cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pigment granules: A calcium reservoir in the vertebrate eye

Pigmented and non-pigmented ocular tissues from four categories of vertebrates (elasmobranchs, teleosts, amphibians and mammals) were analysed for the content and localization of calcium using thin section and bulk, wavelength and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The pigment granules of the ciliary body, iris, retina pigment epithelium and choroidal melanocytes were found to contain 2–10 times more calcium than adjacent non-pigmented cytoplasm or cell organelles. Epidermal pigmented tissues (teleost and mammalian) analyzed for the presence of calcium, showed a slight elevation in the calcium content relative to similar non-pigmented cells and the surrounding cytoplasm, suggesting that pigment granules may be an intracellular calcium sink, especially in ocular tissues.
Photosynthetic properties of an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant possessing a defective PsbS gene.

We describe the properties of npq4-9, a new mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. with reduced nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) capacity that possesses a single amino acid substitution in the PsbS gene encoding PSII-S, a ubiquitous pigment-binding protein associated with photosystem II (PSII) of higher plants. Growth, photosynthetic pigment contents, and levels of the major PSII antenna proteins were not affected by npq4-9. Although the extent of de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to antheraxanthin plus zeaxanthin for leaves displaying the mutant phenotype equaled or exceeded that observed for the wild type, the relative effectiveness of de-epoxidized xanthophylls in promoting NPQ was consistently lower for the mutant. Energy partitioning in PSII was analyzed in terms of the competition for singlet chlorophyll a among the processes of fluorescence, thermal dissipation, and photochemistry. The key processes of NPQ and photochemistry in open PSII centers are represented by the relative in vivo rate constants kN and kP0, respectively. The magnitude of kP0 in normal leaves declined only slightly with increasing kN, consistent with localization of NPQ primarily in the antenna complex. Conversely, a highly significant linear decline in kP0 with increasing kN was observed for the mutant, consistent with a role for the PSII reaction center in the NPQ mechanism. Although the PSII absorption cross-section for white light was not significantly different relative to that of the wild type, PSII quantum yield was significantly lower in the mutant. The resulting lower capacity for linear electron transport in the mutant primarily affected reduction of terminal acceptors other than CO2. Parallel measurements of fluorescence and in vivo absorbance at 820 nm indicated a consistently higher steady-state level of reduction of PSII acceptors and accumulation of P700+ for the mutant. This suggests that inter-photosystem electron transport in the mutant is restricted either by a higher transthylakoid ΔpH or by diminished accessibility to reduced plastoquinone.
Minor histocompatibility antigens on transfused leukoreduced units of red blood cells induce bone marrow transplant rejection in a mouse model.

When successful, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–matched bone marrow transplantation with reduced-intensity conditioning is a cure for several nonmalignant hematologic disorders that require chronic transfusion, such as sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia. However, there are unusually high bone marrow transplant (BMT) rejection rates in these patients. Rejection correlates with the number of transfusions before bone marrow transplantation, and it has been hypothesized that preimmunization to antigens on transfused blood may prime BMT rejection. Using a novel mouse model of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and major histocompatibility complex–matched bone marrow transplantation, we report that transfusion of RBC products induced BMT rejection across minor histocompatibility antigen (mHA) barriers. It has been proposed that contaminating leukocytes are responsible for transfusion-induced BMT rejection; however, filter leukoreduction did not prevent rejection in the current studies. Moreover, we generated a novel transgenic mouse with RBC-specific expression of a model mHA and demonstrated that transfusion of RBCs induced a CD8+ T-cell response. Together, these data suggest that mHAs on RBCs themselves are capable of inducing BMT rejection. Cellular immunization to mHAs is neither monitored nor managed by current transfusion medicine practice; however, the current data suggest that mHAs on RBCs may represent an unappreciated and significant consequence of RBC transfusion.
Structural Basis for Regulation of Protein Phosphatase 1 by Inhibitor-2

The functional specificity of type 1 protein phosphatases (PP1) depends on the associated regulatory/targeting and inhibitory subunits. To gain insights into the mechanism of PP1 regulation by inhibitor-2, an ancient and intrinsically disordered regulator, we solved the crystal structure of the complex to 2.5A resolution. Our studies show that, when complexed with PP1c, I-2 acquires three regions of order: site 1, residues 12-17, binds adjacent to a region recognized by many PP1 regulators; site 2, amino acids 44-56, interacts along the RVXF binding groove through an unsuspected sequence, KSQKW; and site 3, residues 130-169, forms α-helical regions that lie across the substrate-binding cleft. Specifically, residues 148-151 interact at the catalytic center, displacing essential metal ions, accounting for both rapid inhibition and slower inactivation of PP1c. Thus, our structure provides novel insights into the mechanism of PP1 inhibition and subsequent reactivation, has broad implications for the physiological regulation of PP1, and highlights common inhibitory interactions among phosphoprotein phosphatase family members.
Another cause of ototoxicity: Clarithromycin

Abstract Reported is a case of cervical atypical mycobacterial infection treated with an extended course of clarithromycin in a 23-month-old child who developed sensorineural hearing loss. While no subjective change in hearing was reported, hearing loss was identified through audiologic ototoxicity monitoring. Audiometric changes encompassing frequency specific threshold shifts and changes in distortion product otoacoustic emissions are shown during the use of and following discontinuation of clarithromycin. Observed hearing loss resolved following termination of clarithromycin. This is believed to be the first report of a pediatric patient on clarithromycin developing reversible sensorineural hearing loss with documented serial audiometric changes.
Amplification of a probe propagating in a pressure self-broadened saturated two-level atom system

Abstract We study numerically the gain and phase of a probe propagating in a two-level atom system which is saturated by an on-resonance pump. Our calculations incorporate the variations in the pump amplitude and phase as functions of the distance of propagation in the medium, local field corrections and the self-reflected wave.
Modeling to generate alternatives: A fuzzy approach

Modeling to generate alternatives (MGA) has been proposed as a framework for dealing with complex problems for which there are important unmodeled issues. MGA techniques are designed to provide the analyst (or decision maker) with a set of alternatives that are good with respect to modeled objectives and different from each other. Some of these alternatives may be better than others with respect to the unmodeled issues. Furthermore, by examining a set of different alternatives the analyst may gain insight and understanding. The concept of fuzziness is demonstrated here to be applicable to the MGA framework. The fuzzy approach can increase the flexibility of targets on modeled objectives as well as the flexibility of the original constraints of the model. Illustrations are provided using a linear programming model of a land use planning problem and a mixed integer programming model of a regional wastewater treatment system planning problem.
Arthroplasty of the knee with tibial and/or femoral metallic implants in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologic evaluation.

Fifty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis underwent 68 femoral mold and/or tibial plateau knee arthroplasties. The records of all patients were reviewed and 42 patients were examined and evaluated 1–6.5 years after surgery using a simple 100 point scoring system equally emphasizing pain, mobility, and functional capacity. Although 84.5% showed some improvement, mean overall change was modest at + 15.3 points. Forty-seven complications occurred in 38 of the 68 operations. Implications for rheumatologists and referring physicians are discussed.
Fos-like immunoreactivity in the mamillary body and thalamus following injections of muscimol into the ventral tegmental nucleus of Gudden in the rat

In many neurons, increased rates of firing are accompanied by expression of the proto-oncoprotein Fos. The current study examined Fos-like immunoreactivity in the mamillary body and the anterior thalamus following unilateral injections of the inhibitory GABA-A agonist muscimol into the ventral tegmental nucleus of Gudden (VTN). These injections resulted in a marked increase in Fos-like immunoreactivity ipsilaterally in both the medial mamillary nucleus and in its principle thalamic projection targets, the anteroventral and anteromedial thalamic nuclei. Since the projection from the VTN to the mamillary body has been shown to contain a substantial GABAergic component, these results are likely to reflect a disinhibition of mamillothalamic circuitry resulting from suppression of tonic inhibitory inputs arising in the VTN.
Adolescent dairy consumption and physical activity associated with bone mass.

Abstract Background. This study identifies key modifiable factors influencing Asian and White adolescent bone development. Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of cohort. Methods. Three hundred and twenty-three girls were examined from age-eligible girls at Kaiser Permanente Oahu in Hawaii. Girls' age, ethnicity, Tanner stage, 3-day diet record, level of physical activity, anthropometry, and calcaneal bone status were obtained by questionnaire and measurement, respectively. Lunar Achilles calcaneal was used to measure calcaneal bone mass. Multiple regression was used for analysis of factors influencing bone mass. Results. The mean age of adolescents was 11.6 ± 1.5 years. Girls were generally ethnically mixed; the mean Asian ethnic proportion was 48% while White ethnic proportion was 43% and other ethnic proportion was 10%. Multiple regression explained 40.8% and 25.6% of the variation in calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS), respectively, in a model where age, weight, biacromial breadth, Tanner pubic hair stage, Asian ethnicity, dairy intake, and physical activity positively influenced bone mass. Conclusions. Tanner pubic hair stage, ethnicity, and biacromial breadth had the greatest influence on SOS; while physical activity, body weight, and dairy product intake had the greatest influence on BUA.
The effects of nonlinear interactions and network structure in small group opinion dynamics

Abstract We present a model of opinion dynamics in social networks in which an individual's opinion evolves under the action of (i) a linear force which tends to restore the opinion back towards the individual's natural bias that is his or her initial opinion and (ii) a nonlinear coupling with other individuals which acts to bring opinions closer together but wanes for high opinion discrepancies. Bifurcation analysis for the case of a two-person group shows that a critical value for the difference in natural biases exists which demarcates regimes of qualitatively different behavior. For low to moderate natural bias differences, the dynamics are qualitatively similar to linear theory. For high bias differences, the system takes on a binary nature and is marked by discontinuous transitions between deadlock and consensus as well as hysteresis as the coupling is varied. The coupling required to force consensus grows extremely rapidly with the natural bias difference indicating that trying to achieve group consensus solely via increasing the communications rate becomes fruitless as the biases become extremely divergent. We also show that, for high bias differences, a triad broker network topology can reduce group discord more effectively than a clique, contrary to linear theory.
Advanced surface modification of steels

This paper describes some of the advanced surface modification processes now being applied to steels. The processes use vacuum chambers and electric and magnetic fields to create plasmas, and high energy beams, and are applied to produce enhanced surfaces of a wide variety of depths and properties. Four classes of treatments are considered: thermal, thermochemical, coating or plating, and ion implantation. Examples of the most widely applied treatments which are described include: plasma nitriding of medium carbon steel, physical vapor deposition of very hard titanium nitride coatings on tool steels, and localized laser hardening of steels and cast irons. An emerging trend is the combination of two advanced techniques in order to provide even higher levels of surface performance.
A framework for evaluating database keyword search strategies

With regard to keyword search systems for structured data, research during the past decade has largely focused on performance. Researchers have validated their work using ad hoc experiments that may not reflect real-world workloads. We illustrate the wide deviation in existing evaluations and present an evaluation framework designed to validate the next decade of research in this field. Our comparison of 9 state-of-the-art keyword search systems contradicts the retrieval effectiveness purported by existing evaluations and reinforces the need for standardized evaluation. Our results also suggest that there remains considerable room for improvement in this field. We found that many techniques cannot scale to even moderately-sized datasets that contain roughly a million tuples. Given that existing databases are considerably larger than this threshold, our results motivate the creation of new algorithms and indexing techniques that scale to meet both current and future workloads.
On computing the intersection of a pair of algebraic surfaces

Abstract The problem of finding the intersection of a pair of surfaces arises in a wide range of applications in geometric modeling. One difficulty in computing the intersection is that there has been no data structure suitable for representing arbitrary algebraic space curves. In this work, we describe such a data structure for the intersection of surfaces. This data structure represents an irreducible space curve as an irreducible algebraic plane curve plus a birational map between the plane curve and the space curve. Furthermore, we give an algorithm for constructing such a representation for the space curve formed by two intersecting algebraic surfaces. Finally we show how this data structure may be used in algorithms to answer important questions about space curves.
Photochemical hole burning in rigidly coupled polyacenes

The process of photochemical hole burning in rigidly coupled polyacenes is discussed. Photochemical mechanisms in these systems are conducive to low temperature spectral hole burning. Several factors which determine the shape and width of spectral holes are discussed. Prospects for use in information storage applications are presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chemoreceptor diffusion and reaction : first-order kinetics

Abstract The exact analytical solution of the steady-state diffusion and first-order surface reaction at a cell wall chemoreceptor site is presented. Following Berg (Random Walks in Biology, Princeton Press, Princeton, NJ, 1983) and others, the receptor is modeled as a chemically active circular site on an impermeable, inert cell wall. Reaction rate currents to the receptor site are generated over the full range from the diffusion– to the chemical reaction–control limits. The exact form of the receptor site reaction rate current is compared with the approximation (Lauffenburger and Linderman, Receptors , Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, 1993) currently used of the series addition of the diffusion– and chemical reaction–control limiting rate expressions.
Effect of 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol on Ethanol Mediated Suppresion of Calcium Absorption

Rats raised on laboratory diet and given 20% ethanol in water as a sole source of fluid for 12 days were given 0.2 mug of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol 24 h before measuring duodenal calcium transport by an in vitro everted gut sac technique. This vitamin D metabolite did not reverse the ethanol-induced inhibitiom of transport capacity. Ultrastructural studies of intestinal epithelial cells from animals ingesting ethanol demonstrated changes in mitochondria and other subcellular organelles as well as accumulation of electron-dense, calcium-containing granules in microvilli and a paucity of granules in mitochondria. The results suggest that the inhibition is mediated at the intestinal level, affecting mechanisms which are probably independent of Vitamin D, and in part by an interference in transport of calcium from microvilli to other intracellular sites.
Intraspecies comparison of Streptomyces pratensis genomes reveals high levels of recombination and gene conservation between strains of disparate geographic origin

Streptomyces are widespread bacteria that contribute to the terrestrial carbon cycle and produce the majority of clinically useful antibiotics. While interspecific genomic diversity has been investigated among Streptomyces, information is lacking on intraspecific genomic diversity. Streptomyces pratensis has high rates of homologous recombination but the impact of such gene exchange on genome evolution and the evolution of natural product gene clusters remains uncharacterized. We report draft genome sequences of four S. pratensis strains and compare to the complete genome of Streptomyces flavogriseus IAF-45-CD (=ATCC 33331), a strain recently reclassified to S. pratensis. Despite disparate geographic origins, the genomes are highly similar with 85.9% of genes present in the core genome and conservation of all natural product gene clusters. Natural products include a novel combination of carbapenem and beta-lactamase inhibitor gene clusters. While high intraspecies recombination rates abolish the phylogenetic signal across the genome, intraspecies recombination is suppressed in two genomic regions. The first region is centered on an insertion/deletion polymorphism and the second on a hybrid NRPS-PKS gene. Finally, two gene families accounted for over 25% of the divergent genes in the core genome. The first includes homologs of bldB (required for spore development and antibiotic production) while the second includes homologs of an uncharacterized protein with a helix-turn-helix motif (hpb). Genes from these families co-occur with fifteen pairs spread across the genome. These genes have evidence for co-evolution of co-localized pairs, supporting previous assertions that these genes may function akin to a toxin-antitoxin system. S. pratensis genomes are highly similar with exceptional levels of recombination which erase phylogenetic signal among strains of the species. This species has a large core genome and variable terminal regions that are smaller than those found in interspecies comparisons. There is no geographic differentiation between these strains, but there is evidence for local linkage disequilibrium affecting two genomic regions. We have also shown further observational evidence that the DUF397-HTH (bldB and hpb) are a novel toxin-antitoxin pair.
In vivo protein binding sites and nuclease hypersensitivity in the promoter region of a cell cycle regulated human H3 histone gene

The chromatin structure and protein-DNA interactions of a cell cycle regulated human H3 histone gene have been examined at different levels of resolution. Using traditional Southern blot analysis we have investigated the accessibility of the H3 coding region and its flanking sequences to DNase I, S1 nuclease and restriction endonuclease digestion. Using the native genomic blotting method recently developed in our laboratory, two sites of protein-DNA interaction in the proximal 240 bp of the promoter region of this H3 gene were established. Further in vivo analysis of protein-DNA binding sites in intact cells by genomic sequencing revealed, with single nucleotide resolution, the guanine contacts and footprints of the proteins bound to the promoter. The relative locations of protein-DNA interactions in this H3 gene are similar to those identified in vivo and in vitro in a cell cycle dependent human H4 histone gene. The proteins complexed with the H3 histone gene promoter can be dissociated between 0.16 and 0.28 M NaCl. The protein-DNA contacts persist throughout the cell cycle and thus may have a functional relationship with the basal level of transcription of this H3 gene that occurs during and outside of S phase.
Interactive effects of intracisternal oxytocin and other centrally active substances on colonic temperatures of mice

Oxytocin (OXY) administered intracisternally to adult male mice produced a significant dose-related (1-4 micrograms) increase in colonic temperatures at an ambient temperature of 25 degrees C. The maximal rise in temperature occurred 30 min after administration of the peptide. The interactive effects on colonic temperature of central OXY with equimolar amounts of neurotensin, bombesin or beta-endorphin or of 2 2 mg/kg of chlorpromazine were investigated. OXY significantly antagonized the hypothermia produced by all of these substances. Pretreatment of mice with haloperidol or naloxone failed to prevent OXY-induced hyperthermia. The hyperthermic action of OXY and the interactive effects of OXY with other peptides on thermoregulation may be physiologically significant during parturition and lactation.
Kinetic measurements of the ClO + O3 → ClOO + O2 reaction

Upper limits for the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction ClO + O{sub 3} {yields} ClOO + O{sub 2} have been measured directly between 233 and 413 K using a discharge-flow system at 1-2 torr total pressure. Production of ClO (which occurs quickly after thermal decomposition of ClOO in the presence of O{sub 3}) was detected using Laser Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, and distinguished from the reactant ClO through isotopic oxygen labeling. At 298 and 233 K, k{sub 1} was found to be less than 1.4 {times} 10{sup {minus}17} cm{sup 3} molecule{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1}. At 413 K, k{sub 1} = (4.0 {plus minus} 2.0) {times} 10{sup {minus}16} cm{sup 3} molecule{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1}. The experimental conditions were modelled using a kinetic simulation program to show that chemical and isotopic scrambling interferences were negligible. From these results, it is concluded that this bimolecular reaction does not contribute significantly to the observed ozone depletion within the antarctic vortex.
SRDH: specializing BVH construction and traversal order using representative shadow ray sets

We derive the Shadow Ray Distribution Heuristic (SRDH), an accurate cost estimator for shadow ray traversal through a bounding volume hierarchy (BVH). The SRDH leverages up-front knowledge of the distribution and intersection results of previously traced shadow rays to construct a shadow-ray-specialized BVH and choose an associated traversal order policy which together promote early termination by quickly finding occlusions. In scenes containing large amounts of occlusion, SRDH reduces the number of BVH node traversal steps needed for shadow computations between 22% and 56% compared to average-case traversal through SAH-constructed trees. Evaluating the SRDH using a sparse shadow ray set recorded from a 16 x16 pixel rendering of the scene consistently produces BVHs whose traversal cost is within 6% of those built when all shadow rays are available to the metric at the time of construction. The benefits of the SRDH come at the cost of storing an additional BVH in memory and a 2.4x increase (on average) in BVH construction time.
Cholesterol Promotes Opening of the SNARE-Mediated Fusion Pore

SNARE proteins feature in almost all known intracellular membrane fusion events, such as exocytosis, the fusion of hormone or neurotransmitter filled vesicles with the plasma membrane to release their cargo. SNAREs have been shown to be the minimal membrane fusion machinery in vitro, driving fusion on timescales from 10-100 ms. A fundamental characteristic of the initial fusion pore is its flickering between open and closed states, with live cell electrochemical and electrophysiological measurements showing flickering timescales of ∼0.1 ms to 1 s during exocytosis. The flickering pore characteristics vary greatly, regulating the amount and the size of the released cargo. The molecular basis of this physiological regulation is not known. Here, we study flickering statistics of neuronal SNARE-mediated fusion pores in vitro for the first time. We used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) to measure fusion pores between reconstituted v-SNARE small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) and cognate t-SNARE PEG-supported bilayers (SBLs). From transfer rates of fluorescently labeled vesicle lipids to the SBL, we measured the fraction of the time for which fusion pores are open on a single event basis. The accuracy was enhanced by single lipid fluorescence intensity, diffusivity and bleaching measurements. We find that increasing cholesterol content increases the openness of the fusion pore, the fraction of the time for which the pore connects the vesicle and SBL membranes (∼7-fold increase compared to ∼10% for cholesterol free bilayers). Cholesterol also strongly accelerated fusion pore initiation following vesicle docking. With increasing cholesterol concentration, SNAREs open the fusion pore a greater fraction of the time than when SNAREs are absent (∼2-3-fold greater with SNAREs than without). Other lipid components tested (PC, PS, PE) had a minimal effect on pore openness. Thus, we find that cholesterol promotes fusion pore opening in SNARE-mediated fusion.
Enhanced spatial-state feedback for night-vision goggle displays

A preliminary study was conducted to investigate the use of visual flow cues as an aid to ground and vertical drift awareness during helicopter flight and targeting while using night vision goggles (NVG's). Three displays were compared: 1) NVG display: simulated NVG image of cockpit and external environment; 2) Overlay display: NVG image with an overlay of a flow cue field and a surrounding wire-frame globe; 3) Cut-out display: same as the Overlay display but with symbology removed from the central region (leaving an unobscured 20 degree field-of-view of the NVG image). Three levels of contrast were also compared using each display type. The visual scenery was displayed to subjects using a helmet-mounted virtual reality device that had a 40 X 50 degree field-of-view liquid crystal display The study involved six pilots. Three tasks were given: 1) Search task: designate enemy targets with a helmet-mounted sight (no flight control inputs); 2) Hover task: null out all translational and yaw rates while in a hover; 3) Search/Hover task: perform both Search and Hover tasks simultaneously. These tasks were conducted in a fixed-based helicopter simulator which used the dynamics of a small-scale model helicopter. The following performance measures were collected: 1) Pilot ability to detect and recognize targets (Search and Search/Hover tasks); 2) Pilot ability to null translational and yaw rates (Hover and Search/Hover tasks); 3) Time scanning the instrument panel (Hover and Search/Hover tasks). Subjects also rated displays for efficacy in completing the three tasks. Target detection scores conducted during the Search and Search/Hover tasks were highest using the NVG display, followed by the Cut-out display. Root-mean-square (RMS) drift rate error was comparable for all display types in the Hover and Hover/Search tasks, however RMS control input activity in all the translational axes was significantly higher in both ratecueing displays (Overlay and Cut-out) than with the NVG display. From the control input and drift rate time histories it appears that the motion cues were more compelling in the Overlay and Cut-out displays than those perceived in the NVG display. A significant decrease in instrument-scanning time (both Hover and Search/Hover tasks) was observed for both the Overlay and Cut-out displays compared to the NVG display, with pilots flying essentially head-out-of-cockpit while using the rate-cueing displays. Contrast was not observed to have a significant effect on hover performance in any of the displays.
Gender differences in military sexual trauma and mental health diagnoses among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract Objective We examined correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including military sexual trauma (MST), in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. We also compared mental health comorbidities by gender among veterans with PTSD, with and without MST. Methods Retrospective data analyses were conducted using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data from 213,803 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and the subset diagnosed with PTSD from April 1, 2002, to October 1, 2008. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression compared by gender to investigate independent correlates and mental health comorbidities associated with PTSD, with and without MST. Results Among women with PTSD, 31% screened positive for MST; 1% of men with PTSD screened positive for MST. Among those with PTSD, veterans with MST had more comorbid mental health diagnoses than those without MST. Women with PTSD and MST were more likely to receive comorbid depression, anxiety, and eating disorder diagnoses, and men were more likely to receive comorbid substance use disorder diagnoses. Conclusions MST is associated with an increased prevalence of mental health disorders comorbid with PTSD. Better understanding comorbidity patterns will allow for targeted evaluation and treatment of returning veterans with MST.
Callosal connections of the posterior neocortex in normal-eyed, congenitally anophthalmic, and neonatally enucleated mice.

Following multiple injections of horseradish peroxidase into the posterior neocortex of one hemisphere, we examined the distribution of retrogradely labeled cells and anterogradely labeled terminations in tangential and coronal sections through contralateral areas 17 and 18 in throe groups of adult mice: normal-eyed (ZRDCT-n and C57Bl/6J strains), congenitally anophthalmic (ZRDCT-an strain), and neonatally enucleated (ZRDCT-n strain). In agreement with previous studies, we observed that the pattern of callosal connections in areas 17 and 18 of normal-eyed mice contains the following features: (1) a dense band of callosal cells and terminations separating the interiors of areas 17 and 18, which have relatively few callosal connections, (2) a ring-like configuration anterolateral to area 17, (3) a region of dense labeling lateral to area 18, (4) a narrow band of labeling bridging the posterior portion of area 18, and (5) a region of labeling anteromedial to area 17. We find that all these features of the normal callosal pattern are recognizable in congenitally anophthalmic mice. Their presence in mice that never had eyes supports the hypothesis that central visual pathways can develop many aspects of their connectivity in the absence of input from the periphery. However, we also find that the details of certain features of the callosal pattern in congenitally eyeless mice often differ from those of the same features in normal-eyed mice, and that the between-animal variability in the appearance of these features is higher in eyeless mice. These latter findings indicate that the eyes are needed during normal development to fine-tune the pattern of callosal connections. Our results also reveal that the callosal pattern in neonatally enucleated mice does not differ significantly from that in congenitally anophthalmic mice, indicating that the period in which the eyes guide callosal development extends into postnatal life. While the present data do not delineate the time course of this period, the finding of similarly abnormal callosal patterns in congentially anophthalmic and neonatally enucleated mice suggests that the eyes exert little if any influence prenatally. Finally, examination of coronal sections indicates that the laminar distribution of callosal connections develops normally in both groups of eyeless mice.
Does hunting regulate cougar populations? A test of the compensatory mortality hypothesis

Many wildlife species are managed based on the compensatory mortality hypothesis, which predicts that harvest mortality (especially adult male mortality) will trigger density-dependent responses in reproduction, survival, and population growth caused via reduced competition for resources. We tested the compensatory mortality hypothesis on two cougar (Puma concolor) populations in Washington, USA (one heavily hunted and one lightly hunted). We estimated population growth, density, survival, and reproduction to determine the effects of hunting on cougar population demography based on data collected from 2002 to 2007. In the heavily hunted population, the total hunting mortality rate (mean ± SD) was 0.24 ± 0.05 (0.35 ± 0.08 for males, 0.16 ± 0.05 for females). In the lightly hunted population, the total hunting mortality rate was 0.11 ± 0.04 (0.16 ± 0.06 for males, 0.07 ± 0.05 for females). The compensatory mortality hypothesis predicts that higher mortality will result in higher maternity, kitten survival, reproductive success, and lower natural mortality. We found no differences in rates of maternity or natural mortality between study areas, and kitten survival was lower in the heavily hunted population. We rejected the compensatory mortality hypothesis because vital rates did not compensate for hunting mortality. Heavy harvest corresponded with increased immigration, reduced kitten survival, reduced female population growth, and a younger overall age structure. Light harvest corresponded with increased emigration, higher kitten survival, increased female population growth, and an older overall age structure. Managers should not assume the existence of compensatory mortality when developing harvest prescriptions for cougars.
Does Distance Matter? - Bridging the Discontinuities in Distributed Organizations

This forum is a debate on the impact of distance on teamwork, and the roles IT has played. It provides insights from quantitative and qualitative studies about employees' virtual work in Intel Corporation, and experiences of executives in another company.
Transform domain adaptive filtering with the chirp Z transform

The use of the chirp Z transform (CZT) is proposed to improve the rate of convergence of transform domain adaptive output error algorithms. The use of the CZT is novel and is shown to possess advantages over the DFT. Other attempts at incorporating prior knowledge of input spectra use frequency sampling structures and their generalizations. Such structures require pole-zero cancellation, which is inexact with finite word length and may lead to instability if a zero occurs on the unit circle. Use of the CZT eliminates these difficulties and provides a stable, rapidly converging solution. >
Semi-automatic medical image segmentation with adaptive local statistics in Conditional Random Fields framework

Planning radiotherapy and surgical procedures usually require onerous manual segmentation of anatomical structures from medical images. In this paper we present a semi-automatic and accurate segmentation method to dramatically reduce the time and effort required of expert users. This is accomplished by giving a user an intuitive graphical interface to indicate samples of target and non-target tissue by loosely drawing a few brush strokes on the image. We use these brush strokes to provide the statistical input for a Conditional Random Field (CRF) based segmentation. Since we extract purely statistical information from the user input, we eliminate the need of assumptions on boundary contrast previously used by many other methods, A new feature of our method is that the statistics on one image can be reused on related images without registration. To demonstrate this, we show that boundary statistics provided on a few 2D slices of volumetric medical data, can be propagated through the entire 3D stack of images without using the geometric correspondence between images. In addition, the image segmentation from the CRF can be formulated as a minimum s-t graph cut problem which has a solution that is both globally optimal and fast. The combination of a fast segmentation and minimal user input that is reusable, make this a powerful technique for the segmentation of medical images.
Bioenergy research: a new paradigm in multidisciplinary research

The field of biology is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary and cross-cutting. This changing research atmosphere is creating the way for a new kind of enquiry that while building upon the traditional research establishment is providing a new multidisciplinary framework to more effectively address scientific grand challenges. Using the US Department of Energy sponsored BioEnergy Science Center as an example, we highlight how impactful breakthroughs in biofuel science can be achieved within a large cross-disciplinary team environment. Such transformational insights are key to furthering our understanding and in generating models, theories and processes that can be used to overcome recalcitrance of biomass for sustainable biofuel production. Multidisciplinary approaches have an increasingly greater role to play in meeting rising demands for food, fibre, energy, clean environment and good health. Discoveries achieved by diverse minds and cross-applications of tools and analytical approaches have tremendous potential to fill existing knowledge gaps, clear roadblocks and facilitate translation of basic sciences discoveries as solutions towards addressing some of the most pressing global issues.
Liquid Filled and Sealed Hard Gelatin Capsules

A method for sealing liquid filled hard gelatin capsules has been protection against oxidation, have very effective barrier/properties against bad smelling products and have short disintegration times. These properties demonstrate that the liquid filled and sealed hard gelatin capsule offers a real alternative to the soft gelatin capsule.
Design and control of an air-bearing supported three degree-of-freedom fine positioner

The authors discuss design considerations and control issues of a fine-motion device which provides very high performance, precision, and speed (12-g acceleration, 0.2 mu m resolution). Coupled with a standard industrial robot and external sensing, improvements in precision up to two orders of magnitude can be achieved. Software enables it to be operated from a serial port of an IBM PC or PS/2. The moving element of the positioning head can be commanded to move over a +or-1 mm range in x and y, and rotated up to +or-1.75 degrees in theta about the z axis. The device provides variable compliance with compliance set by loop gain in a digital controller. It incorporates a novel three-degree-of-freedom motor, a pair of internal position sensors to enable controlled motion in the plane, and an air bearing to support the moving elements. >
Pandemic Influenza: When Mother Nature Calls, Will We be Prepared to Answer?

Pandemic outbreaks of human influenza are a reality of nature and have occurred periodically throughout history. Since we know the next outbreak is an eventuality, developed nations have ample opportunity to prepare. The H5N1 virus currently infecting birds in several parts of the world should prompt healthcare leaders to develop effective, integrated plans for responding to a pandemic. The iterative cycle of preparedness outlines five key steps: (1) capabilities-based planning, (2) equipping, (3) training and educating, (4) exercising and evaluating and (5) identifying and incorporating lessons learned. This paper focuses on the strategic aspects of effective pandemic preparedness and the cyclical architecture that links them. It also describes concrete steps healthcare leaders can take not only to prepare their organizations for a pandemic, but also to participate in broader planning activities to ensure that preparedness is a community investment.
Analog components for the VLSI of neural networks

Principles of operation and basic building blocks of artificial neural networks are described. Deterministic components, comprising variable linear conductance devices and components used for processing elements, are discussed. These devices are analyzed using SPICE. The reasons for using simple analog circuits rather than digital circuits are examined. >
Microbiota innate stimulation is a prerequisite for T cell spontaneous proliferation and induction of experimental colitis

Little is known about how the microbiota regulates T cell proliferation and whether spontaneous T cell proliferation is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we show that stimulation of innate pathways by microbiota-derived ligands and antigen-specific T cell stimulation are both required for intestinal inflammation. Microbiota-derived ligands promoted spontaneous T cell proliferation by activating dendritic cells (DCs) to produce IL-6 via Myd88, as shown by the spontaneous proliferation of T cells adoptively transferred into specific pathogen–free (SPF) RAG−/− mice, but not in germfree RAG−/− mice. Reconstitution of germfree RAG−/− mice with cecal bacterial lysate–pulsed DCs, but not with IL-6−/− or Myd88−/− DCs, restored spontaneous T cell proliferation. CBir1 TCR transgenic (CBir1 Tg) T cells, which are specific for an immunodominant microbiota antigen, induced colitis in SPF RAG−/− mice. Blocking the spontaneous proliferation of CBir1 Tg T cells by co-transferring bulk OT II CD4+ T cells abrogated colitis development. Although transferred OT II T cells underwent spontaneous proliferation in RAG−/− mice, the recipients failed to develop colitis because of the lack of cognate antigen in the intestinal lumen. Collectively, our data demonstrate that induction of colitis requires both spontaneous proliferation of T cells driven by microbiota-derived innate signals and antigen-specific T cell proliferation.
Relationships among patient characteristics, comorbidities, and vascular complications post-percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background The incidence of vascular complications (VCs) after femoral sheath removal following a percutaneous coronary intervention procedure (PCIP) occurs variably (5%-30%) depending on gender, body size, and comorbidities. VCs after a PCIP are distressful for subjects and increase costs and nursing care. Evidence on which subject characteristics contribute to VCs is inconsistent. Objectives The study objective was to determine which subject characteristics and comorbidities contribute to VCs post-PCIP. Methods This correlational study included 306 subjects. Groin areas were assessed for the presence of VCs before, immediately after compression released, and 12 and 24 hours after femoral sheath removal for the presence of VCs. Subject characteristics and comorbidities were recorded. Results The most frequently occurring VCs were ecchymosis, hematoma, and oozing. Age was significantly associated with ecchymosis, whereas hypertension was associated with a decreased level of ecchymosis. Body surface area significantly influenced hematoma formation. Conclusions Nurses caring for subjects' post-PCIP who are older and have a smaller body surface area may require extra vigilance and tailoring of nursing care to prevent development of VCs.
High Power Density Voltage Divider and Its Application in Two-Stage Server VR

This paper starts with the two-stage Voltage-Regulator (VR) solution for future server microprocessors. By using two-stage solution, high efficiency and high power density VR can be put as close as the microprocessor to eliminate the interconnection effect. Then, high efficiency high power density voltage divider which is served as the 1st stage is analyzed and optimal design is illustrated. Finally, a 2500 W/in3 interleaved voltage divider with 97~98% efficiency is experimentally verified.
Allergens and their role in the allergic immune response

Allergens are recognized as the proteins that induce immunoglobulin E (IgE) responses in humans. The proteins come from a range of sources and, not surprisingly, have many different biological functions. However, the delivery of allergens to the nose is exclusively on particles, which carry a range of molecules in addition to the protein allergens. These molecules include pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that can alter the response. Although the response to allergens is characterized by IgE antibodies, it also includes other isotypes (IgG, IgA, and IgG4), as well as T cells. The challenge is to identify the characteristics of these exposures that favor the production of this form of response. The primary features of the exposure appear to be the delivery in particles, such as pollen grains or mite feces, containing both proteins and PAMPs, but with overall low dose. Within this model, there is a simple direct relationship between the dose of exposure to mite or grass pollen and the prevalence of IgE responses. By contrast, the highest levels of exposure to cat allergen are associated with a lower prevalence of IgE responses. Although the detailed mechanisms for this phenomenon are not clear, it appears that enhanced production of interleukin-10 in response to specific Fel d 1 peptides could influence the response. However, it is striking that the animal sources that are most clearly associated with decreased responses at high allergen dose are derived from animals from which humans evolved more recently (∼65 million years ago). Although the nose is still recognized as the primary route for sensitization to inhalant allergens, there is increasing evidence that the skin is also an important site for the generation of IgE antibody responses. By contrast, it is now evident that delivery of foreign proteins by the oral route or sublingually will favor the generation of tolerance.
More on wormholes supported by small amounts of exotic matter

Recent papers by Fewster and Roman have emphasized that wormholes supported by arbitrarily small amounts of exotic matter will have to be incredibly fine-tuned if they are to be traversable. This paper discusses a wormhole model that strikes a balance between two conflicting requirements, reducing the amount of exotic matter and fine-tuning the metric coefficients, ultimately resulting in an engineering challenge: one requirement can only be met at the expense of the other. The wormhole model is macroscopic and satisfies various traversability criteria.
AGU Publications Continue to Rank High in 2012 Journal Citation Reports

AGU journals continue to rank high in the 2012 Journal Citation Reports® (JCR), which was released by Thomson Reuters on 19 June. The impact factor of several AGU journals increased significantly, continuing their trend of the previous 5 years, while others remained consistent with the previous year's ranking.