cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical morbidity of transsylvian versus transcortical approaches to insular gliomas.

Objective The choice of transsylvian versus transcortical corridors for resection of insular gliomas remains controversial. Functional pathway compromise from transcortical transgression and vascular injury during transsylvian dissection are the primary concerns. In this study, data from a single-center experience with both approaches were compared to determine whether one approach was associated with a higher rate of morbidity than the other. Methods The authors identified 100 consecutive patients who underwent resection of pure insular gliomas at the Barrow Neurological Institute. Volumetric analysis was performed using FLAIR and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI for low- and high-grade gliomas, respectively, for extent of resection (EOR) and diffusion-weighted sequences were used to detect for postoperative ischemia. Step-wise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of neurological morbidity. Results Data from 100 patients with low-grade or high-grade insular gliomas were analyzed. Fifty-two patients (52%) underwent a transsylvian approach, and 48 patients (48%) underwent a transcortical approach. The mean (± SD) EOR was 91.6% ± 12.4% in the transsylvian group and 88.6% ± 14.2% in the transcortical group (p = 0.26). Clinical outcome metrics for the 2 groups were similar. Overall, 13 patients (25%) in the transsylvian group and 10 patients (21%) in the transcortical group had evidence of ischemia on postoperative MR images. For both approaches, high-grade histology was associated with permanent morbidity (p = 0.01). For patients with gliomas located within the superior-posterior quadrant of the insula, development of postoperative ischemia was associated with only the transsylvian approach (46% vs 0%, p = 0.02). Conclusions Areas of restricted diffusion are common on postoperative MRI following resection of insular gliomas, but only a minority of these patients develop permanent neurological deficits. Insular glioma patients with high-grade histology may be at particular risk for developing symptomatic postoperative ischemia. Both the transcortical and transsylvian corridors are associated with reasonable morbidity profiles, although gliomas situated within the superior-posterior quadrant of the insula are more safely accessed with a transcortical approach.
The psychological reality of practical representation

We represent the world in a variety of ways: through percepts, concepts, propositional attitudes, words, numerals, recordings, musical scores, photographs, diagrams, mimetic paintings, etc. Some of...
End-to-End Pore Extraction and Matching in Latent Fingerprints: Going Beyond Minutiae.

Latent fingerprint recognition is not a new topic but it has attracted a lot of attention from researchers in both academia and industry over the past 50 years. With the rapid development of pattern recognition techniques, automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) have become more and more ubiquitous. However, most AFIS are utilized for live-scan or rolled/slap prints while only a few systems can work on latent fingerprints with reasonable accuracy. The question of whether taking higher resolution scans of latent fingerprints and their rolled/slap mate prints could help improve the identification accuracy still remains an open question in the forensic community. Because pores are one of the most reliable features besides minutiae to identify latent fingerprints, we propose an end-to-end automatic pore extraction and matching system to analyze the utility of pores in latent fingerprint identification. Hence, this paper answers two questions in the latent fingerprint domain: (i) does the incorporation of pores as level-3 features improve the system performance significantly? and (ii) does the 1,000 ppi image resolution improve the recognition results? We believe that our proposed end-to-end pore extraction and matching system will be a concrete baseline for future latent AFIS development.
Respiration and the Effects of Pressure

Respiration refers to gas exchange between an animal and the environment. Except for sea otters, which have unusually large lungs, the lung volumes of marine and terrestrial mammals scale isometrically with body mass. Compared with terrestrial mammals, marine mammals have a larger tidal volume (relative to total lung volume), exhibit high tidal flows (especially in small Odontoceti), and breathe apneustically in which there are periods of apnea. When averaged over periods of eupnea and apnea, marine mammals have a resting respiratory rate that is much less than predicted for but an average tidal volume that is threefold larger than predicted. Barotrauma is physical damage to tissues caused by a difference in pressure between gas in the respiratory system and the surrounding fluid or tissue, and this can be avoided if the pressure equalizes. Marine mammals have a very compliant thorax that enables their lungs (primarily the alveoli) to collapse under pressure. To prevent a high partial pressures of nitrogen in blood and tissues resulting in decompression sickness and nitrogen narcosis, reinforcement of the terminal airways in the lungs of pinnipeds and Cetacea allows the alveoli to collapse eventually isolating residual gas in the non-gas-exchanging airways. There is no clear effect of pressure on enzyme and membrane structure and function in marine mammals, but how they tolerate high pressures remains unknown.
Maintaining business as usual with vendors while implementing the INNOVACQ automated acquisitions system: Potential conflicts between system capabilities and the needs of libraries and vendors: Acquisitions Librarians/Vendors of Library Materials Discussion Group

(1988). Maintaining business as usual with vendors while implementing the INNOVACQ automated acquisitions system: Potential conflicts between system capabilities and the needs of libraries and vendors. Library Acquisitions: Practice & Theory: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 105-108.
Characterization of a multicenter pediatric-hydrocephalus shunt biobank

Pediatric hydrocephalus is a devastating and costly disease. The mainstay of treatment is still surgical shunting of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These shunts fail at a high rate and impose a significant burden on patients, their families and society. The relationship between clinical decision making and shunt failure is poorly understood and multifaceted, but catheter occlusion remains the most frequent cause of shunt complications. In order to investigate factors that affect shunt failure, we have established the Wayne State University (WSU) shunt biobank. To date, four hospital centers have contributed various components of failed shunts and CSF from patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus before adulthood. The hardware samples are transported in paraformaldehyde and transferred to phosphate-buffered saline with sodium azide upon deposit into the biobank. Once in the bank, they are then available for study. Informed consent is obtained by the local center before corresponding clinical data are entered into a REDCap database. Data such as hydrocephalus etiology and details of shunt revision history. All data are entered under a coded identifier. 293 shunt samples were collected from 228 pediatric patients starting from May 2015 to September 2019. We saw a significant difference in the number of revisions per patient between centers (Kruskal–Wallis H test, p value < 0.001). The leading etiology at all centers was post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, a fisher’s exact test showed there to be statistically significant differences in etiology between center (p = 0.01). Regression showed age (p < 0.01), race (p = 0.038) and hospital-center (p < 0.001) to explain significant variance in the number of revisions. Our model accounted for 31.9% of the variance in revisions. Generalized linear modeling showed hydrocephalus etiology (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), weight and physician (p < 0.001) to impact the number of ventricular obstructions. The retrospective analysis identified that differences exist between currently enrolled centers, although further work is needed before clinically actionable recommendations can be made. Moreover, the variables collected from this chart review explain a meaningful amount of variance in the number of revision surgeries. Future work will expand on the contribution of different site-specific and patient-specific factors to identify potential cause and effect relationships.
The Rights Paradox: How Group Attitudes Shape US Supreme Court Legitimacy

The US Supreme Court is the chief institution responsible for guarding minority rights and equality under the law, yet, in order to function authoritatively, the Court depends on a majority of Americans to accept its legitimacy and on policymakers to enforce its rulings. The Rights Paradox confronts this tension, offering a careful conceptualization and theory of judicial legitimacy that emphasizes its connection to social groups. Zilis demonstrates that attitudes toward minorities and other groups are pivotal for shaping popular support for the Court, with the Court losing support when it rules in favor of unpopular groups. Moreover, justices are aware of these dynamics and strategically moderate their decisions when concerned about the Court's legitimacy. Drawing on survey and experimental evidence, as well as analysis of Court decision-making across many recent high-profile cases, Zilis examines the implications for 'equal justice under the law' in an era of heightened polarization and conflict.
Selection and validation of orthogonal tRNA/synthetase pairs for the encoding of unnatural amino acids across kingdoms

As an increasing number of protein structures are resolved at atomic and near-atomic resolution, conventional amino acid mutagenesis may be insufficient to test many mechanistic hypotheses. As a result, the development of new tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) pairs has become an important tool for determining intricate molecular interactions and understanding protein structures. This chapter describes in detail the directed evolution of new tRNA/aaRS pairs in Escherichia coli for the incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAA). Section 1 describes the selection of new tRNA/aaRS pairs in E. coli. Section 2 details the use of a synthetase to incorporate an ncAA into a mammalian cell line, and Sections 1 and 2 both include methods on the determination of synthetase efficacy and fidelity.
Histological and transcriptomic analysis of adipose and muscle of dairy calves supplemented with 5-hydroxytryptophan.

In mammals, peripheral serotonin is involved in regulating energy balance. Herein, we characterized the transcriptomic profile and microstructure of adipose and muscle in pre-weaned calves with increased circulating serotonin. Holstein bull calves (21 ± 2 days old) were fed milk replacer supplemented with saline (CON, 8 mL/day n = 4) or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, 90 mg/day, n = 4) for 10 consecutive days. Calves were euthanized on d10 to harvest adipose and muscle for RNA-Sequencing and histological analyses. Twenty-two genes were differentially expressed in adipose, and 33 in muscle. Notably, Interferon gamma inducible protein-47 was highly expressed and upregulated in muscle and adipose (avg. log FC = 6.5). Enriched pathways in adipose tissue revealed serotonin’s participation in lipid metabolism and PPAR signaling. In muscle, enriched pathways were related to histone acetyltransferase binding, Jak-STAT signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling and cell proliferation. Supplementation of 5-HTP increased cell proliferation and total cell number in adipose and muscle. Adipocyte surface area was smaller and muscle fiber area was not different in the 5-HTP group. Manipulating the serotonin pathway, through oral supplementation of 5-HTP, influences signaling pathways and cellular processes in adipose and muscle related to endocrine and metabolic functions which might translate into improvements in calf growth and development.
Abstract 13193: Association of Abnormal P-wave Indices With Brain MRI Infarcts: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS)

Introduction: We recently reported that abnormal P-wave indices (PWI)—ECG markers of atrial cardiomyopathy (AC)—are associated with an increased risk of dementia, independent of atrial fibrillation...
Don't be a blockhead: zoned namespaces make work on conventional SSDs obsolete

Research on flash devices almost exclusively focuses on conventional SSDs, which expose a block interface. Industry, however, has standardized and is adopting Zoned Namespaces (ZNS) SSDs, which offer a new storage interface that dominates conventional SSDs. Continued research on conventional SSDs is thus a missed opportunity to unlock a step-change improvement in system performance by building on ZNS SSDs. We argue for an immediate and complete shift in research to ZNS SSDs and discuss research directions.
Nursing Home Alzheimer's Special Care Units: Geographic Location Matters.

Abstract Objectives Limited data suggest nursing home (NH) Alzheimer's special care units (ASCUs) may improve care and outcomes among residents with dementia. Unfortunately, information describing NH characteristics related to presence of ASCUs is lacking, especially whether location and neighborhood resources influence their presence. We examined locations of NHs with ASCUs and assessed whether neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, region, and levels of rurality were associated with NH ASCUs. Design Cross-sectional. Setting and Participants Contiguous United States; we used 2017 LTCfocus and NH Compare data to identify free-standing NHs and obtain addresses (N = 13,207 NHs). Methods NH ZIP+4 codes were linked to the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) (within-state ranking of neighborhood deprivation). The 9 census-defined regions of the United States and Rural Urban Continuum codes categorized location. Descriptive analyses and binary logistic regression models, adjusting for NH characteristics, examined associations between NH ASCUs and location. Results Nearly 15% of NHs had ASCUs. In adjusted models, odds of NH ASCUs were 58% to 69% lower in Pacific, Middle Atlantic, and Southern regions compared with the East North Central region (P values Conclusions and Implications Using a robust sample, region, rurality, ownership, and nursing hours significantly predicted NH ASCUs whereas ADI did not. Geographically tailored interventions should be considered to promote use of NH-based ASCUs.
27 On-line national survey to explore the changes in practice of paediatric long-term ventilation

Background Long term ventilation (LTV) refers to mechanical support for breathing either at home or in hospital, for all or part of the day, for at least 3 months. Two national surveys carried out in 1998 and 2008, highlighted the increasing numbers of ventilator dependent children throughout the UK . Our objective was to collect current information about children receiving LTV in the UK, 10 years after the last national survey. Methods All LTV centres in the UK completed a single time point census survey on 30th September 2019 using an electronic questionnaire. Data included the child’s location, underlying diagnosis, interface and type of respiratory support, and whether disease-modifying drugs affected the decision to initiate LTV in specific groups within this target population. Results Data was collected from 25 LTV centres. The total study population was 2383 children and young people. The median age of the overall sample was x (range x-x). 40.3% female; 57.2% of those recorded were male. Diagnoses were 417 (17.5%) central nervous system, 692 (29%) musculoskeletal and 1274 (53.5%) a respiratory, of which 31.8% of the total had upper airway obstruction. Notable changes since 1998 were the decline in the use of 24-hour ventilation, negative pressure ventilation and tracheostomy as an interface, and the increase in the proportion of patients treated at home. 115 children had received a disease-modifying drug. The use of Ataluren and Myozme did not influence the decision to treat with LTV, but in 35% of the children treated with Nusinersin the clinician stated that the use of this drug had or may have influenced their decision to initiate LTV. Conclusion The number of children being treated with LTV has increased by 250% in the last 10 years with notable changes in practice over the last 20 years.
Precision capacitor charging switching power supplies

Industrial and government applications of pulsed power are driving pulse repetition rates into the kilohertz range and at the same time require precision charge voltage control. Pulsed power systems in these applications must be robust, rugged and compact. We have developed power supplies that, for example, charge capacitors at 2 kHz repetition rate and deliver pulse-to-pulse repeatability of /spl plusmn/ 2 V when charging to 2500 V. Supplies of this type provide 20 KW average power and above. These systems incorporate both external and internal fiber optic data and control links to provide a robust and noise immune power supply system. This paper describes one of these systems and discusses the issues of power supply and pulsed power interaction, power supply design and future trends.
Cyclic Nucleotide-dependent Protein Kinases IX. PARTIAL PURIFICATION AND SOME PROPERTIES OF GUANOSINE 3',5'-MONOPHOSPHATE-DEPENDENT AND ADENOSINE 3',5'-MONOPHOSPHATE-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASES FROM VARIOUS TISSUES AND SPECIES OF ARTHROPODA

Abstract The distribution of protein kinases activated specifically by low concentrations of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) or adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in various tissues and species of Arthropoda was studied. The Arthropoda were found to represent a rich source of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases. The relative levels of cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases varied widely among different tissues of a species and among similar tissues of different species. The proportions found ranged from apparently all cyclic GMP-dependent enzyme (in silkmoth fat body) to apparently all cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme (in lobster gill), other tissues exhibiting various intermediate ratios. Evidence was obtained of dissimilarities between these two classes of protein kinase and between the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases of arthropod and of mammalian origin, including specificity for protein substrates and pattern of activation by divalent cations. Interestingly, the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases of arthropods and the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases of vertebrates tended to resemble one another in these respects. Within each class of enzyme, preparations from different tissues also varied significantly in their characteristics. The variable ratios of cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in tissues, coupled with their different characteristics, suggest that cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP are specific and distinct from one another in terms of their biochemical and physiological actions.
Noise Trading and Volatility: Evidence from Day Trading and Message Boards

This paper tests the hypothesis that noise trading increases volatility. We argue that day traders are noise traders, and we use stock message board postings on Raging Bull and Yahoo to proxy for day trading. We find evidence that day trading increases volatility for a sample of large NASDAQ stocks during the 3rd quarter of 1999. Regulators have expressed concern that day trading destabilizes stock prices. Although we support the argument that day trading causes some increase in volatility, our results suggest that the direction of causation is primarily the reverse.
Mechanism and control of platelet-platelet interactions: III. A relaxation-contraction model for platelet aggregation

Abstract A model for platelet aggregation is proposed in which the triggering of the very early events preceding and leading to aggregation is due to the direct action of aggregating agents (ADP, thrombin, collagen, etc.) on a surface or membrane-localized thrombosthenin that exists in a contracted state. Relaxation of this membrane ATPase (platelet activation) with subsequent loss of membrane permeability control is followed by: extrusion of platelet cytoplasm (cytogel) containing thrombosthenin in a relaxed state; interaction of the extruded cytogels; and contraction and retraction of the interacted cytogels drawing the platelets together. Interaction of the extruded cytogels is viewed as simply being the result of protein-protein interactions and contraction is conceived as resulting from the contact of the cytogels with the ionic environment of the plasma.
Human Autologous Serum for the Treatment of Full-thickness Macular Holes: A Preliminary Study

Background: Recent studies have shown the usefulness of pars plana vitrectomy with/or without the use of transforming growth factor-beta in treating macular holes. The purpose of the present study is to test the efficacy of autologous serum in conjunction with current surgical techniques in the repair of stage 3 or 4 macular holes. Methods: A total of 11 eyes in nine patients with stage 3 or 4 full-thickness macular holes were treated. The patients ranged in age from 53 to 80 years (mean, 68 years). These patients were followed for 4 to 11 months (mean, 8.4 months). Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 2/200 to 20/80 (mean, 20/200). A standardized pars plana vitrectomy was performed with removal of the posterior hyaloid and/or removal of epiretinal membranes, fluid-gas exchange. Autologous serum (0.1 ml) was instilled over the macular hole followed by perfluorocarbon gas tamponade and head positioning for 2 weeks. Results: All 11 (100%) of the eyes in 9 patients had resolution of the surrounding subretinal fluid and flattening of the macular hole. All of the eyes showed an improvement of at least two lines or more (mean, 4.7 lines) in visual acuity. Three eyes (27%) had visual acuities of 20/40 or better, and seven (64%) had visual acuities of 20/60 or better. No exuberant fibrosis proliferation was noted in any eye. Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study indicate the possible benefit of autologous serum when used in conjunction with current surgical techniques in treating stage 3 or 4 macular holes.
Experimental Evidence for the Existence of an External World

In this essay I attempt to refute radical solipsism by means of a series of empirical experiments. In the first experiment, I exhibit unreliable judgment about the primeness or divisibility of four-digit numbers, in contrast to a seeming Excel program. In the second experiment, I exhibit an imperfect memory for seemingly arbitrary three-digit number and letter combinations, in contrast to my seeming collaborator with seemingly hidden notes. In the third experiment, I seem to suffer repeated defeats at chess. In all three experiments, the most straightforward interpretation of the experiential evidence is that something exists in the universe that is superior in the relevant respects—theoretical reasoning (about primes), memorial retention (for digits and letters), or practical reasoning (at chess)—to my own solipsistically conceived self.
NF-κB mediates the protein loss induced by TNF-α in differentiated skeletal muscle myotubes

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) regulates the transcription of a variety of genes involved in immune responses, cell growth, and cell death. However, the role of NF-κB in muscle biology is poorly underst...
Fyn Kinase Regulates Microglial Neuroinflammatory Responses in Cell Culture and Animal Models of Parkinson's Disease

Sustained neuroinflammation mediated by resident microglia is recognized as a key pathophysiological contributor to many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), but the key molecular signaling events regulating persistent microglial activation have yet to be clearly defined. In the present study, we examined the role of Fyn, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, in microglial activation and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in cell culture and animal models of PD. The well-characterized inflammogens LPS and TNFα rapidly activated Fyn kinase in microglia. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that activated Fyn preferentially localized to the microglial plasma membrane periphery and the nucleus. Furthermore, activated Fyn phosphorylated PKCδ at tyrosine residue 311, contributing to an inflammogen-induced increase in its kinase activity. Notably, the Fyn-PKCδ signaling axis further activated the LPS- and TNFα-induced MAP kinase phosphorylation and activation of the NFκB pathway, implying that Fyn is a major upstream regulator of proinflammatory signaling. Functional studies in microglia isolated from wild-type (Fyn+/+) and Fyn knock-out (Fyn−/−) mice revealed that Fyn is required for proinflammatory responses, including cytokine release as well as iNOS activation. Interestingly, a prolonged inflammatory insult induced Fyn transcript and protein expression, indicating that Fyn is upregulated during chronic inflammatory conditions. Importantly, in vivo studies using MPTP, LPS, or 6-OHDA models revealed a greater attenuation of neuroinflammatory responses in Fyn−/− and PKCδ −/− mice compared with wild-type mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Fyn is a major upstream signaling mediator of microglial neuroinflammatory processes in PD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex multifactorial disease characterized by the progressive loss of midbrain dopamine neurons. Sustained microglia-mediated neuroinflammation has been recognized as a major pathophysiological contributor to chronic degenerative processes in PD; however, the key molecular signaling mechanisms underlying microglial activation are not entirely clear. Herein, we identified a novel role for the non-receptor tyrosine kinase Fyn in regulating neuroinflammatory responses in microglia. Our data clearly suggest that the Fyn-PKCδ signaling axis acts as a major upstream signaling mediator of the sustained neuroinflammatory processes in cell culture and animal models of PD. Our finding has important clinical significance to PD because it identifies Fyn as a potential translational target for intervention of progressive neurodegenerative processes in PD.
Zileuton, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, acts as a chemopreventive agent in intestinal polyposis, by modulating polyp and systemic inflammation.

Purpose Leukotrienes and prostaglandins, products of arachidonic acid metabolism, sustain both systemic and lesion-localized inflammation. Tumor-associated Inflammation can also contribute to the pathogenesis of colon cancer. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased risk of developing colon cancer. The levels of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), the key enzyme for leukotrienes production, are increased in colon cancer specimens and colonic dysplastic lesions. Here we report that Zileuton, a specific 5-LO inhibitor, can prevent polyp formation by efficiently reducing the tumor-associated and systemic inflammation in APCΔ468 mice. Experimental Design In the current study, we inhibited 5-LO by dietary administration of Zileuton in the APCΔ468 mouse model of polyposis and analyzed the effect of in vivo 5-LO inhibition on tumor-associated and systemic inflammation. Results Zileuton-fed mice developed fewer polyps and displayed marked reduction in systemic and polyp-associated inflammation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-inflammatory innate and adaptive immunity cells were reduced both in the lesions and systemically. As part of tumor-associated inflammation Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), product of 5-LO activity, is increased focally in human dysplastic lesions. The 5-LO enzymatic activity was reduced in the serum of Zileuton treated polyposis mice. Conclusions This study demonstrates that dietary administration of 5-LO specific inhibitor in the polyposis mouse model decreases polyp burden, and suggests that Zileuton may be a potential chemo-preventive agent in patients that are high-risk of developing colon cancer.
Safety and Efficacy of Non-Myeloablative (NMA) Melphalan-Based Conditioning for Haploidentical Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation (HaploSCT) in Patients with Advanced Lymphoma

s / Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 21 (2015) S185eS205 S196 and low TRM and should be further investigated in prospective clinical trials.
The measurement of creep of elgiloy springs with a balanced interferometer

Abstract Elgiloy is a cobalt alloy that is commonly used as the material of analog clock springs. The rotational creep of loaded ‘clock’ springs made of elgiloy, as measured with a balanced interferometer, is described. For the measurements described here, the spiral clock springs are supported on a radial air bearing and wound up to support the nominal torque load required in the actual application. Two linear interferometers measure displacements of retroreflectors attached to the spring, and rotational creep is calculated by the ratio of the difference between the displacements and the distance between the retroreflectors. Environmental disturbances are nominally cancelled through the difference in the displacements measured by the interferometers at the same distance from the retroreflectors.
Heterosporous, barinophytacean plants from the upper devonian of North America and a discussion of the possible affinities of the barinophytaceae

Abstract Two species belonging to the family Barinophytaceae are described from the Upper Devonian Catskill Formation of northern Pennsylvania. They are Barinophyton cf. obscurum and Protobarinophyton pennsylvanicum sp. nov. The specimens of B. cf. obscurum, although poorly preserved, have lateral strobili with the distinctive two-ranked appearance characteristic of the Barinophytaceae. This species is heterosporous. The genus Protobarinophyton differs from Barinophyton in strobilar position. Barinophyton has lateral strobili that are either sessile on the main axis or borne on a short stalk, whereas Protobarinophyton has strobili that are terminal on elongate axes. Otherwise the strobili of the two genera are morphologically similar. P. pennsylvanicum is also heterosporous; and its presence at the locality in Pennsylvania represents the first occurrence of the genus in strata younger than Givetian and is the first report of Protobarinophyton in North America. The Barinophytaceae are probably not closely related to any other known vascular plants. Until more is known about them and other Devonian vascular plants, they should continue to be included in the order Barinophytales Incertae Sedis.
Readers, Writers, and Erasers: Chromatin as the Whiteboard of Heart Disease

Dynamic packaging of DNA into strings of nucleosomes is a major mechanism whereby eukaryotic cells regulate gene expression. Intricate control of nucleosomal structure and assembly governs access of RNA polymerase II to DNA and consequent RNA synthesis. As part of this, post-translational modifications of histone proteins are central to the regulation of chromatin structure, playing vital roles in regulating the activation and repression of gene transcription. In the heart, dynamic homeostasis of histone modification—driven by the actions of modifiers and recruitment of downstream effectors—is a fundamental regulator of the transcriptional reprogramming that occurs in the setting of disease-related stress. Here, we examine the growing evidence for histone modification as a key mechanism governing pathological growth and remodeling of the myocardium.
Motoneuron properties during electromyogram pauses in sleep.

Abstract Electrophysiological antecedents to electromyogram pauses of NREM sleep were studied intracellularly in hindlimb motoneurons. Phasic-event-related hyperpolarizing potentials (PRHP) were 0.2–7.1 mV in amplitude and 9–90 ms in duration, and coincided with dorsal neck EMG pauses and PGO waves. Motoneurons, if spontaneously discharging, were silenced during PRHPs. The discharge rate of spike trains elicited by depolarizing current reduced during PRHPs. Membrane conductance measurements indicated that PRHPs did not arise simply from soma inhibition but from either presynaptic inhibition or conductance changes in electrically-remote dendrites. EMP pauses, which normally occur spontaneously, could be evoked by stimulation of low threshold fibers in peripheral nerves. PRHPs were most prevalent in REM sleep. We concluded that EMG pauses are generated by the same cholinergic brainstem mechanism that generates spino-bulbo-spinal presynaptic inhibition of group Ia afferents. The pauses resemble the inhibitory phase of startle responses, providing evidence for the hypothesis that startle responses are spontaneously elicited in NREM and REM sleep.
Perinatal outcomes and nativity: does place of birth really influence infant health?

: In recent years nativity or nation of origin has become the focus of numerous pregnancy outcome studies. A recent research synthesis found that, although considerable heterogeneity in study designs hinders the development of broad generalizations concerning differences in pregnancy outcomes, migrant women were more likely to have better low-birthweight and preterm birth outcomes than women born in the receiving country in most of the studies that could be incorporated in the meta-analysis. Researchers considering studies of migration and pregnancy outcomes should incorporate more comprehensive measures of the migrant experience, as the dichotomous variable born or not born in the receiving country only opens the door to understanding the meaning of empirical observations concerning advantage or disadvantage in outcomes of pregnancy among migrant women. (BIRTH 38:4 December 2011)
Impedimetric detection of yeast and mold

An automated impedance test was developed for the rapid detection of yeast and mold. Various mycological media were evaluated using the capacitance (C) and conductance (G) components of the impedance signal. C and G were compared as to their effectiveness in monitoring microbial growth-induced changes in the media. Similarly, agar vs. broth media were compared. 0·1 ml aliquots of yeast and mold food isolates were loaded into duplicate Bactomatic module wells pre-filled with media (0·5 ml agar; 1·0 ml broth) to give 102–103 cells well−1. Each organism-medium combination was monitored by C and G at 28°C. C measurement was more effective than G measurement was. C monitoring was characterized by a sharp acceleration (i.e., detection) in the resulting curves as the cell concentration reached 104–105 cells ml−1. Conversely, weak, irregular responses to G obscured detections. The agars, particularly Bactomatic Yeast Medium and Wort Agar, gave the best results. Broth curves exhibited ambiguous detections and less percent change/h. An impedimetric test detects mold in 1–2 days compared to a 5 day standard plate count. Selection of appropriate media and signal (C) optimizes impedimetric results for yeast and mold. An agar surface supports mold and yeast growth better than does a broth.
A note on splitting quadratic forms

Abstract An observation on class numbers of Dedekind domains is used to extend an earlier result by the author on the orthogonal splitting of quadratic forms over the Hasse domains of global function fields.
The concentration, reactivity and fate of copper, nickel and zinc associated with a cooling-water plume in estuarine waters

Abstract The cooling-water discharge of a northeastern USA coastal power plant is an unnatural source of copper, nickel and zinc to the receiving waters. Passage of ambient Long Island Sound waters through the system of copper-nickel-zinc alloyed cooling-pipes doubles the dissolved concentrations of the metals, which otherwise occur at about 1 μg kg−1. Also, erosion of the pipes contributes like amounts of particulate metal forms to the effluent. In the effluent plume, total copper and zinc are conserved in the water column, although particulates quickly dissolve to augment soluble copper and zinc levels, as the plume is diluted. Dissolved nickel is apparently non-conservative; the excess disappears both by dilution and by reaction with the sediments.
A single spiking neuron that can represent interval timing: analysis, plasticity and multi-stability

The ability to represent interval timing is crucial for many common behaviors, such as knowing whether to stop when the light turns from green to yellow. Neural representations of interval timing have been reported in the rat primary visual cortex and we have previously presented a computational framework describing how they can be learned by a network of neurons. Recent experimental and theoretical results in entorhinal cortex have shown that single neurons can exhibit persistent activity, previously thought to be generated by a network of neurons. Motivated by these single neuron results, we propose a single spiking neuron model that can learn to compute and represent interval timing. We show that a simple model, reduced analytically to a single dynamical equation, captures the average behavior of the complete high dimensional spiking model very well. Variants of this model can be used to produce bi-stable or multi-stable persistent activity. We also propose a plasticity rule by which this model can learn to represent different intervals and different levels of persistent activity.
Small Changes in Enzyme Function can Lead to Surprisingly Large In Vivo Effects during Evolution

In principle, evolutionary outcomes could be largely predicted if all the relevant physicochemical variants of a particular protein function under selection were known and integrated into an appropriate physiological model. We have tested this principle by generating a family of variants of the tetracycline resistance protein TetX2 and identified the physicochemical properties most correlated with organismal fitness. Surprisingly, small changes in the Km(MCN), less than 2-fold, were sufficient to produce highly successful adaptive mutants over clinically relevant drug concentrations. We then built a quantitative model directly relating the in vitro physicochemical properties of the mutant enzymes to the growth rates of bacteria carrying a single chromosomal copy of the tet(X2) variants over a wide range of minocycline (MCN) concentrations. Importantly, this model allows the prediction of enzymatic properties directly from cellular growth rates as well as the physicochemical-fitness landscape of TetX2. Using experimental evolution and deep sequencing to monitor the allelic frequencies of the seven most biochemically efficient TetX2 mutants in 10 independently evolving populations, we showed that the model correctly predicted the success of the two most beneficial variants tet(X2)T280A and tet(X2)N371I. The structure of the most efficient variant, TetX2T280A, in complex with MCN at 2.7 A resolution suggests an indirect effect on enzyme kinetics. Taken together, these findings support an important role for readily accessible small steps in protein evolution that can, in turn, greatly increase the fitness of an organism during natural selection.
Grammatical morpheme development in young cochlear implant users

Abstract The purpose of this study was an effort to answer the question: “What is the language development pattern of pediatric cochlear implant users?” Do these children follow: (1) a language instinct hypothesis guided by semantic salience which postulates that the grammatical acquisition sequence follows a normal development pattern or (2) a perceptual prominence hypothesis which postulates that the grammatical acquisition sequence is related to the perceptual prominence of the corresponding acoustic markers? Acquisition of four syntactic structures including /s/ and /z/ plurals, /s/ and /z/ third person singular NV agreement, and /is/ auxiliary and /is/ copula by nine pediatric CI users, seven normal hearing children diagnosed with specific language impairment and nine hearing children who are demonstrating normal language development was studied. The relevant data are discussed in relation to the semantic salience theory and the perceptual prominence theory regarding the acquisition of these grammatical morphemes. The results of this study provide pertinent information to speech/language therapists and teachers who program and implement language training to pediatric CI users.
Reliability engineering for wireless communications in special protection schemes of smart grid

Special protection scheme (SPS) is an important technology to enhance the reliability of power grid. In SPS, communications are needed to convey information and coordinate the actions. In this paper, wireless communications are proposed for the SPS system due to its low cost and fast deployment. Due to the high requirement on the reliability of SPS system, it is of key importance to improve the reliability of the wireless communication infrastructure in SPS, since wireless communications are subject to various random factors such as noise, fading and interference. Hence, the framework of reliability engineering is applied to the resource allocation of wireless communication links, i.e., how to allocate the spectrum bandwidth to various links such that the overall system reliability is maximized. To that goal, a general model of SPS is adopted and the resource allocation is modeled as constrained optimization problems. Both cases of exclusive resource allocation and spectrum reuse are considered. Numerical simulations show that the reliability engineering for the wireless communication links can significantly improve the reliability of SPS systems.
Relationship Between Antimicrobial Proteins and Airway Inflammation and Infection in Cystic Fibrosis

Antimicrobial proteins are important in lung defense and are potential therapeutic agents in chronic airways infection such as seen in cystic fibrosis (CF). In preparation for future clinical studies, we sought (1) to determine levels of three antimicrobial proteins [lactoferrin, lysozyme, and secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI)] in the CF airway and (2) to examine the relationships between these antimicrobial proteins and airway inflammation and infection. We examined bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 45 individuals with CF and 23 disease control individuals. Airway inflammation was measured through BALF neutrophil counts and neutrophil elastase activity. Infection was assessed through quantitative counts of CF-related bacterial pathogens. BALF lysozyme activity and lactoferrin levels were elevated in individuals with CF compared to controls whereas SLPI levels were not different between the groups. Among the CF subjects, lysozyme activity and lactoferrin increased with age while SLPI decreased with age. Lysozyme activity and lactoferrin concentrations correlated positively with neutrophil counts but not with bacterial colony counts. SLPI levels were inversely related to both neutrophil counts and bacterial colony counts. This study provides information concerning the levels of antimicrobial proteins present in the CF airway that are relevant to future clinical trials of these compounds and demonstrates clear relationships between antimicrobial protein-specific levels and airway inflammation and infection.
Wearing More Than One Hat: Improving Student-Authored Case Longevity While Encouraging Additional Student Roles

The marketing education literature emphasizes and documents the effectiveness of using the student-authored case (SAC) method as a means to develop managerial and critical thinking skills. However, most SACs are short lived, lack suggested case solutions, do not benefit from peer feedback, and present challenges in finding relevant company data. This paper describes the improvements that were made to the SAC method to address these limitations and the new roles that students took in the process. These additional roles (problem and solution developer, instructor, discussion leader, and peer reviewer) elevate involvement levels with case preparation, research, analysis, and presentation while improving case quality and relevance.
A comparison of residues produced by spraying and fogging of Diazinon in buildings.

Several different application techniques are used inapplying insecticides inside structures. Surface spraying and space treatment are often used in controlling crawling and flying insects, respectively. There has been no differential comparison of the quantity and duration of residues occurring in structures sprayed and fogged with an insecticide. This experiment was conducted to compare quantitative residues of diazinon using crack and crevice spray and space fog applications.
Insulin, Prostaglandin El5 Phenylisopropyladenosine and Nicotinic Acid as Regulators of Fat Cell Metabolism

Insulin-stimulated glucose oxidationwas enhanced by the addition of N6 (phenylisopropyladenosine(PIA), prostaglandin Et (PGE1) ornicotinic acid during a 1-h incubation of smallamounts (5–8 mg/ml) of rat fat cells. Basal lipolysiswas appreciable if low numbers of fat cells wereincubated per ml. Insulin inhibited basal lipolysisat 20 to 50 μU/ml and abolished lipolysis if 100μU/ml was present over a 1-h period. However PIA,PGE1 or nicotinic acid potentiated glucose oxidationdue to the 100 μU/ml dose of insulin indicating thatthese agents are not increasing glucose oxidationsolely as a result of an inhibition of lipolysis. PIA,PGE1 and nicotinic acid acted synergistically withinsulin in stimulating glucose oxidation and inhibitinglipolysis in the presence of norepinephrine.Insulin was unable to decrease basal cyclic AMPaccumulation or the increase in cyclic AMP seenwith norepinephrine and theophylline after varioustime periods (2 to 60 min) but PIA, PGE1 andnicotinic acid were able to inhibit cyclic AMPaccum...
Early readmission in patients hospitalized for ulcerative colitis: incidence and risk factors.

AbstractObjective. Early readmission rates are becoming an integral measure of the quality of care for hospitalized patients with chronic diseases. The incidence and predictors of early readmission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are uncertain. Risk factors for readmission over the first few weeks may differ from those that influence re-hospitalization at later time points. We examined the incidence and predictors of both 30-day and 90-day readmissions among ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Materials and methods. A retrospective, cohort study was performed including all severe UC patients admitted to a tertiary-care hospital between January 2007 and December 2011. All-cause readmissions to the medical or surgical service within 30 and 90 days were recorded to allow the calculation of early readmission rates. We used multiple logistic regression to analyze demographic, hospital-related, general medical and IBD-specific factors as potential risk factors for readmission. Results. There wer...
Neutron activation analysis of 12,900-year-old stone artifacts confirms 450–510+ km Clovis tool-stone acquisition at Paleo Crossing (33ME274), northeast Ohio, U.S.A.

The archaeologically sudden appearance of Clovis artifacts (13,500–12,500 calibrated years ago) across Pleistocene North America documents one of the broadest and most rapid expansions of any culture known from prehistory. One long-asserted hallmark of the Clovis culture and its rapid expansion is the long-distance acquisition of “exotic” stone used for tool manufacture, given that this behavior would be consistent with geographically widespread social contact and territorial permeability among mobile hunter–gatherer populations. Here we present geochemical evidence acquired from neutron activation analysis (NAA) of stone flaking debris from the Paleo Crossing site, a 12,900-year-old Clovis camp in northeastern Ohio. These data indicate that the majority stone raw material at Paleo Crossing originates from the Wyandotte chert source area in Harrison County, Indiana, a straight-line distance of 450–510 km. Our analyses thus geochemically confirm an extreme stone-source-to-camp-site distance of a Clovis site in eastern North America and thus provide strong inferential material evidence that the fast expansion of the Clovis culture across the continent occurred as a result of a geographically widespread hunter–gatherer social network.