cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allyl sulfide promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone density via reducing mitochondrial DNA release mediated Kdm6b/H3K27me3 epigenetic mechanism

Abstract Age-associated bone loss or osteoporosis is a common clinical manifestation during aging (AG). The mechanism underlying age-associated osteoblast dysfunction induced by oxidative damage in the mitochondria and loss of bone density remains elusive. Here, we demonstrated the effect of allyl sulfide (AS), a natural organosulfur compound, on mitochondrial (mt) function in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and bone density in AG mice. The data demonstrate that AS treatment in AG mice promotes BMMSCs differentiation and mineralization via inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative damage. The data also indicate that AG related mito-damage was associated with reduced mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation, and release of a greater concentration of mtDNA. Furthermore, the data showed that mtDNA caused histone H3K27 demethylase inhibition, KDM6B, and subsequent inflammation by unbalancing mitochondrial redox homeostasis. KDM6B overexpression in AG BMMSCs or AS administration in AG mice restores osteogenesis and bone density in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, AS or the mitochondrial-specific antioxidant Mito-TEMPO increased KDM6B expression and upregulated the expression of Runx2 in BMMSCs, probably via epigenetic inhibition of H3K27me3 methylation at the promoter. These data uncover the previously undefined role of AS mediated prevention of mtDNA release, promoting osteogenesis and bone density via an epigenetic mechanism. Therefore, AS could be a potential drug target for the treatment of aging-associated osteoporosis.
Analytic macromodeling and simulation of tightly-coupled mixed analog-digital circuits

The approach discussed is based on the efficient integration of the analog simulator with an analytic digital macromodel via the mixed A/D circuit partitioning, error and timestep control, and latency checking schemes. While maintaining accuracy constraints at every timepoint, this approach efficiently decouples the digital processing completely from the iteration-based analog algorithms. The waveform information of the digital subcircuits is provided at each timepoint by an accurate digital macromodel, which is derived analytically from the technology files. Therefore, advanced CMOS technologies can be incorporated easily. The proposed technique has been integrated into MISIM, a flexible CAE system for mixed A/D verification and rapid technology characterization. Several mixed A/D benchmark circuits have been tested and the results show that MISIM provides accurate mixed A/D simulation capability with a speed advantage of up to three orders of magnitude over SPICE3. >
Spatially Referenced Bayesian State-Space Model of Total Phosphorus in western Lake Erie

Abstract. Collecting water quality data across large lakes is often done under regulatory mandate, however it is difficult to connect nutrient concentration observations to sources of those nutrients and to quantify this relationship. This difficulty arises from the spatial and temporal separation between observations, the impact of hydrodynamic forces, and the cost involved in discrete samples collected aboard vessels. These challenges are typified in Lake Erie, where binational agreements regulate riverine loads of total phosphorus (TP) to address the impacts from annual harmful algal blooms (HABs). While it is known that the Maumee River supplies 50 % of the nutrient load to Lake Erie, the details of how the Maumee River TP load changes Lake Erie TP concentration have not been demonstrated. We developed a hierarchical spatially referenced Bayesian state-space model with an adjacency matrix defined by surface currents. This was applied to a 2 km-by-2 km grid of nodes, to which observed lake and river TP concentrations were joined. The model generated posterior samples describing the unobserved nodes and observed nodes on unobserved days. We quantified the impact plume of the Maumee River by experimentally changing concentration data and tracking the change of in-lake predictions. Our impact plume represents the spatial and temporal variation of how river concentrations correlate with lake concentrations. We used the impact plume to scale the Maumee River spring TP load to an effective Maumee River TP spring load for each node in the lake. By assigning an effective load to each node the relationship between load and concentration is consistent throughout our sampling locations. A linear model of annual lake node mean TP concentration and effective Maumee River load estimated that in the absence of the Maumee River load lake concentrations at the sampled nodes would be 23.1 µg l−1 (±1.75, 95 % credible interval, CI) and that for each 100 tons of spring TP effective load delivered to Lake Erie, mean TP concentrations increase by 11 µg l−1 (±1, 95 % CI). Our proposed modelling technique allowed us to establish these quantitative connections between Maumee TP load and Lake Erie TP concentrations which otherwise would be masked by the movement of water through space and time.
The Academic Tenure Denier

Any attempt to end tenure in our universities always brings in its wake howls of outrage from virtually the entire academic community. Faculty associations, university departments, and even groups of professors from abroad typically protest vociferously along with the nations’ editorialists, at what they consider this affront to all that is decent and right. But this should occasion little surprise since the professors are hardly a disinterested group in this matter. Rather, they have a compelling and vested interest in the perpetuation of tenure for themselves.
Context, competition, and symbiont-induced bet-hedging between Dictyostelium discoideum and Paraburkholderia

Symbiotic interactions change with environmental context. We investigated context-dependence and bet-hedging in the symbiosis between social amoeba hosts and Paraburkholderia bacteria, where the context is the abundance of host food bacteria. Paraburkholderia have been shown to harm hosts dispersed to food-rich environments, but aid hosts dispersed to food-poor environments by allowing hosts to carry food bacteria. Through measuring symbiont density and host spore production, we show that this food context matters in three other ways. First, it matters for symbionts, who suffer a greater cost from competition with food bacteria in the food-rich context. Second, it matters for host-symbiont conflict, changing how symbiont density negatively impacts host spore production. Third, data-based simulations show in some cases this context-dependence can lead to a symbiont-induced bet-hedging advantage for hosts. These results show how food context can have many consequences for the Dictyostelium-Paraburkholderia symbiosis and suggest that symbionts can induce bet-hedging in hosts.
Menthol Smoking and Nicotine Dependence among Black/African American Women Smokers Living in Low-Resource, Rural Communities

Black/African American women from low-resource, rural communities bear a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. This study examined associations between menthol smoking and socioeconomic deprivation with nicotine dependence and quitting behaviors among Black/African American women cigarette and/or little cigar/cigarillo smokers, aged 18-50 living in low-resource, rural communities. Baseline survey data from a randomized controlled behavioral/intervention trial (#NCT03476837) were analyzed (n = 146). Outcomes included time to first tobacco product (cigarette/little cigar/cigarillo) use within 5 min of waking, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) score, and ever attempting to quit cigarettes. Socioeconomic deprivation measures included education, income, and receiving supplemental nutritional assistance (SNAP) program benefits. In adjusted regression analyses, menthol smoking was associated with both greater FTND scores and time to first tobacco product use within 5 min of waking, but not ever attempting to quit cigarettes. Regardless of menthol status, only 25.0% of smokers reported that they would quit smoking if menthol cigarettes were banned. The proportion of smokers who smoked their first tobacco product within 5 min of waking increased slightly with greater socioeconomic deprivation. Additional research and targeted efforts are needed to reduce nicotine dependence among Black/African American women smokers living in rural, low-resource communities where access to cessation services is limited.
Some acute effects of smoking on endothelial cells and platelets.

Cigarette smoking is well established as a risk factor for atherosclerosis,1 occlusive peripheral vascular disease2 and coronary artery disease. 2,3 Endothelial damage and platelet activation appear to be among the more important mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis. 4,5 Studies done more than a decade ago using three different methods in five different laboratories were reported to show acute enhancement of platelet aggregation by cigarette smoking. 6–10 Subsequently, two reports indicated no acute effect of cigarette smoking on platelet aggregation in the platelet-rich plasma of small groups of subjects whose duration of abstinence from tobacco before experimental smoking was not stated. 11,12 Hladovec and Rossmann13 described a method for the isolation of anuclear carcasses of endothelial cells from blood. The cells presumably lost their nuclei when they detached from vessel walls. We14 showed that the carcasses fluoresced after incubation with fluoresceinlabeled anti-factor VIII related antigen antibody, while simultaneously incubated sections of skin showed no fluorescence of the epithelium, tending to confirm an endothelial origin of the anuclear carcasses isolated from blood. Prerovský and Hladovec15 reported that counts of the anuclear carcasses of endothelial cells increased after volunteers smoked two cigarettes. Hladovec16 described an increase in circulating anuclear carcasses of endothelial cells in rats after administration of nicotine suggesting a potential role of this compound as a mediator of the smokinginduced increase in endothelial cell count (ECC). In this chapter I will summarize some of our recent work which shows acute effects of both active and passive smoking on the endothelium and platelets of various groups of subjects.
Growth of Nontumorigenic Cells in Millipore Diffusion Chambers Implanted in Mice and Implications for in Vivo Growth Regulation

Abstract We have been studying the growth regulation of nontumorigenic versus tumorigenic cells in vitro and in vivo . In these studies, we have found that a variety of mammalian cell cultures which are nontumorigenic in athymic nude mice or in syngeneic hosts grow exponentially if implanted in vivo within sealed Millipore diffusion chambers. The growth rates of the cells in vivo within the diffusion chambers were comparable to those observed in vitro . Moreover, the cells grown in vivo within the chambers exhibited density-dependent growth inhibition which was similar, at least superficially, to the in vitro phenomenon. The ability of the nontumorigenic cells to grow when implanted in vivo within diffusion chambers was correlated with and was thought due, in part, to the formation of serous clots within the implanted chambers. Studies of the clots by light, scanning electron, and electron microscopy showed cells throughout the clot and adherent to the clot fibers. We tested the growth of each of the cell lines for dependence on serum growth factors by observing the ability of the cells to grow in medium supplemented with serum versus defibrinogenated, platelet-poor plasma (PPP). BALB/c-3T3 cells and other nontumorigenic, fibroblast-like cell lines failed to proliferate in vitro when defibrinogenated, PPP was substituted for serum, demonstrating a requirement by the cells for growth factors unique to serum. Virally transformed, tumorigenic fibroblasts grew in media supplemented with either PPP or serum. Thus, for these fibroblast-like cell lines, the ability of the cells to grow in PPP is correlated with tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. Since the interstitial fluid surrounding cells in vivo resembles PPP more than serum and since many of the nontumorigenic fibroblast-like cell lines demonstrated a requirement for serum growth factor, the growth of these cell lines within the implanted diffusion chambers suggests that serum growth factors might be required for growth of such cells in vivo and that serum growth factors can accumulate within the diffusion chambers. Analysis of the serous clot material provided evidence to coroborate this hypothesis. The fluid from implanted chambers can stimulate growth of BALB/c-3T3 cells. The growth factor activity of the serous chamber fluid is more comparable to that of mouse serum than to that of mouse PPP. Our studies suggest that two of the possible factors provided by implanted Millipore chambers in vivo and required for growth of nontumorigenic fibroblast-like cells are: ( a ) a substrate for cell anchorage provided in this case by the fibrous clots and by the nitrocellulose surface of the Millipore filters; and ( b ) growth factors which accumulate within the microenvironment of the diffusion chamber implants.
Denver ED Trauma Organ Failure Score outperforms traditional methods of risk stratification in trauma

Background Early identification of trauma patients at risk for inhospital mortality may facilitate goal-directed resuscitation and secondary triage to improve outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare prognostic accuracies of the Denver Emergency Department (ED) Trauma Organ Failure (TOF) Score, ED Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and ED base deficit and ED lactate for inhospital mortality in adult trauma patients.
Substrate utilization for phosphatidylcholine synthesis by type II pneumocytes of neonatal rats.

Substrate Utilization for Phosphatidylcholine Synthesis by Type II Pneumocytes of Neonatal Rats
Time-resolved spectroscopy and near infrared imaging enhanced by receptor-targeted contrast agents for prostate cancer detection

Time-resolved spectroscopy and near infrared imaging enhanced by receptor-targeted contrast agents for prostate cancer detection will be presented. Two contrast agents, Cybesin and Cytate, were investigated using time-resolved spectroscopy in aqueous solution and cancerous and normal prostate tissues. The time evolution of the fluorescent dipole in solution was studied using a system of first-order linear differential equations containing two main parameters: the decay rate of emission and the rate of one orthogonal emission component transferring to another. An analytical polarization model was developed and used to extract rotational times and fluorescence anisotropies of the contrast agents in prostate tissues. The differences of rotational times and polarization anisotropies were observed for Cybesin (Cytate) in cancerous and normal prostate tissue, which reflect preferred bond of contrast agents and cancerous tissue cells. The conjugation of Cybesin (Cytate) to prostate cancerous cells offers high contrast between normal and cancerous tissues.
Hydrogen Release and Si-N Bond-Healing Infrared Study of Rapid Thermal Annealed Amorphous Silicon Nitride Thin Films

We address aspects of hydrogen bonding and its thermal evolution in amorphous Silicon nitride films grown by Remote Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (RPECVD) from SiH4 and NH3 (or ND3) source gases. Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) decreases the Si-H(D) and SiN-H(D) bond populations. The hydrogen bonds break, and H2 (HD, D2) forms and evolves from the film with the heat treatment. This molecular hydrogen release is accompanied by Si- and N- bond healing as detected by a SiN infra red stretch mode signal gain. The ex-situ RTA experiment temperatures ranged from 400 °C to 1200 °C, in 100 °C steps and the film structural changes were monitored by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) after each incremental anneal. Gas flow ratios R=NH3/SiH4 > 2 produced films in which SiN-H(D) bonds dissociated, and a gas desorption rate equation estimated an activation energy barrier of Ea = 0.3 eV. The release of hydrogen from the films in the form of H2 (D2) and ammonia radicals was detected by mass spectrometry and is shown here. The re-bonding of nitrogen to silicon upon thermal dissociation of hydrogen's is consistent with the improvement of the electrical properties of a-SiN:H films following RTA treatment.
A range-wide occupancy estimate and habitat model for the endangered Point Arena mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa nigra)

The mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) is notably the most primitive North American rodent with a restricted distribution in the Pacific Northwest based on its physiological limits to heat stress and water needs. The Point Arena subspecies (A. r. nigra) is federally listed as endangered and is 1 of 2 subspecies that have extremely small and disjunct distributions, putting the taxon at risk from habitat loss and warming global temperatures. We sought to understand their range-wide distribution, to predict the environmental features that best describe their occurrence, and to establish a foundation for monitoring their distribution. We randomly sampled the occurrence of Point Arena mountain beavers (PAMB) from the portion of their geographic range that was accessible (public lands plus private lands where permission was granted). We surveyed 127, 25-ha sample units for their distinctive burrows and estimated the probability of detecting burrows, if they were present, at > 90% per visit. Using this information, we estimated occupancy across the accessible portion of the range to be 26.2%. Range-wide estimates of occupancy, combined with strategically selected locations where abundance and survival can be estimated noninvasively, may comprise a realistic monitoring program for this taxon. We also used the detection and nondetection locations to develop a habitat suitability model by relating these locations to remotely sensed predictors. We evaluated 53 a priori candidate habitat suitability models and the bestfitting model included gentle slopes, low terrain roughness indices, and the high density of rivers and streams. Selecting the probability value that best separated the sample units into suitable and nonsuitable habitat, we estimated a total of 70.5 km2 of suitable habit, or approximately 40.4% of the original geographic range. New detections significantly expanded the known geographic range, moderating concerns about habitat loss, including that predicted by climate change. A substantial number of suitable areas were predicted to occur outside the current range. The identification of high suitability areas allows management agencies to prioritize areas for PAMB conservation planning, evaluate human impacts on habitat, and evaluate how a changing climate may affect distribution.
Immunophilins: for the love of proteins.

Immunophilins are chaperones that may also exhibit peptidylprolyl isomerase (PPIase) activity. This review summarizes our knowledge of the two largest families of immunophilins, namely cyclophilin and FK506-binding protein, and a novel chimeric dual-family immunophilin, named FK506- and cyclosporin-binding protein (FCBP). The larger members of each family are modular in nature, consisting of multiple PPIase and/or protein-protein interaction domains. Despite the apparent difference in their sequence and three-dimensional structure, the three families encode similar enzymatic and biological functions. Recent studies have revealed that many immunophilins possess a chaperone function independent of PPIase activity. Knockout animal studies have confirmed multiple essential roles of immunophilins in physiology and development. An immunophilin is indeed a natural ‘protein-philin’ (Greek ‘philin’ = friend) that interacts with proteins to guide their proper folding and assembly.
Performance analysis of air-cooled microchannel absorber in absorptionbased miniature electronics cooling system

Theoretical analysis and simulation of performance of an air-cooled microchannel absorber is reported in this study. It is shown that the air-cooled microchannel absorber can be integrated into an absorption-based miniature electronics cooling system by which the chip junction temperature can be maintained near room temperature, while removing 100 W of heat load. Water/LiBr pair is used as the working fluid and refrigerant vapor is intended to counter-currently flow against aqueous LiBr solution flow. Parametric study is carried out to determine the effects of several operating parameters, including inlet temperature and mass flow rate of the coolant, and inlet temperature of LiBr solution. To facilitate the air-cooling of microchannel absorber, an offset-strip-fin array is adopted, by which enhanced air-side heat transfer coefficient and large heat transfer area are obtained. The performance of the air-cooled absorber is compared to liquid-cooled absorber.
Sprouting, plant growth, and tuber production as affected by chemical treatment of white potato seed pieces. II. Effect of temperature and time of treatment with gibberellic acid

The effect of gibberellic acid on sprouting of potato seed pieces is conditioned by the stage of rest period, concentration, temperature, and time after seed treatment. Sprouting response to gibberellin treatment decreases with time after harvest. Gibberellic acid promoted sprouting more at 77° F. than at 41° F. and consistently increased the total percentage of sprouted tubers at 77° F. In field studies, treatment of resting seed with concentrations of 5 ppm or less hastened plant emergence. In a normal growing season gibberellic acid treatment resulted in a larger subsequent crop without deleterious effects on plant growth or tuber characteristics.
The biochemical composition, energy content, and chemical antifeedant defenses of the common Antarctic Peninsular sea stars Granaster nutrix and Neosmilaster georgianus

The sea stars Granaster nutrix and Neosmilaster georgianus are conspicuous members of benthic communities along the Antarctic Peninsula. An analysis of the proximate composition of somatic body components of nonreproductive adults indicates the nutrient storage organs (pyloric caeca) are rich in both protein (60.7 and 60.6% mean dry wt, respectively) and lipid (25.4 and 29.8% mean dry wt, respectively). Body-wall tissues, while containing small inconspicuous skeletal ossicles, are also comprised of significant levels of organic matter (33.5 and 55.7% mean dry wt, respectively), attributable primarily to protein. Both the pyloric caeca and body-wall tissues are relatively rich in energy (mean energy levels=24.8 and 26.5 kJ g−1 dry wt; 8.4 and 14.1 kJ g−1 dry wt, respectively). Despite the availability of these nutrients and energy neither sea star is preyed upon by the sympatric omnivorous sea star Odontaster validus, a common predator of other Antarctic sea stars. Laboratory feeding bioassays indicate that O. validus rejects live intact individuals and body-wall tissues of both sea star species while readily consuming dried krill. Alginate food pellets containing a krill powder and tissue level concentrations of organic methanol extracts of body-wall tissues were also rejected by O. validus. Moreover, the copious mucus released from the body wall of N. georgianus was deterrent in O. validus food pellet bioassays. Thus, both sea stars evidently possess defensive secondary metabolites that defend against predation and are likely to play a role in mediating materials and energy transfer in the Antarctic benthos.
Effects of acute fresh water exposure on water flux rates and osmotic responses in Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempi)

Water flux rates and osmotic responses of Kemp's Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempi) acutely exposed to fresh water were quantified. Salt-water adapted turtles were exposed to fresh water for 4 d before being returned to salt water. During the initial salt water phase, absolute and relative water flux rates were 1.2+/-0.1 l d(-1) and 123.0+/-6.8 ml kg(-1) d(-1), respectively. When turtles were exposed to fresh water, rates increased by approximately 30%. Upon return to salt water, rates decreased to original levels. Plasma osmolality, Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-) decreased during exposure to fresh water, and subsequently increased during the return to salt water. The Na(+):K(+) ratio was elevated during the fresh water phase and subsequently decreased upon return to salt water. Aldosterone and corticosterone were not altered during exposure to fresh water. Elevated water flux rates during fresh water exposure reflected an increase in water consumption, resulting in a decrease in ionic and osmotic concentrations. The lack of a change in adrenocorticoids to acute fresh water exposure suggests that adrenal responsiveness to an hypo-osmotic environment may be delayed in marine turtles when compared to marine mammals.
Out in the Classroom: A Lesbian History Professor in a Community College.

In 1976, at the age of 18, I realized I was a lesbian but did not tell anyone. Eighteen years, two husbands, and a PhD later, I finally came out to everyone in my world, including my students.
A submersible flow analysis system

Abstract A submersible chemical analyzer (SCANNER) has been developed which can perform analyses in situ in the ocean. The SCANNER is based on a modified flow-injection system and can be used to automate virtually any spectrophotometric determination that can be done by flow injection analysis. The SCANNER consists of a multichannel peristaltic pump, solid-state colorimeters, manifold tubing, valves, and an electronic module. All of the components are pressure-tolerant, except the electronics module, which is placed in a pressure housing. Typical detection limits are of the order of 0.1 μM. Sample introduction is continuous. The SCANNER has been tested successfully to pressures of 3300 dbar in the laboratory and to depths of 2500 m in the ocean. Examples of silicate and sulfide determinations around animal communities in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent field are presented.
Experimental Evaluation of a Large-Scale Buckling-Restrained Braced Frame

As buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs) have been used increasingly in the United States, the need for knowledge about BRBF behavior has grown. In particular, large-scale experimental evaluations of BRBFs are necessary to demonstrate the seismic performance of the system. Although tests of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) have demonstrated their ability to withstand significant ductility demands, large-scale BRBF tests have exhibited poor performance at story drifts between 0.02 and 0.025 rad. These tests indicate that the large stiffness of the typical beam-column-brace connection detail leads to large flexural demands that cause undesirable failure modes. As part of a research program composed of numerical and experimental simulations, a large-scale BRBF with improved connection details was tested at the ATLSS Center, Lehigh University. During multiple earthquake simulations, which were conducted using a hybrid pseudodynamic testing method, the test frame sustained story drifts of close to 0.05 rad and BRB maximum ductility demands of over 25 with minimal damage and no stiffness or strength degradation. The testing program demonstrated that a properly detailed BRBF can withstand severe seismic input and maintain its full load-carrying capacity.
The distribution of zirconium and hafnium in terrestrial rocks, meteorites and the moon

It is shown that Zr and Hf are not always fractionated in terrestrial igneous differentiation or regional metamorphism. Data do support a Zr-Hf fractionation in the differentiation of the alkali olivine magma at St. Helena Island. A strong Zr-Hf fractionation exists among lunar rocks and minerals. Ilmenite is an excellent concentrator of Zr and Hf and always exhibits high Zr/Hf ratios. Chondritic meteorites exhibit rather uniform Zr abundances and Zr/Hf ratios but a distinct Zr-Hf fractionation is observed among the eucrite and diogenite achondrites.
Self-Inspection in Discrete Product Manufacturing:

This paper examines the conditions for the use of self-inspection in a discrete product manufacturing environment. To motivate the subject the potential benefits of self-inspection are first reviewed. Then characteristics of individual workplaces are discussed which are consistent with and to some degree necessary for self-inspection. Lastly the relationship between self-inspection and the overall manufacturing environment is presented.
An experimental study on the nonlinear elastodynamic response of linkage mechanisms

Abstract A detailed experimental investigation is presented into the elastodynamic response of four-bar linkages and slider-crank mechanisms. Linkages with different kinematic configurations, and link cross-sectional dimensions are operated over a wide range of crank frequencies, and the experimental responses, which are stored and post-processed using a modern digital data-aquisition system, are then compared with computer simulation results from finite element analyses of these flexible mechanisms. These computer codes are based on a variational theorem which incorporates elastic geometrical nonlinearities, and the equations of motion are solved by utilizing a step-by-step numerical integration algorithm.
Experience with transforaminal interbody fusion in corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Abstract One of the surgical goals during the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is to preserve segments and thus mobility while achieving a well-balanced spine on all planes. The transforaminal interbody fusion (TLIF) technique allows for a significant degree of rotational correction and thus may allow for preservation of more mobile segments. This retrospective study analyzed the use of TLIF in AIS patients who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2009 at a single center, and discusses the degree of curve correction, complications and outcomes. All curves were classified using the Lenke classification system. Standing posterior-anterior Cobb angle, sagittal and coronal balance, percent correction, and end/stable/neutral/apical vertebra were determined on preoperative, postoperative and follow-up radiographs. Nine patients were identified (eight women and one man) ranging in age from 11.6–18 years. All TLIF procedures were performed at the L2/3 level. Lenke curves included 5CN (n = 5), 5BN (n = 2), and 6CN (n = 2). Average follow-up was 27.4 months (range, 12–57 months). Average postoperative curve correction was 79%. One patient underwent revision surgery. All patients remained stable from a clinical and radiographic standpoint on their last follow-up visit. TLIF is an important adjunct in the surgical management of select AIS patients. By allowing for greater rotational correction, it may be possible to preserve one more mobile segment without decompensation or overcorrection. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the role of TLIF in AIS. Future studies are warranted in determining those who will maximally benefit from this technique.
Original Contribution: Stability of fixed points and periodic orbits and bifurcations in analog neural networks

We consider some neural networks which have interesting oscillatory dynamics and analyze stability and bifurcation properties. The neurons are of the sigmoidal type (i.e., analog elements which have states in a real interval, X). The dynamics is discrete-time and synchronous. Thus, for an m-neuron network, it is given by iteration of a map F:X^m -> X^m. The study of such discrete-time continuum-state systems is motivated both by the difference equations which arise in numerical simulation of differentiable neural networks and independently by the possibility of constructing VLSI circuits with clocking techniques to implement such neural networks having prescribed fixed-points or periodic orbits.
Exploring links between childhood maltreatment and empowerment

Empowerment theory may be useful in understanding the long-term impact of child maltreatment yet to date few studies have bridged these fields. The current study of female undergraduates was exploratory and examined links between a history of child maltreatment and several dimensions of empowerment. Factor analysis was used to create indices of intrapersonal sense of empowerment, community connections, and social action from various measures related to empowerment cited in the community psychology literature. Higher levels of reported maltreatment were related to lesser interpersonal sense of empowerment and self-report of lower levels of community connections even after controlling for the effects of negative family of origin environment. Implications for theory, research, and interventions are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On finding two-connected subgraphs in planar graphs

We consider a basic problem in the design of reliable networks, namely, that of finding a minimum-weight 2-connected subgraph spanning a given set K of vertices in a planar graph. We show a relationship between this problem and that of finding shortest trails and cycles enclosing K, and derive a polynomial-time algorithm in the case when the vertices of K all lie on the same face.
Aerobic Exercise and Creative Potential: Immediate and Residual Effects

The potential effects of aerobic exercise on creative potential were explored both immediately following moderate aerobic exercise and after a 2-hr lag. Sixty college students participated in an experiment consisting of 3 regimens varying the time when a Torrance Test of Creative Thinking was taken in relation to exercise completion. The results supported the hypotheses that creative potential will be greater on completion of moderate aerobic exercise than when not preceded by exercise (immediate effects), that creative potential will be greater following a 2-hr lag time following exercise than when not preceded by exercise (residual effects), and that creative potential will not be significantly different immediately following exercise than after a 2-hr lag time following exercise (enduring residual effects). Limitations and implications for future research were discussed.
Correlating Li/O2 cell capacity and product morphology with discharge current.

The discharge rate is critical to the performance of lithium/oxygen batteries: it impacts both cell capacity and discharge-phase morphology, and in so doing may also affect the efficiency of the oxygen-evolution reaction during recharging. First-discharge data from tens of Li/O2 cells discharged across four rates are analyzed statistically to inform these connections. In the practically significant superficial current-density range of 0.1 to 1 mA cm–2, capacity is found to fall as a power law, with a Peukert’s-law exponent of 1.6 ± 0.1. X-ray diffractometry confirms the dominant presence of crystalline Li2O2 in the discharged electrodes. A completely air-free sample-transfer technique was developed to implement scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the discharge product. SEM imaging of electrodes with near-average capacities provides statistically significant measures of the shape and size variation of electrodeposited Li2O2 particles with respect to discharge current. At lower rates, typical “toroidal” p...
Neuropsychological impairment among intravenous drug users in pre-AIDS stages of HIV infection.

While much of the current literature concurs that neuropsychological decline does not occur among gay men in the early stages of HIV infection, there is no comparable body of evidence with regard to seropositive intravenous drug users (IVDU). In this study, 45 seropositive (CDC groups 2, 3, and 4a) IVDU in recovery and 55 seronegative IVDU in recovery were given a complete battery of neuropsychological tests measuring attention, language, visual-motor, memory, and conceptual skills, The groups were not significantly different in age, incidence of childhood and adult head injury, types of drugs used, length of use of cocaine, crack, amphetamines and hallucinogens, overdose history, and length of time in recovery. In addition, groups were statistically corrected for education level and length of heroin use. Results indicate that the seropositive participants scored significantly lower on measures of divided attention, visual short-term memory, graphomotor speed and accuracy, auditory language short-term mem...
The influence of genetics on contemporary art

Contemporary visual artists are incorporating genetic concepts into their work, and this work has become prominently featured in numerous museum and gallery exhibitions. Such art uses visual images that represent the language of genomics, the values affected by genetic understanding of the body and the implications of bioengineering. Here, we present various examples of how artists depict aspects of genetics as cultural icons and symbols; in particular, their focus on DNA as information and on the commercialization of genetics research material.
On the origin of photophosphorylation

Abstract A model based on quinol phosphates is proposed for the origin of photophosphorylation. This model is divided into three time periods. In the early period, when the primitive earth was under reducing conditions, quinol phosphates were produced through quinol radical intermediates formed by the activation of hydroquinones with ultraviolet light. Phosphorylation of a number of acceptor molecules including inorganic orthophosphate and adenosine diphosphate occurred when quinol phosphate was oxidized by Fe +3 or a water soluble iron-sulfur complex. After the appearance of a rudimentary ozone layer (middle period), ultraviolet light was no longer an important factor in primordial chemistry. Quinol phosphates were then produced by visible light activation of porphyrin-quinone charge transfer complexes. In the presence of light, electrons from H 2 S, H 2 and several reduced organic compounds were transfered through the porphyrin to quinone yielding the quinol radical. Again, quinol phosphate was produced from breakdown of the free radical. Phosphorylation of a number of acceptor molecules was achieved when quinol phosphates were oxidized by the iron-sulfur complexes. Evolutionary pressure to increase the efficiency of these reactions resulted in the electron donor-porphyrin-quinone-iron-sulfur complex becoming more lipophilic and thus associated with the protomembrane of the evolving protocell. In the late period the protomembrane became more sophisticated and quinone was replaced as the primary electron acceptor in the photoprocess by one of the iron-sulfur complexes originally present as oxidizing agents for the quinol phosphates. Quinones eventually lost their role as phosphorylating agents and became only electron and proton shuttles in the evolving electron transport chain. The protocell evolved the ability to use water as the electron donor as the relative roles of iron and quinone in the photoprocess switched.
Role of the thrombin receptor in restenosis and atherosclerosis

Abstract Thrombus generation is central to thrombosis at vascular lesion sites, including post-PCTA acute reocclusion and chronic restenosis. Thrombin stimulates platelet activation, monocyte and neutrophil chemotaxis, and endothelial production of prothrombotic factors. The varied physiologic effects of thrombin are due to the widespread presence of thrombin receptors in many cell types. The receptor is uniquely activated: thrombin binds to the receptor at the thrombin anion-binding exosite, the receptor ligand (“tethered ligand”) apparently being a sequence of 6 amino acids (SFLLRN). Thus, peptides corresponding to the sequence of the tethered ligand can stimulate almost all functions of native thrombin itself. Several intracellular signaling pathways have been identified as important in the restenosis process: the G protein-related pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) mediator pathway, and tyrosine kinase activation pathway. In situ hybridization has demonstrated an increase in thrombin receptor mRNA throughout the period of neointimal and vascular lesion development. The mechanism of this increase is unknown, but may be mediated by multiple inflammatory modulators. Several strategies have been tested in animal models for inhibiting thrombin: (1) Hirudin not only prevents thrombin from cleaving fibrinogen, but also prevents thrombin receptor activation. (2) Thrombin receptor antagonist peptides block platelet aggregation effects of thrombin. (3) Mono- and polyclonal antibodies inhibit thrombin receptor activation. (4) Antisense oligonucleotides block thrombin receptor expression.
Pupil measurement using the Colvard pupillometer and a standard pupil card with a cobalt blue filter penlight

Purpose To compare scotopic pupil measurements obtained with a Colvard pupillometer with measurements taken with a printed pupil gauge and penlight with a cobalt blue filter attachment in mesopic and scotopic luminance. Setting The Illinois Eye Institute, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Methods Pupil measurements were taken of both eyes of 38 patients (76 eyes). Any subject presenting with anterior segment disease, fixed or dilated pupils, iris abnormalities, or a history of eye disease or eye trauma was excluded. At a mesopic luminance of 2.11 foot-candles, pupil measurements were taken with a Bernell pupil card and penlight with a cobalt blue filter attachment. At a scotopic luminance of less than 2.00 foot-candles, pupil measurements were taken with the Bernell card system and the Colvard pupillometer. Results In mesopic luminance, the mean pupil diameter was 5.17 mm (range 3.0 to 7.5 mm) with the Bernell card method. The mean difference between the Colvard in scotopic luminance and the Bernell card system in mesopic luminance was −0.04 mm ( P = .0831). In scotopic luminance, the mean pupil diameter was 6.32 mm (range 4.0 to 8.0 mm) with the Bernell card method and 5.13 mm (range 3.0 to 7.5 mm) with the Colvard pupillometer, with a mean difference of −1.18 mm ( P Conclusions Under both illuminance conditions, the Bernell card system with the cobalt filter measured a larger pupil size than the Colvard pupillometer. The measurement differences between the techniques were most pronounced at the lower illumination. The limits of agreement were larger under the lower illumination, indicating more variation between techniques. This study suggests that the Bernell card system with cobalt illumination provides a generous measurement of the pupil size compared with the Colvard pupillometer, which makes it an appropriate and cost-effective screening tool for refractive surgery evaluation.
Robustness of nonlinear regression methods under uncertainty: Applications in chemical kinetics models

In this work, we study the robustness of nonlinear regression methods under uncertainty for parameter estimation for chemical kinetics models. We used Monte Carlo simulation to study the influence of two main types of uncertainty, namely, random errors and incomplete experimental data sets. The regression methods analyzed were least-squares minimization (LSM), maximum likelihood (ML), and a method that automatically reweights the objective function during the course of the optimization called IVEM (inside-variance estimation method). Although this work represents a preliminary attempt toward understanding the effects of uncertainty in nonlinear regression, the results from the analysis of the case studies indicate that the performance of the regression procedures can be highly sensitive to uncertainty due to random errors and incomplete data sets. The results also suggest that traditional methods of assigning weights a priori to regression functions can affect the performance of the regression unless thes...
miRNA-Dependent Translational Repression in the Drosophila Ovary

This work was supported in part by NIH grant GM54409 and in part by Research Grant No. 1-FY08-445. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Comparison of the Effects of Environmental Parameters on Growth Rates of Vibrio vulnificus Biotypes I, II, and III by Culture and Quantitative PCR Analysis

Vibrio vulnificus is a natural inhabitant of estuarine waters. The three known biotypes include (i) most human pathogens, (ii) primarily eel pathogens, and (iii) pathogens associated with fish and with human wound infections in Israel. Despite the frequently lethal consequences of V. vulnificus infections, the growth rates of the various biotypes and their response to environmental changes are not well characterized. We compared the specific growth rates (μ) of a representative of each biotype by culture and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis in a defined medium under varied pH, temperature, and salinity. Growth rates based on culturable concentrations were always higher than those based on qPCR estimates; however, both enumeration methods yielded comparable results on the influence of environmental factors on growth rates. Temperature (25°C, 30°C, 37°C), pH (7.0, 8.0), and salinity (5 to 40‰) all had significant effects on the μ of each biotype. Temperature had the greatest effect on the μ of biotype 1 (CMCP6), whereas salinity had the greatest effect on the μ of biotypes 2 (ATCC 33147) and 3 (302/99). The biotypes' growth rates varied significantly; biotype 1 grew most rapidly, while biotype 3 grew most slowly. The highest growth rates were achieved at 37°C, pH 7.0, and salinities of 15 to 30‰ (μ = 4.0, 2.9, and 2.4 generations h−1 for biotypes 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Other strains of the biotypes yielded comparable results, suggesting that the physiological responses of the biotypes are differentially affected by parameters that are highly variable both in estuarine environments and between the free-living and pathogen states of V. vulnificus.
A laboratory-intensive course on the experimental study of protein-protein interactions.

The study of protein–protein interactions is important to scientists in a wide range of disciplines. We present here the assessment of a lab-intensive course that teaches students techniques used to identify and further study protein–protein interactions. One of the unique elements of the course is that students perform a yeast two-hybrid screen and identify novel protein–protein interactions in what is essentially the beginning of an independent research project in the context of a class. While students benefit from the research-like experience, data is actively generated that can be further studied in independent research projects. Student learning outcomes were assessed using a questionnaire that was given to students before and after the course. The results indicate that students' conceptual and technical understanding of the methodologies taught in the class increased, and that hands-on experience in the lab was perceived to be the most important component of the course. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 300-308, 2011
Antieigenvalues and antieigenvectors in statistics

Antieigenvalues and antieigenvectors are two relatively new concepts in mathematics. However, these concepts have found a variety of applications in statistical methodology without ever being referred by these names. This article points out a number of such applications and hopes that this will generate more interest in these concepts among applied statisticians.
The influence of geometry on idealized models of fixed charge and dipole distributions.

Abstract The classification and application of electrostatic field and potential singularities is extended to dipole and Van der Waals' forces, and multipole functions in the general case. The relationships between field and potential singularities, and finite bounded distributions of diverse geometries is analyzed. The magnitude of the fields generated by idealized models of fixed charge and dipole distributions corresponding te real physical-chemical surfaces of biological membranes, indicates that in considering different geometric forms dipole effects may not be ignored.