cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pressurized water extraction (PWE) of terpene trilactones from Ginkgo biloba leaves

As a simple and green chemistry procedure, pressurized water extraction (PWE) was developed for removing the terpene trilactones, ginkgolides and bilobalide, from leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. Compared with conventional boiling-solvent extraction methods, PWE is a more effective, selective, economical and environmentally benign technique for the extraction of intermediate to polar compounds from herbal plants. In contrast to high temperature extraction, PWE at low temperature can minimize undesirable reactions such as thermal decomposition or degradation and remove much smaller amounts of impurities from the herbal materials. The other important advantage of PWE is that the extraction efficiency can be quantitatively assessed using a kinetic extraction model. Experimental results were proven to be closely consistent with the predicted values. After PWE, the terpene trilactones could be easily enriched by a liquid–liquid extraction and the extracts readily determined with a GC-FID method.
CNS animal fMRI in pain and analgesia.

Animal imaging of brain systems offers exciting opportunities to better understand the neurobiology of pain and analgesia. Overall functional studies have lagged behind human studies as a result of technical issues including the use of anesthesia. Now that many of these issues have been overcome including the possibility of imaging awake animals, there are new opportunities to study whole brain systems neurobiology of acute and chronic pain as well as analgesic effects on brain systems de novo (using pharmacological MRI) or testing in animal models of pain. Understanding brain networks in these areas may provide new insights into translational science, and use neural networks as a “language of translation” between preclinical to clinical models. In this review we evaluate the role of functional and anatomical imaging in furthering our understanding in pain and analgesia.
TGF-β inhibits growth of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells through receptor-mediated activation of Smad proteins

Abstract Introduction: The loss of the antiproliferative responsiveness to TGF-β is often considered as a major step in tumor progression, thus allowing an increased and “uncontrolled” proliferation of many tumor cells. Smad4 is mutated or deleted in 55% of pancreatic cancers . However, what exact role Smad4 plays in TGF-β-mediated growth control of pancreatic ductal cancer cells remains unclear. Furthermore, status of Smad2/3 and Smad2 phosphorylation has never been analyzed in pancreatic cells. In this study, we seek to examine the essential role of Smad4 and of Smad2 phosphorylation in TGF-β-mediated growth arrest in pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: Expression of endogenous Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 were examined by using Western blot in seven pancreatic ductal cell lines Panc1, Colo357, BxPC-3, CAPAN1, HS766T, Su86.86 and MiaPaCa2. Phosphorylation of Smad2 was immuno-detected by using anti-phospho-Smad2 antibodies after cells received TGF-β treatment. Cell growth was assessed by measuring DNA synthesis rate via 3H-thymindine incorporation. Transcription of cell cycle inhibitor p15 was analyzed by luciferase reporter assays. Results: Smad4 was only present in Panc1, Colo357 and MiaPaCa2 cells, while Smad2 and Smad3 were expressed in all cell lines tested. Upon TGF-β treatment, all cell lines except MiaPaCa2 showed a Smad2 phosphorylation, in agreement with reported loss of type II TGF-β receptor in MiaPaCa2 cells. This supports the notion that phosphorylation of Smad2 is an event prior to its interaction with Smad4. Importantly, we observed that TGF-β induced inhibition of DNA synthesis by 50–70% in Panc1 and Colo357 cells, by 15% in BxPc3 cells, and it had no inhibition in other cell lines. Accordingly, transcription of the p15 gene was induced by TGF-β in Colo357 cells. These results suggest that TGF-β-induced growth arrest was closely correlated with Smad2 phosphorylation and the presence of Smad4. Conclusion: Our data suggest that loss of Smad2 phosphorylation and functional Smad4 lead to abrogation of TGF-β-mediated tumor suppressing functions and thus contribute to pancreatic tumorigenesis.
Structural Characterization of in Vitro and in Vivo Intermediates on the Loading Module of Microcystin Synthetase

The microcystin family of toxins is the most common cause of hepatotoxicity associated with water blooms of cyanobacterial genera. The biosynthetic assembly line producing the toxic cyclic peptide, microcystin, contains an adenylation–peptidyl carrier protein didomain (A–PCP) at the N-terminus of the initiator module McyG (295 kDa) that has been postulated to activate and load the starter unit phenylacetate for formation of the unusual aromatic β-amino acid residue, Adda, before subsequent extension. Characterization of the McyG A–PCP didomain (78 kDa) using ATP–PPi exchange assays and mass spectrometry revealed that assorted phenylpropanoids are preferentially activated and loaded onto the PCP carrier domain rather than phenylacetate itself. For the first time, thioesters formed in vivo were detected directly using large molecule mass spectrometry. Additionally substrates were cleaved using a type II thioesterase for structural elucidation by small molecule mass spectrometry. Unprecedented features of th...
The limiting behavior of the gradient function for an isolated paraboloid growing in a positive temperature gradient

The limiting behavior of the gradient function, Ng(p), for an isolated paraboloid growing in a positive temperature gradient, is re-examined here, using an asymptotic expansion for large p. It is shown that Ng(p)<0 for large values of the chemical Peclet number, p. Also, as shown by Laxmanan, it appears that Ng(p)→−1 as p→∞, instead of zero, as suggested by Trivedi. With Ng(p)→−1, instead of zero, the model for directional solidification will lead to a number of unacceptable conclusions near the plane front limit, i.e. as the tip radius rt→∞ at any finite growth rate, R, close to the constitutional or the absolute stability limits. For example, if Ng(p)→−1, the solute buildup at the tip of the paraboloid becomes negative, as p→∞, even for the case of when the partition ratio k<1.
Dynamic multiple thresholding breast boundary detection algorithm for mammograms

Purpose: Automated detection of breast boundary is one of the fundamental steps for computer-aided analysis of mammograms. In this study, the authors developed a new dynamic multiple thresholding based breast boundary (MTBB) detection method for digitized mammograms. Methods: A large data set of 716 screen-film mammograms (442 CC view and 274 MLO view) obtained from consecutive cases of an Institutional Review Board approved project were used. An experienced breast radiologist manually traced the breast boundary on each digitized image using a graphical interface to provide a reference standard. The initial breast boundary (MTBB-Initial) was obtained by dynamically adapting the threshold to the gray level range in local regions of the breast periphery. The initial breast boundary was then refined by using gradient information from horizontal and vertical Sobel filtering to obtain the final breast boundary (MTBB-Final). The accuracy of the breast boundary detection algorithm was evaluated by comparison with the reference standard using three performance metrics: The Hausdorff distance (HDist), the average minimum Euclidean distance (AMinDist), and the area overlap measure (AOM). Results: In comparison with the authors’ previously developed gradient-based breast boundary (GBB) algorithm, it was found that 68%, 85%, and 94% of images had HDist errors less than 6 pixels (4.8 mm) for GBB, MTBB-Initial, and MTBB-Final, respectively. 89%, 90%, and 96% of images had AMinDist errors less than 1.5 pixels (1.2 mm) for GBB, MTBB-Initial, and MTBB-Final, respectively. 96%, 98%, and 99% of images had AOM values larger than 0.9 for GBB, MTBB-Initial, and MTBB-Final, respectively. The improvement by the MTBB-Final method was statistically significant for all the evaluation measures by the Wilcoxon signed rank test (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The MTBB approach that combined dynamic multiple thresholding and gradient information provided better performance than the breast boundary detection algorithm that mainly used gradient information.
Paleoclimatic inference from stable isotope profiles of accretionary biogenic hardparts – a quantitative approach to the evaluation of incomplete data

Abstract Variation in δ18O of invertebrate and vertebrate skeletons has been widely employed to estimate annual means and seasonal ranges of temperature from many geologic settings. Among incertitudes encountered in employing this approach is the influence of unconstrained noise in environmental signals, cessation of hardpart accretion during reproduction and/or seasonal temperature extremes, biasing of calculated mean temperatures toward seasons of maximum growth rate, and dependence on the most extreme δ18O values observed for estimating annual temperature range. To better constrain paleoclimatic interpretations, we describe several applications of a computational approach that address many of these uncertainties. It is predicated on the presumption that annual variation in isotope composition across an accretionary skeleton represents sinusoidal variation in temperature and/or the composition of ambient fluids. The analysis resolves a best-fit sinusoid for any portion of the data. Output consists of determinations of mean annual δ18O, seasonal range in δ18O, and sine period, which reflects hardpart growth rate. The procedure can be employed over some window of values within any data series, and can be reiterated to arrive at solutions for all possible windows. The technique allows for quantitative interpretation of mean values and annual amplitudes of δ18O variation for every window, regardless of whether or not that window actually spans a seasonal isotope extreme. Moreover, it affords equal interpretational weight for every analysis in the data set, in that mean annual and seasonal variation values estimated for each window are derived from every analysis in the data set. It is therefore not necessary to estimate mean annual δ18O as simply the arithmetic mean of all analyses, and estimates of seasonality can be derived from data within any window rather than depending only on those several analyses that fall at compositional extremes. In order to demonstrate the utility this methodology to the interpretation of paleoclimatological data, we have applied it to published temperature data from several modern climatological data sets, and to published δ18O data from a Paleogene Gulf Coast fish otolith, a modern Arabian Sea coral, a Miocene Texan equine tooth, and an Eocene bivalve from England. Each yields robust estimates of mean annual temperatures or isotopic compositions, and of seasonal ranges in these values. In addition, unique features of data from each of these examples illustrate the power of this method to shed light on climatological and/or biological phenomena that are also unique to each system.
Feasibility of selective biomodification of pyrite floatability in coal desulfurization by froth flotation.

The use of bioconditioning prior to a flotation process to help remove pyrite from coal is described and the effect of bacterial adaptation on the activity of the microorganisms demonstrated. Because coal is largely hydrophobic, and is made more so by additives such as fuel oil or kerosene, it is possible to recover more coal through the froth, while the ash-forming minerals, because they are hydrophilic, remain behind. This process is not practiced to remove pyrite, which has a moderate hydrophobicity. As a result, a significant proportion of pyrite, typically about 50%, normally floats with the coal when the pyrite is totally liberated. Very often, pyrite is in the same matrix as coal and to some extent in the same matrix as shale (the main ash-forming minerals). An objective is to use chemical or biological additives to selectively suppress the floatability of pyrite so it stays behind with the remainder of the ash-minerals in the flotation cell. There are a number of substances (some commercial chemicals and others new) that can do this. There is also some evidence that suggests that biological agents such as thiophilic bacteria have a selective tendency to coat and/or oxidize pyrite but not coal. Only small modifications of the surface, for example, one or two molecular layers, are needed to change the surface characteristics significantly. The possible mechanisms for the selective bacterial modification of pyrite floatability are listed in Table 1. The bacteria could compete with the adsorption of the flotation collector. Normally, even though coal is largely hydrophobic, it is still not enough to float all of it, so oil collector has to be added to induce greater hydrophobicity on coal. An alcohol frother is also added to stabilize the air bubbles to form a stable froth. What is typically used as a collector is not selective to coal, but it also adsorbs on pyrite. That is another reason why pyrite floats with coal. Thus if the microorganisms adsorb on the pyrite surface, there will be less surface available for adsorption of the collector. At the standard flotation pH (8-9), the adsorbed microbial cells often carry electrically negative charges, which increase the electrical potential of the already negatively charged pyrite
Coarsening in liquid-phase-sintered α-SiC

Liquid-phase-sintered (LPS) SiC ceramics represent a new class of microstructurally toughened structural materials. In order to understand better the microstructural evolution in these ceramics, the coarsening kinetics in LPS α-SiC, containing a yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) based liquid phase, was studied. It was confirmed that the coarsening occurs primarily by solution-reprecipitation (Ostwald ripening). Most importantly, the SiC grains were found to be faceted in nature, and the coarsening rate was found to be independent of the vol.% liquid in the system or the average diffusion path length. Based on these observations it is inferred that interface-reaction controls the solution-reprecipitation coarsening in LPS SiC.
DETECTION, PHOTOMETRY, AND COMPLETENESS OF FOCAS CATALOGS FOR THE HST MEDIUM-DEEP SURVEY

We discuss the methods which we have developed and applied to optimize the detection efficiency of faint galaxies with the HST Wide Field and Planetary Cameras both prior and subsequent to the HST refurbishment mission in December 1993. Our methods are based on the FOCAS (Tyson and Jarvis 1979) automated detection software package, which we have applied to compile galaxy catalogs. Using this package, we examine photometry and detection efficiency as a function of image convolution filter width (rho). We measure completeness and reliability for the catalogs from image simulations, and we also compare a WF/PC data frame with an exposure of the same field obtained with the 3.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Further, we investigate the quality of galaxy scale lengths and axial ratios derived by FOCAS on WF/PC data. We summarize several results applicable to WF/PC and WFPC2 data. The object detection efficiency increases monotonically with increasing rho, independent of galaxy half-light radius (rhl), although only marginal improvement in efficiency occurs for rho > rhi. Secondly, for both WF/PC and WFPC2, the FOCAS 95% completeness limit shifts toward brighter apparent magnitude as a function of increasing rhl, best fit by a second order polynomial but roughly equivalent to a 0.8 mag per 1" increment in half-light radius. As a result of the elimination of the HST spherical aberration and the use of filters with higher throughput, the 95% completeness limits for WFPC2 F606W and F814W data are ≥ 1.1 mag fainter than those for WF/PC F555W and F785LP data, respectively, for a given integration time and sky background level. Fixed-aperture magnitudes grow fainter with increasing rhl for a given intrinsic flux. Finally, 1"-diamter aperture photometry in WF/PC and WFPC2 data serves to parameterize the detection efficiency fairly independently of galaxy scale-lengths for 0.2" ≤ rhl ≤ 2", i.e., the spread in detection efficiency over the range 0.2" ≤ rhl ≤ 2", for galaxies of a given fixed aperture magnitude, is mimimized when the diameter of the fixed aperture is 1".
Virus-like particles in nuclei of phloem cells in spinach leaves infected with the curly top virus.

In spinach plants infected with the curly top virus, particles resembling virus were found in nuclei of phloem parenchyma cells located next to the sieve elements. In some nuclei, the particles almost filled the nucleoplasm except for the peripherally located heterochromatin and the nucleolus, if one was present. In other nuclei, the particles were associated with some ill-defined fibrous material that was assumed to be the remainder of the dispersed chromatin. Occasionally, particles were found arranged in orderly ribbon-like arrays that appeared to be monolayers consisting of indefinite numbers of pairs of particles. Fine filaments resembling those of nucleic acids were associated with the particles in some nuclei. The particles were less than 20 nm in diameter (smaller than the cytoplasmic ribosomes) and resembled those previously observed in nuclei of phloem parenchyma cells in sugar beet leaves infected with the curly top virus.
New perspectives on the molecular pharmacology of affective disorders

Research with antidepressants has emphasized the importance of a delayed deamplification of the linked serotonin (5HT)/norepinephrine (NE) receptor coupled adenylate cyclase system in brain. The basic phenomena of regulation of receptor number and function of the beta adrenoceptor linked adenylate cyclase system in brain are well established, with NE regulating beta adrenoceptors in the high agonist affinity conformation (linked to adenylate cyclase and down-regulated by antidepressants), and with 5HT regulating those receptors in the low agonist affinity conformation. The biochemical effector systems of NE and 5HT are discussed and it is concluded that the final common pathway of signal transduction is protein kinase mediated phosphorylation of cellular proteins. Glucocorticoid receptors are located in the perikarya of aminergic cell bodies and may exert their effects by modifying the genomic expression of the diffusely projecting stress-responsive monoamine systems. The molecular neurobiology of beta adrenoceptors, with its implication for genetic and immunologic investigations, is briefly discussed and further research on stimulus-transcription coupling and regulation of gene expression in brain is suggested as an exciting new direction in central receptor research relevant to the psychopharmacology of affective and other disorders.
Relationship of Cytoskeletal Filaments to Annular Gap Junction Expression in Human Adrenal Cortical Tumor Cells in Culture

Abstract In addition to the well-characterized surface gap junctions expressed at contact sites between cells, annular gap junction profiles have been localized within the cytoplasm of some cell populations. To study and characterize these annular profiles, gap junction protein type was demonstrated with Western blot and immunocytochemistry. The distribution of annular gap junctions and the relationships to cytoskeletal elements were demonstrated with immunocytochemical, transmission electron microscopic, or image analysis with confocal microscopy techniques. SW-13 adrenal cortical tumor cells expressed α1gap junctions at areas of cell to cell contact. In addition, α1gap junction annular profiles were seen within the cytoplasm. Actin and myosin II were found closely associated with these annular gap junctions, while no physical association between tubulin- or vimentin-containing fibers and gap junction protein could be established. Disruption of microfilaments with cytochalasin B treatment (10 μg/ml, 1 h) resulted in a decrease in the average number and an increase in the average size of annular gap junctions compared to control populations. The results are consistent with a role for cytoskeletal elements containing actin and myosin II in annular gap junction turnover.
Industry ties in otolaryngology: initial insights from the physician payment sunshine act.

ObjectiveTo characterize nonresearch payments made by industry to otolaryngologists in order to explore how the potential for conflicts of interests varies among otolaryngologists and compares betw...
Increasing hospital volume is not associated with improved survival in out of hospital cardiac arrest of cardiac etiology

Abstract Background Resuscitation centers may improve patient outcomes by achieving sufficient experience in post-resuscitation care. We analyzed the relationship between survival and hospital volume among patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods This prospective cohort investigation collected data from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival database from 10/1/05 to 12/31/09. Primary outcome was survival to discharge. Hospital characteristics were obtained via 2005 American Hospital Association Survey. A hospital's use of hypothermia was obtained via direct survey. To adjust for hospital- and patient-level variation, multilevel, hierarchical logistic regression was performed. Hospital volume was modeled as a categorical (OHCA/year≤10, 11–39, ≥40) variable. A stratified analysis evaluating those with ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) was also performed. Results The cohort included 4125 patients transported by EMS to 155 hospitals in 16 states. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 35% among those admitted to the hospital. Individual hospital rates of survival varied widely (0–100%). Unadjusted survival did not differ between the 3 hospital groups (36% for ≤10 OHCA/year, 35% for 11–39, and 36% for ≥40; p =0.75). After multilevel adjustment, differences in survival across the groups were not statistically significant. Compared to patients at hospitals with ≤10 OHCA/year, adjusted OR for survival was 1.04 (CI 95 0.83–1.28) among 11–39 annual volume and 0.97 (CI 95 0.73–1.30) among the ≥40 volume hospitals. Among patients presenting with VF/VT, no difference in survival was identified between the hospital groups. Conclusion Survival varied substantially across hospitals. However, hospital OHCA volume was not associated with likelihood of survival. Additional efforts are required to determine what hospital characteristics might account for the variability observed in OHCA hospital outcomes.
Next-Generation Statistical Genetics: Modeling, Penalization, and Optimization in High-Dimensional Data

Statistical genetics is undergoing the same transition to big data that all branches of applied statistics are experiencing. With the advent of inexpensive DNA sequencing, the transition is only accelerating. This brief review highlights some modern techniques with recent successes in statistical genetics. These include: (a) lasso penalized regression and association mapping, (b) ethnic admixture estimation, (c) matrix completion for genotype and sequence data, (d) the fused lasso and copy number variation, (e) haplotyping, (f) estimation of relatedness, (g) variance components models, and (h) rare variant testing. For more than a century, genetics has been both a driver and beneficiary of statistical theory and practice. This symbiotic relationship will persist for the foreseeable future.
Is a distal jejunojejunal pouch nutritionally ideal in total gastrectomy

The question arises whether it is important to construct a gastric replacement reservoir, after a total gastrectomy. Creating a noncomplicated and easily constructed capacious antiperistaltic distal jejunojejunal pouch at the Roux-en-Y site should further improve nutritional statisfaction and weight gain, particularly in patients with gastric cancer.
GPi and STN deep brain stimulation can suppress dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Objectives To compare subthalamic nucleus (STN) to globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for control of motor fluctuations and for potential dyskinesia-suppressing qualities. Methods We conducted a retrospective database review of all patients who underwent GPi or STN DBS for idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Direct dyskinesia suppression (dDS) was defined as improvement in dyskinesia subscore of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part IV (items 32–34), despite lack of reduction in dopaminergic medication dosage. We analyzed the data using methods appropriate for a case–control study. Results A total of 133 patients were evaluated. At the last evaluation Dyskinesia scores and motor fluctuations significantly improved in both the GPi ( p p p = 0.131). Conclusions The overall clinical outcome of STN and GPi DBS for control of dyskinesia and motor fluctuations was similar. STN and GPi DBS both had some direct dyskinesia suppression effects.
FLAW: FPGA lifetime awareness

Aggressive scaling of technology has an adverse impact on the reliability of VLSI circuits. Apart from increasing transient error susceptibility, the circuits also become more vulnerable to permanent damage and failures due to different physical phenomenon. Such concerns have been recently demonstrated for regular micro-architectures. In this work we demonstrate the vulnerability of field programmable gate arrays (FPGA)s to two different types of hard errors, namely, time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) and electro-migration. We also analyze the performance degradation of FPGAs over time caused by hot carrier effects (HCE). We also propose three novel techniques to counter such aging based failures and increase the lifetime of the device.
Dissolved Oxygen Sensing in a Flow Stream using Molybdenum Chloride Optical Indicators

Dissolved oxygen concentration is considered the most important water quality variable in fish culture. Reliable and continuous (24/7) oxygen monitoring of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the 1-11 mg/L range would be of great benefit to the aquaculture industry. We briefly review selected DO sensors from both the Clark and optical sensor categories as well a comparing their differences, both advantages and disadvantages. We introduce our fiber optic technique for continuous monitoring of DO levels in a flowing aqueous stream. An inorganic molybdenum chloride compound was used as the optical indicator in the oxygen sensitive material. The reflection mode fiber sensor is based on the ability of oxygen to quench the red luminescence of the molybdenum chloride indicator. The advantage of our broad-band, optical dissolved oxygen sensor is shown and discussed.
Determinants and Accounting Consequences of Forming a Governance Committee: Evidence from the United States

Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: This study examines the determinants of forming a governance committee and whether such a committee constrains managerial opportunism. Research Findings/Insights: This study examines a sample of S&P 1,500 firms over the period of 1996 to 2002. It finds that firms with a larger, more independent, and more active board, higher agency costs (as indicated by lower managerial ownership and lower takeover vulnerability), and past occurrence of class-action lawsuits are more likely to voluntarily form a governance committee. This study also provides evidence that having a governance committee brings real consequences in that it constrains managerial opportunism by reducing aggressive financial reporting. Theoretical/Academic Implications: Consistent with substitution theory, this study documents that a firm is more likely to form a governance committee to compensate for its severe agency problems. It also demonstrates that delegating some corporate governance duties to a specific board committee could improve the effectiveness of board monitoring. Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study provides insights to regulators who are interested in regulating board structure. It suggests that whether a firm needs to form a governance committee is endogenously determined by the firm's characteristics when the firm has an independent board. In addition, this study documents that a voluntarily formed governance committee is able to mitigate agency costs in the form of constraining managerial accounting discretion.
Discrete effects of A57G-myosin essential light chain mutation associated with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The functional consequences of the familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy A57G (alanine-to-glycine) mutation in the myosin ventricular essential light chain (ELC) were assessed in vitro and in vivo u...
Performance of Retarded Children, With and Without Down Syndrome, on the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency

The purpose of this study was to examine the gross motor and fine motor abilities of children with mental retardation using the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. We compared the motor skills of 24 mentally retarded children, 12 with Down syndrome and 12 without Down syndrome. The children ranged in chronological age from 7.6 years to 11 years and were of comparable mental age. Within each group, there were no significant sex differences nor were there differences between the two groups in motor performance for the male subjects. The female subjects with Down syndrome, however, scored significantly lower than female subjects without Down syndrome on running speed, strength, visual motor ability, speed, and dexterity and fine motor composite scores. As a group, the children with Down syndrome scored significantly lower than the children without Down syndrome in the areas of running speed, balance, strength, and visual motor control. The gross motor and fine motor skill composite scores were also significantly lower for the children with Down syndrome than for the children without Down syndrome.
Sources of DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Models of Recombinational DNA Repair

DNA is subject to many endogenous and exogenous insults that impair DNA replication and proper chromosome segregation. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are one of the most toxic of these lesions and must be repaired to preserve chromosomal integrity. Eukaryotes are equipped with several different, but related, repair mechanisms involving homologous recombination, including single-strand annealing, gene conversion, and break-induced replication. In this review, we highlight the chief sources of DSBs and crucial requirements for each of these repair processes, as well as the methods to identify and study intermediate steps in DSB repair by homologous recombination.
A comparison of GPS and scatterometer sensing of ocean wind speed and direction

Initial estimates of ocean surface wind speed and direction based on observations of reflected GPS signals are presented and compared to QuikSCAT wind fields. The two wind speed estimates are generally in agreement to within 2-3 m/s, and under favorable conditions of well developed seas and stable winds, direction estimates agree to within 10 deg. An overview of the GPS technique is presented as well as a presentation and discussion of these first results.
Assessment of probability of collapse and design for collapse safety

This paper illustrates a probabilistic-based methodology for quantifying the collapse potential of structural systems, which can provide us with more accurate estimates of losses induced by earthquakes. Applications of this methodology for assessment of collapse potential of existing buildings and design for collapse safety are demonstrated by equations and example. The collapse potential is represented by the probability of collapse at discrete hazard levels and on an annualized basis (mean annual frequency). The basic ingredient of the proposed methodology is a ‘collapse fragility curve’ which expresses the probability of collapse as a function of the selected ground motion intensity measure. The process for estimating the collapse fragility using scalar and vector-valued ground motion intensity measure is demonstrated. The proposed assessment and design processes do incorporate the effect of aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. It was shown by example that the uncertainties, both aleatory and epistemic, have a significant effect on the outcome of the conceptual design for collapse safety. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radial migration of preplanetary material: implications for the accretion time scale problem

Radial drift of planetesimals due to density wave interaction with the solar nebula is considered. The mechanism is most effective for large masses and provides mobility over a size range where aerodynamic drag is unimportant. The process could shorten accretion time scales to O(100,000-1,000,000 years) throughout the solar system. Accumulation stalls down when growing objects are massive enough to open gaps in the gas disk. Implications of this process for current cosmogonic models are discussed.
Monte Carlo Simulation Study on the Time Resolution of a PMT-Quadrant-Sharing LSO Detector Block for Time-of-Flight PET

We developed a detailed Monte Carlo simulation method to study the time resolution of detectors for time-of-flight positron emission tomography (TOF PET). The process of gamma ray interaction in detectors, scintillation light emission and transport inside the detectors, the photoelectron generation and anode signal generation in the photomultiplier tube (PMT), and the electronics process of discriminator are simulated. We tested this simulation method using published experimental data, and found that it can generate reliable results. Using this method, we simulated the time resolution for a 13 times 13 detector block of 4 times 4 times 20 mm3 lutetium orthosilicate (LSO) crystals coupled to four 2-inch PMTs using PMT-quadrant-sharing (PQS) technology. We analyzed the effects of several factors, including the number of photoelectrons, light transport, transit time spread (TTS), and the depth of interaction (DOI). The simulation results indicated that system time resolution of 360 ps should be possible with currently available fast PMTs. This simulation method can also be used to simulate the time resolution of other detector design method.
Broadband adaptive noise equalizer

This paper presents a broadband adaptive noise equalizer (ANE) with noise shaping capability. The residual noise spectrum can be completely controlled by inserting a shaping filter in both the canceling and balancing branches. This algorithm is analyzed in steady state and verified by computer simulations.
Solar thermal energy: The forgotten energy source

Solar thermal (ST) energy, using trough solar collectors, can be an environmentally friendly and economically competitive electric source for any part of the world (such as the USA) that includes large desert areas. Competitive ST involves trough solar collectors, which concentrate solar rays onto a flowing liquid able to sustain very high temperatures (X8001F) without exerting significant vapor pressure or decomposing. This allows the solar energy to be used to raise steam and drive turbines of electricity-generating plants directly, or to be harvested and stored as sensible heat in large underground ponds. The stored portion of the energy can be used instantaneously to meet variable power needs. This technology has been amply demonstrated by a 354 MWe modular plant (consisting of 9 ST units) that has been running in the Mojave Desert for the past 20 years. For intermediate loads (50% of the US electricity requirement) ST energy is already competitive with any new power plant, including old-fashioned coal power plants equipped with scrubbers. ST energy, using trough solar collectors, can become a major technical, financial, and political development. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Lignins of Bioenergy Crops: A Review§:

Lignin provides structural support, a mechanical barrier against microbial infestation and facilitates movement of water inside plant systems. It is the second most abundant natural polymer in the terrestrial environments and possesses unique routes for the production of bulk and specialty chemicals with aromatic/phenolic skeletons. The commercial applications of lignin are limited and it is often recognized for its negative impact on the biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals. Understanding of the structure of lignin monomers and their interactions among themselves, as well as with carbohydrate polymers in biomass, is vital for the development of innovative biomass deconstruction processes and thereby valorization of all biopolymers of lignocellulosic residues, including lignin. In this paper, we review the major energy crops and their lignin structure, as well as the recent developments in biomass lignin characterization, with special focus on 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques.
Overuse Injuries of the Extremities in Pediatric and Adolescent Sports

With the increasingly competitive focus of youth sports, children and adolescents frequently enter sports at young ages and train in a more systematic fashion than in the past. Overuse injuries are a common consequence of these phenomena. This chapter describes the risk factors associated with these injuries, particularly those unique to the growing child. An approach to the diagnosis and treatment of common overuse injuries is detailed. In addition, high-risk overuse injuries that have the potential to result in long-term consequences are highlighted.
Baseline disability and poor functioning in bipolar disorder predict worse outcomes: results from the Bipolar CHOICE study.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of treatment on functioning impairments and quality of life and assess baseline functioning and employment status as predictors of treatment response in symptomatic individuals from the Bipolar Clinical Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness (Bipolar CHOICE) study. METHOD Bipolar CHOICE was an 11-site, 6-month randomized effectiveness study comparing lithium to quetiapine, each with adjunctive personalized treatments (APTs). We examined post hoc (1) the effects of treatment on functioning, (2) how changes in functioning differed between treatment responders and nonresponders, and (3) whether functioning and employment status mediated treatment response in 482 participants with DSM-IV-TR bipolar I or II disorder from September 2010 to September 2013. RESULTS Treatment was associated with significant improvements in functioning and quality of life, regardless of treatment group (P values < .0001). Responders showed greater improvements in quality of life (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire P values < .05) and functioning (Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation-Range of Impaired Functioning Tool P values < .05) than nonresponders. Unemployed or disabled participants at baseline had significantly greater illness severity at baseline than employed participants (P values < .05). Over the study duration, employed participants reported greater improvements in physical health and quality of life in leisure activities than both unemployed and disabled participants (P values < .05). Individuals who saw greater improvement in functioning and quality of life tended to show greater improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms (P values ≤ .0001), as well as overall illness severity (P values < .001). Early (8 weeks) and very early (4 weeks) clinical changes in mood symptoms predicted changes in functioning and quality of life at 6 months (P values < .001). CONCLUSIONS Prior disability status was associated with a worse treatment response and prospective illness course. Results implicate functioning and employment status as important markers of illness severity and likelihood of recovery in bipolar disorder, suggesting that interventions that target functional impairment may improve outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier for the Bipolar CHOICE study: NCT01331304.
Impact of Organic Coating on Optical Growth of Ammonium Sulfate Particles

Light extinction by particles in Earth's atmosphere is strongly dependent on particle size, chemical composition, hygroscopic growth properties, and particle mixing state. Here, the influence of an organic coating on particle optical growth was studied. The particle optical growth factor, fRHext, was measured using cavity ring-down aerosol extinction spectroscopy at 532 nm. The particles were composed of ammonium sulfate (AS), 1,2,6-hexanetriol, and mixed particles containing a wet or dry ammonium sulfate core and a 1,2,6-hexanetriol coating. Dry, coated particles were generated by atomization followed by drying. Wet, coated particles were formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). LLPS was achieved by deliquescing and then drying the particles to a relative humidity (RH) between the phase separation RH and the efflorescence RH. For the LLPS particles, the fRHext at each RH was between the fRHext of ammonium sulfate and that of 1,2,6-hexanetriol. In contrast, for the mixed dry, coated particles, the fRHext was the same as 1,2,6-hexanetriol particles. At room temperature, the water uptake properties of AS coated with 1,2,6-hexanetriol are largely dictated by the phase of the AS. Thus, the total water uptake depends on the RH history of the particle and the resulting phase of AS.
Permanent electric dipole moments of carboxyamides in condensed media: what are the limitations of theory and experiment?

Electrostatic properties of proteins are crucial for their functionality. Carboxyamides are small polar groups that, as peptide bonds, are principal structural components of proteins that govern their electrostatic properties. We investigated the medium dependence of the molar polarization and of the permanent dipole moments of amides with different state of alkylation. The experimentally measured and theoretically calculated dipole moments manifested a solvent dependence that increased with the increase in the media polarity. We ascribed the observed enhancement of the amide polarization to the reaction fields in the solvated cavities. Chloroform, for example, caused about a 25% increase in the amide dipole moments determined for vacuum, as the experimental and theoretical results demonstrated. Another chlorinated solvent, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, however, caused an “abnormal” increase in the experimentally measured amide dipoles, which the theoretical approaches we used could not readily quantify. We ...
On failures and rejections

I have had my fair share of rejections in my career, including rejections for jobs, residencies, authorships, speakerships, and professional service organizations. I have also had failures of omission, aggression, communication, and attention. In addition to my own errors, I have observed colleagues
Clinical application analysis of transesophageal echocardiography guidance minimally invasive transthoracic closure for treating congenital heart disease

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of minimally invasive transthoracic closure for treating congenital heart disease without cardiopulmonary bypass under transesophageal echocardiography.Methods A total of 65 cases of patients with atrial septal defect(ASD) and ventricular septal defect(VSD) were selected to receive transthoracic minimally invasive device closure guidanced transesophageal echocardiography in our hospital from November 2011 to May 2013,including eighteen cases of ASD and forty-seven cases of VSD.The conditions of preoperative,intraoperative and postoperative patients were reviewed.Results There was no death.Five patients were changed to cardiopulmonary bypass during the operation.Among the successful transthoracic closure of the patients,all of them were weaned from the ventilator in four hours postoperative,stayed in ICU for one day,and discharged 3 to 5 days after operation.One patient with perimembranous VSD by reviewing echocardiography had a tiny residual shunt,and then closed spontaneously after the following up six months later,others had no residual shunt.One patient after operation had pericardial effusion,and then recoverd through pericardium puncture.One patient occurred Ⅲ degree atrioventricular block, and then recoverd in 3 days after operation.All cases had no hemolysis.Conclusion Transesophageal echocardiography guidance minimally invasive transthoracic closure for treating congenital heart disease without cardiopulmonary bypass or blood transfusion is simple,safe,reliable and the technology is worth popularizing widely.Transesophageal echocardiography who can accurately reflect the defect structure and correct guidance is the key to successful operation.
Incidence of occupational diseases of female workers in Longgang district of Shenzhen during 2001-2010

Objective To study the incidence of occupational diseases of female labors in Longgang district of Shenzhen from 2001 to 2010 and to analyze the disease occurrence and characteristics in order to provide a scientific basis for formulating the preventive and cure countermeasures.Methods Retrospective analysis on the occupational diseases in the female workers in Longgang district of Shenzhen from 2001 to 2010 was conducted.Characteristics including category of their occupational diseases,distribution of patient ages and the behavior of female workers were analyzed.Results A total of 116 cases of occupational diseases were diagnosed in the female labors in Longgang during the period of 2001-2010.Organic solvent was the most common factor contributing to the occupational poisoning,accounting for fifty-seven cases(49.14%).55 cases(47.41%) of chronic occupational diseases were caused by lead poisoning,and most of the poisoning was related to the contact with metal products(30.95%).Electronic products,telecommunication,furniture manufacturing industry and plastic industry were responsible for 30.95%,19.05%,16.67%,and 11.90% of occupational disease,respectively.Conclusion Female workers working in the high-risk industries had a higher risk in having occupational diseases in Longgang district of Shenzhen.It is the important to strengthen the health supervision in the key industries for the prevention and control of occupational diseases.
Diet/Energy Balance Affect Sleep and Wakefulness Independent of Body Weight

Study objectives Excessive daytime sleepiness commonly affects obese people, even in those without sleep apnea, yet its causes remain uncertain. We sought to determine whether acute dietary changes could induce or rescue wake impairments independent of body weight. Design We implemented a novel feeding paradigm that generates two groups of mice with equal body weight but opposing energetic balance. Two subsets of mice consuming either regular chow (RC) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 w were switched to the opposite diet for 1 w. Sleep recordings were conducted at Week 0 (baseline), Week 8 (pre-diet switch), and Week 9 (post-diet switch) for all groups. Sleep homeostasis was measured at Week 8 and Week 9. Participants Young adult, male C57BL/6J mice. Measurements and results Differences in total wake, nonrapid eye movement (NREM), and rapid eye movement (REM) time were quantified, in addition to changes in bout fragmentation/consolidation. At Week 9, the two diet switch groups had similar body weight. However, animals switched to HFD (and thus gaining weight) had decreased wake time, increased NREM sleep time, and worsened sleep/wake fragmentation compared to mice switched to RC (which were in weight loss). These effects were driven by significant sleep/wake changes induced by acute dietary manipulations (Week 8 → Week 9). Sleep homeostasis, as measured by delta power increase following sleep deprivation, was unaffected by our feeding paradigm. Conclusions Acute dietary manipulations are sufficient to alter sleep and wakefulness independent of body weight and without effects on sleep homeostasis.