cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation of suspensions of single cells from monolayer cell cultures without enzymatic dissociation

0 Most human epithelial tumors are maintained in vitro as monolayer cultures. Utilization of cell lines to s tudy cell kinetics and the factors that may influence cell proliferation requires the preparation of single cells in suspension, if cell counting techniques are employed. Single cell suspensions can be obtained from many cell lines by enzymatic t reatment (1), e.g. with trypsin, disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid or collagenase. The effects of proteolytic enzymes on the sensitive cell membrane and its numerous receptors are not completely understood (2). We describe here a method for the preparation of suspensions of single cells from cell lines maintained as monolayers, without using enzymatic dissociation.
Wafer temperature non-uniformity due to volumetric absorption of radiation

Until recently, the semiconductor production wafer processed in a rapid thermal processing system was considered to be an opaque material where all of the incident irradiation is absorbed by the surface and volume absorption has no significance. Such an approach cannot explain several experimentally observed effects such as the different emissivity of doped and un-doped regions, difference in temperatures between die and its boundary, etc. This paper describes a method of solution of heat transfer in semitransparent medium. An example illustrates the impact of semitransparency on the wafer temperature distribution
Protected Rimlands and Exposed Zones: Reconfiguring Premodern Eurasia

In a recent study, I sought to analyze political and cultural patterns across mainland Southeast Asia during roughly a thousand years, from c. 800 to 1830.1 In brief, I argued that each of mainland Southeast Asia's three great north-south corridors experienced a pattern of accelerating integration. This process was territorial in the sense that some twenty-three small polities in the fourteenth century were assimilated, gradually or convulsively, fully or partially, to three overarching imperial systems by the early 1800s. Integration was administrative insofar as within each imperial system mechanisms of provincial control, economic extraction, and manpower organization became more penetrating, stable, and efficient. Integration was cultural in the sense that hitherto self-sufficient communities across each of the three principal zones came to accept linguistic, ethnic, and religious norms sanctioned by imperial elites.
A new method for pre-contamination and testing of nonceramic insulators

A new method is described in this paper for artificial pollution testing of nonceramic insulators. The pollution was repeated a number of times at three different equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD) levels to check for repeatability. Flashover tests were done using the "withstand" voltage method. The leakage current at both low voltage and high voltage were recorded. High voltage resistance was calculated which was found to be a better predictor of flashover voltage. The results of flashover tests were compared to the slurry method. The flashover voltages obtained by the two methods were found to be similar.
Multiple objective optimal control of linear systems: the quadratic norm case

Control of a linear system to meet requirements embodied in multiple performance criteria is recognized as the typical design problem. The authors study the design of control when every criterion of interest takes the form of an H/sub 2/ norm defined over certain exogenous inputs and controlled outputs of the system. The objective is to find all stabilizing controllers that are noninferior with respect to the defined objectives, that is, to find the set of Pareto-optimal controllers. The novel feature is the use of the Youla parametrization to represent the admissible controllers. This representation enables the authors to show that each criterion, and hence their weighted sum, is convex over the class of admissible controllers. Since the set of admissible controllers is itself convex, the Pareto-optimal controllers can be determined by the standard scalarization technique. It is concluded that, in general, the controller order is higher than the order of the plant. >
When category learning is holistic: A reply to Ward and Scott

A reply is presented to Ward and Scott’s (1987) recent reservations about the evidence for Kemler Nelson’s (1984) claims about when category learning is likely to be holistic. Focusing on the effect of intention, this paper suggests that: (1) contrary to Ward and Scott’s contention, a reanalysis of a critical set of original data continues to support Kemler Nelson’s claim of more holistic learning under unintentional conditions; (2) there is converging evidence for that claim; (3) Ward and Scott’s incidental learning data may diverge because of the inclusion of many weak learners; (4) Ward and Scott’s counterproposal makes some implausible and unsupported predictions; and (5) some of Ward and Scott’s reaction-time data are difficult to interpret. Still, a final discussion identifies some significant points of agreement with Ward and Scott.
Shortwave direct radiative forcing of Saharan dust aerosols over the Atlantic Ocean

Using collocated Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS) and Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy Budget Scanner (CERES) data on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, the instantaneous Shortwave Aerosol Radiative Forcing (SWARF) and daytime diurnally averaged SWARF at the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) are estimated for Saharan dust over the Atlantic Ocean (10‡ N-25‡ N, 30‡ W-15‡ W) for July 1998. A com- bination of reflectance thresholds, along with infrared spatial coherence techni- ques, are used to separate dust aerosols from clouds. Using Mie and Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (DISORT) calculations and the VIRS channel 1 reflectance, dust optical thickness (t) is retrieved. The average instantaneous direct SWARF of dust aerosols per unit t is 250 W m 22 . The daytime diur- nally averaged SWARF of dust aerosols is 215.2i10.9 W m 22 for a mean t of 0.79i0.39. This study demonstrates that the synergistic use of instruments from different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum can be used to study the radiative effects of dust aerosols. This study is also among the first to estimate the diurnal SWARF of dust aerosols using satellite sensor data.
The Role of Choice in the Transition to a Funded Pension System

A critical question in the transition to a funded, private pension system is whether the new private element is presented as a mandate or choice to current and future workers. This report sets out the spectrum of available options and looks at policy in 13 reforming countries-Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Croatia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Poland, and the United Kingdom. It concludes that older workers are best excluded from reform because the economic benefits are small and the political resistance is likely to be large if they are included. However, a defined cut-off age is arbitrary for reasons of intergenerational equity and heterogeneity of portfolio composition and risk preferences within cohorts. A voluntary switch is preferred. The main objection is the resulting uncertainty over the numbers switching. Analysis of reforming countries shows, however, a consistent and rational pattern of switching. The paper concludes by discussing policy options for managing the switching process.
Virtual Compression through Test Vector Stitching for Scan Based Designs

We propose a technique for compressing test vectors. The technique reduces test application time and tester memory requirements by utilizing part of the predecessor response in constructing the subsequent test vector. An algorithm is provided for stitching test vectors that retains full fault coverage while appreciably reducing time and tester requirements. The analysis provided enables significant compression ratios, while necessitating no hardware outlay whatsoever, making the technique we propose particularly suitable for SOC testing. The test time benefits necessitate no MISR utilization, ensuring no consequent aliasing loss. We examine a number of implementation considerations for the new compression technique and we provide experimental data that can be used to guide an eventual commercial implementation. Experimental data confirms the significant test application time and tester memory reductions.
Uses and limitations of transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of atrial septal defect in the adult

Abstract Two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography accurately detected the presence of an atrial septal defect (ASD) in 47 of 50 adults (mean age 40 years) confirmed by surgery or cardiac catheterization, or both. It correctly categorized all patients with ostium secundum and ostium primum ASD but misdiagnosed 3 of 5 patients with surgically proven sinus venosus ASD. The shunt flow volume across the ASD was calculated with the standard Doppler equation, and assuming the ASD to be circular correlated with shunt flow volume obtained by cardiac catheterization (r = 0.74). The maximum width of the color flow signals moving across the ASD was taken as its diameter. Mean flow velocity was determined either by placing a pulsed Doppler sample volume parallel to the flow across the ASD as visualized by color Doppler or by color M-mode examination, which allowed determination of flow velocities using a previously validated method that incorporates a computer analysis of pixel color intensity. The pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio obtained by color-guided conventional Doppler interrogation of the left and right ventricular outflow tracts correlated poorly with cardiac catheterization results (r = 0.38). In patients with associated tricuspid regurgitation, the peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure obtained by color Doppler-guidfed continuous-wave Doppler correlated well with that obtained at cardiac catheterization (r = 0.89). The maximum color Doppler jet width of the flow across the ASD poorly correlated with ASD size estimated at surgery (r = 0.50).
Phase‐shift migration with a variable‐length spatial transform–an algorithm for moderately varying lateral velocities1

Abstract A migration algorithm appropriate for moderately varying lateral velocity changes is developed as an extension of phase‐shift migration by using a variable‐length spatial transform. This process significantly reduces the number of lateral wave‐numbers necessary to downward continue the data, and it replaces the spatial FFT with a simple recursion relationship. For a given frequency and position x, ten lateral wavenumbers are typically sufficient, and the migration algorithm produces accurate images when the velocity structure V (X, z) changes over a few depth intervals of thickness Δz, with lateral velocity gradients up to 1.4 to 1.0.
Recipe for β‐Sheets: Foldamers Containing Amyloidogenic Peptide Sequences

This paper describes a new class of macrocyclic peptides that fold to form β-sheet structures. These macrocyclic β-sheets consist of a peptide sequence strand linked through two δ-linked ornithine turn units to a peptide template strand containing a single N-methyl amino acid. The macrocycles were readily prepared from commercially available amino acids by solid-phase peptide synthesis followed by solution-phase cyclization. 1H NMR spectroscopic studies showed that macrocycles containing amyloidgenic pentapeptide sequences from amyloid β-peptide, tau protein, the B-chain of insulin, and human prion protein fold to form β-sheet structures.
Striatal and Extrastriatal Dopamine Transporter Levels Relate to Cognition in Lewy Body Diseases (P2.009)

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the contribution of dopamine deficiency to cognition in Parkinson Disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) with dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging. BACKGROUND: The biological basis of cognitive impairment in parkinsonian diseases is multifactorial, including . Loss of dopamine projections to cognitive and limbic brain regions have been implicated in this process. DESIGN/METHODS: We acquired 11 C altropane PET and MRI in 19 nondemented subjects with PD, 10 DLB and 17 healthy control subjects (HCS). We analyzed DAT concentration in putamen, caudate, anterior cingulate (AC), orbitofrontal and prefrontal regions, using the Standardized Uptake Volume Ratio with partial volume correction, and we related DAT concentration and global cortical thickness to neuropsychological performance. RESULTS: DAT concentration in putamen and in caudate were similar in PD and DLB groups and significantly lower than in HCS. Reduced caudate DAT concentration was associated with worse Clinical Dementia Rating Scale- sum of boxes (CDR-SB) scores and visuospatial skills in DLB but not in PD or HCS groups. Adjusting for putamen DAT concentration, as a measure of severity of motor disease, caudate DAT concentration was lower in DLB than in PD. Higher AC DAT concentration was associated with lower putamen DAT concentration in DLB and with higher putamen DAT concentration in PD. Higher AC DAT concentration in DLB correlated with greater impairment in semantic memory and language. CONCLUSIONS: Caudate and extrastriatal dopamine dysfunction contribute in opposing directions to cognitive impairment in DLB. Study Supported by: Michael J. Fox Foundation (SNG, JHG.), National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Collaborative Project 5 U01 AG016976-11 (SNG, KAJ, JHG), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (KAJ), the National Institute on Aging (KAJ,TH), the Alzheimer’s Disease Association (KAJ), the Caja Madrid Foundation scholarship for postgraduate studies (MM), the Harvard Center for Neurodegeneration and Repair Pilot grant (SNG). Randy L. Buckner contributed to this study: his NIH funding supported HCS imaging. Disclosure: Dr. Gomperts has nothing to disclose. Dr. Marquie Sayagues has nothing to disclose. Dr. Locascio has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rentz has received personal compensation for activities with Elan Pharmaceuticals as a consultant. Dr. Becker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hedden has nothing to disclose. Dr. Johnson has received personal compensation for activities with General Electric Healthcare, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc., Siemens, and Genzyme Corp. Dr. Johnson has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for American Society of Neuroimaging. Dr. Johnson has received research support from Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc., Janssen, and Pfizer Inc. Dr. Growdon has nothing to disclose.,
Protein phosphatase 1 modulates the inhibitory effect of With-no-Lysine kinase 4 on ROMK channels

With-no-Lysine kinase 4 (WNK4) inhibited ROMK (Kir1.1) channels and the inhibitory effect of WNK4 was abolished by serum-glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1) but restored by c-Src. The aim of the present study is to explore the mechanism by which Src-family tyrosine kinase (SFK) modulates the effect of SGK1 on WNK4 and to test the role of SFK-WNK4-SGK1 interaction in regulating ROMK channels in the kidney. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated that protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) binds to WNK4 at amino acid (aa) residues 695–699 (PP1#1) and at aa 1211–1215 (PP1#2). WNK4−PP1#1 and WNK4−PP1#2, in which the PP1#1 or PP1#2 binding site was deleted or mutated, inhibited ROMK channels as potently as WNK4. However, c-Src restored the inhibitory effect of WNK4 but not WNK4−PP1#1 on ROMK channels in the presence of SGK1. Moreover, expression of c-Src inhibited SGK1-induced phosphorylation of WNK4 but not WNK4−PP1#1 at serine residue 1196 (Ser1196). In contrast, coexpression of c-Src restored the inhibitory effect of WNK4−PP1#2 on ROMK in the presence of SGK1 and diminished SGK1-induced WNK4 phosphorylation at Ser1196 in cells transfected with WNK4−PP1#2. This suggests the possibility that c-Src regulates the interaction between WNK4 and SGK1 through activating PP1 binding to aa 695–9 thereby decreasing WNK4 phosphorylation and restoring the inhibitory effect of WNK4. This mechanism plays a role in suppressing ROMK channel activity during the volume depletion because inhibition of SFK or serine/threonine phosphatases increases ROMK channel activity in the cortical collecting duct of rats on a low-Na diet. We conclude that regulation of phosphatase activity by SFK plays a role in determining the effect of aldosterone on ROMK channels and on renal K secretion.
Improving biometric recognition accuracy and robustness using DWT and SVM watermarking

This paper presents a novel biometric watermarking algorithm for improving the recognition accuracy and protecting the face and fingerprint images from tampering. Multi-resolution Discrete Wavelet Transform is used for embedding the face image in a fingerprint image. An intelligent learning algorithm based on υ-Support Vector Machine (SVM) is introduced to enhance the quality of the extracted face image. The performance of the watermarking algorithm is experimentally validated using existing fingerprint and face recognition algorithms. The results show that the extracted fingerprint and face images are of high quality. The use of SVM enhances the performance of face recognition by at least 10% even when the watermarked image is subjected to certain geometric and frequency attacks such as scaling, cropping, compression and filtering.
Osmoregulation by the Prenatal Spiny Dogfish, Squalus Acanthias

Late in gestation of the ovoviviparous dogfish, Squalus acanthias , the uterine fluids are essentially sea water, while the plasma of the ‘pup’ is similar to that of the female, i.e. isotonic to sea water/uterine fluids, with significantly less Na and Cl, and substantial concentrations of urea. Early ‘candle’ embryos are bathed in ‘candle’ fluid and uterine fluid which contains Na and Cl concentrations intermediate between maternal plasma and sea water levels, K concentrations above sea water levels, and urea concentrations slightly below those found in the maternal plasma. Both fluids are isotonic to sea water and maternal plasma. Incubation of ‘candles’ with associated embryos in sea water for 4–6 days resulted in significant increases in ‘candle’ fluid Na and Cl concentrations, and a decline in ‘candle’ fluid K and urea levels. However, under these conditions, the ‘candle’ embryo is still able to regulate plasma Na, Cl, K and urea concentrations. The efflux of Cl is approximately 5 times the efflux of Na from the prenatal ‘pup’; however, both effluxes are equivalent to those described for adult elasmobranchs. The transepithelial electrical potential (TEP) across the ‘pup’ is −4.4 mV in sea water, which indicates that both Na and Cl are maintained out of electrochemical equilibrium. Cloacal fluid flows vary diurnally with Na and Cl concentrations significantly above those of the plasma. Rectal gland efflux can account for 50–100% of the Na efflux, but less than 25% of the Cl efflux. Removal of the rectal gland resulted in an increase in plasma Na and Cl concentrations 48 or 72 h after the operation, but in both cases it appears that some extra rectal gland excretory system balances at least some of the net influx of both salts. Our results demonstrate that even very young ‘candle’ embryos of S. acanthias are capable of osmoregulation, and that older embryos (‘pups9) osmoregulate against sea water intra-utero and display the major hallmarks of elasmobranch osmoregulation, including a reduced ionic permeability and a functional rectal gland for net extrusion of NaCl. In addition, it appears that other pathways exist for salt extrusion in addition to the rectal gland. Note:
Technology of Automated Rendezvous and Capture in Space

Results are presented of a study into the technology of automated rendezvous and capture (ARC) in space. The history of manual and automated rendezvous and capture and rendezvous and dock is presented. The need for ARC in space is dee ned. Today’ s technology and ongoing technology efforts related to ARC in space are reviewed. In light of these, ARC systems are proposed that meet the future needs for ARC, but that can be developed in a reasonable amount of time with a reasonable amount of money. Technology plans for developing these systems are presented; cost and schedule are included.
A novel culture system shows that stem cells can be grown in 3D and under physiologic pulsatile conditions for tissue engineering of vascular grafts.

Background. Currently available vascular grafts have been limited by variable patency rates, material avail- ability, and immunological rejection. The creation of a tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) from autolo- gous stem cells would potentially overcome these limi- tations. As a first step in creating a completely autolo- gous TEVG, our objective was to develop a novel system for culturing undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) in a three-dimensional (3D) configuration and under physiological pulsatile flow and pressure conditions. Materials and methods. A bioreactor was created to provide pulsatile conditions to a specially modified four-well Labtek Chamber-Slide culture system. Un- differentiated mESC were either suspended in a 3D Matrigel matrix or suspended only in cell-culture me- dia within the culture system. Pulsatile conditions were applied to the suspended cells and visualized by video microscopy. Results. Undifferentiated mESC were successfully embedded in a 3D Matrigel matrix and could withstand physiological pulsatile conditions. Video microscopy demonstrated that the mESC in the 3D matrix were con- strained to the wells of the culture system, moved in unison with the applied flows, and were not washed downstream; this was in contrast to the mESC sus- pended in media alone. Conclusions. Undifferentiated mESC can be grown in 3D and under pulsatile conditions. We will use these results to study the effects of long-term pulsatile con- ditions on the differentiation of mESC into endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblast cells with the long-term goal of creating a completely autologous
Reflections on Appraising Statistical Records

Statistical records have been created since the beginning of recorded history, about 3000 B.C.; nevertheless, apparently no specific guidelines for the appraisal of such records have been produced. This article, based on several decades of reflection about archivists' concern for the disposition of materials, examines the burdensome task archival appraisers face in dealing with the typically massive files created by major censuses and surveys. These records may include planning documentation, questionnaires, tabulations, studies, and publications. The article concludes with a suggested method of evaluating the records.
Adolescents from families with and without alcohol problems.

Children of alcoholic parents attending a Catholic high school in an upper-midwestern city had more adjustment problems than peers in families without alcoholics. The differences, however, were sub...
Low-temperature crystal and magnetic structure of α -RuCl 3

Single crystals of the Kitaev spin-liquid candidate $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{RuCl}}_{3}$ have been studied to determine the low-temperature bulk properties, the structure, and the magnetic ground state. Refinements of x-ray diffraction data show that the low-temperature crystal structure is described by space group $C2/m$ with a nearly perfect honeycomb lattice exhibiting less than 0.2% in-plane distortion. The as-grown single crystals exhibit only one sharp magnetic transition at ${T}_{N}=7$ K. The magnetic order below this temperature exhibits a propagation vector of $k=(0,1,1/3)$, which coincides with a three-layer stacking of the $C2/m$ unit cells. Magnetic transitions at higher temperatures up to 14 K can be introduced by deformations of the crystal that result in regions in the crystal with a two-layer stacking sequence. The best-fit symmetry-allowed magnetic structure of the as-grown crystals shows that the spins lie in the $ac$ plane, with a zigzag configuration in each honeycomb layer. The three-layer repeat out-of-plane structure can be refined as a ${120}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ spiral order or a collinear structure with a spin direction of ${35}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ away from the $a$ axis. The collinear spin configuration yields a slightly better fit and also is physically preferred. The average ordered moment in either structure is less than 0.45(5) ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ per ${\mathrm{Ru}}^{3+}$ ion.
Comparative transcriptomic profiling of hydrogen peroxide signaling networks in zebrafish and human keratinocytes: Implications toward conservation, migration and wound healing

Skin wounds need to be repaired rapidly after injury to restore proper skin barrier function. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a conserved signaling factor that has been shown to promote a variety of skin wound repair processes, including immune cell migration, angiogenesis and sensory axon repair. Despite growing research on H2O2 functions in wound repair, the downstream signaling pathways activated by this reactive oxygen species in the context of injury remain largely unknown. The goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive analysis of gene expression changes in the epidermis upon exposure to H2O2 concentrations known to promote wound repair. Comparative transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq data from larval zebrafish and previously reported microarray data from a human epidermal keratinocyte line shows that H2O2 activates conserved cell migration, adhesion, cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic programs in both zebrafish and human keratinocytes. Further assessment of expression characteristics and signaling pathways revealed the activation of three major H2O2-dependent pathways, EGF, FOXO1, and IKKα. This study expands on our current understanding of the clinical potential of low-level H2O2 for the promotion of epidermal wound repair and provides potential candidates in the treatment of wound healing deficits.
Cx46 hemichannels contribute to the sodium leak conductance in lens fiber cells.

The lens is proposed to have an internal microcirculation system consisting of continuously circulating ionic fluxes that play an essential role in maintaining lens transparency. One of the key com...
Thermal Activation of Beryllium in GaN Grown by RF-Plasma Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Differences in the optical activity of Be in GaN epilayers grown on different surface polarities by rf-plasma molecular beam epitaxy are investigated. Nitrogen-polar GaN doped with Be exhibits a significantly higher intensity of donor-acceptor pair (DAP) photo-luminescence (PL) than similarly doped Ga-polar GaN, indicating the Be is incorporating at microscopically different sites, or possibly is forming different compensating complexes. Highly Be-doped Ga-polar GaN apparently forms isolated polarity-inverted regions which then incorporate Be via the N-polar mechanism resulting in the DAP PL. High temperature annealing of the Ga-polar layers both under nitrogen/hydrogen mixtures and under pure nitrogen atmospheres activates the DAP PL.
Bonded concrete overlay of asphalt mechanical-empirical design procedure

AbstractBonded concrete overlays of asphalt pavements (BCOAs) are becoming a common rehabilitation technique used for distressed hot mix asphalt (HMA) roadways. The original design procedures were based primarily on data from instrumented pavements and finite element modelling. They were governed by the assumption that the failure mechanism was a function of the overlay thickness. However, field observations have indicated that the actual failure modes are dictated by slab size. The newly developed Bonded Concrete Overlay of Asphalt Mechanistic-Empirical design procedure (BCOA-ME) presented here is valid for overlays that are between 2.5 and 6.5 in (64–154 mm), and includes five primary enhancements to the Portland Cement Association and Colorado Department of Transportation procedures that have been traditionally used: 1.) the failure mode is dictated by the joint spacing; 2.) a new structural model for longitudinal cracking for 6-ft × 6-ft (1.8 m × 1.8 m) concrete overlays has been developed to better p...
Susceptibility of a Malathion-Resistant Strain of Indianmeal Moths (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner

A malathion-resistant strain of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (IMM), was tested for susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner ( Bt ). Five different instars were exposed to six concentrations of Dipel and Thuricide by mixing. each formulation in a turkeymash- based culture medium which served as the food. Early instars were more susceptible than the later instars to Bt ( P < 0.01) while all were more susceptible to Dipel than to Thuricide (P < 0.001). The period of growth and development of the larval-vasextended by exposure to the Bt from each formulation. Differences in larval susceptibility to Bt may result from the immunity and behavior of the larvae or the relative potency and repellency of Dipel versus Thuricide.
Evaluation of In Vitro Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) Properties of Mitragynine, 7-Hydroxymitragynine, and Mitraphylline

Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) is a popular herb in Southeast Asia, which is traditionally used to treat withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate addiction. Mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and mitraphylline are reported to be the central nervous system active alkaloids which bind to the opiate receptors. Mitraphylline is also present in the bark of Uncaria tomentosa (catʼs claw). Several therapeutic properties have been reported for these compounds but limited information is available on the absorption and distribution properties. This study focuses on evaluating the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties of these compounds and their effect on major efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, using in vitro methods. Quantitative analysis was performed by the Q-TOF LC-MS system. Mitragynine was unstable in simulated gastric fluid with 26 % degradation but stable in simulated intestinal fluid. 7-Hydroxymitragynine degraded up to 27 % in simulated gastric fluid, which could account for its conversion to mitragynine (23 %), while only 6 % degradation was seen in simulated intestinal fluid. Mitraphylline was stable in simulated gastric fluid but unstable in simulated intestinal fluid (13.6 % degradation). Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine showed moderate permeability across Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK monolayers with no significant efflux. However, mitraphylline was subjected to efflux mediated by P-glycoprotein in both Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK monolayers. Mitragynine was found to be metabolically stable in both human liver microsomes and S9 fractions. In contrast, both 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitraphylline were metabolized by human liver microsomes with half-lives of 24 and 50 min, respectively. All three compounds exhibited high plasma protein binding (> 90 %) determined by equilibrium dialysis. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine inhibited P-glycoprotein with EC50 values of 18.2 ± 3.6 µM and 32.4 ± 1.9 µM, respectively, determined by the calcein-AM fluorescent assay, while no inhibition was seen with mitraphylline. These data indicate the possibility of a drug interaction if mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are coadministered with drugs that are P-glycoprotein substrates.
Estrogen stimulates both prolactin and growth hormone mRNAs expression in the MtT/F4 transplantable pituitary tumor.

The effects of 17,/3-estradiol (E2) on MtT/F4 pituitary tumor growth and on prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone mRNA expression were analyzed in F344 female rats. E2 (10 mg) stimulated pituitary PRL cell hyperplasia and PRL mRNA, but inhibited growth of the transplantable tumors. The expression of both PRL and growth hormone mRNA levels was increased in the MtT/F4 tumors. The effects of E2 on increasing PRL mRNA levels were more marked in the pituitary compared with the tumors. These results indicate that estrogens stimulate proliferation and PRL expression in the pituitary while inhibiting cell proliferation in the MtT/F4 tumor. E2 also stimulated both growth hormone and PRL mRNA expression in the MtT/F4 transplantable tumor. (P.S.E.B.M. 1989, Vol 1921
Determination and analysis of lead and cadmium in contaminants in foods from Guangdong province in 2009-2010

Objective:A study was done about Lead and Cadmium contamination condition in many different kinds of food in Guangdong province.Methods:Lead and Cadmium in food samples were determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy(GFAAS) after Microwave Digestion(MD).Results:Total eligible rate in food samples contaminated by Lead and Cadmium was 97.7%,92.0%.Food samples contaminated by Lead were sea weeds,pig kidney,over limit rate 20%,30%,28%;Food samples contaminated by Cadmiun were sea weeds,dry mushroom,pig kidney,rice,dry rice powder,over limit rate 30%,36%,27%,4%,4%,10%.Conclusion:Dairy product,vegetables,eggs,pork meat were contaminated less by Lead and Cadmium;Preserved eggs,dry mushroom,pig kidney,sea weeds,rice,dry rice powder were contaminated more by Lead and Cadmium.
Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis Misinterpreted as Lymphoma by Computed Tomography

Abstract Two cases of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis that were mistaken for lymphomas on a computed tomography scan are presented. The similar radiographic densities and anatomical appearances on cross section scans of these diseases probably account for this misinterpretation.
Local Factors in Skeletal Malignancy

Publisher Summary Tumors have multiple effects on the skeleton, all of which are mediated by tumor cells altering the behavior of bone cells and causing disruptions or enhancement of the normal bone remodeling process. These effects on bone cells are caused by increased production of peptides in tumor-bearing patients, some of which act at short range and some at a distance as systemic or hormonal factors, which then modulate bone cell activity. The common skeletal syndromes that tumors cause include humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM), osteolytic bone metastasis (with or without hypercalcemia), osteoblastic bone metastases caused by solid tumor metastasis to the bone marrow cavity, myeloma bone disease, and oncogenic osteomalacia. When tumor cells affect the skeleton, the results are often catastrophic for the patient, and then the patient may also suffer from other paraneoplastic syndromes which greatly affect the quality of life. A number of cytokines have been associated with the humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy syndrome, which includes interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6. The production of these cytokines by host immune cells may be part of the normal humoral defense mechanism designed to protect the host from the presence of a tumor. The malignant disorder, myeloma, is characterized by extensive bone destruction, which is manifested by a number of important clinical features including intractable bone pain, fractures that occur either spontaneously or following trivial injury, and hypercalcemia, which can be life-threatening. The bone destruction associated with myeloma is mediated by osteoclasts. The osteoblastic metastasis occurs due to the production of growth regulatory factors by the tumor cells, which enhance the activity of osteoblasts to proliferate and differentiate to form bone nodules.
Reconfigurable photovoltaic integrated with CMOS for a fault tolerant system

For space applications, photovoltaic cells provide the best power to weight ratio than any other power source. But, overexposure to electromagnetic radiations and hostile environment in space can damage the photovoltaic cells. In addition, manual intervention in space is too expensive. These issues can be overcome by making PV module reconfigurable by introducing a MOSFET transistor as a switch in a Photovoltaic module. We are presenting a novel addressable reconfigurable PV module which can be integrated with fault detection and mitigation algorithm. Moreover, such kind of architecture enables the creation of real-time reconfigurable power buses or a power island. Additionally, the architecture can be integrated with PV cells monolithically.
Self-Determined Learning to Motivate Struggling Learners in Reading and Writing:

Promoting self-determined learning through student-directed learning strategies has been documented to promote more positive school-related outcomes for upper elementary grade learners with disabilities and other students who are struggling. These strategies are typically introduced in multicomponent interventions combining several student-directed learning strategies such as self-monitoring, self-evaluation, antecedent cue regulation, and self-instruction. Such interventions have established efficacy in promoting a wide array of academic outcomes. Students’ motivation is consistently related to academic achievement, but it has been found to change over time, with intrinsic motivation’s having marked decreases into the later elementary years and into middle school. This article reviews the literature on the impact of promoting self-determination and self-determined learning strategies that can be used to promote more positive reading and writing outcomes to enable students to become autonomous learners.
Correlates of quality of life among individuals with epilepsy enrolled in self-management research: From the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Managing Epilepsy Well Network

Abstract Rationale Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that causes substantial burden on patients and families. Quality of life may be reduced due to the stress of coping with epilepsy. For nearly a decade, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Prevention Research Center's Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network has been conducting research on epilepsy self-management to address research and practice gaps. Studies have been conducted by independent centers across the U.S. Recently, the MEW Network sites, collaboratively, began compiling an integrated database to facilitate aggregate secondary analysis of completed and ongoing studies. In this preliminary analysis, correlates of quality of life in people with epilepsy (PWE) were analyzed from pooled baseline data from the MEW Network. Methods For this analysis, data originated from 6 epilepsy studies conducted across 4 research sites and comprised 459 PWE. Descriptive comparisons assessed common data elements that included gender, age, ethnicity, race, education, employment, income, seizure frequency, quality of life, and depression. Standardized rating scales were used for quality of life (QOLIE-10) and for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9). Results While not all datasets included all common data elements, baseline descriptive analysis found a mean age of 42 (SD 13.22), 289 women (63.0%), 59 African Americans (13.7%), and 58 Hispanics (18.5%). Most, 422 (92.8%), completed at least high school, while 169 (61.7%) were unmarried, divorced/separated, or widowed. Median 30-day seizure frequency was 0.71 (range 0–308). Depression at baseline was common, with a mean PHQ-9 score of 8.32 (SD 6.04); 69 (29.0%) had depression in the mild range (PHQ-9 score 5–9) and 92 (38.7%) had depression in the moderate to severe range (PHQ-9 score > 9). Lower baseline quality of life was associated with greater depressive severity (p Conclusions The MEW Network Integrated Database offers a unique opportunity for secondary analysis of data from multiple community-based epilepsy research studies. While findings must be tempered by potential sample bias, i.e. a relative under-representation of men and relatively small sample of some racial/ethnic subgroups, results of analyses derived from this first integrated epilepsy self-management database have potential to be useful to the field. Associations between depression severity and lower QOL in PWE are consistent with previous studies derived from clinical samples. Self-management efforts that focus on mental health comorbidity and seizure control may be one way to address modifiable factors that affect quality of life in PWE.
Radiofrequency inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 and Enterococcus faecium in wheat flour at different water activities

Salmonella persistence in low-moisture foods creates a significant need for effective pasteurisation processes, but conventional thermal treatments for low-moisture products are challenged by long treatment times and insufficient information on inactivation kinetics. Radiofrequency (RF) heating can reduce heating time and inactivate Salmonella without inducing significant quality damage. The objectives were to study RF heating of organic wheat flour, and evaluate Enterococcus faecium as a surrogate for RF inactivation of Salmonella. Temperature profiles and uniformity of the top and cross-section surface of RF heated flour were obtained with an infrared camera, using different electrode gaps, platforms, and different materials that surrounded the sample to make the electromagnetic field uniform. The flour was inoculated with S. Enteritidis PT 30 or E. faecium, equilibrated to a specific aw, and then RF heated for 8.5 (0.25 aw) or 9 min (0.45 and 0.65 aw) to reach ≈75 °C minimum temperature (no holding time); survivors were then enumerated. The best temperature uniformity was obtained using a 90 mm electrode gap, placing small polystyrene cylinders above and underneath the sample container, and using a platform of polystyrene Petri dishes. Salmonella reduction of 7 log was achieved at 0.45 and 0.65 aw at room temperature, while 5 and 3 log reductions were reached for Salmonella and E. faecium, respectively, at 0.25 aw. These data suggest that RF heating has potential as an inactivation treatment for Salmonella, and that E. faecium is a feasible surrogate to validate the efficacy of RF treatments.
The Bioarchaeology of Women, Children, and Other Vulnerable Groups in Times of War

The focus in popular and nonanthropological discourse around warfare tends to focus on male warriors, combatants, and soldiers. Yet there is a growing body of literature on the effects of warfare on civilians and noncombatants. This chapter provides an overview to studies and social theories that examine violence, warfare, massacres, and structural violence as integrated parts of cultural systems and not as chaotic and aberrant events bounded in space and time. Understanding the strain that women, children, and others are placed under during periods of warfare has led us to reconsider the label of “noncombatant.” There is a continuum of war effects and it is often difficult to distinguish between combatant/noncombatant and civilian/soldier. War and its effects on trauma, disability, and death should be considered to have ripple effects that move well beyond the number of war dead into short- and long-term effects on vulnerable groups within the larger populations. This holds true for today’s wars, and we are advocating that this was likely true for past wars. Thus to truly understand the origin, evolution, and impacts of war in human history, this more inclusive approach to understand war must be part of the scholarship being produced by bioarchaeologist and archaeologists.
A comparison of pediatric and adult CT organ dose estimation methods

Computed Tomography (CT) contributes up to 50% of the medical exposure to the United States population. Children are considered to be at higher risk of developing radiation-induced tumors due to the young age of exposure and increased tissue radiosensitivity. Organ dose estimation is essential for pediatric and adult patient cancer risk assessment. The objective of this study is to validate the VirtualDose software in comparison to currently available software and methods for pediatric and adult CT organ dose estimation. Five age groups of pediatric patients and adult patients were simulated by three organ dose estimators. Head, chest, abdomen-pelvis, and chest-abdomen-pelvis CT scans were simulated, and doses to organs both inside and outside the scan range were compared. For adults, VirtualDose was compared against ImPACT and CT-Expo. For pediatric patients, VirtualDose was compared to CT-Expo and compared to size-based methods from literature. Pediatric to adult effective dose ratios were also calculated with VirtualDose, and were compared with the ranges of effective dose ratios provided in ImPACT. In-field organs see less than 60% difference in dose between dose estimators. For organs outside scan range or distributed organs, a five times’ difference can occur. VirtualDose agrees with the size-based methods within 20% difference for the organs investigated. Between VirtualDose and ImPACT, the pediatric to adult ratios for effective dose are compared, and less than 21% difference is observed for chest scan while more than 40% difference is observed for head-neck scan and abdomen-pelvis scan. For pediatric patients, 2 cm scan range change can lead to a five times dose difference in partially scanned organs. VirtualDose is validated against CT-Expo and ImPACT with relatively small discrepancies in dose for organs inside scan range, while large discrepancies in dose are observed for organs outside scan range. Patient-specific organ dose estimation is possible using the size-based methods, and VirtualDose agrees with size-based method for the organs investigated. Careful range selection for CT protocols is necessary for organ dose optimization for pediatric and adult patients.
Enseignement en ligne : le bon, le mauvais et le pire

Resume A propos des cours en ligne, il faut distinguer deux cas de figure. Certains cours sont proposes entierement en ligne, et tout contact avec l’enseignant ou entre les participants, reste virtuel. Plus frequemment, les cours sont devenus hybrides, combinant temps de presence sur place a l’universite et utilisation de ressources virtuelles. Les cours en ligne peuvent etre mauvais si on confond cours a distance avec cours en ligne. Il ne s’agit pas des anciens cours par correspondance, ou cours a distance. Il ne suffit pas non plus de savoir se servir d’une camera. Qu’est-ce qui est vraiment bon en matiere de cours en ligne ? Comment peut-on profiter au maximum de cette ressource incontournable ? Tout d’abord il faut se tenir a la relation essentielle : la technologie est au service de la pedagogie et pas l’inverse ! Et ensuite n’oublions pas que la pedagogie est une application de la psychologie, particulierement de la psychologie cognitive. La pedagogie constitue ainsi un sujet de recherche en psychologie a part entiere. Comme nous, les etudiants ont acces a tous les contenus de la toile. Le savoir est maintenant a la portee de tous, mais il faut etre motive et organise. Leur besoin pressant aujourd’hui ce n’est pas d’acquerir des contenus – qui seront perimes plus ou moins vite… – mais d’apprendre a trier les contenus. Notre role a change radicalement. Il faut leur apprendre a continuer a se former le reste de leur vie car l’acceleration des recherches produit des connaissances nouvelles tous les jours. Il faut leur apprendre une demarche, un moyen de separer le bon grain de l’ivraie par l’analyse critique des informations a leur disposition. L’analyse critique des informations auxquelles on a acces est indispensable et doit devenir un reflexe pour les etudiants, un prealable a l’addition de tout contenu. Neanmoins, la technique de base de la pedagogie en ligne est la classe renversee. Nous allons considerer les avantages et les inconvenients de renverser la classe pour que les etudiants acquierent cette demarche qui va leur permettre de continuer a apprendre de maniere efficace leur vie durant.