cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical Excipient Properties for the Dissolution Enhancement of Phenytoin

Solubility-enhancing amorphous solid dispersions can aid in the oral delivery of hydrophobic, poorly soluble drugs. Effective solid dispersion excipients enable high supersaturation drug concentrations over biologically relevant time scales. The critical characteristics of an excipient that allow it to work well in a solid dispersion system are not well understood. We prepared poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide), and poly(N-hydroxyethylacrylamide) excipients of varying molar mass and examined their ability to improve the aqueous solubility of phenytoin, a Biopharmaceutical Class System Class II drug. Binary and ternary solid dispersions of phenytoin and these excipients, along with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, were prepared at 10 wt % drug loading. Dissolution behavior was studied at early time points (<1 min) and over the course of 6 h. Performance of the ternary solid dispersions was largely a function of the concentration of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) present in micellar structures and the concentration of PNiPAm micelles in the dissolution media. We present several systems that achieved significant improvement of phenytoin solubility over a wide composition range at enhancement factors among the highest seen to date for phenytoin.
An Economic and Environmental Assessment of Residential Rooftop Photovoltaics with Second Life Batteries in the US

The economic and environmental performance of residential rooftop photovoltaics (PVs) with Second Life Batteries (SLBs) was evaluated in five US cities. The annualized system cost and global warming potential (GWP) of SLB with PV were compared with those of grid-connected PV. Adding SLBs provided cost reduction relative to the grid-connected PV if excess electricity generated by the PV is not sold back to the grid; otherwise, adding SLBs increased the cost. The combination of SLBs with PV had the lowest GWP for all scenarios considered. Time-of-use pricing structure showed similar trends as well.
Should Buttonhole Cannulation of Arteriovenous Fistulas Be Used? Moderator Commentary

This is an Early Access article. Please select the PDF button, above, to view it. Be sure to also read "Should buttonhole cannulation of arteriovenous fistulas be used? PRO" and "Should buttonhole cannulation of arteriovenous fistulas be used? CON".
Black Bodies/Whiteness Infringed-Yet Still We Rise

Black Bodies/Whiteness Infringed was birthed as I, a Black woman recognized the many marketed buzzwords such as equity, inclusion, and justice were nothing more than an opportunity to further commodify Black Bodies, the exacerbation of indoctrination, trauma, and maintaining the status quo. These types of experiences are not only limited to PreK-12. The same pushout and plantation politics occur in higher education (PWI's), as it is structural, institutional, systemic and systematic, and occurs at the hands of white supremacists, silent killers, and internalized racists. This artistic poetic justice piece is on behalf of every forced resilient BIPOC who has to endure plantation systems.
Nuclear Medicine Scans in Total Joint Replacement.

» A 3-phase bone scan is a potential first-line nuclear medicine study for pain after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) when there is concern for periprosthetic joint infection or aseptic loosening. » In patients who have a positive bone scintigraphy result and suspected infection of the joint, but where aspiration or other studies are inconclusive, labeled leukocyte scintigraphy with bone marrow imaging may be of benefit. » Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while not a nuclear medicine study, also shows promise and has the advantage of providing information about the soft tissues around a total joint replacement. » Radiotracer uptake patterns in scintigraphy are affected by the prosthesis (total knee arthroplasty [TKA] versus total hip arthroplasty [THA]) and the use of cement. » Nuclear medicine scans may be ordered 1 year postoperatively but may have positive findings that are due to normal physiologic bone remodeling. Nuclear studies may be falsely positive for up to 2 years after TJA. » Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) combined with computed tomography (CT) (SPECT/CT), fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, and MRI show promise; however, more studies are needed to better define their role in the diagnostic workup of pain after TJA.
Heterogeneous Computing: Here to Stay: Hardware and Software Perspectives

Mentions of the buzzword heterogeneous computing have been on the rise in the past few years and will continue to be heard for years to come, because heterogeneous computing is here to stay. What is heterogeneous computing, and why is it becoming the norm? How do we deal with it, from both the software side and the hardware side? This article provides answers to some of these questions and presents different points of view on others.
A multiphysics simulation suite for liquid metal-cooled fast reactors

Abstract A new multiphysics simulation suite has been created to model Liquid Metal-cooled Fast Reactors (LMFRs). LUPINE : “LMFR Utility for Physics Informed Nuclear Engineering” is based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and employs a general, unstructured mesh to solve the Simplified P N ( SP N ) neutron transport equations and multiphysics models to simulate thermal hydraulics and thermal expansion. Results of validation benchmarks are presented using the SP N solver and runtime results indicate that the SP N solver scales well for increasing SP N truncation order. To demonstrate the multiphysics coupling capabilities of LUPINE , the Advanced Burner Reactor (ABR) MET-1000 benchmark is modeled using coupled neutronics, thermal hydraulics, and thermal expansion models. It is shown that the SP3 method is sufficient to model the SP N effects in the ABR. The multiphysics models are showcased by calculating several multiphysics reactivity coefficients including: power defect, thermal expansion coefficient, Doppler coefficient, and Coolant Temperature Coefficient (CTC).
Associations between daily screen time and sleep in a racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of US infants: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations between screen media use and sleep throughout infancy (3-12 months). DESIGN: Prospective Nurture birth cohort. SETTING: North Carolina, USA, 2013-2015. PARTICIPANTS: Women enrolled in their second to third trimester, completed a phone interview after birth, and completed home visits at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post partum. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Women reported the usual hours their infants slept during the day and night and their infants' usual use of five screen media activities at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post partum. Adjusted mixed-effects regression analyses modelled the associations between infant screen time and sleep outcomes while disaggregating the between-infant and within-infant effects. RESULTS: Among 558 mother-infant dyads, 374 (67.0%) infants were black and 304 (54.5%) households earned <$20 000 per year. Half (254, 50.2%) of the infants engaged with screens at 3 months of age, while 326 (72.9%) engaged at 12 months. The median value of the average daily screen time over the study period was 50 (IQR: 10-141) min. Infant screen time was inversely associated with night-time sleep duration only when considering between-infant effects (adjusted beta: -2.9; 95% CI -5.9 to 0.0; p=0.054 for log-transformed screen time). Effects were stronger for television+DVD viewing specifically (adjusted beta: -5.2; 95% CI -9.1 to -1.4; p<0.01 for log-transformed television+DVD time). For example, an infant who averaged 1 hour of television+DVD viewing over the study period slept, on average, 9.20 (95% CI 9.02 to 9.37) hours per night by 12 months compared with 9.60 (95% CI 9.41 to 9.80) hours per night for an infant with no screen time over the study period. There were no significant within-infant effects between screen time and night-time sleep, and screen time was not associated with daytime sleep or night-time awakenings. CONCLUSIONS: Screen time during infancy was inversely associated with night-time sleep duration; however, causal associations remain uncertain. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01788644.
A Speech-Act Based Methodology for System Analysis.

In this paper a modeling methodology is discussed to prepare a basis for subsequent system design. In paving such a ground, the discussed methodology contributes to two aspects of system design: requirements definitions and process modeling. While essential requirements are captured in a series of business transactions, the process model is built through the assembly of these business transactions into a network-like structure. Each business transaction is an essential requirement; or vice versa, each essential requirement is captured as a business transaction. The paper discusses the transaction concept derived from the Speech-Act Theory for capturing requirements for the system to be built, and a type of Petri net used as a modeling technique to build business process models based on the identified transactions. In view of the fact that business processes are characterized by conditional relationships, the concept of the Norm Analysis Method is incorporated into the methodology to govern the execution of certain transactions.
Kerr electro-optic field mapping measurements in liquid nitrogen

Kerr electrooptic field mapping measurements were made in liquid nitrogen at 70 psi and -177 degrees C. A sensitive measurement technique was used whereby a small-signal AC voltage was superimposed on a DC level. The nonlinear optical effect then gave an optical signal with a DC level and AC harmonic at the same frequency as the AC voltage. The amplitude of the AC optical signal was proportional to the local electric field and was measured with a lock-in amplifier. For 6330-nm-wavelength light the Kerr constant was measured to be B approximately=10/sup -16/ m/V/sup 2/. Steady-state electric fields between parallel stainless steel electrodes of gap 7 mm and area 31.6 cm/sup 2/ were shown to be essentially uniform for field strengths up to 90 kV/cm with no significant space charge distortion. The DC voltage-current characteristic was also measured and found to be nonohmic, reaching constant current of approximately=13 nA over the voltage range of approximately=30-60 kV. >
Genitourinary Problems in the Elderly

The kidneys reach their maximum size in early adult life and then gradually shrink approximately 20% by age 70. The number of glomeruli also decrease such that by age 70, only 50 to 70% of the 800,000 to 1,000,000 present at birth remain. In addition, the basement membrane of the glomerulus thickens with aging and tubular surface area decreases. Renal loss is scattered throughout the kidney, but a disproportionate loss occurs among the juxtamedullary nephrons, perhaps explaining some of the loss of urinary concentrating ability in elderly subjects.1 These changes appear to occur as part of the normal aging process without the presence of other systemic diseases. Obviously, common disorders of the elderly, such as hypertension and diabetes, will superimpose significant renal disease on the normal aging kidney.
Control of citric acid cycle activity in rat heart mitochondria.

Rat heart mitochondria were incubated in state 3 (with ADP) or state 4 (without ADP) in the presence of [3-14C]pyruvate, [3-14C]pyruvate plus unlabeled malate, or unlabeled pyruvate plus uniformly labeled [14C]malate. The net accumulation or loss of each intermediate in the citric acid cycle was determined by specific enzyme assays. In addition, the incorporation of radioactivity into cycle intermediates was measured after resolution of mitochondrial extracts by means of ion exchange column chromatography. In some experiments, mitochondrial suspensions were filtered through Millipore filters to determine the extramitochondrial content of metabolites. In the absence of malate, pool sizes of the citric acid cycle intermediates were very low in comparison to flux through the cycle. Recycling of 14C caused the specific activity of cycle intermediates to exceed that of the substrate, [3-14C]pyruvate. In the presence of a large pool of unlabeled malate, relatively large accumulations of 14C intermediates occurred during the oxidation of 14C-pyruvate in both state 3 and state 4. With malate added, 14C does not recycle but is diluted into the large malate pool. Thus, calculations of flux through the various steps in the cycle are made possible by comparing pyruvate disappearance with accumulation of radioactivity into the various intermediates and the final accumulation of radioactivity into malate. Rates of pyruvate utilization and oxygen consumption were linear under all conditions. Accumulations of citrate, α-ketoglutarate, and succinate were linear over the 8 min of incubation in state 4 and were largely extramitochondrial. In state 3, the accumulations of citrate and α-ketoglutarate, but not succinate, reached a constant maximum within 8 min. Both total accumulation and loss of citrate to the medium were lower in state 3 than in state 4. On the other hand, the accumulations of α-ketoglutarate and succinate were higher in state 3 than in state 4 and were mainly extramitochondrial. The accumulation of fumarate was not affected by the respiratory state of the mitochondria and was formed directly from the added malate. Addition of pyruvate alone or pyruvate plus malate to the mitochondria in both state 3 and state 4 resulted in a fall of aspartate and a stoichiometric rise of glutamate. It is suggested that the increased flux through each of the steps of the citric acid cycle observed in state 3 is mediated by coordinated interactions at several sites and that this effect is exerted mainly by changes in the ratio of NADH to NAD. The evidence indicates that the accumulations of citrate, α-ketoglutarate, and succinate in the extramitochondrial space occur by anion exchange reactions with the added malate.
Effect of haloperidol on transplants of fetal substantia nigra: evidence for feedback regulation of dopamine turnover in the graft and its projections.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the technique of transplantation of solid grafts placed in resection cavities in the cortex overlying the striatum to evaluate the effect of haloperidol on dopamine (DA) metabolism within the graft itself and in the host striatum. The data presented in the chapter indicate that the solid grafts of fetal mesencephalon and the terminal region of these grafts in the host striatum contain ratios of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)/DA and homovanillic acid (HVA)/DA that are comparable to those found in the normal intact substantia nigra of adult animals. In response to administration of the DA receptor antagonist haloperidol, both the transplant and its terminal area in the host striatum showed marked increases in DA metabolites. The significant elevation of HVA/DA and DOPAC/DA ratios in these tissues following haloperidol treatment indicates that the DA neurons of the transplant increase their DA turnover under conditions of DA receptor blockade. The chapter suggests that the existence of regulatory mechanisms via which, the host target tissue could influence the output and metabolism of transplant-derived neurotransmitters would have highly significant implications for the therapeutic potential of transplantation in the central nervous system.
Derived structure of the putative sialic acid transporter from Escherichia coli predicts a novel sugar permease domain.

Catabolism of sialic acids by Escherichia coli requires the genes nanA and nanT, which were previously mapped between argG and rpoN (E.R. Vimr and F.A. Troy, J. Bacteriol. 164:845-853, 1985). This organization is confirmed and extended by physical mapping techniques. An open reading frame beginning 135 bp from the nanA translational stop codon could code for a 53,547-Da hydrophobic polypeptide predicted to contain 14 transmembrane segments. Complementation analysis confirmed that nanT is required for sialic acid uptake when expressed in trans. NanT is homologous to a putative permease encoded by open reading frame 425, which maps between leuX and fecE in the E. coli chromosome. However, unlike this hypothetical permease or previously reported monosaccharide transporters, NanT contains a centrally located domain with two additional potential membrane-spanning segments plus one amphiphilic alpha-helix that may be important for the structure and function of sialic acid-permease.
Na-H Exchanger Isoform-2 (NHE2) Mediates Butyrate-dependent Na+ Absorption in Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced Colitis

Diarrhea associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) occurs primarily as a result of reduced Na+ absorption. Although colonic Na+ absorption is mediated by both epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) and Na-H exchangers (NHE), inhibition of NHE-mediated Na+ absorption is the primary cause of diarrhea in UC. As there are conflicting observations reported on NHE expression in human UC, the present study was initiated to identify whether NHE isoforms (NHE2 and NHE3) expression is altered and how Na+ absorption is regulated in DSS-induced inflammation in rat colon, a model that has been used to study UC. Western blot analyses indicate that neither NHE2 nor NHE3 expression is altered in apical membranes of inflamed colon. Na+ fluxes measured in vitro under voltage clamp conditions in controls demonstrate that both HCO3−-dependent and butyrate-dependent Na+ absorption are inhibited by S3226 (NHE3-inhibitor), but not by HOE694 (NHE2-inhibitor) in normal animals. In contrast, in DSS-induced inflammation, butyrate-, but not HCO3−-dependent Na+ absorption is present and is inhibited by HOE694, but not by S3226. These observations indicate that in normal colon NHE3 mediates both HCO3−-dependent and butyrate-dependent Na+ absorption, whereas DSS-induced inflammation activates NHE2, which mediates butyrate-dependent (but not HCO3−-dependent) Na+ absorption. In in vivo loop studies HCO3−-Ringer and butyrate-Ringer exhibit similar rates of water absorption in normal rats, whereas in DSS-induced inflammation luminal butyrate-Ringer reversed water secretion observed with HCO3−-Ringer to fluid absorption. Lumen butyrate-Ringer incubation activated NHE3-mediated Na+ absorption in DSS-induced colitis. These observations suggest that the butyrate activation of NHE2 would be a potential target to control UC-associated diarrhea.
Application of artificial neural networks for automatic measurement of micro-bubbles in microscopic images

A novel approach for quantitative segmentation and measurement of oxygen microbubbles in microscopic images is presented. In this approach, ellipse-based models were first built using moment parameters as rough approximations of oxygen microbubbles. Artificial neural networks were then developed and trained for segmentation refinement. The results show that the proposed approach achieved high accuracy of microbubbles measurement with less than 8% measurement error. >
Transformative social marketing: co‐creating the social marketing discipline and brand

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the field of social marketing. The field needs to evaluate what works, and more importantly for it to prosper and remain relevant, it must discover and incorporate concepts and techniques from other disciplines that are aligned around core ideas of people‐centered and socially oriented.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews new insights and understandings from modern social marketing practice, social innovation, design thinking and service design, social media, transformative consumer research, marketing theory and advertising practice and develops a model for transforming social marketing thought, research and practice.Findings – A three dimensional model is presented that includes: scope – co‐creation, conversations, communities and markets; design – honoring people, radiating value, engaging service and enhancing experiences; value space – dignity, hope, love and trust.Originality/value – The presentation weaves together a set of ideas from dif...
COMPARISON OF THE PATTERN OF EXPRESSION OF LEU-M1 ANTIGEN IN ADENOCARCINOMAS, NEUTROPHILS AND HODGKIN'S DISEASE BY IMMUNOELECTRON MICROSCOPY

The mouse monoclonal antibody anti-Leu-M1 (CD15) recognizes the carbohydrate determinant lacto-N-fucopentaose III, an oligosaccharide believed to be involved in cell-cell interactions. Anti-Leu-M1 is used in surgical pathology as an aid in the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. Additionally, adenocarcinomas derived from various organs stained positively with anti-Leu-M1 at the light microscopic level. Since mesotheliomas do not display positive reactivity to this antibody, Leu-M1 is clinically useful as part of a panel of antibodies in distinguishing adenocarcinomas from mesotheliomas. Previous work was carried out using post-embedding protein A-gold immunocytochemistry on thin sections embedded in Lowicryl K4M from a patient with Hodgkin's disease of the nodular sclerosing type; intense and precise labeling by gold particles was revealed in cytoplasmic granules, which were often clustered in a perinuclear location, in the Golgi apparatus, and focally along the plasma membrane of Reed-Sternberg cells. Moreover, polymorphonuclear leukocytes demonstrated similar labelling along the plasma membrane and over cytoplasmic granules. To define precisely the intracellular localization of Leu-M1 in human adenocarcinomas, we have performed post-embedding immunoelectron microscopy with the protein A-gold technique on sections embedded in Lowicryl K4M from neoplasms of the lung, stomach, colon, and breast. The pattern of labeling by gold particles indicative of Leu-M1 binding varied in adenocarcinomas of the different organs.
Dye marked antibiotics for lactating cow mastitis therapy.

Abstract Dye markings of intramammary antibiotic infusions could give a dairy farmer immediate visual warning that milk contains antibiotic residue. Six dye and antibiotic preparations for lactating cows were studied for rates of dye and antibiotic milk-out. Albacillin ® containing 1×10 5 IU of penicillin plus 150mg of novobiocin combined with 25, 125, or 250mg of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Blue No. 1 or No. 2 per infusion was used. Thirty cows with healthy udders producing 13.6 to 22.7kg milk per day were treated in all quarters twice in 24h (0500 and 1500h). Milk samples from 14 posttreatment twice per day milkings (0500 and 1500h) were tested for dye and antibiotic residue. Dye content was determined by a visual method and subvisually by an ion exchange resin method. No antibiotic residues were found by the cylinder plate method after the second to fourth posttreatment milkings. Antibiotic residue was detected up to the sixth milking by Delvotest-P ® . Depending on the dye type and its concentration, milk was visibly blue for one to four milkings. Subvisual quantities for dye were detectable by the ion exchange resin method for three to five milkings. The preparation showing the most promise for farm use contained 250mg Blue No. 1 per infusion. Milk from cows treated with this preparation contained visually and subvisually detectable dye through three or four and five milkings, respectively. The dye persistence exceeded or coincided with the maximum antibiotic persistence in nearly all cows treated regardless of dye formulation or method of antibiotic detection.
Absent aortocoronary connections in a neonate with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum.

m t i w t o f p M g p a a a I n o v m ( m t URING FETAL DEVELOPMENT, pulmonary atresia can cause important changes in the growth and function of he right ventricle (RV). If there is no ventricular septal defect ie, if the fetus has pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular eptum [PA-IVS]), the RV becomes severely hypertrophic and he RV cavity develops into a small, high-pressure chamber.1-3 resumably, the high RV pressure promotes maintenance and rowth of RV to distal coronary artery communications (venriculocoronary arterial connections) and development of cornary abnormalities. Sometimes an “RV-dependent coronary irculation (RVDCC)” where major portions of the myocarium are perfused directly from the RV will be present. Most nfants with RVDCC, however, will also have antegrade cornary blood supply from the aorta, and staged surgical palliaion with or without RV decompression can be accomplished ith good results.4,5 This report describes the authors experince with a neonate with absent aortocoronary connections and hus a total RVDCC.
Experimental Study of Optical Scattering and Fiber Orientation Determination of Softwood and Hardwood with Different Surface Finishes

Optical scattering from wood of different surface finishes has been experimentally investigated. It has been found that for planed-Hemlock samples the scattering intensity distribution in the direction across the wood fibers is very close to perfect diffuse reflection, while that in the direction along the fibers appears as the combination of diffuse and specular reflection. The increase of wood surface roughness reduces the difference between these two scattering intensity distributions. The difference provides the basis for determining wood fiber orientation by measuring the scattering intensity variation with fiber orientation. When the sample surface becomes very rough, such as a rough sawn or porous hardwood sample, the scattering from the uneven surface overwhelms the difference and creates a difficulty in fiber orientation measurement. To solve the problem, we have been employed optical polarization detection in the investigation. With this detection method, for the samples used in this work, the intensity variation of the scattering vs. fiber orientation appears periodic despite the different surface finishes. With the help of Fourier analysis, fiber orientations of the rough sawn softwood and porous hardwood samples under investigation can be precisely measured.
The Duration of Fertility and the Histological Changes in the Reproductive Organs after Ligation of the Vasa Efferentia in the Rat

In a previous paper (White, 1932) the survival of spermatozoa in the male rat after ligation of the vasa efferentia was reported, motility being the criterion of survival. An attempt has now been made to determine the duration of fertility in animals similarly treated and to correlate motility with fertility. Data on these subjects are given in the present paper, together with certain observation on the histological changes occuring in the reproductive system after vasa-efferentia ligation. Material and Methods .—Fifty-three males and a larger number of females were used in this work. The procedure of vasa-efferentia ligation was the same as used in previous studies and was briefly as follows: under full anaethesia with ether, a median incision was made in the scrotum, exposing the tunica vaginalis of the testis. The testis and epididymis were then withdrawn, through an opening in this sheath, and the vasa efferentia (ductuli efferentes) dissected out of the fast lying between the testis and the head of the eppidiymis. These ducts were carefully ligated in two places and severed between the ligatures. The testis and epididymis were then replaced in the sheath, which was sutured with silk, and the skin wound closed with suture clips. Aseptic technique was used throughout.
A newly discovered protein kinase C activator (oleic acid) enhances long-term potentiation in the intact hippocampus

Protein kinase C can be activated by oleate, an unsaturated fatty acid. Since protein kinase C is activated by long-term potentiation, we wished to determine whether iontophoretic ejection of oleate into the intact hippocampal dentate gyrus of urethane-anesthetized rats would cause an enhancement of the response potentiated by high frequency stimulation of the perforant path. Oleate ejection did significantly enhance the persistence of the potentiated response. Moreover, a growth of the response beyond the initial potentiation was seen. Arachidonate, which stimulates protein kinase C to a lesser degree, had a significant preservation effect, but no effect on growth of the response. After vehicle and elaidate (trans-stereoisomer of oleate) ejections, the potentiated response decayed to baseline values. In addition, the persistence of the potentiated response observed two hours after its induction was positively correlated with the ability of an unsaturated fatty acid to activate protein kinase C in vitro. The present results support the proposal that protein kinase C activation enhances synaptic strength. It is suggested that one mechanism for this activation may be PLA2-mediated release of oleate.
Restricting self-renewal signals within the stem cell niche: multiple levels of control

Germline stem cells (GSCs) were the first stem cells demonstrated to be regulated by the microenvironment or niche in the Drosophila ovary a decade ago. In the Drosophila ovary, as a stem cell divides, one daughter remaining in the niche continues to self-renew, and the other daughter positioned outside the niche undergoes differentiation. The niche produces bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that only act within one cell diameter to ensure that at every division only one of two GSC daughters self-renews and thus maintains a stable GSC pool. Within the past decade, great progress has been made toward understanding how functions of BMP niche signals are restricted to GSCs. In this review, we have discussed multiple levels of control underlying the restriction of BMP signals within the niche. Because the niche mechanism has been shown to regulate stem cells in various organisms including mammals, the knowledge gained from the Drosophila GSC niche should help gain a better understanding of how niche signals are controlled in other stem cell systems.
Good Game: Christianity and the Culture of Sports

Shirl James Hoffman, Good Game: Christianity and the Culture of Sports. Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2010. Pp. 341 $24.95. ISBN 1-932792-10-4. You are the salt of the earth. But if the sal...
Filtering boundary value discrete time linear systems

The Aegis Combat System [1] is used to protect US Navy vessels from planes and missiles. The computer-based command-and-decision element is the core of the Aegis Combat System. This interface makes the ACS capable of simultaneous operation against almost all kinds of threats. The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System program is intended to enable the Aegis system to act in a sea-based ballistic missile defense function, to counter short- and medium-range ballistic missiles of the variety typically employed by a number of potential opponent states. It works by firing a large amount of projectiles at the incoming missiles. Critical to the success of this system are real time accurate estimates of the trajectories of the incoming missiles. This requires filtering of the noisy measurements but what distinguishes it from standard filtering is that we know where the missiles are heading. (If they are not heading toward the ship or the target that the ship is protecting then we don't care about them.) In effect we are interested in filtering a system that has boundary constraints. Hence we consider the problem of filtering a linear system that satisfies boundary conditions rather than initial conditions.
Scientific Basis of Modern Weather Prediction

A review of the scientific principles and computational methods used in modern weather prediction is presented. The history of research in this area shows that researchers attempting to improve wea...
The 1.1 Å Crystal Structure of Human TGF-β Type II Receptor Ligand Binding Domain

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is involved in a wide range of biological functions including development, carcinogenesis, and immune regulation. Here we report the 1.1 A resolution crystal structure of human TGF-beta type II receptor ectodomain (TBRII). The overall structure of TBRII is similar to that of activin type II receptor ectodomain (ActRII) and bone morphogenic protein receptor type IA (BRIA). It displays a three-finger toxin fold with fingers formed by the beta strand pairs beta1-beta2, beta3-beta4, and beta5-beta6. The first finger in the TBRII is significantly longer than in ActRII and BRIA and folds tightly between the second finger and the C terminus. Surface charge distributions and hydrophobic patches predict potential TBRII binding sites.
Differential subtraction chain, a method for identifying differences in genomic DNA and mRNA

Identifying the genetic differences between two organisms or cell types has been a major goal in modern biomedical research. Recently, we developed a novel methodology that can rapidly identify the differences between two populations of DNA. This method, termed 'differential subtraction chain' (DSC), is based on a novel 'negative amplification' strategy that converts (amplifiable) tester sequences to counterpart (unamplifiable) driver sequences. The result is a double exponential elimination of amplifiable sequences in the testers, while preserving the sequences in the testers that have no counterpart in the drivers. We applied this methodology to the genome of a glioblastoma cell line. A homozygous deletion was rapidly identified. We extended this technique to identifying the unique sequences in mRNA. Two CDC25 transgene fragments were quickly identified in a cdc25B transgenic mouse. We also applied this methodology to systems with profound differences in mRNA expression. In a 'prostate epithelia subtracting blood cells' DSC reaction, a sample of unique gene fragments which are absent in the prostate but present in the blood were identified. Lastly, we detected rare (1 virus/100 cells) Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) sequences in a tissue culture, indicating good sensitivity of this methodology. Overall, DSC represents a fast, efficient and sensitive method for identifying differences in genomic DNA and mRNA and can be easily applied in a variety of biological systems.
EXACT EXPONENTS FOR THE SPIN QUANTUM HALL TRANSITION

We consider the spin quantum Hall transition which may occur in disordered superconductors with unbroken SU(2) spin-rotation symmetry but broken time-reversal symmetry. Using supersymmetry, we map a model for this transition onto the two-dimensional percolation problem. The anisotropic limit is an sl(2|1) supersymmetric spin chain. The mapping gives exact values for critical exponents associated with disorder-averages of several observables in good agreement with recent numerical results.
Conservation in wheat high-molecular-weight glutenin gene promoter sequences: comparisons among loci and among alleles of the GLU-B1-1 locus

The high-molecular-weight glutenin (HMW) genes and encoded subunits are known to be critical for wheat quality characteristics and are among the best-studied cereal research subjects. Two lines of experiments were undertaken to further understand the structure and high expression levels of the HMW-glutenin gene promoters. Cross hybridizations of clones of the paralogous x-type and y-type HMW-glutenin genes to a complete set of six genes from a single cultivar showed that each type hybridizes best within that type. The extent of hybridization was relatively restricted to the coding and immediate flanking DNA sequences. Additional DNA sequences were determined for four published members of the HMW-glutenin gene family (encoding subunits Ax2*, Bx7, Dx5, and Dy10) and showed that the flanking DNA of the examined genes diverge at approximately −1200 bp 5′ to the start codon and 200–400 bp 3′ to the stop codon. These divergence sites may indicate the boundaries of sequences important in gene expression. In addition, promoter sequences were determined for alleles of the Bx gene (Glu-B1-1), a gene reported to show higher levels of expression than other HMW-glutenin genes and with variation among cultivars. The sequences of Bx promoters from three cultivars and one wild tetraploid wheat indicated that all Bx alleles had few differences and contained a duplicated portion of the promoter sequence “cereal-box” previously suspected as a factor in higher levels of expression. Thus, the “cereal-box” duplication preceeded the origin of hexaploid wheat, and provides no evidence to explain the variations in Bx subunit synthesis levels. One active Bx allele contained a 185-bp insertion that evidently resulted from a transposition event.
Gravity anomalies and granite emplacement in west-central Colorado

A major negative gravity anomaly with a minimum of —325 mgal and an amplitude of —70 mgal occurs in west-central Colorado between Aspen and Gunnison. The gravity minimum is closely associated spatially with Late Cretaceous to Oligocene granitic rocks and continues along the Colorado mineral belt to the northeast. Gradients indicate that the source of the negative anomaly is in the upper crust, but part of the negative anomaly is attributed to crustal thickening that is a result of isostatic compensation. The most plausible explanation for the negative gravity anomaly is that most of it is caused by a granite batholith 8 to 25 km thick and that the numerous granitic stocks in the area are protrusions from this batholith, so that the mineral belt occurs along the roof zone of the batholith. Although the stocks appear to have been emplaced primarily by stoping, the gravity effect of the sloped material must be at the base of the crust or dispersed, because the gravity effect is minimal. Temperatures in the lower crust may be high enough for the granite to have been formed by partial melting. The postulated batholith is a major crustal feature that cuts obliquely across many Laramide structural trends.
Responsive Medical Professionalism: Integrating Education, Practice, and Community in a Market-Driven Era.

Revolutionary changes in the nature and form of medical practice institutions are likely to reverberate backward into medical education as leaders of the new practice organizations demand that the educational mission be responsive to their needs, and as these demands are increasingly backed by market power. In the face of this pressure, medical education's traditional response--that it should have autonomy in defining its mission--is no longer viable. Instead, more explicit, formal, and systemic linkages between practice and educational institutions are inevitable. The crucial question is whether these linkages will reflect the values of the market, oriented by economic self-interest, or the values of medical professionalism, oriented by the obligation to sacrifice economic self-interest in the service of patients. The authors maintain that the realization of the normative ideal of professionalism in medical education within the emerging market environment requires that a vision be articulated that is distinct from that of either autonomy or the market, and that combined lay-professional institutions be established to integrate--and perhaps merge--education and practice, and to foster responsiveness to lay values and community needs. The authors conclude by briefly describing examples of current efforts in this direction.
Borderline personality symptomatology and legal charges related to drugs.

AbstractObjective. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with high lifetime prevalence rates of substance abuse as well as higher-than-expected rates of charges for various drug-related crimes and criminal behavior in general. However, whether criminal charges for assault and disorderly conduct are related specifically to drug misuse remains unknown — the focus of the present study. Methods. Using a cross-sectional sample and a self-report survey methodology among a sample of 237 consecutive internal medicine outpatients, we examined: (1) BPD symptomatology using two self-report measures and (2) five charges for illegal behaviors defined as related to drugs. Results. While there were no between-group differences with regard to drug-abuse violations (i.e., possession, sale, or use of illegal drugs), in participants with BPD symptomatology there was more probability to be charged with assault and disorderly conduct related to drug use as well as driving under the influence and drunkenness/publ...
Antagonism of bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity by the α-adrenoreceptor blocking agents phentolamine and idazoxan: Role of hypothermia

Abstract A recent study from our laboratory revealed that cotreating mice with the α-adrenoreceptor antagonists phentolamine and idazoxan markedly diminished bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity. Subsequent studies also revealed that such cotreatment does not alter the pharmacokinetic disposition of bromobenzene in mice nor its bioactivation to reactive metabolites. In the present study, the possible role of hypothermia in the phentolamine antagonism of bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. Bromobenzene alone caused a significant, dose-related hypothermia. The high dosage regimen (10 mg/kg per dose) of phentolamine or idazoxan that had been found to be hepatoprotective in earlier studies potentiated this hypothermia and more than doubled the net decrease in core body temperature experienced by the animals. Placing mice receiving bromobenzene in an environment with an ambient temperature of 10°C likewise increased the hypothermia experienced by animals receiving bromobenzene. The magnitude of the net change in core body temperature elicited by exposure to cold was similar to but slightly less than the net change produced by cotreatment with either α-adrenoreceptor antagonist and the magnitude of the hepatoprotection this procedure provided against bromobenzene hepatotoxicity was equivalent to that observed with phentolamine cotreatment. In contrast, a lower dosage regimen of either adrenoreceptor antagonist (2.5 mg/kg per dose) resulted in no additional hypothermia yet still produced a near maximal antagonism of bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity. Further, increasing the ambient temperature to 30°C completely reversed the phentolamine-induced (10 mg/kg per dose) increase in hypothermia, but did not affect phentolamine's antagonism of the bromobenzene-induced changes in hepatic glutathione levels, serum alanine aminotransferase activity, or 24-hr mortality. Therefore, we conclude that while the hepatoprotective intervention of phentolamine can be mimicked by an exposure to cold that results in hypothermia, it is clear that α-adrenergic antagonists diminish the hepatotoxicity induced by bromobenzene by a mechanism that is independent of hypothermia.
The invisible hand algorithm: solving the assignment problem with statistical physics

We propose a novel method for solving the assignment problem using techniques adapted from statistical physics. We derive a convex effective energy function whose unique minimum corresponds to the optimal assignment. Steepest descent results in a continuous-time dynamical system that is guaranteed to converge arbitrarily close to the optimal solution. Our algorithm has an appealing economic interpretation and has very interesting connections to the discrete auction algorithm proposed by Bertsekas. We also derive an alternative discrete algorithm for minimizing the effective energy based on a theorem by Sinkhorn.
Internet Use in the Bariatric Surgery Patient Population

Background: Many patients rely on the Internet for gathering medical information. Bariatric patients appear to explore the Internet for information regarding weight loss surgery. This investigation studied the hypothesis that Internet use is common among the bariatric population. Methods: From Oct 1 to Dec 31, 2003, every patient who visited our bariatric clinic was asked to fill out a questionnaire. This survey contained questions concerning use of the Internet and E-mail. Results: Of the 127 respondents, 89% owned a computer, had Internet access, and had an E-mail address. 85% of the patients had searched the Internet for bariatric information, and 98% of these patients (91/93) found the information useful. Of the patients who had access to the Internet, 36% searched for information about the hospital, 40% about the clinic, and 54% about the surgeon. Most of the patients believed that all doctors and all clinics should be available via E-mail (88% and 92% respectively). Conclusions: Most patients who come to a bariatric clinic are Internet savvy. It is helpful for bariatric surgeons and clinics to post information about themselves on the Internet and to be available via E-mail.
Understanding disparities in transplantation: Do social networks provide the missing clue?

Although the National Organ Transplant Act calls for equity in access to transplantation, scarcity and racial disparities persist. To date, even the most comprehensive models have been unable to adequately explain these racial disparities, leaving policymakers unsure how best to intervene. Previous individual-level analyses, which have implicated risk factors such as race, financial status, cultural beliefs, unemployment, lack of commitment to surgery and lack of continuous access to care, overlook contextual and social network exposures. Social networks present a compelling way to examine cumulative risk clustered across individuals. Social networks have been shown to influence health outcomes and health behaviors through various pathways, including shared social capital, engaging in similar or group risky behaviors, diffusion of information and adopting or propagating social norms. Precursors to chronic kidney disease, including obesity, have been shown to spread through social networks. Social network analysis can reveal shared risks between potential donors and recipients in a given network, clarifying the likelihood of finding an appropriate match through either direct donation or paired exchanges. This paper presents a novel application of social network analysis to transplantation, illustrating implications for disparities and future clinical interventions.
FDG-PET Detected Thyroid Incidentalomas: Need for Further Investigation?

Incidental thyroid abnormalities are increasingly detected in patients undergoing PET scans. The aim of this study was to review our experience with the management of PET detected thyroid incidentalomas in a large single institution series. All PET scans performed from May 2003 to July 2005 were reviewed and patients with incidental thyroid abnormalities were identified. From this group, patients that underwent further investigation were analyzed. Data relating to PET scan findings, FNA diagnoses, operative details, and histopathology was reviewed. In 8,800 patients, 16,300 PET scans were performed of whom 263 patients (2.9% of patients and 1.6% of PET scans) had findings positive for thyroid abnormality. Thyroid malignancy was noted in 42% (24 patients) of the 57 patients that underwent FNA. In the group of 27 patients that were subjected to operative intervention, 74% (20 patients) were noted to have a malignant diagnosis. The final histopathology revealed primary thyroid carcinoma in all these 20 patients (19 patients with papillary carcinoma and one patient with primary thyroid lymphoma). The factors that correlated with an increased risk of malignancy were the presence of physical finding (p = 0.01) and focal (p < 0.01) or unilateral uptake (p < 0.01) on PET scan. The average SUV was not useful in differentiating benign (9.2) from malignant lesions (8.2, p = 0.7). PET detected incidental thyroid abnormalities are rare. In patients with positive PET scan findings and suspicious features, the incidence of primary thyroid malignancy is very high. These patients warrant further investigation followed by possible operative intervention.