cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engineering Biomimetic Nanofiber Microspheres with Tailored Size, Predesigned Structure, and Desired Composition via Gas Bubble-Mediated Coaxial Electrospray.

Minimally invasive therapies avoiding surgical complexities evoke great interest in developing injectable biomedical devices. Herein, a versatile approach is reported for engineering injectable and biomimetic nanofiber microspheres (NMs) with tunable sizes, predesigned structures, and desired compositions via gas bubble-mediated coaxial electrospraying. The sizes and structures of NMs are controlled by adjusting processing parameters including air flow rate, applied voltage, distance, and spinneret configuration in the coaxial setup. Importantly, unlike the self-assembly method, this technique can be used to fabricate NMs from any material feasible for electrospinning or other nanofiber fabrication techniques. To demonstrate the versatility, open porous NMs are successfully fabricated that consist of various short nanofibers made of poly(e-caprolactone), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), gelatin, methacrylated gelatin, bioglass, and magneto-responsive polymer composites. Open porous NMs support human neural progenitor cell growth in 3D with a larger number and more neurites than nonporous NMs. Additionally, highly open porous NMs show faster cell infiltration and host tissue integration than nonporous NMs after subcutaneous injection to rats. Such a novel class of NMs holds great potential for many biomedical applications such as tissue filling, cell and drug delivery, and minimally invasive tissue regeneration.
The psychology behind video games during COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of Animal Crossing: New Horizons

With the emerging outbreak of a novel coronavirus, millions of people have been followed social distancing rules to self-quarantine at home. Given the continuation of this pandemic trend, people who have suffered from the anxiety of coronavirus and experienced social isolation their psychological well-being started to be concerned. During this time, one popular video game called “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” successfully get everyone's attention and led us to explore the psychology behind video games. On the one hand, New Horizons provides a dreamland for the players to temporally escape from the cruel reality with a risk of losing in escapism. On the other hand, the New Horizons world becomes a perfect social platform to keep social interaction with others to get rid of the loneliness.
An open-source parallel code for computing the spectral fractional Laplacian on 3D complex geometry domains

Abstract We present a spectral element algorithm and open-source code for computing the fractional Laplacian defined by the eigenfunction expansion on finite 2D/3D complex domains with both homogeneous and nonhomogeneous boundaries. We demonstrate the scalability of the spectral element algorithm on large clusters by constructing the fractional Laplacian based on computed eigenvalues and eigenfunctions using up to thousands of CPUs. To demonstrate the accuracy of this eigen-based approach for computing the factional Laplacian, we approximate the solutions of the fractional diffusion equation using the computed eigenvalues and eigenfunctions on a 2D quadrilateral, and on a 3D cubic and cylindrical domain, and compare the results with the contrived solutions to demonstrate fast convergence. Subsequently, we present simulation results for a fractional diffusion equation on a hand-shaped domain discretized with 3D hexahedra, as well as on a domain constructed from the Hanford site geometry corresponding to nonzero Dirichlet boundary conditions. Finally, we apply the algorithm to solve the surface quasi-geostrophic (SQG) equation on a 2D square with periodic boundaries. Simulation results demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency, and geometric flexibility of our algorithm and that our algorithm can capture the subtle dynamics of anomalous diffusion modeled by the fractional Laplacian on complex geometry domains. The included open-source code is the first of its kind. Program summary Program title: Nektarpp_EigenMM CPC Library link to program files: https://doi.org/10.17632/whtc75rj55.1 Developer’s repository link: https://github.com/paralab/Nektarpp_EigenMM Licensing provisions: MIT License Programming language: C/C++, MPI Nature of problem: An open-source parallel code for computing the spectral fractional Laplacian on 3D complex geometry domains. Solution method: A distributed, sparse, iterative algorithm is developed to solve an associated integer-order Laplace eigenvalue problem for use in computing approximate solutions to the fractional diffusion equation. Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: The code is implemented on CPUs with super-linear parallel efficiency at extreme scale.
Individual differences in negotiation: A relational process model:

Intuition suggests that individual differences should play an important role in negotiation performance, and yet empirical results have been relatively weak. Because negotiations are inherently dya...
The Effects of the State Prepaid Tuition Program on College Attainment

By locking in today’s tuition rate for future college attendance, the prepaid tuition program (PTP) is designed to encourage parents to invest in their children’s human capital. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the state PTP on college attainment by using data from the 2011–2013 American Community Survey. By exploiting cross-state variation in the timing of the implementation of the state PTP, I found that the program adoption was associated with a 0.7–1.0 percentage point increase in college enrollment rates and a 0.5–0.7 percentage point increase in college completion rates.
Nanoparticles and Their Impacts on Seed Germination

Seed germination as the initial phase of plant growth is considered to be the most sensitive stage of plant life cycle. This chapter describes the current knowledge about the effects of nanoparticles on seed germination. Studies have shown both positive and negative effects of nanoparticles on seed germination based on nanoparticle properties (metal or carbon-based, size, shape, and surface coating), nanoparticle concentration, growth media, and plant species. Toxic effect is induced by nanoparticles mostly through mechanisms such as lipid peroxidation, enzymes inactivation, protein deformation, metal ions toxicity, reactive oxygen species generation, and oxidative stress. In contrast, positive effects of nanoparticles observed mainly through induced the activities of α-amylase and protease enzymes, increased the total protein content in germinating seeds, and promoted water uptake inside the seed. However, till now, most studies are in lab or greenhouse condition, and little field experiment data is available on agricultural soil matrix, especially after interaction with different soil components. Systematic research is in urgent need to deepen the understanding of impact of nanoparticles on seed germination.
In vivo characterization of carbon dots–bone interactions: toward the development of bone-specific nanocarriers for drug delivery

Current treatments for osteoporosis and other bone degenerative diseases predominately rely on preventing further bone erosion rather than restoring bone mass, as the latter treatments can unintentionally trigger cancer development by undiscriminatingly promoting cell proliferation. One approach to circumvent this problem is through the development of novel chemical carriers to deliver drug agents specifically to bones. We have recently shown that carbon nanodots (C-dots) synthesized from carbon nanopowder can bind with high affinity and specificity to developing bones in the larval zebrafish. Larval bones, however, are physiologically different from adult bones in their growth, repair, and regeneration properties. Here we report that C-dots can bind to adult zebrafish bones and that this binding is highly specific to areas of appositional growth. C-dots deposition occurred within 30 minutes after delivery and was highly selective, with bones undergoing regeneration and repair showing higher levels of C-dots deposition than bones undergoing normal homeostatic turnover. Importantly, C-dots deposition did not interfere with bone regeneration or the animal's health. Together, our results establish C-dots as a potential novel vehicle for the targeted delivery of drugs to treat adult bone disease.
Assemblage Structure of Larval Fishes in Epipelagic and Mesopelagic Waters of the Northern Gulf of Mexico

The early life stages of fishes play a critical role in pelagic food webs and oceanic carbon cycling, yet little is known about the taxonomic composition and distribution of larval fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) below the epipelagic (130,000 ichthyoplankton specimens from depth-discrete plankton samples collected across 48 stations in the GOM during six cruises conducted in 2010 and 2011. We examined indices of abundance and diversity, and used a multivariate regression tree approach to model the relationship between larval fish assemblages and environmental conditions. The total abundance of larval fish followed a generally decreasing trend with increasing depth, and family-level richness and diversity were significantly higher in the epipelagic than mesopelagic and bathypelagic regions. Fourteen distinct assemblage groups were identified within the epipelagic, with depth, surface salinity, and season contributing to the major branches separating groups. Within the mesopelagic, seven distinct assemblage groups were identified and were largely explained by variation in depth, season, and surface temperature. Bathypelagic assemblages were poorly described by environmental conditions. The most common epipelagic assemblage groups were widely distributed across the GOM, as were all mesopelagic assemblage groups, suggesting limited horizontal structuring of GOM larval fishes. Of the mesopelagic-associated fish taxa, four dominant families (Myctophidae, Gonostomatidae, Sternoptychidae, Phosichthyidae) comprised the majority of the catch in both the epipelagic (63%) and combined mesopelagic and bathypelagic (97%) regions. Dufrene-Legendre indicator analysis confirmed that these dominant families were characteristic of epipelagic and mesopelagic assemblages; the larvae of less common mesopelagic-associated families largely identified with epipelagic assemblage groups. A lack of baseline data about the distribution patterns of early life stages of mesopelagic fishes in the GOM was apparent following the DWHOS, and these findings provide a valuable reference point in the face of future ecosystem stressors.
Historical Perspectives on Pandemic Cholera

This chapter provides an overview of the history of cholera to set the scene for understanding the epidemiology and surveillance of cholera since 1970. Accounts of the spread of pandemic cholera in the 19th century are largely summaries of apparent transfer from place to place by steamship. Before 1961, the El Tor biotype of V. cholerae O1 was known to cause cases and outbreaks of cholera-like disease, but it was not generally considered to have epidemic potential. It may be reasonable to consider the first six cholera pandemics as a single continuing pandemic, even though there is no bacteriologic proof that V. cholerae O1 of the classical biotype caused the first four pandemics as well as the fifth and sixth. First, the divisions between the six pandemics are indistinct, and it is not clear that they were separated by cholera-free intervals. Second, there is recent evidence that V. cholerae O1 can persist indefinitely as a free-living organism in some natural environments; pandemics 2 through 6 may have stemmed from organisms persisting in the environment in many countries as well as from small foci of human disease. Third, the seventh pandemic, caused by a different biotype, has persisted for 33 years, longer than any of the previous pandemics; it had explosive expansions in 1970 and 1991 that might have been considered new pandemics according to methods used to describe the first six pandemics. Finally, there may now be an eighth pandemic caused by V. cholerae of a different O group.
Topography and climate are more important drivers of long‐term, post‐fire vegetation assembly than time‐since‐fire in the Sonoran Desert, US

Questions Do abiotic environmental filters or time-since-fire (TSF) explain more variability in post-fire vegetation assembly? Do these influences vary between vegetation structure and composition, and across spatial scales? Location Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona, US. Methods We measured perennial vegetation in a chronosequence of 13 fires (8–33 yr TSF) spanning a broad regional gradient. The relative influence of environmental filters (topography and climate) and TSF were compared as predictors of long-term, post-fire vegetation assembly. Analyses considered different measures of vegetation structure (cover, height and density) and scales of community organization (species composition, structure and landscape). Results Species and growth form composition did not exhibit directional responses with increasing TSF, but sorted along abiotic gradients. Differences in vegetation cover and height between burned and unburned control areas were attributed primarily to gradients of topography and climate. In contrast, vegetation density initially increased in burned areas but declined to pre-burn levels with increasing TSF. The strongest predictors of landscape-scale recovery of vegetation cover, height and density were elevation, post-fire precipitation and average annual precipitation, respectively. Recovery of vegetation height was positively correlated with precipitation in the first year following fire, suggesting that abiotic conditions of the immediate post-fire environment may drive long-term variability in vegetation structure. Conclusions We find substantial evidence that environmental filters, rather than TSF, drive the majority of variability in long-term, post-fire vegetation assembly within the Sonoran Desert. Careful consideration of spatial variability in abiotic conditions may benefit post-fire vegetation modelling, as well as fire management and restoration strategies.
Parisian Journals and Journalists in the Late Restoration

Paris in the 1820’s was not only the cultural and political capital of France, it was also the major publishing center of Europe. Out of a metropolitan population of 816,000 in 1829, about thirty thousand persons made their living by the printing craft or by the writing, publication, or distribution of printed matter.1 It is, therefore, not surprising that some of the Restoration newspapers were among the larger business corporations of the time.
The acrosome reaction of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sperm. Ion requirements and movements.

Abstract The acrosome reaction of sperm of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, is accompanied by ion movements. When the reaction is induced by the addition of egg jelly to sperm suspended in sea water, there is an acid release and an uptake (or exchange) of calcium ions. Verapamil and D600, drugs which block Ca2+ channels, inhibit induction of the acrosome reaction, acid release, and 45Ca2+ uptake; this inhibition is reduced at higher concentrations of external Ca2+. Although acid release correlates temporally with extension of the acrosome filament, 45Ca2+ uptake continues after the acrosome reaction has been completed. Neither the acrosome reaction nor acid release is inhibited by cyanide, azide, dinitrophenol (DNP), or carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), whereas these metabolic inhibitors partially inhibit Ca2+ uptake. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) chloride, an inhibitor of delayed axonal potassium currents, inhibits the acrosome reaction. An increase in 86Rb+ permeability accompanies the acrosome reaction, suggesting that movement of K+ is an important effector of the reaction. In support of this, the acrosome reaction may be triggered with nigericin, an ionophore that catalyzes the electrically neutral exchange of K+ and H+ across membranes. Induction of the acrosome reaction with nigericin can occur with either Na+ or K+ as the predominant external monovalent cation, while with jelly it requires external Na+. With nigericin, there is a delay in acid release, Ca2+ uptake, and filament extension, all of which follow a transient proton uptake. Taken together, these data suggest that triggering of the acrosome reaction involves linked permeability changes for monovalent and divalent ions.
Processing of Knowledge about Automata

This chapter contains sections titled: Formulation of a Language Information Theory Extracting and Storing the Meaning of Sentences by Computer Knowledge Association Deductive Processes Inferences Exercises
SQUAMOUS AND ADENOID CYSTIC BASAL CELL CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX UTERI.

Abstract A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with predominance of adenoid cystic basal cell carcinoma is presented. It is believed that the existence of such a tumor may support the concept of a general epidermal developmental potential of the reserve cell-basal cell system of the cervix.
In Vitro Glutathione Supplementation Enhances Interleukin-2 Production and Mitogenic Response of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Young and Old Subjects

The effect of in vitro glutathione (GSH) supplementation on mitogenic response, interleukin-1, interleukin-2 and prostaglandin E2 production, and cellular GSH level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy young and old human subjects was studied. In vitro addition of GSH increased cellular GSH level (P < 0.001). Glutathione supplementation at concentrations between 2 to 10 mmol/L enhanced lymphocyte proliferation but at low concentrations (0.5 and 1 mmol/L) decreased mitogenic response. Glutathione-induced enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation due to phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A was greater in the PBMC from old subjects than in those from young subjects. At optimal concentration (5 mmol), GSH increased interleukin-2 production (P < 0.05) and decreased prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4 production (P < 0.01) in both age groups. Furthermore, decreased PBMC mitogenic response by in vitro addition of prostaglandin E2 was reversed by GSH supplementation. Glutathione did not have an effect on interleukin-1 production by PBMC from young subjects; however, GSH supplementation tended (P = 0.08) to increase interleukin-1 production by PBMC from old subjects. We conclude that GSH supplementation enhances T cell-mediated mitogenic response in young and old subjects. This effect is due at least in part to decreased eicosanoid production.
A Flexible Model of a CMOS Field Programmable Transistor Array Targeted for Hardware Evolution

This article focuses on the properties of a fine grained re-configurable transistor array currently under test at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This Field Programmable Transistor Array (FPTA) is integrated on a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chip. The FPTA has advantageous features for hardware evolutionary experiments when compared to programmable circuits with a coarse level of granularity. Although this programmable chip is configured at a transistor level, its architecture is flexible enough to implement standard analog and digital circuits' building blocks with a higher level of complexity. This model and a first set of evolutionary experiments have been recently introduced. Here, the objective is to further illustrate its flexibility and versatility for the implementation of a variety of circuits in comparison with other models of re-configurable circuits. New evolutionary experiments are also presented, serving as a basis for the authors to devise an improved model for the FPTA, to be fabricated in the near future.
Multimodal Self-Authoring Across Bi/Multilingual Educator and Student Learning Spaces

Drawing on sociocultural perspectives, this article illustrates the potential for extending figured worlds through cultural artifacts. Using thematic and multimodal analysis, the authors first compare how spaces of authoring were produced in two professional development settings: Proyecto Bilingue and Critical Education Studies. Following one educator from each of these settings into a classroom and into digital spaces respectively, the authors then compare the multimodal cultural artifacts—journey boxes and digital iJourneys—produced by their bi/multilingual students. The findings show the importance of producing spaces of authoring for identity negotiations and the role multimodal cultural artifacts play in embracing memories and lived experiences across figured worlds for both students and educators. Implications for teacher educators and bilingual teachers are discussed.
Conformally Back-Filled, Non-close-packed Inverse-Opal Photonic Crystals†

In this paper, we show that modification of PC-template topology by both heat treatment and multiple conformal infiltrations facilitates precise control and optimization of photonic-band properties. Static tuning is possible by precisely controlled backfilling of inverse opals to increase the filling fraction of dielectric material. [14] However, inverse opals have
Design of Swept Blade for Turbomachinery

To meet the needs of efficient turbine blade designs, CFD predictions of a complex 3D flow field in turbine blade passages have been incorporated in the design process during the last decade. Owing to the numerous advantages possessed by a 3-D CFD technology many industries already use a 3D blading technique in the design process of turbomachines. In addition, blade lean and sweep have been implemented to increase the blade row efficiency. Experimental studies have shown some advantages of these features. However, most of the experimental results were combined with other features together as well; thus making it difficult to determine the effects of individual superior features. The development of CFD techniques has made it possible to do three-dimensional turbulent flow analyses in a very short time. In this study, numerical studies are presented to demonstrate the sweep effects on a transonic compressor airfoil. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sweep effects without changing other compressor blade features; i.e. keeping the blade outflow angles and section shapes to be the same at design sections for all cases. Through this study the sweep effect in a transonic compressor rotor blade was tested. The results showed that the sweeps redistribute the flow reducing the secondary flow loss, depending on the baseline. It was shown that the forward sweep reduces the tip loading in terms of the static pressure coefficient.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Enalcyonium Carrikeri, a New Species of Lamippid Copepod From Alcyonium Carneum Agassiz in New England 1)

Description de Enalcyonium carrikeri, nouvelle espece de Copepode cyclopoide parasite d'un Octocoralliaire, Alcyonium carneum Agassiz, a New England, Etas-Unis. Ce Copepode se range dans la famille des Lamippidae.
Father-absent adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: A population at risk?☆

Abstract This study evaluated whether family structure is associated with the psychosocial functioning and physical health of adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Subjects were 30 intact families and 30 father-absent families. Adolescents and their mothers completed several self-report and observational instruments that assessed adolescent adherence to treatment, adolescents' and mothers' perceptions of maternal support and nonsupport of treatment, mothers' parental competence, and adolescent social competence. Metabolic control was determined by averaging the adolescent's hemoglobin A1c levels during the previous year. A 2 × 2 (Family Structure × Gender) analysis of variance was conducted on each dependent measure. The results showed that father-absent adolescents had better adherence to the IDDM treatment regimen, despite the fact that adolescents from intact families reported significantly more maternal support for treatment. In addition, single mothers reported relatively high parental competence; and statistical interaction effects indicated that single mothers of girls were more involved in the daily treatment of IDDM, consisting of both positive and negative interactions, than single mothers of boys. There were no between-groups differences for adolescents' metabolic control or social competence. Together, these findings suggested that the father-absent adolescents have adjusted very well to living with one parent and a chronic illness.
Stability of a rotating field generated mirror equilibrium

Abstract The stability of a plasma equilibrium generated by rotating magnetic fields is examined. It is found, that stability against curvature driven interchange modes can be achieved by rotating fields of moderate strength. The rotating fields can provide equivalent rotational transform as well.
IMAGING AND MEDICAL STAGING OF LUNG CANCER

Imaging studies play a key role in initial detection of thoracic malignancies, and also in staging, evaluation of response to treatment, and detection of recurrence. This article reviews standard imaging methods and presents some new imaging techniques, emphasizing their use in staging of thoracic malignancies. Currently, most imaging in oncology is anatomic in nature, and therefore not highly sensitive or specific. In the future, more functional imaging methods will complement and possibly replace current methods, allowing more rational care of patients with thoracic malignancies and sparing patients unnecessary or ineffective treatment. Even current imaging methods have had an impact on care of patients with lung cancer. Before 1960, up to half of patients at thoracotomy were found to have unresectable disease, whereas current data indicate over 90% of patients who go to surgery can have their disease resected. 33 This is partly due to improved surgical technique, but it also represents better selection of appropriate patients for surgery, based on improved preoperative imaging. A complete discussion of extrathoracic staging of lung cancer is beyond the scope of this article, which will focus on intrathoracic staging.
Targeted Overexpression of EZH2 in the Mammary Gland Disrupts Ductal Morphogenesis and Causes Epithelial Hyperplasia

The Polycomb group protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which has roles during development of numerous tissues, is a critical regulator of cell type identity. Overexpression of EZH2 has been detected in invasive breast carcinoma tissue samples and is observed in human breast tissue samples of morphologically normal lobules up to 12 years before the development of breast cancer. The function of EZH2 during preneoplastic progression in the mammary gland is unknown. To investigate the role of EZH2 in the mammary gland, we targeted the expression of EZH2 to mammary epithelial cells using the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat. EZH2 overexpression resulted in aberrant terminal end bud architecture. By the age of 4 months, 100% of female mouse mammary tumor virus-EZH2 virgin mice developed intraductal epithelial hyperplasia resembling the human counterpart accompanied by premature differentiation of ductal epithelial cells and up-regulation of the luminal marker GATA-3. In addition, remodeling of the mammary gland after parturition was impaired and EZH2 overexpression caused delayed involution. Mechanistically, we found that EZH2 physically interacts with β-catenin, inducing β-catenin nuclear accumulation in mammary epithelial cells and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The biological significance of these data to human hyperplasias is demonstrated by EZH2 up-regulation and colocalization with β-catenin in human intraductal epithelial hyperplasia, the earliest histologically identifiable precursor of breast carcinoma.
Thermodynamics of Ligand Binding to a Heterogeneous RNA Population in the Malachite Green Aptamer

The malachite green aptamer binds two closely related ligands, malachite green (MG) and tetramethylrosamine (TMR), with nearly equal affinity. The MG ligand consists of three phenyl rings emanating from a central carbon, while TMR has two of the three rings connected by an ether linkage. The binding pockets for MG and TMR in the aptamer, known from high-resolution structures, differ only in the conformation of a few nucleotides. Herein, we applied isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to compare the thermodynamics of binding of MG and TMR to the aptamer. Binding heat capacities were obtained from ITC titrations over the temperature range of 15–60 °C. Two temperature regimes were found for MG binding: one from 15 to 45 °C where MG bound with a large negative heat capacity and an apparent stoichiometry (n) of ∼0.4 and another from 50 to 60 °C where MG bound with a positive heat capacity and an n of ∼1.1. The binding of TMR, on the other hand, revealed only one temperature regime for binding, with a more mo...
DECREASED PROLACTIN SECRETION IN CHILDHOOD OBESITY (CO)

Reports in adults suggest impaired hypothalamic control of prolactin(PRL)secretion in massive obesity. We investigated 12 obese(O)pts(8females,4males;12±1.3 yrs,M±SE, all 100% above IBW and 7 control (C)subjects (4females,3males;13±l.lyrs; all had weight ages ≤ height ages)with IV Insulin(IVIT)and IV TRH(IVTT)tests Serial PRL,growth hormone(IRGH), insulin(IRI),blood sugar (BS),cortisol(F),glucagon(IRG),TSH,T4 T3,by RIA were obtained. O showed no differences from C in the basal and BS nadir, basal and peak IRG, F,and thyroid responses to both tests. Basal IRI levels were higher, 36±9.4 vs 10±2.3uU/ml, p<0.05;peak IRGH responses after IVIT were lower than in C, 6.1±1.1vs 12.7±3.7ng/ml, p<0.05. Whereas all C subjects had PRL responses to both tests,4/12 O pts had no response to IVIT.O had lower PRL at 30mins after IVIT,5.4±0.7 vs 12.9±3.7ng/ml, p<0.05,and lower PRL at 60min.after IVTT,9.9±1.7 vs 20.4±5.9ng/ml, p<0.05. Max PRL after IVTT was lower in 0 pts,9.9±2.0 vs 28.8±10.9, p<0.05.MaxPRLafterIVIT was lower in 0 pts,6.2±4.1 vs 28.9±18.3. No sex difference in PRL was noted with either test in both groups. Thus, blunted PRL secretion in CO suggests impaired hypothalamic function.
Functional significance of loops in the receptor binding domain of Bacillus thuringiensis CryIIIA delta-endotoxin.

Abstract Analysis of the three surface loops in domain II of Bacillus thuringiensis CryIIIA δ-endotoxin has been carried out to assess their role in receptor binding and toxicity. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to convert loop residues to alanine and the mutant proteins were analyzed for structural stability, toxicity to beetle larvae ( Tenebrio molitor ), binding to receptors on T. molitor brush border membrane vesicles (T m -BBMV) and insertion into BBMV, as measured by irreversible membrane receptor binding. This study demonstrates the functional significance of loops for binding and insertion. Alanine replacements in loop I resulted in disruption of receptor binding or structural instability. The double mutation, Y 350 A,Y 351 A, could be suppressed by replacing a nearby R 345 with alanine, and the resultant mutant protein also showed reduced receptor binding. Substitution of N 353 and D 354 in loop I with alanine residues caused the loss of binding ability and toxicity. A loop II double mutant, P 412 A,S 413 A, had no effect on binding or toxicity. A block mutation of loop III residues to alanine had the effect of reducing receptor binding while concomitantly increasing toxicity by 2.4-fold. We compared this up-mutant to wild-type toxin in each step of physiological processing of protoxin: solubility, proteolytic activation, and insertion into the T m -BBMV. The loop III block mutant showed increased membrane insertion, but was similar to wild-type toxin in other parameters. These results reveal that loop I and loop III in domain II of CryIIIA δ-endotoxin are involved in receptor binding. In addition, the direct correlation between toxicity and irreversible binding of the loop III block mutant (despite the indirect relationship to reversible binding) suggests that loop III may play a role in membrane insertion.
SU-FF-T-255: Hetergeneity Dose Calculation Accuracy in IMRT Using An Anthropomorphic Thorax Phantom

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of heterogeneity dose calculation algorithms from two commercial IMRTtreatment planning systems Methods and Materials: The Radiological Physics Center (RPC) anthropomorphic phantom was irradiated by 6MV photons on a Varian linear accelerator from treatment plans created on the Corvus and Pinnacle treatment planning systems (TPS). The phantom has with TLD located in the tumor,heart, and spinal‐cord and radiochromic film in three anatomical planes intersecting the tumor center and extending into the lung. Comparisons were made between each TPS calculation and measurement. Routine clinical procedures were followed and patient IMRT QA was performed on a homogeneous water phantom. Ion‐chamber measurements were compared to the calculated values and the calculated dose distributions were adjusted, accordingly. A re‐calculation by Pinnacle was made based on the MLC sequence files and monitor unit settings generated by Corvus, and compared to measurement. The Pinnacle recalculation of the Corvus beam definitions was performed for the anthropomorphic phantom and the QA water phantom deliveries. Criteria for the comparisons were per TG‐53. Results: The Pinnacle IMRT TPS predicted dose within 1% of the TLD value at the tumor center, while the Corvus IMRT TPS overestimated the dose by 5%. The radiochromic films show at least 96% of the region was in agreement at the ±5%/3mm criteria level when compared to the Pinnacle TPS regardless of which delivery parameters were used. The Corvus TPS predicted about 61% of the region met the criteria at a ±5%/3mm level. Conclusion: The Pinnacle IMRT superposition convolution dose calculation algorithm provided clinically acceptable results (±5%/3mm). The Corvus IMRT finite‐size pencil beam based algorithm with 1‐D correction overestimated the dose and failed to meet the ±5%/3mm criteria within a majority of the PTV and penumbra regions. This work was supported by PHS grant CA10953 and CA081647 awarded by NCI.
The role of costimulation in autoimmune demyelination.

Abstract Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a T cell-mediated, autoimmune disorder characterized by central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and demyelination, features reminiscent of the human disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition to the signal the encephalitogenic T cell receives through the T cell receptor (TCR), a second signal, termed costimulation, is required for complete T cell activation. The B7 family of cell surface molecules expressed on antigen presenting cells (APC) is capable of providing this second signal to T cells via two receptors, CD28 and CTLA-4. Our studies have shown that costimulation provided by B7 molecules to its ligand CD28 is important in the initiation of the autoimmune response in EAE. Further, it appears the costimulation provided by B7-1 is important in disease development, while B7-2 may play an important regulatory role. We and others later showed that B7/CTLA-4 interaction plays a critical role in down-regulating the immune response. Previous work has shown that activated T cells and T cells of a memory phenotype are less dependent on costimulation than naive T cells. T cells reactive with myelin components that are involved in the pathogenesis of EAE and possibly MS would be expected to have been activated as part of the disease process. Building upon our prior work in the EAE model, we have tested the hypothesis that myelin-reactive T cells, which are relevant to the pathogenesis of CNS inflammatory demyelination, can be distinguished from naive myelin-reactive T cells by a lack of dependence upon costimulation for activation and that the costimulatory requirements of these myelin-reactive T cells change during the course of disease. Our studies in the EAE model have also addressed the mechanisms of extrathymic (peripheral) T cell tolerance following intravenous (i.v.) administration of high dose antigen. It is believed that TCR signaling in the absence of costimulation is a vital component of peripheral tolerance mechanisms. However, recent evidence suggests that peripheral tolerance of antigen-specific T cells induced in vivo may require CTLA-4 engagement of the tolerized T cells. We have begun to examine the molecular mechanisms of tolerance induction following intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of myelin antigens in the EAE model and test the hypothesis that tolerance induction is dependent on the B7:CD28/CTLA-4 pathway. The results from our studies will enhance our understanding of the role that myelin-reactive T cells may play in the pathogenesis of MS. We have determined that MBP-reactive T cells in MS patients are less dependent upon CD28 costimulation than in normal controls, suggesting that these T cells were previously primed in vivo. Characterization of these CD28-independent myelin-specific T cells will have broad implications for a variety of immunologically based therapies in diseases such as MS.
Phonocardiographic and electrocardiographic studies in normal newborn infants

Abstract 1. 1. Simultaneous phonocardiograms and electrocardiograms were taken serially in 61 newborn infants, in order to study the relationship of the auscultatory findings to the electrocardiographic alterations known to occur during the first few days of life 2. 2. A second group of 19 infants was studied more intensively by phonocardiography, using tape recording methods, during the first 8 hours of life. 3. 3. Electrocardiograms during the first 72 hours of life showed: (a) tendency for peaking of the P waves to appear; (b) anteriorly directed ÂT which rapidly rotated to a posterior position; and (c) rightward ÂQRS which remained constant. 4. 4. Phonocardiograms in data derived from both groups showed: (a) an early systolic click appearing almost universally at birth but with diminishing frequency later—its timing averaged 39.7 msec. after the onset of the first sound; (b) a second systolic click in some subjects, averaging 63.9 msec. after the onset of the first sound; (c) narrowly split second sound at birth with a tendency to a wider split later (average 19.4 msec. at 6 to 8 hours of life); (d) transient low-intensity systolic murmurs noted in approximately one third of the infants. These were of three varieties: the most common type was a decrescendo murmur in the pulmonic area; less commonly seen were crescendo-decrescendo murmurs; and rarely (4 instances) the timing was in late systole. No diastolic murmur was seen. 5. 5. The probable relationship of the electrocardiographic and phonocardiographic findings to the alterations in circulation that occur at birth are discussed.
Interplay between the reactions to light and to gravity in Phycomyces.

Sporangiophores of Phycomyces do not grow directly towards a horizontal beam of light, but equilibrate at an angle of about 30° above the horizontal. After describing several related observations, this paper suggests that the dioptric properties of an obliquely illuminated cylindrical lens, illustrated by a dummy cell, as well as a negative geotropic response, play major roles in determining the direction of growth. The shift of the equilibrium direction of growth towards the vertical, or a purely geotropic response, over a tenfold range of very low intensities (around 106 quanta/cm2 sec., or 10-13watt/cm2) has been studied, and an action spectrum made, measuring the quantum fluxes producing a standard intermediate equilibrium direction of growth at different wavelengths. This may differ from the action spectra at higher intensities in lacking conspicuous maxima from 370 to 490 mµ. However, in the ultraviolet it parallels the other spectra, although without showing the much higher quantum efficiency of ultraviolet relative to visible light previously noted. Possible interpretations are discussed.
Feeding deterrency of some 4-hydroxycoumarins and related compounds: Relationship to host-plant resistance of alfalfa towards pea aphid ( Acyrthosiphon pisum )

A series of 3-acyl-4-hydroxycoumarins, structurally related to dicoumarol, as well as several alfalfa constituents including coumestrol were tested for their feeding deterrency towards the pea aphid. Feeding deterrency of the 3-acyl-4-hydroxycoumarins decreased as the size of the 3-acyl group increased.
A conserved siRNA-degrading RNase negatively regulates RNA interference in C. elegans

In many organisms, introducing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) causes the degradation of messenger RNA that is homologous to the trigger dsRNA--a process known as RNA interference. The dsRNA is cleaved into short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which hybridize to homologous mRNAs and induce their degradation. dsRNAs vary in their ability to trigger RNA interference: many mRNA-targeting dsRNAs show weak phenotypes, and nearly all mRNAs of the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system are refractory to RNA interference. C. elegans eri-1 was identified in a genetic screen for mutants with enhanced sensitivity to dsRNAs. Here we show that eri-1 encodes an evolutionarily conserved protein with domains homologous to nucleic-acid-binding and exonuclease proteins. After exposure to dsRNA or siRNAs, animals with eri-1 mutations accumulate more siRNAs than do wild-type animals. C. elegans ERI-1 and its human orthologue degrade siRNAs in vitro. In the nematode worm, ERI-1 is predominantly cytoplasmic and is expressed most highly in the gonad and a subset of neurons, suggesting that ERI-1 siRNase activity suppresses RNA interference more intensely in these tissues. Thus, ERI-1 is a negative regulator that may normally function to limit the duration, cell-type specificity or endogenous functions of RNA interference.
Shipboard Fluid System Diagnostic Indicators Using Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring

Field studies have demonstrated that it is possible to evaluate the state of many shipboard systems by analyzing the electrical power that is drawn by electromechanical actuators. This paper demonstrates how a device known as a non-intrusive load monitor (NILM) uses only electrical power data to detect several critical faults in shipboard fluid systems. Using the example of reverse-osmosis units installed aboard the US Coast Guard's Medium Endurance Cutters, it is shown that the NILM can provide ship's force with a highly reliable real-time system monitoring capability.
Phialemonium infection complicating chronic suppurative otitis media

Phialemonium infection in humans is rare. We report a 7-year-old healthy boy who presented with chronic otorrhea, which persisted despite adequate antibiotic therapy and four preservative tympanomastoidectomy operations. Following 3 years of intermittent topical antibiotic therapy, cultures eventually grew Phialemonium, which necessitated a more extensive operation, combined with systemic/topical anti-fungal agent to achieve clinical cure.
Changes in cat medullary neurone firing rates and synchrony following induction of respiratory long-term facilitation.

1. Long-term facilitation is a respiratory memory expressed as an increase in motor output lasting more than an hour. This change is induced by repeated hypoxia, stimulation of carotid chemoreceptors, or electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve or brainstem mid-line. The present work addressed the hypothesis that persistent changes in medullary respiratory neural networks contribute to long-term facilitation. 2. Carotid chemoreceptors were stimulated by close arterial injection of CO 2-saturated saline solution. Phrenic nerve efferent activity and up to 30 single medullary neurones were recorded simultaneously in nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) including the dorsal respiratory group (DRG), Botzinger-ventral respiratory group (Bot-VRG), and nucleus raphe obscurus of nine adult cats, anaesthetized, injected with a neuromuscular blocking agent, vagotomized and artificially ventilated. 3. The firing rates of 87 of 105 neurones (83 %) changed following induction of long-term facilitation. Nine of eleven DRG and Bot-VRG putative premotor inspiratory neurones had increased firing rates with long-term facilitation. Fourteen of twenty-one raphe obscurus neurones with control firing rates less than 4 Hz had significant long-term increases in activity. 4. Cross-correlogram analysis suggested that there were changes in effective connectivity of neuron pairs with long-term facilitation. Joint peristimulus time histograms and pattern detection methods used with ‘gravity’ analysis also detected changes in short time scale correlations associated with long-term facilitation. 5. The results suggest that changes in firing rates and synchrony of VRG and DRG premotor neurones and altered effective connectivity among other functionally antecedent elements of the medullary respiratory network contribute to the expression of long-term facilitation.
Alternative Luminal Activation Mechanisms for Paneth Cell α-Defensins

Paneth cell α-defensins mediate host defense and homeostasis at the intestinal mucosal surface. In mice, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7) converts inactive pro-α-defensins (proCrps) to bactericidal forms by proteolysis at specific proregion cleavage sites. MMP7(−/−) mice lack mature α-defensins in Paneth cells, accumulating unprocessed precursors for secretion. To test for activation of secreted pro-α-defensins by host and microbial proteinases in the absence of MMP7, we characterized colonic luminal α-defensins. Protein extracts of complete (organ plus luminal contents) ileum, cecum, and colon of MMP7-null and wild-type mice were analyzed by sequential gel permeation chromatography/acid-urea polyacrylamide gel analyses. Mature α-defensins were identified by N-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry and characterized in bactericidal assays. Abundance of specific bacterial groups was measured by qPCR using group specific 16 S rDNA primers. Intact, native α-defensins, N-terminally truncated α-defensins, and α-defensin variants with novel N termini due to alternative processing were identified in MMP7(−/−) cecum and colon, and proteinases of host and microbial origin catalyzed proCrp4 activation in vitro. Although Paneth cell α-defensin deficiency is associated with ileal microbiota alterations, the cecal and colonic microbiota of MMP7(−/−) and wild-type mice were not significantly different. Thus, despite the absence of MMP7, mature α-defensins are abundant in MMP7(−/−) cecum and colon due to luminal proteolytic activation by alternative host and microbial proteinases. MMP7(−/−) mice only lack processed α-defensins in the small intestine, and the model is not appropriate for studying effects of α-defensin deficiency in cecal or colonic infection or disease.
Next century challenges: data-centric networking for invisible computing: the Portolano project at the University of Washington

Computing and telecommunications are maturing, and the next century promises a shift away from technology-driven general-purpose devices. Instead, we will focus on the needs of consumers: easy-to-use, low-maintenance, portable, ubiquitous, and ultra-reliable task-specific devices. Such devices, although not as limited by computational speed or communication bandwidth, will instead be constrained by new limits on size, form-factor, and power consumption. Data that they generate will need to be injected into the Internet and find its way to the services to which the user has subscribed. This is not simply a problem of ad-hoc networking, but one that requires re-thinking our basic assumptions regarding network transactions and challenges us to develop entirely new models for distributed services. Network topologies will be intermittent and services will have to be discovered independently of user guidance. In fact, data transfers from user interfaces to services and back, will need to become invisible to the user and guided by the task rather than explicit commands. This paper outlines a vision of this future and identifies research problems that will require our attention in the areas of user interfaces, distributed services, and networking infrastructure.