cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of maze-arm length on performance in the radial-arm maze

Rats trained in a 16-arm radial maze with arms half the standard length demonstrated extremely low, but above chance, choice accuracy (Experiment 1). Rats trained in a 12-arm maze with short arms demonstrated a substantially higher degree of adjacent-arm responding than did rats trained in the same maze with long maze arms and, when response stereotypy was disrupted by a forced-choice procedure, the short-arm group chose less accurately than the long-arm group (Experiment 2). In a 16-arm maze with 8 short arms and 8 long arms, there was a strong preference for short arms and no evidence for a difference in the ability to discriminate previously visited arms from unvisited arms as a function of arm length, as measured by a two-alternative forced-choice procedure (Experiment 3). These results are interpreted as indicating that arm length affects a choice criterion, with a relatively lax criterion being applied to shorter arms.
Geometric modeling of local cortical networks

Abstract Geometric models of local cortical microstructure can be used to develop neuroanatomically based network models. First, neuron/fiber spatial distributions and neuron morphology, drawing on a new microstructure imaging technology, must be quantified within the cortical tissue. Given this database, stochastic models recreating the spatial distribution and morphology of the observed neurons are constructed. Synthetic neuron forests are then stochastically generated. Neurite near-collisions (e.g., between axons and dendrites) are modeled to add synaptic connections. The synapse estimation complements the forest of synthetic neurons by adding local connectivity, i.e., wiring up the forest into network models.
DNA microarrays for studies of higher plants and other photosynthetic organisms

We would like to thank our colleagues at Stanford for providing us with access to their equipment and for their advice. In addition, we would like to thank the many plant researchers with whom we have discussed the DNA microarray technology. Their questions, concerns and suggestions have framed the arguments presented in this article. Carnegie Institution of Washington publication #1400. This work was supported in part by the Carnegie Institution of Washington, NSF, US-DOE and the USDA.
Structure-property relationship in the single Tl-O layer superconductor TlSr2−xRxCaCu2O7 (R = La, Pr or Nd)

Abstract Rare earth substituted thallium cuprates of the type TlSr2−xRxCaCu2O7 (R = La, Pr or Nd) have been synthesized for various values of x. A single phase region exists for x = 0.3 to 1.0 for all R. Superconductivity was observed for x = 0.3 to 0.7 and the transition temperature vs. x showed a maximum around x = 0.5. Substitution of R3+ for Sr2+ decreases the c lattice parameter but increases the a parameter. This suggests that the rare earth substitution occurs mainly at the Sr site rather than at the Tl or Ca site. The plot of the Tc vs. the in-plane Cu1bO bond length shows a maximum behavior.
Segmentation into Three Classes Using Gradients

Consider a three-dimensional "scene" in which a density f(x, y, z) is assigned to every point (x, y, z). In a discretized version of the scene the density D(i, j, k) assigned to the (i, j, k) th volume element (voxel) is the average value of f(x, y, z) over the voxel. Suppose that the points in the original scene can be meaningfully segmented into classes 1, 2, and 3 separated by two threshold values l and u. Partial volume artifact is the phenomenon that a voxel (i, j, k) which is at the interface of class 1 and class 3 (and thus contains only points with low and high densities) usually has a density D(i, j, k) between l and u, and so cannot be distinguished by density alone from a voxel which contains only points in class 2. We describe how a two-dimensional (gradient, density) feature space can be used for the segmentation of such discrete scenes into three classes in a meaningful way. We illustrate the method using examples from medical imaging.
Environmental Correlates of Reproductive Success for Introduced Resident Whooping Cranes in Florida

Abstract. Reproduction within a recently re-introduced resident flock of Whooping Cranes ( Grus americana) in Florida during 1992–2007 was poor compared to an established wild flock. Pairing and nesting increased with average age of the flock, but fertility, hatching and fledging were variable among years, suggestive of an environmental influence. For climatic variables measured during the incubation period, only maximum soil temperature was associated with the failure of late nests in dry years. However, pre-nesting winter precipitation and water elevation were positively correlated with an index of nesting effort. Winter precipitation was associated with fertility and hatchability, whereas winter marsh water levels were associated with earlier nesting dates and increased egg volume. Both winter precipitation (>8 cm mean monthly) and water elevation (>20.3 m above mean sea level or 68% of full marsh surface area or perimeter) greater than a threshold level appeared to be good predictors for successful re...
Microstructure and creep behavior in AE42 magnesium die-casting alloy

The micro structural analysis of die-cast AE42 reveals a correlation between micro structure and creep strength. A lamellar-phase Al11RE3, which dominates the interdendritic microstructure of the alloy, partly decomposes above 150‡C into Al2RE and Al (forming Mg17Al12). The increased solubility of aluminum in magnesium at higher temperatures may also promote the decomposition of Al11RE3. The creep strength decreases sharply with these phase changes. A mechanism for the decrease in creep strength of AE42 is proposed whereby the reduced presence of lamellar Al111RE3 and/or the presence of Mg17Al12 contribute to the observed poor creep strength at higher temperatures.
The effects of dietary taurocholate, fat, protein, and carbohydrate on the distribution and fate of dietary β‐carotene in ferrets

Abstract Dietary β‐carotene has been shown to have cancer chemopreventive action on the basis of epidemiologic evidence and studies in animals. Because the anticarcinogenic property of β‐carotene may be exerted per se, it is desirable to achieve the maximum absorption and accumulation of intact β‐carotene in various parts of the body. Therefore the effects of dietary taurocholate, fat, protein, and carbohydrate on the absorption, accumulation, and fate of dietary β‐carotene (3,730 nmollg diet) in selected tissues of ferrets were explored. Taurocholate (0.2–1.0% wt/wt) and fat (6–23% wtlwt) caused two‐ to threefold (p < 0.05) increases in the absorption and accumulation of β‐carotene in the liver, lungs, and adipose tissue in a dose‐dependent manner. In contrast, neither dietary protein (10–40% wt/wt) nor carbohydrate (25–55% wt/wt) affected the absorption and accumulation of p‐carotene in various tissues. Significantly, taurocholate, 23% fat, or 40% protein also markedly increased the amounts of hepatic r...
Exendin-4 increases histone acetylase activity and reverses epigenetic modifications that silence Pdx1 in the intrauterine growth retarded rat

Aims/hypothesis The abnormal intrauterine milieu of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) permanently alters gene expression and function of pancreatic beta cells leading to the development of diabetes in adulthood. Expression of the pancreatic homeobox transcription factor Pdx1 is permanently reduced in IUGR islets suggesting an epigenetic mechanism. Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, given in the newborn period increases Pdx1 expression and prevents the development of diabetes in the IUGR rat.
Proposed ultraviolet free-electron laser at Brookhaven National Laboratory: A source for time-resolved biochemical spectroscopy

Brookhaven National Laboratory is designing an ultraviolet free-electron laser (UV-FEL) user facility that will provide picosecond and subpicosecond pulses of coherent ultraviolet radiation for wavelengths from 300 to 75 nm. Pulse width will be variable from about 7 ps to approximately equals 200 fs, with repetition rates as high as 104 Hz, single pulse energies > 1 mJ and, hence, peak pulse power > 200 MW and average beam power > 10 W. The facility will be capable of `pump-probe' experiments utilizing the FEL radiation with: (1) synchronized auxiliary lasers, (2) a second, independently tunable FEL beam or, (3) broad- spectrum, high-repetition rate recirculating superconducting linear accelerator which feeds pulses of electrons to two magnetic wigglers. Within these two devices, photons from tunable `conventional' lasers would be frequency multiplied and amplified. By synchronously tuning the seed laser and modulating the energy of the electron beam, tuning of as much as 60% in wavelength is possible between alternating pulses supplied to different experimental stations, with Fourier transform limited resolution. Thus, up to four independent experiments may operate at one time, each with independent control of the wavelength and pulse duration. The UV-FEL will make possible new avenues of inquiry in time-resolved studies of diverse fields including chemical, surface, and solid state physics, biology, and materials science. The experimental area is scheduled to include a station dedicated to biological research. The complement of experimental and support facilities required by the biology station will be determined by the interests of the user community.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The effect of dietary antibiotics upon hepatic and renal xanthine dehydrogenase activity in chicks.

Abstract Single-comb White Leghorn cockerels were fed a nutritionally adequate, practical-type chick starter diet supplemented with either 15 g. oxytetracycline or 6 g. procaine penicillin per ton in two feeding trials. Fresh liver and kidney homogenates from 4- and 9-week-old chicks were assayed in vitro for xanthine dehydrogenase activity. Oxytetracycline, but not penicillin, significantly inhibited xanthine de-hydrogenase activity per gram of kidney dry matter of 4-week- but not of 9-week-old chicks. Neither antibiotic affected liver xanthine dehydrogenase activity at either age. It is suggested that the growth stimulation observed during the period of rapid growth may be due in part to enhanced nitrogen utilization, resulting from the decrease in renal xanthine dehydrogenase activity.
Online Tutorials and Effective Information Literacy Instruction for Distance Learners

As Internet and computer technologies have evolved, libraries have incorporated these technologies into the delivery of information literacy instruction. Of particular benefit is the ability of online tutorials to deliver information literacy instruction to students not physically present on campus. A survey of library and information science literature determines that while a variety of methodologies have produced mixed results, the majority of studies find online tutorials can often be as or more effective than face-to-face instruction. However, more consistent research methods are needed to draw meaningful conclusions regarding student preferences, satisfaction and performance in response to online instruction.
Agricultural Land Use Planning and Groundwater Quality

This paper examines various chemicals used by agriculturalists and their effects on groundwater quality to determine whether land-use restrictions should be considered to limit pollution from percolating water. Several possible actions used to minimize damage to groundwater quality are noted. The paper concludes with a summary of federal and state legislative action directed toward protecting groundwater resources. 40 references, 1 figure
Generation of a conditional allele of the mouse prostaglandin EP4 receptor

Genetic disruption of the mouse EP4 receptor results in perinatal lethality associated with persistent patent ductus areteriosus (PDA). To circumvent this, an EP4 allele amenable to conditional deletion using the Cre/loxP system was generated. The targeting construct was comprised of a floxed exon2 in tandem with the neomycin-resistance gene in intron 2, flanked by third 3' LoxP site. Mice homozygous for the targeted allele (EP4(lox+neo/lox+neo)), or following its Cre-mediated deletion (EP4(del/del)), also die within hours of birth with PDA. In contrast, mice homozygous for a partially recombined allele, retaining exon2 but lacking neo (EP4(flox/flox)), are viable and show no overt phenotype. Postnatal deletion of the floxed EP4 gene is efficiently achieved in the liver and kidney in a transgenic mouse expressing the inducible Mx1Cre recombinase. The EP4(flox) mouse should provide a useful reagent with which to examine the physiologic roles of the EP4 receptor.
Stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen in the contemporary north American human food web

The use of stable carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen isotopes as dietary markers was investigated in ten healthy subjects living in metropolitan Chicago, USA. Forty foods were isotopically analyzed and compared with human plasma and hair. From isotopic analysis and average U.S. food intake data, the isotopic composition of dietary protein was estimated to be δ13CPDB = ‐18.0‰, δ13NAIR = 5.2‰, and δ2HSMOW = ‐69‰. Dietary lipid was estimated to be δ13C = ‐22.5‰ and dietary carbohydrate to be δ13C = ‐19.6‰. For comparison, the isotopic composition ±SD of plasma protein was δ13C = ‐17.9±0.7‰, δ13N = 9.4±0.5‰, and 2H = ‐57±5‰. Plasma lipid was δ13C = ‐21.6±1.0‰ and plasma carbohydrate was δ13C = ‐19.7±1.9‰. The isotopic composition of nitrogen and hydrogen in hair was similar, δ15N = 9.6±0.5‰ and δ2H=‐62±4‰ respectively, while carbon was slightly enriched in δ13C, 13C = ‐16.6±0.6. The enrichment of 15N in tissue relative to diet probably reflects in vivo isotope fractionation. The diet/tissue differences observed fo...
Crystallization with a Lennard-Jones potential: A computer experiment

Abstract Crystallization of a two-dimensional system of particles interacting through a Lennard-Jones potential has been obtained in a molecular dynamics computer experiment.
Screening for ovarian cancer: An Overview of the Screening Recommendations of the 1994 NIH Consensus Conference

Abstract Although ovarian cancer is only approximately one-sixth as common in the United States as breast cancer, it results in the death of two-thirds of affected women. A major reason for the high mortality rate is the fact that the disease is usually deteted at an advanced state. A goal of physicians, therefore, is to improve our capability to detect the disease at an early stage. The National Institutes of Health held a Consensus Development Conference on ovarian cancer in April 1994. One of the issues that was addressed was the current status of screening capabilities for ovarian cancer. This paper reports the findings of the Consensus Development Panel on that issue.
Left ventricular torsion analysis using echocardiographic speckle tracking in a canine model of dyssynchrony and cardiac resynchronization therapy predicts global cardiac performance

Left ventricular (LV) torsion is a primary mechanism used to eject blood during systole. We hypothesized that LV torsion is impaired during dyssynchronous contractions and restored with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in proportion to the degree that global LV performance improves.
Interactions of Estradiol and Progesterone on Pituitary Gonadotropin Secretion: Possible Sites and Mechanisms of Action

The effects of estradiol (E2) alone or with progesterone (P) on spontaneous or LHRH-induced releases of LH/FSH were examined 14-19 days after ovariectomy of rats. At 14 days, a Silastic E2 capsule was implanted s.c. (Day 0) and 72 h later (Day 3) 2 groups of rats received either sesame oil or progesterone (2 mg) s.c. Hourly blood samples were collected sequentially from 1200-1800 h on Day 3 and again at 0900 h and 1600 h on Days 4 and 5 (96 and 120 h post E2). Control groups included proestrous and untreated ovariectomized rats. Based on the data obtained we concluded that: a) Daily LH but not necessarily FSH surges occur on Days 2, 3, 4 and 5 but not on the day following E2 treatment (Day 1). b) The responsiveness of the pituitary gland to 250 ng LHRH is equal in both E2-treated (Day 3) and proestrous rats. However, the magnitude of the spontaneous LH surge in E2-treated rats (Day 3), was 60% less than in normal proestrous animals. Thus, E2 seems to reduce the amount of endogenous LHRH released on Day 3. c) Progesterone, given at 0900 h to E2 -treated rats (Day 3), resulted in afternoon LH and FSH surges that were earlier in their onset and of greater magnitude than those in E2-treated or normal proestrous rats. However, no plasma LH increases occurred in E2 P-treated rats on Days 4 and 5 unlike in rats receiving only E, d) If spontaneous LH surges were blocked with Nembutal on Day 3, the magnitude of the LH surge on Day 4 in E2 -treated rats was 2-fold greater than that observed on Day 4 in rats which spontaneously released LH on Day 3. E2 P-treated rats which received Nembutal on Day 3 also had spontaneous Li-I surges on Day 4 which were less in concentration than those of E2 treated animals on Day 4 or those obtained at 1600 h on Day 3 in the E2 P-treated group. e) Pituitary gland responsiveness to LHRH in E2P-treated rats is equal to that of E2-treated rats on Day 3. The responsiveness of the pituitary gland on Day 4 in E2 P-treated rats is significantly less than that in E2 -treated rats on Day 4; however, it is equal to the responsiveness found on Day 3 in E2 P-treated rats. Therefore, the stimulatory effect of P appears to be due to an increased release of endogenous LHRH. The failure of LH/FSH surges to occur on Day 4 in E2 P-treated rats may not be due to the loss of 24 h periodicity in the intrinsic neural signal or to a severe decline in the releasable LH pituitary pool. Rather it could be due to the failure of the hypothalamus to discharge sufficient LHRH to evoke LH/FSH surges presumably because of inadequate releasable LHRH reserves.
[Comment on “Sun unleashes Halloween storm” by R.E. Lopez et al.] Large solar flares and sheared magnetic field configuration

This comment gives additional information about the nature of flaring locations on the Sun described in the article “Sun unleases Halloween storm” (Eos, 85(11), 16 March 2004), by R. E. Lopez, et al. What causes the large explosions from solar active regions that unleash huge magnetic storms and adverse space weather? It is now beyond doubt that the magnetic field in solar active regions harbors free energy that is released during these events. Direct measurements of the longitudinal and transverse components of active region magnetic fields with the vector magnetograph at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), taken on a regular basis for the last 30 years, have found key signatures of the locations of powerful flares.
Ion channel trafficking: A new therapeutic horizon for atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia with potentially life-threatening complications. Drug therapies for treatment of AF that seek long-term maintenance of normal sinus rhythm remain elusive due in large part to proarrhythmic ventricular actions. Kv1.5, which underlies the atrial specific I Kur current, is a major focus of research efforts seeking new therapeutic strategies and targets. Recent work has shown a novel effect of antiarrhythmic drugs where compounds that block Kv1.5 channel current also can alter ion channel trafficking. This work further suggests that the pleiotropic effects of antiarrhythmic drugs may be separable. Although this finding highlights the therapeutic potential for selective manipulation of ion channel surface density, it also reveals an uncertainty regarding the specificity of modulating trafficking pathways without risk of off-target effects. Future studies may show that specific alteration of Kv1.5 trafficking can overcome the proarrhythmic limitations of current pharmacotherapy and provide an effective method for long-term cardioversion in AF.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospitalized Rabbits: 15 cases

Cardiopulmonary arrest is relatively common in hospitalized rabbits. The purpose of this study was to assess whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was effective in rabbits with cardiopulmonary arrest. Rabbit patients were evaluated on patient characteristics, treatment, and outcome after CPR. Only rabbits with complete medical records were included in this retrospective study. The complete files were obtained after a thorough search of the hospital medical records system and anesthesia morbidity and mortality records for rabbits undergoing CPR. Fifteen complete records were identified that matched the criteria of the study, which included 5 intact does, 4 spayed does, 1 intact buck, and 5 neutered bucks. Ages ranged from 6 months to 10 years (median age, 39 months). Fourteen of the 15 cardiac arrest patients in the study were witnessed. Five arrests occurred during anesthesia, 5 within 24 hours of anesthesia, and 5 were unassociated with anesthesia. Two rabbits were intubated before CPR, 3 during CPR, facemasks were used in 7 animals, tracheostomy in 1, and the method of ventilation was unknown in 2 rabbits. Treatments included epinephrine 0.006-0.26 mg/kg (median, 0.09 mg/kg), atropine 0.015-0.18 mg/kg (median, 0.04 mg/kg), and glycopyrrolate 0.002-0.045 mg/kg (median, 0.01 mg/kg). Other treatments included vasopressin, dextrose, yohimbine, naloxone, fluids, and oxyglobin. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) occurred in 7 animals (2 with intubation, 5 with facemask ventilation). Two of the rabbit patients experienced only transient ROSC, 5 had longer survival, 1 was later euthanized, and 3 died. One rabbit that experienced 3 cardiac arrests in rapid succession made a full recovery and was discharged. Three out of the 5 rabbits that experienced long- or medium-term survival after ROSC experienced an anesthesia-related arrest. The prognosis associated with CPR in rabbits is similar to that reported in other species. Tight-fitting facemasks can provide effective respiratory support in rabbits during CPR. Conventional CPR techniques for other species appear effective in rabbits.
Egg Coat Proteins Activate Calcium Entry into Mouse Sperm via CATSPER Channels

During mammalian fertilization, the contact between sperm and egg triggers increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2++]i) in sperm. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaVs) are believed to mediate the initial phase of [Ca2+]i increases in sperm induced by egg coat (zona pellucida [ZP]) glycoproteins, while store depletion-activated Ca2+ entry is thought to mediate the sustained phase. Using patch-clamp recording and Ca2+ imaging, we show herein that CaV channel currents, while found in spermatogenic cells, are not detectable in epididymal sperm and are not essential for the ZP-induced [Ca2+]i changes. Instead, CATSPER channels localized in the distal portion of sperm (the principal piece) are required for the ZP-induced [Ca2+]i increases. Furthermore, the ZP-induced [Ca2+]i increase starts from the sperm tail and propagates toward the head.
Performance of the American Urological Association Symptom Index with and without an additional urge incontinence item.

Objective To examine the value of adding an urge incontinence question to the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) among men in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Urological Symptoms (CAMUS) trial. Methods The CAMUS study was a randomized trial of Saw palmetto fruit extract versus placebo among men aged ≥45 years with an AUASI score of ≥8 and ≤24. The baseline measurements included the AUASI, a question about urge incontinence (UI), the International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life question, and the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index. We correlated the items and scales and examined whether adding the UI question resulted in better prediction of disease-specific health status. Results The mean age of the 369 men in the CAMUS trial was 61 years, and mean baseline AUASI score was 14.6. UI was reported infrequently; about 82% of the respondents answered the question “not at all” or “ R = 0.51, P P P R 2 statistic increased from 0.22 to 0.26, P Conclusion According to our analysis in the CAMUS trial population, the value of adding a UI question to the AUASI in terms of predicting bother seemed small at best.
Special Education in the Most Restrictive Environment: Correctional/Special Education

National attention recently has focused on the problems of delivering special education services to incarcerated youthful handicapped offenders. In this article, data from a national survey of state departments of correctional and special education relative to the need for, and provision of, these services are presented. Issues relative to the compliance of correctional education programs with the PL 94-142 mandate are discussed and recommendations for improving educational experiences for handicapped youths under the supervision of the criminal justice system are offered.
Conventional transanal excision: Current status and role in the era of transanal endoscopic surgery

Abstract Conventional transanal excision as originally described by Parks has been used for the local excision of both benign and malignant lesions of the rectum. Radical resections for rectal lesions are associated with higher perioperative morbidity and mortality including sexual and urinary dysfunction. Despite references to transanal resection of lesions up to 12cm from the dentate line, transanal endoscopic techniques originally developed by Buess in the 1980s afford much better visualization of the upper and middle rectum. While transanal endoscopic surgery affords better specimen retrieval and possibly decreased recurrence and improved survival rates, the majority of lesions removed by transanal endoscopic surgical techniques are located in the middle and upper rectum. Conventional transanal excision may continue to be used for benign lesions in the lower rectum.
Studying Microbial Communities in Biofilms

Most microorganisms in nature subsist as heterogeneous surface-associated communities called biofilms. In biofilms members of one or more microbial species live together for multiple generations, and this allows them to cooperate and co-adapt. The ability to reliably manipulate, characterize, and engineer microbial biofilms will enable controlled studies of ecosystem dynamics and unprecedented design opportunities for biological sensors and actuators. Biofilms can be grown in the laboratory, and spatial structure, gene expression, and productivity (total biomass accumulation) can be observed and quantified as a function of time using confocal laser scanning microscopy. This chapter details the materials and methods necessary to grow and study engineered microbial communities in biofilms.
Blood Substitutes: Principles, Methods, Products and Clinical Trials, Vol. 1 and 2.

Blood Substitutes: Principles, Methods, Products and Clinical Trials, Vol. 1 and 2. Thomas M.S. Chang. Basel, Switzerland and Farmington, CT: S. Karger Publishers, Inc. Vol. 1, 1997, 142 pp. $73.50. ISBN 3-8055-6584-4. Vol. 2, 1998, 236 pp. $73.50. ISBN 3-8055-6633-6. The author of this two-volume set is a pioneer and a world-renowned expert in the field of blood substitutes. These volumes were written in an effort to provide newly introduced researchers in the field (graduate students, research fellows, and scientists) and nonspecialists with …
X chromosome dosage compensation via enhanced transcriptional elongation in Drosophila

Different organisms use a variety of mechanisms to compensate for X chromosome dosage imbalance between the sexes. In Drosophila, the MSL (Male-specific lethal) complex increases transcription on the single X chromosome of males and is thought to regulate transcription elongation, although mechanistic details have been unclear. A global run-on sequencing technique has now been used to reveal that the MSL complex seems to enhance transcription by facilitating the progression of RNA polymerase II across the bodies of active X-linked genes. In this way, MSL can impose dosage compensation on diverse genes with a wide range of transcription levels along the X chromosome. Different organisms use a variety of mechanisms to compensate for X chromosome dosage imbalance between the sexes. In Drosophila, the MSL complex increases transcription on the single X chromosome of males and is thought to regulate transcription elongation, although mechanistic details have been unclear. Here, a global run-on sequencing technique is used to reveal that the MSL complex seems to enhance transcription by facilitating the progression of RNA polymerase II across the bodies of active X linked genes. In this way, MSL can impose dosage compensation on diverse genes with a wide range of transcription levels along the X chromosome. The evolution of sex chromosomes has resulted in numerous species in which females inherit two X chromosomes but males have a single X, thus requiring dosage compensation. MSL (Male-specific lethal) complex increases transcription on the single X chromosome of Drosophila males to equalize expression of X-linked genes between the sexes1. The biochemical mechanisms used for dosage compensation must function over a wide dynamic range of transcription levels and differential expression patterns. It has been proposed2 that the MSL complex regulates transcriptional elongation to control dosage compensation, a model subsequently supported by mapping of the MSL complex and MSL-dependent histone 4 lysine 16 acetylation to the bodies of X-linked genes in males, with a bias towards 3′ ends3,4,5,6,7. However, experimental analysis of MSL function at the mechanistic level has been challenging owing to the small magnitude of the chromosome-wide effect and the lack of an in vitro system for biochemical analysis. Here we use global run-on sequencing (GRO-seq)8 to examine the specific effect of the MSL complex on RNA Polymerase II (RNAP II) on a genome-wide level. Results indicate that the MSL complex enhances transcription by facilitating the progression of RNAP II across the bodies of active X-linked genes. Improving transcriptional output downstream of typical gene-specific controls may explain how dosage compensation can be imposed on the diverse set of genes along an entire chromosome.
Clinical experience using 8 MHz radiofrequency capacitive hyperthermia in combination with radiotherapy: results of a phase I/II study.

Purpose Since 1985, the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic has investigated the efficacy and safety of 8 MHz radiofrequency (RF) capacitive hyperthermia using the Thermotron RF-8. This study reports the thermometric and clinical results of 119 patients treated with RF hyperthermia in combination with radiotherapy (RT). Methods and materials Of 119 patients, 69 received high-dose RT and 50 patients received low-dose RT because of previous irradiation to the treatment site. The most common anatomic sites treated were within the pelvic cavity or head and neck area. Thirty-three percent and 24% of tumors treated were > 7 cm and > 10 cm in largest diameter, respectively. Forty percent of the patients had deep-seated tumors (depth > 6 cm). Hyperthermia was given as soon as possible after RT twice weekly, allowing at least 72 h between treatments. The objective was to raise intratumoral temperatures to 42-43 degrees C or above for 30-50 min while keeping normal tissue temperatures below 40-41 degrees C. Results Of 119 patients, 40% achieved a Tmax tumor temperature of > 42 degrees C and 40% achieved 40-42 degrees C Tmax. Higher Tmax) tumor temperatures were observed as tumor size increased. Tumors > 10 cm in largest diameter had a Tmax of 42.2 degrees C. Tumor depth was not a significant factor for the tumor temperatures achieved. Of 119 patients, 11% achieved complete response and 38% achieved partial response. Of the no-response patients, 34% had symptomatic palliation and 15% had stable disease for at least 12 months after treatment. We were able to treat tumors of patients with subcutaneous fat as thick as 3 cm by precooling the fat for 20 min with 10-15 degrees C saline-filled boluses prior to the initiation of heating. During treatment, 60% of patients complained of varying degrees of pain and 19% had pain that was a factor in limiting treatment. Vital signs were relatively stable and not a factor in limiting treatment. Conclusion The Thermotron RF-8 is a useful hyperthermia device that can raise tumor temperatures to a therapeutic level (i.e., 42 degrees C) in a significant proportion of patients with superficial, subsurface, and deep-seated tumors, with minimal adverse effects, complications, and systemic stress. Further clinical studies using improved thermometry systems are warranted.
The reasons of trust

I argue to a conclusion I find at once surprising and intuitive: although many considerations show trust useful, valuable, important, or required, these are not the reasons for which one trusts a particular person to do a particular thing. The reasons for which one trusts a particular person on a particular occasion concern, not the value, importance, or necessity of trust itself, but rather the trustworthiness of the person in question in the matter at hand. In fact, I will suggest that the degree to which you trust a particular person to do a particular thing will vary inversely with the degree to which you must rely, for the motivation or justification of your trusting response, on reasons that concern the importance, or value, or necessity of having such a response.
Computational Nanomechanics of Graphene Membranes

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of nanoindentation on graphene membranes were performed. The 2-d Young's modulus of the graphene monolayer was determined as 243 ± 18 N/m and the breaking strength as 41 ± 3 N/m. These values agree reasonably well with recent experimental results [1]. In addition, the simulations allowed us to examine the atomic-scale dynamics of membrane breaking during the nanoindentation, involving formation of an increasing number of lattice defects until membrane is completely broken. The onset of defect appearance allowed us to determine the true elastic limit of graphene and the corresponding yield strength 29 ± 1 N/m which was not accessible experimentally. The defects consist of vacancies and Stone-Wales type defects. Long stable linear chains of sp bonded carbon atoms (carbynes) were observed under the indenter at the advanced stages of indentation. The dynamics of fracture propagation is governed by the shear stresses developed in the sample.
An Approach for Incorporating Rollback through Perfectly Reversible Computation in a Stream Simulator

The traditional rollback mechanism deployed in optimistic simulation is state-saving. More recently, the method of reverse computation has been proposed to reduce the amount of memory consumed by state-saving. This method computes the reverse code for the model during rollback execution, rather than recalling saved state memory. In practice, this method has been shown to offer memory-efficiency without sacrificing computational efficiency. In order to support reverse codes in the model, events must continue to be preserved in the system until fossil collection can be performed. In this paper we define a new algorithm to support perfectly reversible model computation that does not depend on storing the full processed event history. This approach improves memory consumption, further supporting large-scale simulation.
An evaluation of the accuracy of small-area demographic estimates of population at risk and its effect on prevalence statistics

Demographic estimates of population at risk often underpin epidemiologic research and public health surveillance efforts. In spite of their central importance to epidemiology and public-health practice, little previous attention has been paid to evaluating the magnitude of errors associated with such estimates or the sensitivity of epidemiologic statistics to these effects. In spite of the well-known observation that accuracy in demographic estimates declines as the size of the population to be estimated decreases, demographers continue to face pressure to produce estimates for increasingly fine-grained population characteristics at ever-smaller geographic scales. Unfortunately, little guidance on the magnitude of errors that can be expected in such estimates is currently available in the literature and available for consideration in small-area epidemiology. This paper attempts to fill this current gap by producing a Vintage 2010 set of single-year-of-age estimates for census tracts, then evaluating their accuracy and precision in light of the results of the 2010 Census. These estimates are produced and evaluated for 499 census tracts in New Mexico for single-years of age from 0 to 21 and for each sex individually. The error distributions associated with these estimates are characterized statistically using non-parametric statistics including the median and 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. The impact of these errors are considered through simulations in which observed and estimated 2010 population counts are used as alternative denominators and simulated event counts are used to compute a realistic range fo prevalence values. The implications of the results of this study for small-area epidemiologic research in cancer and environmental health are considered.
Periodontal findings in individuals with newly identified pre‐diabetes or diabetes mellitus

Aim: To assess the periodontal status and number of missing teeth in patients with newly identified pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus. Methods: A total of 1097 subjects with previously undiagnosed diabetes were available for study, and were categorized into normoglycaemic, potentially prediabetes or potentially diabetes groups based on a point-of-care (POC) HbA1c test. Results: In fully adjusted models, significant differences were observed between all groups for the per cent of teeth with at least one site with a probing depth of ≥5 mm. For bleeding on probing, there were significant differences between diabetes and pre-diabetes (p = 0.001), and between diabetes and normoglycaemic groups (p = 0.002). For missing teeth, there were significant differences between the pre-diabetes and normoglycaemic groups (p = 0.034), and the diabetes and normoglycaemic groups (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Individuals with previously unidentified pre-diabetes demonstrate a level of periodontal destruction between that observed for normoglycaemic individuals and persons with diabetes. These data emphasize the association of oral findings to dysglycaemia, and suggest that periodontal disease and tooth loss can be early complications of diabetes mellitus.
Linac monitor end effect

It is pointed out that method used for accelerator calibration should be consistent with that used to calculate treatment planning dosage. (AIP)
Defining Democracy and the Terms of Engagement with the Postsocialist Polish State Insights from HIV/AIDS:

This article explores the history of HIV activism in Poland from the socialist period through the early 1990s transformation as a means of examining the reconfiguration of rights, obligations, and responsibility as Poland redefined itself as a market democracy. Drawing on archival materials, in-depth qualitative interviews with current and former HIV activists, and participant observation at HIV prevention organizations in Warsaw, Poland, I sketch the ways in which the socialist system’s failures to protect the health of its subjects led to the terms through which state-citizen engagement was defined in the postsocialist period. Uncertainties and anxieties surrounding who was responsible for protecting the health and well-being of citizens in the newly democratic Poland gave rise to a series of violent protests centered on HIV prevention and care for people living with HIV/ a IDS. Resolution of these political and social crises involved defining democracy in postsocialist Poland through claims to moral authority, in alliance with the Catholic Church, and an obligation by multiple stakeholders to disseminate technical/scientific knowledge. By comparing the responses to the epidemic by diverse institutions, including the government, the Catholic Church, and the fledgling gay rights movement, this analysis reveals the ways in which democracy in postsocialist Poland tightly links science, democratic reform, and moral/ religious authority while at the same time excluding sexual minorities from engaging in political activism centered on rights to health and inclusion in the new democracy.
Rapid In Situ Assay for Indoleacetic Acid Production by Bacteria Immobilized on a Nitrocellulose Membrane

We have developed a new assay that differentiates between indoleacetic acid (IAA)-producing and -nonproducing bacteria on a colony plate lift. Medium supplemented with 5 mM L-tryptophan is inoculated with isolates of interest, overlaid with a nitrocellulose membrane, and then incubated until bacterial colonies reach 1 to 2 mm in diameter. The membrane is removed to a filter paper saturated with Salkowski reagent and incubated until distinct red haloes form around the colonies. The colorimetric reaction to IAA is limited to a region immediately surrounding each colony, is specific to isolates producing IAA, occurs within 1 h after the membrane is placed in the reagent, and is sensitive to as little as 50 pmol of IAA in a 2-mm2 spot. We have used this assay for quantifying epiphytic and endophytic populations of IAA-producing isolates of Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi and for detecting IAA-producing colonies of other pseudomonads and Erwinia herbicola. The assay provides a rapid and convenient method to screen large numbers of bacteria. Images
The electrical resistivity of potassium below 4.2 K

The electrical resistivity of potassium has been measured between 1.2 and 4.2 K for samples with various amounts of impurity, and also for samples which have been deformed and then progressively annealed. After allowing for departures for Matthiessen's rule (M.r.) an estimate of the 'ideal' resistivity can be made: the logarithmic temperature derivative rises from 5.6 at 4.2 K and passes through a maximum of 9.0 at 2.1 K. The Bloch $T^{5}$ region does not extend above 1.8 K and does not contribute more than $\rho =20\times 10^{-15}\ T^{5}\ \Omega $ cm to the total ideal resistivity; at 4 K this $T^{5}$ contribution is only about 15% of the total ideal resistivity. The rest of the ideal resistivity between 1.8 and 4.2 K shows an exponential form, as expected from the freezing out of umklapp processes with a characteristic temperature of about 23 K. The measurements agree with recent calculations of Rice & Sham (1970) within about a factor of 2 over a range of $10^{5}$ in resistivity, but they do not allow a clear choice to be made between the different forms of pseudopotential that were discussed. The deviations from M.r. for point defects in potassium appear to be accurately proportional to the ideal resistivity between 2 and 4.2 K, i.e. over a range of 300 in ideal resistivity. The magnitude of the deviations is consistent with galvanomagnetic data analysed according to the two-band model, and it implies that a small group of electrons, about 6% of the total, differs in relaxation time from the rest by a factor of about 3. However, the form of the deviations from M.r. does not seem to be compatible with the two-band model. Dislocations in potassium give a small but characteristic extra deviation from M.r. which may be correlated with umklapp scattering. No evidence was found for the momentum-non-conserving processes which have recently been suggested by Campbell, Caplin & Rizzuto (1971) to be very important in aluminium.
Mechanism, Reduction, and Emergence in Two Stories of the Human Epistemic Enterprise

The traditional way of thinking about science goes back to the corpuscular philosophy with its micro-reductive mechanism and metaphor of reading God’s Book of Nature. This “story-1” with its rhetoric of exact truths contrasts with “story-2” which describes science as a continuation of the always imperfect powers of representation given to us by evolution. On story-2 reduction is one among other knowledge fashioning strategies and shares the imperfections of all human knowledge. When we appreciate that human knowledge always admits of refinement, what appear as “emergent properties” no long seems mysterious.
Risk-adjusted outcome prediction with initial post-cardiac arrest illness severity: implications for cardiac arrest survivors being considered for early invasive strategy.

Abstract Background Early CATH is recommended for cardiac arrest survivors with STEMI or suspicion for coronary ischemia. Comatose patients are at risk of death from neurologic injury irrespective of CATH, but post-procedural mortality data do not distinguish between causes of death. Pittsburgh Post Cardiac Arrest Category (PCAC) is a validated, early post-cardiac arrest illness severity score based on initial cardiopulmonary dysfunction and neurologic examination. We evaluated the association between early coronary angiography (CATH) and patient outcome after adjusting for initial post-cardiac arrest illness severity. Methods Retrospective study of a prospective cardiac arrest database at a single site. We included 1011 adult survivors of non-traumatic in-hospital or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from 2005 to 2012, then stratified by PCAC and immediate CATH. Logistic regression tested the association between immediate CATH and patient outcomes, adjusting for PCAC. Results Overall, 273 (27%) received immediate CATH. Patients with immediate CATH had higher proportions of good outcome in all but the most severe stratum of illness severity (11% vs. 6%; p = 0.11). The primary mode of death was neurologic for all but the least severe stratum. Adjusting for PCAC, immediate CATH was associated with favorable discharge disposition (OR 1.92; 95%CI 1.20, 3.07; p = 0.006) and modified Rankin scale (OR 1.95; 95%CI 1.12, 3.38; p = 0.02). Conclusions The benefit of CATH is less clear in the most severe stratum of illness, in which the high risk of mortality is primarily from neurologic causes. PCAC is a risk-stratification tool that provides pre-procedural risk-adjusted outcome prediction for post-cardiac arrest patients being evaluated for immediate CATH.
Homologous pairing and topological linkage of DNA molecules by combined action of E. coli recA protein and topoisomerase I

E. coil RecA protein and topolsomerase I, acting on superhelical DNA and circular single strands in the presence of ATP and Mg2+, topologically link single-stranded molecules to one another, and single-stranded molecules to duplex DNA. When super-helical DNA is relaxed by prior incubation with topoisomerase, it is a poor substrate for catenation. Extensive homology stimulates the catenation of circular single-stranded DNA and superhelical DNA, whereas little reaction occurs between these forms of the closely related DNAs of phages φX174 and G4, indicating that, in conjunction with topoisomerase I, RecA protein can discriminate perfect or nearly perfect homology from a high degree of relatedness. Circular single-stranded G4 DNA reacts with superhelical DNA of a chimeric phage, M13Goril, to form catenanes, at least half of which survive heating at 80°C following restriction cleavage in the M13 region, but few of which survive following restriction cleavage in the G4 region. Electron microscopic examination of catenated molecules cleaved in the M13 region reveals that in most cases the single-stranded G4 DNA is joined to the linear duplex M13(G4) DNA in the homologous G4 region. The junction frequently has the appearance of a D loop, with an extent equivalent to 100 or more bp. We conclude that a significant fraction of catenanes were hemicatenanes, in which the single-stranded circle was topologically linked, probably by multiple turns, to its complementary strand in the duplex DNA. These observations support the previous conclusion that RecA protein can pair a single strand with its complementary strand in duplex DNA in a side-by-side fashion without a free end in any of the three strands.