cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural correlates of a nonjammable electrolocation system

The detection of objects by the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish is subject to electrical interference such as that produced by the electric organ discharges emitted by neighboring electric fish. Most electric fish species have a behavioral reflex, the jamming avoidance response, which protects their electrolocation system against jamming. Sternopygus is unique in that it has no jamming avoidance response, yet can electrolocate even in the presence of jamming. It appears that Sternopygus protects electrolocation not by a behavioral strategy but by first-order central processing mechanisms that can distinguish between localized changes in the amplitudes of electric organ discharges caused by objects and large-field amplitude modulations caused by jamming. This mechanism acts as a local contrast detector and is functionally similar to the one used by retinal cells to respond to local contrast in light but not to overall changes in illumination.
Overview of Arctic Cloud and Radiation Characteristics

Abstract To provide a background for ARM's activities at the North Slope of Alaska/Adjacent Arctic Ocean sites, an overview is given of our current state of knowledge of Arctic cloud and radiation properties and processes. The authors describe the Arctic temperature and humidity characteristics, cloud properties and processes, radiative characteristics of the atmosphere and surface, direct and indirect radiative effects of aerosols, and the modeling and satellite remote sensing of cloud and radiative characteristics. An assessment is given of the current performance of satellite remote sensing and climate modeling in the Arctic as related to cloud and radiation issues. Radiation-climate feedback processes are discussed, and estimates are made of the sign and magnitude of the individual feedback components. Future plans to address these issues are described.
Synthetic aperture active sonar imaging

The main problems involved in synthetic aperture sonar imaging are medium instability, slow mapping rate, and platform motion. Proposed solutions to these problems are reviewed, and a new technique for synthetic aperture sonar imaging is presented which allows a fast mapping rate and improved motion compensation. This technique involves using multiple receivers to form a complex-valued preliminary image for each pulse. The preliminary images are used to estimate translation and rotation, and then they are registered, phase corrected, and superimposed to form high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar images. >
Absolute Pitch May Not Be So Absolute

Most people cannot name the musical note that corresponds to a particular pitch without being provided a reference note, but those people with absolute pitch (AP) can do this accurately. Early experience during a developmental period is often thought to convey identity and stability of the note categories in people with AP, but the plasticity of these categories has not been investigated. Here we provide the first evidence that the note categories of adults with AP can change with listening experience. Participants with AP showed shifts in perception in direct accord with prior exposure to music detuned by a fraction of a semitone. This suggests that the apparent stability of AP categories is conferred not by early experience but rather by the cultural norms adopted for tuning music.
Infection of wild and cultivated Vaccinium spp. with blueberry leaf mottle nepovirus

SUMMARY A field survey was performed during the summers of 1991 and 1992 to determine whether blueberry leaf mottle virus (BLMV) infects wild blueberry bushes surrounding commercial blueberry fields and might act as a reservoir of the virus. Leaf samples from wild blueberries growing in wooded areas surrounding commercial plantings in Western central Lower Michigan were taken from bushes radiating out from the border of the commercial field into the wooded areas at 5, 50 and 100 m. BLMV was present in native bushes of Vaccinium corymbosum, V. myrtilloides and V. angustifolium, and two hybrids of V. corymbosum V. angustifolium. BLMV-infected pollen grains were detected in pollen traps located up to 2 miles from a source field.
Geometry and rate of extension across the Pajarito fault zone, Española basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico

The central Velarde graben is the active subbasin of the Espanola basin section of the Rio Grande rift in north-central New Mexico. The Velarde graben is bounded on the west, in the Jemez volcanic field, by the Pajarito fault zone. This fault zone has produced a steep fault scarp about 100 m high where it cuts the l.l-m.y.-old Tshirege Member of the Bandelier Tuff. Detailed mapping along the north-trending Pajarito fault zone has revealed a fairly simple geometry. In the Tshirege Member, the faults follow numerous vertical joints. Below this member, fault dips are ∼60° and not listric at shallow depths. This simple geometry allows calculation of a mean rate of extension of ∼0.05 mm/yr across the Pajarito fault zone for the past 1.1 m.y. If extension is not perpendicular to the fault zone, the extension rate could be as great as ∼0.07 mm/yr. Lack of transverse tilt of the Velarde graben wedge implies that the extension rate across the eastern margin is about the same as for the western margin. Comparison with a published extension rate for the northern Albuquerque-Belen basin (just to the south of the Jemez Mountains) of 0.3 mm/yr (both sides) since rifting began 26 m.y. ago indicates a slower opening for the Velarde graben during the past 1.1 m.y. If extension is localized along the margins of the Velarde graben with little activity along other fault zones in the Espanola basin, then both the mean rate of extension and the width of the actively extending region have decreased with time for this section of the Rio Grande rift.
Lack of Responsiveness to l-Dopa in Cushing's Disease

l-dopa was administered to 8 patients with Cushing's disease and the resultant response of plasma growth hormone (GH) and cortisol levels was evaluated. Cushing's disease in all patients was secondary to ACTH dependent bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Four patients had clinically active disease, the four others were in clinical remission. Seven of these subjects failed to demonstrate any elevation in plasma growth hormone levels following l-dopa administration, which is a potent stimulus to growth hormone release in normal subjects. None of the patients showed any change in plasma cortisol levels following administration of l-dopa. These patients also manifested absent growth hormone responsiveness to insulin hypoglycemia, pitressin, and Piromen™ administration. Two of these patients received therapeutic doses of l-dopa for a 5- or 10-week period, in view of reported animal findings postulating a lack of central adrenergic inhibition in Cushing's disease. Neither patient showed any amelioration of the clini...
The crystal structure of 3-R Nb1.06S2

The x-ray single crystal structure of 3-R Nb/sub 1/ /sub 06/S/sub 2/ has been determined. The material crystallizes in the space group R/sub 3m/ with a = 3.3285(4) and c = 17.910(04) A when indexed on a hexagonal lattice. The structure was refined by full matrix least squares procedures to a final residual of R = 0.026 based on 79 observed (I > 3 sigma/sub 1/) reflections. The sulfurs form closest-packed layers with the majority of the metal in sheets of trigonal prismatic sites. A small portion of niobium was found to occupy octahedral sites, between the van der Waals gaps of the sulfur lattice. Niobium in the van der Waals region is trigonally distorted from octahedral symmetry, with niobium-sulfur distances of 2.234(8) and 2.577(11) A, because of repulsion from niobium in adjacent trigonal prismatic layers.
Female Puberty: Clinical Implications for the Use of Prolactin-Modulating Psychotropics

During puberty, girls may present with psychiatric illness necessitating treatment with psychotropic medications. Pubertal girls are especially vulnerable to medication-associated adverse events. Atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants have the potential to elevate prolactin levels, altering pubertal progression. Selection of prolactin-sparing atypical antipsychotics is recommended, as is treatment with the lowest effective dose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Monitoring of serum prolactin levels may be necessary.
The effect of bracing availability on one-hand isometric force exertion capability.

Environmental obstructions that workers encounter can kinematically limit the postures that they can achieve. However, such obstructions can also provide an opportunity for additional support by bracing with the hand, thigh or other body part. The reaction forces on bracing surfaces, which are in addition to those acting at the feet and task hand, are hypothesised to improve force exertion capability, and become required inputs to biomechanical analysis of tasks with bracing. The effects of kinematic constraints and associated bracing opportunities on isometric hand force were quantified in a laboratory study of 22 men and women. Analyses of one-hand maximal push, pull and lift tasks demonstrated that bracing surfaces available at the thighs and non-task hand enabled participants to exert an average of 43% more force at the task hand. Task hand force direction deviated significantly from the nominal direction for exertions performed with bracing at both medium and low task hand locations. Practitioner sum...
Active collaborations for trustworthy data management in ad hoc networks

We propose a trust-based data management framework for enabling individual devices to harness the potential power of distributed computation, storage, and sensory resources available in pervasive computing environments. Available resources include those currently present in the fixed surrounding infrastructure as well as those resources made available by other mobile devices in the vicinity. We take a holistic approach that considers trust, security, and privacy issues of data management in these environments. We focus on collaborative mechanisms to provide a platform for trustworthy data management for devices in ad hoc networks. A fundamental aspect of our framework is a pack formation mechanism for enabling collaborative peer interaction in the pervasive computing environments based on context information and landmarks. A pack provides a routing substrate for enabling devices to find reliable sources of information. A pack also provides a platform for coordinated pro-active and reactive mechanisms that can detect and respond to malicious activity. Consequently, a pack can be used for providing a foundation to distributed trust management and data intensive interactions. We describe our proposed data management framework with an emphasis on forming packs in mobile ad-hoc networks and present preliminary results from our simulation of collaborative data management using packs
Effect of polarization and geometric factors on quantitative laser-induced fluorescence- to-Raman intensity ratios of water samples and a new calibration technique

A 266-nm laser-induced fluorescence system was used to study the effect of polarization of the excitation source and geometry of the collection optics on the ratio of the signal from a fluorescence standard, quinine sulfate, and the Raman scatter from water. Although the ratio is sometimes considered to be a constant and is used for intersystem comparisons, our studies showed that the Raman signal and, thus, the ratio can vary by a factor of up to 3.6. These experimental values agree with previous studies by others involving gas and flame Raman spectroscopy and suggest a new calibration method for intersystem comparison of different fluorescence systems.
The Symmetry of Longevity

We tested the hypothesis that relatively symmetrical flies live longer. Vein measurements on the left and right wings from the same individual were used to characterize bilateral symmetry in relationship to age-specific survival in defined cohorts. A longitudinal cohort study supported the hypothesis of a correlation between bilateral symmetry and longevity. For another type of experiment, wings were removed from females and males at approximately the beginning of adult life. Thus, there would be no effect of wings per se on adult survival. These wings were measured to characterize bilateral asymmetry, and the day of death of each dewinged individual was determined. Wing symmetry of females and males proved to be a statistically significant predictor of life span, especially for males.
Origins of the differences between the circular dichroism of DNA and RNA: Theoretical calculations

Theoretical calculations of the circular dichroism of double-helical DNA and RNA by the method of Johnson and Tinoco were performed in order to investigate the origins of the optical activity spectral differences between these polynucleotides. Calculations were performed using transition moment directions arising from molecular orbital calculations as well as a transition moment directions in agreement with experimental directions. The results of these calculations indicate that the conservative circular dichroism spectrum of B-form DNA and the nonconservative spectrum of RNA (and A-form DNA) arise as a consequence of the distance between the paired bases and the helix axis. The negative nonconservative spectrum of C-form DNA was calculated and shown also to result from the distance of the paired bases from the helix axis. Several other conspicuous geometric parameters of DNA and RNA were investigated and were found to be less significant in their effects upon the spectral differences. Theoretical calculations on a four-stranded DNA model which has paired bases similarly related to the helix axis as RNA and A-form DNA was found to yield a low intensity, nonconservative circular dichroism spectrum.
Hypsodonty in the Pleistocene ground sloth Megalonyx: Closing the 'diastema' of data

Hypsodonty in Pleistocene ground sloths was reported by Bargo et al. (2006), but no data was provided for mega− lonychids. Herein, hypsodonty indices (HI) are presented for 22 Megalonyx specimens (mean = 1.06, SD = 0.10), and statistical analysis suggests that there were no significant changes in HI during the ontogeny or phylogeny of the ge− nus during the Pleistocene.
Bottoms up: Sedimentary control of the deep North Pacific Ocean's εNd signature

The ability to reconstruct past ocean currents is essential for determining ocean circulation9s role in global heat transport and climate change. Our understanding of the relationship between circulation and climate in the past allows us to predict the impact of future climate-driven circulation changes. One proposed tracer of past ocean circulation is the neodymium isotope composition (e Nd ) of ancient water masses. However, ambiguities in what governs the e Nd distribution in the modern ocean hamper interpretations of this tracer. Here we present e Nd values for marine pore fluids, sediments, and the overlying water column for three sites in the North Pacific. We find that ocean bottom water e Nd (e Nd BW ) in the northeast Pacific lies between the value expected for the water mass (–3.3) and the measured e Nd of sediment pore fluid (e Nd PW ; –1.8). Moreover, e Nd PW resembles the e Nd of the sediment. Combined, these findings are consistent with recent assessments that sediment pore fluids may be a major source of rare earth elements to the ocean and suggest that the benthic flux of Nd from pore fluids exerts the primary control over the deep ocean distribution of e Nd .
A fluorescent method for visualization of Nosema infection in whole-mount honey bee tissues

Honey bees are critical pollinators in both agricultural and ecological settings. The Nosema species, ceranae and apis, are microsporidian parasites that are pathogenic to honey bees. While current methods for detecting Nosema infection have key merits, additional techniques with novel properties for studying the cell biology of Nosema infection are highly desirable. We demonstrate that whole-mount staining of honey bee midgut tissue with chitin-binding agent Fluorescent Brightener 28 and DNA dye Propidium Iodide allows for observation of Nosema infection in structurally intact tissue, providing a new tool for increasing our understanding of Nosema infection at the cellular and tissue level.
Abstract 15973: miRNA-Hippo Pathway Plays a Critical Role in the Cardiac Conduction System

The cardiac conduction system (CCS) is required for initiating and maintaining regular rhythmic heartbeats and the CCS defects can give rise to cardiac arrhythmia, a leading cause for morbidity worldwide. Given the poor self-repair potential in the adult human CCS, it is critical to elucidate the molecular mechanisms limiting the CCS regeneration to facilitate developing efficient cardiovascular therapies. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that repress gene expression post-transcriptionally. The miR-17-92 cluster can induce cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration. Hippo signaling, an ancient organ size control pathway, represses cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration. Here we found that both miR-17-92 and Hippo signaling were active in the CCS. Specific disruption of either miR-17-92 or Hippo signaling in the CCS gave rise to cardiac arrhythmias in mice. Notably, miR-17-92 regulates Hippo signaling through directly repressing Lats2, a core Hippo pathway component. In miR-17-92 null mutant hearts, up-regulated Lats2 led to increased Hippo pathway activity. Moreover, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation deep sequencing (ChIP-Seq) using Yap antibody, the Hippo signaling effector, which data suggested that Hippo signaling regulates genes involved in the CCS homeostasis. Together, our data indicate a novel miR-Hippo genetic pathway plays critical function in the CCS.
A correspondência entre Lambert van Velthuysen e Espinosa

A analise da correspondencia entre Espinosa e L. van Velthuysen pode ser bastante util para aperfeicoar nossa compreensao do Tractatus theologico-politicus e da filosofia de Espinosa em geral. Em sua correspondencia, Espinosa e frequentemente evasivo e lento para ver (ou, ao menos, para reconhecer) um ponto. E uma questao interessante como deveriamos dar conta destas deficiencias em suas respostas, e sua correspondencia com Velthuysen seria uma boa oportunidade para provar a perspectiva de Bennett. O artigo esta dividido em tres partes: 1) Velthuysen antes de Espinosa e o contexto de suas criticas; 2) um exame das Cartas 42 e 43; e 3) o debate em torno do deismo e do ateismo.
Half the Story of “The Rise of the English Shipping Industry”

In the manner of the Creole tradesmen of Louisiana, whose lagniappe to their patrons is legendary, the Editor offers a similar bonus to readers of the Review. Instead of trifling presents added to a purchase, however, our lagniappe will be notes and documents illustrative of the evolution of business enterprise.
Injectives of strongly hereditary relative homological algebras

IfR is a strongly hereditary relative homological algebra of Abelian groups which contains the torsion split sequences, then theR-injectives can be completely characterized. IfR is a relative homological algebra with enough projectives and enough injectives, which contains the torsiol split sequences, then equivalent conditions forR to be strongly hereditary are given.
Usability of Lightweight Defibrillators for UAV Delivery

This case study describes a usability assessment of lightweight automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in an exploration of how AEDs might safely integrate within an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery system to rapidly treat victims of cardiac arrest. Untrained laypersons were asked to use an AED in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario in either standard or UAV-delivery scenarios. The impact of device-specific customization of emergency operator instruction was also evaluated.
Free Form Curve and Surface Loss Compression Based on Optimal Linear Predictor

A loss compression algorithm about free-form curve and surface in CAD models is proposed to effectively exchange and transmit the model data in collaborative design environment. In this algorithm,the scheme uses a optimal linear predictor to predict the coordinates of the control points in free-form curve or surface according to the theory of Minimum Mean Square Error,coupled with a scalar quantizer which precision appointed by user,follow by bit-plane arithmetic entropy coder. According to the experi-ments,the algorithm presented here is effective for geometry compression.
Clinical value of rescue ICSI 6 hours after insemination in conventional IVF

Objective:To investigate the value of rescue ICSI in the cycle of complete fertilization failure 6 hours after insemination in conventional IVF.Methods:The data of the cycles that the fertilization was complete failure and the rescue ICSI was performed immediately(direct ICSI group,183 cycles),or at 6 hours(early rescue ICSI group,141 cycles),or at 18-20 hours(late rescue ICSI group,15 cycles) after insemination in conventional IVF were retrospectively analyzed.The parameters including the status of fertilization,cleavage,clinical pregnancy were analyzed and compared among the three groups.Results:1.There were no significant differences in the rate of fertilization,2PN,≥3PN,cleavage among the three groups(P 0.05).2.There were no significant differences in the rates of embryo implantation,clinical pregnancy or miscarriage between the early rescue ICSI group and the direct ICSI group(P0.05).However,the high quality embryos rate and available embryos rate in the early rescue ICSI group were significant lower than those in the direct ICSI group(P0.05).3.Comparing with the late rescue ICSI group,the rates of available embryos,embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy were significant higher in the early rescue ICSI group(P0.05).Conclusions:In the cycles of complete fertilization failure,implementation of early rescue ICSI cansignificantly improve the rates of embryo quality,embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy comparing with late rescue ICSI,and get the results as good as the direct ICSI.
Economic Developments in the Pacific Area Developing Countries since 1963

The developing countries of the Pacific Area have had an outstanding economic record over the past twenty-five years. This conclusion applies to the East Asian NICs, including Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan; with the exception of the Philippines, it also applies to the group of NECs which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand (the ASEAN member countries other than Singapore and Brunei).
Primary lymphoma of bone in the pediatric and young adult population

Primary lymphoma of bone (PLB) accounts for 3% to 7% of primary neoplasms of bone and must be distinguished from more common bone tumors in the pediatric population such as osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and other small round blue cell tumors. In this study, pathology databases from 4 institutions were queried for PLB in individuals 1 to 21 years old. A total of 54 cases of PLB were identified, including 41 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL, 76%), 8 B-lymphoblastic lymphomas (BLL, 15%), 3 anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL, 6%), and 2 low-grade follicular lymphomas (4%). The male/female ratio was 1.8:1 and median age was 16 years (range, 2-21). Patients with DLBCL were significantly older (P<.001), and patients with ALCL and BLL were significantly younger (P=.050 and P=.008, respectively) when compared with the other patients. Due to necrosis, crush artifact, and/or insufficient material, 30% of cases required multiple biopsies for diagnosis. The femur, tibia, pelvic bones, humerus, and vertebrae were most commonly involved. DLBCL patients had significantly more solitary bone involvement (P=.001), whereas BLL had significantly more polyostotic involvement (P<.001). Of the 37 patients with outcome data, all had no evidence of disease on last follow-up. This largest pediatric series of PLB identifies DLBCL as the most frequent subtype and documents rarer occurrences of BLL, ALCL, and follicular lymphomas. The differential diagnosis of bone neoplasms in pediatric patients, including those with necrosis, should include PLB.
A Searchable Laboratory-Acquired Infection Database:

Published peer-reviewed accounts of laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) are difficult to track and assess due to several underlying factors. Reports of LAI in peer-reviewed journals are recognize...
RanBP10 Is a Cytoplasmic GDP/GTP Exchange Factor That Modulates Microtubule Dynamics in Late Megakaryocytes.

Abstract Megakaryocytes are large cells within the bone marrow that undergo complex fragmentation to release up to thousands of virtually identical blood platelets into the periphery. Each platelet contains a characterisitic microtubule (MT) marginal band that is derived from MT filaments present in long protrusion-like intermediate structures, designated proplatelets, that are immediate precursors of platelets. These MT filaments are generated in the MK periphery, where they require massive mobilization that is supposed to be different from either normal interphase MT nucleation that commonly depends on γ-tubulin in the MT-organizing center. or from MTs in the mitotic spindle that require Ran·GTP, which is generated along condensed chromosomes by the chromatin-asociated guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) RCC1. We first demonstrated that γ-tubulin is absent in most of the mature or proplatelet-forming MKs, where it is therefore unlikely to attribute to the total MT nucleation. MTs are tubular cytoskeletal structures that contain polymerized α- or β-tubulin subunits. Mammalian genomes share 5–6 β-tubulin isotypes of which β1-tubulin is the most divergent, especially in its C-terminal domain. β1-tubulin expression is restricted to late MKs and platelets, where it accounts for most of the β-tubulin in MT filaments. Its ablation in the mouse results in thrombocytopenia, spherocytosis and attenuated platelet function. We therefore sought to identify proteins that bind to β1-tubulin and performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using a MK-derived cDNA library. We identified a cytoplasmic Ran-binding protein, RanBP10, as a factor that associates with cellular MTs and unexpectedly harbors GEF activity toward Ran. Loss of RanBP10 in cultured MKs disrupts MT organization and its overexpression drives accumulation of extranuclear Ran and assembly of thick and abnormally long MTs. RanBP10 thus functions as a localized β-tubulin binding protein that harbors GEF activity toward Ran in the cytoplasm, much like RCC1 in the nucleus. Our results suggest that spatiotemporally restricted generation of Ran·GTP in the cytoplasm organizes specialized MTs required for thrombopoiesis and that RanBP10 provides a molecular link between Ran and non-centrosomal MTs.
Laboratory Utilization and Analytical Validation of Fecal Electrolyte Tests

Background: Chronic diarrhea can be categorized as fatty, watery, or inflammatory. Watery diarrhea is further divided into secretory or osmotic types and can be differentiated by measuring fecal electrolytes and osmotic gap. However, with widespread use of endoscopy, it is unclear if these measurements are being used clinically. Furthermore, because stool is not a validated specimen type for Food and Drug Administration–approved electrolyte assays, utilization is a practical concern for laboratories before analytical validation. Here, we determined the clinical utility and validated the performance characteristics of stool electrolytes on the Beckman Coulter AU680. Methods: Historical results and literature review were used to determine the clinically relevant ranges for stool electrolytes (Na+, Cl−, K+, phosphate, and Mg2+). Additionally, medical chart review was performed (n = 44 patients) on results to evaluate their clinical utility in chronic diarrhea work-up. Linearity, precision, and stability studies were performed on the AU680. Accuracy was evaluated by comparing results to the Roche Cobas 6000 c501. Results: For all cases, stool electrolytes and osmotic gap proved valuable in chronic diarrhea work-up. The imprecision of the assays ranged from 0% to 5.9%. All assays were found to be linear within the instrument's analytical measurement range with appropriate slopes and intercepts. The bias between the AU680 and the Roche c501 ranged from −0.48 to 2.39 (mmol/L or mg/dL). Na+, Cl−, and K+ were stable refrigerated for 5 days and up to 1 freeze-thaw cycle. Phosphate and Mg2+ were stable refrigerated for 48 h, but unstable to freeze-thaw cycles. Conclusions: Stool osmotic gap is valuable for evaluating chronic diarrhea and can be calculated using electrolyte concentrations measured on the AU680.
Hume and Hutcheson on Cicero's ‘Proof Against the Stoics’

This article takes its cue from an intriguing passage in Hume's September 1739 letter to Hutcheson. After appealing to what Cicero proves ‘against the Stoics’ in book four of De finibus, Hume indicates that he and Hutcheson are in some respect opposed to one another as far as their views on virtue and moral motivation are concerned. While this may seem surprising, given the similarities between their approaches to the foundations of morals, careful analysis of Cicero's criticism of Stoic ethics shows why Hume and Hutcheson should indeed be fundamentally at odds with one another in precisely the respect indicated by Hume.
Judgments of Emotion in Clear and Conversational Speech by Young Adults With Normal Hearing and Older Adults With Hearing Impairment

Purpose In this study, we investigated the emotion perceived by young listeners with normal hearing (YNH listeners) and older adults with hearing impairment (OHI listeners) when listening to speech...
Design of a w-band SIS mixer

The mixer mount for a 75 -110 GHz SIS (superconductor-insulator-superconductor) receiver was scale modeled at 2 - 8 GHz . The mixer mount had a 4-step Chebychev single ridge transformer to launch the rf signal from the waveguide to a microstripline circuit. The microstripline circuit coupled the rf signal into the on-chip SIS element. A wire inductor in parallel with the mixer was used to tune out the capacitance of the SIS junction. Both the junction and the inductor had rf grounds provided by 90° radial stubs. In the scale model, a 50 Ω chip resistor in parallel with a 1 pF chip capacitor was used in place of the SIS junction to measure the rf matching properties. The inductor was modeled with a thin copper wire. The VSWR of the entire mount was less than 2.1 : 1 over the frequency band corresponding to 75 - 107 GHz. Receiver measurements with the actual mixer mount employing trilayer SIS tunnel junctions gave similar trends across the band.
Correction to: Extracellular Vesicles: Biomarkers, Therapeutics, and Vehicles in the Visual System.

The article Extracellular Vesicles: Biomarkers, Therapeutics, and Vehicles in the Visual System, written by Yolandi van der Merwe and Michael B. Steketee, was originally published Online First without open access.
Prospective: Is bipolar disorder being overdiagnosed?

OBJECTIVES Many studies indicate that bipolar disorders are underdiagnosed. Yet from 2007 to 2008, a series of publications asserted that bipolar disorders were being overdiagnosed. This review examines the methods used in the studies that reported bipolar disorders were being overdiagnosed. METHODS A literature search for studies with original data related to overdiagnosis of bipolar disorders was performed. RESULTS Four studies were found indicating bipolar disorders were being overdiagnosed. The Structured Clinical Interview of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID) was used in the diagnostic process. The studies compared the clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder to a single SCID interview without interviewing family or reviewing old records. The studies assumed the SCID diagnosis was correct. CONCLUSIONS Numerous concerns were found. The SCID frequently missed diagnosis of bipolar, the definitions of bipolar disorder are so narrow and conservative that the outcomes of the studies may have been predetermined. Ultimately, the studies compared the strength of a diagnosis made by a treating psychiatrist to a SCID diagnosis collected with virtually no information from the clinician. The assumption that the SCID diagnosis is always correct and the clinician is always wrong is unsupportable. The premise that bipolar disorders are being overdiagnosed is unsupported by reasonable science.
Intracellular Ca2+ Release Sparks Atrial Pacemaker Activity

Electrical excitation of the mammalian heart originates from specialized pacemaker cells in the right atrium. Pacemaker activity depends on multiple ion channels and transport mechanisms that reside primarily within the plasma membrane. However, recent evidence indicates that intracellular Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum also contributes importantly to atrial pacemaker function.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS FOR ESTIMATING BOTH MEAN AND VARIANCE FUNCTIONS

Statisticians are increasingly finding applications which require separate linear models for a response of interest and this response's variance. A crucial question then becomes what are reasonable experimental strategies which will allow the estimation..
Noninvasive, tube-based, continuous vagal nerve monitoring using the laryngeal adductor reflex: Feasibility study of 134 nerves at risk

BACKGROUND Continuous vagal intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) currently requires placement of a vagal nerve electrode. Herein, we present data from 100 patients (134 nerves-at-risk) monitored continuously during neck endocrine surgeries using a noninvasive, new methodology that solely utilizes endotracheal tube electrodes to simultaneously stimulate laryngeal mucosa and record a laryngeal adductor reflex continuous IONM (LAR-C-IONM) response. METHODS The laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR) was elicited by electrical laryngeal mucosal stimulation on the side contralateral to the operative field using endotracheal tube electrodes. All patients completed preoperative and postoperative laryngeal and voice examinations. RESULTS One hundred patients (134 nerves-at-risk) were included. Significantly more nerves-at-risk with an LAR opening to closing amplitude decrement >60% or with absolute closing amplitude <100 μV had postoperative vocal fold paralysis (P < .001). The LAR-C-IONM was highly sensitive to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) stretch or compression. CONCLUSION The LAR-C-IONM is a promising new way to perform continuous vagal monitoring that requires no equipment other than an electromyography (EMG) endotracheal tube and is undergoing further, large-scale evaluation.
MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT : ENTERING THE ERA OF PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT FOR GERIATRIC CARE (PART 1)

Managed health care has changed the way health services are provided and paid for. It is still evolving. Many pharmacists have already felt the impact of these changes. This continuing feature illu...
Abstract 561: Reduced Serum Efflux Capacity Associates With Elevated Plasma Lp(a) Levels

Background: Plasminogen, is a potent acceptor of cholesterol by the ABCA1 transporter in peripheral cells, and this function is inhibited by lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)]. Patients with high Lp(a) have i...
Multinomial processing trees with response times: Changing speed and accuracy by selectively influencing a vertex

Abstract In many experiments a person performs a task, such as identifying a letter, and an experimental factor, such as brightness, is manipulated. Empirically, changing the level of a factor often produces a relation, stochastic dominance, on the response time cumulative distribution functions. Specifically, for levels 1 and 2 of the factor, let H 1 (t) and H 2 (t) be the cumulative distribution functions of the correct response time. Then one often finds that for all times t, H 1 (t) > H 2 (t). We consider a Multinomial Processing Tree in which arcs have a probability of being selected and require time to be selected. It is natural to consider the effect of a factor on products of probability and time. At levels 1 and 2 of the factor, let π (1) and π (2) be the probability of a correct response. The factor produces weighted stochastic dominance if π (1) H 1 (t) > π (2) H 2 (t) for all times t. An experimental factor selectively influences a vertex in a Multinomial Processing Tree if changing the level of the factor changes parameters at a single vertex, leaving all else invariant. We consider conditions under which a factor selectively influencing a vertex in a Multinomial Processing Tree produces weighted stochastic dominance. Our assumptions allow parameters in a Multinomial Processing Tree to vary from trial to trial, and to be correlated through dependence on a common random variable. Further, the same Multinomial Processing Tree need not be used on every trial, there may be a mixture of Multinomial Processing Trees. We demonstrate results of theorems with a simulation.
Basic Science of Radio Frequency

Radiofrequency (RF) therapy has been utilized in the management of many chronic pain conditions. The setup of the RF circuit includes a generator, a dispersive pad (often referred to as a “grounding pad”), an insulated introducer needle, and an electrode. Different types of RF therapy exist, including continuous RF, with variations such as monopolar, bipolar, cooled RF, and pulsed RF. The therapeutic effect of RF therapy results from its thermal and electromagnetic effects. Continuous RF energy produces thermal lesions that interrupt nociceptive signal conduction. Pulsed RF is postulated to cause an alteration of the signal transduction of pain fibers. The size and shape of RF lesions can be manipulated by numerous factors, thereby achieving favorable clinical objectives.
HOW TO STEADI YOUR PATIENTS WITH THE COORDINATED CARE PLAN TO PREVENT OLDER ADULT FALLS AND EVALUATION GUIDE

Falls are common, costly, and the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. Reports show that fall death rates are increasing. Healthcare providers play an important role in fall prevention but few talk to their patients about falls. This lack of communication demonstrates the need for more physician-initiated fall prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) initiative to help providers talk to their patients about falls. Specifically, CDC’s new STEADI-based fall prevention program, the Coordinated Care Plan to Prevent Older Adult Falls (CCP) and Evaluation Guide for Older Adult Clinical Fall Prevention Programs can assist healthcare providers in integrating and evaluating new fall prevention programs that screen older adults for fall risk, assess patients’ modifiable fall risk factors, and implement evidenced-based fall prevention interventions (e.g., medication management, physical therapy). The CCP offers guidance for incorporating a STEADI-based fall prevention program including how to engage leadership, integrate with existing clinic workflow and electronic health records, and strategies on how to obtain reimbursement for fall prevention. The Evaluation Plan offers details on how to engage stakeholders, collect data, interpret findings and how to share results for maximum impact. Both documents were based on lessons learned from successful implementation of STEADI-based programs in primary care. A STEADI-based program in New York found fewer fall-related hospitalizations among at-risk patients who received a fall prevention care plan compared to at-risk patients who did not receive a care plan.
Uterine artery rupture during labour

Spontaneous rupture of uterine vessels, particularly intra-partum, is a rare cause of maternal death during pregnancy. Awareness about this condition, may help to avoid delayed diagnosis and facilitate early resuscitation.
Joint effects of host genotype and species arrival order govern plant microbiome composition and function

The composition of host-associated microbiomes can have important consequences for host health and fitness. Yet, we still lack understanding of many fundamental processes that determine microbiome composition. There is mounting evidence that historical contingency during microbiome assembly may overshadow more deterministic processes, such as the selective filters imposed by host traits. More specifically, species arrival order has been frequently shown to affect microbiome composition, a phenomenon known as priority effects. However, it is less clear whether priority effects during microbiome assembly are consequential for the host, or whether intraspecific variation in host traits can alter the trajectory of microbiome assembly under priority effects. In a greenhouse inoculation experiment, using the black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) foliar microbiome, we manipulated host genotype and the colonization order of common foliar fungi. We quantified microbiome assembly outcomes using fungal marker-gene sequencing and measured susceptibility of the colonized host to a leaf rust pathogen, Melampsora × columbiana. We found that the effect of species arrival order on microbiome composition, and subsequent disease susceptibility, depended on the host genotype. Additionally, we found that microbiome assembly history can affect host disease susceptibility independent of microbiome composition at the time of pathogen exposure, suggesting that the interactive effects of species arrival order and host genotype can decouple composition and function in the plant microbiome. Overall, these results highlight the importance of a key process underlying stochasticity in microbiome assembly while also revealing which hosts are most likely to experience these effects.
Chemistry, chemical analysis, and extraction. Terpenes to tinctures

Abstract The ever-present urge for more and better intoxication through concentrating key plant-derived chemicals has led to new compounds, new practices such as dabbing, and perhaps new risks that are as yet poorly characterized. The cannabis plant contains multitudes of chemicals, each with its own pharmacologic effects. Terpene compounds found in the plant represent a fascinating alternative window into both the medicinal and intoxicating properties of the plant that deserve much deeper study. If cannabis varieties are not what they seem, standardized testing of cannabis samples presents an even more dismal picture.
Abstract 6409: Targeted degradation of endogenously tagged proteins for phenotypic studies using HaloPROTAC3 and HaloTag technologies

To understand a protein9s function inside the cell, studies are often done to remove it using CRISPR-mediated knockout or RNAi knockdown methods. These approaches have challenges in either obtaining efficient or complete loss, are not possible if the protein target is essential for cell growth, and are genetic methods, not directly protein loss. To overcome these hurdles, we have employed a highly precise and temporally controlled target protein degradation strategy utilizing HaloPROTAC, a HaloTag Proteolysis-targeting chimera small molecule which will specifically degrade HaloTag fusion proteins in live cells. HaloPROTAC3, developed by Prof. Craig Crews at Yale University, recruits HaloTag fusion proteins to VHL E3 ligase complexes, resulting in ubiquitination and degradation of the HaloTag fusion via the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway. For phenotypic studies, removal of the endogenous proteins is often required, therefore we have developed efficient protocols for the introduction of HaloTag via CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing into either the endogenous N- or C-terminal loci of any target protein. We have additionally appended the 11 amino acid HiBiT to the HaloTag-target protein, allowing for highly quantitative and kinetic monitoring of degradation to be tracked in live cells without the use of antibodies. Shown here are several key therapeutic proteins, BRD4 and B-catenin, which have been endogenously tagged with HiBiT-HaloTag via CRISPR/Cas9 and show rapid and sustained degradation (80-90% loss) after treatment with HaloPROTAC3. For BRD4, this loss was similar to what was observed using a BET-family specific PROTAC. For B-catenin, further phenotypic studies were done to show a muted response to Wnt3a stimulation and TCF/LEF promoter gene activation after degradation of endogenous B-catenin. These examples demonstrate that the technologies can be used readily to elicit robust degradation of target proteins, with control over the protein level and the time frame for which the protein will be lost, in order to more fully understand protein function. Together, these provide new opportunities for phenotypic studies based directly on control of protein levels and loss, with the ability to study the roles of essential proteins not amenable to genetic knockout or knockdown approaches. Citation Format: Elizabeth A. Caine, Sarah Mahan, Kristin Riching, Nancy Murphy, Mark McDougall, Cesear Corona, Chris Heid, Danette L. Daniels, Marjeta Urh. Targeted degradation of endogenously tagged proteins for phenotypic studies using HaloPROTAC3 and HaloTag technologies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6409.
The role of the genital hiatus and prolapse symptom bother.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) severity is poorly correlated with prolapse symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between genital hiatus (GH) size and presence and severity of bulge symptoms. This analysis utilized data from a longitudinal study of parous women. Women underwent annual assessment of POP, GH size, and bulge symptoms. “Bother” was scored by participants reporting bulge symptoms. Three analyses evaluated the association between GH size and bulge symptoms, each using linear mixed models. First, we compared case visits (bulge symptoms reported) to control visits (bulge symptoms never reported), matching for stage. Second, among women who reported bulge sensation at least once during the study, we compared GH size at visits with and without bulge symptoms. Third, among women who reported bulge sensation, we investigated whether GH size was associated with “bother” score, controlling for stage. Of 1528 women (7440 visits), 148 women (803 visits) reported bulge symptoms at ≥ 1 visit and 1380 women never reported bulge symptoms (6637 visits). Comparing 315 case visits (bulge symptoms reported) to 1260 control visits (bulge symptoms never reported), GH size was significantly greater among case visits (3.05 cm versus 2.85 cm, p ≤ 0.0001). In the case-crossover analysis, GH size was similar for visits with and without bulge symptoms (p = 0.63). When evaluating GH size and degree of bulge symptom bother, bother severity was significantly associated with GH size (p = 0.003). Independent of stage, GH size was significantly associated with prolapse bulge symptoms and bother severity.
Local formulae for the hydrodynamic pressure and applications

We provide local formulae for the pressure of incompressible fluids. The pressure can be expressed in terms of its average and averages of squares of velocity increments in arbitrarily small neighbourhoods. As an application, we give a brief proof of the fact that velocities have (or Lipschitz) pressures. We also give some regularity criteria for 3D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Bibliography: 9 titles.
21-Day dermal exposure to aircraft engine oils: effects on esterase activities in brain and liver tissues, blood, plasma, and clinical chemistry parameters for Sprague Dawley rats

This dermal study tested the potential toxicity of grade 3 (G3) and 4 (G4) organophosphate-containing aircraft engine oils in both new (G3-N, G4-N) and used states (G3-U, G4-U) to alter esterase ac...