle require large study populations. To recruit and retain participants, it is important to understand the relative significance of influences on people's motivation to participate. To this end, 4659 Americans were surveyed about support for and willingness to participate in a proposed large cohort study. Methods: An online survey of US adults was conducted between December 2007 and January 2008. To measure the influence of study burden, compensation and receipt of individual research results on willingness to participate, respondents were randomized to one of eight different study scenarios. Results: Most respondents (84%) supported the study, and 60% would participate. Returning research results (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.3–1.8) and increasing compensation from $50 to $200 (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2–1.7) were associated with increased willingness to participate. Decreasing study burden was less important (odds ratio = 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.0–1.4). Three in four respondents would be less likely to participate without the return of research results. Support and willingness varied little among demographic groups; variation in influences of the three factors on willingness was observed. Conclusion: Widespread support exists in the general public for a large national cohort study. Providing individual research results is a strong motivation to participate; compensating participants $200 may increase participation a similar amount. Incentives, recruitment, and return of results could be tailored to demographics groups' interests.
CMOS/SOS Microsignal Processor

The CMOS/SOS Microsignal Processor (µSP) is a 12-bit general purpose programmable, pipelined signal processor designed to efficiently perform digital filtering and processing algorithms. The architecture of the µSP is built of three elements - control, arithmetics, and memory: control consists of a sequencer and address generator; arithmetics consist of a scaler/shifter, 12 x 12 multiplier, a dual ALU and multipart memories; and Data memory consists of commercial 4K memory chips. Programmability is achieved through a stored program which calls and implements desired micro instructions in the arithmetic pipeline. A typical ÂµSP can be programmed to implement various length complex or real FFTs, perform correlation/convolution, and sundry vector operations and digital filtering tasks. For example, the three architecture elements - control, memory and arithmetics operate in parallel to per-form a 1024 pt complex FFT in 3 ms (memory to memory). A typical CMOS/SOS µSP is designed for single chip carriers grouped into six hybrid types and fit onto one two-sided 6 in. by 9 in. module. The µSP is designed to be T2L interface compatible and operate at 10 V with 30-35 W of power dissipation. This paper will present the background leading to the design, describe the architecture and discuss the CMOS/SOS chips involved in the design.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Planck, the Quantum, and the Historians

In late 1900, the German theoretical physicist Max Planck derived an expression for the spectrum of black-body radiation. That derivation was the first step in the introduction of quantum concepts into physics. But how did Planck think about his result in the early years of the twentieth century? Did he assume that his derivation was consistent with the continuous energies inherent in Maxwellian electrodynamics and Newtonian mechanics? Or did he see the beginnings, however tentative and uncertain, of the quantum revolution to come? Historians of physics have debated this question for over twenty years. In this article, I review that debate and, at the same time, present Planck's achievement in its historical context.
Microfluidic Cell Co-Culture Platform With Liquid Fluorocarbon as the Cell Separator

Cell co-culture platforms are essential tools for investigating inter-cellular communication and cellular activities among different cell populations. Microfluidic cell co-culture platforms offer several advantages over their conventional counterparts, including precise control over the cellular microenvironment, low cost, and high throughput. Previously, we have developed microfluidic devices using a hydraulically/pneumatically controlled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) valve barrier to separate distinct cell populations in culture, providing a means for manipulation and specific treatment of each cell type with different reagents [1]. After releasing the barrier, different cell populations can interact with each other while being observed using real-time imaging. However, the solid PDMS valve barrier is not truly reversible, as any cells/cell processes underneath the barrier will likely undergo physical damage when the valve barrier is activated.© 2012 ASME
Spasm of the Near Reflex in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis

A 33-year-old woman with a history of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis presented with complaints of episodic horizontal diplopia and blurred vision over the past two months. The patient gave a past history of similar episodes of diplopia that had occurred with previous clinical relapses of her multiple sclerosis. On eye movement examination, the patient exhibited intermittent spasms of convergence coupled with miosis. On upward gaze, the convergence and miosis became more marked. An auto-refraction revealed variable measurements in both eyes, consistent with accommodative spasms. A cycloplegic auto-refraction revealed significantly lower myopia present in both eyes than the initial pre-cycloplegic auto-refraction with minimal variability in readings. Symptomatic relief was achieved by cycloplegia and spectacle correction.
Vocal cord injection with autogenous fat: a long-term magnetic resonance imaging evaluation

Since 1987, the senior author has injected autogenous fat into paralyzed or atrophic vocal cords as an alternative to alloplastic substances for vocal cord augmentation and medialization. To determine the fate of the injected autogenous fat, the injected vocal cords of 10 patients were evaluated by laryngeal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. Imaging studies were performed as early as 17 hours after surgery to as long as 31 months after fat injection. In 9 patients, identification of a fat signal within the previously injected vocal cords was observed (including the 31-month postoperative follow-up). In 1 patient, no fat signal was identified 13 months after surgery, but the vocal cord was noted to have a bulging, enlarged contour. The results of this imaging study provide further evidence that autogenous fat, which has not been damaged during harvesting or microinjection, can survive transplantation into the vocal cord. The bulk of the vocal cord is maintained by microlipocytes and fibrous connective tissue, both of which replace the damaged fat cells that are gradually being reabsorbed.
Calibration-free absolute quantification of optical absorption coefficients using acoustic spectra in 3D photoacoustic microscopy of biological tissue

Optical absorption is closely associated with many physiological important parameters, such as the concentration and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and it can be used to quantify the concentrations of nonfluorescent molecules. We propose a method to use acoustic spectra of photoacoustic signals to quantify the absolute optical absorption. This method is self-calibrating and thus insensitive to variations in the optical fluence. Factors such as system bandwidth and acoustic attenuation can affect the quantification but can be canceled by dividing the acoustic spectra measured at two optical wavelengths. Using optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy, we quantified the absolute optical absorption of black ink samples with various concentrations. We also quantified both the concentration and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in a live mouse in absolute units.
The common pool of transitional profits

Transitional profits are above-normal profits that can be earned by firms as a result of changes in market conditions or entrepreneurial innovations of the firm. They are a common pool and are competed away by firms that enter profitable markets or imitate the innovations of profitable firms. The economics literature provides two conflicting views on transitional profits. One is that above-normal profit is a sign of economic inefficiency and is the result of either monopoly power or disequilibrium. The other is that economic profit is necessary for economic efficiency because profit is the lure that pushes entrepreneurs to allocate resources more efficiently. Both views are considered, along with an analysis of whether this common pool resource is competed away too rapidly, as the theory of common pool resources would suggest.
On Order Types of Systems of Segments in the Plane

Let r(n) denote the largest integer such that every family \(\mathcal{C}\) of n pairwise disjoint segments in the plane in general position has r(n) members whose order type can be represented by points. Pach and Toth gave a construction that shows r(n) log16n. In this note, we will show that r(n) > cn1/4 for some absolute constant c.
Willingness to be Screened and Tested for Cognitive Impairment: Cross-Cultural Comparison

Objective: The purpose was to describe (a) individuals’ reasons for participating in cognitive screening and (b) reasons to pursue testing after screening across 4 ethnic groups: African American, Afro-Caribbean, European American, and Hispanic American. Methods: Prior to memory screening, 119 adults were interviewed regarding their thoughts about memory screening and follow-up testing. Interviews were coded and differences between ethnic groups were compared. Results: More African Americans and European Americans were concerned about their memory. More Hispanic Americans planned to seek professional help if needed. Hispanic Americans were most optimistic about treatment. Conclusions: Future research is needed to better understand cultural factors that influence older adults’ willingness to be screened for cognitive impairment and to pursue follow-up testing when recommended.
MiRNA expression in the eye

MiRNAs are a newly discovered class of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by translational repression and mRNA degradation. It has become evident that miRNAs are involved in many important biological processes, including tissue differentiation and development. The role of miRNAs in the eye is beginning to be explored following their recent detection by miRNA expression analyses. Many of the target genes for these ocular miRNAs remain undefined. This review summarizes the current information about ocular miRNA expression. Future research should focus on the function of ocular miRNAs in eye development.
Penicillin and ampicillin

Abstract Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 and was first used in clinical trials in 1942. Addition of an amino group to the benzylpenicillin molecule resulted in the creation of ampicillin, a drug with a broadened spectrum of activity. Penicillin and ampicillin exert their bactericidal effect by inhibiting microbial cell wall synthesis. Penicillin is active against most gram-positive organisms and some gram-negative organisms such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, and Actinomyces species. Ampicillin has more extended activity against aerobic gram-negative bacilli than penicillin, but an increasing number of strains of coliforms have become resistant to the drug. Penicillin and ampicillin are effective in both oral and parenteral formulations, and they are very inexpensive. Their principal side effect is an allergic reaction. Ampicillin also may cause drug-induced diarrhea and candida vaginitis. The primary applications of penicillin and ampicillin in obstetrics and gynecology are treatment or prophylaxis for group B streptococcal infection (both), prevention of bacterial endocarditis (both), treatment of syphilis (penicillin), and treatment of enterococcal UTI (ampicillin).
Source And Reduction Of Inhomogeneous Magnetic Response And Low Frequency Sideband Noise In A Fiber Optic Magnetic Sensor

Low frequency fiber optic magnetic sensors make use of a magnetic carrier at ω and quadratic magnetostrictive response to upconvert low frequency magnetic signals to be detected. Since the magnetostrictive response is not homogeneous over the transducer length and exhibits hysteresis, one cannot obtain complete nulling of the signal at co, which is typically set at the mechanical resonance of the transducer. This residual signal provides a source of upconversion of low frequency, nonmagnetic noise into the sidebands of the signal at co and, hence, limits the sensitivity of the device. We analyze the sources of the residual signal and determine the critical parameters which define the sensor's minimum detectable field. Experimental data shows how the parameters of the model correlate with the observed residual signal, carrier and sideband signal. We also show how the model parameters vary and change the behavior of the residual signal as one varies the operating regime (dither frequency, dither amplitude, and external dc field) of the transducer.
Absence of magnetic pair-breaking by Ni in most high-temperature superconductors

In most high-temperature superconductors, Tc(u), where u is the dopant content, is the same for Ni and Zn replacing cuprate-plane-Cu. This means that the primary superconductivity is remote from the cuprate-planes. The apparent exceptions are explained. Spinfluctuation d-wave pairing is ruled out as a general mechanism of superconductivity, and the chemical trends in the Ni and Zn pair-breaking matrix-elements, as wells as the trends in Tc, indicate that the superconductivity originates in the charge-reservoirs.
Environmental management and strategy in the face of regulatory intensity: radioactive contamination in the US steel industry

Recent business literature argues that several incentives drive firms to cooperate with government environmental regulators and regulation without pressure from the government. This study explores and tests such arguments using a metric called regulatory intensity. The study uses survey data from the radioactive scrap metal industry. The findings challenge the recent literature that ‘going green pays’. The study found that strong government actions (regulatory intensity) are related to firm cooperation. Firms seem to adopt cooperative strategies when coerced to do so by the government. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Policy Maps of City Councils and Policy Outcomes: A Developmental Analysis

In spite of common challenges stemming from the common environment shared by all cities in a metropolitan region, continued and even increasing social and economic differentiation among and within cities rather than ho-mogenization and integration are the most significant features of the contemporary metropolitan scene. 1 Cities within the same metropolitan region are not only maintaining but also developing distinct and unique “public life styles.” Urban sociology and urban geography have raised a multitude of questions and given a multitude of answers in seeking to account for the fact that cities facing basically similar challenges from the environment react so differently to these challenges. Most relevant research deals with the problem of differentiation and its effects on the development of cities in terms of historical settlement patterns, economic location and growth, or geographical space distribution. 3 But differences in municipal life styles may also be the result of differences in public policies deliberately pursued by local governments in the metropolitan area. If this is so, the common pressures from the environment are evidently interpreted differently in the process of public decision-making that seeks to cope with them. It would seem, then, that metropolitan cities are in different stages of policy development. Leaving aside momentarily the meaning of “stages of policy development,” we can ask a number of questions that may shed light on the relationship between environmental pressures and public policies designed to meet these pressures.
Value of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing efficacy in clinical trials of multiple sclerosis therapies

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important technique for monitoring the effectiveness of putative treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) because of its high sensitivity, objectivity, and noninvasive nature. Its importance as a surrogate measure of disease, however, is an issue that is more difficult to validate than might seem to be the case. In this review, we describe the role of MRI in the assessment of putative therapies for MS. New magnetic resonance techniques and methods of image analyses aimed at better demonstrating the nature and extent of disease are discussed, and the role of MRI in published MS therapeutic trials is examined. MRI is a frequently used secondary outcome measure for putative treatment strategies for MS. Although it is sensitive to changes in the inflammatory component of the MS disease process, poor correlation has been noted between MRI findings and long-term patient outcome. There is a widespread expectation that new magnetic resonance techniques—such as fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, magnetization transfer imaging, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy—will ultimately be useful for characterization of pathologic changes within the MS lesion and more generally of the MS disease process. Whether magnetic resonance changes seen in experimental therapies predict the long-term clinical course of the disease remains to be determined.
Culture of honour theory and social anxiety: Cross-regional and sex differences in relationships among honour-concerns, social anxiety and reactive aggression

Consistent with the “flight or fight” model of anxiety, social anxiety may incite withdrawal or attack; yet, it is unclear why some socially anxious individuals are vulnerable to aggress. It may be that culture impacts tendencies to “fight” or “flee” from social threat. Honour cultures, including the American South, permit or even promote aggression in response to honour-threats. Thus, social anxiety in the South may be more associated with aggression than in non-honour cultures. In the current sample, region moderated the relation between social anxiety and aggression; social anxiety related positively to reactive (but not proactive) aggression among Southerners (n = 285), but not Midwesterners (n = 258). Participant sex further moderated the relationship, such that it was significant only for Southern women. Also, for Southerners, prototypically masculine honour-concerns mediated the relationship between social anxiety and reactive aggression. Cultural factors may play key roles in aggressive behaviour ...
Agency in a Postmold? Physicality and the Archaeology of Culture-Making

Architecture embodies human agency in all of its dimensions and effective scales. Specifically, the wooden posts of Mississippian peoples in the American mid-continent were simultaneously spatial, material, and corporeal dimensions of the process of cultural construction and contestation. Our reconsideration of the lowly postmold is based on the principle of physicality that, in turn, alters the ways in which we pose research questions and interpret archaeological data. A historical-processual methodology involves three procedural fundamentals: identifying practical variability, comparing genealogies of practices, and tacking between lines of evidence at multiple scales of analysis.
Channelopathies: summary of the hot topic keynotes session.

The “Hot Topic Keynotes: Channelopathies” session of the 26th International Neurotoxicology Conference brought together toxicologists studying interactions of environmental toxicants with ion channels, to review the state of the science of channelopathies and to discuss the potential for interactions between environmental exposures and channelopathies. This session presented an overview of chemicals altering ion channel function and background about different channelopathy models. It then explored the available evidence that individuals with channelopathies may or may not be more sensitive to effects of chemicals.
Biodegradation of potential diesel oxygenate additives: dibutyl maleate (DBM), and tripropylene glycol methyl ether (TGME)

The addition of oxygen-bearing compounds to diesel fuel considerably reduces particulate emissions. TGME and DBM have been identified as possible diesel additives based on their physicochemical characteristics and performance in engine tests. Although these compounds will reduce particulate emissions, their potential environmental impacts are unknown. As a means of characterizing their persistence in environmental media such as soil and groundwater, we conducted a series of biodegradation tests of DBM and TGME. Benzene and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) were also tested as reference compounds. Primary degradation of DBM fully occurred within 3 days, while TGME presented a lag phase of approximately 8 days and was not completely degraded by day 28. Benzene primary degradation occurred completely by day 3 and MTBE did not degrade at all. The total mineralized fractions of DBM and TGME achieved constant values as a function of time of ∼65% and ∼40%, respectively. Transport predictions show that, released to the environment, DBM and TGME would concentrate mostly in soils and waters with minimal impact to air. From an environmental standpoint, these results combined with the transport predictions indicate that DBM is a better choice than TGME as a diesel additive.
Confidence of Mexican Americans in Major Institutions in the United States

Part of the image of Mexican Americans is that they lack trust in institutions. The truth of this image was investigated by comparing responses of 324 female and 286 male Mexican Americans and 9,21...