cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4491: Characterizing long non-coding RNA expression of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes across solid cancers

Usually recognized as transcripts of length more than 200 bp and devoid of open reading frames, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) span a vast range of the human genome. Once thought to be of relatively little biological importance, they have been shown to be involved in many biological processes and diseases, highlighting their important regulatory function, which is now gradually starting to be understood. For instance, the recent discovery of immune gene priming lncRNAs (IPLs) – a subset of lncRNAs that facilitate epigenetic priming of immune gene promoters – has demonstrated the hitherto unappreciated role of lncRNAs in orchestrating inflammatory and immune responses. In this study we generated and analyzed bulk RNA sequencing data from a collection of purified cell populations obtained from patients with prostate cancer, glioblastoma, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Each cohort was comprised of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and paired circulating lymphocytes, derived from matched peripheral blood samples, obtained by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The high depth of coverage in our data allowed the examination of expression patterns of CD4 and CD8 cell types at a level not possible with single cell sequencing, across relevant tumor phenotypes including T-cell exhaustion. To this end, we used the FANTOM CAGE-Associated Transcriptome (FANTOM-CAT) annotation, quantifying expression levels for over 100,000 coding and non-coding genes, encompassing enhancers and promoters recently characterized by the FANTOM consortium and examined their behavior with respect to immune function. We compared the behavior of coding genes and various categories of lncRNAs against each other, and identified important candidate lncRNAs for further functional study. Overall, our comprehensive study of TILs gene expression provides novel insights into lncRNA-directed networks controlling immune response mechanisms in cancer. Citation Format: Wikum Dinalankara, Eddie-Luidy Imada, Christopher M. Jackson, Thomas R. Nirschl, Michael Lim, Charles G. Drake, Luigi Marchionni. Characterizing long non-coding RNA expression of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes across solid cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4491.
5G mmWAVE Technology Design Challenges and Development Trends

The explosive growth in areas of mobile subscriber, wireless network access, mobile services and applications shows evidences of the continuous expansion of cellular communication bandwidth requirement. The 5G (fifth generation) mobile communication standard aims to solve the substantially increased requirement of data rate and the avalanche of traffic volume. One of the promising solutions is to use the millimeter wave frequency band to get the wide available spectrum. To overcome these unfavorable channel properties, i.e. high path loss, propagation loss, rain fading…,e.t.c., the beam-forming, beam tracking together with phased array antenna are the most crucial key technologies.In this paper, we describe the system specifications and the design considerations of the architecture for the RF and beam forming of the 5G mmWave communication system. Then the design challenges and development trends of the 5G mmWave front-end module are presented. Finally, ITRI’s developed 28GHz 5G millimeter-wave development and verification platform is introduced which adopts the hybrid beam-forming architecture designed with a 8/16/32/64-antenna phased antenna array for gNB and/or UE to implement the beam-forming technology, also a beam-tracking algorithm is developed to support the mobile transmission over 100Km/hr.
Acoustic prism for continuous beam steering based on piezo-electric metamaterial

This paper investigates an acoustic prism for continuous acoustic beam steering by a simple frequency sweep. This idea takes advantages of acoustic wave velocity shifting in metamaterials in the vicinity of local resonance. We apply this concept into the piezoelectric metamaterial consisting of host medium and piezoelectric LC shunt. Theoretical modeling and FEM simulations are carried out. It is shown that the phase velocity of acoustic wave changes dramatically in the vicinity of local resonance. The directions of acoustic wave can be adjusted continuously between 2 to 16 degrees by a simple sweep of the excitation frequency. Such an electro-mechanical coupling system has a feature of adjusting local resonance without altering the mechanical part of the system.
Eating to Cope With the COVID-19 Pandemic and Body Weight Change in Young Adults.

Abstract Purpose Life disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are particularly salient for young adults. Some young adults may engage in unhealthy eating practices to cope with social distancing and isolation during the pandemic, which could increase incidental weight gain. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of eating to cope with the pandemic with body weight change in young adults before versus after spread of COVID-19. Methods Data included the baseline (October/2018–October/2019) and follow-up (May/2020–July/2020) assessments from an ongoing longitudinal cohort recruited from Southern California. A diverse sample of participants (54% Hispanic; age = 19.72[.47] years; N = 1,820) completed online self-report measures of weight at baseline and follow-up and were given a checklist of pandemic coping behaviors including overeating (yes/no) and eating high fat or sugary foods (yes/no) to cope with social distancing and isolation during the pandemic. Results With and without adjusting for confounders, young adults who did versus did not report overeating to cope with the pandemic gained more weight from baseline to follow-up (5.55 vs. 2.54 lbs). Unhealthy food intake to cope with the pandemic was not associated with weight change. Baseline weight moderated the association of eating coping practices with weight change such that individuals with higher baseline weight gained more weight if they engaged in eating to cope behaviors versus not (p’s≤.001). Conclusions Unhealthy eating behavior to cope with the pandemic and corresponding body weight increases may be occurring in young adults. Interventions to promote healthy eating practices in young adults warrant consideration for weight gain prevention during the pandemic.
How COVID-Induced Job Search Anxiety Affects New Labor Market Entrants' Job Search and Well-Being.

New labor market entrants (i.e., first-time job seekers) face significant hurdles when searching for a job for the first time, with these stressors likely amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. In...
Rapid diagnostic detection of tomato apical stunt viroid based on isothermal reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification.

Abstract Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd) is a serious threat to tomato plants that can cause a considerable yield loss. In the present study, two isothermal molecular diagnostic assays based on reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) utilizing the AmplifyRP® platform for plant pathogen detection were developed. The results of this research demonstrated distinct specificity of both developed assays, AmplifyRP® Acceler8TM and AmplifyRP® XRT, expressed in the absence of any cross-reaction activity to all total RNA extracts obtained from plants infected with other pospiviroids. The RT-RPA assays detected viroid RNA in 81- and 27-fold dilutions of the original TASVd-infected crude extract for AmplifyRP® Acceler8TM and AmplifyRP® XRT, respectively. The sensitivity tests in serial water dilutions showed the ability of AmplifyRP® Acceler8TM and AmplifyRP® XRT to detect 8 and 80 fg of pure TASVd RNA transcript, respectively. The influence of crude extract on viroid RNA transcript detection was also examined and a decrease of sensitivity of approximately 100-fold for both RT-RPA assays was revealed. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing development of RT-RPA assays to detect TASVd in plants using the AmplifyRP® platform that can be further employed both in laboratory conditions and in the field for on-site diagnosis.
A Qualitative Usability Evaluation of Tablets and Accessibility Settings by Older Adults

Tablet technology and its associated applications have the potential to improve the quality of life of older adults. Current tablet usability studies involving older adults have been performed using qualitative measures focused on older generations of tablets, limited by its weight, power, resolution and availability of appropriate applications. We adopt a qualitative approach involving 25 older adults in low-income independent living facilities for studying usability and accessibility settings. We discuss our findings and propose changes that could improve the tablet experience for older adults.
Mini-review: Local and downstream responses to the neuromuscular junction: potential roles for integrins, connexins and ephrins in altering muscle characteristics and function.

Abstract Skeletal muscle develops in a manner directly related to its innervating motor neuron. The formation of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a well-described process that is coordinated to allow for efficient communication between the central nervous system and muscle for muscle contraction and movement. Some of the major mediators of NMJ formation, like muscle-specific kinase, agrin and laminin, have been thoroughly described but there are other important proteins that have an integral role in muscle health that have also been associated with proper NMJ integrity and fiber health and function. This mini-review focuses on integrins, connexin hemichannels and ephrins and their relationship with the NMJ in regulating muscle health.
Probing the photon polarization in B → K∗γ with conversion

We re-examine the possibility to measure the photon polarization in B → K*γ decays, via decays in which the photon subsequently undergoes nuclear conversion to a lepton pair. We obtain compact expressions for the full decay-plus-conversion amplitude. With these results we show that interference between the B → (K* → Kπ)γ decay and the γN → l+ l– N conversion permits both the ratio and relative weak phase between the left- and right-handed photon amplitudes to be probed by an angular observable, constructed from the final state dilepton, kaon and pion kinematic configuration. Exploiting this technique will be experimentally challenging. However, we present special kinematic cuts that enhance the statistical power of this technique by an O(1) factor. Furthermore, we verify this effect and extract pertinent angular kinematic distributions with dedicated numerical simulations.
Potentiation of chemotherapeutics on gliomas by IL13 receptor targeted liposomes

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 3077 The toxic side effects and poor response rates associated with many of the cancer drugs used to treat brain tumors underline the demand for an improvement in current chemotherapeutic protocols for glioma therapy. One approach for improving drug delivery and uptake by tumor cells is to use targeted nanovesicles. IL13Rα2, a receptor for interleukin-13 (IL13), is restrictively expressed in high-grade astrocytomas. Previously, we demonstrated the selective targeting ability of IL13 conjugated liposomes to high grade astrocytomas and the ability of these liposomes to cross the blood brain barrier. In this study we test the hypothesis that IL13 conjugated liposomes can be used to deliver cytotoxins or siRNA to tumor cells effectively. The liposomes ranged in size from 50-150 nm and encapsulated doxorubicin(DXR), BCNU, or siRNA for the H-subunit of ferritin. The latter was chosen because H-ferritin has been found in the nuclei of cancer cells. Various glioma cells were exposed to DXR or BCNU for 24 or 48h with or without transfecting them with siRNA. The effects of the liposomes encapsulating pharmaceutical agents were compared against unencapsulated cytotoxins or non-targeted liposomal cytotoxins. We could observe higher DXR accumulation in glioma cells when they are treated with liposomes conjugated with IL13 using both direct fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Increased uptake of DXR by glioma cells implies decreased efflux mediated by Pgp, which is the major determinant of multidrug resistance (MDR). We could also observe an enhanced cytotoxicity of IL13 conjugated liposomal drug on glioma cells when compared to unconjugated liposomal drug. Transfecting U251 cells with the siRNA for H-ferritin increased the vulnerability of cells to DXR and BCNU and radiation. The siRNA for H-ferritin could be encapsulated into the IL13 conjugated nanovesicles and delivered to the glioma cells. The siRNA was functional as demonstrated by the decrease in H-ferritin and the increase in vulnerability to chemotherapeutics. These results show the efficacy of a novel selective targeting delivery system for tumor cells and a promising new mechanism involving siRNA for H-ferritin. In vivo studies are in progress.
Computational Methods of Neuronal Network Decomposition

The hippocampal formation is a widely studied neuronal network involved in learning and memory formation and is composed of multiple feedforward and feedback loops which lend themselves to study through the use of systems theory In this approach, the network properties are characterized as the composite of input/output functions measured for each subsystem in the network. The characterizing functions are thekernels of a functional power series, and as such capture both the linear and nonlinear characteristics of the transformational processes associated with this network. This paper reviews the development of the functional power series approach to studying the hippocampal formation, summarizes experimental data which demonstrates the nonlinear nature of the hippocampal formation for both in-vivo and in-vitro preChapautions, and utilizes this data to explore the decomposition problem. An example is presented which computes the transformational properties of the basket cells in the granule cell layer.
The Entitative Manifestations. Doctrine of “Three Natures.” Universality and Particularity

As the substance, in its garbha-ālaya (matrix-store) aspects, sets itself forth towards the actualization of its potentialities and as the sphere of “determination” comes about, the endless ever-remaining groundlessness of the undetermined comes to manifest itself entitatively. This is the stringent result of the potential relation of the undetermined to the determined becoming actual. As the “undetermined” aspect of the essence becomes the ever-present, all-encompassing, all-pervading medium of “determination,” the “undetermined” itself becomes entitatively manifest as an aspect of total reality, in a way similar to the “hemp” which becomes manifest as an entitative aspect of the “rope.” The “undetermined,” as becoming “manifest” in this way, is called parinispanna, or the “perfected” or absolute Nature. Being an “entitative manifestation,” pariniṣpanna becomes also a dimension for “cognitive manifestation” in individual consciousness. The “entitative manifestation” of the undetermined as actually positing itself as the substratum of the determined, will become “cognitive manifestation” through the individual mental event of samādhi (highest state of abstract, “empty mind”-concentration), as will be seen later.
STAT3 decoy disrupts STAT1 signaling without mitigating antitumor efficacy

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 4722 We previously developed a transcription factor decoy targeting STAT3 decoy and reported antitumor activity in both in vitro and in vivo squmaous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) models. The existence of STAT1-STAT3 dimers and the high sequence homology between STAT1 and STAT3 protein (72 % overall and 77% at the DNA binding domain) prompted us to investigate the effects of the STAT3 decoy on STAT1 signaling. Two SCCHN cell lines, PCI-15B and UM-22B, with different STAT1 expression levels (but similar STAT3 levels) were used. Both PCI-15B and UM-22B cells were sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of the STAT3 decoy in comparison to a control decoy. STAT1 signaling was intact in these cells as demonstrated by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (200 U/ml) induction of STAT1 phosphorylation (Tyr701) and interferon-regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) expression. Both STAT1 and STAT3 were found to bind to the STAT3 decoy to a similar extent in a gel shift assay (EMSA). Interestingly, the STAT3 decoy, but not the control decoy, induced formation of STAT1-STAT3 dimers (without altering phospho-STAT1 levels) in the presence of IFN-γ. The effects of the STAT3 decoy on STAT1 signaling showed inhibition of IRF-1 protein expression in both cell lines, indicating specific inhibition of STAT1 signaling by the STAT3 decoy. As STAT1 is known as a potential tumor suppressor, we investigated if STAT1 levels or active signaling abrogated the therapeutic efficacy of the STAT3 decoy in vitro . In both PCI-15B and UM-22B cells, STAT1 siRNA treatment resulted in decreased STAT1 expression, without altering the antitumor activity of the STAT3 decoy. Similarly, the antitumor efficacy of the STAT3 decoy was not changed with STAT1 activation via IFN-γ induction (at both 50U/ml and 200 U/ml doses). These results suggest that the STAT3 decoy can specifically induce STAT1-STAT3 dimerization where the therapeutic efficacy of the STAT3 decoy is independent of STAT1 activation.
A body-based model of the world

The authors' study of how the brain controls so many muscles has suggested that actions inherit structure from protypical action schemas. This suggestion is convergent with the independent conclusions of some linguists that the authors' basic concepts derive from prototypical sensorimotor schemas. To study the common ideas, the authors combine a simulation of schemas in early Piagetian development with a simulated Adventure game protagonist who sees the world only in terms of force, balance, containment, and other schemas and affects that seem to underlie both movement and language. It is expected that neural networks will learn better when fed the responses of these schemas in addition to sensory inputs. >
Best-First Search for Bounded-Depth Trees

Tree search is a common technique for solving constraint satisfaction and combinatorial optimization problems. The most popular strategies are depth-first search and limited discrepancy search. Aside from pruning or ordering the children of each node, these algorithms do not adapt their search order to take advantage of information that becomes available during search, such as heuristic scores or leaf costs. We present a framework called best-leaf-first search (BLFS) that uses this additional information to estimate the cost of taking discrepancies in the search tree and then attempts to visit leaves in a best-first order. In this way, BLFS brings the idea of best-first search from shortest path problems to the areas of constraint satisfaction and combinatorial optimization. Empirical results demonstrate that this new dynamic approach results in better search performance than previous static search strategies on two very different domains: structured CSPs and the traveling salesman problem.
Cancer's revelations: malignancies and therapies in a recent Chinese novel.

In Bi Shumin's un-translated novel, Save the Breast (2003), marketed as China's first psychotherapy novel, multiple storylines suggest diverse paths to healing. To explore the complex phenomenology of breast cancer, this paper analyzes the novel's treatment of the characters' distinct predicaments, the large-scale social ills they reveal, and ways therapy cultures may alleviate or exacerbate local forms of suffering. Though the novel celebrates group therapy and communicative exercises, it challenges the individualistic psychology of many therapeutic paradigms. Following modern Chinese fiction's long tradition of using illness for allegory, breast cancer is here also a metaphor for sickness at the heart of a nation racked by rapid social and economic change. Analyzing the novel's scrutiny of biomedical and other forms of power, the paper addresses deep distress surrounding not only breast cancer but also Cultural Revolution trauma, seismic market transitions, domestic violence, prostitution, and gender stereotyping.
A Novel Molecular Diagnostic of Glioblastomas: Detection of an Extracellular Fragment of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase μ

We recently found that normal human brain and low-grade astrocytomas express the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase mu (PTPµ) and that the more invasive astrocytomas, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), downregulate full-length PTPµ expression. Loss of PTPµ expression in GBMs is due to proteolytic cleavage that generates an intracellular and potentially a cleaved and released extracellular fragment of PTPµ. Here, we identify that a cleaved extracellular fragment containing the domains required for PTPµ-mediated adhesion remains associated with GBM tumor tissue. We hypothesized that detection of this fragment would make an excellent diagnostic tool for the localization of tumor tissue within the brain. To this end, we generated a series of fluorescently tagged peptide probes that bind the PTPµ fragment. The peptide probes specifically recognize GBM cells in tissue sections of surgically resected human tumors. To test whether the peptide probes are able to detect GBM tumors in vivo, the PTPµ peptide probes were tested in both mouse flank and intracranial xenograft human glioblastoma tumor model systems. The glial tumors were molecularly labeled with the PTPµ peptide probes within minutes of tail vein injection using the Maestro FLEX In Vivo Imaging System. The label was stable for at least 3 hours. Together, these results indicate that peptide recognition of the PTPµ extracellular fragment provides a novel molecular diagnostic tool for detection of human glioblastomas. Such a tool has clear translational applications and may lead to improved surgical resections and prognosis for patients with this devastating disease.
Photon-induced anion emission: A mechanism for ion-induced secondary-electron emission from an Al/O surface

The results of experiments that investigate photon-induced desorption of O{sup {minus}} from an oxygen-exposed aluminum surface are reported. The probability of O{sup {minus}} emission exhibits a maximum for photon energies in the vicinity of 8.7 eV. The observed photon-induced emission is compatible with a model previously invoked to describe low-energy, ion-induced secondary-electron emission from an Al/O system. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Long Rise Times of Acoustic Stimuli Improve Directional Hearing in Grasshoppers

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Resonant response of a thermalized ensemble of nonlinear oscillators

The analysis is carried out of the response of the center of gravity (dipole moment) of the distribution of noninteracting thermalized nonlinear oscillators to a sinusoidal driving force. Heat bath coupling is modeled by damping and noise. The driving is weak, but the frequency is resonant, so that there is a nonlinear resonance in the phase space. The response has a linear part that can be obtained from the perturbation analysis and a small nonlinear correction that is specific for the resonant structure.
Tuberculous osteitis of the skull mimicking histiocytosis X

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Synthesis and characterization of substitutional solid solutions aLn2O3 · (1 − a)Bi2O3 · 4TiO2

The solubility of 10 lanthanide elements and of scandium solid Bi/sub 2/Ti/sub 4/O/sub 11/ has been determined using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The data obtained were used to construct a diagram of solubility as a function of the ionic radii of bismuth and the lanthanide elements. The thermal stability of the solid solutions as a functions of temperature and duration of thermal treatment has been qualitatively established. 7 references, 3 figures, 1 table.
Neurologic complications of infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis is an infection of the inner surface or endocardium of the heart, in most instances involving the heart valves or the mural portion of the endocardium. As nonbacterial organisms such as rickettsia, fungi, and even viruses may also cause endocarditis, the term “infective endocarditis” is preferred over the older terminology of “bacterial endocarditis.” Despite advancements in medical treatment and surgical therapies over the last few decades, infective endocarditis continues to be associated with a poor prognosis. There are many different factors affecting the clinical outcome in patient with infective endocarditis, including the type of organism and its virulence, patient characteristics, comorbid illness, time to diagnosis and treatment, indications for surgery, and time to surgery when indicated. In this article, we will review the epidemiology of endocarditis, the neurologic complications of infective endocarditis, and the current therapeutic strategies.
Imatinib mesylate (STI-571) enhances antigen-presenting cell function and overcomes tumor-induced CD4+ T-cell tolerance.

Tumor antigen–specific T-cell tolerance imposes a significant barrier to the development of effective therapeutic cancer vaccines. Bone marrow–derived antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are critical in the induction of this unresponsive state. Here we show that in vitro treatment of APCs with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib mesylate (STI-571), enhances the activation of naive antigen-specific T cells and restores the responsiveness of tolerant T cells from tumor-bearing hosts. Furthermore, in vivo treatment with STI-571 not only prevented the induction of tolerance in tumor-specific CD4 + T cells, preserving their responsiveness to a subsequent immunization, but also resulted in enhanced vaccine efficacy. These findings demonstrate that tolerance to tumor antigens is not an insurmountable obstacle and points to modulation of APC function as a promising strategy in the immunotherapy of cancer.
Crosslinked Polycarbosilanes. Synthesis and Properties.

New crosslinked polycarbosilanes (PCSs) having biphenyl, biphenyl ether and naphthalene linkages, were synthesized by hydrosilylation reaction between multi-functional vinylsilanes and hydrosilanes. The PCSs were transparent rigid material without cracks or bubbles. The mechanical properties and glass transition temperatures (T g s) of the PCSs were evaluated by flexural tests and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) or dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Crosslinked PCSs VIII-X with high network chain density and rigid-rod spacers had T g s at around 250°C and high flexural strength in the range of 75-96 MPa. 5% weight loss temperatures of PCSs under nitrogen ranged from 490°C to 544°C.
Risks for HIV infection among users and sellers of crack, powder cocaine and heroin in central Harlem: implications for interventions.

Abstract This article investigates behaviours that may be associated HIV infection among users and sellers of crack, powder cocaine and heroin in central Harlem. Chain referral sampling and other strategies were combined to acquire a sample of 637 (Users = 546; Sellers = 91) who provided urine specimens that were tested for the presence of drugs and HIV. Nearly a quarter (23.9%) of all respondents were HIV positive. Drug injectors were more than 2.5 times more likely to have HIV infections than other respondents (OR = 2.66; 95% CI 1.66–4.26). Those involved in frauds/cons were almost as likely to be HIV positive (OR = 2.58; 95% CI 1.64–4.06). Those with a marital status of being separated, divorced or widowed were twice as likely to be HIV infected (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.43–3.25). Respondents currently having multiple partner sex (OR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.1–2.51) or who were female (OR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.12–2.45) were more than 1.5 times more likely to be HIV positive. Thus, controlling for lifetime drug injection a...
Factors affecting parental satisfaction following pediatric procedural sedation

Study Objective To investigate factors affecting parental satisfaction with a pediatric sedation service in a university hospital setting.
Intelligibility of American English vowels and consonants spoken by international students in the United States.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the intelligibility of English consonants and vowels produced by Chinese-native (CN), and Korean-native (KN) students enrolled in American universities. Method 16 English-native (EN), 32 CN, and 32 KN speakers participated in this study. The intelligibility of 16 American English consonants and 16 vowels spoken by native and nonnative speakers of English was evaluated by EN listeners. All nonnative speakers also completed a survey of their language backgrounds. Results Although the intelligibility of consonants and diphthongs for nonnative speakers was comparable to that of native speakers, the intelligibility of monophthongs was significantly lower for CN and KN speakers than for EN speakers. Sociolinguistic factors such as the age of arrival in the United States and daily use of English, as well as a linguistic factor, difference in vowel space between native (L1) and nonnative (L2) language, partially contributed to vowel intelligibility for CN and KN gr...
Effects of the κ-opioid receptor agonist U-50,488 on morphine-induced place preference conditioning in the developing rat

The ability of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist trans-(+/-)- 3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide methanesulfonate (U-50,488) to modulate morphine-induced reward was assessed in preweanling (10- and 17-day-old) and periadolescent (35-day-old) rats using the conditioned place preference paradigm. Conditioning and testing were conducted in a three compartment chamber, with each end compartment having its own distinct tactile and odor cues (almond or lemon). An abbreviated conditioned place preference procedure was used in which rats received two saline-odor pairings on the first conditioning day, and two saline- or morphine-odor pairings on the second day. In some experiments, rats were given U-50,488 (2-10 mg/kg, s.c.) 30 min prior to being conditioned with morphine (0.1-8 mg/kg, i.p.). On the third day, rats were allowed free access to the entire chamber for 900 s and compartment preferences were determined. Similar to adult rats, morphine (0.5 mg/kg) was consistently able to induce conditioned place preferences in the two preweanling age groups. This effect was attenuated by kappa-opioid receptor agonist pretreatment, as U-50,488 not only enhanced the locomotor activity of 10- and 17-day-old rats, but it blocked the morphine-induced place preference conditioning of these younger animals. In contrast, periadolescent (35-day-old) rats did not exhibit morphine-induced place preferences, nor did they show enhanced locomotor activity after U-50,488 treatment; however, using the same procedure, a different group of similarly aged rats showed conditioned preference produced by 20 mg/kg cocaine (i.p.). Therefore, these results suggest that reward processes are functionally mature in the preweanling rat (at least by 10 days of age), but that periadolescent rats are generally unresponsive to mu- and kappa-opioid drugs.
An investigation of the structure and large amplitude motions in the CH2F2⋯CO2 weakly bound dimer

Abstract The rotational spectrum of the weakly bound dimer CH2F2⋯CO2 has been measured using chirped-pulse and resonant cavity Fourier-transform microwave spectrometers in the frequency range 7–15 GHz. Spectra for six isotopic species have allowed a determination of the structure for this complex, in which the fluorine atoms of the CH2F2 straddle the CO2 subunit with a C⋯C O angle of 71.3(4)°, and an M⋯C⋯C angle of ∼38° (where M is the center of mass of CH2F2). A doubling of all rotational transitions has been ascribed to rocking of the CH2F2 subunit between two equivalent positions via a C2v transition state, and this motion inverts the μc dipole moment component of the dimer. Analysis of the tunneling splittings with a coupled Hamiltonian gives an energy difference between the 0+ and 0− vibrational states of 115.1402(24) MHz in the parent isotopologue and use of a flexible 1-dimensional model provides an estimated barrier for this motion of ∼137(14) cm−1. Observed dipole moment components (μa = 1.513(6) D, μb = 0 D, μc = 1.259(3) D, μtot = 1.968(7) D) are consistent with the observed structure and with ab initio predictions.
Knotting and handling characteristics of coated synthetic absorbable sutures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knotting and handling characteristics of the new coated synthetic absorbable sutures. When compared to the coated polyglactin 910 sutures, the coated polyglycolic acid sutures displayed a lower coefficient of friction, encountered less tissue drag forces, and exhibited less flexural rigidity. In the case of sizes O, 2-O, and 3-O coated polyglycolic sutures, knot security was achieved with one less throw than with similar sizes of coated polyglactin 910 sutures. On the basis of these comprehensive mechanical performance tests, the knotting and handling characteristics of the coated polyglycolic acid sutures were judged to be superior to that of the coated polyglactin 910 sutures.
A convenient one-step synthesis of 6-selenoxo-9-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)purine 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate and related compounds

A useful, facile procedure for preparing seleno-heterocyclic compounds is reported. Treatment of cAMP, AMP, adenosine, 2-aminoadenosine, adenine arabinoside and formycin with hydrogen selenide in aqueous pyridine at 65° for 1.5-5 days gave the corresponding seleno compounds in good yield, while these compounds were relatively inert to hydrogen sulfide. A reaction mechanism is proposed.
Arthroscopic treatment of temporomandibular joint locking resulting from disc derangement: Two-year results

Abstract This article reports 2-year postarthroscopic surgical treatment data for 18 subjects (17 female and 1 male) who had a diagnosis of restricted mandibular movement due to an internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). These subjects had been treated by an average of 2.1 ± 1.1 doctors for their TMJ problem before seeing the surgeon for arthroscopic treatment. The subjects' mean pain score at the final time point (21 to 30 months after surgery) was decreased by 57% in usual pain intensity. Jaw function showed an average improvement of 67%. These subjects also showed a 13-mm mean increase in their maximum active opening ability at the 2-year postsurgical time point. Slight to definite clicking noises were present presurgically in 11 of 18 patients, and similar joint noises were reported in 14 of 18 patients postsurgically. The mean overall improvement was rated as 8.18 ± 2.4, with 10 the highest possible rating. One subject rated her improvement as 0, two subjects rated their improvement as 6 out of 10. No significant morbidity was reported by the subjects as a result of their surgery.
Manipulating perception versus action in recalibration tasks

We conducted six experiments to examine how manipulating perception versus action affects perception–action recalibration in real and imagined blindfolded walking tasks. Participants first performed a distance estimation task (pretest) and then walked through an immersive virtual environment on a treadmill for 10 min. Participants then repeated the distance estimation task (posttest), the results of which were compared with their pretest performance. In Experiments 1a, 2a, and 3a, participants walked at a normal speed during recalibration, but the rate of visual motion was either twice as fast or half as fast as the participants' walking speed. In Experiments 1b, 2b, and 3b, the rate of visual motion was kept constant, but participants walked at either a faster or a slower speed. During pre- and posttest, we used either a blindfolded walking distance estimation task or an imagined walking distance estimation task. Additionally, participants performed the pretest and posttest distance estimation tasks in either the real environment or the virtual environment. With blindfolded walking as the distance estimation task for pre- and posttest, we found a recalibration effect when either the rate of visual motion or the walking speed was manipulated during the recalibration phase. With imagined walking as the distance estimation task, we found a recalibration effect when the rate of visual motion was manipulated, but not when the walking speed was manipulated in both the real environment and the virtual environment. Discussion focuses on how spatial-updating processes operate on perception and action and on representation and action.
Crystalline symmetry and surface tension

Abstract We analyze a model of interacting ions and show that surface tension breaks the crystalline symmetry of the ground state.
Differential mortality of male and female germfree C3H mice introduced into a conventional colony.

SummaryWhen germfree C3Hf/Pi mice are introduced into a conventional colony, there is a high death rate which is dependent on both age and sex. The death rate is higher in males than females, and higher in older animals than younger ones. The death rate remains high for approximately one month, following which it approaches that of conventional C3Hf/Pi mice.The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Richard C. Parks and R. James Allred.
Tree uprooting: review of impacts on forest ecology

This paper reviews the ecological effects of tree uprooting. In many forests, disturbance by uprooting is the primary means of maintaining species richness and diversity. Treefall may be due to exogenous factors or it may be endogenously created, although the former predominate. The canopy gap formed by downed trees is often vital to community vegetation dynamics and successional pathways, by providing high light niches (gaps) for pioneer species, by encouraging release of suppressed, shade-tolerant saplings, and through recruitment of new individuals. Nutrient cycling may be affected by uprooting as subsoil materials are brought to the surface, via additions of woody debris to the forest floor, through exposure of bare mineral soil, and by changes in throughfall chemistry. The influence of the resultant pit/mound microtopography on understorey herb distribution is largely due to microclimatic and microtopographic variation. Tree seedling distribution, however, is related to microtopography primarily through differences in soil morphology, nutrition, and moisture content of mound and pit sites.
Second-order explicit integrator via composition for coupled rotating rigid bodies applied to roller cone drill bits

We present a derivation of the equations of motion of a roller cone bit as an example of coupled rotating rigid bodies and apply a state-of-the-art numerical integrator to produce an algorithm for use in a bit dynamics software application. The equations are derived using the virtual power method, which naturally handles the constraint between the bit body and the cones. These equations are fully three-dimensional (three degrees of freedom for the body, plus one degree of freedom for each cone) and nicely parallel to the equations of motion of a single rigid body. We apply the composition of adjoint first-order integrators (reminiscent of the approach used earlier to derive an explicit midpoint Lie method (Int. J. Numer. Meth. Eng. 2005; 63:2171–2193) to produce an algorithm that maintains the properties of the original three degree-of-freedom integrator: second-order convergence, symplecticness, remarkable accuracy, and momentum conservation. This algorithm can be applied to other applications where one or more rigid bodies with a single rotational degree of freedom are attached to another rotating rigid body. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comment on "Icosahedral quasiperiodic ground states?"

A Comment on the Letter by S. Narasinhan and M. V. Jari\ifmmode \acute{c}\else \'{c}\fi{}, Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 454 (1989).
The Simple Ontology of Kalām Atomism: An Outline

This paper aims to present concisely the Islamic kalām atomism as an alternative philosophy to Hellenizing falsafa. Kalām is a theological-philosophical discourse which, first (in the third/ninth century) ventured to rival the falsafa represented early by al-Kindī (d.ca. 252/866), then by al-Fārābī and Avicenna in the fourth/tenth and fifth/eleventh centuries, and which eventually (in the sixth/twelfth century and after) appeared to be inclined to propose a mingling of the kalām discourse with falsafa in a series of varied "syntheses".—Focusing on the simple ontology of the basic kalām atomism, and noting the hybrid character of kalām, the aim of this paper is to help to clarify the inevitable problematic consequences of those late ventures of Islamic intellectualism.
E-journals: the OhioLINK experience

This paper discusses the OhioLINK Electronic Journals Center which was first made available to users in April 1998. The paper includes usage data on the 2 years of operation as well as the design and philosophy behind the project. In addition, the paper explores research on what users want, how best to anchor the existence of full-text resources in the minds of researchers as well as common maintenance problems for electronic journals in the library online catalog.
Double spherical cassegrain reflector antennas

There is a need for high gain antennas that are capable of rapid scanning and multibeam operations. This paper presents a study of the double-spherical Cassegrain reflector to ascertain whether this antenna is practical for these purposes. Aperture blocking, spread of the field, and phase and amplitude distributions are examined using geometric optical techniques. Some radiation patterns are calculated to show the effects of illumination taper, aperture blocking, and phase errors.
The lateral chest wall: a separate aesthetic unit in breast surgery.

Background The lateral chest wall is an aesthetic unit often overlooked in breast surgery. Abnormalities are often seen in candidates for aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery and in the massive weight loss population. Preoperative evaluation of the lateral chest wall is necessary to address this area properly. These deformities are intimately associated with the final outcome of any breast operation. Methods To better define deformities of the lateral chest wall, a series of 522 patients who had aesthetic or reconstructive breast surgery was reviewed retrospectively. The preoperative and postoperative photographs were evaluated by two surgeons independently. Any surgical approaches used to correct lateral chest wall deformities were documented. Results In evaluating the lateral chest wall, the authors identified three subunit areas that need to be addressed to maximize aesthetic result: the axilla, the lateral breast, and the chest wall. Deficiency and excess of skin and fat contribute to any deformities in this region; deficiency or excess was found in 39 percent of patients. These deformities, when identified, were surgically addressed in 40 percent of patients, as management strategies included transfer of autologous tissue, fat injection, liposuction, or direct excision. Conclusions Lateral chest wall deformities are often found among breast surgery candidates and can affect the final outcome. This area should be treated as a separate aesthetic unit from the breast. Patients with deficiency or excess should be counseled appropriately, as proper treatment may require procedures in addition to the primary breast procedure. The classification system presented can serve as a guideline for management of deformities in this region.
Survey of pathogens in poultry litter in the United States.

Abstract Poultry litter is one of many components resulting from the production of broilers. Understanding poultry litter microbiological composition is very beneficial when attempting to improve the broiler's environmental conditions and searching for the best uses for this valuable industry by-product. The objective of this study was to collect samples of poultry litter throughout the United States and determine the presence of bacteria in the litter. Tests were conducted for total bacteria, Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, and coliforms. Poultry litter samples were taken from 12 different regions throughout the United States and were analyzed in one central laboratory. Statistical analysis of the data revealed a significant difference (P
Maltreatment of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: Introduction to Part I of the Special Issue

A Call for Papers for a special issue of JMHRID on maltreatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) was made in issue 4(1) of 2011. Because the “Call,” produced so many quality submi...
Using blood markers for Alzheimer disease in clinical practice

Until recently, the notion of having blood markers of Alzheimer disease (AD) available for clinical use was more likely to be seen in an episode of a TV medical drama or a science fiction movie than in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The search for biomarkers suffered from serious obstacles, including, but not limited to, inadequate diagnostic accuracy, and an inability to replicate findings across samples between laboratories or even within individual laboratories. However, the serious scientific world took notice when, in 2007, Ray et al.1 published a plasma-based screening tool that utilized advanced proteomic and bioinformatics methods to create a blood profile that was highly accurate in identifying persons with AD as well as those who were most likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD dementia. Enthusiasm diminished, …