cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induction of SHP2-deficiency in chondrocytes causes severe scoliosis and kyphosis in mice

STUDY DESIGN Genetic engineering techniques were used to develop an animal model of juvenile scoliosis during a postnatal skeletal-growth stage. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of targeted SHP2 (Src homology-2) deficiency in chondrocytes on the development of scoliosis during a juvenile growth stage in mice. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis can lead to progressive severe spinal deformity. The pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms responsible for the deformity are unknown. Here, we investigated the role of SHP2 deficiency in chondrocytes as a potential cause of juvenile scoliosis. METHODS Genetically engineered mice with inducible deletion of SHP2 in chondrocytes were generated. The SHP2 function in chondrocytes was inactivated during a juvenile growth stage from the mouse age of 4 weeks. Radiographical, micro-computed tomographic, and histological assessments were used to analyze spinal changes. RESULTS When SHP2 deficiency was induced during the juvenile stage, a progressive kyphoscoliotic deformity (thoracic lordosis and thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis) developed within 2 weeks of the initiation of SHP2 deficiency. The 3-dimensional micro-computed tomography analysis confirmed the kyphoscoliotic deformity with a rotational deformity of the spine and osteophyte formation. The histological analysis revealed disorganization of the vertebral growth plate cartilage. Interestingly, when SHP2 was disrupted during the adolescent to adult stages, no spinal deformity developed. CONCLUSION SHP2 plays an important role in normal spine development during skeletal maturation. Chondrocyte-specific deletion of SHP2 at a juvenile stage produced a kyphoscoliotic deformity. This new mouse model will be useful for future investigations of the role of SHP2 deficiency in chondrocytes as a mechanism leading to the development of juvenile scoliosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.
Elementary Free Throw Shooting—A Systematic Teaching Approach

(1990). Elementary Free Throw Shooting—A Systematic Teaching Approach. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 61, No. 7, pp. 14-17.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Fluorogenic Substrates for Phospholipase D and Phospholipase C

Fluorogenic analogues of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine, DDPB and lysoDDPB, were synthesized by an enzyme-assisted strategy. The analogues were evaluated as substrates for phospholipases C and D and lysophospholipase D. DDPB was cleaved by bacterial and plant phospholipase D (PLD) enzymes and represents the first direct fluorogenic substrate for real-time measurement of PLD activity. Both fluorogenic substrates have potential in screening for PLD and PC−PLC inhibitors and for monitoring spatiotemporal changes in PLD activity in cells.
Appearances of Responses to Glucagon in Cultured Neonatal Rat Heart Cells

Heart cells from neonatal rats have been cultured. The ability of 10-5M glucagon to stimulate adenylyl cyclase activity, and to increase the cAMP concentration and the beating rate in these cells was followed as a function of time in culture. The cultured cells show no response to 10-5M glucagon until 5 weeks. By contrast, the cells do respond to 10-5M epinephrine with an increase in beat rate, adenylyl cyclase activity and cAMP levels when freshly prepared or after 1 week in culture. Previous studies on the newborn rat heart, acutely isolated, have also shown that the neonatal rat heart is insensitive to glucagon until 4–5 weeks after birth. We conclude that the cultured neonatal rat heart cells can also mature in the same time frame with respect to a glucagon response. (Endocrinology 100: 989, 1977)
A 40 kilodalton rat liver nuclear protein binds specifically to apolipoprotein B mRNA around the RNA editing site

Abstract Apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 mRNA is the product of RNA editing which consists of a C----U conversion changing a CAA codon encoding Gln-2153 in apoB-100 mRNA to a UAA stop codon in apoB-48 mRNA. In the adult rat, RNA editing occurs both in the small intestine and the liver. We have studied the ability of rat liver nuclear extracts to bind to synthetic apoB mRNA segments spanning the editing site. Using an RNA gel mobility shift assay, we found the sequence-specific binding of a protein(s) to a 65-nucleotide apoB-100 mRNA. UV crosslinking followed by T1 ribonuclease digestion and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated the formation of a 40 kDa protein-RNA complex when 32P-labeled apoB-100 mRNA was incubated with a rat liver nuclear extract but not with HeLa nuclear extract. Binding was specific for the sense strand of apoB mRNA, and was not demonstrated with single-stranded apoB DNA, or antisense apoB RNA. The complex also failed to form if SDS was present during the UV light exposure. Binding experiments using synthetic apoB mRNAs indicate that the 40 kDa protein would also bind to apoB-48 mRNA but not apoA-I, apoA-IV, apoC-II or apoE mRNA. Experiments using deletion mutants of apoB-100 mRNA indicate efficient binding of wildtype 65-nucleotide (W65), 40-nucleotide (W40) and 26-nucleotide (W26) apoB-100 mRNA segments, but not 10-nucleotide (or smaller) segments of apoB-100 mRNA to the 40 kDa protein. In contrast, two other regions of apoB-100 mRNA, B-5' (bases 1128-3003) and B-3' (bases 11310-11390), failed to bind to the protein. The 40 kDa sequence-specific binding protein in rat liver nuclear extract may play a role in apoB-100 mRNA editing.
Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program to Study Outcomes in Colon and Rectal Surgery

The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) has been used extensively within the field of colon and rectal surgery to evaluate risk-adjusted outcomes after surgical intervention for common colorectal problems, including appendicitis, colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rectal prolapse. In addition, NSQIP has been used to evaluate patient-specific risk factors (eg, age, body mass index, preoperative anemia), procedure-specific risk factors (eg, laparoscopic approach, emergency surgery), as well as specific outcomes after surgery (eg, length of stay, postdischarge venous thromboembolism, and return to operating room). NSQIP has both significant strengths as well as limitations. Areas for future NSQIP research and development include addition of disease-specific and operation-specific variables as well as more projects aimed at feeding back NSQIP data as a mechanism for quality improvement.
Inverse relationship between matrix remodeling and lipid metabolism during osteoarthritis progression in the STR/Ort mouse.

Objective The biologic changes associated with osteoarthritis (OA) are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying OA progression in an STR/Ort murine model of spontaneous disease. Methods Global patterns of gene expression were assessed using microarray analysis of articular cartilage/subchondral bone from the tibial plateaus of STR/Ort mice at 3, 9, and 12 months of age. The age-dependent severity of osteophyte formation and extent of cartilage damage were determined in the corresponding femurs using microfocal computed tomography and the Mankin histologic scoring system. Pathway analysis was used to identify the functions of genes associated with OA progression, and changes in gene expression were confirmed using immunohistochemistry. Results Six hundred twenty-one genes were associated with both osteophyte formation and cartilage damage in the STR/Ort joints. Genes involved in the development/function of connective tissue and in lipid metabolism were most significantly enriched and regulated during disease progression. Genes directly interacting with peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα)/PPARγ were down-regulated, whereas those genes involved with connective tissue remodeling were up-regulated during disease progression. Associations of down-regulation of myotubularin-related phosphatase 1 (a phosphoinositide 3-phosphatase involved in lipid signaling) and up-regulation of biglycan (a member of the small leucine-rich protein family known to modulate osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization) with OA progression were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion Since adipogenesis and osteogenesis are inversely related in the developing skeletal tissue, these results suggest that a shift in the differentiation of mesenchymal cells from adipogenesis toward osteogenesis is a component of the OA pathophysiologic processes occurring in the tibial plateau joints of STR/Ort mice.
Inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport by partially demethylated dihydroguaiaretic acid.

Summary One of the newest members of the family of lignans isolated from Larrea divaricata was shown to be inhibitory towards the beef heart mitochondrial succinoxidase and NADH-oxidase enzyme systems. The I 50 value for 2,3-dimethyl-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-(3″-methoxy-4″-hydroxyphenyl) butane towards the beef heart mitochondrial succinoxidase enzyme system was found to be 41 nmoles/mg. mitochondrial protein. The primary site of electron transport inhibition appears to be in complex II of the respiratory chain. Dihydroguaiaretic acid, dimethyldihydroguaiaretic acid and the tetra-acetyl derivative of nor-dihydroguaiaretic acid were not inhibitory towards the beef heart mitochondrial succinoxidase system, suggesting that the catechol moeity of the Larrea lignans is essential for succinoxidase inhibition.
The Place of Form in the Fundamentals of Law

The author explains that there is scope for a general theory about the nature and place of form in the fundamentals of law. Form organizes the institutions, rules and other varieties of law, and the system as a whole. All such constructs have non-formal elements, too, but form unifies each construct and provides its criteria of identity. Appropriate form makes a system of law possible. It also tends to beget good content in the law. It is indispensable to the basic needs of a legal system, and when such an end is organizational, as with democracy, liberty, and the rule of law, form is end as well as means.
Gender differences in advanced mathematical problem solving

Strategy flexibility in mathematical problem solving was investigated. In Studies 1 and 2, high school juniors and seniors solved Scholastic Assessment Test-Mathematics (SAT-M) problems classified as conventional or unconventional. Algorithmic solution strategies were students' default choice for both types of problems across conditions that manipulated item format and solution time. Use of intuitive strategies on unconventional problems was evident only for high-ability students. Male students were more likely than female students to successfully match strategies to problem characteristics. In Study 3, a revised taxonomy of problems based on cognitive solution demands was predictive of gender differences on Graduate Record Examination-Quantitative (GRE-Q) items. Men outperformed women overall, but the difference was greater on items requiring spatial skills, shortcuts, or multiple solution paths than on problems requiring verbal skills or mastery of classroom-based content. Results suggest that strategy flexibility is a source of gender differences in mathematical ability assessed by SAT-M and GRE-Q problem solving.
Evaluation of a Freeze-Concentration Technique for Enrichment of Natural Organic Substances in Water

Abstract A freeze concentration method was tested for its ability to concentrate uncharacterized organic carbon, measured by TOC analyzer, in tap water derived from a surface water reservoir in eastern Massachusetts. Freeze concentration was carried out in polypropylene bottles of 2 liter volume, stirred at either 140 rpm or 400 rpm, and placed in a freezer at either -15°C or -25°C. No effect of stirring speed or freezer temperature on the recovery efficiency was found except possibly at high (>10x) concentration factors. For theoretical concentration factors below approximately ten, measured TOC was reproducible but substantially less than the theoretical value (e.g., for a theoretical value of 10, the measured concentration factor was only 4.3. At higher concentration factors, the ratio of the actual to theoretical concentration decreased further and became variable from experiment to experiment. Lack of quantitative recovery of TOC indicates the likelihood that selective concentration of different comp...
Ignored Hallmarks of Carcinogenesis: Stem Cells and Cell-Cell Communication

Hanahan and Weinberg (2000, Cell 100: 57-70) listed "hallmarks" of cancer that must be considered in order to understand the underlying determinants of carcinogenesis: (a) self-sufficiency in growth signals; (b) insensitivity to growth-inhibitory (antigrowth) signals; (c) evasion of programmed cell death (apoptosis); (d) limitedless replicative potential; (e) sustained angiogenesis; and (f) tissue invasion and metastasis. While these are important phenotypic markers, important concepts--the role of pluripotent stem cells and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC)--must be brought into this analysis of carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis is a multistage, multimechanism process consisting of a single cell that has been irreversibly blocked from terminal differentiation (the initiation stage). The promotion phase is a potentially reversible or interruptible clonal expansion of the initiated cell by a combination of growth stimulation and inhibition of apoptosis. When the expanded initiated cells accrue sufficient mutations and epigenetic alterations to become growth stimulus independent and resistant to growth inhibitors and apoptosis, to have unlimited replicative potential and invasive and metastatic phenotypes, then the progression phase has been achieved. The hypothesis that integrates these hallmarks is that the stem cell and its early progenitor cell are the target cells for the initiation event. These cells are naturally immortal and become mortal only when they are induced to terminally differentiate and lose their telomerase activity. These two types of initiated cells are suppressed by either secreted negative growth regulators (the stem cells) or GJIC (the early initiated progenitor cells). Promoters inhibit either the secreted growth inhibitor to initiated stem cells or GJIC between the initiated progenitor cells and the normal progenitor cells. When a stable resistance to the secreted negative growth regulator or permanent downregulation of GJIC has occurred, the cell has entered the progression phase. These two new concepts contradict the current paradigm that the first phase of carcinogenesis is the immortalization of a normal cell followed by its neoplastic transformation. Our hypothesis is that the first stage of carcinogenesis must prevent the "mortalization" or terminal differentiation of a naturally immortal cell. Chemoprevention and chemotherapeutic implications suggest that one must induce connexin genes in initiated stem cells and restore GJIC in initiated early progenitor cells.
Cimetidine and parenteral nutrition.

A number of patients receiving continuous intravenous infusions of hyperalimentation solutions require cimetidine (CT) for treatment of gastric hypersecretory conditions. Four patients were selected to receive a CT-hyperalimentation mixture and serial blood sampling for CT concentrations. Rates of infusion of CT ranged from 38 to 56.3 mg/hr. Average serum concentrations (C ss) of CT at steady state ranged from 0.6 to 1.0 μg/ml. This concentration range is near levels reported in patients receiving long-term oral CT and is lower than levels reported to be associated with central nervous system toxicity. No evidence of renal toxicity was noted. Pharmacokinetic parameters were comparable to previous reports in the literature. This initial investigation reveals that continuous intravenous infusion of CT in hyperalimentation solutions appears to be a safe mode of drug administration. More definitive studies are needed to assess efficacy.
A hybrid Godunov method for radiation hydrodynamics

From a mathematical perspective, radiation hydrodynamics can be thought of as a system of hyperbolic balance laws with dual multiscale behavior (multiscale behavior associated with the hyperbolic wave speeds as well as multiscale behavior associated with source term relaxation). With this outlook in mind, this paper presents a hybrid Godunov method for one-dimensional radiation hydrodynamics that is uniformly well behaved from the photon free streaming (hyperbolic) limit through the weak equilibrium diffusion (parabolic) limit and to the strong equilibrium diffusion (hyperbolic) limit. Moreover, one finds that the technique preserves certain asymptotic limits. The method incorporates a backward Euler upwinding scheme for the radiation energy density E"r and flux F"r as well as a modified Godunov scheme for the material density @r, momentum density m, and energy density E. The backward Euler upwinding scheme is first-order accurate and uses an implicit HLLE flux function to temporally advance the radiation components according to the material flow scale. The modified Godunov scheme is second-order accurate and directly couples stiff source term effects to the hyperbolic structure of the system of balance laws. This Godunov technique is composed of a predictor step that is based on Duhamel's principle and a corrector step that is based on Picard iteration. The Godunov scheme is explicit on the material flow scale but is unsplit and fully couples matter and radiation without invoking a diffusion-type approximation for radiation hydrodynamics. This technique derives from earlier work by Miniati and Colella (2007) [41]. Numerical tests demonstrate that the method is stable, robust, and accurate across various parameter regimes.
Civil liability of private security: Enforcer of moral obligations to right legal wrongs

The private security industry in the United States now has approximately twice as many personnel as does the public police. Private Security personnel have authority over the liberty, and sometimes the lives, of customers and employees. Often they exercise this awesome responsibility with little if any background and training. In most instances private security personnel are not considered law officers or peace officers and are, therefore, not bound by the same rules and regulations that apply to public police. More and more frequently, untrained or minimally trained, and basically unqualified security officers are taking actions against customers and employees which are excessive and unreasonable. Without the Constitutional protections which would be available if the act were committed by a public police officer, the only recourse for a private individual against reckless and wanton conduct on the part of private security personnel is a civil action, seeking compensation for the inconvenience caused or injuries received. The courts have found that companies and their security personnel have an obligation to be reasonable in their investigations of suspected criminal violations by employees and customers. Failure to conduct a proper and reasonable investigation will open the individual directing the investigation, and the company authorizing it, to liabililty for the injury their improper actions have caused. Civil liability suits have become the moral enforcer for improper and excessive conduct by private security personnel.
Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors disrupt spicule formation by primary mesenchyme cells in the sea urchin embryo

Abstract The primary mesenchyme cells of the sea urchin embryo construct an elaborate calcareous endoskeletal spicule beginning at gastrulation. This process begins by ingression of prospective primary mesenchyme cells into the blastocoel, after which they migrate and then fuse to form a syncytium. Skeleton deposition occurs in spaces enclosed by the cytoplasmic cables between the cell bodies. Experiments are described which probe the role of proteases in these early events of spicule formation and their role in the continued elaboration of the spicule during later stages of embryogenesis. We find that several inhibitors of metalloproteinases inhibit the continuation of spiculogenesis, an effect first reported by Roeet al.(Exp. Cell Res.181, 542–550, 1989). A detailed study of one of these inhibitors, BB-94, shows that fusion of primary mesenchyme cells still occurs in the presence of the inhibitor and the formation of the first calcite granule is not impeded. Continued elaboration of the spicule, however, is completely stopped; addition of the inhibitor during the active elongation of the spicule stops further elongation immediately. Removal of the inhibitor allows resumption of spicule growth. The inhibition is accompanied by almost complete cessation of massive Ca ion transport via the primary mesenchyme cells to the spicule. The inhibitor does not prevent the continued synthesis of several spicule matrix proteins. Electron microscopic examination of inhibited primary mesenchyme cells shows an accumulation of characteristic vesicles in the cytoplasm. Gel zymography demonstrates that although most proteases in homogenates of primary mesenchyme cells are not sensitive to the inhibitorin vitro,a protease of low abundance detectable in the medium of cultured primary mesenchyme cells is inhibited by BB-94. We propose that the inhibitor is interfering with the delivery of precipitated calcium carbonate and matrix proteins to the site(s) of spicule growth.
X-ray diffraction from materials under extreme pressures

Diamond anvil cells have been used to generate a wide range of pressures, from 0.1 GPa to over 400 GPa (for reference, the center of Earth is about 360 GPa). Samples are squeezed between two diamond anvils and studied using infrared, visible, and x-ray probes. In the past year a new synchrotron beam line has become available at CHESS for the general user for diamond anvil cell work using x rays. This has opened up new areas of research as the experimenters need only to bring a sample in a diamond anvil cell and can leave with the x-ray data mostly analyzed. Current x-ray diffraction work at CHESS on materials subjected to static pressures up to 400 GPa are reviewed. Both energy dispersive and Laue diffraction techniques have been applied to phase transition, equation of state, and state of stress problems. Since most samples at very high pressures are powders, energy dispersive diffraction is most often used. An example of this is xenon which turns metallic at 150 GPa. Since the plasma frequency of xenon is in the infrared and because of the presence of an absorption band at 2 eV, xenon is a transparent blue metal at this pressure. The energy dispersive diffraction data provided the structural and equation of state information needed to understand the physics of the problem. An example of Laue diffraction using diamond anvil cell is the study of the state of stress of diamond anvils themselves. In an ongoing experiment at CHESS, the tips of highly stressed diamonds are analyzed by studying the energy distribution of various Laue spots using a solid state detector.
Space-time coding over fading channels with impulsive noise

Impulsive, non-Gaussian noise is prevalent in wireless environments. We adopt an impulsive noise model over multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) channels and discuss receiver and code design over fading channels with impulsive noise. We derive code design criteria for the so-called genie-aided, and minimum distance receivers, both of which yield criteria identical to the nonimpulsive, Gaussian noise case. We also study the performance of certain space-time block codes (STBCs) and space-time trellis codes (STTC) over impulsive noise channels with the genie-aided receiver (GAR) and minimum distance receiver (MDR). The performance loss incurred by the impulsive nature of the noise is shown to increase with the diversity order for the MDR. To approximate the good performance of the practically unrealistic GAR, we propose a maximum a posteriori (MAP) receiver, whose performance can be tightly lower bounded by the GAR. We simplify the optimal MAP receiver by an approximation and show that for alt cases of practical interest, only 2 terms in the approximation are sufficient to get a near-MAP performance. Simulations corroborate our analytical findings
Peptic ulcer in children

Summary Duodenal ulcers occur at all ages of infancy and childhood. Ulcers of infants up to a year or two of age are usually acute and are most commonly suspected because of melena. In the six cases of chronic duodenal ulcer reported, the children were past the period of infancy. Two of these (Cases 1 and 2) are of particular interest because the histories and the roentgenologic appearance were typical at the early ages of four and six years, respectively. In childhood, and up to the age of puberty, the picture of ulcer may be so clear cut as to make diagnosis relatively simple, or so confused as to render diagnosis impossible except by operation. Roentgenologic examination is the most dependable single procedure in diagnosis of ulcers of children, but may lead to error by failing to give evidence of ulcer when present, or perhaps by indicating that ulcer is present when it is absent. Indications for medical and surgical treatment of ulcer and its complications in children are essentially the same as in adults. Duodenal ulcer should be sought in children of all ages who have chronic or recurring indefinite abdominal pain.
Targeted therapy in renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose of review A better understanding of renal cell carcinoma biology has led to a new era of targeted therapy in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Recent findings New phase II and phase III clinical data on both Food and Drug Administration approved and investigational targeted agents are now available, widening the choice of therapies in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Summary We provide a review of the data to facilitate effective evidence-based clinical practice and also aim to give a perspective for future clinical and translational research in renal cell carcinoma.
Who are the Owners of Firearms Used in Adolescent Suicides

In this brief report, the source of firearms used in adolescent suicides was examined using data from the National Violent Injury Statistics System, the pilot to the CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System, a uniform reporting system for violent and firearm-related deaths. Data represent the 63 firearm suicides among youth (<18 yrs) that occurred in 2001 or 2002 in one of four states (CT, ME, UT, WI) or two metropolitan counties (San Francisco, CA; Allegheny County, PA). Four-fifths of the suicides took place in the decedents' homes, and—when the firearm owner was known—most of the firearms were owned by parents. Findings replicate results from previous research and highlight the importance of limiting youth access to firearms.
Binocular interactions of motion detection fibers in the optic lobes of flies.

Nervenfasern, die die optischen Ganglien beider Kopfseiten von Musca und Phaenicia verbinden und die selektiv auf Musterbewegungen antworten, zeigen binoculare Wechselwirkungen. Details dieser Wechselwirkungen und der Ort an dem sie in den optischen Ganglien stattfinden wurden ermittelt. Die Bedeutung dieser Einheiten fur die direkte Steuerung von Wendereaktionen beim Flug wurde ebenfalls untersucht.
A semi-automated method for the determination of multiple membrane ATPase activities

A simple semi-automated method for the determination of erythrocyte plasma membrane (Mg2+)-ATPase, (Na+ + K+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, and the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase is described in detail. A nonautomated ATPase enzyme assay for multiple membrane ATPases and automated methods for determination of inorganic phosphate as well as membrane-bound protein are described. Together, the methods represent a system that has the flexibility and sensitivity for basic research applications and the capacity to process relatively large numbers of samples as is common in clinical laboratory screening.
Lipoatrophic Diabetes: A Case Report with a Brief Review of the Literature

Lipoatrophy syndromes are characterized by an absence of adipose tissue and low leptin levels. Metabolic derangements associated with these syndromes can include diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia.
Optimal convergence analysis of mixed finite element methods for fourth‐order elliptic and parabolic problems

By using a special interpolation operator developed by Girault and Raviart (finite element methods for Navier-Stokes Equations, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1986), we prove that optimal error bounds can be obtained for a fourth-order elliptic problem and a fourth-order parabolic problem solved by mixed finite element methods on quasi-uniform rectangular meshes. Optimal convergence is proved for all continuous tensor product elements of order k ≥ 1. A numerical example is provided for solving the fourth-order elliptic problem using the bilinear element. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006
Effects of maternal immunisation against myostatin on post-natal growth and skeletal muscle mass of offspring in mice

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effect of maternal immunisation against myostatin, a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, on the skeletal muscle growth of offspring in mice. Twenty female mice were divided into four groups and immunised against keyhole limpet haemocyanin (control) or recombinant mature myostatin (rMyo), or two different myostatin synthetic peptides conjugated to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (Myo1 and Myo2). Offspring were sacrificed at 8 weeks of age to measure carcass, muscle and fat masses. Sera collected from 3-day-old neonates of the rMyo, Myo1 and Myo2 groups showed titres against myostatin, confirming the maternal transfer of anti-myostatin antibodies to offspring. No significant effects of immunisation on offspring weight were observed. The offspring of the Myo2 group, but not the rMyo and Myo1 groups, had significantly heavier gastrocnemius and triceps muscle mass than those of the control (p<0.01). All IgGs of the three treatment groups showe...
Nonlinear Convection-Diffusion Equation with Mixing-Cell Method for Channel Flood Routing

Using a reference Froude number, a nonlinear convection-diffusion equation was derived from the Saint-Venant equations of continuity and momentum, and was solved by a mixing-cell method. The method involves discretizing the nonlinear diffusion equation in space and transforming it to a first-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation where the optimal space interval is obtained to be the same as the characteristic reach length. The nonlinear ordinary differential equation was solved by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. The method was tested with numerical examples, and compared with the looped-rating Muskingum-Cunge model and a lambda scheme. The outflow hydrographs produced by this method were of comparable accuracy.
AI techniques and object-oriented technology for VLSI design-space representation, optimization, and management

The VLSI design process consists of many highly specialized tasks. Algorithmic, compute-intensive and mundane tasks which used to be performed manually, have been automated by traditional VLSI CAD tools. These tools have automated many aspects of VLSI design synthesis, analysis, optimization and verification. However, the successful and efficient utilization of these tools has proved to be very knowledge intensive requiring the interaction and guidance of domain experts. In recent years many expert systems for VLSI design have been reported but these stand-alone expert systems have to be integrated with traditional CAD tools to be able to provide automated decision-making, judgment-based opportunity ranking and tighter data source integration. Furthermore, an integrated and distributed knowledge-base is essential for rapid prototyping of expert design assistants, design techniques and optimization heuristics. We report an experimental VLSI design environment based on a central object-oriented model-base. The object-oriented design kernel is capable of accommodating traditional CAD tools as well as knowledge-based tools.
Permeability of basement membranes to macromolecules.

ConclusionsBasement membranes are important structures within many tissues, and for at least some tissues, the ability of the basement membranes to restrict the passage of macromolecules is important for function. We have concentrated on the renal glomerular and tubular basement membranes because they have been studied more than others, but the basement membranes of capillaries may be important in many different organs (65). In the renal glomerulus, the GBM certainly plays an important role in restricting the passage of serum proteins into the forming urine; however, some data are conflicting, and the relative roles of cells and the GBM are not yet defined. In the renal proximal tubule, the TBM may play a part in the process of epithelial transport of fluid, and the example that we have given shows the importance of considering the dynamics of the in vivo situation in assessing the role of the basement membrane. Describing the permeability properties of basement membrane will require more work in vitro, a...
Is the songbird Area X striatal, pallidal, or both? An anatomical study.

Anatomical and neurophysiological studies have established that Area X, a songbird nucleus essential for vocal learning, is a basal ganglia structure, with mammalian striatal properties. However, Area X also sends a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic projection to the medial portion of the dorsolateral thalamus (DLM), a projection characteristic of the pallidum. These findings suggested that Area X contains both striatal and pallidal neurons. To test this hypothesis further, we investigated the neurochemistry and connectivity of Area X and its projections by using neurotransmitter antibodies, in combination with tracing studies. Like the mammalian striatum, Area X contains small enkephalin- and substance P-immunopositive neurons. Choline acetyltransferase-positive cells of Area X do not retrogradely label from DLM and are probably cholinergic interneurons similar to those in mammals. Like pallidal cells, large GABAergic cells project from Area X to the thalamus, but they also contain enkephalin, a characteristic of striatal neurons projecting to indirect pathway pallidal neurons. Moreover, many Area X cells are labeled with the pallidal marker Nkx2.1, but these do not include any thalamus-projecting neurons, suggesting that the projection cells are not of pallidal embryonic origin. Thus, although Area X combines both striatal and pallidal features, it is not a simple recapitulation of the mammalian circuit or of the avian lateral striatopallidal pathway: some individual Area X neurons may function as pallidal-like projection neurons but have striatal characteristics as well. Such heterogeneity of basal ganglia circuitry, both within and across species, may be facilitated by the developmental history of basal ganglia, which involves extensive migration and cellular intermixing. J. Comp. Neurol. 473:415–437, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Speaker adaptive training of deep neural network acoustic models using i-vectors

In acoustic modeling, speaker adaptive training (SAT) has been a long-standing technique for the traditional Gaussian mixture models (GMMs). Acoustic models trained with SAT become independent of training speakers and generalize better to unseen testing speakers. This paper ports the idea of SAT to deep neural networks (DNNs), and proposes a framework to perform feature-space SAT for DNNs. Using i-vectors as speaker representations, our framework learns an adaptation neural network to derive speaker-normalized features. Speaker adaptive models are obtained by fine-tuning DNNs in such a feature space. This framework can be applied to various feature types and network structures, posing a very general SAT solution. In this paper, we fully investigate how to build SAT-DNN models effectively and efficiently. First, we study the optimal configurations of SAT-DNNs for large-scale acoustic modeling tasks. Then, after presenting detailed comparisons between SAT-DNNs and the existing DNN adaptation methods, we propose to combine SAT-DNNs and model-space DNN adaptation during decoding. Finally, to accelerate learning of SAT-DNNs, a simple yet effective strategy, frame skipping, is employed to reduce the size of training data. Our experiments show that compared with a strong DNN baseline, the SAT-DNN model achieves 13.5% and 17.5% relative improvement on word error rates (WERs), without and with model-space adaptation applied respectively. Data reduction based on frame skipping results in 2 $ \times $ speed-up for SAT-DNN training, while causing negligible WER loss on the testing data.
THE INFLUENCE OF LEVELS OF INFORMATION ON THE USE OF PROSPECTIVE EVALUATIONS

Recent work on voting behavior suggests that both retrospective and prospective evaluations are important components of vote choice. To test the generalizability of the prospective model, (1) the same model of voting behavior is applied to groups of differing cognitive abilities, (2) a comparison of the extent to which each group extrapolates from the past to the future is made, and (3) the frequency with which people of each group respond “don't know” is examined. The evidence presented supports the hypothesis that the prospective model is generalizable across segments of the population. Alternatively, since there are relatively few differences across categories, one might view this paper as a collection of negative findings.
The Effect of Behaviour Monitoring and Uncertainty on the Use of Performance-Contingent Compensation

Abstract The objective of this study is to examine the effects of control system characteristics and perceived environmental uncertainty on the relative use of performance-contingent compensation. The results, based on a survey of division managers, indicate that monitoring ability is negatively associated with the use of performance- contingent compensation. In addition, monitoring is found to moderate the relationship between uncertainty and compensation system design. Whereas in non-monitoring firms, higher levels of uncertainty are associated with increased use of performance-contingent compensation, in monitoring firms, higher levels of uncertainty are associated with decreased use of performance-contingent compensation. These results support agency theory arguments that compensation structure is determined at least in part by concerns for economic efficiency.
Nonlinear model predictive control of a simulated multivariable polymerization reactor using second-order Volterra models

Abstract Two formulations of a nonlinear model predictive control scheme based on the second-order Volterra series model are presented. The first formulation determines the control action using successive substitution, and the second method directly solves a fourth-order nonlinear programming problem on-line. One case study is presented for the SISO control of an isothermal reactor which utilizes the first controller formulation. A second case study is presented for the multivariable control of a large reactor, and uses the nonlinear programming formulation for the controller. The model coefficients for both examples are obtained by discretizing the bilinear Taylor series approximation of the fundamental model and calculating Markov parameters. The relationships between discrete and continuous-time bilinear model matrices using an explicit fourth-order Runge-Kutta method are also included. The responses to setpoint changes of both reactors controlled with a linear model predictive control scheme and the second-order Volterra model predictive control scheme are compared to desired, linear reference trajectories. In the majority of the cases examined, the responses obtained by the Volterra controller followed the reference trajectories more closely. Practical issues, including the reduction of the number of model parameters, are addressed in both case studies.
Interpretation of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy of indeterminate biliary strictures: Is there any interobserver agreement?

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) has enabled in vivo histopathology by obtaining high resolution images of the mucosal layers of the gastrointestinal tract. For indeterminate bile duct strictures, biopsy, cytologic brushing and needle aspiration have low levels of diagnostic accuracy. The objective of this multi-center pilot study was to assess the interobserver agreement in interpretation of pCLE imaging. Twenty-five de-identified pCLE video clips of indeterminate biliary strictures were sent to 6 observers at 5 institutions. Miami Classification was used to standardize image interpretation. Seven variables were assessed for interobserver agreement using the Fleiss kappa statistic which included: presence of thick (>20 μm) or thin ( 21 cases). Upon stratification, Category 1 interobserver agreement ranged from “Poor” to “Fair” (κ = 0.277, κ = −0.079, κ = −0.025, κ = −0.066, κ = 0.128, κ = 0.088), and for the final diagnosis variable, the agreement was slight (κ = 0.033). Category 2 and 3 interobserver agreement ranged from “Poor” to “Fair” (κ = 0.211, κ = 0.181, κ = 0.347, κ = 0.238, κ = −0.050, κ = 0.092), and for the final diagnosis variable, the agreement was slight (κ = 0.195). The overall interobserver agreement for pCLE image interpretation in indeterminate biliary strictures ranges from poor to fair. Interpretation criteria as well as training require further standardization toward improving inter-rater reliability.
Infrared and Photoacoustic Spectroscopic Studies of a Silica-immobilized β-Diketone

Infrared and photoacoustic spectroscopies have in combination produced useful information about an immobilized β-diketone, formed by the reaction of acetylacetone with p-chloromethyl-phenyltrimethoxysilane previously immobilized on silica. Evidence confirming the synthesis of immobilized 3-benzyl-2,4-pentanedione is presented. Comparisons with 3-benzyl-2,4-pentanedione, a model for the surface bonded ligand, were valuable. The bound β-diketone is largely in the keto tautomer on the surface. The photoacoustic spectrum shows that the remainder is in the form of an intermolecular hydrogen-bonded enol. In basic solution the enolate ion and metal-enolate complexes can be formed. Infrared spectra show that the keto form can bind metals in acidic solutions.
Further Evidence for Ground Dominance in Control Of Speed During Low Altitude Flight

Previous research found that during simulated low-altitude flight, optical control of speed is based on the flow rate projected by the ground, even when changes in altitude make this information unreliable and other sources of speed information, such as the flow rate of a cloud layer above the flight path, could provide more valid information. However, in these studies factors such as color and contrast differences between the ground and clouds may have contributed to ground dominance. Further, it is possible that ground dominance results from an inability to integrate flow distributed across different surfaces in the environment. Here we report two experiments that test whether these factors contribute to ground dominance. We found ground dominance to be independent of color and contrast differences between the ground and cloud surfaces and that control of speed is based on global optical flow defined across multiple surfaces when these surfaces do not represent the ground.
Parotid Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract Background: To review the presentation and management of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the parotid gland. Methods: Case report and review of the literature.
MeV Implantation In The III-V's

MeV implantation has a number of potential device and IC applications in both Si and the III-V's. Some of these have already begun to be realized in the Si technology. The development of III-V applications is, however, in a more embryonic stage. The primary thrust in the III-V's is toward increasing the range of devices which can be made by direct ion im-plantation to increase the level of device integration which can be attained. This paper will contrast the III-V technology with the Si, outline some of the potential applications for MeV implantation in the III-V's and discuss the basic research areas in which progress must be made in order to increase the use of MeV implantation in the III-V device and IC technology.
On Polynomials of Spanning Trees

The Kirchhoff polynomial of a graph G is the sum of weights of all spanning trees where the weight of a tree is the product of all its edge weights, considered as formal variables. Kontsevich conjectured that when edge weights are assigned values in a finite field \({\Bbb F}\) q , for a prime power q, the number of zeros of the Kirchhoff polynomial of a graph G is just a polynomial function of q. Stanley verified this conjecture for some families of graphs and further proposed several conjectures. In this paper, we derive and prove explicit formulas for certain graphs, thus confirming Stanley's conjectures. We also consider several extensions and generalizations of the conjecture of Kontsevich.
Charge composition and energy spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei at energies above 5 GeV per nucleon

A scintillation-Cerenkov counter telescope, with three gas Cerenkov counters for energy determination between 5 and 90 GeV per nucleon, has been exposed for a net total of 4.5 sq m sr hr in two balloon flights in 1974. The measurement yields the chemical composition and energy spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei in the charge range 5-28. The differential spectral indices of oxygen and of the iron group are measured to be 2.67 plus or minus 0.04 and 2.5 plus or minus 0.08 above 5.4 GeV per nucleon, respectively. The results are interpreted in the context of the 'leaky-box' model of cosmic-ray confinement and propagation.
Power modeling and thermal management techniques for manycores

The rising number of cores in manycore architectures, along with technology scaling, results in high power densities and thermal issues on the die. To explore innovative thermal management techniques in such processors, we need an accurate online estimate of the power consumption. In this paper, we present the first ever power model for Intel many integrated core processors, which we use to show the benefit of a novel manycore specific thermal management technique called workload intermixing. Our proposed model leverages performance monitoring events and accounts for operating voltage and clock frequency. We validate our model for Intel Knights Ferry (KNF) design and show that we have an average of 4.73% prediction error vs. measurements. We provide the breakdown of total power into three main components: compute, memory, and interconnect and use it as an input for thermal management. Our simulation results show that our proposed intermixing of workloads in KNF architecture can reduce the total number of thermal emergency situations by 58% with energy savings of 14% on average.
Ether-Based Muds Show Promise for Replacing Some Oil-Based Muds

Two different polyethers were evaluated for their potential use in drilling fluids as a base fluid for synthetic ether-based mud, which is one type of synthetic-based drilling fluid that are used when drilling for oil and gas by a rotary method and they have several technological and environmental advantages over oil-based mud. Polyglycerol or polytriethanolamine, which derive from the condensation reaction of glycerol or triethanolamine was used as a base fluid in the formulation of ether-based mud in comparison with oil based mud. The evaluation includes the study of rheology, filtration properties, electrical stability, and thermal stability for oil-based mud and synthetic ether-based mud, which are formulated of polyglycerol or polytriethanolamine. The result show that the tested synthetic ether-based mud are more viscous at low temperature, thin more with increasing temperature, and have high thermal stability than oil-based mud. Biodegradation of the mud formulated with polyglycerol or polytriethano...