cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a bi-specific vaccine against α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in rats.

α-PVP (α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone) and MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone) are potent abused stimulants that are members of the synthetic cathinone class of drugs. Although these drugs are taken with recreational intent, high doses can lead to unintended adverse effects including agitation, cardiovascular effects, sympathomimetic syndromes, hallucinations, and psychoses. One possible treatment is the use of a vaccine to block or attenuate adverse medical effects. These studies report the preparation of a vaccine that generates high affinity antibodies specific for both drugs and the pharmacological testing of this vaccine in male rats. Alkylation of a hydroxy-α-PVP analog with an appropriate thiol-bearing linker afforded the hapten. When hapten-conjugated carrier protein was mixed with adjuvant, the resulting vaccine stimulated production of antibodies in male Sprague Dawley rats that were found to significantly reduce α-PVP- and MDPV-induced hyperlocomotion as well as to significantly reduce the concentrations of MDPV drugs in critical organs. The novel vaccine produced high affinity antibodies against MDPV, (R)-MDPV, (S)-MDPV, and α-PVP. Cross-reactivity testing against nine structurally similar cathinones showed very limited binding, and no binding to off-target endogenous and exogenous compounds. Antibodies generated by this bi-specific vaccine also significantly shortened the duration of locomotor activity induced by both drugs up to a dose of 5.6 mg/kg in male rats.
The need for specificity in quantifying neurocirculatory vs. respiratory effects of eucapnic hypoxia and transient hyperoxia.

Key points The carotid chemoreceptor mediates the ventilatory and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responses to hypoxia and contributes to tonic sympathetic and respiratory drives. It is often presumed that both excitatory and inhibitory tests of chemoreflex function show congruence in the end-organ responses. Ventilatory and neurocirculatory (MSNA, blood pressure and heart rate) responses to chemoreflex inhibition elicited by transient hyperoxia and to chemoreflex excitation produced by steady-state eucapnic hypoxia were measured in a cohort of 82 middle-aged individuals. Ventilatory and MSNA responsiveness to hyperoxia and hypoxia were not significantly correlated within individuals. It was concluded that ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hyperoxia do not predict MSNA responses and it is recommended that tests using the specific outcome of interest, i.e. MSNA or ventilation, are required. Transient hyperoxia is recommended as a sensitive and reliable means of quantifying tonic chemoreceptor-driven levels of sympathetic nervous system activity and respiratory drive. Abstract Hypersensitivity of the carotid chemoreceptor leading to sympathetic nervous system activation and ventilatory instability has been implicated in the pathogenesis and consequences of several common clinical conditions. A variety of treatment approaches aimed at lessening chemoreceptor-driven sympathetic overactivity are now under investigation; thus, the ability to quantify this outcome variable with specificity and precision is crucial. Accordingly, we measured ventilatory and neurocirculatory responses to chemoreflex inhibition elicited by transient hyperoxia and chemoreflex excitation produced by exposure to graded, steady-state eucapnic hypoxia in middle-aged men and women (n = 82) with continuous positive airway pressure-treated obstructive sleep apnoea. Progressive, eucapnic hypoxia produced robust and highly variable increases in ventilation (+83 ± 59%) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) burst frequency (+55 ± 31%), whereas transient hyperoxia caused marked reductions in these variables (-35 ± 14% and -42 ± 16%, respectively). Coefficients of variation for ventilatory and MSNA burst frequency responses, indicating test-retest reproducibility, were respectively 9% and 24% for hyperoxia and 35% and 28% for hypoxia. Based on statistical measures of rank correlation or even comparisons across quartiles of corresponding ventilatory and MSNA responses, we found that the magnitudes of ventilatory inhibition with hyperoxia or excitation with eucapnic hypoxia were not correlated with corresponding MSNA responses within individuals. We conclude that, in conscious, behaving humans, ventilatory sensitivities to progressive, steady-state, eucapnic hypoxia and transient hyperoxia do not predict MSNA responsiveness. Our findings also support the use of transient hyperoxia as a reliable, sensitive, measure of the carotid chemoreceptor contribution to tonic sympathetic nervous system activity and respiratory drive.
Gamma Radiations of Na 23 and Ne 20

${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}$ and ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$ gamma rays were observed from the proton bombardment at various energies of thin evaporated Na and NaI targets and of a natural Ne gas target. Gamma rays involving ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}$ states up to 4 Mev and ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$ states up to 5 Mev were observed and decay schemes and branching ratios obtained. The 2.08- and 2.70-Mev states of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}$ are probably $\frac{7}{{2}^{+}}$ and $\frac{9}{{2}^{+}}$, respectively. Limitations on spin and parity values are given for other states. The results obtained for ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}$ are consistent with the results of a strong-coupling collective calculation. The 4.97-Mev state of ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$ has an upper limit for the ground-state branch of 4%. An upper limit of 9% is placed on the ground-state branch of the 4.2-Mev state of ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$. Gamma rays from the ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(d, n\ensuremath{\gamma}){\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$ reaction were observed with energies of 11.4, 10.67, 10.16, 9.37, 8.37, and 7.36 Mev.
African American Fathers' Coping Patterns: Implications for Father-Son Involvement and Race-Related Discussions

Abstract The current investigation utilizes a profile-oriented methodological approach to identify coping strategies among African American fathers of sons. Additionally, this study examines how identified coping strategies are related to fathers' parenting practices, generally and in the face of racial discrimination. Four hundred thirty-eight fathers (M = 38.39; SD = 9.86) with sons between the ages of 8 and 17 years of age (M = 12.01; SD = 2.84) participated in this investigation. Latent profile analyses identified 8 distinct coping profiles among African American fathers. Results also indicated that these coping profiles were associated with fathers' discrimination experiences and parenting practices. High coping fathers (i.e., higher levels across multiple coping dimensions) noted greater experiences with racial discrimination and also reported greater involvement and ethnic-racial socialization with their sons. Fathers with a more avoidant coping strategy indicated less engaged parenting with their sons. Highlighting intergenerational processes, findings have implications for African American fathers' and sons' coping assets and adaptation.
Fluvial Sinuous Ridges of the Morrison Formation, USA: Meandering, Scarp Retreat, and Implications for Mars

Sinuous ridges have been interpreted as evidence for ancient rivers on Mars, but relating ridge geometry to paleo‐hydraulics remains uncertain. Three analog ridge systems from the Morrison Formation, Utah, are composed of sandstone caprocks, up to 50 m wide and 8 m thick, atop mudstone flanks. Ridge caprocks have narrowed significantly compared to sandstone bodies preserved in outcrop, consistent with a new ridge‐erosion model that can be used to estimate original sandstone‐body extent. Ridge networks represent caprocks intersecting at distinct stratigraphic levels, rather than a preserved channel network. Caprocks are interpreted as amalgamated channel belts, rather than inverted channels, with dune and bar cross stratification that was used to reconstruct paleo‐channel dimensions. Curvilinear features on ridge tops are outcropping lateral accretion sets (LAS) from point bars and indicate meandering. We found that caprock thickness scales with paleo‐channel depth, and LAS curvature scales with paleo‐channel width. Application of these relations to a ridge in Aeolis Dorsa, Mars, yielded consistent water discharge estimates (310‐1800 m³/s). In contrast, using ridge width or ridge radius of curvature as paleo‐channel proxies overestimated discharge by a factor of 30‐500. In addition, the ridge‐erosion model suggests that scarp retreat may be less efficient on Mars, resulting in taller and wider ridges, with more intact caprocks. Altogether, our results support the hypothesis that ridges are exhumed channel belts and floodplain deposits implying long‐lived fluvial activity recorded within a depositional basin.
Causes of Death After Neuroendocrine Tumors Diagnosis: A US Population-Based Analysis.

Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the cause of death (COD) after the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Methods We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program to review patients diagnosed with NET during 2000 to 2016. Patients were followed until death, and different CODs were determined. Results Of 94,399 patients with NETs, 40.9% died during the study period. During the first year of diagnosis, most deaths were from NETs (73%), followed by other cancers (11.2%) and cardiac diseases (4.6%). After more than 10 years, NET deaths decreased to 24.3%, whereas other cancers and cardiac disease became more common. Neuroendocrine tumors were responsible for 42.8%, 63.4%, and 81.2% of deaths in grade I, grade II, and grade III, respectively. For grade I localized NET, other cancers (22.2%) were the most common COD followed by NET (19.7%), whereas in grade 2 localized NET, NET was COD in 31.1% of cases followed by other cancers (22.4%). In metastatic disease, NET was the most common COD regardless of grade. Conclusions For low-grade localized NET, deaths were mostly secondary to non-NET causes. In contrast, NET is responsible for most of deaths in metastatic NET regardless of grade.
Binaural detection as a joint function of masker bandwidth, masker interaural correlation, and interaural time delay: Empirical data and modeling

Empirical data are reported demonstrating how binaural detection is affected by joint variation of masker bandwidth, masker interaural correlation, and interaural time delay (ITD) of both masker and tonal signal. Most of the data were obtained with stimuli centered at 500 Hz; supplemental measures were obtained with stimuli centered at 4 kHz. The results indicate that as the interaural correlation of the masker (ρ) is decreased there is (1) an overall increase in threshold signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and (2) a progressively smaller effect on threshold S/N as ITD is increased. All of the data were accounted for quite accurately using the same quantitative, interaural cross-correlation-based model that was recently shown to account for binaural detection and discrimination data obtained in previous experiments. Importantly, the new data were predicted and explained using values of model parameters that were identical or very close to those found to predict accurately the earlier data. The success of the enterprise attests to the robustness of the approach and the generality of the model's ability to make accurate predictions of binaural performance over a wide range of historically important stimulus conditions.
Effects of lattice constraints in coarse-grained protein models.

We compare and contrast folding behavior in several coarse-grained protein models, both on- and off-lattice, in an attempt to uncover the effect of lattice constraints in these kinds of models. Using modern, extended ensemble Monte Carlo methods—Wang–Landau sampling, multicanonical sampling, replica-exchange Wang–Landau sampling, and replica-exchange multicanonical sampling, we investigate the thermodynamic and structural behavior of the protein Crambin within the context of the hydrophobic-polar, hydrophobic-“neutral”-polar (H0P), and semi-flexible H0P model frameworks. We uncover the folding process in all cases; all models undergo, at least, the two major structural transitions observed in nature—the coil–globule collapse and the folding transition. As the complexity of the model increases, these two major transitions begin to split into multi-step processes, wherein the lattice coarse-graining has a significant impact on the details of these processes. The results show that the level of structural coarse-graining is coupled to the level of interaction coarse-graining.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors increase anti-fibrotic biomarkers in African Americans with left ventricular hypertrophy.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are part of the indicated treatment in hypertensive African Americans. ACEi have blood pressure-independent effects that may make them preferred for certain patients. We aimed to evaluate the impact of ACEi on anti-fibrotic biomarkers in African American hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We conducted a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial in which hypertensive African American patients with LVH and vitamin D deficiency were randomized to receive intensive antihypertensive therapy plus vitamin D supplementation or placebo. We selected patients who had detectable lisinopril (lisinopril group) in plasma using liquid-chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis and compared them to subjects who did not (comparison group) at the one-year follow-up. The pro-fibrotic marker type 1 procollagen C-terminal propeptide (PICP) and the anti-fibrotic markers matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), telopeptide of collagen type I (CITP), and N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) peptide were measured. Sixty-six patients were included, and the mean age was 46.2 ± 8 years. No difference was observed in the number and intensity of antihypertensive medications prescribed in each group. Patients with detectable lisinopril had lower blood pressure than those in the comparison group. The anti-fibrotic markers Ac-SDKP, MMP-1, and MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratio were higher in patients with detectable ACEi (all p < .05). In a model adjusted for systolic blood pressure, MMP-1/TIMP-1 (p = .02) and Ac-SDKP (p < .001) levels were associated with lisinopril. We conclude that ACEi increase anti-fibrotic biomarkers in hypertensive African Americans with LVH, suggesting that they may offer added benefit over other agents in such patients.
Comparison of the visual outcome between macula-on and macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment based on the duration of macular detachment.

Objective To compare the visual outcomes between macula-on and macula-off primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) based on the duration of macular detachment (DMD). Methods and Analysis Retrospective study including 96 eyes with RRD (34 macula-on and 62 macula-off) repaired between June 2012 and March 2020. The final visual acuity (VA) was compared after the patients were divided by the status of the macula and their DMD. Results The mean final VA of patients with macula-on RRD (group A) was logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) 0.04±0.07, which was not statistically different from that of individuals with macula-off RRD with DMD ≤3 days (group B; logMAR 0.05±0.06) (p=0.79). There were statistically significant differences in the final VA between group A and patients with macula-off RRD with DMD of 4-7 days (group C; logMAR 0.15±0.15) (p=0.017) as well as between group A and those with macula-off RRD with DMD ≥8 days (group D; logMAR 0.36±0.29) (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the final VA between group B and C (p=0.33). Conclusion The mean final VA of patients with macula-on RRD was comparable to that of the macula-off patients with DMD ≤3 days. Our findings suggest that if macula-on RRD could not be immediately repaired, a repair within 72 hours may result in similar outcomes, even if the macula detaches within that time frame. However, once the macula detaches, we do not observe statistically significant differences in outcome for repairs done within 7 days.
Violent Political Rhetoric, Generalized Imitation, Income Inequality, Gun Ownership, Changes in Gross Domestic Product, and Mass Shootings

Mass shootings represent a major public health crisis. There are economic, health, and mental health consequences of these events. A number of causes of mass shootings have been investigated. One c...
Effect of different preconditioning protocols on the viscoelastic inflation response of the posterior sclera.

Abstract Preconditioning by repeated cyclic loads is routinely used in ex vivo mechanical testing of soft biological tissues. The goal of preconditioning is to achieve a steady and repeatable mechanical response and to measure material properties that are representative of the in vivo condition. Preconditioning protocols vary across studies, and their effect on the viscoelastic response of tested soft tissue is typically not reported or analyzed. We propose a methodology to systematically analyze the preconditioning process with application to inflation testing. We investigated the effect of preconditioning on the viscoelastic inflation response of tree shrew posterior sclera using two preconditioning protocols: (i) continuous cyclic loading-unloading without rest and (ii) cyclic loading-unloading with 15-min rest between cycles. Posterior scleral surface strain was measured using three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC). We used five variables of characterizing features of the stress-strain loop curve to compare the two preconditioning protocols. Our results showed protocol-dependent differences in the tissue response during preconditioning and at the preconditioned state. Incorporating a resting time between preconditioning cycles significantly decreased the number of cycles (10.5 ± 2.9 cycles vs. 3.1 ± 0.5 cycles, p Statement of significance Although applying a preconditioning protocol by repeated cyclic loads is common practice in ex vivo mechanical characterization of soft tissues, the tissue response is typically not reported or analyzed, and the protocol’s potential effect on the response remains unclear. This is partially caused by lack of a standardized methodology to precondition soft tissues. We present the first systematic analysis of two representative preconditioning protocols used during inflation testing in ocular biomechanics. Our results show protocol-dependent differences in the viscoelastic response during the preconditioning process and at the preconditioned state. Consequently, the analysis of the preconditioning response represents an essential part of mechanical testing and a prerequisite to properly characterize the tissue viscoelastic response. The effect of preconditioning on the preconditioned state response must be considered when comparing results across studies with different preconditioning protocols.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Race/ethnicity, trust, and fear.

Understanding and minimizing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy is critical to population health and minimizing health inequities, which continue to be brought into stark relief by the pandemic. We investigate questions regarding vaccine hesitancy in a sample (n = 1205) of Arkansas adults surveyed online in July/August of 2020. We examine relationships among sociodemographics, COVID-19 health literacy, fear of COVID-19 infection, general trust in vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy using bivariate analysis and a full information maximum likelihood (FIML) logistic regression model. One in five people (21,21.86%) reported hesitancy to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was highest among Black/African Americans (50.00%), respondents with household income less than $25K (30.68%), some college (32.17%), little to no fear of infection from COVID-19 (62.50%), and low trust in vaccines in general (55.84%). Odds of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were 2.42 greater for Black/African American respondents compared to White respondents (p < 0.001), 1.67 greater for respondents with some college/technical degree compared to respondents with a 4-year degree (p < 0.05), 5.48 greater for respondents with no fear of COVID-19 infection compared to those who fear infection to a great extent (p < 0.001), and 11.32 greater for respondents with low trust in vaccines (p < 0.001). Sociodemographic differences in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy raise concerns about the potential of vaccine implementation to widen existing health disparities in COVID-19 related infections, particularly among Black/African Americans. Fear of infection and general mistrust in vaccines are significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy.
Tracing and Securing DER Transactions in the Wholesale Electricity Market using Blockchain

Participation of distributed energy resources (DERs) in the wholesale electricity market (WEM), provides an opportunity to DER owners to profit from dynamic energy prices and ancillary service products (ASPs) while enhancing reliability and flexibility of power systems. Recently announced FERC Order 2222 in the USA clarifies the regulatory rules to support this participation. The order directs the WEMs across the USA to accommodate the participation of DERs in the market through aggregators. This opportunity encounters two major challenges: (i) traceability of DERs service support by the aggregator, (ii) cybersecurity of the communications among the ISO, aggregator and DERs. To address these challenges, we propose a blockchain-based solution to assure traceability and security of energy/monetary transactions among different entities involved in this arrangement. First, we discuss what the ASPs characteristics of the aggregator-DERs engagement are. Next, we define the data that needs to be exchanged among the involved entities and how the energy, ASP and monetary transactions can be validated based on this data. Last, we discuss the blockchain framework design to preserve privacy, the consensus algorithm for transaction exchange, and data to be stored in the blocks.
Visual Attention and Roadway Landmark Identification in At-Risk Older Drivers,

Driving is a complex task that makes high demands on visual processing capacity. Reduction of visual attention and processing speed are risk factors for car crash involvement in older drivers (Owsley et al, 1991; Ball et al, 1993). Impairment of these visual functions can affect driver safety by impairing the ability to search for information in a cluttered panorama that includes traffic signals and road signs. The purpose of the current study was to examine the extent to which on-road landmark identification during the driving task is predicted by off-road measures of visual attention
Perception of Images

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the reader to those aspects of human vision that are pertinent to the understanding and design of man-made image processing systems. As far as possible, we shall concern ourselves with psychophysics, i.e., the response of observers to visual stimuli, and shall avoid, wherever possible, inferring response from physiology, i.e., the structure of the visual apparatus. We shall even more assiduously avoid inferring structure from psychophysical data. In a few cases where the connection between psychophysics and physiology is well understood, it may be discussed to simplify understanding or just because it is interesting.
Cybertext redux: using interactive fiction to teach german vocabulary, reading, and culture

Included within a second language acquisition program, digital games possibly can increase knowledge retention and transfer rates. This mixed-methods study uses a computer-based interactive fiction (IF) game to teach German vocabulary, reading, and culture to university students. The results indicate that contextualized, immersive role-play may have assisted in second language learning, but students were apprehensive given the departure from traditional drill- and grammar-based instruction.
Product Champions as Facilitators of Innovation

Product champions often play a major role in facilitating entrepreneurial behavior and innovation within organizations. Without the influence and efforts of these entrepreneurial champions, many organizational initiatives would not be successful. Examples of organizational initiatives often influenced by champions include: new product development, new internal ventures, implementing a new information technology (IT) system, strategy creation & implementation, etc. Prior research, however, finds that up to 70% of change/innovation initiatives fail (Higgs & Rowland, 2005). Howell and Higgins (1990) describe the role and importance of product champions this way:There is no shortage of creative ideas…However, for innovation to occur someone must take the creative idea, guide it through the trying period when resistance hits a peak, and persevere until it becomes an innovation. In short, every idea needs a champion.The objective of this paper is to understand more thoroughly the role of product champions in organizations and to identify what we know about several major areas considered important to product champion behavior.
Protecting the Spending Power

Throughout American history, federalism has been equated with protecting states’ rights. In recent years, the revival of federalism by the Supreme Court has been manifest in limits on the scope of federal powers, the revival of the Tenth Amendment as a limit on Congress’s authority, and the expansion of state sovereign immunity. However, this view ignores that federalism must also be concerned with protecting federal power and the interests of the federal government. Normatively, federalism is about how authority should be allocated between federal and state governments. Focusing just on protecting states and limiting federal power fails to consider an equally, if not more important, aspect of federalism: upholding the constitutional authority of the federal government. This is especially important as courts and commentators consider applying federalism principles to the spending power. Concern for protecting the states should not obscure the need to vindicate the authority of Congress to choose whether and how to spend its money. In this paper, I make three arguments. First, Congress’s spending power should be broadly interpreted. Second, the Tenth Amendment should not be applied as a limit on the spending power or on Congress’s ability to place conditions on its spending. Third, Congress should have expansive authority to re-
γ-Alkylation of α′-(phenylsulfonyl)-α,β-unsaturated ketones: The trianion imperative

Abstract γ-alkylation of the title compounds with primary alkyl iodides is possible only when both α′-protons are first ionized with excess lithium diisoproylamide.
The pattern of cytokine gene expression induced in rat T cells specific for myelin basic protein depends on the type and quality of antigenic stimulus

Rat T cells reactive against myelin basic protein (MBP) are exclusively, CD4+ CD8- CD45RC-, inevitably produce abundant IFN-gamma, and appear to correspond to members of the Th1 CD4+ T cell subset characterized in mice. To ascertain the basis of the pathogenic activity of these cells, we studied their pattern of cytokine expression in response to activation by distinct TCR ligands. Using RT-PCR and Northern blot assays to quantify cytokine gene production and cytokine production from intact cells, we show that (i) rat MBP-reactive T cells express IL-2, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha as well as IL-5 and IL-10; (ii) cytokine production is not an all or nothing phenomenon, but rather varies according to the type and dose of TCR ligand, leading to variation in the pattern of cytokine production, or dissociation between cytokine production and cell proliferation; and (iii) nonencephalitogenic T cells do not differ appreciably from their encephalitogenic counterparts in ability to produce major cytokines.
Estimation of the shear stress on the surface of an aortic valve leaflet

The limited durability of xenograft heart valves and the limited supply of allografts have sparked interest in tissue engineered replacement valves. A bioreactor for tissue engineered valves must operate at conditions that optimize the biosynthetic abilities of seeded cells while promoting their adherence to the leaflet matrix. An important parameter is shear stress, which is known to influence cellular behavior and may thus be crucial in bioreactor optimization. Therefore, an accurate estimate of the shear stress on the leaflet surface would not only improve our understanding of the mechanical environment of aortic valve leaflets, but it would also aid in bioreactor design. To estimate the shear stress on the leaflet surface, two-component laser-Doppler velocimetry measurements have been conducted inside a transparent polyurethane valve with a trileaflet structure similar to the native aortic valve. Steady flow rates of 7.5, 15.0, and 22.5 L/min were examined to cover the complete range possible during the cardiac cycle. The laminar shear stresses were calculated by linear regression of four axial velocity measurements near the surface of the leaflet. The maximum shear stress recorded was 79 dyne/cm2, in agreement with boundary layer theory and previous experimental and computational studies. This study has provided a range of shear stresses to be explored in bioreactor design and has defined a maximum shear stress at which cells must remain adherent upon a tissue engineered construct. © 1999 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC99: 8719Rr, 8768+z, 8719Hh, 4262Be, 4727Nz, 0630Gv
Cosmogenic 3He in igneous and fossil tooth enamel fluorapatite

Igneous fluorapatite samples from a suite of six granitic rocks from the Transantarctic Mountains have high ^3He concentrations (to 5×10^9 atoms g^(−1)) and high ^3He/^4He ratios (to 9×10^(−7)). These values are far higher than those found in several hundred igneous apatites from elsewhere around the world and are higher than can be attributed to nuclear reactions on ^6Li. This ^3He is almost certainly derived from cosmic ray reactions in rocks with high exposure ages at high latitude and elevation. Several samples of fossil tooth enamel fluorapatite from the Turkana Basin of Kenya are similarly rich in ^3He, with up to 1×10^7 atoms ^3He g^(−1) and ^3He/^4He ratios up to 4×10^(−6). Again, this ^3He is most logically attributed to cosmic ray reactions. Provided that cosmogenic ^3He, like radiogenic ^4He, is quantitatively retained in fluorapatite under Earth surface conditions, routine ^3He exposure dating of this common phase may be possible. Based on its chemical composition, the ^3He production rate in fluorapatite is about 100 atoms g^(−1) yr^(−1) at sea level and high latitude. Using this rate the apatites from the Transantarctic Mountains have apparent exposure ages of 0.5–6.2 Myr, in agreement with values elsewhere in the range. The fossil tooth enamel samples have apparent exposure ages ranging from a few up to 130 kyr. Such high exposure ages suggest some of these fossils may be lag deposits with a very long residence time at or near the Earth’s surface. ^3He exposure ages can provide insights to the depositional and reworking history of enamel-bearing fossils. At present the major limitations to ^3He exposure dating of fluorapatite are purification of sufficient amounts of material and measurement of small amounts of ^3He in the presence of large quantities of ^4He. In addition, further work is necessary to establish the nucleogenic ^3He background in fluorapatite.
Regularized Adaboost for content identification

This paper proposes a regularized Adaboost learning algorithm to extract binary fingerprints by filtering and quantizing perceptually significant features. The proposed algorithm extends the recent symmetric pairwise boosting (SPB) algorithm by taking feature sequence correlation into account. Information and learning theoretic analysis is given. Significant performance gains over SPB are demonstrated for both audio and video fingerprinting.
Failure of Cytokinesis During Microsporogenesis in Zea mays Following Heat Treatment

A case of failure of cytokinesis in the anthers of maize during premeiotic and meiotic divisions is described. The failure of cytoplasmic division has no evident effect on the course of the nuclear division. The microsporocytes in which the cytoplasm falls to divide develop into multinueleate spores. The size of these spores is roughly proportional to the number of nuclei present.
Autoantibodies and the Risk of Cardiovascular Events

Objective. Inflammation and autoimmunity are associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This association may also be present in those without rheumatic diseases. Our purpose was to determine whether rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), and cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP) positivity are associated with increased risk of CV events and overall mortality in those with and without rheumatic diseases. Methods. We performed a population-based cohort study of all subjects who had a RF and/or ANA test performed between January 1, 1990, and January 1, 2000, and/or CCP test performed between September 1, 2003, and January 1, 2005, with followup until April 1, 2007. Outcomes were ascertained using diagnostic indices from complete medical records, including CV events [myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD)] and mortality. Cox models were used to analyze the data. Results. There were 6783 subjects with RF, 7852 with ANA, and 299 with CCP testing. Of these, 10.4%, 23.9%, and 14.7% were positive for RF, ANA, and CCP, respectively. Adjusting for age, sex, calendar year, comorbidity, and rheumatic disease, RF and ANA positivity were significant predictors of CV events [hazard ratio (HR) 1.24 and 1.26] and death (HR 1.43 and 1.18). Adjusting for age, CCP positivity was associated with CV events, but this association was not statistically significant (HR 3.1; 95% CI 0.8, 12.3). Conclusion. RF and ANA positivity are significant predictors of CV events and mortality in both those with and those without rheumatic diseases. These results support the role of immune dysregulation in the etiology of CV disease.
Configuration of periodontal pockets.

138 males and 231 females between the ages of 20 and 49 years received periodontal examinations in the Periodontia Clinic of New York University College of Dentistry and were grouped according to age and sex. Periodontal pockets depths were recorded around each individual tooth present. The computation analysis of the measurement at 33.204 periodontal pockets was calculated by establishing the significance of “t” and F's values for the variations in periodontal pocket depths. It was noted that the depth of the periodontal pockets at interproximal areas was significantly different from the depth of the periodontal pockets at buccal and/or lingual areas. Comparisons further indicated the direction of significant difference to be toward deeper interproximal pockets at maxillary and mandibular teeth.
An index for assessment of oral health in the edentulous population

SUMMARY Success or failure of prosthodontic treatment, in terms of comfort and function, is linked to tissue health. To date, no baseline indication of inflammatory status hzs been available to objectively evaluate preprosthetic tissue preparation. The Prosthodontic Tissue Index (PTI) was developed in a manner similar to periodontal indexes, to provide objective clinical evaluation of basal supporting tissueS. At the University of Michigan, 150 patients who were edentulous in one or both arches were examined and asked a series of questions relating to their prosthetic history. The inflammatory status of basal seat tissues was scored according t o defined observable inflammatory changes. Inflammation status was charted on a grid delineated by major areas of denture support for each arch. In 97% of patients examined, inflammatory changes requiring some degree of preprosthetic management were found. Tissue abnormalities other than inflammation that required specific management were noted in 62% of the patientS. Although nearly all patients registered problems relative t o their prostheses, most were not aware of the extent of their tis-sue changes. Dental care should be concerned with the preservation of health and function in the middle and older ageS. Principal epidemiological characteristics of the edentulous population showed that: most patients with complete dentures have pathologic tissue changes that require treatment; and tissue changes have little relation t o a patient's perception of denture success or personal oral health status.
The Effect of Ambient Pressure on the Spray Characteristics of a Twin-Fluid Atomizer

A combined simplex/air-assist atomizer with swirl is characterized in an isothermal high pressure spray characterization chamber, with optical access, under various ambient pressures. A single-component, phase Doppler laser interferometer is used to obtain spatially resolved droplet size and velocity information. Data are obtained at atmospheric pressure as well as 3 and 6 atmospheres for conditions of constant fuel and atomizing air flow rates. Two different nozzle air flow rates and, hence, two different air-to-liquid ratios are considered. Increasing ambient pressure decreases the air-to-liquid momentum ratio and thereby decreases droplet mean axial velocity and increases the droplet size. The response of a spray to increasing ambient pressure is sensitive to the parameters which are held constant while increasing ambient pressure. The appropriate scaling parameters for the extrapolation of atmospheric testing data to high ambient pressures are likely geometry specific, and will require data of the type reported here.Copyright © 1990 by ASME
A comparison of equine and bovine sera as sources of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein activity in equine monocytes incubated with lipopolysaccharide

Abstract Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is an acute phase protein that binds the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and transfers LPS monomers to soluble CD14 in plasma or membrane bound CD14 on mononuclear phagocytes. The result of these interactions is activation of the TLR4 receptor complex, and the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators. Inclusion of LBP in cellular assays increases the sensitivity of cells expressing CD14 to LPS. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) compare differentially treated sera from cattle and horses as sources of LBP activity using LPS-induced expression of procoagulant activity (PCA) by equine monocytes as a readout and (2) evaluate the use of commercial equine serum as a source of LBP activity using LPS concentration response and time course studies to validate the response. Monocytes were isolated from eight horses and incubated with five different serum preparations in the presence or absence of Escherichia coli LPS. The sera tested were heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (HI-FBS), pooled commercial equine serum (CES), heat-inactivated pooled commercial equine serum (HI-CES), autologous equine serum (AES), and heat-inactivated autologous equine serum (HI-AES). In the absence of LPS, monocytes from half of the horses in the study had increased expression of PCA when incubated with HI-FBS alone; PCA was unaffected by incubation with the other sera. There was a four-fold increase in PCA when monocytes were incubated with LPS in the presence of CES, HI-CES or AES compared to LPS without serum. The combination of HI-FBS and LPS increased PCA 20-fold compared to LPS without serum. The HI-AES serum lacked significant LBP activity. Whereas maximal expression of PCA was induced by 1 ng/ml of LPS in the absence of serum, inclusion of 1% CES reduced the LPS concentration required for maximal PCA to 30 pg/ml. Monocytes incubated with LPS in the presence of CES had increased PCA at 3 h and peaked at 6 h. In conclusion, monocytes from many horses are directly stimulated by HI-FBS, suggesting that HI-FBS is not an optimal source of LBP for in vitro studies of LPS with equine monocytes. In contrast, CES and AES are effective sources of LBP activity for such studies, as they do not directly induce activation. Although the heat inactivation process did not affect the LBP activity in CES, it ablated LBP activity in AES. Consequently, investigators are advised to utilize either CES or AES in future studies, but not heat-inactivated AES.
In vivo binding of [11C]tetrabenazine to vesicular monoamine transporters in mouse brain

Summary The time course of regional mouse brain distribution of radioactivity after i.v. injection of a tracer dose of [11C]tetrabenazine ([11C]TBZ) has been determined. Radiotracer uptake into brain is rapid, with 3.2% injected dose in the brain at 2 min. Egress from the brain is also very rapid, with only 0.21% of the injected dose still present in brain at 60 min. Radiotracer washout is slowest from the striatum and hypothalamus, consistent with binding to the higher numbers of vesicular monoamine transporters in those brain regions. The rank order of radioligand binding at 10 min after injection is striatum > hypothalamus > hippocampus > cortex = cerebellum, similar to that found using in vitro assays of the vesicular monoamine transporters. Maximum ratios of striatum/cerebellum and hypothalamus/cerebellum were 2.85 + 0.52 and 1.69+ 0.25, respectively, at 10 min after injection. Co-injection of unlabeled tetrabenazine (10 mg/kg) or pretreatment with reserpine (1 mg/kg i.p., 24 h prior) was used to demonstrate specific binding of radioligand in striatum, hypothalamus, cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Distribution of [llC]TBZ was unaffected by pretreatment with the neuronal dopamine uptake inhibitor GBR 12935 (20 mg/kg i.p., 30 min prior). [11C]Tetrabenazine is thus a promising new radioligand for the in vivo study of monoaminergic neurons using Positron Emission Tomography. In vivo imaging and quantification of neuronal losses in living human brains would be of great utility for the understanding of the development and progression of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. Numerous potential neuronal imaging agents based on the neuronal monoamine reuptake system have been developed, and several of these ([11C]nomifensine (1), [11C]cocaine (2), and [18F]GBR 12909 (3)) are currently being evaluated in human subjects. The imaging of vesicular neurotransmitter uptake sites would form an alternative method for quantitation of neuronal densities, and the feasibility of such imaging using carbon-11 and fluorine-18 labeled inhibitors of vesicular acetylcholine transport has been demonstrated by ourselves (4) and others (5) using derivatives of vesamicol. Tetrabenazine (TBZ) and structurally related benzoquinolines comprise a class of compounds which are high affinity inhibitors (6) for the vesicular monoamine transporters and which exhibit shorter duration of action as compared to reserpine (7). Although the benzoquinolines are not selective for dopaminergic vesicular transporters using in vitro assays, TBZ does deplete dopamine to a greater extent than serotonin and norepinephrine (8,9). [3H]Dihydrotetra benazine ([3H]TBZOH), a simple reduction product from tetrabenazine, has been recently utilized as an in vitro marker for monoaminergic neurons in brain regions (6,10-15). In 6-hydroxydopamine
A Note on Qualitative Forecast Evaluation

Traditionally, the 2 × 2 contingency table method has been used for qualitative evaluation of forecasts. However, the conclusions drawn based on this method could be misleading because it does not account for the direction of the turning or no turning points. A 4 × 4 contingency table which overcomes this weakness and which gives more information on the qualitative performance of the forecast is suggested.
Effects of the nucleotide 3' to an amber codon on ribosomal selection rates of suppressor tRNA and release factor-1.

Abstract Rates of ribosomal selection of both release factor 1 (RF1) and a suppressor tRNA (Su7C33) were studied at an amber codon at which the 3′ neighbor was permuted. Rates of RF1 selection vary 2.6-fold among contexts. The 3′ neighbor-dependent variation of RF1 action correlates very strongly with the non-random frequencies of 3′ neighbors at UAG terminators (r = 0·97), which argues that the rate of RF1 selection is an important determinant 3′ neighbor choice at termination codons. The data are consistent with a model for RF1 selection in which RF1 makes a specific contact(s) to the 3′ neighbor and that this interaction is most favorable to uridylic acid. Measured rates of Su7C33 selection vary fivefold among 3′ contexts. We also develop a method to calculate rates of selection for other suppressors, based on the assumption that rates of RF1 selection at each 3′ context can be generalized to other sites that have the same 3′ neighbor. Rates for various suppressors appear to vary from two- to fivefold depending on the 3′ neighbor. Generally, the rate of selection of suppressors at different contexts correlates with the stacking strength of the 3′ neighbor as measured in vitro. The two- to fivefold range of 3′ neighbor effects on rate of aminoacyl-tRNA selection is greater than that previously observed within sets of codons read by the same tRNA. It is suggested that the choice of codons to achieve favorable contexts may be more important than the choice of a common codon at some message sites.
Stress Corrosion Cracking in Tear Drop Specimens

Laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of 304L stainless steel used to construct the containment vessels for the storage of plutonium-bearing materials. The tear drop corrosion specimens each with an autogenous weld in the center were placed in contact with moist plutonium oxide and chloride salt mixtures. Cracking was found in two of the specimens in the heat affected zone (HAZ) at the apex area. Finite element analysis was performed to simulate the specimen fabrication for determining the internal stress which caused SCC to occur. It was found that the tensile stress at the crack initiation site was about 30% lower than the highest stress which had been shifted to the shoulders of the specimen due to the specimen fabrication process. This finding appears to indicate that the SCC initiation took place in favor of the possibly weaker weld/base metal interface at a sufficiently high level of background stress. The base material, even subject to a higher tensile stress, was not cracked. The relieving of tensile stress due to SCC initiation and growth in the HAZ and the weld might have foreclosed the potential for cracking at the specimen shoulders where higher stress was found.
Protective effect of passive immunization on herpetic retinitis of newborn rabbits

We studied the protective effects of passive immunization with virus specific antibody in newborn rabbits inoculated subcutaneously with type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV-2). Newborn rabbits given anti-HSV-2 antibody intraperitoneally (IP) on days 0, 2 and 4 post infection had smaller herpetic skin lesions and reduced mortality when compared to controls. In addition, the IP treatment using this schedule reduced virus growth in the skin lesions and virus dissemination, so that it decreased the frequency of herpetic retinitis. When the IP antibody administration was started at 24 hours post virus inoculation, according to the schedule days 1, 3 and 5, there was less protection; larger skin lesions, higher mortality, and greater evidence of virus dissemination. Also HSV-infected mononuclear cells (MNCs) treated with anti-HSV serum resulted in a significant reduction in the number of infected MNCs. The results of these studies suggest that anti-HSV-2 antibody contributes to protection against HSV-2 infection of skin as well as eyes, probably by inactivation of the virus locally at the skin inoculation site, and by combating the hematogenous spread of HSV-infected MNCs as well as free virus to various organs including the eye.