cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex-dependent Effects of Nephron Ift88 Disruption on Blood Pressure, Renal Function and Cystogenesis.

Background Primary cilia regulation of renal function and blood pressure (BP) in health and disease is incompletely understood. The current study investigated the effect of nephron ciliary loss on renal physiology, blood pressure and ensuing cystogenesis. Methods Mice underwent doxycycline (DOX)-inducible nephron-specific knockout (KO) of the Ift88 gene at 2 months of age using a Cre-LoxP strategy. Blood pressure, kidney function, and renal pathology were studied 2 and 9 months after DOX (Ift88 KO) or vehicle (control). Results At 2 months post DOX, male, but not female, Ift88 KO, compared to sex-matched control, mice had reduced BP, enhanced salt-induced natriuresis, increased urinary nitrite/nitrate (NOx) excretion, and increased kidney NOS3 levels which localized to the outer medulla; the reductions in BP in male mice were prevented by L-NAME. At 9 months post DOX, male, but not female, Ift88 KO mice had polycystic kidneys, elevated BP and reduced urinary NOx excretion. No differences were observed in plasma renin concentration, plasma aldosterone, urine vasopressin or urine PGE2 between Ift88 KO and control mice at 2 or 9 months post DOX. Conclusions Nephron cilia disruption in male, but not female, mice: 1) reduces BP prior to cyst formation; 2) increases NOx production that may account for the lower BP prior to cyst formation; and 3) induces polycystic kidneys that are associated with hypertension and reduced renal NO production.
Harnessing the Health Promoting Benefits of Yoga: A Promising Opportunity for Health Educators

In tandem with the popularization of yoga, ongoing research suggests a meaningful role for yoga practice in relation to the achievement of numerous health education objectives in a variety of setti...
The Point-to-Set Principle, the Continuum Hypothesis, and the Dimensions of Hamel Bases.

We prove that the Continuum Hypothesis implies that every real number in (0,1] is the Hausdorff dimension of a Hamel basis of the vector space of reals over the field of rationals. The logic of our proof is of particular interest. The statement of our theorem is classical; it does not involve the theory of computing. However, our proof makes essential use of algorithmic fractal dimension--a computability-theoretic construct--and the point-to-set principle of J. Lutz and N. Lutz (2018).
Complement Inhibition Targeted to Injury Specific Neoepitopes Attenuates Atherogenesis in Mice

Rationale: Previous studies have indicated an important role for complement in atherosclerosis, a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease associated to oxidative stress in the vessel wall. However, it remains unclear how complement is activated in the process of atherogenesis. An accepted general model for complement activation in the context of ischemia reperfusion injury is that ischemia induces the exposure of neoepitopes that are recognized by natural self-reactive IgM antibodies, and that in turn activate complement. Objective: We investigated whether a similar phenomenon may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and whether interfering with this activation event, together with inhibition of subsequent amplification of the cascade at the C3 activation step, can provide protection against atherogenesis. Methods and Results: We utilized C2scFv-Crry, a novel construct consisting of a single chain antibody (scFv) linked to Crry, a complement inhibitor that functions at C3 activation. The scFv moiety was derived from C2 IgM mAb that specifically recognizes phospholipid neoepitopes known to be expressed after ischemia. C2scFv-Crry targeted to the atherosclerotic plaque of Apoe−/− mice, demonstrating expression of the C2 neoepitope. C2scFv-Crry administered twice per week significantly attenuated atherosclerotic plaque in the aorta and aortic root of Apoe−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for either 2 or 4 months, and treatment reduced C3 deposition and membrane attack complex formation as compared to vehicle treated mice. C2scFv-Crry also inhibited the uptake of oxidized low-density-lipoprotein (oxLDL) by peritoneal macrophages, which has been shown to play a role in pathogenesis, and C2scFv-Crry-treated mice had decreased lipid content in the lesion with reduced oxLDL levels in serum compared to vehicle-treated mice. Furthermore, C2scFv-Crry reduced the deposition of endogenous total IgM in the plaque, although it did not alter serum IgM levels, further indicating a role for natural IgM in initiating complement activation. Conclusion: Neoepitope targeted complement inhibitors represent a novel therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis.
The Founding Era: Establishing Relations—George Washington to John Quincy Adams

This chapter deals with the first six U.S. presidents, those who initially dealt with the complex politics of relations with the Native American nations. Key decisions were made regarding how to deal with questions such as, should the U.S. government treat the indigenous people as independent nations, as full members of the new nation, what land rights did the indigenous people have, were they “fully equal” to the European immigrants, should they be assimilated, and how to balance the demand of European immigrants for land, and the “rights” of Native Americans?
Posterior-Hacking: Selective Reporting Invalidates Bayesian Results Also

Many believe that Bayesian statistics are robust to p-hacking. Many are wrong. In this paper I show with simulations and actual data that the two Bayesian approaches that have been proposed within Psychology, Bayesian inference and Bayes factors, are as invalidated by selective reporting as p-values are. Going Bayesian may offer some benefits, providing a solution to selective reporting is not one of them. Required disclosure is the only solution.
TE diffraction by a pair of semi-infinite material sheets

The extended spectral ray method (ESRM) is employed in deriving expressions for the multiply diffracted fields by a pair of semi-infinite parallel material sheets/layers. One of the sheets is chosen to satisfy a second order boundary condition simulating a thin dielectric layer and the other is a resistive sheet. Of interest is the computation of the leading edge scattering given as the sum of the singly and multiply diffracted fields with particular attention given to the computation of higher order diffraction fields beyond the second. Their evaluation required a non-traditional approach and up to fifth order diffraction fields are derived and applied in computing the scattering by a pair of half sheets simulating a metal-backed dielectric half plane as thin as 1/20 of a wavelength. Numerical results for other practical simulations are presented and compared with results based on alternative computational methods, where applicable.
Determining the network parameters of the amphibian vision system

The objective of this research is to develop vision systems based on visual predators of the amphibian family (toads, frogs and salamanders). The initial phase of the project is modeling a retina (R2, R3, R4) and several neuron layers (T3, and TH-1), and their inhibitory and excitatory synapses using Genesis, a general purpose neural simulator. Since the network parameters are unknown, we are using genetic algorithms to search for a combination of parameters that produces the desired output of correctly identifying prey.
Health information technology workforce needs of rural primary care practices.

Purpose This study assessed electronic health record (EHR) and health information technology (HIT) workforce resources needed by rural primary care practices, and their workforce-related barriers to implementing and using EHRs and HIT. Methods Rural primary care practices (1,772) in 13 states (34.2% response) were surveyed in 2012 using mailed and Web-based questionnaires. Findings EHRs or HIT were used by 70% of respondents. Among practices using or intending to use the technology, most did not plan to hire new employees to obtain EHR/HIT skills and even fewer planned to hire consultants or vendors to fill gaps. Many practices had staff with some basic/entry, intermediate and/or advanced-level skills, but nearly two-thirds (61.4%) needed more staff training. Affordable access to vendors/consultants who understand their needs and availability of community college and baccalaureate-level training were the workforce-related barriers cited by the highest percentages of respondents. Accessing the Web/Internet challenged nearly a quarter of practices in isolated rural areas, and nearly a fifth in small rural areas. Finding relevant vendors/consultants and qualified staff were greater barriers in small and isolated rural areas than in large rural areas. Discussion/Conclusions Rural primary care practices mainly will rely on existing staff for continued implementation and use of EHR/HIT systems. Infrastructure and workforce-related barriers remain and must be overcome before practices can fully manage patient populations and exchange patient information among care system partners. Efforts to monitor adoption of these skills and ongoing support for continuing education will likely benefit rural populations.
Hospitals with Accounting Experts On the Board Received Higher Charitable Contributions

We empirically examined the relation between the presence of accounting experts on the board and charitable contributions received by hospitals. We hypothesized that accounting experts, with their knowledge and training in financial reporting, internal control, and risk management, are able to provide fiduciary assurance to potential donors that their contributions will be used efficiently and effectively toward the charitable mission. Hospitals with accounting experts on the board, therefore, might receive higher charitable contribution as compared with hospitals without accounting experts on the board. Using data from California nonprofit hospitals, we found robust evidence that after controlling for various board and hospital characteristics, hospitals with accounting experts on the board received 40% more charitable contributions as compared with hospitals without accounting experts on the board. More importantly, in the year when an accounting expert was added to the board, charitable contributions in the same hospital on average increased by more than $1 million; in the year when an accounting expert left the board, charitable contributions on average decreased by $0.7 million. In addition, the enhanced charitable contributions that occurred in the year when accounting experts were appointed to the board did not reverse in subsequent years, indicating a sustainable effect. These results highlight the benefits of recruiting accounting experts to serve on hospital boards. They can strengthen the board’s governance effectiveness and enhance its fiduciary assurance to donors. Keywords: accounting expert; governance; charitable contribution; board of directors; hospital Data Availability: Data is publicly available from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (Sacramento, California), the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Delineating the role of the part-time clinical nurse instructor.

This article is the first in a new quarterly series on the roles of adjunct clinical faculty and preceptors, who teach nursing students to apply knowledge in clinical settings. Topics will include the preparation of clinical instructors and preceptors for these roles, the student evaluation process, and overcoming challenges that can come with teaching in the clinical field and with adjunct teaching.
Estimating construction and demolition debris generation using a materials flow analysis approach

Abstract The magnitude and composition of a region’s construction and demolition (CD national estimates using alternative procedures such as those used for other segments of the solid waste stream have not been reported for C&D debris. This paper presents an evaluation of a materials flow analysis (MFA) approach for estimating C&D debris generation and composition for a large region (the US). The consumption of construction materials in the US and typical waste factors used for construction materials purchasing were used to estimate the mass of solid waste generated as a result of construction activities. Debris from demolition activities was predicted from various historical construction materials consumption data and estimates of average service lives of the materials. The MFA approach estimated that approximately 610–780 × 106 Mg of C&D debris was generated in 2002. This predicted mass exceeds previous estimates using other C&D debris predictive methodologies and reflects the large waste stream that exists.
Therapeutic approaches to traumatized Cambodian refugees

The treatment of severely traumatized Cambodian refugees is a difficult task. Through an understanding of the patient's culture and the posttraumatic stress disorder, the author recommends several treatment approaches. These include: supportive long-term therapy, case management, reinforcing traditional values, socialization group therapy, and specific medication. Through a sensitive, flexible approach, the Western practitioner can greatly reduce the suffering of these patients.
Mechanism of Inhibition of the GluA1 AMPA Receptor Channel Opening by 2,3-Benzodiazepine Compounds

2,3-Benzodiazepine derivatives, also known as GYKI compounds, represent a group of the most promising synthetic inhibitors of AMPA receptors. Here we investigate the mechanism of inhibition of the GluA1 channel opening and the site of inhibition by GYKI 52466 and its N-3 methyl-carbamoyl derivative (BDZ-f ) as well as two N-3 thiadiazolyl compounds. Like GluA2, GluA1 is a key AMPA receptor subunit, and excessive activity of GluA1 has been implicated in a number of neurological disorders. Using a laser-pulse photolysis technique, we investigated the mechanism of inhibition of the GluA1 channel expressed in HEK-293 cells. We found that these compounds inhibit the GluA1 channel noncompetitively. Addition of a methyl-carbamoyl group or a thiadiazole moiety to the N-3 position of the diazepine ring with the azomethine feature improves the potency of the resulting compounds without changing the site of binding, which we termed as the “M” site. On the basis of the magnitude of the inhibition constants for the same inhibitors (i.e., GYKI 52466 and BDZ-f), the “M” sites on GluA1 and GuA2 are different. Overall, the “M” site on GluA2 accommodates the same compounds better, or the same inhibitors show stronger potency on GluA2 than GluA1, if the N-3 pocket is not fully occupied. Acylating the N-3 position to occupy the N-3 side pocket of the “M” site can significantly narrow the difference and improve the potency of a resulting compound on GluA1. The two thiadiazolyl benzodiazepines inhibit both GluA1 and GluA2 much more strongly and almost equally potently. A thiadiazole moiety is thought to occupy more fully the side pocket of the “M” site, thereby generating a stronger, multivalent interaction between the inhibitor and the receptor binding site. This work is supported by NIH/NINDS.
Beamlets are densely embedded in H−1

The insufficiency of using ordinary measurable functions to model complex natural images was first emphasized by David Mumford (Q Appl Math 59:85–111, 2001). The idea was later rediscovered by Yves Meyer (Oscillating Patterns in Image Processing and Nonlinear Evolution Equations, vol. 22, University Lecture Series, AMS, Providence, 2001) who introduced proper texture models based on generalized functions or distributions. The simpler but effective Sobolev texture model of H − 1 was subsequently explored by Osher et al. (Multiscale Model Simul 1:349–370, 2003) to facilitate practical computation. H − 1 textures have also been further employed in the recent works of Daubechies and Teschke (Appl Comput Harmon Anal 19(1):1–16, 2005), Lieu and Vese (UCLA CAM Tech Report, 05–33, 2005), Shen (Appl Math Res Express 4:143–167, 2005), and many others, leading to a new generation of models for image processing and analysis. On the other hand, beamlets are the unconventional class of geometric wavelets invented by Donoho and Huo (Multiscale and Multiresolution Methods, Lect Notes Comput Sci Eng, vol. 20, pp. 149–196. Springer, Berlin, 2002) to efficiently represent and detect lower dimensional singular image features. In the current work, we make an intriguing connection between the above two realms by demonstrating that H − 1 is the natural space (of generalized functions) that hosts beamlets, and in return can be completely described by them. Computational evidences existing in the literature also help confirm this newly discovered bond.
Functional Suppression of HAMP Domain Signaling Defects in the E. coli Serine Chemoreceptor

HAMP domains play key signaling roles in many bacterial receptor proteins. The four-helix HAMP bundle of the homodimeric Escherichia coli serine chemoreceptor (Tsr) interacts with an adjoining four-helix sensory adaptation bundle to regulate the histidine autokinase CheA bound to the cytoplasmic tip of the Tsr molecule. The adaptation helices undergo reversible covalent modifications that tune the stimulus-responsive range of the receptor: unmodified E residues promote kinase-off output, and methylated E residues or Q replacements at modification sites promote kinase-on output. We used mutationally imposed adaptational modification states and cells with various combinations of the sensory adaptation enzymes, CheR and CheB, to characterize the signaling properties of mutant Tsr receptors that had amino acid replacements in packing layer 3 of the HAMP bundle and followed in vivo CheA activity with an assay based on Forster resonance energy transfer. We found that an alanine or a serine replacement at HAMP residue I229 effectively locked Tsr output in a kinase-on state, abrogating chemotactic responses. A second amino acid replacement in the same HAMP packing layer alleviated the I229A and I229S signaling defects. Receptors with the suppressor changes alone mediated chemotaxis in adaptation-proficient cells but exhibited altered sensitivity to serine stimuli. Two of the suppressors (S255E and S255A) shifted Tsr output toward the kinase-off state, but two others (S255G and L256F) shifted output toward a kinase-on state. The alleviation of locked-on defects by on-shifted suppressors implies that Tsr-HAMP has several conformationally distinct kinase-active output states and that HAMP signaling might involve dynamic shifts over a range of bundle conformations.
Detecting malicious landing pages in Malware Distribution Networks

Drive-by download attacks attempt to compromise a victim's computer through browser vulnerabilities. Often they are launched from Malware Distribution Networks (MDNs) consisting of landing pages to attract traffic, intermediate redirection servers, and exploit servers which attempt the compromise. In this paper, we present a novel approach to discovering the landing pages that lead to drive-by downloads. Starting from partial knowledge of a given collection of MDNs we identify the malicious content on their landing pages using multiclass feature selection. We then query the webpage cache of a commercial search engine to identify landing pages containing the same or similar content. In this way we are able to identify previously unknown landing pages belonging to already identified MDNs, which allows us to expand our understanding of the MDN. We explore using both a rule-based and classifier approach to identifying potentially malicious landing pages. We build both systems and independently verify using a high-interaction honeypot that the newly identified landing pages indeed attempt drive-by downloads. For the rule-based system 57% of the landing pages predicted as malicious are confirmed, and this success rate remains constant in two large trials spaced five months apart. This extends the known footprint of the MDNs studied by 17%. The classifier-based system is less successful, and we explore possible reasons.
Multiple mechanisms of rhabdom shedding in the lateral eye of Limulus polyphemus

Rhabdom shedding in horseshoe crab lateral eye photoreceptors was studied with anti-opsin and anti-arrestin immunocytochemistry. Two, possibly three, distinct shedding mechanisms were revealed in animals maintained in natural lighting. Transient rhabdom shedding, triggered by dawn, is a brief, synchronous event that removes up to 10% of the rhabdom membrane. Whorls of rhabdomeral membrane break into vesicles and form compact multivesicular bodies. These debris particles are immunoreactive for opsin and are of a relatively uniform size, averaging approximately 2 μm2 in area. Transient shedding requires that input from circadian efferent fibers to the retina precedes the light trigger, and cutting the optic nerve blocks efferent input and transient shedding. Light-driven rhabdom shedding is a progressive process. Rhabdomeral membrane is removed by coated vesicles that accumulate into loosely packed multivesicular bodies. These debris particles label with antibodies directed against opsin, arrestin, and adaptin, and they have a large distribution of sizes, averaging almost 6 μm2 in area and ranging up to 25 μm2 or more. The amount of rhabdomeral membrane removed by light-driven shedding has seasonal variation and depends on latitude. Light-driven shedding does not require circadian efferent input. A possible third shedding mechanism, light-independent shedding, is observed when transient shedding is blocked either by 48 hours of darkness or by cutting the optic nerve. Small particles, averaging 1.8 μm2 in area, exhibiting opsin but not arrestin immunoreactivity can then be found in the cytoplasm surrounding the rhabdom. The nature of light-independent shedding is not yet clear. J. Comp. Neurol. 449:26–42, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A network-based approach for monthly scheduling of residents in primary care clinics

Abstract This paper presents a network model with the objective of maximizing the number of interns and residents (collectively called housestaff ) who are assigned clinic duty each month during their training in internal medicine. A complexity analysis is provided that demonstrates that the basic problem can be modeled as a pure network. When team considerations, on-service, and other hard clinic constraints are taken into account, it is shown that the problem can be modeled as a network with gains. This result is unaffected when a series of soft constraints related to the number of clinic assignments per week per housestaff, the number of required faculty, the ratio of housestaff to faculty, and clinic assignment requirements during the month are taken into account. To evaluate the effectiveness of the model, a comparative study for the 2012–13 academic year was undertaken in conjunction with the Internal Medicine Department at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. The results indicated that an average increase of 5.3% in the number of clinic sessions assigned over the year is possible when compared to those obtained manually by the Chief Resident. In addition, the quality of the solutions with respect to the soft constraints was notably better.
Is being smart everything? The influence of student achievement on teachers' perceptions

The purpose of this project was to explore the accuracy and predictors of teachers' perceptions of their students' metacognition, self-concept, and attributional beliefs. Nineteen third grade teachers each nominated six children from their classrooms based on the children's maths abilities (high, medium, low). The children were tested on metacognitive knowledge, self-concept, and attributional beliefs. Teachers completed questionnaires estimating each child's metacognitive abilities, academic self-concept, and attributional beliefs about the reasons underlying academic success and failure. Analyses indicated that teachers' perceptions were biased by children's abilities, as higher ability children were portrayed more favourably on all variables. Regressions of teachers' perceptions on children's scores revealed that teachers were moderately accurate in their ratings of children's metacognitive abilities, but not of their attributional beliefs or self-concepts. Implications for metacognitive and motivational models of the learner are discussed.
Analysis of the effects of firing rate and synchronization on spike-triggered averaging of neuronal output

Spike-triggered averaging (STA) has been used experimentally to identify multiple features of neuronal output including post-synaptic potentials, whole muscle facilitation, and motor unit output. Using only the most basic assumptions, we develop equations that predict the effects of neuronal firing rate and synchronization on STA. We use exact equations to show that, if the measured neuronal output is multidimensional, then the direction of STA is unaffected by firing rate in the absence of synchronization. We then extend these equations into a framework for analyzing synchronization, and show that under reasonable conditions the analysis of synchronization can be mapped to linear algebra. We consider whether the effects of synchronization can be removed, and if there are neuronal output configurations for which STA is insensitive to synchronization. We conclude that STA can give insight into how neuronal synchronization is organized with respect to neuronal output.
Designing Scalable Out-of-core Sorting with Hybrid MPI+PGAS Programming Models

While Hadoop holds the current Sort Benchmark record, previous research has shown that MPI-based solutions can deliver similar performance. However, most existing MPI-based designs rely on two-sided communication semantics. The emerging Partitioned Global Address Space (PGAS) programming model presents a flexible way to express parallelism for data-intensive applications. However, not all portions of the data analytics applications are amenable to conversion using PGAS models. In this study, we propose a novel design of the out-of-core, k-way parallel sort algorithm that takes advantage of the features of both MPI and OpenSHMEM PGAS models. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first design of any data intensive computing application using Hybrid MPI + PGAS models. Our experimental evaluation indicates that our proposed framework outperforms existing MPI-based design by up to 45% at 8,192 processes. It also achieves 7X improvement over Hadoop-based sort using the same amount of resources at 1,024 cores.
Patterning via optical-saturable transformations: A review and simple simulation model

Most of the nanoscale fabrication in the semiconductor industry is based on patterning with scanning-electron beam lithography (SEBL). Although this approach is very versatile and has very high resolution, it is intrinsically a serial writing process, and therefore, relatively slow. Our group has been investigating alternative nano-fabrication techniques, adapted from ideas of saturating optical transitions such as those used in stimulated emission-depletion microscopy and related methods, and optical interference lithography. Linewidths and resolutions on the scale of a few tens of nanometers and below are highly desirable for various applications in nanotechnology. However, the spatial resolution of optical lithography is restricted by diffraction. In the past, we developed absorbance modulation to overcome this limit. This approach utilizes photochromic molecules that can be optically switched between two thermally stable states, one opaque and the other transparent. However, absorbance modulation is limited to surface (2-D) patterning. Here, we report on an alternative approach that exploits unique combinations of spectrally selective reversible and irreversible photochemical transitions to achieve deep subwavelength resolution with potential extension to 3-dimensions. This approach, which we refer to as patterning via optical-saturable transformations have the potential for massive parallelism, enabling the creation of nanostructures and devices at a speed far surpassing what is possible with SEBL. The aim of our research is to translate the success in circumventing Abbe's diffraction limit in optical microscopy to optical lithography.
Mechanosensitive Channels: Insights from Continuum-Based Simulations

Mechanotransduction plays an important role in regulating cell functions and it is an active topic of research in biophysics. Despite recent advances in experimental and numerical techniques, the intrinsic multiscale nature imposes tremendous challenges for revealing the working mechanisms of mechanosensitive channels. Recently, a continuum-mechanics-based hierarchical modeling and simulation framework has been established and applied to study the mechanical responses and gating behaviors of a prototypical mechanosensitive channel, the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) in bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli), from which several putative gating mechanisms have been tested and new insights are deduced. This article reviews these latest findings using the continuum mechanics framework and suggests possible improvements for future simulation studies. This computationally efficient and versatile continuum-mechanics-based protocol is poised to make contributions to the study of a variety of mechanobiology problems.
Ligionella pneumophila: Avirulent to virulent conversion through passage in cultured human embryonic lung fibroblasts

Legionella pneumophila isolated in guinea pigs from human lung tissues was highly virulent as determined by its infectivity and lethality in guinea pigs. Repeated passages of the bacteria on agar media resulted in the loss of virulence in guinea pigs. Virulence, however, was restored by cultivating the avirulent bacteria in cell cultures of human embryonic lung fibroblasts. Death of the host animals was the result of infection; no lethal toxin was detected in the cultural filtrate. These findings indicate that the virulent form ofL. pneumophilia is capable of surviving inside the host cells either through its endogenous resistance to environmental factors within the host cells or by host cell selection. Intracellular multiplication of the virulent bacteria followed by destruction of host cells appears to be an important pathogenic mechanism of Legionnaires' disease.
Differential encoding of rapid changes in sound amplitude by second-order auditory neurons

Single-cell recordings from the anesthetized gerbil revealed that neurons in the ventral cochlear nucleus, the most peripheral nucleus of the central auditory system, differentially encode a functionally relevant acoustic feature--amplitude modulation. Onset units show the strongest phase--locked responses to amplitude-modulated sounds, followed in order by chopper, primarylike-with-notch and primarylike units. All these neurons show enhanced responses relative to auditory-nerve fibers which provide their ascending inputs. This enhancement occurs over a 90 dB range of sound levels.
Collision lifetime matrix analysis of the two lowest energy resonances in the collinear H + H2 system

Abstract We have performed quantum mechanical scattering calculations on the collinear H+H 2 reaction on the Porter-Karplus potential energy surface at energies in the vicinity of the two lowest energy resonances. From the scattering matrices obtained, we have calculated the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of Smith's collision lifetime matrix. The eigenvalues of the collision lifetime matrix provide an unambiguous means for characterizing the resonances, as only one eigenvalue of the matrix undergoes rapid variation with energy in the neighborhood of the resonance. The two resonances are found to be located at 0.875 and 1.310 eV total energy, and have widths (fwhm in the collision lifetime versus energy curves) of 0.021 and 0.028 eV and lifetimes of 91 and 85 fs, respectively. Consideration of the energy dependence of the components of the eigenvectors of the collision lifetime matrix shows that although both resonances are seen to be associated with symmetric collision lifetime eigenchannels, they have significantly different spatial characteristics.
Peptide quantification by tandem mass spectrometry

This manuscript reviews the literature on the mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) quantification of biologically important peptides that have been extracted from tissues. The most important aspect of this quantification process is the use of MS/MS to link the protonated molecule ion, (M + H)(+) , of the peptide with one or more of its amino acid sequence-determining fragment ions. The actual name of a peptide cannot be used in any study until the amino acid sequence of that peptide has been firmly established. This article reviews the analytical data obtained from the measurement of opioid peptides in human pituitary tissues. For example, the proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived beta-endorphin (BE) and the proenkephalin-derived methionine enkephalin (ME) opioid peptides have been quantified. The biogenesis of opioid neuropeptides is briefly reviewed; critical aspects of pituitary neuropeptides are discussed, including their localization and regulation, and their role in tumor formation; other analytical methods used to detect and measure neuropeptides are mentioned, including radioimmunoassay (RIA), radioreceptorassay (RRA), in situ hybridization, mRNA, and cDNA methods; and the MS and MS/MS methods are described. The use of stable isotope-incorporated synthetic peptide internal standards is described. Data are presented on the measurement of BE and ME in control pituitaries and in pituitary tumors (PRL-secreting and nonsecreting tumors). A significant alteration in the POMC peptide BE was found between the control and tumor tissues. That difference suggests that the POMC neuropeptidergic system had been down-regulated in those tumors. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Inter-individual variation in DNA double-strand break repair in human fibroblasts before and after exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation

DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) are generally considered the most critical lesion induced by ionizing radiation (IR) and may initiate carcinogenesis and other disease. Using an immunofluorescence assay to simultaneously detect nuclear foci of the phosphorylated forms of histone H2AX and ATM kinase at sites of DSBs, we examined the response of 25 apparently normal and 10 DNA repair-deficient (ATM, ATR, NBN, LIG1, LIG4, and FANCG) primary fibroblast strains irradiated with low doses of (137)Cs gamma-rays. Quiescent G(0)/G(1)-phase cultures were exposed to 5, 10, and 25 cGy and allowed to repair for 24h. The maximum level of IR-induced foci (0.15 foci per cGy, at 10 or 30 min) in the normal strains showed much less inter-individual variation (CV approximately 0.2) than the level of spontaneous foci, which ranged from 0.2-2.6 foci/cell (CV approximately 0.6; mean+/-SD of 1.00+/-0.57). Significantly slower focus formation post-irradiation was observed in seven normal strains, similar to most mutant strains examined. There was variation in repair efficiency measured by the fraction of IR-induced foci remaining 24h post-irradiation, curiously with the strains having slower focus formation showing more efficient repair after 25 cGy. Interestingly, the ranges of spontaneous and residual induced foci levels at 24h in the normal strains were as least as large as those observed for the repair-defective mutant strains. The inter-individual variation in DSB foci parameters observed in cells exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation in this small survey of apparently normal people suggests that hypomorphic genetic variants in genomic maintenance and/or DNA damage signaling and repair genes may contribute to differential susceptibility to cancer induced by environmental mutagens.
Thin superconducting oxide films

Studies of superconductivity in thin films of La-Sr-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Cu-O have resulted in samples completely superconducting at 87 K and with onsets as high as 97 K. The high-${T}_{c}$ materials show a strong Meissner effect which agrees with the temperature dependence of the resistance. Critical current densities in excess of 300 A/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ have been measured close to ${T}_{c}$ in the Y-based materials.
Fetal tracheal reconstruction with cartilaginous grafts engineered from mesenchymal amniocytes

Abstract Background/Purpose This study was aimed at determining whether cartilaginous grafts engineered from mesenchymal cells normally present in the amniotic fluid could be used in fetal tracheal repair. Methods Ovine mesenchymal amniocytes were expanded in culture, labeled with green fluorescent protein, and seeded onto biodegradable scaffold tubes maintained in chondrogenic medium. After chondrogenic differentiation of the constructs was confirmed, they were used to repair either partial or full circumferential tracheal defects in allogeneic fetal lambs (n = 7). Newborns were evaluated for signs of airway compromise. Implants were harvested over a 10-day period postnatally for multiple analyses. Results All 5 lambs that survived to term were able to breathe spontaneously at birth, 4 (80%) of them without stridor. However, variable degrees of stridor developed over time in all but one animal. Mild-to-moderate tracheal stenosis was present in all specimens. Histologically, grafts contained green fluorescent protein–positive cells, were lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium, and remodeled into a predominantly fibrous cartilage pattern. Implants showed no significant changes in glycosaminoglycans, collagen, and elastin content at harvest. Conclusions Engineered cartilaginous grafts derived from mesenchymal amniocytes may become a viable alternative for tracheal repair. The amniotic fluid can be a practical cell source for engineered tracheal reconstruction.
Thermophysical properties needed for the development of the supercritical diesel combustion technology: Evaluation of diesel fuel surrogate models

Abstract Development of supercritical fuel combustion technology requires reliable data on fuel properties. In this paper, twenty diesel fuel surrogates (DFSs) have been evaluated for representing real diesel fuel (DF) properties including critical point, density, heat capacity, viscosity and thermal conductivity. The critical temperatures of DF were estimated to be 717–745 K largely depending on DF distillation profiles, while those of DFSs varied significantly from 540 to 734 K and only those of DFSs #5(n-hexadecane), #17 and #19 were within the range for DF. The best predictions of density, heat capacity, viscosity and thermal conductivity of DF were achieved by DFSs #8 ( AAD = 0.3%), #4 (1.5%), #20 (13%) and #14 (1.7%), respectively, and DFS #4 (n-tetradecane) had the best overall performance with an AAD of 8%. Finally, a simple methodology has been demonstrated for the evaluation of DFSs, and the current results lead to the best predictions of DF thermophysical properties.
Extended Kalman Filter based battery state of charge(SOC) estimation for electric vehicles

This paper proposed a battery state of charge (SOC) estimation methodology utilizing the Extended Kalman Filter. First, Extended Kalman Filter for Li-ion battery SOC was mathematically designed. Next, simulation models were developed in MATLAB/Simulink, which indicated that the battery SOC estimation with Extended Kalman filter is much more accurate than that from Coulomb Counting method. This is coincident with the mathematical analysis. At the end, a test bench with Lithium-Ion batteries was set up to experimentally verify the theoretical analysis and simulation. Experimental results showed that the average SOC estimation error using Extended Kalman Filter is <;1%.
Skeletal muscle lipid quantification in lean and diabetic subjects using in vivo proton MR spectroscopy

Purpose: To quantify and compare the intramyocellular (IMCL), extramyocellular (EMCL) lipids and total fat fraction in human vastus lateralis muscle between lean and type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects using long echo time (TE) STEAM proton MR spectroscopy ( 1 H-MRS). Methods : 1 H-MRS using single voxel (15 × 15 × 15 mm 3 ) stimulated acquisition mode (STEAM) was performed in right vastus lateralis m. on 10 lean controls (age: 28.3 ± 3.94 yo, BMI: 24.25 ± 3.20 kg/m 2 ) and 7 type 2 diabetic (age: 54.28 ± 6.42 yo, BMI: 31.34 ± 3.13 kg/m 2 ) subjects with Siemens 3T MRI and a four-channel flex coil. Unsuppressed water spectra (NSA = 16) with TR/TE = 3000/30 ms, TM = 10 ms BW = 2000 Hz, and water-suppressed spectra (NSA = 128) with TR/TE = 3000/270 ms, TM = 10 ms, fixed water suppression BW = 50 Hz were acquired. Spectral intensity ratios of IMCL-CH 2 , EMCL-CH 2 and total lipid (IMCL + EMCL) with unsuppressed water signal (W) were converted into absolute concentrations expressed in mmol/kg. Fat fraction (100 × F/(W+F)) was also calculated, where F includes the signal intensities of IMCL and EMCL methylene (CH 2 )n, peaks only. Results: Comparison of IMCL (controls: 11.70 ± 6.7, T2DM: 21.74 ± 10.2, p < 0.01), EMCL (controls: 22.89 ± 18.42, T2DM: 77.21 ± 33.4, p < 0.001) and total lipid (64.35 mmol/kg less in controls, p < 0.001) showed statistical significance using two-tailed student’s t-test. Mean fat fraction (%) exhibited considerable inter-individual variability for controls (3.14 ± 2.09; range: 1.34 – 7.04) and T2DM (9.34 ± 2.88; range: 4.15 – 13.67) and deemed significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion : Single voxel STEAM 1 H-MRS at long TE provides a robust non-invasive method for characterizing lipids within localized muscle regions, with well-resolved IMCL/EMCL peak separation. Regional lipid estimate and fat fraction in vastus lateralis muscle is significantly different in T2DM compared to normal lean controls. ------------------------------ Cite this article as : Valaparla SK, Boone GRE, Ripley EM, Giuseppe D, Duong TQ, Abdul-Ghani M, Clarke GD. Skeletal muscle lipid quantification in lean and diabetic subjects using in vivo proton MR spectroscopy. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020239. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.39
Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer: optical characterization of the calibration panels.

The reflectance properties of an engineering model (EM) of the Spectralon panel intended for use within an on-board calibrator (OBC) on the NASA Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) instrument have been fully characterized with regard to panel uniformity and isotropy in response to three incident laser wavelengths of 442, 632.8, and 859.9 nm. A regional variation in the relative bidirectional reflectance factor (RBRF) across the surface of the EM panel, which contributes to spatial nonuniformity at the ±2% level, has been measured at all three laser wavelengths. Further, a reflectance anisotropy has been identified. The mechanism causing these departures from the ideal Lambertian surface may originate in the sanding of the Spectralon surface in the final stage of preparation. This supposition is corroborated by measurements made on a pressed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) panel in which a greatly reduced anisotropy in panel RBRF is measured. The EM panel RBRF exhibits a deviation from Lambertian characteristics as an off-specular peak in the forward scattering direction. A common crossover point at an angle of reflection of ∼37° at which the BRF is constant within ±0.4% for an illumination angle range of θi = 30°–60° is observed at all three wavelengths. Two Spectralon protoflight panels that were fabricated after the EM was studied were also the subject of a uniformity study over part of the area of the Spectralon panels at the 442-nm wavelength. The analysis indicated that the panel uniformity satisfies the ±0.5% criterion, which indicates improved panel preparation. However, the off-specular peak in the forward scattering direction was essentially unchanged, with the crossover point at ∼37°.
Cdc42 and RhoA are differentially regulated during arachidonate‐mediated HeLa cell adhesion

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix requires stimulation of an eicosanoid signaling pathway through the metabolism of arachidonate by 5-lipoxygenase to leukotrienes and cyclooxygenase-1/2 to prostaglandins, as well as activation of the small GTPase signaling pathway involving Cdc42 and Rho. These signaling pathways direct remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton during the adhesion process, specifically the polymerization of actin during cell spreading and the bundling of actin filaments when cells migrate. However, few studies linking these signaling pathways have been described in the literature. We have previously shown that HeLa cell adhesion to collagen requires oxidation of arachidonic acid (AA) by lipoxygenase for actin polymerization and cell spreading, and cyclooxygenase for bundling actin filaments during cell migration. We demonstrate that small GTPase activity is required for HeLa cell spreading upon gelatin, and that Cdc42 is activated while Rho is downregulated during the spreading process. Using constitutively active and dominant negative expression studies, we show that Cdc42 is required for HeLa cell spreading and migration, while activated RhoA is antagonistic towards spreading. Constitutively active RhoA promotes cell migration and increases the degree of actin bundling in HeLa cells. Further, we demonstrate that activation of either the AA oxidation pathway or the small GTPase pathway cannot rescue inhibition of spreading when the alternate pathway is blocked. Our results suggest (1) both the eicosanoid signaling pathway and small GTPase activation are required during HeLa cell adhesion, and (2) these signaling pathways converge to properly direct remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton during HeLa cell spreading and migration upon collagen. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The new York Bartók Archives: Genesis and history

The article presents information concerning the New York Bartok Archives, as gleaned by the author from more than thirty years (1978–2011) of conversations with Benjamin Suchoff, his writings, and some other scholarly sources. Suchoff came into contact with Victor Bator, the executor and trustee of the Bartok estate, in 1953 as he was trying to locate the manuscripts he needed for his doctoral thesis on Bartok’s Mikrokosmos. Soon he became curator and, eventually, head of the New York Bartok Archives. The article describes Suchoff ’s career as editor, with references to the history of Bartok’s manuscripts, and to the major projects of the New York Bartok Archive such as the publication of Bartok’s works dedicated to Romanian, Turkish, Yugoslav, Hungarian, and Slovak folk music, his theoretical writings (Bela Bartok Essays), and some of his compositions (The Archive Edition series).
Structural studies of the O-antigen of the lipopolysaccharide from an avirulent strain (M4S) of Pseudomonas solanacearum.

The structure of the O-antigen of the lipopolysaccharide from an avirulent strain (M4S) of Pseudomonas solanacearum has been investigated by methylation analysis, n.m.r. spectroscopy, and N-deacetylation-deamination, followed by analysis and controlled Smith-degradation of the product. These studies demonstrate that the O-antigen is composed of a tetrasaccharide repeating-unit having the following structure: ----3)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc-(1----2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1----2)-alpha- L-Rhap-(1----3)- alpha-L-Rhap-(1----.
Correction: Predicting progression of Alzheimer's disease.

It has been brought to our attention that Figure 7 in our recently published paper [1] contains a labeling error. The group marked "slow" should be labeled "fast" and the group marked "fast" should be labeled "slow". The corrected figure 7 is given here as Figure ​Figure11. Figure 1 Kaplan-Meier Survival curves by pre-progression group adjusted for age and sex. HR for slow vs. fast = 0.62 (P = 0.024).