cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative contributions of intimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling in early cardiac transplant-mediated coronary artery disease.

The relative contribution of intimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling in early transplant coronary artery disease (TxCAD) is unknown. This study was designed to determine the contributions of vascular remodeling and intimal hyperplasia in the initial year after transplantation by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Twenty-five patients underwent baseline (<6 weeks after transplant) and 1-year angiography and IVUS to evaluate total vessel, luminal, and intimal + medial areas in ≥3 segments of the coronary artery. Nine patients had donor atherosclerotic disease on baseline study (23% of segments), and at 1-year, 21 patients (84%) had intimal hyperplasia (70% of segments). Fourteen patients had positive remodeling in all arterial segments, whereas the remaining 11 had positive and negative remodeling in the same vessel. Mean plaque area and total vessel area increased significantly (p = 0.0001) in proximal, mid, and distal segments, whereas total vessel area was most pronounced in distal segments. Luminal area did not change over time. Of the 87 segments evaluated, 68 (78%) had an increase in total vessel area, 57 (66%) had intimal growth, and 54 (62%) had an increase in luminal area. Although changes in total vessel and luminal area were closely correlated, a decrease in luminal area was associated with positive and negative remodeling. In conclusion, luminal area is generally maintained during the initial transplant year despite significant intimal hyperplasia due to positive remodeling. Reduction in the luminal area results from either inadequate positive remodeling or negative remodeling without intimal growth and often occurs in the same artery.
Derivation of the Boltzmann transport equation for inelastic collisions

Abstract A quantum-mechanical derivation of the Boltzmann transport equation for inelastic collisions is given along the lines Kohn and Luttinger have developed for elastic collisions. It is shown that for Fermi-Dirac particles the scattering in the collision term of the transport equation is restricted to unoccupied states only, in contradistinction to the case of elastic collisions.
Very Early Mobilization in Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Background There are limited prospective data on the relative safety of very early mobilization of stroke patients after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA) in stroke patients. We hypothesized that very early patient mobilization within 24 hours after IV rtPA administration for acute ischemic stroke would be safe and feasible. Methods The study was a prospective observational safety and feasibility study involving very early mobilization of stroke patients by physical therapy/occupational therapy within 24 hours after IV rtPA administration for treatment of ischemic stroke. A premobilization safety checklist was completed before mobilization to ensure hemodynamic stability. We assessed adverse safety events, including changes in patient symptoms, changes in vital signs, and bleeding complications. Results Eighteen patients were enrolled in the study, and informed consent was obtained. One hundred percent of patients were evaluated with a premobilization safety checklist; 72.2% (13 of 18) were mobilized without any adverse event. Eighty-nine percent (42 of 47) of mobilization activities were tolerated without an adverse response. One patient was orthostatic, and 1 patient had transient worsening of hemiparesis. No patient had intracranial bleeding or permanent worsening of neurologic deficits. Conclusions Very early mobilization within 24 hours of ischemic stroke for patients who receive IV rtPA appears to be relatively safe and feasible in most patients. Patients who are mobilized within 24 hours of IV rtPA require detailed neurologic and vital sign monitoring.
American Studies in Japan

JAPANESE instructors in American history now have a superb six-volume set of sources and commentary to which they can direct their students.' It is fitting that American studies in Japan, although quite "new," should begin with the documents, for no aspect of the historical tradition of modern Japan is more striking than the zeal to assemble and publish the texts. It is a trend that began with Hokiichi Hanawa (I745-i822)2 and has its most remarkable product in the chronologically arranged series of sources issued by the Tokyo University Historiographical Institute, a project (begun in I902) that now totals close to four hundred volumes and that shows no signs of slowing down. While our historians prefer to use the sources, and publishers quail before the costs of assembling them, Japanese historians prefer to make them available before drawing on them for analytical treatment. Thus it is typical that little work on the Meiji Restoration preceded the publication of the i86 volumes of papers assembled by the Association for Japanese Historical Sources (Nihon Shiseki Ky5kai) between I9I5 and I93I. In the United States, despite the considerable volume of American studies of Japan, we have until recently had available only one documentary collection, and that by a Japanese.3 Genten Amerika shi was a decade in preparation. A study group began weekly meetings in I948 and met over two hundred times before the completion of Volume V, the originally anticipated terminal point (I940) in
Effects of feeding formaldehyde treated, full fat soybean flours on milk fat polyunsaturated fatty acids

Raw, commercial, and extrusion cooked full fat soy flours were treated with formaldehyde and then fed to dairy cows. This treatment protected the polyunsaturated fats of the soy from hydrogenation by microbial action in the cow’s rumen. With all of these materials, higher than usual amounts of polyunsaturated fats were incorporated into the milk. In a screening test limited to one cow, an advantage as measured by milk yield, fat yield, protein, solids-not-fat, and increased milk fat C18:2 was seen for the formaldehyde treated, full fat soy flour. The percentage of linoleic acid more than doubled in the milk fat of cows receiving the protected products. Only very slight quantities of formaldehyde (0.1–0.2 ppm) were found in the milk. The efficiency of transfer of the C18:2 from the feed to milk was ca. 37%. This represented a marked improvement over previous trials in which we fed expensive safflower oil-casein-formaldehyde supplements.
Personal and social knowledge

This paper is an investigation of the relation between personal and social conditions of knowledge. A coherence theory of knowledge and justification is assumed, according to which incoming information is evaluated in terms of background information. The evaluation of incoming information in terms of background information is a higher order or metamental activity. Personal knowledge and justification is based on the coherent integration of individual information. Social knowledge and justification is based on the coherent aggregation of social information, that is, the information of individuals belonging to the social group. Personal justification and consensual justification are based upon personal and consensual probabilities respectively. Consensual and personal probabilities may differ, but under salient conditions personal probabilities will coincide with consensual probabilities and consensual probabilities will coincide with truth.
Utilization of medical services after short-term psychiatric therapy in a prepaid health plan setting.

Utilization of medical services in Group Health Association of Washington, D.C., was analyzed for patients referred in 1970 for short-term psychiatric therapy under benefits but who had no therapy or referral for at least the 12 preceding months. A matched comparison group and family members were also studied. Medical visits were analyzed in three time periods: the 12 months preceding referral, the next 4 months when therapy was likely to be received, and a final 12 months. Compared with controls, the Index Cases did not show a significant reduction of "offset" in utilization of outpatient medical services after referral, but they did decreases days of medical hospitalization significantly. When Index Cases were divided into low and high users of psychiatric therapy, the former showed a decline, the latter an increase in medical visits, and the difference between them was significant. The before-after change in utilization among other family members was similar to that for index and control subjects. The findings suggest the need to identify the types of patient and the clinical settings which are most likely to maximize the offset effect of brief psychotherapy. Medical care programs should be tailored to meet the different psychotherapy. Medical care programs should be tailored to meet the different psychiatric needs of these and other patients in an effective and efficient manner.
Majorizing kernels and stochastic cascades with applications to incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

A general method is developed to obtain conditions on initial data and forcing terms for the global existence of unique regular solutions to incompressible 3d Navier-Stokes equations. The basic idea generalizes a probabilistic approach introduced by LeJan and Sznitman (1997) to obtain weak solutions whose Fourier transform may be represented by an expected value of a stochastic cascade. A functional analytic framework is also developed which partially connects stochastic iterations and certain Picard iterates. Some local existence and uniqueness results are also obtained by contractive mapping conditions on the Picard iteration.
Cyclic AMP stabilizes the degradation of original junctional acetylcholine receptors in denervated muscle

We used mouse diaphragm muscle in organ culture to study the stabilization of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) degradation at denervated neuromuscular junctions. After denervation, the degradation rate of the AChRs present prior to denervation (slowly degrading, or Rs, AChRs) accelerates from the predenervation degradation half-life (t1/2) of approximately 8-10 days to a t1/2 of approximately 2-3 days. We report that addition to the organ culture medium of pharmacological agents that elevate cytoplasmic cAMP levels (forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP, and 8-bromo-cAMP) reversed the change in t1/2 caused by denervation, whereas addition of 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, a forskolin analog that does not elevate cytoplasmic cAMP levels, did not reverse the effect of denervation. The degradation rate of AChRs in primary myotube cultures and that of the newly synthesized AChRs in denervated muscle were little affected by forskolin or dibutyryl cAMP. The possibility is raised that the modulation of Rs AChR degradation by innervation may be mediated by cAMP.
Retinal ganglion cell loss induced by acute optic neuritis in a relapsing model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) are marked by inflammatory demyelinating lesions throughout the central nervous system, including optic nerve. Neuronal loss also occurs in MS and EAE lesions, but it is not known whether neuronal loss occurs secondary to inflammation, or as a primary process. In the current study, the relationship of inflammation to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss during acute optic neuritis is examined. RGCs were labelled with Flourogold, and EAE was induced in SJL/J mice by immunization with proteolipid protein peptide 139-151 (PLP). At various time points, RGCs were counted and optic nerves were examined for inflammatory cell infiltrates. No optic neuritis was detected prior to day 9 following immunization. Incidence of optic neuritis was 30% at day 9 and increased to over 70% by day 11, remaining high through day 18. In contrast, no RGC loss was detected in eyes with optic neuritis until day 14. A 43.1% reduction in RGC numbers at day 14 increased to 50.8% by day 18. No RGC loss occurred in eyes without optic neuritis. The fact that inflammation precedes RGC loss suggests that neuronal loss during optic neuritis occurs secondary to the inflammatory process.
Bis(1,3,4-trimethylpyridinium) tetrachloridocuprate(II) and bis(1,3,4-trimethylpyridinium) tetrabromidocuprate(II): an examination of theA2CuX4Fdd2 structure type

The title bis­(1,3,4-trimethyl­pyridinium) tetra­halidocuprate(II) structures, (C8H12N)2[CuCl4], (I), and (C8H12N)2[CuBr4], (II), respectively, consist of flattened [CuX4]2− tetra­hedral complex anions and planar 1,3,4-trimethyl­pyridinium cations. Chloride compound (I) is a rare example of an A2CuCl4 structure with an elongated unit cell in the polar space group Fdd2. The [CuCl4]2− anions have twofold rotational symmetry and are arranged in distorted hexa­gonal close-packed (hcp) layers, which are inter­leaved with layers of cations, each in a four-layer repeat sequence, to generate the elongated axis. The organic cations stack along [101] or [10\overline{1}] in alternating layers. The methyl groups meta on the cation ring and the larger of the trans Cl—Cu—Cl angles both face the same direction along the polar axis and are the most prominent features determining the polarity of the structure. Bromide compound (II) crystallizes in a centrosymmetric structure with a similar layer structure but with only a two-layer repeat sequence. Here, symmetry-inequivalent cations are segregated into alternating layers with cations, forming hcp layers of inversion-related cation pairs in one layer and parallel stacks of cations in the other. The change in space group when the larger Br− ion is present suggests that the 1,3,4-trimethyl­pyridinium ion has a minimal size to allow the Fdd2 A2CuX4 structure type.
Career of the medalist

The award of the Edison Medal to any individual immediately sets him apart. He becomes one of a select few and there is an automatic implication of a distinguished and unusual career. The task of one who attempts to present the career of the medalist, though pleasant, is not easy. Webster tells us that “career” is “the course of a person's life, especially in some particular pursuit.” It is clear that our medalist's “particular pursuit” has been electrical engineering, but within that particular pursuit he has certainly followed several related pursuits. Without belaboring the point, may I arbitrarily decide to consider that he has had two major professional interests; one, as an educator and one as a research worker. In a most interesting manner, which 1 will illuminate later, these rwo major interests have a common thread, that of service to mankind. But let us deal with our subject by means of a chronological spectrum.
Subacute Hemolysis in Sickle Cell Mice Causes Priapism Secondary to NO Imbalance and PDE5 Dysregulation

Abstract Introduction Recent research suggests that priapism in sickle cell disease (SCD) is due to dysregulation of penile erection homeostasis including alteration of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) activities by excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) released during hemolysis. It is unknown if subacute exposure to hemolysis is sufficient or if chronic reconditioning of erectile tissues is required for perturbation of homeostatic pathways and whether PDE5 inhibitor (PDE5I) treatment can restore erectile homeostasis in the subacute setting. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of subacute hemolysis (3‐month exposure) on priapism and NO pathway regulation. Methods Mice underwent bone marrow transplantation with either SCD (BM‐SS) or wild‐type (WT) bone marrow. BM‐SS mice were treated with sildenafil 100 mg/kg/day. We measured intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurements with or without cavernous nerve stimulation following bone marrow transplantation to assess for priapism. Main Outcome Measures ICP and frequency of erections were assessed. Penile tissues were analyzed for NOS, protein kinase G (PKG), PDE5, and ROS activities. Results BM‐SS mice demonstrated a priapism phenotype. PDE5I treatment reduced the frequency of erections in BM‐SS mice (1.7 ± 1.1 vs. 5.5 ± 2.8 erections per hour, P P P P P Conclusion Short‐term hemolysis is sufficient to establish a priapism phenotype and results in loss of erectile function. PDE5I treatment ameliorates priapism, in part, because of restored NO balance with decreased ROS generation and increased PDE5 activity. Sopko NA, Matsui H, Hannan JL, Berkowitz D, Champion HC, Hsu LL, Musicki B, Burnett AL, and Bivalacqua TJ. Subacute Hemolysis in Sickle Cell Mice Causes Priapism Secondary to NO Imbalance and PDE5 Dysregulation. J Sex Med 2015;12:1878–1885.
The cell cycle and its relevance to the urologist.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We surveyed fundamental concepts of the cell cycle to help the average urologist better understand the molecular basis for specific aspects of urological disease.Materials and Methods: Important publications that have shaped our current understanding of the cell cycle were selected for review. Definitions of key terms are provided in a glossary.Results: Cell proliferation, survival and programmed cell death (apoptosis) are the net result of a complex interaction of molecular signals that regulate DNA and protein synthesis. Many of the abnormal patterns of cell behavior that contribute to the pathology of malignant urological disease arise from disruptions in the molecular controls that normally regulate the cell cycle. Benign urological conditions, including cystic diseases and hypertrophy, also reflect abnormal growth that results from the disruption of cell cycle controls.Conclusions: This review is designed for the clinician and for the nonspecialist who is interested in the science of...
Unique Opportunities for Microstructural Engineering with Duplex and Laminar Ceramic Composites

Duplex (two-phase) microstructures and laminar composites offer some unique opportunities for improving the room-temperature mechanical reliability (e.g., flaw tolerance) and the high-temperature microstructural stability (e.g., resistance to grain growth and creep damage) of structural ceramic materials. Examples illustrating the approach to designing novel multiphase microstructures and laminar composites with enhanced structural reliability are given. These are based on current work on various alumina-based ceramics as well as zirconia-, silicon nitride-, and silicon carbide-containing ceramics. Critical issues and areas for future work are discussed.
Efficient B cell responses to Borrelia hermsii infection depend on BAFF and BAFFR but not TACI

T cell-independent antibody responses develop rapidly, within 3 to 4 days, and are critical for preventing blood-borne pathogens from evolving into life-threatening infections. The interaction of BAFF, also known as BLyS, with its receptors BAFFR and TACI on B cells is critical for B cell homeostasis and function. Using a synthetic polysaccharide antigen, it has previously been shown that TACI is critical for T cell-independent antibody responses. To examine the role of BAFFR and TACI in T cell-independent antibody responses to an active infection, we utilized the Borrelia hermsii infection system. In this infection system, T cell-independent responses mediated by the B1b cell subset are critical for controlling bacteremia. We found that B1b cells express BAFFR and TACI and that the surface expression of both receptors is upregulated on B1b cells following exposure to whole B. hermsii cells. Surprisingly, we found that TACI−/− mice are not impaired either in specific antibody responses to B. hermsii or in controlling B. hermsii bacteremia. In contrast, TACI-deficient mice immunized with heat-killed type 3 serotype pneumococcus cells are impaired in generating pneumococcal polysaccharide-specific responses and succumb to challenge with live type 3 serotype pneumococcus, indicating that TACI is required for T cell-independent antibody responses to bacterial-associated polysaccharides. Although we have found that TACI is dispensable for controlling B. hermsii infection, mice deficient in BAFFR or BAFF exhibit impairment in B. hermsii-specific IgM responses and clearance of bacteremia. Collectively, these data indicate a disparity in the roles for TACI and BAFFR in primary T cell-independent antibody responses to bacterial pathogens.
Genomewide Patterns of Substitution in Adaptively Evolving Populations of the RNA Bacteriophage MS2

Experimental evolution of bacteriophage provides a powerful means of studying the genetics of adaptation, as every substitution contributing to adaptation can be identified and characterized. Here, I use experimental evolution of MS2, an RNA bacteriophage, to study its adaptive response to a novel environment. To this end, three lines of MS2 were adapted to rapid growth and lysis at cold temperature for a minimum of 50 phage generations and subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Using this system, I identified adaptive substitutions, monitored changes in frequency of adaptive mutations through the course of the experiment, and measured the effect on phage growth rate of each substitution. All three lines showed a substantial increase in fitness (a two- to threefold increase in growth rate) due to a modest number of substitutions (three to four). The data show some evidence that the substitutions occurring early in the experiment have larger beneficial effects than later ones, in accordance with the expected diminishing returns relationship between the fitness effects of a mutation and its order of substitution. Patterns of molecular evolution seen here—primarily a paucity of hitchhiking mutations—suggest an abundant supply of beneficial mutations in this system. Nevertheless, some beneficial mutations appear to have been lost, possibly due to accumulation of beneficial mutations on other genetic backgrounds, clonal interference, and negatively epistatic interactions with other beneficial mutations.
A Laser Device for Remote Vibration Measurement

A laboratory study has been made of concepts that utilize a laser for a vibration measurement device. The laser beam possesses the needed characteristics for a spatially directed carrier capable of detecting and transmitting vibration information to remote data processing equipment; furthermore, such a laser vibration measurement device can accomplish the measurement without mechanical contact with the structure under test. The measurement technique utilizes the Doppler shift produced on a wave reflected from a surface vibrating normal to the beam path. Several techniques are available for detecting the Doppler shift; optical heterodyne or homodyne detection and microwave subcarrier modulation methods are candidates for practical instruments. Preliminary results from laboratory experiments indicate Optical heterodyne detection to be the most practical method with present state-of-the-art equipment.
Genetics of plate morphology in an unusual population of threespine sticklebacks ( Gasterosteus aculeatus )

Author(s): Avise, JC | Abstract: A collection of Gasterosteus aculeatus from a single locality (Friant) in Madera County, California, contains individuals with low and high lateral plate morphology, and very few intermediates. Electrophoretic evidence on protein similarities at 15 genetic loci is compatible with the thesis that members of these two morphs belong to a single interbreeding population. This thesis is also supported by broods from laboratory crosses between morphs, which segregate for low and high plate counts. Laboratory crosses between Friant fish and those from geographically isolated populations often yield some progeny with intermediate plate counts. The demonstration of significantly different patterns of plate development in intralocality versus interlocality crosses evidences a contrasting genetic basis for plate determination in different populations of sticklebacks. © 1976, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.
On the use of channel state for energy efficient information retrieval in sensor networks

We consider distributed information retrieval for sensor networks with cluster heads or mobile access points. The performance metric used in the design is energy efficiency defined as the ratio of the average number of bits reliably retrieved by the access point and the total amount of energy consumed. We demonstrate that opportunistic strategies that use channel state information may not be optimal when channel acquisition at individual sensors consumes substantial energy. We then propose a distributed opportunistic transmission protocol using a combination of carrier sensing and backoff strategy that incorporates channel state information of individual sensors. By selecting a set of sensors with the best channel states to transmit, the proposed protocol achieves the upper bound on energy efficiency when the signal propagation delay is negligible. This protocol provides a distributed solution to the general problem of finding maximum/minimum. It can also be extended to solve the problem of network lifetime maximization.
Jacobian calculation using the multidimensional fast Fourier transform in the harmonic balance analysis of nonlinear circuits

A technique which allows the gradient of frequency-domain simulation variables to be analytically determined using time-domain derivative information and the multidimensional fast Fourier transform is discussed. It is shown that this technique can be efficiently implemented when a circuit is driven by any number of incommensurate input frequencies. A harmonic balance simulator that uses this technique to determine the entries of the Jacobian matrix needed in a quasi-Newton iteration scheme is constructed. A significant reduction of simulation time is observed when compared with a harmonic balance simulator that uses transforms based on matrix multiplication. >
Fluorescence spectra and elastic scattering characteristics of atmospheric aerosol in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA: Variability of concentrations and possible constituents and sources of particles in various spectral clusters

Abstract The UV-excited laser-induced-fluorescence (UV-LIF) spectra of single atmospheric particles and the three-band integrating-nephelometer elastic scattering of atmospheric aerosol were measured during four approximately 24-h periods on May 2007 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. Aerosol scattering measurements in the nephelometer red channel (50-nm band centered at 700-nm) ranged from around 3–10 times the molecular (Rayleigh) scattering background. On average 22.8% of particles with size greater than about 1 μm diameter have fluorescence above a preset fluorescence threshold. A hierarchical cluster analysis indicates that most of the single-particle UV-LIF spectra fall into about 10 categories (spectral clusters) as found previously at other geographic sites ( Pinnick et al., 2004 ; Pan et al., 2007 ). The clusters include spectra characteristic of various humic/fulvic acids, humic-like-substances (HULIS), chemically aged terpenes, fungal spores, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bacteria, cellulose/pollens, and mixtures of various organic carbon compounds. By far the most populated cluster category is similar to those of chemically aged terpenes/humic-materials; on average this population comprises about 62% of fluorescent particles. Clusters with spectra similar to that of some HULIS aerosol contain on average 10.0% of particles; those characteristic of some fungal spores (or perhaps mixtures of aromatic organic compounds) 8.4% of particles; bacteria-like spectra 1.6% of particles; and cellulose/pollen-like spectra 0.8% of particles. Measurements of fluorescent particles over relatively short (24 min) periods reveal that the concentrations of particles in the most populated clusters are highly correlated, suggesting that the particles populating them derive from the same region; these particles might be composed of crustal material coated with secondary organic carbon. On the other hand, concentrations of particles having cellulose-like spectra are generally uncorrelated with those in any other cluster. No clear distinction in fluorescent aerosol characteristics can be seen for different air mass trajectories arriving at the sampling site, suggesting that fluorescent aerosol particles are primarily of local origin. Integrations of the single-particle UV-LIF spectra over approximate 24 h time intervals reveal two broad peaks around 350 nm and 450 nm (for 263 nm excitation); the 450 nm peak is somewhat similar to that measured previously for water soluble organic carbon derived from aerosol collections. The 350 nm peak apparently has not been seen before in measurements of aerosol collections and may derive from non-soluble primary biological aerosol particles such as fungal spores. Further measurements are needed to investigate in more detail the generality of these results.
A study on the validity of buoy mounted Acoustic Doppler profilers: A comparison of upward and downward looking systems in Onslow Bay, NC

The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) maintains an extensive array of moored buoys around the world. Hence, mounting Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) to these buoys has proven to be an avenue worth exploring. In a previous study done by Seim and Edwards [1], a downward-looking ADCP from NDBC buoy 41008 was compared to an upward-looking ADCP from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) located in close proximity to test the validity of ADCP measurements made by a buoy-mounted ADCP. Since configurations of the systems were not standard, the two did not agree well. Since this time, NDBC has made several changes to the configuration of their ADCPs. This study is to again compare a NDBC downward-looking ADCP mounted to buoy 41036 to an upward-looking ADCP from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) mounted on the seafloor to test the reliability of NDBCs present buoy-mounted ADCP configuration. Both of these systems are located on the shallow continental shelf of Onslow Bay, North Carolina. An 18-day time series was obtained from each ADCP. Preliminary results show good agreement between the two systems. In light of the fact that the buoy-mounted system is subjected to movement by atmospheric and oceanic processes, further data conditioning is investigated to see if more precise environmental thresholds, specifically wave height thresholds, can be put in place for more accurate current measurements.
Improving the stability and selectivity for the oxygen-evolution reaction on semiconducting WO3 photoelectrodes with a solid-state FeOOH catalyst

Correction for ‘Improving the stability and selectivity for the oxygen-evolution reaction on semiconducting WO3 photoelectrodes with a solid-state FeOOH catalyst’ by Charles R. Lhermitte et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c5ta04747a.
Invasion and intracellular survival by protozoan parasites

Intracellular parasitism has arisen only a few times during the long ancestry of protozoan parasites including in diverse groups such as microsporidians, kinetoplastids, and apicomplexans. Strategies used to gain entry differ widely from injection (e.g. microsporidians), active penetration of the host cell (e.g. Toxoplasma), recruitment of lysosomes to a plasma membrane wound (e.g. Trypanosoma cruzi), to host cell-mediated phagocytosis (e.g. Leishmania). The resulting range of intracellular niches is equally diverse ranging from cytosolic (e.g. T. cruzi) to residing within a non-fusigenic vacuole (e.g. Toxoplasma, Encephalitozoon) or a modified phagolysosome (e.g. Leishmania). These lifestyle choices influence access to nutrients, interaction with host cell signaling pathways, and detection by pathogen recognition systems. As such, intracellular life requires a repertoire of adaptations to assure entry-exit from the cell, as well as to thwart innate immune mechanisms and prevent clearance. Elucidating these pathways at the cellular and molecular level may identify key steps that can be targeted to reduce parasite survival or augment immunologic responses and thereby prevent disease.
Attachment Behavior of Shewanella putrefaciens onto Magnetite under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions

In this study, batch experiments were used to characterize attachment behavior of Shewanella putrefaciens strain 200R to ferrihydrite and magnetite. Attachment was quantified in batch experiments with a 0.01 M NaNO 3 solution as a function of pH (ranging from 3 to 10), sorbed anion (PO4 3 − ), and growth conditions (aerobic vs. anaerobic). Electrophoretic mobility data was collected for S. putrefaciens cells and magnetite grains and used as a means to interpret the role of electrostatic interaction in attachment studies. Little difference in attachment behavior was observed as a function of growth conditions or surface treatments. The exception was at pH ranging from 2 to 4, under anaerobic conditions, where increased attachment was measured on magnetite surfaces with sorbed PO4 3 − . This increased attachment was attributed to development of Fe-PO4 surface complexes or secondary mineral phases, resulting in altered surface interactions between cell and mineral surfaces. Attachment was irreversible and in...
eCEO: An efficient cloud epistasis computing model in genome-wide association study

Motivation: Recent studies suggested that a combination of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could have more significant associations with a specific phenotype. However, to discover epistasis, the epistatic interactions of SNPs, in a large number of SNPs, is a computationally challenging task. We are, therefore, motivated to develop efficient and effective solutions for identifying epistatic interactions of SNPs. Results: In this article, we propose an efficient Cloud-based Epistasis cOmputing (eCEO) model for large-scale epistatic interaction in genome-wide association study (GWAS). Given a large number of combinations of SNPs, our eCEO model is able to distribute them to balance the load across the processing nodes. Moreover, our eCEO model can efficiently process each combination of SNPs to determine the significance of its association with the phenotype. We have implemented and evaluated our eCEO model on our own cluster of more than 40 nodes. The experiment results demonstrate that the eCEO model is computationally efficient, flexible, scalable and practical. In addition, we have also deployed our eCEO model on the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud. Our study further confirms its efficiency and ease of use in a public cloud. Availability: The source code of eCEO is available at
MMP-1 activation by serine proteases and MMP-10 induces human capillary tubular network collapse and regression in 3D collagen matrices

Previous work has shown that endothelial cell (EC)-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) regulate regression of capillary tubes in vitro in a plasmin- and MMP-1 dependent manner. Here we report that a number of serine proteases can activate MMP-1 and cause capillary tube regression; namely plasma kallikrein, trypsin, neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, tryptase and chymase. Plasma prekallikrein failed to induce regression without coactivators such as high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) or coagulation Factor XII. The addition of trypsin, the neutrophil serine proteases (neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G) and the mast cell serine proteases (tryptase and chymase) each caused MMP-1 activation and collagen type I proteolysis, capillary tubular network collapse, regression and EC apoptosis. Capillary tube collapse is accompanied by collagen gel contraction, which is strongly related to the wound contraction that occurs during regression of granulation tissue in vivo. We also report that proMMP-10 protein expression is markedly induced in ECs undergoing capillary tube morphogenesis. Addition of each of the serine proteases described above led to activation of proMMP-10, which also correlated with MMP-1 activation and capillary tube regression. Treatment of ECs with MMP-1 or MMP-10 siRNA markedly delayed capillary tube regression, whereas gelatinase A (MMP-2), gelatinase B (MMP-9) and stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) siRNA-treated cells behaved in a similar manner to controls and regressed normally. Increased expression of MMP-1 or MMP-10 in ECs using recombinant adenoviral delivery markedly accelerated serine protease-induced capillary tube regression. ECs expressing increased levels of MMP-10 activated MMP-1 to a greater degree than control ECs. Thus, MMP-10-induced activation of MMP-1 correlated with tube regression and gel contraction. In summary, our work demonstrates that MMP-1 zymogen activation is mediated by multiple serine proteases and MMP-10, and that these events are central to EC-mediated collagen degradation and capillary tube regression in 3D collagen matrices.
A Memory Efficient Partially Parallel Decoder Architecture for Quasi-Cyclic LDPC Codes

This paper presents a memory efficient partially parallel decoder architecture suited for high rate quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check (QC-LDPC) codes using (modified) min-sum algorithm for decoding. In general, over 30% of memory can be saved over conventional partially parallel decoder architectures. Efficient techniques have been developed to reduce the computation delay of the node processing units and to minimize hardware overhead for parallel processing. The proposed decoder architecture can linearly increase the decoding throughput with a small percentage of extra hardware. Consequently, it facilitates the applications of LDPC codes in area/power sensitive high-speed communication systems
Dynamic range and sensitivity requirements of satellite ocean color sensors: learning from the past

Sensor design and mission planning for satellite ocean color measurements requires careful consideration of the signal dynamic range and sensitivity (specifically here signal-to-noise ratio or SNR) so that small changes of ocean properties (e.g., surface chlorophyll-a concentrations or Chl) can be quantified while most measurements are not saturated. Past and current sensors used different signal levels, formats, and conventions to specify these critical parameters, making it difficult to make cross-sensor comparisons or to establish standards for future sensor design. The goal of this study is to quantify these parameters under uniform conditions for widely used past and current sensors in order to provide a reference for the design of future ocean color radiometers. Using measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer onboard the Aqua satellite (MODISA) under various solar zenith angles (SZAs), typical (L(sub typical)) and maximum (L(sub max)) at-sensor radiances from the visible to the shortwave IR were determined. The Ltypical values at an SZA of 45 deg were used as constraints to calculate SNRs of 10 multiband sensors at the same L(sub typical) radiance input and 2 hyperspectral sensors at a similar radiance input. The calculations were based on clear-water scenes with an objective method of selecting pixels with minimal cross-pixel variations to assure target homogeneity. Among the widely used ocean color sensors that have routine global coverage, MODISA ocean bands (1 km) showed 2-4 times higher SNRs than the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (Sea-WiFS) (1 km) and comparable SNRs to the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS)-RR (reduced resolution, 1.2 km), leading to different levels of precision in the retrieved Chl data product. MERIS-FR (full resolution, 300 m) showed SNRs lower than MODISA and MERIS-RR with the gain in spatial resolution. SNRs of all MODISA ocean bands and SeaWiFS bands (except the SeaWiFS near-IR bands) exceeded those from prelaunch sensor specifications after adjusting the input radiance to L(sub typical). The tabulated L(sub typical), L(sub max), and SNRs of the various multiband and hyperspectral sensors under the same or similar radiance input provide references to compare sensor performance in product precision and to help design future missions such as the Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) mission and the Pre-Aerosol-Clouds-Ecosystems (PACE) mission currently being planned by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
GENETIC ANALYSIS CONFIRMS FIRST RECORD OF POLYGYNY IN COOPER'S HAWKS

ANALISIS GENETICOS CONFIRMAN EL PRIMER REGISTRO DE POLIGINIA EN ACCIPITER COOPERII Analisis geneticos confirmaron las observaciones de comportamiento que sugirieron el primer registro de poliginia en Accipiter cooperii, en el cual un unico macho adulto y dos hembras adultas con sus nidos urbanos distanciados por 313 m en un cementerio en Grand Forks, North Dakota, criaron exitosamente pichones durante 2006. La poliginia puede haber comprometido la produccion reproductiva de cada una de las hembras, ya que su produccion de tres pichones por nido estuvo por debajo de la media general de 3.8 pichones criados en otros 12 nidos exitosos en Grand Forks durante 2006. La produccion colectiva de seis pichones por parte del macho poligino, igualo la maxima produccion anual conocida para un nido para esta especie, y fue mayor que la media de 3.6 pichones criados por nido exitoso considerando todos los nidos individuales (N = 32) en el area de Grand Forks entre 2004 y 2006. El macho poligino fue un reproductor expe...
Vernachlässigte Probleme der multiplen Sklerose-Forschung

Es mag anmasend klingen, von einer Vernachlassigung zu sprechen. Mit dieser Ausdrucksweise soll auch nur gemeint sein, das bei der m. S. bisher eine ganze Reihe klinischer, pathologischer und pathogenetischer Fragestellungen nicht die Wertung und Behandlung gefunden haben, die sie verdienen. In den vorhergehenden Kapiteln sind schon einige dieser Probleme gestreift worden: das serologische; die m. S. als Oberflachenerkrankung des Zentralnervensystems, wenigstens zu Anfangszeiten der Erkrankung; die histologische Heterophasie. Hier seien noch einige wenige Probleme besonders hervorgehoben.
Are mushrooms medicinal

Despite the longstanding use of dried mushrooms and mushroom extracts in traditional Chinese medicine, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of these preparations in the treatment of human disease. Consumers should evaluate assertions made by companies about the miraculous properties of medicinal mushrooms very critically. The potential harm caused by these natural products is another important consideration. In a more positive vein, the presence of potent toxins and neurotropic compounds in basidiomycete fruit bodies suggests that secondary metabolites with useful pharmacological properties are widespread in these fungi. Major investment in controlled experiments and objective clinical trials is necessary to develop this natural pharmacopeia.
Liberalism, Welfare Economics, and Freedom

With the collapse of the centrally controlled economies and the authoritarian governments of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics, political leaders are, with appreciable public support, espousing “liberal” economic and political transformations—the reinstitution of markets, the securing of civil and political rights, and the establishment of representative governments. But those supporting reform have many aims, and the liberalism to which they look for political guidance is not an unambiguous doctrine.
Lessons Learned from Native C.I.R.C.L.E., a Culturally Specific Resource.

Cancer is now the second leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN), and trends in cancer-related mortality over the past 2 decades show inferior control in AIAN compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The American Indian/Alaska Native Cancer Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange (Native C.I.R.C.L.E.) was developed in the year 2000 as part of a comprehensive network of partnerships to develop, maintain, and disseminate culturally appropriate cancer and other health information materials for AIAN educators and providers. Now, in its 15th year of existence, enough data has been accumulated by Native C.I.R.C.L.E. to analyze trends in the distribution of culturally relevant cancer information materials and compare access to both printed (hard copy) and online materials. The amount of culturally appropriate materials available since its creation has increased more than 10-fold. Print materials are now distributed throughout the world, and the number of materials requested from print and downloads combined are in the thousands on a monthly basis. Native C.I.R.C.L.E. is in the process of expanding its access and capabilities to target more of the lay AIAN public in order to address the digital divide.
Identifiability of a Compartmental System

In most of the work in the previous chapters, we have assumed a knowledge of the flow rates and have tried to find properties of the solution to the system of differential equations. In this chapter, we attack the inverse problem: Given a solution, what are the properties of the flow rates?
FINE STRUCTURE OF CLEISTOTHECIA, ASCI, AND ASCOSPORES OF MYXOTRICHUM DEFLEXUM

Cleistothecia of Myxotrichum deflexum are composed of a lax network of peridial hy? phae. Outer peridial hyphae (appendages) are very thick-walled and smooth; inner hyphae frequently terminate in spirals. Typical ascomycetous septa occur within the peridial hyphae. Asci develop by the crozier method. The ascus septum is provided with a dense pore coating similar to that described from a number of different ascomycete groups. Prior to ascospore delimitation, a typical ascus vesicle forms near the periphery of the ascus. This vesicle eventually invaginates to cut out eight navicular ascospores. Wall material forms between the two spore-delimiting membranes and consists of an inner light primary layer and an outer dense secondary layer.
Case 24-2007: A 20-year-old pregnant woman with altered mental status.

A 20-year-old pregnant woman was admitted at 26 weeks' gestation because of dizziness, confusion, and difficulty walking. Six weeks earlier, she was confused and had odd head movements. Four days before admission, she had dizziness and weakness; she began to fall to her left and vomited. On admission, examination of the cerebrospinal fluid showed a lymphocytic pleocytosis with mildly elevated protein and normal glucose levels. During the next 18 days, her condition worsened.
Visual benefit of correcting the higher order monochromatic aberrations and the chromatic aberration in the eye

We demonstrate increases in contrast sensitivity and letter acuity in white light and in monochromatic light when adaptive optics corrects the eye’s higher order monochromatic aberrations. The contrast sensitivity and visual acuity when correcting most monochromatic aberrations with a deformable mirror are higher than when defocus and astigmatism alone are corrected. Moreover, correcting both monochromatic and chromatic aberrations provides an even larger increase in contrast sensitivity and visual acuity. These results are in good agreement with the theoretical visual benefit from the optical modulation transfer function based on the measured eye’s aberration with a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor.
Diagnostische Kriterien und neuropsychiatrische Leitsymptome der akuten intermittierenden Porphyrie — Ergebnisse einer Feldstudie

Die akute intermittierende Porphyrie (AIP) ist eine relativ seltene Erkrankung. Sie spielt deshalb, wie Janzen [6] betont, bei den Uberlegungen der Arzte nur eine sehr geringe Rolle. Nach unseren Erfahrungen [3] vergehen vom erstmaligen Auftreten der typischen Symptome bis zur Sicherung der Diagnose im Durchschnitt drei Jahre. Diese langdauernde Verkennung ist nicht zuletzt auf die Vielgestaltigkeit der Symptomatik zuruckzufuhren, die mehrere Fachdisziplinen beruhrt. Inadaquate arztliche Masnahmen konnen wegen der bestehenden Medikamentenidiosynkrasie zu deletaren Verschlechterungen fuhren. Zuverlassige Methoden fur eine sichere Diagnosestellung und zur Fruherkennung latenter Trager dieser Erkrankung sind wunschenswert [1, 2].