cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Negative feedback on luteinizing hormone secretion requires infrequent exposure to testicular androgens

Abstract The present study tested the hypothesis that a minimum frequency of testosterone pulses is required to exert negative feedback control of luteinizing hormone (LH). Effect of gonadal steroids on endogenous LH release in rams was investigated after injecting ovine LH (NIADDK-oLH-26, i.v.; 5 μg 100kg−1 BW) to induce testosterone pulses while rams were undergoing windows of LH suppression during the influence of a LH releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonist (SB-75; Bajusz et al., 1988, Int. J. Peptide Protein Res., 32: 425–435). Patterns of LH release were characterized as rams recovered from LH inhibition. Rams were exposed to artificial photoperiods of 12 weeks of long days (16L:8D) followed by short days (8L:16D) to initiate reproductive activity. The study began during Week 5 of short days. Serial plasma samples were collected from six postpubertal rams (five Suffolks and one Hampshire) at 15-min intervals for 69.5 h. All rams were given LHRH antagonist (10 μg kg−1 BW, s.c.) at Hour 24 during each of three collection periods which took place on alternating weeks in a Latin square design. Rams were given a different exogenous oLH treatment (no oLH, one dose at 12 h after antagonist or three doses at 6-h intervals with initial dose 6 h after antagonist) during each collection period. Exogenous oLH decreased the number of LH pulses during the recovery period (Hours 48 to 72 of experiment; 24 to 48 h after antagonist; P
Surgical correction of mandibular prognathism in preparation for dentures

Abstract Many of the past difficulties associated with the surgical correction of the prognathic mandible can be avoided. The flattened appearance of the chin, the derangement in the structures in the floor of the mouth, and the possibility of delayed union or nonunion of the parts caused by the technique of ostectomy in the body of the mandible are avoided. Also, with the technique of horizontal osteotomy of the rami there is the possibility of an increased anterior vertical dimension. The possibility of hemorrhage and the tragic sequelae of the proximal fragment being displaced medially can be avoided by using the open approach to the vertical subcondylotomy. The postoperative jaw position in these future denture patients should be determined by the prosthodontist. He can mount the casts arbitrarily in a postoperative position, regardless of the remaining teeth, taking into consideration the ridge relationship for the dentures to be made sometime in the future.
Progressive wrinkling and collapse of pipes due to axial cycling

Pipelines buried in trenches and covered by soil are essentially under full axial constraint. Under such conditions, a temperature change resulting from the passage of hot oil coupled with high internal pressure can plastically deform the pipe. If the line is relatively thin the compression can induce axisymmetric wrinkling. Mild wrinkling is benign, but at higher strain levels it leads to collapse by localized wrinkling. During a lifetime of 20 or more years, lines experience many startup and shutdown cycles (∼100). This work investigates whether a tube that develops small amplitude wrinkles can be subsequently collapsed by persistent cycling. The problem is investigated experimentally using SAF2507 super-duplex steel tubes with D/t of 28.5. The tubes are first compressed to strain levels high enough for mild wrinkles to form; they are then cycled axially under stress control about a compressive mean stress. This type of cycling usually results in material ratcheting; here it is accompanied by accumulation of structural damage due to the growth of the amplitude of the initial wrinkles. The tube average strain initially grows nearly linearly with the number of cycles, but as a critical value of wrinkle amplitude is approached, wrinkling localizes, ratcheting grows exponentially and the tube collapses. The rate of ratcheting and the number of cycles to failure depend on the initial compressive pre-strain and on the amplitude of the stress cycles. However, collapse was found to occur when the accumulated average strain reaches the value at which the tube localizes under monotonic compression. A custom shell model of the tube with initial axisymmetric imperfections, coupled to a cyclic plasticity model is used to simulate successfully the series of experiments performed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A GRAPHIC INTERPRETATION OF THE FRICTION OF DISTANCE IN GRAVITY MODELS

ABSTRACT The portrayal of complex surfaces stemming from the gravity model in three-dimensional format can greatly facilitate an understanding of spatial behavior. Not only can the geometric properties of the gravity model be understood more readily, but such a portrayal is extremely valuable in the conduct of actual experiments.
Prednisolone-3,20-bisguanylhydrazone: The mode of interaction with rat brain sosium and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase

The mechanism of interaction between prednisolone-3,20-bisguanylhydrazone (PBGH) and Na+,K+-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) was studied using partially purified rat brain enzyme preparations. PBGH inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase rapidly and reversibly. The enzyme-inhibiting action of PBGH was competitively antagonized by potassium. PBGH inhibited Na+,Mg2+ and ATP-supported binding of (3H)-ouabain to the enzyme. When PBGH was added to the incubation mixture at the time when the (3H)-ouabain binding was close to its equilibrium state, the concentration of (3H)-ouabain complex was rapidly reduced and shifted to a lower equilibrium state. A double reciprocal plot analysis of the (3H)-ouabain binding data indicates that the inhibition of ouabain binding by PBGH is apparently competitive. Binding of (3H)-ouabain in the presence of Tris-phosphate and Mg2+ was also inhibited by unlabeled PBGH. Thus, it appears that the binding of PBGH precludes the binding of ouabain to Na+,K+-ATPase.
STIFFNESS OF AND VIBRATION TRANSMISSION THROUGH FOIL THERMAL LINKS

A thermal link is often used to transfer heat from an infrared detector to a refrigerator. A link has been developed that has a very low thermal resistance, relatively low mass, and low stiffness characteristics. By displacing one end of the link and measuring the force and moments created at the other end, the link force and displacement relationships were measured. From these measurements, hysteresis curves were created which illustrate the stiffness and damping in the link. These tests were run at quasi-static conditions and at a range of higher frequencies to examine the dynamics of the system and establish transfer functions relating displacements at one end to forces and moments at the other. The vibration modes of the link can dramatically effect the magnitude of the transmitted forces and moments. Also high levels of damping can be present. A simple finite element model of the thermal link was developed. The model can predict with reasonable accuracy the stiffness and resonant frequency of the link in a quasi-static test. This simple finite element modeling approach could be used to estimate the vibration transmission characteristics of the link if reasonable values of damping can be obtained. The high damping levels are suspected caused by friction between the foil layers.
Identification of Arabidopsis VTC3 as a putative and unique dual function protein kinase::protein phosphatase involved in the regulation of the ascorbic acid pool in plants

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is present at high levels in plants and is a potent antioxidant and cellular reductant. The major plant AsA biosynthetic pathway is through the intermediates D-mannose and L-galactose. Although there is ample evidence that plants respond to fluctuating environmental conditions with changes in the pool size of AsA, it is unclear how this regulation occurs. The AsA-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana mutants vtc3-1 and vtc3-2 define a locus that has been identified by positional cloning as At2g40860. Confirmation of this identification was through the study of AsA-deficient At2g40860 insertion mutants and by transgenic complementation of the AsA deficiency in vtc3-1 and vtc3-2 with wild-type At2g40860 cDNA. The very unusual VTC3 gene is predicted to encode a novel polypeptide with an N-terminal protein kinase domain tethered covalently to a C-terminal protein phosphatase type 2C domain. Homologues of this gene exist only within the Viridiplantae/Chloroplastida and the gene may therefore have arisen along with the D-mannose/L-galactose AsA biosynthetic pathway. The vtc3 mutant plants are defective in the ability to elevate the AsA pool in response to light and heat, suggestive of an important role for VTC3 in the regulation of the AsA pool size.
Ethical Codes in the Professions

Why do professions develop ethical codes? How similar are ethical codes across professions? How are codes enforced? Should the measurement profession develop such a code?
Soils of Other Worlds

The fertile imaginations of writers of science fiction have seldom devised life forms of other planets that were totally unlike those of Earth. Most extraterrestrial creatures of fiction are recognizably like insects or humans, complete with legs, eyes, ears, and mouths. Imagined landscapes of other worlds also owe much to human experience with deserts, jungles and cities here on Earth. Life beyond Earth, although eagerly anticipated, remains to be demonstrated. Our present understanding of landscapes of the Moon, Mars, and Venus, on the other hand, confirms the old adage that fact is stranger than fiction. Soils on the Moon, for example, are produced principally by micrometeoroid bombardment of those of Venus form by what would be regarded as metamorphic alteration on Earth. These strange landscapes formed by sand blasting and glazing have no clear analogs on Earth.
Body Bias Voltage Computations for Process and Temperature Compensation

With continued scaling into the sub-90-nm regime, the role of process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations on the performance of VLSI circuits has become extremely important. These variations can cause the delay and the leakage of the chip to vary significantly from their expected values, thereby affecting the yield. Circuit designers have proposed the use of threshold voltage modulation techniques to pull back the chip to the nominal operational region. One such scheme, known as adaptive body bias (ABB), has become extremely effective in ensuring optimal performance or leakage savings. Our work provides a means to efficiently compute the body bias voltages required for ensuring high performance operation in gigascale systems. We provide a computer-aided design (CAD) perspective for determining the exact amount of bias voltages that can compensate both temperature and process variations. Mathematical models for delay and leakage based on minimal tester measurements are built, and a nonlinear optimization problem is formulated to ensure highest frequency operation under all conditions, and thereby minimize the overall circuit leakage. Three different algorithms are presented and their accuracies and runtimes are compared. The algorithms have been applied to a wide range of process and temperature corners, for a 65- and 45-nm technology node-based process. A suitable implementation mechanism has also been outlined.
Sources of Variance in Curriculum-Based Measures of Silent Reading.

Curriculum-Based Measurement silent reading (CBM-SR) items have been found to be reliable and valid for measuring reading comprehension skills This generalizability study reports the findings from administration of three CBM-SR passages to fifth through eighth grade students in one school district. Using Repeated Measures Analyses of Variance (RMANOVA) procedures, the statistical probability of performance on the CBM-SR task as a differential indicator of reading comprehension skill was found to be significant among students in different grade levels and between students who did and did not receive special education services. Follow-up analyses were conducted using generalizability theory to estimate the amount of variance in CBM-SR scores from individual score differences, grade levels, and special education status. The results indicated that on two of the passages, variability in CBM-SR scores came primarily from grade level differences in scores on the tasks, while on the third passage, the differences were most attributable to individual differences in scores, regardless of grade level or special education services. Implications for the use of CBM-SR items for routine assessment of students' reading skills are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 363–377, 2003.
Cocaine and σ-1 receptors modulate HIV infection, chemokine receptors, and the HPA axis in the huPBL-SCID model

Cocaine is associated with an increased risk for, and progression of, clinical disease associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A human xenograft model, in which human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were implanted into severe combined immunodeficiency mice (huPBL-SCID) and infected with a HIV reporter virus, was used to investigate the biological interactions between cocaine and HIV infection. Systemic administration of cocaine (5 mg/kg/d) significantly increased the percentage of HIV-infected PBL (two- to threefold) and viral load (100- to 300-fold) in huPBL-SCID mice. Despite the capacity for cocaine to increase corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in control mice, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was suppressed in HIV-infected animals, and corticosterone levels were further decreased when animals were exposed to HIV and cocaine. Activating huPBL in vitro in the presence of 10(-8) M cocaine increased expression of CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) coreceptors. Expression of CCR5 was also increased at early time-points in the huPBL-SCID model following systemic exposure to cocaine (54.1+/-9.4% increase over control, P<0.01). This effect preceded the boost in viral infection and waned as HIV infection progressed. Cocaine has been shown to mediate immunosuppressive effects by activating sigma-1 receptors in immune cells in vitro and in vivo. Consistent with these reports, a selective sigma-1 antagonist, BD1047, blocked the effects of cocaine on HIV replication in the huPBL-SCID mouse. Our results suggest that systemic exposure to cocaine can enhance HIV infection in vivo by activating sigma-1 receptors and by modulating the expression of HIV coreceptors.
Nonlinear coupling control laws for an overhead crane system

We consider the regulation control problem for a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF), underactuated overhead crane system. Inspired by recently designed passivity-based controllers for underactuated systems, we design several controllers that asymptotically regulate the gantry position and payload position. Specifically, utilizing LaSalle's invariance set theorem, we first illustrate how a simple proportional-derivative (PD) controller can be utilized to asymptotically regulate the overhead crane system. Motivated by the desire to achieve improved transient performance, we then design a two nonlinear controllers that increase the coupling between the gantry position and payload position.
Adverse Trends in Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality among Young New Yorkers, Particularly Young Black Women

Background Ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality has been on the decline in the United States for decades. However, declines in IHD mortality have been slower in certain groups, including young women and black individuals. Hypothesis Trends in IHD vary by age, sex, and race in New York City (NYC). Young female minorities are a vulnerable group that may warrant renewed efforts to reduce IHD. Methods IHD mortality trends were assessed in NYC 1980–2008. NYC Vital Statistics data were obtained for analysis. Age-specific IHD mortality rates and confidence bounds were estimated. Trends in IHD mortality were compared by age and race/ethnicity using linear regression of log-transformed mortality rates. Rates and trends in IHD mortality rates were compared between subgroups defined by age, sex and race/ethnicity. Results The decline in IHD mortality rates slowed in 1999 among individuals aged 35–54 years but not ≥55. IHD mortality rates were higher among young men than women age 35–54, but annual declines in IHD mortality were slower for women. Black women age 35–54 had higher IHD mortality rates and slower declines in IHD mortality than women of other race/ethnicity groups. IHD mortality trends were similar in black and white men age 35–54. Conclusions The decline in IHD mortality rates has slowed in recent years among younger, but not older, individuals in NYC. There was an association between sex and race/ethnicity on IHD mortality rates and trends. Young black women may benefit from targeted medical and public health interventions to reduce IHD mortality.
Prevention of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis with 6-Mercaptopurine.∗

SummaryExperimental allergic encephalomyelitis is prevented during administration of 12 mg/kg/day of 6-Mercaptopurine. The number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood is not reduced during this period in which 6-MP prevents EAE, although the number of neutrophils is reduced by half.
Effect of Heavy Water (deuterium oxide) on Viability of Mouse Sarcoma and Rat Carcinoma

Since the discovery of the isotope of hydrogen1 much interest has developed concerning biological properties of heavy water. Lewis2 found that heavy water (99% H22O) completely inhibited the germination of tobacco seeds. Taylor, Swingle, Eyring, and Frost3 showed that tadpoles of the green frog, Rana clamitans, died within one hour after being placed in the heavy water (92% H22O). Macht and Davis4 obtained a slight inhibiting effect on germination of Lupinus seeds with less concentrated heavy water (0.05% H22O). On the other hand, Barnes5, 6 has noted a stimulating effect of heavy water (0.05% H22O) on Spirogyra.It is known that neoplasms are generally more sensitive to deleterious agents than are normal tissues. Since normal tissues are killed by water containing deuterium in high concentrations, and biological effects are alleged for concentrations of heavy water as low as 0.05%, the question at once arises of what will be the effect of heavy water upon tumor tissues. This can be determined readily by e...
Using affective data in urban high schools: can we equalize the graduation rate?

In 2013, the 4-year high school graduation rate in the USA reached an all-time high of 81% (DePaoli et al., 2015; Yettick & Lloyd, 2015). Despite an overall upward trend, graduation rates for Afric...
Field Performance of Cottons Expressing Transgenic CryIA Insecticidal Proteins for Resistance to Heliothis virescens and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Transgenic cotton plants (BTK lines), carrying a gene construction that codes for the CryIA(b) or CryIA(c) 8-endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki were evaluated in the field for resistance to naturally occurring tobacco bud worm, Heliothis virescens (F.), boll worm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner). Five BTK lines (each line was an independent insertion event) were evaluated in 1990 and 6 in 1991. Also 2 nontransgenic commercial cultivars, ‘Coker 312’, the explant source cultivar for the BTK lines, and an adapted cultivar, ‘Stoneville 453’, were evaluated. A split-plot design was used with lepidopteran control as the main plot and cotton lines as the subplots. Main plot treatments were weekly spray applications of insecticide for lepidopteran control during 8 or 9 wk of the growing season, or no insecticidal sprays for lepidopteran control. The season mean numbers of tobacco bud worm and boll worm larvae on plant mainstem terminals, flower buds and capsels, and the percentage of flower buds and capsels injured were lower for all BTK lines, in sprayed and unsprayed plots, than for the 2 nontransgenic cultivars. Averaged over both years, the season mean percent injury in plots of the unsprayed Coker 312 was ≈23% of the flower buds and 12% of the capsels. In unsprayed plots of the BTK lines, the season mean percent injury was ≈2.3 of the flower buds and 1.1 of the capsels. In unsprayed plots, the number of cabbage looper larvae and the amount of cabbage looper feeding injury to leaves also was lower on the BTK lines compared with the 2 nontransgenic cultivars. Using the recommended treatment thresholds for tobacco bud worm and boll worm of 8-15% injured flower buds, none of the BTK lines would have been treated, whereas injury in the 2 nontransgenic cultivars would have required multiple insecticide applications. Averaged over both years, the yield of unsprayed Coker 312 was 1,050 kg/ha and the average of all the unsprayed BTK lines was 1,460 kg/ha. Expression of these cryIA genes in Coker 312 cotton resulted in greater yield, 408 kg/ha, 38.8%, in the presence of lepidopteran pests. The use of these insect resistant BTK lines or equally efficacious commercial BTK cultivars in production agriculture should reduce insecticide applications for tobacco bud worm, boll worm, and cabbage looper while increasing farm profit and opportunities for the use of biological control.
Family Feuds Are Forever

A follow-up reflection on the writing of “Family Feuds are Forever” explores how writing autoethnographically is not an innocent practice. When we write, we become vulnerable to others’ readings of our words and lived experiences. Yet, as writers of social science texts, we welcome this vulnerability, and in doing so, we discard our innocence. We create interpretations of events and a record for ourselves, and others, that are subject to outside and inside scrutiny. This reflection explores how writing autoethnographically as in “Family Feuds are Forever” challenges us to be ethical with ourselves and others.
The Design of a Keyboarding Drill and Practice Program

Keyboarding skills are a necessary subject of instruction at all educational levels. This article describes a computer program which administers keyboarding practice lessons and speed drills. Also, the program provides facilities to support teacher-personalized lessons.
Development of a Self-Efficacy Scale for Teachers Who Teach Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder

OF THESIS DEVELOPMENT OF A SELF-EFFICACY SCALE FOR TEACHERS WHO TEACH KIDS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER This study aimed to measure teachers’ self-efficacy for teaching students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Teacher self-efficacy refers to the belief teachers hold about their ability to affect student learning and has been shown to change teachers’ motivation, stress levels, and amount of given effort (Klassen, Tze, Betts, & Gordon, 2011). Numerous studies have dealt with the measurement of this construct and developed measures that assess teachers in different domains and populations; however, only one study (Ruble, Toland, Birdwhistell, McGrew, & Usher, 2013) has attempted to measure within the population of students with ASD. The purpose of the current study was to develop and pilot a new measure, the Teacher Self-Efficacy for Autism Scale (TSEAS), expand the construct to the target population, and provide sources of validity evidence. Results indicated that the TSEAS represented a unidimensional scale and latent correlation analyses suggested that the TSEAS has a positive correlation with a wellknown teacher self-efficacy measure and has a low, positive correlation with a job satisfaction instrument. With continued refinement, the TSEAS can support others who wish to measure this construct and future application of the methods employed in building this scale can be applied to other scales with minor revisions.
Characterizing the benefits and limitations of smart building meeting room scheduling

Automated building meeting assignment attempts to save meeting room energy by more intelligently assigning meetings to the available rooms. While this approach has shown good potential for particular conditions, it relies on time-consuming building simulations or model based algorithms that do not scale well to larger problems, and fails to account for important building energy factors. We present a new approach to applying and understanding meeting scheduling based on building power characterization. We determine the key factors affecting the building energy consumption with respect to the meeting assignment, and develop an energy savings model. Using this model, we show how meeting room, meeting schedule, and weather related parameters affect the energy savings potential of smart meeting scheduling. We further identify the situations where smart meeting room assignment algorithms would give significant energy savings, and where simple assignment algorithms would suffice. We also demonstrate that the incorporation of key modeling parameters greatly improves modeling accuracy over prior approaches.
Pregnant Women and Consumption of Fish: Where are We?

Uncertainty regarding fish consumption by pregnant/breastfeeding women is resolved. Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake, attributable to fish consumption, is associated with improved infant cognitive development. Women who eat fish have babies with better cognitive performance. As methyl mercury is a neurotoxin there has been concern that seafood consumption may impair neurocognitive development. However, the association of mercury in seafood and cognitive development is not as closely related as once thought. Commercially caught seafood is considered safe and beneficial for pregnant/breastfeeding women, at recommended levels of intake. The observation that cognitive ability improves as both fish consumption and maternal mercury levels increase has been explored; an explanation for this paradox is a protective effect of selenium in fish, which provides an apparent protective role against the neurotoxicity, while DHA is essential for brain development.
A Historical Review of the Chinese Domestic Organizational Structure: A Peculiar Premodernity

Observation-based social sciences rely heavily on history. Human desires, knowledge, capabilities and institutions are all historical phenomena that leave clear and deep traces; thus history not only records but also teaches and explains. Institutions and institutional changes in a particular human grouping, a nation, must be examined within a framework of history, even though the notion of “modernity” may be somehow objective and less time-specific. History actually provides the main clues to our understanding of human institutions, since many of the leading features of a particular set of institutions can be forged only gradually. The all-important legitimacy of institutions can be accumulated only over time. Only a historical review can reveal the inertia that makes many institutions live far beyond their utility, and the internalization of institutions — the formation of cultures. The consequential relative timing of a modernization process, can only be understood through a historical examination of the external conditions of a particular nation. A historical review is even indispensable to study institutional changes of a nation like China that has had a long civilization.
Knowledge and practice pictured in the artist’s studio. The ‘art lover’ in the seventeenth-century Netherlands

This article examines the long overlooked representation of the ‘art lover’, or liefhebber, in the artist’s studio in the seventeenth-century Netherlands and the ways in which the liefhebber’s image coalesced with a larger cultural discourse of connoisseurship, amateurship, and artistic practice. It situates these images in the iconographic tradition of the Flemish collector’s cabinet, and demonstrates how the values inherent to the konstkamer became part of the visual language and meaning of the studio visit. Drawing academies, manuals, and art theoretical treatises reshaped the role of the art lover in and outside of the studio, ennobling artist and art lover alike. In this way, Dutch and Flemish artists, such as Pieter Codde, Frans van Mieris and Michael Sweerts, ‘pictured’ a new form of artistic knowledge and modernized an iconographic tradition.
Neuromyelitis Optica: Immunopathogenesis, Clinical Manifestations, and Treatments

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory astrocytopathy characterized by severe optic neuritis, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, and the area postrema syndrome. Complement-fixing antibodies directed against aquaporin-4 (a water channel located on astrocytic foot processes) are generated from dysregulated B-cells in NMO. NMO typically affects young women and shows no racial predilection. It often coexists with other autoimmune diseases. The diagnosis of NMO can be made based on clinical manifestations, radiologic data, and presence of antibodies against aquaporin-4 antibody. Acute NMO attacks should be treated with high-dose intravenous corticosteroids and/or plasmapheresis. Long-term control of disease activity can be achieved with rituximab, as well as various immunosuppressive therapies.
Altered pupillary light response scales with disease severity in migrainous photophobia.

BackgroundAutonomic dysfunction and light sensitivity are core features of the migraine attack. Growing evidence also suggests changes in these parameters between attacks. Though sensory and autono...
Uncertainty in stock assessment estimates for New England groundfish and its impact on achieving target harvest rates.

Overfishing continues for many stocks in the New England groundfish complex despite efforts to constrain harvest rates and rebuild populations. We evaluated the magnitude and sources of scientific ...
Magnetic stage with environmental control for optical microscopy and high-speed nano- and microrheology

A novel design of a low-field magnetic stage for optical microscopy of droplets and films within a controlled environment is described. The stage consists of five magnetic coils with a 3D magnetic sensor in a feedback control loop, which allows one to manipulate magnetic nano- and microprobes with microtesla fields. A locally uniform time-dependent field within the focal plane of the microscope objective enables one to rotate the probes in a precisely set manner and observe their motion. The probe tracking protocol was developed to follow the probe rotation in real time and relate it with the viscosity of the host liquid. Using this magnetic stage, a method for measuring mPa s-level viscosity of nanoliter droplets and micron thick films in a 10–20 s timeframe is presented and validated. The viscosity of a rapidly changing liquid can be tracked by using only a few visible probes rotating simultaneously. Vapor pressure and temperature around the sample can be controlled to directly measure viscosity as a fu...
The Ambiguous Arms of Aeneas

Virgil subtly connects the scene of Dido’s discussion with her sister Anna about the new Trojan arrival Aeneas, and the later first arrival of the Trojans in Latium. By a careful corre-spondence between the two passages, Virgil portends the dark amatory rationale behind the sub-sequent outbreak of war in Italy
Effect of mobile technology featuring visual scene displays and just-in-time programming on communication turns by preadolescent and adolescent beginning communicators

Purpose: Visual scene displays (VSDs) and just-in-time programming supports are augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology features with theoretical benefits for beginning communic...
Collaborative modeling & tailored simulation for course of action validation

The purpose of this paper is to outline a target set of Command and Control (C2) Modeling & Simulation (M&S) capabilities critical to providing Commanders with adequate situational awareness (SA) to enable globally integrated operations. Specifically, it will provide a conceptual framework that can be used to formulate a Collaborative Information Environment (CIE) that can support Course of Action (COA) modeling and validation while planning during execution. This paper is operationally focused, but is also intended to be compatible with technology-focused principles and in information management concepts.
Architecture of the thin filament-Z-line junction: lessons from nebulette and nebulin homologies.

Nebulette and nebulin are homologous proteins associated with the Z-lines of cardiac and skeletal muscle sarcomeres. Although these proteins share ∼70% sequence homology and an identical domain layout, nebulette is one-tenth the size of nebulin. To define structurally important features of these proteins in terms of the Z-line architecture, we have analyzed the primary structure of nebulette and nebulin from a variety of species and developmental stages. Alignment of the 35 residue nebulin-like modules from both proteins demonstrates that the individual modules share 30–90% homology across the six proteins analyzed. In addition, this analysis demonstrates a number of areas in which the identity across the six proteins is as high as 75%. These areas may be important signals for Z-line assembly and function in the striated muscles. Significantly, most of the areas of high identity also coincide with consensus phosphorylation sites. To evaluate if nebulette, like nebulin, exhibits tissue-specific and developmental specific polymorphism, a series of immunoblot assays were performed. These data demonstrate that nebulettes from different portions of the heart are the same size. Comparison of nebulette from embryonic and adult cardiac muscle also demonstrates that this protein does not appear to vary in size with developmental stage. Consistent with the large number of consensus phosphorylation sites identified in the nebulette primary structure, we find that nebulette is phosphorylated in the cardiac muscle at serine and threonine residues. These data and sequence analyses are discussed in terms of current models for Z-line architecture.
Rupture of a bifurcated distal biceps tendon. A case report.

Typically, the biceps brachii originates proximally with two heads from the scapula that unite to form a common tendon that inserts into the radial tuberosity, with the bicipital aponeurosis inserting onto the ulna. Multiple anatomic anomalies of the biceps brachii muscle have been identified1-4. These variations are far more common at the muscular origin than at the insertion, with the muscle occasionally having accessory heads at its origin1,2,4. Much less commonly, anomalous insertions of the biceps have been described; these variations have included slips extending to the medial intermuscular septum, the medial epicondyle, the pronator teres, or the extensor carpi radialis brevis3,5. We are aware of only a single case report that has described the clinical relevance of these anomalies6, and their importance is unclear. Distal biceps rupture is a relatively rare injury that is much less frequent than proximal tendon rupture. The etiology of distal biceps rupture is unclear. However, it may involve some degeneration of the tendon at its insertion on the radial tuberosity. Partial ruptures of the distal biceps tendon are quite rare relative to complete tears and may be difficult to diagnose7-9. A recent report documented excellent outcomes for eight patients in whom a partial tear had been repaired through a single posterior incision10. We report the case of a patient who had a rupture of a bifurcated distal biceps tendon with separate musculotendinous junctions, findings that were consistent with an unfused biceps brachii muscle. The patient was informed that information concerning this case would be submitted for publication. We are aware of no previous reports of this anomaly. Athirty-nine-year-old, right-hand-dominant man who worked as a law-enforcement officer injured the right arm while lifting …
Concurrent Diagnosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Follicular Lymphoma: An Unreported Presentation

Lymphadenopathy in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is usually due to extramedullary involvement with accelerated or blast phases of the disease. The occurrence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) as a synchronous malignancy with CML is rare. We report a case of a 73-year-old male who presented with dyspnea and right-sided lower extremity edema in the setting of leukocytosis. Bone marrow evaluation indicated a chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), confirmed by molecular testing. Imaging of the chest for persistent dyspnea revealed supraclavicular and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Biopsy of the cervical node showed expanded lymphoid follicles with atypical germinal centers that were positive for CD10, BCL-2, and BCL-6, consistent with follicular lymphoma (FL). Nodal PCR demonstrated clonal IGH and IGK gene rearrangements, and FISH analysis was positive for IGH-BCL-2 fusion. Together, these tests supported the diagnosis of FL. Additionally, the lymph node showed paracortical expansion by maturing pan-hematopoietic elements, no blastic groups, and positive RT-PCR analysis for BCR-ABL1, indicating concomitant involvement by chronic phase-CML. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a patient with a concurrent diagnosis of CML and FL.
The role of calcite and silica interfaces on the aggregation and transport of asphaltenes in confinement

Abstract The structure and transport of the heavy asphaltene molecules in unconfined bulk fluids and fluids confined in a 4 nm slit-shaped nanopores of calcite and silica were studied using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The pores were filled with 7 wt% of asphaltene dissolved in an equimolar solvent of heptane and toluene. The mixture was considered since asphaltenes are insoluble and soluble in heptane and toluene, respectively. Our studies showed that asphaltene molecules tended to aggregate in unconfined bulk fluids to form a large cluster composed of all the asphaltene molecules. However, the size of nanoaggregates is smaller in the confined fluidic environments due to the adsorption of asphaltenes on silica or calcite surfaces. The aggregation and adsorption of asphaltenes initially located in the bulk fluid occurred at the pore entrances of calcite and silica. However, the asphaltene molecules located within the pore were adsorbed onto the pore surface. Further, confinement influenced the structure of the solvent. Toluene showed preferential adsorption for the calcite and silica surfaces over heptane due to differences in the polarities of these molecules. The adsorption behavior of the asphaltenes and solvents prove that the chemistry of the surfaces and edges have a crucial role in determining the structures of confined hydrocarbons. Further, confined fluids had a significant influence on the diffusivities of the asphaltenes and the solvents. Asphaltene and toluene diffusivities in confined fluids are lower compared to in bulk fluids. Further, the diffusivities of asphaltene with a higher molecular weight in confined and bulk fluids were lower compared to asphaltenes with lower molecular weights. The aggregation of asphaltenes proceeded via π-π stacking arising from the van der Waals affinity between the polyaromatics cores. These findings have important implications for predicting the influence of earth-abundant solid interfaces on the aggregation and transport behavior of complex heavy hydrocarbon molecules such as asphaltenes which are known to cause challenges in flow assurance for the recovery of hydrocarbons at the field-scale.
Trends in Low-Calorie Sweetener Consumption Among Pregnant Women in the United States.

Background Minimizing consumption of added sugars is recommended to prevent excessive weight gain among pregnant women. A common approach to lowering sugar intake is the use of low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs), yet little is known about LCS use during pregnancy or its effects on infant weight and health. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate temporal trends in LCS consumption by source (foods, beverages, or packets) among pregnant women in the United States from 1999 to 2014 and to compare recent LCS consumption patterns across sociodemographic subgroups and product categories. Methods Data were collected from pregnant women aged 20-39 y (n = 1,265) who participated in the NHANES from 1999-2000 through 2013-2014. Prevalence of LCS consumption was assessed using two 24-h dietary recalls. Analytical procedures for complex survey design were used, and sampling weights were applied to estimate national prevalence of LCS use. Rao-Scott modified chi-square tests were used to compare consumption prevalence across sociodemographic subgroups, and logistic regression was used to examine trends in LCS use over time. Results The prevalence of LCS consumption among pregnant women increased by approximately 50% rising from 16.2% in 1999-2004 to 24.0% in 2007-2014, P = 0.04, with the highest prevalence observed in 2005-2006 (38.4%). This trend was driven predominantly by increases in LCS beverage use (9.9% in 1999-2004 compared with 18.3% in 2007-2014, P = 0.02). Prevalence of LCS consumption was highest among non-Hispanic white women and increased with education and income. No differences were observed based on prepregnancy weight status or trimester of pregnancy. Conclusions Approximately one-quarter of pregnant women in the United States reported consumption of LCS during at least 1 of 2 dietary recalls. Given the widespread LCS consumption during pregnancy, research to elucidate potential effects of early life LCS exposure on taste preferences, weight trajectory, and risk of later metabolic disease is needed.
Patient Safety and Anesthesia Considerations for Office-Based Otolaryngology Procedures

Office-based otolaryngology procedures provide a safe and efficient alternative to the traditional operating room. Physicians are responsible for knowing their state regulations and subspecialty guidelines. Although the clinic setting has fewer regulations than hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, the clinic has the same standards as a hospital with respect to emergency equipment, trained personnel, protocols, and safety measures. Sedation occurs along a continuum; it is impossible to predict a patient's response to sedation. Otolaryngologists performing office-based sedation must be prepared to rescue with airway and advanced life support in the event that the sedation level encountered is deeper than expected.
Identification of Cysteine‐Rich Angiogenic Inducer 61 as a Potential Antifibrotic and Proangiogenic Mediator in Scleroderma

Objective We previously identified CYR61 as a histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC-5)-repressed gene in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) endothelial cells (ECs). When overexpressed, cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR-61) promoted angiogenesis in SSc ECs. This study was undertaken to examine the role of CYR-61 in fibrosis and determine the mechanisms involved in CYR-61-mediated angiogenesis in SSc. Methods Dermal ECs and fibroblasts were isolated from biopsy specimens from healthy subjects and patients with SSc. CYR-61 level was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CYR-61 was overexpressed using a CYR61 vector or knocked down using small interfering RNA, and functional and mechanistic studies were then conducted in fibroblasts and ECs. Results Lower CYR61 messenger RNA levels were observed in dermal fibroblasts and ECs from SSc patients than in those from healthy controls. In SSc fibroblasts, overexpression of CYR-61 led to significant reduction in the expression of profibrotic genes, including COL1A1 (P = 0.002) and ACTA2 (P = 0.04), and an increase in the expression of matrix-degrading genes, including MMP1 (P = 0.002) and MMP3 (P =0.004), and proangiogenic VEGF (P = 0.03). The antifibrotic effect of CYR-61 was further demonstrated by delay in wound healing, inhibition of gel contraction, inactivation of the transforming growth factor β pathway, and early superoxide production associated with senescence in SSc fibroblasts. In SSc ECs, overexpression of CYR-61 led to increased production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor. The proangiogenic effects of CYR-61 were mediated by signaling through αvβ3 receptors and downstream activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, AKT, and the endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide pathway system. Conclusion CYR-61, which is epigenetically regulated by HDAC-5, is a potent antifibrotic and proangiogenic mediator in SSc. Therapeutic intervention to promote CYR-61 activity or increase CYR-61 levels might be of benefit in SSc.
Abstract 131: TICI 2A Reperfusion Increases Risk of Parenchymal Hemorrhage After Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: Endovascular reperfusion therapy (ERT) for acute large vessel occlusion limits infarct expansion and improves clinical outcomes but successful reperfusion may also increase risk of repe...
Exploring the Relationships Between Object Relations/Reality Testing Functioning, Coping Styles, and Somatic Tension

In view of the importance of coping and of the apparent impact of individual differences on coping styles, it seems appropriate to examine relationships of coping with deeper and more complex psychological constructs such as those described in object relations psychology. Discovery of psychological predispositions to coping should have significant implications for both organizational and interpersonal intervention mechanisms. This study examined the relationships among six object relations/reality testing constructs and the coping styles of positive thinking coping, interpersonal coping, avoidance coping, direct action coping, and symptom-management coping, as well as somatic tension. Several significant relationships were evidenced. Implications and suggestions for future research are presented.
Multistatic Microwave Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging Using Orthogonal Binary Coding

The utilization of orthogonal binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation in a microwave synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging system is a novel technique that reduces the complexity of system hardware and expedites the measurement process for large imaging arrays. BPSK techniques are commonly used in ranging and communications, where transmitting multiple signals without interference is important. This methodology can also be applied to multistatic SAR imaging, allowing an imaging array to simultaneously gather data from all transmit/receive pairs. These measurements can then be processed with a robust SAR imaging algorithm, resulting in real-time generation of 3D images for a variety of applications including those involving nondestructive testing (NDT). Current array-based imaging techniques utilize switch-based or frequency offset designs. These designs suffer from increased hardware complexity, and in the case of switch-based systems, longer measurement times. Utilizing orthogonal coding techniques allows an array to transmit and receive from many elements simultaneously, which reduces measurement time and simplifies system hardware, since the codes are generated and processed in software. This paper discusses the theory behind the proposed imaging technique and shows a proof of concept system that was used to create microwave SAR images of targets.
Coordinated Damping Controller Design based on the Gain Conservation Theorem (GCT)

The present study proposes a new methodology for the interaction analysis and coordinated design method of Static VAR Compensator (SVC) damping controllers. By establishing the power system mathematical model with multiple SVCs, it is proved that interaction exists among multiple SVC damping controllers, and the Gain Conservation Theorem (GCT) of damping controller among multiple SVCs has been proposed. In this regard, the mechanism of interaction which may trigger high-frequency oscillations or even threaten the system security is revealed. In order to eliminate the interactions, based on the GCT, a novel coordinated controller parameter optimizing algorithm of SVCs is proposed in this section. Different from the existing coordinated controller design methods, the algorithm is carried out based on real-time response, which avoids possible errors of modeling. The proposed optimizing algorithm is convenient for engineering applications. Effectiveness and applicability of the coordination strategy have been demonstrated through numerical simulations on a two-area four-generator system at the end of this study.