cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methods for Making a Cartesian Diver for Use with Small Arthropods1

Respiratory data on single arthropods weighing less than 100 µg (wet wt) are difficult to obtain unless the Cartesian diver technique (Holter 1943, Kanungo 1965) or a Digital Electrolytic Microrespirometer (Dunkle and Strong 1971) is used. The Digital Electrolytic Microrespirometer is capable of detecting less than 0.01µl of consumed O2 hr−1 (Dunkle and Strong 1971). I have used the Cartesian diver technique (Kanungo 1965) to detect 0.001 µl of consumed O2 hr−1 mite−1 for house dust mites weighing approximately 12.5 µg (wet wt) (Arlian 1972). A most difficult process in connection with use of a Cartesian diver apparatus is construction of uniform divers.
Let English Proverbs Be Subtimated In Discourses

s: A particular phenomenon in English discourse is made up of English proverbs. Their quotations present active and glowing knowledge and experience to both brightly-wise thinking and greatly-delighted practice of written English. To keep some proper and appropriate illustrations of proverbs in discourse enables English writing to be so profound, pictureaque and fluent in style that the skills used in English writing will be enriched with proverbial expressions.
Chronic nonpusatile blood flow: I. Cerebral autoregulation in chronic nonpulsatile biventricular bypass: Carotid blood flow response to hypercapnia

To investigate the response of the carotid blood flow and general circulation to hypercapnia in chronic nonpulsatile blood flow, we performed 18 carbon dioxide gas inhalation studies on three calves undergoing a centrifugal biventricular bypass with ventricular fibrillation. An ultrasonic flow probe was put on the carotid artery during biventricular bypass pump implantation, and pump flows were maintained at 90, 100, and 120 ml/kg per minute for 1 week each. The carbon dioxide inhalation studies were performed twice a week. Hypercapnia was induced by administering pure carbon dioxide gas through a nasal tube at flow rates of O, 5, 7.5,10,12.5, and 15 L/min for 5 minutes each at three different nominal pump flow rates, and the resultant arterial blood gas and hemodynamic changes were recorded. No significant correlation existed between the carotid blood flow and mean aortic pressure, which varied from 70 to 140 mm Hg, but the carotid blood flow correlated significantly ( p p
The current role of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the overall practice of thoracic surgery. A review of 207 cases.

From December 1991 to June 1995, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was performed on 207 patients at the Medical Center of Delaware with minimal complications and no mortality. A definitive diagnosis was made in all patients. Results with VATS procedures appear to be comparable to those with the standard open technique. Operating time was comparable to that with the open technique. Length of stay and pain and suffering were dramatically reduced compared with the open technique. We now consider VATS to be the preferred procedure in the following conditions: 1. Undiagnosed pulmonary infiltrate in the non-ventilator-dependent patient. 2. Indeterminate pulmonary nodule. 3. Undiagnosed disease of the pleural space. 4. Recurrent or persistent pneumothorax. 5. Mediastinal or pericardial cystic tumors. 6. Thoracic sympathectomy. 7. Selected patients requiring esophagocardiomyotomy. The utilization of VATS for resection of a pulmonary mass in patients with compromised pulmonary status (i.e., FEV < 1) is being studied.
“It will be your duty…:” The Psychology of Criminal Jury Instructions

The right to trial by jury granted by the Constitution is one of the cornerstones of American democracy. Jury trials allow the public to participate in the judicial process, which prevents the process from being unfairly used by the government. Without properly understanding the relevant law, jurors are unable to carry out their duties effectively, which can result in unjust outcomes such as innocent defendants being convicted. Judges give jurors instructions to help them understand how to apply the law to the case at hand. The chapter begins by evaluating jurors’ general comprehension of jury instructions, and then presents additional sections on special types of criminal jury instructions, including death penalty instructions, instructions on how to evaluate eyewitness testimony, curative/limiting instructions, joinder instructions, Allen (dynamite) charges, and jury nullification instructions. Each section provides an overview of the law regarding each particular topic, presents the psychological research available on the topic, and provides recommendations on how to apply research findings to improve the effectiveness of the instructions.
Predicting Time to Initial Treatment in Early Stage CLL - Integration of Classical and Novel Prognostic Factors.

CLL patients (pts) who are not eligible for initiation of treatment by the NCI Working Group criteria (1996) are traditionally monitored on a “watch and wait” approach. There is increasing interest in initiating therapy earlier in pts who are considered high risk. The most important advice pts require in the “watch and wait” category is whether they will need treatment and when. There are a number of traditional prognostic factors that potentially identify those “watch and wait” (W&W) pts most likely to need treatment. These have recently been amplified by the discovery of new prognostic factors such as the immunoglobulin (IgVH) mutation status, FISH cytogenetics, ZAP-70, and CD38 expression on CLL cells. Most reports have emphasized the new prognostic factors without consideration of traditional characteristics such as tumor burden, stage, etc. Since January 2004 FISH, IgVH mutation status, ZAP-70, and CD38 were characterized for most pts presenting to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. We identified an early stage low tumor burden group of 826 pts (W&W) defined with as having lymph nodes < 3 cm in the longest dimension, splenomegaly < 5 cm, and Rai stage 0 – II. Twenty-four percent of these pts have received treatment in the first two years of follow-up. From the traditional prognostic factors, number of lymph node sites (cervical, axillary, and inguinal), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), serum beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) levels were highly correlated with time-to-initial treatment (P<.001). The predictive power of these characteristics was also confirmed in an earlier historic patient population. When these three characteristics are evaluated in multivariate analysis, IgVH mutation status, ZAP-70, and FISH cytogenetics all add independent prognostic power. When these three novel characteristics were evaluated in multivariate model with the traditional characteristics, the most important were the number of node sites, ALC, B2M, FISH, IgVH mutation status, and then ZAP-70. | | Clinical only | +Mutation Status | +ZAP 70 | +FISH | + All 3 | |:--------------------:| ------------- | ---------------- | ------- | ----- | ------- | | No. Lymph Node Sites | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | ALC | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | Beta-2-microglobulin | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | | Mutation Status | -- | 3 | -- | -- | 5 | | ZAP-70 | -- | -- | 3 | -- | 6 | | FISH | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 3 | Integration of novel prognostic factors into readily clinically available characteristics will enable us to develop a nomogram for predicting probability of each patient requiring therapy at one year, two years, and eventually five years. This nomogram will be presented when completed and then will be available for validation in independent patient populations studied by other groups.
Hydrogen-bond acceptance's role in designing room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) membranes for gas dehumidification, part I: Impacts on permeance and selectivity

Abstract Previous theories correlate RTIL-membrane performance with the RTIL's viscosity, molar volume, or chemical interactions with the faster fluxing chemical. However, we improved membrane performance by selecting RTILs that hindered the transport of the slower fluxing chemical. Theoretically, increasing the RTIL's hydrogen-bond acceptor ability lowers the solubility of the non-polar methane gas. Membranes fabricated from RTILs with high Kamlet-Taft hydrogen-bond accepting parameters, β, had significantly better performance (2600 GPU-water and water/methane selectivity of 100,000) compared to previous RTIL-membranes. We report a strong correlation (exponential fit, R2=0.97, N=6) between the selectivities and β's. Using high-β RTILs did produced RTIL-membranes competitive with polymer membranes and introduced new research pathways for improving RTIL gas separations that focuses on decreasing the solubility of non-polar gases.
The Influence of a Career Pathways Model and Career Counseling on Students' Career and Academic Self-Efficacy

This qualitative study examines the effects of career pathways programming and targeted career counseling services on 71 high school seniors across seven schools engaged in school reforms funded through South Carolina's Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA). EEDA is a statewide, multipronged effort to improve academic achievement, graduation rates, and students' chances at success in both careers and college. One component of EEDA is the requirement that all students complete an individual graduation plan, and in order to build capacity to execute this new requirement, additional counselors and/or counselor aides were added to every high school in the state. We found that the combination of a career pathways model along with targeted career counseling services enhanced students' sense of career and academic self-efficacy by increasing their motivation to complete school, willingness and interest to take more challenging courses, and sense of preparedness for college and work. We examine these them...
Merchants of Optimism: Agenda-Setting Organizations and the Framing of Performance-Based Funding for Higher Education

This article explores the diffusion and adoption of performance-based funding policies using framing theory. Specifically, the authors examine the role of philanthropic foundations and policy organ...
Image Super Resolution Using Generative Adversarial Networks and Local Saliency Maps for Retinal Image Analysis

We propose an image super resolution (ISR) method using generative adversarial networks (GANs) that takes a low resolution input fundus image and generates a high resolution super resolved (SR) image upto scaling factor of 16. This facilitates more accurate automated image analysis, especially for small or blurred landmarks and pathologies. Local saliency maps, which define each pixel’s importance, are used to define a novel saliency loss in the GAN cost function. Experimental results show the resulting SR images have perceptual quality very close to the original images and perform better than competing methods that do not weigh pixels according to their importance. When used for retinal vasculature segmentation, our SR images result in accuracy levels close to those obtained when using the original images.
Imaging using feature specific active illumination

Visible imaging systems are important for many applications in both the defense and commercial sectors. Mission-critical tasks such as surveillance, target detection, object identification, and tracking are enabled by high-fidelity visible imaging. In this paper we propose an imaging system that uses active illumination to (a) reduce imager complexity and (b) provide improved image quality in high noise environments as compared with traditional imaging methods.
The dilemma of minors' access to adult content on the internet: A proposed warnings solution

vs. Concrete Icons Some hypotheses in the proposed study refer to concrete and abstract icons. Although the definitions of concrete and abstract icons from the research literature were previously given, there could still be ambiguity about which icons are concrete and which are abstract. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a metric for classifying each of the proposed icons into abstract and concrete categories. Garcia, Badre, and Stasko (1994) developed the metric that can be applied to icons to characterize their abstractness. The measure of an icon is determined by adding up the icon’s components in each icon and producing a score. The components and their examples are shown in Table 1. The presence of each of the components is scored as one point. The authors found that icons with less components (up to 10) were perceived as more concrete and icons with a larger number of components as more abstract. Icons shown in Appendix A have been rated based on this metric with an abstractness score and an “abstract” or “concrete” classification. Some icons, however, such as faces and bodies were not rated based on the metric because they contain many components and the type of components contained are outside
Structure and Dynamics of the Rare Gas-Halogen Van Der Waals Molecules: Product State Distributions for Vibrational Predissociation of NeBr2

A brief review of the structure and dynamics of the rare gas halogen van der Waals molecules is given. New results are presented for the lifetimes of several vibrational levels of the B state of NeBr2. Also presented for the first time are the branching ratios into the possible product channels upon vibrational predissociation of NeBr2. Most of the molecules have structures not too different from what one would obtain by bringing the rare gas atom into van der Waals contact with the two halogen atoms. ArClF and KrClF are exceptions to this trend. They are linear molecules with a van der Waals bond length substantially shorter than the sum of atomic van der Waals radii. The dynamics observed for NeBr2 are not too different from what one would have predicted on the basis of earlier HeI2 results. For lower vibrational levels the Δv = -−1 channel predominates and only a modest fraction of the product kinetic energy is transferred to the rotational degree of freedom. For higher vibrational levels (near v = 28) the Δv = −1 channel closes and increasing values for Δv are observed. Analysis of this data yields a value for the X state Do of 70.5 ± 2.0 cm−1.
Numerical Studies of Models for Manganites

The Kondo lattice Hamiltonian with ferromagnetic Hund coupling and antiferromagnetic (AF) interaction between the localized spins is investigated as a model for manganites. The phase diagram has been obtained using Monte Carlo simulations in the limit where the localized spins are classical. At low temperatures, three dominant regions were found: (i) a ferromagnetic phase, (ii) phase separation between hole-poor AF and hole-rich ferromagnetic (FM) domains, and (iii) a phase with incommensurate spin correlations. An AF interaction between classical spins enhances the tendency to phase separation. Comparisons of these results with recent neutron scattering experiments are made, including phononic degrees of freedom phase separation between two phases with spin-ferro order is observed. One has staggered-orbital order, and the other is orbitally disordered.
Significant medical pathology uncovered by a comprehensive male infertility evaluation.

Objective To determine if there was a specific screening regimen that could identify all patients with significant medical pathology found during a comprehensive male infertility evaluation. Design A retrospective study. Setting Two university-based male infertility clinics. Patients Thirteen patients with male factor infertility identified with significant medical pathology. Main Outcome Measures Initial presentation, history, physical examination, semen analysis, and hormone profile. Results The identification of significant medical pathology was uncovered in 13 of 1,236 patients (1.1%) presenting to a male infertility clinic. The pathology was identified with a thorough history in 4 of 13 patients (30.8%) and by a complete physical examination in 8 of 13 patients (61.5%). Semen analyses were available on 12 patients, and 1 patient was anejaculatory. Two patients were azoospermic. Of the patients with sperm present, the mean sperm concentration was 8.6×10 6 /mL (range, 0.8 to 27), and the mean sperm motility was 32.0% (range, 0% to 65%). In 5 patients, endocrine abnormalities were specifically related to the subsequent pathology identified. A tumor was identified in 10 patients (6 testicular tumors, 3 brain tumors, and 1 spinal cord tumor). Two patients had ejaculatory dysfunction as a result of mesonephric duct anomalies affecting the ejaculatory duct or bladder neck closure. One patient had Klinefelter's syndrome. Conclusions There was no pathognomonic finding on history, physical examination, semen analysis, or hormone profile that identified all patients with significant medical pathology. The significant medical pathology identified was represented in all semen quality groupings, that is, azoospermia, severe oligospermia, mild oligospermia, and normospermia. We recommend a comprehensive urologic evaluation for all male partners of infertile couples with a male factor or unexplained infertility in an attempt to identify significant and potentially treatable medical pathology before engaging in a series of therapies with assisted reproductive techniques.
Unification of local and nonlocal models within a stable integral formulation for analysis of defects

Abstract Employing the discrete Cauchy-Born rule with the principle of virtual work done, a generalized model is formulated with the hope to unify local and nonlocal continuum frameworks. Despite the conventional mapping of the microscopic bond from the undeformed configuration, the consistent derivation requires a transformation on the Average Deviation of Lattice (ADL) vector in the region of influence. The new conversion proffers flexibility to the framework for the analysis of nonuniform distribution of particles in the field. We also found a compact mapping matrix which converts surface-based forces (stresses) to the nonlocal body-based forces. The transformation matrix allows reconstructing continuum models at a lower length scale in a discrete setting. To see the credibility of the model, fracture evolution in SCB specimen made of Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is simulated, and the results are compared with experiments which admit an acceptable agreement.
Security and defence cooperation in the EU: a matter of utility and choice

The European Union is facing a period of considerable uncertainty. As it prepares for a post-Brexit future, European elites are also struggling to deal with a baffling American president on one sid...
Agricultural technology assessment for smallholder farms: An analysis using a farm simulation model (FARMSIM)

Abstract Previous models used to evaluate the adoption of agricultural technologies have focused mainly on assessing the ex-post impact of technology without necessarily quantifying the profit and risk associated with the adoption of technology. This study introduces a farm simulation model (FARMSIM) that evaluates the potential economic and nutritional impacts of new agricultural technologies before and after they are adopted (ex-ante and ex-post). FARMSIM is a Monte Carlo simulation model that simultaneously evaluates a baseline and an alternative farming technology for a representative farm. The farming technologies under study comprise water lifting technologies (pulley and tank, rope and washer pump, gasoline/diesel motor pump and a solar pump) and fertilizers. The study finds that the use of fertilizers combined with optimal irrigation to grow vegetables and fodder using a motor pump had the highest net present value and profit compared to other scenarios. However, the findings also indicate the scenario under the pulley system, a low cost technology, to be the most feasible with the highest benefit cost ratio. Solar pump system had a lower benefit cost ratio compared to the pulley and motor pump scenarios due to high initial investment cost. Based on simulation results, all four water lifting technologies are profitable and suitable for use in Robit kebele. Moreover, due to improved technologies in alternative scenarios, the nutrition simulation results show in general an increase in food quantities available to the family for calories, proteins, iron, fat, calcium and vitamin A. The daily minimum requirements per adult equivalent were met for all nutrients under study except for fat and calcium. Supplemental nutrition through production and purchase, to fill the gap in fat and calcium is recommended for households in Robit kebele.
(1R,2R)-(+)-4,4′-Di-tert-butyl-2,2′-[1,2-diphenyl­ethane-1,2-diylbis(nitrilo­methyl­idyne)]diphenol

The crystal structure of the title compound, C36H40N2O2, has been determined at 173 (2) K. The mol­ecule has C2 symmetry and the asymmetric unit contains one half-mol­ecule. An intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond is formed between the phenol OH group and the Schiff base N atom.
Profiling of Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters in Human Tissue Biopsy Samples: A Review of the Literature

Within the drug pharmacokinetics (PK)-absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) research community, investigators regularly generate in vitro data sets using appropriately vendor-sourced and processed human tissue. Such data enable drug screening, the generation of kinetic parameters, extrapolation of in vitro to in vivo, as well as the modeling and simulation of drug PK. Although there are large numbers of manuscripts describing studies with deceased organ donor tissue, relatively few investigators have published studies utilizing living donor tissue biopsy samples. After a review of the available literature, it was possible to find publications describing the use of tissue biopsy samples to determine enzyme inhibition ex vivo, the study of genotype-phenotype associations, the evaluation of tissue expression profiling following an inducer, and assessment of correlations between tissue expression profiles and in vivo-derived trait measures (e.g., biomarker plasma levels and probe drug PK). Some reports described multiple single-tissue biopsies, whereas others described single multiple-organ biopsies. It is concluded that biopsy-derived data can support modeling exercises (as input data and when validating models) and enable the assessment of organ-specific changes in enzyme and transporter profiles resulting from drug interactions, disease (e.g., metabolic disease, fibrosis, inflammation, cancer, infection), age, pregnancy, organ impairment, and genotype. With the emergence of multiorgan axes (e.g., microbiome-gut-liver-kidney) and interest in remote sensing (interorgan communication), it is envisioned that there will be increased demand for single- and multiorgan tissue biopsy data to support hypothesis testing and PK-ADME model building. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Based on a review of the literature, it is apparent that profiling of human tissue biopsy samples is useful in support of pharmacokinetics (PK)-absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)-related studies. With conventional tissue biopsy as precedent, it is envisioned that researchers will turn to less invasive "liquid biopsy" methods in support of ADME-related studies (e.g., profiling of plasma-derived tissue-specific nanovesicles). Generation of such multiorgan liquid biopsy data in larger numbers of subjects and at multiple study time points will provide a rich data set for modeling purposes.
Dissemination and Implementation of Palliative Care in Oncology

Palliative care began in academic centers with specialty consultation services, and its value to patients, families, and health systems has been evident. The demand for palliative care to be integrated throughout the cancer trajectory, combined with a limited palliative care workforce, means that new models of care are needed. This review discusses evidence regarding the need for integration of palliative care into routine oncology care and describes best practices recognized for dissemination of palliative care. The available evidence suggests that palliative care be widely adopted by clinicians in all oncology settings to benefit patients with cancer and their families. Efforts are needed to adapt and integrate palliative care into community practice. Limitations of these models are discussed, as are future directions to continue implementation efforts. The benefits of palliative care can only be realized through effective dissemination of these principles of care, with more primary palliative care delivered by oncology clinicians.
Retinoic Acid Potentiates Orbital Tissues for Inflammation Through NF-κB and MCP-1.

Purpose The orbit displays unique vulnerability to inflammatory conditions. The most prevalent of these conditions, thyroid eye disease (TED), occurs in up to 50% of patients with Graves' disease (GD). Whereas the pathology of both TED and GD is driven by autoantibodies, it is unclear why symptoms manifest specifically in the orbit. Methods We performed retinoic acid treatment on both normal and TED patient-derived orbital fibroblasts (OFs) followed by mRNA and protein isolation, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, RNA sequencing, and Western blot analyses. Results Both normal and TED patient-derived OFs display robust induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) upon retinoid treatment; TED OFs secrete significantly more MCP-1 than normal OFs. In addition, pretreatment of OFs with thiophenecarboxamide (TPCA-1) inhibits retinoid-induced MCP-1 induction, suggesting an NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells)-dependent mechanism. We also found that treatment with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) mitigates MCP-1 induction, likely because of competition between retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and vitamin D receptors (VDR) for their common binding partner retinoid nuclear receptors (RXRs). Conclusions Retinoids that naturally accumulate in orbital adipose tissue can act on orbital fibroblasts to induce the expression of inflammation-associated genes. These data suggest a potential role for retinoids in sensitizing the orbit to inflammation.
Kappa opioid receptors in the central amygdala modulate spinal nociceptive processing through an action on amygdala CRF neurons

The amygdala plays an important role in the emotional-affective aspects of behaviors and pain, but can also modulate sensory aspect of pain (“nociception”), likely through coupling to descending modulatory systems. Here we explored the functional coupling of the amygdala to spinal nociception. We found that pharmacological activation of neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) increased the activity of spinal dorsal horn neurons; and this effect was blocked by optogenetic silencing of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) positive CeA neurons. A kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist (U-69,593) was administered into the CeA by microdialysis. KOR was targeted because of their role in averse-affective behaviors through actions in limbic brain regions. Extracellular single-unit recordings were made of CeA neurons or spinal dorsal horn neurons in anesthetized transgenic Crh-Cre rats. Neurons responded more strongly to noxious than innocuous stimuli. U-69,593 increased the responses of CeA and spinal neurons to innocuous and noxious mechanical stimulation of peripheral tissues. The facilitatory effect of the agonist was blocked by optical silencing of CRF-CeA neurons though light activation of halorhodopsin expressed in these neurons by viral-vector. The CRF system in the amygdala has been implicated in aversiveness and pain modulation. The results suggest that the amygdala can modulate spinal nociceptive processing in a positive direction through CRF-CeA neurons and that KOR activation in the amygdala (CeA) has pro-nociceptive effects.
An ecolinguistic perspective on Assyrian-Iranian migrants’ portrayal of emotions toward their linguistic resources

Abstract In this study, I explore the relationship between migrants' linguistic resources, their environment, and their emotions, focusing on two Assyrian-Iranian migrants in Germany. By adopting an ecological approach, I examine how the memories they have created in Iran and Germany impact their emotional attachments to the Persian, Assyrian, and German languages. I argue that their experiences with these languages cause them to ascribe distinct emotional values to each. On the one hand, their strong feelings of belonging to a place (Iran), which correspond to their good memories of speaking Persian in that place, lead them to highly value that language and incorporate it into most aspects of their social lives. On the other hand, the migrants’ memories of a language with negative or neutral connotations (in this case, German) correspond with a lower level of reported social interactions in that language. This study shows that the language which these participants use to express their emotional involvement in particular moments of their life invokes specific feelings, and represents their inner world better than their other linguistic resources.
Combining Geospatial Analysis with HIV Care Continuum to Identify Differential HIV/AIDS Treatment Indicators in Uganda

To control the HIV epidemic at the population level, a 90–90–90 target has been proposed for sub-Saharan Africa, whereby 90 percent of people living with HIV (PLH) should know their HIV status, 90 ...
Geocultural power: China’s quest to revive the silk roads for the twenty-first century: by Tim Winter, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2019, 304 pp., $85.00 (hardback), ISBN: 9780226658216; $27.50 (paperback), ISBN: 9780226658353; $27.50 (E-Book), ISBN: 9780226658490

In the wake of China’s rise as a leader in world politics and economy, how does cultural production figure into and shape narratives of history, connectivity, and worldmaking? How does China employ...
Interrupting tumor necrosis factor-alpha signaling prevents parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in mice.

BACKGROUND We have recently reported a mouse model of PN-associated cholestasis (PNAC) in which combining intestinal inflammation and PN infusion results in cholestasis, hepatic macrophage activation, and transcriptional suppression of canalicular bile acid, bilirubin and sterol transporters Abcb11, Abcc2 and Abcg5/8. The aim of this study was to examine the role of TNFα in promoting PNAC in mice. METHODS First, recombinant TNFα was administered to mice as well as in hepatocyte cell culture. Second, Tnfr1/2KO or wild-type (WT) mice were exposed to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 4 days followed by soy-oil lipid emulsion-based PN infusion through a central venous catheter for 14 days (DSS-PN). Finally, WT/DSS-PN mice were also infused with infliximab at 10 mg/kg on days 3 and 10 of PN. PNAC was defined by increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bile acids, and bilirubin. RESULTS Intraperitoneal injection of TNFα into WT mice or TNFα treatment of Huh7 hepatocarcinoma cells and primary mouse hepatocytes suppressed messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription of bile (Abcb11, Abcc2]) and sterol transporters (Abcg5/8) and their regulators Nr1h3 and Nr1h4. DSS-PN mice with PNAC had increased hepatic TNFα mRNA expression and significant reduction of mRNA expression of Abcb11, Abcc2, Abcg5/8, Nr1h3, and Nr1h4. In contrast, PNAC development was prevented and mRNA expression normalized in both Tnfr1/2KO /DSS-PN mice and DSS-PN mice treated with infliximab. CONCLUSIONS TNFα is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of PNAC through suppression of hepatocyte Abcb11, Abcc2, and Abcg5/8. Pharmacologic targeting of TNFα as a therapeutic strategy for PNAC thus deserves further investigation.
Progress Towards a Systolic SVD Array Implementation

The past five years have seen a great deal of interest in parallel architectures for the computation of the singular value decomposition. We present a linear array approach which is unique in that there is no angle computation within the array, I/O time is balanced with computation time, communication is nearest neighbor, and simple multiply and accumulate processors are utilized. In addition, special properties of the SVD algorithm are exploited in order to obtain a VLSI design with reduced area. We are currently designing a chip using two micron CMOS design rules. When completed we estimate that our array will compute the SVD at a rate of between 5n and 10n MFlops/second, where n is the dimension of the array.
Some Effects of Dynamic Soil Properties on Soil-Structure Interaction

Soils exhibit nonlinear shearing stress-shearing strain behavior as the strain level increases from nearly elastic to plastic conditions. Experimental shearing stress-strain data were approximated by a Ramberg-Osgood mathematical curve which may be incorporated into analytical procedures. The method of characteristics was presented as one analytical method for studying dynamic behavior of soils, fluids, and structures including nonlinear soil behavior, inelastic slip, and transient pore pressures in one and two dimensional systems. Several types of model studies involving soil-structure interaction were presented to illustrate the new method of holgraphic interferometry and to emphasize the importance of test and construction details on the effectiveness of dynamic soil-structure interaction. The importance of positive contact between the foundation block and soil along the vertical faces was noted.
SU-E-P-10: Establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels of Routine Exam in Computed Tomography

Introduction National diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs) can be used as a reference dose of radiological examination can provide radiation dose as the basis of patient dose optimization. Local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) by periodically view and check doses, more efficiency to improve the way of examination. Therefore, the important first step is establishing a diagnostic reference level. Computed Tomography in Taiwan had been built up the radiation dose limit value,in addition, many studies report shows that CT scan contributed most of the radiation dose in different medical. Therefore, this study was mainly to let everyone understand DRL’s international status. For computed tomography in our hospital to establish diagnostic reference levels. Methods and Materials: There are two clinical CT scanners (a Toshiba Aquilion and a Siemens Sensation) were performed in this study. For CT examinations the basic recommended dosimetric quantity is the Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI). Each exam each different body part, we collect 10 patients at least. Carried out the routine examinations, and all exposure parameters have been collected and the corresponding CTDIv and DLP values have been determined. Results: The majority of patients (75%) were between 60–70 Kg of body weight. There are 25 examinations in this study.more » Table 1 shows the LDRL of each CT routine examination. Conclusions: Therefore, this study would like to let everyone know DRL’s international status, but also establishment of computed tomography of the local reference levels for our hospital, and providing radiation reference, as a basis for optimizing patient dose.« less
High pressure studies using two-stage diamond micro-anvils grown by chemical vapor deposition

Ultra-high static pressures have been achieved in the laboratory using a two-stage micro-ball nanodiamond anvils as well as a two-stage micro-paired diamond anvils machined using a focused ion-beam system. The two-stage diamond anvils’ designs implemented thus far suffer from a limitation of one diamond anvil sliding past another anvil at extreme conditions. We describe a new method of fabricating two-stage diamond micro-anvils using a tungsten mask on a standard diamond anvil followed by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) homoepitaxial diamond growth. A prototype two-stage diamond anvil with 300 µm culet and with a CVD diamond second stage of 50 µm in diameter was fabricated. We have carried out preliminary high pressure X-ray diffraction studies on a sample of rare-earth metal lutetium sample with a copper pressure standard to 86 GPa. The micro-anvil grown by CVD remained intact during indentation of gasket as well as on decompression from the highest pressure of 86 GPa.
Stomata Density in Orchids and Cloud Forest Humidity

This experiment compares stomata density of the epiphytic Pleurothallis aristata and Maxillaria sp. orchids under experimental conditions of dry and humid environments. Pleurothallis aristata is in the sub-tribe Pleurothallidinae and lacks pseudobulbs, while Maxillaria sp. has pseudobulbs. The study seeks to determine what differences in stomata density exist between the two species, and if there is a difference in mean percent stomata open in humid and dry environments. The study takes stomata impressions from the leaves of twenty individuals of each species using clear nail polish. The results show a significant difference in stomata density between the Pleurothallis aristata and the Maxillaria sp. (Rank Sum Test: t=55, n1=10, n2=10, p<0.05). Additionally, both species have a higher percentage of open stomata in humid environments than in dry environments (Wilcoxon sign rank test). An explanation for these results is that Maxillaria sp. has a pseudobulb for water storage, has a larger leaf surface area, and therefore has higher stomata density. The study showed both species closed their stomata in drier conditions in order to reduce water loss and desiccation. The results of this experiment help demonstrate how different orchid species function in humid and dry environments, and their ability to succeed in the event of global climate change and shifting of biomes.
Nonrepresentative PCR amplification of variable gene sequences in clinical specimens containing dilute, complex mixtures of microorganisms.

Abstract PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of the expression locus from Neisseria gonorrhoeae contained in urine sediments collected from experimentally infected human subjects produced two observations. First, different pilin sequences were obtained when separate aliquots of the same sample were amplified and sequenced. In contrast, the same pilin sequence was obtained when repeated amplifications were performed on individual colonies grown from the clinical samples. Second, mixed sequences (i.e., more than one nucleotide at variable positions in the pilin gene sequence) were observed in both the direct clinical isolates and individual cultures grown from the isolates. These results suggest that when clinical samples are directly examined by PCR amplification and sequencing, multiple amplifications may be required to detect sequence variants in the sample and minority variant sequences will not always be detected.
A new hybrid approach to thevenin equivalent estimation for voltage stability monitoring

Voltage instability may be predicted by the Thevenin equivalent based approach using only local measurements taken at the monitored buses. This paper focuses on reliable estimation of Thevenin parameters from measurements, which are crucial in judging voltage stability. Two parameter estimation methods (least squares and Kalman filter) and a proposed new hybrid method are tested on the NPCC 140-bus power system for monitoring real-time margin of the power transferred to a load area against voltage instability.
Continuous filament coating by chemical vapor deposition: II. Mass transfer limitations

Abstract A mathematical model for growth of a solid coating onto a filament moving continuously through a reactor is presented. The solid film grows by chemical vapor deposition. The assumed kinetics include both a gas-phase and a surface reaction. Resistance to mass transfer to the filament depends upon the size and velocity of the filament. A model of convective mass transfer is adopted, and criteria are presented which permit one to determine whether film growth will be limited by mass transfer, or by the intrinsic kinetics, under a given set of operating conditions.
Dietary vitamin C requirement of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus.

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the minimum dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile red drum and characterize signs of vitamin C deficiency. Semipurified diets containing 400 g crude protein kg-1 from lyophilized red drum muscle and crystalline amino acids were used in the feeding trial. The basal diet without supplemental vitamin C contained approximately equal to 6 mg vitamin C kg-1 and was fed for a 1-week conditioning period. Red drum, initially averaging approximately equal to 3.6 g each, were fed diets supplemented with 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, or 150 mg vitamin C kg-1 as ascorbate polyphosphate for a period of 10 weeks. Fish fed the basal diet began to exhibit overt signs of vitamin C deficiency, including reduced weight gain, lordosis, scoliosis and loss of equilibrium after 8 weeks. Total ascorbate was undetectable in liver of fish fed the basal diet while liver ascorbate levels in fish fed the other diets generally reflected dietary supplementation. Regression analysis of weight gain data using the broken-line model resulted in a minimum vitamin C requirement (+/-SE) of 15 +/- 3 mg kg-1 diet.
Regulation of LNS Domain Function by Alternative Splicing: The Structure of the Ligand-Binding Domain of Neurexin Iβ

Neurexins are expressed in hundreds of isoforms on the neuronal cell surface, where they may function as cell recognition molecules. Neurexins contain LNS domains, folding units found in many proteins like the G domain of laminin A, agrin, and slit. The crystal structure of neurexin Ibeta, a single LNS domain, reveals two seven-stranded beta sheets forming a jelly roll fold with unexpected structural similarity to lectins. The LNS domains of neurexin and agrin undergo alternative splicing that modulates their affinity for protein ligands in a neuron-specific manner. These splice sites are localized within loops at one edge of the jelly roll, suggesting a distinct protein interaction surface in LNS domains that is regulated by alternative splicing.
ERK and RhoA Differentially Regulate Pseudopodia Growth and Retraction during Chemotaxis

Nonmotile cells extend and retract pseudopodia-like structures in a random manner, whereas motile cells establish a single dominant pseudopodium in the direction of movement. This is a critical step necessary for cell migration and occurs prior to cell body translocation, yet little is known about how this process is regulated. Here we show that myosin II light chain (MLC) phosphorylation at its regulatory serine 19 is elevated in growing and retracting pseudopodia. MLC phosphorylation in the extending pseudopodium was associated with strong and persistent amplification of extracellular-regulated signal kinase (ERK) and MLC kinase activity, which specifically localized to the leading pseudopodium. Interestingly, inhibition of ERK or MLC kinase activity prevented MLC phosphorylation and pseudopodia extension but not retraction. In contrast, inhibition of RhoA activity specifically decreased pseudopodia retraction but not extension. Importantly, inhibition of RhoA activity specifically blocked MLC phosphorylation associated with retracting pseudopodia. Inhibition of either ERK or RhoA signals prevents chemotaxis, indicating that both pathways contribute to the establishment of cell polarity and migration. Together, these findings demonstrate that ERK and RhoA are distinct pathways that control pseudopodia extension and retraction, respectively, through differential modulation of MLC phosphorylation and contractile processes.
Poly[(p-phenylene vinylene)-alt-(2,2′-biphenylene vinylene)]s: new conjugated polymers with high solid state photoluminescence quantum efficiencies

Abstract We report a novel polymer based on biphenyl-linked oligo(phenylene vinylene)s. The twisted structure of the biphenyl unit not only decreases the effective conjugation length of the polymer, allowing the luminescence color control, but also limits the inter-chain interactions, enhancing its photoluminescence quantum efficiencies.
A FAITH-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR SLUM DWELLERS IN BRAZIL

This article describes a mental health and development program being carried out under the direction of a Comboni Missionary who is an ordained Roman Catholic priest from Italy and a medical doctor presently completing a Ph.D. in psychiatry in Brazil. It is based on a theoretical framework that integrates the cultural and religious backgrounds of migrants coming into the slums of Brazilian cities with a form of group therapy based on the assumptions of Liberation Theology and the teachings of Paulo Freire that was developed by Prof. Adalberto Barreto, a practicing Brazilian trained M.D.–psychiatrist with European Ph.D.s in psychiatry and anthropology. This unusual combination of anthropological insight combined with a unique approach to group psychotherapy, rooted in a humanistic approach to religion, has resulted in an extremely effective development program that is beginning to be applied in slum areas in other parts of Brazil and elsewhere.
Mathematical analysis of specific anatomic foveal configurations predisposing to the formation of macular holes.

PURPOSE To mathematically analyze and to clinically describe specific anatomic foveal configurations predisposing to the formation of macular holes in comparison with normal foveal anatomy. METHODS In a retrospective observational case-control series, a total of 3882 optical coherence tomography (OCT) foveal thickness maps were analyzed; 96 foveal maps were identified before the formation of macular holes. Maps were analyzed using several anatomic measurements including: retinal thickness, foveal slope, and length of foveal depression. The mathematical analog of the foveal configuration was analyzed using automated symbolic regression software and the equation to describe the mathematical relationship in a 0.083 fit was derived for premacular hole foveas compared with normal age-matched foveas. RESULTS Premacular hole anatomic configuration was found to be significantly different from normal foveal anatomy for maximal slope (P < 0.05) and for central length of foveal depression (P < 0.05). The mathematical regression function followed a first-order cosine curve of level 12 complexity for normal fovea compared with a complex sine curve of level 30 complexity function for premacular hole fovea. Normal foveas had higher symmetry (0.86 ± 0.1, P = 0.03) along the midline, whereas premacular hole foveas had steeper maximal slopes (40 ± 18°, P = 0.01); 75% of these patients had similar foveal configuration in the fellow eye and 50% developed bilateral macular holes. CONCLUSIONS Premacular hole foveal configurations are significantly different from normal foveal configurations. Suspicious macular configurations are easy to recognize on OCT scans and may allow early diagnosis, follow-up, and better management of macular hole-prone patients.