cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microarchitecture in focus.

Osteoporosis is a complex disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and alterations of bone quality leading to increased bone fragility and fracture risk. The increasing worldwide incidence of osteoporosis requires the use of effective treatments. The aim of antiosteoporotic treatments is to improve bone strength and thus to decrease the risk of fracture [1, 2]. Bone quality includes several aspects of bone composition and structure, including microstructure, bone turnover, the degree of mineralization, and the extent of microdamage. Bone quality is being given increased importance as recent observations demonstrate that traditional measures of bone density do not always predict fracture risk reliably [3]. At present, the major noninvasive measurement available for the diagnosis of osteoporosis is the measurement of areal bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fracture risk prediction in the individual patient also relies mainly on BMD measurements. The diagnosis of osteoporosis measured by DXA, is a BMD of ≥2.5 standard deviations below the mean for young adults. However, many lines of evidence indicate that the decreased bone strength characteristic of osteoporosis is only partially accounted for by BMD and the remainder is dependent on material and structural properties of bone tissue, the bone microstructure [4–10]. Furthermore, the alterations in bone microstructure are not captured by BMD measurements. Measurements of BMD are useful in postmenopausal osteoporosis and other conditions of significant demineralization. Knowledge of bone microstructure is a clue for understanding osteoporosis pathophysiology and improving its diagnosis and treatment; the response of microstructure parameters to treatment should allow assessment of the real efficacy of the osteoporosis therapy.
MOLECULAR CONTENT RELATIONS IN THE GENETIC CODE

Abstract The codons are numbered from 1–64 by a simple formula based on the number of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the nucleotides of each triplet. The codon range numbers that follow for the 20 amino acids are shown to be given by linear Diophantine and explicit molecular content equations in the number of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms in each amino acid. Thus the universal genetic code that associated codons and amino acids is expressed in a precise way by purely physical molecular content relations.
Exploring the active site of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase with 3-hydroxyethyl- and 3-hydroxypropyl-7-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines.

Abstract 3-Hydroxyethyl- and 3-hydroxypropyl-7-substituted-tetrahydroisoquinolines (9, 10, 16, and 17) were synthesized and evaluated for their phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) inhibitory potency and affinity for the α2-adrenoceptor. Although α2-adrenoceptor affinity decreased for these compounds, selectivity was not gained over the parent 3-hydroxymethyl compounds (1, 2) due to a loss in PNMT inhibitory potency.
Orphan Living Situations in Malawi: A Comparison of Orphanages and Foster Homes

Orphans have become an increasingly large percentage of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa due to the AIDS epidemic. Debate ensues about more supportive living situations for these youth, with most research supporting foster homes over orphanages. This article compares these two situations in the country of Malawi, considering how the two systems meet material needs, psychosocial needs, and those needs created by the constraints of the nonprofit environment in Malawi. Interviews were conducted with 50 orphans, nine orphanage and foster system administrators, five foster and group home caregivers, five health care workers, and five community members. All interviewees were asked questions about the children's routine, educational experience, residence characteristics, responsibilities, free time, health care, and future prospects. Administrators and parents were also queried about the management and organization of the programs, and health care workers were asked additional questions about the orphans’ health care and supplies for it. It was found that Malawian orphans placed in orphanages have an advantage over those placed in foster homes along the dimensions of lodging, health care, food quantity and variety, clothing, and school supplies. Additionally, children in orphanages have more autonomy, and have a broader concept of their future potential. Orphanage residents view their caregivers as compassionate and loving. Finally, it was found that orphanages are more efficient in providing care and at exchanging information with other organizations. They are also easier to replicate for use in other areas than are community-based programs. The article concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of these findings and directions for future research.
Microbeam radiosurgery: An industrial perspective

In spite of its long demonstrated potential, microbeam radiosurgery (MBRS) has yet to be developed into a clinical tool. This article examines the problems associated with MBRS, and potential solutions. It is shown that a path to a clinically useful device is emerging.
Two-color two-photon REMPI and ZEKE photoelectron spectroscopy of jet-cooled 2-chloropyrimidine

Abstract We report studies of supersonically cooled 2-chloropyrimidine (2-ClP) using two-color resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and two-color zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. With the aid of ab initio and density functional calculations, vibrational modes of the first electronically excited state (S1) of the neutral species and those of the ground state cation (D0) have been assigned, and the adiabatic ionization potential has been determined to be 77 106 ± 4 cm−1 (9.5600 ± 0.0005 eV). These results will be discussed in comparison with pyrimidine and other related compounds. Although the rate of intersystem crossing is affected by halosubstitution, 2-ClP and pyrimidine have qualitatively similar photophysical behaviors.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Various Imaging Modalities for Suspected Lower Extremity Stress Fractures A Systematic Review With Evidence-Based Recommendations for Clinical Practice

Background:The literature is filled with conflicting findings regarding diagnostic accuracy and protocols for imaging suspected lower extremity stress fractures. The absence of systematic reviews on this topic has limited the development of evidence-based recommendations for appropriate imaging protocols in cases of suspected lower extremity stress fractures.Purpose:To determine the diagnostic accuracy statistics of imaging modalities used to diagnose lower extremity stress fractures and to synthesize evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.Study Design:Systematic review.Methods:A generic search strategy for published studies was performed using multiple databases. A study was eligible for inclusion if it met all of the following criteria: (1) at least 1 diagnostic imaging modality was studied, (2) at least 1 radiological reference standard was used, (3) the study reported or allowed computation of diagnostic accuracy statistics (sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative l...
Prothrombin activation by encephalitogenic brain protein

Abstract Preliminary evidence is presented describing the prothrombin-activating property of heat-stable, encephalitogenic brain protein preparations. The effect of the encephalitogen on prothrombin activation resembles that of polylysine and other basic polymers.
Ontogenetic expression of trk neurotrophin receptors in the chick auditory system.

Neurotrophins and their cognate receptors are critical to normal nervous system development. Trk receptors are high-affinity receptors for nerve-growth factor (trkA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-4/5 (trkB), and neurotrophin-3 (trkC). We examine the expression of these three neurotrophin tyrosine kinase receptors in the chick auditory system throughout most of development. Trks were localized in the auditory brainstem, the cochlear ganglion, and the basilar papilla of chicks from embryonic (E) day 5 to E21, by using antibodies and standard immunocytochemical methods. TrkB mRNA was localized in brainstem nuclei by in situ hybridization.TrkB and trkC are highly expressed in the embryonic auditory brainstem, and their patterns of expression are both spatially and temporally dynamic. During early brainstem development, trkB and trkC are localized in the neuronal cell bodies and in the surrounding neuropil of nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and nucleus laminaris (NL). During later development, trkC is expressed in the cell bodies of NM and NL, whereas trkB is expressed in the nerve calyces surrounding NM neurons and in the ventral, but not the dorsal, dendrites of NL. In the periphery, trkB and trkC are located in the cochlear ganglion neurons and in peripheral fibers innervating the basilar papilla and synapsing at the base of hair cells.The protracted expression of trks seen in our materials is consistent with the hypothesis that the neurotrophins/tyrosine kinase receptors play one or several roles in the development of auditory circuitry. In particular, the polarized expression of trkB in NL is coincident with refinement of NM terminal arborizations on NL. J. Comp. Neurol. 413:271‐288, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Indexing terms: cellular protein sorting; nucleus laminaris; nucleus magnocellularis; basilar papilla; brain-derived neurotrophin factor; neurotrophin-3
Analysis of Periodic Schottky Deviations from Iridium Filaments

The periodic deviation from the Schottky effect for thermionic emission has been measured for iridium polycrystalline wire over a temperature range from 1500 to 2000\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. A least-squares computer program was used to fit the experimental data with the periodic ${F}_{2}$ term predicted by the Miller-Good theory and deduce a complex reflection coefficient for the surface potential. However, the results also indicate that the amplitude of the experimental deviation increases slightly faster with field than is predicted by theory.
HOT TOPIC, WARM LOOPS, COOLING PLASMA? MULTITHERMAL ANALYSIS OF ACTIVE REGION LOOPS

We have found indications of a relationship between the differential emission measure (DEM) weighted temperature and the cross-field DEM width for coronal loops. The data come from the Hinode X-ray Telescope, the Hinode EUV Imaging Spectrometer, and the Solar Dynamics Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. These data show that cooler loops tend to have narrower DEM widths. If most loops observed by these instruments are composed of bundles of unresolved magnetic strands and are only observed in their cooling phase, as some studies have suggested, then this relationship implies that the DEM of a coronal loop narrows as it cools. This could imply that fewer strands are seen emitting in the later cooling phase, potentially resolving the long standing controversy of whether the cross-field temperatures of coronal loops are multithermal or isothermal.
Plasma catecholamines in salt-sensitive hypertensive (Dahl) rats.

Abstract We examined the effects of low (0.4%) and high (8.0%) salt diets on basal and stress-induced increments in plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) in the Dahl lines of salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) rats. DS rats develop sustained increases in blood pressure when maintained on a high salt diet while DR rats remain normotensive. For this study, blood samples were obtained via a chronic tail artery catheter from DS and DR rats under resting conditions or following exposure to stress. Plasma samples were later assayed for content of NE and EPI by a radioenzymatic assay. Basal plasma levels of both catecholamines were similar in DS and DR rats, irrespective of dietary salt content and mean arterial blood pressure. The mild stress of handling and transfer of rats to a different cage resulted in greater increments in plasma NE but not EPI in DS rats fed a high salt diet compared to DS rats fed a low salt diet. There was a significant effect of line and an interaction of line and diet with respect to the effects of immobilization stress on plasma catecholamines. DS rats had greater immobilization-induced increments in plasma NE and EPI compared to DR rats when both lines were fed a low salt diet. Maintenance on a diet high in salt resulted in lesser immobilization-induced increments in plasma catecholamines for DS rats and greater immobilization-induced increments in plasma catecholamines for DR rats when compared to their respective controls on a low salt diet. There was a significant effect of diet on plasma levels of both catecholamines when blood samples were obtained by decapitation. DS and DR rats that were fed a high salt diet had lower plasma levels of NE and EPI following decapitation compared to rats of the two lines that were fed a low salt diet. These findings demonstrate that dietary salt and genetic factors are important in regulating the activity and responsiveness of the sympathetic-adrenal medullary system to a variety of stressors. Our findings do not provide evidence for a critical role of the sympathetic nervous system in maintaining the diet-induced increase in the arterial blood pressure of DS rats.
An LC-MS/MS method for serum methylmalonic acid suitable for monitoring vitamin B12 status in population surveys.

Methylmalonic acid (MMA), a functional indicator of vitamin B12 insufficiency, was measured in the US population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2004 using a GC/MS procedure that required 275 μL of sample and had a low throughput (36 samples/run). Our objective was to introduce a more efficient yet highly accurate LC-MS/MS method for NHANES 2011–2014. We adapted the sample preparation with some modifications from a published isotope-dilution LC-MS/MS procedure. The procedure utilized liquid–liquid extraction and generation of MMA dibutyl ester. Reversed-phase chromatography with isocratic elution allowed baseline resolution of MMA from its naturally occurring structural isomer succinic acid within 4.5 min. Our new method afforded an increased throughput (≤160 samples/run) and measured serum MMA with high sensitivity (LOD = 22.1 nmol/L) in only 75 μL of sample. Mean (±SD) recovery of MMA spiked into serum (2 d, 4 levels, 2 replicates each) was 94 % ± 5.5 %. Total imprecision (41 d, 2 replicates each) for three serum quality control pools was 4.9 %–7.9 % (97.1–548 nmol/L). The LC-MS/MS method showed excellent correlation (n = 326, r = 0.99) and no bias (Deming regression, Bland-Altman analysis) compared to the previous GC/MS method. Both methods produced virtually identical mean (±SD) MMA concentrations [LC-MS/MS: 18.47 ± 0.71 ng/mL (n = 17), GC/MS: 18.18 ± 0.67 ng/mL (n = 11)] on a future plasma reference material compared with a GC/MS method procedure from the National Institute of Standards and Technology [18.41 ± 0.70 ng/mL (n = 15)]. No adjustment will be necessary to compare previous (1999–2004) to future (2011–2014) NHANES MMA data.
Sexual interest, attitudes, knowledge, and sexual history in relation to sexual behavior in the institutionalized aged.

Although the idea that sexuality is a lifelong need is gaining greater research support and greater acceptability to the general public, few consider the institutionalized aged as having sexual needs or being able to benefit from sexual intimacy. The research presented here indicates that sexual activity in the institutionalized aged is related to their attitudes and behavior to ward sexuality and to their sexual interest level and prior frequency of sexual activity. Institutionalized aged persons evidence sexual needs and do engage in sexual behavior.
Modular and conformal invariance constraints in representation theory of affine algebras

On etudie les contraintes de l'invariance modulaire et conforme dans la theorie de la representation des algebres de Kac-Moody affines. On considere les regles de ramification d'une representation integrable de poids le plus eleve d'une algebre affine g par rapport a une sous-algebre affine p. On etudie certaines fonctions generatrices pour ces coefficients de ramification
Investigation of friction and surface degradation of innovative boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogel material for use as artificial articular cartilage

Abstract Hydrogels have been proposed as a synthetic bearing material to replace locally damaged articular cartilage in order to delay a joint replacement. A crucial limitation is that hydrogel tribological properties do not compare to natural cartilage. In this study, the well-known hydrogel polymer, polyvinyl alcohol, was functionalized with organic fatty acid derivative boundary lubricants to create boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogels prepared by freeze–thaw methods. The tribological behavior of the boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogels was investigated and compared against polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels by friction and polymer loss measurements from a pin-on-flat reciprocating sliding apparatus. The wear behavior of the hydrogels was compared while articulated against steel pins in deionized water and bovine cartilage pins in phosphate buffer saline solution. Also the effect of increasing the hydrocarbon chain length of boundary lubricant was investigated. Polymer loss results revealed that at high wear cycles neat polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels displayed the highest polymer loss, while the boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogels exhibited greater wear resistance. Optical microscopy qualitatively showed the polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels exhibited a predominant abrasive wear mechanism, while the boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogel exhibited an adhesive wear mechanism with reduced wear, with the hydrogels having the lowest hydrocarbon chain length boundary lubricant displaying the most improved wear performance with barely noticeable wear track formation. Sliding against cartilage, all hydrogels displayed low polymer loss, and qualitative microscopy showed virtually no wear track development on the boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogel surface for all wear cycles and minimal damage of the cartilage pins. This is the first study reporting the tribological properties of boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogels and established that the boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogels exhibited improved tribological performance as compared to neat polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel.
Kierkegaard: Vox Populi, Vox Dei

Analysant les arguments philosophiques developpes par Kierkegaard dans «L'epoque presente», l'A. montre que la pensee sociale et politique du philosophe laisse ouverte la question du role de l'individu dans la societe et celle des fondements de la societe. Examinant les deux regles materielle et spirituelle de l'association des individus qui donnent naissance aux quatre types de communaute chez Kierkegaard (communaute des faibles, des forts, des faibles unis par la loi positive, de l'utopie), l'A. compare le fondement que le penseur attribue a la societe chretienne utopique au fondement de la societe liberale chez J. Rawls, et conclut a la faiblesse de la politique kierkegaardienne aboutissant au paradoxe de la religion et de l'etat
Independent Living Programs

Helping patients achieve independent living status or "maximum independence" is the goal of occupational therapy. Until recently, however, "independence" achieved during treatment programs was frequently lost outside of the health care institution because of restrictive or even hostile environments to which patients moved. Now as a result of cooperative advocacy, disabled persons and professionals, aided by useful legisltation, have developed and implemented new models of services to promote independent living. Central to independent living programs is a philosophy of consumer participation, self-determination and having control over one's life by those who are served. This paper presents a brief history of the independent living movement. It then defines and discusses three models commonly seen and gives examples of the servicess they provide. It concludes with a consideration of the factors that influence the success of the transition of persons moving from medical to independent living settings.
Self-shadowing in ballistic fan formation from point seeds

We utilize the model of ballistic aggregation to investigate the growth of particles on a point seed under various oblique particle fluxes to model nanorod growth at early deposition times. In particular, we show that the angular nature of the particle flux leads to a self-shadowing behavior, where features of an individual aggregate can shadow other features of the same aggregate. We quantify the shape of the aggregates by the growth exponent $p$, where the radius of the aggregate $R$ is related to the height of the aggregate $z$ as $R\ensuremath{\sim}{z}^{p}$. We show that the self-shadowing effect is the dominant factor that controls the evolution of nanorod size during oblique angle deposition. The simulation predictions are consistent with recent experimental results.
Incidental abdominopelvic findings on expanded field-of-view lumbar spinal MRI: frequency, clinical importance, and concordance in interpretation by neuroimaging and body imaging radiologists

Aim To characterize the frequency of identification, clinical importance, and concordance in interpretation of incidental abdominopelvic findings identified on routine lumbar spinal MRI using supplemental expanded field-of-view (FOV) coronal imaging. Materials and methods All lumbar spinal MRI reports over a 12-month period were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of incidental abdominopelvic findings identified using expanded FOV coronal imaging. Medical records were used to identify those findings that received follow-up, which were then categorized according to final diagnosis and classified as "indeterminate," "likely clinically unimportant," and "likely clinically important". All cases that received follow-up were blindly and independently re-reviewed by a neuroimaging radiologist and body-imaging radiologist, and reviewer performances were compared to assess for agreement with regard to lesion significance, need for follow-up, and other parameters. Results In total, 2067 reports were reviewed: 687 (33.2%) featured one or more incidental abdominopelvic findings, and 102 (4.9%) findings received further evaluation. Of these, 11 (10.9%) were classified as "indeterminate," 50 (49%) as "likely clinically unimportant," and 41 (40.1%) were classified as "likely clinically important." Excellent agreement was observed between the reviewing radiologists for all evaluated parameters. Conclusion The addition of an expanded FOV coronal sequence to the standard lumbar spinal MRI protocol was associated with the identification of a large number of incidental abdominopelvic findings, the minority of which represent likely clinically important findings. Most incidental findings were confidently dismissed by a neuroimaging radiologist as likely clinically unimportant without utilization of additional clinical or radiographic resources.
BOX-COUNTING DIMENSION RELATED TO THE BOUNDARY OF HEXAGONAL ARRAYS FOR AN EFFICIENT DIGITAL EARTH MODEL

An interesting sequence of arrays on hierarchical hexagonal grids was employed by PYXIS Innovation Inc. for an efficient digital earth model. These arrays constitute a Cauchy sequence in terms of Hausdorff distance. In this paper, we show that the box-counting dimension for the boundary of the limit of this sequence is $\frac {\ln{4}}{\ln{3}}$.
Oxidative Decarboxylation of 6-Phosphogluconate by 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase Proceeds by a Stepwise Mechanism with NADP and APADP as Oxidants†

Primary kinetic deuterium, 13C, and multiple deuterium/13C-isotope effects on V/K6PG have been measured for the Candida utilis (cu) and sheep liver (sl) 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases (6PGDH). With NADP as the dinucleotide substrate, the following values of D(V/K6PG), 13(V/K6PG)H, and 13(V/K6PG)D were measured at pH 8 for cu6PGDH (sl6PGDH): 1.57 ± 0.08 (1.87 ± 0.10), 1.0209 ± 0.0005 (1.0059 ± 0.000 10), 1.0158 ± 0.0001 (1.0036 ± 0.0008). With APADP as the dinucleotide substrate, values for the above isotope effects at pH 8 are as follows: 2.98 ± 0.08 (2.47 ± 0.06), 1.0106 ± 0.0002 (1.0086 ± 0.000 09), and 0.9934 ± 0.0003 (0.9950 ± 0.0003). Results indicate the oxidative decarboxylation of 6PG to the 1,2-enediol of ribulose 5-phosphate proceeds via a stepwise mechanism with hydride transfer preceding decarboxylation in all cases. The inverse 13C-isotope effect observed with APADP and 6PG-3d may reflect a preequlibrium isotope effect on the binding of 6PG preceding hydride transfer. Deuterium-isotope e...
Correlated level shifting integrator with reduced sensitivity to amplifier gain

An integrator that achieves gain enhancement by utilising correlated level shifting is proposed. The integrator realisation avoids the use of an extra settling phase usually required in correlated level shifting. The superior performance of the proposed integrator compared to the conventional integrator is shown via simulation results.
Posterior urethral valves in siblings

Abstract The etiology and incidence of posterior urethral valves is unknown. We report on a pair of non-twin siblings with identical pathology stemming from type I posterior urethral valves as well as discordance in a pair of monozygotic twins. Familial posterior urethral valves have been reported before in both twin and non-twin siblings. The occurrence of identical pathology in nontwin siblings suggests the possibility of an inherited trait as does its occurrence in identical twins. However, non-identical clinical manifestation is as common as is identical presentation in both groups. There are also instances of discordance in monozygotic twins suggesting the possibility of a random mutation. As such, we recommend urologic evaluation of the male siblings of affected patients with posterior urethral valves. Further prospective and retrospective analyses are needed to define the genetic etiology of valves.
Radiosurgery and Laser in Zoological Practice: Separating Fact from Fiction

Abstract With increasing equipment acquisition by private practitioners, laser and radiosurgery units can no longer be considered as advanced tools of the referral veterinarian. Unfortunately, much of the marketing, lay publications, and conference presentations surrounding these instruments have been based on anecdote and opinion rather than science. This review aims to re-address the balance by consolidating and presenting the scientific literature on CO 2 laser and 4.0-MHz radiosurgery, in particular by citing those studies that have directly compared these surgical devices side by side. It is hoped that this information may provide the veterinarian with objective criteria that may be helpful when considering such a major equipment purchase.
A method for high purity sorting of rare cell subsets applied to TDC.

Abstract TDC are a recently described subset of polyclonal αβ T-cells with dendritic cell properties. Because of their low number in peripheral immune compartments, isolation and characterization of TDC with existing purification methods are technically challenging. Here we describe a customized gating strategy and a flow cytometry-based cell sorting protocol for isolation of TDC. The protocol was developed because, despite very conservative gating for dead-cell and doublet exclusion, cells obtained with normal sorting procedures were enriched for TDC but not pure. Re-sorting the output of the first round of sorting results in highly pure TDC. Cells obtained with this method are viable and can be used for in vitro characterization. Moreover, this double-round sorting strategy can be universally applied to the isolation of other rare cell subsets.
Can imaging modalities diagnose and stage hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis accurately

The accurate diagnosis and staging of hepatic fibrosis is crucial for prognosis and treatment of liver disease. The current gold standard, liver biopsy, cannot be used for population-based screening, and has well known drawbacks if used for monitoring of disease progression or treatment success. Our objective was to assess performance and promise of radiologic modalities and techniques as alternative, noninvasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis. A systematic review was conducted. Six hundred twenty-eight studies were identified via electronic search. One hundred fifty-three papers were reviewed. Most described techniques that could differentiate between cirrhosis or severe fibrosis and normal liver. Accurate staging of fibrosis or diagnosis of mild fibrosis was often not achievable. Ultrasonography is the most common modality used in the diagnosis and staging of hepatic fibrosis. Elastographic measurements, either ultrasonography-based or magnetic resonance-based, and magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging, show the most promise for accurate staging of hepatic fibrosis. Most currently available imaging techniques can detect cirrhosis or significant fibrosis reasonably accurately. However, to date only magnetic resonance elastography has been able to stage fibrosis or diagnose mild disease. Utrasonographic elastography and magnetic resonance diffusion weighted appear next most promising.
Affective Impact of Music Vs. Lyrics

Three experiments were conducted to examine the relative impact of lyrics vs. music on mood. In Experiment 1, the lyrics, music, or lyrics plus music of a sad song were presented to college students. While the music alone increased positive affect and decreased depression, the lyrics plus music had the opposite effect. In Experiment 2, the sad lyrics plus music also increased depression and decreased positive affect even when performed in an up-beat style. Experiment 3 showed that pairing the melody with the sad lyrics led subjects to rate the melody alone as less pleasant one week later. Lyrics, thus, appear to have greater power to direct mood change than music alone and can imbue a particular melody with affective qualities.
Multi-kHz mixture fraction imaging in turbulent jets using planar Rayleigh scattering

In this study, we describe the development of two-dimensional, high repetition-rate (10-kHz) Rayleigh scattering imaging as applied to turbulent flows. In particular, we report what we believe to be the first sets of high-speed 2D Rayleigh scattering images in turbulent non-reacting jets, yielding temporally correlated image sequences of the instantaneous mixture fraction field. Results are presented for turbulent jets of propane issuing into a low-speed co-flow of air at jet-exit Reynolds numbers of 10,000, 15,000, and 30,000 at various axial positions downstream of the jet exit. The quantitative high-speed mixture fraction measurements are facilitated by the use of a calibrated, un-intensified, high-resolution CMOS camera in conjunction with a unique high-energy, high-repetition rate pulse-burst laser system (PBLS) at Ohio State, which yields output energies of ∼200 mJ/pulse at 532 nm with 100-μs laser pulse spacing. The quality, accuracy, and resolution of the imaging system and the resulting image sets are assessed by (1) comparing the mean mixture fraction results to known scaling laws for turbulent jets, (2) comparing instantaneous images/mixture fraction profiles acquired simultaneously with the high-speed CMOS camera and a well-characterized, high-quantum efficiency CCD camera, and (3) comparing statistical quantities such as the probability density function of the mixture fraction results using the high-speed CMOS camera and the CCD camera. Results indicate accurate mixture fraction measurements and a high potential for accurately measuring mixture fraction gradients in both time and space.
Efficacy of azithromycin for therapy of active syphilis in the rabbit model

Azithromycin was shown to be as effective as standard benzathine penicillin and erythromycin in the therapy of active syphilis in the rabbit model. Following production of primary chancres by intradermal inoculation of 10(6) Treponema pallidum, groups of six rabbits were treated with benzathine penicillin (200,000 units im weekly for two weeks), erythromycin base (30 mg/kg/day orally four times daily for 15 days) or azithromycin (30 mg/kg/day given orally once or twice daily for 15 days); one group was untreated. Daily darkfield (DF) microscopic examinations of chancre aspirates were conducted to identify motile organisms. Although all treated animals became DF negative prior to completion of therapy, the median time to DF negativity was longer in animals given azithromycin once daily, compared with animals receiving benzathine penicillin (P less than 0.01); no difference was seen in comparison with animals receiving erythromycin. Untreated animals remained DF positive for greater than 15 days. The mean maximum lesion diameters for all treated animals were similar and were significantly smaller than in untreated rabbits; fewer lesions ulcerated in treated than in untreated animals. Subsequent dose-ranging studies indicated that administration of lower doses of azithromycin (15 mg/kg/day given orally either once or twice daily, or 7.5 mg/kg/day given once daily) was as effective as benzathine penicillin for therapy of active syphilis in this model, though the median time to darkfield negativity was significantly longer in the azithromycin-treated animals (P less than 0.01). Persistent infection was demonstrable in lymph nodes of untreated animals, but no evidence of virulent T. pallidum was found three months following transfer of tissue from any animal treated with penicillin, erythromycin, or azithromycin.
Associations between miscellaneous symptoms and symptom dimensions in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition with a heterogeneous array of obsessions and compulsions. Although factor analytic studies have identified symptom dimensions comprising the clinical presentation of OCD, many frequently reported miscellaneous symptoms are not considered in factor analytic studies because they do not fit conceptually within a particular symptom category, despite being functionally related. In the present study, we examined the associations between miscellaneous symptoms and OCD symptom dimensions in a sample of 111 adults with OCD. Overall, most miscellaneous symptoms were associated with one or more symptom dimensions in previously identified four- (14 of the 22 symptoms) and five-factor models (12 of the 22 symptoms). In both models, Contamination/Cleaning was the only dimension not related to any miscellaneous symptom. The present results provide information about which miscellaneous symptoms may be related to particular symptom dimensions, which will assist in clinical evaluations and help planning behavioral psychotherapy (e.g., hierarchy development).
Special Problems with Composite Multiwythe Masonry Walls

Composite multi-wythe walls for exterior walls, especially those that combine brick units and concrete masonry units (CMU), are vulnerable to certain special problems. There are a considerable number of existing structures that were built using this type of construction, and it is still occasionally used for new construction. These types of walls are prone to certain problems, and these problems are not generally well known among engineers and architects. The result is that existing buildings that show symptoms of these problems may be misdiagnosed, leading to inappropriate or expensive repairs, and that design professionals may not be fully aware of the pitfalls when they use this system for a new design. This paper discusses the vulnerabilities of this type of construction, surveys the available literature on the topic, and illustrates the issues with a case study
Magnetic endotracheal tube imaging device

This paper describes an accurate, economical, and portable device that helps to locate the position of an endotracheal tube (ETT) in situ. The device uses an array of magnetic field sensors to detect an anomaly in magnetic field caused by magnet embedded near the cuff of an ETT, and displays an intuitive map of relative magnetic field intensity under the sensor area. The device provides real-time feedback of the position to a clinician, so that corrective measures can be taken if the ETT is determined to be outside of normal positioning with respect to the patient's airway. Variations of the proposed design are suitable for continuous monitoring.
Quantitative surface-enhanced Raman for gene expression estimation.

We demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, a unique gene expression assay by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using nonfluorescent Raman labels to quantify gene expression at the resolution of alternative splicing using RNA extracted from cancer cells without any amplification steps. Our approach capitalizes on the inherent plasmon-phonon mode of SERS substrates as a self-referencing standard for the detection and quantification of genetic materials. A strategy integrating S1 nuclease digestion with SERS detection was developed to quantify the expression levels of splice junction Δ(9,10), a segment of the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) from MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Quantification results were cross-validated using two Raman tags and qualitatively confirmed by RT-PCR. Our methodology based on SERS technology provides reliable gene expression data with high sensitivity, bypassing the intricacies involved in fabricating a consistent SERS substrate.
Does secondary loan market trading destroy lenders' incentives?*

In this paper we investigate whether the secondary market trading of syndicated loans compromises the quality of bank lending practices. We compare the performance of borrowers of traded loans following the initial trading event against the performance of borrowers of nontraded loans following loan issuance. We also investigate whether the relative performance of traded versus non-traded loans varies with the reputation of the lead arranger of syndication and with loan purpose. We measure performance by borrowers’ accounting performance and default risk. For loans originated by reputable lead arrangers, we find evidence that borrowers of traded loans actually perform better than borrowers of non-traded loans do. Thus, loan sales appear to have a positive effect on reputable arrangers’ incentives to monitor and screen borrowers. For loans originated by lower reputation lead arrangers, we find some evidence that the performance of borrowers of traded loans is worse than that of borrowers of non-traded loans and that borrowers of traded loans engage in earnings management behavior. These results are consistent with breakdowns in due diligence by non-reputable arrangers on loans anticipated to be sold. We also document that restructuring purpose loans (loans with a primary purpose of takeover, LBO, MBO or recapitalization) perform worse relative to other loans, regardless of whether or not they are traded.
A cloud computing architecture for supply chain network simulation

This paper presents a Cloud Computing Architecture For Supply Chain Network Simulation (CCAFSCNS). The structure and elements of the CCAFSCNS as well as the relations among elements are introduced. The purpose of the architecture is to facilitate the distributed simulation of large-scale multi-echelon supply chains with an arborescent structure. The simulator in the CCAFSCNS permits the user to specify the network structure, the inventory stocking policies and demand characteristics so that supply chain performance can be estimated (e.g. average inventory on hand, average fill rates, average backorders, etc.) for each stock-keeping-unit. A prototype system that implements the CCAFSCNS is presented and illustrated with three example use cases. In addition, this paper discusses the time issues associated with the cloud computing solution and shows that the cloud computing solution can significantly shorten the simulation time.
Anisotropic Thermal Conductivity of Exfoliated Black Phosphorus

The anisotropic thermal conductivity of passivated black phosphorus (BP), a reactive two-dimensional material with strong in-plane anisotropy, is ascertained. The room-temperature thermal conductivity for three crystalline axes of exfoliated BP is measured by time-domain thermo-reflectance. The thermal conductivity along the zigzag direction is ≈2.5 times higher than that of the armchair direction.
Multimode interferometric sensors on silicon optimized for fully integrated complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor chemical-biological sensor systems

We demonstrate an integrated evanescent-field multimode Mach-Zehnder interferometric chemical-biological sensor, fabricated on silicon, with sensitivity of parts per 109 achieved by modal pattern tracking and analysis. This sensor is fully compatible with the fabrication constraints of the silicon-complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (Si-CMOS) process. Furthermore, using the separately measured ellipsometric response together with the mass uptake of agent by the polymer sensing layer, we validate sensor performance via simulation and measure an absolute index sensitivity of 2.5×10−6. We then extend this to a fully integrated chemical-biological sensor by considering the fundamental noise performance of CMOS detectors. We find that relatively short, <5000 μm long, interferometric sensing elements, with modal pattern analysis, allow fully integrated optical sensors on Si-CMOS (assuming a 2.8 μm pixel pitch) with an index sensitivity of ∼9.2×10−7 and a corresponding concentration sensitivity of ∼170 parts per 109 for methanol in N2.
Culturability and Toxicity of Sick Building Syndrome-Related Fungi Over Time

Two experiments were conducted regarding the culturability and toxicity of fungi located on building materials over time and the efficacy of seven laboratory techniques in recovering culturable fungi from sample swabs. In the first experiment, eight sections of drywall were inoculated with Stachybotrys chartarum and stored at 25 ± 5°C and 20–60% relative humidity (RH) for up to two years. Another eight sections of ceiling tile were stored at 100% RH for 1 year. Six sections of ceiling tile and 15 swabs were also inoculated with Penicillium chrysogenum and S. chartarum respectively and stored under the same conditions for 8 months and 3.3 years. All materials were tested for culturability at the end of the storage period. S. chartarum-inoculated samples were also tested for toxicity. In the second experiment (replicated twice), S. chartarum and Chaetomium globosum were inoculated onto 84 swabs each. Storage was up to 266 days at 25 ± 5°C and 20–60% RH. Seven techniques were compared regarding the recovery ...
Vesicle traffic in the endomembrane system: a tale of COPs, Rabs and SNAREs

Recent years have seen remarkable progress in our understanding of the endomembrane system of plants. A large number of genes and proteins that are involved in membrane exchange between the different compartments of this system have been identified on the basis of their similarity to animal and yeast homologs. These proteins indicate that the endomembrane system in plants functions in essentially the same way as those in other eukaryotes. However, a growing number of examples demonstrate that the dynamic interplay between membrane-exchange proteins can be regulated differently in plant cells. Novel tools and a better understanding of the molecular effects of the inhibitor brefeldin A are helping to unravel these plant-specific adaptations.
The Role of Incretins in Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes Treatment

Incretins are gut hormones that are secreted from enteroendocrine cells into the blood within minutes after eating. One of their many physiological roles is to regulate the amount of insulin that is secreted after eating. In this manner, as well as others to be described in this review, their final common raison d'etre is to aid in disposal of the products of digestion. There are two incretins, known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), that share many common actions in the pancreas but have distinct actions outside of the pancreas. Both incretins are rapidly deactivated by an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). A lack of secretion of incretins or an increase in their clearance are not pathogenic factors in diabetes. However, in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), GIP no longer modulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, even at supraphysiological (pharmacological) plasma levels, and therefore GIP incompetence is detrimental to beta-cell function, especially after eating. GLP-1, on the other hand, is still insulinotropic in T2DM, and this has led to the development of compounds that activate the GLP-1 receptor with a view to improving insulin secretion. Since 2005, two new classes of drugs based on incretin action have been approved for lowering blood glucose levels in T2DM: an incretin mimetic (exenatide, which is a potent long-acting agonist of the GLP-1 receptor) and an incretin enhancer (sitagliptin, which is a DPP4 inhibitor). Exenatide is injected subcutaneously twice daily and its use leads to lower blood glucose and higher insulin levels, especially in the fed state. There is glucose-dependency to its insulin secretory capacity, making it unlikely to cause low blood sugars (hypoglycemia). DPP4 inhibitors are orally active and they increase endogenous blood levels of active incretins, thus leading to prolonged incretin action. The elevated levels of GLP-1 are thought to be the mechanism underlying their blood glucose-lowering effects.
Immunological Disruption of Antiangiogenic Signals by Recruited Allospecific T Cells Leads to Corneal Allograft Rejection

Corneal transplantation is the most common solid organ transplantation. The immunologically privileged nature of the cornea results in high success rates. However, T cell-mediated rejection is the most common cause of corneal graft failure. Using antiangiogenesis treatment to prevent corneal neovascularization, which revokes immune privilege, prevents corneal allograft rejection. Endostatin is an antiangiogenic factor that maintains corneal avascularity. In this study, we directly test the role of antiangiogenic and immunological signals in corneal allograft survival, specifically the potential correlation of endostatin production and T cell recruitment. We report that 75% of the corneal allografts of BALB/c mice rejected after postoperative day (POD) 20, whereas all syngeneic grafts survived through POD60. This correlates with endogenous endostatin, which increased and remained high in syngeneic grafts but decreased after POD10 in allografts. Immunostaining demonstrated that early recruitment of allospecific T cells into allografts around POD10 correlated with decreased endostatin production. In Rag−/− mice, both allogeneic and syngeneic corneal grafts survived; endostatin remained high throughout. However, after T cell transfer, the allografts eventually rejected, and endostatin decreased. Furthermore, exogenous endostatin treatment delayed allograft rejection and promoted survival secondary to angiogenesis inhibition. Our results suggest that endostatin plays an important role in corneal allograft survival by inhibiting neovascularization and that early recruitment of allospecific T cells into the grafts promotes destruction of endostatin-producing cells, resulting in corneal neovascularization, massive infiltration of effector T cells, and ultimately graft rejection. Therefore, combined antiangiogenesis and immune suppression will be more effective in maintaining corneal allograft survival.