cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Debranching and crystallization of waxy maize starch in relation to enzyme digestibility

Abstract Molecular and crystal structures as well as morphology during debranching and crystallization of waxy maize starch at a high solid content (25%, w/w) were investigated, and the results were related to the digestibility of debranched products. The starch was cooked at 115–120 °C for 10 min, cooled to 50 °C and debranched by isoamylase. After 1 h of debranching, wormlike objects with 5–10 nm width and ca. 30 nm length were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Further release of linear chains and crystallization led to assembly of semi-crystalline structures in the form of nano-particles and subsequent growth of nano-particles into large aggregates. After 24 h at 50 °C, a debranched starch product with an A-type X-ray diffraction pattern, a high melting temperature (90–140 °C), and high resistant starch content (71.4%) was obtained. Small-angle X-ray scattering results indicated that all debranched products were surface fractal in a dry state (4% moisture) but had a mass fractal structure when hydrated (e.g. 45% moisture).
Effects of hypophysectomy and hormones on sulfhydryl concentrations in rat kidney cells.

ANY change in water and electrolyte balance produced by a direct effect on renal tubular cells is related to alterations in tubular reabsorptive or secretory mechanisms. It has been demonstrated that mercurial diuresis occurs concomitantly with, and possibly as a result of, a depression in concentration of sulfhydryl groups in cells of terminal portions of the proximal tubules, loops of Henle, and collecting ducts (7, 8). Hormones which influence the state of renal tubular function might do so by affecting the concentration of sulfhydryl groups within renal cells and the studies included in this report were designed to test this hypothesis. A preliminary report has been published (6). Hypophysectomized albino, Sprague-Dawley rats (purchased from Hormone Assay Laboratories, Chicago, Ill.) weighing 80–100 gm. were used along with controls of the same age weighing 166–204 gm. The animals were kept in a room maintained at approximately 27° C and were fed a canned meat diet ad libitum.
Ephrin-As mediate targeting of eye-specific projections to the lateral geniculate nucleus

Axon guidance cues contributing to the development of eye-specific visual projections to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) have not previously been identified. Here we show that gradients of ephrin-As and their receptors (EphAs) direct retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons from the two eyes into their stereotyped pattern of layers in the LGN. Overexpression of EphAs in ferret RGCs using in vivo electroporation induced axons from both eyes to misproject within the LGN. The effects of EphA overexpression were competition-dependent and restricted to the early postnatal period. These findings represent the first demonstration of eye-specific pathfinding mediated by axon guidance cues and, taken with other reports, indicate that ephrin-As can mediate several mapping functions within individual target structures.
Bcl-2 protects cells from cytokine-induced nitric-oxide-dependent apoptosis

Cytokine-mediated cell death in tumor cells can be achieved through endogenous nitric oxide (NO) from within tumor cells or exogenous NO from either activated macrophages or endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of Bcl-2 in NO-mediated apoptosis. The incubation of murine L929 and NIH3T3 cells with interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interferon γ (IFNγ) induced high endogenous NO production only in the L929 cells that also underwent apoptosis. NIH3T3 cells were not resistant to NO-mediated apoptosis. In fact, the incubation of L929 and NIH3T3 cells with exogenous NO derived from NO donors, sodium nitroprusside, or S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) induced death, characterized by typical apoptotic morphology and DNA fragmentation, in both cell types, but to a higher degree in NIH3T3 cells than in the L929 cells. We then measured the effect of Bcl-2 expression on exogenous NO-induced apoptosis. At both the mRNA and protein levels, L929 fibroblasts expressed higher levels of endogenous mouse Bcl-2 than did NIH3T3 cells. At the same time, L929 cells were much more resistant to exogenous NO-induced cell death than were NIH3T3 cells. The inverse correlation between mouse Bcl-2 expression and sensitivity to exogenous NO-mediated cell death was also found in the murine K-1735 melanoma C-23 and X-21 clonal populations. Transfection of both NIH3T3 cells and L929 cells with the human bcl-2 gene led to resistance to both exogenous and endogenous NO-mediated apoptosis. These data demonstrate that NO-mediated apoptosis can be suppressed by expression of Bcl-2, suggesting that abnormal expression of Bcl-2 may influence the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy.
Parameter Estimation of Stable Distributions

ABSTRACT In finance, economics, statistical physics, signal processing, telecommunications, etc., we frequently meet data sets with outliers that transport important information. α-stable distributions are found more suitable in modeling these kind of data. But the lack of simple and effective methods of estimating their parameters limited their applications to wider variety of fields. In this article we develop an unbiased estimator for the stable index α. With the structure of U-statistic, it inherits all the good statistical properties from U-statistics. A consistent estimator of its asymptotic variance is provided. The asymptotic normality of the given estimator holds when using the estimated variance for standardization. Simulation studies are performed. The results support our theory.
First reported convergence of premature ovarian failure and cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita

Abstract Objective To describe the convergence of five rare phenotypic features in a woman with premature ovarian failure referred for reproductive endocrinology evaluation. Design Case report and literature review. Setting Major urban infertility referral center. Patient(s) A 24-year-old nulligravida with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC), premature ovarian failure, unilateral ovarian agenesis, septate uterus, and de novo balanced autosomal translocation. Intervention(s) High-resolution chromosomal evaluation, radiographic study of reproductive organs, and assessment of endogenous estrogen production. Main outcome measure(s) Patient counseling regarding future reproductive options (i.e., donor oocyte in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer), and satisfactory management of hypoestrogenism using oral contraceptives. Result(s) We identified a balanced reciprocal translocation 46,XX t(8;9)(q22.1;p24.1), and confirmed unilateral ovarian agenesis with midline intrauterine septum. Conclusion(s) Although genetic factors considered contributory to premature ovarian failure usually involve the X chromosome, in our patient a previously undescribed autosomal translocation was identified in association with CMTC, a rare vascular disorder. The fundamental role of follicular oxygenation in oocyte competence and subsequent ovarian function is discussed. From the clinical and laboratory findings evident in this unusual case, a developmental hypothesis connecting the vascular abnormalities of CMTC and premature ovarian failure is offered.
Morphology of Golgi-Cox-impregnated barrel neurons in rat SmI cortex

Golgi-Cox-impregnated neurons in the barrel cortex of the rat were studied qualitatively and quantitatively. Adult rat brains were sectioned perpendicular to or parallel to the cortical representation of the large facial vibrissae at 125 μm. Cortical laminar and barrel boundaries were identified from the Nissl counterstain. Over 200 well-impregnated neurons in cortical layers I–IV were selected for classification and further detailed study. Three broad classes of neurons were recognized: (1) pyramidal cells with conical somata, a stout apical dendrite, and spines; (2) class I nonpyramidal cells having small spherical somata and spiny dendrites; and (3) class II nonpyramidal cells having larger ellipsoid somata and smooth or beaded dendrites. The class I cells were further subdivided into “star pyramids” (cells with an apical dendrite) and spiny stellate cells (cells in which all dendrites were of similar length). The class II cells also were subdivided into multiform cells (with multiple dendrites radiating from the soma) and bipolar cells (with two principal dendritic trunks arising from the superficial and deep aspects of the soma). The position of these various cell types in the superficial cortical laminae was mapped in sections normal to the pia. Numerous examples of the class I and class II neurons were drawn with respect to the barrels in layer IV and the extent of their processes noted. Finally, approximately 250 barrel-related class I and II neurons were studied quantitatively using a computer-microscope and digitizing tablet. The density of the Golgi-impregnated neurons corresponds to the pattern of cell density seen with the Nissl counterstain. The various cell types arc not uniformly distributed as a function of cortical depth. Cells with apical dendrites were found principally in the supragranular layers and star pyramids in the superficial one-half of layer IV. Spiny stellate cells are concentrated in layer IV and the smooth cells are present in greatest number in deep layer III and deeper layer IV. On the basis of these distributions we suggest that layer IV be subdivided into two sublaminae. The class I and class II neurons can be distinguished according to quantitative criteria which apply in either plane of section used. Class I neurons have smaller projected somal areas, more proximal dendritic branching, and shorter dendrites when class I and II neurons are measured in three dimensions. For neurons with somata in layer IV there is a pronounced tendency for the dendrites to be confined to one or two cortical barrels depending on the exact location of the soma in a barrel. This finding is true for both the class I and class II cells although the class I neurons had more tightly confined processes, particularly with respect to the vertical axis of the cortex. These results are discussed in relation to similar findings in mice and to functional studies of the rodent barrel cortex.
Digital filtering techniques for use with the FDTD method

In recent years, the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method has been used to simulate a wide range of frequency dependent media. The accuracy of these simulations often depends on how accurately the complex dielectric constant is simulated in the sampled time domain used by FDTD. This paper describes the process of modelling the complex dielectric constant as a digital filtering problem and uses Z transforms to convert the frequency domain expression to a sampled time domain expression. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alteration in L-DOPA evoked dopamine and DOPAC output under conditions of impaired vesicular dopamine storage.

We examined the effect of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) infusion in vitro upon dopamine (DA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) output from superfused corpus striatum of vehicle and reserpine or tetrabenazine (TBZ) treated male rats. Specifically, we tested the effects of two 20-min infusions of L-DOPA (5 uM) upon DA and DOPAC output (pg/mg/min) in reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p., 24 hours before sacrifice; n = 11), TBZ (30 mg/kg, i.p. 1 hour before sacrifice; n = 8) or vehicle (n = 21) treated rats. There was an overall significantly higher L-DOPA evoked DA output from the vehicle (12.22 ± 1.74) versus reserpine (4.39 ± 2.40) (p < 0.05), but not TBZ (9.16 ± 2.81) treated rats. In addition, the DA response to the second L-DOPA infusion was significantly increased over that of the first response in the vehicle (9.40 ± 2.11 vs. 15.04 ± 2.78) (p < 0.05), but not reserpine or TBZ treated rats. The overall DOPAC outputs did not achieve a statistically significant difference among all treatment groups. However, the DOPAC outputs following the second L-DOPA infusion were significantly reduced in reserpine (41.15 ± 6.10 vs. 20.27 ± 4.54) and TBZ (21.38 ± 4.41 vs. 10.87 ± 2.36) (both p < 0.05), but not vehicle (28.99 ± 4.00 vs. 24.91 ± 4.78) treated rats. We conclude that: 1) the storage capacity of DA neurons is one of the important elements involved in affecting L-DOPA's effects upon DA and DOPAC output, 2) the shunting of storage to metabolism may represent a common characteristic in impaired nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, and 3) TBZ may operate differently from reserpine in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system.
Hypersonic flow past open cavities

The hypersonic flow over a cavity is investigated. The time-dependent compressible Navier-Stokes equations, in terms of mass averaged variables, are numerically solved. An implicit algorithm, with a subiteration procedure to recover time-accuracy, is used to perform the time-accurate computations. The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of Reynolds number and cavity dimensions. The comparison of the computations with available experimental data, in terms of time mean static pressure, heat transfer, and Mach number show good agreement. In the computations large vortex structures, which adversely affect the cavity flow characteristics, are observed at the rear of the cavity. A self-sustained oscillatory motion occurs within the cavity over a range of Reynolds number and cavity dimensions. The frequency spectra of the oscillations show good agreement with a modified semi-empirical relation.
Nutritional support at home: emotional support and composition of feeds

Children with specialized nutritional needs are an important group to benefit from homecare using enteral feeding technology. The medical criteria for home enteral feeding should include evidence that the child cannot meet nutritional requirements by the oral route, will require enteral nutrition beyond the hospital stay and will benefit from home nutritional support. The rationale for home enteral nutrition, goals of treatment, estimated course and length of therapy, time commitment for the family, financial considerations and the role of the hospital and community staff should all be addressed with parents/ carers. An important factor is the willingness of the family to provide the home nutritional therapy and to comply with all procedures.
Texas is the overwintering source of fall armyworm in central Pennsylvania: Implications for migration into the northeastern United States

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), infestations in most of North America arise from annual migrations of populations that overwinter in southern Texas and Florida. Cytochrome oxidase I haplotype profiles within the fall armyworm corn strain, the subgroup that preferentially infests corn (Zea mays L.), can differentiate the Texas and Florida populations. We use this molecular metric to show that fall armyworms in central Pennsylvania originate from Texas, indicating the existence of a migratory pathway from Texas to the northeastern United States. These results were compared with historical trapping data for fall armyworm and another migratory noctuid, corn earworm Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in the Pennsylvania and Maryland corn-producing areas to better define lepidopteran migratory pathways.
Regulation of zebrafish sleep and arousal states: current and prospective approaches

Every day, we shift among various states of sleep and arousal to meet the many demands of our bodies and environment. A central puzzle in neurobiology is how the brain controls these behavioral states, which are essential to an animal's well-being and survival. Mammalian models have predominated sleep and arousal research, although in the past decade, invertebrate models have made significant contributions to our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of behavioral states. More recently, the zebrafish has emerged as a promising model system for sleep and arousal research. Here we review experimental evidence that the zebrafish, a diurnal vertebrate, exhibits fundamental behavioral and neurochemical characteristics of mammalian sleep and arousal. We also propose how specific advantages of the zebrafish can be harnessed to advance the field. These include tractable genetics to identify and manipulate molecular and cellular regulators of behavioral states, optical transparency to facilitate in vivo observation of neural structure and function, and amenability to high-throughput drug screens to discover novel therapies for neurological disorders.
An ensemble of classifiers approach for the missing feature problem

A new learning algorithm is introduced that can accommodate data with missing features. The algorithm uses an ensemble of classifiers approach. The classifiers in the ensemble are trained with random subsets of the total number of available features. The approach takes advantage of the basic assumption that an unknown subset of the features is in fact adequate for the classification, or in other words, that are redundant, and possibly irrelevant features in the data. This assumption is in general true for most practical applications. We empirically show that if a certain number of networks produce a particular classification performance using all of the features, then the same classification performance can be reached even if some features are missing, as long as the same number of usable networks can be generated with the missing features. The proposed approach has its roots in the incremental learning algorithm, Learn/sup ++/ which seeks to learn new information that is provided by additional datasets that may later become available, even when such data introduce new classes. We have modified the Learn/sup ++/ algorithm for addressing the missing feature problem. The proposed algorithm showed surprisingly remarkable performance on three real-world applications, with up to 10% of the features missing in the validation / field data.
Cyclophosphamide‐induced bladder toxicity in wegener's granulomatosis

In a series of 111 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis who were given cyclophosphamide therapy, hemorrhagic cystitis, diagnosed on the basis of gross hematuria or at cystoscopy (or both), developed in 17 (15%). Most of these patients recovered uneventfully, with or without the discontinuation of cyclophosphamide, but 4 patients suffered a significant loss of blood, and bladder carcinoma developed in 3. New microhematuria also occurred in 52 patients (47%). The dose and duration of cyclophosphamide were greater in the group that had urotoxicity. Long-term followup of patients with hemorrhagic cystitis is mandatory for the detection of late recurrences or the development of bladder malignancy. New therapies are being directed at protecting the bladder from urotoxicity during cyclophosphamide treatment.
Exploiting formal bayesian framework for data fusion in multi-sensor systems

We consider a multi-target tracking problem that aims to simultaneously determine the number and state of mobile targets in the field. Conventional paradigms tend to report only the existence and state of targets according to centralized detection and data fusion. On the contrary, we investigate a multi-target, multi-sensor scenario in which (a) both the number and the state of the targets are unknown a priori; and (b) the detection with respect to targets is performed in a compressive manner. Toward this end, we exploit random finite set theory (RFST), a statistical tool based on Bayesian framework, for establishing generalized likelihood and Markov density functions to yield an iterative filtering procedure. The nature of RFST allows us to model the uncertainty of missed detection, target disappearance and other practical artifacts. We conduct a study regarding how the design of compressive detection has impact on the result of system level information fusion.
Toolkits for visualizing co-authorship graph

Visualization eases insight into complex systems such as co-authorship networks. We present an initial deployment of an author navigator application for convenient visual examination of JCDL and LANL co--authorship networks.
Racemization mechanism of serine dipeptide active ester derivatives

The racemization of Z-Gly-Ser(Bzl)-OPcp was studied using the isotope effect to distinguish between enolization and 5(4H)-oxazolone mechanism. Labeled Z-Gly-L(α2H)-Ser(Bzl)-OPcp was racemized with NEt3 in THF to give kr2H = 570; similarly the unlabeled Z-Gly-L-Ser(Bzl)-OPcp yielded a racemization rate constant of krH = 720. The krH/kr2H ratio of 1.3 indicates that the serine dipeptide active ester derivatives racemize mainly through 5(4H)-oxazolone and to a lesser extent through the enolization mechanism, provided the 5(4H)-oxazolone racemizes much faster than it couples. 5(4H)-Oxazolone was prepared from Z-Gly-L-Ser(Bzl)-OH with DCC. Its first order racemization rate constant in THF is independent of its concentration, indicating that the racemization is not an intermolecular autoracemization. The unimolecular, that is intramolecular self-catalyzed, racemization is not possible based on molecular models. Therefore, it must be a solvent catalyzed bimolecular reaction. Its racemization was instantaneous with NEt3 while its coupling with H-Val-OMe was found to be 4 times 10-2M-1 s-1, that is kr± kc. The kc/kr values, which indicate the extent of racemization during coupling, are compared for benzyloxycarbonylamino and benzyloxycarbonylglycylamino acid active esters; the most vulnerable amino acids are His, Cys and Ser. The kc/kr values also indicate that for practical synthetic purposes the pentafluorophenyl esters should be preferred over other active esters to minimize racemization.
Instability at the k2 Mdh1-n y20 chromosomal region in soybean

Ten mutants have been reported at the k2 (tan saddle seed coat) Mdh1-n (mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase 1 null) y20 (yellow foliage) chromosomal region in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The precise genetic mechanism(s) responsible for generating these mutants is (are) not known. The objective of this study was to determine whether chromosomal instability exists at this region. We introduced the w4-m and Y18-m mutable systems into the three independent sources of tan saddle seed coat mutants, T239 (k2), T261 (k2 Mdh1-n), and L67-3483 (k2). A total of 12 bright yellow mutants were isolated with tan saddle seed coat, malate dehydrogenase 1 null phenotypes. Of these, 11 were found in 11 F2 mutant families out of a total of 977 derived by crossing T239 (k2), T261 (k2 Mdh1-n), and L67-3483 (k2) with six lines suspected to contain active transposable elements. One was found in the F3 generation derived from the cross A1937 × T239 (k2). Of the 11 F2 mutant families, 10 (out of a total of 381 F2 families) were associated with the T239 (k2) genetic background, and one out of 323 was associated with the T261 (k2 Mdh1-n) genetic background. But no mutation events were found among the 273 families with the L67-3483 (k2) genetic background. Allelism and inheritance studies indicated that these 12 bright yellow mutants were new mutants in the k2 Mdh1-n y20 chromosomal region. Thus, on introducing the w4-m and Y18-m mutable systems into T239 (k2) and T261 (k2 Mdh1-n) genetic backgrounds, chromosomal instability was induced in this region. In addition, 21 greenish yellow mutants were identified in the total of 977 F2 families. All 21 greenish yellow mutants were associated with the T239 (k2) genetic background. The mutations for greenish yellow foliage affected foliage color only at the seedling stage. Cosegregation of the tan saddle seed coat character with greenish yellow foliage were observed for these 21 greenish yellow mutants, suggesting that the greenish yellow phenotype may be due to a pleiotropic effect of the k2 allele in T239 or to chromosomal rearrangements at or near the k2 allele in T239. Finally, we believe that the genetic mechanism responsible for this high frequency of instability at the k2 Mdh1-n y20 chromosomal region involves receptor element activities present at this chromosomal region, which may contain complex chromosomal rearrangements in T239 and T261.
Learning Object Models and an e-Learning Service Infrastructure for Virtual e-Learning Communities

In this work, distributed and sharable learning resources are modeled by two types of Learning Objects (LOs): Atomic Learning Object and Composite Learning Object. LOs are uniformly published as Web-services in a constraint-based Web-service registry and are made sharable and reusable. This paper presents the learning object models for the specification of these two types of LOs and an extended Web- service infrastructure, which provides a standard framework for the registration, discovery, binding and invocation of these objects. An Event-Trigger-Rule Server is integrated with a Learning Process Execution Engine to make Composite Learning Objects active, flexible, customizable and adaptive.
Paying It Forward: Generalized Reciprocity and the Limits of Generosity

When people are the victims of greed or recipients of generosity, their first impulse is often to pay back that behavior in kind. What happens when people cannot reciprocate, but instead have the chance to be cruel or kind to someone entirely different--to pay it forward? In 5 experiments, participants received greedy, equal, or generous divisions of money or labor from an anonymous person and then divided additional resources with a new anonymous person. While equal treatment was paid forward in kind, greed was paid forward more than generosity. This asymmetry was driven by negative affect, such that a positive affect intervention disrupted the tendency to pay greed forward. Implications for models of generalized reciprocity are discussed.
Cavity-enhanced modulation in gain-lever semiconductor lasers

Geometric effects are investigated in a modulated two-section semiconductor laser. The study includes numerical solutions of the traveling-wave equations, a new analytical treatment using delay-differential equations, and the experimental characterization of quantum-dot lasers.
Coffee And The Growth of Agrarian Capitalism in Nineteenth-Century Puerto Rico

The Description for this book, Coffee And The Growth of Agrarian Capitalism in Nineteenth-Century Puerto Rico, will be forthcoming.
Explosive Ignition of Carbon in Stars of Intermediate Mass

Hoyle and Fowler1 have suggested that type I supernovae are the result of an explosion following the ignition of degenerate nuclear fuel in an evolved star. The purpose of this communication is to place this idea within the context of current stellar evolutionary calculations and to examine the development of the instability. The growth of carbon–oxygen core as a result of helium shell burning in stars of intermediate mass has been studied by Hayashi, Hoshi and Sugimoto2,3, Kippenhahn, Thomas and Weigert4, and Weigert5. For a carbon–oxygen core of mass Mc ∼ 0.7 M⊙, these authors find that inclusion of energy loss by neutrino emission prevents the carbon flash from occurring, and that a cold degenerate core of potentially explosive carbon and oxygen slowly grows. If energy loss by neutrino emission is included, a carbon star cannot ignite by the 12C + 12C reaction if its mass is less than about 1 M⊙ (unpublished results of T. Murai, D. Sugimoto, R. Hoshi and C. Hayashi, and of G. Beaudet and E. E. Salpeter). This implies that all stars which have a less massive carbon–oxygen core at the onset of the helium shell burning stage will not ignite carbon burning by the comparatively gentle carbon flash. In what follows I consider how this ignition might occur.
The Facebook Paths to Happiness: Effects of the Number of Facebook Friends and Self-Presentation on Subjective Well-Being

Abstract The current study investigates whether and how Facebook increases college-age users' subjective well-being by focusing on the number of Facebook friends and self-presentation strategies (positive vs. honest). A structural equation modeling analysis of cross-sectional survey data of college student Facebook users (N = 391) revealed that the number of Facebook friends had a positive association with subjective well-being, but this association was not mediated by perceived social support. Additionally, we found that there was a negative curvilinear (inverted U-shape curve) relationship between Facebook friends and perceived social support. As for self-presentation strategies, whereas positive self-presentation had a direct effect on subjective well-being, honest self-presentation had a significant indirect effect on subjective well-being through perceived social support. Our study suggests that the number of Facebook friends and positive self-presentation may enhance users' subjective well-being, bu...
Landscape-Induced Atmospheric Flow and its Parameterization in Large-Scale Numerical Models

Abstract Extensive numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate that the landscape-induced mesoscale sensible heat, moisture, and momentum fluxes associated with spatially heterogeneous convective boundary layers can be larger than, and have a different vertical structure from, the turbulent fluxes for a typical general circulation model grid box. The mesoscale fluxes above the convective boundary layer may also provide a natural mechanism for the strong coupling between the boundary layer and the free atmosphere above. The parameterizability of these memoscale and turbulent fluxes is demonstrated based on their predictability. Nine dimensionless parameters are proposed, which combine large-scale quantities with local inhomogeneities and consider both horizontal and vertical variations. Based on these parameters, parameterization schemes for the mesoscale and turbulent sensible heat, moisture, and momentum fluxes in the convective boundary layer, and for the total (i.e., mesoscale plus turbulent) se...
A Hybrid Semi-Digital Transimpedance Amplifier With Noise Cancellation Technique for Nanopore-Based DNA Sequencing

Over the past two decades, nanopores have been a promising technology for next generation deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing. Here, we present a hybrid semi-digital transimpedance amplifier (HSD-TIA) to sense the minute current signatures introduced by single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) translocating through a nanopore, while discharging the baseline current using a semi-digital feedback loop. The amplifier achieves fast settling by adaptively tuning a DC compensation current when a step input is detected. A noise cancellation technique reduces the total input-referred current noise caused by the parasitic input capacitance. Measurement results show the performance of the amplifier with 31.6 M $\Omega$ mid-band gain, 950 kHz bandwidth, and 8.5 fA/ $\surd$ Hz input-referred current noise, a $2{\times}$ noise reduction due to the noise cancellation technique. The settling response is demonstrated by observing the insertion of a protein nanopore in a lipid bilayer. Using the nanopore, the HSD-TIA was able to measure ssDNA translocation events.
Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures used in secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) studies: A Systematic Review (P3.215)

OBJECTIVE: To identify PRO instruments used in both randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies for SPMS. BACKGROUND: Although many PRO instruments have been used and validated for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, little is known about the type and frequency of PRO instruments used in SPMS studies. DESIGN/METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, EMBase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and key neurological and MS conferences (American Academy of Neurology, Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, and European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis). Studies were selected if they involved SPMS patients, were RCTs or observational studies in humans, used 蠅1 PRO instrument, and were published in English, and excluded if they were an expert opinion or review. Identified PRO instruments were classified as: 1) generic, 2) MS-specific, or 3) symptom-specific. RESULTS: Fifty-five studies met all of the predefined inclusion criteria and were included. Nine different generic instruments were used in nine studies, with SF-36 as the most commonly used (n=3), followed by EQ-5D (n=2). In 28 studies, 13 types of MS-specific instruments were used. MSIS-29 was the most frequently used MS-specific instrument (n=10), followed by the MSQoL-54 (n=6). Symptom-specific PRO instruments were used to measure mental disorders (9 types of instruments used (n=22)), fatigue (4 types of instruments used (n=10)), and physical activity (2 types of instruments used (n=3)), for SPMS. Depression was the most commonly measured condition (n=21). Majority of the studies did not report the reliability and/or validity of the PRO instruments used. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, MS-specific instruments are the most common PRO instruments used for SPMS, with MSIS-29 as the most frequently used instrument. However, information on the psychometric properties of PROs was lacking in SPMS, and future research should focus on proper validation of PRO instruments in SPMS. Study Supported by: Biogen Idec Inc. Disclosure: Dr. Park has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee. Dr. Watson has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee.
Teaching Aquatic Survival

(1972). Teaching Aquatic Survival. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 43, No. 9, pp. 77-78.
Tax Shelters and the Tax Minimization Norm: How Does the Patenting of Tax Advice Transform the (Global) Playing Field

The U.S. tax administration began a new era of enforcement by focusing on cloned tax shelters that were marketed by ambitious accounting and tax law firms to small groups of customers. That focus led to heightened transparency requirements - new disclosure rules, higher standards for tax reporting, and stiffer penalties. Even the courts, which had seemed reluctant to apply judicial doctrines to stop aggressive tax structuring, have appeared to grow new backbone in this age of stiffer enforcement expectations. Just at the time when it appears that the attention to tax shelter activity may reduce the amount of aggressive planning, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has thrown a wrench into the machinery by issuing a series of patents on tax planning strategies, after the State Street decision opened the way for business method patents.The patenting of tax strategies may have significant effects well beyond the questions of royalties, liabilities for infringement, or difficulties of litigating against validity of a tax patent that are already the subject of discussion among tax practitioners and academics. There are concerns, in particular, that the ability to patent legal processes relating to tax liabilities may make it more difficult for taxpayers to comply with the law. This essay will briefly review the concerns raised by tax strategy patents, including ethical questions confronting practitioners who hold a tax strategy patent, the potential impact of tax patents on the development of the underlying tax minimization norm that this author has noted in earlier papers as a significant factor in tax shelter activity, and the anti-competitive effects of multijurisdictional tax strategy patents.
Effect of Volume of Fluid Resuscitation on Metabolic Normalization in Children Presenting in Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Background The optimal rate of fluid administration in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is unknown. Objective Our aim was to determine whether the volume of fluid administration in children with DKA influences the rate of metabolic normalization. Methods We performed a randomized controlled trial conducted in a tertiary pediatric emergency department from December 2007 until June 2010. The primary outcome was time to metabolic normalization; secondary outcomes were time to bicarbonate normalization, pH normalization, overall length of hospital treatment, and adverse outcomes. Children between 0 and 18 years of age were eligible if they had type 1 diabetes mellitus and DKA. Patients were randomized to receive intravenous (IV) fluid at low volume (10 mL/kg bolus + 1.25 × maintenance rate) or high volume (20 mL/kg bolus + 1.5 × maintenance rate) (n = 25 in each). Results After adjusting for initial differences in bicarbonate levels, time to metabolic normalization was significantly faster in the higher-volume infusion group compared to the low-volume infusion group (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–3.9; p = 0.04). Higher-volume IV fluid infusion appeared to hasten, to a greater extent, normalization of pH (HR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.2–5.0; p = 0.01) than normalization of serum bicarbonate (HR = 1.2; 95% CI 0.6–2.3; p = 0.6). The length of hospital treatment HR (0.8; 95% CI 0.4–1.5; p = 0.5) and time to discharge HR (0.8; 95% CI 0.4–1.5; p = 0.5) did not differ between treatment groups. Conclusions Higher-volume fluid infusion in the treatment of pediatric DKA patients significantly shortened metabolic normalization time, but did not change overall length of hospital treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01701557.
Frederick Antal, Florentine Painting and Its Social Background

(1949). Frederick Antal, Florentine Painting and Its Social Background. The Art Bulletin: Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 143-150.
Performance of Galerucella calmariensis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Different North American Populations of Purple Loosestrife

The success of a biological weed control program depends on the ability of control agents to develop on various genotypes of their host plants, thereby reducing the competitive ability of the target plant species. We studied the performance of the chrysomelid beetle Galerucella calmariensis L., introduced as a biological control agent of purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L., on plants from 3 different North American populations. Plants for the experiments were obtained from Ithaca, NY; St. Paul, MN; and Salem, OR, representing different climates and colonization histories. We studied the survival and impact of G. calmariensis at 3 herbivore densities with plants grown under identical conditions at Ithaca. Plant growth and biomass allocation patterns were significantly different among the 3 tested populations. Survival rates of the leaf beetles (egg to adult) were not significantly different among sites or among herbivore attack levels. Herbivory caused significant reductions in plant height, leaf, shoot, root, and total plant biomass with increasing attack levels. We found no significant interaction of herbivory and plant origin. Plants compensated for the loss of photosynthetic tissues by replacing foliage at the expense of below ground storage, thus, herbivory altered the biomass allocation pattern of L. salicaria . This might have important implications for other control agents attacking the roots of L. salicaria .
14‐2: Invited Paper: Enabling Technologies for Wearable Smart Headsets

To be widely adopted for consumers, smart headsets should be fashionable, comfortable, and provide useful applications. This paper will focus on the technologies, including microdisplays, small optics, high energy-density batteries and reliable voice interface, which are necessary for making good consumer smart headsets but not available from smartphones. Two examples of consumer smart eyewear design are shown.
Parasite Treatments for Crossbred Beef Steers Grazing High- or Low-Endophyte Tall Fescue

Summary Performance of ruminants consuming high-endophyte tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is frequently lower than when low-endophyte fescue or similar cool-season perennial grasses are ingested. This study was conducted to determine effects of different parasite treatments on daily gain by beef steers grazing high- or low-endophyte fescue (HE and LE, respectively). Ninety-six yearling Angus-Hereford steers (210 kg average initial weight) grazed HE or LE paddocks for 112 days. Steers received 1) a placebo sustained-release ruminal bolus on Day 0 (control), 2) a sustained-release ruminal bolus on Day 0 designed to deliver ivermectin at 12 mg/day for 120 days (IVM), 3) levamisole injections (subcutaneous) at 8 mg/kg body weight every 14 days (LEV) OR 4) IVM plus LEV (combination: COM). Daily gains over the entire study were .49 and .79 kg for HE and LE, respectively ( P P >.10). Trends were noted for an effect of treating for parasites ( P P P P >.10). Parasite control may affect daily gain by beef steers slightly more with HE than LE.
MDMA as a Probe and Treatment for Social Behaviors

MDMA, better known as the recreational drug "ecstasy," is well known for stimulating a feeling of closeness and empathy in its users. We advocate that exploring its mechanism of action could lead to new treatments for psychiatric conditions characterized by impairments in social behavior.
Exploring the Impact of Distance Learning on MPA Students

This study examined the effects of two primary distance learning media, video and on-line instruction, on the satisfaction and academic performance of public affairs master's-level students as compared to their peers in classrooms. The study found that the students' course media had no significant influence on final course grades and that there were no significant differences between the three groups' ratings of satisfaction with their classes.The study also failed to identify any characteristics or constructs that could predict successful public affairs distance learners. Follow-up interviews suggested that the distance learners were enrolled in the video or on-line courses not because of preference but because of necessity. Although students indicated that they were grateful that distance learning media enabled them to enroll in an MPA program, almost all stated that they would prefer to attend traditional classes if their circumstances permitted it. The author concluded that PA distance learners may differ little from their classroom peers and that their participation in distance learning courses may be situational rather than a permanent, lifetime preference.
Parental bereavement: Looking beyond grief

Bereaved parents have higher morbidity and mortality rates when compared to nonbereaved parents. Although parental grief is well studied, the complexities of challenges bereaved parents face are not understood. This study describes parental bereavement challenges during the first 6 months following the death of their child. The complex parental bereavement challenges are characterized by the absence of the child, their emotional response, and the changed relationships with family and friends. The adaptive leadership framework is a useful framework to identify and classify challenges. Future research can use this framework to provide a structure that test interventions to address the challenges.
Design and Real-World Evaluation of Eyes-Free Yoga: An Exergame for Blind and Low-Vision Exercise

People who are blind or low vision may have a harder time participating in exercise due to inaccessibility or lack of encouragement. To address this, we developed Eyes-Free Yoga using the Microsoft Kinect that acts as a yoga instructor and has personalized auditory feedback based on skeletal tracking. We conducted two different studies on two different versions of Eyes-Free Yoga: (1) a controlled study with 16 people who are blind or low vision to evaluate the feasibility of a proof-of-concept and (2) an 8-week in-home deployment study with 4 people who are blind or low vision, with a fully functioning exergame containing four full workouts and motivational techniques. We found that participants preferred the personalized feedback for yoga postures during the laboratory study. Therefore, the personalized feedback was used as a means to build the core components of the system used in the deployment study and was included in both study conditions. From the deployment study, we found that the participants practiced Yoga consistently throughout the 8-week period (Average hours = 17; Average days of practice = 24), almost reaching the American Heart Association recommended exercise guidelines. On average, motivational techniques increased participant's user experience and their frequency and exercise time. The findings of this work have implications for eyes-free exergame design, including engaging domain experts, piloting with inexperienced users, using musical metaphors, and designing for in-home use cases.
The Importance of International Exchange Students Learning Informal English: the PowerPoint Presentation

The presentation explores ideas and research on the experiences working with and observing international students as English language learners. The differences between formal and informal language are discussed. Ideas, concerns, and struggles provide context for helping students, host families, and the individuals and organizations involved in the exchange student experience.
Alcohol Misuse Across the Life Span: Insights From Developmental Studies in Behavior Genetics:

Alcohol misuse, one of today’s greatest public health challenges, is a developmentally dynamic, complex behavior at the intersection of genetic and environmental influences. This review examines su...
Theories of Probability

A theory of probability will be taken to be an axiom system that probabilities must satisfy, together with rules for constructing and interpreting probabilities. A person using the theory will construct some probabilities according to the rules, compute other probabilities according to the axioms, and then interpret these probabilities according to the rules; if the interpretation is unreasonable perhaps the original construction will be adjusted.
Translabial Ultrasound Evaluation of Pelvic Floor Structures and Mesh in the Urology Office and Intraoperative Setting.

Abstract Background Translabial ultrasound (TUS) can provide an inexpensive alternative imaging modality for evaluating pelvic floor structures and synthetic slings as mesh can be difficult to identify on pelvic exam or cystoscopy, patients may be unable to provide an accurate history of previous pelvic surgery, and cross-sectional imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can be inadequate for evaluating synthetic slings. Objective To demonstrate the use of TUS in the evaluation of female pelvic floor structures and mesh. Methods Translabial ultrasound can be used in the Urology clinic or intraoperative setting using a curvilinear transducer. Following identification of anatomic landmarks in the various planes of the pelvic floor, TUS can evaluate for pelvic floor disorders and the type and location of synthetic mesh material. Artifacts, such as air pockets in the vagina or rectum and the hypoechoic pubic symphysis, are also considered. Results Real-time imaging allows for dynamic examination of pelvic organ prolapse and urethral hypermobility that can contribute to pelvic exam findings. Bladder ultrasound can help evaluate for lesions, calculi, and even mesh erosion. Translabial ultrasound can also be used to differentiate hyperechoic retropubic and transobturator slings by identifying the position of sling arms and the appearance of the sling at different planes. Evaluation with TUS can demonstrate sling disruption, folding, urethral impingement, and erosion into pelvic floor structures. This can be particularly useful in patients presenting with pain, recurrent infections, or voiding dysfunction in which problems with mesh may not be easily identified on pelvic exam or cystoscopy. This imaging modality can complement a patient's history, aid in preoperative planning, and enable intraoperative identification of mesh slings. Conclusion Translabial ultrasound provides a quick, readily available, and easy-to-learn imaging modality for evaluating pelvic floor structures and mesh in the office or intraoperative setting.
Exploring Potential Links Between Looming Vulnerability and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

The written narrative above is from a young soldier who deployed to Iraq more than once at a young age. He is personally known to one of the authors and this narrative is used with his permission. His experience may be typical of that associated with the extreme stress of continued combat and that of many individuals who are diagnosed with PTSD.