cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current Screening and Surveillance Guidelines

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Average-risk individuals in the USA have an approximately 5 % lifetime risk of developing CRC and a 2–3 % risk of death from CRC. Screening for colonic neoplasms has the potential to reduce CRC-related incidence and mortality and time-trend data suggest that this potential is being realized. There are a variety of CRC screening options available, including stool-based tests (generally better at detecting cancer than precancerous lesions) and imaging modalities, which can detect cancerous and precancerous lesions (such as adenomas and sessile serrated polyps). This chapter first reviews the available evidence for each screening tool in the average-risk population and then compares and contrasts the screening recommendations put forth by the USA and international guidelines. Then, the evidence for CRC screening in high-risk populations, such as those with a family history of colonic neoplasm and those with familial CRC syndromes, is reviewed and finally, we review the evidence to support colonic surveillance in those found to have neoplasia (polyps and CRC) and also review published recommendations for surveillance.
Chapter 34 – Structure and Molecular Biology of the Calcitonin Receptor

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the structure and molecular biology of the calcitonin receptor (CTR). Calcitonin (CT) is a 32 amino acid peptide hormone that was originally identified as a hypocalcemic factor. CTR is a member of a subfamily of the seven transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptor superfamily termed GPCRII. The CTR is coupled to multiple signal transduction pathways through interaction with members of the heterotrimeric G protein family. Binding of CT to the CTR can stimulate activation of the adenylate cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase. A pathway through the G protein Gs; the phosphoinositide-dependent phospholipase C pathway, which results in both Ca2+ mobilization and protein kinase C activation via G proteins of the Gq family; and the phosphatidylcholine-dependent phospholipase D pathway, which also results in protein kinase C activation and can, under certain conditions, inhibit adenylate cyclase via the Gi subclass of G proteins. The coupling of the CTR to specific G proteins and activation of individual signal pathways are affected by the stage of the cell cycle. Cell lines stably transfected with CTRs have been used to gain further insights into the mechanisms, by which CT regulates cell proliferation. The CTR gene has a complex structural organization with several CTR protein isoforms derived from alternative splicing of transcripts from a single gene. These isoforms, which are functionally distinct in terms of ligand-binding specificity and/or signal transduction pathway utilization, are distributed both in a tissue- and in a species-specific pattern.
Clinical significance of the measurement of toxin level of community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Objective To assess the level and trend of community acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin after the infection of Mycoplasma pneumonia(MP), and evaluate the clinical characteristics, the level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) so as to find the association among these factors. Methods According to whether the child had wheezing symptoms, all the 63 children were divided into wheezing group (26 cases) and non-wheezing group (3 cases). The levels of CARDS toxin were respectively detected in the acute stage of MP infection, 3 and 6 months later after MP infection in different groups, moreover, IgE and IL-4 levels were monitored at the same time. Results (1)The mean level of IgE were (384.96±316.62)×103 IU/L and (87.32±66.32)×103 IU/L in wheezing group and non-wheezing group, respectively, and there was statistically significant difference (P<0.05). (2)The load of CARDS toxin in wheezing group and non-wheezing group were (1.87±0.62) Delta Rn and (1.15±0.48) Delta Rn in the stage of acute infection, respectively, and there was statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Nevertheless, differences between 2 groups after 3 months and 6 months were not significant.(3)In the acute stage, the level of CARDS toxin in the severe cases were higher than the mild cases[(2.37±0.37) Delta Rn vs (1.21±0.45) Delta Rn], and there was statistically significant difference (P<0.05). (4)IL-4 showed significant difference in the acute stage and 3 months later after acute infection between 2 groups, however, there were no difference between 2 groups after 6 months later.(5)The load of CARDS toxin showed no significant difference between 2 groups at 3 months [(0.96±0.35) vs. (0.99±0.40) Delta Rn, P=0.757] and 6 months [(0.67±0.20) vs. (0.69±0.32) Delta Rn, P=0.641] later after MP infection.(6)The children in wheezing group coughed for (24.89±7.04) days after acute infection and the last time for non-wheezing group was (16.46±4.79) days, and there was statistically significant difference(P=0.000). Conclusions The load of CARDS toxin decreased after acute MP infection and it was still detectable six months after onset in the blood.The level of CARDS toxin was associated with the cough and wheezing symptom and the severity of disease. Key words: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia; Community acquired respiratory distress syndrome; Toxin; Cough; Child
The Hybrid Delay: A New Approach for Nipple-sparing Mastectomy in Macromastia.

Background Patients with macromastia or breast ptosis can undergo a nipple-sparing mastectomy if their mastectomy flaps are delayed or if they are subjected to a breast reduction procedure and later undergo mastectomy. Methods In this report, we describe a new technique to combine these two approaches by initially performing a subtotal mastectomy through a Wise keyhole incision in combination with the retention of the nipple -areolar complex on an inferior pedicle flap. A tissue expander and an allograft are routinely placed during this first stage. At a second stage, the inferior pedicle tissue is removed and submitted for pathological examination at the same time as the tissue expander is removed and replaced with a silicone or saline implant or autologous flap. Results The Hybrid Delay procedure has been performed on three women (six breasts). Nipples were preserved in all patients. Final pathology did not reveal any cancer in the inferior pedicle preserved during the first procedure but removed and tested following the second. Conclusion By allowing the nipple to be safely transferred using the inferior pedicle flap, and then removing the inferior pedicle tissue during the subsequent reconstructive stage, women with macromastia and breast ptosis can be offered nipple-sparing mastectomy in the usual 2-stage reconstructive timing.
Gastrointestinal potassium binding in hemodialysis.

Hyperkalemia in patients on dialysis is associated with an increased mortality rate. Dietary restriction is often not effective and deprives patients of heart-healthy foods. Lowering the dialysate K+ concentration can potentially increase the risk of arrhythmias. In this commentary, we discuss the findings of Amdur et al., and the potential use for K+-binding drugs as a strategy to maintain plasma K+ concentrations within a narrow and normal range during the interdialytic and intradialytic intervals.
Exploratory Factor Analysis of the VB-MAPP: Support for the Interdependency of Elementary Verbal Operants

Competing viewpoints on the independency or interdependency of Skinner’s verbal operants have been discussed in the literature and with empirical support for both positions generated using single-case research methods. Our study provides support for the interdependency of the verbal operants using items contained in the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program as a measure of broader skill acquisition in each verbal operant category and across skill complexity levels. The result of an exploratory factor analysis conducted across 85 participants with autism suggested that items did yield factors consistent with the verbal operants, rather items appeared to cluster in terms of skill complexity producing a best-fit 2 factor model. Together with prior research showing untrained cross-operant transfers, results fail to support Skinner’s verbal behavior taxonomy distinguishing between the verbal operant categories as independent constructs, with implications for how behavior scientists and analysts describe language development and assess and treat language deficits of individuals with autism.
Developing the Minimum Dataset for the New Mexico Decedent Image Database

Background A minimum dataset (MDS) can be determined ad hoc by an investigator or small team; by a metadata expert; or by using a consensus method to take advantage of the global knowledge and expertise of a large group of experts. The first method is the most commonly applied. Objective Here, we describe a use of the third approach using a modified Delphi method to determine the optimal MDS for a dataset of full body computed tomography scans. The scans are of decedents whose deaths were investigated at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and constitute the New Mexico Decedent Image Database (NMDID). Methods The authors initiated the consensus process by suggesting 50 original variables to elicit expert reactions. Experts were recruited from a variety of scientific disciplines and from around the world. Three rounds of variable selection showed high rates of consensus. Results In total, 59 variables were selected, only 52% of which the original resource authors selected. Using a snowball method, a second set of experts was recruited to validate the variables chosen in the design phase. During the validation phase, no variables were selected for deletion. Conclusion NMDID is likely to remain more “future proof” than if a single metadata expert or only the original team of investigators designed the metadata.
Ultrasound features help identify patients who can undergo noninvasive management for suspected retained products of conception: a single institutional experience

To evaluate ultrasound (US) features associated with successful noninvasive management for suspected retained products of conception (RPOC). In this IRB-approved retrospective study, the radiology report database was queried for pelvic US with keywords of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and/or RPOC over a 2-year period. Follow-up exams, US exams without clinical follow-up, suboptimal image quality, and > 1 year from delivery or pregnancy termination were excluded. Charts were reviewed for clinical presentation and management. Two radiologists reviewed images for endometrial thickness, endometrial echogenicity, endometrial vascularity, and enhanced myometrial vascularity (EMV), as well as inner myometrial peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistive index (RI) where available. Features were assessed for associations with management approach, and test characteristics were calculated. Initial query yielded 196 exams, and 48 were excluded. A total of 148 patients were included. Mean age was 34.2 years (21–47), and mean time from delivery or pregnancy termination was 40.4 days (0–223). 81 (55%) underwent noninvasive management: 72 (48%) expectant and 9 (6%) medical. 67 (45%) underwent invasive management: 60 (41%) surgical and 7 (5%) uterine artery embolization. There was substantial inter-reader agreement for assessment of EMV (K = 0.78) and endometrial vascularity (K = 0.72). Thin endometrial stripe, avascular endometrium, and absence of EMV were associated with successful noninvasive management (p < 0.05). Thin endometrium (< 10 mm) had specificity (90%), PPV (88%), and likelihood ratio (5.91) in predicting successful noninvasive management. Endometrial thickness < 10 mm, avascular endometrium, and absence of EMV are the sonographic features associated with successful noninvasive management for PPH or suspected RPOC.
Application of Chitosan Microparticles against Human Norovirus.

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading causative agent of foodborne outbreaks and is associated with the second most prevalent cause of waterborne infections in the United States. The goal of this research was to investigate the antiviral activity of chitosan microparticles (CM) against HuNoV GII.4 Sydney and its cultivable surrogate, Tulane virus (TuV), in suspensions mimicking fecally-contaminated water. CM was prepared by crosslinking chitosan molecules with sodium sulfate, and then its anti-noroviral activity was assessed using infectivity assay on TuV and RT-qPCR on TuV and HuNoV. A 3% CM suspension in PBS (pH 7.2) showed binding to TuV particles but with a negligible impact on virus infectivity (p>0.05). TuV and HuNoV suspended in fecal suspensions showed a 1.5-log10 reduction in genomic copies per ml following a 10-min contact time (p<0.05). Despite the negligible impact on viral infectivity, CM moderately binds to virus particles and helps purify environmental water by removing infectious virus particles. In this study, TuV served as a suitable surrogate for HuNoV by showing a similar log10 reduction in fecal suspension. Overall, the outcomes of thisresearch highlight the potential application of CM as a novel, natural treatment to minimize the spread of water-transmitted viral pathogens.
Neutralization of heparin activity by neutrophil lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is a prominent component of neutrophil secondary granules, and its blood concentration is increased in certain inflammatory diseases. In contrast to the well-described biochemical characterization of lactoferrin as an iron-binding protein, its physiologic role in the regulation of inflammation and other host defense mechanisms is unclear. In this report, we provide evidence that lactoferrin has a potent heparin-neutralizing activity during thrombin inhibition by the serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) antithrombin and heparin co-factor II. Activated neutrophil supernatant, which contains lactoferrin and other heparin-binding proteins, could neutralize the heparin-dependent antithrombin-thrombin inhibition reaction. The addition of lactoferrin to plasma corrected the heparin-induced prolongation of blood plasma coagulation as measured by the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Treatment of whole blood with specific inflammatory mediators, fMLP, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) increased the concentration of both plasma lactoferrin and platelet factor 4 while inhibiting the blood anticoagulant activity of heparin as measured by the aPTT. These results suggest that the prothrombotic sequelae of some inflammatory processes may be partly due to various agonists that release neutrophil lactoferrin, which can then neutralize glycosaminoglycan-dependent serpin-thrombin inhibition reactions.
Genetic recombination in brome mosaic virus: effect of sequence and replication of RNA on accumulation of recombinants.

Abstract In order to facilitate the isolation of recombinants in brome mosaic virus, a series of duplication mutants with alterations in the RNA3 3' noncoding region has been engineered. The distribution of crossovers, which was observed to be dependent on the parental RNA3 sequence, supported the role of RNA structure in recombination. However, a negative correlation between replication of the parental RNA3 constructs and the accumulation of recombinant progeny confirmed the role of selection.
THE STANDARDIZATION AND INTERPRETATION OF SUBMAXIMAL AND MAXIMAL TESTS OF WORKING CAPACITY

IT IS generally agreed by work physiologists that the capacity to perform long continued physical work in a temperate environment is related to the capacity of the cardiovascular respiratory system to deliver oxygen to the muscles (the maximal oxygen intake). Since under carefully standardized conditions in selected homogeneous groups the pulse rate at submaximal levels of work is systematically related to the maximal oxygen intake, it follows that the capacity to perform physical work can be estimated from study of the pulse rate at [SEE FIG. 1. IN SOURCE PDF.] submaximal work levels. Work physiologists have employed for this purpose, the response of the pulse rate to a standard task or have measured the amount of work required to elevate the pulse rate to predetermined pulse levels. Work physiologists have been preoccupied with the estimation of the capacity to do physical work.
Regulating research: The problem of theorizing community on LambdaMOO

This article considers ongoing attempts to regulate or even ban research on LambdaMOO. Industry, private individuals, and research institutions have supported MOOs, or multi-user object-oriented worlds. The early research on MOOs by Pavel Curtis, who was one of the key designers, suggests that these systems are part of a research project and have been researched since they were originally designed. However, a group of MOOers have grown increasingly uncomfortable about the quotation of certain texts on web sites and academic journals and the potentially panoptic effect of research. Some of these practices have breached community conventions. Yet, such things as testing, invisibly watching, freely quoting characters, and ignoring certain rules have always been aspects of the system. The dispute over research ethics and the participation of varied researchers within this setting indicate that diverse values are represented among MOOers and different expectations exist about how the MOO might be a community. The term ``community'' and the presumption that online characters are people may have also incorrectly informed the research debate by making it seem that online settings provide immediate access onto spaces, bodies, and individuals. Many MOOers may believe that research threatens individuals and community. However, critical histories and analysis are needed in order to explain the system to new users and encourage alternative forms of development. Such work can only be produced if online systems are open to research and critique.
CASL: The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors

The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) is a DOE Energy Innovation Hub for modeling and simulation of nuclear reactors. It brings together an exceptionally capable team from national labs, industry and academia that will apply existing modeling and simulation capabilities and develop advanced capabilities to create a usable environment for predictive simulation of light water reactors (LWRs). This environment, designated as the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA), will incorporate science-based models, state-of-the-art numerical methods, modern computational science and engineering practices, and uncertainty quantification (UQ) and validation against data from operating pressurized water reactors (PWRs). It will couple state-of-the-art fuel performance, neutronics, thermal-hydraulics (T-H), and structural models with existing tools for systems and safety analysis and will be designed for implementation on both today's leadership-class computers and the advanced architecture platforms now under development by the DOE. CASL focuses on a set of challenge problems such as CRUD induced power shift and localized corrosion, grid-to-rod fretting fuel failures, pellet clad interaction, fuel assembly distortion, etc. that encompass the key phenomena limiting the performance of PWRs. It is expected that much of the capability developed will be applicable to other types of reactors. CASL's mission is to more » develop and apply modeling and simulation capabilities to address three critical areas of performance for nuclear power plants: (1) reduce capital and operating costs per unit energy by enabling power uprates and plant lifetime extension, (2) reduce nuclear waste volume generated by enabling higher fuel burnup, and (3) enhance nuclear safety by enabling high-fidelity predictive capability for component performance. « less
Behavioral associations of neuronal activity in the ventral tegmental area of the rat

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a central element in a system that mediates the reinforcing properties of natural stimuli (such as food), brain stimulation, and drugs of abuse. Although considerable effort has been applied to understanding how drugs of abuse influence this system, relatively little work has examined its function during conditioned reinforcement tasks in awake, behaving animals. In the present studies, bundles of four to eight microwire electrodes were chronically implanted in the VTA or prefrontal cortex (PFC) of male Wistar rats. Following recovery from surgery, simultaneous recordings from multiple single neurons and unit clusters were obtained in rats pressing a lever for a sucrose solution on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement. Consistent with the hypothesis that these neurons encode information related to motivation, most of the neurons in both VTA and PFC showed significant modulation of firing rate associated with one or more events occurring within the response/reinforcement cycle. These events included lever presses, onset and end of a tone signaling sucrose delivery, and onset and end of sucrose consumption. Significant decreases in firing rate were observed, coincident with onset of the tone and sucrose delivery, or with consumption. These decreases were sustained through the end of sucrose consumption. A number of neurons also discharged bursts of activity associated with individual lever presses. These findings provide a clear demonstration that VTA neuronal activity is modulated during motivated behavior. Similar information about events within the ongoing response/reinforcement cycle appears to be distributed through many neurons within the VTA, and may be mirrored in target structures such as PFC.
Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients with Cancer and Neutropenia

Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with prolonged neutropenia and in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. The degree and duration of neutropenia influence the risk of opportunistic fungal infections. Because Candida and Aspergillus species are the major causes of invasive fungal infections in neutropenic patients, the fungal section of the NCCN guidelines focus on these two pathogens. Effective prevention and therapy of invasive fungal pathogens is a priority in highly immunocompromised patients with cancer. Three strategies in preventing and treating patients at high risk for fungal infection will be considered: (1) prophylaxis; (2) empirical therapy; and (3) treatment for probable or proven fungal infection. In addition to more effective antifungal agents, growing interest has been noted in novel non-culture detection methods to facilitate early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections.
Adulteration of urine by "Urine Luck".

Background: In vitro adulterants are used to invalidate assays for urine drugs of abuse. The present study examined the effect of pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) found in the product “Urine Luck”. Methods: PCC was prepared and added to positive urine controls at concentrations of 0, 10, 50, and 100 g/L. The controls were assayed for methamphetamine, benzoylecgonine (BE), codeine and morphine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and phencyclidine (PCP) with the Emit II (Syva) and Abuscreen Online (Roche) immunoassays, and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Two tests were also developed to detect PCC in urine: a spot test to detect chromate ions using 10 g/L 1,5-diphenylcarbazide as the indicator, and a GC/MS assay for pyridine. We tested 150 samples submitted for routine urinalysis, compliance, and workplace drug testing for PCC, using these assays. Results: Response rates decreased at 100 g/L PCC for all Emit II drug assays and for the Abuscreen morphine and THC assays. In contrast, the Abuscreen amphetamine assay produced apparently higher results, and no effect was seen on the results for BE or PCP. The PCC did not affect the GC/MS recovery of methamphetamine, BE, PCP, or their deuterated internal standards, but decreased GC/MS recovery of the opiates at both intermediate (50 g/L) and high (100 g/L) PCC concentrations and apparent concentrations of THC and THC- d 3 at all PCC concentrations. Two of 50 samples submitted for workplace drug testing under chain-of-custody conditions were positive for PCC, whereas none of the remaining 100 specimens submitted for routine urinalysis or compliance drug testing were positive. Conclusions: PCC is an effective adulterant for urine drug testing of THC and opiates. Identification of PCC use can be accomplished with use of a spot test for the oxidant.
Conflict of Laws in Indonesia

Netherlands indies occupies a position somewhat unique in the sphere of colonial administration, or at least did so until its conquest by the Japanese. For one thing, it is not a dependency of the ‘mother country’ for it forms a component part, along with the Netherlands, Curacao and Surinam, of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As such its nationals are Dutch subjects and stand on an equal footing, legally, with the citizens of other sovereign nations. In the event of legal controversy involving a resident of the Netherlands Indies and a citizen of another nation, the principles of private international law, better known in this country as conflict of laws, come into play to determine what body of legal rules, which of the two legal systems shall be applied in the particular case. The position of the Indies with respect to Holland—or Curacao or Surinam—introduces another, somewhat different, aspect of conflict of laws. For interregional law, as it has been termed, does not involve diverse sovereignties but concerns controversies that arise between subjects of the same state, controversies that flow from the fact that Indies private law is not identical to that of the Netherlands.
Optimal auction design for agents with hard valuation problems

As traditional commerce moves on-line more business transactions will be mediated by software agents, and the ability of agent-mediated electronic marketplaces to efficiently allocate resources will be highly dependent on the complexity of the decision problems that agents face; determined in part by the structure of the marketplace, resource characteristics, and the nature of agents' local problems. We compare auction performance for agents that have hard local problems, and uncertain values for goods. Perhaps an agent must solve a hard optimization problem to value a good, or interact with a busy and expensive human expert. Although auction design cannot simplify the valuation problem itself, we show that good auction design can simplify meta-deliberation - providing incentives for the "right" agents to deliberate for the "right" amount of time. Empirical results for a particular cost-benefit model of deliberation show that an ascending-price auction will often support higher revenue and efficiency than other auction designs. The price provides agents with useful information about the value that other agents hold for the good.
Effects of aging on transient and sustained successful memory encoding activity

Event-related fMRI studies have investigated age-related changes in encoding by identifying greater activity for items that are later remembered than for those that are forgotten (difference in memory, or Dm). The present study used hybrid blocked/event-related analyses to distinguish between transient Dm versus sustained Dm. Dm was identified as parametric increases in encoding activity as a function of a combined subsequent memory/confidence scale. Dm was measured in each trial (transient activity) and in blocks of eight trials (sustained activity). Transient Dm analyses showed age-related reductions in the left hippocampus but increases in left prefrontal cortex (PFC). Sustained Dm analyses showed age-related reductions in right PFC, but no region showing increased activity in older adults. These findings suggests that during semantic classification older adults show less spontaneous hippocampal-mediated encoding processes, but greater PFC-mediated semantic processes. Additionally, the decline in sustained Dm in PFC may involve age-related deficits in sustained attention that impact encoding processes. The results underscore the importance of investigating aging effects on both transient and sustained neural activity.
Fatigue Crack Growth Life Prediction of an Extruded Thick-Walled Cylinder With Internal Axial Crack

The integrity of nearly all engineering structures is threatened by the presence of cracks. Structural failure occurs if a crack larger than a critical size exists. Although most well designed structures initially contain no critical cracks, subcritical cracks can grow to failure under fatigue loading, called fatigue crack propagation. Fatigue failure, that is, failure under repeated or cyclic loading, is a serious concern of engineering design. Under fatigue loading, the component may fail at a stress level that is far below its yield strength. The extruded materials are extensively used in chemical, food and nuclear industry and generally offer a unique combination of strength and freedom with regard to design solutions. During extrusion, material flow occurs in the direction of applied force and as a result microstructure changes. The process ultimately induces variation in the mechanical properties when tested along or across the extrusion direction. In present study, the fatigue crack propagation in a thick-walled cylinder is analyzed through detailed experimental work and finite element analysis and the fatigue crack growth life of the cylinder, with internal axial crack, has been predicted. Fatigue crack growth tests were conducted on middle tension, M(T), samples. The fatigue crack growth data of the cylinder is obtained in the transverse direction which experiences the maximum tensile stress (hoop stress). The tests were conducted at ambient temperature in air atmosphere. The data thus obtained include the fatigue crack growth and the SN curves. The fatigue crack growth life of the thick-walled cylinder has been predicted with ANSYS structural software. An ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) code has been written to simulate the crack growth process. The actual data obtained from the experimental work has been used for the simulation work.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Ecology: oceans under the macroscope.

Phytoplankton are marine algae that support all ocean life, so it is important to understand the processes that control their distribution, abundance and diversity. Macroecology offers a way to do so.
Intensive Exercise Training Suppresses Testosterone during Bed Rest

Spaceflight and prolonged bed rest (BR) alter plasma hormone levels inconsistently. This may be due, in part, to prescription of heavy exercise as a countermeasure for ameliorating the adverse effects of disuse. The initial project was to assess exercise programs to maintain aerobic performance and leg strength during BR. The present study evaluates the effect of BR and the performance of the prescribed exercise countermeasures on plasma steroid levels. In a 30-day BR study of male subjects, the efficacy of isotonic (ITE, n = 7) or isokinetic exercise (IKE, n = 7) training was evaluated in contrast to no exercise (n = 5). These exercise countermeasures protected aerobic performance and leg strength successfully. BR alone (no-exercise group) did not change steroidogenesis, as assessed by the plasma concentrations of cortisol, progesterone, aldosterone, and free (FT) and total testosterone (TT). In the exercise groups, both FT and TT were decreased (P < 0.05): FT during IKE from 24 +/- 1.7 to 18 +/- 2.0 pg/ml and during ITE from 21 +/- 1.5 to 18 +/- 1 pg/ml, and TT during IKE from 748 +/- 68 to 534 +/- 46 ng/dl and during ITE from 565 +/- 36 to 496 +/- 38 ng/dl. The effect of intensive exercise countermeasures on plasma testosterone was not associated with indexes of overtraining. The reduction in plasma testosterone associated with both the IKE and ITE countermeasures during BR supports our hypothesis that intensive exercise countermeasures may, in part, contribute to changes in plasma steroid concentrations during spaceflight.
Quantitation of base substitutions in eukaryotic 5S rRNA: Selection for the maintenance of RNA secondary structure

Eukaryotic 5S rRNA sequences from 34 diverse species were compared by the following method: (1) The sequences were aligned; (2) the positions of substitutions were located by comparison of all possible pairs of sequences; (3) the substitution sites were mapped to an assumed general base pairing model; and (4) the R-Y model of base stacking was used to study stacking pattern relationships in the structure. An analysis of the sequence and structure variability in each region of the molecule is presented. It was found that the degree of base substitution varies over a wide range, from absolute conservation to occurrence of over 90% of the possible observable substitutions. The substitutions are located primarily in stem regions of the 5S rRNA secondary structure. More than 88% of the substitutions in helical regions maintain base pairing. The disruptive substitutions are primarily located at the edges of helical regions, resulting in shortening of the helical regions and lengthening of the adjacent nonpaired regions. Base stacking patterns determined by the R-Y model are mapped onto the general secondary structure. Intrastrand and interstrand stacking could stabilize alternative coaxial structures and limit the conformational flexibility of nonpaired regions. Two short contiguous regions are 100% conserved in all species. This may reflect evolutionary constraints imposed at the DNA level by the requirement for binding of a 5S gene transcription initiation factor during gene expression.
Studies on the Regulation of Food Intake Using Rat Total Parenteral Nutrition as a Model

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is essential for maintaining the nutritional status of patients who are unable to eat sufficiently to meet their metabolic needs. However, TPN suppresses appetite and ultimately diminishes food intake. Theories concerning the role(s) of peripheral metabolites as signals, acting via the liver and the hypothalamus, for the metabolic control of food intake, have been put forward to explain the anorectic effect of TPN. In addition, it is postulated that changes in peripheral metabolites during TPN may be translated into changes in the levels of brain neurotransmitters known to decrease food intake. This review summarizes studies concerning the effect of TPN on food intake. These studies have involved: (1) characterizing the changes in feeding activity due to TPN; (2) investigating the involvement of the central nervous system; and (3) investigating the role of the periphery and its metabolites in the regulation of food intake during TPN. Some insight into the mechanism of action of TPN on food intake is provided.
Video Display Processor

The Video Display Processor (VDP)*, a single chip video display system, is presented in this paper. The VDP provides high resolution color pattern graphics in combination with object oriented graphics, for display on an ordinary television receiver or simple monitor.
Feed-forward neural networks

One critical aspect neural network designers face today is choosing an appropriate network size for a given application. Network size involves in the case of layered neural network architectures, the number of layers in a network, the number of nodes per layer, and the number of connections. Roughly speaking, a neural network implements a nonlinear mapping of u=G(x). The mapping function G is established during a training phase where the network learns to correctly associate input patterns x to output patterns u. Given a set of training examples (x, u), there is probably an infinite number of different size networks that can learn to map input patterns x into output patterns u. The question is, which network size is more appropriate for a given problem? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not always obvious. Many researchers agree that the quality of a solution found by a neural network depends strongly on the network size used. In general, network size affects network complexity, and learning time. It also affects the generalization capabilities of the network; that is, its ability-to produce accurate results on patterns outside its training set. >
Separation of polar compounds by solvating gas chromatography with carbon dioxide mobile phase

In this study, the separation of polar compounds in solvating gas chromatography (SGC) was investigated. Capillary columns (250 μm i.d.) packed with deactivated siliceous particles, including SE-54 encapsulated silica particles, diol-bonded silica particles, and polyethylenimine (PEI) coated particles, and nonsiliceous particles of styrene-divinylbenzene were used. Plar compounds that were used as test solutes included ketones, aldehydes esters, nitro-containing compounds, alcohols, phenols, fatty acids, and amines. It was found that capillary columns packed with SE-54 encapsulated particles were suitable for the separation of medium polar compounds, columns packed with diol bonded silica particles could be used for separation of strongly polar compounds such as fatty acids, and columns packed with PEI coated silica particles were suitable for the separation of basic compounds such as alkylamines under SGC conditions. Columns containing the polymeric particles could be used for the separation of medium polar compounds and weak bases, however, low column efficiency was observed. SGC was found to provide better separation of polar compounds than high pressure gas chromatography (HPGC). A sample of a peppermint oil was separated within 8 min under SGC conditions.
Gender assignment and gender identity in patients with ambiguous genitalia

Gender assignment, the process by which the sex of rearing in a newborn with ambiguous genitalia is decided, must be considered a psychosocial emergency. It is usually a multidisciplinary team effort carried out against time in terms of days, even hours . The goal cannot be simply regarded as restoring the normal anatomy or identifying a common link between genetic complement, gonadal tissue and external genitalia appearance, which in many situations is impossible . Instead, the main objective remains the rehabilitation of one of the most important aspects of a human life : its sexuality. If appropriate diagnosis and management is accomplished, those babies with ambiguous genitalia eventually should be able to enjoy a satisfactory sexual life . On the other hand, rearing the child in a sex discordant with anatomic and functional possibilities to achieve a normal, erotic, and coital performance may render life an ordeal . It usually takes several days to identify the disorder causing genital ambiguity. During those days, the child's family deserves special attention . It is important to avoid causing the parents more anguish and anxiety than they are already experiencing. By no means should the parents be told that the child has both sexes, "half boy-half girl ." This can lead to disastrous consequences for the patient. Rather they should be told that the child has a sex that is incompletely developed and has yet to be determined .
An Integrated Framework for Energy Pricing in Developing Countries

The importance of comprehensive energy planning is described, and an integrated approach to energy pricing is suggested. The 1970s have been characterized by increasing real costs of energy and fluctuations in relative fuel prices. Energy policymakers in developing countries face special difficulties, such as high levels of market distortion and shortages of foreign exchange. To combat these and related problems, a integrated pricing framework must begin with a clear statement of national objectives. Important linkages between the energy sector and the rest of the economy, as well as interactions between and within different energy subsectors, must be analyzed using shadow prices. This shadow pricing methodology must be the same as the one used to make investment decisions. The shadow pricing methodology relies upon a two-stage energy pricing structures. The first stage involves the determination of the shadow priced marginal opportunity cost of a given form of energy based on supply side considerations. In the second stage, the efficient price is adjusted to yield a realistic pricing structure that meets social subsidy considerations, sector financial requirements, andother practical constraints. 15 references.
Alternate Stable States and the Shape of the Lake Trophic Distribution

Ecological theory applied to small and shallow lakes suggests that water clarity and primary productivity may be bimodal, reflecting alternate stable states. This hypothesis was tested using remote sensing data. We used estimated Secchi disk transparency derived from reflected light measured by Landsat satellite photosensors. Lake trophic state indices (TSI) were estimated from the transparency estimates. Because alternate stable state theory is typically applied to productive lakes, we predicted that planktonic primary productivity would be especially bimodal in the small and shallow eutrophic lakes of southern Wisconsin. We found that overall, trophic state for over 8000 lakes in Wisconsin was multimodal (at least bimodal). Frequency distributions for lake size categories appeared to be distinctly bimodal. The largest and smallest lakes for all of Wisconsin had significantly bimodal curves, and southern (more productive) lakes had a more distinct multimodal curve than northern lakes. These results support the basic predictions of alternate stable state theory. The significantly trimodal distribution for southern lakes suggests that they may exist in more than just two alternate stable states.
Improved method for estimating water solubility from octanol/water partition coefficient

Water solubility is a critical property in risk assessments for chemicals, but measured values are often unavailable. The most practical approach to estimating solubility for diverse and complex structures involves regression against the logarithm of the octanol/water partition coefficient (log Kow). However, currently used equations were developed from relatively small training sets (200–300 compounds). Our objective was to upgrade log Kov-based methods by examining a much larger and diverse training set and, if possible, to improve estimation accuracy further by incorporating a series of simple correction factors. We also evaluated the contributions of melting temperature (Tm) and molecular weight (MW). Measured values of water solubility, log Kow and Tm (solids only) were available for all compounds in the training set (n = 1,450). The best equation for this dataset included log Kow, Tm, MW, and 12 correction factors as independent variables, with r2 = 0.970, SD = 0.409, ME = 0.313. Statistics for an independent validation set of 817 compounds were consistent with these results: r2 = 0.902, SD = 0.615, ME = 0.480. We found that Tm contributed significantly to estimation accuracy for solids; addition of MW also increased accuracy; measured values of log Kow and Tm produced more accurate solubility estimates than did estimated values; and the new method outperformed other widely used general-purpose equations based on log Kow.
The synthesis of methionine by enzymic transmethylation I. Purification and properties of thetin homocysteine methylpherase

Abstract 1. 1. Thetin homocysteine methylpherase from horse liver has been obtained in essentially homogeneous form as indicated by electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal analysis. The specific activity of the pure enzyme is 100 times greater than that of crude liver extracts. 2. 2. The formation of methionine appears to be irreversible. 3. 3. Of various substrates tested, only homocysteine serves as a methyl acceptor. The D -isomer is methylated at 1/30th the rate of the L -isomer, but with a racemic mixture, only L -homocysteine reacts. The specificity towards methyl donors is not as strict, and several thetins and betaine are effective. 4. 4. No evidence was obtained for the participation of cofactors or metallic cations in the reaction. 5. 5. The enzyme is obtained in a partially polymerized state and dissociates into the constituent monomeric units when treated with mercaptans.
61.5L: Late‐News Paper: Extremely Long Lived White Phosphorescent Organic Light Emitting Device with Minimum Organic Materials

A non-stacked white phosphorescent organic light emitting device with 6 organic materials is demonstrated with extremely long lifetime of LT50 >200,000 hrs from 1,000 nits initial luminance. At 1,000 nits without enhanced outcoupling, EQE = 15.3% (32.4 cd/A), operating voltage = 6.3 V, power efficacy = 16.1 lm/W (30 lm/W with outcoupling enhancement), and CIE (0.45, 0.46).
Specular effects of Shuttle Orbiter radiators on a typical payload

Analyses performed to determine the Space Shuttle's payload bay thermal environment generally consider all external surfaces of the Orbiter and its payload to reflect energy diffusely. However, the Orbiter's active thermal control system (ATCS) radiators util ize highly specular silverized Teflon on their outer surfaces. This study considers solar energy specularly reflected from these radiators on a typical deployed payload which extends outside the paySoad bay envelope. Parameters investigated include the degree of specularity of the radiators and the solar inclination angle with respect to the radiators. Comparisons are made between payload environmental heat flux levels assuming both diffuse and specular radiators.
Self-organized criticality

We show that certain extended dissipative dynamical systems naturally evolve into a critical state, with no characteristic time or length scales. The temporal ``fingerprint'' of the self-organized critical state is the presence of flicker noise or 1/f noise; its spatial signature is the emergence of scale-invariant (fractal) structure.
Self-focus and estimation of heart rate following physical exertion

A study investigated the hypothesis that highly self-attentive persons would be more accurate in estimating their heart rates than would less self-attentive persons. Subjects’ heart rates were elevated by approximately 60 bpm by physical exercise. Subjects then estimated their heart rates at 30-sec intervals, as they returned to their preexercise baselines. Estimates were compared with subjects’ actual heart rates. The study failed to yield support for the hypothesis being tested. Discussion centers on possible reasons for this failure.
Calcified pelvic mass in a 75-year-old woman

consistent with a uterine fibroid, although other possibilities could not be excluded. A second mass was identified in the right side of the anatomic pelvis. This mass was heterogeneous and created a great deal of posterior shadowing. Computed tomography (CT) scanning of the abdomen and pelvis (Fig. 2) showed a large mass rising out of the central pelvis with lower attenuation in the centrum of the mass, suggestive of a uterine fibroid with central necrosis. With soft-tissue windows, the second mass was confused with the contrast-filled colon. However, the bone window CT scan (Fig. 3) clearly demonstrated an irregularly shaped calcific mass more or less rounded superiorly, irregular centrally, and with linear