cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Musculature of the sessile rotifer Stephanoceros fimbriatus (Rotifera: Gnesiotrocha: Collothecaceae) with details on larval metamorphosis and development of the infundibulum

Abstract The sessile rotifer, Stephanoceros fimbriatus , is a member of the clade Collothecaceae (Monogononta: Gnesiotrocha) that includes species with indirect development and adults that lack a typical rotiferan corona. The short-lived larva undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis upon settlement, replacing the larval corona with the adult infundibulum, a highly unusual cup-shaped head that appears to develop from the anterior foregut. The infundibulum of S. fimbriatus bears five tentacles that function in the capture of small prey. We studied larval metamorphosis in this species and applied a fluorescent f-actin stain and confocal laser scanning microscopy to follow the development of the musculature from larva to adult. We determined that the larva contains a mostly orthogonal grid of somatic muscles, with 12 circular rings encompassing four thick pairs of longitudinal bands. Additional segmental muscles and a complex splanchnic component are also present. Interestingly, the larval infundibulum is an inverted pouch that itself is not muscular but does possess a thick muscular ring (infundibular muscle) at the anterior end of the larva, which will become the future base of the adult infundibulum. The infundibular muscle contributes to the muscle fibers that supply the five developing infundibular tentacles. During metamorphosis, the infundibular muscle slowly becomes reoriented from a slightly ventroanterior position to a terminal position at the top of the larva. The infundibulum then slowly everts through the presumed larval mouth, which has shifted to the top of the corona. The tentacles arise first, and contain a complex muscular network that is assumed to have a mostly supportive function since the tentacles themselves are rarely active. Despite this eversion and other dramatic changes to the larval body plan after metamorphosis – an elongating foot and thickening trunk – the muscle patterns of the adult remain extremely similar to the larva. The major exceptions to this otherwise conservative muscular body plan appear to include a repositioning of the somatic muscles as the infundibulum assumes the adult orientation, and the development of the tentacular muscular network.
T2 Magnetic Resonance for Fungal Diagnosis

Rapid diagnostic methods for fungal infections are long awaited and are expected to improve outcomes through early initiation of targeted antifungal therapy. T2Candida panel is a novel qualitative diagnostic platform that was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diagnosis of candidemia with a mean time to species identification of less than 5 h. T2Candida panel is performed on the fully automated T2Dx instrument in whole blood K2EDTA specimens and is able to detect 5 Candida spp., namely Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, and Candida glabrata. By combining magnetic resonance with molecular diagnostics, T2Candida panel amplifies DNA and detects the amplified product by amplicon-induced agglomeration of supermagnetic particles and T2 Magnetic Resonance (T2MR) measurement. Here we describe the materials and methods needed to diagnose candidemia with the T2Candida panel.
Fatty Acid-Mimetic Micelles for Dual Delivery of Antigens and Imidazoquinoline Adjuvants

Vaccine design has undergone a shift towards the use of purified protein subunit vaccines, which offer increased safety and greater control over antigen specificity, but at the expense of immunogenicity. Here we report the development of a new polymer-based vaccine delivery platform engineered to enhance immunity through the co-delivery of protein antigens and the Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist imiquimod (IMQ). Owing to the preferential solubility of IMQ in fatty acids, a series of block copolymer micelles with a fatty acid-mimetic core comprising lauryl methacrylate (LMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA), and a poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) corona decorated with pyridyl disulfide ethyl methacrylate (PDSM) moieties for antigen conjugation were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Carriers composed of 50 mole% LMA (LMA50) demonstrated the highest IMQ loading (2.2 w/w%) and significantly enhanced the immunostimulatory capacity of IMQ to induce dendritic cell maturation and proinflammatory cytokine production. Conjugation of a model antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), to the corona of IMQ-loaded LMA50 micelles enhanced in vitro antigen uptake and cross-presentation on MHC class I (MHC-I). A single intranasal (IN) immunization of mice with carriers co-loaded with IMQ and OVA elicited significantly higher pulmonary and systemic CD8+ T cell responses and increased serum IgG titer relative to a soluble formulation of antigen and adjuvant. Collectively, these data demonstrate that rationally designed fatty acid-mimetic micelles enhance intracellular antigen and IMQ delivery and have potential as synthetic vectors for enhancing the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines.
Response to Kathleen Fisher's “Look Before You Leap”

This article provides two short responses to Kathleen M. Fisher's essay “Look Before You Leap: Reconsidering Contemplative Pedagogy,” published in this issue of the journal.
Dynamic Elections with Endogenous Issues

Elections often depend on the ability of candidates to address issues that are severe and important to voters. If the severity of these issues depends on earlier policy choices, this creates an incentive problem for politicians. An incumbent is able influence the severity of issues in the next election to his own advantage by investing less in the issue in which he has a comparative advantage and more in the issue of his opponent. This agency problem leads to inefficient control of office by parties and issues that improve slower and are more severe. These distortions and inefficiencies arise without any ideological differences or asymmetric information between candidates and voters.
Preparation and Characterization of Group 13 Cyanides

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Ralf Haiges at the University of Southern California. The image depicts characters from the popular web comic “Cyanide & Happiness” alongside some of the cyanide complexes synthesized. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201700611.
Production of γ-Valerolactone from Biomass

This chapter surveys the methodology and recent advances in the production of γ-valerolactone (GVL) from different renewable biomass-derived sources, from the pioneering studies to the present state of the art. The mechanism for the production of GVL is discussed. An overview of the different methods and advances in the synthesis of GVL are then analyzed and compared. Different advanced catalysts (e.g., homogeneous as well as heterogeneous catalysts) and catalytic systems (e.g., different hydrogen sources) are highlighted. More emphasis is placed on a comparative analysis of recently developed methods for GVL production in terms of efficiency, selectivity and cost-effectiveness. Challenges and areas that need improvement are also given. Specific examples are reviewed with emphasis on different synthetic systems, comparing the behavior of different metal catalysts and reaction parameters. The main prospects and constraints related to the several conversion routes are presented including the technical barriers, promise of scale-up, and potentially environmental issues.
Vertebral Body Hemangioma

Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that can occur in a variety of soft tissues and bone. Vertebral body hemangiomas are common throughout the thoracolumbar spine with a reported incidence of 11% based on autopsy studies. Because hemangiomas can enhance, in a patient with cancer history, FDG PET/MR can be helpful in confirming the benign nature of a hemangioma by demonstrating that the lesion has no metabolic activity.
Comparison of HSPF and PRMS model simulated flows using different temporal and spatial scales in the Black Hills, South Dakota

AbstractThe hydrological simulation program Fortran (HSPF) [Hydrological Simulation Program Fortran version 12.2 (Computer software). USEPA, Washington, DC] and the precipitation runoff modeling sy...
Identity, Gender and Teaching English in Japan, by Nagatomo, D.

Many educators in the field of TESL work abroad and have experienced the complexities of negotiating how one fits into a new culture and context. Despite the privileges that may be awarded for bein...
Poster Abstract: Privacy in Blockchain-Enabled IoT Devices

Over past two decades, the idea of Internet of Things has been adopted widely as a solution to many societal problems in different areas. These areas include but are not limited to healthcare, transportation, environment, etc. Low cost overhead of Internet connectivity feature has been the main contributing factor in the widespread use of such devices in building different IoT solutions. The original stovepipe architecture of IoT systems limits the possibility of sharing the hardware infrastructure of IoT solutions and therefore is the main barrier against novel solutions. In recent year, however, there have been efforts to come up with solutions for sharing the hardware infrastructure and therefore pave the way for innovative solutions by amortizing the capital cost of setting up the hardware. In this work, we propose an architectural guideline for blockchain enabled IoT devices which facilitates sharing them between multiple blockchain ecosystems and at the same time, ensures the exclusive access to them seamlessly through blockchain smart contracts.
Dearomatization of the PCP Pincer Ligand in a ReV Oxo Complex.

A high-valent, rhenium(V) oxo complex (PCP)ReOCl2 (1; PCP=bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)phenyl) undergoes a deprotonation and "dearomatization" upon treatment with LiN(SiMe3 )2 to give (P*CP)ReOCl (2 a), in which Re is bound to a new dianionic P*CP ligand. Compound 2 a was studied spectroscopically, structurally, and computationally and was determined to have non-negligible Re=C multiple bond character, leading to its formulation as a new pseudo-carbenoid species. Reaction of 2 a or its iodo analogue (P*CP)ReOI (2 b) with CO2 provided access to (PCP)ReOX(CO2 ) (X=Cl or I, 3 a/b), the product of 1,3-cycloaddition and C-C bond formation.
Detecting Blind Cross-Site Scripting Attacks Using Machine Learning

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a scripting attack targeting web applications by injecting malicious scripts into web pages. Blind XSS is a subset of stored XSS, where an attacker blindly deploys malicious payloads in web pages that are stored in a persistent manner on target servers. Most of the XSS detection techniques used to detect the XSS vulnerabilities are inadequate to detect blind XSS attacks. In this research, we present machine learning based approach to detect blind XSS attacks. Testing results help to identify malicious payloads that are likely to get stored in databases through web applications.
Financial Impact of the Rivers Casino on Pittsburgh

Casinos were introduced to the Pittsburgh region because of the historical positive impact on the state economies. Gambling, though common-place, was illegal in Pennsylvania until 1972 when the first lottery was enacted. The success of the lottery lead to increased consideration for expanding gambling in the state, leading Pittsburgh receiving a Category 2 License for a Stand-Alone Casino. The financial impact of a casino operation in the Pittsburgh region, is research and evaluated.
Plasma Pharmacokinetics of the Lactone and Carboxylate Forms of 20(S)-Camptothecin in Anesthetized Rats

20(S)-Camptothecin exists in equilibrium between its lactone (CPT) and its carboxylate forms (Na-CPT) under simulated physiological conditions, with the equilibrium favoring the carboxylate form. The rates of lactone hydrolysis were studied in plasma, serum albumin, and blood and were found to be faster than in aqueous buffers at equivalent pH values. From mechanistic information and in vivo activity data, the lactone appears to be the active form of the drug. It has been argued, therefore, that if an equilibrium existed between the lactone and the carboxylate, Na-CPT could be used to deliver the lactone effectively. In the present study, plasma pharmacokinetics were performed in sodium pentobarbital-anesthetized rats treated with both CPT (lactone) and the sodium salt of camptothecin (carboxylate, Na-CPT) and the lactone and carboxylate, as well as the total drug, concentration versus time profiles were assessed. It was found that plasma concentrations and AUC values for the lactone were significantly higher after dosing with CPT than after dosing with Na-CPT. After i.v. administration, the ratio of plasma lactone to carboxylate was skewed by the apparent rapid and extensive uptake of the lactone into tissues and the rapid clearance of both species. From our results, it appears that the lower in vivo activity of Na-CPT compared to that from CPT administration might be attributed to the altered conversion of carboxylate into lactone in vivo compared to that predicted from in vitro data.
Formulation and Processing of Conductive Polysulfide Sealants for Automotive and Aerospace Applications

Polysulfide rubbers are versatile elastomers that are widely used in electronic and automotive industries. Specifically, polysulfides are used as sealants for aircraft fuel tanks liners due to their superior properties. To dissipate electrostatic charges that are generated from the motion of highly flammable fuels, polysulfide sealants need to be made electrically conductive. In this report, a series of conductive polysulfide sealants were made through roll milling processes. The effect of fillers on conductivity was systematically investigated by varied sizes, shapes, and surface coatings. Filler-polymer interfaces were studied and modified to present better electrical properties. Conductive polysulfide can achieve a high conductivity over 10^5 S/m using high aspect ratio silver nanowires at low filler loading with specific treatment.
Bilayer Graft for Incisionless In-Office Endoscopic Repair of Tympanic Membrane Perforations: A Pilot Study

Tympanic membrane (TM) perforations may result in significant patient morbidity. While intraoperative myringoplasty or tympanoplasty allow for effective repair, not all patients are candidates for general anesthesia. Herein, we describe a novel graft design and technique for in-office repair of TM perforations in the clinic setting. Two pieces of porcine submucosa material were interdigitated to create a bilayer design with lateral and medial flanges. Topical and injected lidocaine were used for local anesthesia. The perforation was rimmed. Grafts were grasped, and medial flanges were placed through the perforation, with lateral flanges resting on the TM surface. TM repair occurred in 5 awake patients with a mean age of 72 years. There were no complications. All perforations healed, with 1 case requiring a minor in-office revision. Audiometry was performed at 4 weeks. The preoperative air-bone gap (mean 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) was 12.2 ± 4.1 dB, and postoperatively, it was 4.2 ± 2.4 dB (P = .001). Novel design of available graft material may allow for effective in-office TM repair.
Automated gap-filling for marker-based biomechanical motion capture data.

Marker-based motion capture presents the problem of gaps, which are traditionally processed using motion capture software, requiring intensive manual input. We propose and study an automated method of gap-filling that uses inverse kinematics (IK) to close the loop of an iterative process to minimize error, while nearly eliminating user input. Comparing our method to manual gap-filling, we observe a 21% reduction in the worst-case gap-filling error (p < 0.05), and an 80% reduction in completion time (p < 0.01). Our contribution encompasses the release of an open-source repository of the method and interaction with OpenSim.
Optically-Pumped Mid-Infrared Interband Cascade Lasers

Radiative output has been observed from unbiased, optically-pumped interband cascade lasers. Results are presented for two different samples with emission wavelengths in the 3.2-3.8 µm range. The threshold pump intensity is reduced and the slope efficiency enhanced for longer optical pumping wavelengths, with a maximum achieved operating temperature of 200 K. Optically-pumped samples exhibit a blue shift of 80–150 nm when compared to electrically-injected devices fabricated from the same wafer.
The Object of the Government or Systems Failure: Paradox I

This chapter entitled “The Object of the Government or Systems Failure: Paradox I” is the first chapter in Part II of the text. Whereas Part I focused on four key choices the Framers made as it pertained to the dispersion of power, this section is devoted to diagnosing the problems that have resulted, as well as examining some early attempts to mitigate and guard against their impact. To this end, this chapter looks at the object or goal of the Framers in designing the system—the preservation of liberty and by extension property. Moreover, the chapter asks whether this goal one that Americans today continue to value and share? Building on the work of business guru Peter Drucker, the chapter argues that one of the reasons Americans are so frustrated with their government today is that the theory, or object, of the government, whatever its merits in 1787, must be re-examined in light of the world in which we now live. In making this case, this chapter highlights the first of four paradoxes of our system, the fact that by design the Constitution, which has long stood as a bastion of freedom and democracy, undermines the ability of people to get control of their government. This is not an accident; it is a result of a system which was constructed with one goal in mind, to protect liberty. If Americans have a different goal today (i.e., responsiveness, accountability, effectiveness, etc.), then we need to consider restructuring the system to meet a new or changed objective.
Implementation and effectiveness of drive-through medication pick-up and home delivery services. A patient safety initiative during COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionWith the emergence of the first COVID-19 case in Saudi Arabia, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare has immediately executed the appropriate protocols in response to this severe global crisi...
Inverse limits of Čech-Stone compactifications

Abstract Given n > 1 , there exists a mutually aposyndetic continuum Σ satisfying the following two conditions: (1) No nondegenerate subcontinuum of Σ is metrizable; and (2) Σ admits a monotone map onto an n-sphere such that every point inverse has 2 c points.
Revisiting the declustering of spatial data with preferential sampling

Abstract Preferential sampling is a form of data collection that may significantly distort the histogram and the semivariogram of spatially correlated data. Typical situations are a higher sampling density at high-valued areas favorable for mining, and highly contaminated areas in need of environmental remediation. Multiple statistical procedures are devoted to obtaining representative statistics, whose magnitudes should be close to the respective population values. This paper proposes a resampling method that can compensate for preferential sampling of spatially correlated data without using declustering weights. The application of the method herein generates a dataset of median estimates of quantiles of multiple stratified resamples that is free of preferential sampling. The methodology is illustrated with two examples. The first one involves values actually measured in the field and has the advantage of representing a real scenario of spatial fluctuations and preferential sampling. A second dataset is synthetic and has the main benefit of a priori knowledge of the underlying spatial distribution, thus allowing a satisfactory evaluation of the results against the known baseline. Access to computer code is offered for practical application of the method.
An X-ray Crystallographic Study of Thrombin

Abstract Crystals of thrombin have been studied by means of x-ray diffraction. They are tetragonal, space group P42212 with a = b = 87 A and c = 101 A. A second crystal form belongs to the same space group with a = b = 88 A and c = 98 A. These data are in agreement with the known molecular size of thrombin and the "protein density" usually observed in crystalline proteins. The crystals diffract well and appear suitable for a detailed study of the three-dimensional structure of thrombin.
Henry James and Queer Modernity

Acknowledgments List of abbreviations Introduction 1. Indiscreet anatomies and protogay aesthetes in Roderick Hudson and The Europeans 2. The elusive queerness of 'queer comrades': The Tragic Muse and 'The Author of 'Beltraffio" 3. The Turn of the Screw, or: The Dispossessed Hearts of Little Gentlemen 4. Masculinity 'changed and queer' in The Ambassadors 5. Gratifying 'the eternal boy in us all': Willa Cather, Henry James and Oscar Wilde 6. 'The other half is the man': the queer modern triangle of Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway and Henry James Coda: 'Nobody is alike Henry James': Stein, James and queer futurity Notes Bibliography Index.
Accuracy and completeness of mortality data in the Department of Veterans Affairs

Background One of the national mortality databases in the U.S. is the Beneficiary Identification and Record Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File that contains death dates of those who have received any benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The completeness of this database was shown to vary widely from cohort to cohort in previous studies. Three other sources of death dates are available in the VA that can complement the BIRLS Death File. The objective of this study is to evaluate the completeness and accuracy of death dates in the four sources available in the VA and to examine whether these four sources can be combined into a database with improved completeness and accuracy.
Induction machine broken-bar fault diagnosis using the rotor magnetic field space vector orientation

A new technique based on rotor magnetic field space vector orientation is presented to diagnose broken-bar faults in induction machines operating at steady state. In this technique, stator currents and voltages are used as inputs to compute and subsequently observe the rotor magnetic field orientation, which has a more significant "swing-like" pendulous oscillation in case of broken-bar faults than in healthy operation. It will be shown here that the range of this "pendulous oscillation" is a function of the number of broken bars. Also in this technique, it was found that an inter-turn shorted stator-winding fault, which exhibits similar pendulous oscillation, could be distinguished from rotor broken-bar faults through the use of a variance index. In order to validate this method, experimental evidence is given here for several broken-bar cases in a 2-hp three-phase two-pole squirrel-cage induction machine.
A study of vaginal acids

Abstract Four acids have been identified in the vaginal washings of all patients examined during this investigation: pyruvic acid, and the amino acids, glutamic acid, threonine, and leucine. Pyruvic acid appeared to be present in trace amounts. Quantitative assessment of the others has not been determined. Several other amino acids were indicated in a number of the washings, but their presence was not consistent for all samples investigated. Lactic acid was probably present in all samples, but its presence was not definitely verified.
HACIA UN ACERCAMIENTO HISTÓRICO E IMPRESCINDIBLE: RELACIONES ENTRE CIVILES Y MILITARES EN LA AMÉRICA LATINA DEL SIGLO XXI

In order to present a common front to the problems of the 21 st Century, Latin-American democracies need to foster and tighten the institutional links between civilians and the military according to the present paradigmatic scenario that has two special features: democratization and globalization. Having lost a lot of opportunities a century ago, to advance towards a positive construction of the nation-state, is imperative that, both the leadership of the State as well as the leadership of the defense and security establishment, work together in order to achieve an stable, manageable and secure future. The big problems of today and in the future will be the transnational, asymmetric, multilevel and simultaneous threats and challenges. Those problems will not be solved without the actions of the civilian and military authorities working with a close coordination framework and pragmatism from the lower levels to the top in the state as well as in the Hemisphere levels.
Discrete Sampling Dilutor Used in Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, with a Modification Permitting Simultaneous Analysis for Total Calcium and Inorganic Phosphorus

A discrete sampling dilutor (the Beckman Klina dilutor) is a convenient adjunct to atomic absorption spectroscopy. The addition of a Micro switch enabled the dilution cycle to be started by the movement of an AutoAnalyzer Sampler. This minor modification permits the contents of the same sample cup to be used for determination of calcium by atomic absorption spectroscopy and of inorganic phosphorus with the AutoAnalyzer.
SUN RGB-D: A RGB-D scene understanding benchmark suite

Although RGB-D sensors have enabled major break-throughs for several vision tasks, such as 3D reconstruction, we have not attained the same level of success in high-level scene understanding. Perhaps one of the main reasons is the lack of a large-scale benchmark with 3D annotations and 3D evaluation metrics. In this paper, we introduce an RGB-D benchmark suite for the goal of advancing the state-of-the-arts in all major scene understanding tasks. Our dataset is captured by four different sensors and contains 10,335 RGB-D images, at a similar scale as PASCAL VOC. The whole dataset is densely annotated and includes 146,617 2D polygons and 64,595 3D bounding boxes with accurate object orientations, as well as a 3D room layout and scene category for each image. This dataset enables us to train data-hungry algorithms for scene-understanding tasks, evaluate them using meaningful 3D metrics, avoid overfitting to a small testing set, and study cross-sensor bias.
Studies with Cysteinamine and Cysteine in X-irradiated Animals

Summary1. The observation of a post-irradiation effect of cysteinamine in rats with the liver area shielded has not been verified. 2. Cysteinamine is about 5 times as effective as cysteine when given to mice intravenously in equimolar amounts prior to x irradiation. However, maximally tolerated doses of each give equivalent protection. 3. Cysteinamine and cysteine appear to be additive in their protective effect against acute radiation lethality. This is suggestive of a similar mechanism of action.
Hospital Epidemiologic Surveillance for Invasive Aspergillosis: Patient Demographics and the Utility of Antigen Detection

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the epidemiology of invasive aspergillosis at a university hospital during a period of hospital construction. To compare the efficacy of active epidemiologic surveillance for invasive aspergillosis using Aspergillus cultures with the efficacy of surveillance using Aspergillus antigen detection. DESIGN: A prospective surveillance study. SETTING: An 850-bed, tertiary-care, universitybased hospital. PATIENTS: A convenience sample of 153 patients with Aspergillus antigen testing and culture. RESULTS: 24 cases were identified over a 12-month period; 7 were nosocomial, and 17 were communityacquired. Cases occurred primarily in patients with hematologic malignancy, but also occurred in patients with solid tumor, steroid treatment, cardiac transplant, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Culture techniques identified only 14 (58%) of 24 cases, whereas Aspergillus antigen was positive in 19 (79%) of 24 cases tested. Epidemiological surveillance using either antigen or culture positivity detected 22 (92%) of 24 cases. In addition, antigen detection was 98% specific for the detection of aspergillosis, as compared to 91% for culture and 88% for antigen and culture combined.
Dietary Nitrogen Intake Regulates Hepatic Malic Enzyme Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression

Abstract Increased dietary protein intake rapidly (3 h) decreases malic enzyme and increases hepatic histidase mRNA expression. Experiments were conducted to determine the role that individual dispensable amino acids and nonprotein N sources might have in regulating the activity of these enzymes and to determine if the addition of a N supplement to a practical broiler diet during the entire rearing period would reduce abdominal fat accumulation in broilers. Broiler chicks were fed a basal diet containing 22% protein or this diet supplemented with 9.5% l -Glu, 5% Gly, 6% l -Ala, 5.08% ammonium bicarbonate, or 4.25% dibasic ammonium phosphate for 24 h. Each of the dietary supplements added 0.90% total N to the diet. Hepatic malic enzyme mRNA expression was significantly (P
Nuclear Factor Y and Steroidogenic Factor 1 Physically and Functionally Interact to Contribute to Cell-Specific Expression of the Mouse Follicle-Stimulating Hormone-β Gene

FSH is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone secreted from the gonadotrope cell population of the anterior pituitary. Despite its crucial role in mammalian reproduction, very little is known about regulation of the FSH β-subunit gene at the molecular level. In this report, we examine the basis for cell-specific expression of FSHβ using the mouse LβT2 and αT3-1 gonadotrope-derived cell lines. Characterization of the hormonal content of LβT2 and αT3-1 cells at the protein level classifies these cells as relatively mature and immature gonadotropes, respectively. We studied LβT2 cell-specific expression of FSHβ using 398 bp of the mouse FSHβ regulatory region linked to a luciferase reporter gene in transient transfection assays. This mouse FSHβ promoter can direct reporter gene expression specifically to LβT2 cells when compared with other pituitary- and non-pituitary-derived cell lines, including αT3-1 cells. Furthermore, it is induced by activin, and interruption of the autocrine activin loop in LβT2 cells by the addition of follistatin reduces its expression. Truncation analysis indicates that several regions of the promoter are involved in this specificity and that these can be dissociated from activin regulation. We identify binding sites for the orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 and the heterotrimeric transcription factor nuclear factor Y and show that these elements functionally interact to regulate FSHβ gene expression in an LβT2 cell-specific manner. Moreover, steroidogenic factor-1 and nuclear factor Y are shown to physically interact with each other. This study is the first to demonstrate the presence of basal FSHβ protein in LβT2 cells and to identify specific elements within the FSHβ promoter that contribute to basal and cell-specific expression of the gene.
IMMUNOPEROXIDASE STAINING OF GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC (GFA) PROTEIN POLYMERIZED IN VITRO: An Ultramicroscopic Study

The unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method of Sternberger et al. has been employed at the ultramicroscopic level to stain filaments polymerized in vitro from aqueous extracts of multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques. The filaments were heavily decorated with antiserum to the glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein but not stained with serum absorbed with GFA protein, preimmunization serum, or anti-rat brain tubulin antiserum. Reassembled rat brain tubulin was heavily stained with antiserum to tubulin but was not stained with antiserum to the GFA protein. The present study provides direct morphological evidence that filaments polymerized in vitro from extracts of MS plaques contain the GFA protein.
How Do Follow-Up Care Instructions and Treatment Summaries Relate to Cancer Survivors' Cancer-Related Pain?

Abstract Context Cancer-related pain is a problem for many cancer survivors. Treatment summaries (TS) and follow-up care instructions (FCI) provided after cancer treatment could reduce pain for cancer survivors. Objectives This study sought to determine how TS and FCI received by cancer survivors relate to cancer survivors' cancer-related pain after treatment completion. Methods Data were from 2010, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Cancer Survivorship module, completed by 10 U.S. states and entities. Results Pain was reported by 9% of survivors. TS ( P = 0.02) and FCI ( P Conclusion FCI and TS were related to pain but in the opposite direction than predicted. Those who received TS and FCI were more likely to report pain than those who did not receive FCI and TS. This may be explained by the severity of cancer treatment. It is possible that those who undergo more severe cancer treatments are more likely to receive FCI and TS. Testing this relationship is a logical next step.
Motion parameter estimation of multiple targets in multistatic passive radar through sparse signal recovery

The problem of estimating motion parameters of multiple closely located ground moving targets in a multistatic passive radar system is considered, with a focus on weak signal conditions. The proposed method provides a means of combining signal energy from all available, spatially separated, illuminators of opportunity to achieve multistatic diversity and overall signal enhancement. The proposed technique is based on sparse signal recovery and exploits a two-step process that sequentially estimates the acceleration and velocity vectors in order to reduce the dimensionality of parameter search space.
Systemic Effects of Pegylated Recombinant Human Megakaryocyte Growth and Development Factor in Combination with Recombinant Murine Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in a Murine Model of Myelosuppression

Megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) stimulates megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis in vivo. Previous studies indicate that administration of pegylated recombinant human (PEG-rHu) MGDF in combination with recombinant murine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rMuG-CSF) prevented lethality and reduced hematotoxicity in carboplatin-treated/irradiated mice, a disease-state animal model of radio-chemotherapy. In the current study we have further characterized the effects of PEG-rHuMGDF in combination with rMuG-CSF with respect to clinical chemistry, hematology variables, and histologic evaluations to determine whether any potential toxicological interaction exists both in normal and myelosuppressed mice. Myelosuppression and subsequent thrombocytopenia in mice was induced with a combination of a single intraperitoneal injection of 1.25 mg carboplatin followed 4 h later with sublethal gamma irradiation exposure of 500 rad. Both normal and carboplatin-treated/irradiated mice were administered daily subcutaneous injections of 50 micrograms/kg PEG-rHuMGDF alone and in combination with 10 micrograms/kg rMuG-CSF for 21 consecutive days. Administration of PEG-rHuMGDF alone or in combination with rMuG-CSF to carboplatin-treated/irradiated mice increased survival 70 and 100%, respectively, and accelerated platelet recovery. Microscopic examination of nonhematopoietic organs showed no evidence of any morphological changes in normal and carboplatin-treated/irradiated animals. In hematopoietic organs clinically significantly increased granulopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis, as well as extramedullary granulopoiesis within the mandibular and mesenteric lymph nodes, were present. The erythroid line was unaffected by cytokine treatment. In normal, non-carboplatin-treated/irradiated mice, platelet counts increased 6 and 12-fold above baseline in the groups administered PEG-rHuMGDF alone or in combination with rMuG-CSF, respectively. The results of this study provide a basis for coadministration of PEG-rHuMGDF with Filgrastim (rHuG-CSF) in the clinical treatment of myelosuppression induced by radiation and chemotherapy.
Patterns of host exploitation by Meteorus communis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

The parasitoid Meteorus communis (Cresson) was reared from 7 of 15 species of noctuids collected in peppermint and alfalfa. Parasitism of these species consistently involved the second through penultimate instars. The most frequently parasitized species were Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (35.3%), Dargida procincta (Grote) (15.0%), and Peridroma saucia (Hubner) (6.9%). Parasitism of P. saucia, A. ipsilon , and Autographa califomica (Speyer) (3.8%) by M. communis are new host records. Also parasitized were the less common Pseudaletia unipuncta (Howorth) (20.0%), Amphipyra pyramidoides (Guenee) (10.0%), and Xylena nupara Lintner (5.0%). Percentage parasitism by M. communis was significantly higher in alfalfa than in peppermint. Three or four overlapping generations of M. communis may occur per year in western Oregon. Larvae of M. communis overwinter inside the host larvae.
Changes in synovial fluid and serum biomarkers with exercise and early osteoarthritis in horses

Summary Objective To discriminate between changes in biomarkers with exercise compared to changes in biomarkers with osteoarthritis (OA) in exercising horses. Method Sixteen, 2-year-old horses were randomly assigned either to an exercise-alone ( n =8) or OA-affected (also exercised) ( n =8) group. All horses had both mid-carpal joints arthroscoped and OA induced in one mid-carpal joint in the OA-affected joints of OA-affected horses. Two weeks after surgery all horses commenced a strenuous exercise program on a high-speed treadmill. Clinical outcomes and synovial fluid and serum biomarkers, were evaluated weekly. Synovial and serum biomarkers evaluated were epitope CS846 (CS846), epitope CPII (CPII), glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), epitope Col CEQ (Col CEQ) (a marker of type II collagen degradation), type I and II collagen degradation fragments (C1,2C), osteocalcin, C-terminal of bone type I collagen (CTX1), type I collagen (Col I) and (synovial fluid only of cartilage) prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. Horses were euthanized at day 91 and their joints assessed grossly, histopathologically, and histochemically. Results Exercise induced a significant increase in synovial fluid CS846, CPII, GAG, Col CEQ, C1,2C, osteocalcin and Col I concentrations. There was a significant increase in synovial fluid CS846, CPII, Col CEQ, C1,2C, osteocalcin, Col I and PGE2 concentrations in OA-affected joints compared to exercise-alone joints. The concentration of serum CS846, CPII, GAG, osteocalcin, C1,2C and Col I increased with exercise. For each of these biomarkers there was also a statistically significant increase in serum biomarker levels in OA-affected horses compared to exercise-alone horses. Conclusions Six synovial fluid and serum biomarkers were useful in separating early experimental OA from exercise alone but synovial fluid CTX1 and serum Col CEQ and CTX1 were not.
Studies on mechanisms for lysine production by pyruvate kinase-deficient mutants of Brevibacterium flavum

Methionine-insensitive revertants with normal homoserine dehydrogenase (HD) derived from Brevibacterium flavum mutant No. 1-231, a lysine producer with S-(2-aminoethyl)-l-cysteine (AEC) resistance, methionine sensitivity, a low HD level and a pyruvate kinase (PK) defect, were still AEC-resistant and PK-deficient similar to No. 1-231. But they did not produce more lysine than the original strain, No. 15-8, from which strain No. 1-231 was derived. A high lysine producing mutant, No. 22, which was derived from strain No. 1-231, selected by sensitivity to β-fluoropyruvate (FP), and was defective in HD, produced more lysine than HD-defective mutants which were derived by two-step mutation from strain No. 1-231, selected by homoserine auxotrophy. Strain No. 22 did not show FP sensitivity under the conditions tested. Among various lysine-biosynthetic enzymes examined, it had a higher level of aspartate-β-semialdehyde dehydrogenase than did its parent and the latter HD-defective mutants. Strain No. 22 produced 50...
115 RENAL CIRCULATORY RESPONSES TO ACTIVATION OF SOMATO-SYMPATHETIC AND BARORECEPTOR REFLEXES IN PIGLETS

The degree of participation of the renal circulation in neonatal cardiovascular responses was evaluated by altering afferent inputs to the central regulatory system. Thirty-seven piglets from 1-25 days were anesthetized with 0.25-0.5% halothane in N20-02, paralyzed and artificially ventilated to maintain normal arterial blood gases and pH. Renal arterial flow was recorded continuously (electromagnetic transducer) with aortic pressure (AoP) and heart rate. Resistance (R) was calculated as ≥/mean flow. Baroreceptor stimulation, by sudden high pressure infusion of 1-2ml of saline through a catheter whose tip was located in the carotid sinus, lowered ≥ 11-17% in all piglets; renal R decreased in piglets ≥1 week. Baroreceptor inhibition, by 10-30sec occlusion of both common carotid arteries, elevated ≥ 11-17% in all animals; renal R increased in piglets ≥1 week. Somato-sympathetic reflexes were elicited by stimulation of the central cut end of the right sciatic or median nerve with 10sec trains of 1.0msec pulses over the ranges of 0.2-1.0mA and 1-100Hz. In piglets of all ages, high frequency stimulation increased renal R significantly (at least 19%). The renal vasculature appears to participate at a younger age in integrated cardiovascular responses to somato-sympathetic reflexes than to baroreceptor reflexes. (Supported by Nassau Heart Assoc.)
Progenitor content of autologous grafts: mobilized bone marrow vs mobilized blood

The progenitor content of autologous peripheral blood progenitor and stem cell collections is a major determinant of prompt hematopoietic recovery following autologous stem cell transplantation. We analyzed unstimulated bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) apheresis products in comparison to those collected following G-CSF or GM-CSF stimulation. We quantitated their committed (CFU-GM) and primitive (long-term culture-initiating cells, LTC-IC) progenitors in relation to hematologic recovery in 63 patients undergoing autografting for lymphoid malignancies. G-CSF, but not GM-CSF, substantially enriched the committed progenitor content (2.5-3.6-fold) of both PB and BM grafts. G-CSF also enriched the LTC-IC content of BM and PB compared to control grafts. GM-CSF augmented (11.5-fold) the LTC-IC content of stimulated BM, but not GM-CSF-mobilized PB. Neutrophil recovery was substantially quicker in recipients of BM or PB mobilized with G-CSF or GM-CSF. In contrast, red cell and platelet recovery was accelerated in recipients of GM-CSF-stimulated BM (but not PB) and G-CSF-stimulated PB (but not BM). No direct correlation between progenitor dose and hematopoietic recovery for neutrophils, platelets or red cells was observed. Cytokine stimulation can augment the committed and more primitive multilineage progenitor content of BM and PB grafts, to a differing extent. The uncertain relationship with multilineage myeloid recovery emphasizes the limitations in using clonogenic progenitor analyses to assess the adequacy of an autologous graft prior to transplantation.
Polydimethylsiloxane thin film characterization using all-optical photoacoustic mechanism

This paper presents a nondestructive ultrasound testing method for characterization of the resonant frequencies of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) thin film by using a miniature fiber optic photoacoustic (PA) probe. The PA probe was fabricated with an optical fiber and a synthesized gold nanocomposite. During the experiment, a cured PDMS thin film with a thickness of 220 μm was immersed into a water medium using a custom-designed holder to clamp the film. An acoustic pulse was generated by the PA probe and propagated through the water media to excite the fixed film. A fiber optic pressure sensor based on the Fabry–Perot principle was used to collect the excited acoustic signals on the other side of the film. The acquired response of the acoustic pulse was used to compute the resonant frequencies of the PDMS thin film based on a deconvolution method.
Extent of the ipsilateral representation in the ventral posterior medial nucleus of the monkey thalamus

Single and multiunit mapping was used to determine the extent of the representation of ipsilateral structures in the ventral posterior medial (VPM) nucleus of the thalamus in cynomolgus monkeys. The extent of the VPM occupied by terminations of afferent fibers arising in the ipsilateral principal trigeminal nucleus was also determined by anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. Both methods indicate that most of the medial half of VPM is occupied by the ipsilateral representation. This is much larger than previously suspected. Units in the medial half of VPM have small, well localized receptive fields on the ipsilateral side of the lower lip, tongue and palate, in the ipsilateral cheek pouch and on the ipsilateral teeth. The representation is largest for the ipsilateral side of the tongue and the cheek pouch. Most units in the lateral half of VPM have small, contralateral receptive fields. Few units in VPM have bilateral receptive fields. VPM is clearly distinguishable by cytochrome oxidase (CO) staining. Anteroposteriorly elongated, CO-positive aggreations correspond to elongated aggregations of units with the same or closely similar receptive fields, especially in the medial, ipsilateral representation.
Learning Impairment in Honey Bees Caused by Agricultural Spray Adjuvants

Background Spray adjuvants are often applied to crops in conjunction with agricultural pesticides in order to boost the efficacy of the active ingredient(s). The adjuvants themselves are largely assumed to be biologically inert and are therefore subject to minimal scrutiny and toxicological testing by regulatory agencies. Honey bees are exposed to a wide array of pesticides as they conduct normal foraging operations, meaning that they are likely exposed to spray adjuvants as well. It was previously unknown whether these agrochemicals have any deleterious effects on honey bee behavior. Methodology/Principal Findings An improved, automated version of the proboscis extension reflex (PER) assay with a high degree of trial-to-trial reproducibility was used to measure the olfactory learning ability of honey bees treated orally with sublethal doses of the most widely used spray adjuvants on almonds in the Central Valley of California. Three different adjuvant classes (nonionic surfactants, crop oil concentrates, and organosilicone surfactants) were investigated in this study. Learning was impaired after ingestion of 20 µg organosilicone surfactant, indicating harmful effects on honey bees caused by agrochemicals previously believed to be innocuous. Organosilicones were more active than the nonionic adjuvants, while the crop oil concentrates were inactive. Ingestion was required for the tested adjuvant to have an effect on learning, as exposure via antennal contact only induced no level of impairment. Conclusions/Significance A decrease in percent conditioned response after ingestion of organosilicone surfactants has been demonstrated here for the first time. Olfactory learning is important for foraging honey bees because it allows them to exploit the most productive floral resources in an area at any given time. Impairment of this learning ability may have serious implications for foraging efficiency at the colony level, as well as potentially many social interactions. Organosilicone spray adjuvants may therefore contribute to the ongoing global decline in honey bee health.
Reactivation of Rabies Virus Infection with Adrenocorticotropic Hormones.

A guinea pig inoculated intramuscularly with rabies street virus survived for 5 months, but developed paralysis in the inoculated limb and died of rabies after treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone.