cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soliton defects and topological $4\pi$-periodic superconductivity from an orbital magnetic field effect in edge Josephson junctions.

Recently, much research has been dedicated to understanding topological superconductivity and Majorana zero modes induced by a magnetic field in hybrid proximity structures. This paper proposes a realization of topological superconductivity in a short Josephson junction at an edge of a 2D topological insulator subject to a perpendicular magnetic field. The magnetic field effect is entirely orbital, coming from a gradient of the order parameter phase at the edge, which results in a soliton defect at the junction with a pair of gapless Andreev bound states. The latter are reducible to Majorana zero modes by a unitary rotation and protected by a chiral symmetry. Furthermore, both ground state and excitations are quasiperiodic in the magnetic flux enclosed in the junction, with the period equal to the double flux quantum $2\Phi_0 = h/e$. This behaviour follows from the gauge invariance of the $4\pi$ - phase periodicity of the Majorana states and manifests itself as $2\Phi_0$ - spaced magnetic oscillations of the critical current. Another proposed observable is a persistent current occurring in the absence of an external phase bias. Beside the oscillations, it shows a sign reversal prompted by the neutral Majorana zero modes. These findings offer the possibility to access topological superconductivity through low-field dc magnetotransport measurements.
Women who rock: The memoir project

“Issues in Popular Music: Women Who Rock” is an undergraduate honors course that focuses on the cultural narrative constructed by female musicians working in popular music from the 1920s to the present day. Students examine the impact these women and their music have had on issues involving civil rights, feminism, the counter culture, social injustices and war. With modules covering the development of various styles and genres, students’ exploration cuts across cultures and ethnicity as they analyze the rise and fall of girl groups, the dynamics of mixed gender groups, and the social lyricism of various songwriters. Wanting to design an open-ended research project that allowed students to expand their musical knowledge, I created the memoir project.
Age interpretation in eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) as suggested by otolith microchemical signatures

Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) are forage fish that play an important role in the ecosystem as prey for many species. Given their continuing population decline, determining accurate ages is necessary for age-structured stock assessments. This study employed microchemistry analysis to identify group differences and help interpret growth zone patterns on otolith surfaces. Specimens were collected off the coast of Oregon, in the coastal areas of Southeast Alaska, and in the southeastern Bering Sea. Laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to measure elemental ratios in the otoliths along a continuous track from the core to the proximoventral margin. Ba:Ca, Sr:Ca, Zn:Ca, and Mg:Ca signatures suggested that eulachon specimens from three geographic regions are different based on their elemental profiles. For the Oregon specimens, fluctuations in Ba:Ca and Zn:Ca signatures appeared consistent with otolith growth zones and most likely were the result of seasonal coastal upwelling events. Variations in Ba:Ca and Zn:Ca were useful as annual markers for eulachon otoliths from the Bering Sea. For the Southeast Alaska specimens, analysis of the Ba:Ca and Zn:Ca oscillations was not straightforward. Further work is needed to understand the link between otolith microchemistry, fish physiology, and regional environmental factors.
Integrative Approaches to the Undergraduate Public Health Major Curriculum: Strengths, Challenges, and Examples

Many "first generation" undergraduate public health degree programs were designed based on "siloed" course structures centered around subunits in the discipline (e.g., Introduction to Epidemiology, Introduction to Environmental Health) that may be meaningful primarily to experts in the field. An alternative to the siloed approach is an integrative curricular design, in which courses are designed around meaningful thematic units (e.g., explaining public health problems, asking and answering scientific questions in public health), with an emphasis on drawing connections between knowledge from different but complementary disciplinary areas as a means to improve student learning and retention. The integrative approach shifts the curriculum conversation to capitalize on the interdisciplinary roots of the public health profession. This approach is consistent with the learning outcome recommendations in the Framing the Future Task Force report and in the CEPH requirements for the undergraduate public health major. We explore integrative approaches to developing curricular models for undergraduate public health programs and discuss both pedagogical and career preparation arguments supporting an integrative curriculum approach. These include facilitating the often-challenging task for students of seeing how concepts interrelate, making transparent how "basic" knowledge in the discipline relates to "real world" applications of the content, and better mirroring how professionals in the discipline actually use knowledge in practice. Finally, we review examples of core concepts and features in an integrative curriculum approach to the undergraduate public health major as an effective educational program with high-quality, learner-centered educational experiences.
Increased Whole Body β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate Production in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

We have previously observed increased whole-body leucine (LEU) turnover in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), a product of LEU oxidation, ...
Curious Inconsistencies: An Empirical Examination of the Ratification of Bilateral Investment Treaties and Preferential Trade Agreements

The United States signs both Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with other nations to help increase access to markets and secure lower production costs. Although both of these types of treaties are integral to the pursuit of those goals, there has been an asymmetry in the attention paid to efforts to put these treaties into effect. The ratification of PTAs has drawn fierce political opposition and has also been the subject of a robust academic literature. In contrast, the ratification of BITs has drawn hardly any political opposition and has been almost entirely ignored by scholars. Surprisingly, however, PTAs pass Congress almost immediately while BITs languish for years. This paper first outlines why it is surprising that BITs have such long delays in Congress and then goes on to estimate a series of cox proportionate hazard models to show that this discrepancy cannot be explained by political factors or the countries we choose to sign BITs with alone.
Sexual and reproductive healthcare for adolescent and young adult women with epilepsy: A qualitative study of pediatric neurologists and epileptologists.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to explore the attitudes and practices of pediatric neurologists and epileptologists regarding sexual and reproductive healthcare for adolescent and young adult women with epilepsy (WWE). Background Adolescent and young adult WWE have unique sexual and reproductive healthcare needs, including counseling on teratogenesis, folic acid, and interactions between contraception and antiseizure medications. There are no prior studies regarding sexual and reproductive healthcare practices of pediatric neurologists or epileptologists. Design/methods Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with pediatric neurologists and epileptologists regarding their attitudes, practices, and experiences with sexual and reproductive healthcare for adolescent and young adult WWE. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis approach. Results Six child neurologists and 10 epileptologists (44% male) participated. Major themes included the following: (1) Sexual and reproductive healthcare is important for adolescent WWE, and neurologists have a key role in providing this care. (2) Sexual and reproductive healthcare should be comanaged with a primary care provider or women's health provider although neurologists have significant concerns regarding comanagement. (3) There is wide variability in sexual and reproductive healthcare practice among pediatric neurologists and epileptologists. Important subthemes included parent education and differences in sexual and reproductive healthcare practices for women with intellectual disabilities. (4) Many systemic and interpersonal barriers exist to delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare to adolescent and young adult WWE. Important barriers included limited time; provider, patient, or family discomfort; and lack of necessary knowledge or expertise. (5) Providers desire standardization of sexual and reproductive healthcare for adolescent WWE along with patient and provider education. Conclusion This is the first study to assess attitudes and practices of pediatric neurologists and epileptologists regarding sexual and reproductive healthcare for adolescent and young adult WWE. Our findings suggest that there is a need for development of improved systems for sexual and reproductive healthcare delivery and comanagement for adolescent and young adult WWE. Providers identified many barriers and facilitators that might serve as the basis for interventions to improve care.
Half-harmonic generation: enabling photonic solutions for molecular sensing and non-classical computing (Conference Presentation)

Half-harmonic generation is the inverse of second-harmonic generation. This talk overviews the concept, and how it is used for mid-IR frequency combs for molecular spectroscopy, and optical Ising machines, which can enable special-purpose nonclassical computing.
Guideline for General and Gastroenterological Surgery in Patients Undergoing Antithrombotic Treatment: “Kokura Protocol 2019” with Appendix on Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs)

In patients taking antithrombotic therapy ( ATT ) , we have to manage two conflicting risks of bleeding and thromboembolism perioperatively. W e have established our ow n perioperative antithrombotic management protocol for ATT-burdened patients (“Kokura Protocol”), and b ased on th is protocol, the hospital guideline for gastroenterological and general surgery in patients re c eiving ATT was made and have been used. Thereafter, in consideration of newly launched anticoagulants called direct oral anticoagulants ( DOACs ) , the guideline has been updated with appendix on DOACs. In this paper, our current updated guideline concerning perioperative ATT management during GE and general surgery will be outline d.
The Faint Globular Cluster in the Dwarf Galaxy Andromeda I

Observations of globular clusters in dwarf galaxies can be used to study a variety of topics, including the structure of dark matter halos and the history of vigorous star formation in low-mass galaxies. We report on the properties of the faint globular cluster (M V ~ −3.4) in the M31 dwarf galaxy Andromeda I. This object adds to the growing population of low-luminosity Local Group galaxies that host single globular clusters.
Liminal spaces: A review of the art in entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship in art

Arts entrepreneurship is still in its early stages as an emerging field of academic and scholarly inquiry at the intersection of art(s) and entrepreneurship. As such its boundaries and scope are still being negotiated. In this article, we examine entrepreneurship’s recent treatment of art (and vice versa) to explore and describe the hidden assumptions evident in each parent discipline’s characterization of the “other.” To do so, we identify and review 98 articles in entrepreneurship journals that address the field of art(s), and 165 articles in art journals that address the field of entrepreneurship. We then narratively analyze the breadth of approaches toward art(s) in entrepreneurship scholarship (and vice versa) and their relative frequency. This narrative analysis permits an examination of key peripheries in the overlap between art and entrepreneurship’s implicit conceptualizations of one another, specifically the importance of dissent and liminality. We close by identifying opportunities for further enriching arts entrepreneurship research and practice.
Initial weakening in Mixtecan languages

Prosodic boundaries influence patterns of consonantal strengthening and weakening across languages (Fougeron and Keating, 1997; Kakadelis, 2018; Katz and Fricke, 2018; Keating et al., 2003; White et al., 2020). Onset obstruents/nasals in prosodically prominent positions are lengthened and produced with greater contact between active and passive articulators (Fougeron and Keating, 1997; Fletcher, 2010; Keating et al., 2003; Lavoie, 2001). Typically, articulatory strengthening occurs in utterance-initial and word-initial position while weakening/reduction occurs in word-medial position (Katz and Fricke, 2018). We provide phonetic evidence that certain obstruents in word-medial, pre-tonic position are both lengthened and strengthened in Itunyoso Triqui, an indigenous language of Mexico, while word-initial obstruents are often shorter and reduced. We examined 67 min (8933 segments) from a spontaneous speech corpus produced by nine native speakers; and measured duration, voicing lenition, and spirantization. Onset consonants were lengthened slightly in stem-final (stressed) syllables but shortened elsewhere. For sonorant consonants, no utterance-initial lengthening was observed. These findings agree with previous work on a related Mixtecan language—Yoloxochitl Mixtec (DiCanio et al., submitted)—and pose unique challenges for views hypothesizing that consonantal strengthening is either (a) universal or (b) serves to enhance word-level parsing (Katz and Fricke, 2018; White et al., 2020).
Evaluation of Non-Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFA) through the Transition Period as a Predictor of Clinical Disease

During the transition period, most dairy cows will transiently visit a state of negative energy balance and hence have elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels; however, only a subset of cows and farms develop levels of clinical illness past acceptable limits. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between NEFA levels above a certain cut-point and displaced abomasums. The objective of this study was to evaluate pre- and post-partum NEFA levels and their association with clinical disease in northeast US dairy herds.
ACLR Improvement Method for RF Power Amplifiers in Wireless Communication Systems

An efficient and practical method to improve Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR) by reducing intermodulation products within the carrier band and adjacent frequencies for power amplifiers via predistortion is introduced. The method proposed is evaluated on a commercial power amplifier where memory polynomial method is used for its characterization. The closed form relations are obtained to calculate the predistortion coefficients needed to cancel the intermodulation. A reduction of the intermodulation tones is achieved and led to the desired reduction of adjacent leakage for the system and distortion within the carrier band. The method introduced here can be used for wireless communication systems to reduce distortion on adjacent channels for applications such as 5G and WiFi 6, and can be implemented at the digital baseband stage where the amplitude and phase change in a QAM scheme.
Estimating Fuel Moisture in Grasslands Using UAV-Mounted Infrared and Visible Light Sensors

Predicting wildfire behavior is a complex task that has historically relied on empirical models. Physics-based fire models could improve predictions and have broad applicability, but these models require more detailed inputs, including spatially explicit estimates of fuel characteristics. One of the most critical of these characteristics is fuel moisture. Obtaining moisture measurements with traditional destructive sampling techniques can be prohibitively time-consuming and extremely limited in spatial resolution. This study seeks to assess how effectively moisture in grasses can be estimated using reflectance in six wavelengths in the visible and infrared ranges. One hundred twenty 1 m-square field samples were collected in a western Washington grassland as well as overhead imagery in six wavelengths for the same area. Predictive models of vegetation moisture using existing vegetation indices and components from principal component analysis of the wavelengths were generated and compared. The best model, a linear model based on principal components and biomass, showed modest predictive power (r² = 0.45). This model performed better for the plots with both dominant grass species pooled than it did for each species individually. The presence of this correlation, especially given the limited moisture range of this study, suggests that further research using samples across the entire fire season could potentially produce effective models for estimating moisture in this type of ecosystem using unmanned aerial vehicles, even when more than one major species of grass is present. This approach would be a fast and flexible approach compared to traditional moisture measurements.
Unscented Kalman Inversion.

A useful approach to solve inverse problems is to pair the parameter-to-data map with a stochastic dynamical system for the parameter, and then employ techniques from filtering to estimate the parameter given the data. Three classical approaches to filtering of nonlinear systems are the extended, ensemble and unscented Kalman filters. The extended Kalman inversion (ExKI) is impractical when the forward map is not readily differentiable and given as a black box, and also for high dimensional parameter spaces because of the need to propagate large covariance matrices. Ensemble Kalman inversion (EKI) has emerged as a useful tool which overcomes both of these issues: it is derivative free and works with a low-rank covariance approximation formed from the ensemble. In this paper, we demonstrate that unscented Kalman methods also provide an effective tool for derivative-free inversion in the setting of black-box forward models, introducing unscented Kalman inversion (UKI). Theoretical analysis is provided for linear inverse problems, and a smoothing property of the data mis-fit under the unscented transform is explained. We provide numerical experiments, including various applications: learning subsurface flow permeability parameters; learning the structure damage field; learning the Navier-Stokes initial condition; and learning subgrid-scale parameters in a general circulation model. The theory and experiments show that the UKI outperforms the EKI on parameter learning problems with moderate numbers of parameters and outperforms the ExKI on problems where the forward model is not readily differentiable, or where the derivative is very sensitive. In particular, UKI based methods are of particular value for parameter estimation problems in which the number of parameters is moderate but the forward model is expensive and provided as a black box which is impractical to differentiate.
Shoulder Injury after Vaccination: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Adverse reactions to vaccine injections are usually mild and incredibly rare in nature, but multiple cases of shoulder events including bursitis, generalized pain or decreased range of motion have been reported following routine vaccine administrations. These events are known as Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration or SIRVA. A systematic review of literature was performed to identify all published accounts of SIRVA. Twenty-seven papers reporting one or more accounts of SIRVA were identified. The most common vaccination involved was the Influenza vaccine. The most common symptoms were pain that began in 48 hours or less and loss of shoulder range of motion. The most common treatment modalities were physical therapy, corticosteroid injections and anti-inflammatory medication; but in some patients, surgery was required. Regardless of intervention, the vast majority of outcomes demonstrated improved pain and functional except in the occasions of nerve injury. The etiology of SIRVA injuries has multiple possibilities including needle length, mechanical injury from needle overpenetration and the possibility of an immune inflammatory response from the vaccine components, but a unique definitive test or quantifiably result does not yet exist.
Structure of phage P22 gene 19 lysozyme inferred from its homology with phage T4 lysozyme. Implications for lysozyme evolution.

Abstract The amino acid sequence of the lysozyme from phage P22 is shown to be homologous (26% identity) with the lysozyme from bacteriophage T4. The sequence correspondence suggests that the structure of P22 lysozyme is similar to the known structure of T4 lysozyme within the “core” of the molecule, including the active site cleft. However, P22 lysozyme appears to lack two surface loops present in T4 lysozyme. It is possible that P22 lysozyme may provide an “evolutionary link” between the phage-type lysozymes and the goose-type lysozymes.
A new perspective on the dynamical link between the stratosphere and troposphere

Atmospheric processes of tropospheric origin can perturb the stratosphere, but direct feedback in the opposite direction is usually assumed to be negligible, despite the troposphere's sensitivity to changes in the release of wave activity into the stratosphere1,2,3. Here, however, we present evidence that such a feedback exists and can be significant. We find that if the wintertime Arctic polar stratospheric vortex is distorted, either by waves propagating upward from the troposphere4 or by eastward-travelling stratospheric waves5,6, then there is a concomitant redistribution of stratospheric potential vorticity which induces perturbations in keymeteorological fields in the upper troposphere. The feedback is large despite the much greater mass of the troposphere: it can account for up to half of the geopotential height anomaly at thetropopause. Although the relative strength ofthefeedback is partly due to a cancellation7 between contributions to these anomalies from lower altitudes, our results imply that stratospheric dynamics and its feedback on the troposphere are more significant for climate modelling and data assimilation than was previously assumed.
Teoría criminológica y crímenes de Estado: ¿cuán lejos se puede llegar? (Criminological Theory and State Crime: How Far Can it Go?)

Understanding and analyzing state crimes, in all their various forms (e.g., state-corporate crime, crimes of globalization, international crimes, supranational crimes, and political crimes), present challenges for criminologists, jurists, and socio-legal scholars. This is especially the case when trying to apply criminological theory. One should, however, first consider the purpose of theory. For example whether a theory for crimes of the state can or should be parsimonious, falsifiable, or quantifiable are factors that impact the development and acceptance of a theory for crimes of the state. This article discusses these issues and their impact on theoretical development for the field and suggests that any efforts to develop a theory for crimes of the state must recognize the interdependent nature of reality and their complexities. Given this, an overview of criminological theories that have been applied to certain components of state crime is offered followed by an integrated theoretical framework that can be applied to the various forms of state crime.
Culture: The Anthropologists' Account

Culture: The Anthropologists' Account. Adam Kuper. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999. 299 pp.
ON THE FORMATION OF LONGMERS IN PHOSPHOROTHIOATE OLIGODEOXYRIBONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS

Abstract The extent of longmer formation in phosphorothioate oligodeoxyribonucleotide synthesis through amidete chemistry on solid support depends on base composition, contact time and acidity of the promotor used for activation of the phosphoramidite. A longmer formation mechanism that involves dedimethoxytritylation of the phosphite triester intermediate is proposed.
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood or familial hemiplegic migraine?: A novel ATP1A2 mutation

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is typically distinguished from familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) by infantile onset of the characteristic symptoms and high prevalence of associated neurological deficits that become increasingly obvious with age. Expansion of the clinical spectrum in FHM recently has begun to blur the distinction between these disorders. We report a novel ATP1A2 mutation in a kindred with features that bridge the phenotypic spectrum between AHC and FHM syndromes, supporting a possible common pathogenesis in a subset of such cases. Mutation analysis in classic sporadic AHC patients and in an additional five kindreds in which linkage to the ATP1A2 locus could not be excluded failed to identify additional mutations.
Scientific Thinking in Young Children: Theoretical Advances, Empirical Research, and Policy Implications

New theoretical ideas and empirical research show that very young children’s learning and thinking are strikingly similar to much learning and thinking in science. Preschoolers test hypotheses against data and make causal inferences; they learn from statistics and informal experimentation, and from watching and listening to others. The mathematical framework of probabilistic models and Bayesian inference can describe this learning in precise ways. These discoveries have implications for early childhood education and policy. In particular, they suggest both that early childhood experience is extremely important and that the trend toward more structured and academic early childhood programs is misguided.
Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production and NADPH oxidation stimulated by nitrofurantoin in lung microsomes: possible implications for toxicity.

Abstract The addition of nitrofurantoin to aerobic incubation mixtures containing rat lung microsomes strongly enhanced the generation of adrenochrome from epinephrine. Adrenochrome formation in this system was blocked by superoxide dismutase, but not by catalase. Hydrogen peroxide production was also strongly enhanced by nitrofurantoin in these preparations; superoxide dismutase did not significantly alter the amount of H 2 O 2 measured, but no H 2 O 2 was detected in incubation mixtures in the presence of catalase. Nitrofurantoin enhanced the oxidation of NADPH in lung microsomal suspensions under aerobic conditions; the enhancement was unaffected by catalase but was partially prevented by superoxide dismutase. Neither adrenochrome formation nor H 2 O 2 production were enhanced by nitrofurantoin under anaerobic (N 2 ) conditions, but NADPH oxidation in the presence of nitrofurantoin was greater under anaerobic conditions than under aerobic conditions. These results are consistent with the view that the redox cycling of nitrofurantoin in lung microsomes in the presence of oxygen results in the consumption of NADPH and the production of activated oxygen species, emphasizing some in vitro metabolic similarities with the lung-toxic herbicide, paraquat.
THE STRIATOAMYGDALOID SYSTEM.

Abstract Using a Computer of Average Transients, it could be shown in cats that repeated stimulation of the caudate nucleus was able to elicit responses in the amygdala. These responses persisted despite extensive lesions of the globus pallidus, septum, nucleus ventralis anterior thalami or degeneration of the corticofugal fibers originating in the frontal lobe and motor area. They were abolished by coagulation around the tip of the stimulating electrode. The experiments suggest a functional relationship between the striatum and parts of the limbic system.
Observation of high-power resonance line-shapes in an unstable two-level system

Abstract Resonance lineshapes for the transition 8 1 F 3 -8 1 G 4 in He I have been obtained whose qualitative features reflect the fact that both states are unstable to radiative decay. The lineshapes are found to be in full agreement with a simple two-level theory and to be directly sensitive to the ratio of initial populations.
Processing parameters of continuous microwave heating of ethylene-propylene terpolymer

Abstract In continuous microwave heating, the temperature rise of rubber extrudates and the level of unabsorbed or reflected microwave power are strongly dependent upon the microwave power level, residence time, and extrudate configuration. It is therefore essential to control these processing parameters, together with the energy absorption characteristics of rubber materials, to improve the efficiency of microwave heating process.
Behavior of 10-(perfluorohexyl)-decanol, a partially fluorinated analog of hexadecanol, at the air–water interface

Abstract 10-(Perfluorohexyl)-decanol is a partially fluorinated analog of hexadecanol, an important detergent alcohol. With a melting point of T =48.82 °C and a melting enthalpy of Δ H =53.96 J/g, the intermolecular interactions of the fluorinated alcohol are weaker compared to hexadecanol ( T =52.67 °C, Δ H =244.41 J/g). The behavior of this fluorinated alcohol at the air–water interface was studied on five different subphases, namely, water, NaCl (150 mM), CaCl 2 (2 mM), HCl (pH=2.0), and urea (0.5 M). Similar to other partially fluorinated amphiphiles, the compression isotherms of the fluorinated alcohol on all subphases are more expanded compared to the hydrocarbon alcohol with a limiting area of 32–36 A 2 per molecule and a temperature-dependent phase transition at 5.6–8.2 mN/m (37 °C, compression rate of 10 mm/min). The dependence of the compression isotherms of 10-(perfluorohexyl)-decanol on subphase composition and temperature follows the trends reported for tetra- and hexadecanol. In particular, a shift to smaller molecular areas with increasing temperatures was observed on all five subphases. The shift to smaller molecular areas on urea indicates that in the case of 10-(perfluorohexyl)-decanol the effect is largely due to a loss of material from the air–water interface during compression of the monolayers. However, a squeezing-out of water molecules from the hydration sphere of the polar headgroup may still occur but can not be unambiguously proven.
Mosaic multispectral focal plane array cameras

Mosaic technology has gained considerable popularity and has become mainstay in commercial digital color cameras. In a mosaicked sensor, each pixel detector is covered with a wavelength-specific optical filter. Since only one spectral band is sensed at each pixel, the other bands must be estimated from neighboring pixels. In the commercial digital color cameras, sophisticated algorithms have been developed to perform this estimation, based upon properties of the human visual system to minimize artifacts. To expand this technology for use in military applications such as missiles and smart ordnance, various modifications need to be made. Two of the bigger problems are the choice of spectral sensitivities for the filters and the pattern used in the mosaic. We propose a novel seven-band setup for multispectral imaging systems along with a choice of spectral sensitivities that "best" distinguish target from clutter in an information theoretic sense. These ideas are illustrated with hyperspectral visible/near-infrared images taken by the AVIRIS sensor. Following the image-capture stage, the display of these multispectral images on a three-channel display is also addressed.
Obstructive? Restrictive? Or a Ventilatory Impairment?

Since 1991, the guidelines for interpretation of lung function tests endorsed by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) have recommended that the presence of airflow obstruction be determined by a reduction in the ratio of FEV1 to FVC (or vital capacity), but that the severity of the obstructive impairment be indicated by the reduction in FEV1 itself, expressed as a percent of its predicted value (FEV1 % predicted). [1] Both of these choices have a good rationale and were again recommended in the 2005 ATS/European Respiratory Society joint guidelines. [2] The FEV1/FVC ratio has an inherent correction for the variance in FVC, which contributes to that of FEV1, so the normal range for the ratio is tighter than for FEV1, increasing its sensitivity for the recognition of abnormal airflow. The recommended National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III reference data [3] show that the normal FEV1/FVC ratio decreases from about 0.85 at age 20 years to 0.75 at age 70 years, and the lower limit of normal (LLN), representing the fifth percentile of a healthy nonsmoking reference population of the same age, is almost exactly 0.10 below the predicted value throughout this age range. For the FEV1, the fifth percentile LLN ranges from 17% to 25% below the predicted value over this age range. The FEV1/FVC ratio decreases steadily with the early progression of disease, but varies more with advanced disease. If FVC is maintained, the ratio continues to fall, but as air trapping reduces the FVC, along with further reduction in FEV1, the decrement in the ratio of the two is blunted. For example, a patient with FEV1 of 1 L and FVC of 2 L is clearly more advanced than one of the same age and size with an FEV1 of 1.8 L and FVC of 3.6 L, but both have an FEV1/FVC of 0.50. Thus, the FEV1 % predicted more reliably tracks the advancing severity of disease and correlates, albeit not tightly, with increasing symptoms, disability, and morbid outcomes. [4] , [5]
Comparison of frequency of inflammatory bowel disease and noninfectious gastroenteritis among statin users versus nonusers.

Conflicting data exist regarding the effects of statin therapy on the prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases. We aimed to examine the association of statin therapy with diagnoses of inflammatory bowel diseases and noninfectious gastroenteritis. This is a retrospective study using data of a military health care system from October 1, 2003, to March 1, 2012. Based on medication fills during fiscal year 2005, patients were divided into: (1) statin users (received at least 90-day supply of statin) and (2) nonusers (never received a statin). A propensity score–matched cohort of statin users and nonusers was created using 80 variables. Primary analysis examined the risks of being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases and noninfectious gastroenteritis between statin users and nonusers in the propensity score–matched cohort. Secondary analyses examined the risk of outcomes in the whole cohort and in patients with no comorbidities according to Charlson Comorbidity Index. Of 43,438 patients meeting study criteria (13,626 statin users and 29,812 nonusers), we propensity score matched 6,342 statin users with 6,342 nonusers. For our primary analysis, 93 statin users and 92 nonusers were diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases (odds ratio = 1.01, 95% confidence interval = 0.76 to 1.35), and 632 statin users and 619 nonusers were diagnosed of noninfectious gastroenteritis (odds ratio = 1.02, 95% confidence interval = 0.91 to 1.15). In conclusion, the risks of inflammatory bowel diseases and noninfectious gastroenteritis among statin users and nonusers are similar after adjusting for other potential confounding factors.
Evidence for a Competitive-Displacement Model for the initiation of protein synthesis involving the intermolecular hybridization of 5 S rRNA, 18 S rRNA and mRNA.

We have previously shown that a 5′-terminal region of mouse 5 S rRNA can base-pair in vitro with two distinct regions of 18 S rRNA. Further analysis reveals that these 5 S rRNA-complementary sequences in 18 S rRNA also exhibit complementarity to the Kozak consensus sequence surrounding the mRNA translational start site. To test the possibility that these 2 regions in 18 S rRNA may be involved in mRNA binding and translational initiation, we have tested, using an in vitro translation system, the effects of DNA oligonucleotides complementary to these 18 S rRNA sequences on protein synthesis. Results show that an oligonucleotide complementary to one 18 S rRNA region does inhibit translation at the step of initiation. We propose a Competitive-Displacement Model for the initiation of translation involving the intermolecular base-pairing of 5 S rRNA 18 S rRNA and mRNA.
Role of intracellular calcium stores in contrast medium-induced renal vasoconstriction.

Rationale and Objectives. Renovascular smooth muscle contractility, an important factor in contrast media-induced nephrotoxicity, depends on intracellular Ca2+ concentration, which is composed of extracellular Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release. These factors were investigated in contrast media-induced renal vasoconstriction in an in vitro model. Methods. KCl-induced isometric contractions of rabbit renal artery were compared with contractions elecited y contrast media (diatrizoate, iohexol, iopamidol). Measurements were made after incubation with the Ca2+ channel blockers nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem to assess the role of extracellular Ca2+ influx and after ryanodine and thapsigargin to investigate the role of intracellular Ca2+ release. Results. The Ca2+ channel blockers partially inhibited contractions induced by contrast media, while KCl-induced contractions were completely abolished., Ryanodine and thapsigargin also markedly inhibited contrast media-induced contractions. Conclusion. Ionic and nonionic contrast media induced quantitatively different renal vasocontractions. Ca2+ channel blockers inhibited this vasocontraction only slightly compared with intracellular Ca2+ release blockers.
NMR and HPLC-MS/MS analysis of synthetically prepared linoleic acid diol glucuronides

Hydroxylated fatty acids are important mediators of many physiological and pathophysiological processes in a variety of human tissues. Recent evidence shows that in humans many of these are ultimately excreted in the urine as the glucuronide conjugates. In this paper we describe a general approach for the chemical synthesis of glucuronide conjugate derivatives of fatty acids. The synthesis strategy employs three steps (epoxidation, hydrolysis and glucuronidation) using methyl linoleate as a model non-hydroxylated starting compound. Hydroxylated starting compounds would require only the glucuronidation step. NMR and HPLC-MS/MS experiments were used to help determine the structure of the synthesized glucuronide conjugates and to identify fragmentation product ions useful for discriminating positional isomers in biological samples. This synthetic strategy should prove useful for generating analytical standards in order to identify and quantify glucuronide metabolites of hydroxylated fatty acids in humans.
A mutant of sindbis virus with altered plaque morphology and a decreased ratio of 26 S:49 S RNA synthesis in mosquito cells

Abstract When our stock of standard Sindbis virus (SVSTD) is assayed by plaque formation on Aedes albopictus mosquito cells, about 1–2% of the plaques appear much clearer and sharper than the majority of the plaques. One of these clear plaques was picked, grown into a viral stock (SVCP), and used to prepare viral cDNA. Making use of the infectious Sindbis virus plasmid, Toto 1101 (Rice et al., 1987) , we mapped the causal mutation for the clear plaque phenotype to a region between nt 7334 and 7716, and by sequencing of the viral RNA identified a mutation at nucleotide 7592. This mutation lies in the junction region of the viral genome, specifically at nucleotide −6, with reference to the initiation site for 26 S RNA synthesis. In SVCP infected mosquito cells, but not in SVCP-infected chick cells, the ratio of subgenomic 26 S to 49 S (genomic) RNA synthesis was decreased relative to that observed in SVSTD infected cells. In terms of amino acid coding, the SVCP mutation is silent.
Extraction and Quantitative Characteristics of Actomyosin in Canine Heart Muscle

The conditions for quantitative extraction of actomyosin from dog heart ventricular muscle were studied. By use of appropriate techniques and conditions, yields of actomyosin comparable to those found by others for a variety of muscles were obtained. The method used could be standardized to give reproducible values with both fresh and frozen muscle. Actomyosin so obtained retained its characteristic properties as evidenced by its viscosity response to ATP and its enzymatic activity.
Clinical evaluation of a penicillin dentifrice.

The early work by Mantegazza, men­ tioned by Magitot, is available in English translation.48 Extracted human teeth were placed in solutions of sucrose, with and without salivary inoculations. The changes were noted by the loss of weight of the teeth and by the amount of cal­ cium ions dissolved. It was noted that the loss of the weight of the teeth paralleled acid formation and growth of micro­ organisms (fermentation). The artificial mouth has been used to study the individual ability of nine known species of oral microorganisms to attack extracted human teeth.49,50 Eight species or strains were capable of destroying teeth. Among the microorganisms able to attack teeth extensively were species of lactobacillus, streptococcus and micro­ coccus. A considerable difference was noted in the ability of the organisms to attack external enamel and sound dentin, but the lactobacillus strains showed no unique action.
Evidence for longitudinal smooth muscle fibers in canine mesenteric arteries.

Abstract Superfused helical strips of canine anterior mesenteric arteries relaxed in approximately 12% of the preparations when challenged with vasoconstrictor agents such as serotonin, norepinephrine, barium chloride and KCl. The muscle fibers in most of these preparations were longitudinally oriented.
Wnt pathway activation functionally reprograms human antigen-specific T cells.

Meeting abstracts Polyfunctionality is a hallmark of protective immunity, yet the molecular mechanisms governing polyfunctional T cells are poorly understood. After TCR activation, naive CD8+ T cells undergo proliferation and differentiation, which lead to effector functions and memory subset
A note on the allocation of investment

Abstract It is shown by example that the results obtained by Gruver [11 concerning specialization of investment in either directly productive or pollution control capital arise because of an implicit linearity assumption on the underlying technology. Utilizing a strictly concave “eighth sphere” technology, results are obtained which imply joint investment in the two types of capital except in “rare” instances. The results indicate the need for incorporating more general technologies into the analysis of such problems.
Magnetic Resonance–invisible Versus Magnetic Resonance–visible Prostate Cancer in Active Surveillance: A Preliminary Report on Disease Outcomes

Objective To assess the association between magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of prostate cancer on a baseline multiparametric prostate (MP) MR imaging (MRI) and biopsy outcome in men with favorable-risk prostate cancer managed with active surveillance (AS). Materials and Methods Ninety-six consecutive men (mean age, 67.8 years) who had a baseline MP MRI within 1 year of AS enrollment were included in the study. MP MRI results were analyzed to identify men with MR-invisible tumor defined as no signal abnormality on T2-weighted images, no focal restricted diffusion, and no perfusion abnormality on dynamic contrast-enhanced images. Patients with (n = 84) or without (n = 12) MR-visible tumor were compared and the impact of MR-invisibility of tumor on the risk of adverse biopsy pathology based on the Epstein criteria was investigated with a median follow-up of 23 months. Results Adverse biopsy pathology occurred in 36.5% (35 of 96) of patients. There was no significant difference in the fulfillment of AS criteria at enrollment, prostate-specific antigen level or density, prostate volume, and number of biopsies (total or after MRI) between the 2 groups of patients. A total of 8.3% (1 of 12) of men with MR-invisible tumor had adverse biopsy pathology as compared with 40.5% (34 of 84) of men with MR-visible tumors. The MR-invisibility of tumor was associated with a lower risk of adverse biopsy pathology (crude relative risk = 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-1.25; prostate-specific antigen density–adjusted relative risk = 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-1.32). Conclusion The MR-invisibility of tumor on MP MRI could be of prognostic significance in monitoring men in AS with potential benefit of tailoring the frequency of surveillance biopsies and reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies.
Steady state analysis of water vapor transport in ionomers

Abstract Diffusion coefficients for water in high permeability ionomers are determined from steady state permeation measurements, corrected for boundary layer resistance and change in vapor concentration along sample length, to circumvent problems due to heat of condensation and structural relaxation. Values for water in the perfluoroionomer, Nafion, converted to solvent self-diffusion coefficients, D 1 , are consistent with the NMR based free volume (fv) relation for Nafion at high concentrations. At low concentrations D 1 decreases more rapidly than fv values, an effect attributed to ion hydration involving up to 6 water molecules per sulfonate group. The reduction in D 1 due to concentration averaging in permeation, estimated using the fv relation, is about 23%. Water vapor sorption isotherms and steady state values of D 1 , for two different types of styrene hydrogenated butadiene triblock ionomers and Nafion can be superimposed using morphology dependent vertical scaling factors. The simple correspondence between results for the hydrocarbon ionomers and Nafion, is attributed to a common transport mechanism based on the restriction of water to ionic pathways. There are a number of claims in the literature that water uptake by highly permeability polymers is greater from the liquid phase than from saturated vapor at unit activity. This paper demonstrates that the disparity, known as Schroeder's paradox, does not occur in sorption under equilibrium conditions or in permeability measurements, if proper corrections for boundary layer resistance and vapor concentration profile are applied.
Discovery and SAR of novel 4-thiazolyl-2-phenylaminopyrimidines as potent inhibitors of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK).

Abstract A series of SYK inhibitors based on the phenylamino pyrimidine thiazole lead 4 were prepared and evaluated for biological activity. Lead optimization provided compounds with nanomolar Ki’s against SYK and potent inhibition in mast cell degranulation assays.
Hydrophobic sequences target and anchor perilipin A to lipid droplets

Perilipins regulate triacylglycerol storage and hydrolysis in adipocytes. The central 25% of the perilipin A sequence, including three hydrophobic sequences (H1, H2, and H3) and an acidic region, targets and anchors perilipins to lipid droplets. Thus, we hypothesized that H1, H2, and H3 are targeting and anchoring motifs. We now show that deletion of any single hydrophobic sequence or combinations of H1 and H3 or H2 and H3 does not prevent targeting of the mutated perilipin to lipid droplets. In contrast, mutated perilipin lacking H1 and H2 showed reduced targeting, whereas perilipin lacking H1, H2, and H3 targeted poorly to lipid droplets; thus, H3 is a weak targeting signal and either H1 or H2 is required for optimal targeting. Complete elimination of perilipin targeting was observed only when all three hydrophobic sequences were deleted in combination with either the acidic region or N-terminal sequences predicted to form amphipathic beta-strands. Unlike intact perilipin A, mutated perilipin lacking either H1 and H2 or H1, H2, and H3 was released from lipid droplets after alkaline carbonate treatment, suggesting that these forms are loosely associated with lipid droplets. The three hydrophobic sequences play a major role in targeting and anchoring perilipins to lipid droplets.