cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of blob objects in microscopic zebrafish images based on gradient vector diffusion

The zebrafish has become an important vertebrate animal model for the study of developmental biology, functional genomics, and disease mechanisms. It is also being used for drug discovery. Computerized detection of blob objects has been one of the important tasks in quantitative phenotyping of zebrafish. We present a new automated method that is able to detect blob objects, such as nuclei or cells in microscopic zebrafish images. This method is composed of three key steps. The first step is to produce a diffused gradient vector field by a physical elastic deformable model. In the second step, the flux image is computed on the diffused gradient vector field. The third step performs thresholding and nonmaximum suppression based on the flux image. We report the validation and experimental results of this method using zebrafish image datasets from three independent research labs. Both sensitivity and specificity of this method are over 90%. This method is able to differentiate closely juxtaposed or connected blob objects, with high sensitivity and specificity in different situations. It is characterized by a good, consistent performance in blob object detection.
Baited Lines: An Active Nondestructive Collection Method for Burrowing Crayfish

A new method (baited lines) is described for the collection of burrowing crayfishes, where fishing hooks baited with earthworms and tied to monofilament leaders are used to lure crayfishes from their burrow entrances. We estimated capture rates using baited lines at four locations across West Virginia for a total of four crayfish taxa; the taxa studied were orange, blue, and blue/orange morphs of Cambarus dubius (Upland Burrowing Catfish), and C. thomai (Little Brown Mudbug). Baited-line capture rates were lowest for C. thomai (81%; n = 21 attempts) and highest for the orange morph of C. dubius (99%; n = 13 attempts). The pooled capture rate across all taxa was 91.5% (n = 50 attempts). Baited lines represent an environmentally nondestructive method to capture burrowing crayfishes without harm to individuals, and without disturbing burrows or the surrounding area. This novel method allows for repeat captures and long-term studies, providing a useful sampling method for ecological studies of burrowing crayfishes.
AIs: implications for fractures in perimenopausal women with breast cancer.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) prevent the conversion of adrenal androgens into estrogens by the enzyme aromatase and thus impede the majority of estrogen production in peri- and postmenopausal women. By lowering estrogen levels, AIs inhibit tumor progression. Unlike other hormonal therapies, AIs produce no clinically relevant suppression of cortisol or aldosterone. Additionally, several large randomized trials comparing AIs with tamoxifen as first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer have demonstrated similar or slightly superior clinical efficacy. Because of these attributes, AIs have become a widely popular breast cancer treatment in postmenopausal women. Recent instances of increased fracture risk have been reported among perimenopausal women using AI treatment. The use of AIs in perimenopausal women can decrease estrogen levels by approximately 90%, leading to the onset of premature menopause, increased bone turnover, and accelerated bone loss.1 The effects of AI-induced estrogen loss are less severe among pre- and postmenopausal women. Because estrogen is vital for maintaining bone health, perimenopausal women with breast cancer, like their menopausal counterparts, have demonstrated an increased risk of fractures while using AIs. In this article, investigators affiliated with RADAR (Research on Adverse Drug events And Reports), an established pharmacovigilance program, reviewed clinical trial reports and one observational study to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of AI-associated fractures in menopausal women with breast cancer.
Attenuation corrected myocardial perfusion SPECT provides powerful risk stratification in patients with coronary artery disease.

An increasing number of nuclear cardiology labo-ratories, including ours, image all of their myocardialperfusion SPECT patients using attenuation correction(AC). When compared to non-AC, AC studies generateimages with increased linearity between tracer uptakeand reconstructed counts yielding increased perfusiondefect contrast.
Synthetic Carbohydrate Antigens for HIV Vaccine Design

The heavy glycosylation of HIV envelope constitutes a strong defense mechanism for the virus to evade host immune response, which accounts for a major barrier for HIV vaccine development. Nevertheless, the identification of a number of glycan-dependent broadly HIV-neutralizing antibodies from HIV-infected individuals, including 2G12, PG9, PG16, PGT121–123, PGT125–128, and PGT135, strongly suggests that the defensive viral ‘glycan shield’ can be important targets of vaccines. The novel glycan recognition mode exhibited by these antibodies provides new templates for immunogen design. This review highlights recent work on the characterization of the glycan-dependent epitopes of these neutralizing antibodies and recent advances in the synthesis of the relevant carbohydrate antigens for HIV vaccine design.
An old tool with potential new uses: return on investment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine potential new uses of return on investment (ROI) in alternative methods for library assessment and valuation.Design/methodology/approach – Uses examples of recent uses of ROI by libraries to identify potential new applications of ROI in library assessment and valuation.Findings – ROI investment has historically been used by libraries for the assessment of past performance of library organizations in a reactive/defensive nature or for assessing the value of customer services. ROI has not been widely used as a proactive assessment tool, to introspectively assess administrative or other internal services, or as an offensive assessment and valuation tool, especially for intangible performance assessment and valuation.Originality/value – New applications of the ROI assessment tool could provide library administrators with proactive means of increasing the effectiveness of library assessment, valuation, and their results.
George Washington, Presidential Term Limits, and the Problem of Reluctant Political Leadership

The widespread view of the relationship between George Washington and the American cus tom of limited presidential service is misconceived. Conventional popular and scholarly accounts of the "two-term tradition ' confuse both Washington 's position on presidential term limits and the his torical contours of this custom. The American convention limiting the number of terms a president could serve emerged less from Washington's views about political service than from deep-seated anxi eties about centralized governing power (and specifically executive power). These concerns, along with an enduring American ambivalence about public service (reflected in Washington's retire ment), continue to shape the character of both our political life and public discourse. Every tradition grows ever more venerable?the more remote is its origin, the more confused that origin is. The reverence due to it increases from generation to generation. The tradition finally becomes holy and inspires awe.
Crack velocity-dependent dynamic tensile behavior of concrete

Abstract Experiments have consistently shown that the tensile strength of concrete increases with increasing strain rate. The reasons for this phenomenon are not yet well understood and several hypotheses have been proposed in the past to explain it. This study offers additional insight through the application of dynamic fracture mechanics. The relationship between crack velocity and strain rate of concrete is first investigated using a cohesive zone model and fitted to available experimental data. The obtained relationship is then implemented into two different versions of crack-speed dependent dynamic fracture models. Both models show that computed strength versus strain rate responses compare favorably to well-established test data, suggesting that strain rate sensitivity is strongly associated with the characteristics of dynamic crack growth and inertial effects at the boundaries of the crack. A constitutive modeling scheme that incorporates the obtained dynamic fracture models into a meso-mechanical model is also proposed to predict stress–strain behavior of concrete under dynamic tensile loading. Comparisons between model predictions and published experimental data are provided to show the accuracy of the proposed framework.
Commentary---Reexamining Bayesian Model-Comparison Evidence of Cross-Brand Pass-Through

Using the Bayes factor estimated by harmonic mean [Newton, M. A., A. E. Raftery. 1994. Approximate Bayesian inference by the weighted likelihood bootstrap. J. Roy. Statist. Soc. Ser. B.56(1) 3--48] to compare models with and without cross-brand pass-through, Dube and Gupta [Dube, J.-P., S. Gupta. 2008. Cross-brand pass-through in supermarket pricing. Marketing Sci.27(3) 324--333] found that, in the refrigerated orange juice category, a model with cross-brand pass-through was selected 68% of the time. However, Lenk [Lenk, P. J. 2009. Simulation pseudo-bias correction to the harmonic mean estimator of integrated likelihoods. J. Comput. Graph. Statist.18(1) 941--960] has demonstrated that the infinite variance harmonic mean estimator often exhibits simulation pseudo-bias in favor of more complex models. We replicate the results of Dube and Gupta in the refrigerated orange juice category and then show that any of three more stable finite variance estimators select the model with cross-brand pass-through less than 1% of the time. Relaxing the assumption that model errors are distributed normally eliminates all instances in which the cross-brand pass-through model is selected. In 10 additional categories, the harmonic-mean-estimated Bayes factor selects the model with cross-brand pass-through 69% of the time, whereas a finite variance estimator of the Bayes factor selects the model with cross-brand pass-through only 5% of the time. Applying arguments in McAlister [McAlister, L. 2007. Cross-brand pass-through: Fact or artifact? Marketing Sci.26(6) 876--898], these 5% of cases can be attributed to capitalization on chance. We conclude that Dube and Gupta should not be interpreted as providing evidence of cross-brand pass-through.
Iterative computation of currents in frequency-selective surfaces of finite size

Currents induced across a 20 × 5 dipole frequency selective surface have been computed using the iterative contrast source truncation technique. The results show the same nonuniform current distribution found earlier by the application of Pocklington's equation, particularly at frequencies near the surface reflection band. Edge effects extend to the centre of a 40 × 5 array.
Cullin3 Is a KLHL10-Interacting Protein Preferentially Expressed During Late Spermiogenesis

Kelch-like 10 (KLHL10) is a member of the BTB (Bric-a-brac, Tramtrack, and Broad-Complex)-kelch protein superfamily essential for spermiogenesis and male fertility. In a search for KLHL10-interacting proteins using a yeast two-hybrid assay, we identified Cullin3 (CUL3) as one of multiple KLHL10-interacting partners. Yeast cotransformation assays revealed that CUL3 bound the BTB/POZ domain of KLHL10. Northern blot and quantitative RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that Cul3 mRNA was preferentially expressed in the testis. In situ hybridization analysis localized Cul3 mRNA to spermatids in the adult testis. CUL3 protein was detected in elongating and elongated spermatids (steps 10-16) by immunofluorescent microscopy. The expression pattern of CUL3 resembles KLHL10. CUL3 was coimmunoprecipated with KLHL10, and KLHL10 was also detected in the CUL3 immunoprecipitants using testis lysates. These findings suggest that KLHL10, like other BTB/kelch proteins, interacts with CUL3 to form a CUL3-based ubiquitin E3 ligase that functions specifically in the testis to mediate protein ubiquitination during spermiogenesis.
Urological cancer: Is docetaxel the 'black widow' of mCRPC drugs?

In the recent MAINSAIL trial, addition of lenalidomide to docetaxel for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) was associated with inferior overall survival and more toxicity; thus, lenalidomide joins a long line of agents that failed to improve the efficacy of docetaxel. The process by which new therapies are advanced to phase III studies, particularly in combination with docetaxel, should be re-examined.
Electrical and optical properties of amorphous As2Te3 films

Abstract We have studied the resistivity, optical absorption and photoconductivity of amorphous As 2 Te 3 films prepared by e-beam evaporation of bulk material on substrates cooled to 77°K. Film thickness were typically several thousand angstroms, and chemical analysis indicated that the films were approximately stoichiometric. The films were stable up to about 450°K above which temperature they tended to devitrify. The resistivity between 200 and 400°K showed an exponential dependence of the resistivity on inverse temperature with an activation energy of 0.4 eV suggesting a “conductivity gap” of 0.8 eV. Optical absorption constants were determined for values of α between 10 4 and 2 × 10 5 cm −1 in the energy range from 1.0 to 1.6 eV. Photoconductivity measurements yielded an upper limit of 5 × 10 −8 sec for the recombination time and a lower limit of 0.3 cm 2 /V sec for the mobility of photocarriers.
Effect of trotting speed, load and incline on hindlimb stance‐phase kinematics

Summary The objective was to understand how the stance-phase kinematics of the hindlimb of trotting horses change with speed under 3 conditions (level, loaded and incline), to compare our results with the predictions of the spring-mass model and to help focus our future studies of muscle function. Video recordings were made of 5 Arabian horses trotting on a treadmill. Five consecutive strides were digitised and averaged for each trial. The angle-time diagrams were qualitatively similar to those reported previously. As speed increases, the range of motion of the hindlimb increases, as predicted by the spring-mass model. This is the result of increased range of motion in the coxofemoral and tarsal joints. The hindlimb does not ‘land short - take off long’. When trotting up an incline, the hindlimb undergoes a greater range of motion because of increased retraction resulting from increased extension of the coxofemoral joint. At hoof contact on an incline, the 3 proximal joints are more flexed than on the level. Carrying a load had no effect on kinematics. These results suggest that there may be larger changes in strain with speed in muscles acting at the coxofemoral and tarsal joints than at the femorotibial joint, and that locomotion up an incline will change muscle strain more than carrying a load.
Sensitivity of 5- and 7-month-old infants to pictorial depth information

Abstract An Ames (1951, Psychological Monographs, 65(1, Whole No. 324)) static trapezoidal window, under monocular view, was used to test young infants' responsiveness to pictorial depth. When adults view this display monocularly with the smaller side of the window rotated toward them, they report that the orientation of the display becomes ambiguous: When the head is moved, the window may appear to be in the fronto-parallel plane or either side may appear closer. The 7-month-olds we tested appeared to experience a similar ambiguity; they reached to the near side of the rotated trapezoidal window with significantly less consistency or directedness than infants in a control group tested with a rotated object that lacked pictorial depth information. When 5-month-olds were tested, however, they reached with equal consistency to the closer side of the trapezoidal window and of the control display, apparently uninfluenced by the pictorial depth information available in the trapezoidal window. Thus, sensitivity to the pictorial information for depth that is present in the trapezoidal window appears to develop after the age of 22 weeks.
Use of the Internet by Patients and Their Families to Obtain Genetics-Related Information

Objective To characterize use of the Internet by patients and their families referred to general genetics clinics. Patients and Methods We developed a survey to assess Internet use among patients visiting urban and rural clinics in Colorado and Wyoming. One hundred eighty-nine surveys were distributed to patients and their family members visiting outpatient general genetics clinics in spring 2000. The 8-page anonymous survey instrument asked about use of the Internet to obtain genetics-related information (GRI). All participants were asked whether a physician or health professional had referred them to the Internet for GRI. Subjects who had previously used the Internet to search for GRI were asked to rate whether they considered the GRI they encountered to be accurate, inaccurate, easy to understand, confusing, or trustworthy. Results One hundred fifty-seven surveys (83%) were returned (52% urban; 48% rural). Ninety (60%) of 149 respondents were at the clinic for a new-patient visit, and 59 (40%) were follow-up visits. All respondents were older than 17 years; 141 (91%) of 155 respondents were the patient's parent or guardian. Seventy-three (47%) of 155 respondents had searched the Internet for GRI prior to their clinic visit. The patients and families themselves initiated the majority of such efforts; only 8 (5%) of 148 respondents had been referred to a site on the World Wide Web by a physician. Interestingly, 136 (92%) of 147 respondents indicated that they would be likely to visit a Web site that was recommended by a geneticist. The most compelling reasons for searching the Internet for GRI were to get information in layperson's terms (60/131 [46%]); to get information about treatment (16/131 [12%]); and to get information about genetic research (16/131 [12%]). Among respondents who reported visiting GRI Web sites, 24 (41%) of 58 agreed that information was confusing or difficult to understand, 35 (53%) of 66 agreed that information was accurate and trustworthy, and 44 (77%) of 57 agreed that using the Internet was a positive experience. Conclusion Internet use among patients referred to general genetics clinics and their family members appears to be widespread. Respondents reported that they found some of the information confusing and questioned its accuracy. Referral to Web sites by physicians was reported rarely, although the majority of respondents said they would visit a Web site recommended by a genetics physician. Further studies are needed to establish the accuracy of Internet information and how best to integrate and/or accommodate the data into the genetics clinic.
THE DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC STRUCTURE OF BACTERIAL GENOMES

Bacterial genome sizes, which range from 500 to 10,000 kbp, are within the current scope of operation of large-scale nucleotide sequence determination facilities. To date, 8 complete bacterial genomes have been sequenced, and at least 40 more will be completed in the near future. Such projects give wonderfully detailed information concerning the structure of the organism's genes and the overall organization of the sequenced genomes. It will be very important to put this incredible wealth of detail into a larger biological picture: How does this information apply to the genomes of related genera, related species, or even other individuals from the same species? Recent advances in pulsed-field gel electrophoretic technology have facilitated the construction of complete and accurate physical maps of bacterial chromosomes, and the many maps constructed in the past decade have revealed unexpected and substantial differences in genome size and organization even among closely related bacteria. This review focuses on this recently appreciated plasticity in structure of bacterial genomes, and diversity in genome size, replicon geometry, and chromosome number are discussed at inter- and intraspecies levels.
A rapid three-dimensional High Intensity Focused Ultrasound beam plotting

The goal of this study was to develop a rapid three-dimensional High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) beam plotting system for visualizing the acoustic energy distribution, achieved using a three-dimensional positioning system and data acquisition hardware. Beam plots of a 1.1MHz HIFU transducer were performed to evaluate the capability of the proposed system. A three-dimensional beam plotting was completed in only about 30 minutes and covered a predetermined volume of 5mm × 20mm × 5mm with a spatial resolution of 0.2mm × 0.001mm × 0.2mm. The FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum) dimensions of the ultrasound field on axial and lateral directions were measured at 12.51mm and 1.4mm respectively. The proposed system can not only perform 2-dimensional beam plots but also can aid in the visualization of a three-dimensional ultrasound beam pattern volume within a relatively short scanning time.
Book Review: Brow and Upper Eyelid Surgery: Multispecialty Approach

Babak Azizzadeh, Guy Massry , eds. Brow and Upper Eyelid Surgery: Multispecialty Approach. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1455758449. To introduce the multidisciplinary approach of Brow and Upper Eyelid Surgery , editors Drs Azizzadeh and Massry asked 4 renowned specialists in their respective fields of plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, oculoplastic surgery, and dermatologic surgery to write introductory forewords for this edition of the Clinics book series. Each expert not only condones but also praises the idea of interdisciplinary participation. I was excited to receive this publication; it is the first that I personally have read in our specialty that demonstrates this concept. As stated by Dr Foad Nahai …
EDGE: extraction and analysis of differential gene expression

Summary: EDGE (Extraction of Differential Gene Expression) is an open source, point-and-click software program for the significance analysis of DNA microarray experiments. EDGE can perform both standard and time course differential expression analysis. The functions are based on newly developed statistical theory and methods. This document introduces the EDGE software package. Availability: EDGE is freely available for non-commercial users. EDGE can be downloaded for Windows, Macintosh and Linux/UNIX from http://faculty.washington.edu/jstorey/edge Contact: jtleek@u.washington.edu
B + Compensation in 3T Cardiac Imaging Using Short 2DRF Pulses

The purpose of this study was to determine if tailored 2DRF pulses could be used to compensate for in-plane variations of the transmitted RF field at 3T. Excitation pulse profiles were designed to approximate the reciprocal of the measured RF transmit variation where the variation over the left ventricle was approximated as unidirectional. A simple 2DRF pulse design utilizing three subpulses was used, such that profiles could be quickly and easily adapted to different regions of interest. Results are presented from phantom and in vivo cardiac imaging. Compared with conventional slice-selective excitation, the average flip angle variation over the left ventricle (measured as the standard deviation divided by the mean flip angle) was reduced with P < 0.001 and the average reduction was 41% in cardiac studies at 3T. Magn Reson Med 59:441–446, 2008.
Signal 3 Determines Tolerance versus Full Activation of Naive CD8 T Cells: Dissociating Proliferation and Development of Effector Function

Activation of naive CD8 T cells to undergo clonal expansion and develop effector function requires three signals: (a) Ag, (b) costimulation, and (c) IL-12 or adjuvant. The requirement for the third signal to stimulate Ag-dependent proliferation is variable, making the greatest contribution when Ag levels are low. At high Ag levels, extensive proliferation can occur in vitro or in vivo in the absence of a third signal. However, despite having undergone the same number of divisions, cells that expand in the absence of a third signal fail to develop cytolytic effector function. Thus, proliferation and development of cytolytic function can be fully uncoupled. Furthermore, these cells are rendered functionally tolerant in vivo, in that subsequent restimulation with a potent stimulus results in limited clonal expansion, impaired IFN-γ production, and no cytolytic function. Thus, the presence or absence of the third signal appears to be a critical variable in determining whether stimulation by Ag results in tolerance versus development of effector function and establishment of a responsive memory population.
Maximally Flat Negative Group-Delay Circuit: A Microwave Transversal Filter Approach

A comprehensive method to synthesize negative group delay (NGD) in the microwave regime with a maximally flat response is proposed in this paper. This method is based on transversal-filter topologies; it will be shown that by choosing proper coupling coefficients of each tap of a transversal filter, we can realize NGDs with maximally flat characteristics at the output of the transversal filter. The desired coefficients to realize maximally flat NGDs with various amount of group delay are analytically derived and tabulated in this paper. Furthermore, the results are verified experimentally through microwave transversal-filter approaches in both passive and active ways using multi-section asymmetric directional couplers and distributed amplifiers.
Mechanisms in Experimental Venous Valve Failure and their Modification by Daflon 500 mg

Objectives To characterize the acute response of the vein wall to venous hypertension and associated altered fluid shear stress and to test the effect of micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF, Daflon ® 500), on this response. Material and methods A femoral arteriovenous fistula was created in Wistar rats (n=48). A cohort of 24 rats received oral treatment with MPFF (100mg/kg/day body weight), 24 rats underwent the arteriovenous fistula procedure and received no treatment. At days 1, 7 and 21 the animals (n=8 at each time point) were killed. Experimental parameters measured included limb circumference, blood flow at the sapheno-femoral junction, leukocyte infiltration and gelatinase activity (matrix metalloproteinase, MMP). Results The acute rise in venous hypertension was accompanied by limb edema and venous reflux together with an eventual loss of valve leaflets in the saphenous vein. There was an increase in granulocyte and macrophage infiltration into the venous wall and the surrounding tissue, and a lesser increase in T- and B-lymphocyte infiltration. These changes were accompanied by a local increase in the proteolytic enzymes, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Administration of MPFF reduced the edema and lessened the venous reflux produced by the acute arteriovenous fistula. Decreased levels of granulocyte and macrophage infiltration into the valves were also observed compared with untreated animals. Conclusions Venous hypertension caused by an arteriovenous fistula resulted in the development of venous reflux and an inflammatory reaction in venous valves culminating in their destruction. MPFF was able to delay the development of reflux and suppress damage to the valve structures in this rat model of venous hypertension.
Identification of surface proteins on viable Plasmodium knowlesi merozoites.

Viable merozoites of Plasmodium knowlesi were isolated and the proteins that were labeled on intact merozoites by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination were identified. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography of Triton soluble extracts of labeled merozoites demonstrated eight major bands ranging in apparent molecular weight from 150,000 D to 22,000 D. Exposure of intact merozoites to trypsin (10 μg/ml) for 10 min resulted in the loss of the two highest molecular weight proteins (150,000 D and 105,000 D) and the appearance of two new bands at 70,000 D and 62,000 D. Trypsin treatment under these conditions also removed the receptor(s) for merozoite attachment to erythrocytes. Therefore, these high molecular weight proteins are candidates for the merozoite component that attaches to erythrocytes. There was no evidence that the labeled membrane components were serum or erythrocyte membrane components, two potential contaminants in the preparation. Anti-rhesus erythrocyte antibody did not precipitate labeled merozoite proteins. Furthermore, the immunoprecipitation of labeled merozoite proteins by rhesus anti-merozoite serum was not inhibited by erythrocyte ghosts.
A systematic method for studying the spatial distribution of water molecules around nucleic acid bases

A new method to analyze the distribution of water molecules around the bases in DNA is presented. This method relies on the notion of a "hydrated building block," which represents the joint observed hydration around all bases of a particular type, in structures of a particular conformation type. The hydrated building blocks were constructed using atomic coordinates from 40 structures contained in the Nucleic Acid Database. Pseudoelectron densities were calculated for water molecules in each hydrated building block using standard crystallographic procedures. The electron densities were fitted to obtain "average building blocks," which represent bases with waters only at average or probable positions. Both types of building blocks were used to construct models of hydrated DNA oligomers. The essential features of the solvent structure around d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 in the B form and d(CGCGCG)2 in the Z form were reproduced.
Batch-processed vacuum-sealed capacitive pressure sensors

This paper reports two multitransducer vacuum-sealed capacitive barometric pressure sensors, one using single-lead and the other using multiple-leads to transfer the electrical signal out of the vacuum-sealed reference cavity. The first device operates with a resolution of 37 mtorr over a pressure range from 600 to 800 torr. The sensitivity is 27 fF/torr (3000 ppm/torr). The TCO at 750 torr is 3900 ppm//spl deg/C and the TCS is 1000 ppm//spl deg/C. The second device has a resolution of 25 mtorr over a range from 500 to 800 torr, with individual transducer sensitivity of 39 fF/torr. The TCO at 750 torr is 1350 ppm//spl deg/C and TCS is 1000 ppm//spl deg/C. Both devices have an on-chip compensation capacitor and are read out using an electronically-trimmed switched-capacitor charge integrator.
Lentivirus-induced pulmonary lesions in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) infected with simian immunodeficiency virus.

Necropsy reports from 28 rhesus monkeys that had been experimentally infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and that were free of cytomegalovirus were reviewed. Lung sections from 24 of these monkeys that had no etiologic agent other than SIV detected in the lung were studied in detail by histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic examination and by in situ hybridization. Fourteen of the monkeys were part of a serial euthanasia study, while others were euthanatized after they became moribund. The following lesions were detected: perivascular inflammation, vasculitis, interstitial pneumonia, syncytial cells, hemorrhage, fibrin exudation, and pleural fibrosis. Perivascular inflammation was the most frequent lesion and occurred as early as 2 weeks after inoculation. Severe pneumonia and numerous syncytial cells were seen only in animals euthanatized because they had become moribund. The lesions appeared to be directly due to SIV infection. SIV antigens, RNA, and virions were de...
FDA Approval: Palbociclib for the Treatment of Postmenopausal Patients with Estrogen Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

On February 3, 2015, the FDA granted accelerated approval to palbociclib (IBRANCE, Pfizer Inc.), an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6), for use in combination with letrozole for the treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy for their metastatic disease. The approval is based on a randomized, multicenter, open-label phase I/II trial (PALOMA-1) in 165 patients randomized to palbociclib (125 mg orally daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by 7 days off treatment) plus letrozole (2.5 mg orally daily) or letrozole alone. The phase II portion of the trial was divided into two cohorts: cohort 1 enrolled 66 biomarker-unselected patients and cohort 2 enrolled 99 biomarker-positive patients. The major efficacy outcome measure was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). A large magnitude of improvement in PFS was observed in patients receiving palbociclib plus letrozole compared with patients receiving letrozole alone (HR, 0.488; 95% confidence interval, 0.319-0.748). Multiple sensitivity analyses were supportive of clinical benefit. The most common adverse reaction in patients receiving palbociclib plus letrozole was neutropenia. This article summarizes the FDA thought process and data supporting accelerated approval based on PALOMA-1 that may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the ongoing and fully accrued confirmatory trial PALOMA-2.
Chemical activation of pre-Botzinger complex in vivo reduces respiratory network complexity

In the in vivo anesthetized adult cat model, multiple patterns of inspiratory motor discharge have been recorded in response to chemical stimulation and focal hypoxia of the pre-Botzinger complex (...
Sharing knowledge through intranets: a study of organizational culture and intranet implementation

Explores factors affecting the implementation of intranets, which are the technology upon which many knowledge management (KM) systems are built. Because intranets facilitate the sharing of employee knowledge, many believe that organizational culture influences intranet implementation. The results of this study found that intranet implementation is facilitated by a culture that emphasizes an atmosphere of trust and concern for other people (ethical culture), flexibility and innovation (developmental culture), and policies, procedures and information management (hierarchical culture). Management should ensure that the proper values are in place to optimize intranet implementation and to facilitate knowledge sharing.
SAMD9 Is an Innate Antiviral Host Factor with Stress Response Properties That Can Be Antagonized by Poxviruses

We show that SAMD9 is an innate host antiviral stress response element that participates in the formation of antiviral granules. Poxviruses, myxoma virus and vaccinia virus specifically, utilize a virus-encoded host range factor(s), such as a member of the C7L superfamily, to antagonize SAMD9 to prevent granule formation in a eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)-independent manner. When SAMD9 is stimulated due to failure of the viral antagonism during infection, the resulting antiviral granules exhibit properties different from those of the canonical stress granules.
Overlapping Phenotypes Left Ventricular Noncompaction and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Patient KM is a 26-year-old male in whom a systolic ejection murmur was recently identified on a routine physical examination. As part of his evaluation, he underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography, which revealed asymmetrical left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy with a maximum LV wall thickness of 22 mm in the basal anterior septum and extension of hypertrophy into the posterior septum. His LV ejection fraction was 55%, with a normal cavity size and no evidence of resting LV outflow tract obstruction. In addition, the myocardium was noted to be highly trabeculated from the apex to the midportion of the LV (Figure 1; online-only Data Supplement Movie I). The right ventricle was normal in size and function. He has never developed heart failure …
Novel sources and detectors for coherent tunable narrow-band terahertz radiation in free space

A novel scheme for the optical generation and coherent detection of tunable narrow-band far-infrared radiation in free space is described. This technique involves the optical heterodyning of two linearly chirped broadband pulses to produce a quasi-sinusoidal intensity modulation at tunable terahertz frequencies. The frequency content of the narrow-band terahertz radiation produced by mixing chirped optical pulses in a nonlinear optoelectronic device such as a photoconducting dipole antenna can be tailored simply by controlling the phase modulation of the optical pulses and the delay between them. An optoelectronic terahertz beam system composed of a tunable narrow-band Hertzian dipole emitter and a synchronously gated tunable dipole detector is presented. The performance of this system as a potentially powerful tool for far-infrared pump–probe spectroscopy and the limitations produced by cubic phase modulation in the chirped optical pulses are discussed.
Efficacy of high-dose interferon in combination with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C resistant to interferon alone.

Efficacy of high-dose interferon in combination with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C resistant to interferon alone
CALCULATIONS OF BIOELECTRIC POTENTIALS : IV. SOME EFFECTS OF CALCIUM ON POTENTIALS IN NITELLA.

In Nitella the substitution of KCl for NaCl changes the P.D. in a negative direction. In some cases this change is lessened by adding solid CaCl2 to the solution of KCl. This may be due to lessening the partition coefficient of KCl or to decreasing the solubility of an organic substance which sensitizes the cell to the action of KCl. Little or no correlation exists between this effect of calcium and its ordinary antagonistic action in producing a balanced solution which preserves the life of the cell indefinitely. CaCl2 is negative to NaCl but positive to KCl. The effects of mixtures of KCl, NaCl, and CaCl2 are discussed. The concentration effect of a mixture of KCl + CaCl2 shows certain peculiarities due to action currents: these resemble those found with pure KCl. These studies and others on Nitella, Valonia, and Halicystis indicate that mobilities and partition coefficients are variable and can be brought under experimental control.
Water Project: Computer-Supported Collaborative E-Learning Model for Integrating Science and Social Studies

This article reports a qualitative study on computer-supported collaborative learning during a multidisciplinary education project on environment. The water project is designed to provide the elementary teacher candidates opportunities to explore issues related to water and find solutions to them through the Internet. As a production of the water project, they created posters and fliers in a photograph application to educate people regarding water issues and discussed how their creations affected people’s awareness of water issues, using a web-discussion tool. The teacher candidates’ reflections revealed that the water project was a meaningful e-learning activity to raise awareness of the global water issues and create an opportunity for them to share their learning, incorporating science and social studies. This water project provided a computer-supported collaborative e-learning model for integrating science and social studies.
Limit Design for Buildings

Comparison of limit design to elastic design methods as used with structural steel; method of limit design restricted to beam and girder floor framing system; six design cases of varying live load and panel sizes; existing stresses and deflections under design loads, as well as their remaining capacities.
Chaperone-Assisted Protein Folding Is Critical for Yellow Fever Virus NS3/4A Cleavage and Replication

UNLABELLED DNAJC14, a heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40) cochaperone, assists with Hsp70-mediated protein folding. Overexpressed DNAJC14 is targeted to sites of yellow fever virus (YFV) replication complex (RC) formation, where it interacts with viral nonstructural (NS) proteins and inhibits viral RNA replication. How RCs are assembled and the roles of chaperones in this coordinated process are largely unknown. We hypothesized that chaperones are diverted from their normal cellular protein quality control function to play similar roles during viral infection. Here, we show that DNAJC14 overexpression affects YFV polyprotein processing and alters RC assembly. We monitored YFV NS2A-5 polyprotein processing by the viral NS2B-3 protease in DNAJC14-overexpressing cells. Notably, DNAJC14 mutants that did not inhibit YFV replication had minimal effects on polyprotein processing, while overexpressed wild-type DNAJC14 affected the NS3/4A and NS4A/2K cleavage sites, resulting in altered NS3-to-NS3-4A ratios. This suggests that DNAJC14's folding activity normally modulates NS3/4A/2K cleavage events to liberate appropriate levels of NS3 and NS4A and promote RC formation. We introduced amino acid substitutions at the NS3/4A site to alter the levels of the NS3 and NS4A products and examined their effects on YFV replication. Residues with reduced cleavage efficiency did not support viral RNA replication, and only revertant viruses with a restored wild-type arginine or lysine residue at the NS3/4A site were obtained. We conclude that DNAJC14 inhibition of RC formation upon DNAJC14 overexpression is likely due to chaperone dysregulation and that YFV probably utilizes DNAJC14's cochaperone function to modulate processing at the NS3/4A site as a mechanism ensuring virus replication. IMPORTANCE Flaviviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses that cause a wide range of illnesses. Upon host cell entry, the viral genome is translated on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes to produce a single polyprotein, which is cleaved by host and viral proteases to generate viral proteins required for genome replication and virion production. Several studies suggest a role for molecular chaperones during these processes. While the details of chaperone roles have been elusive, in this report we show that overexpression of the ER-resident cochaperone DNAJC14 affects YFV polyprotein processing at the NS3/4A site. This work reveals that DNAJC14 modulation of NS3/4A site processing is an important mechanism to ensure virus replication. Our work highlights the importance of finely regulating flavivirus polyprotein processing. In addition, it suggests future studies to address similarities and/or differences among flaviviruses and to interrogate the precise mechanisms employed for polyprotein processing, a critical step that can ultimately be targeted for novel drug development.
Solution to the Economic Crisis II - Elimination of the Payroll Tax

The author discusses the elimination of the payroll tax as a priority over the estate tax, capital gains tax or even the income tax. The payroll tax hits working families harder then any other tax. Before the temporary relief, 15.3% of worker's income is removed even if the worker earns $7,000 a year or less.
MULTIRESOLUTION WAVELET APPROACH FOR SEPARATING THE BREAST REGION FROM THE BACKGROUND IN HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

There are many computer aided diagnosis (CAD) techniques applied to the analysis of digitized mammograms. A general overview of these methods can be found in Refs. 1 and 2. Often the CAD methods are used to detect and highlight abnormalities for aiding in the diagnosis performed via computer reading. In some instances, overall image enhancement without specific abnormality detection may be the desired CAD goal. In any event, CAD methods as well as efficient image storage and transfer require an initial stage of processing that can locate and mark the breast region [3], remove the off-breast noise field, eliminate patient markings that are often of very high intensity, and remove other artifacts that may found off the breast region of the image.
Hydrofluoric acid pre-treatment of matte artists’ paints for binding medium analysis by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy

Abstract A rapid and safe method has been developed for preparing matte artists’ paint samples for binding medium analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) transforms many inorganic components of matte paints that commonly interfere with medium analysis, viz. carbonate and silicate fillers and pigments, into chemical species whose infrared absorptions are shifted outside the spectral area of interest. This method provides a route for removing these interferences without relying on lengthy and sometimes unsuccessful solvent extraction of the binding medium. Microsamples of common binders, pigments, and inorganic fillers were reacted with solution or gas phase HF to determine the effectiveness of the chemical treatment in removing unwanted interferences while preserving the binding medium. A second method of chemical treatment, using in situ generation of HF gas from acidified sodium fluoride, proved equally effective while minimizing the hazards of handling and storing liquid HF solutions. The success of the technique in removing mid-infrared interferences in binding medium analysis is demonstrated on various paintings dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.
A kinetic model for two-step phase transformation of hydrothermally treated nanocrystalline anatase

A kinetic model that enables quantitative assessment of the contribution to the rate of phase transformation by dissolution–precipitation and by interface–nucleation has been developed. Results demonstrate that, under highly acidic, hydrothermal conditions, anatase phase transforms to rutile predominantly by dissolution–precipitation, presumably due to the comparatively high solubility of TiO2 at 250 °C and pH 1.0. In contrast, the phase transformation is dominated by interface–nucleation at pH 3.0, at which the solubility of TiO2 is substantially lower. Furthermore, kinetic data for the phase transformation at the intermediate pH of 2.2 were fit poorly by the interface–nucleation and dissolution–precipitation models individually but fit well using the new kinetic model. Generally speaking, interface–nucleation plays a critical role during the early stages of the transformation, regardless of pH, whereas dissolution–precipitation dominates the later stages of the transformation. The contribution to the rate of rutile production by dissolution–precipitation is the greatest under conditions of higher titania solubility. However, even under conditions of higher titania solubility, results are consistent with interface–nucleation playing a crucial role in producing the initial rutile crystallites, which subsequently grow by dissolution–precipitation. Transmission electron microscopy results are consistent with the results obtained by the new model. Thus, new insights into the mechanism of the anatase to rutile phase transformation under hydrothermal conditions are gained, enabling quantitative assessment of the contribution by interface–nucleation.
Epidemiological analysis of unexplained sudden death in Panzhihua City in 2012

Objective To investigate onset reason for unexplained sudden death in Panzhihua City in 2012.Methods The field epidemiology survey was taken to get various exposure factors of the deceased cases,and laboratory testing was performed to rule out possible causes of the known.Results This outbreak led to five deaths and one homologous case within 72 hours.These cases were of Yi nationality and had the history of eating"white fungus"in certain family.The fifth death ate less.Villagers had the habits of eating wild mushroom with the family as a unit relatively fixed and generation to generation.The certain family had the heritage habit of eating"white fungus".Laboratory testing excluded plague and botulinum toxin,a common chemical poisons and common pesticide poisoning.Pathological section prompted that 3 deaths were sudden cardiac death and the fifth death died of asphyxiation.Conclusions The biopsy of the fifth dead case excludes sudden unexplained death.We speculate that"white fungus"is a high-risk factor of this unexplained sudden death on the basis of the period from eating"white fungus"to the incubation period of the disease,the incidence of common edible history and family habit of eating white fungus.