cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationships between endogenous circadian period, physiological and cognitive parameters and sex in aged gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus).

The biological clock generates circadian rhythms, with an endogenous period tau close to 24 h. The circadian resonance theory proposes that lifespan is reduced when endogenous period goes far from 24 h. It has been suggested that daily resetting of the circadian clock to the 24 h external photoperiod might induce marginal costs that would accumulate over time and forward accelerate aging and affect fitness. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the link between the endogenous period and biomarkers of aging in order to investigate the mechanisms of the circadian resonance theory. We studied 39 middle-aged and aged Microcebus murinus, a nocturnal non-human primate whose endogenous period is about 23.1 h, measuring the endogenous period of locomotor activity, as well as several physiological and behavioral parameters (rhythm fragmentation and amplitude, energetic expenditure, oxidative stress, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations and cognitive performances) in both males and females. We found that aged males with tau far from 24 h displayed increased oxidative stress. We also demonstrated a positive correlation between tau and IGF-1 concentrations, as well as learning performances, in males and females. Together these results suggest that a great deviation of tau from 24 h leads to increased biomarkers of age-related impairments.
TU-EF-204-03: Task-Based KV and MAs Optimization for Radiation Dose Reduction in CT: From FBP to Statistical Model-Based Iterative Reconstruction (MBIR)

Purpose: The introduction of the highly nonlinear MBIR algorithm to clinical CT systems has made CNR an invalid metric for kV optimization. The purpose of this work was to develop a task-based framework to unify kV and mAs optimization for both FBP- and MBIR-based CT systems. Methods: The kV-mAs optimization was formulated as a constrained minimization problem: to select kV and mAs to minimize dose under the constraint of maintaining the detection performance as clinically prescribed. To experimentally solve this optimization problem, exhaustive measurements of detectability index (d’) for a hepatic lesion detection task were performed at 15 different mA levels and 4 kV levels using an anthropomorphic phantom. The measured d’ values were used to generate an iso-detectability map; similarly, dose levels recorded at different kV-mAs combinations were used to generate an iso-dose map. The iso-detectability map was overlaid on top of the iso-dose map so that for a prescribed detectability level d’, the optimal kV-mA can be determined from the crossing between the d’ contour and the dose contour that corresponds to the minimum dose. Results: Taking d’=16 as an example: the kV-mAs combinations on the measured iso-d’ line of MBIR are 80–150 (3.8), 100–140 (6.6), 120–150 (11.3), and 140–160 (17.2), where values in the parentheses are measured dose values. As a Result, the optimal kV was 80 and optimal mA was 150. In comparison, the optimal kV and mA for FBP were 100 and 500, which corresponded to a dose level of 24 mGy. Results of in vivo animal experiments were consistent with the phantom results. Conclusion: A new method to optimize kV and mAs selection has been developed. This method is applicable to both linear and nonlinear CT systems such as those using MBIR. Additional dose savings can be achieved by combining MBIR with this method. This work was partially supported by an NIH grant R01CA169331 and GE Healthcare. K. Li, D. Gomez-Cardona, M. G. Lubner: Nothing to disclose. P. J. Pickhardt: Co-founder, VirtuoCTC, LLC Stockholder, Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. G.-H. Chen: Research funded, GE Healthcare; Research funded, Siemens AX.
Synthesis of anhydrous K 2 TiOF 4 via a mild hydrothermal method

Abstract The synthesis of anhydrous K2TiOF4 has been previously attempted by transforming precursor compounds, such as the peroxide (K2Ti(O2)F4), hydrate (K2TiOF4·H2O) and fluoride (K2TiF6). Due to the large structural differences between these precursors and the anhydrous oxyfluorides, however, these preparations have been unsuccessful. Therefore, a direct method of synthesis has been employed to grow single crystals of K2TiOF4 that were characterized by single crystal x-ray diffraction. K2TiOF4 was found to be isostructural with the previously known K2VOF4.
On the Nonorthogonality Problem

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses three orthonormalization procedures, such as successive orthonormalization, symmetric orthonormalization, and canonical orthonormalization. The simplest way of orthonormalizing a finite set of functions is by the classical Schmidt procedure, in which each member of the set in order is orthogonalized against all the previous members and subsequently normalized. In solid-state theory, one could probably construct orthonormal combinations of the atomic orbitals of the system, which would still preserve the natural symmetry. In such an approach, it would be necessary to treat the given functions ϕ = {ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 …., ϕ n } simultaneously, on an equivalent basis instead of successively as in the Schmidt procedure. In molecular and solid-state theory, there are cases when also the symmetric orthonormalization procedure will break down, depending on the fact that, even if the basis ϕ = {ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 …., ϕ n } is linearly independent from the mathematical point of view, it may be approximately linearly dependent from the computational point of view. This phenomenon causes a great many complications and may lead to very misleading results, since the associated secular equations may be almost identically vanishing. Unfortunately, it seems as if many of the conventionally used basic systems are strongly affected by approximate linear dependencies. In order to systematize this problem, it is convenient to study the metric matrix.
Real-time performance guarantees over wired/wireless LANs

Distributed audio and video applications require end to end performance guarantees from the underlying networks for smooth delivery of real time media streams. The end to end nature dictates that real time support be built into both wide area and local area networks. With the enormous growth of portable computers equipped with networking capabilities, it is important to develop real time protocols for wireless LAN technologies, such that real time audio/video communication services can be extended to these mobile terminals as well. The paper describes the implementation effort of supporting end to end performance guarantees over a heterogeneous local area network comprising of both wired and wireless LAN segments. The work also addresses the performance guarantee issues associated with terminal mobility in the wireless segments.
Heterogeneity in Maltreated and Non-maltreated Preschool Children's Inhibitory Control: The Interplay Between Parenting Quality and Child Temperament

This study examined the contribution of child temperament, parenting, and their interaction on inhibitory control development in a sample of maltreated and non-maltreated preschool children. One hundred and eighteen mother-child dyads were drawn from predominantly low-income, rural communities. Dyads participated in a laboratory session in which maternal warm autonomy support, warm guidance, and strict/hostile control were observationally coded during a joint teaching task. Independent assessments of children's inhibitory control were obtained, and observers rated children's temperament. After relevant covariates, including income, maternal education, and child age and IQ were controlled for, there were no differences between the maltreatment and non-maltreatment groups in either children's inhibitory control or mothers' behaviours in the laboratory session. Even after much of the variance in children's inhibitory control was accounted for from the covariates, children's temperamental negativity moderated the effects of warm autonomy support on inhibitory control in both maltreatment and non-maltreatment groups. Temperamentally negative children whose mothers displayed more warm autonomy support showed greater inhibitory control, at levels on par with low-negative children. Findings suggest that heterogeneity in children's self-regulation may be due in part to individual differences in sensitivity to caregiver support for children's independence, even among those exposed to maltreatment.
Synthesis, editing, and rendering of multiscale textures

The study of textures---images with repeated visual content---has produced a number of useful tools and algorithms for analysis, synthesis, editing, rendering, and a variety of other applications. However, the recent rapid growth in data storage and computational abilities has expanded the notion of what constitutes a texture. Modern textures can often outstrip traditional assumptions on input size by several orders of magnitude. Additionally, these multiscale textures typically contain features at not just one scale but rather across a wide range of scales, further violating existing assumptions. In order to meaningfully capture the large-scale features present in multiscale textures, we introduce a new example-based input representation, the exemplar graph. This representation enables allows us to efficiently define textures spanning a large--or possibly infinite--range of visual scales. We develop a hierarchical, parallelizable algorithm for performing texture synthesis from an input exemplar graph. In addition to automated generation, an increasingly important application of texture synthesis is in interactive tools for guiding texture design. This modality is especially important for multiscale textures, as they offer special perceptual challenges to artists. We examine algorithmic and engineering optimizations to enable real-time analysis and synthesis of multiscale textures, and explore potential implications for editing tools. Finally, we study the issue of display. To accurately view a large image at distance, some filtering operation must be performed. In many cases, such as traditional color images, the filtering operations are well-known. However, other texture representations, such as normal or displacement maps, present special difficulties for filtering. We treat the former case, presenting a principled analysis and algorithms for filtering and display of large normal maps.
A model study of periodic breathing and stability of the respiratory system in infants

A mathematical model of the respiratory system for newborn infants has been used to study the ventilatory response in hypoxia. Periodic breathing, and the ventilatory pattern following a sigh in the newborn period. The respiratory responses have been analyzed under different conditions and the effects of different respiratory parameters on the system's behavior have been investigated.
Clinical practice guidance for radiotherapy planning after induction chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose The use of induction chemotherapy (IC) for locoregionally advanced head-and-neck cancer is increasing. The response to IC often causes significant alterations in tumor volume and location and shifts in normal anatomy. Proper determination of the radiotherapy (RT) targets after IC becomes challenging, especially with the use of conformal and precision RT techniques. Therefore, a consensus conference was convened to discuss issues related to RT planning and coordination of care for patients receiving IC. Methods and Materials Ten participants with special expertise in the various aspects of integration of IC and RT for the treatment of locoregionally advanced head-and-neck cancer, including radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and a medical physicist, participated. The individual members were assigned topics for focused, didactic presentations. Discussion was encouraged after each presentation, and recommendations were formulated. Results Recommendations and guidelines emerged that emphasize up-front evaluation by all members of the head-and-neck management team, high-quality baseline and postinduction planning scans with the patient in the treatment position, the use of preinduction target volumes, and the use of full-dose RT, even in the face of a complete response. Conclusion A multidisciplinary approach is strongly encouraged. Although these recommendations were provided primarily for patients treated with IC, many of these same principles apply to concurrent chemoradiotherapy without IC. A rapid response during RT is quite common, requiring the development of two or more plans in a sizeable fraction of patients, and suggesting the need for similar guidance in the rapidly evolving area of adaptive RT.
Characterization of DNA structures by laser Raman spectroscopy.

Oriented fibers drawn from aqueous gels of calf-thymus DNA were maintained at constant relative humidites of 75 and 92% to yield canonical A-DNA and B-DNA structures, respectively. Raman spectra of the two forms of DNA were recorded over the spectral range 300–4000 cm−1. The authenticated DNA fibers were deuterated in hygrostatic cells containing D2O at appropriate relative humidities, and the corresponding spectra of deuterated DNAs were also obtained. The spectra reveal all of the Raman scattering frequencies and intensities characteristic of A- and B-DNA structures in both nondeuterated and deuterated froms, as well as the frequencies and intensities of adsorbed solvent molecules from which the hydration content of DNA fibers can be calculated. Numerous conformation-sensitive vibrational modes of DNA bases and phosphate groups have been identified throughout the 300–1700-cm−1 interval. Evidence has also been obtained for conformation sensitivity of deoxyribosyl CH stretching modes in the 2800–3000-cm−1 region. Raman lines of both the backbone and the bases are proposed as convenient indicators of A- and B-DNA structures. The results are extended to Z-DNA models investigated previously. Some implications of these findings for the determination of DNA or RNA structure from Raman spectra of nucleoproteins and viruses are considered.
Simulation of extended scenes imaged through turbulence over horizontal paths

We have developed an imaging simulator that accounts for the anisoplanatic effects encountered while imaging extended scenes over horizontal paths. Using an approach that combines geometric and wave optics, an extended scene is divided into discrete point sources. For each point source a ray is traced through discrete Kolmogorovturbulence phase screens toward each pixel in virtual detector. The resulting images express non-uniform tilt and distortion characteristics typical in horizontal surveillance imagery. Using this simulator several large data sets were created based on a known high-resolution source image. By utilizing turbulence corrupted image sets with a known reference image, the performance of image reconstruction techniques can be expressed in terms of common metrics such as Mean Squared Error (MSE). The MSE statistics of a single image corrupted using the simulator over three turbulence conditions are examined relative to a diffraction-limited version of the reference image.
Renormalization of an inverse-scattering theory for discontinuous profiles.

A renormalized solution that is based upon the exact inversion theories of Gel'fand, Levitan, and Marchenko has been developed by using a multiple-scales analysis. Our previous theory [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 2, 1916 (1985)] for the inverse-scattering problem for inhomogeneous, continuously varying regions has been extended to include discontinuities in the dielectric permittivity. A singular perturbation method has been used to obtain a uniformly valid expression for the electric field within the dielectric region. The advantage of the multiple-scales analysis of the interior electric field is that it rigorously indicates the dielectric region over which the weak-scattering or high-frequency approximation is valid. Furthermore, it is an effective renormalization technique that is physically motivated by the requirement of energy conservation and that allows a systematic investigation of the various scales associated with the inverse problem. The singular perturbation method for the solution of the inverse problem associated with the electromagnetic reflection data from a discontinuous dielectric region utilizes the high-frequency Born approximation to determine the magnitude of the discontinuity in the neighborhood of the origin. The method used for reconstructing discontinuous profiles is also appropriate for the reconstruction of profiles with turning points. The theory is demonstrated by two examples.
Spoken Emotion Classification Using ToBI Features and GMM

This study investigated the usefulness of ToBI marks in determining the emotional state conveyed in speech. The Gaussian mixture model GMM used was as the classifier structure. A total of three different classification systems were developed based on the use of three different feature vectors. They were: (a) the classical approach that used signal pitch and energy features; (b) a ToBI-only feature based on tone and break tiers; and (c) a system that used the features of both (a) and (b). In ToBI, tone tier elements were automatically determined using pitch information. Three emotional states were investigated: happiness, anger, and sadness. The overall success rate achieved for the combined system was between 75% and 100%. This work indicated that the ToBI features alone were very useful for the classification of emotion, and detection improves when classical features are used in conjunction with ToBI.
Perceived Attractiveness and Classroom Interactions

Facial attractiveness has been shown to influence teacher perceptions and attitudes toward children. This study investigated the classroom interactions of teacher-perceived attractive and unattract...
Ethanol Suppresses the Postcastration Rise in Serum Luteinizing Hormone in Male Rats

The effects of short-term administration of ethanol on serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were studied in castrated male rats. After 5 days of intraperitoneal administration of ethanol, serum LH concentrations were significantly lower than those of the saline-treated controls. Ethanol suppressed the progressive rise in serum LH concentrations that normally occurs after castration. Serum FSH concentrations tended to be higher after ethanol administration, but these differences were not significantly different from those of the saline-treated control animals. Ethanol has a potent and direct inhibitory effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary component of the male reproductive axis even when it is administered for a relatively short period of time.
Drug Discovery and Regulatory Considerations for Improving In Silico and In Vitro Predictions that Use Caco-2 as a Surrogate for Human Intestinal Permeability Measurements

There is a growing need for highly accurate in silico and in vitro predictive models to facilitate drug discovery and development. Results from in vitro permeation studies across the Caco-2 cell monolayer are commonly used for drug permeability screening in industry and are also accepted as a surrogate for human intestinal permeability measurements by the US FDA to support new drug applications. Countless studies carried out in this cell line with published permeability measurements have enabled the development of many in silico prediction models. We identify several common cases that illustrate how using Caco-2 permeability measurements in these in silico and in vitro predictive models will not correlate with human intestinal permeability and will further lead to inaccuracies in these models. We provide guidelines and recommendations for improving these models to more accurately predict clinically relevant information, thereby enhancing the drug discovery, development, and regulatory approval processes.
Antimigraine drug interactions with serotonin receptor subtypes in human brain

The interactions of antimigraine agents with serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptor subtypes were analyzed in human frontal cortex membranes. The drugs studied included 5-HT antagonists, beta-adrenergic antagonists, and calcium channel blockers. At 5-HT1A sites labeled by 3H-8-hydroxy-2-(N,N-dipropylamino)-tetralin, (-)pindolol, alprenolol, (-)propranolol, methysergide, cyproheptadine, and pizotifen are similar in that they display affinities of approximately 100 nM for this receptor. By contrast, only methysergide displays relatively high affinity (120 +/- 60 nM), whereas all other drugs have affinities greater than 1,000 nM for non-5-HT1A sites labeled by 3H-5-HT in human cortex. Finally, at 5-HT2 receptors labeled by 3H-spiperone, cyproheptadine, methysergide, and pizotifen are extremely potent agents (affinity constants of 1 to 10 nM), whereas amitriptyline (23 +/- 4 nM), verapamil (140 +/- 50 nM), and nifedipine (320 +/- 80 nM) are moderately potent. All other drugs are inactive at concentrations below 1,000 nM. These data demonstrate that most antimigraine drugs display high affinity for the 5-HT1A and/or 5-HT2 receptor subtypes in human brain. However, antimigraine efficacy cannot be explained by drug interactions with a single 5-HT receptor subtype.
Studies of inelastic molecular collisions using impact parameter methods. I. Model calculations

In this paper we explore the behavior of an exponential approximation to the impact parameter amplitudes for model systems with potential matrices of simple form. In these matrices the magnitude of the coupling is governed by the difference in the quantum numbers of the coupled states. In the limit of large numbers of states the amplitude functions may be expressed as single integrals, which in many cases can be evaluated in terms of known mathematical functions. The simple structure of this result allows us to analyze the general features of the amplitude functions and the resulting cross section integrands versus impact parameter. Specific examples for potentials with Gaussian and exponential radial dependence are used for illustration. An exploration of the effect of varying the potential parameters for the Gaussian potential is made. In addition, the behavior of functions related to the generalized cross sections for spectral line broadening are considered. Finally, we explore the generalization of th...
The New Resource Economics: Old Ideas and New Applications: Discussion

than Willey's. I will address the following four questions: (a) What unifying theme or common problem is addressed by the authors? (b) What are the strong points made by Anderson? (c) What are his shortcomings? (d) Can Anderson's "new" paradigm be resolved with the conventional wisdom of natural resource economics thought? Throughout my comments, I make the explicit value judgment that increased economic efficiency is the objective function by which natural resource decisions should be judged. I also make the conventional assumptions traditionally made by applied welfare economists, especially that preferences of the political-economic system can be measured in monetary willingness-to-pay terms (Young). Both papers address the following problem: The adoption and diffusion of economic (efficiency) evaluation criteria regarding natural/environmental resource decisions by relevant actors (politicians, bureaucrats, and the electorate) have been and will continue to be slow. Each author has a different explanation for the problem, and makes a different call for action.
A protocol-analytic study of metacognition in mathematical problem solving

The metacognitive behaviours of two subjects having a high level of mathematical experience and two subjects having a low level of mathematical experience were compared within each of the four cognitive processes of mathematical problem solving: orientation, organisation, execution, and verification. The results showed that the high-experience subjects engaged in self-regulation during the problem-solving process and that the low-experience subjects did not. Also, the high-experience subjects had stronger awareness about what they knew and how they should use this knowledge, and were able to sequentially monitor their goal-changing and decision-making activities in order to implement their goal. Another important finding was that the high-experience subjects spent the majority of their time on orientation and organisation rather than on execution, while low-experience subjects spent the majority of their time on execution rather than on orientation and organisation. Finally, the high-experience subjects accurately evaluated their strategies, actions and intermediate results. The results suggest that individual differences between the high- and low-experience subjects are unlikely to emerge either from the subjects’ selection of solution strategies or from the level of mathematical knowledge required for solving the problem. Therefore, the results from this study support the argument that metacognitive behaviours have important influences on subjects’ problem-solving success. This study also suggests that a complex, difficult, or novel task appears to function well as a task for examining metacognitive behaviours because such a task results in the subjects being unable to arrive at closure quickly.
Design and implementation of an economical instrument-computer interface based on the SDK-80 microcomputer

Abstract Interfacing NMR spectrometers through a Fabritek 1074 computer to a DECsystem-10 computer has been economically accomplished using an SDK-80 microcomputer. Features of the system include minimal hardware design; ease of operation; the use of LED program state indicators and the elimination of a conventional terminal; and the use of structured programming and prior programming specifications. The system has now been extensively used for several months with no problems.
PREDICTION OF RICE TEXTURE BY SPECTRAL STRESS STRAIN ANALYSIS: A NOVEL TECHNIQUE FOR TREATING INSTRUMENTAL EXTRUSION DATA USED FOR PREDICTING SENSORY TEXTURE PROFILES

Sensory texture characteristics of cooked rice for three cultivars (74 samples) were predicted using an extrusion cell and a novel data analysis method (i.e. Spectral Stress Strain Analysis). Eight sensory texture characteristics were evaluated and force values from the instrumental tests were used in combination with Partial Least Squares regression to evaluate predictive models for each of the sensory attributes studied. Relative Ability of Prediction (RAP) values were evaluated for each model; they ranged from 0.06 to 0.85, Satisfactory models are proposed for the two major texture characteristics of cooked rice, namely hardness (RAP=0.85) and stickiness as evaluated by adhesion to lips (RAP=0.76). Other sensory attributes such as roughness of mass (RAP=0. 73) and toothpack (RAP=0. 81) were also satisfactorily predicted. Sensory attributes such as toothpull (RAP=0.12) and loose particles (RAP= 0.06) could not be predicted using the Spectral Stress Strain Analysis.
Structural Equation Modeling of the Relationships Between Participation in Leisure Activities and Community Environments by People With Mobility Impairments

Abstract Hollingsworth H, Gray DB. Structural equation modeling of the relationships between participation in leisure activities and community environments by people with mobility impairments. Objective To examine the linkages between the constructs of participation and the environment for a set of leisure activities (attending concerts, attending movies, attending sporting events). Design Self-report surveys of the influence of the environment on participation were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Temporal, evaluative, and health-related aspects of leisure activities were selected as latent variables associated with participation. The environmental construct consisted of the latent variables of the influence on participation of the natural, interpersonal, built, background, and supportive environments. Setting Midwestern United States. Participants A purposive sample of people (N=604) with mobility limitations. Intervention None. Main Outcome Measures Measures of relationships between participation in leisure activities and the environment of people with mobility limitations. Results Structural equation modeling can be an important tool for empirically examining the contributions of the component latent variables of participation and the environment. Conclusions A model that fits participation by people with disabling conditions in their environment can provide guidance for community-based interventions and person-based therapies.
In vivo strain and stress estimation of the heart left and right ventricles from MRI images

Abstract Mechanical properties of the myocardium have been investigated intensively in the last four decades. Many complex strain energy functions have been used to estimate the stress–strain relationship of myocardium because the heart muscle is an inhomogeneous, anisotropic, and nearly incompressible material, which undergoes large deformations. These functions can be effective for fitting in vitro experimental data from myocardial stretch testing. However, it is difficult to model in vivo myocardium using these strain energy functions. Moreover, such estimates have so far been carried out almost exclusively on the left ventricle, because of the relative thinness and complex geometry of the right ventricle. Previous work from our research group has successful estimated the motion and deformation of both the left and the right ventricles, using data from noninvasive tagged magnetic resonance imaging. In this paper, we present a novel statistical model to estimate the in vivo material properties and strain and stress distribution in both ventricles, using such data. Two normal hearts and two hearts with right-ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) were studied and noticeable differences were found between the strain and stress distributions for normal volunteers and RVH patients. Compared to the strain energy function approach, our model is more intuitively understandable.
Pressure effects on ion movement across planar bilayer membranes

Abstract Ion transport in the presence of pore formers, carriers, and hydrophobic ions, has been studied at hydrostatic pressures to 100 MPa. The onset of voltage-dependent conductance produced by the pore forming antibiotic, alamethicin, following application of a suprathreshold voltage step, is markedly slowed and follows a distinctly sigmoidal time course at elevated pressure. This observation has led us to postulate the existence of a voltage-dependent but nonconducting precursor state through which aggregates of alamethicin must pass before a conducting state is reached. The lifetimes of individual states of the open alamethicin pore are also lengthened by pressure, their decay being characterized by positive activation volumes in the range 70–80 A3. The steady state conductance due to transport of K+ ions by the ion-selective carriers, valinomycin and nonactin, decreases with increasing pressure, indicating positive activation volumes of 45 A3 and 74 A3, respectively, for the rate limiting step in transport by these ionophores. The activation volumes reported above are comparable to those inferred from measurements of the pressure dependence of the viscosity of n-alkanes, suggesting that membrane fluidity is pertinent to these observations. A marked contrast is provided by the hydrophobic anions, dipicrylaminate and tetraphenylborate. The parameters characterizing transient conductance by these species exhibit no measurable variation with pressure over the range available with present apparatus.
A large noncoding RNA is a marker for murine hepatocellular carcinomas and a spectrum of human carcinomas.

A large noncoding RNA is a marker for murine hepatocellular carcinomas and a spectrum of human carcinomas
Field Evaluation of Imidazolinone-Tolerant Clearfield Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) at Nine Louisiana Locations

Clearfi eld rice (Oryza sativa L.) developed at the Rice Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, offers a fi rst-ever non– genetically modifi ed alternative to selectively eliminate notorious red rice (O. sativa L.) in a commercial rice fi eld. The objective of this study was to compare Clearfi eld rice with the leading conventional cultivars for grain yield (main and ratoon crops), milling yield, seedling vigor, maturity, plant height, and disease reactions by analyzing the Louisiana rice commercial advanced yield test that was conducted at nine locations during 2003 to 2004. Our results indicate that the grain yields of Clearfi eld cultivars were signifi cantly lower than the leading conventional long-grain cultivars such as Cocodrie, Cheniere, Wells, and Francis. The average main crop grain yield of Clearfi eld rice was about 11.1 and 5.5% lower than that of conventional cultivars in 2003 and 2004, respectively. However, Clearfi eld cultivars exhibited higher head rice yield than the leading conventional ones. No signifi cant difference on ratoon yield was found between Clearfi eld rice and conventional rice. Clearfi eld rice also had similar maturity and plant height as conventional cultivars but better seedling vigor. Compared with conventional rice, Clearfi eld cultivars appeared to be more susceptible to both sheath blight and blast. The yield gap between Clearfi eld and conventional cultivars has been signifi cantly reduced with the release of newer Clearfi eld cultivars CL161 and CL131.
Should sacrospinous ligament fixation for the management of pelvic support defects be part of a residency program procedure? The University of Miami experience.

Objective: The objective of this article is to determine the safety and effectiveness of transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation as part of the management of pelvic support defects in a residency program. Study Design: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing sacrospinous ligament fixation at the Division of Gynecology, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami School of Medicine, between July 1990 and December 1995, was performed. Patients with vaginal vault prolapse and uterine prolapse with documented preoperative evaluation were included in this study. Data were obtained using a detailed predetermined flow sheet. Results: A total of 160 patients was included in the study. All patients underwent right sacrospinous ligament fixation, anterior and posterior colporrhaphy, and perineorrhaphy. In addition, 31 (19%) underwent enterocele repair, 5 (3%) underwent trachelectomy, and 9 (6%) underwent Burch procedure. Complications included fever 13 (8.1%), urinary tract infection 16 (10%), blood loss requiring transfusion 7 (4.3%), sciatic neuralgia 2 (1.2%), and rectovaginal fistula 2 (1.2%). The mean follow-up was 40 months (range 18 to 78 months). The success of the operation was gauged by recurrence. Ninety-four percent of the patients had no evidence of vaginal vault prolapse on follow-up, and 85% had no recurrence of any pelvic support defect. Eleven of the 24 patients with recurrence underwent repeat surgery, whereas 13 opted for conservative management with pessaries. Conclusion: Transvaginal unilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation is a safe and successful operation for the treatment of pelvic support defect and should be an essential component in the training of gynecologic residents.
Identifying capacity indicators for community-based natural resource management initiatives: focus group results from conservation practitioners across Illinois

The increasing popularity of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) warrants an exploration of the capacity of such initiatives to co-ordinate and implement successful conservation efforts. We used reconstructivist methods – specifically, focus groups with nominal group techniques – to determine 10 key capacity indicators for successful CBNRM. The list comprises motivation, leadership, respect, mutual interest/shared values, outreach/education, marketing, communication, planning, funding and equipment/supplies. Our results can be used by CBNRM groups for capacity-building and self-assessment activities, by bridging organisations to increase the capacity of such initiatives, or by researchers interested in measuring the capacity of community-based groups to achieve their conservation goals.
A Modified Ventilation Slot Hood for Chemical Drumming Booths

Chemical drumming operations require proper ventilation systems to prevent employee exposure to toxic vapors and aerosols. For a chemical drum filling booth, an inexpensive exhaust slot ventilation system that effectively captures the evolving harmful vapors and aerosols generated during the drum filling operation is described. Rather than the more commonly used open-face slot, an enclosing slot has been designed for emission control. A more than ten-fold reduction in concentration was observed after installing the new control system as compared to that with the dilution ventilation system originally in place. The volumetric exhaust flow rate through the system was one-half that which would have been required for a commonly used slot design. This reduction in exhaust volume was due to partial enclosure of the slot, which reduced the handling of uncontaminated air. This design reduced the capital investment for the fan and operating costs because of reduced energy consumption. Thus, the potential health ha...
Analysis of meso -2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in human urine by capillary electrophoresis using direct injection

meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid ( meso-DMSA) is an effective chelating agent for the treatment of lead poisoning. We have developed a capillary electrophoresis (CE) method to monitor the urinary excretion of meso-DMSA in human beings. The urine sample was directly injected for analysis in CE without the requirement of solid-phase extraction (SPE). The meso-DMSA was detected in 20 mM borate buffer (pH 8.3) using a 60-cm length bare fused-silica capillary (75-microm ID, 52.5-cm effective length). The meso-DMSA can be extensively biotransformed during metabolism, and no meso-DMSA in urine samples was found in our studies. Any metabolized meso-DMSA can be successfully converted to free meso-DMSA by chemical reduction with dithiothreitol (DTT). In addition, samples were also treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to transchelate any meso-DMSA that is coordinated with metal ions present in the urine samples. The total amount of meso-DMSA present as these chemical forms was quantified after chemical reduction and addition of EDTA. The detection limit of meso-DMSA was about 50 microM, the RSD of peak area and migration time of meso-DMSA were 4-8% and less than 1%, respectively.
Distinct levels of Sox9 expression mark colon epithelial stem cells that form colonoids in culture.

Sox9 is an high-mobility group box transcription factor that is expressed in the stem cell zone of the small intestine and colon. We have previously used a Sox9EGFP mouse model to demonstrate that ...
New Perspectives on the Use of Niacin in the Treatment of Lipid Disorders

Therapy with niacin (nicotinic acid) is unique in that it improves all lipoprotein abnormalities. It significantly reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein(a) levels, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. This makes niacin ideal for treating a wide variety of lipid disorders, including the metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, isolated low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertriglyceridemia. Niacin-induced changes in serum lipid levels produce significant improvements in both coronary artery disease and clinical outcomes. Niacin is currently available in 3 formulations (immediate release, extended release, and long acting), which differ significantly with respect to their safety and efficacy profiles. Immediate-release niacin is generally taken 3 times a day and is associated with adverse flushing, gastrointestinal symptoms, and elevations in blood glucose levels. Long-acting niacin can be taken once daily and is associated with significantly reduced flushing, but its metabolism increases the risk of hepatotoxic effects. Extended-release niacin, also given once daily, has an absorption rate intermediate between the other formulations and is associated with fewer flushing and gastrointestinal symptoms without increasing hepatotoxic risk.
Liquid−Liquid Extraction in the 96-Well Plate Format with SRM LC/MS Quantitative Determination of Methotrexate and Its Major Metabolite in Human Plasma

A method involving the semirobotic liquid−liquid extraction (LLE) in deep-well 96-well plates was developed for the quantitation of the anti-cancer/antiinflammatory drug methotrexate (MTX) and its major metabolite, 7-hydroxymethotrexate (7OH-MTX) in human plasma. The extraction time for the sample preparation was relatively short with four 96-well plates (384 samples) prepared in approximately 90 min by one person. The sample extracts were each analyzed within 1.2 min using a positive ion turbo-ionspray selected reaction monitoring liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric (SRM LC/MS) method in which 768 samples were easily analyzed within 22 h (maximum of 820 samples in 24 h). Deuterated internal standards, MTX-d3 and 7OH-MTX-d3, were used. The calibration curves for MTX and 7OH-MTX were linear (R2 > 0.997) and ranged from 0.5 to 250 and 0.75 to 100 ng/mL, respectively. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for MTX and 7OH-MTX was 0.5 and 0.75 ng/mL, respectively; persistent carryover from the autosampler limit...
Reputation Management: The New Face of Corporate Public Relations?.

Abstract An empirical study of Fortune 500 companies suggests that “reputation management” is gaining ground as a driving philosophy behind corporate public relations. Whether the phenomenon is a trend or a fad is not clear, given the lack of consensus in defining reputation, the instability and questionable validity of reputation measures, and unanswered questions about when and how (or even whether) reputation can be “managed.” Besides reputation management, corporate public relations departments in the study embraced a wide variety of other definitions of their function, suggesting that public relations continues to have great difficulty in defining itself. While the study did not find a strong correlation between reputation and overall spending on corporate communication activities, as had a similar study the prior year, it did find some interesting correlations between reputation and specific categories of spending.
Syringe-assisted point-of-care micropumping utilizing the gas permeability of polydimethylsiloxane

By utilizing the high gas permeability of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a simple syringe-assisted pumping method was introduced. A dead-end microfluidic channel was partially surrounded by an embedded microchamber, with a thin PDMS wall isolating the dead-end channel and the embedded microchamber. A syringe was connected with the microchamber port by a short tube, and the syringe plunger was manually pulled out to generate low pressure inside the microchamber. When sample liquid was loaded in the inlet port, air trapped in the dead-end channel would diffuse into the surrounding microchamber through the PDMS wall, creating an instantaneous pumping of the liquid inside the dead-end channel. By only pulling the syringe manually, a constant low flow with a rate ranging from 0.089 to 4 nl/s was realized as functions of two key parameters: the PDMS wall thickness and the overlap area between the dead-end channel and the surrounded microchamber. This method enabled point-of-care pumping without pre-evacuating the PDMS devices in a bulky vacuum chamber.
Estimates of Time and Space Scales at 300 Meters in the Midlatitude North Pacific from the TRANSPAC XBT Program

Abstract Estimates of length and time scales of temperature variability at 300 meters in the midlatitude North Pacific are made. Data are XBT traces collected from 1976 to 1984 in the TRANSPAC Volunteer Observing Ship program. Temperatures at 300 meters are grouped in two-mouth bins and gridded using the Surface II mapping program. Temperature variance about the time mean is largest in the Kuroshio Extension and nearly constant in the eastern North Pacific. A cooling trend occurred in the eastern North Pacific over the eight years of the dataset. In the western Pacific, the annual cycle is most intense 1°–2° north of the Kuroshio Extension, with an indication of meridional propagation away from the region of most intense variability. Propagation of annual waves in the eastern Pacific was predominantly northwestward. Wavenumber and frequency spectra are computed from normalized temperatures with the mean and bimonthly average removed in order to eliminate the dominant annual cycle. Based on the overall tem...
A multiple description coding scheme based on the Chinese remainder theorem

A novel multiple description coding scheme based on the Chinese remainder theorem is presented. The main advantages of the scheme are the uniform diffusion of information to multiple packets, the flexible control mechanism over the representation redundancy, and the possibility of having a detail preserving post-processing routine to reduce the reconstruction error. We believe that the described Chinese Remainder Theorem based approach can be useful for other coding problems such as coding with side information and information hiding.
The impact of rapid HIV home test use with sexual partners on subsequent sexual behavior among men who have sex with men

This study explores the sexual behavior of 27 men who have sex with men (MSM) who regularly engage in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), in the context of HIV home test (HT) use with potential sex partners. Participants were given 16 HT kits to use over 3 months. Among 40 sexual occasions following HIV-negative HT results, there were 25 UAI occasions (16 based on not typically using condoms and nine on HT results), 15 occasions in which condoms were used, and three in which sex did not occur. In the seven occasions where a potential partner received HIV-positive HT results, the sexual encounter ended. Almost all participants encountered potential partners who refused HT. Over half of these participants ended sexual encounters when HT was refused, perceiving these partners as HIV-positive or too high risk. Some participants reported that HT use heightened their awareness of HIV risk and their commitment to reducing it.
Fluorine chemical shift of 6,6,6-tritluoro-1-hexanol in mixtures of water with organic cosolvents

Abstract Fluorine chemical shifts are reported as a function of solvent composition for dilute solutions of 6,6,6-trifluoro-l-hexanol in mixtures of water and organic liquids, mainly at 35°C. The cosolvents are acetone, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, ethylene glycol, 2-methoxyethane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, methanol, t-butanol, dimethyl formamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. The data are interpreted assuming that they reflect primarily variations of the shielding contributions arising from bulk magnetic susceptibility and dispersion interactions. The shapes of the curves of shift versus composition depend greatly on the nature of the cosolvent, and they can be explained only by invoking several types of structural effects, similar to those suggested by other work on water-cosolvent systems. A few observations at 10°C and some data for D 2 O-cosolvent mixtures are consistent with the finding that structural effects are enhanced by reducing the temperature or substituting D 2 O for H 2 O. The results are helpful in evaluating the merits and deficiencies of proposed methods of using 19 F NMR shifts to measure the extent of exposure to water of a fluorine-containing probe molecule bound to a micelle, lipid vesicle, or protein.