cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of nanomaterials in secondary metabolites accumulation, photosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation in plant systems

Abstract The literature has shown that engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may be absorbed by plant tissues causing a series of physiological and biochemical impacts towards plant body. Although there is a myriad of publications describing the interaction of ENMs with plants, few of them have highlighted their effects on plant metabolisms, such as the accumulation of secondary metabolites, photosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation. To understand these aspects is essential to touch the baseline of the defence mechanism, energy conversion, and biosynthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds in the plant systems. The present chapter covers a discussion of the most recent and relevant publications regarding these aspects of the most widely used ENMs, such as silver (nAg), cerium dioxide (nCeO2), copper (nCu), copper oxide (nCuO), copper hydroxide [nCu (OH)2], titanium dioxide (nTiO2), and zinc oxide (nZnO), with vascular plants. We expect this chapter will contribute to a general understanding of the interaction of ENMs with plants and inspire further investigations about how ENMs interfere with plants growth and development.
2036-P: Gut Microbes Regulate Insulin Clearance in Mice

Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with hyperinsulinemia, which is caused by increased insulin secretion and/or reduced insulin clearance. Impaired insulin clearance may be caused by ectopic lipid deposition in liver and skeletal muscle, the key sites of insulin clearance and degradation. Insulin is the key hormone regulating blood glucose. The composition of the intestinal microbiota can regulate aspects of diet-induced obesity and glucose metabolism. Here we found that the microbiota also regulates insulin clearance during prolonged diet-induced obesity. Male C57Bl/6J mice fed 45% high fat diet (HFD) for a prolonged period had impaired insulin clearance relative to chow fed mice as measured by insulin/C-peptide ratio during an oral glucose tolerance test. High fat fed mice also showed impaired insulin clearance measured after injection of insulin - mice fed chow or 45% HFD had plasma insulin concentration measured at 0, 5, 30, and 60 minutes following injection of human insulin and area under the curve calculated. Treatment of 45% HFD-fed mice with an antibiotic cocktail of Neomycin/Ampicillin for 2 weeks improved insulin clearance after insulin injection. Next, we colonized previously germ-free mice with the microbiota from chow or 45% HFD-fed “donor” mice for 6 weeks. The previously germ-free “recipient” mice colonized with feces-resident microbes from chow or HFD fed donors did not differ in insulin clearance when recipient mice were fed a chow diet. However, when colonized recipient mice were switched from chow to 45% HFD for 2 weeks the recipient mice colonized with microbes from 45% HFD fed donors showed impaired insulin clearance relative to recipient mice colonized with microbes from chow fed donors. Our results demonstrate that diet-induced changes in fecal microbes are an independent factor regulating insulin clearance. Diet-induced changes in the gut microbiota and consequent impaired insulin clearance may participate in hyperinsulinemia leading to exacerbated insulin resistance and obesity. Disclosure K.P. Foley: None. S. Zlitni: None. B.M. Duggan: None. B.D. Henriksbo: None. N.G. Barra: None. J.F. Cavallari: None. F. Forato Anhe: None. T. Lau: None. Y. Chen: None. J.D. Schertzer: None. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Origin of Broad-Band Emission and Impact of Structural Dimensionality in Tin-Alloyed Ruddlesden–Popper Hybrid Lead Iodide Perovskites

Hybrid organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites have shown promising results as active layers in light-emitting diodes, typically utilizing the near-monochromatic, free exciton emission. Some perovskite compounds, however, show broad-band emission that is more intense than the free exciton counterpart. In this study, we show that the light emission properties of Ruddlesden–Popper hybrid perovskites PEA2MAn–1PbnI3n+1 (PEA = phenethylammonium, MA = methylammonium) can be tuned by Sn alloying and are highly sensitive to Sn %. With increasing dimensionality, the broad-band emission quantum yield decreases drastically, from 23% in n = 1 to <1% for the n = 3 compound. Using density functional theory calculations and transient reflectance spectroscopy, the broad emission is identified as originating from self-trapped excitons. A dynamic picture of the formation process is also presented, for which ultrafast (<5 ps) hole-trapping at the Sn site is the first step, followed by electron localization from Coulombic ...
Unusual monodentate binding of a C-NONOate ligand in the nitrosyl complex (OEP)Ru(NO)(η1-ONN(t-Bu)O)

Abstract The recent discovery of the C-NONOate moiety ([X{N2O2}]−; diazeniumdiolate) as a new class of siderophore functional group necessitates further examination of its coordination chemistry. The bidentate η2-O,O binding mode of the C-NONOate moiety is well-established. We have synthesized and characterized, by X-ray crystallography, the first monodentate η1-O binding mode of a C-NONOate group to any metal, namely that of (OEP)Ru(NO)(η1-ONN(t-Bu)O). The compound exhibits an irreversible first oxidation in CH2Cl2 at a Pt electrode. Protonation with triflic acid results in the formation of N2O, presumably from the direct protonation of the C-NONOate ligand.
Mixed-Integer Optimization for Bio-Inspired Robust Power Network Design

Power systems are susceptible to natural threats including hurricanes and floods. Modern power grids are also increasingly threatened by cyber attacks. Existing approaches that help improve power system security and resilience may not be sufficient; this is evidenced by the continued challenge to supply energy to all customers during severe events. This paper presents an approach to address this challenge through bio-inspired power system network design to improve system reliability and resilience against disturbances. Inspired by naturally robust ecosystems, this paper considers the optimal ecological robustness that recognizes a unique balance between pathway efficiency and redundancy to ensure the survivability against disruptive events for given networks. This paper presents an approach that maximizes ecological robustness in transmission network design by formulating a mixed-integer nonlinear programming optimization problem with power system constraints. The results show the increase of the optimized power system's robustness and the improved reliability with less violations under $N$ - $x$ contingencies.
Double-tolerance design for manufacturing systems

Most production environments are stochastic in nature, due to the randomness inherent in the production processes. One important engineering problem commonly faced by practitioners is to determine ...
Nuclear Imaging for the Assessment of Cardiotoxicity from Chemotherapeutic Agents in Oncologic Disease

In this review, we summarize the major known cardiac toxicities of common chemotherapeutic agents and the role of nuclear cardiac imaging for the surveillance and assessment of cancer therapeutics–related cardiac dysfunction in routine clinical practice. Cardiotoxicity from chemotherapy causes a significant mortality and limits potentially life-saving treatment in cancer patients. Close monitoring of cardiac function during chemotherapy is an accepted method for reducing these adverse effects especially in patients with cancer therapeutics–related cardiac dysfunction. Nuclear imaging is a sensitive, specific, and highly reproducible modality for assessment of cardiac function. Nuclear imaging techniques including equilibrium radio nucleotide angiography, myocardial perfusion imaging, and novel experimental molecular imaging are the various objective tools available in addition to conventional echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the surveillance, assessment, and follow-up of cancer therapeutics–related cardiac dysfunction.
Diversity and Evolution at the Eb Recombinational Hotspot in the Mouse

The second intron of the mouse Eb gene contains a well-defined recombinational hotspot. A comparison of standard laboratory MHC haplotypes suggests a region of 650 bp in the 3’ end of this intron, corresponding to the location of the breakpoint region of the recombinational hotspot, is highly conserved. This conserved segment was examined in several species and subspecies of Mus and revealed nucleotide diversity ranging from zero to 4.3%. Sequence analysis also resulted in the identification of a variable mononucleotide repeat within the proposed recombinational hotspot which shows at least eight different sequence configurations. In addition, a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR), previously identified in the 3′ end of the intron, was examined for diversity. This analysis revealed a wide variation in the number of AGGC repeats observed ranging from as few as 5 (Mus caroli) to as many as 21 (Mus musculus brevirostris). Further, a second VNTR, consisting of the tetramer TGGA was also detected immediately preceding the AGGC tandem repeat.
DOUBLE INTERNAL BREMSSTRAHLUNG IN THE BETA DECAY OF $sup 204$Tl.

Double internal bremsstrahlung has been observed in the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of $^{204}\mathrm{T}1$ for photon energies above 103 keV. Coincident photons, detected by two 3-in.\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3-in. NaI(T1) detectors located at an angle of 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, form a two-dimensional spectrum. Total intensities are obtained as a function of the sum of the energies deposited in the two detectors. The ratio of the intensity of the double internal bremsstrahlung for a sum energy $E$ to the intensity of the single internal bremsstrahlung for a photon of energy $E$ associated with this decay was found as a function of $E$. The experimental results are compared with theoretical calculations.
Agricultural Biotechnology and the Future Benefits Argument

In the face of criticisms about the current generationof agricultural biotechnology products, some proponents ofagricultural biotechnology offer a ``future benefitsargument''(FBA), which is a utilitarian ethical argument thatattempts to justify continued R&D. This paper analyzes severallogical implications of the FBA. Among these are that acceptanceof the FBA implies (1) acceptance of a precautionary approach torisk, (2) the need for a more proportional and equitabledistribution of the benefits of agricultural biotechnology, andmost important, (3) the need to reorient and restructurebiotechnology R&D institutions (and the agriculturalbiotechnology community's values and attitudes) so that futurebenefits are indeed achieved through agricultural biotechnology.
Selection of an optimal muscle set for a standing neuroprosthesis using a human musculoskeletal model

The goal of this study was to determine an optimal set of muscles to electrically stimulate for a standing neuroprosthesis for persons with paraplegia due to spinal cord injury. A fifteen degree of freedom musculoskeletal model of the human lower extremities was used to select additional muscles beyond those used in the existing 8 channel system developed by our group. We found that adding the gluteus medius and the adductor magnus at the hip and several different combinations of ankle muscles should stabilize users in a standing position and allow them to perform manual tasks with at least one arm while standing.
Transient diabetes in infancy.

The clinical aspects of acute bacillary dysentery as observed in an outbreak among a general population group in a highly endemic area are presented; age-specific clinical variations are noted. The onset was abrupt in all cases and all age-groups. The height of the illness in 84% of 106 cases was reached in 24 hours, more rapidly than in the "classical" form (3 to 5 days). The presence of blood in the stools was noted in about 25% of all cases; in about 25% of the 0 through 5 year age-group, 50% of the 6 through 10 year group, 37½% of the 11 through 15 year age-group, and 9 to 10% in the groups 16 years of age and over. The median number of stools was 9 to 10 daily, with no significant difference among the various age-groups. Fever was present in 65% of the children 10 years of age and under (55 cases), and in 35% of the older age-groups (40 cases). Vomiting is more frequent among the younger age-groups; weakness becomes a more frequent complaint with advancing age. The median duration of illness was 5.5 days in 100 cases. There was no correlation observed between age and duration. Recurrences are more frequently observed in the youngest age-groups—36% of all cases (14) under one year of age, 28% of 39 cases between 1-2 years of age. About 9% of the 26 and over age-group (34 cases) recurred, and practically none in the intervening groups. No relationship was observed between the tendency towards recurrences in households with multiple cases as compared with single cases. All the fatalities were under one year of age. Two deaths occurred in the cases studied, yielding an age-specific death rate of 14.3% for this group. Five other deaths in cases not included in this report are noted, all under one year of age; 2 caused by "infant diarrhea" and 3 by bronchopneumonia with "chronic diarrhea" as a contributing cause. The role of acquired immunity in the modification of bacillary dysentery can be evaluated from studies of attack rates and the clinical course of the disease, through age-specific groupings. Investigators should clearly define such basic terms as duration, recurrences, etc., when reporting so that necessary comparisons and/or data summation can be made.
Simulated Score Methods and Indirect Inference for Continuous-time Models

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a simulated method of moments estimator that is implemented by choosing the vector valued moment function to be the expectation under the structural model of the score function of an auxiliary model, where the parameters of the auxiliary model are eliminated by replacing them with their quasi-maximum likelihood estimates. This leaves a moment vector depending only on the parameters of the structural model. Structural parameter estimates are those parameter values that put the moment vector as closely to zero as possible in a suitable generalized method of moments metric. This methodology can also be interpreted as a practical computational strategy for implementing indirect inference. One argues that considerations from statistical science dictate that the auxiliary model should approximate the true data-generating process as closely as possible and show that using the seminonparametric model is one means to this end. When the view of close approximation is accepted in implementation, the methodology described here is usually referred to as Efficient Method of Moments in the literature because the estimator is asymptotically as efficient as maximum likelihood under correct specification and the detection of model error is assured under incorrect specification.
A microchemical study of the developing epiphyseal plate.

Preliminary information of the general enzymatic characteristics of the normal stages of the development of endochondral bone in the dog and the effect of age are presented. The enzymes glucose-6-phosphate, lactic and malic dehydrogenase, and phosphoglucoisomerase are found to be active through the maturing stages of epiphyseal development. Alkaline-phosphatase activity, on the basis of acid-insoluble material comprising the area, is greater in the primary spongiosa than in other locations, as reported previously. The results are discussed in relation both to the total and the acid-soluble solid and phosphorus content in the areas. An over-all increase in the level of enzyme activity is noted in the epiphyseal plate as the newborn dog matures. The enzyme content in the epiphyseal plate is such as to indicate that the process of epiphyseal growth and bone formation is an enzymatically regulated sequence deriving energy and intermediates through the Embden-Meyerhoff pathway, the hexosemonophosphate shunt, and the tricarboxylic-acid cycle. Adaptations of microchemical techniques suitable for chemical investigation of biopsy material from diseased epiphyseal plates are presented.
The kinetics of alkaline phosphatase.

The advantages of an integrated rate equation for the analysis of the reaction kinetics of the alkaline phosphatase of Escherichia coli were demonstrated.
Planning in the smaller city: Major problems and a possible solution

Abstract The study is based on interviews with 29 mayors, 26 planning commission chairmen and 23 professional planners in an Eastern state. It presents the four major problems confronting planning in these communities: (1) a lack of official commitment to planning, (2) the “gap” between professional planners and municipal officials, (3) an underdeveloped advocacy for planning and (4) several indigenous community hindrances. Each problem is examined in detail and a framework for dealing with resistance to planning is proposed.
Engagement research: Some thoughts from a burnout perspective

The article on “Key Questions Regarding Work Engagement” presents an agenda of 10 propositions for future research on this important topic. However, some conceptual aspects of this agenda might be enhanced by greater consideration of the parallels, as well as of the differences, between work engagement and job burnout. Several recommendations are presented as possible enhancements of these 10 propositions.
Early developmental expression of the gene encoding glucosylceramide synthase, the enzyme controlling the first committed step of glycosphingolipid synthesis.

Abstract Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are ubiquitous plasma membrane components composed of a ceramide lipid anchor attached to one of a diverse complement of oligosaccharide structures. Fundamentally important activities have been attributed to GSLs including formation of plasma membrane structures involved in membrane trafficking, signal transduction and cell–cell interactions. Glucosylceramide synthase converts ceramide to glucosylceramide, a core structure of the vast majority of GSLs. Disruption of the gene encoding glucosylceramide synthase (Ugcg) caused embryonic lethality in mice during gastrulation. To further investigate the role of GSL synthesis during embryogenesis, we produced mice with a Lacz reporter gene inserted into the glucosylceramide synthase locus. These mice allowed the visualization of glucosylceramide synthase expression during early embryonic development.
Effect of the Steam Conditioning and Pelleting Process on the Microbiology and Quality of Commercial-Type Poultry Feeds

Abstract Effects of variations in steam conditioning and pelleting poultry feed to eliminate Salmonella were investigated in a commercial pellet mill. Layer-breeder and broiler-starter rations differing primarily in fat and limestone content were evaluated. Total bacteria counts were reduced only slightly, but Enterobacteriaceae counts were reduced appreciably by steam conditioning; however, pelleting was also necessary to eliminate Enterobacteriaceae consistently. Salmonella were present in about 50% of the feed samples before conditioning and in only about 4% of all samples after conditioning and pelleting. No Salmonella was detected after pelleting with high or very high steam pressure conditioning. Moisture content of the feed remained in an acceptable range regardless of steam pressure used. Temperature of the feed following the conditioning process was 134 to 135 F (57 C), 162 to 169 F (72 to 76 C), and 181 to 187 F (83 to 86 C) with low, medium, and high steam, respectively. The layer-breeder pellets were slightly more durable than the broiler-starter pellets, and overall pellet durability increased with increasing steam pressure.
Challenges and Opportunities for Data-Intensive Computing in the Cloud

Now running mostly on high-performance computers, data-intensive applications pose several important challenges as they move toward cloud deployment.
A model for the plane to plane variations in catalytic activity seen during nitric oxide decomposition on platinum

Previous work has shown that the reactivity of platinum for nitric oxide decomposition varies significantly with the geometry of the exposed surface of the platinum. Here, the available data are compared to the predictions of a model, which is based on conservation of orbital symmetry and a simplified picture of the band structure of the surface. The model predicts that the (100) face of platinum should be more active than either the (111) or the (110). The (410) should be more active still. These predictions agree with recent experiment. The model makes several other predictions which need to be tested experimentally. These results suggest that symmetry conservation methods. similar to the ones developed by Woodward and Hoffmann for organic reactions, could yield many valuable insights into the relative activity of various catalyst structures.
Observing Bragg-like diffraction via multiple coupled nuclear spins

Using intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence (iMQC) we report the first observation of Bragg-like diffraction via multiple distantly coupled nuclear spins. A compact quantum-mechanical formalism has been developed for analytically calculating iMQCs. The diffraction of iMQCs of various orders has been studied in a two-dimensional array structure. It indicates that phase cycling and flip angle selection are crucial for accurately measuring iMQC and the specific iMQCs measured in previous studies were likely contaminated by undesired coherences. We have also examined the capability and the current limitation of applying iMQCs for structural studies. The observation of iMQC diffraction introduces a new method for studying collective dynamics.
INTRA- AND INTERCLONAL COMPETITION IN THE CLEISTOGAMOUS GRASS AMPHIBROMUS SCABRIVALVIS'

The relationship of differences in life history traits among genotypes to competitive ability is not well known for most clonal plants. It has been hypothesized that genetically identical clones will compete more intensively than genetically distinct clones. The perennial grass Amphibromus scabrivalvis, which produces basal corms and cleistogamous seeds enclosed by leaf sheaths, exhibits pronounced clonal growth via rhizome and ramet production. In a controlled greenhouse experiment, clones of four genotypes of this species were grown under three regimes: alone in the absence of competition, paired with a clone of the same genotype (intraclonal competition), and paired with a clone of a different genotype (interclonal competition). There were differences in some biomass measures and in ramet and corm production among the four genotypes grown in the absence of competition. All genotypes showed a significant reduction in total biomass under both intra- and interclonal conditions, indicating that competition had occurred. For three of four genotypes, biomass allocation to corm increased under competition, while allocation to cleistogamous seeds was constant or increased slightly. Although some genotypes in specific interclonal combinations were less affected by competition than in intraclonal combinations, there was no support for the contention that the effects of competition were more intense for genetically identical clones.
Normal and superconducting properties of the mixed hexagonal tungsten bronze RbxCsyWO3

Abstract In previous work it has been shown that RbxWO3 and KxWO3 have anomalies in the resistance vs. temperature. The temperature at which the anomaly occurs is composition dependent, with a maximum near x=0.25. The superconducting transition temperature, Tc, also shows a minimum at this composition. On the other hand, CsxWO3 shows no anomaly in the resistivity, nor any dip in Tc as a function of composition. In order to further study this behavior, RbxCsyWO3 was investigated for x+y=0.28 and 0.24. The results show that the temperature dependent resistive anomaly and Tc scale linearly with increasing y.
Family Life and Child Development Concepts in Elementary Schools: A Factor Analysis

Elementary teachers conceptualize family life and child development education concepts differently than do many home economics professionals. This was a conclusion of a study to determine to what extent family life education concepts were included in elementary school curricula and to determine the factorial structure of the concepts based on teachers' responses. Over 200 elementary teachers responded to a list of 70 validated concepts. The teachers taught grades kindergarten to sixth. Factor analysis revealed four major factors: 1–Learning About Self and Others, 2–Family and Society Interacting, 3–De– veloping as a Family Member, and 4–Adolescence. Mean scores revealed that none of the factors were taught to a great extent and Factors 2 and 4 were seldom or never taught. Concepts relating to human sexual development were not overtly present in the factors and those indirectly related were seldom taught. There are implications for home economics family and child development specialists who are consulting with curriculum workers in elementary schools, as well as for curriculum developers. It appears that home economists may be able to contribute to preservice and inservice education of elementary teachers.
Regulations governing the use of soy protein in meat and poultry products in the U.S.

There is much interest today in a greater use of vegetable protein in the human diet. Soy protein products currently are approved for use at low levels in over 30 different kinds of meat and poultry foods in the U.S. Recognizing a need for more flexibility in formulation of products under its jurisdiction, the Federal Meat and Poultry Inspection Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed several changes in its regulations. They variously define terms, describe types of vegetable protein products, and would permit use of such products in many meat and poultry foods provided the labeling was descriptive and adequately reflected their presence. In addition, the Program would require compliance with nutritional equivalency parameters where vegetable protein was substituted for animal protein in traditional meat or poultry foods. Comments received from the regulated industry and the consuming public on these proposals are being reviewed and evaluated to develop a set of final regulations. Though they will result from the best information available, these regulations still will be subject to change as new data are developed. Because combinations of animal protein and vegetable protein appear to be taking on greater importance for the future, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Program will work with the meat industry, various segments of the agricultural community, and other interested groups to encourage greater innovation in the use of total protein resources.
Welfare Programs and the State Economy

Abstract Welfare policy has been controversial and support is often drawn along political affiliation lines, the economic return of investment in welfare programs is frequently cited as a justification for new and expanded policies. To investigate the direct and indirect effects of welfare programs on economic performance, the authors develop a multilink approach, through employment and investment. The relationship is then tested with data from each of the United States from 1976 to 2006. Findings show welfare programs have no direct effect on a state's economy. Indirectly, welfare has a negative effect through investment, though the effect on employment is minimal.
A population-based study of the incidence of delusional infestation in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1976-2010

Summary Background Delusional infestation (DI) is a well-recognized clinical entity but there is a paucity of reliable data concerning its epidemiology. Knowledge of the epidemiology is fundamental to an understanding of any disease and its implications. Epidemiology is most accurately assessed using population-based studies, which are most generalizable to the wider population in the U.S. and worldwide. To our knowledge, no population-based study of the epidemiology (particularly incidence) of DI has been reported to date. Objectives To determine the incidence of delusional infestation (DI) using a population-based study. Methods Medical records of Olmsted County residents were reviewed using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to confirm the patient's status as a true incident case of DI and to gather demographic information. Patients with a first-time diagnosis of DI or synonymous conditions between 1 January 1976 and 31 December 2010 were considered incident cases. Results Of 470 identified possible diagnoses, 64 were true incident cases of DI in this population-based study. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence was 1·9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·5–2·4] per 100 000 person-years. Mean age at diagnosis was 61·4 years (range 9–92 years). The incidence of DI increased over the four decades from 1·6 (95% CI 0·6–2·6) per 100 000 person-years in 1976–1985 to 2·6 (95% CI 1·4–3·8) per 100 000 person-years in 2006–2010. Conclusions Our data indicate that DI is a rare disease, with incidence increasing across the life span, especially after the age of 40 years.
Epithelial-Myoepithelial Carcinoma of the Salivary Glands: An Analysis of 246 Cases.

ObjectiveEpithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare neoplasm of the salivary glands. In this study, we aim to examine the demographic, clinicopathologic, and survival features of EMC using a population-based approach.Study Design and SettingRetrospective cohort study.Subjects and MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database (1973-2010) was queried for EMC of the major salivary glands. Data were analyzed with respect to various demographic and clinicopathologic factors. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsIn total, 246 cases were available for frequency analysis and 207 for survival analysis. Mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 63.8 ± 15.4 years. EMC affected females more frequently (57.3%). Distant metastases were present at diagnosis in only 4.5% of cases. Overall disease-specific survival (DSS) at 60, 120, and 180 months was 91.3%, 90.2%, and 80.7%, respectively. Patients with low-grade histology had significantly better sur...
A unifying retinex model based on non-local differential operators

In this paper, we present a unifying framework for retinex that is able to reproduce many of the existing retinex implementations within a single model. The fundamental assumption, as shared with many retinex models, is that the observed image is a multiplication between the illumination and the true underlying reflectance of the object. Starting from Morel’s 2010 PDE model for retinex, where illumination is supposed to vary smoothly and where the reflectance is thus recovered from a hard-thresholded Laplacian of the observed image in a Poisson equation, we define our retinex model in similar but more general two steps. First, look for a filtered gradient that is the solution of an optimization problem consisting of two terms: The first term is a sparsity prior of the reflectance, such as the TV or H1 norm, while the second term is a quadratic fidelity prior of the reflectance gradient with respect to the observed image gradients. In a second step, since this filtered gradient almost certainly is not a consistent image gradient, we then look for a reflectance whose actual gradient comes close. Beyond unifying existing models, we are able to derive entirely novel retinex formulations by using more interesting non-local versions for the sparsity and fidelity prior. Hence we define within a single framework new retinex instances particularly suited for texture-preserving shadow removal, cartoon-texture decomposition, color and hyperspectral image enhancement.
Lymphocyte-specific inducible expression of potassium channel beta subunits

Many studies have shown that voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel activity is essential for T-lymphocyte proliferation. The IL-2-inducible neuroimmune gene, I2rf5 is the mouse homologue of the rat Kv beta 2 subunit. In this study we show that in addition to constitutive expression in adult murine brain, expression of Kv channel subunits beta 1.1 and beta 2.1 is inducible in a cloned T-helper cell line stimulated with IL-2 and in normal murine splenocytes stimulated with Con A or LPS. This expression pattern appears to be lymphocyte specific, because stimulated fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells do not express Kv beta channel subunit mRNA. These observations suggest that Kv beta subunit expression is tissue specific and inducible in stimulated lymphocytes. Because Kv beta subunits modulate K+ channel activity, the inducible and variable expression of these subunits in lymphocytes may represent an additional regulatory mechanism for lymphocyte proliferation.
Four core genotypes mouse model: localization of the Sry transgene and bioassay for testicular hormone levels.

The “four core genotypes” (FCG) mouse model has emerged as a major model testing if sex differences in phenotypes are caused by sex chromosome complement (XX vs. XY) or gonadal hormones or both. The model involves deletion of the testis-determining gene Sry from the Y chromosome and insertion of an Sry transgene onto an autosome. It produces XX and XY mice with testes, and XX and XY mice with ovaries, so that XX and XY mice with the same type of gonad can be compared to assess phenotypic effects of sex chromosome complement in cells and tissues. We used PCR to amplify the Sry transgene and adjacent genomic sequences, to resolve the location of the Sry transgene to chromosome 3 and confirmed this location by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of the Sry construct to metaphase chromosomes. Using quantitative PCR, we estimate that 12–14 copies of the transgene were inserted. The anogenital distance (AGD) of FCG pups at 27–29 days after birth was not different in XX vs. XY males, or XX vs. XY females, suggesting that differences between XX and XY mice with the same type of gonad are not caused by difference in prenatal androgen levels. The Sry transgene in FCG mice is present in multiple copies at one locus on chromosome 3, which does not interrupt known genes. XX and XY mice with the same type of gonad do not show evidence of different androgen levels prenatally.
The Spitzer Bibliography Database: bibliographic statistics

The Spitzer Science Center maintains a database of peer-refereed publications utilizing observations made by the Spitzer Space Telescope5. Originally intended as a way to easily track these publications with limited resources, the database has grown in scope to provide more services for investigators. The design and population of the system and some interesting insights into the use of Spitzer data are presented.
The impact of an 8 h ozone air quality standard on ROG and NOx controls in Southern California

Abstract The new National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone in the US uses 8 h averaging for the concentration. Based on the 1993 ambient data for Southern California, 8 h averaging has a moderate tendency to move the location of the peak ozone concentration east of the location of the peak 1 h ozone concentration. Reducing the area-wide peak 8 h ozone concentration to 80 ppb would require an effective reduction of the area-wide peak 1 h ozone concentration to around 90 ppb. The Urban Airshed Model with improved numerical solvers, meteorological input based on a mesoscale model and an adjusted emissions inventory was used to study the effect of reactive organic gases (ROG) and NOx controls on daily-maximum and peak 8 h ozone concentrations under the 26–28 August 1987 ozone episodic conditions in Southern California. The NOx disbenefit remains prominent for the case of 8 h ozone concentration but is somewhat less prominent, especially when areal ozone exposure is considered, than the case for 1 h ozone concentration. The role of two indicators – O3/NOy and H2O2/HNO3 – for NOx- and ROG-sensitivity for 1 and 8 h ozone concentrations were also studied. In general, the indicator trends are consistent with model predictions, but the discriminating power of the indicators is rather limited.
On the Deployment of On-Chip Noise Sensors

Runtime noise management systems can enforce power integrity without significantly increasing design margins. These systems typically respond to on-chip noise sensors to accurately capture voltage emergencies. Unfortunately, it remains an open problem in the literature how to optimally place a given number of noise sensors for best voltage emergency detection, or how to best set the threshold voltage for these sensors. In this paper, we formally define the problem of noise sensor placement along with a novel sensing quality metric to be maximized. We then put forward an efficient algorithm to solve it, which is proven to attain the best result in the class of polynomial complexity approximations. We further solve the problem to minimize the system failure rate subject to a given runtime performance loss (RPL) constraint. Experimental results on a set of industrial power grid designs show that, compared to a simple average-noise based heuristic and two state-of-the-art temperature sensor placement algorithms aimed at recovering the full map or capturing the hot spots at all times, the proposed method on average can reduce the miss rate of voltage emergency detections by 7.4x, 15x, and 6.2x, respectively. The trade-off between the system failure rate and the RPL is also presented. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the very first in-depth work on noise sensor deployment.
Cobicistat: a new boost for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Ritonavir is commonly used as a pharmacokinetic booster for antiretroviral regimens in the management of human immunodeficiency virus infections. Limitations to ritonavir boosting include increased pill burden, adverse effects, and a wide range of clinically significant drug-drug interactions. Cobicistat is a new pharmacokinetic booster that is a selective inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A, the main metabolizing pathway of several antiretrovirals. Cobicistat has been studied as a booster for elvitegravir, a second-generation integrase inhibitor, and protease inhibitors. Based on successful clinical trials, a new single-tablet regimen of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir has been approved for the management of treatment-naive patients. Additional studies are underway investigating the safety and efficacy of cobicistat-boosted protease inhibitor regimens for both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients. Cobicistat is well tolerated and may become a preferred booster for antiretroviral regimens, as it can be coformulated with several agents to create simpler regimens.
Soil restorative effects of mulching on aggregation and carbon sequestration in a Miamian soil in central Ohio

Soils play a key role in the global carbon cycle, and can be a source or a sink of atmospheric carbon (C). Thus, the effect of land use and management on soil C dynamics needs to be quantified. This study was conducted to assess: (1) the role of aggregation in enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) and total soil nitrogen (TSN) concentrations for different mulch rates, (2) the association of SOC and TSN with different particle size fractions, and (3) the temporal changes in the SOC concentration within aggregate and particle size fractions with duration of mulching. Two experiments were initiated, one each in 1989 and 1996, on a Crosby silt loam (Aeric Ochraqualf or Stagnic Luvisol) in central Ohio. Mulch treatments were 0, 8, and 16 Mg ha−1 yr−1 without crop cultivation. Soil samples from 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm depths were obtained in November 2000; 4 and 11 years after initiating the experiments. Mulch rate significantly increased SOC and TSN concentrations in the 0–5 cm soil layer only. The variation in the SOC concentration attributed to the mulch rate was 41 per cent after 4 years of mulching and 52 per cent after 11 years of mulching. There were also differences in SOC and TSN concentrations among large aggregate size fractions, up to 2 mm size after 4 years and up to 0ċ5 mm after 11 years of mulching. There were also differences in SOC and TSN concentrations among particle size fractions. Variation in the SOC concentration in relation to particle size was attributed to clay by 45–51 per cent, silt by 34–36 per cent, and to sand fraction by 15–19 per cent. Bulk of the TSN (62–67 per cent) was associated with clay fraction and the rest was equally distributed between silt and sand fractions. The enrichment of SOC and TSN concentrations in the clay fraction increased with depth. The C:N ratio was not affected by the mulch rate, but differed significantly among particle size fractions; being in the order of sand >silt >clay. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visual dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease: Relation to normal aging

In patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), compared with age-matched and young healthy control subjects, visual deficits in the following functions were observed: color, stereoacuity, contrast sensitivity, and backward masking (homogeneous and pattern). Critical flicker fusion thresholds were normal, relative to age-matched healthy subjects. For color, the majority of the errors were tritanomalous (blue axis). Color and stereoacuity deficits were unrelated to severity of dementia, in accordance with models of vision that describe these functions as modular rather than diffuse for cortical localization. Although contrast sensitivity was depressed throughout the frequency range in AD, more patients were impaired at low than at high spatial frequencies, contrasting with the observed normal aging pattern of high-frequency loss. Healthy elderly subjects showed depressed critical flicker fusion thresholds and reduced contrast sensitivity at high frequencies, relative to the young group; differences between these groups were not found for the other vision tests. A subset of the AD group received detailed neuro-ophthalmological examination, and no abnormalities were found. This finding, taken together with normal thresholds for critical flicker fusion, suggests that the widespread visual dysfunction reported here is more likely to be related to known pathological changes in primary visual and association cortex in AD than to changes in the retina or optic nerve.
Amaurotic and ophthalmoplegic presentation of Balint syndrome

A 54-year-old woman developed acute hypertensive encephalopathy associated with acetaminophen-induced liver failure. Examination showed blindness with absence of horizontal and vertical volitional and reflex saccades (video on the Neurology ® Web site at [Neurology.org][1], first segment). MRI showed biparieto-occipital signal abnormalities consistent with the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) (figure). Within 24 hours, visual acuity and eye movements improved, but the patient developed ocular apraxia (increased saccadic latency), optic ataxia (impaired visual navigation), and simultanagnosia (inability to recognize more than a single object): the Balint syndrome (video, second segment). This illustrates that a severe expression of oculomotor apraxia can mimic complete ophthalmoplegia1 and that Balint syndrome may occur at the onset2 and during recovery from PRES. [1]: http://www.neurology.org/
Task and contrast effects on performance with parafoval stimulus pairs

The effect on both detection and identification of placing a non-target character to the foveal or peripheral side of the position of a parafoveally presented target character was examined in two experiments. The experiments found more interference with both tasks when the nontarget was peripheral to the target position, but only when the target and nontarget were both darker or brighter than the background. If one character was darker than the background, and the other was brighter, the asymmetry appeared in neither task. In Experiment 2, performance in both tasks was poorer when the two characters had the same features, but this effect was independent of both nontarget position and target-nontarget contrast. While these results are inconsistent with a feature-mixing explanation of the asymmetry, contrast-specific lateral inhibition can account for the phenomena.
Adolescent intelligence and socio-economic wealth independently predict adult marital and reproductive behavior

Abstract Counter-intuitively, sociobiological and evolutionary theories predict a negative relationship between g and reproduction when applied to modern humans. Although existing research has documented this dysgenic trend, the association between g and socio-economic factors presents a confound that has not systematically been addressed in prior research. Based on a sample of 325,252 individuals drawn from the nationally representative Project Talent database, we examined the unique effects of g and socio-economic wealth, assessed in adolescence, on marital and reproductive behavior over the next 11 years. Results show that both g and socio-economic wealth have unique, independent negative effects on marital and reproductive behavior such that individuals of higher intelligence and higher wealth delay marriage and reproductive longer than those of lower intelligence and wealth. The effect of g was slightly stronger than that of wealth, though for both variables much of their influence was mediated by educational attainment. Consistent with sociobiological theory, these dysgenic effects were stronger among females than males.
How to write a clinical paper: A brief communication

Abstract The standards for publishing clinical papers are in some ways the same and in some ways different from those applying to experimental articles. The present paper, written by the Clinical Editor of the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, is meant to be a guide to clinicians on how to write publishable papers and to reviewers and readers on how to evaluate them.
Essential tremor: Phenotypic expression in a clinical cohort

Abstract Objectives Examine the characteristics of an essential tremor (ET) clinical cohort including base-rate variability of several commonly accepted diagnostic criteria. Methods A clinical series of 487 consecutive individuals diagnosed with ET were included for study. Results The sample was 53% male, had a mean age of onset of 52, and a mean age of 71. Half of the sample had a family history of ET. Half presented with asymmetrical disease and tremor affected the arms (97%), voice (62%), and head or neck (48%). There was considerable variability in the base rate of individuals fulfilling various commonly used diagnostic criteria of ET. Conclusion The sample was deemed representative of ET clinical cohorts. Asymmetric disease was common, and there was considerable base-rate variation across traditional ET diagnostic criteria.
Attributing Patients to Accountable Care Organizations: Performance Year Approach Aligns Stakeholders' Interests

The accountable care organization (ACO) model of health care delivery is rapidly being implemented under government and private-sector initiatives. The model requires that each ACO have a defined patient population for which the ACO will be held accountable for both total cost of care and quality performance. However, there is no empirical evidence about the best way to define how patients are assigned to these groups of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers. We examined the two major methods of defining, or attributing, patient populations to ACOs: the prospective method and the performance year method. The prospective method uses data from one year to assign patients to an ACO for the following performance year. The performance year method assigns patients to an ACO at the end of the performance year based on the population served during the performance year. We used Medicare fee-for-service claims data from 2008 and 2009 to simulate a set of ACOs to compare the two methods. Although both ...