cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Saccadic suppression of displacement: Influence of postsaccadic exposure duration and of saccadic stimulus elimination

The threshold for detection of stimulus displacement, which is normally raised in the presence of voluntary saccades relative to its value during steady fixation ("saccadic suppression of displacement"), decreases from 50x to 25x its value during steady fixation when the duration of the second display is experimentally increased from 33 to 461 msec; further increase of the duration of the second display has no additional effect. It might be expected that this improvement in sensitivity to displacement is a consequence of the elimination from perception of the visible smear corresponding to the saccadic stimulus by the action of metacontrast from the postsaccadic stimulus. That this is not so is shown by the fact that the improvement in displacement sensitivity with increased postsaccadic exposure duration is unaffected by experimental elimination of the retinal stimulus normally present during the saccade, even under conditions for which the saccadic stimulus is normally visible and appears smeared. The results demonstrate that the basis for saccadic suppression of displacement lies in the transient saccade-related modification of extraretinal eye position information.
Intermediate alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency resulting from a null gene (M-phenotype).

The presence of a null gene for alpha 1 -antitrypsin was detected In a family study by the inheritance of intermediate antitrypsin deficiency in association with a normal (PiM) phenotypic pattern. The proband, a 42-year-old man (M— phenotype), was a cigarette smoker and had physiologic evidence of pulmonary emphysema. Three female members of the family were receiving estrogenic medication but had deficient values for serum trypsin inhibitory capacity nevertheless, indicating an unresponsive gene. The mean serum trypsin inhibitory capacity for those with an M— phenotype was significantly lower than that found with an MZ phenotype, presumably due to the total noncontribution to serum antitrypsin activity by the null gene. A quantitative measurement of antitrypsin activity or concentration is necessary in an antitrypsin screening program, since phenotyping procedures alone cannot reveal the null gene.
Irregularity of vocal period and amplitude: A first approach to the fractal analysis of voice

Summary Fractal geometry, a relatively young branch of mathematics, offers new ways of evaluating the irregularity of the physiologic and acoustic aspects of speech. The validity and reliability of a box-counting method for estimating the fractal dimension (D F ) of the period and amplitude of vocal signals were demonstrated, and the method was applied to sustained vowels produced by four men and four women. Mean D F of the fundamental period was 1.46; D F of the amplitude records averaged a slightly, but significantly, higher 1.54. The potential of D F as a research and clinical tool is considered.
Lyapunov-Based Tracking of Store-Induced Limit Cycle Oscillations in an Aeroelastic System

Store-induced limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) are a common issue on current fighter aircraft and are expected to be present on next generation fighter aircraft. Current efforts in control systems designed to suppress LCO behavior have been either linear and restricted to specific flight regimes or nonlinear but require uncertainties in the system dynamics to be linear-in-the-parameters and only present in the torsional stiffness. Furthermore, the aerodynamic model used in prior research efforts neglects any nonlinear effects. This paper presents the development of a controller consisting of a continuous RISE feedback term with a neural network feedforward term to achieve semiglobal asymptotic tracking of the wing angle of attack in the presence of structural and aerodynamic uncertainties that do not satisfy the linear-in-the-parameter assumption.© 2012 ASME
A bench-scale study on biodegradation and volatilization of ethylbenzoate in aquifers

Abstract Experiments were conducted to investigate the fate of ethylbenzoate and soil microorganisms in shallow aquifers. Biodegradation and volatilization have been identified as the major mechanisms in attenuating ethylbenzoate in contaminated soils. The rate of volatilization was experimentally found to be limited by gas-phase diffusion. The parameters of an available model, i.e., the maximum specific growth rate and the saturation constant, have been estimated by fitting the model to the experimental data obtained with ethylbenzoate as the carbon source; the former was 0.49 h−1, and the latter was 62 mg L−1. Various facets of biodegradation, including the effects of mass-transfer resistance and initial distribution of microorganisms, have been numerically analyzed on the basis of the model.
Interaction of ferredoxin with ferredoxin:NADP reductase: Effects of chemical modification of ferredoxin

Chemical modification studies have been conducted on spinach ferredoxin to determine the nature of the groups on ferredoxin involved in its interaction with its reaction partners. Modification of a limited number (three or four) carboxyl groups or of the single histidine residue resulted in a decreased ability of ferredoxin to participate in NADP photoreduction but not in cytochrome c photoreduction, suggesting that these groups may be involved in interaction with ferredoxin:NADP reductase but are not involved in interaction with the reducing side of Photosystem I. In contrast, modification of amino groups or the single arginine residue on ferredoxin had little effect on the ability of ferredoxin to participate in NADP photoreduction, suggesting these groups are not involved in the interaction of ferredoxin with either ferredoxin:NADP reductase or the reducing side of Photosystem I. Attempts to modify tyrosine residues on ferredoxin resulted in destruction of the iron-sulfur center of the protein.
High-temperature hydroxylation of alumina crystalline surfaces

Atomic force microscopy, attenuated-total-reflection Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy (SFVS) were employed to study effects of heat treatment in different gas atmospheres on three different alumina crystalline surfaces (a, c and r) and subsequent hydroxylation. Samples heat-treated at a higher temperature (1550 °C) exhibited more surface roughening and faceting than those heated at 1000 °C. Also, the roughening and faceting depended on the gaseous atmosphere used during heat treatment. The SFVS and FTIR spectra showed clearer spectral features of hydroxylation and higher degree of hydroxylation for heat treatment at higher temperatures. Different crystalline surfaces displayed different spectral features upon hydration. Hydration of sample surfaces in water appears to be more effective than in humid air.
Prevention of thermal surface damage in GaAs by encapsulated annealing in an arsine ambient

This paper shows that both capped and capless techniques commonly used in the high temperature annealing of GaAs can cause thermal surface damage characterized by a decrease in the net carrier concentration in a region within a few micrometers of the surface. This thermal surface damage can be prevented by a technique of encapsulated annealing in an arsine ambient.
Radiocarbon age of waters in the deep Atlantic revisited

The authors use a simple box model to evaluate the impact of temporal changes of the atmosphere's {sup 14}C/C on ventilation fluxes for the deep Atlantic calculated from radiocarbon measurements. The conclusion is that despite the fact that over the 300 year period from 1650 to 1950 the atmosphere's radiocarbon content declined at the same rate as radiocarbon decays, this temporal change has a relatively small impact (10-15%) on radiocarbon-based estimates of the ventilation rate of the deep Atlantic. The reason is that the radiocarbon content of the source waters for deep Atlantic are reasonably well buffered against changes in atmospheric {sup 14}C/C.
Differentiation in acanthamoeba: β-glucan synthesis during encystment

Abstract A particulate enzyme system was prepared from encysting cells of Acanthamoeba castellanii (Neff) which catalyzed the incorporation of 14 C-labeled glucose from UDP-[ 14 C]glucose into an alkali-soluble product and an alkali-insoluble product. Both products were characterized as β -(1 → 4)-glucans by partial acid hydrolysis and acetolysis. These polysaccharides account for more than 90% of the incorporated glucose and no other enzymatic products were detected. Neither ADP-glucose, TDP-glucose, DCDP-glucose, or GDP-glucose were able to replace UDP-glucose as glucosyl donor. Specific β-glucan synthetase activities were measured in extracts prepared from cell populations at different stages ad encystment proceeded. Enzymatic activities for the synthesis of the alkali-soluble β-glucon and the alkali-insoluble β-glucan were parallel throughout encystment. These activities were barely detectable in amebas but increased rapidly with extracts prepared from cell after 12–16 h of encystment. The specific activity of extracts prepared after 26–30 h of encystment was approx. 30-fold higher than that of unencysted amebas. Only the particulate fraction exhibited enzymatic activity. These results suggest that β-glucal synthetase activity rises during encystment at about the same time and roughly in parallel to the appearance of the cyst wall cellulose.
Neuroscience research in AIDS

1. The human immunodeficiency virus invades the central nervous system early after infection where it later gives rise to cognitive, motor, and behavioral manifestations in children and adults. 2. Ranging from mild impairments to frank dementia, CNS manifestations can be diagnosed and measured with standard neuropsychological test batteries. 3. Great strides have been made with treatment: CNS manifestations are treatable, as are depression, psychosis, and delirium which sometimes accompany HIV disease at different stages. 4. With startling advances in antiretroviral therapy and lower mortality, patients face a constellation of new concerns stemming from HIV's transformation to a more chronic disease. 5. There are many compelling research directions ahead, including the psychosocial impact of living with HIV as a chronic disease, the development of medications expressly targeted to the CNS, and basic research on neuropathogenesis, including trafficking of virus into the CNS.
Evolutionary and expression profiles of gene families crucial for central nervous system development

Tissue or developmental-specificity in central nervous system (CNS) represents strong functional diversity in high eukaryote genomes. Expression profile and sequence data become two major lines of information. In this paper, we conducted evolutionary analysis for the expression profiles of 14 gene families (57 genes) in vertebrate CNS development. We found the strong association between developmental profile and the gene family diversity. We speculate that gen(om)e duplication might be the evolutionary basis for functional diversity. This expression/sequence dual informatics approach is useful for tracking the genetic regulatory changes in complex biosystem.
Stackelberg Solutions of Feedback Type for Differential Games with Random Initial Data

The paper is concerned with Stackelberg solutions for a differential game with deterministic dynamics but random initial data, where the leading player can adopt a strategy in feedback form: u1=u1(t,x). The first main result provides the existence of a Stackelberg equilibrium solution, assuming that the family of feedback controls u1(t,⋅) available to the leading player are constrained to a finite dimensional space. A second theorem provides necessary conditions for the optimality of a feedback strategy. Finally, in the case where the feedback u1 is allowed to be an arbitrary function, an example illustrates a wide class of systems where the minimal cost for the leading player corresponds to an impulsive dynamics. In this case, a Stackelberg equilibrium solution does not exist, but a minimizing sequence of strategies can be described.
Photogeneration of Hydrogen from Polymeric Viologen Systems

Polymers containing pendant viologen groups were prepared and studied for their quenching efficiencies of the Ru(bpy)2+3 excited state, their back reactions following the quenching, their viologen radical yields, and finally for their effectiveness in hydrogen production in the presence of colloidal platinum. Results are compared with those from methyl viologen containing systems to evaluate the performance of the polymeric viologen systems.
Visible signatures of the multi-step transition to a beam-plasma-dicharge

The transition of an electron beam to a beam-plasma-discharge (BPD) is characterized in part by substantial changes in both the distribution and the magnitude of the visible emissions from the ambient gas. At low ambient pressure (<4 × 10-6 Torr) there are abrupt transitions between four visually recognizable states. These include the basic beam with its noded configuration (A1), the noded beam surrounded by a weak halo (A2), and two states (B and C) of the BPD characterized by very bright halos and significant alteration of the beam itself. The latter states are differentiated by the differing intensities and diameters of their associated halos. When the beam current is reduced, these transitions occur in reverse and with substantial hysteresis.
Backscatter of solar resonance radiation. I.

Calculated curves are presented for the intensity of the scattered solar Lyman alpha radiation as it would be observed at various distances from the sun by a deep space probe during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Near the sun, most of the neutral gas, and hence the emission maximum, is in the pole direction. At 2 AU from the sun, the maximum is quite broad. At greater heliocentric distances, most of the emission lies between the probe and the sun; thus, the angle which the emission maximum makes with the pole increases steadily as the probe moves out.
Mayo Clinic NLP System for Patient Smoking Status Identification

This article describes our system entry for the 2006 I2B2 contest "Challenges in Natural Language Processing for Clinical Data" for the task of identifying the smoking status of patients. Our system makes the simplifying assumption that patient-level smoking status determination can be achieved by accurately classifying individual sentences from a patient's record. We created our system with reusable text analysis components built on the Unstructured Information Management Architecture and Weka. This reuse of code minimized the development effort related specifically to our smoking status classifier. We report precision, recall, F-score, and 95% exact confidence intervals for each metric. Recasting the classification task for the sentence level and reusing code from other text analysis projects allowed us to quickly build a classification system that performs with a system F-score of 92.64 based on held-out data tests and of 85.57 on the formal evaluation data. Our general medical natural language engine is easily adaptable to a real-world medical informatics application. Some of the limitations as applied to the use-case are negation detection and temporal resolution.
Impact of Mast Cell Chymase on Renal Disease Progression

Chymase, a serine protease found in mast cell granules, is released into the interstitium following injury or inflammation. Chymase is the primary ACE-independent pathway of angiotensin II formation, and also functions to activate TGF-beta and other promoters of extracellular matrix degradation, thereby playing a role in tissue remodeling. In the diseased kidney, chymase-containing mast cells markedly increase and their density correlates with tubulointerstitial fibrosis severity. Studies in humans support the pathologic role of chymase in diabetic nephropathy, while animal studies form the basis for the importance of increased chymase-dependent angiotensin II formation in progressive hypertensive, diabetic and inflammatory nephropathies. Moreover, humans with kidney disease express chymase in diseased blood vessels in concordance with significantly elevated plasma chymase levels. Conversely, specific chymase inhibitors attenuate angiotensin II production and renal fibrosis in animal models, suggesting their potential therapeutic benefit in human nephropathy, where chymase-containing mast cells accumulate and contribute to progressive disease.
Gender differences in obstructive sleep apnea and the associated public health burden

Obstructive sleep apnea, (OSA) is a sleep disorder traditionally associated with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and/or obesity in which an obstruction of the upper respiratory airflow occurs in patients. This airflow disruption is repeated resulting in a cyclical breathing pattern that leads to frequent arousals during sleep. Epidemiological analyses of OSA have found that the disorder occurs more frequently in men than women. Yet, the severity of OSA-associated comorbidities are worse in women than in men upon initial OSA-diagnosis. The primary reasons for sex differences in OSA are thought to be associated with variations seen in normal sleep between men and women, distinctions in the clinical manifestations of sleep disturbances, and in the prevalence of risk factors for sleep disorders. However, it has also been suggested that this sex difference is due to an under-diagnosis of OSA in women during the early stages of the disease, as initial presentation of female patients with OSA has often been interpreted as depression and/or insomnia. Due to the risk factors associated with OSA, heart disease as the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States, and the commonality of sex differences in sleep disorders, we examined the literature to determine what may contribute to these sex differences in OSA. This brief review summarizes what may be the causes of sex differences in normal sleep, sex differences that are associated with OSA, and whether this sex difference may be primarily due to an under-diagnosis of OSA in women.
Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase–Dependent Membrane Recruitment of P62dok Is Essential for Its Negative Effect on Mitogen-Activated Protein (Map) Kinase Activation

A major pathway by which growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), regulate cell proliferation is via the receptor tyrosine kinase/Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade. The output of this pathway is subjected to tight regulation of both positive and negative regulators. One such regulator is p62dok, the prototype of a newly identified family of adaptor proteins. We recently provided evidence, through the use of p62dok-deficient cells, that p62dok acts as a negative regulator of growth factor–induced cell proliferation and the Ras/MAPK pathway. We show here that reintroduction of p62dok into p62dok−/− cells can suppress the increased cell proliferation and prolonged MAPK activity seen in these cells, and that plasma membrane recruitment of p62dok is essential for its function. We also show that the PDGF-triggered plasma membrane translocation of p62dok requires activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and binding of its pleckstrin homology (PH) domain to 3′-phosphorylated phosphoinositides. Furthermore, we demonstrate that p62dok can exert its negative effect on the PDGFR/MAPK pathway independently of its ability to associate with RasGAP and Nck. We conclude that p62dok functions as a negative regulator of the PDGFR/Ras/MAPK signaling pathway through a mechanism involving PI3-kinase–dependent recruitment of p62dok to the plasma membrane.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Evades T-Helper Responses by Exploiting Antibodies That Suppress Antigen Processing

T-helper responses are important for controlling chronic viral infections, yet T-helper responses specific to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), particularly to envelope glycoproteins, are lacking in the vast majority of HIV-infected individuals. It was previously shown that the presence of antibodies to the CD4-binding domain (CD4bd) of HIV-1 glycoprotein 120 (gp120) prevents T-helper responses to gp120, but their suppressive mechanisms were undefined (C. E. Hioe et al., J. Virol. 75:10950-10957, 2001). The present study demonstrates that gp120, when complexed to anti-CD4bd antibodies, becomes more resistant to proteolysis by lysosomal enzymes from antigen-presenting cells such that peptide epitopes are not released and presented efficiently by major histocompatibility complex class II molecules to gp120-specific CD4 T cells. Antibodies to other gp120 regions do not confer this effect. Thus, HIV may evade anti-viral T-helper responses by inducing and exploiting antibodies that conceal the virus envelope antigens from T cells.
Analysis of π−N phase shifts via a new Regge representationphase shifts via a new Regge representation

In this note we present a phenomenological analysis of the π−N phase shifts in both theT=1/2 andT=3/2 channels by means of a new Regge representation recently presented by the authors. It is shown that this representation, which was proved for a limited class of potentials in potential theory, and conjectured to be valid in the relativistic case, actually gives fairly good agreement with experiment when applied to relativistic problems. Graphs are presented for the δ11 and δ23 phase shifts, and a comparison to experiment is made. The resonance N (1480) is conjecture to lie on the second trajectory of theJ=1/2,T=1/2 system, and it is shown that with this assumption, qualitative agreement with recent δ11 phase shift data can be obtained.
Hierarchical Analog/Mixed-Signal Circuit Optimization Under Process Variations and Tuning

A hierarchical optimization methodology is presented to achieve robust analog/mixed-signal circuit design with consideration of process variations. Hierarchical optimization using building circuit block Pareto models is an efficient approach for optimizing nominal performances of large analog circuits. However, yield-aware system optimization, as dictated by the need for safeguarding chip manufacturability in scaled technologies, is completely nontrivial. Two fundamental difficulties are addressed for achieving such a methodology: yield-aware Pareto performance characterization at the building block level and yield-aware optimization problem formulation at the system level. In addition, postsilicon tuning in complex mixed-signal system designs is investigated and the proposed optimization framework is extended for such systems. The presented methodology is demonstrated by hierarchical optimization of a phased-locked loop consisting of multiple building blocks and self-tuning function blocks.
The distribution of prime ideals of a Dedekind domain

Let G be an abelian group, and let S be a subset of G. Necessary and sufficient conditions on G and S are given in order that there should exist a Dedekind domain D with class group G with the property that S is the set of classes that contain maximal ideals of D. If G is a torsion group, then S is the set of classes containing the maximal ideals of D if and only if S generates G. These results are used to determine necessary and sufficient conditions on a family {Hλ} of subgroups of G in order that there should exist a Dedekind domain D with class group G such that {G/Hλ} is the family of class groups of the set of overrings of D. Several applications are given.
Operant discrimination of an interoceptive stimulus in rhesus monkeys

Five rhesus macaques monkeys surgically prepared with Thiry small intestinal (jejunum) loops and implanted brain electrodes were restrained in primate chairs and kept on 23-hr deprivation-feeding cycle. After being trained to press a lever for sugar pills on an FR 25 schedule of reinforcement, a discrimination training procedure was established. Lever presses were reinforced during the S(D)-a non-aversive mechanical stimulus applied to the internal walls of the Thiry loop by rhythmic inflation-deflation of a small latex balloon by air at the rate of one cycle per sec at 100 mm Hg pressure. The S(Delta) was the absence of the visceral stimulation. The monkeys successfully discriminated between presence and absence of the internal stimulus. A discrimination reversal was attempted and completed on one monkey. The results clearly show operant discrimination based on an interoceptive stimulus. Cortical and subcortical EEG records reflected the onset but not termination of the visceral stimulation.
Integrated thermal analysis in TCM design

The author reviews the benefits of having an integrated analysis in the design process. He then reviews an application of integrated thermal analysis and checking against design specifications for TCMs (thermal conduction modules). IBM uses an integrated design and checking system to design TCMs. Designers have some early thermal analysis tools so that thermal problems can be identified and resolved early in the design process. Once the designer has a chip design layout for a module, an integrated design system is used to design the package and verify that the design meets electrical and thermal specifications. For the thermal portion, models are in place ahead of time with all design-independent variables hard coded. The parameters for the design are passed to the model for a statistical analysis. For packages where thermal performance changes with time, beginning of life (BOL) and end of life (EOL) analyses are performed. The design nominal and statistical chip temperatures are then compared to specifications to ensure that device temperatures will be within specification for the life of the product. >
Improved global routing through congestion estimation

In this paper, we present a new method to improve global routing results. By using an amplified congestion estimate to influence a rip-up and reroute approach, we obtain substantial reductions in total congestion. In comparisons with a recently published tool on publicly available benchmarks, our new router is roughly twice as fast, obtains 15.1% reductions in total wire length, and 65.2% reductions in the number of overcongested graph edges. A direct implementation of an old approach also performs extremely well, indicating that some known techniques have been overlooked.
Differential effect of autonomic stimulation on salivary secretion of IgG, IgA and amylase.

SummaryStimulation of the rat parotid gland was effected by pilocarpine administration immediately following removal of one superior cervical ganglion and saliva was collected from the denervated gland and contra-lateral neurally intact mate. In this fashion it was possible to evaluate the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the secretory responses of several proteins in parotid saliva. The flow rate of saliva obtained with cholinergic stimulation was higher than that with adrenergic stimulation. On the other hand, stimulation of adrenergic receptors caused secretion of total protein and amylase from the gland, in appreciably higher concentration than that elicited in response to cholinergic stimulation. Amylase level in secretion obtained from the neurally intact parotid gland immediately following pilocarpine injection was about 20 times that of the sympathectomized gland and gradually decreased with time reaching a level of about 4 times that of the denervated mate after 45 min. T...
SMALL AMPLITUDE OSCILLATORY SHEAR STUDIES ON MOZZARELLA CHEESE PART I. REGION OF LINEAR VISCOELASTICITY

Chunges in texture of a low-moisture, part-skim und a low-jat, pars-skim Moz:urellu cheese during heating were examined by measuring their rheological properties using small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) tests afer I, 4 and 12 week5 of refrigeruted storage. In general, lhe linear viscoelustic range decreuses with increasing temperature and age because cheese behaves more like u viscoelustic solid at lower temperature and shorter ripening time. The dynamic rheologicul properties (q*, G' and GIf) were constant within a range of 0.05% shear struin. The dynamic rheological properties of low-fut, purt-skim Mozzarella wre found to be higher tliun that of low-moisture, part-skim Mozzarella within the lineur viscoelustic runge.
Inference of protein-protein interactions by unlikely profile pair

We note that a set of statistically "unusual" protein-profile pairs in experimentally determined database of protein-protein interactions can typify protein-protein interactions, and propose a novel method called PICUPP that sifts such protein-profile pairs using a statistical simulation. It is demonstrated that unusual Pfam and InterPro profile pairs can be extracted from the DIP database using a bootstrapping approach. We particularly illustrate that such protein-profile pairs can be used for predicting putative pairs of interacting proteins. Their prediction accuracies are around 86% and 90% when InterPro and Pfam profiles are used, respectively at 75% confidence level.
Transplantation of pancreatic islets into the kidney capsule of diabetic mice.

Our protocol was developed to cleanly and easily deliver islets or cells under the kidney capsule of diabetic or normal mice. We found that it was easier to concentrate the islets or cells into pellets in the final delivery tubing (PE50) used to transplant the cells under the kidney capsule. This technique provides both speed and ease while reducing any undue stress to the cells or to the mouse. Loading: Settled, hand picked, islets or pelleted cells are carefully aspirated off the bottom of a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube using a p200 pipetteman and a straight, thin-wall pipette tip. A length of PE50 tubing is attached to the pipette tip using a small silicone adapter tubing. Cells are allowed to settle, in the tip, and then are transferred to the PE50 tubing by slowly dialing the pipetteman. Once the cells are near the end of the PE50 tubing, a kink is made and the silicone adaptor tubing is placed over the kink. The PE50 tubing is transferred to a 15 mL conical containing a cut 5 mL pipet, and the PE50 tubing is taped over the side of the 5 mL pipet to prevent curling during centrifuging. Cells are allowed to reach 1,000 rpm and stopped. Transplantation: Recipient mice are anesthetized, shaved, and cleaned. A small incision is made on the left flank of the mouse and the kidney is exposed. The kidney, fat, and tissue are kept moist with normal saline swab. The distal end of the PE50 is attached to a Hamilton screw drive syringe, containing a pipette tip, using the silicone adaptor tubing. A small nick is made on the right flank side of the kidney, not too large nor too deep. The beveled end of the PE50 tubing, nearest the cells, is carefully placed under the capsule, the tubing is moved around gently to make space while swabbing normal saline; a dry capsule can tear easily. A small air bubble is delivered under the capsule by slowly dialing the syringe screw drive. Islets are then slowly delivered behind the air bubble. Once the islets have been delivered kidney homeostasis is maintained and the knick is cauterized with low heat. The kidney is placed back into the cavity and the peritoneum and skin are sutured and stapled. Mice are immediately treated with Flunixin and Buprenorphine s.q. and placed in a cage on a heating pad.
Understanding user preferences based on usability and aesthetics before and after actual use

Designing a highly preferred product or system is a crucial issue for better information-services and product sales. We attempted to understand the process of users' preference-making based on usability and aesthetics. In the present study, we examined the relationships among usability/aesthetics features, perceived usability/aesthetics, and user preference through an experiment using four simulated systems with different levels of usability and aesthetics. The results showed that, before actual use, user preference was significantly affected by the differences in aesthetics but marginally affected by the differences in usability. On the other hand, after actual use, user preference was significantly influenced by the differences in both usability and aesthetics. Regardless of the occurrence of actual use, user preference was highly correlated with both perceived usability and perceived aesthetics, which were strongly interrelated. Finally, actual use had a significant effect on perceived usability, perceived aesthetics, and user preference. The findings emphasize the importance of considering both perceived usability and perceived aesthetics. They also demonstrate the need for discriminating users' interactions before and after actual use, in developing a more preferable computer-based application.
Evaluation of human recession defects treated with coronally advanced flaps and either enamel matrix derivative or connective tissue. Part 2: Histological evaluation.

Background: A number of surgical procedures are effective in covering denuded root surfaces. The first paper in this series evaluated the subepithelial connective tissue graft and the coronally advanced flap with enamel matrix derivative (EMD). That paper revealed no significant difference in the percent of root coverage between the two treatments (P = 0.82). There is limited human histological evidence of the type of attachment achieved with these types of procedures. This paper presents a human case report detailing the histological nature of the attachment of these two treatments to the root surfaces previously exposed by recession. Methods: One patient presented with two hopeless teeth that were randomized to receive either a subepithelial connective tissue graft or a coronally advanced flap plus EMD. The surgery was accomplished in accordance to the protocol previously described. The teeth and a small collar of tissue were removed at 6 months and underwent histological analysis. Results: Histological...
Effects of moderate heat stress on photosynthesis: importance of thylakoid reactions, rubisco deactivation, reactive oxygen species, and thermotolerance provided by isoprene

Photosynthesis is particularly sensitive to heat stress and recent results provide important new insights into the mechanisms by which moderate heat stress reduces photosynthetic capacity. Perhaps most surprising is that there is little or no damage to photosystem II as a result of moderate heat stress even though moderate heat stress can reduce the photosynthetic rate to near zero. Moderate heat stress can stimulate dark reduction of plastoquinone and cyclic electron flow in the light. In addition, moderate heat stress may increase thylakoid leakiness. At the same time, rubisco deactivates at moderately high temperature. Relationships between effects of moderate heat on rubisco activation and thylakoid reactions are not yet clear. Reactive oxygen species such as H 2 O 2 may also be important during moderate heat stress. Rubisco can make hydrogen peroxide as a result of oxygenase side reactions and H 2 O 2 production by rubisco was recently shown to increase substantially with temperature. The ability to withstand moderately high temperature can be improved by altering thylakoid lipid composition or by supplying isoprene. In my opinion this indicates that thylakoid reactions are important during moderate heat stress. The deactivation of rubisco at moderately high temperature could be a parallel deleterious effect or a regulatory response to limit damage to thylakoid reactions.
Long-term alteration of S-type potassium current and passive membrane properties in aplysia sensory neurons following axotomy.

In many neurons, axotomy triggers long-lasting alterations in excitability as well as regenerative growth. We have investigated mechanisms contributing to the expression of axotomy-induced, long-te...
How to befriend zombies: a guide for physicalists

Though not myself a physicalist, I develop a new argument against antiphysicalist positions that are motivated by zombie arguments. I first identify four general features of phenomenal states that are candidates for non-physical types; these are used to generate different types of zombie. I distinguish two antiphysicalist positions: strict dualism, which posits exactly one general non-physical type, and pluralism, which posits more than one such type. It turns out that zombie arguments threaten strict dualism and some pluralist positions as much as they threaten physicalism—indeed, more so, since such positions need zombies to motivate them as alternatives to physicalism—and that the only pluralist position that escapes zombie arguments has a radically inflated ontology.
Syringeal Anatomy in the Common Crow

A careful study of the functional anatomy of its syrinx in the Common Crow (Corvus brackyrkynchos) contradicts the view expressed by Welty (1963) that this species is not capable of vocal versatility, i.e. significant variation in pitch and variety of notes produced. Poor vocalizers such as most nonpasserines may have only two or three pairs of syringeal muscles, but true song birds typically have seven pairs, and as many as nine pairs have been reported in some song birds (Welty, 1963: 118-119). Owen (1866) and Ames (1965) describe the anatomy of syringeal muscles in the suborder Passeres. Shufeldt (1890) discusses the muscles of the air passages in the raven (Corvus corax sinuatus). In a preliminary study of sound production in the Common Crow, Miskimen (1951) reports seven pairs of syringeal muscles. Myers (1917) and Gross (1964) describe the functional anatomy of the chicken (Gallus domesticus) syrinx. Ruppell (1933) investigated the vocal structures of the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus). His apparatus for holding the syrinx made it possible to observe the vibration of the vocal membranes, but his review of the literature and experimental work all emphasized the importance of pressure in the interclavicular air sac during sound production. Miller (1934) was able to produce sound with the syrinx of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) and Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) by blowing
Contract Violations: How an Agreement Is Achieved Affects the Likelihood of Trust Repair

In this paper, we contend that the manner in which a person believes an agreement was originally reached can significantly affect both the interpretation of an identical contract violation as well ...
Analyzing Fashion Life Cycles—Principles and Perspectives:

This paper reviews the evolution and current state of fashion theory focusing on fashion life cycles. Fashion cycles are analyzed in two time frames, long run secular trends spanning decades and ce...
The Use of Email to Coach Preservice Early Childhood Teachers

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of performance feedback on preservice teachers’ use of recommended practices within inclusive early childhood classrooms. A multiple baseline des...
Recycling Bodhisattva: The Tzu-Chi movement’s response to global climate change

This article traces the emergence of climate change discourse and its related practices in one of the largest and globally most influential Taiwanese Buddhist organizations – Tzu-Chi (Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Association). The authors analyse more than 500 volumes of Tzu-Chi’s periodicals and describe its recycling practice from the social organizational perspective. Our findings suggest that climate change discourse has emerged in recent years as a response to increasing natural disasters, particularly typhoons. Practices such as recycling are implemented in order to address this crisis through the cultivation of a disciplined inner self. The article compensates for the lack of current studies on what Buddhist organizations actually do for the environment and how they address climate change. It also offers a correction to the studies on environmental movements, in which religious environmentalism is often overlooked.
Colonial Legacies and State Institutions in China: Evidence From a Natural Experiment

What is the legacy of Japanese colonial rule in East Asia? In this article, I use a geographic regression discontinuity design to examine of the long-run effects of Japanese rule over northern China. I find that the Japanese colonization of northern China had a positive long-run effect on state institutions—with persistent increases in schooling, health, and bureaucratic density. I also find suggestive evidence that colonization led to increases in wealth, as measured by census data and nighttime luminosity. The positive legacy of Japanese colonization in northern China suggests that intense state building efforts can pay long-run dividends, even in the context of a brutal and extractive regime.
Analysis on epidemic situation of notifiable communicable diseases in Yichang city( 2003-2012)

Objective To understand the epidemic situation of notifiable infectious diseases in Yichang,and provide basis for taking further intervention. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted. Results From 2003 to 2012,a total of 168 748 cases of 27 notifiable infectious diseases and 464 death cases were reported in the city. The peak incidence was from April to June and September to December. The proportion between male to female was 1. 787 ∶1. Cases were spread in all the age groups,( χ2= 1 718. 04,P 0. 001),with statistically significant difference. The major affected systems were: respiratory,intestinal,blood-borne and sexually-transmitted diseases. The incidence of the top six diseases were: pulmonary TB,viral hepatitis,HFMD,mumps,and other infectious diarrhea,and dysentery. The morbidity of Class B infectious diseases tended to decline,while the morbidity of Class C infectious disease tended to rise. Conclusion The task of prevention and control of infectious diseases in Yichang City is still arduous,besides the implementation of the prevention and control of infectious diseases,the sensitivity and accuracy of the reporting rate of the mandatory reported infectious diseases should be further enhanced.
The Discussion of Power Stability Evaluation Method for AC Energy Meter Testing Device

Two energy meter testing device power stability assessment methods are introduced,and the watt-second test method is described in detail.By case analysis,the energy meter testing device to test the power stability assessment method,using peak-to-peak evaluation method can not only guarantee a the uniform standard,accurate,and reliable for stability assessment of electric power value;but also improve efficiency.
The clinical significance of ferritinuria

Urinary ferritin levels were measured by a "2-site" immunoradiometric assay in normal volunteers and in patients with various hematologic disorders. The mean urinary ferritin concentration in normal subjects averaged 2.2 microgram/liter, only 3% of the serum ferritin level. Elevated urinary ferritin levels averaging 45 microgram/liter were observed in patients with hematologic malignancies, but there was a proportional increase in serum ferritin so that the urinary level still averaged only 7% of the serum value. The highest urinary ferritin values (mean 170 microgram/liter) were associated with chronic hemolytic anemia, and in these patients, urinary ferritin rose disproportionately in relation to the serum, averaging 82% of it. This higher urinary level apparently reflects increased ferritin in renal tubular cells due to glomerular filtration of unbound hemoglobin, a mechanism that is supported by a highly significant correlation between urinary ferritin and serum haptoglobin levels. In normal subjects and in patients with malignancy, the source of urinary ferritin appears different, since a highly significant correlation was observed between urinary ferritin and reticuloendothelial iron stores as measured by serum ferritin or total iron-binding capacity. In this setting, the most likely source of urinary ferritin is the iron contained in renal tubular cells, which is apparently in equilibrium with body iron stores.
Lung Ultrasound Utility in the Management of the Neurologically Deceased Organ Donor.

Context:Lung transplantation is limited by donor lung availability with ∼20% of deceased donor lungs transplanted. Diagnostic testing identifying pulmonary derangements guide donor management strategies to maximize lung transplantation. Lung ultrasound (LUS) identifies pathology in critically ill patients equivalent or superior to chest radiograph (CXR) or computed tomography (CT) scans. No published studies have reported on LUS in neurologically deceased donors (DNDDs).Objective:We evaluated LUS in identifying abnormal lung pathology in DNDDs and related these findings to the standard approach.Design:Prospective pilot study.Setting:Intensive care units, university-associated teaching hospital.Participants:Six DNDDs evaluated during donor management.Interventions:Deceased donors were enrolled based on the availability of ultrasound operators (USOs). Bedside LUS was performed using Lichtenstein 3- or Volpicelli 4-zone method based on the operator preference. Lungs were evaluated for sliding, A/B profile, c...
The renal proximal tubule renin-angiotensin system

In conclusion, a complete RAS is present in the mammalian proximal tubule that is potentially autocrine and paracrine in nature. Maneuvers that stimulate renin in JG cells and renal vasculature appear to also stimulate renin in the proximal tubule. The subcellular localization of the different components and the regulation of this epithelial RAS still remain to be defined. This RAS may be important in regulation of proximal tubule NaCl and NaHCO3 transport. Finally, one can speculate that activation of this RAS may play a pathogenetic role in some patients with essential hypertension and in the hypertension and cyst growth seen in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Human Security and Non-Citizens: Human security and protection from refoulement in the maritime context

Issues of human security are of greatest relevance in the context of physical security and survival. Individuals fleeing situations of armed conflict or targeted persecution have always sought protection through flight, frequently by crossing international borders on land. More recently, as states have erected significant obstacles to crossing land borders, maritime border crossings have become more prevalent. This chapter reviews the human security risks inherent in such maritime crossings, with particular attention to protection gaps that exist in both rescue-at-sea and maritime interception practices. Most notable are an increased risk of refoulement, a lack of systematic and uniform access to asylum procedures, and obstructed access to temporary protection of a uniform standard. This Article reviews relevant maritime interception and rescue-at-sea practices by evaluating the nature and scope of legal protection that each mechanism affords to maritime refugees, and canvasses a worrisome trend in state practice involving abuse of the rescue at sea tradition.
Single-Crystalline SrRuO3 Nanomembranes: A Platform for Flexible Oxide Electronics

The field of oxide electronics has benefited from the wide spectrum of functionalities available to the ABO3 perovskites, and researchers are now employing defect engineering in single crystalline heterostructures to tailor properties. However, bulk oxide single crystals are not conducive to many types of applications, particularly those requiring mechanical flexibility. Here, we demonstrate the realization of an all-oxide, single-crystalline nanomembrane heterostructure. With a surface-to-volume ratio of 2 × 107, the nanomembranes are fully flexible and can be readily transferred to other materials for handling purposes or for new materials integration schemes. Using in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering, we find that the nanomembranes can bond to other host substrates near room temperature and demonstrate coupling between surface reactivity and electromechanical properties in ferroelectric nanomembrane systems. The synthesis technique described here represents a significant advancement in materials integ...