cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel curcumin analogue UBS109 potently stimulates osteoblastogenesis and suppresses osteoclastogenesis: involvement in Smad activation and NF-κB inhibition

Bone homeostasis is maintained through a balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. Bone loss is induced due to decreased osteoblastic bone formation and increased osteoclastic bone resorption with various pathologic states. Osteoporosis with its accompanying decrease in bone mass is widely recognized as a major public health problem. Pharmacologic and functional food factors may play a role in the prevention of bone loss with aging. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of curcumin analogues (curcumin, EF31, ECMN909, and UBS109), which were newly synthesized, on osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Among these compounds, UBS109 had a unique stimulatory effect on osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization. UBS109 stimulated both basal and bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP2)-increased Smad-luciferase activity, the Smad signaling of which is related to osteoblastogenesis. Such an effect was not seen with other compounds. Moreover, UBS109 potently suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-increased osteoblastic nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-luciferase activity. In addition, EF31, ECMN909, and UBS109 had a suppressive effect on osteoclastogenesis as compared with that of curcumin. ECMN909 and UBS109 potently inhibited the receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL)-increased preosteoclastic NF-κB-luciferase activity, in which NF-κB signaling plays a pivotal role in osteoclastogenesis. In the present study, curcumin analogue UBS109 was found to have a stimulating effect on osteoblastogenesis and a suppressive effect on osteoclastogenesis in vitro, suggesting an anabolic effect of the compound on bone mass.
Is America’s National Pastime too time consuming? ☆

Abstract World Series telecasts are now an inferior good. Income and the time cost of consumption interact so that a ten percent income increase reduces viewership by 1.8 million households. Increased availability of substitutes reduces ratings but increased drama improves them.
Optical single-channel recording: imaging Ca2+ flux through individual ion channels with high temporal and spatial resolution

Developments in imaging technology now enable visual- ization of the functioning of individual ion channels in living cells: something previously possible only by the electrophysiological patch- clamp technique. We review techniques that track channel gating via changes in intracellular @Ca 21 # resulting from openings of Ca 21 -permeable channels. Spatial and temporal resolution are opti- mized by monitoring Ca 21 close to the channel mouth, and we de- scribe the use of two imaging modalities: confocal laser scan micros- copy (linescan CLSM) and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). Both currently achieve a kinetic resolution of <10 ms, provide a simultaneous and independent readout from many channels, and enable their locations to be mapped with submicrome- ter resolution. TIRFM provides 2-D images from a very thin (;100 nm) optical section, but it is restricted to channels in the plasma mem- brane of cells adhering close to a cover glass. In contrast, CLSM can image channels in intracellular membranes but, to achieve good tem- poral resolution, has been utilized only in a linescan mode with lim- ited spatial information. We anticipate that imaging techniques will develop as a useful adjunct to patch-clamping for single-channel stud- ies, with capabilities including simultaneous readout from multiple channels, high-resolution mapping of channel location, and mobility that is inaccessible by electrophysiological means. Optical single- channel recording is applicable to diverse voltage- and ligand-gated Ca 21 -permeable channels and has potential for high-throughput func-
Susceptibility of Cultivated and Wild Vitis spp. to Wood Infection by Fungal Trunk Pathogens

Travadon, R., Rolshausen, P. E., Gubler, W. D., Cadle-Davidson, L., and Baumgartner, K. 2013. Susceptibility of cultivated and wild Vitis spp. to wood infection by fungal trunk pathogens. Plant Dis. 97:1529-1536. Cultivars of European grapevine, Vitis vinifera, show varying levels of susceptibility to Eutypa dieback and Esca, in terms of foliar symptoms. However, little is known regarding cultivar susceptibility of their woody tissues to canker formation. Accordingly, we evaluated the relative susceptibility of V. vinifera cultivars (‘Cabernet Franc’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Chardonnay’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Riesling’, ‘Petite Syrah’, and ‘Thompson Seedless’) and species or interspecific hybrids of North American Vitis (Vitis hybrid ‘Concord’, V. arizonica ‘b42-26’, V. rupestris × V. cinerea ‘Ill547-1’, and Fennell 6 [V. aestivalis] × Malaga [V. vinifera] ‘DVIT0166’) to canker formation by seven trunk pathogens (Neofusicoccum parvum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Togninia minima, Phomopsis viticola, Eutypa lata, and an undescribed Eutypa sp.). Susceptibility was based on the length of wood discoloration (LWD) in the woody stems of rooted plants in duplicate greenhouse experiments. Cultivars of V. vinifera and Concord did not vary significantly in susceptibility to N. parvum or L. theobromae (LWD of 21 to 88 mm at 14 weeks post inoculation; P > 0.16), suggesting that they are similarly susceptible to Botryosphaeria dieback. The table-grape Thompson Seedless was most susceptible to P. viticola (mean LWD of 61 mm at 11 months post inoculation; P < 0.0001). V. vinifera cultivars and Concord showed similar susceptibility to the Esca pathogens, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and T. minima. Susceptibility to E. lata was greatest in V. arizonica b42-26 (mean LWD of 96 mm at 11 months post inoculation; P < 0.03). In fact, all four American Vitis spp. were more susceptible to Eutypa dieback than the V. vinifera cultivars. Our findings suggest that no one cultivar is likely to provide resistance to the range of trunk pathogens but that certain cultivars may be promising candidates for commercially relevant host resistance in grape-production systems where the dominant cultivars are very susceptible.
Online Instructional Materials for Students with Disabilities: Does it Work?

In the context of online instructional programs, numerous topics have been addressed. The purpose of this study was to explore the implementation of the Renzulli Learning System (RLS) in a large public school district in the southwest area of the United States as a measure of using online instructional materials toward increasing academic achievement for students with special needs. Specifically, the study explored the implementation of the RLS in support of students who have been identified as learning disabled. Moreover, the study comprised 2,750 students in Grades 6 through 8 and examined simultaneously high and low utilization of RLS with respect to state assessment reading and mathematics scaled scores through the use of a multivariate analysis of variance. Findings revealed that when the utilization of RLS was high by students with learning disabilities, the reading scaled scores ( n = 1,212) tended to be higher, whereas the mathematics scaled scores ( n = 1,269) tended to be lower. Implications of the findings are presented and recommendations for future research are provided.
Monotonically improving error bounds for a sequence of approximations for makespan minimization of batch manufacturing systems

We consider a batch manufacturing system model with no intermediate storage and a single machine at each workstation. These models have applications in fields such as chemical processing, computer systems, and manufacturing. We develop a max-plus representation for this system with linear dynamics and show relevant properties of this system. In particular, we express a sequence of increasingly complex approximations to the minimum makespan problem in the max-plus algebra. Using this formulation, we compute monotonically improving error bounds for these approximations, guaranteeing a decrease in error as more computational effort is used in the approximation.
Non-invasive temperature imaging with thulium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (TmDOTMA−)

Non-invasive thermometry using hyperfine-shifted MR signals from paramagnetic lanthanide complexes has attracted attention recently because the chemical shifts of these complexes are many times more sensitive to temperature than the water 1H signal. Among all the lanthanide complexes examined thus far, thulium tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (TmDOTMA−) appears to be the most suitable for MR thermometry. In this paper, the feasibility of imaging the methyl 1H signal from TmDOTMA− using a frequency-selective radiofrequency excitation pulse and chemical shift-selective (CHESS) water suppression is demonstrated. A temperature imaging method using a phase-sensitive spin-echo imaging sequence was validated in phantom experiments. A comparison of regional temperature changes measured with fiber-optic probes and the temperatures calculated from the phase shift near each probe showed that the accuracy of imaging the temperature with TmDOTMA− is at least 0.1–0.2°C. The feasibility of imaging temperature changes in an intact rat at 0.5–0.6 mmol/kg dose in only a few minutes is demonstrated. Similar to commonly used MRI contrast agents, the lanthanide complex does not cross the blood–brain barrier. TmDOTMA− may prove useful for temperature imaging in many biomedical applications but further studies relating to acceptable dose and signal-to-noise ratio are necessary before clinical applications. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nitrogen Management of Brown Midrib Sorghum × Sudangrass in the Northeastern USA

Brown midrib (BMR) forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] 3 sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (S 3 S) have been considered as a possible forage alternative to maize silage (Zea mays L.) where maize planting is delayed due to wet soil conditions. Our objective was to determine the most economic rate of nitrogen (MERN) for BMR S 3 S grown in a two-cut management system with a split application of N. Six field trials were conducted in New York in 2003 and 2004. One trial followed a grass–legume sod; a second trial had received liquid manure 19 mo before S 3 S planting. The remaining four followed S 3 S, silage maize, and/or a small grain crop. The MERN ranged from 137 to 192 kg N ha 21 cut 21 with dry matter (DM) yield ranging from 7.8 to 9.7 Mg ha 21 at the sites without additional N input. At the sites with prior N inputs, yield was higher (10.4–13.8 Mg ha 21 ) and MERN lower. The apparent nitrogen recovery (ANR) at the MERN was highest (61–73%) for the sites with prior N inputs. Nitrogen application rates . 145 kg N ha 21 cut 21 decreasednitrogenuseefficiency(NUE)to,15kgDMkg 21 N,whilethe ANR became ,45%. We concluded that the MERN for BMR S 3 S grown in New York in a two-cut system following maize, small grains, or forage S 3 S is 125 to 145 kg N ha 21 cut 21 . For sites that follow sod plow-down or recent manure application, N application rates should not exceed 40 to 60 kg N ha 21 cut 21 .
Japanese nursery and kindergarten teachers' beliefs and practices regarding developmentally appropriate practices

This study explored Japanese day nursery and kindergarten teachers' beliefs and practices regarding developmentally appropriate practices. Data were collected using in-depth interviews. Teacher interviews provided insights into the merger of the childcare and education systems of Japan. Six themes emerged from the analysis of the day nursery and kindergarten teachers' interviews: (1) play is learning; (2) physical and social development is of utmost importance; (3) the teacher is an observer, facilitator and role model; (4) assigning roles and tasks is common in every classroom; (5) individual and group activities are interchangeable; and (6) the processes involved in the proposed merger of two seemingly diverse curricula, care and education, are less transparent to teachers. While the findings reported here offer insights for practitioners working in the field of early years care and education in Japan, they may prove of interest to academics, researchers and practitioners in other countries.
Intertester Reliability and Validity of Motion Assessments During Lumbar Spine Accessory Motion Testing

Background and Purpose: Posterior-anterior (PA) assessment of the lumbar spine correlates with radiographic signs of instability and can guide treatment choices, yet studies of the validity of lumbar PA assessments have not been conducted in vivo. The purposes of this study were to determine the intertester reliability of the PA examination in assessing intersegmental lumbar spine motion and to evaluate the validity of this procedure in vivo with dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Subjects: Twenty-nine subjects with central lumbar pain participated in this study. Methods: Two physical therapists independently identified each subject's most and least mobile lumbar segments using the PA procedure. Midsagittal lumbar images were obtained simultaneously during one examiner's assessment. Lumbar segmental mobility was quantified from magnetic resonance images as the change in the intervertebral angle between the resting position and the end range of the PA force application. For each vertebral level tested, maximal sagittal-plane segmental motion was determined. Results: The intertester reliability for identifying the least mobile segment was good (agreement=82.8%, kappa=.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]=.48 to .94), but it was poor for identifying the most mobile segment (kappa=.29, 95% CI=−.13 to .71), despite good agreement (79.3%). The level of agreement between the PA assessments and intervertebral motion measured by MRI was poor (kappa=.04, 95% CI=−.16 to .24, and kappa=.00, 95% CI=−.09 to .08, for the least and most mobile segments, respectively). Discussion and Conclusion: Despite good intertester reliability for identifying the least mobile segment, PA assessments of lumbar segmental mobility did not agree with sagittal-plane motion measured by dynamic MRI. This finding calls into question the validity of the PA procedure for assessing intervertebral lumbar spine motion.
Serum glucose after intraperitoneal infusion of 5% dextrose solution.

Study objective: This study investigated the use of intraperitoneal (IP) glucose infusion as a therapy for hypoglycemia. Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design, with each animal serving as its own control. Setting: Laboratory investigation. Type of participants: Seven female New Zealand White rabbits with a mean weight of 3.7 kg. Interventions: Each animal was subjected to three experiments separated by a four-day period. After baseline measurements, the following interventions were undertaken: Control day no treatment; placebo day, 10 mL/kg 0.9% normal saline solution IP; and treatment day, 10 mL/kg 5% dextrose solution IP. Measurements and main results: Serial serum glucose levels were obtained. Compared with control and placebo, the mean absolute serum glucose value of the treatment group was significantly higher beginning at ten minutes after intervention and continuing until conclusion of the study at 30 minutes. For these time points, the mean increase in serum glucose levels (percent change) of the treatment group compared with the control group was as follows: ten minutes, 15.5 mg/dL (0.86 mmol/L) (11%), P P P P Conclusion: Glucose instilled into the peritoneal cavity of rabbits is absorbed rapidly into the systemic circulation.
Investigation of position sensitive avalanche photodiodes for a new high-resolution PET detector design

We are developing a high-resolution PET detector design with a goal of nearly complete scintillation light collection in /spl les/1 mm width, /spl ges/20 mm effective thickness LSO crystals. The design uses position sensitive avalanche photodiodes in novel layered configurations that significantly improve the light collection aspect ratio. To reduce design complexity and dead area we are investigating the use of 1 mm thick sheets of LSO in addition to discrete crystal rods, and the use of PSAPDs which require only four readout channels per device. The raw spatial response of a 1 mm thick crystal sheet coupled to a PSAPD exhibits a compressed dynamic range compared to that observed with discrete crystals. Measurements with the proposed configurations using /sup 22/Na irradiation achieved 10%-13% FWHM energy resolution at 511 keV and 2 ns coincidence time resolution. 1 mm width crystals with a saw cut surface finish an no inter-crystal reflector were well resolved in flood images.
Microstructural changes in CdSe-coated ZnO nanowires evaluated by in situ annealing in transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction

We report on the crystallite growth and phase change of electrodeposited CdSe coatings on ZnO nanowires during annealing. Both in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal that the nanocrystal size increases from ∼3 to ∼10 nm upon annealing at 350 °C for 1 h and then to more than 30 nm during another 1 h at 400 °C, exhibiting two distinct growth regimes. Nanocrystal growth occurs together with a structural change from zinc blende to wurtzite. The structural transition begins at 350 °C, which results in the formation of stacking faults. Increased crystallite size, comparable to the coating thickness, can improve charge separation in extremely thin absorber solar cells. We demonstrate a nearly two-fold improvement in power conversion efficiency upon annealing.
Control of expression and maturation of epidermal growth factor receptor

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor is a 170 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that contains a ligand-binding external domain, and a catalytically active cytoplasmic region. The expression of this receptor as well as a 100 kDa homolog that contains only the external domain is enhanced by the ligand EGF. EGF acts at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. To dissociate these pre-translational effects and the effects of EGF on receptor polypeptide synthesis from these on receptor export, pulse-chase experiments were conducted. These studies indicate that EGF stimulates post-translational transport and processing of the receptor, and this stimulation can occur in the absence of new protein synthesis. Other studies show that EGF accelerates at least two slow events in receptor maturation--the deoxynojirimycin sensitive processing in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the swainsonine sensitive processing in Golgi. The results suggest that EGF may influence one or more of the rate determining steps that control receptor export from ER, and this may represent yet another aspect of EGF action that contributes to the positive regulation of EGF-receptor protein expression.
Seeking Confirmation Is Rational for Deterministic Hypotheses

The tendency to test outcomes that are predicted by our current theory (the confirmation bias) is one of the best-known biases of human decision making. We prove that the confirmation bias is an optimal strategy for testing hypotheses when those hypotheses are deterministic, each making a single prediction about the next event in a sequence. Our proof applies for two normative standards commonly used for evaluating hypothesis testing: maximizing expected information gain and maximizing the probability of falsifying the current hypothesis. This analysis rests on two assumptions: (a) that people predict the next event in a sequence in a way that is consistent with Bayesian inference; and (b) when testing hypotheses, people test the hypothesis to which they assign highest posterior probability. We present four behavioral experiments that support these assumptions, showing that a simple Bayesian model can capture people’s predictions about numerical sequences (Experiments 1 and 2), and that we can alter the hypotheses that people choose to test by manipulating the prior probability of those hypotheses (Experiments 3 and 4).
Successful Treatment of Persistent Postcholecystectomy Bile Leak Using Percutaneous Cystic Duct Coiling

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed operations worldwide. Cystic duct is the most common site of bile leak after cholecystectomy. The treatment of choice is usually conservative. Using sufficient percutaneous drainage of the biloma cavity and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy and/or stenting, the cure rate of bile leaks is greater than 90%. In very rare cases, all of these measures remain unsuccessful. We report a technique for the successful treatment of persistent cystic duct leak. After failed ERCP and stenting, bile leak was treated by coiling the cystic duct through a drain tract. This technique is safe and effective and helps avoid the morbidity of reoperation.
Estimates of net photosynthetic parameters for twelve tree species in mature forests of the southern Appalachians

Leaf gas exchange, temperature, and incident radiation were measured in situ for 20 mature trees of 12 deciduous species spanning a range of heights from 7.9 to 30.1 m and growing in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Air temperature, water vapor pressure, total radiation, photosynthetically active radiation, and carbon dioxide concentration were also measured. Estimated mean, light-saturated net assimilation rates ( micro mol m(-2) s(-1)) were: Quercus coccinea Muenchh. (10.3), Q. prinus L. (9.9), Q. rubra L. (8.9), Betula lenta L. (8.1), Liriodendron tulipifera L. (7.9), Q. alba L. (7.6), Carya glabra Mill. (7.2), Acer rubrum L. (5.6), Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. (3.9), Cornus florida L. (3.5), and Acer pensylvanicum L. (1.7). There were significant differences in both net assimilation rates and quantum yield efficiencies between species, with the understory species C. florida and A. pensylvanicum exhibiting lower net assimilation rates at saturation and higher estimated quantum yield efficiencies than the other species. Average temperature and light decreased from the canopy top to bottom, whereas ambient CO(2) concentration increased, and vapor pressure and vapor pressure deficits were inconsistent. We observed curvilinear effects of temperature and vapor pressure deficit on net assimilation response to light, and these effects varied by species. Errors in predicted net assimilation ranged from 1 to 3 micro mol m(-2) s(-1) under the environmental conditions prevailing during the study.
Parallel unstructured grid generation

A parallel unstructured grid generation algorithm is presented and implemented on the Hypercube. Different processor hierarchies are discussed, and the appropraite hierarchies for mesh generation and mesh smoothing are selected. A domain-splitting algorithm for unstructured grids which tries to minimize the surface-to-volume ratio of each subdomain is described. This splitting algorithm is employed both for grid generation and grid smoothing. Results obtained on the Hypercube demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithms developed.
Growth of Amorphous, Microcrystalline, and Epitaxial Silicon in Low Temperature Plasma Deposition

This paper examines near-equilibrium and non-equilibrium film formation processes in the plasma deposition of Si and their effects on network propagation, defect generation and interface quality based on the concept of film formation as a balance between deposition and ‘etching.’ Using non-F reactant gases and conventional PECVD, epitaxial Si growth was achieved at 250°C. By adjusting the extent of ‘etching’, one can selectively obtain amorphous, microcrystalline, polycrystalline, and epitaxial Si using similar process gases and reactors.
Scleral Buckle-Associated Ciliochoroidal Melanoma

AbstractPurpose: To describe a case of a ciliochoroidal melanoma arising from the site of a scleral buckle. Design: Observational case report. Method: A 69-year-old female was referred for evaluation of decreased vision and occasional floaters in the left eye for two months. Eight years previously, she had undergone vitrectomy and scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair in the same eye. Clinical examination revealed an elevated, pigmented choroidal mass in the inferonasal periphery at the crest of the scleral buckle. Clinical and ultrasonographic features were consistent with ciliochoroidal melanoma. Results: The patient underwent Iodine-125 brachytherapy with plaque placement directly on the scleral buckle. Intraoperative ultrasonography confirmed accurate plaque position. Appropriate tumor response was demonstrated at serial follow up-evaluations; however, over 48 months, the patient developed gradual decline in vision secondary to radiation retinopathy. Conclusion: Choroidal melan...
Imaging pulse wave velocity in mouse retina using swept-source OCT(Conference Presentation)

Blood vessel dynamics has been a significant subject in cardiology and internal medicine, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) on artery vessels is a classic evaluation of arterial distensibility, and has never been ascertained as a cardiovascular risk marker. The aim of this study is to develop a high speed imaging technique to capture the pulsatile motion on mouse retina arteries with the ability to quantify PWV on any arterial vessels. We demonstrate a new non-invasive method to assess the vessel dynamics on mouse retina. A Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system is used for imaging micro-scale blood vessel motion. The phase-stabilized SS-OCT provides a typical displacement sensitivity of 20 nm. The frame rate of imaging is ~16 kHz, at A-line rate of ~1.62 MHz, which allows the detection of transient pulse waves with adequate temporal resolution. Imaging volumes with repeated B-scans are obtained on mouse retina capillary bed, and the mouse oxymeter signal is recorded simultaneously. The pulse wave on artery and vein are resolved, and with the synchronized heart beat signal, the temporal delay on different vessel locations is determined. The vessel specific measurement of PWV is achieved for the first time with SS-OCT, for pulse waves propagating more than 100 cm/s. Using the novel methodology of retinal PWV assessment, it is hoped that the clinical OCT scans can provide extended diagnostic information of cardiology functionalities.
Biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the rhesus monkey uterus during the proliferative and secretory phases of artificial menstrual cycles

On day 9 of an artificial menstrual cycle (28 day) in the rhesus monkey, endometrial epithelia and stroma and myometrial smooth muscle cells showed positive immunoreactivity for estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) receptor. On day 23 a reduction of staining for E2 and P receptor was observed for epithelial cells in endometrial zones I, II, and III with a pronounced loss of E2 receptor staining in stromal cells. Glandular epithelial cells in zone IV retained strong positive staining for both E2 and P receptor. Cytosolic and occupied nuclear E2 receptor analyzed biochemically were significantly reduced on day 23. These data suggest that P induces a zonal-dependent distribution of immunoreactive E2 and P receptor and that epithelial cells of zone IV are distinguished by the combined presence of strong immunoreactive staining for both receptors.
The Evolution of an Urban Judicial System: The Philadelphia Story, 1683 to 1968

The constitutional amendments approved by the voters of Pennsylvania in 1968 significantly changed the structure of the courts in Philadelphia County, a structure which in certain respects had existed virtually unchanged for nearly 250 years. This fact makes a survey of the historical development of the courts during this period eminently appropriate. Although the same courts established either by the Constitution or statute in the other counties of the Commonwealth were likewise established in Philadelphia County, structural differences distinguished the Philadelphia County judiciary. Chief among these structural differences was the fact that the Supreme Court of the State exercised a trial function in the county until 1874. Experiments were made with the judicial structure by establishing courts of limited jurisdiction in order to increase judicial manpower in keeping with an unexpressed principle of relieving the burden of the existing courts by assigning some of their jurisdiction to others. Few records have survived to indicate the successes of these courts or why they were established or abolished. This lack of documentation complicates the task of recounting their history and leaves the historian to gather his materials from statutes and court decisions. For these reasons, the history of the courts in Philadelphia County is both unique and instructional. Courts are essential to the proper functioning of government and provision was made for their establishment even before the settlement of Philadelphia by William Penn.1 Although the Swedes and the Dutch had settled in the Delaware Valley before the English displaced them, none of these settlements was in the area now constituting Philadelphia County, where the Duke of York Laws were applied. These laws provided for the appointment of justices of the peace without, however, specifying their duties. But it can be assumed that the justices were expected to exercise the
Zinc and the Bacteriostatic Quality of Human Milk

Zinc has been proposed to be an important antibacterial factor in human amniotic and prostatic fluids. The objectives of this study were to investigate the possible role of zinc as an antibacterial factor in early milk in which the zinc concentration is elevated compared with that of more mature milk, and to determine if any such observed effects are concentration related within a physiologic range for zinc in human milk.
Implications and Conclusions

T he final section traces the broader implications of our model of tolerance judgments. Our previous sections have largely focused on tolerance attitudes. While these attitudes are obviously important, it is also essential to tie our study to the wider world of politics and political action. Chapter 9 focuses on behavior. Because we could not directly measure behavior, we instead rely on behavioral intentions. Many people subscribe to the widespread argument that those who are politically unaware will be passive. A related argument suggests that those who are marginalized, who are less aware, will also be more intolerant. However, we hypothesize that the intolerant who expressed the strongest intention of future action would indeed be most likely to act. We examine who is most likely to act to defend their judgments. Chapter 10, our conclusion, summarizes and extends our findings and raises several implications of our model. First, our research shows that predispositions, standing decisions, and contemporary information all affect tolerance decisions. Several antecedent considerations make a difference: threat predispositions, neuroticism, gender, expertise, democratic norms, and preexisting tolerance attitudes. Contemporary information also contributes to tolerance judgments, including state of mind, democratic norms, and normative violations. We emphasize the encapsulation effect of democratic norms and tolerance as a standing decision on many other antecedent conditions such as personality and least-liked group threat. Finally, we return to the effect of emotion on decision making and suggest that cognition is not the whole story.
Friction and surface characteristics of cotton fibers

Publisher Summary This chapter presents that cotton is a natural cellulose fiber obtained from the mature capsule of the plant. The incredible demand and attraction to cotton products that have lasted hundreds of years primarily stem from the touch and the feel of the fiber, a unique characteristic that remains uncontested by any other material. The cotton fiber structure consists of a network of variously sized pores or capillary spaces surrounded by numerous variously sized fibrils in the different layers of the fiber. That makes cotton fibers accessible to liquids and vapors. The capillary action of the fibrils pulls in the liquid where it is held in the pores between the fibrils. The chapter discusses the surface characteristics of cotton and the nature of cotton fiber friction. It highlights some of the key aspects of friction, common research findings, and some recent methods of testing fiber friction that have standardization potential. The chapter discusses some of the important aspects related to the surface and frictional characteristics of cotton fibers. There is a significant body of knowledge on the subject available in the literature. However, many unresolved issues remain that are yet to be addressed.
In Situ Passive Sampling of Sediment Porewater Enhanced by Periodic Vibration

Passive sampling for the measurement of freely dissolved concentrations of organic pollutants in sediment porewater has emerged as a promising approach, but in situ measurements are complicated by slow mass transfer of strongly hydrophobic compounds. The primary resistance to mass transfer arises in the sediment side where a concentration depletion layer develops in the vicinity of the polymeric passive sampling material. The slow mass transfer results in underequilibrated passive sampler measurements that need to be corrected for equilibrium, typically by extrapolation of the loss kinetics of performance reference compounds. Such corrections are prone to large errors, especially when deviation from equilibrium is large. In this research we address the challenge of slow mass transfer by disrupting the external depletion layer around an in situ passive sampler. We report an engineering innovation of adapting low-cost vibration motors for periodically disrupting the depletion layer in a passive sampler depl...
The analysis of phase noise degradation in a coded communication link

A simulation approach for assessing coded system performance in the presence of phase noise with and without interleaving is described. A simulation was constructed to model a realistic satellite channel, including all significant distortions. Block error results from the simulations were analyzed to determine system bit error rate as a function of the energy per bit to noise power spectral density ratio. Sources of link degradations included intersymbol interference, nonlinear amplification, and filter distortion, as well as phase noise. Simulation results indicate that data interleaving can significantly improve communication system performance. An analytic approach that gives performance degradation results in close agreement with simulation results is discussed. This analysis combined with simulation results can yield a close approximation of system performance. >
The Extragalactic X-ray Background (1 - 20 keV)

The extragalactic X-ray Backround (1 - 20 keV) comes from discrete sources, the composition of which changes with energy. In the low energy range (1 - 3 keV) where the first generation X-ray telescopes have operated, at least half of the XRB arises in Active Galactic Nuclei, with important contributions from X-ray luminous galaxies such as starburst galaxies and early-type galaxies, with small contributions from clusters of galaxies. Above 3 keV, the composition is less well understood because X-ray telescopes are only just beginning to operate in that range, but the candidates for the bulk of the XRB are again AGN (via Compton processes) and starburst galaxies.
Gender associations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

e16010 Background: The primary objective of this analysis was to examine the association of gender with various presentation and outcome parameters in HNSCC. Methods: We queried the head and neck c...
On the Inner Life of Physicians: Analysis of Family Medicine Residents' Written Reflections.

This qualitative study introduces the broad and inclusive concept of the "inner life of physicians" and analyzes the written reflections (N = 756) of family medicine residents (N = 33) during their residency as indicative of the physicians' inner lives. Residents completed reflective entries without specific prompts. Researchers describe unsolicited emergent categorical themes indicative of a robust inner life of the physician. Nurturing physicians' inner life through reflection allows physicians to recognize, identify, and respond to daily emotional events. Reflections about the state of physicians' inner lives can formulate and express fundamental human questions that concern: (a) troubling human experiences (e.g., suffering, death, luck, destiny, and death); (b) questions that surface in practicing their profession; (c) spiritually explicit questions on their beliefs and practices. Physicians' inner lives can become a "place" where physicians look for answers and explore options for dealing with their human and professional challenges, thus enhancing the humanistic aspects of medical practice.
Reconceptualilzing agitation in autism as primary affective dysregulation: Case report and literature review of use of quetiapine in a patient with Treacher–Collins syndrome and autism

This case report describes the successful use of low dose quetiapine in the treatment of agitation in a patient with Treacher–Collins syndrome (TCS) and suspected autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Results from this case report found better efficacy in controlling symptoms of agitation in ASD utilizing lower doses of quetiapine. TCS is a genetic disorder that is characterized by a mandibulofacial dysostosis but is not associated with developmental delay, nor is it associated with a high risk of co-morbid autism, and to our knowledge, there are no previous reports of a co-occurrence of TCS and ASD in the extant literature. There are reports of mandibulofacial dysostosis associated with co-morbid developmental delay that are similar but distinct from TCS, however these reports do not comment on the treatment of agitation in this patient population. The results described in this case report demonstrate a reduction of agitation with low dose quetiapine, and offers support for the reconceptualization of agitation in ASD as a primary affective dysregulation which is also in line with evidence from the extant literature regarding the neurobiologic basis of aggression.
Noisy neuromorphic neurons with RPG on-chip noise source

Noise can play beneficial roles in neural network systems from biology to neuromorphic computing through stochastic resonance, averaging signals, and other mechanisms. To achieve the benefits of noise in neuromorphic circuits, we propose a random pulse generator(RPG) as a source of noise and describe its implementation in neuromorphic circuits. The RPG includes three components: an LED, a wave guide, and a single-photon avalanche diode(SPAD). The LED will generate photons in Poisson-distributed time intervals with Gaussian-distributed amplitude. Through a wave guide, the SPAD senses the photons and generate uV wavelength random pulses. The noise can be implemented in a discrete manner by connecting to an amplifier and in a continuous manner by connecting to a current mirror. The design was simulated using CMOS 180nm SPICE models. The generated variable signals are used in different parts of a BioRC neuromorphic neuron to implement a noisy neuron following different neurological findings. The noisy neuron's random postsynaptic potential(PSP), along with mechanisms to support stochastic resonance, noise inhibition and noise-forced spiking were demonstrated.
Editorial: Ratiometric Optical Imaging of Subclinical Inflammation With a Thrombin‐Cleavable Probe: A Future Tool for the In Vivo Visualization of Clinically Silent Synovitis?

It is universally accepted that effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires initiation of therapy at the early phase of articular inflammation. In addition to clinical and serological assessments, imaging of joint tissues provides useful information for the early diagnosis of RA (1). Although radiographic (X-ray) imaging can be used to detect bone erosions and to monitor disease progression in terms of bone involvement, X-ray does not detect early synovitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Bond Dissociation Energies of Tungsten Molecules: WC, WSi, WS, WSe, and WCl

Resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy was used to locate predissociation thresholds in WC, WSi, WS, WSe, and WCl, allowing bond dissociation energies to be measured for these species. Because of the high degree of vibronic congestion in the observed spectra, it is thought that the molecules dissociate as soon as the lowest separated atom limit is exceeded. From the observed predissociation thresholds, dissociation energies are assigned as D0(WC) = 5.289(8) eV, D0(WSi) = 3.103(10) eV, D0(WS) = 4.935(3) eV, D0(WSe) = 4.333(6) eV, and D0(WCl) = 3.818(6) eV. These results are combined with other data to obtain the ionization energy IE(WC) = 8.39(9) eV and the anionic bond dissociation energies of D0(W–C–) = 6.181(17) eV, D0(W––C) = 7.363(19) eV, D0(W–Si–) ≤ 3.44(4) eV, and D0(W––Si) ≤ 4.01(4) eV. Combination of the D0(WX) values with atomic enthalpies of formation also provides ΔfH0K° values for the gaseous WX molecules. Computational results are also provided, which shed some light on the electronic st...
Before and after AR/VR: empowering paradigm shifts in education

The development and potential of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have already begun to transform classrooms and teaching in ways unimaginable just ten years ago. The increasing integration of these tools and experiences into educational environments has ushered in the possibility of profound changes in the way we think, learn and communicate. Applications for and in education are at the forefront of these changes. AR/VR can enhance the way teachers teach and students learn on all levels from primary school to post graduate education and in all content areas. This new way of experiencing and understanding the world can bring about great opportunities to improve teaching environments and support teachers in their mission to improve the skills and experiences of their students. AR and VR devices now available have made these experiences more affordable, interfaces for uses in education have improved enormously, and people from countries far and wide are able to contribute and connect in ways never available before. When teachers are able to design content that is delivered using AR or VR environments, and students can explore knowledge in a completely different context, opportunities emerge that allow for unique and exciting learning experiments. This panel brings together international experts in industry and education who are making significant contributions to education using these technologies. The panelists will present their newest and ongoing education initiatives, creative and innovative projects, and their plans and predictions for the future. They will discuss the broader ramifications of the dissemination of these new tools.
Abstract A107: Development of polymerase theta inhibitors for precision medicine in BRCA-deficient cancers

DNA polymerase theta (Polq) is important for the proliferation of BRCA-deficient cancer cells, but is dispensable for normal cell growth. Thus, Polq is widely considered to be an important new drug target for BRCA-deficient cancers, such as those in the breast, ovary, prostate, pancreas, and blood. We have identified "expanded-size" nucleoside analogs that are uniquely incorporated by Polq and inhibit its activity. We have also identified small-molecule inhibitors of Polq through a random high-throughput screening approach. Consistent with the ability of Polq to promote the survival of BRCA-deficient cells, preliminary studies show that a newly identified Polq small-molecule inhibitor selectively kills cells deficient in BRCA2, while sparing wild-type cells. We are currently further advancing Polq nucleoside analog and small-molecule inhibitors via structure activity relationship (SAR) and medicinal chemistry studies with the goal of testing these inhibitors in BRCA-deficient PDX mouse models. Citation Format: Richard T. Pomerantz. Development of polymerase theta inhibitors for precision medicine in BRCA-deficient cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A107.
Truncated incremental search: faster replanning by exploiting suboptimality

Incremental heuristic searches try to reuse their previous search efforts whenever these are available. As a result, they can often solve a sequence of similar planning problems much faster than planning from scratch. State-of-the-art incremental heuristic searches such as LPA*, D* and D* Lite all work by propagating cost changes to all the states on the search tree whose g- values (the costs of computed paths from the start) are no longer optimal. While such a complete propagation of cost changes is required to ensure optimality, the propagations can be stopped much earlier if we are looking for solutions within a given suboptimality bound. We present a framework called Truncated Incremental Search that builds on this observation, and uses a target suboptimality bound to efficiently restrict the cost propagations. Using this framework, we develop two algorithms, Truncated LPA* (TLPA*) and Truncated D* Lite (TD* Lite). We discuss their analytical properties and present experimental results for 2D and 3D (x, y, heading) path planning that show significant improvement in runtime over existing incremental heuristic searches when searching for close-to-optimal solutions. In addition, unlike typical incremental searches, Truncated Incremental Search is much less dependent on the proximity of the cost changes to the goal of the search due to the early termination of the cost change propagation.
The Physiological Effects of N-Acetylcysteine in Clinical Studies

The previous chapters in this book have presented the empirical studies demonstrating the therapeutic effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on various disease processes. For many diseases, the proposed biological mechanisms of action of NAC include improving glutathione availability, acting as an antioxidant, and having an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect. In this chapter we present some of the clinical studies that investigate the biological mechanism of action for the effect of NAC on disease on an in vivo basis. In addition, to these proposed mechanisms, NAC is also shown to improve vascular physiology by having a positive effect on endothelial function, nitric oxide metabolism, and vascular flow. Furthermore, NAC has been shown to improve exercise by influencing some of the same physiological processes that are involved in medical disease. This chapter provides a more in-depth understanding of the effects of NAC on human physiology to improve the understanding of its mechanism of action on disease.