cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vocal Fold Bowing in Elderly Male Monozygotic Twins: A Case Study

This case study examined case histories, diagnostic features, and treatment response in two 79-year-old male monozygotic (identical) twins with vocal fold bowing, exploring both genetic and environmental factors. DNA concordance was examined via cheek swab. Case histories, videostroboscopy, auditory- and visual-perceptual assessment, electromyography, acoustic measures, and Voice Handicap ratings were undertaken. Both twins underwent surgical intervention and subsequent voice therapy. Monozygosity was confirmed for DNA polymorphisms, with 10 of 10 concordance for STR DNA markers. For both twins, auditory- and visual-perceptual assessments indicated severe bowing, hoarseness, and breathiness, although Twin 1 was judged to be extremely severe. Differences in reference to root-mean-square amplitudes were observed for thyroarytenoid and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles, with smaller relative amplitudes observed for the Twin 1 versus Twin 2. No consistent voice improvement was observed after surgical intervention(s), despite improved mid-membranous vocal fold closure. Marked reductions in Voice Handicap Index total scores were observed after behavioral voice therapy, coinciding with increased mid-membranous and posterior laryngeal (interarytenoid) glottal closure. No substantive differences in acoustic measures were observed. Vocal fold bowing was more severe for Twin 1 versus Twin 2 despite identical heritability factors. Overall voice improvement with treatment was greater for Twin 2 than Twin 1. Environmental factors might partially account for the differences observed between the twins, including variability in their responsiveness to behavioral voice therapy. Voice therapy was useful in improving mid-membranous and posterior laryngeal closure, although dysphonia remained severe in both cases.
Nonlinear behavior near the percolation metal-insulator transition.

Measurements on discontinuous thin gold films near the percolation threshold show that the current at which nonlinear response takes place, ${I}_{\mathrm{ex}}^{c}$, scales with the conductance ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{0}$, as ${I}_{\mathrm{ex}}^{c}\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{0}^{}{}_{}{}^{x}$, $x=1.47\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10$. Two possible theoretical models have been considered and studied analytically and numerically. The first is based on local nonlinear contributions from the metallic constituents. The second models nonlinear hopping or tunneling across narrow insulating bridges. Only the second model is compatible with the experiment.
Improved FL-IVUS imaging with low voltage single-chip CMUT-on-CMOS array using temporally coded excitation

Synthetic phased array based high frequency imaging devices on catheter probes suffer from low SNR and limited penetration due to small active transducer area and frequency-dependent tissue attenuation. Although using signal averaging improves the SNR, it increases data collection time which degrades real time imaging performance. Temporally coded pulses emit high energy to the imaging medium and enhance SNR, using a suitable decoding procedure, without compromising frame rate. We previously demonstrated the volumetric imaging performance of a single-chip forward looking CMUT-on-CMOS system. In this study, we describe the implementation of temporal coding excitation in our single-chip system with reduced DC voltage levels and present the imaging results. A 2-cycle 13-bit Barker code was generated to encode a rectangular unipolar pulse waveform. 24-ns pulse width was chosen for maximum energy transfer to the system. Due to the limitation of internal pulsers, a 25-V pulse amplitude was used to produce the encoded excitation signal. The received signals were decoded by using spectrum inversion filtering. Imaging experiments were performed using a pig artery phantom immersed in water. The reconstructed 2D cross-sectional images using coded excitation produces 9 dB improvement in image SNR compared to single pulse excitation without any frame rate degradation.
Time Relationships in Hormone Responses: Increased Ovarian Lactic Acid Production in vitro and Estrogen Production in vivo in Immature Female Rats Treated with PMS

The rate of lactic acid production by ovaries from intact and hypophysectomized immature female rats, incubated in vitro, increased quickly after intravenous injection of 20 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMS). This increased rate of glycolysis was maintained for at least 8 hours and then began to decrease; by 16 hours the rate was not different from that of starting controls. The rate could not be secondarily raised by another injection of gonadotropin but addition of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate to the incubation medium produced the same high rate as did the initial exposure to gonadotropin. Anti-PMS antiserum completely abolished the effect of PMS when given simultaneously with the hormone, but a partial response was obtained when the antibody was given 30 minutes later. The effect of the PMS on glycolysis was totally lacking 3.5 hours after the injection of anti-PMS (4 hours after PMS). Serum estradiol concentrations did not increase significantly until 20 hours after PMS administration, but then continued to rise for the next 48 hours. Injection of anti-PM S at any time after giving PMS resulted in a complete loss of estrogenic response. The results emphasize the difference in the two responses to the gonadotropin; an increase in glycolysis occurs quickly after exposure to the hormone but has a short duration while secretion of estrogen is delayed for several hours but continues to increase several days. Both responses require the continued presence of hormone for maintenance.
A One‐Stage Marsupialization Procedure for Management of Infected Umbilical Vein Remnants in Calves and Foals

Five Holstein calves and two foals with omphalophlebitis were treated by surgical marsupialization of the umbilical vein remnant because complete resection of the infected tract was not possible. The infected umbilical stalk was resected, and the umbilical vein remnant was marsupialized in a one-stage procedure by suturing it into the abdominal wall lateral to the abdominal incision. Antimicrobial drugs were administered, and the marsupialized tract was irrigated until closure by second intention healing. Cellulitis associated with the marsupialization site occurred in two calves but resolved with antimicrobial therapy. Owners reported that, 9 to 60 months after surgery, there were no complications associated with the procedure.
Nanomonitor technology for glycosylation analysis

Changes in protein glycosylation have great potential as markers for the early diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. The current analytical tools for the analysis of glycan structures need expensive instrumentation, advanced expertise, is time consuming and therefore not practical for routine screening of glycan biomarkers from human samples in a clinical setting. We are developing a novel ultrasensitive diagnostic platform called ‘NanoMonitor’ to enable rapid label-free glycosylation analysis. The technology is based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy where capacitance changes are measured at the electrical double layer interface as a result of interaction of two molecules. The NanoMonitor platform consists of a printed circuit board with array of electrodes forming multiple sensor spots. Each sensor spot is overlaid with a nanoporous alumina membrane that forms a high density of nanowells. Lectins, proteins that bind to and recognize specific glycan structures, are conjugated to the surface of nanowells. When specific glycoproteins from a test sample bind to lectins in the nanowells, it produces a perturbation to the electrical double layer at the solid/liquid interface at the base of each nanowell. This perturbation results in a change in the impedance of the double layer which is dominated by the capacitance changes within the electrical double layer. The nanoscale confinement or crowding of biological macromolecules within the nanowells is likely to enhance signals from the interaction of glycoproteins with the lectins leading to a high sensitivity of detection with the NanoMonitor as compared to other electrochemical techniques. Using a panel of lectins, we were able to detect subtle changes in the glycosylation of fetuin protein as well as differentiate glycoproteins from normal versus cancerous cells. Our results indicate that NanoMonitor can be used as a cost-effective miniature electronic biosensor for the detection of glycan biomarkers.
Hardware — software hybrid open single phase diagnostic scheme for PMAC machines

Electric machines being the sole means of converting electrical energy to mechanical energy, advancement of hybrid electric vehicle technology and electric vehicle technology demands sophisticated motor controls. Inherent advantages of permanent magnet AC (PMAC) machines have made it one of the most preferable means of electromechanical energy conversion in a wide range of applications with the transportation industry (ground, sea and air) being a crucial area. Fault detection capabilities in transportation applications are crucial in guaranteeing safe and reliable operation. Increasing regulations require more safety features to be included in HEVs and EVs. Open phase fault diagnostic scheme presented in this paper reduces the burden on the Digital Signal Processor by eliminating RMS calculation of phase current with the means of an RMS generating analog circuit.
Photoconductivity and chemisorption kinetics in sintered zinc oxide semiconductor

Abstract Decay kinetics of the photoconductivity of zinc oxide are measured as a function of previous intensity of illumination and ambient oxygen pressure. The analysis of the measured kinetics is carried out in terms of a model wherein the basic process is the penetration of a surface barrier by the photoconduction electrons and the consequent formation of adions. The model is used to derive a generalized Elovich equation.
Polynomial Chaos Based Design of Robust Input Shapers

A probabilistic approach, which exploits the domain and distribution of the uncertain model parameters, has been developed for the design of robust input shapers. Polynomial chaos expansions are used to approximate uncertain system states and cost functions in the stochastic space. Residual energy of the system is used as the cost function to design robust input shapers for precise rest-to-rest maneuvers. An optimization problem, which minimizes any moment or combination of moments of the distribution function of the residual energy is formulated. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the benefit of using the polynomial chaos based probabilistic approach for the determination of robust input shapers for uncertain linear systems. The solution of polynomial chaos based approach is compared with the minimax optimization based robust input shaper design approach, which emulates a Monte Carlo process.
Characteristics of cyclic nucleotide dependent regulation of cytoplasmic E2 binders in cultured endometrial and breast cells

Estradiol binding levels have previously been shown to be increased or decreased by the addition of of cGMP or cAMP respectively to cellular homogenates prepared from human endometrial tissue or from the endometrial cell line HEC 1. Similar cyclic nucleotide dependent effects have now been demonstrated in homogenates prepared from a second endometrial cell line, HEC 50, and from two breast cancer cell lines, CG-5 and T47D. It was previously shown that ATP and Mg2+ are necessary for the generation or inactivation of E2 binding sites. The present study demonstrates that the concentration of K+ and of dithiothreitol can also affect these reactions.
Insulinogenic mediation of schedule induced polydipsia

Abstract It has recently been suggested that schedule induced polydipsia (SIP) might be due to hypoglycemia mediated via neurogenic increases in insulin secretion. This hypothesis was tested in rats made polydipsic on a fixed time 60 sec schedule. Surgical (coeliac ganglionectomy) and chemical (propranalol) blockade of β-adrenergic pancreatic influences had no effect on SIP. Peripheral parasympathetic blockade with methyl atropine did decrease SIP in a dose-related fashion, but since various selective vagotomies failed to reduce SIP, the atropine effect was probably non-specific. In addition, exogenous insulin injections failed to potentiate SIP, and blood measures taken before and during SIP sessions failed to reveal the hypoglycemia predicted by the insulin hypothesis. We conclude that it is highly unlikely that SIP is mediated through autonomic influences on insulin secretion.
phyB is evolutionarily conserved and constitutively expressed in rice seedling shoots

Southern blot analysis indicates that the rice genome contains single copies of genes encoding type A (phyA) and type B (phyB) phytochromes. We have isolated overlapping cDNA and genomic clones encoding the entire phyB polypeptide. This monocot sequence is more closely related to phyB from the dicot, Arabidopsis (73% amino acid sequence identity), than it is to the phyA gene in the rice genome (50% identity). These data support the proposal that phyA and phyB subfamilies diverged early in plant evolution and that subsequent divergence accompanied the evolution of monocots and dicots. Moreover, since rice and Arabidopsis phyB polypeptides are more closely related to one another (73% identity) than are monocot and dicot phyA sequences (63–65% identity), it appears that phyB has evolved more slowly than phyA. Sequence conservation between phyA and phyB is greatest in a central core region surrounding the chromophore attachment site, and least toward the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal ends of the polypeptides, although hydropathy analysis suggests that the overall structure of the two phytochromes has been conserved. Gene-specific Northern blot analysis indicates that, whereas phyA is negatively regulated by phytochrome in rice seedling shoots in the manner typical of monocots, phyB is constitutively expressed irrespective of light treatment. In consequence, phyA and phyB transcripts are equally abundant in fully green tissue. Since Arabidopsis phyB mRNA levels are also unaffected by light, the present results suggest that this mode of regulation is evolutionarily conserved among phyB genes, perhaps reflecting differences in the functional roles of the different phytochrome subfamilies.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a associated with cutaneous lichen amyloidosis

Abstract Purpose:To describe and characterize the association of hereditary cutaneous lichen amyloidosis with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a (MEN 2a). Design:Survey of a family for two diseas...
Detection of distinct species in purified human respiratory mucin using monoclonal antibodies

The purpose of this investigation was to demonstrate the presence of different species (subpopulations) in the purified human tracheobronchial mucin (HTM-1). Mucin was highly purified from sputum specimens collected from a cystic fibrosis (CF) patient using a protocol involving sequential chromatography on Bio-Gel A-5m and hydroxylapatite columns. SDS-composite gel electrophoresis followed by periodic acid-Schiff's reagent staining was unable to detect mucin species. However, using enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) method and polyclonal antibodies raised against HTM-1, at least four different migrating mucin species were detected. Further immunological characterization of these mucin species was carried out using a library of 16 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) developed against the purified mucin. Nine MAbs belonged to the IgM class, two MAbs were IgG1, one IgG2a and remaining four were of the IgG3 subclass. Periodate oxidation of the mucin antigen was used to establish the nature of the mucin epitopes recognized by the MAbs. 11 MAbs recognized carbohydrate epitopes in the mucin molecule that were sensitive to periodate, while five MAbs reacted with periodate resistant carbohydrate epitopes or the protein portion of the mucin molecule. Enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot analysis of the MAbs against HTM-1 showed the presence of at least three distinct mucin species. Chromatography of the mucin on immunoaffinity columns (MAbs H(13.3), M(33.3) and CCK 061 conjugated to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B), followed by ELISA and EITB analyses, established the mucin species recognized by the antibodies. These experiments further indicated that both unique and shared epitopes were present in the mucin species. These monoclonal antibodies may provide a promising approach to differentiate the secretory products of the tracheobronchial tree.
Soft phonons in δ-phase plutonium near the δ-α transition

Plutonium and its alloys exhibit complex phase diagrams that imply anomalous lattice dynamics near phase stability boundaries. Specifically, the TA [111] phonon branch in Ga-stabilized δ-Pu at room temperature shows a pronounced soft mode at the zone boundary, which suggests a possible connection to the martensitic transformation from the fcc δ-phase to the monoclinic α'-phase at low temperatures. This work is a study of the lattice dynamics of this system by X-ray thermal diffuse scattering. The results reveal little temperature dependence of the phonon frequencies, thus indicating that kinetic phonon softening is not responsible for this phase transition.
A NEW HIGH TEMPERATURE AEROSOL DECOMPOSITION PROCESS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF MIXED METAL OXIDES FOR CERAMICS AND CATALYSTS AND THEIR CHARACTERIZATION

A reactor system was developed which permitted the facile preparation of single and mixed metal oxides having high surface areas and unusual morphologies and physical properties. The synthetic technique produced compositions having a hollow sphere geometry, minimal pore structure, high purity, and low bulk density. Unusually high concentrations of solid solutions of modifying metal ions in host metal oxides were observed.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Review of Experience of a Multicenter Phase I/II Dose-Escalation Study

Introduction: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an area of active investigation for treatment of prostate cancer. In our phase I dose escalation study maximum tolerated dose was not reached, and subsequently phase II study has been completed. The purpose of this article is to review our experiences of dose escalated SBRT for localized prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: Patients enrolled to phase I/II study from 2006-2011 were reviewed. Prescription dose groups were 45, 47.5 and 50 Gray (Gy) in 5 fractions over 2.5 weeks. Toxicity and quality of life questionnaire data were collected and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were obtained in the form of means, medians, and ranges for the continuous variables, and frequencies and percentages for the categoric variables. Results: 91 patients were enrolled from five institutions. Median follow up for PSA evaluation was 42 months. PSA control remains at 99%. While the maximum tolerated dose was not reached in the phase I study, excess high grade rectal toxicity (10.6%) was noted in the phase II study. The 13 patients treated to 50 Gy in the phase I study that did not have high grade rectal toxicity, in retrospect met these parameters and have not had further events on longer follow up. Conclusion: PSA control rate, even for patients with intermediate risk, is thus far excellent at these dose levels. This study provides a platform for exploration of SBRT based clinical trials aimed at optimizing outcome for intermediate and high risk patients. High grade toxicities specifically related to the rectum were observed in a small but meaningful minority at the highest dose level. Dose constraints based on physiologic parameters have been defined to mitigate this risk, and strategies to minimize rectal exposure to such doses are being explored.
Generation of ultra-itense heavy ion beams for inertial confinement fusion

A pulse-power-driven, heavy-ion beam, ignition and inertial confinement system for thermonuclear microexplosions is proposed. The proposed method depends on already developed and tested techniques and has the potential of a high repetition rate, one of the requirements for a thermonuclear microexplosion reactor. In the proposed method, a space charge neutralized ion beam of modest intensity is projected into a long drift tube where it is radially confined by an applied axial magnetic field and axially compressed by a programmed variation of the diode voltage with time. Because the beam consists of a space charge neutralized flow of heavy ions, it behaves like a high atomic number plasma and, as such, rapidly looses internal energy by radiation during its axial compression. The axial compression proceeds isothermally until the beam becomes optically opaque where it reaches its maximum density. The axial beam compression greatly amplifies the final beam power over its initial value at the beam producing diode. In typical cases the initial beam power is ≃ 10 10 W, and in a drift tube ≃ 100 meters long can be amplified ≃ 10 4 fold up to ≃ 10 14 W; but much larger beam powers are also possible. The accelerating voltage is typically in the range of several 10 6 V and the diode current several 10 3 A. Because the collision mean free path in the beam is smaller than the beam length, some unavoidable deviation from the programmed diode voltage will not lead to a dispersion of the beam. For typical cases the beam has, at its maximum compression, an atomic number density of ≃ 10 18 cm −3 and a radius of ≃ 1 cm. After being compressed to its final maximum density the beam can, from there on, be easily focused on to the thermonuclear target. The use of singly ionized heavy ions in combination with an accelerating voltage of several 10 6 V has the further advantage that the ion velocities are of the order of several 10 8 cm sec −1 , ideally matching the required optimal implosion velocity for the microexplosion target and thus implying a high beam energy conversion efficiency for ignition and confinement. For a final beam power of ≃ 10 14 W the diode cross-section is ≃ 10 2 cm 2 . With a diode cross-section ≃ 10 3 times larger, that is ≃ 10 m 2 , final beam powers up to ≃ 10 17 W will be possible, opening the prospect for igniting the DD and perhaps the HB 11 thermonuclear reactions.
Exploring trajectory behavior model for anomaly detection in maritime moving objects

As security requirements in coastal water and sea ports, maritime surveillance increases the duty. In this research, we focus on the maritime trajectory data to explore movement behavior for anomaly detection in maritime traffic. Trajectory data records the moving objects' true movement and provides the opportunity to discover the movement behavior for anomaly detection. The multidimensional outlying features are first identified and defined. To deal with the uncertain property of trajectory, a maritime trajectory modeling is developed to explore the movement behavior from historical trajectories and build a maritime trajectory model for anomaly detection. Then, our ongoing work is developing an anomaly detection algorithm to detect anomalous moving objects from real time maritime trajectory stream effectively. This work should contribute the area of maritime security surveillance by trajectory data mining.
Different oestrogenic responses of ICR, B6D2F1 and B6C3F1 mice given diethylstilboestrol orally.

Abstract Immature female ICR, B6D2F 1 and B6C3F 1 mice were each given a total of 0.1 μg diethylstilboestrol (DES) by stomach intubation over 4 days. Using uterine weight as a measure of oestrogenic response, it was found that the two inbred strains were significantly more sensitive than the ICR mice to DES.
Importance of Acremonium endophytes in turf-grass breeding and management

Abstract The development and use of genetically improved turf-grasses containing useful endophytes is of great value in efforts to enhance the environment, reduce maintenance cost, and conserve and improve precious soil and water resources. Acremonium endophyte-infected (E+) turg-grasses have frequently shown dramatic enhancement of resistance to many foliage-feeding insect pests. Modest improvements in resistance to root-feeding white grubs and some nematodes have been reported. Improvements in stress tolerance and modifications in water relations have been observed under certain conditions. Acremonium endophytes cause modifications to physiological mechanisms of adaptation of the host that result in superior performance of some turf-grass genotypes during moisture deficits. An understanding of the role of endophytes in modifying host plant performance makes turf-grass breeding and evaluation much more efficient. During 1990, an estimated 6000 tonnes of seed of elite, E+ containing perennial ryegrasses, Lolium perenne L., was produced and utilized throughout the world. Endophyte-enhanced ryegrass cultivars include ‘Advent’, ‘Assure’, ‘Dandy’, ‘Dasher II’, ‘Gettysburg’, ‘Pinnacle’, ‘Repell’, ‘SR 4200’, ‘Seville’, and ‘Sherwood’. Acremonium endophytes have been incorporated into ‘Reliant’ and ‘SR 3000’ hard fescue, Festuca longifolia Thuill, ‘SR 5000’ and ‘Jamestown II’ Chewings fescue, Festuca rubra L. subsp. commutata Gaud., as well as elite germplasm of these species. Lower-growing, turf-type tall fescues, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., are being developed with high infection levels of useful Acremonium endophytes. Efforts are being made to find or develop and use desirable endophytes in Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., strong creeping red fescue, F. rubra L. subsp. rubra, blue fescue, Festuca glauca Lam., and various bentgrasses, Agrostis spp. The discovery and/or development of superior genetic strains of Acremonium endophytes will make endophyte-enhanced turf-grass performance of even greater significance. There is also the potential to discover, genetically modify, and use other species of fungal and bacterial endophytes with the ability to improve turf-grass performance.
Defining the best practice patterns for the neonatal systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt procedure.

Objectives To assess variation in outcome measures and their associations with shunt thrombosis prophylaxis regimens after systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt surgery across centers in the United States participating in the Pediatric Health Information System database. Methods We reviewed data on neonates who underwent an off-pump shunt procedure at 39 centers between 2000 and 2011. The overall variation in rates of discharge mortality and shunt-related complications were assessed by funnel plots. Complications were defined as revision/repeat of the shunt procedure during the same admission, institution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after surgery, and catheter interventions after shunt surgery. Bayesian hierarchical modeling was used to identify outliers. Shunt thrombosis prophylaxis regimens including the time of initiation of aspirin were compared between high and low outliers. Results A total of 2058 index operations were identified. Funnel plots highlighting the outcomes from various centers allowed discrimination of discharge mortality and complication rates around an aggregate of 6.7% and 12.3%, respectively. Bayesian modeling showed the presence of substantial variation in complication rates between centers; 20% of them were identified as outliers. Aspirin was initiated significantly earlier during the hospital course in centers with a lower composite rate of complications than those with higher rates (median initiation day of 2 [interquartile range (IQR), 1-3] in low outliers vs 4 [IQR, 3-6] in high outliers; P Conclusions A substantial variation was found between hospitals in the rate of shunt-related complications. Centers with best outcomes implement aspirin earlier in their postoperative shunt thrombosis prophylaxis regimen.
Flow of polymers with pressure-dependent viscosity in injection molding dies

Considerable effort has been expended recently by a number of researchers to develop methods of simulating the flow of polymers in injection molding dies. The computer models developed by these researchers provide the mold designer with useful quantitative information concerning the predicted effect of design parameters on mold, filling characteristics. This paper will describe some recent work which is aimed at increasing the usefulness of these models by more accurately describing the flow behavior of those polymers, such as polycarbonate resins, which exhibit a strong effect of pressure on viscosity.
Comparative acute freshwater hazard assessment and preliminary PNEC development for eight fluorinated acids

Short-term 48, 72 and 96-h aquatic toxicity tests were conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of eight fluorinated acids to the cladoceran, Daphnia magna, the green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss or the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas. The eight fluorinated acids studied were tridecafluorohexyl ethanoic acid (6:2 FTCA), heptadecafluorooctyl ethanoic acid (8:2 FTCA), 2H-dodecafluoro-2-octenoic acid (6:2 FTUCA), 2H-hexadecafluoro-2-decenoic acid (8:2 FTUCA), 2H,2H,3H,3H-undecafluoro octanoic acid (5:3 acid), 2H,2H,3H,3H-pentadecafluoro decanoic acid (7:3 acid), n-perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and n-perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). The results of the acute toxicity tests conducted during this study suggest that the polyfluorinated acids, 8:2 FTCA, 8:2 FTUCA, 6:2 FTCA, 6:2 FTUCA, 7:3 acid and 5:3 acid, and the perfluorinated acids PFPeA and PFDA, are generally of low to medium concern based on evaluation of their acute freshwater toxicity (EC/LC50s typically between 1 and >100 mg L(-1)) using the USEPA TSCA aquatic toxicity evaluation paradigm. For the polyfluorinated acids, aquatic toxicity generally decreased as the number of fluorinated carbons decreased and as the overall carbon chain length decreased from 12 to 8. Acute aquatic toxicity of the 5 and 10 carbon perfluorocarboxylic acids (EC/LC50s between 10.6 and >100 mg L(-1)) was greater or similar to that of the 6-9 carbon perfluorocarboxylic acids (EC/LC50s>96.5 mg L(-1)). This study also provides the first report of the acute aquatic toxicity of the 5:3 acid (EC/LC50s of 22.5 to >103 mg L(-1)) which demonstrated less aquatic toxicity than the 7:3 acid (EC/LC50s of 0.4-32 mg L(-1)). The cladoceran, D. magna and the green alga, P. subcapitata had generally similar EC50 values for a given substance while fish were typically equally or less sensitive with the exception that PFPeA was most toxic to fish. Predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) were estimated using approaches consistent with REACH guidance and when compared with available environmental concentrations, these PNECs suggest that the fluorinated acids tested pose little risk for aquatic organisms.
Bistable memory effect in chromium oxide junctions

Magnetotransport properties of granular CrO2 /Cr2O3 films made of CrO2 crystals covered by 1- 2 nm native insulating Cr2O3 are presented. Electrical properties of a limited number of grains measured in series and parallel (10 to 15 grains) reveal intergrain tunneling characteristics. At lowest temperatures, a well pronounced zero bias anomaly indicates that impurities in the junctions block the electronic flow. Hysteresis in the IV curves are observed at intermediate temperatures on zero-field cooled samples. Changing the polarity of a short excitation pulse (100ns) of amplitude smaller than 1 V triggers a change in the zero-bias resistance by 10-50%. These states are stable and well reproducible in the temperature interval ranging from 100K to 250K. Applying an external magnetic field cancels the IV hysteresis. The resistance of the devices in the kΩ range, the potential high-speed for writing and reading the resistance sate, make these systems interesting candidates for magnetic non-volatile memories.
Validity and usefulness in four wist studies recently reported in the journal

Four articles that reported studies that used the Whitaker Index of Schizophrenic Thinking (WIST) were published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in early 1977. These articles are reviewed by the WIST's author in terms of necessary conditions for valid and useful studies of schizophrenic thinking. Two of the studies reported used the MMPI Sc Scale: one of them failed to note its limitations and used the WIST incorrectly; the other resulted in some useful data. The other two articles report ground-breaking investigations of schizophrenic thinking as conceptual rule-learning inability. They are viewed as providing a valuable new orientation in the study of schizophrenic thinking because they investigate the phenomena first-hand instead of relying simply on ordinary psychiatric diagnosis for a criterion. Some previously unpublished data on the WIST and intelligence relevant to all four studies are reported.
Choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive neurons intrinsic to rodent cortex and distinction from acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons

Abstract Cholinergic neurons intrinsic to rat cortex were studied using a sensitive method for the localization of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity, acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, combined localization of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase, and combined localization of choline acetyltransferase and retrogradely transported horseradish peroxidase-wheat germ agglutinin. Choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity was localized predominantly in small bipolar cortical neurons within the upper layers of isocortex, while small multipolar neurons were the predominantly stained cell type in allocortical regions. Acetylcholinesterase histochemistry demonstrated mainly small polymorphic cells scattered throughout all cellular layers in all cortices. Combined staining for choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase resulted in localization of the markers in different cell populations; choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive neurons did not contain detectable acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons did not contain detectable immunoreactivity to choline acetyl-transferase. Some possible connections of the cortical choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive cells were studied in rats which had received injections of horseradish peroxidase-wheat germ agglutinin into either cortex or brainstem. The choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive cells were frequently admixed with cells labeled with the retrograde marker; however, no double-labeled cells were observed. It was concluded that cortical cholinergic cells are not visualized by acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, and are likely to be involved in local circuitry.
Reciprocal expression of cell-cell coupling and voltage-dependent Na current during embryogenesis of rat telencephalon.

Abstract Using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques in situ (whole-tissue and tissue slices), we have studied two aspects of rat telencephalic cell development during the period of embryogenesis starting at E12. The first aspect was related to junctional coupling as revealed by low input resistance, intercellular dye spread and pharmacologic blockade. Coupling appeared to decrease with time, both in extent and occurrence. The second aspect dealt with cell excitability as revealed by voltage-dependent Na current ( I Na ) expression. Immature action potentials and their underlying I Na s were present in a small proportion of E12 cells. These currents were blocked 36% and 78% by 10 −7 M and 10 −6 M tetrodotoxin (TTX), respectively. From then onward, I Na s got larger and more prevalent while no obvious changes in kinetics were observed. At E21, I Na s were abolished by 10 −7 M TTX and channel density apparently was sufficient to support overshooting yet still immature action potentials.
Amino acid requirements for MDA5 and LGP2 recognition by paramyxovirus V proteins: A single arginine distinguishes MDA5 from RIG-I

Paramyxovirus V proteins bind to MDA5 (melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5) and LGP2 (laboratory of genetics and physiology gene 2) but not RIG-I (retinoic acid-inducible gene I). The results demonstrate MDA5 R806 is essential for inhibition by diverse V proteins. Complementary substitution for the analogous RIG-I L714 confers V protein recognition. The analogous LGP2 R455 is required for recognition by measles V protein, but not other V proteins. These findings indicate that paramyxoviruses use a single amino acid to distinguish MDA5 from RIG-I and have evolved distinct contact sites for LGP2 interference.
Taking Animal Trafficking Out of the Shadows: RENCTAS Uses the Internet to Combat a Multi-Billion Dollar Trade

is a US$20 billion business. Brazil is estimated to account for up to 15% of this illicit global trade. In Brazil alone approximately 38 million animals are poached every year, posing a deep threat to regional and global biodiversity. The trade is as wasteful as it is massive; nine out of ten animals die while being captured or transported, often in torturous circumstances. Animal trafficking is threatening Brazil’s biodiversity at an alarming rate. Over the past 10 years, the official list of Brazilian animals threatened by extinction has nearly doubled. Today, over 600 species are on this “death row.” Animal trafficking has played a significant role in the growth of this list. Many species run the risk of disappearing exclusively as a result of their illegal trade. In addition to contributing to the reduction of biodiversity, wild animal trafficking is responsible for the transmission of diseases and disproportionately harms poverty-stricken communities. As Environmental Secretary in the municipality of Tres Rios, a small city in the southern Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, in the mid-1990s, I was alarmed by a growing number of incidents involving captured wild animals in my jurisdiction. Sensing a problem of significant magnitude, in early 1999, I founded an organization to address animal trafficking at the local level. My two colleagues, Raulff Lima and Sergio Peixoto, and I named our organization the National Network to Fight the Trafficking of Wild Animals (the Portuguesa acronym is RENCTAS). In seven years, RENCTAS has become the leading force combating illegal animal trafficking
Prolonged Asymptomatic Torsade de Pointes

Torsade de pointer is often associated with syncope, particularly when prolonged. We report a cane of prolonged asymptomatic torsade de pointes in a 68-year-old woman being treated with quinidine gluconate for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Ambulatory monitoring obtained one week after an increase in the daily qninidine dosage demonstrated one minute of polymorphous ventricular tachycardia. The patient remained entirely asymptomatic throughout the time of the arrhythmia. Therefore, a lack of symptoms in patients at risk for torsade de pointes may not exclude the presence of this arrhythmia.
Highly Conductive, Melt Processable Polymer Composites Based on Nickel and Low Melting Eutectic Metal

Highly conductive polymers are difficult to process utilizing standard polymer approaches. This report describes a polymer composite loaded with a eutectic metal that is molten during melt processing along with a more traditional Nickel particulate filler. Conductivities over 300 S/cm were achieved, and 60 vol% metals loading was processable with a single screw extruder. The addition of the Nickel particulate was critical for maintaining eutectic dispersion. We anticipate that this approach will facilitate the implementation of conductive polymers into a broader variety of practical applications, due to the enhanced compatibility with standard polymer processing techniques such as extrusion, melt mixing, and resin transfer-molding operations.
High-Resolution Simulations and Microphysical Validation of an Orographic Precipitation Event over the Wasatch Mountains during IPEX IOP3

This paper investigates the kinematic flow and precipitation evolution of a winter storm over and upstream of the Wasatch Mountains [Intermountain Precipitation Experiment third intensive observing period (IPEX IOP3)] using a multiply nested version of the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University (PSU)––National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5). Validation using in situ aircraft data, radiosondes, ground-based radar, and surface observations showed that the MM5, which featured four domains with 36-, 12-, 4-, and 1.33-km grid spacing, realistically simulated the observed partial blocking of the 8–12 m s 1 ambient southwesterly flow and development of a convergence zone and enhanced lowland precipitation region upwind of the initial Wasatch slope. The MM5 also properly simulated the advance of this convergence zone toward the base of the Wasatch during the passage of a midlevel trough, despite not fully capturing the westerly wind shift accompanying the trough. Accurate simulation of the observed precipitation over the central Wasatch Mountains (within 25% of observed at all stations) required a horizontal grid spacing of 1.33 km. Despite close agreement with the observed surface precipitation, the Reisner2 bulk microphysical scheme produced too much supercooled cloud water and too little snow aloft. A model microphysical budget revealed that the Reisner2 generated over half of the surface precipitation through riming and accretion, rather than snow deposition and aggregation as implied by the observations. Using an intercept for the snow size distribution that allows for greater snow concentrations aloft improved the snow predictions and reduced the cloud water overprediction. Sensitivity studies illustrate that the reduced surface drag of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) enhanced the convergence zone and associated lowland precipitation enhancement upstream of the Wasatch Mountains. The presence of mountain ranges south of the Great Salt Lake appears to have weakened the along-barrier flow and windward convergence, resulting in a slight decrease in windward precipitation enhancement. Diabatic cooling from falling precipitation was also important for maintaining the blocked flow.
pH of drinking water influences the composition of gut microbiome and type 1 diabetes incidence

Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice spontaneously develop type 1 diabetes (T1D), progression of which is similar to that in humans, and therefore are widely used as a model for understanding the immunological basis of this disease. The incidence of T1D in NOD mice is influenced by the degree of cleanliness of the mouse colony and the gut microflora. In this report, we show that the T1D incidence and rate of disease progression are profoundly influenced by the pH of drinking water, which also affects the composition and diversity of commensal bacteria in the gut. Female NOD mice that were maintained on acidic pH water (AW) developed insulitis and hyperglycemia rapidly compared with those on neutral pH water (NW). Interestingly, forced dysbiosis by segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB)-positive fecal transfer significantly suppressed the insulitis and T1D incidence in mice that were on AW but not in those on NW. The 16S rDNA–targeted pyrosequencing revealed a significant change in the composition and diversity of gut flora when the pH of drinking water was altered. Importantly, autoantigen-specific T-cell frequencies in the periphery and proinflammatory cytokine response in the intestinal mucosa are significantly higher in AW-recipient mice compared with their NW counterparts. These observations suggest that pH of drinking water affects the composition of gut microflora, leading to an altered autoimmune response and T1D incidence in NOD mice.
Real-time multiperson tracking in video surveillance

In this paper, we briefly summarize our video surveillance research framework. We then survey current research on human activity recognition, and present our current work on real-time multiperson tracking. By applying adaptive background subtraction, foreground regions are first identified and segmented. A clustering algorithm is then used to group the foreground pixels in an unsupervised manner to estimate the image location of individual persons. A Kalman filter is used to keep track of each person and a unique label is assigned to each tracked individual. Based on this approach, people can enter and leave the scene at random. Abnormity, such as silhouette merging, is handled gracefully and individual persons can be tracked correctly after a group of people split. Experiments demonstrate the real-time performance and robustness of our system working in complex scenes.
Gene Expression and Biological Pathways in Tissue of Men with Prostate Cancer in a Randomized Clinical Trial of Lycopene and Fish Oil Supplementation

Background: Studies suggest that micronutrients may modify the risk or delay progression of prostate cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. We examined the effects of lycopene and fish oil on prostate gene expression in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. Methods: Eighty-four men with low risk prostate cancer were stratified based on self-reported dietary consumption of fish and tomatoes and then randomly assigned to a 3-month intervention of lycopene (n=29) or fish oil (n=27) supplementation or placebo (n=28). Gene expression in morphologically normal prostate tissue was studied at baseline and at 3 months via cDNA microarray analysis. Differential gene expression and pathway analyses were performed to identify genes and pathways modulated by these micronutrients. Results: Global gene expression analysis revealed no significant individual genes that were associated with high intake of fish or tomato at baseline or after 3 months of supplementation with lycopene or fish oil. However, exploratory pathway analyses of rank-ordered genes (based on p-values not corrected for multiple comparisons) revealed the modulation of androgen and estrogen metabolism in men who routinely consumed more fish (p=0.029) and tomato (p=0.008) compared to men who ate less. In addition, modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism (p=0.01) was observed after 3 months of fish oil supplementation compared with the placebo group; and modulation of nuclear factor (erythroid derived-2) factor 2 or Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response for either supplement versus placebo (fish oil: p=0.01, lycopene: p=0.001). Conclusions: We did not detect significant individual genes associated with dietary intake and supplementation of lycopene and fish oil. However, exploratory analyses revealed candidate in vivo pathways that may be modulated by these micronutrients.
Resolution characterization of continuous axial sampling in whole body PET

By acquiring whole body data at a large number of small axial positions, each equal to the transaxial plane separation, one can achieve a significant improvement in image quality. This improvement is attributed to the uniform axial sensitivity achieved by allowing each detector plane measure each axial data point. By moving the bed in a true continuous motion, instead of in discrete steps, one can achieve additional improvements in image quality by eliminating artifacts due to under-sampling in the axial direction. To investigate the properties of the continuous axial sampling, measurements and simulations of an ECAT EXACT HR PET system were performed. The axial resolution of this system is 3.5 mm at the center of the FOV and the axial sampling is approximately 3.1 mm. This system clearly undersamples axially and sampling artifacts were also seen in a hot spot phantom and bar patterns, imaged in the axial direction. By moving the bed continuously and sort the data into smaller bins (<1.6 mm) these sampling artifacts were virtually eliminated. Images acquired at a high sampling frequency had better image contrast and noise characteristics after spatial filtering compared to images with the same total number of counts but acquired at a low spatial frequency.