cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alteration of the cleavage distance of Fok I restriction endonuclease by insertion mutagenesis

Abstract Fok I restriction endonuclease recognizes the nonpalindromic pentadeoxyribonucleotide 5'-GGATG-3'.5'-CATCC-3' in duplex DNA and cleaves 9 and 13 nucleotides away from the recognition site. Recently, we reported the presence of two distinct and separable protein domains within this enzyme--one for the sequence-specific recognition and the other for endonuclease activity. Here, we report the construction of two insertion mutants of Fok I endonuclease. The mutant enzymes were purified, and their cleavage properties were characterized. The mutants have the same DNA sequence specificity as the wild-type enzyme. However, compared with the wild-type enzyme, they cleave one nucleotide further away from the recognition site on both strands of the DNA substrates. Thus, it is possible to alter the cleavage distance of Fok I by protein engineering.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS FROM CASTOR BEAN POMACE: TESTS FOR TOXICITY.

Abstract The occurrence of several outbreaks of illness among workers handling castor bean pomace at eastern seaports in 1958 and 1959 led to an investigation of the toxicity of a number of commercial preparations. The conventional hemagglutination test and a toxic assay were used to study 14 commercial samples. The agglutination activity may be destroyed by heat without complete destruction of the toxic activity. Four of the samples collected were as toxic as the ricin sample used as the bioassay standard. In view of the potency of the toxin, ricin, and the failure of the agglutinating activity to correlate with the toxic properties of the samples, it is recommended that a toxin assay such as described in this paper be used to evaluate commercial preparations.
Treatment of osteopenia in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus : the effect of 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3

Twelve children (8 boys and 4 girls) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), aged 9–15 years, received 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1α-OHD3) in a dose of 0.05 μg/kg per day for 1 year. Duration of disease varied between 2.8 and 9 years. Bone density was determined in the distal third of forearm using single photon absorptiometry, and was expressed as standard scores (±SD) with respect to sex- and agemateched controls. Bone density measurements and ultrasound studies of the kidneys were performed at 0,6 and 12 months. Serum calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, glycosylated haemoglobin in morning blood samples and urinary Ca, P, Mg, and hydroxyproline were regularly determined. One patient was excluded from the study because of hypercalciuria and one because of lack of compliance. Bone density increased significantly after 6 and 12 months of 1α-OHD3 administration (P=0.015,P<0.001 respectively). None of the biochemical parameters changed significantly.
Understanding effects of time and proximity on collaboration: implications for technologies to support collaborative information seeking

We present a user study involving 80 participants in 40 pairs about the implications of four time-space conditions in a collaborative information seeking task, namely: co-located, remotely located with text chat, remotely located with audio chat, and asynchronous. Results suggest that when individuals are co-located, their search behaviors tend to overlap thus affecting their ability to find diverse and useful information. On the other hand, when people are remotely located, the levels of independency and diversity depend upon the richness of the communication channel being used. Finally, when collaborative search is performed asynchronously, team members reach high levels of independency at the cost of effectiveness. These findings are particularly essential in various areas of research and application such as human-computer interaction (HCI) and information retrieval (IR), providing additional knowledge that would enable system designers to provide better support for the information search process of teams.
A novel release mechanism utilizing micro-fuse for CMOS-MEMS micro-mirror

Residual stress developed during thermal processes in fabrication is ubiquitous in MEMS devices. While the residual stress is exploited in many devices to generate initial displacements of freestanding structures in the device [1–2], it can also cause severe problems during and after device fabrications. Post-development of residual stress over long term can deteriorate the performance and even fail the device completely [3]. In the DRIE based microfabrication of our previous CMOS-MEMS electrostatic micro mirrors, sudden release and even crash of microstructures in plasma etching chamber was observed. This is due to the considerable large stress in the multiple-layer microstructures and the low damping effect in the chamber where high vacuum is present [4]. One possible solution to this troublesome final step is to release the microstructures in ambient with higher damping factor.
Biogenic silica based Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ and Y2SiO5:Eu3+ phosphor layers patterned by inkjet printing process

We demonstrate herein the fabrication of patterned layers of Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ and Y2SiO5:Eu3+ phosphor materials based on nanostructured diatom biosilicavia the inkjet printing process.
Familiar melody recognition by children and adults using cochlear implants and normal hearing children.

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of age at time of testing, hearing history (age at hearing loss) and hearing status on melody recognition. Four groups were compared: children with normal hearing thresholds, and three groups of cochlear implant recipients (children with prelingual deafness, children with postlingual deafness, adults with postlingual deafness). Participants were tested for recognition of familiar melodies (no lyrics) in a closed-set task. Groups differed in accuracy in the following rank order (most to least accurate): children with normal hearing thresholds, adult cochlear implant recipients, children with postlingual deafness, children with prelingual deafness. Melody recognition scores were correlated with age, variables regarding hearing history, musical background/experience and speech perception scores. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Roles of GATA4/6 in the Postnatal Heart Identified through Temporally Controlled, Cardiomyocyte-Specific Gene Inactivation by Adeno-Associated Virus Delivery of Cre Recombinase

GATA4 and GATA6 are central cardiac transcriptional regulators. The postnatal, stage-specific function of the cardiac transcription factors GATA4 and GATA6 have not been evaluated. In part, this is because current Cre-loxP approaches to cardiac gene inactivation require time consuming and costly breeding of Cre-expressing and “floxed” mouse lines, often with limited control of the extent or timing of gene inactivation. We investigated the stage-specific functions of GATA4 and GATA6 in the postnatal heart by using adeno-associated virus serotype 9 to control the timing and extent of gene inactivation by Cre. Systemic delivery of recombinant, adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) expressing Cre from the cardiac specific Tnnt2 promoter was well tolerated and selectively and efficiently recombined floxed target genes in cardiomyocytes. AAV9:Tnnt2-Cre efficiently inactivated Gata4 and Gata6. Neonatal Gata4/6 inactivation caused severe, rapidly lethal systolic heart failure. In contrast, Gata4/6 inactivation in adult heart caused only mild systolic dysfunction but severe diastolic dysfunction. Reducing the dose of AAV9:Tnnt2-Cre generated mosaics in which scattered cardiomyocytes lacked Gata4/6. This mosaic knockout revealed that Gata4/6 are required cell autonomously for physiological cardiomyocyte growth. Our results define novel roles of GATA4 and GATA6 in the neonatal and adult heart. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that evaluation of gene function hinges on controlling the timing and extent of gene inactivation. AAV9:Tnnt2-Cre is a powerful tool for controlling these parameters.
Simultaneous Technology Mapping and Placement for Delay Minimization

Technology mapping and placement have a significant impact on delays in standard cell-based very large scale integrated circuits. Traditionally, these steps are applied separately to optimize the delays, possibly since efficient algorithms that allow the simultaneous exploration of the mapping and placement solution spaces are unknown. In this paper, we present an exact polynomial time algorithm for delay-optimal placement of a tree and extend the same to simultaneous technology mapping and placement for the optimal delay in the tree. We extend the algorithm by employing Lagrangian relaxation technique, which assesses the timing criticality of paths beyond a tree, to optimize the delays in directed acyclic graphs. Experimental results on benchmark circuits in a 70 nm technology show that our algorithms improve timing significantly with remarkably less runtimes compared to a competitive approach of iterative conventional timing-driven mapping and multilevel placement.
Snowstorm Event-Based Crash Analysis

This study investigated the impact of snowstorms on a roadway system and assessed winter maintenance efforts in improving highway safety from a macroscopic perspective. The Wisconsin State Trunk Highway System was used as the data source. An inverse relationship between deicing material consumption and crash counts during snowstorms is reflected in the analysis; it also implies multiple causes of snowstorm crashes. Primary factors considered in this research were the effects of various weather conditions and winter maintenance. Results showed a mixed influence of both the snowstorm severity and winter maintenance investment on road safety. That is, severity of the snowstorm in regard to duration, intensity, and wind speed increases traffic crashes and casualties with simultaneous consumption of more deicing materials and labors. The research also explicitly proves that a proactive winter maintenance effort significantly improves traffic safety. Temporal distribution of crash occurrence during a snowstorm shows that a large percentage of crashes occurred during initial stages of the snowstorms, probably because snow removal activities had not yet begun. The pattern is quite similar for state-maintained highways and local roads, except that in the second half of a snowstorm, a higher percentage of crashes occur on local roads than on state highways, possibly suggesting that the different level of maintenance and use of deicing materials may play an important role. Additional research is required to quantify the effects of deicing materials specifically, particularly in regard to application rate and frequency, on highway safety.
Cesarean scar pregnancies: experience of 60 cases.

Objectives To evaluate the management, clinical courses, and outcomes of cesarean scar pregnancies diagnosed in the first trimester. Methods We identified 60 cases of cesarean scar pregnancies diagnosed between 5 and 14 weeks. Group A contained 48 patients with fetal/embryonic cardiac activity; group B comprised 12 patients without cardiac activity; and group C included 11 patients with cardiac activity who chose expectant management. Results Five of the 48 patients (10.4%) in group A were successfully treated for vaginal bleeding. Thirty-three (68.7%) received methotrexate injections, and all had full resolution. Three (6.3%) required uterine artery embolization for late-developing arteriovenous malformations. Ten of the 12 patients (83.3%) in group B were managed expectantly and had full recovery. Two of the 10 (20.0%) had arteriovenous malformations; 1 had unsuccessful uterine artery embolization followed by a hysterectomy, and the second requested a hysterectomy. Ten of the 11 patients (90.9%) in group C continued the pregnancies. One declined local injection. Four of the 10 (40.0%) delivered live offspring by successive elective cesarean deliveries. Three (30.0%) had hysterectomies for placenta percreta, and 1 did not have a hysterectomy after delivery. Five (50%) had second-trimester complications, all leading to hysterectomies. Of the 60 patients, 20 (33.3%) had serious complications: 5 had arteriovenous malformations; 4 had uterine artery embolization; and 11 had hysterectomies. Conclusions A cesarean scar pregnancy is a serious complication for patients who have had cesarean deliveries. Counseling, treatment, and follow-up are challenging for patients and caregivers. However, emerging data from different management approaches confirm that a cesarean scar pregnancy may progress and result in a live neonate at the expense of further fertility. This study confirmed that expectant management of a cesarean scar pregnancy is associated with a high risk of hysterectomy due to morbidly adherent placenta.
Curvilinear graph drawing using the force-directed method

We present a method for modifying a force-directed graph drawing algorithm into an algorithm for drawing graphs with curved lines. Our method is based on embedding control points as dummy vertices so that edges can be drawn as splines. Our experiments show that our method yields aesthetically pleasing curvilinear drawing with improved angular resolution. Applying our method to the GEM algorithm on the test suite of the “Rome Graphs” resulted in an average improvement of 46% in angular resolution and of almost 6% in edge crossings.
Diabetic cardiomyopathy and the role of mitochondrial dysfunction: novel insights, mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies.

Abstract This Forum addresses the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the multifactorial nature of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) from multiple angles. Contributors deliver a diverse and in-depth view of the state-of-the-art in DCM, from bench to bedside. What emerges is a picture of mitochondrial dysfunction as a central upstream defect, inflicted on the heart by diabetes. Collectively, the authors pinpoint high-value knowledge gaps, propose new conceptual frameworks, and highlight understudied, but promising, research themes. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 22, 1499–1501.
Minimizing customer order lead-time in a two-stage assembly supply chain

Coordination across different process stages of the supply chain is becoming more common as the information needed for this coordination is easier to obtain and share. With the availability of this information, managers are beginning to recognize that there can be benefits to scheduling processes in a coordinated fashion. Thus, finding good schedules for the entire supply chain has added importance to today’s managers. Coordination of the material as it moves from one stage to the next should lead to improved customer order lead-time performance for the whole chain and thus better customer service overall. We look at a two-stage assembly supply chain with the objective of minimizing the average customer order lead-time. Minimizing lead-time is becoming increasingly important as customers demand quicker response. But beyond this better customer service objective, minimizing lead-time is consistent with keeping inventory costs low. We introduce a number of properties of optimal solutions, results for special problem cases, and a series of lower bounds. We also provide a number of intuitive heuristics for coordinated supply chain scheduling and test them to determine their effectiveness.
Flicker Adaptation Desensitizes the Magnocellular but Not the Parvocellular Pathway

PURPOSE Anatomical and physiological studies show that in primates, visual information is conveyed through two parallel pathways, including the magnocellular (MC-) and parvocellular (PC-) pathways. However, the functional separation between the two pathways remains controversial and challenging. To resolve this, we show a psychophysical approach to desensitize the inferred MC-pathway of human observers independently of the inferred PC-pathway. METHODS The steady-pedestal and pulsed-pedestal paradigms that allow detection and discrimination to be mediated by only the inferred MC- or PC-pathway were used. Three observers (one male, aged 43 years, and two females, aged 33 and 62 years) adapted to either a steadily presented pedestal or a 2- or 10-Hz 50% contrast square-wave modulated luminance flicker. Contrast discrimination thresholds were measured following the flicker adaptation. RESULTS Flicker adaptation reduces contrast detection and discrimination of the MC-pathway but not the PC-pathway, with larger MC losses from 10-Hz (∼ 0.28 log unit loss, P < 0.05 for all observers) than 2-Hz flicker (∼ 0.13 log unit loss, P < 0.05 for one or two observers depending on stimulus size). Further, our results show that the PC-pathway does not mediate the contrast detection threshold at the background luminance following MC-pathway desensitization. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the feasibility of independently manipulating sensitivity of the MC-pathway in human observers. Our paradigms provide powerful tools to independently investigate the perceptual functions in the MC- and PC-pathways. This could lead to a better understanding of the perceptual functions of these pathways.
Stories from Outside the Frame: Intimate Partner Abuse in Sexual-minority Women's Relationships with Transsexual Men

This qualitative research study examined the relational experiences of sexual-minority women partners of female-to-male transsexuals (N = 20) using grounded theory analysis. This article reports data on abusive relationships reported by a subset of the sample (N = 5), representing a unique and under-studied population. It explores the theoretical constructions that are available from the mainstream anti-violence movement and those from the anti-violence writings of other marginalized communities. Sexual-minority women described abuse tactics by their trans men partners that were influenced by the particularities of their trans partner's identity and oppression, as well as the features of the activist communities of which they were a part. The research findings of this aspect of the study suggest that the context of a `first relationship' with a trans man, the social context of transphobia, and the traditional gender-based heterosexual model of relationship violence in which participants do not recognize t...
Improving the Effectiveness of Strategy Training for Learning Disabled Students: The Role of Communicational Dynamics

After much initial promise, signs of disillusionment are evident concerning the potential of strategy training as an effective method for instilling stable and general cognitive strategic skills in learning disabled students. It is argued here that the difficulties confronted by researchers and practitioners in designing effective instructional programs may relate in part to a neglect of the communicational dynamics of the strategy training situation. Greater attention to these dynamics has implications for how we structure strategy instruction and for our sensitivity to the role of learner characteristics as mediators of strategy training efforts. Recent theoretical and empirical work relevant to the role of communication in effective strategy training is reviewed, and implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.
The subcellular origin of bioluminescence in Noctiluca miliaris.

The light emitted by Noctiluca has its origin in 1 to 5 x 104 organelles ("microsources") which are scattered throughout the perivacuolar cytoplasm, and which appear to be the elementary functional units of bioluminescence. Microscopical techniques, image intensification, and microphotometry were employed in their investigation. Microsources are fluorescent, strongly phase-retarding, and range widely in diameter below 1.5 microns. The number of quanta emitted in a flash from a microsource ("microflash") is of the order of 105 photons. However, microflashes show a wide range of intensities, which are correlated with the size of the organelles from which they arise. Each organelle responds repetitively and with reproducible time course to a succession of invading triggering potentials. Reversible changes in the intensity of the flash emitted by the whole cell ("macroflash") occur because of graduations in intensity of microflashes rather than as a result of changes in the number of responsive organelles. The shape of the flash emitted by individual microsources resembles that of the macroflash except for slightly shorter rise and decay times. It is concluded that the macroflash results from somewhat asynchronous, but otherwise parallel summation of microflashes.
Analysis of a level algorithm for preemptive scheduling

Muntz and Coffman give a level algorithm that constructs optimal preemptive schedules on identical processors when the task system is a tree or when there are only two processors. A variation of their algorithm is adapted for processors of different speeds. The algorithm is shown to be optimal on two processors for arbitrary task systems, but not on three or more processors even for trees. Taking the algorithm as a heuristic on m processors and using the ratio of the lengths of the constructed and optimal schedules as a measure, we show that, on identical processors, its performance is bounded by 2 - 2/m. Moreover 2 - 2/m is a best bound in that there exist task systems for which this ratio is approached arbitrarily closely. On processors of different speeds, we derive an upper bound of its performance in terms of the speeds of the given processor system and show that
SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME IN CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE: Is Infant-Parent Cosleeping Protective?

▪ Abstract This chapter reviews what is presently known about the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and examines the role that infant sleeping arrangements may play in reducing SIDS risks. Alongside sleep laboratory-based experimental evidence comparing bedsharing and solitary sleeping mother-infant pairs, an evolutionary and cross-cultural framework is used to argue that infant-parent cosleeping is biologically, psychologically, and socially the most appropriate context for the development of healthy infant sleep physiology. It is also the context within which potentially more optimal breastfeeding activities for both the mother and infant are most likely to emerge. A survey of cross-cultural data and laboratory findings suggest that where infant-parent cosleeping and breastfeeding are practiced in tandem in nonsmoking households, and are practiced by parents specifically to promote infant health, the chances of an infant dying from SIDS should be reduced.
Emerging surgical treatments for renal cell carcinoma

Treatment of renal cell carcinoma has evolved considerably over the last few years. While total nephrectomy is necessary at times, nephron-sparing surgery, with a goal of renal function preservation, should always be considered. Although open partial nephrectomy is considered the gold standard approach for nephron-sparing surgery, laparoscopic- or robotic-assisted techniques allow urologists to perform renal surgery less invasively, with excellent long-term oncological outcomes. Cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation are less invasive management approaches for carefully selected patients with small renal masses. Active surveillance should be considered in elderly or patients who are unfit for surgery. Ultimately, the method chosen for management of a renal mass is an informed decision made by the physician and patient.
Calibration of blood flow measurement with spectral domain optical coherence tomography

We developed a technique that automatically measures retinal blood flow using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). In this paper we present methods we used to calibrate the measurements.
MASS TRANSFER IN THE WET-SPUN ACRYLIC FIBERS DURING DRYING PROCESS

Mass transfer in wet-spun acrylic fibers during drying process was studied for monofilaments with different polymer compositions. The relation between water transfer in fibers and fine structure of them was made clear.Equations of diffusion were solved under a boundary condition that radius of monofilament changes with time; the condition was experimentally fixed. The numerical solutions were obtained by electronic computer for a set of given coefficients of diffusion. The coefficients of diffusion for water at all stages of drying were obtained by comparing the experimental values with the calculated ones. The obtained results are as follows:(1) Diffusion coefficients of water are functions of polymer composition, drying temperature and time; they are in the range of 5 × 10-7_??_5 × 10-6 cm2 /sec.(2) For the samples composed of such polymers as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), copolymer of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate (P (AN-MEA)) and terpolymer of acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate and allyl sulfonate (P (AN-MEA-SAS)), the diffusion coefficients decrease with time until the water content in the fiber becomes less than 5_??_10%, but thereafter they increase. This behavior of water transfer during drying process corresponds well with the facts that the fine structure collapses at first stage and the fiber temperature rises at final stage.(3) In fiber of copolymer of acrylonitrile and allyl sulfonate (P (AN-SAS)), the increase in the diffusion coefficient at final stage is not observed. This is presumably due to the presence of SAS which is the strong hydrophilic component, and suppress the water transfer.(4) For the compact fibril-void structure like P (AN-SAS) fiber, the water transfer takes place more slowly than for the coarse structure like P (AN-MEA) fiber.Apparent activation energy of diffusion is about 3 to 5 Kcal/mol for all tested fibers.
COMPENSATORY HYPERTROPHY OF RIGHT ADRENAL AFTER LEFT ADRENALECTOMY: OBSERVATIONS IN FETAL, NEWBORN AND WEEK-OLD RATS.

SummaryIn our experiments, both ponderal and histologic observations on the adrenal support the view that in the rat the hypophysisadrenal axis begins to function before birth. After birth, there is an hiatus of 3 days during which the function is significantly reduced.
Clinical and laboratory considerations for the rapid detection of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Carbapenem resistance among the Enterobacteriaceae has become a significant clinical and public health dilemma. Rapid administration of effective antimicrobials and implementation of supplemental infection control practices is required to both improve patient outcomes and limit the spread of these highly resistant organisms. However, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)-infected patients are predominantly identified by routine culture methods, which take days to perform. Rapid genomic and phenotypic methods are currently available to accelerate the identification of carbapenemase-producing CRE. Effective use of these technologies is reliant on close collaboration between clinical microbiology, infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship and infectious diseases specialists. This review discusses the performance characteristics of these technologies to date, and describes strategies for their optimal implementation.
Analysis of Leptospirosis Surveillance in Fengtai County from 2005 to 2007

Objective To understand infection status of leptospirosis among natural population and the host animals in Fengtai county and to provide a scientific basis for leptospirosis control and prevention.Methods The serum antibody was detected by Microscopic agglutination test.Titer≧1:100(++) was judged as inapparent infection.Leptospire was incubated and separated from host animals'kidney and identified by Korth of medium.Results During the period from 2005 to 2007,383 sera were detected.Of them,14 were positive.The rate of inapparent infection was 3.77%.401 host animals(mainly rodents) were captured,40 carried leptospire.They were all hemorrhagic jaundice.Carried rate of leptospire was 9.98%.Conclusion Fengtai county had potential risk of leptospirosis prevalence.Thus leptospirosis control and prevention should be still strengthened.
The new actinopterygian order Guildayichthyiformes from the lower Carboniferous of Montana (USA)

The new order Guildayichthyiformes n. ord. (Actinopterygii) is erected for Guildayichthys carnegiei n. gen. n. sp. and Discoserra pectinodon n. gen. n. sp. from the Upper Chesterian Bear Gulch Limestone of Montana. These marine fish have highly compressed, discoidal bodies, tall rhombic ganoid scales with peg-and-socket joints, fins supported by well-jointed and well-spaced rays, small mouths and specialized bones of the operculo-gular series. The skull roof features several large median bones extending from the rostrum to the occiput, three bones in the otic canal series, and several longitudinal series of pre-frontal elements. The cheek and antorbital areas are equally unique. The cheek has highly variable numbers of suborbitals, tall narrow dorsal and ventral preopercular lateral line canal bones, and a series of interopercular rays (Guildayichthys carnegiei n. gen. n. sp.) or bones (Discoserra pectinodo n. gen. n. sp.) between the ventral preopercular bone and the branchiostegal series. There are several small postspiracular bones and eight to ten sclerotic bones in the orbit. The extensive development of median skull roofing bones in the Guildayichthyiformes n. ord. compares to patterns seen in Dipnoi and Placodermi, that also concentrate biting forces anterior to the orbits, suggesting similar adaptive responses to similar types of cranial stress regimes. Cladistic analysis involving 72 characters results in a very stable sister group relationship between Polypterus and the Guildayichthyiformes n. ord. as a crown group within the tested Paleozoic Actinopterygii. The Cladistia are rediagnosed as a superorder to reflect this relationship. The Cladistia appear to be the sister group of Platysomus and Amphicentrum.
Motor controls of opaline secretion in Aplysia californica

1. Using combined morphological and electrophysiological techniques, we have identified motor neurons in the right pleural ganglion of Aplysia californica that contribute to the release of opaline from the opaline gland. 2. Three pleural ganglion neurons were found to meet the requirements for identification as opaline gland motor neurons by a) sending processes in nerve P5, which innervates the gland; b) producing contractions of the gland in the absence of central synaptic activity; and c) producing excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) in cells making up the opaline gland itself. The neurons can be reliably located and have been designated PLR1, PLR2, and PLR3. 3. When gland contraction is measured by the change in luminal pressure, the gland response is a graded function of low-frequency spike activity in the motor neurons. 4. Presumptive EJPs recorded from opaline gland cells are reversibly decreased in size by high extracellular Mg2+ and reversibly increased in size by raising the concentration of extracellular Ca2+. These results suggest that the presumptive EJPs are chemically mediated. The presumptive EJPs show facilitation and posttetanic potentiation. 5. The identified opaline motor neurons may constitute a significant portion of the motor input to the opaline gland via nerve P5 since hyperpolarization of the cells prevents the opaline gland response elicited by right connective stimulation in vitro. 6. We have compared the properties of the opaline motor neurons with the previously identified properties of the ink motor neurons (6--9, 19). Like the ink motor neurons, the opaline motor neurons have high resting potentials, are electrically coupled, and have no spontaneous spike activity. They also receive a slow and long-lasting evoked depolarizing synaptic input, which appears to be mediated by a decreased conductance mechanism. The firing pattern of the opaline motor neurons produced by synaptic input shows the same delayed bursting pattern previously described for the ink motor neurons. 7. The biophysical properties and synaptic input to the ink motor neurons have been shown to affect the features of inking behavior (4, 6--9, 19). The opaline motor neurons share some of these biophysical characteristics and mediate a defensive behavior similar to ink release. Further comparisons of these behaviors and their underlying neural circuits may provide a better understanding of the extent to which cellular biophysical properties and patterns of synaptic input influence the features of the behaviors that individual neurons mediate.
Nitrogen and protein metabolism and metabolites in plasma and urine of beef steers treated with somatotropin.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of daily injection of bovine somatotropin (bST) on the metabolism of N and 1-[14C]leucine and on hormone and metabolite concentrations in growing beef steers. Injection of bST increased N retention (P less than .05) primarily through decreased (P less than .10) urinary N excretion. Plasma concentration of somatotropin, insulin and glucose increased (P less than .01) and of urea-N (P less than .01) and alpha-amino-N (P less than .10) decreased with bST compared with excipient injection. Total leucine flux was not altered by treatment; however, the partition of flux was. Leucine oxidation decreased (P less than .05) and leucine used for protein synthesis (P less than .10) increased, with bST compared with excipient injection. During excipient injection, 10.3 g protein were synthesized for each gram crude protein deposited, whereas during bST injections only 6.4 g were required. The average maximum contribution of myofibrillar protein degradation to whole body protein degradation, calculated from excretion of 3-methylhistidine, was 16%. Although the ratio of protein deposition/protein synthesis was low for both excipient- and bST-injected steers, the incremental efficiency of protein deposition was 50%, reflecting a dilution of protein synthesis required for turnover and a proportionately greater increase in protein synthesis than protein degradation with bST injection. In growing beef steers, bST stimulated whole body protein synthesis and decreased leucine oxidation. The change in partition of leucine flux, but not of total flux (irreversible loss), demonstrates a chronic redirection in metabolism consistent with homeorhetic control. These data from steers injected with bST suggest mechanisms by which bST affects metabolism during normal growth.
Positivity Deficits in Social Anxiety: Emotions, Events, and Cognitions

Abstract The primary purpose of this chapter is to review neglected, under-appreciated elements of positivity that are relevant to the phenomenology and treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD), and distinguish SAD from other emotional disorders. We present theory and research on infrequent positive events, attenuated positive experiences, impaired attention to positive stimuli, atypical reactions to overtly positive social situations, and a meaningful subset of individuals who show signs of impulsive, short-lived positive events. Methodological advances are introduced along with new avenues for enhancing positive experiences, positive events, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life in individuals with social anxiety difficulties. Taken together, this chapter broadens theory, research, and treatment efforts to encapsulate the positive spectrum of human functioning.
The demand response support under weather impacts using PV generation and EV energy storage

This paper investigates the impact of the grid integration of roof-top Photovoltaic (PV) generation and Electric Vehicles (EVs) energy storage on the demand response. The risk indices are introduced and risk map is created to predict the potential weather impact on the PV and EV owners. Based on the predictions, the aggregator bidding strategies to enable the EVs' stored energy and PV generation to participate in the ancillary service market considering the stochastic behavior are proposed. The role of programs for demand-side management (DSM) (in daily operation) and outage management (OM) (when fault happens) to mitigate the negative weather impacts on the customers is explored. Numerical experiments are implemented to validate the proposed approach and illustrate the impact of PV generation and EVs' ability to charge/discharge the stored energy on the flexibility of the electricity customer demand.
In silico characterization of enantioselective molecularly imprinted binding sites.

A 2-step molecular mechanical and quantum mechanical geometry optimization scheme (MM ➔ QM) was used to “computationally imprint” chiral molecules. Using a docking technique, we show the imprinted binding sites to exhibit an enantioselective preference for the imprinted molecule over its enantiomer. Docking of structurally similar chiral molecules showed that the sites computationally imprinted with R- or S-tBOC-tyrosine were able to differentiate between R- and S-forms of other tyrosine derivatives. The cross-enantioselectivity did not hold for chiral molecules that did not share the tyrosine H-bonding functional group orientations. Further analysis of the individual monomer-target interactions within the binding site lead us to conclude that H-bonding functional groups that are located immediately next to the chiral center and therefore spatially fixed relative to the chiral center will have a stronger contribution to the enantioselectivity of the site than those groups separated from the chiral center by 2 or more rotatable bonds. Here, we present our novel approach for computationally imprinting and characterizing enantioselective binding sites. All modeling schemes were designed to minimize the computational expense. In silico analysis of the properties of molecularly imprinted polymer systems will ultimately allow for the fabrication of more sensitive and selective materials.
A Phase I/II Dose-Escalation Trial of 3-Fraction Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) for Large Resection Cavities of Brain Metastases

Author(s): Soltys, SG; Seiger, K; Modlin, LA; Gibbs, IC; Hara, W; Kidd, EA; Hancock, SL; Diehn, M; Chang, SD; Adler, JR; Harsh, GR; Li, G; Choi, CYH
Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Recurrence of Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer following bacillus Calmette-Guérin Treatment.

AbstractIntroduction: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy is the gold standard adjuvant treatment for patients with high grade nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. Despite the association between the metabolic syndrome and bladder cancer, the association between the metabolic syndrome and bacillus Calmette-Guerin failure is unknown. In this study we characterize disease recurrence following bacillus Calmette-Guerin in patients with and without metabolic syndrome.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the records of patients undergoing transurethral bladder tumor resection at our institution from 2012 to 2015 for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer and identified those who received adjuvant bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy. The metabolic syndrome was defined as having 3 of the 4 components of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension or body mass index 30 kg/m2or greater. The primary outcome was disease recurrence or progression. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared analysis, Kaplan-Meier surviva...
Matrix Chemistry Controlling Stem Cell Behavior

The key to unlocking the vast potential of stem cells' regenerative capacity has long been buried in the complicated labyrinth in which they reside, known as the extracellular matrix (ECM), an essential component of the stem cell niche. Within the past two decades, we have transitioned from believing that the ECM is a passive foundation for cell growth, to our current understanding of the dynamic and responsive meshwork that facilitates tissue development. The composition and structure of the ECM is highly tissue specific as the unique matrix provides the appropriate physical, biological, and chemical signals to optimize cell and tissue functions. This chapter will focus on matrix chemistry and recent advances which demonstrate how they engage with stem cells to modulate their behavior.
Agglomeration, Industrial Districts and Industry Clusters: Trends of the 21st Century Literature

Agglomeration, Industrial Districts and Industry Clusters: Trends of the 21st Century Literature
The Spatial Range of Dendritic Signals for Cerebellar Long-Term Depression

There is an emerging consensus that the brain learns and remembers by changing the efficacy of synaptic connections between neurons. Among the many forms of synaptic plasticity that have been defined, the long-term depression (LTD) of excitatory transmission at cerebellar Purkinje neurons has received considerable attention (Ito, 1989; Linden, 1994; Linden & Connor, 1995). Purkinje cells, the main output neurons of the cerebellar cortex, are innervated by two types of excitatory synapses (Llinas & Walton, 1990): climbing fibers (CF) and parallel fibers (PFs). The CF is the synaptic termination of neurons from the inferior olive while the PF synapse is the termination of granule cells intrinsic to the cerebellar cortex. LTD is a gradual and long-lasting decrease in the efficacy of the PF synapse that occurs when CF and PF synapses are co-activated. It is thought that the decline in PF synaptic efficacy results from a decrease in the responsiveness of postsynaptic glutamate receptors (Ito et al., 1982; Crepel & Krupa, 1988; Linden et al., 1991; Hemart et al., 1994; Wang & Augustine, 1998).
Relationship of estimated resolution time and computerized clinical reminder adherence.

Electronic decision support systems are an important tool for improving performance and improving quality of care. We investigated the relationship between physicians’ estimated resolution times for computerized clinical reminders and adherence rates in VA outpatient settings. We surveyed 10 expert physician users to assess the resolution times of four targeted CCRs for three cases: pessimistic (worst case), expected (average), and optimistic times (best case). ANOVA test shows that physicians’ adherence rates for the four CCRs differed significantly (p = 0.01). CCR adherence rate and resolution time were highly linearly correlated (R-square= 0.876 for the best case, Rsquare= 0.997 for the average case, and R-square= 0.670 for the worst case). This study suggested that future efforts in designing CCRs need to take resolution time into consideration during design, usability testing and implementation phases.
Beyond Effective Frequency: Evaluating Media Schedules Using Frequency Value Planning

ABSTRACT Following the development of computer models for estimating frequency distributions, media planners have searched for a simple method of utilizing distributional information in media planning. The most popular is effective frequency planning (EFP). However, recent research has challenged the value of the EFP approach. Indeed, EFP presents and enormous paradox. On one hand, it is widely used by media planners. On the other hand, it appears to be severely flawed as a method. This paper discusses possible reasons for the paradox, suggesting that, for all its flaws, EFP addresses the need for a practical, and relatively simple, method for utilizing frequency distribution data. The paper offers frequency value planning (FVP) as an alternative solution. While the basic concept has been well known for many years, it has never received broad industry acceptance. This paper provides a practical method for implementing the FVP approach, discussing methods for estimating the advertising response curve and other key inputs. It provides metrics for both evaluating the efficiency of alternative media schedules and for determining the cost effectiveness of alternative budgets.
Covering an Invariant Manifold with Fat Trajectories

Invariant manifolds are important objects in the study of dynamical systems, as well as several applications. They are challenging to compute because even in simple systems they can be very complicated surfaces, demanding adaptive schemes to deal with large curvatures.
Primary diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the vulva-Two new cases of a rare entity and review of the literature.

With fewer than two dozen detailed cases reported in the literature, primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the vulva is a rare entity. Although non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) such as DLBCL most often arise from lymph nodes, bone marrow, or spleen, up to 24% of NHL can present primarily at extranodal sites such as the gastrointestinal tract and skin.1 Less common is the occurrence of primary extranodal NHL at sites along the female genital tract. Although disseminated lymphomas frequently involve structures within the female genital tract, only an estimated 1.5% of NHL are primary extranodal tumors of the female genital tract, anatomically reported in the following order of prevalence: ovary (49%), uterus (29%), fallopian tube (11%), vagina (7%), and vulva (4%).1, 2 Of these sites, DLBCL is the most common subtype of primary NHL identified within the female genital tract in general and in the vulva specifically.3 We report 2 new cases of primary DLBCL of the vulva with associated literature review.
Human Rights Theory, 2: What Reason Do We Have, If Any, to Take Human Rights Seriously? Beyond 'Human Dignity'

This is the second in a series of papers I plan to post in the next few months. Each paper addresses an issue, or a set of related issues, in Human Rights Theory. The overarching subject of the first two papers — of this paper and the first one — is the morality of human rights, which has become, in the period since the end of the Second World War, a global political morality. For the first paper in the series, see Michael J. Perry, “Human Rights Theory, 1: What Are ‘Human Rights’? Against the ‘Orthodox’ View” (2015), http://ssrn.com/abstract=2597403.In this paper, I pursue this inquiry: What reason (or reasons) do we have — if indeed we have any — to take human rights seriously; more precisely, what reason do we have, if any, to live our lives in accord with this imperative, which is articulated in the very first article of the foundational human rights document of our time, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and which is the very heart of the morality of human rights: “Act towards all human beings in a spirit of brotherhood.” Of course, not all of us who have reason to live our lives in accord with that imperative — and, in so doing, to do what we reasonably can to get not only our own government but every government to conduct its affairs in accord with the imperative — have the same reason. Those of us who are religious believers may have one or another theological reason. But many of us are not religious believers.What reason do those of us who are not religious believers have, if any, to live our lives in accord with the “in a spirit of brotherhood” imperative? Probably the best known response to that question relies on a secular version of the idea of “human dignity.” However, it is far from clear, as I explain in this paper, that the secular “human dignity” response works as a reason to take seriously the morality of human rights. Be that as it may, what reason can one have if she is not only a nonbeliever but, philosophically speaking, a “naturalist” — and therefore one for whom, much contemporary moral-philosophical discourse to the contrary notwithstanding, “human dignity” is wholly unavailing as a “foundation” or “ground” for the morality of human rights?