cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling and optimization of a hybrid power system for an unmanned surface vehicle

Abstract Modeling and optimization of a hybrid power system comprising several different power sources provides a tool to size the individual power system components and to optimize the power system control variables. The hybrid power system is required to meet the demanding requirements of long duration mission of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). These demands for power may be met by a combination of renewable energy resources, conventional fossil-fueled energy sources and energy storage options. The hybrid power system being considered here comprises a solar array, an ocean wave energy converter, a fuel cell system, a diesel generator and a lithium ion battery pack. The approach gives high priority to natural energy sources, i.e. solar and wave energy converter within the discrete time domain followed by minimization of a cost/energy ratio associated with the storage based energy elements, i.e., battery pack, fuel cell system (H 2 storage) and diesel generator (fuel storage). The results show that optimization has been achieved with 19.6% contribution by solar power during daylight hours and 5.53% contribution of the wave energy harvester to meet the load demands. The battery bank contributes 39.7% which is 4.4% above the fuel cell contribution. The diesel generator does not contribute during the stealth mode of operation of the USV mission. The average percentage energy contribution from each source confirmed the priorities based on minimization of cost/energy ratio of hybrid power elements. However, in the first case study the optimized result shows a constraint violation when fuel cell performs slightly higher than the battery. Later, in the second case study, it is corrected by increasing the size of the battery bank.
The neuropsychology of disgust

Beginning with the landmark case of Phineas Gage (Harlow, 1868), studies of neurological patients with ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) damage have time and again demonstrated a critical role for this brain area in various aspects of emotion, social cognition and decision-making. The importance of vmPFC for social and affective function is further underscored by a host of clinical neuroimaging studies, which have demonstrated abnormal patterns of vmPFC activity in psychiatric disorders such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, psychopathy and autism. Specifying the essential functions of vmPFC may therefore be a key step in elucidating the neuropathophysiological mechanisms underlying diverse forms of socio-affective dysfunction in mental illness. In this regard, lesion studies are an indispensible methodological approach; the loss of vmPFC function through focal lesions (e.g. as a result of tumor, stroke or aneurysm) affords a unique opportunity to assess in humans the causal contribution of vmPFC to particular psychological faculties. In this issue, Ciaramelli et al. (2012b) present the latest advance in this line of lesion patient research.
A pilot study on the early use of the vacuum erection device after radical retropubic prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of the early use of the vacuum erection device (VED) on erectile dysfunction (ED) and penile shortening after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP), as these are important concerns for men choosing among treatment alternatives for localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-eight men undergoing RP were randomized to early intervention (1 month after RP, group 1) or a control group (6 months after RP, group 2) using a traditional VED protocol. An International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score of >11 (no, mild or mild to moderate ED) was required as a baseline criterion for inclusion in the study. Only patients in whom unilateral or bilateral nerves were spared were subsequently randomized. Patients in group 1 followed a daily rehabilitation protocol consisting of 10 min/day using the VED with no constriction ring, for 5 months. Patients were evaluated with the IIEF-5 questionnaire and measurements of penile flaccid length, stretched length, prepubic fat pad, and midshaft circumference before and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after RP; the mean (range) last follow-up visit was 9.5 (6–12) months after RP. RESULTS The mean (sd) baseline IIEF scores were similar in groups 1 and 2, at 21.1 (4.6) and 22.3 (3.3), respectively (P = 0.54). The IIEF scores were significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 at 3 months, at 11.5 (9.4) vs 1.8 (1.4) (P = 0.008) and at 6 months, at 12.4 (8.7) vs 3.0 (1.9) (P = 0.012) after RP. There were no significant changes in penile flaccid length, prepubic fat pad, or mid-shaft circumference in either group. Stretched penile length was significantly decreased at both 3 and 6 months, by ≈ 2 cm (P = 0.013) in group 2. By contrast, stretched penile length was preserved in group 1 at all sample times. At the last follow-up, the proportion of men with a mean loss of penile length of ≥ 2 cm was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 (two/17, 12%, vs five/11, P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS Initiating the use of a VED protocol at 1 month after RP improves early sexual function and helps to preserve penile length.
How to Prove It: A Structured Approach

Proofs play a central role in advanced mathematics and theoretical computer science, yet many students struggle the first time they take a course in which proofs play a significant role. This bestselling text's third edition helps students transition from solving problems to proving theorems by teaching them the techniques needed to read and write proofs. Featuring over 150 new exercises and a new chapter on number theory, this new edition introduces students to the world of advanced mathematics through the mastery of proofs. The book begins with the basic concepts of logic and set theory to familiarize students with the language of mathematics and how it is interpreted. These concepts are used as the basis for an analysis of techniques that can be used to build up complex proofs step by step, using detailed 'scratch work' sections to expose the machinery of proofs about numbers, sets, relations, and functions. Assuming no background beyond standard high school mathematics, this book will be useful to anyone interested in logic and proofs: computer scientists, philosophers, linguists, and, of course, mathematicians.
Chronic Lower Limb Wound Outcomes Among Rural and Urban Veterans

Purpose: Veterans in rural areas generally have lower health care utilization than veterans in urban areas but the impact of this difference on health outcomes has received little study. Chronic wounds provide a model for studying access to complex chronic care since they often are related to underlying health conditions and require lengthy treatment. Our goals were to describe chronic wound care utilization among rural and urban veterans and to determine the association between rural residence and wound healing. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 160 rural and 160 urban veterans in the Pacific Northwest with an incident chronic lower limb wound between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007. We followed individuals for up to one year, measuring wound care utilization within VHA and Medicare. We compared wound healing using a competing risks proportional hazards model accounting for amputation and death. Findings: Rural veterans had fewer outpatient wound care visits (6.8 versus 9.9) than urban veterans and a similar number of inpatient wound care stays (0.9 and 0.8, respectively). During follow-up, 234 veterans’ wounds healed (77% rural, 69% urban). The adjusted hazard ratio for wound healing was 1.11 (95% CI: 0.84-1.47, p=0.45) for rural compared to urban veterans. The hazard of amputation was higher among rural veterans (HR=2.65, 95% CI: 1.02-6.87, p=0.045) and the hazard of death was lower (HR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.12-0.97, p=0.043). Conclusions: Despite lower wound care utilization, rural veterans’ wounds were as likely to heal as urban veterans’ wounds.
Cervical Cancer Screening Among Chinese Women

According to the American Cancer Society (2002) 13000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer this year and some 4100 women will die of it. Cervical cancer disproportionately affects Asian women. Recent epidemiological data from the U.S. cancer registry demonstrate that Asian women have a higher rate of cervical cancer (10.2/100000) as compared to Caucasian women (8.4/100000). Asian women also had a higher rate of death with cervical cancer (2.7/100000) than whites (2.4/100000). However cervical cancer is a highly preventable disease if detected early. In fact as reported by the National Cancer Institute (1998) the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer had significantly decreased by more than 70 percent during the past few decades. Regular checkups and Pap screening have contributed greatly to this impressive reduction. (excerpt)
Fusing and filtering arrogant classifiers

Given a finite collection of classifiers trained on n-class data, one wishes to fuse the classifiers to form a new classifier with improved performance. Typically, the fusion is performed on the output level using logical ANDs and ORs. Sometimes classifiers are arrogant and will classify a feature vector without any prior experience (data) to justify their decision. The proposed fusion is based on the arrogance of the classifier and the location of the feature vector in respect to training data. Given a feature vector x, if any one of the classifiers is an expert on x then that classifier should dominate the fusion. If the classifiers are confused at x then the fusion rule should be defined in such a way to reflect this confusion. If the classifier is arrogant, then its results should not be considered and, thus, filtered out from the fusion process. We give this fusion rule based upon the metrics of veracity and experience.
A Combination of Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Analog and Human Menopausal Gonadotropins for Ovulation Induction in Premature Ovarian Failure

A combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and human menopausal gonadotropins was used for ovulation induction in a patient with premature ovarian failure. A paradoxical suppression of any ovarian response was noted despite increasing doses of human menopausal gonadotropins.
Self-reversed magnetization held by martite in basalt flows from the 1.1-billion-year-old Keweenawan rift, Canada

In some basalt flows of the 1.1-billion-year-old Keweenawan Rift exposed at Mamainse Point,Ontario, there is a magnetic phase that holds a remanence antiparallel to the populations of magnetite and hematite that are typical of flows in the succession. The paleomagnetic and geological context of this component demonstrates that it is not a chemicaloverprint whoseremanence is attributableto a subsequently reversed geomagnetic field, but that the component is a self-reversal of the primary magnetization. Here we use rock magnetic experiments and Mossbauer spectroscopy to show that this phase occurs in the most oxidized flowsandisheldbya fine-grainedpopulationofhematitethatacquiredits self-reversedremanencethrough interactions with a phase of lower blocking temperature. We propose that this self-reversed hematite is a manifestation of the self-reversal phenomena that has been observed to occur experimentally during the transformation of maghemite to hematite and thathas been attributed to negative exchange coupling across the crystal lattices. We suggest that hematite formed in association with iron-silicates in the basalt flows carries a remanence reflective of the field in which it formed, but that martite (hematite pseudomorphed after magnetite) which formed through the progressive oxidation of magnetite to maghemite with subsequent inversion to hematite carries the self-reversed remanence. This study marks the second time that a naturally occurring self-reversed magnetization has been attributed to this mechanism and marks the oldestreportedinstanceof anytypeof self-reversedremanence.Themartitethatformsthrough thisprocess has the ability to retain a record of the negative exchange coupling from the time of its formation for hundreds of millions of years.
Scheduled controllers for linear systems with bounded actuators: Slab condition

For linear systems under bounded actuators, a new scheduling scheme is used to improve the performance of the closed-loop system, in disturbance attenuation problems. The approach selects the controller, among a continuous family of controllers, that provides the best performance while avoiding saturation, based on the closed-loop behavior (i.e., the closed-loop state vector). As a result, the controller has a quasi linear parameter varying structure. Graphically, the resulting scheduling scheme relies on slab regions of the phase plain. Numerically, the family of the controllers are based on linear splines, and can be obtained by standard LMI software. Benefits of the proposed scheduling scheme is demonstrated through a numerical example.
Submucosal gastric hemorrhage following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of bile duct stones.

Recently, experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESL) for bile duct stones has been reported in several studies.5 Fragmentation occurs in over 90% of patients. Rates of early stone clearance vary with the degree of endoscopic intervention. Although usually minor and transient, complications occur in up to 40% of patients; cutaneous hematoma, hematuria, hemobilia, and biliary pain are the most common adverse effects. We report a case of diffuse submucosal gastric hemorrhage following ESL therapy of bile duct stones, a complication heretofore undescribed.
Climate Change and Ecology in Rural Lands

Climate change has gained wider attention in recent years as issues of longer term environmental sustainability are debated in research circles and among the public at large. For this reason, considering how climate change will affect ecology and management of rural lands should be one of the pillars of knowledge supporting land-use planning and management. This chapter reviews three important aspects of climate change and ecology of rural lands: the fundamentals of climate change, how climate change is likely to affect critical ecological processes on rural lands, and, finally, some practical, accessible tools that can be used to integrate the knowledge and experience of land managers into models to improve the quality of decision making.
Coccidioidomycosis in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Background: An endemic fungal infection of the desert southwestern United States, coccidioidomycosis is generally a self-limited illness in healthy persons. Immunosuppressed persons who contract coccidioidomycosis, however, are at increased risk for disseminated infection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with coccidioidomycosis and hematologic malignancy or bone marrow disease. Results: Fifty-five patients were identified. The most common underlying malignancies were non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Extrathoracic (or disseminated) infection was observed in 12 patients (22%). Fifteen patients (27%) died with active coccidioidomycosis. Treatment of the hematologic disease with corticosteroids or antineoplastic chemotherapy increased the risk of death. Conclusion:To date, this is the largest case series of patients with hematologic malignancy and coccidioidomycosis. In persons with hematologic malignancy, coccidioidomycosis can be a severe illness with a high risk for disseminated infection and death. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:113-117
Extraction of Person Silhouettes from Surveillance Imagery using MRFs

We present a method for the simultaneous detection and segmentation of objects from static images. We employ low-level contour features that enable us to learn the coarse object shape using a simple training phase requiring no manual segmentation. Based on the observation that most interesting objects (e.g., people) have regular and closed boundaries, we exploit relations between these features to extract midlevel cues, such as continuity and closure. For segmentation, we employ a Markov random field that combines these cues with information learned from training. The algorithm is evaluated for extracting person silhouettes from surveillance images, and quantitative results are presented
Biofeedback and behavioral therapy for the management of female urinary incontinence

This article describes various behavioral therapies used to treat incontinence in women. Stress, urge, and mixed incontinence can be improved with various forms of behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapies, including pelvic muscle exercises, fluid manipulation, and bladder training, have a role in the primary treatment or as an adjunct to pharmacologic or surgical treatment. Although complete cure is uncommon with these low-risk treatment modalities, the improvement that occurs is satisfactory for many patients. Behavioral therapy may consist of fluid management, bladder retraining with timed or prompted voiding, or behavioral strategies for dealing with urgency or pelvic muscle exercises. Pelvic muscle exercises may be done with or without biofeedback or other forms of adjunct treatment, such as electrical stimulation or pharmacotherapy. Biofeedback is a form of learning or re-education in which the patient receives feedback about neuromuscular or autonomic activity of which they usually are unaware through a visual, auditory, or tactile signal. This may be done by placing a hand on the abdominal muscles to feel a contraction or it may consist of various devices that range from simple vaginal cones to vaginal probes connected to complex computerized systems with auditory and visual signals.
Effective fishing effort indicators and their application to spatial management of mixed demersal fisheries

Since the Common Fisheries Policy reform in 2002, there have been various proposals for designing effective input-management tools in the context of demersal multispecies and multimetier fisheries to augment quota management. The relationship between fishing mortality and effort exerted by the English beam trawl fleet is investigated for two stocks of North Sea demersal fish, plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., and sole, Solea solea (L.). Catchability was adjusted by accounting for targeting by this gear, seasonal and area effects, and individual vessel variation, using results from a generalised linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) that included random effects (in this case, vessel). Descriptors were standardised in relation to distinct submetiers and their impact on both species. Fishing efficiency was calculated as the ratio between relative nominal landings per unit effort derived from the GLMM and survey indices from a standard survey vessel. Fishing efficiency for sole increased (+0.6% annually) and for plaice decreased (−6.2%), likely because of changes in targeting, fuel costs and regulations.
Endometrial Cyst of the Pancreas

A 36-yr-old woman with a history of epigastric pain and a recent episode of acute pancreatitis was found at surgery to have a cyst in the tail of the pancreas that was lined by ectopic endometrial tissue. This is, to our knowledge, the first recorded case of endometriosis of the pancreas. The clinicopathologic features of this patient and the possible pathogenesis of her most unusual pancreatic lesion are discussed.
Azalea growth in response to azalea lace bug (Heteroptera: Tingidae) feeding.

The effects of azalea lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott), feeding injury on azalea growth and development were investigated using ‘Girard’s Rose’ azaleas during a 2-yr field study in Georgia. Low, medium, and high injury treatments, which corresponded to 6, 8, and 14% maximum canopy area injury, were compared with control azaleas that received no lace bug infestation. Flower number, whole-shrub leaf and stem dry mass, and dry mass and size of new growth tissues were unaffected by treatments. In contrast, growth index measurements, a general measure of variability frequently used for horticultural differentiation, showed significant reductions for all treatments in comparison to control azaleas after 20 wk. Though not directly quantified, this apparent discrepancy may be explained as an artifact of lace bug feeding-induced leaf abscission. Growth index measurements had considerable variability and may not be the most reliable measurement of size. In July 1998, plant canopy densities among azaleas maintained in the high injury treatments were ≈15% less full than the canopies of control shrubs. Predaceous insects had a significant negative association with azalea lace bug number during the 2-yr study. Flower and new tissue production, measured destructively during two growing seasons, revealed azalea tolerance to 14% of maximum canopy area lace bug feeding-injury levels.
Proximal decisions in traffic intersections

Proximal decision analysis is used to analyze the effect of uncertainty of traffic volume in a light signal optimization problem. A deterministic analysis is first performed then the effects of uncertainty evaluated later. The delayed time is the criteria used to optimize the decisions involved in the intersection problem where there is uncertainty about the approach volumes. The optimum cycle length and the green phase are obtained deterministically. Language: en
Relationship between cardiac diffusion tensor imaging parameters and anthropometrics in healthy volunteers

In vivo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (cDTI) is uniquely capable of interrogating laminar myocardial dynamics non-invasively. A comprehensive dataset of quantative parameters and comparison with subject anthropometrics is required. cDTI was performed at 3T with a diffusion weighted STEAM sequence. Data was acquired from the mid left ventricle in 43 subjects during the systolic and diastolic pauses. Global and regional values were determined for fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), helix angle gradient (HAg, degrees/%depth) and the secondary eigenvector angulation (E2A). Regression analysis was performed between global values and subject anthropometrics. All cDTI parameters displayed regional heterogeneity. The RR interval had a significant, but clinically small effect on systolic values for FA, HAg and E2A. Male sex and increasing left ventricular end diastolic volume were associated with increased systolic HAg. Diastolic HAg and systolic E2A were both directly related to left ventricular mass and body surface area. There was an inverse relationship between E2A mobility and both age and ejection fraction. Future interpretations of quantitative cDTI data should take into account anthropometric variations observed with patient age, body surface area and left ventricular measurements. Further work determining the impact of technical factors such as strain and SNR is required.
Ovis aries (Domestic sheep)

The X is slightly larger than the largest acrocentric autosome. It is not difficult to identify. The Y is very easy to identify.
Biological evaluation of silica nanotubes for targeted drug delivery

C124 Drug delivery systems can improve the pharmacological profiles of anticancer agents. Currently available nanoscale drug delivery systems e.g. liposomes, cationic polymers, dendrimers and polymer-drug conjugates suffer from inherent limitations such as instability or polydisperse size distribution, often resulting in nonspecific accumulation and toxicity to normal organs. We have developed silica nanotubes, an advanced delivery system where size, size distribution, functionalization and drug loading capacity can be precisely tuned to enable a higher degree of control over the biological fate. Nanotubes have several advantages: first, their inner voids can be used to load large amounts of drug molecules and their open ends can be used as a gate to control drug release. Secondly, differential functionalization can allow selective attachment of moieties to the inside (drugs, diagnostic agents) and outside (targeting moieties). Thirdly they are mechanically robust with no swelling or porosity changes under physiological conditions. By loading drugs inside the tubes, the outer surface can be kept biocompatible which can prevent aggregation and non-specific adsorption. In this study we examined the toxicity of silica nanotubes with a positive and negative charge and at particle sizes of 200 nm and 500 nm respectively. For in vitro cytotoxicity studies, the nanotubes were empty, for in vivo nude mouse studies, the nanotubes were loaded with AlexaFlour 488. In vitro MTT cell proliferation assays were performed with HEK293T embryonic kidney cells that were treated with nanotubes for 72 hours in concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 5 µg/mL. In vivo tolerability and biodistribution studies were done with 500 nm nanotubes in tumor bearing nude mice. 105 to 3x109 nanotubes were injected intravenously (i.v.) and animals sacrificed 30 min. to 48 hrs after i.v. injection for cyrosectioning and fluorescence imaging of tissues (tumor, spleen, liver, kidney). Nanotubes did affect the growth of HEK293T cells in a concentration and size dependent manner. Particle sizes of 200 nm (IC50 >0.05 µg/mL) were more cytotoxic than 500 nm (IC50 >0.5 µg/mL). Negatively charged 500 nm silica nanotubes however, were not toxic to HEK293T kidney cells, even at 0.5 µg/mL suggesting a differential uptake. In mice, both positive and negatively charged 500 nm nanotubes were tolerated at up to 3x109 particles per mouse (~ 0.5 µg/mL). Fluorescent nanotubes were detected in spleen and tumor, but not liver and kidney. The charge of the nanotubes appeared to have no influence on their biodistribution. A detailed time course of AlexaFlour 488 uptake will be presented. Our data suggest that silica nanotubes are tolerated by normal cells and organs in mice, and could be used to target anticancer agents to tumors. However, further functionalization is needed to reduce normal tissue accumulation.
Paleoecology of a Pliocene coral thicket from North Carolina; an example of temporal change in community structure and function

A two meter stratigraphic interval within the Chowan River Formation of North Carolina contains a thicket of branching coral, Septastrea crassa (Holmes), associated with a diverse macrofaunal assemblage. The thicket modified a local shelf habitat by providing protection and feeding opportunities for certain vagrant epifaunal species. Faunal adjustments wrought by the thicket and thicket growth represent autogenic succession. Coral growth rates and preservation suggest a time span of about 100-300 years for thicket development. Bottom shoaling, associated with a eustatic regression, caused movement of a depth controlled environmental gradient during thicket growth. As the habitat changed, a plane bottom macrofaunal assemblage replaced the thicket assemblage by reordering abundances of intergradational species and introducing a few new species. Faunal density, diversity, trophic structure, and modes of life of component species were altered during replacement. Observed temporal community changes are best explained as gradual faunal adjustments along a shelf stress gradient. Short term allogenic or autogenic events may temporarily perturb gradual changes. Changes associated with thicket development are interpreted as a brief autogenic pertur- bation of long term community replacement.
Spectroscopic Studies of Cr 4+ in Different Hosts

Spectroscopic studies of Cr4+ ions in different hosts are reported. Absorption and fluorescente spectra of Cr:Y2Si05,the newest member of the Cr4+ doped laser crystals are presented. Low temperature luminescence data in the near inf rared (NIR) has shown evidence of two types of emissions from both Cr:Y2Si05 and Cr:Ca2A12SiO7 in the 1200 nm band. There is also indication of a second unstable emision center in Cr:Mg2SiO4 in the 1200 nm band.
Amino Disiloxanes for CO2 Capture

A series of aminodisiloxanes were synthesized with varying degrees of functionality and steric hindrance and screened as CO2-capture solvents. Compounds with unhindered primary amine groups were found to come closest to reaching their theoretical CO2 uptake values. In contrast, materials containing either hindered primary amines or secondary amine functionality were less efficient. Addition of a cosolvent, triethylene glycol, was found in most cases to maintain solution liquidity and thereby minimize mass transfer limitations on exposure to CO2.
Autonomy support and responsibility-sharing predict blood glucose monitoring frequency among youth with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Adolescence poses a number of special challenges for youth and their families managing the Type 1 diabetes medical regimen. Little is known on how family and youth factors and management of the regimen change over the course of early adolescence and predict adherence to the regimen during this developmental period. METHODS Youth with Type 1 diabetes (n = 239) and their maternal caregivers completed measures of diabetes-specific autonomy support, diabetes-related family conflict, regimen responsibility, and blood glucose monitoring frequency (BGMF) at 4 timepoints over a 3-year period. RESULTS Autonomy support and BGMF significantly decreased over time and responsibility for the diabetes regimen shifted from the caregiver toward youth over time. Significant changes in perceived family conflict over time differed depending on the reporter. Baseline BGMF, changes in caregiver autonomy support, and changes in responsibility for the regimen significantly predicted changes in BGMF over time. CONCLUSIONS This study documents changes in autonomy support, youth responsibility for the diabetes regimen, and BGMF during the transition into early adolescence. Higher levels of caregiver autonomy support preserve BGMF during a developmental period in which BGMF typically deteriorates.
Effect of dry air or immersion chilling on recovery of bacteria from broiler carcasses.

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of chilling method (air or immersion) on concentration and prevalence of Escherichia coli, coliforms, Campylobacter, and Salmonella recovered from broiler chicken carcasses. For each of four replications, 60 broilers were inoculated orally and intracloacally with 1 ml of a suspension containing Campylobacter at approximately 108 cells per ml. After 1 day, broilers were inoculated with 1 ml of a suspension containing Salmonella at approximately 108 cells per ml. Broilers were processed, and carcasses were cooled with dry air (3.5 m/s at −1.1°C for 150 min) or by immersion chilling in ice water (0.6°C for 50 min). Concentrations of E. coli, coliforms, Campylobacter, and Salmonella recovered from prechill carcasses averaged 3.5, 3.7, 3.4, and 1.4 log CFU/ml of rinse, respectively. Overall, both chilling methods significantly reduced bacterial concentrations on the carcasses, and no difference in concentrations of bacteria was observed between the two chilling m...
Patterning of stomata in the moss Funaria: a simple way to space guard cells.

Background and Aims Studies on stomatal development and the molecular mechanisms controlling patterning have provided new insights into cell signalling, cell fate determination and the evolution of these processes in plants. To fill a major gap in knowledge of stomatal patterning, this study describes the pattern of cell divisions that give rise to stomata and the underlying anatomical changes that occur during sporophyte development in the moss Funaria. Methods Developing sporophytes at different stages were examined using light, fluorescence and electron microscopy; immunogold labelling was used to investigate the presence of pectin in the newly formed cavities. Key Results Substomatal cavities are liquid-filled when formed and drying of spaces is synchronous with pore opening and capsule expansion. Stomata in mosses do not develop from a self-generating meristemoid as in Arabidopsis, but instead they originate from a protodermal cell that differentiates directly into a guard mother cell. Epidermal cells develop from protodermal or other epidermal cells, i.e. there are no stomatal lineage ground cells. Conclusions Development of stomata in moss occurs by differentiation of guard mother cells arranged in files and spaced away from each other, and epidermal cells that continue to divide after stomata are formed. This research provides evidence for a less elaborated but effective mechanism for stomata spacing in plants, and we hypothesize that this operates by using some of the same core molecular signalling mechanism as angiosperms.
Respiratory Abnormalities in the Kcna1-Null Mouse Model of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of epilepsy-related death in young and otherwise healthy patients with epilepsy, and sudden unexpected death is at least 20 times more common in epilepsy patients than the general population. Cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory abnormalities, or a combination of both have been postulated in the causation of SUDEP. Voltage-gated Kv1.1 channels, encoded by the Kcna1 gene, conduct a critical potassium current in neurons that prevents hyper excitability. Mice lacking the Kcna1 gene recapitulate critical aspects of SUDEP, including frequent generalized seizures, autonomic instability, cardiac dysfunction, and premature death, but seizure-related respiratory dysfunction has never been investigated. Here, we used unrestrained whole body plethysmography recordings of conscious, unanesthetized mice to test the hypothesis that Kcna1-null mice exhibit seizure-related respiratory abnormalities that predispose the animals to SUDEP. In baseline measurements of respiratory function, we found that null animals exhibited similar breathing rates, tidal volumes, and minute volumes compared to wild type littermate controls. However, null mice exhibited an 85% reduction in apnea frequency suggesting the Kcna1 gene may be important for basal respiratory physiology. Specifically, Kcna1-null mice showed a drastic reduction in the number of type 1 post-sigh apneas despite exhibiting a normal incidence of sighs. In addition, during seizures, null mice exhibited malignant respiratory abnormalities characterized by a pattern of hyperpnea transitioning to intermittent ataxic or apneic breathing, depending on seizure severity. This seizure-related respiratory impairment could potentially exacerbate or evoke ictal cardiac arrhythmias and predispose the animals to SUDEP. Future work will define the sequence of respiratory and cardiac events during seizures in these mice to determine whether respiratory dysfunction occurs primary or secondary to arrhythmias.
Surveillance on sero-epidemiology of hepatitis B in healthy population in some districts of Hubei Province(2010)

Objective To understand the sero-epidemiology of hepatitis B among healthy population in some districts of Hubei province,and provide evidence for establishing the immunization strategy.Methods Cluster random sampling method was conducted,HBsAg and anti-HBs level were detected in healthy population from three counties belonging to two cities.Results Atotal of 700 healthy people were monitored,the total positive rate of HBsAg was 2.1%,and the positive rate of HBsAg for the two cities were 1.7% and 2.6%,respectively,the difference was not-significant(χ2=2.409,P=0.270).The positive rate of HBsAg of 0~4,15~ age group were 0.67%,and 5% respectively,while 15~19 age group being the highest(7.0%).There was significant difference among different age groups(χ2=18.530,P=0.005).There was no significant difference between the people living in urban and rural area(χ2=0.613,P=0.434).The total positive rate of anti-HBs was 56.3%,and the positive rate of anti-HBs for the two cities swere 51.4% and 61.1%,respectively,the difference was significant(χ2=8.989,P=0.011).The positive rate of anti-HBs were significantly different among the age groups(χ2=35.661,P=0.000),the 0~1,0~4,5~14 and 15~ age groups were 77%,63.67%,42.5% and 59%,respectively.There was no significant difference between the people lived in countryside and urban area(χ2=2.322,P=0.128).Conclusions The positive rate of HBsAg among the young was low,especially those ≤5 year old children(1%).But the level of anti-HBs among healthy people was not high enough in some districts of Hubei province,especially among the 5-14 age group.Therefore,routine immunization should be reinforced,and Hepatitis B revaccination should be implemented for some parts of the people.This is to enhance the immunity level against hepatitis B among healthy population,and for the further control of hepatitis B.
Single Molecule Approaches for Studying Spliceosome Assembly and Catalysis

Single molecule assays of splicing and spliceosome assembly can provide unique insights into pre-mRNA processing that complement other technologies. Key to these experiments is the fabrication of fluorescent molecules (pre-mRNAs and spliceosome components) and passivated glass slides for each experiment. Here we describe how to produce fluorescent RNAs by splinted RNA ligation and fluorescent spliceosome subunits by SNAP-tagging proteins in cell lysate. We then depict how to passivate glass slides with polyethylene glycol for use on an inverted microscope with objective-based total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) optics. Finally, we describe how to tether the pre-mRNA onto the passivated slide surface and introduce the SNAP-tagged cell lysate for analysis of spliceosome assembly by single molecule fluorescence.
Lymphocyte depletion of donor bone marrow by counterflow centrifugal elutriation: results of a phase I clinical trial

We report here the results of a phase I clinical trial using counterflow centrifugal elutriation (CCE) for the removal of donor T lymphocytes before allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Thirty-eight patients received lymphocyte-depleted allografts from HLA-identical, MLR-nonreactive sibling donors. The patients entered onto the study were either at high risk on the basis of age (median, 39 years) or disease status (acute leukemia in early relapse [ER], chronic myelogenous leukemia [CML] in accelerated phase [AP], or therapy resistant [RES] lymphoma). All patients received a standard lymphocyte dose of 1 x 10(6) morphologic lymphocytes per kilogram ideal body weight (BW) and were maintained on cyclosporine A (CsA) for 170 days after BMT. Prompt engraftment occurred in 37 of 38 patients with a median time to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) greater than 500/microL of 18 days. Although acute graft-v-host disease (GVHD; clinical stage I or greater) was observed in 45%, it was limited to the skin in all but five patients. Survival was related to disease status at the time of BMT. Among patients with acute leukemia in first or second remission, CML in chronic phase (CP) or lymphoma in partial remission (PR), 64% are currently alive, in contrast to 31% of patients with acute leukemia in third remission or early relapse, CML in second CP or AP, or RES lymphoma. Median follow-up for all patients was 351 days (range, 105 to 711 days). We conclude that this procedure is safe and warrants further evaluation in a randomized efficacy trial.
Mononuclear and Terminally Bound Titanium Nitrides.

The Ti(III) azido complex (PN)2Ti(N3) (PN– = (N-(2-(diisopropylphosphino)-4-methylphenyl)-2,4,6-trimethylanilide), can be reduced with KC8 to afford the nitride salt [μ2-K(OEt2)]2[(PN)2Ti≡N]2 in excellent yield. While treatment of the dimer with 18-crown-6 yields a mononuclear nitride, complete encapsulation of the alkali metal with cryptand provides the terminally bound nitride as a discrete salt [K(2,2,2-Kryptofix)][(PN)2Ti≡N]. All complexes reported here have been structurally confirmed and also spectroscopically, and the Ti–Nnitride bonding has been probed theoretically via DFT-based methods.
Dysregulation Of Bcl2 Family Proteins Induced By JAK2V617F Mutation Contributes To The Abnormal Expansion Of Neoplastic Initiating Cells

Abstract The treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) harboring JAK2V617F mutation remains non-curative with the current strategies despite the development of JAK2 inhibitors, which improve the symptoms of the disease but do not effectively reduce the allele burden of the mutation. In addition, it has been shown that, although JAK2 inhibitors can control the expansion of the myeloerythroid precursors that contribute to the clinical phenotype, they fail to eliminate the most primitive stem cells, which are responsible for the initiation of the disease. The differential expression of genes/proteins between the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and the more committed bone marrow progenitors may reveal, at least in part, the contribution of each cell type to the pathogenesis of the disease. We have shown that JAK2 inhibition induces down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL and up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein, Bim, in human cells harboring the JAK2V617F mutation, suggesting a key role of these Bcl-2 family proteins as potential targets for JAK2-mediated apoptosis. Therefore, we aimed to study the contribution of the Bcl-2 family proteins to MPNs by the use of a conditional JAK2V617F knock-in model, particularly focusing on MPN initiating cells. The heterozygous Jak2V617F expressing animals (Jak2+/VF) develop a lethal MPN characterized by an elevated hematocrit and splenomegaly due to extramedullary hematopoiesis, with a prominent expansion of early (Lin- CD71+ Ter119+) and late (Lin- CD71- Ter119+) erythroid cells in the spleen, and increased pre-megakaryocyte-erythrocyte (Lin- Sca1- cKIThi CD41- FcgRII/III- CD105- CD150+), megakaryocyte (Lin- Sca1- cKIThi CD41+ CD150+) and erythroid (Lin- Sca1- cKIThi CD41- FcgRII/III- CD105+ CD150+) precursors in the bone marrow. HSC numbers (Lin- Sca1- cKIThi CD105+ CD150+) are also increased in Jak2+/VF as compared to the Jak2+/+ controls. Gene expression analysis revealed that Bcl-xL was upregulated in sorted LSKs (Lin- Sca-1+ cKIThi) containing HSCs but not in the more committed progenitors (CMP, GMP, MEP). By contrast, the pro-apoptotic Bim was downregulated in CMPs and MEPs but not at the LSK cells containing HSCs. Expression of Bcl-2 showed no difference between Jak2+/VF and Jak2+/+ mice. These data suggest that signals from JAK2V617F mutation may be cell-stage specific, which may explain why JAK2 inhibitors fail to eliminate MPN initiating cells. Modulating the overexpression of Bcl2 antiapoptotic proteins at the MPN initiating cells level could potentially render these cells sensitive to the JAK2 inhibition. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Hormonal Control of Reproduction in the Male

This chapter provides an overview of the morphology and development of the testes along with the metabolism, functions, and regulations of its hormones. The testes serve the dual function of producing sperm and hormones. Testicular function is driven by the pituitary through the secretion of two gonadotropic hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Secretion of these pituitary hormones is controlled by the central nervous system through intermittent secretion of the hypothalamic hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and the testes through the secretion of testosterone and inhibin. Testosterone is the principal androgen secreted by the mature testis. Some testosterone is also metabolized to estradiol. Like other steroid hormones, testosterone penetrates target cells and stimulates their growth and function. Testosterone promotes growth, differentiation, and function of accessory organs of reproduction.
The continuous grey pattern problem

A new location problem is formulated and solved. It is the continuous version of the grey pattern problem which is a special case of the Quadratic Assignment Problem. The problem is a minimization of a convex function subject to non-convex constraints and has infinitely many optimal solutions. We propose several mathematical programming formulations that are suitable for a multi-start heuristic algorithm. In addition to solving these formulations by the Solver in Excel and Mathematica, a special Nelder–Mead algorithm is proposed. This special algorithm provided the best results. One suggested modification may improve the performance of the Nelder–Mead algorithm for other optimization problems as well.
Myogenic Progenitor Cells Control Extracellular Matrix Production by Fibroblasts during Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy

Satellite cells, the predominant stem cell population in adult skeletal muscle, are activated in response to hypertrophic stimuli and give rise to myogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds myofibers. This ECM is composed largely of collagens secreted by interstitial fibrogenic cells, which influence satellite cell activity and muscle repair during hypertrophy and aging. Here we show that MPCs interact with interstitial fibrogenic cells to ensure proper ECM deposition and optimal muscle remodeling in response to hypertrophic stimuli. MPC-dependent ECM remodeling during the first week of a growth stimulus is sufficient to ensure long-term myofiber hypertrophy. MPCs secrete exosomes containing miR-206, which represses Rrbp1, a master regulator of collagen biosynthesis, in fibrogenic cells to prevent excessive ECM deposition. These findings provide insights into how skeletal stem and progenitor cells interact with other cell types to actively regulate their extracellular environments for tissue maintenance and adaptation.
Penile Mondor's Disease: Two Rare Cases

Cases: A 55-year-old male complained of a five day history of a firm, painful, cord-like area on his penis. Physical exam was significant for a palpable, hard, serpiginous cord on the dorsal shaft. Ultrasound of the cord showed thrombosis of the penile vein. Similarly, a 27-year-old male complained of a one month history of a painful bump on his penis. Physical exam was significant for a firm, painful cord over the dorsum of the penile shaft. Discussion: Both patients had penile Mondor's disease (PMD). Penile Mondor’s disease is defined as a superficial thrombophlebitis of the penile dorsal vein. Although the most common cause of PMD is trauma due to frequent and prolonged sexual intercourse, other risk factors include infections, surgery, cancer, and Virchow's triad. The typical PMD patient is a 20 to 40-year-old male who presents with a firm, cord-like lesion on the dorsum of the penis 24 to 48 hours after prolonged sexual activity. The thrombosed vessel is often adherent to the overlying skin, and the thrombosis can extend to the suprapubic region. Patients may complain of continuous throbbing pain or pain exacerbated by erection. Color doppler ultrasound is necessary to confirm the diagnosis; it will show occlusion of the dorsal vein and absent flow signals. Color doppler ultrasound will also differentiate PMD from sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis and Peyronie's disease. Treatment includes anti-inflammatory agents and restriction of sexual activity. Patients often recover within four to six weeks and regain vessel permeability within two months.
Limit-Pricing and Learning-By-Doing: A Dynamic Game with Incomplete Information

We study a firm's pricing/output strategy under threat of entry in a two-period game with asymmetric information, where the firm can reduce future cost through learning-by- doing. In contrast with previous literature, we show that a firm's incentive to reduce cost through higher production may not align with its incentive to signal its cost type. As a consequence, in equilibrium, the incumbent firm might distort its price upward instead of downward.