cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated segmentation of the thyroid gland on CT using multi-atlas label fusion and random forest

The thyroid gland is an important endocrine organ. For a variety of clinical applications, a system for automated segmentation of the thyroid is desirable. Thyroid segmentation is challenging due to the inhomogeneous nature of the thyroid and the surrounding structures which have similar intensities. In this paper, we propose a fully automated method for thyroid detection and segmentation on CT scans. The thyroid gland is initially estimated by a multi-atlas segmentation with joint label fusion algorithm. The segmentation is then corrected by supervised statistical learning-based voxel labeling with a random forest algorithm. Multi-atlas label fusion transfers expert-labeled thyroids from atlases to a target image using deformable registration. Errors produced by label transfer are reduced by label fusion that combines the results produced by all atlases into a consensus solution. Then, random forest employs an ensemble of decision trees that are trained on labeled thyroids to recognize various features. The trained forest classifier is then applied to the estimated thyroid by voxel scanning to assign the class-conditional probability. Voxels from the expert-labeled thyroids in CT volumes are treated as positive classes and background non-thyroid voxels as negatives. We applied our method to 73 patients using 5 as atlases. The system achieved an overall 0.70 Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) if using the multi-atlas label fusion only and was improved to 0.75 DSC after the random forest correction.
Spinal anesthesia and ephedrine in pregnant monkeys.

Abstract A study of the maternal and fetal effects of spinal hypotension and its treatment with ephedrine was made in 6 pregnant monkeys whose activity was controlled with succinylcholine and nitrous oxide. During spinal hypotension, mean maternal arterial blood pressure decreased 54 per cent; cardiac output, 18 per cent; total peripheral resistance, 47 per cent; and uterine blood flow, 30 per cent. Fetal P O2 decreased from a mean of 27.1 ± 6.4 to 15.4 ± 7.8. Fetal pH decreased from a mean of 7.34 ± 0.04 to 7.22 ± 0.05, and fetal P CO2 increased from 41.6 ± 6.1 to 50.9 ± 10.4 mm. Hg. Ephedrine was effective in restoring these changes in the maternal cardiovascular system toward prespinal levels and preventing further deterioration of the fetus.
The Effects of Sulfate on Potassium Transport by Rat Liver Mitochondria

Abstract When rat liver mitochondria were incubated for 15 min at 37° and pH 7.4 in 250 mm sucrose, 50 mm tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride, 10 mm MgCl2, 10 mm inorganic orthophosphate, and 1 mm ethylenediaminetetraacetate, the resulting loss of endogenous K+ was greatly increased by the addition of 2.5 to 10 mm ammonium sulfate or sodium sulfate to the incubation medium. The increased rate of K+ loss, which could be completely prevented by the addition of ATP, succinate, or glutamate to the medium, began 4 to 8 min after the start of incubation. Ammonium sulfate and sodium sulfate also increased the loss of K+ when the mitochondria were first suspended at 0° in a solution containing KCl before being added to the incubation medium. When KCl was added to the mitochondria after 15 min of incubation at 37°, both the passive uptake and the active uptake of K+ were not affected by the simultaneous addition of either 10 mm ammonium sulfate or sodium sulfate. However, when mitochondria were incubated for 15 min with ammonium sulfate before the addition of KCl, active uptake of K+ appeared to be abolished. In the absence of exogenous Pi, sodium sulfate inhibited the loss of endogenous K+, while ammonium sulfate still caused an increased K+ loss. In the absence of exogenous Mg++, both ammonium sulfate and sodium sulfate inhibited the loss of endogenous K+ whether or not Pi was present in the medium. Addition of sulfate ions to the incubation medium also increased the leakage from mitochondria of compounds showing an absorption maximum at 259 mµ.
Targeting and sequestration of truncated Pfs230 in an intraerythrocytic compartment during Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis

For malaria to be transmitted, the Plasmodium falciparum parasite must invade an erythrocyte and undergo gametocytogenesis. When mature intraerythrocytic gametocytes are taken up in a blood meal by a mosquito they emerge as gametes and, once fertilized, continue to differentiate into infectious sporozoites. One of the major proteins associated with the surface of the parasite during gamete differentiation is Pfs230, a 360 kDa member of a family of P. falciparum proteins that contains a repeated cysteine motif domain. To characterize the role of different regions of Pfs230, the gene was disrupted by targeted integration and clones isolated that expressed distinct sections of Pfs230. Independent clones D1.356 a and b express the first 452 amino acids (aa) of Pfs230 and do not contain a cysteine motif domain, whereas clones D2.850 a and b express the first 950 aa, including the first cysteine motif domain. Although both sets of clones undergo gametogenesis and produce morphologically normal gametes, neither truncated Pfs230 is located on the surface of the gamete. In clones D1.356 a and b, the 452 aa Pfs230 is secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole and released as a soluble protein when the parasite emerges from the erythrocyte as a gamete. In marked contrast, the 950 aa form of Pfs230 expressed by clones D2.850 a and b is sequestered in a novel tubular compartment in the erythrocyte cytoplasm. This sexual-stage tubular intraerythrocytic compartment (STIC) is not recognized by antibodies specific for proteins associated with the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (Pfs16 or Exp-1) or Maurer's clefts (Pfsbp 1 or mAb LWL1) or intraerythrocytic asexual parasite proteins (PfEMP2 or HRP II).
Artifacts in alpha-rooting of images

Image enhancement using Fourier transform coefficient rooting (often referred to as alpha-rooting) suffers from certain objectionable artifacts due to the processing. Such artifacts are caused by well-defined high contrast edges within the image. A modification of the usual alpha-rooting process is proposed whereby these artifacts are suppressed while the desirable enhancement features of the processing are retained.
A new doubletalk and channel change detection algorithm based on hypothesis testing

In acoustic and network echo cancellation, the detection of doubletalk and echo path channel changes are important to the control of the echo canceller's adaptive filter. This paper investigates joint doubletalk and channel change detection from an M-hypotheses test perspective. Also, using a stationary Gaussian stochastic input signal model, we propose a doubletalk versus channel change detection algorithm based on the likelihood ratio test. This proposed detection algorithm intuitively has a dynamic threshold which is based on the probabilities of past doubletalk and echo path change detection outputs. Simulation results prove the efficiency of the proposed detection algorithm.
The role of magnetic fields in the collapse of protostellar gas clouds

The paper presents the results of a numerical calculation of the collapse of an idealized protostellar gas cloud including the effects of a 'frozen-in' magnetic field. The 'traditional' picture of magnetic effects on gas clouds and recent observational and theoretical work on the subject are summarized. Attention is given to the method of calculation and the results are interpreted. It is found that the central magnetic field in the collapsing cloud model follows a rho to the 1/2 power relation, and the discussion implies that this is a general result which should hold true for some range of initial conditions around those chosen. In addition, it is found that the outer envelope of the cloud will be held up by tension in the field lines.
Oscillator strengths of neutral titanium from hook method measurements in a furnace. I - Lines from the a 3F2, 3 and 4 levels at 0, 0.021, and 0.048 eV

Oscillator strengths for 134 lines from the ground term of neutral titanium have been measured by the hook method. The data, which are normalized to those of Bell, Kalman and Tubbs, agree well with most previously measured data but indicate that there is a line strength dependent error in the National Bureau of Standards compilation of TiIf-values by Wiese and Fuhr.
Deviant Identity in Online Contexts: New Directives in the Study of a Classic Concept

This article provides an overview of emerging research into the concept of deviant identity by highlighting major new directions in cyber-deviance scholarship. We suggest that the examination of deviance in online settings offers unique new insights into the processes of identity construction and reinforcement, role play, and the social organization of deviant communities. We conclude by considering developments that may advance the literature on deviant identity in real world spaces, as well as expand the conceptual utility of deviance for other subareas of sociology.
Flying-qualities analysis of an unmanned air vehicle

Flight tests of a half-scale radio-controlled model of the Pioneer unmanned air vehicle (UAV) were conducted for static longitudinal and lateral-directional stability-and-control characteristics. The air vehicle was instrumented to measure control-surface deflections, angle of attack, sideslip angle, and airspeed; telemetry was used to downlink the data to a ground recorder for later processing. A wind-tunnel test of a 0.4-scale Pioneer at full-scale Reynolds numbers was also carried out, as well as a numerical study using a low-order panel method. The flight-test determination of the neutral point agrees well with the other methods of prediction and indicated that the static margin was sufficient to open the restricted c.g. envelope. Other control-related considerations may provide overriding concerns, however. Crosswind limits were determined from steady-sideslip maneuvers and the flight data compared very favorably to that of the other data sources. Low-cost scaled-vehicle flight testing appears to be a viable tool in providing aerodynamic data for UAV simulation and training purposes.
Sphingolipid regulators of cellular dysfunction in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systems overview

Climbing obesity rates have contributed to worldwide increases in obesity-associated diseases, including the metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sphingolipids, an important class of structural and signaling lipids, have emerged as key players in the development and pathogenesis of insulin resistance and T2DM. More specifically, sphingolipids have been demonstrated to play integral roles in lipotoxicity and other aspects of pathogenesis in T2DM, although the cellular mechanisms by which this occurs and by which sphingolipid metabolism is dysregulated in T2DM remain under investigation. This review summarizes current knowledge of sphingolipid metabolism and signaling in key organs and tissues affected by T2DM, including the pancreas, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, cardiovascular system and liver, and highlights areas that ripe for future investigation.
Atmospheric effects on active illumination

For some beam-control applications, we can rely on the cooperation of the target when gathering information about the target location and the state of the atmosphere between the target and the beam-control system. The typical example is a cooperative point-source beacon on the target. Light from such a beacon allows the beam-control system to track the target accurately, and, if higher-order adaptive optics is to be employed, to make wave-front measurements and apply appropriate corrections with a deformable mirror. In many applications, including directed-energy weapons, the target is not cooperative. In the absence of a cooperative beacon, we must find other ways to collect the relevant information. This can be accomplished with an active-illumination system. Typically, this means shining one or more lasers at the target and observing the reflected light. In this paper, we qualitatively explore a number of difficulties inherent to active illumination, and suggest some possible mitigation techniques.
Oscillating Thermionic Conversion For High-Density Space Power

Space nuclear reactors adapt admirably to compact maneuverable multimegawatt power generation. The compactness, maneuverability and productive weight utilization benefit from the use of thermionic converters at high temperatures. These modular static generators reduce waste-heat-radiator weights which loom large in high-power space systems. But greater space-power levels test even thermionic conversion because of its high current densities at low voltages: Relatively low-temperature power conditioning also contributes to large waste-heat-radiator weights. Therefore electromagnetic-wave outputs from thermionic conversion offer important advantages over its traditional direct-current power. In this advantageous operating mode thermionic-conversion lasing yet occupies a theoretic niche. Pulsing and switching with triode thermionic converters appear ready for development guided by continuing applied research. And power-producing thermionic-diode oscillators are excellent prospects for United States research exploitation. This direct thermal power oscillator continues to receive intense experimental and theoretical attention in the USSR--under the aegis of the State Committee for Utilization of Atomic Energy. Now the SDIO through AFWAL has funded a three-year program at Arizona State University to investigate high-temperature oscillatory thermionic conversion. Ascending toward its thermal limits enables thermionic conversion to produce more power at higher voltages and lower currents with greater efficiencies. These gains accrue with minimal collisional damping afforded by surface ionization and Knudsen-arc-mode operation. Here at high neutralization ratios p actual ionization JEXP greatly outstrips the equilibrium ion currents JISL predicted by Saha and Langmuir. In fact for large values of p the value of EXP can exceed JSL by 100-150 times" (Babanin, Ender et alii). And here high neutralization ratios with low collisional damping at reduced cesium pressures favor strong oscillatory thermionic-conversion outputs. Optimization of these effects appears possible through coefficient utilization of cesium for neutralizing ionization and barium for emitter work-function hence emission-current control. These and other related phenomena as well as important material interactions are subjects of the research on oscillating thermionic conversion recently initiated at ASU. This presentation covers some aspects of that SDIO, AFWAL, ASU program.© (1988) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Conjugation of protein antigen to microparticulate β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae : a new adjuvant for intradermal and oral immunizations

Immunostimulatory glucose polymers known as β-glucans have been studied for many years. Our laboratory has prepared and characterized a novel microparticulate β-glucan (MG) from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Because MG particles are rapidly phagocytized by murine peritoneal macrophages and induce the expression of B7 costimulatory molecules, we hypothesized that MG could serve as a vaccine adjuvant to enhance specific immune responses. Here, we describe a procedure for conjugating the test vaccine antigen bovine serum albumin (BSA) to MG via water-soluble carbodiimide linkage. Conjugates with up to 0.4 mg of BSA/mg MG were prepared. MG/BSA conjugates were still actively phagocytized by mouse peritoneal macrophages. When used to immunize mice by the intradermal route, these conjugates enhanced the primary IgG antibody response to BSA in a manner comparable to the prototypic complete Freund’s adjuvant. Although primary oral immunization with MG/BSA caused no increase in serum anti-BSA antibody titers, booster immunization elicited a significant anti-BSA antibody response. These results suggest that protein antigens can be conjugated to MG via a carbodiimide linkage and that these conjugates provide an adjuvant effect for stimulating the antibody response to the protein antigens.
Guest Editors' Introduction: The Many Faces of Semantics

The Semantic Web enables programs and agents to automatically understand what data is about, and therefore bridge the so-called semantic gap between the ways in which users request Web resources and the real needs of those users, ultimately improving the quality of Web information retrieval. This issue presents four expanded articles from The First International Workshop on the Many Faces of Multimedia Semantics.
Reexamining the role of the humoral immune response in control of hepatitis C virus infection

Immunoglobulin GM and KM allotypes—genetic markers of γ and κ chains, respectively—are associated with immune responsiveness to several infectious pathogens and with survival in certain viral epidemics. We hypothesized that GM and KM allotypes affect the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. To test this hypothesis, we serologically allotyped 100 persons with well-documented clearance of HCV infection and 198 matched persistently infected persons. None of the GM or KM phenotypes by itself was associated with the clearance or persistence of HCV infection. Particular combinations of these phenotypes, however, were significantly associated with the outcome of HCV infection. Subjects with GM 1,17 5,13 and KM 1,3 phenotypes were over three times (odds ratio [OR], 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44–8.87) as likely to clear the infection as the subjects who lacked these phenotypes. This GM phenotype had a similar association with clearance in the absence of KM 3 (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.21–6.23). The presence of GM 1,3,17 23 5,13 phenotype (in the absence of KM 3) was associated with persistence (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06–0.77), while its absence (in the presence of KM 1,3) was associated with the clearance of infection (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.16–3.54). These results show epistatic interactions of genes on chromosomes 14 (GM) and 2 (KM) in influencing the outcome of an HCV infection. Further investigations involving candidate genes (GM, KM, HLA, and Fcγ receptors) and cellular and humoral immune responses to HCV epitopes are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these associations.
Nutrient supply and declines in leaf area and production in lodgepoie pine

In southeastern Wyoming, stand leaf area and production of lodgepoie pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl.) peak early in stand development and then decline. We tested the hypothesis that these declines follo...
Determination of novolac resin thermal decomposition products by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) was used to identify the major volatile components produced by pyrolysis of a novolac resin. This resin is frequently used in the metal casting industry as a binder for sand molds. Quantitative analysis data of the pyrolysis products can serve as a model for the foundry industry to predict the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced before actually carrying out the casting process. This allows the industry to comply with the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) regarding the emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
1,7,16,30,36,47‐Hexakis(perfluoroisopropyl)‐1,7,16,30,36,47‐hexahydro(C60–Ih)[5,6]fullerene

The title compound, C78F42, is the first example of a perfluoro­alkyl­fullerene with perfluoro­isopropyl groups. The C1 symmetry mol­ecule has idealized C3 symmetry with the six isopropyl groups arranged on three isolated para-C6(i-C3F7)2 hexa­gons. There are three intra­molecular F⋯F contacts between pairs of isopropyl groups that share the same hexa­gon; these contacts range from 2.616 (3) to 2.657 (3) A.
Effect of grown-in biaxial strain on deep level defects in Si1−yCy/Si epitaxial heterostructures

Abstract We report the first study of traps in strained Si1−yCy random alloys grown on Si 〈1 0 0〉 substrates using chemical vapor deposition. Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements of n-type Schottky diodes fabricated on Si/Si1−yCy/Si heterostructures (y
Resituating race into the movement toward multiculturalism and social justice

A historical perspective is offered to explain how race has declined in significance as higher education and student affairs have moved toward multicultural social justice. Educators and administrators are urged to reconsider race and racism in dialogues, programs, policies, and institutional change efforts.
Editorial Comment—Parity and Risk of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: An Emerging Association

An individual’s risk of developing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.1 Emerging data have helped to shape our understanding of such factors, and the present work by Gaist and colleagues2 provides the most definitive efforts to date concerning the potential (inverse) association of parity and risk of SAH. SAH possesses a number of unique peculiarities compared with other forms of stroke. Although the incidence of other forms of stroke may be decreasing, that of SAH does not appear to be on the wane. Additionally, an epidemiological sex discrepancy is apparent with SAH (the only form of stroke with a clear preponderance of afflicted women). Female sex also appears to have an association with increased risk of intracranial aneurysm formation and growth.3 Further characterization of this clear sex discrepancy may prove to have some utility in influencing our conceptualization of SAH and its potential prevention and therapy. A gender gap …
Oral lesions in HIV-positive dental patients--one more argument for tobacco smoking cessation.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of oral lesions associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a population of dental patients and analyze its association with psycho-social variables and biological markers. Study design: The dental charts of 415 dental patients consecutively treated between May and July 2005 in a dedicated HIV dental clinic were reviewed. Oral soft tissue examinations, psycho-social and medical variables were extracted and recorded for each patient. Ethnicity, gender, HIV treatment, peripheral CD4 counts and tobacco usage were analyzed in correlation with oral lesions associated with HIV. Results: Fifty-five percent of all subjects had at least one oral lesion associated with HIV, with oral candidiasis, salivary gland enlargement and oral hairy leukoplakia being the most commonly observed conditions. Gender and ethnicity did not correlate with a higher prevalence in lesions. However, tobacco smoking correlated significantly with a higher prevalence of oral lesions, independent of CD4 counts. Conclusions: These findings suggest that oral lesions remain commonly observed morbidities among HIV-infected dental patients independent of gender and ethnicity and that tobacco usage is a major and often underestimated risk factor for those lesions.
Subverting religious authority: Dario Fo and folk laughter

In his role as a modem‐day giullare, Dario Fo has made a point of questioning and subverting the authority of the Catholic Church. His criticism has focused on the concept of cosmic terror and the image of the severe paternal god as means of asserting and enforcing the dominion of official cultures. In performances such as Mistero buffo, The Pope and the Witch, and, more recently, Johan Padan, he continues the satumalian traditions of parodic, iconoclastic spectacle in his attempts to unmask the hypocrisy of religious oppression and affirm the values of folk religion as a celebration of life and creation.
Nitric oxide-mediated upregulation of the TGF-β-inducible early response gene-1 (TIEG1) in human fibroblasts by mRNA stabilization independent of TGF-β

Nitric oxide serves various roles in mammalian cells, including intracellular signaling and cell killing. To recognize the dynamic molecular changes in response to NO, microarray analysis was applied to human fibroblasts (IMR-90) exposed to sublethal levels of NO. Among the > 300 transcripts induced by NO, we focused on the mRNA encoded by the transforming growth factor-beta- (TGF-beta-) inducible early response 1 gene (TIEG1), which plays a pivotal role in TGF-beta-regulated cell growth control and apoptosis. Northern blotting analysis demonstrated that NO upregulates TIEG1 mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Anti-TGF-beta antibodies prevented TIEG1 mRNA induction by TGF-beta, but not the induction by NO. Conversely, NO had no effect on the amounts of total TGF-beta or its active form in culture supernatants. However, the half-life of the TIEG1 transcript was strongly increased (6-fold) upon exposure of the cells to NO. Thus, NO upregulates TIEG1 mRNA by stabilization independently of TGF-beta. The TIEG1 mRNA now joins heme oxygenase-1 mRNA in displaying regulation by NO-mediated stabilization. It remains to be determined whether the same control mechanism operates on these and perhaps other messages.
Notes from a Visit to Several Zapatista Communities: Toward Practices of Nomadic Identity and Hybridity

Reflections on meeting members of the Zapatista movement and visiting two Zapatista autonomous zones in Chiapas, Mexico inform an American liberation psychologist’s reflections on how to engage psychology students (and herself) in community and ecological fieldwork, community practice, and participatory research. The importance of community psychologists’ exploration of their own subjectivity as they encounter communities outside their own is underlined, as is critical inquiry on the impact of our social locations on the communities with whom we partner. Zapatistas’ conceptualization of autonomous zones where people can work together to create forms of shared leadership, decision-making through consensus, communal economics, empowerment of women, and liberatory arts and education inspire the creation of public homeplaces throughout the world.
Composition of Cows’ Milk. II. Genetic Influences

Abstract Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated from 4,552 records on 3,472 Holstein-Friesian cows by 630 sires. Heritabilities by paternal half-sib correlation of deviations from herdmates were milk yield, .23; fat yield, .09, solids-not-fat yield, .22; fat per cent, .45; and solids-not-fat per cent, .47. Heritabilities by regression of daughter on dam with 438 pairs of records were milk yield, .37; fat yield, .22; solids-not-fat yield, .27; fat per cent, .55; and solids-not-fat per cent, .25. Genetic correlations among yields were milk fat, .79; milk solids-not-fat, .95; fat solids-not-fat, .85. Selection for milk yield should give 94% as much gain in solids-not-fat yield as would direct selection for solids-not-fat yield.
Phase control of GaN on Si by nanoscale faceting in metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy

Abstract Phase stability of GaN on (1 1 1)–(0 0 1) nanoscale faceted Si is investigated. Nanoscale faceting (nanofaceting) is accomplished on a Si(0 0 1) substrate with interferometric lithography and anisotropic wet etching. By relying on the nucleation and associated lateral growth depending on orientation and crystal structure, spatial separation of a cubic-phase region from hexagonal-phase GaN regions which initiate on the facing Si(1 1 1) sidewalls of a 355-nm period V-grooved Si surface is achieved. The appearance of cubic-phase region is associated with a rapid surface planarization with its principal crystal axes parallel to those of the Si(0 0 1) substrate. The boundary between cubic and hexagonal phases is revealed along the Si(1 1 1) sidewalls and extends from each V-groove to the GaN surface for a 600-nm deposition. The phase separation of GaN selectively grown on a nanoscale faceted Si surface and the comparison of its material properties (photoluminescence and Raman scattering for stress measurement) with those of GaN grown on wide-area Si(1 1 1) and Si(0 0 1) imply that nanofaceting can be utilized for phase control of GaN on a Si(0 0 1) substrate.
Drosophila Neurexin IV Interacts with Roundabout and Is Required for Repulsive Midline Axon Guidance

Slit/Roundabout (Robo) signaling controls midline repulsive axon guidance. However, proteins that interact with Slit/Robo at the cell surface remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we report that the Drosophila transmembrane septate junction-specific protein Neurexin IV (Nrx IV) functions in midline repulsive axon guidance. Nrx IV is expressed in the neurons of the developing ventral nerve cord, and nrx IV mutants show crossing and circling of ipsilateral axons and fused commissures. Interestingly, the axon guidance defects observed in nrx IV mutants seem independent of its other binding partners, such as Contactin and Neuroglian and the midline glia protein Wrapper, which interacts in trans with Nrx IV. nrx IV mutants show diffuse Robo localization, and dose-dependent genetic interactions between nrx IV/robo and nrx IV/slit indicate that they function in a common pathway. In vivo biochemical studies reveal that Nrx IV associates with Robo, Slit, and Syndecan, and interactions between Robo and Slit, or Nrx IV and Slit, are affected in nrx IV and robo mutants, respectively. Coexpression of Nrx IV and Robo in mammalian cells confirms that these proteins retain the ability to interact in a heterologous system. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the extracellular region of Nrx IV is sufficient to rescue Robo localization and axon guidance phenotypes in nrx IV mutants. Together, our studies establish that Nrx IV is essential for proper Robo localization and identify Nrx IV as a novel interacting partner of the Slit/Robo signaling pathway.
The β-tubulin gene of Epichloë typhina from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).

Epichloe typhina is a biotrophic fungal pathogen which causes choke disease of pooid grasses. The anamorphic state, Acremonium typhinum, is placed in the section Albo-lanosa along with related, mutualistic, seed-disseminated endophytes. As an initial study of gene structure and evolution in Epichloe and related endophytes, the beta-tubulin gene, tub2, of the perennial ryegrass choke pathogen (EtPRG) was cloned and sequenced. The coding sequence and the predicted beta-tubulin amino acid sequence were highly homologous to the Neurospora crassa homologs, and to one of the two beta-tubulin genes of Emericella nidulans. However, two introns characteristic of the N. crassa and Em. nidulans genes were absent in the E. typhina gene. Furthermore, one of the remaining introns possessed the uncommon 5' splice junction, GC. In contrast to published observations concerning other Ascomycetes, a mutant of EtPRG, selected for resistance to methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate (benomyl), possessed no alteration of its beta-tubulin coding sequence.
REENTRANT TACHYCARDIAS : A LOOK AT WHERE TREATMENT STANDS TODAY

PREVIEWCardiac dysfunction is not limited to the elderly. In fact, the forms of tachycardia discussed in this article usually begin before age 40. The authors summarize the mechanisms involved and the findings on electrocardiography that help identify the type of dysrhythmia in patients presenting with palpitations and other signs of possible cardiac disease. In addition, they describe the procedure that has revolutionized treatment for reentrant tachycardia: closed-chest radiofrequency catheter ablation.
Contrasting histories of avian and mammalian Mhc genes revealed by class II B sequences from songbirds

Abstract To explore the evolutionary dynamics of genes in the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) in nonmammalian vertebrates, we have amplified complete sequences of the polymorphic second (beta1) and third (beta2) exons of class II beta chain genes of songbirds. The pattern of nucleotide substitution in the antigen-binding site of sequences cloned from three behaviorally and phylogenetically divergent songbirds [scrub jays Aphelocoma coerulescens), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), and house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) reveals that class II B genes of songbirds are subject to the same types of diversifying forces as those observed at mammalian class II loci. By contrast, the tree of avian class II B genes reveals that orthologous relationships have not been retained as in placental mammals and that, unlike class II genes in mammals, genes in songbirds and chickens have had very recent common ancestors within their respective groups. Thus, whereas the selective forces diversifying class II B genes of birds are likely similar to those in mammals, their long-term evolutionary dynamics appear to be characterized by much higher rates of concerted evolution.
What is the most cost-effective treatment for 1 to 2-cm bulbar urethral strictures: societal approach using decision analysis.

Abstract Objectives Direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) and urethroplasty are the primary methods of managing urethral stricture disease. Using decision analysis, we determine the cost-effectiveness of different management strategies for short, bulbar urethral strictures 1 to 2 cm in length. Methods A decision tree was constructed, with the number of planned possible DVIUs before attempting urethroplasty defined for each primary branch point. Success rates were obtained from published reports. Costs were estimated from a societal perspective and included the costs of the procedures and office visits and lost wages from convalescence. Sensitivity analyses were conducted, varying the success rates of the procedures and cost estimates. Results The most cost-effective approach was one DVIU before urethroplasty. The incremental cost of performing a second DVIU before attempting urethroplasty was $141,962 for each additional successfully voiding patient. In the sensitivity analysis, urethroplasty as the primary therapy was cost-effective only when the expected success rate of the first DVIU was less than 35%. Conclusions The most cost-effective strategy for the management of short, bulbar urethral strictures is to reserve urethroplasty for patients in whom a single endoscopic attempt fails. For longer strictures for which the success rate of DVIU is expected to be less than 35%, urethroplasty as primary therapy is cost-effective. Future prospective, multicenter studies of DVIU and urethroplasty outcomes would help enhance the accuracy of our model.
Layout optimization based on a generalized process variability model

The growing impact of process variation on circuit performance requires statistical design approaches in which circuits are designed and optimized subject to an estimated variation. Previous work [1] has explicitly accounted for variation and spatial correlations by including extra margins in each of the gate delay and correlation factor between path delays. However, as it is recently shown, what is often referred to as "spatial correlation" is an artifact of un-modeled residuals after the decomposition of deterministic variation components across the wafer and across the die [2]. Consequently, a more accurate representation of process variability is to introduce these deterministic variability components in the model, and therefore generate any apparent spatial correlation as the artifact of those deterministic components, just like in the actual process. This approach is used to re-size an 8-bit Ladner-Fischer adder. The optimized circuit delay distribution is obtained from Monte Carlo simulations. A layout generation tool is also being constructed to incorporate the optimization procedure into the standard design flow. Custom circuit layouts are first subjected to design rules to extract constraints that specify the margins allowed for each transistor active area edge movement. Sizing optimization is then performed with design rule constraints taken into account. A new circuit layout is generated based on the optimization results and checked to ensure DRC cleanness. The optimized layout can be subjected to further verification such as hotspot detection to account for any additional layout dependant effects.
A restrainer for rat immobilization

Abstract A versitile rat restrainer is described which is easy to use and relatively easy to construct.
Carboxypeptidase E promotes cancer cell survival, but inhibits migration and invasion

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), a prohormone processing enzyme is highly expressed and secreted from (neuro)endocrine tumors and gliomas, and has been implicated in cancer progression by promoting tumor growth. Our study demonstrates that secreted or exogenously applied CPE promotes survival of pheochromocytoma (PC12) and hepatocellular carcinoma (MHCC97H) cells under nutrient starvation and hypoxic conditions, but had no effect on their proliferation. CPE also reduced migration and invasion of fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cells. We show that CPE treatment mediates survival of MHCC97H cells during metabolic stress by up-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, and other pro-survival genes, via activation of the ERK1/2 pathway.
All preon models within 10 constraints

Abstract A set of 10 theoretical and phenomenological constraints are imposed in order to find all preon theories consistent with the observed family patterns of quarks and leptons and in which these composite light fermions contain 3 valence preons. The complete solutions to these restrictions is obtained and it is shown that they severely reduce the possible physical theories to a few cases, which are consistent with observation. We establish that these models necessarily are related to an elegant supergroup structure. The question of fermion masses is not answered in detail although a new dynamical mechanism emerges. In some models preons remain massless even though quarks and leptons receive mass.
1992 ALZA distinguished lecture: Bioengineering and vascular biology

The vascular system is naturally dynamic; fluid mechanics and mass transfer are closely integrated with blood and vascular cell function. We are beginning to understand how local wall shear stress and strain modulate endothelial cell metabolism at the gene level. This knowledge may help explain the focal nature of many vascular pathologies, including atherosclerosis. Understanding mechanical control of gene regulation at the level of specific promoter elements and transcription factors involved will lead to development of novel constructs for localized delivery of specific gene products in regions of high or low shear stress or strain in the vascular system. In addition, recent research has shown how local fluid mechanics can alter receptor specificity in cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix protein adhesion and aggregation. Knowledge of the specific molecular sequences involved in cell-to-cell recognition will allow development of targeted therapeutics, with applications in thrombosis, inflammation, cancer metastasis, and sickle-cell anemia. Bioengineers are uniquely qualified to be leaders in this field, because advances require a synthesis of cell and molecular biology with systems analysis, transport phenomena, and quantitative modeling. Rapid progress in tissue engineering applications will require this new kind of biomedical engineer, which represents both a challenge and an opportunity for our profession.
Framing messages about weight discrimination: impact on public support for legislation.

To assess the public support for potential legislation to prohibit weight-based discrimination against obese individuals in the United States, and to examine whether certain message frames about weight discrimination influence public support. Participants were randomly assigned to read one of the four paragraphs that framed the topic of weight discrimination in a distinct way (or a control condition with no paragraph). Participants were then asked to indicate their level of support for six antidiscrimination laws. A national sample of 1114 participants (48% women, 52% men), mean age 44.78 years (s.d.=15.93). There was moderate support for several laws to prohibit weight-based discrimination, but gender differences were observed across experimental conditions indicating that some message frames may increase support for certain laws among women, but not men. However, message frames had no effect on support for laws with specific provisions to prohibit weight discrimination in the workplace, suggesting that public support for these particular legal measures is consistent and high (65% of men and 81% of women expressed support) regardless of how the issue of weight discrimination is framed to the public. The present findings provide evidence of current levels of public support for legislation to prohibit weight-based discrimination, and offer potential ways for policy makers and interest groups to communicate messages about weight discrimination in efforts to increase support.
Fragrance material review on p-mentha-1,8-dien-7-ol

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of p-mentha-1,8-dien-7-ol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.
Residential Satisfaction in the Informal Neighborhoods of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Residential satisfaction is a very important factor in determining the quality of life, housing improvement proposals, and adequate housing policies. This paper reports on the findings of a study in four informal neighborhoods or "ger districts” of Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital. Mongolia has been facing an onslaught of rural migration to the urban areas because of two reasons. First, rural nomads have lost their livestock due to recent harsh climate conditions, and second because of the transition from communism to a democratic market economy, based on the exploitation of Mongolia's rich mineral resources. In the cities, migrants have invaded land and erected rural nomadic "ger” (felt tents or yurts). The traditional ger (as they are called in the Mongolian language) are sustainable structures well adapted for a nomadic society. However, when they are located in high-density, unplanned shantytowns, they create many issues. The country's capital, Ulaanbaatar, is the coldest capital in the world; ger' household use coal for heating which causes dense air pollution, especially in the winter. These informal urban areas lack sanitation, adequate vehicular access and other services. Eventually residents build small permanent houses, but they still lack for basic services. This paper presents the findings of more than one hundred household surveys related to housing conditions in three informal ger districts of Ulaanbaatar. The surveys were held in the summer of 2011. This paper discusses some of the characteristics of the settlements as well as the residential satisfaction of its inhabitants.
Guarding the perimeter: protection of the mucosa by tissue-resident memory T cells

Mucosal tissues are continually bombarded with infectious agents seeking to gain entry into the body. The absence of a tough physical exterior layer surrounding these tissues creates a unique challenge for the immune system, which manages to provide broad protection against a plethora of different organisms with the aid of special adaptations that augment immunity at these vulnerable sites. For example, specialized populations of memory T lymphocytes reside at initial sites of pathogen entry into the body, where they provide an important protective barrier. Similar anatomically-confined populations of pathogen-specific CD8 T cells can be found near the outer margins of the body following recovery from a variety of local infections, where they share very similar phenotypic characteristics. How these tissue-resident T cells are retained in a single anatomic location where they can promote immunity is beginning to be defined. Here, we will review current knowledge of the mechanisms that help establish and maintain these regional lymphocytes in the mucosal tissues and discuss relevant data that enhance our understanding of the contribution of these lymphocyte populations to protective immunity against infectious diseases.
Finite deformation of a circular elastic membrane containing a concentric rigid inclusion

Abstract Results are reported for the axisymmetric response of an initially flat annular membrane to transverse deflections of a rigid inclusion centered within the membrane. The membrane material is assumed to behave elastically in accordance with the Mooney-Rivlin constitutive law. The response shows a dramatic change in features with variations in one of the two Mooney-Rivlin parameters. Corresponding to negative values of this parameter, the membrane wrinkles for sufficiently high loads, whereas for positive values and large enough loads, it assumes an hourglass profile without wrinkling. For the case when this parameter vanishes, in which case it is of the neo-Hookean type, the load may be increased indefinitely without causing the membrane to wrinkle or go into an hourglass profile. The non-linear system of first-order differential equations governing the problem is solved by a predictor/multi-corrector integration method.
A review of sample preparation methods for quantitation of small-molecule analytes in brain tissue by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Concentration measurements are one of the most important and fundamental approaches in preclinical and clinical studies of small-molecule drugs, metabolites and biomarkers, since information about the absorption (drug), synthesis (biomarker), distribution, metabolism and elimination can be obtained by determining the concentrations of target analytes in biological fluids or tissue samples. Among all the bioanalytical techniques, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been widely used, due to its high sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility. Attention has been paid to the quantitation of small-molecule analytes in brain tissue samples by LC-MS/MS, because the important information about brain concentrations obtained via such studies can be used to interpret the distribution and function of target chemicals in the central nervous system (CNS). In order to be analyzed by LC-MS/MS, brain tissue samples need to be properly obtained and carefully prepared into an LC-MS/MS compatible form. The choice made here will which greatly influence the sensitivity and robustness of the method. As a result of the vital function and complex composition of brain tissue, sample collection and preparation can be very challenging. In this review, we summarize the current techniques for the collection and preparation of brain tissue samples, which can be used as a reference for future method development for quantitation of small-molecule analytes by LC-MS/MS.
Social science in the land of saints and scholars: Policy research in Ireland

Drawing on the author's experiences as an American social scientist working in Ireland on policy-oriented research relating to education and health, the paper discusses differences between such research in Ireland and the USA. In general, differences are due to the small size of the country; its lower level of economic development; the lack of a developed literature in the fields in which the author worked; the lack of published data; and cultural differences affecting scholarship, such as the lower level of competitiveness in human relations. In addition, policy-oriented social science research gets considerable media attention in Ireland. The very considerable attention given the author's work astonished him. The author illustrates the points made with accounts of his own experiences.
Microbial metabolism. Part 14. Isolation and bioactivity evaluation of microbial metabolites of resveratrol

The fungi, Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144) and Penicillium chrysogenium (ATCC 9480) transformed resveratrol (1) to resveratrol-3-O-sulphate (4). The former, in addition, gave 5-methoxyresveratrol-3-O-β-glucoside (2) with the latter yielding 5-methoxyresveratrol-3-O-sulphate (3). The structures were established by spectroscopic methods. Evaluation of biological activity of metabolites through a series of mammalian cell based assays indicated that resveratrol tends to lose its anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and anti-oxidant activities with the substitution of its hydroxyl groups.
Critical flicker frequency in light- and dark-adaptation.

(1958). Critical Flicker Frequency in Light- and Dark-Adaptation. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 58, No. 1, pp. 11-16.