cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-view information fusion for improvement of computer-aided detection (CAD) of breast masses on mammograms

We are developing a two-view information fusion method to improve the performance of our CAD system for mass detection. Mass candidates on each mammogram were first detected with our single-view CAD system. Potential object pairs on the two-view mammograms were then identified by using the distance between the object and the nipple. Morphological features, Hessian feature, correlation coefficients between the two paired objects and texture features were used as input to train a similarity classifier that estimated a similarity scores for each pair. Finally, a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier was used to fuse the score from the single-view CAD system and the similarity score. A data set of 475 patients containing 972 mammograms with 475 biopsy-proven masses was used to train and test the CAD system. All cases contained the CC view and the MLO or LM view. We randomly divided the data set into two independent sets of 243 cases and 232 cases. The training and testing were performed using the 2-fold cross validation method. The detection performance of the CAD system was assessed by free response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) analysis. The average test FROC curve was obtained from averaging the FP rates at the same sensitivity along the two corresponding test FROC curves from the 2-fold cross validation. At the case-based sensitivities of 90%, 85% and 80% on the test set, the single-view CAD system achieved an FP rate of 2.0, 1.5, and 1.2 FPs/image, respectively. With the two-view fusion system, the FP rates were reduced to 1.7, 1.3, and 1.0 FPs/image, respectively, at the corresponding sensitivities. The improvement was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) by the AFROC method. Our results indicate that the two-view fusion scheme can improve the performance of mass detection on mammograms.
Femtosecond ionization and Coulomb explosion of small transition metal carbide clusters

Abstract Strong-field ionization and subsequent Coulomb explosion of small group 5 metal carbide clusters are explored using ultrashort pulses centered at 624 nm. More efficient Coulomb explosion was observed according to: Ta > Nb > V due to the larger mass of tantalum, the slower cluster expansion times, and lower ionization potentials of large atoms. Minimum laser intensities required for the onset of each atomic charge state of V, Nb, and Ta were found to be nearly identical between metal carbides and previously observed group 5 metal oxide clusters indicating electron delocalization within the cluster. Ionization enhancement is explored by comparison to semi-classical tunneling theory.
Fungal production of eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acids from industrial waste streams and crude soybean oil

Abstract A series of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including 5,8,11,14,17-cis-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 5,8,11,14-cis-arachidonic acid (ARA), have widespread nutritional and pharmaceutical value. This study investigated the potential production of the two economically important fatty acids with a fungal fermentation process. The substrates for the fungal fermentation process were crude soybean oil (SBO), a sucrose waste stream (SWS) and a soymeal waste stream (SMW). Glucose (GLU) was used as a substrate in control groups. The microorganisms used were Mortierella elongata NRRL 5513 and Pythium irregulare ATCC 10951. The use of P. irregulare ATCC 10951 is preferred since it produced high levels and reasonable ratios of EPA and ARA at various temperatures (12, 18 and 24°C). An advantage of P. irregulare was its ability to produce EPA at room temperature, which is desirable for commercial applications. Soybean oil had a unique characteristic of stabilizing pH; the optimal initial pH was 6.0. An emulsifier, Tween 80, allowed much greater dispersion of the SBO in aqueous broth and helped increase EPA and ARA production. In experiments exploring the combination effects of sugars (1, 2 and 3%) with soybean oil (4%) and Tween 80 (0.2%) at 12, 18 and 24°C, EPA yields of SMW + SBO were significantly higher than those of GLU + SBO and SWS + SBO. The greatest EPA production (1400 mg/l) was obtained at 12°C (1% SMW, 4% SBO). Cultivation of P. irregulare at reduced temperatures increased lipid unsaturation. The highest ARA level appeared at 18°C − SMW + SBO (2000 mg/l), which was a statistically interactive temperature-media combination. The ARA/EPA ratio in this study ranged from 0.2 to 4.0, which would be reasonable for food additive or supplement applications, e.g infant formula.
Israel: A democracy in peril

In the last two decades or so Israel has gone through a profound change. The prevalence of its democratic regime and political culture can no longer be taken for granted, as it was perhaps before. In this span of time Israel fought three and a half wars (the Six Day War1967; the Atonement Day War-1973; the Lebanon invasion-1982; and the War of Attrition-1969-1970), has seen the Labor party ousted from office after half a century of hegemony in favor of the populist right-wing Likud (1977), has experienced an unprecedented religious-nationalist revival, and perhaps overriding it all has clung to its domination over an ever-growing hostileand now uprising-Palestinian population in the occupied territories. The three books under review register in different ways a concern with the recent trajectory of Israeli politics. Wolfsfeld's book seems to me a regrettable miss. In his pen a drama of sweat, blood, and tears is translated into a chemist's language of fluids.
Using MATLAB to advance the robotics laboratory

The RV-M1 Movemaster from Mitsubishi Electric is an excellent educational robot for students as they learn to program automated tasks and simulate manufacturing processes. Because it was publicly introduced in 1991, the RV-M1 utilizes the DOS-based QBASIC computer code as the primary interface language with the robotic drive unit. Today's students, however, often face great frustration when they work with the unfamiliar QBASIC language and the even more unfamiliar DOS operating system. To address these shortcomings, the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Department at Miami University introduced MATLAB as an alternative Window-based interface language to better reflect the current educational experience of students and to increase the functionality of the RV-M1 robotic arms. MATLAB successfully overcomes the limitations of the QBASIC/DOS environment and augments the capability of the RV-M1. Examples of the extended capability include the use of graphical user interfaces to facilitate student interaction with the robotic arm and the ability to move the robot along contoured paths. With MATLAB, instructors can develop projects that enhance the student experience with the RV-M1 and give them greater insight into robotic applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 14: 205–213, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20143
Structural Interactions between Transmembrane Helices 4 and 5 of Subunit a and the Subunit c Ring of Escherichia coli ATP Synthase

Subunit a plays a key role in promoting H+ transport and the coupled rotary motion of the subunit c ring in F1F0-ATP synthase. H+ binding and release occur at Asp-61 in the middle of the second transmembrane helix (TMH) of F0 subunit c. H+ are thought to reach Asp-61 via aqueous pathways mapping to the surfaces of TMHs 2–5 of subunit a. TMH4 of subunit a is thought to pack close to TMH2 of subunit c based upon disulfide cross-link formation between Cys substitutions in both TMHs. Here we substituted Cys into the fifth TMH of subunit a and the second TMH of subunit c and tested for cross-linking using bis-methanethiosulfonate (bis-MTS) reagents. A total of 62 Cys pairs were tested and 12 positive cross-links were identified with variable alkyl length linkers. Cross-linking was achieved near the middle of the bilayer for the Cys pairs a248C/c62C, a248C/ c63C, a248C/c65C, a251C/c57C, a251C/c59C, a251C/c62C, a252C/c62C, and a252C/c65C. Cross-linking was achieved near the cytoplasmic side of the bilayer for Cys pairs a262C/c53C, a262C/c54C, a262C/c55C, and a263C/c54C. We conclude that both aTMH4 and aTMH5 pack proximately to cTMH2 of the c-ring. In other experiments we demonstrate that aTMH4 and aTMH5 can be simultaneously cross-linked to different subunit c monomers in the c-ring. Five mutants showed pH-dependent cross-linking consistent with aTMH5 changing conformation at lower pH values to facilitate cross-linking. We suggest that the pH-dependent conformational change may be related to the proposed role of aTMH5 in gating H+ access from the periplasm to the cAsp-61 residue in cTMH2.
Hyperbranched PbS and PbSe nanowires and the effect of hydrogen gas on their synthesis.

We report a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis of hyperbranched single-crystal nanowires of both PbS and PbSe using PbCl2 and S/Se as precursors under hydrogen flow. Multiple generations of nanowires grow perpendicularly from the previous generation of nanowires in an epitaxial fashion to produce dense clusters of a complex nanowire network structure. The flow rate and duration of the hydrogen co-flow in the argon carrier gas during the CVD reactions are found to have a significant effect on the morphology of the PbS/PbSe grown, from hyperbranched nanowires to micrometer-sized cubes. No intentional catalyst was employed for the nanowire synthesis, but it is suggested that elemental lead that has been reduced from the vapor by the hydrogen might serve as a vapor−liquid−solid (VLS) catalyst for the anisotropic growth of PbS/PbSe. The nanowires were also investigated with Raman spectroscopy. These PbS and PbSe nanostructures can have applications in photovoltaics because multiple exciton generation ha...
The influence of hospital type on induction of labor and mode of delivery

RESULTS: Births occur less often in week 37 (n 24390 [11%] vs 4006 [13%]; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8‐0.9) and are similar in week 38 in community vs university hospitals. Inductions occur more commonly in community vs university settingsat37weeks(n6440[27%]vs757[19%];adjustedOR,1.7; 95% CI, 1.5‐1.8) and at 38 weeks (n16586 [31%] vs 1530 [21%]; adjusted OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.7‐1.9). Cesarean rates are no different between hospital types. CONCLUSION: Induction is 70-80% more likely at community vs university hospitals before the optimal gestational age of 39 weeks, but cesarean delivery rates do not differ at term.
STATE I-STATE II TRANSITIONS IN THE GREEN ALGA Scenedesmus obliquus*

Illumination of dark adapted Scenedesmus cells with system II light induced a typical fluorescence transient known as the Kautsky effect. Fluorescence spectra at 77 K showed no change in transfer of light energy from system II to I during this system II illumination. By contrast, illumination of the dark adapted cells with system I light induced an increase of one of system II fluorescence bands (at – 700 nm) at 77 K and a shift of system I fluorescence to a shorter wavelength. This change was accompanied by an increase of system II activity and by a decrease of system I activity and hence can be considered to be a state II-I transition. A mutant which lacks light-harvesting chlorophyll alb proteins (LHCP) also showed similar changes. These results show (1) that the dark adapted state is state II. (2) that the Kautsky effect is not related to state I–II transitions, (3) that the state I–II transition preferentially affected only one of the system II fluorescence bands at 77 K. and (4) that the presence of the LHCP chromophore is not necessary for the state changes.
Fossil insect evidence for late pleistocene paleoenvironments of the lamb spring site, Colorado

The study of Quarternary insect fossils has shown their value as paleoenvironmental indicators, especially during times of rapid climatic change, and this method is now being introduced into North America archeological studies. Abundant insect fossils have been recovered from 13,000 year old detrital organic materials from silty clays at the Lamb Spring site, south of Denver, Colorado. The spring deposits also contain bones of extinct camel and mammoth, thought to have been modified by human hunters. The late Pleistocene insect fauna from Lamb Spring comprises 71 identified taxa from 6 orders and 14 families, principally beetles, providing substantial paleoenvironmental data. The beetle fauna is a mixture of grassland and mountain elements, and they appear to represent an environment similar to that found today in high mountain valleys, such as South Park, Colorado. Based on this fauna, mean summer temperatures at 13,140 B.P. were probably 10°C cooler than present.
On Increasing Usable MTI Filter Bandwidth by Removing Linear-Phase Constraint

It has been shown in the literature that the linear-phase constraint of finite-duration impulse-response (FIR) digital filters can, under certain circumstances, be effectively traded either for a better filter amplitude response or a reduction in the number of filter coeficients. It is shown that such a tradeoff can be exploited for moving target indicator (MTI) radar signal processors to increase the usable bandwidth for target detection. Although it is demonstrated that the increase is significant for narrowband (ground) clutter, it is negligible for wideband (weather) clutter.
Mass spectrometric methodology for the determination of glyoxaldeoxyguanosine and O6-hydroxyethyldeoxyguanosine DNA adducts produced by nitrosamine bident carcinogens.

N-Nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) is a bident carcinogen that undergoes both P-450 mediated α-hydroxylation and β-oxidation, leading ultimately to the formation of two prominent DNA adducts, glyoxaldeoxyguanosine (gdG) and O6-2-hydroxyethyldeoxyguanosine (OHEdG), in rat liver. HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) and tandem mass spectrometry was used for both detection and quantification of gdG and OHEdG. The method, which is fast, sensitive, and unambiguous, is a significant improvement over the previous 32P-postlabeling methodology. A rapid procedure for the enzymatic hydrolysis of the DNA under acidic conditions preserved the integrity of the pH sensitive gdG adducts. Glyoxal and 3-nitroso-2-oxazolidinone generated gdG and OHEdG adducts, respectively, in calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) in a concentration (range of 104) dependent manner permitting optimization. Isotopomeric internal standards were prepared from the modified guanine derivatives by enzymatic trans-glycosylation. Quantitative HPLC−ESI−MS...
Oxidation in Insulating Oil

Discussion and authors' closure of a paper by J. B. Whitehead and F. E. Mauritz published in the April 1937 issue, pages 465–74, and presented for oral discussion at the communication and research session of the summer convention, Milwaukee, Wis., June 25,1937.
Diltiazem and verapamil preferentially block inactivated cardiac calcium channels.

Abstract Diltiazem has been proposed to act by blocking calcium channels of cardiac and smooth muscle since it has pharmacological [ 12–14 ] and clinical [ 10 ] effects that resemble those of verapamil, an agent that has been shown to block these channels [ 3 ]. However, block of the slow inward current by diltiazem has not been directly demonstrated. In fact, it has been suggested that diltiazem has an entirely different mechanism of action [ 7 ]. We therefore studied the blocking effects of diltiazem and verapamil on cardiac calcium channels by measuring the slow inward current in voltage-clamped ferret myocardium. Both drugs blocked the slow inward current in a use-dependent fashion, i.e. the block was enhanced by increased frequency of activating clamps and by more positive holding potentials. However, we found that short single activating clamps resulted in minimal block, whereas prolonging the clamp step progressively enhanced the blockade. Thus, a single long clamp caused as much blockade as a train of shorter pulses. These results demonstrate that diltiazem and verapamil block the slow inward current by binding to calcium channels in a state-dependent fashion, i.e. inactivated channels have a high affinity for the drugs, while rested and open channels have a lower affinity.
Excessive doses of insulin.

Excerpt To the editor: On the problem of excessive insulin administration examined in the review article by Wilson (1), I write to add some clinical observations. The most frequent reason that pati...
Complete blood count, measures of iron status and inflammatory markers in inner-city African Americans with undiagnosed hepatitis C seropositivity

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be associated with thrombocytopenia and increased iron stores in patients receiving medical care. We aimed to determine how often changes in hematologic, iron metabolic and inflammatory markers occur in individuals with undiagnosed HCV in the community.
The Case for the Narrow View of Reading

Purpose This prologue reiterates the case for the narrow view of reading as a solution to the persistently high levels of reading failure that occurs in our schools and provides a brief summary of ...
Chain decomposition and the flag f -vector

Ehrenborg introduced a quasi-symmetric function encoding, denoted Fp, for the flag f-vector of any finite, graded poset P with 0 and 1. Stanley observed that Fp is a symmetric function whenever P is locally rank-symmetric and asked for conditions under which Fp is Schur-positive. We provide formulas for Fp for three classes of locally rank-symmetric posets: graded monoid posets, generalized posets of shuffles and noncrossing partition lattices for classical reflection groups. Our flag f-vector expressions for generalized shuffle posets and noncrossing partition lattices exhibit Schur-positivity, while graded monoid posets do not always have Schur-positive flag f-vector.Each of our flag f-vector expressions results from a poset chain decomposition. For the noncrossing partition lattices and shuffle posets, these also yield symmetric chain decompositions (by restriction to 1-chains), shellability and supersolvability results and combinatorial formulae including characteristic polynomial and zeta polynomial. Our (more complicated) flag f-vector expression for graded monoid posets involves Grobner bases and a weighted notion of Mobius function for the poset of partitions of a multiset and related multiset intersection posets.
Validity of the Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire with Diverse Adolescents

Suicide and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSI) continue to be significant health problems for adolescents. Although there are many instruments available to assess self-harm behaviors, few have been validated for use with adolescents, and even fewer have been validated for use with different racial/ethnic groups. The Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire (SHBQ) assesses NSSI, suicidal ideation, suicide threats, and past suicide attempts. Data from 1,386 racially/ethnically diverse adolescents (57.5% minority) were collected to examine the validity of the SHBQ in this age group. Analyses supported the four-factor structure, revealed the SHBQ is internally consistent, and provided evidence for convergent validity within Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic adolescents. However, slight differences were noted. Overall, the findings suggest the SHBQ is a useful assessment tool appropriate for use with Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic adolescents.
Reactions of tumors and normal tissues in mice to irradiation in the presence and absence of a perfluorochemical emulsion.

Abstract The effect of pre-treatment with the perfluorochemical emulsion, Fluosol-DA, on the radiation response of normal tissues and EMT6 mammary tumors in BALB/c mice was examined. Pre-treating tumor-bearing mice with .015 ml/g of Fluosol and 30 min of carbogen (95% O 2 /5% CO 2 ) increased the number of tumor cells killed by irradiation with doses of 2.5–20 Gy; the change in the radiation dose-response curve was consistent with a reduction in the hypoxic fraction. Fluosol did not alter the response of tumors in air-breathing or N 2 -asphyxiated mice and carbogen alone did not alter the radiation response of this tumor significantly. Carbogen treatments 5–60 min in duration produced similar enhancements of tumor radiosensitivity in Fluosol-treated animals. Pre-treatment with Fluosol plus carbogen also increased the number of tumor cells killed by a fractionated regimen of four 2.5 Gy fractions given over 2 days. Pre-treatment with Fluosol-DA plus carbogen, therefore, increased the antineoplastic effects of radiotherapy in both single-dose and multi-fraction radiation regimens. In contrast, Fluosol did not increase the effect of radiation on the partially committed (CFU-GM) or pluripotent (CFU-S) stem cells of the bone marrow or on the CFU-GM of the spleen. The radiation response of the skin was only slightly enhanced by pre-treatment with Fluosol plus carbogen. These data show that treatment of mice with perfluorochemical emulsions plus carbogen can produce therapeutic gain by improving the radiation response of solid tumors, without producing an equivalent increase in the radiation response of potentially dose-limiting normal tissues. These findings encourage further evaluations of these agents as adjuncts to clinical radiotherapy.
On quasi-non-destructive strength and toughness testing of elastic–plastic materials

Abstract Non-destructive evaluation of mechanical material properties, like strength and fracture toughness, is impossible for principal reasons. However, there are possibilities of quasi-non-destructive estimation methods, which can be quite useful in practice. Instrumented indentation tests are often suitable to get information about the elastic–plastic behaviour, where the indentation depth is measured as a function of indentation force. By approximate analytical methods, key parameters like ultimate tensile strength, work-hardening exponent or even yield stress can be derived from these measurements. A mobile indenter is presented here and its use in ambulant testing is described. To obtain the uniaxial stress–strain curve more directly and more exactly, the same instrument can be used for a miniature compression test, where a small pin is machined out from the surface of the material. Furthermore, to get information about the toughness of materials, a carving instrument has been developed, which allows the energy required to introduce a defined furrow to be measured and correlated with toughness parameters.
Compressive properties of polymer coated synthetic hydroxyapatite for bone grafting

A porous hydroxyapatite material hydrothermally converted from the calcium carbonate exoskeleton of the coral, genus Goniopora (CHAG) was either microcoated using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polylactic acid (PLA) to cover all internal surfaces, or externally coated to produce a shell, with the objective of reducing the brittleness of the material. Compressive testing showed that while CHAG, externally coated with PMMA, showed the largest increases in strength, stiffness, and energy absorption, the uncoated hydroxyapatite core cracked at low loads although the shell remained intact. CHAG internally microcoated with PMMA showed a 3.84 increase in compressive strength while specimens with internal PLA coatings had 1.81 times the compressive strength of uncoated CHAG specimens. Compared to the mechanical properties of cancellous graft material, specimens internally microcoated with either polymer could be produced having properties equivalent to or greater than those of cancellous graft.
Ca2+ ionophoretic activity of oligomers of prostaglandin B1 with isolated hepatocytes

Chemically synthesized oligomers (dimers, trimers and tetramers) of 15-dehydroprostaglandin B1 and 16,16′dimethyl-15-dehydroprostaglandin B1 (16,16′diMePGB1) are effective Ca2+ ionophores with isolated mitochondria and in artificial systems. The trimer of 16,16′diMePGB1 mediated a dose dependent Ca2+ efflux from intact rat hepatocytes; at 9.2 uM oligomer, Ca2+ was released primarily from the mitochondrial pool but at higher concentrations from other cellular pools. The 16,16′diMePGB1 trimer did not alter Ca2+ release mediated by epinephrine suggesting that the PGB1 oligomer interacts at a different site. The oligomer also caused an activation of phosphorylase similar to that mediated by epinephrine.
Alkane coordination selectivity in hydrocarbon activation by [Tp'Rh(CNneopentyl)]: the role of alkane complexes.

The competitive activation of C−H bonds of linear, cyclic, and branched hydrocarbons using the coordinatively unsaturated 16-electron [Tp‘RhL] reactive fragment have been studied (Tp‘ = tris-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate; L = CNCH2CMe3). Activation of the hydrocarbons leads to the formation of Tp‘Rh(L)(R)(H) alkyl complexes, which were converted to the stable chlorides immediately following the activation of the bonds via photolysis of Tp‘Rh(L)(PhNCNCH2CMe3) in the solvent mixture. The products were analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The experiments described provide relative rates for the coordination of primary and secondary C−H bonds to the Rh metal center, indicating a 1.5× preference for the latter.
Varicella-Zoster Virus Transcriptome in Latently Infected Human Ganglia

We recently developed a novel multiplex reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay that allows rapid and sensitive detection of transcripts corresponding to all 68 unique varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frames (ORFs) in only five amplification reactions (M. A. Nagel, D. Gilden, T. Shade, B. Gao, and R. J. Cohrs, J. Virol. Methods 157:62-68, 2009). Herein, we applied multiplex RT-PCR analysis to mRNA extracted from 26 trigeminal ganglia latently infected with VZV and one control trigeminal ganglion negative for VZV DNA that were removed from 14 men and women, 16 to 84 years of age, within 24 h after death. Analysis identified VZV transcripts mapping to VZV ORFs 29, 62, and 63, previously detected and sequence verified; VZV ORFs 4 and 40, previously detected by in situ hybridization; and VZV ORFs 11, 41, 43, 57, and 68, not previously detected. VZV ORF 63 transcripts were the most prevalent. Comparison of the 10 VZV ORFs transcribed during latency to their herpes simplex virus type 1 homologues reveals that the latently transcribed VZV genes encode immediate-early, early, and late transcripts.
Der Turing-Mensch und Phasic Instinct

Diese Kolumne habe ich zur Zeit des Erscheinens meines Buches Abschied vom Homo Oeconomicus geschrieben, das ich selbst gerne mit Phasic Instinct getitelet hatte. Die Hauptthese, ganz kurz: In langen Aufschwungund Abschwungphasen der Wirtschaft bilden sich dazu passende Weltanschauungen heraus, die immer dann komplett wechseln, wenn Abschwung in Aufschwung ubergeht oder umgekehrt. In einem Abschwung wird optimiert, gestresst und rationalisiert, Wettbewerb und Darwinismus werden heilig gehalten, Mitarbeiter sind bedauerliche Kostenblocke etc. Im Aufschwung sind die Mitarbeites die Seele des Unternehmens, sie wollen sich im Team und in der Gemeinschaft entwickeln, mussen freudig im Flow arbeiten, die Zukunft und die Innovation stehen im Vordergrund. Es gibt also verschiedene Gesamtzustande der Menschheit! Da die bisherigen Wirtschaftstheorien das nie berucksichtigten, sind sie alle falsch. Das klingt jetzt ein bisschen uberheblich von mir, aber der Harvard Business Review hat das in seiner Rezension des Buches auch so anerkannt – und das Buch wurde als eines von zehn fur den Wirtschaftsbuchpreis des Handelsblattes nominiert.
The Peroxisome Proliferators WY-14,643 and Methylclofenapate Induce Hepatocyte Ploidy Alterations and Ploidy-Specific DNA Synthesis in F344 Rats

Abstract WY-14,643 (WY) and methylclofenapate (MCP) are peroxisome proliferators (PP) and hepatocarcinogens in rats. MCP causes hepatic polyploidization and preferentially induces replicative DNA synthesis in binucleate tetraploid hepatocytes (2 × 2N) in young Alpk:AP rats. To compare the effect of WY and MCP on hepatocyte ploidy and ploidy-specific DNA synthesis, male F344 rats were fed WY (0.1% in diet) or gavaged with MCP (25 mg/kg/day in corn oil) for 2, 5, or 10 days. Four rats per treatment group (including corn oil and diet control groups) were euthanized and the livers perfused at each time point. To identify cells undergoing DNA synthesis, all animals received BrdU by continuous infusion for 2 or 5 days prior to euthanasia. Hepatocyte ploidy and DNA synthesis were determined using one- or two-parameter flow cytometry. Averages ± SEM for adult male F344 rats as a percentage of total hepatocytes for each ploidy subclass are 2N = 3.4 ± 0.7%, 4N = 69.9 ± 1.9%, 2 × 2N = 14.4 ± 2.4%, 8N = 2.2 ± 0.4%, and 2 × 4N = 9.6 ± 0.9%. Significant alterations were not induced in the proportions of 2 × 2N or 4N ploidy subclasses by WY or MCP at any time point. However, WY caused increases in 8N hepatocytes at 2, 5, and 10 days (2 days, 5.2% vs 2.2% for controls; 5 days, 7.0% vs 3.1% for controls; 10 days, 6.4% vs 3.6% for controls) as did MCP at 5 and 10 days (5 days, 6.3% vs 2.5% for controls; 10 days, 5.3% vs 2.9% for controls). In addition, a majority of BrdU-containing hepatocytes were 4N following 5 and 10 days of WY and MCP [34.3% (WY) and 16.8% (MCP) vs 1.8% and 1.1% for controls, respectively, for 2 × 2N (5 days) as a percentage of total hepatocytes]. Hepatocytes with intermediary DNA content (between tetraploid and octaploid) from MCP- and WY-treated rats were predominantly mononuclear, the percentage of binucleate hepatocytes being similar to or less than the percentage of binucleate cells within the total tetraploid hepatocyte population. These data suggest that polyploidization is induced by PP and induction of S-phase by WY and MCP occurs primarily in 4N hepatocytes in mature F344 rats and not within 2 × 2N hepatocytes. Identification of a ploidy subpopulation at risk for tumor development in rodents is essential for clarifying the role of cell replication in risk assessment studies of PP.
Effect of rare-earth atomic radius on the devitrification of Al88RE8Ni4 amorphous alloys

Abstract To find a suitable Al-rich (>80 at.%) Al—RE—TM (RE = rare-earth, TM = transition metal) amorphous alloy for nucleation and growth studies, a series of Al88(GD1—x Er x )8Ni4 and Al88(La1—x Gd x )8Ni4alloys has been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The alloys containing the smaller radius rare-earth atoms (≤ 1.8013 A, i.e., Al88(Gd1—x Er x )8Ni4 for all x) produce fcc Al nanocrystals on devitrification. However, they do not show a glass transition temperature (T g), although they appear to be amorphous by XRD and show a peak in isothermal DSC during devitrification, characteristics of a transformation by nucleation and growth. By contrast, the alloys containing the larger radius rare-earth atoms (≥1.811 A) show a well-defined T g and a peak in isothermal DSC, characteristics of a true amorphous alloy. However, only over a limited radius range (1.811 A ≤ average rare-earth radius ≤ 1.821 A, corresponding to Al88La1Gd7Ni4 and Al8...
Volatile Compounds Formed from Thermal Degradation of Glucosamine in a Dry System

Glucosamine was pyrolyzed at 200 °C for 30 min under dry conditions. A roasty aroma was obtained. Volatile compounds generated included pyrazines, pyridines, pyrroles, and furans. The most interesting compounds were pyrazines with one or two furyl substituents. They are 2-(2-furyl)pyrazines, 2-(2-furyl)methylpyrazines, 2-(2-furyl)dimethylpyrazines, 2-(2-furyl)acetylpyrazines, and di-2-furylpyrazines. Some of these furyl pyrazines are being reported for the first time. The mechanism of the furan ring formation in polycyclic pyrazine compounds was studied. The furan ring was suggested as a result of the dehydration reaction from the intermediate polyhydroxypyrazines, which were dimerization products of glucosamine. Model reactions were designed to test the proposed mechanism. When fructose and ammonium acetate were heated under the same conditions as the glucosamine pyrolysis, those furyl pyrazines were also generated. Keywords: Glucosamine; 2-amino-2-deoxyglucose; Maillard reaction; volatile compound; pyra...
Synthesis of 5-substituted nucleosides via the regioselective lithiation of 2′-deoxyuridine

Abstract Treatment of 2′-deoxy-3′,5′-bis-O-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-uridine with sec-BuLi in the presence of TMEDA resulted in a highly regioselective lithiation at C-5. The lithiated derivative was treated with a number of electrophiles to afford 5-substituted 2′-deoxyuridines.
Best Practices of Effective Student-Teacher Supervision Based on NASPE Standards

Abstract The NASPE standards for beginning teachers can help mentor teachers and college supervisors instill good practices in preservice teachers.
A patient with a paced rhythm presenting with chest pain and hypotension

An86-year-oldwomanarrived intheemergencydepartmentcom-plainingof1hourofchestpain.Shehadahistoryofmyocardialin-farction(MI),atrialfibrillation,placementofadual-chamberpace-maker,stroke,gout,andhypertension.Onarrival,herbloodpressurewas88/68mmHg,heartratewas75beats/minandirregular,respirationswere22/min,andbloodoxy-gen saturation was 97% with 2 L/min supplemental oxygen. Shelookeduncomfortableandhadnoappreciablejugularvenousdis-tention,noabnormalheartsounds,clearlungfields,tracelowerex-tremityedema,andweakradialpulses.Thebloodlactatelevelwas4.0mg/dL(referencevalue,<2.3mg/dL)(toconverttomillimolesper liter, multiply by 0.111). A chest radiograph was normal exceptforpacemakerleadsintheexpectedpositionsandanenlargedcar-diacsilhouette.Anelectrocardiogram(ECG)wasobtained(Figure1).Question: Should this patient be taken for emergent cardiaccatheterizationformanagementofsuspectedacuteMI?
SUSTAINABILITY SEEN THROUGH AN INTEGRAL LENS

The call to create a sustainable society includes many ideas that are consonant with Integral Science, including its conception of humans as part of nature, emphasis on healthy communities as fundamental building blocks, and emphasis on collaborative social organization. Integral Science expands the sustainability discussion by adding an ecological view of growth, and fractal structures to explain resilient structure. It describes the new society as a collaborative learning society that adapts appropriately to accurate signals. It also shows that the new society is already emerging.
Toward A Reliable Network Design: A QoS Mapping Framework

No doubt that the information technology field is filled with various qualitative and quantitative concepts that are used to describe the desired performance for the network user or designer. The most common performance indicator concept is the reliability concept. Based on analyzing this concept in an IP network environment, the reliability concept is further expressed by the quality of service (QoS). Any regular network user definitely cares about the reliability of the services he perceives. This reliability in fact depends on the reliability of the underlying network. Therefore, the upper layer subjective requirements need to be transparently translated into lower layer objective ones. This paper presents a systematic framework for mapping the lower-layer network QoS performance parameter embodied by the packet loss rate into the upper-layer application QoS in an objective quantifiable way. In fact, currently with the advanced highspeed networks, the focus of the IP network performance is shifting from scalability, throughput and utilization benchmarks to guaranteeing loss bounds for different applications and users. Thus, this mapping will surely allow better and reliable system design and understanding of the technical network parameters from the application's perspective of the service level agreement (SLA).
Link Adaptation for Throughput Optimization of Parallel Channels with Application to Hybrid FSO/RF Systems

Hybrid free space optical (FSO)/radio frequency (RF) communication systems provide an attractive solution for high-throughput wireless connectivity. Such systems promise high data rates (Gbps) due to the FSO channel, weather permitting. The reliability of these systems is enhanced by the more robust RF channel. A critical question is how to efficiently transmit data using hybrid systems with highly variable channel conditions. In this paper, a hybrid FSO/RF communication system is modeled as two independent parallel channels. Under the assumptions of quasi-static channels and perfect channel knowledge at the transceivers, we propose an adaptive design resulting in a capacity-approaching and seamless joint system. In our design, information bits are jointly encoded and decoded. The encoder rate, modem transmission rate, and modulation scheme of each channel are dynamically adjusted according to the channel state. Analytical and simulation results give insight into the relationship between the adaptive parameters and the performance of the hybrid system.
Impurity effects on high-temperature tensile ductility of iridium alloys at high strain rate

The current study was undertaken to determine what effects, if any, larger amounts of certain impurities (Al,Cr,Fe,Ni, and Si) might have on the physical metallurgy and mechanical properties of the DOP-26 iridium alloy. This report summarizes the effects of these impurities on grain growth behavior and high-temperature high-strain-rate tensile ductility. Comparisons are made to the grain growth behavior and high-strain-rate tensile properties of the DOP-26 alloy without intentional impurity additions.
Reproduction and teratology studies on propoxyphene napsylate.

Abstract Propoxyphene napsylate was studied in reproduction and teratology experiments in rats and in a teratology experiment in rabbits. Rats were given daily oral doses of 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg, while rabbits were treated with oral doses of 0, 32, or 80 mg/kg/day. In neither species were there any signs of druginduced teratogenicity. Large doses of the drug (200, 400 mg/kg/day) impaired the reproductive capacity of mating or pregnant female rats (i.e., reduced fertility, stunting and decreased viability of the progeny), but these doses also induced distinct maternal toxicity; daily doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg resulted in the death of approximately 20% of the female rats.
Corrosion behavior of stainless steels in aqueous salt blanket option solutions for ITER

Abstract Corrosion experiments were performed on 316 stainless steel in solutions relevant to the aqueous blanket concept for the ITER program. Those solutions included 2.1M and 4.2M and saturated LiOH, as well as 2.1M LiNo 3 at 25°C, 60°C and 90°C. Experiments conducted were immersion tests, SCC screening, linear polarization, and potentiodynamic polarization. Experiments were performed under laboratory conditions for reference purposes, as well as in a radiation field utilizing a linear electron accelerator. General corrosion rates were in the range of 0.2–16 μm/yr for deaerated 2.1M LiOH. 2–30 μm/yr for non-deaerated 2.1M LiOH and 0.13–2 μm/yr in 2.1M LiNO 3 at 25°C. Corrosion rates increased with solution concentration and temperature. Pitting and crevice corrosion were observed in LiNO 3 solutions as well as mixtures of LiNO 3 and LiOH. No indication of SCC was observed. Radiolysis products shifted corrosion potentials in the noble direction, but had no effect on corrosion products or on corrosion rates.
Mechanism for the Hypotestosteronemia of the Sleep Apnea Syndrome

ABSTRACT The sleep apnea syndrome, a condition predominantly affecting males, is associated with impotence (in 42% to 48% of the patients) and low serum testosterone. We investigated the endocrine control of testicular function in six patients with sleep apnea, impotence, and low serum testosterone levels (72–280 ng/dl; normal range 300–1000). Serum free testosterone, calculated from total testosterone and testosterone-estradiol binding globulin concentrations, was low in five of the subjects. Luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration was normal and responded normally to its releasing hormone; however, the LH bioactivity/immunoreactivity ratio (BIO/RIA) was subnormal in all the tested cases (4:4). Active spermatogenesis was found in three patients. Thus, the impotence and low concentrations of total and free testosterone of the sleep apnea syndrome represent a state of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. This type of hypogonadism appears to be secondary to decreased steroidogenic activity of circulating luteinizing hormone.
Isolation of five polymorphic microsatellite markers in Utetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

We isolated five polymorphic microsatellite markers for the arctiid moth Utetheisa ornatrix as part of an effort to investigate the role of inbreeding in the degree of polyandry seen in natural populations of the moth. We tested the primers on 105 individuals collected from scrub habitat in central Florida. These microsatellite loci provide a new research tool for understanding the population structure and reproductive behaviour of U. ornatrix.
Development of a Polarizable Force Field Using Multiple Fluctuating Charges per Atom

A polarizable force field (PFF) using multiple fluctuating charges per atom, ABEEMσπ PFF, is presented in this work. The fluctuating partial charges are obtained from the electronegativity equalization principle applied to the decomposition scheme of atom-bond regions into multiple charge sites: atomic, lone-pair electron, and σ and π bond regions. These multiple partial charges per atom should better account for the polarization effect than single atomic charge in other PFFs. To evaluate the PFF, structural and energetic properties for some organic and biochemical systems, including rotational barriers; binding energies of base pairs; a base-base interaction in a B-DNA decamer; and interaction energies of ten stationary conformers of a water dimer, peptides, and bases with water molecules, have been calculated and compared with the experimental data or ab initio MP2 results. Molecular dynamics simulations using the PFF have been performed for crambin and BPTI protein systems. Better performances in modeling root-mean-square deviations of backbone bond lengths, bond angles, key dihedral angles, the coordinate root-mean-square shift of atoms, and the distribution of hydrogen bonds have been observed in comparison with other PFFs. These results indicate that the fluctuating charge force field, ABEEMσπ/MM, is accurate and reliable and can be applied to wide ranges of organic and biomolecular systems.
A pattern calculus for tensor operators in the unitary groups

For a large class of tensor operators inU(n), a surprisingly simple diagrammatic calculus of patterns is shown to exist; to each operator of this class a pattern may be assigned in terms of which thecomplete algebraic formula for all matrix elements may be read off directly. The class of operators includes all fundamental, elementary and extremal Wigner operators in allU(n). Application of the pattern calculus toward the explicit determination of all tensor operators is discussed.
Sedimentological Cross Section of Cambro-Ordovician Carbonate Shelf (Knox Group, Conasauga Formation) in Central Alabama: Facies, Diagenesis, Potential Reservoirs: ABSTRACT

Cambro-Ordovician thrust-imbricated carbonates in central Alabama are the focus of renewed exploration interest. Samples from east-west-trending core holes within the surface-most thrust plates reconstruct the carbonate shelf and shelf-edge facies before deformation. The Upper Cambrian shelf margin now is in the subsurface of Talledega County; coeval dolostones in the western part of the state represent the former shelf interior. Rock analogs to former environments include the following. (1) Barrier shoals (Conasauga Formation)--dark colored, partially dolomitized ooid and skeletal grainstones. (2) Submerged back-barrier and offshelf dolomitized sediments (lower Knox Group)--western belt: finely crystalline algal thrombolites, fenestral dolopelmicrites, rippled beds; east rn belt: finely laminated dolostones, slope-derived pebbles and graded beds. (3) Tidal flats (upper Knox Group)--light-colored, crystalline dolostones, dolomitized pellet grainstones, algal laminites, pseudomorphs after sulfates and early diagenetic chertification. (4) Former emergent shelf-(Knox unconformity)--pelmicrite, skeletal wackestones, erosional chert pebble conglomerate. Multiple possibilities for hydrocarbon reservoirs appear throughout the sequence. Vuggy and intercrystalline dolostone porosity is primarily in the lower Knox formations. Primary interparticle pores are retained in lower Knox algal buildups. Breccia porosity occurs in the strata below the Knox unconformity through solution of the underlying Knox Group. Fractures in the subsurface are believed to enhance permeability in all porosity types. End_of_Article - Last_Page 532------------
Narceolaelaps N.G., (acari: laelapidae) with four new species parasitizing spiroboloid millipeds

Abstract Narceolaelaps, a new genus of Laelapidae, is described to accommodate four new species, each parasitizing a different species of spiroboloid millipede in the U. S. , three of the genus Narceus Rafinesque: Narceolaelaps annularis n. sp. , ex. Narceus annularis (Rafinesque), Narceolaelaps americanus n. sp. , ex. Narceus americanus (Palisot de Beauvois), Narceolaelaps gordanus n. sp. , ex. Narceus gordanus (Chamberlin), and one of the genus Tylobolus Cook: Narceolaelaps burdicki n. sp., ex Tylobolus sp.
Attachment Mediates the Childhood Maltreatment–Daily Hassles Link in Low-Income, Suicidal African American Women

This study examined if attachment patterns mediated the link between childhood maltreatment and total daily and interpersonally oriented life hassles in 135 low-income, inner-city, suicidal African American women. Participants completed self-report measures of childhood maltreatment, attachment styles, and daily life hassles dimensions. Bootstrapping analyses revealed that (a) negative views of self mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and social and cultural difficulties and social acceptability; and (b) negative views of other mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and total daily life hassles, social victimization, and social and cultural difficulties. These findings can inform interventions for suicidal African American women with a history of childhood maltreatment and subsequent maladaptive attachment styles.