cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein Synthesis and Differentiation During Pulmonate Development

An analysis of the changing patterns of protein synthesis during early development of Lymnaea palustris has been undertaken. An examination of the ingestion of capsule fluid protein suggests that after gastrulation 30 to 65% of the total embryo protein is undigested food protein. Starch gel electrophoresis reveals a sudden increase in the number of hydrolases from four to twenty-six immediately following the trochophore stage with the latter being present also in adult organs. Studies reported here and elsewhere demonstrate rhythmic changes in uridine incorporation during early cleavage which peaks at the trochophore stage. Continuous treatment of embryos with 50 to 100μ.g of actinomycin-D (AMD) starting at the 2-cell stage slowed development through the trochophore stage but did not prevent normal larval organ development. This AMD application reduced 3H uridine incorporation more than 90% but did not appreciably alter the pattern of total or 14C leucine pulse labeled peptides on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) ultrathin slab electrophoresis gels. However, pronounced and numerous changes in the patterns of both labeled and unlabeled peptides were observed during development through 4 days with the most notable alterations occurring at the 2.5 post-gastrula stage. This was true in normal and continuously treated AMD embryos. The morphological and biochemical data suggest Lymnaea early development is controlled by stable maternal messenger RNA.
SU‐FF‐T‐455: Methodology to Incorporate the BED and EUD in Patient‐Specific 3‐Dimensional Dosimetry for Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma Patients Targeted with 131I Tositumomab Therapy

Purpose: The efficacy of targeted radionuclide therapy depends on the uniformity of radionuclide distribution within the target volume as well as on the radiosensitivity of the tissue. The inclusion of dose non uniformity and biologic effects in the dosimetry of radionuclide may help in correlating dose with patient outcome. Our goal is to develop a methodology incorporating the biologic equivalent dose (BED) and the equivalent uniform dose (EUD) formalism for radionuclide dosimetry.Materials and Methods: A 3D imaging‐based patient‐specific dosimetry methodology was applied to six non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients treated with I‐131 labeled tositumomab for model evaluation purposes. Six registered SPECT/CT scans were obtained for each patient and used to generate 3D dose rate distributions using a Monte Carlo code. The dose rate distributions were integrated over time to obtain 3D time‐dependent absorbed dose distributions using fitted activity curves. Radial deformation model was used to account for tumor regression during therapy relative to initial volume. 3D time‐dependent biological equivalent dose (BED) distributions were calculated and used to estimate a single equivalent uniform dose (EUD) for each tumor volume. Results: The methodology developed in this work allows for the adjustment of model parameters such as radiosensitivity, proliferation, unlabeled protein effect, and clearance time based on patient data. Model outputs are being validated against tumor regression. The EUD values for the tumors included in this study show a reduction between 11% −23% in the efficiency of dose delivery and appear to correlate with tumor regression better than total tumordose.Conclusions: The methodology developed in this work allows for the inclusion of various effects that influence the effectiveness of targeted radionuclide therapy of NHL. Model parameters could be adjusted to aid in improving predictions of patient outcome.
Evaluation of hardware write propagation support for next-generation shared virtual memory clusters

Virtual Memory Clusters Angelos Bilas1, Liviu Iftode2, and Jaswinder Pal Singh1 1 Department of Computer Science, Princeton University Princeton, NJ 08544 2 Department of Computer Science, Rutgers University Piscataway, NJ 08855 fbilas, jpsg@cs.princeton.edu, iftode@cs.rutgers.edu Abstract Clusters of symmetric multiprocessors (SMPs), connected by commodity system-area networks (SANs) and interfaces are fast being adopted as platforms for parallel computing. Page-grained shared virtual memory (SVM) is a popular way to support a coherent shared address space programming model on these clusters. Previous research has identied several key bottlenecks in the communication, protocol and application layers of a software SVM system that are not so signi cant in more mainstream, hardware-coherent multiprocessors. A key question for the communication layer is how much and what kind of hardware support is particularly valuable in improving the performance of such systems. This paper examines a popular form of hardware support|namely, support for automatic, hardware propagation of writes to remote memories|discussing new design issues and evaluating performance in the context of emerging clusters. Since much of the performance di erence is due to di erences in contention e ects in various parts of the system, performance is examined through very detailed simulation, utilizing the deep visibility into the simulated system to analyze the causes of observed e ects.
Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis of the Local Coupon Preferences of Millennials

This article explores the local coupon preferences of the 18–29-year old market. Choice-based conjoint analysis was used to determine Millennials’ local coupon needs and preferences. From this data, three need-based segments were identified and discussed. The findings indicate that while overall, millennials are resistant to receiving coupons for local businesses through their cell phones, there is one segment that is receptive to this method of coupon delivery method.
Cyclic AMP, ATP and cell contact.

DENSITY-DEPENDENT1 or contact-inhibited2 cells stop dividing when they reach confluency; however, transformed cells do not exhibit this type of growth control3. Several experiments suggest that adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) is involved in regulating the cell division of cultured fibroblasts. The dibutyryl derivative of cyclic AMP inhibits proliferation of transformed cells4, and the steady state levels of cyclic AMP in normal density-dependent fibroblasts are higher than the corresponding virus and spontaneous transformed cell lines5,6. There are, however, discrepancies between experiments which have attempted to compare the cyclic AMP levels of logarithmically growing with quiescent, density-inhibited 3T3 cells. Experiments in our laboratory showed that cyclic AMP levels of 3T3 cells do not change over the cell density of 1 × 104 – 6 × 104 cells per cm2 (ref. 5). These results have been confirmed by others using the same cell system7. Otten et al.6,8, however, reported that cyclic AMP levels of logarithmically growing 3T3 cells are lower than those of confluent, quiescent cells; Heidrick and Ryan9 reported similar results using L cells.
Performance Implications of Online Entry Timing by Store-Based Retailers: A Longitudinal Investigation

Abstract This paper utilizes Time Series Cross-Sectional (TSCS) Regression techniques to investigate long-term performance effects of the timing of online sales adoption by incumbent bricks-and-mortar retailers. Its findings support the resource-based theory of competitive advantage by showing that firm-specific resource endowments (bricks-and-mortar experience, catalog experience and firm size) determine the success of the order of online entry strategy. The study contributes to the development of strategic theory in the areas of multi-channel retailing and electronic commerce and assists managers in formulating more informed strategic objectives for achieving multi-channel competitive advantage.
β-Endorphin in Uterine Secretions of Pseudopregnant and Ovariectomized, Ovarian Steroid-Treated Gilts*

Levels of β-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (βEND-LI) in uterine secretions were studied in pseudopregnant and ovariectomized gilts treated with ovarian steroids. Pseudopregnancy was induced in 7 gilts by daily injection of estradiol valerate (5 mg/day) between days 11 and 15 of the estrous cycle. Between days 60 and 90 of pseudopregnancy, uterine secretions were collected by flushing the uterus with 0.9% saline. Uterine flushings were extracted with a Sep-Pak C-18 column and assayed for βEND-LI by a specific RIA. The RIA cross-reacted only with β-lipotropin (15%). Significant amounts of total immunoreactive βEND-LI were detected in the uterine flushings. The inhibition curve for extracts was parallel to the standard END inhibition curve. Extracted uterine flushings were applied to a Sephadex G-50 column. Three peaks of immunoreactive βEND-LI were detected. One peak eluted at the void volume. The second peak eluted at a Kav of 0.21, which was near the Kav of a lipotropin standard (0.23). The highest peak ...
Sex steroid hormone regulation of IgA and IgG in rat uterine secretions

SEX steroid hormones may be important in regulating both the systemic and secretory humoral immune system and on the basis of this hypothesis, we have carried out a series of experiments to clarify the action of the sex hormones on the rat uterine immune system. We report here that the stage of the oestrous cycle and the administration of physiological amounts of oestradiol to castrate rats markedly influences the accumulation of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and G (IgG) in uterine secretions. IgG is maximal at pro-oestrus but barely detectable at oestrus, dioestrus, and following ovariectomy. IgA is highest at pro-oestrus, remains elevated at oestrus, but drops to low levels at dioestrus and following ovariectomy. Of the steroids tested only oestradiol stimulated the appearance of IgA and IgG. These findings indicate that oestradiol is important in influencing the presence of both immunoglobulins in the uterus.
Making and breaking with nucleases and small RNAs.

The Hindu goddess Maha Devi is represented as having the power both to make and to destroy. Reminiscent of such power, two recent studies highlight the roles that nucleases play in both making and destroying RNAs associated with the mysterious world of small RNAs.
Comparing test quality measures for assessing student-written tests

Many educators now include software testing activities in programming assignments, so there is a growing demand for appropriate methods of assessing the quality of student-written software tests. While tests can be hand-graded, some educators also use objective performance metrics to assess software tests. The most common measures used at present are code coverage measures—tracking how much of the student’s code (in terms of statements, branches, or some combination) is exercised by the corresponding software tests. Code coverage has limitations, however, and sometimes it overestimates the true quality of the tests. Some researchers have suggested that mutation analysis may provide a better indication of test quality, while some educators have experimented with simply running every student’s test suite against every other student’s program—an “all-pairs” strategy that gives a bit more insight into the quality of the tests. However, it is still unknown which one of these measures is more accurate, in terms of most closely predicting the true bug revealing capability of a given test suite. This paper directly compares all three methods of measuring test quality in terms of how well they predict the observed bug revealing capabilities of student-written tests when run against a naturally occurring collection of student-produced defects. Experimental results show that all-pairs testing—running each student’s tests against every other student’s solution—is the most effective predictor of the underlying bug revealing capability of a test suite. Further, no strong correlation was found between bug revealing capability and either code coverage or mutation analysis scores.
Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English

* Over 350 tables and graphs show the frequency of constructions in different contexts, from conversation to fiction to academic prose * Entirely corpus-based with 6000 authentic examples from the 40 million-word Longman Spoken and Written English Corpus * Suggests the reasons why we choose a particular structure in a particular context * Compares British and American spoken and written English Areas covered include basic grammar: description and distribution, key word classes and their phrases and complex structures. Each area is subdivided into more detailed content.
Intertidal and farmland habitats of ducks in the Puget Sound region: A landscape perspective

Abstract In managing coastal ecosystems, adjacent uplands have been considered mainly as sources of materials affecting littoral environments, and not as parts of an integrated system of habitats directly used by semiaquatic fauna. Agriculture is often viewed as detrimental to coastal habitats, but many waterbirds use both marine and farmland habitats on a daily and seasonal basis. We investigated the importance to dabbling ducks (Anatini) of the juxtaposition of farmland and intertidal habitats in the Puget Sound region of USA and Canada. When feeding in intertidal areas of the Fraser River Delta in British Columbia, wintering dabbling ducks ate mainly the exotic eelgrass Zostera japonica and appeared to avoid the native Zostera marina. Biomass of Z. japonica leaves was insufficient to support herbivorous American wigeon Anas americana throughout winter. Intertidal invertebrates might be adequate to support omnivorous northern pintail A. acutus, mallard A. platyrhynchos and green-winged teal A. crecca, but invertebrate biomass declined substantially in winter. A switch by these ducks from feeding in intertidal areas in autumn to farmland in winter might have resulted from inadequate or much reduced food resources in intertidal areas. Throughout the Puget Sound region, intertidal habitats with adjacent farmland supported about 75% of wigeon, 94% of pintail, 93% of mallard and 92% of teal, and few sites that lacked farmland supported substantial numbers of these species throughout winter. Radio-tagged wigeon and pintail moved among coastal sites even in a mild winter, and temperature patterns over 60 years suggest that ice cover on marine bays and flooded farmland forces dabbling ducks to leave the Fraser Delta in about 13% of all winters to seek alternative sites. For dabbling ducks in this region, it appears that farmland adjacent to intertidal areas is an important component of coastal habitat complexes, and a system of alternative sites should be included in regional landscape plans.
Mass spectrometry‐based methods to study protein architecture and dynamics

Mass spectrometry is now an indispensable tool in the armamentarium of molecular biophysics, where it is used for tasks ranging from protein sequencing and mapping of post-translational modifications to studies of higher order structure, conformational dynamics, and interactions of proteins with small molecule ligands and other biopolymers. This mini-review highlights several popular mass spectrometry-based tools that are now commonly used for structural studies of proteins beyond their covalent structure with a particular emphasis on hydrogen exchange and direct electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
Nanoscale imaging of surface topography and reactivity with the scanning electrochemical microscope.

Over the last 2 decades, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) has been extensively employed for topographic imaging and mapping surface reactivity on the micrometer scale. We used flat, polished nanoelectrodes as SECM tips to carry out feedback mode imaging of various substrates with nanoscale resolution. Constant-height and constant-current images of plastic and Au compact disc surfaces and more complicated objects (computer chips and wafers) were obtained. The possibility of simultaneous imaging of surface topography and electrochemical reactivity was demonstrated. Very fast mass transfer at nanoelectrodes allowed us to obtain high-quality electrochemical images in viscous media under steady-state conditions, e.g., in 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium-bis(tetrafluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (C8mimC1C1N) ionic liquid. Ion-transfer-based imaging was also performed using nanopipets as SECM tips.
MMP-9 gene silencing by a quantum dot-siRNA nanoplex delivery to maintain the integrity of the blood brain barrier

The matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-9, are involved in the neuroinflammation processes leading to disrupting of the blood brain barrier (BBB), thereby exacerbating neurological diseases such as HIV-1 AIDS dementia and cerebral ischemia. Nanoparticles have been proposed to act as non-viral gene delivery vectors and have great potential for therapeutic applications in several disease states. In this study, we evaluated the specificity and efficiency of quantum dot (QD) complexed with MMP-9-siRNA (nanoplex) in downregulating the expression of MMP-9 gene in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) that constitute the BBB. We hypothesize that silencing MMP-9 gene expression in BMVECs and other cells such as leukocytes may help prevent breakdown of the BBB and inhibit subsequent invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by infected and inflammatory cells. Our results show that silencing of MMP-9 gene expression resulted in the up-regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins like collagen I, IV, V and a decrease in endothelial permeability, as reflected by reduction of transendothelial resistance across the BBB in a well validated in-vitro BBB model. MMP-9 gene silencing also resulted in an increase in expression of the gene tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). This indicates the importance of a balance between the levels of MMP-9 and its natural inhibitor TIMP-1 in maintaining the basement membrane integrity. These studies promise the application of a novel nanoparticle based siRNA delivery system in modulating the MMP-9 activity in BMVECs and other MMP-9 producing cells. This will prevent neuroinflammation and maintain the integrity of the BBB.
Homeobox gene Rhox5 is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms in cancer and stem cells and promotes cancer growth

Homeobox genes murine Rhox5 and human RHOXF1 are expressed in early embryonic stages and then mostly restricted to germline tissues in normal adult, yet they are aberrantly expressed in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo . Here we study the epigenetic regulation and potential functions of Rhox5 gene. In Rhox5 -silenced or extremely low expresser cells, we observed low levels of active histone epigenetic marks (H3ac, H4ac and H3K4me2) and high levels of repressive mark H3K9me2 along with DNA hypermethylation in the promoter. In Rhox5 low expresser cells, we typically observed modest levels of both active and repressive histone marks along with moderate DNA methylation. In Rhox5 highly expressed CT26 cancer cells, we observed DNA hypomethylation along with high levels of both active and repressive histone marks. Epigenetic drugs (retinoic acid and MS-275) induced F9 cell differentiation with enhanced Rhox5 expression and dynamic changes of epigenetic marks. Finally, Rhox5 knockdown by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) in CT26 colon cancer decreased cell proliferation and migration in vitro and tumor growth in vivo . Both DNA methylation and histone methylation/acetylation play key roles in modulating Rhox5 expression in various cell types. The stem cell-like "bivalent domain", an epigenetic feature originally identified in key differentiation genes within stem cells, exists in the Rhox5 gene promoter in not only embryonic stem cells but also cancer cells, cancer stem cells, and differentiated Sertoli cells. As Ras signaling-dependent Rhox5 expression promotes tumor growth, Rhox5 may be an ideal target for therapeutic intervention in cancer.
Architectural performance analysis of linear-lightwave multifibre WDM networks in grid topology

A simple framework for analysing the performance of multifibre WDM mesh networks using spatial fibre distribution is introduced by relatively comparing their performance to that of conventional WDM cross-connect networks. Preliminary analysis shows that multifibre networks need a larger amount of fibre, but can be applied to a relatively short-haul region by virtue of their simple node design.
Motion Planning Under Uncertainty for Image-guided Medical Needle Steering:

We develop a new motion planning algorithm for a variant of a Dubins car with binary left/right steering and apply it to steerable needles, a new class of flexible bevel-tip medical needles that physicians can steer through soft tissue to reach clinical targets inaccessible to traditional stiff needles. Our method explicitly considers uncertainty in needle motion due to patient differences and the difficulty in predicting needle/tissue interaction. The planner computes optimal steering actions to maximize the probability that the needle will reach the desired target. Given a medical image with segmented obstacles and target, our method formulates the planning problem as a Markov Decision Process based on an efficient discretization of the state space, models motion uncertainty using probability distributions, and computes optimal steering actions using Dynamic Programming. This approach only requires parameters that can be directly extracted from images, allows fast computation of the optimal needle entry point, and enables intra-operative optimal steering of the needle using the pre-computed dynamic programming look-up table. We apply the method to generate motion plans for steerable needles to reach targets inaccessible to stiff needles, and we illustrate the importance of considering uncertainty during motion plan optimization.
The Sample Complexity of Weighted Sparse Approximation

For Gaussian sampling matrices, we provide bounds on the minimal number of measurements $m$ required to achieve robust weighted sparse recovery guarantees in terms of how well a given prior model for the sparsity support aligns with the true underlying support. Our main contribution is that for a sparse vector ${\bf x} \in {\BBR}^N$ supported on an unknown set ${\cal S} \subset \{1, \ldots, N\}$ with $\vert {\cal S}\vert \leq k$ , if ${\cal S}$ has weighted cardinality $\omega({\cal S}) := \sum_{j \in {\cal S}} \omega_j^2$ , and if the weights on ${\cal S}^c$ exhibit mild growth, $\omega_j^2 \geq \gamma \log(j/\omega({\cal S}))$ for $j\in{\cal S}^c$ and $\gamma > 0$ , then the sample complexity for sparse recovery via weighted $\ell_1$ -minimization using weights $\omega_j$ is linear in the weighted sparsity level, and $m = {\cal O}(\omega({\cal S})/\gamma)$ . This main result is a generalization of special cases including a) the standard sparse recovery setting where all weights $\omega_j \equiv 1$ , and $m = {\cal O}(k\log(N/k))$ ; b) the setting where the support is known a priori, and $m = {\cal O}(k)$ ; and c) the setting of sparse recovery with prior information, and $m$ depends on how well the weights are aligned with the support set ${\cal S}$ . We further extend the results in case c) to the setting of additive noise. Our results are nonuniform that is they apply for a fixed support, unknown a priori, and the weights on ${\cal S}$ do not all have to be smaller than the weights on ${\cal S}^c$ for our recovery results to hold.
Spectral properties of the earth’s contribution to seismic resolution

Layered reflectivity sequences have spectral signatures (impulse responses) in accordance with time‐frequency transformations. These signatures are filtered by a source under the convolutional definition of a seismogram. Spectral signatures of wedge models indicate that thin layers have preferred source bandwidths needed to produce either a tuned reflection or separate interface reflections. Sources that do not include these preferred frequencies do not produce optimally imaged reflections. Criteria for the classic tuning thickness and behavior of source‐dependent amplitude versus time‐thickness crossplots are better understood in relation to the reflectivity impulse response. Reflectivity spectra indicate that higher‐order tuning thicknesses exist. Earth reflectivity also prevents the return of certain source frequencies; this behavior may possibly be an interpretive tool.
Neural network modeling of fabrication yield using manufacturing data

This paper describes the creation of artificial neural network models using production line data and illustrates their usefulness for process control in semiconductor manufacturing. Three artificial neural network models are created. The first models a high aspect ratio etch process. The other two are created to predict yield metrics from inline critical dimension (CD) measurements. One model predicts the number of faults on a die, and the other predicts the probability of die failure at probe. The high aspect ratio etch model has an average prediction error of 3.9%. The average prediction error for the number of faults on a die is 14.9%, and the average prediction error for probability of die failure at probe is 21.8%. A sensitivity analysis is performed on each model to illustrate how they can be used to judge the relative impact of each input.
Developmental Cryogenic Active Telescope Testbed, a Wavefront Sensing and Control Testbed for the Next Generation Space Telescope

As part of the technology validation strategy of the next generation space telescope (NGST), a system testbed is being developed at GSFC, in partnership with JPL and Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), which will include all of the component functions envisioned in an NGST active optical system. The system will include an actively controlled, segmented primary mirror, actively controlled secondary, deformable, and fast steering mirrors, wavefront sensing optics, wavefront control algorithms, a telescope simulator module, and an interferometric wavefront sensor for use in comparing final obtained wavefronts from different tests. The developmental. cryogenic active telescope testbed (DCATT) will be implemented in three phases. Phase 1 will focus on operating the testbed at ambient temperature. During Phase 2, a cryocapable segmented telescope will be developed and cooled to cryogenic temperature to investigate the impact on the ability to correct the wavefront and stabilize the image. In Phase 3, it is planned to incorporate industry developed flight-like components, such as figure controlled mirror segments, cryogenic, low hold power actuators, or different wavefront sensing and control hardware or software. A very important element of the program is the development and subsequent validation of the integrated multidisciplinary models. The Phase 1 testbed objectives, plans, configuration, and design will be discussed.
Public beliefs and knowledge about risk and protective factors for Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to assess public beliefs and knowledge about risk and protective factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods A brief survey module was added to the Health and Retirement Study, a longstanding national panel study of the U.S. population over the age of 50. Results Respondents were 1641 adults (mean age = 64.4 years, 53.6% female, 81.7% White). Most (60.1%) indicated interest in learning their AD risk, with 29.4% expressing active worry. Many failed to recognize that medications to prevent AD are not available (39.1%) or that having an affected first-degree relative is associated with increased disease risk (32%). Many respondents believed that various actions (e.g., mental activity, eating a healthy diet) would be effective in reducing AD risk. Conclusion Older and middle-aged adults are interested in their AD risk status and believe that steps can be taken to reduce disease risk. Tailored education efforts are needed to address potential misconceptions about risk and protective factors.
Current status of group A streptococcal vaccine development

We now have a much more detailed understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of GAS infections. These discoveries have led to the identification of several vaccine candidates which are in various stages of development. One of the leading candidate antigens is the surface M protein, which confers protection against infection in animal models. In addition, M antibodies in human serum correlate with protection against infection with the homologous serotype of GAS. Molecular techniques have been used to genetically engineer highly complex multivalent M protein-based vaccines that appear to be free of potentially harmful tissue crossreactive epitopes. A 26-valent vaccine has been shown to be well-tolerated and immunogenic in adult volunteers and is now being considered for pediatric trials, which is the primary target group for the vaccine. Ongoing efforts are now addressing the epidemiology of GAS infections in developing countries so that new vaccines can be designed to prevent the infections that may trigger ARF and RHD. Successful deployment of safe and effective vaccines to prevent GAS infections and their complications could potentially have a significant impact on the health of millions of people around the world.
A 22-Year-Old Woman With Unexplained Dyspnea

(CHEST 2009; 136:867–876) Abbreviations: AVC aortic valve closure; cGMP cyclic guanosine monophosphate; Dlco diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide; LV left ventricle/ventricular; MVO mitral valve opening; NO nitric oxide; PAP pulmonary artery pressure; PDE phosphodiesterase; RHC right heart catheterization; RV right ventricle/ventricular; TVO tricuspid valve opening Editor’s note: In this series, interactive diagrams are an important part of each article and are referred to throughout. You can access these online at [http:// www.chestjournal.org/content/136/3/867.full]. Included with the diagrams are “Show Me” videos, animated narrations that walk you through the main points of each diagram. The first time you access the online material, you may be asked to update your Web browser’s Flash Player plugin; this will enable you to view the diagrams as intended. If you are not automatically prompted to update the plugin and you have any problems using the diagrams, you can download the latest version of the Flash Player by visiting http://www.adobe.com/go/getflash. U nexplained dyspnea represents one of the common reasons for referral to a chest physician. The etiology can lie within multiple organ systems, and its evaluation requires a keen understanding of the underlying physiology. In this case presentation, we review one etiology of unexplained dyspnea and employ the “Interactive Physiology Grand Rounds” approach to address the basic physiologic mechanisms of this disease. We pay specific attention to the hemodynamic complications and complex relationships between right and left ventricular (LV) function that are at play in this disease, and use interactive diagrams to illustrate key concepts. Case Presentation
3D modeling of outdoor environments by integrating omnidirectional range and color images

This paper describes a 3D modeling method for wide area outdoor environments which is based on integrating omnidirectional range and color images. In the proposed method, outdoor scenes can be efficiently digitized by an omnidirectional laser rangefinder which can obtain a 3D shape with high-accuracy and by an omnidirectional multi-camera system (OMS) which can capture a high-resolution color image. Multiple range images are registered by minimizing the distances between corresponding points in the different range images. In order to register multiple range images stably, points on plane portions detected from the range data are used in registration process. The position and orientation acquired by RTK-GPS and gyroscope are used as initial values of simultaneous registration. The 3D model obtained by registration of range data is mapped by textures selected from omnidirectional images in consideration of the resolution of texture and occlusions of the model. In experiments, we have carried out 3D modeling of our campus with the proposed method.
High-Pressure Bipropellant Microrocket Engine

The development of high-aspect-ratio, high-precision micromachining in silicon or silicon carbide suggests the feasibility of microfabricated, high-chamber-pressure chemical rocket engines. With high-speed turbopumps and valvesincorporatedontotherocketchip,anumberofpropulsioncyclesarepossible.Suchanengine,approximately 20 ££ 15 £ 3 mm in size, operating at a 125-atm chamberpressure, would produceabout 15 N of thrust using 300-s Isp propellants at a thrust-to-weight ratio of 1000:1. The feasibility of these engines has been investigated, and a liquid-cooled, pressure-fed thrust chamber and nozzle have been successfully designed, fabricated, and operated at a 12.5-atm chamber pressure to further evaluate the concept.
Family intervention focused on effective parenting is associated with decreased child obesity prevalence 3–5 years later

Commentary on: Brotman LM, Dawson-McClure S, Huang KY, et al. Early childhood family intervention and long-term obesity prevention among high-risk minority youth. Pediatrics 2012; 129: e621– 8.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that interventions promoting effective parenting in early childhood influence development of obesity. Brotman and colleagues report on the long-term follow-up of two randomised controlled trials of parenting interventions. Weight and obesity were not an initial focus of the studies, so the authors used video archives and a validated rating system to account for missing baseline and early follow-up weight data. Children (N=186) aged 3–5 years considered to be at high risk for behaviour problems (poor, racial/ethnic minority, pre-existing or family history of behaviour problems) were assigned to either the intervention group (weekly parenting groups for 6 months) or the … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPediatrics%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1542%252Fpeds.2011-1568%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F22311988%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=pediatrics&resid=129/3/e621&atom=%2Febmed%2F18%2F1%2Fe5.atom
Conceptual apraxia in probable Alzheimer's disease as demonstrated by the Florida Action Recall Test.

Patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) often have difficulties associated with semantic knowledge. Therefore, conceptual apraxia, a defect of action semantics and mechanical knowledge, may be an early sign of this disease. The Florida Action Recall Test (FLART), developed to assess conceptual apraxia, consists of 45 line drawings of objects or scenes. The subject must imagine the proper tool to apply to each pictured object or scene and then pantomime its use. Twelve participants with Alzheimer's disease (NINCDS–ADRDA criteria) and 21 age- and education-matched controls were tested. Nine Alzheimer's disease participants scored below a 2-standarddeviation cutoff on conceptual accuracy, and the three who scored above the cutoff were beyond a 2-standard-deviation cutoff on completion time. The FLART appears to be a sensitive measure of conceptual apraxia in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. (JINS, 2000, 6, 265–270.)
Functional assessments of the rodent facial nerve: a synkinesis model.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Rodent whisker movement has been used as a tool, after facial nerve manipulation, to quantify functional recovery. We have recently established a method to study functional correlates of aberrant regeneration of the facial nerve. Our objective was to establish normative parameters for both spontaneous and induced whisking and blinking behavior in a large group of normal rats. Study Design: Prospective animal study. Methods: Eighty animals underwent quantitative facial movement testing to measure simultaneous vibrissal movement and ocular closure for each side independently. Right and left C-1 whisker positions were continuously recorded for 5-minute sessions, and changes in infrared detection corresponding to eye closure were continuously recorded. Whisking and blinking were elicited by delivery of olfactory stimuli (10 s scented airflows) and corneal air puffs. Whisks were counted and analyzed, and eye closures were counted. Results: Whisking amplitude, velocity, and acceleration were consistent with literature values. Air puff delivery elicited an ipsilateral blink 99% of the time, a contralateral blink 18% of the time, and changes in or initiation of bilateral whisking 70% of the time. Olfactory stimulus delivery prompted a change in whisking behavior 83% of the time, and eye closure 20% of the time. Conclusions: This study establishes normative data for assessing cranial nerve VII-controlled facial movement in four separate facial regions. We demonstrate the capability and tendency of animals to move their orbicularis oculi muscles independently of and simultaneously with their midfacial muscles. This model provides an excellent tool for the study of aberrant regeneration after facial nerve injury in the rodent.
Innovations algorithm for periodically stationary time series

Periodic ARMA, or PARMA, time series are used to model periodically stationary time series. In this paper we develop the innovations algorithm for periodically stationary processes. We then show how the algorithm can be used to obtain parameter estimates for the PARMA model. These estimates are proven to be weakly consistent for PARMA processes whose underlying noise sequence has either finite or infinite fourth moment. Since many time series from the fields of economics and hydrology exhibit heavy tails, the results regarding the infinite fourth moment case are of particular interest.
Persistence and Latency of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus in Field-Grown Seed Potatoes.

ABSTRACT Whole seed tubers were inoculated with different inoculum doses of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and planted in the field. Ring rot symptom development and the persistence of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, in the absence of symptoms, was determined for four generations following introduction of inoculum. Seed tubers were not cut during propagation to preclude redistribution of inoculum. Detection of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus was positively related to inoculum dose (r = 0.97) and rapidly declined with increasing generations. Although the frequency of detection was much less following inoculation with ≤102 cells versus inoculation with ≥104 cells, all inoculum doses established latent infections that were undetected for at least one, and up to three, generations. Latency for three generations, characterized by C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus detection or ring rot symptom development during the fourth generation, was the longest time interval tested. The occurrence...
Clothing Practices and Preferences of Blue‐Collar Workers and Their Families1

The population of this study was married industrial workers who were employed in 1968 in Iowa metal processing industries. Fifteen companies participated in the study with com pleted data received on 186 families. The men and their wives were interviewed in their homes, and employee data sheets were completed by employers. Descriptive information was reported on clothing practices and preferences. The associa tion of clothing practices and preferences to level of education and to aspects of employ ment including absence from work, job attitude, and current job and advancement were ex amined. Higher levels of education correlated with more formal clothing worn by the husband to work, and the preference of the wife for one $14 dress over two $7 dresses. The variable describing current job and advancement was associated with higher levels of edu cation of both the employee and his wife, wearing more formal clothing to work by the hus band, and a preference of the wife for quality rather than quantity in clothing.
Measurement and Interpretation of Body Mass Index During Childhood and Adolescence

The landscape of childhood health and disease has changed over the past century, and school nurses are now in a unique position to address the conditions that lead to chronic disease, such as obesi...
VURD Syndrome: Report of Three Cases

Hoover and Duckett identified the relationship between valves, reflux, and dysplasia, commonly known as VURD (Posterior urethral valve, Unilateral vesicoureteral reflux, Renal dysplasia) syndrome. They noted preserved contralateral renal function in patients with unilateral reflux into a non-refluxing kidney. The proposed mechanism of this protection is that the refluxing collecting system acts as a pressure pop-off. Here we report three cases of VURD syndrome.
Todd M. Brenneman: Homespun Gospel: The Triumph of Sentimentality in Contemporary American Evangelicalism

In Homespun Gospel Todd M. Brenneman argues evangelicalism today relies far less on doctrine and a rigorous system of belief than it did in previous generations. It now promotes a message of God’s sentimental love for humanity at the expense of deep intellectual engagement, and this preference for emotion over intellect has profound implications for the future of the movement. In contrast to other periods of Christian history, intellectual and doctrinal affirmations of God, Scripture, and the Christian life are now secondary to sentimental feelings of connection to God, and it is the authenticity of these feelings that corroborate the faith experience rather than agreement with a set of doctrines. Given this shift, Brenneman argues that the trend in religious scholarship—to treat evangelicalism primarily as a system of beliefs— should give way to study of the movement as both a set of doctrines and an ‘‘aesthetic world where emotion is the currency’’ (p. 13). Brenneman operationalizes sentimentality as ‘‘emotional language that depends on the tropes of familial conceptions of God,’’ (p. 7) especially God as father, humans as children, and nostalgia for the Victorian nuclear family. The approach is both historical and sociological, incorporating Scottish Common Sense, Dwight L. Moody, and Harriet Beecher Stowe with texts from contemporary evangelical preachers. This approach allows him to situate the current use of sentimentality in a larger context that compares both the historical and the contemporary. The primary source of contemporary content comes from publications of mega-pastors Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, and Max Lucado, whose texts serve as the empirical backbone of the book. Sentimental content is quoted at length to support the primary argument: evangelicals are sentimentalists, and the proof is in the texts of these evangelical icons who sell millions of copies of their books.
Colloids at interfaces: Pinned down.

A colloidal particle straddling an air/water interface experiences an unexpectedly large viscous drag.
Hunt for the culprit of cardiovascular injury in kidney disease

This editorial refers to ‘Membrane-bound Klotho is not expressed endogenously in healthy or uraemic human vascular tissue’ by R. Mencke et al. , pp. 220–231. Disordered phosphate homeostasis is thought to contribute mechanistically to the high rates of cardiovascular disease encountered in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but how this occurs is uncertain. As the most recently discovered regulators of phosphate homeostasis, α-klotho, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) have seized the investigative spotlight as candidate cardiovascular culprits. α-Klotho is a transmembrane receptor that is most heavily expressed in the kidney tubules,1 whereas FGF23 is an endocrine hormone secreted primarily by osteocytes.2 FGF23 stimulates renal phosphate excretion and lowers circulating levels of calcitriol, which secondarily reduces the efficiency of dietary phosphate absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.3 These effects are mediated by FGF23 binding to and activating heterodimeric complexes of FGF receptors and α-klotho co-receptors in the kidney.4 A circulating soluble form of α-klotho that is derived from cleavage of its extracellular domain may also possess endocrine effects, including FGF23-independent phosphaturia.5 Highlighting their shared roles in regulating total body phosphate economy, deficiency of either α-klotho or FGF23 results in impaired renal phosphate excretion, endogenous calcitriol toxicity, and syndromes of accelerated aging marked by extensive arterial calcification among numerous other manifestations.6,7 Since renal excretion is the only means of phosphate egress from the body, CKD is a prototypical human condition of impaired phosphate excretion. Afflicting millions of people worldwide, it is also the most common. In CKD, renal expression of α-klotho progressively declines and circulating levels of FGF23 progressively increase.3 Enabled by assays that can reliably measure FGF23 in stored …
Critical appraisal of selegiline transdermal system for major depressive disorder

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Although safer and easier to use antidepressants (ie.,SSRIs/SNRIs) have largely displaced MAOIs, these medications still have a role in difficult to treat conditions. Efforts to improve MAOIs benefit-risk profile resulted on the reversible MAOI and in the first antidepressant patch (selegiline transdermal delivery system-STS). The later had been available in the US since 2006. Thus a review on its safety profile and comparative efficacy is timely.Areas covered: This review provides an overview of STS’s clinical pharmacology and summarizes what has been learned across nearly a decade of experience. Product labels and the search engine PubMed were used to obtain relevant information.Expert opinion: STS remains a unique treatment option. It is the only FDA-approved antidepressant for patients with significant problems ingesting, tolerating, or absorbing oral medications. It remains the only MAOI that can be initiated without dietary restrictions at a therapeutic dose and has a low incid...
'Green Helmets': A Conceptual Framework for Security Council Authority in Environmental Disaster

This article describes the scope of authority of the UN’s Security Council in relation to international environmental decision-making and enforcement. It explains that environmental issues, especially how to allocate scare natural resources, will be an eminent issue on the future international agenda. As such, the Security Council is most apt to address these concerns internationally, despite problems relating to the veto, Council membership, and fiscal constraints.
A New Species of Absidia from California

A review of the literature on soil fungi shows that members of the genus Absidia have been frequently isolated from soil, and that several species are often present (1, 2, 4, 9). In relatively few cases are they apparently absent (8, 13, 21). During our studies of the fungi of virgin desert soils in California we have isolated four species of Absidia from 390 soils samples obtained in widely separated localities. Three of these species are well known: Absidia cylindrospora, A. blakesleana and A. corymbifera. In addition to these we have isolated another species eight times from various soils in widely separated areas. Cultural studies show that it is distinct from any of the species previously described. It is described below.