cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medicare coverage of genetic testing

PL08-02 The process leading to a national coverage determination for Medicare at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is outlined. In particular, the use of reasonable and necessary criteria for Medicare coverage (as required by the Social Security Act) is explained. Specifically, coverage for molecular and genomic testing at the local Medicare contractor level is distinguished from national coverage decisions in terms of process and scope. Examples of coverage decision thinking are provided. Some of the preferred features of evidence to support a coverage determination are explained. The overarching principle of any Medicare coverage determination-- to enhance health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries-- is illustrated by an example in progress at CMS. References for obtaining further information about the coverage determination process at CMS are provided.
VNA Balanced Measurements

Traditionally, common radio frequency (RF) structures involved single‐input and single‐output devices, with a common ground reference. But with the advent of advanced microwave monolithic integrated circuits and the move to using CMOS technology to higher frequencies, more and more RF circuits are being designed using differential devices. The mixed‐mode parameters may also be defined for a 3‐port network, comprising one single‐ended port and one mixed‐mode port, which is usually defined as the differential or balanced port. But, it must be recognized that for a device referenced to ground, a balanced port always has the possibility to support a common mode signal as well. The most common use of a single‐ended to differential device is as a balun, used to drive a differential device from a single‐ended measurement instrument. With that advent of 4‐port vector network analyzers, the need for baluns in characterization of linear, passive measurements was eliminated.
Cofactors and erythrocyte glycolytic capacity.

Abstract The relationship between cofactors and glycolytic capacity was examined in the intact human erythrocyte. Selective alteration of the nicotinamide adenine nucleotide and adenine nucleotide content of erythrocytes was induced by incubation in the presence of appropriate precursors. Variation of the adenine nucleotide content of the cells resulted in proportional changes in glycolytic capacity, indicating that it is a limiting factor. Variation of NAD concentrations, on the other hand, showed little relationship to glycolytic capacity, suggesting the presence of a normal excess of this cofactor in the erythrocyte.
Aquinas's Account of Double Effect

Comparaison de la conception thomiste du double effet et de la forme contemporaine du raisonnement du double effet. Examinant les notions de risque, responsabilite et intention qui sous-tendent l'expose thomiste, l'A. montre que la doctrine contemporaine du double effet ne peut se reclamer de Saint Thomas D'aquin tout court et ne peut justifier le cas d'un homicide par autodefense
Kurdish adolescents acquiring Turkish: Their self‐determined motivation and identification with L1 and L2 communities as predictors of L2 accent attainment

In this study, we address the particularly charged question of why young adolescent Kurds living and attending school in Turkey, where their education is conducted entirely in Turkish, acquire the accent of the regional Turkish spoken at school and in society to different degrees of native-likeness. We have chosen to study accent because previous sociolinguistic research and social views of L2 attainment have suggested accent to be the strongest marker of L2 learners' sociocultural identification (Baugh, 1999; Bongaerts, 1999; Labov, 1972; Moyer, 2004; Scovel, 1988). Moreover, we study accent because it is a salient source of linguistic profiling (Baugh, 1999), an important factor that can influence such extrinsic social rewards as access to jobs, entry into a country, housing, or membership in a group, particularly in communities that are imbued with violent conflicts. In our study, we called upon the constructs of identification with speakers of a person's first and second languages (Duff, 2002; Norton Peirce, 1995; Spolsky, 1989) and of self-determined motivational patterns (Dornyei, 2005; Pintrich, 2003; Ryan & Deci, 2000) to help elucidate the differing degrees of success in attaining a native-like Turkish accent exhibited by Kurdish youth in a Turkish-speaking society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Enabling technologies for future structurally integrated conformal apertures

The role of antennas as the "eyes and ears" of the sensor suite continues to make radio frequency (RF) aperture technology vital to the Air Force missions. Airborne apertures of the future must be low cost, wide band and potentially multi-function in nature to earn their way onto platforms where space is at a premium. To achieve these requirements, radically new approaches to aperture technology need to be cultivated. This paper explores the challenges and potential approaches to affordable conformal antenna technology.
Consequences of Sharp Military Assistance Increases for International Conflict and Cooperation

Effects of sharp increases in military assistance on international conflict and cooperation on the part of recipient nations are investigated. Since traditional bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques are often conceptually inapplicable to this subject matter, a quasi-experimental design is used which relies on autoregressive moving average models and exponential smoothing forecasting mechanisms. Twenty-five annual observations, from 1946 through 1970, of 15 Asian nations serve as the data base. Key findings are: (1) sharp increases in military assistance tend to change decidedly the recipient nation's international conflict and cooperative behavior; (2) in a substantial majority of cases examined, the direction of that behavior change is toward increased conflict and decreased cooperation; and (3) a two-year lag between military assistance and behavior change of recipient nations is statistically supported. The effects of increased capabilities as well as bureaucratic politics, habit, expectati...
Soil-forming processes and rates on uplifted marine terraces in southwestern Oregon, USA

Soil chronosequences were examined on flights of tectonically uplifted marine terraces near Cape Blanco and Cape Arago, southwestern Oregon. All of the soils contain abundant organic C and are strongly acidic (pH in H2O 30% of the exchange sites saturated with Al. The soils in the two areas show a progression in development from Spodosols to Spodosols with clay-enriched horizons and eventually to Ultisols. Although the spodic and argillic horizons appear to be forming concurrently in the soils, evidence is presented to support the concept that the spodic horizon is eventually masked by clay accumulation because of weathering in situ, neoformation of clays, and clay translocation. The primary age-related trends include increases in (1) the relative abundance of silt and clay, (2) the ratio of quartz to feldspars in the very fine sand (100-50 μm) fraction, and (3) the amounts of dithionite-extractable Fe and Al and crystalline forms of Fe in the profile.
Differences in regulation of testis specific lactate dehydrogenase in rat and mouse occur at multiple levels

The testis specific form of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-C4) is encoded by a single locus, Ldh-c, and is tightly regulated in a tissue specific manner. Here we show differences in expression of Ldh-c between rat and mouse, and describe the levels at which regulation of this gene differs in the two species. Our results demonstrate that the Ldh-c message level is nearly nine fold greater in mouse testis and remains high post-meiotically. In contrast, rat Ldh-c mRNA is highest in primary spermatocytes and reduced in spermatids. The results of nuclear run-on assays indicate that the transcription rate of Ldh-c is only moderately higher in mouse than rat, and cannot account for a significant portion of the observed differences. Similar decay rates for both rat and mouse Ldh-c mRNA in actinomycin-D clearance assays indicate comparable cytoplasmic stabilities for the two messages. From these results we infer that nuclear prostranscriptional events contribute to the differences in Ldh-c message levels. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Lukács on Science: A New Act in the Tragedy

Abstract The rejection of the ‘dialectics of nature’ has long been thought of as the most fundamental factor distinguishing Western Marxism from official Soviet-style Marxism. Yet, in Tailism and the Dialectic, Georg Lukacs – perhaps the most influential figure in Western Marxism – strongly endorses the existence of an objective dialectic in nature. A close examination of Lukacs’s main writings on science shows, however, that he still in effect denied the possibility of applying dialectical methodto nature. This paradox is bound up with a dualistic conception of natural and social science with distinctly adverse implications for the development of an ecological Marxism.
Metabolic phenomena associated with virus infection in plants

There are two major physiological effects of virus infection in plants which may be summarized as follows: Respiratory activities are markedly increased very early during the course of the infection which corresponds to the period of arrival of virus particles from points of infection. The plant recovers from this initial shock, although the quantity of virus protein continues to increase. The permeability of cytoplasm or its membranes is greatly altered in respect to soluble substances. This accounts for the accumulation of carbohydrate in the leaves, and the accumulation of nutrient ions in the roots at the expense of tops. Since the changes in permeability vary for different ions, the nutritional state of the plant is more significantly disturbed than the general reduction of the total ash would suggest.
In Vivo Effects of Josamycin, Erythromycin, and Placebo Therapy on Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus

Healthy nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus were randomly assigned to one of three treatment regimens: josamycin (1.5 g/day), erythromycin stearate (1.0 g/day), or placebo, each administered orally for 7 days. Quantitative nasal cultures were obtained from each subject at intervals before, during, and after treatment. All 25 placebo-treated subjects had positive nasal cultures for S. aureus at all culture intervals. Both josamycin and erythromycin were equally effective in reducing the carrier rates and in decreasing the total numbers of S. aureus isolated from subjects with positive cultures during treatment. No increase in in vitro antibiotic resistance was detected in isolates obtained after therapy. Both antibiotics were well tolerated, and toxicity was not encountered with either drug.
Tissue distribution, hormone regulation and evidence for a human homologue of the estrogen-inducible Xenopus laevis vitellogenin mRNA binding protein.

Abstract 17β-estradiol induces the synthesis of massive amounts of the hepatic mRNA encoding the Xenopus laevis egg yolk precursor protein, vitellogenin. Vitellogenin mRNA exhibits a half life of approx. 500 h when 17β-estradiol is present, and 16 h after removal of 17β-estradiol from the culture medium. We recently reported that Xenopus liver contains a protein, which is induced by 17β-estradiol and binds with a high degree of specificity to a binding site in a segment of the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of vitellogenin mRNA implicated in 17β-estradiol stabilization of vitellogenin mRNA. To determine if this mRNA binding protein was specific to this system, or if it was present elsewhere, and regulated by other steroids, we examined the tissue distribution and androgen regulation of this protein. Substantial amounts of the vitellogenin 3′-UTR binding protein were found in several Xenopus tissues including testis, ovary and muscle. In the absence of hormone treatment, lung and intestine contained minimal levels of the mRNA binding protein. Testosterone administration induced the vitellogenin 3′-UTR RNA binding protein in several tissues. Additionally, we found a homologous mRNA binding protein in MCF-7, human breast cancer cells. Although the MCF-7 cell protein was not induced by 17β-estradiol, the MCF-7 cell mRNA binding protein appears to be closely related to the Xenopus protein since: (i) the human and Xenopus proteins elicit gel shifted bands with the same electrophoretic mobility using the vitellogenin mRNA 3′-UTR binding site; (ii) The human and Xenopus proteins exhibit similar binding specificity for the vitellogenin 3′-UTR RNA binding site; and (iii) RNA from MCF-7 cells is at least as effective as RNA from control male Xenopus liver in blocking the binding of the Xenopus and human proteins to the vitellogenin mRNA 3′-UTR binding site. Its broad tissue distribution and regulation by both 17β-estradiol and testosterone suggests that this mRNA binding protein may play a significant role in steroid hormone regulation of mRNA metabolism in many vertebrate cells.
The effect of fretting and environment on fatigue crack initiation and early propagation in a quenched and tempered 4130 Steel

Fretting fatigue studies were performed on quenched and tempered 4130 steel in laboratory air and in argon as functions of relative slip displacement, normal pressure and applied cyclic stress. Significant reductions in fatigue resistance were observed at all stress levels and increased with increasing normal pressures. However, a minimum in resistance was observed for relative slip magnitudes of 20 to 30 μm. Inert environments improve fatigue resistance under fretting conditions. Metallographic observations indicated that subsurface cracking was generally observed and that stress concentrations associated with this cracking resulted in deviations to and away from the faying surfaces. Fretting cracks which deviated into the alloy become initiated fatigue cracks. A mechanical model is proposed for fretting induced fatigue crack initiation which suggests that this phenomenon is a simple extension of the basic fretting process.
Physiology, morphology, and ozone uptake of leaves of black cherry seedlings, saplings, and canopy trees

Patterns of ozone uptake were related to physiological, morphological, and phenological characteristics of different-sized black cherry trees (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) at a site in central Pennsylvania. Calculated ozone uptake differed among open-grown seedlings, forest gap saplings, and canopy trees and between leaves in the upper and lower crown of saplings and canopy trees. On an instantaneous basis, seedling leaves had the greatest ozone uptake rates of all tree size classes due to greater stomatal conductance and higher concentrations of ozone in their local environment. A pattern of higher stomatal conductance of seedlings was consistent with higher incident photosynthetically-active radiation, stomatal density, and predawn xylem water potentials for seedlings relative to larger trees. However, seedlings displayed an indeterminate pattern of shoot growth, with the majority of their leaves produced after shoot growth had ceased for canopy and sapling trees. Full leaf expansion occurred by mid-June for sapling and canopy trees. Because many of their leaves were exposed to ozone for only part of the growing season, seedlings had a lower relative exposure over the course of the growing season, and subsequently lower cumulative uptake, of ozone than canopy trees and a level of uptake similar to upper canopy leaves of saplings. Visible injury symptoms were not always correlated with patterns in ozone uptake. Visible symptoms were more apparent on seedling leaves in concurrence with their high instantaneous uptake rates. However, visible injury was more prevalent on leaves in the lower versus upper crown of canopy trees and saplings, even though lower crown leaves had less ozone uptake. Lower crown leaves may be more sensitive to ozone per unit uptake than upper crown leaves because of their morphology. In addition, the lower net carbon uptake of lower crown leaves may limit repair and anti-oxidant defense processes.
Effects of lecithin, cholesterol, and serum on erythrocyte modification and antibody neutralization by enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Summary1. Sheep red blood cells treated with mixtures of purified enterobacterial (E. coli 08 or S. abortus equi) lipopolysaccharides and lecithin, cholesterol, or normal serum were not agglutinated by homologous bacterial antibodies. 2. Pretreatment of erythrocytes with lecithin but not with cholesterol or compatible normal serum had similar effects. 3. The antibody-neutralizing capacity of the lipopolysaccharide-inhibitor mixtures was identical with that of the lipopolysaccharides, as revealed by hemagglutination inhibition tests. 4. It is concluded that the inhibitors interfere with adsorption of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides by erythrocytes.
Effect of hilly urban morphology on dispersion in the urban boundary layer

Abstract Air flow and dispersion in the atmospheric surface layer are strongly affected by terrain and buildings. Through Large-eddy simulation (LES) with a three-dimensional immersed boundary method (IBM) atmospheric boundary layer flow in a hilly urban area was simulated to study turbulence and dispersion properties in and above the urban canopy. Five different domains were designed to simulate flow over an infinite sequence of hills (defined by the Witch of Agnesi and having a maximum slope of 0.26), buildings on flat terrain and buildings on the Witch of Agnesi hills (hill height to building height ratios 3/2 and 9/4). Shear stress and velocity variance above the urban canopy were smaller for the small hill with buildings compared to building array on flat terrain. Shear stress increased with the hill height for hills with buildings. For hills with buildings turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) in the urban canopy increased dramatically upwind of the hillcrest and fell below the canopy level TKE for the flat urban case in the lee of the hill. Canyon ventilation at the sub-canopy level was two to three times larger for the hilly urban case compared to the flat case, but air exchange through the top of urban canyons was not greatly affected by the hill. Our study demonstrates that urban dispersion models with the ability to handle terrain and bluff obstacles in the domain are necessary to simulate important flow features and dispersion in hilly urban environments.
Impacts of acid gases on mercury oxidation across SCR catalyst

Abstract A series of bench-scale experiments were completed to evaluate acid gases of HCl, SO2, and SO3 on mercury oxidation across a commercial selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The SCR catalyst was placed in a simulated flue gas stream containing O2, CO2, H2O, NO, NO2, and NH3, and N2. HCl, SO2, and SO3 were added to the gas stream either separately or in combination to investigate their interactions with mercury over the SCR catalyst. The compositions of the simulated flue gas represent a medium-sulfur and low- to medium-chlorine coal that could represent either bituminous or subbituminous. The experimental data indicated that 5–50 ppm HCl in flue gas enhanced mercury oxidation within the SCR catalyst, possibly because of the reactive chlorine species formed through catalytic reactions. An addition of 5 ppm HCl in the simulated flue gas resulted in mercury oxidation of 45% across the SCR compared to only 4% mercury oxidation when 1 ppm HCl is in the flue gas. As HCl concentration increased to 50 ppm, 63% of Hg oxidation was reached. SO2 and SO3 showed a mitigating effect on mercury chlorination to some degree, depending on the concentrations of SO2 and SO3, by competing against HCl for SCR adsorption sites. High levels of acid gases of HCl (50 ppm), SO2 (2000 ppm), and SO3 (50 ppm) in the flue gas deteriorate mercury adsorption on the SCR catalyst.
A note on tilde algebras

A closed setE is constructed so thatA∼(E) is an inseparable Banach space but its maximal ideal space isE.
The association of actin with Hirano bodies.

Ultrastructural studies of the rod-shaped cosinophilic inclusions of the hippocampus (Hirano bodies) have demonstrated thin, filamentous components. The size of the filaments suggests that actin polymers (microfilaments) might form part of the Hirano body. To investigate this possibility, sections of human hippocampus and neocortex were stained, using a peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique, with an antiserum against actin. Dense reaction product was seen over rod-shaped bodies, the location and morphology of which were typical of Hirano bodies. Immunocytochemical reactions on tissue previously stained with hematoxylin and eosin allowed a direct comparison between Hirano bodies, identified by their shape and eosinophilia, and the PAP reaction product. These results suggest an abnormal organization of a major cytoskeletal protein in hippocampal neurons, especially those of aged brains.
Quantitative slide micro-immunoenzymatic assay (micro-SIA) for antibodies to particulate and non-particulate antigens.

Abstract A quantitative, minimized version of the slide immunoenzymatic assay (SIA) is described, which is performed with a 5 μl drop of each reagent on a circular glass surface (3 mm in diameter) delimited by a thin layer of a hydrophobic material. Measurements are done directly, without disturbing the drop of substrate solution while the enzymatic reaction takes place, by means of a vertical beam spectrophotometer. The main features of this quantitative micro-SIA are its simplicity, reproducibility, virtual absence of background and applicability to a large variety of antigen-antibody systems.
Effects of high gravity on amoebae (Pelomyxa carolinensis). I. Division rates.

Amoben (Pelomyxa carolinensis), die einem Gravitationsstress von 10 bis 54 g/h ausgesetzt wurden, waren in ihrer Teilungsrate signifikant behindert.
Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of coal oils in the CHO/HGPRT assay

We used the Chinese hamster ovary cell/hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (CHO/HGPRT) assay to determine the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of a crude coal oil, the neutral fraction of this crude, and the following three subfractions of the neutral fraction: aliphatic, neutral polar, and a subfraction composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons plus neutral nitrogen heterocyclics. We also studied the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of a blend of light and heavy coal-derived fuel oils before and after hydrogenation. All seven mixtures were highly cytotoxic to CHO cells, but the addition of S9 reduced the cytotoxicity. Also, hydrogenation reduced the cytotoxicity of the blend of coal-derived fuel oils. Although highly cytotoxic, none of the seven mixtures induced a clear mutagenic response in the CHO/HGPRT assay. However, previous work has shown that all of the mixtures except the aliphatic subfraction and the blend after hydrogenation are mutagenic in the histidine-reversion assay in Salmonella typhimurium. Based on chemical analyses of the mixtures, the differential sensitivity of Salmonella and CHO cells to nonmutagenic cytotoxins, and studies of the neutral fraction to which additional benzo[a]pyrene had been added, we conclude that the disparity between the results in Salmonella and those obtained in the CHO/HGPRT assay is probably due to the much greater sensitivity of CHO cells (relative to Salmonella) to the cytotoxins in these coal oils. This sensitivity, coupled with the low concentrations of mutagens relative to nonmutagenic cytotoxins in the coal oils, prevents exposure of the cells to concentrations of the mutagens in the mixtures that are high enough to be quantified in the CHO/HGPRT assay.
An avian B-lymphocyte protein associated with β2-microglobulin

A member of the family of β2-microglobulin (β2m)-associated cell surface glycoproteins was identified by the CB3 monoclonal antibody. The Mr 50 000 heavy chain of the CB3 antigen differs from conventional class I heavy chains (Mr 45 000) in the extent of glycosylation, charge, and peptide composition. Because of its selective expression on avian B cells and its similarity to mammalian class I-like molecules, we speculate that the CB3 antigen may play a role in T- and B-cell interactions. rommental stimuli is to prepare monoclonal antibodies against bursal cell surface antigens. Using this strategy we have identified several proteins that are expressed on the surface of bursal B cells (Chen and Cooper 1987). In the present study we characterize CB3, a class I-like molecule associated with β2-microglobulin (β2m) on the surface of both bursal and peripheral B cells.
Orthostatic hypotension associated with baroreceptor dysfunction: treatment approaches

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a relatively common heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder often caused by autonomic dysfunction. This condition has a deleterious impact on quality of life and contributes to higher mortality rates. Supine hypertension is very common in patients with autonomic failure, limits the use of pressor agents, and can result in end-organ damage. Current recommendations on the optimal management of these patients are based on expert opinion and poor-quality small cross-sectional studies including patients with primary autonomic failure and severe orthostatic hypotension. The authors present their treatment approach in 12 patients with disabling orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension not related to primary autonomic failure, presenting to a referral center over a 4-year period. The first step is to educate the patient about the pathophysiology and course of their disorder. Nonpharmacologic therapies and maneuvers are usually effective in relieving symptoms and preventing syncope. If needed, pharmacologic options such as fludrocortisones and midodrine are also available in patients with severe symptoms. Supine hypertension represents a challenge in the treatment of this condition. Therefore, elevation of the bed of the head and dosing of short-acting antihypertensive agents at bedtime is often indicated.
Diffraction profiles of elastically bent single crystals with constant strain gradients

This work presents a set of equations that can be used to predict the dynamical diffraction profile from a non-transparent single crystal with a constant strain gradient examined in Bragg reflection geometry with a spherical incident X-ray beam. In agreement with previous work, the present analysis predicts two peaks: a primary diffraction peak, which would have still been observed in the absence of the strain gradient and which exits the specimen surface at the intersection point of the incident beam with the sample surface, and a secondary (mirage) peak, caused by the deflection of the wavefield within the material, which exits the specimen surface further from this intersection point. The integrated intensity of the mirage peak increases with increasing strain gradient, while its separation from the primary reflection peak decreases. The directions of the rays forming the mirage peak are parallel to those forming the primary diffraction peak. However, their spatial displacement might cause (fictitious) angular shifts in diffractometers equipped with area detectors or slit optics. The analysis results are compared with experimental data from an Si single-crystal strip bent in cantilever configuration, and the implications of the mirage peak for Laue analysis and high-precision diffraction measurements are discussed.
Characterization of Biaxial Anisotropic Material Using a Reduced Aperture Waveguide

A technique is introduced for measuring the electromagnetic properties of a biaxial anisotropic material sample using a reduced-aperture waveguide sample holder designed to accommodate a cubical sample. All the tensor material parameters can be determined by measuring the reflection and transmission coefficients of a single sample placed into several orientations. The theoretical reflection and transmission coefficients necessary to perform the material parameter extraction are obtained using a modal analysis technique. An optimization method that seeks to minimize the difference between theoretically computed and measured reflection and transmission coefficients is used to perform the extraction. Measurements of a stacked dielectric medium is characterized to demonstrate feasibility of the reduced-aperture waveguide approach.
Peptidergic transmission in the brain. VI. Behavioral consequences of central activation

Having described a peptidergic transmitter system in the rat brain, we now begin to evaluate its behavioral function. We stimulated cell bodies in the medial amygdaloid nucleus (AME) with indwelling bilateral electrodes. These cell bodies contain a vasopressin-like peptide and send fibers to the hippocampus where the peptide is released upon stimulation. There the peptide inhibits hippocampal output in the awake rat just as it does in the anesthetized rat and in the rat brain slice. The stimulation reorganizes behavior with the same latency and duration as the hippocampal effect. For about 15-20 minutes after the brief stimulus, rats remain motionless with eyes wide open. This "freezing" state is punctuated by episodes of exploratory behavior. The stimulus appears to have a positive affective quality. Review of the literature in light of the present results indicates a probable role for this peptidergic system in the generation of sexual behavior in male rats.
Maternal expression and function of the Drosophila sox gene Dichaete during oogenesis

Members of the Sox family of DNA-binding HMG domain proteins have been shown to regulate gene transcription in a wide range of developmental processes, including sex determination, neurogenesis, and chondrogenesis. However, little is known about their potential functions in developing germline tissues. In Drosophila, the Sox protein Dichaete (a.k.a., Fish-hook) is a member of the SoxB subgroup whose HMG domain shares strong sequence similarity to that of vertebrate Sox2. Dichaete exhibits dynamic expression in embryonic and larval stages and has pleiotropic functions in a variety of tissues. In this study, we extend analyses of Dichaete function and show that expression of Dichaete protein is detected in the developing oocyte during early to mid stages of oogenesis. Strikingly, Dichaete exhibits cytoplasmic distribution and is not detected in the oocyte nucleus. Germline mosaic analyses revealed that the Dichaete gene has maternal functions that influence dorsal/ventral patterning of the egg chamber. Dichaete mutant eggs exhibit defects in formation of the dorsal appendages, differentiation of dorsal/anterior follicle cells, and mislocalization of Gurken protein and gurken mRNA. Dichaete protein was shown to possess RNA-binding capabilities, suggesting a direct post-transcriptional role in regulating RNA functions.
Increase in speech recognition due to linguistic mismatch between target and masker speech: monolingual and simultaneous bilingual performance.

Purpose To examine whether improved speech recognition during linguistically mismatched target–masker experiments is due to linguistic unfamiliarity of the masker speech or linguistic dissimilarity between the target and masker speech. Method Monolingual English speakers (n = 20) and English–Greek simultaneous bilinguals (n = 20) listened to English sentences in the presence of competing English and Greek speech. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects regression models to determine differences in English recogition performance between the 2 groups and 2 masker conditions. Results Results indicated that English sentence recognition for monolinguals and simultaneous English–Greek bilinguals improved when the masker speech changed from competing English to competing Greek speech. Conclusion The improvement in speech recognition that has been observed for linguistically mismatched target–masker experiments cannot be simply explained by the masker language being linguistically unknown or unfamiliar to the list...
Effects of diesel exhaust particles on human alveolar macrophage ability to secrete inflammatory mediators in response to lipopolysaccharide

Ambient particulate matter (PM) has been shown to be associated with mortality and morbidity. Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) contribute to ambient PM. Alveolar macrophages (AM) are important targets for PM effects in the lung. The effects of DEP exposure on human AM response to lipopolysachharide (LPS; from gram-negative bacteria) challenge in vitro were determined by monitoring the production of interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). The roles of organic compounds and carbonaceous core of DEP in response to LPS were evaluated by comparing the DEPs effect to that of carbon black (CB), a carbonaceous particle with few adsorbed organic compounds. AMs were exposed in vitro to Standard Reference Material (SRM) DEP 2975, SRM DEP 1650, SRM 1975 (a dichloromethane extract of SRM DEP 2975) and CB particles for 24 h. DEPs induced a decreased secretion of IL-8, TNF-alpha and PGE(2) in response to a subsequent LPS stimulation. DEPs also show suppressive effect on the release of inflammatory mediators when stimulated with lipoteichoic acid, a product of gram positive bacteria. In summary, in vitro exposure of human AM to DEPs significantly suppress AM responsiveness to gram-negative and positive bacterial products, which may be a contributing factor to the impairment of pulmonary defense.
Characterization of regional pulmonary mechanics from serial magnetic resonance imaging data1

Abstract Rationale and Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate a method for quantifying lung motion from the registration of successive images in serial magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions during normal respiration. Materials and Methods. Estimates of pulmonary motion were obtained by summing the normalized cross-correlation over serially acquired lung images to identify corresponding locations between the images. The estimated motions were modeled as deformations of an elastic body and thus reflect to a first order approximation the true physical behavior of lung parenchyma. The Lagrangian strain, derived from the calculated motion fields, were used to quantify the tissue deformation induced in the lung over the serial acquisition. Results. The method was validated on a magnetic resonance imaging study, for which breath-hold images were acquired of a healthy volunteer at different phases of the respiratory cycle. Regional parenchymal strain was observed to be oriented toward the pulmonary hilum, with strain magnitude maximal at the midcycle of the expiratory phase. Conclusion. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging quantification of lung motion holds the potential of providing a new diagnostic dimension in the assessment of pulmonary function, augmenting the information provided by studies of ventilation and perfusion.
A 40-Gb/s optical transceiver front-end in 45nm SOI CMOS technology

A low-power, 40-Gb/s optical transceiver front-end is demonstrated in a 45 nm silicon on insulator (SOI) CMOS technology. A modulator driver uses floating body devices to realize voltage swing of 2 V PP with a small-signal gain of 7.6 dB over 33 GHz. The optical receiver consists of a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and post-amplifier with 55-dB·Ω of transimpedance over 30 GHz. The group-delay variation is ±3.9 ps over the 3-dB bandwidth and the average input-referred noise density is 20.47 pA/√Hz. The TIA consumes 9 mW from a 1 V supply for a transimpedance figure of merit of 1874.5 Ω/pJ. To the author's knowledge, this represents the lowest power consumption for a transmitter and receiver operating at 40-Gb/s in a CMOS process.
Microbiological degradation of the herbicide dicamba.

Pseudomonas paucimobilis was isolated from a consortium which was capable of degrading dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) as the sole source of carbon. The degradation of dicamba byP. paucimobilis and the consortium was examined over a range of substrate concentration, temperature, and pH. In the concentration range of 100–2000 mg dicamba L−1 (0.5–9.0 mM), the degradation was accompanied by a stoichiometric release of 2 mol of Cl− per mol of dicamba degraded. The cultures had an optimum pH 6.5–7.0 for dicamba degradation. Growth studies at 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C yielded activation energy values in the range of 19–36 kcal mol−1 and an average Q10 value of 4.0. Compared with the pure cultureP. paucimobilis, the consortium was more active at the lower temperature.
Impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter and the resulting vapor plume expansion were conducted using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method. An icy body with a diameter of 2 km can penetrate to an altitude of -350 km (0 km = 1 bar) and most of the incident kinetic energy is transferred to the atmosphere between -100 km to -250 km. This energy is converted to potential energy of the resulting gas plume. The unconfined plume expands vertically and has a peak radiative power approximately equal to the total radiation from Jupiter's disc. The plume rises a few tens of atmospheric scale heights in ∼10² seconds. The rising plume reaches the altitude of ∼3000 km, but no atmospheric gas is accelerated to the escape velocity (∼60 km/s).
Market-based early warning indicators of famine for the pastoral households of the Sahel

Abstract Using a theoretical model of the pastoral production system, this research identifies some specific animal price ratios which can be utilized as early warnings signs of a food crises. The quantity and quality of animals offered for sale, herd size and its composition, relative prices of animals types with differential drought and feed resistivity but similar demand and supply elasticities should be important indicators of food stress faced by the pastoral community. The time series of animal prices during the famine of 1984–1985 in Niger provide an excellent standard to test the empirical validity and sensitivity of the early warning indicators.
The GDR “on the eve”

Abstract Nine years after the domino-like collapse of East Central Europe's Communist regimes, the near-unanimity of the conclusion, in retrospect, that the collapse was inevitable stands in stark contrast to the failure of nearly all observers and participants to anticipate it (or at least to say so publicly) at the time. In looking back at the year preceding the collapse, the nagging question that still presents itself is why practically no one saw the “unavoidable” coming. Phrased more positively, it may prove instructive to ask what evidence was available to external observers, to eastern elites, and to ordinary citizens that should have alerted us or them to the impending catalysm.
Amorphous vanadium oxide coating on graphene by atomic layer deposition for stable high energy lithium ion anodes

Uniform amorphous vanadium oxide films were coated on graphene via atomic layer deposition and the nano-composite displays an exceptional capacity of ∼900 mA h g−1 at 200 mAg−1 with an excellent capacity retention at 1 A g−1 after 200 cycles. The capacity contribution (1161 mA h g−1) from vanadium oxide only almost reaches its theoretical value.
Hydrotropic polymer micelle system for delivery of paclitaxel

Hydrotropic polymer micelle system has been developed for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs such as paclitaxel. Hydrotropic polymers based on N,N-diethylnicotinamide were synthesized and used as a hydrophobic block for constructing amphiphilic block copolymers. The hydrotropic block copolymers self-assembled to form micelles in aqueous media. The size of the prepared polymer micelles was in the range of 30-50 nm, and increased to 100-120 nm after paclitaxel loading. The critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of the block copolymers were higher by an order of magnitude than those of other typical polymer micelles, due to less hydrophobicity of the hydrotropic blocks. The drug loading capacity and physical stability of the polymer micelles were characterized and compared with those of other polymer micelles. The hydrotropic polymer micelles containing hydrotrope-rich cores showed not only higher loading capacity but also enhanced physical stability in aqueous media. They could be redissolved in aqueous media by simple vortexing and/or a mild heating. The hydrotropic polymer micelles provide an alternative approach for formulation of poorly soluble drugs.
Isolation of candidate cDNAs for portions of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the less severe Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are human X-linked muscle-wasting disorders that have been localized to the band Xp21 by genetic linkage analysis1–9 and cytologically detectable abnormalities10–12. A cloned DNA segment, DXS164 (or pERT87), has been shown to detect deletions in the DNA of unrelated DMD and BMD males13–15. Here we present the nucleotide sequence of two highly conserved DNA fragments from the DXS164 locus and their homologous sequences from the mouse X chromosome. One of the human conserved segments hybridized to a large transcript in RNA isolated from human fetal skeletal muscle and was used to isolate cDNA clones which cover approximately 10% of this transcript. The cDNA clones map to Xp21 and hybridize with a minimum of eight small regions that span 130 kilobases (kb) of the DXS164 locus. These expressed sequences are candidates for portions of the gene responsible for both DMD and BMD.
An extension of Brooks' theorem to n-degenerate graphs

Abstract For n⪖0,pn(G) denotes the Lick-White vertex-partition number of C In this paper generalized Kempe paths are used to prove that p n (G)⩽{ Δ(G) (n+1)} if G is not an odd cycle, an (n+1)-regular graph, nor a complete graph on t(n+1)+1 vertices. This result generalizes theorems of Brooks and Matula.
Dating of neovolcanic MORB using (226Ra/230Th) disequilibrium

Abstract A method for determining ages of Mid Ocean Ridge Basalts (MORB) erupted within the last 8000–10,000 years is presented and assessed. This technique employs radioactive disequilibrium between the U-series parent/daughter isotopes 230 Th and 226 Ra. Ba is used as a surrogate stable Ra isotope in order to constrain the amount of Ra—Th fractionation during generation of the basalts. Ages are determined by comparing the present day ( 226 Ra/ 230 Th) activity ratio to an inferred initial value. Measurements on a number of MORB from the East Pacific Rise (EPR) show that there is a strong correlation between Ba/Th and ( 226 Ra/ 230 Th) for the youngest basalts, giving confidence in this approach. The ages derived for dredged and submersible-collected basalts from the axial zone span a range from 0 to about 8000 years, and provide direct information about the time scale and possible episodicity of eruptions in this environment.
Posterior left atrial–esophageal relationship throughout the cardiac cycle

Radiofrequency energy delivered throughout the cardiac cycle has the potential to cause thermal injury to the esophagus if the anatomical relationship between the posterior left atrium and the esophagus changes during cardiac motion. To assess the posterior left atrial–esophageal relationship throughout the cardiac cycle. In this study, the anatomical relationship between the posterior left atrium and the esophagus was assessed throughout the cardiac cycle in 10 consecutive patients. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced, ECG-gated CT scanning. Left atrial volumes and the esophageal structure were generated from the reconstructed data at 10 phases of the cardiac cycle from 5% to 95% of the R–R interval. The posterior left atrial–esophageal anatomical relationship was measured at four levels, the superior pulmonary vein ostial site, and the upper, mid and lower left atrium. There were significant variations in the left atrial–esophageal relationship in the 10 patients. The relative movement between the esophagus and the posterior left atrium throughout the cardiac cycle in the anteroposterior and right-to-left orientations was 0.55 ± 0.99 mm and 0.60 ± 1.02 mm (95% confidence interval, 2.03 and 1.98 respectively). Under normal conditions, there is little change in the anatomical relationship between the posterior left atrium and the esophagus during the entire cardiac cycle. However, due to the interpatient variability at the esophageal location, identification of esophageal location may help prevent complications during catheter ablation procedures involving the left atrium.
Contrasting ecological breadth of co-occurring annual Polygonum species

1 Understanding the relative distributions of ecological generalists vs. specialists requires precise characterization of the environmental ranges of closely related taxa. The ecological breadth of four annual species in the genus Polygonum was determined from field measurements taken from five natural populations per species in a common geographical range. 2 Significant early and late-season differences among the species were found for available light (photosynthetically active radiation) at canopy and mid-canopy levels, and for soil temperature, moisture availability, macronutrient content, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and structure, at two depths. Field sites within each species also differed significantly for these variables. 3 The field distribution of P. persicaria covers the broadest range of habitats, from moderate shade with very dark microsites to full insolation, cool to very warm soils, flooded to dry moisture conditions, and organic, high-nutrient to nutrient-poor soils. 4Polygonum lapathifolium is comparatively intolerant of shade, particularly early in the growth season. Although this species occurs in flooded to moderately dry conditions and in poor as well as rich soils, its moisture and nutrient ranges do not include such low extremes as those of P. persicaria, and its range of soil temperatures is also narrower. 5Polygonum cespitosum is restricted to low-light habitats and to consistently moist soils that do not flood. The species is, however, found in a moderately broad range of soil types and macronutrient availabilities. Polygonum cespitosum occurs in extremely low-light habitats that are evidently beyond the shade tolerance of the other species. 6Polygonum hydropiper is restricted to high-light sites with highly organic, consistently very moist or flooded soils. Unlike its congeners, this species can tolerate flooded soils during seedling establishment. The species is limited to soils with high early nitrate and calcium content, moderate CEC, and pH close to 6.0, but tolerates a broad range of soil temperatures. 7 The occurrence of spatial and temporal environmental variability within as well as among field populations of Polygonum species suggests that tolerance of such variability may result from individual phenotypic plasticity rather than from ecotypic adaptation of entire populations.