cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A review of panic and suicide in bipolar disorder: Does comorbidity increase risk?

Abstract Introduction Bipolar mood disorder carries a serious suicide risk. Panic disorder, which also confers an independent risk of suicide and psychiatric comorbidity, in general has been found to amplify suicidality in mood-disordered patients. This article assesses the available literature on how panic and suicide relate to each other in bipolar mood-disordered patients. Methods We conducted a search on Medline and PsycINFO using the keywords “anxiety”, “attempted suicide”, “completed suicide”, “mortality”, “self-harm” in combination with “bipolar”, “manic depression” and “panic”. Twenty-four articles were included in the evaluation. Results 14 papers support increased risk, 9 papers do not support increased risk, and 3 papers are inconclusive. Conclusions The presence of comorbid panic disorder in individuals with bipolar disorder may confer an increased risk of suicide risk. Some papers' reviewed have conflicting conclusions but the majority of papers support an increased risk. This is consistent with a recent (2008) literature review supporting increased risk of suicide in bipolar patients with comorbid anxiety disorders. Future research should study specific bipolar subgroups, focus on anxiety and panic symptoms rather than diagnosis, and look at the role of specific pharmacological treatment in patients with comorbid mood and anxiety disorders.
Collective dynamics in a model of sliding charge-density waves. I. Critical behavior.

The dynamics and critical phenomena of the depinning transition in charge-density-wave (CDW) systems are explored, primarily through simulations of an automaton model that we have developed to characterize the essential features of the standard Fukuyama-Lee-Rice (FLR) treatment of CDW's. We first provide an overview of the dynamics of the class of FLR models, and then derive our automaton model. We report results of simulations above and below the depinning transition, focusing primarily on the behavior of the CDW velocity above threshold and the growth of dynamic correlations on both sides of the transition. The critical exponent \ensuremath{\zeta} describing the scaling of the CDW velocity is estimated in d=1, 2, and 3, in agreement with estimates of \ensuremath{\zeta} from simulations of related CDW models and a recent renormalization-group calculation. The velocity-velocity correlation above and below the transition is described in terms of ``avalanches'' between different configurations. A companion paper examines the unusual finite-size effects evident in the sliding state.
A new Madagascan species of Hancea Seem. (Euphorbiaceae)

ABSTRACT A new species of the genus Hancea Seem, is described from the forested region of eastern Madagascar. It can be readily distinguished from the three species previously recognized on the island by the shape of its leaf apex and by its lack of domatia in the axils of the leaf veins. A key to the species of the genus in Madagascar is presented.
Dielectronic recombination cross sections of neonlike xenon.

High-resolution measurements of dielectronic recombination cross sections for neonlike xenon (Xe{sup 44+}) are presented. The experimental method consists of the formation and interaction of ions with electrons in an ion trap followed by an analysis of the extracted ions to determine relative yields. Low beam currents are used to obtain an energy resolution of 16 eV FWHM. Reductions in the number of initial ions of more than 3 orders of magnitude are observed as the strongest resonances are scanned. The relative contributions of the {ital LMM}, {ital LMN}, {ital LMO}, {ital LMP}, and {ital LMQ} groups of resonances are compared to theoretical calculations. The agreement with theory is excellent.
Direct inductive stimulation for energy-efficient wireless neural interfaces

Advanced neural stimulator designs consume power and produce unwanted thermal effects that risk damage to surrounding tissue. In this work, we present a simplified architecture for wireless neural stimulators that relies on a few circuit components including an inductor, capacitor and a diode to elicit an action potential in neurons. The feasibility of the design is supported with analytical models of the inductive link, electrode, electrolyte, membrane and channels of neurons. Finally, a flexible implantable prototype of the design is fabricated and tested in vitro on neural tissue.
Finite-precision discrete-time neural network data association

This paper describes a discrete-time analog neural network solution to the data association, or data correlation problem. This work, which is an extension of previous investigations, was originally motivated by the earlier results of Sengupta and Iltis (1989). In this paper, we exploit the fact that the associated optimization problem is loosely described, and map the data association problem onto an analog discrete-time neural network connected in an on-center, off-surround configuration. This reduces the number of parameters required in the system design, thereby also reducing the system sensitivity to parameter variations, and leading to greater robustness. Results are presented for simulations performed on a typical workstation. Simulations were also performed with reduced precision numbers. The performance in both cases were not identical, and parameter adjustments in a specific direction are needed in the finite-precision case for acceptable performance.
Influence of Temperature on Diapause Termination in Ooencyrtus ennomus, an Elm Spanworm Egg Parasitoid

Chilling hastened diapause termination in Ooencyrtus ennomus Yoshimoto as measured by numbers of days to adult emergence at 24°C. Photoperiod had no detectable effect on diapause termination. The mean number of days for the adult parasitoid to emerge after chilling decreased as the duration of chilling increased. The mean number of days at 24°C for adults to emerge after 60 days of chilling was 63 as compared to 41 days after 150 days of chilling. Diapause was terminated in about 30 days by exposing unchilled larvae to 30°C. It was also terminated in unchilled larvae at 24°C, though adult emergence took 88.2 days.
Proneural-mesenchymal transformation of glioma stem cells: do therapies cause evolution of target in glioblastoma?

glioma stem cellsTwo distinct cancer stem cell subtypesDiseases arising in the CNS include glio-blastoma (GBM), the most prevalent pri-mary brain tumor and one of the most deadly of all diseases. Conventional thera -pies are, in most cases, unable to completely eradicate tumor cells and rapid post-thera -peutic tumor recurrence results in patients’ mortality. Tumor heterogeneity of GBM is well recognized by three clinically relevant subtypes (proneural [PN], mesenchymal [MES] and classic) based on the unbiased clustering of gene signature
Phosphorylation and ubiquitination of oncogenic mutants of β -catenin containing substitutions at Asp32

Beta-Catenin, a member of the Wnt signaling pathway, is downregulated by glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta)-dependent phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues in the N-terminus of the protein, followed by ubiquitination and proteosomal degradation. In human and rodent cancers, mutations that substitute one of the critical Ser/Thr residues in the GSK-3beta region of beta-catenin stabilize the protein and activate beta-catenin/TCF/LEF target genes. This study examined three oncogenic beta-catenin mutants from rat colon tumors containing substitutions adjacent to amino-acid residue Ser33, a key target for phosphorylation by GSK-3beta. Compared with wild-type beta-catenin (WT), the beta-catenin mutants D32G, D32N, and D32Y strongly activated TCF-4-dependent transcription in HEK293 cells, and there was accumulation of beta-catenin in the cell lysates. Immunoblotting with phosphospecific antibodies indicated that there was little if any effect on the phosphorylation of Ser37, Thr41 or Ser45; however, the phosphorylation of Ser33 appeared to be affected in the beta-catenin mutants. Specifically, antiphospho-beta-catenin 33/37/41 antibody identified high, intermediate and low expression levels of phosphorylated beta-catenin in cells transfected with D32G, D32N and D32Y, respectively. Experiments with the proteosome inhibitor N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal (ALLN) revealed ubiquitinated bands on all three mutant beta-catenins, as well as on WT beta-catenin. The relative order of ubiquitination was WT>D32G>D32N>D32Y, in parallel with findings from the phosphorylation studies. These results are discussed in the context of previous studies, which indicated that amino-acid residue D32 lies within the ubiquitination recognition motif of beta-catenin.
Participant retention in an automated online monthly depression rescreening program: patterns and predictors.

Abstract Internet-based mental health resources often suffer from low engagement and retention. An increased understanding of engagement and attrition is needed to realize the potential of such resources. In this study, 45,142 individuals were screened for depression by an automated online screener, with 2,539 enrolling in a year-long monthly rescreening study; they received a single monthly reminder e-mail to rescreen their mood. We found that, even with such a minimal cohort maintenance strategy, a third of the participants completed 1 or more follow-ups, and 22% completed 2 or more follow-ups. Furthermore, completion of earlier follow-ups was highly predictive of future completions. We also found a number of participant characteristics (e.g., current depression status, previous depression treatment seeking, and education level) predicted follow-up rates, singly or in interactions.
A password for species recognition in a brood-parasitic bird

Recognition of conspecifics is an essential precursor of sexual reproduction. Most mammals and birds learn salient features of their parents or siblings early in ontogeny and later recognize individuals whose phenotypes match the mental image (template) of relatives closely enough as conspecifics. However, the young of brood parasites are reared among heterospecifics, so social learning will yield inappropriate species recognition templates. Initially, it was inferred that conspecific recognition in brood parasites depended on genetically determined templates. More recently it was demonstrated that learning plays a critical role in the development of parasites' social preferences. Here we propose a mechanism that accommodates the interaction of learned and genetic components of recognition. We suggest that conspecific recognition is initiated when a young parasite encounters some unique species-specific signal or "password" (e.g. a vocalization, behaviour or other characteristic) that triggers learning of additional aspects of the password-giver's phenotype. We examined the possibility that nestlings of the obligately brood-parasitic brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) could use a species-specific vocalization, the "chatter", as a password. We found that six-day-old nestlings responded (begged) significantly more frequently to playbacks of chatters than to other avian sounds and that two-month-old fledglings approached playbacks of chatters more quickly than vocalizations of heterospecifics. Free-living cowbird fledglings and adults also approached playbacks of chatters more often than control sounds. Passwords may be involved in the ontogeny of species recognition in brood parasites generally.
Many-body effects in the gain and refractive index of an active semiconductor medium

A comprehensive microscopic theory that includes bandgap renormalization, plasma screening and interband Coulomb effects is used to calculate the gain and carrier-induced refractive index in an active semiconductor medium. This paper describes the effects of these many-body interactions on bulk and quantum well structures.
Nanomolar detection of p-nitrophenol via in situ generation of p-aminophenol at nanostructured microelectrodes

A new method and a new buffer medium, expected to be practical for miniaturized electrochemical immunoassays, were developed for rapid detection of nanomolar levels of p-nitrophenol (p-NP). The method exploits rapid reduction of p-NP to p-aminophenol (p-AP) by fast scan cyclic voltammetry at 500 V s−1 at nanostructured carbon fiber microdisk electrodes (∼7 μm dia.) fabricated from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. Large surfaces of the nanostructured microdisks facilitate the rapid reduction of p-NP to p-aminophenol (p-AP), as confirmed by the overlap with the analytical signals of the standards, which is then rapidly detected by fast scan cyclic voltammetry. A new 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol (Tris)–HAc buffer medium was developed in order to allow adaptation of this detection strategy to alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-based immunoassays. Tris–HAc is a stable medium, while the traditional Tris–HCl buffer medium produces large residual faradaic currents attributed to chloride oxidation. Addition of sodium acetate to a Tris–HAc buffer medium allows sensitivity enhancement by a factor of 2 to 0.85 nA μM−1, similar to the best sensitivity reported at the nanostructured PAN carbon fiber microdisk sensors.
Oxygen uptake of rats at different work intensities

An adaptation of a standard activity wheel has been used to determine oxygen uptake of rats prior to and during exercise at 7 different speeds (16–67 m/min). Pre-exercise oxygen uptake was 2.42±0.10 (S.E.) ml (100 g×min)−1 Oxygen uptake increased linearly with work intensity (running speed). At 16 m/min oxygen uptake was 6.44±0.16 ml (100 g×min)−1 and it increased to a maximal value of 9.51±0.14 ml (100 g×min)−1 at a running speed of 53.6 m/min. Increasing running speed to 67 m/min did not produce any further increas in oxygen uptake. Some comparisons of exercise intensity between rats of various studies and rats and man can be made from these data.
Generalized Walker Solutions to the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert Equations

Abstract The Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert (LLG) equations describe the dynamics of ferromagnets. The known exact solutions are reviewed and generalized. The results are visualized in several examples.
COMPARISONS BETWEEN MAXWELL'S EQUATIONS AND AN EXTENDED NONLINEAR SCHRODINGER EQUATION

Abstract A model of Maxwell's equations describing the propagation of ultra-short soliton-like pulses in nonlinear dispersive optical media is presented. Asymptotic analysis utilizing a quasi-monochromatic wave approximation is used to reduce these equations to a corresponding extended nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation. Comparisons between numerical solutions of this extended NLS equation and numerical solutions of Maxwell's equations are provided and indicate that this extended NLS equation is a good model for ultra-short soliton-like pulse propagation when the pulse contains less than 10 optical cycles.
Enhanced preganglionic sympathetic nerve responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Sympathetic nerve responses to posterior hypothalamic stimulation were recorded from the preceliac splanchnic nerve in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive, Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) following interruption of the baroreceptor reflex. Responses to identical stimulation were then recorded following ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium. The enhanced preganglionic sympathetic nerve responses measured in SHR indicate that the sympathetic hyperresponsiveness in this hypertensive strain occurs, at least in part, at a site within the central nervous system
Biological applications of cryogenic detectors

Abstract High energy resolution and broadband efficiency enable the use of cryogenic detectors in biological research. Two areas where they have found initial application are X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS). In synchrotron-based fluorescence-detected XAS cryogenic detectors are used to examine the role of metals in biological systems by measuring their oxidation states and ligand symmetries. In TOF-MS cryogenic detectors increase the sensitivity for biomolecule detection and identification for masses above ∼50 kDa, and thus enable TOF-MS on large protein complexes or even entire viruses. More recently, cryogenic detectors have been proposed as optical sensors for fluorescence signals from biomarkers. We discuss the potential for cryogenic detectors in biological research, as well as the challenges the technology faces.
On deviated and branched crack paths in AlLiX alloys

Abstract The origins of deviated and/or branched fatigue crack paths in Al Li X type alloys were investigated. The crack paths were predicted by calculating the orientation of the slip planes in single crystals with idealized textures and the associated Schmid factors. These predictions were compared with results obtained by performing fatigue crack growth (FCG) tests on compact tension specimens of the Al Li Cu alloy 2095 with a T-L specimen orientation. The alloy was heat treated to the T8 temper condition in which T1(Al2CuLi) is the predominant precipitate. The material has a partially recrystallized grain structure and a deformation texture containing the {112} 〈111〉 and {110} 〈112〉 textures. The fatigue crack path was found to consist of three distinct portions: an initial straight portion close to the machined notch, a portion deviated at 22° to the longitudinal direction, and a ‘final fracture’ portion in the longitudinal direction. Optical and SEM microscopy revealed the micromechanisms of FCG to be intergranular decohesion rupture in the portions where the crack path was in the longitudinal direction, and transgranular shear in the deviated region. The angle of deviation, 22°, was in agreement with the angle of deviation predicted for a material with the {112} 〈111〉 texture. After a re-examination of the results available in the literature for similar materials, it is proposed that crack path morphology in textured Al Li X type alloys depends on a combination of texture, grain boundary strength, and specimen orientation. It was further concluded that the presence of δ′(Al3Li) is not a principal factor in determining crack path morphology in these alloys.
Photodisintegration of the Deuteron

The Chew meson theory has been applied in an attempt to describe the photodisintegration of the deuteron in the region of 100 to 400 Mev, and in particular to explain the appearance of a sort of resonance at about 250 Mev. The process is viewed as a meson photoproduction, followed by meson scattering in deuterium (treated in the impulse approximation) and absorption. The qualitative features of total cross section are roughly reproduced, but the angular distribution does not seem to be fully understood on this model.
Steady-State Operating Policies for Plants with Multiple Reactions of Equal Overall Order

A simple methodology for determining optimal steady-state operating policies for plants with recycle has been developed by Ward et al. (Ward, J. D.; Mellichamp, D. A.; Doherty, M. F. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2004, 43, 3957). Heuristics were developed to classify irreversible process chemistries into two groups, bounded and nonbounded. This classification has important implications for how to design a control system and operate a chemical plant that contains excess equipment capacity. In this paper, formal rules are developed and presented for classifying a common special case of process chemistries that have multiple undesired irreversible reactions with equal overall reaction order. This new classification procedure is essential for determining the optimal steady-state operating policy for process chemistries of multiple parallel or series/parallel reactions.
Hyperfine transitions and fusion in flight via the Faddeev approach

The Faddeev approach, modified for long-range Coulomb forces, is used to study the s-wave scattering states of the muonic atomic systems p+pµ, d+dµ, t+tµ, t+dµ and d+tµ. Elastic and hyperfine-transition cross sections of p+pµ are calculated with and without the hyperfme splitting. Fusion-in-flight reactions are studied. A sharp resonance of the rate of fusion-in-flight is observed for d+tµ atE=76.3 eV. A similar resonance-like behavior of the fusion-in-flight is also obtained in the symmetric mesic atomic collisions.
Postmodernism for modernist public relations: the cash value and application of critical research in public relations

Abstract This essay argues that postmodern theorists, while adding philosophical criticism of public relations practice, also must have a “cash value” for modern public relations professionals to use their ideas. The essay argues for a fuller domain definition of public relations than used by postmodernists. It defines modernism and postmodernism, using Mumby’s four categories. It suggests examples and criteria for how postmodernist thought could be added to practitioners’ theoretical checklists.
An assessment of the validity of empirical measures of state satisfaction with the systemic status quo

There exists no consensus as to what indicates state satisfaction with the systemic status quo even though it has been a widely used concept in the empirical literature on conflict. This is surprising because satisfaction is not a new concept in International Relations and has been accorded a central role in many theories of war. In this article, we present a measure of satisfaction based on the cost of money for sovereign borrowers and compare that measure to several leading indicators of satisfaction. We find little correlation among the existing indicators and similar variation in their ability to predict conflict. Overall, our results suggest that the cost of money may serve as a useful indicator of satisfaction as it: (1) best predicts behaviors consistent with satisfied (dissatisfied) states; (2) is least likely to obscure the impact of other common independent variables; and (3) can also be included with measures of dyadic preferences in multivariate models of conflict. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
Serotonin as an integrator of leech behavior and muscle mechanical performance.

Abstract The obliquely striated muscle in the leech body wall has a broad functional repertoire; it provides power for both locomotion and suction feeding. It also operates over an unusually high strain range, undergoing up to threefold changes in length. Serotonin (5-HT) may support this functional flexibility, integrating behavior and biomechanics. It can act centrally, promoting motor outputs that drive body wall movements, and peripherally, modulating the mechanical properties of body wall muscle. During isometric contractions 5-HT enhances active force production and reduces resting muscle tone. We therefore hypothesized that 5-HT would increase net work output during the cyclical contractions associated with locomotion and feeding. Longitudinal strains measured during swimming, crawling and feeding were applied to body wall muscle in vitro with the timing and duration of stimulation selected to maximize net work output. The net work output during all simulated behaviors significantly increased in the presence of 100 μM 5-HT relative to the 5-HT-free control condition. Without 5-HT the muscle strips could not achieve a net positive work output during simulated swimming. The decrease in passive tension associated with 5-HT may also be important in reducing muscle antagonist work during longitudinal muscle lengthening. The behavioral and mechanical effects of 5-HT during locomotion are clearly complementary, promoting particular behaviors and enhancing muscle performance during those behaviors. Although 5-HT can enhance muscle mechanical performance during simulated feeding, low in vivo activity in serotonergic neurons during feeding may mean that its mechanical role during this behavior is less important than during locomotion.
Comparison of 131I- and 90Y-labeled monoclonal antibody 17-1A for treatment of human colon cancer xenografts☆

The choice of radionuclide remains an important question in clinical radioimmunotherapy. Therefore, a study was initiated, using an in vivo model system, to assess the relative merits of 131I- and 90Y-labeled 17-1A monoclonal antibody as therapeutic agents in the treatment of colon cancer. 131Iodine- and 90Y-labeled 17-1A were assessed in animal therapy trials using athymic nude mice bearing LS174T human colon cancer xenografts. 131Iodine-labeled 17-1A decreased tumor growth in a dose-dependent fashion without lethality. In contrast, the doses of 90Y-labeled 17-1A which were required to produce a significant increase in tumor doubling time also caused marked toxicity. Although similar tumor growth inhibition was produced by 250 μCi90Y- and 150 μCi131I-labeled 17-1A, Medical Internal Radiation Dose calculations based on biodistribution data estimated that the dose delivered by 90Y was greater than that delivered by 131I. To investigate this discrepancy, 3-dimensional dose distributions within LS174T tumors were assessed using autoradiography and 3-dimensional calculational techniques. It was found that a greater fraction of the dose was deposited in the tumor after treatment with 131I- compared to 90Y-labeled 17-1A. When the Medical Internal Radiation Dose calculations were adjusted using the 3-dimensional dose distributions, 250 μCi of 90Y- and 150 μCi of 131I-labeled 17-1A were found to deliver similar tumor doses. These studies suggest that 131I-labeled 17-1A is superior to 90Y-labeled 17-1A, since 131I-labeled antibody produced less hematological and animal toxicity and was more effective at inhibiting LS174T tumor growth than 90Y-labeled antibody across the range of radionuclide doses tested. Furthermore, they suggest that it will be necessary to perform 3-dimensional dose calculations in addition to Medical Internal Radiation Dose calculations in order to interpret tumor dosimetry.
Silver and potassium ion-exchanged waveguides in glasses doped with PbS semiconductor quantum dots

We present a detailed analysis of potassium-sodium and silver-sodium ion-exchange processes for fabricating waveguides in glass doped with PbS semiconductor quantum dots. We compare the propagation losses of these waveguides, and we discuss the sources of these losses. In addition, we demonstrate a fourfold reduction in the propagation loss previously reported for potassium-sodium ion-exchanged waveguides and show that waveguides can be produced at additional quantum-dot resonances using both methods. We show that the near-infrared optical properties of these quantum dots remain intact by comparing the waveguide and bulk (unguided) luminescence spectra. Measurements of the near-field mode profiles show a high level of field confinement, which make these waveguides ideal for nonlinear optical (high-intensity) applications.
Using a problem analysis model to enhance student learning in computer programming

Research on computer programming suggests that novice programmers possess inert knowledge when trying to solve programming problems. Moreover, research on teaching and learning computer programming indicates that offering appropriate conceptual models of computer programming concepts to novice programmers enhances their mental models and reduces their misconceptions in computer programming. The purpose of this study v/as to examine the effectiveness of a problem analysis learning model of computer programming to help novice programmers overcome their inert knowledge and learn a programming language. The problem analysis learning model combines a conceptual model and a holistic instructional approach for computer programming instruction. The conceptual component of the problem analysis model includes several computer simulations of database concepts. The purpose of the conceptual component of the problem analysis model is to offer students an opportunity to manipulate data in the computer simulations before formal instruction in order to help them construct their own knowledge of basic database concepts. The purpose of the holistic component of the problem analysis learning model is to help students integrate their programming knowledge to solve database problems. The holistic approach includes a fourstep process that consists of problem introduction, problem diagnosis, learning acti\dties, and database assignments. This study involved 100 inservice teachers enrolled in a basic computer programming workshop at The Institute for Secondary Schools Teachers in Taiwan (ISST). The teachers were randomly assigned to one of the two workshops conducted in this study (43 teachers in
Improvement in diabetes care using an integrated population-based approach in a primary care setting

The care for people with diabetes and most chronic illness suffers if it is acute, reactive, and fragmentary. We report the first 5 years of a comprehensive, integrated approach to diabetes care at...
Continuous-wave laser action of (F 2 + ) A centers in sodium-doped KCl crystals

Broadly tunable laser action is reported for the (F2+)A center in sodium-doped, additively colored KCl. The laser is continuously tunable from about 1.62 to 1.91 μm, has a continuous-wave threshold of under 10-mW absorbed power, and can be stored for at least limited periods at room temperature without losing its lasing capability.
Is sarcosine a biomarker for prostate cancer

Sarcosine was suggested in a letter to Nature in 2009 as a biomarker for prostate cancer. This communication reviews what has been accomplished to date to determine whether sarcosine is or is not a biomarker for prostate cancer that can replace prostate-specific antigen tests.
An Introduction to Functional Genomics and Systems Biology.

Objective: Over the past decade, the development of high-throughput technologies for DNA and protein analysis has revolutionized the ways in which cells can be studied. Within a relatively short time frame, research has changed from studying individual genes and proteins to analyzing entire genomes and proteomes. Approach: In this article, we summarize the technologies and concepts that form the basis of this functional genomics approach. Results: Microarray and next-generation sequencing technologies have allowed researchers to investigate many different aspects of the cell, including DNA mutations, histone modifications, DNA methylation, chromatin structure, transcription, and translation on a genome-wide level. In addition, mass spectrometry technologies have undergone significant development and currently enable us to globally profile protein levels, protein–protein interactions, post-translational protein modifications, and metabolites. Innovation and Conclusion: The integration of information from t...
Hybrid Maize - A maize simulation model that combines two crop modeling approaches

Abstract A new maize (Zea mays L.) simulation model, Hybrid-Maize, was developed by combining the strengths of two modeling approaches: the growth and development functions in maize-specific models represented by CERES-Maize, and the mechanistic formulation of photosynthesis and respiration in generic crop models such as INTERCOM and WOFOST. It features temperature-driven maize phenological development, vertical canopy integration of photosynthesis, organ-specific growth respiration, and temperature-sensitive maintenance respiration. The inclusion of gross assimilation, growth respiration and maintenance respiration makes the Hybrid-Maize model potentially more responsive to changes in environmental conditions than models such as CERES-Maize. Hybrid-Maize also requires fewer genotype-specific parameters without sacrificing prediction accuracy. A linear relationship between growing degree-days (GDD) from emergence to silking and GDD from emergence to physiological maturity was used for prediction of day of silking when the former is not available. The total GDD is readily available for most commercial maize hybrids. Preliminary field evaluations at two locations under high-yielding growth conditions indicated close agreement between simulated and measured values for leaf area, dry matter accumulation, final grain and stover yields, and harvest index (HI). Key areas for further model improvement include LAI prediction at high plant density, and biomass partitioning, carbohydrate translocation, and maintenance respiration in response to above-average temperature, especially during reproductive growth. The model has not been evaluated under conditions of water and/or nutrient stress, and efforts are currently in progress to develop and validate water and nitrogen balance components for the Hybrid-Maize model.
An information theoretic, microfluidic-based single cell analysis permits identification of subpopulations among putatively homogeneous stem cells.

An incomplete understanding of the nature of heterogeneity within stem cell populations remains a major impediment to the development of clinically effective cell-based therapies. Transcriptional events within a single cell are inherently stochastic and can produce tremendous variability, even among genetically identical cells. It remains unclear how mammalian cellular systems overcome this intrinsic noisiness of gene expression to produce consequential variations in function, and what impact this has on the biologic and clinical relevance of highly ‘purified’ cell subgroups. To address these questions, we have developed a novel method combining microfluidic-based single cell analysis and information theory to characterize and predict transcriptional programs across hundreds of individual cells. Using this technique, we demonstrate that multiple subpopulations exist within a well-studied and putatively homogeneous stem cell population, murine long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs). These subgroups are defined by nonrandom patterns that are distinguishable from noise and are consistent with known functional properties of these cells. We anticipate that this analytic framework can also be applied to other cell types to elucidate the relationship between transcriptional and phenotypic variation.
Quantifying the contribution of tropical cyclones to extreme rainfall along the coastal southeastern United States

[1] Analysis of a unique satellite precipitation dataset coupled with an extensive database of storm tracks are used to develop a parameter called the “millimeter-day (MD).” MD analysis in 4 mini-basins near coastal southeastern United States reveals that September and October account for the largest number of extreme rainfall days (e.g. “wet millimeter-days” or MD > 0) during the 1998–2006 Atlantic hurricane seasons. Tropical cyclone (TC) days are more likely to produce “wet millimeter days” than non-TC days, and category 3–5 hurricane days (e.g., major hurricanes) produce the wet millimeter-days of largest magnitude. Major hurricanes produce the most extreme rainfall days, but tropical depression/storm days contribute most significantly to cumulative seasonal rainfall (8–17%, basin-dependent) due to frequency of occurrence. Thus, the influence of major hurricanes on rainfall may be most apparent in extreme daily events while weaker storms may be more critical for assessing trends in cumulative seasonal rainfall.
Numerical modeling of water injection into vapor-dominatedgeothermal reservoirs

Water injection has been recognized as a powerful techniquefor enhancing energy recovery from vapor-dominated geothermal systemssuch as The Geysers. In addition to increasing reservoir pressures,production well flow rates, and long-term sustainability of steamproduction, injection has also been shown to reduce concentrations ofnon-condensible gases (NCGs) in produced steam. The latter effectimproves energy conversion efficiency and reduces corrosion problems inwellbores and surface lines.This report reviews thermodynamic andhydrogeologic conditions and mechanisms that play an important role inreservoir response to water injection. An existing general-purposereservoir simulator has been enhanced to allow modeling of injectioneffects in heterogeneous fractured reservoirs in three dimensions,including effects of non-condensible gases of different solubility.Illustrative applications demonstrate fluid flow and heat transfermechanisms that are considered crucial for developing approaches to insitu abatement of NCGs.
Passive venting system for modifying cavity flowfields at supersonic speeds

The drag of airfoils in transonic flow can be reduced through the use of a passive venting system that employs a porous plate for part of the airfoil upper surface with a vent chamber underneath the porous plate Attention is given to the results obtained with a wind tunnel model employing such a porous floor system. This passive venting system has been used to extend the length/height value before the onset of high drag-producing closed cavity flow at supersonic speeds.
Blocking and Frontogenesis by Two-Dimensional Terrain in Baroclinic Flow. Part II: Analysis of Flow Stagnation Mechanisms

Numerical solutions presented in a companion paper show that two-dimensional mesoscale terrain becomes a much stronger barrier to a continuously stratified flow when the flow contains warm advection. Here it is shown that this baroclinic enhancement is a strictly nonlinear phenomenon. The linear analysis indicates a weakening of the upstream response in warm advection. However, a weakly nonlinear analysis shows that baroclinicity facilitates blocking in warm advection by strengthening the nonlinearity in the cross-mountain momentum equation in such a way as to amplify the vertical shear on the windward flank of the ridge. This is enough to send the flow past the blocking threshold even when conditions over the mountain are too linear to produce wave breaking. A more intuitive mechanism whereby the upstream static stability is increased by the nonlinearity in the temperature equation is found to be much less important.
Periodontal Assessment of Patients Undergoing Angioplasty for Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease

Background: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the periodontal condition of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in order to verify the association between CAD and certain periodontal parameters. Methods: Eighty patients (48 males and 32 females) were recruited from the Cleveland University Hospitals, Division of Cardiology (aged 23 to 83, median age 54 years). Upon cardiac catherization, 50 were diagnosed with severe CAD (experimental group) and 30 with no angiographic evidence of CAD (control group). Patients with CAD were divided into 3 subgroups according to the clinical diagnosis of acute infarction (AI) (n = 20), stable angina (SA) (n = 20), and unstable angina (UA) (n = 10). The following dental, medical, and social histories were recorded: number of dental visits/year, frequency of brushing/day and flossing/week, tobacco use, presence/absence of hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol level, and the highest level of education completed. The following periodontal parameters were also assessed for each subject: plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and number of missing teeth. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether there was a significant correlation between these periodontal parameters and CAD. Results: The significant confounding factors for the present study were found to be age and gender. The periodontal condition of the 80 subjects was clinically diagnosed as gingivitis and/or mild periodontitis. Analysis of the data after adjusting for age and gender demonstrated a statistically significant association between BOP and GI and CAD in patients with AI; and facial/lingual CAL in patients with UA. No significant associations were found between PD, interproximal CAL, number of missing teeth, or dental/medical histories and CAD. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, gingival inflammation may be considered a more significant risk factor for CAD than previously reported. J Periodontol 2002;73:631-636.
2006 Update of Recommendations for the Use of White Blood Cell Growth Factors: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline

Purpose To update the 2000 American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline on the use of hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors (CSF). Update Methodology The Update Committee completed a review and analysis of pertinent data published from 1999 through September 2005. Guided by the 1996 ASCO clinical outcomes criteria, the Update Committee formulated recommendations based on improvements in survival, quality of life, toxicity reduction and cost-effectiveness. Recommendations The 2005 Update Committee agreed unanimously that reduction in febrile neutropenia (FN) is an important clinical outcome that justifies the use of CSFs, regardless of impact on other factors, when the risk of FN is approximately 20% and no other equally effective regimen that does not require CSFs is available. Primary prophylaxis is recommended for the prevention of FN in patients who are at high risk based on age, medical history, disease characteristics, and myelotoxicity of the chemotherapy regimen. CSF use allows a modest to mo...
A computational substrate for incentive salience

Theories of dopamine function are at a crossroads. Computational models derived from single-unit recordings capture changes in dopaminergic neuron firing rate as a prediction error signal. These models employ the prediction error signal in two roles: learning to predict future rewarding events and biasing action choice. Conversely, pharmacological inhibition or lesion of dopaminergic neuron function diminishes the ability of an animal to motivate behaviors directed at acquiring rewards. These lesion experiments have raised the possibility that dopamine release encodes a measure of the incentive value of a contemplated behavioral act. The most complete psychological idea that captures this notion frames the dopamine signal as carrying 'incentive salience'. On the surface, these two competing accounts of dopamine function seem incommensurate. To the contrary, we demonstrate that both of these functions can be captured in a single computational model of the involvement of dopamine in reward prediction for the purpose of reward seeking.
Terahertz polaritonics: spatiotemporal imaging, spatiotemporal femtosecond pulse shaping, and spatiotemporal coherent control

Spatiotemporal pulse shaping is used to transform a single femtosecond excitation pulse into a spatially and temporally tailored output which may take the form of many separate beams, each of which has an independently specified time-dependent waveform. Through impulsive stimulated Raman scattering, the separate beams and pulses excite coherent phonon-polaritons and manipulate them as they propagate within the crystalline sample at light-like speeds. Variably delayed probe pulses are expanded to a large size within the sample and projected onto a CCD camera to record real-space images of the propagating responses. The images are used to guide the spatiotemporal pulse shaping and coherent control processes.
11 Prenatal and Perinatal Factors in the Development of Persistent Criminality

This chapter will explore the various perinatal and delivery complications that predict future chronic offending. More specifically, this review will explore the risk factors that have been found for infants during pregnancy, with an emphasis on the most common problems in the delivery stage, as well as the risk factors in the first year of life. It will be shown that there is a wide range of important risk factors in these pre- and perinatal stages in predicting future criminality. This chapter will discuss these various maladies around mothers’ pregnancies, delivery problems, as well as early infancy, and the effects that they have on the development of habitual offending, especially when combined with maladaptive environmental factors early in life.
Career and Technical Education Administrators’ Perceptions of Secondary teachers’ Attire as Indicated by Selected professional Attributes

Many times in life situations a person may be judged by how well dressed they appear. The same holds true for teachers, whether in the classroom setting, during a job interview, their appearance at a parent conference or open house.Gorham, Cohen, and Morris (1999)reported on the importance of teachers to dress "professionally" and be attentive to impressions made during the first few weeks of class. According toMolly (1975), clothing can be regarded as a primary impression management tool.Delisio (2006)reported that, "dressing appropriately" was once considered to be a phrase with universal meaning. However, in an age where flip flops appear in White House photos, some school districts want to make it clear how they expect all staff members — including teachers — to dress" (p.1).Damhorst, Miller-Spillman, and Michelman (2005), noted that, "dress is an essential part of human experience. Perhaps because of its closeness to the body, dress has a richness of meanings that express the individuals, as well as groups, organizations, and the larger society in which that person lives" (p.XIV).
Dynamic Modulation of Neurons and Networks

Biological neurons have a variety of intrinsic properties because of the large number of voltage dependent currents that control their activity. Neuromodulatory substances modify both the balance of conductances that determine intrinsic properties and the strength of synapses. These mechanisms alter circuit dynamics, and suggest that functional circuits exist only in the modulatory environment in which they operate.
Family resources and children's academic performance

Abstract This study examines the critical factors that determine children's performance in school with the national representative data set (NSFH) wave I and wave II. The result confirms previous conclusions based on the human capital theory and other frameworks. The article pays special attentions to the effect of different types of family structure on the children's educational performance.
Diffusion of tritium in rutile (TiO2)

Abstract Tritium diffusion in single crystals of rutile (TiO2) was measured at temperatures between 155° and 300° C. Diffusivities were calculated from concentration profiles obtained from microdensitometer traces of autoradiographs generated by the β-decay of the tritium. Diffusivity is anisotropic with estimated diffusion equations of: Dc = 7.5 × 10−6 exp(−9040/ RT), and Da = 2.7 × 10−6 exp(−13,100/RT).
Particulate Contamination and Microelectronics Manufacturing: An Introduction

The manufacture of integrated circuits for computers and various microprocessors is of increasing importance. Higher speeds of operation and lower costs require higher circuit densities, thus furth...
Crinone vaginal gel is equally effective and better tolerated than intramuscular progesterone for luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer cycles: a prospective randomized study

Objective To compare the efficacy of Crinone vaginal gel and intramuscular progesterone (IMP) for luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET) with respect to pregnancy rates and outcomes, and to assess patient satisfaction with both products. Design Prospective randomized trial. Setting University-affiliated IVF unit. Patient(s) Women under age 40 years with day-3 follicle-stimulating hormone levels Intervention(s) Luteal phase supplementation with either Crinone vaginal gel or IMP; phone survey regarding patient satisfaction with Crinone vaginal gel and IMP. Main Outcome Measure(s) Pregnancy rates, ongoing/delivered, failed pregnancy rates, and product satisfaction scores for patients supplemented with Crinone vaginal gel and with IMP. Result(s) Four hundred sixty-eight patients were randomized, and 407 completed the study. The patients were randomized on the day of oocyte retrieval to receive either Crinone vaginal gel or IMP for luteal phase support. Pregnancy, ongoing/delivered, and failed pregnancy rates were similar between the Crinone and IMP treatment arms (OR [95% CI]: 1.2 [0.8, 1.8], 1.1 [0.8, 1.7], 1.0 [0.6, 1.7], respectively). On a scale of 1 to 5, patient satisfaction scores were statistically significantly higher with Crinone vaginal gel than with IMP (4.4 ± 0.9 vs. 2.8 ± 1.2). Conclusion(s) Crinone vaginal gel and IMP are equally effective for luteal phase support in IVF, but Crinone is better tolerated by patients.