cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Click Sounds from Animals at Sea

Echolocation signals from passing cetaceans (Deliphinidae, Phocoenidae, etc.) at sea generally exhibit somewhat different characteristics from those of the same species in captivity that are involved in discrimination experiments in echolocation. Presumably, these differences are partly because the echolocation task at sea would have been primarily for orientation (as suggested by Norris, Evans, and Turner 1967; Norris 1969). Generally, the clicks from groups of cetaceans passing within a few meters of a hydrophone at sea are (1) relatively low frequency (rarely energy above 50 kHz from any species), (2) mostly low level, and (3) often at slow, variable repetition rates. Under these circumstances, the clicks may be used primarily in social contexts.
Spontaneous dynamics of neural networks in deep layers of prefrontal cortex

Using calcium imaging and a novel analytic framework, we characterized the spontaneous and NMDA-evoked activity of layer 5 prefrontal cortex at a largely unexplored spatiotemporal scale. Our result...
Krüppel-like Factors KLF6 and KLF6-SV1 in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer

Beyond their initial identification in prostate cancer, the tumor suppressor KLF6 and its alternatively spliced oncogenic isoform KLF6-SV1 have now been associated with a number of human cancers. Expression patterns of each have been linked to tumor stage, disease recurrence, chemotherapy response and overall survival. Most recently, inhibition of KLF6-SV1 has been shown to increase survival in a pre-clinical model of ovarian cancer. This chapter reviews the basic biology of KLF6 and KLF6-SV1 as it relates to cancer, summarizes the published studies to date, and highlights the scientific rationale for therapeutically targeting KLF6 and KLF6-SV1 as a novel treatment paradigm.
Navigating Data Sharing in Cardiology From a Trainee's Perspective.

Broad sharing of participant-level data from completed clinical trials has received a wide base of support, including from cardiovascular clinical trialists [(1)][1]. Beginning in July 2018, all clinical trials published in International Committee of Medical Journal Editors journals will be required
The Medical Interview: The Opening Phase

Case: Becky is a 9-year-old girl who presents to the clinic with mid-thoracic back pain of 3-weeks duration. She arrives acco-mpanied by her 36-year-old single, divorced mother, Mrs. Torri. Mrs. Torri and Becky sit next to each other on the same chair even though an empty chair is nearby. Mrs. Torri spontaneously starts talking after the clinician introduces himself. She is somewhat hurried as she skips from topic to topic - from the back pain to Becky’s posture to her ex-husband.
Burgers, Fisher and Related Equations

In the preceeding three chapters we examined the nonlinear evolution equations that include dispersion terms. In this chapter, we will study the nonlinear evolution equations where each equation contains the dissipative term uxx in addition to other partial derivatives. This new family of nonlinear equations gained its importance because it appears in many scientific applications and physical phenomena.
The role of management in achieving health outcomes in SFD programmes: A stakeholder perspective

Abstract There is an abundance of social issues, both health-related and otherwise, that health professionals and sport managers can address using sport as a mechanism. However, there is much debate regarding the impact sport is making in achieving development goals. In this study, the authors utilised a case study design to explore how stakeholders perceive the management of health-focused sport for development (SFD) programmes to contribute to the achievement of desired programmatic goals. The authors provided a side-by-side assessment of a sport-plus and sport-plus programme, through a qualitative case study design. Results indicate that while stakeholder perceptions of goal achievement are similar, the strengths of each type of programme vary. The authors discuss implications for these differences and the importance of stakeholder perspective in SFD.
Structure of the post-translational protein translocation machinery of the ER membrane

Many proteins must translocate through the protein-conducting Sec61 channel in the eukaryotic endoplasmic reticulum membrane or the SecY channel in the prokaryotic plasma membrane1,2. Proteins with highly hydrophobic signal sequences are first recognized by the signal recognition particle (SRP)3,4 and then moved co-translationally through the Sec61 or SecY channel by the associated translating ribosome. Substrates with less hydrophobic signal sequences bypass the SRP and are moved through the channel post-translationally5,6. In eukaryotic cells, post-translational translocation is mediated by the association of the Sec61 channel with another membrane protein complex, the Sec62-Sec63 complex7-9, and substrates are moved through the channel by the luminal BiP ATPase9. How the Sec62-Sec63 complex activates the Sec61 channel for post-translational translocation is not known. Here we report the electron cryo-microscopy structure of the Sec complex from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, consisting of the Sec61 channel and the Sec62, Sec63, Sec71 and Sec72 proteins. Sec63 causes wide opening of the lateral gate of the Sec61 channel, priming it for the passage of low-hydrophobicity signal sequences into the lipid phase, without displacing the channel's plug domain. Lateral channel opening is triggered by Sec63 interacting both with cytosolic loops in the C-terminal half of Sec61 and transmembrane segments in the N-terminal half of the Sec61 channel. The cytosolic Brl domain of Sec63 blocks ribosome binding to the channel and recruits Sec71 and Sec72, positioning them for the capture of polypeptides associated with cytosolic Hsp7010. Our structure shows how the Sec61 channel is activated for post-translational protein translocation.
A Single Center Retrospective Evaluation of a Surgical Strategy to Combat Persistent Soft Tissue Wounds Utilizing Absorbable Antibiotic Beads.

Objective: To determine whether use of absorbable antibiotic-imbued beads in chronic soft tissue wounds presents a viable therapeutic modality. Approach: Retrospective analysis of all cases utilizi...
Calibration Stability and Beam Dynamics at LBNL's 88-Inch Cyclotron BASE Facility

An investigation is made into the stability of the fluence measurement accuracy over an extended time period. Beam profile fitting is performed to illuminate the underlying causes of changes in the fluence measurement accuracy.
STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES IN THE ADMISSION PATTERNS OF PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE TO GENERAL MEDICINE OR CARDIOLOGY SERVICES

Heart failure (HF) patients receiving specialty cardiologist care during a hospital admission have been shown to have better HF outcomes. It is unclear if racial differences in triage to a general medicine or cardiology service is an intra-hospital driver of racial inequities in HF care. We
Pharmaceutical jewelry: Earring patch for transdermal delivery of contraceptive hormone.

Abstract Lack of adherence to medication dosing schedules is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality with large associated financial costs. This is especially true for contraceptive hormones, which provide almost perfect prevention of pregnancy when used correctly, but have significant failure rates in typical use, due largely to poor adherence. To increase medication acceptability and adherence, we introduce pharmaceutical jewelry, in which a transdermal patch is incorporated into jewelry worn on skin. To demonstrate the approach, we incorporated transdermal patches containing the contraceptive hormone levonorgestrel (LNG) into an earring, a ring, a necklace, and a wrist watch. Transdermal delivery of LNG from earring patches across porcine skin ex vivo achieved a steady state flux of 1.7 μg/cm2·h. Pharmacokinetic analysis in hairless rats yielded LNG delivery rates that maintained serum LNG levels near 1500 pg/ml throughout the 1-week patch application period, which is well above the human contraceptive threshold concentration of 200 pg/ml. When patches were applied cyclically for 16 h on and 8 h off to simulate earring removal at night, serum LNG concentrations dipped during off periods, but remained well above the human contraceptive threshold. Earring patches were well tolerated by the rats. We conclude that pharmaceutical jewelry can provide a novel method of drug delivery, especially for contraceptive hormones, that has the potential to improve acceptability and increase medication adherence.
Early results of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation for the treatment of glaucoma.

Purpose:To describe our clinical experience with the efficacy and safety of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation as a treatment for glaucoma.Methods:In this retrospective case series, we r...
Suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) trends in older Italian patients: an analysis from the National Pharmacovigilance Network.

The clinical management of older populations is a social and clinical challenge. These subjects are more vulnerable to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to multi morbidity, polypharmacy, and physio-pathological changes. We performed a study using data from the National Network of Pharmacovigilance of Italy available from 2001 to 2012, which include all spontaneous reports of suspected ADRs. Our study showed that 29,036 reports of suspected ADRs were recorded in 2012. Those for patients aged ≥ 65 years were 11,426 that correspond to a reporting rate of 923.6 reports per million inhabitants. On the contrary, the reporting rate for total population was of 489 reports per million inhabitants. The evaluation of level of severity showed that 37% of reports of suspected ADRs in patients aged ≥ 65 years were serious compared to 30% in the general population. Furthermore, 27% of reports recorded for older patients showed that they required more hospitalization or long-term care in comparison with the 21% for the general population, with a relevant impact on National Health Service costs. These data suggest the need to optimize the clinical strategy for older patients due to the multiple factors that increase the susceptibility to ADRs. There is a high need to potentiate clinical trials on older patients to adopt new diagnostic–therapeutic pathways in real life.
A Fast and Accurate Transfer Function Validation Strategy Using Rotational Invariant Lead Trajectories

This paper demonstrates a novel strategy to validate the transfer function, which is used to predict the radiofrequency (RF) induced heating near the distal end of active implantable metallic device (AIMD) with long metallic leads under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. The strategy uses a rotatable circular plate on which the AIMD is fixed. The rotational invariant lead trajectories in ASTM phantom are determined by rotating the circular mounting plate. The tangential components of incident electric fields along the different lead trajectories are highly orthogonal. Numerical simulations and measurement results are used to demonstrate the advantages of this method. This strategy is an efficient and accurate validation procedure compared to current validation strategies.
Measurement and Properties of Matter

Dynamics, as you have learned in previous courses, is the study of how particles and rigid bodies move under the action of the forces and moments that are exerted on them. Thermodynamics is the theory that integrates dynamics with the concept of temperature. Dynamics is a fundamental part of physics because of Newton’s second law, which describes how the momentum of a fixed quantity of matter evolves in time.
Trends in HIV Treatment Adherence Before and After HIV Status Disclosure to Adolescents in Botswana.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to determine if disclosure of HIV status to adolescents impacted their medication adherence and how medication autonomy might explain observed effects. Methods Three hundred adolescents on HIV treatment using electronic medication monitors were followed for 24 months while undergoing routine care. One hundred six of the adolescents were HIV disclosure-naive and HIV status disclosure in this group was assessed quarterly. Analyses included data from the 75 adolescents who experienced disclosure during the study providing adherence and autonomy data both predisclosure and postdisclosure. Segmented generalized estimating equations were used to examine the trend of adherence and autonomy predisclosure and postdisclosure. Covariates assessed include age at disclosure, sex, and orphan status. Results Median age at study entry was 12.2 years (interquartile range 11.6–12.9). Incident disclosure occurred in 75 (71%) of the adolescents at a median age of 13.1 years (interquartile range 12.5–13.9). Adherence decreased by 11% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7–15, p Conclusions The findings suggest that, among perinatally HIV infected adolescents, HIV status disclosure may adversely impact treatment adherence. Postdisclosure support to HIV infected adolescents should be intensified.
The Student with a Learning Disability: Clarissa Connors, a Medical Student with Undiagnosed ADHD and a Learning Disability

High-performing students with undiagnosed disabilities often utilize compensatory strategies throughout secondary and undergraduate education but may face new barriers when engaging in medical school curricula. Students in this position may delay undergoing neuropsychological testing, preventing a diagnosis that can become the first step toward obtaining the accommodations necessary to fully access course curriculum. Once a student is diagnosed with ADHD or a learning disability, the Disability Resources Professional (DRP) should engage in an interactive process with the student to determine individual barriers and create an accommodation plan to address them. It is critical that the DRP be familiar with both the didactic and clinical curricula to ensure students’ needs are addressed in both learning environments. When considering how accommodations can address specific disability-related barriers, policies should be reviewed and exceptions may be necessary. A successful accommodation plan often requires thinking outside the box about ways to address each disability-related barrier facing the student while also ensuring the student demonstrates proficiency in all required course competencies.
Ziggy was here: Tom Wilson’s newspaper comic, World War II, and the role of graffiti in sequential art

This essay offers a new perspective on the creative origins, aesthetic qualities, and socio-cultural significance of Tom Wilson’s newspaper comic, Ziggy. More specifically, I point out the ways in ...
Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis of the Composite Dynamic Load Model

As dynamic load models become more granular, the number of parameters increases and sensitivity analysis studies become necessary to rank the importance each parameter has on the transient quality. One important objective of these studies is to determine how model parameters interact with each other and the effect of this interaction on the transient. In contrast with traditional local sensitivity analysis, global, variance-based sensitivity analysis attempts to consider the whole variation range of the parameter inputs. Variance-based sensitivity analysis has been recently introduced in the power system literature in a variety of settings such as power flow and small-signal stability studies. In this work we introduce variance-based sensitivity analysis for the study of the composite dynamic load model. In particular, we will employ variance-based sensitivity to analyze the parameter dependencies of the stalling behavior of the single-phase motor (Motor D) on the transient voltage recovery.
A comparative study between outcomes of an in-person versus online introductory field course

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many standard approaches to STEM education. Particularly impacted were field courses, which rely on specific natural spaces often accessed through shared vehicles. As in-person field courses have been found to be particularly impactful for undergraduate student success in the sciences, we aimed to compare and understand what factors may have been lost or gained during the conversion of an introductory field course to an online format. Using a mixed methods approach comparing data from online and in-person field-course offerings, we found that while community building was lost in the online format, online participants reported increased self-efficacy in research and observation skills and connection to their local space. The online field course additionally provided positive mental health breaks for students who described the time outside as a much-needed respite. We maintain that through intentional design, online field courses can provide participants with similar outcomes to in-person field courses.
IWATE criteria are associated with perioperative outcomes in robotic hepatectomy: a retrospective review of 225 resections

Robotic hepatectomy (RH) is increasingly utilized for minor and major liver resections. The IWATE criteria were developed to classify minimally invasive liver resections by difficulty. The objective of this study was to apply the IWATE criteria in RH and to describe perioperative and oncologic outcomes of RH over the last decade at our institution. Perioperative and oncologic outcomes of patients who underwent RH between 2011 and 2019 were retrospectively collected. The difficulty level of each operation was assessed using the IWATE criteria, and outcomes were compared at each level. Univariate linear regression was performed to characterize the relationship between IWATE criteria and perioperative outcomes (OR time, EBL, and LOS), and a multivariable model was also developed to address potential confounding by patient characteristics (age, sex, BMI, prior abdominal surgery, ASA class, and simultaneous non-hepatectomy operation). Two hundred and twenty-five RH were performed. Median IWATE criteria for RH were 6 (IQR 5–9), with low, intermediate, advanced, and expert resections accounting for 23% (n = 51), 34% (n = 77), 32% (n = 72), and 11% (n = 25) of resections, respectively. The majority of resections were parenchymal-sparing approaches, including anatomic segmentectomies and non-anatomic partial resections. 30-day complication rate was 14%, conversion to open surgery occurred in 9 patients (4%), and there were no deaths within 30 days postoperatively. In the univariate linear regression analysis, IWATE criteria were positively associated with OR time, EBL, and LOS. In the multivariable model, IWATE criteria were independently associated with greater OR time, EBL, and LOS. Two-year overall survival for hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was 94% and 50%, respectively. In conclusion, the IWATE criteria are associated with surgical outcomes after RH. This series highlights the utility of RH for difficult hepatic resections, particularly parenchymal-sparing resections in the posterosuperior sector, extending the indication of minimally invasive hepatectomy in experienced hands and potentially offering select patients an alternative to open hepatectomy or other less definitive liver-directed treatment options.
The cajal body protein coilin is a regulator of the miR-210 hypoxamiR and influences MIR210HG alternative splicing.

Hypoxia is a severe stressor to cellular homeostasis. At the cellular level, low oxygen triggers the transcription of a variety of genes supporting cell survival and oxygen homeostasis mediated by transcription factors, such as hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). Among many determinants dictating cell responses to hypoxia and HIFs are microRNAs (miRNAs). Cajal bodies (CBs), subnuclear structures involved in ribonucleoprotein biogenesis, have been recently proven to contribute to miRNA processing and biogenesis but have not been studied under hypoxia. Here, we show, for the first time, a hypoxia-dependent increase in CB number in WI-38 primary fibroblasts, which normally have very few CBs. Additionally, the CB marker protein coilin is upregulated in hypoxic WI-38 cells. However, the hypoxic coilin upregulation was not seen in transformed cell lines. Furthermore, we found that coilin is needed for the hypoxic induction of a well-known hypoxia-induced miRNA (hypoxamiR), miR-210, as well as for the hypoxia-induced alternative splicing of the miR-210 host gene, MIR210HG. These findings provide a new link in the physiological understanding of coilin, CBs and miRNA dysregulation in hypoxic pathology.
Banking of Skin

While early excision of the burn wound certainly proceeds the establishment of widely available allograft skin banks, this form of burn treatment was greatly enhanced by the 1970s proliferation of skin banks. Prior to the establishment of skin banks, commonly in conjunction with burn centers, physicians relied on the random or chance availability of allograft skin to supplement limited autografts. However, as skin banks flourished, escher removal by early excision became not only desirable, but the standard of care.
Return on Investment Analysis for E‐business Projects

Return on investment (ROI) analysis is often an essential component of a management decision to invest in an Internet, e-business, or any other information technology project. This chapter reviews the basic concepts necessary for calculating ROI and applies these concepts to an e-business project. Research on ROI for corporate investments in information technology (IT) is also reviewed. A case example illustrates how a project's cash flows, combined with the initial investment, can be used to calculate the return on investment. The challenge in practice is to quantify the costs and benefits of an e-business project. In addition, risk plays a significant role, because poor estimates and risk events are most often the drivers of poor ROI when IT projects are put into practice. Methods of incorporating uncertainty in assumptions and risk into an ROI analysis are described. Finally, for the executive manager, important questions to ask when reviewing ROI analysis are discussed, as well as how ROI analysis is one component of synchronizing IT investments with corporate strategy. For investment-strategy synchronization, information technology portfolio management is reviewed. Keywords: cash flows; discount rate; payback; present value; return on investment (ROI); time value of money
Algorithmic applications of low-distortion geometric embeddings

The author surveys algorithmic results obtained using low-distortion embeddings of metric spaces into (mostly) normed spaces. He shows that low-distortion embeddings provide a powerful and versatile toolkit for solving algorithmic problems. Their fundamental nature makes them applicable in a variety of diverse settings, while their relation to rich mathematical fields (e.g., functional analysis) ensures availability of tools for their construction.
Recentralization in Latin America: Institutional Layering and Presidential Leverage

This paper examines patterns of recentralization in Latin America, which are diverse and are posited to become increasingly important over time. After the fiscal decentralization wave in the region from the 1990s and early 2000s, the future of intergovernmental relations on the continent is likely to be a “reverse wave” of recentralizing change. These recentralizing changes will not be uniform across country contexts, but will differ in extent, nature, and quality. Future studies of intergovernmental relations (including decentralization) in Latin America will require attention to conceptual, theoretical, and empirical advances in the study of recentralization, and this paper works in that vein. The paper theorizes that recentralization can follow multiple different patterns, of which two are highlighted by the cases of Brazil and Venezuela. Brazil shows that where national executives come from conventional institutional backgrounds and furthermore find themselves constrained by the institutional environment (such as democracy, federalism, or constitutional provisions), the form of recentralization is one that builds and rationalizes that institutional environment. Venezuela illustrates an anti-institutional approach to recentralization in which existing institutions are abolished or subjugated to presidential discretion. Both processes may use certain similar recentralizing tactics – most notably institutional layering – but the results differ as a function of executive background, intent, and leverage.
An approach to performance prediction for parallel applications

Accurately modeling and predicting performance for large-scale applications becomes increasingly difficult as system complexity scales dramatically. Analytic predictive models are useful, but are difficult to construct, usually limited in scope, and often fail to capture subtle interactions between architecture and software. In contrast, we employ multilayer neural networks trained on input data from executions on the target platform. This approach is useful for predicting many aspects of performance, and it captures full system complexity. Our models are developed automatically from the training input set, avoiding the difficult and potentially error-prone process required to develop analytic models. This study focuses on the high-performance, parallel application SMG2000, a much studied code whose variations in execution times are still not well understood. Our model predicts performance on two large-scale parallel platforms within 5%-7% error across a large, multi-dimensional parameter space.
New insights into lactase and glycosylceramidase activities of rat lactase-phlorizin hydrolase

Lactase-phlorizin hydrolase, a small intestinal disaccharidase, has been considered mainly an enzyme important only for the hydrolysis of lactose. After weaning in most mammals lactase-specific activity falls markedly, and, functionally, adult mammals are considered to be lactase deficient. However, the persistence of low levels of lactase activity in adulthood has never been explained. In addition, it has been suggested that lactase-phlorizin hydrolase is associated with glycosylceramidase activity when the enzyme is prepared by column chromatography, but it is unclear whether this represents copurified activities or two catalytic sites on one peptide. The developmental patterns of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase and other disaccharidases were investigated in homogenates of total rat small intestine; lactase and several glycosylceramidases were measured in immunoprecipitates from these homogenates using a monoclonal antibody. The developmental pattern of total lactase activity showed a steady 2.3-fold increase to adult levels (specific activity decreased eightfold), whereas total phlorizin-hydrolase activity increased 10.7-fold (specific activity decreased threefold). As expected, levels of both total and specific sucrase and maltase activities increased during development. In lactating rats total lactase activity showed a significant increase compared with adult males. The developmental pattern of the enzyme activities for the glycolipid substrates was similar to that found for lactase, and the immunoprecipitated enzyme showed a 40- to 55-fold higher affinity for the glycolipids than for lactose. Galactosyl- and lactosylceramide inhibited lactose hydrolysis by 38%, without a competitive pattern, suggesting two different active sites for lactose and glycolipid hydrolysis, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ultrasonic localization of the Lippes loop.

Abstract Ultrasound B-mode scanning was performed on 55 patients complaining of a missing nylon string, after a Lippes loop had been inserted from 2 months to 3 years previously. Of these patients, 44 had the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) in place; 5 had unnoticed spontaneous expulsion; 2 had uterine perforation, one of which was associated with an early gestation; one patient had the IUCD imbedded in the anterior uterine wall; one patient had a broken Lippes loop; and two patients had an intrauterine device in place, associated with pregnancy. The localization of the missing IUCD by ultrasound B-scanning was correct in all cases and confirmed by hysterosalpingogram. In cases of complete or incomplete uterine perforation, the diagnosis was proved at laparotomy. For the absence of ionizing radiation, ultrasound B-mode scanning should be used when the possibility of a coexistent intrauterine pregnancy is suspected.
Malate Utilization by a Group D Streptococcus: Physiological Properties and Purification of an Inducible Malic Enzyme

Abstract Growth of Streptococcus faecalis in the presence of l-malate resulted in the induction of a “malic enzyme” [l-malate:nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), E.C. 1.1.1.39]. Synthesis of the malic enzyme did not appear to be subject to catabolite repression by intermediate products of glucose or fructose dissimilation. However, malate utilization was inhibited during growth in the presence of glucose or fructose. The purified enzyme was specific for malate as substrate and NAD as cofactor. Mn+2 or Mg+2 was required for optimal activity and NH4Cl stimulated the reaction rate. Several lines of indirect evidence suggested that the streptococcal malic enzyme was involved primarily with energy production and not biosynthesis.
Expert Decision System for Robot Selection

The sections in this article are 1 Economic Justification of Automated Systems 2 Problem Statement 3 Robotics and Industrial Robots 4 Robot Applications and Characteristics 5 Economic Justification for Robotics 6 Artificial Intelligence 7 Knowledge-Based Expert Systems 8 Selection of Industrial Robots 9 Sample Scenario 10 Conclusion 11 Appendix 1. Sample Robots Specifications
5β‐Cholest‐3‐ene‐5‐Acetaldehyde

5β-cholest-3-ene-5-acetaldehyde reactant: 970 mg. (2.51 mmoles) of cholest-4-en-3β-ol reactant: Ethyl vinyl ether solvent: 150 ml. of petroleum ether intermediate: cholestenyl vinyl ether product: 5β-cholest-3-ene-5-acetaldehyde Keywords: rearrangements; diethyl ether; ethyl vinyl ether; mercury(II) acetate; oven, Kugelrohr
Normal brain stem auditory evoked potentials recorded in sleep apneics during waking and as a function of arterial oxygen saturation during sleep

Abstract Brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) can be utilized as an index of neuronal dysfunction at the level of the brain stem. These waves are known to be independent of level of arousal. In the present study, BAEPs (waves I–V) to monaural click stimulation were recorded during daytime waking and as a function of arterial oxygen saturation during nocturnal sleep in 6 subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Normal conduction times were recorded in all 6 subjects during daytime waking. In addition, BAEPs remained stable in every case during sleep-related apneas when averaged over intervals of arterial oxygen saturation as low as 45–70% in one subject. Our data indicate that (1) the repetitive oxygen desaturation experienced during sleep in apneics had neither acute nor chronic, measurable effects on neurons which subserve the BAEP, and (2) a brain stem abnormality involving the structures which subserve the BAEP does not underly obstructive sleep apnea.
An extremely low-profile MF monopole antenna design and measurement

In this paper, the long lateral dimension of the λ0/2 transmission line is reduced significantly by using the modified T-type 180 degree phase shifter that replaces its lumped capacitor with an open-stub. Based on the equivalent circuit model using this modified T-type 180 degree phase shifter, the extremely low-profile miniaturized monopole antenna with two in-phase radiating vertical elements is designed. In-phase radiated fields from the two short vertical pins result in increased effective height of the short dipole and thus enhances the gain compared to the short monopole having the same height. In this way, significant size reduction can be realized and the input impedance can be matched to 50 without the use of external matching networks. The lateral dimension and the height of the proposed antenna including the ground plane are 100cm (λ0/150) and 50cm (λ0/300) at 2MHz, respectively. For gain enhancement, optimized air-core inductors with high quality factor (Q >> 3000) by minimizing the proximity effect are used in the phase shifter. Details of the proposed design approach, antenna geometry, and the simulated and measured results will be presented during the symposium.
ERRATUM: "Pick-up Ions in the Outer Heliosheath: A Possible Mechanism for the Interstellar Boundary Explorer Ribbon" (2010, ApJ, 708, L126)

Due to an error at the publisher, the affiliation for author N. A. Schwadron was listed incorrectly. The correct affiliation appears above. Also, the interstellar magnetic field orientation was reversed. Specifically, in the first sentence of Section 3, the phrase "pointed toward ecliptic coordinate (224, 41)" should correctly read "pointing from ecliptic coordinate (224, 41)" and, in the last sentence of Section 4, the phrase "the ISMF is directed close to the ecliptic coordinates (224, 41) used in the current model" should correctly read "the ISMF originates from close to the ecliptic coordinates (224, 41) used in the current model." IOP Publishing sincerely regrets this error.
Noise analysis of spectrometers based on speckle pattern reconstruction

Speckle patterns produced by a disordered medium or a multimode fiber can be used as a fingerprint to uniquely identify the input light frequency. Reconstruction of a probe spectrum from the speckle pattern has enabled the realization of compact, low-cost, and high-resolution spectrometers. Here we investigate the effects of experimental noise on the accuracy of the reconstructed spectra. We compare the accuracy of a speckle-based spectrometer to a traditional grating-based spectrometer as a function of the probe signal intensity and bandwidth. We find that the speckle-based spectrometers provide comparable performance to a grating-based spectrometer when measuring intense or narrowband probe signals, whereas the accuracy degrades in the measurement of weak or broadband signals. These results are important to identify the applications that would most benefit from this new class of spectrometer.
A bacterial toxin that causes DNA damage to modulate cellular responses.

Campylobacter jejuni constitutes the leading cause of bacterial diarrhea in the U.S. and all around the world [1]. This common bacterium produces a toxin known as cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) [2] which causes intoxicated cells to enlarge and to stop dividing with a double DNA content characteristic of G2/M arrest [3]. The effect of the toxin on the cell is so striking that it captivated scientists for a long time. However, its mechanism of action had remained elusive.
Making green goop from polygon soup

Applications ranging from commercial entertainment to surgical training demand efficient methods for realistically modeling the appearance of physical phenomena in synthetic environments. In this talk, I will describe methods we have developed for simulating the behavior of a wide class of materials known as viscoelastic fluids and elastoplastic solids. These materials span a huge range of material properties including examples such as mucus, liquid soap, pudding, toothpaste, clay, wax, plastic, and steel. They exhibit a combination of both fluid and solid characteristics. Like a solid they can resist strain elastically, but under large or sustained strains they flow like a fluid. I'll talk about methods for modeling materials both at the predominantly fluid-like and predominantly solid-like ends of the spectrum.I will also briefly describe other simulation techniques for modeling phenomena such as explosions, fracture, real-time deformation, and even sound. One issue that arises recurrently is that all of these simulation techniques require clean geometric descriptions of the objects and environments they model. Unfortunately, most modeling techniques do not produce such clean descriptions. Even when clean models are available they often contain inappropriate amounts of detail. To address these issues I will show how highly detailed implicit surfaces can be built from defective input models using moving-least-squares interpolation techniques.
Applicability of Sharp-Interface Models for NAPL Transport: 2. Spreading of a LNAPL

This paper, the second in a two-part series, examines the applicability of the sharp-interface approach to modeling initial accumulation and spreading of a light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) in the ground-water aquifer. The sharp-interface approach models NAPL transport by developing a time-distance profile from Darcy's law by assuming a piston or plug flow. The approach is tested here against an immiscible-phase model that includes capillarity effects in the formulation. Although significant assumptions are included in the sharp-interface model, it may be useful for initial screening, in obtaining an order-of-magnitude estimate of travel times, and in describing the approximate extent of the free and dissolved NAPL contamination. In the absence of data for calibration, the paper introduces guidelines for estimating the parameters of the model. By integrating the formulation in Part 1 and this part, a practical approach for analysis of NAPL contamination is defined; the underlying assumptions and simplifications have to be recognized, however.
Low Noise Ultrashort Pulse Generation by Direct RF Modulation at 22 GHz From an AlGaInAs Multiple Quantum-Well Laser at 1.55 $\mu{\rm m}$

We report subpicosecond pulse generation at 22 GHz from a two-section passively mode-locked laser at 1.55 $\mu{\rm m}$ , using a novel AlGaInAs quantum-well wafer. By carefully designing the metal pad and the isolation layer, we are able to hybridly mode-lock the laser by modulating the saturable absorber at the fundamental repetition rate and thus achieve a low timing jitter of ${\sim}{\rm 280}~{\rm fs}$ (1 Hz–100 MHz).
Regional distribution of serotonin and substance P co-existing in nerve fibers and terminals in the brainstem of the rat

Abstract Two-color fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to identify and map the distribution of nerve processes immunoreactive for both serotonin and substance P in the rat brainstem. Doubly labeled fibers were observed throughout the brainstem, but tended to be densest in cranial nerve motor nuclei and in reticular regions of the ventral medulla. In the trigeminal motor nucleus, the facial nucleus and the spinal accessory nucleus, the majority of serotonergic varicosities also appeared to contain substance P; in the occulomotor nucleus and the hypoglossal nucleus the numbers of double-labeled and single-labeled serotonergic varicosities were roughly equal. Thus, co-existence of substance P with serotonin was common in many cell groups innervating skeletal muscle. The proportion of double-labeled varicosities was significantly lower in the nucleus of the solitary tract, wherein single-labeled varicosities were much more common. Double-labeled fibers and varicosities were also significantly less common in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. In addition, double-labeling appeared to be uncommon in regions involved in the processing of special sensory information (e.g. auditory, vestibular and visual pathways). These results demonstrate a subpopulation of serotonergic fibers immunoreactive for substance P in the brainstem of the rat. The consistently high density of double-labeled processes in cranial nerve motor nuclei suggests that, as may be the case in the spinal cord, neurons containing serotonin and substance P regulate the activity of motoneurons that innervate skeletal muscle. In addition, they may be involved in other aspects of the function of the brainstem.
The correlation of tissue motion within the lung: implications on fiducial based treatments

In radiation therapy many motion management and alignment techniques rely on the accuracy of an internal fiducial acting as a surrogate for target motion within the lung. Although fiducials are routinely used as surrogates for tumor motion, the extent to which varying spatial locations in the lung move similarly to other locations has yet to be quantitatively analyzed. In an attempt to analyze the motion correlation throughout the lung, ten primary lung cancer patients underwent IRB-approved 4DCT scans in the supine position. Deformable registration produced motion vectors for each voxel between exhalation and inhalation. Modeling was performed for each vector and all surrounding vectors within the lung in order to determine the mean 3D Euclidean distance necessary for an implanted fiducial to correlate with surrounding tissue motion to within 3 mm (left lower: 1.7 cm, left upper: 2.1 cm, right lower 1.6 cm, and right upper 2.9 cm). No general implantation rule of where to position a fiducial with respect to the tumor was found as the motion is highly patient and lobe specific. Correlation maps are presented showcasing spatial anisotropy of the motion of tissue surrounding the tumor.
Can Inheritances Alleviate the Fiscal Burden of an Aging Population

With pay as you go schemes in place, population aging will impose a heavy fiscal burden on young and future cohorts. However, these cohorts may also profit from larger inheritances as the number of heirs declines. The aim of this paper is to explore the compensating potential of private intergenerational transfers. A dynamic, computable general equilibrium model is employed allowing for a pay as you go scheme, various bequest motives, and an endogenous labor supply. The findings are twofold. First, the increase in future generations' inheritances is insufficient to make up for the demographic burden. Second, increasing the inheritance tax during the demographic transition may alleviate the fiscal burden of future generations by improving overall efficiency. Copyright 2003, International Monetary Fund
APPROXIMATE DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING FOR MANAGEMENT OF HIGH VALUE SPARE PARTS

Purpose – An aircraft manufacturer faces the problem of allocating inventory to a set of distributed warehouses in response to random, nonstationary demands. There is particular interest in managing high value, low volume spare parts which must be available to respond to low‐frequency demands in the form of random failures of major components. The aircraft fleet is young and in expansion. In addition, high‐value parts can be repaired, implying that they reenter the system after they are removed from an aircraft and refurbished. This paper aims to present a model and a solution approach to the problem of determining the inventory levels at each warehouse.Design/methodology/approach – The problem is solved using approximate dynamic programming (ADP), but this requires developing new methods for approximating value functions in the presence of low‐frequency observations.Findings – The model and solution approach have been implemented, tested and validated internally at the manufacturer through the analysis o...
The Hippo Signaling Pathway Interactome

The Hippo pathway controls metazoan organ growth by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Many components have been identified, but our knowledge of the composition and structure of this pathway is still incomplete. Using existing pathway components as baits, we generated by mass spectrometry a high-confidence Drosophila Hippo protein-protein interaction network (Hippo-PPIN) consisting of 153 proteins and 204 interactions. Depletion of 67% of the proteins by RNA interference regulated the transcriptional coactivator Yorkie (Yki) either positively or negatively. We selected for further characterization a new member of the alpha-arrestin family, Leash, and show that it promotes degradation of Yki through the lysosomal pathway. Given the importance of the Hippo pathway in tumor development, the Hippo-PPIN will contribute to our understanding of this network in both normal growth and cancer.
Large-Scale Activities Associated with the 2003 October 29 X10 Flare

We present a multiwavelength study focusing on the large-scale activities associated with the 2003 October 29 X10 flare and a halo CME. This event was strong enough to clearly show several large-scale activities, such as remote brightenings, Moreton waves at Hα off-bands, and type II radio bursts, which offers an excellent opportunity to clarify the relationship among them. The remote brightenings were found near two coronal holes more than 2 × 105 km from the main flare in eastern and southern directions, respectively. Coronal dimmings were seen at the locus of the remote brightenings right after the flare at both EUV and soft X-ray wavelengths. The Moreton waves propagated both northeastward and southward, toward the aforementioned remote regions, at speeds of approximately 1100 and 1900 km s-1, respectively. Our analyses show that the Moreton waves, the type II radio bursts, and the CME started almost simultaneously, but were not cotemporal with the remote brightenings. The remote brightenings are rather consistent with the flare hard X-ray emissions within the active region, although they have much smaller scales. We therefore conclude that the two remote brightening regions were magnetically connected to the flaring active region, and that the remote brightenings, as well as all other activities, were due to the interaction of an erupting flux rope at the core of the flare with magnetic field overlying the region. In this scenario, the large overlying loops should open to allow the flare activity underneath them, which points to a picture similar to the magnetic break-out process in such a large scale.
The role of canopy cover on the recovery of periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities after a month-long flood

We studied the recovery of periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities in a second order stream after a month-long spate that began as increased discharge due to snowmelt in April 2000 but continued through May as a result of frequent rainstorms. We sampled macroinvertebrates and periphyton in June 2000 at three different sites—an upstream site in a conifer tree plantation, a second site ca. 800 m downstream in a mixed hardwood forest, and a third site ca. 1.4 km downstream where there was an open canopy. Periphyton abundance was low on 6 June at all sites but increased 10-fold at the open canopy site the following week (13 June), appearing as a thick mat of Ulothrix. By 26 June, periphyton biomass (as both chlorophyll a and ash free dry mass) had decreased by 80% whereas densities of Chironomidae increased 50-fold and Baetidae increased 4-fold at the open canopy site; little change had occurred in periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities at the forested sites from early to late June. Our results suggest that baetids and chironomids rapidly responded to the increased algal resource at the open canopy site due to their life history characteristics and high growth rates. Chironomids decreased the green mat of Ulothrix by using this alga in tube construction and both chironomids and baetids likely consumed this alga. The varied responses of the periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities at the forested versus open sites demonstrate a resistance to impacts by floods at the forested sites, whereas at the open canopy site periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities were more resilient to the flood disturbance.