cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thin layer chromatographic analysis of neutral lipids in the digestive gland-gonad complex of Biomphalaria glabrata snails maintained on various diets

Abstract Thin layer chromatography on channeled, high performance preadsorbent silica gel plates was used to study the neutral lipid composition of six diets/i.e., hen's egg albumen, hen's egg yolk, leaf lettuce, Tetramin fish food, lettuce/Tetramin (1:1), and Spirulina, and the digestive gland-gonad complex of Biomphalaria qlabrata snails maintained on these diets. Differences in the neutral lipid profiles between the diet and the DGG suggest that factors other than dietary uptake, presumably metabolic, play a role in determining the lipid composition of the snail.
REVERSIBILITY OF FISSION GAS SWELLING IN URANIUM.

Abstract The effect of hydrostatic pressures up to 1000 bar on the behavior of pre-formed bubbles in irradiated uranium has been studied. High pressure, 900 °C anneals cause the fission gas swelling, induced in uranium by 600 °C vacuum anneals, to be reversed. Subsequent high temperature (900–1080 °C) vacuum tests produce the same swelling as samples vacuum annealed to identical temperatures, but without benefit of previous pressure annealing. Reheating high temperature-pressure annealed samples to 600 °C produces no further swelling due to the lack of driving force for recrystallisation. Pressure annealing causes a reduction in the total surface area and total number of observable bubbles as well as a lowering of the vacancy/gas atom ratio.
Emergency cimetidine prophylaxis against acid aspiration.

Preoperative cimetidine (300 mg IV) was given to assess timing and efficacy of prophylactic cimetidine to increase gastric pH in emergency surgical patients. Two-thirds had an initial gastric pH less than or equal to 2.5, with a mean pH of 2.13 ± 0.60 as a group. Cimetidine administration resulted in a significant increase in mean pH at intubation (3.25 ± 0.90), with a mean preoperative premedication interval of 59 ± 20 minutes. However, 20% failed to achieve a gastric pH greater than 2.5 prior to intubation. The mean gastric pH at extubation (5.09 ± 1.55) was also significantly increased compared to precimetidine and preintubation levels. Prophylactic cimetidine might protect many, but not all, emergency patients from acid-induced aspiration pulmonary injury at intubation or extubation.
Micropower integrated bioamplifier and auto-ranging ADC for wireless and implantable medical instrumentation

A micropower, high-resolution biopotential data acquisition circuit for wireless and implantable medical instrumentation is presented. The circuit is an incremental ΔΣ (BioADC) that accepts inputs directly from recording electrodes and serves as both amplifier and digitizer with just a single OTA at the core. Auto-ranging and precise digital gain control allow the BioADC to accommodate input ranges of 1mV to 30mV with DC offset rejection. The hybrid amplifier/ADC achieves up to 12 bits of resolution, a sampling rate of 2.048kHz and an input referred noise of 2.65μVrms at a power consumption of 20/μW. The bioamplifier achieves a noise efficiency factor of 3.1. Live physiological ECG data are shown, acquired by connecting passive Ag/AgCl electrodes directly to the BioADC input.
Probing the local interstellar medium

A sophisticated model of solar wind expansion is applied to deduce a range of parameters for the local interstellar medium that predicts a location for the heliospheric shock of about 30 AU. It is found that either the interstellar magnetic field is more than double the presently accepted value of 0.3 nT, or the pressure due to galactic cosmic rays with energies near 0.1 MeV is that obtained by simple extrapolation of the observed flux at higher energies inside the heliosphere. Alternatively, some combination of these two external effects yields an effective interstellar pressure approximately quadruple present estimates.
The serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist TCB-2: a behavioral and neurophysiological analysis

There are few reports on the high-affinity 5-HT2A agonist (4-Bromo-3,6-dimethoxybenzocyclobuten-1-yl)methylamine hydrobromide (TCB-2). Here we provide the first behavioral and neurophysiological profile of TCB-2 in C57BL/6J mice, with direct comparisons to the 5-HT2A/2C agonist (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane (DOI), in addition to determinations of 5-HT2A mediation via pretreatment with the selective 5-HT2A antagonist MDL 11,939. In a dose-dependent manner, TCB-2 induced head twitches, decreased food consumption in food-deprived mice, induced hypothermia, and increased corticosterone levels, with no effects on locomotor activity or anxiety-like behaviors in the open field. Similar effects were observed in side-by-side dose–response comparisons with DOI; although at the highest dose tested (5.0 mg/kg), TCB-2 induced significantly fewer head twitches, and a significantly enhanced hypothermic response, versus DOI. Pretreatment with MDL 11,939 blocked head twitches and temperature change following TCB-2 and DOI, confirming 5-HT2A mediation of these responses. Although MDL 11,939 pretreatment blocked DOI-induced suppression of feeding, MDL 11,939 had no effect on TCB-2-induced suppression of feeding. Previous studies show that 5-HT2A function is altered by changes in serotonin transporter (SERT) expression and function. In SERT knockout (−/−) mice, TCB-2-induced head twitches and hypothermia were greatly diminished compared to SERT wild-type (+/+) mice. The current studies are important, as they are the first to assess the effects of TCB-2 in mice, and are among the first to report the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of this conformationally restricted phenethylamine analog compound, which has 65-fold greater effects on signaling via the phosphoinositide versus arachidonic acid pathways.
Generating fuzzy topologies with semi-closure operators

Let X be an L-fuzzy topological space. For @a @e L-1 and A @? X, x @ec"@a(A) if and only if G fuzzy-open and G(x) > @a imply there is a @e A with G(a) > 0. Under certain restrictions on @a, which are always satisfied if L is linearly ordered, c"@a is a semi-closure operator. This paper contains necessary and sufficient conditions under which a collection of semi-closure operators generates a fuzzy topology. In general, such a collection does not generate a unique topology. The class of topologies generated is shown to be closed under suprema and its largest member is characterized. The topology for the fuzzy unit interval is characterized among those generated by its @a-closure operators.
Anatomy and ultrastructure of the female reproductive system of Pleioplana atomata (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida).

The ultrastructure of the female reproduc- tive system of the polyclad flatworm Pleioplana atomata is described. Numerous ovaries are scattered throughout the entire body but are mainly concentrated on the dor- sal side. Within an ovary, a germinative zone with oogo- nia and prefolicular cells is located in the dorsal part of the ovary. The remaining part of the gonad is filled with previtellogenic and early vitellogenic oocytes enwrapped by follicular cells. During previtellogenesis, oocytes pro- duce numerous eggshell globules, which are distributed into the cortical area of the cell in later stages. Eventu- ally, these globules release their contents into the space between the eggshell cover and oolemma. Similar types of globules are also found in others flatworms, and may represent useful phylogenetic characters. Entolecital, vitellogenic oocytes pass to paired uteri, where vitello- genesis is completed. The remainder of the female repro- ductive system consists of paired thin uterine ducts that join a vagina. The distal part of the long, curved vagina forms a large Lang's vesicle, while the proximal part is connected to a female atrium leading to a female gono- pore. We hypothesize that Lang's vesicle functions in the digestion of excess sperm received. Two kinds of different shell (cement) glands that release their secretion into the vagina are identified. Both are uni- cellular glands and each gland cell connects to the lumen of the vagina via an individual canal. Similar glands in other acotylean polyclads have been implicated in the formation of eggshell covers. J. Morphol. 270:337-
The application of equation-of-state theories to polar-nonpolar liquid mixtures

Abstract Equation-of-state theories have been applied with great success to the description of the qualitative details of the phase behavior of polymer solutions. In particular, the LCST behavior, exhibited by most polymer solutions, can only be described by theories of this type. The theories, in their simplest form, assume random mixing and hence are best applied to mixtures of nonpolar molecules. To model these systems, we make use of the strong short-range order of the polar component and assume that the basic entity that mixes with the nonpolar component reflects this short-range order. The assumption enables us to preserve the simple assumptions of the model, in particular, the assumption that random mixing occurs. The model is applied to the study of water-cyclohexane and polystyrene-cyclohexane-water systems.
Skeletal demineralization in Turner's syndrome

The bone mineral status of 17 girls with Turner's syndrome was evaluated by single photon absorptiometry. Bone mineral content (BMC) was 25.4% below that predicted by normalization for age, sex, height, weight, and bone width. Only 25% of this demineralization could be attributed to delayed skeletal maturation. Bones of girls who received estrogen replacement therapy were less demineralized than those of the others. The bone mineral deficit became less pronounced with advancing age. It could not be determined if the apparent effect of estrogens was related to age or if the apparent improvement with age was really due to an effect of estrogen treatment. For 8 subjects followed longitudinally there was no significant change in the BMC deficit.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

QUESTION: A 25-year-old man presents to an outpatient Veterans Affairs Medical Center clinic with a 3-day history of itchy rash. It began as a single lesion on his chest (arrow in figure 1) followed some time later by an eruption of smaller lesions over the rest of his trunk and on his arms. His medical history is unremarkable, except that he recalls a recent “cold.” He is concerned about the spread of the rash, is bothered by the itching, and wonders whether he should worry about his girlfriend “catching this” from him. Figure 1 The initial lesion (arrow) appeared on the chest A physical examination reveals an otherwise healthy young man with the rash seen in figures ​figures11 and ​and22. Figure 2 Lesions subsequently erupted on the back What is the diagnosis? What is the treatment? ANSWER: This young man has pityriasis rosea, a common, self-limited skin eruption of unknown cause. It has been reported in patients of almost all ages, from infants to the elderly, but 75% of cases occur in people between the ages of 10 and 35 years, with a mean presenting age of 23 years.1 It is slightly more common in women than men (female-to-male ratio of 1.5:1).1 Cases of pityriasis rosea are uniformly distributed worldwide, appear to show no racial predominance, and are more common during colder months.2
Effects of sodium tungstate on the nuclear uptake of glucocorticoid-receptor complex from rat liver.

Abstract Effects of sodium tungstate on the nuclear uptake of rat liver cytosolic glucocorticoidreceptor complex were examined at pH 7. The nuclear uptake of heat-activated [ 3 H]triamcinolone acetonide-receptor complex was blocked completely in the presence of 1 m m tungstate. A preincubation of nuclear preparation with tungstate (>0.1 m m ) blocked the subsequent uptake of [ 3 H]triamcinolone acetonide-receptor complex. When the tungstate-treated nuclear preparation was washed with 0.3 M KCl, its [ 3 H]triamcinolone acetonide-receptor complex binding capacity recovered to 50% of that of control samples with no tungstate treatment. A preincubation of chromatin with tungstate yielded similar results. The nuclear-bound [ 3 H]triamcinolone acetonide-receptor complex, formed either by an in vivo administration of [ 3 H]triamcinolone acetonide or by an in vitro incubation of glucocorticoid-receptor complex with isolated nuclei, was extracted by tungstate in a concentration-dependent manner. The majority of nuclear-bound [ 3 H]triamcinolone acetonide could be extracted with 0.1 and 1 m m tungstate from in vitro - and in vivo -labeled nuclei, respectively. The tungstate-extracted steroid-receptor complexes sedimented in 4–5 S and 3.3–3.5 S region in 10 m m KCl- and 0.3 m m KCl-containing sucrose gradients, respectively. Tungstate treatment caused an irreversible loss of the nuclear binding capacity of [ 3 H]triamcinolone acetonide-receptor complex which could not be recovered after dialysis. These studies indicate that tungstate affects both glucocorticoidreceptor complex and certain nuclear or chromatin proteins.
New instrumentation and platforms for subsurface optical measurements

ABSTRACT The underwater light field is affected by the geometry of the incident radiance, the sea-surface state, theinherent optical properties of the water-column constituents, the distribution of these constituents, and, in shallowareas, the bottom albedo. New instrumentation and platforms designed to assist in the quantification of the above are herein described. The new instrumentation includes the Marine Aggregated Particle Profiling and Enumerating Rover (MAPPER), the next-generation MAPPER II system, and the Bottom Classification and Albedo Package (BCAP). The new platforms include a custom-manufactured Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)designed to deploy the MAPPER II module, the BCAP module, and a vertical-profiling instrument suite, and anAutonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) designed for optical measurements in coastal waters. These include thedeployment of the BCAP module on long-range, bottom-mapping missions. 1.0 INTRODUCTIONIn the new millenia, our planet will be encircled with a host of orbiting machines. These satellites willenable a truly global, instantaneous information network serving communications, commerce, entertainment,security, and both theoretical and applied scientific research. While some of these research platforms will belooking outward, in search of information from the rest of our solar system and beyond, most will be lookinginward with a solitary purpose, to monitor the planet from which they were launched. These space-based,
Utility of cross-linked fibrin degradation products in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism

Blood samples from patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) were obtained at the time of diagnostic lung scanning to determine whether identification of those with activation of endogenous fibrinolytic pathways could serve as a screening test for PE. Cross-linked fibrin degradation products (XDPs) were measured by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassay with a specific monoclonal antibody (MabCO Dimertest EIA) that recognizes cross-linked D-dimer fragments and related high molecular weight fibrin derivatives containing D-dimer but that does not cross-react with fibrinogen or its plasmin degradation products. PE was present in 19 with positive pulmonary angiograms and absent in 50 with completely normal lung scans. Elevated levels of XDPs (greater than 144 ng/ml) were present in 17 of 19 patients (89%) with PE and in 28 of 50 (56%) without PE (p = 0.30). Among those with PE present, the XDP levels were (means +/- sd) 864 +/- 1,068 ng/ml (median = 470 ng/ml) compared with 285 +/- 395 ng/ml (median = 155 ng/ml) among those with PE absent (p = 0.003). For PE detection, elevated XDP levels provided a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 44%, a positive predictive value of 38%, a negative predictive value of 92%, and an accuracy of 57%. Among those with elevated XDP levels and PE absent, 75% had no apparent reason for XDP elevations. These data indicate that XDPs are significantly elevated in patients with PE but that, in contrast to earlier reports, measurement of XDPs among individuals with suspected PE may not be sufficiently accurate to be clinically useful in screening.
A preliminary survey of the occurrence of nordihydroguaiaretic acid in Larrea divaricata.

A method has been developed for the isolation of crystalline nordihydroguaiaretic acid from Larrea divaricata. This method has been applied quantitatively to specimens of this plant collected from California, Arizona, Texas, and Argentina. The results show that crystalline nordihydroguaiaretic acid was isolated from the surface of the plant in amounts equal to 2 to 6.5 per cent. One specimen that was obtained from Texas yielded no nordihydroguaiaretic acid even though much phenolic material was present.
Heart rate variability and plasma catecholamines in patients during opioid detoxification.

It has been shown that rapid opioid detoxification is associated with increased sympathetic activity (SYMP) and plasma catecholamines. Heart rate (HR) variability may provide a noninvasive method of evaluating withdrawal and sympathetic activation caused by the reversal of opioid binding in patients who are opioid dependent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HR variability and plasma catecholamines during opioid detoxification. Patients were anesthetized with propofol, intubated, paralyzed with rocuronium infusion, and ventilated. The bispectral index (BIS) of the electroencephalogram was recorded with the patient awake as well as during propofol anesthesia. SYMP was determined by power spectral analysis of HR variability. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured at baseline propofol anesthesia and during naltrexone treatment in eight opioid-dependent patients. Nonopioid-dependent controls (n = 7) were monitored during surgery without naltrexone treatment or measurement of plasma catecholamines. Compared with an awake status, propofol anesthesia significantly decreased the BIS and SYMP in both groups of patients. Controls showed no change from baseline anesthetized levels during surgery. Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine as well as SYMP increased 300 to 400% (P < .05) during naltrexone treatment in opioid-dependent patients, and the time to peak increase in plasma norepinephrine correlated with the increase in SYMP (r = 0.89, P < .01). These results confirm that opioid detoxification increases plasma catecholamines and SYMP in a similar manner. HR rate variability may provide a low-cost real-time noninvasive method of evaluating the reversal of opioid binding in opioid-dependent patients.
Examining Child Sexual Abuse in Relation to Complex Patterns of Trauma Exposure: Findings From the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Chronic, interpersonal traumas within the caregiving system are associated with a range of symptoms, functional impairments, and trauma history profiles. This study utilized data from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Core Data Set (CDS) to examine the role of child sexual abuse in combination with other types of caregiver-related trauma (physical abuse, domestic violence, emotional abuse, neglect, and impaired caregiving). These trauma composites were assessed in relation to clinical profiles, including mental health symptoms, risk behaviors, and functional difficulties. Groups included multiply traumatized youth with a documented history of: (a) 3 or more caregiver-related traumas with co-occurring sexual abuse (CR CSA group, N 501); (b) 3 or more caregiver-related traumas without co-occurring sexual abuse (CR group, N 1,108); and (c) 3 or more noncaregiver-related traumas (e.g., medical trauma, natural disaster, physical/sexual assault; non-CR group, N 142). Youth with caregiverrelated traumas had significantly earlier onset and longer duration of traumas compared to other traumatized youth. Child sexual abuse had an additive and potent predictive effect on clinical profiles, even in combination with other caregiver-related traumas. Although youth with caregiver-related traumas exhibited significant attachment problems, youth with sexual abuse in particular had higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and received higher ratings for symptoms of depression, suicidality, and sexualized behaviors in comparison with the other 2 groups. Findings suggest that careful mapping of trauma history, including age of onset, duration, and co-occurrence of trauma exposure in childhood, can provide a foundation for a more refined developmental approach to the scientific investigation, clinical assessment, and treatment of children with complex histories of trauma in childhood.
A strategy for high-volume sequencing of cosmid DNAs: random and directed priming with a library of oligonucleotides

Direct sequencing of cosmid DNAs using a library of oligonucleotide primers of length 8, 9, or 10 is proposed. The statistics of priming indicate that a primer library sufficient for determining the sequence of the entire human genome (100,000 cosmids) would be small enough to be assembled and managed. Such a library would greatly reduce the cost and effort of high-volume sequencing: primers would be instantly available; the sequence of each cosmid DNA could be determined from a single DNA preparation without the necessity for mapping or subcloning; and, because each primer would be used repeatedly, the cost of primers would become a negligible fraction of other costs. A combination of random and directed priming could determine the sequence of a cosmid DNA in 1.2-1.5 times the minimum number of sequencing reactions required, and completely directed priming would be even more efficient. The success of this strategy requires that a considerable fraction of octamers, nonamers, or decamers be able to prime selectively in double-stranded DNAs 45,000 base pairs (bp) long; initial results indicate that this is likely to be the case. The strategy is not limited to cloned DNAs and would be useful for rapid identification and direct sequencing of viral nucleic acids.
Taxonomy, slime molds, and the questions we ask

Taxonomic treatments often influence the way we both ask and attempt to answer certain biological questions. The classical taxonomy of the dictyostelid cellular slime molds (Dictyosteliales) involves a convenient set of categories that were developed independent of phylogeny. In order to test whether the characters supporting the classical taxonomy hold any phylogenetic signal, we subjected 19 described taxa belonging to two families (Acytosteliaceae and Dictyosteliaceae) and three genera (Acytostelium, Dictyostelium, and Polysphondylium) to rooted cladistic analyses using PAUP* v 4.0b4a. Neither family nor any of the three genera were found to represent monophyletic groups. These results confirm that the classical taxonomy used to delineate families and genera within these slime molds carries very little phylogenetic signal. Taxonomic character sets should be scrutinized phylogenetically in order to determine what information they provide about the relatedness of taxa within a group. Because taxonomy often drives the nature of biological inquiry, caution should be exercised when drawing conclusions regarding the evolution of developmental systems in Dictyostelium.
Midazolam as an anticonvulsant antidote for organophosphate intoxication—A pharmacotherapeutic appraisal

Summary Objective This review summarizes the therapeutic potential of midazolam as an anticonvulsant antidote for organophosphate (OP) intoxication. Methods Benzodiazepines are widely used to treat acute seizures and status epilepticus (SE), a neurologic emergency of persistent seizures that can lead to severe neuronal damage or death. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine hypnotic with a rapid onset and short duration of action. Results Midazolam is considered the new drug of choice for persistent acute seizures and SE, including those caused by neurotoxic OPs and nerve agents. Midazolam is a positive allosteric modulator of synaptic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors in the brain. It potentiates GABAergic inhibition and thereby controls hyperexcitability and seizures. Midazolam is administered intravenously or intramuscularly to control acute seizures and SE. Due to its favorable pharmacokinetic features, midazolam is being considered as a replacement anticonvulsant for diazepam in the antidote kit for nerve agents. Clinical studies such as the recent Rapid Anticonvulsant Medication Prior to Arrival Trial (RAMPART) trial have confirmed the anticonvulsant efficacy of midazolam in SE in prehospital settings. Significance In experimental models, midazolam is effective when given at the onset of seizures caused by nerve agents. However, benzodiazepines are less effective at terminating seizures when given 30 min or later after OP exposure or seizure onset, likely because of internalization or downregulation of synaptic, but not extrasynaptic, GABAA receptors, which can lead to diminished potency and seizure recurrence.
Consumer Deception or Unwarranted Product Disparagement? The Case of Lean, Finely Textured Beef

When celebrity chef Jamie Oliver used his television presence to denounce the inclusion of lean, finely textured beef (LFTB) in ground beef products sold to consumers and present in school lunches, a firestorm of protests ensued. Ultimately, processing plants were closed, employees laid off, school lunch programs were changed to exclude LFTB from their menus, and large retailers such as Costco and Walmart refused to sell products containing LFTB. Calls for mandatory labeling were proposed in Congress, the argument being that consumers had a right to know what was in the beef they were purchasing and feeding their families. Dubbed “pink slime” by its critics, LFTB is treated, processed beef renderings that are derived from trimmings that would otherwise be discarded or used for some inferior purpose such as animal food. This article chronicles the events surrounding the LFTB controversy, briefly reviews scientific evidence pertaining to its safety, and reviews public policy initiatives in the wake of public protests.
Intraoperative Imaging of Tumors Using Cerenkov Luminescence Endoscopy: A Feasibility Experimental Study

Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is an emerging new molecular imaging modality that is relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and has high throughput. CLI can image clinically available PET and SPECT probes using optical instrumentation. Cerenkov luminescence endoscopy (CLE) is one of the most intriguing applications that promise potential clinical translation. We developed a prototype customized fiberscopic Cerenkov imaging system to investigate the potential in guiding minimally invasive surgical resection. Methods: All experiments were performed in a dark chamber. Cerenkov luminescence from 18F-FDG samples containing decaying radioactivity was transmitted through an optical fiber bundle and imaged by an intensified charge-coupled device camera. Phantoms filled with 18F-FDG were used to assess the imaging spatial resolution. Finally, mice bearing subcutaneous C6 glioma cells were injected intravenously with 18F-FDG to determine the feasibility of in vivo imaging. The tumor tissues were exposed, and CLI was performed on the mouse before and after surgical removal of the tumor using the fiber-based imaging system and compared with a commercial optical imaging system. Results: The sensitivity of this particular setup was approximately 45 kBq (1.21 μCi)/300 μL. The 3 smallest sets of cylindric holes in a commercial SPECT phantom were identifiable via this system, demonstrating that the system has a resolution better than 1.2 mm. Finally, the in vivo tumor imaging study demonstrated the feasibility of using CLI to guide the resection of tumor tissues. Conclusion: This proof-of-concept study explored the feasibility of using fiber-based CLE for the detection of tumor tissue in vivo for guided surgery. With further improvements of the imaging sensitivity and spatial resolution of the current system, CLE may have a significant application in the clinical setting in the near future.
Cloning from purified high endothelial venule cells of hevin, a close relative of the antiadhesive extracellular matrix protein SPARC

Abstract High endothelial venules (HEV) in lymphoid tissues support high levels of lymphocyte extravasion from the blood. We purified high endothelial cells from human tonsils by immunomagnetic selection with MECA79 MAb to construct an HEV cDNA.library. Differential screening of this library using cDNA probes from HEV (plus) or flat-walled vessel (minus) endothelial cells allowed us to characterize a novel human cDNA expressed to high levels in HEV. The cDNA encodes a secreted acidic calcium-binding glycoprotein of 664 as residues, designated hevin, exhibiting 62% identity with the antiadhesive extracellular matrix protein SPARC, over a region of 232 as spanning more than four fifths of the SPARC coding sequence. The primary structure and sequence of hevin are similar to SPARC41ke proteins from rat and quail, called SC1 or GR1. Hevin could contribute to the Induction or maintenance of features of the HEV endothelium that facilitate lymphocyte migration.
DNA repair defects in stem cell function and aging

Cellular DNA is under constant challenge by exogenous and endogenous genotoxic stress, which results in both transient and accumulated DNA damage and genomic instability. All cells are equipped with DNA damage response pathways that trigger DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, and, if need be, apoptosis, to eliminate DNA damage or damaged cells. The consequences of these processes for stem cells can be profound: diminution in stem cell pools, or, because of altered gene expression, an increased chance for stem cell differentiation or malignant transformation. Furthermore, a number of DNA repair abnormalities are linked to premature aging syndromes, and these are associated with defects in the stem cell population. The specific DNA repair systems for which there are data regarding the impact of repair defects on stem cell function include O(6)-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase, nucleotide excision repair, base excision repair, mismatch repair, non-homologous DNA end-joining Fanconi's anemia protein complex, and homologous recombination. It has recently become clear that deficiencies of these processes are associated not only with cancer and/or aging but also with stem cell defects. This discovery raises the possibility of a link between aging and stem cell dysfunction. In this review, we provide evidence for a link between DNA repair systems and the maintenance and longevity of stem cells.
Introducing demand to supply ratio as a new metric for understanding life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rainwater harvesting systems

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a decentralized approach to meet non-potable water supply needs and stormwater management goals. Life cycle environmental impacts of RWH systems have been reported in previous studies, but the effects of different building configurations and the type of sewer connections have not been fully studied. In this study, we aim to go beyond case studies by developing an approach that shows how RWH life cycle assessment (LCA) results change for different building roof areas, occupancies, and sewer connections. We propose and analyze the ratio of building occupancy to roof area which can be expressed as demand to supply (D/S) ratio to estimate life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of implementing RWH system when the harvested rainwater is used to flush the toilets. Result showed that for all the building roof area to occupancy configurations considered in this study, RWH systems had lower GHG emissions except in some separate sewer scenarios. Size of the cistern, water savings as well as life cycle GHG emissions varied as a function of D/S ratio. It was found that changing roof area and occupancy have different effects on cistern size, water savings and life cycle GHG emissions measured with respect to D/S ratio. Water savings and cistern size increased until D/S equaled 1 and remained constant for higher value when roof area was constant. The duo were constant until D/S ratio of 1 and decreased for higher D/S value. Though minimum life cycle GHG emissions were noticed for spacious building, the maximum savings in emissions were noted at D/S ratio equal to or more than 1 when the building footprint was kept constant when the building was connected to a combined sewer network. For occupancy constant case, maximum savings were reported at D/S equal to 1. Similarly when the building was connected to a separate sewer network, minimum emissions as well as maximum savings were reported at lowest possible D/S value when the building footprint was constant and at D/S less than or equal to 1 when the occupancy was kept constant. A recommendation framework was provided based on the results obtained to help designers and practitioners design the RWH system to minimize GHG emissions.
Social determinants of disparities in weight among US children and adolescents

Abstract Purpose To explore whether contextual variables attenuate disparities in weight among 18,639 US children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001 to 2010. Methods Disparities were assessed using the Symmetrized Renyi Index, a new measure that summarizes disparities in the severity of a disease, as well as the prevalence, across multiple population groups. Propensity score subclassification was used to ensure covariate balance between racial and ethnic subgroups and account for individual-level and contextual covariates. Results Before propensity score subclassification, significant disparities were evident in the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity and the degree of excess weight among overweight/obese children and adolescents. After propensity score subclassification, racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence and severity of excess weight were completely attenuated within matched groups, indicating that racial and ethnic differences were explained by social determinants such as neighborhood socioeconomic and demographic factors. Conclusions The limited overlap in covariate distributions between various racial/ethnic subgroups warrants further attention in disparities research. The attenuation of disparities within matched groups suggests that social determinants such as neighborhood socioeconomic factors may engender disparities in weight among US children and adolescents.
The Pyramid Method: Incorporating human content selection variation in summarization evaluation

Human variation in content selection in summarization has given rise to some fundamental research questions: How can one incorporate the observed variation in suitable evaluation measuresq How can such measures reflect the fact that summaries conveying different content can be equally good and informativeq In this article, we address these very questions by proposing a method for analysis of multiple human abstracts into semantic content units. Such analysis allows us not only to quantify human variation in content selection, but also to assign empirical importance weight to different content units. It serves as the basis for an evaluation method, the Pyramid Method, that incorporates the observed variation and is predictive of different equally informative summaries. We discuss the reliability of content unit annotation, the properties of Pyramid scores, and their correlation with other evaluation methods.
Complex Spatial Filtering with Binary Masks

Usually a hologram is produced by means of an interference experiment. Here, however, we let a computer-guided plotter draw the hologram. The plot, which has to be minified and recorded on film, contains no grey, only binary transmittance values. Our binary holograms yield reconstructed images of a quality equal to that of images obtained from usual holograms of comparable dimensions. When a Fourier hologram is inserted into the Fraunhofer plane of a coherent image forming system, it acts as a special type of a spatial filter, a so-called optical matched filter. Our binary matched filter is suitable for optical character recognition, the same as the usual optical matched filter introduced by Vander Lugt.
Assessment of Prediction Error Impact on Resolutions for Aircraft and Severe Weather Avoidance

An important consideration in the generation of controller advisories to resolve air traffic conflicts is the impact of prediction error. For example, if the resolution is designed to achieve only the minimum required separation, then there may be a high frequency of remaneuver to maintain separation. Conversely, if the resolution is designed to achieve a miss distance much larger than the minimum (to avoid a remaneuver), then the resolution would be inefficient, and may not be possible in high traffic situations. Sources of prediction error include uncertainties in the wind forecast, pilotage, response delays in implementing the resolution and, in the case of severe weather avoidance, the severe weather forecast. This paper presents techniques for assessing the impact of these errors on both the resolution of aircraft-toaircraft conflicts, and problems involving severe weather areas. For aircraftto-aircraft conflicts, resolutions are “flown” in a Monte Carlo simulation using empirically-derived errors. For problems involving severe weather areas, convective weather products are used to estimate prediction errors and expected remaneuver characteristics for severe weather avoidance. Preliminary results for the application of these techniques are also presented.
Incidence of pancreatic anastomotic failure and delayed gastric emptying after pancreatoduodenectomy in 507 consecutive patients: use of a web-based calculator to improve homogeneity of definition.

Background Many definitions are used in the literature for pancreatic anastomotic failure (PAF) and delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). To promote homogeneity, published reports after 2005 have used the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) consensus definition for PAF and DGE; however, subsequent authors have had to interpret or modify the ISGPS classification to make it useable. The solution might be to create a web-based calculator, test it for ambiguity and reliability with a large number of cases, and then make it available to the public. Methods Using 507 consecutive patients undergoing PD and 14 questions, we created a web-based calculator based on the ISPGS classification to assess the incidence and grade of clinical impact (none, moderate, or major deviation) for PAF and DGE. As the calculator's formulas were tested, ambiguous terms were identified and resolved. Results The incidence for cases with clinical impact from PAF was 10% and from DGE it was 12%. Multivariate analysis identified 4 factors predictive for PAF: male sex, body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m 2 , soft gland texture, and main pancreatic duct size ≤3 mm. Predictive factors for DGE included 2 factors: not using a surgical microscope, and simultaneous PAF. Conclusion A web-based calculator was developed to promote homogeneity of method for grading of PAF and DGE after PD. Anyone with access to the web can now compare their results to the current study.
Electromagnetic scattering by a finite array of perfectly conducting patches on a dielectric slab

The authors consider the characterization of scattering by a patch array on a dielectric slab. Exact and approximate numerical techniques are presented to evaluate the scattering by a finite array of perfectly conducting patches on a dielectric slab. Effects due to truncation of the dielectric slab are also considered. >
Gamma Interferon Impedes the Establishment of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Latent Infection but Has No Impact on Its Maintenance or Reactivation in Mice

Murine models of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) deficiency demonstrate the role of this cytokine in attenuating acute herpes simplex virus (HSV) disease; however, the effect of IFN-γ on the establishment and maintenance of neuronal latency and viral reactivation is not known. Using the IFN-γ knockout (GKO) model of IFN-γ deficiency and sensitive quantitative PCR methods, we show that IFN-γ significantly reduces the ganglion content of latent HSV-1 in BALB/c mice, which in turn delays viral time to reactivation following UV irradiation. Similar effects were not seen in the C57BL/6 strain. These results indicate that IFN-γ significantly attenuates latent HSV infection in the mouse model of ocular infection but has no impact on the maintenance of latency or virus reactivation.
Distinguishing Acute from Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection Based on Antibody Reactivities to Specific HCV Structural and Nonstructural Proteins

Currently available serological assays for detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) cannot reliably discriminate acute from chronic HCV infection. We developed a multiplexed, flow-cytometric microsphere immunoassay to measure anti-HCV-IgG reactivities to the core, NS3, NS4, and NS5 HCV recombinant proteins and applied it to 99 serum samples from 24 anti-HCV seroconverters and 141 anti-HCV-IgG and HCV RNA-positive plasma specimens from chronically infected people. Differences in the geometric means or means of signal/cutoff ratios between the two sample sets were statistically significant for all the antigens tested. A multivariate logistic regression model correctly classified the samples in two groups, with a cross-validation accuracy of 90.8% for the acute group and 97.2% for the chronic group. The immunoassay described has the potential to distinguish acute from chronic HCV infection.
Cation selectivity is a conserved feature in the OccD subfamily of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract To achieve the uptake of small, water-soluble nutrients, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogenic Gram-negative bacterium, employs substrate-specific channels located within its outer membrane. In this paper, we present a detailed description of the single-channel characteristics of six members of the outer membrane carboxylate channel D (OccD) subfamily. Recent structural studies showed that the OccD proteins share common features, such as a closely related, monomeric, 18-stranded β-barrel conformation and large extracellular loops, which are folded back into the channel lumen. Here, we report that the OccD proteins displayed single-channel activity with a unitary conductance covering an unusually broad range, between 20 and 670 pS, as well as a diverse gating dynamics. Interestingly, we found that cation selectivity is a conserved trait among all members of the OccD subfamily, bringing a new distinction between the members of the OccD subfamily and the anion-selective OccK channels. Conserved cation selectivity of the OccD channels is in accord with an increased specificity and selectivity of these proteins for positively charged, carboxylate-containing substrates.
Influence of Aerobic Metmyoglobin Reducing Capacity on Color Stability of Beef

Slices of beef longissimus and gluteus medius muscles were stored sealed for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr in a pigment-oxidizing atmosphere of 1%O2/99%N2. Greater (P<0.05) metmyoglobin formation occurred with increased storage time and the gluteus medius was less (P<0.05) color-stable than longissimus. Following storage in the low-O2 atmosphere, muscle slices were held 24 hr under aerobic conditions to allow pigment reduction. Absolute pigment reduction was greater (P<0.05) in slices stored 72 and 96 hr than in those stored 24 and 48 hr. Relative reduction was maximal at 72 hr. Differences in color stability between longissimus and gluteus medius muscles do not appear to be due to aerobic pigment reduction.
Comments on 'Simplex space-time meshes in finite element simulations'

Some comments are provided on the citations offered in a recent paper (M. Behr, Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids 2008; 57:1421–1434) that describes space–time finite element computations of advection of ‘Gaussian hills’, including computations with mesh refinement in the time direction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discrepancies in parents’ and children’s reports of child emotion regulation

The ability to regulate one's emotions effectively has been linked with many aspects of well-being. The current study examined discrepancies between mothers' and children's reports of child emotion regulation. This investigation examined patterns of discrepancies for key aspects of emotion regulation (i.e., inhibition and dysregulated expression) and for three emotions (anger, sadness, worry). A total of 61 mother-child dyads (mean children's age=9.3 years) participated. As hypothesized, discrepancies for inhibition subscales were of a larger magnitude than those for dysregulated expression subscales. Furthermore, age was related to discrepancies in both anger subscales, parent reports of child externalizing symptoms were related to anger dysregulated expression discrepancies, and child reports of internalizing symptoms were related to sadness dysregulated expression discrepancies. Overall, the findings suggest that patterns of discrepant reports are not random but rather may provide meaningful and useful information about the nature of emotion regulation.
Use of recommended osteoarthritis pain treatment by older adults

Aim This paper reports on a study conducted to describe what traditional and nontraditional treatments older adults with osteoarthritis use for pain management, their reported pain relief, and factors associated with use of recommended initial gold standard treatment (acetaminophen/paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and exercise and/or physical therapy) as designated by conventional western medicine.
FePt and Related Nanoparticles

This chapter reviews recent studies of chemically synthesized FePt and related nanoparticles. Various methods for synthesizing the nanoparticles and controlling their shape are described. Thermal effects in nanoparticles near the superparamagnetic limit are discussed. Some of the methods for reducing sintered grain growth during annealing to obtain the L10 phase are described, including the use of a hard shell, annealing in a salt matrix , and flash annealing . The effect of metal additives on the ordering temperature and on sintered grain growth is discussed. Additive Ag and Au significantly not only reduce the ordering temperature but also the grain growth temperature in close-packed 3-D arrays. Preliminary experiments that show additive Ag also reduces the ordering temperature when sintering is prevented. Easy-axis alignment of L10 FePt nanoparticles can be achieved by drying a nanoparticle dispersion in a magnetic field, and the effect of thermal fluctuations on orientation is discussed. Large particle-to-particle compositional distributions in chemically synthesized FePt nanoparticles have been measured. A method of determining the anisotropy distribution is described. Theoretical and experimental works showing the size effect on chemical ordering of FePt nanoparticles are discussed.