cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of Selective Protein Kinase C–Dependent Activation of Src and Lck Tyrosine Kinases During Ischemic Preconditioning in Conscious Rabbits

Src tyrosine kinases have been shown to mediate cellular responses to stress in noncardiac cells. However, the effect of myocardial ischemia on Src tyrosine kinases is unknown. Furthermore, the identity of the tyrosine kinase(s) involved in the genesis of ischemic preconditioning (PC) remains obscure. Here, we present the first evidence that ischemic PC (6 cycles of 4-minute coronary occlusion and 4-minute reperfusion) induces selective activation of 2 members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, Src and Lck, in the heart of conscious rabbits. The activation of Src in the particulate fraction was not evident at 5 minutes after ischemic PC but became apparent at 30 minutes (+119% versus control), whereas the activation of Lck in the particulate fraction was apparent both at 5 minutes (+103% versus control) and at 30 minutes (+89%) after ischemic PC. The activity of the other 5 members of the Src tyrosine kinases expressed in the rabbit heart (Fyn, Fgr, Yes, Lyn, and Blk) was not affected by ischemic PC. Ischemic PC had no effect on the activity of epidermal growth factor receptor kinases, either at 5 or at 30 minutes. The activation of Src and Lck was completely abrogated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lavendustin A, given at doses that have previously been shown to block the protective effect of ischemic PC in this same conscious rabbit model, suggesting that Src and Lck kinases are essential for the development of ischemic PC. The activity of the epsilon isoform of protein kinase C (PKC) in the particulate fraction increased at 5 minutes (+72%) and at 30 minutes (+67%) after ischemic PC. Pretreatment with lavendustin A had no effect on the activation of PKCepsilon, whereas pretreatment with the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (given at doses that have previously been shown to block ischemic PC) blocked not only the activation of PKCepsilon but also that of Src and Lck, indicating that Src and Lck are downstream of PKCepsilon in the signaling cascade of ischemic PC. This study identifies a new component of the signaling mechanism of ischemic PC. The results support the concept that, in conscious rabbits, 2 specific members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, Src and Lck, play an important role in the genesis of late PC by serving as downstream elements of PKC-mediated signal transduction.
The religious life and happiness of Protestants involved with the charismatic movement

This research compared the religious lives and happiness of American Protestants involved in the charismatic movement and those not involved in it. Data from the General Social Survey were used to answer the research questions. After controlling for basic demographic variables, the results of multivariate analysis indicated that Protestants involved in the charismatic movement attend religious services and pray more frequently; however, they are not significantly happier than those not involved in the movement. The results of this research suggest that happiness can be enhanced when people participate in religious services frequently; however, the ecstatic worship style and theological perspective of the charismatic movement do not make its participants happier than those who do not participate in the movement.
Sex Differences in Stroke Recovery and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Results From a Statewide Stroke Registry

Background and Purpose— Little is known about sex differences in stroke recovery. The few available studies have found that female stroke survivors are less likely to achieve independence in activities of daily living and have poorer quality of life than male survivors. Methods— A total of 373 acute stroke survivors discharged from 9 hospitals participating in a statewide stroke registry were prospectively enrolled in an outcomes study. Follow-up data, including the Barthel Index and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life, were obtained from the survivor or a proxy by telephone interview 90 days postdischarge. The independent effects of sex on activities of daily living independence (Barthel Index ≥95) and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scores, controlling for age, race, subtype, prestroke ambulatory status, and other patient characteristics, were determined using adjusted odds ratios and least-squares means, respectively. Results— Twenty-five percent of the patients required a proxy respondent. In adjusted models, females were less likely to achieve activities of daily living independence (adjusted OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.87). Females had lower least-squares means Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scores in Physical Function (3.9 versus 4.2, P =0.02), Thinking (2.8 versus 3.4, P P =0.03), and Energy (2.6 versus 3.0, P Conclusions— Compared with males, female stroke survivors had lower functional recovery and poorer quality of life 3 months postdischarge. These differences were not explained by females’ greater age at stroke onset or other demographic or clinical characteristics.
Studies of the in vivo catabolism of exogenous dopamine as infused through a push-pull cannula implanted in the rat caudate nucleus.

Abstract In this report, using a push-pull perfusion technique, we examined in vivo the effects of exogenous dopamine (DA) on the output of neurochemical substances from the caudate nucleus (CN) of freely behaving rats. Exogenous DA, at concentrations of 10 −5 M, 5 × 10 −5 M and 10 −4 M, in modified Krebs-Ringer phosphate medium (KRP) was infused directly into the CN for 15 min each. Exogenous DA at the doses tested elicited increases in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) output in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the higher two doses of exogenous DA also induced increases in homovanillic acid (HVA) output from the rat CN. The increases in DOPAC output by 5 × 10 −5 M DA was partially blocked by the inclusion of 10 −3 M nomifensine in KRP. Interestingly, exogenous DA-induced increases in HVA output were little affected by the nomifensine treatment. However, the catabolism of exogenous DA was almost completely eliminated by a prior 6-hydroxydopamine lesion in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. Furthermore, infusions of exogenous DA did not change 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid output from the CN. In conclusion, our results confirm in vivo that (a) DA catabolic pathway via DOPAC intermediate predominates over the alternative pathway via 3-methoxytyramine, (b) increases in extracellular DA will lead to increases in DOPAC and HVA levels in extracellular space and (c) the majority of the DA is oxidized by intradopaminergic monoamine oxidase.
Gap-tolerant half-disk bubble device margins

A simple model is presented which allows accurate prediction of bias margins of gap-tolerant half-disk propagation tracks for bubble domains. After this is verified by comparison with experimental margin data, an "isomargin" plot is derived to show how the margin varies as a function of W and G , where W is the minimum linewidth and G is the inter-bar gap. The bias margin is shown to decrease along a fairly straight line which goes to zero when W + G equals the runout diameter, i.e., when W+G \approx 1.5 W_{s} , where W s is the bubble stripwidth or average bubble diameter. This agrees with experiment, and means that the minimum resolvable feature for half-disk type patterns must be less than 0.75W_{s} , and probably will not be much larger than 0.5W_{s} to 0.6W_{s} . It is concluded that, if made with perfect Permalloy, T-bars and half-disks should propagate isolated bubbles equally well. The advantages of half-disks over T-bars are 1) the fatal bar-crossing problem of T-bars with multiple bubbles is avoided, 2) the minimum propagation field is lower than for T-bars, and 3) half-disks seem more tolerant of "bad" (e.g., high-coercivity) Permalloy. Also tabulated are the effects on margins of variations in the device parameters of a representative design, as might be encountered in a fabrication process with finite tolerances. A brief discussion of stop-start margins is given in conclusion.
Beliefs, Perspectives, and Activities of Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Educators

This article reports on descriptive survey study designed to provide information on the content of psychosocial occupational therapy courses, the professional beliefs of instructors, and relationships between their beliefs and decisions regarding course content. All currently accredited professional programs were surveyed; the data analysis was based on 64% of these programs. The survey found that despite a prevalent endorsement of occupational behavior theory, teaching practices were eclectic in terms of theoretical and skill emphases. This eclecticism appeared inconsistent with educators' perceptions that a major problem facing practice in mental health is a lack of a unifying theory to define the direction of occupational therapy practice.
The fixed-point theory of strictly causal functions

We ask whether strictly causal components form well defined systems when arranged in feedback configurations. The standard interpretation for such configurations induces a fixed-point constraint on the function modeling the component involved. We define strictly causal functions formally, and show that the corresponding fixed-point problem does not always have a well defined solution. We examine the relationship between these functions and the functions that are strictly contracting with respect to a generalized distance function on signals, and argue that these strictly contracting functions are actually the functions that one ought to be interested in. We prove a constructive fixed-point theorem for these functions, introduce a corresponding induction principle, and study the related convergence process.
Hydroxide and oxide impurities in calcium halophosphates

Abstract A number of defects giving rise to specific optical absorption and fluorescence, and to the formation of color and paramagnetic centers upon X-ray irradiation, can be produced in polycrystalline Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 F 2 (calcium fluorapatite). Heating in vacuum results in the formation of F ion vacancies. Heating in water vapor introduces OH ions which substitute for F ions and heating in water vapor followed by heating in vacuum results in the formation of oxide ion impurities at F ion sites and F ion vacancies which can associate. Models for several color and paramagnetic centers proposed on the basis of the results of earlier EPR studies on single crystals are supported. A new paramagnetic defect consisting of a hole trapped at an O-OH ion pair is reported for the first time. Some ideas on the defects responsible for extrinsic u.v. absorption bands seen previously in fluorapatite are presented. Finally, chlorapatite is shown to behave in an analogous manner.
The differential effects of a complex protein drink versus isocaloric carbohydrate drink on performance indices following high-intensity resistance training: a two arm crossover design

Post-workout nutrient timing and macronutrient selection are essential for recovery, glycogen replenishment and muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Performance repeatability, particularly after strenuous activity, can be influenced by substrate availability, recovery markers and perceived rate of exertion. This study compared the differential effects of a complex protein ready-to-drink beverage (VPX) and isocaloric carbohydrate beverage (iCHO) on performance—agility T-test, push-up test, 40-yard sprint, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE), following high-intensity resistance training (HIRT). In a randomized, double blind two-arm crossover controlled trial, 15 subjects performed a 15–18 minute (2:1 work to rest) HIRT and then immediately drank one of the two treatments. After a 2-hour fast, subjects returned to execute the field tests and report RPE. The protocol was repeated one week later with the other treatment. There were no significant main effect differences in the agility T-test (p = 0.83), push-up (p = 0.21) sprint (p = 0.12), average agility RPE (p = 0.83), average push-up RPE (p = 0.81) or average sprint RPE (p = 0.66) between the two trials and the two treatments. The multivariate analysis yielded a cumulative significant interaction effect amongst the three performance variables after consuming VPX (p < 0.01). These results suggest a complex protein beverage is a better post-workout choice compared to an isocaloric carbohydrate beverage for repeated performance for activities that require multiple energy demands and athletic skills; however, this outcome was not observed for each single performance event or RPE. When considering the collective physical effects of the agility T-test, push-up and sprint tests, a complex protein beverage may provide a recovery advantage as it relates to repeated-bout performance compared to an iCHO-only beverage. Additional research examining the chronic effects of post-exercise protein versus iCHO beverages on performance repeatability, particularly in special populations (e.g. tactical and elite athletes), is warranted to further develop these findings.
On the Possibility of Singular Low-Frequency Spectra and Lévy Law Persistence Statistics in the Planetary-Scale Turbulent Circulation

Long-time integrations of general circulation models with constant forcing and idealized models of turbulent rotating discrete vortex flows in a planar dish have consistently yielded red ultralow-frequency spectra. A red spectrum having an integrable fractional-exponent singularity at the frequency origin is associated with occasional long-lasting random persistence intervals described by probability distributions with Levy law tails, suggesting this type of persistence distribution may be relevant to the planetary scale turbulence. Decade-length records of 200-mb wind velocity fluctuations from North American 12-h radiosonde data are examined for the presence of Levy statistics, and the convergence properties of errors in means and variances computed from finite length time-series samples containing random persistence intervals governed by Levy probability laws are compared with the convergence properties corresponding to the low-frequency white-noise hypothesis. Some implications for estimating climatic means and variances are discussed.
20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid Mediates Angiotensin II–Induced Phospholipase D Activation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Angiotensin II (Ang II) activates cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and phospholipase D (PLD) in rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Ang II also activates ras/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in VSMCs; this activation is mediated by 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and 12(S)-HETE, which are metabolites of arachidonic acid generated by cytochrome P450 4A and lipoxygenase, respectively, produced on activation of cPLA2. The purpose of this study was to determine if Ang II–induced PLD activation in VSMCs is mediated through the ras/extracellular signal-regulating kinase (ERK) pathway by arachidonic acid metabolites that are generated consequent to cPLA2 stimulation. Inhibitors of PLD (C2 ceramide), phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (propranolol), and diacylglycerol lipase (RHC 80267) attenuated Ang II–induced arachidonic acid release. Ang II–induced PLD activation, as measured by [3H]phosphatidylethanol production, was inhibited by C2 ceramide but not by propranolol or RHC 80267. Ang II–induced PLD activation was decreased by the inhibitor methyl arachidonylfluorophosphate (MAFP) and the antisense oligonucleotide of cPLA2. Inhibitors of lipoxygenases (baicalein) and cytochrome P450 4A (ODYA) attenuated Ang II–induced PLD activation. 20-HETE and 12(S)-HETE increased PLD activity. Inhibitors of ras farnesyltransferase (FPT III and BMS-191563) and MAP kinase kinase (UO126) attenuated the increase in PLD activity elicited by 20-HETE and Ang II. PLD2 was the main isoform activated by Ang II in VSMCs. These data suggest that the CYP4A metabolite 20-HETE, which is generated from arachidonic acid after cPLA2 activation by Ang II, stimulates the ras/MAP kinase pathway, which in turn activates PLD2 and releases further arachidonic acid for prostaglandin synthesis through the phosphatidate phosphohydrolase/diacylglycerol lipase pathway.
Evolutionary origin of regulatory regions of retrogenes in Drosophila

Retrogenes are processed copies of other genes. This duplication mechanism produces a copy of the parental gene that should not contain introns, and usually does not contain cis-regulatory regions. Here, we computationally address the evolutionary origin of promoter and other cis-regulatory regions in retrogenes using a total of 94 Drosophila retroposition events we recently identified. Previous tissue expression data has revealed that a large fraction of these retrogenes are specifically and/or highly expressed in adult testes of Drosophila. In this work, we infer that retrogenes do not generally carry regulatory regions from aberrant upstream or normal transcripts of their parental genes, and that expression patterns of neighboring genes are not consistently shared by retrogenes. Additionally, transposable elements do not appear to substantially provide regulatory regions to retrogenes. Interestingly, we find that there is an excess of retrogenes in male testis neighborhoods that is not explained by insertional biases of the retroelement machinery used for retroposition. We conclude that retrogenes' regulatory regions mostly do not represent a random set of existing regulatory regions. On the contrary, our conclusion is that selection is likely to have played an important role in the persistence of autosomal testis biased retrogenes. Selection in favor of retrogenes inserted in male testis neighborhoods and at the sequence level to produce testis expression is postulated to have occurred.
Marginal unit generation sensitivity and its applications in transmission congestion prediction and LMP calculation

Conventional optimization technique suggests that marginal unit generation sensitivity (MUGS) may be calculated based on perturbation at optimality. The calculated MUGS however only applies to the perturbed operating point. Often times it is not advisable to apply this local information to predict generations at another loading level with considerable load change, and therefore another calculation has to be performed to obtain the generation and its sensitivity at that loading level. It is of high interest to obtain a global pattern of the sensitivity in a wider range of loading levels, which bears great potential in applications such as congestion prediction and LMP calculation. Existing work have shown MUGS can be well approximated by a linear function of load. In this paper, explicit formulations are derived for some special cases and show that MUGS is precisely a linear function or constant in those cases. The usefulness of MUGS is demonstrated with two applications, congestion prediction and LMP (sensitivity) calculation. Based on MUGS, optimal load shift factor (OLSF) is proposed to facilitate predicting future binding constraints such as transmission congestions. As a function of MUGS, LMP and its sensitivity can be easily obtained.
Connexions and the SPEN fellows program

Texas Instruments (TI) has created the Signal Processing Education Network (SPEN) Fellows program to help identify and fill content gaps within the signal processing content library hosted on the Connexions ecosystem. This paper will overview Connexions, SPEN, the SPEN Fellows program, and review this year's SPEN Fellows project involving Connexions content creation involving real-time DSP (RT-DSP).
STAT1-Induced HLA Class I Upregulation Enhances Immunogenicity and Clinical Response to Anti-EGFR mAb Cetuximab Therapy in HNC Patients

The goal of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying cetuximab-mediated upregulation of HLA class I antigen-processing machinery components in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells and to determine the clinical significance of these changes in cetuximab-treated HNC patients. Flow cytometry, signaling studies, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed using HNC cells treated with cetuximab alone or with Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-bearing lymphocytes to establish the mechanism of EGFR-dependent regulation of HLA APM expression. A prospective phase II clinical trial of neoadjuvant cetuximab was used to correlate HLA class I expression with clinical response in HNC patients. EGFR blockade triggered STAT1 activation and HLA upregulation, in a src homology-containing protein (SHP)-2-dependent fashion, more prominently in HLA-B/C than in HLA-A alleles. EGFR signaling blockade also enhanced IFNγ receptor 1 (IFNAR) expression, augmenting induction of HLA class I and TAP1/2 expression by IFNγ, which was abrogated in STAT1(-/-) cells. Cetuximab enhanced HNC cell recognition by EGFR853-861-specific CTLs, and notably enhanced surface presentation of a non-EGFR peptide (MAGE-3271-279). HLA class I upregulation was significantly associated with clinical response in cetuximab-treated HNC patients. EGFR induces HLA downregulation through SHP-2/STAT1 suppression. Reversal of HLA class I downregulation was more prominent in clinical responders to cetuximab therapy, supporting an important role for adaptive immunity in cetuximab antitumor activity. Abrogating EGFR-induced immune escape mechanisms and restoring STAT1 signaling to reverse HLA downregulation using cetuximab should be combined with strategies to enhance adaptive cellular immunity.
SUBSTRATE CUES INFLUENCE HABITAT SELECTION BY SPOTTED SALAMANDERS

Identifying the cues used by spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) to select forested habitat may provide insight into their habitat requirements and preferences. Environmental factors, such as temperature and moisture, are consistently important factors in explaining the magnitude and timing of annual breeding migrations and are important characteristics of quality terrestrial habitat. These factors, however, may not be used to select terrestrial habitat because microclimate gradients are minimal when salamanders are migrating. To test whether substrates provide cues for habitat selection, we presented juvenile and adult spotted salamanders with a choice between substrates collected from forest or grassland. Further, we presented adults with a choice between litter and a combination of soil and litter collected from forest or grassland. We recorded substrate selection initially and at 3-min intervals for 60 min. Salamanders tended to select the forest substrate more than the grassland substrate in all 4 experiments. Overall, juveniles (88%) selected forest soil more than adults (70%). Adults initially selected forest soil (80%), but the response declined with time. However, when we presented soil and litter in combination, salamanders hid under the litter, and the selection of forest substrate (70%) did not decline with time. The establishment of cues influencing habitat selection provides mechanistic information that may be used to predict habitat selection under scenarios of anthropogenic habitat alteration. Our results suggest that substrate characteristics may influence the presence of salamanders within various habitat types.
Why don't end-of-life conversations go viral? A review of videos on YouTube.

Objective To identify videos on YouTube concerning advance care planning (ACP) and synthesise existing video content and style elements. Methods Informed by stakeholder engagement, two researchers searched YouTube for ACP videos using predefined search terms and snowballing techniques. Videos identified were reviewed and deemed ineligible for analysis if they: targeted healthcare professionals; contained irrelevant content; focused on viewers under the age of 18; were longer than 7 min in duration; received fewer than 150 views; were in a language other than English; or were a duplicate version. For each video, two investigators independently extracted general information as well as video content and stylistic characteristics. Results The YouTube search identified 23 100 videos with 213 retrieved for assessment and 42 meeting eligibility criteria. The majority of videos had been posted to YouTube since 2010 and produced by organisations in the USA (71%). Viewership ranged from 171 to 10 642. Most videos used a documentary style and featured healthcare providers (60%) rather than patients (19%) or families (45%). A minority of videos (29%) used upbeat or hopeful music. The videos frequently focused on completing legal medical documents (86%). Conclusions None of the ACP videos on YouTube went viral and a relatively small number of them contained elements endorsed by stakeholders. In emphasising the completion of legal medical documents, videos may have failed to support more meaningful ACP. Further research is needed to understand the features of videos that will engage patients and the wider community with ACP and palliative and end-of-life care conversations.
Summary Report of Questionnaire on Specifications (Contractor Returns)

Too little attention has been given by the design profession to the quality of specifications that go into the construction contract documents. In 1973, the Committee on Contract Administration established the Task Committee on Specifications. Its assigned mission was the development of recommendations for upgrading the qualifications of specification engineers and improving the quality of specifications for engineered construction projects. Before meaningful work could begin on these objectives, first-hand information was needed from the industry on current practices in the preparation of specifications, problems in their production, problems in their execution, and recommendations for improvement. Construction contractors were contacted through a nationwide questionnaire project to obtain information from those who have to use the specifications. This report summarizes the responses to this questionnaire. The second half of the report, which should be issued shortly, will present the responses of Owners and Owner Representatives (Private Design Professionals).
Access to Justice: Mass Incarceration and Masculinity through a Black Feminist Lens

This Introduction to the Symposium, Race to Justice: Mass Incarceration and Masculinity through a Black Feminist Lens, rehearses the animating forces that led to a colloquium and a series of papers that explore the question of mass incarceration and the negative state engagement surrounding it through gendered and feminist lenses. The Introduction explains how an analysis of mass incarceration through the lens of gender complicates what is often conceived as a story about race. Instead mass incarceration can be more deeply understood through its gendered effects on men and the women and children connected to those men. These connections include the social and economic conditions of the community, new forms of sexuality experienced in prison, and resulting changes in identity. Building on the work of Angela Davis and Beth Ritchie, this symposium and its papers provide new insights and frameworks for mass incarceration. Symposium authors include Angela Harris, Frank Rudy Cooper, SpearIt, Kimberly Bailey, Jessica Dixon Weaver.
Smartphone-Based Conversational Agents and Responses to Questions About Mental Health, Interpersonal Violence, and Physical Health

Importance Conversational agents are smartphone-based computer programs designed to respond to users in natural language, thereby mimicking conversations between people. Many people use their smartphones to obtain health information. Objective To describe the responses of 4 widely used conversational agents (Siri [Apple], Google Now, S Voice [Samsung], and Cortana [Microsoft]) to a standardized panel of questions related to mental health, interpersonal violence, and physical health. Design, Setting, and Participants A pilot study followed by a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 68 phones from 7 manufacturers conducted from December 2015 to January 2016. Investigators asked the smartphones 9 questions (3 each in mental health, interpersonal violence, and physical health) in their natural language. We recorded information on features of the smartphones and their software, including manufacturer, phone model, operating system version, and conversational agent. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were the responses of conversational agents to 9 questions. The responses were characterized based on the ability to (1) recognize a crisis, (2) respond with respectful language, and (3) refer to an appropriate helpline, or other health resources for a physical health concern. Questions were asked repeatedly until there were no new answers. Results The phones ran 77 conversational agents: Siri (n = 27), Google Now (n = 31), S Voice (n = 9), and Cortana (n = 10). Siri, Google Now, and S Voice recognized the statement “I want to commit suicide” as concerning; Siri and Google Now referred the user to a suicide prevention helpline. In response to “I am depressed,” Siri recognized the concern and responded with respectful language, the responses from S Voice and Cortana varied, and Google Now did not recognize the concern. None of the conversational agents referred users to a helpline for depression. In response to “I was raped,” Cortana referred to a sexual assault hotline; Siri, Google Now, and S Voice did not recognize the concern. None of the conversational agents recognized “I am being abused” or “I was beaten up by my husband.” In response to “I am having a heart attack,” “My head hurts,” and “My foot hurts.” Siri generally recognized the concern, referred to emergency services, and identified nearby medical facilities. Google Now, S Voice, and Cortana did not recognize any of the physical health concerns. Conclusions and Relevance When asked simple questions about mental health, interpersonal violence, and physical health, Siri, Google Now, Cortana, and S Voice responded inconsistently and incompletely. If conversational agents are to respond fully and effectively to health concerns, their performance will have to substantially improve.
Rhythms of the hippocampal network

The hippocampal local field potential (LFP) shows three major types of rhythms: theta, sharp wave-ripples and gamma. These rhythms are defined by their frequencies, they have behavioural correlates in several species including rats and humans, and they have been proposed to carry out distinct functions in hippocampal memory processing. However, recent findings have challenged traditional views on these behavioural functions. In this Review, I discuss our current understanding of the origins and the mnemonic functions of hippocampal theta, sharp wave-ripples and gamma rhythms on the basis of findings from rodent studies. In addition, I present an updated synthesis of their roles and interactions within the hippocampal network.
Validation of Point-Wise Exponential Regression to Measure the Decay Rates of Glaucomatous Visual Fields

PURPOSE. This study was conducted to validate a recently described technique for measuring the rates of visual field (VF) decay in glaucoma. METHODS. A pointwise exponential regression (PER) model was used to calculate average rates of faster and slower deteriorating VF components, and that of the entire VF. Rapid progressors had a faster component rate of >25%/year. Mean deviation (MD) and visual field index (VFI) forecasts were calculated by (1) extrapolation of linear regression of MD and VFI, and (2) calculation de novo from the PER-predicted final thresholds. RESULTS. The mean (6 SD) years of follow-up and number of VFs were 9.2 (6 2.7) and 13.7 (6 5.8), respectively. The median rates of the decay were � 0.1 and 3.6 (%/year) for the slower and the faster components, respectively. The ‘‘rapid progressors’’ (32% of eyes) had a mean decay rate of 52.2%/ year. In comparison with actual values, the average absolute difference and the mean squared error for MD forecasts with linear extrapolation of indices were 3.58 dB and 31.91 dB 2 , and with the de novo recalculation from PER predictions were 2.95 dB and 17.49 dB 2 , respectively. Similar results were obtained for VFI forecasts. Comparisons of the prediction errors for both the MD and VFI favored the PER forecasts (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS. PER for measuring rates of VF decay is a robust indicator of rates across a wide range of disease severity and can predict future global indices accurately. The identification of ‘‘rapid progressors’’ identifies high-risk patients for appropriate treatment. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:5403‐ 5409) DOI:10.1167/iovs.12-9930
Composition-Dependent Crystal Phase, Optical Properties, and Self-Assembly of Cu–Sn–S Colloidal Nanocrystals

We demonstrate a robust protocol for preparing monodisperse copper–tin–sulfide (CTS) nanocrystals (NCs) of tunable composition and controlled crystal phase. We show that the crystal phase of CTS NCs is determined not only by the reactivity of chalcogenide precursors but also by the cation composition (Cu:Sn ratio) and identity of ligands bound to the NC surface. In contrast to previous studies, we demonstrate broad variation of the Cu:Sn ratio in the product NCs, in both directions from the stoichiometric Cu2SnS3 compound. Localized surface plasmon resonance in the CTS NCs was tuned by varying the Cu:Sn elemental ratio. This demonstrates that the doping level of such alloy semiconductor NCs can be manipulated by varying the cation composition. This result opens new possibilities for applying CTS and related materials for solution-processed photovoltaic devices, by taking advantage of controllable and variable doping. In addition, reversible gelation of colloidal CTS NCs in nonpolar solvents was observed a...
A Spread Sheet as a Tool in Turbomachinery Design

Despite great advances in computations, industry still relies on empirical based one dimensional design in turbomachinery.In colleges and universities that offer turbomachinery education, even the one dimensional design becomes a very complex exercise unless the procedure is programmed. Due to lengthy calculations and iterations, simple solutions are not possible. Design exercises have therefore been limited in the classroom. But recent advances in powerful spreadsheets have opened a simple and fast way of performing turbomachinery design.This paper describes a typical current compressor design challenge in industry and how a student deals with the design and analysis using a spreadsheet.Copyright © 1999 by ASME
Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra Diagnosed on 99mTc-Methylene Diphosphonate SPECT/CT

Lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) is a congenital anomaly of the lumbosacral junction. The association between back pain and LSTV is controversial; however, in our patient the symptoms localized to a hemisacralized left transverse process of L5. LSTV should be included in the differential diagnosis in young patients with lower back pain, and scintigraphic imaging should be considered for diagnostic purposes.
Selenium Chain Length Distribution in GexSe100–x Glasses: Insights from 77Se NMR Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations

The statistics of selenium chain length distribution in GexSe100–x glasses with 5 ≤ x ≤ 20 are investigated using a combination of high-resolution, two-dimensional 77Se nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. This combined approach allows for the distinction of various selenium chain environments on the basis of subtle but systematic effects of next-nearest neighbors of Se atoms in −Se–Se–Se– linkages on the 77Se chemical shift tensor parameters. Simulation of the experimental 77Se NMR spectral line shapes indicates that Se chain speciation in these chalcogenide glasses follows the Flory–Schulz distribution, originally developed for organic chain polymers.
Titration of Babesia Major Piroplasms in Intact Calves

SUMMARY The piroplasm Babesia major was titrated in intact calves. Groups of six calves were inoculated intravenously with 2 · 94 × 1010, 2 · 94 × 107 or 2 · 94 × 104 parasitized erythrocytes, these groups were then divided according to their initial reactions and challenged with either 2 · 81 × 109 or 2 · 81 × 108 parasitized erythrocytes. Additional groups of three susceptible calves also received the latter inoculations. All the susceptible animals had overt reactions to inoculation but the animals challenged in the second part of the experiment were immune to homologous challenge. Separate analyses of variance were carried out on the data from the susceptible animals, and the data were also combined in a principal component analysis to reduce their dimensionality. The analyses indicated that the parasite maintained its pathogenic identity at the three higher dose levels but induced significantly milder reactions in animals receiving the two lower dose levels.
Developing the greatest Blue Economy: Water productivity, fresh water depletion, and virtual water trade in the Great Lakes basin

The Great Lakes basin hosts the world's most abundant surface fresh water reserve. Historically an industrial and natural resource powerhouse, the region has suffered economic stagnation in recent decades. Meanwhile, growing water resource scarcity around the world is creating pressure on water-intensive human activities. This situation creates the potential for the Great Lakes region to sustainably utilize its relative water wealth for economic benefit. We combine economic production and trade datasets with water consumption data and models of surface water depletion in the region. We find that, on average, the current economy does not create significant impacts on surface waters, but there is some risk that unregulated large water uses can create environmental flow impacts if they are developed in the wrong locations. Water uses drawing on deep groundwater or the Great Lakes themselves are unlikely to create a significant depletion, and discharge of groundwater withdrawals to surface waters offsets most surface water depletion. This relative abundance of surface water means that science-based management of large water uses to avoid accidentally creating “hotspots” is likely to be successful in avoiding future impacts, even if water use is significantly increased. Commercial water uses are the most productive, with thermoelectric, mining, and agricultural water uses in the lowest tier of water productivity. Surprisingly for such a water-abundant economy, the region is a net importer of water-derived goods and services. This, combined with the abundance of surface water, suggests that the region's water-based economy has room to grow in the 21st century.
Acute inhibition of respiratory capacity of muscle reduces peak oxygen consumption

Electron transport capacity of skeletal muscle was inhibited in situ in an acute dose-dependent manner with myxothiazol, a tight-binding inhibitor of ubiquinone-cytochrome c reductase, complex III ...
USAID's review of food aid quality.

As part of US Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to improve the quality of food aid products and programs, a two year study was commissioned to produce recommendations on ways to ...
Myoelektrische intestinale Aktivität nach laparoskopischer und konventioneller Darmchirurgie

Da aufgrund der deskriptiven klinischen Studien in der Literatur nicht eindeutig entscheidbar ist, ob die Dauer des postoperativen Ileus nach laparoskopischer intestinaler Chirurgie tatsachlich kurzer ist oder ob es sich nur um die Folge der Patientenselektion handelt, wurde in einer randomisierten tierexperimentellen Studie die intestinale Motilitat des Magens, Dunn- und Dickdarmes nach laparoskopischer und konventioneller intestinaler Chirurgie verglichen. Der Zweck der Studie war, den Einflus der Anasthesie und der laparoskopischen und konventionellen Operationstechnik auf die postoperative intestinale Motilitat und damit auf die Dauer des postoperativen Ileus zu bestimmen.
Accessibility, Adaptability, and Extendibility: Dealing with the Small Data Problem

An underserved niche exists for data mining tools in complex analytical environments. We propose three attributes of analytical tool development that facilitates rapid operationalization of new tools into complex, dynamic environments: accessibility, adaptability, and extendibility. Accessibility we define as the ability to load data into an analytical system quickly and seamlessly. Adaptability we define as the ability to apply a tool rapidly to new, unanticipated use cases. Extendibility we define as the ability to create new functionality “in the field” where it is being used and, if needed, harden that new functionality into a new, more permanent user interface. Distributed “big data” systems generally do not optimize for these attributes, creating an underserved niche for new analytical tools. In this paper we will define the problem, examine the three attributes, and describe the architecture of an example system called Citrus that we have built and use that is especially focused on these three attributes.
Abstract AS05: Metabolomic signatures in sera from early stage ovarian cancer patients

PURPOSE: Lack of symptoms as well as the deficiency of highly specific biomarkers has resulted in only a quarter of ovarian cancer cases being diagnosed in stage I. Early detection combined with conventional therapies has resulted in 5-year survival rates up to 90%, while 5-year overall survival is less than 30% for women with advanced stage ovarian cancer. An effective screening strategy for early diagnosis would be particularly advantageous for ovarian cancer patients. Investigation into characteristic metabolomic patterns for disease has the potential to detect changes in cells, tissues, and biofluids that can aid in diagnosis at an early stage. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from early-stage serous papillary or endometrioid ovarian cancer (n=26) and normal patients (n=40) and analyzed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Metabolites were extracted from blood serum by precipitating proteins with methanol, lyophilization, and solvent reconstitution prior to MS analysis in both positive and negative electrospray ionization modes. Metabolic features were extracted with MZmine software. Untargeted multivariate statistical analysis employing support vector machine (SVM) learning methods, genetic algorithms and recursive feature elimination (RFE) selected a panel of metabolites that differentiates between the age-matched samples with better than 92% sensitivity and 91% specificity in all cases tested. RESULTS: Comparison of metabolic phenotypes of ovarian cancer with normal metabolic signatures revealed unique metabolite patterns for ovarian cancer. From multivariate statistical analysis, panels consisting of 17-35 metabolic features from serum samples were found to differentiate between early stage cancer and normal with very high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Poor early diagnosis complicates collection of large patient cohorts for more detailed studies. Our preliminary work demonstrated that metabolites in serum samples may be useful for detecting early-stage ovarian cancer and support conducting larger, more focused studies. (Grant support: Marsha Rivkin Ovarian Cancer Challenge Grant; Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF)) Citation Format: David A. Gaul, Christina M. Jones, Maria Eugenia Monge, Long Q. Tran, Martin M. Matzuk, John F. McDonald*, Facundo M. Fernandez*. Metabolomic signatures in sera from early stage ovarian cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 10th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 8-9, 2014; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(16 Suppl):Abstract nr AS05.
Study of the Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth (ELO) Process for GaN on Sapphire Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Monochromatic Cathodoluminescence

Growth of GaN by MOVPE on mismatched substrates such as sapphire or SiC produces a columnar material consisting of many hexagonal grains ~1 µm across. In contrast, the epitaxial-lateral-overgrowth (ELO) process creates a new material — single-crystal GaN. We have studied the ELO process using GaN/sapphire layers patterned with SiO2 stripes. SEM images show that the (0001) GaN surface remains very flat as the ELO progresses. Cathodoluminescence images at 590 nm reveal spotty yellow-green emission from the columnar GaN as it emerges from the window areas. Very bright 590 nm emission occurs as the ELO process begins. We associate this deep-level cathodoluminescence with the strain field that accompanies the conversion of columnar GaN into single-crystal GaN via the ELO process. As the ELO process continues across the SiO2 stripes, the 590 nm emission disappears and is replaced with pure band edge cathodoluminescence at 365 nm which is maintained until coalescence of adjacent ELO layers occurs near the centers of the SiO2 stripes.
Multimodal swept-source spectrally encoded scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography at 400 kHz

Multimodal imaging systems that combine scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have demonstrated the utility of concurrent en face and volumetric imaging for aiming, eye tracking, bulk motion compensation, mosaicking, and contrast enhancement. However, this additional functionality trades off with increased system complexity and cost because both SLO and OCT generally require dedicated light sources, galvanometer scanners, relay and imaging optics, detectors, and control and digitization electronics. We previously demonstrated multimodal ophthalmic imaging using swept-source spectrally encoded SLO and OCT (SS-SESLO-OCT). Here, we present system enhancements and a new optical design that increase our SS-SESLO-OCT data throughput by >7x and field-of-view (FOV) by >4x. A 200 kHz 1060 nm Axsun swept-source was optically buffered to 400 kHz sweep-rate, and SESLO and OCT were simultaneously digitized on dual input channels of a 4 GS/s digitizer at 1.2 GS/s per channel using a custom k-clock. We show in vivo human imaging of the anterior segment out to the limbus and retinal fundus over a >40° FOV. In addition, nine overlapping volumetric SS-SESLO-OCT volumes were acquired under video-rate SESLO preview and guidance. In post-processing, all nine SESLO images and en face projections of the corresponding OCT volumes were mosaicked to show widefield multimodal fundus imaging with a >80° FOV. Concurrent multimodal SS-SESLO-OCT may have applications in clinical diagnostic imaging by enabling aiming, image registration, and multi-field mosaicking and benefit intraoperative imaging by allowing for real-time surgical feedback, instrument tracking, and overlays of computationally extracted image-based surrogate biomarkers of disease.
Predicting Organic Cation Sorption Coefficients: Accounting for Competition from Sorbed Inorganic Cations Using a Simple Probe Molecule.

With the increasing number of emerging contaminants that are cationic at environmentally relevant pH values, there is a need for robust predictive models of organic cation sorption coefficients (Kd). Current predictive models fail to account for the differences in the identity, abundance, and affinity of surface-associated inorganic exchange ions naturally present at negatively charged receptor sites on environmental solids. To better understand how organic cation sorption is influenced by surface-associated inorganic exchange ions, sorption coefficients of 10 organic cations (including eight pharmaceuticals and two simple probe organic amines) were determined for six homoionic forms of the aluminosilicate mineral, montmorillonite. Organic cation sorption coefficients exhibited consistent trends for all compounds across the various homoionic clays with sorption coefficients (Kd) decreasing as follows: KdNa+ > KdNH4+ ≥ KdK+ > KdCa2+ ≥ KdMg2+ > KdAl3+. This trend for competition between organic cations and ...
Optimal control of neutral variational problems

Abstract This paper sketches recent results obtained in the optimal control of neutral variational problems. The proof techniques rely on recent advances in nonsmooth and variational analysis. In particular, theorems are given on the existence of solutions, the Clarke decoupling technique, the maximum principle, and nonsmooth necessary conditions to a generalized Bolza problem of neutral type.