cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mesoscale simulation of molecular glass photoresists: effect of PAG loading and acid diffusion coefficient

A mesoscale model of molecular resists has been created and implemented that allows for the investigation of the effect of material composition and physiochemical properties, such as PAG loading and photoacid diffusion coefficient, on the lithographic performance (i.e. resolution, line edge roughness, and sensitivity or as commonly referred to "RLS") of molecular glass photoresists. This model is shown to produce results that are in good agreement with many of the conventional LER scaling arguments. In cases where critical dimension is not held constant, it was found that higher photoacid diffusion improves LER at low acid concentrations, but induces higher LER at high acid concentration as compared to smaller diffusion coefficients. Increased PAG loadings were found to provide comparatively lower LER at the same resolution and sensitivity as lower PAG loadings, or alternatively to provide better sensitivity at the same resolution and LER as lower PAG loadings. Even at ultra-high PAG loadings, CARs were found to exhibit RLS limitations. By normalizing all PAG loadings by the total amount of acid produced, it is shown that LER is controlled primarily by photoacid concentration in the resist at the imaging dose for the case where constant critical dimension is maintained with no use of base quencher in the resist. Thus, the most direct and functional scaling argument for LER under such cases is, which is similar to the more common scaling arguments that state, but as this work shows it is more universal to state that which automatically normalizes for different PAG loadings and photoreaction rate constants across different resist formulations.
Ultraviolet emission from Sb-doped p-type ZnO based heterojunction light-emitting diodes

Heterojunction light emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated by making Au∕Ni top Ohmic contacts on Sb-doped p-type ZnO film with low specific contact resistivity and Al∕Ti back Ohmic contacts on n-type Si substrate. Near-band edge and deep-level emissions were observed from the LED devices at both low temperatures and room temperature, which is due to band-to-band and band-to-deep level radiative recombinations in ZnO, respectively. The electroluminescence emissions precisely match those of photoluminescence spectra from Sb-doped p-type ZnO, indicating that the ZnO layer acts as the active region for the radiative recombinations of electrons and holes in the diode operation.
Structure Learning via Parameter Learning

A key challenge in information and knowledge management is to automatically discover the underlying structures and patterns from large collections of extracted information. This paper presents a novel structure-learning method for a new, scalable probabilistic logic called ProPPR. Our approach builds on the recent success of meta-interpretive learning methods in Inductive Logic Programming (ILP), and we further extends it to a framework that enables robust and efficient structure learning of logic programs on graphs: using an abductive second-order probabilistic logic, we show how first-order theories can be automatically generated via parameter learning. To learn better theories, we then propose an iterated structural gradient approach that incrementally refines the hypothesized space of learned first-order structures. In experiments, we show that the proposed method further improves the results, outperforming competitive baselines such as Markov Logic Networks (MLNs) and FOIL on multiple datasets with various settings; and that the proposed approach can learn structures in a large knowledge base in a tractable fashion.
C-Reactive Protein Is a Potent Predictor of Mortality Independently of and in Combination With Troponin T in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A TIMI 11A Substudy

Abstract Objectives. We evaluated C-reactive protein (CRP) alone and in conjunction with a rapid qualitative assay for cardiac-specific troponin T (cTnT) for predicting 14-day mortality in patients with unstable angina or non-Q wave myocardial infarction (NQMI). Background. Elevated CRP has been found to correlate with higher risk for cardiac events in patients with coronary disease. Methods. At enrollment into the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 11A trial, a dose-ranging trial of enoxaparin for unstable angina and NQMI, serum was obtained for CRP measurement and rapid cTnT assay. Results. Quantitative CRP and rapid cTnT assays were performed in all patients. CRP was higher among patients who died than in survivors (7.2 vs. 1.3 mg/dl, p = 0.0038). The probability of a positive rapid cTnT assay rose with increasing CRP concentration (p Conclusions. Elevated CRP at presentation in patients with unstable angina or NQMI is correlated with increased 14-day mortality, even in patients with a negative rapid cTnT assay. Quantitative CRP and a rapid cTnT assay provide complementary information for stratifying patients with regard to mortality risk.
A molecular phylogeny of the Percidae (Teleostei, Perciformes) based on mitochondrial DNA sequence.

The family Percidae is among the most speciose families of northern hemisphere fishes with >178 North American species and 14 Eurasian species. Previous phylogenetic studies have been hampered by a lack of informative characters, inadequate taxonomic sampling, and conflicting data. We estimated phylogenetic relationships among 54 percid species (9 of 10 genera and all but one subgenus of darters) and four outgroup taxa using mitochondrial DNA data from the 12S rRNA and cytochrome b genes. Four primary evolutionary lineages were consistently recovered: Etheostomatinae (Ammocrypta, Crystallaria, Etheostoma, and Percina), Perca, Luciopercinae (Romanichthys, Sander, and Zingel), and Gymnocephalus. Except Etheostoma and Zingel, all polytypic genera were monophyletic. The Etheostoma subgenus Nothonotus failed to resolve with other members of the genus resulting in a paraphyletic Etheostoma. The subfamily Percinae (Gymnocephalus and Perca) was not recovered in phylogenetic analyses with Gymnocephalus sister to Luciopercinae. Etheostomatinae and Romanichthyini were never resolved as sister groups supporting convergent evolution as the cause of small, benthic, stream-inhabiting percids in North American and Eurasian waters.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCOURING ANALYSIS FOR OPEN CHANNEL PRESSURE FLOW SCOUR UNDER FLOODED BRIDGE DECKS

A three-dimensional stream bed scour modeling methodology was developed using well-benchmarked commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to compute the bed shear stress distribution used to calculate bed displacements and to re-mesh the computational domain as the bed is displaced. This study extends a previously developed two-dimensional iterative scouring procedure to predict the final shape and size of the scour-hole under pressure-scour flow conditions for flooded bridge decks using commercial CFD software. The current approach uses single phase flow models with an assumed flat water surface using a symmetric slip top boundary to simulate a free-surface flow condition, quasi-steady simulation to obtain the bed shear, and a moving boundary formulation based on an empirical correlation for critical shear stress to iteratively deform the bed under supercritical shear conditions until an equilibrium scour condition is obtained. The model solves the flow field using Reynolds Averaged NavierStokes (RANS) equations and the high Reynolds number k– epsilon turbulence model using the commercial CFD software STAR-CD. A Bash script was developed to use a Python script to compute bed displacements from the computed shear stress distribution and generate a STAR-CD processor command file to displace the bed followed by a step using the STAR-CCM+ software to remesh the domain as the bed is displaced and bed shear distribution is recomputed in an iterative procedure until the equilibrium bed contour is reached. Simulations were performed for different inundation ratios and for mean sand diameters of 1 mm and 2 mm. The model agrees reasonably well with limited experimental data for equilibrium scour shape and size with fully submerged cases compared to the cases where the bridge deck is partially submerged. This developed three-dimensional CFD scour computation procedure provides a basis for testing of additional scour related physical models while also providing an evaluation tool that can be used immediately by engineers engaged in scour risk analysis and assessment. NOMENCLATURE
Volumetric xenon-CT imaging of conventional and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.

Rationale and Objectives For mechanical ventilation of patients with pulmonary injuries, it has been proposed that high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) offers advantages over conventional ventilation (CV); however, these advantages have been difficult to quantify. We used volumetric, dynamic imaging of Xenon (Xe) washout of the canine lung during both HFOV and CV to compare regional ventilation in the two modalities. Materials and Methods Three anesthetized, mechanically ventilated animals were studied, each at three different ventilator settings. Imaging was performed on an experimental Toshiba 256-slice scanner at 80 kV, 250 mAs, and 0.5-second scans, yielding 12.8 cm of Z-axis coverage. Repeated images were acquired at increasing intervals between 1 and 10 seconds for 90 seconds during HFOV and using retrospective respiratory gating to end-expiration for 60 seconds during CV. Image series were analyzed to quantify regional specific ventilation (s V ˙ ) from the regional density washout time constants. Results High-quality, high-resolution regional ventilation maps were obtained during both CV and HFOV. Overall ventilation decreased at smaller tidal volume, as expected. Regional s V ˙ was more uniform during HFOV compared to CV, but the underlying distribution of lung aeration was similar. Conclusions High-resolution volumetric ventilation maps of the lung may be obtained with the 256-slice multidetector computed tomographic scanner. There is a marked difference in the distribution of regional ventilation between CV and HFOV, with a significant gravitational ventilation gradient in CV that was not present during HFOV. This technique may be useful in exploring the mechanisms by which HFOV improves gas exchange.
Interchain Electronic Excitations in Poly(phenylenevinylene) (PPV) Aggregates

The semiempirical collective electronic oscillators (CEO) approach based on a time-dependent Hartree−Fock approximation is applied to analyze formation of interchain electronic excitations in PPV aggregates composed of two weakly coupled chain segments. Real-space analysis of transition density matrices identifies the origins of electron−hole pairs created upon optical excitation. The singlet intrachain excitons are delocalized along the whole oligomer chain and manifest themselves as strong band edge transitions in the linear spectra. New low-frequency interchain electronic excitations appear upon bringing oligomer chains into close proximity (3−4 A). These new electronic states localized at the near-contact have no signatures in linear absorption. We argue that they may significantly decrease luminescence quantum efficiency of polymer films.
Mainstreaming black churches into suicide prevention among adolescents: a literature review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose that black churches in the USA are best suited to curtail the rising incidence of suicide, and suicide ideation among African-American adolescents. Presently, little is known about the best preventive practices and mental healthcare interventions for the black adolescents assailed by suicide and suicidal ideation. Design/methodology/approach – A review of the extant literature was conducted to understand and synthesize the current knowledge base about suicide rates among African-American adolescents. To retrieve and review relevant literature that focussed on suicide among African-American adolescents and the preventive roles of black churches the authors searched the following databases: PsychINFO, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Social Work abstracts, and Google Scholar. Findings – Findings indicate that black churches could implement, and profusely replicate the lay health advisors and HAVEN models to successfully miti...
Comparative study on ChIP-seq data

Motivation: Antibody-based Chromatin Immunoprecipitation assay followed by high-throughput sequencing technology (ChIP-seq) is a relatively new method to study the binding patterns of specific protein molecules over the entire genome. ChIP-seq technology allows scientist to get more comprehensive results in shorter time. Here, we present a non-linear normalization algorithm and a mixture modeling method for comparing ChIP-seq data from multiple samples and characterizing genes based on their RNA polymerase II (Pol II) binding patterns. Results: We apply a two-step non-linear normalization method based on locally weighted regression (LOESS) approach to compare ChIP-seq data across multiple samples and model the difference using an Exponential-NormalK mixture model. Fitted model is used to identify genes associated with differential binding sites based on local false discovery rate (fdr). These genes are then standardized and hierarchically clustered to characterize their Pol II binding patterns. As a case study, we apply the analysis procedure comparing normal breast cancer (MCF7) to tamoxifen-resistant (OHT) cell line. We find enriched regions that are associated with cancer (P < 0.0001). Our findings also imply that there may be a dysregulation of cell cycle and gene expression control pathways in the tamoxifen-resistant cells. These results show that the non-linear normalization method can be used to analyze ChIP-seq data across multiple samples. Availability: Data are available at http://www.bmi.osu.edu/~khuang/Data/ChIP/RNAPII/ Contact:taslim.2@osu.edu; khuang@bmi.osu.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Adaptability theory as a guide for interfacing-computers and human society

Hierarchical adaptability theory provides a tool for analyzing the mechanisms and processes that living systems use to survive in uncertain or unknown environments. Adaptability is based on the use of information about the environment to select from a repertoire of possible behaviors. The principle of biological compensation states that restrictions on one part of this repertoire (e.g. on genetic plasticity) must be compensated by expansions of other parts (e.g. neurobehavioral plasticity), by an increase in computing power, or by a decrease in niche space. The tradeoflprinciple asserts that programmability is incompatible with high evolutionary plasticity and efficient use of computational resources. Together these two principles imply that the increasing use of programmable computing power in modern societies can have an adaptability decreasing effect that would put humans in the position of disturbance-absorbing homeostats for computers. Computers can benefit society, but whether they do so in any particular case depends on a sensitive respect for the tradeoffs elucidated by adaptability theory.
A precision vertical interconnect technology

An interconnection technology is described that utilizes excimer laser drilled vias and computer controlled plating to provide vertical (Z-axis) electrical connections in high-performance flexible circuits. Specifically, solid vias and hemispherical microcontacts are created with a 1- mu m nearest-neighbor height precision for the microcontacts. An architecture with a novel structure is employed to simplify the ground plane connections for impedance controlled flex circuits. The rationale for material and unit-process selection is described. The laser drilling of holes for the vertical interconnects is outlined. The deposition of the metal interconnects is considered. The performance of the resulting structures is characterized. This technology was implemented with a polyimide substrate and nickel contacts. >
Analysis of minimum cost in shape-optimized Litz-wire inductor windings

Litz-wire windings for gapped inductors are optimized for minimum cost within a loss constraint or vice-versa. Optimal winding shapes and the strand diameter and number for each shape are found through simultaneous consideration of two-dimensional field effects and of cost and AC-loss implications of litz stranding.
Twentieth-century warming and the dendroclimatology of declining yellow-cedar forests in southeastern Alaska

Decline of yellow-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ((D. Don) Spach) has occurred on 200 000 ha of temperate rainforests across southeastern Alaska. Because declining forests appeared soon after th...
Living in the face of death: interviews with 12 terminally ill women on home hospice care.

Objective: To determine how home hospice patients deal with their impending death and whether there is a need for greater involvement of mental health professionals in the care of patients dying at home. Method: In a pilot study, 12 female home hospice patients with advanced cancer and a median survival time of 42 days were assessed using structured interviews and brief questionnaires. Topics of inquiry included facing death, fear of death, pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Three key themes were extracted from the information reported by the women: ~1! confronting the issue of death, ~2! fear of dying and death and its correlates, and ~3! spirituality0religious faith and its role in mitigating fear of death. Results: First, all subjects reported thinking about their approaching death. For half of them, this thought was bothersome and these women were frequently troubled by unresolved issues and higher anxiety, pain, and fatigue. The majority of the subjects expressed a desire to actively discuss their impending death. Second, more than half of the patients reported being afraid of death and high death anxiety was associated with fear of dying in pain, high peak or usual pain, unresolved issues, and difficulty in parting with family in death. Third, most subjects experienced their religious faith as an important source of comfort and strength. Significance of results: A substantial subgroup of home hospice patients expressed problems dealing with their approaching death. These problems are amenable to psychological treatment, such as fear of death, unresolved issues, parting with family, and pain. The findings, thus, highlight the need for close collaboration of mental health professionals with home hospice institutions.
Dissociation of Insulin Resistance and Decreased Insulin Receptor Binding in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked inherited neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive weakness and severe muscle wasting. Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism are often associated with neuromuscular disorders. We performed oral glucose tolerance tests and insulin binding studies on erythrocytes from 17 DMD and 8 normal males. Furthermore, we measured insulin binding to erythrocytes from 12 normal males and from 11 mothers and 10 sisters of affected males. As a group, DMD patients had mild glucose intolerance and both fasting and postabsorptive marked hyperinsulinemia (insulin resistance). Levels of glucose and insulin, expressed as incremental areas under their respective curves, were significantly elevated in the wheelchair-ridden patients. Incremental areas of glucose (0-2 h) and insulin (0-5 h) were 42 +/- 5 mg/dl X h (mean +/- SEM) and 96 +/- 18 microU/ml X h, respectively, in normal subjects and 71 +/- 6 (P less than 0.05) and 206 +/- 30 (P less than 0.05), respectively, in the wheelchair-confined DMD patients. All of the ambulatory DMD males had normal oral glucose tolerance tests. Insulin binding to erythrocytes was 20-30% lower (P less than 0.01) in all DMD patients than in normal males appropriately matched for age and degree of sexual development. This difference in binding was a result of lower affinity of the insulin receptor in DMD erythrocytes. On the other hand, insulin binding to fibroblasts was the same in normal males and DMD patients, suggesting that the abnormality of erythrocyte binding in DMD is probably not genetically induced. Insulin binding to erythrocytes and monocytes was the same in all females studied, regardless of whether they were carriers of the DMD gene. Our results suggest that abnormal insulin binding in DMD erythrocytes is an acquired rather than genetic abnormality, but insulin binding is not helpful in the identification of carrier females. The defect in insulin binding in DMD is present before the development of insulin resistance, which occurs only in severely immobilized patients. Thus, the cause of the insulin resistance in DMD may reside at steps beyond the binding of insulin to its receptor.
Bird communities and habitat as ecological indicators of forest condition in regional monitoring.

Ecological indicators for long-term monitoring programs are needed to detect and assess changing environmental conditions. We developed and tested community-level environmental indicators for monitor- ing forest bird populations and associated habitat. We surveyed 197 sampling plots in loblolly-shortleaf pine forests, spanning an area from Georgia to Virginia (U.S.A.) and representing a gradient in levels of anthropo- genic disturbance. Ninety of these plots were randomly selected from a sampling grid, permitting quantitative assessment of cumulative distribution functions for bird community and habitat parameters. Species were in- dependently classified into habitat assemblages indicating birds typical of disturbed habitat (e.g., shrubland, forest edge) and undisturbed habitat (mature forest). Relative abundances of these assemblages were used to form a bird community index—similar to the index of biotic integrity applied to aquatic systems—showing the effects of habitat disturbance on forest bird communities. Bird communities on the majority of the sample area (52-75%, 90% confidence interval) were dominated by disturbance-tolerant species. Sites dominated by mature-forest species were comparatively uncommon. Habitat assemblages appeared to be particularly useful tools for environmental monitoring; individual species abundance was positively correlated with assemblage species richness, and assemblage members showed consistent responses to variations in disturbance level. To a lesser extent, component species of nesting guilds showed this pattern of cohesive responses, but those of for- aging guilds did not. We also developed a habitat index based on habitat variables that predicted bird com- munity index values. Habitat and bird community indices were strongly correlated in an independent vali- dation dataset, suggesting that the habitat index can provide a reliable predictor of bird community status. The two indices may be used in combination, with the bird community index providing a direct measure of the status of the bird community and the habitat index providing a basis on which to separate changes in the bird community into local habitat effects versus other factors (e.g., landscape level effects, changes on winter- ing grounds).
Relationships between postharvest water loss and physical properties of pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum L.)

Physical characteristics (initial water content, surface area, surface area: volume (SA : V) ratio, cuticle weight, epicuticular wax content, and surface morphology) were examined to determine relationships between physical properties and water-loss 'rate in pepper fruits. 'Keystone', 'NuMex R Naky', and 'Santa Fe Grande' peppers, differing in physical characteristics, were stored at 8, 14, or 20C. Water-loss rate increased linearly with storage time at each temperature and was different for each cultivar. Water-loss rate was positively correlated with initial water content at 14 and 20C, SA : V ratio at all temperatures, and cuticle thickness at 14 and 20C. Water-loss rate was negatively correlated with surface area and epicuticular wax content at all temperatures. Stomata were absent on the fruit surface, and epicuticular wax was amorphous for each cultivar. Postharvest fruit quality rapidly decreases due to water loss (Ryan and Lipton, 1972; Showalter, 1973; Watada et al., 1987), which limits shipping of New Mexican-type pep- pers. Studies show pepper varieties, e.g., bell, jalapeno, New Mexican, differ in water-loss rate during storage (Lownds and Bosland, 1988). To our knowledge, the basis for these differences has not been studied.
Afterhyperpolarization Regulates Firing Rate in Neurons of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Cluster I neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which are thought to be pacemakers supporting circadian activity, fire spontaneous action potentials that are followed by a monophasic afterhyperpolarization (AHP). Using a brain slice preparation, we have found that the AHP has a shorter duration in cells firing at higher frequency, consistent with circadian modulation of the AHP. The AHP is supported by at least three subtypes of KCa channels, including apamin-sensitive channels, iberiotoxin-sensitive channels, and channels that are insensitive to both of these antagonists. The latter KCa channel subtype is involved in rate-dependent regulation of the AHP. Voltage-clamped, whole-cell Ca 2 channel currents recorded from SCN neurons were dissected pharmacologically, revealing all of the major high-voltage activated subtypes: L-, N-, P/Q-, and R-type Ca 2 channel currents. Application of Ca 2 channel antagonists to spontaneously firing neurons indicated that predominantly L- and R-type currents trigger the AHP. Our findings suggest that apaminand iberiotoxin-insensitive KCa channels are subject to diurnal modulation by the circadian clock and that this modulation either directly or indirectly leads to the expression of a circadian rhythm in spiking frequency.
Late Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus Using Indomethacin in the Preterm Infant

Several studies have shown a lack of effect of indomethacin therapy for the closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants over 14 days of postnatal age. In this report we describe two cases in which a hemodynamically significant PDA was closed with indomethacin in preterm infants over 20 days of age. The response to indomethacin may be more related to postconceptual age than to actual postnatal age. We suggest that intravenous indomethacin therapy should be attempted before surgical ligation is performed in those premature infants under 34 weeks postconceptual age who have a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.
Service Marketing for the Smaller Firm

Concepts being developed in the field of services marketing management can be applied by the smaller firm. The small firm can be more responsive. flexible and personal than the larger competitor. The authors believe that small service firms may be able to leverage these competitive advantages by utilizing marketing strategies and actions designed to capitalize on the unique characteristics of services. The marketing strategies of dramatization, demand management, process engineering, and relationship management offer the small service firm significant opportunities for competitive advantage. “Service Managers’ Action Guidelines" are presented in an effort to assist small firm managers in implementing services marketing techniques. Guidelines are based on four characteristics which strategically y differentiate the marketing services from products. Four strategies are recommended to assist managers in taking advantage of strategic service differences and opportunities. Several action recommendations are offered for each strategy.
Ontogeny of Crustacean Respiratory Proteins1

Abstract The respiratory proteins hemoglobin and hemocyanin share the function of oxygen transport, but the proteins belong to separate gene families, and their active sites and the metal ions that bind the oxygen differ. Either hemoglobin or hemocyanin, but not both, is expressed in the hemolymph of many arthropod crustaceans. Hemoglobin is present in Branchiopoda, Ostracoda, Copepoda, rhizocephalan Cirripedia and one suborder of amphipodan Malacostraca, while hemocyanin has been described in Malacostraca. Recent work by several laboratories have provided new information on the gene structure, exon-intron patterns, site of synthesis and expression of hemoglobins in the branchiopods Artemia and Daphnia. These studies suggest the branchiopods are excellent model organisms for studies of oxygen sensors and hypoxia inducible transcription factors during developmental and adult stages. The focus in our laboratory on the ontogeny of hemocyanin in the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister, has demonstrated that both ...
Overview of Network Flow Theory

Our purpose here is to give a brief review of the principal results of network flow theory, including “classical” results and some newer results concerning the complexity of network flow computations.
Nanoscale Fullerene Compression of an Yttrium Carbide Cluster

The nanoscale parameters of metal clusters and lattices have a crucial influence on the macroscopic properties of materials. Herein, we provide a detailed study on the size and shape of isolated yttrium carbide clusters in different fullerene cages. A family of diyttrium endohedral metallofullerenes with the general formula of Y2C2n (n = 40–59) are reported. The high field 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and density functional theory (DFT) methods are employed to examine this yttrium carbide cluster in certain family members, Y2C2@D5(450)-C100, Y2C2@D3(85)-C92, Y2C2@C84, Y2C2@C3v(8)-C82, and Y2C2@Cs(6)-C82. The results of this study suggest that decreasing the size of a fullerene cage with the same (Y2C2)4+ cluster results in nanoscale fullerene compression (NFC) from a nearly linear stretched geometry to a constrained “butterfly” structure. The 13C NMR chemical shift and scalar 1JYC coupling parameters provide a very sensitive measure of this NFC effect for the (Y2C2)4+ cluster. The crystal structur...
192 IgG-saporin. 2. Neuropathology in the rat brain.

We have previously shown that an immunotoxin (IT) directed against the p75 component of the nerve growth factor receptor (NGFr) selectively abolished cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain of the rat following intraventricular administration. We now report the neuropathological responses in the rat brain to the IT, with particular emphasis on the cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) and other known p75NGFr-positive brain regions. Animals received intraventricular injections of IT and were allowed to survive for various times. Sections through the entire brain were evaluated using (1) hematoxylin and eosin; (2) glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry; and (3)Griffonia simplicifolia lectin histochemistry. The only clearly degenerating cells following IT treatment were located in the CBF or in the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum. A marked microglial response was demonstrated that was tightly linked both topographically and temporally to the loss of neurons in these areas. The astroglial response was mild in the same regions in which the microglial response was obvious. The other areas of rat brain including the terminal fields of CBF projections showed no consistent reactive cellular responses in IT-treated animals. This study extends and corroborates previous work indicating speciticity of IT, demonstrates active neuronal degeneration by conventional pathological methods for the first time, and illustrates the unexpected and novel finding that the predominant pathological response to the IT-induced loss of neurons is microglial. Both the high degree of specificity and the distinctive glial response distinguish the IT model from other experimental models of CBF neurodegeneration.
Sox2-Deficient Müller Glia Disrupt the Structural and Functional Maturation of the Mammalian Retina

Purpose Muller glia (MG), the principal glial cells of the vertebrate retina, display quiescent progenitor cell characteristics. They express key progenitor markers, including the high mobility group box transcription factor SOX2 and maintain a progenitor-like morphology. In the embryonic and mature central nervous system, SOX2 maintains neural stem cell identity. However, its function in committed Muller glia has yet to be determined. Methods We use inducible, MG-specific genetic ablation of Sox2 in vivo at the peak of MG genesis to analyze its function in the maturation of murine MG and effects on other cells in the retina. Histologic and functional analysis of the Sox2-deficient retinas is conducted at key points in postnatal development. Results Ablation of Sox2 in the postnatal retina results in disorganization of MG processes in the inner plexiform layer and mislocalized cell bodies in the nuclear layers. This disorganization is concurrent with a thinning of the neural retina and disruption of neuronal processes in the inner and outer plexiform layers. Functional analysis by electroretinography reveals a decrease in the b-wave amplitude. Disruption of MG maturation due to Sox2 ablation therefore negatively affected the function of the retina. Conclusions These results demonstrate a novel role for SOX2 in glial process outgrowth and adhesion, and provide new insights into the essential role Muller glia play in the development of retinal cytoarchitecture. Prior to this work, SOX2 was known to have a primary role in determining cell fate. Our experiments bypass cell fate conversion to establish a new role for SOX2 in a committed cell lineage.
Observations on Response and Orientation to Light by the Passalus Beetle, Popilius disjunctus

Studies have been reported on some aspects of the biology (Gray 1946) and nocturnal ecology (Park 1937) of the horned passalus, Popilius disjunctus (Illiger), but we have found no information on the beetles' responses to light. Experiments on its response and orientation to light were carried out in conjunction with a study on the association of mites with the passalus beetle. The present note reports the results of these experiments.
Evaluation of the Elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Chongqing Municipal

Objective To analyze the experience and problem faced in the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders in Chongqing municipal. Method The historical data of iodized salt, goiter rate and urinary iodine were collected. The thyroid volume and urinary iodine of children aged 8～10 years were examined. Result Except year 2001, the passing rate of production of iodized salt level was 100% from 2001 to 2007, with the wholesale level of 92.57%～99.34%. The coverage rate of iodized salt of household level was 94.2%～98.4%. The iodized salt coverage rate had been over 90% since 2003 and the rate of the counties (95%) was over 90%. The goiter rate of children was 10.5% by palpation and 9.9% by B-ultrasound in 2005. The rate was lower than 20% in the counties. The median of urinary iodine was stably 250 μg / L and the proportion of 50 μg / L was less 5%. 38 counties were evaluated at the Chongqing level, showing iodized salt coverage rate of over 90% , goiter rate of children 10.0%～17.3% and the median of urinary iodine over 100 μg / L. At the national level, the coverage rate of iodized salt was 99.07%, the goiter rate of children was 7.76% by palpation and 7.27% by B-ultrasound, and the median of urinary iodine was 289.17 μg / L in 2007. Conclusion Chongqing municipal has basically eliminated iodine deficiency disorders. But the non-iodized salt coverage rate and the goiter rate were only slowly decreased. This may be due to low living standard and protein insufficiency. Monitoring the coverage of iodized salt and improve the economy condition are the means to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders.
Dynamic Prototype Addition in Generalized Learning Vector Quantization

Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) is a powerful supervised learning method for classification that uses a network of prototype vectors to form a decision surface. Generalization theory shows there is a non-trivial number of prototype vectors that yield the best generalization. Although it is typical to assign the same number of prototype vectors for each class, other LVQ methods add prototypes dynamically (incrementally) during training. This work offers an extension to the existing dynamic LVQs that minimizes the cost function of Generalized LVQ by focusing on the set of misclassified samples. This cost minimization occurs between the largest cost-contributing class and its nearest “confuser class”. A comparison is made between other prototype insertion methods and compares their classification performance, the number of prototype resources required to obtain that accuracy, and the impact on the cost function.
Receptor operated intracellular calcium stores in the smooth muscle of the guinea pig bladder.

Abstract Study of the in vitro behavior of strips of guinea pig bladder and taenia coli demonstrated that: 1. Both bladder and taenia temporarily retain their ability to contract in Ca-free solutions, but the magnitude of this response decays with time. 2. Carbachol is capable of producing contraction in Ca-free solution for a longer period of time than K depolarisation. 3. Once lost, the ability of carbachol (but not K) to contract the tissues in Ca-free solution can be temporarily restored by a brief application of high Ca. 4. The size of the carbachol contraction in Ca-free solution is reduced in Na-free solution, suggesting that membrane-bound Ca may not play a major role in this response. 5. In depolarised bladder exposed to nifedipine 2xl0 −7 M, carbachol can only elicit 1 large contraction, suggesting depletion of an intracellular source. 6. It is concluded that whereas the response of the bladder to depolarisation depends primarily on extracellular Ca, the response to carbachol may also involve release of stored Ca and that the bladder, like other smooth muscles, appears to contain agonist-releasable intracellular Ca stores.
MALINGERING UNCOMMON PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS AMONG DEFENDANTS CHARGED UNDER CALIFORNIA'S THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT LAW

This paper describes an epidemic of uncommon psychiatric symptoms among nine criminal defendants charged under California's new "Three Strikes and You're Out" law. The defendants were facing a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The defendants exhibited the following uncommon psychiatric symptoms: coprophagia (eating feces), eating cockroaches and many reported seeing little green men. The defendants, all of whom we believe were malingering, were evaluated by the authors for competency to stand trial. Thus far, eight of the nine defendants were found competent to stand trial; only one defendant was found incompetent to stand trial. The authors created a database which included information on the defendants from court documents and from our interview with the defendants. We summarized the data and outcomes of the case. Also included is a brief review of the "Three Strikes Law" and a paradigm for how we ruled out relevant psychiatric diagnoses before we arrived at our opinion of malingering.
Exploring Florida residents' food safety knowledge and behaviors: A generational comparison

Abstract This study sought to determine if there were generational differences in Florida residents’ food safety knowledge and food safety behaviors. A total of 510 Florida residents responded to an online survey and represented five generational categories. A significant association was found between food safety behaviors and generations for disinfecting counters before preparing food; separating raw meat, poultry, and seafood from ready-to-eat products; defrosting frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave; and looking for expiration dates on food before eating. Millennials or younger, Generation X, and Old Baby Boomers indicated they learned the most about food safety from their parents, while Young Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation and older reported learning the most from television. The Millennials or younger generation were identified as having the least amount of food safety knowledge, but all generations appeared to have gaps in food safety knowledge. Recommendations included non-formal and formal food safety education for all generations, especially those generations raising children. Researchers also recommended tailoring educational efforts to each generations’ preferred method of learning about food safety. Future research should determine the influence of non-formal and formal food safety classes and how individuals’ perceived control over foodborne illnesses affects food safety behaviors.
Solutions of Exercises

This chapter contains the solutions of the mathematical and musical exercises. Each solution number corresponds to the exercise number.
Early-Onset Network Hyperexcitability in Presymptomatic Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mice Is Suppressed by Passive Immunization with Anti-Human APP/Aβ Antibody and by mGluR5 Blockade.

Cortical and hippocampal network hyperexcitability appears to be an early event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis, and may contribute to memory impairment. It remains unclear if network hyperexcitability precedes memory impairment in mouse models of AD and what are the underlying cellular mechanisms. We thus evaluated seizure susceptibility and hippocampal network hyperexcitability at ~ 3 weeks of age [prior to amyloid β (Aβ) plaque deposition, neurofibrillary pathology, and cognitive impairment] in a triple transgenic mouse model of familial AD (3xTg-AD mouse) that harbors mutated human amyloid β precursor protein (APP), tau, and presenilin 1 (PS1) genes. Audiogenic seizures were elicited in a higher proportion of 3xTg-AD mice compared with wild type (WT) controls. Seizure susceptibility in 3xTg-AD mice was attenuated either by passive immunization with anti-human APP/Aβ antibody (6E10) or by blockade of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) with the selective antagonist, 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride, MPEP. In in vitro hippocampal slices, suppression of synaptic inhibition with the GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline, induced prolonged epileptiform (>1.5 s in duration) ictal-like discharges in the CA3 neuronal network in the majority of the slices from 3xTg-AD mice. In contrast, only short epileptiform (<1.5 s in duration) interictal-like discharges were observed following bicuculline application in the CA3 region of WT slices. The ictal-like activity in CA3 region of the hippocampus was significantly reduced in the 6E10-immunized compared to the saline-treated 3xTg-AD mice. MPEP acutely suppressed the ictal-like discharges in 3xTg-AD slices. Remarkably, epileptiform discharge duration positively correlated with intraneuronal human (transgenic) APP/Aβ expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. Our data suggest that in a mouse model of familial AD, hypersynchronous network activity underlying seizure susceptibility precedes Aβ plaque pathology and memory impairment. This early-onset network hyperexcitability can be suppressed by passive immunization with an anti-human APP/Aβ antibody and by mGluR5 blockade in 3xTg-AD mice.
Gemcitabine-associated acute lipodermatosclerosislike eruption: An underrecognized phenomenon

Gemcitabine is a commonly used chemotherapy for the treatment of various solid tumors as well as sarcomas and hematologic malignancies. Although side effects such as bone marrow suppression are well described, cutaneous side effects are less recognized. Certain gemcitabine-associated cutaneous reactions have been categorized under the umbrella terminology pseudocellulitis, including lipodermatosclerosislike and erysipeloid reactions, sclerodermalike changes, and radiation recall events.1, 2 Additionally, these reactions are often confused with other diagnoses, in particular, infectious cellulitis, which may subject patients to unnecessary treatment with antibiotics, hospitalizations, and interruption of chemotherapy. Given the widespread use of gemcitabine and the relatively few reported cases of associated acute lipodermatosclerosis (ALDS), we believe that the condition is underrecognized and underreported. We propose using a more specific diagnosis for cutaneous reactions to gemcitabine that will guide appropriate management. In this series, we report 4 cases of gemcitabine-associated ALDS-like eruptions and a literature review of 16 similar cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest case series review reported for gemcitabine-associated ALDS-like eruptions.
Unique prefrontal GABA and glutamate disturbances in co-occurring bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence.

Bipolar disorder (BD) and alcohol dependence (AD) frequently co-occur, and co-occurring BD and AD are associated with devastating public health costs. Minimal neurobiological research exists to guide the development of effective treatments for this treatment-resistant population. We believe the present study represents the first investigation of prefrontal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate levels in co-occurring BD and current AD. The participants were 78 individuals who met DSM-IV criteria for BD I/II and current AD (n=20), BD I/II alone (n=19), current AD alone (n=20) or no diagnosis (n=19). The participants completed a baseline diagnostic visit, then returned approximately 4 days later for a two-dimensional J-resolved proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) acquisition in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). All participants were required to demonstrate ⩾1 week of abstinence from alcohol/drugs via serial biomarker testing before 1H-MRS. A 2 × 2 factorial analysis of variance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-corrected GABA/water concentrations demonstrated a significant BD × AD interaction (F=2.91, P<0.05), signifying uniquely low levels of GABA in BD+AD; this effect doubled when the sample was restricted to individuals who consumed alcohol within 2 weeks of 1H-MRS. There were no overall effects of BD/AD on CSF-corrected glutamate/water levels. However, the BD × AD interaction, signifying uniquely low levels of glutamate in BD+AD, approached statistical significance (F=3.83, P=0.06) in individuals who consumed alcohol within 2 weeks of 1H-MRS. The dACC GABA levels were significantly, negatively associated with Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (r=−0.28, P=0.02) and Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (r=−0.35, P<0.01) scores. If replicated, these results may suggest that future treatment studies should preferentially evaluate therapeutics in BD+AD known to increase prefrontal GABA and glutamate levels.
55 – Animal Models in Transplantation

Early experimental progress in transplantation has been achieved primarily using large animals, particularly studies on surgical techniques, effectiveness of initial immunosuppressive treatments, and beginning exploration of the host response against solid organs. However, it soon became apparent that variations among individual animals of the same species were a limiting factor for the many biological applications under investigation. Developments in microsurgery opened new possibilities for investigators, allowing them to exploit varieties of inbred strains of small laboratory animals. Such experiments are highly reproducible, of relatively low cost, and resulted in the establishment of many models both in rats and in mice. Developments in related sciences followed. The current availability of new gene knockout strains of mice is opening ever-greater possibilities for relevant experiments, which, with progressing advances in cell and molecular biology and in pharmacology, provide opportunities to use more refined tools in transplant research. It is important to emphasize that despite the many advances in basic science, perfect microsurgical technique and a keen understanding of small animal models are crucial for the success of any experiment in transplant biology, because the correlation between in vitro findings and in vivo events is not invariable.