cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Invasion of human oral epithelial cells by Prevotella intermedia.

Invasion of oral epithelial cells by pathogenic oral bacteria may represent an important virulence factor in the progression of periodontal disease. Here we report that a clinical isolate of Prevotella intermedia, strain 17, was found to invade a human oral epithelial cell line (KB), whereas P. intermedia 27, another clinical isolate, and P. intermedia 25611, the type strain, were not found to invade the cell line. Invasion was quantified by the recovery of viable bacteria following a standard antibiotic protection assay and observed by electron microscopy. Cytochalasin D, cycloheximide, monodansylcadaverine, and low temperature (4°C) inhibited the internalization of P. intermedia 17. Antibodies raised against P. intermedia type C fimbriae and against whole cells inhibited invasion, but the anti-type-C-fimbria antibody inhibited invasion to a greater extent than the anti-whole-cell antibody. This work provides evidence that at least one strain of P. intermedia can invade an oral epithelial cell line and that the type C fimbriae and a cytoskeletal rearrangement are required for this invasion.
Then and now: New directions in Melanesian research

Brown, Paula. Beyond a Mountain Valley: The Simbu of Papua New Guinea. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1995. xix + 296 pp. including notes, glossary, bibliography, and index. $36.00 cloth. Tuzin, Donald. The Cassowary's Revenge: The Life and Death of Masculinity in a New Guinea Society. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997. xiii + 256 pp. including notes, maps, references, and index. $45.00 cloth, $18.95 paper. Biersack, Aletta, ed. Papuan Borderlands: Huli, Duna, and Ipili Perspectives on the Papua New Guinea Highlands. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1995. xiv + 440 pp. including collected bibliography, other works cited, and index. $59.50 cloth.
Neonatal mice lacking functional Fas death receptors are resistant to hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Abstract Neonatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI) upregulates Fas death receptor expression in the brain, and alterations in expression and activity of Fas signaling intermediates occur in neonatal brain injury. B6.MRL-Tnfrsf6lpr mice lacking functional Fas death receptors are protected from HI brain damage in cortex, striatum, and thalamus compared to wild-type mice. Expression of Fas death receptor and active caspases increase in the cortex after HI. In wild-type mice, the hippocampus is most severely injured, and the hippocampus is the only region not protected in the B6.MRL-Tnfrsf6lpr mice. The selective vulnerability of the hippocampus to injury correlates with (1) lower basal expression of [Fas-associated death-domain-like IL-1β-converting enzyme]-inhibitory protein (FLIP), (2) increased degradation of spectrin to its 145 or 150 kDa breakdown product, and (3) a higher percentage of non-apoptotic cell death following neonatal HI. We conclude that Fas signaling via both extrinsic and intrinsic caspase cascades causes brain injury following neonatal HI in a region-dependent manner. Basal levels of endogenous decoy proteins may modulate the response to Fas death receptor signaling and provide a novel approach to understanding mechanisms of neonatal brain injury.
Reconstructive surgery of the pelvis after surgery for rectal cancer

The role of the reconstructive surgeon has increased with an increasingly aggressive surgical approach to locally advanced rectal carcinoma. Multiple options exist for pelvic floor reconstruction. Muscle and myocutaneous flaps for pelvic-floor reconstruction provide well vascularized tissues which may also serve as a biologic spacer. Flaps help to prevent post-radiation fistulae, small bowel obstruction, and pelvic sidewall adherence; flaps also may serve as a barrier to radiation injury. Often a more stable perineal wound closure is achieved. In cases that involve vaginal resection, flaps make neo-vaginal reconstruction possible. Pre-operative consultation with the reconstructive surgeon allows planning of complex, multi-disciplinary procedures, and facilitates patient understanding of the proposed procedure. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 18:259–264, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A CALCIUM HYPOTHESIS OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTION

The biogenic amine hypothesis of affective disorders has served as a valuable model for investigations concerning the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs. Despite numerous publications on the subject, the manner in which tricyclic antidepressants elicit their therapeutic effect remains unknown. Recent findings which involve tricyclic antidepressant interactions with thyroid hormone, along with an appraisal of the older literature concerned with dyscalcemias and affective disorders, provides the basis for an hypothesis featuring a role for calcium in mediating antidepressant responses.
The analysis of space–time structure in QCD vacuum, I: localization vs global behavior in local observables and Dirac eigenmodes

Abstract The structure of QCD vacuum can be studied from first principles using lattice-regularized theory. This line of research entered a qualitatively new phase recently, wherein the space–time structure (at least for some quantities) can be directly observed in configurations dominating the QCD path integral, i.e., without any subjective processing of typical configurations. This approach to QCD vacuum structure does not rely on any proposed picture of QCD vacuum but rather attempts to characterize this structure in a model-independent manner, so that a coherent physical picture of the vacuum can emerge when such unbiased numerical information accumulates to a sufficient degree. An important part of this program is to develop a set of suitable quantitative characteristics describing the space–time structure in a meaningful and physically relevant manner. One of the basic pertinent issues here is whether QCD vacuum dynamics can be understood in terms of localized vacuum objects, or whether such objects behave as inherently global entities. The first direct studies of vacuum structure strongly support the latter. In this paper, we develop a formal framework which allows to answer this question in a quantitative manner. We discuss in detail how to apply this approach to Dirac eigenmodes and to basic scalar and pseudoscalar composites of gauge fields (action density and topological charge density). The approach is illustrated numerically on overlap Dirac zero modes and near-zero modes. This illustrative data provides direct quantitative evidence supporting our earlier arguments for the global nature of QCD Dirac eigenmodes.
Nonlinear vibration of moderately thick laminated beams using finite element methods

Abstract A finite element model is developed to study the large-amplitude free vibrations of generally-layered laminated composite beams. The Poisson effect, which is often neglected, is included in the laminated beam constitutive equation. The large deformation is accounted for by using von Karman strains and the transverse shear deformation is incorporated using a higher order theory. The beam element has eight degrees of freedom with the inplane displacement, transverse displacement, bending slope and bending rotation as the variables at each node. The direct iteration method is used to solve the nonlinear equations which are evaluated at the point of reversal of motion. The influence of boundary conditions, beam geometries, Poisson effect, and ply orientations on the nonlinear frequencies and mode shapes are demonstrated.
Self-assembled lipid bilayers as a smart material for nanotechnology

Biomembranes play a central role in signal transduction and information processing. This is due to the fact that most physiological activities involve some kind of lipid bilayer-based receptor-ligand contact interactions. There are many outstanding examples, such as ion sensing, antigen-antibody binding and ligand-gated channels. Our approach to studying these interactions in vitro is facilitated by using self-assembled bilayer lipid membranes (s-BLMs). We have focused our efforts on ion and/or molecular selectivity and specificity using recently available s-BLMs, whose enhanced stability greatly aids in research areas of membrane biochemistry, biophysics and cell biology as well as in biosensor design and molecular device development.
Galactose Utilization in Galactosemia

Cultures of human galactosemic fibroblasts without detectable transferase activity were able to convert [1-(14)C]galactose to (14)CO(2) to the same extent as normal cells, but did so at a significantly slower rate. The utilization of galactose in both normal and galactosemic cells was strongly inhibited by glucose at physiologic concentrations.
Mixed anxiety and depression in older adults: Clinical characteristics and management

The frequent comorbidity of anxiety and depression, particularly among elderly, is widely recognized by clinicians, but the debate continues as to whether the combined diagnostic designation is merited. This article reviews the debate over the mixed diagnosis, discusses treatment implications, and reviews a small treatment study undertaken with elderly patients. Ten community-dwelling, older adults diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and subsyndromal depression (n = 6) or generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder (n = 4) were started on a 12-week, open-label trial of nefazodone. Clinicians' ratings on the Clinical Global Impression of Change and patients' self-ratings of symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory identified statistically significant gains in patients' overall pre/post functioning. Nefazodone was efficacious in symptom alleviation in patients with comorbid anxiety and depression. Further double-blind, randomized investigations with newer antidepressant medications are required to extend these preliminary findings with nefazodone.
Lunar structure and dynamics - results from the apollo passive seismic experiment

Analysis of seismic signals from man-made impacts, moonquakes, and meteoroid impacts has established the presence of a lunar crust, approximately 60 km thick in the region of the Apollo seismic network; an underlying zone of nearly constant seismic velocity extending to a depth of about 1000 km, referred to as the mantle; and a lunar core, beginning at a depth of about 1000 km, in which shear waves are highly attenuated suggesting the presence of appreciable melting. Seismic velocitites in the crust reach 7 km s−1 beneath the lower-velocity surface zone. This velocity corresponds to that expected for the gabbroic anorthosites found to predominate in the highlands, suggesting that rock of this composition is the major constituent of the lunar crust. The upper mantle velocity of about 8 km s−1 for compressional waves corresponds to those of terrestrial olivines, pyroxenites and peridotites. The deep zone of melting may simply represent the depth at which solidus temperatures are exceeded in the lower mantle. If a silicate interior is assumed, as seems most plausible, minimum temperatures of between 1450°C and 1600°C at a depth of 1000 km are implied. The generation of deep moonquakes, which appear to be concentrated in a zone between 600 km and 1000 km deep, may now be explained as a consequence of the presence of fluids which facilitate dislocation. The preliminary estimate of meteoroid flux, based upon the statistics of seismic signals recorded from lunar impacts, is between one and three orders of magnitude lower than previous estimates from Earth-based measurements.
Lack of dystrophin results in abnormal cerebral diffusion and perfusion in vivo

Dystrophin, the main component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, plays an important role in maintaining the structural integrity of cells. It is also involved in the formation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To elucidate the impact of dystrophin disruption in vivo, we characterized changes in cerebral perfusion and diffusion in dystrophin-deficient mice (mdx) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Arterial spin labeling (ASL) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) studies were performed on 2-month-old and 10-month-old mdx mice and their age-matched wild-type controls (WT). The imaging results were correlated with Evan's blue extravasation and vascular density studies. The results show that dystrophin disruption significantly decreased the mean cerebral diffusivity in both 2-month-old (7.38 ± 0.30 × 10(-4)mm(2)/s) and 10-month-old (6.93 ± 0.53 × 10(-4)mm(2)/s) mdx mice as compared to WT (8.49 ± 0.24 × 10(-4), 8.24 ± 0.25 × 10(-4)mm(2)/s, respectively). There was also an 18% decrease in cerebral perfusion in 10-month-old mdx mice as compared to WT, which was associated with enhanced arteriogenesis. The reduction in water diffusivity in mdx mice is likely due to an increase in cerebral edema or the existence of large molecules in the extracellular space from a leaky BBB. The observation of decreased perfusion in the setting of enhanced arteriogenesis may be caused by an increase of intracranial pressure from cerebral edema. This study demonstrates the defects in water handling at the BBB and consequently, abnormal perfusion associated with the absence of dystrophin.
A canonical analysis of multiple time series

Abstract : This paper proposes a canonical transformation of a k dimensional stationary autoregressive process. The components of the transformed process are ordered from least predictable to most predictable. The least predictable components are often nearly white noise and the most predictable can be nearly nonstationary. Transformed variables which are white noise can reflect relationships which may be associated with or point to economic or physical laws. A 5-variate example is given.
Effects of land-use changes on woody species distribution and above-ground carbon storage of forest-coffee systems

As deforestation and fragmentation continue in tropical regions with high human use and disturbance of natural habitats, production landscapes such as agroforests and plantations may provide some forest-based services depending on tree selection, agroforest management and intensification. This is typical to southwest Ethiopia with strong human-dependence on forest biodiversity and ecosystem services. We examined the effects of land-use changes and fragmentation on woody species distribution and the relative importance of forest fragments and coffee farms in wood use and carbon storage. We sampled heartwood from 71 woody species in three land use types: natural forest fragments, smallholder semi-forest coffee farms and state-owned coffee plantations. We calculated wood density as an oven-dry biomass per fresh volume of heartwood core samples, and above-ground carbon biomass using allometric methods. We found that average wood density values were not correlated with fragment size. Mean wood density of species in forests was greater than in state-owned plantations. The two coffee systems can store 50–62% of the above-ground carbon biomass found in forests, indicating the need to incorporate coffee farms and forest remnants in carbon incentive, or climate mitigation and adaptation programs. To correlate species wood density with local wood preferences, we interviewed focus groups and households about the use-values of 51 farmer-appreciated species. There was a strong correlation between wood density and local wood-values signifying the concordance of species functional traits and ecosystem service values. Our results indicate the need to integrate functional traits and local ecosystem service uses in climate adaptation and mitigation by incorporating coffee agroforests with the conservation of natural forest remnants.
The effects of self-controlled video feedback on the learning of the basketball set shot.

Allowing learners to control some aspect of instructional support (e.g., augmented feedback) appears to facilitate motor skill acquisition. No studies, however, have examined self-controlled (SC) video feedback without the provision of additional attentional cueing. The purpose of this study was to extend previous SC research using video feedback about movement form for the basketball set shot without explicitly directing attention to specific aspects of the movement. The SC group requested video feedback of their performance following any trial during the acquisition phase. The yoked (YK) group received feedback according to a schedule created by a SC counterpart. During acquisition participants were also allowed to view written instructional cues at any time. Results revealed that the SC group had significantly higher form scores during the transfer phase and utilized the instructional cues more frequently during acquisition. Post-training questionnaire responses indicated no preference for requesting or receiving feedback following good trials as reported by Chiviacowsky and Wulf (2002, 2005). The nature of the task was such that participants could have assigned both positive and negative evaluations to different aspects of the movement during the same trial. Thus, the lack of preferences along with the similarity in scores for feedback and no-feedback trials may simply have reflected this complexity. Importantly, however, the results indicated that SC video feedback conferred a learning benefit without the provision of explicit additional attentional cueing.
The pedunculopontine nucleus in Parkinson's disease

This study demonstrated a significant loss of neurons within the lateral part of the pedunculopontine nucleus pars compacta in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and in individuals with combined Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. We also examined the extent of neuronal loss within the substantia nigra pars compacta, locus ceruleus, dorsal raphe nucleus, and nucleus basalis of Meynert. The number of pedunculopontine nucleus pars compacta neurons in the patients with Parkinson's or Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease was reduced (average, 40%) in comparison with the number in control subjects or patients with Alzheimer's disease (p less than 0.01). This finding correlated significantly with the extent of loss of substantia nigra pars compacta neurons (p less than 0.01).
Issues in Female Inmate Health: Results From a Southeastern State

The current study examines health care services and perceptions of those services by former inmates of a women's prison in 1 southeastern state. The results indicate that many women enter prison with health issues, including hypertension, HIV/AIDS, depression, anxiety, and drug addictions, and use health services while incarcerated. Women in this study expressed overall dissatisfaction with those health services and did not perceive that their health improved while incarcerated or that they received better health care in prison than on the outside. This exploratory study points to the need for further empirical investigation into the issue of health care for the incarcerated female. The generalizability of the study's findings is possibly limited by the fact that respondents were former female inmates. Also, results from 1 southeastern state may not be generalizable to other geographic locations.
Leveraging supply chain visibility for responsiveness: The moderating role of internal integration

Abstract As global supply chains compete in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing business environment, supply chain responsiveness has become a highly prized capability. To increase responsiveness, supply chain managers often seek information that provides greater visibility into factors affecting both demand and supply. Managers often claim, however, that they are awash in data yet lacking in valuable information. Taken together, these conditions suggest that supply chain visibility is a necessary, but insufficient capability for enabling supply chain responsiveness. Based on organizational information processing theory, we posit that a supply chain organization's internal integration competence provides complementary information processing capabilities required to yield expected responsiveness from greater supply chain visibility. An analysis of data from 206 firms strongly supports this hypothesis. For supply chain managers, these findings indicate that a strategy for achieving supply chain responsiveness requires a dual-pronged approach that aligns increased visibility with extensive information processing capabilities from internal integration. For researchers, this study provides an initial examination of visibility as a construct, and extends a growing literature addressing integration as an information processing capability.
Functional significance of coronary arterial stenoses assessed by regional changes in intramyocardial S-T segment voltage and myocardial gas tensions with atrial pacing

Myocardial carbon dioxide tension and intramyocardial S-T segment voltage have previously been shown to provide useful quantitative indexes of the severity of regional myocardial ischemia. This study was designed to determine if (1) changes in intramyocardial S-T segment voltage and myocardial gas tensions, with the addition of atrial pacing, could be used to assess the functional significance of a coronary stenosis, and (2) if changes in S-T voltage recorded in intramyocardial electrodes proved a more sensitive indicator of ischemia than changes recorded in epicardial electrodes. In 12 open chest dogs, a variable constrictor and an electromagnetic flow probe were placed on the proximal left circumflex coronary artery. Myocardial carbon dioxide and oxygen tensions were recorded with mass spectrometry and unipolar intramyocardial S-T segment voltage with multicontact plunge electrodes. Intramyocardial S-T voltage and myocardial carbon dioxide tension showed parallel increases with atrial pacing in the presence of subcritical, critical and supercritical coronary stenoses. In the presence of a critical stenosis, S-T segment changes recorded in deeper myocardial layers were of greater magnitude than those recorded near the epicardial surface. These findings suggest that the severity of myocardial ischemia can be assessed by measuring intramyocardial S-T voltage or myocardial gas tensions at resting and paced heart rates. They also suggest that intramyocardial S-T voltage is a more sensitive indicator of the severity of pacing-induced myocardial ischemia than epicardial S-T changes. Application of this technique to patients undergoing coronary revascularization could allow intraoperative determination of the functional significance of questionable angiographic lesions and a more rational approach to the assignment of priorities to individual arteries when multiple bypasses are being considered.
Adenosylmethionine-homocysteine transmethylase☆

Abstract 1. 1. The utilization of S-adenosyl- l -methionine as a methyl donor for the methylation of homocysteine has been observed with extracts prepared from A. aerogenes, T. utilis, S. cerȩvisiae and E. coli. 2. 2. The enzyme S-adenosylmethionine-homocysteine transmethylase also utilizes S-methyl-methionine as a methyl donor. 3. 3. 14CH3- and 35S-labeled adenosylmethionine have been prepared. The results obtained with these labeled substrates demonstrated that adenosylmethionine serves only as a methyl source in the synthesis of methionine by transmethylation of homocysteine.
Biomass Burning Observations, Modeling, and Data Assimilation

wHat: Junior faculty with diverse backgrounds in the physical sciences met with senior scientists in the field of biomass burning to discuss current science and near-term research problems in the study of fire emissions. wHEn: 13–15 July 2010 wHErE: Boulder, Colorado F ires affect the Earth system in multiple ways. They are a major source of aerosol particles, greenhouse gases, and other trace constituents in the atmosphere (Crutzen and Andreae 1990; Seiler and Crutzen 1980). They alter the exchanges of matter and energy between the land surface and the atmosphere, with important implications for local, regional, and global environmental patterns. Moreover, fires play a significant role in affecting air quality, the ecosystem, land use, public health, and safety. To understand the role of fires in changing climate conditions and socioeconomic landscapes, recent scientific studies of biomass burning have focused on two goals: i) quantifying the emissions of aerosol particles and trace gases from fires and improving the description of spatial and temporal patterns at mesoscale or finer resolutions and ii) characterizing and understanding the effect of these emissions on atmospheric processes at various scales, ranging from human health and air quality impacts at a local scale to cloud properties and precipitation at a regional scale to interactions with Earth’s climate on a decadal scale. The last decade has seen significant progress toward both goals. Estimates of fire emissions have been greatly improved by better, more comprehensive satellite observations. Global emission inventories are now routinely updated, some in near–real time, with the spatial resolution on the order of kilometers to tens of kilometers and temporal sampling on the order of hourly to a few days (e.g., Reid et al. 2009; van der Werf et al. 2010). Equally dramatic advances have been made in the numerical simulation of the transport and evolution of smoke-related species, which feature both higher resolution and improved descriptions of relevant dynamic and chemical processes. These scientific advances have also benefited from rapid growth in computational power, extensive and detailed laboratory experiments, improved access to ground-based observation networks, and numerous intensive field campaigns. This richness of observations, combined with improvements in atmospheric simulations, has driven broad-based research programs at institutions around the globe aimed at understanding the role of fire in the Earth system. However, large uncertainties remain in our description of the magnitude, patterns, and drivers of AffiliAtions: HyEr—marine meteorology Division, naval research Laboratory, monterey, California; wang— Department of Earth and atmospheric sciences, university of nebraska, Lincoln, nebraska; arEllano—Department of atmospheric sciences, university of arizona, Tucson, arizona Corresponding Author: Edward J. Hyer, naval research Laboratory, 7 grace Hopper avenue, monterey, Ca 93943 E-mail: edward.hyer@nrlmry.navy.mil
Beyond diffraction limited imaging and sensing in nanobiophotonics

Based on simple fiber-optic approaches, we present some advanced nanobiophotonics methods for ultrahigh-resolution bioimaging and biosensing beyond the diffraction barrier in the subwavelength nanometric range at cellular, intracellular and bulk tissue level.
Genetic analyses of nickel tolerance in a North American serpentine endemic plant, Caulanthus amplexicaulis var. barbarae (Brassicaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The evolution of metal tolerance in plants is an important model for studies of adaptation to environment, population genetics, and speciation. Here, we investigated nickel tolerance in the North American serpentine endemic Caulanthus amplexicaulis var. barbarae in comparison with its nonserpentine sister taxon C. amplexicaulis var. amplexicaulis. We hypothesized that the serpentine endemic would have a heritable growth advantage on nickel-containing substrates. METHODS We employed an artificial growth assay to quantify biomass accumulation. Study plants were crossed to create an F(2:3) population that was used to determine the heritability of nickel tolerance and to map quantitative trait loci (QTL). Nickel accumulation in both laboratory populations and native specimens was examined using energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). KEY RESULTS The serpentine endemic had a dramatic growth advantage at concentrations of nickel >30 µmol/L. Caulanthus amplexicaulis var. barbarae and its nonserpentine sister taxon both accumulated nickel to substantial levels. Nickel tolerance was highly heritable (h(2) = 0.59) and not associated with accumulation. The QTL analyses identified two major loci for nickel tolerance, on linkage group 2 (LG2) and linkage group 9 (LG9). CONCLUSIONS In our study, nickel tolerance was determined by two major loci with large effects. At both loci, alleles from the serpentine parent conferred positive effects on nickel tolerance, suggesting that they are adaptive in the natural serpentine environment. The mechanism of nickel tolerance in the serpentine plant was not exclusion of nickel. Nickel tolerance may have an inducible component in C. amplexicaulis var. barbarae.
A worldwide survey of haplotype variation and linkage disequilibrium in the human genome

Recent genomic surveys have produced high-resolution haplotype information, but only in a small number of human populations. We report haplotype structure across 12 Mb of DNA sequence in 927 individuals representing 52 populations. The geographic distribution of haplotypes reflects human history, with a loss of haplotype diversity as distance increases from Africa. Although the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) varies markedly across populations, considerable sharing of haplotype structure exists, and inferred recombination hotspot locations generally match across groups. The four samples in the International HapMap Project contain the majority of common haplotypes found in most populations: averaging across populations, 83% of common 20-kb haplotypes in a population are also common in the most similar HapMap sample. Consequently, although the portability of tag SNPs based on the HapMap is reduced in low-LD Africans, the HapMap will be helpful for the design of genome-wide association mapping studies in nearly all human populations.
Implantation of an Artisan phakic intraocular lens for the correction of high myopia after penetrating keratoplasty.

Abstract We report 2 cases in which an Artisan phakic intraocular lens (IOL) (Ophtec) was used to successfully treat high myopia after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). The first case was a 43-year-old man who had a manifest refraction of −13.75 +3.00 × 50 with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 –2 after PKP in the left eye. Approximately 9 months after implantation of the Artisan IOL, the manifest refraction was −2.00 +2.50 × 60 with a BCVA of 20/30 +2 . The second case was a 31-year-old man who had a manifest refraction of −10.75 +2.25 × 122 and a BCVA of 20/40 after corneal transplantation in the right eye. Ten months after implantation of the Artisan IOL, the manifest refraction was −2.75 +4.75 × 80 with a BCVA of 20/40. Endothelial cell density did not change significantly in either patient after surgery. The Artisan phakic IOL may provide an alternative method to correct high myopia after PKP.
Agony and ecstasy: a review of MDMA effects and toxicity

Abstract Background – Ecstasy is a recreational drug with an anecdotal reputation for safety. However, reports of adverse effects and fatalities have increased in the medical and popular press. Method – Literature search and review. Results – Acute Ecstasy toxicity does not appear to be due to overdose and cannot be solely attributed to the nature of the usual ambient environment. Adverse effects include hyperthermia, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, hepatotoxicity, hyponatraemia and many psychiatric disorders. Ecstasy causes serotonergic neurotoxicity in the brains of animals at doses close to those used by humans, but its long-term effect on the human brain is unknown. Conclusion – Ecstasy toxicity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a variety of medical and psychiatric conditions. Given its popularity, both the acute and the potential long-term effects are a cause for concern.
Temporal response characteristics of a In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As/InP quantum well phototransistor

An investigation of multiple-quantum-well heterojunction phototransistors with InGaAs/InP quantum wells in the collector and InGaAsP base is discussed. The design of the structure ensures that light is absorbed only in the quantum-well region, thus providing a way to study the correlation between quantum well and phototransistor carrier dynamics. Moreover, since the operation of a n-p-n phototransistor is governed by hole injection into the base, the transient behavior of the device reflects the hole dynamics in the multiple-quantum-well region. The response of the device to picosecond optical pulses shows strong dependence on bias conditions: from device response determined by minority carrier recombination time ( approximately 2 ns) at high base-emitter bias, to current time constant dominated response ( approximately 50 ps) at low base-emitter bias. The field dependent escape times of carriers from the quantum wells under different bias conditions are obtained (10-100 ps) and are seen to affect the risetime of the transistor to pulsed photoexcitation. >
Regularization on Graphs with Function-adapted Diffusion Processes

Harmonic analysis and diffusion on discrete data has been shown to lead to state-of-the-art algorithms for machine learning tasks, especially in the context of semi-supervised and transductive learning. The success of these algorithms rests on the assumption that the function(s) to be studied (learned, interpolated, etc.) are smooth with respect to the geometry of the data. In this paper we present a method for modifying the given geometry so the function(s) to be studied are smoother with respect to the modified geometry, and thus more amenable to treatment using harmonic analysis methods. Among the many possible applications, we consider the problems of image denoising and transductive classification. In both settings, our approach improves on standard diffusion based methods.
Vision-based positioning and terrain mapping by global alignment for UAVs

Construction of 3D topographic maps from stereo or monocular video, over coverage areas of kilometer scale, taken by low-altitude airborne platforms is addressed. Two computational frameworks for these two cases are considered, accommodating the online processing of video along the path. In these formulations, stereo disparity information enables the computation of 3D motions and depth maps to be done more readily, however, monocular motion cues provide similar accuracy with more computational steps. The critical issue is to overcome the drift error, which is inherent of the causal frame-to frame motion estimation, as the video frames are acquired. A novel global alignment scheme is proposed, aimed at determining the 3D trajectory most consistent with the estimated 3D motions between pairs of nearby positions. Performance is demonstrated based on experiment with a sequence of 5000 stereo pairs, simulating aerial photographic data from an airborne platform flying at 110 m above (the reference plane of) a 1 km /spl times/ 1 km terrain with 5-65m elevation. Maximum geo-referenced positioning accuracy is roughly 2 m, with elevation error of 1 m or less over 95% of the terrain.
Querying Imprecise Data in Sensor Databases

Sensors are used to monitor some physical phenomena such as contamination, climate, building, and so on. The sensors collect and communicate their readings to the sensor databases for making decisions and answering various user queries. Due to continuous changes and possible errors in these values, the data values recorded in sensor databases may differ from the actual status. Queries using these values can yield incorrect and misleading answers. In order to manage the imprecision between the actual sensor value and the database value, the framework representing imprecision of sensor data has been proposed, in which each data value is represented as an interval. In this paper, we examine the situation when answer imprecision can be represented qualitatively and quantitatively. In particular, we propose two new kinds of imprecise queries called Top-k imprecise query and imprecise threshold query. Also, we investigate techniques for evaluating the qualitative and quantitative queries.
JAMIE: joint analysis of multiple ChIP-chip experiments

Motivation: Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by genome tiling array hybridization (ChIP-chip) is a powerful approach to identify transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) in target genomes. When multiple related ChIP-chip datasets are available, analyzing them jointly allows one to borrow information across datasets to improve peak detection. This is particularly useful for analyzing noisy datasets. Results: We propose a hierarchical mixture model and develop an R package JAMIE to perform the joint analysis. The genome is assumed to consist of background and potential binding regions (PBRs). PBRs have context-dependent probabilities to become bona fide binding sites in individual datasets. This model captures the correlation among datasets, which provides basis for sharing information across experiments. Real data tests illustrate the advantage of JAMIE over a strategy that analyzes individual datasets separately. Availability: JAMIE is freely available from http://www.biostat.jhsph.edu/∼hji/jamie Contact: ude.hpshj@ijh Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Partial anhysteretic remanence and its anisotropy: Applications and grainsize-dependence

The distribution of remanence coercivities in a rock sample can be obtained by differentiating alternating field (AF) demagnetization curves of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM); however, significant errors can be introduced by grain interactions and by the noise inherent in differentiation. We have found that 1) this error can be significantly reduced by measuring partial ARM's (pARM's) and 2) pARM patterns show a strong empirical correlation with grain-size. pARM's are imparted by exposing a sample to a small direct magnetic field in the presence of a large, decreasing AF; the direct field is switched on over a specified range of AF's, thus magnetizing a fraction of the magnetite grains in the corresponding coercivity range. We have further found in both synthetic and natural sediments that measurement of the anisotropy of pARM enables us to detect the preferred orientations of distinct subpopulations of magnetite particles, related to the size and shape of the grains.
Noise Performance Evaluation of Uncooled Infrared Detectors (June 2009)

In this paper, we considered the issues related to modeling and analysis of uncooled infrared detectors noise analysis utilizing pulse train equalization technique. We first developed a mathematical model appropriate for the noise performance study of the detector and then derive the detectivity and noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) expressions for the predetection, detection, and postdetection noise sources. Our study of the postdetection noise sources was focused on the capacitive transimpedance amplifier unit cell electronics which provides a tight control over the detector bias current and handles a lower background radiation with a superior noise performance. We developed a parametric tradeoff study which provides a guide for optimizing the bolometer noise performance through the adjustment of detector parameters. We also discussed the use of scanning format and time-delay integration technique for improving the performance of multiple arrays of detectors.
Nuclear Pharmacy Quick Reference

C.N. Cole, S.M. Shaw, and R.J. Kowalsky Washington, DC: American Pharmacists Association, 2012, 150 pages, $30.95 Nuclear Pharmacy Quick Reference is a practical and informative text on radiopharmaceuticals. This book is authored by experienced and well-respected individuals in the nuclear
Twenty-Four-Hour Raman Lidar Water Vapor Measurements during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program’s 1996 and 1997 Water Vapor Intensive Observation Periods

Abstract Prior to the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program’s first water vapor intensive observation period (WVIOP) at the Cloud and Radiation Testbed site near Lamont, Oklahoma, an automated 24-h Raman lidar was delivered to the site. This instrument, which makes high-resolution measurements of water vapor both spatially and temporally, is capable of making these measurements with no operator interaction (other than initial start-up) for days at a time. Water vapor measurements collected during the 1996 and 1997 WVIOPs are discussed here, illustrating both the nighttime and daytime capabilities of this system. System characteristics, calibration issues, and techniques are presented. Finally, detailed intercomparisons of the lidar’s data with those from a microwave radiometer, radiosondes, an instrumented tower, a chilled mirror flown on both a tethersonde and kite, and measurements from aircraft are shown and discussed, highlighting the accuracy and stability of this system for both nighttime and da...
On the wettability transparency of graphene-coated silicon surfaces

In order to better understand the behavior and governing characteristics of the wetting transparency phenomenon observed in graphene-coated surfaces, molecular dynamics simulations were coupled with a theoretical model. Graphene-coated silicon was selected for this analysis, due to potential applications of hybrid silicon-graphene materials as detectors in aqueous environments. The results indicate good agreement between the theory and simulations at the macroscopic conditions required to observe wetting transparency. A microscopic analysis was also conducted in order to identify the parameters, such as the interaction potential energy landscape and the interfacial liquid structure that govern the wetting behavior of graphene-coated surfaces. The interfacial liquid structure was found to be different between uncoated Si(100) and the graphene-coated version and very similar between uncoated Si(111) and the graphene-coated version. However, the concentration of liquid particles for both silicon surfaces was found to be very similar under transparent wetting conditions.
G Protein-Coupled Receptors as Target Sites for Insecticide Discovery

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are proteins that contain seven-transmembrane domains and sense external signals and transducer these signals by activating intercellular pathways. GPCR family is considered as the largest integrate membrane receptor family and GPCRs are present in almost all the eukaryotes tested. About 1–2% of all genes in an insect genome code for GPCRs. GPCRs do not share high overall sequence homology. Whole genome sequencing identified about 200 GPCRs in Drosophila melanogaster and 276 GPCRs in Anopheles gambiae. The biological function studies are mostly focused on neurohormone (biogenic amine, neuropeptide and protein hormone) GPCRs. Diverse functions of insect GPCRs in feeding behavior, locomotion activity, metabolism, circadian rhythm, development and reproduction have been characterized in the past few years. Although, more than 40% of the pharmaceutical drugs that are currently in the market target human GPCRs, there is not a single insecticide that target GPCR. We will review recent literature on ligand activated GPCRs identified from insects, in regards to their classification and functions, and discuss possible GPCR targets and screening assays to identify insecticides that target GPCRs.
The Legacy of U.S. V. Microsoft

The recent Microsoft antitrust case had many profound implications, one of which was possible insight into the changing role of economics in antitrust. Microsoft started out as a "post-Chicago" theoretical case in which game theory and asymmetric information models suggested the software firm was engaging in competition-restricting practices. But the case ultimately devolved into a "pre-Chicago" case of impressionistic assessments of harm to competition from Microsoft's activities. The legacy of U.S. v. Microsoft may be that the promoters of post-Chicago economics may realize that they need to force the courts to get the economics right in order to get the results they want.
Numerically Extracting Bridge Modal Properties from Dynamic Responses of Moving Vehicles

AbstractThe dynamic response of moving vehicles on a bridge carries the vibration information of the bridge, which a few researchers have studied to extract the bridge modal properties such as natural frequencies and mode shapes. However, the vehicle response contains not only the frequency characteristics of the bridge and vehicle, but also other information such as the driving-related frequencies and road roughness effects, which makes the extraction difficult. To this end, the present study proposes a method using a specialized test vehicle consisting of a tractor and two following trailers, which can eliminate those effects and more efficiently extract the bridge modal properties. The two trailers towed by the tractor moving along the bridge were used as dynamic response receivers. In order to eliminate the effects previously discussed, the responses of one trailer were subtracted by the responses of the other with a time shift to obtain the residual responses. The residual responses were then process...
Beckmann, J. P., A. P. Clevenger, M. P. Huijser, and J. A. Hilty (eds.). 2010. Safe Passages: Highways, Wildlife, and Habitat Connectivity. Island Press, Washington, D.C., 383 pp. price (paper), $40.00., ISBN 978-1-5972-6654-3.

J. P. Beckmann, A. P. Clevenger, M. P. Huijser, J. A. Hilty(eds.).2010.Safe Passages: Highways, Wildlife, and Habitat Connectivity.Island Press, Washington, D.C., 383 pp, price (paper), $40.00., ISBN 978-1-5972-6654-3. Roads are conspicuous and pervasive features of landscapes throughout the world, measuring nearly 102,000,000 km in length worldwide (Central Intelligence Agency 2010). More than 20% of the land in the United States is affected by roads and traffic (Forman 2000). Road ecology, the study of interactions between organisms and road environments, is a rapidly developing field of inquiry. The thorough review of road impacts by Trombulak and Frissell (2000) set the standard to start the 21st century, and the 2003 edited volume, Road Ecology: Science and Solutions , by Forman et al. marked the emergence of this subdiscipline of ecology. Still an emerging field, the science of road ecology is expanding, with increased interest in integration of scientific research in decision-making on transportation planning, design, and construction. Current research focuses on reducing the barrier effect of roads, increasing landscape permeability, and improving motorists' safety. Safe Passages: Highways, Wildlife, and Habitat Connectivity by Beckmann et al. details the latest developments in road ecology studies and provides a toolbox for individuals and organizations engaged in reducing road–wildlife impacts. The book provides a state-of-our-knowledge assessment of theory and practice organized into 4 major sections: Current practices , Ecologically effective transportation …
A case of mantle cell lymphoma presenting with ascites

Ascites with the finding of peritoneal carcinomatosis is considered an unusual presentation for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and has been rarely described in literature. This case reflects the importance of cytological analysis of peritoneal fluid in a patient with intractable ascites not contributing from other comorbidities. In the event a bone marrow (BM) analysis cannot be made, this may serve as an alternative method for diagnosing MCL taking into consideration the good concordance between peritoneal fluid and BM cytological markers.
Comparative Analysis of QCL MWIR and SWIR Communication with PPM Signals

We present test results and comparative analysis of 32-ary Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) free space optical (FSO) communication links with (Mid-Wave Infra-Red) MWIR Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) and Telecom (Short-Wave Infra-Red) SWIR transceivers.