cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early effects of ovotoxicity induced by 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide in rats and mice☆

The industrial chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) causes specific destruction of oocyte-containing small preantral follicles (primordial and primary) in ovaries of rats and mice. The mouse seems more susceptible to ovotoxic effects of VCD than the rat. The purpose of this study was to better understand these species differences in susceptibility to VCD by comparing the initial rates of VCD-induced follicle damage and loss in response to dosing in both species. Female Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice (age, Day 28) were dosed daily (vehicle or 80 mg/kg, i.p.) for 6, 8, 10, or 12 d. Ovaries collected after the final dose were prepared for histologic evaluation. Primordial and primary follicles in ovarian slices were counted and classified as healthy or atretic. A VCD-dependent increase (P < 0.05) in percent atretic primordial follicles was first observed 4 h after the final dose in mice on Day 8 (VCD-treated, 44.4 +/- 3.1% vs. control, 26.9 +/- 5.4%). Conversely, in rats, this significant increase was not seen until Day 10 (VCD-treated, 44.3 +/- 1.3% vs. control, 23.1 +/- 4.0%). A VCD-dependent increase in percent atretic primary follicles was not observed in either species before Day 12. There was no significant effect on growing or preantral follicles on any day in either species. Significant loss of primordial and primary follicles (P < 0.05) was first measured on day 12 in both rats and mice. However, when compared with controls, follicle loss on that day was greater (P < 0.05) in mice (64.2 +/- 4.5%) than in rats (34.7 +/- 4.9%). Once VCD-dependent follicle loss was observed, the rate of follicle damage was similar in rats and mice, and was fairly constant in response to each dose. VCD-induced follicle damage in mice, as with rats, also displayed morphologic characteristics of atresia (apoptosis). In summary, follicle destruction seems to be similar in rats and mice; however, follicle damage is initiated earlier and to a greater extent in mice than in rats. Additionally, ovotoxic effects of VCD seem to initially directly target primordial follicles. These results provide temporal evidence that mice are more susceptible to VCD-induced ovotoxicity than rats.
Single-sided tomography of extremely large dense objects

One can envision many circumstances where radiography could be valuable but is frustrated by the geometry of the object to be radiographed. For example, extremely large objects, the separation of rocket propellants from the skin of solid fuel rocket motor, the structural integrity of an underground tank or hull of a ship, the location of buried objects, inspection of large castings etc. In our laboratory I have been investigating ways to do this type of radiography and as a result have developed a technique which can be used to obtain three dimensional radiographs using Compton scattered radiation from a monochromatic source and a high efficiency, high resolution germanium spectrometer. This paper will give specific details of the reconstruction technique and present the results of numerous numerical simulations and compare these simulations to spectra obtained in our laboratory. In addition I will present the results of calculations made for the development of an alternative single sided radiography technique which will permit inspection of the interior of large objects.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Remote intramolecular functionalization of arylnitrenium ions: Synthesis of amino—dihydrophenanthridines and benzo[c]chromans

Abstract 4-Aminobenzo [ c ] chroman (6) 3-amino-5-acetyl-5,6-dihydrophenanthridine (9) are synthesized by intramolecular trapping of the delocalized nitrenium ions from 3-azidobenzyl phenyl ether and 3-azido-N-benzylacetanilide, respectively. On the other hand, no cyclizatlon product is obtained from 3-azidophenyl benzyl ether, possibly owing to an ortho -effect exerted by the oxygen atom ortho to the developing π-aryl cation.
The (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase: mode of inhibition of ADP/ATP exchange activity by MgCl2

Abstract Na+-dependent ADP/ATP exchange activity, of a (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase preparation from eel electric organ, was measured in terms of the incorporation of 14C into ATP during incubations with unlabeled ATP and [14C]ADP. Estimates of initial rates of exchange were possible by keeping changes in nucleotide concentrations, from both exchange and extraneous hydrolytic processes, to less than 10%. Under these conditions, increases in MgCl2 concentration, from 0.2 to 3 mM, generally inhibited this exchange activity. The concentrations of free Mg2+, Mg · ATP, and Mg · ADP present, with a range of MgCl2, ATP, and ADP concentrations, were calculated from measured dissociation constants. Inhibition was associated with Mg · ATP as well as with Mg2+, at concentrations from 0.4 to 1 mM (Mg · ADP, in the same concentration range, probably inhibited also). The affinity of the enzyme for these inhibitors is in fair correspondence with demonstrated affinities for Mg2+, Mg · ATP, and Mg · ADP at low affinity substrate sites, measured kinetically. These observations are considered in terms of a dimeric enzyme with high and low affinity substrates sites: ADP/ATP exchange being catalyzed at the high affinity sites, with inhibition occurring through occupancy by Mg2+, Mg · ATP, or Mg · ADP, of the low affinity sites, thereby pulling the reaction process away from those steps involved in exchange.
Novel NMDA receptor-specific desensitization/inactivation produced by ingestion of the neurotoxins, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) or β-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA/β-ODAP)

The environmental neurotoxins BMAA (β-N-methylamino-L-alanine) and BOAA (β-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine) are implicated as possible causative agents for the neurodegenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ParkinsonismDementia complex (ALS/PDC) and neurolathyrism, respectively. Both are structural analogs of the neurotransmitter, glutamate, and bind postsynaptic glutamate receptors. In this study, the effect of ingestion of these toxins on the response of a singly-innervated, identified, glutamatergic postsynaptic cell in a living, undissected Drosophila is observed by intracellular recording. Previously we have reported that ingested BMAA behaves as an NMDA agonist that produces an abnormal NMDA response in the postsynaptic cell. It is shown here that BOAA also behaves as an NMDA agonist, and produces an effect very similar to that of BMAA on the postsynaptic response. In response to a single stimulus, the amplitude of the NMDA component is decreased, while the time to peak and duration of the NMDA component are greatly increased. No discernable effect on the AMPA component of the response was observed. Furthermore, both BMAA and BOAA cause an NMDAR-specific desensitization in response to repetitive stimulation at the physiological frequency for the postsynaptic cell (5 Hz). The possibility that this phenomenon may represent a response to excessive Ca(2+) entry through NMDAR channels is discussed. This desensitization phenomenon, as well as the abnormal NMDAR gating characteristics induced by BMAA, appears to be rescued during higher frequency stimulation (e.g. 10, 20 Hz).
Large-Scale 3D Phase Field Dislocation Dynamics Simulations On High-Performance Architectures

In this paper we present the development and performance of a three-dimensional phase field dislocation dynamics (3D PFDD) model for large-scale dislocation-mediated plastic deformation on high-performance architectures. Through the parallelization of this algorithm, efficient run times can be achieved for large-scale simulations. The algorithmâs performance is analyzed over several computing platforms including Infiniband, GigE, and proprietary (SiCortex) interconnects. Scalability is considered on data sets up to 2,0483, along with the efficiency on up to 2,048 processors. Results show that scalability improves as the size of the data set increases and that the overall performance is best on the Infiniband interconnect. In addition, a performance model has been developed to predict run times and efficiency on large sets of data running on multiple processors. This performance analysis shows that this parallel code is capable of harnessing the greater computer power available from petascale systems.
A large-conductance anion channel of the Golgi complex.

Abstract An acidic lumenal pH is vital for the proper posttranslational modifications and sorting of proteins and lipids from the Golgi complex. We characterized ion channels present in Golgi fractions that have been cleared of transiting proteins. A large conductance anion channel was observed in ∼30% of successful channel incorporations into the planar lipid bilayer. The channel, GOLAC-2, has six levels (one closed and five open). The open states are each ∼20% increments of the maximal, 325 pS conductance. The channel was ∼6 times more selective for Cl − over K + . Binomial analysis of percent occupancy for each conducting level supports the hypothesis of five independent conducting pathways. The conducting levels can coordinately gate because full openings and closings were often observed. Addition of 3 to 5mM reduced glutathione to the cis chamber caused dose-dependent increases in single channel conductance, indicating that the channel may be regulated by the oxidation-reduction state of the cell. We propose that GOLAC-2 is a co-channel complex consisting of five identical pores that have a coordinated gating mechanism. GOALC-2 may function as a source of counter anions for the H + -ATPase and may be involved in regulating charge balance and membrane potential of the Golgi complex.
Tracking the Rise in Popularity of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Electronic Cigarettes) Using Search Query Surveillance

Background Public interest in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is undocumented. Purpose By monitoring search queries, ENDS popularity and correlates of their popularity were assessed in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), and the U.S. Methods English-language Google searches conducted from January 2008 through September 2010 were compared to snus, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and Chantix ® or Champix ® . Searches for each week were scaled to the highest weekly search proportion (100), with lower values indicating the relative search proportion compared to the highest-proportion week (e.g., 50=50% of the highest observed proportion). Analyses were performed in 2010. Results From July 2008 through February 2010, ENDS searches increased in all nations studied except Australia, there an increase occurred more recently. By September 2010, ENDS searches were several-hundred-fold greater than searches for smoking alternatives in the UK and U.S., and were rivaling alternatives in Australia and Canada. Across nations, ENDS searches were highest in the U.S., followed by similar search intensity in Canada and the UK, with Australia having the fewest ENDS searches. Stronger tobacco control, created by clean indoor air laws, cigarette taxes, and anti-smoking populations, were associated with consistently higher levels of ENDS searches. Conclusions The online popularity of ENDS has surpassed that of snus and NRTs, which have been on the market for far longer, and is quickly outpacing Chantix or Champix. In part, the association between ENDS's popularity and stronger tobacco control suggests ENDS are used to bypass, or quit in response to, smoking restrictions. Search query surveillance is a valuable, real-time, free, and public method to evaluate the diffusion of new health products. This method may be generalized to other behavioral, biological, informational, or psychological outcomes manifested on search engines.
Locating Software Features in a SOA Composite Application

This paper describes the use of Feature Sequence Viewer (FSV) to perform feature location in a teaching and research program suite named Open SOALab. In this context, a software feature refers to software components that provide specific functionality. The composite application encompasses a system in which hotel brokers identify rooms meeting various criteria from among several hotel chains in multiple countries, and then exchanges the necessary amount of currency, using a currency broker to get several quotes and select the best one. The currency broker in turn uses two services: an authentication service and a settlement house. The various service interfaces are exposed via WSDLs. The system, running on Apache with php and nuSOAP, uses Apache’s forensic log module and microsecond time stamps to generate data that is input into FSV which produces a browsable graphical representation of the messages in the system. FSV employs a component relevance index (pc) that is used to determine which messages are displayed within the viewer. A value of pc is computed for each message in the data set loaded into FSV. A user can raise and lower the threshold value for pc so that messages with pc values above the threshold are displayed and those below are not displayed. Three experiments of increasing complexity were performed to demonstrate the ability of this approach to extract feature messages by separating them from irrelevant messages within a SOA composite application.
Leakage of Electromagnetic Interference along Stationary Conductors Passing through Conducting Walls

A mechanism by which electromagnetic energy at quasistatic frequencies may leak out of seemingly shielded compartments via conductors such as external shields of cables, pipes, shafts, bolts, etc., protruding from the interior of the compartment is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The mechanism involved may be illustrated by considering a conductor, such as a shaft passing through a hole in a conducting wall, and contacting the wall at a finite number of contact regions. These regions represent a short circuit to the TEM mode, however higher modes may pass along the guide whose walls may be represented by the actual regions of contact and the inner and outer coaxial conductors. Attenuated transmission may thus occur at frequencies below the cutoff frequency of the higher modes. As verification of the above hypothesis an impedance relationship, representing the shunt impedance that the contact regions offer at below cutoff frequencies (in particular f = 15 kc), was developed and checked experimentally for continuous pressure and soldered contacts. The experimental data show relatively close comparison with the theoretical model.
An Exclusive Cache Model

This paper proposes a two-level exclusive cache model which does not shuffle blocks between the levels. The two- level cache system is visualized to be either in logical level 1 or level 2. An algorithm that classifies at each reference the physical cache levels into one of logical level 1 or logical level 2 cache is developed. Expressions for the average memory access time of the proposed model are derived and conditions for it to outperform exclusive cache proposed earlier in literature are derived. The model has scalability. Simulations on SPEC2000 show an improvement in average memory access time for two configurations of L1-L2 namely direct-direct with 67%, set associative-set associative with 64%. A degradation of 1% in average memory access time in direct-set associative configuration in L1-L2 is observed.
Sex Differences and/in the Self: Classic Themes, Feminist Variations, Postmodern Challenges.

This article examines perspectives on and intersections between two recurrent themes in the history of American psychology: sex differences and theories of self. These themes and certain connections between them are considered in three eras: early American psychology, feminist psychology coincident with the second wave of feminism, and the recent postmodern turn in psychology. A contextual analysis of parallels and contrasts among theories of sex differences and of the self in these three eras highlights problems with modernist understandings, especially with essentialist construals of gender and individualistic understandings of self. The article presents relationally defined postmodern views of gender and self, and comments on their promise for the present era of globalization and the consequent increasing attention to interconnections among people.
Discovering Temporal Features and Relations of Activity Patterns

An important problem that arises during the data mining process in many new emerging application domains is mining data with temporal dependencies. One such application domain is activity discovery and recognition. Activity discovery and recognition is used in many real world systems, such as assisted living and security systems, and it has been vastly studied in recent years. However, the temporal features and relations which provide useful insights for activity models have not been exploited to their full potential by mining algorithms. In this paper, we propose a temporal model for discovering temporal features and relations of activity patterns from sensor data. Our algorithm is able to discover features and relations, such as the order of the activities, their usual start times and durations by using rule mining and clustering techniques. The algorithm has been validated using 4 months of data collected in a smart home.
Effect of propranolol and nitroglycerin on hemoglobin--oxygen affinity.

The effect of propranolol on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve (P-50) of coronary venous blood was studied in isolated canine hearts. I.v. administration of propranolol (0.5, 5.0 mg/kg) produced no significant change in P-50 over 4 hr. Following propranolol, an intracoronary infusion of nitroglycerin (10 mug/min) increased P-50. Addition of propranolol (5 X 10(-5) M to 1 X 10(-4)M) to central venous blood in vitro produced a significant increase in P-50. These data indicate that propranolol increases P-50 in vitro but does not increase P-50 in vivo, whereas nitroglycerin increases P-50 In vivo but not in vitro.
The Dieckmann Condensation (Including the Thorpe‐Ziegler Condensation)

The Dieckman condensation is an acetoacetic ester condensation in which a dicarboxylic ester is cyclized to a beta-ketonic ester through the action of a base. The dicarboxylic ester must have at least one alpha-hydrogen atom and the carbalkoxy groups must be situated that cyclization will result in a 4-membered ring or larger ring. Discovery and development of the reaction are generally credited to Dieckmann, who found that heating an adipic or a pimelic ester with sodium and a trace alcohol led to cyclization with formation of a cyclopentanone or a cyclohexanone. The Dieckmann condensation has proved useful for the preparation of a variety of carbocyclic and heterocyclic ketones and has been extended to the synthesis of 7 and 8-membered rings. Keywords: Dieckman condensation; cyclizations; Michael condensation; intermolecular ester; alkylation; acyloin condensation; failures
A single-chain-based multidimensional Markov chain model for subsurface characterization

Multidimensional Markov chain models in geosciences were often built on multiple chains, one in each direction, and assumed these 1-D chains to be independent of each other. Thus, unwanted transitions (i.e., transitions of multiple chains to the same location with unequal states) inevitably occur and have to be excluded in estimating the states at unobserved locations. This consequently may result in unreliable estimates, such as underestimation of small classes (i.e., classes with smaller than average areas) in simulated realizations. This paper presents a single-chain-based multidimensional Markov chain model for estimation (i.e., prediction and conditional stochastic simulation) of spatial distribution of subsurface formations with borehole data. The model assumes that a single Markov chain moves in a lattice space, interacting with its nearest known neighbors through different transition probability rules in different cardinal directions. The conditional probability distribution of the Markov chain at the location to be estimated is formulated in an explicit form by following the Bayes’ Theorem and the conditional independence of sparse data in cardinal directions. Since no unwanted transitions are involved, the model can estimate all classes fairly. Transiogram models (i.e., 1-D continuous Markov transition probability diagrams) are used to provide transition probability input with needed lags to generalize the model. Therefore, conditional simulation can be conducted directly and efficiently. The model provides an alternative for heterogeneity characterization of subsurface formations.
Quantified Impacts of Guardband Reduction on Design Process Outcomes

The value of guardband reduction is a critical open issue for the semiconductor industry. For example, due to competitive pressure, foundries have started to incent the design of manufacturing-friendly ICs through reduced model guardbands when designers adopt layout restrictions. The industry also continuously weighs the economic viability of relaxing process variation limits in the technology roadmap [2]. Our work gives the first-ever quantification of the impact of modeling guardband reduction on outcomes from the synthesis, place and route (SPR 40% is the amount of guardband reduction reported by IBM for a variation-aware timing methodology [8]. We also assess the impact of guardband reduction on design yield. Our results suggest that there is justification for the design, EDA and process communities to enable guardband reduction as an economic incentive for manufacturing-friendly design practices.
Sub-Doppler Raman saturation spectroscopy.

Sub-Doppler linewidth spectra of the Q01 (2) transition in deuterium (D2) have been obtained by using a stimulated Raman technique analogous to sub-Doppler IR saturation spectroscopy. Two experimental configurations are described that employ alternatively either three or four laser beams at two frequencies. The saturation dip is detected by using an inverse Raman technique to probe the saturated line shape. It is shown that, by delaying the pulsed measurement from the pulsed saturation, the technique can be used to study velocity relaxation processes in homonuclear diatomics or other Raman-active molecules.
Ligand-Induced Assembly and Activation of the Gamma Interferon Receptor in Intact Cells

Functionally active gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) receptors consist of an alpha subunit required for ligand binding uction and a beta subunit required primarily for signaling. Although the receptor alpha chain has little is known about the specific role of the receptor beta chain in IFN-gamma signaling. Expression of the wild-type human IFN-gamma receptor beta chain in murine L cells that stably express the human IFN-gamma receptor alpha chain (L.hgR) produced a murine cell line (L.hgR.myc beta) that responded to human IFN-gamma. Mutagenesis of the receptor beta-chain intracellular domain revealed that only two closely spaced, membrane-proximal sequences (P263PSIP267 and I(270)EEYL(274)) are required for function. Coprecipitation, studies showed that these sequences are necessary for the specific and constitutive association of the receptor beta Chain with the JAK-2 tyrosine kinase. These experiments also revealed that the IFN-gamma receptor alpha and beta chains are not preassociated on the surface of unstimulated cells but rather are induced to associate in an IFN-gamma-dependent fashion. A chimeric protein in which the intracellular domain of the beta chain was replaced by JAK-2 complemented human IFN-gamma signaling and biologic responsiveness in L.hgR. In contrast, a c-src containing beta-chain chimera did not. These results indicate that the sole obligate role of the IFN-gamma receptor beta chain in signaling is to recruit JAK-2 into the ligand-assembled receptor complex.
A novel non-invasive radiofrequency dermal heating device for skin tightening of the face and neck

Background: Loose, lax skin is a common cosmetic complaint. Previous non-invasive skin tightening devices had modest effi cacy and were associated with pain or downtime. New technologies may allow for effective skin tightening with a series of radiofrequency (RF) treatments with no downtime. Objective: To evaluate the effi cacy and safety of a novel bipolar RF device for skin tightening. Methods: Fifteen consecutive female patients were enrolled in the case series; 14 completed the study and were included in the analysis. The device under investigation is a novel, bipolar RF device allowing for achievement and maintenance of optimal dermal temperatures to stimulate collagen remodeling and skin tightening. Patients underwent a series of 4 ‐ 6 weekly treatments. Three blinded, experienced cosmetic physicians evaluated paired pre-treatment and post-treatment photographs and determined the associated improvement, if any. Results: All patients (14/14) were determined to have a clinical improvement, as the pre-treatment and post-treatment photographs were correctly identifi ed by the evaluators. It was observed that 21% (3/14) of patients had signifi cant improvement, 50% (7/14) had moderate improvement, and 29% (4/14) had mild improvement. No pain, side effects, or adverse events were observed. Conclusions: This novel bipolar RF device represents a safe, effective treatment option for non-invasive skin tightening.
Characterizing Children's Asthma Hospitalizations on the Texas-Mexico Border

The objective of this paper is to study patterns in children's asthma hospitalizations along the Texas-Mexico border. Data for analysis were obtained from the State of Texas and the US Bureau of the Census. Estimated hospitalization rates are compared for border and off-border sociodemographic groups. A logistic regression equation is also used to predict border residence using individual patient characteristics (i.e., race, ethnicity, payer, admission source, severity, length of stay, and cost). Border children are hospitalized at a 36% greater rate than off-border children; additional disparities were found between social groups, particularly for Native American border children. These disparities are disconcerting and require monitoring and reduction.
Spent Culture Supernatant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra Improves Viability of Aged Cultures of This Strain and Allows Small Inocula To Initiate Growth

Spent culture supernatant from early-stationary-phase Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra cultures increased the viability of bacilli from aged cultures of this strain and allowed small inocula to initiate growth in liquid culture. The resuscitation factor was acid labile and heat stable, with a mass of less than 1,375 Da.
Antigen sampling by intestinal M cells is the principal pathway initiating mucosal IgA production to commensal enteric bacteria

Secretory IgA (SIgA) directed against gut resident bacteria enables the mammalian mucosal immune system to establish homeostasis with the commensal gut microbiota after weaning. Germinal centers (GCs) in Peyer's patches (PPs) are the principal inductive sites where naive B cells specific for bacterial antigens encounter their cognate antigens and receive T-cell help driving their differentiation into IgA-producing plasma cells. We investigated the role of antigen sampling by intestinal M cells in initiating the SIgA response to gut bacteria by developing mice in which receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-dependent M-cell differentiation was abrogated by conditional deletion of Tnfrsf11a in the intestinal epithelium. Mice without intestinal M cells had profound delays in PP GC maturation and emergence of lamina propria IgA plasma cells, resulting in diminished levels of fecal SIgA that persisted into adulthood. We conclude that M-cell-mediated sampling of commensal bacteria is a required initial step for the efficient induction of intestinal SIgA.
Functional Roles of the Human Cytomegalovirus Essential IE86 Protein

The IE86 protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is unique among viral and cellular proteins because it negatively autoregulates its own expression, activates the viral early and late promoters, and both activates and inhibits cellular promoters. It promotes cell cycle progression from Go/G1 to G1/S and arrests cell cycle progression at the G1/S interface or at G2/M. The IE86 protein is essential because it creates a cellular environment favorable for viral replication. The multiple functions of the IE86 protein during the replication of HCMV are reviewed.
Family Ties: Solving the Constitutional Dilemma of the Faultless Father

In this article, Professor Meyer examines how developments in constitutional theories of parental rights in both the U.S. Supreme Court and the state courts have introduced significant insecurity into adoption law, exemplified by the highly publicized transfers of children to their biological fathers in the "Baby Jessica" and "Baby Richard" cases. He goes on to argue that recent legislative efforts to address this insecurity - by expanding the grounds upon which biological parents' rights may be terminated and by providing for the possibility of long-term third-party custody of children without adoption - have failed to achieve the goal of maximizing the welfare of children consistent with the constitutional rights of unwed fathers. Toward this end, he proposes a new model of adoption, under which, in limited circumstances, adoption of children would be permitted without terminating the rights of an unwilling biological parent. He then demonstrates why this new form of adoption would better serve the interests of children, without violating the constitutional rights of biological parents.
Low-Complexity Seizure Prediction From iEEG/sEEG Using Spectral Power and Ratios of Spectral Power

Prediction of seizures is a difficult problem as the EEG patterns are not wide-sense stationary and change from seizure to seizure, electrode to electrode, and from patient to patient. This paper presents a novel patient-specific algorithm for prediction of seizures in epileptic patients from either one or two single-channel or bipolar channel intra-cranial or scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings with low hardware complexity. Spectral power features are extracted and their ratios are computed. For each channel, a total of 44 features including 8 absolute spectral powers, 8 relative spectral powers and 28 spectral power ratios are extracted every two seconds using a 4-second window with a 50% overlap. These features are then ranked and selected in a patient-specific manner using a two-step feature selection. Selected features are further processed by a second-order Kalman filter and then input to a linear support vector machine (SVM) classifier. The algorithm is tested on the intra-cranial EEG (iEEG) from the Freiburg database and scalp EEG (sEEG) from the MIT Physionet database. The Freiburg database contains 80 seizures among 18 patients in 427 hours of recordings. The MIT EEG database contains 78 seizures from 17 children in 647 hours of recordings. It is shown that the proposed algorithm can achieve a sensitivity of 100% and an average false positive rate (FPR) of 0.0324 per hour for the iEEG (Freiburg) database and a sensitivity of 98.68% and an average FPR of 0.0465 per hour for the sEEG (MIT) database. These results are obtained with leave-one-out cross-validation where the seizure being tested is always left out from the training set. The proposed algorithm also has a low complexity as the spectral powers can be computed using FFT. The area and power consumption of the proposed linear SVM are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude less than a radial basis function kernel SVM (RBF-SVM) classifier. Furthermore, the total energy consumption of a system using linear SVM is reduced by 8% to 23% compared to system using RBF-SVM.
Icosahedral Carboranes: 1,2-C2B10H12

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines the main routes of ortho-carborane derivative synthesis and reactivity. 1,2-C2B10H12 (closo-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane or trivially ortho-carborane) is the first carborane to be discovered and characterized (though not the first to be reported in the open journals), and it is still the most widely used member of its genre and is commercially available. The first investigations of o-carborane chemistry reveal the Lewis acidity of the carbon-bound hydrogens, which allows facile introduction of functional groups at the cage-carbon atoms, and the reactivity of the BH units toward halogens and other electrophiles. The chemistry of 1,2-C2B10H12 is dominated by five general reaction modes: substitution at carbon, substitution at boron, thermal cage rearrangement, base-promoted deboronation, and reductive cage opening without loss of boron to form nido-RR'C2B10H2-12 dianions. Because of the remarkable ability of the C2B10 cluster to remain intact under a wide range of conditions, reactions can be efficiently conducted on carboxylic acid and ester functional groups by standard organic chemical procedures, leaving the cage itself unaffected and affording a large array of desired species. O-Carboranyl compounds with substituents containing phosphorus, or other Group 15 elements, are easily prepared and widely used as ligands in metal complexes and in construction of extended nonmetallic systems for use in biomedical and other applications. The chemistry of o-carboranyl compounds of the Group 16 elements including sulfur, selenium, and tellurium has been extensively developed and is readily adapted to the designed synthesis of specific target systems. O-carborane is easily mercurated at carbon by treatment with mercury halides or organomercury reagents.
Preparation of Carbon Fiber/Carbon Composites Using Intercalated Carbon Fibers

Carbon fiber/carbon composites were prepared from carbon fibers intercalated with AlCl3 as reinforcements, and coal tar pitch or phenol resin as matrix precursor. A1C13, which is known to have a catalytic effect on the carbonization process, was de-intercalated from carbon fibers during the preparation of composites, i.e. impregnation of matrix precursor and carbonization. Hence carbonization of the matrix was affected by AlCl 3, and the bending strength of the composites increased compared with that of composites with pristine carbon fibers.
Sparsely clustered survival data: application to the evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of medical devices

ABSTRACTThe effectiveness and safety of implantable medical devices is a critical public health concern. We consider analysis of data in which it is of interest to compare devices but some individuals may be implanted with two or more devices. Our motivating example is based on orthopedic devices, where the same individual can be implanted with as many as two devices for the same joint but on different sides of the body, referred to as bilateral cases. Different methods of analysis are considered in a simulation study and real data example, including both marginal and conditional survival models, fitting single and separate models for bilateral and non-bilateral cases, and combining estimates from these two models. The results of simulations suggest that in the context of orthopedic devices, where implants failures are rare, models fit on both bilateral and non-bilateral cases simultaneously could be quite misleading, and that combined estimates from fitting two separate models performed better under homo...
An epidemiological study on the parasitic infection of immigrants from the area of Sanxia reservoir

Objective] To compare the difference in the parasitic infection between immigrants from the area of Sanxia reservoir and local inhabitants. [Methods] 483 immigrants and 502 local inhabitants were studied. Their stool samples and blood serum were collected and examined for intestinal parasites, schistosome by circum-oval precipitin test(COPT), antibodies for malaria and filaria by ELISA. [Results] No significant difference was found in parasitic infection of the immigrants of different age groups(P0.05).There was obvious difference with statistical significance between immigrants and local inhabitants in parasitic infection rates(P0.05). [Conclusion] Health education should be given to all the immigrants in order to reduce parasitic infection.
Nutritional and Medical Aspects of Gymnastics

Though gymnastics is not considered to be an endurance sport, female gymnasts appear to be prone to a variety of medical complications, among them nutritional deficiencies and menstrual dysfunction.
Escape from 9/11: Back to the Future of the Mass Society

One risks invoking a “cliche of a cliche” when noting that September 11 and the ensuing “war on terror” has been characterized by a plethora of government propaganda and distorted information. Nevertheless, deceptive and misleading publicity appears to have become increasingly manifest alongside a news media and citizenry either resigned to their fate or helpless to contest such communication. Hence there is cause for calling up and reassessing an idea sociologist Daniel Bell once called “probably the most influential social theory in the Western world.”2 Mass society theory is summarily dismissed by a majority of communication and media studies scholars for its alleged conceptual simplicity and derogation of media content and audiences. This chapter argues that the ideas behind mass society theory and its contemporary variants remain realistic, compelling, and practical ways of thinking about media and society in a world increasingly characterized by unreason, uncertainty, and crisis.
Perioperative predictors of permanent pacing and long-term dependence following tricuspid valve surgery: a multicentre analysis.

Aims Permanent pacemaker placement (PPM) is often required after valvular surgery and is especially common following tricuspid valve surgery [tricuspid valve repair or replacement (TVR)]. Literature suggests that surgical intervention for isolated tricuspid valve disease is becoming more prevalent. Predictors of PPM dependency following TVR are currently unknown and would be clinically useful from a prognostication standpoint. Methods and results We conducted a multicentre, retrospective study to assess perioperative factors of TVR that predispose to PPM placement and long-term PPM dependency from 2008 to 2014. Regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of PPM implantation. A total of 237 patients (age 66 ± 15 years, 29% male) were studied, and the incidence of PPM placement following TVR was 27% (65/237). No significant differences were observed between those who received PPM and those who did not in age ( P = 0.092), gender ( P = 0.359), and co-morbidities. Regression analysis identified cross-clamp time >60 min (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.3–12.9, P = 0.015) and concomitant mitral valve surgery (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2–12.2, P = 0.026) as independent risk factors for PPM following TVR. Long-term PPM dependency data were only available in 28 patients who received PPM with 14 of these patients developing long-term dependence. The only statistically significant difference noted was an increased frequency of coronary artery disease in the long-term dependent group vs. the non-dependent group (64% vs. 14%, P = 0.018). Conclusion Cross-clamp time >60 min and concomitant mitral valve surgery were independent predictors of PPM implantation following TVR. Long-term PPM dependency is more prevalent after TVR than other types of valvular surgery.
Intrinsic Toxin-Derived Peptides Destabilize and Inactivate Clostridium difficile TcdB.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of hospital-associated, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, which is largely mediated by the production of two large multidomain clostridial toxins, TcdA and TcdB. Both toxins coordinate the action of specific domains to bind receptors, enter cells, and deliver a catalytic fragment into the cytosol. This results in GTPase inactivation, actin disassembly, and cytotoxicity. TcdB in particular has been shown to encode a region covering amino acids 1753 to 1851 that affects epitope exposure and cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, studies here show that several peptides derived from this region, which share the consensus sequence 1769NVFKGNTISDK1779, protect cells from the action of TcdB. One peptide, PepB2, forms multiple interactions with the carboxy-terminal region of TcdB, destabilizes TcdB structure, and disrupts cell binding. We further show that these effects require PepB2 to form a higher-order polymeric complex, a process that requires the central GN amino acid pair. These data suggest that TcdB1769-1779 interacts with repeat sequences in the proximal carboxy-terminal domain of TcdB (i.e., the CROP domain) to alter the conformation of TcdB. Furthermore, these studies provide insights into TcdB structure and functions that can be exploited to inactivate this critical virulence factor and ameliorate the course of CDI.IMPORTANCEClostridium difficile is a leading cause of hospital-associated illness that is often associated with antibiotic treatment. To cause disease, C. difficile secretes toxins, including TcdB, which is a multidomain intracellular bacterial toxin that undergoes conformational changes during cellular intoxication. This study describes the development of peptide-based inhibitors that target a region of TcdB thought to be critical for structural integrity of the toxin. The results show that peptides derived from a structurally important region of TcdB can be used to destabilize the toxin and prevent cellular intoxication. Importantly, this work provides a novel means of toxin inhibition that could in the future develop into a C. difficile treatment.
New Ultrasound Techniques Promise Further Advances in AKI and CKD

AKI and CKD are important clinical problems because they affect many patients and the associated diagnostic and treatment paradigms are imperfect. Ultrasound is a cost-effective, noninvasive, and simple imaging modality that offers a multitude of means to improve the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of both AKI and CKD, especially considering recent advances in this technique. Ultrasound alone can attenuate AKI and prevent CKD by stimulating the splenic cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Additionally, microbubble contrast agents are improving the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for diagnosing kidney disease, especially when these agents are conjugated to ligand-specific mAbs or peptides, which make the dynamic assessment of disease progression and response to treatment possible. More recently, drug-loaded microbubbles have been developed and the load release by ultrasound exposure has been shown to be a highly specific treatment modality, making the potential applications of ultrasound even more promising. This review focuses on the multiple strategies for using ultrasound with and without microbubble technology for enhancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of AKI and CKD.
Enantioselective, Lewis Base-Catalyzed Sulfenocyclization of Polyenes

A sulfenium-ion-initiated, catalytic, enantioselective polyene cyclization is described. Homogeranylarenes and ortho-geranylphenols undergo polycyclization in good yield, diastereoselectivity, and enantioselectivity. The stereodetermining step is the generation of an enantiomerically enriched thiiranium ion from a terminal alkene and a sulfenylating agent in the presence of a chiral Lewis basic catalyst. The use of hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol as the solvent is crucial to obtain good yields. The thioether moiety resulting from the reaction can be subsequently transformed into diverse oxygen and carbon functionality postcyclization. The utility of this method is demonstrated by the enantioselective syntheses of (+)-ferruginol and (+)-hinokiol.
Four Parent Maize (FPM) Population: Effects of Mating Designs on Linkage Disequilibrium and Mapping Quantitative Traits

Multiparent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations can provide improved genetic mapping resolution by increasing allelic diversity and effective recombination. The Four Parent Maize (FPM; L.) population implemented five different mating designs used in MAGIC and bi-parental populations to compare empirical effects on genetic resolution and power of quantitative trait locus (QTL) detection; the combined population here comprised of 1149 individuals with 118,509 genetic markers. Measurements were recorded for plant height (PH), ear height (EH), days to anthesis (DTA) and silking (DTS) in seven environments, spanning three years. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis of subpopulations indicated MAGIC population designs should incorporate generations of intermating to overcome initial LD increase caused by population admixture in a non-intermated four parent population (4way0sib). A 3- to 4-fold increase in genetic resolution (<0.8) and a 2.5-fold decrease in the extent of LD decay (<0.2) compared to the biparental populations was found for the four parent cross at the third generation of intermating (4way3sib). Power of QTL detection was affected to a greater extent by sample size rather than by mating designs. The FPM power simulations indicated that MAGIC populations have the ability to meet or exceed the mapping power of nested association panels with fewer individuals and diversity inputs. Using association mapping software we identified 2, 5, 7, and 6 QTL for PH, EH, DTA, and DTS, respectively. The FPM population is a valuable resource for quantifying empirical improvements of parent number, intermating, and the number of progeny for QTL linkage mapping.
3 – Biocompatibility of cardiovascular devices

: In addition to ubiquitous immunologic and inflammatory responses to foreign objects, unique blood–biomaterial interfacial processes and vascular injury responses have a profound impact on the biocompatibility of cardiovascular devices. This chapter will discuss these host-device interactions, focusing on protein adsorption, inflammatory and immunologic responses, mesenchymal cell injury responses, toxicity, and vascular healing and endothelialization. We also include a discussion on bioresorbable materials, pharmacologic and genetic therapeutics, and various tissue engineering strategies that attempt to improve device biocompatibility by optimizing or minimizing host biologic responses.
A Communications Model for Decentralized Autonomous Control of the Power Grid

The smart grid is expected to self-heal, self-optimize, self-configure, and self-protect from physical and cyber- disturbances. These requirements are expected to be built into autonomous controllers as intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) that control power distribution buses. The functionality of these IEDs are redistributing electric loads across power generation sources, controlling voltage and amperages in order to stabilize frequencies, satisfy economic objectives and address physical and cyber-attacks. The current power grid has a centralized communication system with a centralized human-in-the- loop controller in order to adjust operating configurations of equipment within a power distribution zone. Implementing autonomous functions by moving from a centralized control architecture to a decentralized architecture can empower local controllers with greater control over local equipment and operations. We present the secure overlay communication model (SOCOM) for smart microgrids (μGrid) as a solution to decentralizing the traditional centralized control architecture and a decentralized communication platform for peer bus controllers to operate the grid.