cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low and high dose rate heavy ion radiation-induced intestinal and colonic tumorigenesis in APC1638N/+ mice

Ionizing radiation (IR) is a recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) and astronauts undertaking long duration space missions are expected to receive IR doses in excess of permissible limits with implications for colorectal carcinogenesis. Exposure to IR in outer space occurs at low doses and dose rates, and energetic heavy ions due to their high linear energy transfer (high-LET) characteristics remain a major concern for CRC risk in astronauts. Previously, we have demonstrated that intestinal tumorigenesis in a mouse model (APC1638N/+) of human colorectal cancer was significantly higher after exposure to high dose rate energetic heavy ions relative to low-LET γ radiation. The purpose of the current study was to compare intestinal tumorigenesis in APC1638N/+ mice after exposure to energetic heavy ions at high (50cGy/min) and relatively low (0.33cGy/min) dose rate. Male and female mice (6-8 weeks old) were exposed to either 10 or 50cGy of 28Si (energy: 300MeV/n; LET: 70keV/μm) or 56Fe (energy: 1000MeV/n; LET: 148keV/μm) ions at NASA Space Radiation Laboratory in Brookhaven National Laboratory. Mice (n=20 mice/group) were euthanized and intestinal and colon tumor frequency and size were counted 150days after radiation exposure. Intestinal tumorigenesis in male mice exposed to 56Fe was similar for high and low dose rate exposures. Although male mice showed a decreasing trend at low dose rate relative to high dose rate exposures, the differences in tumor frequency between the two types of exposures were not statistically significant after 28Si radiation. In female mice, intestinal tumor frequency was similar for both radiation type and dose rates tested. In both male and female mice intestinal tumor size was not different after high and low dose rate radiation exposures. Colon tumor frequency in male and female mice after high and low dose rate energetic heavy ions was also not significantly different. In conclusion, intestinal and colonic tumor frequency and size was similar irrespective of energetic heavy ion radiation dose rate suggesting that carcinogenic potential of energetic heavy ions is independent of dose rate.
Real-time EEG-based brain-computer interface to a virtual avatar enhances cortical involvement in human treadmill walking

Recent advances in non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies have shown the feasibility of neural decoding for both users’ gait intent and continuous kinematics. However, the dynamics of cortical involvement in human upright walking with a closed-loop BCI has not been investigated. This study aims to investigate the changes of cortical involvement in human treadmill walking with and without BCI control of a walking avatar. Source localization revealed significant differences in cortical network activity between walking with and without closed-loop BCI control. Our results showed sustained α/µ suppression in the Posterior Parietal Cortex and Inferior Parietal Lobe, indicating increases of cortical involvement during walking with BCI control. We also observed significant increased activity of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) in the low frequency band suggesting the presence of a cortical network involved in error monitoring and motor learning. Additionally, the presence of low γ modulations in the ACC and Superior Temporal Gyrus may associate with increases of voluntary control of human gait. This work is a further step toward the development of a novel training paradigm for improving the efficacy of rehabilitation in a top-down approach.
Preserving Opportunity: A Précis of Living Well Now and in the Future: Why Sustainability Matters

This article is a precis of the book, Living well now and in the future: Why sustainability matters. It provides an overview of the book, focusing especially on its conceptualization of the nature ...
Motivating Human-Enabled Mobile Participation for Data Offloading

The exploding popularity of mobile devices enables people to enjoy benefits brought by various interesting mobile apps. However, the ever-increasing data traffic has exacerbated the congestion on current cellular networks, which results in users’ dissatisfaction, especially in crowded areas. Hence, how to alleviate data traffic in cellular networks becomes a challenging problem. Traditional methods rely on mobile offloading techniques to deviate the data traffic originally targeted to cellular networks, such as the small cell, Wi-Fi, and opportunistic communication. Unfortunately, mobile users still experience severe congestion when a large number of users request for data. Facing these challenges, we introduce the concept of mobile participation to assist data offloading by leveraging the mobility of users and the social features among a group of users. A mobile caching user, who pre-caches a certain amount of contents, will roam around congested areas to participate in content dissemination in order to satisfy users’ requests, which is expected to benefit both himself and users in the crowd simultaneously. To motivate such human-enabled mobile participation for data offloading, a Stackelberg game is deployed with joint considerations on social effect and delay effect. Based on detailed performance analysis, we demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed approach.
High Efficiency Aperiodic Metasurfaces Based on Variable Phase Shifting Element Spacing

We report new method for designing high efficiency aperiodic metasurfaces by approximating the desired phase profile with linear sections and optimizing the spacing between subwavelength-scale phase shifter elements with in each section.
Chrysotherapy:Gold-Drug Metabolism and Immunochemistry

Chrysotherapy, the treatment of disease (principally rheumatoid arthritis) with gold-based drugs, is well established in current medical practice. The name is derived from Chryses, the golden-haired heroine of ancient Greek mythology. Figure 1 presents the formulations most commonly used for arthritis therapy. Bis(thiosulfato)gold(I) contains gold bound to the terminal sulfur atoms of the S2O3 ligands. Auranofin, the most recent addition to the array of approved drugs, is also a discrete monomeric gold(I) complex, with tetraacetylthioglucose and triethylphosphine ligands. The crystal structures of both have been determined [1-3]. The thiomalate, thioglucose, and thiopropanolsulfonate complexes are oligomers with linear gold(I) centers linked by bridging thiolate ligands. Myochrysine and solgonal, the thiomalate- and thioglucose-containing formulations, respectively, are more complex than the ideal formulas, as they contain additional components and the gold and thiol are not in exact 1:1 stoichiometry [4,5].
Probe Amplification Technologies

Oligonucleotide probes provide a useful tool for the detection of target nucleic acids by the formation of a double-helical structure between complementary sequences. The stringent requirements of Watson–Crick base pairing make hybridization extremely specific. However, the detection of target sequence by hybridization is often insensitive due to the limited number of signal molecules that can be labeled on the probe. In general, the analytical sensitivity of probe hybridization is in the order of 106 molecules. Therefore, it cannot meet the needs of most clinical diagnostic applications. Many technologies have been developed to improve the detection sensitivity by amplifying the probe sequence bound to the target. All probe amplification technologies are developed based on the recent advancement in molecular biology and the understanding of in vivo nucleic acid synthesis, i.e., ligation, polymerization, transcription, digestion/cleavage, etc.
Organization of Extrastriate Visual Areas in the Macaque Monkey

In primates, the regions of cerebral cortex that are specifically visual in function occupy the entire occipital lobe plus substantial portions of the temporal and parietal lobes. The division of the occipital lobe into three areas by Brodmann (4) and others on the basis of cytoarchitectonic criteria has been widely accepted, but recent studies have demonstrated that the extrastriate occipital cortex (i.e., Brodmann’s areas 18 and 19) actually contains numerous distinct visual areas. In an Old World monkey, the macaque, five such areas have been identified to date, and in a New World monkey, the owl monkey, seven extrastriate areas have been found in the occipital and temporal lobes (1, 14, 21).
REACTIONS OF HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES WITH C5b-9 COMPLEMENT COMPLEX-SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the reactions of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with C5b-9 complement complex-specific antibodies. Subpopulations of human lymphocytes have been identified that possess receptors for complement proteins. Expression of membrane-associated lg and C4 by continuous lymphoblastoid cell lines has suggested that these molecules are synthesized and represent normal membrane constituents of these cells. Activation of human C5 and assembly of the C5b-9 complement complex leads to the appearance of neo-antigens. Evidence presented during investigation suggests that neoAg expression by PBL may occur through two independent mechanisms: (1) binding of neoAg to PBL as a result of rapid low-level complement activation occurring as PBL are collected and (2) metabolic synthesis of neoAgs and insertion into the membrane of PBL.
Automated Kidney Segmentation for Traumatic Injured Patients through Ensemble Learning and Active Contour Modeling

Traumatic abdominal injury can lead to multiple complications including laceration of major organs such as kidneys. Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) is the primary imaging modality for evaluating kidney injury. However, the traditional visual examination of CT scans is time consuming, non-quantitative, prone to human error, and costly. In this work we propose a kidney segmentation method using machine learning and active contour modeling. We first detect an initialization mask inside the kidney and then evolve its boundary. This model is specifically developed and evaluated on trauma cases. Our experimental results show the average recall score of 92.6% and average Dice similarity value of 88.9%.
Toxicity following palliative radiation therapy for painful metastatic bone lesions.

126Background: Palliative radiation treatment (pRT) is a common and effective treatment for patients with symptomatic bone metastases. However, patients receiving RT for bone metastases often may h...
Investigation of shear failure load in ultrasonic additive manufacturing of 3D CFRP/Ti structures

Abstract Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is an extremely beneficial composite material in the aerospace and automobile industries owing to its high-strength-to-weight ratio, high stiffness, lightweight, and corrosion resistance. However, CFRP material alone is limited in its weight-bearing capabilities. A thin layer material such as Titanium (Ti) is often used along with CFRP laminates to address these issues. Traditional techniques used to join CFRP/Ti stacks include the use of adhesives, glues, or rivets, and bolts. These techniques have several limitations including weight addition, stress cracking, delamination, and limited operating temperatures. These limitations can be readily addressed by the use of solid-state welding techniques based on ultrasonic energy. One such technique is the Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) process, which is capable of fabricating 3D structures of CFRP/Ti laminar composites. Preliminary experimental studies proved the feasibility of using the UAM process to join CFRP/Ti stacks. Further development of this process needs a detailed investigation of the process parameters. This study aims to study the effect of critical process parameters including the ultrasonic energy and pre-surface roughness on the shear strength of the fabricated CFRP/Ti stacks using the UAM process. The study found that both ultrasonic energy and surface roughness have a positive impact on the resulting shear strengths of the UAM fabricated structures.
Psychiatric and Psychological Issues

Breast cancer is inherently stressful. Every person diagnosed with the disease immediately experiences understandable fear of dying of cancer, despite the fact that half of all breast cancer patients will live to die of something else. They also fear disfigurement, despite the increasing prevalence of breast-sparing treatments such as lumpectomy and radiation. These concerns tend to isolate them from social support, since such fundamental concerns arouse anxiety in others as well, and may lead to avoidance on both sides. Cancer treatments can induce nausea, fatigue, burns, lymphedema, disfigurement, and pain. The illness and its treatment cause acute disruption of educational, vocational, and social roles. Thus, it is natural that breast cancer patients experience stress, distress, anxiety, and depression. Few people are well prepared by life for the multiple existential problems that come with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Recognizing that these issues are always part of returning a patient to a well-state allows the clinician to better support patients and enables the astute clinician to recognize the potential need for consultation from a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Analysis of Lightning Protection and Grounding Effect of Shared Iron Tower

By analyzing the lightning protection and grounding requirements of the respective systems of the communication base station and the power tower, the impact of the towers on their respective systems is analyzed. By establishing a simulation calculation model of the shared tower's grounding grid, a mature algorithm is used to analyze the current distribution of the typical shared tower. And ground potential distribution, so as to obtain the degree of influence of the equipment when the respective system is struck by lightning. According to the impact, the lightning protection grounding technical requirements and common scheme of the shared iron tower are proposed.
Perspective on Energetic and Thermal Atmospheric Photoelectrons

Atmospheric photoelectrons are central to the production of planetary ionospheres. They are created by photoionization of the neutral planetary atmosphere by solar EUV and soft X-ray irradiance. They provide the energy to heat the thermosphere. Thermalized photoelectrons permeate magnetospheres creating polarization electric fields and plasma waves as they interact with ions to maintain charge neutrality. Energetic photoelectrons (>1 eV) have a distinctive energy spectral shape as first revealed in data from the Atmosphere Explorer satellites. Energetic photoelectrons escaping the ionosphere follow local magnetic fields illuminating the planet’s magnetic topology. Current models using state-of-the-art EUV observations accurately capture their production and transport. However, in spite of 60 years of space research the electron thermalization processes occurring below 1 eV at low altitudes in planetary thermospheres are not understood quantitatively. Results from event analysis of data from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission are not consistent with current models of photoelectron thermalization. The lack of quantitative understanding reflects the complexity of the physics and the lack of a large data base of simultaneous neutral, ion, and electron densities and temperatures in lower planetary thermospheres.
zipcodeR: Advancing the analysis of spatial data at the ZIP code level in R

Abstract The United States Postal Service (USPS) assigns unique identifiers for postal service areas known as ZIP codes which are commonly used to identify cities and regions throughout the United States in datasets. Despite the widespread use of ZIP codes, there are challenges in using them for geospatial analysis in the social sciences. This paper presents zipcodeR, an R package that facilitates analysis of ZIP code-level data by providing an offline database of ZIP codes and functions for geocoding, normalizing and retrieving data about ZIP codes and relating them to other geographies in R without depending on any external services.
O-003 Adequate lateral compression is a strong independent predictor of aneurysm occlusion and retreatment after endovascular treatment with WEB

Purpose To determine the effect of lateral compression on aneurysm occlusion after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with the Woven Endo-Bridge (WEB) device. Methods We retrospectively reviewed intracranial aneurysms treated with WEB without adjunctive flow-diverter or coil usage at our institution. Baseline patient and aneurysm characteristics were collected. Aneurysm occlusion at last follow-up was determined by 3 neurointerventionalists using the WEB occlusion scale. Lateral compression (LC) was determined by (1) measuring the average implanted WEB width at its equator in 2 orthogonal working projections, and (2) subtracting it from the nominal WEB width (LC = nominal - average implanted WEB width). The patient cohort was categorized according to empirically-derived, technically-achievable adequate LC thresholds (table 1). Univariate analysis was conducted using Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact test. Independent predictors of complete and adequate aneurysm occlusion at last follow-up as well as aneurysm retreatment were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results 74 aneurysms were included in our study, mean maximum aneurysm size 6.5mm, mean neck size 3.6mm, mean time to last follow-up 12.5 months. Adequate WEB LC was present in 51 aneurysms (69%). At last follow-up, complete and adequate aneurysm occlusion was present in 43 (58%) and 62 (84%) aneurysms, respectively. 8 aneurysms were retreated (11%). There was a statistically-significant higher rate of complete and adequate aneurysm occlusion in aneurysms with adequate WEB LC (table 2). In addition, there was a statistically-significant lower rate of retreatment in aneurysms with adequate WEB LC (table 2). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of complete aneurysm occlusion at last follow-up were adequate WEB LC (odds ratio 24.3, p-value 0.001), maximum aneurysm size (odds ratio 0.5, p-value 0.006), active smoking (odds ratio 0.29, p-value 0.014), and aneurysm location (odds ratio 2.4, p-value 0.04). In addition, adequate WEB LC was an independent predictor of adequate aneurysm occlusion at last follow-up (odds ratio 59.3, p-value 0.03), and retreatment (odds ratio 0.059, p-value 0.04). Conclusion Adequate WEB LC is a strong independent predictor of aneurysm occlusion and retreatment in intracranial aneurysms treated with WEB. Determining whether adequate WEB LC has been attained prior to device detachment may aid in determining the need for WEB resizing and the likelihood of complete aneurysm occlusion at follow-up. Disclosures J. Delgado Almandoz: 2; C; Microvention/Terumo. Y. Kayan: 2; C; Microvention/Terumo. A. Copelan: None. J. Scholz: None.
The N-terminus of MIF regulates the dynamic profile of residues involved in CD74 activation.

Abstract Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an immunomodulatory protein with a pathogenic activity in various inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The majority of MIF-triggered pathological conditions are associated with activation of the cell surface receptor CD74. In the absence of small molecule antagonists that directly target CD74, MIF variants and MIF-ligand complexes have served as modulators of CD74 activity. These molecules have been reported to have either antagonistic or agonistic effects against the receptor, although the mechanistic parameters that distinguish the two groups are largely unknown. Through molecular dynamics simulations and NMR experiments, we explored the relationship between MIF’s catalytically active N-terminus and the surface residues important for the activation of CD74. We found that the two sites are connected via backbone dynamics that are propagated to the CD74 activation surface of MIF, from the β2 and β4 strands. Our results also provide mechanistic evidence that explain the functional characteristics of MIF variants, serving as CD74 agonists or antagonists. Such findings are of high importance for understanding the MIF-induced activation of CD74 as well as for the development of highly potent CD74 therapeutics.
Dixonia orientalis and Trismegistia korthalsii new to mainland China, Taiwan and Hainan Islands

Dixonia orientalis (Mitt.) H. Akiy. & Tsubota is reported new for China from Yunnan and Taiwan. The genus Trismegistia (Mull. Hal.) Mull. Hal. is re-established for the Chinese moss flora with Trismegistia korthalsii (Dozy & Molk.) Broth. newly discovered from Hainan Island
Bridging the Racial Divide on the Internet

We investigated differences in Internet use between whites and African Americans in the United States. Although African Americans are online in impressive numbers, significant disparities in access indicate the presence of a racial divide on the Internet. Our findings have important implications for public policy seeking to ensure Internet access for all members of our society.
Magnetic fields in the earth's tail

The initial mapping of the magnetic field in the geomagnetic tail out to a distance of 31 RE by IMP 1 established the basic structure of the tail. In addition to the generally steady well collimated nature of the field in the tail, a radius of approximately 20 RE out to a geocentric distance of 30 RE in the antisolar direction was deduced and the existence of a relatively thin (≼ 1 RE) neutral sheet separating oppositely directed fields was established (Ness, 1965; Speiser and Ness, 1967). Explorer 14 measurements showed a broad region of low field magnitude surrounding the field reversal region at a distance of 10 to 12 RE (Cahill, 1966). Observations of electrons and protons with E>100eV by the Vela satellites at geocentric distances between 15.5 and 20.5 RE showed that the plasma sheet surrounding the neutral sheet is often 4 to 6 RE thick near the midnight meridian, increasing to approximately twice that thickness near the dusk and dawn boundaries (Bame et al., 1967).
Influence of compartmental involvement on the patterns of morbidity in soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh.

BACKGROUD: The authors sought to determine whether differences existed in patterns of outcome and morbidity between the 3 thigh compartments after limb-sparing surgery and postoperative radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: A total of 255 patients with primary soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the thigh were identified in our sarcoma database (1982–2002). More than 80% of tumors were >5 cm, high grade, and deep; 33% had close or positive microscopic resection margins. Adjuvant RT consisted of brachytherapy alone (BRT; 63%), external beam RT alone (EBRT; 31%), or a combination of brachytherapy and EBRT (6%). There were 125 anterior, 58 medial, and 72 posterior lesions. The 3 compartments were balanced as to tumor grade, size, depth, margin status, and RT type. RESULTS: Overall local control (LC) was 89%, distant metastases-free survival (DMFS) was 61%, and overall survival (OS) was 66% at 5 years (median follow-up, 71 months). Overall rates for complications at 5 years were wound reoperation (10%), edema (13%), joint stiffness (12%), nerve damage (8%), and bone fractures (7%). Wound reoperation and edema were significantly higher for medial-compartment tumors (P = .01 and .005, respectively), whereas nerve damage occurred more frequently in posterior-compartment tumors (P < .001). There were no differences among bone fracture, joint stiffness, DMFS, or OS rates between compartments. CONCLUSIONS: Although tumor control was similar for all 3 compartments, more wound reoperation and edema were observed in the medial compartment, and more nerve damage was noted in the posterior compartment. These results may help guide decisions concerning current patients and improve the design of future treatments tailored to compartments. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
How to teach in a multicultural classroom.

(1974). How to Teach in a Multicultural Classroom. School Health Review: Vol. 5, No. 5, pp. 4-6.
An in-Line Ultrasonic Viscometer

An in-line viscometer is valuable to the control of a flow process, particularly a non-Newtonian flow because its viscosity is shear-rate dependent and thus requires continuous monitoring. Currently available in-line viscometers are mostly of the probe design [1] and may obstruct the flow pattern, causing plugging problem in flows with suspended particles. A probe-type viscometer generally measures a response of fluid density-viscosity product. To separate mass loading and viscous effects, Kim and Bau [2] used a dual-probe design based on torsional wave speed and attenuation measurements. However, no commercial system has been developed from their concept. Another limitation of existing probe-type viscometers is the range of application, primarily in the low-viscosity range.
Tetracarboxylic Acids as Formaldehyde-Free Durable Press Finishing Agents: Part I: Catalyst, Additive, and Durability Studies1

1,2,3,4-Butanetetracarboxylic acid and all-cis-1,2,3,4-cyclopentanetetracarboxylic acid have been studied as durable press reagents for cotton. They quickly form ester-type crosslinks in the cellulose when applied to fabric by pad-dry-cure techniques. Weak bases have proven to be active catalysts, one of the most effective being mono-sodium phosphate. Durable press smoothness ratings of 3.8–4.4 were imparted by either tetracarboxylic acid. The amount of tetracarboxylic acid required could be decreased by two-thirds by having citric or tartaric acid present as a co-reactant additive. In durability to home laundering, finishes from butanetetracarboxylic acid far surpassed those from cyclopentanetetracarboxylic acid, and most of the durable press performance was retained through 65 washing and drying cycles with a wash temperature of 50°C (122°F) and a pH of 9.8 using a standard detergent. The strength retentions, bending moments, and wrinkle recovery angles of treated fabric were comparable to those imparte...
Has the time come for big science in wildlife health

The consequences of wildlife emerging diseases are global and profound with increased burden on the public health system, negative impacts on the global economy, declines and extinctions of wildlife species, and subsequent loss of ecological integrity. Examples of health threats to wildlife include Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes a cutaneous fungal infection of amphibians and is linked to declines of amphibians globally; and the recently discovered Pseudogymnoascus (Geomyces) destructans, the etiologic agent of white nose syndrome which has caused precipitous declines of North American bat species. Of particular concern are the novel pathogens that have emerged as they are particularly devastating and challenging to manage. A big science approach to wildlife health research is needed if we are to make significant and enduring progress in managing these diseases. The advent of new analytical models and bench assays will provide us with the mathematical and molecular tools to identify and anticipate threats to wildlife, and understand the ecology and epidemiology of these diseases. Specifically, new molecular diagnostic techniques have opened up avenues for pathogen discovery, and the application of spatially referenced databases allows for risk assessments that can assist in targeting surveillance. Long-term, systematic collection of data for wildlife health and integration with other datasets is also essential. Multidisciplinary research programs should be expanded to increase our understanding of the drivers of emerging diseases and allow for the development of better disease prevention and management tools, such as vaccines. Finally, we need to create a National Fish and Wildlife Health Network that provides the operational framework (governance, policies, procedures, etc.) by which entities with a stake in wildlife health cooperate and collaborate to achieve optimal outcomes for human, animal, and ecosystem health.
Materials science approach to the fabrication of 3D silicon photonic lattices

To date, most design of photonic lattice structures has been based on the use of complex and elaborate models run on high-end computer systems. This work has established that there are several general symmetries, which may result in full 3-D gaps, diamond, inverse face centered cubic and high index contrast simple cubic. The fill fraction is also known to be typically close to twenty five percent high index component. With this knowledge it is possible to come up with a variety of structures which have the same symmetry elements, but the building blocks of which are considerably different from those in the literature. With a reliable fabrication process it is now possible to fabricate a whole range of possible structures in a single run and then experimentally determine if any, in fact, display a gap. We have used this approach to demonstrate an open square structure with the diamond symmetry, three fold interpenetrating FCC structures, sheet structures with the inverse face centered cubic and hexagonal close packed structures, as well as 'stick figure' structures with elements of the inverse FCC or HCP structures. While they have the same symmetry elements as more established structures, these designs may have advantages for particular applications. For example, in the formation of cavities it may be advantageous to employ a structure made up of small discrete sub-units, as opposed to one consisting of 'infinitely long' rods.
Cell adhesion and matrix remodeling genes identified by co-expression analysis

Cell adhesion and matrix remodeling are elements in many diseases, ranging from atherosclerosis and fibrosis to metastatic cancer. However, many genes that participate in these processes have not yet been identified. To find such genes, we looked for previously uncharacterized genes that are co-expressed with known cell adhesion and matrix remodeling genes. The known genes in this study included MMP2, TIMP3, BM-40, chondroitin, connective tissue growth factor, fibromodulin, IGFBP5, laminin, MGP, myosin light chain kinase, several collagens, and other matrix and adhesion proteins. We found eight previously uncharacterized genes, here named MXRA1 through MXRA8, that were strongly co-expressed with these known adhesion and matrix genes. Five of the MXRA genes have a significant similarity to uncharacterized cDNA sequences or predicted proteins listed in the Genbank database, but otherwise show distant or no sequence similarity to genes with known function. Subsequent to our entry of the MXRA gene sequences in the Genbank, three of the eight genes have been independently described by other researchers: MXRA2 is α-parvin, a cell-matrix adhesion protein, MXRA4 is a C1 complement component receptor involved in cell adhesion, and MXRA5 is adlican, an adhesion proteoglycan. The analysis described here provides further evidence for the role of these genes in adhesion and matrix remodeling.
Electrical techniques and the heart in health and disease

Some interesting examples are presented of electrical measuring techniques in three principal areas of medical science: basic physiology; diagnosis of disease; and treatment of disease. Intracellular recordings, electrocardiography, flow-recording techniques, pacemaking, and defibrillation are among the specific methods discussed.
A radio-frequency phase-drift compensator for neutron time-of-flight measurements

Abstract A device is described that compensates variations at the target in the time of arrival of the external cyclotron beam relative to a fixed phase on a radio-frequency signal from the cyclotron. The rf timing compensator permits achieving long-term stability in time resolution for neutron time-of-light measurements at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility.
Polymer-membrane pH electrodes as internal elements for potentiometric gas-sensing systems

The use of polymer-membrane pH electrodes as internal sensing elements for the fabrication of inexpensive ammonia and carbon dioxide gas sensing systems is reported. The pH-responsive polymer membranes are prepared by incorporating tridodecylamine as the neutral carrier in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes. Both static and continuous-flow gas-sensing arrangements are described. For miniature static gas sensors, the internal polymer pH electrode can be made with or without an internal reference solution. In the latter case, the polymeric membrane is coated directly onto a graphite substrate. The polymer pH electrode can also be prepaerd in tubular form and used in conjunction with a gas dialysis chamber for automated continuous-flow determinations of carbon dioxide and ammonia. Slopes, response times, and reproducibility of these new gas-sensing systems are evaluated using optimized internal electrodes, flow rates, and gas-permeable membrane materials. When appropriate reagents and materials ar used, the static sensors exhibit slopes in the range 48–62 mV/decace with potentials reproducible to less than ±1.5 mV at gas concentrations greater than 10–3 M.
A quantitative study of the pupil dilatation caused by adrenalin

In the normal rabbit, adrenalin given subcutaneously has no effect on the pupil; if given intravenously in fairly large doses there may be a dilatation lasting less than a minute. S. J. Meltzer and C. M. Auer have shown that after removal of a superior cervical sympathetic ganglion in rabbits, the pupil of the corresponding side dilates maximally upon the administration of adrenalin either subcutaneously, intravenously or by instillation. Their experiments were carried out from the qualitative point of view, that is, fairly large doses of adrenalin were used and a wide, long-lasting dilatation of the pupil on the gangliectomized side resulted.I have recently made a quantitative study of the effects of intravenous injections of adrenalin on the pupil after removal of a superior cervical ganglion in rabbits. The object was to determine the minimal dose that will give a dilatation, and also the amount and duration of the dilatation produced by larger doses. The doses of adrenalin used per kilo animal, expres...
Twin Pigeon Embryos

Twin pigeon embryos were found on incubation day 18 in a pipped egg. The egg was pipped at the small end. The embryos were dead. Removal of a portion of the shell allowed removal of one embryo and revealed the second one. Both appeared normal in development and size.
Aggressive surgery and focal radiation in the management of meningiomas of the skull base: preservation of function with maintenance of local control.

Background. Recent study series have reported that post-operative external beam radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery with the linear accelerator or gamma knife improves long-term local control of subtotally resected or recurrent meningiomas. Methods. Analysis of treatment results in 100 consecutive patients with skull base meningiomas managed by one surgeon with a median follow-up of five years. Treatment principles included observation for asymptomatic tumors; surgery for progressive or symptomatic tumors unless surgery was medically contraindicated or refused by the patient; to make surgery as aggressive as possible but with the goal of preserving full function of the patient; and to use radiosurgery or conformal fractionated radiation therapy if residual tumor was demonstrated. Preoperative, postoperative, and observational data were prospectively accumulated and stored in a large database system. Median follow up was 5 years with a range from 2 to 10 years. Findings. The most frequent presenting symptoms were headache (45%) and changes in vision (29%). Cranial nerve deficits (49%) and cerebellar signs (24%) were the most common physical findings. Seventy-two patients had surgical resection. Of these, 93% had greater than 50% resection and 47% had radiographically complete resection. There were no perioperative deaths and there were five surgical complications for a rate of 7%. Complications included hemiparesis (2.8%), new cranial nerve palsy (2.8%), and indolent osteomyelitis (1.4%). Fifteen patients had observation only; none of who progressed. Thirteen patients had radiation only, primarily because of patient preference or medical contraindications to surgery in the setting of substantial symptoms. There were no complications of this therapy. With a median five-year follow-up, only one patient (1%) demonstrated tumor progression using the treatment paradigm outlined here. Interpretation. These results demonstrate that skull base meningiomas which require treatment can be managed with a combination of aggressive surgery and conformal radiation with an acceptable functional status in 99% of cases.
PNPASE and RNA trafficking into mitochondria

The mitochondrial genome encodes a very small fraction of the macromolecular components that are required to generate functional mitochondria. Therefore, most components are encoded within the nuclear genome and are imported into mitochondria from the cytosol. Understanding how mitochondria are assembled, function, and dysfunction in diseases requires detailed knowledge of mitochondrial import mechanisms and pathways. The import of nucleus-encoded RNAs is required for mitochondrial biogenesis and function, but unlike pre-protein import, the pathways and cellular machineries of RNA import are poorly defined, especially in mammals. Recent studies have shown that mammalian polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPASE) localizes in the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) to regulate the import of RNA. The identification of PNPASE as the first component of the RNA import pathway, along with a growing list of nucleus-encoded RNAs that are imported and newly developed assay systems for RNA import studies, suggest a unique opportunity is emerging to identify the factors and mechanisms that regulate RNA import into mammalian mitochondria. Here we summarize what is known in this fascinating area of mitochondrial biogenesis, identify areas that require further investigation, and speculate on the impact unraveling RNA import mechanisms and pathways will have for the field going forward. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mitochondrial Gene Expression.
Stimulation of grassland nitrogen cycling under carbon dioxide enrichment.

Nitrogen (N) limits plant growth in many terrestrial ecosystems, potentially constraining terrestrial ecosystem response to elevated CO2. In this study, elevated CO2 stimulated gross N mineralization and plant N uptake in two annual grasslands. In contrast to other studies that have invoked increased C input to soil as the mechanism altering soil N cycling in response to elevated CO2, increased soil moisture, due to decreased plant transpiration in elevated CO2, best explains the changes we observed. This study suggests that atmospheric CO2 concentration may influence ecosystem biogeochemistry through plant control of soil moisture.
Identity and cooperative social behavior: Pseudospeciation or human integration?

(1991). Identity and cooperative social behavior: Pseudospeciation or human integration? World Futures: Vol. 31, Cooperation: Toward a Post-Modern Ethic, pp. 95-106.
Nanometre-scale displacement sensing using a single electron transistor

It has been a long-standing goal to detect the effects of quantum mechanics on a macroscopic mechanical oscillator. Position measurements of an oscillator are ultimately limited by quantum mechanics, where 'zero-point motion' fluctuations in the quantum ground state combine with the uncertainty relation to yield a lower limit on the measured average displacement. Development of a position transducer, integrated with a mechanical resonator, that can approach this limit could have important applications in the detection of very weak forces, for example in magnetic resonance force microscopy and a variety of other precision experiments. One implementation that might allow near quantum-limited sensitivity is to use a single electron transistor (SET) as a displacement sensor: the exquisite charge sensitivity of the SET at cryogenic temperatures is exploited to measure motion by capacitively coupling it to the mechanical resonator. Here we present the experimental realization of such a device, yielding an unequalled displacement sensitivity of 2 x 10(-15) m x Hz(-1/2) for a 116-MHz mechanical oscillator at a temperature of 30 mK-a sensitivity roughly a factor of 100 larger than the quantum limit for this oscillator.
Can School-Based Educational Programs Really Be Expected to Solve the Adolescent Drug Abuse Problem?

The recommendation of a 1984 Rand Corporation report that the most effective way to prevent adolescent drug abuse is through preventive education is reviewed within the context of theories related to the causes of drug abuse integrated with the PRECEDE model of health education program planning. It is concluded that many of the variables which influence adolescents to begin use of psychoactive substances are not within the purview of schools. Therefore, the Rand recommendation should only be accepted if three conditions are met: 1) there should be a consistent governmental policy toward drug education including funding for curriculum development, teacher training, implementation, evaluation and maintenance; 2) there should be special educational intervention programs for high risk children; and 3) specific strategies should be developed and implemented to elicit active support from social institutions besides schools.
Transplanted XY germ cells produce spermatozoa in testes of XXY mice

XXY mouse has been characterized as an experimental model for men with Klinefelter's syndrome (XXY male phenotype). To test whether donor XY germ cells could proliferate and differentiate in the XXY testicular environment, donor testicular cells from adult (2-3 months old) and immature (10 days old) XY green fluorescence protein (GFP) transgenic mice were transplanted into the seminiferous tubules of adult (4-7 months old) and young (6 weeks old) XXY recipient mice respectively. Twelve weeks after transplantation, GFP positive spermatogonia were found in 21.74% (five out of 23) of adult XXY recipients who received adult donor cells. The GFP positive segments of seminiferous tubules were observed in 44.44% (four out of nine) young XXY recipients who received donor cells from 10 days old GFP mice. We found using immunohistochemistry and cell morphology that donor-derived GFP positive germ cells were spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round spermatids and spermatozoa in some of the seminiferous tubules of young XXY recipient mice. The results demonstrated that the donor XY germ cells were able to qualitatively complete spermatogenesis in some of the seminiferous tubules of XXY mice.
Alteration of hepatic mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase activity by sodium arsenate: the relationship to mitochondrial--microsomal oxidative interactions.

Abstract Prolonged oral exposure of rats to sodium arsenate produces marked alteration of hepatic mitochondrial structure and a pronounced increase in the NAD/NADH ratio with a concomitant 2.8-fold increase in the endogenous specific activity of NAD-dependent mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase. There was no change in K m or V max of the enzyme for either formaldehyde or NAD. Mitochondria from arsenate-treated rats combined in vitro with microsomes from the same animals were found to metabolize formaldehyde generated from microsomal dealkylation reactions at approximately 1.4 times the rate observed with control mitochondria. These results indicate that a change in the mitochondrial NAD/NADH ratio by exposure to arsenate may affect interorganelle biological processes in vivo . These results may be important in understanding the metabolic consequences of the shifts in mitochondrial redox state associated with arsenate alterations of mitochondrial metabolic activities.
Uranyl Coordination Environment in Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids: An in Situ Investigation

Different inner-sphere coordination environments are observed for the uranyl nitrate complexes formed with octyl-phenyl-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide and tributyl phosphate in dodecane and in the hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) [C4mim][PF6] and [C8mim][N(SO2CF3)2]. Qualitative differences in the coordination environment of the extracted uranyl species are implied by changes in peak intensity patterns and locations for uranyl UV−visible spectral bands when the solvent is changed. EXAFS data for uranyl complexes in dodecane solutions is consistent with hexagonal bipyramidal coordination and the existence of UO2(NO3)2(CMPO)2. In contrast, the complexes formed when uranyl is transferred from aqueous nitric acid solutions into the ILs exhibit an average equatorial coordination number of approximately 4.5. Liquid/liquid extraction results for uranyl in both ILs indicate a net stoichiometry of UO2(NO3)(CMPO)+. The concentration of the IL cation in the aqueous phase increases in proportion to the a...
Calculation of currents and voltages in faulted high phase order systems

Abstract This paper presents a method for calculating phase and sequence voltage and currents throughout a power system of mixed phase order (i.e. the system is perceived to be divided into an arbitrary number of different phase order subsystems) subjected to an arbitrary fault type at an arbitrary bus in the system. The approach used involves sequence [Z] methods. An example application is provided.
Optimization of spin-lattice relaxation-time measurements: Statistical analysis by stochastic simulation of inversion-recovery experiments

Abstract A study by stochastic simulation of inversion-recovery experiments for measurements of spin-lattice relaxation times that aims at the optimization of the accuracy/time ratio is presented. Parameters such as the estimated uncertainty in the unknown T 1 the rf pulse width, the number and the values of the variable delay times, the value of the fixed delay time, and the signal-to-noise ratio, are considered in the statistical analysis. Two regression methods, the linear (logarithmic) with two adjustable parameters and the nonlinear (exponential) with three adjustable parameters, are employed in the analysis of the simulated data and are compared with one another. The nonlinear method is found to be superior under virtually all practical conditions (including fast repetition rate and nonideal pulse widths). A set of experimental parameters, optimal for T 1 measurements by the inversion-recovery technique and data analysis with the nonlinear three-parameter method, is obtained. Of special interest is the finding that in fast inversion-recovery experiments the fully recovered spectrum should also be measured to markedly improve the accuracy, in a given experimental time, of the measured spin-lattice relaxation time.