cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive current-flow models of ECT: Explaining individual static impedance, dynamic impedance, and brain current density.

Abstract Background Improvements in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) outcomes have followed refinement in device electrical output and electrode montage. The physical properties of the ECT stimulus, together with those of the patient's head, determine the impedances measured by the device and govern current delivery to the brain and ECT outcomes. Objective However, the precise relations among physical properties of the stimulus, patient head anatomy, and patient-specific impedance to the passage of current are long-standing questions in ECT research and practice. To this end, we develop a computational framework based on diverse clinical data sets. Methods We developed anatomical MRI-derived models of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) that included changes in tissue conductivity due to local electrical current flow. These “adaptive” models simulate ECT both during therapeutic stimulation using high current (∼1 A) and when dynamic impedance is measured, as well as prior to stimulation when low current (∼1 mA) is used to measure static impedance. We modeled two scalp layers: a superficial scalp layer with adaptive conductivity that increases with electric field up to a subject-specific maximum ( σ SS ¯ ), and a deep scalp layer with a subject-specific fixed conductivity ( σ DS ). Results We demonstrated that variation in these scalp parameters may explain clinical data on subject-specific static impedance and dynamic impedance, their imperfect correlation across subjects, their relationships to seizure threshold, and the role of head anatomy. Adaptive tES models demonstrated that current flow changes local tissue conductivity which in turn shapes current delivery to the brain in a manner not accounted for in fixed tissue conductivity models. Conclusions Our predictions that variation in individual skin properties, rather than other aspects of anatomy, largely govern the relationship between static impedance, dynamic impedance, and ECT current delivery to the brain, themselves depend on assumptions about tissue properties. Broadly, our novel modeling pipeline opens the door to explore how adaptive-scalp conductivity may impact transcutaneous electrical stimulation (tES).
A mathematical model for Escherichia coli chemotaxis to competing stimuli.

Chemotactic bacteria sense and respond to temporal and spatial gradients of chemical cues in their surroundings. This phenomenon plays a critical role in many microbial processes such as groundwater bioremediation, microbially enhanced oil recovery, nitrogen fixation in legumes, and pathogenesis of the disease. Chemical heterogeneity in these natural systems may produce numerous competing signals from various directions. Predicting the migration behavior of bacterial populations under such conditions is necessary for designing effective treatment schemes. In this study, experimental studies and mathematical models are reported for the chemotactic response of Escherichia coli to a combination of attractant (α-methylaspartate) and repellent (NiCl2 ), which bind to the same transmembrane receptor complex. The model describes the binding of chemoeffectors and phosphorylation of the kinase in the signal transduction mechanism. Chemotactic parameters of E. coli (signaling efficiency σ , stimuli sensitivity coefficient γ , and repellent sensitivity coefficient κ ) were determined by fitting the model with experimental results for individual stimuli. Interestingly, our model naturally identifies NiCl2 as a repellent for κ>1 . The model is capable of describing quantitatively the response to the individual attractant and repellent, and correctly predicts the change in direction of bacterial population migration for competing stimuli with a twofold increase in repellent concentration.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention Practices for Lyme Disease by Clinicians, United States, 2013-2015.

ObjectivesAlthough tick-borne diseases account for a large number of health care visits in the United States, clinical practices for tick bite and Lyme disease treatment and prevention are not well...
OneAI - Novel Multipurpose Deep Learning Algorithms for UWB Wireless Networks

In this paper, novel multipurpose deep learning algorithms are proposed for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless networks that are capable of identifying the channel environment, estimating the SNR level, and performing ToA estimation, simultaneously. UWB technology is among the rapid-growing solutions for the next generation of deep learning-based wireless communication and localization systems. Existing deep learning algorithms for UWB wireless networks have addressed the various signal processing tasks individually in separate deep learning modules. This, however, increases the computational complexity, power consumption, and overall latency of the models. In this paper, unlike the existing methods, the desired signal processing tasks are performed in one single deep learning module. The proposed model consists of a main deep learning module as the core of the model that extracts low-level information from the signal and several shallow learning networks to extract high-level information. We demonstrate that the low-level information that is extracted in the core deep learning module can be reused in all separate tasks. The performance of the proposed models is investigated against the standard IEEE 802.15.4a channel model by evaluating various metrics such as accuracy, area under the curve (AUC), precision, mean absolute error (MAE), and mean square error (MSE).
Fatty Liver Disease: Diagnosis and Stratification.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major public health crisis affecting approximately 25% of the world's population. The spectrum of NAFLD ranges from bland steatosis to steatohepatitis with fibrosis; eventual development of cirrhosis in a subgroup of patients now represents the leading indication for liver transplant in women and in individuals older than 65. The development of noninvasive liver disease assessment tools has led to substantial progress in the diagnosis of NAFLD. Patients with NAFLD are at increased risk of cardiometabolic disease, which should therefore be an important part of the therapeutic approach. This review focuses on diagnosis and risk stratification of NAFLD across the full spectrum of disease, including important considerations in the approach to patients with cirrhosis. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Medicine, Volume 73 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Traffic Flow Theory

Let us derive the basic conservation equation for traffic flow. We consider the flow of vehicles on a long road where the features of the flow we wish to calculate, such as bottlenecks, etc., are long compared with the average distances between vehicles. Let n(x, x + Δx,t) denote the number of vehicles between point x and point x + Δx on the road at time t (see Figure 14.1). We shall assume that k(x, t) exists such that for any x, Δx, and t, $$ n(x,x + \Delta x,t) = \int_x^{{x + \Delta }} k (\hat{x},t)d\hat{x} $$ (1) We note that, by the fundamental theorem of calculus, $$ k(x,\,t) = \mathop{{\lim }}\limits_{{\Delta x \to 0}} \frac{{n(x,x + \Delta x,t)}}{{\Delta x}} $$ if k is continuous. We shall assume that we can adequately model the situations of interest with the assumption that k is continuous.
Chymotrypsin-Like Activity in the Honeybee Midgut: Patterns in a Three-Year Study

SummaryLevels of activity of a chymotrypsin-like enzyme in midguts of adult worker honeybees (Apis mellifera) from 2 hives were measured over a 3-year period. The principal between-year pattern was one of higher levels in winter than in either fall or spring. Considerable variation in enzymatic activity was found. Spearman rank correlation analysis of the chymotrypsin-like activity showed marked concordance in changes in level of activity between the 2 hives in each of the 2 years for which complete data were available, but between-year correlations for each hive were low (or negative) and varied widely. These results suggest that levels of chymotrypsin-like activity in the midgut of worker honeybees are markedly affected by exogenous, i.e. dietary, factors.
Profits Interests Gifts Under Section 2701: 'I Am Not a Monster'

Section 2701 provides special gift tax valuation rules for transfers of a partnership or corporate interest when the entity has multiple classes of equity. Congress enacted section 2701 to deal with potential valuation abuses it identified in the preferred stock recapitalization. Section 2701 was enacted to replace section 2036(c) that Congress believed unnecessarily restricted the flexibility of family business owners to arrange their affairs. Ironically the complexity of section 2701 has led estate planners to urge their clients to impose similar restrictions on family entities to avoid imagined disastrous gift tax costs. This concern has particularly impacted planning for a gift of a profits interest in a hedge or venture capital fund where its complex character clearly runs afoul of section 2701.As families began to use simpler proportional profits interests in partnerships to shift investment risks among family members, estate planners have begun to reevaluate whether section 2701 even applies to partnerships with only this profits interest. This report represents the author's year long struggle to apply section 2701 in this context, despite having been involved with its drafting almost 20 years ago. The author concludes that these proportional profits interests are outside section 2701, subject perhaps to a few tweaks. Moreover, a careful analysis of section 2701 reveals that it will produce a value which differs little from the fair market value analysis of a profits interest under the gift tax provisions of chapter 12. In fact using the subtraction method under section 2701 may be preferable to other valuation analyses.Whether you are a corporate lawyer with little knowledge of section 2701 or an experienced estate planner, this report will surprise you. But remember, section 2701 - unlike section 2036(c) that it replaced - is not a Monster so be not afraid.
Screening for dementia in primary care: a summary of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

This systematic review evaluates the evidence that screening for dementia can alter health outcomes.
Non-linear evolution of a sinusoidal pulse under a Brinkman-based poroacoustic model

Abstract Through numerical analyses, we study the roles of Brinkman viscosity, the Darcy coefficient, and the coefficient of non-linearity on the evolution of finite amplitude harmonic waves. An investigation of acoustic blow-ups is conducted, showing that an increase in the magnitude of the non-linear term gives rise to blow-ups, while an increase in the strength of the Darcy and/or Brinkman terms mitigate them. Finally, an analytical study via a regular perturbation expansion is given to support the numerical results.
Social Networks as a Shortcut to Correct Voting

This article reports on a small group experiment studying how the preferences of an individual's social network affect her ability to vote for the candidate who will provide her with the greater benefit on both valence issues and position issues. The research diverges from traditional formal models and experimental studies of social communication by expanding the communication network beyond the dyad. The results suggest that social communication is a useful information shortcut for uninformed independents, but not uninformed partisans. Informed individuals incorporate biased social messages into their candidate evaluations, which results in higher levels of incorrect voting in certain types of networks.
Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate inhibits epidermal growth factor signalling in human keratinocytes, leading to decreased ornithine decarboxylase activity

Several studies have suggested that murine and human keratinocytes respond differently to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Using an in vitro assay, we found that in contrast to its effect on murine skin, PMA did not induce ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in human skin biopsies. To explore the signalling induced by PMA and to determine whether an in vitro culture system could be used to predict biological activity of retinoids in human keratinocytes, we studied a simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed human keratinocyte cell line. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates ODC activity and increases the steady-state level of ODC mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner in these cells [Prystowsky, Clevenger and Zheng (1993) Exp. Dermatol. 2, 125-132]. In this report, 10(-10) M-10(-7) M PMA induced ODC mRNA and enzyme synthesis at 7 h, but did not significantly induce ODC activity and inhibited the EGF induction of ODC activity. To explore the mechanism whereby PMA interfered with EGF signalling, the effect of PMA on EGF binding to its cell-surface receptor was studied; acute treatment with PMA (within 7 h) decreased EGF binding to 41-57% of the baseline level. In contrast, chronic treatment with PMA (24 h) increased EGF binding to 156% of the baseline level and was associated with an increase in quantity of EGF receptor protein. Protein kinase C (PKC) activation correlated with the acute decrease in EGF binding following PMA treatment. In summary, PMA induced ODC mRNA and ODC enzyme synthesis, while steady-state levels of immunoprecipitable ODC enzyme protein and ODC activity were not increased, demonstrating possible increased turnover of ODC enzyme protein. Additionally, PMA inhibited the induction of ODC by EGF through decreased EGF binding, possibly mediated by PKC activation. Finally treatment of the keratinocytes with retinoids including etretinate, Ro13-7410, etarotene, Ro40-8757, 13-cisretinoic acid, and acitretin blocked the PMA induction of ODC mRNA, suggesting this in vitro model could be a valuable screening assay for predicting biological activity in humans.
Model-Based Real-Time Testing of Embedded Automotive Systems

The paper presents a model-based approach to testing embedded automotive software systems in a real-time. Model-based testing approach relates to a process of creating test artifacts using various kinds of models. Real-time testing involves the use of a real-time environment to implement test application. Engineers shall use real-time testing techniques to achieve greater reliability and/or determinism in a test system. The paper contains an instruction how to achieve these objectives by proper definition, implementation, execution, and evaluation of test cases. The test cases are defined and implemented in a modeling environment. The execution and evaluation of test results is made in a real-time machine. The paper is concluded with results obtained from the initial deployment of the approach on a large scale in production stream projects.
Radio frequency interference detection and mitigation techniques: EcoSAR 2014 flight campaign

Radio frequency interference (RFI) has strong influence on radar systems, especially for wideband airborne radars operating in the P-band (UHF). EcoSAR is a 435 MHz Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system that employs a wideband digital beamforming architecture for the measurement of science parameters. RFI in EcoSAR measurements, degrades the quality of the SAR data and has to be removed from raw echoes. In this paper, we describe the current methodology used to mitigate RFI with EcoSAR, and provide an example on its performance. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed methods and discuss potential improvements.
Karyometric, cytophotometric, and histoenzymatic studies on neuroglia of young rats subjected to CCNU (Lomustine) action.

Summary Studies on the effects of CCNU on neuroglia cells of the central nervous system in young individuals were conducted on 19 Wistar strain rats, each given 2 mg doses of 0.25 CCNU in 7th and 12th d of life. Karyometric and cytophotometric studies proved that CCNU administered to young rats induced changes in Oligodendroglia and astroglia of the central nervous system. The changes included significant increase in nuclei contour and in the area of nuclei cross-section in oligodendro- and astroglia cells, elongation of Oligodendroglia nuclei and an augmented DNA content in the 2 neuroglia types. The observed karyometric and cytophotometric changes were more evident in Oligodendroglia nuclei than in astroglia nuclei.
HEAO-A - The first high energy astronomy observatory

The early major findings of the four HEAO-A cosmic X-ray and gamma-ray experiments will be discussed. A comparative analysis of the actual and expected instrument performance will be presented. The unique contributions of high energy astrophysics to the study of the universe will be highlighted with specific HEAO-A observations. Plans for the ongoing observations will be shown. The observatory capabilities will be briefly compared with those of previous satellites.
Federalism: A Normative Theory and its Practical Relevance

Federalism: A Normative Theory and its Practical Relevance Kyle Scott London, The Continuum International Publishing Group, 2011, ISBN 978-4411-7714-8 This neo-Straussian and Calhounian analysis se...
Determination of strain energy function for arterial elastin: Experiments using histology and mechanical tests

The long-range reversible deformation of vertebrate arteries is primarily mediated by elastin networks that endure several million deformation cycles without appreciable fatigue. To determine how elastin contributes to the composite arterial properties, we studied the three-dimensional microstructure and biomechanics of isolated elastin. We initially estimated the sensitivity of these studies by comparing two elastin isolation protocols, autoclaving and alkali-extraction, and measured their effect on isolated elastin using uniaxial tests and histology. These studies show that autoclaved tissues have a trend for higher modulus (900.79+/-678.02 kPa) than alkali-extracted samples (417.74+/-162.23 kPa)albeit with higher collagen-proteoglycan impurities, and (2) greater optical density (78.6+/-9.1%) than alkali-extracted groups (46.2+/-5.9%), suggesting that autoclaving is superior to alkali-extraction for biomechanical tests on elastin. Using these data we show that an isotopic Mooney-Rivlin model cannot adequately represent arterial elastin. The neo-Hookean model, with coefficient 162.57 (+/-115.44) kPa for autoclaved and 76.94 (+/-27.76) kPa for alkali-extracted samples, fits the uniaxial data better. Autoclaved elastins also show linear stress-strain response and equal stiffness in circumferential and axial directions suggesting equal number of layers in these directions and that elastin may help distribute tensile stresses during vessel inflation. Histology of autoclaved and control porcine arteries reveals axial elastin fibers in intimal and adventitial layers but circumferential medial fibers. We propose an orthotropic material symmetry for arterial elastin with two orthogonally oriented and symmetrically placed mechanically equivalent fibers. An exact form of the constitutive equation will be obtained in a future study.
The relationship of mindfulness and self-compassion to desired wildland fire leadership

A quantitative approach was adopted to explore facets of mindfulness and self-compassion in relation to their ability to predict crewmembers’ perceptions of their supervisors’ leadership capabilities. The sample comprised 43 wildland fire crews consisting of their primary supervisors (n = 43) and crewmembers (n = 246). A partial least-squares path modelling approach was employed to test hypotheses regarding the relationships among mindfulness, self-compassion and leadership. Findings revealed that supervisor scores on mindfulness were significant predictors of crewmember-rated scores of supervisor leadership. Although not as strong, aspects of self-compassion were also significant predictors of perceived supervisor leadership. Unlike mindfulness, the aspects of self-compassion that predicted supervisor leadership were more varied between desirable self-compassion scores and undesirable self-compassion scores. Overall, the results indicate that mindfulness and self-compassion were predictors of desired wildland fire leadership by crewmembers; these results suggest potential functions that mindfulness and self-compassion could serve in the development of leaders in wildland firefighting.
The effect of murine anti-thymocyte globulin on experimental kidney warm ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.

Abstract Kidney ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is an important contributor to delayed graft function (DGF) and poor outcome of allografts. Small clinical studies suggest a beneficial role for human anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) in DGF. We investigated the short-term effect of mouse anti-thymocyte globulin (mATG) on kidney warm IRI in mice. We administered either mATG, rabbit immunoglobulin (RIgG), or saline with different dosing schedules in three different IRI models: 30 min bilateral, 60 min bilateral, and 45 min unilateral IRI. mATG effectively depleted circulating T cells but had less effect on kidney-infiltrating T cells. There was no difference in serum creatinine levels between groups in each study. Scoring of renal tubular damage and regenerating tubules revealed no difference between groups. The percentage of CD3 + CD4 − CD8 − double-negative (DN) T cells, which were reported to contribute to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis, increased and the percentages of regulatory T cells and NK cells decreased in the post-ischemic kidneys of mATG treated mice. mATG did not alter the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ or anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 in post-ischemic kidneys. mATG treatment, whether initiated before ischemia or immediately after reperfusion, had minimal effects on renal injury following warm IRI in mice.
Low temperature magnetization of pure3He films on grafoil

Abstract Continuous wave NMR was used to study pure3He films at coverages from below 2nd layer completion to above the ferromagnetic peak coverage at ∼2.5 layers. The films were adsorbed on Grafoil and were cooled to temperatures as low as 0.075 mK. The first layer magnetization followed Curie law very well, with a Weiss constant of less than 0.01 mK. We measured the ferromagnetic 2nd layer magnetization to temperatures far below the exchange energy (J) as a function of coverage. Preliminary analysis indicates that J did not vary strongly with coverage, and that the zero temperature 2nd layer magnetization was linear in 2nd layer density. Both of these properties are consistent with there being two phases in coexistence, only one of which is ferromagnetic.
Smart Kids With Learning Disabilities: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential Weinfield, R., Barnes-Robinson, L., Jeweler, S., & Roffman Shevitz, B. (2013)

Smart Kids With Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential is an updated, comprehensive guide to addressing the educational needs of gifted and talented students with learn...
Under Solomon's Throne: Uzbek Visions of Renewal in Osh

Under Solomon's Throne: Uzbek Visions of Renewal in Osh, by Morgan Liu, Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Press, 2012, 280 pp., US$29.95, ISBN-13 978-0822961772 Morgan Liu's Under Solomon's Thro...
Statins' immunomodulatory potential against Th17 cell-mediated autoimmune response.

Statins’ recently discovered anti-inflammatory effects place them at the forefront of the new therapies for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Our recent study demonstrated that simvastatin exerts an independent immunomodulatory effect on the human monocytes and CD4+ cells. In addition to the statin-mediated effect on the monocyte cytokine production, which regulates Th17 cell differentiation, simvastatin directly inhibits IL-17 production in CD4+ cells, which may collectively inhibit the autoimmune response in multiple sclerosis (MS), a central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory demyelinating disease.
The Divine-Human Encounter Towards a Pentecostal Theology of Experience

This address offers preliminary steps toward a theology of experience from a Pentecostal perspective. While not making experience of God the sole basis for theological reflection, this address suggests that too frequently experiences with God the Spirit are allowed no basis for such reflection. Using four doctrinal loci of traditional Christian theology, Cross argues that each locus is deficient without an experiential dimension. The four loci are traditionally expressed in the following Latin phrases: (1) finitum (non) capax infiniti; (2) Christus praesens; (3) unio cum Christo; and (4) internum testimonium Spiritus Sancti. Rather than creating an entirely new theology for Pentecostals, this essay proposes to breathe life into some existing Christian theological formulations by including a reflection on human encounters with the Spirit.
Miscellanea U: post‐disciplinary networks in social media

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the pedagogical, disciplinary, and institutional implications of social media for higher education.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines current theories on educational technology and social media in the context of specific social media (Second Life and iTunesU) used in pilot programs.Findings – The paper finds that social media dramatically alter the material contexts in which we make decisions about how to organize people and information in higher education. The operation of social media, particularly the low costs of group formation and risk‐taking, is difficult to accommodate within the traditional institutional structures of higher education.Originality/value – This paper expands the conversation of social media in higher education beyond the limited (though certainly significant) tasks of technical innovation and policy making to recognize the larger institutional and disciplinary challenges and opportunities they represent.
Ambulatory use of parenteral antibacterials: contemporary perspectives.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) offers increased patient comfort and convenience in appropriately selected patients who require parenteral antibacterial therapy, as well as opportunity for cost savings. Home-based programmes, with drugs being administered by the patient or the caregiver, have become the norm in the USA. Choice of drugs for OPAT is based on antimicrobial spectrum, dosage regimen, drug stability, toxicity profile, and cost. Over the past decade, availability of sophisticated programmable pumps has allowed a wider range of antimicrobial agents to be used in the ambulatory setting. The most popular antibacterial agents in OPAT programmes in the USA are vancomycin and β-lactams.
Positionality of African Americans and a theoretical accommodation of it: Rethinking science education research

This essay addresses a call for research involving African Americans to interpret data from the historical, contemporary, and cultural experiences of African Americans. The essay argues for a science education research approach that explicitly considers the positionality of African Americans in the United States. This positionality involves the negotiation of three distinct and conflicting realms of experience that pertain to oppression, African-rooted Black culture, and the dominant culture in the United States. The theoretical tool proposed in this essay accommodates the positionality of African Americans by superimposing it upon a model that synthesizes the ideas of Michael Cole (cultural-historical activity theory) and Urie Bronfenbrenner (ecology of human development). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed92:1127–1144, 2008
Column chromatography of steroids on Sephadex LH-20.

ABSTRACT Several solvent systems are described for the separation of neutral and phenolic steroids. Benzene and methanol in different proportions, with and without methylene chloride or chloroform, were found to be the most suitable systems for the separation of the 3 classic estrogens. Heptane, isooctane, hexane and cyclohexane were the basic solvents used for the chromatography of various neutral steroids. These systems required the addition of small amounts of either benzene, ethyl acetate or chloroform together with methanol. Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography offers several features which make it particularly useful in steroid assay procedures such as competitive protein binding and radioimmunoassay.
Differential Regulation of Primary Afferent Input to Spinal Cord by Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes Delineated Using Knockout Mice

Stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) inhibits nociceptive transmission at the spinal level. However, it is unclear how each mAChR subtype regulates excitatory synaptic input from primary afferents. Here we examined excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of dorsal horn neurons evoked by dorsal root stimulation in spinal cord slices from wild-type and mAChR subtype knock-out (KO) mice. In wild-type mice, mAChR activation with oxotremorine-M decreased the amplitude of monosynaptic EPSCs in ∼67% of neurons but increased it in ∼10% of neurons. The inhibitory effect of oxotremorine-M was attenuated by the M2/M4 antagonist himbacine in the majority of neurons, and the remaining inhibition was abolished by group II/III metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonists in wild-type mice. In M2/M4 double-KO mice, oxotremorine-M inhibited monosynaptic EPSCs in significantly fewer neurons (∼26%) and increased EPSCs in significantly more neurons (33%) compared with wild-type mice. Blocking group II/III mGluRs eliminated the inhibitory effect of oxotremorine-M in M2/M4 double-KO mice. In M2 single-KO and M4 single-KO mice, himbacine still significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of oxotremorine-M. However, the inhibitory and potentiating effects of oxotremorine-M on EPSCs in M3 single-KO and M1/M3 double-KO mice were similar to those in wild-type mice. In M5 single-KO mice, oxotremorine-M failed to potentiate evoked EPSCs, and its inhibitory effect was abolished by himbacine. These findings indicate that activation of presynaptic M2 and M4 subtypes reduces glutamate release from primary afferents. Activation of the M5 subtype either directly increases primary afferent input or inhibits it through indirectly stimulating group II/III mGluRs.
Cerebellar targets of visual pontine cells in the cat

The cerebellum receives visual mossy fiber input from the cerebral cortex via visual cells in the pons. We identified the regions of cat cerebellum that receive cerebral visual input by injecting orthograde tracers among physiologically identified visual pontine cells. Cerebellar labeling following these injections indicates that the contralateral paraflocculus and the rostral folium of the uvula (vermal lobule IX) receive the heaviest projection from cortically activated pontine visual cells. Lighter visual input reaches much of the rest of the contralateral posterior lobe. A second experiment combined, in the same animal, orthograde tracing of the visual corticopontine pathway with retrograde tracing of the pontocerebellar projection. The results of this experiment confirm that the paraflocculus and uvula receive more cortical visual input than do other regions of the cerebellum. This experiment also shows that uvula-projecting and paraflocculus-projecting cells occupy different parts of the ventromedial pons. Uvula-projecting cells cluster immediately adjacent to the ventral and medial borders of the pyramidal tract and near the midline. Paraflocculus-projecting cells lie ventral and medial to the pyramidal tract but displaced from its border. There are few paraflocculus-projecting cells near the midline.
Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in water resources: A review

Increasing public awareness, stricter measures and promulgation of new laws in the area of water resources have made the use of advanced technologies indispensable. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are an effective tool for storing, managing, and displaying spatial data often encountered in water resources management. The application of GIS in water resources is constantly on the rise. In order to stress the importance of GIS in water resources management, applications related to this area are addressed and evaluated for efficient future research and development. Fundamentals of GIS are summarized and the history of the GIS evolution in water resources is discussed. Current GIS applications are presented including surface hydrologic and groundwater modeling, water supply and sewer system modeling, stormwater and nonpoint source pollution modeling for urban and agricultural areas, and other related applications. Future research and development needs are presented, based on these reviews.
The effect of humidity on water sorption in photoresist polymer thin films

A quartz crystal microbalance technique has been utilized to measure water sorption and desorption in three photoresist polymers: poly( phydroxystyrene), novolac, and bis-triflouromethyl carbinol substituted poly(norbornene). The humidity of the sample environment was varied to determine the rate and amount of water absorbed into the photoresist thin films as a function of local environmental conditions. At 100% absolute humidity, the polymers were found to absorb 9.8, 2 ‐ 3, and 5 ‐ 8 wt%, respectively. The sorption and diffusion of water into the polymer thin films was observed to initially follow Fickian behavior in the low fractional mass uptake regions ðMt=M1 , 0:6Þ; but concentration dependent diffusion behavior was seen at higher levels of water uptake. All films sorbed and desorbed water rapidly with the majority of the water uptake or loss occurring in the first few seconds of exposure. q 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Pain syndromes and pharmacologic management of pancreatic cancer pain

Patients with carcinoma of the pancreas present with a variety of pain symptoms that can be divided arbitrarily into a series of acute and chronic pain syndromes. Clarification of the specific pain syndrome is important to provide appropriate palliative care to such patients, the majority of whom present with advanced disease.’ At the time of diagnosis less than 10% of patients have tumors confined to the pancreas. Forty percent have locally advanced tumors involving lymph nodes and peripancreatic tissues, and more than 50% have visceral metastatic disease. The most frequent metastatic sites include regional lymph nodes, liver, peritoneum, and abdominal viscera.2 At the time of presentation, the type of pain and its pattern of symptoms are closely associated with the site of tumor within the pancreas. For example, tumor in the head of the pancreas produces biliary obstruction, “a painless jaundice,” with subsequent duodenal obstruction. Seventy-two percent of patients with tumor in the head of the pancreas will have pain, in contrast to 87% of patients with tumor occuring in the body or tail of the pancreas. s In the latter group, studies have suggested that pain occurs late in the course of the disease and results from gastric and retroperitoneal invasion. Metastases to the liver, to the peritoneum with resultant ascites, to the retroperitoneal nodes, to vascular structures and to the epidural space are the major sites of involvement for the development of intractable pain in this disorder. The dearth of literature that carefully details the variety of pain symptoms occurring in this patient population reflects what has been the general approach to such patients-one of lumping all pain symptoms as one “pain,” with
NFκB1/p50 Is Not Required for Tumor Necrosis Factor-Stimulated Growth of Primary Mammary Epithelial Cells: Implications for NFκB2/p52 and RelB

Nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) plays an important role in mammary gland development and breast cancer. We previously demonstrated that TNF stimulates growth of mammary epithelial cells (MEC) in a physiologically relevant three-dimensional primary culture system, accompanied by enhanced DNA-binding of the NFkappaB p50 homodimer. To further understand the mechanism of TNF-stimulated growth of primary MEC, the requirement for NFkappaB1/p50, and the role of cyclin D1 in TNF-stimulated growth were examined. TNF induced the formation of DNA-binding complexes of p50 and p52 with their coactivator bcl3 in MEC nuclear extracts. Concomitantly, TNF increased the binding of NFkappaB proteins to the kappaB site on the cyclin D1 promoter, and increased expression of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein. Using MEC from p50 null mice, we found that p50 was not required for TNF-induced growth nor for up-regulation of cyclin D1. However, TNF induced a p52/RelB NFkappaB DNA-binding complex in p50 null MEC nuclear extracts. In addition, we found that in wild-type MEC, TNF stimulated the occupancy of p52 and RelB on the cyclin D1 promoter kappaB site, whereas p50 was present constitutively. These data suggest that in wild-type MEC, TNF stimulates the interaction of bcl3 with p50 and p52, and the binding of p52, as well as RelB, to cyclin D1 promoter kappaB sites, and as a consequence, stimulates the growth of MEC. In the absence of p50, p52 and RelB can compensate for p50 in TNF-stimulated growth and cyclin D1 induction in MEC.
Aperture averaging in a free-space laser communication system with a phase diffuser

The effects of aperture averagign in a free-space laser communication system with a phase diffuser placed in front of the transmitting aperture are studied. The partially coherent beam created by the use of a phase diffuser is modeled as a Gaussian Schell beam. To evaluate aperture averaging, an analytic expression is used for the spatial covariance of irradiance fluctuations that is valid for Gaussian beams of any degree of coherence, subject to the restriction that the atmospheic turbulence-corrupted laser beam can be described as a Gaussian stochastic process. In the weak fluctuation regime this analytic expression is found to compare reasonably well with published data. It is shown that when a partially coherent source beam is used irradiance fluctuations can be significantly reduced in the weak fluctuation regime.
Protection by transfected glutathione S-transferase isozymes against carcinogen-induced alkylation of cellular macromolecules in human MCF-7 cells

Increased expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes has been correlated with development of resistance both to cytotoxic anticancer agents and to genotoxic carcinogens. While most anticancer agents are poor GST substrates, the model alkylating carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (NQO) is a good substrate for human pi class GST (hGSTP1-1) and murine GST mu-1 (mGSTM1-1), but not human GST alpha-2 (hGSTA2-2). We investigated whether expression of these GST isozymes in stably transfected clonal cell lines could protect against the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of NQO. Compared to parental MCF-7 or pSV2neotransfected control cell lines, covalent labeling of total cellular macromolecules by [3H]NQO (0.1-1.0 mM) was reduced by 70% and 92% in hGSTP1-1- and mGSTM1-1-transfected cell lines, respectively, but was not affected in the hGSTA2-2 expressing line. The observed protection was closely correlated with the relative specific activity of each cell line for conjugation of NQO by the transfected GST isozymes and this protection was reversible by pretreatment of cells with the GST inhibitor ethacrynic acid. Similar results were obtained when covalent labeling of total cellular nucleic acid or DNA was measured. However, clonogenic survival assays indicated that the sensitivity of these cell lines to the cytotoxic effects of NQO was similar for the control and GST-transfected MCF-7 cell lines. Thus, while expression of hGSTP1-1 and mGSTM1-1 (but not hGSTA2-2) was highly protective against alkylation of cellular macromolecules by NQO, this protection was not effective against cytotoxicity induced by NQO as measured by clonogenic assay. These results indicate that expression of GST isozymes can protect differentially against the acute genotoxic and potentially mutagenic effects, as compared to the cytotoxic effects, of electrophiles that are detoxified by glutathione conjugation.
Influence of Er:YAG and Nd:YAG wavelengths on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements under air or helium atmosphere.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is widely dependent on the conditions of its implementation in terms of laser characteristics (wavelength, energy, and pulse duration), focusing conditions, and surrounding gas. In this study two wavelengths, 1.06 and 2.94 µm, obtained with Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers, respectively, were used for LIBS analysis of aluminum alloy samples in two conditions of surrounding gas. The influence of the laser wavelength on the laser-produced plasma was studied for the same irradiance by use of air or helium as a buffer gas at atmospheric pressure. We used measurements of light emission to determine the temporally resolved space-averaged electron density and plasma temperature in the laser-induced plasma. We also examined the effect of laser wavelength in two different ambient conditions in terms of spectrochemical analysis by LIBS. The results indicate that the effect of the surrounding gas depends on the laser wavelength and the use of an Er:YAG laser could increase linearity by limiting the leveling in the calibration curve for some elements in aluminum alloys. There is also a significant difference between the plasma induced by the two lasers in terms of electron density and plasma temperature.
SmartVNC: an effective remote computing solution for smartphones

While a remote computing solution such as VNC is an effective technology for PC users to access a remote computer, it is not as effective while being used from smartphones. In this paper, we propose techniques to improve remote computing from smartphones that help deliver near-PC level experience to users. We introduce a key building block called smart-macros that have the robustness of application macros but at the same time possess the generality of raw macros. Using smart-macros we design and prototype SmartVNC, a remote computing solution for smartphones. We show using experimental studies and a trace based analysis of real user activity, that SmartVNC can improve user experience considerably.
Abstract 1966: Plasmonic gold nanostars: A potential agent for molecular imaging and cancer therapy

Gold nanoparticles offer great potential for bioapplication due to their biocompatibility, chemical stability, and plasmon tunability. Due to the increased demand in custom-designed bioapplication, tailoring nanoparticle9s plasmon for a specific application remains an active area of research. Plasmonic gold nanostars, with their sharp tips and small cores, yield unique optical properties in the near infrared region favorable for biological applications. We present a high-yield biocompatible synthesis of gold nanostars, whose geometry is adjustable such that the plasmon band can be tuned into the near-infrared “tissue diagnostic window”. Nanostars offer several interesting plasmon properties including intense surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for ultrasensitive detection, strong two-photon photoluminescence (TPL) for real-time particle tracking, and efficient photothermal transduction for hyperthermic therapy. Here, we demonstrate nanostars tracking and photothermal ablation both in vitro and in vivo. Using SKBR3 breast cancer cells incubated with bare nanostars, photothermal ablation was observed within 5 minutes of irradiation (980 nm CW laser, 15 W/cm2). On a mouse preinfused systemically with PEGylated nanostars for 2 days, extravasation of nanostars was observed and localized photothermal ablation was demonstrated on a dorsal window chamber within 10 minutes of irradiation (785 nm CW laser, 1.1 W/cm2). These preliminary results have illustrated the theranostic potential of gold nanostars for the use in molecular imaging and cancer therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1966. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1966
Modification of Trap Nets to Reduce Capture of Common Loons

ABSTRACT All state licensed commercial fisheries taking lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in Michigan waters of Lake Superior have been required to use trap nets since 1974. Trap nets are fished with pot depths (≤27.4 m (90 ft), which is within easy reach of deep diving common loons (Gavia immer). In 1993, some commercial fisheries began to modify (increase) the mesh size on the top of the net heart from 20.4 cm (8 in) stretched mesh to 30.4 cm (12 in) stretched mesh to allow loons to escape. In 1995, 3 fisheries were monitored to estimate catch and mortality of common loons. These samples represented 9% of the total annual trap net effort by these fisheries. Seven dead loons were found entangled both in the pots and in the hearts. None was caught in the heart of modified nets. The extrapolated annual catch of common loons was 77, with 43% of these caught in the hearts of unmodified nets, compared to 86% in unmodified nets before conversion. It appears that stretched mesh size of 30.4 cm reduces cat...
Assessing the Measurement Invariance of Relational Maintenance Behavior When Face-to-Face and Online

This investigation examined whether five relational maintenance behavior types, assessed via Stafford and Canary's (1991) Relational Maintenance Strategy Measure (RMSM), differ across face-to-face communication and instant messaging. Little's (1997) sequential tests suggested measurement invariance across these communicative contexts. Methodologically, these results commend the RMSM as a statistically sound tool for future online communication research.
Design considerations in the development and application of microdisc electrode arrays (MDEAs) for implantable biosensors

The use of microlithographically fabricated Microdisc Electrode Arrays (MDEAs) in the development of implantable voltammetric biosensors necessitates design criteria that balances the overall footprint of the device with the advantages to be derived from large separation distances between non-interacting microdisc elements. Using the dynamic electroanalytical techniques of Multiple Scan Rate Cyclic Voltammetry (MSRCV) experiments with finite element simulations and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy with equivalent circuit modeling, three unique MDEA designs; MDEA 050 (r = 25 μm, 5,184 discs), MDEA 100 (r = 50 μm, 1,296 discs) and MDEA 250 (r = 125 μm, 207 discs) of constant critical dimensions (center-to-center d/r = 4) and area (A = 0.1 cm2) were studied in 1.0 mM ferrocene monocarboxylic acid (FcCO2H) solution (in 0.1 M Tris/0.1 M KCl buffer, pH = 7.2). The critical disc-to-disc spacing (d/r) required to archive 67% of maximal current response was defined as optimal. Based on the predictive model, new MDEA designs; MDEA 001 (r = 0.5 μm, 127,324 discs), MDEA 002.5 (r = 1.25 μm, 20,372 discs), MDEA 005 (r = 2.5 μm, 5,093 discs), MDEA 010 (r = 5 μm, 1,273 discs), MDEA 015 (r = 7.5 μm, 566 discs), MDEA 020 (r = 10 μm, 318 discs) were simulated at 10 and 100 mV/s. The final disc count of each MDEA was dictated by the need to maintain a comparable electroactive area between the MDEAs, which was chosen to be 0.001 cm2, which in turn was dictated by the need to generate sufficient electrochemical current to be comfortably measured by common electrochemical detectors.
Determination of the Bimolecular Rate Constant for the Reaction Between Organophosphorous Inhibitors and Esterases in the Presence of Substrate

Determination of the Bimolecular Rate Constant for the Reaction Between Organophosphorous Inhibitors and Esterases in the Presence of Substrate