cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bison limit ecosystem recovery in northern Yellowstone

Abstract American bison (Bison bison) numbers in northern Yellowstone National Park increased during the last two decades, while those of elk (Cervus canadensis) decreased. We undertook this study to assess the potential effects of bison on woody vegetation and channel morphology in the park's northern ungulate winter range. Based on differences in the number of elk and bison, body mass, and the amount of time each utilizes the northern range, foraging pressure from bison began to exceed that of elk in 2007 and is currently ~10 times greater than that of elk. In the Lamar Valley study area, stand structure data (i.e., tree frequency by diameter class) for aspen (Populus tremuloides) and cottonwood (P. spp.) indicated that the growth of seedling/sprouts of these species into tall saplings and trees has been extensively suppressed by bison herbivory. For streams that crossed the valley floor, woody riparian vegetation was absent along their banks and channels were relatively wide and deep, conditions sustained by high levels of bison use. Overall, our findings indicated that the elevated numbers of bison, via herbivory, trampling, and tree bark effects, are limiting the structure, composition, and distribution of woody plant communities in the Lamar Valley, affecting the character of the valley's stream and river channels, and, in turn, influencing habitat and food-web support for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife species. The conservation success of bison recovery now may be adversely affecting another conservation goal, the restoration and maintenance of woody riparian vegetation and riparian ecosystems.
The Concept of Handoff as a Model for Ethical Analysis and Design

This chapter introduces the concept of handoff, which offers a lens through which to evaluate sociotechnical systems in ethical and political terms. It is particularly tuned to transformations in which system components of one type replace components of another. Of great contemporary interest are handoff instances in which AI take over tasks previously performed by humans, for example, labelling images, processing and producing natural language, controlling other machines, predicting human action (and other events), and make decisions. Grounded in past work in social studies of technology and values in design, the handoff analytical model disrupts the idea that if components of a system are modular in functional terms, replacing one with another will leave ethical and political dimensions intact. Instead, the handoff lens highlights different ways that different types of system components operate and interoperate and shows these differences to be relevant to the configuration of values in respective systems. The handoff lens offers a means to make ethically relevant changes salient that might otherwise be overlooked.
The emergence of human Powassan virus infection in North America

Abstract Powassan virus (POWV) is a tickborne flavivirus discovered in Ontario, Canada in 1958 that causes long-term neurological sequelae in about half the reported cases and death in a little more than 10 % of cases. The incidence of POWV disease is rising in the United States but there is limited understanding of the scope and causes of recent changes in POWV epidemiology. We focus on quantifying the increase in human POWV disease incidence and infection prevalence in the United States. We also examine differences in the frequency of symptomatic cases and asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases, as well as limitations in national and state surveillance for POWV infection. We searched SCOPUS for all articles containing original POWV prevalence research, case studies, or literature reviews published in English. Case studies were supplemented by Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report POWV data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and surveillance information from state health department websites. An increase in the number of POWV cases has been reported in the United States over the past 50 yr, and the geographic range of human POWV cases has expanded. The age distribution of symptomatic POWV cases has shifted, with significantly more individuals over 40 yr old being diagnosed after 1998. The emergence of POWV is due in large part to: (i) a change in transmission of POWV from a vector that rarely bites people (Ixodes cookei) to a new vector that often bites people (Ixodes scapularis) and has expanded its geographic range, (ii) enhanced surveillance efforts for arboviruses, and (iii) a greater awareness of POWV infection.
Targeting the DNA Damage Response for Radiosensitization

Radiation is a DNA-damaging agent that exerts its lethal anti-tumoral effects predominately by inducing DNA double-strand breaks. Tumor cells can evade radiation-induced cell death through upregulating elements of the DNA damage response (DDR) that promote DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint activation. These critical mediators include PARP1, WEE1, DNA-PK, ATM, ATR, and CHK1. Agents that inhibit these components of the DDR can act as radiosensitizers that enhance tumor cell killing. In this chapter, we discuss actionable DDR targets and their role in radiosensitization. This includes detailing their normal physiological roles, mechanisms for radiosensitization, immunomodulatory properties, clinical trials, and mechanistically based rational treatment combinations.
Fractal analysis of the seismicity of the territory of Azerbaijan

The article examines the distribution of earthquakes occurred in Azerbaijan and the adjacent territories during the instrumental period (1902¾2018) by investigating the self-similarity and fractal properties of the seismicity of the region. Most parts of the territory of Azerbaijan are considered to be seismically active, and seismic events with a wide range of magnitudes (3 ≤ М < 7.3) have been registered in Azerbaijan during the instrumental period. Earthquake distribution has been analysed by means of the fractal theory, which is based on such notions as the detection of statistical self-similarity in the process under study and its quantitative assessment. The composite catalogue serves as a basis for the research and covers the time span of 1902—2018. It has been compiled with the help of seismic data from the Republican Seismic Survey Center of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and earthquake catalogues of various international seismological centres.As a result, for the distribution of earthquakes registered in the territory of Azerbaijan the fractal dimensions (the quantitative indicators of self-similarity) of earthquake energy distribution and epicentre distribution have been calculated. The fractal dimension of earthquake epicentre distribution (De) is 1.63, whereas the average value of fractal dimension of energy distribution (d) for Azerbaijani seismic events equals 0.54.Also, using the data from the composite catalogue, the Gutenberg—Richter magnitude-frequency relationship and the b-value for the earthquakes of Azerbaijan and the adjacent territories have been estimated. The statistical relationships between the calculated fractal dimensions of the earthquake energy and epicentre distribution (d and De, respectively) have also been examined.
In Vitro Assessment of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Anatomy and Valve Orientation Effects on Bioprosthetic Pulmonary Valve Hemodynamics

The congenital heart defect Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) affects 1 in 2500 newborns annually in the US and typically requires surgical repair of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) early in life, with variations in surgical technique leading to large disparities in RVOT anatomy among patients. Subsequently, often in adolescence or early adulthood, patients usually require surgical placement of a xenograft or allograft pulmonary valve prosthesis. Valve longevity is highly variable for reasons that remain poorly understood. This work aims to assess the performance of bioprosthetic pulmonary valves in vitro using two 3D printed geometries: an idealized case based on healthy subjects aged 11 to 13 years and a diseased case with a 150% dilation in vessel diameter downstream of the valve. Each geometry was studied with two valve orientations: one with a valve leaflet opening posterior, which is the native pulmonary valve position, and one with a valve leaflet opening anterior. Full three-dimensional, three-component, phase-averaged velocity fields were obtained in the physiological models using 4D flow MRI. Flow features, particularly vortex formation and reversed flow regions, differed significantly between the RVOT geometries and valve orientations. Pronounced asymmetry in streamwise velocity was present in all cases, while the diseased geometry produced additional asymmetry in radial flows. Quantitative integral metrics demonstrated increased secondary flow strength and recirculation in the rotated orientation for the diseased geometry. The compound effects of geometry and orientation on bioprosthetic valve hemodynamics illustrated in this study could have a crucial impact on long-term valve performance.
Membrane phase separation drives organization at B cell receptor clusters

SUMMARY Isolated plasma membranes separate into two coexisting liquid phases with distinct lipid and protein compositions but live cell plasma membranes do not macroscopically phase separate, leading to questions of whether and how the membrane phase transition contributes to functional heterogeneity in cells. Using quantitative super resolution microscopy we show that B cell receptor signaling platforms are nanoscale domains that quantitatively enrich membrane probes based on probe phase partitioning in isolated plasma membrane vesicles. Phase partitioning in vesicles also predicts relative probe mobility and retention at receptor clusters. The convergence between measurements in live cells and isolated membranes establishes a clear role for the membrane phase transition as an organizing principle in cells. We propose that physical properties fundamental to the membrane phase transition give rise to a plasma membrane that is a highly responsive medium, capable of compartmentalizing cellular processes in response to diverse stimuli.
Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1: a key regulatory protein involved in leiomyoma growth

Objective To assess and characterize the role of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) in the development of uterine leiomyoma. Design Laboratory study. Setting Academic research center. Patient(s) Not applicable. Intervention(s) Laboratory investigation. In vitro assessment of human leiomyoma and myometrial tissue specimens as well as immortalized leiomyoma and myometrial cell lines. Main Outcome Measure(s) Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess differences in CEACAM1 content between leiomyoma and myometrial samples. Small interfering RNA silencing experiments and transient transfection experiments were performed to characterize the regulatory role of CEACAM1 on downstream signaling cascades. Result(s) Analysis of RNA sequencing data revealed decreased CEACAM1 expression in human uterine leiomyoma specimens compared with that in myometrial samples. This translated to a significant down-regulation in CEACAM1 protein content in human leiomyoma compared with patient-matched myometrial tissue samples (0.236 ± 0.05-fold). A similar decrease in CEACAM1 protein content was observed in matched immortalized leiomyoma cell (ILC) and immortalized myometrial cell lines (0.21 ± 0.07). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed decreased staining intensity in leiomyoma surgical specimens compared with the matched myometrium of placebo patients. Lower CEACAM1 levels in leiomyoma were associated with increased activation of both the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathways compared with that in myometrial cells. This is significant because activation of these pathways plays an important role in leiomyoma growth. Treatment of myometrial cells with CEACAM1 small interfering RNA resulted in a significant down-regulation of CEACAM1 at the protein level (0.272 ± 0.06-fold) and was associated with increased activation of the MAPK (1.62 ± 0.21-fold) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (1.79 ± 0.35-fold) pathways, as well as increased collagen production (2.1 ± 0.49-fold). Rescue of CEACAM1 expression in leiomyoma cells by transient transfection restored regulatory control and resulted in lower activation of the MAPK pathway (0.58 ± 0.37-fold). Conclusion(s) CEACAM1 is an important protein involved in regulating many signal transduction pathways. Decreased CEACAM1 expression in leiomyoma allows permissive uncontrolled overactivation and up-regulation of downstream pathways that may contribute to leiomyoma growth.
“You Don’t Just Stick It Together”: The Beach Boys and the Beatles in the Mid-1960s

Paul McCartney’s admiration for the work of Brian Wilson is well known, and the inspiration he took from Wilson’s Pet Sounds (1966) during the period of Sgt Pepper(1966–67) has been often noted. Wh...
Cryopreservation of Network Bioactivity and Multi-Lineage Stromal Cell Differentiation Potential within Three-Dimensional Synthetic Hydrogels

Despite progress in many aspects of controlling cell behavior within synthetic three-dimensional hydrogels, approaches to cryopreserve these systems – encompassing the protection of both encapsulated cell viability and network bioactive functions – are lacking. Here, we demonstrate the retention of encapsulated human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) viability following in situ cryopreservation regardless of cell line, material system, or storage duration. Further, the preservation extends to network bioactive functions, with hMSCs cryopreserved within degradable and adhesive hyaluronic-acid (HA) based hydrogels exhibiting degradation-mediated spreading within the gels equivalent to their non-frozen counterparts. Finally, the platform cryopreservation protocol preserves multi-lineage cellular differentiation capacity, with encapsulated hMSCs in non-degradable and adhesive/degradable HA-based hydrogels undergoing rates of adipogenesis and osteogenesis, respectively, equivalent to those in non-frozen gels on a per-cell basis. Collectively, these findings indicate a versatile platform technology that contributes to an increased understanding of three-dimensional cell-matrix interactions, and which may enable the indefinite cryopreservation of tissue engineering constructs for clinical applications.
Characterization of sun-injury and prediction of sunscald on ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pears using Vis-NIR spectroscopy

Abstract Sun injury (sunburn) and sunscald (delayed sunburn) postharvest have been well characterized on apples but not on pears. In fact, a sunscald-type disorder has only been noticed, commercially, in the last five years on pears grown under increasingly warmer conditions. ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pears with different sunburn severity (healthy, mild, moderate, and severe) were harvested from three commercial orchards in Chile and stored in air (0 °C, >80 % RH) for six months. Sunscald incidence, skin color (colorimeter L, a*, b*) and peel diffuse reflectance (400−1100 nm) were recorded monthly. Sunscald symptoms (i.e., skin browning) started to appear 2–3 months into cold storage and only on fruit with sunburn. Among the color coordinates, L decreased as storage time progressed while a* increased and was the most effective parameter to separate sunburn categories. Interval partial least squares regression (iPLS) found the spectral reflectance from the wavelength regions 500−600 nm, 650−700 nm, and 800−850 nm separated the sunburn categories during storage. Conversely, fruit that developed postharvest sunscald had significantly lower L and b* values (P ≤ 0.05), and lower overall reflectance intensities at harvest, regardless of sunburn severity. The best sunscald model was achieved using the 550–600 nm band, with a sensitivity of 77 % and specificity of 75 %.
EVOLUTION AND ULTIMATUM BARGAINING

Empirical research has discovered that experimental subjects in ultimatum bargaining situations generally fail to play the decision-theoretic optimum strategy, and instead play something between that strategy and a fair split. In evolutionary dynamics, fair division and nearly fair division strategies often go to fixation and weakly dominated strategies can do quite well. Computer simulations were done using three different ultimatum bargaining games as determinates of fitness. (1) No tendency toward the elimination of weakly dominated strategies was observed, with or without mutation. (2) Strategies making fair demands had sizable basins of attraction. (3) In a system where five different demands can be made, demands closest to (approximately) 91% had the largest basins of attraction. (4) If the strategies have thresholds for acceptable demands, rather than individuated responses to each demand, the apparent optimum demand may be quite low: 64% for one set of trials.
Human Factors and Ergonomics

Human factors and ergonomics is the study and practice of designing technology around the capabilities, both physical and mental of the user. Included in the chapter are brief descriptions of neuroergonomics, the combining of neuroscience and ergonomics, and human factors and ergonomics in the twenty-first century. Keywords: human factors; ergonomics; neuroergonomics; human performance; cognition
Newcastle disease virus RNA. II. Preferential synthesis of RNA complementary to parental viral RNA by chick embryo cells.

Following infection by strain “C” of Newcastle disease virus, and during incubation in the presence of actinomycin D, chick embryo cells synthesized RNA which had a base composition complementary to the base composition of RNA from virus particles. Evidence for base-sequence complementarity between RNA from virus particles and RNA synthesized by infected cells was obtained by in vitro hybridization. Of the total radioisotopically labeled RNA synthesized by infected cells in the presence of actinomycin D, 80% or more became insensitive to pancreatic ribo-nuclease after annealing with RNA from virus particles. The ribonuclease-resistant RNA had properties of a double-stranded polynucleotide. RNA from chick embryo cells or from Escherichia coli cells did not render labeled RNA from Newcastle disease virus-infected cells resistant to ribonuclease, and RNA from virus particles did not confer ribonuclease resistance on RNA from uninfected chick embryo cells. From 18 to 40% of the labeled RNA obtained from infected cells became RNase-resistant when annealed in the absence of RNA from virus particles. Cells infected by any of four other strains of Newcastle disease virus synthesized RNA, which was complementary in base composition to RNA from strain “C” virus particles. Virus particle RNA from all of these strains hybridized with RNA from cells infected by the “C” strain.
Momentum and Media in the 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination

This article uses Aldrich's (2009) formula to devise “momentum scores” that allow us to track momentum for the major candidates in the 2012 Republican presidential nomination throughout the primary season. Though Mitt Romney had a major advantage in fundraising and endorsements before the primaries began, his biggest gains in momentum came late in the primary season. We compare momentum changes to media mentions and tone of coverage derived from content analysis of major newspapers. Though media content corresponds with changes in momentum for each candidate, the media response to momentum for the front-runner is weaker compared with his competitors.
Linear dynamic adaptation of the BW granularity allocation for elastic optical OFDM networks

In this paper, we consider the impact of spectrum fragmentation along the optical single/multipath routing transmission on the efficiency of the elastic optical network (EON). Using O-OFDM multicarrier transmission as a promising technique makes it possible to choose an adequate portion of available spectrum to satisfy the requested capacity. In a multipath routing scheme, distributing the light path request (LR) capacity over many paths results in increasing the network management complexity; meanwhile, using only single path scheme leads to an increase in the blocking probability ratio. In addition to these drawbacks, the spectrum fragmentation degrades the spectrum efficiency over the entire network. This work involves reducing the fragmentation effects by dynamically updating and controlling a suitable minimum bandwidth (BW) allocation granularity (g) for dynamic single/multipath routing over EON. We investigated the concept of "BW allocation granularity adaptation" based on dynamic change of g to replace using a fixed minimum bandwidth granularity over all candidate path(s) to serve the light path requests over multipath networks. We adopted a dynamic linear adaptation mechanism that is proportional to the optical link/path bandwidth fragmentation status. Simulation results show that improved performance over fixed minimum bandwidth allocation granularity with respect to the bandwidth blocking probability, throughput, and the number of path splitting.
Depressive symptoms in older people predict nursing home admission.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the power of several self-reported depressive symptoms to predict nursing home admission (NHA). DESIGN: A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the risk of NHA. SETTING: Data were from the Health Outcomes Survey (a national random sample of 137,000 Medicare + Choice enrollees aged 65 and older), the Nursing Home Minimum Data Set, and the Medicare Enrollment Database. PARTICIPANTS: Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older enrolled in a Medicare Managed Care Plan who were self-respondents to the questionnaire and were not institutionalized at the time of the survey. MEASUREMENTS: Variables were self-reported functional status, chronic health conditions, demographics, and several mood-related questions. RESULTS: After controlling for age, race, sex, marital status, home ownership, functional status, and comorbid conditions, individuals who identified themselves as feeling sad or depressed much of the time over the previous year were at significantly higher risk of NHA. CONCLUSION: A single question about depressive symptoms can be used to identify individuals at higher risk of NHA. There may be benefit from better screening and treatment of depression in community-based older people. Depression and social support may be linked. This study was targeted and did not attempt to explain everything that affects NHA. Investigation of the relationship between social support, depression, and NHA should be considered in future research.
The weighted Voronoi diagram and its applications in least-risk motion planning

The authors present a path-planning algorithm to find the least-cost path along the WVD (weighted Voronoi diagram) based on Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm, where the cost of an edge is, in this case, the risk of transversing the edge. By imposing a discrete graph over the area of interest, the authors obtain a reduction from a continuous problem to a combinatorial problem. If the start or goal position does not lie on this graph, it is retracted by either the path of shortest distance or the path of steepest descent. Unfortunately, the WVD is not connected in some cases, and they have to enforce connectivity. With a practical aim in mind, the authors give a simple and easily computed path, connecting the disconnected components by the shortest distance path or by a circular path. With suitable preprocessing, they keep the run-time cost of path planning to O(n/sup 2/ log n), including the cost of retraction of both the start and goal positions and the cost of Dijkstra's shortest path (or least-cost) algorithm. The authors demonstrate a potential application of the weighted Voronoi diagram as a heuristic in least-risk motion planning. >
Salmonella typhimurium Mutants with Altered Glutamate Dehydrogenase and Glutamate Synthase Activities

Although glutamate is a key compound in nitrogen metabolism, little is known about the function or regulation of its two biosynthetic enzymes, glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamate synthase. To begin the characterization of glutamate formation in Salmonella typhimurium, we isolated mutants having altered glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamate synthase activities. Mutants which failed to grow on media with glucose as the carbon source and less than 1 mM (NH4)2SO4 as the nitrogen source (Asm−) had about one-fourth the normal glutamate synthase activity and one-half the glutamine synthetase activity. The asm mutations also prevented growth with alanine, arginine, or proline as nitrogen sources and conferred resistance to methionine sulfoximine. When a mutation (gdh-51) causing the loss of glutamate dehydrogenase activity was transferred into a strain with an asm-102 mutation, the resulting asm-102 gdh-51 mutant had a partial requirement for glutamate. A strain isolated as a complete glutamate auxotroph had a third mutation, in addition to the asm-102 gdh-51 lesions, that further decreased the glutamate synthase activities to 1/20 the normal level. Both the asm-102 and gdh-51 mutations were located on the S. typhimurium linkage map at sites distinct from those found for mutations causing similar phenotypes in Klebsiella aerogenes and Escherichia coli.
Induced Spawning and Larval Culture of Golden Trevally

AbstractThe Golden Trevally Gnathanodon speciosus is a popular sport, food, and ornamental fish native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region, yet there is little information regarding aquaculture technologies. A group of Golden Trevally broodfish was acquired from a local public aquarium in an effort to attempt captive spawning and larval culture. Broodfish were held in 4,500-L recirculating aquaculture systems and conditioned on a mixed diet of squid, capelin, and krill. Once water temperatures were averaging 26°C, Ovaplant was administered to mature broodfish (six males, two females) in one of the systems. Broodfish spawned on three separate occasions after this hormone administration, releasing probably 35,000 eggs/female during each spawn. Fertile eggs from two of these spawns were used for larval culture attempts. Larvae were stocked into five 104-L tanks at densities up to 173 larvae/L. Throughout larval culture trials, larvae were fed a combination of copepod nauplii, enriched rotifers, Artemia naupl...
The medial temporal lobe in encoding, retention, retrieval and interhemispheric transfer of visual memory in primates

Low-level electrical stimulation through electrodes in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) was used to disrupt the performance of chiasm-split macaques working in a delayed matching-to-sample (DMS) visual memory task. The stimulation was below afterdischarge threshold and did not distract the animals. Nonetheless, stimulation caused severe deficits when delivered either during encoding or retrieval stages. Substantially less deficit appeared when stimulation was delivered during the retention interval. Stimulation levels which led to significant disruption on the DMS task had no effect on a discrimination task using the same kinds of images. Unilateral electrical stimulation delivered to MTL in one hemisphere during encoding and to MTL in the other hemisphere during retrieval produced an effective disruption, suggesting that the unilateral stimulation during the encoding period disrupts the encoding on that side while unilateral stimulation delivered to the opposite side during the retrieval period prevents the retrieval of the (now unilateral) memory. This suggestion is supported by control experiments in which significantly less disruption was caused by unilateral electrical stimulation delivered during both the encoding and the retrieval period if the stimulation was delivered to the same side in both periods. The electrical stimulation was further used to determine that interhemispheric access by one hemisphere to memories placed in the other was excellent. This was done, in these split-chiasm monkeys, by using unilateral stimulation to limit memory formation to just one hemisphere, then testing interhemispheric access by routing the test through the “ignorant” hemisphere (using just the ipsilateral eye). Successful interhemispheric access was obtained with either the anterior commissure or with the splenium of the corpus callosum (the other interhemispheric forebrain pathways having been cut). The electrical stimulation was also used to determine that the visual inputs even though entering via just one eye and one hemisphere, lead to bilateral memory formation. In this case each hemisphere was tested separately during retrieval by delivering disruptive levels of the electrical stimulation to the MTL of the other hemisphere.
Why does increased exercise decrease migraine

Several lines of evidence affirm a positive role for exercise in the management of migraine. This review highlights the latest research supporting this view, covering not only its epidemiologic aspects but also the pain modulatory systems that are likely to be engaged by exercise. Recent research provides broad and consistent evidence indicating that cardiovascular exercise can activate multiple pain modulatory mechanisms, if not the underlying mechanisms that initiate the attack. Specifically, a synthesis of independent lines of recent research would indicate that exercise activates endogenous neurotransmitter signals that could be effective in reducing the intensity of migraine pain, though it may not have a direct effect on its overall frequency or duration.
Atypical cells in human cutaneous re-excision scars for melanoma express p75NGFR, C56/N-CAM and GAP-43: evidence of early Schwann cell differentiation.

Background: A common problem in the routine examination of melanoma re-excision scars occurs when a few or rare mildly atypical cells are present within the scar, raising the question of residual disease. Little is known about the derivation of these cells. Because the normal cutaneous wound-healing process is reparative, we hypothesized that these atypical cells may be reactive proliferating Schwann cell precursors. Methods: The expression of the Schwann cell differentiation markers p75NGFR, CD56/N-CAM and GAP-43 was examined by immunohistochemistry in scars of wide local re-excisions for melanoma and non-melanoma tumors. Expression of S100, gp100 (with HMB45) and MART1 was also analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: All melanoma and non-melanoma re-excision specimens contained mildly atypical, spindled or epithelioid cells within the scar. They varied in number from case to case and expressed S100, p75NGFR, CD56/N-CAM or GAP-43 but not gp100 (with HMB45) or MART1. Rare epithelioid non-melanoma cells within the superficial dermis expressed MART-1. Conclusions: Atypical cells are present in re-excision scars from melanoma and non-melanoma cases. They demonstrate early Schwann cell differentiation and appear to proliferate during the scarring process. The use of anti-MART-1 alone in the examination of melanoma re-excisions specimens may be inadequate as it may label rare, superficially located, non-melanoma cells within the scar.
Quantitative prediction of growth patterns of surface fatigue cracks in tension plates

Abstract Different methods of prediction of the aspect ratio variability of growing surface fatigue cracks in tension plates are compared with experimental data. The objective is to identify the most accurate method. The comparison is based on a quantitative criterion as well as on statistical examination of the level of agreement with the data. Fifty-eight cracks are analysed. The total number of data points is 450 taken from 20 references. The solutions evaluated include theoretical as well as empirical formulas. The comparison shows that it is possible to predict the aspect ratio variability with standard deviation
Autonomic control after blockade of the norepinephrine transporter: a model of orthostatic intolerance

Orthostatic intolerance is a debilitating syndrome characterized by tachycardia on assumption of upright posture. The norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) has been implicated in a genetic form of the disorder. We assessed the combined central and peripheral effects of pharmacological NET blockade on cardiovascular regulation and baroreflex sensitivity in rats. NE reuptake was blocked chronically in female Sprague-Dawley rats by the NET antagonist desipramine (DMI). Treated animals demonstrated an elevated supine heart rate, reduced tyramine responsiveness, and a reduced plasma ratio of the intraneuronal NE metabolite dihydroxyphenylglycol relative to NE, all of which are consistent with observations in human NET deficiency. Spectral analysis revealed a dramatic decrease in low-frequency spectral power after DMI that was consistent with decreased sympathetic outflow. Stimulation of the baroreflex with the vasodilator nitroprusside revealed an attenuated tachycardia in DMI-treated animals. This indicated that the DMI-induced sympathoinhibitory effects of increased NE in the brain stem predominates over the functional elevation of NE stimulation of peripheral targets. Thus attenuated baroreflex function and reduced sympathetic outflow may contribute to the orthostatic intolerance of severe NET deficiency.
SU‐E‐T‐714: Analysis of Two Overall Biological Effective Dose (OBED) Calculation Methods and Their Impact On the Accurate Determination of the Maximum Biological Effective Dose (BED) in Multi‐Phase Treatment Plans

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of calculating the overall biological effective dose (OBED) distribution of multi‐phase treatment plans by summing up the physical doses of the individual beam configurations prior their conversion to BED. Methods: MATLAB 2010a was used to calculate the OBED using the dose distribution matrices of a patients initial and boost treatment plans from Pinnacle. The OBED was calculated using two different methods. Method ‐ A adds the physical doses from the initial and boost treatment plans, and then converts those values into BED to produce an approximate OBED. Method‐B converts the physical doses for each plan into BED before adding them to produce the true OBED. The latter method uses the true mathematical approach and hence will be used as reference when comparing the results acquired by the two methods. Mathematically, if the average dose per fraction ( ADPF) for the initial ( ADPF1 ) and boosting ( ADPF2) plans are equal, then the approximate OBED should be equal to the true OBED. However, the larger the difference between the ADPFs is, the larger the difference between the OBEDs will be. Results: ADPF1 was 1.59 Gy and ADPF2 was 1.34 Gy hence the percent difference between the OBEDs was −0.09 ± 0.09 percent. The average, maximum, and minimum values within the OBED for method‐A were 56.6 Gy, 67.2 Gy, and 53.2 Gy while those values within the OBED for method B were 56.7 Gy, 67.3 Gy, and 53.3 Gy. Conclusion: Method ‐ A can produce accurate approximations to the true OBED if the ADPF of each plan is approximately equal. This leads to an accurate determination of the maximum BED limit when optimizing multiphase treatment plans. Current treatment planning systems do not have the capability to perform calculations based on method‐B, but using the dose volume histograms, method‐A can be performed manually.
Minimale interventie door verpleegkundigen helpt ouderen met stemmingsproblemen

Lamers F, Jonkers K. Minimale interventie door verpleegkundigen helpt ouderen met stemmingsproblemen. Huisarts Wet 2010;53(7):358-61. Veel chronisch zieken kampen met stemmingsproblemen, zoals depressie, die negatieve gevolgen hebben voor het beloop van hun aandoening. In de eerste lijn echter blijven stemmingsproblemen – als ze al herkend worden – vaak onbehandeld. Hier zou de inzet van een verpleegkundige vruchten kunnen afwerpen. Wij onderzochten het effect van een minimale psychologische interventie, uitgevoerd door een verpleegkundige, bij oudere patienten met diabetes mellitus type 2 en/of COPD. De interventie bleek een positief effect te hebben op symptomen van angst en depressie, kwaliteit van leven, self-efficacy, algemeen functioneren, sociale participatie en ook het HbA1c. Verpleegkundigen bleken prima in staat dergelijke interventies uit te voeren, en de interventie was niet duurder dan de gebruikelijke zorg. Deze uitkomsten hebben ertoe geleid dat een aantal huisartsenpraktijken in Oostelijk Zuid-Limburg binnenkort een zorginnovatie zullen implementeren waarbij een praktijkondersteuner signaleert welke chronisch zieken problemen hebben met het dagelijks functioneren en hen zo nodig ondersteunt
Learning universal probabilistic models for fault localization

Recently there has been significant interest in employing probabilistic techniques for fault localization. Using dynamic dependence information for multiple passing runs, learning techniques are used to construct a probabilistic graph model for a given program. Then, given a failing run, the probabilistic model is used to rank the executed statements according to the likelihood of them being faulty. In this paper we present a novel probabilistic approach in which universal probabilistic models are learned to characterize the behaviors of various instruction types used by all programs. The universal probabilistic model for an instruction type is in form of a probability distribution that represents how errors in the input (operand) values are propagated as errors in the output (result) of a given instruction type. Once these models have been constructed, they can be used in the analysis of any program as follows. Given a set of runs for any program, including at least one passing and one failing run, a Bayesian network called the Error Flow Graph (EFG) is then constructed from the dynamic dependence graphs of the program runs and the universal probabilistic models. Standard inference algorithms are employed to compute the probability of each executed statement being faulty. We also present optimizations to reduce the runtime cost of inference using the EFG. Our experiments demonstrate that our approach is highly effective in fault localization even when very few passing runs are available. It also performs well in the presence of multiple faults.
OpenSession: SDN-based cross-layer multi-stream management protocol for 3D teleimmersion

Video conferencing applications pose fundamentally different service requirements than traditional data traffic on the Internet. Strong real-time interactivity is very important among participants unlike video streaming in VoD applications. Requirements are even more stringent in multi-stream and multi-site teleimmersive applications due to strong dependencies across geographically distributed streams. In this paper, we propose OpenSession, a cross-layer session-network control protocol for multi-stream multi-site 3D teleimmersion (3DTI) that improves interactivity, resource utilization and scalability. OpenSession decouples application layer data and control plane functionalities, and partially offloads the data plane functionalities to network layer switches. To control network layer switches during the session run-time, OpenSession leverages support from Software Defined Networking (e.g., OpenFlow). Through extensive evaluation with multi-stream 3D teleimmersion among four distributed sites and PlanetLab-based larger 3DTI setup, we show that OpenSession improves 3DTI interactivity and resource usage at the data plane. Furthermore, OpenSession keeps data plane robust against host failures and frequent route updates.
Gender Differences in Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors: A Review of Meta-Analytic Results and Large Datasets

Gender differences in sexual attitudes and behaviors are typically believed to be large, yet recent evidence suggests that some gender differences in sexuality are much smaller than common knowledge would suggest. This article reviews gender differences in sexual attitudes and behaviors as reported by major meta-analyses and large datasets. In particular, this article reviews gender differences in heterosexual intercourse, masturbation, pornography use, attitudes toward premarital sex, and gender differences in same-gender sexuality. Evolutionary psychology, social cognitive learning theory, and social structural theory are explored as possible explanations for gender differences in sexuality.
Fractalkine, a novel chemokine in rheumatoid arthritis and in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Objective To examine the expression of the novel CX3C chemokine fractalkine (Fkn) and its receptor (CX3CR1) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA), a model of RA. Methods Immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and chemotaxis assays were used. Results In rat AIA, synovial tissue (ST) macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and dendritic cells were Fkn immunopositive, whereas lymphocytes did not significantly express Fkn. Significant staining for CX3CR1 was found in ST macrophages, fibroblasts, and dendritic cells, whereas only a small percentage of endothelial cells stained for CX3CR1 in rat AIA. We immunolocalized Fkn to RA ST macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and dendritic cells. We also found intense ST macrophage and dendritic cell staining for CX3CR1 in RA ST. Flow cytometry analysis of RA synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood revealed a greater percentage of monocytes expressing Fkn and CX3CR1 compared with T cells. By ELISA, we found significantly elevated soluble Fkn (sFkn) levels in RA SF compared with SF from patients with osteoarthritis or other forms of arthritis. By RT-PCR, we found enhanced expression of Fkn and CX3CR1 mRNA on day 18 in rat AIA, a time of pronounced inflammation in the rat joint. Soluble Fkn–depleted RA SF showed significantly decreased chemotactic activity for monocytes compared with sham-depleted RA SF. Conclusion These results indicate that Fkn and its receptor are both expressed in RA and in rat AIA, and that sFkn is up-regulated in RA SF. Furthermore, our data suggest a new role for Fkn in monocyte chemotaxis in the inflamed RA joint.
Nonlinear deformations of a slender rod rotated at one end

A thin elastic rod is rotated at one end. The nonlinear deformations due to centrifugal forces are studied. The problem is governed by a nondimensional parameterJ which signifies the relative importance of rotation to flexibility, and the angle a between the rotation axis and the clamped end. The nonlinear differential equations are solved by three different perturbations and also numerical integration for the rangeJ≤5. Force, moment and displacement characteristics are determined. The solutions are unique for smallJ. Three solutions are possible, one may be unstable, for largerJ. Catastrophic changes may occur whenJ is decreased.
Flexible ZnO Nanocrystal Ultraviolet Photodetector on Bio-membrane

We demonstrated an easy-to-fabricate vertical flexible UV photodetector structure with ZnO nanocrystals embedded in a thin and cellulose reed membrane sandwiched between two evaporated electrodes. The device shows photoconductive effect with good performance.
Satellite‐derived data produced for the polar regions

The polar regions are crucial to global change research: climate signals are amplified at the poles, and snow- and sea ice-covered areas are especially sensitive to climate change. Extensive remote sensing data are already available to address these issues, but the voluminous archives were inconvenient and expensive for most investigators.
Amino Acid Neurotransmitter Candidates: Sodium-Dependent High-Affinity Uptake by Unique Synaptosomal Fractions

Glutamic and aspartic acids and glycine are accumulated by high-affinity uptake systems into synaptosomal preparations in central nervous tissue. Sodium is required by these high-affinity transports, but not by the low-affinity transports for these and other amino acids. The sodium-requiring amino acid uptake systems label unique synaptosomal fractions. Observations suggest that these amino acids serve specific synaptic functions, presumably as neurotransmitters.
Determination of sigma and pi constants of quinolinium acid derivatives.

Abstract The apparent partition coefficients of 10 quinoline monocarboxylic acid derivatives in a chloroform‐water system were determined. From these data, Hammett's ρ and Hansch's π values were calculated.
Modification of median nerve somatic evoked potentials by prior median nerve, peroneal nerve, and auditory stimulation.

Abstract In a recovery function design, changes were measured in the somatic evoked potentials (SEP) to right median nerve (RMN) shocks preceded by stimulation of: the same nerve (RMN-RMN); the left median nerve having primary input to the homologous sensory area in the contralateral hemisphere (LMN-RMN); the right peroneal nerve having primary input to a different region of the same hemisphere (RPN-RMN); and the auditory nerve with primary input to a different sensory modality (AUD-RMN). Eight inter-stimulus intervals ranged from zero (simultaneous) to 2.5 sec. It was assumed that the degree of interaction between evoked potentials would be related to the degree to which common neural structures are activated or modulated in response to the stimuli. Results were: (a) the primary somatosensory response N20-P30 was little influenced by other somatic or auditory stimulation, interaction occurring predominantly in the RMN-RMN condition; (b) with increasing latency, components showed increasing interaction across modalities; (c) preceding homolateral stimulation (RPN-RMN) showed no greater interaction than preceding contralateral stimulation (LMN-RMN); (d) N55-P100 differed from the primary somatosensory response N20-P30 by showing greater interaction with other somatic stimuli; and (e) N140-P190 showed similarly shaped recovery functions across stimulus pairs but significant differences in magnitude of interaction. These results show that components with similar wave form and topographical characteristics can have different neurophysiological properties.
8 Endometriosis-associated infertility

Summary Despite intense clinical interest and increasingly sophisticated diagnostic techniques, we know surprisingly little of the relationship between endometriosis and infertility or the mechanism of infertility in these couples. No therapy specifically directed toward the ectopic endometrial implants, medical or surgical, has been demonstrated to improve the likelihood of pregnancy for couples with endometriosis-associated infertility. This is consistent with the observation that, in the absence of mechanical distortion of the pelvic viscera, no therapy directed against the implants improves the likelihood of pregnancy in these couples. The reason for this lack of progress is most probably that the mechanism of infertility in these couples remains to be determined. At present, it would be more accurate to say that these couples have unexplained infertility. The most promising therapeutic approach is to treat women with endometriosis-associated infertility with a non-specific cycle fecundity enhancing technique. Typically this is one of the newer assisted reproductive technologies such as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination of capacitated sperm. Since the fecundity of many of the women with endometriosis in the later reproductive years is rapidly declining, this may represent their most cost-effective option for establishing a pregnancy. Only with further effort directed towards determining the mechanisms of infertility in these couples will a more effective therapy be forthcoming.