cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Responsiveness of Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Starting or Switching a Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drug

Objective The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a calibrated item bank used to assess patient-reported outcomes across multiple domains. The purpose of this study was to describe the performance of selected PROMIS measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with active disease who were initiating a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Methods Participants in an ongoing prospective observational study completed 8 PROMIS measures before and after DMARD initiation. Linear regression models were performed to identify cross-sectional associations between baseline PROMIS measures and disease activity, measured using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Paired t-tests were performed to evaluate responsiveness after 12 weeks of DMARD treatment. Associations between changes in PROMIS measures and changes in the CDAI score were assessed using linear regression. Results Among the 156 participants who completed the first study visit, the mean ± SD baseline CDAI score was 25.5 ± 14.0. Baseline scores for PROMIS measures of physical health, pain, and sleep were associated with the baseline CDAI score (P ≤ 0.05). Among the 106 participants with 12-week data, all PROMIS scores improved after DMARD initiation (P ≤ 0.05). With the exception of depression, changes in all assessed PROMIS measures were correlated with changes in the CDAI score (standardized βs from |0.23| to |0.38|). Conclusion These data provide support for the utility of PROMIS measures for the assessment of physical and mental health in individuals with active RA. All PROMIS measures improved significantly after DMARD initiation, with the magnitudes of association between changes in PROMIS measures and changes in the CDAI score in the low-to-moderate range.
MODELING COMPLEXITY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL TIME SERIES IN-SILICO

A free-running physiological system produces time series with complexity which has been correlated to the robustness and health of the system. The essential tool to study the link between the structure of the system and the complexity of the series it produces is a mathematical model that is capable of reproducing the statistical signatures of a physiological time series. We construct a model based on the neural structure of the hippocampus that reproduces detrended fluctuations and multiscale entropy complexity signatures of physiological time series. We study the dependence of these signatures on the length of the series and on the initial data.
Frozen Section of Ovarian Lesions

Frozen sections of ovarian lesions are indicated if the surgeon plans to do immediate additional surgery or if there is a need to confirm the diagnosis before starting emergency therapy. The ultimate frozen section diagnosis should be based on a combination of careful gross examination, microscopic evaluation, and correlation with age, clinical history, radiologic evaluation, and discussion with the surgeon. This chapter describes the necessary preparations for frozen section analysis, details the specific information that the surgeon needs at the time of frozen section, and lists the major discrepancies in frozen section diagnosis (primary vs. metastatic mucinous ovarian tumors; endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary vs. other ovarian tumors; differential diagnosis between benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian serous tumors; differential diagnosis between ovarian carcinoma and metastatic breast cancer; diagnosis of clear cell carcinoma of the ovary). Finally, the chapter describes the emerging use of telepathology as it relates to the frozen section consultation service.
Recent Trends in American Attitudes toward the Level of Immigration

In the current immigration debate, although illegal immigration is at the center of the controversy, legal immigration is also gaining attention. However, there is a lack of analysis of how American attitudes toward the level of legal immigration have changed in the recent years of the twenty-first century. This study investigates recent trends in American attitudes toward the level of immigration to the United States using data from General Social Surveys 2004–2014. Bivariate analysis indicates that, contrary to popular expectations, American attitudes toward support for an increased level of immigration had actually become somewhat more positive from 2004 to 2014. The results of multiple regression analysis show that, controlling for other variables, American attitudes toward support for an increased level of immigration have remained more positive since 2010. This article explores plausible explanations for the more positive trends.
The State of Regulatory Sandboxes in Developing Countries

We review the emergence of a novel regulatory innovation called a ‘regulatory sandbox,’ designed to incubate innovation in the financial sector in a relaxed, but safeguarded regulatory environment. It also provides a symbiotic environment for innovators to test new technologies and for regulators to understand their implications for the financial sector and consumer protection. While the concept has been embraced by a growing number of developed and developing world regulators, we describe where and how these sandboxes are being used in developing countries. We assess that for these countries, establishing thematic regulatory sandboxes which focus on specific national financial and developmental priorities - such as remittances - rather than spanning multiple national agendas may be preferred as a more efficient use of scarce resources.
Student Evaluations of U.S. Chemical Safety Board Case Study Videos using a ChE Process Safety Assignment

A ChE process safety assignment using case study videos produced by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is described. Study of student perceptions of video quality and effectiveness of 25 CSB videos identified a number of entries highly-regarded by students which would make good choices for in-class discussion / assignments. Student ratings of videos’ visuals and effectiveness had a highly statistically significant positive correlation, confirming visual ethos theory from contemporary communication rhetoric literature.
Cancer history, insurance coverage, and cost-related medication nonadherence in Medicare beneficiaries, 2013-2018.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors are at risk of financial hardships and cost-related medication nonadherence, particularly among those without adequate insurance coverage. OBJECTIVE: To examine the ass...
A case of a large leiomyomatous uterus with multiple arteriovenous malformations and subsequent high cardiac output state with severe four chamber cardiac enlargement

Abstract Uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare and potentially life-threatening. They can be congenital or acquired. Uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy are considered mainstays of management. AVMs can be associated with leiomyomas, and patients may require both procedures. We present a case of a 42-year-old woman with a massively enlarged leiomyomatous uterus supplied and drained by multiple large AVMs, leading to high cardiac output state with severe four chamber cardiac dilation. Management required a multidisciplinary team of interventional radiology, gynecologic oncology surgery, vascular surgery, cardiac anesthesiology, cardiology, and urology and a 2-day interventional approach of preoperative arterial embolization followed by hysterectomy.
Surface EMG and intra-socket force measurement to control a prosthetic device

Surface electromyography (SEMG) has been shown to be a robust and reliable interaction method allowing for basic control of powered prosthetic devices. Research has shown a marked decrease in EMG-classification efficiency throughout activities of daily life due to socket shift and movement and fatigue as well as changes in degree of fit of the socket throughout the subject's lifetime. Users with the most severe levels of amputation require the most complex devices with the greatest number of degrees of freedom. Controlling complex dexterous devices with limited available inputs requires the addition of sensing and interaction modalities. However, the larger the amputation severity, the fewer viable SEMG sites are available as control inputs. Previous work reported the use of intra-socket pressure, as measured during wrist flexion and extension, and has shown that it is possible to control a powered prosthetic device with pressure sensors. In this paper, we present data correlations of SEMG data with intra-socket pressure data. Surface EMG sensors and force sensors were housed within a simulated prosthetic cuff fit to a healthy-limbed subject. EMG and intra-socket force data was collected from inside the cuff as a subject performed pre-defined grip motions with their dominant hand. Data fusion algorithms were explored and allowed a subject to use both intra-socket pressure and SEMG data as control inputs for a powered prosthetic device. This additional input modality allows for an improvement in input classification as well as information regarding socket fit through out activities of daily life.
Water for the Valley of the Sun

Water development in the Salt River Valley of south-central Arizona has progressed from the simple irrigation canals of prehistoric Hohokam Indians to a complex network of public and private facilities supplying agricultural and urban needs. In the modern era, several private canals were built prior to 1900, but construction of a dam to store spring runoff was beyond private financing capability. Federal financial assistance through the Reclamation Act pf 1902 made possible the construction of Theodore Roosevelt Dam and other needed facilities. The Salt River Valley Water Users Association, which took over operation of the project in 1917, has built five more dams, three of which have appurtenant hydroelectric powerplants, three steam-electric generating plants, and 250 ground-water wells. Local surface water supplies are essentially developed and the ground-water reservoir is being rapidly depleted. The Federal Central Arizona Project, now under construction, will bring water from the Colorado River to help relieve the imbalance between demand and supply.
SbSbxM1−xO4 (M=NbV or TaV): Solid Solution Behavior and Second-Harmonic Generating Properties

The solid solution behavior and second-harmonic generating (SHG) properties of SbSbxM1−xO4 (M=NbV or TaV) (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) have been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction and nonlinear optical (NLO) measurements. Both SbNbO4 and SbTaO4 form solid solutions with α-Sb2O4. All the materials crystallize in the non-centrosymmetric space group Pna21, with SbIIIO4E polyhedra linked to MVO6 (MV=SbV, NbV, or TaV) octahedra. SHG data is presented for the solid solutions and α-Sb2O4, SbNbO4, and SbTaO4. With respect to the SbSbxM1−xO4 phases, NLO measurements indicate a substantial decrease in SHG efficiency for x≥0.6. This decrease is attributable to the “nonpolar” nature of the SbVO6 octahedra compared with the polar nature of NbVO6 or TaVO6.
Tartaric acid metabolism. VII. Crystalline hydroxypyruvate reductase (D-glycerate dehydrogenase).

Abstract Hydroxypyruvate reductase from Pseudomonas acidovorans has been purified and crystallized. Molecular weights of 75,600 and 74,350 have been calculated from hydrodynamic measurements and amino acid analysis, respectively. The enzyme is specific for the reversible reduction of hydroxypyruvate to d-glycerate in the presence of TPNH or DPNH; glyoxylate and lactate do not serve as substrates. The equilibrium constant of the reaction has been calculated as 1.2 x 1012 when DPNH formation was measured.
Environment-productivity relationship in the south west Nigeria's agriculture.

The growth rates in the industrialized nations have been impressive most especially in the area of job creations. This has had impact on economic development. It is very essential for the third world countries to industrialize if they must be freed from poverty and underdevelopment. But since most of these countries have primary resources, their focus should be on those industries that use more of these resources as inputs. Nigeria's weakness in regional planning, for instance, encourages locating farmlands and manufacturing industries in the same area. Such is the case of Ewekoro- a small and all rural community in the south- west, Nigeria. This community harbours a cement factory sitting side by side with a farming community. Respondents for the study were drawn from the staff of the factory and the Ewekoro farmers. The goal was to determine the extent of the community's development, the degree of environmental degradation and the impact of both on agricultural output in the area. To some extent the activities of the cement factory affect agricultural output through environmental degradation. The study shows how all this have occurred. It then points to how economic growth can be facilitated with lesser impact on the environment.
Multiple sclerosis: vitamin D and calcium as environmental determinants of prevalence. (A viewpoint). Part 1. Sunlight, dietary factors and epidemiology.

A new theory for the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been developed which is compatible with epidemiologic, biochemical and genetic evidence. A predisposition for the disease is held to result from the development of abnormal myelin during puberty. Vitamin D and calcium are proposed as being essential for normal myelination. Curtailed supplies of these substances (from inadequate sunlight and phytate‐rich diets) correlate with geographic regions of high risk of MS. Conversely the prevalence of MS is lower where vitamin D is abundant, as in sunny climates, high altitudes, and littorals with dietaries rich in fish oils.
A 32 tap digitally controlled programmable transversal filter

A digitally controlled programmable transversal filter (DCPTF) has been developed that uses a 32-tap LiNbO/sub 3/ delay line and two LSI GaAs ICs to digitally control tap weight magnitude and sign. Compared to previously reported PTR devices, this third-generation device is significantly reduced in size and power, yet retains state-of-the-art performance. The device is completely programmable, constrained only by the bandwidth (100 MHz centered at 100 MHz) and the number of taps. The DCPTF is designed in 16-tap blocks to easily expand the number of taps. A calibration method is presented which removes nonideal GaAs FET (field-effect transistor) array gain states due to process variations. The on/off ratio of each individual tap is greater than 35 dB. The DCPTF is demonstrated as a bandpass filter with programmable center frequency and bandwidth. >
Examination of the anterior uveoscleral pathway in domestic species

Objective To investigate the uveoscleral (US) pathway in the normal eyes of four domestic spp.: the cat, pig, cow and horse by examining the comparative anatomical structure of anterior US pathway. Animals studied Four cats, ten pigs, four cows, eight horses. Procedures Formalin-preserved specimens from anterior uveas of the cat, pig, cow and horse were embedded and serially sectioned sagittally and tangentially and stained with H&E, Masson’s trichrome, smooth muscle actin immunolabel, or elastin stain. Results Spaces between the endings of the outer anterior ciliary body musculature (CBM) formed avenues for the beginning of the US pathway and varied in the amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) material being most developed in the pig. In the cow, other anterior muscle bundles attached the CBM to the sclera concomitant with the presence of an anterior elastic sheath. In the horse, these muscle bundles were connected to branching connective tissue trabeculae within the US pathway that were attached radially to the sclera. In the cat, muscle bundles were more abundant and formed a fine meshwork of trabecular associations with the posterior ICA. Supraciliary development was most pronounced in the horse and least in the pig. Conclusion All species possessed clearly developed and unique US pathways. The outermost muscle bundles of the CBM appeared to have close interaction with the US pathway and the degree of these muscle associations differed with species. The species specific anatomical variations within the US pathway could play a pivotal role in the variability of aqueous outflow along this pathway.
Gingival and plaque decontamination: can we take a bite out of VAP?

All baseline characteristics were similar between the treated and the placebo groups. The trial was stopped based on an interim analysis showing statistical futility. The incidence of nosocomial infections was 17.5% (13.2 per 1000 ICU days) in the placebo group and 18.4% (13.3 per 1000 ICU days) in the plaque antiseptic decontamination group (p=NS). No difference was observed in the incidence of ventilatorassociated pneumonia per ventilator or intubation days, mortality, length of stay, and care loads. On day 10, the number of positive dental plaque cultures was significantly lower in the treated group (29% vs. 66%; p<0.05). Highly resistant Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacter species identified in late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia and previously cultured from dental plaque were not eradicated by the antiseptic decontamination. No side effect was reported.
Development of a simplified isotopic antiglobulin assay for the study of tumor-specific antibody.

Abstract An adaption of the indirect isotopic antiglobulin test is described for use on a micro scale with cell monolayers. The ease of washing greatly simplifies the technique. Antibody against the tumor-specific surface antigens on a carcinogen-induced murine sarcoma is detected with high sensitivity. Antibody is detectable against the tumor in the serum of animals which have that tumor actively growing. Four of the eight MCA-induced tumors studied have a common cell-surface antigen.
Effects of toy stimulation on the cognitive, communicative, and emotional functioning of adults in the middle stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Although several clinical reports describe the benefits of toy stimulation for dementia patients, there is little empirical support for this sensory stimulation approach. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of toy stimulation on the language, cognition, and emotional state of patients in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) during a formal testing situation. Eighteen patients completed a standardized test battery and picture description task twice, once with and once without a toy stimulus present. Three AD patients completed all tasks four times (twice with and twice without the toy) to examine performance consistency. Although some patients improved their performances in the presence of a toy, there were no significant group differences between the toy and no toy conditions for any experimental measure. Of the three patients who completed experimental tasks twice in the presence of a toy, two displayed some consistent improvements whereas the remaining patient’s response pattern was variable. Caregiver feedback regarding toy stimulation was positive. Methodological limitations of the current study and suggestions for future research are discussed. Learning outcomes As a result of reading this article, the participant will be able to: (1) summarize the previous literature regarding sensory stimulation treatment approaches for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementing illnesses; and (2) describe the effects of toy stimulation on the linguistic and cognitive abilities, and emotional status of patients in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Subcutaneous angioblastic lymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (Kimura's disease).

Six patients with peculiar angioblastic lesions associated with lymphoid infiltrates and a tissue eosinophilia are described. In 2 of the cases the newly formed vessels are apparently of arterial origin. The lesions which are solitary or multiple present as tumor-like swellings in the subcutaneous tissue of the head and neck. In addition, one patient had multiple cutaneous lesions distributed over the trunk and extremities. A significant blood eosinophilia was present in 2 cases. The disease is benign, but in its active phase may be mistakenly diagnosed as angiosarcoma. The lesions apparently respond to therapy with adrenocorticosteroids and to irradiation. Spontaneous remissions also occur.
A nursing informatics research agenda for 2008-18: contextual influences and key components.

The context for nursing informatics research has changed significantly since the National Institute of Nursing Research-funded Nursing Informatics Research Agenda was published in 1993 and the Delphi study of nursing informatics research priorities reported a decade ago. The authors focus on 3 specific aspects of context—genomic health care, shifting research paradigms, and social (Web 2.0) technologies—that must be considered in formulating a nursing informatics research agenda. These influences are illustrated using the significant issue of healthcare associated infections (HAI). A nursing informatics research agenda for 2008–18 must expand users of interest to include interdisciplinary researchers; build upon the knowledge gained in nursing concept representation to address genomic and environmental data; guide the reengineering of nursing practice; harness new technologies to empower patients and their caregivers for collaborative knowledge development; develop user-configurable software approaches that support complex data visualization, analysis, and predictive modeling; facilitate the development of middle-range nursing informatics theories; and encourage innovative evaluation methodologies that attend to human-computer interface factors and organizational context.
Long lifetime, fault-tolerant freestanding actuators based on a silicone dielectric elastomer and self-clearing carbon nanotube compliant electrodes

We explore the effect of pre-stretch and application of mechanical loads on a soft polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer to obtain high linear strain freestanding dielectric elastomer actuators. It is shown that when the mechanical loads are properly applied, large linear actuation strains of 120% and work density of 0.5 J cm−3 can be obtained due to a transition from pure-biaxial to pure-uniaxial actuation conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that when coupled with single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) compliant electrodes, fault-tolerance is introduced via self-clearing leading to significantly improved operational reliability. Cycling actuation tests reveal that even after more than 30 self-cleared electrical breakdown events the actuators maintain a high level of performance. Driven at moderate electric fields, the actuators display relatively high linear actuation strain (25%) without degradation of the electromechanical performance even after 85000 cycles.
A Household Model of On-Farm Storage Under Price Risk

We present an agricultural household model of consumption, storage, savings, and labor decisions and argue that food crop storage under price risk cannot be fully explained by "risk taking" or speculative behavior alone, as the commodity storage literature suggests. Often, and especially in the case of small farmers, the explanation lies in the household's aversion to risk and in food security considerations. The empirical analysis, using ICRISAT quarterly panel data from Shirapur, provides evidence against risk-neutral preferences. We find that risk response is particularly significant in the storage and labor decisions of small farm households.
MAPPING “OLD” VS. “YOUNG” PIÑON–JUNIPER STANDS WITH A PREDICTIVE TOPO-CLIMATIC MODEL

Pinon pine and juniper woodlands in the southwestern United States are often represented as an expanding and even invasive vegetation type, a legacy of historic grazing, and culpable in the degradation of western rangelands. A long-standing emphasis on forage production, in combination with recent hazard fuel concerns, has prompted a new era of woodland management with stated restoration objectives. Yet the extent and dynamics of pinon-juniper communities that predate intensive Euro-American settlement activities are poorly known or understood, while the intrinsic ecological, aesthetic, and economic values of old-growth woodlands are often overlooked. Historical changes in pinon-juniper stands include two related, but poorly differentiated processes: recent tree expansion into grass- or shrub-dominated (i.e., non-woodland) vegetation and thickening or infilling of savanna or mosaic woodlands predating settlement. Our work addresses the expansion pattern, modeling the occurrence of "older" savanna and woodland stands extant prior to 1850 in contrast to "younger" pinon-juniper growth of more recent, postsettlement origin. We present criteria in the form of a diagnostic key for distinguishing "older," pre-Euro-American settlement pinon-juniper from "younger" (post-1850) stands and report results of predictive modeling and mapping efforts within a north-central New Mexico study area. Selected models suggest a primary role for soil moisture in the current distribution of "old" vs. "young" pinon-juniper stands. Presettlement era woodlands are shown to occupy a discrete ecological space, defined by the interaction of effective (seasonal) moisture with landform setting and fine-scale (soil/water) depositional patterns. "Older" stands are generally found at higher elevations or on skeletal soils in upland settings, while "younger" stands (often dominated by one-seed juniper, Juniperus monosperma) are most common at lower elevations or in productive, depositional settings. Modeling at broad regional scales can enhance our general understanding of pinon-juniper ecology, while predictive mapping of local areas has potential to provide products useful for land management. Areas of the southwestern United States with strong monsoonal (summer moisture) patterns appear to have been the most susceptible to historical woodland expansion, but even here the great majority of extant pinon-juniper has presettlement origins (although widely thickened and infilled historically), and old-growth structure is not uncommon in appropriate upland settings.
Fabrication And Performance Of Diffraction Lenses

Mail Code C -014, University of California /San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093AbstractWe present here the theoretical design and the experimental fabrication and evaluationof diffraction lenses in LiNb03 waveguides.IntroductionFor signal processing in planar waveguides, it is necessary to integrate, focus, col-limate, image- or Fourier -analyze guided -wave beams by efficient lenses that have bothdiffraction -limited performance and low noise.Currently, the most commonly used guided -wave lens is a geodesic lens that requires theprecision grinding of the non -spherical surface contour for each lens [1]. Lens effect canalso be obtained by diffraction from surface relief patterns made by much -less expensiveplanar microfabrication techniques, as illustrated in Fig.
Expression of Hoxb13 and Hoxc10 in developing and regenerating Axolotl limbs and tails.

The expression of Hox complex genes in correct spatial and temporal order is critical to patterning of the body axis and limbs during embryonic development. In order to understand the role such genes play in appendage regeneration, we have compared the expression of two 5' Hox complex genes: Hoxb13 and Hoxc10 during development and regeneration of the body axis and the limbs of axolotls. In contrast to higher vertebrates, Hoxb13 is expressed not only in the tip of the developing tail, but also in the distal mesenchyme of developing hind limbs, and at low levels in developing forelimbs. Hoxc10 is expressed as two transcripts during both development and regeneration. The short transcript (Hoxc10S) is expressed in the tip of the developing tail, in developing hind limbs, and at low levels in developing forelimbs. The long transcript (Hoxc10L) is expressed in a similar pattern, with the exception that no expression in developing forelimbs could be detected. Hoxb13 and both transcripts of Hoxc10 are expressed at high levels in the regenerating spinal cord during tail regeneration, and in both regenerating hind limbs and forelimbs. The up-regulation of expression of these genes during forelimb regeneration, relative to the very low levels of expression during forelimb development, suggests that they play a critical and perhaps unique role in regeneration. This is particularly true for Hoxc10L, which is not expressed during forelimb development, but is expressed during forelimb regeneration; thus making it the first truly "regeneration-specific" gene transcript identified to date.
Bollywood Cinema at the Crossroads: Tracking the Dimensions of Globalization in Postcolonial Popular Hindi Cinema

Hindi film scholars have been slow to adopt content analysis methodologies. Given the potentially changing social-political-economic context of Hindi cinema, this study utilized content analysis to investigate the prevalence of five globalization dimensions—geographical, cultural, nationalistic, infrastructural, and artistic—in the highest grossing Hindi films of the postcolonial era between 1947 and 2007. The films were coded to address multiple hypotheses theorizing that changing transnational contexts would be related to significant increases in global aspects of content. The findings suggest that the oft-repeated conclusions of scholars regarding the widespread influence of global forces on Hindi film production—particularly in the current era of “Bollywoodization”—are more complex than suggested in prior research.
Neonatal hypothyroidism: Behavioral, thyroid hormonal and neuroanatomical effects

Abstract Neonatal hypothyroidism was induced in albino rats by adding propylthiouracil for 30 days to the lactating mother's food and water. Behavioral evaluation of offspring on a 6-item battery occurred from 70–114 days of age. Results indicated long lasting behavioral changes in the hypothyroid subjects characterized by increased activity and decreased performance on avoidance and escape learning. Serum thyroxine levels were reduced in the hypothyroid animals until 120 days of the age. These animals also had fewer synaptic contacts in the cerebellar cortex.
There's an app for that shirt! Evaluation of augmented reality tracking methods on deformable surfaces for fashion design

In this paper we present appARel, a creative research project at the intersection of augmented reality, fashion, and performance art. appARel is a mobile augmented reality application that transforms otherwise ordinary garments with 3D animations and modifications. With appARel, entire fashion collections can be uploaded in a smartphone application, and “new looks” can be downloaded in a software update. The project will culminate in a performance art fashion show, scheduled for March 2013. appARel includes textile designs incorporating fiducial markers, garment designs that incorporate multiple markers with the human body, and iOS and Android apps that apply different augments, or “looks”, to a garment. We discuss our philosophy for combining computer-generated and physical objects; and share the challenges we encountered in applying fiduciary markers to the 3D curvatures of the human body.
In vivo and in vitro effect of alpha-amanitin on preimplantation mouse embryo RNA polymerase.

THE effects of various metabolic inhibitors, including actinomycin D, puromycin, cycloheximide, mitomycin C, and fluorophenylalanine, on preimplantation mouse embryos have been previously studied1–6, to investigate when RNA synthesis begins in preimplantation embryos and what types of RNA are synthesised during the various stages of development. Monesi and Salfi3 originally reported that there was no appreciable overall RNA synthesis until the morula stage. Ellem and Gwatkin7 also found no detectable RNA synthesis at the two-cell stage of development. Recently, using more sensitive techniques, RNA synthesis has been detected as early as the two-cell stage of development8–10. We assumed that since RNA synthesis occurs in preimplantation mouse embryos, the enzyme, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, must be active. We report here the results of in vivo and in vitro experiments intended to characterise more fully the RNA polymerase present in preimplantation mouse embryos. We used the mushroom toxin, α-amanitin, to determine which forms of RNA polymerase are active and the relative amounts of each form which are present in preimplantation mouse embryos.
Electrophoretic Water Clarification Techniques

Only very recently has a limited amount of attention been focused directly on electrophoresis as a method for improving water quality. This approach has been proposed primarily as a method for removal of suspended colloidal material, although solutes can also be removed by this method. Very simply electrophoresis is defined as the movement of charged suspended particles in a dc electric field. Several electrophoretic clarification systems and techniques have been developed and evaluated primarily for removing colloidal clay from suspension. The methods should apply equally well to any negatively charged particulate matter. Design for optimal clay removal efficiency and operating cost efficiency has been based upon previous theoretical results and upon modification of the combination filter-el ectrophores is model of Bier. These systems and techniques along with the theoretical developments leading to their design are discussed. Results and conclusions are given for tests that have been concluded concerning the feasibility or practicality of these electrophoretic clarification systems for commercial use. These are viewed in light of various limiting factors such as electrical conductivity of the medium, quality of water desired, colloid concentrations and electrophoretic mobility of the suspended materials.
SMECTITE CLAY SEQUESTRATION OF AFLATOXIN B1: PARTICLE SIZE AND MORPHOLOGY

The properties that might influence the sequestration of aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) were examined. Laser-diffraction, particle-size analysis (LDPSA) indicated that the particle size of the smectite influences the amount of AfB1 adsorbed. Effective adsorbent smectites disperse well under combined sodium hexametaphosphate solution and ultrasonic agitation. Particle size explained 66% of the variability for most of the samples investigated in an ‘as-received’ state. One effective adsorbent smectite was especially well aggregated and required additional physical dispersion, thus raising the correlation to 73%. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show typical smectites and reveal the very diverse morphology of smectites in bentonites. Thin, cloud-like smectite, in TEM images, related positively to AfB1-adsorption capacity. Particles that often fold and are usually ∼0.5 µm across seem to be optimal. The selection of criteria for evaluating these smectites provides a scientific basis for their selection to obtain reliable performance. Particle size is of particular importance as outlined below, and use of LDPSA makes it possible to perform the analysis efficiently and with precision.
Purification, Mass Spectrometric Characterization, and Covalent Modification of Murine Glutathione S-Transferases

Three cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) isozymes were purified from livers of male CD-1 mice to homogeneity using affinity chromatography and gradient elution. Isozyme molecular masses and purities were determined using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS), HPLC, and electrophoretic methods. Isozymes were assigned to alpha, pi, and mu classes based on kinetic and electrophoretic properties. Molecular masses determined by mass spectrometry were 25 271.4 +/- 2, 23 478.8 +/- 2, and 25 838.4 +/- 2 Da for alpha, pi, and mu isozymes, respectively. Molecular masses for pi and mu class isozymes agreed with molecular masses derived from nucleic acid sequences, but the molecular mass of the alpha class isozyme was 42 Da greater than calculated for a reported sequence. Analysis of tryptic digests of GST-alpha using tandem mass spectrometry determined that the molecular weight discrepancy could be attributed to N-terminal acetylation. Effects of covalent attachment of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) on catalytic activities of each GST isozyme were investigated by incubating GSTs with HNE. The extent of HNE-protein adduct formation was determined using ESI/MS. Catalytic activity of HNE-modified GSTs toward CDNB was measured. ESI mass spectra of modified enzymes show that the extent of HNE modification to the isozymes (pi > alpha > mu) coincides with the loss of activity seen for each protein. ESI mass spectra also indicated that glutathione-protein adducts form in isozymes during incubations with HNE even though purified proteins had been dialyzed against water before incubations. Glutathionylation of isozymes increased as the concentration of HNE in the incubations was raised. Dialysis of GSTs against 2 mM S-hexylglutathione (to displace GSH) before incubations eliminated S-glutathionylation. Reactivities of these GSTs toward HNE differed and is related to the number of cysteine residues (alpha < mu < pi) within the amino acid sequence.
Modulation of the bonding-antibonding splitting in Te by coherent phonons

We present femtosecond time-resolved measurements of the dielectric tensor of tellurium following intense photoexcitation. Strong impulsive photoexcitation of crystalline tellurium weakens the covalent bonds between atoms, which undergo coherent oscillations (at >3 THz) as they relax to new equilibrium positions. As this photoexcitation drives the lattice toward a band-crossing transition, we track the decrease and oscillation of the bonding-antibonding splitting. The reduction of the bonding-antibonding splitting exceeds the band gap for 100 fs, indicating a transient state with crossed bands.
Delayed acquisition of schedule-induced polydipsia in rats with zona incerta lesions.

Abstract Rats with lesions of the zona incerta (ZI) were hypodipsic under free-feeding conditions and were adipsic during periods of food deprivation. Lesioned rats did not differ from controls in daily food intake. In schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP) tests conducted by reducing the rats to 80% of free-feeding body weight and delivering 45 mg Noyes pellets on a fixed-time 1-min schedule, ZI lesions significantly delayed the acquisition of SIP. Both the size and frequency of post pellet drinking bouts were affected by the lesions. After 26 SIP sessions lesioned rats were drinking at levels similar to controls.
Global optimization of multiscenario mixed integer nonlinear programming models arising in the synthesis of integrated water networks under uncertainty

The problem of optimal synthesis of an integrated water system is addressed in this work, where water using processes and water treatment operations are combined into a single network such that the total cost of building the network and operating it optimally is globally minimized. The network has to be designed to be feasible and optimal over a given set of scenarios in which different operational conditions hold. The uncertain operational parameters in the system are the amount of contaminants generated in the process units and the extent of removal of the contaminants inside the treatment units. We optimize a superstructure that incorporates all feasible design alternatives for wastewater treatment, reuse and recycle, with a multiscenario nonconvex mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model, which is a deterministic equivalent of a two-stage stochastic programming model with recourse. These models can grow in size with the number of scenarios and often require exponential computational effort to be solved to rigorous global optimality. To effectively solve this problem, we propose a spatial branch and cut algorithm that uses Lagrangean decomposition for global optimization of the large multiscenario model. Two examples are presented to illustrate the global optimization of integrated water networks operating under uncertainty using the proposed algorithm.
Experimental Investigation of Lignin Decomposition and Char Structure During CO2 and H2O/N2 Gasification

Characterization of the char pore structure resulting from thermal decomposition of lignin during TGA processing in both CO2 and H2O/N2 media was performed using an Hitachi 4700 scanning electron microscope. Lignin, the more thermally resilient structural component of ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstocks, was found to undergo more complete conversion to volatiles during thermal processing in a CO2 as compared to a H2O/N2 gasification medium. The pyrolytic char created during CO2 thermal treatment exhibited a more porous surface and an intricate channel structure that enabled the CO2 molecules to access the inner volume and provided a channel network for escaping volatiles. This resulted in a more complete solid to gas conversion of the char during CO2 gasification. Both a greater surface pore density and a wider pore size distribution was observed in those chars undergoing thermal decomposition in CO2.
Anthocyanins of blood oranges.

THE fleshy endocarp of the blood orange, a variety of sweet orange, Citrus sinensis, contains a water-soluble red pigment which Matlack1 showed to be anthocyanin in nature.
Immunolabeling of gamma-glutamyl transferase 5 in normal human tissues reveals that expression and localization differ from gamma-glutamyl transferase 1

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT5) was discovered due to its ability to convert leukotriene C4 (LTC4, a glutathione S-conjugate) to LTD4 and may have an important role in the immune system. However, it was not known which cells express the enzyme in humans. We have developed a sensitive and specific antibody that can be used to detect human GGT5 on Western blots and in fixed tissue sections. We localized GGT5 expression in normal human tissues. We observed GGT5 expressed by macrophages present in many tissues, including tissue-fixed macrophages such as Kupffer cells in the liver and dust cells in the lung. GGT5 was expressed in some of the same tissues that have been shown to express gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT1), the only other enzymatically active protein in this family. But, the two enzymes were often expressed by different cell types within the tissue. For example, GGT5 was expressed by the interstitial cells of the kidney, whereas GGT1 is expressed on the apical surface of the renal proximal tubules. Other tissues with GGT5-positive cells included: adrenal gland, salivary gland, pituitary, thymus, spleen, liver, bone marrow, small intestine, stomach, testis, prostate and placenta. GGT5 and GGT1 are cell surface enzymes. The different pattern of expression results in their access to different extracellular fluids and therefore different substrates. GGT5 has access to substrates in blood and intercellular fluids, while GGT1 has access primarily to fluids in ducts and glands throughout the body. These data provide new insights into the different functions of these two related enzymes.
Synthesis of a serine-based neuraminic acid C-glycoside.

Cell-surface carbohydrates are classified by the nature of their linkages to the protein as either N-linked or O-linked. O- and N-glycans are involved in a number of important biological functions. These activities can be lost on glycoprotein catabolism when these glycan linkages are enzymatically hydrolyzed. The design and synthesis of novel C-linked glycans should provide catabolically stable glycoproteins useful for understanding and regulating important biological processes. Our efforts are currently directed toward the synthesis of C-glycosides of ulosonic acids. This paper describes the first synthesis of a serine-based neuraminic acid C-glycoside. The protecting group chemistry required for both carbohydrate and peptide syntheses complicates this approach. Different protecting group strategies were investigated for use in the samarium diiodide mediated C-glycosylation reaction. The key elements of our synthetic approach involve the following: (i) the substitution of homoserine for serine in the C-...
CRT-101 No Closure on Publicly Reported Adverse Events with Vascular Closure Devices

The use of vascular closure devices (VCDs) following transfemoral procedures reduces recovery time and may reduce bleeding. Transradial (TR) access is associated with fewer adverse events (AEs). The frequency of real-world AEs with VCDs and the effect of increasing TR access are unknown. The FDA
Multi-Stage Optimal Component Analysis

Optimal component analysis (OCA) uses a stochastic gradient optimization process to find optimal representations for general criteria and shows good performance in object recognition applications. However, OCA often requires extensive computation for gradient estimation and linear representation updating. To significantly reduce the required computation, in this paper, a multi-stage learning process is proposed which decomposes the original optimization problem into several levels. As the learning process at each level starts with a good initial point obtained from next level, the multistage OCA algorithm can speed up the original algorithm significantly and make OCA learning feasible for many applications. We illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method on the application of face classification.
Effects of aging on the recall of extended expository prose

Abstract Groups of young and old adults read a 5 page passage of expository prose under one of two instructional treatments. Since previously observed deficits in older adults' memory may be due to the level of processing, one instructional treatment was intended to encourage deeper processing. Vocabulary and a measure of current reading activity were used as covariates. As with previous work, young adults recalled more than old adults and also had more intrusions in their recall protocols. There was no effect for instructional treatment but older adults showed the same sensitivity to the relative importance of information as younger adults.
Proteomic Differences between Male and Female Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Patellar Tendon

The risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and re-injury is greater for women than men. Among other factors, compositional differences may play a role in this differential risk. Patellar tendon (PT) autografts are commonly used during reconstruction. The aim of the study was to compare protein expression in male and female ACL and PT. We hypothesized that there would be differences in key structural components between PT and ACL, and that components of the proteome critical for response to mechanical loading and response to injury would demonstrate significant differences between male and female. Two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and a label-free quantitative approach was used to identify proteomic differences between male and female PT and ACL. ACL contained less type I and more type III collagen than PT. There were tissue-specific differences in expression of proteoglycans, and ACL was enriched in elastin, tenascin C and X, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, thrombospondin 4 and periostin. Between male and female donors, alcohol dehydrogenase 1B and complement component 9 were enriched in female compared to male. Myocilin was the major protein enriched in males compared to females. Important compositional differences between PT and ACL were identified, and we identified differences in pathways related to extracellular matrix regulation, complement, apoptosis, metabolism of advanced glycation end-products and response to mechanical loading between males and females. Identification of proteomic differences between male and female PT and ACL has identified novel pathways which may lead to improved understanding of differential ACL injury and re-injury risk between males and females.