cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV Infection and Depression Among Opiate Users in a US Epicenter of the Opioid Epidemic

Using a mobile research facility, we enrolled 141 opioid users from a neighborhood of Philadelphia, an urban epicenter of the opioid epidemic. Nearly all (95.6%) met DSM-5 criteria for severe opioid use disorder. The prevalence of HIV infection (8.5%) was more than seven times that found in the general population of the city. Eight of the HIV-positive participants (67.0%) reported receiving antiretroviral treatment but almost all of them had unsuppressed virus (87.5%). The majority of participants (57.4%) reported symptoms consistent with major depressive disorder. Severe economic distress (60.3%) and homelessness were common (57%). Polysubstance use was nearly universal, 72.1% had experienced multiple overdoses and prior medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment episodes (79.9%), but few currently engaged in addiction care. The prevalence, multiplicity and severity of chronic health and socioeconomic problems highlight consequences of the current opioid epidemic and underscore the urgent need to develop integrated models of treatment.
A Novel Second-Generation EP2 Receptor Antagonist Reduces Neuroinflammation and Gliosis After Status Epilepticus in Rats

Prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), an important mediator of inflammation, achieves its functions via four different G protein–coupled receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4). We previously demonstrated that the EP2 receptor plays a proinflammatory and neurodegenerative role after status epilepticus (SE). We recently developed TG8-260 as a second-generation highly potent and selective EP2 antagonist. Here, we investigate whether TG8-260 is anti-inflammatory and combats neuropathology caused by pilocarpine-induced SE in rats. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously with pilocarpine (380–400 mg/kg) to induce SE. Following 60 min of SE, the rats were administered three doses of TG8-260 or vehicle and were allowed to recover. Neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, gliosis, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity were examined 4 days after SE. The results confirmed that pilocarpine-induced SE results in hippocampal neurodegeneration and a robust inflammatory response that persists days after SE. Furthermore, inhibition of the EP2 receptor by TG8-260 administered beginning 2 h after SE significantly reduced hippocampal neuroinflammation and gliosis but, in distinction to the earlier generation EP2 antagonist, did not mitigate neuronal injury or BBB breakdown. Thus, attenuation of neuroinflammation and gliosis is a common feature of EP2 inhibition following SE.
A Software Based Self-Recovering Robotic System Architecture Using ROS

Robotics is used in various applications in today's world and these systems are complex in design and working. In order to make the robotic system dependable and more reliable it is important to handle the faults and act in a timely manner. Thus, a fault tolerant and self-healing feature must be integrated with the robotic system to make it more dependable. In this paper, the continuation of the research work of such as robotic system is presented. The focus of the paper is to show the development of the research work through the implementation, some of the test scenarios and the results using Robotic Operating System (ROS). This research is a work in progress and the next steps will be the hardware implementation of the robotic system on a Turtlebot robot.
Assessment of ultrasmall nanocluster for early and accurate detection of atherosclerosis using positron emission tomography/computed tomography

The development of atherosclerosis therapy is hampered by the lack of molecular imaging tools to identify the relevant biomarkers and determine the dynamic variation in vivo. Here, we show that a chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) targeted gold nanocluster conjugated with extracellular loop 1 inverso peptide (AuNC-ECL1i) determines the initiation, progression and regression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out (ApoE-/-) mouse models. The CCR2 targeted 64Cu-AuNC-ECL1i reveals sensitive detection of early atherosclerotic lesions and progression of plaques in ApoE-/- mice. CCR2 targeting specificity was confirmed by the competitive receptor blocking studies. In a mouse model of aortic arch transplantation, 64Cu-AuNC-ECL1i accurately detects the regression of plaques. Human atherosclerotic tissues show high expression of CCR2 related to the status of the disease. This study confirms CCR2 as a useful marker for atherosclerosis and points to the potential of 64Cu-AuNC-ECL1i as a targeted molecular imaging probe for future clinical translation.
We are more than what we eat.

When is a calorie not just a calorie? In the current issue of Nature Metabolism, Roy et al. use recombinant inbred strains of mice to investigate the role of genetic background in the response to dietary fat. Notably, both lifespan and weight gain have been found to be highly dependent on genotype, thus highlighting the need for a personaliz﻿ed approach to dietary interventions.
Numerical Simulation of Flaw Detection with a Capacitive Array Sensor Using Finite and Infinite Elements

Capacitive array sensors are one among many electromagnetic techniques that can be used to detect flaws or other irregularities at or near the surface of materials. Capacitive sensors have an advantage over inductive sensors in that insulating materials may be interrogated as well as conducting materials. These sensors have seen some application in nondestructive evaluation, including flaw detection, the monitoring of porosity and thickness of thermal barrier coatings, dielectric cure monitoring, and robotic proximity sensing [1, 2]. Only surface features can be examined on metallic plates because the accumulation of surface charges blind the capacitive probe to interior features. In dielectric materials, both surface and subsurface features can be examined.
A structured approach to processing clients' unilateral termination decisions.

Research over several decades reveals that close to half of clients in the United States terminate psychotherapy before finishing their work, sometimes without discussing the matter with their ther...
Ergot alkaloid fermentations.

Publisher Summary The production of the high yields of lysergic acid alkaloids by submerged cultures of Claviceps species has been achieved after some 40 years of effort. The first successful processes involved the production of simple lysergic acid derivatives, and these are now well established. The products of these fermentations may be readily hydrolyzed to lysergic acid that, in turn, can be chemically converted to various pharmacologically active amides. Records of ergot poisoning, also known as “holy fire,” “Saint Anthony's fire,” and more recently as “ergotism,” date back to the early middle ages. The major symptoms of ergotism were found to depend on the geographical region and the identity of the plant that was parasitized, an observation that is consistent with the now-known existence of “chemical races” of the ergot fungus. The convulsive and infected types were the most commonly observed, and both of these, in their severest forms, could terminate in death. Epidemics involving thousands of people have been attributed by some writers to ergot poisoning. Other more skeptical writers feel that maladies such as bubonic plague, syphilis, and malnutrition cannot be adequately excluded on the basis of recorded descriptions of symptoms.
On the Berezin-Toeplitz calculus

We consider the problem of composing Berezin-Toeplitz operators on the Hilbert space of Gaussian square-integrable entire functions on complex n-space, Cn. For several interesting algebras of functions on Cn, we have TWTp = T,o,p for all W,o in the algebra, where T. is the Berezin-Toeplitz operator associated with s and Woo is a "twisted" associative product on the algebra of functions. On the other hand, there is a C? function s for which Ti is bounded but TpTp # Tp for any 5.
The mechanochemical reduction of AgCl with metals

Faraday induced the mechanochemical reduction of AgCl with Zn, Sn, Fe and Cu in 1820, using trituration in a mortar. This experiment is revisited, employing a mortar-and-pestle and a ball mill as mechanochemical reactors. The reaction kinetics depends both on the thermochemical properties and the hardness of the reactants. When using Zn as the reducing agent, Faraday likely observed a mechanically induced self-sustaining process (MSR), or at least he came very close to doing so.
Progress, Paradigms, and a Discipline Engaged: A Response to Lang and Reflections on Media Effects Research

In 2013, Annie Lang argued that the field of mass communication faces a Kuhnian crisis, born from the inability of its dominant paradigm to make progress in answering questions about media effects. The present article takes issue with her analysis, arguing that the field is not in crisis, but has made impressive strides in answering media effects questions and explaining influences of media on different levels. Elaborating on how the Kuhnian paradigm-in-crisis model does not accurately describe the current state of mass communication research, this article discusses the role that the time-honored media effects narrative plays in the discipline, positive aspects of Lang's vision, and conceptual issues to consider in efforts to theorize about the constantly-changing communication environment.
Basis-set approach to calculating the radiative self-energy in highly ionized atoms

We present a complete numerical implementation of an alternative approach for evaluating the electron radiative self-energy in high-Z hydrogenic ions. Using basis-set techniques, we demonstrate that the partial-wave expansion of the most numerically intensive term converges relatively rapidly as approximately 1/${\mathit{L}}^{3}$, making this an attractive calculational approach. Numerical results extrapolated to zero nuclear size are in agreement with Mohr [Ann. Phys. (N.Y.) 88, 26 (1974); 88, 52 (1974); Phys. Rev. Lett. 34, 1050 (1975); Phys. Rev. A 26, 2338 (1982)] for the K and L shells, and with the graphical results of Mohr and Kim (unpublished) for higher excited states. The algorithm is suitable for immediate generalization to non-Coulombic potentials.
Preventive training in management of stress for reduction of physiological symptoms through increased cognitive and behavioral controls.

This study tested the effectiveness of training in management of stress which combined relaxation and cognitive modification. Students in rehabilitation counseling were taught to identify individual situation-specific sources of stress to develop individual plans for the management of their particular stress. Techniques included progressive relaxation, stretching exercises, and cognitive restructuring. Sixteen participants self-selected for interest in management of stress had 12 biweekly training sessions and were compared to 16 in a no-treatment control on presence of physiological and behavioral stress symptoms and irrational beliefs. Analysis showed 16 trained participants evidenced significant reduction of stress and irrational beliefs from pre- to posttest and at 6-mo. follow-up relative to the control group. Such training as preventive education is discussed.
Tyrosyl radical generated by myeloperoxidase catalyzes the oxidative cross-linking of proteins

Abstract Phagocytes generate H2O2 for use by a secreted heme enzyme, myeloperoxidase, to kill invading bacteria, viruses, and fungi. We have explored the possibility that myeloperoxidase might also convert L-tyrosine to a radical catalyst that cross-links proteins. Protein-bound tyrosyl residues exposed to myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and L-tyrosine were oxidized to o,o'-dityrosine, a stable product of the tyrosyl radical. The cross-linking reaction required L-tyrosine but was independent of halide and free transition metal ions; the heme poisons azide and aminotriazole were inhibitory. Activated neutrophils likewise converted polypeptide tyrosines to dityrosine. The pathway for oxidation of peptide tyrosyl residues was dependent upon L-tyrosine and was inhibited by heme poisons and catalase. Dityrosine synthesis was little affected by plasma concentrations of Cl- and amino acids, suggesting that the reaction pathway might be physiologically relevant. The requirement for free L-tyrosine and H2O2 for dityrosine formation and the inhibition by heme poisons support the hypothesis that myeloperoxidase catalyzes the cross-linking of proteins by a peroxidative mechanism involving tyrosyl radical. In striking contrast to the pathways generally used to study protein oxidation in vitro, the reaction does not require free metal ions. We speculate that protein dityrosine cross-linking by myeloperoxidase may play a role in bacterial killing or injuring normal tissue. The intense fluorescence and stability of biphenolic compounds may allow dityrosine to act as a marker for proteins oxidatively damaged by myeloperoxidase in phagocyte-rich inflammatory lesions.
NOVEL URINARY BIOMARKERS REMAIN ELEVATED YEARS AFTER ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY FOLLOWING CARDIAC SURGERY IN CHILDREN

Novel urinary biomarkers predict acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB-AKI). AKI increases risk for future chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults. We aimed to determine if urinary biomarkers remained chronically elevated in patients (pts) with CPB-AKI (AKI+) vs. without AKI (
Advanced colorectal neoplasia in the high-risk elderly patient: Is surgical resection justified?

A review of the perioperative morbidity and mortality and long-term survival in elderly and high-risk patients with colorectal neoplasia was undertaken. Elderly high-risk patients with localized disease were compared with those with advanced disease. Over a five-year period, 82 high-risk (at least one major organ system disease), or elderly (age ≥70 years) patients underwent an operation for colorectal neoplasia. Overall, 43 of 82 (52 percent) had advanced disease (obstruction, perforation, hemorrhage, or metastatic disease), while 39 of 82 (48 percent) had localized disease. The mean age of all patients was 78.2 years. Preoperative comorbid diseases included: coronary atherosclerosis, 59 (72 percent); previous myocardial infarction, 17 (21 percent); previous arrhythmia, 10 (12 percent); emphysema, 32 (39 percent); renal failure, 6 (7 percent); and cirrhosis, 3 (4 percent). At the time of surgery, 26 patients (32 percent) had metastatic disease. Six patients (7 percent) died in the perioperative period. The presence of advanced neoplasia did not significantly affect 30-day mortality. There was no difference in major morbidity between patients operated on for localized and for advanced disease. The mean actuarial 18-month survival was less for patients with advanced disease (P< 0.05). Sixty-eight patients (83 percent) are alive at a follow-up of 17.7±29 months postoperatively. The morbidity and mortality associated with resection of colorectal neoplasia in high-risk elderly patients are acceptable even in the presence of advanced disease. In select patients, resection offers the best palliation and may improve the quality of remaining life.
An efficient method for synthesis of succinate-based MMP inhibitors.

A differentially protected fumarate undergoes radical addition followed by allylstannane trapping to provide disubstituted succinates in good yields and high anti diastereoselectivity. The conversion of the succinate to a known MMP inhibitor has been accomplished.
Laser action in krypton fluoride and N2 in a fast pin laser

Fifty μJ of uv laser energy in a krypton fluoride excimer laser and 4.5 mJ of uv energy in the superradiant nitrogen laser have been obtained in a fast pin discharge using transmission‐line excitation techniques.
Diagnostic value of mitral annular velocity for constrictive pericarditis in the absence of respiratory variation in mitral inflow velocity

Respiratory variation of 25% or more in transmitral early diastolic filling (E) velocity is a well-recognized diagnostic feature of constrictive pericarditis (CP) that is useful for distinguishing it from restrictive cardiomyopathy. However, a subset of patients with CP do not exhibit the typical respiratory change. Recent data showed that mitral annular (E') velocity measured by Doppler tissue echocardiography (DTE) is markedly reduced in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy whereas E' velocity is well-preserved in CP. This study evaluated the role of DTE for the diagnosis of CP when there is no characteristic respiratory variation of E velocity. From September 1999 to March 2001, 19 patients (17 men, 2 women; mean age, 57 +/- 13 years) with surgically confirmed CP underwent comprehensive echocardiography preoperatively, including pulsed wave and DTE examination with simultaneous recording of respiration. Nine (47%) of the 19 patients had less than 25% respiratory variation in E velocity. There was no significant difference in mitral inflow peak velocity, deceleration time, early-to-late ventricular filling ratio, and E' velocity between patients with and patients without respiratory variation of E velocity of 25% or more. Regardless of the presence or absence of a significant respiratory variation of E velocity, E' velocity was relatively normal (mean, 12 +/- 4 cm/s) in all patients with CP. In conclusion, E' velocity is well preserved in patients with isolated CP even when there is no characteristic respiratory variation of E velocity. Thus, when the respiratory variation in Doppler E velocity is blunted or absent during the evaluation of suspected CP in patients with restrictive mitral inflow velocity, preserved E' velocity shown by DTE should support the diagnosis of CP over a primary myocardial disease.
Exercise-Induced Changes in the Cortical Bone of Growing Mice Are Bone and Gender Specific

Fracture risk and mechanical competence of bone are functions of bone mass and tissue quality, which in turn are dependent on the bone’s mechanical environment. Male mice have a greater response to non weight-bearing exercise than females, resulting in larger, stronger bones compared with control animals. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that short-term weight-bearing running during growth (21 days starting at 8 weeks of age; 30 minutes/day; 12 meters/minute; 5° incline; 7 days/week) would similarly have a greater impact on cross sectional geometry and mechanical competence in the femora and tibiae of male mice versus females. Based on the orientation of the legs during running and the proximity of the tibia to the point of impact, this response was hypothesized to be greatest in the tibia. Exercise-related changes relative to controls were assayed by four-point bending tests, while volumetric bone mineral density and cross-sectional geometry were also assessed. The response to running was bone and gender-specific, with male tibiae demonstrating the greatest effects. In male tibiae, periosteal perimeter, endocortical perimeter, cortical area, medial-lateral width and bending moment of inertia increased versus control mice suggesting that while growth is occurring in these mice between 8 and 11 weeks of age, exercise accelerated this growth resulting in a greater increase in bone tissue over the 3 weeks of the study. Exercise increased tissue-level strain-to-failure and structural post-yield deformation in the male tibiae, but these post-yield benefits came at the expense of decreased yield deformation, structural and tissue-level yield strength and tissue-level ultimate strength. These results suggest that exercise superimposed upon growth accelerated growth-related increases in tibial cross-sectional dimensions. Exercise also influenced the quality of this forming bone, significantly impacting structural and tissue-level mechanical properties.
The influence of craniofacial structure on obstructive sleep apnea in young adults

Abstract Purpose: This study compares craniofacial measurements of lateral cephalometric radiographs of young obstructive sleep apnea patients with those of nonapneic snorers and controls. Patients and Methods: Forty-eight patients (BMI = 28.0 ± 3.8) with obstructive sleep apnea, 25 patients (BMI = 26.3 ± 3.5) with nonapneic snoring, and 54 controls (BMI = 24.8 ± 2.7) were evaluated. All subjects were between 18 and 40 years of age. Nineteen lateral cephalometric measurements were performed by a single investigator blinded to the results of the polysomnograms. Results: Univariate logistic regression analysis of the 19 variables showed significantly increased midfacial height (ANS-N), narrowed middle airway space (MAS), steep mandibular plane angle (FMA), elongated pharynx (PNS-Eb), and inferiorly positioned hyoid bone (PNS-H, MP-H) in the obstructive sleep apnea group. The nonapneic snoring group showed only a tendency toward maxillary and mandibular retrognathia (SNA and SNB). No significant differences were found for cranial base angle (S-N-Ba), PAS, inferior airway space, maxillary unit length (ANS-PNS) mandibular unit length (Cd-Gn), tongue height (Tng-Ht), soft palate length (PNS-P), and palatal vault height (Ocl-Pal 6). The OSA group was also found to have multiple sites of abnormality of both the upper and lower pharynx, with 58% of the patients having two or more abnormal values (1 standard deviation from the mean) as opposed to 40% of the nonapneic snoring group. Conclusions: Highly significant craniofacial abnormalities were found in the upper and lower pharynx in young obstructive sleep apnea patients. Most of these patients (58%) had abnormalities in both the upper and lower pharynx, suggesting that palatal surgery alone may be an inadequate treatment. This information may define future investigations needed to determine how to more effectively treat this subgroup of young obstructive sleep apnea patients.
Politics and the People in Revolutionary Russia: A Provincial History – By Sarah Badcock

This author's book is an important addition to the literature on the revolutionary year 1917 in Russia. Sarah Badcock analyzes power relations and social interactions at the regional and local leve...
Structural aspects of a protein epitope and their role in the major histocompatibility complex control of T cell responsiveness

We have previously shown that immunization of C57BL/10 (H-2b) mice with the tobacco mosaic virus protein (TMVP) or with its tryptic peptide number 8, representing residues 93-112 of TMVP, induces T cells which proliferate in vitro in response to TMVP and peptide 8. In contrast, immunization of congenic B10.BR (H-2k) mice with either TMVP or with peptide 8 induces T cells which respond in vitro to the homologous but not the heterologous antigen. The capacity to exhibit cross-reactivity between TMVP and peptide 8 on the T cell level has been shown to be under major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked genetic control. The lack of cross-reactivity has been attributed to the inability of the H-2k APC to present the appropriate epitope to T cells. In the present paper, we report results of a comparative analysis of the role of structural aspects of the epitope on the proliferative T cell responses from TMVP and peptide 8-immune C57BL/10 (H-2b) and B10.BR (H-2k) mice. Utilizing a panel of synthetic peptides representing portions of peptide 8 and a panel of peptide-protein conjugates, we have determined that peptide 8-immune T cells of the H-2k strain appear to recognize a single epitope within peptide 8, located at its N-terminus. In contrast, in the H-2b strain, both TMVP and peptide 8-immune T cells appear to recognize two overlapping epitopes within peptide 8; one located in the middle region and the other toward the N-terminus. Experiments with H-2b T cells revealed that random amino acids added to the carboxyl or amino-terminus of nonstimulatory peptides can confer activity to these peptides, demonstrating limited specificity of interaction between antigen and Iab. Results of experiments dealing with fixation of antigen-presenting cells suggest that TMVP requires processing in order to be recognized by peptide 8-immune H-2b proliferative T cells whereas peptide 8 does not. Taken together the results suggest that the T cell responsiveness to TMVP and peptide 8 exhibited by these two congenic strains H-2b and H-2k is not only controlled by the strains MHC but is also influenced by antigen processing. Antigen processing may eliminate a potential epitope for the primary induction and the secondary stimulation of B10.BR T cells.
A vaccination and challenge model using calcein marked fish.

A vaccination and challenge cohabitation model was established and evaluated using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), the fluorescent chromophore calcein, and a Streptococcus iniae vaccine. Tilapia were non-invasively calcein marked, sham-vaccinated (CMSV) and cohabited with non-marked sham-vaccinated (NMSV) or non-marked S. iniae vaccinates (NMV) as a single unit. After 30 d, the cohabitants were challenged with a virulent isolate of S. iniae by intraperitoneal (ip) injection and the cumulative mortality was measured over a period of 15 d. Calcein marking did not have a significant effect on S. iniae susceptibility as mortality of CMSV and NMSV was not significantly different (P = 0.6756). Nor did calcein marking have an effect on the vaccination and challenge cohabitation model. The results showed that the cumulative mortality of CMSV (N = 160) was significantly greater (P < 0.0003) than those of NMV (N = 160). The results of the calcein marking trials indicate that the most suitable calcein concentration and exposure time to produce detectable fluorescent marking of tilapia was 500 mg L−1 for 4 h. Furthermore, the calcein marks were readily visible in the calcified skeletal structures of head and fins using a portable handheld UV lamp set at 365 nm wavelength. Calcein appears to be a valuable tool for non-invasive, non-lethal, non-stressful, mass marking of fish to differentiate between sham- and pathogen-vaccinated fish in this cohabitation model. The vaccination and challenge cohabitation model also offers the statistical advantage of using individual fish as the experimental unit maintained in the same aquarium.
Application enabling in SAA

The Common Programming Interface (CPI), one of the four key elements of Systems Application Architecture, comprises a growing set of programming languages and services. The CPI indirectly offers end-user access through the Common User Access by providing the application developer with the necessary interfaces. The CPI addresses the application development requirement for portability of applications and programmer skills. As the CPI continues to expand, it addresses the requirements for access to host data through intelligent workstations and for transparent access to remote data and applications.
A continuous-wave Raman silicon laser

Achieving optical gain and/or lasing in silicon has been one of the most challenging goals in silicon-based photonics because bulk silicon is an indirect bandgap semiconductor and therefore has a very low light emission efficiency. Recently, stimulated Raman scattering has been used to demonstrate light amplification and lasing in silicon. However, because of the nonlinear optical loss associated with two-photon absorption (TPA)-induced free carrier absorption (FCA), until now lasing has been limited to pulsed operation. Here we demonstrate a continuous-wave silicon Raman laser. Specifically, we show that TPA-induced FCA in silicon can be significantly reduced by introducing a reverse-biased p-i-n diode embedded in a silicon waveguide. The laser cavity is formed by coating the facets of the silicon waveguide with multilayer dielectric films. We have demonstrated stable single mode laser output with side-mode suppression of over 55 dB and linewidth of less than 80 MHz. The lasing threshold depends on the p-i-n reverse bias voltage and the laser wavelength can be tuned by adjusting the wavelength of the pump laser. The demonstration of a continuous-wave silicon laser represents a significant milestone for silicon-based optoelectronic devices.
A Computational Study of the Proton-Transfer Chemistry of the Silaformyl Anion

Proton-transfer reactions involving the silaformyl anion, HSiO-, and its conjugate acids, HSiOH and H2SiO, have been investigated with ab initio methods. Calculations through fourth-order perturbat...
Genomic organization and phylogenetic utility of deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) lymphotoxin-alpha and lymphotoxin-beta

Background Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are among the most common mammals in North America and are important reservoirs of several human pathogens, including Sin Nombre hantavirus (SNV). SNV can establish a life-long apathogenic infection in deer mice, which can shed virus in excrement for transmission to humans. Patients that die from hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) have been found to express several proinflammatory cytokines, including lymphotoxin (LT), in the lungs. It is thought that these cytokines contribute to the pathogenesis of HCPS. LT is not expressed by virus-specific CD4+ T cells from infected deer mice, suggesting a limited role for this pathway in reservoir responses to hantaviruses.
Effects of separate and combined beta and gamma irradiation on the soybean plant

Soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill cv. Hill) plants in the unifoliolate leaf stage were subjected to various total doses of 90 Y beta and 60 Co gamma radiation, separately and in combination, at dose rates of either 8·4 or 17·8 rads/min and grown to maturity under outdoor conditions. Biological effects were evaluated on the basis of survival, height, lateral growth from cotyledonary node, and vegetative and seed yield. Survival and height were dependent on total dose and independent of dose rate and the beta/gamma component of total dose. Survival was slightly affected with total dose, and a dose of 2·8 krads reduced height to approximately 50 per cent of control. Lateral growth and vegetative and seed yield were dependent on total dose, dose rate, and the beta/gamma component of total dose. For lateral growth, especially at 2·4 krads, as the dose rate and beta component of total dose increased, the per cent of plants with lateral growth increased. Also, especially at 8·4 rads/min, as the beta component of total dose increased, the length of lateral growth increased. For the 50 per cent reduction level, with the exception of seed yield at 17·8 rads/min where the beta and gamma radiation were equivalent, gamma radiation was approximately 1·2-times more effective than beta radiation for both vegetative and seed yield.
Aminocyclopentitols from fulvenes: syntheses of (+)-trehazolin and the pentasubstituted cyclopentane of keruffaride

Abstract A heterocycloaddition route to complex, naturally-occurring aminocyclopentitols and other 1,2,3,4,5-pentasubstituted cyclopentanes is described based on the photooxygenation of a substituted fulvene.
A Web-Based Interactive Mapping System of State Wide School Performance: Integrating Google Maps Api Technology into Educational Achievement Data:

Google Maps API (Application Programming Interface), released in late June 2005 by Google, is an amazing technology that allows users to embed Google Maps in their own Web pages with JavaScript. Go...
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (BMP7) Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated With Inverse Relationships Between Vascular Calcification and BMD: The Diabetes Heart Study

Inverse relationships have been observed between BMD and vascular calcification (VC), suggesting an underlying metabolic pathway linking these processes. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are potential candidate genes that may mediate this relationship. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the BMP2 gene, 2 SNPs in BMP4, and 16 SNPs in BMP7 were tested for association with measures of VC using CT (coronary and carotid arteries, abdominal aorta), and BMD was measured using DXA (lumbar spine, hip, and distal radius) and quantitative CT (QCT; thoracic and lumbar spine) in 920 European Americans from 374 Diabetes Heart Study families: 762 with type 2 diabetes. Variance components quantitative trait locus association analysis was computed using SOLAR software, and a bivariate principal component analysis (PCA) assessed for genetic relationships between BMD and VC. Association was observed between several measures of BMD and BMP7 rs17404303 (thoracic spine QCT p = 0.03; lumbar spine QCT p = 0.02; hip DXA p = 0.06, dominant models). In addition, 6 of 16 BMP7 SNPs showed significant and opposing effects on the bivariate PCA for VC and BMD (two-sided exact test, p = 0.0143). Polymorphisms in BMP7 are associated with inverse relationships between bone mineralization and VC in the coronary, carotid, and abdominal aorta in a diabetes-enriched cohort of European Americans.
Determination of polyhalogenated phenolic compounds in drinking water, human blood serum and adipose tissue

The blood serum of 58 white female residents of Dade County, Florida has been analyzed for the presence of eight halogenated phenols: 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP); 2,3,5-trichlorophenol (2,3,5-TCP); 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP); 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP); 2,5-dichloro-4-bromophenol (2,5-DC-4-BP); 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,5-TTCP); 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-TTCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP). Each resident had been following her respective drinking water usage pattern for at least the past 5 years. Thirty-three of the individuals were using chlorinated municipal drinking water; the other 25 were ingesting mostly non-chlorinated water from privately owned wells.
Element Dynamics along a Decay Continuum in a Red Spruce Ecosystem in Maine, USA

Element dynamics (C, N, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Al) were examined along a decay continuum from freshly fallen litter to soil organic matter in a red spruce ecosystem in Maine. The continuum was defined using previously reported data on litterfall chemistry and the early stages (i.e., first 24 mo) of decay, combined with new studies on an additional 33 mo of decay and an evaluation of forest floor organic matter at the same site. Carbon concentrations decreased over time as fresh litter was transformed into soil organic matter; N, Fe, and Al concentrations increased; and P, Ca, Mg, and Mn concentrations showed variable patterns of increased and decrease. In general, homogeneity of the litter increased as fresh litter of different initial chemistries was transformed into chemically more uniform soil organic matter. Ecosystem budgets indicated that after 57 mo of decay, litter had lost 63% of its original mass and had released C (65%),N (17%), P (79%), Ca (50%), Mg (80%), and Mn (74%), and had accumulated Al ...
The role of sequence order in determining view canonicality for novel wire-frame objects.

Objects are best recognized from so-called “canonical” views. The characteristics of canonical views of arbitrary objects have been qualitatively described using a variety of different criteria, but little is known regarding how these views might be acquired during object learning. We address this issue, in part, by examining the role of object motion in the selection of preferred views of novel objects. Specifically, we adopt a modeling approach to investigate whether or not the sequence of views seen during initial exposure to an object contributes to observers’ preferences for particular images in the sequence. In two experiments, we exposed observers to short sequences depicting rigidly rotating novel objects and subsequently collected subjective ratings of view canonicality (Experiment 1) and recall rates for individual views (Experiment 2). Given these two operational definitions of view canonicality, we attempted to fit both sets of behavioral data with a computational model incorporating 3-D shape information (object foreshortening), as well as information relevant to the temporal order of views presented during training (the rate of change for object foreshortening). Both sets of ratings were reasonably well predicted using only 3-D shape; the inclusion of terms that capture sequence order improved model performance significantly.
Stability Prediction for Low Radial Immersion Milling

Traditional regenerative stability theory predicts a set of optimally stable spindle speeds at integer fractions of the natural frequency of the most flexible mode of the system. The assumptions of this theory become invalid for highly interrupted machining, where the ratio of time spent cutting to not cutting (denoted p) is small. This paper proposes a new stability theory for interrupted machining that predicts a doubling in the number of optimally stable speeds as the value of p becomes small. The results of the theory are supported by numerical simulation and experiment. It is anticipated that the theory will be relevant for choosing optimal machining parameters in high-speed peripheral milling operations where the radial depth of cut is only a small fraction of the tool diameter.
W. E. B. Du Bois’s Basic American Negro Creed and the Associates in Negro Folk Education: A Case of Repressive Tolerance in the Censorship of Radical Black Discourse on Adult Education

W. E. B. Du Bois, one of the brightest lights in African American history, wrote a sparkling critique of the American social and economic system originally planned as part of the Bronze Booklets se...
CT reconstruction techniques for improved accuracy of lung CT airway measurement

Purpose: To determine the impact of constrained reconstruction techniques on quantitative CT (qCT) of the lung parenchyma and airways for low x-ray radiation dose. Methods: Measurement of small airways with qCT remains a challenge, especially for low x-ray dose protocols. Images of the COPDGene quality assurance phantom (CTP698, The Phantom Laboratory, Salem, NY) were obtained using a GE discovery CT750 HD scanner for helical scans at x-ray radiation dose-equivalents ranging from 1 to 4.12 mSv (12–100 mA s current–time product). Other parameters were 40 mm collimation, 0.984 pitch, 0.5 s rotation, and 0.625 mm thickness. The phantom was sandwiched between 7.5 cm thick water attenuating phantoms for a total length of 20 cm to better simulate the scatter conditions of patient scans. Image data sets were reconstructed using STANDARD (STD), DETAIL, BONE, and EDGE algorithms for filtered back projection (FBP), 100% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), and Veo reconstructions. Reduced (half) display field of view (DFOV) was used to increase sampling across airway phantom structures. Inner diameter (ID), wall area percent (WA%), and wall thickness (WT) measurements of eight airway mimicking tubes in the phantom, including a 2.5 mm ID (42.6 WA%, 0.4 mm WT), 3 mm ID (49.0 WA%, 0.6 mm WT), and 6 mm ID (49.0 WA%, 1.2 mm WT) were performed with Airway Inspector (Surgical Planning Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA) using the phase congruency edge detection method. The average of individual measures at five central slices of the phantom was taken to reduce measurement error. Results: WA% measures were greatly overestimated while IDs were underestimated for the smaller airways, especially for reconstructions at full DFOV (36 cm) using the STD kernel, due to poor sampling and spatial resolution (0.7 mm pixel size). Despite low radiation dose, the ID of the 6 mm ID airway was consistently measured accurately for all methods other than STD FBP. Veo reconstructions showed slight improvement over STD FBP reconstructions (4%–9% increase in accuracy). The most improved ID and WA% measures were for the smaller airways, especially for low dose scans reconstructed at half DFOV (18 cm) with the EDGE algorithm in combination with 100% ASIR to mitigate noise. Using the BONE + ASIR at half BONE technique, measures improved by a factor of 2 over STD FBP even at a quarter of the x-ray dose. Conclusions: The flexibility of ASIR in combination with higher frequency algorithms, such as BONE, provided the greatest accuracy for conventional and low x-ray dose relative to FBP. Veo provided more modest improvement in qCT measures, likely due to its compatibility only with the smoother STD kernel.
Compressive Behavior of Concrete Confined by Various Types of FRP Composite Jackets

This paper summarizes the experimental results from a comprehensive research program to study the fundamental stress-strain behavior of concrete confined by various types of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite jackets. More than 200 concrete stub columns with 9 types of FRP composite jackets were tested under axial compression. The impact of different design parameters including plain concrete unconfined strength, types of composites as well as jacket thickness were considered in this study. The strength enhancement and ductility improvement of specimens confined with FRP composite jackets are discussed. In addition, a new stress-strain model to predict the behavior of axial members jacketed with FRP composites is presented. Comparisons between the analytical results using the proposed model and test results are also presented.
Functional divergence of the circadian clock proteins in prokaryotes.

Cyanobacteria are only prokaryotes known so far to have a circadian system. It may be based either on two (kaiB and kaiC) or three (kaiA, kaiB and kaiC) circadian genes. The homologs of two circadian proteins, KaiB and KaiC, form four major subfamilies (K1–K4) and also occur in some other prokaryotes. Using the likelihood-ratio tests, we studied a rate shift at the functional divergence of the proteins from the different subfamilies. It appears that only two of the subfamilies (K1 and K2) perform circadian functions. We identified in total 92 sites that have significantly different rates of evolution between the clades K1/K2 and K3/K4; 67 sites (15 in KaiB and 52 in KaiC) been evolving significantly slower in K1/K2 than the overall average for the entire sequence. Many critical sites are located in the identified functionally important motifs and regions, e.g. one of the Walker’s motif As, DXXG motif, and two KaiA-binding domains of KaiC. There are also 36 sites (~5%) with rate shift between K1 and K2. The rate shift at these sites may be related to the interaction with KaiA. Rate shift analyses have identified residues whose manipulation in the Kai proteins may lead to better understanding of their functions in the two different types of the cyanobacterial circadian system.
Management of central nervous system teratoma

Central nervous system (CNS) teratomas are very rare neoplasms that contain tissues derived from all three germ cell layers (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm). Patients with teratomas usually have a good prognosis. Given the paucity of cases in the literature, we present a retrospective review of 15 CNS teratomas treated over a 25 year period at the University of California, San Francisco. We describe the presentation, location, treatment, and adjuvant therapy for these patients, and highlight three unique cases that emphasize the diverse presentation and treatment of these rare tumors.
Image formation by multifacet holograms.

A method is described in which arbitrary images are formed via Fresnel diffraction. In this method, a multifacet hologram is used to deflect small square areas of light from a given spatial location in the input plane to an arbitrarily prescribed location in the output plane, producing an image composed of small square patches of light. Five different variations of multifaceted holography are presented. Volume phase holograms are used in the deflection process resulting in nearly 100% efficiency.
Progress towards a NASA earth science Reuse Enablement System (RES)

A Reuse Enablement System (RES) allows developers of Earth science software to contribute software for reuse by others and for users to find, select, and obtain software for reuse in their own systems. This paper describes work that the NASA Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Software Reuse Working Group has completed to date in the development of an RES for NASA.
Selective expansion and continuous culture of macrophages from adult pig blood

Macrophages were selectively expanded and continuously cultured from adult pig blood. One-half ml of heparinized adult pig blood was inoculated directly into the medium overlaying a feeder layer of STO mouse fibroblasts. After attachment to the feeder cells for 24 h, the culture was washed several times with the medium to remove most of any unattached blood cells and re-fed. Approximately 7 x 10(4) blood monocytes were initially detected and enumerated by specific binding of DiI-labeled acetylated low density lipoprotein (DiI-Ac-LDL). Macrophage outgrowths appeared in the primary culture after 6-7 days. The macrophages grew to relatively high density in 2-3 weeks (2-3 x 10(6) cells/T25 flask), and the culture was passaged on to fresh STO feeder layers to begin secondary culture. Over 2-3 months of culture the macrophage replication produced as many as 1.4 x 10(9) DiI-Ac-LDL-positive cells. The macrophages grew on top of the feeder cells in two forms: either a semi-attached, round morphology, or a closely adherent, flat ameboid morphology with several extended pseudopods. Electron microscopic examination revealed the cells to be uniformly of macrophage character and that 4-5% were giant cells. The macrophages were phagocytic and expressed CD14 on their surfaces. They also reacted positively with pig macrophage-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), and were negative for reactivity with pig T- and B-cell-specific mAb. This simple method for isolating and propagating macrophages may indicate the replicative capacity of either adult pig blood monocytes or circulating blood stem cells, and it may be useful in providing macrophages for general research, virological assay, adoptive-immunotherapy models, and somatic gene therapy models.
Research section: Teaching as a ‘research-based profession’: encouraging practitioner research in special education

Richard Rose is head of the Centre for Special Needs Education and Research at University College Northampton as well as being Research Section Editor for BJSE. In this article, he reviews aspects of the relationship between teaching, special education and research. He argues that ‘educational research, and consequently policy making, has too often taken insufficient account of teachers’ professional credibility and expertise’. He proposes that teachers should be encouraged to become more involved in research activities and that practitioners and researchers should work together ‘in determining the agenda for a research-based profession’. Richard Rose and I hope that the Research Section in BJSE will have a key role to play in promoting this kind of partnership. It is our shared intention to publish a series of examples of practitioner or partnership research, showing the influence that systematic, practice-focused enquiry can have on the evaluation, review and development of practice and the formulation of improved policy. We hope that many practitioner researchers will wish to put forward their work for publication in this series. Contact Richard Rose to discuss this possibility and watch for further guidance in future issues of BJSE.