cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engineered Reader Proteins for Enhanced Detection of Methylated Lysine on Histones

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial for many cellular processes including mitosis, transcription, and DNA repair. The cellular readout of histone PTMs is dependent on both the chemical modification and histone site, and the array of histone PTMs on chromatin is dynamic throughout the eukaryotic life cycle. Accordingly, methods that report on the presence of PTMs are essential tools for resolving open questions about epigenetic processes and for developing therapeutic diagnostics. Reader domains that recognize histone PTMs have shown potential as advantageous substitutes for anti-PTM antibodies, and engineering efforts aimed at enhancing reader domain affinities would advance their efficacy as antibody alternatives. Here we describe engineered chromodomains from Drosophila melanogaster and humans that bind more tightly to H3K9 methylation (H3K9me) marks and result in the tightest reported reader-H3K9me interaction to date. Point mutations near the binding interface of the HP1 chromodomain were screened in a combinatorial fashion, and a triple mutant was found that binds 20-fold tighter than the native scaffold without any loss in PTM-site selectivity. The beneficial mutations were then translated to a human homologue, CBX1, resulting in an even tighter interaction with H3K9me3. Furthermore, we show that these engineered readers (eReaders) increase detection of H3K9me marks in several biochemical assays and outperform a commercial anti-H3K9me antibody in detecting H3K9me-containing nucleosomes in vitro, demonstrating the utility of eReaders to complement antibodies in epigenetics research.
The effect of long-term aging on fatigue cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures

Asphalt aging is recognised as one of the important factors causing cracking related failures in asphalt pavements. Asphalt aging occurs during production, construction, and service life of the asp...
COVID-19 and Multilateralism

The world faces its greatest crisis since World War II and its greatest economic calamity since the Great Depression. History shows two ways out of a global crisis: a global leader that guides an effective response—and helps to pay for it—or global cooperation through the UN multilateral framework. Alas, we have no global leader today. The United States today is more a force of destruction than a leader. Our only way forward is cooperation under the UN mandate. Let me explain.
Lay Theories of the Wandering Mind: Control-Related Beliefs Predict Mind Wandering Rates in- and outside the Lab:

People often fail to keep their mind from wandering. Here, we examine how the tendency to mind wander is affected by people's beliefs, or lay theories. Building on research on lay theories and self-regulation, we test whether differences in people's beliefs about the extent to which mind wandering is controllable affect thought control strategies and mind-wandering rates in daily life and the laboratory. We develop a new scale to assess control-related beliefs about mind wandering. Scores on the scale predict mind wandering (Study 1) and intrusive thoughts (Study 2) in everyday life, thought control strategies and dysfunctional responses to unwanted thoughts (Study 2), and mind wandering during reading in the laboratory (Studies 3-6). Moreover, experimentally induced lay theories affect mind-wandering rates during reading (Studies 4 and 5). Finally, the effectiveness of strategies people can use to reduce their mind wandering depends on their lay theories (Studies 2 and 6).
X-ray and gamma-ray tomographic imaging of fuel relocation inside sodium fast reactor test assemblies during severe accidents

Abstract The present work reports on x-ray and gamma-ray high-spatial resolution computed tomography measurements of the Pin Bundle Metallic Fuel Relocation (PBR) assemblies tested in the Metallic Uranium Safety Experiment (MUSE) facility at Argonne National Lab (ANL). The aim of the study was to characterize fuel relocation structures that develop during severe core accidents pertaining to SFR assemblies. In particular, two test assemblies (PBR-1 and PBR-2) were analyzed; the investigation includes but is not limited to advanced core disruption recreated in the PBR-1 assembly, and cladding breach recreated in the PBR-2 assembly. The x-ray tomography measurements were able to resolve small quantities of relocated fuel; with increased presence of relocated fuel, the x-ray measurements spatially mapped the material but could not resolve the inner regions of these because of the increased photon attenuation. The gamma-tomography measurements showed improved results, resolving the relocated structures in great detail. It is shown that the upper plenum of the PBR-1 assembly where the molten uranium was initially inserted presented high structural damage, reflected by the partial and complete disintegration of the central rods. Relocated fuel filled the subchannels, adhering to surviving cladding walls and the assembly casing. In the lower portion of the measured section, the tomogram degrades due to photon starvation effects hinting at the increased amount of relocated fuel potentially plugging the assembly; flow blockage in this section was difficult to determine due to the tomogram's degradation from photon starvation. Small fragments were observed further down the assembly, dislodged from the initial insertion of the molten material. This section was used as an unperturbed assembly reference, with a calculated blockage of less than 1% from the present fragments. The PBR-2 assembly was characterized by columnar relocation structures propagating through the subchannels. Three of the relocation structures were captured in the measured section, with evidence of cross migration on to adjacent subchannels. The measured section in this assembly captures the leading edge of two molten slug structures. The calculated flow blockage was estimated to be 16% in the planes where the three relocated structures are present, but this quickly decreases to approximately 5% past the leading edge of two of the molten slug structures.
POR UMA GÊNESE DO GRUPO DE PESQUISA EM EDUCAÇÃO INTERCULTURAL (GPEI)

Este ensaio autobiografico, tem por objetivo resgatar, sistematizar e refletir desde o que a memoria permite, sobre um itinerario que acabou constituindo e forjando a consolidacao de um grupo de pesquisa no interior de uma universidade de cunho comunitario. Lanca-se mao de um modo de escrita que se movimenta por entre a valorizacao da subjetividade e das relacoes que foram se estabelecendo no processo. A escrita autobiografica e compreendida como o exercicio de descrever dinâmicas interiores, explorando e reconhecendo na subjetividade o potencial criativo e, portanto, valoriza-se um itinerario que e construido no ato mesmo da experiencia, nesse sentido ele e mais instituinte do que instituido. Ganha relevância a perspectiva da descolonizacao do pensamento (e das subjetividades), como uma pratica que impulsiona ao encontro consigo mesmo (autobiografico) e abre-se para o com quem e o onde se esta (geoepistemico). O ensaio destaca o reconhecimento da existencialidade como elemento fundante do trabalho coletivo e a horizontalidade como estrategia de construcao de pertencimentos identitarios. Enfatiza a sensibilidade e a abertura como dinâmicas que possibilitam o abrir-se para modos outros de conhecer e produzir conhecimentos, podendo e devendo ser experimentados no cotidiano, arena em que revela potencialmente a existencialidade.
Breaking the Scalability Wall

While HPC systems have considerably improved their raw compute performance and scalability over the last two decades – first with the adoption of compute clusters and then throughput computing – good communication performance and overall scalability are still very difficult to achieve with irregular and communication intensive sparse linear algebra and graph applications. Recent advances in chip packaging, such as Embedded Multi-die Interconnect Bridge (EMIB), novel Optical IO Photonics modules that can be directly integrated on chip, and aggressive system designs that eliminate the SW stack and natively support a Distributed Global Address Space, can be used to improve overall performance and potentially break the scalability wall of state of the arts computing systems.
Coming Together in Action for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

THE CHALLENGE: Family medicine departments see elevating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)* as socially necessary and as powerful in achieving core missions. The importance and timeliness of this longstanding issue in medicine are magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic with its disproportionate effect on communities of color and by civil unrest focused on racial justice. EDI plays out in three pillars: (1) care delivery and health, (2) workforce recruitment and retention, and (3) learner recruitment and training. People are at very different places with EDI work with regard to knowledge, experience, comfort and confidence. This is a wide-ranging developmental challenge, not a narrow, technical, or quick fix. The Immediate Goal: To make a strong start in taking all faculty and staff on a participatory journey that brings changes in everything they do, using inclusive means to this inclusive end. Initial Achievements: An inclusive process that resulted in (1) a shared intellectual framework-definitions with "north star" goals across the three pillars of EDI action, (2) shared acceptance of need for change, (3) top growth areas with actions to take, and (4) harnessing the energy for action-many volunteers, a visible leader, and charge. Ongoing Action: Application of an equity lens to department relationships, specific incidents, tools and education, policy review, and measures development. Invitation to Further Conversation Among Departments: EDI work can quickly create a shared intellectual framework and broadly engage people in taking a department down its developmental path. Operating principles for undertaking such work are offered for conversation among departments.
Boundary isomorphism between Dirichlet finite solutions of $\Delta u=Pu$ and harmonic functions

Consider an open Riemann surface R and a density P ( z ) dxdy ( z = x + iy ), well defined on R . As was shown by Myrberg in [3], if P ≢ 0 is a nonnegative α -Holder continuous density on R (0 α ≤ 1) then there exists the Green’s functions of the differential equation p>on R , where Δ means the Laplace operator. As a consequence, there always exists a nontrivial solution on R .
The Why’s of Business Revisited

One can determine the nature of something by asking what it is for. For example one understands what a chair is when one understands it is for sitting on. This involves understanding its purpose. One type of corporation is the for-profit-corporation. This seems to indicate that this type of corporation, the business corporation, has as its purpose to make a profit. Is that as obvious as it first appears? The favorite way for philosophers to arrive at the "purpose" of anything is to ask the question "Why?" But there are at least two answers to the question "Why"? when addressed to a social practice such as business. One might be asking for a psychological account (explanation) of "Why" a person does business, and this is primarily answered by discovering the motives behind business activity; or one might be asking for a justificatory reason (justification) for the practice – what purpose legitimates business as a human activity. These two answers are often conflated and thus the purpose of business is often considered to be answered by giving the psychological account of the self-interested profit-making motive. This paper will attempt to highlight the importance of making the distinction between motive and purpose clearly, show what confusions arise when the distinction is ignored, and hint at some of the structural philosophical reasons why the distinction got blurred in the first place.
Studied on ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase in permeable animal cells. I. Reversible permeabilization of mouse L cells with dextran sulfate.

The treatment of mouse L cells with sodium dextran sulfate 500 for 20 min at 4 °C rendered them selectively permeable to small molecules. The degree of permeabilization was reproducible and depended on dextran sulfate concentration: as the dextran sulfate concentration increased, the cells became more permeable to the dye erythrosin B, lost the ability to incorporate [3H]thymidine into DNA, and acquired the capacity for nucleotide-dependent incorporation of [3H]dTTP into DNA and for K+- and ATP-dependent incorporation of [3H]lysine into protein. The ability to engage in macromolecular synthesis indicated that the permeabilized cells had retained a considerable amount of integrity, and this was confirmed by the observation that the cells could regain viability after an appropriate repair treatment. Permeabilization was rapidly reversed by incubating the cells in suspension culture medium plus 10% calf serum or in a defined medium composed of NaCl, NaH2PO4, glucose, glutamine, and CaCl2, calcium ion being the most critical component. Using this minimally disruptive permeabilization procedure, it was possible to assay the enzyme ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase in situ. The enzymatic conversion of CDP and GDP to the corresponding deoxyribonucleotides was studied; enzyme activity was almost entirely intracellular and responded to the allosteric activators and inhibitors that are known to modulate the activity of ribonucleotide reductase in vitro.
Gretchens and the German Garrison

Women in Germany played a role in the rise and fall of the Nazis. Many historians have written about the various roles of women before and during the Third Reich. However, there are many different categories that historians write about including: politics, genetics, race, ideology, and class, that played a part in active or non-active roles women took. Specific women; Magda Goebbels, Leni Riefenstahl, Eva Braun, Marlene Dietrich, Gertrud Scholtz-Klink and Traudl Junge are explored for their roles and sometimes, contradictions, in Nazi doctrine. Even before the rise of the Nazis, Germany was always more male-dominated than other European industrialized societ- ies. Women worked and were more independent, only to have their roles totally reversed. Histori- ans agree that the Nazis had a criteria of who the ideal Nazi woman was, but it is unlikely that every women fit or followed this criteria. Women outnumbered men by two million. A woman's most important role, as mother, was also linked to the Nazi obsession with genetics and pure Aryan blood. Women with the right genes were encouraged to reproduce as many children as they could, and children born out of wedlock were not looked down upon. Before the Nazis, the Ger- man Nationalist People's Party (DNVP) encouraged women in politics. Many of the party's ideals were similar to those of the Nazis and could explain why women from the DNVP joined the Nazis. According to the Nazis, women had no place in politics. Unfortunately, there is little evidence con- cerning voting, but many historians conclude that women were influenced by male figures. Women joined Hitler groups, which contradicted their home life. How could they be at home while taking part in these meetings? While the men were at war they joined, or were forced into the labor force, many women tried to get out of it. A look into Hitler's relationships with women and his family background also gives insight into his policies towards women. These are all just a few of the many categories that link women and the rise of Hitler; nothing is black and white.
The Involvement of Tyrosine Kinases, Cyclic AMP/Protein Kinase A, and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in IL-13-Mediated Arginase I Induction in Macrophages: Its Implications in IL-13-Inhibited Nitric Oxide Production

In macrophages, L-arginine can be used by NO synthase and arginase to form NO and urea, respectively. Therefore, activation of arginase may be an effective mechanism for regulating NO production in macrophages through substrate competition. Here, we examined whether IL-13 up-regulates arginase and thus reduces NO production from LPS-activated macrophages. The signaling molecules involved in IL-13-induced arginase activation were also determined. Results showed that IL-13 increased arginase activity through de novo synthesis of the arginase I mRNA and protein. The activation of arginase was preceded by a transient increase in intracellular cAMP, tyrosine kinase phosphorylation, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Exogenous cAMP also increased arginase activity and enhanced the effect of IL-13 on arginase induction. The induction of arginase was abolished by a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, KT5720, and was down-regulated by tyrosine kinase inhibitors and a p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. However, inhibition of p38 MAPK had no effect on either the IL-13-increased intracellular cAMP or the exogenous cAMP-induced arginase activation, suggesting that p38 MAPK signaling is parallel to the cAMP/PKA pathway. Furthermore, the induction of arginase was insensitive to the protein kinase C and p44/p42 MAPK kinase inhibitors. Finally, IL-13 significantly inhibited NO production from LPS-activated macrophages, and this effect was reversed by an arginase inhibitor, L-norvaline. Together, these data demonstrate for the first time that IL-13 down-regulates NO production through arginase induction via cAMP/PKA, tyrosine kinase, and p38 MAPK signalings and underline the importance of arginase in the immunosuppressive activity of IL-13 in activated macrophages.
Emotional Functioning of Adolescents and Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Objective This study aimed to quantitatively compare findings of emotional functioning across studies of adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) through meta-analysis.
Fermented Berry Beverage Phenolics Reduced Fat Mass and Fasting Blood Glucose in High-Fat Fed Mice

The objective was to determine the potential of phenolic compounds from a fermented 30:70% blueberry-blackberry beverage to reduce obesity and hyperglycemia in three week old male diet-induced obes...
Update on global HIV prevention research

While vaccine development is a major theme of IHV meetings, other prevention research approaches are not necessarily on the radar scope of the basic science and clinical researchers seeking state-of-the-art updates. The HIV Prevention Trials Network and the Microbicide Trials Network are engaged a wide variety of prevention clinical trials. Other trials are underway with other sources of support. This presentation will highlight current challenges in: -Barrier research, including microbicides and diaphragms -Male circumcision and its rationale -Use of antiretroviral therapy and transmission prevention -Use of opportunistic infection and helminth treatment to reduce viral load and infectiousness -Control of sexually transmitted diseases to reduce HIV transmission efficiency -Selected highlights in treatment of drug abuse to reduce HIV risk, prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission, and in behavior change research for prevention. The goal for this presentation is to challenge the basic science and clinical research communities to identify important partnerships that can enhance the scientific value of key prevention clinical trials, as well as to address underlying mechanisms of approaches that show promise as new tools.
Traction microscopy to identify force modulation in subresolution adhesions

We present a reconstruction algorithm that resolves cellular tractions in diffraction-limited nascent adhesions (NAs). The enabling method is the introduction of sparsity regularization to the solution of the inverse problem, which suppresses noise without underestimating traction magnitude. We show that NAs transmit a distinguishable amount of traction and that NA maturation depends on traction growth rate. A software package implementing this numerical approach is provided.
Semiconductor diode lasers for telecommunications

Summary form only given. A major area of research in semiconductor lasers for telecommunications is 1.3 /spl mu/m and 1.55 /spl mu/m vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). The current approaches include wafer fusion to combine distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) with the active region, epitaxial growth of InGaAsN active layer on lattice-matched GaAs substrates, epitaxial growth of InAlAs/InGaAs latticed-matched to InP substrates, and epitaxial growth of GaAsSb heterostructures. This talk will emphasize the InGaAsN approach including the work on using Sb as a surfactant to improve the InGaAsN material. Recent results will be presented.
First row wheels, {(tBu3SiS)MX}12(M = Co, X = Cl; M = Ni, X = Br), are common amongst both simpler and more complex aggregates

{(tBu3SiS)MX}12 are wheels for first row transition metals (M = Co, X = Cl; M = Ni, X = Br), but for nickel, simpler {e.g. [(tBu3SiS)Ni]2(μ-SSitBu3)2} and more complicated {e.g. [(μ-SSitBu3)Ni]5(μ5-S)} structures are by-products.
Is there a biochemical predictor of suicide

There is a need for additional instruments to alert the clinician more effectively to the high self-destructive potential of some of his suicide-risk patients. In this study it was found that suicides-to-be tended to have higher plasma cortisols than suicidal patients who did not subsequently commit suicide within two years of the test. The article discusses the possible mechanisms involved and reviews some of the literature indicating that there may be a biochemical substratum that may play a significant role in some suicides.
Distribution of hydrothermal mineral zones in the Cerro Prieto geothermal field of Baja California, Mexico

Abstract Our ongoing studies of water-rock interaction at Cerro Prieto have now been extended to include samples from 40 wells. We have confirmed the regular sequence of progressive hydrothermal alteration zones previously described, and have mapped these alteration zones across the geothermal field. Our earlier work showed the relationships between hydrothermal mineralogy, temperature and permeability, in that alteration occurs at lower temperature in sandstone than in the less permeable shales. The effects of chemical parameters such as silica activity and differences in CO 2 fugacity have also become apparent when mineral assemblages are compared in sandstones from different wells at the same temperature. A rather complete picture of the shape of the reservoir and the nature of its boundaries is developing, and we have begun to identify patterns in the observed hydrothermal mineral zonations which are characteristic of different temperature gradients. We infer such different gradients to be indicative of different parts of the hydrothermal flow regime. In certain wells mineral zones are closely spaced, indicating steep thermal gradients, while in others they are much farther apart. We believe that patterns characteristic of recharge, discharge and upwelling zones as well as areas of primarily horizontal flow can be recognized. The geothermal circulation system at Cerro Prieto appears to be rather young and shows no indication of retrograde reactions due to cooling. The pattern of fluid flow does not seem to be significantly affected by faults, stratigraphic horizons or by the presence of a cap-rock. The mineral zones define a thermal dome which is apparently fed from the east and spreads westward.
Coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease risk factors: a study on a middle-aged and elderly population.

Abstract The risk for all the manifestations of atherosclerotic disease is increased in patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a well-characterized middle-aged and elderly Italian diabetic population. The population studied included 3862 subjects, i.e. all the patients affected by type 2 diabetes of age ≥50 years attending the outpatient diabetes care unit of INRCA in Ancona (Italy) from 1 August 1997 to 31 July 1998. We collected and analysed both clinical and laboratory data by means of a computerized data base for the outpatient clinic management. The prevalence rate of CHD was 20.25% in this population. The groups with CHD and without CHD did not differ significantly with respect to age at onset of diabetes, body mass index and HbA1c levels, while patients with CHD were significantly older than patients without CHD and had a longer duration of diabetes. The prevalence of patients with hypertension (52.9 vs 63.0%, P
Improved quenched fluorescent probe for imaging of cysteine cathepsin activity

The cysteine cathepsins are a family of proteases that play important roles in both normal cellular physiology and many human diseases. In cancer, the activity of many of the cysteine cathepsins is upregulated and can be exploited for tumor imaging. Here we present the design and synthesis of a new class of quenched fluorescent activity-based probes (qABPs) containing a phenoxymethyl ketone (PMK) electrophile. These reagents show enhanced in vivo properties and broad reactivity resulting in dramatically improved labeling and tumor imaging properties compared to those of previously reported ABPs.
A note on complete code trees

The possible values of the number of messages generated by an information source which can be encoded into complete tree codes for successive coding alphabet sizes 2, 3, 4,..., D are derived. Properties and relations for the smallest such values are given.
Comparison of the ultrahigh energy cosmic ray flux observed by AGASA, HiRes, and Auger

The current measurements of the cosmic ray energy spectrum at ultra-high energies (E>10{sup 19} eV) are characterized by large systematic errors and poor statistics. In addition, the experimental results of the two experiments with the largest published data sets, AGASA and HiRes, appear to be inconsistent with each other, with AGASA seeing an unabated continuation of the energy spectrum even at energies beyond the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff energy at 10{sup 19.6} eV. Given the importance of the related astrophysical questions regarding the unknown origin of these highly energetic particles, it is crucial that the extent to which these measurements disagree be well understood. Here we evaluate the consistency of the two measurements for the first time with a model-independent method that accounts for the large statistical and systematic errors of current measurements. We further compare the AGASA and HiRes spectra with the recently presented Auger spectrum. The method directly compares two measurements, bypassing the introduction of theoretical models for the shape of the energy spectrum. The inconsistency between the observations is expressed in terms of a Bayes factor, a standard statistic defined as the ratio of a separate parent source hypothesis to a single parent source hypothesis. Application to the datamore » shows that the two-parent hypothesis is disfavored. We expand the method to allow comparisons between an experimental flux and that predicted by any model.« less
The effect of dietary sodium and fructose intake on urine and serum parameters of stone formation in a pediatric mouse model: a pilot study.

Purpose: Dietary factors have a role in stone disease in adults but little is known about the relationship in children. We tested whether diet could alter urine and serum parameters in a pediatric mouse model.Materials and Methods: We randomized 30 female BALB/c mice at age 3 weeks to mouse chow, a complex carbohydrate Western diet or a high fructose, high sodium Western diet. Body weight was measured twice weekly. Urine was periodically collected and mice were sacrificed on day 30. Samples were pooled to analyze serum and urine electrolyte factors.Results: There was no significant difference in body weights among the groups at any time or in kidney weight at sacrifice (each p >0.15). There was no observable increase in urine stone forming analytes across the arms except uric acid, which tended to be higher in the Western diet and high fructose, high sodium Western diet groups. There was a substantial decrease in urinary stone inhibitors (magnesium and citrate), a decrease in urinary potassium and an incr...
Choroid plexus papillomas: a single institutional experience.

Objective: To determine the long-term outcome of resected choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs).
SU-FF-I-86: MRI and MRS Assessment of Bone Marrow Cellularity

Purpose: Bone marrow cellularity is an important parameter in the diagnosis and treatment of bone marrow disease, as disease affects marrow cellularity and marrow adipocyte concentration significantly alters beta‐ or alpha‐particle energy deposition from radiopharmaceuticals to radiosensitive hematopoietic cells. The current “gold standard” for the assessment of cellularity is the histological analysis of painful bone marrow biopsies of the iliac crest. There have been a few limited attempts to quantify cellularity non‐invasively by MR Chemical ShiftImaging (CSI), but the accuracy of this technique has never been validated. Here we demonstrate a method to correlate ex‐vivo CSI cellularity values to the results obtained by standard histological methods, using stereotactic image co‐registration. Method and Materials: Cellularity phantoms were created by preparing a series of lipid/water emulsions in which the water fractions (WFs) ranged from 0% to 100%, and were precisely known a priori. WFs were then measured in each phantom by CSI using a Phillips 3T horizontal bore scanner. Following this, tubular Silicon fiducials were inserted into the spongiosa of an excised canine limb using a Teflon template guide. Ex‐vivo cellularity measurements were obtained by 3T‐CSI within the fiducial region, and then bone cores were extracted with the fiducial systems intact for subsequent histological analysis and digital microscopy imaging using standard protocols. The accuracy of the CSI cellularity was then evaluated by co‐registration of the MR spectroscopy to the histological ‘gold‐standard’. Results and Conclusions: Here we demonstrate a novel technique to co‐register NMR Spectroscopy with standard digital imaging methods, in phantoms and histological specimens in which the lipid to water fraction is precisely quantifiable. Further studies are suggested, but these results imply that it may be possible to accurately sample bone marrow cellularity in both healthy and diseased individuals, for improved prognostic outcome in the treatment of metastatic bone disease.
A new control method for the relative dielectric constant of 1–3 piezoelectric composites realized with the LIGA process

A plasma treatment for controlling the relative dielectric constant (e r ) of fine-scale lead zirconate titanate (PZT) rods was developed. This new method made it easy to control e r of 1-3 piezoelectric composites, which were made up of fine-scale PZT rods in epoxy resin. The PZT rods were fabricated using the LIGA process, realizing an array of PZT rods with a cross section, height and volume fraction of 25 μm square, 250 μm and 25%, respectively. The new method consists of a plasma treatment applied before sintering of the PZT rods. By controlling the output RF power and duration of the plasma treatment, e r could be controlled between 250 and 400. Although extended plasma etching reduced e r , there were no changes in the piezoelectric properties and no defects in the sintered body. The ability to control e r of piezoelectric composites allows good electrical impedance matching with the electric circuit of diagnostic systems, thereby reducing signal transmission losses. Changing e r by varying the piezoelectric material or the sintering conditions requires lengthy process optimization. In contrast, controlling e r to establish a good impedance match can be done relatively easily with this new plasma technique because the piezoelectric properties are not affected.
Determination of benzophenone-3 and metabolites in water and human urine by solid-phase microextraction and quadrupole ion trap GC–MS

Abstract In this paper, a novel technique has been developed for the determination of benzophenone-3 and its metabolites in urine using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography–quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Benzophenone-3 is a common ingredient found in sunscreens and other products. Because benzophenone-3 and other sunscreening compounds may be absorbed into the body, methods for monitoring the accumulation, metabolism, and excretion of these compounds need to be developed. Three kinds of SPME fibers were used and compared for this study. Parameters for the detection were examined in an aqueous medium and are listed as follows: equilibrium time, multiple extractions from the same vial vs. different vials, the maximum desorption temperature and time, and the effects of both salt and solvent on the extraction efficiency. Human urine samples were then spiked with standard benzophenone solutions and analyzed with the SPME method to determine linear range, limit of detection, and precision. Linear range determinations fell within 10–1000 ng/ml with precisions averaging 7% RSD. Ultimately a urine specimen taken after a human subject had applied a commercially available sunscreen product was tested for benzophenone and its metabolites. Benzophenone-3 and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone were detected and the former was subjected to both SPME and SPE quantitation methods with comparable results of 260 and 200 ng/ml, respectively.
Relationship between arterial stiffness and heart rate recovery in apparently healthy adults.

INTRODUCTION Arterial stiffness and heart rate recovery (HRR) following exercise testing have emerged as variables holding significant prognostic value in a number of populations. The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship between arterial stiffness and HRR in a group of apparently healthy subjects. METHODS Two hundred and nine apparently healthy subjects underwent maximal exercise testing. Heart rate at one and two minutes post exercise was subtracted from maximal heart rate during the exercise test to produce two measures of heart rate recovery. Aortic wave velocity, in meters per second, was obtained via a new magnetic resonance technique. RESULTS Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between aortic wave velocity and heart rate recovery. Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that age, maximal aerobic capacity, heart rate recovery at one minute, and diastolic blood pressure were all significant predictors of aortic wave velocity (r = 0.63, r2 = 0.40, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that heart rate recovery is significantly correlated with a measure of large artery stiffness and adds predictive value to other clinical variables. This analysis provides further evidence that assessment of heart rate recovery should be considered in subjects undergoing exercise testing in clinical practice.
Cellular Aspects of Transvascular Exchange: A 40-Year Perspective

Study of the microcirculation began with microscopic anatomy in the 17th century, but it was not until the mid-19th century that the concept of microcirculatory exchange was developed, in association with the great expansion in knowledge of physical chemistry and cell biology. In the first half of the 20th century, the roles of diffusion and osmosis (ultrafiltration) were put on a quantitative foundation and the physiological basis for regulation of the microcirculation was established. During the past 40 years, our understanding of transvascular exchange has been deepened and widened through two major developments: 1) the application of electron microscopy to the study of microvascular structure and 2) the use of sophisticated physical and mathematical models of passive transport processes to analyze and interpret experimental data. In the past few years, the focus of microvascular research has been returning to cell biology and the role of endothelial cells in controlling transvascular exchange. The 21st century holds promise of many exciting new developments.
Forward Apportionment of Censored Counts for Discrete Nonparametric Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Failure Probabilities

Empirical cumulative lifetime distribution function is often required for selecting lifetime distribution. When some test items are censored from testing before failure, this function needs to be estimated, often via the approach of discrete nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation (DN-MLE). In this approach, this empirical function is expressed as a discrete set of failure-probability estimates. Kaplan and Meier used this approach and obtained a product-limit estimate for the survivor function, in terms exclusively of the hazard probabilities, and the equivalent failure-probability estimates. They cleverly expressed the likelihood function as the product of terms each of which involves only one hazard probability ease of derivation, but the estimates for failure probabilities are complex functions of hazard probabilities. Because there are no closed-form expressions for the failure probabilities, the estimates have been calculated numerically. More importantly, it has been difficult to study the behav...
Protection against death due to ozone poisoning.

IN a research programme on the physiological effects of ozone, an attempt was made to determine the mechanism of ozone poisoning by studying chemical protection before exposure. Swiss albino mice were treated by intraperitoneal injections of the test chemical followed by exposure for 3 hr. to a concentration of 8—25 p.p.m. of ozone. This ozone concentration caused death in 10–80 per cent of the animals1. Usually 10 control (no prior treatment) animals and 10 treated animals were exposed together in a large glass chamber 12.5 in. × 30 in. × 16 in. to ozone generated by a water-cooled corona discharge type of ozonizer. The results of these experiments are recorded in Table 1.
Continuously monitored stopping boundary methodologies: the issues of sensitivity, association and trial suspension

Thall et al. consider a continuous monitoring strategy for multiple discrete outcomes to determine whether a trial should terminate early. We evaluate important issues raised in the application of a continuous monitoring strategy for multiple outcomes. Specifically, we evaluate: (i) the sensitivity of such a methodology to small perturbations in the stopping boundaries; (ii) the need to employ accrual buffers when a trial approaches a stopping boundary - a large buffer implying that temporary suspension is unwarranted; and (iii) the role of association among the multiple outcomes of interest. Simulation studies demonstrate that the methodology is sensitive to small perturbations in the stopping boundaries, that the size of an accrual buffer can vary widely over the course of a trial, and that the extent of association among multiple outcomes plays a large role in determining the stopping properties of a trial. We illustrate these issues using the HLA non-identical donor bone marrow transplant trial, with two discrete outcomes.
The influence of cartoon character advertising on fruit and vegetable preferences of 9- to 11-year-old children.

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study is to determine the influence of cartoon characters in preferences of fruit and vegetables among children. Methods A 10-item survey was used in this cross-sectional study to determine the factors that influence a child’s likelihood of eating fruits and vegetables. Seven factors influencing consumption of fruits and vegetables were rank ordered by 218 third- and fourth-grade students. Results Results indicated that the child was more likely to eat fruits or vegetables if they tasted good, followed by whether they were nutritious. Presence of a cartoon character on the label ranked 6 of 7. Sex does not affect the rank order of factors that influence intake of fruits or vegetables. Conclusions and Implications Future interventions aimed at increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables should take into consideration such factors that influence intake.
Tevatron I: energy saver and p source

The aim of the Tevatron I project is the construction of a proton-antiproton collider at Fermilab. The design goals of the collider are a center of mass energy of 2 TeV and a luminosity of greater than 1030/cm2/sec. The collider will be utilized by two large experiments located in the long straight sections BO (the CDF detector) and DO; and by three specialized experiments at CO, EO and FO. The first operation for colliding beam physics is scheduled for 1986. The Tevatron I project encompasses a host of accelerator systems in the Main Ring and Energy Saver, as well as the Antiproton Source, which is the complex in which the p's are made, collected and stored. At the time of this writing, the construction and installation phases of the project are essentially complete, and the commissioning phase has recently begun. In this report, no attempt will be made to discuss the design of each subsystem, since this inforTairn has been extensively documented elsewhere .1,2,3. A brief overview of the project will be presented for orientation; then, the present status of each system will be reported, in the order in which they will be required to operate for colliding beams. At the conclusion, the goals for completion of the commissioning of the project will be discussed.
Why do animal models (sometimes) fail to mimic human sepsis

Objective: To describe potential mechanisms that may account for the observation that drugs that work in treating sepsis in animal models often fail in sepsis trials in patients. Data Source: MEDLINE searches were used to provide the key information. Data Summary: Most animal studies are performed acutely in young healthy animals, whereas a significant percentage of the clinical population is elderly with many secondary complications (e.g., diabetes, systemic vascular disease, high blood pressure, immune suppression, cancer). Furthermore, unlike the acute challenge presented in most animal studies, many of the septic patients' clinical histories indicate a relatively slow onset of the disease. In many animal studies, intervention occurs before or during the very early stages of sepsis, when inflammatory cytokine levels are still rising and both organ damage and vascular leakage are minimal. In contrast, current treatment strategies are started when many (probably most) patients are switching from a proinflammatory cytokine response to an anti-inflammatory response and organ damage is already apparent. Patients are also generally receiving some form of supportive therapy (e.g., fluids, vasopressors, ventilators). Because these are seldom used in the animal model, their effect on a particular drug response is difficult to assess. In the animal model, a well-defined bacterial strain, endotoxin challenge, or, in the most complex case, cecal ligation puncture at a defined site is employed to bring about the onset of sepsis. Generally, bacterial proliferation can be controlled in these situations by selecting the appropriate antibiotic (if desired). In human sepsis, the pathogenic bacteria are often not known, mixed infections involving both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria are common, and antibiotic treatment is incomplete or ineffective. Anti-inflammatory strategies that impair bacterial killing may be helpful in cases in which antibiotics were effective and harmful when they were not Thus, an intervention in human sepsis is attempted at a later stage and under very different conditions than it is during efficacy testing in animal models. Conclusions: Differences in the nature of the initiating agent causing sepsis and the lack of co-morbidities in the animal models probably contribute to some of the differences in animal studies and clinical trials in sepsis.
Ependymal and subependymal cells of the caudato-pallial junction in the lateral ventricle of the neonatal rabbit.

The ultrastructural characteristics of a concentration of mitotically active cells near the lateral margin of the lateral ventricle was studied in the neonatal rabbit brain. This area, termed the caudato-pallial area, consists of subependymal cells, neuroblasts, microglial cells and astroblasts bordering a layer of ependymal epithelial cells. The character of the ependymal cells in this area indicates a persistence of embryonic conditions favoring the development of neuroblasts and astroblasts. It is not known what type of cells are produced in the subependymal layer since the primitive subependymal cells have no features which would clearly relate them to nerve or glial cells. Of the 80 subependymal cells which were reconstructed from serial sections none have processes extending beyond the limits of the subependymal layer. They range in form from simple cells devoid of processes to complex cells with several short cellular extensions. The presence of intermediate forms with transitional cytologic features indicates simple and complex cells may represent different stages in the mitotic cycle of a single cell type. No direct evidence was obtained to support the concept that the small ramified microglial cells of the caudato-pallial area or round and amoeboid microglial cells near the corpus callosum arise through mitosis of nearby ependymal or subependymal cells.
Grains and wires of d-wave superconductors

We investigate Andreev states in grains of d-wave superconductors and compare them with a previous analysis of d-wave quantum wires. For perfect nesting a zero-energy Andreev bound state exists for geometries containing an odd number of (110)-layers. Away from perfect nesting the Andreev resonance broadens and its resonance frequency becomes finite for small grains. With increasing system size the resonance frequency approaches zero at least when we assume a constant order parameter throughout the grain. This is contrary to (110)-wires, where the Andreev state occurs at zero energy for all wire widths. Multiple reflections from surfaces with different orientations give rise to interesting interference effects and modify the Andreev states near corners.
"Social Comparison of Top Management Wealth, Environment, and Risk-Taking: A Growth Modeling Analysis"

The behavioral strategy literature has primarily focused on the effect of CEO compensation on firm risk-taking with little emphasis on the compensation of other decision-makers and the social proce...
The Results of Surgical Therapy for Cryptorchidism: A Literature Review and Analysis

AbstractPurpose: The literature was reviewed to consolidate the diverse success rates reported for orchiopexy.Materials and Methods: A total of 64 articles pertaining to 8,425 undescended testicles was reviewed and found to contain evaluable data. Success was defined as scrotal position and lack of atrophy.Results: Success rates by anatomical testicular positionw ere 74 percent for abdominal, 82 percent for peeping and 87 percent for canalicular testes, and 92 percent for those located beyond the external ring. Success rates by procedure were 89 percent for inguinal, 67 percent for Fowler-Stephens, 77 percent for staged Fowler-Stephens, 81 percent for transabdominal, 73 percent for 2-stage and 84 percent for microvascular orchiopexy.Conclusions: The significant failure rate for proximal testes suggests that efforts to improve orchiopexy should continue.
Teaching Qualitative Research: Experiential Learning in Group-Based Interviews and Coding Assignments

This article describes experiential-learning approaches to conveying the work and rewards involved in qualitative research. Seminar students interviewed one another, transcribed or took notes on those interviews, shared those materials to create a set of empirical materials for coding, developed coding schemes, and coded the materials using those schemes. Students’ input reveals that these assignments were more effective than readings and discussions in conveying the challenges and rewards of qualitative research. In particular, the coding assignment revealed the labor involved in doing qualitative research, but also the insights qualitative research can lead to. Others are urged to try similar assignments.