cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure meets function: actin filaments and myosin motors in the axon

This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of the organization and roles of actin filaments, and associated myosin motor proteins, in regulating the structure and function of the axon shaft. 'Patches' of actin filaments have emerged as a major type of actin filament organization in axons. In the distal axon, patches function as precursors to the formation of filopodia and branches. At the axon initial segment, patches locally capture membranous organelles and contribute to polarized trafficking. The trapping function of patches at the initial segment can be ascribed to interactions with myosin motors, and likely also applies to patches in the more distal axon. Finally, submembranous rings of actin filaments were recently described in axons, which form an actin-spectrin cytoskeleton, likely contributing to the maintenance of axon integrity. Continued investigation into the roles of axonal actin filaments and myosins will shed light on fundamental aspects of the development, adult function and the repair of axons in the nervous system.
Hemodynamic outcome of endovascular therapy for transatlantic intersociety consensus type B femoropopliteal arterial occlusive lesions

Abstract Objective Endovascular therapy for moderate femoropopliteal arterial occlusive disease remains controversial. This study reviewed our experience with endovascular therapy for TransAtlantic InterSociety Consensus (TASC) type B disease, which is defined as multiple stenoses less than 3 cm in diameter or a single stenosis or occlusion 3 to 5 cm in diameter. Stenosis-free patency was used as an objective end point to evaluate the hemodynamic outcome. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all patients who had undergone endovascular treatment of TASC type B lesions between 1997 and 2002 at two referral centers. Balloon angioplasty was performed in all patients. Stenting was used selectively as an adjunct in patients with suboptimal angioplasty results. The treated sites were examined with duplex ultrasound scanning at 6-month to 12-month intervals. Stenosis-free patency was defined as the absence of stenosis greater than 50% diameter in the treated arterial segment with standard duplex criteria. Results One hundred fifteen limbs in 98 patients were studied. The indication for treatment was claudication in 92 patients (80%) and ischemic rest pain or gangrene in the remaining patients (20%). Multiple lesions greater than 3 cm were treated in 89 limbs (77%), and a single lesion 3 to 5 cm long was treated in 26 limbs (23%). Balloon angioplasty alone was performed in 74 limbs (65%), and angioplasty and adjunctive stenting was performed in 41 limbs (35%). Endovascular therapy was technically successful in all but one patient (99%), and there was no perioperative mortality or limb loss. During follow-up recurrent stenosis was detected in 46 limbs (40%), and reocclusion occurred in 11 limbs (10%). Seven patients (6%) underwent surgical bypass after endovascular treatment failure. The aggregate 1-year stenosis-free patency rate at life table analysis was 55.1%. The 1-year stenosis-free patency for angioplasty alone was 58%, compared with 51% (NS) for angioplasty and adjunctive stenting. Univariate regression analysis failed to demonstrate a difference in stenosis-free patency for demographic variables, medical comorbidities, and anatomic characteristics (multiple vs single lesions; number of angioplasty procedures). Conclusions Endovascular therapy for TASC type B femoropopliteal lesions is safe and technically feasible. However, the length of time that a treated arterial segment remains free of stenosis is limited, and is not improved with adjunctive stenting. Recurrent stenosis, not occlusion, was the most common study end point, and few patients subsequently required surgical bypass. Predictors of outcome after endovascular therapy for TASC type B lesions were not identified in this study.
The EEG in familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome).

Abstract The EEG was investigated in ten patients with unequivocal clinical evidence of familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome). Definite abnormalities were present in all patients; nine showed paroxysmal characteristics. Grand mal seizures had occurred in six of the patients.
TSAN: a package for time series analysis.

Abstract Many biomedical data are in the form of time series. Analyses of these datainclude: (1) search for any biorhytm; (2) test of homogeneity of several time series; (3) assessment of stationarity; (4) test of normality of the time histogram; (5) evaluation of dependence between data points. In this paper we present a subroutine package called TSAN. It is developed to accomplish these tasks. Computational methods, as well as flowcharts, for these subroutines are described. Two sample runs are demostrated.
Generalized Boundary Integral Equation for Transient Heat Conduction in Heterogeneous Media

Using the generalized boundary integral method developed by the authors for steady heat conduction in heterogeneous media as a point of departure, a generalized dual reciprocity boundary element method (BEM) is presented for the solution of transient heat conduction problems in heterogeneous media. In the process, new interpolating radial basis functions are dee ned. This method retains the boundary-only discretization feature of the BEM. Two- and three-dimensional numerical examples provide validation of the proposed method. Excellent agreement is found between analytical and BEM-computed results.
Properties of an iodinating enzyme in the ascidian endostyle

An iodinating enzyme was extracted from the endostyles of Molgula manhattensis and Styela clava by a combination of surfactant treatment and trypsin digestion. The solubilized enzyme was partially purified by column chromatography. The enzyme behaves as a large molecular complex (MW ∼ 340.000) and is partially hydrophobic in nature. It catalyzes the iodination of tyrosine or protein optimally at a pH of about 7.5. Iodinating activity is inhibited at concentrations of iodide above 0.5 mM. The enzyme is capable of catalyzing the coupling of iodotyrosyl residues in thyroglobulin in vitro, forming T4 and T3. It is suggested that the lack of significant iodothyronine formation in the endostyle in vivo is due to the absence of a suitable protein substrate rather than to an enzymatic deficiency.
Evaluation of airborne methyl salicylate for improved conservation biological control of two-spotted spider mite and hop aphid in Oregon hop yards

The use of synthetic herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV) to attract natural enemies has received interest as a tool to enhance conservation biological control (CBC). Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is a HIPV that is attractive to several key predators of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), and hop aphid, Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Homoptera: Aphididae). A 2-year study was conducted to evaluate the recommended commercial use of MeSA in hop yards in Oregon. Slow-release MeSA dispensers were stapled to supporting poles in 0.5 ha plots and these plots were compared to a paired non-treated plot on each of three farms in 2008 and 2009. Across both years, there was a trend for reduced (range 40–91%) mean seasonal numbers of T. urticae in five of the six MeSA-baited plots. Stethorus spp., key spider mite predators, tended to be more numerous in MeSA-baited plots compared to control plots on a given farm. Mean seasonal densities of hop aphid and other natural enemies (e.g., Orius spp. and Anystis spp.) were similar between MeSA-treated and control plots. Variability among farms in suppression of two-spotted spider mites and attraction of Stethorus spp. suggests that the use of MeSA to enhance CBC of spider mites in commercial hop yards may be influenced by site-specific factors related to the agroecology of individual farms or seasonal effects that require further investigation. The current study also suggests that CBC of hop aphid with MeSA in this environment may be unsatisfactory.
Use of high-frequency imaging sonar to observe fish behaviour near baited fishing gears

Abstract A high-frequency imaging acoustic camera was used to observe the behaviour of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) around baited fish pots and baited hooks in the deep shelf environment (220–366 m depth) off Oregon. The acoustic camera, tested to a distance of 9.7 m (11.5–15.6 m2 field of view), provided continuous high-resolution imagery of approaches of fish to the gear, entry into pot tunnels, bait attacks, and escapes in conditions of darkness and high turbidity. Fish inside and beyond the fish pot could also be observed. Fishes, including small individuals and “bait thieves” (>20 cm), could be measured and tracked in the digital images. Concurrent observations with a low-light video camera and infrared lighting yielded a field of view of approximately 1 m2, limited to just one side of the fish pot. A large proportion of the video tape produced was unusable because of turbidity, and the patterns of fish movement around the pots and baited hooks were poorly characterized by the video camera. The large field of view provided by the acoustic camera showed that a very low percentage of sablefish and halibut approaching the gear were captured. Observations on different gear types, including fish pots with and without tunnel triggers, provide insights into how acoustic camera imagery can be used to improve our understanding of fish behaviour in the natural environment, to design increasingly selective and efficient fishing gear, and to improve bait-dependent stock assessments.
Selective feeding by shredders on leaf-colonizing stream fungi: comparison of macroinvertebrate taxa

Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the effects of fungal species composition of leaf detritus on the feeding of distantly related macroinvertebrate shredders. Preferences of shredders representing three orders of insects (Diptera: Tipulidae; Plecoptera: Pteronarcidae; Trichoptera: Limnephilidae and Calamatoceridae) and one each of gastropods (Basommatophora: Planorbidae) and crustaceans (Amphipoda: Gammaridae) were compared. Shredder preferences were based on consumption of leaves separately colonized by one of eight species of aquatic hyphomycetes. The feeding patterns of the invertebrates ranged from lack of feeding to heavy consumption of fungal-colonized leaves. Where consumption occurred, rank orders of preference and degree of selectivity differed among invertebrate shredders. Differences in preferences together with relationships between degree of selectivity and the relative mobility and digestive specializations exhibited by shredders suggest that the exploitation of fungal-colonized leaf detritus by different taxa is affected by phylogenetic constraints. Our results suggest that fungal species composition affects the feeding of a variety of shredders and that fungal species composition may be as important as degree of conditioning in determining food selection by shredders.
Usefulness of intravenously administered fluid replenishment for detection of patent foramen ovale by transesophageal echocardiography

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with cryptogenic stroke, migraine headache, decompression sickness, and platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography are often hypovolemic from preprocedural fasting and might not demonstrate right to left shunting owing to insufficient right atrial pressure generation, despite provocative maneuvers. We hypothesized that volume replenishment with saline loading could potentially unmask a PFO by favorably modulating the interatrial pressure gradient. Our study sought to examine the role of pre- or intraprocedural intravenous fluid replenishment on PFO detection during transesophageal echocardiography. A total of 103 patients were enrolled. An initial series of bubble injections was performed unprovoked and then with provocative maneuvers such as the Valsalva maneuver and coughing. The patients were then given a rapid 500 ml saline bolus, and the same sequence of bubble injections was repeated. The presence, type, and magnitude of the right to left shunts were noted before and after the saline bolus. The detection rate of PFO increased from 10.6% to 26.2% after saline loading without any provocative maneuvers. When combined with provocative maneuvers (Valsalva or cough), saline loading improved the detection rate from 17.4% to 32.0%. Overall, from amongst the 103 enrolled patients, saline bolusing resulted in a de novo diagnosis of PFO in 15 patients, atrial septal aneurysm in 15, PFO coexisting with an atrial septal aneurysm in 10, and pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in 5 patients. In conclusion, saline infusion in appropriately selected patients during transesophageal echocardiography significantly enhances the detection of PFOs and pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas.
Scheduling imprecise computation tasks with 0/1-constraint

Abstract We consider the problem of preemptively scheduling a set of imprecise computation tasks on a single processor, with the added constraint that each optional subtask is either fully executed or entirely discarded. Two performance metrics are considered: 1. (1) the total error; 2. (2) the number of imprecisely scheduled tasks (i.e., tasks whose optional subtasks are entirely discarded). Since the problem of minimizing the total error is NP-hard, we consider an O(n2)-time heuristic for it, where n is the number of tasks. It is shown that the total error of the schedule produced by the heuristic is at most three times that of an optimal schedule and the bound is tight. For the problem of minimizing the number of imprecisely scheduled tasks, we show that it can be solved in O(n5) time. Since the time complexity is unacceptably high, we consider an O(n2)-time heuristic for it. It is shown that the number of imprecisely scheduled tasks in the schedule produced by the heuristic is at most twice that in an optimal schedule and the bound is tight. Interestingly, the number of precisely scheduled tasks (i.e., tasks whose optional subtasks are fully executed) in an optimal schedule is also at most twice that in the schedule produced by the heuristic and the bound is tight.
Coordination of Early Protective Immunity to Viral Infection by Regulatory T Cells

Suppression of immune responses by regulatory T cells (Tregs) is thought to limit late stages of pathogen-specific immunity as a means of minimizing associated tissue damage. We examined a role for Tregs during mucosal herpes simplex virus infection in mice, and observed an accelerated fatal infection with increased viral loads in the mucosa and central nervous system after ablation of Tregs. Although augmented interferon production was detected in the draining lymph nodes (dLNs) in Treg-deprived mice, it was profoundly reduced at the infection site. This was associated with a delay in the arrival of natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and T cells to the site of infection and a sharp increase in proinflammatory chemokine levels in the dLNs. Our results suggest that Tregs facilitate early protective responses to local viral infection by allowing a timely entry of immune cells into infected tissue.
Rings of Continuous Functions on Spaces of Finite Rank and the SV Property

Let X be a compact topological space and let C(X) denote the f-ring of all continuous real-valued functions defined on X. A point x in X is said to have rank n if, in C(X), there are n minimal prime l-ideals contained in the maximal l-ideal M x = {f ∊ C(X):f(x) = 0}. The space X has finite rank if there is an n ∊ N such that every point x ∊ X has rank at most n. We call X an SV space (for survaluation space) if C(X)/P is a valuation domain for each minimal prime ideal P of C(X). Every compact SV space has finite rank. For a bounded continuous function h defined on a cozeroset U of X, we say there is an h-rift at the point z if h cannot be extended continuously to U ∪ {z}. We use sets of points with h-rift to investigate spaces of finite rank and SV spaces. We show that the set of points with h-rift is a subset of the set of points of rank greater than 1 and that whether or not a compact space of finite rank is SV depends on a characteristic of the closure of the set of points with h-rift for each such h....
Fracture analysis of a stiffened orthotropic sheet

Abstract The stress intensity factors and energy release rates are determined for cracked orthotropic sheets with riveted stiffeners. A closed form solution is used and the approach adopted is based on compatibility of displacements among the sheet, fasteners and stiffeners. The analysis is conducted within the limitations of elasticity theory. A one-bay crack and a two-bay crack with center stiffener either intact or broken are studied in the analysis. The results obtained from the analytical method are compared with finite element results. Good agreement of these results proves the validity of the present method.
Following metastatic placental site trophoblastic tumor with urine β- core fragment

Abstract Objective. We document a case with metastatic placental site trophoblastic tumor in a 47-year-old postmenopausal women. Methods. β-core fragment was measured in urine using the Triton UGP kit. hCG was also measured using the Bayer Immuno-1hCG assay (at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center). Results. Over 2 years the patient underwent two courses of chemotherapy and two debulking operations. During this time, hCG levels decreased from 227 to 4.1 mIU/ml. hCG levels were close to the limit of detection ( 1.9 fmol/ml). High-dose chemotherapy (CEM) was started with stem cell harvesting. In the following weeks hCG levels failed to identify the tumor (4.1 to Conclusion. Urine β-core fragment may be a useful tumor maker when serum hCG levels are near to or below the limit of detection.
On the threshold stress in mechanically alloyed NiAl

Intermetallic compounds, such as nickel, iron and titanium aluminides, have emerged as a new class of potential structural materials for high temperature applications such as gas turbine engines. However, before this material can be of practical use a number of technical problems must be overcome including lack of ductility at room temperature and poor strength at high temperatures. The authors approach has been to use mechanical alloying (MA) followed by hot extrusion to produce dispersion strengthened, fine-grained NiAl-based materials, to address both the ambient temperature brittleness and high temperature strength problems. Recently, they examined creep behavior of mechanically alloyed (MA) NiAl and demonstrated its potential for high temperature structural applications. Minimum creep rates in MA NiAl were on average three orders of magnitude lower than that in their cast counterparts. Improved creep resistance of MA NiAl was found to result above all from the presence of dispersoids. Virtually all modern theories for dislocation creep in metals and alloys assume the dislocation motion is opposed by back stresses which result from interactions between the moving dislocations and the substructure and that the creep rate is determined by a net stress, equal to the difference between an applied stress and a backmore » stress. The final application of the net stress concept is in the area of dispersion strengthened (DS) materials, which creep behavior is best described in terms of the threshold stress below which creep rate is negligible and which must be overcome in order for dislocations to pass particles. In this article, threshold behavior in MA NiAl is reported and the physical origin of the threshold stress is discussed. Similarities and differences between creep behavior of MA NiAl and conventional'' DS materials are outlined.« less
Making Sense of the Philosophy of Sport

Beginning from an earlier claim of mine that there was really no such area of study as the philosophy of sport, Part One of the paper reconsiders the place previously given to David Best’s distinction between purposive sports and aesthetic sports. In light of a famous cricketing event in the 1977 contest between England and Australia (‘The Ashes’), in which Derek Randall turned a cartwheel after taking the winning catch, the paper clarifies that not all aesthetically-pleasing events taking place in sporting competitions can be understood as the aesthetic in sport. Then, in Part Two, the force of the claim that philosophy is one subject is explored. The conclusion is that a focus just on the philosophy of sport is necessarily inappropriate, since it will present the student with only cases from sport to then apply to sport. Rather, one’s understanding must be informed by (much of) the breadth of philosophy. Charles Travis’s view of occasion-sensitivity provides a clear example of appropriately contextual a...
A Modified Amino Acid Analysis Using PITC Derivatization for Soybeans with Accurate Determination of Cysteine and Half-Cystine

Breeding efforts to change the amino acid profile of seed protein and the assessment of genetic variation for amino acid composition among soybean germplasm resources have been hampered by lack of a rapid and inexpensive method for amino acid determination. A modified procedure presented here is partly based on a gas-phase hydrolysis and precolumn derivatization for HPLC analysis. The procedure accurately measured cysteine and half-cystine in samples. The method was also proven to be accurate using a reference protein with known amino acid composition. It is reliable and can be automated for daily analysis with a large number of samples. The method was also tested with soybean seeds harvested from a two-replicate multi-location soybean field experiment. It was found that no soybean cultivar by location interaction was significant for any of the amino acids which demonstrate that amino acid compositions were generally stable across a range of environments, and that the repeatability of the measurement itself was high. The error associated with the determination was also low as demonstrated by the analysis of variance.
TGF-beta1 adenoviral overexpression increases osteogenesis but does not lead to pathologic murine sagittal craniosynostosis

Abstract Introduction: Data indicates that TGF-betas may play an important role in craniosynostosis. In a murine organ culture model, we previously demonstrated that blocking TGF-beta signaling leads to pathologic suture patency. In this study, we investigated both the osteogenic properties of TGF-beta1 and determined whether adenoviral overexpression of TGF-beta1 in a normally patent sagittal (SAG) suture would lead to pathologic suture fusion. Methods: Primary calvarial rat osteoblasts were treated with TGF-beta1 adenovirus or vehicle and cultured for four weeks. Expression of TGF-beta1 was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) and bone nodule formation assessed with von Kossa staining. The dura mater of 22 day CD-1 mouse calvarial explants were then transfected with adenovirus overexpressing TGF-beta1 or lacZ. SAG sutures were harvested weekly for four weeks and analyzed with H&E as well as beta-galactosidase staining. Results: QRT-PCR data confirmed the marked up regulation of TGF-beta1 mRNA in osteoblasts transfected with the TGF-beta1 overexpression adenovirus. TGF-beta1 adenoviral overexpression led to a 5-fold increase in bone nodule formation compared to untreated osteoblasts. Interestingly TGF-beta1 adenoviral transfection in the underlying dura mater did not lead to pathologic SAG suture fusion in any specimens. Conclusions: TGF-beta1 has potent osteogenic capabilities as demonstrated by a significant increase in bone nodule formation. Although blocking TGF-beta signaling prevents physiologic suture fusion, overexpression of TGF-beta in a normally patent cranial suture does not lead to pathologic craniosynostosis. TGF-beta is potentially necessary but not sufficient in the mechanism of programmed cranial suture fusion.
Single and combined therapy for systemic hypertension with propranolol, hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide: hemodynamic and neuroendocrine mechanisms of action.

Abstract The antihypertensive mechanisms of single and combined therapy with a β-adrenergic antagonist (propranolol) and a vasodilator (hydralazine) were investigated in 9 patients with moderately severe hypertension, who were receiving maintenance diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) treatment. Hemodynamic and neuroendocrine responses were determined at rest and during lower body negative pressure, and dynamic and static exercise stress after the chronic administration of propranolol and hydralazine, given alone or in combination. All 3 drug regimens, each administered for at least 10 weeks, reduced blood pressure (p
Serotonin immunoreactivity in the optic lobes of the sphinx moth Manduca sexta and colocalization with FMRFamide and SCPB immunoreactivity

In the optic lobes (OLs) of the sphinx moth Manduca sexta, 300–350 neurons per hemisphere are immunoreactive with an antiserotonin antiserum. Two groups of weakly serotonin-immunoreactive cells (OL1) appear to be amacrine cells of the medulla, whereas more intensely immunoreactive cells (OL2) are probably centrifugal neurons that innervate the lobula, medulla, and lamina, as well as the superior protocerebrum. At least one other OL2 cell is a local optic-lobe interneuron with arborizations in the dorsal medulla and lobula. The serotonin-immunoreactive cells are also immunoreactive with an antiserum against Drosophila melanogaster DOPA decarboxylase. All OL2 cells, but not the OL1 cells, are furthermore immunoreactive with an anti-FMRFamide antiserum and an anti-SCPB antiserum. This suggests that neuropeptides related or identical to FMRFamide and SCPB are colocalized and may serve as cotransmitters with serotonin in OL2 optic-lobe interneurons.
Digital Communication and Records in Service Provision and Supervision: Regulation and Practice.

While the use of computer-based communication, video recordings, and other “electronic” records is commonplace in clinical service settings and research, management of digital records can become a great burden from both practical and regulatory perspectives. Three types of challenges commonly present themselves: regulatory requirements; storage, transmission, and access; and analysis for clinical and research decision-making. Unfortunately, few practitioners and organizations are well enough informed to set necessary policies and procedures in an effective, comprehensive manner. The three challenges are addressed using a demonstrative example of policies and procedural guidelines from an applied perspective, maintaining the unique emphasis behavior analysts place upon quantitative analysis. Specifically, we provide a brief review of federal requirements relevant to the use of video and electronic records in the USA; non-jargon pragmatic solutions to managing and storing video and electronic records; and last, specific methodologies to facilitate extraction of quantitative information in a cost-effective manner.
Emerging applications for vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) emitting at 850 nm have experienced explosive growth in the past decade because of their many attractive optical features and incredibly low-cost manufacturability. This review reviews the foundations for GaAs-based VCSEL technology as well as the materials and device challenges to extend the operating wavelength to both shorter and longer wavelengths. We discuss some of the applications that are enabled by the integration of VCSELs with both active and passive semiconductor elements for telecommunications, both in vivo and in vitro biosensing, high-density optical storage and imaging at wavelengths much less than the diffraction limit of light.
STING specifies IRF3 phosphorylation by TBK1 in the cytosolic DNA signaling pathway.

As part of the innate immune response, various pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and TLR4, activate the kinase TBK1, which phosphorylates the transcription factor IRF3, leading to the production of type I interferons (IFNs). Tanaka and Chen used an in vitro reconstitution system to investigate the mechanism by which TBK1-mediated IRF3 activation occurs in response to the presence of cytosolic DNA from viruses or bacteria, a response that depends on the adaptor protein STING (see the Perspective by Bowie). Cytosolic DNA triggered the sequential recruitment of TBK1 and IRF3 to STING, which acted as a scaffold upon which TBK1 phosphorylated both STING and IRF3. Given that not all pattern recognition receptors that stimulate TBK1 lead to IRF3 activation, the authors suggest that STING specifies the activation of IRF3 by a subset of receptors that activate both TBK1 and STING—and that other adaptor proteins may fulfill similar roles in other innate immune pathways.
Transient patterns of GAP-43 expression during the formation of barrels in the rat somatosensory cortex.

The development of the rat barrel field cortex was investigated with an antibody to the axonal membrane-specific phosphoprotein GAP-43 in order to examine the developmental pattern of afferent projections, and with cytochrome oxidase histochemistry and Nissl stains to reveal the morphogenesis of cortical barrels. On the first two days after birth, GAP-43 immunostaining in the cortical plate was light and diffuse, then became intense in the presumptive layer IV of the parietal cortex on PND3 (day of birth = PND0). Immunoreactive densities were visible as small, focal patches within the centers of prospective barrels. These densities increased in size and intensity over the next few days and then diminished abruptly. On PnD7, the distribution of GAP-43 was coextensive with barrels, as defined by cytochrome oxidase histochemistry and Nissl staining. GAP-43 virtually disappeared from the barrels after PND7. From the second postnatal week, GAP-43 immunostaining was evident in the septa between barrels and in the dysgranular regions of SI cortex. This pattern of GAP-43 distribution was complementary to the pattern of cytochrome oxidase activity, and persisted into maturity. In an attempt to identify possible source(s) of GAP-43 positive afferents in the developing barrels, we examined the effects of altering the sensory periphery on the distribution of GAP-43 immunostaining in the cortex. Rat pups had row C whiskers cauterized on PND0 and were sacrificed on PND3 or PND5. Whereas immunopositive densities corresponding to intact whiskers developed in a normal, punctate pattern, cortical representation of the lesioned whiskers formed a continuous band of labeling that was evident as early as PND3. We argue that the disjunctive expression of GAP-43 in the barrel field reflects the pattern of distribution of afferents (most likely from the ventrobasal thalamic nucleus) to the barrel field cortex, and that this pattern may be instructive in the formation of barrels as cytoarchitectonic units. The rapid alteration in patterns of immunostaining following whisker lesions lends further support to the conclusion that the “barrel template” is conveyed to the neocortex by incoming afferents. The possible significance of the transient expression of GAP-43 in the maturing barrel field is discussed.
Calculation of the Poisson cumulative distribution function (reliability applications)

A method for calculating the Poisson CDF (cumulative distribution function) is presented. The method avoids computer underflow and overflow during the process. The computer program uses this technique to calculate the Poisson CDF for arbitrary inputs. An algorithm that determines the Poisson parameter required to yield a specified value of the CDF is presented. >
Identifying Priority Pollutant Sources: Apportioning Air Toxics Risks using Positive Matrix Factorization

Hazardous air pollutants or air toxics are pollutants that are known or suspected to cause serious health effects. This paper presents a methodology to quantify source contributions to air toxics health risks. First, a linear, no-threshold risk model was used to identify gas-phase organic air toxics that contribute significantly to cancer risks. Next, Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) was performed on high time-resolved measurements of these air toxics, and the additive cancer risks associated with each factor was determined. Finally, the PMF factors were linked to sources and source classes (mobile, nonmobile, secondary/background) using a combination of meteorological data and comparisons with published source profiles. The analysis was performed using data from three sites in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: a downtown site near a heavily traveled bus route, a residential site adjacent to a heavily industrialized area, and an urban background site. At all three sites emissions from nonmobile sources were the dominant contributors to the cancer risks from air toxics included in the PMF model, including benzene and other air toxics often associated with mobile source emissions. Emissions from both large industrial sources, such as coke works and chemical facilities, and smaller point sources, such as dry cleaners, contributed significantly to the cancer risks at all sites. This method can provide insight for decision makers to prioritize sources for risk reduction.
Gap Sequences and Moduli in Genus 4

Let X denote a compact Riemann surface of genus g > 1. At each point P~X, there is a sequence of g integers, l=71(P) g. Every compact Riemann surface of genus > 1 has a finite number of Weierstrass points. (See [6] for details.) The question of describing the moduli of compact Riemann surfaces of genus g which have a Weierstrass point with a specified first nongap has been answered by Rauch [14] and Arbarello [1]. The problem of describing the moduli of curves of genus g which have a Weierstrass point with a specified gap sequence has been considered by Hensel-Landsberg [7] and Rauch [15] and recently results on this question have been obtained by Pinkham [13] and RimVitulli [16]. In [9], we defined complex spaces of Weierstrass points of the universal curve and obtained a theorem concerning the smoothness and dimension of these spaces. From this, one can recover the moduli results of Rauch [14]. In order to study the higher Weierstrass nongaps and the entire gap sequence, we must extend our definition in [9]. We do this in w and then prove a theorem concerning the smoothness and dimension of these spaces which is analogous to the main result in [9]. F rom this, we can recover a moduli result of Pinkham [13]. In w 3, we study the geometry of these complex spaces of Weierstrass points of the universal curve of genus 4. We obtain a description of the moduli of Teichmiiller surfaces of genus 4 which have a Weierstrass point with a specified gap sequence. In the following, a complex space is not necessarily reduced. If Y is a complex space, then IYI will denote the underlying set of points. If Y, Z1 . . . . . Z , are closed complex subspaces of a complex space, then by Y Z 1 Z 2 . . . Z ,
Localization of products of ATP hydrolysis in mammalian smooth muscle cells.

The sites of lead phosphate precipitation in mouse bladder smooth muscle incubated with adenosine triphosphate and lead nitrate were studied by electron microscopy. The media constituents and incubating conditions were independently varied so that we could determine optimal conditions for histochemical demonstration of ATPase activity in agranular endoplasmic reticulum. Specimens of glutaraldehyde-fixed bladder muscle, frozen, cut into 10–40-µ sections, and incubated for 1 hr at 25°C in medium containing 0.025 M ATP, 0.0025 M lead nitrate, 0.05 M magnesium chloride, and 0.09 M sodium acetate buffer at pH 6.2, exhibited microcrystalline deposits in agranular endoplasmic reticulum and pinocytotic vesicles. Lead salt deposition was also noted in terminal cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle similarly treated, suggesting that the organelle systems in the two types of muscle cells subserve a common function.
Inflammatory bowel disease characteristics in Hispanic children in Texas.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a wide spectrum and variability among different ethnic groups. We aimed to evaluate disease characteristics in the pediatric Hispanic population, which has not been well studied. Methods: We identified patients <18 years old seen at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) and diagnosed with IBD between 2004 and 2009. We compared them with their White, African American, and “other” counterparts with regard to their demographics, disease characteristics, and initial therapy. Results: There were a total of 399 patients with IBD: 211 (52.9%) White, 67 (16.8%) African American, 53 (13.3%) Hispanic, and 68 (17%) “other.” Crohn's disease (CD) was the most common IBD type among all groups; however, Hispanics had the highest proportion of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and IBD-unclassified (IBD-U). There was male predominance in all groups except African Americans. Hispanics had the highest percentage of Medicaid coverage (P < 0.01) and none of the Hispanics had a first-degree relative with IBD. They had a younger age at diagnosis but a similar duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis. Hispanics had less failure to thrive and a higher body mass index (BMI) Z-score. Hispanics with CD more often received systemic steroids while those with UC and IBD-U were more often treated with local steroids (P < 0.01), oral 5-aminosalicylate (P < 0.01), and less often received immunomodulators or biologics (P = 0.05). Conclusions: We demonstrate differences in disease characteristics between Hispanics and other ethnicities with IBD. Further epidemiologic studies are needed, including longer-term follow-up, to better define the burden of illness in Hispanics. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012;)
Plasmapheresis in a case of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome with ascending polyneuropathy.

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome complicated by ascending polyneuropathy in a 40-year-old woman is described. High-dose intravenous steroids had no beneficial effect on the clinical course. Dramatic and rapid clinical improvement occurred with the use of plasmapheresis. The use of this therapeutic modality should be considered in patients with a similar clinical presentation. (Chest 1991; 100:584)
An empirical investigation of sparse log-linear models for improved dialogue act classification

Previous work on dialogue act classification have primarily focused on dense generative and discriminative models. However, since the automatic speech recognition (ASR) outputs are often noisy, dense models might generate biased estimates and overfit to the training data. In this paper, we study sparse modeling approaches to improve dialogue act classification, since the sparse models maintain a compact feature space, which is robust to noise. To test this, we investigate various element-wise frequentist shrinkage models such as lasso, ridge, and elastic net, as well as structured sparsity models and a hierarchical sparsity model that embed the dependency structure and interaction among local features. In our experiments on a real-world dataset, when augmenting N-best word and phone level ASR hypotheses with confusion network features, our best sparse log-linear model obtains a relative improvement of 19.7% over a rule-based baseline, a 3.7% significant improvement over a traditional non-sparse log-linear model, and outperforms a state-of-the-art SVM model by 2.2%.
Hybrid Bioreactors for Decontamination of Water and Air

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has developed and patented innovative Hybrid Bioreactors that destroy water and air contaminants, with dramatic savings over existing technologies. Hybrid Bioreactors accomplish single-step destruction of contaminants without generating contaminated off-gases or other secondary waste streams. Contaminants destroyed include a wide variety of volatile organic compounds, chlorinated solvents, and other compounds. The bioreactors can be used in a variety of applications ranging from site restoration to industrial compliance. Treatment costs using Hybrid Bioreactors are generally less than one-tenth of costs reported at Superfund sites. A gas stream application of the new technology was field-demonstrated at Anniston Army Depot in a project funded by the U.S. Army Environmental Center. A 300-cubic-foot Hybrid Bioreactor is being demonstrated this year at TVA's Wetlands Complex in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Additional information is available at http://www.tva.gov/environment/envservices/alw_biofilter.htm. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.*
Collision detection: A survey

A process of determining whether two or more bodies are making contact at one or more points is called collision detection or intersection detection. Collision detection is inseparable part of the computer graphics, surgical simulations, and robotics. There are varieties of methods for collision detection. We will review some of the most common ones. Algorithms for contact determination can be grouped into two general parts: broad-phase and narrow-phase. This paper provides a comprehensive classification of a collision detection literature into the two phases. Moreover, we have attempted to explain some of the existing algorithms which are not easy to interpret. Also, we have tried to keep sections self-explanatory without sacrificing depth of coverage.
Clarithromycin has an immunomodulatory effect on ERK-mediated inflammation induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa flagellin

Methods: We studied the effects of P. aeruginosa flagellin and alginate on IL-8 secretion from NHBE cells and how this was affected by clarithromycin or dexamethasone. We also assessed the upstream kinase cell signalling intermediates that appear to be responsible for flagellin-induced IL-8 secretion. ELISA was used to measure IL-8 in culture supernatants, and western blots were used to measure kinase and phosphokinase levels. Results: Flagellin dose-dependently increased IL-8 secretion in NHBE cells at 24 h, whereas alginate had no effect on IL-8. Clarithromycin significantly decreased flagellin-induced IL-8 over the first 9 h but not at 24 h. A 60 min exposure to clarithromycin decreased flagellin-induced ERK phosphorylation, but at 24 h, clarithromycin increased phospho-ERK1/2 beyond the effect of flagellin alone. Pre-treatment with PD98059 (MEK inhibitor) decreased flagellin-induced IL-8 secretion by 47.7% (P < 0.0001) compared with control flagellin exposure and decreased basal IL-8 in the absence of flagellin by 27.9% compared with untreated control cells (P < 0.0001). Dexamethasone and PD98059 together had an additive suppressive effect on flagellin-induced IL-8 secretion. Conclusions: P. aeruginosa flagellin, but not alginate, stimulates IL-8 secretion in NHBE cells in part through ERK1/2. This effect is modulated by clarithromycin, whereas suppression of IL-8 secretion by dexamethasone probably occurs through different pathways.
The Northern Ireland Assembly Election 2007

Abstract The Northern Ireland Assembly Election held on 7 March 2007 was significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, despite the widespread view that the campaign was one of the most low‐key in recent memory, the election was hugely important as it signalled a real possibility of delivering restored devolution as the culmination of five years of government initiatives and inter‐party talks. Second, the DUP and Sinn Fein further cemented their position as the leading parties of their respective communities with 36 and 28 Assembly seats respectively. Third, the two ‘moderate’ parties fared badly: the UUP’s share of Assembly seats plummeted from 24 to 18 – 18 behind the DUP and the SDLP won just 16 seats, qualifying for only one executive seat. Fourth, the presence of dissidents in opposition to the respective positions of the DUP and Sinn Fein failed to make an impact. Overall, the election created the conditions for a new political landscape in Northern Ireland, leading to the formation of a four‐party p...
Iron chelators with topoisomerase-inhibitory activity and their anticancer applications.

Abstract Significance: Iron and topoisomerases are abundant and essential cellular components. Iron is required for several key processes such as DNA synthesis, mitochondrial electron transport, synthesis of heme, and as a co-factor for many redox enzymes. Topoisomerases serve as critical enzymes that resolve topological problems during DNA synthesis, transcription, and repair. Neoplastic cells have higher uptake and utilization of iron, as well as elevated levels of topoisomerase family members. Separately, the chelation of iron and the cytotoxic inhibition of topoisomerase have yielded potent anticancer agents. Recent Advances: The chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin and dexrazoxane both chelate iron and target topoisomerase 2 alpha (top2α). Newer chelators such as di-2-pyridylketone-4,4,-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone and thiosemicarbazone -24 have recently been identified as top2α inhibitors. The growing list of agents that appear to chelate iron and inhibit topoisomerases prompts the question of whether...
Using "point of decision" messages to intervene on college students' eating behaviors

Abstract Purpose. Examine the impact of “point of decision” messages on fruit selection in a single dining hall setting. Setting. Competitive undergraduate liberal arts college in the southeastern United States. Intervention. “Point of decision” messages were compiled into a 35-slide multimedia PowerPoint presentation. Messages were displayed on a computer screen at a “point of decision” between the cookie and fruit stations during lunch for a total of 9 days. Measures. Baseline cookie and fruit consumption was measured 9 days prebaseline and 9 days postbaseline. A random sample of students completed surveys 1 week after the intervention. Analysis. t-tests were used to examine differences between prelevels of fruit consumption and levels measured simultaneously during “point of decision” messages. Descriptive statistics were used to examine perceptions of survey items 1 week postintervention. Results. A significant mean difference in daily fruit consumption was found following the slide presentation (df-8...
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Telephone Intervention for Alcohol Misuse With Injured Emergency Department Patients.

Study objective We conduct a randomized controlled trial to test efficacy of a telephone intervention for injured emergency department (ED) patients with alcohol misuse to decrease alcohol use, impaired driving, alcohol-related injuries, and alcohol-related negative consequences. Methods ED patients screening positive for alcohol misuse were randomized to a 3-session telephone brief motivational intervention on alcohol, delivered by a counselor trained in motivational interviewing during 6 weeks, or a control intervention of a scripted home fire and burn safety education delivered in 3 calls. Patients were followed for 12 months and assessed for changes in alcohol use, impaired driving, alcohol-related injuries, and alcohol-related negative consequences. Results Seven hundred thirty ED patients were randomized; 78% received their assigned intervention by telephone, and of those, 72% completed 12-month assessments. There were no differential benefits of telephone brief motivational intervention versus assessment and a control intervention in all 3 variables of alcohol use (frequency of binge alcohol use during the previous 30 days, maximum number of drinks at one time in the past 30 days, and typical alcohol use in the past 30 days), alcohol-impaired driving, alcohol-related injuries, and alcohol-related negative consequences. Conclusion Despite the potential advantage of delivering a telephone brief motivational intervention in not disrupting ED clinical care, our study found no efficacy for it over an assessment and control intervention. Potential causes for our finding include that injury itself, alcohol assessments, or the control intervention had active ingredients for alcohol change.