cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voting in the Glare of the Spotlight: Representatives' Votes on the Impeachment of President Clinton

We seek to understand the strategies employed by members of the House of Representatives in balancing their partisan and ideological goals with their desire for re-election in voting on whether or not to hold impeachment hearings regarding President Bill Clinton and, ultimately, whether or not to approve articles of impeachment against him. Our major finding is that electoral considerations apparently had a greater impact on the October, 1998, vote on holding impeachment hearings than on the actual impeachment votes two months later. We suggest that this counterintuitive finding may be caused by the differences between where the votes fell on the election cycle. We also uncover evidence that certain members made strategic decisions in voting on each of the four articles of impeachment recommended by the House Judiciary Committee. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for the study of congressional voting behavior.
A constitutional horizon

In The Democratic Horizon: Hyperpluralism and the Renewal of Political Liberalism, Alessandro Ferrara seeks a philosophical breakthrough from what looks like it could be a pending dead-end for demo...
UAS sense and avoid integrity and continuity for multiple intruders

This research describes a new method to ensure the safety of sense and avoid (SAA) functions for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the presence of multiple intruders. In this work, integrity and continuity are used as quantifiable safety performance metrics. Whereas previous research addressed a single intruder, the approach described in this paper can account for multiple intruders. Integrity and continuity are addressed though determination of the probability of data mis-associations for multiple intruders. A mis-association occurs when the system incorrectly associates one intruder's measurement with another intruder's trajectory. Incorrect intruder associations are hazardously misleading information impacting integrity. This impact on integrity has a second order effect on continuity. A sensitivity analysis is performed based on two two-intruder encounters. The resulting impact of mis-associations between multiple intruders on integrity and continuity is quantified for a nominal composite SAA sensor. The sensor characteristic trade space is explored. The concepts and methods in this research are intended to be used as a tool for certification authorities to set potential requirements for integration into the national airspace system.
Characterization and Localization of the PEA Chloroplast Envelope Mg2+-ATPase

The chloroplast envelope plays a central role in mediating transport of metabolites and proteins between cytoplasm and the stroma (Heldt and Heber, 1981). The role, if any, of a membrane ATPase in these processes is as yet unclear. Sabnis et al. (1970) first demonstrated the presence of a Mg2+-dependent ATPase in the chloroplast envelope of Pisum tendril cells. Joyard and Douce (1975) characterized an ATPase activity from spinach chloroplast envelopes. The activity hydrolyzed a broad range of nucleoside triphosphates, was insensitive to N,N dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) and was not stimulated by monovalent cations. The purpose of the present study is to characterize the ATPase activity found on the chloroplast envelope of pea and to establish its location with respect to the inner and outer chloroplast envelope membranes.
Dynamics of Firm Savings and Investment with Temporary and Persistent Shocks

We model the savings and investment decisions of firms facing costly external financing and a mix of temporary and persistent shocks to their cash flows. We show that, while exposure to both types of shocks induces firms to save, the two types of shocks generate distinct and typically opposite effects on the dynamics of savings and investment. We develop several novel predictions about the effect of the mix of temporary and persistent shocks on the level of cash savings, the sensitivity of savings to cash flows and the sensitivity of investment to cash savings. Our empirical tests support these predictions and demonstrate the importance of accounting for the mix of persistent and temporary shocks to firm cash flows when explaining cross-sectional variation in corporate savings and investment.
Pharmacogenocis of PAR4: PAR4 Polymorphism Determines Platelet Response in the Presence of Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy

Abstract Aberrant platelet activation contributes to the mortality associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). Our lab group has recently shown that platelets from black donors were hyper-responsive to activation of the thrombin receptor Protease-Activated Receptor-4 (PAR4) compared to platelets from white donors. The racial difference observed through PAR4 persists in platelets treated ex vivo with dual antiplatelet inhibitors (COX-1 and P2Y12 receptor inhibitors), a standard of care for many CHD patients. The racial difference in PAR4 signaling is largely attributable to one PAR4 variant more frequently expressed in blacks than whites, PAR4 T120A. Independent of race, T120 is associated with greater PAR4-mediated platelet reactivity compared to the A120 variant. The role PAR4 variation plays in regulating thrombin-mediated platelet activation in CHD has not been elucidated to date. We hypothesize that people homozygous for the T120 will have an increase in PAR4-mediated platelet reactivity compared to patients homozygous for A120. To investigate this hypothesis, we studied PAR4 signaling in platelets obtained from healthy donors. Platelet activity was assessed in each subject at the beginning of the study. Subsequently subjects were placed on a 7-day treatment of either COX-1 or P2Y12 inhibitors and on day 7 their blood was again drawn and tested for PAR4-AP-mediated platelet activation. Subjects who are homozygous for T120, have an increase in platelet reactivity as measured by aggregation, αIIbβ3 activation and granule secretion compared to individuals who are homozygous for A120. Further distal signaling nodes such as calcium and Rap1 are hyperactive in individuals who are homozygous for T120. This study reinforces the personalized medicine approach to therapeutic intervention and challenges the one size fits all approach which often leaves at risk populations without adequate protection from thrombotic events and stroke. This study was supported in part by grants MD007880, GM105671, and HL 114405 (MH) from the NIH. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Respiratory Motion Prediction in Radiation Therapy

Active respiratory motion management has received increasing attention in the past decade as a means to reduce the internal margin (IM) component of the clinical target volume (CTV)—planning target volume (PTV) margin typically added around the gross tumor volume (GTV) during radiation therapy of thoracic and abdominal tumors. Engineering and technical developments in linear accelerator design and respiratory motion monitoring respectively have made the delivery of motion adaptive radiation therapy possible through real-time control of either dynamic multileaf collimator (MLC) motion (gantry based linear accelerator design) or robotic arm motion (robotic arm mounted linear accelerator design).
Abstract 3347: Sirolimus Eluting Stents In Single Vessel Versus Multi-vessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From The Matrix Registry

Background The efficacy of sirolimus eluting stents (SES) to reduce in-stent restenosis compared to bare metal stents has been studied in single coronary vessels. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of SES implantation in multiple coronary vessels has not been well studied. We compared the efficacy and safety of SES implanted in single vessel versus multi-vessel PCI. Methods The MATRIX registry prospectively evaluates the efficacy and safety of SES in a “real world” population. In this registry, SES was implanted in single vessel PCI in 1103 patients and in multi-vessel PCI in 321 patients. Dual anti-platelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel was recommended for at least one year. All clinical events are source-documented and adjudicated by an independent committee. Results The multi-vessel PCI group had more patients with diabetes (38.4% vs. 32.4%, p=0.04), but less patients with prior PCI (37.7% vs. 46.6%, p=0.006) and prior CABG (17% vs. 22.3%, p=0.04). The mean number of stents implanted was 1.7 ± 0.9 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1 with procedural success of 96.7% vs. 95.6% in single and multi-vessel PCI groups respectively. The two-year clinical outcomes are shown in the table. Conclusions We documented no significant differences in single vs. multi-vessel PCI with sirolimus DES. Therefore, with appropriate patient selection and PCI technique, the treatment with multi-vessel PCI appears to be as safe and effective as single vessel PCI.
Analysis of Surgical Freedom Variation Across the Basilar Artery Bifurcation: Towards a Deeper Insight Into Approach Selection for Basilar Apex Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND The orbitozygomatic approach is generally advocated over the pterional approach for basilar apex aneurysms. However, the impact of the extensions of the pterional approach on the obtained maneuverability over multiple vascular targets (relevant to basilar apex surgery) has not been studied before. OBJECTIVE To analyze the patterns of surgical freedom change across the basilar bifurcation between the pterional, orbitopterional, and orbitozygomatic approaches. METHODS Surgical freedom was assessed for 3 vascular targets important in basilar apex aneurysm surgery (ipsilateral and contralateral P1-P2 junctions, and basilar apex), and compared between the pterional, orbitopterional, and orbitozygomatic approaches in 10 cadaveric specimens. RESULTS Transitioning from the pterional to orbitopterional approach, the surgical freedom increased significantly at all 3 targets (P < .05). However, the gain in surgical freedom declined progressively from the most superficial target (60% for ipsilateral P1-P2 junction) to the deepest target (35% for contralateral P1-P2 junction). Conversely, transitioning from the orbitopterional to the orbitozygomatic approach, the gain in surgical freedom was minimal for the ipsilateral P1-P2 and basilar apex (<4%), but increased dramatically to 19% at the contralateral P1-P2 junction. CONCLUSION The orbitopterional approach provides a remarkable increase in surgical maneuverability compared to the pterional approach for the basilar apex target and the relevant adjacent arterial targets. However, compared to the orbitopterional, the orbitozygomatic approach adds little maneuverability except for the deepest target (ie, contralateral P1-P2 junction). Therefore, the orbitozygomatic approach may be most efficacious with larger basilar apex aneurysms limiting the control over of the contralateral P1 PCA.
The Chinese Experience in Deadwood, South Dakota

Four years of excavations and research on the Chinatown Project has begun to chronicle the Chinese experience in Deadwood, South Dakota. Major features encountered include burned structural remnants, architectural remains, privies, refuse pits, and dumping episodes. A unique pit feature suggests evidence of a possible ceremonial disposal of personal possessions. Archaeological evidence collected from buried remains of a ceremonial burner built by the Chinese in 1908 suggests Deadwood’s Chinese community used this structure for mortuary rituals until some time in the 1920s. Asian ceramic vessels are similar in shapes and designs to those found at other Overseas Chinese sites, as are glass bottle assemblages, opium smoking paraphernalia, coins, gaming items, and clothing. Through a combination of historical research and archaeological excavations, Deadwood’s Chinatown offers an understanding of a significant contribution to early life in a small western town, rich with a society comprising various ethnic populations.
The Contours of Religious Liberty in South Africa

As far as religion and religious diversity are concerned, the South African Constitution can be described as one of profound toleration and accommodation. The Constitutional Court has on several occasions emphasized the importance of religion for the State. South Africa is therefore not a secular State but can best be described as a religiously neutral State. The constitutional principle of non-discrimination applies not only to discrimination by the State, but also to discrimination by private individual and non-State institutions, including religious institutions. The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Discrimination Act of 2000 amplified the constitutional proscription of discriminatory practices. When applying the non-discrimination decree to religious institutions, State courts will not unduly interfere in the internal sphere sovereignty of such institutions. References are made to jurisprudence and/or legislation relating to a great variety of religion-specific matters, for example Muslim marriages (not recognized in South Africa as valid marriages, but the consequences of such marriages being enforced on basis of the law of contract), defining the concept of religion, the rules applicable to religious education and to corporeal punishment in schools, the sale of alcoholic liquor on Sundays and Christian holidays, and same-sex unions. South African courts will not shy away from adjudicating ecclesiastical disputes that might involve “doctrinal entanglement”. Decisions of ecclesiastical tribunals are subject to review by (not appeals to) secular courts of law, but the courts will confine their scrutiny of ecclesiastical cases to the question whether or not the ecclesiastical tribunal acted within the confines of the religious body’s internal rules of procedure and have upheld elementary rules of justice. They will not second guess the merits of an ecclesiastical tribunal’s decision. The essay finally deals briefly with the religious rights of a child, noting, for example, that parental rights are conditioned by the best-interests-of-the-child paradigm. Parents cannot for religious reasons withhold life-sustaining therapeutic treatment from a child, must apply “the rod of correction” within the bounds of moderate chastisement, and cannot dictate to their children the religion they should adhere to upon reaching a stage of development where they can and should decide for themselves.
Roads to Rome: Role of Multiple Cassettes in Cyanobactin RiPP Biosynthesis

Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are ubiquitous natural products. Bioactive RiPPs are produced from a precursor peptide, which is modified by enzymes. Usually, a single product is encoded in a precursor peptide. However, in cyanobactins and several other RiPP pathways, a single precursor peptide encodes multiple bioactive products flanking with recognition sequences known as “cassettes”. The role of multiple cassettes in one peptide is mysterious, but in general their presence is a marker of biosynthetic plasticity. Here, we show that in cyanobactin biosynthesis the presence of multiple cassettes confers distributive enzyme processing to multiple steps of the pathway, a feature we propose to be a hallmark of multicassette RiPPs. TruD heterocyclase is stochastic and distributive. Although a canonical biosynthetic route is favored with certain substrates, every conceivable biosynthetic route is accepted. Together, these factors afford greater plasticity to the biosy...
Differential use of medical versus surgical androgen deprivation therapy for patients with metastatic prostate cancer

Background Surgical and medical androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) strategies are comparable in their ability to suppress serum testosterone levels as treatment in patients with metastatic prostate cancer but differ with regard to cost and impact on quality of life. Medical ADT is associated with better long-term quality of life due to the flexibility of possible therapy interruption but comes with a higher cumulative cost. In the current study, the authors examined whether surgical ADT (ie, bilateral orchiectomy) was used differentially by race/ethnicity and other social factors. Methods The authors identified patients with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis through the California Cancer Registry. The association between race/ethnicity and receipt of surgical ADT was modeled using multivariable Firth logistic regression adjusting for age, Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen level, clinical tumor and lymph node classification, neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), insurance, marital status, comorbidities, initial treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy), location of care, rural/urban area of residence, and year of diagnosis. Results The authors examined a total of 10,675 patients with metastatic prostate cancer, 11.4% of whom were non-Hispanic black, 8.4% of whom were Asian/Pacific Islander, 18.5% of whom were Hispanic/Latino, and 60.5% of whom were non-Hispanic white. In the multivariable model, patients found to be more likely to receive surgical ADT were Hispanic/Latino (odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.01-1.72), were from a low neighborhood SES (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.34-2.89) or rural area (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.15-1.92), and had Medicaid/public insurance (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.58-3.10). Patients with military/Veterans Affairs insurance were significantly less likely to receive surgical ADT compared with patients with private insurance (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13-0.88). Conclusions Race/ethnicity, neighborhood SES, and insurance status appear to be significantly associated with receipt of surgical ADT. Future research will need to characterize other differences in initial treatments among men with advanced prostate cancer based on race/ethnicity and aim to better understand what factors drive the association between surgical ADT among men of Hispanic origin or those from areas with low neighborhood SES.
Trapezoidal Variable Weights Regression Tracing Control of MCSR in Cascading Failures

A trapezoidal variable weights regression control algorithm was proposed to proportionately calculate and change the weights of all variables in the rolling time domain window while tracking sensitivity and robustness were available. The operation principle of magnetically controlled shunt reactor magnetic circuit was analysed, and the weighted extensional model in time-varying parameters logarithmic regression function was established considering the dynamic relationship between the nonlinear component and the external power system according to theory of trend extrapolation. A control strategy of variable weights to reflect their importance in system identification was proposed to optimise voltage stability control. The algorithm has no iteration which can save computing time and memory and increase control flexibility. Advanced Digital Power System Simulator (ADPSS) which was developed by China electric power research institute contains the controller model by programmed. Simulation results in cascading failures used in practical operation parameters in projects confirmed the effectiveness of the control algorithm.
Brand yourself, design your future: Portfolio-building in the social media age:

While the portfolio-building narrative has long been established as central to work in the creative industries, the evolving form of the creative portfolio as a key component of the self-brand and ...
Colonoscopic Decompression of Pseudo-obstruction and Volvulus

Flexible fiberoptic endoscopy has an integral role in the management of colonic pseudo-obstruction and volvulus. Colonoscopic decompression is the primary method for diagnosis and treatment of colonic pseudo-obstruction. Some patients require repeat endoscopic decompression, but few require tube cecostomy. In the case of sigmoid volvulus, endoscopic examination is useful as a temporizing measure to allow preparation of the colon and patient for elective definitive operative treatment.
The Current Landscape of Systemic Therapies for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

As the global burden of HCC continues to rise, there is an overwhelming need for new systemic therapies for the treatment of advanced-stage HCC. In this review, we explore the current landscape of approved therapies for intermediate-stage HCC after progression with locoregional therapy or in those who present with advanced-stage HCC not amenable to curative options. In the last 10 years, several agents have been studied in the first and second-line treatment of HCC but failed to show clinical benefit. Between 2008 and 2016, sorafenib was the sole agent used in the treatment of advanced-stage HCC. Recent strides have shown success with lenvatinib as an alternative agent for first-line treatment, and regorafenib, cabozantinib, ramucirumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab as second- and thrid-line agents in advanced HCC. The next series of HCC trials are appropriately directed at combination therapies—combining targeted therapy with immunomodulators in the hopes of improving overall survival and ultimately getting closer to finding a cure.
Eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha 2 alone is not sufficient to cause tumorigenicity in immortalized and neoplastic ovarian cell lines

15051 Background: EEF1a2 is amplified and overexpressed in 25% of ovarian tumors. Previous studies have shown EEF1a2 to have oncogenic and tumorigenic properties in rodent fibroblasts. However, its...
Automated and efficient powerline extraction from laser scanning data using a voxel-based subsampling with hierarchical approach

Abstract For periodic monitoring of power utilities, there has been keen interest by utility companies to extract the powerlines from laser scanning data. However, challenges arise when utilizing large point clouds as well as avoiding false positives or other errors in the extraction due to noise from objects in close proximity to the powerlines. In this study, we propose an efficient and robust approach to overcome these challenges through two main steps: candidate powerline point extraction and refinement. In the candidate powerline point extraction step, a voxel-based subsampling structure temporarily substitutes the original scan points with regularly spaced subsampled points that still preserve key details present within the point cloud but significantly reduce the dataset size. After removing the ground surface and adjacent objects, candidate powerline points are efficiently extracted through a hierarchical, feature-based filtering process. In the refinement step, the link between the subsampled candidate powerline points and original scan point cloud enable the original points to be segmented and grouped into clusters. By fitting mathematical models, an individual powerline is re-clustered and used to reconstruct the broken sections in the powerlines. The proposed approach is evaluated on 30 unique datasets with different powerline configurations acquired at five different sites by either a terrestrial or mobile laser scanning system. The parameters are optimized through a sensitivity analysis with pointwise comparison between the extracted powerlines and ground truth using 10 diverse datasets, demonstrating that only one requisite parameter varied as a function of resolution while the remaining parameters were generally consistent across the datasets. With optimized parameters, the proposed approach achieved F1 scores of 88.87–95.47% with high efficiency ranging from 0.81 and 1.46 million points/sec when tested on 30 datasets.
Orthopaedics V: paediatricsHip disorders in childhood

Childhood disorders of the hip are encountered frequently in paediatric orthopaedic practice. They present initially to paediatricians, general practitioners and accident departments, and it is therefore important for both surgeons and generalists to have a good working knowledge of the common presentations. The challenge is to distinguish between disease processes that are benign and self-limiting (e.g. transient synovitis), acute and joint threatening (e.g. septic arthritis) or chronic and disabling (e.g. Perthes' disease). This review primarily considers the epidemiology and aetiology of childhood hip diseases and provides a diagnostic framework, based upon age and risk factors. The important investigations and treatment options for each of the key differential diagnoses are also considered.
Decreasing age at infection for homosexually acquired HIV in Italy: Results of a back-calculation analysis

The age-specific incidence of homosexually acquired HIV in Italy was examined, based on 3918 AIDS cases diagnosed by the end of 1994 and reported by the end of 1995 through the national surveillance system. Using a smoothed back-calculation analysis, the estimated median age at infection decreased over time, and HIV incidence among younger age groups peaked much later than among older age groups. These results support recent findings from other developed countries, and suggest that measures for preventing homosexual transmission of HIV are best targeted at younger age groups.
Helical locomotion in a porous medium

Microorganisms and artificial microswimmers often need to swim through environments that are more complex than purely viscous liquids in their natural habitats or operational environments, such as gel-like mucus, wet soil, and aquifers. The question of how the properties of these complex environments affect locomotion has attracted considerable recent attention. In this paper, we present a theoretical model to examine how the additional resistance due to the network of stationary obstacles in a porous medium affects helical locomotion. Here, we focus on helical locomotion for its ubiquity as a propulsion mechanism adopted by many swimming bacteria and artificial microswimmers. We show that the additional resistance can have qualitatively different effects on various scenarios of helical locomotion: (1) a helical propeller driven by an external torque, (2) a free swimming bacterium consisting of a helical flagellum and a head, and (3) a cargo-carrying helical propeller driven by an external torque. Our results elucidate the subtle and significant differences between torqued helical propulsion versus force-free and torque-free swimming in a porous medium. We also remark on the limitations as well as potential connections of our results with experimental measurements of bacterial swimming speeds in polymeric solutions.
Divalent Lanthanide Luminescence in Solution

The objective of this chapter is to function as a tutorial for those who are new to the field of divalent lanthanide luminescence and as a resource for those who desire access to an overview of the reported research. This chapter contains a discussion of the properties of divalent lanthanides and how those properties are relevant to luminescence. A representative sample of reports of the luminescence of divalent lanthanide complexes in solution is described and discussed. These reports span several decades of research, many coordination environments, and several lanthanides. Strategies based on the modulation of first coordination spheres for the enhancement of luminescence intensity and rational modulation of emission wavelength are discussed using empirical examples.
Investigating Crime Pattern Stability at Micro-Temporal Intervals: Implications for Crime Analysis and Hotspot Policing Strategies:

Studies of crime hotspot forecasts use various metrics to describe different characteristics of prediction patterns. However, few investigations consider how the stability of crime hotspot, estimat...
The m 6 A RNA methylation regulates oncogenic signaling pathways driving cell malignant transformation and carcinogenesis

The m6A RNA methylation is the most prevalent internal modification in mammalian mRNAs which plays critical biological roles by regulating vital cellular processes. Dysregulations of the m6A modification due to aberrant expression of its regulatory proteins are frequently observed in many pathological conditions, particularly in cancer. Normal cells undergo malignant transformation via activation or modulation of different oncogenic signaling pathways through complex mechanisms. Accumulating evidence showing regulation of oncogenic signaling pathways at the epitranscriptomic level has added an extra layer of the complexity. In particular, recent studies demonstrated that, in many types of cancers various oncogenic signaling pathways are modulated by the m6A modification in the target mRNAs as well as noncoding RNA transcripts. m6A modifications in these RNA molecules control their fate and metabolism by regulating their stability, translation or subcellular localizations. In this review we discussed recent exciting studies on oncogenic signaling pathways that are modulated by the m6A RNA modification and/or their regulators in cancer and provided perspectives for further studies. The regulation of oncogenic signaling pathways by the m6A modification and its regulators also render them as potential druggable targets for the treatment of cancer.
Sparsely labeled coral images segmentation with Latent Dirichlet Allocation

A large set of well-annotated data is very important for deep learning-based methods. However, this large amount of good quality labels are highly expensive and tedious to obtain especially for marine underwater images like corals. Therefore, the deficiency of labels is one of the main obstacles in automated the coral images segmentation. To alleviate this problem, in this paper, we propose a novel framework to generate pseudo-label iteratively based on the latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) with spatial coherence. We first use a neural network trained by the sparsely labels to extract the features. Then apply LDA in the feature space to find the latent category distribution over discrete features. Finally, we assign pseudo-labels for unlabeled samples and add them to the training set. We repeat the above steps iteratively. We compare two methods of employing the LDA features, one without any local structure from the image and another with neighborhood pixel information. We evaluate our approach on the sparsely labeled coral image data set collected in the Pulley Ridge region from the Gulf of Mexico, and experiments show that our method can improve the coral images segmentation performance over classier only trained with sparsely labeled samples, the best results by a large margin is the one with local image information.
Progress in Submillimeter Antennas

There is a need for submillimeter antennas that can be constructed with planar technology. Such antennas are typically more stable than cat-whiskers and lend themselves to integration with devices and to replication in arrays. Early planar submillimeter antennas were long-wire dipoles on the surfaces of thick substrates (1) (2). Such antennas do not have good patterns because they do not guide energy well, tending instead to radiate it quickly into the substrate. One kind of solution to this problem involves reducing radiation into the substrate through use of short antennas, either dipoles (3) or slots (4), and thin substrates. Alternatively one can use a longer antenna and/or thicker substrate by constructing a “sandwich,” i.e. by adding a superstrate so that the antenna is encased in the dielectric (5). Earlier we demonstrated a 118-micron V antenna in a quartz sandwich (6), and the technique has also been used with a long-wire dipole (7).
Gold nanoparticles in ionizing radiation therapy of brain cancer

5750 Each year about 19,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with primary brain tumors. Overall, only about 30% of these cases are alive a year later. Although it is the most effective therapy for brain malignancy, ionizing radiation (IR) remains palliative because of radioresistance. The effect of ionizing radiation is achieved primarily through DNA damage in the irradiated cells. Sensitizing tumor cells to IR would result in a more effective radiation therapy. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are widely used in biological and biomedical applications. In a previous study a 200% enhancement of damage to a 5.6 Kbp DNA molecule conjugated to only ten 3nm AuNP was achieved after X-ray exposure. The combination of localized X-ray absorption, effective release of low-energy electrons, and efficient deposition of energy is the mechanism by which AuNP causes DNA damage. Therefore, we aimed to test the use of AuNP in a cellular system and assess its effect on DNA damage and cell killing after exposure to ionizing radiation. Cells from a medulloblastoma-derived cell line (Daoy) were incubated with positively-charged AuNP (TMA) or negatively-charged AuNP (MUA) for 24 hours, washed and then subjected to 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy of IR. Three days after irradiation, cellular growth was measured by MTT assay. At all IR doses about 50% cellular growth inhibition was observed in cultures treated with AuNP prior to irradiation compared to the growth of their irradiated-only counterparts. In another set of experiments, survival rate was evaluated 10 days after irradiation using the clonogenic assay. The survival rate of the AuNP-pretreated cultures was also about 50% lower than that of their irradiated-only counterparts. In addition, the AuNP effect was a dose and cell density dependent. A concentration of 1ug AuNP was sufficient to sensitize cells to IR when thinly seeded (500 cells per well) whereas in a 1000-cells per well density, a concentration of 10ug was required to sensitize the cells. To overcome cytotoxicity and improve cellular uptake, other types of AuNP coating-ligands are being explored ( e.g. , neutral and sugar ligands). In summary, these preliminary findings show the potential use of gold nanoparticles in radiation therapy of brain tumors.
Effects of four components of the polyene antibiotic, filipin, on phospholipid spherules (liposomes) and erythrocytes.

Abstract Effects of a complex polyene antibiotic, filipin, and its four components were studied upon biological (erythrocyte) and artificial (liposome) membranes in order to test the "sterol receptor" hypothesis of polyene action. The hemolytic activity of filipin complex could be removed more effectively by liposomes which had cholesterol incorporated (phosphatidyl choline (7)-dicetylphosphate (2)-cholesterol (1)) than by cholesterol-lacking spherules (phosphatidyl choline (7)-dicetylphosphate (2)-cholesterol (0)). The order of hemolytic activity of filipin components was: filipin II ≅ filipin III >> filipin I g filipin IV and this order paralleled their biological action. Filipin III, which is the major (53%) component of the complex, preferentially disrupted liposomes prepared with cholesterol (judged by release of CrO4=); filipin II (25% of the complex) indiscriminately disrupted liposomes whether or not cholesterol was present. Filipin I and filipin IV were far less disruptive to the artificial structures. Other phospholipids (sphingomyelin g cardiolipin >> phosphatidyl ethanolamine) were also shown to interact with filipin components. The experiments resolve discrepancies reported with filipin complex, the interaction of which with artificial membranes prepared either with or without cholesterol depends upon the relative enrichment of the complex in one or another of its components and the subsequent polyene-lipid ratio. Consequently, although filipins clearly interact with phospholipids in model systems, no significant objections remain to the general sterol receptor hypothesis of polyene action upon biological membranes.
The relationship of delayed hypersensitivity to acquired antituberculous immunity. II. Effect of adjuvant on the allergenicity and immunogenicity of heat-killed tubercle bacilli.

Abstract Mice were injected subcutaneously on two occasions with a heat-killed, lyophilized suspension of M. tuberculosis H 37 R v dispersed in a water-in-oil emulsion or as a saline suspension. The levels of tuberculin sensitivity were followed for 30 days, at which time the mice were infected intravenously with approximately 10 6 living BCG (Montreal). At intervals thereafter, groups of mice were challenged with 10 LD 50 's Listeria monocytogenes so that the development of nonspecific resistance could be followed in relation to the fate of BCG and the state of hypersensitivity in the different treatment groups. Nonvaccinated controls, and mice receiving adjuvant alone, required 10–12 days to respond to the eliciting dose of BCG with the development of detectable tuberculin sensitivity and cellular resistance to the Listeria challenge. They were also unable to limit the growth of BCG in the lung. Mice receiving H 37 R v in saline behaved like the normal controls; but animals receiving H 37 R v in adjuvant quickly developed high levels of tuberculin sensitivity, and their resistance to Listeria and BCG both appeared much sooner. Seven months later, mice of this group showed a marked rise in tuberculin sensitivity and an accelerated onset of cellular immunity in response to the BCG infection. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the mechanism of antituberculous immunity and the evaluation of nonliving vaccines.
Indian Geography: Voice of Concern

Anu Kapur. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, 2002. xix and 438 pp., maps, photos, refs., and biblio. 995 Rupees hardcover (ISBN 81-7022-980-4). This book reveals much about the emergence of ge...
Relative Merits of Five Measures of a Dairy Sire's Transmitting Ability,

Summary Lactation milk and fat records of 6,949 daughters, 6,201 different dams, and the contemporary D.H.I.A. herd averages of 2,420 herds were studied, to compare five measures of a dairy sire's transmitting ability. They were the daughter average, daughter-dam difference, equal-parent index, daughter-contemporary herd difference, and daughter-contemporary-herd index. The daughters and dams were included in the D.H.I.A. proofs for 350 Guernsey and 486 Holstein sires used in artificial-breeding associations, and whose proofs were published for 1949–1951. A variance component analysis did not reveal any marked superiority for any of the measures, as determined by the percentage of the total variance comprised by the sire component for each of the measures. Sufficient data for the Holsteins were available for an empirical check of the reliability of these five measures. The simple daughter average appeared to be about as reliable as the equal-parent index or the daughter-herd index to predict future daughters' production for milk or fat. The D.H.I.A. herd average included the daughter in question and reduced the magnitude of the sire component for the herd measures. Use of a contemporary-herd average, which excludes the daughter in question in the two daughter-herd measures, should improve their merit as measures of a dairy sire's breeding value compared to the other measures in this study.
Premenopausal and postmenopausal differences in bone microstructure and mechanical competence in Chinese‐American and white women

Compared to white women, premenopausal Chinese-American women have more plate-like trabecular (Tb) bone. It is unclear whether these findings are relevant to postmenopausal women and if there are racial differences in the deterioration of bone microarchitecture with aging. We applied individual trabecula segmentation and finite element analysis to high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography images in premenopausal and postmenopausal Chinese-American and white women to quantify within-race age-related differences in Tb plate-versus-rod microarchitecture and bone stiffness. Race–menopause status interactions were assessed. Comparisons between races within menopause status were adjusted for age, height and weight. Comparisons between premenopausal and postmenopausal women were adjusted for height and weight. Adjusted analyses at the radius indicated that premenopausal Chinese-Americans had a higher plate bone volume fraction (pBV/TV), Tb plate-to-rod ratio (P-R ratio), and greater plate-plate junction densities (P-P Junc.D) versus white women (all p < 0.01), resulting in 27% higher Tb stiffness (p < 0.05). Greater cortical thickness and density (Ct.Th and Dcort) and more Tb plates led to 19% greater whole bone stiffness (p < 0.05). Postmenopausal Chinese-Americans had similar pBV/TV and P-P Junc.D, yet a higher P-R ratio versus white women. Postmenopausal Chinese-American versus white women had greater Ct.Th, Dcort, and relatively intact Tb plates, resulting in similar Tb stiffness but 12% greater whole bone stiffness (p < 0.05). In both races, Ct.Th and Dcort were lower in postmenopausal versus premenopausal women and there were no differences between races. Tb plate parameters were also lower in postmenopausal versus premenopausal women, but age-related differences in pBV/TV, P-R ratio, and P-P Junc D were greater (p < 0.05) in Chinese-Americans versus white women. There are advantages in cortical and Tb bone in premenopausal Chinese-American women. Within-race cross-sectional differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal women suggest greater loss of plate-like Tb bone with aging in Chinese-Americans, though thicker cortices and more plate-like Tb bone persists.
The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change

Introduction 1. What is Mental Disorder and What is Stigma? 2. Perspectives from Social Psychology, Sociology, and Evolutionary Psychology 3. Historical Perspectives on Mental Illness and Stigma 4. Modern Conceptions of Mental Disorder 5. Evidence from Scientific Investigations 6. Indicators of Stigma from Everyday Life 7. Stigma of Mental Illness: An Integration 9. Overcoming Stigma I: Legislation, Policy, and Community Efforts 10. Overcoming Stigma II: Media and Mental Health Professionals 11. Overcoming Stigma III: Families and Individuals 12. Concluding Issues
Photochemical Deposition of Highly Dispersed Pt Nanoparticles on Porous CeO2 Nanofibers for the Water‐Gas Shift Reaction

Ceria (CeO2) nanofibers with high porosity are fabricated using an approach involving sol–gel, electrospinning, and calcination. Specifically, cerium(III) acetylacetonate and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) are dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and then electrospun into nanofibers. The PAN matrix plays a critical role in stabilizing the porous structure from collapse during calcination in air up to 800 °C. CeO2 porous nanofibers comprising an interconnected network of single crystalline and fully oxidized CeO2 nanoparticles about 40 nm in size are obtained. The hierarchically porous structure of the CeO2 nanofibers enables the facile deposition of Pt nanoparticles via heterogeneous nucleation in a photochemical method. When conducted in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and 4-benzyolbenzoic acid, uniform Pt nanoparticles with an average diameter of 1.7 nm are obtained, which are evenly dispersed across the entire surface of each CeO2 nanofiber. The high porosity of CeO2 nanofibers and the uniform distribution of Pt nanoparticles greatly improve the activity and stability of this catalytic system toward the water-gas shift reaction. It is believed that this method could be extended to produce a variety of catalysts and systems sought for various industrial applications.
One-dimensional steady-state Poisson–Nernst–Planck systems for ion channels with multiple ion species

Abstract The one-dimensional Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) system is a basic model for ion flow through membrane channels. If the Debye length is much smaller than the characteristic radius of the channel, the PNP system can be treated as a singularly perturbed system. We provide a geometric framework for the study of the steady-state PNP system involving multiple types of ion species with multiple regions of piecewise constant permanent charge. Special structures of this particular problem are revealed, which together with the general framework allows one to reduce the existence and multiplicity of singular orbits to a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. Near each singular orbit, an application of the exchange lemma from the geometric singular perturbation theory gives rise to the existence and (local) uniqueness of a solution of the singular boundary value problem. A new phenomenon on multiplicity and spatial behavior of steady-states involving three or more types of ion species is discovered in an example. (The phenomenon cannot occur when only two types of ion species are involved.)
Wheat germ agglutinin as a counterstain for immunofluorescence studies of equine hoof lamellae

Equine laminitis is a common, painful, debilitating condition of the hoof that is a leading cause of disability in horses, often necessitating euthanasia. The equine hoof represents an extreme evolutionary adaptation of an epidermal structure homologous to the human or murine nail units. Immunohistochemistry is frequently utilized in the study of the pathophysiology of laminitis. The complex, multilayered, extensively interdigitated epidermal–dermal lamellar interface renders precise interpretation of immunofluorescence localization difficult, especially when effective technique and reagents render non-reactive tissues completely dark. Fluorescent-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) selectively labels dermal extracellular matrix fibres and epidermal cell membranes in tissue sections of horse hoof lamellae, is compatible with indirect immunofluorescence and augments interpretation of indirect immunofluorescence antigen localization. The current report details the use of WGA as a rapid, simple, economical counterstain for immunofluorescence studies of the equine hoof and may have application to other complex epidermal tissue structures.
Aortoenteric fistula revisited: an endoscopic image.

TO THE EDITOR: Aortoenteric fistula is an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1, 2). It is a serious, life-threatening complication of aortic graft surgery. Upper endoscopy may not always demonstrate a clear fistulous communication (1). However, it is a useful tool to exclude other common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Clinically, the window period when this procedure may be performed in such patients is extremely narrow, and often a high index of suspicion is needed to be able to make a timely surgical intervention. Distal duodenum is the most common site for the fistulous communication to occur, and this is due to a close anatomical relationship with infrarenal aorta and its fixed retroperitoneal position (3). Aortography (4) and abdominal computed tomography (5) are also useful studies to perform in these patients. We describe a case of aortoenteric fistula in a patient with a prior history of aorta-bifemoral graft surgery.
Initialization and Development of Electric Breakdown in Water

Summary form only given. The understanding of initialization and development of the streamers plays an essential role in the electric breakdown process in water. It is generally accepted that these bush-like streamers are propagating low-density gaseous plasma phases that can appear within nanoseconds after the application of an electric field. We are presenting a model for the development of breakdown process in water subjected to high electric field. It is demonstrated that the surface tension at the interface of the low-density phase cavity and water tends to suppress the growth of the channel, while the high surface charge density interacting with both external and internal electric field tends to enhance the growth. It is the competition of these two factors that produces the filamentary structure observed in the breakdown process. Results show that the propagation velocity of the streamers at the initial stage can be up to several kilometers per second, which is in accordance with other research group's experiments.