cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of extracellular vesicles with unaltered surface membranes using an internalized oligonucleotide tracer and droplet digital PCR applied to modeling of in vivo kinetics

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) continue to attract interest for their potential role in targeted therapeutics and as biomarkers of disease and drug response. In order to achieve clinical utility, it is important to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of candidate EVs during preclinical development using in vivo animal models. To date, no methods exist for studying EV kinetics without modification to surface ligands that may affect normal behavior. Here we introduce an accessible method for labeling and quantifying EVs administered to conscious animals, without disrupting endogenous ligands. Our method relies upon established laboratory techniques and can be tailored to a variety of biological questions. Digital PCR is leveraged to detect a non-homologous oligonucleotide tracer introduced into the vesicles, allowing for quantification over a wide dynamic range. Using an application of this method, we found differences in the in vivo kinetics of EVs from three different cell types using non-linear mixed effects modeling. We propose that this method will provide a complementary approach for the of study EV ligand-receptor interactions in the context of EV uptake and targeted therapeutics.
Character and Fitness for Leadership – Educating Lawyers for Compassion and Courage as well as Brains -- The Wizard of Oz was Right

In the movie The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy has three companions on quests of their own: the Scarecrow seeking a brain, the Tin Man seeking a heart, and the Lion seeking courage. Much of the law school curriculum is designed for the law student as Scarecrow – to develop the student’s capacity for critical thinking. The curriculum, however, has not given as much attention to the Tin Man or the Lion among law students. This article examines ways of educating law students to enhance their strength of compassion not only for their clients but also their adversaries, as well the students’ strength of courage to make that compassion effective, including standing up for their clients in the interests of justice when it might not be popular to do so.
Comparison of Structures, Development and Influence of Basic Conditions of Agriculture and Rural Development on Selected Alpine Regions

The specific conditions of mountain and especially Alpine farming require experienced and qualified farmers to guarantee sustainable agriculture in a sound ecological and economic environment. Beside natural-resource endowment, cultural, social and political conditions are important influencing factors. Based on a comprehensive study conducted by the authors in 2015, this paper compares the current structures, the development and basic conditions of selected Alpine NUTS III regions in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and Slovenia. Despite the common location in the Alpine space and – with the exception of Switzerland – the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the regions analyzed show considerable variations in altitudes and climatic zones, regional demographic and economic contexts, different approaches in shaping the CAP as well as other basic socio-political conditions, for example taxation and rules of inheritance. Altogether these differences have led to very heterogeneous regional development paths and diverse effects on rural development in the area of conflicts between sustainability, resilience, competitiveness, preservation or innovation of structures, balancing or increasing regional disparities. Comparing these findings with the respective overall national characteristics may be decisive in understanding the necessities of mountain farming.
In vivo imaging of mGlu5 receptor expression in humans with Fragile X Syndrome towards development of a potential biomarker.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by silencing of the Fragile X Mental Retardation (FMR1) gene. The resulting loss of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) leads to excessive glutamate signaling via metabotropic glutamate subtype 5 receptors (mGluR5) which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disorder. In the present study we used the radioligand 3-[18F]fluoro-5-(2-pyridinylethynyl)benzonitrile ([18F]FPEB) in simultaneous PET-MR imaging of males with FXS and age- and gender-matched controls to assess the availability of mGlu5 receptors in relevant brain areas. Patients with FXS showed lower [18F]FPEB binding potential (p < 0.01), reflecting reduced mGluR5 availability, than the healthy controls throughout the brain, with significant group differences in insula, anterior cingulate, parahippocampal, inferior temporal and olfactory cortices, regions associated with deficits in inhibition, memory, and visuospatial processes characteristic of the disorder. The results are among the first to provide in vivo evidence of decreased availability of mGluR5 in the brain in individuals with FXS than in healthy controls. The consistent results across the subjects, despite the tremendous challenges with neuroimaging this population, highlight the robustness of the protocol and support for its use in drug occupancy studies; extending our radiotracer development and application efforts from mice to humans.
17 Improving efficiency in scheduling post-discharge dermatology follow-up

Background Timely post-discharge follow-up ensures safe inpatient/outpatient care transitions. Minimizing messaging to facilitate transitions is critical to staff well-being. Objectives Improve the proportion of outpatient dermatology appointment scheduled within 2 weeks post-discharge to >90%; decrease staff messaging facilitating scheduling by >25%. Methods Through process mapping dermatology care transitions (figure 1) we identified barriers to timely scheduling. We assessed impact of two interventions on post-discharge scheduling: video visits (VVs) initiated (March 2020) in response to COVID-19 and SmartPhrase intervention initiated (April 2021) in response to perceived high staff messaging rates (figure 2). We tracked time from discharge to scheduling of post-discharge appointment, percentage of patients scheduled ≤2 weeks, and staff messaging from Jan 2019 through May 2021. Satisfaction was evaluated via stakeholder interviews. Results Post-discharge VVs increased from 0% to 64% following adoption of telemedicine. The average number of days to schedule these improved from 31 days without VVs to 11 days with VVs; additional adoption of the SmartPhrase further reduced it to 6 days (figure 3). The percent of patients scheduled within 2 weeks improved from 79% without VVs to 82% with VVs, and then to 90% with SmartPhrase adoption (figure 4). Compared to scheduling rates prior to implementation of both interventions, the combination of VVs and SmartPhrase saved 72 discharged dermatology patients approximately 1824 days of wait-time in post-discharge appointment scheduling. Messaging has not yet decreased significantly, but longer follow-up is needed to assess whether messaging rates changed post-SmartPhrase implementation (figure 5). Early qualitative findings suggest overall satisfaction with VVs and the SmartPhrase workflow. Conclusions Early data suggest decreased time to post-discharge scheduling and increased percentage scheduled within two weeks post-VV implementation, and further improvement post-SmartPhrases. Staff messages did not decrease significantly; we plan to track messaging rates through August to fully assess SmartPhrase impact.
DRG Decompression Model

The epineurium is the outermost layer of connective tissue surrounding a peripheral nerve and is made up of two compartments: the outer (or “epifascicular”) epineurium, a layer of fibrous and adipose tissue, and the inner (or “interfascicular”) epineurium, a layer of connective tissue. It is a barrier to the diffusion of phosphate ions in vitro and it expresses α5 fibronectin ligand during peripheral axon outgrowth. Lincoln et al. demonstrated that the normal distribution of autonomic nerves in epineural sheaths consisted of a dense innervation by noradrenaline-containing nerves of the vasa nervorum, together with some fibers in the nervi nervorum.
CuW(py)2(H2 O)2O2F4 and CuW(py)4O2F4

Two new CuII/WVI oxyfluorides, catena-poly[(trifluorooxotungsten)-μ-fluoro-[diaquabis(pyridine­N)copper]-μ-oxo] or catena-poly[(difluoro-cis-dioxotungsten)-μ-fluoro-[diaquabis(pyridine­N)copper]-μ-fluoro], [CuW-O2F4(C5H5N)2(H2O)2], (I), and catena-poly[(trifluorooxotungsten)-μ-fluoro-[tetrakis(pyridine-N)copper]-μ-oxo] or catena-poly[(difluoro-cis-dioxotungsten)-μ-fluoro-[tetrakis(pyridine­N)copper]-μ-fluoro], [CuW-O2F4(C5H5N)4], (II), have been synthesized. The first complex, (I), contains one-dimensional chains of alternating [Cu(py)2(H2O)2(O/F)2/2]+0.66 cations and [W(O/F)4(O/F)2/2]−0.66 anions. The corner-linked octahedra form infinite and parallel chains that run along the b axis. The second compound, (II), contains one-dimensional chains of alternating [Cu(py)4(O/F)2/2]+0.66 cations and [W(O/F)4(O/F)2/2]−0.66 anions. The corner-linked octahedra form infinite and non-intersecting chains that switch between [110] and [1\bar 10] every c/2.
Sphingosine Kinase 1 Mediates Transmembrane Calcium Entry via Store-Operated Calcium Channel

Angiotensin II plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure mainly via regulation of Ca2+ mobilization. Several reports have implicated sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1)/sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ through a yet undefined mechanism. Here we demonstrate that angiotensin II induces biphasic calcium entry in vascular smooth muscle cells, consisting of an immediate peak due to inositol tris-phosphate-dependent release of intracellular calcium, followed by a sustained transmembrane Ca2+ influx through store operated calcium channels (SOC). Inhibition of SK1 attenuates the second phase of transmembrane Ca2+ influx, suggesting a role for SK1 in angiotensin II-dependent activation of SOC. Intracellular S1P triggers SOC-dependent Ca2+ influx independent of S1P receptors, while external application of S1P stimulated S1P receptor-dependent Ca2+ influx that is insensitive to inhibitors of SOC, suggesting that the SK1/S1P axis regulates SOC entry via ...
Multiple agent event detection and representation in videos

We propose a novel method to detect events involving multiple agents in a video and to learn their structure in terms of temporally related chain of sub-events. The proposed method has three significant contributions over existing frameworks. First, in order to learn the event structure from training videos. we present the concept of a video event graph, which is composed of temporally related sub-events. Using the video event graph, we automatically encode the event dependency graph. The event dependency graph is the learnt event model that depicts the frequency of occurrence of conditionally dependent sub-events. Second. we pose the problem of event detection in novel videos as clustering the maximally correlated sub-events, and use normalized cuts to determine these clusters. The pIincipal assumption made in this work is that the events are composed of highly correlated chain of sub-events. that have high weights (association) within the cluster and relatively low weights (disassociation) between clusters. These weights (between sub-events) are the likelihood estimates obtained from the event models. Last, we recognize the importance of representing the variations in the temporal order of sub-events. occurring in an event, and encode the probabilities directly into our representation. We show results of our learning, detection, and representation of events for videos in the meeting, surveillance, and railroad monitoring domains.
Analyzing Axon Guidance in the Zebrafish Retinotectal System

Publisher Summary This chapter analyzes axon guidance in the Zebrafish retinotectal system. The chapter describes the strategies that have been used to observe and to perturb retinotectal development in the zebrafish. It begins with a brief overview of the genetic control of retinal axon guidance. This chapter then describes the methods for labeling and observing retinal axons. Moreover, this chapter explains the methods for perturbing retinotectal development. Furthermore, multiphoton excitation has two main advantages: (1) reduced photobleaching and phototoxicity, since multiphoton absorption is restricted to the plane of focus; and (2) improved brightness and resolution in thick or scattering tissues, since infrared light scatters less than visible light and nondescanned detectors can make use of the scattered emitted light. Thus, it is ideally suited to imaging cell behavior in live thick samples, such as the intact zebrafish larva and in particular, in the retinotectal system. Finally, this chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the methods likely to be important in the future. The methods described here for the retinotectal system are also useful, either directly or with some modifications, for studying the development of other axon tracts.
Foreign Investment in Cuba: Assessing the Legal Landscape

Numero 106 Enero - Abril 2003 Nueva Serie Ano XXXVI ISSN 0041 8633 FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CUBA: ASSESSING THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE Melissa JOHNS * After the fall of soviet socialism and the economic liberalization of China and Vietnam, Cuba has been forced to transform in a radical way its economy, mostly in relation to the treatment given to foreing investment. The aim of this article is to analyse the possibilities and conditions of direct foreign investment in Cuba, and the risks involved, considering that there is still considerable resistence in the island to open-up the economy. In the first section of the essay, the author explains the economic and international context which has forced the transformation of Cubas economy. In the se-cond section, she explains the most important legal reforms that have affected foreign investment in that country. Thirdly, she analyses the risks that foreign investors still have to face in the island. Fourthly, she studies the impact that legal reforms on this matter have had on the Cuban society. And finally, she compares the legal framework of foreign investment in Cuba and Vietman. Descriptors : foreign investment, economic liberalization, trade liberalization, economic reform. * Stanford Law School. * Nota: Debido que la traduccion es automatica podra ser inexacta o contener errores.
Stock Prices and the Doctor Supply: Effect of Medicare Residency Policy on Healthcare Industry Firms

Funding for medical residencies has been capped by US Congress since the late 1997, and has resultantly become an increasingly limiting factor of the doctor supply in the US. The resulting impact of Medicare residency policy on managed care firms, especially private insurers has been unclear. Using equity price data for healthcare firms listed in the S&P Health Index, I use the surprise introduction of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2009 and its proposed amendment to a major healthcare overhaul bill, to evaluate the market's assessment of expanded medical residency programs on the healthcare industry. Using tight three-day event study periods to look at when the bill was unexpectedly introduced in Congress and amended to the overhaul bill, I find Cumulative Average Abnormal Returns for Managed Care Firms of 10.9% and 4.2%, respectively, corresponding to an increase in total market value of approximately $5.5 billion and $2 billion. I also find that roughly 27% of the cost of the bill is passed on to firms while the remaining 73% is either passed on to consumers or lost to static inefficiencies.
Evaluating an asynchronous graduate degree program

Over the past three years, Drexel University's College of Information Science and Technology, USA, has developed asynchronous (any time/any place) learning environments for undergraduate and graduate students. Beginning in fall 1996, Drexel launched an entirely asynchronous Master of Science in Information Systems degree. The hallmarks of the fully asynchronous degree are: (1) students never gather for traditional face-to-face classes; (2) students and faculty engage in an active learning experience by network; (3) the degree content and requirements are the same in both traditional and asynchronous offerings; and (4) students learn to work using tools and techniques of distributed work environments. In this paper, the authors provide an overview of the Drexel project and their experience during the first years of this effort. Next, they discuss techniques and instruments they are using to evaluate the project both within the ALN environment and in comparison to traditional degree program delivery. Finally, they present some results from the first years of the effort.
On Gender and Racial Issues Justices Suffer from Rare Disease

Affirmative action for women and racial minorities certainly is controversial, for some it is even divisive; but in a country with a history of legalized racial slavery and racial and gender discrimination, and where such discrimination while reduced is still pervasive, it is absolutely necessary if we are to create a society that truly affords equal opportunity to all. Many Americans share this view. But for others, including five members of the Supreme Court in the recently decided case of Adarand Constructors v. Pena, the need is less clear. I can only conclude that such flawed reasoning reversing Supreme Court precedent is caused by a disease known as selective memory loss, for if not for such an affliction, the justices could see that affirmative action is necessary in order to ensure equal protection.
Mathematical Sketching: An Approach to Making Dynamic Illustrations

Mathematical sketching is a pen-based, gestural interaction paradigm for mathematics problem solving. It derives from the familiar pencil-and-paper process of drawing supporting diagrams to facilitate the formulation of mathematical expressions; however, with mathematical sketching, users can also leverage their physical intuition by watching their hand-drawn diagrams animate in response to continuous or discrete parameter changes in their written formulas. Diagram animation is driven by implicit associations that are inferred, either automatically or with gestural guidance, from mathematical expressions, diagram labels, and drawing elements. In this chapter, we discuss the important issues related to the mathematical sketching paradigm such as the development of a fluid gestural user interface, recognition of mathematical expressions, and the preparation and translation of mathematical sketches into animated illustrations.
Malignant pleural effusion: is CT pulmonary angiogram needed?

We have read an interesting article from Zarogoulidis et al. (1), “Malignant pleural effusion and algorithm management”, which give us the excellent guideline for managing oncologic patient with malignant pleural effusion. In oncologic patients, malignant pleural effusion is a common cause of dyspnea, however pulmonary embolism is a frequent complication which also might present with pleural effusion. The question is “do we have to rule out pulmonary embolism in all oncologic patients who presented with shortness of breath and pleural effusion?”
Attenuation, safety, and efficacy of an infectious bronchitis virus GA98 serotype vaccine.

Abstract In 1998, novel strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were identified in chickens from the southeastern United States and classified as a new serotype designated Georgia 98 (GA98). Because of the widespread nature of the GA98 virus in the southeastern United States and the lack of adequate protection with the DE072 vaccine, we developed a specific vaccine for the GA98 serotype. The GA98/0470/98 isolate of IBV was passaged in embryonating chicken eggs 70 times, and attenuation of the virus was determined in specific-pathogen-free chicks. Pass 70 of the GA98/0470/98 strain of IBV when given at 1 day of age by coarse spray and at 14 days of age in the drinking water at 1 × 104.5 50% embryo infectious dose/bird protected against the homologous GA98 challenge as well as provided good protection against the DE072-type virus. In addition, the vaccine was shown to be adequately attenuated and safe at a 10× dosage.
Nanostructured thermoelectric: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract In this opinion we discuss the latest development and future challenges of nanostructured thermoelectric and their potential impacts on waste heat recovery from chemical engineering point of view. Particularly, we will discuss the major limitations faced by the current nanostructured thermoelectric for scalable manufacture and deployment including materials production, device design, and system integration.
CATALYTIC HYDROTREATMENT OF COAL-DERIVED NAPHTHA

ABSTRACT ABSTRACT A naphtha derived from the liquefaction of a subbituminous (Black Thunder) or a bituminous coal (III. #6) was hydrotreated on a pilot plant scale, to provide a feedstock sufficiently low in heteroatoms for further studies in reforming. Two commercial catalysts, a Ni/Mo and a Co/Mo on alumina, were employed in the processing of the naphtha samples. The Black Thunder naphtha was processed for over 120 hours, twice using the Co/Mo catalyst and once using the Ni/Mo catalyst. For this naphtha, the removal of nitrogen was extremely difficult using the catalysts and conditions employed in this study. An average of 51.6% of the nitrogen was removed during each of the three passes. The oxygen compounds in this naphtha were relatively easily removed. During the first pass over the Co/Mo catalyst, 94.0% of the oxygen was removed.
Chemical composition and nutritional value of European species of wild growing mushrooms: A review

Abstract Numerous species of wild growing mushrooms are widely consumed as a delicacy in central and eastern Europe. Credible evaluation of their nutritional value has so far been limited due to fragmentary knowledge of their composition and mainly due to the very limited information on the availability of their constituents. Dry matter content is usually about 100 g kg −1 . Structural polysaccharides and proteins comprise the main components of dry matter, while the lipid content is low. Chitin, glycogen, mannitol and trehalose are typical carbohydrate constituents. The proportion of essential amino acids is nutritionally favourable, while the content of n −3 fatty acid is negligible. Low energy, high proportion of indigestible fibre, specific β-glucans and antioxidative and flavour constituents provoke the increasing interest of both researchers and consumers. The ability of some species to accumulate several detrimental trace elements and radiocaesium, and occurrence of detrimental constituents in edible mushrooms are also briefly reviewed.
Power of Pairwise Multiple Comparisons in the Unequal Variance Case.

The Type I error rate and statistical power of six selected pairwise multiple comparison procedures were estimated by using simulated data in which population variances were heterogeneous. Based on a oneway Anova model, eleven different combinations of sample sizes and variance patterns were examined for a four-group design and another eleven patterns were examined for a six-group design. The results indicated that only the Games and Howell procedure occasionally failed to control the familywise Type I error rate under the nominal .05 level. In terms of statistical power, Shaffer (1979, 1986) enhancements to the Bonferroni approach provided the greatest average power per contrast and all pair power in the four group design. In the six-group design, no procedure consistently provided the greatest per-pair power or all pair power
Cloning, overexpression and isolation of the type II FDP aldolase from E. coli for specificity study and synthetic application.

Abstract A stable overexpression E. coli strain containing the plasmid pKEN 2 for the production of the Zn 2+ -dependent FDP aldolase from E. coli has been developed. Approximately 14,000 U of the enzyme (specific activity = 23.3 U/mg) can be obtained from 4-L of growth medium. The enzyme was isolated, purified to homogeneity and used for the studies of stability, substrate specificity and metal ion replacement and dissociation. Crystals of the enzyme have been obtained for structural analysis. This E. coli strain was deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC#77472).
Ethics in adherence promotion and monitoring.

Abstract In evaluating and intervening to increase adherence to medical treatments, clinicians and researchers must address ethical issues pertaining to best interest, autonomy, and privacy. “Best interest” refers to the notion that health-care practitioners act in a manner that produces benefits or good outcomes for the patients in their care. “Autonomy” refers to the patient's right to determine whether or not they will accept medical treatment or participate in a clinical study. “Nonmaleficence” refers to the clinician's or researcher's responsibility to “do no harm.” “Privacy” refers to the notion that researchers and clinicians promise not to divulge personal information about the patients in their care. Adherence monitoring and promotion pose ethical challenges to researchers and clinicians, which are the topic of this paper. Control Clin Trials 2000;21:241S–247S
Sediment-water fluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon, O 2 , nutrients, and N 2 from the hypoxic region of the Louisiana continental shelf

Globally, hypoxic areas (<63 mmol O2 m−3) in coastal waters are increasing in number and spatial extent. One of the largest coastal hypoxic regions has been observed during the summer in the bottom-water of the Louisiana continental shelf. The shelf receives the sediments, organic matter, and nutrients exported from the Mississippi River watershed, and much of this material is ultimately deposited to the sea floor. Hence, quantifying the rates of sediment-water dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), oxygen (O2), and nutrient fluxes is important for understanding how these processes relate to the development and maintenance of hypoxia. In this study, the sediment-water fluxes of DIC, O2, nutrients, and N2 (denitrification) were measured on the Louisiana shelf during six cruises from 2005 to 2007. On each cruise, three to four sites were occupied in or directly adjacent to the region of the shelf that experiences hypoxia. DIC fluxes, a proxy for total sediment respiration, ranged from 7.9 to 21.4 mmol m−2 day−1 but did not vary significantly either spatially or as a function of bottom-water O2 concentration. Overall, sediment respiration and nutrient flux rates were small in comparison to water-column respiration and phytoplankton nutrient demand. Nitrate fluxes were correlated with bottom-water O2 concentrations (r = 0.69), and there was evidence that decreasing O2 concentrations inhibited coupled nitrification-denitrification. Denitrification rates averaged 1.4 mmol N m−2 day−1. Scaled to the area of the shelf, the denitrification sink represented approximately 39% of the N load from the Mississippi River watershed. The sediment-water fluxes reported from this study add substantial information on the spatial and temporal patterns in carbon, O2, and nutrient cycling available for the Louisiana continental shelf and, thus, improve the understanding of this system.
Review Paper Chemical Control in the Respiratory System

Some of the more recent advances in understanding the control of the human respiratory system are discussed, particularly as they relate to mathematical modeling of the system. A brief review of the anatomy and physiology is followed by a discussion of a number of tests used to elicit information about the system dynamics. Mathematical modeling of the respiratory control system is then discussed, beginning with the classic work of Grodins in 1954. Some dynamic tests which have been successfully simulated are presented. Finally, there is a discussion of several specific points which have been clarified as a result of model studies.
Genetic Approaches to Hypertension

Essential hypertension is a complex clinical disorder in which multiple environmental and genetic factors interact to increase blood pressure. To search for chromosome regions that contain genes regulating blood pressure, some investigators have begun to conduct linkage studies in rodent models of spontaneous hypertension. Preliminary results suggest that in the rat, blood pressure regulatory genes may be located in the vicinity of the kallikrein gene family on chromosome 1, the gene for angiotensin converting enzyme on chromosome 10, the renin gene on chromosome 13, and the major histocompatibility complex on chromosome 20. Some studies have also suggested that blood pressure regulatory loci may be located on the sex chromosomes. Although comparisons between humans and animals should be made with caution, it is hoped that the identification of genes regulating blood pressure in the rat might shed light on the pathogenesis of hypertension in humans.
Fluorescence spectroscopy characterization of cadmium sulfide quantum dots on metal, insulator, and semiconductor substrates

Colliodal cadmium sulfide quantum dots (Q-CdS), ranging in size from 1 to 5 nm and capped with dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT), were synthesized and deposited upon substrates of gold (Au), mica, and gallium arsenide (GaAs). Fluorescence spectroscopy is used to identify the range and maxima of excitation and emission spectra of each structure. A red shift in emission spectra from the Au to mica to GaAs substrate based samples is observed for the smallest-sized quantum dots. The midrange and largest-sized dots display the longest emission wavelengths when physisorbed to the Au substrates with a shift to shorter and then longer emission wavelengths for the mica and GaAs-based samples, respectively. The display of emission spectra throughout the visible range for the Q-CdS deposited on all three types of substrates bodes well for future optical device applications using hybrid (organic–inorganic) electronic materials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:1018–1021, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25904
Influence of variable selection on partial least squares discriminant analysis models for explosive residue classification

Abstract Using a series of thirteen organic materials that includes novel high-nitrogen energetic materials, conventional organic military explosives, and benign organic materials, we have demonstrated the importance of variable selection for maximizing residue discrimination with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). We built several PLS-DA models using different variable sets based on laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) spectra of the organic residues on an aluminum substrate under an argon atmosphere. The model classification results for each sample are presented and the influence of the variables on these results is discussed. We found that using the whole spectra as the data input for the PLS-DA model gave the best results. However, variables due to the surrounding atmosphere and the substrate contribute to discrimination when the whole spectra are used, indicating this may not be the most robust model. Further iterative testing with additional validation data sets is necessary to determine the most robust model.
Genetic and morphological analyses reveal a critical interaction between the C‐termini of two SNARE proteins and a parallel four helical arrangement for the exocytic SNARE complex

In a screen for suppressors of a temperature‐sensitive mutation in the yeast SNAP‐25 homolog, Sec9, we have identified a gain‐of‐function mutation in the yeast synaptobrevin homolog, Snc2. The genetic properties of this suppression point to a specific interaction between the C‐termini of Sec9 and Snc2 within the SNARE complex. Biochemical analysis of interactions between the wild‐type and mutant proteins confirms this prediction, demonstrating specific effects of these mutations on interactions between the SNAREs. The location of the mutations suggests that the C‐terminal H2 helical domain of Sec9 is likely to be aligned in parallel with Snc2 in the SNARE complex. To test this prediction, we examined the structure of the yeast exocytic SNARE complex by deep‐etch electron microscopy. Like the neuronal SNARE complex, it is a rod ∼14 nm long. Using epitope tags, antibodies and maltose‐binding protein markers, we find that the helical domains of Sso, Snc and both halves of Sec9 are all aligned in parallel within the SNARE complex, suggesting that the yeast exocytic SNARE complex consists of a parallel four helix bundle. Finally, we find a similar arrangement for SNAP‐25 in the neuronal SNARE complex. This provides strong evidence that the exocytic SNARE complex is a highly conserved structure composed of four parallel helical domains whose C‐termini must converge in order to bring about membrane fusion.
Physical health vulnerability in adult children from divorced and intact families

Objectives: The current study evaluated family process variables associated with markers of physical health vulnerability. Methods: Retrospective reports of parental caring, conflict, and divorce-specific factors were examined in reference to hostility, somatic symptoms, and illness reports in young adults from divorced (n=253) and intact (n=552) families. Results: Contrary to expectations, participants from divorced and intact families were equivalent on all health-related measures. Within the intact group, parental conflict and low parental caring were associated with hostility, somatic symptoms, and illness reports. Within the divorce group, negative feelings about the divorce were associated with higher hostility, somatic complaints, and illness reports. Conclusions: Results suggest that parental divorce in itself does not increase long-term vulnerability to physical illness; rather it is the negativity of the experience that is associated with vulnerability. Although overall health markers did not differ, the family process variables associated with physical health risk differed for individuals from divorced versus intact families.
Primary care provider and imaging technician satisfaction with a teledermatology project in rural Veterans Health Administration clinics.

Abstract Objective: Assessment of a multisite rural teledermatology project between 2009 and 2012 in four Pacific Northwest states that trained primary care providers and imaging technicians in state-of-the-art techniques of telemedicine. Materials and Methods: In 2012, we assessed provider and imaging technician acceptability and satisfaction with a 32-item survey instrument based on the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire developed by Ware et al. (Eval Program Plann 1983;6:247–63) and modified for telemedicine by Kraai et al. (J Card Fail 2011;17:684–690). Survey questions covered eight satisfaction domains: interpersonal manner, technical quality, accessibility, finances, efficacy, continuity, physical environment, and availability. Results: Overall, 71% of the primary care providers and 94% of the imaging technicians reported being satisfied or extremely satisfied with the teledermatology project. Most (95%) providers found the continuing education classes on dermatology diagnosis and treatment topics ...
The spontaneous generation of the singularity in a separating laminar boundary layer

Abstract The question whether solutions of the unsteady laminar boundary layer equation may turn singular spontaneously has been in dispute lately. By a case study, here a numerical proof is given that the spontaneous generation of a singularity does indeed occur, thus settling the point. The proof is achieved by abandoning the usual Eulerian boundary layer coordinates in favor of Lagrangian coordinates. The singularity then occurs at a stationary point, the presence of which can be ascertained numerically without ambiguity.
Effect of corticosteroids on factor VIII level

Summary An investigation was performed to determinewhether exogenous corticosteroids had any measurable effect on the plasma level of factor VIII in seven subjects with hemophilia and in 3 subjects with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The mean factor VIII levels in the hemophilic patients were 5.7 per cent, 5.9 per cent, and 5.8 per cent and in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura were 101 per cent, 103 per cent, and 101 per cent before, during, and after prednisolone therapy, respectively. It is concluded that corticosteroids in the doses administered in this investigation had no significant effect on factor VIII levels in hemophilic and nonhemophilic subjects.
Effect of Rifampin on the Immune Response in Guinea Pigs

Abstract The effect of an oral dose of 20 mg of rifampin per kg per day on the immune response to killed Mycobacterium bovis var. BCG, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was studied in adult female guinea pigs. Fully established cutaneous reactions to BCG or DNCB were markedly reduced during rifampin treatment but reverted to pretreatment levels after the drug was discontinued. When treatment was begun 7 days after immunization, positive reactions did not occur during drug administration but developed after cessation. When treatment was initiated 7 days before immunization, the response to these agents was completely suppressed during but also after rifampin was discontinued, suggesting that recognition and processing of the immunogens had been impaired. Rifampin had no effect on the secondary response to SRBC. When treatment was initiated either 7 days before or 2, 3, or 4 days after SRBC immunization, the primary response was abolished, but the reaction to a booster after drug withdrawal varied: some animals developed a normal secondary hemagglutinin response, but the majority reacted as if they had not been previously immunized. These studies indicate that rifampin is an active immunosuppressive agent in the guinea pig.
Drosophila Dopamine2-like receptors function as autoreceptors.

Dopaminergic signaling pathways are conserved between mammals and Drosophila, and D2 receptors have been identified in Drosophila. However, it has not been demonstrated whether Drosophila D2 receptors function as autoreceptors and regulate the release of dopamine. The goal of this study was to determine if Drosophila D2 receptors act as autoreceptors by probing the extent to which D2 agonists and antagonists affect evoked dopamine release. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry was used to measure stimulated dopamine release at a carbon-fiber microelectrode implanted in an intact, larval Drosophila nervous system. Dopamine release was evoked using 5 s blue-light stimulations that open Channelrhodopsin-2, a blue-light-activated cation channel that was specifically expressed in dopaminergic neurons. In mammals, administration of a D2 agonist decreases evoked dopamine release by increasing autoreceptor feedback. Similarly, we found that the D2 agonists bromocriptine and quinpirole decreased stimulated dopamine release...
Quality Assurance of Hot Mix Asphalt Pavements Using the Intelligent Asphalt Compaction Analyzer

Adequate compaction of asphalt pavements during their construction is essential to the long-term performance of the pavement. Current quality control techniques determine the quality at a limited number of points and are not indicative of the overall quality of the pavement. In this paper, the intelligent asphalt compaction analyzer (IACA) is used to estimate the density of an asphalt pavement during its construction and thereby determine the overall quality of compaction. A comparison of these estimates with the percent within limits (PWL) calculations based on roadway cores demonstrates that the IACA can be effectively used as a nondestructive quality assurance (QA) tool. Further, since the IACA continuously estimates the density of the asphalt in real time, inadequate compaction can be addressed during the construction, thereby improving the overall quality of pavement. Thus, the IACA can also serve as a valuable quality control (QC) tool during the construction.
Student Self-Reported Usage of Wireless Tablet PCs in Classrooms

Wireless computing devices with novel input capabilities are becoming commonplace in college classrooms. To measure how one type of such devices, namely wireless Tablet PCs, is used in classrooms and whether they help improve teaching and learning, we conducted a pilot study involving four classes at various levels taught by three instructors in Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, respectively. Our preliminary result showed that both the students and the instructors liked the wireless Tablet PCs in classrooms and both thought teaching and learning were improved in various ways. Our study also revealed that the presence of these devices was counter-productive and actually hindered efficient teaching and learning when students used the Tablet PCs in activities unrelated to the class or when technical problems arised, although our analysis indicated that some deficiencies could be addressed by careful planning and technology upgrades.
Formation of electrically conductive palladium nanowires on polymer scaffolds by photochemical approach

Abstract Electrically conductive Pd nanowires were synthesized using an in situ photochemical method. Those nanowires were made on a PVA template having an average diameter of 55–70 nm and a length of 3–4 μm. The current–voltage (I–V) characterization showed that the PVA–Pd nanowires were continuous and exhibited Ohmic behavior with low contact resistance. Our results showed that the PVA acted as a reducing agent, non-specific capping agent, and a template for the nucleation of Pd nanowires. The Pd deposition was highly selective and on the PVA only. Our research indicated that PVA–Pd nanowires might be useful as interconnects in nanoscale integrated circuitry, functional nanodevices, and in optoelectronics.
Tobacco Stalk Cutting: Effect on Insect Populations

Populations of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.); tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.); and tobacco flea beetle, Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer), were reduced, and less damage was done to tobacco plants when tobacco stalks were removed soon after harvest in a 113-square-mile experimental tobacco-growing area near Florence, South Carolina, from 1963 to 1967. Reductions in insect populations and plant damage decreased with increasing distance from the center of the experimental area.
Hydrotalcite-like layered bismuth–iodine–oxides as waste forms

Abstract The effective capture and storage of radiological I (129I) remains a significant concern for safe nuclear waste storage and safe nuclear energy. Due to its long half-life (1.6 × 107 a) and concerns for involvement in human metabolic processes, durable waste forms are of great interest and research focus. Long term durability is mimicked in geological analogs. As a result, the authors have utilizing a facile, in situ process of synthesizing mineral analogs of layered (hydrotalcite-like) bismuth–iodine–oxide waste forms that does not require advanced separation and isolation of the I species from the aqueous solution. Specifically, the phases are crystallized and precipitated out of the waste stream at room temperature by the simple titration of an acidified Bi nitrate solution which precipitates layered oxide phases; phase composition and I weight loading is determined by the Bi:I ratio in solution. Products are designed to combine high I loading levels with chemical durability. Several characterization techniques were employed to better understand the relationship between waste forms, their abilities to encapsulate I, and their stability under possible repository conditions. They include solubility leach testing with elevated levels of common ground water anions Cl - , HCO 3 - , SO 4 2 - , thermal stability testing, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction and microscopy studies.
Human developmental toxicity and mutagenesis

A previously described SAR model of human developmental toxicity was analyzed further. The model shows a number of mechanistic similarities with SAR models of other toxicological phenomena (systemic toxicity, chromosomal and genomic effects). This implies that there are many targets associated with developmental effects. Surprisingly the analyses revealed no significant mechanistic overlap between developmental toxicity in humans and mutagenicity in Salmonella, a surrogate for the occurrence of point mutations. Our study indicates that this lack of similarity is likely the result of the pre-screening strategies which largely eliminate Salmonella mutagens from among the therapeutics introduced into human medicine.
Control of Diaminopimelate Decarboxylase by l-Lysine During Growth and Sporulation of Bacillus cereus

l-Lysine caused repression of diaminopimelate decarboxylase synthesis in Bacillus cereus when grown in either a minimal defined medium (CDGS medium) or a complex defined medium (a modified lysine assay medium). When cells were grown in either of the two media, variations in the specific activity of the enzyme as a function of time were found to be correlated with the intracellular lysine pool size during growth. From all of the data presented, it seems reasonable to conclude that during growth the synthesis of diaminopimelate decarboxylase is probably regulated by the intracellular lysine pool size. The relationship between lysine pool concentration and the specific activity of the enzyme did not occur in sporulating cells. The specific activity of diaminopimelate decarboxylase started to decrease at the end of exponential growth and continued to decline until it became nondetectable at the time of dipicolinic acid synthesis and development of spore refractility. Throughout this time, the intracellular lysine pool size remained below that which allowed derepression of enzyme synthesis during exponential growth. The mechanism(s) responsible for the observed decrease in the specific activity of the enzyme at the end of exponential growth is unknown. A threefold rise in the intracellular diaminopimelic acid concentration occurred when there was little or no detectable enzyme activity at the time of dipicolinic acid synthesis. This accumulation of diaminopimelic acid may exert positive control on the synthesis of spore peptidoglycan, the major component of the spore cortex.
The density of ones in Pascal's rhombus

Pascal’s rhombus is a variation of Pascal’s triangle in which values are computed as the sum of four terms, rather than two. It is shown that the limiting ratio of the number of ones to the number of zeros in Pascal’s rhombus, taken modulo 2, approaches zero. An asymptotic formula for the number of ones in the rhombus is also shown. c 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
Colorimetry, chromaticity space, and LEDs

LEDs are narrow-band emission sources and present special problems in colorimetric characterization. Chromaticity space is mapped using Gaussian spectral models to represent narrow-band emission sources. The Gaussian maps show that the spectral regions are distorted and non-uniform, with a curious `warp' in the yellow. These maps do not resemble the traditional Kelley chart. The Gaussian models are used to understand effects of spectral shape on colorimetric values. The models predict the sensitivity of dominant wavelength to spectral width and spectral peak. The predictions are compared to LED measurement data. The predictions have practical implications for LED colorimetry, including measurement conditions and equipment resolution.
Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Sclerosing Perineurioma

Sclerosing perineurioma is a recently described rare benign nerve sheath tumor. The cytopathology of this neoplasm has, to our knowledge, not previously been described. We report the fine needle aspiration cytopathology of sclerosing perineurioma, discuss potential pitfalls in cytologic interpretation, and compare the aspirate with the corresponding resection specimen.