cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of Dynamic MR Imaging Pelvic Measurements: A Multi-institutional Study

Purpose: To assess the reproducibility of bone and soft-tissue pelvimetry measurements obtained from dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies in primiparous women across multiple centers. Materials and Methods: All subjects prospectively gave consent for participation in this institutional review board–approved, HIPAA-compliant study. At six clinical sites, standardized dynamic pelvic 1.5-T multiplanar T2-weighted MR imaging was performed in three groups of primiparous women at 6–12 months after birth: Group 1, vaginal delivery with anal sphincter tear (n = 93); group 2, vaginal delivery without anal sphincter tear (n = 79); and group 3, cesarean delivery without labor (n = 26). After standardized central training, blinded readers at separate clinical sites and a blinded expert central reader measured nine bone and 10 soft-tissue pelvimetry parameters. Subsequently, three readers underwent additional standardized training, and reread 20 MR imaging studies. Measurement variability was assessed by using intraclass correlation for agreement between the clinical site and central readers. Acceptable agreement was defined as an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of at least 0.7. Results: There was acceptable agreement (ICC range, 0.71–0.93) for eight of 19 MR imaging parameters at initial readings of 198 subjects. The remaining parameters had an ICC range of 0.13–0.66. Additional training reduced measurement variability: Twelve of 19 parameters had acceptable agreement (ICC range, 0.70–0.92). Correlations were greater for bone (ICC, ≥0.70 in five [initial readings] and eight of nine [rereadings] variables) than for soft-tissue measurements (ICC, ≥0.70 in three [initial readings] of 10 and four [rereadings] of 10 readings, respectively). Conclusion: Despite standardized central training, there is high variability of pelvic MR imaging measurements among readers, particularly for soft-tissue structures. Although slightly improved with additional training, measurement variability adversely affects the utility of many MR imaging measurements for multicenter pelvic floor disorder research. © RSNA, 2008
High Dihydrofolate Reductase Levels in Diplococcus pneumoniae After Mutation in the Structural Gene: Biochemical and Immunological Evidence for Increased Synthesis

A unique class of missense mutations in the dihydrofolate reductase structural gene of Diplococcus pneumoniae determines marked increases in the corresponding enzyme activity. Immunological evidence, based on precipitating and neutralizing antibody reactions, is presented in support of previously derived findings which attribute this increase in activity to an increase in the amount of enzyme protein. Biochemical evidence was obtained which shows that the increased amounts of dihydrofolate reductase protein in the mutants not owing to a decrease in degradation, reducing turnover, or to an increase in stability, and, therefore, probably related to an increase in the rate of synthesis of new protein. The manner in which a missense alteration of a structural gene might quantitatively alter the expression of that gene is discussed.
Approach to the patient with transient alteration of consciousness

Evaluating transient impairment of consciousness is critical to diagnose epileptic seizures, syncope, parasomnias, organic encephalopathies, and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Effective evaluation of episodic unconscious events demands interactive interviewing of the patient and witnesses of the events, with judgment as to historians' observational abilities. When generalized tonic-clonic seizures have been witnessed by medical staff or other reliable observers, a search for concomitant nonconvulsive events and for comorbid illnesses often elucidates diagnoses unsuspected by the referring physician. Consultation for stupor-coma should not miss a potentially reversible acute severe encephalopathy, particularly when reversibility requires timely therapy. Perspicacious analyses of complex cognitive-motor phenomena support judicious application of diagnostic procedures, including brief or prolonged EEG and video-EEG, EKG tilt-table testing, EKG loop monitoring, and brain imaging.
Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Comprehensive Care Bundle on Management of Candidemia

Study Objective To analyze the impact of a comprehensive care bundle directed by an antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) on the management of candidemia. Design Single-center, quasi-experimental study. Setting A 930-bed academic hospital. Patients Seventy-eight patients with candidemia were evaluated; 41 patients received the candidemia care bundle (AST group), and 37 did not (historical control group). Measurements and Main Results A candidemia care bundle was developed by an interdisciplinary AST, incorporating key elements from the Infectious Diseases Society of America's Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Candidemia. The AST made prospective recommendations in accordance with the care bundle. Bundle elements were utilization of appropriate antifungal agents with appropriate duration of use, removal of intravenous catheters, repeat blood cultures, monitoring of time until clearance of candidemia, and performance of ophthalmologic examinations. Compliance with all candidemia care bundle elements was significantly higher in the AST group versus the control group (78.0% vs 40.5%, p=0.0016). Implementation of the care bundle significantly improved rates of ophthalmologic examination (97.6% vs 75.7%, p=0.0108), selection of appropriate antifungal therapy (100% vs 86.5%, p=0.0488), and compliance with an appropriate duration of therapy (97.6% vs 67.7%, p=0.0012). In addition, the AST group had fewer excess total days of therapy beyond the recommended duration than the control group (5 vs 83 total antifungal days). Length of hospitalization (20 vs 21 days, p=0.9184), time until clearance of candidemia (3 vs 3 days p=0.610), rate of persistent candidemia (22% vs 40.5%, p=0.126), and rate of recurrent candidemia (4.9% vs 5.4%, p=0.916) were similar in the AST group versus the control group. Conclusion A comprehensive candidemia care bundle directed by our institution's AST improved the management of patients with candidemia. We encourage further exploration into the use of care bundles by ASTs as part of their multifaceted approach to promoting appropriate antimicrobial utilization and optimizing the management of patients with infectious diseases.
Awareness Under Anesthesia

One of the commonly accepted goals of general anesthesia is the achievement of decreased consciousness and the prevention of intraoperative awareness. Intraoperative awareness and recall can have serious psychological effects on the patient as well as legal consequences for the provider. As such, it is imperative to maintain vigilance in the operating room in order to avoid preventable anesthesia awareness, as well as to be prepared to address such events when they arise.
Multi-Layer Memory Resiliency

With memories continuing to dominate the area, power, cost and performance of a design, there is a critical need to provision reliable, high-performance memory bandwidth for emerging applications. Memories are susceptible to degradation and failures from a wide range of manufacturing, operational and environmental effects, requiring a multi-layer hardware/software approach that can tolerate, adapt and even opportunistically exploit such effects. The overall memory hierarchy is also highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of variability and operational stress. After reviewing the major memory degradation and failure modes, this paper describes the challenges for dependability across the memory hierarchy, and outlines research efforts to achieve multi-layer memory resilience using a hardware/software approach. Two specific exemplars are used to illustrate multilayer memory resilience: first we describe static and dynamic policies to achieve energy savings in caches using aggressive voltage scaling combined with disabling faulty blocks; and second we show how software characteristics can be exposed to the architecture in order to mitigate the aging of large register files in GPGPUs. These approaches can further benefit from semantic retention of application intent to enhance memory dependability across multiple abstraction levels, including applications, compilers, run-time systems, and hardware platforms.
Throughput analysis for MIMO systems in the high SNR regime

Outage capacity and throughput are the two key metrics through which the fundamental limits of delay-sensitive wireless MIMO links can be studied. In this paper, we show that these metrics are intimately related, and consequently, as in the case of outage capacity, the growth rate of throughput with SNR rho is t log rho for a general class of fading channels (with channel state information at the receiver (CSIR) and with or without CSI at the transmitter (CSIT)) whose channel matrix is of rank t with probability one. However, while asymptotically tight affine lower bounds of the form t log rho + 0(1) were recently derived for outage capacity for such channels, in the sense that the limit as rho rarr infin of the difference between the outage capacity and the lower bound is zero, such affine lower bounds are not possible in general for the throughput. Using the t log rho + O(1) bounds on outage capacity however, lower bounds on throughput are specified where the high SNR limit of the ratio of the throughput and its lower bound is unity. These bounds reveal that the throughput optimal outage probability approaches zero as rho rarr infin. An important exception is the scenario where both the transmitter and receiver have CSI under the long-term power constraint (LTPC), for which we obtain a lower bound of the form t log rho + O(1) which is asymptotically tight (in the stronger sense) and interestingly, this lower bound is identical to the asymptotic delay-limited capacity. The throughputs of MISO and SIMO fading channels are extensively analyzed and it is shown that asymptotically, isotropic Gaussian input is throughput optimal, correlation is detrimental whereas increase in the Rice factor is beneficial and that throughput is schur-concave in the correlation eigenvalues
CHARACTERIZATION OF MODE I PROPERTIES OF FULL-DEPTH Z-FIBER STUBBLE IN CO-BONDED COMPOSITES (PREPRINT)

Abstract : Z-pins are small-diameter carbon rods that are ultrasonically inserted through composite laminates in the z-direction to provide extra resistance to crack growth and delamination. They are normally inserted through co-cured composites, but this paper presents an experimental study on a new z-pin stubble manufacturing technique that is compatible with the co-bonding process. Stubble lengths were 0.125 and 0.250 inch. Double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens were used to characterize the effect of stubble diameter and height on the Mode I crack resistance. It was determined that the new approach using a second ultrasonic step is indeed necessary for stubble heights on the order of 0.125 inch. It was also found that increasing the stubble height from 0.04 inch to 0.125 inch resulted in a much more significant improvement in Mode I properties than increasing the aerial density from 2 % to 4 %. Finally, taking that final step of increasing the stubble height from 0.125 to 0.250 inch did not improve the properties as much as would be expected from previous studies.
THE CENTRAL ARIZONA WATER CONTROL STUDY: A CASE FOR MULTIOBJECTIVE PLANNING AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

: This paper describes the successful application of a multiobjective planning framework, incorporating substantial public involvement, to a major water resources decision involving intense confilcts. The study was initiated to help resolve more than a decade of controversy over a project proposed to control flooding and provide regulatory storage in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. The public was actively involved in the development of study goals and the specification of acceptable tradeoffs between multiple objectives. A wide range of structural and nonstructural alternatives was formulated and evaluated in relation to these objectives, and broad-based support was developed for a new plan. Reasons for the successful outcome are discussed, as well as implications for water resources planning under the new Federal Principles and Guidelines.
The effect of L-thyroxine supplementation in a neonatal rat model of ROP

Purpose :T he role of L-thyroxine in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is controversial. Recent animal studies suggest both high and low levels of serum thyroxine (exogenous supplementation and pharmacologic inhibition) are associated with preretinal neovascularization (NV) or retinal vascular retar- dation, a precursor of NV. To address this controversy, we studied L-thyroxine supplementation in an animal model of ROP. Methods: Five hundred newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were raised in 20 expanded litters of 25, under conditions of fluctuating high and low oxygen and high carbon dioxide, to induce pre- retinal neovascularization. Rats received either 3 days of intraperitoneal T4, 7 days of T4 or saline control. Doses of T4 ranged from 0.005 µg/g to 0.5 µg/g. Retinae from left eyes were dissected, flat-mounted, and ADPase-stained. The presence and severity of NV, retinal vascular area, and retinal vascular density were scored in a masked manner. Results :T he incidence of NV was similar in rats receiving either 3 days of T4 or 7 days of T4 and saline controls (55% and 43% NV in 3-day experiments (0.05 µ gg −1 day −1 and 0.5 µ gg −1 day −1 ) com- pared with 51% in saline controls, p = 0.49; 52% and 38% in 7-day experiments (0.005 µ gg −1 day −1 and 0.05 µ gg −1 day −1 ), p = 0.22). Retinal vascular area and vessel density were also similar to saline controls. Conclusions: Systemic T4 supplementation does not increase, or decrease, the incidence or severity of preretinal neovascularization in an animal model of ROP, despite its posi- tive effect on overall animal growth. Further work is needed to elucidate the potential role of premature infant hypothyroidism in the pathogenesis of ROP.
Direct O-glycosidation of resin bound thioglycosides

The application of the safety-catch linker concept to solid-phase glycoconjugate synthesis is described. The process allows for direct conjugation of resin bound glycans to complex aglycones during cleavage. Large excesses of either coupling partner are not required, and even very hindered alcohols serve as acceptors in the reaction.
Assessment of hindlimb gait as a powerful indicator of axonal loss in a murine model of progressive CNS demyelination

Identifying the role of axonal injury in the development of permanent, irreversible neurologic disability is important to the study of central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating diseases. Our understanding of neurologic dysfunction in demyelinating diseases and the ability to assess therapeutic interventions depends on the development of objective functional assays that can non-invasively measure axonal loss. In this study, we demonstrate in a murine model of progressive CNS demyelination that assessment of the hindlimb width of stride provides a powerful indicator of axonal loss and can dissociate between deficits induced by demyelination versus axonal loss.
Sex and the limits of enlightenment: The irrationality of legal regimes to control prostitution

To assess the reasonableness of projects to improve the governance of commercial sex, the author explores how rationality in its current hegemonic Western sense is a cultural construction, perceived differently across time and space within Europe. The author examines some aspects of how varying conclusions are reached about which legal prostitution regime to impose, taking into account the role of cultures, worldviews, and interpretation. The author avoids the conventional classification of policy by country that results in unsubtle and overdetermined nationalistic explanations. Current projects to govern prostitution show how the traditional Western idea of rationality fails to lead to social betterment. Worldwide, social policy on prostitution tends to follow Western cues, in seeming acceptance that West is the best, with the most progressive, most enlightened approach. The rational project is, therefore, not limited to European geography.
Eigenstates and properties of random systems in one dimension at zero temperature

Eigenenergies and eigenfunctions are evaluated. Different localized eigenstates are proven to have exponentially different mobilities. This leads to exponentially high and exponentially narrow resonances of the conductance at eigenenergies. The probability distribution of resonance resistances is determined. The height and the width of a resonance allow one to evaluate the localization position and the localization length of an eigenstate. The phase correlation length is proven to be $\frac{1}{2}{L}_{0}$, where ${L}_{0}$ is the wave-function localization length. The latter strongly depends on the analytical nature of disorder. The dependence of ${L}_{0}$ on energy $\mathcal{E}$ may vary from algebraic to exponential. In the latter case a weak localization is achieved at reasonable energies $\mathcal{E}\ensuremath{\propto}{[\mathrm{ln}(\frac{L}{{L}_{0}})]}^{2}$, where $L$ is the length of the system. Different one-dimensional problems are reduced to the Schr\"odinger equation. In particular, at low frequencies $\ensuremath{\omega}$, acoustic phonons and electromagnetic waves in a random media are localized. Their localization length is ${L}_{0}\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$.
A review of the dinosaurs from Kansas

Abstract Although Kansas is best known for an abundance of marine fossils from the Late Cretaceous, there may be up to 16 dinosaur records from the state. These are (in order of discovery): 1) the Mudge tracks from the Dakota Formation of Clay County; 2) the hadrosaur, Claosaurus agilis, from the Niobrara Chalk of Logan County; 3) the Snow track from the Dakota of Ellsworth County; 4) the “fossil turtle” specimen from the Dakota of Cloud County, which appears to be an ankylosaurid sacrum; 5) a vertebra from the Pierre Shale of Logan County; 6) a partial vertebra from the Kiowa Formation or Cheyenne Sandstone of Clark County; 7) nodosaurid dermal scutes from the Niobrara of Lane County; 8) a partial skeleton of the nodosaurid, “Hierosaurus sternbergii,” from the Niobrara of Gove County; 9) a partial skeleton of the nodosaurid, Niobrarasaurus coleii, from the Niobrara of Gove County; 10) a large slab containing tracks and trackways from the Dakota of Lincoln County; 11) possible dinosaur gastroliths from th...
Dempster's rule of combination ☆

Abstract The theory of belief functions is a generalization of probability theory; a belief function is a set function more general than a probability measure but whose values can still be interpreted as degrees of belief. Dempster's rule of combination is a rule for combining two or more belief functions; when the belief functions combined are based on distinct or “independent” sources of evidence, the rule corresponds intuitively to the pooling of evidence. As a special case, the rule yields a rule of conditioning which generalizes the usual rule for conditioning probability measures. The rule of combination was studied extensively, but only in the case of finite sets of possibilities, in the author's monograph A Mathematical Theory of Evidence. The present paper describes the rule for general, possibly infinite, sets of possibilities. We show that the rule preserves the regularity conditions of continuity and condensability, and we investigate the two distinct generalizations of probabilistic independence which the rule suggests.
An introduced parasitic fly may lead to local extinction of Darwin's finch populations

Introduced pathogens and other parasites are often implicated in host population level declines and extinctions. However, such claims are rarely supported by rigorous real-time data. Indeed, the threat of introduced parasites often goes unnoticed until after host populations have declined severely. The recent introduction of the parasitic nest fly, Philornis downsi, to the Galapagos Islands provides an opportunity to monitor the current impact of an invasive parasite on endemic land bird populations, including Darwin's finches.In this paper we present a population viability model to explore the potential long-term effect of P. downsi on Darwin's finch populations. The goal of our study was to determine whether P. downsi has the potential to drive host populations to extinction and whether management efforts are likely to be effective.Our model is based on data from five years of experimental field work documenting the effect of P. downsi on the reproductive success of medium ground finch Geospiza fortis populations on Santa Cruz Island. Under two of the three scenarios tested, the model predicted medium ground finches are at risk of extinction within the next century.However, sensitivity analyses reveal that even a modest reduction in the prevalence of the parasite could improve the stability of finch populations. We discuss the practicality of several management options aimed at achieving this goal.Synthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates the predicted high risk of local extinction of an abundant host species, the medium ground finch Geospiza fortis due to an introduced parasite, Philornis downsi. However, our study further suggests that careful management practices aimed at reducing parasite prevalence have the potential to significantly lower the risk of host species extinction.
Dysplastic Neurons in Ovarian Teratomas in NMDAR Encephalitis

Investigators at University of Toronto, Canada, report detection of atypical (dysplastic) neuronal elements in 4 of 5 teratomas resected from cases with NMDAR encephalitis but not in 39 controls.
The Effect of Business Cycle Fluctuations on Migration Decisions

I examine mechanisms that differentially influence migration behavior in response to labor market shocks between employed and unemployed workers in the US. Over the period of the Great Recession, overall migration rates in the US remained close to their respective long-term trends. However, migration evolved differently by employment status with unemployed workers being more likely to migrate during the recession and employed workers less likely. I estimate a dynamic non-stationary search model of migration, focusing on the role of employment frictions, earnings, and amenities on migration decisions. My results show that employed workers are faced with a large job queuing penalty when moving locations, which results in differing migration incentives for the two groups when faced with adverse labor market shocks. I also find that migration rates were muted because of the national scope of the Great Recession. I show that moving subsidies aimed at mitigating local unemployment are greatly hindered by workers' preferences for amenities.
Jamming Susceptibility

Generalized equations are developed to evaluate the effects of interference upon communications systems. Interference may be due to natural causes and accidental or sophisticated jamming. One- and two-way communication systems are considered. The equations are applicable to near and deep space communication links as well as radar in both friendly and unfriendly environments. Both mainlobe and sidelobe reception and collocated and diversely located interference and signal sources may be analyzed. A practical discussion for each of the variables, as well as a sample solution, is included.
Enantiomorphic Helical Coordination Polymers of {[M(pyrimidine)(OH2)4][SiF6]·H2O}∞ (M = Co2+, Cu2+, Zn2+)

Helical coordination complexes, {[M(pyrimidine)(OH2)4][SiF6]·H2O}∞; (M = Co, 1; Cu, 2; Zn, 3), were inadvertently but reproducibly isolated when corresponding metal tetrafluoroborates were reacted with pyrimidine in glass vials in 1:1 molar ratios. The crystal structures of complexes 1−3 revealed spontaneously resolved helical coordination polymers in enantiomorphic space groups P43212 (1) and P41212 (2 and 3) despite the high molecular symmetry associated with the constituent building blocks. The individual helical polymer chains were linked together by hydrogen bonding involving the H2O solvent and SiF62- anions to form a topologically complex three-dimensional network.
The effect of irrelevant context on tachistoscopic recognition

It was hypothesized that the effect of irrelevant color cues on paired-associate learning might be generalizable to the tachistoscopic recognition situation. Words on colored backgrounds were learned by the free recall method to the criterion of one errorless trial. Half of these words on the same backgrounds and half on changed backgrounds were presented tachistoscopically along with unlearned control words on the colored backgrounds. Learned words on appropriate backgrounds had significantly lower thresholds than did those on inappropriate backgrounds; unlearned control words had significantly higher thresholds than did either of the types of learned words. Results were interpreted as supporting the hypothesis.
CoPc- and CoPcF16-Modified Ag Nanoparticles as Novel Catalysts with Tunable Oxygen Reduction Activity in Alkaline Media

A new class of non-Pt “hybrid” catalysts is reported that is intended as a lower cost alternative that meets the performance and durability requirements of the oxygen cathode in fuel cells with alkaline electrolytes. These novel hybrid catalysts are cobalt (Co) phthalocyanine on silver (Ag) nanoparticles on a carbon (C) support. For O2 reduction, a catalyst with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) on Ag nanoparticles on carbon (CoPc@Ag/C) or the fully fluorinated cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPcF16) on Ag nanoparticles on carbon (CoPcF16@Ag/C) showed lower overpotentials and higher rate constants at a given potential than did CoPc and CoPcF16 on carbon (CoPc/C and CoPcF16/C) and Ag nanoparticles on carbon (Ag/C). The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of the cobalt-phthalocyanine-modified Ag nanocatalysts is tuned by adjusting the composition of the metalated phthalocyanine molecules adsorbed on Ag. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical characterizations indicate that the ORR on these new c...
Electron propagator calculations on the ground and excited states of C60(

Electron propagator calculations in two approximations—the third-order algebraic, diagrammatic construction and the outer valence Green’s function (OVGF)—have been performed on the vertical electron affinities of C60 and the vertical electron detachment energies of several states of C60– with a variety of basis sets. These calculations predict bound 2T1u and 2T1g anions, but fail to produce 2T2u or 2Hg anionic states that are more stable than ground-state C60. The electron affinity for the 2Ag state is close to zero, but no definitive result on its sign has been obtained. This state may be a resonance or marginally bound anion. The OVGF prediction for the vertical electron detachment energy of 2T1u C60–, 2.63 eV, is in excellent agreement with recent anion photoelectron spectra.
Combined Hrem and Eels Studies of the Electron Beam Induced Reduction of Maximal-Valence Transition-Metal Oxides.

High resolution electron microscopy has been used in conjunction with electron energy loss spectroscopy to follow the beam-induced reduction of WO3, V2 O5 and CuO, all of which are maximal valence oxides. All three oxides underwent reduction, although there are differences in the reduction pathway: WO3 is reduced directly to the metal by loss of oxygen from the surface layers; CuO is reduced to the metal via at least two intermediate oxides (Cu4 O3 and Cu2O); and V2 05 forms a reduced oxide (possibly V6 O13) and then remains stable. It was possible to drill holes in V2O5 with an intense, small electron probe (using a field-emission electron gun) provided the sample had previously only been exposed to an electron dose below a critical value (<108 e/nm2). Preliminary doses higher than this critical value rendered the oxide immune to hole drilling (but not to a subsequent reduction to the stable oxide mentioned above), suggesting that holes can only be drilled while the material retains the original V2O5 structure.
Application of Tele-consultation Vehicle in Earthquake Relief

Tele-consultation vehicles are used for the accessorial platform, which can supply tele-consultation for wounded person in field operations or emergency condition. After the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake, the tele-consultation vehicle, which offered the best way for treatment and communication, have performed a good function in tele- consultation, tele-communication, tele-education and data transmission.
Effects of Explant Collecting Time and Storage Duration on Callus Induction of Pinus massoniana

Pinus massoniana(masson pine) is heard to be propagated vegetatively and somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis are usually applied by researchers.However,when to collect explants is the key to successfully micro-propagated it.During October 2011 to October 2012,shoot apical meristem of Pinus massoniana was collected monthly,bi-weekly,or weekly and refrigerated at 4℃ for 4 to 114 days.Explants were inoculated onto improved GD medium which contained various hormones,then cultured in the dark condition at 24~25 ℃.The findings were that: Storage duration had no significant influence on callus induction of Pinus massoniana;Explants collected from middle of March 2012 to late April 2012,had a highest callus induction rate of 89.8%,and the average rate was above 80%;The procedures of flushing in pure water 2~3 h,peeling off the scales,removing needles,rinsing in 75% alcohol for 20~30 s,and soaking in 0.1% of mercuric chloride for 9~10 min,could effectively solve the pollution problem in the early period;Cleaned explants significantly reduced browning after sling into 0.2~0.5 cm discs for all experiments.
A Comprehensive Model Design Research on Mobile Learning Resources and Activities

With the enhancement of technology portability,mobile learning has had a more extensive application,so,it is very important to study the instructional method and instructional design in this kind of learning style.The paper review the current application mode of mobile learning in the formal or informal environment and the existing model of creating mobile learning experience,and will discuss the instructional design principle and process,including materials,equipment and methods of mobile learning.Finally,we design mobile learning resources and activities,based on which,we provide a new comprehensive model,namely place,technology,culture and satisfaction model(LTCS).This model overcomes the problems of early models,especially the loss of multicultural support for mobile learning scheme designers.Designers can use methods of this model to integrate multidisciplinary results into a heuristic design patterns that will maximize teaching ability of mobile learning.
Some uniqueness results related to L-functions

In this paper, we describe a family of meromorphic functions in $$\mathbf {C}$$ from analyzing some properties of these L-functions in the extended Selberg class and show two uniqueness results of such a function, in terms of shared values with a general meromorphic function in $$\mathbf {C}$$ . In particular, we show the condition “ $$\displaystyle {1\mathsf{CM}+3\mathsf{IM}}$$ value-sharing” suffices.
Regulation of colonic propulsion by enteric excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters

The contribution of excitatory and inhibitory motor neurotransmitters to colonic propulsion was examined in isolated segments of guinea pig colon. Synthetic fecal pellets were inserted at the proximal end of the segment, and the velocity of pellet propulsion across a fixed distance was measured in the presence and absence of selective neurotransmitter antagonists. The control velocity (0.97 +/- 0.02 mm/s) was inhibited in a concentration-dependent fashion by atropine and the neurokinin (NK)-2a antagonist MEN-10,376 [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), 1 microM; maximal inhibition, 98 +/- 1%]. The NK-1 antagonist GR-82,334 (10 microM) also inhibited velocity by 65 +/- 9%, consistent with involvement of acetylcholine, neurokinin A (NK-2 agonist), and substance P (NK-1 agonist) in the contractile components of the peristaltic reflex. Velocity was also inhibited in a concentration-dependent fashion by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA; IC50, 1 microM; maximal inhibition, 96 +/- 2%) and by the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) antagonist VIP-(10-28) (IC50, 30 nM; maximal inhibition, 64 +/- 6%), consistent with involvement of both nitric oxide and VIP in descending relaxation of circular muscle and contraction of longitudinal muscle. A combination of threshold concentrations of L-NNA and the NK-2a antagonist was synergistic (53 +/- 7% inhibition). The potentiation implied that the ascending and descending phases were functionally coupled in series. We conclude that blockade of neurotransmitters that mediate either phase of the peristaltic reflex inhibits colonic propulsive activity. Serial coupling of the phases leads to synergism between inhibitors, a condition of potential therapeutic importance.
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Presenting as a Scrotal Mass

AbstractPseudomyxoma peritonei may occur after intraperitoneal rupture of a mucinous adenocarcinoma. The liberated cells produce copious amounts of mucus, which mimics ascites. With the improved technology of computerized tomography and ultrasound, many of these cases are now being diagnosed preoperatively. Surgical debulking is the preferred therapy, while the role of chemotherapy and radiotherapy remains debatable. We report a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei presenting as a scrotal mass that was diagnosed preoperatively.
Recent development of miniatured enzymatic biofuel cell

Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) that oxidize biological fuels using enzyme-modified electrodes are considered a promising candidate for implantable power sources. However, there are still challenges to overcome before biofuel cells become competitive in any practical applications. Currently, the short lifespan of the catalytic enzymes and poor power density are the most critical issues in developing EBFCs. In this paper, we will review the recent development of biofuel cells and highlight the progress in Carbon-microelectromechanical system (C-MEMS) based micro biofuel cells by both computational modeling and experimental work. Also, our effort on utilizing a covalent immobilization technique for the attachment of enzymes onto the substrate which is expected to increase the enzyme loading efficiency and the power density of devices is discussed in this paper.
Inside Rebellion: INTRODUCTION: VARIETIES OF REBELLION

Lukumbi Village, Uganda, 1981 Word of the rebels came first in the form of rumors. “There are men who move at night,” he was told. “They live deep in the forest.” “They are strangers to this zone.” But Samuel had never seen them with his own eyes. Government soldiers, however, were known to Samuel and his neighbors. They came in packs, demanding to know where the guerrillas were hiding. Out of fear, people would sometimes offer information. Samuel recalled one person who volunteered to take government soldiers to a rebel camp. They shot him from behind as he led them into the forest. The government troops claimed he was plotting to have them ambushed. Soldiers maintained a regular presence in the village: knocking on doors, hurling threats, and exacting punishment on those who refused to cooperate. Most of the soldiers were of another ethnic group from another region of the country, and the enmity between locals and those in the military stretched back decades into Uganda's colonial and immediate postcolonial experience. Political sympathies in the village thus lay with the men hiding in the forest. But the soldiers had some local collaborators – representatives of the government's political party, chiefs who owed their authority and wealth to political elites in the capital, and groups of youths from minority ethnic groups in the area. They informed government soldiers about the presence of guerrilla units and identified community members who were offering support and comfort to the insurgents.
Using a novel clumpiness measure to unite data with metadata

We present a new method for finding relationships of metadata labels using other data.We present a novel measure of aggregation within a hierarchical container.Our clumpiness measure is stable across tree size, label size, and numbers of labels.We quantify relationships of immune receptor V genes from their sequence fragments. When finding relationships in biological systems, we often describe hierarchies based on one facet of the data. However, when using this hierarchy to elucidate relationships between metadata, the distribution of metadata labels within the hierarchy may exhibit different levels of aggregation-uniform, random, or clumped. As of now, there exists no measure for finding the level of aggregation, or "clumpiness", between labels distributed among the leaves of a hierarchical container. We propose a clumpiness measure to aid in the quantification of relationships between metadata. We validated our measure with random trees and found that the measure is resistant to changes in the tree size, label size, and the number of types of labels, compared to the closest alternative measures. We used our clumpiness measure to quantify the relationships between light and heavy chains in human and mouse B cell and T cell receptor V genes based on their motifs. We found that the B cell heavy chains were the most aggregated while the T cell chains were the least aggregated and that the IGL chain was clumped the most with the T cell chains out of all of the B cell chains.
SPAI: An Interactive Platform for Indel Analysis

Insertions and Deletions (Indels) are the most common form of structural variation in human genome. Indels not only contribute to genetic diversity but also cause diseases. Therefore assessing indels in human genome has become an interesting topic to the research community. This increasing interest on indel calling research has resulted into the development of a good number of indel calling tools. However, all of these tools are command line based and require expertise from Computer Science (CS) to execute them which makes it challenging for researchers from non-CS background. In this paper, we describe an interactive platform named SPAI which stands for Single Platform for Analyzing Indels. Being a Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool, SPAI facilitates users to run several popular indel calling tools and perform several analyses on the indel calling results without knowing any command line programming. SPAI is written in Java and tested in Linux operating system.
A Design Example

Figure 12.1 shows the architecture of the mixed signal IC design of reference [12.10]. The IC is part of the read/write channel of a rigid media disk drive. A 20mV read signal is variably amplified, sampled and equalized under digital control with maximum likelihood sequence detection. An analog AGC (Automatic Gain Control Amplifier), Buffer amplifiers, delay lines, multiple VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) and PLLs (Phase Locked Loop), D/As and A/D coexist with 6K CMOS gates clocked at 27Mhz. This 5.5mm square chip, packaged in a 68-pin PLCC, uses a 5V, BICMOS process with 1 um Leff and 6 Ghz NPN. The architecture of this IC is explained in reference [12.15]. In Figure 12.1 the amplified signal from the disk surface (A) must be equalized and sampled as shown in waveform (B). Waveform (W) shows the write current waveform that wrote the data of waveform (A) on the disk surface. Figure 12.2 shows a more complex write waveform and the resultant data of waveform (B).
82 : IL-36 promotes myeloid cell infiltration, activation and inflammatory activity in skin

The IL-1 family members IL-36 α (IL-1F6), IL-36 β (IL-1F8) and IL-36 γ (IL-1F9) and the receptor antagonist IL-36Ra (IL-1F5) constitute a novel signaling system that is poorly understood. We now show that these cytokines have profound effects on the skin immune system. Treatment of human keratinocytes with IL-36 α or IL-36 β significantly increased the expression of CXCL1, CCL5, CCL20, CXCL10 and CCL22, potent chemotactic agents for activated leukocytes, and IL-36 α injected intradermally resulted in chemokine expression, leukocyte infiltration and acanthosis of mouse skin. Blood monocytes, myeloid dendritic cells (DC) and monocyte-derived DC (MO-DC) expressed IL-36R and responded to IL-36. In contrast, no direct effects of IL-36 on resting or activated human CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, or blood neutrophils, could be demonstrated. Monocytes expressed IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-6 mRNA and IL-1 β and IL-6 protein and mDC upregulated surface expression of CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR and secretion of IL-1 β and IL-6 after treatment with IL-36. Furthermore, IL-36 α -treated MO-DC enhanced allogeneic CD4+ T cell proliferation, demonstrating that IL-36 can stimulate the maturation and function of DC and drive T cell proliferation. These data indicate that IL-36 cytokines actively propagate skin inflammation via the activation of keratinocytes, antigen presenting cells and, indirectly, T cells.
Barth Syndrome with Late-Onset Cardiomyopathy: A Missed Opportunity for Diagnosis

A male infant presented with neutropenia, growth delay, and death of a maternal uncle at age 2 years. Despite extensive evaluation over 10 years, Barth syndrome was not diagnosed until he presented in acute heart failure. Although late-onset cardiomyopathy is rare, persistence of common Barth features should have enabled earlier diagnosis
What does “it” mean, anyway? Examining the time course of semantic activation in reference resolution

Pronouns serve a critical referential function, yet the cognitive processes engaged during pronoun comprehension remain incompletely understood. One view is that encountering a pronoun leads the co...
Complex-Coherence Measurements for Lensless Object Positioning

We experimentally demonstrate complex-coherence function of incoherent light intercepted by a one-dimensional object in various configurations. By examining only the coherence function, we determine the axial and transverse position and size of the object.
A 170nW CMOS wake-up receiver with −60 dBm sensitivity using AlN high-Q piezoelectric resonators

A new wake-up receiver (WuRx) designed in 0.13 μm CMOS process is hybrid-integrated with a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) RF resonator. While only consuming 166 nW of power (18.8 nW for the comparator and 147 nW for periphery), the WuRx is capable of detecting RF signals as weak as −60 dBm. In order to achieve this sensitivity, a passive voltage-boosting network comprised of a high quality factor (high-Q) piezoelectric MEMS resonator is utilized, in place of an inductor, to amplify the received voltages applied to a CMOS rectifier. The output of the rectifier is then applied to a low-power comparator used to set a logical bit that indicates when an RF signal has been detected. The trade-offs in designing the voltage boosting network are explained and an equation for the optimum number of rectifier stages is derived.
Surface-Plasmon-Driven Hot Electron Photochemistry

Visible-light-driven photochemistry has continued to attract heightened interest due to its capacity to efficiently harvest solar energy and its potential to solve the global energy crisis. Plasmonic nanostructures boast broadly tunable optical properties coupled with catalytically active surfaces that offer a unique opportunity for solar photochemistry. Resonant optical excitation of surface plasmons produces energetic hot electrons that can be collected to facilitate chemical reactions. This review sums up recent theoretical and experimental approaches for understanding the underlying photophysical processes in hot electron generation and discusses various electron-transfer models on both plasmonic metal nanostructures and plasmonic metal/semiconductor heterostructures. Following that are highlights of recent examples of plasmon-driven hot electron photochemical reactions within the context of both cases. The review concludes with a discussion about the remaining challenges in the field and future oppor...
Pathophysiologische Aspekte des septischen Schocks während der Schwangerschaft

Septische Zustandsbilder in der Geburtshilfe sind einem eindeutigen Gestaltswandel unterworfen. Es ist eine eindeutige Verschiebung von grampositiven Erregern zu gramnegativen Keimen zu beobachten. Schock, verbunden mit einer gramnegativen Infektion, ist weniger die Folge der Bakteriamie, als vielmehr verursacht durch Lipopolysaccharide aus den Zellwanden gramnegativer Erreger. Es spricht vieles dafur, das die besonders bosartige Verlaufsform des Endotoxinschocks durch adrenergische Potenzierungen hervorgerufen wird. Das Einstromen von Blut in erweiterte Gefasabschnitte mit Stase, Plasmaverlust in den extracellularen Raum, metabolischer Acidose sowie anaeroben Stoffwechsel mit Solismus sind die Folge. Die intravasale Gerinnung mit Fibrinniederschlagen fuhrt zur Ischamie und Organnekrose lebenswichtiger Organe. Obwohl viele Fragen, insbesondere im Hinblick auf das kardiovasculare Verhalten, ungeklart sind, ist doch uber Endotoxinreaktionen wesentlich mehr bekannt als uber diejenigen von Exotoxinen aus grampositiven Bakterien, die jedoch nur selten zu Schockzustanden fuhren. Im geburtshilflichen Bereich konnte durch das bessere Verstandnis die Mortalitat bei Endotoxinschocks erheblich gesenkt werden.
Abstract 19248: Exosomal miR-142 Derived From Diabetic Bone Marrow Endothelial Progenitor Cells Impairs Cardiac Reparative Abilities Post Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Diabetes is associated with a higher incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cell (EPCs) therapy has been shown to attenuate left ventricular (LV) dysfunction after diabetic MI. Recently the therapeutic performance of stem cells is reported to be largely mediated via exosomes (Exo). However, the autologous transplantation of EPCs in patients with diabetes, which is a common background disease in patients with ischemic heart diseases, yielded modest results, suggesting the compromised cell functions. Hypothesis: Therefore, we hypothesized that, impaired functional benefits of diabetic EPCs are due to altered exosomal contents and whether modulation of identified targets like specific microRNAs in exosomal cargo can rescue and/or enhance their reparative properties. Methods: To evaluate this, we isolated Exo from db+ and db/db EPCs and compared their functions in terms of cell survival and angiogenic capacity in vitro . Further, we injected both db+ and db/db EPC exosomes in db+ mouse models of MI and compared their repair ability in vivo . Results: We report that, db+ EPC-exosomes (Exo) transplantation post-MI significantly improved db+ Exo-mediated post-infarct repair, neovascularization and LV functions. Whereas transplantation of db/db EPC-exosomes worsened heart function. Our in vitro studies revealed that db+ EPC-Exo treatment enhanced tube formation and inhibited apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells; whereas db/db EPC-Exo exhibited opposite effects, suggesting that reparative capacity of db/db EPC-Exo is impaired in Exo derived from db/db EPCs. Interestingly our microarray experiments revealed that, human CD34+ cells subjected to hyperglycemic conditions and Exo isolated from db/db mice showed elevated basal levels of miR-142 compared to control. Also functional deficiencies exhibited by db/db exosomes was partially rescued by miR-142 knockdown in db/db EPC-Exo. Knockdown of miR-142 in Exo derived from db/db EPCs enhanced endothelial cell functions in vitro. Conclusions: Taken together, our studies for the first time suggest that, modulation of miR-142 in db/db-EPC-exo can enhance its functional benefits and ultimately promote better cardiac repair.