cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hey2 functions in parallel with Hes1 and Hes5 for mammalian auditory sensory organ development

During mouse development, the precursor cells that give rise to the auditory sensory organ, the organ of Corti, are specified prior to embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5). Subsequently, the sensory domain is patterned precisely into one row of inner and three rows of outer sensory hair cells interdigitated with supporting cells. Both the restriction of the sensory domain and the patterning of the sensory mosaic of the organ of Corti involve Notch-mediated lateral inhibition and cellular rearrangement characteristic of convergent extension. This study explores the expression and function of a putative Notch target gene. We report that a putative Notch target gene, hairy-related basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcriptional factor Hey2, is expressed in the cochlear epithelium prior to terminal differentiation. Its expression is subsequently restricted to supporting cells, overlapping with the expression domains of two known Notch target genes, Hairy and enhancer of split homolog genes Hes1 and Hes5. In combination with the loss of Hes1 or Hes5, genetic inactivation of Hey2 leads to increased numbers of mis-patterned inner or outer hair cells, respectively. Surprisingly, the ectopic hair cells in Hey2 mutants are accompanied by ectopic supporting cells. Furthermore, Hey2-/-;Hes1-/- and Hey2-/-;Hes1+/- mutants show a complete penetrance of early embryonic lethality. Our results indicate that Hey2 functions in parallel with Hes1 and Hes5 in patterning the organ of Corti, and interacts genetically with Hes1 for early embryonic development and survival. Our data implicates expansion of the progenitor pool and/or the boundaries of the developing sensory organ to account for patterning defects observed in Hey2 mutants.
Oil-continuous microemulsions composed of hexane, water, and 2-propanol

Abstract On the basis of conductivity and centrifugation data and visual examination, ternary phase diagrams were prepared for systems composed of hexane, water, and 2-propanol. Certain ternary compositions were shown to be oil-continuous microemulsions, even though a soap or detergent was not present. Of a number of short-chain alcohols tested, only 2-propanol and 1-propanol could stabilize a microemulsified ternary solution. Addition of a small amount of hexadecyltrimethylammonium perchlorate to the ternary solutions produced only modest changes in the ternary phase diagram. However, in the presence of hexadecyltrimethylammonium salts, most short-chain alcohols containing less than eight carbons could stabilize an oil-continuous microemulsion.
Effectiveness of interventions to improve occupational performance of people with cognitive impairments after stroke: an evidence-based review.

We conducted a review to determine the effectiveness of interventions to improve occupational performance in people with motor impairments after stroke as part of the American Occupational Therapy Association's Evidence-Based Practice Project. One hundred forty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. Findings related to key outcomes from select interventions are presented. Results suggest that a variety of effective interventions are available to improve occupational performance after stroke. Evidence suggests that repetitive task practice, constraint-induced or modified constraint-induced movement therapy, strengthening and exercise, mental practice, virtual reality, mirror therapy, and action observation can improve upper-extremity function, balance and mobility, and/or activity and participation. Commonalities among several of the effective interventions include the use of goal-directed, individualized tasks that promote frequent repetitions of task-related or task-specific movements.
A MODULUS FOR CURVES FROM DISTANCE

In this paper a modulus of curves is defined using pseudo-distance functions. This leads to a notion of quasiconformal maps that is equivalent to the standard definition when the distance function is Riemannian. The moduli of families of curves whose endpoints lie in the boundary of open subsets of a compact, convex set are determined. This allows bounds on volumes of images of Euclidean balls under quasiconformal maps to be made. Also, certain generalized, conformal, isosystolic constants are found. Estimates are given of how these constants, and of how norms of weak upper gradients, vary under quasiconformal maps.
STOICHIOMETRY OF FISHES AND THEIR PREY: IMPLICATIONS FOR NUTRIENT RECYCLING

Fishes are important pools of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and they have important direct and indirect effects on cycling of these potentially limiting nutrients in lakes. We used a model of fish bioenergetics coupled to a mass balance model of fish N and P budgets to investigate the stoichiometric interactions among fishes, their food, and the nutrient recycling that results from this predator–prey interaction. We tested the hypothesis that the N:P ratios in fish excretion (supply ratios) are high but potentially variable because of fishes’ high P requirement and the likelihood of P limitation of fish growth. A survey of 186 cases representing 18 fish species demonstrated that limitation of fish growth due to availability of P in food was exceedingly rare in natural ecosystems. Fish growth rates were energy limited in almost all systems. Fish grew at an average of 26% of the maximum potential rate determined from bioenergetics. As a result, the predicted N:P supply ratio from fish excretion was low a...
Introducing krypton NMR spectroscopy as a probe of void space in solids.

A wealth of information about porous materials and their void spaces has been obtained from the chemical shift data in 129Xe NMR spectroscopy during the past decades. In this contribution, the only NMR active, stable krypton isotope 83Kr (spin I = 9/2) is explored as a novel probe for porous materials. It is demonstrated that 83Kr NMR spectroscopy of nanoporous or microporous materials is feasible and straightforward despite the low gyromagnetic ratio and low abundance of the 83Kr isotope. The 83Kr line width in most of the studied cases is quadrupolar dominated and field-strength independent. A significant exception was found in calcium-exchanged zeolites where the field dependence of the line width indicates a distribution of isotropic chemical shifts that may be caused by long-range disorder in the zeolite structure. The 83Kr chemical shifts observed in the investigated materials display a somewhat different behavior than that of their 129Xe counterparts and should provide a great resource for the veri...
Perception of safety, importance, and effectiveness of vaccinations among urban school employees in Utah.

Purpose School employees are in direct contact with children in confined areas, a setting in which communicable infection can quickly spread. Therefore, it is important for school employees to be fully vaccinated. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the current vaccination status and perceptions of school employees in an urban school district. Data sources The study employed a nonexperimental mixed-method design. School employee participants (N = 1400) completed a questionnaire to evaluate vaccination status, availability of vaccination records, and vaccination awareness. Participants were randomly selected from 85 schools within one urban school district. Conclusions Two common perceptions about vaccines emerged from the questionnaire: (a) vaccines are only for children and (b) vaccinations received during childhood are still effective. School employees are unaware of their own vaccination status and the recommended vaccination schedule for adults. Additionally, accessibility to immunization records for adults is frequently inadequate. Implications for practice Healthcare providers (HCPs), including nurse practitioners (NPs), are the first line of defense to ensure adults are adequately vaccinated. When vaccinations are tracked and recommended by HCPs, vaccination uptake is improved. NPs who discuss recommended vaccinations with adult patients are instrumental in improving vaccination rates among school employees.
A critical evaluation of chronic kidney disease—should isolated reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate be considered a ‘disease’?

The definition and classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as adopted by the National Kidney Foundation and by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes [1,2] has generated new interest in nephrology. A consistent classification is necessary to develop a coherent literature on the natural history, risk factors and outcomes of a disease. A primary goal with CKD classification has been to identify an earlier, often asymptomatic stage where interventions may prevent the progression to end-stage renal disease. Interventions only at late stages of disease are not desirable given the high morbidity, mortality and societal costs associated with dialysis and transplantation. The current classification of CKD is based on three fundamental components: (1) damaged renal parenchyma for stages 1 and 2 (e.g. proteinuria or polycystic kidneys); (2) decreased function as determined by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) regardless of damaged renal parenchyma for stages 3 and higher; and (3) chronicity to distinguish these parenchymal and functional changes from acute states. Unfortunately, recent data suggest that this classification system for CKD is not adequate as currently applied. Serum creatinine has been pivotal for diagnosing and staging CKD because it is an inexpensive, common test in clinical practice. Unfortunately, serum creatinine is not just a marker of GFR, but also a marker of creatinine generation rate from muscle mass and dietary protein. Since direct GFR measurement is expensive and inconvenient, estimated GFR (eGFR) by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation has been used to transform serum creatinine into a screening tool for CKD (defined by an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) [1]. However, us-
History of Laurentide meltwater flow to the Gulf of Mexico during the last deglaciation, as revealed by reworked calcareous nannofossils

The history of meltwater flow from the Laurentide Ice Sheet to the Gulf of Mexico during the last deglaciation, which holds possible implications for the cause of the Younger Dryas cold episode, is not well understood. We propose a new chronology based on using the percentage of reworked calcareous nannofossils in Orca Basin sediments as a proxy for erosion. The period of greatest meltwater flow to the gulf was between 12.7 and 12.1 ka (during the Bolling warm interval), and flow remained high until the beginning of the Younger Dryas cold episode at 11.3 ka; this corresponds to meltwater pulse IA. A sharp meltwater decrease at 12.2 ka may represent the Older Dryas glacial readvance. Little or no meltwater is inferred to have flowed to the gulf from ∼10 to 9 ka, which is the time of the second major meltwater pulse, IB. Therefore, meltwater must have been permanently diverted away from the Gulf of Mexico at the beginning of the Younger Dryas.
Supervisory control of time Petri nets using net unfolding

We define supervisory controllers for enforcing deadlines on transition firings in time Petri nets. Given a target net transition t/sub d/, and a deadline /spl lambda/, we generate a controller that under broad assumptions forces t/sub d/ to fire every /spl lambda/ time units. Our supervisory controller is based on the notion of transition latency. The latency of a net transition is an upper bound on the time between the firing of that transition and the firing of t/sub d/. A transition is not allowed to fire when its latency is greater than the amount time left until t/sub d/ must fire. Our real-time supervisory controllers consist of two subnets, which are added to the controlled net in order to enforce deadline /spl lambda/ on the firing of t/sub d/. First, the clock subnet dynamically tracks the amount of time left until the expiration of /spl lambda/. As the deadline approaches, this subnet also indicates transitions that must be disabled because their latency has become greater than the time until the expiration of the deadline. When this happens, a supervisor subnet actually disables these transitions. These transitions are enabled again only after t/sub d/ has fired.
Non-uniform membrane diffusion enables steady-state cell polarization via vesicular trafficking

The mechanism by which proteins become polarized to a specific cortical site in budding yeast cells has been a topic of recent debate. Slaughter et al. show that differing diffusion rates of Cdc42 within plasma membrane environments sustain the polarized state.
A study of slipstream processors

A slipstream processor reduces the length of a running program by dynamically skipping computation non-essential for correct forward progress. The shortened program runs faster as a result, but it is speculative. So a second unreduced copy of the program is run concurrently with and slightly behind the reduced copy-leveraging a chip multiprocessor (CMP) or simultaneous multithreading (SMT). The short program passes its control and data flow outcomes to the fill program for checking. And as it checks the short program, the full program fetches and executes more efficiently, due to having an accurate picture of the future. Both programs are sped up: combined, they outperform conventional non-redundant execution. We study slipstreaming with the following key results. 1. A 12% average performance improvement is achieved by harnessing an otherwise unused, additional processor in a CMP. Slipstreaming using two small superscalar cores often achieves similar instructions-per-cycle as one large superscalar core, bur with a potentially faster clock and a more flexible architecture. 2. A majority of the benchmarks show significant reduction in the short program (about 50%). Slipstreaming using an 8-way SMT processor improves their performance from 10% to 20%. 3. For some benchmarks, including gcc, performance improvement is due to the short program resolving branch mispredictions in advance. Others benefit largely due to value predictions from the short program, and the effect is not always reproducible by conventional value prediction tables. 4. As execution bandwidth is increased, slipstreaming provides less of a performance advantage-unless instructions are removed in the short program before they are fetched. A simple program sequencing mechanism is developed to bypass instruction fetching.
Delayed sternal closure: a life-saving measure in neonatal open heart surgery; could it be predictable?

Objectives: The tight syndrome after open-heart procedures in neonates renders delayed sternal closure (DSC) a life-saving measure. The goal of this study is to analyze the risk factors that may predict the need for DSC. Methods: Between January 1991 and December 2000, 312 consecutive open-heart procedures in neonates (180 males, 132 females) were studied retrospectively. Median age was 11.9 days (range 1–30 days) and weight 3.63 kg (range 1.8–4.2 kg). The major pathologies were transposition of the great arteries (153), interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) (33), total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (TAPVD) (24) and single ventricle (19). Two hundred and twenty-eight patients had profound hypothermia with circulatory arrest and 74 normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 195 had crystalloid cardioplegia and 111 blood cardioplegia. Median CBP time was 146 min (range 37–284 min) and aortic clamping 67.6 min (range 0– 164 min). Two hundred and fifty-five patients had a continuous ultrafiltration and 57 had a modified ultrafiltration. The criteria for DSC were hemodynamic instability, deterioration of the central venous saturation, metabolic status and/or high ventilatory pressures. Results: One hundred and nineteen patients had DSC (38.12%). Median CBP time was 145 min (range 37–284 min) and aortic clamping time 67.6 min (range 0–164 min). Twenty-one patients (6.7%) needed reopening in the intensive care unit (ICU) during the first 24 h. Among the studied factors, the age below 7 days (P ¼ 0:014), the diagnosis of IAA and TAPVD (P , 0:05), CBP duration over 185 min (P ¼ 0:048), clamping time over 98 min (P ¼ 0:039) and central venous saturation below 51% P ¼ 0:024) were statistically significant risk factors. All the patients who had more than 106 min of clamping, more than 196 min of cardiopulmonary bypass or less than 47% of central venous saturation were either left opened or reopened in the ICU. Conclusions: Many of the factors thought to be associated with the need for delaying the sternal closure had no statistical significance as risk factors. On the other hand, the diagnosis of IAA or TAPVD, an age less than 7 days, aortic clamping more than 98 min, CPB time more than 185 min and a post-bypass central venous saturation less than 51% were statistically significant risk factors that could be used in predicting the need for delaying the sternal closure. q 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Young adult outcomes of very-low-birth-weight children

Information on the young adult outcomes of the initial survivors of neonatal intensive care has been reported from the United States, Canada, Australia, Great Britain and other European countries. The studies have varied with regard to whether they were regional or hospital-based, their birth-weight group and gestational age, rates of survival, socio-demographic background, and measures of assessment and types of outcome studied. Despite these differences the overall results reveal that neurodevelopment and growth sequelae persist to young adulthood. Very-low-birth-weight young adults have, with few exceptions, poorer educational achievement than normal-birth-weight controls, and fewer continue with post-high-school study. Rates of employment are, however, similar. There are no major differences in general health status, but the young adults demonstrate poorer physical abilities, higher mean blood pressure and poorer respiratory function. There is no evidence of major psychiatric disorder, although anxiety and depression are reported more often. The young adults report less risk-taking than control populations. They report fairly normal social lives and quality of life. When differences are noted they are usually due to neurosensory disabilities. Longer-term studies are needed to evaluate ultimate educational and occupational achievement. It will also be important to assess the effects of preterm birth, early growth failure and catch-up growth on later metabolic and cardiovascular health.
Botulinum toxin A for mentalis muscle dysfunction.

Objective To describe the use of botulinum toxin A for treatment of mentalis muscle dysfunction secondary to failed augmentation mentoplasty. Design Clinical observations were made in the treatment of mentalis muscle dysfunction. Patients with the postmentoplasty signs of mental skin dimpling and soft tissue ptosis were injected with 20 U of botulinum toxin A and observed for visual and functional improvement. Photographs were taken for documentation. Setting Private facial plastic surgery practice. Patients Three patients with a history of failed augmentation mentoplasty were identified and signs/symptoms recorded. Each patient was treated with 20 U of botulinum toxin A and observed for clinical improvement. Main Outcome Measures Pretreatment and posttreatment photographs of active and passive mentalis function together with patient satisfaction surveys. Results Of the 3 patients treated, all reported alleviation of the mentalis dysfunction and improved appearance. The symptoms began to return as the botulinum toxin A effects subsided. Conclusions Botulinum toxin A is a safe and effective treatment of mentalis dysfunction secondary to failed augmentation mentoplasty. The effects are predictable, although temporary.
Silicon Schottky barriers and p-n junctions with highly stable aluminum contact metallization

Reactively sputtered amorphous Ta/sub 36/Si/sub 14/N/sub 50/ thin films are investigated as diffusion barriers to improve the thermal stability of contacts to electronic devices, specifically between Al overlayers and Si substrates. Electrical measurements on Schottky diodes and on shallow n/sup +/-p junction diodes are used to evaluate the thermal stability of the (Si)/W/sub 48/Si/sub 20/N/sub 32//Ta/sub 36/Si/sub 14/N/sub 50//Al metallization. The W/sub 48/Si/sub 20/N/sub 32/ contacting layer is added to raise the Schottky barrier height on n-type Si. It is shown that a 100-nm-thick Ta/sub 36/Si/sub 14/N/sub 50/ layer effectively prevents the intermixing between Al and Si. With this barrier layer, both shallow junctions and Schottky diodes are electrically stable up to 700 degrees C for 20 min (above the Al melting point of 660 degrees C ), which makes this material the best thin-film diffusion barrier on record. >
Wiener Analysis Of Slowly Adapt Cutaneous Mechanoreceptors

Minimum order Wiener analysis methods were used to study the transfer characteristics of slowly adapting Type I (Tl) and Type I1 (T2) cutaneous mechanoreceptors in the hairy skin of cats. During preliminary experiments, the white noise vibrotactile input stimulus position and AP event stream output signals were recorded for off-line analysis. Subsequently, the data was processed to extract the first and second order Wiener kernels. Spectral analysis of the receptor transfer functions confirmed our earlier results [l] that, to varying degrees, these receptors respond as fractional order differentiators. Cementing the tip of the probe to the surface of the skin to prevent the probe from 'tapping' on the surface of the skin [3] had some impact on the shape of the first and the topography of the second order Wiener kernels.
Model-based exploration in continuous state spaces

Modern reinforcement learning algorithms effectively exploit experience data sampled from an unknown controlled dynamical system to compute a good control policy, but to obtain the necessary data they typically rely on naive exploration mechansisms or human domain knowledge. Approaches that first learn a model offer improved exploration in finite problems, but discrete model representations do not extend directly to continuous problems. This paper develops a method for approximating continuous models by fitting data to a finite sample of states, leading to finite representations compatible with existing model-based exploration mechanisms. Experiments with the resulting family of fitted-model reinforcement learning algorithms reveals the critical importance of how the continuous model is generalized from finite data. This paper demonstrates instantiations of fitted-model algorithms that lead to faster learning on benchmark problems than contemporary model-free RL algorithms that only apply generalization in estimating action values. Finally, the paper concludes that in continuous problems, the exploration-exploitation tradeoff is better construed as a balance between exploration and generalization.
Naturally occurring retroviruses (RNA tumor viruses). II (Continued).

This is Part two of this paper describing the biology of the naturally occurring RNA tumor viruses (oncornaviruses) in “higher” vertebrates. Part one [Cancer Investigation 1(2):163-174, 1983] discussed cat retroviruses. Part two deals with bovine and primate, including human, RNA tumor viruses. A. review of retroviruses in “lower” animals preceded this paper
Re-irradiation for recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma of the nasopharynx in a child

There are few clinical situations where high dose re-irradiation with curative intent is indicated in children. Because of the potential for serious late sequelae, re-irradiation is considered only in the unusual situation where there is just local recurrence and surgery and/or chemotherapy are unlikely to provide long-term control. The authors present a case of nasopharynx rhabdomyosarcoma in a child which recurred after high dose irradiation and chemotherapy and was then re-irradiated to a high dose. The child is well without any serious sequelae more than 13 years following completion of the second course of radiotherapy.
Infrared radio-frequency double-resonance spectra of CH 3 OH in the CH 3 deformation state and torsionally excited states

The infrared radio-frequency double-resonance technique has been used to study seven sets of coupled transitions involving torsionally excited states of the vibrational ground state and the CO-stretch state of CH3OH. One double-resonance signal due to a transition in the CH3-deformation state has also been observed. The observations confirm previously proposed assignments of far-infrared laser lines and have allowed the determination of A-state asymmetry parameters, including SCO(122), TCO(122), and SCH3-def(013).
Mesoscale Structural Evolution of Three Tropical Weather Systems Observed during PREDICT

AbstractThree well-observed Atlantic tropical weather systems that occurred during the 2010 hurricane season are analyzed. One case was former Tropical Storm Gaston that failed to redevelop into a tropical cyclone; the other two cases were developing storms Karl and Matthew. Geostationary satellite, multisensor-derived precipitation, and dropsondes from the National Science Foundation (NSF)–NCAR Gulfstream V (GV), NASA DC-8, and the NOAA Gulfstream IV (G-IV) and WP-3D Orion (P-3) aircraft are analyzed in a system-following frame to quantify the mesoscale dynamics of these systems.Gaston featured extensive dry air surrounding an initially moist core. Vertical shear forced a misalignment of midtropospheric and lower-tropospheric circulation centers. This misalignment allowed dry air to intrude above the lower-tropospheric center and severely limited the area influenced by deep moist convection, thus providing little chance of maintaining or rebuilding the vortex in sheared flow. By contrast, Karl and Matthe...
Increasing mission reliability by using open-loop control

Increasing the mission reliability of a one-degree of freedom computer-controlled servosystem is discussed. This is accomplished by providing an acceptable degraded mode of operation that can take over functioning of the system in the event of feedback sensor failure. The degraded mode of operation used in the event of feedback failure is open-loop control. The authors successfully applied open-loop control to a large-caliber tank ammunition autoloader. The loading mechanism comprises two servosystems that use modified bang-bang controllers. Data from cycling the ramming mechanism are analyzed to determine the unknown disturbing forces, primarily friction, in the three main control phases. Experimental results are discussed. >
Liquid supplement and forage intake by range beef cows.

One hundred eighty crossbred cows were assigned to one of six native range pastures during two winters to evaluate forage and supplement intake as affected by liquid supplement (yr 1: 50% crude pro- tein, 84% from urea; yr 2: 57% crude protein, 91% from urea) delivery method and cow age (2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 yr). Treatments were: 1) no supplement (Control); 2) a lick- wheel feeder containing liquid supplement (ADLIB); and 3) a computer-controlled lick-wheel feeder that dis- pensed 0.9 kgcow −1 d −1 of liquid supplement (average 0.5 kg of dry mattercow −1 d −1 ; Restricted). Each treat- ment was applied to two pastures. Forage digestibility was increased (P = 0.03) by supplementation. Supple- mented cows lost less (P = 0.05) body condition than unsupplemented cows (average −0.3 vs −0.6). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was highest (P = 0.001) for ADLIB (8.7 mg/dL), intermediate for Restricted (6.2 mg/dL), and lowest for Control (2.3 mg/dL). Forage DMI was 31% higher (P = 0.01) in 1995 than in 1996, and was increased (P = 0.02) by supplementation both years. Cows supplemented with ADLIB consumed 23% more forage dry matter than Control cows, whereas Re- stricted cows consumed 21% more dry matter than AD- LIB cows. Supplement intake by cows on ADLIB was
Error-feedback circuits for digital filters

Criteria are developed for the design of a very general error-feedback circuit whose purpose is to eliminate the presence of nonlinear phenomena, caused by the occurrence of adder overflows, in the forced response of a 2nd-order recursive digital filter.
Targeting carcinogenesis: A role for the prolyl isomerase Pin1?

Phosphorylation of proteins on serine or threonine residues that immediately precede proline (pSer/Thr-Pro) is a central signaling mechanism in cell proliferation and transformation. Recent studies indicate that certain pSer/Thr-Pro motifs in native proteins exist in two completely distinct conformations, cis and trans, whose conversion is markedly slowed down upon phosphorylation, but specifically catalyzed by the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1. Importantly, such Pin1-catalyzed conformational changes can have profound effects on the function of many phosphorylation signaling pathways, thereby playing an important role in various cellular processes. Moreover, increasing evidence indicates that aberrant Pin1 function plays an important role in the pathogenesis of some human diseases. Notably, Pin1 is not only overexpressed in a large number of human cancers, but also is an excellent prognostic marker in some cancers. Furthermore, Pin1 overexpression can function as a critical catalyst that amplifies multiple oncogenic signaling pathways during oncogenesis. Moreover, Pin1 overexpression causes cell transformation, centrosome amplification, genomic instability, and tumor development. In contrast, Pin1 knockout in mice prevents certain oncogenes from inducing tumors and Pin1 inhibition in cancer cells suppresses their cell proliferation, transformed phenotype and tumorigenicity in nude mice as well as increases the response to other anticancer agents. These results suggest that Pin1-mediated postphosphorylation regulation may provide a unique opportunity for disrupting oncogenic pathways, and thereby represent an appealing target for novel anticancer therapies.
The Ingestion of Proteins and Colloidal Materials by Columnar Absorptive Cells of the Small Intestine in Suckling Rats and Mice

Proteins and colloidal materials, administered orally to suckling rats and mice, were ingested by columnar absorptive cells of the jejunum and ileum, but not of the duodenum. Bovine gamma globulin and ovalbumin were identified in the apical cytoplasm by staining with fluorescent antibody; trypan blue, Evans blue, saccharated iron oxide, and colloidal gold were detected intracellularly by their color, specific staining, and appearance in the electron microscope. Each substance was segregated in membrane-enclosed vacuoles, apparently part of a system of potentially interconnecting vacuoles and tubules in the apical cytoplasm which is continuous in places with the apical cell membrane. We postulate that ingestion of foreign materials was accomplished by pinocytosis, that is, by invagination of the apical cell membrane to form vacuoles containing material from the intestinal lumen. Approximately 18 days after birth columnar absorptive cells lost the ability to ingest proteins and colloids, and no longer contained large vacuoles and numerous tubules. At this age rats and mice lose the ability to absorb antibodies from the intestine in an immunologically intact form, and we conclude that cellular ingestion is part of the mechanism of absorption of intact proteins in suckling animals. Particulate fat apparently is absorbed in both newborn and adult animals by micropinocytosis. Thus adult animals may not have lost the capacity for pinocytosis, but rather have become selective as to what substances provoke it. Cortisone acetate, administered subcutaneously to rats 8 to 10 days old alters the columnar absorptive cells within 72 hours so that they resemble the cells in adult animals and no longer ingest proteins.
Impact of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training on perceived control in spouses of recovering cardiac patients.

The objectives of this study were to determine whether there are differences in emotional distress among spouses of recovering cardiac patients based on level of perceived control, and to determine whether perceived control can be enhanced by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. A total of 219 spouses of cardiac patients recovering from an acute cardiac event were enrolled and 196 completed the study. Spouses were assigned to either a no-treatment control group or one of two CPR training groups. Perceived control and emotional adjustment were measured at baseline and again 1 month after subjects received CPR training. Spouses with high perceived control were less anxious, less depressed, and less hostile at baseline. Perceived control increased significantly in spouses after both CPR training groups, but was unchanged in the control group. After a partner's cardiac event, perceived control is important for psychological recovery in spouses and can be increased by CPR training.
Biological Monitoring and Bridging the Gap Between Land Management and Science

Traditional monitoring approaches may have the objective of gathering data to estimate population size for a given species, but often lack the context of hypothesis testing. As such, many natural areas managers (responsible for ecological monitoring) and scientists have shared little common ground. The goal of monitoring should be to inform managers so that they can insure that the species, communities, and ecosystems under their charge are able to persist in the face of stressors, often from anthropogenic sources. The inherent complexity of natural systems makes this a daunting task, a task that requires a renewed partnership between managers and conservation biologists. The non-equilibrium paradigm of population dynamics establishes a theoretical framework for shifting monitoring objectives from only population estimates to understanding the processes that drive the dynamics of those popu- lations. Using a hypothesis-driven scientific approach, monitoring designs can embrace the scientific method, provide insights into the ecological processes at work within natural systems, and importantly, point directly to if, when, and how active management may need to be employed in order to prevent the loss of biodiversity. This approach provides a common ground for conservation biologists and natural areas managers to forge partnerships to better understand the complexity of ecological systems and our ability to sustain those systems for future generations.
A gradation of hyaluronate accumulation along the proximodistal axis of the embryonic chick limb bud.

We are currently investigating the mechanism by which the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) of the embryonic chick limb bud exerts its negative effect on the cytodifferentiation of limb mesenchymal cells directly subjacent to it, and the mechanism by which cytodifferentiation is triggered when the cells leave the influence of the AER. Since there is a gradation of differentiation along the proximodistal axis of the limb bud, we have dissected limb buds into discrete segments along the proximodistal axis, and biochemically examined the accumulation of hyaluronate (HA) and other glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in each segment. The unspeciajized subridge region of stage-25 limb buds was separated into distal (segment 1) and proximal (segment 2) regions, and the remaining proximal portion of the limb was separated into four segments (segments 3, 4, 5 and 6) along the proximodistal axis. Stage-24 limb buds were separated into corresponding regions. Since in the proximal regions of the limb (segment 3 through 6), only the cells comprising the central cores of the limb are involved in chondrogenic differentiation, the central core tissue was surgically separated from the peripheral tissue. We have found that HA is by far the predominant GAG accumulated by cells comprising the distal subridge region (representing greater than 50% of the total GAG accumulated during a 90-min labelling period with [3H]glucosamine), and that there is a progressive decline in HA accumulation along the proximodistal axis. The relative and total amount of HA accumulated is highest in the distal subridge region (segment 1), intermediate i(i the proximal subridge region (segment 2) and lowest in the proximal central core regions Of the limb (segments 3 through 6). The striking decrease in HA accumulation in the central core of segment 3 is accompanied by a striking increase in the accumulation of chondroitin sulphate, one of the major constituents of cartilage matrix. In contrast to the central core regions of segments 3 through 6, the relative and total amount of HA accumulated by the peripheral non-chondrogenic regions of these segments remains relatively high, being similar to the accumulation observed in the proximal subridge region. These results indicate that there is a gradation of HA accumulation along the proximodistal axis of both stages-24 and -25 limb buds which correlates with distance of cells from the AER and the state of differentiation of the cells.
Radiation hormesis, or, could all that radiation be good for us?

Objective:Nuclear medicine technologists work under significant radiation protection constraints. These constraints are based on the linear no-threshold (LNT) radiation paradigm, which was developed in the 1960s and was based largely on the deleterious effects of radiation as they were understood at the time. More recently, the theory of radiation hormesis, or a beneficial effect of low-level exposure to radiation, has gained recognition. This article reviews the history of attitudes toward radiation, describes the radiation hormesis hypothesis, examines some of the evidence that supports it, and suggests ways that radiation protection regulations might change if the hypothesis were to become accepted.
Is accounts-receivable industry-specific or firm-specific?

This paper empirically examines whether the generally accepted finding that the firm’s accounts receivable tends to be industry-specific is valid for private mature Belgian firms between 2001 and 2008.The average accounts receivable of the firm’s industry in 2001 is not an important determinant in explaining the future accounts receivable of mature private Belgian firms. On the contrary we find that the accounts receivable of the firm in year 2001 is the most important variable in explaining the future accounts receivable of mature private Belgian firms. These results imply that the firm’s accounts receivable is only firm-specific. We also provide evidence on the importance of the variables used in many previous studies on accounts receivable in capturing the variability in the firm’s accounts receivable. The importance of the traditional variables in capturing the variability in accounts receivable is negligible. Our findings are robust for other European countries such as Sweden, The United Kingdom, France, Italy and Portugal. A tentative explanation for these findings is provided.
Static and Dynamic Magnetic Characterization of DNA-Templated Chain-Like Magnetite Nanoparticles

Here, we report the synthesis of chain like magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles of different sizes. Chainlike formation of the nanoparticles is obtained using DNA as the template material. Being a chainlike molecule, DNA directs the growth of the particles in its own direction. Particle size is varied from 7 to 17 nm simply by varying the duration of the addition of coprecipitating agent. FTIR study confirms the bonding between metal ions and the phosphate backbone of the DNA chain. DC magnetic measurements reveal the decrease in anisotropy energy with increasing particle diameter. Smaller values of saturation magnetization of the nanoparticles than those of the bulk value are due to the presence of the magnetic dead layer in the nanoparticles (magnetic core and nonmagnetic shell), but in our case, the shell thickness decreases with an increase in particle size, which is opposite in trend as reported by other authors. Dynamic ac susceptibility measurements for the smallest particles (d ≈ 7 nm) show Neel–Arrhe...
ISOGENEIC MARROW INFUSION FOLLOWING NITROGEN MUSTARD IN THE DOG.

SummaryDogs given nitrogen mustard in near-lethal and supra-lethal amounts were not protected against the toxic effects of the drug by an infusion of isogeneic marrow. The rapid marrow recovery exhibited by the survivors not given marrow indicated that stem cells are relatively undamaged by toxic doses of nitrogen mustard.
Ultra-wideband Coherent Optical Signal Processing using Semiconductor Laser Based Optical Frequency Combs

This tutorial covers the use of optical frequency combs for applications in optical communication and signal processing. We review the generation of combs, technologies for filtering and modulation, and explore architectures for detection, waveform generation, and matched filtering.
Analysis and implementation of the silhouette map data structure and its application to computer graphics

The real-time texture mapping pipeline on graphics hardware consists of a series of sampling and filtering steps that introduces artifacts in our final image. In this work, we develop a novel data structure called a silhouette map that augments a standard texture with boundary information so that we can reconstruct textures with boundaries more accurately. Its compact representation is designed to run on graphics hardware at real-time rates. The resulting renderings are of improved perceptual quality because boundary edges provide important visual cues in many kinds of textures. Since the silhouette map technique can allow us to match the reconstructed quality of a texture of much larger size, it can be considered a form of image compression. In this work, we compare our algorithm against the standard compression techniques currently used in graphics hardware and show that we are able to achieve similar quality at a fraction of the size. We also extend our work to an adaptive representation, which further reduces the storage overhead by adapting the sampling rate to the detail of the original texture signal. To generate our silhouette maps, we present an automated algorithm that allows us to synthesize them directly from bitmapped images. We use this to demonstrate the effectiveness of silhouette maps particularly for textures with a significant amount of geometrical information (e.g. manmade textures such as logos and signs). The flexibility of our structure means that silhouette maps can replace standard texture maps in many applications. As an example, we apply silhouette maps to shadow maps to reduce the artifacts commonly associated with this technique. As the results presented indicate, all of the implementations of silhouette maps run in real time on current graphics hardware.
Overview of Laboratory Studies for Evaluating Primary Immune Deficiency Disorders

Laboratory studies are integral for establishing the diagnosis of a primary immunodeficiency based on the capacity to extensively characterize the cells involved in host defense as well as evaluate critical functional characteristics of these cells. The development of high-throughput next generation sequencing has added, and will continue to add, new genetic defects to the list of primary immunodeficiency disorders. However, in all cases these studies are driven by specific clinical phenotypes and defined immunologic defects that are dependent on the medical and family history, physical examination, and clinical laboratory evaluation.
Relationships Between Age at Menarche, Walking Gait Base of Support, and Stance Phase Frontal Plane Knee Biomechanics in Adolescent Girls

Abstract Background Age at menarche impacts patterns of pubertal growth and skeletal development. These effects may carry over into variation in biomechanical profiles involved in sports-related traumatic and overuse knee injuries. The present study investigated whether age at menarche is a potential indicator of knee injury risk through its influence on knee biomechanics during normal walking. Objective To test the hypothesis that earlier menarche is related to postpubertal biomechanical risk factors for knee injuries, including a wider, more immature gait base of support, and greater valgus knee angles and moments. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Setting University research facility. Participants Healthy, postmenarcheal, adolescent girls. Methods Age at menarche was obtained by recall questionnaire. Pubertal growth and anthropometric data were collected by using standard methods. Biomechanical data were taken from tests of walking gait at self-selected speed. Reflective marker position data were collected with a 3-dimensional quantitative motion analysis system, and 3 force plates recorded kinetic data. Main Outcome Measures Age at menarche; growth and anthropometric measurements; base of support; static knee frontal plane angle; and dynamic knee frontal plane angles and moments during stance. Results Earlier menarche was correlated significantly with abbreviated pubertal growth and postpubertal retention of immature traits, including a wider base of support. Earlier menarche and wider base of support were both correlated with more valgus static knee angles, more valgus knee abduction angles and moments at foot-strike, and a more valgus peak knee abduction angle during stance. Peak knee abduction moment during stance was not correlated with age at menarche or base of support. Conclusions Earlier menarche and its effects on growth are associated with retention of a relatively immature gait base of support and a tendency for static and dynamic valgus knee alignment. This biomechanical profile may put girls with earlier menarche at greater risk for sports-related knee injuries. Level of Evidence Not applicable.
THE HIPPOCAMPAL FORMATION AND ITS REGULATION OF ATTENTION AND BEHAVIOR

Publisher Summary The changes in behavior after selective brain damage indicate as much about the secondary changes in the remaining structures as they do about the tissue destroyed. As secondary changes in different regions may have different time courses, the behavior of an individual should be qualitatively or quantitatively different at different postoperative periods. Changes in the lesioned animals attempts to investigate their lower sensory fields by putting their heads into the holes follow a more complex pattern. The hole–poke exploration scores show little lesion effect until 28 days after surgery, at which time both the cortical and hippocampal lesion groups are reduced in the total duration of such events. The reductions of exploration come about in different ways in the two groups. The neocortically-lesioned animals have a decrease in the frequency of poking into holes along the walls, while the hippocampally-lesioned animals have a decrease in duration of the individual responses.
Popliteal Artery Cystic Adventitial Disease: Early Lessons in Treatment

Background We present 6 patients who had operative repair of symptomatic popliteal cystic adventitial disease (pCAD). Developmental theories for pCAD and surgical alternatives are presented. Methods All patients who had repair of pCAD over the past 3 years are included. Results Three patients had cyst excision alone, whereas the remaining 3 had cyst and artery excision with interposition vein grafting. Cyst recurrence occurred in 2 patients who had cyst excision alone. Four of the patients had a patent communication between the cyst and the joint capsule. Conclusions Our small series suggests that the articular (synovial) theory of development may be the most likely and that cyst and artery excision with interposition vein grafting may be preferred over cyst excision alone.