cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of first-order and isodipole statistics in a texture segregation task

Author(s): Victor, JD; Conte, MM; Chubb, CF | Abstract: Image statistics are often classified as first-order (e.g., luminance), second-order (e.g., contrast, autocorrelation, power spectrum) and high-order (e.g., fourth-order isodipole). Many studies of visual texture processing have considered texture discrimination based on one kind of image statistic, but few have examined how these statistics interact. To examine the interaction of isodipole statistics and luminance statistics, we construct a novel two-dimensional space of binary textures. One axis in this space, gamma, specifies the bias in luminance statistics (gamma= 1 for all white, 0 for a 50:50 mix, -1 for all black). The second axis, alpha, specifies the bias in local fourth-order statistics (alpha=1 for the "even" texture, -1 for the " odd" texture). Long-range statistics and statistics of other orders are determined by maximizing entropy. This uniquely defines the textures in terms of alpha and gamma (within a defined range), and thus generates a two-parameter perceptual space. We examined the ability of subjects (N=2) to segregate textures with specified structure (alpha and/or gamma nonzero) from a fully random texture (alpha=0, gamma=0) in a 4-AFC paradigm. For subject CC, similar Weibull functions (shape parameter 2) provided good fits to the data along the luminance and fourth-order axes in this space. Sensitivity along the luminance axis was approximately four times the sensitivity along the fourth-order axis. For subject MC, sensitivities to the two statistics were in similar ratio, but Weibull functions along the fourth-order (alpha) axis were substantially steeper (shape parameter 4) than along the luminance (gamma) axis (shape parameter of 2). Along oblique directions, performance of both subjects was significantly less than predicted by probability summation. For subject CC but not MC, performance was also significantly less than predicted by a Euclidean geometry within this texture space.
Gender and prestige preference in language

A literature in sociolinguistics asserts that women tend to adopt and use the speech of richer people more readily than men where the difference between the speech of rich and poor is a variant/variant, a standard language/dialect, or a standard language/creole difference. This generalization is not found to be true of second language learning. Learning a second language differs from learning a variant of one's own or a very closely related form in that it requires more exposure and motivation. If these factors are controlled for, the effect predicted by the Gender and Prestige Preference Theory ought to appear. It does not. Whatever female preference there may be for the language of the rich, it is very small.
Herd-level risk factors for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae intramammary infections

Abstract Herd-level risk factors for high herd prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae intramammary infection were studied using data from Holstein herds participating in the New York State Quality Milk Promotion Services Program during the period 1978–1983. Using information from initial surveys and bacteriologic sampling of all herds, a set of possible risk factors for each organism was examined. Comparisons between herds with high and zero prevalence of each infection were made. Failure to teat dip and use of common cloths or sponges for udder preparation increased the odds of high prevalence for both organisms. Selective or no dry cow therapy, having tie stall or stanchion housing and using dry massage or no udder preparation increased the risk for Str. agalactiae, but not for S. aureus infection. Milking machine function played a role in the risk of both infections.
Heart failure secondary to selenium deficiency, reversible after supplementation

Selenium deficiency induced heart failure is a well known disease. The first reported cases were back in 1937 during an epidemic in some rural areas of China (Keshan Disease). It is a potentially fatal disease if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential since supplementation may reverse the outcome. Patients with non ischemic heart failure deserve a serum selenium level measurement as a part of their work up. We report a case of selenium deficiency induced heart failure reversed after treatment with selenium.
Example-based machine translation: a review and commentary

In the last decade the dominant models of MT have been data-driven or corpus-based. Of the two main trends, statistical machine translation and example-based machine translation (EBMT), the latter is much less clearly defined. In a review of the recently published collection edited by Michael Carl and Andy Way, this essay surveys the basic processes, methods, main problems and tasks of EBMT, and attempts to provide a definition of the essence of EBMT in comparison with statistical MT and traditional rule-based MT.
Treatment of a de novo fludarabine resistant-CLL xenograft model with bryostatin 1 followed by fludarabine

WSU-CLL is a de novo fludarabine resistant cell line established from a patient with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) refractory to chemotherapy including fludarabine (Flud). Our previous studies indicate that bryostatin 1 (Bryo 1) induces differentiation of WSU-CLL and increases the ratio of dCK/5'-NT activity and Bax/Bcl-2. This study tests the hypothesis that Bryo 1-differentiated cells are more susceptible to Flud than the parent WSU-CLL cells. Flud, given sequentially after Bryo 1, in vitro and in vivo animal studies resulted in significantly higher rates of growth inhibition and improved animal survival. Flud at 100 to 600 nM exhibited a dose-dependent growth inhibitory effect on the WSU-CLL cell line. The sequential exposure to Bryo 1 (10 nM for 72 h) followed by Flud (100 nM) resulted in significantly higher rates of growth inhibition than either the reverse addition of these two agents or each agent alone, but was not significantly different than the concurrent addition of Bryo 1 + Flud. Using 7-amino-actinomycin D staining and flow cytometry, apoptosis was seen in 40.8% of cells treated with Bryo 1 (10 nM, 72 h) followed by Flud, compared with Flud (100 nM, 72 h) followed by Bryo 1 (18.1%). To demonstrate that Bryo 1 enhancement of Flud efficacy was not restricted to in vitro culture, we used the WSU-CLL xenograft model in mice with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). Bryo 1 + Flud at the maximum tolerated doses (75 microg/kg i.p. and 200 mg/kg i.v., respectively) were administered to mice in different combinations. The survival in days, the tumor growth inhibition ratio (T/C), the tumor growth delay (T-C) in days, log10 kill, as well as mean tumor weight (mtw) of mice treated with Bryo 1 followed by Flud, were significantly better than control and other groups. T/C%, T-C, log10 kill and mtw were as follows: Bryo 1 (36.8%, 10 days, 0.8, 375 mg); Flud (100%, 0. 0 day, 0.0, 1130 mg); Bryo 1 + Flud (14.3%, 12 days, 0.95, 288 mg); Bryo 1 followed by Flud (4.6%, 17 days, 1.35, 35 mg); Flud followed by Bryo (40.3%, 10 days, 0.80, 175 mg). We conclude that: i) Bryo 1 sensitizes WSU-CLL cells to Flud and enhances apoptosis; ii) the sequential treatment with Bryo 1 followed by Flud resulted in higher anti-tumor activity compared with either agent alone, in combination, or the reverse addition of these agents and iii) these results are comparable to those of Bryo 1 followed by 2-CdA suggesting common pathway(s) of interaction between Bryo 1 and purine analogues.
Rickettsioses in South Korea, Data Analysis

To the Editor: Choi et al. (1) conducted a study on sequence analysis of a partial rompB gene amplified from sera of humans who were seropositive for spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group rickettsioses. They write, "These finding suggested that several kinds of rickettsial diseases, including boutonneuse fever, rickettsialpox, R. felis infection, and Japanese spotted fever… are occurring in Korea." These claims propagate some errors and may lead to an inadequate conclusion. First, rompB is conserved in Rickettsia spp. and consists of 4,968 bp with respect to the published sequence of the R. conorii strain Seven (2,3). Fournier et al. (4) amplified 4,682 bp of rompB and showed a high degree of nucleotide sequence similarity (99.2%) between R. africae and R. sibirica, R. pakeri, and R. slovaca. Choi et al. amplified ≈420 bp of rompB (position 3562–4077) for sequence analysis. This segment is located in a highly conserved region of the gene, which may decrease the ability to differentiate particular species from other SFG rickettsiae. This study cannot prove the existence of specific SFG rickettsioses until the results are confirmed further by, for example, isolating these SFG rickettsiae from humans, animals, or ticks in South Korea. Recently, the authors analyzed nucleotide sequences of 267-bp amplicons of rompB (position 4762–4496) obtained from patient sera and found that R. conorii could not be differentiated from R. sibirica (5). This finding also supports our concerns. Second, although partial rompB nucleotide sequence analysis of rickettsiae obtained from 1 patient's serum showed 98.87% similarity with R. conorii strain Seven, the finding does not indicate boutonneuse fever is occurring in South Korea because high similarities (98.6%–99.8%) are found among 4 subspecies of R. conorii. Multilocus sequence typing can help differentiate among these subspecies (6). This study provided a model to amplify SFG rickettsial DNA from sera of patients, and it will be helpful in surveillance of these diseases. However, the results should be interpreted more carefully in the context of clinical and epidemiologic data and combined with different gene sequence analyses to obtain a reliable and specific diagnosis.
Numerical linear algebra on emerging architectures: The PLASMA and MAGMA projects

The emergence and continuing use of multi-core architectures and graphics processing units require changes in the existing software and sometimes even a redesign of the established algorithms in order to take advantage of now prevailing parallelism. Parallel Linear Algebra for Scalable Multi-core Architectures (PLASMA) and Matrix Algebra on GPU and Multics Architectures (MAGMA) are two projects that aims to achieve high performance and portability across a wide range of multi-core architectures and hybrid systems respectively. We present in this document a comparative study of PLASMA's performance against established linear algebra packages and some preliminary results of MAGMA on hybrid multi-core and GPU systems.
Does addiction excuse thieves and killers from criminal responsibility

Recently, the New York Times assessed the value of the Helmsley real estate empire at about $50-$60 billion. Why, then, did Leona steal a million dollars or so by casting personal expenditures as business expenses-a figure so piddling in light of their net worth that the Times predicted the family would “not have to liquidate even a small part of its holdings” in order to pay any fines arising from Leona’s conviction? The crime was clearly an act of irrationality on Leona’s part, like a millionaire shoplifting. It should be obvious to any trained clinician that Leona is suffering from addiction to greed, a compulsion to extract financial advantage in the most trivial ways, even when the potential gain has no possible impact on her well-being. This would probably have been the most successful defense her lawyers could have presented in court. Indeed, Leona’s failure to claim she was addicted could be used as proofthat she is addicted, since one of the primary traits of addictive diseases is “denial” that one has the disease of addiction. Denial might also have been the reason Joel Steinberg disregarded his attorney’s advice to claim that cocaine addiction caused him to kill his “adopted” daughter, Lisa. However, although the addiction defense was not formally presented to the jury, some jurors later said they did not vote for the more serious murder charge (Steinberg was convicted of manslaughter) because the killer had been using cocaine for so long they felt his judgment was impaired. Some killers have subsequently rethought their failure to use addiction defenses, and have appealed their convictions on this basis. Jean Harris was one such person. Shana Alexander, in her book I&y Much 4 Lady, presented the case that Ms. Harris was suffering from amphetamine withdrawal when she shot Dr. Herman Tarnower several times point blank. Alternately, of course, Harris could have claimed that she was driven to kill by the mental abuse Tarnower perpetrated a variation on the battered-woman syndrome or that she was distraught from his waning love for her, a case of withdrawal from love addiction. If these diseases caused Harris to kill Tarnower, the argument is, then her “denial” of these diseases would also prevent her from relying on the diseases as a defense strategy. (Jean Harris’s appeal in this case was unsuccessful.)
HITS-CLIP reveals key regulators of Nuclear Receptor signaling in breast cancer

miRNAs regulate the expression of genes in both normal physiology and disease. While miRNAs have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in aspects of cancer biology, these reports have generally focused on the regulation of single genes. Such single-gene approaches have significant limitations, relying on miRNA expression levels and heuristic predictions of mRNA-binding sites. This results in only circumstantial evidence of miRNA-target interaction and typically leads to large numbers of false positive predictions. Here, we used a genome-wide approach (high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by crosslinking immunoprecipitation, HITS-CLIP) to define direct miRNA-mRNA interactions in three breast cancer subtypes (estrogen receptor positive, Her2 amplified, and triple negative). Focusing on steroid receptor signaling, we identified two novel regulators of the ER pathway (miR-9-5p and miR-193a/b-3p), which together target multiple genes involved in ER signaling. Moreover, this approach enabled the definition of miR-9-5p as a global regulator of steroid receptor signaling in breast cancer. We show that miRNA targets and networks defined by HITS-CLIP under physiologic conditions are predictive of patient outcomes and provide global insight into miRNA regulation in breast cancer.
Osmosis-assisted cleaning of organic-fouled seawater RO membranes

Abstract Fouling of various kinds continues to limit membrane-based desalination and water treatment. Fouling is commonly countered through chemical cleaning of membrane elements, resulting in process downtime, membrane degradation and increased operation costs. Recent studies suggest that reversing permeate flux through RO membranes by dosing a slug of high salinity feedwater may offer an effective, chemical-free cleaning method. Herein, seawater RO membranes were fouled using alginic acid as a model seawater foulant and cleaned by osmotic backwashing with draw solutions of different salt concentration and chemistries. Flux recovery by osmotic backwashing was comparable with chemical cleaning (using caustic and a chelating agent); both recovered more flux than physical cleaning (rinsing with DI water). In particular, results illustrate the importance of combining chemical and physical mechanisms, the former contributing to ‘loosening’ of the foulant layer, and the latter facilitating its removal through fluid shear, enhanced by the presence of an osmotic backflow. Hence, osmotic backwashing may offer the potential for in-line, ‘low-chemical’ RO membrane cleaning, which would minimize discharge of cleaning chemicals to the environment and their impacts on RO membranes. Numerical simulations of the osmotic backwash cycle illustrate important time-scales and mass transfer limitations governing osmotic backwashing, through which operational insight may be obtained. The model offers a possible theoretical approach for optimization of RO membrane cleaning by osmotic backwashing.
In search of the Neurobiological underpinnings of the Differential Outcomes Effect

Correlating unique rewards with to-be-remembered events (the Differential Outcomes Procedure [DOP]) enhances learning and memory performance in a range of species. Recently, we have demonstrated that the DOP can be used to reduce or eliminate the learning and memory impairments associated with animal models of amnesia and dementia. This powerful phenomenon, the Differential Outcomes Effect (DOE), has led to the question: How does such a simple manipulation exert such dramatic influence on learning and memory performance? A revised two-process account of the DOE states that using the DOP results in the activation of reward expectancies through Pavlovian mechanisms. The use of unique reward expectancies alters the nature of cognitive processing used to solve discrimination tasks. The change in cognitive processing is represented by utilization of a different memory system than that commonly used to acquire and remember information when a Nondifferential Outcomes Procedure (NOP) is used. Using neurochemical manipulations, it has been demonstrated that different, potentially independent, brain systems modulate memory performance when subjects are trained with a NOP versus a DOP. This memory-based DOP/NOP distinction resembles other dissociative memory theories in which two psychological processes are purportedly served by distinct neurobiological mechanisms. In addition, such results have important ramifications for the treatment of memory disorders because they demonstrate that stimulus and behavioral manipulations, like drugs, can influence neurotransmitter functioning.
Response of metal matrix composites with imperfect bonding

Abstract The method of cells is employed to study the micromechanical response of metal matrix composites as a function of variable bonding parameters. Elastic constants and nonlinear stress-strain responses are predicted as functions of normal and tangential displacement discontinuities between the fiber and the matrix. Typical results are presented for axial, transverse and shear loading of unidirectional silicon-carbide/titanium. It is shown that imperfect bonding can degrade both the elastic constants and nonlinear response of composites with the degree of degradation dependent upon the type and degree of imperfect bond.
Corneal and scleral collagen fiber formation in vitro

We have investigated the role of structural differences in collagen molecules and the effect of proteoglycan preparations on the control of collagen fibril formation. Collagen and proteoglycans were extracted, purified and characterized from two structurally and functionally different connective tissues, rabbit corneal stroma and sclera. Corneal collagen was found to form fibers 6- to 7-times more slowly than scleral type I collagen. Proteoglycans from both sources retard fibrillogenesis, with corneal proteoglycans having approximately 3-times the effect observed with scleral proteoglycans. The morphology of the fibers formed was normal in all cases. Therefore, the changes observed may reflect a true control mechanism related to the strict morphological arrangement associated with corneal transparency.
Modern Jurisprudence and the Transvaluation of Liberal Constitutionalism

This article focuses on some of the recent work in constitutional jurisprudence, especially the writings of Ronald Dworkin. It argues that the liberal constitutionalism of the present represents a significant, although not always acknowledged, departure from the liberal constitutionalism of the founding period. The Constitution in effect becomes an object of transvaluation, involving an important reordering of underlying philosophical assumptions and commitments. Thus, the considerable infusion of Rawlsian moral theory into constitutional theory has influenced both the substance of constitutional scholarship and the perception of the role of the judiciary in American politics. The implications of this for the enforcement of individual rights are explored through a contrast of Dworkin's ideas with Madison's Federalist contributions. The countermajoritarian impulses common to both theories turn out to have quite different lessons for students of judicial authority.
Environmental monitoring of brominated flame retardants

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are synthetic organobromide compounds which inhibit ignition and combustion processes. Because of their immense ability to retard fire and save life and property, they have been extensively used in many products such as TVs, computers, foam, plastics etc. The five major classes of BFRs are tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), pentabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether, and decabromodiphenyl ether. The last three are also commonly called PBDEs. BDE-85 and BDE-209 are the two prominent congeners of PBDEs and this study reports the adverse effects of these congeners in rodents. Exposure of rat sciatic nerves to 5 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL of BDE-85 and BDE-209 respectively lead to significant, concentration dependent reduction in nerve conduction function. Glucose absorption in the rat intestinal segments exposed to 5 μg/mL of BDE-85 and BDE-209 was significantly reduced for both the compounds tested. Lastly, mice when exposed to 0.25 mg/kg body weight for four days showed a disruption in oxidant and antioxidant equilibrium. The tissues namely liver and brain have shown increase in the levels of lipid hydroperoxides indicating oxidative stress. Moreover, all the protective enzymes namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and glutathione S transferase (GST) have shown tissue specific alterations indicating the induction of damaging oxidative stress and setting in of lipid peroxidation in exposed animals. The results indicate monitoring of PBDEs in the environment is essential because levels as low as 5 μg/mL and 0.25 mg/kg body weight were able to cause damage to the functions of rodents.
Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Established in Physiological-Glucose Media Express the High KM Glut2 Glucose Transporter Expressed by Normal Embryos

Glut2 is one of the facilitative glucose transporters expressed by preimplantation and early postimplantation embryos. Glut2 is important for survival before embryonic day 10.5. The Glut2 KM (∼16 mmol/liter) is significantly higher than physiologic glucose concentrations (∼5.5 mmol/liter), suggesting that Glut2 normally performs some essential function other than glucose transport. Nevertheless, Glut2 efficiently transports glucose when extracellular glucose concentrations are above the Glut2 KM. Media containing 25 mmol/liter glucose are widely used to establish and propagate embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Glut2-mediated glucose uptake by embryos induces oxidative stress and can cause embryo cell death. Here we tested the hypothesis that low-glucose embryonic stem cells (LG-ESCs) isolated in physiological-glucose (5.5 mmol/liter) media express a functional Glut2 glucose transporter. LG-ESCs were compared with conventional D3 ESCs that had been cultured only in high-glucose media. LG-ESCs expressed Glut2 mRNA and protein at much higher levels than D3 ESCs, and 2-deoxyglucose transport by LG-ESCs, but not D3 ESCs, exhibited high Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Glucose at 25 mmol/liter induced oxidative stress in LG-ESCs and inhibited expression of Pax3, an embryo gene that is inhibited by hyperglycemia, in neuronal precursors derived from LG-ESCs. These effects were not observed in D3 ESCs. These findings demonstrate that ESCs isolated in physiological-glucose media retain a functional Glut2 transporter that is expressed by embryos. These cells are better suited to the study of metabolic regulation characteristic of the early embryo and may be advantageous for therapeutic applications.
Evaluation on intelligent energy management system for PHEVs/PEVs using Monte Carlo method

The large penetration of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) brings up many technical problems that needs to be addressed and reassured on. There is also a need for in-depth study on PHEVs in term of Smart Grid environment. In this paper, we introduced the existing testbed of a Large-scale PHEV charging infrastructure developed by FREEDM/ATEC center to achieve the optimal power allocation. Then we applied Monte Carlo method to simulate the myriad real-world scenarios at a municipal parking deck. Case studies were performed to analyze the system performance of intelligent charging algorithms for a large amount of PHEVs using Monte Carlo simulation. Accordingly, the simulation results characterized the optimization performance in terms of the optimal electricity consumption and the PHEV battery State-of-Charge at plug-out.
NMR-based metabolomics study of the biochemical relationship between sugarcane callus tissues and their respective nutrient culture media.

The culture of sugarcane leaf explant onto culture induction medium triggers the stimulation of cell metabolism into both embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus tissues. Previous analyses demonstrated that embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus tissues have distinct metabolic profiles. This study is the follow-up to understand the biochemical relationship between the nutrient media and callus tissues using one-dimensional (1D 1H) and two-dimensional (2D 1H–13C) NMR spectroscopy followed by principal component analysis (PCA). 1D 1H spectral comparisons of fresh unspent media (FM), embryogenic callus media (ECM), non-embryogenic callus media (NECM), embryogenic callus (EC), and non-embryogenic callus (NEC), showed different metabolic relationships between callus tissues and media. Based on metabolite fold change analysis, significantly changing sugar compounds such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose were maintained in large quantities by EC only. Significantly different amino acid compounds such as valine, leucine, alanine, threonine, asparagine, and glutamine and different organic acid derivatives such as lactate, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, 4-aminobutyrate, malonate, and choline were present in EC, NEC, and NECM, which indicates that EC maintained these nutrients, while NEC either maintained or secreted the metabolites. These media and callus-specific results suggest that EC and NEC utilize and/or secrete media nutrients differently.
Effects of atmospheric pressure plasmas on isolated and cellular DNA-a review

Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (APP) is being used widely in a variety of biomedical applications. Extensive research in the field of plasma medicine has shown the induction of DNA damage by APP in a dose-dependent manner in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Recent evidence suggests that APP-induced DNA damage shows potential benefits in many applications, such as sterilization and cancer therapy. However, in several other applications, such as wound healing and dentistry, DNA damage can be detrimental. This review reports on the extensive investigations devoted to APP interactions with DNA, with an emphasis on the critical role of reactive species in plasma-induced damage to DNA. The review consists of three main sections dedicated to fundamental knowledge of the interactions of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) with DNA and its components, as well as the effects of APP on isolated and cellular DNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Sustained thermal pain modulates spontaneous sensorimotor rhythms

The aim of this study was to investigate the neurophysiological correlates of sustained thermal pain. Spectral changes in the EEG were quantified and correlated with the stimulation status. A reduced synchrony in mu band (8-13 Hz) was found in the contralateral side of the sensorimotor region.
Differential pharmacology of atypical antipsychotics: clinical implications.

Purpose. Pharmacology of atypical antipsychotics and the clinical implications are reviewed. Summary. Psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are often associated with poor outcomes. Atypical antipsychotics have become the standard of care for these disorders, and multiple agents have demonstrated efficacy for both acute and maintenance therapy. As a result of their differential pharmacologic properties, atypical antipsychotics have diverse clinical profiles, resulting in different liabilities for specific adverse events. These effects can, in turn, have an adverse impact on patient functionality, adherence to therapy, and overall health. Conclusion. Atypical antipsychotics have distinct pharmacological profiles which result in clinically meaningful differences in adverse effects. Clinicians should have a wide choice of agents available with which to optimize outcomes in the majority of patients with psychiatric disorders.
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: diagnosis and medical management.

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is discussed from the viewpoints of physiology, etiology, signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, and treatment. Characteristic manifestations are those of malabsorption, with steatorrhea. The pancreatic secretin test is still the most valuable laboratory tool, though quantitative determination of fecal chymotrypsin may ultimately prove to be more advantageous. Pancrelipase or various other combinations of digestive enzymes often provide effective therapy.
Caveolin-1 phosphorylation regulates vascular endothelial insulin uptake and is impaired by insulin resistance in rats.

Aims/hypothesis As insulin entry into muscle interstitium is rate-limiting for its overall peripheral action, defining the route and regulation of its entry is critical. Caveolin-1 is required for caveola formation in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and for EC insulin uptake. Whether this requirement reflects simply the need for caveola availability or involves a more active role for caveolae/caveolin-1 is not known. Here, we examined the role of insulin-stimulated tyrosine 14 (Tyr14)-caveolin-1 phosphorylation in mediating EC insulin uptake and the role of cellular Src-kinase (cSrc), TNF-α/IL-6 and high fat diet (HFD) in regulating this process.
A Latent Variable Approach to Study Gene–Environment Interactions in the Presence of Multiple Correlated Exposures

Many existing cohort studies initially designed to investigate disease risk as a function of environmental exposures have collected genomic data in recent years with the objective of testing for gene-environment interaction (G × E) effects. In environmental epidemiology, interest in G × E arises primarily after a significant effect of the environmental exposure has been documented. Cohort studies often collect rich exposure data; as a result, assessing G × E effects in the presence of multiple exposure markers further increases the burden of multiple testing, an issue already present in both genetic and environment health studies. Latent variable (LV) models have been used in environmental epidemiology to reduce dimensionality of the exposure data, gain power by reducing multiplicity issues via condensing exposure data, and avoid collinearity problems due to presence of multiple correlated exposures. We extend the LV framework to characterize gene-environment interaction in presence of multiple correlated exposures and genotype categories. Further, similar to what has been done in case-control G × E studies, we use the assumption of gene-environment (G-E) independence to boost the power of tests for interaction. The consequences of making this assumption, or the issue of how to explicitly model G-E association has not been previously investigated in LV models. We postulate a hierarchy of assumptions about the LV model regarding the different forms of G-E dependence and show that making such assumptions may influence inferential results on the G, E, and G × E parameters. We implement a class of shrinkage estimators to data adaptively trade-off between the most restrictive to most flexible form of G-E dependence assumption and note that such class of compromise estimators can serve as a benchmark of model adequacy in LV models. We demonstrate the methods with an example from the Early Life Exposures in Mexico City to Neuro-Toxicants Study of lead exposure, iron metabolism genes, and birth weight.
Heat and Mass Transport Analysis of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell With Bipolar Plates

Fuel cells convert chemical energy of fuels into electricity directly. Their higher efficiency and low emissions made them prime candidates for next generation power requirements. The Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell has gained attention of both transportation and stationary power generation industries. In this study a three-dimensional computational model for the simulation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell unit cell is developed to understand the complex internal mechanisms, and evaluate the effects of bipolar plate designs on the cell performance. The model includes combined heat and mass transfer processes due to convection and diffusion in the gas flow channels of bi-polar plates as well in the gas diffusion layers of the electrodes, and associated electrochemical reactions in a tri-layer PEM fuel cell. Simulation is carried out with straight parallel channels for operating current density in the range from 0.5–1.5 A/cm2 showed significant insight details of PEM fuel cell in terms of distribution of reactant gases, and heat and water transport across the cell. A significantly high variation in gas concentration across the electrode–membrane interfaces and along the channel length is noticed, requiring higher stoichiometric ratios to increase the limiting current density.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Returning home: forced conscription, reintegration, and mental health status of former abductees of the Lord's Resistance Army in northern Uganda

Background Since the late 1980s, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a spiritualist rebel group in northern Uganda, has killed and mutilated thousands of civilians and abducted an estimated 52,000 to 75,000 people to serve as soldiers, porters, and sex slaves for its commanders. This study examines the types of violence to which former abductees have been exposed and the extent to which these acts have affected their psychological well-being.
The Effect of Water Vapor on the Oxidation Behavior of Ni-Pt-Al Coatings and Alloys

Abstract Turbines fired with hydrogen or syngas from coal gasification will have significantly higher water vapor contents in the combustion gas than natural gas fired turbines. The effect of increased water vapor on alumina-forming coatings and model alloys was investigated at 1100 °C in furnace cyclic testing. Increasing the water vapor content from 10% to 50 vol.% increased the amount of scale spallation on undoped alumina-forming alloys. Compared to dry O2, increased spallation was observed for β and γ/γ' phase coatings on the substrates of alloys 142 and N5. In all cases, the addition of water vapor appeared to reduce the formation of alumina whiskers and ridges at the scale–gas interface, but did not significantly change the alumina growth rate. The addition of water vapor may have a detrimental effect on the selective oxidation of Al in γ/γ' alloys and coatings.
Cardiac responses of the turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) to voluntary diving and to forced submersion

Abstract 1. 1. Voluntarily diving turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) showed a mean reduction in heart rate of 28%. It occurred immediately, and was stable. 2. 2. When the same animals were forcibly submerged, the maximum reduction in heart rate averaged 92%. The rate decreased slowly, taking an average of 33 min to reach its nadir, and then increased and became stable for the remainder of the dive. However, even once regular the mean reduction in rate remained intense at 53%. 3. 3. The more severe bradycardia with forced submersion appears to be due to the fright associated with such dives.
A current perspective on the role of eosinophils in dermatologic diseases

Eosinophils are frequently observed in cutaneous inflammation, but little is known of their significance in the pathophysiology of cutaneous disease. Recent studies of the structure, content, and activities of the eosinophil have shown that it has potent toxic proteins with the potential to mediate tissue damage. Furthermore, immunofluorescent localization of eosinophil granule proteins has shown that eosinophils disrupt in tissue and deposit toxic granule proteins. The deposition of granule proteins in several diseases is vastly out proportion to the number of identifiable cells and indicates that eosinophil involvement in cutaneous disease cannot be judged by the number of intact eosinophils in the tissue. Specifically, deposition of eosinophil granule proteins outside of eosinophils has been observed in eczematous lichenified disorders with elevated serum levels of immunoglobulin E, in urticarial and angioedematous disorders, and in bullous diseases. The structural, compositional, and functional characteristics of eosinophils are reviewed, and evidence of eosinophil degranulation in cutaneous diseases is presented. Mechanisms whereby eosinophil degranulation may mediate pathophysiologic effects are also discussed.
The dendritic state

Historically, each of the three macromolecular architectural classes, i.e. (I) linear, (II) crosslinked, and (III) branched, has spawned rich polymer science. These architectural discoveries have been characterized by the emergence of new syntheses, structures, phenomena, properties, and products that have dramatically improved the human condition 1 . In the past five years, nanotechnology initiatives 2 have focused on new synthesis strategies, structures, phenomena, and properties associated with length scales of 1–100 nm. These dimensions encompass biological building blocks (protein, DNA, RNA, etc.) and abiotic application areas (nanophotonics and nanoelectronics) ( Fig. 1 ) 2 , 3 , 4 . This review will focus on an emerging, fourth class of architecture, ‘the dendritic state’, and its convergence with nanotechnology 5 , 6 .
Platoon modeling for traffic control

In computerized street traffic control systems, there are several advantages to using a distributed computer system rather than a central computer system. The detector data can be processed by microprocessors located at the intersections to yield such parameters as volume, occupancy, speed, platoon width, platoon arrival and departure times. This paper describes the modeling of platoon characteristics based on detector data only. Among the topics considered are platoon width, platoon splitting, and platoon movement at an intersection with 2 way flow and turning lanes.
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm causing obstructive jaundice.

Expanding abdominal aortic aneurysms have been reported to produce compression of several vital abdominal structures. A 67-year-old man who developed common bile duct obstruction with jaundice from a contained rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is presented. Diagnosis was made preoperatively with the aid of several modern radiographic techniques. This case illustrates an additional consideration in the differential diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction-expanding or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
An optimal strategy for dilation based iris image enrollment

The progression of research into understanding and mitigating the effects of pupil dilation on iris biometrics is at a point where a formalization of the problem is necessary to tie together several research directions and results. Past research has shown that differences in dilation in a (probe, gallery) pair lead to an increase in false non-match rates. Additionally, analysis continues to show that there is at least an approximate linear relationship between increase in dilation difference and degradation in match scores. Lastly, dilation-aware based enrollment techniques have shown to be a promising approach to addressing matching errors due to pupil dilation difference. This paper establishes a framework based on an assumed linear relationship between match scores and dilation difference and shows that the optimal image to enroll based on pupil dilation is the image which has a dilation value near the mean or median depending on the measure of dilation difference.
A model allowing pre thermalization trapping of positrons

Abstract A simple trapping model is developed incorporating the assumption that positrons may trap in defects prior to complete thermalization and is shown to explain recent lifetime data on Pb.
The low energy two-photon spectrum of pyrazine using the phosphorescence photoexcitation method

Abstract The two-photon phosphorescence excitation spectrum of neat pyrazine crystal at 1.6 K has been examined in the region 6800-4250 A. A discussion of two-photon allowed and vibronically induced transitions is given. The theoretical discussion shows that, due to the added possibility of vibronic mixing in the intermediate state, in general more non-totally symmetric vibrations are expected to show intensity in a symmetry forbidden two-photon spectrum than in a forbidden one-photon spectrum. An estimate of the relative intensities of allowed and vibronically induced (n, π*) two photon transitions in pyrazine have been carried out using the Cl energies and MO transition moments obtained by Wadt and Goddard. Comparison of these results with the normalized spectrum obtained with polarized light indicates the absorptions observed in the region 30 000–35 000 cm−1 are analyzable in terms of a single electronic transition with a forbidden origin which coincides with the 1B3u ← 1Ag one-photon transition origin. Several of the prominent false origins appearing in this region have been tentatively assigned and indicate that, unlike symmetric modes, frequencies of asymmetric vibrations are significantly altered in the excited state. A lower limit of 0.8 eV is set for the 1B3u-1B2g splitting which results from the interactions of the two pyrazine lone pair orbitals.
Copulatory tactics in relation to sperm competition in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep

Sperm competition arises in the bighorn mating system because receptive ewes are some-times defended and mated in sequence by a series of increasingly dominant rams and because subordinate (coursing) rams commonly succeed in forcing matings with defended ewes. To identify potential components in a male strategy of sperm competition, the social circumstances and schedule of copulation among free-ranging bighorns were investigated. Three such components emerged: (i) Defending and coursing rams copulated with estrous ewes at extraordinarily high rates, presumably to increase the proportion of their own versus rivals' sperm present at fertilization by simple numerical preponderance at insemination. (ii) Coursing but not defending rams concentrated copulations later in the period of estrus (sensu this study). Evidence from domestic sheep suggests that this may correspond to the period of maximum female fertility. A greater risk and/or reduced benefit associated with forced versus cooperative copulation may force coursing rams to restrict copulation to periods of highest fertility, whereas defending rams may gain even from copulations outside this period. (iii) Defending rams copulated at unusually high rates immediately after bouts of successful coursing. Such “retaliatory” copulations were associated with reduced amounts of courtship and were more likely to occur if the defending ram had copulated infrequently recently. The number of retaliatory copulations was independent of the number of preceding forced copulations, probably because defending rams rationed ejaculates in anticipation of future coursing. The function of retaliation is not clear, although the literature on domestic sheep suggests the possibility of some form of mechanical displacement of rival sperm. Unlike females of many ungulate species, bighorn ewes were typically receptive to cooperative copulation over a period of days. Although persistent courtship by defending rams may coerce such extended receptivity, it is also possible that ewes, facing unavoidable forced matings by coursing rams, gain genotypic benefits for offspring by providing prolonged copulatory access to relatively dominant defending rams.
The Spectropolarimetric Test of the Quasar Emission Mechanism

The spectral energy distribution of ordinary quiescent quasars is dominated by the "big blue bump" continuum component in the optical/UV region. This has been modeled as a viscous dissipative thin disk, though fundamental problems with that model are known.Here we test the dramatic polarization predictions for one such model. Pure scattering atmospheres are ruled out by existing data. However, the models of Laor, Netzer, & Piran have significant absorption opacity. They indicate that the optical light and that shortward of the Lyman edge may have low polarization but that the 1000-2000 A region may be significantly polarized. The position angle should be perpendicular to the radio axis where available. We do not see the predicted behavior.The polarization data also constrain reprocessing models for the disk.
The accuracy of frozen section by tumor weight for ovarian epithelial neoplasms.

This study evaluated the effect ovarian weight has on the accuracy of frozen sections in serous and mucinous ovarian tumors. The study group included 294 patients who had an initial frozen section (189 serous and 105 mucinous tumors) at surgery. The pathology reports were separated into subgroups (benign, borderline, or malignant). Tumors were broken down into three weight categories: ≤450 g, >450 to ≤1360 g, and >1360 g. In each weight category, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predicative values were calculated on frozen sections. The mean weight of the ovarian tumors was 1042 g. As the weight increased in serous tumors, the sensitivity fell from 96.2 to 93.8 to 75%, respectively, in each weight category. The same trend was noted with mucinous tumors as sensitivity fell from 91.7 to 87.5 to 66.7%, respectively. With an increase in the size of ovarian tumors, a decrease in the sensitivity of frozen section was observed. With tumors greater than 1360 g, sensitivity was only 69%. Twenty-three percent of ovarian tumors revealing borderline diagnosis at frozen section were malignant on the final pathology report, with the greatest misclassification in >1360-g mucinous tumors (50%). For patients with large ovarian tumors, consideration should be given to performing staging at the time of the initial laparotomy.
A Systematic Relationship between the Representations of Convectively Coupled Equatorial Wave Activity and the Madden–Julian Oscillation in Climate Model Simulations

AbstractThe relationship between a model’s performance in simulating the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and convectively coupled equatorial wave (CCEW) activity during wintertime is examined by analyzing precipitation from 26 general circulation models (GCMs) participating in the MJO Task Force/Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Atmospheric System Study (GASS) MJO model intercomparison project as well as observations based on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). A model’s performance in simulating the MJO is determined by how faithfully it reproduces the eastward propagation of the large-scale intraseasonal variability (ISV) compared to TRMM observations. Results suggest that models that simulate a better MJO tend to 1) have higher fractional variances for various high-frequency wave modes (Kelvin, mixed Rossby–gravity, and westward and eastward inertio-gravity waves), which are defined by the ratios of wave variances of specific wave modes to the “total” variance, and 2) exhibit...
Spectral compression of ultrafast pulses using transiently aligned molecules

We demonstrate temporal phase modulation of an ultrafast pulse by a time-dependent refractive index of transiently aligned anisotropic gas molecules. This allows for the generation of transform limited pulses that are tunable in duration.