cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single-epoch somatosensory evoked potentials at vertex: a time window specified for electro-ocular monitoring.

Abstract Single-epoch and small-n somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were recorded vertex to inion with simultaneous fronto-orbital derivations in two experienced normals and one naive bilateral enucleate, during self-administered, transcutaneous electrical stimulation of a finger pad, which was subjectively scored for pain magnitude. Single epochs had significantly greater amplitude, without significant temporal differences, compared to signal-averaged SEP. But for both normals, contradicting previous documentation of ‘nociceptive’ SEP, apparent polarity reversal of SN140 of the vertex potential (VP) occurred at upper bony orbit and nasion, while VP amplitude of the single-epoch SEP was a poor predictor of pain scores ⩾2.5, contrary to previous data from signal-averaged SEP and subjectively ‘averaged’ pain estimates. The enucleate showed only wave forms in phase with SN140 of the VP at both upper orbital and superior, frontal electrodes. In all 3 subjects, weaker stimulation near or below subjective pain threshold also evoked only the expected, smaller wave form in phase with SN140, while small-n averages (16 ⩾ n ⩾ 4) attenuated the upper orbital phase reversal in the normals. This apparent electro-orbital artifact occurred within an 80–200 msec time window after intense stimulation only, had some characteristics of both blink and saccadic eye movement, and was not consistently suppressed by attempted fixation in experienced subjects. Being of extremely variable amplitude but relatively consistent latency and wave form, during intense stimulation only, it may confound amplitude measures of the VP in single-epoch ‘nociceptive’ SEP, whether raw or adaptively filtered.
Feasibility study of logic circuits with a spin?wave bus

We present a feasibility study of logic circuits utilizing spin waves for information transmission and processing. As an alternative approach to the transistor-based architecture, logic circuits with a spin wave bus do not use charge as an information carrier. In this work we describe the general concept of logic circuits with a spin wave bus and illustrate its performance by numerical simulations based on available experimental data. Theoretical estimates and results of numerical simulations on signal attenuation, signal phase velocity, and the minimum spin wave energy required per bit in the spin bus are obtained. The transport parameters are compared with ones for conventional electronic transmission lines. The spin wave bus is not intended to substitute traditional metal interconnects since it has higher signal attenuation and lower signal propagation speed. The potential value of a spin wave bus is, however, an interface between electronic circuits and integrated spintronics circuits. The logic circuits with a spin wave bus allow us to provide wireless read-in and read-out.
Mitochondrial and cellular mechanisms for managing lipid excess

Current scientific debates center on the impact of lipids and mitochondrial function on diverse aspects of human health, nutrition and disease, among them the association of lipotoxicity with the onset of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, and with heart dysfunction in obesity and diabetes. Mitochondria play a fundamental role in aging and in prevalent acute or chronic diseases. Lipids are main mitochondrial fuels however these molecules can also behave as uncouplers and inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation. Knowledge about the functional composition of these contradictory effects and their impact on mitochondrial-cellular energetics/redox status is incomplete. Cells store fatty acids (FAs) as triacylglycerol and package them into cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs). New emerging data shows the LD as a highly dynamic storage pool of FAs that can be used for energy reserve. Lipid excess packaging into LDs can be seen as an adaptive response to fulfilling energy supply without hindering mitochondrial or cellular redox status and keeping low concentration of lipotoxic intermediates. Herein we review the mechanisms of action and utilization of lipids by mitochondria reported in liver, heart and skeletal muscle under relevant physiological situations, e.g., exercise. We report on perilipins, a family of proteins that associate with LDs in response to loading of cells with lipids. Evidence showing that in addition to physical contact, mitochondria and LDs exhibit metabolic interactions is presented and discussed. A hypothetical model of channeled lipid utilization by mitochondria is proposed. Direct delivery and channeled processing of lipids in mitochondria could represent a reliable and efficient way to maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) within levels compatible with signaling while ensuring robust and reliable energy supply.
Development of realistic potentials for the simulation of directed self-assembly of PS-PMMA di-block copolymers

Atomistic simulations of poly(styrene) (PS) and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) were performed and used to develop a realistic interaction potential for use in a mesoscale model of the PS-PMMA block co-polymer (BCP) system. The resulting interaction potential includes an attractive PS-PMMA segmental interaction, which is due to the electron dispersion interaction between these polymers. This attractive PS-PMMA interaction is not included in typical simulations of PS-PMMA phase behavior which use repulsive PS-PMMA interactions. Use of such repulsive interactions hastens the convergence of simulations of BCP phase separation and should not change the average phase behavior of such systems. However, failure to include this attractive PS-PMMA interaction can affect a variety of important properties and behaviors of interest including: (1) the width of interfacial regions, (2) the stability and energetics of metastable states such as local defects, and (3) the energy of interaction of BCP phases and morphologies with surfaces. Given the importance of defects and surface interactions in the application of the directed self assembly in BCP lithography in the microelectronics industry such a realistic potential is important. The potential from this mesoscale model was applied to a simple lattice model and showed that it was able to predict the process window for the formation of a lamellar phase for PS-PMMA BCP. However, elimination of the attractive PS-PMMA component broadened this process window by a significant amount suggesting that this component is important in the accurate modeling of BCP films for directed self assembly.
Modestly increased beta cell apoptosis but no increased beta cell replication in recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients who died of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Type 1 diabetes is characterised by a deficit in beta cell mass thought to be due to immune-mediated increased beta cell apoptosis. Beta cell turnover has not been examined in the context of new-onset type 1 diabetes with diabetic ketoacidosis. Samples of pancreas were obtained at autopsy from nine patients, aged 12 to 38 years (mean 24.3±3.4 years), who had had type 1 diabetes for less than 3 years before death due to diabetic ketoacidosis. Samples of pancreas obtained at autopsy from nine non-diabetic cases aged 11.5 to 38 years (mean 24.2±3.4 years) were used as control. Fractional beta cell area (insulin staining), beta cell replication (insulin and Ki67 staining) and beta cell apoptosis (insulin and TUNEL staining) were measured. In pancreas obtained at autopsy from recent-onset type 1 diabetes patients who had died of diabetic ketoacidosis, the beta cell deficit varied from 70 to 99% (mean 90%). The pattern of beta cell loss was lobular, with almost all beta cells absent in most pancreatic lobules; islets in lobules not devoid of beta cells had reduced or a near-normal complement of beta cells. Beta cell apoptosis was increased in recent-onset type 1 diabetes, but to a surprisingly modest degree given the marked hyperglycaemia (30 mmol/l), acidosis and presumably high NEFA. Beta cell replication, scattered pancreatic beta cells and beta cells in exocrine ducts were not increased in recent-onset type 1 diabetes. These findings do not support the notion of active beta cell regeneration by replication in new-onset type 1 diabetes under conditions of diabetic ketoacidosis. The gluco-lipotoxicity reported in isolated human islets may be less evident in vivo.
Disjoint permutation matrices in complements of trees

The largest number of disjoint permutation matrices in the complement of a tree matrix is investigated
Sex, drugs, and cognition: Effects of marijuana

Despite the knowledge that many drugs affect men and women differently, few studies exploring the effects of marijuana use on cognition have included women. Findings from both animal and human studies suggest marijuana may have more marked effects in women. This study examined sex differences in the acute effects of marijuana on cognition in 70 (n= 35 male, 35 female) occasional users of marijuana. Tasks were chosen to tap a wide variety of cognitive domains affected by sex and/or marijuana including attention, cognitive flexibility, time estimation, and visuospatial processing. As expected, acute marijuana use impaired performance on selective and divided attention, time estimation, and cognitive flexibility. While there did not appear to be sex differences in marijuana's effects on cognition, women requested to discontinue the smoking session more often than men likely leading to an underestimation of differences. Further study of psychological differences in marijuana's effects on men and women following both acute and residual effects of marijuana is warranted.
Multiobjective mathematical programming via the Multiplex model and algorithm

Abstract The increased interest in the existence and consideration of multiple objectives has made itself evident in the significant growth in the development and implementation of multiobjective mathematical programming. Unfortunately, it is our opinion that this field is now characterized by such a diversity of philosophies, models, approaches and terminology that any unifying theme is obscured. In fact, rather than stressing the (substantial) degree of inherent commonality between multiobjective models and methods, most presentations seem to focus on their real, or imagined, differences. We believe that such treatment can be counterproductive and thus propose, herein, what we hope is a more unified treatment of multiobjective mathematical programming via the use of the multiphase simplex, or Multiplex model and algorithm. While none of the components and concepts of the Multiplex method are, in themselves, new, we do believe that the specific arrangement of these ideas, in the form presented, does serve to clarify the close relationships between the models and (simplex based) algorithms for most forms of multiobjective mathematical programming (and, in turn, their relationship to ‘conventional,’ single objective programming).
The Effects of Qualitative Overload on Technology Acceptance

Accounting professionals often feel stress from qualitative overload in their jobs. Research in the area of technology acceptance has not considered the potential negative effects of qualitative overload on user intentions. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of this stressor on intention to use technology. A study was conducted with graduate accounting students using Audit Command Language (ACL) just prior to graduation, proxies for new staff accountants. Results indicate that qualitative overload mediates the relationship between perceived ease of use and intention to use ACL. As the perception of difficulty in using ACL increased, so did the perceived qualitative overload stress which in turn led to a negative relationship with intention to use ACL.
Intraoperative Varicocele Anatomy: A Microscopic Study of the Inguinal Versus Subinguinal Approach

ABSTRACTPurpose: The groin approach to varicocelectomy is performed by an inguinal (aponeurosis of external oblique opened) or subinguinal (external oblique aponeurosis intact) technique. We describe the number and relationship of internal and external spermatic arteries, veins and lymphatics within the subinguinal portion of the spermatic cord in infertile men undergoing microscopic varicocelectomy and compare these findings to the microanatomy observed with the inguinal approach.Materials and Methods: A total of 48 consecutive patients underwent 84 microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomies during which the detailed intraoperative microanatomy of the spermatic cord and gubernacula was recorded. These observations were compared with a previously reported group of 83 consecutive patients that underwent 115 inguinal varicocelectomies. Subinguinal microscopic findings were also evaluated relative to clinical varicocele grade.Results: The spermatic cord in the subinguinal dissection was characterized by a s...
Characterization of a small Terfenol-D transducer in mechanically blocked configuration

In numerous applications, smart material transducers are employed to actuate upon virtually immovable structures, that is, structures whose stiffness approaches infinity in comparison with that of the transducer itself. Such mechanically blocked transducer configurations can be found in applications ranging from seismic testing and isolation of civil structures, to clamping mechanisms in linear or rotational inchworm motors. In addition to providing high blocking forces, smart materials for this type of applications must often be small in size and lightweight in order for design constraints to be met. This paper provides a characterization of the force produced by a 0.9 cm (0.35 in) diameter, 2.0 cm (0.79i in) long Terfenol-D operated under mechanically blocked conditions. Experimental results are shown for several mechanical preloads as well as various magnetic field intensities, waveforms, and frequencies. Optimal levels are deduced and discussed and the results are compared to published data for a PZT transducer of similar size operated in mechanically blocked configuration. The comparison reveals that the Terfenol-D rod provides higher blocking forces than its PZT counterpart. It is thus feasible to employ small magnetostrictive drivers in applications involving zero or near-zero displacement, particularly those based on hybrid magnetostrictive/piezoelectric designs in which high efficiencies are achieved by driving the two electrically complementary transducer materials at electrical resonance.
Dynamic anatomy of the cerebral circulation.

SEVERAL recent suggestions 1 for the quantitative determination of the cerebral blood flow in man make the dynamic anatomy of the cerebral circulation 2 a necessary and timely study. Studies of the injected vascular beds in the cadaver have supplied information on the possible pathways of the cerebral circulation. In some important instances it is only by conjecture that conclusions have been drawn regarding the direction of flow, the sources of blood or the relative proportions in which the blood flows from these sources are combined. The present studies were performed on living man and therefore have the advantage of comprehending not only the anatomic pathways but also the dynamic circulatory patterns. METHOD Patients were selected for whom cerebral arteriographic studies were desirable in order that the possibility of a cerebrovascular lesion might be ruled out. Two of the 10 patients studied were found to have distinct pathologic lesions, and
Radiation Exposure of a Lithium Niobate Crystal at High Temperatures

Lithium niobate is being considered for use as the active element in piezoelectric transducers in a nuclear reactor. For tests in a simulation of this environment, a Y-cut disk of this material 1 cm in diameter and 0.1 cm thick was mounted in a holder designed to allow measurement of piezoelectric properties of the materials, and was exposed to 4 X 109 R of 60Co gamma rays at elevated temperatures in air. Exposure was at a dose rate of 1.75 X 107 R/h with approximately one half of the dose accumulated at 281°C and half at 537°C. The piezoelectric properties showed no changes that would affect the usefulness of the material for the intended purpose.
Community Media and the Rearticulation of State–Civil Society Relations in Venezuela

This article critically examines the role of community media movements in articulating state–civil society relations in the establishment of a popular radical democracy in Venezuela. We employ institutional analysis and a frame-alignment approach to understand how community and alternative media (CAM) advocates negotiated issues of identity and autonomy from the state in the creation of the National System of Popular, Alternative, and Community Communication between 2008 and 2009. The analysis revealed that CAM groups reasserted unmet demands for access to the spectrum and autonomy from state agencies, while amplifying the government's “anti-imperialist conflict frame” as a rationale for increased popular participation in the media. We discuss the democratic potential of these policies and the populist public sphere in Venezuela.
Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) social organization: Nature and possible functions of intergroup patterns of association.

Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) socioecology was studied at the Natai Lengkuas Station, Tanjung Puting National Park, in Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. Data on the nature of intergroup interactions were collected on ten one-male groups and two all-male groups using event sampling during follows and also through evening census surveys. Proboscis monkeys form stable one-male groups, with specific groups regularly associating at their sleeping sites (band members). Both intraband and interband high-intensity agonistic displays (slapping, chasing, biting) were rare. Lower intensity agonistic displays (vocalizations, leaping-branch shaking, and erect penis and open-mouth displays) occurred frequently. Temporal avoidance between bands may have been mediated by early morning vocalizations and branch shaking displays by the adult males. Associations between groups may play a role in displacement avoidance and/or predation avoidance.
Changing the Nature of the Initial Chaperonin Capture Complex Influences the Substrate Folding Efficiency

For the chaperonin substrates, rhodanese, malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and glutamine synthetase (GS), the folding efficiencies, and the lifetimes of folding intermediates were measured with either the nucleotide-free GroEL or the activated ATP·GroEL·GroES chaperonin complex. With both nucleotide-free and activated complex, the folding efficiency of rhodanese and MDH remained high over a large range of GroEL to substrate concentration ratios (up to 1:1). In contrast, the folding efficiency of GS began to decline at ratios lower than 8:1. At ratios where the refolding yields were initially the same, only a relatively small increase (1.6-fold) in misfolding kinetics of MDH was observed with either the nucleotide-free or activated chaperonin complex. For rhodanese, no change was detected with either chaperonin complex. In contrast, GS lost its ability to interact with the chaperonin system at an accelerated rate (8-fold increase) when the activated complex instead of the nucleotide-free complex was used to rescue the protein from misfolding. Our data demonstrate that the differences in the refolding yields are related to the intrinsic folding kinetics of the protein substrates. We suggest that the early kinetic events at the substrate level ultimately govern successful chaperonin-substrate interactions and play a crucial role in dictating polypeptide flux through the chaperonin system. Our results also indicate that an accurate assessment of the transient properties of folding intermediates that dictate the initial chaperonin-substrate interactions requires the use of the activated complex as the interacting chaperonin species.
NEXT LINEAR COLLIDER: OVERVIEW AND e-e- OPTION

A lepton collider capable of generating a luminosity of 5×1033 to 1×1034 at center-of-mass energies from 0.5 to 1.5 TeV would permit studies of fundamental interactions complementary to those planned at the Large Hadron Collider. Such energies would be more easily achieved for electrons at a linear collider than a conventional storage ring. We describe the Next Linear Collider (NLC), a proposed linear collider which utilizes room-temperature RF systems operating at 11.4 GHz to achieve the desired energies and room-temperature electromagnets and permanent magnets to achieve the extremely small beam sizes required to meet the specified luminosity goal. The NLC design has been optimized to permit electron–electron collisions as well as electron–positron collisions. We discuss a few of the detailed technical challenges which are posed by electron–electron collisions in the NLC parameter regime.
Collective coordinates of vibration for the trigonal XY3Z6 molecular cluster

Abstract The projection operator is used to derive the collective coordinates of vibration for the molecular cluster XY3Z6 (nine nearest-neighbor oxygens surrounding a rare-earth ion) having C3h symmetry in the rare-earth ethyl sulphates. Group theory shows that the purely vibrational modes transform as 4A′ + 4A″ + 5E′ + 3E″ (in the notation of Eyring, Walter and Kimball). When the symmetry of the XY3Z6 molecular cluster belongs to the point group D3h, the appropriate collective coordinates of vibration can be easily obtained from the coordinates with C3h symmetry.
Responsiveness and communication medium in dyadic interactions

Pairs of subjects discussed a case history in a face-to-face situation, or via closed-circuit TV, telephone, or written messages. In addition to these true conversations, other subjects engaged in pseudoconversations in which they were yoked to one member of an interacting pair. Subjects tested with responsive partners rated them and the discussion more favorably and showed more opinion change than subjects with unresponsive pseudopartners, while communication medium had no effect.
T1α, a lung type I cell differentiation gene, is required for normal lung cell proliferation and alveolus formation at birth

T1alpha, a differentiation gene of lung alveolar epithelial type I cells, is developmentally regulated and encodes an apical membrane protein of unknown function. Morphological differentiation of type I cells to form the air-blood barrier starts in the last few days of gestation and continues postnatally. Although T1alpha is expressed in the foregut endoderm before the lung buds, T1alpha mRNA and protein levels increase substantially in late fetuses when expression is restricted to alveolar type I cells. We generated T1alpha null mutant mice to study the role of T1alpha in lung development and differentiation and to gain insight into its potential function. Homozygous null mice die at birth of respiratory failure, and their lungs cannot be inflated to normal volumes. Distal lung morphology is altered. In the absence of T1alpha protein, type I cell differentiation is blocked, as indicated by smaller airspaces, many fewer attenuated type I cells, and reduced levels of aquaporin-5 mRNA and protein, a type I cell water channel. Abundant secreted surfactant in the narrowed airspaces, normal levels of surfactant protein mRNAs, and normal patterns and numbers of cells expressing surfactant protein-B suggest that differentiation of type II cells, also alveolar epithelial cells, is normal. Anomalous proliferation of the mesenchyme and epithelium at birth with unchanged numbers of apoptotic cells suggests that loss of T1alpha and/or abnormal morphogenesis of type I cells alter the proliferation rate of distal lung cells, probably by disruption of epithelial-mesenchymal signaling.
Pulse shaping techniques for testing elastic-plastic materials with a split Hopkinson pressure bar.

We present pulse shaping techniques to obtain compressive stress-strain data for elastic-plastic materials with a split Hopkinson pressure bar. The conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus is modified by placing a combination of copper and steel pulse shapers on the impact surface of the incident bar. After impact by the striker bar, the copper-steel pulse shaper deforms plastically and spreads the pulse in the incident bar so that the sample is nearly in dynamic stress equilibrium and has a nearly constant strain rate in the plastic response region. We present analytical models and data that show a broad range of incident strain pulses can be obtained by varying the pulse shaper geometry and striking velocity. For an application, we present compressive stress-strain data for 4340 Rc 43 steel.
Near field impacts of reduced pH from ocean CO2 disposal

Abstract A methodology has been developed to quantify mortality suffered by marine zooplankton passing through a CO2-enriched sea water plume. Predicted impact depends on the mode of injection with scenarios which disperse the CO2 showing least impact. Benthic impacts also depend on injection mode, with localized effects expected for any scenario in which the plume contacts the bottom. Effects of scale were found whereby the predicted impact from 10 power plants is greater than 10 times the impact of one plant at the same site. Based on available data, our modeling suggests that mortality associated with exposure to low pH can be avoided by properly dispersing the CO2 and keeping the plume off of the seabed.
The Level of Residual Dispersion Variation and the Power of Differential Expression Tests for RNA-Seq Data

RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) has been widely adopted for quantifying gene expression changes in comparative transcriptome analysis. For detecting differentially expressed genes, a variety of statistical methods based on the negative binomial (NB) distribution have been proposed. These methods differ in the ways they handle the NB nuisance parameters (i.e., the dispersion parameters associated with each gene) to save power, such as by using a dispersion model to exploit an apparent relationship between the dispersion parameter and the NB mean. Presumably, dispersion models with fewer parameters will result in greater power if the models are correct, but will produce misleading conclusions if not. This paper investigates this power and robustness trade-off by assessing rates of identifying true differential expression using the various methods under realistic assumptions about NB dispersion parameters. Our results indicate that the relative performances of the different methods are closely related to the level of dispersion variation unexplained by the dispersion model. We propose a simple statistic to quantify the level of residual dispersion variation from a fitted dispersion model and show that the magnitude of this statistic gives hints about whether and how much we can gain statistical power by a dispersion-modeling approach.
The Impact of Physical Attractiveness on Women's Social Status and Interactional Power

This article tests hypotheses derived from status-generalization theory and communication-accommodation theory that behaviors resulting from status inequalities emerge when attractiveness differentiates dyads. Relying on unobtrusive acoustic analysis of 24 women's voices, we test the extent to which (1) women adjust nonverbal behavior to one another; (2) more attractive women exert more influence than less attractive partners; and (3) the effects of attractiveness on influence are stronger if a greater relative difference exists between partners. Findings suggest that if two interacting women are similarly attractive, then they compete dynamically for status, which informs recent developments in the expectation-states research program.
Dehalogenation by cytochrome P-450cam: Effect of oxygen level on the decomposition of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane

A P-450cam monooxygenase enzyme system, obtained through separate purification of the three protein subunits, was used as a biocatalyst in the dehalogenation of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP). Incubations in a solution containing the reconstituted enzyme system were performed in two oxygen environments, oxygen-rich (oxygen-saturated solution) and oxygen-lean (oxygen concentration reduced to 1% of saturation), and analyzed for hydrocarbon and bromide ion (Br-) product formation and the kinetics of DBCP decomposition. l-Bromo-3-chloroacetone (BCA) was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as a major product of oxygen-rich incubations, while 3-chloro-l-propene (allyl chloride) was verified as an oxygen-lean product. The identification of these two products suggests that P-450cam activity is occurring in two separate mechanisms, oxidative and reductive, which is governed by the availability of oxygen. This suggestion is further supported by differences that were observed in the DBCP decomposition rate, which is an order of magnitude slower under oxygen-lean conditions, and differences in bromide ion formation, where approximately one Br-stoichiometric equivalent is released per mole of DBCP lost under oxygen-rich conditions versus approximately two Br- stoichiometric equivalents for oxygen-lean conditions.
Influence of corticosterone on the development and display of androgen-dependent aggressive behavior in mice.

Abstract Two experiments assessed the interrelation between corticosterone and androgen-dependent aggressive behavior. In the first experiment, the display of aggression by prepubertally castrate male mice following testosterone replacement on Day 60 of life was significantly delayed by either 60 days of pretreatment, coincident treatment, or pre and coincident treatment: with 325 μg corticosterone per day. A second experiment showed that the same corticosterone regimens had no effect upon the aggressive behavior of intact males.
Audit Issues Related to GASB Statement No. 34

This paper discusses a variety of audit issues related to the implementation of GASB Statement No. 34. Ten specific audit issues are addressed. Each issue is defined and discussed, and the relevant professional literature is reviewed. The results of interviews of four experienced auditors of governments are presented with respect to these issues. These auditors identified several additional issues related to the implementation of Statement No. 34. The focus is on gaining insight from the concerns of auditor professionals to assist academics by identifying topics that warrant future research.
Spinal anesthesia for primary repair of gastroschisis : a new and safe technique for selected patients

Abstract Spinal anesthesia has been described for infants and premature babies undergoing minor operative procedures. The advantages of shorter operating time, avoidance of intubation, and shorter hospital stay have made this the gold standard for premature and other high-risk infants requiring minor procedures. However, little is known about this technique for major interventions in newborns and preterm infants. Recently, four infants born with gastroschisis underwent repair under spinal anesthesia. Two had accompanying intestinal atresia (one with a prenatal perforation and pan-hypopituitarism), and two had intact gastrointestinal systems. The gestational ages were 39, 33, 36, and 36 weeks, respectively. All had primary closure of the defect; one had no repair of the atresia because the bowel was thick and matted with a significant peel, and the defect was not identified. In the second case with atresia, necrosis and perforation of a localized segment of intestine was identified proximal to the intestinal atresia, and was exteriorized with the primary repair. When they arrived in the operating room, all four infants were breathing spontaneously, on room air, after appropriate fluid resuscitation. All underwent spinal anesthesia, which was the only agent used for the operation. The operative time was 45, 25, 30, and 25 minutes, respectively (mean, 31.25 minutes). The duration of anesthesia was 170 to 230 minutes (mean, 205 minutes). All infants were returned to the neonatal intensive care unit on room air and breathing spontaneously. One was given morphine postoperatively and suffered significant respiratory depression, requiring intubation. It appears that spinal anesthesia is safe and effective for major operative procedures in high-risk infants. This mechanism often alleviates the need for intubation and the concomitant risks for premature babies undergoing operation who demonstrate no need for assisted ventilation preoperatively. Given the proven efficacy and safety of this technique, modern neonatal care obligates the consideration of spinal anesthesia for major and minor operative procedures in selected patients.
The synthesis and structure of new transition metal lithium calcium nitride compounds

Three new nitrides, Li{sub 3}Ca{sub 2}V{sub 0.79}Nb{sub 0.21}N{sub 4}, Li{sub 2}Ca{sub 2.67}Nb{sub 0.33}N{sub 3} and Li{sub 12}Ca{sub 9}W{sub 5}N{sub 20}, were synthesized in sealed niobium tubes using lithium nitride as a flux at temperatures ranging from 800 Degree-Sign C to 1050 Degree-Sign C. In all of these compounds, the transition metals are coordinated tetrahedrally by nitrogen; these tetrahedra are isolated from each other. Bullet Li{sub 3}Ca{sub 2}V{sub 0.79}Nb{sub 0.21}N{sub 4}, space group P2{sub 1}/m (no. 11), cell parameters a=5.7669(8) A, b=6.9123(9) A, c=6.0116(12) A, {beta}=90.727(9) Degree-Sign , Z=2, has a shared vanadium/niobium tetrahedral position which shares vertices with the tetrahedrally-coordinated lithium position. Bullet Li{sub 2}Ca{sub 2.67}Nb{sub 0.33}N{sub 3}, space group Req /o(3, Macron )m (no. 166), cell parameters a=3.6311(2) A, c=29.459(3) A, Z=3, contains a disordered tetrahedral calcium/niobium position, an octahedral calcium position and a triangularly coordinated lithium position. Bullet Li{sub 12}Ca{sub 9}W{sub 5}N{sub 20}, space group C2/c (no. 15), cell parameters a=27.7347(19) A, b=8.6652(6) A, c=10.7685(7) A, {beta}=110.314(2) Degree-Sign , Z=4, contains three crystallographically different tungsten positions as well as one disordered lithium position. - Graphical abstract: Crystal structure of Li{sub 3}Ca{sub 2}V{sub 0.79}Nb{sub 0.21}N{sub 4} depicting the chains of edge-sharing LiN{sub 4} (light hatching) and (V/Nb)N{sub 4} (darkmore » hatching) tetrahedra viewed approximately along the [100] direction. Calcium atoms are shown as open circles and nitrogen atoms are colored black. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Three new lithium calcium nitrides are synthesized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Lithium nitride flux used in synthesis. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Structures contain isolated tetrahedrally coordinated transition metals. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Li{sub 12}Ca{sub 9}W{sub 5}N{sub 20} contains three crystallographically different W positions.« less
Abstract 1957: Slug regulates SOX9 stability in lung carcinoma and its involvement in the regulation of cancer stem cells and lung metastasis

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Most solid tumors including lung carcinoma are believed to contain cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are responsible for tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Understanding how CSCs are regulated at the molecular level may lead to novel strategies for cancer therapy. We have identified two proteins, Slug and SOX9, which determine the CSC state of human lung cancer epithelial cells. Inhibition of either Slug or SOX9 sufficiently blocks CSCs in human lung carcinoma cell lines, as determined by side population and tumor sphere assays, and attenuates lung metastasis in vivo in a xenograft mouse model. Coexpression of Slug and SOX9 is detected in the majority of lung tissues with advanced stage carcinoma. Here we found for the first time that Slug regulates SOX9 stability. Loss of Slug results in SOX9 degradation through ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway, and overexpression of Slug conversely prevents SOX9 degradation. Together, our results provide a direct evidence for the control of CSCs and tumor progression by Slug and SOX9, and unveil a novel role of Slug in SOX9 stabilization. These findings provide a mechanistic insight to the pathogenesis of metastasis in advanced lung carcinoma. Citation Format: Sudjit Luanpitpong, Liying Wang, Yon Rojanasakul. Slug regulates SOX9 stability in lung carcinoma and its involvement in the regulation of cancer stem cells and lung metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1957. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1957
Effect of Stale Sperm on Fertility and Hatchability of Chicken Eggs

Abstract RAYMOND PEARL (1917) made the statement that “anything which upsets the general metabolic balance or impairs the vitality of either partner of a mating will show its effect in a diminished hatching power of the eggs from that mating.” Thus in a general way it has been felt for a long time that both the producer of the gamete rich in cytoplasm (the egg) and the producer of the gamete poor in cytoplasm (the sperm) are directly responsible for the fertility and prolificacy of the mating into which their products enter. The life cycle of the gametes themselves and the effect of impairment of their vitality upon the zygote have not been extensively investigated until recently. Blandau and Young (1939) and Blandau and Jordan (1941) presented extensive experimental evidence that the rat ovum and the guinea pig ovum do not die abruptly but retain the ability to be fertilized beyond . . .
The increase in antioxidant capacity after wounding depends on the type of fruit or vegetable tissue

Wounding of fresh produce may elicit an increase in antioxidant capacity associated with wound-induced phenolic compounds. However, there have been no reports on the wounding response of different types of fresh produce. Changes in antioxidant capacity, total soluble phenolics, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids and total anthocyanins were evaluated after wounding in zucchini, white and red cabbage, iceberg lettuce, celery, carrot, parsnips, red radish, sweetpotato and potatoes. Phenolic changes ranged from a 26% decrease to an increase up to 191%, while antioxidant capacity changes ranged from a 51% decrease to an increase up to 442%. Reduced ascorbic acid decreased up to 82%, whereas the changes in anthocyanins and carotenoids were less evident. In general, the wound response was dependent on the type of tissue and influenced by the initial levels of reduced ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds. Wounding may increase the antioxidant content towards the development of selected healthier fresh-cut produce.
Assembly of the Synaptonemal Complex is a Highly Temperature-Sensitive Process that is Supported by PGL-1 during Caenorhabditis elegans Meiosis

Successful chromosome segregation during meiosis depends on the synaptonemal complex (SC), a structure that stabilizes pairing between aligned homologous chromosomes. Here we show that SC assembly is a temperature-sensitive process during Caenorhabditis elegans meiosis. Temperature sensitivity of SC assembly initially was revealed through identification of the germline-specific P-granule component PGL-1 as a factor promoting stable homolog pairing. Using an assay system that monitors homolog pairing in vivo, we showed that depletion of PGL-1 at 25° disrupts homolog pairing. Analysis of homolog pairing at other chromosomal loci in a pgl-1−null mutant revealed a pairing defect similar to that observed in mutants lacking SC central region components. Furthermore, loss of pgl-1 function at temperatures ≥25° results in severe impairment in loading of SC central region component SYP-1 onto chromosomes, resulting in formation of SYP-1 aggregates. SC assembly is also temperature sensitive in wild-type worms, which exhibit similar SYP-1 loading defects and formation of SYP-1 aggregates at temperatures ≥26.5°. Temperature shift analyses suggest that assembly of the SC is temperature sensitive, but maintenance of the SC is not. We suggest that the temperature sensitive (ts) nature of SC assembly may contribute to fitness and adaptation capacity in C. elegans by enabling meiotic disruption in response to environmental change, thereby increasing the production of male progeny available for outcrossing.
Accurate evaluation of the Chapman function for atmospheric attenuation

Abstract We report development of the first practical procedures for arbitrarily accurate analytical evaluation of the Chapman function, Ch (X, χ) , which describes the attenuation of solar radiation by an exponential atmosphere with respect to altitude (z), solar zenith angle (χ), atmospheric scale height (H), and planetary radius (R), with X=(R+z)/H. A new asymptotic expansion in negative powers of X is derived with good accuracy that is nearly independent of the value of χ. An entirely new approach, with unlimited potential accuracy for all values of X and χ, is developed based on the newly discovered inhomogeneous Bessel's differential equation satisfied by the Chapman function. We also provide efficient procedures for accurate numerical integration and review the performance of formulas available in the literature.
Computational Simulations of Vocal Fold Vibration: Bernoulli Versus Navier–Stokes

Summary The use of the mechanical energy (ME) equation for fluid flow, an extension of the Bernoulli equation, to predict the aerodynamic loading on a two-dimensional finite element vocal fold model is examined. Three steady, one-dimensional ME flow models, incorporating different methods of flow separation point prediction, were compared. For two models, determination of the flow separation point was based on fixed ratios of the glottal area at separation to the minimum glottal area; for the third model, the separation point determination was based on fluid mechanics boundary layer theory. Results of flow rate, separation point, and intraglottal pressure distribution were compared with those of an unsteady, two-dimensional, finite element Navier–Stokes model. Cases were considered with a rigid glottal profile as well as with a vibrating vocal fold. For small glottal widths, the three ME flow models yielded good predictions of flow rate and intraglottal pressure distribution, but poor predictions of separation location. For larger orifice widths, the ME models were poor predictors of flow rate and intraglottal pressure, but they satisfactorily predicted separation location. For the vibrating vocal fold case, all models resulted in similar predictions of mean intraglottal pressure, maximum orifice area, and vibration frequency, but vastly different predictions of separation location and maximum flow rate.
Visualization and Analysis of the Danish 2006 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 Wild Bird Surveillance Data by a Prototype Avian Influenza BioPortal

Infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 occurred for the first time in Denmark in 2006 during the last part of the European epidemic that mainly affected migrating wild birds. The total number of Danish wild bird cases was 45, of which only one was found through active surveillance using fecal sampling from resting areas for migrating species, whereas passive surveillance of dead wild birds provided 44 cases. One backyard, mixed poultry flock also became infected late in the epidemic. This study describes the spatial and temporal distribution of cases, initially characterized by a spatial-temporal cluster of affected tufted ducks that led to further spread to other wild bird species in the vicinity. The surveillance data also indicate an apparent die-off of the regional epidemic. As a tool in visualizing the spatial and temporal development of the epidemic, a prototype avian influenza (AI) BioPortal was used to provide online web-based access to the data. The AI BioPortal tools include mapping, graphing, phylogenetic tree construction, playback scenarios, and visualization of results of temporal-spatial analyses. Several of the features of this surveillance system compare favorably to the design of existing national and international surveillance information systems, and the AI BioPortal may become a useful tool for disease surveillance and for decision support in the event of future AI epidemics, both at national and international levels.
Molecular control of luteal secretion of progesterone

Cholesterol provided by low- or high-density lipoprotein is the precursor for biosynthesis of progesterone. Once inside the cell, cholesterol can be used for steroidogenesis or esterified with long-chain fatty acids and stored as cholesterol esters in lipid droplets. When it is needed for steroidogenesis, free cholesterol is transported to the mitochondrion via a mechanism that involves cytoskeletal elements and sterol carrier proteins. Cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme complex converts the cholesterol to pregnenolone, which is then converted to progesterone by 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5,delta4 isomerase in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Transport of cholesterol from the cytoplasm to the inner mitochondrial membrane is both the rate-limiting step in progesterone biosynthesis and the step most acutely influenced by second messengers. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) are involved in this transport. StAR may bind cholesterol in the cytosol and transport it to the mitochondrial membrane where PBR is involved in transport from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Phosphorylation of StAR by protein kinase A (PKA) stimulates cholesterol transport, whereas phosphorylation by PKC may inhibit this process. Endozepine, the natural ligand for PBR, also appears to be involved in regulation of the rate of cholesterol transport to the inner mitochondrial membrane and to play a role in the stimulatory effects of PKA on steroidogenesis. Increased concentrations of endozepine were detected in large luteal cells, and may explain the increased progesterone secretion from this type of cell. Fluorescence energy transfer procedures indicate that StAR associates with PBR in mitochondrial membranes. A model is presented for the proposed interactions of StAR, PBR and endozepine in the transport of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane.
A SPATIAL BARGAINING THEORY OF GOVERNMENT FORMATION IN PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEMS

1 theory of government formation in parliamentary systems is developed from a model incorporating policy-oriented parties with spatial preferences and a formation process in which parties are selected in sequence to attempt to form a government. A government is formed when the policy proposed by the party selected is sustained on a vote of confidence. The equilibria identify the government and the policy it will implement and depend on the configuration of preferences and on the government formation process. For example, in a political system with two large parties and one small party and in which one of the two large parties will be selected to attempt to form a government, the government will be formed by a large party with the support of the small party. The policy will reflect the preferences of the small party but will be closer to the ideal point of the large party.