cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of a Dielectrophoretic Mechanical Testing Device

Mechanics play a critical role in cell function in health and disease. While a variety of techniques exist to measure cell mechanics, no single device or testing method can answer all biomechanics questions. We have designed a novel dielectrophoretic cell mechanics device to apply piconewton forces to single, asymmetric attached cells without physical contact. This device uses negative dielectrophoresis to trap individual cells, after which cells attach to the device substrate. Negative dielectrophoresis is then used to apply compressive force to attached cells, and cell displacement is measured via microscopy. COMSOL software was used to model the two-dimensional electric and force fields. Based on modeling results, a quadrupole electrode configuration was designed in AutoCad,fabricated using microfabrication techniques, and tested with endothelial cells. A modeled quadrupole electrode with a 50 μm center diameter operating at 1 volt and 1 MHz generated 100's piconewtons of compressive force. This force was sufficient to trap both polystyrene beads and cells. While trapped cells did attach to the glass substrate, further refinement of the device is needed to maintain the cells in a healthy state. This dielectrophoretic mechanics testing device expands the existing biomechanics toolbox by providing a non-contact method to test mechanics of attached cells under diverse conditions. Future dielectrophoretic systems could allow tensile as well compressive forces, and when coupled with microfluidic systems, could test cell mechanics under fluid flow or a chemotactic gradient. This device will improve our understanding of cell mechanics in healthy cell function and how perturbation of the mechanical environment contributes to disease.
Probabilistic segmentation and intensity estimation for microarray images

SUMMARY We describe a probabilistic approach to simultaneous image segmentation and intensity estimation for complementary DNA microarray experiments. The approach overcomes several limitations of existing methods. In particular, it (a) uses a flexible Markov random field approach to segmentation that allows for a wider range of spot shapes than existing methods, including relatively common ‘doughnut-shaped’ spots; (b) models the image directly as background plus hybridization intensity, and estimates the two quantities simultaneously, avoiding the common logical error that estimates of foreground may be less than those of the corresponding background if the two are estimated separately; and (c) uses a probabilistic modeling approach to simultaneously perform segmentation and intensity estimation, and to compute spot quality measures. We describe two approaches to parameter estimation: a fast algorithm, based on the expectation-maximization and the iterated conditional modes algorithms, and a fully Bayesian framework. These approaches produce comparable results, and both appear to offer some advantages over other methods. We use an HIV experiment to compare our approach to two commercial software products: Spot and Arrayvision.
Impacts of forest gaps on soil properties and processes in old growth northern hardwood-hemlock forests

We examined the influence of treefall gaps on soil properties and processes in old growth northern hardwood-hemlock forests in the upper Great Lakes region, USA. We found significantly greater solar radiation, soil moisture contents and soil temperatures in gaps compared to adjacent closed canopy plots. Gaps had significantly less exchangeable base cations (K, Ca, and Mg) compared to forest plots in the upper mineral soil (0–25 cm). Gaps also had significantly more dissolved organic N and extractable nitrate at depth (25–50 cm), indicating increased nutrient leaching in gaps. In-situ N mineralization was significantly greater in gaps and edge plots compared to forest plots. We found significantly greater potential N mineralization (measured in the laboratory at 25°C and 40% water holding capacity) in forest compared to gap plots. Microbial biomass N was significantly greater (ca. two-fold) in the gap edge compared to both gaps and closed forest. Using principal component analyses we found that edge plots were positively correlated with all principal components, indicating increased in-situ and potential N mineralization, microbial biomass N, soil NO3− and NH4+, and soil organic matter. The gap edge may be a region of optimal microclimate and substrate to enhance microbial biomass and activity within these forest ecosystems.
Development of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Suitable for Mainstream Medicine

Fecal microbiota transplantation has emerged as an increasingly common treatment for patients with refractory Clostridium difficile infection. Although it can be relatively simple to perform, a number of challenges need to be overcome before this procedure is widely accepted in mainstream clinical practice. Most of the solutions to these challenges already exist, but some need further optimization and testing. Standardized fecal microbiota is being developed as a therapeutic agent, although it clearly challenges some of the existing paradigms of drug development, delivery, and regulation.
Epidemiology of wilderness search and rescue in New Hampshire, 1999-2001

Objective To describe the epidemiology of wilderness search and rescue in a region with easily accessible, heavily used wilderness areas. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department wilderness search-and-rescue reports between January 1999 and December 2001. The study group consisted of all the subjects of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department search and rescue in the state of New Hampshire during the study period. Demographics, types of incidents, type and location of injuries, environmental factors, fatalities, and use of medical services for all the subjects were analyzed. Results Three hundred twenty-one incidents involving 457 subjects were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects in the incidents was 35.6 years, with 64.5% men and 35.4% women; 73% of the subjects resided in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. At the time of the incident, 57.3% of the subjects were hiking. Injuries precipitated 39.3% of the rescues, whereas lost and missing persons accounted for 41.4%. Fractures accounted for 33.7% of the reported injuries; 49.7% of the injuries were to the lower extremities. Sixty-four of the subjects (14%) died; 32.8% drowned, and 23.4% died from cardiac events. Volunteers were used in 53.3% of the rescues, a rescuer was injured in 2.5% of the incidents, and at least 36.4% of the subjects were transported to a hospital. Conclusions The most prevalent demographic group requiring search-and-rescue efforts in New Hampshire was men aged 30 to 40 years who were hiking and who resided within a 4-hour drive of the area where they encountered difficulty. To decrease the number of people involved in most search and rescue, efforts should be focused on preventing wilderness users from getting lost and preventing lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries. Wilderness deaths may be prevented by focusing attention on cardiac health in wilderness users older than 50 years and on water safety.
Modeling the Electrochemistry of an SOFC through the Electrodes and Electrolyte

This paper describes a distributed electrochemistry model of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrodes and electrolyte. The distributed electrochemistry (DEC) model solves the transport, reactions, and electric potential through the thickness of the SOFC electrodes. The DEC model allows the local conditions within the electrodes to be studied and allows for a better understanding of how electrochemical and microstructural parameters affect the electrodes. In this paper the governing equations and implementation of the DEC model are presented along with several case studies which are used to investigate the sensitivity of the cathode to the microstructural and electrochemical parameters of the model and to explore methods of improving the electrochemical performance of the SOFC cathode.
Transverse variability of flow and density in a Chilean fjord

Abstract Measurements of velocity and density profiles were made to describe the transverse structure of the flow in Aysen Fjord, Southern Chile (45.2°S and 73.3°W). Current profiles were made with a 307.2 kHz acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) during 20 repetitions of a cross-fjord transect during one semidiurnal tidal cycle. The transect had a ∼320° orientation, 3 km length, and its bathymetry consisted of two channels, one on the southern side (230 m depth) and the other on the northern side (180 m depth), separated by a bank ca. 65 m depth, which was located ∼1 km from the northern coast. Density measurements to a maximum depth of 50 m were made at the extremes of each transect repetition and over the bank. Also, a total of nine CTD stations that covered the surroundings of the bank was sampled 2 days prior to the ADCP sampling. During the sampling period the mean flow showed a three layer structure that was consistent with up-fjord wind-induced exchange: a thin (
GAMIV: a genetic algorithm for identifying variable-lengthmotifs in noncoding DNA

GAMI uses a genetic algorithm to identify putatively conserved motifs of a pre-selected length in noncoding DNA from diverse species. In this work, I present an extension to the system, GAMIV, that identifies putatively conserved motifs of variable length. The system begins with an initial set of very short motifs and allows them to grow through a pair of custom operators. A fitness function that rewards both motif conservation and motif length is used to evolve a population of conserved motifs of variable length. This paper describes the motivation for GAMIV, discusses the design of the system, and presents initial results for the system. Based on these initial results, GAMIV is a promising tool for the inference of variable-length motifs in noncoding DNA.
Making Sense of Bad News: The Media, Sensemaking, and Organizational Crisis

Abstract: This paper explores the construction of organizational crisis through the discourse of media. Using a critical sensemaking framework, the authors conclude that the media serve as a disproportionate influence in the creation of plausible organizational narrative after crisis. They implicate the practices of journalistic work and the relationships between news workers and those holding power in organizations. They use the 1992 explosion at the Westray coal mine in Nova Scotia, Canada, where 26 men died, to illustrate these contentions. They find that among available and plausible early narratives of this event, enactment of a discourse of natural disaster and tragedy has prevailed over those that incorporated human agency and organizational culpability. Resume : Cet article explore la construction de crises organisationnelles faite par le discours mediatique. Utilisant un cadre critique pour interpreter les faits, les auteurs concluent que les medias ont une influence disproportionnee dans la creation d'une narration organisationnelle plausible apres une crise. Pour expliquer cette influence, les auteurs impliquent les pratiques du travail journalistique ainsi que les relations entre les travailleurs des medias et les detenteurs du pouvoir dans les organisations. Ils illustrent ces affirmations en se rapportant a l'explosion de 1992 dans la mine Westray en Nouvelle-Ecosse, Canada, ou 26 hommes sont morts. Ils trouvent que, parmi les premieres narrations disponibles et plausibles de cet evenement, la promulgation d'un discours de desastre naturel et de tragedie l'a emporte sur les discours incorporant l'action humaine et la culpabilite organisationnelle.
Exploiting Epigenetic Modifiers to Circumvent Melanoma Dual Resistance to TCR-Engineered Immunotherapy- and BRAFV600E-Kinase Inhibitor

The discovery of activating BRAFV600E mutation in vast majority of melanoma patients has paved the way for novel drug discovery. Targeted therapy using selective BRAFV600E inhibitor Vemurafenib (PLX4032) and adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using MART-1 T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T lymphocytes (F5 CTL) both produce dramatic, but transient, clinical responses in most patients with metastatic melanoma. Adoption of bypass survival signaling pathways (e.g., AKT) and aberrant apoptotic machinery may confer resistance to death signals delivered by Vemurafenib and transgenic CTLs. We have established an in vitro model of resistant (R) lines from F5 CTL- and Vemurafenib-sensitive lines harboring BRAFV600E under selective pressure. Interestingly, PLX-resistant tumors, while surviving high PLX4032 concentrations, develop cross-resistance to F5 CTL-killing, suggesting the use of a common apoptotic pathway by both modalities. Preliminary experiments suggest that the acquired resistance can be reversed with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) SAHA, possibly through modulation of the expression profile of apoptotic genes. Future studies are warranted to identify the bypass signaling pathways and the molecular determinants responsible for immune- and PLX-resistance. Moreover, the exact underlying molecular mechanisms of SAHA-mediated immunosensitization need to be defined. However, these and other studies suggest that the addition of an HDACi to BRAFV600E-based targeted therapy will immuno-sensitize PLX-resistant metastatic melanomas to F5 CTL ACT.
Cdk1-Dependent Phosphorylation of Cdc13 Coordinates Telomere Elongation during Cell-Cycle Progression

SUMMARY Elongation of telomeres by telomerase replenishes the loss of terminal telomeric DNA repeats during each cell cycle. In budding yeast, Cdc13 plays an essential role in telomere length homeostasis, partly through its interactions with both the telomerase complex and the competing Stn1-Ten1 complex. Previous studies in yeast have shown that telomere elongation by telomerase is cell cycle dependent, but the mechanism underlying this dependence is unclear. In S. cerevisiae, a single cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk1 (Cdc28) coordinates the serial events required for the cell division cycle, but no Cdk1 substrate has been identified among telomerase and telomere-associated factors. Here we show that Cdk1-dependentphosphorylationofCdc13isessential for efficient recruitment of the yeast telomerase complex to telomeres by favoring the interaction of Cdc13 with Est1 rather than the competing Stn1Ten1 complex. These results provide a direct mechanistic link between coordination of telomere elongation and cell-cycle progression in vivo.
Important but Differential Roles for Actin in Trafficking of Epstein-Barr Virus in B Cells and Epithelial Cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) uses different virus and cell proteins to enter its two major targets, B lymphocytes and epithelial cells. The routes that the virus takes into the two cell types are also different. To determine if these differences extend to movement from the cell surface to the nucleus, we examined the fate of incoming virus. Essentially all virus that entered a B cell remained stable for at least 8 h. In contrast, up to 80% of virus entering an epithelial cell was degraded in a compartment sensitive to inhibitors of components involved in autophagy. Inhibitors of actin remodeling blocked entry into a B cell but had no effect or enhanced entry into an epithelial cell. Inhibitors of the microtubule network reduced intracellular transport in both cell types, but movement to the nucleus in an epithelial cell also required involvement of the actin cytoskeleton. Deletion of the cytoplasmic tail of CR2, which in an epithelial cell interacts with the actin nucleator FHOS/FHOD when cross-linked by EBV, had no effect on infection. However, inhibitors of downstream signaling by integrins reduced intracellular transport. Cooperation of the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons, possibly activated by interaction with integrin binding proteins in the envelope of EBV, is needed for successful infection of an epithelial cell.
Comparison of CD34, CD31, and factor VIII-related antigen immunohistochemical expression in feline vascular neoplasms and CD34 expression in feline nonvascular neoplasms.

The diagnosis of vascular neoplasms is often facilitated by the use of immunohistochemical markers such as factor VIII–related antigen, CD31, and CD34. However, the relative sensitivity and specificity of these markers have not been compared in cat vascular neoplasms. In this study, these 3 immunohistochemical markers were evaluated in 61 endothelial neoplasms (50 hemangiosarcomas and 11 hemangiomas) in 59 cats. All neoplasms were labeled by all 3 markers. CD34 had the highest average immunolabeling intensity in neoplastic endothelial cells. CD31 had the lowest average background labeling, followed by CD34 and factor VIII–related antigen, respectively. CD34 expression was also examined in 130 nonvascular neoplasms of cats; 14 of 62 epithelial neoplasms, 39 of 43 mesenchymal neoplasms, 8 of 23 leukocytic neoplasms, and 2 of 2 melanomas were positive. Given the broad expression of CD34 in mesenchymal neoplasms, this marker has limited diagnostic relevance for vascular neoplasms of cats.
Parkinson's disease and brain levels of organochlorine pesticides

Epidemiological studies have suggested an etiologic relationship between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease (PD). Organochlorine pesticides were assayed in postmortem brain samples from 20 PD, 7 Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 14 nonneurological control cases. The three groups were similar in age at death, sex, and demographic variables. Only two of 16 pesticide residues screened were detected. A long-lasting residue of DDT (pp-DDE) was found in the majority of cases of PD and AD, as well as in all the control cases; pp-DDT was significantly more likely to be found in AD controls than the PD cases (Fisher's exact two-tailed, p = 0.04). Dieldrin was detected in 6 of 20 PD brains, 1 of 7 AD, and in none of 14 control samples. Despite the relatively small number of brains assayed, the association between Dieldrin and the diagnosis of PD was highly significant (p = 0.03). Dieldrin, a lipid-soluble, long-lasting mitochondrial poison, should be investigated as a potential etiological agent of Parkinsonism.
Impromptu: managing networked audio applications for mobile users

This paper discusses the software architecture of Impromptu, a mobile IP-based audio computing platform, with an associated set of network-based applications and services. Impromptu merges the communication properties and universal mobility of the telephone with the multi-tasking and open protocol world of the handheld PC. Its supporting architecture handles multiple streaming audio applications, provides speech services for consistent audio user interfaces across applications, and enables user management of these varied applications running simultaneously.
Nanoscale pillar arrays for separations.

The work presented herein evaluates silicon nano-pillar arrays for use in planar chromatography. Electron beam lithography and metal thermal dewetting protocols were used to create nano-thin layer chromatography platforms. With these fabrication methods we are able to reduce the size of the characteristic features in a separation medium below that used in ultra-thin layer chromatography; i.e. pillar heights are 1–2 μm and pillar diameters are typically in the 200–400 nm range. In addition to the intrinsic nanoscale aspects of the systems, it is shown they can be further functionalized with nanoporous layers and traditional stationary phases for chromatography; hence exhibit broad-ranging lab-on-a-chip and point-of-care potential. Because of an inherent high permeability and very small effective mass transfer distance between pillars, chromatographic efficiency can be very high but is enhanced herein by stacking during development and focusing while drying, yielding plate heights in the nm range separated band volumes. Practical separations of fluorescent dyes, fluorescently derivatized amines, and anti-tumor drugs are illustrated.
Detecting voter fraud in an electronic voting context: an analysis of the unlimited reelection vote in Venezuela

Between December 2007 and February 2009, Venezuelans participated twice in constitutional referenda where the elimination of presidential term limits was one of the most salient proposals. Assuming voter preferences did not change significantly during that period, the 'repeated' character of these elections provide us with an excellent opportunity to apply forensic tools designed to detect anomalies and outliers in election returns in elections where electronic voting technologies were used. Similar tools were first applied by Myagkov et al. ([20], [21], [22], [23]) to the study of electoral fraud in Russia and Ukraine, and were effective in the isolation of potential cases of manipulation of electoral returns. The case of Venezuela is different because there exists no widespread agreement about the integrity or otherwise fraudulent nature of national elections, and because it is a nation where electronic voting technologies are used. Unless electoral fraud takes place in exactly the same manner in each election, an analysis of the 'flow of votes' between elections can be used to detect suspicious patterns in electoral returns. Although we do not find evidence of pervasive electoral fraud compared, for instance, to the Russian case, our analysis is useful to detect polling places or regions deviating considerably from the more general pattern.
Additions To The NASDAQ National Market System: An Analysis Of Stock Returns and Trading Volume

In this study, empirical tests are conducted to determine the effect on stock returns and volume of addition to the NASDAQ National Market System (NMS). By analyzing stock returns and trading volume, the results support a positive effect for stocks added to the NMS. However, the addition appears to be a more positive event for low market value stocks relative to high market value stocks.
What is Prosperity and How Do We Measure it

A year ago, French president Nicolas Sarkozy created the Commission on the Measurement of Economic and Social Progress. Sarkozy believes that economic growth, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), is not a sufficient measurement of our well-being. He has a point. While GDP encompasses myriad economic variables — broadly representing a nation’s income and, hence, economic progress over time — it fails to capture important ingredients of prosperity, such as health, personal freedom, and security. The Sarkozy commission has issued its first report, but it fails in some crucial respects.The London-based Legatum Institute’s Prosperity Index goes a long way toward addressing the concerns Sarkozy has about broader measures of well-being. The Index, now in its third year, assesses a wide variety of economic and social indicators for most of the world’s population and ranks countries according to their performance.
Litio en Psiquiatría. / Lithium in Psychiatry.

Background: Lithium is a light, metallic element and minerals containing it are most abundant in the Andes. John Cade introduced lithium carbonate for the treatment of mania in 1949, opening the era of modern clinical psychopharmacology. Lithium remains the most extensively studied mood-stabilizing agent. It has had a revolutionary impact in supporting bipolar manic-depressive disorder as a discrete diagnosis, and on psychiatric therapeutics. Methods: We survey the development of lithium treatment in psychiatry, including findings concerning effects on suicide. Results: Lithium is the most extensively studied treatment for bipolar disorder and the prototypical mood-stabilizing agent, despite emergence of anticonvulsants and modern antipsychotics. In addition to limiting recurrences of mania, and some reduction of recurrences of bipolar depression, lithium has demonstrated protective effects against suicide. All treatments for bipolar disorder have notable limitations, including sometimes serious adverse effects, incomplete prevention of recurrences of mania and limited prevention of depression, which accounts for three-quarters of the approximately 50% time-ill in long-term follow-up with standard treatments. Lithium can be toxic in untreated overdoses; safe dosing requires monitoring of serum concentrations. Lithium also may have mild teratogenic effects, but far less than those of anticonvulsants used for bipolar disorder. Conclusions: Lithium opened the era of modern psychopharmacology and continues as the best-established mood-stabilizing treatment for bipolar disorder as well as having strong evidence of suicide-preventing effects.
'Furiosus Solo Furore Punitur': Should Mentally Ill Capital Offenders Be Categorically Exempt from the Death Penalty?

Rather than continuing to use mental illness as a mitigating factor in determining sentencing of the capital offender, this paper argues that the Eighth Amendment’s protection from cruel and unusual punishments should be extended to cover capital offenders who suffer from debilitating mental illness. More specifically, if a convicted offender has a medically diagnosed mental disorder as outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition or other similar standard for psychological evaluation, he or she should be exempt from the possibility of the imposition of death as a punishment. This paper discusses the Supreme Court cases of Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 (2004), Ford v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 399 (1986), Panetti v. Quarterman, 551 U.S. 930 (2007) and Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005), and how to extend the Court's reasoning in those cases to cover mentally ill capital offenders.
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act Takes the Bite Out of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Adding Corporate Governance to the Discussion

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”), which became law in April 2012, made significant deregulations to the United States’ securities law. One such deregulation essentially eliminated the outsider audit mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”). There are strong justifications for and against this law. However, one significant interest is missing from the discussion — corporate governance. Corporate governance is important because it furthers Congress’s goals of job creation and economic growth. Because the outsider-audit requirement improves corporate governance practices, this Note proposes a different approach for regulating the controversial outsider-audit requirement. Instead of backpedaling on SOX section 404(b)’s outsider-audit provision, the JOBS Act should retain section 404(b), provide a limited exception for businesses that are both small and young (businesses that make less than $75 million and are less than ten years old), and encourage businesses to voluntarily strengthen their corporate governance frameworks.
The (Mis-) Measurement of Fiscal Decentralization in Developing and Transition Countries Accounting for Devolved and Nondevolved Local Public Sector Spending

There is an extensive literature on the impact of fiscal decentralization on economic growth, development, and public sector effectiveness. However, the empirical literature on fiscal decentralization has exclusively focused on measuring the finances of elected or “devolved” local governments. Other types of decentralized expenditures, including deconcentrated and delegated expenditures, have been systematically excluded from measurement and analysis in the public finance and development literature. Our analysis considers the extent to which using devolved expenditures as a proxy for all devolved expenditures may have impacted the findings of the empirical literature. We collect comprehensive vertical expenditure profiles for health and education services in twenty-nine developing and transition countries and find that by exclusively focusing on devolution, previous analyses have overlooked two-thirds of local public sector expenditures. By excluding these “nondevolved” decentralized expenditures, the pre...
A 'Narrow Exception' Run Amok: How Courts have Misconstrued Employee-Rights Laws’ Exclusion of 'Policymaking' Appointees

The civil rights and workplace protections afforded some government workers vary vastly nationwide because federal circuit courts disagree over how to interpret an exemption common to five landmark employment statutes. Each statute defines “employee” for its purposes to exclude politicians and certain categories of politicians’ appointees — including government employees appointed by elected officials to serve at “the policymaking level.” Neither Congress nor the United States Supreme Court has defined who belongs to the “policymaking-level” class. Consequently, lower federal courts across the country have adopted their own standards to fill the gap, creating a wide circuit split. At stake in this employment law vagary are basic worker rights guaranteed by major federal statutes. The U.S. Supreme Court or Congress should articulate a lucid definition for the exception for appointees on the “policymaking level” that honors Congress’s intent for a narrow exception: the exemption should apply only to positions characterized by both a direct working relationship with the appointer and an explicit duty to make substantive policy.
A Porcine Anterior Segment Perfusion and Transduction Model With Direct Visualization of the Trabecular Meshwork.

Purpose To establish a consistent and affordable, high quality porcine anterior segment perfusion and transduction model that allows direct visualization of the trabecular meshwork. Methods Porcine anterior segments were cultured within 2 hours of death by removing lens and uvea and securing in a specially designed petri dish with a thin bottom to allow direct visualization of the trabecular meshwork with minimal distortion. Twenty-two control eyes (CO) with a constant flow rate were compared to eight gravity perfused eyes (COgr, 15 mm Hg). We established gene delivery to the TM using eGFP expressing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vector GINSIN at 108 transducing units (TU) per eye (GINSIN_8, n = 8) and 107 TU (GINSIN_7, n = 8). Expression was assessed for 14 days before histology was obtained. Results Pig eyes were a reliable source for consistent and high quality anterior segment cultures with a low failure rate of 12%. Control eyes had an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 15.8 ± 1.9 mm Hg at fixed pump perfusion with 3 μL/min compared to gravity perfused COgr with imputed 3.7 ± 1.6 μL/min. Vector GINSIN_8 eyes experienced a transient posttransduction IOP increase of 44% that resolved at 48 hours; this was not observed in GINSIN_7 eyes. Expression was higher in GINSIN_8 than in GINSIN_7 eyes. Trabecular meshwork architecture was well preserved. Conclusions Compared with previously used human donor eyes, this inexpensive porcine anterior segment perfusion model is of sufficient, repeatable high quality to develop strategies of TM bioengineering. Trabecular meshwork could be observed directly. Despite significant anatomic differences, effects of transduction replicate the main aspects of previously explored human, feline and rodent models.
Preference for Consonant over Dissonant Tones in the Albino Rat

It was demonstrated that 16 albino rats without prior exposure to consonant and dissonant tones prefer the former. This finding is discussed in relation to sensory reinforcement theory and to the well-known phenomenon of noxiousness of dissonant sounds in man.
A New Sulfur-Rich Rhenium(III) Complex, Re(S2CC6H5)(S3CC6H5)2, and Seven-Coordinate Complexes Formed by Reversible Sulfur Abstraction Reactions, Re(S2CC6H5)3(PPh3) and [Re(S2CC6H5)3(CN)]-

A novel sulfur-rich rhenium(III) diamagnetic, mononuclear complex, Re(S2CC6H5)(S3CC6H5)2, has been isolated from the induced internal redox reaction of tetraethylammonium tetrathioperrhenate(VII) with dithiobenzoate disulfide. The green six-coordinate octahedral complex displays two reversible one-electron oxidations and undergoes reversible sulfur abstraction with triphenylphosphine or tetraethylammonium cyanide to give purple seven-coordinate [ReL3L‘]n- complexes where L‘ = P(C6H5)3 (n = 0) or CN- (n = 1).
Determination of Tetracyclines Antibiotics and Diethylstilbestrol by HPLC-ELSD

A method,which determined simultaneously three kinds of tetracyclines antibiotics and diethylstilbestrol in meat product with C18 column by liquid chromatography coupled to evaporative light scattering detector,was described.Effects of different mobile phase and parameters of ELSD on the response were studied,and the ELSD was compared with UV detector.The real samples were analyzed.
Isolation of Tumor Suppressor Genes in Melanoma by cDNA Microarray

The multistep genetic alterations thought to involve both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that are causally related to melanocytic transformation remain largely undetermined (1). Mapping of alterations to chromosome 6 indicates that multiple genetic loci on 6q contribute causally to the development and progression of malignant melanoma (1). This notion is also supported by the introduction of chromosome 6 in malignant melanoma cell lines suppressing either their tumorigenicity (2) or metastasis (3,4). However, the suppressor genes involved have yet to be identified.
'War Time' in International Criminal Law: A Review of Mary L. Dudziak's War Time: An Idea, Its History, Its Consequences

This essay examines how the wartime framing Professor Dudziak's book elucidates has impacted the development of international criminal law. It argues that the fiction that time can be divided into "wartime" and "peacetime" has been central to the development of international criminal law. However, the regime's reliance on the war/peace dichotomy has eroded over time.
Control of gene expression in adult skeletal muscle by changes in the inherent level of contractile activity.

The evidence presented here supports the concept that multiple, complex controls of gene regulation underlie the adaptive changes in protein quantity associated with alterations of the inherent amount of contractile activity in adult skeletal muscle. Investigations of increased contractile activity by running and resistance exercise, as well by recovery from the reduced contractile activity of limb immobilization suggest that control of the alterations of gene expression are initially (one day) at the level of translation. Likewise, experimental models which do not closely mimic human physical training (i.e. electrical stimulation and chronic overload) produce early alterations in the translational control of gene expression. More prolonged changes in contractile activity, brought about by either physical training or experimental models, produce altered gene expression via changes in pre-, post- and translational control.
Epidemiology for the Equine Practitioner

Equine practitioners are a first line of defense in surveillance for unusual animal diseases, and they should be familiar with applicable epidemiologic concepts. This article discusses the principles and methods used in outbreak investigations, reinforcing important concepts with examples from veterinary literature. Epidemiologic and statistical concepts are discussed in the context of three steps in an outbreak investigation, description, analysis, and intervention. The approach presented is applicable to outbreaks from any etiologic agent, infectious or noninfectious, contagious or noncontagious.
ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters of the Human Respiratory Tract Pathogen, Moraxella catarrhalis: Role in Virulence

Moraxella catarrhalis is a human respiratory tract pathogen that causes otitis media (middle ear infections) in children and respiratory tract infections in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In view of the huge global burden of disease caused by M. catarrhalis, the development of vaccines to prevent these infections and better approaches to treatment have become priorities. In previous work, we used a genome mining approach that identified three substrate binding proteins (SBPs) of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters as promising candidate vaccine antigens. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive assessment of 19 SBPs of 15 ABC transporter systems in the M. catarrhalis genome by engineering knockout mutants and studying their role in assays that assess mechanisms of infection. The capacity of M. catarrhalis to survive and grow in the nutrient-limited and hostile environment of the human respiratory tract, including intracellular growth, account in part for its virulence. The results show that ABC transporters that mediate uptake of peptides, amino acids, cations and anions play important roles in pathogenesis by enabling M. catarrhalis to 1) grow in nutrient-limited conditions, 2) invade and survive in human respiratory epithelial cells and 3) persist in the lungs in a murine pulmonary clearance model. The knockout mutants of SBPs and ABC transporters showed different patterns of activity in the assay systems, supporting the conclusion that different SBPs and ABC transporters function at different stages in the pathogenesis of infection. These results indicate that ABC transporters are nutritional virulence factors, functioning to enable the survival of M catarrhalis in the diverse microenvironments of the respiratory tract. Based on the role of ABC transporters as virulence factors of M. catarrhalis, these molecules represent potential drug targets to eradicate the organism from the human respiratory tract.
Distributed dynamic priority assignment and motion planning for multiple mobile robots with kinodynamic constraints

We present a distributed on-line coordinated motion planning approach for a group of mobile robots moving amidst dynamic obstacles. The objective for the motion planning is to minimize the total distance traveled by the robots as well as the danger of deadlock. Kinematic constraints, robot-obstacle collision avoidance constraints, and velocity/acceleration constraints are explicitly considered in individual robot's motion planner. A dynamic priority based scheme is proposed to deal with pair-wise inter-robot collision constraints. In particular, we model the assignment of priority into a minimum linear ordering problem (MLOP). We prove that the objective function of the MLOP is supermodular and propose a decentralized supermodular linear ordering algorithm that interleaves dynamic priority assignment and planning for the robots, such that the overall path length and the danger of deadlock are both minimized. Simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Prolonged Febrile Seizures and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

The presence of spontaneous limbic seizures using chronic video monitoring with concurrent hippocampal and cortical EEGs, in adult rats (starting at 3 months of age) that had sustained experimental febrile seizures (FS) on postnatal day 10 was compared to hyperthermic control rats whose FS had been controlled, in a study at University of California, Irvine, CA, and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Optimization and Zspore Analysis of Affinity Purification Coupled With Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Mammalian Cells

Defining protein-protein interactions is essential for understanding the mechanisms by which cells regulate basic functions, such as metabolism, transcription, and signal transduction. Affinity purification followed by tandem mass spectrometry (AP-MS) has application for discovery of new interactors regulating various cellular processes. Here we optimize the purification method for AP-MS and develop a simplified unbiased analytical tool, Z-score plus prey occurrence and reproducibility (ZSPORE) for data analysis. Using this pipeline we achieve a higher efficiency of AP-MS and enhanced identification of high confidence interacting proteins (HCIP) in mammalian cells. When applied to analysis of the innate immune interactome, these methods enhanced HCIP identification. In addition, we investigated the GRB2 complex, which is associated with signal transduction and cell growth. Twenty-four known GRB2 interacting proteins were identified plus 26 new GRB2 binding partners. Thus, these straightforward methods recapitulate known protein interactions, discover novel complexes, and allow mapping of protein interaction networks. Correspondence: lishitao@hotmail.com (S. L.); dorf@hms.harvard.edu (M. E. D.); phone 617-432-1978; FAX
Enantioselective Diels-Alder-lactamization organocascades employing a furan-based diene

α,β-Unsaturated acylammonium salts are useful dienophiles enabling highly enantioselective and stereodivergent Diels-Alder-initiated organocascades with furan-based dienes. Complex polycyclic systems can thus be obtained from readily prepared dienes, commodity acid chlorides, and a chiral isothiourea organocatalyst under mild conditions. We describe the use of furan-based dienes bearing pendant sulfonamides leading to the generation of oxa-bridged, trans-fused tricyclic γ-lactams. This process constitutes the first highly enantio- and diastereoselective, organocatalytic Diels-Alder cycloadditions with these typically problematic dienes due to their reversibility. Computational studies suggest that the high diastereoselectivity with these furan dienes may be due to a reversible Diels-Alder cycloaddition for the endo adducts. In addition, the utility of this methodology is demonstrated through a concise approach to a core structure with similarity to the natural product isatisine A and a nonpeptidyl ghrelin-receptor inverse agonist.
Injectable Biological Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee.

The increasing prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in an aging and active population necessitates the development of therapies designed to relieve symptoms, to delay the need for total joint replacement, and to potentially stimulate chondrocyte growth.Growth factor therapies such as platelet-rich plas
Analyzing the curricula of doctor of philosophy in educational technology-related programs in the United States

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to analyze on-campus and online PhD programs in educational technology-related fields in the United States. In particular, it sought to evaluate the most common program titles; core, elective, and research courses based on program curricula. The research design was quantitative content analysis and data were collected from six different sources. The study found 44 institutions offered campus-based degree programs and four offered online degree programs in educational technology-related fields with 27 different program titles. In addition, 324 core courses, 157 elective courses, and 260 research courses were further analyzed. The results revealed that the most common program titles were Curriculum and Instruction, Learning Design and Technology, Instructional Technology, Learning Technologies, Instructional Design and Technology, and Educational Technology. The most common core courses were Instructional Design, Advanced Instructional Design, Curriculum Theory, Needs A...
Coordination of branch orientation and photosynthetic physiology in the Joshua tree ( Yucca brevifolia )

Despite the profusion of light in deserts, morphological adaptations to increase light interception are common among desert plants. We studied branch orientation and related physiological parameters in the Mojave Desert Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia (Agavaceae). Azimuth and inclination were measured on all leaf rosettes of 44 Y. brevifolia trees. Interception of solar radiation was modeled for leaves in hypothetical rosettes facing due south and due north in December, March, and June. Carbon isotope discrimination, nitrogen content, and conductance of water vapor were measured in leaves from north- and south-facing rosettes. Rosette azimuths were nonrandom; rosettes predominantly faced southeast. North-facing rosettes were more steeply inclined than those facing south. The preponderance of south-facing rosettes reduces self-shading and increases interception of solar radiation during the winter-spring growth period. Stomatal conductance was higher for leaves in south-facing than in north-facing rosettes. Nevertheless, discrimination against 13 C was less in leaves of south-facing rosettes, indicating that average intercellular CO 2 concentration was also lower. South-facing whorls had higher leaf nitrogen content. Greater allocation of nitrogen to leaves in south-facing whorls probably results in those leaves having a greater photosynthetic capacity than their north-facing counterparts. Orientation of rosettes to increase interception of sunlight during the period most favorable for photosynthesis, coupled with allocation of nutrients to maintain a higher photosynthetic capacity in those rosettes, should significantly increase whole-plan carbon gain in Y. brevifolia .
Death is Money: Buying Trouble with the Pardoner

Criticism of The Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale has focused on the Pardoner’s complicated identity and his rhetorical agenda, but the image of the murder itself was evocative for Chaucer’s audience, as illustrated by an early fifteenth-century wooden chest panel featuring the murder scene. This chapter analyzes The Pardoner’s Tale in the context of the late medieval discourse of death and money, to reconcile the directly antimoney ars moriendi of Chaucer’s Pardoner with the much more ambivalent attitude toward trade and commerce that Chaucer displays elsewhere in The Canterbury Tales. The Pardoner’s transparent profit motive, his Tale’s deployment of a traditional suspicion of money, and the apparent resonance of this story for Chaucer’s audience reveal the deep ambivalence of the late Middle Ages toward money and economy.
Compact gain-saturated soft X-ray lasers down to 6.85 nm and gain down to 5.85 nm and enabling pump laser

We have extended the wavelength of compact, repetitive, gain-saturated x-ray lasers to 6.89 nm in Ni-like Gd, and observed amplification in several lower wavelength transitions down to 5.9 nm in Ni-like Dy ions.
Bilateral Dentate nuclei injury after global cerebral hypoperfusion: A case report (P4.321)

Objective: We report a case of bilateral dentate nuclei injury after global cerebral hypoperfusion. Background: Water zone infarcts in the cerebellum are usually seen at the borders of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, superior cerebellar artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery, and their branches. The dentate nucleus has been shown to be involved after hypoperfusion injury in a prior study using diffusion tensor imaging. To the authors’ knowledge, there are no case reports describing bilateral dentate nuclei lesions from global cerebral hypoperfusion injury. Design/Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, MeSH, Google using keyword Cerebellum, hypoperfusion, hypoxia and Ischemia. Results: We present a 78-year-old black female with past medical history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, who was hospitalized after experiencing a fall resulting in open left tibial and femur fractures. The patient underwent operative repair of the fracture. Intra and the post-operative patient was noted to be hypotensive with systolic BP ranging 89–92 mm Hg and diastolic BP ranging 34–39 mm Hg. She was found to have persistent encephalopathy after the surgery. Neurologic examination demonstrated disorientation, dysarthria, 2/5 strength in right upper and lower extremities and 3/5 strength in left upper and lower extremities. NIHSS was 13. Magnetic resonance image suggested bilateral ACA/MCA territory waterzone infarction as well as ischemic changes in bilateral dentate nuclei in the cerebellum. MR angiogram head and neck did not show any large vessel stenosis or occlusion. Conclusions: Isolated bilateral dentate nuclei infarcts without other cerebellar lesions may be seen after global cerebral hypoperfusion. Disclosure: Dr. Shekhar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gangadhara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Abuzeid has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nobleza has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sugg has nothing to disclose. Dr. Uschmann has nothing to disclose.