cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Special Section Guest Editorial: Pioneer in Biomedical Optics: Introduction to the Special Section in Honor of Steven L. Jacques

This guest editorial introduces the special section honoring Prof. Steven L. Jacques. We present this special section of the Journal of Biomedical Optics in honor of Steven L. Jacques, PhD, a leading pioneer in the field of biomedical optics. In the late eighties, Steve was part of a small group of researchers from various disciplines who clearly saw the potential of light and optics for new approaches to medical diagnostics and treatment of various diseases. Since then the field has grown exponentially and biomedical optics has become an integral part in many medical disciplines. Through his work and many seminal contributions, Steve has actively shaped this development.
Commensal E. coli induced colonization resistance against mucosal Salmonella infection

Salmonella is the causative agent in Salmonellosis and is a leading cause of gastrointestinal bacterial infections worldwide. During mucosal Salmonella infection Salmonella must first establish a niche in the gastrointestinal tract in order to initiate infection. Colonization resistance (CR), defined as the ability of intestinal microbiota and host defenses to protect against pathogens, is the first line defense against intestinal infection. The mechanism for commensal bacteria mediated CR has been studied for a long time; however, only a few studies have explored how microbiota can induce CR against Salmonella infection. Herein we demonstrate that a mouse commensal E. coli strain mediates CR against mucosal Salmonella Typhimurium infection, and that this CR is independent of the inflammasome, TLR5, MyD88, adaptive immunity, and a complex microbiome. The commensal E. coli strain does not directly compete with Salmonella growth in vitro , and is only capable of inducing colonization resistance in vivo . Gene expression analysis demonstrates that colonization of mice by commensal E. coli induces a large number of host defense genes involved in the regulation of mucosal barriers, innate immune cells and arachidonic acid metabolism. Our studies demonstrate that commensal E. coli interacts with the host through a novel pathway to induce CR against mucosal Salmonella infection and illuminate the complex interactions between microbiota and the host that shape defenses and defend against enteric infections.
Supported Liquid Membranes in Pharmaceutics and Biotechnology

Abstracts Pharmaceutics and biotechnology play a vital role for both human beings and the environment. In pharmaceutics and biotechnology, separation processes, using supported liquid membranes (SLMs) in particular, are extensively applied for the removal and recovery of active ingredients from diluted aqueous solutions produced by fermentation and/or enzymatic synthesis. This chapter reviews the significant advances and widespread activities of SLMs in pharmaceutics and biotechnology, especially for the selective removal and recovery of antibiotics such as Cephalexin, Cephalosporin C, Penicillin G, and Amoxicillin. Important parameters that impact the mass transfer performance of SLMs are discussed and highlighted. Future perspectives on the development of SLMs are also highlighted.
Cellular proliferation in mouse and human pancreatic islets is regulated by serpin B13 inhibition and downstream targeting of E-cadherin by cathepsin L.

We previously reported that exposure to antibodies neutralising serpin B13, a protease inhibitor expressed in exocrine pancreatic ducts, promotes beta cell proliferation, underscoring the importance of a functional relationship between exocrine and endocrine pancreas. The aim of the present study was to identify the molecular events that link inhibition of serpin B13 to islet cell proliferation. We used an in vitro culture system consisting of isolated pancreatic islets, an extract of pancreatic ductal epithelium and a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to serpin B13 or IgG isotype control. In vivo studies involved treatment of mice with these mAbs. The catalytic activity of cathepsin L (CatL), a cysteine protease target of serpin B13, was augmented in the pancreas of mice injected with serpin B13 mAb. Furthermore, the addition of serpin B13 mAb to the islets, together with the pancreatic ductal epithelium lysate, caused CatL-dependent cleavage of E-cadherin and concomitant upregulation of REG genes, ultimately leading to beta cell proliferation. Direct blockade of E-cadherin with mAb also markedly enhanced REG gene induction, while chemical inhibition of β-catenin, a binding target of E-cadherin, prevented the serpin B13 mAb-induced upregulation of REG genes. Our work implicates the CatL–E-cadherin–REG pathway in the regulation of islet cell proliferation in response to signals generated in exocrine pancreatic tissue and demonstrates that protease activity may promote adaptive changes in the islets. Microarray data that support the findings of this study have been deposited in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) with the accession no. GSE125151.
Toxicokinetics and bioavailability of bisphenol AF following oral administration in rodents: A dose, species, and sex comparison.

Abstract We investigated the toxicokinetics and bioavailability of bisphenol AF (BPAF) in male and female Harlan Sprague Dawley rats and B6C3F1/N mice following a single gavage administration of 34, 110, or 340 mg/kg. A validated analytical method was used to quantitate free (unconjugated parent) and total (unconjugated and conjugated) BPAF in plasma. BPAF was rapidly absorbed in rats with the maximum plasma concentration, Cmax, of free BPAF reached at ≤2.20 h. BPAF was cleared rapidly with a plasma elimination half-life of ≤3.35 h. Cmax and the area under the concentration versus time curve, AUC0-∞, increased proportionally to the dose. Total BPAF Cmax was reached ≤1.07 h in rats with both Cmax (≥27-fold) and AUC0-∞ (≥52-fold) much higher than corresponding free values demonstrating rapid and extensive conjugation of BPAF following oral administration. Absorption of BPAF following a 34 mg/kg gavage dose in mice was more rapid than in rats with free BPAF Cmax reached ≤0.455 h. Free BPAF was cleared rapidly in mice with an elimination half-life of ≤4.22 h. Similar to rats, total BPAF was much higher than corresponding free BPAF. There was no apparent sex-related effect in plasma toxicokinetic parameters of free or total BPAF in mice and rats. Bioavailability in rats was ~ 1% with no apparent dose-related effect. Bioavailability in mice was slightly higher than in rats (male ~ 6%, female 3%). These data demonstrate that BPAF was rapidly absorbed following gavage administration in rodents, rapidly and extensively conjugated with low bioavailability.
Reengineering a tRNA Methyltransferase To Covalently Capture New RNA Substrates.

Covalent RNA modifications can alter the function and metabolism of RNA transcripts. Altering the RNA substrate specificities of the enzymes that install these modifications can provide powerful to...
Brazing, Laser, and Electron-Beam Welding of Additively Manufactured GRCop-84 Copper for Phased Array Lower Hybrid Launchers

Recent advances in selective laser melting 3-D printing technology allow additive manufacturing of lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) RF launchers from a new material, Glenn Research Copper 84 (GRCop-84), a Cr2Nb (8 at. % Cr, 4 at. % Nb) precipitation hardened alloy, in configurations unachievable by conventional machining. Cr2Nb crystals pin grain boundaries within the copper matrix resulting in high tensile strength and resistance to annealing at elevated temperatures. Brazing, laser, and electron-beam welding (EBW) techniques are explored for joining a thin-walled GRCop-84 waveguide with zero porosity and minimal internal surface roughness. GRCop-84 wets well with the silver solder, CuSil, and Cusil-ABA brazes, once the durable surface oxide is mechanically removed. GRCop-84 melt pool size and flow during EBW is reduced compared to oxygen-free copper (OFC). Pulsed laser and e-beam welding maintains the Cr2Nb precipitate size; precipitate coarsening occurs in conduction mode e-beam welding.
Testing the Waters: Developing Interlanguage Pragmatics through Exploration, Experimentation, and Participation in Online Communities

This study presents an innovative approach to developing interlanguage pragmatics (ILP) by training students to engage in online participatory cultures and analyzing their participation through the lens of communities of practice. Participants were university-level English language learners studying in the United States who were trained on the basic layout and practices of a social news and discussion site (Reddit), then assigned weekly postings within forums based on their individual interests. Social media engagement metrics (upvotes and responses) were used to measure and observe the quantity and quality of online interaction, and post-task questionnaires and follow-up interviews investigated learner perceptions about the language and cyberpragmatics in the online communities they encountered. Quantitative results show that participants struggled to achieve high levels of interaction with other users, but qualitative results indicate a wide range of potential benefits for ILP exploration and development. The findings and implications of this study contribute towards best practices in developing strategies for ILP in online spaces and cyberpragmatic awareness among language learners, enabling them to reach higher levels of participation in online communities.
Human Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Adaptations Following Resistance Exercise Training.

It is universally accepted that resistance training promotes increases in muscle strength and hypertrophy in younger and older populations. Although less investigated, studies largely suggest resistance training results in lower skeletal muscle mitochondrial volume; a phenomenon which has been described as a “dilution of the mitochondrial volume” via resistance training. While this phenomenon is poorly understood, it is likely a result of muscle fiber hypertrophy outpacing mitochondrial biogenesis. Critically, there is no evidence to suggest resistance training promotes a net loss in mitochondria. Further, given the numerous reports suggesting resistance training does not decrease and may even increase VO2max in previously untrained individuals, it is plausible certain aspects of mitochondrial function may be enhanced with resistance training, and this area warrants further research consideration. Finally, there are emerging data suggesting resistance training may affect mitochondrial dynamics. The current review will provide an in-depth discussion of these topics and posit future research directions which can further our understanding of how resistance training may affect skeletal muscle mitochondrial physiology.
Case report of amniotic fluid embolism coagulopathy following abortion; use of viscoelastic point-of-care analysis

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare, life threatening obstetric complication, often associated with severe coagulopathy. Induced abortions are extremely safe procedures however complications including AFE can occur. A 29-year-old previously healthy woman, gravida 1 para 0, presented for a scheduled second trimester induced abortion via dilation and evacuation at 22-weeks gestation. The case was complicated by a suspected AFE with associated profound coagulopathy. Viscoelastic point-of-care coagulation analysis was used to successfully and swiftly guide management of her coagulopathy. AFE can occur in the setting of induced abortion. This case report suggests viscoelastic point-of-care coagulation analyzers may aid in the management of pregnancy-related coagulopathy by providing faster coagulation assessment than laboratory testing, and facilitating timely, targeted management of coagulopathy.
Transport properties near the z=2 insulator-superconductor transition

We consider here the fluctuation conductivity near the point of the insulator-superconductor transition in a system of Josephson junction arrays in the presence of particle-hole asymmetry and Ohmic dissipation. The transition is characterized by the dynamical critical exponent z=2, opening the possibility of the perturbative renormalization-group treatment. The coupling to the Ohmic heat bath, giving the finite quasiparticle lifetime, leads to the nonmonotonic behavior of the dc conductivity as a function of temperature in the leading logarithmic approximation.
Designing Cases for Case-Based Immunology Teaching in Large Medical School Classes.

Abstract: Case-based, interactive sessions for small groups (in a large medical school class of 150 students) reinforce basic immunology concepts by including clinical scenarios that stimulate student learning and consolidate critical concepts. Careful design of cases (designing backwards from the key concepts) leads students through successively more complicated and linked group-work questions. This paper details why cases are effective learning tools, how to design an effective case, how to ask appropriate questions and how to help students apply basic immunology concepts to a case. Each group work session is facilitated and followed by a question and answer presentation by faculty, where student groups are directly asked to answer the questions and also challenged with “bonus questions” not presented with the original case. This allows students to “put together” immunology information into a “story” that they can tell and prevents student frustration by summarizing the results at the end of each case. Case design is carefully discussed including clinical relevancy and accuracy, how to write questions that do not give away the answers, how to emphasize mechanistic questions that allow students to “clinically explain as a physician” the immunological basis for the answers. Additionally, students better understand the role of immunity in both normal and disease states. A case-based approach promotes student learning by re-emphasizing basic concepts in the context of the case and promotes better students understanding of critical immunological concepts. Keywords: Immunology education, case-based learning, medical school education, team-based learning, key concepts, active learning, integrated curriculum.
Bodily-based conceptual metaphors in Ash&#233;ninka Peren&#233; myths and folk stories

The paper examines a range of conceptual metaphors which serve as key elements of Asheninka Perene (Arawak) myths and folk tales, and aims at situating them in the context of Amazonian high jungle dwellers' culture. Based on fieldwork conducted in 2009–2011 in lowland Peru, the paper gives a brief outline of the current sociolinguistic status of the language, indigenous economy, and aspects of speakers' cultural beliefs. The bulk of the paper is devoted to the discussion of three conceptual metaphors which underlie oral native texts, namely body is animal prey; body is clothing; body is fabrication. Seeking to account for the attested metaphors, the paper concludes with a discussion of indigenous conceptual frameworks of cosmocentric animism and perspectivism.
Quantifying the Impact of Uncertainty in Embedded Systems Mapping for NoC Based Architectures

Abstract We describe a modeling framework to capture and account for uncertainty in design parameters in embedded systems. We then develop an uncertainty-aware solution to the problem of mapping in embedded systems that uses Network-on-Chip (NoC) based architecture platforms. The problem of mapping is formulated as a multi-objective - reliability, performance, and energy consumption - optimization problem. To solve this problem, we propose a solution based on the NSGA-II genetic algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The solution is implemented as a computer-aid design tool that can generate robust 3D Pareto frontiers in the solution space formed by the design objectives of reliability, performance, and energy consumption. Comparison to several state-of-the-art models and solutions for the mapping problem, indicate that significant differences in the actual values of the design attribute of interest exist when one considers uncertainty in design parameters. For example, in the case of mapping with reliability as the only objective, 10% uncertainty in design parameters can lead to a 10.06% difference in MTTF estimation. In the case of mapping with execution time and energy consumption as objectives, the difference in 2D Pareto frontiers due to 10% uncertainty in design parameters can be up to 7.9%. These differences are important because they can mislead the overall optimization process of mapping toward suboptimal solution points. The DESUU-NOC tool that implements the proposed multi-objective mapping algorithm has as a main feature and contribution of this paper the ability to generate 3D Pareto frontiers comprised of robust solution points.
Robot Assisted MRI-Guided LITT of the Anterior, Lateral, and Medial Temporal Lobe for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Robotic systems have fundamentally altered the landscape of functional neurosurgery. These allow automated stereotaxy with high accuracy and reliability, and are rapidly becoming a mainstay in stereotactic surgeries such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), and stereotactic laser ablation/MRI guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT). Robotic systems have been effectively applied to create a minimally invasive approach for diagnostics and therapeutics in the treatment of epilepsy, utilizing robots for expeditious and accurate stereotaxy for SEEG and MRgLITT. MRgLITT has been shown to approach open surgical techniques in efficacy of seizure control while minimizing collateral injury. We describe the use of robot assisted MRgLITT for a minimally invasive laser anterior temporal lobotomy, describing the approach and potential pitfalls. Goals of MRgLITT are complete ablation of the epileptogenic zone and avoiding injury to uninvolved structures. In the middle fossa these include structures such as cranial nerves in the skull base and cavernous sinus and the thalamus. These can be mitigated with careful trajectory planning and control of laser ablation intensity.
Short communication: Context matters: Adult size is contingent on embryonic temperature in Drosophila melanogaster.

Temperature is a critical factor in shaping ectothermic development. Developmental temperature may constrain, alter, or redirect phenotypes expressed later in life. Recent studies have begun to analyze the consequences of mismatches between developmental and adult environments. Few studies analyze the consequences environmental mismatches during development yield on adult phenotypes. The aim of this study was to determine how mismatched temperatures during development affect adult size in Drosophila melanogaster. We employed a full factorial design in which eggs were incubated for 24 h in one of two temperature treatments (18 °C or 28 °C) with half of the flies subsequently being switched to the opposite temperature treatment for the remainder of development. We measured body size shortly after eclosure. We found that variation in size after eclosure was contingent upon the temperature during the embryo stage. Flies reared initially in 18 °C eclosed larger regardless of the subsequent temperature until eclsoure. Flies reared initially in 28 °C, however, eclosed smaller only if they remained in 28 °C until eclosure. The degree of plasticity in size was therefore contingent upon temperature during the embryo stage. We discuss the implications of employing full factorial approaches to consider the full context of phenotypic outcomes in light of changing developmental environments.
A Novel Team-Based Learning Approach for an Internal Medicine Residency: Medication-Assisted Treatments for Substance Use Disorders

Introduction It is estimated that approximately one-tenth of the US population suffers from substance use disorders (SUD), a problem that is compounded when one considers the impact that drug addic...
Simulation-assisted data-driven method for glare control with automated shading systems in office buildings

Abstract An automated shading system is expected to effectively prevent visual discomfort associated with glare while providing adequate daylight penetration. However, the concept of visual comfort has not been well integrated into existing commercial shading systems, leaving potential for visual discomfort and resulting in occupants’ dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, advanced methods in the academic literature are not always suitable for industrial applications due to problems associated with intensive real-time computation or privacy concerns. This research aims to address this gap by developing a simulation-assisted data-driven method for glare control with automated shades. The proposed strategy utilizes data from pre-simulated daylight analyses to develop glare predictive models using machine learning algorithms. With real-time solar irradiance measurements and the sun position as the input variables to feed the predictive models, the control algorithm can predict the glare condition and set the shades to an appropriate position that maximizes daylight ingress without causing glare. The presented method was verified using climate-based simulation to adjust the slat angle of automated venetian blinds in an office building. Its performance was compared to that of the conventional cut-off angle control for glare elimination, lighting use savings, and view access. The results showed that the proposed strategy was able to prevent 86.5%–96.9% of the glare and potentially reduce lighting energy use by 80.8% while the cut-off control only resulted in 28.9% glare elimination and 67.6% lighting energy savings. The presented method also allowed for unobstructed view more frequently, outperforming the cut-off angle control in all the examined categories.
Can Technology Bridge The Gap Between Rural Development And Financial Inclusions

Poverty reduction and income inequality have remained major challenges in all economies especially in developing countries. It is evident that digital financial service, as a platform, enhances great opportunities to access finances in various areas. Unfortunately, the markets in developing economies are fragmented and the use of digital financial services has not yet gained popularity. The often-cited barriers to mobile money adoption in these economies include but not limited to illiteracy, limited knowledge about mobile money and very low levels of trusts and above all poor infrastructures. The high-level disparity between the rural and urban dwellers is another very big issue based on their inability to benefit from the services. And these financially excluded are those who do not use any financial services or products to manage their finances. It is on record that technology interventions assist financial institutions to reduce costs and affords them increased customer reachability; however, most of the rural dwellers are not on their radar. This paper sets out to determine the extent to which the visible and ever increasing gap of financial exclusions can be bridged with the application of technology. Findings however revealed that most financially excluded individuals and businesses find solace in the informal sectors due to the traditional human touch involved. And the informal sector offers them the benefits of deeper customer relationships as opposed to endless forms that need to be filled in the formal financial institutions. The paper recommends a rethink on the part of the financial institution managers and the inclusion of some aspects of the activities of the informal sector in order to woo the unbanked and the under-banked.
The real-word evidence of first-line treatment of pembrolizumab in advanced NSCLC.

e18731Background: For advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), evidence from clinical trials indicates the superiority of pembrolizumab (P) than chemotherapy (C) in PD-L1 positive patients and ...
Reading Piers Plowman

Reading 'Piers Plowman' is an indispensable scholarly guide to a magnificent - and notoriously difficult - medieval poem. With 'Piers Plowman', the fourteenth-century poet William Langland proved that English verse could be at once spiritually electrifying and intellectually rigorous, capable of imagining society in its totality while at the same time exploring heady ideas about language, theology and culture. In her study of Piers Plowman, Emily Steiner explores how Langland's ambitious poetics emerged in dialogue with contemporary ideas; for example, about political counsel and gender, the ethics of poverty, Christian and pagan learning, lordship and servitude, and the long history of Christianity. Lucid and comprehensive, Steiner's study teaches us to stay alert to the poem's stunning effects while still making sense of its literary and historical contexts.
Preemption adaptivity in time-published queue-based spin locks

The proliferation of multiprocessor servers and multithreaded applications has increased the demand for high-performance synchronization. Traditional scheduler-based locks incur the overhead of a full context switch between threads and are thus unacceptably slow for many applications. Spin locks offer low overhead, but they either scale poorly (test-and-set style locks) or handle preemption badly (queue-based locks). Previous work has shown how to build preemption-tolerant locks using an extended kernel interface, but such locks are neither portable to nor even compatible with most operating systems. In this work, we propose a time-publishing heuristic in which each thread periodically records its current timestamp to a shared memory location. Given the high resolution, roughly synchronized clocks of modern processors, this convention allows threads to guess accurately which peers are active based on the currency of their timestamps. We implement two queue-based locks, MCS-TP and CLH-TP, and evaluate their performance relative to traditional spin locks on a 32-processor IBM p690 multiprocessor. These results show that time-published locks make it feasible, for the first time, to use queue-based spin locks on multiprogrammed systems with a standard kernel interface.
Exploring the spatio-temporal variation of seagrass ecosystems in southern Tampa bay

This paper presents the status and outcomes of our efforts in using developed coastal geospatial information technology for studying on seagrass degradation in Tampa Bay, FL, in the last period of our NSF-funded Digital Government project. The research results of the project in the first three years are summarized. In the fourth year, the project is focused on seagrass degradation monitoring and restoration in Tampa Bay, FL. In this paper, the spatiotemporal variation of seagrass coverage in southern Tampa Bay was investigated. The effects of several physical factors on seagrass distribution were also examined. It was found that seagrass distribution is not only influenced by biochemical factors such as nutrient loading, water quality, and light, but also by the underwater landscape and other physical factors.
Soundness and Completeness versus Lifting Property

We give new formulations of the property of soundness and completeness of a resolution system and of the lifting lemma, and we discuss their relationship.
The New Asylum Seekers: Addressing Their Origin

“The New Asylum Seekers,” the title of this volume, provides an artful characterization of the contemporary refugee problem. It neatly slips by the conundrums of definition, yet correctly suggests that the problem of the refugee somehow has broken through the framework of established international refugee law. This paper will follow where the title leads, and leave the problems of definition to braver souls, who may address the problematical distinctions between “economic migrants” and “political refugees,” “regular” and “irregular” movements, and other such frustrations. The objective here is not to define, but to consider how we may adapt the broader framework of international refugee law to respond to the new realities of the problem of the refugee.
Infant peripheral blood repetitive element hypomethylation associated with antiretroviral therapy in utero

The use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) to prevent HIV mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy and delivery is generally considered safe. However, vigilant assessment of potential risks of these agents remains warranted. Epigenetic changes including DNA methylation are considered potential mechanisms linking the in utero environment with long-term health outcomes. Few studies have examined the epigenetic effects of prenatal exposure to pharmaceutical agents, including antiretroviral therapies, on children. In this study, we examined the methylation status of the LINE-1 and ALU-Yb8 repetitive elements as markers of global DNA methylation alteration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from newborns participating in the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study SMARTT cohort of HIV-exposed, cART-exposed uninfected infants compared to a historical cohort of HIV-exposed, antiretroviral-unexposed infants from the Women and Infants Transmission Study Cohort. In linear regression models contro...
Ambivalence, Political Engagement and Context

Scholars of American politics have generally found a negative relationship between ambivalence and political engagement. This study explores such conclusions and argues that the effect of ambivalence on engagement varies according to electoral context. Using a multi-level modeling strategy, I find that ambivalence has a significant overall effect on political engagement for citizens in the United States but a lesser overall impact for citizens in Great Britain. Yet by allowing the slope and the intercept of ambivalence to vary across parliamentary districts, I find that ambivalence has asymmetrical effects on political engagement within Britain. I conclude by arguing that ambivalence essentially operates in a differential manner across electoral contexts and provide preliminary evidence as to why this is.
SPLINE INTERPOLATION AND THE HIGHER DERIVATIVES

Edmund Landau was very much interested in the theory of approximation. It was he who inspired Dunham Jackson to do his fundamental work on the orders of best approximation. His proof of Weierstrass’ theorem by means of Landau’s singular integral is now classical. A new generalization of Weierstrass’ theorem found by a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, Martin Marsden, plays an essential role in the present paper.
Nonequilibrium Sorption and Degradation of Three 2-Chloro-s-Triazine Herbicides in Soil-Water Systems

Miscible displacement techniques were used for the simultaneous study of nonequilibrium sorption and degradation of atrazine (2-chloro-4-etbylamino-6-isopropylamine-s-triazine), simazine (2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine), and cyanazine (2-(4-chloro-6-ethylamino)-s-triazine-2-ylamino-2-proprionitrile) on two central New York soils. A bicontinuum model, which considers sorption in two domains and includes a description of first-order degradation, was applied to describe experimentally determined breakthrough curves. Values of the equilibrium sorption constant, K, and first-order degradation rate constant, µ, were independently measured using batch and mass-balance techniques. Values of the sorption rate coefficient (fitted with a bicontinuum model) were inversely correlated with K, and were dependent on concentration and velocity. Estimates of the rate of atrazine degradation were on the same order, but slower when measured with miscible displacement vs. batch incubation techniques. The techniques presented in this study provide an opportunity to better quantify sorption and degradation parameters that are required in environmental fate models. Contribution no. 2661 of the College of Resource Development, Univ. of Rhode Island, with support from Rhode Island Agric. Exp. Stn.
A BONE-DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR ISOLATED FROM RAT CALVARIAE IS BETA2 MICROGLOBULIN

Rat calvariae are known to secrete a bone-derived growth factor (BDGF) that stimulates bone DNA and collagen synthesis. BDGF was purified from calvarial culture medium with dialysis, gel filtration and HPLC. Amino acid composition of BDGF was compatible with murine B2 microglobulin (B2 m). and amino terminal sequence analysis revealed identity with mature murine B2 m. This was confirmed by Western blot analysis using a polyclonal antibody to B2 m. Like BDGF, human B2 m. stimulated bone DNA, collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis. Thus, BDGF, an autologous regulator of bone formation, is homologous to B2 m.
The relative essentiality of the antioxidative function of Coenzyme Q--the interactive role of DT-diaphorase

This paper will address two aspects regarding the antioxidative role of coenzyme Q (CoQ): (1) Is the antioxidant function of CoQ primary or secondary (coincidental), i.e. was this molecule selected during evolution to function primarily as an essential functional component of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain and oxidative phosphorylation processes, is its antioxidative capability merely a coincidence of its hydroquinone structure, or was its synthetic enzyme sequence selected on the basis of the advantage to the evolving organism of both functions of CoQ? (2) What is the mechanism whereby the hydroquinone (antioxidant) form of CoQ (CoQH2) is maintained in high proportion in the various and many membranes in which it resides, and in which an obvious electron transfer mechanism to reduce it is not present? The essentiality of the antioxidative role of CoQH2 will be explored and compared to other primary and secondary antioxidants. Recent evidence implicating the two-electron quinone reductase, DT-diaphorase, in the maintenance of the reduced, antioxidant state of CoQ during the oxidative stress of exhaustive exercise will be presented, and a hypothesis concerning the evolutionary significance of DT-diaphorase will be offered.
Retrospective analysis of long-term stable and unstable orthodontic treatment outcomes.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare groups of patients with the most stable and the most unstable treatment results as rated by the peer assessment rating (PAR) index to identify factors associated with stability. All factors with significant crude odds ratios were investigated to create a multiple logistic regression model that could be used to predict stability. Methods: The sample of 86 patients (30 male, 56 female), from the postretention archives at the University of Washington, was not restricted to specific malocclusion types or treatment modalities with the exception of Angle Class III patients, who were excluded. The sample was divided into 2 groups, stable (n = 45) and unstable (n = 41), based on postretention unweighted PAR scores and PAR score changes between posttreatment and postretention. Model and radiographic measurements were made before treatment, after treatment, and after retention (average 14.4 years). Results: The results showed that male sex and a sustained period of growth were related, and both were associated with increased instability. The initial severity of malocclusion, as graded by the PAR index and the irregularity index, was negatively correlated with postretention stability—ie, patients with more severe index scores before treatment tended to be less stable. Differences in American Board of Orthodontics scores after treatment were diminished after retention. Conclusions: The factors associated with predicting stability were pretreatment arch length, pretreatment PAR score, molar classification, and sex.
Fluorine as a surfactant in the deposition of a monolayer of Fe on Cu(100)

Abstract The deposition of a monolayer of Fe on Cu(100) at 300 K is well known to yield a surface that is far from a perfect monolayer of Fe. Both interdiffusion and agglomeration of Fe occur. In the present work, it is found that if the Cu(100) surface is saturated with F atoms prior to the deposition of Fe, most of the interdiffusion and agglomeration of the Fe is suppressed. The surface can then be cooled to 100 K, and the F removed by electron stimulated desorption. This procedure leaves the Fe atoms at the surface frozen in place. The Fe monolayer is not structurally perfect (the LEED spots are broadened), but it appears to be much improved over any other known technique for producing Fe monolayers on Cu(100). A monolayer of high-surface-free-energy metal on low-surface-free-energy substrate may be viewed as a fundamental building block for atomic engineering of novel superlattices. The work reported here is a promising new approach to achieving that end.
Induction of interferon in AKR mice by murine leukaemia viruses

A high percentage of AKR mice develop spontaneous leukaemia which has been shown to be associated with the early expression of ecotropic murine leukaemia virus (MuLV)1 and the subsequent expression of xenotropic2 as well as polytropic3 MuLVs. Generally, mice infected with any one of several groups of viruses, including MuLVs, have been shown to produce interferon (IF)4. However, we report here that AKR mice produce no IF, despite that fact that infectious, endogenous MuLV is expressed in these mice from birth5.
SOAMANET: A Tool for Evaluating Service-Oriented Architectures on Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

Service-Oriented Architectures (SOAs) are increasingly being used for designing and building large-scale networked and distributed systems. Catering to the complex and dynamically varying needs of business applications/clients, these systems must usually be realized by dynamically composing a variety of network-available services. Evaluation of large-scale SOAs, particularly on dynamic network platforms, such as Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs), is a non-trivial problem that requires not only a correct modeling of SOAs and the network platform, but also their relationships. This paper describes a new tool – SOAMANET – to design and rapidly synthesize simulations for the experimental evaluation of SOAs on MANET platforms. With its modeling techniques and analysis capabilities, SOAMANET allows simulation-based and system execution-based analysis of dynamic SOA and/or MANET designs and implementations.
Quasioptical SIS mixer with broadband integrated tuning elements

The authors have designed and tested a quasioptical superconducting tunnel junction (superconductor-insulator-superconductor, or SIS) mixer with integrated tuning elements. The designs consists of a self-complementary log-periodic antenna, the SIS tunnel junction, and the broadband superconducting tuning circuit. The tuning circuit is placed between the SIS junction and the center of the antenna. Tuning circuits are designed for 98 GHz and 492 GHz. Self-induced resonant steps are observed in I-V curves. Results of noise temperature measurements performed between 89 GHz and 104.4 GHz are reported. Results from the Touchstone simulation program, when run with the actual fabrication process parameters, show agreement with the experiment. Three types of measurements are presented: DC I-V curve measurement, heterodyne detection measurement, and direct detection measurement. All measurements show consistent results and they all agree with the theoretical predictions. >
Trichodiene biosynthesis and the stereochemistry of the enzymatic cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate

Abstract Cyclization of trans,trans-[1-3H2,12,13-14C]farnesyl pyrophosphate (2a) by a preparation of trichodiene synthetase isolated from the fungus, Trichothecium roseum, gave trichodiene (5a), which was shown by chemical degradation to retain both tritium atoms of the precursor at C-11. Incubation of 1S-[1-3H,12,13-14C]farnesyl pyrophosphate (2b) and 1R-[1-3H,12,13-14C]farnesyl pyrophosphate (2c) with trichodiene synthetase and degradation of the resulting labeled trichodienes, 5b and 5c, established that the displacement of the pyrophosphate moiety from C-1 of the precursor and formation of the new C-C bond in the formation of trichodiene takes place with net retention of configuration. These results are accounted for by an isomerization-cyclization mechanism involving the intermediacy of nerolidyl pyrophosphate (4).
Pressure Tuning of Electronic Energy Levels

Abstract Over the past three decades it has been demonstrated that pressure is a very useful tool for investigating electronic phenomena in condensed systems. Compression results in different degrees of perturbation of different types of orbitals. This ‘pressure tuning’ can induce electronic transitions to new ground states. It can also be used for critical tests of theories or to uncover hitherto unforeseen correlations involving electronic properties. We discuss three types of electronic transitions: insulator-conductor transitions with emphasis on iodine; transitions between photochromic, thermochromic, and piezochromic ground states; and changes of spin state of magnetic ions. Tests of theories include Bethe's R−5 rule for magnetic ions, Van Vleck's prediction of spin pairing, the Forster-Dexter theory of energy transfer in phosphors, theories of emission efficiency in doped zincblende phosphors, and energy transfer between excited states of electron donor-acceptor complexes. Finally, as a challenge t...
The hadronic contribution to the W and Z mass

In the framework of the standard model of weak interactions, we discuss the hadronic contribution in the radiative correction to the masses of theW andZ boson. Predictions including the nonhadronic parts are given.
High quality draft genome sequence of Segniliparus rugosus CDC 945T= (ATCC BAA-974T)

Segniliparus rugosus represents one of two species in the genus Segniliparus, the sole genus in the family Segniliparaceae. A unique and interesting feature of this family is the presence of extremely long carbon-chain length mycolic acids bound in the cell wall. S. rugosus is also a medically important species because it is an opportunistic pathogen associated with mammalian lung disease. This report represents the second species in the genus to have its genome sequenced. The 3,567,567 bp long genome with 3,516 protein-coding and 49 RNA genes is part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, Human Microbiome Project.
Study on short-range MIMO transmission using interference cancellation by antenna directivities

In this paper, a simple method for canceling interference by using antenna directivities is proposed for short-range transmission systems. For higher data transmission systems the millimeter-wave frequency bands are useful because of their wide bandwidths. Also, Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology can be applied to these bands because the application enables channel capacity to be increased by using multiple antennas at the transmitter and receiver without expanding the frequency bandwidth. However, since MIMO transmission schemes are complicated we consider parallel transmission, a simple method for transmitting multiple data streams that is suitable for short-range MIMO transmission. We propose a simple method for canceling interference by using antenna directivities and improving channel capacity in parallel transmission. Numerical analysis shows that the method maximizes channel capacity at the optimal spacing Lopt = 2λ0. It is also found that the channel capacity of the method is 14 % higher than that of Eigenmode beamforming (EM-BF) for two transmission streams and 12 % higher for four streams.
Brainstem Temperature Affects Gill Ventilation in the California Scorpionfish

California scorpionfish, Scorpaena guttata, were implanted with a pair of thermodes which straddled the anterior brainstem. When the fish were in water of about 20°C, warming the thermodes to temperatures above 20°C caused a proportional increase in the ventilatory minute volume. Cooling the thermodes below 20°C caused a proportional decrease in the ventilatory minute volume. It is concluded that the anterior brainstem temperature provides an important input to the respiratory control center in teleost fish.
The evolution of soil management practices in early Jamaican sugar planting

Abstract The wealth of Jamaica in the late 1700s was based upon a sugar planting system. Although contemporaries carefully and fully described this system, they neglected to comment upon its evolution. This paper discusses the evolution of the system's soil management practices during its formative period and compares these techniques to those of related agricultural systems of other places. The interpretation of this information assumes that the evolution of agricultural practices on early Jamaica was consistent with models developed within general evolutionary theory. Several key practices, which originated in Britain, were selectively transferred to Jamaica both directly and indirectly through Barbados, the first British sugar colony in the Caribbean. Those practices which survived in Jamaican agriculture were often modified to adapt them to the island's distinctive physical, social and economic environment.
Extensions of Hénon maps to the closed 4-ball

Any polynomial automorphism of $\mathbb{C}^2$ with nontrivial dynamics is conjugate to a diffeomorphism of the 4-ball such that this diffeomorphism extends to a diffeomorphism of the closed 4-ball. Moreover, the conjugating map is a smooth bijection of $\mathbb{C}^2$ to itself. On the sphere at infinity, the extension has an attracting and a repelling solenoid, and the dynamics near these invariant solenoids are described by conjugation to a model solenoidal map.
Morphinans attenuate cortical neuronal injury induced by glucose deprivation in vitro.

The non-narcotic dextrorotatory morphinan dextrorphan, as well as its levorotatory opioid enantiomer, levorphanol, and its O-methyl derivative, dextromethorphan, have recently been shown to antagonize N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-mediated neurotoxicity. Consistent with in vivo data suggesting that this neurotoxicity contributes to the neuronal damage associated with hypoglycemia, micromolar concentrations of these morphinans markedly attenuated the injury of cultured mouse cortical neurons produced by acute glucose deprivation. These observations lend specific support to the possibility that morphinan compounds may prove to have clinical therapeutic utility in hypoglycemic encephalopathy.
Polyoma virus-transformed cells produce transforming growth factor(s) and grow in serum-free medium.

Abstract Polyoma virus-transformed cells produce a transforming growth factor(s) (TGFs) under control of the viral middle t protein. This TGF(s) appears to be necessary for anchorage-independent growth and growth in serum-free, mitogen-free (except insulin) medium. Small and large T antigens can not transform cells or induce the production of TGFs, however, their presence in middle t antigen-containing cells may modulate the transformed phenotype with respect to both production and response to TGF(s).
Effects of α-Glycerophosphate and of Palmityl-Coenzyme A on Lipid Synthesis in Yeast Extracts

White, David (Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.), and Harold P. Klein. Effects of α-glycerophosphate and of palmityl-coenzyme A on lipid synthesis in yeast extracts. J. Bacteriol. 91:1218–1223. 1966.—The incorporation of acetate into fatty acids, but not into nonsaponifiable lipids, was stimulated by α-glycerophosphate in a supernatant fraction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, obtained after centrifugation at 86,000 × g for 60 min. There was a pronounced effect at concentrations below 2 mm, but at concentrations above 5 mm α-glycerophosphate was relatively less stimulatory. α-Glycerophosphate markedly increased the percentage of esterified fatty acids among the products, and the formation of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was stimulated. Palmityl-coenzyme A inhibited fatty acid synthesis, affecting the formation of unsaturated acids more severely than saturated acids. In the presence of sufficient α-glycerophosphate to alleviate these inhibitions, palmityl-coenzyme A still reduced the formation of certain unsaturated fatty acids.