cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Federalism and bioethics.

The absence of comprehensive federal oversight of human biotechnologies in the United States continues to stimulate academic discourse on the relative merits of European-style regulatory agencies as compared to the current, decentralized approach. Many American bioethicists support the latter, maintaining that the key features of federalism—policy experimentation and moral pluralism—allows for the efficient regulation of these complex and contentious issues. This paper examines state-level regulation of oocyte donation to assess claims regarding the superiority of this decentralized regulatory approach. Further, this paper introduces an additional element to this examination of state law, which concerns the degree to which the health and safety of key participants is addressed at the state level. This inquiry assesses one facet of fertility medicine and biomedical research law, oocyte donation, an analysis that can be used to inform the broader discourse regarding the regulation of human biotechnologies and bioethical issues by the states.
The association of overweight and ankle injuries in children.

Objectives Overweight children are at increased risk for many medical problems. Trauma is the leading etiology of childhood morbidity and mortality. No previous study has evaluated the association between overweight and acute ankle injuries in children. We hypothesized that being overweight is associated with an increased risk of ankle injury in children. Methods We conducted a case-control study in an urban pediatric emergency department. Subjects aged 5 to 19 years were recruited from June 2005 through July 2006. Children with acute ankle trauma were enrolled as cases. A convenience sample of children with a chief complaint of fever, headache, or sore throat was enrolled as controls. Demographic information and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Age- and gender-specific body mass index percentiles (BMI-Ps) were calculated using pediatric norms. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between overweight and ankle injury, adjusting for demographic variables. Through medical records, we obtained demographic information and weight, but not height, of all cases that were not enrolled. This allowed us to conduct a sensitivity analysis in which we combined the enrolled and nonenrolled cases into a single case group and made increasingly more unlikely assumptions about the height percentiles of the nonenrolled cases. Results One hundred eighty cases and 180 controls were enrolled in the study. We observed a significant association between overweight and ankle injury (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio 3.26, 95% confidence interval, 1.86–5.72; P value for trend Conclusions Overweight children may be at increased risk of ankle injury.
Retrospective evaluation of the effect of valproate therapy on transaminase elevations in patients with hepatitis C.

Study Objective. To evaluate whether a relationship exists between valproate treatment and transaminase elevations in patients who are positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Design. Retrospective medical record review. Setting. Veterans affairs medical center. Patients. A total of 214 HCV-positive patients; 28 were treated with valproate (study group), 186 were not (control group). Intervention. Demographic characteristics; valproate treatment histories; plasma concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, and bilirubin; and exposure to other potentially hepatotoxic drugs, including probable alcohol abuse, were evaluated. Measurements and Main Results. Hepatotoxicity was staged by comparing maximum ALT and AST values against upper limits of normal or patients' mean elevated baseline ALT and AST values. Data were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Control patients and those with longer durations of HCV were more likely (p<0.0171 and p<0.0142, respectively) to exhibit higher stages of hepatotoxicity. More valproate-treated patients were exposed to other potential hepatotoxins at the time of peak transaminase elevations (50% vs 39%, p<0.005), whereas more control patients received two or more potential hepatotoxins (13% vs 4%, p<0.00005). Conclusion. Valproate treatment, either alone or in the presence of other potential hepatotoxins, does not appear to be related to increased transaminase elevations in patients with HCV.
Toward the use of two-color emission control in upconverting NaYF 4 :Er 3+ ,Yb 3+ nanoparticles for biomedical imaging

ABSTRACT In the interest of generating new biomedical sensing techniques as well as improving those that currently exist, a great deal of attention has been given to upconverting lanthanide nanoparticles in recent years. In order to develop these nanoparticles for use in multiplexed and ratiometric sensing techniques, many recent studies have focused on experimental control of thei r emission wavelengths. Here we describe a new method for co ntrolling the relative intensity of green and red emission bands in NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ ,Er 3+ nanoparticles via control of the excitation pulse repetition rate. Using this method, particles of the same composition may be tuned to produce red and green light in user-defined ratios. We discuss the mechanism behind this control as well as potential applications that could make use of this property, specifically in super resolution imaging techniques. Keywords: Upconversion, nanoparticle, lanthanide, erbium 1. INTRODUCTION Over the course of the last decade, many advances have been made in the development of upconverting lanthanide nanoparticles (UNPs) for us e in biomedical imaging.
Engineering proteases with altered specificity

Abstract Recent analysis of the crystal structures, both of the retroviral aspartyl proteases from Rous sarcoma virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and of the serine proteases subtilisin and α-lytic protease, has enabled the rational design of mutations in the substrate-binding pocket of these enzymes. Alterations in steady-state kinetic properties of the purified mutant enzymes have been detected in vitro by following the cleavage of synthetic peptide substrates. These analyses have identified key amino acid residues in each of these enzymes that are involved in substrate specificity, and they have provided the foundation for the design of proteases with novel substrate specificities.
Scaling laws in nanomechanics

It is shown that in contrast to the characteristic length scale (“pixel”) in micromechanics (10-6 m) or mesomechanics (10-5 to 10-3 m), the length scale in nanomechanics (10-10 to 10-9 m) has a fundamental physical meaning and should be included in the list of governing parameters when the scaling laws are derived. In principle, this fact can lead to scale effects also outside the length scales traditionally attributed to nanomechanics. In particular, it discloses the possibility for quantum effects to affect the deformation and strength of large scale structures. The authors are pleased to dedicate their work to Professor, Academician Victor E. Panin, whose leading role in creation of mesomechanics is widely known, in honor of his eightieth birthday.
Function of skin grafts in children following acquired amputation of the lower extremity.

Background: Investigators have recommended aggressive use of skin-grafting in order to preserve length and proximal joint function following an acquired amputation in children. However, there is little objective evidence to either support or refute that recommendation. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the cases of all children for whom a skin graft had been applied to the residual limb following an acquired lower-extremity amputation at our Limb Deficiency Clinic between 1984 and 2002. Skin graft dysfunction, defined as breakdown, contracture, and/or pain, was considered to be clinically relevant if it required the child to discontinue use of the prosthesis for any period of time or if it required revision surgery to facilitate continued prosthetic fitting. Results: Twenty-three children (mean age at amputation, 4.4 years) with a total of thirty-one acquired lower-extremity amputations had been treated with skin-grafting. At a mean of 6.3 years after the operation, sixteen (52%) of the thirty-one extremities had had no episodes of skin graft dysfunction. The remaining fifteen extremities (48%) had had clinically relevant skin graft dysfunction (breakdown in thirteen and contracture and pain in one extremity each). Nine of the ten extensive skin grafts underwent clinically relevant breakdown, as did thirteen of the twenty-four grafts that were located distally on the residual limb. Subsequent surgical revision of the residual limb because of inadequate function of the skin graft was performed on seven extremities (23%), with revision to a more proximal limb-segment level required in five. Conclusions: Focal skin-grafting (involving ≤25% of the surface area) of partial-thickness soft-tissue defects in order to optimize the length of the residual limb at the time of an amputation is an effective option for children with an acquired lower-extremity amputation. Limited skin-grafting (involving 26% to 50% of the surface area) is more likely to result in skin graft breakdown, particularly when it is done distally. Extensive skin-grafting, while technically possible, frequently requires revision and rarely results in an optimally functioning limb. Alternative treatment strategies should be considered for extremities that would require extensive, distal skin-grafting. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Production of anti-H-2 antibodies in thymectomized mice.

Neonatally and adult thymectomized (Tx) mice of strains C57BL/10Sn and A. BY (H-2b) were immunized at the age of 5 – 8 weeks with lethally irradiated spleen and lymph node cells from adult B 10. A and A (H-2a) donors, respectively. The titer of H-2 hemagglutinins and cytotoxins was determined at different intervals after immunization. Both untreated antibodies and antibodies reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol (2-Me) were tested. The non-Tx control mice responded with production of both 2-Me-sensitive and 2-Me-resistant H-2 antibodies. In the Tx mice, only 2-Me-sensitive H-2 antibodies were detected. Thus, the anti-H-2 IgM response appears to be thymus-independent and the anti-H-2 IgG response thymus-dependent.
Reliability analysis of next generation wafer level chip scale

In this paper, the reliability performance of next generation WLCSP is studied through modeling. Intensive study is carried out from single bump design to package dimension design and the application design in PCB board. Polyimide, solder joint array layout with different width and length ratio and the PCB board via layout are simulated to improve the reliability performance. The models with different polyimide layouts and different material are studied in both thermal cycling and drop test. Then, the impact of different bump array width and length ratio on the next generation of the WLCSP is studied for the reliability performance. Finally, the impact of different PCB board via design and layout on the reliability performance of next generation WLCSP is analyzed in thermal cycling test. Different through board vias and blind vias array in PCB board are studied.
Estrogen decreases hypothalamic angiotensin II AT1 receptor binding and mRNA in the female rat

Estrogen has been shown to modulate angiotensin II (AngII)-regulated behaviors, such as thirst, and may do so by influencing the central renin-angiotensin system (RAS). While numerous studies have attempted to correlate changes in AngII receptors or other components of the RAS with estrogen treatment, the low abundance of these genes has made comparisons difficult. Generally, such experiments have relied on traditional approaches to analyze gene expression that often restrict the experimenter to studying only a few mRNA species, whereas a behavior as complex as thirst may be influenced by changes in multiple genes. The present experiments utilized quantitative receptor autoradiography and mRNA expression profiling to identify and compare AngII receptors and their mRNA levels as well as other components of the RAS in female rat pituitary and hypothalamic-thalamic-septal (HTS) tissue samples. This relatively new approach to the study of gene expression permits the simultaneous comparison of multiple genes from a single tissue sample. These studies revealed that ovariectomized (OVX) female rats treated with estradiol benzoate (EB) had a 30%-40% reduction in the levels of AT(1) receptor mRNA in pituitary and HTS samples as compared to OVX, control animals. In the pituitary, the mRNA levels for angiotensinogen (AGT) were increased by 45% following estrogen administration. In addition, a reduction in [125I]-AngII binding to AT(1) receptors in the pituitary and the subfornical organ was measured following estrogen treatment. These results suggest that estrogen may modulate the pituitary and central RAS through a coordinate regulation of the angiotensin receptors and the levels of newly synthesized AngII.
Competitive dipolar cycloaddition of tetracyanoethylene to bicyclo[3.2.1]octa-2,6-diene

Abstract Reaction of tetracyanoethylene with bicyclo[3.2.1]octa-2,6-diene ( 1 produces three cycloadducts. Isolation and characterization of the products is described and possible mechanisms are discussed.
New aspects of variable-range hopping in finite one-dimensional wires.

We analyze analytically the length dependence of the resistance \ensuremath{\rho} for the case of variable-range hopping in finite one-dimensional systems. The resistance shows large fluctuations with variations in the chemical potential of the system and the average value 〈ln\ensuremath{\rho}〉\ensuremath{\sim}(${T}_{0}$/T${)}^{1/2}$[ln(2\ensuremath{\alpha}L${)]}^{1/2}$, where \ensuremath{\alpha} is the inverse localization length and ${\mathrm{kT}}_{0}$=\ensuremath{\alpha}/N(0), N(0) being the density of states. This result is in good agreement with numerical simulations. Fluctuations of the log resistance, ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{2}$=〉(ln\ensuremath{\rho}-〈ln\ensuremath{\rho}〉${)}^{2}$ 〈, are conjectured to decrease with increasing length according to the relation \ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\sim}(${T}_{0}$/T${)}^{1/2}$[ln(2\ensuremath{\alpha}L${)\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}]}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1/2}$. Numerical results show large fluctuations in \ensuremath{\Delta} for different ensembles of the same length which are characterized by the same set of parameters [T, \ensuremath{\alpha}, N(0), etc.]. Averaging over many such ensembles yields a good agreement with the above prediction for \ensuremath{\Delta}. Numerical simulations also confirm that the product \ensuremath{\Delta}〈ln\ensuremath{\rho}〉 does not change with the length of the wire. Our results can be useful for future experiments on ultranarrow-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors.
Salamander Dispersal Across a Forested Landscape Fragmented by a Golf Course

We assessed dispersal behavior of 78 radiotagged adult spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) at a 36-hole golf course in southeastern Connecticut, USA. Lake of Isles Golf Course is atypical of most golf courses in North America because it is much larger (461 ha) than average 18-hole golf courses (54 ha) and deciduous forests accounted for 70% landscape composition on the course. We tracked individuals an average of 164 days as they emigrated from 3 seasonal pools surrounded by golf course fairways and one pool located in contiguous forest (control pool) from March through December 2004. Males and females dispersed similar distances at the control pool, averaging 71 ± 10 m. However, females migrating across the golf course dispersed twice as far (214 ± 25 m) as males on the golf course (102 ± 15 m) and both genders at the control pool. Over 40% the salamanders at the golf course crossed fairways; thus, fairways were not a dispersal barrier to adult spotted salamanders. Previous researchers have suggested establishing a 164-m life zone around breeding ponds to protect pond-breeding amphibian populations. Our results suggest that strategies that protect core upland habitat within 164 m of wetland boundaries would include 82% of adult males and only 50% of adult females. Empirical estimates based on our telemetry study suggest that core terrestrial habitat would have to extend 370 m to protect 95% of adult females, which is much farther than previous estimates.
Some phages released from P22-infected salmonella.

Abstract P221 phage are variants of P22 phage with altered morphology, host range, serological properties, etc. P221 phage occur in P22 phage lysates grown on Salmonella typhimurium strain LT-2 (Yamamoto and Anderson, 1961) . Both the substrain of the phage and the substrain of the host influence the frequency of variant phage found in the lysates. Bacteria infected either with a mutant of P22 defective in antigen conversion (P22 a 1) or with a phage similar to P22 in all other properties tested (P22-11) give rise to variant phage with greater than 1000-fold increased frequencies. A variety of genetically heterogeneous phages is released from S. typhimurium infected with P22 phage and from double lysogens carrying P22 and P221 prophages. A new nomenclature for designations of strains of these phages is introduced, and the properties of prototype phage strains are summarized (Table 10). Among the variant phages are some new types not previously described. One variant, termed P22-3, was obtained as a single-plaque isolate of phage P221. P22-3 differs from a prototype P221 stock (designated P22-1) in its morphological and immunity properties. P22-3 differs from P22 in all properties studied: morphology, host range, mean buoyant density, latent period, serological specificity, and immunity. Another new variant phage, termed P22-12, was isolated from a double lysogen carrying P22 and P221. P22-12 differs from each of these phages in host range, serological specificity, and immunity.
Changing causes of enucleation over the past 60 years

Background The indications for enucleation have changed significantly over the past 60 years. We conducted a clinicopathologic study of enucleated globes to determine how and why the indications for enucleation have changed over time.
20-Year Experience With Intraoperative High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Pediatric Sarcoma: Outcomes, Toxicity, and Practice Recommendations

Purpose To assess outcomes and toxicity of high-dose-rate intraoperative radiation therapy (HDR-IORT) in the management of pediatric sarcoma. Methods and Materials Seventy-five pediatric patients underwent HDR-IORT for sarcoma from May 1993 to November 2013. The median age was 9 years old (36 patients were ≤6 years old). HDR-IORT was part of initial therapy in 37 patients (49%) and for recurrent disease in 38 patients (51%). Forty-one patients (55%) received HDR-IORT and postoperative external beam RT (PORT), and 22 patients (29%) were previously treated with external beam radiation therapy to the IORT site. Local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Results At a median follow-up of 7.8 years for surviving patients, 5-year projected rates of LC, EFS, and OS were 63% (95% confidence interval [CI] 50%-76%), 33% (95% CI 21%-45%), and 43% (95% CI 30%-55%), with a median survival of 3.1 years. The 5-year LC, EFS, and OS rates for patients with recurrent disease were 46% (95% CI, 28%-64%), 30% (95% CI, 13%-46%), and 36% (95% CI, 18%-54%). Acute toxicity ≥grade 3 occurred in 2 (2.5%) treatments; late toxicity ≥grade 3 occurred in 4 (5.3%) patients 0.3-9.9 years after HDR-IORT. The incidence of toxicity ≥grade 3 was not associated with HDR-IORT applicator size, HDR-IORT dose, prior RT or PORT, or prior or postoperative chemotherapy, but all toxicity ≥grade 3 occurred in patients ≤6 years treated with HDR-IORT doses ≥12 Gy. Conclusions HDR-IORT is a well-tolerated component of multimodality therapy for pediatric sarcoma, allowing additional local treatment while reducing external beam exposure. Taking clinical considerations into account, doses between 8-12 Gy are appropriate for HDR-IORT in patients ≤6 years of age.
Helix coil transitions of d (A)n·d(T)n, d(A-T)n·d(A-T)n, and d(A-A-T)n·d(A-T-T)n; evaluation of parameters governing DNA stability

The thermally induced helix-coil transitions of three A-T DNAs, d(A)n·d(T)n, d(A-T)n·d(A-T)n, and d(A-A-T)n·d(A-T-T)n, were studied. Experimental transition curves of the DNAs were analyzed using the loop entropy model of DNA melting. The calculation of the melting curve of d(A-A-T)n·d(A-T-T)n is presented using the integral equation formalism of Goel and Montroll. The aim of this work was to evaluate thermodynamic parameters which govern DNA stability and to test the theoretical model employed in the analysis. Our results show (1) an excellent over-all agreement between theory and experiment, (2) a loop entropy exponent k = 1.55 ± 0.05 provided the best fit to all the polymer transition curves, (3) the evaluated stacking free energies reflect the relative stability of the DNAs, and (4) the stacking energies of the ApA·TpT dimer evaluated from d(A)n·d(T)n and d(A-A-T)n·d(A-T-T)n differ. The last result is consistent with different conformations for the dimer in these two polymers.
Zur Theologie der Thaumaturgie

Summary The charismatic movement has put the question whether miracles occur and what they could be on the agenda again. Traditionally, miracles were regarded as preternatural or even supernatural, but this presupposes a dualistic view of nature which we no longer hold. It would be better to say, with C. S. Lewis, Evagrius Ponticus and even in harmony with the intention of Friedrich Nietzsche, that miracles lie behind nature, without thereby introducing another extranatural realm. Above all, miracles need to make God's future light up (A. van de Beek). In section two, the difference between religion and magic is said not to be the difference between submissive asking and attempting to manipulate, but the difference between my religion and another one, which I reject. Concentrating on healing miracles, such phenomena as the “lengthening of legs” and “resting in the Spirit” are discussed. In section 3, ten possible differences between ancient and modern healing miracles are proposed.
The CIA and the question of accountability

(1997). The CIA and the question of accountability. Intelligence and National Security: Vol. 12, Enternal Vigilance? 50 Years of the CIA, pp. 178-200.
Analysis on the Correlation Relationships between the Temperature Range Condition and the Genic GC Content Levels of Prokaryotes

We here analyzed the correlation between the genic GC content and the temperature range conditions of prokaryotes. To identify those genes whose surrounding GC levels exhibit patterns different for organisms under different temperature conditions but transcending phylogenetic boundaries, we first focused on the complete list of organisms, then partial lists of organisms with one phylum being excluded, and finally organisms of the same phylum but of different temperature conditions. To further validate the identified correlation relationships, we examined to what extent the temperature condition of an organism can be predicted based on the GC levels surrounding the selected genes. The overall prediction accuracy was 96.80% if based on the genes derived from the complete list of organisms, and 95.45% if based on the 17 phylum-independent genes. If the phylum-specific genes were used, the prediction accuracy was 90.00% and 95.63% for organisms of the Euryarchaeota and Firmicutes phyla, respectively. These results demonstrated the predictability of the temperature range conditions of prokaryotic organisms based on their genic GC levels surrounding certain genes, as well as the correlation between this particular duo of ecological and genomic traits.
Advances in Manual Wheelchair Technology

The manual wheelchair has undergone much advancement over the past two decades. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most significant advances in manual wheelchairs. These technological advances are now available in the clinical setting and should be recognized, discussed, and adopted by doctors, clinicians, engineers, funding sources, and, most important, consumers when the most appropriate manual wheelchair is being selected.
Exporting Encryption Software and the First Amendment: Bernstein v. U.S. Department of State

Abstract No method of cryptology will always protect individual privacy and society's legitimate desire to stop criminal activity. Electronic funds transfer systems and the information superhighway have made the need for private communications more important than ever. Society's problems with terrorism and drugs complicate the issues, highlighting the sensitive balance between the individual's right to free speech, society's need to protect itself, and everyone's fear of Big Brother and governmental excesses.
The effect of malignant effusions on methotrexate disposition.

Abstract Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of malignant effusions on the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate (MTX). Methods. Simulated drug concentrations in blood, tissues and effusion fluid spaces were generated using a previously published physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for MTX in humans. The model was expanded to incorporate effusion spaces with permeability rate-limited drug transport. The model was used first to simulate MTX plasma concentrations in patients without effusions. Then the effects of cardiac, peritoneal and pleural effusions on MTX plasma concentrations were investigated followed by an examination of the influence of effusion volume, binding in the effusate, and effusion space permeability clearance (PA) on MTX plasma pharmacokinetics. In addition, the effect of the disposition characteristics (e.g. volume of distribution) of the anticancer drug on the overall influence of an effusate was evaluated. Finally, the simulations were compared with MTX concentrations observed in the plasma and pleural fluid of a patient with a pleural effusion treated with MTX. Results. There was good agreement between the PBPK-simulated MTX plasma concentrations and observed values in patients without effusions. There was also a remarkable similarity between simulated and measured plasma and effusion MTX concentrations in a pediatric patient with a malignant pleural effusion. The physiological characteristics of an effusion, i.e. fluid volume, protein binding and membrane permeability clearance, modulate the influence of an effusion on the drug plasma concentration-time course. In general, effusions cause an increase in the steady-state volume of distribution but no change in the overall clearance of a drug. Malignant effusions were noticeable only in the disposition phase of MTX resulting in an apparent "third space." This was most prominent when the effusion fluid volume was large, the binding of MTX in the effusion fluid was greater than in plasma and the PA value was low. The percentage change in terminal half-life due to an effusion is significant for drugs with small volumes of distribution (332%) but not for those with large volumes of distribution (1.29%). In the case of MTX, and probably other anticancer drugs, the resulting increase in half-life may be associated with unanticipated toxicity.
Archaeocyathids in eastern Alabama: Significance to geological interpretation of Coosa deformed belt

Archaeocyathids indicate an Early Cambrian age for chert exposures in one of the isolated ridge complexes of the Coosa deformed belt in the eastern Valley and Ridge province of the Appalachians known as the “Sleeping Giants” near the city of Talladega, Alabama. The Sleeping Giants complex contains imbricated chert, fine-grained sandstone, and coarse-grained quartzite in addition to siltstone, which rest with subhorizontal contact on folded and faulted strata of Middle and Upper Cambrian age. The affinity and structural nature of the strata composing these features have been variously assigned to Lower Cambrian units and fault emplacement and to middle Paleozoic sequences lying unconformably on lower Paleozoic formations. The archaeocyathids and mapping evidence indicate that the Sleeping Giants and other associated ranges are klippen of Lower Cambrian rocks rooted at the northwestern edge of, or within, the Talladega metamorphic belt a few miles to the southeast.
System architecture for information processing

Abstract Text and fact retrieval efficiency can be achieved only within the framework of a computer system architecture embodying parallel search hardware, intelligent I/O architecture, and effective data partitioning and search strategies. Parallelism by itself is not a panacea. This paper presents the framework of the system architecture and the details of our intelligent I/O architecture called IMSA, data partitioning, and the RAP.3 integrated retrieval system. The RAP.3 system is driven by cluster searching for narrowing the search space. All media documents are converted to special relational formats and searched by relational database and text search commands. An integrated multimedia information system supported by object-oriented database methodology within the RAP.3 system architecture is included as a demonstration.
Current Pharmacologic Approaches for Prevention and Treatment of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major complication of preterm birth and has serious adverse long-term health consequences. The etiology of BPD is complex, multifactorial, and incompletely understood. Contributing factors include ventilator-induced lung injury, exposure to toxic oxygen levels, and infection. Several preventive and therapeutic strategies have been developed with variable success. These include lung protective ventilator strategies and pharmacological and nutritional interventions. These strategies target different components and stages of the disease process and they are commonly used in combination. The purpose of this review is to discuss the evidence for current pharmacological interventions and identify future therapeutic modalities that appear promising in the prevention and management of BPD. Continued improved understanding of BPD pathogenesis leads to opportunities for newer preventive approaches. These will need to be evaluated in the setting of current clinical practice in order to assess their efficacy.
Slow and steady is the key to β‐cell replication

The beta-cells of the pancreas are responsible for insulin production and their destruction results in type I diabetes. beta-cell maintenance, growth and regenerative repair is thought to occur predominately, if not exclusively, through the replication of existing beta-cells, not via an adult stem cell. It was recently found that all beta-cells contribute equally to islet growth and maintenance. The fact that all beta-cells replicate homogeneously makes it possible to set up straightforward screens for factors that increase beta-cell replication either In vitro or in vivo. It is possible that a circulating factor may be capable of increasing beta-cell replication or that intrinsic cell cycle regulators may affect beta-cell growth. An improved understanding of the in vivo maintenance and growth of beta-cells will facilitate efforts to expand beta-cells In vitro and may lead to new treatments for diabetes.
Particle-size effect in craze plasticity of high-impact polystyrene

Abstract To explore the particle-size effect on craze plasticity and on the level of toughening of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), a commercial grade HIPS (Mobile PS 4600) with a composite particle fraction of 0.217 and average particle size of 2.51 μm was used. The matrix fractions of the material were dissolved in toluene and the unaffected particles were harvested as a gel fraction which was levitated in fresh toluene as a dilute suspension. This dilute particle suspension was centrifuged to separate the particles into two non-overlapping small and large particle populations of average size 1.03 and 3.97 μm, respectively. With these separated particles, two new blends of HIPS-type material with narrow particle distributions were reconstituted using commercial grade Lustrex HH-104 PS, together with a reconstituted blend of HIPS made up of the original broad particle-size distribution to be used as a standard for comparison. All three blends had the same volume fraction as the original HIPS. Stress-strain experiments performed on the reconstituted blends showed that the mechanical properties and toughness levels of the reconstituted HIPS were nearly identical to the properties of the original HIPS. While the toughness of the reconstituted material with larger particles was roughly halved at the same flow stress level, the flow stress of the reconstituted blend with small particles had a craze flow stress 5% higher than that of the other two reconstituted blends, and a very severely reduced level of toughness. The behaviour of these blends was analysed with the aid of a theoretical model developed by Piorkowska et al. and furnished additional support for the correctness of the particle-size effect based on the principle of ‘stress-induced displacement misfit’ proposed by Argon et al. previously.
Examining the impact of child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) on family functioning

Research supports that child parent relationship therapy (CPRT), a filial therapy approach, has strong effects on participating parents and children. Some speculate that filial therapy improves the family system; however, minimal research exists to support this claim. Using a single-case design, researchers examined CPRT's impact on the functioning of 8 families. Results revealed that 6 families experienced statistically significant improvements in targeted areas of family functioning. Results from self-reported measures indicated that 7 families improved in family satisfaction, 4 in cohesion, 3 in communication, and 1 in flexibility. Observational measures also revealed improvements: 5 families in flexibility, 4 families in cohesion, and 4 families in communication. The results support that the benefits of CPRT may extend to the family system.
Reduction of exercise-induced ischemic regional myocardial dysfunction by verapamil in conscious dogs.

The effects of verapamil on exercise-induced changes in left ventricular (LV) function were examined in nine conscious dogs in which an Ameroid constrictor and Doppler flow probe were placed around the left circumflex coronary artery. Ultrasonic crystals were implanted for measuring LV systolic wall thickness (SWTh) in control and ischemic regions, and a micromanometer measured high fidelity LV pressure. At 23 days (average) postoperatively, coronary collaterals had developed and complete cessation of coronary flow was confirmed by the flowmeter. Control treadmill exercise was then performed for 3.8 minutes at speed 12.1 km/hr and grade 5.3% (average). Two hours after oral administration of verapamil (120 to 160 mg), the same exercise bout was repeated. During the control runs, significant increases occurred in heart rate (101 to 243 bpm), LV end-diastolic pressure (13.3 to 27.5 mm Hg), peak LV pressure (129.8 to 165.7 mm Hg) and its first derivative (3140 to 6275 mm Hg/sec) with an increase of SWTh in control regions, while percent SWTh in ischemic regions decreased markedly (19.6% to 5.9%, p < 0.001); wall thickening velocity also decreased (0.90 to 0.44 SWTh/sec). During the runs after verapamil, the exercise heart rate was significantly lower than in the control run (221 ± 30 bpm), but other hemodynamic measures were similar. SWTh in control regions was unchanged, but exercise-induced dysfunction in the ischemic zone was substantially less (SWTh during exercise 11.5%, p < 0.01 compared to control runs) and wall thickening velocity did not fall. Thus verapamil can reduce regional LV dysfunction produced by exercise in collateral dependent zones, indicating a beneficial effect of this agent on stress-induced ischemia.
TDRD3 is an Effector Molecule for Arginine Methylated Histone Marks

Specific sites of histone tail methylation are associated with transcriptional activity at gene loci. These methyl marks are interpreted by effector molecules, which harbor protein domains that bind the methylated motifs and facilitate either active or inactive states of transcription. CARM1 and PRMT1 are transcriptional coactivators that deposit H3R17me2a and H4R3me2a marks, respectively. We used a protein domain microarray approach to identify the Tudor domain-containing protein TDRD3 as a "reader" of these marks. Importantly, TDRD3 itself is a transcriptional coactivator. This coactivator activity requires an intact Tudor domain. TDRD3 is recruited to an estrogen-responsive element in a CARM1-dependent manner. Furthermore, ChIP-seq analysis of TDRD3 reveals that it is predominantly localized to transcriptional start sites. Thus, TDRD3 is an effector molecule that promotes transcription by binding methylarginine marks on histone tails.
Interplanetary magnetic field connection to the sun during electron heat flux dropouts in the solar wind

The paper discusses observations of 2- to 8.5-keV electrons, made by measurements aboard the ISEE 3 spacecraft during the periods of heat flux decreases (HFDs) reported by McComas et al. (1989). In at least eight of the total of 25 HFDs observed, strong streaming of electrons that were equal to or greater than 2 keV outward from the sun was recorded. In one HFD, an impulsive solar electron event was observed with an associated type III radio burst, which could be tracked from the sun to about 1 AU. It is concluded that, in many HFDs, the interplanetary field is still connected to the sun and that some energy-dependent process may produce HFDs without significantly perturbing electrons of higher energies.
Enzyme Kinetics of the Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleoside Salvage Pathway Are Not Sufficient to Support Rapid mtDNA Replication

Using a computational model, we simulated mitochondrial deoxynucleotide metabolism and mitochondrial DNA replication. Our results indicate that the output from the mitochondrial salvage enzymes alone is inadequate to support a mitochondrial DNA replication duration of as long as 10 hours. We find that an external source of deoxyribonucleoside diphosphates or triphosphates (dNTPs), in addition to those supplied by mitochondrial salvage, is essential for the replication of mitochondrial DNA to complete in the experimentally observed duration of approximately 1 to 2 hours. For meeting a relatively fast replication target of 2 hours, almost two-thirds of the dNTP requirements had to be externally supplied as either deoxyribonucleoside di- or triphosphates, at about equal rates for all four dNTPs. Added monophosphates did not suffice. However, for a replication target of 10 hours, mitochondrial salvage was able to provide for most, but not all, of the total substrate requirements. Still, additional dGTPs and dATPs had to be supplied. Our analysis of the enzyme kinetics also revealed that the majority of enzymes of this pathway prefer substrates that are not precursors (canonical deoxyribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleotides) for mitochondrial DNA replication, such as phosphorylated ribonucleotides, instead of the corresponding deoxyribonucleotides. The kinetic constants for reactions between mitochondrial salvage enzymes and deoxyribonucleotide substrates are physiologically unreasonable for achieving efficient catalysis with the expected in situ concentrations of deoxyribonucleotides.
Detection of early pregnancy factor in swine: A need for dialogue

The rosette inhibition test, which has been used to detect early pregnancy factor (EPF) and other immunosuppressive factors in the serum of pregnant mice, women, and sheep, was adapted for use in swine. Since the initial methods described for use of the assay were cumbersome and time consuming, our first efforts were to simplify the technique. Substitution of microtiter plates for test tubes and treatment of sheep erythrocytes with AET to increase numbers and stability of the rosettes were successful. Although consistently higher rosette inhibition titers were obtained after incubation of lymphocytes in the serum of pregnant sows compared to controls, the variability in numbers of rosettes obtained on a day to day basis and the cumbersome nature of the test have impeded progress in firmly establishing the presence of EPF in pregnant swine and demonstrating the homology between it and the EPF reported in other species.
Downregulation of Skp2 and p27/Kip1 synergistically induces apoptosis in T98G glioblastoma cells

S-phase kinase associated protein (Skp) 2 is an F-box protein required for substrate recognition of the SCF(Skp2) ubiquitin ligase complex. Skp2 is often overexpressed in transformed cells and in various types of tumors. Downregulation or inhibition of Skp2 inhibits growth of breast cancer cells and small-cell lung carcinoma cells. We downregulated Skp2 in T98G glioblastoma cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Downregulation induced p27 and caused growth arrest and apoptosis. Downregulation of both Skp2 and p27 increased apoptosis synergistically. Cyclin E levels and cyclin E-CDK2 kinase activity increased dramatically when both Skp2 and p27 were downregulated. Coincidently, Bcl-2 but not Bcl-xL expression decreased, and caspase-3 was activated. Inhibition of cyclin E-CDK2 kinase activity by forced expression of p21 reversed these effects. Moreover, stable expression of Bcl-2 also abrogated apoptosis induced by downregulation of Skp2 and p27. We suggest that Skp2 in tumor cells suppresses apoptosis through Bcl-2 expression, potentially through regulation of cyclin E-CDK2 activity.
Identification of Kel1p, a kelch domain-containing protein involved in cell fusion and morphology in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We showed previously that protein kinase C, which is required to maintain cell integrity, negatively regulates cell fusion (Philips, J., and I. Herskowitz. 1997. J. Cell Biol. 138:961–974). To identify additional genes involved in cell fusion, we looked for genes whose overexpression relieved the defect caused by activated alleles of Pkc1p. This strategy led to the identification of a novel gene, KEL1, which encodes a protein composed of two domains, one containing six kelch repeats, a motif initially described in the Drosophila protein Kelch (Xue, F., and L. Cooley. 1993. Cell. 72:681– 693), and another domain predicted to form coiled coils. Overexpression of KEL1 also suppressed the defect in cell fusion of spa2Δ and fps1Δ mutants. KEL2, which corresponds to ORF YGR238c, encodes a protein highly similar to Kel1p. Its overexpression also suppressed the mating defect associated with activated Pkc1p. Mutants lacking KEL1 exhibited a moderate defect in cell fusion that was exacerbated by activated alleles of Pkc1p or loss of FUS1, FUS2, or FPS1, but not by loss of SPA2. kel1Δ mutants form cells that are elongated and heterogeneous in shape, indicating that Kel1p is also required for proper morphology during vegetative growth. In contrast, kel2Δ mutants were not impaired in cell fusion or morphology. Both Kel1p and Kel2p localized to the site where cell fusion occurs during mating and to regions of polarized growth during vegetative growth. Coimmunoprecipitation and two-hybrid analyses indicated that Kel1p and Kel2p physically interact. We conclude that Kel1p has a role in cell morphogenesis and cell fusion and may antagonize the Pkc1p pathway.
The Wages of Sin: How the Discovery of Penicillin Reshaped Modern Sexuality

It was not until 1943, amid world war, that penicillin was found to be an effective treatment for syphilis. This study investigated the hypothesis that a decrease in the cost of syphilis due to penicillin spurred an increase in risky non-traditional sex. Using nationally comprehensive vital statistics, this study found evidence that the era of modern sexuality originated in the mid to late 1950s. Measures of risky non-traditional sexual behavior began to rise during this period. These trends appeared to coincide with the collapse of the syphilis epidemic. Syphilis incidence reached an all-time low in 1957 and syphilis deaths fell rapidly during the 1940s and early 1950s. Regression analysis demonstrated that most measures of sexual behavior significantly increased immediately following the collapse of syphilis and most measures were significantly associated with the syphilis death rate. Together, the findings supported the notion that the discovery of penicillin decreased the cost of syphilis and thereby played an important role in shaping modern sexuality.
Inverse planning algorithms for external beam radiation therapy

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a new treatment technique that has the potential to produce superior dose distributions to those of conventional techniques. An important step in IMRT is inverse planning, or optimization. This is a process by which the optimum intensity distribution is determined by minimizing (or maximizing) an objective function. For radiation therapy, the objective function is used to describe the clinical goals, which can be expressed in terms of dose and dose/volume requirements, or in terms of biological indices. There are 2 types of search algorithms, stochastic and deterministic. Typical algorithms that are currently in use are presented. For clinical implementations, other issues are also discussed, such as global minimum vs. local minima, dose uniformity in the target and sparing of normal tissues, smoothing of the intensity profile, and skin flash. To illustrate the advantages of IMRT, clinical examples for the treatment of the prostate, nasopharynx, and breast are presented. IMRT is an emerging technique that has shown encouraging results thus far. However, the technique is still in its infancy and more research and improvements are needed. For example, the effects of treatment uncertainties on the planning and delivery of IMRT requires further study. As with any new technology, IMRT should be used with great caution.
Fermi Liquid Theory of Dilute Submonolayer 3He on Thin 4He II Film Dimer Bound State and Cooper Pairs

Discussion de l'apparition possible de la superfluidite dans un systeme de fermi dilue degenere, avec un etat lie dimere
Investigations on epibenthic meiofauna I. Abundances on and repopulation of the tube-caps of Diopatra cuprea (Polychaeta: Onuphidae) in a subtropical system

Cryptic meiofauna populated the imbricate, shell-sediment matrix of the tube-caps produced by the polychaete Diopatra cuprea (Bose) in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Nematodes, copepods (adults and nauplii), polychaetes (adults and juveniles) and amphipods (adults and juveniles) were the most abundant taxa found on tube-caps. Meiofaunal densities on tube-caps were 4 to 19 times higher than equivalent volumes of sediment in cores taken adjacent to D. cuprea tubes. Recruitment onto tube structure occurred within 1 to 2 d after defaunated tube-caps were replanted into sediments in the field (February–November 1980). Repopulation of copepods (adults and nauplii) attained levels equal to or exceeding natural abundances on tube caps within 1 to 5 d; nematode recovery rates were inconsistent. Short-term experiments using a variety of defaunated tube treatments indicated that immigration onto above-sediment tube-caps proceeds via both water column and sediment pathways. Based on data on tube-cap longevity and construction as well as meiofaunal recruitment rates, we conclude that the generation of new tube-cap structure is exploited rapidly by meiofauna.
Polymeric binder distribution maps in green ceramics by 1H NMR imaging

Abstract Polymeric binder maps in green ceramics are obtained by 1H NMR imaging techniques. Two- and three-dimensional Fourier transform techniques are compared to determine the trade-off between contrast/ noise and imaging time. The influence of particle size of the ceramic powder and the sample length/diameter ( L D ) ratio upon the polymer distribution are examined. Heterogeneous distributions of binder are found at small L D ratios. Computerized image analysis can provide a means to assess the uniformity of green ceramic parts.