cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Rural Vessel Abandonment Areas of North Creek, North Carolina

This chapter reports on planning, methodologies, and results of East Carolina University’s initial boat abandonment survey in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System. The survey was initiated following student reports of abandoned water craft in the sounds. Supported by a NC Department of Cultural Resources Survey and Planning Grant, the ECU Program in Maritime Studies conducted historical research and a shoreline and remote sensing survey along the Pamlico River’s north shoreline. While many individual wrecked and/or abandoned watercraft were encountered, this chapter reports on boat abandonment areas that were located.
N-METHYLCARBAZOLE METABOLISM: A PROBE FOR CHARACTERIZING THE MULTIPLE FORMS OF CYTOCHROME P-450

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a probe for characterizing the multiple forms of cytochrome P-450. N–methylcarbazole (NMC) is metabolized by rabbit liver microsomes to four monohydroxylated products: (1) NHMC, (2) 1–OH–NMC, (3) 2–OH–NMC, and (4) 3–OH–NMC. The formation of several different metabolites from a single substrate by liver microsomes has been observed with several substrates and has been attributed to the presence of different forms of cytochrome P-450 in the microsomal fraction. Several different forms of cytochrome P-450 have been isolated from rabbit liver microsomes, and each of these forms exhibits a unique substrate specificity and regiospecificity for a single substrate. The metabolism of NMC to multiple products may be useful in monitoring the activity of different forms of cytochrome P-450 in hepatic microsomes and in further characterizing the catalytic specificity of the purified forms of cytochrome P-450.
Large Noncoding RNAs in Bacteria

Bacterial noncoding RNA (ncRNA) classes longer than 200 nucleotides are rare but are responsible for performing some of the most fundamental tasks in living cells. RNAs such as 16S and 23S rRNA, group I and group II introns, RNase P ribozymes, transfer-messenger RNAs, and coenzyme B12 riboswitches are diverse in structure and accomplish biochemical functions that rival the activities of proteins. Over the last decade, a number of new classes of large ncRNAs have been uncovered in bacteria. A total of 21 classes with no established functions have been identified through the use of bioinformatics search strategies. Based on precedents for bacterial large ncRNAs performing sophisticated functions, it seems likely that some of these structured ncRNAs also will prove to carry out complex functions. Thus, determining their roles will provide a better understanding of fundamental biological processes. A few studies have produced data that provide clues to the purposes of some of these recently found classes, but the true functions of most classes remain mysterious.
A Historical Inquiry into Early Kurdish-Israeli Contacts:The antecedents of an alliance

This study traces the progress of the contacts between Israelis and Kurds—two non-Arab regional minorities intent on self-government and encircled by enemies—in their earliest stage of development,...
Endoscopic Inside-Out Mastoidectomy with the Ultrasonic Bone Aspirator.

We report our experience using the ultrasonic bone aspirator (UBA) for transcanal endoscopic “inside out” mastoidectomy. The UBA has irrigation, suction, and nonrotatory ultrasonic bone-removing te...
Perspectives on Opportunities and Challenges for Medicare Advantage Plans to Address Social Determinants of Health via the CHRONIC Care Act

There is increasing recognition of the role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in the ability of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees to obtain needed care. The 2018 CHRONIC Care Act established Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), which for the first time gives MA plans the flexibility to provide supplemental benefits to enrollees to address SDOH. Given the role of SDOH in chronic disease, this represents an opportunity for MA plans to address underlying issues not strictly health care related with which MA enrollees struggle and that affect their overall health. MA plans have experimented with different approaches to address SDOH but have been limited by the lack of ability to offer services as part of covered benefits and reliance on partnerships, grants, and other funding sources to support the provision of these services. The effect of this policy and how it may evolve before implementation begins in 2020 remains uncertain as we wait to see how MA plans will interpret eligibility criteria and services offered without any additional allotted funding.
What If Markets Are Really Moral

This chapter teases out the implications of our conclusion that markets are moral spaces that depend on and encourage morality. It is important to note that saying that markets are not morally corrupting is not to say that markets should exist in everything. It is possible to accept that we are correct that markets are moral and still maintain that certain markets in certain goods and services are noxious and should be limited. Our arguments do imply, however, that, rather than there being moral costs associated with engaging in market activity, there are moral costs that will result from curtailing market activity.
Inorganic vacancy-ordered perovskite Cs2SnCl6:Bi/GaN heterojunction photodiode for narrowband, visible-blind UV detection

A heterojunction photodiode was fabricated from Bi doped Cs2SnCl6 nanoparticles (Cs2SnCl6:Bi NPs) spin-coated on an epitaxially grown GaN substrate. With the back illumination configuration, the heterojunction photodiode demonstrated excellent narrow-band UV sensing capability with a full wavelength of half maximum of 18 nm and a maximum detectivity of 1.2 × 1012 jones, which is promising for biomedical applications. In addition to the excellent narrow band UV sensitivity, the device also demonstrated a large linear dynamic range of 71 decibels (dB) and a fast photoresponse speed (a rise time of 0.75 μs and a fall time of 0.91 μs). The excellent performance is attributed to excellent carrier separation efficiency at the heterojunction interface and improved carrier collection efficiency through the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) network. All the above advantages are of great importance for commercial deployment of perovskite-based photodetectors.
Design and synthesis of carbon-based catalysts for zinc–air batteries

Abstract Owing to the increased focus on sustainable and environment-friendly application of zinc–air batteries (ZABs), there is a strong demand for development of highly efficient and low-costly electrocatalysts to replace platinum group metals. Recently, a variety of carbon-based electrocatalysts have been rationally designed and developed through the control of their structure, composition, and doping properties. Whereas the poor conductivity, limited specific surface area, and low density of active sites remain the major challenges. This chapter gives an overview on the synthesis of carbon-based catalysts with controllable structure, composition, and dopants, and then, presents and categorizes them by their contents and types of metal in composites (such as metal-free, trace metal-containing, and rich metal-containing carbons). A special emphasis is placed on the applications of carbon-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in ZABs. Finally, conclusion and outlook emphasizes crucial issues that should be addressed in the future in the research of carbon-based electrocatalysts.
Behavior of Poly electrolyte Gels in Concentrated Solutions of Highly Soluble Salts

Ionic hydrogels are an abundant class of materials with applications ranging from drug delivery devices to high performance concrete to baby diapers. A more thorough understanding of interactions between poly electrolyte networks and ionic solutes is critical as these materials are further tailored for performance applications in highly targeted ionic environments. In this work, we seek to develop structure-property relationships between polyelectrolyte gels and environments containing high concentrations of multivalent ions. Specifically, this work seeks to elucidate the causes behind differences in hydrogel response to divalent ions of main group metals versus transition metals. PANa-co-PAM hydrogels containing low and high fractions of ionic groups are investigated in solutions of DI water, NaCl, CaCl2, and CuSO4 at concentrations ranging from 5 to 100 mM in order to understand 1) the transient or permanent nature of crosslinks produced in these networks by divalent counter-ions, 2) the role of polymer ionic content in these interactions, and 3) how these interactions scale with salt concentration. Gravimetric swelling and mechanical compression testing are employed to characterize water and salt-swollen hydrogels in order to develop guiding principles to control and manipulate material properties through polymer-counter-ion interactions. The work presented here confirms the formation of permanent crosslinks by transition metal ions, offers explanation for the behavioral discrepancy observed between ionic hydrogels and main group versus transition metal ions, and illustrates how such hydrogel properties scale with counter-ion concentration.
Data Efficient Training for Reinforcement Learning with Adaptive Behavior Policy Sharing.

Deep Reinforcement Learning (RL) is proven powerful for decision making in simulated environments. However, training deep RL model is challenging in real world applications such as production-scale health-care or recommender systems because of the expensiveness of interaction and limitation of budget at deployment. One aspect of the data inefficiency comes from the expensive hyper-parameter tuning when optimizing deep neural networks. We propose Adaptive Behavior Policy Sharing (ABPS), a data-efficient training algorithm that allows sharing of experience collected by behavior policy that is adaptively selected from a pool of agents trained with an ensemble of hyper-parameters. We further extend ABPS to evolve hyper-parameters during training by hybridizing ABPS with an adapted version of Population Based Training (ABPS-PBT). We conduct experiments with multiple Atari games with up to 16 hyper-parameter/architecture setups. ABPS achieves superior overall performance, reduced variance on top 25% agents, and equivalent performance on the best agent compared to conventional hyper-parameter tuning with independent training, even though ABPS only requires the same number of environmental interactions as training a single agent. We also show that ABPS-PBT further improves the convergence speed and reduces the variance.
Small Angle Scattering Data Analysis Assisted by Machine Learning Methods

Small angle scattering (SAS) is a widely used technique for characterizing structures of wide ranges of materials. For such wide ranges of applications of SAS, there exist a large number of ways to model the scattering data. While such analysis models are often available from various suites of SAS data analysis software packages, selecting the right model to start with poses a big challenge for beginners to SAS data analysis. Here, we present machine learning (ML) methods that can assist users by suggesting scattering models for data analysis. A series of one-dimensional scattering curves have been generated by using different models to train the algorithms. The performance of the ML method is studied for various types of ML algorithms, resolution of the dataset, and the number of the dataset. The degree of similarities among selected scattering models is presented in terms of the confusion matrix. The scattering model suggestions with prediction scores provide a list of scattering models that are likely to succeed. Therefore, if implemented with extensive libraries of scattering models, this method can speed up the data analysis workflow by reducing search spaces for appropriate scattering models.
A Prospective ISRO-CfA Himalayan Sub-millimeter-wave Observatory Initiative

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), a member of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian, is in discussions with the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and its partners in the newly formed Indian Sub-millimetre-wave Astronomy Alliance (ISAA), to collaborate in the construction of a sub-millimeter-wave astronomy observatory in the high altitude deserts of the Himalayas, initially at the 4500 m Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle. Two primary science goals are targeted. One is the mapping of the distribution of neutral atomic carbon, and the carbon monoxide (CO) molecule in higher energy states, in large parts of the Milky Way, and in selected external galaxies. Such studies would advance our understanding of molecular hydrogen present in the interstellar medium, but partly missed by existing observations; and characterize Galaxy-wide molecular cloud excitation conditions, through multi-level CO observations. Stars form in interstellar clouds of molecular gas and dust, and these observations would allow research into the formation and destruction processes of such molecular clouds and the life cycle of galaxies. As the second goal, the observatory would add a new location to the global Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) network, which lacks a station in the Himalayan longitudes. This addition would enhance the quality of the images synthesized by the EHT, support observations in higher sub-millimeter wave bands, sharpening its resolving ability, improve its dynamic imaging capability and add weather resilience to observing campaigns. In the broader context, this collaboration can be a starting point for a wider, mutually beneficial scientific exchange between the Indian and US astronomy communities, including a potential future EHT space component.
Endothelial cell apicobasal polarity coordinates distinct responses to luminally versus abluminally delivered TNF-α in a microvascular mimetic

Endothelial cells (ECs) are an active component of the immune system and interact directly with inflammatory cytokines. While ECs are known to be polarized cells, the potential role of apicobasal polarity in response to inflammatory mediators has been scarcely studied. Acute inflammation is vital in maintaining healthy tissue in response to infection; however, chronic inflammation can lead to the production of systemic inflammatory cytokines and deregulated leukocyte trafficking, even in the absence of a local infection. Elevated levels of cytokines in circulation underlie the pathogenesis of sepsis, the leading cause of intensive care death. Because ECs constitute a key barrier between circulation (luminal interface) and tissue (abluminal interface), we hypothesize that ECs respond differentially to inflammatory challenge originating in the tissue versus circulation as in local and systemic inflammation, respectively. To begin this investigation, we stimulated ECs abluminally and luminally with the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) to mimic a key feature of local and systemic inflammation, respectively, in a microvascular mimetic (μSiM-MVM). Polarized IL-8 secretion and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) transmigration were quantified to characterize the EC response to luminal versus abluminal TNF-α. We observed that ECs uniformly secrete IL-8 in response to abluminal TNF-α and is followed by PMN transmigration. The response to abluminal treatment was coupled with the formation of ICAM-1-rich membrane ruffles on the apical surface of ECs. In contrast, luminally stimulated ECs secreted five times more IL-8 into the luminal compartment than the abluminal compartment and sequestered PMNs on the apical EC surface. Our results identify clear differences in the response of ECs to TNF-α originating from the abluminal versus luminal side of a monolayer for the first time and may provide novel insight into future inflammatory disease intervention strategies.
Increased O-GlcNAcylation prevents degeneration of dopamine neurons.

This scientific commentary refers to ‘O-GlcNAcylation regulates dopamine neuron function, survival and degeneration in Parkinson disease’, by Lee et al. (doi: 10.1093/brain/awaa320 ).
THINKING ABOUT THE GOOD: RECONFIGURING LIBERAL METAPHYSICS (OR NOT) FOR PEOPLE WITH COGNITIVE DISABILITIES

Abstract: Liberalism welcomes diversity in substantive ideas of the good but not in the process whereby these ideas are formed. Ideas of the good acquire weight on the presumption that each is a person's own, formed independently. But people differ in their capacities to conceptualize. Some, appropriately characterized as cerebral, are proficient in and profoundly involved with conceptualizing. Others, labeled cognitively disabled, range from individuals with mild limitations to those so unable to express themselves that we cannot be sure whether their behavior is mediated by concepts at all. Constricted cognitive capacities have been thought to prevent participation in the prescribed process for forming personalized ideas of the good. So liberal theory, when formulating principles and practices of justice, often disregards cognitively disabled peoples' perspectives. We put aside metaphysically driven notions about personhood and show how interpersonal processes of “prosthetic” thinking (different from surrogacy) can satisfy liberalism's standards, positioning cognitively disabled individuals as fully participating subjects of justice.
Surnamed Charitable Trusts: Immortalilty at Taxpayer Expense

Charitable trust law authorizes surnamed trusts, and provides no convenient mechanism to force a name change even hundreds of years after the founder's death. Tax law treats the use of a surname as harmless. A founder's ability to surname can provide a significant benefit to the founding family at the expense of the common good. This Article introduces the topic into the debate, provides new empirical evidence, and proposes a viable legislative response.
Patient Satisfaction Following Hallux Rigidus Treatment With a Synthetic Cartilage Implant.

BackgroundThere remains no clear consensus on patient satisfaction and functional outcomes following synthetic cartilage implant (SCI) implantation for hallux rigidus. The purpose of this study was...
Neurosurgery for Extracranial Vertebral Artery

The extracranial vertebral artery (VA) extends from the subclavian artery to the dura mater, at the level of the foramen magnum. It is subdivided into three segments. The V1, or ostial segment, courses through the soft tissue at the base of the neck upwards towards the C6 transverse foramen. The V2, or transversary segment, ascends to the C2 transverse foramen, passing inside the transverse foramen of each cervical vertebra. The V3, or suboccipital segment, runs to the C1 transverse foramen, where it courses above the C1 posterior arch before entering the dura mater. Each segment presents its own specific variations. Basic preoperative exams comprise CT scan and MRI, with angiographic sequences, conventional and dynamic angiography, and Doppler ultrasounds. Knowledge of the arterial dominance and the risk of VA injury will aid in determining the need for a balloon occlusion test (BOT). The anterolateral approach is the method of choice for exposing the VA V1 and V2 segments. The VA V3 segment can be reached either by an anterolateral or a posterolateral approach, depending on the location and extent of the lesion. By ensuring a precise surgical technique is followed, and that VA exposure is controlled, a wide variety of pathologies associated with the VA may be treated.
COMBINATION OF INSECTICIDE APPLICATIONS WITH TRAP CROPS OF EARLY MATURING SOYBEAN AND SOUTHERN PEAS FOR POPULATION MANAGEMENT OF NEZARA VIRIDULA IN SOYBEAN (HEMIPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE)

Early maturing soybean, Glycine max, cultivars and southern peas, Vigna unguiculata, were used as trap crops in large scale field tests for Nezara viridula population management in soybean. In a 19...
On the Economics of Binding Energies

There is a widespread impression that the best, most specific small molecules that make things happen in biological processes are the molecules that bind most strongly to a specific binding site on a macromolecule. Evolution will certainly favor molecules that bind strongly enough to their receptor site that a significant fraction of these sites are occupied, under conditions when it is desirable for some event that results from the binding to occur. However, many active molecules do not bind very strongly to their receptor site and inactive molecules often bind more strongly that active ones. One reason that very strong binding is uncommon is that it is usually just as important for a molecule to be able to dissociate from its binding site as for it to bind readily; very large equilibrium constants for association lead to unacceptably slow rate constants for dissociation even if binding is diffusion controlled. However, a more fundamental reason that the most effective small molecules do not bind very strongly arises from the economics of the utilization of binding energies through interaction energies — as is well known, but often forgotten.
The CHANGE Study: Methods and Sample Description for a Cross-Sectional Study of Heroin Cessation in New York City.

The CHANGE (Cessation of Heroin: A Neighborhood Grounded Exploration) Study aimed to understand factors associated with the initiation and maintenance of sustained heroin cessation from the perspective of users themselves and specifically set out to document the correlates of natural recovery. The CHANGE Study was a case-control study conducted in New York City from 2009 to 2011. Cases were former heroin users, abstinent for 1–5 years in the past 5 years. Controls used heroin at least weekly during the past 5 years and were (1) continuous heroin users without a quit attempt of ≥2 weeks’ duration or (2) relapsed heroin users who were currently using and had a quit attempt of ≥2 weeks’ duration during the past 5 years. Recruitment and data collection methods are described along with limitations and a brief description of the study sample. In contrast to many studies of drug use and cessation, the CHANGE Study was designed to model success (i.e., initiation and maintenance of heroin cessation) and not failure.
The Response of the Eosinophil Leucocyte of the Horse to Injected Histamine, A.C.T.H. and Cortisone

The response of the eosinophil leucocyte was studied in a series of some twenty experiments upon the bone marrow of cross bred ponies. An injection of the agent under investigation was made into the red marrow of the external angle of the ileum on one side of a pony, an injection of an equivalent volume of normal saline being given at a similar site upon the other side. Biopsies were then made from both sides just prior to injection and 1, 4 and 24 hours thereafter. From this material both total nucleated cell counts and eosinophil cell counts were made. The results have been expressed as a change in eosinophil percentage of total nucleated cells, and have been plotted against time. By this means any changes in eosinophil cellularity of the bone marrow attributable to the inevitable variation in the total cellularity of repeated bone marrow biopsies has been discounted. Further, changes up to + or − 0,8% occur within the bone marrow in a period of 24 hours without the injection of any drug.
Abelian Varieties, Theta Functions and the Fourier Transform

Part I. Analytic Theory: 1. Line bundles on complex tori 2. Representations of Heisenberg groups I 3. Theta functions 4. Representations of Heisenberg groups II: intertwining operators 5. Theta functions II: functional equation 6. Mirror symmetry for tori 7. Cohomology of a line bundle on a complex torus: mirror symmetry approach Part II. Algebraic Theory: 8. Abelian varieties and theorem of the cube 9. Dual Abelian variety 10. Extensions, biextensions and duality 11. Fourier-Mukai transform 12. Mumford group and Riemann's quartic theta relation 13. More on line bundles 14. Vector bundles on elliptic curves 15. Equivalences between derived categories of coherent sheaves on Abelian varieties Part III. Jacobians: 16. Construction of the Jacobian 17. Determinant bundles and the principle polarization of the Jacobian 18. Fay's trisecant identity 19. More on symmetric powers of a curve 20. Varieties of special divisors 21. Torelli theorem 22. Deligne's symbol, determinant bundles and strange duality Bibliographical notes and further reading References.
Spatial analysis of the intra‐annual variation of precipitation isotope ratios and its climatological corollaries

[1] Intra-annual variation in the stable isotope ratios of precipitation imparts a time-dependent isotopic signal to continental hydrological and ecological systems. This variation is forced by seasonal climate cycles, with temperature and precipitation intensity each driving isotopic seasonality in different parts of the globe. In order to better characterize and understand the isotopic seasonality of precipitation and to advance applications such as the inversion of isotope/climate relationships for paleoclimate seasonality reconstruction, these relationships are analyzed using a database of precipitation isotope ratio observations and gridded maps. The results confirm the overwhelming dominance of temperature- and precipitation amount–related isotopic seasonality within specific, well-defined geographic zones and indicate that these zones encompass most of Earth's continental land surface. Analysis of global maps of precipitation isotopic seasonality, however, indicates spatially patterned variation in isotope/climate relationships, including patterns related to continentality in temperature-dominated regions and meridional trends in amount-dominated areas. These features reflect more complex climatological controls on isotope seasonality and suggest limitations and opportunities for paleoclimate reconstruction using isotopic archives.
Immunological Conversion of Vibrio cholerae in Gnotobiotic Mice

Cholera vibrios grow readily in the intestines of gnotobiotic mice and change their antigenic structure in response to immunological pressures. These changes were progressive, with the rough form persisting as the apparent end point in the mice. Inoculation of the rough form into fresh gnotobiotic mice resulted in the recovery of smooth forms. An untypable rough strain of Vibrio cholerae isolated from a chronic carrier in Calcutta in 1967 was passed serially in gnotobiotic mice. Smooth strains of V. cholerae were recovered from the feces after selective treatment with complement and antiserum against a rough strain. They were confirmed as O group I cholera vibrios belonging to the eltor biotype. The ability of these strains to produce diarrheal fluid in infant rabbits and to increase capillary permeability in rabbit skin was markedly increased over that of the original human isolate. This demonstrates that rough avirulent forms of V. cholerae from human carriers can undergo antigenic changes and concurrently increase in virulence when placed in an appropriate environment. The many inapparent cholera infections in endemic areas may provide a mechanism by which V. cholerae changes its serotype away from the immunological pressures in the population.
Regulation of Benzo[a]pyrene-Mediated DNA- and Glutathione-Adduct Formation by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in Human Lung Cells

Environmental carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), require metabolic activation to DNA-reactive metabolites in order to exert their tumorigenic effects. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a prototypic PAH, is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (P450) 1A1/1B1 and epoxide hydrolase to (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydro-7,8-diol (B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol). B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol then undergoes further P4501A1/1B1-mediated metabolism to the ultimate carcinogen, (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-B[a]P (B[a]PDE), which forms DNA-adducts primarily with 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) to form (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-N(2)-dGuo (B[a]PDE-dGuo) in DNA. Pretreatment of cells with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is known to induce P4501A1/1B1 mRNA expression through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. This causes increased B[a]PDE-dGuo formation in liver cells. In contrast, TCDD induction of H358 lung cells surprisingly caused a decrease in (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol-mediated (+)-B[a]PDE-dGuo adduct formation when compared with the non-TCDD-induced cells. Furthermore, treatment of the TCDD-induced cells with (±)-B[a]PDE also resulted in decreased (+)-B[a]PDE-dGuo adduct formation when compared with the non-TCDD-induced cells. These data suggested that it was a detoxification pathway that had been up-regulated rather than an activation pathway that had been down-regulated. LC-MS was used to analyze B[a]PDE-dGuo and B[a]PDE-GSH-adducts in H358 lung and HepG2 liver cells. There was a significant increase in the (-)-B[a]PDE-GSH-adduct with high enantiomeric excess after treatment of the TCDD-induced H358 cells with (±)-B[a]PDE when compared with the noninduced cells. This could explain why increased activation of (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol through TCDD up-regulation of P4501A1/1B1 did not lead to increased (+)-B[a]PDE-dGuo adducts in the H358 lung cells. In addition, TCDD did not induce B[a]PDE-GSH-adduct formation in HepG2 liver cells. (±)-B[a]PDE-GSH-adducts were formed at much lower levels in both TCDD-induced and noninduced HepG2 cells when compared with (-)-B[a]PDE-GSH-adducts in the H358 lung cells. Therefore, our study has revealed that there is a subtle balance between activation and detoxification of B[a]P in lung-derived compared with liver-derived cells and that this determines how much DNA damage occurs.
Mining the soil: Agricultural production system on peatland

Soil is usually considered as a renewable resource for dynamic crop and production management decision problems. For peatland, however, soil should be regarded as an exhaustible resource. This paper determines the optimal utilization of peatland for agricultural production within a dynamic context and it also presents an empirical study where the quasirent function is convex in the input and not concave as assumed in many economic studies. As a result of this convexity a corner solution is obtained. Moreover, the study demonstrates that there is only a slight difference between short- and farsighted behavior, and that both lead ultimately to an accelerated exhaustion of the resource. Private optimization leads to intensive use of the peat in the production of high value crops, which depletes the peat in a relatively short period of time. However, peatland also possesses a value as an environmental asset. The study provides a benchmark for the decision as to whether to convert peatland into productive agricultural land or to conserve it.
Reading the Video: A Qualitative Study of Religious Images in Music Videos

Seven focus groups were conducted with first‐year college students to better understand how viewers “read” religious imagery within secular videos. The exploratory study revealed that while the students recalled the images and identified them using traditional terms, their interpretations of the symbols often went beyond a limited overt reading. For many respondents, the lyrics did not enhance—and in some cases detracted from—the understanding of the video gained through viewing the visual images.
Biotransformation and mineralization of alkylbenzenes under denitrifying conditions

Batch microcosm tests were performed with nonacclimated and acclimated aquifer material from Traverse City (MI) to assess the extent of biodegradation of radiolabeled benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), either as single substrates or in a mixture, by indigenous microorganisms under denitrifying conditions. For single substrate studies, the rates and extent of biodegradation of toluene and m-xylene in the acclimated aquifer material were generally similar to those observed in the nonacclimated material. Benzene was recalcitrant in both cases. o-Xylene was recalcitrant in the nonacclimated aquifer material, but degradation occurred after toluene addition. In the acclimated aquifer material, o-xylene degradation commenced without addition of toluene. Mineralization accounted for 36 to 54% of the total alkylbenzene removal. Under mixed substrate conditions, solution concentrations of radiolabeled benzene decreased when nitrate was present, but not in the absence of an added electron acceptor. Mineralization did not occur, and no degradation products could be identified. Benzene removal was linked to alkylbenzene degradation; however, solution concentrations of benzene increased with subsequent toluene additions. It appears that benzene is not being degraded in these denitrifying microcosms, but merely sorbed or sequestered with the potential for subsequent release. Microbial activity, in this case the biodegradation of alkylbenzenes, enhancedmore » this sorption beyond that observed for the initial aquifer material.« less
Psychiatric treatment of the patient during cancer therapy

In summary, the physician should view abnormal behavior in the cancer patient as an early and important diagnostic sign that an underlying medical problem (such as hypercalcemia) may be present. Depression and insomnia yield to intervention with antidepressants and hypnotics in cancer patients as readily as in noncancer patients. Finally, attentive listening is in and of itself anxiety-relieving and can go a long way toward reducing the emotional distress of people with cancer.
Abstract 787: The role of monocytes in promoting natural killer cell activation in response to antibody-coated tumor cells and IL-12

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Introduction: Previous studies from our group has demonstrated that co-stimulation of NK cells via the interleukin-12 receptor (IL-12R) and the FcgRIIIa activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in vitro, in murine tumor models and in phase I clinical trials. The ERK pathway in turn promotes the secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-g) thereby mediating potent anti-tumor effects. Hypothesis: NK cell cytokine secretion would be significantly enhanced following simultaneous stimulation of the NK cells via the activating receptor, NKG2D and their ligands (such as MICA/B) expressed on monocytes. Methods: Purified NK cells, Monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were co-cultured with antibody (Ab)-coated tumors cells in the presence of IL-12. Cell free supernatants were analyzed for the presence of inflammatory cytokines. Results: Co-stimulation of purified NK cells with trastuzumab-coated HER2+ SKBR3 breast cancer cells and IL-12 (10 ng/mL) resulted in synergistic production of IFN-g (>20,000 pg/mL) as compared to the single conditions ( 2 fold) and MIP1 alpha (>4 fold) as compared to un-supplemented NK cells exposed to Ab and IL-12. A dose-response effect was observed with increasing numbers of added monocytes. Pre-treatment of monocytes with LPS and/or IFN-alpha led to increased expression of NKG2D ligands (MICA and MICB) and increased the ability of monocytes to act as co-stimulators of NK cell cytokine secretion. The stimulatory effects of MICA/B+ monocytes were duplicated by the use of a MICA over-expressing cell line (C1R-MICA) but not the parental MICA-negative cell line (2-3.2 fold increase). Incubation of C1R MICA cells with a MICA neutralizing antibody prior to co-culture with NK cells led to a significant reduction in IFN-g secretion. The stimulatory effects of monocytes were also observed in whole PBMC in that depletion of monocytes from PBMC markedly inhibited the production of IFN-g by the NK cell compartment whereas supplementation of PBMC with additional monocytes led to dose-dependent increases in cytokine production. Conclusions: These data suggest that stimulation of NKG2D by monocyte ligands can enhance the NK cell cytokine response to Ab-coated targets. Enhancement of NK monocyte interactions could increase the efficacy of Ab-based anti-cancer therapies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 787. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-787
Shockley and Tamm surface states in photonic crystals

Existence of the Shockley surface states in photonic crystals is demonstrated for the first time. We show that in photonic crystals, the surface states of defect chain with unit cell containing one defect are the Tamm rather than Shockley states as commonly assumed. The Shockley states can appear only in the defect chain with unit cell containing more than one defect. We first analyze the surface states using the tight-binding theory. Theoretical predictions are confirmed by the numerical simulations.
Time in Bed Is Associated with Decreased Physical Activity and Higher BMI in Women Seeking Weight Loss Treatment

Short sleep duration is associated with obesity risk. Despite calls to incorporate strategies to enhance sleep within the context of behavioral weight loss (BWL) treatment, little is known regarding the association between sleep and body mass index (BMI) among individuals presenting for BWL. Moreover, most research has focused on eating pathways linking sleep and BMI and has not explored how sleep may impact engagement in physical activity. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether, in a sample of women seeking treatment for weight loss, there was an association between reported time in bed (TIB), higher BMI, lower physical activity, and less favorable dietary composition. Prior to randomization, 318 women completed measures of TIB, eating, and activity; weight and height were measured. Findings demonstrated that report of “6 hours or less” TIB/night was associated with higher BMI and lower reported physical activity compared to that of the referent (>7 to ≤8 hours/night). It was not associated with the number of reported calories consumed each day or with the percent of calories consumed from fat, carbohydrates, or protein. Better understanding of the role of sleep within the context of BWL treatment in women seems warranted.
Black cultural capitalists: African-American elites and the organization of the arts in early twentieth century Boston

Abstract This study examines the role of an African-American organization, the League of Women for Community Service (incorporated in 1919), in shaping cultural production and developing arenas for black musical and dramatic performance in Boston. We build upon DiMaggio's work on cultural entrepreneurship by demonstrating that the members of the LWCS were cultural capitalists who worked to build an integrated audience for black artistry largely within the framework of Eurocentric norms. Drawing upon data from the League's archival records (including meeting minutes and correspondences), historical documents (including local news coverage) and biographies, we reveal the manner in which Boston's black Brahmins began to incorporate (but also to diverge from) the organizational practices and aesthetic sensibility of Boston's Anglo-American cultural leaders. Concurrently pursuing the goals of cultural stewardship and anti-racism, members of the LWCS valorized both Eurocentric aesthetics and black cultural forms within a context of rigid racial boundaries and during an era of widespread discrimination. Their efforts to promote cultural uplift helped the LWCS bridge racial boundaries, with moderate success, although they may have also reified intra-racial class divisions. By revealing the processes by which the LWCS introduced black art into the mainstream, we contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the range of possible strategies African-American cultural organizers used to counter racism.
Cell surface changes associated with in vitro capacitation of hamster sperm.

The effect of in vitro capacitation of hamster spermatozoa on plasma membrane ultrastructure and surface carbohydrate distribution has been investigated by freeze—fracture and lectin-labeling techniques. The plasma membrane of epididymal sperm bound Con A densely and uniformly over the entire head region, but the plasma membrane of sperm undergoing capacitation developed discrete areas over the acrosome which did not bind Con A. In cells which had undergone the acrosome reaction, the distribution of Con A binding sites over the equatorial segment and postacrosomal region was similar to that of epididymal sperm. Freeze—fracture revealed that some rearrangement of intramembranous particles occurs in the plasma membrane of the equatorial segment of reacted sperm although particle distribution in the postacrosomal region remains unaltered. The achievement of capacitation in these studies was monitored by an in vitro fertilization assay utilizing hamster eggs obtained by superovulation.
New class of onboard absolute orientation measurement sensor for robotic mobile platforms

This paper presents new class sensors for onboard direct measurement of the angular orientation of robotic mobile platforms relative to a fixed or moving coordinate system. The currently available sensors are either based on inertia, vision or optical means to measure the angular orientation of an object. The inertial based devices, however, generally suffer from drift and noise. The vision systems and optical sensors generally have relatively short range and require line-of-sight access. The novel class of sensors presented in this paper are wireless, are in the form of waveguides that are illuminated by polarized Radio Frequency sources. A mobile robotic platform equipped with three or more of such waveguide sensors can determine its 3D orientation relative to the ground or other mobile robotic platforms. The 3D orientation sensors require very low power for operation, may be located at relatively far distances from the ground source or the illuminating mobile platform, and can operate while out of line-of-sight of the illuminating source. In this paper, the design, operation, algorithms for calculating 3D angular orientation from the sensor output, and a number of experimental results of sensor performance are presented. In addition, a discussion of the methods to increase the performance of the sensor system and other related issues are provided.
Bizelesin, a Bifunctional Cyclopropylpyrroloindole Alkylating Agent, Inhibits Simian Virus 40 Replication in Trans by Induction of an Inhibitor†

Bizelesin, a bifunctional DNA minor groove alkylating agent, inhibits both cellular and viral (SV40) DNA replication in whole cells. Bizelesin inhibition of SV40 DNA replication was analyzed in SV40-infected cells, using two-dimensional (2D) neutral agarose gel electrophoresis, and in a cell-free SV40 DNA replication assay. Within 1 h of bizelesin addition to infected cells, a similar rapid decrease in both the level of SV40 replication intermediates and replication activity was observed, indicating inhibition of initiation of SV40 DNA replication. However, prolonged bizelesin treatment (>/=2 h) was associated with a reduced extent of elongation of SV40 replicons, as well as the appearance on 2D gels of intense spots, suggestive of replication pause sites. Inhibition of elongation and induction of replication pause sites may result from the formation of bizelesin covalent bonds on replicating SV40 molecules. The level of in vitro replication of SV40 DNA also was reduced when extracts from bizelesin-treated HeLa cells were used. This effect was not dependent upon the formation of bizelesin covalent bonds with the template DNA. Mixing experiments, using extracts from control and bizelesin-treated cells, indicated that reduced DNA replication competence was due to the presence of a trans-acting DNA replication inhibitor, rather than to decreased levels or inactivation of essential replication factor(s).
Adaptation to determine receptor system specificity in insect olfactory communication

Abstract A technique is described which employs the differential adaptation of antennal olfactory acceptors to elucidate receptor system specificity. The electroantennogram and/or single cell recording procedures are used. Results from the technique show the relative extent to which two or more behavioral chemicals interact with the same acceptors, and therefore, insight into the olfactory receptor system of an organism.
Neurohormonal control of biliary secretion and gallbladder function.

The primary determinant of bile formation is the hepatic excretory rate of bile salts, which is controlled by the rate of return of bile salts to the liver by the enterohepatic circulation and by the synthesis of new bile salts. The gastrointestinal hormones secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), sulfated gastrin, and glucagon increase bile volume and inorganic ion excretion into bile, but none of them influence bile salt secretion. The action of secretin is clearly physiologic. Nonsulfated gastrin and pentagastrin are not choleretics. The choleretic property of CCK derivatives is dependent upon the presence of sulfated tyrosine at position 7. Catecholamines increase bile flow by a mechanism that involves beta receptors, but the precise mechanism is unknown. The role of the parasympathetic nervous system is not clear. There is no evidence that hepatic secretion of bile salts is under neural control. The tone of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi regulates the amount of bile that actually enters the duodenum. CCK is the only known physiologic cholecystokinetic gastrointestinal hormone. It contracts the gallbladder and relaxes the sphincter of Oddi by direct action on the muscle of these structures. The parasympathetic nervous system probably participates in regulation of gallbladder muscle tone.
A spectrum of cytomorphologic variations in medullary thyroid carcinoma. Fine-needle aspiration findings in 19 cases.

BACKGROUND Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare malignancy with a variety of morphologic appearances, can mimic both primary and metastatic lesions of the thyroid gland and give rise to diagnostic problems when these tumors are aspirated. Although cytopathologic features of MTC have been well described, this study was undertaken to define and elaborate further, subtle morphologic variations, the recognition of which would be helpful in the diagnosis of MTC. METHODS A retrospective review of 19 cases of histologically confirmed MTC was conducted. Fine-needle aspirations were performed by endocrinologists or cytopathologists using a 23- or 25-gauge needle. Smears were stained with Diff-Quik, Papanicolaou, or hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. Cell blocks were routinely prepared, and 4-micron sections were stained with H&E. RESULTS Certain cytologic features, such as eccentric nuclei, neuroendocrinelike nuclei, inconspicuous nucleoli, binucleation and multinucleation, ill-defined cytoplasmic borders, and a clean background, were present in all cases. Additional helpful features seen in some but not in all cases included syncytial groups of cells, round to oval and spindle shapes, dendritic cell processes, the presence of amyloid, and nuclear molding and grooves. CONCLUSIONS The authors found that MTC could be adequately diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration, despite the frequent cytomorphologic variations, based on a set of features consistently present in all the cases included in this study. Features such as neuroendocrinelike chromatin and nuclear molding have not been previously described. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 1997; 81:40-4. © 1997 American Cancer Society.