cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Auxiliary α2δ-1 Subunit Regulation of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

The voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channel α2δ-1 subunit is implicated in a variety of cardiovascular and neurological diseases and is the molecular target of gabapentin, a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain. The precise mechanisms by which α2δ-1 dysfunction causes disease and how its targeting by gabapentin is therapeutic are unclear, in part due to incomplete understanding of how α2δ-1 binds to and regulates CaV channels. Here, we investigated mechanisms underlying α2δ-1 regulation of neuronal CaV2.2 (α1B+β2a) channels reconstituted in HEK293 cells. Using whole-cell electrophysiology, α2δ-1 caused a dramatic four to five-fold increase in whole-cell current amplitude compared to channels reconstituted with α1B+β2a alone. The increase in current was wholly accounted for by an increase in channel surface density as reported by a quantum dot labeling technique. An optical pulse-chase assay showed that the increased surface density was achieved solely through reducing the rate of CaV2.2 endocytosis rather than by enhancing the rate of forward trafficking. To map the site of interaction between α2δ-1 and α1B, we inserted a small epitope tag into judiciously selected extracellular regions of the α1B subunit. We determined accessibility of the tag to quantum dot and modulation of whole-cell currents in the presence or absence of α2δ-1. From the pattern of this dual readout, we inferred an α2δ-1 binding site in the α1B domain III extracellular S5-S6 loop. Alanine scanning mutagenesis revealed discrete residues in this loop that was necessary for α2δ-1 regulation of α1B. These results provide novel insights into mechanisms underlying α2δ-1 regulation of CaV channels, focus the putative modes of gabapentin action, and offer a new target site for potential development of future therapeutic molecules.
Color Halo/Horns and Halo-Attribute Dumping Effects within Descriptive Analysis of Carbonated Beverages

ABSTRACT: Training panelists to focus on and evaluate a specific set of attributes is difficult. While every attempt is made to eliminate bias, such as methodology, panel influence, and product differences, unknown halo/horns effects may still influence the data collected. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine if a halo/horns effect of color exists in evaluating commercial cola and lemon/lime flavored carbonated beverages, and (2) determine if a halo-attribute dumping effect on mouthfeel attributes exists by aroma, aroma-by-mouth, taste, and afterfeel attributes. Ten panelists were trained to describe aroma, aroma-by-mouth, mouthfeel, taste, and afterfeel attributes of carbonated beverages. Each of the 6 carbonated beverages was evaluated by 3 treatments: (1) as is, (2) mix no color, and (3) mix with color. In the 1st set of product evaluations, all products were evaluated for mouthfeel attributes alone. In the 2nd of product evaluations, all products were evaluated for aroma, aroma-by-mouth, mouthfeel, taste, and afterfeel attributes. Color halo/horns effects were shown on mouthfeel intensity scores of lemon/lime carbonated beverages when caramel color was added. Adding caramel color significantly increased (halo effect) perceived body and mouthcoating and significantly decreased (horns effect) bite, burn, numbing, and carbonation attributes. A halo-attribute dumping effect was observed when mouthfeel attributes were rated exclusively compared to when other attributes in the modalities of aroma, aroma-by-mouth, taste, and afterfeel were rated in addition to mouthfeel attributes. Perceived intensities of bite, burn, numbing, and astringent attributes significantly increased (halo-attribute dumping) when rated alone compared to when all attributes were rated.
Calcium channels of cultured rat glomus cells in normoxia and acute hypoxia.

Abstract Glomus cells harvested from Wistar rat carotid bodies were cultured for 4 to 7 days. Inward calcium currents elicited by voltage ramps (0.24 V/s) or pulses were recorded during voltage-clamping in the whole-cell and perforated patch configurations. Currents were enhanced by an excess of [Ca 2+ ] o , barium and BayK 8644, and depressed or eliminated by cobalt or nifedipine. Single calcium channels were studied by patch-clamping in the cell-attached configuration with voltage clamp pulses ranging from 0.5 to 50 s. Channel conductances (g) decreased and open times (OT) increased as clamp pulses increased in duration. For comparisons, conductances and OTs obtained with short (0.5–1 s) and long (6–12 s) pulses were grouped as SVH and LVH, respectively. SVH conductances were higher and OTs shorter when compared to LVH. BayK 8644 increased conductances and OT during SVH but this agonist decreased g during LVH. Nifedipine either eliminated channel activity, had no effects or depressed g and OT. Hypoxia ( p O 2 30 Torr) induced by 100% N 2 significantly increased calcium currents in normal bathing solutions and during exposure to 110 mM BaCl 2 in whole-cell and perforated patch recordings. Sodium dithionite (Na 2 S 2 O 4 ), lowering p O 2 to 10 Torr, also increased the amplitude of calcium currents, but shifted to more positive voltages the onset and trough (maximum) of calcium currents. N 2 -induced hypoxia increased g and reduced OT during SVH but had opposite effects with longer pulses: conductance decreased and open times increased. N 2 -induced hypoxia increased the numbers of active channels (from 1 to 35) over a mean normoxic level of 47 per cell. It is suggested that increased calcium currents accompany calcium inflow in glomus cells, but calcium influx may not depend exclusively on this mechanism.
The Role of TRAF2 Binding to the Type I Interferon Receptor in Alternative NFκB Activation and Antiviral Response

Type I interferons (IFNs) play critical roles in the host defense by modulating gene expression through the IFN-dependent activation of STAT and NFκB transcription factors. Previous studies established that IFN activates NFκB through a classical NFκB pathway that results in IκBα degradation and formation of p50-containing NFκB complexes, as well as an alternative pathway that involves NFκB-inducing kinase and TRAF2, which results in the formation of p52-containing NFκB complexes. In this study, we examined the interaction of TRAF proteins with the type I IFN receptor. We found that TRAF2 was directly coupled to the signal-transducing IFNAR1 subunit of the IFN receptor. By immunoprecipitation, overexpression of epitope-tagged IFNAR1 constructs, and glutathione S-transferase pulldown experiments, we demonstrate that TRAF2 rapidly binds to the IFNAR1 subunit of the IFN receptor upon IFN binding. The membrane proximal half of the IFNAR1 subunit was found to directly bind TRAF2. Moreover, analysis of mouse embryo fibroblasts derived from TRAF2 knock-out mice demonstrated that TRAF2 plays a critical role in the activation of the alternative NFκB pathway by IFN, but not the classical NFκB pathway, as well as in the antiviral action of IFN. Our results place TRAF2 directly in the signaling pathway transduced through the IFNAR1 subunit of the IFN receptor. These findings provide an important insight into the molecular mechanisms by which IFN generates signals to induce its biological effects.
Selective binding of phorbol esters and diacylglycerol by individual C1 domains of the PKD family.

The PKD (protein kinase D) family are novel DAG (diacylglycerol) receptors. The twin C1 domains of PKD, designated C1a and C1b, have been shown to bind DAG or phorbol esters. However, their ligand-binding activities and selectivities have not been fully characterized. Here, binding activities of isolated C1a, C1b and intact C1a–C1b domains to DAG and phorbol esters were analysed. The isolated C1b domains of PKD isoforms bind [ 3 H]PDBu ([20- 3 H]phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate) with similar high affinities, while they exhibit weaker affinities towards a synthetic DAG analogue, DOG (1,2-dioctanoyl- sn -glycerol), as compared to the control. Mutating a conserved lysine residue at position 22 to tryptophan in C1b of PKD3 fully restores its affinity to DOG, indicating that this residue accounts for its weaker affinity to DOG. In contrast, the non-consensus residues in the isolated C1a domain of PKD mainly contribute to maintaining the protein9s structural fold, since converting these residues in C1a of PKD3 to those in PKD1 or PKD2 drastically reduces the maximal number of active receptors, while only minimally impacting ligand-binding activities. Moreover, ligand-binding activities of C1a and C1b are sensitive to the structural context in an intact C1a–C1b domain and exhibit unique patterns of ligand selectivity. C1a and C1b in the intact C1a–C1b of PKD1 are opposite in selectivity for PDBu and DOG. In contrast, C1a of PKD3 exhibits 48-fold higher affinity to DOG as compared to C1b, although both domains bind PDBu with equivalent affinities. Accordingly, mutating C1a of a full-length PKD3–GFP greatly reduces DOG-induced plasma membrane translocation, but does not affect that induced by PMA. In summary, individual C1 domains of PKD isoforms differ in ligand-binding activity and selectivity, implying isoform-selective regulation of PKD by phorbol esters and DAG.
Ganglioside GT1b Inhibits Keratinocyte Adhesion and Migration on a Fibronectin Matrix

Highly sialylated gangliosides have been shown to alter cellular adhesion to a fibronectin matrix. The effect of these gangliosides on the adhesion, spreading, and migration of cultured keratinocytes on a fibronectin matrix has not been explored. Ganglioside G T1b significantly prevented attachment of keratinocytes to fibronectin and also detached previously adherent keratinocytes in a concentration-dependent manner without cell toxicity. G T1b did not affect adhesion of keratinocytes to wells coated with laminin, type I or type IV collagen, 804G extracellular matrix, or albumin. G T1b also inhibited keratinocyte migration on fibronectin in a concentration-dependent manner at concentrations as low as 5 nM G T1b , but had no effect on migration of keratinocytes plated on other matrices. G T1b binds to intact fibronectin and to the 120-kD RGDS-containing cell-binding fibronectin fragment, but not to the heparin- or gelatin-binding fragments of fibronectin. Although RGDS competes with G T1b in inhibiting adhesion, G T1b does not diminish binding of keratinocytes to a derivatized RGDS substratum, suggesting that the G T1b effect involves a non-RGDS site in the cell-binding region that modulates RGDS/α 5 β 1 integrin receptor interaction. Through a specific effect on keratinocyte interaction with fibronectin, G T1b may participate in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration on a fibronectin substratum, which are important events during wound healing and the spreading of cutaneous neoplasia.
Research: The implementation of a dynamic management scheme for guaranteed-performance connections

In this paper we present a prototype implementation of a management scheme that can be used to dynamically manage Guaranteed Performance Connection (GPC) services in Integrated Services Networks. These services are required to support the wide range of quality-of-service parameters desired by many useful applications. The GPC services provide performance guarantees in terms of throughput, delay, delay jitter and loss rates, and adopt a connection-oriented, fixed-route, reservation-oriented approach to achieve these guarantees. In such an approach, resource allocation and route selection decisions are usually static (i.e. they are made before the start of the communication on the basis of resource availability and real-time network load at that time, and are usually kept for the duration of the communication). This static approach limits the flexibility of these GPC services. In our previous work we presented our solution to this lack of flexibility. This solution, the Dynamic Connection Management (DCM) Scheme, provides the network with the capability to dynamically modify the traffic characteristics, the performance requirements, and the route of any existing guaranteed-performance connection (C. Parris, H. Zhang and D. Ferrari, ACM Multimedia Systems Journal, 1 (6) (1993) 267-283). We also presented several simulation experiments that proved the feasibility of the scheme and analyzed its performance. In this work we complete this proof of concept by implementing the DCM scheme and conducting several initial measurement experiments on this prototype. The implementation utilized the data delivery protocols of the Tenet Real-Time Protocol suite and the Simple Network Management Protocol version 1 (SNMPv1) as the control or management protocol. The measurement experiments indicated that, although the scheme is indeed useful, there are several limitations caused by the use of SNMPv1.
Hemizona assay (HZA) demonstrates effects of characterized mouse antihuman sperm antibodies on sperm zona binding.

Summary. Characterized antihuman sperm monoclonal antibodies from mice were evaluated using the hemizona assay (HZA) to determine whether sperm: zona binding was effected. The seven monoclonal antibodies were characterized using human sperm in agglutination, immobilization, and penetration assays. Semen was provided by four fertile men and used in the HZA to determine if the presence of a monoclonal antibody would affect tight binding of the sperm to the zona pellucida. Pre-incubation of MA-14 for 1 h with the sperm induced a 33–54% reduction of the number of tightly bound sperm. This antibody reacts to an antigen located on the acrosome and midpiece. Experiments in which there was no pre-incubation of the antibody with sperm, resulted in no significant reduction in the number of sperm bound in the HZA. These findings suggest that an anti-human sperm antibody produced in mice can modulate sperm: zona binding. Reduction in zona binding could indicate a cause of immune-related infertility and this test may be useful in selecting an antigen for contraceptive vaccine development.
RADIATION TRANSFER MODEL OF SELF-TRAPPING SPATIALLY INCOHERENT RADIATION BY NONLINEAR MEDIA

We modify the radiation transfer approach, accounting for refraction, and apply this model to the analysis of propagation of spatially incoherent beams in inertial nonlinear media. For double Gaussian beams, an oscillatory regime of nonlinear diffraction is revealed. An explicit analysis of the oscillations was carried out for logarithmic saturating nonlinearity. We show that ``big incoherent solitons,'' which possess an arbitrary transverse profile of intensity and exist for a wide class of nonlinear media, are steady state solutions of the radiation transfer equation.
Leucine side-chain rotamers in a glycophorin A transmembrane peptide as revealed by three-bond carbon-carbon couplings and 13C chemical shifts.

We have used a spin-echo difference NMR pulse sequence to measure three-bond J couplings between δ- and α-carbons of the leucine residues in a micelle-associated helical peptide dimer that corresponds to residues 62–101 of the transmembrane erythrocyte protein glycophorin A. The observed 3J couplings correlate strongly with the 13C chemical shift of the δ-methyl groups, and within experimental error both the shift distribution of the methyl carbons and the variations in 3J can be accounted for by variations in side-chain rotamer populations. We infer that all leucine side chains in this peptide dimer are in fast exchange among X2 rotamers and sample two of the three possible rotameric states, even when the side chain forms part of the dimer interface. The observed correlation of chemical shift with couplings can be traced to a γ-gauche interaction of methyl and α-carbons. This correlation may provide an alternate route to rotamer analysis in some protein systems.
Myosin Heavy Chain Plasticity in Aging Skeletal Muscle With Aerobic Exercise Training

To assess myosin heavy chain (MHC) plasticity in aging skeletal muscle with aerobic exercise training, MHC composition was measured at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level and protein level in mixed-muscle homogenates and single myofibers. Muscle samples were obtained from eight nonexercising women (70 ± 2 years) before and after 12 weeks of training (20–45 minutes of cycle exercise per session at 60%–80% heart rate reserve, three to four sessions per week). Training elevated MHC I mRNA (p < .10) and protein (p < .05) in mixed-muscle (54% ± 4% to 61% ± 2%) and single myofibers (42% ± 4% to 52% ± 3%). The increase in MHC I protein was positively correlated (p < .05) with improvements in whole muscle power. Training resulted in a general downregulation of MHC IIa and IIx at the mRNA and protein levels. The training-induced increase in MHC I protein and mRNA demonstrates the maintenance of skeletal muscle plasticity with aging. Furthermore, these data suggest that a shift toward an oxidative MHC phenotype may be beneficial for metabolic and functional health in older individuals.
Evaluation of a natural sketch interface for truss FBDs and analysis

Mechanix is a sketch recognition tool that provides an efficient means for engineering students to learn how to draw truss free-body diagrams (FBDs) and solve truss problems. The system allows students to sketch these FBDs into a tablet computer or by using a mouse just as they would by hand, a mouse can also be used to draw the sketch using a regular computer and monitor. Mechanix is then able to provide immediate feedback to the students and tell them if they are missing any components of the FBD, without providing answers. The program is also able to tell them whether their solved reaction or member forces are correct or not. This paper presents a study to evaluate the effectiveness and advantages of using Mechanix in the classroom, as a supplement to traditional teaching and learning methods. Current results demonstrate that students believe Mechanix enhances their learning and are highly engaged when using it. Future work on the refinement of the program is also discussed.
Echocardiography for Patent Ductus Arteriosus Including Closure in Adults

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) represents at least 5-10% of all congenital heart defects (CHDs) making it a very important commonly diagnosed lesion. Although spontaneous closure of the PDA occurs within 24 to 48 hours after birth in the majority, those children who do not have natural or surgical closure may have a persistent PDA into adulthood. The diagnosis is most often confirmed by echocardiography that also guides catheter-based interventions and surgeries. Echocardiography continues to be the most important tool in long-term follow-up of residua and sequelae.
An analysis of the effects of mobility on bandwidth allocation strategies in multi-class cellular wireless networks

In this paper we present a multi-cell analytic model for multi-class cellular networks. We investigate the effects subscriber mobility has on bandwidth control strategies when the network supports multiple classes of subscribers having different bandwidth requirements. We introduce control strategies from non-mobile networks and examine them in a mobile environment. The expressions for call blocking using these control strategies have product form solutions. This allows us to develop a multi-cell, multi-class, model by generalizing on the Erlang fixed point approximation using generalized multi-rate, multi-class, Erlang loss formulas for each class of traffic. We produce expressions for originating calls lost, hand-off calls lost, forced-termination, and mean channel occupancy for each class of traffic in each cell for different control strategies. The multicell analytic model allows us to investigate the effects of asymmetric loads and mobility patterns in the network. The analytic results are supported by simulation.
Induction of growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible genes Gadd45 and Gadd153 in primary rodent embryonic cells following exposure to methylmercury.

Abstract Methylmercury (MeHg) is recognized as a significant environmental hazard, particularly to the development of the nervous system. Studies on the mechanism of MeHg-induced toxicity reveal that inhibition of cell cycle progression may be one way by which MeHg interferes with normal development. In this study, we utilized primary rodent embryonic neuronal cell (CNS) and limb bud (LB) cultures to determine the mRNA expression level of two genes involved in cell cycle arrest, Gadd45 and Gadd153, both during cellular differentiation and in response to MeHg exposure. A differential expression pattern of Gadd45 and Gadd153 was observed during CNS and LB differentiation in culture. However, both CNS and LB cells responded to MeHg exposure with a concentration-dependent increase in Gadd45 and Gadd153 mRNA. Previous studies have shown that MeHg exposure (2 μ m ) of CNS cells for 24 hr causes a fourfold decrease in the number of cells passing through the cell cycle. The present study shows that at the same exposure concentration, a five- to eightfold increase in Gadd45 mRNA levels and a two- to fourfold increase of Gadd153 was observed. Induction of Gadd45 was also noted in adult female mice chronically exposed to 10 ppm MeHg, a dose that caused developmental toxicity in vivo. Based on the known involvement of the Gadd genes in cell cycle arrest, activation of these genes could be one mechanism by which MeHg interferes with the cell cycle in adult and developing organisms.
Analytical approach to similarity-based prediction of manufacturing system performance

In this paper, a new method is proposed that is capable of predicting system condition by comparing the similarity of the most recent performance signatures with the known degradation patterns available in the historical records. For predicting the future performance, the similarities of the current performance signatures to each known degradation pattern are utilized in an analytically tractable manner to slant the prediction distributions toward most similar past degradation patterns. The newly proposed method was applied to prediction of sensor signatures coming from an industrial plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) tool operating in a major semiconductor manufacturing fab. Results showed that the proposed method significantly improves the long-term time series prediction accuracy in terms of mean squared errors over the traditional autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model and additionally showed comparable mean squared prediction errors to another recently introduced similarity-based algorithm for long-term prediction of non-linear and non-stationary time series. However, the analytical structure of the method proposed in this paper enables computation of the prediction distributions an order of magnitude faster.
Multi-Attribute Vegetation Maps of Forest Service Lands in California Supporting Resource Management Decisions

Vegetation databases (digital maps) for USDA Forest Service lands in California (approximately 20 million ha) have been developed over the last decade using remote sensing and GIs methods. The databases are intended to support national and regional land-cover inventory and monitoring, interagency conservation and fire risk assessment, and wildlife habitat evaluation, as well as more traditional uses including land management planning and forest inventory within each National Forest. The digital maps are fine-scale relative to their extent, being derived from 30-m-resolution Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data and digital elevation models (DEMS). Map attributes included a vegetation life form class, a vegetation type, and canopy cover and size class estimates for forested polygons. Land-cover and vegetation type labels were more accurate than forest structure estimates. However, the mapping methodology is not static. New remote sensing data and analysis methods offer some promise to improve map attribute estimation. The database is being provided by the Forest Service to agency personnel, cooperators, and the public.
Closing the Scientific Loop: Bridging Correlation and Causality in the Petaflop Age

Advances in computing capability offer the biomedical research community the prospect of creating simulations at a previously unimaginable scale. A diagnostic analysis of the underpinnings of the translational dilemma suggests that the current high-throughput, data-rich research environment has led to an imbalance in the relationship between determinations of correlation and the evaluation of causality. Here I describe the use of high-performance computing technologies to facilitate high-throughput hypothesis evaluation combined with an evolutionary paradigm for the advancement of scientific knowledge. This combination provides a roadmap for closing the scientific loop between correlation and causality, a necessary step if translational endeavors are to succeed.
Passive immunization with a human immunodeficiency virus type 1-neutralizing monoclonal antibody in Hu-PBL-SCID mice : Isolation of a neutralization escape variant

A monoclonal antibody (694/98-D) directed toward the V3 loop of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was evaluated for pre- and postexposure prophylaxis in SCID mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (Hu-PBL-SCID). Fifty percent protection against the HIV-1 1.Al strain was obtained by preexposure administration of 1.32 mg/kg antibody. However, virus isolated from 1 mouse 3 weeks after passive immunization with 13.2 mg/kg antibody proved resistant to subsequent in vitro neutralization by 694/98-D. V3 loop sequence analysis of cloned virus revealed amino acid changes within the linear core epitope recognized by 694/98-D and in one flanking amino acid. Further evaluation of 694/98-D for postexposure prophylaxis in mice revealed that 694/ 98-D was effective when given 15 min after virus. However, efficacy declined to 50% if treatment was delayed to 1 h after virus inoculation. These studies point out some potential drawbacks of passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies.
A critical review of simulation-based mastery learning with translational outcomes.

Objectives: This article has two objectives. Firstly, we critically review simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) research in medical education, evaluate its implementation and immediate results, and document measured downstream translational outcomes in terms of improved patient care practices, better patient outcomes and collateral effects. Secondly, we briefly address implementation science and its importance in the dissemination of innovations in medical education and health care. Methods: This is a qualitative synthesis of SBML with translational (T) science research reports spanning a period of 7 years (2006-2013). We use the 'critical review' approach proposed by Norman and Eva to synthesise findings from 23 medical education studies that employ the mastery learning model and measure downstream translational outcomes. Results: Research in SBML in medical education has addressed a range of interpersonal and technical skills. Measured outcomes have been achieved in educational laboratories (T1), and as improved patient care practices (T2), patient outcomes (T3) and collateral effects (T4). Conclusions: Simulation-based mastery learning in medical education can produce downstream results. Such results derive from integrated education and health services research programmes that are thematic, sustained and cumulative. The new discipline of implementation science holds promise to explain why medical education innovations are adopted slowly and how to accelerate innovation dissemination.
Electron tunneling properties of outer-membrane decaheme cytochromes from Shewanella oneidensis

Abstract We have characterized the outer-membrane decaheme cytochromes OmcA and MtrC from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 at the single-molecule level using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and tunneling spectroscopy (TS). These cytochrome proteins are of great interest because they are thought to mediate bacterial electron transfer reactions in anoxic waters that control the reductive dissolution of oxide minerals. In our study, to characterize the electron transfer properties of these proteins on a model surface, the purified cytochromes were chemically immobilized as molecular monolayers on Au(111) substrates via a recombinant tetra-cysteine sequence as verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy images confirm the monolayer films were ∼5–8 nm thick which is consistent with the apparent lateral dimensions of individual cytochrome molecules obtained with STM. Current–voltage TS of single cytochrome molecules revealed that OmcA and MtrC have different abilities to mediate tunneling current despite having otherwise very similar molecular and biochemical properties. These observations suggest that, based on their electron tunneling properties, the two cytochromes could have specific roles during bacterial metal reduction. Additionally, this study establishes single-molecule STM/TS as an effective means for revealing insights into biogeochemical redox processes in the environment.
Improving surgery intern confidence through the implementation of expanded orientation sessions

Background New surgical interns may be unprepared for job-related tasks and harbor anxiety that could interfere with job performance. To address these problems, we extended our intern orientation with the principal aim of demonstrating the need for expanded instruction on execution of daily tasks. Additionally, we sought to show that an enriched orientation curriculum durably augments intern confidence. Methods Twenty-one surgical interns participated in an extended orientation program, consisting of interactive didactics, case scenario presentations, and small group discussions. Evaluations collected at completion of orientation and 1-month follow-up assessed self-reported confidence levels on job-related tasks before, immediately afterward, and 1-month after orientation. Statistical analyses were performed using Student t tests ( P Results Self-reports of confidence on job-related tasks before the orientation sessions were low; however, program participation resulted in immediate confidence increases in all areas. Evaluations at 1-month follow-up showed persistence of these gains. Conclusion Interns reported considerable anxiety in all job-related tasks before orientation. After the sessions, confidence levels were significantly and durably improved in all areas. Our findings suggest the need for specific instruction on job-related tasks of surgical internship and demonstrate the effectiveness of an expanded orientation in improving intern confidence in execution of these tasks.
NEST-SITE SELECTION, NEST SURVIVAL, PRODUCTIVITY, AND SURVIVAL OF SPRUCE GROUSE IN WISCONSIN

Abstract Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) are listed as threatened in Wisconsin, and the boreal habitats in which they occur are likely to be threatened by changing climatic conditions. However, the limited information available on Spruce Grouse in the Upper Great Lakes region makes it unclear which habitat features are important for Spruce Grouse nesting in Wisconsin. We radiotracked 30 female Spruce Grouse in northern Wisconsin from 2007–2012 and located 25 nests. Eighteen of 25 nests were beneath black spruce (Picea mariana) trees. Only three nests were in upland, and only one in a stand of jack pines (Pinus banksiana), in contrast to studies from Michigan and Ontario. Overall concealment was a good predictor of nest sites for Spruce Grouse, but not a good predictor of nest survival. Nest survival was associated with moderately dense and uniform 0–0.5 m lateral vegetation cover. Seventeen of 25 nests were successful, with a daily survival rate of 0.985, overall productivity of 1.0 young/female, a...
A simple algorithm for restoration of images corrupted by streaks

A nonlinear algorithm based on a detection-estimation strategy for the restoration of images corrupted by streaks is presented. Only those pixels of the image which are detected as belonging to streaks are replaced with an estimation of the true values using neighborhood information. The removal of streaks is achieved without destroying important image features such as edges and details. First, a simple method is described for the case of images corrupted by horizontal streaks affecting entire rows in the image. The approach is then generalized for applications involving a wide variety of streaks of arbitrary sizes, angles, curved streaks, etc. Streaks which occur naturally in the image are however preserved. Computer simulations indicate that the proposed method provides significant improvement in performance over median filters, both perceptually and under MSE criteria. Illustrative examples are included.
Evaluation of scheduling and allocation algorithms while mapping assembly code onto FPGAs

Migration of software from older general purpose embedded processors onto newer mixed hardware/software Systems-On-Chip (SOC) platforms is becoming an increasingly important topic. Automatic translation of general purpose software binaries and assembly code onto hardware implementations using FPGAs require sophisticated scheduling and allocation algorithms to maximize the resource utilization of such hardware devices. This paper describes the effects of scheduling and chaining of node operations in a CDFG onto an FPGA. The effects of register allocation on scheduled nodes are also discussed. The Texas Instruments C6000 DSP processor architecture was chosen as the DSP processor platform and assembly code, and the Xilinx Virtex II XC2V250 was chosen as the target FPGA. Results are reported on ten benchmarks, which show that scheduling with chaining operations produces the best results on FPGAs, while the addition of register allocation in fact generates poorer designs in terms of area and frequency.
Islet regeneration needed for overcoming autoimmune destruction – considerations on the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes

diabetes. Pediatric Diabetes 2004: 5: 23—28. # Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004 Abstract: How many new b-cells need to be generated in order to withstand the attack of an 'average-strength' destructive autoimmune response? An answer to this question is central for the design of intervention approaches aimed at dampening or redirecting parts of the autoimmune response and allowing for the generation of new b-cells. In this article, we consider quantitative and spatial restrictions of destructive T-cell activity, in balance with the regenerative capacity and neogenesis of b-cells. We assume that the initial interaction between specific autoaggressive cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) and b-cells is a terminal event leading to the elimination of the b-cell and removal from the pool of potential sources for b-cell replenishment. Furthermore, we propose that there may be no way to save an individual islet from complete destruction, once a few activated CTL effectors have gained entry, based on the fact that activated CTL are 'committed killers' and hard to turn off. Thus, mechanisms that restrict CTL access to islets or provide 'immune privilege' to defined locations within islets and/or ductal tissue are critical to allow b-cell regeneration in the face of ongoing autoimmune destruction. The key to halting progression of type 1 diabetes pathogenesis should build on the observation that islets die in a highly non-synchronized fashion, at least during the more chronic disease course. These considerations suggest a compartmentalized view of the diseased pancreas so that substantial histopathological differences among individual islets may be exploited to facilitate preservation and/or regeneration of selected islets. The recent development of novel technologies will allow more precise quantification of in vivo destruction and regeneration in order to test these hypotheses.
Chapter 11 Voltammetric Techniques for the Analysis of Biogenic Amines.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the voltammetric techniques for the analysis of biogenic amines. In the past few years the use of amperometric techniques for the analysis of biogenic amines has increased dramatically. Liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LCEC) has been developed and refined to such an extent that it has become the method of choice for many neurochemical analyses. In vivo electrochemistry, the direct measurement of easily oxidized species in the intact mammalian brain, is also being investigated by a wide number of research groups. Other amperometric methods are just beginning to appear which should further increase the utility of electrochemical methods for the analysis of biogenic amines. This chapter examines the different amperometric methods useful for biogenic amine analysis and their underlying principles, evaluate them with respect to other methods, and attempt to indicate the areas where amperometric methods can provide new unique methods for analysis.
Kinetic study of the inhibition mechanism of dehaloperoxidase-hemoglobin a by 4-bromophenol.

The mechanism of dehaloperoxidase-hemoglo- bin (DHP) inhibition by 4-bromophenol (4-BP) was investigated using Michealis-Menten and transient-state kinetic analyses. Transient-state kinetics using the stopped-flow technique to mix DHP and H2O2 in the presence of inhibitor concentrations less than 10-fold greater than the enzyme concentration show that 4-BP does not fully impede H2O2 entering the distal pocket to activate DHP. It is not clear whether an oxoferryl intermediate is formed under these conditions and there may be alternative pathways for H2O2 reaction in the 4-BP bound form of DHP. Two new species have been identified during the reaction of 4-BP bound form of DHP in the transient-state kinetic experiment by using Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and global-fitting analysis. Rather than forming Compound ES in the unbound form, an inhibitor bound intermediate that possesses blue-shifted Soret band and a double peaked Q-band is observed. This intermediate is subsequently converted to the end-point species that is distinguished from Compound RH formed in the uninhibited enzyme. Bench-top mixing kinetics of DHP were conducted in order to determine the inhibitor binding constant and to understand the enzyme inhibition mechanism from a thermodynamic perspective. It was found that the inhibition constant, Ki, decreased from 2.56 mM to 0.15 mM over the temperature range from 283 to 298 K, which permits determination of the enthalpy and entropy for inhibitor binding as �135.5 ± 20.9 kJ/mol and 526.1 ± 71.9 J/(mol·K), respectively, leading to the conclusion that inhibitor binding is entropically driven .
Reducing U.S. and Soviet nuclear arsenals

A reduction of U.S. and Soviet nuclear arsenals to one-tenth their present sizes would maintain deterrent capabilities while exerting a stabilizing influence on the balance of terror.
A Comparative Analysis of Geometry Education on Curriculum Standards, Textbook Structure, and Textbook Items between the U.S. and Korea.

This study compares American and Korean curriculum standards, textbooks, and geometry items to help explain the consistent differences that have been found between the achievement levels of U. S. and Korean students in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) mathematics. Since PISA measures the mathematical proficiency of 15-year-old students, this study focuses primarily on 8th-grade curriculum standards and textbooks. The findings provide valuable information for curriculum designers and textbook editors to help improve the quality of geometry curricula and textbooks. Teachers can also use these findings to assess the proficiency levels of items in the textbooks they use, so that they can develop lesson plans appropriate to the ability of their students and select relevant problems for their classes.
Anemia masked by triglyceridemia.

Spurious elevations in hemoglobin can be found using the Coulter Model S in patients with increased triglycerides, especially if the latter exceed 1,000 mg. per dl. Triglycerides cause turbidity that interferes with the automated spectrophotometric hemoglobin determination. As might be expected, the derived indices mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration will also be elevated. A manual hemoglobin blanked against the turbid plasma with manual recalculation of indices is the recommended correction.
Impact of Temperature on Porcine Liver Machine Perfusion From Donors After Cardiac Death.

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has been introduced as a promising technology to preserve and possibly repair marginal liver grafts. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of temperature on the preservation of donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver grafts in an ex vivo perfusion model after NMP (38.5°C) and subnormothermic machine perfusion (SNMP, 21°C) with a control group preserved by cold storage (CS, 4°C). Fifteen porcine livers with 60 min of warm ischemia were preserved for 10 h by NMP, SNMP or CS (n = 5/group). After the preservation phase all livers were reperfused for 24 h in an isolated perfusion system with whole blood at 38.5°C to simulate transplantation. At the end of transplant simulation, the NMP group showed significantly lower hepatocellular enzyme level (AST: 277 ± 69 U/L; ALT: 22 ± 2 U/L; P < 0.03) compared to both SNMP (AST: 3243 ± 1048 U/L; ALT: 127 ± 70 U/L) and CS (AST: 3150 ± 1546 U/L; ALT: 185 ± 97 U/L). There was no significant difference between SNMP and CS. Bile production was significantly higher in the NMP group (219 ± 43 mL; P < 0.01) compared to both SNMP (49 ± 84 mL) and CS (12 ± 16 mL) with no significant difference between the latter two groups. Histologically, the NMP livers showed preserved cellular architecture compared to the SNMP and CS groups. NMP was able to recover DCD livers showing superior hepatocellular integrity, biliary function, and microcirculation compared to SNMP and CS. SNMP showed some significant benefit over CS, yet has not shown any advantage over NMP.
Design of Global Data Platform for Smart Hydropower Plants

The total structure and service hierarchy system of the global data platform for smart hydropower plants is mainly introduced.Effects and functions of different layers and corresponding modules are described.The idea and standard for the modeling of hydropower plant resources is introduced.Also,a standard data hierarchy specification and framework for various application and developments are provided.
Study on the Intelligent Decision-making Algorithm for Strategic Commander

In the research of decision-making behavior of strategic commander, the problem that there is much qualitative description and little quantitative analysis still exists at present. Consequently , some theoretic research efforts' validity and reliability are rather low. Therefore, as the powerful support for enhancing the reliability of pure theoretic research efforts, we should reasonably design an intelligent decision-making algorithm for strategic commander to model its process, parse the characteristics and rules, analyze and predict the selection of the solutions by means of computer simulation. The paper divides the realistic process of strategic commander into three logic parts: objective decision-making, subjective decision-making and adjustment of decision-making, puts forward the intelligent algorithms based on the technique of CBR(case-based reasoning) and BP neural network in each phase, and deliberately discusses the fundamental description data source necessary to the algorithm, the fundamental case base of strategic decision-making and the decision-making behavior case base of strategic commander.
Breeding of New Restorer Line Yihui 7808 in Rice

Derived from a multiple cross of 5279 S//Zidao NP-35/R16,Yihui 7808 is a new restorer line in rice developed by the Rice Research Institute of Yibin Academy of Agricultural Sciences.It is characteristic of good plant type,strong restoring ability,high combining ability and high yield potential in hybrid seed production for its heavy pollen load.The new hybrid combination Yixiang 7808 derived from it was released for commercialization by Sichuan Provincial Crop Variety Appraisal Committee in 2010.
Information-Driven Experimental Design in Materials Science

Optimal experimental design (OED) aims to maximize the value of experiments and the data they produce. OED ensures efficient allocation of limited resources, especially when numerous repeated experiments cannot be performed. This chapter presents a fully Bayesian and decision theoretic approach to OED—accounting for uncertainties in models, model parameters, and experimental outcomes, and allowing optimality to be defined according to a range of possible experimental goals. We demonstrate this approach on two illustrative problems in materials research. The first example is a parameter inference problem. Its goal is to determine a substrate property from the behavior of a film deposited thereon. We design experiments to yield maximal information about the substrate property using only two measurements. The second example is a model selection problem. We design an experiment that optimally distinguishes between two models for helium trapping at interfaces. In both instances, we provide model-based justifications for why the selected experiments are optimal. Moreover, both examples illustrate the utility of reduced-order or surrogate models in optimal experimental design.
Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analyses of unknown analytical response in imported Fava beans: 4-chloro-6-methoxyindole.

A halogenated unidentified analytical response (UAR) was encountered in a number of imported Fava bean samples during the Food and Drug Ad-ministration's routine pesticide-monitoring program. Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analyses identified the halogenated component as 4-chlor-6-methoxyindole, a naturally occurring promutagen in Fava beans that has been linked to incidents of gastric cancer. Data from electron impact, positive and negative chemical ionization, collision-induced dissociation, and deuteration studies of this compound are presented, along with GC retention time data.
Injury of rat renal vessels following extracorporeal shock wave treatment.

Abstract The locations of extracorporeal shock wave treatment induced renal vascular injury and the sources of significant renal hemorrhage were determined in a rat model by means of two different vascular casting procedures. Silicone-rubber injected vascular preparations for light microscopy or corrosion casts for scanning electron microscopy were made following gross examination of the treated organs and their contralateral controls. After 1000 shock waves at 18 kV, five out of 20 treated kidneys appeared to be normal or minimally affected, while 15 showed gross evidence of marked vascular injury. Gross interstitial hemorrhage (15/20), subcapsular hematomas (7/20), and hemorrhages into the renal pelvis (5/20) were confirmed by extravasations of casting materials. These could be traced back to their vascular sources in several instances. Disruptions of interlobar and arcuate veins gave rise to most significant interstitial, subcapsular, and renal pelvic extravasations. On a microscopic scale cortical venules were among the most frequently injured vessels. The arterial vasculature was not spared. Arterial injury ranged from complete arcuate occlusion to small afferent arteriolar and glomerular capillary extravasations. The significance of shock wave induced vascular injury is discussed with respect to potential clinical side effects of ESWL.