cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extrapolation of C(T) Specimen J-R Curves

In many structural flaw evaluations, frequently it is necessary to predict the maximum load where a ductile tearing failure mode is expected. In such a calculation, large ductile crack growth needs to be accounted for to predict the maximum load, especially for large structures and/or lower toughness materials. One difficulty in such an evaluation is that the amount of crack growth obtainable in C(T) specimens that can be machined from the material (e.g., from a pipe) is relatively small. Because of this, it is necessary to extrapolate the J-R curves to the larger amount of crack growth. No generally accepted method exists for such extrapolations. This paper discusses methods used to evaluate J-R curves extrapolation techniques. As part of this study, several materials were evaluated using C(T) specimens of various sizes but with the same thickness. This is frequently the case for piping, whereas for a pressure vessel or other heavy-wall structure the specimens will frequently not even be the same thickness as the structure. The results in this study showed more geometry effects with the J M -R curve than expected.
Spinal cord α-synuclein deposition associated with myoclonus in patients with MSA-C.

Objective To test the hypothesis that myoclonus in patients with multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C) is associated with a heavier burden of α-synuclein deposition in the motor regions of the spinal cord, we compared the degree of α-synuclein deposition in spinal cords of 3 patients with MSA-C with myoclonus and 3 without myoclonus. Methods All human tissue was obtained by the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Pathology with support from and according to neuropathology guidelines of the Massachusetts Alzheimer9s Disease Research Center. Tissue was stained with Luxol fast blue and hematoxylin & eosin for morphologic evaluation, and with a mouse monoclonal antibody to α-synuclein and Vectastain DAB kit. Images of the spinal cord sections were digitized using a 10× objective lens. Grayscale versions of these images were transferred to ImageJ software for quantitative analysis of 8 different regions of interest (ROIs) in the spinal cord: dorsal column, anterior white column, left and right dorsal horns, left and right anterior horns, and left and right lateral corticospinal tracts. A mixed-effect, multiple linear regression model was constructed to determine if patients with and without myoclonus had significantly different distributions of α-synuclein deposition across the various ROIs. Results Patients with myoclonus had more α-synuclein in the anterior horns (p Conclusions In MSA-C, myoclonus appears to be associated with a higher burden of α-synuclein deposition within spinal cord motor regions. Future studies with more patients will be needed to confirm these findings.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of potent novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ indole partial agonists.

Abstract Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor important for glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. The anti-diabetic drugs thiazolidinediones improve insulin sensitivity by blocking PPARγ phosphorylation at S273; however, their full agonism on PPARγ also causes significant unwanted side effects. The indole derivative UHC1 displays insulin-sensitizing effect by acting as a partial agonist through the inhibition of PPARγ S273 phosphorylation, but without full agonist-associated side effects; however, its potency leaves much to be desired. Herein we report the design and synthesis of potent indole analogs as partial PPARγ agonists via the structure-activity relationship studies. Our studies revealed that vanillylamine and piperonyl benzylamine at Site 1 are favored to bind PPARγ with either biphenyl or 3-trifluoromethyl benzyl group at Site 2. In particular, compound WO91A with vanillylamine at Site 1 displays highly potent PPARγ binding affinity (IC50 = 16.7 nM), over 30-fold more potent than the parental compound UHC1, yet with less side effect-associated transactivation activity.
Honor in International Relations

Since Russia has reemerged as a global power, its foreign policies have come under close scrutiny. In Russia and theWest from Alexander to Putin, Andrei P. Tsygankov identifies honor as the key concept by which Russia’s international relations are determined. He argues that Russia’s interests in acquiring power, security, and welfare are filtered through this cultural belief and that different conceptions of honor provide an organizing framework that produces policies of cooperation, defensiveness, and assertiveness in relation to the West. Using ten case studies spanning a period from the early nineteenth century to the present day – including the Holy Alliance, the Triple Entente, and the Russia–Georgia war – Tsygankov’s theory suggests that when Russia perceives its sense of honor to be recognized, it cooperates with the Western nations; without such a recognition it pursues independent policies either defensively or assertively.
The utility of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation for preclinical characterization of nanomedicines

Dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) are staples of nanoparticle characterization for size distribution, shape/morphology, and composition, respectively. These techniques are simple and provide important details on sample characteristics. However, DLS and TEM are routinely done in batch-mode, while RP-HPLC affords separation of components within the entire sample population, regardless of sample polydispersity. While batch-mode analysis is informative and should be a first-step analysis for any material, it may not be ideal for polydisperse formulations, such as many nanomedicines. Herein, we describe the utility of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) as a useful tool for a more thorough understanding of these inherently polydisperse materials. AF4 was coupled with in-line DLS for an enhanced separation and resolution of various size populations in a nanomaterial. Additionally, the various size populations were collected for offline analysis by TEM for an assessment of different shape populations, or RP-HPLC to provide a compositional analysis of each individual size population. This technique was also extended to assess nanoparticle stability, i.e., drug release, both in buffer and physiologically relevant matrix, as well as qualitatively evaluate the protein binding capacity of nanomedicines. Overall, AF4 is proven to be a very versatile technique and can provide a wealth of information on a material's polydispersity and stability. Moreover, the ability to conduct analysis in physiological matrices provides an advantage that many other routine analytical techniques do not. Graphical Abstract.
The Women’s Project: Educating Women in Rural Nicaragua About Gender and Violence:

Programs and policies addressing gendered violence in impoverished rural areas in developing countries face a number of challenges: high rates of intimate partner violence, low reporting rates, cul...
Chloe: Flexible, Efficient Data Provenance and Management

1 Abstract Reproducible and sharable research requires robust data provenance during and after the experimental process. Each laboratory and experiment has its own goals and methods, and these change frequently. Planning, managing, and collecting data from research crops are particularly labor-intensive tasks, given the tightly compressed time schedule and the operating environments. Moving from a lab’s present record-keeping approach to an electronic ecosystem that improves provenance is an additional burden for groups without dedicated, consistent computational support to make that transition and then to adapt the system as needed. This high barrier to entry and the press of field work makes it easy to postpone “computerizing”. I have developed Chloe to reduce manual effort during experiments and maintain data provenance. A flexible, modular system, Chloe integrates simple equipment, data collection strategies, and software into workflows. The design lets one use parts without deploying the whole. This reduces the barriers to entry while still improving workflow efficiency and making Chloe accessible to a wide range of users. I offer guidance on ways to adapt Chloe to one’s own experimental situation. Chloe has been tested and refined with many changes of students, hardware, and experimental goals over the last fourteen years. Though originally designed for maize genetics and computational experiments, Chloe can accommodate other types of experiments, wetbench work, and other crops.
An inducible CRISPR-interference library for genetic interrogation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae biology

Genome-scale CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is widely utilized to study cellular processes in a variety of organisms. Despite its dominance as a model eukaryote, a genome-wide CRISPRi library, optimized for targeting the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome, has not been presented to date. We have generated a comprehensive, inducible CRISPRi library, based on spacer design rules optimized for yeast. We have validated this library for genome-wide interrogation of gene function across a variety of applications, including accurate discovery of haploinsufficient genes and identification of enzymatic and regulatory genes involved in adenine and arginine biosynthesis. The comprehensive nature of the library also revealed parameters for optimal transcriptional repression, including upstream distance, nucleosomal occupancy, and strand bias. CRISPRi screens, using this library can identify genes and pathways with high precision and low false discovery rate across a variety of experimental conditions, enabling rapid and reliable genome-wide assessment of gene function and genetic interactions in S.cerevisiae.
Nonexchange alignment: a meiotic process revealed by a synthetic meiotic mutant of Drosophila melanogaster.

mei-S51 is a meiotic mutant of Drosophila melanogaster having the following properties: 1. mei-S51 consists of two recessive genes, located near the centromere regions of the second and third chromosomes, which are both required for the expression of the mutant phenotype. Salivary analysis reveals normal structures for both the second and third chromosomes. 2. mei-S51 has no effect in males but in females it causes a uniform decrease in X chromosome exchange, second chromosome exchange between c and bw, and increased nondisjunction of all chromosomes. Both of these effects appear to result from a defect prior to both exchange and disjunction, rather than one being the cause of the other. 3. Nondisjunction in mei-S51 females having a normal sex chromosome complement is the result of nonhomologous pairing as is the greatly increased nondisjunction found for XXY; mei-S51 females. This nondisjunction is not competitive with exchange; that is, exchange occurs as frequently between the X chromosomes of XXY females as those of XX females in spite of a greatly increased frequency of X chromosome nondisjunction in the former. 4. There is a pronounced increase in the frequency of nondisjunction in both XX and XXY; mei-S51 females if the X chromosomes are heterozygous for the inversion, In(1)dl49, although heterozygosity for In(1)dl49 causes-only a slight increase in nondisjunction in mei-S51+ (normal) XX females. 5. It appears unlikely that, in all instances of nonhomologous pairing, both chromosomes of each bivalent pair nonhomologously. Rather, in many instances one chromosome pairs with a nonhomolog and the other two elements are distributed at random and without loss to the poles. 6. In XX; mei-S51 females, nonhomologous pairing of the fourth chromosomes occurs exclusively with the X chromosomes, implying that the specificity of nonhomologous pairing (perhaps the size recognition mechanism demonstrated by Grell) is not affected by mei-S51.
Breaking Down the “Coatlicue State” to See a Self:

Marginalized queers have experienced the “Coatlicue State” (Anzaldua, 2012). Seeing and being seen in front of the public are painful to us. We feel ashamed due to stereotypes placed by heteronormativity and heterosexism. In this small space, I hope to accomplish one simple thing: break down different layers of shame to ask for understanding and empathy. I write this piece to embrace us—queer marginalized voices—in schools and in academia. This dialogue will thus open doors to discussions inside and outside of a “circle”. The suggestion at the end of this article hopes to touch on insiders and outsiders of this circle. Los queers marginados han experimentado “la Herencia de Coatlicue” (Anzaldua, 2012). Nos duele ver y ser visto frente al publico. Nos sentimos avergonzados debido a los estereotipos producidos por la heteronormatividad y heterosexismo. En este pequeno espacio espero lograr una cosa muy sencilla: deconstruir las diferentes capas de verguenza para hacer una llamada al entendimiento y la empatia. Escribo este articulo para que sean acogidas las voces marginadas queer en la escuela y la academia. Por lo tanto, este dialogo abre puertas a conversaciones dentro y fuera de un “circulo”. Con la sugerencia al final de este articulo, se espera abordar a las personas cuyas identidades se ubican adentro o afuera de este circulo.
Conspecific chemical cues facilitate mate trailing by invasive Argentine black and white tegus

Squamate reptiles (snakes and lizards) rely on chemical cues from conspecifics to search the environment for potential mates. How such cues are used by invasive species to facilitate reproduction, especially seasonally, is a key question that can inform management practices. The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) is an invasive reptile species in south Florida threatening native fauna in biodiverse regions such as Everglades National Park. While some information exists on the reproductive ecology of this species in its native range in South America, the chemical ecology of S. merianae is unclear especially in its invasive range. By testing both male (n = 7) and female (n = 7) tegus in a Y-maze apparatus, we assessed if either sex follows chemical trails left by conspecifics and if behaviors were sex- or season-specific. We conducted three types of trials where conspecifics created odor trails: Male-only (male scent only in base and one arm of Y), Female-only, and Male vs. female. Males did not preferentially follow scent trails from either sex, but they did differentially investigate conspecific scent from both sexes. Seasonally, males showed increased rates of chemosensory sampling (rates of tongue-flicking) during the spring (breeding season; March-May) compared to fall (non-breeding season; September-November). Males also had reduced turning and pausing behavior while trailing in the spring. Female tegus exhibited stronger conspecific trailing abilities than males, following both male and female scent trails, and they explored the maze less before making an arm choice. Females also investigated the scent trails intensely compared to males (more passes in scented arms, more time with scent trails). Our results demonstrate for the first time that females of an invasive reptile species can follow conspecific scent trails. Given the strong female responses to odor, sex-specific targeting of tegus via application of a conspecific chemical cue in traps could enhance removal rates of females during the breeding season.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF MASTICATORY MUSCLE PAIN AND DYSFUNCTION

SUMMARY Numerous conditions that can cause pain and/or symptoms of masticatory dysfunction have been presented. Many of the primary and secondary conditions discussed are frequently encountered by most oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Other conditions such as the neuromuscular disorders are encountered less often. Regardless of the frequency, those who choose to examine and treat TMD and facial pain conditions must have an understanding of these conditions and consider them when establishing a final diagnosis. Successful treatment does not always validate a correct diagnosis, and unsuccessful treatment does not always imply an incorrect diagnosis. These just emphasize the limitations of our therapeutic modalities and the varied responses of our patients.
Online Reward-Based Training of Spiking Central Pattern Generator for Hexapod Locomotion

Online learning in legged robot under stringent performance and energy constraints thwarts the application of conventional reinforcement learning and optimization algorithms. The integration of complex sensors and data pre-processing required in using these algorithms makes this more challenging. Spiking neural networks allow local learning and low computing power opening new possibilities neuromorphic paradigm to such tasks. Central pattern generation based learning to walk in hexapod robots perfectly matches the temporal learning in SNNs allowing end-to-end learning. We propose a stochastic reinforcement-based algorithm allowing the hexapod to learn using the reward generated by the gyro sensors and camera-based visual inputs. The system is implemented on a Raspberry pi to demonstrate convergence to bio-observed gait patterns.
Incorporating use phase chemical leaching and water quality testing for life cycle toxicity assessment of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) piping

Abstract Life cycle assessment (LCA) is increasingly being considered in material selection decisions for residential drinking water piping, but chemical leaching during the use phase has typically been excluded, even though the delivery of safe water is the core function of water distribution infrastructure. We have quantified the contribution of leached organics to life cycle human toxicity of piping materials through the integration of empirical leaching data within LCA. Eight cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe brands were examined. Upstream emissions from PEX pipe production were combined with empirical total organic carbon (TOC) data from leaching tests for new pipes. The total mass of organic contaminants ingested over the pipe's lifetime was estimated by fitting leaching data with kinetic models and integrating leaching concentrations and daily water use over time, rather than using an initial concentration that does not accurately depict actual lifetime exposures. Potential human toxicity from use phase ingestion was evaluated using a range of human effect factors from the consensus USEtox model to create plausible bounds of toxicity through different exposure and effect scenarios. New non-carcinogenic human toxicological effect factors were derived for approximately half of the 62 leached organic compounds identified. Results indicate that potential human toxicity from upstream pipe production generally exceeds use phase toxicity, but that leached contaminants can be a substantial contributor to overall life cycle toxicity, depending on the PEX brand, particularly for carcinogenic effects. Deleterious effects can be reduced both by thorough system flushing after initial installation and periods of stagnation, but also through improvements in manufacturing processes that reduce upstream emissions. The bounding approach demonstrates a viable method for considering water quality in LCA when comprehensive characterization and concentration data are not available.
Intrinsic Mechanical Properties of Individual Biogenic Mineral Units in Biomineralized Skeletons.

A bioinspired study on replicating the superior damage tolerance of bioceramic composites requires a detailed understanding of the intrinsic properties of biogenic mineral units. Here, we investiga...
Development of an electronic conversation aid to support shared decision making for children with acute otitis media.

Objective The overuse of antibiotics for acute otitis media (AOM) in children is a healthcare quality issue in part arising from conflicting parent and physician understanding of the risks and benefits of antibiotics for AOM. Our objective was to develop a conversation aid that supports shared decision making (SDM) with parents of children who are diagnosed with non-severe AOM in the acute care setting. Materials and methods We developed a web-based encounter tool following a human-centered design approach that includes active collaboration with parents, clinicians, and designers using literature review, observations of clinical encounters, parental and clinician surveys, and interviews. Insights from these processes informed the iterative creation of prototypes that were reviewed and field-tested in patient encounters. Results The ear pain conversation aid includes five sections: (1) A home page that opens the discussion on the etiologies of AOM; (2) the various options available for AOM management; (3) a pictograph of the impact of antibiotic therapy on pain control; (4) a pictograph of complication rates with and without antibiotics; and (5) a summary page on management choices. This open-access, web-based tool is located at www.earpaindecisionaid.org. Conclusions We collaboratively developed an evidence-based conversation aid to facilitate SDM for AOM. This decision aid has the potential to improve parental medical knowledge of AOM, physician/parent communication, and possibly decrease the overuse of antibiotics for this condition.
Direct Democracy and the Courts

Who should have the last word on fundamental policy issues? This book analyzes the rise of two contenders - the people, through direct democracy, and the courts. Now available in nearly half the states, direct democracy has surged in recent decades. Through ballot measures, voters have slashed taxes, mandated government spending, imposed term limits on elected officials, enacted campaign finance reform, barred affirmative action, banned same-sex marriage, and adopted many other controversial laws. In several states, citizens now bypass legislatures to make the most important policy decisions. However, the 'people's rule' is not absolute. This book demonstrates that courts have used an expanding power of judicial review to invalidate citizen-enacted laws at remarkably high rates. The resulting conflict between the people and the courts threatens to produce a popular backlash against judges and raises profound questions about the proper scope of popular sovereignty and judicial power in a constitutional system.
Identification and Characterization of the Expression Profile of Oligodendrocyte-Derived and Associated Proteins via Unilateral X-Irradation of the Rat Optic Nerve

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE EXPRESSION PROFILE OF OLIGODENDROCYTE-DERIVED AND ASSOCIATED PROTEINS VIA UNILATERAL X-IRRADATION OF THE RAT OPTIC NERVE Nicholas Withrow Greco, MSG, MS A thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Anatomy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2005 Raymond J. Colello, D.Phil., Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology Recent studies examining cell-cell interactions during CNS development and following disease or trauma have highlighted our limited understanding of the in vivo functions of the myelinating cell of the CNS, the oligodendrocyte. With this in mind, our laboratory has developed techniques by which a profile of proteins derived from or regulated by oligodendrocytes can be elucidated. Specifically, we have demonstrated that oligodendrocytes can be selectively eliminated from one optic nerve of a rat by treating the animal with a unilateral exposure of X-irradiation at the time of birth. Consequently, this approach allowed us to experimentally create, within the same animal, one optic nerve devoid of oligodendrocytes and their progenitors (the Xirradiated side) and one optic nerve containing the normal oligodendrocyte population (the untreated side). Using this experimental animal model we hypothesized that uncharacterized proteins, derived from and regulated by oligodendrocytes, which are crucial for CNS development can be identified. Specifically, by comparing protein profiles found within the normal myelinating optic nerve versus the X-irradiated optic nerve, where oligodendrocytes are absent, potential oligodendrocyte-derived proteins can be quickly identified. Further verification that these proteins are indeed related to oligodendrocytes and/or the processes of myelination can be obtained by their reappearance in the 2-D gel protein profile of P28 X-irradiated nerves that, as we have shown previously, undergo a delayed myelination. We then employed mass spectrometric analysis to determine the identities of oligodendrocyte derivedregulated proteins. In this thesis, I will begin by describing our current knowledge of the proteins expressed by oligodendrocytes and their role(s) in oligodendrocyte function. This will be followed by a detailed description of the experimental model system we utilized in an attempt to elucidate the complete repertoire of oligodendrocyte-regulated proteins. We will then describe the results generated fiom our methodology and discuss the implications of our findings in relation to the functional cooperation between oligodendrocytes and other cells of the developing central nervous system. The results generated fiom this project should lead to a clearer understanding of the role of oligodendrocytes and'of the array of proteins whose expression patterns are associated with these cells during CNS development.
Assessing Sustainability Knowledge of a Student Population: Developing a Tool to Measure Knowledge in the Environmental, Economic, and Social Domains

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to present a tool for assessing the sustainability knowledge of an undergraduate population. Design/methodology/approach – Multiple-choice questions were developed through soliciting expert input, focus groups, pilot testing, distribution via a large-scale online survey and analysis using item response theory. Findings – The final assessment consists of 16 questions from the environmental, economic and social domains, covering foundational concepts within the topic of sustainability. Research limitations/implications – This assessment represents an initial effort to quantify knowledge of the broad and abstract concept of sustainability. The authors plan to continue refining these questions to better differentiate between students with higher levels of knowledge and to replace those with answers that may change over time. Practical implications – With knowledge of sustainability concepts becoming increasingly included in institution-wide learning objectives, there i...
Controlling Attacks of Rogue Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to Improve Pedagogical Activities in Mobile Collaborative Learning (MCL) Environment

Mobile collaborative learning (MCL) is extremely recognized as focusing archetype in educational institutions. It demonstrates cerebral synergy of assorted collective minds. It handles several problems in order to motivate social activity for mutual communication. To advance and promote baseline for MCL; several supporting frameworks, architectures including number of different mobile applications have been introduced. But, no one has mainly focused to augment the security of those architectures. The paper handles issues of rogue DHCP server that highly affects network resources during MCL. The rogue DHCP is illegal server that issues the fake IP address to users for sniffing the legal traffic. This contribution specially targets the malicuius attacks that weaken the security of mobile supported collaborative framework (MSCF). The paper introduces multi-frame signature-cum anomaly-based intrusion detection system (MSAIDS) that blocks an unlawful behavior of rogue DHCP server. This novel security method emphasize confidence of users and secures also� network from illegitimate interference of rogue DHCP server. Finally, paper confirms scheme through simulations. The simulations comrises of testbed, ns2 and discrete simulation.
Comparing the landscape level perceptual abilities of forest sciurids in fragmented agricultural landscapes

Perceptual range is the maximum distance from which an animal can perceive the presence of remote landscape elements such as patches of habitat. Such perceptual abilities are of interest because they influence the probability that an animal will successfully disperse to a new patch in a landscape. Furthermore, understanding how perceptual range differs between species may help to explain differential species sensitivity to patch isolation. The objective of this research was to assess the perceptual range of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), and fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in fragmented agricultural landscapes. Animals were captured in remote woodlots and translocated to unfamiliar agricultural fields. There they were released at different distances from a woodlot and their movements towards or away from the woodlot were used to assess their ability to perceive forested habitat. Observed perceptual ranges of approximately 120 m for chipmunks, 300m for gray squirrels, and 400 m for fox squirrels, suggest that differences in landscape-level perceptual abilities may influence the occurrence of these species in isolated habitat patches.
Modulation of testosterone-metabolizing hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzymes in developing Sprague-Dawley rats following in utero exposure to p,p'-DDE.

1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) causes sexual developmental aberrations in male rats through a likely mechanism of androgen receptor antagonism. DDE is also known to induce liver cytochrome P-450 (CYP). The expression of CYP enzymes is regulated by steroid hormones, which, in turn, are inactivated in the liver by CYP-catalyzed hydroxylations and subsequent conjugations. This study was undertaken to examine the potential of in utero DDE exposure to affect the developmental expression of the hepatic CYP enzymes that are responsible for testosterone hydroxylations. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed daily by gavage with DDE at 0, 10, or 100 mg/kg body weight or with flutamide at 40 mg/kg body weight from gestation day 14 to 18. Additional adult male rats were given seven daily doses of DDE at 100 mg/kg. Liver samples were collected from the offspring of the dosed dams on postnatal days (PND) 10 and 21 and from the adult rats a day after the last dosing. Assays for regioselective and sterospecific testosterone hydroxylase activities were performed using hepatic microsomal preparations. Specific liver CYP proteins were detected by immunoblotting. While the CYP2B1 and 3A1 and their hydroxylated testosterone products were highly elevated by the DDE treatments in both adult and developing rats, the responses of 2C11 and 2A1 were development-dependent. The flutamide treatment had little effect on CYP enzyme expression. This study demonstrated that developing offspring rats are susceptible to the hepatic CYP enzyme-modulating action of DDE following its administration to the pregnant dams.
Halo formation in eutectic alloy systems

Halo formation was studied in several faceted-nonfaceted and faceted-faceted eutectic systems. Ascribing halo formation to the amount of thermal, under cooling of the secondary phase in the presence of a primary phase is shown incorrect. Rather it is proposed that halo formation is due to growth rate phenomena of the phases involved.
Validation of volume delivery with the use of heliox in mechanical ventilation

Using a mixture of helium and oxygen (heliox) while mechanically ventilating patients to relieve lower airway obstruction is commonly practiced in intensive care units. The use of heliox with commercially available mechanical ventilators is usually accomplished by connecting the heliox mixture to the air inlet of the ventilator. Since most ventilators do not compensate for the difference in gas densities, particular attention to the delivered tidal volume (V T ) is required. We utilized a commercially available mechanical ventilator with an internal blending system that is capable of delivering heliox instead of medical air. It identifies and compensates for the gas mixture, theoretically enhancing stability in delivered and monitored parameters. Intubated, sedated male domestic pigs (n = 7) were ventilated with a mechanical ventilator equipped with an internal heliox blending system utilizing pressure assist control, pressure regulated volume control, and pressure support ventilation modes. Accuracy of volume delivery was assessed by comparing delivered V T measured at the patient wye using the variable orifice flow sensor connected to the ventilator and a heated 0-35 L/min pneumotachograph that was calibrated for flow, pressure, and volume, with a 0.80/0.20 heliox mix and 0.50 oxygen. A paired t-test was utilized with a P < 0.05. Pigs mean weight 9.0 ± 0.9 kg. Mean exhaled tidal volume for all modes and was 66 ± 16 mL. When comparing all modes for the 0.50 oxygen to the heliox mix, we found that exhaled tidal volume % difference increased when using heliox ( P ≤ 0.037). This study confirms that clinicians should be vigilant in monitoring delivered V T using a commercially available ventilator equipped with an internal heliox blending system. Accuracy of delivered V T can vary greatly with the use of heliox in this system, as well as other configurations.
Nucleotide sequence of the Salmonella typhimurium mutB gene, the homolog of Escherichia coli mutY.

Abstract The mutB gene of Salmonella typhimurium is involved in a methylation-independent repair pathway specific for A/G or A/C mismatches and is the homolog of the Escherichia coli mutY gene. The mutB gene of S. typhimurium was cloned and sequenced. The isolated mutB clone reduced the mutation rate of the mutB mutant to wild-type levels and also restored A/G mismatch-specific nicking activity, which is defective in mutB extracts. The amino acid sequence encoded by the mutB gene is 91% homologous to that encoded by the E. coli mutY gene.
Outcomes in Patients Having Vitreous Presentation During Cataract Surgery Who Lack Capsular Support for a Nonsutured PC IOL

Purpose The study's purpose was to determine the effect that lack of capsular support for a nonsutured posterior chamber (PC) intraocular lens IOL has on 1-year postoperative vision in patients suffering vitreous presentation (VP) during extracapsular cataract surgery. Design The study was a prospective, long-term clinical trial. Methods The study was conducted at 19 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Patients having VP during cataract surgery with sufficient capsular support for a nonsutured PC IOL were randomized to receive either a PC IOL (230 patients) or an anterior chamber (AC) IOL (208 patients). Patients having insufficient capsular support (ICS) for a nonsutured PC IOL (143 patients) were prospectively followed in the same fashion. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 year was obtained by a masked, certified examiner. Results The ICS group had considerably fewer patients with BCVA of 20/40 or better at 1 year ( P P = .04) for having fewer patients than the randomized AC IOL group (66.7% vs 79.0%). The ICS group had significantly poorer rating of vision at 1 year by study raters, and the patients themselves than either of the randomized VP groups. Conclusions The lack of capsular support for the placement of a nonsutured PC IOL after VP during extracapsular cataract surgery or the severity of the complication of VP associated with lack of capsular support would appear to cause visual problems beyond that related to the type of intraocular lens implanted.
Iron-catalyzed allylic alkylation

Abstract Diiron nonacarbonyl has been found to promote the catalytic coupling of allylic acetates with malonate ion in good yields. Preliminary results on the regioselectivity of these reactions argue against a mechanism involving direct nucleophilic attack on either (η3-allyl)Fe(CO)4+ or (η2-allyl acetate)Fe(CO)4 complexes.
The Role of Intracellular pH Changes in Heat Sensitization by Procaine

Although it has been known for many years that procaine sensitizes cells markedly to hyperthermia, the mechanism by which this occurs is not yet understood. The recent finding in our laboratory that procaine caused an intracellular acidification following heating prompted further studies using carboxy-SNARF-1 to measure the intracellular pH of cells during heating. We found that procaine actually causes an intracellular alkalinization during heating and the intracellular pH is lowered immediately after the extracellular procaine is removed. These results suggest that procaine causes acid loading analogous to ammonium chloride $({\rm NH}_{4}{\rm Cl})$ loading. Sensitization could not be attributed entirely to this acid shock, since a comparable acid shock with NH4 Cl loading following heating caused only a slight sensitization compared to procaine. Heated cells acidified with NH4 Cl loading recovered rapidly from the low intracellular pH, whereas the cells acidified with procaine loadi...
Line Scanning Flow Measurements

We are developing a new technique to measure flow of micron scale particles using laser scanning. This technique will also detect complex flow patterns, identify stationary particles and determine particle size. In this method, a laser beam is raster scanned over an area containing a flowing liquid. Particles in the liquid scatter the laser. Detailed information about the flow can be obtained from analyzing the fluctuations in this scattered radiation.Detailed flow information, such as can be provided by this technique, is valuable in medical applications. Blood cells can serve as the particles that scatter lights and the laser scanning can be applied to surgically exposed blood vessels in a patient or in a animal model. The information available with this method can help study or monitor conditions such as sickle cell anemia in which abnormal blood cells do not move smoothly through blood vessels or become stuck. It can also be used to study the formation of atheromatous plaques. One factor in the creation of these plaques on artery walls is the accumulation of platelets and leukocytes. Understanding what prevents blood cells from flowing normally and what causes them to accumulate would be a significant improvement in our understanding of vascular disease.This work was supported by the National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health (PHS 5 P41-RR003155).
Health, Moralization, and Negotiating Judgment in Two Evangelical Ministries

Evangelical Christian weight loss programs and ex-gay ministries both rely on religious categories in moralizing the issues they address; homosexuality and over-eating are both depicted as sinful. Yet these programs are also concerned about the social judgment fat people and gay people face and see themselves as places where that judgment is suspended in the pursuit of change. Through a qualitative analysis of the discourse of “health” as used by these groups, this paper argues that both ministries turn toward the seemingly neutral but in fact highly morally charged language of health in an effort to alleviate the tension between the condemnation inherent in the languages of sin and the desire to offer a respite from, and a limited critique of, the judgment their members experience.
Laminar Organization of Geniculostriate Projections

The types of laminar segregation of neuronal classes found in the lateral geniculate nucleus (GL) of mammals are almost as varied as the groups themselves which exhibit lamination. This essay deals with the question of whether, in spite of the differences in which classes are segregated by layer in different species, one rule might apply to the laminar distribution of projections from the GL to the striate cortex. Until recently, the weight of experimental evidence suggested that the laminar or sublaminar distribution of such projections was organized so as to segregate functional classes (i.e. W, X, Y, on center, off center). While this model appears to be consistent with the organization of geniculostriate projections in many species (especially primates), recent studies on species other than primates suggest that the laminar distribution of geniculostriate projections is not based on a segregation of functional classes per se, but on the segregation of projections from whole GL layers (or layer pairs) including all of their constituent cell classes.
CP violation in B0−B0 mixing

A parameter ϵB for the B0 system analogous to ϵ for theK0 system is defined. Recent information on the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix yields the conclusion that, if the KM matrix explains CP violation, |;ϵB| is probably of order unity. The measurement of ϵB requires a class of experiments first analyzed by Bigi and Sanda involving relatively rare exclusive decay channels.
Gene Expression Patterns in Bone Following Mechanical Loading

The advent of high-throughput measurements of gene expression and bioinformatics analysis methods offers new ways to study gene expression patterns. The primary goal of this study was to determine the time sequence for gene expression in a bone subjected to mechanical loading during key periods of the bone-formation process, including expression of matrix-related genes, the appearance of active osteoblasts, and bone desensitization. A standard model for bone loading was employed in which the right forelimb was loaded axially for 3 minutes per day, whereas the left forearm served as a nonloaded contralateral control. We evaluated loading-induced gene expression over a time course of 4 hours to 32 days after the first loading session. Six distinct time-dependent patterns of gene expression were identified over the time course and were categorized into three primary clusters: genes upregulated early in the time course, genes upregulated during matrix formation, and genes downregulated during matrix formation. Genes then were grouped based on function and/or signaling pathways. Many gene groups known to be important in loading-induced bone formation were identified within the clusters, including AP-1-related genes in the early-response cluster, matrix-related genes in the upregulated gene clusters, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitors in the downregulated gene clusters. Several novel gene groups were identified as well, including chemokine-related genes, which were upregulated early but downregulated later in the time course; solute carrier genes, which were both upregulated and downregulated; and muscle-related genes, which were primarily downregulated. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Optical Absorption in HgTe and HgCdTe

Absorption and reflectivity near the fundamental absorption edge have been measured in the HgTe-CdTe alloy series for CdTe concentrations of up to 28%. In the HgTe rich region, the edge shifts to longer wave-lengths with decreasing temperature. For HgTe, the absorption rises to 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{4}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}=0.6$ eV. Absorption did not decrease below 1.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{3}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at room temperature. The theory of optical absorption in zincblende compounds is reviewed. Absorption in this alloy series agrees with theory for direct transitions with an energy-independent matrix element evaluated by Kane for InSb. Analysis of reflectivity in HgTe indicates an electron effective mass of $0.02m$ at 100\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C.
Oral slough caused by dentifrice detergents and aggravated by drugs with antisialic activity

A unusual type of oral desquamation appeared as grayish-white gelatinous membranes on the floor of the mouth, lips, vestibules, and gingiva in a 50-year-old woman. The painless desquamation was caused by synthetic dentifrice detergents (foaming agents) and was exacerbated by the patient's use of drugs with antisialic action.
Meat as a bad habit: A case for positive feedback in consumption preferences leading to lock-in

Abstract The concepts of path dependence and lock-in have received growing acceptance but have generally been thought of as driven by positive feedback on the supply side of the economy. A case through example is made here of how endogenous preferences positive feedback in utility from consumption, social considerations, and institutional considerations can all lead to path dependence and the persistence of suboptimal consumption choices. The case here specifically relates to meat consumption and utilizes behavioral, institutional, as well as neoclassical approaches to justify the conclusion. It is argued that increased meat consumption, which at one time may have had positive value, has developed increasingly negative consequences both at the individual and social level. Negative impacts include health consequences, low production efficiency, and environmental damage, among others. Nevertheless, preferences for meat are maintained by multiple factors including historical dependence of tastes, socially es...
Cadmium increases GLUT1 substrate binding affinity in vitro while reducing its cytochalasin B binding affinity.

Cadmium stimulates glucose transport in fibroblasts, apparently by increasing the intrinsic activity of GLUT1 [Harrison, S. A., Buxton, J. M., Clancy, B. M., & Czech, M. P. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 19438−19449]. In the present study, we examined whether cadmium affects the binding in vitro of purified GLUT1 to glucose and cytochalasin B. Cadmium inhibited cytochalasin B binding to GLUT1 competitively by reducing its binding affinity with an apparent inhibition constant of approximately 0.2 mM. However, d-glucose displaced cytochalasin B bound to GLUT1 as effectively in the presence of cadmium as in its absence, and detailed analysis of this displacement revealed that cadmium in fact increases the substrate binding affinity significantly. These findings suggest that cadmium induces a specific conformational change in GLUT1 that interferes with cytochalasin B binding but enhances substrate binding. This is the first clear demonstration in which the substrate and cytochalasin B binding activities of GLUT1 ...
Development of a Potential High-Throughput Workflow to Characterize Sites of Bioconjugation by Immuno-Affinity Capture Coupled to MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

The characterization of conjugation sites in bioconjugates is critical in the early discovery phase because site-specific conjugation improves in vivo stability and drug efficacy. We previously developed an engineered monoclonal antibody (mAb) scaffold which enables site-specific conjugation toward a reactive lysine (Lys) residue on each heavy chain (HC) by using an azetidinone (AZD) linker. In order to explore conjugations in other location which avoids potential interference with target binding, other chemical linkers have been studied and the investigation of N-hydroxysuccinimade (NHS) linker is reported here. The complexity of identifying the sites lies in part to the large number of Lys residues available for conjugation on the mAb scaffold. This has posed technical challenges to standard peptide mapping approaches. Therefore, an alternative strategy intended for a rapid analysis has been investigated by coupling immuno-affinity capture to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In this study, we have employed a novel application of two different capture formats: Surface enhanced laser dissociation/ionization (SELDI) and mass spectrometry immunoassay (MSIA) tips to reduce the analysis time. An antibody against the pharmacophore portion was immobilized to capture the conjugated peptides, and subsequently provide characterization of the conjugation sites on the scaffold. Multiple sites for the AZD and NHS linkers have been easily identified and confirmed by MS2 sequencing. Lysine99 is the predominant site for the AZD linker, and Lysine55 is the primary site for the NHS linker with Lysine193 and Tyrosine37 being minor sites as shown in the abstract figure. We have also demonstrated the use of conjugation mapping to compare the distribution pattern between the AZD and NHS linkers as well as to study the stability of conjugation sites in a rapid way.