cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

We present the case of a 21-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with an episode of profound weakness due to thyrotoxic periodic paralysis, a syndrome of muscular weakness occurring in patients with hyperthyroidism. Prior to the diagnosis, the patient was treated with a parenteral tranquilizer. When hypokalemia was discovered, potassium was administered, resulting in the development of hyperkalemia. Episodes of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis are usually self limited, and recovery of motor strength is complete. However, potassium is frequently administered to hasten recovery and prevent cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory arrest. Serum potassium must, therefore, be monitored carefully in these patients during treatment.
Fibroblast growth factor 2 activation of stromal cell vascular endothelial growth factor expression and angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is a key component of human cancer progression and metastasis. In an effort to recapitulate early events in tumor-induced angiogenesis, we have employed a subcutaneous Matrigel implant model using immunodeficient mice as hosts. Matrigel-containing fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2; 1.2 μg/ml) induced stromal cell infiltration into the Matrigel/skin interface within 4 days and maximal neovascularization at 7 days. Cells staining positive for the endothelial cell marker, platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), were present in neovessels and in isolated cells within the Matrigel matrix. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) deposited in the stromal interface present only in the FGF-2–containing but not in control Matrigel implants. VEGF expression was confirmed with in situ hybridization. High VEGF mRNA levels were observed in the infiltrating stromal cells but not in endothelial or endothelial precursors as defined by PECAM-1 staining. In vitro analysis of FGF-2–treated embryonic fibroblasts, Balb/c 3T3 cells, showed an induction of VEGF transcription, mRNA synthesis, and protein secretion as defined by transcriptional reporter, Northern blot, and ELISA assays. The FGF-2–induced VEGF expression was not dependent on select matrix adherence or signaling components because VEGF mRNA expression induced by FGF-2 was equally activated on serum, basement membrane, and fibronectin matrix substrates. Systemic application of anti-VEGF antibodies significantly repressed FGF-2–induced angiogenesis over control antibody by 88% (p < 0.001). These data support an FGF-2 angiogenic model that is dependent on endothelial cell activation, stromal cell infiltration, and VEGF expression by the infiltrating stromal cell population.
Shape correlates of visual and tactual size judgments: A contrast with complexity

Pattern correlates of perceived size were studied by obtaining category judgments of the size of 100 random forms from 40 Ss who explored the forms visually and 40 Ss who explored them factually. Comparison of the modalities and contrasts with perceived complexity were made via intercorrelations of judgments and latencies, multiple regression analyses using factored form dimensions, and correlations with original form measures. By holding area of the forms constant, it was shown that perceived size can be related to characteristics of shape.
Bach1 Competes with Nrf2 Leading to Negative Regulation of the Antioxidant Response Element (ARE)-mediated NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 Gene Expression and Induction in Response to Antioxidants

The antioxidant response element (ARE) and Nrf2 are known to regulate the expression and coordinated induction of genes encoding detoxifying enzymes including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) in response to antioxidants. In this report, we demonstrate that overexpression of the transcription factor Bach1 in Hep-G2 cells negatively regulated NQO1 gene expression and induction in response to antioxidant t-BHQ. Bandshift and supershift assays revealed that Bach1 binds to the ARE as a heterodimer with small Maf proteins but not as a homodimer or heterodimer with Nrf2. The transfection and ChIP assays revealed that Bach1 and Nrf2 competed with each other to regulate ARE-mediated gene expression. Heme, a negative regulator of Bach1 relieved the Bach1 repression of NQO1 gene expression in transfected cells. The transcription of Bach1 and Nrf2 did not change in response to t-BHQ. Immunofluorescence assays and Western blot analysis revealed that both Bach1 and Nrf2 localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the untreated cells. The treatment of cells with t-BHQ resulted in the nuclear accumulation of both Bach1 and Nrf2. Interestingly, the t-BHQ-induced nuclear accumulation of Bach1 was significantly delayed over that of Nrf2. These results led to the conclusion that a balance of Nrf2 versus Bach1 inside the nucleus influences up- or down-regulation of ARE-mediated gene expression. The results further suggest that antioxidant-induced delayed accumulation of Bach1 contributes to the down-regulation of ARE-regulated genes, presumably to reduce the antioxidant enzymes to normal levels.
Spelling performance of English consonants among students whose first language is Arabic

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of some aspects of the Arabic phonological system on spelling English words. In Study 1, the spelling performance of Arabic students from grades four and six was compared with English students in cognate phoneme pairs which exist across both languages (/d/ and /t/), and pairs in which only one of the phonemes exists in Arabic (/b/ and /p/, /f/ and /v/) using a spelling test which contained words with the target phonemes. The findings showed that the Arabic participants performed similarly to the English participants on the phonemes /t/ and /d/, but they tended to spell the phonemes /b/, /p/, /f/, and /v/ using their cognate pairs more often than the English participants did. In Study 2, the spelling performance of Arabic students was compared across grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 for the same target phonemes. The analyses showed no difference between the Arabic participants in how often they confused the target phonemes with their cognate pairs across the different grade levels, except for the phonemes /p/ and /v/, for which the effect size was small. The findings of this study demonstrate the importance of phonology in spelling, as well as the influence of the first language on spelling in a second language. They also indicate that Arabic students continue to be dependent on phonological processes when spelling English words even as they grow older.
Contra a sociologia pública: será ela a melhor forma de tornar a sociologia relevante?

A bem difundida recepcao do chamamento por uma sociologia publica confirma o desejo quase desesperado da disciplina tornar-se pertinente as grandes questoes atuais. Em varias partes do mundo sociologos sentem-se, de alguma forma, marginalizados na esfera publica, e raramente sao indagados acerca das suas percepcoes. Assim, a sociologia publica parece propor um caminho para que as varias sociologias se unam, visando a torna-la mais relevante a diferentes publicos e comunidades. O presente trabalho, entretanto, argumenta que esse convite para uma sociologia publica e, na realidade, por uma sociologia radical de esquerda, que vai infundir ideologia e pregacao moral a face publica da sociologia. O resultado e que a disciplina tende a afastar mais do que engajar os proprios publicos que tenta influenciar. Mais sensato seria manter a enfase na ciencia e na neutralidade de valor, desenvolvendo uma mentalidade de "engenharia", na qual os sociologos utilizam suas teorias e pesquisas para ajudar os clientes a solucionar problemas do mundo real. Somente apos o legado da pratica bem sucedida da sociologia cientifica, a sociologia sera considerada de interesse para as questoes mais importantes do debate publico.
ASQual: measuring tourist perceived service quality in an airport setting

Airport managements have begun to identify tourists as an important customer segment. Yet, existing scales to measure airport service quality are too generic and they largely fail to capture the expectations and service quality perceptions by tourists. This paper reports the results of a research project aimed at developing a scale to measure service quality in the airport setting as perceived by international inbound tourists. The study has resulted in a preliminary scale with 74 items and 11 dimensions. The relation between ASQual and selected consumption related intentions are also explored.
Lack of selective developmental toxicity of three butanol isomers administered by inhalation to rats.

Abstract As part of an ongoing study of the developmental toxicology of industrial alcohols, this report presents the results of the teratology assessments of 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and t-butanol administered by inhalation to rats. Groups of approximately 15 Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed at 8000, 6000, 3500, or 0 ppm 1-butanol, 7000, 5000, 3500, or 0 ppm 2-butanol, or 5000, 3500, 2000, or 0 ppm t-butanol for 7 hr/day on Gestation Days 1–19 (sperm = 0). In each case, the highest concentration was selected to produce maternal toxicity. Dams were sacrificed on Gestation Day 20, and fetuses were individually weighed, tagged, and examined for external malformations. One-half of the fetuses were stained and examined for skeletal abnormalities, and the other half were examined for visceral defects using the Wilson technique. For each butanol isomer examined, the highest concentration (and the intermediate in some cases) was maternally toxic, as manifest by reduced weight gain and feed intake. Even at a maternally toxic dose, and in spite of a dose-dependent reduction in fetal weights for each isomer, the only teratogenicity observed was a slight increase in skeletal malformations (primarily rudimentary cervical ribs), seen with the highest concentration of 1-butanol. Thus, although teratogenicity was observed at 8000 ppm 1-butanol, and developmental toxicity was observed with each of the butyl alcohol isomers studied, concentrations 50 times the current permissible exposure limits for these three butanol isomers do not produce teratogenicity in rats.
Spectral balance and UV‐B sensitivity of soybean: a field experiment

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar Essex was grown and tested for sensitivity to UV-B radiation (280–320 nm) under different combinations of UV-A (320–400 nm) and PFD (400–700 nm) radiation in four simultaneous field experiments. The radiation conditions were effected with combinations of filtered solar radiation and UV-B and UV-A lamps electronically modulated to track ambient radiation. Significant UV-B-caused decreases in total aboveground production and growth were seen only when PFD and UV-A were reduced to less than half their flux in sunlight. When PFD was low, UV-A appeared to be particularly effective in mitigating UV-B damage. However, when PFD was high, substantial UV-A did not appear to be required for UV-B damage mitigation. Leaf chlorophyll fluorescence did not indicate photosynthetic damage under any radiation combination. With UV-B, leaves in all experiments exhibited increased UV-absorbing pigments and decreased whole-leaf UV transmittance. Results of these field experiments indicate difficulties in extrapolating from UV-B experiments conducted in glasshouse or growth cabinet conditions to plant UV-B sensitivity in the field. Implications for UV radiation weighting functions in evaluating atmospheric ozone reduction are also raised.
The Effects of Traditional Family and Gender Ideology on Earnings: Race and Gender Differences

Despite increasing gains in labor market opportunities, women and racial minorities earn less than their white male counterparts. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, this study explores racial and gender variation in how family and gender ideology shape this wage gap. The findings reveal that traditional role attitudes reduce earnings for African American men, African American women, and white women. However, white women experience the largest threat to wages as a result of conventional gender ideology. Further, the number of children and the timing of childbearing are detrimental to black and white women’s earnings, while neither of these factors hampers men’s earnings.
Hydrosoil conditions in a pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system for natural gas storage produced waters

A pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system (CWTS) was designed and constructed for simulated fresh to hypersaline natural gas storage produced waters. The system incorporated three types of wetland reactors: freshwater reducing, freshwater oxidizing, and saltwater. Each type of reactor was designed specifically to promote biogeochemical reactions that transform or transfer targeted constituents. As the system acclimated, hydrosoil conditions developed, which sustained the biogeochemical reactions necessary for the function and performance of the system. The characteristics of hydrosoil in the freshwater reducing cells included redox conditions within the ideal range for sulfate reduction (150 to 250 mV), near-neutral pH, and relatively high concentrations of acid volatile sulfide (AVS). These conditions were favorable for removing metals from the simulated gas storage produced waters. In addition, fine-grained sediments in the freshwater reducing cells provided surfaces for binding metals, and organic matter supported sulfate-reducing bacteria by providing an energy source. As designed, the organic content and amount of AVS were elevated, and redox potential was less in the freshwater reducing cells than in the saltwater cells and freshwater oxidizing cells. The results of our study confirm that the hydrosoil of CWTSs can be designed to achieve specific conditions and functions, and that hydrosoil characteristics can be manipulated to attain the desired treatment performance.
A theoretical investigation of the first step in the metabolic reduction of halogenated methanes by cytochrome P-450

The first step in the anaerobic reduction of halogenated hydrocarbons by cytochrome P–450 is the Abstraction of an electron from the reduced enzyme by the substrate located in a lipophilic binding site. To determine which halogenated hydrocarbons might be active substrates for this reductive metabolism, the vertical electron affinity of a number of bromo- and iodohalomethanes has been calculated using the MNDO method. Combining these results with earlier calculations on the fluoro- and chlorohalomethanes, and examining the available experimental evidence, yields the prediction that among the chloro- and fluoromethanes, only CF2Cl2, CHCl3, CFCl3, and CCl4 could be active substrates. Similarly, all bromohalomethanes, with the exception of CH3Br, CH2FBr, and CHF2Br, are predicted to be active substrates, as are all iodohalomethanes, including CH3I.
Oxide Glasses in Light of the “Ideal Glass” Concept: II, Interpretations by Reference to Simeple Ionic Glass Behavior

The conclusions from Part I of this paper, that glasses formed from certain fused salt mixtures and aqueous electrolyte solutions closely approach a thermodynamically ideal state, is the basis for a discussion of various properties of molten oxide mixtures and the glasses that may be formed from them. The relevant properties of the simple ionic liquids are summarized, and the electrical conductance behavior of a halide analog of the silica-alkali oxide systems is analyzed to provide a bridge for relating the nonideal behavior of the complex glasses to the near-ideal behavior of the simple ion systems. Specific cases of silicate and borate glass behavior discussed are the compactibility of high-silica glasses, the transport behavior in the region of the “boron anomaly,” the relation between viscosity and electrical conductance, and certain structural problems concerning the coordination of multivalent cations in melts and glasses. Finally, some points from the development pertaining to glass-crystal relations and the nucleation problem are considered.
A Little Rebellion Now and Then is a Good Thing

What do George Washington and Eldridge Cleaver have in common? Or John Brown and Mahatma Gandhi? The Stern Gang and the Palestine Liberation Organization? Jefferson Davis and Eugene Debs? In Rebels with a Cause: The Minds and Morality of Political Offenders, Nicholas Kittriel says they are all political offenders men and women who, "professing loyalty to a divine or higher law, to the call of individual conscience, or to the imperatives of some perceived public good, have challenged the legitimacy and authority of the institutions of their governments" (p. 6). Kittrie sets out to study the whole lot: "Civil disobedients. Conscientious objectors. Dissidents. Fanatics. Freedom fighters. Fundamentalists. Militants. Political prisoners. Pseudopoliticals. Rebels. Regicides. Resisters. Revolutionaries. Terrorists" (p. xv). In addition to surveying the entire range of political offenders, Kittrie sets out to answer a set of related questions about the appropriate role of dissent, both domestically and internationally. How can one distinguish worthy dissenters from unworthy terrorists and criminals? When is dissent legitimate? How should governments treat their own political dissenters? How should nations respond when other countries abuse political rebels? What principles should guide asylum and extradition decisions? When are host nations liable for having given safe harbor to international political offenders? If Kittrie's goals sound overly ambitious, they are. As a result, his book ends up giving mostly superficial attention to issues that require sustained analysis. This Review will examine Kittrie's analysis from two perspectives. First, I will discuss what he has to say about rebels in
Late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance predicts clinical worsening in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) occurs at the right ventricular (RV) insertion point (RVIP) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and has been shown to correlate with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived RV indices. However, the prognostic role of RVIP-LGE and other CMR-derived parameters of RV function are not well established. Our aim was to evaluate the predictive value of contrast-enhanced CMR in patients with PH. RV size, ejection fraction (RVEF), and the presence of RVIP-LGE were determined in 58 patients with PH referred for CMR. All patients underwent right heart catheterization, exercise testing, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) evaluation; results of which were included in the final analysis if performed within 4 months of the CMR study. Patients were followed for the primary endpoint of time to clinical worsening (death, decompensated right ventricular heart failure, initiation of prostacyclin, or lung transplantation). Overall, 40/58 (69%) of patients had RVIP-LGE. Patients with RVIP- LGE had larger right ventricular volume index, lower RVEF, and higher mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), all p < 0.05. During the follow-up period of 10.2 ± 6.3 months, 19 patients reached the primary endpoint. In a univariate analysis, RVIP-LGE was a predictor for adverse outcomes (p = 0.026). In a multivariate analysis, CMR-derived RVEF was an independent predictor of clinical worsening (p = 0.036) along with well-established prognostic parameters such as exercise capacity (p = 0.010) and mPAP (p = 0.001). The presence of RVIP-LGE in patients with PH is a marker for more advanced disease and poor prognosis. In addition, this study reveals for the first time that CMR-derived RVEF is an independent non-invasive imaging predictor of adverse outcomes in this patient population.
Speech enhancement of color noise using empirical mode decomposition

This paper introduces a new speech enhancement algorithm, which is efficient for color noises such as pink and babble noises. The algorithm applies the minimum variance estimator (MVE) into each intrinsic mode function (IMF) obtained by the empirical mode decomposition (EMD). Typical signal subspace approaches to speech enhancement assume the corrupting noise is white, thereby making a pre-whitening step mandatory when faced with various color noises. The algorithm presented in this paper is applicable into color noises, such as pink and babble noises, without the need to apply the whitening process. This is a result of the noises' variances in each IMF signal showing smaller fluctuations than without the application of the EMD. Experimental data demonstrates the effectiveness of the algorithm to combat color noises.
Attention, Attitude, and Behavior Second-Level Agenda-Setting Effects as a Mediator of Media Use and Political Participation

Based on news content analysis and survey data from the 2004 presidential election, this study examines the theoretical link between second-level agenda setting and various types of political participation beyond mere voting. Using the hierarchy-of-effects model, this study tested the sequence of C(cognitive)-A(affective)-B(behavior): News attention to presidential candidates creates second-level agenda-setting effects among the public (C); in turn, agenda-setting effects trigger strong attitudes toward candidates (A); and finally, strong attitudes lead to various types of political participation (B). Every direct effect in the structural model was significant. Indirect and total effects of agenda setting for political participation were all found to be significant. As hypothesized, agenda-setting effects operated as a mediator between media use and political participation.
The Histone Variant Macro-H2A Preferentially Forms “Hybrid Nucleosomes”

The histone domain of macro-H2A, which constitutes the N-terminal one third of this histone variant, is only 64% identical to major H2A. We have shown previously that the main structural differences in a nucleosome in which both H2A moieties have been replaced by macro-H2A reside in the only point of contact between the two histone dimers, the L1-L1 interface of macro-H2A. Here we show that the L1 loop of macro-H2A is responsible for the increased salt-dependent stability of the histone octamer, with implications for the nucleosome assembly pathway. It is unknown whether only one or both of the H2A-H2B dimers within a nucleosome are replaced with H2A variant containing nucleosomes in vivo. We demonstrate that macro-H2A preferentially forms hybrid nucleosomes containing one chain each of major H2A and macro-HA in vitro. The 2.9-A crystal structure of such a hybrid nucleosome shows significant structural differences in the L1-L1 interface when comparing with homotypic major H2A- and macro-H2A-containing nucleosomes. Both homotypic and hybrid macro-nucleosome core particles (NCPs) are resistant to chaperone-assisted H2A-H2B dimer exchange. Together, our findings suggest that the histone domain of macro-H2A modifies the dynamic properties of the nucleosome. We propose that the possibility of forming hybrid macro-NCP adds yet another level of complexity to variant nucleosome structure and function.
A Review of Phosphorus- Containing Flame Retardants:

The flame retardant mechanism described for phosphorus- containing flame retardants includes both a condensed and a vapor phase mechanism depending on the type of phosphorus compound and the polymer. Intumescence is also described. Chemical structures of the flame retardant are shown. Specific applications for red phosphorus, organophosphates, chlorophos- phates and bromophosphates are described. The use of triarylphosphates in PVC, modified polyphenylene oxide, and polycarbonate/ABS is described. The chlorophosphates are used in polyurethanes and the bromophosphates in en- gineering thermoplastics. Flammability and mechanical properties are given for specific polymers.
A bottom-up algorithm for state-space size estimation of Petri nets

A bottom-up state-space size estimation algorithm for Petri nets (PNs) is described. The algorithm permits fairly arbitrary subnets and interconnections. State counting (SC) functions are associated with subnets and manipulated by the interconnections. As illustrated by a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) example, if no approximations of the subnets are needed, the state-space size estimation is exact. Other benefits include simple tabular representation of SC functions, and the ability to interject hand-computed results. While all conceivable PNs cannot be handled by any bottom-up method, the interconnection can be extended to permit analysis on a larger class of systems. >
Boethius's Consolatio Philosophiae as a Sequel to Augustine's Dialogues and Soliloquia

Boissier long ago remarked that Augustine's Dialogues (that is, the Contra Academicos, De Beata Vita and De Ordine) reminded him in a way of Boethius's Consolatio Philosophiae. He was dealing with the vexed question of Boethius's Christianity. It seemed to him that Boethius in dealing purely philosophically in the Consolatio with problems lying more or less within the domain of theology had done nothing more than Augustine had done at Cassiciacum and that he was probably following Augustine's example. This meant that Boethius was just as much a Christian and probably the same sort of Christian as the young Augustine. Boissier did not carry his analysis of the resemblance between the two any farther.
Trusted sensors and remote sensing

Remote trusted operation is essential for many types of sensors in an even greater number of applications. It is often crucial to secure guarantees that a particular sensor sample is taken by a specific sensor at a particular time and stated location. We present the first generic system architecture and security protocol that provides low cost, low power, and low latency trusted remote sensing. The approach employs already known randomized challenges and public physically unclonable function with a new concept of interleaved operational and security circuitry.
A biopolymer‐based pesticide delivery system for insect suppression in stored grains

Degradation of grain quality during storage is mainly caused by insects and microorganisms. To protect against insects, prevailing practices usually require the application of pesticides and fumigants directly to the stored grain; long-term storage can involve repeated applications. Direct application results in accumulation of chemical residues on the grain, especially from pesticides. A simple delivery system, in which the pesticide (chlorpyrifosmethyl) is incorporated in a biopolymer (xanthan gum), has been formulated with the objective of reducing these residues while increasing the period of effectiveness of a single application. The biopolymer-based formulation was compared to a conventional formulation on the basis of bioassay tests and residue analysis. The biopolymer-pesticide formulation was effective over a longer period of time and produced significantly smaller residues than the conventional emulsifiable concentrate formulation.
Opportunity costs, industry dynamics, and corporate diversification: Evidence from the cardiovascular medical device industry, 1976–2004

This paper examines how demand conditions across alternative markets impact diversification decisions and firm performance by influencing the opportunity costs of deploying non-scale free capabilities. Using data within the cardiovascular medical device industry, this study shows that: (1) firms with a larger stock of pre-entry innovation experience are more likely to diversify; (2) firms in a current market with greater relative demand maturity are more likely to diversify; (3) diversification is associated with a performance decrease in the current market; and (4) diversification is associated with a performance increase at the corporate level. These findings shed new light on the self-selection process of corporate scope, the conceptualization of firm capabilities, and the connection between industry dynamics and resource deployment.
Synthesis and characterization of novel PDMS nanocomposites using POSS derivatives as cross‐linking filler

We report the synthesis and characterization of novel elastomeric nanocomposites containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) as both the cross-linker and filler within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer matrix. These polymer composites were prepared through the reaction of octasilane-POSS (OS-POSS) with vinyl-terminated PDMS chains using hydrosilylation chemistry. In addition, larger super-POSS cross-linkers, consisting of two pendant hepta(isobutyl)POSS molecules attached to a central octasilane-POSS core, were also used in the fabrication of the PDMS composites. The chemical incorporation of these POSS cross-linkers into the PDMS network was verified by solid-state 1 H magic angle spinning NMR. Based on dynamic mechanical analysis, the PDMS nanocomposites prepared with the octafunctional OS-POSS cross-linker exhibited enhanced mechanical properties relative to polymer systems prepared with the tetrafunctional TDSS cross-linker at equivalent loading levels. The observed improvements in mechanical properties can be attributed to the increased dimensionality of the POSS cross-linker. The PDMS elastomers synthesized from the larger super-POSS molecule showed improved mechanical properties relative to both the TDSS and OS-POSS composites due to the increased volume-fraction of POSS filler in the polymer matrix.
Ommatidia in the developing Drosophila eye require and can respond to sevenless for only a restricted period

The sevenless gene encodes a putative cell surface receptor that is expressed in a highly specific and complex pattern in the developing Drosophila eye. We show here that this pattern is not required for the development of either the R7 cell or any other cell in the retina. By transiently expressing sevenless protein, we show that there is only a brief period during eye development when the sevenless protein is required for the formation of the R7 photoreceptor. Our results indicate that the specificity of the cell-cell signaling mediated by the sevenless protein is not achieved by regulating the distribution of the sevenless protein, but rather must reside in some combination of the temporal and spatial distributions of the sevenless ligand or other components of the sevenless signaling pathway.
Analytical description of a Fabry-Perot spectrometer. 9: Optimum operation with a spherical etalon

The parameters necessary for equidistant equal-time optimum operation of a Fabry-Perot spectrometer with a spherical etalon have been determined. For least uncertainty determinations of winds (temperatures) the etalon normalized width a+ is 0.072 (0.035); the normalized source width dg+ is 0.16 (0.11), and the normalized etalon aperture f+ is 0.14 (0.065). The corresponding reflectivity and finesse are 0.80 (0.89) and 14.0 (28.6), respectively. From these results, a gain factor for a spherical etalon spectrometer, relative to a plane etalon spectrometer, has been found to be G ≃ 4.75ds2D−2, where ds is the gap of the spherical etalon, and D is the diameter of the plane etalon. Thus a spherical etalon spectrometer with a gap ≥6.87 cm is a more powerful spectrometer than a plane etalon device with a 15-cm diam aperture.
Patterning of superhydrophobic paper to control the mobility of micro-liter drops for two-dimensional lab-on-paper applications

Superhydrophobic paper substrates were patterned with high surface energy black ink using commercially available desktop printing technology. The shape and size of the ink islands were designed to control the adhesion forces on water drops in two directions, parallel (‘drag-adhesion’) and perpendicular (‘extensional-adhesion’) to the substrate. Experimental data on the adhesion forces shows good agreement with classical models for ‘drag’ (Furmidge equation) and ‘extensional’ adhesion (modified Dupre equation). The tunability of the two adhesion forces was used to implement four basic unit operations for the manipulation of liquid drops on the paper substrates: storage, transfer, mixing and sampling. By combining these basic functionalities it is possible to design simple two-dimensional lab-on-paper (LOP) devices. In our 2D LOP prototype, liquid droplets adhere to the porous substrate, rather than absorbing into the paper; as a result, liquid droplets remain accessible for further quantitative testing and analysis, after performing simple qualitative on-chip testing. In addition, the use of commercially available desktop printers and word processing software to generate ink patterns enable end users to design LOP devices for specific applications.
Dyadic Affective Flexibility and Emotional Inertia in Relation to Youth Psychopathology: An Integrated Model at Two Timescales

The current review examines characteristics of temporal affective functioning at both the individual and dyadic level. Specifically, the review examines the following three research questions: (1) How are dyadic affective flexibility and emotional inertia operationalized, and are they related to youth psychopathology? (2) How are dyadic affective flexibility and emotional inertia related, and does this relation occur at micro- and meso-timescales? and (3) How do these constructs combine to predict clinical outcomes? Using the Flex3 model of socioemotional flexibility as a frame, the current study proposes that dyadic affective flexibility and emotional inertia are bidirectionally related at micro- and meso-timescales, which yields psychopathological symptoms for youth. Specific future directions for examining individual, dyadic, and cultural characteristics that may influence relations between these constructs and psychopathology are also discussed.
Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

In the intensive care unit, vigilance is needed to manage nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. A focused history and physical examination must be completed to identify inciting factors and the need for hemodynamic stabilization. Although not universally used, risk stratification tools such as the Blatchford and Rockall scores can facilitate triage and management. Urgent evaluation for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeds requires prompt respiratory assessment, and identification of hemodynamic instability with fluid resuscitation and blood transfusions if necessary. Future studies are needed to evaluate the indication, safety, and efficacy of emerging endoscopic techniques.
Dreptul la Informare în Contextul Protecţiei Datelor Personale (The Right to Be Informed in the Context of Data Protection)

The protection of personal data would lack efficiency if the person concerned by the data processing would not be aware of the existence of the processing, its context and the particular personal data which are collected, the ways in which they are used, and who else is having access to them. Practically, the existence of all the other rights accorded directly to the person or the subsequent rights, which can be drawn from the systemic interpretation of the law, depends on knowing about the existence of the data processing and all the details related to it, from the identity of the controller to the third parties who have access to the data. These are the reasons for which one of the data protection principles is the possibility of the concerned person to participate to the data processing by natural or legal persons, and also to influence the process itself (the participation and control principle). This principle is transposed in legislation also by the enforcement of the right to information of the concerned person with regard to the details of the data processing.The right to information is included in the firs laws which regulated data protection in Europe, starting with the "Bundesdatenschutzgesetz" - the German Federal Law enforced in 1977, the "Loi relatif a l’informatique, aux fichiers et aux libertes" - enforced in France in 1978, the "Data Protection Act," adopted in 1984 by the British Parliament, and ending with the "Wet Persoonsregistraties," enforced in the Netherlands in 1989. The right is subsequently enshrined in the Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46) and, thus, it was transposed in Law No. 677/2001 of the protection of the person with regard to data processing.This paper begins with a short chronological presentation of the regulation of the right to be informed. It will further analyze the manner in which the right was transposed in the Romanian legal system, underlying the content of the right, the conditions in which it can be exercised, the correlative obligation of the controller and the judicial and administrative means for its enforcement.
Observation on Flowering Habit of Good Quality Male Sterile Line "IR58025A"

Flowering habit and flowering dynamics were observed and compared between "IR58025A" and "IR34686R".
Developing a Geodynamics Simulator with PETSc

Most high-performance simulation codes are not written from scratch but begin as desktop experiments and are subsequently migrated to a scalable, parallel paradigm. This transition can be painful, however, because the restructuring required in conversion forces most authors to abandon their serial code and begin an entirely new parallel code. Starting a parallel code from scratch has many disadvantages, such as the loss of the original test suite and the introduction of new bugs. We present a disciplined, incremental approach to parallelization of existing scientific code using the PETSc framework. In addition to the parallelization, it allows the addition of more physics (in this case strong nonlinearities) without the user having to program anything beyond the new pieces of discretization code. Our approach permits users to easily develop and experiment on the desktop with the same code that scales efficiently to large clusters with excellent parallel performance. As a motivating example, we present work integrating PETSc into an existing plate tectonic subduction code.
Effects of Dietary Acetate and Propionate on Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Characteristics, and Performance by Steers Fed Diets Containing All-Concentrate or 20% Roughage1

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary volatile fatty acids (VFA) on nutrient digestibility, ruminal characteristics, and growth performance by finishing steers. Diets were based on sorghum grain in Exp. 1 and 2, and corn in Exp. 3 and 4. Experiment 1 was a digestibility study with eight steers used in two 4 x 4 latin square arrangements of steers and diets. Diets in the first square were all-concentrate (C) with 1 or 2% acetate (A) or 2% propionate (P), and diets in the second square were 20% rice straw (RS) with 1 or 2% A or 2% P. In Exp. 2, steers (four per treatment) were individually fed C or RS basal diets with 1.72% A or 5.00% P added to the C diet, and 1.14% A or 3.33% P added to the RS diet based on expected intake. In Exp. 3 and 4, C diets were diluted with 1.65 or 0.55% A, respectively. These diets were further diluted with 20% rice hulls (RH) in Exp. 3, and 20% RH and 20% RS in Exp. 4. The C diet was also diluted with 20% RS in Exp. 3 and considered a positive control. Adding A, P, or RS to C diet based on sorghum grain had no effect (P>0.10) on energy digestibility or N retention. In Exp. 2, P reduced (P
Hyperfine Studies by use of Polarized Reactions

A new method for studying hyperfine interactions has been developed in which polarized nuclei are produced from nuclear reactions initiated with fast polarized beams of protons and deuterons. We have demonstrated that in these reactions the net polarization transferred to all residual nuclei is large enough to make possible quantitative studies of nuclear polarization and moments.
The ARtS Community without Community: Imagining Aesthetic Curriculum for Active Citizenship

This article is about teaching art-based inquiry and equity pedagogy. The author introduces an aesthetic-inspired afterschool curriculum in the urban context in the United States and theorizes the meaning of active citizenship and community. Conceptually framed by “community without community,” this article explicates the ways in which the ARtS children (Aesthetic, Reflexive thoughts, & Sharing) investigated the meanings of community through dance, poetry, and clay art. The author imagines and theorizes community that goes beyond emphasizing solidarity and a collective “we”-ness in the pursuit of social transformation. Rather, the author argues that “community without community” could be an important framework to revisit children’s exploration of community, self-other, and active citizenship. The ARtS initiative opens up the possibility of valuing diverse epistemologies and calls for releasing the imagination for a different community. Most notably, the notion of community without community leaves open th...
Perfusion Imaging with Arterial Spin Labeling MRI

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a magnetic resonance imaging method that can provide noninvasive measures of brain perfusion. This article provides an overview of the ASL method and discusses its application to the measure of resting-state brain perfusion and the characterization of functional changes in perfusion.
Degradation of Platelet-von Willebrand Factor Complexes by Plasmin An Alternative/Backup Mechanism to ADAMTS13

ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I repeats-13) is a plasma protease that cleaves von Willebrand factor (VWF) and regulates its thrombogenicity. VWF is a multimeric glycoprotein that plays a key role in hemostasis and thrombosis by stabilizing factor VIII and initiating platelet adhesion and aggregation at sites of vascular injury.1 VWF is stored as ultralarge VWF (ULVWF) multimers in platelet α granules and endothelial storage granules called Weibel-Palade bodies.2 ULVWF multimers, which are considered to be prothrombotic, are not normally present in the plasma of healthy humans but are released into the circulation from Weibel-Palade bodies on endothelial cell activation or injury. During the process of secretion, ULVWF multimers remain transiently bound to the endothelial surface, in which they are cleaved by ADAMTS13 into smaller and less thrombotic VWF multimers that support normal hemostasis.3 The essential role of VWF in hemostasis is evidenced clinically in patients with von Willebrand disease, a bleeding disorder caused by a lack of functional VWF.4 Conversely, deficiency of ADAMTS13 increases plasma levels of prothrombotic ULVWF multimers and causes increased susceptibility to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a disorder of thrombotic microangiopathy.5 Interestingly, episodes of TTP occur sporadically in patients with hereditary ADAMTS13 deficiency,6 suggesting the existence of other modifying factors that trigger attack of microvascular thrombosis.7 Moreover, patients with acquired (autoantibody-mediated) ADAMTS13 deficiency can achieve remission of TTP despite the persistence of severe depletion of ADAMTS13,8 …
Chemotherapy with Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Alone Versus Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Plus Granulocyte-Macrophage Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) for Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Mobilization in Patients with Relapsed Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHLs).

Abstract Both G-CSF and GM-CSF (alone or in combination) may be used for mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). It has been suggested that GM-CSF use during mobilization may impact graft composition and therefore clinical outcomes. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated patients ≤ 70 years old with relapsed CD20+ NHL who were candidates for ASCT. Additional eligibility criteria included adequate marrow and organ function. Patients with history of pelvic radiation, > 3 prior chemoregimens or > 6 cycles of fludarabine chemotherapy were excluded. Patients recieved chemotherapy with ifosfamide 3.33 g/m2 daily × 3 days, etoposide 150 mg/m2 × 6 doses and rituximab (375 mg/m2 on day 1 and 1 g/m2 on day 8). Using a Bayesian adaptive randomization based on treatment outcomes, patient's were randomized to receive G-CSF 12 μg/kg/d (Group G) or G-CSF 12 μg/kg/d plus GM-CSF 500 μg/d (Group G/GM). We assumed that the success rate for each treatment arm had a β prior distribution with mean 0.90 and variance 0.03. Cytokines started 24 hours after completion of chemotherapy and continued until completion of apheresis. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were randomized to Group G and 41 patients to Group G/GM. In each arm 1 patient withdrew consent after randomization. Baseline characteristics were similar in the 2 groups (Table 1). Both regimens were equally well tolerated. Data are presented as intent to treat analysis. Thirty-nine patients (90.7%) in Group G and 35 patients (85.4%) in Group G/GM collected ≥ 4 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg. The probability that Group G has a higher success rate than Group G/GM is 0.778. The median CD34+ cell dose collected was 10.3 × 106/kg (range, 0.1–59) and 7.5 × 106/kg (range, 0.7–73) in Groups G and G/GM respectively (P=NS). A median of 2 apheresis procedures were required in both arms. Seventy-three patients have undergone ASCT. After a median follow up time of 14.5 months (range, 0.6–38.5) in Group G and 14.0 months (range, 1.1–39.9) in Group G/GM, the 3 year PFS is 75% (95% CI 57.9–99.4) and 77% (95% CI 65–91.5) respectively (P=0.41). CONCLUSION: Our study does not support the hypothesis that using G-CSF plus GM-CSF versus G-CSF alone for progenitor cell mobilization alters graft composition in a way that impacts clinical outcomes after ASCT for NHLs. Baseline Patient Characteristics G-CSF, N (%) G-CSF + GM-CSF, N (%) 43 (51) 41 (49) AGE 4 (9.3) 3 (7.3) 40–59 29 (57.4) 26 (63.5) >59 10 (23.2) 12 (29.3) GENDER (Male/Female) 29/14 (67.4/32.6) 24/17 (58.5/41.5) HISTOLOGY Low grade 4 (9.3) 7 (17.1) Intermediate grade 39 (90.7) 34 (82.9) ANN ARBOR STAGE >I 18 (41.9) 18 (43.9) LDH>Normal* 15 (34.9) 11 (27.5) *Missing data 1 patient Download : Download high-res image (65KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Effect of Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia on Ventricular Excitability in a Porcine Model

Background Imbalances in the autonomic nervous system, namely, excessive sympathoexcitation, contribute to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. While thoracic epidural anesthesia clinically suppresses ventricular tachyarrhythmias, its effects on global and regional ventricular electrophysiology and electrical wave stability have not been fully characterized. The authors hypothesized that thoracic epidural anesthesia attenuates myocardial excitability and the proarrhythmic effects of sympathetic hyperactivity. Methods Yorkshire pigs (n = 15) had an epidural catheter inserted (T1 to T4) and a 56-electrode sock placed on the heart. Myocardial excitability was measured by activation recovery interval, dispersion of repolarization, and action potential duration restitution at baseline and during programed ventricular extrastimulation or left stellate ganglion stimulation, before and 30 min after thoracic epidural anesthesia (0.25% bupivacaine). Results After thoracic epidural anesthesia infusion, there was no change in baseline activation recovery interval or dispersion of repolarization. During programmed ventricular extrastimulation, thoracic epidural anesthesia decreased the maximum slope of ventricular electrical restitution (0.70 ± 0.24 vs. 0.89 ± 0.24; P = 0.021) reflecting improved electrical wave stability. Thoracic epidural anesthesia also reduced myocardial excitability during left stellate ganglion stimulation-induced sympathoexcitation through attenuated shortening of activation recovery interval (-7 ± 4% vs. -4 ± 3%; P = 0.001), suppression of the increase in dispersion of repolarization (313 ± 293% vs. 185 ± 234%; P = 0.029), and reduction in sympathovagal imbalance as measured by heart rate variability. Conclusions Our study describes the electrophysiologic mechanisms underlying antiarrhythmic effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia during sympathetic hyperactivity. Thoracic epidural anesthesia attenuates ventricular myocardial excitability and induces electrical wave stability through its effects on activation recovery interval, dispersion of repolarization, and the action potential duration restitution slope.